AU2017371710A1

AU2017371710A1 - A table assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2017371710A1
Application number: AU2017371710A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David King; Ryan Lawson; Anastasie Panagopoulos; Tanya Rechberger
Original assignee: King Furniture Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: King Furniture Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-09
Filing date: 2017-11-21
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-21
Also published as: AU2016102101A4; WO2018102859A1; AU2017371710B2

Abstract

A table accessory (14) includes a table top member (16) defining a top surface (18) and a bottom surface (20) spaced from the top surface (18) with a side portion (22) extending between the top surface (18) and the bottom surface (20). A pair of elongate receiving formations (24) is arranged in spaced relationship relative to each other, the elongate receiving formations (24) being defined in the table top member (16) and opening out into the side portion (22) of the table top member (16). The receiving formations (24) are angled towards each other within the table top member (16).

Description

Cross-Reference to Related Applications [0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2016102101 filed on 9 December 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field [0002] This disclosure relates, generally, to a table and, more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a table accessory and to a table assembly, including the table accessory, for use with modular furniture.

Background [0003] These days, many items of furniture have very deep profiles so that an occupant can recline on the item of furniture. While this arrangement provides comfort for the occupant it can, at times, cause a side table to be located out of easy reach of the occupant. The Applicant has developed a range of modular furniture which includes a table assembly removably mounted to the furniture to be within easier reach of the occupant of the item of modular furniture.

[0004] In some configurations of the Applicant’s modular furniture, it would be desirable for a table assembly mounted to the modular furniture to be able to serve as a support for an appropriate backrest. This may not be feasible if the table assembly is unconstrained relative to the modular furniture.

[0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

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Summary [0006] In an embodiment, there is provided a table accessory which includes a table top member defining a top surface and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface with a side portion extending between the top surface and the bottom surface; and a pair of elongate receiving formations arranged in spaced relationship relative to each other, the elongate receiving formations being defined in the table top member and opening out into the side portion of the table top member, the receiving formations being angled towards each other within the table top member.

[0007] The table top member may have a pair of spaced longer sides and a pair of spaced shorter sides, the elongate receiving formations opening out into the same longer side of the table top member. The table top member may be substantially oblong when viewed in plan. By “substantially oblong” does not necessarily mean that all the sides are rectilinear. In an embodiment, at least the longer sides may have a slight convex curvature to impart a slight wine barrel shape to the table top member, when viewed in plan.

[0008] Each receiving formation may be in the form of a blind passage, each passage being at least partially formed by a bore of an insert received in the table top member. Each insert may be received in a recess defined in the bottom surface of the table top member. The insert may comprise a carrier plate to which a sleeve is secured, for example, by welding, the sleeve defining the bore. A knock-in may be received within the bore to provide a friction fit for a part of a mounting member received in the receiving formation.

[0009] A further part of each passage may be defined by a bore extending from the side portion of the table top member and opening out into a channel in which the insert is received. Each insert may comprise a carrier plate carrying a sleeve, the sleeve defining the bore of the insert and the sleeve being receivable in the channel.

[0010] In an embodiment, there is provided a table assembly which includes a table accessory as described above; and a pair of mounting members for mounting the table accessory to a platform, each mounting member defining a mounting part receivable in one of the receiving formations, the angle of the receiving formations serving to restrain the table accessory against lateral

WO 2018/102859

PCT/AU2017/051275 movement relative to the platform when the table accessory is mounted via the mounting members to the platform.

[0011] Each mounting member may include a leg portion for mounting to the platform, the mounting part extending transversely to the leg portion. The leg portion may be cranked to space the table top member of the table accessory from an edge of the platform when mounted via the mounting members to the platform. The mounting part may be integrally formed with the leg portion as a one-piece element.

[0012] Each mounting member may be reversible relative to the table accessory so that, instead of the mounting part, the leg portion of each mounting member is receivable in one of the receiving formations of the table accessory and the mounting part is mountable to the platform to vary the height of the table top member of the table accessory relative to the platform.

Brief Description of Drawings [0013] An embodiment of the disclosure is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0014] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a table assembly, in use;

[0015] Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the table assembly, in use;

[0016] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the table assembly, in use;

[0017] Fig. 4 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a table accessory forming part of the table assembly; and [0018] Fig. 5 shows a perspective, exploded view of the table assembly, when viewed from an underside of the table assembly.

