Chairs and seats – With table – desk – or easel – Table with opposed seating
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-29
2001-02-13
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
With table, desk, or easel
Table with opposed seating
C297S158400, C297S344120, C108S125000, C108S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186591
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to horizontally supported planar surfaces and, more particularly, to tables, e.g., institutional tables, of the type having integral seats and seat supporting frames.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Schools, churches, universities and the like are primary users of tables of the type generally known as institutional tables. Such tables are aptly named because they represent a good value and they are rugged and able to withstand hard use. Often, such tables are configured to be folded for storage and/or movement from place to place on wheels and to be unfolded for use. Examples of such tables are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,532 (Tringali et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,143 (Gerken et al.).
Such tables often have a center leg and two outer legs, each with seats mounted to them. Legs intermediate the center and outer legs also have seats mounted to them and are intended to provide additional points of floor-contacting support. However, that occurs only if (a) the entire table structure is fabricated with such accuracy that the points of contact of all of the legs define a plane, or (b) the “unevenness” of the lower ends of the legs and the unevenness of the floor surface exactly correspond. Usually, neither occurs.
As a result, an intermediate leg having mounted, unoccupied seats might not contact the floor. On the other hand, an intermediate leg having occupied seats may unduly stress the table as the weight of the user urges the intermediate leg into contact with the floor. And, of course, it is possible that the intermediate legs might be too long to permit the center and outer legs to firmly contact the floor.
The known prior work in this field does not address this problem. Certainly, the table disclosed in the Tringali et al. patent does not. It presumes a center leg support that contacts the floor and permits one to adjust the height of the inner ends of the table top sections by loosening bolts, making the height adjustment and then re-tightening the bolts.
A new table which addresses problems and shortcomings of the prior art would be a notable advance in this field of technology.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a table which overcomes certain problems and shortcomings of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a table in which intermediate legs automatically adjust to unevenness in the floor on which the table is erected.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a table in which all seat-supporting legs contact the floor, irrespective of a degree of floor unevenness.
Another object of the invention is to provide a table which helps avoid stressing table components to which legs are coupled. How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention involves a table of the type used in institutions, e.g., elementary schools, hospitals, universities and the like. The table tops and the seats are assembled as an integral (as well as foldable and storable) structure. When the table is in use, the table tops are horizontal and coplanar. And when the table is folded for storage or re-positioning, such table tops are vertical and parallel.
The table is of the type which includes first and second table tops pivotally coupled to one another at a hinge section. A center leg component is coupled to the table tops at the hinge section and provides center support when the table is erected for use. Each of a plurality of seat support frames is also coupled to the table tops and such seat support frames are of the type on which one or more user seats are mounted. The plurality of seat support frames includes an adjustable frame coupled to the first table top by a sliding joint.
More specifically, the sliding joint includes an elongate slot and a fastener through it. The first table top includes a working member and a beam support and, most preferably, the elongate slot is in the beam support. The adjustable frame has an upward terminus with a circular aperture therethrough and the fastener extends through the aperture and the elongate slot. While forming the slots in the beam support and forming the circular aperture in the frame terminus has advantages from a manufacturing standpoint, forming the frame terminii with slots and the beam support with apertures is certainly a useful configuration.
Other aspects of the invention involve a floor-supported table including the first and second table tops pivotally coupled to one another at a hinge section and having the center leg component coupled as described above. First and second endframes are coupled to the first and second table tops, respectively.
In addition, first and second midframes are coupled to the first and second table tops, respectively, by first and second sliding joints, respectively. The table is thereby configured to automatically permit contact of both of the midframes with the floor when users are seated on one of the seats of each midframe.
When the table is erected for use, the first and second table tops have, respectively, first and second spaced distal ends. The tops are preferably of equal length and, in that typical event, an axis along the center leg component is equidistant from each of the distal ends. The first midframe is between the axis and the first distal end. Similarly, the second midframe is between the axis and the second distal end.
In an embodiment configured to seat more users, the table has third and fourth midframes coupled to the first and second table tops, respectively. Such coupling is by first and second sliding joints, respectively.
Each of the first and second table tops includes a flat, “board-like” working member (the top surface of which is used by those seated at the table) and a beam support beneath and attached to the working member. The first sliding joint includes a first elongate slot in the beam support of the first table top and the first midframe has a terminus with a circular aperture through it. A fastener extends through the aperture and the first elongate slot.
The first and second sliding joints each include, respectively, first and second elongate slots. Such elongate slots each include and define a longitudinal axis. When the table is erected for use, the longitudinal axes of the first and second elongate slots are substantially parallel to the axis along the center leg component. It is to be understood that slots which are parallel to one another and to the axis along the center leg component are highly preferred. However, slots which are somewhat angled with respect to one another are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Further details regarding the invention are set forth in the following detailed descriptions and in the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 268971 (1983-05-01), Reineman
patent: 1360052 (1920-11-01), Streich
patent: 2503199 (1950-04-01), Goldblatt et al.
patent: 2769650 (1956-11-01), Larson
patent: 2873987 (1959-02-01), Larson
patent: 3055705 (1962-09-01), Wilson
patent: 3075809 (1963-01-01), Wilson
patent: 3082025 (1963-03-01), Larson
patent: 3099481 (1963-07-01), Bue
patent: 3101062 (1963-08-01), Kanzelberger
patent: 3109678 (1963-11-01), Wilson
patent: 3212463 (1965-10-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 3334930 (1967-08-01), Larson
patent: 3511532 (1970-05-01), Tringali et al.
patent: 3715143 (1973-02-01), Gerken et al.
patent: 3797884 (1974-03-01), Gutierrez
patent: 4101164 (1978-07-01), Urdanoz
patent: 4143602 (1979-03-01), Brunn
patent: 4596196 (1986-06-01), Gunter et al.
patent: 5325794 (1994-07-01), Hontani
Cuomo Peter M.
Jansson, Shupe Bridge & Munger, Ltd.
Palmer Snyder Furniture Co.
White Rodney B.
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