GB2570204A

GB2570204A - Adaptable table

Info

Publication number: GB2570204A
Application number: GB1819096.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Hogg James; Rhodes-Lewis Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-23
Filing date: 2018-11-23
Publication date: 2019-07-17
Also published as: GB201719432D0; GB201819096D0

Abstract

An adaptable table comprising a support structure with a table top 6 mounted to it wherein the table top has first and second surfaces rotatable between positions where each is uppermost and locking means 11 are provided to secure the tabletop to the support structure in either of the configurations. The table may have mounting means for attachment of bondage fittings such as handcuffs, ropes, straps, shackles or flexible strips. The second surface may also be padded. The table may pivot around a horizontal axis 8 and the support structure 5 may have upper surfaces which can be continuous with the table top. A locking mechanism 11 with rotatable cams extending into slots in the table top may be employed and there may be two cams and four slots. The cams may be linked and a curved tongue may hook around a post.

Description

(57) An adaptable table comprising a support structure with a table top 6 mounted to it wherein the table top has first and second surfaces rotatable between positions where each is uppermost and locking means 11 are provided to secure the tabletop to the support structure in either of the configurations. The table may have mounting means for attachment of bondage fittings such as handcuffs, ropes, straps, shackles or flexible strips. The second surface may also be padded. The table may pivot around a horizontal axis 8 and the support structure 5 may have upper surfaces which can be continuous with the table top. A locking mechanism 11 with rotatable cams extending into slots in the table top may be employed and there may be two cams and four slots. The cams may be linked and a curved tongue may hook around a post.

This print takes account of replacement documents submitted after the date of filing to enable the application to comply with the formal requirements of the Patents Rules 2007.

Fig 1

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Fig 7C

ADAPTABLE TABLE

The present invention relates to a piece of furniture, such as a table, that is adapted to be converted into an alternative form. More particularly but not exclusively, it relates to a table that can be converted to alternative uses without being dismantled.

Space in modern homes can be at a premium. Whether in flats, traditional terrace houses or 'starter homes _, the younger entrants to the 'housing 1 adder_ will rarely have as much living space as desired, so multi-role furniture such as the sofa-bed has been developed.

Nowadays, a wider range of sexual habits are considered mainstream, or at least unobjectionable, such as consensual bondage or the like. However, not all bedsteads are fully suitable, and many would appreciate more purpose-built equipment. On the other hand, such equipment would use up valuable space in a small flat or house. Also, however acceptable such equipment might be in general, one might not wish it to be permanently on display, depending on which guests have been invited for what purposeu

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a table that may be used as a conventional dining table, but which may also conveniently be converted into a form suitable for bondage activities or the like.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adaptable table comprising a support structure and a tabletop element mounted thereto, said tabletop element having a first, tabletop surface and a second surface, wherein the tabletop element is rotatable between a first disposition in which the first surface is uppermost and horizontal in use and a second disposition in which the second surface is uppermost, and the table is provided with locking means to secure the tabletop element to the support structure selectably in either of said first and second dispositions.

In a preferred embodiment, the second surface is provided with mounting means for attachment of further operative elements thereto.

Said operative elements may then comprise bondage fittings.

Said bondage fittings may include handcuffs, ropes, shackles or the like.

Advantageously, the second surface comprises padding means and/or is adapted to receive padding means, especially mattress means.

Preferably, the tabletop element is rotatable about axle means extending horizontally along an axis of symmetry of the tabletop element.

Advantageously, the tabletop element is substantially rectangular.

Said axle means may then extend along an axis of symmetry parallel to a side of the rectangular tabletop element.

Ideally, the tabletop element has two parallel longer sides and two parallel shorter sides, and the axle means extends along an axis of symmetry parallel to the longer sides.

Preferably, the support structure comprises two terminal elements, each having a horizontal, in use, uppermost surface that is continuous with the first surface of the tabletop element when the tabletop element is in its first disposition.

The first surface of the tabletop element and the uppermost surfaces of the terminal elements may then together form a continuous horizontal table top surface.

Advantageously, the tabletop element is rotatable about axle means extending horizontally between the terminal elements.

