CA2175857A1 - Combination stool/kneeler - Google Patents

Combination stool/kneeler

Info

Publication number
CA2175857A1
CA2175857A1 CA 2175857 CA2175857A CA2175857A1 CA 2175857 A1 CA2175857 A1 CA 2175857A1 CA 2175857 CA2175857 CA 2175857 CA 2175857 A CA2175857 A CA 2175857A CA 2175857 A1 CA2175857 A1 CA 2175857A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
leg
panel
arm
seat
recess
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2175857
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gerard E. Lyons
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SHIRLON PLASTICS Inc
Original Assignee
SHIRLON PLASTICS Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SHIRLON PLASTICS Inc filed Critical SHIRLON PLASTICS Inc
Priority to CA 2175857 priority Critical patent/CA2175857A1/en
Publication of CA2175857A1 publication Critical patent/CA2175857A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C16/00Stand-alone rests or supports for feet, legs, arms, back or head
    • A47C16/04Prayer-stools; Kneeling stools; Kneeling supports

Landscapes

  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Abstract

A relatively simple combination stool and kneeler including an interesting joint structure, includes a first panel defining a seat for the stool or a knee pad for the kneeler, and a second panel defining the legs of the stool or the handles of the kneeler. The panels are interconnected by blocks or arms extending outwardly from each end of the seat panel which mate with recesses in one end of the second panel.
A spline extends the length of the recess for mating with a groove in the arms. Pins and small recesses or wells are provided on the inside of each leg panel so that the leg panels can be interconnected, and a ledge or spline is provided on the inside of each leg panel so that the seat panel can be connected to the two interconnected leg panels to form a compact package for carrying or storage.

Description

-This invention relates to a combination stool and kneeler, and in particular to a collapsible stool and kneeler.
The invention also relates to a joint assembly for use in a variety of products including articles of furniture such as the combination stool/kneeler, tables and chairs, and in toys.
Combination stools and kneelers, i.e. devices which can be used either as a stool or a kneeler are not new.
However, such devices generally are of one-piece construction, and hence are somewhat awkward to carry and, being bulky, present a storage problem.
A search of the patent literature discloses collapsible furniture. In this connection reference is made to U.S. Patents Nos. 3,262,405, which issued to J. Sutton on July 26, 1966; 3,490,809, which issued to G. Lange on January 20, 1970; 3,726,561, which issued to I. Bolyos on April 3, 1973 and 4,188,067, which issued to S.A. Elmer on February 12, 1980. While the above listed patents describe a variety of collapsible chairs or benches, the devices are one use items, which do not lend themselves to multiple use without substantial modification. Moreover, for the most part, the devices are somewhat complicated in terms of structure and/or use, i.e. the furniture is not easy to erect and dismantle.
In the opinion of the present inventor, a need still exists 2S for a device which can be used as either a stool or as a kneeler.
Many modular structures utilize mechanical fasteners to interconnect the elements of the structures. Thus,
2~ 75857 assembly is labour intensive and time consuming. In a product such as a combination stool and kneeler, simplicity and ease of assembly are of the essence. Mechanical fasteners do not lend themselves to easy assembly. Moreover, it is generally true that the weakest areas of the resulting products are located at the joints. Even though the assembled product remains in one piece, the structural integrity is such that there is a certain amount of play or wobbliness at the joints.
Thus, a need also exists for a joint structure or assembly which solves this problém.
An object of the present invention is to meet the first of the above defined needs by providing a relatively simple, modular combination stool and kneeler, which is easy to assembly and disassemble.
Another object of the invention is to provide a combination stool and kneeler, which is relatively lightweight, compact and portable.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a relatively strong joint assembly for use in an article of furniture or in a toy which facilitates assembly and disassembly.
According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a joint assembly for connecting first and second panel members comprising arm means extending outwardly from said first panel member; groove means in said arm means;
recess means in said second panel member for receiving said arm means; and spline means in said recess means complementary to said groove means, whereby, when said arm means is inserted into said recess means, said spline means mates snugly with said groove means to securely interconnect said panel members.
Accordingly another, more specific aspect of the invention relates to a collapsible combination stool and kneeler comprising first panel means defining seat means which in the upside down position can be used as the base of a kneeler; second panel means defining leg means for supporting said seat means; arm means extending outwardly from one said panel means; groove means in said arm means; recess means in the other said panel means for receiving said arm means; and spline means in said recess means complementary to said groove means, whereby, when said arm means is inserted into said recess means, said spline means snugly mates with said groove means to securely interconnect said panel members with the leg means extending downwardly from opposite ends of said seat means.
The invention is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination stool/kneeler in the stool position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article of Fig. 1 in the kneeler position;
Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of a panel used in the article of Figs. 1 and 2, as viewed from opposite sides;

