Modular outdoor classroom desks

Abstract

A set of modular classroom desks configured for outdoor use is presently described. Each classroom desk includes a bench seat; a table unit having a top surface; and first and second legs, each of which is coupled to both the bench seat and the table unit. The classroom desks of the set are configured to be releasably attached together in either a side-by-side orientation or a face-to-face orientation. In the side-by-side orientation, the top surfaces of the classroom desks form a planar tabletop surface, and the bench seats of the classroom desks form a planar seating surface. In the face-to-face orientation, the top surfaces of the classroom desks form a planar tabletop surface. In this manner, a number of classroom desks may be attached together, for instance to form a picnic table.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A set of classroom desks configured for outdoor use, each classroom desk comprising:
 a bench seat;   a table unit having a top surface;   a first leg, the first leg being coupled to both the bench seat and the table unit and having a portion that rests on a ground surface;   a second leg, the second leg being coupled to both the bench seat and the table unit and having a portion that rests on a ground surface; and   wherein a first classroom desk and a second classroom desk are configured to be releasably attached together in either:
 i. a side-by-side orientation, in which the top surface of the first classroom desk and the top surface of the second classroom desk form a planar tabletop surface, and the bench seat of the first classroom desk and the bench seat of the second classroom desk form a planar seating surface; or 
 ii. a face-to-face orientation, in which the top surface of the first classroom desk and the top surface of the second classroom desk form a planar tabletop surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , further comprising a third classroom desk and a fourth classroom desk, and wherein the first, second, third, and fourth classroom desks are configured to be attached together to form a picnic table. 
     
     
         3 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 2 , wherein to form the picnic table:
 the first desk and the second desk are attached in a side-by-side orientation, in which the bench seat of the first classroom desk and the bench seat of the second classroom desk form a first planar seating surface;   the third desk and the fourth desk are attached in a side-by-side orientation, in which the bench seat of the third classroom desk and the bench seat of the fourth classroom desk form a second planar seating surface;   the first desk and the third desk are attached in a face-to-face orientation; and   the second desk and the fourth desk are attached in a face-to-face orientation;   
       wherein the top surface of the first classroom desk, the top surface of the second classroom desk, the top surface of the third classroom desk, and the top surface of the fourth classroom desk together form a planar tabletop surface. 
     
     
         4 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , wherein each table unit comprises a front face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners; and
 wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the front face of the table unit of the first classroom desk aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the front face of the table unit of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the table unit of the first classroom desk and the table unit of the second classroom desk together when the first classroom desk and the second classroom desk are attached in a face-to-face orientation.   
     
     
         5 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , further comprising a front divider that is installable between the table unit of the first classroom desk and the table unit of the second classroom desk when the first and second classroom desks are attached in a face-to-face orientation, and which extends upward of the planar tabletop surface. 
     
     
         6 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 5 , wherein the front divider is transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 5 , wherein each table unit comprises a front face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners;
 wherein the front divider comprises one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners; and   wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the front divider aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the front face of the table unit of the first classroom desk and at least one of the one or more apertures in the front face of the table unit of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the front divider between the table unit of the first classroom desk and the table unit of the second classroom desk.   
     
     
         8 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , wherein each table unit comprises a side face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners; and
 wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the table unit of the first classroom desk aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the table unit of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the table unit of the first classroom desk and the table unit of the second classroom desk together when the first classroom desk and the second classroom desk are attached in a side-by-side orientation.   
     
     
         9 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , wherein each bench seat comprises a side face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners; and
 wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the bench seat of the first classroom desk aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the bench seat of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the bench seat of the first classroom desk and the bench seat of the second classroom desk together when the first classroom desk and the second classroom desk are attached in a side-by-side orientation.   
     
     
         10 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , further comprising a side divider that is installable between the first classroom desk and the second classroom desk when the first and second classroom desks are attached in a side-by-side orientation, and which extends upward of the planar tabletop surface. 
     
     
         11 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 10 , wherein the side divider is transparent. 
     
     
         12 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 10 , wherein each table unit comprises a side face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners;
 wherein the side divider comprises one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners; and   wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the side divider aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the table unit of the first classroom desk and at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the table unit of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the side divider between the table unit of the first classroom desk and the table unit of the second classroom desk.   
     
     
         13 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 10 , wherein each bench seat comprises a side face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners;
 wherein the side divider comprises one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners; and   wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the side divider aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the bench seat of the first classroom desk and at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the bench seat of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the side divider between the bench seat of the first classroom desk and the bench seat of the second classroom desk.   
     
     
         14 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 10 , wherein each table unit comprises a side face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners;
 wherein each bench seat comprises a side face having one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners;   wherein the side divider comprises one or more apertures configured to receive one or more fasteners;   wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the side divider aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the table unit of the first classroom desk and at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the table unit of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the side divider between the table unit of the first classroom desk and the table unit of the second classroom desk; and   wherein at least one of the one or more apertures in the side divider aligns with at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the bench seat of the first classroom desk and at least one of the one or more apertures in the side face of the bench seat of the second classroom desk, and the aligned apertures receive a fastener to secure the side divider between the bench seat of the first classroom desk and the bench seat of the second classroom desk.   
     
     
         15 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , in which one or more of the classroom desks further comprises a removable writing surface, wherein the removable writing surface is configured to be releasably attached to the top surface of the table unit. 
     
     
         16 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 15 , in which the top surface of the table unit has one or more apertures, and the removable writing surface has a smooth upper surface. 
     
     
         17 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 15 , wherein the writing surface comprises an upper surface, a first side face extending downward from the upper surface, and a second side face extending downward from the upper surface;
 wherein each of the first side face and the second side face comprises one or more connection elements by which the writing surface is securable to the table unit.   
     
     
         18 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more connection elements comprise an aperture configured to align with an aperture in the table unit and receive a fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , in which one or more of the classroom desks further comprises a removable backrest. 
     
     
         20 . The set of classroom desks of  claim 1 , in which one or more of the classroom desks has a side opposite the bench seat that is configured to accept a wheelchair.