Outdoor Table

Abstract

An outdoor table and methods for assembling the same are described. The outdoor table includes a table top, a support stake, and an upper locking device. The support stake is insertable into a sand or soil substrate. Once the support stake is inserted into the substrate in a generally upright position, the upper locking device is fitted over a top end of the support stake. The table top includes a central aperture. The table top is fitted over the top end of the support stake, which is insertable through the central aperture, so that the table top is installed in a horizontal orientation near the top end of the support stake. In some embodiments, the outdoor table includes a lower support element disposed between the support stake and the upper locking device to secure the table top in a horizontal position near the top end of the support stake.

Claims

1. An outdoor table comprising: a table top comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture passing through the top and bottom surfaces; a support stake for supporting the table top, wherein the support stake comprises a top end and a bottom end; and an upper locking device for securing the table top to the support stake.

2. The outdoor table of claim 1, wherein the support stake comprises a generally cylindrical stake comprising a top end that is generally flat or blunt and a bottom end comprising a sharp or angled portion to allow for easy insertion into a sand or soil substrate.

3. The outdoor table of claim 1, wherein the top end of the support stake is insertable through the aperture and extends partially above the top surface of the table top, and wherein the upper locking device is removably attachable to the top end of the support stake.

4. The outdoor table of claim 1, wherein the top end of the support stake comprises threading and wherein a bottom of the upper locking device comprises corresponding threading for attaching the upper locking device to the top end of the support stake so that the table top is secured in a horizontal position on the support stake by the upper locking device.

5. The outdoor table of claim 1, further comprising a lower support element for connecting between the table top and the support stake.

6. The outdoor table of claim 5, wherein the lower support element is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end of the lower support element is insertable through the aperture of the table top and extends partially above the top surface of the table top.

7. The outdoor table of claim 6, wherein the top end of the lower support element comprises threading and wherein a bottom of the upper locking device comprises corresponding threading for attaching the upper locking device to the top end of the lower support element so that the table top is secured in a horizontal position between the support stake and the upper locking device.

8. The outdoor table of claim 1, wherein the upper locking device comprises a solid top end and a bottom end having an opening into a hollow interior.

9. The outdoor table of claim 8, wherein an inner surface of the bottom end of the upper locking device comprises threading so that the upper locking device is attachable to the upper portion of the lower support element by screwing the upper locking device thereon; and wherein once the upper locking device is attached to the upper portion of the lower support element, the table top is removably secured to the support stake.

10. The outdoor table of claim 1, wherein the outdoor table is assemblable into a usable configuration and disassemblable into a portable configuration; and wherein the bottom surface of the table top comprises at least one attached retaining member for securing the support stake to the bottom surface of the table when the outdoor table is disassembled into the portable configuration.

11. The outdoor table of claim 1, further comprising at least one item holder accessible at the top surface of the table top, and wherein the table top comprises at least a second aperture aligned with the item holder so that the at least one item holder receives an item placed into the at least one item holder through the at least second aperture.

12. The outdoor table of claim 11, wherein the at least second aperture is sized to receive and retain the at least one item holder suspended from the top surface of the table top so that a bottom portion of the at least one item holder extends below the bottom surface of the table top.

13. The outdoor table of claim 11, wherein the at least one item holder comprises a retention element attached to the bottom surface of the table top beneath the at least second aperture to hold the item placed into the at least second aperture so that the item is suspended from the top surface of the table top so that a bottom portion of the item extends below the bottom surface of the table top.

14. The outdoor table of claim 1, further comprising one or more trays installed on a bottom surface of the table top for receiving and holding an item.

15. An outdoor table comprising: a table top comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture passing through the top and bottom surfaces; a support stake comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is insertable through the aperture at the bottom surface of the table top to extend above the top surface of the table top, and wherein the bottom end is insertable into a sand or soil substrate; an upper locking device for securing the table top to the support stake by removably connecting the upper locking device to the top end of the support stake so that the table top is fastened to the support stake in a generally horizontal configuration; and at least one item holder for receiving an item placed therein, wherein the item holder is accessible at the top surface of the table top.

