BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to an improved compact and lightweight picnic or patio bench table having removable parts suitable for being securely assembled when in use and compact and easy to handle when ready to be transported and stored. The improved compact bench table of the present invention has at least five integral parts to maximize compactness, easy to assemble and simultaneous rigidity. In order to permit stability from outside natural elements, such as wind, the improved compact bench table is provided with a plurality of aperture means in a table top support passing therethrough. Additionally, a plurality of ribbings therethroughout each removable part may be integrally incorporated as a part thereof to permit structural strength for accommodating concentrated stresses exerted thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing an improved bench table embodying at least five distinguishable removable parts and suitable for rapid, compact and lightweight assembling and disassembling. The improved bench table makes use of lightweight, but sturdy material to ensure convenient and effective transportation when not in use and ready for storage. By providing preferable plurality of ribbing means incorporated thereto in the various removable parts of said bench table, said parts are capable of withstanding concentrated stresses exerted thereto when in use.

These and other features of the invention will be understood upon reading of the following description along with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of an improved compact and portable table and bench combination in accordance with the present invention showing wholly a non- apertured table top and bench seats.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the improved compact and portable table and bench combination of the present invention fully assembled and ready for use.

Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the improved compact and portable table and bench combination of the present invention fully disassembled from its ready-to-use structure, as shown in Figure 2, to a stacked formation ready to be transported and stored.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the improved compact and portable table and bench combination of the present invention which illustrates the easy to handle and compactness structure when ready to be transported and stored.

Figure 5a is an elevational view of each of at least a pair of legs of the present invention showing a plurality of apertures and slots therethrough. Figure 5b is an elevational view of the table top of the present invention illustrating the associated plurality of paired rectangular mounting members integrally attached at the bottom surface thereto. Figure 5c is an elevational view illustrating the bottom surface of each of at least a pair of bench seats of the present invention with the associated plurality of paired mounting members integrally attached thereto.

Figure 5d is an elevational view of each of at least a pair of seat supports of the present invention illustrating a plurality of slots therethrough for mounting. Figure 5e is a side elevational view of table top support of the present invention illustrating a plurality of slots for mounting and apertures passing therethrough. Figure 5f is an

elevational view illustrating the top surface of each of at least four bench feet of the present invention with two associated elongated slots therein for mounting.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the top portion of the leg members of a preferable embodiment of the present invention with an associated strap member fastened thereto for locking the removable parts therein for transport and storage thereof.

Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6 showing the manner in which the strap member is accommodated therethrough the top portions of the leg members of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the bottom portions of the leg members illustrating a protruding member of a leg member ready for insertion into a slot portion of another opposingly located leg member.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the bottom portions of the leg members when in the locked position.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of slotted portions of the table top and seat support suitable for mating with the leg side members also having a slotted portion therethrough.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the top portion of the leg members of another preferable embodiment of the present invention with the associated strap member passing therethrough a slotted portion of the leg members while having each integral protruding member of each leg member touching each other when the bench table of the present invention is assembled ready for storage. Figure 12 is a perspective view of at least one clamping member suitable for being slidably braced onto the side and bottom portions of the leg members when the bench table of the present invention is assembled ready for storage.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of integral ribbing members therebelow the table top provided for strength and stability.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the improved compact and portable table and bench combination of the present invention ready to be transported.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-

15 of Figure 14 showing the manner in which the bench seats are secured within the fully compact transportable arrangement of the table and bench combination of the instant invention.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the improved compact and portable table and bench combination of the instant invention having mounted thereon magnetic strips along the internal contacting sides of the legs for securing the various parts when the table and bench combination is arranged in transportable form.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17- 17 of Figure 16 showing the manner in which the magnetic strips are mounted.

Figure 18 is a partial side elevational view of the compact and portable table and bench combination showing a hook-type attachment for securing the table and bench combination in a transportable arrangement.

Figure 19 is a partial side elevational view of the compact and portable table and bench combination showing another hook-type attachment for securing the table and bench combination in a transportable arrangement. Figure 20 is a partial front elevational view of the compact and portable table and bench combination showing another hook-type attachment for securing the table and bench combination in a transportable arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of an improved compact and lightweight bench table showing a plurality of removable parts, including a wholly non-apertured table top 1 and bench seats 5. Below the table top 1 are at least two pairs of preferably rectangular mounting members 8, proximately located in parallel from each other, preferably integrally attached thereto for accommodating in a space 9 therebetween an upper portion 10 of a table top support 12. The table top support 12 has at least two vertically downward protruding members 14 opposed at each end of said tabletop support 12. Each vertically downward protruding member 14 has a slot 16 passing therethrough terminating from a bottom end to proximate said upper portion of said table top support 12. Each slot 16 allows communication with an upper part 18 of a table leg 20 having on said upper part 18 a vertically partially extending slit 22 to the upper portion 10 of the table top support 12 passing therebetween slot 16. In order to allow a stable lower support for the bench table top 1, the lower portion of each table leg 20 has a semi-circular configuration therebelow expanding to both leg side members 24, 25. Each leg side member 24, 25 has on its upper end a vertical slot 27, 28, respectively for accommodating a seat support 30, 31 for passing through slots 34 therebetween. The upper portion of each seat support 30, 31 permits the accommodation thereto of a bench seat 5 which is mounted thereon between at least a pair of proximately located parallel mounting members 36. At least two pairs of mounting members 36 are preferably integrally joined at the bottom surface of the bench seat 5 preferably at a distance apart from each other; each pair of said mounting members 36 preferably located proximate each opposing longitudinal end at the bottom surface of each

bench seat 5. In order to provide further stability, i.e., to preclude any wobble effect when the bench seat 5 is used, the inner side 35 of said bench seat is positioned and accommodated therein into at least two gap openings 35 of the table leg 24 thereabove each of leg side member 24, 25.

