Title:
TABLE AND CHAIR STRUCTURE AND MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING CHAIRS
United States Patent 3778102
Abstract:
A table and chair combination wherein a table top is supported on a plurality of spaced chairs with each having a separable connection providing a pivotal relation and a latch preventing separation in all positions except the separable position.
US Patent References:
Coupling for rotary brushes or other driven elements
Sassano - October 1950 - 2524995
Scaffold support
Beatty - September 1955 - 2719061
Plastic quarter turn shelf support
Rapata - April 1965 - 3179367
Table and chair structure
Wardlaw et al. - October 1965 - 3212815
Layer cake separator
Murdock - February 1966 - 3236389
Coupling for rotary brushes or other driven elements
Sassano - October 1950 - 2524995
Scaffold support
Beatty - September 1955 - 2719061
Plastic quarter turn shelf support
Rapata - April 1965 - 3179367
Table and chair structure
Wardlaw et al. - October 1965 - 3212815
Layer cake separator
Murdock - February 1966 - 3236389
Inventors:
Snyder, Bobbie L. (Lake Winnebago, MO)
Spencer, Ambrose (Merriam, KS)
Butts, Harlan (Lees Summit, MO)
Spencer, Ambrose (Merriam, KS)
Butts, Harlan (Lees Summit, MO)
Application Number:
05/255094
Publication Date:
12/11/1973
Filing Date:
05/19/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Fixtures Mfg. Corp. (Kansas City, MO)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
403/349, 297/135, 297/142
International Classes:
A47B83/02; A47B83/00; A47C3/00
Field of Search:
297/170,171,172,135,157 287/2R,20.5,23,124,13A
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Mccall, James T.
Claims:
We claim
1. In a table and chair combination having a table top and a plurality of chairs spaced around said table top with means pivotally mounting each chair to said table top for swinging movement about a respective vertical axis comprising:
2. Means for pivotally mounting chairs as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cooperating means includes:
3. A table top and chair combination with swinging and supporting connections of the chairs with the table top comprising:
4. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein:
5. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said mutually engaging portions include:
6. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein:
7. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein:
8. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein:
1. In a table and chair combination having a table top and a plurality of chairs spaced around said table top with means pivotally mounting each chair to said table top for swinging movement about a respective vertical axis comprising:
2. Means for pivotally mounting chairs as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cooperating means includes:
3. A table top and chair combination with swinging and supporting connections of the chairs with the table top comprising:
4. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein:
5. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said mutually engaging portions include:
6. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein:
7. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein:
8. A table and chair combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein:
Description:
The present invention relates to articles of furniture and more particularly to a table and chair structure having improved means for permitting relative turning movement between the chairs and the table top and selected separation of the chairs and the table top.
The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a table and chair combination wherein a table top is solely supported on a plurality of chairs and having improved means for pivotal connection of chairs to a table top; to provide such a table and chair combination having cooperating portions on each of a plurality of socket portions mounted on a lower surface of a table top and a respective portion of each chair received therein and engageable through a selected angle of swinging movement of each chair to retain the chair portion within the respective socket member and to permit separation or disengagement beyond the selected angle of turning movement; to provide such a structure wherein the socket portion have tapered bores enlarging downwardly from the table top and permitting relative movement of the chair portion and socket portion to accommodate uneveness of floors; to provide such a table and chair combination wherein the pivotal connection means are each adapted to retain an end member on a chair in a receiving member mounted on the table top and permit removal thereof only when the end member is in a selected rotated position relative to the table top; to provide such a table and chair combination wherein each end member serves as a supporting means for the table top; to provide such a connection wherein the parts are adapted for casting with a minimum of machining operation; to provide such a table and chair combination wherein the chairs are selectively detachable only when in a selected position relative to the table top to thereby enable the chairs to be used separately; and to provide such a table and chair combination that is economical to manufacture, easily assembled and less easily disassembled, that presents a structure having movable portions whereby it is easy to clean the supporting surfaces thereunder, and which is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment illustrating various objects and features of the table and chair structure and means for pivotally mounting chairs of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table and chair structure constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in assembled relation.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the table and chair structure with mounting socket members and table supporting portions of chairs shown in broken lines.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the table and chair structure.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the mounting socket member and the pivotal connection between a chair and table top and taken on line 4--4, FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the socket member for mounting on a lower surface of the table top.
Referring more in detail to the drawings:
As required detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.
The present invention is an improvement in the table and chair structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,815 granted on Oct. 19, 1965 and more particularly the present invention is an improvement in means for pivotally mounting the chairs in supporting relation for a table top.
In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a table and chair combination which includes a table top 2 and a plurality of chairs 3 spaced around the table top 2 and each having a substantially rigid member 4 extending therefrom and having a generally vertical end portion 5 in pivotal supporting relation to said table top 2. It is desirable that the mounting be separable. The connecting supporting parts generally include an end member 6 on the chair end portion 5 and a bracket or socket member 7 mounted on the bottom surface 8 of the table top 2. Such a connection is provided for each one of the chairs and permits relative turning movement between the table top 2 and a respective chair 3.
The table top 2 may be made of any desirable material and is not restricted as to shape. In the structure illustrated, the table top 2 is polygonal and is supported by the chairs 3 and the chairs 3 are spaced around said table top and movable relative thereto.
The chairs 3 may be any suitable design and in the illustrated structure each chair has a suitable seat portion 9 and a support structure or frame, such as a plurality of spaced legs or support members 10 in supporting relationship to the seat portion 9. The illustrated chairs 3 each have a back portion 11 spaced above the seat portion 9 and have portions 12 extending from the back portion 11 and terminating in oppositely directed arm portions 13 which support arm rests 14.
The substantially rigid member 4 is suitably fixed to one of the arm portions 13 and extends therefrom and toward the table and the illustrated rigid member 4 extends to a position under the table top 2 about which the chair swings, as best seen in FIG. 2. The rigid members 4 may be any structure to mount the connector and in the illustrated structure are shown as including the vertical end portion 5 which is preferably tubular and has an open upper end positioned below the table top 2.
The end members 6 are illustrated as being mounted in a respective open upper end of the vertical end portion 5 with each having a body portion 16 received within a respective open upper end of the vertical end portion 5 of the rigid members 4. The body portion 16 is suitably secured within the open upper end with any suitable fastener. The fasteners illustrated are a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws 17 each having counter-sunk heads preferably flush with an exterior surface of the vertical end portion 5. Each end member 6 has an end flange 18 engageable with an upper end of the walls defining the open upper end of the vertical end portion 5. Each of the end members 6 has at least one and preferably a pair of laterally opposed ears or lugs 19 extending from the end flange 18.
Each of the brackets or socket members 7 are suitably secured to the lower surface 8 of the table top 2 and in the illustrated structure, each socket member 7 includes a mounting portion 20 suitably secured to the lower surface 8 of the table top 2, as by a plurality of spaced fastening devices illustrated as screws 21. Each of the brackets or socket members 7 have wall portions 22 defining a chamber therein with the chamber being adjacent the lower surface 8 of the table top 2 when the socket member 7 is mounted on the lower surface 8, the chamber being adapted to receive a respective one of the end members 6 therein, more particularly the end flange 18 and the lug or lugs 19 of the respective end member 6. The wall portions 22 extend upwardly from at least one and preferably a pair of shoulders 23 which are each engageable by a lug or lugs 19 to prevent removal of the vertical end portion 5 and the end member 6 thereon from the bracket or socket member 7. Wall portions 24 depend from the shoulders 23 and define a generally vertically extending bore 25 communicating with the chamber within the bracket or socket member 7. The bore 25 is tapered having its smallest diameter as at 25' adjacent to the shoulders 23 and enlarging to the lower end 24' of the wall portions 24 to provide for chair movement as later described. The bore 25 is adapted to receive the vertical end portion 5 of a respective one of the rigid members 4 therein with the bore defining wall at the small or upper end of the bore having engagement with said vertical end portion 5 for rotation thereof in the socket member 7. At least one and preferably a pair of laterally opposed recesses or slots 26 in the bore 25 are adapted to receive the respective lug or lugs 19 therein for movement therethrough.
