Abstract:
A portable, submersible table and bench assembly suitable for use on land as well as in bodies of water having sloped or uneven bottom surfaces. The table and bench assembly includes a pair of benches and a central table mounted on a support frame that includes a plurality of hollow, adjustable support members or legs that are slidably received within the support frame. The hollow, adjustable support members extend downwards for contact with the ground or a sloped bottom swimming pool. The support frame includes a plurality of spaced apart perforations on the surface of downwardly extending risers that allow the entry and drainage of water, as well as adjustment of the height of the adjustable support members or legs. In addition to being light and portable, the hollow structure permits water to enter and drain through perforations and accordingly resist buoyancy when the table is immersed in water.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to recreational furniture, and more particularly relates to a tilt-adjustable, submersible picnic table and bench assembly suitable for outdoor recreational use in a body of water with a sloped or uneven bottom. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     On hot, sunny days, many people like to enjoy food and beverage while relaxing in a cool body of water such as a swimming pool, beach, or lake. Various types of outdoor furniture suitable for immersion in a body of water are known in the art. Typically, outdoor furniture designed for use in water comprises of some kind of floatable cushion or mattress, or some flotation mechanism, or is heavy enough to remain stable while resting on the bottom of the pool, lake, or beach. However, because of buoyancy and wave action, these types of furniture articles have a tendency to bob in different directions in the water, drift away, or feel unstable, unless they are tethered somehow or made heavy enough to stay in position. 
     Other known types of submersible furniture includes devices that are supported on the sides of swimming pools, or comprise heavy, weighted tables that are resistant to wave action but necessarily are difficult to move or reposition because of their weight. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,645 shows a floatable assembly for swimming pools. Such a floatable assembly is susceptible to wave action and would not be a stable surface for supporting food or drink. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,171 shows a suspended detachable swimming pool accessory that is not adaptable to sloping bottom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,121 shows a spa table that is portable and has a self adjusting height that increases and decreases with the height of the water surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,434 shows a buoyant chair and table ensemble that is a floating device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,026 shows an amphibious table with seats attached that includes a buoyant floating body. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,840 shows a swimming pool furniture item that has a vented assembly that can be submerged, with water inlets that receive water into the cavity of a frame. However, water must be removed by use of a vacuum system. 
     A desirable feature of outdoor recreational furniture is portability that would provide ease in handling, moving, and storage. This generally implies that the furniture should not be extremely heavy, but should rather be light in weight. At the same time, it is preferred that such furniture be comfortable, sturdy, be able to withstand substantial weight. 
     One particular issue with the use of submersible furniture in many swimming pools, lakes, and beaches is the presence of a sloped or uneven bottom. Most conventional submersible furniture relies upon flotation to compensate for a sloping or uneven bottom. A table having legs of even height would not be adaptable to such a sloping or uneven bottom and would result in a tilted table surface, which is undesirable for holding food, beverages, or gaming articles on a level surface. 
     Accordingly, there is a long-felt but unresolved need for submersible furniture with adjustable legs suited for use generally in a pool or other body of water with an uneven or sloping bottom, but is also easily movable and portable. Simultaneously, such furniture should be comfortable, durable, cost-effective to manufacture, lightweight, and easy to assemble and disassemble. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Briefly described, and according to one embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a portable, tilt-adjustable, non-buoyant submersible recreational furniture article for placement along a sloped bottom surface of a body of water. The disclosed furniture article is a picnic table having a table top and a pair of benches on opposite sides of the table. 
     According to an aspect, the furniture article comprises a substantially hollow support frame for mounting a plurality of planar members that form the table top and benches. A plurality of openings are defined in the hollow support frame for allowing entry of water into the hollow support frame and thereby reduce buoyancy when the article is placed into the body of water. The openings facilitate drainage of water when the table is to be removed from the water. 
     The furniture article further comprises a plurality of substantially hollow lower support members or legs slidably received into the hollow support frame, each of the hollow lower support members including one or more openings to allow entry of water into the frame and drainage of water when the article is removed from the body of water. Means are provided for affixing one or more of the hollow lower support members or legs at a predetermined adjustable height relative to the hollow support frame to adjust the tilt angle of the support frame and table top. Preferably, the height adjustability is provided by a hitch pin that is received in and through a pair of spaced apart holes or openings in a downwardly extending part of the support frame. 
     According to an aspect, the plurality of openings in the hollow support frame are spaced apart extending along the length of a surface of the support frame. In the disclosed embodiment, the hollow support frame comprises a pair of end assemblies connected by a table support subassembly that supports the table top. Openings for entry and drainage of water are provided in various locations in the end assemblies and in the table support subassembly. Each end assembly of the hollow support frame comprises an inverted “U” shaped portion having a pair of downwardly extending hollow table risers. In the described embodiment, each of the hollow table risers slidably receives one of the lower support members or legs, and fastens the lower support members or legs at a predetermined height to adjust the tilt and height of the table. 