The support structure may comprise a plurality of individual leg means, optionally four.

Each terminal element may be supported by a plurality of leg means, optionally two.

Preferably, the locking means of the table comprises a locking mechanism adapted to fasten each terminal element to the tabletop element, optionally to fasten each terminal element separately to the tabletop element.

In a preferred embodiment, each locking mechanism comprises controllably rotatable cam means mounted to a first of the tabletop element and a terminal element and slot means extending into a second of the tabletop element and said terminal element, wherein the cam means and corresponding slot means are aligned such that rotation of the cam means moves a portion of the cam means into or out of an interior of the slot means.

Advantageously, the cam means and corresponding slot means are so aligned in both the first and the second dispositions of the tabletop element.

The cam means may be aligned with a first said slot means in the first disposition of the tabletop element and with a second said slot means in the second disposition of the tabletop element.

Advantageously, each locking mechanism comprises a plurality of cam means and a plurality of slot means, optionally two cam means and four slot means.

Each locking mechanism may be provided with manual operating means, so linked to the cam means that movement of the operating means causes rotation of the cam means.

When the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of cam means, said operating means may be separately linked to each of said plurality so as to rotate the cam means in unison.

Preferably, the cam means is or are mounted to the respective terminal element and the slot means extends or extend into the tabletop element.

Preferably, further engagement means are provided between the cam means and the slot means.

Said engagement means may comprise curved tongue means on the cam means configured to hook around post means located within the slot means.

The engagement of the tongue means and the post means may then oppose linear withdrawal of the cam means from the slot means and hence oppose longitudinal separation of the tabletop element from the respective terminal element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of use of an adaptable table, comprising the steps of providing an adaptable table as described in the first aspect above with its tabletop element in its first disposition; unlocking the locking means securing the tabletop element to the support structure of the table; rotating the tabletop element into its second disposition; and applying the locking means to secure the tabletop element to the support structure again.

Preferably, the method comprises the further step of attaching further operative elements to the tabletop element in its second disposition.

Advantageously, said further operative elements comprise bondage fittings.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying the present invention, in a first configuration;

Figure 2 is a partially exploded scrap perspective view of the table shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the table shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the table shown in Figure 1 between configurations; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the table shown in Figure 1 in a second configuration; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a locking mechanism from the table shown in Figure 1; and

Figures 7A to 7C are schematic plan views of the locking mechanism shown in Figure 6, in an unlocked configuration, during locking and in a fully locked configuration.

Referring now to the Figures, and to Figure 1 in particular, a reconfigurable table 1 of the present invention comprises two pairs of vertical legs 2 arranged in a rectangle, with the legs 2 being joined near their respective lower, in use, ends by lateral braces 3 and longitudinal braces 4, to keep the table 1 rigid and stable. An end unit 5 is mounted across the upper, in use, ends of each pair of legs 2, and a rectangular top unit 6 extends between the end units 5. Upper surfaces of each end unit 5 and of the top unit 6 form between them a substantially continuous, horizontal, planar tabletop. In this first configuration, the reconfigurable table 1 may thus be used as a conventional dining or kitchen table; embodiments with shorter legs 2 could be used as coffee tables or the like.

Figure 2 shows the reconfigurable table 1 with the top unit 6 separated to reveal its rotation mechanism. A first end of the top unit 6 facing the end unit 5 has a U-shaped notch 7 opening to an underside of the top unit 6; a corresponding notch 7 is present in a second end of the top unit 6 (not visible in this view). Both notches 7 are located on a longitudinal centreline of the top unit 6. A metal axle 8 extends from a midpoint of one end unit 5 to a midpoint of the other end unit 5, such that the notches 7 of the top unit 6 can be slotted over the axle 8, supporting the top unit 6 in such a way as it can rotate about the axle 8 and hence its own longitudinal axis. Fastening arrangements (not shown) may be provided to retain the axle 8 in the notches 7, whatever the rotational disposition of the top unit 6.

