EP0812554A2

EP0812554A2 - Collapsible support surface and seating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP0812554A2
Application number: EP96402578A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Willis Ray Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-10
Filing date: 1996-11-28
Publication date: 1997-12-17
Also published as: KR980000265A; CN1169840A; JPH1094449A; AU7421496A; MX9606101A; CA2192134A1

Abstract

A collapsible desk and chair apparatus 10 including a one piece desk member 20 having two pairs of support legs 30, 30 and 31, 31 pivotally connected thereto and to one another and a seat unit 13 pivotally connected to both the desk member 20 and one of the pairs 30, 30 of support legs. The other pair of support legs 31, 31 are both pivotally and movably connected to the underside 22 of the desk member 20. A collapsible table and chair apparatus 110 including a pair of table top halves 120, 121 pivotally associated with two pairs 132 and 133 of support legs that are pivotally secured to one another. A seat member 140 pivotally associated with one of the pairs 132 of support legs and provided with means 142 for maintaining the seat member 140 in a fixed position relative to the pair of support legs 132 when the apparatus 110 is deployed in the operative mode.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of collapsible furniture in general, and in particular to a collapsible support surface and seating apparatus such as a table or desk and chair apparatus, having a novel and unique cooperation between the support surface, the support legs and the seat member; and a novel and unique connection of a support unit for the support surface and the seat member or unit.