     According to yet another aspect, the table support subassembly includes at least one tubular supporting member extending between and supporting the pair of end assemblies. Furthermore, the table support subassembly also includes a plurality of openings defined therein for allowing entry and drainage of water into the hollow support frame. 
     Further still, the disclosed furniture article comprises at least one bench support assembly connected to the hollow support frame for supporting a seating bench at a height suitable for persons sitting at the table. The bench support assembly preferably also comprises a plurality of tubular members for supporting the seating bench and at least one bench riser. Each of the bench risers slidably receives one of the lower support members or legs with the height adjustability aspect. 
     Collectively, the table risers and bench risers and their respective lower support members or legs allow for great versatility in adjusting to an uneven or sloped bottom of the body of water. Further, the support members allow water to quickly enter the support frame to reduce buoyancy and also to drain quickly when the table is moved or removed from the water. 
     In the disclosed embodiment, the hollow support frame and lower support members comprise PVC tubular members connected by elbows and tee joints. 
     According to yet another aspect, the table support subassembly includes a central umbrella riser for receiving and supporting a sun umbrella. 
     These and other aspects, features, and benefits of the claimed invention(s) will become apparent from the following detailed written description of the preferred embodiments and aspects taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications thereto may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and/or aspects of the disclosure and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a submersible picnic table and bench assembly constructed as described herein, partially submerged in a body of water. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing more details. 
         FIG. 3A  is a front perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  viewed from underneath, with a particular portion of an adjustable leg magnified in  FIG. 3B  for illustrating details. 
         FIG. 3B  is a magnified view of a portion of one lower adjustable leg that illustrates the manner in which the lower leg is slidably received and held with a pin. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , without the table top or benches attached. 
         FIG. 6  is a partially exploded perspective view of the support frame of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing two side-assemblies, along with a table-support subassembly and a bench-support subassembly. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a portion of the support frame assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the table-support subassembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the bench-support subassembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. All limitations of scope should be determined in accordance with and as expressed in the claims. 
     Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  which shows a picnic table and bench assembly generally designated as  10  constructed in accordance with aspects of the present invention, submerged in a body of water  12  such as a swimming pool, lake, or at the beach. In accordance with aspects of the invention, as will be described, the table  10  submerges within the water  12  with the table top  24  shown above the water line, having a pair of benches  25   a ,  25   b  for seating, immersed within the water. Advantageously, this allows persons (not shown) to be seated on a bench  25  while partially immersed in the water, but enjoy a beverage, food, or game on the table top  24 . The table top  24  and benches  25  are generally supported and mounted on a frame  14 , which is submersible and floodable to reduce buoyancy, but readily drainable for ease of movement and removal from the water. 
     Of further advantage, and in accordance with aspects of the invention, the angle of the table  10  is adjustable, as will be described, by adjustment of a plurality of table legs  21  and bench legs  22 , to compensate for a sloped or angled bottom of the body of water  12 . Of still further advantage, and as will be described, the frame  14  is constructed to readily fill with water to reduce buoyancy, with features designed to rapidly drain the water when the table  10  is removed from the water. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a sun umbrella  16  (shown in phantom) can be supported in the table  10  to provide for shade. 
       FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of the picnic table and bench assembly  10  showing the benches  25  and the table top  24 , both of which are mounted on a portion of the frame  14 . The benches  25   a ,  25   b  are mounted immediately atop a plurality of bench risers  18  that receive and retain slidably adjustable bench legs  22 . Similarly, the table top  24  is mounted above a plurality of table risers  17  that receive and retain slidably adjustable table legs  21 , respectively. In the disclosed embodiment, there are four (4) bench risers  18 , four (4) legs  22 , four (4) table risers  17 , four (4) legs  21 , and eight (8) leg bushings  728  (see  FIG. 7 ) arranged to construct a stable table mounting. Each of the legs  21 ,  22  provide telescopic height adjustment to various heights to allow for adjustment of the table relative to a sloped or uneven bottom of the body of water. 
     According to one aspect, the benches  25  have angled bench backs  26 , inclined at a suitable angle to the vertical axis. According to another aspect, the table top  24  includes an umbrella holder opening  27  through which an umbrella can be inserted to fit inside a tubular umbrella holder  23  formed as part of the frame  14 . 