16. The outdoor table of claim 15, wherein the outdoor table is assemblable into a usable configuration and disassemblable into a portable configuration; and wherein the bottom surface of the table top comprises at least one attached retaining member for securing the support stake to the bottom surface of the table when the outdoor table is disassembled into the portable configuration.

17. The outdoor table of claim 15, wherein the table top comprises at least a second aperture aligned with the at least one item holder so that the at least one item holder receives the item placed into the at least one item holder through the at least second aperture.

18. A method for assembling an outdoor table comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a support stake into a substrate, wherein the support stake comprises a top end and a bottom end; (b) attaching a bottom end of a lower support element to the top end of the support stake, wherein the lower support element comprises the bottom end and a top end comprising an upper portion; (c) installing a table top comprising an aperture so that the upper portion of the lower support element is inserted through a bottom surface of the table top and extends above a top surface of the table top; and (d) attaching an upper locking device over the upper portion of the lower support element so that the table top is securely and removably fastened to the lower support element.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (b) of the method further comprises one of the steps of: (e) fitting the bottom end of the lower support element over the top end of the support stake; or (f) fitting the bottom end of the lower support element within a hollow interior of the top end of the support stake.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein step (d) of the method further comprises the step of: (g) screwing the upper locking device over the upper portion of the lower support element, wherein the upper locking device comprises a bottom end comprising an opening and an inner surface defining a hollow interior, and wherein the inner surface comprises threading corresponding and attachable to threading on an outer surface at the top end of the lower support element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of one embodiment of a table top of an outdoor table with item holders disposed therein.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of the table top of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the table top of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1 with the item holders removed.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a side view of the longitudinal (i.e., longer) side of the embodiment of the table top of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1 with the item holders removed.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of the table top of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1 with the item holders removed.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1 with the support stake installed, wherein the outdoor table is oriented with the longitudinal side being visible.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1 with the support stake installed, wherein the outdoor table is oriented so that a side of the outdoor table that is horizontally perpendicular to the longitudinal side is visible.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective bottom view of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1 with the support stake and item holders installed.

[0036] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1, wherein the outdoor table is oriented so that a side of the outdoor table that is horizontally perpendicular to the longitudinal side is visible.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective side view of the outdoor table shown in FIG. 1, wherein the outdoor table is oriented with the longitudinal side being visible.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a perspective side view of the outdoor table of FIG. 1 shown in use and installed on a sand substrate.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the outdoor table of FIG. 1 shown in the collapsed or disassembled portable configuration.

[0041] FIG. 14 is a close-up view of a tray attached to a bottom surface of an outdoor table.

[0042] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of an outdoor table, wherein the outdoor table is oriented so that a side of the outdoor table that is horizontally perpendicular to the longitudinal side is visible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

[0044] The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to an element is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to a step or a means may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means.

[0045] All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction and should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction or should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

[0047] Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term including should be read to mean including, without limitation, including but not limited to, or the like; the term having should be interpreted as having at least; the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to; the term example is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like preferably, preferred, desired, desirable, or exemplary and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and an should typically be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

[0049] All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1-15, the invention provides an outdoor table that is installable on a sand or soil substrate. For example, the outdoor table can be installed on a sand substrate at a beach or picnic area, or the outdoor table can be installed on a soil substrate on a lawn, park, or other outdoor area. The outdoor table can also be installed in a substrate of rock, crushed rock, gravel, mixed rock and soil, and mixed rock and sand. The outdoor table includes a table top, a support stake, and an upper locking device. In some embodiments, the outdoor table also includes a lower support element.

