Title:

A Pedestal.

Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to a pedestal. In particular, the invention relates to a pedestal, to a table and to a chair.

Background of the Invention: A pedestal is often used as a support for an object, such as a tabletop, or a seat, or the like, for example. Such pedestals often have feet for resting the pedestal on a surface, such as, for example, a ground surface, or a floor surface, or the like, for example, so as to support the object above the surface.

In many cases, it would be advantageous if such pedestals were collapsible, thereby to render tables, or stools, or chairs, or the like, of which such pedestals form part, collapsible. In such a case, the task of storing the tables, or stools, or chairs, or the like, can be made easier than in the case where the pedestals are not collapsible.

Furthermore, it has been found that when a pedestal has four rigid feet for resting the pedestal on a surface so as to support the object above the surface, and the surface is uneven, the pedestal can tend to rock on the surface. This can be annoying when the pedestal forms part of a table, or the like, for example, and the table is being used to eat at.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pedestal for a table, or a seat, or the like, for example, which pedestal has feet which can be displaced between a deployed condition and a collapsed condition, so as to ease the task of storing the table, or the seat, or the like.

It is another object of the invention to provide a pedestal for a table, or a seat, or the like, for example, which pedestal defines feet arranged to enable the table, or the seat, or the like, to rest on an uneven surface without tending to rock.

Summary of the Invention:

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a pedestal including an elongate post formation defining two opposed end portions, a pair of diametrically opposed feet extending radially outwardly from one of the end portions, another pair of diametrically opposed feet extending radially outwardly from the one of the end portions and displacement means arranged to enable the one pair of diametrically opposed feet to be angularly displaceable relative to the other pair of diametrically opposed feet between a deployed position, in which the pairs of feet are angularly spaced apart relative to one another, and a collapsed position, in which the pairs of feet are angularly adjacent one another.

The one end portion of the elongate post may define a seat formation for seating the one pair of diametrically opposed feet relative to the elongate post when the one pair of diametrically opposed feet is in the deployed condition.

The one end portion of the elongate post may define a seat formation for seating the one pair of diametrically opposed feet relative to the elongate post when the one pair of diametrically opposed feet is in the collapsed condition.

The one pair of diametrically opposed feet may be displaceable in a longitudinal direction relative to the post formation.

The displacement means may be arranged to enable the one pair of diametrically opposed feet to be angularly displaced relative to the other pair of diametrically opposed feet by displacing the one pair of diametrically opposed feet in the longitudinal direction so as to be unseated from the one seat formation, then to be displaced angularly relative

to the other pair of diametrically opposed feet so as to enable the one pair of diametrically opposed feet to seat in the other seat formation.

The one pair of diametrically opposed feet may be displaceable in a longitudinal direction relative to the post formation and the displacement means may include urging means for urging the one pair of diametrically opposed feet in an operatively upward direction.

The post formation may define a tube portion and a shaft portion positioned within the tube portion, the one pair of feet being fixed relative to the shaft portion and the other pair of feet being fixed relative to the tube portion.

The urging means may be in the form of a helical coil spring.

The urging means may be arranged to urge the shaft portion in an operatively upward direction thereby to urge the one pair of diametrically opposed feet in an operatively upward direction. '

The pedestal may include locking means for locking the one pair of diametrically opposed feet at a longitudinal position relative to the post formation.

The locking means may be arranged selectively to lock the shaft portion relative to the tube portion, thereby to lock the one pair of diametrically opposed feet at a longitudinal position relative to the post formation.

The locking means may include a manually operable actuation member, so as to enable the locking means to lock the one pair of diametrically opposed feet at a longitudinal position relative to the post formation by manually actuating the manually operable actuation member.

The locking means may further include a frictional engaging member operatively associated with the manually operable actuation member, so as frictionally to engage the shaft portion relative to the tube portion in response to manual actuation of the manually operable actuation member.

The locking means may further include a pressing member operatively associated with the manually operable actuation member, the pressing member being arranged to press the frictional engaging member, so as to cause the frictional engaging member frictionally to engage the shaft portion relative to the tube portion, in response to manual actuation of the manually operable actuation member.

The frictional engaging member may be in the form of a collar.

The frictional engaging member may be fixed on the shaft portion.

The frictional engaging member may be of a resilient material.

The frictional engaging member may be of Nylon ™.

The frictional engaging member may be of rubber.

