GB2025762A

GB2025762A - Assembly Comprising Table Top and Seat

Info

Publication number: GB2025762A
Application number: GB7919693A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DEN HOEK J VAN; MEURKENS G
Current assignee: DEN HOEK J VAN; MEURKENS G
Priority date: 1978-06-07
Filing date: 1979-06-06
Publication date: 1980-01-30
Also published as: NL7806220A; DE2921659A1

Abstract

Assembly comprising at least one seat 4 or 5 and a table top 1 which can be combined to form a berth 6, 1, 7 in a manner such that the berth is at least partially constituted by the table top and is supported by part 8, 12 or 9, 13 of the seat, in which the berth is situated above that part in the seat on which the sitter's weight rests, in use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Assembly Comprising Table Top and Seat The invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one seat and a table top which can be combined to form a berth for one or more person by a few simple operations.

An assembly of this kind in which the berth is consituted by a table top arranged on the opposed edges of two benches placed one on either side of a table is generally known for use in trailer caravans, boats and motor caravans or campers. In order to obtain a satisfactory flat berth, usually special provisions, such as narrow laths, angle irons or the like, are mounted on the said edges and/or on the table top. Although the known constructions enable a satisfactory berth to be obtained, they have disadvantages which do not occur or are reduced in an assembly according to the invention. In addition, in the known constructions a single berth only is produced, and even if it can accommodate more than one person this frequently is insufficient, for example, for families comprising several children.

Especially in trailer caravans, boats and campers this is objectionable, because the overall iiving space generally is very limited. With an assembly according to the invention this disadvantage also is materially mitigated. Furthermore, many other advantages set out hereinafter are obtainable.

An assembly according to the invention comprises at least one seat and a table top which can be combined to form a berth in a manner such that the berth is at least partially constituted by the table top and is supported by part of the seat and is characterized in that the berth is situated above the seat (in the sense of the surface on which the sitter's weight rests) of the seat (in the sense of sitting accommodation) Compared with the known assemblies in which the berth is at the same level as the seat of the chair or bench the assembly according to the invention provides many advantages. For example, the space under the seat or seats is more readily accessible; this space is frequently used as storage, but in the known constructions is substantially inaccessible after the formation of the berth.Especially if according to the invention the berth is spaced from the seating surface of the seat or seats by a comparatively great distance the said storage space is readily accessible.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention the said great distance is simply obtained if the table top is not a loose top but forms part of a table having a normal height (using from 60 to 75 cm) and the berth is formed at the same level. In this embodiment the berth can advantageously be formed by piacing the seat of the sitting accommodation between the table top and the upper edge of the back or backs of the sitting accommodation. However, other embodiments also are possible in which the berth may be formed by the top and one or more separate leaves. The leaves may be hinged to the table top or to the upper edges of the backs of the chair(s) or bench(es).A particularly great advantage of an assembly according to the invention especially in a berth at table top level, is that the space under the elevated berth may itself be used and arranged as a berth for one or more persons.

Especially if the seat or seats of the sitting accommodation is or are used to complete the elevated berth, this embodiemnt is very attractive, for thus the space occupied by the table and the sitting accommodation is used to form two berths one above the other. Particularly in boats, trailer caravans or motor caravans the said arrangement is considerably more advantageous than the formation of two berths side by side, because the latter greatly restricts-the moving and living space. A further advantage is that when the sitting accommodation is in the form of benches each seating two or more persons, part of the seat or seats can be retained as such, the remainder being combined with part of the table top to form a berth. (Obviously in this embodiment the seat or seats must be loose members). Thus some person or persons may be sitting whilst another or others may be lying down.

It should be remarked that the Netherlands Patent Application 6 512 871 it is known to convert two benches arranged one behind the other in a vehicle or vessel into two berths situated one above the other. However, the method described does not use a table top to form the upper berth. Obviously certain constructional means must be used to impart sufficient strength to the (upper) berth formed. In particular, a firm connection must be established between the table top and the other component parts of the berth and the support. These means may consist of known elements, such as bolts, bearing ribs, clamping connections and the like.

Although hereinbefore use in a boat, trailer caravan or motor caravan have mainly been referred to, an assembly according to the invention may also be used in a house. It may then take the form of a piece of furniture (which may transportabie and/or folding) by securing the table and the sitting accommodation to a base.

The invention will now be described with reference to drawings which show embodiments of an assembly according to the invention.

Entirely by way of example all the embodiments refer to an assembly for use in a motor caravan or camper, sitting accommodation in the form of benches being disposed on either side of a table.

In the drawings: Fig. 1. is a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention before the formation of the berth; Fig. 2. shows the assembly of Fig. 1. after the formation of the berth from the table top and the bench seats; Fig. 3. is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the invention after the formation of a berth from the table top and the backs of the benches; Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the invention before the formation of a berth from the table top and two additional leaves; Fig. 5. is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an assembly according to the invention before the formation of the berth.