Each bottom portion of each leg side member 24, 25 has a preferably integral foot block member 38 preferably having a length equivalent to the width of the side member 24, 25 and a width preferably at a dimension to permit compact storage when stored integral to said table leg 20. Each foot block member 38 has a slot portion 40 cut longitudinally along the upper portion of each block member to permit accommodation therein a bottom portion of a leg side member 24, 25.

In order to assemble each of the above-mentioned parts of the bench table to a complete operational and ready to use embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, each part is preferably made of a lightweight, yet sturdy, long-lasting and convenient to handle material. Each of the above-mentioned part is preferably made of NORYL FN-215 thermoplastic foam resin having a 5 to 10% glass fiber composition to provide highly suitable mechanical properties essential for thin- walled structural parts as embodied in the above-identified parts; thereby reducing the plurality of ribbing means to accommodate the various stresses exerted thereto. Further, said thermoplastic foam resin exhibits highly desirable low creep and water absorption rate, as well as tensile, impact strengths and flexural modulus and highly suitable for formation of fillets and radii to reduce the load at points of stress concentration. This, what is accomplished is a lightweight, perhaps aggregating to approximately 16 lbs. in weight when fully assembled as shown in Figure 2, yet sturdy in construction, highly efficient in operation and

easily and economically produced. As illustrated in Figure 2, the improved compact and portable table and bench combination of the present invention having a wholly non- apertured or smooth upper surface table top 1 and bench seats 5 removably, yet sturdily joined to at least two table legs 20. Additionally, a plurality of stress ribbings (not shown) are incorporated at predetermined locations on each of the above-mentioned removable parts for reinforcing the strength and to accommodate thereto loads which may occur at predetermined points of concentrated stresses when the bench table is in use.

In Figure 3, a perspective exploded view of the improved compact and portable table and bench combination is illustrated to show a manner in which the table can be fully disassembled from its ready-to-use structure, as shown in Figure 2, to a stacked formation ready to be transported and stored. As illustrated in Figure 3, one of the table legs 20 initially provides an end portion of said stacked formation which is preferably laid down on the ground to be placed thereon the variegated removable parts of said table. Adjacent to said laid down table leg 20 to be stacked thereon is the table top 1 preferably having the upper surface of said table top 1 abutting the table leg 20 and preferably having the rectangular mounting member 8 opposingly extended away from the table leg 20. Abutting said table top are two bench seats 5 and a seat support 30 therebetween; the mounting members 36 of said bench seats 5 are preferably adjacent the table top 1 and the slots 34 of said seat support 30 are preferably positioned as the upper portion therein when the seat support 30 is stacked along with the bench seats 5. Abutting the bench seats 5 and the seat support 30 are the table top support 14 preferably stacked above another seat support 31 wherein the slots 34 of the seat support 31 are positioned at the lower portion

of the seat support 31 when stacked. Another table leg 20 is thereafter stacked adjacent the table top support 20 to act thereto as an opposing end portion of the fully stacked formation, as shown in Figure 3, ready for transporting and storing.

To permit the opposing end portions of the stacked formation embodied by the two table legs 20, as previously described, each leg side member 24, 25 has at least an aperture 40, 42 passing therethrough, respectively to permit a nut 42 and bolt 47 combination or a snap-on device combination (not shown) to be accommodated therein for securely forming the ready-for-storage configuration, as shown in Figure 4, of the compact and portable table and bench combination. Upon completion of the stacked formation shown in Figure 4, transporting becomes convenient by providing a horizontal slit 50 on the upper portion of each table leg 24 having a width suitable for accommodating therein at least four average human fingers, except the thumb, to allow manual carrying of the completely stacked formation therefrom.

Figures 5a to 5f are elevational views of the various above-mentioned parts for further clarifying, by means of illustration, the specific features of each of the above- mentioned parts. It is to be further noted that in Figure 5e, the table top support 12 has a plurality of apertures 55 passing therethrough an upper extension member 57 to provide a means for stabilizing the fully assembled compact and portable table and bench combination when used outdoors to fend, or more specifically to allow any cross-winds to pass therethrough thereby significantly increasing a more secure assemblage provided therefrom by the table top support 12.

