GB1574123A

GB1574123A - Combined table and seat set

Info

Publication number: GB1574123A
Application number: GB41392/75A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-02-06
Filing date: 1977-02-01
Publication date: 1980-09-03
Also published as: FR2340071A1

Description

(54) COMBINED TABLE AND SEAT SET (71) I, WILLIAM DAVID STEADMAN, a British Subject, formerly of 82 Queensway, Banbury, Oxfordshire and now of 55 Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury, Ox fordshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to a combined table and seat set and has as an object the provision of such a set in which a seat is movable between an operative position in which it will support a person in a normal seated position at the table and a stowed position in which the seat is positioned within the plan area of the table.

According to the invention, a combined table and seat set comprises a base, a fixed table portion positioned above the base and supported on a pillar upstanding from the base, at least one flap or leaf movable between an operative position in which the flap or leaf extends outwardly from the fixed table portion in the plane thereof to form with the fixed table portion an effective table top of increased area and an inoperative stowed position in which the flap or leaf is positioned close to the periphery of the fixed table portion, at least one seatsupporting arm pivotally mounted on the base and a seat mounted on the or each arm at a position thereon remote from the axis of pivoting of the arm on the base, the or each arm being pivotable about its axis of pivoting between an operative position in which the seat mounted thereon is so supported relatively to the table top, when the or each flap or leaf is in its operative position relative to the fixed table portion, that a person seated on the seat will be supported in a normal seated position with respect to the table top and a stowed position in which the seat and the arm are positioned beneath the fixed table portion.

The axis of pivoting -of the or each seatsupporting arm may be- parallel jo the planes of the base and the fixed table por- tion, whereby the seat-supporting arm is arranged to be swung, in use,- about a sub stantially horizontal axis toward and away from the pillar.

Alternatively, the axis of pivoting of the or each seat-supporting arm may be perpendicular to the planes of the base and the fixed table portion, whereby the seatsupporting arm is arranged to be swung, in use, about a substantially vertical axis In either of the foregoing arrangements, the or each seat may be addition"ally supported in its operative position by a leg hinged to the seat or to the associated seatsupporting arm and arranged to be swung between an operative position in which the lower end of the leg engages the ground when the seat is in its operative position and a stowed position in which the leg is positioned adjacent the arm in the stowed position of the latter beneath the tableStop.

A strut may be pivotally connected between the or each leg and the base, the strut acting to hold the leg in its operative,. seatsupporting position when the arm has been swung into its operative position.

In either of the foregoing arrangements, the base may be mounted on retractable: castors, the castors being so mounted as to be retracted to positions in which the base rests directly on the ground when the or at least one seat-supporting arm has been pivoted to its operative position and to be returned to ground-engaging positions when the seat-supporting arm has been pivoted to its stowed position.Conveniently, there is a retractable castor mounted on the or each seat-supporting arm: By way of example, two table and seat sets in accordance with the invention are now described with reference to the accom-, panying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of the first set showing the seats thereof in their operative positions in full lines and in their stowed positions in chain lines; Figure 2 is a plan view of the first set showing the seats in their operative posi tions and stowed positions, as in Figure 1;; Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views to a larger scale than in Figures 1 and 2 showing the attachment of a seaupport- ing arm to the table base and to a seat respectively; Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 of the second set; and Figure 6 is a side view similar to Figure I of the second set.

Referring to Figures 1 to $, the first table and chair set includes a base comprising a pair of crossed arms 1, 2 fitted with adjust-able levelling screws 3 adjacent the outer ends of the arms and engageable with the ground or floor 21. In use, the levelling screws 3 are screwed up or down, as viewed in Figure 1, until the base is sus stantially level and is firmly supported without wobbling. The base carries a pillar 4 extending upwardly from the cross point of the two arms 1 and 2. The upper end of the pillar supports a fixed table portion 5 mounted on supporting members 6. The table portion 5 may be of any desired shape, for example square, rectangular or circular and is provided with flaps or leaves to enable the basic area of the table-top to be increased.In this embodiment, the fixed table portion 5 is square and carries along each edge a triangular flap 7 hinged for movement between a horizontal operable position, shown in full lines in Figure 1, and a stowed position, shown in chain lines. The four Raps 7 are held in their operative positions by extendible struts 8. Thus when the flaps 7 are in their operative positions, the side of the table-top is increased in the ratio of 2:1 and the area is doubled.

