GB2197585A

GB2197585A - Convertible table

Info

Publication number: GB2197585A
Application number: GB8726395A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Leeman Mason
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-11-19
Filing date: 1987-11-11
Publication date: 1988-05-25
Also published as: GB8627661D0; GB8726395D0

Abstract

A table, designed for ready conversion between two positions in which the table surface is at significantly different levels may be used as, say, a dining table in one position and may readily be converted into a second position in which it may serve as a coffee table. It is characterised by a table top and a pair of table support members, which members are independently pivoted to the table top, for pivoting between a first position in which they extend away from each other in a plane generally parallel to the table top and a second position in which they extend laterally away from said plane to provide together a support for said table. <IMAGE>

Description

CONVERTIBLE TABLE The present invention is a convertible table, which is designed for ready conversion between two positions in which the table surface is at significantly different levels.

Many tables have been proposed which, by folding and/or reassembly, can be converted to other functions or afford two or more table heights to meet the varying needs of the user. Where the table height may be varied, often the available range of heights is limited. However the domestic user frequently requires just two different tables, namely a higher level table typified by a dining table and a lower level table of the coffee table type. Thus the ideal domestic table would convert between these two significantly different surface levels.

Available convertible tables frequently depend upon complicated mechanical contrivances to effect the conversion or alternatively have to be separated into pieces and reassembled for this purpose. There does not appear to be available a domestic convertible table which simply and quickly can be converted from use as a dining table to use at coffee-table height.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such a table.

The convertible table according to the present invention is characterised by a table top and a pair of table support members, independently pivoted to said table top, for pivoting between a first position in which they extend away from each other in a plane generally parallel to the table top and a second position in which they extend laterally away from said plane to provide together a support for said table. Thus, in said first position of the support members, the table top may be supported, by legs or other means associated with the support members or independent thereof, at an upper height corresponding to the use of the table as a dining table, while the support members in their said second position themselves support the table top at a lower height corresponding to use of the table as a coffee table or similar occasional table.

The table support members may be pivoted at opposite edges of the table top such that, in their first position, they extend away from those edges in the plane of the table top. For example, the support members may be in the form of table top extensions or "leaves" such that the working area of the table top is greater in the upper position of the table top than in the lower position. As an alternative, the support members may be pivoted to the underside of the table top and may lie flush along that surface in the upper position of the table top. The support members may then each comprise a pair of legs, of such length as to support the table at its lower height.

As indicated, support of the table at its upper height may be afforded by means, for example pairs of table legs, independent of the table support members.

However it is much preferred that the two sets of supports, for the upper and lower heights of the table respectively, be directly linked together, for example integral with each other or secured together, such that a single pivotal movement of each support member brings the respective alternative table supports into and out of use.

For example, in one form of the present invention, each support merriber takes the form of a pair of legs each in two sections substantially at right angles to each other, the respective leg sections being of significantly different lengths oorresponding to the different heights of the table top. In a modification of this form of support member, the two sections of each leg are adjacent sides of a leg in the form (in elevation) of a substantially right-angled triangle, which may be solid or an open frame.

In an alternative form of the invention, each support member is a table top extension having a pair of table legs extending downwardly therefrom, the extension being of a size of the same order as the lower height of the table top and the legs being of such a length as to support the table top at its upper, dining-table height. In either such form of the support members, the legs or leg sections associated with each support member are preferably so placed and dimensioned relative to those of the other support member as to permit the respective legs or leg sections to overlap when the table is in its lower position.

The support members may be formed in wood and for scme of the ertodlments of the convertible table according to the invention this is the preferred material. However, the support members may alternatively be of metal. In particular, visually and functionally attractive forms of the table may be constructed using natal support numbers of tubular section.

The invention will now be further described, and other optional features thereof will be made apparent, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1. illustrates in front elevation ore preferred embodinwt of the convertible table according to the present invention, in its position for use as a dining table: Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 showing the table in a partially converted condition; Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Figs.

1 and 2, showing the table converted for use as a coffee table; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a second errbodirnt of the convertible table according to the present invention, in its position for use as a dining table; Fig. 5 shows the table of Fig. 4 in its lower height position; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a third embodiment of the convertible table according to the present invention, in its dining table position; Fig. 7 shows the table of Fig. 6 in its lower table position; Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a fourth ertodiment of the table according to the present invention, in its dining table position; Fig. 9 shows the table of Fig. 8 in its lower position; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the tubular support members of the table of Figs. 8 and 9, and its associated hinge;; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a fifth embodiment of the table according to the present invention, in its higher position for use as a dining table; and Fig. 12 shows the table of Fig. 11 in its lower position, for use as a coffee table.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the convertible table illustrated comprises a table top 11 having two leg units 12 and 13 pivoted to the underside thereof by means of hinges 14 and 15 respectively. Each leg unit consists of a pair of legs (16 or 17), dependent fram a support plate (18, 19) and braced by transverse members not visible in the drawings.

