GB2227653A - Combined sunshade and table - Google Patents

Abstract

A combined sunshade and table is disclosed in which the sunshade canopy and table are connected through pivotably mounted struts and/or stays to a central post such that the sunshade canopy and table structure can selectively be moved between stored positions in which they are generally aligned to the central post and open positions in which they radiate at angles to the post. <IMAGE>

Description

Leisure Furniture This invention relates to articles of leisure furniture and more especially, but not exclusively, to a combined sunshade and table which is collapsable.

Sunshades are well-known items of leisure furniture.

Conventionally, such items comprise an umbrella-type canopy supported by a central pole which passes through an aperture formed in a separate table and locates in a recess of a weighted base. Such items of furniture are expensive to purchase; also, when assembled, they normally remain as semi-permanent structures in the garden or on the patio of a dwelling.

A collapsable combined sunshade and table in accordance with this invention is designed to be a lightweight portable structure in which the table top and legs can be folded together with the collapsed canopy to define a compact and easily transportable unit. Thus, the combined sunshade and table can be taken to and erected both easily and quickly at locations such as picnic sites, beaches, camping/caravan sites, gardens, conservatories, exhibitions (indoor/outdoor), beer gardens, pavement cafes/restaurants, promenades, suitable marine craft, sporting events (indoor/outdoor).

According to the present invention, there is provided leisure furniture in the form of a combined sunshade and table, the sunshade canopy and table being connected through pivotably mounted struts and/or stays to a central post such that the sunshade canopy and table structure can selectively be moved between stored positions in which they are generally aligned to the central post and open positions in which they radiate at angles to the post.

The unit legs are preferably spiked at their lower ends for ease of siting in soft ground.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which the sole Figure is a side view of an article of leisure furniture in accordance with the invention in the form of a combined sunshade and table, in its fully erected position.

The combined sunshade and table shown in the drawing includes four legs 1 (only three of which are shown) each of which is pivotably connected at its uppermost end to lower attachment lugs (only two of which are shown) of bracket 2 previously secured about the lower end of a central post 3, by any suitable means, these including, for example, boltS, screws or the like (not shown). Each leg 1 carries or is formed on its lower with end a spiked foot 4. The spiked foot may be secured to the leg by rivets, pins or the like (not shown). Alternatively, the spiked feet may be formed integrally with the legs.

The legs 1 are spaced, when in the open position of the combined sunshade and table, by four struts 5 (only two of which are shown) each aligned to its respective leg. Each strut 5 is pivotably connected at its lower end to the respective leg 1 by means of a pivot pin, bolt or the like (not shown) and at its uppermost end is pivotably connected to lower attachment lugs of a slider bracket 6 by means of a pivot pin, bolt or the like (not shown). The linkage mechanism has been so designed, that when slider bracket 6 is moved downwards about the central post 3 the interaction through struts 5 causes the legs 1 to move to the open position and conversely when slider bracket 6 is moved upwards about the central post 3 causes legs 1 to close vertically and to be in parallel alignment with the central post 3.

As will be can clearly be seen from the drawing, the sunshade includes a canopy framework comprising four arms 7, (only two of which are shown), each-connected pivotably at one end to a bracket 8 previously secured about the upper end of central post 3 by any suitable means, these including, for example, bolts, screws or the like (not shown). The arms 7 are connected to their respective bracket lugs (only two of which are shown) by any suitable means, these including, for example, pivot pin, bolt or the like (not shown).

Canopy support stays 9 (only two of which are shown), are each pivotably connected at one end to its respective support arm 7 by any suitable means, these including, for example, pivot pins, bolts or the like (not shown). The ends of the support stays 9 remote from the arms 7 are each pivotably attached to a respective attachment lug of a canopy slider bracket 10 by any suitable means, these including, for example, pivot pins, bolts or the like (not shown).

The combined canopy and table described is so designed that when the slider bracket 10 is moved upwardly about the central post 3, with the canopy arms 7 and stays 9 initially in line with the central post 3, force is exerted through the canopy support stays 9 to cause the canopy arms 7 to open outwardly. The stays 9 are retained in their open positions by means of a quick release pin, spring clip or the like (not shown) which locks the canopy slider bracket 10 to the central post 3. To close the canopy the quick release pin, spring clip or the like is released and the canopy slider bracket 10 is moved downwardly over the central post 3. The canopy is secured in its closed position by inserting a quick release pin, spring clip or the like into a suitably positioned recess (not shown) in the central post 3.

