GB2160767A

GB2160767A - Bench seats

Info

Publication number: GB2160767A
Application number: GB08514788A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Ian Corkill; Colin Douglas Smith
Original assignee: DORMAY INVESTMENTS Ltd
Current assignee: DORMAY INVESTMENTS Ltd
Priority date: 1984-06-26
Filing date: 1985-06-11
Publication date: 1986-01-02
Also published as: GB8514788D0; GB8416267D0

Abstract

A bench seat having a back rest (5, 6) is convertible to a combined bench and picnic table by arranging for the seat back to pivot to a position where it is horizontal and suitably spaced from the seat (3, 4). In a modification the back is supported on arms articulated to the seat frame so that in the table position it can swing forward of the seat so that users can face in the same direction as when it is used with a back rest. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bench seats This invention relates to a bench seat, more particularly one for use in public orsemi-public places, such as forest picnic sites etc. In such places, especially those of scenic value, there is a requirement for seating to be available in positions where a view can be enjoyed, but there can also be a requirement for picnic benches, that is to say a table with at least one integral bench seat. In such situations in the past, either both kinds of equipment have been provided or one ofthe requirerrents has gone unsatisfied.

According to the invention a bench seat and a picnic table are combined in a single piece of equipment by providing a bench with a seat-back that can be pivoted into a horizontal plane to form the table of a picnic bench.

In a preferred form of the invention the seat-back is carried on one or more arms articulated to the bench seat in such a way that when pivoted into the position for use as a table, the seat-back occupies a position away from that which it occupied as a seat-back. This may be achieved by supporting the seat-back on a pair of arms pivoted low down on the frame ofthe bench and arranged to swing between a back.vard position where the seat-back performs its normal function and a forward position where they support the seat-back for use as a table.

The above and otherfeatures ofthe invention will be apparentfromthefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa side elevation of one form of the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of a furtherform of the invention, and Figure 3 is a front elevation commonto both Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Referring first to Figure 1 a bench seat comprises a pairofA-frames 1 joined bya stretcher2 and having seat bearers 3 supporting seatslats 4. The A-frame members shown on the left of the drawing are continued upwards to carry the seat-back which comprises a pair of bearers 5 to which are secured a further set of slats 6 forming the actual back rest.

The bearers 5 are secured to the upward extensions of the A-frames by pivot bolts or shafts 7 so as to be able to swing from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in broken lines, in which latter position it is arrested by a stop 8. It may be further held in this position by a stay or latch (not shown) acting between the bearer and an upward extension of the A-frame 1. When used as a seatthe users will be facing to the right in the drawing, and when used as a picnic table they will be facing in the opposite direction.

In some situations it will be inconvenientforthe users to face in opposite directions for different uses, and a furtherform ofthe invention is shown in Figure 2 where this is not necessary. In this form an A-frame 11 -is used as befotewhich is composed of legs 1 a connected at the top by bearers 12 and joined below by a stretcher 13. The bearers 12 support a slatted seat 14 and a seat-back 15 is separately carried on stiles 16 which are pivoted on the stretchers 13. When required for use as a picnic table the seat-back is swung so that the stiles 16 occupy the forward position shown in broken lines where they are arrested by stops 17. At the same time the seat-back is swung about pivots 19 bywhich it is secured to the stiles 16 into a horizontal position as shown in broken lines. It is held in this position by stops 20.Suitable stays or latches may be provided between the stiles 16 and the seat-back 15 to stabilise the latter when it is in use as a table.

Horizontal stretchers 21 extend between the two A-frames.

In both forms of the invention described above, both the seat proper and the partforming the table have been illustrated as being composed ofseparated slats of wood. It will be understood thatthis spacing may vary according to circumstances and that, especially in the case of the table part, the spaces may be omitted orthe surface may be composed of a continuous sheet of material such as plywood.

