Abstract:
The portable table and umbrella shade assembly is an easily transportable combination umbrella and table, which is collapsible and adapted for support on a variety of differing support surfaces. The assembly includes a main tubular pole having opposed open upper and lower ends and a stand pole, removably received within an interior of the main tubular pole. A lower end of an umbrella pole is removably received within an interior of the stand pole, and an umbrella shade is secured to an upper end thereof. A stake is provided, with an upper end thereof being adapted for releasable attachment to the lower end of the main tubular pole. A base stand is also adapted for releasable attachment to the lower end of the main tubular pole. The stake and the base stand are interchangeable. A collapsible table is mounted on the main tubular pole, adjacent the open upper end thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/193,845, filed Dec. 30, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to lawn or beach furniture, and particularly to a portable table and umbrella shade assembly that is lightweight and easy to set up. 
         [0004]    2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
         [0005]    Often, users find it desirable to have a table with a detachable umbrella used to provide shade during leisure outdoor activities. Such a table is preferably lightweight, easy to transport, and requires little effort to set up. It would be desirable for such a table to be foldable and easy to carry. Foldable tables are well known in the art. However, such tables typically do not provide versatile usage, including a detachable umbrella that may be used for a wide range of outdoor activities, such as fishing, beach usage, or other outdoor activities. Further, such tables are typically adapted only for a single usage, or a limited range of usages, such as one of the above, and are not easily used for other activities, such as, for example, simply sitting and enjoying the outdoors. 
         [0006]    Tables are used for a wide variety of functions, such as the placement and support of various articles, such as fishing tackle, food, or refreshments, for example. For such purposes, an additional umbrella is useful for providing shade. For these purposes, and similar uses, an easily transportable table is desirable. Typically, though, foldable tables are awkward to carry, having legs hinged to the top of the table, and are not fully foldable. Further, such tables typically do not have a detachable umbrella, requiring a separate bag or other carrying case for transportation and storage. 
         [0007]    Thus, a portable table and umbrella shade assembly solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The portable table and umbrella shade assembly is an easily transportable combination umbrella and table, which is collapsible and adapted for support on a variety of differing support surfaces. The portable table and umbrella shade assembly includes a main tubular pole having opposed open upper and lower ends and a stand pole, removably received within an interior of the main tubular pole. An upper end of the stand pole projects outwardly from the open upper end of the main tubular pole. 
         [0009]    A lower end of an umbrella pole is removably received within an interior of the stand pole, and an umbrella shade is secured to an upper end thereof. A stake, having opposed upper and lower ends, is further provided, with the upper end thereof being adapted for releasable attachment to the open lower end of the main tubular pole. The lower end thereof is adapted for insertion into the ground. A base stand is additionally provided and is also adapted for releasable attachment to the open lower end of the main tubular pole. The stake and the base stand are interchangeable, depending upon the particular nature of the support surface. A collapsible table is mounted on the main tubular pole, adjacent the open upper end thereof. 
         [0010]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a portable table and umbrella shade assembly according to the present invention, configured for use with a soft ground surface. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an environmental, perspective view of the portable table and umbrella shade assembly configured for use with a hard support surface. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the portable table configured as in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the portable table configured as in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the portable table and umbrella shade assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the portable table and umbrella shade assembly of  FIG. 1 , shown in a collapsed state. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the portable table and umbrella shade assembly of  FIG. 1 , shown in a collapsed state and from the side opposite  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The present invention relates to a portable table and umbrella shade assembly, generally indicated as  10  in  FIGS. 1-6 . As will be described in detail below, the assembly  10  is relatively lightweight and easy to put together. The assembly  10  is small enough to be packed with luggage, and light enough to be carried easily to most locations. The assembly  10 , as described hereinafter, may be used in a wide variety of environments and for a wide variety of functions. In the following embodiments, four specific examples of usage are described, although it should be understood that the assembly  10  may be used in any desired environment and for any desired purpose. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the assembly  10  includes a main tubular pole  12 . The main tubular pole  12  is preferably hollow and has two alignment holes  14 ,  16  formed therethrough. Further, a stand pole  18  is partially telescopically positioned within the main tubular pole  12 , as shown. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper, exposed portion of the stand pole  18  has a latching mechanism  20  affixed thereto. 
         [0021]    The assembly  10  further includes a shade-providing umbrella  22  with an attached umbrella pole  24 . The umbrella pole  24  extends from the umbrella  22  and is received within the exposed section of the stand pole  18 , as shown, where it is releasably secured to stand pole  18  by the latching mechanism  20  during assembly. The latch mechanism  20  prevents unwanted movement of the umbrella  22  during usage thereof. 