In Figure 6, a strap member 70 is shown passing therethrough slots 72 of the upper parts 18 of the table legs 20 of a preferable embodiment of the present invention. Here, the slots 72 are preferably located proximate the edges 74 of the table leg 20 in order to optimize the locking efficiency of said strap member 70 when in use. In Figure 7, the strap member 70 has preferably a snap-on type fastening members 76, preferably near the top edges of the table legs 20 for full locking efficiency thereof. The strap member 70 is preferably long to allow it to be mounted on the shoulders of a user.

In Figures 8 and 9, the bottom portions 76 of the table legs 2 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has an extending member 80 integral thereto, as shown, while an opposing bottom portion of another opposingly located leg 20 has a slot portion 83 for accommodating therein said extending member 80. Each leg 20 has at least one extending member 80 and at least one oppositely located slot portion 83. In Figure 9, the end of the extending member 80 has a downwardly protruding member 85 for locking the bottom portions 76 of the legs 20 together. The space 88 therebetween the legs 20 provides a place for the removable parts (not shown) of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when transported and stored. Further, as illustrated in both Figures 8 and 9, the legs 20 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention have a side support member 90 extending substantially perpendicular from therethroughout the edges of the legs 20. As shown in Figure 10, the table leg 20, table top support 12 and each seat support 30 have slots 16, 34, respectively. The slot 22 of the table leg 20 has opposing sides 101, 102, each having a protruding member 104, 105 extending therefrom. Further, as shown in Figure 10, it is

preferred that the table leg 20 has an extended ribbing member 108 therealong its entire edge, as well as an extended ribbing member 10 therealong the opposing sides 101, 102 of the slot 22. Moreover, the slots 27, 28 of the table legs 20 are preferably constructed in a similar manner as above- described for the slot 22.

Further, as illustrated in Figure 10, the slot 16 of the table top support 12 also have opposing sides 110, 111, each having protruding members 114, 116 extending therefrom. Further, it is preferred that the table top support 12 has an extended ribbing member 120 therealong its entire edge, as well as an extended ribbing member 122 therealong the opposing sides 110, 111 of the slot 16. Also, the slots 34 of the seat supports 30, 31 are preferably constructed in a similar manner, as above- described for the slot 16.

In Figure 11, thereabove each slot 72 of each table leg

20 is an integral protruding member 1130 extending from the extended ribbing member 108. Each protruding member 130 of each table leg 20 touch each other when the table legs 20 are assembled in storage form.

When assembled for storage, a clamp member 138, generally C-shaped, is slidably positioned, preferably on the side and bottom portions of the table legs 20. The side and bottom portions of the table legs 20 also have, therealong, integral extended ribbing members 135, preferably longer than extended ribbing member 108. As shown in Figure 12, the clamp member 138 is braced therearound the integral extended ribbing members 135.

In Figure 13, therebelow the table top 1 are integral ribbing members 140, preferably U-shaped and preferably in a formation shown in Figure 13. The integral ribbing members 140 has a central ribbing 145, as a part thereof,

which accommodates therein the upper portion 10 of the table top support 12. Therealong the edges of the table top 1, is also an integral protruding member 148 for providing additional support and stability thereof when in use or when in storage.

In order to avoid the use of the clamp member 138, the bench seats 5 have on at least two edges, preferably the edges defining the widths of the preferably rectangularly formed table seats, slot portions 150 which fit onto internally protruding elongated portions 154 of the legs 20. The edges of the bench seats 5 are thus able to slide along the elongated portions 154. In other words, the elongated portions 154 permit the legs to be braced together when the other parts of the table and bench combination are stored within the legs 20 as shown in Figure 14 in a transportable arrangement.

As further shown in Figure 15, the bench seats 5 having the slot portions 150 are fully secured within the legs 20 along with the other parts ready for transport. Figures 16 and 17 show another arrangement in which the various parts of the table and bench combination can be secured within the legs 20 in a transportable arrangement with the use of magnetic strips 160 attached or imbedded within the side support members 90 of the legs 20 which extend partially (as shown in Figure 16) or completely (as shown in Figures 6 and 8) along the edges of the legs 20. Although Figures 16 and 17 illustrate the manner in which the magnet strips 160 are secured within the upper portions of the legs 20, it is preferred that the strips 160 be secured, partially or completely, along the side support members 90 which are located on the sides of the legs 20. The upper portions of the legs 20 can then be secured with the use of a strap member 70 as shown in Figure 6. If desired, a hook-type device 162 shown in Figure 18 can be

mounted on the edges of the legs 20 for further locking the legs 20 together when the table is in a transportable arrangement as in Figure 14.

In another embodiment illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, a buckle lock-type arrangement can be used for securing the legs 20 together. Here, each edge of each leg 20 has, either integral or coupled thereto, a protruding member 165 having first 168 and second 170 portions. The second portion 170 preferably has an external groove 173 for accommodating thereon a strap like member 175. The strap¬ like member 175 is preferably secured to the protruding member 165 in a force-fit like manner by positioning the strap-like member 175 onto the first portion 170 and lifting the strap-like member 175 upwards for securing it thereto. In the manner just described, the legs 20 are secured together thereby securing the other parts of the bench and table combination therebetween.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims. From the above description, many variations are apparent to one skilled in the art which would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the invention.