Convertible table system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6427604
  • Patent Number
    6,427,604
  • Date Filed
    Friday, October 20, 2000
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 6, 2002
    21 years ago
Abstract
A convertible table system that is convertible between a coffee table configuration and a kitchen table configuration. The convertible table system includes two identical leg assemblies and a table top assembly.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




The present invention relates to multi-use furniture items and more particularly to a convertible table system that includes two identical leg assemblies and a table top assembly; each leg assembly including two leg member connected at right angles such that the leg members are oriented at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other, each leg member including an elongated long leg portion rigidly connected between two parallel oriented short leg portions; each short leg portion of each leg member being connected to a separate short leg portion of the other leg member such that the long leg portion of each leg member is oriented in parallel with the long leg portion of the other leg member; the table top assembly having a planar top surface and a bottom surface provided with parallel channels therein for receiving one of the long leg portions of each of the two leg assemblies to support the table top in a coffee table configuration and a pair of right angled channels formed therein with the vertex of each right angle channel oriented toward the vertex of the other right angled channel such that two connected short leg portions of each leg assembly are positionable within each right angled channel to support the table top in a kitchen table configuration.




BACKGROUND ART




Many individuals with limited living space find themselves with insufficient seating facilities when guests are present. It would be a benefit to these individuals to have a convertible table system that allowed them to use the table in coffee table configuration and then rapidly converted into a kitchen table configuration to provide additional dining facilities for guests.




GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION




It is thus an object of the invention to provide a convertible table system that includes two identical leg assemblies and a table top assembly; each leg assembly including two leg member connected at right angles such that the leg members are oriented at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other, each leg member including an elongated long leg portion rigidly connected between two parallel oriented short leg portions; each short leg portion of each leg member being connected to a separate short leg portion of the other leg member such that the long leg portion of each leg member is oriented in parallel with the long leg portion of the other leg member; the table top assembly having a planar top surface and a bottom surface provided with parallel channels therein for receiving one of the long leg portions of each of the two leg assemblies to support the table top in a coffee table configuration and a pair of right angled channels formed therein with the vertex of each right angle channel oriented toward the vertex of the other right angled channel such that two connected short leg portions of each leg assembly are positionable within each right angled channel to support the table top in a kitchen table configuration.




Accordingly, a convertible table system is provided. The convertible table system includes two identical leg assemblies and a table top assembly; each leg assembly including two leg member connected at right angles such that the leg members are oriented at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other, each leg member including an elongated long leg portion rigidly connected between two parallel oriented short leg portions; each short leg portion of each leg member being connected to a separate short leg portion of the other leg member such that the long leg portion of each leg member is oriented in parallel with the long leg portion of the other leg member; the table top assembly having a planar top surface and a bottom surface provided with parallel channels therein for receiving one of the long leg portions of each of the two leg assemblies to support the table top in a coffee table configuration and a pair of right angled channels formed therein with the vertex of each right angle channel oriented toward the vertex of the other right angled channel such that two connected short leg portions of each leg assembly are positionable within each right angled channel to support the table top in a kitchen table configuration.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS




For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:





FIG. 1

is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the convertible table system showing the two identical leg assemblies and the table top assembly; each leg assembly including two leg member connected at right angles such that the leg members are oriented at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other, each leg member including an elongated long leg portion rigidly connected between two parallel oriented short leg portions; each short leg portion of each leg member being connected to a separate short leg portion of the other leg member such that the long leg portion of each leg member is oriented in parallel with the long leg portion of the other leg member; the table top assembly having a planar top surface and a bottom surface provided with parallel channels therein for receiving one of the long leg portions of each of the two leg assemblies to support the table top in a coffee table configuration and a pair of right angled channels formed therein with the vertex of each right angle channel oriented toward the vertex of the other right angled channel such that two connected short leg portions of each leg assembly are positionable within each right angled channel to support the table top in a kitchen table configuration.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the underside of the table top showing the two parallel channels and the pair of right angled channels.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view showing the convertible table system configured in the kitchen table configuration.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view showing the convertible table system configured in the coffee table configuration.











EXEMPLARY MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION





FIGS. 1-4

show various aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the convertible table system of the present invention generally designated


10


. Convertible table system


10


includes two identical leg assemblies, each generally designated


12


, and a table top assembly, generally designated


14


. Each leg assembly


12


includes two leg members, generally designated


16


, connected at right angles such that the leg members


16


are oriented at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other. Each leg member


16


includes an elongated long leg portion


20


rigidly connected between two parallel oriented short leg portions


22


. Each short leg portion


22


of each leg member


16


is connected to a separate short leg portion


22


of the other leg member


16


such that the long leg portion


20


of each leg member


16


is oriented in parallel orientation with the long leg portion


20


of the other leg member


16


.




Table top assembly


14


has a planar top surface


26


and a bottom surface


28


provided with two parallel channels


30


therein for receiving one of the long leg portions


20


of each of the two leg assemblies


12


to support table top


14


in a coffee table configuration and a pair of right angled channels


34


formed therein with the vertex


36


of each right angle channel


34


oriented toward the vertex


36


of the other right angled channel


34


such that two connected short leg portions


22


of each leg assembly


12


are positionable within each right angled channel


34


to support the table top


14


in a kitchen table configuration.




It can be seen from the preceding description that a convertible table system has been provided.




It is noted that the embodiment of the convertible table system described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.



Claims
  • 1. A convertible table system comprising:two identical leg assemblies; and a table top assembly; each leg assembly including two leg members connected at right angles such that the leg members are oriented at a ninety degree angle with respect to each other, each leg member including an elongated long leg portion rigidly connected between two parallel oriented short leg portions; each short leg portion of each leg member being connected to a separate short leg portion of the other leg member such that the long leg portion of each leg member is oriented in parallel with the long leg portion of the other leg member; the table top assembly having a planar top surface and a bottom surface provided with parallel channels therein for receiving one of the long leg portions of each of the two leg assemblies to support the table top in a coffee table configuration and a pair of right angled channels formed therein with a vertex of each right angle channel oriented toward a vertex of the other right angled channel such that two connected short leg portions of each leg assembly are positionable within each right angled channel to support the table top in a kitchen table configuration.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Number Name Date Kind
2636794 Sternkopf Apr 1953 A
3087442 Berliner Apr 1963 A
3361088 Hodgkin Jan 1968 A
3783799 Dupuis Jan 1974 A
3967562 Anacker Jul 1976 A
4106413 Hoaglund Aug 1978 A
4109588 Powers Aug 1978 A
4237795 Parker Dec 1980 A
4903614 Johnson Feb 1990 A
6000343 Laney Dec 1999 A