GB2515804A

GB2515804A - Snack table and kit

Info

Publication number: GB2515804A
Application number: GB1312057.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bertram Mindell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-05
Filing date: 2013-07-05
Publication date: 2015-01-07
Also published as: GB201312057D0

Abstract

A pole mountable table 1 comprises a radially inner plastic or metal tray portion 2 having an opening for receiving a pole and at least one radially outer table portion 3 formed of wire mesh. A clamp, such as a circular worm drive clip 6, clamps spring fingers 4,14 of the tray portion and outer table portion against a supporting parasol, umbrella or like pole. The outer table portion is held in place by hooking a first portion over a lip 20 of the inner tray portion and hooking a second portion 14 over the central opening in the tray portion. A support arm 13 for the or each table portion may be provided. The tray portion may be provided with recesses T for holding food and cut-outs C for holding beverage containers and the like. The pole-mountable table may be provided as a kit of parts comprising a tray portion, one or more table portions, a pole and legs 10 pierced so as to accept ground-mounting pegs 11.

Description

Snack Table and Kit

The present invention relates to a pole-mountable snack table, as well as to a pole-mountable snack table element. The invention also relates to a kit of parts for such a snack table. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to snack tables for use outdoors.

US2009/0294622 discloses a portable drink stand comprising a tubular central pole supported on radial legs and having an uppermost plate holder having keyhole-shaped slots in tis periphery, apparently for holding wineglasses. Below the plate holder, various food and drinks holders are supported from the central pole, including a shaped plate holder (Figure 7), bottle holders and beverage holders. The assembly is apparently of lightweight construction and can be dismantled and re-assembled by the user.

The plate holder is flat and of limited size and does not include a tray (for holding snacks or finger food for example). It appears to be suitable for supporting only a few small dishes and wineglasses.

Attention is also drawn to the applicant's co-pending applications GB 1210042.6 tiled 7th June 2012, which discloses a tablctop bottle or drinks can holder for usc with a snackstand, and GB 1213111.6 filed 24th July 2012, which discloses a snackstand comprising an upper pole-mounted table having tray portions for holding finger food and a lower pole-mounted wire holder for drinks cans or bottles of drink, the wire holder being in the form of a circular array of adjacent horizontal wire rings joined at their common tangents, the array being supported from a collar on the pole by wires which extend radially inwardly from the junctions of the wire rings and terminate at the collar.

In general, the snack tables of the prior art have a tray for finger food and the like at a high level and holders for heavier items such as bottles or cans of drink and (in some cases) plates at a lower level.

Furthermore relatively large and heavy tables are known for use with parasol poles and the like in which pole-mounted trays are provided above the table surface for holding food and/or drinks items. These arc convenient in usc but are not portable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pole-mountable snack table and a pole-mountable table element for use in a snack table in which the advantages of portability and convenience are combined.

The invention provides, in one aspect, a pole-mountable snack table comprising a radially inner plastics or metal tray portion having an opening for receiving the pole and at least one radially outer table portion which is formed of metal mesh and borders the tray portion.

The inner tray portion can be relatively lightweight and the outer table portion can be sufficiently strong to support dishes, plates, glasses and the like. Since the latter is a separate component rather than constituting an entire table, the weight of the snack

table is reduced.

Furthermore the separate inner and outer table portions enable the snack table to be disassembled for transportation or storage, eg in a carrier bag or the like. This is advantageous for caravan users and campers, for example, as well as users who wish to set up a snack table on a patio on an occasional basis and store it away when not in use.

Preferably said tray portion is provided with a circumferentially distributed array of food andlor drinks holders.

Preferably two or more of such radially outer table portions are disposed about the periphery of said tray portion. This enhances the flexibility of the arrangement and, at lcast in preferred embodiments, enables food and drinks on the inner tray portion to S be accessed from between spaced-apart outer table portions.

In one such preferred embodiment, an outer periphery of said tray portion is provided with an array of angularly spaced apart slots for holding wineglasses and the or each of said radially outer table portions allows access to wineglasses in said slots.

Preferably the or each said radially outer table portion is arranged in use to be clamped to said pole. This feature avoids imposing any stress on the relatively lightweight inner tray portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the or each said radially outer table portion includes at least one support arm extending radially inwardly over said tray portion to said opening. This feature has the advantage that the tray portion cannot be dislodged (eg by a gust of wind) or removed from the snack table without disassembly.

