Patent Publication Number: US-2007101908-A1

Title: Bar counter attachable to balcony rails

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/733,995 filed Nov. 5, 2005. 
    
    
     FILED OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to a table adapted to be mounted on a vertical support, and more particularly to a bar counter that can be easily attached to a vertical support such as balcony rails.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      a balcony or veranda of a relatively small residence such as an apartment does not usually have a sufficient space for a table such as a bar counter. If such a table is placed, sometimes, the balcony or veranda cannot be used for other purposes because the table occupies the large portion of the space therein.  
      To overcome such a space problem, wall mounted tables that are movable between a stored, vertical position adjacent the wall, and a horizontal, operative position extending out from the wall, are known. These known tables are handy since they provide a table surface in a cramped area when needed, and then can be easily moved to an out-of-the-way position, when not needed. These known tables normally employ hinges allowing them to move between operative and stored positions. The hinges however make the tables relatively expensive because of the cost of mounting the hinges and because of the extra parts involved. The known tables also often employ brackets to support the table in its operative position adding to the cost, particularly when the brackets are foldable. The tables also usually employ legs. The legs also are usually hinged to the table adding to the cost. In addition, storage of the legs is often awkward. The known tables often leave a space between the table top and the wall when in the operative position. This makes for inefficient use of the available space.  
      Another example of conventional technology is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,993 which is directed to a table having a base and a table top. The base is mounted on a vertical support surface and the table top is supported from the base. First support means in the form of hangers on the table top loosely support the table top from support arms on the base in a vertical, storage position. Separate, second support means on the base and table top support the table top from the base in a horizontal, operative position. The table top is movable both vertically and horizontally relative to the base to have the table top cooperate with the first or with the second support means on the base depending on the position desired. The relative horizontal movement allows the table top to be mounted flush against the support surface in its operative position. The table proposed by this patent has a disadvantage in that it requires at least one support leg between the table and the floor. The support leg occupies the space under the table and interferes free movements of the user&#39;s lower body.  
      Therefore, there is a need of a new a bar counter or table that can be easily attached to a vertical support such as rails that is suitable for a small area such as a balcony or veranda.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a bar counter or table that can be easily attached to a support member such as rails that is suitable for a small area such as a balcony or veranda.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachment mechanism for attaching a bar counter or table that can be easily attached to a support member such as balcony rails.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a structure for attaching a bar counter or table that can be easily attached to balcony rails of different size and shape.  
      To achieve the above objects, one aspect of the present invention is a bar counter that is attachable to and detachable from a support member having vertical and horizontal rails. The bar counter includes a table, a pair of arms for mounting the table thereon, a hanger having a horizontal beam and a pair of vertical beams where each of the vertical beams has a first hook for attaching the hanger to the horizontal rail. The pair of arms mounting the table thereon is attached to a desired location of the hanger, and the hanger is mounted on the vertical and horizontal rails of the support member through the first hooks on the pair of vertical beams.  
      The first hook is formed on each of the vertical beams of the hanger at an upper end thereof wherein the first hook includes a clamping member for clamping the horizontal rail and an adjustment member for driving the clamping member when clamping the horizontal rail. Each of the pair of arms has a second hook for attaching the arm to the hanger by engaging the second hook with a hole formed on the corresponding vertical beam of the hanger.  
      The hanger includes a plurality of holes formed on each of the pair of vertical beams, and each of the pair of arms has a second hook for attaching the arm to the hanger by engaging the second hook with a selected hole formed on the vertical beam of the hanger. The hanger includes an adjustment plate formed on the horizontal beam to adjust a forward and backward position of a lower end of the hanger to compensate differences in size and shape between the vertical rail and the horizontal rail. The adjustment plate on the hanger includes an adjustment member for changing the position of the lower end of the hanger and an elastic member for flexibly contacting with the vertical rail.  
      The first hook provided on each of the vertical beams includes a hole which is elongated in a vertical direction to attain flexibility for movement of the clamping member and the adjustment member depending on a size and shape of the horizontal rail. The clamping member in the first hook has an L-shape to support the horizontal rail where an elastic member is provided on a surface of the clamping member to flexibly contact with the horizontal rail.  
      Each of the pair of arms for mounting the table has a triangle shape and the second hook is provided on a vertical beam of the triangle shape at an upper position. The first hook is integrally formed on the vertical beam of the hanger at the upper end thereof.  