Figure 2 also shows part of the locking mechanism to secure the top unit 6 in a desired disposition. Four slots 9 extend into the top unit 6 of its first end as shown, and four corresponding slots (not visible) extend into the second end, too. Each slot 9 extends parallelly to the upper (in this disposition) surface of the top unit 6; two slots 9 are located towards each side of the top unit 6, with one of these slots 9 adjacent the upper surface of the top unit 6 and the other of these slots 9 adjacent the lower (in this disposition) surface of the top unit 6. The four slots 9 are disposed symmetrically around the closed end of the notch 7, where the axle 8 sits. Each slot 9 contains a capture pin 10, extending entirely across the respective slot 9, orthogonally to the upper surface of the top unit 6. The function of the slots 9 and capture pins 10 will be described in detail below; in brief, they co-operate with a moving potion of the locking mechanism 11, located on an underside of each end unit 5 (but in this view visible only on one of the end units 5).

Figure 3 shows an underside of the reconfigurable table 1, in particular how the axle 8 extends between the respective notches 7 at either end of the top unit 6, and the location of both of the locking mechanisms 11 on the undersides of the respective end units 5.

One of the locking mechanisms 11 is shown locked and the other is shown unlocked (for details, see description of Figures 6 and 7 below).

Figure 4 shows the top unit 6 being rotated between dispositions. Each locking mechanism 11 has been unlocked, releasing the top unit 6 to be rotated about its longitudinal axis/about the axle 8.

Figure 5 shows the reconfigurable table 1 in its second configuration, with the top unit 6 having been rotated through half a rotation into a disposition inverted relative to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 (NB an open end of a notch 7 is visible aligned upwardly, rather than downwardly as in Figure 2). The locking mechanism 11 that is visible in this view is still unlocked, but each locking mechanism 11 will be locked (as described below) to secure the table 1 in this configuration before use.

In the second configuration, this embodiment of the table 1 does not present an uppermost continuous, horizontal tabletop. Instead, there is a recessed rectangular floor 12, defined between the end units 5 and upstanding (in this disposition) side walls 13 of the top unit 6. The recessed floor 12 can then be used to retain a mattress or the like, to provide a padded surface for use of the table 1 in this configuration.

Also present on the floor 12 and the walls 13 of the top unit 6, but not shown in Figure 5 for clarity, are mounting points for elements of bondage equipment, such as loops to receive ropes, straps or the like, anchor points for shackles and handcuffs, and any other fixture that fits a user's imagination. The bondage equipment itself is stored separately and only mounted to the top unit 6 for use, since it might intrude upon the appearance of the table 1 in its more 'conventional, configuration, and also because it might hinder the ease of rotation of the top unit 6 between dispositions.

In some embodiments (not shown), the table 1 itself could contain storage compartments to hold the bondage equipment conveniently accessible for mounting to the top unit 6 as desired.

Figure 6 shows components of one of the locking mechanisms 11 of the table 1, in exploded form. The locking mechanism 11 as a whole is operated by manual movement of an elongate operating lever 14. A tab 15 is provided adjacent a distal end of the operating lever 14, extending orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the operating lever 14. The tab 15 improves a user's grip on the operating lever 14, particularly when the operating lever 14 is in dispositions as shown in Figure 7C below, where it would otherwise be difficult to grasp, being adjacent other parts of the locking mechanism 11 and an underside of the end unit 5 to which the locking mechanism 11 is mounted.

The operative lever 14 extends from a lever cam 16, which is pivotably mounted to the underside of the end unit 5, by means of a lever pivot pin 17 extending through a corresponding aperture in the lever cam 16. The lever cam 16 is also pivotably connected to an elongate link arm 19, at a point adjacent a midpoint of the link arm 19, by means of a first link arm pivot pin 18, extending through respective apertures in the lever cam 16 and the link arm 19.

The link arm 19 is also pivotably connected, adjacent its respective remote ends, to each of two locking cams 20, in each case by means of a respective second link arm pivot pin

21, extending through respective apertures adjacent an end of the link arm 19 and in the respective locking cam 20. In turn, each locking cam 20 is pivotably mounted to the underside of the end unit 5, by means of a respective cam pivot pin 22, extending through a corresponding aperture in each locking cam 20. Importantly, the lever pivot pin 17 and the two cam pivot pins 22 are mounted to the underside of the end unit 5 in a straight line. (The link arm pivot pins 18, 21 are also constrained to lie in a straight line as they all pass through the elongate, straight link arm 19).

