FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to furniture. In particular, the present invention relates to furniture convertible between a first table mode and a second bench mode comprising a table having an integrated bench.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the world population reaching an all time high, demand for sustainable living solutions is increasing. With real estate costs rising in many major metropolitan areas, tiny homes, minimalism, and small space living has become more common. New housing developments generally are much smaller than in the past, with density being a higher priority than unit size. Millions of people live in small flats and apartments in major metropolitan areas. These areas can be as small as a few hundred square feet for the entire living space. As a result, the residents of these types of abodes require furniture that can be adaptable.

As is known in the prior art, various types of tables are deployed and utilized throughout the common household. Common tables include kitchen tables, dining room tables and coffee tables. Generally, kitchen and dining tabletop surfaces are positioned at a height conducive to seated dining or food preparation. In contrast, coffee tabletop surfaces generally are positioned at a lower height designed for display of objects, or placement of beverages consumed while relaxing in adjacent seating. Coffee tables typically are placed adjacent seating furniture such as sofas or chairs. In smaller living accommodations, coffee tables can become more integrated into the daily routine of the residents. Due to the decrease in housing unit floor area, many people no longer have a dining space separate from their living room, making the living room coffee table a hub for eating, socializing, work, and play.

One problem with conventional tables such as kitchen tables is the floor space they require, particularly when factoring in separate seating furniture. Most often, kitchen tables require an area commonly known as a breakfast area or similar space. These spaces are not available in small apartments. Furthermore, the layout of a typical small apartment is such that the kitchen and sitting area are integrated and the furniture therein must be dual purpose. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a coffee table that is convertible between a first mode comprising a planar table configuration, referred to in this specification as "table mode”, and a second mode comprising a table having an integrated bench, referred to in this specification as "bench mode”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a convertible table having a rectangular base frame comprising a first pair of legs positioned at opposing distal ends of a first longitudinal side of the frame; a second pair of legs positioned at opposing distal ends of a second longitudinal side of the base frame; a first lateral support beam extending between adjacent legs at a first end of the frame; a second lateral beam extending between adjacent legs at a second opposing end of the frame; a bench element extending between the top ends of the first pair of legs; a longitudinal support element extending between the top ends of the second pair of legs; a pair of planar table supports extending inwardly from opposing ends of the longitudinal support element; a third pair of legs, each leg connected to an adjacent lateral support beam and supporting a corresponding planar table support; a planar rectangular table element; table element displacement means connected at a first side to a corresponding planar table support and at a second side to opposing ends of the lower surface of the planar table element; wherein the table element is displaceable between a table mode having the table element coplanar with the bench element, and a bench mode having the table element displaced a selected distance above and away from the bench element.

The table element displacement means may be a rotating arm structure having a pair of spaced arms. The element displacement means include one or more hydraulic cylinder slow hinges.

In the bench mode, the bench element may comprise between 20 and 50% of the top surface area or may comprise between 20 and 35% of the top surface area.

The table may be rectangular, triangular, circular or other shape in the table mode.

There is further provided a convertible table comprising a rectangular base frame comprising a first pair of legs positioned at opposing distal ends of a first longitudinal side of the frame; a second pair of legs positioned at opposing distal ends of a second longitudinal side of the base frame; a first lateral support beam extending between adjacent legs at a first end of the frame; a second lateral beam extending between adjacent legs at a second opposing end of the frame; a first bench element extending between the top ends of the first pair of legs; a second bench element extending between the top ends of the second pair of legs; a pair of planar table supports extending inwardly from opposing ends of the longitudinal support element; a third pair of legs, each leg connected to an adjacent lateral support beam and supporting a corresponding planar table support; a pair of table elements; a pair of table element displacement means, each table element displacement means connected at a first side to a corresponding planar table support and at a second side to opposing ends of the lower surface of a corresponding table element; wherein each table element may be displaceable between a table mode having the table element coplanar with an adjacent bench element, and a bench mode having the table element displaced a selected distance above and away from the bench element in a fully overlapping position with the opposing table element.