In accordance with the present invention, the arms 1, 2 of the base have four-seatsupporting arms 10 pivoted thereto by pivot pins 9, whereby each seat-supporting arm 10 can be swung about a horizontal axis from an operative position, shown in full lines, to a stowed position, shown in chain lines. The upper end of each seat-supporting arm 10 carries a bracket 11 on which is mounted a seat 12. When the arms have been swung by the arms 10 to their stowed positions, shown in chain lines, the seat 12 and the arms 10 will be accommodated close to the pillar 4 and within the planform of the fixed table portion 5, as is clear from Figure 2.When the arms 10 have been swung to their operative positions, the seats 12 will be positioned beyond the edges of the table-top, assuming that the flaps 7 have been moved to their operative horizontal positions, and a person sitting on a seat 12 will be supported in a substantially correct position with respect to the table top.

The bracket 11 also carries a leg 13 which is arranged to be swung about a pivot pin 14 from an operative position, shown in full lines in Figure 1, in which it engages the ground or floor 21 beneath the seat 12, when the latter is in its operative position, to a stowed position, shown in chain lines, when the associated seatsupporting arm 10 and the seat-12 are in their stowed positions. The ground-engaging end of each leg 13 may have one or more feet 15 fitted with anti-slip blocks 16 or equivalent pads or ferrules. The legs 13 may be swung manually between their operative and stowed positions or they may be arranged to be swung automatically into their operative positions when the seat-supporting arms 10 are swung into their operative positions and into their stowed positions when the seat-support arms 10 are swung into their stowed positions.In the illustrated example, each of the legs 13 is connected by a strut 17 pivoted to the leg 13 adjacent the pivot pin 14 and to the base arm 1 or 2 adjacent the pivoted end of the associated seat-supporting arm 10.

The connecting pin 18 of the strut 17 to the arm 1 or 2 is spaced from the corresponding pivot pin 9 and when the leg 13 and the arm 10 have been pivoted from their stowed positions, as shown in chain lines in Figure 1, to their operative positions, as shown in full lines in Figure 1, the strut 17 will hold the leg 13 from pivotal movement inward with respect to the base of the table, because the strut 17 will become more bowed than when it is in the stowed position, due to variation in the distance between the axes of pivoting at each end of the strut 17.The legs 13 are usually necessary to support the weight of a person sitting on the seat; but where the base is sufficiently massive or is fixed to or is embedded in the ground and the arms are sufficiently strong, the legs 13 could be omitted so that the seat is then supported solely by the seat-supporting arm 10 in the manner of a cantilever.

The seats 12 may be simple stool-type tops or they may have back-rests 19. The back-rests 19 would have to be pivoted to the respective seats 12 to enable the seats to be accommodated beneath the fixed table portion S in their stowed positionS. For simplicity in the drawing a back-rest 19 has been shown on one seat 12 only.

Each seat-supporting arm 10 may carry a castor 20 overhung beyond the pivot pin 9 such that when the seat 12 is in its operative position, as shown in full lines in Figure 1, the associated castor 20 is lifted above the level of the bottoms of the levelling screws 3 and thus the table and seat set cannot readily be moved along the ground or floor 21. When a seat-supporting arm 10 has been pivoted to swing the seat 12 to its stowed position, the overhung castor 20 is pivoted downwardly below the level of the levelling screws 3 to the level of a line 22 relative to the ground or floor 21. Thus the whole table and seat set will be lifted, when all the seats have been pivoted to their stowed positions, to raise the levelling screws 3 clear of the level of the ground or floor 21, that is the line indicated at 22 will then be coincident with the level of the ground or floor 21.The whole table and seat set can then be moved along the ground on the castors 20. Conversely, when all the seats have been pivo ted to their operative positions, the castors 20 will have been lifted clear of the ground or floor 21 and so the levelling screws 3 will be firmly supported on the ground and the set will be difficult to move.

