US20030106471A1

US20030106471A1 - Portable elevated picnic table cover

Info

Publication number: US20030106471A1
Application number: US09/829,277
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicole Rivers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-09
Filing date: 2001-04-09
Publication date: 2003-06-12

Abstract

A portable elevated picnic table cover including an enclosure dimensioned for being positioned atop a picnic table. The enclosure is constructed of a transparent material. The enclosure has a closed top, an open bottom, and a peripheral side wall therebetween. The open bottom is positioned over the picnic table. The peripheral side wall has at least one access opening therethrough. The access opening has a corresponding removable flap coupled thereto. A pair of support brackets is positioned within the enclosure for supporting the enclosure in a raised orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable elevated picnic table cover and more particularly pertains to attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests.

The use of table covering devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, table covering devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of covering and protecting table tops are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,943 to Johnson discloses a picnic table cover for protecting food or drink in an outdoor environment. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,705,084 to Rodenbaugh and 4,883,001 to Roth disclose various picnic table cover devices.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a portable elevated picnic table cover for attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests.

In this respect, the portable elevated picnic table cover according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover which can be used for attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of table covering devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved portable elevated picnic table cover. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a rectangular enclosure dimensioned for being positioned atop a rectangular picnic table. The rectangular enclosure is constructed of a transparent material. The rectangular enclosure has a closed top, an open bottom, opposed short ends, and opposed long sides. The open bottom is positioned over the picnic table. The opposed long sides each have an access opening therethrough. The access opening has a corresponding removable flap coupled thereto. A pair of support brackets is positioned within the enclosure adjacent to the opposed short ends thereof for supporting the enclosure in a raised orientation. The support brackets each have an upper horizontal bar positioned against the closed top. The upper horizontal bar has opposed free ends. The free ends each have a vertical support hingedly coupled thereto. The vertical supports each have a free lower end. The free lower ends each have a horizontal table support bar hingedly coupled thereto for being positioned on the picnic table. A plurality of tie down straps extends outwardly from the enclosure adjacent to the open bottom thereof. The tie down straps are capable of extending underneath the picnic table and engaging one another to prevent inadvertent removal of the enclosure from the picnic table.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover which has all the advantages of the prior art table covering devices and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a portable elevated picnic table cover economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover for attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover including an enclosure dimensioned for being positioned atop a picnic table. The enclosure is constructed of a transparent material. The enclosure has a closed top, an open bottom, and a peripheral side wall therebetween. The open bottom is positioned over the picnic table. The peripheral side wall has at least one access opening therethrough. The access opening has a corresponding removable flap coupled thereto. A pair of support brackets is positioned within the enclosure for supporting the enclosure in a raised orientation.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0019]
FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention illustrated being attached to picnic table. [0020]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention illustrated in use. [0021]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention illustrating its portability. [0022]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the portable elevated picnic table cover constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. [0023]
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures. [0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. [0025] 1 through four thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved portable elevated picnic table cover embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in the various Figures that the device relates to a portable elevated picnic table cover for attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests. In its broadest context, the device consists of a rectangular enclosure, a pair of support brackets, and a plurality of tie down straps. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. [0026]
The [0027] rectangular enclosure 12 is dimensioned for being positioned atop a rectangular picnic table 14. Note FIGS. 1, 2, and four. Alternately, the shape of the enclosure 12 can be varied to accommodate picnic tables of alternate designs. The rectangular enclosure 12 is constructed of a transparent material. This will allow items positioned on the picnic table 14 to be easily viewed through the enclosure 12. The rectangular enclosure 12 has a closed top 16, an open bottom 18, opposed short ends 20, and opposed long sides 22. The open bottom 18 is positioned over the picnic table 14. The opposed long sides 22 each has an access opening 24 therethrough. The access opening 24 has a corresponding removable flap 26 coupled thereto. The access opening 24 simply allows a person to reach into the enclosure 12 to get to their food or other items that are positioned on the picnic table 14. The person simply raises or removes the flap 26 to expose the access opening 24. Note FIG. 4. The flap 26 can be securely closed to essentially seal the contents of the enclosure 12. This can be accomplished by standard means, such as zipper, snaps, or hook and loop fastener. The pair of support brackets 28 are positioned within the enclosure 12 adjacent to the opposed short ends 20 thereof for supporting the enclosure 12 in a raised orientation. The support brackets 28 each have an upper horizontal bar 30 positioned against the closed top 16. The upper horizontal bar 30 has opposed free ends. The free ends each have a vertical support 32 hingedly coupled thereto. The vertical supports 32 each has a free lower end. The free lower ends each have a horizontal table support bar 34 hingedly coupled thereto for being positioned on the picnic table 14. The horizontal table support bar 34 is short so as not to occupy most of the table surface of the picnic table 14. The support brackets 28 can be easily folded up for transportation. Note FIG. 3. The table support bars 34 can be folded against the vertical supports 32, which can be folded against the upper horizontal bar 32. Once this has been completed, the enclosure 12 can be wrapped around the support brackets 28 and ties using the tie down straps (described in greater detail hereinafter). A carrying bag 36 can then receive the present invention therein for transportation and storage. Note FIG. 3.
The plurality of tie down [0028] straps 38 extend outwardly from the enclosure 12 adjacent to the open bottom 18 thereof. The tie down straps 38 are capable of extending underneath the picnic table 14 and engaging one another to prevent inadvertent removal of the enclosure 12 from the picnic table 14. Note FIG. 2. The corresponding tie down straps 38 can be tied together or provided with mating means, such as hook and loop fasteners or the like.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0029]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0030]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modification and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modification and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0031]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A portable elevated picnic table cover for attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests comprising, in combination:

