Chairs and seats – Convertible – Table
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-14
2001-01-16
Brown, Peter R. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Convertible
Table
C297S108000, C297S423410, C108S017000, C108S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174026
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an article of furniture which may serve as a hassock, a storage chest, or a flat top coffee table.
Cushioned ottomans, hassocks or footstools serve as a place to rest the feet while one sits on a chair or sofa. It frequently is desired to place food and beverage items on a flat top surface such as a coffee table, typically near the same spot occupied by the ottoman. Additionally, it may be desired to store articles such as blankets in the sitting area. A single composite or convertible article of furniture embodying all the mentioned functions would save space, and would have advantages of economy and ease of use over separate pieces of furniture for performing these three functions.
Some prior inventors have proposed convertible furniture items having the form of an ottoman. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,227.
Prior convertible articles of furniture suffer at least one of the following limitations: (1) none provides the triple function of a footrest, storage chest and flat-top coffee table; and (2) many have complication constructions comprising springs, hooks, latches, brackets, and other hardware which tend to increase both the cost and potential for mechanical failure or wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a convertible article of furniture capable of performing three separate functions—footrest, table and storage device—within a single article of furniture.
Another object is to permit the user to have simultaneously a flat table top and a footrest position so as to enable one to rest the feet while at the same time food or beverages are supported on the article.
A further object is to provide a convertible article of furniture having a minimum number of parts, thus to minimize cost and complexity, and to avoid maintenance problems.
These and other objects are attained by a convertible hassock having a plurality of walls enclosing an area, a flat lid which covers the enclosed area, and is supported by at least some of said walls, and at least one seat which is hinged to one of said walls, and can be pivoted between an outward position seated on top of said lid, and an inward position substantially coplanar with said lid. The seat is supported, in its open position, either by a cantilever construction or by a prop which engages the floor. The seat has a cushioned side and a flat panel side. The cushion is uppermost when the seat is folded inward, to provide a hassock function, and the panel side is uppermost when the seat is folded outward, providing an extended table surface. While the seats are folded outward, the lid can be raised to permit access to the storage area beneath.
REFERENCES:
patent: 126266 (1872-04-01), Coates
patent: 138840 (1873-05-01), Bayles et al.
patent: 1309097 (1919-07-01), Markwick
patent: 2592912 (1952-04-01), Knipper
patent: 2812227 (1957-11-01), Hill
patent: 3650562 (1972-03-01), Adler
patent: 3667803 (1972-06-01), Ford
patent: 4539977 (1985-09-01), Schneider, Sr.
patent: 5727844 (1998-03-01), O'Quinn et al.
patent: 5893182 (1999-04-01), Sutherland et al.
patent: 19200 (1909-08-01), None
Brown Peter R.
Shoemaker and Mattare Ltd.
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