Deck ledge table

A deck table is provided that includes a table section and a clamping mechanism that are attachable to a number of vertical posts in order to position the support surface on the posts in a horizontal position. The table section includes support surface and a bottom support that can be positioned against the posts and engaged by the clamping mechanism that extends between the posts. The clamping mechanism is rotatably attached to the table section and can be releasably engaged with the vertical posts to enable the table to be readily repositioned and/or removed from the posts, as desired, without disassembly of the component parts of the table.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to a support surface in the form of a table, and more particularly to a table adapted for use on a deck.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

There are many types of tables and other support surfaces that are used to hold objects at desired positions and locations. The vast majority of these tables are free-standing, in that the tables are supported by legs or other support members extending downwardly from the table top into contact with a floor or other surface to hold the table top at the desired location.

However, in certain environments there is a limited amount of space on a surface upon which to support a table. In these environments, tables have been developed that minimize the area of the surface necessary for supporting the table. In the designs for these tables, the table includes legs or similar support members disposed on one side of the table that engage the surface over which the table is positioned. Opposite the legs, the table includes a mechanism that enables the table to be engaged with a non-horizontal support surface in order to position the table where desired.

However, one main drawback for these types of tables adapted for use with a non-horizontal support surface is that the engagement mechanism holding the table on the non-horizontal support surface must be disassembled and/or removed from the table in order relocate the table from one location to another.

Also, in many situations there is a limited amount of surface area available on which tables, chairs and other items can be positioned. Therefore, in these situations where surface area is limited, it is desirable to develop a table that can be positioned at the desired location by attaching the table to another structure near the floor or other surface, while not obscuring any part of the surface over which the table is positioned with legs or similar vertical support members.

Furthermore, it is desirable to develop a table which can be moved from one location to another without requiring the disassembly of the table's members.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly described, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a table that includes a clamping mechanism that enables the table to be releasably secured to vertical structural members, such as the slats of a deck ledge or rail. The table includes a table section support surface or table top including a bottom support affixed to the bottom surface of the table top. The table section is engaged with a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly operates to engage the table with the vertical structural members, and includes a screw that can be moved into and out of the table section by rotating the screw with regard to the table section. When moved into the table section, a back clamp secured to the screw opposite the table section is moved towards the table section, such that any structure positioned between the table section and the back clamp is frictionally engaged therebetween.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a biasing member is positioned around the screw between the back clamp and the table section. The biasing member provides a force against the movement of the back clamp towards the table section that aids in disengagement of the back clamp and table section from the vertical structure(s), easing the removal of the table.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the back clamp is rotatably attached to the screw, such that the back clamp can rotate with respect to the screw and table section. In this construction, the back clamp can be rotated to be aligned with the spaces between the vertical members to which the back clamp can be secured. Thus, the back clamp can remain attached to the table section via the screw when being secured or unsecured from the vertical members allowing for attachment of the table by a single individual.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the table top can be releasably secured to the bottom support. In this manner, the bottom support can be maintained engaged on the vertical members, while the shape or form of the table top positioned on the bottom support can be varied as desired.

Numerous other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description together with the drawings figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, one embodiment of a table constructed according to the present disclosure is illustrated generally at10inFIG. 1. The table10is secured to at least one, and preferably two or more vertical posts12, such as those forming a part of a ledge or railing14positioned around the periphery of a deck16. The posts12are connected to one another at the bottom end by the deck16and at the top end by a hand rail18.

Referring now toFIGS. 2-5, the table10includes a table section40, comprised of a support surface20and a bottom support22. The table portion40can be formed of any suitable material, such as a plastic, wood or metal. The bottom support22includes a flat portion34secured to the support surface20and a projecting portion36attached to the flat portion34and extending downwardly from the support surface20. The bottom support22can also include braces37connected between the projecting portion36and the support surface20to provide additional strength and rigidity to the table section40.

The projecting portion36and flat portion34define a channel38therein for receiving and engaging a fastener32forming a part of a clamping assembly44. In an alternative embodiment, the channel38can also be formed in the support surface20. The channel38includes a configuration that enables the fastener32to be engaged and held within the channel38. In one embodiment the channel38is internally threaded (not shown) in order to engage exterior threads on the fastener32, which holds the fastener32in engagement with the table portion40. The internal surface of the channel38may also include a separate structure, such as a cylindrical threaded insert (not shown), that provides the surface for engagement with the fastener32.