Preferably said tray portion comprises a circumferentially-distributed array of food and!or drinks holders and the or each said radially inwardly-extending support arm extends between said food and/or drinks holders. This feature ensures easy access to food and/or drinks on the inner tray portion.

In one embodiment said support arm is a wire bent so as to skirt round the periphery of said food and/or drinks holders Preferably said tray portion and the or each radially outer table portion are provided with clamping fingers adjacent said opening which are arranged in use to be clamped to said pole with a common circular clamp. This feature simplifies construction and facilitates assembly and disassembly.

Preferably one or more radially extending projections on the or each said radially outer table portion engage said tray portion or vice versa, to locate the or each said radially outer table portion relative to said tray portion.

Preferably the spacing between the outer periphery of said radially outer table portion and the pole axis is at least 1.5 times (more preferably at least twice) the spacing between thc outer periphery of said tray portion and said pole axis. This ensures the snack table is reasonably large and is compatible with existing tray portions already on the market, which typically have a diameter of about 330 mm.

Preferably the outer table portion is formed from metal wire. Preferably the metal wire is plastic-coated.

Preferably said supporting pole is supported by three or more legs whose upper ends are arranged in use to be secured to said pole by said clamp.

Preferably lower ends of said logs have apertures for receiving locating pegs. This enables the anangcment to be fixed securely on a beach or lawn for example.

Preferably at least a lower end said supporting pole is tubular, said snack table further comprising a locating peg which in use is secured at ground level and which projects into said tubular lower end. This feature ensures that the supporting pole remains upright. Furthermore it enables the snack table and its associated pole (possibly also with its food andior drink items) to be lifted off the locating peg. The peg can then be accessed easily and pulled out without risking tipping over the table The invention also provides a kit of parts for a pole-mountable snack table as defined above, the kit comprising a tray portion and one or more table portions as defined above, optionally a supporting pole, optionally legs as defined above for supporting said supporting pole, optionally one or more locating pegs and optionally one or more circular clamps for clamping said tray portion and/or said table portion to a supporting pole. The kit can be provided in disassembled form for self-assembly Further preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.

In another aspect the invention provides a pole-mountable snack table element comprising a metal mesh (eg wire mesh) table portion which includes at least one support arm or strut for supporting the table portion on a supporting pole, the support arm or strut extending radially inwardly from an inner peripheral portion of the table portion whereby a tray element can be accommodated within the inner periphery of said inner peripheral portion.

This enables a snack table in accordance with the first aspect of the invention to be constructed with the table element and an existing inner fray portion.

Preferably the above pole-mountable snack table element is a radially outer table portion as defined above.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a snack table in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a snack table element in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, fitted to an inner tray portion of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of a variant of the snack table element of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of a further variant of the snack table element of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view from above of the snack table of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a top plan view of one of the legs of the snack table of Figure 1, and Figure 7 is a perspective view from above of the clamp used to secure the legs to the upright pole of the snack table of Figure 1.

In the drawitigs, like parts are indicated by corresponding reference numerals, variants being indicated by primed reference numerals.

Referring to Figure 1, the snack table I comprises an inner fray portion 2, an outer table portion 3 formed of powder-coated wire mesh, an upright supporting pole in the form of mating tubular sections 7A, 7B, and three legs 10 (only two of which are seen in the drawing) secured by a collar 8 at 1200 to each other.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the inner tray portion 2, which is suitably formed of semi-rigid plastics material such as polycarbonate or high-density polyethylene, has a central aperture 15 and four integral spring fingcrs 4 distributed regularly around the circumference of the aperture and extending vertically downwardly. Each spring fingcr 3 subtends 900 when clamped, with only a small slit bctwccn adjaccnt spring fingers when they are in the unclamped configuration shown in Figure 2. Keyhole-shaped cut-out portions C are provided in the periphery of the inner tray portion to accommodate wine glasses G (Figure 1) and tray recesses T are provided between the cut-out portions to accommodate tray inserts (not shown) for finger food (eg nuts, crisps and the like).

As shown in Figure 2, inner tray portion is formed with a downwardly-turned peripheral lip 20.