Description of the Related Art

Prior art constructions of collapsible furniture devices are disadvantageous in failure to provide a simple, efficient, and compact arrangement for a collapsible surface, such as table or desk, and chair apparatus, wherein the apparatus occupies the minimum possible storage space while not in use and which is very easy to deploy in its operative mode, while also providing a very stable platform surface for both the table or desk and chair or seat members.
For example, the currently available collapsible table and bench or chair arrangements are difficult to assemble, require too much storage space when not in use, and are difficult to transport from one location to another.
Educators in a limited space multi-use classroom environment and parents with pre-schoolers have long realized the benefit of having a well constructed collapsible table and chair apparatus that could be employed by young children for work, play, eating, studying, etc.
In addition, target shooters are always looking for collapsible shooting benches having a stable support for their firearms and accessories while also providing a comfortable seating arrangement.
Accordingly, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved collapsible surface, such as table or desk and chair apparatus that is simple to use, compact during storage, adapted for a variety of functional purposes, and provides extremely stable work and torso supporting surfaces for the user, and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a support surface and seating apparatus which includes a support surface comprising at least one support surface member having a top surface and bottom surface; a first pair of support legs pivotally secured to the bottom surface of the support surface member at a first location; a second pair of support legs pivotally secured to the bottom surface of the support surface member at a second location; wherein, the intermediate portions of the first and second pairs of support legs are pivotally secured to one another; and a seat unit pivotally associated with at least one of the pairs of support legs and the bottom surface of the support surface member.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one support surface member is a single support surface member, wherein the bottom surface of the support surface member is provided with a pair of channel track elements; and the upper ends of the second pair of support legs are slidably and pivotally received in the channel track elements.
For purposes of the present invention, the seat unit comprises a seat member; a pair of seat support arms fixedly secured on one end to the seat member and pivotally secured on the other end to one of the pairs of support legs. The seat unit also includes means for maintaining the seat member in a horizontal disposition. The seat unit also includes an angled brace element which is pivotally connected on one end to the bottom surface of the desk member and pivotally secured on the other end to the pair of seat support arms, wherein the first pair of support legs are dimensioned to nest within the second pair of support legs, and wherein the seat support arms are dimensioned to nest within the first pair of support legs.
The apparatus of the present invention also includes biasing means for biasing the first and second pairs of support legs into an open position relative to one another. Preferably the means for biasing includes spring means operatively associated with the first and second pairs of support legs for biasing the pairs of support legs into a spring biased open position.
For purposes of the present invention, the first pair of support legs are substantially longer than the second pair of support legs, and the second pair of support legs are substantially wider than the first pair of support legs, wherein the first pair of support legs have a slightly outwardly flared lower portion, and the second pair of support legs have a slightly inwardly flared upper portion and a substantially outwardly flared lower portion.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one support surface comprises two support surface top halves wherein each support surface top half is operatively attached to a pair of table support arms, and each of the support surface top halves are pivotally associated with the first and second pair of support legs, and wherein the seat unit comprises a pair of seat support arms which are pivotally connected to a pair of the support legs.
The apparatus of the present invention also includes means associated with the seat unit for maintaining the at least one seat member in a horizontal disposition when the seat unit is deployed in the operative mode, wherein the means for maintaining comprises a seat brace element pivotally secured on one end to the pair of seat support arms and pivotally secured on the other end to a portion of the table unit, and the seat brace element is pivotally secured on the other end to one of the pair of table support arms.
In accordance with the present invention, at least one of the pair of support surface support arms, both of the pairs of table support legs, and the pair of seat support arms are provided with the same generally contoured configuration. For purposes of the present invention, the same general contoured configuration includes a generally narrow parallel portion; an outwardly flared intermediate portion; and a generally wide parallel portion, wherein the contoured pair of seat support arms and the pair of contoured support surface support arms nest between one of the pairs of tale support legs.
The present invention is also directed to a collapsible support surface and seating apparatus comprising a pair of support surface top halves wherein each support surface top half is pivotally associated with a selected one of two pairs of support legs including a first pair of support legs and a second pair of support legs wherein the pairs of support legs are pivotally connected to one another; and a pair of seat members wherein each seat member is pivotally associated with one of the pairs of support legs and provided with means for maintaining the seat member in a fixed position relative to the one of the pairs of support legs, in addition to an auxiliary leg assembly pivotally connected to the two pairs of support legs, wherein, the auxiliary leg assembly includes a pair of relatively short leg members pivotally connected to one another, and each of the relatively short leg members comprise a pair of contoured leg elements, wherein, one of the pair of contoured leg elements are dimensioned to be received within the other pair of contoured leg elements, wherein, each support surface top half is provided with a pair of support arms having an outboard end rigidly secured thereto and an inboard end pivotally connected to one of the pair of support legs, and, wherein, the outboard ends of the support arms of each support surface top half substantially overlap the inboard ends of the support arms of each other.
In accordance with the present invention, where one of the pairs of support legs is elongated so that they will extend a greater distance beyond the table unit, the seat unit which is pivotally associated with the elongated pair of support legs advantageously can be spaced from the overhang of the table unit. Also, where the other pair of support legs is both slidably and pivotally associated with the track elements disposed beneath the table unit, both pairs of support legs advantageously may be disposed into a spring biased opening movement relative to the table unit.
Also in accordance with the present invention, where both pairs of support legs are elongated and extend beyond the table unit, the seat unit which is pivotally associated with the elongated pairs of support legs advantageously can be spaced from the overhang of the table unit.