The frictional engaging member may be arranged to permit the shaft portion to displace in a longitudinal direction relative to the tube portion, when the locking means is in an unlocked condition, and to inhibit the shaft portion from displacing in a longitudinal direction relative to the tube portion, when the locking means is in a locked condition.

The manually operable actuation member may be in the form of a lever.

The lever may be pivotally mounted relative to the tube portion so as to be angularly displaceable between a locking position, in which the frictional engaging member inhibits the shaft portion from displacing in a longitudinal direction relative to

the tube portion, and an unlocked position, in which the frictional engaging member permits the shaft portion to displace in a longitudinal direction relative to the tube portion.

The lever may be operatively associated with a cam, so as to cause the cam to cause the frictional engaging member frictionally to engage the shaft portion relative to the tube portion, in response to the lever being angularly displaced from the unlocked position to the locking position.

The pedestal may further include mounting means for mounting an object on the pedestal.

The mounting means may be defined at the other end portion of the post formation.

The mounting means may include a mounting formation arranged to enable an object to be secured to the mounting means.

The mounting formation may be in the form of a mounting plate.

The mounting plate may be arranged to enable an object in the form of a tabletop to be mounted thereon.

The mounting plate may be arranged to enable an object in the form of a seat to be mounted thereon.

The mounting means may include a pivotal connection whereby the mounting formation is pivotally mounted relative to the other end portion of the post formation so as to be pivotally displaceable relative to the post formation between a deployed position and a collapsed position.

The mounting means may include a retention arrangement arranged to retain the mounting formation in a deployed condition when pivotally displaced into the deployed position.

The retention arrangement may be arranged to retain the mounting formation in a collapsed condition when pivotally displaced into the collapsed position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pedestal including an elongate post formation defining two opposed end portions, a pair of diametrically opposed feet extending radially outwardly from one of the end portions of the post formation and another pair of diametrically opposed feet extending radially outwardly from the one of the end portions of the post formation, the one pair of feet extending from one longitudinal position on the post formation and the other pair of feet extending from a different longitudinal position on the post formation so as, in use, to permit one of the feet of the pedestal to be positioned under one of the feet of another pedestal thereby to enable the pedestal to be positioned in close proximity relative the other pedestal by positioning a foot of the one pedestal to overlap a foot of the other pedestal.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a table including a pedestal as described above.

The table may include a tabletop mounted on the pedestal. The tabletop may be mounted on a mounting formation of the pedestal.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a chair including a pedestal as described above.

The chair may include a seat mounted on the pedestal. The seat may be mounted on a mounting formation of the pedestal.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a pedestal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the pedestal shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a table including the pedestal shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the table and the pedestal being shown in a deployed condition;

Figure 4 corresponds with Figure 3 of the drawings and shows the table and the pedestal being in a collapsed condition;

Figure 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional view from above, of a plurality of tables, each of which is similar to the table shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the tables being in collapsed conditions and in close proximity relative to one another;

Figures 6 A, B and C show cross-sectional views corresponding to part of the pedestal as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and shows a pair of feet of the pedestal being displaced between a deployed position, as shown in Figure 6A, in which the pair of feet is angularly spaced apart relative to another pair of feet, and a collapsed position, as shown in Figure 6C, in which the pair of feet is angularly adjacent the other pair of feet;

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view along arrows VII-VII in Figure 6C of the drawings;

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view along arrows VIII-VIII in Figure 6C of the drawings; and

Figure 9 shows a sectional side view of a locking arrangement of the pedestal shown in the preceding Figures.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments:

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a pedestal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The pedestal 10 includes an elongate post formation 12. The elongate post formation 12 defines two opposed end portions 12.1, 12.2. The pedestal 10 further includes a pair 14 of diametrically opposed feet 14.1, 14.2 extending radially outwardly from the end portion 12.1 of the post formation 12. The pedestal 10 further includes another pair 16 of diametrically opposed feet 16.1, 16.2 extending radially outwardly from the one end portion 12.1 of the post formation 12.

