WO2019077608A1

WO2019077608A1 - Furniture item

Info

Publication number: WO2019077608A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/051114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oren Moshe STEINMETS
Original assignee: Lavi Furniture Industries Cooperative Agricultural Society Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-19
Filing date: 2018-10-18
Publication date: 2019-04-25
Also published as: IL255151B; IL255151A0

Abstract

A furniture item comprising: a cabinet having cabinet side walls extending from a cabinet bottom to a cabinet rim defining together a cabinet interior storage space and an uppermost cabinet plane; a cover member having a cover bottom face; and a cover manipulating mechanism articulating the cover member to the cabinet, having a cover pivoting axis, and configured to enable the displacement of the cover member with respect to the cabinet to assume at least the following positions: a closed position in which the cover bottom face is juxtaposed and coplanar with the uppermost cabinet plane; an angled position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about said cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane; and an elevated position in which the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said closed position and at said angled position.

Description

FURNITURE ITEM

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosed subject matter relates to the field of furniture items, and more particularly, to furniture items that can be used as reading desks. BACKGROUND

Furniture items that comprise a storage cabinet and a top cover are used in various locations, such as, houses of prayers, classrooms, lecturing halls, etc. These furniture items are known as reading desks, or lecterns. It is common that the top cover is hinged to the cabinet so as to allow pivotal displacement about an axis extending at the back side of the cabinet between a closed state, in which it rests over a top plane of the cabinet, and an open state, in which the cabinet top is open to enable access to an interior portion of the cabinet.

In some cases, the top cover is structured of two portions that are one on the other. According to this example, a lower portion is pivotally connected to the cabinet at its rear side, and an upper portion is pivotally connected to the lower portion at a front end of the lower portion. The pivotal connection between the lower portion and the upper portion allows folding the upper portion so that it rests over the lower portion, and unfolding the upper portion with respect to the lower portion so that the lower portion and the upper portion are coplanar with each other. At the unfolded position, larger objects can be placed on the top cover. This position also allows placing objects closer to a person who is seated in front of the cabinet. However, when unfolded, the upper portion protrudes in front of the furniture item, and thereby, obstructs or narrows the space in front of the furniture item.

One example of a known furniture item is disclosed in US 4,735,469. This reference discloses an audio-visual equipment station which comprises a podium portion and a projector support portion. The podium portion includes a base member, a front wall, and a pair of upstanding, spaced apart side walls, each side wall having inclined top edges. A planar top surface is hingedly connected to the front wall, allowing the top surface to be pivoted from a rest position in which it is supported on the inclined top edges of the side walls to a nearly vertical position in which the surface may be used as an easel. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is related to a furniture item configured for storing objects therein. Moreover, the furniture item can be used for providing support to one or more objects (e.g., books, laptops, etc.) at one or more parts thereof to be used by a user (e.g., a reader, a prayer, a worshipper, a student, a lecturer, etc.) who is sitting or standing. According to a particular example, the furniture item of the presently disclosed subject matter can be used as a reading desk in a house of prayers (e.g., a synagogue, a church, etc.) by being mounted to a back of a seating system, and to be used by a prayer who sits or stands behind the seating system and faces the back of the seating system while praying. As detailed below with respect to different aspects of the furniture item of the presently disclosed subject matter, it has different configurations that provide various capabilities for supporting objects at various parts thereof while the user sits or stands, and is conveniently storing and extracting objects from the furniture item.

According to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a furniture item comprising:

a cabinet having cabinet side walls extending from a cabinet bottom to a cabinet rim defining together a cabinet interior storage space and an uppermost cabinet plane, a cover member having a cover bottom face, and a cover manipulating mechanism articulating the cover member to the cabinet, having a cover pivoting axis, and configured to enable the displacement of the cover member with respect to the cabinet to assume at least the following positions:

a closed position in which the cover bottom face is juxtaposed and coplanar with the uppermost cabinet plane;

an angled position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane; and

an elevated position in which the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position and at the angled position.

The cover member is displaceable with respect to the cabinet between the closed position and the angled position by a pivotal movement thereof, and between the closed position and the elevated position by a substantially linear movement thereof together with the cover pivoting axis. While the displacement from the closed position to the angled position provides access to the cabinet interior storage space, the displacement from the closed position to the elevated position also provides at least partial access to the cabinet interior storage space and entirely raises the cover member as well. Raising the cover member to the elevated position can be used for bringing objects placed thereon closer to the user, for example, when the user stands behind the seating system and reads a prayer book placed on the cover member.

The manipulating mechanism can enable fixing the cover member at the angled position and/or at the elevated position.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be incorporated in the furniture item of the first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, independently or in combination thereof.

The cover bottom face can extend between a front cover bottom rim and a rear cover bottom rim, and at the angled position a first distance between the front cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane is greater than a second distance between the rear cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane.

Upon a displacement of the cover member from the closed positon to the elevated position, the rear cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

Upon a displacement of the cover member from the closed positon to the elevated position, the cover pivoting axis is displaced from the cabinet bottom to the third distance.

At the elevated position, the cover bottom face can be substantially parallel to the uppermost cabinet plane.

The cover top face can be horizontal when the cover member assumes an elevated position.

