GB2054354A

GB2054354A - Folding bench table combination

Info

Publication number: GB2054354A
Application number: GB7926373A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TAY VALLEY JOINERY Ltd
Current assignee: TAY VALLEY JOINERY Ltd
Priority date: 1979-07-28
Filing date: 1979-07-28
Publication date: 1981-02-18
Also published as: GB2054354B

Abstract

An article of furniture having a table and at least one bench, the table being connected to an end support member in a manner whereby one end of the table is slidable up and down the support member so that when said one end is in its lowest position the table extends horizontally from the support member, and when said one end is in its highest position the table lies vertically on the support member, the bench also being hinged to the support member, and movable between a first position in which it extends horizontally from the support member and a second position in which it lies vertically on the support member.

Description

SPECIFICATION Foldaway furniture This invention relates to foldaway furniture.

In the modern trend towards more compact living accommodation there has grown a demand for furniture which can be dismantled or folded away when not in use, as witness folding beds and the like, or which can serve several purposes, for example bedsettees.

An object of thins invention is to provide a tableand-bench set which when not in use can be folded into a form which is compact and unobstrusive.

According to the present invention there is provided an article of furniture having a table and at least one bench, the table being connected to an end support member in a manner whereby one end of the table is slidable up and down the support member so that when said one end is in its lowest position the table extends horizontally from the support member and when said one end is in its highest position the table lies vertically on the support member, and the bench being hinged to the support member, and movable between a first position in which it extends horizontally from the support member and a second position in which it lies vertically on the support member.

The hinge connection between the bench and the support member may be such as to allow pivoting about more than one axis to facilitate correct positioning of the bench in its first position.

Preferably two benches are provided and in their first positions they lie one along each side of the table when the table is horizontal.

The movement of the table may be by sliding in runners in the support members, and a strut may be provided between the table and the support member to ensure that the table is at its correct angle at each position; the strut is preferably hinged to the support member and to the table.

The or each bench may have end leg supports which are pivotally connected to the bench so as to extend vertically when the bench is in its first position and to lie flat on the support member when the bench is in its second position.

The arrangement is preferably such that when the table and bench are in their vertical position the bench assumes the appearance of a door which on pivoting reveals the table.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying representations in which: Figs. 1 to 4 are all perspective views of an article of furniture of this invention in progressively more advanced stages of assembly into its in-use position; and Fig. 5 is a further perspective view in its assembled position.

The furniture shown in the representations is in the form of a table and bench set for kitchen use and has a table 1 and two benches 2, each hingedly connected to a support member in the form of an upright open-fronted cabinet 3.

The table 1 is slidable at one end in vertical plastics runners 4 on the cabinet side walls, and an aluminium strut 5 extends between brackets 6 on the table 1 and brackets 7 on the cabinet back wall, the brackets 6 and 7 allowing pivotal movement of the strut 5 within them. The table end is lockable in its lowest position against a wooden batten 8 fixed on the cabinet 3 by means of a metal lock 9, and in this position the table 1 extends horizontally from the cabinet 3.

The benches 2 comprise seat portions 10 hingediy connected at 15 to end legs 11, 12 the legs 11 and 12 of each bench being interconnected by an aluminium spar 13 pivotally connected to each leg, thus providing a parallelogram arrangement. The legs 11 are connected to the cabinet 3 through hinges 14.

The table 1 is wooden with a plastics laminate, for example Formica (Registered Trade Mark), applied to its surface.

When the table 1 and benches 2 are not in use they are stored as shown in Fig. 1 so as to lie vertically on the cabinet 3. Magnetic catches are provided on the underside of the benches 2 which engage with corresponding metal flats on the cabinet 3, to hold the stored assembly in place.

To move the assembly into its in-use position the benches 2 are swung about the hinges 14 into the position shown in Fig. 2. The benches 2 are then pivoted about the hinges 15 into a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3, this movement simultaneously causing the end leg 12 to move into its support attitude.

The table 1 is grasped at its lower edge which is then pulled outwards, causing the upperegeto slide downwards in the runners 4. The table is guided during this movement by the restraint of the runners 4 and the strut 5 and a position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is reached in which the table 1 is horizontal. The end adjacent the cabinet 3 is then secured by the lock 9 against further sliding motion.

The table and bench set of this embodiment of the invention provides kitchen furniture which can be easily and quickly stored in a very small space when not in use, and in its stored position presents an attractive appearance.

Modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. An article of furniture having a table and at least one bench, the table being connected to an end support member in a manner whereby one end of the table is slidable up and down the support member so that when said one end is in its lowest position the table extends horizontally from the support member and when said one end is in its highest position the table lies vertically on the support member, and the bench being hinged to the support member, and movable between a first position in which it extends horizontally from the support

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Foldaway furniture This invention relates to foldaway furniture. In the modern trend towards more compact living accommodation there has grown a demand for furniture which can be dismantled or folded away when not in use, as witness folding beds and the like, or which can serve several purposes, for example bedsettees. An object of thins invention is to provide a tableand-bench set which when not in use can be folded into a form which is compact and unobstrusive. According to the present invention there is provided an article of furniture having a table and at least one bench, the table being connected to an end support member in a manner whereby one end of the table is slidable up and down the support member so that when said one end is in its lowest position the table extends horizontally from the support member and when said one end is in its highest position the table lies vertically on the support member, and the bench being hinged to the support member, and movable between a first position in which it extends horizontally from the support member and a second position in which it lies vertically on the support member. The hinge connection between the bench and the support member may be such as to allow pivoting about more than one axis to facilitate correct positioning of the bench in its first position. Preferably two benches are provided and in their first positions they lie one along each side of the table when the table is horizontal. The movement of the table may be by sliding in runners in the support members, and a strut may be provided between the table and the support member to ensure that the table is at its correct angle at each position; the strut is preferably hinged to the support member and to the table. The or each bench may have end leg supports which are pivotally connected to the bench so as to extend vertically when the bench is in its first position and to lie flat on the support member when the bench is in its second position. The arrangement is preferably such that when the table and bench are in their vertical position the bench assumes the appearance of a door which on pivoting reveals the table. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying representations in which: Figs. 1 to 4 are all perspective views of an article of furniture of this invention in progressively more advanced stages of assembly into its in-use position; and Fig. 5 is a further perspective view in its assembled position. The furniture shown in the representations is in the form of a table and bench set for kitchen use and has a table 1 and two benches 2, each hingedly connected to a support member in the form of an upright open-fronted cabinet 3. The table 1 is slidable at one end in vertical plastics runners 4 on the cabinet side walls, and an aluminium strut 5 extends between brackets 6 on the table 1 and brackets 7 on the cabinet back wall, the brackets 6 and 7 allowing pivotal movement of the strut 5 within them. The table end is lockable in its lowest position against a wooden batten 8 fixed on the cabinet 3 by means of a metal lock 9, and in this position the table 1 extends horizontally from the cabinet 3. The benches 2 comprise seat portions 10 hingediy connected at 15 to end legs 11, 12 the legs 11 and 12 of each bench being interconnected by an aluminium spar 13 pivotally connected to each leg, thus providing a parallelogram arrangement. The legs 11 are connected to the cabinet 3 through hinges 14. The table 1 is wooden with a plastics laminate, for example Formica (Registered Trade Mark), applied to its surface. When the table 1 and benches 2 are not in use they are stored as shown in Fig. 1 so as to lie vertically on the cabinet 3. Magnetic catches are provided on the underside of the benches 2 which engage with corresponding metal flats on the cabinet 3, to hold the stored assembly in place. To move the assembly into its in-use position the benches 2 are swung about the hinges 14 into the position shown in Fig. 2. The benches 2 are then pivoted about the hinges 15 into a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3, this movement simultaneously causing the end leg 12 to move into its support attitude. The table 1 is grasped at its lower edge which is then pulled outwards, causing the upperegeto slide downwards in the runners 4. The table is guided during this movement by the restraint of the runners 4 and the strut 5 and a position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is reached in which the table 1 is horizontal. The end adjacent the cabinet 3 is then secured by the lock 9 against further sliding motion. The table and bench set of this embodiment of the invention provides kitchen furniture which can be easily and quickly stored in a very small space when not in use, and in its stored position presents an attractive appearance. Modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. An article of furniture having a table and at least one bench, the table being connected to an end support member in a manner whereby one end of the table is slidable up and down the support member so that when said one end is in its lowest position the table extends horizontally from the support member and when said one end is in its highest position the table lies vertically on the support member, and the bench being hinged to the support member, and movable between a first position in which it extends horizontally from the support member and a second position in which it lies vertically on the support member

2. An article of furniture according to Claim 1, wherein the hinge connection between the bench and the support is such as to allow pivoting about more than one axis.

3. An article of furniture according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein two benches are provided which in their first positions lie one along each side of the table when the table is horizontal.

4. An article or furniture according to any one of Claims 1,2 and 3, wherein the table is slidable in runners in the support members.

5. An article offurniture according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a strut is provided between the table and the support member for location of the table.

6. An article of furniture according to Claim 5, wherein the strut is hinged to the support member and to the table.

7. An article of furniture according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the or each bench has an end support pivotally connected to the bench so as to extend vertically downwards when the bench is in its first position and to lie flat on the supprt member when the bench is in its second position.

8. An article offurniture according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein when the table and bench are in their vertical position the table is sandwiched between the bench and the support member.

9. An article of furniture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.