Also, referring toFIGS. 2-5, the clamping assembly44in the illustrated embodiment is comprised of a spring or biasing member24, a back clamp26, a washer28, a knob30, as well as the fastener32. The back clamp26can be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic, wood or metal, which can also be selected a material similar to the material used for the table section40. The back clamp26can optionally be formed with a suitable cushioning material (not shown) on one surface of the clamp26. The material can be positioned against the vertical posts12in order to minimize any damage to the clamp26or the posts12. Additionally, the cushioning material can also optionally be positioned on the table portion40in order to protect the table portion40and the posts12opposite the clamp26.

The back clamp26is mounted to the fastener32through an aperture50extending through the hack clamp26, such that the back clamp26can rotate freely with regard to the fastener32. The fastener32includes a head52disposed opposite the table portion40that has a diameter larger than the aperture52in order to prevent the back clamp26from coming off of the fastener32.

To assist in holding the back clamp26on the fastener32, and to assist in the rotation of the fastener32with regard to the table section40, the knob30is disposed on the head52of the fastener32. The knob30can be formed with any suitable shape and of any suitable material, and includes a grasping portion54and a collar56disposed concentrically on and extending outwardly from the grasping portion54. Both the grasping portion54and the collar56define a central passage58through which the fastener32can extend. The grasping portion54also includes a recess60opposite the collar56that is shaped complementary to the head52of the fastener32. Thus, when the fastener32is fully inserted through the passage58, the head52nests within and is engaged by the recess60. In this manner, when the grasping portion54is grasped to turn the knob30, the turning of the knob30also turns the fastener32as a result of the engagement between the head52and the recess60.

The rotation of the knob30with respect to the back clamp26is facilitated by the presence of the washer28around the fastener32between the collar56of the knob30and the back clamp26. The washer28reduces the friction between the knob30and the clamp26, enabling the clamp26and knob30to rotate relatively freely with respect to one another to engage or disengage the clamp26from the vertical posts12.

To assist in the disengagement of the clamp26from the posts12when desired, the clamping assembly44also includes the biasing member24. The biasing member24in the illustrated embodiment is formed as a helical coil spring defining an opening through which the fastener32extends, though other suitable biasing members can also be utilized, such as Bellville springs or a compressible foam material, among others which can also be attached to one or both of the back clamp26and the table section40separate from the fastener32. The biasing force of the biasing member24presses the clamp26away from the table section40, thereby aiding an individual, in releasing the clamp26. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the biasing member24is selected such that the diameter of the biasing member24is greater than the diameter of the channel38, thereby preventing the biasing member24from entering the channel38. However, depending upon the particular structure or configuration for the biasing member24, the biasing member24can be disposed partially within the channel38.

In use, to secure the table10to the vertical posts12, initially the knob30and fastener32are rotated to move the back clamp26away from the table section40to a position where the clamp26can move with respect to the knob30and fastener32. The clamp26is rotated into a vertical orientation where the clamp26can be moved through the gap42formed between adjacent vertical posts12. The clamp26is subsequently moved between adjacent posts12through the gap42. The table section40and clamp26are then positioned at the desired height within the gap42. The back clamp26is then rotated ninety (90) degrees to a horizontal orientation in order to position the clamp26over one or more of the vertical posts12.

When the table section40and clamp26are positioned where desired, the knob30is grasped and turned in order to move the fastener32into the channel38. This consequently draws the clamp26towards the table section40against the bias of the biasing member24, such that the clamp26and table section40frictionally engage the vertical posts12. The knob30is continued to be turned until the clamp26and table section40are sufficiently engaged with the vertical posts12to hold the table10where desired.

Further, as the fastener32is engaged within the channel38in the table section40, the fastener32compresses the biasing member24. The bias of the spring24acts against the back clamp26, such that when it is desired to remove the table10, the bias of the spring24assists in urging the back clamp26away from the vertical posts12. However, the bias of the spring24is not sufficient to move the fastener32out of the channel38without the corresponding movement of the fastener32, which can be actuated by pressing and turning knob30, to maintain the table10in engagement with the railing14or to release the table10from engagement with the railing14.

The table10is secured to the rail16by the frictional engagement of the back clamp26and the back areas of table section40with opposite sides of the vertical posts12. To reposition the table10within the gap42, the fastener32, which can be moved in relation to the table section40by pressing and turning the knob30, is simply moved away from the table section40, consequently moving the back clamp26away from the posts12. The table10can then be slid vertically along the posts12and within the gap42and the fastener32moved back toward the table section40, until frictional engagement with table10and the vertical posts12is accomplished. Furthermore, the table10can be removed by moving fastener32away from table section40, rotating the back clamp26to a vertical position and removing the entire, intact, table10from the vertical posts12. The table10can then be relocated to a desired location between any suitable vertical posts12.