2t 75857 Figure 5 is a perspective view of another panel used in the article of Figs. 1 and 2;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of two interconnected panels of the type shown in Fig. 5; and Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of three panelc used to form the stool/kneeler interconnected for carrying.
Referring to Figs 1 and 2, the combination stool and kneeler of the present invention includes a first panel generally indicated at 1 defining a seat (Fig. 1) or a kneeling pad (Fig. 2). When the article is used as a stool, a pair of identical panels generally indicated at 2 extend downwardly from the ends of the seat panel 1 for supporting the latter in an elevated position. In order to use the article as a kneeler, the stool is inverted so that the panels 2 extend upwardly from the ends of the panel 1. In this position, the panels 2 define sides or railings for the kneeler. The top free ends of the panels 2 can be used as handles to assist in moving between the standing and kneeling positions.
The panels 1 and 2 are preferably formed as hollow plastic articles. However, it will be appreciated that the panels can be formed from a foam plastic with a flexible core and a rigid shell, or the core and shell can both be flexible.
Because the article is intended for use, at least in part, as a kneeler, there should be some give in the panel 1 when weight is applied in small areas of the panel, e.g. when kneeling.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the panel 1 is defined by an elongated, generally rectangular body 3 with slightly tapered ends 4, and rounded, smooth corners. An arm 6 extends outwardly from the center of each end 7 of the panel 1. The arm 6 is generally in the shape of a block on the center of each end 7 of the panel 1. A deep concave, generally U-shaped recess 10 is provided in the sides 12 and the bottom end 13 of the arm 6 from proximate the top edge on one side 12 to proximate the top edge on the other side 12.
An inner side 14 of the arm 6 curves gently into the bottom surface 16 of the body 3, defining a strensthening gusset.
As best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and S, the panel 2 is defined by a generally rectangular body 17, the sides 18 of which flare outwardly at one end 19 to define a wide, bifurcated base when the product is used as a stool (Fig. 1), or the flared ends of a handle when the product is used as a kneeler (Fig. 2). While the inner surface 21 of the body 17 and the sides 18 define a single plane, the sides 18 extend outwardly from the remainder of the body 17 on the outer surface of the panel 2, defining generally square cross section posts or legs.
One end 22 of the body 17 includes a deep, generally rectangular recess 23, which tapers slightly outwardly from the inner edge 24 thereof. The recess 23 is the same shape as and only slightly larger than the arms 6 on the panel 1, so that the arms 6 can slide into the recess 23. The arms 6 fit sufficiently snugly into the recess 23 that there is very little if any play at the joints between the panels 1 and 2.

2~ 75857 -A spline 26 extends inwardly from both sides 27 and the inner edge 24 of the recess 23. The spline 26 extends proximate the end 22 of the body 17 on one side 27 to proximate the end 22 on the other side 27 of the recess 23. When the arm 6 is inserted into the recess 23, the spline 26 enters the qroove 10 in the arm 6 to firmly connect the panel 2 to one end of the panel 1. It will be appreciated that not only does the entire spline surface contact the entire surface of the groove 10, but the remainder of the sides 12 and the end 13 of the arm 6 contact the sides 27 and the end 24 of the recess 23.
Because of the large surface areas of the joints which are in contact, the joints are surprisingly strong and stable.
However, it is quite easy to assemble and disassemble the panels 1 and 2 by simply sliding the panels apart.
The ends 19 of the sides 18, which define legs for the panels 2 when the device is used as a stool, define the sides of a truncated V-shaped groove in the body 17. The outer free edges 28 (Fig. 2) of the sides 18 are flat, defining feet for the stool. A rectangular recess 29 is provided in the inner surface 21 of the leg end of the body 17, so that the stool legs are L-shaped in cross section. A
crossbar 30 extends between the ends 19, of the sides proximate the outer free ends thereof. The crossbar 30 reinforces the end of the panel 2, and, when the stool is inverted to define a kneeler (Fig. 2), the crossbars 30 act as handles for facilitating movement between the standing and kneeling positions.