In addition, the apparatus is specifically designed and contoured to accommodate adjacent portions of the apparatus advantageously to produce the smallest possible apparatus profile during storage and/or transport. Furthermore, the various support arms and legs of the apparatus are spaced from one another such that advantageously they not only do not interfere with one another, but, in some instances captively surround each other to further diminish the apparatus profile.
In either embodiment, the collapsible support surface and seating apparatus, such as the desk or table and chair apparatus, that forms the basis of the present invention, includes a support surface unit, such as a table unit or desk unit, a table or desk support unit pivotally connected to the table or desk unit, and a seat unit pivotally connected to the table or desk support unit. The support unit includes two pivotally connected pairs of support legs that comprise the primary support structure for the apparatus.
As used herein, the terms support surface, table, and desk may be used interchangeably. As used herein, the terms seat, bench, and chair may be used interchangeably.
Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support surface and seating apparatus comprises a one piece desk member having a top surface and bottom surface; a first pair of support legs pivotally secured to the bottom surface of the desk member at a fixed location; a second pair of support legs pivotally secured to the bottom surface of the desk member at a moveable location; wherein, the intermediate portions of the first and second pairs of support legs are pivotally secured to one another; and a seat unit pivotally associated with one of the pairs of support legs and the bottom surface of the desk member.
In another preferred embodiment, the collapsible support surface and seating apparatus comprises a table unit including two table top halves wherein each table top half is operatively attached to a pair of table support arms; a table support unit including a first pair of support legs and a second pair of support legs; wherein, the support legs are pivotally secured to one another and each of the table top halves are pivotally associated with one of the pair of support legs; and a seat unit including at least one seat member provided with a pair of seat support arms, which are pivotally connected to one of the pairs of support legs; and means associated with the seat unit for maintaining the at least one seat member in a horizontal disposition when the seat unit is deployed in the operative mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the apparatus in the collapsed mode;
FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the apparatus in the collapsed mode;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the upper portions of the table support unit;
FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the apparatus in the operational mode;
FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the apparatus in the operational mode; and
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the apparatus in the collapsed mode.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one version of the combined table and chair apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention deployed in its operative mode;
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the first version of the apparatus in the collapsed mode;
FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the first version of the apparatus in the operative mode;
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the first version of the apparatus depicted in the collapsed mode;
FIG. 12 is an above eye level perspective view of the first version of the invention in the operative mode;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second version of the combined table and chair apparatus; and,
FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the second version of the apparatus in the collapsed mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen by reference to the drawings; and in particularly to FIG. 1, the collapsible support surface and seating apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference number 10. The apparatus 10 comprises in general, a desk unit 11, a desk support unit 12, and a seat unit 13. These units will now be described in seriatim fashion.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the desk unit 11 comprises an enlarged generally rectangular one-piece desk member 20 having a top surface 21, and a bottom surface 22 provided with a pair of elongated channel track elements 23 disposed in a parallel and spaced apart relationship relative to one another. The purpose and function of the channel track elements 23 will be explained presently.
As can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the desk support unit 12 comprises two pairs 30, 30 and 31, 31 of support legs that are operatively associated with the bottom surface 22 of the desk member 20 and pivotally secured to one another as at 32, 32 proximate their respective midpoints.
The first pair of support legs 30, 30 are pivotally and fixedly secured on their upper ends 33 to the bottom surface 22 of the desk member 20. The second pair of support legs 31, 31 are pivotally and movably connected on their upper ends 34, 34 within the channel track elements 23 for reasons that will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification.
As can be appreciated particularly by reference to FIG. 3, the first pair of support legs 30, 30 are substantially straighter and longer than the second pair of support legs 31, 31. The upper and intermediate portions of the support legs 30, 30 are relatively closely spaced and parallel to one another. The lower portion of the support legs 30, 30 are slightly outwardly flared and connected to one another by a relatively short cross-piece member 35.
Still referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the second pair of support legs 31, 31 have a contoured configuration including a slightly inwardly flared intermediate portion and a substantially outwardly flared lower portion wherein the lower portions of the support legs 31, 31 are connected to one another by an elongated contoured cross-piece member 36 having an outwardly bowed intermediate portion dimensioned to accommodate the lower portion of the first pair of support legs 30, 30 when the apparatus 10 is disposed in the collapsed mode.
Returning once more to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the seat unit 13 comprises in general a seat member 40 provided with a pair of contoured seat support arms 41, 41 which are fixedly secured on their outboard ends to the seat member 40 and are pivotally secured on their inner ends as at 42, 42 to the intermediate portion of the first pair of support legs 30, 30.
In addition, the seat unit 13 further includes an angled brace element 43 which is pivotally secured on its lower end to the intermediate portions of the contoured seat support arms 41, 41 and which is pivotally secured on its upper end as at 45 to the bottom surface 22 of the desk member 20.
At this juncture, it should be noted that in the preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 4, both the pivoted connection of the upper end of the angled brace element 43 and the upper ends of the first pair of support legs 30, 30 are accomplished via an intermediary pair of contoured support arms 50, 50 which are rigidly secured to the bottom surface 22 of the desk member 20. Whereas, the intermediary pair of contoured support arms 50, 50 are provided primarily for the purpose of providing rigidity and support to the desk member 20. It is to be understood that individual conventional pivot support structures (not shown) could be substituted therefor, and still fall within the teachings of this invention.
