U.S. patent application number 11/746888 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-13 for convertible furniture item.
Invention is credited to Robert M. Herod, Andre' Daniel Louis.
Application Number | 20080276839 11/746888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39968375 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080276839 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Louis; Andre' Daniel ; et
al. |
November 13, 2008 |
CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE ITEM
Abstract
A convertible furniture item, the furniture item convertible
between a coffee table and a dining table with chairs, which
includes a planar rectangular table top having a first and a second
side and ends and is supported at the ends by a plurality of planar
legs. The legs are positioned and configured to double as the backs
and legs of opposed chairs, support inwardly extending seats when
the coffee table is turned on the first side a planar dining table
surface is centrally positioned between the legs, outwardly
extending from the second side in this dining table position.
Inventors: |
Louis; Andre' Daniel;
(Auckland, NZ) ; Herod; Robert M.; (Oakville,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Emerson, Thomson & Bennett
777 West Market Street
Akron
OH
44303
US
|
Family ID: |
39968375 |
Appl. No.: |
11/746888 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2200/0039 20130101;
A47B 85/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/13 |
International
Class: |
A47B 85/00 20060101
A47B085/00 |
Claims
1. A unitary furniture item, the furniture item convertible between
a coffee table and a dining table with chairs, comprising: a planar
coffee table top having a first and a second side and ends, the
coffee table top supported by planar legs secured thereto at the
ends, the legs ending in a common plane and being positioned and
configured so that when the coffee table is turned on the first
side, it converts into a dining table with the legs acting as a
pair of supports for a pair of opposed chair seats extending
inwardly therefrom, a planar dining table surface centrally
positioned between the legs, secured to and outwardly extending
from the second side of the planar table top and normal to said
table top, sides of the legs and the first side of the coffee table
being configured to support the furniture item in this
position.
2. The furniture item of claim 1, wherein the coffee table support
legs extend between the coffee table top sides, the legs forming
backs and legs of the dining table chairs when the coffee table is
in dining table position.
3. The furniture item of claim 1, wherein the coffee table support
legs are rectangular panels.
4. The furniture item of claim 1, wherein the coffee table top is
rectangular.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to convertible furniture, and
more particularly to a coffee table that converts to a dining table
with integral seats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Convertible furniture items are well known in the art, as
are combined seat and tables in the form of diner style booths.
However, many convertible furniture items tend to be made for
children in order to provide multiple uses so that less space is
needed in the child's room or home. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,690,379 of Cayssials issued Nov. 25, 1997 discloses a convertible
furniture item, which may be used as a chair and step stool or as a
rocking chair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,454 of Fu-Tsung issued May 16,
1995 discloses a piece of multi-purpose furniture which may be used
as a cradle, high chair, desk, and rocker. U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,696
of Usagani issued Feb. 22, 2005 discloses a furniture unit which
can be used as a chair, desk, sofa, and rocking toy. One
disadvantage of the above furniture items is that they are
dimensioned for children; adults would have difficulty making use
of the convertible furniture items shown above. In fact, if the
above were dimensioned for average sized adults, the furniture
would likely be too heavy to convert easily.
[0003] An example of a booth type dining set is provided in U.S.
Pat. No. 1,429,939 of Eichman issued Sep. 26, 1922, disclosing a
combined seat and table, like many conventional seating booths seen
in restaurants. It discloses a knock-down seat and table structure
having a back-frame and end frames extending at right angles to the
back-frame to form a booth or compartment, the end frames serving
to support, at least partially, seats supported by a brace
extending across the back-frame. A table member is disposed
centrally above and between the seats and may be supported by the
brace extending across the back frame.
[0004] This combined seat and table provides a simple construction
for seating options, but does not provide or suggest a convertible
option.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of this invention is to provide a piece of
convertible furniture of simple construction in order to save
space.
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a unitary furniture item convertible between a coffee table and a
dining table with chairs. The furniture item comprises a planar
rectangular coffee table top having a first and a second side and
ends. The table top is supported by a planar leg secured to the
coffee table top at each end. The legs end in a common plane and
are positioned and configured so that when the coffee table is
turned on the first side, it converts into a dining table with the
legs acting as supports for a pair of opposed chair seats extending
inwardly therefrom. A planar dining table surface is centrally
positioned between the legs, secured to and outwardly extending
from the second side of the planar table top and normal to said
table top. Sides of the legs and the first side of the coffee table
are configured to support the furniture in this dining table
position.