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Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments [0019] In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates an embodiment of a table assembly. The table assembly 10 is shown mounted in use relative to an item of furniture 12. While the illustrated item of furniture 12 does not show any backrests or armrests, the table assembly 10 is generally intended to be used in place of an armrest but could, conceivably, also be used in place of a backrest. The item of furniture 12 may form a part of a modular set (not shown).

[0020] The table assembly 10 includes an embodiment of a table accessory 14. The table accessory 14 includes a table top member, or table top, 16 having a top surface 18 (Figs. 2-4), a bottom surface 20 and a side portion 22 extending between the top surface 18 and the bottom surface 20. The side portion 22 is chamfered or bevelled so that a periphery of the top surface 18 bounds a larger area than a periphery of the bottom surface 20.

[0021] As shown most clearly in Fig. 4 the drawings, the table top 16 of the table accessory 14 defines a pair of elongate receiving formations, in the form of blind passages, 24 extending from a side 26 of the table top 16 into an interior of the table top 16. The passages 24 are angled towards each other. Typically, each passage 24 defines an included angle, A, with the side 26 of less than 90°, typically, about 30° to about 60° and, for example, about 45°.

[0022] The table top 16 is substantially oblong having a pair of longer sides 26, 28 and a pair of shorter sides 30, 32. At least the longer sides 26, 28 are slightly convex or bowed and are not rectilinear. In an embodiment, the shorter sides 30, 32 may be similarly, slightly convex or bowed. As indicated above, both passages 24 open out into the same, longer side 26 of the table top 16.

[0023] Each passage 24 is defined by two parts. As shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, a first part of each passage 24 is defined by a bore 34 extending from the side 26 of the table top 16 towards the interior of the table top 16. A first end of the bore 34 opens out into the side 26 in an opening 38. An opposed end of the bore 34 opens out into a channel 40 (Fig. 5) formed in the bottom surface 20 of the table top 16. The channel 40 may be formed by any suitable machining technique and a closed end of the channel 40 defines the termination of the passage 24 to render it a blind passage.

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PCT/AU2017/051275 [0024] The table accessory 14 includes a pair of inserts 42, one insert 42 being associated with each channel 40. Each insert 42 comprises a carrier plate 44 carrying a sleeve 50. The sleeve 50 is a snug fit within the channel 40 and defines a bore 48 forming a second part of each passage 24. In an embodiment, the bore 48 of the sleeve 50 is lined by a knock-in so that a mounting part 52 of a mounting member 54, which will be described in greater detail below, is a snug fit or a friction fit in the bore of the sleeve 50. Typically, the knock-in is of a suitable lubricated plastics material to facilitate insertion of the mounting part 52 into the bore of the sleeve 50.

[0025] Countersunk regions 56 are formed on opposite sides of each channel 40. The countersunk regions 56 of each channel 40 are dimensioned to accommodate the associated carrier plate 44 so that an operatively outer surface of the carrier plate 44, opposite the surface carrying the sleeve 50, lies substantially flush with the bottom surface 20 of the table top 16 when the insert 42 is mounted in position in the table top 16.

[0026] The table assembly 10 includes a pair of the mounting members 54 for mounting the table accessory 14 to a platform 58 of the item of furniture 12. Each mounting member 54 includes a leg portion, or leg, 60 from which the mounting part 52 projects transversely, typically, orthogonally. The mounting part 52 is formed integrally with the leg 60 as a onepiece element. The leg 60 is cranked to space the table top 16 of the table accessory 14 from an edge of the platform 58 of the item of furniture 12.

[0027] It will be noted that, when each mounting part 52 of each mounting member 54 is received in its associated passage 24, the table top 16 is arranged at an elevated location relative to an upper surface 62 (Figs. 1-3) of a base 64 received on the platform 58. It is possible to swap the orientation of each mounting member 54 so that, instead, a part 66 of each mounting member 54 is received in one of the passages 24 with the part 52 of each mounting member 54 then being inserted into the base 58 of the item of furniture 12. With the mounting members 54 in this, latter, orientation, the table accessory 14 is positioned at a lower elevation relative to the base 64 of the item of furniture 12. Depending on the dimensions of each mounting member 54, the top surface 18 of the table top 16 may be at a lower elevation than the surface 62 of the base 64.

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PCT/AU2017/051275 [0028] In use, the table assembly 10 is provided to a customer or user in a knock-down, or demounted, form. In other words, the mounting members 54 are packed separately from the table accessory 14 to reduce the packing volume and, consequently, possible shipping costs and/or storage costs. When the customer receives the table assembly 10, assuming that the table accessory 14 is to be positioned as illustrated in Figs. 1-3 of the drawings, the user inserts the mounting part 52 of each mounting member 54 into its associated passage 24 via the opening 38 in the side 26 of the table top 16.