a rectangular enclosure dimensioned for being positioned atop a rectangular picnic table, the rectangular enclosure being constructed of a transparent material, the rectangular enclosure having a closed top, an open bottom, opposed short ends, and opposed long sides, the open bottom being positioned over the picnic table, the opposed long sides each having an access opening therethrough, the access opening having a corresponding removable flap coupled thereto;

a pair of support brackets positioned within the enclosure adjacent to the opposed short ends thereof for supporting the enclosure in a raised orientation, the support brackets each having an upper horizontal bar positioned against the closed top, the upper horizontal bar having opposed free ends, the free ends each having a vertical support hingedly coupled thereto, the vertical supports each having a free lower end, the free lower ends each having a horizontal table support bar hingedly coupled thereto for being positioned on the picnic table; and

a plurality of tie down straps extending outwardly from the enclosure adjacent to the open bottom thereof, the tie down straps being capable of extending underneath the picnic table and engaging one another to prevent inadvertent removal of the enclosure from the picnic table.

2. A portable elevated picnic table cover for attaching to a picnic table to protect food and other items from outdoor elements and pests comprising, in combination:

an enclosure dimensioned for being positioned atop a picnic table, the enclosure being constructed of a transparent material, the enclosure having a closed top, an open bottom, and a peripheral side wall therebetween, the open bottom being positioned over the picnic table, the peripheral side wall having at least one access opening therethrough, the access opening having a corresponding removable flap coupled thereto;

a pair of support brackets positioned within the enclosure for supporting the enclosure in a raised orientation.

3. The portable elevated picnic table cover as set forth in claim two, wherein the support brackets each have an upper horizontal bar positioned against the closed top of the enclosure, the upper horizontal bar having opposed free ends, the free ends each having a vertical support hingedly coupled thereto, the vertical supports each having a free lower end, the free lower ends each having a horizontal table support bar hingedly coupled thereto for being positioned on the picnic table.

4. The portable elevated picnic table cover as set forth in claim two, and further including a plurality of tie down straps extending outwardly from the enclosure adjacent to the open bottom thereof, the tie down straps being capable of extending underneath the picnic table and engaging one another to prevent inadvertent removal of the enclosure from the picnic table.