FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multifunctional furniture.

BACKGROUND

The most common forms of furniture that are able to be purchased by a domestic user are items of furniture which are designed for a particular purpose. A person normally buys an item of furniture to function as a kitchen table by buying a kitchen table. It would normally solely function as a kitchen table. Likewise a couch is normally purchased to function purely as a couch. However there may be situations where it is desirable for a piece of furniture purchased for a particular application to also be used for other applications. In situations where there are budget constraints or where there are space constraints it may be desirable that one piece of furniture can function for more than just one application. For example situations where furniture is used in temporary or infrequently used dwellings such as a holiday home or boat or the like, there would be an advantage in a piece of furniture to have the ability to be reconfigured to allow for it to be used for different purposes. In this respect there are already some items of furniture which achieve such an objective but only to a certain extent. For example there are couches available which can be converted into a bed. However such an item of furniture can only be reconfigured for the purposes of use for two different applications. It would be an advantage for furniture to be provided which can be used for multiple applications. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide multifunctional furniture to at least go some way to addressing the above mentioned desiderata or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a suite of multifunctional furniture comprising: a first item of furniture, configurable to at least two conditions to provide it for use as at least two selected from:

1.1 a table

1.2 a part of a base of a bed

1.3 a couch arm and backrest as part of a couch, and

1.4 a part of a low table, a second item of furniture of a configuration for cooperative use with said first item, to provide it as at least two selected from:

2.1 a bench to be used as seating along side said first item when used in its mode 1.1,

2.2 a part of a base of a bed to be adjacent said first item when used in its mode 1.2,

2.3 a part of a seating surface to be adjacent said first item when used in its mode 1.3, and

2.4 a part of a low table to be adjacent said first item when used in its mode 1.4. wherein said first item includes a four sided top panel and a pair of side structures, said side structures disposed at two opposing sides of said top panel and extending thereat and from said top panel at a right angle thereto.

Preferably said side structure includes a top panel more disposed portion and a portion distal from said top panel more disposed portion, articulately engaged to said top panel more disposed portion to articulate between a first position where it extends from said top panel and a second position where it extends towards said top panel. Preferably wherein

(a) when in use in mode 1.1 said first item provides said top panel as a table top and said side structures provide legs for supporting said

table top above the ground wherein each said portion distal from said top panel is in said first position, and

(b) when in use in mode 1.2 said first item provides a part of a base of a bed by said top panel being positioned horizontally and said side ₍ structures provide legs for supporting said table top above the ground, each said portion distal from said top panel being in said second position, and

(c) when in use in mode 1.3 said first item provides said top panel as a back rest of part of said couch by said top panel being positioned vertically and said side structures extending horizontally from said top panel, each provided to sit on the ground and at the same horizontal level to each other to provide arm rest, each said portion distal from said top panel being in said first position, and

(d) when in use in mode 1.4 said first item provides said top panel as a table top and said top panel more disposed portion of said side structures provide legs for supporting said table top above the ground wherein each said portion distal from said top panel is in said second position.

Preferably said side structures each consist of an upper panel and a lower panel defining said top panel more disposed portion and said portion distal from said top panel respectively wherein said upper panel is rigidly affixed to said to top panel and said lower panel is pivotally articulatable to said upper panel about a pivot axis extending parallel to the plane of each of said upper and lower panels. Preferably each said upper panel at where it is attached to said top panel is of the same length as the length of the side of said top panel. Preferably said top panel is a quadrilateral shape. Preferably said side structures are identical to each other. Preferably said top panel is a rectangular shaped top panel, said side structures disposed at the minor sides of said rectangular top panel.

Preferably said top panel is a rectangular shaped top panel, said upper panels disposed along and at the minor sides of said rectangular top panel.

Preferably each said lower panel is of the same width (width taken to mean to be in a direction parallel to the panel of said top panel) as said top panel. Preferably each said lower panel is of a lesser width (width taken to mean to be in a direction parallel to the panel of said top panel) to said top panel.

Preferably each said upper panel and each said lower panel are quadrilateral shaped panels.

Preferably articulation of said upper panel to said lower panel is limited to prevent the splaying of said lower panels outwardly away from each other.

Preferably said articulation of said upper panel to said lower panel is limited to prevent the splaying of said lower panels outwardly away from each other beyond a position where said lower panel is coplanar with said upper panel.

Preferably said upper and lower panels in said first position of said lower panel, are coplanar.