The cover member can be further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume an angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane and the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position and at the angled position.

Upon the displacement of the cover member from the closed position to the angled-elevated position, the front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of the first distance and the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, and the rear 95 cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of the second distance and the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

The cover member can be displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume the angled-elevated position from either the elevated position or the angled position.

The cover manipulating mechanism can comprise: a cover elevation mechanism 100 connected to the cabinet and configured for allowing a displacement of the cover member between the closed position and the elevated position; and a cover pivoting mechanism pivotally articulating the cover member to the cabinet and for allowing the pivotal displacement of the cover member between the closed position and the angled position about the cover pivoting axis.

105 The cover member can be configured to be fixed at one or more elevated positions between a minimal and a maximal distance between the cover bottom face and the upper cabinet plane.

The furniture item can further comprise an internal chamber received within the cabinet interior storage space and having chamber side walls, so that the cover 110 manipulation mechanism at least partially extends between the cabinet side walls and the chamber side walls. The internal chamber can form a storage area which is free of moving parts, such as the cover manipulation mechanism.

The cover member can further have a cover top face opposite to the cover bottom face and extends between a front cover top rim and a rear cover top rim. Such cover 115 member can further comprise a first support member extending from the cover bottom face and positioned closer to the rear cover bottom rim than to the front cover bottom rim, and a second support member extending from the cover top face and positioned closer to the rear cover top rim than to the front cover top rim.

The first support member can extend from the rear cover bottom rim. 120 The second support member can extend from the rear cover top rim.

The first support member can be elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover bottom rim.

The second support member can be elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover top rim.

125 The angled position can comprise a maximally angled position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of the cover bottom face.

The cover member can be further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to

130 assume a maximally angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of the cover bottom face and the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position, at the angled position, and at the maximally angled

135 position.

The first support member can be configured to support objects placed upon the cover bottom face when the cover member is at the maximally angled position or at the maximally angled-elevated position.

The second support member can be configured to prevent objects placed on the 140 cover top face from sliding over the cover top face through the rear cover top rim, at least at the closed position or the elevated position of the cover member.

The furniture item can further comprise a side shelf having a shelf rear face facing a front side wall of the cabinet side walls and an opposite shelf front face, the side shelf being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the side shelf to assume the 145 following positions: a folded position in which the shelf rear face is juxtaposed with the front side wall; and an unfolded position in which the shelf rear face is angled to the front side wall and the shelf front face is at least partially facing an upward direction.

The side shelf can further comprise a shelf support member extending from the shelf front face closer to a shelf bottom rim than to a shelf top rim for supporting an object 150 disposed thereon at least at the unfolded position.

The side shelf can be configured to be fixed at the unfolded position.

The side shelf can be configured to fixedly assume a maximal unfolded angle.

According to a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a furniture item comprising:

155 a cabinet having side walls extending from a cabinet bottom to a cabinet rim defining together a cabinet interior storage space and an uppermost cabinet plane; and a cover member comprising: a cover bottom face extending between a front cover bottom rim and a rear cover bottom rim; a cover top face opposite to the cover bottom face and extending between a front cover top rim and a rear cover top rim; the cover member being 160 pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the cover member about a cover pivoting axis to assume at least the following positions:

a closed position in which the cover bottom face is juxtaposed and coplanar with the uppermost cabinet plane; and

an angled position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about the cover 165 pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane;

wherein the furniture item further comprises a first support member extending from the cover bottom face and positioned closer to the rear cover bottom rim than to the front cover bottom rim; and a second support member extending from the cover top face and positioned closer to the rear cover top rim than to the front cover top rim.

170 According to the second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, when the cover member assumes the closed position, the second support member can support objects, such as a reading material placed on the cover top face, and prevent them from sliding over the cover top face via the rear cover top rim. In addition, while the cover member assumes an angled position and leans backwards (i.e., a maximally angled 175 position discussed below), objects placed over the cover bottom face, can be supported by the first support member. The first and the second support members allow using both sides of the cover member for leaning thereon different objects at different positions of the cover member, and provide support to these objects.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be 180 incorporated in the furniture item of the second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, independently or in combination thereof:

At the angled position, a first distance between the front cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane is greater than a second distance between the rear cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane.

185 The first support member can extend from the rear cover bottom rim.

The second support member can extend from the rear cover top rim. The first support member can be elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover bottom rim.

The second support member can be elongated in a direction which is parallel to 190 the rear cover top rim. The angled position can comprise a maximally angled position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of the cover bottom face.

195 The cover member can be further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume a maximally angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of the cover bottom face and the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent

200 greater than at the closed position, at the angled position, and at the maximally angled position.

205 The furniture item can further comprise a cover manipulating mechanism articulating the cover member to the cabinet and having the cover pivoting axis for pivoting of the cover member about the cover pivoting axis to assume at least the closed position and the angled position; and wherein the cover manipulating mechanism is further configured to enable the displacement of the cover member with respect to the

210 cabinet to assume an elevated position in which the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position and at the angled position.

The cover manipulating mechanism can comprise: a cover elevation mechanism connected to the cabinet and configured for allowing a displacement of the cover member 215 between the closed position and the elevated position; and a cover pivoting mechanism pivotally articulating the cover member to the cabinet and for allowing the pivotal displacement of the cover member between the closed position and the angled position about the cover pivoting axis.

Upon a displacement of the cover member from the closed positon to the elevated 220 position, the rear cover bottom rim can be upwardly displaced at a third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane. Upon a displacement of the cover member from the closed positon to the elevated position, the cover pivoting axis can be displaced from the cabinet bottom to the third distance.

225 Upon a displacement from the closed positon to the elevated position, the front cover bottom rim can be upwardly displaced at the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, so that at the elevated position, the cover bottom face is substantially parallel to the uppermost cabinet plane.

The second support member can be configured to prevent objects placed on the 230 cover top face from sliding over the cover top face through the rear cover top rim, at least when the cover member is at the closed position or the elevated position.

The cover member can be further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume an angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane and the cover pivoting 235 axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position and at the angled position.

Upon the displacement of the cover member from the closed position to the angled-elevated position, the front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of the first distance and the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, and the rear 240 cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of the second distance and the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

The furniture item can further comprise an internal chamber received within the 245 cabinet interior storage space and having chamber side walls, so that the cover manipulation mechanism at least partially extends between the cabinet side walls and the chamber side walls. The internal chamber can form a storage area which is free of moving parts, such as the cover manipulation mechanism.

The furniture item can further comprise a side shelf having a shelf rear face facing 250 a front side wall of the cabinet side walls and an opposite shelf front face, the side shelf being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the side shelf to assume the following positions: a folded position in which the shelf rear face is juxtaposed with the front side wall; and an unfolded position in which the shelf rear face is angled to the front side wall and the shelf front face is at least partially facing an upward direction.

255 The side shelf can further comprise a shelf support member extending from the shelf front face closer to a shelf bottom rim than to a shelf top rim for supporting an object disposed thereon at least at the unfolded position.

The side shelf can be configured to be fixed at the unfolded position.

According to a third aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is 260 provided a furniture item comprising:

a cabinet having side walls extending from a cabinet bottom to a cabinet rim defining together a cabinet interior storage space and an uppermost cabinet plane; and a cover member comprising a cover bottom face, the cover member being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the cover member about a cover 265 pivoting axis to assume at least the following positions:

270 a side shelf comprising a shelf rear face facing a front side wall of the side walls and an opposite shelf front face, the side shelf being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the side shelf to assume the following positions:

a folded position in which the shelf rear face is juxtaposed with the front side wall; and

275 an unfolded position in which the shelf rear face is angled to the front side wall and the shelf front face is at least partially facing an upward direction.

According to the third aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the furniture item comprises two separate parts (i.e., the cover member and the side shelf) that are displaceable with respect to the cabinet. The cover member is pivotally

280 displaceable with respect to the cabinet from the closed position to the angled position to provide access to the cabinet interior storage space. The side shelf is displaceable with respect to the front side wall of the cabinet between the folded position, in which obstruction of the side shelf in the space in front of the furniture item is minimized, and an unfolded position, in which objects, such as a reading material, can be placed on the 285 shelf front face.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be incorporated in the furniture item of the third aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, independently or in combination thereof:

The side shelf can further comprise a shelf support member extending from the 290 shelf front face closer to a shelf bottom rim than to a shelf top rim for supporting an object disposed thereon at least at the unfolded position.

The side shelf can be fixed at the unfolded position.

The cover bottom face can extend between a front cover bottom rim and a rear cover bottom rim, and at the angled position a first distance between the front cover 295 bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane is greater than a second distance between the rear cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane.

The cover member can further have a cover top face opposite to the cover bottom face and extends between a front cover top rim and a rear cover top rim. Such cover member can further comprise a first support member extending from the cover bottom 300 face and positioned closer to the rear cover bottom rim than to the front cover bottom rim, and a second support member extending from the cover top face and positioned closer to the rear cover top rim than to the front cover bottom rim.

The first support member can extend from the rear cover bottom rim. The second support member can extend from the rear cover top rim. 305 The first support member can be elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover bottom rim.

The angled position can comprise a maximally angled position in which the cover 310 bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of the cover bottom face.

The cover member can be further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume a maximally angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is partially 315 facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of the cover bottom face and the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position, at the angled position, and at the maximally angled position.

320 The first support member can be configured to support objects placed upon the cover bottom face when the cover member is at the maximally angled position or the maximally angled-elevated position.

The furniture item can further comprise a cover manipulating mechanism articulating the cover member to the cabinet and having the cover pivoting axis for

325 pivoting of the cover member about the cover pivoting axis to assume at least the closed position and the angled position; and wherein the cover manipulating mechanism is further configured to enable the displacement of the cover member with respect to the cabinet to assume an elevated position in which the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position and at the angled

330 position.

The cover manipulating mechanism can comprise: a cover elevation mechanism connected to the cabinet and configured for allowing a displacement of the cover member between the closed position and the elevated position; and a cover pivoting mechanism pivotally articulating the cover member to the cabinet and for allowing the pivotal

335 displacement of the cover member between the closed position and the angled position about the cover pivoting axis.

340 Upon a displacement of the cover member from the closed positon to the elevated position, the cover pivoting axis is displaced from the cabinet bottom to the third distance.

Upon a displacement from the closed positon to the elevated position, the front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, so that at the elevated position, the cover bottom face is substantially parallel to

345 the uppermost cabinet plane. The second support member can be configured to prevent objects placed on the cover top face from sliding over the cover top face through the rear cover top rim, at least when the cover member is at the closed position or the elevated position.

The cover member can be further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to 350 assume an angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane and the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at the closed position and at the angled position.

Upon the displacement of the cover member from the closed position to the 355 angled-elevated position, the front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of the first distance and the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, and the rear cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of the second distance and the third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

The cover member can be displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume the 360 angled-elevated position from either the elevated position or the angled position.

The furniture item can further comprise an internal chamber received within the cabinet interior storage space and having chamber side walls, so that the cover manipulation mechanism at least partially extends between the cabinet side walls and the chamber side walls. The internal chamber can form a storage area which is free of moving 365 parts, such as the cover manipulation mechanism.

The furniture item of the first, second and third aspects can be purely mechanically operated and free of any electrical elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to 370 exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the furniture item according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, in which the cover member of the furniture item 375 is at its closed position and its side shelf is at its folded position;

Fig. IB is a side view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A; Fig. 1C is a cross-sectional side view along line A-A of Fig. 1A, with the side shelf omitted;

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A, in which the cover member of the furniture item is at its angled position;

Fig. 2B is a side view of the furniture item of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2C is a perspective view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A, in which the cover member of the furniture item is at its maximally- angled position;

Fig. 2D is a side view of the furniture item of Fig. 2C;

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A, in which the cover member of the furniture item is at its elevated position;

Fig. 3B is a side view of the furniture item of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional side view along line B-B of Fig. 3A, with the side shelf omitted;

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A, in which the cover member of the furniture item is at its angled-elevated position;

Fig. 4B is a side view of the furniture item of Fig. 4A;

Fig. 4C is a perspective view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A, in which the cover member of the furniture item is at its maximally angled-elevated position;

Fig. 4D is a side view of the furniture item of Fig. 4C;

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A, in which the cover member of the furniture item is at its closed position, and its side shelf is at its unfolded position; and

Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the furniture item of Fig. 1 A, in which the cover member of the furniture item is at its open position, and its side shelf is at its unfolded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1A to 5B disclose an example of a furniture item, generally designated as 1, according to the three aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter. The furniture item 1 according to this particular example is a reading desk for a house of prayers, configured for storing objects therein and for providing support to one or more praying books at one or more parts thereof to be used by a while sitting or standing. The furniture item 1 is configured to be mounted to a back of a seating system (not shown) by a mounting arrangement 9 (Figs. 1 A and IB), and to be used by a prayer who sits and/or stands behind

410 the seating system and facing its back while praying. The explanations below describe different configurations of the furniture item 1, emphasizing its various capabilities for supporting objects and conveniently storing and extracting them from the furniture item.

The furniture item 1 comprises a cabinet 3, a cover member 5, and a cover manipulating mechanism 7 articulating the cover member 5 to the cabinet 3.

415 The cover member 5 comprises a cover bottom face 52 and an opposite cover top face 56. The cover top face 56 extends between a front cover top rim 58 and a rear cover top rim 57, and the cover bottom face 52 extends between a front cover bottom rim 54 and a rear cover bottom rim 53.

The cabinet 3 comprises a right side wall 32a, a left side wall 32b, a front side

420 wall 39 and a rear side wall 38, all extending from a cabinet bottom 34 to a cabinet rim

35. The cabinet rim 35 defines an uppermost cabinet plane U with respect to which displacement of the cover member 5 is defined, as explained below. A cabinet interior storage space S is enclosed by the cabinet side walls 32a and 32b, the front side wall 39, the rear wall 38, the cabinet bottom 34 and the uppermost cabinet plane U. The furniture

425 item 1 further comprises an internal chamber 8 defined by chamber side walls 82, forming a basin, that is received within the cabinet interior storage space S. The internal chamber 8 forms a storage area for different objects (such as prayer books and prayer cloths), and is free of moving parts, such as the cover manipulation mechanism 7. The cover manipulation mechanism 7 is structured of two symmetrical right and left units, each

430 extending between its respective cabinet side wall and chamber side wall. Although these units are separate from each other, explanations below with respect to the manipulation mechanism 7 are provided with the same reference numerals.

The cover manipulating mechanism 7 comprises a cover pivoting mechanism 74 and a cover elevation mechanism 77 interconnected by a central bracket 75.

435 The cover member 5 is pivotally mounted to the side walls 32a and 32b by the cover pivoting mechanism 74, so as to enable pivotal displacement of the cover member 5 about a cover pivoting axis X. The central bracket 75 is pivotally mounted to the cover elevation mechanism 77, so as to enable linear displacement of the cover member with respect to the cabinet 3. The cover elevation mechanism 77 comprises a cover fixing 440 mechanism 78 and a cover fixing bar 79 slideably accommodated within the fixing mechanism 78 to substantially linearly move therein, and restrict movement of the central bracket 75 to a substantially linear movement. It is appreciated that other examples of the furniture item can comprise different types of cover manipulation mechanisms that provide pivotal and linear displacement of a cover member.

445 In operation, the cover member 5 is displaceable with respect to the cabinet 3 to assume at least the following positions: a closed position (shown in Figs. 1 A- 1C) in which the cover bottom face 52 is juxtaposed and coplanar with the uppermost cabinet plane U; an angled position (shown in Figs. 2A-2D) in which the cover bottom face 52 is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis X with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane U; and an

450 elevated position (shown in Figs. 3A-3C) in which the cover pivoting axis X is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom 34 at an extent greater than that at the closed position and at the angled position.

As shown in Fig. 2B, at the angled position, the cover member 5 is angled with respect to the cabinet 3, so that an angle a is formed. Moreover, at the angled position,

455 the front cover bottom rim 54 is spaced from the uppermost cabinet plane U to a first distance Dl, which is greater than a second distance D2 that is formed between the rear cover bottom rim 53 and the uppermost cabinet plane U.

At the closed position of the cover member 5, the cover pivoting axis X is spaced from the cabinet bottom 34 to a fifth distance D5, at the angled position, the cover

460 pivoting axis X is spaced from the cabinet bottom 34 to a sixth distance D6, and at the elevated position, the cover pivoting axis X is spaced from the cabinet bottom 34 to a seventh distance D7, so that D7>D6>D5. It is appreciated that according to other examples of the furniture item 1, D6 can be substantially equal to D5.

Turning now to Figs. 3 A and 3B, it can be seen that upon displacement of the

465 cover member 5 from the closed positon to the elevated position, the rear cover bottom rim 53 and the front cover bottom rim 54 are both upwardly displaced at a third distance D3 from the uppermost cabinet plane U. Moreover, at the elevated position, the cover bottom face 52 is substantially parallel to the uppermost cabinet plane U.

In summary, the cover member 5 is displaceable with respect to the cabinet 3

470 between the closed position and the angled position by a pivotal movement, and between the closed position and the elevated position by a substantially linear movement. While the displacement from the closed position to the angled position provides access to the cabinet interior storage space S, and in particular, to the internal chamber 8, the displacement from the closed position to the elevated position also provides at least partial

475 access to the cabinet interior storage space S and entirely raises the cover member 5 as well. Raising the cover member 5 to the elevated position can be used for bringing a prayer book placed thereon closer to the user, for example, when the user stands behind the seating system and reads the prayer book placed on the cover member.

In addition to the above described angled position and elevated position, as shown

480 in Figs. 4A and 4B, the cover member 5 is also displaceable with respect to the cabinet 3 to assume an angled-elevated position, which is a combined position of the angled and the elevated positions. At the angled-elevated position, the cover member 5 is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis X with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane U and the cover pivoting axis X is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom 34 at an extent greater than

485 at the closed position, at the elevated position and at the angled position. Upon the displacement of the cover member 5 from the closed position to the angled-elevated position, the front cover bottom rim 54 is upwardly spaced from the uppermost cabinet plane U at a distance D4' that constitutes a sum of the first distance Dl and the third distance D3, and the rear cover bottom rim 53 is spaced from the uppermost cabinet plane

490 U at a distance D4 that constitutes a sum of the second distance D2 and the third distance D3. The cover member 5 is displaceable with respect to the cabinet 3 to assume the angled-elevated position from either the elevated position or the angled position. The angled-elevated position can be used to increase the access to the internal chamber 8.

Turning to Figs. 2C, 2D, 4C and 4D, the cover member 5 is further displaceable

495 to a maximally angled position and to a maximally angled-elevated position, which are specific cases of the angled position and the angled-elevated position, respectively. At the maximally angled position and at the maximally angled-elevated position, the cover bottom face 52 is partially facing an upward direction D and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis X to an obtuse angle ama formed between the cover bottom face 52 and the

500 uppermost cabinet plane U. Moreover, at the maximally angled position and at the maximally angled-elevated position, the cover bottom face 52 is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis X to an obtuse angle p_ma formed between the cover bottom face 52 and a horizontal plane H at the side of the cover bottom face 52. The restriction of the pivotal displacement of the cover member over the maximal angle (Xmax IS provided by a

505 restricting member 73 of the cover pivoting mechanism 74, which is pivotally mounted to the central bracket 75 and to the cover member 5. At the maximally angled position and at the maximally angled-elevated position, the cover bottom face 52 can be used to place thereon objects such as a book, as detailed below.

At the maximally angled-elevated position, the cover pivoting axis X is spaced

510 apart from the cabinet bottom 34 at an extent greater than at the closed position, at the angled position, and at the maximally angled position.

Reference is now made particularly to Figs. 1A-1C, 2C and 4C, in order to describe the second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter. As shown in Figs. 2C and 4C, the cover member 5 further comprises a first elongated support member 55

515 extending from the cover bottom face 52 and positioned parallel and proximal to the rear cover bottom rim 53. The first support member 55 is configured to support objects placed upon the cover bottom face 52 while the cover member 5 is at either the maximally angled position (Fig. 2C) or the maximally angled-elevated position (Fig. 4C). It is appreciated that other embodiments of the first support member can have a support member of a

520 different geometry, a different positioning, and a plurality of supports members that extend from the cover bottom face. In addition, as shown in Figs. 1A-1C, the cover member 5 further comprises a second support member 59 extending from the cover top face 56 and positioned parallel and proximal to the rear cover top rim 57. The second support member 59 is configured to support objects, such as a book, placed on the cover

525 top face 56, from sliding over the cover member 5 through the rear cover top rim 57, at least at the closed position of the cover member 5. It is appreciated that other embodiments of the second support member can have a support member of a different geometry, a different positioning, and a plurality of supports members that extend from the cover bottom face. In summary, the first and the second support members 55 and 59

530 allow using both sides of the cover member 5 for leaning thereon different objects at different positions of the cover member 5, and provide support to these objects.

Turning now to Figs. 1A and 5 A, which show the third aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, the furniture item 1 further comprises a side shelf 6 having a shelf rear face 61 facing the front side wall 39 and an opposite shelf front face 62. The

535 side shelf 6 is pivotally articulated to the right side wall 32a and the left side wall 32b by a shelf folding mechanism 66 to enable pivoting of the side shelf 6 about a shelf pivoting axis 64 to assume the following positions: a folded position (shown in Fig. 1A) in which the shelf rear face 61 is juxtaposed with the front side wall 39, and an unfolded position in which the shelf rear face 61 is pivoted about the shelf pivoting axis 64 and angled with 540 respect to the front side wall 39 and the shelf front face 62 is at least partially facing an upward direction.

In summary, the furniture item 1 comprises two separate parts (i.e., the cover member 5 and the side shelf 6 that are displaceable with respect to the cabinet 3). The cover member 5 is pivotally displaceable with respect to the cabinet 3 from the closed

545 position to the angled position to provide access to the cabinet interior storage space. The side shelf 6 is displaceable with respect to the front side wall of the cabinet between the folded position (Fig. 1A), in which the obstruction of the side shelf in the space in front of the furniture item is minimized, and an unfolded position (Figs. 5A and 5B), in which objects, such as a reading material, can be placed on the shelf front face. The side shelf 6

550 further comprises a shelf support member 65 extending from the shelf front face 62 at a shelf bottom rim 63. The shelf support member 65 is configured to prevent objects placed on the shelf front face 62 from sliding downward through the shelf bottom rim 63 at the unfolded position of the side shelf 6.

Turning to Fig. 5 A, the shelf folding mechanism 66 comprises two main arms 67

555 that are pivotally connected to the right side wall 32a and the left side wall 32b, respectively, and two auxiliary arms 67', each pivotally connected to the right side wall 32a and the left side wall 32b and to the main arms 67, respectively. The displacement of the main arms 67 from the folded position to the unfolded position is configured to be restricted by ribs 32' protruding from the right side wall 32a and the left side wall 32b,

560 respectively. The shelf folding mechanism 66 further comprises shelf fixing mechanisms

68 and shelf fixing bars 69 slideably accommodated within the shelf fixing mechanisms 68 for guiding main arms 67 during their pivotal displacement.

565

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A furniture item comprising:

a cabinet having cabinet side walls extending from a cabinet bottom to a cabinet 570 rim defining together a cabinet interior storage space and an uppermost cabinet plane;

a cover member having a cover bottom face; and

a cover manipulating mechanism articulating the cover member to the cabinet, having a cover pivoting axis, and configured to enable the displacement of the cover member with respect to the cabinet to assume at least the following positions:

575 a closed position in which the cover bottom face is juxtaposed and coplanar with the uppermost cabinet plane;

an angled position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about said cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane; and an elevated position in which the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from 580 the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said closed position and at said angled position.

2. A furniture item according to Claim 1, wherein said cover bottom face extends between a front cover bottom rim and a rear cover bottom rim; and wherein at said angled

585 position a first distance between said front cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane is greater than a second distance between the rear cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane.

3. A furniture item according to Claim 2, wherein upon said displacement from said 590 closed positon to said elevated position, said rear cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

4. A furniture item according to Claim 3, wherein upon said displacement from said closed positon to said elevated position, said front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced

595 at said third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, so that at said elevated position, said cover bottom face is substantially parallel to said uppermost cabinet plane.

5. A furniture item according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein at said displacement of said cover member from said closed position to said elevated position, said cover pivoting axis

600 is displaced from the cabinet bottom to said third distance.

6. A furniture item according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover member is further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume an angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis with

605 respect to the uppermost cabinet plane and said cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said closed position and at said angled position.

7. A furniture item according to Claim 6, when dependent on Claim 3, wherein upon 610 said displacement of the cover member from said closed position to said angled-elevated position, said front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of said first distance and said third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, and said rear cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of said second distance and said third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

615

8. A furniture item according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the cover member is displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume said angled-elevated position from either said elevated position or said angled position.

620 9. A furniture item according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cover manipulating mechanism comprises: a cover elevation mechanism connected to the cabinet and configured for allowing a displacement of the cover member between the closed position and the elevated position; and a cover pivoting mechanism pivotally articulating the cover member to said cabinet and for allowing the pivotal displacement

625 of the cover member between the closed position and the angled position about said cover pivoting axis.