Fig. 1. shows a table which consists of a table top 1 and a support 2 which rests on the floor, for example the bottom of the camper. The table top 1 is also secured to the wall of the camper at 3.

This securing may be fixed, for example by bolts and nuts, or detachable, for example by the use of supporting ribs provided on the table top and/or the wall. Benches 4 and 5 comprise detachable seats 6 and 7 and backs 8 and 9, respectively.

The benches are supported in known manner by side panels 10 and 11, the wall of the camper and the connecting and supporting members required, for example angle irons or wooden ribs, two of which are designated by 12 and 13 respectively.

At the front the benches may be closed by partitions, which may be removable. On the seats and against the backs of the benches may be closed by partitions, which may be removable. On the seats and against the backs of the benches loose or fixed cushions (not shown) may be provided.

If the table and the benches are to be converted into a berth, the seats 6 and 7 are detachable and placed between the table and the upper edges of the backs 8 and 9. Obviously the width of the seats must be properly chosen so that a flat continuous berth is obtainable, as is shown in Fig. 2. Obviously the connection between the table top 1 and the members 6 and 7 (initially seats) must be such that a firm unit is formed. Also the members 6 and 7 must be supported by the backs 8 and 9 respectively so as to preclude any possibilility of these members 6 and 7 slipping off the backs. If necessary, pins may be used which are inserted through the edges of the members 6 and 7 into holes in the backs 8 and 9, respectively.However, if the table top 1 is secured to the wall of the camper and to the members 6 and 7 with sufficient strength, such provisions often are unnecessary, especially if, as is shown in Fig. 2. separate supporting bars 14 and 1 5 are mounted between the corners of the table top 1 and the benches 4 and 5, respectively.

In construction shown in Fig. 1. and 2. the angle irons 12 and 13 are hinged to the benches 4 and 5 at 1 6 and 17, respectively. Turning over the angle irons enables them (with suitably chosen dimensions) to be used for supporting the members 6 and 7, as is shown in Fig. 2.

Because the assembly after its conversion into a berth forms a stable and rigid unit, the initial table support 2 may, if desired, be removed or, as is shown in Fig. 2. folded into contact with the lower surface of the table top.

As Figs. 1 and 2. show, the space under the initial seats become readily accessible and consequently can be used to form a second berth.

Thus a particularly advantageous embodiment of an assembly according to the invention is obtained with two berths one above the other.

With a normal table height of about 70 cm the height of the space under the upper berth is amply sufficient. If the attachment of the table to the wall of the camper is detachable and the dimensions of the backs are correspondingly suitably chosen, the table may be slightly raised or lowered. This is determined inter alia by the desired and available headroom above the upper berth.

Cushions or the like for making comfortable beds on the berths may be stored in the benches in a usual manner and owing to the construction according to the invention always are readily accessible.

In Fig. 3, the berth is formed by the table top 1 and members 1 8 and 1 9 which are rigidly connected to members 20 and 21. Before the formation of the berth the members 18 and 19 were the backs and the members 20 and 21 the seats of the chairs or benches 4 and 5 respectively shown in broken lines. An advantage of this embodiment is that the members 18-20 and 19-21 may be disposed so that the persons sitting on the chairs or benches (i.e. before the formation of the berth) can look in the same direction, for example in the direction of the motion of the camper.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 two additional leaves 22 and 23 are hinged to the lower surface of the table top 1. They are held in this position, for example, by a pin or swivel (not shown). The width of these additional leaves is chosen so that in the extended position (shown in broken lines) they just bridge the distance between the top 1 and the backs of the chairs or benches 4 and 5 and thus from a berth together with the table top 1. The connection of the additional leaves 22 and 23 to the backs may be established for example by pins 27 and 28. The length of the table top 1 and of the leaves 22 and 23 is such that the support 2 can be secured to the top 1.

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 4. in which additional leaves 29 and 30 are connected to the backs of the chairs and benches 4 and 5 by hinges 31 and 32, respectively.

Claims

1. Assembly comprising at least one seat and a table top which can be combined to form a berth in a manner such that the berth is at least partially constituted by the table top and is supported by part of the seat, in which the berth is situated above that part in the seat on which the sitter's weight rests.

2. Assembly as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the table top forms part of a table having a given height and the berth is at the same level as the table.

3. Assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support is constituted by a back of the sitting accommodation.

4. Assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the berth is constituted by the table top and at least one detachable seat of the sitting accommodation.

5. Assmebly as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, characterized in that the berth is constituted by the table top and at least one back of the sitting accommodation.

6. Assembly as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, characterized in that the berth is constituted by the table top and at least one additonal leaf hinged to the top.

7. Assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the berth is constituted by the table top and at least one additional leaf hinged to the upper end of the back or backs.

8. Assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, characterized in that two berths are formed one above the other.

9. Piece of furniture comprising an assembly as claimed in Claim 1,2,3,4, 5, 6,7, or 8.

10. Motor caravan or camper provided with an assembly or piece of furniture as claimed in Claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8or9.