Folding table and bench system

Abstract

A table and bench system may include a table and one or more benches that may be selectively attached and detached to the table. Advantageously, this may allow the table and benches to be easily moved, transported and stored. In addition, the table and bench system may include a handle that may assist in moving, transporting or storing the table and benches. Preferably, when the benches are attached to the table, the benches top are generally aligned to facilitate stacking of the table and benches. In addition, when the benches are attached to the table, the legs of the table are preferably disposed generally adjacent to the legs of the benches. Further, the upper surfaces of the benches tops preferably face in an opposite direction than the upper surface of the table top because that may create generally aligned surfaces, which may facilitate stacking and shipping of the table and bench system.

1 . A table and bench system in which benches can be selectively attached and detached to the table to facilitate moving and transport of the system, the table and bench system comprising: 
 a first bench comprising: 
 a bench top including a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side; and  
 one or more legs movable relative to the bench top between a collapsed position and an extended position;  
   a second bench comprising: 
 a bench top including a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side; and  
 one or more legs movable relative to the bench top between a collapsed position and an extended position; and  
   a table comprising: 
 a table top including a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side;  
 a retaining assembly attached to the bottom of the table top, the retaining assembly including a first receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table, the retaining assembly including a second receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table;  
 a first receiving member attached to the bottom of the table top, the first receiving member including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table;  
 a second receiving member attached to the bottom of the table top, the second receiving member including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table; and  
 one or more legs movable relative to the table top between a collapsed position and an extended position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , wherein the retaining assembly and the first receiving member allow the first bench to be selectively attached to the table; and wherein the retaining assembly and the second receiving member allow the second bench to be selectively attached to the table.  
   
   
       3 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first receiving portion of the retaining assembly receives a portion of one side of the first bench and the first receiving member receives a portion of an opposing side of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table; and wherein the second receiving portion of the retaining assembly receives a portion of one side of the second bench and the second receiving member receives a portion of an opposing side of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       4 . The table and bench system as in  claim 3 , wherein the first receiving portion of the retaining assembly receives a portion of the first side of the first bench and the first receiving member receives a portion of the legs of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table; and wherein the second receiving portion of the retaining assembly receives a portion of the first side of the second bench and the second receiving member receives a portion of the legs of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       5 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , wherein the retaining assembly includes a first post and a second post that are generally aligned along an axis of the table top.  
   
   
       6 . The table and bench system as in  claim 5 , wherein the first post and the second post have a generally I-shaped configuration with the first receiving portion being disposed on one side of the posts and the second receiving portion being disposed on another side of the posts.  
   
   
       7 . The table and bench system as in  claim 5 , wherein the first post and the second post have a generally T-shaped configuration with the first receiving portion being disposed on one side of the posts and the second receiving portion being disposed on another side of the posts.  
   
   
       8 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , wherein one of the sides of the first bench is inserted into the first receiving portion of the retaining assembly when the first bench is attached to the table; and wherein one of the sides of the second bench is inserted into the second receiving portion of the retaining assembly when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       9 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more channels in the first bench that are sized and configured to be received in the first receiving portion of the retaining assembly when the first bench is attached to the table; and further comprising one or more channels in the second bench that are sized and configured to be received in the second receiving portion of the retaining assembly when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       10 . The table and bench system as in  claim 9 , further comprising a lip of the first receiving portion of the retaining assembly that is sized and configured to be inserted into at least one of the channels in the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table; and further comprising a lip of the second receiving portion of the retaining assembly that is sized and configured to be inserted into at least one of the channels in the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       11 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first receiving member includes a clip that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table; and wherein the second receiving member includes a clip that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       12 . The table and bench system as in  claim 11 , wherein the clips of the first and second receiving members are deformable to allow the first and second benches to be attached and detached to the table.  
   