Preferably each said lower panel is parallel to and adjacent of a respective upper panel when said lower panel is in said second position.

Preferably each said lower panel is in said second position pivoted on that side of its respective upper panel proximate more to the other said upper panel.

Preferably each said lower panel is, in said second position, pivoted on that side of its respective upper panel distal more to the other said upper panel.

Preferably said second item includes a four sided top panel and a pair of side structures, said side structures disposed at two opposing sides of said top panel and extending thereat and from said top panel lateral and preferably at a right angle thereto, said four sided top panel being of a rectangular like shape and said side structures positioned at the minor opposing sides of said top panel.

Preferably said second item is a bench seat.

Preferably said second item is a bench seat including an elongate top panel and two leg structures at the end of said of the elongate locations of said top panel.

Preferably said top panel of said second item is rectangular. Preferably said side structures of said second item are identical to each other.

Preferably the width of said top panel of said second item is half the width of said top panel of said first item.

Preferably the length of said top panel of said second item is no greater than the shortest distance between said side structures of said first item.

Preferably the length of said second item is no greater than the shortest distance between said side structures of said first item.

Preferably the length of said top panel of said first item, tends towards the length of said top panel of said second item. Preferably the height of said second item, being the distance between the top panel of said second item and the distal most end or edge of the side structures is equal to the distance between the upper surface of said top panel of said first item and the pivot axis between its lower and upper panels so that when said lower panel is in its second position, the second item supported on the ground by its side structures provides its top panel at the same height above the ground as the top panel of the first item.

Preferably the first and second items can be placed side by side (i.e. longest sides abutting) to define mode as per mode 1.2 and 2.2.

Preferably in the mode as part of a bed, a further item identical to the second item may be used to be in abutting relation with said first and second item.

Preferably the first and second items can be placed side by side (i.e. shortest sides abutting) to define mode as per mode 1.4 and 2.4.

Preferably in the mode as part of a low table, a further item identical to the second item may be used to be in abutting relation with said first and second item.

Preferably a third item of furniture is provided which is identical to said second item and is configurable to at least two conditions, for cooperative use with said first and second items, to provide it as at least two selected from:

3.1 a bench to be used as seating along side said first item when used in its mode 1.1,

3.2 a part of a base of a bed to be adjacent said first item when used in its mode 1.2,

3.3 a part of a seating surface to be adjacent said first item when used in its mode 1.3, and

3.4 a part of a low table to be adjacent said first item when used in its mode 1.4. In a further aspect the present invention consists in a suite of multifunctional furniture as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a suite of multifunctional furniture as herein described. In a further aspect the present invention consists in a table and a bench as herein described configurable in at least three modes selected from those as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a table and a bench as herein described configurable in at least four modes selected from those as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a table and a bench as herein described configurable in at least three modes selected from those as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a table and a bench as herein described configurable in any three modes selected from those as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a table and a bench as herein described configurable in any four modes selected from those as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings whereby:

Figure 1 shows a first piece configured as a table in side elevation at (A) in plan elevation (B) and end elevation (C),

Figure 2 shows a second piece configured as bench where (A) is a side elevation, (B) is a plan elevation and (C) is an end elevation, Figure 3 shows an optional squab where (A) is a side elevation, (B) is a plan elevation and (C) is an end elevation, and

Figure 4 shows at (A) the table of Figure 1 and two bench seats as per Figure 2 in a stored condition and at (B) the same in an expanded condition to allow people to sit on the seats and to and use the table, Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the expanded table and bench seat combination of Figure 4B together with the squabs and location on the bench seats,

Figure 6 shows a lowered form of the item used to define the table of

Figure 1 whereby the bottom portions of the vertical legs have been folded inside the upper portions of the vertical legs to form a low table (Japanese style) and, the bench seats have also been laid longitudinally at the end of the lowered table to form a long lowered table and the squabs to be used for sitting on,

Figure 7 shows (A) lowered form of the items used to define the table used as a wide bench instead, and consisting of the table item lowered and with squabs on top and two seats together with the squabs on top and (B) a singular

table of the low form, being similar to but half the size of, Figure 6, with squabs for seats,

Figure 8 shows (A) the low bench, and bench seat with the squabs removed, being able to slide from underneath to form a large platform (B), Figure 9 shows the formation of a couch whereby the item used to define a table of Figure 1 is laid upon its side, legs fully extended and the two items used to define the bench seats of Figure 2 (and squabs) is located into the open space to form the base of a sofa, together with the use of the large squab folded in half to form the back rest of the couch, Figure 10 shows the couch of Figure 10 in perspective view,