The one pair of feet 14 extends from one longitudinal position X on the post formation 12 and the other pair of feet 16 extends from a different longitudinal position Y on the post formation 12. As can best be seen with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, the pair of feet 16 extending from a longitudinal position on the post formation 12 different to that of the pair of feet 14, permits one of the feet 16.1 of the pedestal 10 to be positioned over one of the feet 14.1 of another pedestal 1OA, thereby to enable the pedestal 10 to be positioned in close proximity relative the other pedestal 1OA by positioning the foot 16.1 of the one pedestal 10 to overlap the foot 14.1 of the other pedestal 1OA. In this way, a number of pedestals 10, 1OA, 1OB, 1OC, 1OD can be stored with relative ease one adjacent another.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, the

pedestal 10 includes displacement means, generally indicated at 18, arranged to enable the one pair of diametrically opposed feet 14 to be angularly displaceable relative to the other pair of diametrically opposed feet 16 between a deployed position, as indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings, in which the pairs of feet are angularly spaced apart relative to one another, and a collapsed position, as indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings, in which the pairs of feet 14, 16 are angularly adjacent one another.

As can best be seen with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 6 of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, the one end portion 12.1 of the elongate post formation 12 defines a seat formation 20 for seating the one pair of feet 14 relative to the elongate post formation 12 when the one pair of feet 14 is in the deployed condition. The one end portion 12.1 of the elongate post formation 12 defines another seat formation 22 for seating the one pair of feet 14 relative to the elongate post formation 12 when the one pair of feet 14 is in the collapsed condition.

The seat formations 20, 22 are typically defined by an end cap formation 21. Typically, the seat formations 20, 22 are in the form of diametrically opposed recesses defined by the end cap formation 21. The recesses are arranged to receive the feet 14.1, 14.2 of the pair of feet 14. The end cap formation 21 is formed of two parts 21.1 , 21.2 which are held together and on the end portion 12.1 of the post formation 12 by conventional fasteners, such as screws, or the like, as indicated at 23.

The one pair of feet 14 is displaceable in a longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrows AA in Figure 6A of the drawings, relative to the post formation 12. The pedestal 10 includes locking means, generally indicated by reference numeral 24, for locking the one pair of feet 14 at a longitudinal position relative to the post formation 12.

The one pair of feet 14 is angularly displaceable relative to the other pair of feet 16 by displacing the one pair of feet 14 in the longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 6A of the drawings, so as to be unseated from the one seat formation

20, then to be displaced angularly relative to the other pair of feet 16, as indicated by arrow B in Figure 6B of the drawings, so as to enable the one pair of feet 14 to seat in the other seat formation 22, as indicated by arrow C in Figure 6C of the drawings. It will be appreciated that to return the pair of feet 14 to a position seated in the seat formation 20 from a seated position in the seat formation 22, the pair of feet 14 is displaced in a longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrow Cl in Figure 6C of the drawings, so as to be unseated from the seat formation 22, then to be displaced angularly relative to the other pair of feet 16 as indicated by arrow B 1 in Figure 6B of the drawings, so as to enable the pair of feet 14 to seat in the seat formation 20, as indicated by arrow Al in Figure 6 A of the drawings.

As can best be seen with reference to Figures 6A to 6C, the displacement means 18 includes urging means, generally indicated by reference numeral 26, for urging the pair of feet 14 to remain in a seated condition in the seat formation 20 when the pair of feet 14 is positioned in the seat formation 20. The urging means 26 is also arranged to urge the pair of feet 14 to remain in a seated condition in the other seat formation 22 when the pair of feet 14 is positioned in the other seat formation 22.

The post formation 12 defines a tube portion 28 and a shaft portion 30 positioned within the tube portion 28. Advantageously, the tube portion 28 and the shaft portion 30 are in the form of tubing of Aluminium.

The pair of feet 14 is fixed relative to the shaft portion 30. The other pair of feet 16 is fixed relative to the tube portion 28. The urging means 26 is arranged to urge the shaft portion 30 in an operatively upward direction, as indicated by arrow D, thereby to urge the pair of feet 14 to remain in a seated condition in the seat formation 20, when the pair of feet 14 is positioned in the seat formation 20, and to urge the pair of feet 14 to remain in a seated condition in the other seat formation 22, when the pair of feet 14 is positioned in the other seat formation 22. Typically, the urging means 26 is in the form of a helical coil spring 32.

Advantageously, the shaft portion 28 is arranged to pass through the cap formation 21. Advantageously, the cap formation 21 is of a low friction material so as to enable the shaft portion 30 to displace relative thereto with relative ease. Advantageously, the end cap formation 21 is of Nylon™.

