U.S. patent application number 11/998274 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-28 for kitchen island with chairs associated therewith.
Invention is credited to Erla Dogg Ingjaldsdottir, Tryggvi Thorsteinsson.
Application Number | 20090134751 11/998274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40669092 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090134751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ingjaldsdottir; Erla Dogg ;
et al. |
May 28, 2009 |
Kitchen island with chairs associated therewith
Abstract
A kitchen island with a chair associated therewith comprising a
kitchen island and a chair, wherein the kitchen island comprises a
receiving space configured to receive the chair and the chair
comprises a backing substantially the shape and size of the opening
to the receiving space so that when the chair is placed inside the
receiving space the backing serves as a wall for the kitchen island
and simultaneously hides the chair within the kitchen island. The
chair may further comprise a means for facilitating movement of the
chair, such as wheels, bearings, or glide pads. The chair may
further comprise a handle or other means to remove the chair from
the kitchen island. The kitchen island with a chair associated
therewith as described also serves to reduce clutter in the kitchen
of a home.
Inventors: |
Ingjaldsdottir; Erla Dogg;
(Santa Monica, CA) ; Thorsteinsson; Tryggvi;
(Santa Monica, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cislo & Thomas LLP
1333 2nd Street, Suite #500
Santa Monica
CA
90401-4110
US
|
Family ID: |
40669092 |
Appl. No.: |
11/998274 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 77/04 20130101;
A47C 15/004 20130101; A47B 2220/01 20130101; A47B 77/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/237 |
International
Class: |
A47B 83/02 20060101
A47B083/02 |
Claims
1. A kitchen island with a chair associated therewith, comprising:
a. a kitchen island, comprising i. a countertop; ii. a first side
adjacent to the countertop; iii. a second side adjacent to the
countertop and opposite the first side; iv. a back side adjacent to
the countertop, first side and second side; and v. a front side
adjacent to the countertop, first side, and second side, and
opposite the back side, wherein the front side comprises a
receiving space extending from the countertop of the kitchen island
to a floor; and b. a chair, wherein the chair comprises: i. a seat;
ii. a leg comprising a top end attached to the seat and a bottom
end to provide support for the seat; and iii. a backing attached to
the seat to provide support for the seat, wherein the backing is
configured to substantially cover an opening of the receiving
space.
2. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 1,
wherein a. the leg comprises a first mobility mechanism, wherein
the first mobility mechanism is selected from the group consisting
of a wheel, a glide pad, and a spring-loaded bearing mechanism; and
b. the backing comprises a second mobility mechanism, wherein the
second mobility mechanism is selected from the group consisting of
a wheel, a glide pad, and a ball bearing.
3. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 1,
wherein the first mobility mechanism is the spring-loaded bearing
mechanism.
4. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 3,
wherein the second mobility mechanism is the spring-loaded bearing
mechanism.
5. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 1,
wherein the second mobility mechanism is the spring-loaded bearing
mechanism.
6. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 2,
wherein the backing further comprises a handle.
7. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 3,
wherein the backing further comprises a handle.
8. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 4,
wherein the backing further comprises a handle.
9. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim 5,
wherein the backing further comprises a handle.
10. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
2, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
11. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
3, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
12. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
4, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
13. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
5, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
14. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
6, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
15. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
7, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
16. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
8, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
17. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
9, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
18. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
14, wherein the chair further comprises a footrest attached to the
leg.
19. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
15, wherein the chair further comprises a footrest attached to the
leg.
20. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
16, wherein the chair further comprises a footrest attached to the
leg.
21. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
17, wherein the chair further comprises a footrest attached to the
leg.
22. A kitchen island with a chair associated therewith, comprising:
a. a kitchen island, comprising i. a countertop; ii. a first side
adjacent to the countertop; iii. a second side adjacent to the
countertop and opposite the first side; iv. a back side adjacent to
the countertop, first side and second side; and v. a front side
adjacent to the countertop, first side, and second side, and
opposite the back side, wherein the front side comprises a
receiving space extending from the countertop of the kitchen island
to a floor; and b. a chair, wherein the chair comprises: i. a seat;
ii. a backing attached to a first end of the seat to provide
support for the seat, wherein the backing is configured to
substantially cover an opening of the receiving space, and the
backing further comprises a spring-loaded bearing mechanism; and
iii. a leg comprising a top end attached to a second end of the
seat and a bottom end to provide support for the seat, wherein the
bottom end comprises a caster wheel.
23. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
22, wherein the chair further comprises a storage compartment below
the seat.
24. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
22, wherein the chair further comprises a handle.
25. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
23, wherein the chair further comprises a handle.
26. The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith of claim
25, wherein the chair further comprises a footrest attached to the
leg.
27. A method of reducing clutter in living spaces, comprising: a.
providing a kitchen island having a receiving space; b. providing a
chair comprising a backing configured to be housed in the receiving
space and to substantially cover an opening of the receiving space.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to kitchen islands and the reduction
of clutter, particularly in the kitchen.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Kitchen islands have become very popular in modern homes
because of the added surface area in countertop space. Some kitchen
islands come equipped with stoves, sinks, dishwashers, trash
compactors and other amenities. Some kitchen islands come with a
protruding edge for chairs to slide under thereby providing
additional dining space. Thus, the kitchen island can also serve as
a primary or secondary dining table. Use of the kitchen island as a
dining table, however, requires additional chairs. The presence of
additional chairs in the kitchen space may present an unsightly,
cluttered view.
[0003] Some tables provide chairs that can slide underneath the
table top; however, these tables require additional rails or tracks
to guide the chair in and out from under the table. Other tables do
not provide any means for facilitating the movement of the chair.
Currently, the applicant is not aware of any kitchen island
utilizing chairs that can easily and efficiently slide inside a
kitchen island to become completely hidden, or any chairs that
slide smoothly when empty but provide secure seating when in
use.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for an aesthetically pleasing kitchen
island that can hide chairs when not in use, where the chairs can
slide out from the kitchen island quickly and easily when needed,
while further providing stability and secure seating during
use.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed towards a kitchen island
with chairs associated therewith, comprising a kitchen island and a
chair. The kitchen island has a countertop; a first side adjacent
to the countertop; a second side adjacent to the countertop and
opposite the first side; a back side adjacent to the countertop,
first side and second side; and a front side adjacent to the
countertop, first side, and second side, and opposite the back
side, wherein the front side comprises a receiving space extending
from the countertop of the kitchen island to the floor. The chair
comprises a seat; a backing attached to a first end of the seat to
provide support for the seat, wherein the backing is configured to
fit into the receiving space; and one or more legs where each
comprises a top end attached to a second end of the seat and a
bottom end to provide support for the seat, wherein the bottom end
comprises a means for moving the chair (or a mobility mechanism),
wherein the means for moving the chair (or mobility mechanism) is
selected from the group consisting of a wheel, a glide pad, and a
ball bearing. The back panel of the chair reaches the floor and has
a plurality of ball bearings, wheels, glide pads, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen island with a
chair associated therewith;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the kitchen island with a
chair associated therewith pulled out;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front portion of a chair
of the current invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bottom
of the chair of the current invention;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
chair of the current invention;
[0011] FIG. 6A is an exploded view of the bottom of a leg with a
spring-loaded bearing mechanism;
[0012] FIG. 6B is a view of the bottom of the leg in FIG. 6A with
the spring-loaded ball bearing assembled into the leg;
[0013] FIG. 6C is a view of the bottom of the leg shown in FIG. 6B
with the ball bearing completely displaced inside the catch;
[0014] FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the bottom view of a chair
of the current invention.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0015] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of
presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention
may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the
functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating
the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is
to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions
and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are
also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0016] The kitchen island with a chair associated therewith 100
comprises a kitchen island 102 and a chair 104. The kitchen island
102 may be a standard kitchen island having a countertop 200; a
first side 202 adjacent to the countertop 200; a second side 204
adjacent to the countertop 200 and opposite the first side 202; a
back side 206 adjacent to the countertop 200, first side 202 and
second side 204; and a front side 208 adjacent to the countertop
200, first side 202, and second side 204, and opposite the back
side 206. Unlike standard kitchen islands, however, the front side
208 of the current kitchen island 102 comprises a receiving space
210 extending from the countertop 200 of the kitchen island 100 to
the floor.