Figure 11 shows a bed form of the present invention in plan form showing the items used as the table and the bench seat together with the squabs located together to form a bed, and

Figure 12 shows the bed of Figure 11 in perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists preferably of three primary items of furniture. These items of furniture are reconfigurable to define various combinations, such combinations each providing different applications for the use of the item or items of furniture so reconfigured. Each item of furniture may itself also be reconfigurable for the purposes of providing it in a form to be functional with the other items in the various configurations that such items may assume. A first item of furniture of the present invention is as shown in Figure 1. The first item 1 in the configuration shown in Figures IA - 1C is of a form defining a table. In this configuration the first item 1 includes a table top portion 2 and two leg portions 3, 4. The leg portions 3, 4 are preferably provided at opposing ends of a preferably rectangular shaped table top 2. The ends are preferably provided at the minor end edges of the table top 2. The legs 3, 4 are themselves preferably of a width which is equal to the length of such a minor edge of the table top 2 at which they ajoin the table top 2. The legs 3, 4 are

preferably of a panel shape and configuration when the first item 1 is in a condition to be used as a table as for example shown in Figures IA - 1C.

The table top 2 may include or have engaged there to, (and preferably underneath the table top portion 2) a stringer 5 which preferably extends substantially centrally in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular shaped table top 2 and preferably over its entire length. The stringer 5 is provided to ensure sufficient flexural rigidity of the table top 2. It need not be necessary that such a stringer is provided should the strength of the table top 2 be sufficient for the particular applications to which the first item 1 can be put. Whilst reference will herein be made to the components of the first item

1 with reference to such components being described in the form where the first item 1 is used as a table, it will be appreciated that in other configurations of the first item 1 such components do not necessarily provide its components for the purpose of a table. However for convenience we will use consistent terminology to describe the components of the first item 1 where it is used as a table.

In the most preferred form the first item 1 provides its leg portions 3, 4 in an articulable form. Each leg portion preferably consists of two 1 ^st portions 6 and 8, and 2 ^nd portions 7 and 9 respectively. Each panel portion 6, 7 and 8, 9 can articulate relative to each other. Preferably such articulation occurs at a respective hinge axis 10, 11. Each of the first portions 6 and 8 of the legs 3 and 4 are rigidly affixed to the table top 2. Such a relationship is preferably to define a right angle between the major surfaces of the table top 2 and each of the upper or first portions 6 and 8 of the legs 3 and 4. Such right angle relationships are preferably maintained regardless of the configuration in which the first item 1 of the present invention is used. However the lower or second portions 7 and 9 can be pivoted about the respective axes 10 and 11 relative to the upper portions 6 and 8. Such folding is for example in part shown with reference to Figure 8A where a first lower portion 7 has been folded relative to its adjacent upper portion 6 and the other lower portion 9 is yet to be pivoted (about hinge axis 11) relative to its adjacent upper portion 8. As can be seen with reference to Figure 8 A, each

of the lower portions is able to articulate relative to its respective upper portion to fold the legs inwardly towards the table top 2. Preferably there is provided a means for ensuring that the articulation pivot axis 10 and 11 can remain selectively rigid or locked but when desired a pivoting of the lower portions 7 and/or 9 can occur. In the most preferred form the pivot point is provided at a junction of the inner surface of the upper and lower portions of each leg 3 and 4 at the mating edges along the articulation axes 10 and 11.

The first item 1 has a table top portion 2 width Wl, and length Ll between legs, and height Hl (from ground level to stringer 5 under side). A second item of furniture of the suite of furniture of the invention, is shown in Figure 2. The second item 20 is in the condition as shown in Figure 2A - 2C, provided in the form to be used as a bench or seat. The second item 20 in its seat form includes a seating panel 21 and legs 22 and 23. The seating panel 21 is preferably of a rectangular plan shape and is preferably of a width W2 less than the width of the rectangular table top 2 of item 1. In the preferred form the width W2 of the rectangular seating panel 21 (and preferably hence the second item 20) is substantially half the width Wl of the table top 2. Furthermore the width W2 of the seating panel 21 is preferably half of the height Hl as shown in Figure IA of item 1. The suite of furniture of the present invention preferably consists of two of such second items 20. In the configuration of the two second items 20 shown for example in Figure 5 the two second items 20 are used as benches provided adjacent the first item 1. Optionally provided, as part of the suite of furniture, are squabs 25 which are preferably of a rectangular form to be complimentary with the rectangular form of the seating surface 21 of each of the second items 20. Such squabs will provide a comfortable seating surface on top of the seating panel 21 of the second item 20.

