Convertible Desk And Conference Table

Abstract

A convertible desk and conference table having a table-top surface supported by a pillar means. The table-top surface includes a central section and two wing sections disposed along and rearwardly of the central section to define an open area. A leaf conforming in shape to the open area is disposed on guides beneath the central section of the table-top surface. A pair of camming ramps are disposed adjacent the sides of the wing sections and operate to raise the leaf upward to the table-top surface. The convertible desk and conference table is changed from a desk configuration to a conference table configuration by pulling the leaf along the guides and up the camming ramps. The leaf is then joined with the central section of the table-top surface to complete the formation of the conference table.

Description

The present invention relates to a convertible desk and conference table which can be utilized in either a desk configuration or in a conference table configuration and includes a structure for facilitating the conversion of the convertible desk and conference table from one configuration to another.

More particularly, the invention relates to a convertible desk and conference table having a table-top surface including a central section and a pair of wing sections extending along and rearwardly of the central section to define an open area adjacent the rear edge of the central section of the convertible desk and conference table. A leaf conforming in shape to the open area of the table-top surface is utilized for filling the open area when the convertible desk and conference table is in the conference table configuration. Means is provided for storing the leaf beneath the central section of the table-top surface and for permitting the leaf to be moved into the open area of the table-top surface to form the conference table configuration.

One aspect of the convertible desk and conference table embodying the present invention is that the conversion from the desk configuration to the conference table configuration can be performed without removing or disturbing materials which are located on the desk. Also, the convertible desk and conference table embodying the present invention can be changed from the conference table configuration to the desk configuration without distrubing the materials on the desk portion of the convertible desk and conference table.

Convertible units of furniture which can be changed from one configuration to another configuration, such as a convertible desk and conference table, often require complex linkages to perform the conversion. These linkages take up space within the convertible furniture unit and make more difficult the manufacture of the convertible furniture unit. Additionally, the complex linkages typically require precise alignment and may become inoperative or difficult to operate if misaligned. The convertible desk and conference table of the present invention overcomes these difficulties by providing a structure for performing the conversion from one configuration to another configuration which has a minimum of moving parts and is not susceptible to misalignment.

Other aspects and objects of the present invention will become evident from the detailed description and the drawings which demonstrate one form of the invention, in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible desk and conference table embodying the present invention in a desk configuration;

FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the convertible desk and conference table taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the convertible desk and conference table of FIG. 1 in a desk configuration and illustrates a chair for use therewith;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the convertible desk and conference table of FIG. 1 in a conference table configuration;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a detail view illustrating a form of connection used in the convertible desk and conference table of FIG. 1.

Referring to drawings, a convertible desk and conference table embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10. The convertible desk and conference table 10 is generally U-shaped and in the desk configuration has an open area 20 for receiving a chair 21. A leaf 24 is located beneath the convertible desk and conference table 10 in the desk configuration, with the leaf being removed and placed in the open area 20 in the conference table configuration, shown in FIG. 4.

The convertible desk and conference table 10 includes a table-top surface 12 supported by pillar structure 14 and 14a. The table-top surface 12 includes a central section 16 and a pair of wing sections 18 and 18a which extend along and to the rear of the central section 12 to define the open area 20. The open area 20, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, is preferably rectangular in shape and receives the chair 21. The open area 20 serves as a work area for a person using the convertible desk and conference table 10 in the desk configuration. The leaf 24 has a shape conforming to the open area 20 and is disposed beneath the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12 on L-shaped guides 22 and 22a when the convertible desk and conference table 10 is arranged in the desk configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1,2 and 3.

In order to change the convertible desk and conference table 10 from the desk configuration to the conference table configuration illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 the leaf 24 is grasped and pulled rearwardly along the guides 22 and 22a. The leaf 24 engages camming ramps 26 and 26a and is raised upward by the ramps to the table-top surface 12. The location of the leaf in an intermediate position as it is raised by the ramps 26 and 26a is shown in phantom in FIG. 5 and indicated by the number 24'. The leaf 24 is then joined with the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12, in a manner to be detailed, to complete the change to the conference table configuration.