[0017] The receiving space 210 may be a single space configured to
accommodate one or more chairs 104. Alternatively, the receiving
space 210 may be divided into sections or a plurality of receiving
spaces 210, each section being capable of accommodating a single
chair.
[0018] The plurality of receiving spaces 210 may be aligned in
series from the first side 202 of the kitchen island 102 to the
second side 204 of the kitchen island 102. In some embodiments, the
sides 202, 204 and/or the back 206 may also have receiving spaces
210. Alternatively, the sides 202, 204 and/or the back 206 may be
reserved for other features or kitchen amenities, such as drawers,
cabinets, dishwashers, trash compactors, stoves, and the like. The
receiving space 210 is configured to completely house the chair 104
so that the chair 104 is unnoticeable when housed inside the
receiving space 210, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the chair 104 comprises a seat 300; a
leg 302 having a top end 304 attached to the seat 300 and a bottom
end 306 that is placed on the floor to provide support for the seat
300; and a backing 308 attached to the seat 300 to further provide
support for the seat 300 as well as serving as a back support. The
backing 308 is configured to substantially cover the opening of the
receiving space 210. As such, the backing 308 extends substantially
from the bottom of the countertop 200 down to the floor and fits
flush inside the opening of the receiving space 210. Therefore,
when all chairs 104 are properly housed inside the receiving space
210, the receiving space 210 is completely covered up by the
backing 308 and the backing 308 serves as a wall for the kitchen
island 102, thereby hiding the chairs 104 from view. This allows
the kitchen island 102 to be used as a table; however, when not in
use as a table, the chairs 104 do not take up any extra space since
they are hidden inside the kitchen island 102. The disappearance of
the chairs 104 eliminates any cluttered appearance and provides an
aesthetically pleasing sight.
[0020] The kitchen island with chairs associated therewith 100
further has a means for removing the chair 104 from the kitchen
island 102. For example, in some embodiments, the backing 308 of
the chair 104 has a handle 310 to facilitate pulling the chair 104
out of the kitchen island 102. The handle 310 may be the typical
protruding member that can be grasped, such as a knob, a rod, a bar
or the like. Alternatively, the handle 310 may be a recess or an
orifice, as shown in FIG. 3, through which the user can insert his
or her finger or hand to grasp the backing 308 from the inside to
pull the chair 104 out from the receiving space. Utilizing the
recessed design may further disguise the fact that there are chairs
hidden inside the kitchen island. The recess may be a hole of any
geometric shape or design. Alternatively, the recess may be a
simple indentation providing an edge that can be pulled on to
remove the chair 104 from the kitchen island 102.
[0021] In some embodiments, the backing 308 may not have any
handles 310. Instead, the kitchen island 102 may automatically
eject the chair 104 out from the kitchen island 102 by pushing a
button on the chair 104. For example, the kitchen island 102 may be
equipped with a spring-loaded ejector pressed up against the
backing 308 when the chair 104 is housed inside the kitchen island
102. Pressing a button could release the ejector, thereby applying
a force against the backing 308 and pushing the chair 104 out from
under the kitchen island 102. The user could then grab the backing
308 and place the chair 104 in any desired position. Alternatively,
the ejector may be triggered by pressing the chair inward to
release a catch mechanism such as a detent so as to allow an
outward force such as a spring to drive the chair 104 outward from
the receiving space 210.
[0022] In some embodiments, the chair 104 further comprises a means
for facilitating movement of the chair 104 or a mobility mechanism.
In one embodiment, the bottom end 306 of the leg 302 of the chair
104 may have a spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 comprising a
bearing 600. Preferably, the spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602,
is a ball-end spring-loaded bullet catch or the Bright Brass Bullet
Catch manufactured by Stanley Hardware (CD5357) as shown in FIG.
6A.
[0023] Spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 allows the chair 104 to
slide or glide over the floor surface when the chair 104 is
unoccupied. Applying a load to the chair 104, such as a person
sitting in the chair 104, would overcome the tension in the bearing
spring causing the ball bearing 600 to move up inside a catch 604
as shown in FIG. 6C. This allows the legs of the chair 104 to touch
the floor and substantially immobilize the chair 104.
