II. BACKGROUND
A. Technical Field
The present teaching generally pertains to the field of furniture design and construction. The present teaching specifically relates to convertible articles of furniture with table and footrest functions.
B. Description of Related Art
A coffee table is a common article of furniture found in most U.S. households. These coffee tables are typically placed in front of, and used in conjunction with, a couch that seats two or three people. As the name suggests, the primary function of this furniture is to provide a place for users to set drinks, food, and other items within reach of a couch. A secondary function for many users is to use a coffee table as a footrest. However, a conventional coffee table has a hard top that is uncomfortable for resting one's feet. Ottomans and hassocks function better as footrests because they have an elastically deformable surface. This soft, cushioned surface, however, does not function well as a table, especially when providing a place to set drinks. Such a cushioned surface can be unstable and unsteady, upon which drinks tend to spill, due to its elastically deformable tendency.
The ongoing need for both a hard table surface and a soft cushioned surface has inspired a variety of furniture designs that aim to combine the functions of a coffee table and an ottoman. One common design in the industry is an ottoman with a cushioned surface that is provided with one of more hard table surfaces that can be placed on top of the ottoman. A variation on this concept is to have vertical supports connected to a hard top, making it into a table which spans the ottoman. The major drawback of such designs is that most do not provide a table surface along the entire width of the unit. Additional tabletop sections can be provided, but these must be removed from the ottoman and stored if a user wants a cushioned surface exposed.
Another common design includes a fixed center section that is constructed with a receptacle to retain one or more trays that have a hard surface on one side and a cushioned surface on the other side. The trays may be lifted out of the fixed center section, flipped over, and placed back in the fixed center section depending on the surface that the user wants to have facing up. The drawback of these designs is that the conversion process can be cumbersome, and, in some cases, a continuous table surface is not formed when all the trays are flipped table side up.
Improvements on the aforementioned concept include designs that have table sections that are rotatably convertible from a hard top surface to a cushioned one, and do not require removing and replacing any components. Three examples of these designs are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,667,803; 6,113,182; and 7,341,307. All these designs include an axle or pins on which the rotatable section freely rotates about a horizontal axis. These designs also include bolts, latches, or other means that lock the rotatable sections in place relative to the furniture frame, keeping the table or ottoman surface horizontal while in use. The shortcoming of all these designs is that when they are converted into ottoman mode they do not function well as tables, or they lose the function of a table altogether. All three designs are cumbersome to convert because the locking mechanisms do not provide means that will automatically lock the rotatable section in place, and instead manual functions must be performed by the user. Lastly, all three designs offer only one rotatable section. This is not ideal for use in front of a couch where there may be two users seated next to each other who would like to independently select the furniture mode and function.
In another concept disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,925,851, the table frame has one or more receptacles for retaining a cushion which may be placed on top of a table section, converting it to a footrest or seat function. This reference also illustrates a design with three distinct sections that can be configured for different functions. A major drawback of this design is that components must be stored elsewhere when converting a section to a different function. Also, the construction as shown in the reference does not allow for a mode in which a continuous table surface is formed, which may be desirable for some users.
II. SUMMARY
Provided in this disclosure is a convertible coffee table that can meet the functional needs of multiple people sitting next to each other on a couch. A single piece of furniture can be configured to provide multiple users with sections that are independently and rotatably convertible from a hard table surface to a soft ottoman surface. A fixed central section is provided between the rotatable sections. In this manner, the furniture article still functions as a table that is accessible to both users from their seated position even when multiple rotatable sections are rotated so that the ottoman surface is facing upwardly. When both rotatable sections are rotated so that the table surface is facing upwardly, a continuous and coplanar table surface is formed across the full width of the furniture unit. Thus, the problems of cumbersome conversion associated with other units are solved by providing a coffee table design that allows for effortless conversion in a matter of seconds.
When a user wants to change the function of a side section, the user simply pulls out the handle on the side of the frame. Before changing the function, a spring-loaded bolt biases a rotatable section in the lock position; however, this configuration can be releasably attached. This rotatable section has a distal end and a proximal end. When the user pulls out the handle on the side of the frame disengages a spring-loaded bolt and allows the side section to rotate freely until it is back in a horizontal position and locks in place automatically.