[0051] The table top is a generally flat planar piece of material that has a top surface, a bottom surface, and side edges. The table top includes an aperture. The aperture can be centrally located on the table top so that it forms a central aperture extending through the top and bottom surfaces of the table top. The table top also includes at least a second aperture that provides access to at least one item holder. For example, the table top can include one, two, three, four, or more additional apertures other than the first (central) aperture. The at least one item holder can be a cup holder or a mobile device holder, although the at least one item holder can hold and retain any item sized so as to be capable of fitting within the item holder. As shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the central aperture, the table top can include apertures for receiving cup holders and that serve as mobile device holders. The cup holders can be placed into circular apertures. In exemplary embodiments, the mobile device holder can be a rectangular or oblong aperture extending through the top and bottom surfaces of the table top in alignment with a retention element installed on the bottom surface of the table top to prevent a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, or other mobile electronic device) from passing through the aperture and falling onto the substrate. In other embodiments, the mobile device may have a different shape than rectangular or oblong such as, for example, circular, square, oval, triangular, quadrilateral, or irregular. The retention element can be a strip of material that prevents passage of the item placed into the at least second aperture from falling to the substrate. The strip of material can be, for example, a rubber band, a plastic strip, a wire, or any other suitable strip of material capable of supporting weight of items placed within the item holder. In other embodiments, the retention element can be a solid container or a mesh material attached to the bottom surface of the table top.

[0052] Each at least second aperture can receive an item holder to serve as a cup holder by holding a cup once a width of the cup equals or exceeds a width of the cup holder aperture. The cup holder apertures may be circular or another shape, and all of the cup holder apertures may have an identical diameter. In another embodiment, each cup holder aperture may have a diameter that is different than a diameter of each other cup holder aperture of the table top. In still another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, two or more cup holder apertures of the table top may have an identical diameter that is different than a diameter of one or more other cup holder apertures of the table top.

[0053] The table top can also include one or more holders that include an aperture extending through the top and bottom surfaces of the table top and a bottom retaining apparatus. The bottom retaining apparatus can be a cup-shaped attachment that is permanently or removably connected to the bottom surface of the table top beneath the aperture. In another embodiment, the bottom retaining apparatus can be one or more pieces of material that do not entirely enclose the area beneath the aperture. The one or more pieces of material may be permanently or removably connected to the bottom surface of the table top.

[0054] The bottom surface of the table top can also include one or more retaining members that hold the support stake and other elements of the outdoor table securely for storage when the outdoor table is disassembled and not in use. For example, the retaining members can include one or more flanges (but preferably at least two flanges), each having an aperture shaped and sized to receive the support stake, which may be inserted therethrough for storage and portability when the outdoor table is disassembled into its collapsed portable configuration.

[0055] The table top is constructed from plastic in exemplary embodiments. In other embodiments, the table top is constructed from a composite material, wood, metal, semimetal, bamboo, stone, or any other suitable material. The table top may be constructed from a material that is different from the materials from which other parts of the outdoor table are constructed.

[0056] The support stake is a generally cylindrical stake that includes a top end that is generally flat or blunt and a bottom end that includes a sharp or angled portion to allow for easy insertion into a sand or soil substrate. The support stake can be solid, or in exemplary embodiments, the support stake can be hollow to allow for lightweight construction that is easily transported. The bottom end of the support stake is insertable into the sand (e.g., at a beach) or soil substrate (e.g., in a yard, park, picnic area, or other outdoor area) in a generally vertical upright orientation.

[0057] As mentioned above, some embodiments of the outdoor table include a lower support element. The lower support element is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a top end and a bottom end. In an exemplary embodiment, the top end of the lower support element includes threading. The bottom end of the lower support element includes a lip or flange that fits over the top end of the support stake. In another embodiment, the lip or flange may fit within a hollow interior of the top end of the support stake. Once the support stake is inserted into the substrate in a generally upright position, the lower support element is fitted over (or in the alternate embodiment, within) the top end of the support stake. The lower support element prevents the table top from sliding down the length of the support stake. The top end of the lower support element extends through the aperture at the bottom surface of the table top and protrudes through the central aperture above the top surface of the table top.

