GB2360700A

GB2360700A - Folding picnic table

Info

Publication number: GB2360700A
Application number: GB0007813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ching Kun Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-30
Filing date: 2000-03-30
Publication date: 2001-10-03
Also published as: DE20007252U1; GB0007813D0

Abstract

A folding picnic table has a foldable slatted top 21 and a folding support structure. The support structure comprises a pair of elongate parallel support bars 10. To each end of these are pivotally attached via a pair of 'L' shaped brackets 12, two leg assemblies. Each leg assembly comprises a main leg 14 and a further subdivided leg having a lower part 17 and an upper part connected together by an 'N' shaped plate 15 such that the axes of the two parts are not aligned. The main leg passes through the gap between the two parts and is pivotally attached to the 'N' shaped plate to form and 'X' leg arrangement, the top end to each leg of the 'X' being attached to an end of each of the bars 10 via the 'L' shaped plate 12. In use the 'X' can be folded together and then the resultant folded legs folded to lie parallel with the bars 10. It can be seen that when erected the inner ends of the split leg act as a stop for the full leg. The table top comprises plurality of slats 21 joined below via flexible members 22, and having transverse members 24 which are dimensioned to fit exactly between the bars 10 in the open position. Preferably the ends of the bars 10 have spigots 11 which fit into holes in the terminal slats of the table top when folded overs.

Description

2360700 FOLDING STRUCTURE OF PICNIC TABLE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a folding structure of a picnic table.

Background of the invention

Because a picnic table must possess the characteristics of maneuverability and convenience of portage when it is used outdoors, it thus must have folding and unfolding functions. Specifically, the assembly and the disassembly of the table plate with the table feet and the folding and unfolding of the table feet are all necessary functions.

Summary and objects of the present invention

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a folding structure of a picnic table, which furnishes the folding function of the table plate through windable rectangular plates.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding structure of a picnic table, which furnishes the folding function of the mounts by using an X shaped mounts. The top of the X-shaped mounts is pivotally connected to a supporting bar respectively via a gemel plate and a toggle bar.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Brief description of drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the folded mounts of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the unfolded mounts of the present invention; Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the unfolded mounts of the present invention; Fig. 4 is yet another perspective view of the unfolded mounts of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the unfolded table plate of the present invention; Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded table plate of the present invention along the line A-A' shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the unfolded picnic table of the present invention; Fig. 6A is a locally exploded perspective view of the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, projecting bars 11 are respectively disposed at the two ends of two parallel supporting bars 10. Opposite L-shaped gemel plates 12 are pivotally fixed to two symmetric mounts such that the mounts can be closed up when folded (shown in Fig. 1), or the mounts can be opened to be perpendicular to the supporting bars 10 and be supported and fixed via toggle bars 13 when unfolded (shown in Fig. 2).

As shown in Figs, 3 and 4, the mounts comprise a main mount 14 and a sub mount. The sub-mount is equally divided to form an upper sub-mount 16 and a lower sub-mount 17, both of which are fixed via N-shaped fixing plates 15 at 2 0 their two side surfaces. The main mount 14 penetrates through the upper sub mount 16 and the lower sub-mount 17 such that they are pivotally fixed.

Thereby the mounts can be unfolded to form an X shape for supporting.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a table plate 20 comprises a plurality of equally spaced rectangular plates 2 1, which are fixed via corresponding flexible bars 22 or resilient bars. Positioning holes 23 corresponding to the projecting bars 11 at 2 the two ends of the supporting bars 10 are respectively disposed at the rectangular plates 21 at the two ends of the table plate 20 such that they can be wedged and fixed to achieve positioning effect. A plurality of positioning plates 24 of proper length conforming with the distance between the two supporting bars 10 can be installed at the bottom of the table plate to enhance steady positioning of the assembly.

To sum up, the present invention can be unfolded to form a picnic table and be folded to occupy smaller space to facilitate portage and storage. Moreover, the present invention can be scaled down to form a picnic chair.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

3 1 claim:

1. A folding structure of a picnic table comprising two parallel supporting bars.

two opposite mounts, and a table plate, wherein said supporting bar is a long bar with projecting bars respectively disposed W at the t,,,,-o ends thereof., said mounts comprise a main mount and a sub-mount, said sub-mount being equally divided to form an upper sub-mount and a lower sub-mount. both of which being pivotally fixed to said main mount via opposite N-shaped fixing plates at their two side surfaces, L-shaped gemel plates and toggle bars at the top of said mounts being pivotally fixed to said supporting bars; sid table plate comprises a plurality of equally spaced rectangular plates, al 1 said rectangular plates being fixed via flexible bars or resilient bars at the bottom thereof, positioning holes corresponding to said projecting bars of said supporting bars being respectively disposed at said rectangular plates at two ends of said table plate, a plurality of positioning plates of proper length conformin2 with the distance between said two supporting bars being further installed at the bottom of said table plate, said positioning plates being wedged between said two supporting bars to enhance steady positioning effect; whereby said mounts pivotally connected to said supporting bars can be unfolded to form an X shape for supporting, be wedged with said table plate to form a picnic table, and be folded to occupy smaller space to facilitate portage and storaRe.

2. A folding structure of a picnic table substantiaBy as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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