CANTILEVERED TABLE - SEATING UNIT

ENSEMBLE TABLE ET SIEGES

English Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A cantilevered table - seating unit comprising a table
top, four easy to access seating positions for adults and/or
older children and two enclosed seating positions for younger
children. The two enclosed seating positions have removable
covers which serve to increase the area of the table top when
one or both of the enclosed seating positions are not being
used, provide arm rests for each of the four seating positions
for adults and/or older children, and function as booster seats
to raise the height of the enclosed seating positions in
relation to the table top. Four legs, combined into a couple
of cross braces, serve to support the table top and seating
areas in a way that provides easy access to the four adult
and/or older child seating positions, provide a wide base for
the unit to prevent tipping when the unit is unevenly loaded,
and prevent sway along the length of the unit.
( 2 )

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A table - seating unit comprising a cantilevering of the
greater part of the table top and seating areas away from their
support members and utilizing a crossed leg configuration at
both edges of the unit to stabilize the unit from swaying along
its length, to prevent the unit from tipping under an
unbalanced load, and to secure the ends of the table top
support members and the seating areas support members in their
proper position.
2. A table - seating unit as claimed in claim 1 that utilizes
the area, on both sides of the unit, that is bounded by the
edge of the table, the crossed leg configuration, and the two
parallel table top support members, as an enclosed seating
area.
3. A table - seating unit as claimed in claim 2 that utilizes
removable covers, over the enclosed seating areas, that can
increase the table top area when one or both of the enclosed
seating areas are not being used and that can function as
booster seats when one or both of the enclosed seating areas
are being used.
4. A table - seating unit as claimed in claim 1 that utilizes
inverted V braces below the table top between vertically
parallel table top support members and seating area support
members, to strengthen the unit and to prevent swaying across
the width of the unit.
5. A table seating unit as claimed in claim 2 that can use rods
between the ends of the table top support members to provide
improved back support within the enclosed seating areas.
( 7 )

Description

~047 ~ Q~
CANTILEVERED TABLE - SEATING UNIT
The present invention relates to a table - seating unit.
Although used for a variety Or purposes, such units are
sometimes refered to as picnic tables.
A couple of problems are inherent in the design of known
picnic tables. The support structure must be placed near the
ends of the table to prevent the unlt from tipping under load.
This support structure makes it awkward to access the seating
areas. The open bench seating does not provide any areas
where small children can sit with side and back support.
The present invention provides enclosed seating for two
younger children in addition to seating for four adults and/or
older children that can be easily accessed without interference
from the support structure. Ease of access is achieved through
a cantilevering of the table top and the seating areas . The
enclosed seating areas can be covered when not in use and these
covers serve to increase the area of the table top and provide
arm rests for the adult and/or older child seating areas.
The covers~ when removed to access the enclosed seating areas,
can be used as booster seats to raise the height of the
enclosed seating areas in relation to the table top. The four
legs are assembled into a couple of cross braces which provide
support points for the table top and seating area support
members~ brace the unit against sway along its length,
provide a wide base to prevent tipping and provide an outer
raised edge to prevent the enclosed seating area covers from
sliding. Braces beneath the table top increase the strength
of the unlt and prevent sway across the width of the unit.
The invention, as exemplified by a preferred embodiment,
is described with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the unit, excluding the
legs, with one enclosed seating area cover in the table top
position.
Figure 2 ls an end view of the unit with the enclosed
seating area covers in the booster seat position.
Figure 3 is a side view of the unit with the covers
removed and placed beside the unit.
Figure 4 is an exploded view of the joint at the
intersection of each pair of legs.
Figure 5 is a view of one method of fastening the legs
4 to the ends of the support members.
( 3 )

20~7~0~
The table - seating unit illustrated comprises four legs,
10,12,14,16 ~oined into a couple of cross braces. One method
of ~oining the legs at their intersection point ls shown in
Figure ~. The angle of intersection varies depending upon the
dimensions of the unit.
The seating area support members 18,20 and the table top
support members 22,24 can be secured to the assembled cross
braces 10-12~ 16 with a nut and bolt at the ends of the
support members as illustrated in ~igure 5.
tO The inverted V brace 38 is installed between table top
sup~ort member 22 and seating area support member 18 as shown
in Figures 1,2,3.
The inverted V brace 40~ shown in ~igure 3, is installed
in the same manner as brace 38~ but between support members 2
and 20.
The seating areas 26,28 and the table top 30 are fas~ened
to their support members 18,20 and 22,2~ in a secure method so
that sufficient weight can be supported on the cantilevers.
The enclosed seating area cover 32 is shown in the table
top position in Figure 1. The enclosed seating area covers 32,
34 are shown in the booster seat position in Figure 2 and
standing beside the unit in Figure 3. The covers are held in
place in the table top position by the pieces 42,~4,46,48 on
their underside and by the edge of the table top 30 and the
tops of the legs 10,12~14,16.
In Figure 1 an optlonal rod ~0 has been installed between
table top support members 22,24 to provide increased back
support in one of the enclosed seating areas.
( 4 )

Representative Drawing