10. A furniture item according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal chamber received within the cabinet interior storage space and having chamber 630 side walls; and wherein said cover manipulation mechanism at least partially extends between the cabinet side walls and the chamber side walls.

11. A furniture item according to any of the preceding claims, when dependent on Claim 2, wherein said cover member further has a cover top face opposite to said cover

635 bottom face, and said cover top face extends between a front cover top rim and a rear cover top rim, the cover member further comprises a first support member extending from the cover bottom face and positioned closer to the rear cover bottom rim than to the front cover bottom rim, and a second support member extending from the cover top face and positioned closer to the rear cover top rim than to the front cover top rim.

640

12. A furniture item according to Claim 11, wherein said first support member extends from said rear cover bottom rim, and said second support member extends from said rear cover top rim.

645 13. A furniture item according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein said first support member is elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover bottom rim, and said second support member is elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover top rim.

14. A furniture item according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said angled 650 position comprises a maximally angled position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of said cover bottom face.

655 15. A furniture item according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover member is further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume a maximally angled- elevated position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of said cover bottom face and said cover

660 pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said closed position, at said angled position, and at said maximally angled position.

16. A furniture item according to Claim 15, when dependent on Claim 11, wherein said first support member is configured to support objects placed upon the cover bottom

665 face when the cover member is at said maximally angled position or at said maximally angled-elevated position.

17. A furniture item according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said second support member is configured to support objects placed on the cover top face from sliding

670 over the cover top face through the rear cover top rim, at least at the closed position or the elevated position of the cover member.

18. A furniture item according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a side shelf having a shelf rear face facing a front side wall of said cabinet side walls and

675 an opposite shelf front face, said side shelf being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the side shelf to assume the following positions: a folded position in which said shelf rear face is juxtaposed with the front side wall; and an unfolded position in which the shelf rear face is angled to the front side wall and said shelf front face is at least partially facing an upward direction.

680

19. A furniture item according to Claim 18, wherein said side shelf further comprises a shelf support member extending from said shelf front face closer to a shelf bottom rim than to a shelf top rim for supporting an object disposed thereon at least at said unfolded position.

685

20. A furniture item according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein said side shelf can be fixed at said unfolded position.

21. A furniture item comprising:

690 a cabinet having side walls extending from a cabinet bottom to a cabinet rim defining together a cabinet interior storage space and an uppermost cabinet plane; and a cover member comprising: a cover bottom face extending between a front cover bottom rim and a rear cover bottom rim; a cover top face opposite to the cover bottom face and extending between a front cover top rim and a rear cover top rim; said cover member 695 being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the cover member about a cover pivoting axis to assume at least the following positions: a closed position in which the cover bottom face is juxtaposed and coplanar with the uppermost cabinet plane; and an angled position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about said cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane;

700 wherein said furniture item further comprises a first support member extending from the cover bottom face and positioned closer to the rear cover bottom rim than to the front cover bottom rim; and a second support member extending from the cover top face and positioned closer to the rear cover top rim than to the front cover top rim.

705 22. A furniture item according to Claim 21, wherein at said angled position a first distance between said front cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane is greater than a second distance between said rear cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane.

710 23. A furniture item according to Claim 21 or Claim 22, wherein said first support member extends from said rear cover bottom rim, and said second support member extends from said rear cover top rim.

24. A furniture item according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said first support 715 member is elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover bottom rim, and said second support member is elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover top rim.

25. A furniture item according to one of the Claims 21 to 24, wherein said angled 720 position comprises a maximally angled position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about said cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of said cover bottom face.

725 26. A furniture item according to any one of the Claims 21 to 25, wherein the cover member is further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume a maximally angled- elevated position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of said cover bottom face and said cover

730 pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said closed position, at said angled position, and at said maximally angled position.

27. A furniture item according to Claims 25 to 26, wherein said first support member is configured to support objects placed upon the cover bottom face when the cover

735 member is at the maximally angled position or at said maximally angled-elevated position.

28. A furniture item according to any one of Claims 21 to 27, further comprising a cover manipulating mechanism articulating the cover member to the cabinet and having

740 said cover pivoting axis for pivoting of the cover member about the cover pivoting axis to assume at least said closed position and said angled position; and wherein said cover manipulating mechanism is further configured to enable the displacement of the cover member with respect to the cabinet to assume an elevated position in which the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said

745 closed position and at said angled position.

29. A furniture item according to Claim 28, wherein said cover manipulating mechanism comprises: a cover elevation mechanism connected to the cabinet and configured for allowing a displacement of the cover member between the closed position

750 and the elevated position; and a cover pivoting mechanism pivotally articulating the cover member to said cabinet and for allowing the pivotal displacement of the cover member between the closed position and the angled position about said cover pivoting axis.

30. A furniture item according to Claim 28 or 29, wherein upon said displacement 755 from said closed positon to said elevated position, said rear cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

31. A furniture item according to Claim 30, wherein upon said displacement from said closed positon to said elevated position, said front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced

760 at said third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, so that at said elevated position, said cover bottom face is substantially parallel to said uppermost cabinet plane.