The canopy material is secured about the central post 3 by means of an attachment gland (not shown) which is, in turn, secured to the upper surface of the top bracket 8 by means of rivets, self-tapping screws or the like (not shown). The covering material for the canopy is attached to the canopy arms 7 by means of a suitably contoured top facing strip (not shown) which traps the material between the strip and the upper surface of the respective canopy arm 7. The canopy material and facing strip may be secured in position by such means as rivets or the like (not shown).

The table framework comprises four arms 11, (only two of which are shown), each of which is pivotably connected at one end to the upper attachment lugs of the slider bracket 6. The arms 11 may be connected to their respective lugs on slider bracket 6 by any suitable means, these including, for example, pivot pins, bolts or the like (not shown).

Four table support stays 12, (only two of which are shown), are each pivotably connected at one end to the upper lugs of bracket 2. The other end of each table support stay 12 is secured to the respective table arm 11 by, for example, a pivot pin, bolt or the like (not shown).

The combined canopy and table is designed so that when the table bracket 6 is moved downwardly about the central post 3 with the table arms 11 and legs 1 aligned with the central post 3, a force is exerted through the arms 11 to cause the table support stays 12 to open outwardly. Simultaneously, this force is exerted through each leg strut 5 causing the legs 1 to open out and assume the open position shown in the drawing.

The table arms 11 and legs 1 are retained in their open positions by means of a quick release pin, spring clip or the like (not shown) which locks the table slider bracket 6 to the central post 3. To close the table and legs the quick release pin, spring clip or the like is released and the table slider bracket 6 is moved upwardly over the central post 3, thereby closing and aligning the table arms 11 and legs 1 complete with their respective stays/struts with the central post 3. The table and legs are secured in their closed position by inserting the quick release pin, spring clip or the like into a suitably positioned recess (not shown) of the central post 3.

The table material is secured about the central post 3 by means of an attachment gland (not shown) which is in turn secured to slider bracket 6 upper surface by means of rivets, self-tap screws, bolts or the like (not shown).

Covering material for the table is attached to the table arms 11 upper surface by means of a suitably contoured top facing strip (not shown) which traps the material between the strip and the respective table arm 11. The table material and facing strip may be secured in position by such means as rivets, studs or the like (not shown).

There is in addition (not shown) the provision for flexible coated wire or some other suitable means located between the outermost ends of the table arms 11 so as to maintain the contour of the material along the table edge to provide additional support for the same when in the fully erected position. The attachment of this facility to the table arms 11 and table material can be achieved the use of brackets, cleats and may be retained in position by rivets, bolts or other suitable means (not shown).

An additional extension post (not shown) may be positioned within the central post 3 and be secured thereto by means of a grip screw, quick release pin or the like (not shown). The extension post is provided for insertion into a conventional portable weighted base.

End caps (not shown) for the central post 3 may be provided for the top and bottom ends of the post. The top cap may be secured in a permanent fashion to the post by, for example, rivets, adhesive or the like (not shown). The bottom end cap (not shown) is designed for ease of removal and to facilitate withdrawal of the aforementioned extension post (not shown), as and when required. The bottom cap is preferably secured to the central post 3 post by a push fit and when removed may be attached to the central post 3 by a chain or the like (not shown) to prevent loss.

A lightweight carrying bag (not shown) may be provided to encapsulate the complete sunshade/table combination in its collapsed state for ease of transportation and to provide adequate storage for the unit when not in use.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of one embodiment of leisure furniture in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1 An article of furniture in the form of a combined sunshade and table, the sunshade canopy and table being connected through pivotably mounted struts and/or stays to a central post such that the sunshade canopy and table structure can selectively be moved between stored positions in which they are generally aligned to the central post and open positions in which they radiate at angles to the post.

2 An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the table includes a plurality of legs each of which is pivotably connected at its upper end to a bracket member secured to a central post of the article.

3 An article as claimed in claim 2 wherein each leg is formed on its lower end with a spiked foot.

4 An article as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each leg is connected to one end of a pivotable strut, the other end of the strut being pivotably connected to a first sliding bracket which comprises the central post of the article and can be moved relative thereto.

5 An article as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 further including a plurality of arms for supporting a canopy, each arm being connected pivotably to one end of a bracket secured to the central post.

6 An article as claimed in claim 5 wherein canopy support stays are provided, each of which is pivotably connected at one end to one of the arms and at its other end to a second slider bracket which encompasses and is movable relative to the support post.

7 An article as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein canopy material is secured to the central post by an attachment gland and to the arms by strips adapted to trap material between the strips and the respective arm.

8 An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a framework to a table surface, the framework comprising a plurality of arms each of which is pivotably connected at on end to the said first sliding bracket.

9 An article of furniture substantially as herein described and as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing.