Backyard refreshment station

Abstract

A collapsible refreshment station ( 10 ) including a lower support assembly ( 24 ) and also including a number of frame members ( 38,39,40,42 ). The upper ends of the frame members ( 38,39,40,42 ) are pivotally attached to upper connectors ( 52,54 ), and the lower ends are pivotally attached to feet ( 48,50 ), such that the lower support assembly ( 24 ) as a whole expands outwardly from a central area ( 36 ). The station ( 10 ) also includes a table support frame ( 26 ), which attaches to the lower support assembly ( 24 ), and a table ( 16 ), which attaches to the table support frame ( 26 ). Each of the upper connectors ( 52,54 ) includes an upper face ( 72 ), the upper faces ( 72 ) together serving to form a lower surface support structure ( 21 ). A lower surface ( 17 ) is disposed upon said lower surface support structure ( 21 ), which may be a screen surface ( 18 ). The lower support assembly ( 24 ) and the table support frame ( 26 ) are included in a framework ( 14 ) which may include a number of connecting sockets ( 62,64 ) which attach the table support frame ( 26 ) to the lower support assembly ( 24 ). The refreshment station ( 10 ) may include a windscreen ( 22 ) which is attached to a portion of the framework ( 14 ). The refreshment station ( 10 ) may also include a canopy support frame ( 28 ), to which a canopy ( 20 ) is attached. The collapsible refreshment station ( 10 ) may be a single table station ( 12 ) or two single table stations ( 12 ) may be connected together to form a double table station ( 100 ).

1 . A collapsible refreshment station comprising: 
 a lower support assembly, including a plurality of frame members, the upper ends of said frame members being pivotally attached to upper connectors, and the lower ends being pivotally attached to feet, such that said lower support assembly as a whole expands outwardly from a central area;    a table support frame, which attaches to said lower support assembly;    a table, which attaches to said table support frame;    each of said upper connectors including an upper face, said upper faces serving to form a lower surface support structure; and    a lower surface disposed upon said lower surface support structure.    
     
     
         2 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said lower support assembly and said table support frame are included in a framework which also includes a plurality of connecting sockets which attach said table support frame to said lower support assembly.    
     
     
         3 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 2 , further comprising a windscreen which is attached to a portion of said framework.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said framework further comprises a canopy support frame, to which a canopy is attached.    
     
     
         5 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 collapsible refreshment station is a single table station.    
     
     
         6 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 two single table stations are connected together to form a double table station.    
     
     
         7 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said table support frame includes at least one cross-bar.    
     
     
         8 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said at least one cross-bar attaches at said connector sockets.    
     
     
         9 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said lower surface support structure includes retaining members which engage portions of said lower surface to maintain said lower surface in position.    
     
     
         10 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said canopy support frame attaches to said lower support assembly at connecting sockets.    
     
     
         11 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said canopy support frame includes upper connector sockets and lower connector sockets and an upper cross bar connects between said upper connecting sockets, and a lower cross bar connects between said lower connecting sockets.    
     
     
         12 . A collapsible refreshment station comprising: 
 a framework including a lower support assembly, having a plurality of frame members, where said plurality of frame members are grouped into a plurality of scissor pairs which are joined near their midpoints by pivots;    the ends of said frame members of said scissor pairs are joined at the pivot assemblies to form an extended scissors-frame assembly, such that the lower support assembly moves towards a central area from all sides as a unit when the frame is to be collapsed, and moves away from this central area when expanding;    a table support frame, which attaches to said lower support assembly;    a table, which attaches to said table support frame;    each of said pivot assemblies including an upper face, said upper faces serving to form a lower surface support structure; and    a lower surface disposed upon said lower surface support structure.    
     
     
         13 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said pivot assemblies include corner feet middle feet, upper corner connectors, and upper middle connectors.    
     
     
         14 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said framework further includes a canopy support frame, to which a canopy is removably attached.    
     
     
         15 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 12 , further comprising a windscreen which is attached to a portion of said framework.  
     
     
         16 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said collapsible refreshment station is a single table station.    
     
     
         17 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 two single table stations are connected together to form a double table station.    
     
     
         18 . A collapsible refreshment station comprising: 
 a lower support assembly, including a plurality of frame members, each frame member having an upper end and a lower end, said upper ends of said frame members being pivotally attached to upper connector assemblies, and said lower ends being pivotally attached to feet, such that said lower support assembly as a whole expands outwardly from a central area;    a table support frame, which attaches to said lower support assembly;    a table surface, which attaches to said table support frame;    each of said upper connector assemblies including an upper surface, said upper surfaces serving to form a lower surface support structure; and    a lower surface disposed upon said lower surface support structure;    a canopy support frame, to which a canopy is attached, said lower support frame, table support frame, and canopy support frame forming a framework;    a windscreen which is attached to a portion of said framework.    
     
     
         19 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said collapsible refreshment station is a single table station.    
     
     
         20 . The collapsible refreshment station of  claim 19 , wherein: 
 two single table stations are connected together to form a double table station.