GB2440224A

GB2440224A - Stool or single step with foldable legs

Info

Publication number: GB2440224A
Application number: GB0713049A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suzanne Bishop; Graham Bishop; William Powell; Simon Collings
Original assignee: Teeny Tiny Ltd
Current assignee: Teeny Tiny Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-19
Filing date: 2007-07-05
Publication date: 2008-01-23
Also published as: GB0713049D0; GB0614274D0

Abstract

A stool or single step 1 has a top 2 providing a surface usable both as a sitting surface and as a step surface, and a pair of leg structures 3 foldable beneath the top surface to a stowed position. A skirt 5 may extend from the top to define a space to receive the folded leg structures. Each leg structure may be provided with a latch 21 which resists folding of the leg structure into the stowed position until disengaged. A stay (34, Fig. 10) may be pivoted to one or both of the leg structures and adapted to engage the underside of the top when the leg structures are in an operative position. The stool may be sized to allow a child to stand on it to use a lavatory or hand basin when in an operative position, and to fit within a shopping tray of a pram or pushchair when collapsed.

Description

FURNITURE

This disclosure relates to furniture. More particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, the items of furniture disclosed may be used as a stool or as a single step.

A stage is reached in the toilet training of young children when the child no longer wishes to use a pot but prefers to use a lavatory like an adult, and yet the child is still too short easily to climb onto and then climb off a lavatory seat, or, if male to stand in front of the lavatory and urinate into the lavatory bowl. To overcome this problem, it has long been customary to provide such children with a single step, usually in the form of a one-piece moulded plastics hollow container that is upturned so that the bottom of the container becomes a top surface on which the child can stand and the container side wall becomes a depending circumextending skirt wall that stands on the floor and is sufficiently strong to support the top surface and a child standing upon it. This form of step has proved very successful both for enabling a child to reach the lavatory and, when placed in front of the bathroom basin to reach the basin plug and taps so that a child, otherwise too short to manage tbesetasks,canusethebasinlikeanadulttowashitsownhandsandfaceandbrush its own teeth. However, this conventional single step, being a monolithic structure, is not readily portable, for example when the child leaves home to go on holiday or to visit friends or relatives. A child may become fractious when it finds it is treated like a younger child and needs assistance on holiday or on a visit to friends or relatives to accomplish what it can readily do by itself at home.

The present invention has arisen from the inventor's own experience with young children and the -previously unsatisfied -desire for a single step for a child that is readily portable.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an item of furniture comprising a stool/single step for a child, having a top providing a surface usable both as a sitting surface and as a step surface and a pair of leg structures foldable beneath the top surface to enable the stool/single step to be

readily portable.

Preferably the top surface is provided with a circumextending skirt, and there are two said leg structures pivoted to the top surface at opposite ends thereof that can extend beneath and beyond the skirt to support the step/stool from the floor in use, but which are each receivable within an individual half of the space defined beneath the top surface by the circumextending skirt when the step/stool is to be stored.

Each leg is preferably provided with a latch resisting folding movement of the leg under the top surface until disengaged.

In a second and alternative aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an item of furniture comprising a top and two supporting leg structures each pivoted to the top and adapted to be pivoted from a stored position beneath the top when the item of furniture is in a collapsed condition to an operative position enabling the item of furniture to stand supported by the said leg structures for use; and at least one catch for each said leg structure adapted to help hold the leg structure in its operative position and comprising a detent extending beneath the top and adapted to engage a co-operating edge of its associated leg structure to resist the leg structure being pivoted inwardly beneath the top; the detent having a locking surface adapted to engage said co-operating edge, and the detent being connected to the top by a member having sufficient flexibility to allow the member to be manually pushed inwardly beneath the top by a sufficient distance for the said co-operating edge to be able to clear the locking surface of the detent, thereby allowing the leg structure to be pivoted from its operative position beneath the top into its stored position, the member also having sufficient flexibility to allow the said co-operating edge to slide over the detent to reach the said locking surface as the support is pivoted manually from beneath the top to its operative position.