It should further be noted by reference to FIG. 4, that the first 30, 30 and second 31, 31 pairs of support legs are normally biased into their open disposition by a pair of spring elements 38 which are in operative contact with adjacent pairs of support legs at their pivoted connection 32 to facilitate the transition of the apparatus 10 from the collapsed mode of FIGS. 2 and 7 to the operative mode of FIGS. 5 and 6.
In addition, a handle member 60 is rigidly affixed to the bottom surface 22 of the desk member 20 to facilitate the transport of the apparatus 10 from one location to another. A pair of stop elements 25, 25 are positioned adjacent the open end of the channel track elements 23, 23 to prevent the second pair of support legs 31, 31 from becoming disengaged with the channel track elements 23, 23.
As can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, the first pair of table support legs 30, 30 are substantially longer than the second pair of support legs 31, 31 for the simple reason that the seat unit 13 must be cantilevered out from the desk member 20 in its operative mode of disposition. Furthermore, while the upper ends of the first pair of table support legs 30, 30 are connected to the underside 22 of the desk member 20 in a straightforward pivoted fashion, the upper ends of the second pair of support legs 31, 31 are both pivotally and movably disposed in the channel track elements 23 so that the second pair of support legs 31, 31 can be translated from the storage position of FIGS. 3 and 4 to the operative position of FIGS. 5 and 6.
When the apparatus 10 is in the fully collapsed mode depicted in FIG. 7, the width of the apparatus 10 equals the combined width of the outer pair of support legs 31 plus the thickness of the desk member 20. This exceptionally slim profile is made possible both by the nesting contour of the structural components illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as the unique moveable pivot arrangement produced by the channel track elements 23.
Since the primary purpose and function of the apparatus 10 is in a classroom environment, this invention also contemplates the provision of a removable and/or retractable privacy screen 60 as depicted in phantom in FIG. 5.
As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 8, the collapsible support surface and seating apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 110. The apparatus 110 comprises in general, a table unit 111, a table support unit 112, and a chair unit 113. These units will now be described in seriatim fashion.
As shown in FIGS. 8 thru 12, the table unit 111 comprises a pair of table top halves 120 and 121 wherein one table top half 120 is fixedly secured on the outboard end of a first pair of outer generally straight table support arms 122 and the other table top half 121 is fixedly secured on the outboard end of a second pair of inner contoured table support arms 123.
In addition, as can best be seen by reference to Fig. 12, the outerboard ends of both pairs oftable support arms 122, 123 substantially overlap the inboard ends of each other to provide substantial underlying support to the table top halves 120, 121.
Referring to FIGS. 10 thru 12, it can be seen that the table support unit 112 comprises a first pair of outer elongated contoured support legs 132 and a second pair of inner contoured support legs 133 wherein the first and second pairs of support legs 132 and 133 are pivotally secured to one another as at 131. In addition, each pair of support legs 132 and 133 have a flared portion disposed proximate to, but spaced from, their lower ends. The lower ends of each pair of support legs 132 and 133 are provided with stiffening cross piece member 134; and, a handle element 135 is disposed on a cross-piece element 136 which extends between the upper portion of the support legs 133.
As can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the free ends of the generally straight support arms 122 are pivotally secured to the upper ends of the elongated pair of support legs 133 and the free ends of the contoured table support arms 123 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the support legs 132.
As shown in FIGS. 8 thru 12, the seat unit 113 comprises a pair of seat members 140 wherein each seat member 140 is fixedly secured to the outboard ends of a pair of contoured seat support arms 141 wherein the inboard ends of the seat support arms 141 are pivotally secured to the elongated support legs 132 and 133 respectfully. In addition, an angled seat brace element 142 has a lower end pivotally secured to the intermediate portion of the seat support arms 141 and an upper end pivotally secured to the contoured table support arms 122.
As can best be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 2 through 5, both pairs of support legs 132, 133, the seat support arms 41 and the contoured table support arms 123 have the same general overall configuration which includes a somewhat narrow parallel portion, and outwardly flared intermediate portion and a generally wide parallel portion wherein the contoured portions are dimensioned and designed to cooperate with one another in a generally nesting fashion to produce the smallest possible storage profile for the combined table and chair apparatus 110.
To that end the upper portion of the seat brace element 142 nests between the contoured table support arms 123. The contoured table support arms 123 nest between the seat support arms 141 and the table support legs 132. The relatively elongated table support legs 132 nest between the relatively short table support legs 133. Furthermore, all of the support arms and legs, as well as the brace element, have the same width and all of the pivoted connections are vertically aligned when the combined table and chair apparatus 110 is disposed in the collapsed mode as shown in FIG. 9.
Accordingly, the total width of the preferred version of the table and chair apparatus equals the combined width of the support legs 132, 133 plus the combined thickness of both table top halves 120 and 121, which is the smallest possible structural storage profile that can be achieved for a two piece collapsible table let alone the combined table and chair apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention.
In the alternate version of the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, a structural difference involves an auxiliary leg assembly 150 comprising a pair of relatively short auxiliary leg members 151 and 152 wherein the auxiliary leg members 151, 152 ate pivotally connected to one another on their lower ends; and, pivotally connected on their upper ends relatively to the pairs of support legs 132 and 133 proximate the pivoted connection of the seat support arms 141 with the support legs 132, 133.
It should also be noted that each of the auxiliary leg members 151 and 152 comprise a pair of contoured leg elements wherein the pair of leg elements of auxiliary leg members 151 are dimensioned to be received within the pair of leg elements of auxiliary leg member 152.
It should further be noted that the preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 8 thru 12 is designed for use with children; whereas, the alternate version depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 is designed for adults and requires the presence of the auxiliary leg assembly. Furthermore, as shown in the dashed line portion of FIG. 3, this invention also contemplates the provision of stepped shoulders 138 on each pair of support legs 132, 133 such that the stepped shoulders 138 may serve as a foot rest for the users.
Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, it should be apparent that many substitutions, modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A support surface and seating apparatus comprising:
a support surface comprising at least one support surface member having a top surface and bottom surface;