The table and seat set provided by this invention and illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 has the advantage that when the seats 12 have been swung to their stowed positions, the table and seat set will only occupy a space immediately beneath the fixed table portion 5. By providing the flaps 7, the space occupied by the set in its stowed con dition will be much smaller than where flaps 7 are not provided and the fixed area of the table-top would have to be of larger area so as to be equivalent to that of the portion 5 pius the flaps 7. Thus the table and seat set, when in its stowed condition, can be placed in the corner of a room, in a cupboard, in a space beneath stairs or under a sink or in some other similar con fined space.The table and seat set can then be withdrawn by using the castors 20 to the position where the table is to be used, for example in the middle of a room.

The flaps 7 can then be moved to their horizontal positions and the seats 12 can be swung outwardly by pivoting the seat supporting arms 10 about their horizontal pivot pins 9, thereby enabling the full table area to be used and providing seats positioned in substantially the correct positions for people to be seated on the seats at the table.

The table and seat set may be provided in kit form in which the portion 5 and flaps 7, the pillar 4, the base members 1 and 2, the seat-supporting arms 10, the legs 13, the seats 12 and the back-rests 19 may all be packed in a carton unattached to each other and then assembled to produce the table and seat set as illustrated in Figure 1. The carton in which the kit is packed may be comparatively small and have a length dictated by the longest member, for example, the pillar 4, and having its largest side of dimensions dictated by the length of a side o the portion 5. Thus the carton containing the kit may be sent through the post or be suitable for carriage on public transport.

AIthough conveniently four seats are provided around the square table-top, four or more seats could be accommodated around a rectangular or round table4op.

A smaller number of seats than four may alternatively be provided.

The second table and seat set shown in Figures 5 and 6 comprises an upright cylindrical or tubular pillar 25 supported at its lower end by a base formed by crossed arms 26 and 27 extending diametrically through the pillar and each carrying feet 28 at its outer ends. The feet are of a nonslip kind, e.g. of hard rubber, so that the table is supported firmly on the ground or floor 29. The upper end of the pillar 25 supports radially-extending brackets 30 on which are mounted a fixed table portion 31. In this example, the portion 31 is circuIar in plan; but it could be of other shape, for example, square or rectangular.

The portion 31 is provided with flaps or leaves to increase the effective area of the portion 31.

Each foot 2g has a socket therein in which the lower end of a sèat-supportit arm 32 is swiveilably mounted for swinging about an upright axis. The upper end of each arm 32 carries a bracket 33 on which a seat 3437 is mounted. In accordance with the invention each arm 32 and seat 3437 can be swung about the upright axis provided - by the foot 2g from an operative position in which the seat 34-37 supports a person in a normal sitting position with respect to the tabIe-top and a stowed position in which the arm and the seat are positioned under the fixed table portion 31 within a space bounded by a downward projection of the periphery of the table- top.In Figure 6 only two seats are shown for simplicity, one 34 in the operative position, in fulI-Iines, and the other 35 in the stowed position, in full lines. The stowed position of seat 34 is indicated by chain linse in Figure 6. In Figure 5 all four seats are shown in their operative positions in full lines and in their stowed positions in chain lines. Each foot 28 is shaped at 28A to support the arm 32 from sideways tipping when the arm is in its operative position.

