Portable floating table supported by counterweight

Abstract

A device comprising a seat and a tabletop, connected by a support, is provided. The tabletop is kept on a horizontal plane by means of a counterweight, that is the user seated on the seat, previously placed on a horizontal surface and parallel to it. The device is portable and it can be used in a wide variety of locations.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of portable furniture and more particularly to a portable floating table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the last decades, the use of portable electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and e-Readers, has increased everywhere, including public transport, outdoor locations, households and hotel rooms. There is also a widespread use of takeaway food containers, lunchboxes and drinking cups.

In the absence of a table, a seated user positions the electronic device or food container on the user's lap or hands, on a seat, or even on the floor. These options put the stability of the electronic device or food container and/or the user's comfort at risk.

Portable tables with legs are not always convenient nor safe. For instance, on public transport or in crowded areas.

There are a number of floating table devices, connected by fixing systems to walls, backrests or seat bases, among others. The use of these floating table devices is limited to the point where the fixing system is located.

For those reasons, a long-felt need exists for a portable floating table that can be used in a wide variety of locations, no matter how compact or crowded.

In the event of a pandemic that may be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces, a portable floating table for individual use also proves useful to avoid sharing a contact surface like a table top.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a portable floating table supported by counterweight that can be used in a wide variety of locations.

In order to meet the object, the present invention comprises a portable floating table assembly with a tabletop and a seat connected by a support. The mentioned seat is temporarily anchorable to a horizontal surface by sitting thereon. The weight of the user seated on the seat, previously placed on a horizontal surface, acts as counterweight to keep the tabletop on a horizontal plane. Some examples of the mentioned horizontal surface comprise a chair seat, a step, a train seat, a bench, a bed, a sofa cushion or the floor.

In one preferred configuration, the portable floating table assembly is foldable, for easier transport and storage, with parts movably connected by hinges. A first hinge assembly hingedly connects tabletop and support, such that tabletop can selectively move between a folded position and an unfolded position. A second hinge assembly connects seat and support, so that seat can selectively move between a folded position and an unfolded position.

In another preferred configuration, fork pins are inserted into holes previously drilled in the seat, the tabletop and the support, to avoid the risk of unintentionally folding the device while it is unfolded.

In an alternative embodiment, connections between table and support and between support and seat are not movable and the device is not foldable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to provide a more complete understanding of the present invention, this description is accompanied by four non-limiting illustrations that represent the most characteristic details of the invention.

FIG. 1—shows a rear view of the three connected pieces: the seat, the support and the tabletop.

FIG. 2—profile view of a preferred embodiment, with the structure extended, showing an upper hinge mount and a lower hinge mount, as well as fork pins inserted in drilled holes in the seat, the support and the tabletop.

FIG. 3—profile view of a preferred embodiment, with the structure folded, showing upper hinge and lower hinge in a closed position.

FIG. 4—side view of an example of use of the device unfolded, with a user sitting on the seat placed on a horizontal surface and a laptop on the tabletop.

The broken line in the drawings depicts holes drilled in the tabletop, the support and the seat of the portable table assembly, where the fork pins are inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This description of one or more embodiments does not limit the scope of the present invention.

The aforementioned figures show how the device comprises three connected parts: seat 1, support 2 and tabletop 3.

In one preferred embodiment, both the seat 1 and the tabletop 3 comprise a flat surface, which in this case has been polygonally represented in FIG. 1.

In addition, in this preferred embodiment, the support 2 has been shown with a polygonal base and, in other methods of use, it may be cylindrical or otherwise shaped.

In another embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a first hinge assembly 4 hingedly connects support 2 and tabletop 3. A second hinge assembly 8 hingedly connects support 2 and seat 1.

The first hinge 4 is diposed on the highest end of the front side of the support 2, and connecting it to the bottom side of the tabletop 3, as in FIG. 2. This first hinge 4 movably connects tabletop 3 and support 2.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various hinge mechanisms may be used to achieve this hinged connection.

