US20200367647A1

US20200367647A1 - Multi-surface comfort table

Info

Publication number: US20200367647A1
Application number: US16/633,416
Authority: US
Inventors: Jonathan Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-27
Filing date: 2018-07-14
Publication date: 2020-11-26
Also published as: WO2019020408A1; EP3657985A1

Abstract

Different aspects of the invention refer to a multi-surface comfort table, such as a coffee table, that turns into a footrest or a bed. This is a useful item of furniture especially for small living spaces, as it is a coffee table and footrest in one and thus takes up less space. It is designed to function as a normal coffee table, and, when needed, the top is modified quickly to reveal a soft cushioned surface to place your feet on. One example envisaged is that the surface slides open to reveal the cushioned surface, but other embodiments envisage the top surface to be also lifted, slid, rotated (on any axis) or flipped (or any combination thereof) to reveal the soft surface. This top surface can be whole, or divided into parts that can be manipulated individually revealing the soft parts where and when needed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tables which are configurable to reveal comfortable user-friendly comfortable surfaces. In particular, this invention relates to a coffee table that turns into a footrest.

BACKGROUND

Coffee tables are dimensioned such that they typically are placed in a sitting area and do not occupy much space. In a home environment this would be between the sofa and the television, in order to place objects, such as coffee mugs, whilst watching television or reading or resting.
However, such tables do not exist which permit an additional comfort for the user. Currently, users who wish to extend their legs and rest them in a horizontal fashion, thereby adopting a more restful disposition, can only do so by placing their feet on the coffee table. Apart from not being a hygienic practice, it is also uncomfortable. Soon the feet's own weight in contact with the hard table surface results in pain and discomfort for the user. Additionally, this resting practice increases the risk of accidentally displacing any elements placed on the table, such as glasses, dishes, vases, and so on, thereby harming the surface of the table as well as breaking them in case they eventually fall on the floor.
Therefore a need exists to effectively solve the abovementioned problems. In particular, the inventor has identified the need of providing hard top tables which are configurable into tables with user-comfortable surfaces.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide solutions to the above mentioned problems. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel multi-surface comfort table with adaptable functionality. On one hand it acts as a standard table and on the other hand it acts as a comfortable surface for resting. In one embodiment the table is a coffee table, and it can be transformed into a foot rest, for comfortably placing the feet whilst resting or reading. In another embodiment, the table may comprise more than two surfaces for providing yet further functionality.
This is accomplished by providing a coffee table comprising a hard surface that acts as a normal table top and a soft surface that can be used as a footrest, wherein these two surfaces are made free to move relative to each other and/or to the coffee table so that different surfaces are made available to the user as they require.
In another embodiment, the table comprises at least two overlapping layers. The top layer is a hard surface made from the same material as conventional tables, that is, typically wood or plastic or metal. It is therefore given the same use as any convention coffee, or sitting table. The top layer is configured to be mobile, that is, it can be moved to reveal the second layer. The second layer comprises a soft surface of cushion-like material covered by textile. This soft layer is comfortable for resting the feet or even the whole body, depending on the use and size of the table.
Hence, some or all of the aforementioned problems are resolved as defined by the accompanying independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements in the different drawings. Corresponding elements may also be referenced using different characters.

FIG. 1 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a first position.

FIG. 2 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a second position.

FIG. 3 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a third position.

FIG. 4 depicts stopping means and attachment means of the multi-surface comfort table.

FIG. 5 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a completely open bed-like configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts the multi-surface comfort table according to a first embodiment of the invention. As mentioned, this table could be a coffee table. The invention relates to a coffee table that turns into a footrest. This is a useful item of furniture especially for small living spaces, as it is a coffee table and footrest in one and thus takes up less space. It is designed to function as a normal coffee table, and, when needed, the top 1 is modified quickly to reveal a soft cushioned surface 2 to place your feet on. As can be seen in one example of FIG. 2, the surface 1 slides open to reveal the cushioned surface 2, but other embodiments envisage the top surface to be also lifted, rotated (on any axis) or flipped (or any combination thereof) to reveal the soft surface. This top surface can be whole, or divided into parts that can be manipulated individually revealing the soft parts where and when needed. In the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, the top surface comprises two halves which slide open in opposite directions.
In another aspect of the comfort table, the top surface comprises both hard and soft surfaces back to back, that is, the top surface contains one hard surface, and on the other side, a soft surface. This top can be rotated 180° (flipped) and then replaced on the coffee table stand with the desired surface pointing upwards. Again, this can be the whole table surface, or this can be split into two or more surfaces. The split can be a straight split or in a design feature (Yin Yang shape for example).
In the preferred configuration, the hard coffee table surface is made up of preferably two separate surfaces which can be slid apart to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table footrest combo has three different positions. In the first position of FIG. 1, it is fully closed, where it acts and looks like a normal coffee table. In the second position of FIG. 2, the top surface opens and overhangs the edges of the table revealing the soft footrest. These overhanging surfaces are fixed in a horizontal position so that any items (for example, food or drinks) can be left there without falling to the floor or spilling. In the third position of FIG. 3, the hard surfaces can be completely removed (without having to rotate them along either horizontal axes in any way as to avoid items falling off). The removed surfaces can then be used as food trays if desired. In one aspect the surface could have a softer underside so that it is comfortable on the knees (ex Bean bags). In the third position, the footrest can then be placed alongside the sofa to help make it wider and be even used as a sofa extension or spare bed. This may require an additional coffee table footrest or specially designed add-on depending on the size of the coffee table footrest and/or sofa.
FIG. 4 depicts the attachment means 3, whether it be a hinge, grove, rails or any other means, is designed to not protrude too much so that comfort of resting your legs on the coffee table footrest is not compromised. The attachment means is designed so that the top surfaces are maintained horizontal at all times when they are in the fully closed first position and the open second position. The stopping means 4 act as a clear definition between the fully first position (open state) and the third position (removed state) to avoid the table surfaces falling to the ground inadvertently. This definition could be a manual manoeuvre required by the user (pushing in a stop, twisting something, etc.) or a discernible stop (this could be audible, feelable—i.e. offering increased resistance etc.). It would be apparent to the skilled artisan that the stopping means 4 may be configured to permit the user to grip or handle the top surface to facilitate its movement.
In the closed state the coffee table footrest looks like and acts as a coffee table (FIG. 1). The drawings show the surfaces sliding out to the side to reveal the soft surface but in different embodiments they can move out in any direction. You could even have the surfaces move in relation to each other. For example they could be fixed to each other by groves or rails and parts, or all, of the surface could slide out away from or towards the user, depending on if they want to put their feet up while another user is still eating, or pull their food closer to them. FIG. 5 depicts the completely open configuration where the soft surface is completely revealed. No prior art shows a fully integral coffee table and footrest combo, as described above, where the whole coffee table transforms to reveal a soft surface to be used as a footrest.
Different aspects of the invention relate to:

- A coffee table that can be transformed into a footrest.
- A coffee table where the surface is manipulated to change it from hard to soft.
- A coffee table where the surface is moved to reveal a soft surface.
- A coffee table where the surface is removed to reveal a soft surface.
- A coffee table where the top surface is fixed movably to the rest of the table so that it can be moved to reveal a soft surface. Further where the surface is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane throughout its movement or where the surface can be removed from the rest of the table. Further where the surface can be used as a food tray.
- A coffee table where the surface is divided into two or more separate surfaces.
- A coffee table where there is a detectable or manual stop to ensure the surface is not removed completely inadvertently.
- A coffee table where the top surface has one hard surface and one soft surface and is rotated about either horizontal axis (flipped) have either the hard or the soft surface pointing up.
- A coffee table where, once the hard surface has been removed completely, it can act as a whole, or part, of a sofa widening means to create a bed.

