GB2498200A

GB2498200A - Convertible coffee-dining table

Info

Publication number: GB2498200A
Application number: GB1200138.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seymore Hicks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-06
Filing date: 2012-01-06
Publication date: 2013-07-10
Also published as: GB201200138D0; WO2013102756A1

Abstract

A convertible table is defined comprising a mechanism that converts a coffee table into a dining table. The table consists of a frame 1, on which pivot two opposing sets of leg assemblies 4, 5, such that they can alter the height of the table between two different levels, and on top of the frame is an extendable table top 2 with a butterfly leaf extension system 3. Each of the two opposing sets of leg assemblies are made up from a pair of long legs 15 attached perpendicular to a pair of short legs 16 and in one embodiment are held together by one or more cross members 17. Also disclosed is a mechanism 18, 19, 20 for locking the leg assemblies in the raised position when the table top is extended. A method of converting the table is also defined.

Description

Title: Convertible Coffee-Dining Table

Description:

This present invention concerns a eonvcrlihlc table, which can lobe configured as a low table., such as a coffee table, or as a high lable, such as a dining table Convertible tables for domestic use come in many different forms with a large variety in their mechanisms.

This invention is for a mechanism that offers a solution to the problem of maintaining the looks and ehararicristics of both a nonnal coffee table and anonnal dining table. In general all other types are more complex and compromise their looks and strength either as a dining table or as a coffee table in order to have this dual function.

The object of Ihis invention is to provide a convertible table with a simple mechanism for raising and lowering that is functional, rigid,strong and nonnal looking both as a coffee table or as a dinning table.

According to the present invention the above object is achieved by a piece of furnilure having the characteristics forming the subject of claim I. This is basically accomplished by using a pair of rotating leg assemblies to alter the height of the table, combined with an extending butterfly leaf table top to alter the size of the table top. In addition the table mechanism that is the subject of this patent allows for a fttr greater variety of styles and possible material usage in the designs than with any other types of convertible tables.

The present invention will now be described in detail purely by way of two non-limiting examples. in order lo show a variety styles possible wilh Ibis invention these two designs, lype A & B, are presented with diffcrenl characteristics. Both types share the samc basic mechanism of a frame supporting an extending butterfly leaf table top and with two opxsing rotating leg assemblies made from a pair of long legs braced together and attached perpendicular to a pair of short legs, the tops of which pivot on the frame.

Type A is shown in figures 1 thru 5 and are for a coffee table with straight legs, a rectangular top and a lower slatted level that is convertible into a dining table with straight ladder braced legs and a more elongated rectangular top. Type B is shown in figures 6 thru 11 and are of a coffee table with tapered legs and an elliptical top, that is convertible into a dining table with "X" legs and a stretched out oval top Both styles share the main characteristics of using leg assemblies which, when rotated, alter the table height between two different levels, and at the same time use a butterfly leaf table top extension system to alter the size of the table top. The butterfly leaf is similar to the ones used in a great many extending dinning tables, though it is wider than most sttch leafs due to the way the table top needs to he extended to cover the short leg section of the leg assemblies, which also act as a support for the extended table top.

List of Figures: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing Ihe major component assemblies of the lype A uible Figure 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the lype Amble in the raised dining table position Figure 3 is a perspective view of the Lypc Alabic in transition Figure 4 isa perspective view of the type A table in Iianshion Figure 5 is a perspective view of the type A lable in the lowered coffee lable posilion FiQure 6 is an cxplodcd perspective view showing thc major component assemblies of thc type B tablc Fiwire 7 is a pcrspcctivc vicw of the type B table in thc lowered coftèe table position Figure 8 is a perspective view of thc tyx B tahlc in transition Figurc 9 is a perspective view of ihe lypc B lablc in transition Figure 10 is a pcrspcctivc vicw of ihe lype B table in transition Figure 11 is a perspective view of the type B table in the raised dining table position Figure 12 is a multiple view of type B table for the Abstract

I

Description with reference to the attacl1ed Figures.

The Type A Table, as shown in figures I thru S The type A table can be adapted for various styles and made using a variety of different materials. The main distinguishing features compared with Ihe lype B is the slatted lower level when used as a coffee table, the ladder style cross supports of the dining table legs and the lack of a folding leg brace to lock and steady the dining table legs.

The flame (I) consisis of Iwo rnainheams(11), twopivotpoinl supports andtwo erossheams (12). The main beams are nearly as long as the lable lop when in the coffee table position and along the length of them are grooves in which the table top runners ride. Attached to the outside and inboard front each end of the main beams are the pivot point supports for the legs(13). The pivot point (14) is ieh that the leg assemblies can only rotate through the desired 900 before hitting stops. The cross beams support the flame and enclose the area in which Ihe butterfly leaf system is stored.

Each of the two opposing sets of leg assemblies (4 & 5) are made up a pair of long legs (15) rigidly attached at 900,and toward the foot end, to a pair of short legs (16) The paired up legs are held together by three cross braces (17) which serve holh lo hold ihe leg assemblies together and,when in Ihe coffee table position, are inter-spaced with the cross bracing of the opposing leg assembly to form a slatted lower level Figure 5) The top of the short legs have a pivot point (14) at which they are attached to the frame (1).