As seen in Figure 1, the array of spring fingers 4 is clamped against the upper end of upper tubular section 7A by a circular worm drive clip 6 such as a Jubilee clip for example. In this manner the tray portion 2 is supported firmly.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, outer table portion or snack table element 3, which is suitably constructed of 3 mm diameter wire mesh, comprises a radially outer flat horizontal portion formed of radial and circumferential wires bounded by an upturned lip portion 12. The radial wires at the extremities, which subtend an angle of about 600 about the supporting pole axis, include continuations 16 which project radially inwardly from the radially innermost circumferential wire and are combined at a yoke portion adjacent the aperture 15. A downwardly turned extension 14 of the yoke portion extends downwardly into aperture 15 in the gap between two of the spring fingers 4. As best seen in Figure 1, downwardly-turned extension 14, together with spring fingers 4 of the inner tray portion 2, is clamped against the supporting pole by worm drive clip 6.

The radially inwardly-extending continuations 16 rest on the upper surface of inner tray portion 2, which thereby stabilises the outer table portion 3. As shown in Figure 2, continuations l6are bent so as to include part-circular portions which skirts the cut-outs C. Referring again to Figure 1, further stabilisation is provided by hooks h which extend from the radially innermost circumferential wire beneath lip 20.

In order to provide further support for outer table portion 3, a strut 13 of 3 mm diameter wire extends radially inwardly from the centre of the outer periphery of the outer table portion, and terminates in an upturned portion which is aligned with extension 14 and lies between two spring fingers 4 (Figure 1), enabling it to be clamped against the supporting pole by worm drive clip 6.

S

In this manner both the inner tray portion 2 and the outer table portion 3 are supported from the supporting pole by a common clamp.

Figure 3 shows a variant 3A in which strut 13 is replaced by a strut I 3A having a downwardly-turned extension at its radially inner extremity. As shown in Figure 1, this can be clamped against the supporting pole by an additional circular worm drive clip 6A. This outcr table portion or snack table clement is suitable for canying heavier items such as wine bottles for example.

Figure 4 shows a variant 3B which is similar to that of Figure 2 except that the mid-section of strut 13B is horizontal. This is more compact in the vertical direction. It can be supported by worm drive clip 6 in the same manner as the outer table portion or snack table element 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a circular array of five outer table portions 3 fitted to inner fray 2. It will be seen that they allow access to wineglasses held in cut-outs C. Any of the outer table portions 3 could be dispensed with and the angular positions of the remaining outer table portions varied to provide a non-circular snack table arrangement.

The support of the snack table as a whole will now be described.

Referring to Figure 1, in order to secure the central pole, lower tubular section 7B of the supporting pole fits closely around the head of a peg 11 which is embedded in the ground G, and a tripod support comprising legs 10 is connected to the junction of the upper and lower tubular sections 7A, 7B by a collar 8 of plastics material.

Referring to Figure 6, each leg 10 has a foot 18 with an aperture 19 for receiving the shaft of an embedded peg 11, as seen in Figure 1. Each leg 10 has an elbow portion at its upper end which terminates in a part-tubular mating portion 17 which fits against the pole, preferably at the junction of tubular sections 7A and 7B. Mating portion 17 is provided with an internal longitudinal strengthening rib in order to provide further rigidity. In a variant, tubular sections 7A and 7B could be replaced by a single supporting pole in order to enhance rigidity.

Referring to Figure 8, collar 8 is provided with a radial threaded hole into which a screw 9 is threaded. Screw 9 engages one of the mating portions 17 of a leg 10 and tightens the opposite wall portion of the collar against the mating portions 17 of the othcr two legs 10. In this manner the base of the snack table is securely supported.

A significant problem which is addressed by the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2is the firm support of the snack table by a lightweight structure. In particular this is s&ved by the upright pole and radial legs of the support arrangement.

Optionally, a parasol (not shown) can be supported on the top of the supporting pole.

In other variants the inner tray portion 2 and/or the outer table portions 3 could be other than circular, eg square or rectangular. In other variants, more than three legs 10 can be fitted to the inside of the collar 8. In further variants, the pegs 11 can be dispensed with and the feet 18 linked with tic members to stabilise the snack table when supported on a hard surface.

The described snack tables can all be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools and, when disassembled, carried eg in a carrier bag. Accordingly they can be sold in kit form.