[0029] Because of the chamfered nature of the side portion 22 of the table top 16 the leg 60 of the mounting member 54 does not project beyond the periphery of the top surface 18 of the table top 16. This both improves the aesthetics of the table assembly 10 as well as providing reduced risk of items snagging on the mounting member 54.

[0030] The part 66 of each mounting member is then inserted into the platform 58 of the item of furniture 12. Each part 66 is received in a socket (not shown) arranged substantially vertically proximate a corner of the base 58. The socket is, similarly to the sleeve 50, lined with a knock-in to facilitate snug fitment of the part 66 within the socket.

[0031] Due to the angled positioning of the passages 24 of the table accessory 14, once the mounting members 54 have been mounted to the table accessory 14 and mounted to the platform 58 lateral movement of the table assembly 10, i.e. movement in the direction of arrow 68 (Fig. 3), is restrained. This enables the user, if desired, to place a pillow, cushion, or other backrest (not shown) against the side 26 of the table top 16 to enable the user to lean against such a backrest with the table assembly 10 providing support.

[0032] In addition, the angled positioning of the passages 24 of the table accessory 14 and, accordingly, the angled positioning of the mounting members 54 towards each other improves the stability of the table assembly 10 generally. Thus, movement of the table assembly 10 in a direction normal to arrow 68, i.e. parallel to a longitudinal axis of the table top 16, is also restrained as is movement in a vertical direction. As a result, if the table assembly 10 should inadvertently be bumped or knocked, items arranged on the table are less likely to be dislodged and there is also less likelihood of liquid being spilled from a receptacle of such liquid which may be arranged on the table top 16.

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PCT/AU2017/051275 [0033] Hence, it is an advantage of the described embodiment that a table assembly 10 is provided which improves the versatility of an item of furniture 12. More particularly, the table assembly 10 can be used, conventionally, as a table on which to place items but can also be used to provide support to a backrest for the item of furniture 12. The angled arrangement of the passages 24 and, hence, the mounting members 54 facilitates the use of the table assembly 10 as a support for such a backrest by restricting lateral movement of the table accessory 16 in the direction of arrow 68. As indicated above, the general stability of the table assembly 10 is also improved.

[0034] It is a further advantage of the described embodiment that a demountable table assembly 10 is provided which can be disassembled for shipping/storage and which can be assembled and mounted in position without the need for any tools at all or the need for any permanent attaching/securing elements.

[0035] Still further, the table top 16 of the table assembly 10 can be arranged at two different heights relative to the base 58 of the item of furniture 12 with which the table assembly 10 is used, thereby further improving the versatility of the table assembly 10.

[0036] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A table accessory which includes a table top member defining a top surface and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface with a side portion extending between the top surface and the bottom surface; and a pair of elongate receiving formations arranged in spaced relationship relative to each other, the elongate receiving formations being defined in the table top member and opening out into the side portion of the table top member, the receiving formations being angled towards each other within the table top member.
2. The table accessory of claim 1 in which the table top member has a pair of spaced longer sides and a pair of spaced shorter sides, the elongate receiving formations opening out into the same longer side of the table top member.
3. The table accessory of claim 1 or claim 2 in which each receiving formation is in the form of a blind passage, each passage being at least partially formed by a bore of an insert received in the table top member.
4. The table accessory of claim 3 in which a further part of each passage is defined by a bore extending from the side portion of the table top member and opening out into a channel in which the insert is received.
5. The table accessory of claim 4 in which each insert comprises a carrier plate carrying a sleeve, the sleeve defining the bore of the insert and the sleeve being receivable in the channel.
6. A table assembly which includes a table accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and a pair of mounting members for mounting the table accessory to a platform, each mounting member defining a mounting part receivable in one of the receiving formations, the angle of the receiving formations serving to restrain the table accessory against lateral movement relative to the platform when the table accessory is mounted via the mounting members to the platform.

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7. The table assembly of claim 6 in which each mounting member includes a leg portion for mounting to the platform, the mounting part extending transversely to the leg portion.
8. The table assembly of claim 7 in which each mounting member is reversible relative to the table accessory so that, instead of the mounting part, the leg portion of each mounting member is receivable in one of the receiving formations of the table accessory and the mounting part is mountable to the platform to vary the height of the table top member of the table accessory relative to the platform.