Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Convertible – Reorientatable support
Patent
1991-03-26
1994-01-25
Chen, Jose V.
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Convertible
Reorientatable support
108144, A47D 8500
Patent
active
052807533
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a piece of furniture and more especially to a table.
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a dual mode table which in one mode has the table top at a relatively lower lever whereby the table can serve as a coffee table but which, for the second mode, can have the top conveniently raised to a higher level so that the table can be used satisfactorily as a dining table. U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,018 shows such a convertible dual-mode table but the mechanism in this patent for setting the table top in the raised and lowered conditions is relatively complex and the arrangement is not particularly suited for use with a table top of elongate rectangular form, being rather more intended for use with a circular table top.
According to the present invention there is provided a piece of furniture, expecially a table, comprising a fixed base structure, a work top, extension means located between the fixed base structure and the work top comprising swingable support members (11) which in said first position set the work top (3) substantially level with the top of the base structure (2) and at a first height (H1) above a floor datum (D-D) while in said second elevated position the work top (2) is set at an increased height (H2) above said first height (H1), said swingable support members (11) being pivotally connected to the fixed base structure (2) at pivot means (7, 23), stabilising means (12A) are provided to stablise the extension means (4) when the work top (3) is in said second relatively elevated position, characterised in that each swingable support member (11) comprises a double-arm lever (12/12A, 33/33A), one arm (12A, 33A) of each double-arm lever being in the form of a tail defining said stablising means, said tails (12A, 33A) of the swingable members (11) firmly engaging the fixed base structure (2) at points (8) spaced from said pivot means (7, 23) so as to stablise said support members (11) when the extension means (4) is in an extended condition, and in that releasable lock means (15B, 39) are provided for each swingable support member (11) to lock the support member in said second elevated position.
In a preferred embodiment the extension means comprises a pair of swingable support members which, adjacent one end, are pivotally attached to the base structure, the other end of each support member being slidably coupled to the work top by a pin-and-slot arrangement at the work top whereby the swingable support members can be swung from a lowered position whereat said work top occupies said first position to a raised position to place said work top in said second raised position.
Automatic locking means can be provided to automatically lock the extension means in the open extended condition.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a dual mode table through section B--B in FIG. 2, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the table of FIG. 1 with the table top "transparent" for better understanding of the operating mechanism;
FIG. 3 shows an end view of the table of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4, 5, 6 show similar views as FIGS. 1-3 respectively but with the table in the raised condition.
FIGS. 7(a)-7(e) show various stages in the raising operation of the table top.
FIGS. 8-11 show a further dual-mode table according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 8-11 exactly corresponding to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6 respectively of the first embodiment.
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a further embodiment and correspond to FIGS. 2 and 4 of the first embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a dual-mode table 1 has a first mode (FIG. 1) as a coffee table and a second mode (FIG. 4) as a dining table. The table 1 generally comprises a legged base structure 2, a work top 3 and extension means 4 located between the base structure 2 and the work top 3 whereby the top 3 can be set at the relatively lower position of FIG. 1 or at the relativ
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patent: 4161915 (1979-07-01), Varmuza
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patent: 4259909 (1981-04-01), Belina
Kavanagh Gerald
Kavanagh Michael
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