Claims

Claims 1. A pole-mountable snack table comprising a radially inncr plastics or metal tray portion having an opening for receiving the pole and at least one radially outer table portion which is formed of metal mesh and borders the tray portion.
2.Apolc-mountablc snack table according to claim 1 wherein said tray portion is provided with a circumferentially distributed array of Ibod and/or drinks holders.
3. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein two or more of such radially outer table portions are disposed about the periphery of said tray portion.
4. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein an outer periphery of said tray portion is provided with an array ofangularly spaced apart slots for holding wineglasses and the or each of said radially outer table portions allows access to wineglasses in said slots.
5. A pole-mountable snack table according to any preceding wherein the or each said radially outer table portion is arranged in use to be clamped to said pole.
6. A pole-mountable snack table according to claims wherein the or each said radially outer table portion includes at least one support arm extending radially inwardly over said tray portion to said opening.
7. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 6 wherein said tray portion comprises a circumferenlially-distributed array of food and/or drinks holders and the or each said radially inwardly-extending support arm extends between said food and/or drinks holders.
8. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 7 wherein said support arm is a wirc bcnt so as to skirt round thc pcriphery of said food and/or drinks holdcrs.
9.A pole-mountable snack table according to any of claims 5 to 8 wherein said tray portion and thc or each radially outer table portion arc provided with clamping fingers adjacent said opening which are arranged in use to be clamped to said pole with a common circular clamp.
10. A pole-mountable snack table according to any preceding claim wherein the or each said radially outer table portion comprises at least one lower strut which in use extends radially inwardly beneath said tray portion, said lower strut having an inner end attachable to said supporting pole.
11. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 10 as dependent upon claim 9 wherein said inner end projects upwardly towards said clamping fingers and is arranged in use to be clamped to said supporting pole with said circular clamp.
12. A pole-mountable snack table according to any preceding claim whcrcin one or more radially extending projections on the or each said radially outer table portion cngagc said tray portion or vice versa, to locate thc or cach said radially outcr table portion relative to said tray portion.
13, A pole-mountable snack table according to any preceding claim wherein the or each said radially outer table portion comprises a wire grid forming a flat surface.
14. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 13 wherein said flat surface is bounded at its radially outer periphery by an uptumed lip portion.
15. A pole-mountable snack table according to any preceding claim wherein the spacing between the outer periphery of said radially outer table portion and the pole axis is at least 1.5 times the spacing between the outer periphery of said tray portion and said pole axis.
16. A pole-mountable snack table according to any preceding claim, comprising a supporting pole and three or more supporting legs whose upper ends arc arranged in use to be secured to said supporting pole by a clamp.
17. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 16, wherein said supporting pole comprises two mating tubular sections, wherein in use said clamp securing said three or more supporting legs surrounds the junction of said mating tubular sections.
18. A pole-mountable snack table according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein lower ends of said legs have apertures for receiving locating pegs.
19. A pole-mountable snack table according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein at least a lower end said supporting pole is tubular, the snack table further comprising a locating peg which in usc is secured at ground level and which projects into said tubular lower end.
20. A pole-mountable snack table according to any preceding claim wherein said tray, radially outer table portion(s) and legs (if present) can be dismounted from the supporting pole without the usc of tools to provide a portable snack table assembly.
21. A pole-mountable snack table substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, optionally as modified in accordance with any of Figures 3, 4 and S of the accompanying drawings.
22. A kit of parts for a pole-mountable snack table as claimed in any of claims Ito 21. the kit comprising a tray portion and one or more table portions as defined in any of claims Ito 20, optionally a supporting pole, optionally legs as defined in any of claims 16 to 19 for supporting said supporting pole, optionally one or more locating pegs and optionally on or more circular clamps for clamping said tray portion and/or said table portion to a supporting pole.
23. A pole-mountable snack table element comprising a wire mesh table portion which includes at least one support arm or strut for supporting the table portion on a supporting pole, the support arm or strut extending radially inwardly from an inner peripheral portion of the table portion whereby a fray element can be accommodated within the inner periphery of said inner peripheral portion.
24. A pole-mountable snack table element as claimed in claim 23 which is a radially outer table portion as defined in any of claims 1 to 21.
25. A pole-mountable snack table element substantially as described hereinabove with reference to any of Figures Ito 4 of the accompanying drawings.