     According to an aspect, the frame  14  is constructed of tubular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, with the adjustable legs  21 ,  22  slidably received within the table risers  17  and bench risers  18 , respectively, of slightly larger diameter. The frame  14  includes a plurality of holes or openings  28  defined in the table risers  17  and bench risers  18  that serve a dual purpose of allowing slidable adjustment to adjust the angle of the table relative to a sloped bottom, as well as allowing water to enter and flood the tubular structure to reduce buoyancy. As shown, the holes or openings  28  are arranged in a linear array on each of the table risers  17  and bench risers  18  to allow a variable height adjustment of the respective adjustable legs. 
     Although the frame  14  is shown as round tubes as the disclosed and preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that other types of hollow structural members, such as tubes with a square or other geometrical shaped cross-section can be used according to various embodiments. 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective underside view of the picnic table and bench assembly  10 . This view reveals a plurality of slats  39  located on the underside of the benches  25  and the table top  24 . The slats  39  extend across and are fastened to the widths of a plurality of elongate planar planks or boards that form the table top  24  and benches  25 . In the disclosed embodiment, the planks or boards are wood or plastic composite material such as TREX® composite decking, manufactured by Trex Company, Inc. Alternatively, a single planar member can be used for the table top or bench seats. 
       FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of a portion of a bench riser  18  (with a table riser  17  being similarly constructed). The bench riser  18  slidably receives and retains a leg  22  in a predetermined position, at a predetermined but selectable height, as determined by placement of a pin  32  that extends through a pair of opposing holes in the array of holes  28  on the bench riser  18 . Although not shown in the figure, it is understood that the leg  22  is prevented from falling out at the top most end by the placement of a hidden screw (not shown) such that the head of the screw abuts a bushing (i.e., bushing  728  in  FIG. 7 ), thereby preventing its inadvertent removal. Preferably the pin  32  is a cotterless hitch pin that passes through a selected pair of openings  28  in the bench riser  18  and its corresponding table leg  22 , and locks to set the height of leg. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, such adjustability is greatly advantageous when the picnic table and bench assembly  10  is used in a swimming pool or lake with a sloped bottom. The height of the plurality of bench legs  22  and table legs  21  can be adjusted according to the slope of the bottom of the pool. Because there are eight (8) total legs in the disclosed embodiment, it will be appreciated that the table and bench assembly  10  is also adaptable to be leveled in a body of water with an uneven bottom, in addition to a planar or evenly sloped bottom. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the frame  14  with bench risers  18 , table risers  17 , legs  21  and  22  are flooded with water through the holes  28  when the table  10  is placed into the body of water. Water enters the cavities of the tubular members of the frame  14  through the various openings  28  in the frame, as will be shown, for the purpose of reducing buoyancy. Reduction of buoyancy helps keep the table assembly  10  partially submerged. 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  show a side view and a partially exploded view, respectively, of the picnic table and bench assembly  10 , showing one of a pair of identical end assemblies  50  of the frame assembly  14 . As described in further detail below, each end assembly  50  includes a pair of identical bench support subassemblies  40   a ,  40   b  and a central table support assembly  44 . Each of pair of bench support subassemblies  40   a ,  40   b  supports the benches  25  and an adjustable leg  22 , while the table support assembly  44  supports the table top  24  and a pair of adjustable legs  21 . 
       FIG. 6  shows yet another view of the frame  14  of the disclosed table and bench assembly  10 , showing the pair of identical end assemblies  50   a ,  50   b  that include the table risers  17  and bench risers  18 , which are connected and coupled by a table support subassembly  60  and a pair of identical bench support subassemblies  70   a ,  70   b  that extend between the two end assemblies  50   a ,  50   b . These subassemblies  60 ,  70  are illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , one of the pair end assemblies  50  of the supporting frame assembly  14  of the picnic table and bench assembly  10  is shown in exploded detail. Most of the components shown in this figure are made of PVC, polyethylene, other type of plastic, or other similar light-weight material that can form a tubular hollow structure. Each end assembly  50  comprises a pair of mirror image bench support assemblies  40   a , 40 b , and a table support assembly  44 . Each bench support assembly  40  comprises a bench riser  18  that receives and supports an adjustable bench leg  22 , while the table support assembly  44  comprises a pair of table risers  17  that receives and supports a pair of adjustable table legs  21 . Each table leg  21  and bench leg  22  are fitted at their lower end with a tubular bottom or foot cap  718  that includes a hole or perforations for the drainage of water. 
