Patent Application
20110221240
The present invention relates to a compact table and seating arrangement wherein the entire seat assembly is stored below the underside of the tabletop.
Rich variation in furniture design abounds. Sets of tables with matching chairs for adults or scaled down in size for children's use are also in common use. Sometimes for the sake of compactness and/or resistance to toppling over, the seats for children's sets are attached to the table in various manners such as rigidly attached benches or on swing-out hinges. One typical example is a scaled down picnic table with integral benches. Round tables with chairs that nest under the tabletop are also available. Conventional chairs with seat backs and four legs are common as are backless stools. Stools with three legs and triangular seat have also been used.
The prior art does not reveal a children's table and stool set with synergy of design to provide compactness, low cost, aesthetic appeal, comfort, ease of shipping and assembly, and also has the ability to promote good behavior in cooperative tabletop activities.
An object of this invention is to provide a children's table and stool set to accommodate up to four children for tabletop activities which is compact as assembled and compact to fit into a standard shipping box of modest dimensions.
Another object of this invention is to provide a table and stool set of aesthetic appeal at relatively low cost and with very robust construction.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide the comfort of a cushioned seat on the stool.
Also an object of this invention is to provide stools which are unattached to the table to provide convenience of ingress and egress.
An object of this invention is to provide stools which are topple resistant and give stable support to a seated child.
Another object of this invention is to provide a storage chamber with space for toys and other materials within the space of each stool.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide cushion covers that can be removed for washing or changing color schemes and then replaced.
Also an object of this invention is to provide a check on intentional or inadvertent kicking of one child by another while seated at the table by virtue of a natural barrier to such activity inherent to the table design.
In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, this table and stool set for children is equally useful for the individual household as for institutional use in a typical nursery school. While the children's table and stool seating set of this invention can be scaled up or down in relative size to accommodate different target markets, the features will be described as a set targeted for pre-school toddlers up to age five years, although the construction can be used for older children. For this market, the tabletop is preferably circular and 30″ in diameter, and it is 20″ high. The stools are sector (i.e. “pie-slice”) shaped and stand 12″ high. Yet this table and stool set is shipped in a standard international shipping container (or box) measuring 82 cm×82 cm×47 cm high (32.28″×32.28″×18.5″) with four fully assembled stools and the table in knockdown form. All rigid parts are preferably wood products including hardwood, plywood, veneer, and wood particle board, although other synthetic plastic materials or metals may be used. They are preferably finished in natural wood tone with grain features visible. The stools have cushions, which may be stationary, but preferably are removable cushions, with preferably bright fabric covers that can be removed for washing. Contrasting colors such as one each of yellow, green, blue and red can be used for the four stools as an aid in learning “colors”.
The table top is preferably attached to a pedestal made from a horizontal base, preferably X-shaped, supporting two orthogonal notched sheets forming sector shaped areas under the tabletop, such as one or more areas, preferably four sector shaped areas. The four such regions receive the four stools which nest under the tabletop for compact storage. The preferably curved back side of each stool preferably has a large open bin, such as a storage chamber area, where toys, books or other materials can be stored within the stool in the lower storage chamber bin area. When pulled out from under the tabletop, each stool provides easy entry and exit for a child. When pulled closer to the table, each child's legs are within his or her private sector space as delineated by the pedestal; this prevents one from accidentally or intentionally kicking an adjacent child thereby making for better cooperative use of a common tabletop. Each stool has an ergonomic design with the wide curved backside behind the center of gravity of the child sitting on it, and the sides preferably meeting at a ninety degree point in front, although the angle may vary depending upon the number of stools. The stool is thereby topple resistant and comfortable to use. The elimination of a backrest also enhances accident resistance while reducing space and weight, and also insuring a low center of gravity.
The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:
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In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, at least one stool may be provided, fitting within at least one sector region formed by the pedestal sheets.
It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.