The spring 32 acts against a collar 34 secured on the shaft portion 30 and against a seat 36 fixed relative to the tube portion 28. The spring 32 is under compression so as to urge the collar 34, and consequently also the shaft portion 30, away from the seat 36.

The locking means 24 is arranged selectively to lock the shaft portion 30 relative to the tube portion 28 thereby to lock the pair of feet 14 at a longitudinal position relative to the post formation 12.

Further urging means 27 is provided. The further urging means 27 can also be in the form of a helical coil spring 29. The urging means 27 acts under compression to urge the shaft portion 30 in a direction toward the urging means 26. The urging means 26 and the urging means 27 are preloaded so that when the locking means 24 is in an unlocked position, the shaft portion 30 is displaced into an equilibrium position. In the equilibrium position, when the pair of feet 14 is in the seat formation 20, the pair of feet 14 is generally positioned such that the feet 14.1, 14.2 are at generally the same level as the feet 16.1, 16.2 of the pair of feet 16. In this position, the pair of feet 14 can be displaced in an operatively upward direction, within the seat formation 20, against the urging of the urging means 27, and in an operatively downward direction, within the seat formation 20, against the urging of the urging means 26.

As can best be seen with reference to Figure 9 of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, the locking means 24 includes a manually operable actuation member 38. A cap formation 39 is typically provided on the end portion 12.2 of the post formation 12. Advantageously, the cap formation 39 is of Nylon ™. The manually operable actuation member 38 is arranged to enable the locking means 24 to lock the pair

of feet 14 at a longitudinal position relative to the post formation 12 by manually actuating the manually operable actuation member 38. The locking means 24 further includes a factional engaging member 40, operatively associated with the manually operable actuation member 38, so as frictionally to engage the shaft portion 30 relative to the tube portion 28 in response to actuation of the manually operable actuation member 38 thereby to lock the pair of feet 14 at a longitudinal position relative to the post formation 12. The locking means 24 further includes a pressing member 42 operatively associated with the manually operable actuation member 38. The pressing member 42 is arranged to press the frictional engaging member 40 so as to cause the factional engaging member 40 frictionally to engage the shaft portion 30 relative to the tube portion 28 in response to manual actuation of the manually operable actuation member 38.

Typically, the frictional engaging member 40 is in the form of a collar 44. The collar 44 is fixed on the shaft portion 30. The collar 44 can be of any appropriate material. The collar 44 can be of a resilient material. The collar 44 can be of Nylon™, for example. Instead, the collar 44 can be of rubber, or a rubber-like material, or the like, for example.

The collar 44 is arranged to permit the shaft portion 30 to displace in a longitudinal direction relative to the tube portion 28 when the locking means 24 is in an unlocked condition and to inhibit the shaft portion 30 from displacing in a longitudinal direction relative to the tube portion 28 when the locking means 24 is in a locked condition.

Conveniently, the manually operable actuation member 38 is in the form of a lever 46. The lever 46 is pivotally mounted relative to the tube portion 28 by means of a pivotal connection 48, so as to be angularly displaceable, as indicated by arrows EE, between a locking position, as indicated in solid lines, in which the collar 44 inhibits the shaft portion 30 from displacing in a longitudinal direction relative to the tube portion 28, and an unlocked position, as indicated in dashed lines, in which the collar 44 permits the shaft portion 30 to displace in a longitudinal direction relative to the tube portion 28.

The lever 46 is operatively associated with a cam 50, so as to cause the cam 50 to press the pressing member 42 thereby to cause the frictional engaging member 40 frictionally to engage the shaft portion 30 relative to the tube portion 28 in response to the lever 46 being angularly displaced from the unlocked position to the locking position.

Conveniently, the lever 46 defines the cam 50 at an end thereof.

As can best be seen with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the pedestal

10 further includes mounting means 60 for mounting an object on the pedestal 10. The mounting means 60 is defined at the other end portion 12.2 of the post formation 12. The mounting means 60 includes a mounting formation 62 arranged to enable an object to be secured to the mounting means 60.

