Patent Application
20240041205
The present invention relates generally to mechanical arts, and, more particularly, to an adjustable coffee table that may be utilized as a workout bench.
One of the effects of the recent pandemic is that people have become used to doing things from home that they used to do elsewhere. In addition to work, people are spending more time doing other things at home, including exercising and working out. Unfortunately, not everyone has separate and sufficient space for such things as workout equipment, such as a workout bench for weightlifting and calisthenics.
Thus, there remains a need for an improved workout bench that may be stored and hidden away when not in use. The present invention addresses this need.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Frame portion 15 further includes a first pair of elongated members 20 and a second pair of perpendicularly disposed elongated members 25 operationally connected together to define a generally rectangular frame member 27. A plurality, typically four, elongated leg members 30 are operationally connected to and extend from the frame member 27, typically from the corners 29.
A generally rectangular and flat coffee table top member 35 is hingedly connected to the frame member 27, such as by one or more hinges 40 operationally connected to one of the elongated members 20, 25 as well as to the coffee table top member 35. A non-locking hinge stop 45 may be likewise operationally connected between the frame member 27 and the table top member 35 to limit the arc through which the table top member 27 may pivot.
Bench extension portion 55 is pivotably connected to coffee table portion 15. Bench extension portion 55 includes an elongated, generally rectangular bench top member 60 pivotably connected to the frame member 27 at one end and pivotably connected to one or more elongated leg members 65 (typically a pair of spaced leg members 65, more typically connected by an elongated support member 70) at the other, oppositely disposed end, such as by hinge 95. Legs may be locked into extended/deployed orientation by a locking member 100 operationally connected thereto and to the table top member 60.
At least one, and more typically a pair of oppositely disposed, elongated support member 75 extends from the bench top member 60 and is/are respectively disposed adjacent respective leg member(s) 30; a pivot rod 80 extends through each respective at least one elongated support member and the adjacent leg member 30, such as through aperture 85, to pivotably connect the table top member 60 to the frame member 27.
An elongated skirt member 90 is operationally connected to the table top member 60. The skirt member 90 is spaced from the table top member 60 and oriented parallel thereto. A fastener 105, such as a magnetic locking member, may be operationally connected to the skirt 90 so that when the bench portion 55 is pivoted into the coffee table portion 15, it becomes lockingly engaged thereto.
In operation, the bench portion 55 is pivotable between two positions, a storage position wherein the bench portion resides within the coffee table portion 15 under the top member 35, and a deployed position wherein the bench portion is pivoted adjacent the coffee table portion 15 to define an elongated workout bench 110 with the adjacently oriented top member 35 and extension top portion 60 defining an elongated bench top 115.
In the stored position, legs 65 are pivoted toward top portion 60 and lay flush against the same. With bench portion 55 positioned within coffee table portion 15, top member is pivoted to engage frame member 27, effectively hiding bench portion 55 therein.
In the deployed position, legs 65 are pivoted about hinge 95 to extend away from top portion 60 and may be locked in place by locking member 100. Table top 35, which is pivoted away from coffee table portion 15 during deployment of bench portion is then pivoted back to reengage frame member 27 and thus define elongated bench top 115.
In another embodiment, as shown in
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