The locking cams 20 themselves each have the form of slightly more than half a disc, with a straight edge disposed away from the direction of the operating lever 14. Each locking cam 20 has a curved notch 23 extending inwardly from this straight edge, adjacent one of its ends, generally following the curve of the circumference of the disc, so as to define a substantially arcuate hook member 24. The function of this hook member 24, and indeed of a remainder of the locking mechanism 11, is described below in association with Figures 7 A to 7C.

Figures 7 A to 7C are schematic plan views from below of one locking mechanism 11, the components 14-24 shown separated in Figure 6 now being shown assembled and mounted to an underside of one of the end units 5 (the end unit 5 is shown with a dashed outline for clarity). The slots 9 extending into the top unit element 6 are also shown by lines, dashed to help to distinguish the features of Figures 7 A to 7C. In these Figures, the top unit 6 is aligned with the end unit 5 in either its first or second dispositions.

In Figure 7A, the locking mechanism 11 is unlocked. The operating lever 14 is aligned at right angles to the corresponding edge of the end unit 5 and projects outwardly therefrom (see also Figures 1, 4, 5 and especially Figure 3). Both locking cams 20 are oriented with their straight edges towards the top unit 6. Ideally, as shown, the straight edges of the locking cams 20 coincide with a respective edge of the end unit 5, just short of the edge of the top unit 6, allowing free rotation of the top unit 6.

It is important to note (referring to both Figure 7A and Figure 6) that the distance between the lever pivot pin 17 and the first link arm pivot pin 18 on the lever cam 16 is the same as the distance between each cam pivot pin 22 and the respective second link arm pivot pin 21 on each locking cam 20. Additionally, their respective orientations are the same on each cam 16, 20.

The lever pivot pin 17 and the cam pivot pins 22 are all mounted to the end unit 5 in a first straight line, as referred to above. Additionally, since the link arm 19 is straight, the first and second link arm pivot pins 18, 21 also lie in a second straight line, which is parallel to the first. The locking mechanism 11 thus comprises two coupled parallel motion linkages by which movement of the operating lever 14 controls movement of the locking cams 20.

Thus, when the operating lever 14 is turned from the position shown in Figure 7A to that shown in Figure 7B, the lever cam 16 turns along with the lever 14. The link arm 19 follows remaining parallel to the edge of the end unit 5, but being displaced along an arcuate path extending slightly away from the edge of the end unit 5 and to the right (as viewed). This in turn displaces each locking cam 20, the link arm 19 causing it to rotate through the same angle as the operating lever 14 has been turned. As the locking cams rotate, a portion of each, led by the respective hook member 24, crosses a boundary between the end unit 5 and the top unit 6 and enters a respective slot 9.

The end unit 5 and top unit 6 are thus fastened together (albeit loosely) in Figure 7B.

In Figure 7C, the operating lever 14 has been turned to its full extent and is now oriented substantially parallelly to the edge of the end unit 5. The rotation of the lower cam 16 has driven the link arm 19 further along its arcuate path, now back closer to the edge of the end unit 5 and further to the right (as viewed). The link arm 19 remains parallel to the edge of the end unit 5. This drives the locking cams 20 to rotate further; like the operating lever 14, they have turned through a quarter of a circle.

As the locking cams 20 move towards the position shown in Figure 7C, a greater proportion of each locking cam 20 penetrates the respective slot. The curved notch 23 in each locking cam 20 approaches and takes in the captive pin 10 extending across the slot

9. At maximum rotation, as shown in Figure 7C, these captive pins 10 are each held at a closed end of a respective curved notch 23, between the hooked member 24 and a remainder of the locking cam.

The end unit 5 and the top unit 6 are thus securely locked together. Not only do the locking cams 20 in the slots 9 prevent rotation of the top unit 6 relative to the end units 5, but the locking cams are securely held within the slots 9, against longitudinal or lateral displacement. This keeps the table 1 stable, even under the high transient loadings that are likely to result from the intended use of the table 1 in its reconfigured form.