The mounting formation 62 may be in the form of a mounting plate 64. The mounting plate 64 is arranged to enable an object in the form of a tabletop 66 to be mounted thereon. Instead, the mounting plate 64 can be arranged to enable an object in the form of a seat, not shown, to be mounted thereon

The mounting means 60 includes a pivotal connection 68 whereby the mounting formation 62 is pivotally mounted relative to the end portion 12.2 of the post formation 12, so as to enable the object, such as the tabletop 66, for example, to be pivotally displaceable relative to the post formation 12, as indicated by arrows FF, between a deployed position, as indicated in dashed lines in Figure 2 of the drawings, and a collapsed position, as indicated in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The mounting means 60 includes a retention arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 70, arranged to retain the mounting formation 62 in a deployed condition when pivotally displaced into the deployed condition. The retention arrangement 70 is also arranged to retain the mounting formation 62 in a collapsed condition when pivotally displaced into the collapsed position. To this end, the retention arrangement 70 includes an arm 72 pivotally mounted relative to the mounting formation

62 by means of a pivotal connection 74. The arm 72 defines a locking protrusion 76 at a remote end thereof. The retention arrangement 70 further includes a retention formation 78. The retention formation 78 defines two opposed locating seat formations 80, 82. The locating seat formations 80, 82 are arranged to receive the locking protrusion 76 of the arm 72. Accordingly, the locking protrusion 76 of the arm 72 seats in the seat formation 80, thereby to retain the mounting formation 62 in a deployed position, when the mounting formation 62 is displaced from a collapsed position to a deployed position. Similarly, the locking protrusion 76 of the arm 72 seats in the seat formations 82, thereby to retain the mounting formation 62 in a collapsed position, when the mounting formation 62 is displaced from a deployed position to a collapsed position.

Conveniently, the pedestal 10 can be used as a pedestal of a table. In such a case, the table includes a tabletop mounted on the pedestal 10. The tabletop can be mounted on the mounting formation 62 of the pedestal 10. To this end, the mounting formation 62 can define apertures arranged to enable the tabletop to be secured thereto by means of conventional fasteners, such as, screws, bolts, rivets, or the like, for example, extending through the apertures.

The pedestal 10 can also be used as a pedestal for a stool, or a chair, or the like. The chair can include a seat mounted on the pedestal 10. The seat can be mounted on the mounting formation 62 of the pedestal 10. To this end, the mounting formation 62 can define apertures arranged to enable a seat portion of the chair to be secured thereto by means of conventional fasteners, such as, screws, bolts, rivets, or the like, for example, extending through the apertures.

The pedestal 10 will now be described in use, with reference to an application as a pedestal of a table.

When the table is positioned on a surface, the lever 46 is displaced into an unlocked position to permit longitudinal displacement of the shaft portion 30 relative to the tube portion 28. Should the surface be uneven so as to cause the feet 14.1, 14.2 of the

pair of feet 14 to rock, the pair of feet 14 is extended from the post formation 12 against the urging of the urging means 26 so as to cause both of the feet 14.1, 14.2 to make contact with the surface. This can be achieved manually by stepping on the pair of feet 14. Conveniently, the pair of feet 14 is provided with a foot tab so that the pair of feet 14

5 can be caused to extend from the post formation 12 by stepping on the foot tab. When both feet 14.1, 14.2 of the pair of feet 14 make contact with the surface, the lever 46 is displaced into the locking position so as to inhibit longitudinal displacement of the shaft portion 30 relative to the tube portion 28. In this way, the feet 14.1, 14.2 of the pair of feet 14 are retained in contact with the surface thereby to inhibit rocking of the table.

0

Should the surface be uneven so as to cause the feet 16.1, 16.2 of the pair of feet 16 to rock, the pair of feet 14 is caused to retract toward the post formation 12 against the urging of the urging means 27 so as to cause both of the feet 16.1, 16.2 to make contact with the surface. This can be achieved manually by pressing on the table. When both [5 feet 16.1 , 16.2 of the pair of feet 16 make contact with the surface, the lever 46 is displaced into the locking position so as to inhibit longitudinal displacement of the shaft portion 30 relative to the tube portion 28. In this way, the feet 16.1, 16.2 of the pair of feet 16 are retained in contact with the surface thereby to inhibit rocking of the table.

0 Should it be desired to store the table, or the like, the tabletop 66 is displaced into a collapsed condition, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. This is achieved by dislocating the locking protrusion 76 of the arm 72 from the seat formation 80, then angularly displacing the tabletop 66 into a collapsed position and locating the locking protrusion 76 of the arm 72 into the seat formation 82. The table can then be stored 5 together with other tables, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.

In addition, the pair of feet 14 can be angularly displaced relative to the pair of feet 16 so as to be positioned angularly adjacent one another as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.