         [0022]    The assembly  10  further includes an attachable, circular folding table  26 . The table  26  includes a central aperture  28  for detachably receiving the main tubular pole  12  during assembly. The table  26  is formed from two semicircular halves  30 ,  32 . The right half  30  is pivotally secured to the left half  32  by a pair of piano hinges  34 ,  36 , as seen in  FIG. 6 , which are positioned on either side of the central aperture  28 . Hinges  34 ,  36  are preferably secured to the lower surface  38  of the table  26 . The piano hinges  34 ,  36  are provided for facilitating the folding of the circular table  26  into the two equally matching halves  30 ,  32  for easy storage and transportation. The piano hinges  34 ,  36  are preferably relatively long, narrow rectangular hinges with a small-diameter pin running the entire length of the joint, although it should be understood that any suitable type of pivotal attachment may be utilized. The piano hinges  34 ,  36 , following the joining of the two equally matching halves  30 ,  32 , provide support for the circular table  26 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of aligning holes  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43  are formed through table  26 . Although any suitable number of holes  40  may be formed through table  26 , in the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a pair of holes  40 ,  41  are formed through right half  30 , and a symmetric pair of holes  42 ,  43  are formed through the left half  32  of the table  26 . The holes  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43  are preferably equally spaced across the table  26 , above the pair of piano hinges  34 ,  36 . When the table  26  is folded, the holes  40 ,  41  on the right half  30  align with the two holes  42 ,  43 , aligning in turn with the two aligning holes  14 ,  16  formed through the tubular main pole  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , a pair of alignment bolts  44 ,  45  with wing nut fasteners, or any other suitable type of releasable fastener, is used to align and secure the main pole  12  to the right half  30  of the folded table  26  when being secured for transportation or storage. Bolts  44  is inserted through hole  14  and also through holes  41 ,  43 , and bolt  45  is similarly inserted through hole  16 , and also through holes  40 ,  42 , thus releasably securing the main pole  12  to the folded table  26  during transport or storage thereof. 
         [0024]    The main pole  12  has a further center hole  48  formed therethrough, positioned between the two alignment holes  14 ,  16 . This center hole  48  receives wing bolt  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . The wing bolt  50  removably screws into main pole  12 , with a wing bolt chain  51  attaching to the wing bolt  50  and to the main tubular pole  12 . The wing bolt chain  51  tethers the wing bolt  50  to the main tubular pole  12  so that the wing bolt  50  does not accidentally get lost. 
         [0025]    Wing bolt  50  is provided so that, when the stand pole  18  is telescopically received within the main tubular pole  12 , the wing bolt  50  acts as a stop or resting place for the stand pole  18  so that the remainder of the stand pole  18  (i.e., the upper portion having the latch mechanism  20 ) will be exposed and able to receive the umbrella pole  24 . Further, wing bolt  50  is also provided to hold a ground stake  52 , which is held inside of the main pole  12 . The wing bolt  50  stops the stake  52  from moving within the interior of the main tubular pole  12  during storage and transportation. 
         [0026]    In the examples of  FIGS. 1 and 3A , the assembly  10  is adapted for anchoring in a soft surface  53 , such as a sandy surface, with the ground stake  52 . The ground stake  52  has a threaded upper end  54  for attaching to an internally threaded bore in the bottom  56  of the main tubular pole  12 , along with a sharpened end  55  for anchoring the portable table and umbrella shade assembly  10  into the soft surface  53 . 
         [0027]    The stake  52  may also include a pin or tapered top to drive the stake into harder ground surfaces, such as dirt, grass, or loose-earth type material. Stake  52  is preferably telescopically received in the main tubular pole  12  and held in place by the wing bolt  50  for storage and transportation. As shown in  FIG. 3A , during storage, a main tubular pole cap  58  is preferably mounted on an upper end of the main pole  12 . Cap  58  may be internally threaded for engaging threads formed on the upper end of main pole  12 , or may be secured thereto by any other suitable type of releasable fastener. A shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a cap chain  61  may be provided for tethering the cap  58  to the main pole  12  to prevent accidental separation thereof. 
         [0028]    As noted previously, the umbrella  22  and the umbrella pole  24  are removable. In  FIG. 1 , the umbrella pole  24  is shown inserted within the stand pole  18 , which is received within the main pole  12 . In  FIG. 3A , the umbrella  22 , the umbrella pole  24  and the stand pole  18  are not used. The main tubular pole cap  58  is screwed onto the main tubular pole  12  at the top threaded end thereof to seal the main tubular pole  12 , thus providing a conventional table. 
         [0029]    In  FIGS. 2 and 3B , the assembly  10  is placed on a hard level surface  62  with a ground stand  63 . In  FIG. 2 , the umbrella pole  24  is shown inserted within the stand pole  18 , which is received within the main pole  12 . In  FIG. 3B , the umbrella  22 , the umbrella pole  24  and the stand pole  18  are not used. The main tubular pole cap  58  is screwed onto the main tubular pole  12  at the top threaded end thereof to seal the main tubular pole  12 , thus providing a conventional table. 
