Patent Application
20110057483
The present invention is directed to a folding table and seating apparatus and in particular to a folding table and seating apparatus with a narrow table that may be folded for storage and folded to form a seatback with an associated complementary bench.
Folding table and seating devices are well known and have become common place in large multipurpose use spaces that are utilized at various times as dining rooms, meeting halls, lecture rooms and for other uses. In such spaces, it is often desirable that multipurpose furniture be used. This furniture normally includes tables, chairs, benches and/or stools and related equipment, or table and seat combinations. Such furniture provides added utility if it folds so that the assemblies have a smaller profile for storage and requires a storage base. Folding tables that have accompanying stools and benches are well known and provide seating and table space, but require a relatively small amount of storage space. Examples of folding and seating devices include: U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,937, U.S. Pat. No. 3,075,809, U.S. Pat. No. 3,099,480 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,628, all assigned to SICO Inc., of Edina, Minn., the Assignee of the present application.
Although such tables have been successful in providing folding furniture with associated seating, still further improvements are possible. A combination table and seating system is marketed under the trade name ConverTable by SICO, Inc. and includes a folding table and seating assembly with a bench and a table top. In addition, the table top folds to a position wherein the table top forms a seatback to the bench. The assembly also folds to a compact storage position wherein the seatback and seat bottom extends substantially vertically to provide for a high degree of nesting, thereby requiring less storage space. The ConverTable table system also provides for edge to edge mounting when configured as a bench and table so that a wide table surface is formed by the joined unit with benches extending along both sides of the tabletop. The bench may include a folding leg that retracts in a storage position and is raised so that the frame is supported on casters. The assembly may be easily transported from one location to another when supported only on the casters. Such a table and seating system provides great benefits as there is relatively small footprint for storage with a high degree of nesting. Moreover, the units provide for a table and seating unit as well as seating with a seat back. Such flexibility provides great utility.
Although the ConverTable system and other systems have been very successful in providing multi-use furniture, further improvements are possible. To improve the footprint, the framework dimensions could be configured to maximize stability while reducing the framework footprint and minimizing any potential tripping hazards. Moreover, folding should be controlled and eliminate the possibility of instability due to over folding, while minimizing the risks of pinching fingers for operators. The linkage should also be simple and reliable to facilitate movement of each of the assemblies between the various positions. The framework for such a table and seating system should provide for sturdy and inexpensive manufacture and also be lightweight so that the system may be easily moved and/or lifted.
It can be seen that a new and improved folding table and seating system is needed. Such a system should provide for safe and easy conversion between a table and seating configuration wherein the system has a bench and complementary tabletop, a seating configuration wherein the system forms a bench and a complementary seat back and a storage position wherein the elements are folded to a substantially vertical position for a high degree of nesting. Moreover, such a system should maximize stability while minimizing the footprint. The system should also provide for safe controlled movement and folding between the different configurations. The present invention addresses these as well as other problems associated with folding tables and seating systems.
The present invention is directed to a table and seating apparatus that is foldable between multiple use positions providing different configurations. In a first configuration, the system is utilized as a narrow table with a tabletop having an associated bench. In a second configuration, the system is utilized as a seat with a seat bottom and seat back. In a third configuration, the system sets up for nesting for compact storage with the seatback and table portion folded to extend substantially vertically.
The table and seating system includes a framework at each end of the assembly. Each of the frameworks has a bottom portion extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the table and seat and risers extending upward. A first riser extends to an underside of the tabletop and a second riser extends to a lower height to support the seat. The tabletop and seat both include retractable legs that engage the floor in one position and are retracted when moved to a second position. Each of the frameworks generally is supported on a set of casters for easy transport in the storage configuration. The frame is configured so that the lateral portion extending beyond the first riser below the tabletop does not extend as far as the end of a lateral portion of the frame extending outward below the seat. Such a configuration reduces any potential tripping hazard while maintaining superior stability and providing a wide base of support in all configurations.
The tabletop includes a tabletop linkage that retracts the legs below the tabletop. When the tabletop is in a folded position as a seatback or for storage, the tabletop leg at each framework is lifted off the ground and extends above the lower portions of the frame. The legs extend with the lower portion extending slightly outward at approximately a ten degree angle to act as a guard and as a visual alert so that the that the tripping hazard from the frame extending outward is minimized. The folding linkage includes a slot in the tabletop frame attached to the bottom of the tabletop element forming a sliding link, and folding links extending between the leg and associated frame.
In addition, the seat includes a linkage folding the legs upward and the seat portion to a substantially vertical position against the tabletop and seatback. The seat linkage includes a link extending between the seat riser and the leg and pivots at the frame and at the top of the leg. Moreover, a stop is positioned against the pivot at the seat and frame to prevent instability from over folding of the seat and tabletop beyond the intended use positions.
In one embodiment, the seat portion includes a center leg while the end legs are formed as a tube that extends as a continuous element from one leg to the other with the upper horizontal portion of the tube acting as the pivot axis for the legs. The assemblies are also fitted with attachments so that the frames below the tabletop may be joined to adjacent assemblies to form an extended tabletop having twice the width of a single assembly and with bench seating along both sides.
These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding structure throughout the several views:
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
The frame assemblies 26 at each end of the table and seating system 20 each include a generally horizontal bottom portion 38, a riser 40 extending upward to the table and the seatback 22. A second lower seat riser 42 extends up to the underside of the seat bottom 24. A horizontal member 44 extends between the risers 40 and 42 to provide added structural integrity and rigidity between the risers 40 and 42. The frame bottom 38 includes a first portion 46 extending laterally outward beyond the riser 40 and a second portion 48 extending laterally outward in an opposite direction beyond the seat riser 42. In the embodiment shown, the relative dimensions of the first and second portions 46 and 48 of the frame bottom 38 are configured so that the second portion 48 of the frame bottom 38 is longer than the first portion 46 of the frame bottom 38, as shown in
Referring to
The seat bottom 24 is supported on the first linkage 30, which provides for movement of the seat bottom 24 between a use position and a storage position independently of movement of the second linkage 36. The first linkage 30 includes seat legs 54 and a link 70 between the legs 54 and the riser portion 42 of the frame. In a preferred embodiment, the legs are formed of a single tube that has a horizontal section that acts as a pivot axis 72 between the seat bottom 24 and the legs 54, as shown most clearly in
As shown most clearly in
As shown in
Referring now to
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