     As discussed above, and according to an aspect of the invention, the table risers  17  and bench risers  18  all preferably have perforations or openings  28  extending in a linear array on their surface to allow for height adjustability of their respective legs. Each table leg  21  and bench leg  22  are slidably received within the larger diameter of their table riser  17  and a bench riser  18  respectively. Since the interior of the table legs  21  and the bench legs  22  are hollow, as are the table risers  17  and bench risers  18 , water can flow into and out of the cavities or holes  28  defined in the table and bench risers, and also drain from the bottom cap  718 . Additionally, and as shown and described above in connection with  FIG. 3B , these holes  28  receive a cotterless hitch pin  32  for adjusting the height of the table leg  21  and the bench leg  22  when placed on a sloped bottom of a body of water. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 7 , each end assembly  50  comprises a plurality of tubular members made of conventional PVC piping material, assembled with elbows  703 , couplers  705 , and tees  707  that are configured to make the various elements of the overall assembly, including table risers  17 , bench risers  18 , legs  21 ,  22 , and end assemblies  50 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the components of one of the end assemblies  50 , it being understood that a pair of end assemblies  50   a ,  50   b  are utilized in constructing the frame  14 . The components illustrated are fastened using glue or adhesive suitable for assembling PVC piping, or may be bolted or screwed together, or may be heat fused. 
     According to the disclosed embodiment, the bench support assemblies  40   a ,  40   b  are mirror images of each other, and each assembly  40  comprises an angled backrest upright  702  that is coupled via an elbow  703  to a backrest extension  704 , a coupler  705 , a bench extension  706 , a tee  707 , and, another bench extension  706 . The tee  707  of the bench support assembly  40  is connected at its orthogonal junction to the bench riser  18 , which comprises a riser extension  710 , a pair of serially connected tees  707 , a tee connector  708  in between the serially connected tees  707  and another riser extension  710 . At the lower end of the bench riser  18 , another coupler  705  is provided, which terminates in a leg bushing  728  which receives the upper end of an adjustable leg  22 . The diameters of the riser extension at the lower end of the bench riser  18  and the leg bushing  728  are larger than the diameter of the adjustable leg  22  so that the leg  22  is slidable within the bench riser  18 . A hidden screw  730  is affixed to the upper end of each leg  21 ,  22  after insertion of the leg through a bushing  728  so that the head of the screw abuts the bushing when in the most extended position and thereby prevents inadvertent removal or falling out of the leg. 
     Further according to the disclosed embodiment, the table support assembly  44  comprises an inverted “U” shape, with the connection portion of the “U” at the upper end for supporting the table top  24  (See  FIG. 1 ), and also including a cross-strut about halfway along the length of the “U”. The connecting portion of the “U” of the table support assembly  44  comprises a pair of elbows  703 , a pair of table extensions  720 , and a tee  707  in between. The downward legs of the “U” comprise tubular table risers  17  extending downward from the connecting portion of the “U”, a pair of serially connected tees  707 , and a leg bushing  728 . As in the bench risers  18 , the diameters of the table riser  17  and the leg bushing  728  are larger than the diameter of the adjustable leg  21  so that the leg  21  is slidable within the table riser  17 . The leg bushing  728  is inserted inside the tee  707 . The legs  21  and  22  are stabilized by the leg bushing  728 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 7 , the orthogonal junctions of serially connected tees  707  at the lower end of the table riser  17  are used connect to other supporting members for structural strength and integrity. The uppermost tee  707  of the pair of tees is connected via a bench-to-table connector  713  to the bench support assembly  40 , while the lowermost tee  707  is connected to a table crossbrace extension  727  which bridges the legs of the “U” of the table support assembly  44 . Preferably a pair of table crossbrace extensions  727  are provided, connected by a tee  707  in the middle. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a table support subassembly  60 . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the table support subassembly  60  is positioned between and connects a pair of end assemblies  50   a ,  50   b  to form the frame  14 . The table support subassembly is generally a rotated “H” shape, with the legs of the “H” connecting to the middle tees in the table support assembly  44 . The table support subassembly  60  comprises a plurality of table cross support extensions  801 , a pair of tees  707 , and an umbrella riser  805  coupled to the orthogonal junctions of the tees, to form the connecting portion of the “H”. 
     Advantageously, and according to an aspect, a recreational sun umbrella  16  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ) can be slidably received in the umbrella riser  805  by insertion through the umbrella holder opening  27  ( FIG. 2 ). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a bench-support subassembly  70 . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the bench support subassembly  70  is positioned between and connects a pair of end assemblies  50   a ,  50   b  to form the frame  14 . The bench support subassembly  70  comprises a pair of bench cross-support extension members  901 , with a tee  707  positioned in between. A bench cross-support riser  905  is attached at the orthogonal junction of the tee  707  and supports another tee  707  which abuts the planks or boards of the bench  25 . 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventions to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The disclosed embodiment is described in order to explain the principles of the inventions and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventions pertain without departing from their spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.