As in the table and seat set shown in Figures 1 to 4, each seat is also supported in its operative position by a leg 38 which is pivotally attached to the bracket 33 and has a foot portion 39 at its lower end to engage the ground or floor 29. The Ideas 38 are manually pivotable to lie in stowed positions adjacent the associated arms 32, as indicated in Figure 6, before the arms 32 and the seats 34- are swung to their stowed positions. The legs 38 are held in their stowed positions by clips 40 (shown in Figure 6) on the arms 32. Where the base of the table is sufficiently massive or is fixed to or embedded in the ground and the arms 32 and their sockets are sufficiently strong, the legs 38 could be omitted, the arms 32 then supporting the seats 34 in the manner of cantilevers.

Although four arms 32 and seats 34 have been illustrated a smaller or greater number may be provided.

As in the first table and seat set shown in Figures 1 to 4, the base could be mounted on retractable castors or rollers. These could be arranged to be moved downwardly to lift the feet 28 from the floor or ground 29 by the action of pivoting the arms 32 into their stowed positions. For example, suitable cams could be provided for this purpose. Also a mechanism could be provided to effect swinging of the legs 38 between their stowed and operative positions as the arms 32 are swung between their stowed and operative positions.

As in the first table and seat set, the seats 34 may be provided with back rests and these may, if necessary, be foldable onto the respective seats before the latter are swung to their stowed positions.

Like the first table and seat set, the second table and seat set shown in Figures 5 and 6 occupies only the space directly beneath the fixed table portion when the seats are in their stowed positions and thus the set can be accommodated in a confined space when not in use. The set can also be supplied in kit form and therefore be packed, when not assembled, in a comparatively compact carton of which the maximum dimensions are dictated by the diameter of the fixed table portion 31 and length of the pillar 25.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A combined table and seat set comprising a base, a fixed table portion positioned above the base and supported on a pillar upstanding from the base, at least one flap or leaf movable between an operative position in which the flap or leaf extends outwardly from the fixed table portion inthe plane thereof to form with the fixed table portion an effective table top of increased and an inoperative stowed position in which the flap or -leaf is positioned close to the periphery of the fixed table portion, at least one seat-supporting arm pivotally mounted on the base and a seat mounted on the or each arm at a position thereon remote from the axis of pivoting of the arm on the base, the or each arm being pivotable about its axis of pivoting between- an operative position in which the seat mounted thereon is so supported relatively to the table top, when the or each flap or leaf is in its operative position relative to the fixed table portion, that a person seated on the seat will be supported in a normal seated position with respect to the table top and a stowed position in which the seat and the arm are positioned beneath the fixed table portion.

2. Combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 1 in which the axis of pivoting of the or each seat-supporting arm is parallel to the planes of the base and the fixed table portion, whereby the seat-supporting arm is arranged to be swung, in use, about a substantially horizontal axis toward and away from the pillar.

3. A combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 1 in which the axis of pivoting of the or each seat-supporting arm is perpendicular to the planes of the base and the fixed table portion, whereby the seat-supporting arm is arranged to be swung, in use, about a substantially vertical axis.

4. A combined table and seat set as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each seat is additionally supported in its operative position by a leg hinged to the seat or to the associated seat-supporting arm and arranged to be swung between an operative position in which the lower end of the leg engages the ground when the seat is in its operative position and a stowed position in which the leg is positioned adjacent the arm in the stowed position of the latter beneath the fixed table portion.

-5. A combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 4 in which a strut is pivotally connected between the or each leg and the base, the strut acting to hold the leg in its operative, seat-supporting position when the arm has been swung into its operative position.

6. A combined table and seat set as claimed in any preceding claim in which the base is mounted on retractable castors, the castors being so mounted as to be retracted to positions in which the base rests directly on the ground when the or at least one seat-supporting arm has been pivoted to its operative position and to be returned to ground-engaging positions when the seatsupporting arm has been pivoted to its stowed position.

7. A combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 6 in which there is a retractable castor mounted on the or each seat-supporting arm.