[0058] In embodiments of the outdoor table that do not include a lower support element, in one embodiment, the support stake may include a ridge, indentation, ledge, or protrusion that encircles the circumference of the support stake near the top end so that when the top end of the support stake is inserted through the aperture of the table top, the table top rests on the ridge, indentation, ledge, or protrusion so that a portion of the top end of the support stake extends above the top surface of the table top while the table top is supported at a height above the bottom end of the support stake (and therefore, also at a height above the substrate).

[0059] In another embodiment, the support stake includes a circumference that increases moving from the top end downward toward the bottom end so that the top end is narrower than other portions of the support stake. In this embodiment, when the top end of the support stake is inserted through the aperture of the table top to a distance at which the circumference of the support stake is wider than the aperture, the table top will not descend any further down the length of the support stake so that the table top is supported at a height above the bottom end of the support stake (and therefore, also at a height above the substrate).

[0060] In the embodiments described above, while the support stake may be inserted through the table top's aperture, the table top's aperture may also be aligned with the top end of the support stake and the table top lowered onto the support stake.

[0061] In exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 13-15, the outdoor table further includes one or more trays installed on a bottom surface of the table top for receiving and holding an item. The item can be a mobile device, an electronic reading device for displaying e-books, a tablet computer a book, or any other item having a size that permits it to be received and held by the tray. By including the trays under the bottom surface of the table top, items placed within the trays are shielded from the sun, which is desirable especially with mobile computing devices like mobile phones and tablet computers that are subject to overheating. In some embodiments, each or some of the trays may be tapered in shape. In some embodiments, each or some of the trays may include finger slots for ergonomic usage. In an exemplary embodiment, the outdoor table includes two trays, although in other embodiments, the outdoor table may include any number of trays limited only by the size of a particular outdoor table and the size or number of trays. The tray is installed on the bottom surface of the table top by screws, nails, or other fastening means. In an exemplary embodiment, the tray is connected by screws to the bottom surface at one or more connection flanges that extend downward from the bottom surface.

[0062] The outdoor table is constructed from plastic, wood, metal, semimetal, composite material, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing materials. The outdoor table is constructed to be lightweight and portable. In some embodiments, the outdoor table may be constructed from materials that are (or coated with compositions that impart the characteristic of being) corrosion proof or resistant, water proof or resistant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and/or sun resistant.

[0063] The invention also features methods for assembling the outdoor table into a usable configuration and for disassembling the outdoor table into a portable configuration.

[0064] In the assembly method, a table top is fitted over a top end of a support stake, which is insertable through the central aperture, so that the table top is installed in a horizontal orientation near the top end of the support stake. The upper locking device is attachable to the top end of the support stake that extends above the top surface of the table top to secure the table top onto the top end of the support stake. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper locking device includes a solid top end and a bottom end having an opening into a hollow interior. In one embodiment, an inner surface of the upper locking device includes threading so that the upper locking device is attachable to the top end of the support stake by screwing the upper locking device over corresponding threading on an outer surface of the top end of the support stake. In another embodiment, an outer surface of the upper locking device includes threading so that the upper locking device is attachable to the top end of the support stake by screwing the upper locking device into corresponding threading on an inner surface of the top end of the support stake. In this latter embodiment, the top end of the support stake includes an opening into a hollow interior. Once the upper locking device is attached to the top end of the support stake, the table top is secured tightly but removably to the support stake.

[0065] In other embodiments, the support stake may be attached to a lower support element and the table top may be fitted over an upper portion of the lower support element, which is insertable through the central aperture, so that the table top is installed in a horizontal orientation near the top end of the support stake. The upper locking device is attachable to the upper portion of the lower support element to secure the table top onto the top end of the support stake. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper locking device includes a solid top end and a bottom end having an opening into a hollow interior. An inner surface of the upper locking device includes threading so that the upper locking device is attachable to the upper portion of the lower element by screwing the upper locking device thereon. Once the upper locking device is attached to the upper portion of the lower support element, the table top is secured tightly but removably to the support stake.

[0066] The outdoor table can be disassembled by performing the steps described above in reverse order.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0067] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.