According to one aspect, the present teaching provides a coffee table with a fixed table surface section and one or more convertible table or footrest sections.
According to another aspect, the present teaching overcomes the drawbacks of convertible coffee tables that include additional components that must be removed and stored.
According to still another aspect, the present teaching overcomes the drawbacks of convertible coffee tables that entail a cumbersome conversion process.
According to yet another aspect, the present teaching provides an optional configuration of a coffee table with a continuous table surface.
Other benefits and advantages of the present teaching will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosed convertible coffee table assembly may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, aspects of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a complete coffee table assembly including at least one rotatable section with a cushion surface facing up and another rotatable section with a table surface facing up in accordance with an exemplary aspect.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the complete coffee table assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary aspect.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the present coffee table assembly having the rotatable sections removed to clearly show the components underneath and hidden elements in the rotatable sections in accordance with another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the coffee table assembly that shows hidden components of the locking mechanism and a rotatable section in a horizontal and locked state in accordance with another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 5 is a portion of a front view of the coffee assembly that exposes hidden elements of the locking mechanism and also shows a rotatable section in its horizontal and locked state in accordance with another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the coffee table assembly that shows hidden components of the locking mechanism and a rotatable section in the process of rotating between the ottoman and table modes in accordance with another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 7 is a portion of a front view of the coffee assembly that exposes internal elements of the locking mechanism and also shows a rotatable section in the process of rotating between the ottoman and table modes in accordance with another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 4 but with components of another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 5 but with components of another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 6 but with components another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 7 but with components of another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 12 is a side view of another exemplary aspect showing the rotation of a rotatable section about a horizontal axis.
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of another exemplary aspect showing the rotation of one rotatable section about a horizontal axis and the other rotatable section in a locked position with the table surface facing up.
FIG. 14 is an isometric view of another exemplary aspect.
FIG. 15 is also an isometric view of another exemplary aspect.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference is now made to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating aspects of the article only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components.
FIG. 1 shows an article of furniture 1 that is convertible between the functions of a table and an elastically deformable surface (colloquially known as an ottoman), including a pair of vertical support assemblies 14 that are connected to each other by a base assembly 16. In FIG. 1, the pair of vertical support assemblies 14 and the base assembly 16 collectively form a frame 17. However, without departing from the teachings of the invention, the frame 17 could be formed by the pair of vertical support assemblies 14 without the base assembly 16. Referring again to FIG. 1, between the vertical support assemblies 14 and adjacent to them are two rotatable sections 18, which may be positioned with either a soft cushioned surface 24 or hard table surface 26 facing upwards. Between the two rotatable sections 18 is a fixed center section 20, which includes a hard table surface 28. The construction of this fixed center section 20 includes a receptacle 20a configured to accept one or more drawer assemblies 22.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the complete coffee table assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary aspect. The article of furniture 1 includes a pair of vertical support assemblies 14 that are connected to each other by a base assembly 16. Collectively, the pair of vertical base assemblies 14 and the base assembly 16 form a frame 17. However, frame 17 could be formed without the base assembly 16. Referring back to FIG. 2, between the vertical support assemblies 14 and adjacent to them are the two rotatable sections 18. Between the two rotatable sections 18 is a fixed center section 20, which contains a draw assembly 22.
As shown in FIG. 3, the vertical support assemblies 14 are also connected by an axle assembly 30. The axle assembly 30 goes through and connects with the fixed center section 20, keeping it in a fixed position. While in one aspect of the present teaching a single axle is used, a similar connection between the vertical support assemblies 14 and the fixed center section 20 could be made with two separate axles on either side of the fixed center section 20. In this figure, the drawer assembly 22 is shown in its open position, coming out of the fixed center section 20. Rotatable sections 18 are shown here in phantom and separated from the rest of the assembly to expose hidden components. Each rotatable section 18 includes a tabletop 36, which is attached to an outer mounting bracket 32a and an inner mounting bracket 34. The bases of these mounting brackets 32a, 34 are secured to the tabletop 36 and keepers 45 are bolted to the bases around axle assembly 30, which goes through axle holes 40, allowing the rotatable sections 18 to freely rotate about a horizontal axis. A cushion component 38 is affixed to the tabletop 36 by hook and loop fasteners or similar means.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, on the side of each vertical support assembly 14 is a spring loaded, sliding bolt 44a, which is connected to a bolt handle 46. When a rotatable section 18 is in a horizontal position with either its cushioned surface 24 or table surface 26 facing up, the sliding bolt 44a lines up with, and engages with, one of the bolt catch holes 42 in the outer mounting bracket 32a.
