Field of the invention

The invention relates to support means for supporting a horizontally extending tabletop and configured and suitable for attachment to a vertically extending object such as a tree trunk, lamp post or upright. The invention also relates to an assembly of such support means and a horizontally extending tabletop configured and suitable for being supported by the support means attached to the vertically extending object. The terms 'horizontal' and 'vertical' are understood in the context of the invention to mean respectively 'substantially horizontal in a position of use' and 'substantially vertical in a position of use'.

Background of the invention

Support means of the stated type are known in multiple embodiments. These have a number of drawbacks however. They are usually complex and relatively expensive. In addition, they are generally too heavy and too bulky to be easily shipped and transported. The attachment to a tree trunk, lamp post or upright usually requires special tools and cannot be readily carried out by a layman.

DE29920318U and US8397648B describe embodiments which have the stated drawbacks to lesser extent. DE29920318U describes a support device comprising two (wing) screws with which the device can be clamped around an upright of a sunshade and then forms a support for a multi-part tabletop that is subsequently arranged around the upright. US8397648B describes a similar device wherein the parts of the tabletop are provided with hook members for attaching the parts of the tabletop to the device clamped around a vertical object such as a column or tree. Higher standards relating to the mechanical loadability and the stability of the attachment of the device to the vertically extending object are however not met here since greater forces and moments of force cannot be absorbed by the device clamped around a tree trunk, lamp post or upright, and the device is therefore not suitable for bearing greater loads such as a heavier tabletop with load.

The present invention now provides a new embodiment which does not have said drawbacks of known support means, or at least does so to lesser extent, and in addition has a number of unique advantages of its own.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides support means of the stated type, characterized in that the support means comprise:

a framework configured and suitable for arranging around the vertically extending object; and

- at least two supporting arms configured and suitable for supporting the tabletop and connected to the framework and each extending and adjustable relative to the framework in a direction toward and away from the centre of the framework.

The support means can thus be readily attached to the vertically extending object, after the framework has been arranged around the vertically extending object, by adjusting the supporting arms relative to the framework such that the whole is clamped to the vertically extending object. The tabletop can subsequently be arranged around the vertically extending object, supported by the support means, or in this case supported by the supporting arms. The invention also provides an assembly of such support means and a horizontally extending tabletop configured and suitable for supporting by the support means attached to the vertically extending object. Brief description of the drawings

The invention is further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of exemplary embodiments. In the drawings, more or less schematically:

- figure 1 is a perspective top view of support means according to the invention in mounted situation;

figure 2 is a perspective top view of the support means in partially mounted situation; figure 3 is a perspective bottom view of part of a first supporting arm;

figure 4 is a perspective top view of the support means attached to a tree trunk and supporting a first segmented tabletop; and

figure 5 is a perspective top view of the support means attached to a lamp post and supporting a second segmented tabletop.

Exemplary embodiments

Support means (1) shown in the drawings comprise a framework (4) and also, in the shown example four, supporting arms (12,13,14,15), each extending and adjustable relative to framework (4) in a direction (R12;R13;R14;R15) toward and away from the centre of framework (4).

Two first supporting arms (12; 13) are (discretely) adjustable, in the shown example in mutually perpendicular horizontal directions (R12;R13), relative to framework (4), and two second supporting arms (14; 15) are (continuously) adjustable, in the shown example in mutually perpendicular horizontal directions (R14;R15), relative to framework (4). Framework (4) comprises a first, in the shown example U-shaped, framework part (5) provided with a passage (6) and a second framework part (7) fitting into passage (6). Second framework part (7) is connected pivotally (8) to first framework part (5), and can be locked in passage (6) by means of first locking means (9) provided for the purpose. First locking means (9) comprise for this purpose a first arresting pin (10), attached in the shown example to first framework part (5), and a first recess (11) co-acting therewith and arranged in the shown example in second framework part (7). A framework (5+7=4) closed all around, which in the shown example is square, can thus be formed. Each first supporting arm (12; 13) can be locked by means of second locking means (16) provided for the purpose in a number of discrete positions relative to framework (4). Second locking means (16) comprise a second arresting pin (17), attached in the shown example to first framework part (5), and a number of second recesses (18) co-acting therewith and arranged in the relevant first supporting arm (12; 13), see figure 3. Each second supporting arm (14; 15) is (continuously) adjustable relative to framework (4) by means of adjusting means (19) provided for the purpose. Adjusting means (19) comprise an adjusting member (20), in the shown example a rod provided with screw thread, mounted in the shown example on the relevant second supporting arm (14; 15), and a third recess (21) co-acting therewith and provided with complementary screw thread or protrusions, arranged in the shown example in first framework part (5).