Each opposing sets of legs have the long legs attached in slightly different positions along the length of the short legs to allow one set of the long legs to lie on top of; and parallel to, the other set when they are folded inward to the low level position.

The main table lop (2) is in two halves. These halves are held together by latches situated underneath the table lop, and when unlatched can slide aparl from each other on runners(18) attached to their underside which sit in grooves (20) along the side of the frame. These runners are"I "shaped in profile. The Short legs on the leg assemblies have a groove (19) in them on their opposing faces and matching the groove in the flame in which the runners slide.

The Butterfly leaf table top extension (3) which is the same as the butterfly leaf system conmionly found in a great many extending dinning tables.. It is made ttp of two halves, hinged together so that they can fold out from the slowed position where they lie logether, to the extended position, where they fold out flat and sit between the two halves of the main table top. The edges of the leaves have dowel pins and holes which mate with the ones in the main table tops and keep the butterfly leaf frotn folding. On the underside of one of the butterfly leaf halves is a pivot (21) which is attached to the frame cross beams so the assembly can rotate to he folded away and stored within the frame when the table is in the lowered position, and then folded out when the table is raised and the main taNe top is slid apart.

To raise the table the legs are unlocked (22) from the stowed position and swung oul one at a time to the position shown in Figure 4. Then the main table top halves are unlatched and slide apart as in figure 3.

Sliding Ihe tops apart will lock the legs in posilion when one side of the runners (18) sils in the grooves in the short legs (19) while the other side is in the grooves on the frame (20). The butterfly leaf system is now exposed and is rotated out from storage within the franme as shown in Figure 3. The main top halve are move inward and are latched to lock the butterfly leaf in position and the table is now as per figure 2. The process is reversed to lower the table.

I

Type B table, as shown in figures 6 thru II The type B differs from the previous type in that the long legs(27) are attached to the short legs (26) higher up near the pivot point (29) and so does not have a lower level when configured as a coffee lable. II also requires the use of thlding table leg slays (10) to fix the legs in place when raised. The different layout allows for far more options wilh the style of legs. In the example shown the legs for the dining table are X shaped and for the coffee table arc lapered and splayed out slightly. The lablc is shown with an oval top, hul this cotild be any other shape. The mechanism can he completely hidden from casual view when the table is in either position, helped by the optional valence skirt (30) arottnd the underneaththe edge ofthc table top The frame (6) consists of Iwo main heams(24), and two cross beams (28) and a beam (29) between the cross beams to support the leg stays. The main beams have ooves (24) in which the table top ntnners (23) ride and inboard from each end are tl1e pivot points (29) for the legs. The pivot point is such that the leg assemblies can only rotate through the desired 90c before hitting stops. The cross beams (28) support the frame and enclose the area in which the butterfly leaf system (8) is stored. Midway between the underside of the cross beams is a beam (29) to support the leg stays, and is situated so as not to interfere with the rotation of of the butterfly leaf The Leg assemblies for the type B table have a pair of short legs to which arc attached at 90° the long legs at a point near lo where the short legs pivot on the main frame. Leg assemblies can have a huge varicly of slylcs, fi-om a pair of straight legs lo a single central leg with widely splayed oul feel. Shown in this example are X style long legs and where the legs cross over (31) provides the support to keep the paired up legs rigid as well as an altachment poinl for the leg stays.

In operation the table is raised from the lowered position by unlatching (25) the two halves of the table top (7) and sliding them Fully apart. This automatically unlocks the leg assemblies allo\ving them to be rotated out one at a time to the point where the folding leg stays (10) go over-center and lock the legs in place. The butterfly leaf is then rotaled oul from storage and the main tops arc slid back a little way and latched to the extension leaves to lock the table in the raised position with the short legs now acting as supports for the outer parts of the table top. To lower Ihe table the operation is reversed.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims: 1. A convertible table comprising: A rigid frame which supports an extendable table top, using a butterfly leaf extension system, and a pair of leg assemblies which arc attached to pivot points at opposing cnds oI'the frame and allow the height orthe table to be raised or lowered between two different levels by their rotation and where the leg assemblies each comprise of a pair of short legs, which support Ihe table in Ihe lowered position, and allached perpendicular to eaclt short leg is one oF a pair ollong legs, along with a method ol cross sttpport bracing, so that swinging out the leg assemblies raises the table, combined with lengthening the table top by the use of a butterfly leaf extension system and conversely to lower the table the leg assemblies are folded inward and the butterfly leaf is folded away into the frame and the top contracted.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A convertible table as per claim I where the action of the table top being extended locks the leg assemblies in the raised position by using the rttnners, which the table top slides upon, lo preveni their rotation around the pivot point.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Aconverlible table as per claim 1 where Ihe cross hracina members of the leg assemblies fonn a lower level deck to the coffee table.</claim-text>