      According to the present invention, the bar counter or table can be easily and instantly created in a balcony or veranda of a relatively small area of a residence such as an apartment. The bar counter can be easily attached to or detached from the balcony rails by engaging or disengaging the hooks formed on the hanger with the horizontal rail of the balcony. Further, the bar counter can be easily attached to balcony rails of different shapes and sizes because of the adjustment plate. Since it does not need to have legs, the bar counter can be established in a small space on the balcony while achieving sufficient seating space for the users. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an example of structure of the bar counter and its attachment mechanism of the present invention attached to balcony rails.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an example of detailed structure of the hanger incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an example of a backside structure of the adjustment plate incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing an example of detailed structure of the hook of the hanger incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an example of structure of the table and the arm incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an example of detailed structure of the arm for mounting the table thereon for the bar counter of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view showing an example of an overall structure of the bar counter of the present invention attached to balcony rails.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The table or bar counter (hereafter “bar counter”) of the present invention incorporates an attachment mechanism which enables easy attachment to the support member, typically, balcony rails. Because the bar counter does not have legs and is attached to the balcony rails, it does not need a substantial space of the balcony while achieving a sufficient seating space for a user. The user is able to enjoy free movement of his/her legs because the bar counter does not use any leg between the table and the floor.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an example of structure of the bar counter and its attachment mechanism of the present invention attached to balcony rails. The bar counter is configured to be easily attached to a support member, especially balcony rails. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the support member of the balcony is typically formed with a horizonal rail HR and a plurality of vertical rails VR. The bar counter of the present invention is comprised of a table  21 , a hanger  23 , and a pair of arms  28 . The hanger  23  and the pair of arms  28  mainly constitute the attachment mechanism of the present invention.  
      In this example, the table  21  has an L-shape in cross section for attaining sufficient physical strength, although various other shapes, such as a flat shape throughout, are also possible. Further, although the table has a generally square shape in plan view, other shapes such as a one having a round end or round corners are also possible. The hanger  23  is to hang the table  21  on the balcony rails. The pair of arms  28  is to mount the table  21  thereon for attaching to the hanger  23  at a desired vertical position.  
      The hanger  23  has a pair of hooks (first hooks)  25  which connect to the horizontal rail HR of the balcony in a manner to grab the horizontal rail HR. Although the hanger  23  has two hooks  25  in this example, three or more hooks  25  can also be used. Further, although the hook  25  and the main body of the hanger  23  are integrally formed in this example, it is also possible that the hooks  25  separately produced can be attached to the main body of the hanger  23  by screws or other connection means.  
      In this example, each arm  28  has a triangular shape and is attached to the bottom rear position of the table  21 . Other shapes such as a rectangular shape with enforcement beams are also possible for the arm  28 . Further, in this example, although the pair of arms  28  are used for mounting the table, three or more arms  28  can also be used if the hanger  23  is so configured to receive the three or more arms, i.e., to have three or more vertical beams.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an example&#39;of detailed structure of the hanger  23  incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention. The hanger  23  is generally configured by a pair of vertical beams  23 V and a horizontal beam  23 H connecting the vertical beams  23 V at the bottom. However, the number of vertical beams  23 V can be three or more depending on the needs such as a size and/or weight of the table  21 , a size of the balcony rails, a size of the vertical beam  23 V, etc.  
      At the top of each vertical beam  23 V, a hook  25  is provided to connect to the horizontal rail HR ( FIG. 1 ) of the balcony. The hook  25  is configured to clamp the horizontal rail of different sizes by clamp member  31  and adjustment members  33  ( FIG. 4 ). As noted above, although the hook  25  and the vertical beam  23 V are integrally formed in this example, it is also possible that the hook  25  separately produced can be attached to each vertical beam  23 V of the hanger  23  by screws, other fastening or connection means, soldering, etc.  
      The hanger  23  also has an adjustment plate  24  which is attached to the horizontal beam  23 H for adjusting the perpendicularity of the hanger  23  with the floor which is affected by, for example, differences in the thickness between the vertical rails VR and the horizontal rail HR. The adjustment plate  24  can adjust the forward and backward position of a lower end of the hanger  23 . The position of the adjustment plate  24  can be adjusted by, for example, rotating one or more screws (adjustment members)  36  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , so that the hanger  23  is substantially perpendicular to the floor of the balcony. Thus, the adjustment plate  24  is useful for attaining the stability and flatness of the table  21 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an example of a backside structure of the adjustment plate  24  incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the adjustment plate  24  has a plurality of adjustment members  36  which are, for example, screws as noted above. The adjustment plate  24  is attached to the horizontal beam  23 H of the hanger  23  through the adjustment member  36  and through holes  38  ( FIG. 2 ) on the horizontal beam  23 H of the hanger  23 .  