In a second embodiment of the table100shown inFIGS. 6-9, the table top or support surface200is separable from the bottom support220, with the fastener320extending through the aperture508in the back clamp260into the channel380, which is formed in the bottom support220. While the fastener320can include the biasing member24, washer28, and knob30from the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5, it is also contemplated that the back clamp260can be held in engagement with the bottom support220only by the fastener320, such that the fastener320can be moved into and out of engagement within the channel380in the bottom support220using only the head520on the fastener320.

Looking now atFIGS. 6 and 7, bottom support220is formed similarly to the bottom support22in the first embodiment, with a flat portion340positioned adjacent and against the support surface200and a projecting portion360attached to the flat portion340and extending downwardly from the flat portion340. The bottom support220can also include braces370connected between the flat portion340and the projecting portion360to provide additional strength and rigidity to the bottom support220.

The table top200is formed with a top surface210and a bottom surface230joined by a number of side surfaces250, and, while shown as being square in the illustrated embodiment, can have any desired shape (e.g., polygonal, round, oblong, etc.) defined by any desired number and configuration of side surfaces250. The table top200includes a bracket400secured to the bottom surface230of the table top200. The bracket400extends downwardly from the bottom surface230and can be affixed to the table top200in any suitable manner. The bracket400can also be formed of any desired material, which can be different than or similar to the material utilized to form the table top200.

In the embodiment best illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 8, the bracket400includes a pair of spacers402connected to the bottom surface230of the table top200and spaced from one another. The spacers402are joined by a beam404that is connected to each of the spacers402opposite the table top200to define a slot405between the bottom surface230of the table top200, the spacers402and the beam404. The spacers402and the beam404can be joined to one another to form the bracket400in any suitable manner, such as by a mechanical fastener or adhesive, and in the illustrated embodiment are connected by screws406that are inserted through aligned apertures408and410in the beam404and spacers402, respectively, and into corresponding bores412in the table top200to effectively secure the bracket400to the table top200. Additionally, when screws406are used, they can be adjusted to vary the size of the slot405defined by the bracket400as necessary.

Looking now atFIGS. 7-9, the shape and orientation of the spacers402and beam404to define the slot405within the bracket400is selected to correspond to the peripheral shape of the bottom support220, which can have any suitable configuration, but in the illustrated embodiment is shown as being generally rectangular in shape. The area of the slot405is formed to be slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape or area of the bottom support220, such that the bottom support220can slide into the slot405. The positioning of the bracket400on the table top200is such that the bracket400is able to be positioned relatively close to the back clamp260, such that the bottom support220provides a sufficient amount of support to the table top200positioned on the bottom support220. Further, when it is desired to change the table top200for any desired reason, the table top200can simply be slid off of the flat portion340and replaced with another table top200having a bracket400thereon capable of slidably engaging the flat portion340of the bottom support220.

In other embodiments, the table top200can include a stop500secured to or disposed on the bottom surface230and spaced from the bracket400to engage the fiat portion340of the bottom support220when inserted through the slot405in the bracket400to limit the extent the bottom support220can extend through the bracket400. In conjunction with the stop500, or used independently therefrom, the table top200can also include one or more guide members502disposed on the sides of the bracket400and extending towards the stop500. The guide members502are spaced slightly wider than the width of the flat portion340of the bottom support220to enable the guide members502to guide the bottom support220as it moves through and out of the bracket400. Additionally, in other embodiments the table top200can include multiple brackets400to engage multiple bottom supports220in order to provide additional stability to the table top200. The table top200may also include a lock (not shown) capable of engaging the bottom support220when positioned thereon in order to secure the table top200to the bottom support220and prevent inadvertent disengagement of the bracket400and table top200from the bottom support220.

The stop500can also be omitted in an alternative embodiment where the length of the braces370positioned against the flat portion340is selected to provide the function of the stop500by the engagement of the braces370with the beam404of the bracket400to properly position the table top200on the bottom support220. In addition, the bottom support220can also include a lock506disposed opposite the projecting portion360. The lock506is rotatably secured to the flat portion340and can rotate between a horizontal position where the lock506rest within the cross-sectional area of the flat portion340, enabling the flat portion340to be inserted through the slot405, and a vertical position (FIG. 7) where the lock506extends outwardly past the flat portion340, such that the lock506can engage the beam404of the bracket400and prevent the table top200from being removed from the bottom portion220. The lock506could also be rotated into a corresponding notch (not shown) or other recess in the bottom surface230of the table top200to directly engage and lock the table top200to the bottom support220.

Various other embodiments of the present invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the filed claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.