2~ 75857 In order to facilitate moving of the stool/kneeler from one location to another or for storage, the device can be collapsed, i.e. the panels 2 detached from the panel 1 and the panels interconnected in a new arrangement or orientation to form a compact, easily carried package. For such purpose, small cylindrical recesses or wells 32 (Fig. 5) are provided in the inner surface 21 of the end 22 of the body 17 for receiving small pins 33 projecting outwardly from the inner surface 21 proximate the inner edge 24 of the recess 23. As shown in Fig. 6, when one panel 2 is inverted with respect to a second panel 2 with the inner surfaces 21 opposed, the pins 33 of one panel mate with the recesses 32 of the other panel to connect the two panels 2 together.
The package is completed (Figs. 6 to 8) using a ledge 35 extending outwardly from a narrow end 36 of the recess 29 in the inner surface 21 of the body 17. The ledge 35 defines a generally C-shaped spline, including sides or projections 37 for insertion into the groove 10 on one of the arms 6 on the panel 1. The panel 1 is placed against the outer side of the body 17 of one panel 2 so that one of the arms 6 extends beneath the crossbar 30 of such panel 2 (Fig.
8). In such position, the arm 6 on the other end of the panel 2 extends beyond the top end of such one panel 2 so that the groove 10 in the arm 6 mates with the ledge or spline 35 (Fig.
7) along substantially the entire length of the latter. The uppermost crossbar 30 can be used as a handle to pick up and carry the thus assembled unit.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. A joint assembly for connecting first and second panel members comprising arm means extending outwardly from said first panel member; groove means in said arm means;
recess means in said second panel member for receiving said arm means; and spline means in said recess means complementary to said groove means, whereby, when said arm means is inserted into said recess means, said arm means mates snugly with said recess means and said spline means mates snugly with said groove means to securely interconnect said panel members.
2. A joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein said arm means extends outwardly and downwardly from said first panel member, said groove means being located in opposite sides and the bottom edge of said arm means; and said spline means extends inwardly towards the center of said recess means from the sides and upwardly from the bottom of said recess means.
2. A joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first panel member is a planar panel defining seat means for a stool, said second panel member defining leg means, one said arm means extending outwardly from each end of said seat means, said recess means being located in a top end of said leg means, whereby leg means can be connected to each end of the seat means to form a stool, which can be turned upside down to define a kneeler.
4. A joint assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said arm means is rectangular, including one side contiguous with said first panel member, and three free edges, said groove means extending the length of said free edges; and said recess means is rectangular for receiving said arm means.
5. A collapsible combination stool and kneeler comprising first panel means defining seat means which in the upside down position can be used as the base of a kneeler;
second panel means defining leg means for supporting said seat means; arm means extending outwardly from one said panel means; groove means in said arm means; recess means in the other said panel means for receiving said arm means; and spline means in said recess means complementary to said groove means, whereby, when said arm means is inserted into said recess means, said arm means mates snugly with said recess means and said spline means mates snugly with said groove means to securely interconnect said panel members with the leg means extending downwardly from opposite ends of said seat means.
6. A stool and kneeler according to claim 5, including arm means extending outwardly from opposite ends of said seat means, and identical leg means for supporting the seat means; each said leg means including one said recess means in one end thereof; and handle means on the other end thereof for facilitating movement by a user between the standing and kneeling positions when seat means and leg means are inverted for use as a kneeler.
7. A stool and kneeler according to claim 6, including pin means on one surface of each said leg means;
well means in said one surface of said leg means complementary to said pin means for receiving said pin means when one leg means is inverted with respect to the other said leg means and pressed thereagainst, whereby said leg means can be interconnected to define a unit for carrying said seat means.
8. A stool and kneeler according to claim 7, wherein each said leg means includes ledge means on said one surface for mating with said one groove means in said arm means of the seat means, whereby the seat means can be attached to and form part of the unit defined by the leg means.
9. A stool and kneeler according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said handle end of said leg means is bifurcated;
crossbar means extending between sides of the handle end for defining the handle and for positioning the seat means with respect to the leg means when the seat means and leg means are assembled as a unit for carrying.
CA 2175857 1996-05-06 1996-05-06 Combination stool/kneeler Abandoned CA2175857A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2175857 CA2175857A1 (en) 1996-05-06 1996-05-06 Combination stool/kneeler

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2175857 CA2175857A1 (en) 1996-05-06 1996-05-06 Combination stool/kneeler

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2175857A1 true CA2175857A1 (en) 1997-11-07

Family

ID=4158145

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2175857 Abandoned CA2175857A1 (en) 1996-05-06 1996-05-06 Combination stool/kneeler

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2175857A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2405325A (en) * 2003-08-28 2005-03-02 Alice Joyce Gentles Kneeling device with removable handles

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2405325A (en) * 2003-08-28 2005-03-02 Alice Joyce Gentles Kneeling device with removable handles
GB2405327B (en) * 2003-08-28 2007-03-28 Alice Joyce Gentles Kneeling device

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
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