FIGS. 4 through 7 further clarify the relationship between the sliding bolts 44a and the outer mounting brackets 32a. FIG. 4 is a side view of the article of furniture 1 and includes a phantom view showing several hidden components, including: the outer mounting brackets 32a, the tabletop 36, axle holes 40, the top bolt catch holes 42, the sliding bolt 44a, and the bolt handle 46. With the rotatable section 18 in a horizontal position, here shown with the tabletop 36 on the bottom, the sliding bolt 44a lines up with the top bolt catch hole 42 in the outer mounting bracket 32a.
FIG. 5 shows this same configuration in a portion of the front view with the hidden components exposed. The sliding bolt 44a is biased towards a locked position by a spring 48, seating it within the top bolt catch hole 42 and an indentation in the outer mounting bracket 32a in vertical support assembly 14. This prevents the rotatable section 18 from rotating and fixes its position relative to the vertical support assembly 14.
FIG. 6 shows a rotatable section 18 in the process of rotating. Rotation is achieved by pulling outward on the bolt handle 46, as shown in FIG. 7. This disengages the sliding bolt 44a from the bolt catch hole 42 and pulls it fully within the hole in vertical support assembly 14. Once rotation of the rotatable section 18 begins, the sliding bolt 44a is held inside the vertical support assembly 14 in the unlocked position by the face of the outer mounting bracket 32a. At this point, the user no longer needs to pull out on the bolt handle 46.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show the rotatable section 18 at 90 degrees from horizontal as an example, but the sliding bolt 44a will remain in the unlocked position at any angle other than horizontal. When the user has rotated the rotatable section 18 back to horizontal, the spring 48 will automatically return the sliding bolt 44a to the locked position.
FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 show the same views as FIGS. 4 through 7, but with alternate outer mounting bracket 32b and bolt 44b. Outer mounting bracket 32b does not include bolt catch holes 42. Bolt 44b is a rectangular bar with a flat bottom surface 44c. In the locked position with the hard table surface 28 and rotatable sections 18 horizontal, the bottom surface 44c of bolt 44b makes contact with the top surface 32c of outer mounting bracket 32b, preventing rotatable section 18 from rotating about the axle assembly 30.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the rotation of the rotatable section 18 about a horizontal axis.
FIGS. 14 and 15 show alternate methods of construction, and as in FIG. 3, the rotatable sections 18 have been removed to expose hidden components. In FIG. 15, the pair of vertical support assemblies 14 can stand via connection of the keepers 45 to the axle assembly 30. These alternatives specifically relate to how the fixed center section 20 can be connected to the other components to create a three-section design with the two rotatable sections 18 and the fixed center section 20 in a single piece of furniture. In both figures, the sides 29 of the fixed center section 20 have been extended down to where they now act as vertical supports. In FIG. 10, the fixed center section 20 now directly connects with the base assembly 16, fixing its position relative to the vertical support assemblies 14. With this construction, the axle assembly 30 need not be affixed to the fixed center section 20 and it can pass through it without connecting. In FIG. 11, the base assembly 16 is not used, and instead the vertical support assemblies 14 and the fixed center section 20 make direct contact with the ground. Here, the fixed center section 20 is held in a fixed position relative to the vertical support assemblies 14 by the axle assembly 30, or a pair of axle assemblies. Both alternate constructions are shown with an additional drawer assembly 50.
Material used for the construction of the present coffee table assembly can vary, but for all of the components excluding the cushion components 38 and the springs 48, wood, metal, or any other similarly rigid material can be used. The cushion components 38 can be made of foam, elastically deformable material, or similar soft, resilient material and likely covered with upholstery. The springs 48 can be made of resiliently formed metal, though any material that could sufficiently bias the sliding bolt 44a or 44b into the locked position could alternatively be used without departing from the present teaching.
In addition, the vertical support assemblies 14 can form a frame 17 with or without the base assembly 16. These different configurations are within the general scope of the present teaching.
Numerous aspects have been described herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of the present teaching. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20240099461