32. A furniture item according to Claim 30 or 31 , wherein at said displacement of said cover member from said closed position to said elevated position, said cover pivoting axis

765 is displaced from the cabinet bottom to said third distance.

33. A furniture item according to any one of Claims 21 to 32, when dependent on Claim 28, wherein said second support member is configured to support objects placed on the cover top face from sliding over the cover top face through the rear cover top rim,

770 at least when the cover member is at the closed position or the elevated position.

34. A furniture item according to any one of Claims 21 to 33, wherein the cover member is further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume an angled-elevated position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis with

775 respect to the uppermost cabinet plane and the cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said closed position and at said angled position.

35. A furniture item according to Claim 34, when dependent on Claim 30, wherein 780 upon said displacement of the cover member from said closed position to said angled- elevated position, said front cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of said first distance and said third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane, and said rear cover bottom rim is upwardly displaced at a sum of said second distance and said third distance from the uppermost cabinet plane.

785

36. A furniture item according to Claim 34 or 35, wherein the cover member is displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume said angled-elevated position from either said elevated position or said angled position.

790 37. A furniture item according to any of Claims 21 to 36, when dependent on Claim 28, further comprising an internal chamber received within the cabinet interior storage space and having chamber side walls; and wherein said cover manipulation mechanism at least partially extends between the cabinet side walls and the chamber side walls.

795 38. A furniture item according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a side shelf having a shelf rear face facing a front side wall of said cabinet side walls and an opposite shelf front face, said side shelf being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the side shelf to assume the following positions: a folded position in which said shelf rear face is juxtaposed with the front side wall; and an unfolded position

800 in which the shelf rear face is angled to the front side wall and said shelf front face is at least partially facing an upward direction.

39. A furniture item according to Claim 38, wherein said side shelf further comprises a shelf support member extending from said shelf front face closer to a shelf bottom rim

805 than to a shelf top rim for supporting an object disposed thereon at least at said unfolded position.

40. A furniture item according to Claim 38 or 39, wherein said side shelf is fixed at said unfolded position.

810

41. A furniture item comprising:

a cabinet having side walls extending from a cabinet bottom to a cabinet rim defining together a cabinet interior storage space and an uppermost cabinet plane; and a cover member comprising a cover bottom face, said cover member being 815 pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the cover member about a cover pivoting axis to assume at least the following positions: a closed position in which the cover bottom face is juxtaposed and coplanar with the uppermost cabinet plane; and an angled position in which the cover bottom face is pivoted about said cover pivoting axis with respect to the uppermost cabinet plane; and 820 a side shelf comprising a shelf rear face facing a front side wall of said side walls and an opposite shelf front face, said side shelf being pivotally articulated to the cabinet to enable pivoting of the side shelf to assume the following positions: a folded position in which the shelf rear face is juxtaposed with the front side wall; and an unfolded position in which the shelf rear face is angled to the front side wall and said shelf front face is at

825 least partially facing an upward direction.

42. A furniture item according to Claim 41, wherein said side shelf further comprises a shelf support member extending from said shelf front face closer to a shelf bottom rim than to a shelf top rim for supporting an object disposed thereon at least at said unfolded

830 position.

43. A furniture item according to Claim 41 or 42, wherein said side shelf is configured to be fixed at said unfolded position.

835 44. A furniture item according to any one of Claims 41 to 43, wherein said cover bottom face extends between a front cover bottom rim and a rear cover bottom rim; and wherein at said angled position a first distance between said front cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane is greater than a second distance between said rear cover bottom rim and the uppermost cabinet plane.

840

45. A furniture item according to any one of Claims 41 to 44, wherein said cover member further has a cover top face opposite to said cover bottom face, and said cover top face extends between a front cover top rim and a rear cover top rim, the cover member further comprises a first support member extending from the cover bottom face and

845 positioned closer to the rear cover bottom rim than to the front cover bottom rim, and a second support member extending from the cover top face and positioned closer to the rear cover top rim than to the front cover top rim.

46. A furniture item according to Claim 45, wherein said first support member 850 extends from said rear cover bottom rim, and said second support member extends from said rear cover top rim.

47. A furniture item according to Claim 45 or 46, wherein said first support member is elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover bottom rim, and said second

855 support member is elongated in a direction which is parallel to the rear cover top rim.

48. A furniture item according to any one of Claims 41 to 47, wherein said angled position comprises a maximally angled position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about said cover pivoting axis to an

860 obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of said cover bottom face.

49. A furniture item according to any one of the Claims 41 to 48, wherein the cover member is further displaceable with respect to the cabinet to assume a maximally angled-

865 elevated position in which the cover bottom face is partially facing an upward direction and is pivoted about the cover pivoting axis to an obtuse angle formed between the cover bottom face and a horizontal plane at a side of said cover bottom face and said cover pivoting axis is spaced apart from the cabinet bottom at an extent greater than at said closed position, at said angled position, and at said maximally angled position.

870

50. A furniture item according to Claim 49, when dependent on Claim 45, wherein said first support member is configured to support objects placed upon the cover bottom face when the cover member is at the maximally angled position or at said maximally angled-elevated position.

875

880