Adjustable canopy and pivotable picnic table

• US 6,276,382 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Debra L. Bindschatel, Lyle D. Bindschatel
• Original Assignee: Debra L. Bindschatel, Lyle D. Bindschatel
• Inventors: Bindschatel, Lyle D., Bindschatel, Debra L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/722,159
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 135/96, 135/124, 135/138, 135/906, 108/50.12, 297/184.15, 297/184.17
• US Class Current: 135/96
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 37/04 Tables specially adapted for use in the garden or otherwise in the open air, e.g. with means for holding umbrellas or umbrella-like sunshades
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 135/906 Arched structure

Abstract

An Adjustable Canopy, for use in combination with a picnic table or the like, to protect the users from the elements and which is quickly and easily removable in anticipation of severe conditions.

Furthermore, a new design of Picnic Table, for use with the Adjustable Canopy, which has no significant obstructions to entry or exit and which can be Pivotable, thereby allowing an unlimited range of adjustments to impede the elements, regardless of the originating direction.

Claims

1. An Adjustable Canopy, in combination with an existing picnic table, said existing picnic table having at least two pairs of existing opposite seat supports, said Adjustable Canopy comprising:

at least two pairs of hoop receivers, one of each said pairs of hoop receivers being fastened to one of each said existing pairs of opposite seat supports of said existing picnic table, said hoop receivers being tubular;

one hoop for each said pair of hoop receivers, said hoop being tubular and arc-shaped, the outside diameter of said hoop being slightly smaller than the inside diameter of said hoop receiver, each one of said pair of hoop receivers receiving one end of said hoop within;

a pliable cover fastened to a plurality of ribs, said ribs equally spaced length-wise and placed horizontally across said cover, each of said plurality of ribs having at least two hoop guides, the distance between said hoop guides corresponding to the distance between said hoop receivers, each of said hoop guides being U-shaped and slightly larger than the outside diameter of said hoop, each of said hoop guides having a perpendicular projection at each end, each said projection on one of-said hoop guides being fastened to one of said ribs, one said hoop guide on each said rib sliding onto and gliding upon one said hoop.

2. The Adjustable Canopy of claim 1 combined with a Picnic Table comprising:

a table top and at least two table braces, said table braces being fastened to the underside of said table top, one said table brace near each end of said table top and perpendicular to the length of said table top;

two seats and at least four seats braces, each said seat parallel to the length of said table top, at least two said seat braces being fastened to the underside of each of said seats and perpendicular to the length of each of said seats, said seat braces being located a distance apart equal to the distance between said table braces;

at least two leg sets, each said leg set comprising a leg set brace, a table support, and two seat supports;

the bottom end of said table support being fastened perpendicularly to said leg set brace at the center of said leg set brace, the bottom end of the first said seat support being fastened perpendicularly at first end of said leg set brace, the bottom end of second said seat support being fastened perpendicularly at second end of said leg set brace, said seat supports and said table support being in a plane parallel to said leg set brace;

the upper end of said table support being fastened to the side of one said table brace at the center of said table brace in a plane perpendicular to said table top, the upper end of said first seat support being fastened to the side of one said seat brace of first said seat, the upper end of second said seat support being fastened to the side of one said seat brace of second said seat, said seat supports being in a plane perpendicular to said seats;

a plurality of stabilizing braces, one of said stabilizing braces being fastened to one said table support and said table top in a plane perpendicular to said table support and said table top, one of said stabilizing braces being fastened to one of said seat supports and one said seat in a plane perpendicular to said seat support and said seat.

3. The Adjustable Canopy combined with the Picnic Table of claim 2, for use in combination with an existing deck, slab, or level ground, further comprising:

a cross-member having a center through-hole, said cross-member being fastened at each end to said leg sets at the bottom center of said table supports in a plane parallel to said table top;

a pivot pin of slightly smaller diameter than said through-hole in said cross-member, said pivot pin passing through said through-hole perpendicular to said cross-member and into a corresponding hole in said existing deck, slab, or ground;

a plurality of casters, one said caster being fastened to the bottom end of one of said seat supports.