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Bistro tableBistro table description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070075573, Bistro table. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The invention relates generally to the field of tables. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved picnic table suitable for use in limited spaces, such as in sidewalk cafes and bistros. [0003] 2. Description of Prior Art [0004] Picnic tables are well-known in the art. Patents issued for picnic tables tend to focus on improvements on the basic traditional design, which encompasses a full size table with two symmetrically disposed support structures holding up a flat table top, with horizontal benches attached to the support structures on either side of the table top. [0005] For example, Trubee, U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,723 (Oct. 7, 2003), TIP-PROOF PICNIC TABLE WITH ATTACHED BENCHES, discloses a picnic table in which the support structures are made of tubular metal and are compoundly curved to redistribute the weight of persons sitting on the benches, thereby preventing tipping. All other aspects of the table are conventional. Similarly, Winter, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,662 (Nov. 16, 2004), PICNIC TABLE, discloses a traditionally configured full sized picnic table having improved bench supports, each of which comprises a rectangular loop portion that supports the benches. [0006] Other patents disclose variations of the traditional picnic table, such as Gregory, U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,864 (Apr. 26, 2005), PORTABLE PICNIC TABLE, which discloses a folding picnic table; Zhurong, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,166 (Jun. 14, 2005), PICNIC TABLE, which also discloses a folding picnic table; Thomas, et al., U.S. Pat. No. D493,291 (Jul. 27, 2004) and U.S. Pat. No. D497,262 (Oct. 19, 2004), both for HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE PICNIC TABLE, which disclose two similar designs for a picnic table having supports disposed towards the center underside of the table top, thereby permitting wheelchairs to be rolled against the sides of the table; and Thom, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,436 (Apr. 17, 1990), PICNIC TABLE WITH WHEELCHAIR AND CHAIR ACCESS, which discloses an eight-sided picnic table with integrated benches on seven sides, with the eighth side left open to accommodate a wheel chair or other moveable seating. [0007] Still other patents disclose non-traditional table configurations, such as Krien, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,709 (May 24, 2005), PORTABLE SEAT AND PLATFORM SUPPORT, which discloses a portable seat and platform support having a shaft with a base and a removable platform attached to the shaft; Petersen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,185 (Jan. 4, 2000), PICNIC TABLE, which discloses a picnic table comprising a table top having a square tube removably secured to the underside with a pair of detachable legs are secured to opposite sides of the square tube and a pair of nondetachable legs secured to the other sides of the square tube, with seats attached to the leg; and Larson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,891 (Nov. 13, 2001), PORTABLE PICNIC TABLE FOR TAILGATE PARTIES, which discloses an asymmetric "half-table" configuration with attached seating. Larson is designed to attach to the hitch of a vehicle, is not free-standing, is foldable, and includes metal components. [0008] The traditional tables disclosed in the prior art suffer from the use of support structures which present barriers to access to the seating surfaces. Persons desiring to sit on the benches of the disclosed picnic tables must step over the benches and/or the support structures, which presents an inconvenience at best and a safety hazard at worst. The non-traditional tables disclosed in the prior art do not have this problem, but lack the simplicity of design of the present invention and thus are impractical for the desired uses. None of the disclosed prior art achieves the unique utility of the present invention, which uses an asymmetric support structure to create a table with easy access to the seating members, having a convenient small size for use in limited spaces, and constructed entirely of wood, other than for fasteners. [0009] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved bistro table having a small size for use in limited spaces not accessible to traditionally configured picnic tables. [0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a useful, improved bistro table with a suitably positioned support structure to provide for easy access to the seating members. [0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a useful, improved bistro table made of wood. [0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a useful, improved bistro table designed with bracing for strength and rigidity. [0013] Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] The present invention is a bistro table having the primary elements of a table top, two seating members situated on either side of the table top, and a main support structure suitably adapted to support both the table top and the seating members in substantially horizontal orientations. The main support structure is asymmetrically situated at one end of the table, leaving the other end of the table open for easy access to the seating members. This configuration facilitates use of the table by persons with physical impairments or limited mobility. The open end of the table allows for the positioning of wheel chairs proximate to the table top. Support leg structures depending from the seating members at the opposite ends of the seating members from the main support structure provide support to the table at its open end. Various braces and struts may be integrated into the main support structure, seating members, and table top to increase the strength and rigidity of the table. The overall length of the table top and seating members is limited to provide a table surface and seating for two persons, one on either side of the table, such that the overall dimensions of the table may be kept to a minimum, facilitating the table's use in restricted spaces, such as on sidewalks, decks, porches, small balconies, in small dormitory rooms, efficiency apartments, or inside small bistro-style restaurants. In the preferred embodiment the bistro table is constructed entirely of wood, with metal fasteners. However, man-made materials or other materials may also be used provided they are sufficiently strong and rigid. In an alternative embodiment, a double bistro table is disclosed with the table top and seating members extending symmetrically from either side of the main support structure, thereby providing a table surface and seating for four persons while still providing easy access to the seating members and taking up a relatively small amount of space. [0015] Other features and advantages of the invention are described below DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of the bistro table. [0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the second side of the bistro table. [0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the open side of the bistro table. [0019] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rear of the bistro table. [0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the open side of the bistro table. [0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear side of the bistro table. Continue reading about Bistro table... Full patent description for Bistro table Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Bistro table patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Bistro table or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Split seat stowage system Next Patent Application: James alert car seat Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Bistro table patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.19121 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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