Preferably the co-operating edge may be formed by an upper edge of a cut-away portion of the leg structure. The detent may be pushed outwardly to a position in which the co-operating edge is enabled to slide over the detent to reach the locking surface. The top may be provided with a circumextending skirt providing structural strength to the top and defining with the top a space beneath the top adapted to accommodate the leg structures in their stored positions. Additional structural strength may be provided by ribbing on the undersurface of the top and/or on inner sides of the leg structures. The said member connecting the detent to the top may be provided as a portion of the skirt.

In a modified arrangement, the detent may be slotted and the cooperating edge of the leg structure provided with projections that interfit with the slot.

In a further alternative structure, provision may be provided for additional stays pivotally mounted on the leg structures to interengage with the top, which stays are pivotable to a stored position in which each leg is accommodated within the profile of its associated leg structuire when the furniture is in its collapsed condition.

The invention is hereinafter more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. I shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of furniture showing a top and one leg structure; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken in the longitudinal medial plane of the item of furniture shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 3 to 6 are successive enlarged sectional partial views of a co-operating leg structure and top in the item of furniture of Figs. I and 2 as the leg structure is moved from its stored position to its operative position and then back towards its stored position; Fig. 7 is partial perspective view of a cooperating latch and leg in a modified arrangement, as seen from the inner side of the leg and with parts cut away to better illustrate the structure; Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar, respectively, to Figs. 4 and 3 illustrating successive stages in operation of the modified arrangement of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is front elevational view of a second embodiment; Fig. II is an underneath plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken in the longitudinal medial plane of the item of furniture shown in Figs. 10 and 11; and Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of the portion of Fig.12 shown ringed. 11.

An item of furniture, here a step/stool I for a child, comprises a top 2 on which the child may either sit or stand, and a pair of leg structures 3, of which one only is shown in Fig. I. There are two such leg structures, one at either end of the top 2, which is of generally rectangular shape. The top 2 comprises a top surface 4 and a shallow circumextending skirt 5 extending around the periphery of and projecting beneath the top surthce 4 when the step/stool stands upright. Skirt 5 has side walls 6 and end walls 7.

Leg structures 3 are mounted on a pivot rod 8 extending between bosses 9 (not shown) formed on the inner side of side walls 6 adjacent their connections to the end walls 7, enabling the leg structures 3 to pivot between an operative position (Figs. 1, 2, 4) allowing a sitting or standing child to be supported, and a stored positon in which the step/stool adopts a collapsed condition with leg structures 3 stored beneath the top surface 4 in a shallow well defined by the top surface 4 and side 6 and end 7 walls of skirt 5. Each leg structure 3 comprises an outer wall 10 and ribbing 11, 12 on inner side 13 of the structure running longitudinally and cross-wise of the structure to provide strength without weight. End-most longitudinal ribs 11 form side walls 14 of the leg structure. Each of the longitudinal ribs 11 is pivoted on rod 8, as can be seen from each of Figs 2 to 5. Undersurface 15 of top 2 is also provided with a network of shallow ribs 16 (Fig. 2) extending both longitudinally of top2 and cross-wise, similarly providing strength without weight to top 2.

As can best be seen from Figs, 2, 3 and 4, upper end 17 of outer wall 10 of each leg structure 3 is dished inwardly to define a stepped surface 18, so that when the leg structure is in its operative position (Figs. 2, 4), upper end 17 lies flat against inner side 19 of skirt end wall 7 with distal edge 20 of skirt end wall 7 fitting on stepped surface 18.

The leg structure 3 is held in its operative position by a latch 21 that resists folding movement of the leg structure under the top surface. As shown in the drawings, in the preferred embodiment, latch 21 is formed as a portion of skirt end wall 7 separated from the remainder of that wall and joined only along its proximal edge 22 to the top 2, allowing for a degree of flexibility. Latch 21 is fbrmed with a detent 23 which engages with a co-operating edge formed on the leg structure 3. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of upper end 17 is cut away to leave an upper edge 24 just above and inwardly of stepped surface 18. A similar edge could be formed by providing a through opening in the upper edge region.

Operation of the latch will now be explained with reference to Figs. 3 to 6.

Detent 23 extends inwardly of the latch to terminate in an enlarged portion 25 comprising a sloping cam surface 26 and a locking surface 27, as explained below.