[0024] The spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 comprises a catch
604 containing a ball bearing 600 and a spring mechanism (not
shown). The spring mechanism applies a force on the ball bearing
600 forcing the ball bearing 600 to project out of the catch 604.
The tension in the spring is great enough to prevent compression of
the spring by the weight of the chair 104 itself. When a sufficient
load is applied to the chair the spring compresses allowing the
ball bearing 600 to be displaced inside the catch 604. This allows
the bottom end 306 of the leg 302 to make contact with the floor.
Contact of the leg 302 with the floor increases the friction
between the chair 104 and the floor, thereby reducing mobility of
the chair 104.
[0025] In addition to placing the spring-loaded bearing mechanism
602 on the bottom of the legs 302, the spring-loaded bearing
mechanism can be placed on the bottom of the backing 308 to further
increase the mobility of the chair 104. For example, as shown in
FIG. 7, each leg may have a spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 and
the backing may have a plurality of spring-loaded ball bearing
mechanisms 602. For ease of reference, the mobility mechanism
pertaining to the legs may be referred to herein as the "first
mobility mechanism," and the mobility mechanism pertaining to the
backing may be referred to herein as the "second mobility
mechanism."
[0026] The number of spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 in
conjunction with the tension of each spring should be sufficient
enough to hold the weight of the chair 104 alone, but should be
insufficient to withstand an additional load of at least
approximately five or more pounds. Therefore, a weight of at least
five pounds placed on the chair 104 should be sufficient to
overcome the tension in the springs, displacing the ball bearings
600 up into the catch 604 and allowing the legs 302 to touch the
floor. The number of spring-loaded bearings 602 or the tension of
the springs may be adjusted to change the weight required to cause
displacement of the ball bearings 600. A person of ordinary skill
in mechanics or the spring art would know or be able to calculate,
based on Hooke's law, the required number of spring-loaded ball
bearings (having a known spring constant) to use in parallel to
withstand a given weight of a chair 104 but succumb to any
additional weight or force applied to the chair 104.
[0027] To install the spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 a hole
608 may be drilled at the bottom end 306 of the leg 302 and/or
backing 308 to house the spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 such
that the catch 604 substantially fits inside the hole 608 with a
flanged portion secured against the bottom end 306 of the leg 302
to prevent the catch from being completely disposed inside the
hole. This allows the bearing 600 to protrude beyond the face of
the bottom end 306 of the leg 302, thereby providing some clearance
between the bottom end 306 of the leg 302 and the floor. A bracket
606 with a hole slightly smaller than the flanged portion but
larger than the protruding bearing 600 may be used to secure the
spring-loaded bearing mechanism 602 to the bottom end 306 of the
leg 302, as shown in FIG. 6A. To prevent the bracket 606 from
scratching the floor, a cavity may be carved into the bottom end
306 of the leg 302 dimensioned substantially the same as the
bracket so that the bracket is either flush with the bottom end 306
or completely housed inside the cavity so as not to protrude beyond
the bottom end 306. The spring loaded bearing mechanism 602 may be
installed in many other ways, including using adhesives, resistance
or the like to keep the catch 604 inside the hole 608 without the
use of brackets 606.
[0028] FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a spring-loaded bearing
mechanism assembled to the bottom end 306 of the leg 302 with the
bearing 600 protruding beyond the bottom end 306 of the leg 302 and
beyond the bracket 606. FIG. 6C shows the spring-loaded bearing
mechanism 602 with the bearing 600 displaced inside the catch 604
so as not to protrude beyond the bottom end 306 of the leg 302.
[0029] Other means for facilitating movement of the chair include
wheels 500 and glide pads 400 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Preferably, the wheel 500 is a swiveling caster wheel. More
preferably the caster wheel has a lock. This will allow the chair
104 to move forward and backward, to the sides, or around in
circles. The caster wheel 500 may further comprise a lock so that
when the chair 104 has been placed in its desired location it can
be locked to prevent any injuries from a moving chair 104.