The second hinge 8 is disposed at the lowest end of the rear side of the support and connects the support 2 with the upper side of the seat 1, as in FIG. 2. This second hinge 8 movably connects the seat 1 and the support 2.

Both hinges 4 and 8 are connected to the tabletop 3 and support 2 and to support 2 and seat 1 respectively using a plurality of screws or other mechanical fasteners.

Hinge connections allow the device to be folded to facilitate storage and transport, as shown in FIG. 3.

In yet another embodiment, the tabletop 3 and seat 1 are secured in a generally horizontal position by the insertion of fork pins 5 and 9 or similar devices in holes drilled in several parts, when hinges 4 and 8 are open and the assembly is extended, as in FIG. 2. First fork pin 5 is inserted in hole 6 drilled in the tabletop 3 and hole 7 drilled in the support 2. Second fork pin 9 is inserted in hole 10 drilled in the support 2 and hole 11 drilled in the seat 1. Fork pins 5 and 9 are used to secure table assembly load bearing and avoid the risk of unintentionally folding the device while it is unfolded.

In use, the portable floating table assembly is unfolded, as in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the seat 1 is placed on a horizontal surface capable of supporting the user's weight, such as but not limited to a chair seat, a step, a stool seat, a bench seat, a bed or the floor, and parallel to it, as in FIG. 4. A user sits on the seat 1 and positions the support 2 between the user's legs. The weight of the user sitting on the seat 1 acts as a counterweight that temporarily anchors the seat 1 to the horizontal surface underneath, while maintaining the tabletop 3 on a horizontal plane, at a functional height and distance.

When in use, the tabletop 3 is extended to a generally horizontal position, in a plane parallel to the plane of the seat 1, and perpendicular to the support 2, as in FIGS. 2 and 4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it can be seen that the device is conveniently portable and, when not in use, it may be folded for storage and transportation.

It will be understood that the present invention may be constructed from wood members with metal hinges or alternatively any or all of the members may be formed from polymeric materials or metallic members having sufficient strength and durability. In addition, the seat 1 top may be partially or totally covered with padded fabric or polymeric covering.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the connection between seat 1 and support 2, and the connection between support 2 and tabletop 3 are not foldable and the portable floating table assembly is permanently extended and not collapsible, as in FIG. 1. Rigid connections between seat 1 and support 2 and between support 2 and tabletop 3 may be achieved by means of mechanical fasteners, such as but not limited to nails or screws, and/or chemical products such as but not limited to glue.

The device must be light enough to be carried without much effort and of such dimensions that guarantee minimum ergonomic conditions for its use as a table with a seat, as well as allowing the seated user to position support 2 between the user's legs.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerous modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A portable floating table comprising: a seat;a support attached in a plane generally perpendicular to said seat;a tabletop attached to said support in a plane generally parallel to said seat.

2. A portable floating table comprising: a seat having a top;a lower hinge assembly attached to said seat top;a support having a front and a back, with said support back attached to said lower hinge assembly;a higher hinge assembly attached to said support front;a tabletop with a bottom, said tabletop bottom attached to said higher hinge assembly, such that when said lower and higher hinges are open, said tabletop is spaced apart from said seat and generally parallel thereto.

3. A portable floating table, comprising: a seat having a top and a front, with one hole in said seat front;a lower hinge assembly attached to said seat top;a support having a front and a back, with one hole on said support front and one hole on said support back, and said support back attached to said lower hinge assembly;a higher hinge assembly attached to said support front;a tabletop having a rear, a bottom, and one hole on said tabletop rear, with said tabletop bottom attached to said higher hinge assembly, such that when said lower and higher hinges are open, said tabletop is spaced apart from said seat and generally parallel thereto;a first pin fork to stick into said seat front hole and said support front hole;a second pin fork to stick into said support rear hole and said tabletop rear hole.