   
       13 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first receiving member receives at least a portion of the legs of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table; and wherein the second receiving member receives at least a portion of the legs of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       14 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more end caps attached to the ends of the legs of the first bench and one or more end caps attached to the ends of the legs of the second bench; wherein the first receiving member receives at least a portion of the end caps of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table; and wherein the second receiving member receives at least a portion of the end caps of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       15 . The table and bench system as in  claim 1 , wherein the top of the first bench is generally aligned with the top of the second bench when the first and second benches are attached to the table; and wherein the legs of the first bench and the legs of the second bench are disposed generally adjacent to the legs of the table when the first and second benches are attached to the table.  
   
   
       16 . A table and bench system in which a bench can be selectively attached and detached to the table to facilitate moving and transport of the system, the table and bench system comprising: 
 a bench including a bench top and one or more legs movable relative to the bench top between a collapsed position and an extended position;    a table including a table top and one or more legs movable relative to the table top between a collapsed position and an extended position;    a retaining assembly attached to the table top, the retaining assembly including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a portion of a first side of the bench top when the bench is attached to the table;    a receiving member attached to the table top, the receiving member including a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the legs of the bench when the bench is attached to the table;    wherein the retaining assembly and the receiving member allow the bench to be selectively attached and detached to the table.    
   
   
       17 . The table and bench system as in  claim 16 , wherein the retaining assembly includes a first post and a second post that are generally aligned along an axis of the table top.  
   
   
       18 . The table and bench system as in  claim 16 , further comprising one or more channels in the bench that are sized and configured to be received in the receiving portion of the retaining assembly when the bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       19 . The table and bench system as in  claim 18 , further comprising a lip of the receiving portion of the retaining assembly that is sized and configured to be inserted into at least one of the channels in the bench when the bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       20 . The table and bench system as in  claim 16 , wherein the receiving member includes a clip that receives at least a portion of the legs of the bench when the bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       21 . The table and bench system as in  claim 16 , further comprising one or more end caps attached to the ends of the legs of the bench; wherein the receiving member receives at least a portion of the end caps of the bench when the bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
       22 . A table and bench system in which benches can be selectively attached and detached to the table to facilitate moving and transport of the system, the table and bench system comprising: 
 a first bench including a bench top and one or more legs movable relative to the bench top between a collapsed position and an extended position;    a second bench including a bench top and one or more legs movable relative to the bench top between a collapsed position and an extended position; and    a table comprising:    a table top; 
 one or more legs movable relative to the table top between a collapsed position and an extended position;  
 a first post attached to the table top, the first post including a first receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table, the first post including a second receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table;  
 a second post attached to the table top, the second post including a first receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table, the second post including a second receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table;  
 a first clip attached to the table top and being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first bench when the first bench is attached to the table; and  
 a second clip attached to the table top and being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second bench when the second bench is attached to the table.  
   
   
   
       23 . The table and bench system as in  claim 22 , wherein a top surface of the first bench and a top surface of the second bench face in a direction generally opposite a top surface of the table top when the first and second benches are attached to the table.  
   
   
       24 . The table and bench system as in  claim 22 , further comprising a handle attached to the table.  
   
   
       25 . The table and bench system as in  claim 22 , wherein when the first bench or the second bench is attached to the table, the legs of the table are secured in the collapsed position.  
   
   
       26 . The table and bench system as in  claim 22 , further comprising a frame attached to the table, the frame including a first side rail disposed proximate a first side of the table and a second side rail disposed proximate a second side of the table; wherein when the first bench and the second bench are attached to the table, the first bench and the second bench are generally disposed between a first plane generally aligned with the first side rail and a second plane generally aligned with the second side rail.  
   
   
       27 . The table and bench system as in  claim 26 , wherein the first side rail includes an offset portion and the second side rail includes an offset portion.  
   
   
       28 . A method for attaching a bench to a table, the bench including a bench top and one or more legs movable relative to the bench top between a collapsed position and an extended position; the table including a table top, one or more legs movable relative to the table top between a collapsed position and an extended position, a first retaining assembly including a receiving portion, a second retaining assembly including a receiving portion, and a clip; the method comprising: 
 inserting a first portion of the bench top into the receiving portion of the first retaining assembly and inserting a second portion of the bench top into the receiving portion of the second retaining assembly; and    inserting a portion of the one or more legs of the bench into the clip to secure the bench to the table.