The convertible desk and conference table 10 is changed from the conference table configuration to the desk configuration by disengaging the leaf 24 from the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12 and placing the leaf 24 on the guides 22 and 22a. The leaf 24 is then moved forwardly, down the camming ramps 26 and 26a, and along the guides 22 and 22a to the position beneath the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pillar structure 14 preferably includes a front interior leg 28, a rear interior leg 30 and an outer leg 32, each of which are vertically disposed and connected to the wing section 18 of the table-top surface 12. A T-bar support 34 is connected to the lower portions of the front interior leg 28, the rear interior leg 30 and the outer leg 32 to strengthen the legs and provide structural rigidity to the pillar structure 14.

The pillar structure 14 formed from the interior leg 28 and 30, the outer leg 32 and the T-bar support 34 provides a particularly suitable structure for supporting the wing section 18 of the table-top surface 12. However, other structural arrangements can be used to form the pillar structure 14. For example, the front interior leg 28 and the rear interior leg 30 could be utilized alone without the outer leg 34 to form the pillar structure 14. If desired a support bar could connect the lower portion of the legs 28 and 30. Thus, the invention is not limited to any particular arrangement for the pillar structure 14 and various types of structure can be utilized to support the wing section 18 of the table-top surface 12.

The wing section 18a of the table-top surface 12 is supported by the pillar structure 14a which is substantially identical to the pillar structure 14. The elements of the pillar structure 14a are indicated with the same numerals as are the corresponding elements of the pillar structure 14 with the exception that the letter a is added to the numerals identifying the elements of the pillar structure 14a. Thus, the T-bar support 34a of the pillar structure 14a corresponds to the T-bar support 34 of the pillar structure 14 and performs the same function as the T-bar support 34.

A storage compartment 36a may be provided beneath the wing section 18a and the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12. The storage compartment 36a is coupled to the front interior leg 28a and the rear interior leg 30a of the pillar structure 14a and may also be coupled to the underside of the table-top surface 12. A similar storage compartment 36 may be provided beneath the wing section 18 and the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12 and is similarly coupled to the front interior leg 28 and the rear interior leg 30 of the pillar structure 14. The storage compartment 36 may also be coupled to the underside of the table-top surface 12. The extent and capacity of the storage compartments 36 and 36a can be varied to meet the requirements for a given application of the convertible desk and conference table 10.

If desired a communication center could be installed in one of the storage compartments 36 and 36a to provide a compact installation for this equipment which is typically used with a desk. By installing the communications center in one of the storage compartments 36 and 36a the communication equipment such as a telephone need not be placed on the table-top surface 12. This results in better utilization of the working area on the convertible desk and conference table 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 the L-shaped guides 22 and 22a operate to horizontally and vertically retain the leaf 24 beneath the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12. The guides 22 and 22a are arranged in complement with each other and extend rearwardly from the central section 16 to the camming ramps 26 and 26a, respectively. The vertical sides of the guides 22 and 22a confine the horizontal movement of the leaf 24 while the horizontal legs of the guides 22 and 22a provide vertical support for the leaf 24.

The camming ramps 26 and 26a are disposed adjacent the side edges of the wing sections 18 and 18a, respectively, of the table-top surface 12 and are utilized to raise the leaf 24 upward to the table-top surface 12. The profile of the camming ramp 26a is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The profile of the camming ramp 26 is a mirror image of the camming ramp 26a and in other respects is substantially identical to the profile of the camming ramp 26a.

In order to facilitate grasping of the leaf 24 during changing of the convertible desk and conference table 10 from the desk configuration to the conference table configuration a recessed portion 38 is provided in the leading edge of the leaf 24. Preferably, the recessed portion 38 is centrally located between the sides of the leaf 24. The central location of the recessed portion 38 permits a balanced force to be applied to the leaf 24 and thereby prevent turning and consequent jamming of the leaf 24 as it is pulled along the guides 22 and 22a.