As leg structure 3 is pivoted from beneath top 2, upper edge 24 will engage sloping surface 26 as the leg structure approaches the latch (Fig. 3) and slide along this cam surface. In so doing, it will push enlarged portion 25 of the detent upwardly slightly and the latch as a whole slightly outwardly, the connections at 28 and 22 between detent 23 and the remainder of the latch 21 and between latch 21 and top 2 having a sufficient degree of flexibility to allow this. As edge 24 passes the end of sloping cam surface 26, detent 23 snaps back to place locking surface 27 behind the edge 24 (Fig. 4) to resist movement of the leg structure 3 in the reverse direction that would collapse the step/stool.

To disengage the latch, it is necessary to disengage locking surface 27 from its position behind edge 24 so that the edge can clear enlarged portion 25 of the detent. As shown in Fig. 5, latch 21 is pushed inwardly of the remainder of skirt end wall 7, the flexibility of connection 22 allowing, to a position (Fig. 6) in which edge 24 may just clear enlarged portion 25 of the detent, enabling the leg structure to be folded beneath the top 2. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the leg structures are dimensioned so that each may fit into one half of the volume of the well effectively defined beneath top 2 by the circumextending skirt 5. Catches 29 on the underside of the top aid in holding the leg structures in their stored position.

The top surface 4 may be given a surface treatment to reduce the risk of a child slipping.

In comparison with the previous monolithic structures provided as steps to allow a young child to use a lavatory, the step/stool of Figs. 1 to 6, while of similar size to the prior structures when in its erected operative condition, will fold down into a board like structure with a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the skirt and of the leg structures 3 in its collapsed condition. Preferably the size of this board like structure (effectively the volume taken up by top 2 alone) is such that the step/stool in its stored condition will readily fit in the trays conventionally provided beneath children's push-chairs and strollers for shopping, etc. Thus, the step/stool of Figs. I to 6 can readily accompany the child when the child is taken by push-chair to visit friends and relatives, allowing the child to continue to use a lavatory in an adult fashion when away from home.

Turning now to Figs. 7 to 9, a modified arrangement is illustrated, which provides for enhanced inter-engagement between the upper edge of the leg structure and the detent of the latch. As shown, modified detent 23a is pierced to provide a slot 30 into which a projection 31 provided on the innermost portion of upper edge 24a may be inserted. A second projection 32 extends into a cut-out 33 similar to slot 30 but open at its lateral side. This arrangement provides enhanced contact between the latch and the top of the leg structure. Thus, to disengage the projections from the slot and cut-out, the latch must be pushed further inwardly of the step/stool.

Similarly, as the leg is moved from its stored position under the top and the upper edge 24a cams over the sloping surface of the detent, as shown in Fig. 9, the subsequent snap of the projections 31 and 32 into the slot 30 and cut-out 33 respectively results in a more positive inter-engagement.

Auxiliary stays may be incorporated, as shown in the embodiment of Figs. to 12. Respective stays 34 are pivotally coupled to a leg structure at 35. A distal end 36 of each stay fits into an angle defined between the underside of top surface 4 and a depending rib 37 in the erected condition of the step/stool to prevent the leg structure being pushed inwardly under the top. The pivot 35 comprises a generally cylindrical boss 38 on the proximal end of the stay, the axial ends 39 of which boss form a relatively tight fit in part cylindrical seats 40 integrally moulded with the leg structure. The pivot is deliberately stilT so that the stay can be moved manually from one position to another about the pivot axis, but then tends to hold its position.

For strength without weight, each stay 34 is fbrined with a medial web 41 provided with strengthening cross-ribbing 42 on either face of the web. To release a stay 34, its associated leg structure must be manually forced outwardly until distal end 36 can clear the edge of rib 37, whereupon the stay may be pivoted downwardly to occupy space within the confines of the leg structure (that is: within the volume defined by the outer wall 10 and side walls 14 of the leg structure) between the position of pivot 35 and an inturned lip 43 surrounding a cut-out 44 (See Fig. 1) in the centre bottom of each outer wall 10 of the leg structure. As can be seen from Fig. I this cut-out 44 effectively defines two feet 45 to each leg structure. The cut-out 44 also provides a convenient hand- hold for an adult to manipulate the step/stool between its erected operational condition and its collapsed stored condition.