Preferably the length L2 of the second items 20 is substantially the same or less as the length Ll of the first item 1 as shown in Figure IA. Ll of the first item 1 is the distance between the inner surfaces of each of the legs 3 and 4.

With reference to Figure 4A it can be seen that the second items 20 can be conveniently housed within the space between the opposing legs 3 and 4 of the first item 1. Figure 4B illustrates the second items 20 retracted outwardly from the stored condition as shown in Figure 4A and to allow for such to be used for convenient seating adjacent to the first item 1 used in this illustrated mode as a table.

As a result of the preferred width W2 of the second item 20 as shown in Figures 2, the second items 20 can also be configured so as to be useful as a table. This is for example shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6 there is shown the two second items 20 placed adjacent to each other to define a total working surface which is of a width substantially the same as the width Wl of the first item 1. In a partially collapsed condition of the first item 1 as shown in Figure 6 wherein the lower portions 7 and 9 of the legs have been folded inwardly and upwardly relative to the upper portions 6 and 8 ₅ the first item 1 has been reduced in height. Preferably the articulation axis 10 and 11 are provided at a distance from the table top 2 of the first item 1 which is substantially the same as the height H2 of the second items 20 as shown in Figure 2. As a result, the first item 1 (in its partially collapsed condition when supported on the ground as for example shown in Figure 6) provides the table top 2 at substantially the same height as the seating panel 21 of the second items 20. A positioning of the second items 20 adjacent to each other and at a minor edge of the table top 2 can allow for the creation of an effective table of a length substantially but not quite the same length as the table top 2. The squabs 25, previously used to provide a comfortable surface on top of the seat surface 21, can then be placed adjacent the longitudinal edges of the first and second items 2 and 20 for people to sit on. In this configuration as for example shown in Figure 6, a Japanese style seating arrangement can be provided. In the configuration as shown in Figure 6 two further squabs have been introduced.

The second items 20 may preferably also include a stringer 27 for the purposes of strengthening the rigidity of the seating panel 21. In the most

preferred form the legs 22 and 23 remain rigidly disposed from the seating panel 21.

As an alternative to the configuration shown in Figure 6, the first item 1 may be configured relative to the second item or items 20 in a condition shown in Figure 8B. In the configuration shown in Figure 8B the second items 20 are placed adjacent each other like in the configuration shown in Figure 6, however the so configured second items 20 are positioned along a major edge of the first item 1. In this configuration a large working surface can be provided by the items of furniture of the suite of furniture of the present invention. An extension to the item as shown in Figure 8 is the use of the four squabs shown in Figure 6 to be placed on top of this working surface. This is for example shown in Figure 12 and in this configuration the arrangement can be used as a bed. Figure 11 shows a plan view of the configuration of Figure 12 wherein the effective width W3 is substantially twice the width Wl of the table top shown in Figure 1C. Although shown to be of equal length in Figure 12, the second items 20 are slightly of a shorter length L2 then the first item 1 since the length is at the most the same as the length Ll of the space between the opposing legs 3 and 4 as shown at Figure IA.

A further configuration of the first item 1 and the second items 20 is shown with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 shows a sequence of images (left to right) wherein the first item 1 is laid onto its side so that an edge of all of the table top 2 and the legs 3 and 4 are positioned on a supporting surface, such as the ground. This creates a substantially U shaped configuration (when viewed from plan) defining a cavity into which the second items 20 can be positioned. The second items 20 can be positioned in a side by side relationship relative to each other into this cavity. Since the width W2 of each of the second items 20 is substantially half the height Hl of the first item as shown in Figure IA, the adjacently positioned second items 20 do not preferably substantially project beyond the edges of the first and second legs 3 and 4 distal from the table top 2. In this configuration the items of this suite of furniture can be configured to

define a couch or seat as for example shown in Figure 10. Two of the four squabs 25 may be placed on top of a respective second item 20 and one or both of the remaining squabs 25 may be provided to provide a back rest as shown in Figure 10.