The rear edge of the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12 includes mortises 40 for mating with tenons 42 located on the trailing edge of the leaf 24 when the convertible desk and conference table 10 is placed in the conference table configuration. A typical construction of the mortise 40 on the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12 and the tenon 42 on the leaf 24 is shown in FIG. 7. The tenon 42 can comprise a rectangular fitting 44 having base edges which are coupled to the leaf 24 by suitable fasteners 46. Alternatively, the tenon 42 could comprise a rectangular bar which is wedges into a rectangular aperture in the leaf 24. The tenon 42 mates with the mortise 40 and forms a mortise and tenon joint to provide a support means holding the leaf 24 in abutment with the central section 16 of tee table-top surface 12.

Other structures could be utilized to hold the leaf 24 in abutment with the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12 and the invention is not limited to the use of any particular support means for holding the leaf 24 in abutment with the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12. For example, dowels could be affixed in the trailing edge of the leaf 24 for mating with circular aperture in the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12. Also, support tabs (not shown) could be arranged adjacent the side edges of the wing sections 18 and 18a and the rear edge of the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12 for engaging the bottom portion of the leaf 24 and holding the leaf in abutment with the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12.

The convertible desk and conference table 10 is changed from the desk configuration to the conference table configuration by grasping the recessed portion 38 of the leaf 24 and moving the leaf rearwardly along the guides 22 and 22a to the camming ramps 26 and 26a. As the leaf 24 continues to be moved rearwardly the camming ramps 26 and 26a raise the leaf 24 upward to the table-top surface 12. When the leaf achieves the position shown in phantom in FIG. 5 and indicated by the numeral 24', a downward force is applied to the leading edge of the leaf to rock the leaf on elevated portions 27 and 27a adjacent the camming ramps 26 and 26a, respectively. The leaf 24 can also be lifted from below to aid in raising the trailing edge of the leaf. The leaf 24 is then moved forwardly and the tenons 42 in the trailing edge of the leaf mate with the mortises 40 in the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12. Thus, in the conference table configuration of the convertible desk and conference table 10, the leaf 24 is supported by the elevated portions 27 and 27a, and the mortises 40 and tenons 42 which form the support means for holding the leaf 24 in abutment with the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12.

The convertible desk and conference table 10 is returned from the conference table configuration to the desk configuration by moving the leaf 24 rearwardly to disengage the moritses 40 from the tenons 42, and lowering the trailing edge of the leaf 24 to the guides 22 and 22a. The leaf 24 is then moved forwardly along the guides 22 and 22a and is lowered by the camming ramps 26 and 26a. The forward movement of the leaf 24 along the guides 22 and 22a continues until the leaf is in place beneath the central section 16 of the table-top surface 12.

It is to be understood that various modifications can be made to the disclosed convertible desk and conference table without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible desk and conference table comprising:

a generally U-shaped table-top surface including a central section having a rear edge and a pair of wing sections extending along and rearwardly of the central section to define an open area in said table-top surface, said wing sections each having a side edge along said open area, said table-top surface providing a working surface for use as a desk and as a conference table;

a leaf conforming in shape to the open area of said table-top surface and providing a relocatable working surface in a conference table configuration of said convertible desk and conference table;

means for supporting said leaf beneath the central section of said conference table and directing said leaf into position in said open area, said means engaging the lateral edges of said leaf and being operative to change said convertible desk and conference table from a desk configuration to a conference table configuration and from a conference table configuration to a desk configuration;

said means for supporting and directing said leaf including guide means for vertically and horizontally supporting said leaf beneath the central section of said table-top surface, said guide means including a pair of guides, the guides being arranged in complement with each other;

camming ramp means for raising said leaf upward to said table-top surface, said camming ramp means being associated with the side edges of said wing sections; and

support means for holding said leaf in abutment with the rear edge of the central section of said table-top surface.

2. A the convertible desk and conference table of claim 1 wherein said pillar means includes at least two pillar structures, one of said pillar structures being disposed beneath each of said wing sections.

3. The convertible desk and conference table of claim 2 wherein each of said pillar structures includes at least two vertically disposed legs, said legs being connected to a bottom portion of said wing sections of said table-top surface.

4. The convertible desk and conference table of claim 1 wherein said support means for holding said leaf includes a mortise in the rear edge of the central section of said table-top surface and a tenon in said leaf, said tenon mating with said mortise.

5. The convertible desk and conference table of claim 1 wherein the open area of said table-top surface is generally rectangular in shape.