Each support plate carries a table extension or "leaf" (20, 21), which in the position of the table illustrated in Fig. 1 is aligned with the table top 11 and contiguous with the edge thereof so as to form an extended table surface.

When it is desired to convert this table into its coffee table form, the tWD leg units are pivoted downwardly and inwardly about the respective hinges 14, 15 in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2, until the support plates and leaves are in the essentially vertical position shown in Fig. 3.

The dimensions of the leg units are such that, in this position, the bottan edges of the legs 16, 17 and of the leaves 20, 21 all rest on the ground and form a stable base for what is now a low-lvel coffee table.

It is not essential that the leaves be vertical; the structure is such that each end of the table is stably supported by the legs and leaves together.

However the vertical leaves present a more attractive appearance to the table in its lowered state.

The convertible table shown in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a table top 31, to the underside of which leg units 32 and 33 are pivoted by hinges 34 and 35 respectively. Each leg unit comprises a pair of braced-apart legs (36 or 37) and each leg is in the form of an upper section and a lower section extending substantially at right angles to it. The upper section of each leg is equal in length to the height of the table in its lower position and the lower section of each leg is equal in length to the height of the table in its upper position.

Thus the table is simply converted between its two positions by pivoting the leg units about their respective hinges.

The third form of convertible table, illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, comprises a table top 41. To the opposite ends of this table top, extension leaves 42 and 43 are pivoted by means of hinges 44 and 45 respectively. To the underside of the table top 41, two leg units 46, 47, similar to the leg units 32 and 33, are pivoted by hinges 48 and 49 respectively.

When this third form of table is to be converted from dining table (Fig. 6) to coffee table (Fig. 7), the two leg units 46 and 47 are folded inwardly as shown and the leaves 42 and 43 are allowed to drop into a vertical position as shown. As in the form of table illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the table top is smaller when the table is in its compact coffee table form and is extended for dining purposes.

The convertible table illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10 of the drawings comprises two support members 52 and 53, each in the form of.a pair of legs of tubular metal; the members 52 and 53 are hinged on the underside of a table top 51 at 54 and 55 respectively. The member 52 carries a table extension leaf 56 and mEmber 53 carries a similar leaf 57, which leaves are aligned with the table top 51 when the members are in the higher table position illustrated in Fig. 8.

when this ertbOrt'ent of the table is required in its lower-level position, the support members 52, 53 are swung about the hinge points 54, 55 into the orientation shown in Fig. 9, wherein the lower ends of the respective pairs of legs (which are laterally relatively offset) overlap as shown.

Fig. 10 shows the support member 52, which comprises legs 52a and 52b, independently hinged upon axial extensions of a tubular hinge 58, which is secured to the underside of the table top 51.

Referring now finally to Figs. 11 and 12, which show a fifth embodiment of the table according to the invention, the table top 61 is supported by a pair of tubular leg units 62 and 63, which are pivoted on the underside of the table top at pivot points 64 and 65 respectively. The hinges by rreans of which the units 62, 63 are pivoted are similar in construction to the hinge 58.

The leg units 62, 63 carry drop leaves 66 and 67 respectively which, in the lower position of the table illustrated in Fig. 12, share with the tubular legs the function of supporting the table top 61.

Claims

1. A convertible table, characterised by a table top and a pair of table support members, which rtH:bers are independently pivoted to the table top, for pivoting between a first position in which they extend away from each other in a plane generally parallel to the table top and a second position in which they extend laterally away from said plane to provide together a support for said table.

2. A convertible table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table support rrrtbers are pivoted at opposite edges of the table top and, in said first position, extend in the plane of said table top.

3. A convertible table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table support members are pivoted to the underside of the table and lie flush along that surface when they are in said first position.

4. A convertible table as claimed in any of the preceding claims, having also legs or other support means independent of said support members, for supporting the table top when said support members are in said first position.

5. A convertible table as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, having directly associated with said support members means for supporting said table top when said support mEmbers are in said first position.

6. A convertible table as claimed in claim 5 > wherein each support member comprises a pair of legs, each said leg having two sections substantially at right angles to each other, said two sections being of significantly different lengths.

7. A convertible table as claimed in claim 6,wherein said two sections of each leg are adjacent sides of a leg in the form of a substantially right-angled triangle.

8. A convertible table as claimed in claim 5, wherein each support member comprises a table top extension having a pair of table legs extending downwardly therefran, which extensions are of the same order of size as the lower height of the table top and the legs support the table top in the first position of said support member.

9. A convertible table as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the legs or leg sections associated with each support member are so placed and dimensioned relative to those of the other support member as to permit the respective legs or leg sections to overlap when the support members are in said second position.

10. A convertible table as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the support members are metal members of tubular section.

11. A convertible table substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.