      Although this example shows the case where the adjustment plate  24  is attached to the horizontal beam  23 H, it is also possible to attach the adjustment plate  24  to the vertical beams  23 V. By operating the adjustment members  36 , for example, rotating the screws, the position of the adjustment plate  24  in the forward and backward direction is set to an optimum position for a particular size and shape of the balcony rails. The adjustment plate  24  is preferably provided with, on its outer surface, an elastic member  24 E such as a rubber plate for contacting the balcony rail without scratch, damage, noise, etc.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing an example of detailed structure of the hook  25  of the hanger  23  incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention. The hook  25  is provided at the top of each vertical beam  23 V to clamp the horizonal rail HR of the balcony. In this example, the hook  25  is generally (inversely) U-shaped although various other shapes are also possible. As noted above, although the hook  25  and the vertical beam  23 V are integrally formed in this example, it is also possible that the hook  25  separately produced can be attached to each vertical beam  23 V.  
      The hook  25  has a clamp member  31  and an adjustment member  33  to attach the hanger  23  to the balcony rails of different sizes and shapes. The adjustment member  33  adjusts position of the clamp member  31  in the backward and forward direction to fasten the horizonal rail HR. For example, the adjustment member  33  includes a screw  33 S as shown in  FIG. 4  so that the clamp member  31  is moved by rotating the screw  33 S for clamping the rail HR.  
      The inner surface of the clamp member  31  is provided with an elastic sheet or plate (elastic member)  31 E such as a rubber plate for clamping the balcony rail without damage, scratch, etc. Such an elastic sheet or plate is also useful for compensating surface irregularity of the horizontal rail HR of the balcony when firmly clamping the rail HR. The clamp member  31  in this example is L-shaped although other shape such as an I-shape or U-shape is also possible.  
      The hook  25  also has a hole  34  which is elongated in a vertical direction to attain flexibility for movement of the clamping member  31  and the adjustment member  33  when clamping the horizontal rail HR. Thus, depending on the vertical thickness of the horizontal rail HR of the balcony, the vertical position of the clamp member  31  can be adjusted by the hole  34  to accommodate the thickness. Thus, by the combination of the clamp member  31 , the adjustment member  33 , and the vertically elongated hole  34 , the hook  25  enables to attach the hanger  23  to the balcony rails of different sizes and shapes.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an example of structure of the table  21  and the arm  28  incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an example of detailed structure of the arm  28  for mounting the table  21 . The table  21  has an L-shape in cross section for attaining sufficient physical strength, although various other shapes, such as a flat shape, an inverse U-shape, etc. are also possible. Further, although the table  21  has a generally square shape in plan view, other shapes such as a one having a round end or round or tapered corners are also possible.  
      The arm  28  is generally shaped in triangular and has a horizontal beam  28 H, although other shapes such as a square shape, a half-moon shape, a relative thick plate of triangular, square or other shape, etc., are also possible. The horizontal beam  28 H is attached to the bottom backward surface of the table  21  by fastening means such as screws (not shown) at screw holes  28 S. As shown, the arm  28  has a hook (second hook)  29  at the rear end for attaching the arm  28  and the table  21  to the hanger  23 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the hanger  23  has a plurality of holes  35  arranged vertically on the vertical beam  23 V. The hook  29  is attached to the hanger  23  through the holes  35  at a desired vertical position. Preferably, on the rear surface of the arm  28 , an elastic sheet or plate (elastic member)  30  such as a rubber plate is provided for protection from scratch, noise, damage, etc. and for compensating surface irregularity of the vertical beams  23 V of the hanger  23  and the arm  28 .  
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view showing the overall structural relationship among the components incorporated in the bar counter of the present invention. The hanger  23  is attached to the balcony horizontal rail HR by the clamping member  31  of the hook  25  which clamps the horizontal rail HR of the balcony by operating the adjustment member  33 . The pair of arms  28  are attached to the bottom back surface of the table  21  by connecting the horizontal beams  28 H ( FIG. 6 ) to the table  21 .  
      The hooks  29  of the arms  28  are hooked to the holes  35  of the hanger  23  at the desired vertical location, thereby mounting the table  21  on the balcony rails. Depending on the difference in the size and shape between the vertical rails VR and the horizontal rail HR of the balcony, the forward and backward position of the adjustment plate  24  is accommodated. Accordingly, the hanger  23  is adjusted to be perpendicular to the balcony floor, thereby attaching the table  21  firmly and stably to the balcony rails.  
      As described above, in the present invention, the bar counter or table can be easily and instantly created in a balcony or veranda of a relatively small area of a residence such as an apartment. The bar counter can be easily attached to or detached from the balcony rails by engaging or disengaging the hooks formed on the hanger with the horizontal rail of the balcony. Further, the bar counter can be easily attached to balcony rails of different shapes and sizes because of the adjustment plate. Since it does not need to have legs, the bar counter can be established in a small space on the balcony while achieving sufficient seating space for the users.