GB2228190A

GB2228190A - Collapsible desk and seat

Info

Publication number: GB2228190A
Application number: GB8900242A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Banks
Original assignee: CHELFUL Ltd
Current assignee: CHELFUL Ltd
Priority date: 1989-01-06
Filing date: 1989-01-06
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Also published as: GB8900242D0

Abstract

A child's play desk has a supporting frame of two frame members (10, 12) providing mountings for a seat (26) and desk top (32). Each of the seat (26) and the desk top (32) is pivotally mounted on the frame member (10) and can swivel relative thereto. The seat (26) and the desk top (32) also have respective latching components (58, 54) engageable with respective latching components (56, 52) on the frame member (12). The frame members (10, 12) which are hinged together diverge outwardly from the hinge (20) in use, and the desk top (32) and seat (26) are pivoted and swivelled to positions wherein the latching components interengage. The frame members (10, 12) are thereby retained rigid in their in-use position but can be pivoted upwardly when the desk is not required for use disengaging the latching components such that the desk can be collapsed to a substantially flat arrangement. <IMAGE>

Description

lmprovemcnLs in or Relating to Dcsks This invention relates to desk apparatus, particularly but not exclusively apparatus for use as a child's play desk.

Heretofore play desks having a desk top and a seat on the same frame have tended to make access for a child difficult due to the structure of the frame. Also, when such a desk is not in use, the desk occupies considerable space, with the dimensions and weight being such that storage is difficult.

According to the present invention there is provided desk apparatus comprising means for supporting a first surface at a first height, means for supporting a second surface at a second height and spaced laterally from the first surface, and means for movably mounting each of the first and second surfaces on the supporting means, whereby said first and second surfaces can be moved between a first condition in use, wherein each is so supported that the second surface can define a seat for a user and the first surface can define a working surface for the user, and a second condition out of use wherein the first and second surfaces and the supporting means collapse into a substantially flat arrangement.

Preferably the supporting means comprises a pair of profiled frame members, each having a mounting part for each of the first and second surfaces and a ground engaging part interconnecting the mounting parts. The frame members may be hingedly interconnected at the mounting parts for the second surface whereby to be movable between an in use condition wherein the frame members outwardly diverge from the hinge, and an out of use condition wherein the frame members are adjacent one another in a substantially parallel relation.

Preferably also the mounting parts of one of the frame members pivotally mount respective ones of the first and second surfaces. The mounting parts of the other of the frame members provide latching components for co-operation with respective latching components provided by the first and second surfaces.

Means may be provided for enabling swivelling movement of each of the first and second surfaces relative to said one frame member, whereby the first and second surfaces c.

collapse into the substantially flat arrangement.

The first surface may define a desk top which may be angled in use relative to the second surface, and the desk top may have a recessed section for storage and a pivotally mounted lid for the recessed section. The lid may be in the form of a blackboard.

The second surface may define a seat having a pivotally mounted back support.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of an apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above showing a desk top open; and Fig. 4 shows the apparatus collapsed in an out of use condition.

Referring to the drawings, a child's play desk has a supporting frame formed of two frame members 10,12, each preferably being formed of tubular metal shaped to providt.

relative to its disposition in use, a horizontal ground engaging part 14, a desk top mounting part 16 having a vertical leg 16A and a horizontal leg 16B spaced above the part 14, and a seat mounting part 18 having a vertical leg 18A and a horizontal leg 18B spaced above the part 14. The respective legs 18A are connected together by a vertical hinge 20, whereby the frame members 10,12 are movable between an in use condition wherein they diverge outwardly from the hinge 20, and an out of use condition wherein the frame members 10,12 can lie against each other in a parallel relation.

The leg 188 of the frame member 10 has a pair of spaced lugs 22 on its upper surface adapted to receive therebetween a lug 24 provided on a lowermost surface of a seat 26. Each of the lugs 22,24 has a through hole whereby, when the lug 24 is aligned between the lugs 22, a pivot pin can extend therethrough to pivotally mount the seat 26 on the leg 18B.

Similarly the leg 16B of the frame member 10 has a pair of lugs 28 on its upper surface adapted to receive therebetween a lug 30 on a lowermost surface of a desk top 32. The lugs 28,30 each have a through hole whereby, when the lug 30 is aligned with the lugs 28, a pivot pin can extend therethrough to pivotally mount the desk top 32 on the leg 16B.

The desk top 32 is mounted on the lug 30 by means of a bolt 34 engaging through an arcuate slot 36 within the dt top 32 and locating in a threaded aperture in the lug 30.

Thereby the desk top 32 can swivel relative to the lug 30 in an arc defined by the length and curvature of the slot 36.