1. A bench seat and picnic table combined in a single piece of equipment, comprising a bench having a seat back pivoted on supports attached to the bench so as to be capable of being swung into a horizontal plane to form the table of a picnic bench.

2. A bench seat according to claim 1 wherein the supports are articulated to the bench in such a way that, when the seat back is pivoted into the position for use as a table, it occupies a position away from that which it occupied when in use as a seat back.

3. A bench seat according to claim 2 wherein the supportsforthe seat back comprise a pair of arms pivoted low down on the frame ofthe bench and arranged to swing between a backward position where the seat back lies approximately on the longitudinal axis of the arms and a forward position where they support the seat back in a horizontal attitudeforuse as a table.

4. Acombined bench seat and picnic table sub stantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 ofthedrawings.

5. Acombined bench seat and picnictablesub stantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Bench seats This invention relates to a bench seat, more particularly one for use in public orsemi-public places, such as forest picnic sites etc. In such places, especially those of scenic value, there is a requirement for seating to be available in positions where a view can be enjoyed, but there can also be a requirement for picnic benches, that is to say a table with at least one integral bench seat. In such situations in the past, either both kinds of equipment have been provided or one ofthe requirerrents has gone unsatisfied. According to the invention a bench seat and a picnic table are combined in a single piece of equipment by providing a bench with a seat-back that can be pivoted into a horizontal plane to form the table of a picnic bench. In a preferred form of the invention the seat-back is carried on one or more arms articulated to the bench seat in such a way that when pivoted into the position for use as a table, the seat-back occupies a position away from that which it occupied as a seat-back. This may be achieved by supporting the seat-back on a pair of arms pivoted low down on the frame ofthe bench and arranged to swing between a back.vard position where the seat-back performs its normal function and a forward position where they support the seat-back for use as a table. The above and otherfeatures ofthe invention will be apparentfromthefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa side elevation of one form of the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of a furtherform of the invention, and Figure 3 is a front elevation commonto both Figure 1 and Figure 2. Referring first to Figure 1 a bench seat comprises a pairofA-frames 1 joined bya stretcher2 and having seat bearers 3 supporting seatslats 4. The A-frame members shown on the left of the drawing are continued upwards to carry the seat-back which comprises a pair of bearers 5 to which are secured a further set of slats 6 forming the actual back rest. The bearers 5 are secured to the upward extensions of the A-frames by pivot bolts or shafts 7 so as to be able to swing from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in broken lines, in which latter position it is arrested by a stop 8. It may be further held in this position by a stay or latch (not shown) acting between the bearer and an upward extension of the A-frame 1. When used as a seatthe users will be facing to the right in the drawing, and when used as a picnic table they will be facing in the opposite direction. In some situations it will be inconvenientforthe users to face in opposite directions for different uses, and a furtherform ofthe invention is shown in Figure 2 where this is not necessary. In this form an A-frame 11 -is used as befotewhich is composed of legs 1 a connected at the top by bearers 12 and joined below by a stretcher 13. The bearers 12 support a slatted seat 14 and a seat-back 15 is separately carried on stiles 16 which are pivoted on the stretchers 13. When required for use as a picnic table the seat-back is swung so that the stiles 16 occupy the forward position shown in broken lines where they are arrested by stops 17. At the same time the seat-back is swung about pivots 19 bywhich it is secured to the stiles 16 into a horizontal position as shown in broken lines. It is held in this position by stops 20.Suitable stays or latches may be provided between the stiles 16 and the seat-back 15 to stabilise the latter when it is in use as a table. Horizontal stretchers 21 extend between the two A-frames. In both forms of the invention described above, both the seat proper and the partforming the table have been illustrated as being composed ofseparated slats of wood. It will be understood thatthis spacing may vary according to circumstances and that, especially in the case of the table part, the spaces may be omitted orthe surface may be composed of a continuous sheet of material such as plywood. CLAIMS

4. Acombined bench seat and picnic table sub stantially as herein described with reference to Figure

1 ofthedrawings.