Convertible table and easel apparatus

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus selectively convertible from a storage configuration to picnic table and easel configurations. The apparatus may include a top member, first and second supports pivotably connected to the top member, and first and second benches pivotably connected to each of the first and second supports. The apparatus may also include a tray pivotably connected to the top member. The tray may be substantially coplanar with the top member in the picnic table configuration, and at an angle with the top member in the easel configuration. The benches may frame two sides of the top member in the storage and easel configurations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a top member;    first and second supports pivotably connected to the top member;    first and second benches pivotably connected to each of the first and second supports; and    a tray pivotably connected to the top member, wherein the apparatus is selectively convertible from a storage configuration to picnic table and easel configurations, wherein the tray is substantially coplanar with the top member in the picnic table configuration, and wherein the tray is at an angle with the top member in the easel configuration and wherein the benches frame two sides of the top member in the storage and easel configurations.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a third support pivotably connected at one end to the top member, wherein the third support folds down in the storage and table configurations and extends at an angle from the top member in the easel configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a brace connected to the tray and engaging the third support in the easel configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a bracket connected to the top member, wherein the bracket selectively engages the first support to secure correspondingly the table configuration and the storage and easel configurations.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus selectively convertible to table configuration, easel configuration and storage configurations, the apparatus comprising: 
 a top member defining a table top in the table configuration and an easel board in the easel configuration;    first and second supports pivotably connected to the top member, wherein the first and second supports support the top member in the table configuration and fold down behind the top member in the easel and storage configurations, and wherein the second support supports the top member in the easel configuration;    first and second side members, wherein each side member is pivotably connected to the first and second supports, and wherein the first and second side members define corresponding seats in the table configuration; and    a third support pivotably connected at one end to the top member and extending at an angle from the top member to support the top member in the easel configuration.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a tray pivotably connected to the top member, wherein the tray is substantially coplanar with the top member in the table configuration and at an angle with the top member in the easel configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a brace extending from the tray and engaging the third support in the easel configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the brace is received in a brace depression of the top member in the table and storage configurations.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the third support is received in a third support depression of the top member in the storage and table configurations.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the third support includes a connector portion having first and second ends and a removable leg portion, wherein the removable leg portion is selectively connected to the second end of the connector portion in the easel configuration and to the first end of the connector portion in the storage and table configurations.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the removable leg portion includes a groove mating with a ridge on the top member in the storage and table configurations.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the groove of the removable leg portion mates with an inner ridge in the connector portion of the third support in the easel configuration.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the third support includes a latch securing the removable leg portion to the connector portion.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the third support includes a supporting base.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the third support is T-shaped.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first support includes an inner depression accommodating the part of the removable leg portion in the storage configuration.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the connector portion of the third support folds over the brace in the storage and table configurations locking the tray into position.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a first bracket attached to the top member and selectively engaging the first support in the table configuration.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first bracket includes a first arm pivotably attached to the first bracket and selectively engaging the first support in the table configuration.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first arm extends through a first opening in the first support member, folds against the first support and engages a portion of the first bracket that is attached to the top member in the storage and easel configurations.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first support includes an outer groove accommodating the first arm in the storage and easel configurations.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first arm includes an end clip engaging the portion of the first bracket that is attached to the top member in the storage and easel configurations.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the end clip engages the first support in the table configuration.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the end clip includes a biaser.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further including a second bracket connected to the top member and engaging the first support member in the table configuration.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first support member includes a cutout accommodating at least part of the third support member in the storage and table configurations.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the second support member includes a cutout accommodating part of the third support member in the storage and table configurations.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus selectively convertible to table, easel and storage configurations, the apparatus comprising: 
 a top member defining a table top in the table configuration and an easel board in the easel configuration;    first and second supports pivotably connected to the top member, wherein the first and second supports support the top member in the table configuration and fold down behind the top member in the easel and storage configurations;    first and second side members, wherein each side member is pivotably connected to the first and second supports, wherein the first and second members define corresponding seats in the table configuration; and    a third support pivotably connected to the first support, wherein the third support is selectively movable to engage the second support in the table configuration, to extend at an angle from the top member to support the top member in the easel configuration, and to fold down on the second support in the storage configuration.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising a brace connected to the tray and engaging the third support in the easel configuration.  
     
     
         30 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a top member;    a tray pivotably connected to the top member,    first and second supports pivotable connected to the top member; and    first and second benches pivotably connected to each of the first and second supports, wherein the apparatus is selectively convertible from a storage configuration to table and easel configurations, wherein the tray is substantially coplanar with the top member in the picnic table configuration, and wherein the tray is at an angle with the top member in the easel configuration and wherein the benches frame two sides of the top member in the storage and easel configurations.    
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further including a third support pivotably connected at one end to the top member, wherein the third support folds down in the storage configuration, engages the second support in the table configuration and extends at an angle from the top member in the easel configuration.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31  further comprising a brace connected to the tray and engaging the third support in the easel configuration.