It is desirable to facilitate the turning or swinging movement of the chairs 3 relative to the table top 2, therefore, each of the chairs 3 has a plurality of spaced floor-engaging members, such as rollers 27 each mounted on a lower end of each of the legs or support members 10 for supporting same during relative turning or swinging movement between the respective chairs 3 and the table top 2.
In assembling and using a table and chair combination as illustrated and described, the socket members 7 are secured to the lower surface 8 of the table top 2 by means of the screws 21. The end members 6 are secured in the open upper end of the respective vertical end portion 5 of the rigid members 4, as by the screws 17. The table top 2 is positioned above the end members 6 and the chairs 3 are maneuvered until the lugs 19 are aligned with the slots 26 in the respective bore 25 whereby the table top may be lowered until the end member 6 is in engagement with the lower surface 8 whereby the chairs 3 provide the sole support for the table top 2. The chairs 3 are then maneuvered to move the lugs 19 out of alignment with the respective slots or recesses 26. Then a person desiring to sit at the table top 2 may grasp a selected chair 3 and pull same whereby the selected chair swings or rolls outwardly from the table top 2, the swinging movement being about the vertical axis of the vertical end portion 5. When the chair is swung out from the table top 2, a person may be seated in the chair and then move same toward the table top 2 whereby the chair moves on the rollers 27 in an arcuate path about the vertical end portion 5 to swing back to a normal seating position for a person adjacent the table top 2. The table top 2 is supported by the chairs 3 and remains in position regardless of whether the chairs are at the seating position along side the table top 2 or whether one or all of the chairs are swung outwardly from the table top 2. The weight of the table top 2 maintains the upper end or surface of the end member 6 in engagement with the lower surface 8 of the table top 2. During all the swinging movement of the chairs 3, the lugs 19 of the end members 6 each have a lower surface thereof spaced above an upper surface of the shoulder or shoulders 23 at the upper end of the respective bores 25. The table top 2 may be removed from the chairs 3 or a chair or chairs 3 may be removed from the combination only when the chair or chairs 3 are moved beyond a selected angle of turning or swinging to move the lugs 19 from a position above the respective shoulders 23 to a position above and aligned with a respective slot 26 in the bores 25 and then the table top 2 may be lifted to move the socket members 7 upwardly while the chairs 3, rigid members 4, and end members 6 remain in position thereby effecting relative movement between the lugs 19 and the slots 26.
The table and chair combination 1 is a substantially stable structure and there is a minimum of relative lateral movement between the table top 2 and the chairs 3 as a result of a minimum clearance between interior surfaces of the small portion of the bores 25 as at 25' and exterior surfaces of a respective vertical end portion 5 of the rigid members 4.
It is to be understood that either the bore 25 or vertical portion 5 may have the taper with the other being substantially cylindrical or other suitable combination to provide the bearing engagement at one end and clearance at the other to permit angular variation between the vertical portions and the table top. In the illustrated structure, the bores 25 diverging downwardly to the larger diameter at the lower end of the walls 24 permit the end portions 5 of the chair rigid members 4 to vary from normal relation or permit angular variation relative to the table top. This structure gives stability and accommodates uneveness of floors without binding or other interference with the swinging of the chairs relative to the table top. The chairs can swing or move over their respective areas and even if the floor is uneven the taper of the bore 25 and relative fit keeps the table top in its selected position.
It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described one form of our invention, it is not to be limited to this specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.