[0007] The coffee table support legs extend between the coffee
table top sides, these legs forming backs and legs of the dining
table chairs when the coffee table is in dining table position.
[0008] The convertible furniture item according to the present
invention has the advantage of enabling a more efficient use of
space in small areas. It is of simple construction and is a
low-cost option when furnishing a small area, for example at
cottages, dorm rooms, or studio apartments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] These and other advantages of the invention will become
apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon
referring to the drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the furniture item according
to an embodiment of the present invention in the coffee table
position; and
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the furniture item of FIG.
1, resting on a side, in dining table position.
[0012] While the invention will be described in conjunction with
the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to such embodiment. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In the following description, similar features in the
drawings have been given identical reference numerals where
appropriate. All dimensions described herein are intended solely to
illustrate an embodiment. These dimensions are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention that may depart from these
dimensions.
[0014] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a unitary
convertible furniture item 10 shown in a coffee table
configuration. The furniture item 10 comprises a rectangular planar
coffee table top 12 and spaced planar legs 14 and 16 secured at
opposed ends 18 and 20 respectively of table top 12. Legs 14 and 16
have ends 22 and 24 respectively that are in a common plane
parallel to that of the table top 12, so the coffee table will sit
firmly on a flat surface.
[0015] A panel 26 is secured centrally to table top 12 along a side
28 thereof. It is spaced inwardly from legs 14 and 16 of table top
12. Panel 26 has an end 30 which may or may not be in a common
plane with ends 22 and 24 of legs 14 and 16. (If it does lie in
that common plane, then it provides additional support for coffee
table top 12.)
[0016] Additional panels 32 and 34 are secured at central locations
40 and 42 on legs 14 and 16 respectively so as to extend inwardly
therefrom at an angle of about 90.degree. thereto. Panels 32 and 34
have ends 36 and 38 respectively, and which may or may not end in a
common plane with ends 22 and 24. Again, if they do end in this
common plane, they will provide additional support for coffee table
top 12. However, in one embodiment, ends 36 and 38 end in a plane
closer to table top 12, parallel to that of table top 12.
[0017] Turning now to FIG. 2, furniture item 10 is shown in its
dining table position. In this position, legs 14 and 16 become back
supports 44 and 46 and legs 48 and 50 respectively and panels 32
and 34 become seats. Panel 26 becomes a table surface. In this
position, furniture item 10 is supported on sides 52 and 54,
respectively, of legs 14 and 16, and side 56 of coffee table top
12. Sides 52, 54, and 56 lie in a common plane (parallel to that of
table panel 26) so that the furniture item 10 will sit firmly when
on a flat horizontal surface, with the table panel 26 in horizontal
position.
[0018] In order to have the furniture item 10 in a dining table and
chair configuration as shown in FIG. 2, it is simply a matter of
placing the furniture item 10 of FIG. 1 on its side 56.
[0019] When the furniture item 10 of FIG. 2 is desired to be in the
coffee table orientation as shown in FIG. 1, the furniture item 10
is turned onto ends 22 and 24 of legs 14 and 16. Since ends 22 and
24 are in a common plane, the structure will be stable. In this
orientation seat sides 36 and 38 are also near to the floor, but
they need not extend to the floor.
[0020] Examples of dimensions for the components of furniture item
10, providing functionality and stability are as follows: [0021]
table top 12: 42 inches long and 32 inches wide; [0022] legs 14 and
16: 32 inches wide and 18 inches high; [0023] panel 26: 16 inches
long and 18 inches wide; and [0024] seat panels 32 and 34: 12
inches long and 16 inches wide. It is understood that these
dimensions may be varied, to suit particular requirements.
[0025] It is contemplated that the present invention will be made
of rigid material capable of supporting the weight of users when in
the dining table orientation. It would be apparent to the person
skilled in the art that many materials may be suitable for
constructing the present invention. As well, it is contemplated
that materials may be used in various combinations in order to
provide the present invention. In particular, it is contemplated
that wood, glass, plastic, or metal may be used to construct the
present invention entirely, or in various combinations.
[0026] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in
accordance with the invention a convertible furniture item that
fully satisfy the objects, aims, and advantages set forth above.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with
illustrated embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad
scope of the invention.
* * * * *