Alternatively, the caster wheel 500 may be spring-loaded, similar
to that of the spring-loaded bearing mechanism, such that applying
weight onto the seat depresses the caster wheel 500 up into the leg
302 or up past the leg causing the leg 302 to contact the floor.
The friction created by the floor and the leg would reduce movement
of the chair particularly when someone is sitting on it. The spring
should be able to resist up to approximately five pounds of weight
above and beyond the weight of the chair. Therefore, an additional
weight of approximately five pounds or more on the chair 104 would
be required to cause the springs to compress.
[0030] In some embodiments, the means for facilitating movement of
the chair 104 may be a glide pad 400, as shown in FIG. 4. The glide
pad 400 may be attached to the bottom end 306 of the legs 302 or
the bottom end of the backing 308 to allow the chair 104 to slide
along the floor without damaging the floor. The glide pad 400 may
be made of plastic, felt, cork, or any other material that would
not damage a typical floor. In general, the type of glide pad 400
used may vary depending on the material with which the floor is
made. The glide pad 400 may have a means for securely attaching the
glide pad 400 to the chair 104, such as adhesives, screws, nails,
or the like.
[0031] In addition, the means for facilitating movement of the
chair 104 on the legs 302 do not have to be the same means on the
backing 308. For example, in one embodiment, the legs 302 may have
spring-loaded ball bearings 602 and the backing 308 may have a
glide pad 400. In other embodiments, any combination of wheels 500,
bearings 600, and glide pads 400 may be used. In addition, other
modes of facilitating movement of a chair 104 across a surface may
be used.
[0032] The chair 104 may further comprise a footrest 312 attached
to the leg 302. Preferably, the chair 104 has two legs 302 at the
front, opposite the backing 308. A footrest 312 may be attached in
between the two legs 104. This provides a place for users to place
their feet for added comfort. The footrest 312 can be any sturdy,
elongated member such as a rod, a bar, or a step.
[0033] The chair may further comprise a storage compartment 320
below the seat 300. The storage compartment 320 may be a drawer, a
shelf, a basket or the like to hold various accessories such as
placemats, tablecloths, napkins, and other kitchen necessities or
accessories. The storage compartment 320 may be configured so as
not to obstruct or interfere with the utility of the footrest 312.
For example, the storage compartment 320 may be elevated above well
above the footrest 312 for accessibility. Alternatively, the
storage compartment may extend from the backing towards the
footrest 312 without contacting the footrest 312. By providing a
small clearance space a user can still rest his or her feet on the
footrest 312 without being obstructed by storage compartment
320.
[0034] In some embodiments, the storage compartment 320 may be
removable from the chair. In other embodiments, the storage
compartment 320 may further comprise a sliding mechanism to allow
the storage compartment 320 to slide in and out from under the
chair like a drawer.
[0035] Thus, the kitchen island with a chair associated therewith
100 provides a method of reducing clutter by providing a kitchen
island 102 having a receiving space 210 and providing a chair 104
configured to be housed in the receiving space 210. In use, the
user slides the chair 104 out of the receiving space 210 when ready
for use and slides the chair 104 back into the receiving space 210
when the chair 104 is not in use. Since the chair 104 is hidden
inside the kitchen island 102 and the backing 308 substantially
fits inside the opening to the receiving space 210, the cluttered
appearance is avoided. In addition, using spring-loaded wheels 500
or bearings 600 allows the user to secure, immobilize or fix the
chair 104 in place by sitting on the chair 104.
[0036] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For
instance, instead of or in addition to the receiving spaces 210 for
the chairs 104, receiving spaces for other amenities such as
laundry baskets, trash cans, shelves, storage boxes, and the like
may be similarly created and used with the kitchen island in
keeping with the scope of the present invention. It is intended
that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed
description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims
appended hereto.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0037] This invention may be industrially applied to the
development, manufacture, and use of kitchen islands configured to
house chairs so as to reduce a cluttered appearance. The kitchen
island comprises a receiving space large enough to contain a chair.
The chair comprises a backing configured to fit the receiving space
such that when the chair is placed inside the kitchen island the
backing functions as a wall for the kitchen island thereby hiding
the chairs inside the kitchen island.
* * * * *