Please note that while the table 1 is shown is rectangular, other shapes are possible, comprising the same mechanism. For example, an elliptical table could have two fixed end units 5, forming the sharply curved ends of the ellipse, and a rotating top unit 6 mounted to an axle 8 extending between the end units 5. The top unit 6 could have curved side edges, forming part of the elliptical circumference of the table, or the top unit 6 could still be rectangular, in which case there would also be a fixed horizontal side panel to each side of the top unit 6, each with a curved outer edge forming part of the circumference of the table and a straight inner edge meeting an edge of the rotatable rectangular top unit 6 in either of its dispositions.

A wide variety of table shapes are possible, as long as the top unit 6 is not so wide that it would contact a floor beneath the table when being rotated between configurations.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An adaptable table comprising a support structure having a tabletop element mounted thereto, said tabletop element having a first, tabletop surface and a second surface, wherein the tabletop element is rotatable between a first disposition in which the first surface is uppermost and extends horizontally in use and a second disposition in which the second surface is uppermost, the table being provided with locking means adapted to secure the tabletop element selectably to the support structure in either of said first and second dispositions.

2. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second surface is provided with mounting means for the attachment thereto of further operative elements.

3. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said operative elements comprise bondage fittings.

4. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said bondage fittings include handcuffs, ropes, straps, shackles and/or fastenable strips of flexible material.

5. An adaptable table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second surface comprises padding means and/or is adapted to receive padding means, especially mattress means.

6. An adaptable table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tabletop element has an axis of symmetry and is rotatable about axle means extending horizontally along said axis of symmetry.

7. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the tabletop element is substantially rectangular.

8. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said axle means extends along an axis of symmetry parallel to a side of the rectangular tabletop element.

9. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the tabletop element has two parallel longer sides and two parallel shorter sides, and the axle means extends along an axis of symmetry parallel to said longer sides.

10. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises two terminal elements, each having a horizontal, in use, uppermost surface that is continuous with the first surface of the tabletop element when the tabletop element is in its first disposition.

11. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 10, wherein, in said first disposition of the tabletop element, the first surface of the tabletop element and the uppermost surfaces of the terminal elements together act as a continuous horizontal table top surface.

12. An adaptable table as claimed in either Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the tabletop element is rotatable about axle means extending horizontally between the two terminal elements.

13. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the locking means of the table comprises a respective locking mechanism adapted to fasten each terminal element to the tabletop element, optionally adapted separately to fasten each terminal element to the tabletop element.

14. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 13, wherein each said locking mechanism comprises controllably rotatable cam means mounted to a first of the tabletop element and a terminal element and further comprises slot means extending into a second of the tabletop element and said terminal element, wherein the cam means and corresponding slot means are aligned such that rotation of the cam means moves a portion of the cam means into or out of an interior of the slot means.

15. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the cam means and corresponding slot means are so aligned in both the first and the second dispositions of the tabletop element.

16. An adaptable table as claimed in either Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the cam means are aligned with a first said slot means in the first disposition of the tabletop element and with a second said slot means in the second disposition of the tabletop element.

17. An adaptable table as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, wherein each locking mechanism comprises a plurality of cam means and a plurality of slot means, optionally two cam means and four slot means.

18. An adaptable table as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 17, wherein each locking mechanism is provided with manual operating means, so linked to the cam means that movement of the operating means causes rotation of the cam means.

19. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of cam means, and said operating means is separately linked to each of said plurality of cam means so as to rotate the plurality of cam means in unison.

20. An adaptable table as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 19, wherein the cam means is or are mounted to the respective terminal element and the slot means extends or extend into the tabletop element.

21. An adaptable table as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 20, wherein further engagement means are provided to extend between the cam means and the slot means.

22. An adaptable table as claimed in Claim 21, wherein said engagement means comprise curved tongue means on the cam means configured to hook around post means located within the slot means.

23. A method of use of an adaptable table, comprising the steps of providing an adaptable table as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having its tabletop element in its first disposition; unlocking the locking means securing the tabletop element to the support structure of the table; rotating the tabletop element into its second disposition; and applying the locking means to secure the tabletop element to the support structure once more.