Similarly the seat 26 is mounted on the lug 24 to be able to swivel relative thereto.

The leg 16B of the frame member 12 has a pair of spaced abutments 52 along its upper surface and the desk top 32 has on its lowermost face a latching lug 64 which is profiled to latch with the lugs 52 in the in use condition and prevent lateral movement therebetween. Similarly the leg 18B is provided with a pair of abutments 56 spaced along the upper surface thereof to co-operate with a latching lug 58 provided on the lowermost surface of the seat 26.

The desk top 32 has a substantially rectangular configuration and has a body part 38 preferably moulded from a plastics material to have a shallow recessed internal area 40 and a deeper recess 42 within the area 40. A lid 44 for the desk top 32 is preferably in the form of a blackboard and is hinged on the body part 38 whereby, in a closed condition, the lid 44 locates within the recess 40 to close the recess 42 and in an open condition enables access to the latter. The recess 42 can therefore be used for storage purposes.

The seat 26 is also preferably formed from a moulded plastics material and has a castellated rear edge providing castellations 46 each having a through hole therein, the holes being aligned. A back support 48 is provided for the seat 26 and provides a series of castellations 50 which interfit with the castellations 46 and which have aligned through holes, whereby a pivot pin can extend through all the aligned holes and pivotally mount the back support 48 on the seat 26.

In use, the frame members 10,12 are hinged outwardly relative to one another until they diverge outwardly from the hinge 20 at their maximum angle. The desk top 32 can then be moved by its pivot and swivelling arrangements to a position wherein the latching lug 54 co-operates with the abutments 52 and similarly the seat 26 can be moved by its pivot and swivelling arrangements until the latching lug 58 co-operates with the abutments 56. In this position the desk top 32 and the seat 26 are movable relative to the frame members 10,12 only in upward pivoting directions and therefore retain the frame members 10,12 rigid in their in use position. The back support 48 is pivoted upwardly relative to the seat 26. A child can easily move onto the seat as the design of the frame members 10,12 does not obstruct lateral movement and, when seated, the child can then work on the desk top 32. The lid 44 is movable relative to the body part 38 to provide access into the recess 42.

When the desk is not required for use, the desk top 32 can be pivoted upwardly to disengage the latching lug 54 from the abutments 52 and similarly the seat 26, with the back support 48 pivoted thereonto, can be pivoted upwardly to disengage the latching lug 58 from the abutments 56. The frame members 10,12 can then be moved together about the hinge 20 and the desk top 32 and the seat 26 swivelled relative to the lugs 30,24 respectively into a position where the desk top 32 and the seat 26 can be pivoted downwardly against the frame members 10,12, the desk then having been collapsed to a substantially flat arrangement. Such an arrangement facilitates movement of the desk and provides for easy storage.

There is therefore provided a desk which is simple to assemble and collapse, providing no parts presenting danger to a child. The desk provides a conveniently rigid structure in use, has all the facilities of a conventional child's desk, and is aesthetically designed.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the components of the desk may have configurations different from those described and shown and the arrangements for pivoting and swivelling movement may also be constructed differently from those described and shown. Also, different materials may be utilised for the various components of the desk. The components enabling pivoting and latching may be moulded from a plastics material.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:-

1. Desk apparatus comprising means for supporting a first surface at a first height, means for supporting a second surface at a second height and spaced laterally from the first surface, and means for movably mounting each of the first and second surfaces on the supporting means, whereby said first and second surfaces can be moved between a first condition in use, wherein each is so supported that the second surface can provide a seat for a user and the first surface can provide a working surface for the user, and a second condition out of use wherein the first and second surfaces and the supporting means collapse into a substantially flat arrangement.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the supporting means comprises a pair of profiled frame members, each having a mounting part for each of the first and second surfaces and a ground engaging part interconnecting the mounting parts.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the frame members are hingedly interconnected at the mounting parts for the second surface whereby to be movable between an in use condition wherein the frame members outwardly diverge from the hinge, and an out of use condition wherein the frame members are adjacent one another in a substantially parallel relation.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the mounting parts of one of the frame members pivotally mount respective ones of the first and second surfaces.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the mounting parts of the other of the frame members provide latching components for co-operation with respective latching components provided by the first and second surfaces.

6. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein means are provided for enabling swivelling movement of each of the first and second surfaces relative to said one frame member, whereby the first and second surfaces can collapse into the substantially flat arrangement.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the first surface defines a desk top which is angled in use relative to the second surface.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the desk top has a recessed section for storage and a pivotally mounted lid for the recessed section.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the lid is in the form of a blackboard.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the second surface defines a seat having a pivotally mounted back support.

11. Desk apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.