         [0030]    The ground stand  63  has a threaded stud end  64  for attaching to the internally threaded bore in the bottom  56  of the main tubular pole  12  for supporting the portable table and umbrella shade assembly  10  on the hard level surface  64 . The stand  63  is round and slightly smaller in circumference and diameter than the table  26  so that chairs can be comfortably used around the table  26 . It should be noted that the stand  63  is separate from the assembly  10  when the assembly  10  is folded and transported or stored. Thus, the ground stand  63  is an optional feature, and may be carried separately. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a pair of washers  66 ,  68  are mounted about the main tubular pole  12 , at the threaded top end thereof. When the assembly  10  is used with the umbrella  22 , the umbrella pole  24 , and the stand pole  18 , such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the washer  66  is removed and the table  26  is placed over the non-removable washer  68  through the central aperture  28 . The non-removable washer  68  is wider than the central aperture  28 , so that the table  26  will be supported on the non-removable washer  68 . Following this placement, the removable washer  66  is screwed and tightened down on the threaded end of the main pole  12  so that the two washers  66 ,  68  sandwich the table  12  at the central aperture  28 , with the removable washer  66  on top of the table  26  and the non-removable washer  68  under the table  26 . Thus, the two washers  66 ,  68  anchor and support the table  26  during use. 
         [0032]    Similarly, when the assembly  10  is used without the umbrella  22 , the umbrella pole  24  and the stand pole  18 , such as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the removable washer  66  is removed and the table  26  is placed over the non-removable washer  68  through the central aperture  28 . The non-removable washer  68  is wider than the central aperture  28 , so the table  26  will be supported on the non-removable washer  68 . Next, the removable washer  66  is screwed and tightened down on the threaded end  60  of the main pole  12  so that the two washers  66 ,  68  sandwich the table  12  at the central aperture  28  with the removable washer  66  on top of the table  26  and the non-removable washer  68  under the table  26 . Thereafter, the main tubular cap  58  is tightened down on the threaded top end  60  of the main tubular pole  12 , providing further support for the table  12 . The two washers  66 ,  68  and the cap  58  anchor and support the table  26  during use. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , each of the two halves  30 ,  32  of the table  22  preferably have hand-receiving openings  70 ,  72 , respectively, formed therethrough. The hand-receiving openings  70 ,  72  are preferably formed symmetric with respect to each other, and are positioned in alignment to with the central aperture  28  of the table  26 . The hand-receiving openings  70 ,  72  are located near the outer edge of each of the table halves  30 ,  32 , as shown. The hand-receiving openings  70 ,  72  are provided for assisting in transportation of the portable table and umbrella shade assembly  10 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a pair of straps  74 ,  76  may be used to secure the umbrella  22  and the pole  24 , along with stand pole  18 , and the main pole  12  to the right half  30  of table  26  for transporting and storage. The straps  74 ,  76  are shown as being attached or secured to the right half  30 , so that during use they are not misplaced. The left half  32 , shown in  FIG. 6 , is clear of any of the parts of the assembly  10  in order to prevent damage to the assembly  10 . 
         [0035]    To set up the portable table and umbrella shade assembly  10 , the straps  74 ,  76  are first unfastened. The straps  74 ,  76  can be attached to the main pole  12  to prevent misplacement thereof during use. Next, the umbrella  22  and the pole  24 , stand pole  18 , and the main pole  12  are removed. The main cap  58  is unscrewed from the main pole  12  and the ground stake  52  is removed from within the main pole  12 . The ground stake  52  is screwed into the bottom end  56  of the main pole  12 . The sharpened end  55  of the ground stake  52  is then inserted into the soft surface  53 . Following this, the removable washer  66  is unscrewed from the top end  60  of the main pole  12 . 
         [0036]    The table  26  is then unfolded and the central aperture  28  of the table  26  is placed over top end of the main pole  12 . The removable washer  66  is then screwed back on the top end of the main pole  12  to secure the table  26  over the non-removable washer  68 . Next, the stand pole  18  is telescopically placed within the upper end of the main pole  12 . The wing bolt  50  stops the stand pole  18  from moving further within pole  12 , and secures the stand pole  18  into position with the latch mechanism  20  being exposed. The latch mechanism  20  is pulled up to receive the umbrella pole  24 . The umbrella pole  24  is telescopically placed inside the latch mechanism  20  of the stand pole  18 . The latch mechanism  20  is then pulled down to secure the umbrella pole  24 . 
         [0037]    In the above, the example of  FIG. 3A  was described, with the table assembly being used with the soft surface of  FIG. 1 . A similar procedure for set up of the assembly  10  is performed using the stand  63  on the hard level surface  62 . In this example, ground stake  52  remains in storage in the main pole  12 , allowing stand  63  to be screwed onto the lower end of pole  12 . 
         [0038]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.