There is also provided a method of converting the convertible table from a table mode to a bench mode comprising a table having an integrated bench, the method comprising the step of manually moving the table element upwardly and distally away from the bench element until the table element displacement means is fully extended. A method of converting the table into a table having two integral benches is also provided, according to which the method comprises the steps of manually moving a first table element upwardly and distally away from a first bench element until a first table element displacement means is fully extended; and manually moving a second table element upwardly and distally away from a second opposing bench element until a second table element displacement means is fully extended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the description and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the convertible table in the table configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible table in the bench configuration; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the convertible table in the bench configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective end view of the convertible table in an intermediaiy position between the bench and table configurations;

FIG. 5 is a perspective end view of the convertible table in the table configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an arm support and hinge mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a slow hinge element of the present invention.

The present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are discussed herein with reference to the drawings submitted herewith.

The convertible table of the present invention is a multi-functional piece of furniture that provides the benefits of both a coffee table and dining table without taking up additional space. While there are many lift-top coffee tables on the market, this table is the first of its kind, having an integrated bench seating area.

The convertible table of the present invention may be converted between a first table mode having a single planar top surface (as shown in Figs. 1 and 5], and a second bench mode, wherein a table element 2 portion of the top is displaced upwardly and away from a stationary bench element 4 portion to form a smaller table having an integrated bench (as shown in Figs. 2 and 3]

When the table is in its table mode, it sits as a coffee table having a single co-planar surface comprising the tops of the table element and the adjacent bench element. All mechanical pieces that permit conversion of this dual-purpose table are located below the tabletop surface, hidden from view, giving the table a sleek design.

According to a preferred embodiment, the convertible table of the present invention consists of a rectangular base frame having a first pair of legs 6, 8 positioned at opposing distal ends of a first longitudinal side of the frame; a second pair of legs 10, 12 positioned at opposing distal ends of a second longitudinal side of the base frame; a first lateral support beam 14 extending between adjacent legs at a first end of the frame; a second lateral support beam 16 extending between adjacent legs at a second opposing end of the frame; a bench element 4 extending between the top ends of the first pair of legs; a longitudinal support element 18 extending between the top ends of the second pair of legs; a pair of planar table supports 20, 22 extending inwardly from opposing ends of the longitudinal support element; a third pair of legs 24, 26, each leg connected to an adjacent lateral support beam and supporting a corresponding planar table support; a planar rectangular table element 2; table element displacement means 28 connected at a first side to a planar table support and at a second side to the lower surface of the planar table element; wherein the table element is displaceable between a table mode having the table element coplanar with the bench element, and a bench mode having the table element displaced a selected distance above and away from the bench element.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the table element displacement means may comprise a rotating arm structure having a pair of parallel spaced arms 30, 32, each arm rotationally connected at a first end to an opposing end of the lower surface of the table element and at a second end to a planar table support. According to one embodiment, the rotating arm structure includes a slow hinge 34 having a hydraulic cylinder 36 to control the rate of movement of the table element relative to the planar table support.

According to an alternate embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a convertible table having two integrated benches on opposing sides, and a pair of table elements, each table element displaceable by a corresponding rotating arm structure upwardly and away from its corresponding bench element. In the full bench mode, the pair of table elements will overlap to provide a single planar table surface between opposing benches. Accordingly, the rotating arm structures preferably are positioned along the lateral edges of the table elements to permit such overlap. According to this embodiment, either bench element or both may be accessed by selective displacement of the table elements. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there may be provided a dining or kitchen table having a tabletop at a height designed for use during dining or food preparation, the table having one or two opposing displaceable bench elements, each bench element transitional between a first position coplanar with a table element, and a second position below and away from the table element, each bench element connected by a hinged arm structure to the lower surface of the table element lower surface.

To transform the table from the table mode to the bench mode, one may simply lift the table element and allow for the hinged arms to displace the table element upwardly and away from the bench element. The table may use spring-assist hinges as depicted in Fig. 7 to make moving the table element up and over quick and easy, revealing the open sided bench seating on one side. The side of the table away from the bench may be moved adjacent seating furniture such as a couch or loveseat, adding extra seating spaces. To return the table from bench mode to table mode, the user may simply guide the table element back to its original position coplanar with the top of the bench element, taking advantage of the slow close feature of the main hinges to avoid excess exertion or injury.

In a preferred embodiment, the table may be manufactured of radiata pine. Use of other woods or other materials are also included within the scope of the invention.

Although the drawings depict a rectangular table, other table shapes are within the scope of the invention. For example, the table could be circular with an arc shaped bench element, or triangular with a trapezoidal bench element.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatoiy purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.