8. A combined table and seat set as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each seat has a hinged back-rest, the latter being foldable onto the seat before

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Claims

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32 and the seats 34- are swung to their stowed positions. The legs 38 are held in their stowed positions by clips 40 (shown in Figure 6) on the arms 32. Where the base of the table is sufficiently massive or is fixed to or embedded in the ground and the arms 32 and their sockets are sufficiently strong, the legs 38 could be omitted, the arms 32 then supporting the seats 34 in the manner of cantilevers.

Although four arms 32 and seats 34 have been illustrated a smaller or greater number may be provided.

As in the first table and seat set shown in Figures 1 to 4, the base could be mounted on retractable castors or rollers. These could be arranged to be moved downwardly to lift the feet 28 from the floor or ground 29 by the action of pivoting the arms 32 into their stowed positions. For example, suitable cams could be provided for this purpose. Also a mechanism could be provided to effect swinging of the legs 38 between their stowed and operative positions as the arms 32 are swung between their stowed and operative positions.

As in the first table and seat set, the seats 34 may be provided with back rests and these may, if necessary, be foldable onto the respective seats before the latter are swung to their stowed positions.

Like the first table and seat set, the second table and seat set shown in Figures 5 and 6 occupies only the space directly beneath the fixed table portion when the seats are in their stowed positions and thus the set can be accommodated in a confined space when not in use. The set can also be supplied in kit form and therefore be packed, when not assembled, in a comparatively compact carton of which the maximum dimensions are dictated by the diameter of the fixed table portion 31 and length of the pillar 25.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A combined table and seat set comprising a base, a fixed table portion positioned above the base and supported on a pillar upstanding from the base, at least one flap or leaf movable between an operative position in which the flap or leaf extends outwardly from the fixed table portion inthe plane thereof to form with the fixed table portion an effective table top of increased and an inoperative stowed position in which the flap or -leaf is positioned close to the periphery of the fixed table portion, at least one seat-supporting arm pivotally mounted on the base and a seat mounted on the or each arm at a position thereon remote from the axis of pivoting of the arm on the base, the or each arm being pivotable about its axis of pivoting between- an operative position in which the seat mounted thereon is so supported relatively to the table top, when the or each flap or leaf is in its operative position relative to the fixed table portion, that a person seated on the seat will be supported in a normal seated position with respect to the table top and a stowed position in which the seat and the arm are positioned beneath the fixed table portion.
2. Combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 1 in which the axis of pivoting of the or each seat-supporting arm is parallel to the planes of the base and the fixed table portion, whereby the seat-supporting arm is arranged to be swung, in use, about a substantially horizontal axis toward and away from the pillar.
3. A combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 1 in which the axis of pivoting of the or each seat-supporting arm is perpendicular to the planes of the base and the fixed table portion, whereby the seat-supporting arm is arranged to be swung, in use, about a substantially vertical axis.
4. A combined table and seat set as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each seat is additionally supported in its operative position by a leg hinged to the seat or to the associated seat-supporting arm and arranged to be swung between an operative position in which the lower end of the leg engages the ground when the seat is in its operative position and a stowed position in which the leg is positioned adjacent the arm in the stowed position of the latter beneath the fixed table portion.

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5. A combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 4 in which a strut is pivotally connected between the or each leg and the base, the strut acting to hold the leg in its operative, seat-supporting position when the arm has been swung into its operative position.
6. A combined table and seat set as claimed in any preceding claim in which the base is mounted on retractable castors, the castors being so mounted as to be retracted to positions in which the base rests directly on the ground when the or at least one seat-supporting arm has been pivoted to its operative position and to be returned to ground-engaging positions when the seatsupporting arm has been pivoted to its stowed position.
7. A combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 6 in which there is a retractable castor mounted on the or each seat-supporting arm.
8. A combined table and seat set as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each seat has a hinged back-rest, the latter being foldable onto the seat before

the associated seat-supporting arm is pivo ted into its stowed position.
9. A combined table and seat set con structed and arranged substantially as de scribed herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A combined table and seat set as claimed in Claim 1 and constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.