Although the item of furniture illustrated in the accompanying drawings was designed for use as a child's step/stool to allow the child to use a lavatory, similar structures may be embodied as different items of furniture. Thus a picnic table or garden furniture table may have a similar configuration to the illustrated step/stool, but obviously much larger, enabling the table to be latched in an operative condition (Fig. 2) and to be folded down from that operative condition when required to be stored or transported.

Claims

Claims 1. An item of furniture comprising a stool/single step for a

child, having a top providing a surface usable both as a sitting surface and as a step surface and a pair of leg structures foldable beneath the top surface to enable the stool/single step to be

readily portable.

2. An item of furniture according to Claim 1, wherein the top surface is provided with a circumextending skirt, and there are two said leg structures pivoted to the top surface at opposite ends thereof that can extend beneath and beyond the skirt to support the step/stool from the floor in use, but which are each receivable within an individual half of the space defined beneath the top surface by the circumextending skirt when the step/stool is to be stored.

3. An item of furniture according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each leg structure is provided with a latch resisting folding movement of the leg under the top surface until disengaged.

4. An item of furniture comprising a top and two supporting leg structures each pivoted to the top and adapted to be pivoted from a stored position beneath the top when the item of furniture is in a collapsed condition to an operative position enabling the item of furniture to stand supported by the said leg structures for use; and at least one catch for each said leg structure adapted to help hold the leg structure in its operative position and comprising a detent extending beneath the top and adapted to engage a co-operating edge of its associated leg structure to resist the leg structure being pivoted inwardly beneath the top; the detent having a locking surface adapted to engage said co-operating edge, and the detent being connected to the top by a member having sufficient flexibility to allow the member to be manually pushed inwardly beneath the top by a sufficient distance for the said co-operating edge to be able to clear the locking surface of the detent, thereby allowing the leg structure to be pivoted from its operative position beneath the top into its stored position, the member also having sufficient flexibility to allow the said co-operating edge to slide over the detent to reach the said locking surface as the support is pivoted manually from beneath the top to its operative position.

5. An item of furniture according to Claim 4, wherein the co-operating edge is formed by an upper edge of a cut-away portion of the leg structure.

6. An item of furniture according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the said member is sufficiently flexible to be pushed outwardly by the said co-operating edge as the leg structure is moved from its stored position towards its operative position sufficiently for the said co-operating edge to slide over the detent to reach the locking surface.

7. An item of furniture according to any preceding Claim, wherein the top is provided with a circumextending skirt providing structural strength to the top and defining with the top a space beneath the top adapted to accommodate the leg structures in their stored positions.

8. An item of furniture according to both Claim 4 and Claim 7, wherein the said member is formed as a portion of the skirt.

9. An item of furnituire according to Claim 4 or any Claim appendent thereto, wherein the detent includes one or more slots or cut-outs, and wherein the cooperating edge of the leg structure is provided with one or more corresponding projections adapted to interfit with the one or more slots or cut-outs when the leg structure is in its operative condition.

10. An item of furniture according to any preceding Claim, wherein one or both of the leg structures is provided with a stay pivoted to the leg structure and adapted to engage with the underside of the top in the operative condition of the leg structure, the said stay being arranged to be accommodated within the volume defined by boundaries of the leg structure in the stored condition of the said structure.

11. An item of furniture according to Claim 7 or any Claim appendent thereto, wherein each said leg structure comprises an outer wall with side walls provided along lateral edges of the outer wall and extending generally at right angles to the outer wall, each said side wall extending from the outer wall by a distance generally corresponding to the depth of the skirt so that the said side walls may be accommodated within the said space beneath the top in the stored condition of the leg structures.

12. An item of furniture according to any preceding Claim sized to allow a young child to stand thereupon in its operative erected condition, thereby allowing the child to use a lavatory or hand basin, and being sized to allow the item of furniture to be carried in a shopping tray of a child's pram, push-chair or stroller when collapsed into its stored condition.

13. An item of furniture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. Ito 6,7 to 9, or 10 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.