a first pair of support legs pivotally secured to the bottom surface of the support surface member at a first location;

a second pair of support legs pivotally secured to the bottom surface of the support surface member at a second location; wherein, the intermediate portions of the first and second pairs of support legs are pivotally secured to one another; and

a seat unit pivotally associated with one of said pairs of support legs and the bottom surface of the desk member.
The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one support surface member is a single support surface member.
The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the bottom surface of the support surface member is provided with a pair of channel track elements; and
the upper ends of the second pair of support legs are slidably and pivotally received in said channel track elements.
The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the seat unit comprises:
a seat member;

a pair of seat support arms fixedly secured on one end to said seat member and pivotally secured on the other end to one of said pairs of support legs.
The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the seat unit further includes:
an angled brace element which is pivotally connected on one end to the bottom surface of the desk member and pivotally secured on the other end to the pair of seat support arms.
The apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising:
spring means operatively associated with said first and second pairs of support legs for biasing said pairs of support legs into a spring biased open position.
The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the first pair of support legs are dimensioned to nest within the second pair of support legs, and the seat support arms are dimensioned to nest within the first pair of support legs.
The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the first pair of support legs are substantially longer than the second pair of support legs, wherein the second pair of support legs are substantially wider than the first pair of support legs, and wherein the first pair of support legs have a slightly outwardly flared lower portion, and wherein the second pair of support legs have a slightly inwardly flared upper portion and a substantially outwardly flared lower portion.
The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said at least one support surface comprises two support surface top halves wherein each support surface top half is operatively attached to a pair of table support arms, and each of the support surface top halves are pivotally associated with said first and second pair of support legs.
The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein seat unit comprises a pair of seat support arms which are pivotally connected to a pair of said support legs.