First supporting arms (12; 13) and second supporting arms (14; 15) are adjustable relative to framework (4) in pairwise manner (12&14;13&15) in the same horizontal direction (R12=R14;R13=R15). Each supporting arm (12,13,14,15) is provided on a side facing toward the centre of framework (4) with, in the shown example four, clamping members (22) of an elastic material, for instance rubber. Support means (1) can be attached to a vertically extending object (3) such as a tree trunk, lamp post or upright at a desired height from the ground surface. First framework part (5) is arranged for this purpose around the vertically extending object (3), wherein passage (6) allows the vertically extending object (3) to pass through, after which second framework part (7) is locked in passage (6) by means of first locking means (9). A framework (5+7=4), which in the shown example is square, is thus formed which closes round the vertically extending object (3).

Each of the first supporting arms (12,13) is then adjusted to a discrete position matching the diameter of the vertically extending object (3) relative to framework (4) and locked in this discrete position by means of second arresting pin (17), and each of the second supporting arms (14,15) is adjusted relative to framework (4) by means of an adjusting member (20), such that the sides of supporting arms (12,13,14,15) facing toward the vertically extending object (3) are pressed against the vertically extending object (3), and support means (1) are thus fixedly clamped as a whole to the vertically extending object (3). The elastic clamping members (22) ensure that, within determined limits, possible irregularities on the surface of the vertically extending object (3), tapering thereof and deviations in the vertical position thereof can be compensated, and support means (1) can for instance still be attached in level position to a crooked tree trunk or a leaning lamppost or upright. The elastic clamping members (22) also prevent damage to the surface of the vertically extending object (3).

A segmented tabletop (2) consisting of two or more parts, see figures 4 and 5, can subsequently be arranged on the support means (1) attached to the vertically extending object (3). Because of the shown form of supporting arms (12,13,14,15) the support means (1) will clamp more fixedly to the vertically extending object (3) the greater the weight of tabletop (2) and the greater the loading thereof.

Support means (1) are light and easy to ship and transport in disassembled state. Mounting can be readily carried out without special tools by the layman, and the clamping attachment to a tree trunk, lamp post or upright takes less than a minute.

It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the shown exemplary embodiments, but that diverse variants obvious to a skilled person are possible within the scope of the invention. The support means can thus also comprise for instance three supporting arms which can each be adjusted in a direction of their own toward and away from the centre of a for instance triangular framework, wherein the directions for instance make mutual angles of 120°, and can again be adjusted relative to the framework such that the support means are clamped to the vertically extending object. Reference numerals used

1 support means

2 tabletop

3 vertically extending object (tree trunk / lamp post / upright)

4 framework

5 first framework part

6 passage (for 3)

7 second framework part (for closing 6)

8 hinge

9 first locking means (for 7)

10 first arresting pin

11 first recess (for 10)

12,13 first supporting arm (discretely adjustable/lockable) 14,15 second supporting arm (continuously adjustable)

16 second locking means (for 12,13)

17 second arresting pin

18 second recesses (for 17)

19 adjusting means (for 14,15)

20 adjusting member (rod provided with screw thread)

21 third recess (for 20)

22 clamping member (rubber)

R12 direction of adjustment of 12

R13 direction of adjustment of 13

R14 direction of adjustment of 14

R15 direction of adjustment of 15