The drawings show the surfaces sliding out to the side to reveal the soft surface but in different embodiments they can move out in any direction. You could even have the surfaces move in relation to each other. For example they could be fixed to each other by groves or rails and parts or all of the surface could slide out away from or towards the user, depending on if they want to put their feet up while another user is still eating, or pull their food closer to them. It is clear that the table could also be opened by means of a motor of any sort, which would reduce the effort required by the user to a minimum. Further embodiments could include other means to change the surface from soft to hard, where the surface itself is manipulated to change its state. This could be by adding a removing an electric charge, altering the chemical or biological composition, filling with a gas or liquid, or the use of magnets or any other similar means.
What has been described comprises several example embodiments. Since it is not possible or feasible to describe all the variations of combinations and permutations of the inventive concept that would give rise to a large number of embodiments and redundant paragraphs, it is understood that the skilled artisan would derive these different possible permutations and combinations of the different embodiments and aspects described after a direct and objective reading of this disclosure. Therefore, the main aspects and embodiments have been described, understanding that they comprise the remaining combinations, variations and modifications, whilst they are comprised within the scope of protection defined by the claims. The skilled person would understand that the presented description of the embodiments does not limit the invention, nor do the drawings.
In the following, further examples of the invention are provided:
A coffee table comprising a hard surface that acts as a normal table top and a soft surface that can be used as a footrest, wherein these two surfaces are made free to move relative to each other and/or to the coffee table so that the different surfaces are made available to the user as they require.
The coffee table, wherein either surface can be manipulated to reveal the other surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface is moveable to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface is removed to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface is fixed movably to the rest of the table so that it can be moved to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface is raised vertically relative to the coffee table leaving a gap between the table top and the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface is moved horizontally relative to the coffee table to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface is moved in a vertical and horizontal plane to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the surface is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane throughout its entire movement by attachment means. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface can be completely removed from the rest of the table. The coffee table, wherein the first top layer can be used as a food tray. The coffee table, further comprising a detectable, or manual, stop to ensure the hard surface is not removed completely inadvertently. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface and the soft surface are configured on either side of a surface, and the surface can be rotated about any axis thereby configuring either the hard or the soft surface pointing upwards. The coffee table, wherein the hard and soft surfaces conform two sides of the same table top, and the table top is manipulated to change it from hard to soft. The coffee table, wherein the table top can be flipped, or otherwise manipulated, to reveal the hard or the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard and soft surfaces conform two states of the same table top, and the table top is manipulated to change it from the hard to soft state, or from the soft to hard state. The coffee table where the hard and/or soft surfaces are divided into two or more separate parts. The coffee table, further comprising motorised means for moving the hard surface, or soft surface, or both surfaces. The coffee table where, once the first top layer has been removed completely, the coffee table can be placed next to the sofa to act as a whole, or part, of a sofa widening means to create wider surface that can be used to sleep on. the coffee table can be placed next to the sofa to act as a whole, or part, of a sofa widening means to create wider surface that can be used to sleep on.

Claims

1. A coffee table comprising a hard surface that acts as a normal table top and a soft surface that can be used as a footrest, wherein these two surfaces are made free to move relative to each other and/or to the rest of the coffee table so that the different surfaces are made available to the user as they require.

2. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein either surface can be manipulated to reveal the other surface.

3. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface is moveable to reveal the soft surface.

4. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface is removed to reveal the soft service.

5. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface is fixed movably to the rest of the table so that it can be moved to reveal the soft service.

6. The coffee table according to claim 5, wherein the hard surface is raised vertically relative to the coffee table leaving a gap between the table top and the soft surface.

7. The coffee table according to claim 5, wherein the hard surface is moved horizontally relative to the coffee table to reveal the soft surface.

8. The coffee table according to claim 5, wherein the hard surface is moved in a vertical and horizontal plane to reveal the soft surface.

9. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein the surface is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane throughout its entire movement by attachment means.

10. The coffee table according to claim 5, wherein the hard surface can be completely removed from the rest of the table.

11. The coffee table according to claim 10, wherein the hard surface can be used as a food tray.

12. The coffee table according to claim 1, further comprising a detectable, or manual, stop to ensure the hard surface is not removed completely inadvertently.

13. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface and the soft surface are configured on either side of a surface, and the surface can be rotated about any axis thereby configuring either the hard or the soft surface pointing upwards.

14. The coffee table according to claim 2, wherein the hard and soft surfaces conform two sides of the same table top, and the table top is manipulated to change it from hard to soft.

15. The coffee table according to claim 14, wherein the table top can be flipped, or otherwise manipulated, to reveal the hard or the soft surface.

16. The coffee table according to claim 2, wherein the hard and soft surfaces conform two states of the same table top, and the table top is manipulated to change it from the hard to soft state, or from the soft to hard state.

17. The coffee table according to claim 1 where the hard and/or soft surfaces are divided into two or more separate parts.

18. The coffee table according to claim 1, further comprising motorized means for moving the hard surface, or soft surface, or both surfaces.

19. The coffee table according to claim 1 where, once the first top layer has been removed completely, the coffee table can be placed next to the sofa to act as a whole, or part, of a sofa widening means to create wider surface that can be used to sleep on.