The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a table and chair combination wherein a table top is solely supported on a plurality of chairs and having improved means for pivotal connection of chairs to a table top; to provide such a table and chair combination having cooperating portions on each of a plurality of socket portions mounted on a lower surface of a table top and a respective portion of each chair received therein and engageable through a selected angle of swinging movement of each chair to retain the chair portion within the respective socket member and to permit separation or disengagement beyond the selected angle of turning movement; to provide such a structure wherein the socket portion have tapered bores enlarging downwardly from the table top and permitting relative movement of the chair portion and socket portion to accommodate uneveness of floors; to provide such a table and chair combination wherein the pivotal connection means are each adapted to retain an end member on a chair in a receiving member mounted on the table top and permit removal thereof only when the end member is in a selected rotated position relative to the table top; to provide such a table and chair combination wherein each end member serves as a supporting means for the table top; to provide such a connection wherein the parts are adapted for casting with a minimum of machining operation; to provide such a table and chair combination wherein the chairs are selectively detachable only when in a selected position relative to the table top to thereby enable the chairs to be used separately; and to provide such a table and chair combination that is economical to manufacture, easily assembled and less easily disassembled, that presents a structure having movable portions whereby it is easy to clean the supporting surfaces thereunder, and which is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment illustrating various objects and features of the table and chair structure and means for pivotally mounting chairs of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table and chair structure constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in assembled relation.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the table and chair structure with mounting socket members and table supporting portions of chairs shown in broken lines.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the table and chair structure.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the mounting socket member and the pivotal connection between a chair and table top and taken on line 4--4, FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the socket member for mounting on a lower surface of the table top.
Referring more in detail to the drawings:
As required detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.
The present invention is an improvement in the table and chair structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,815 granted on Oct. 19, 1965 and more particularly the present invention is an improvement in means for pivotally mounting the chairs in supporting relation for a table top.
In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a table and chair combination which includes a table top 2 and a plurality of chairs 3 spaced around the table top 2 and each having a substantially rigid member 4 extending therefrom and having a generally vertical end portion 5 in pivotal supporting relation to said table top 2. It is desirable that the mounting be separable. The connecting supporting parts generally include an end member 6 on the chair end portion 5 and a bracket or socket member 7 mounted on the bottom surface 8 of the table top 2. Such a connection is provided for each one of the chairs and permits relative turning movement between the table top 2 and a respective chair 3.
The table top 2 may be made of any desirable material and is not restricted as to shape. In the structure illustrated, the table top 2 is polygonal and is supported by the chairs 3 and the chairs 3 are spaced around said table top and movable relative thereto.
The chairs 3 may be any suitable design and in the illustrated structure each chair has a suitable seat portion 9 and a support structure or frame, such as a plurality of spaced legs or support members 10 in supporting relationship to the seat portion 9. The illustrated chairs 3 each have a back portion 11 spaced above the seat portion 9 and have portions 12 extending from the back portion 11 and terminating in oppositely directed arm portions 13 which support arm rests 14.
The substantially rigid member 4 is suitably fixed to one of the arm portions 13 and extends therefrom and toward the table and the illustrated rigid member 4 extends to a position under the table top 2 about which the chair swings, as best seen in FIG. 2. The rigid members 4 may be any structure to mount the connector and in the illustrated structure are shown as including the vertical end portion 5 which is preferably tubular and has an open upper end positioned below the table top 2.
The end members 6 are illustrated as being mounted in a respective open upper end of the vertical end portion 5 with each having a body portion 16 received within a respective open upper end of the vertical end portion 5 of the rigid members 4. The body portion 16 is suitably secured within the open upper end with any suitable fastener. The fasteners illustrated are a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws 17 each having counter-sunk heads preferably flush with an exterior surface of the vertical end portion 5. Each end member 6 has an end flange 18 engageable with an upper end of the walls defining the open upper end of the vertical end portion 5. Each of the end members 6 has at least one and preferably a pair of laterally opposed ears or lugs 19 extending from the end flange 18.
Each of the brackets or socket members 7 are suitably secured to the lower surface 8 of the table top 2 and in the illustrated structure, each socket member 7 includes a mounting portion 20 suitably secured to the lower surface 8 of the table top 2, as by a plurality of spaced fastening devices illustrated as screws 21. Each of the brackets or socket members 7 have wall portions 22 defining a chamber therein with the chamber being adjacent the lower surface 8 of the table top 2 when the socket member 7 is mounted on the lower surface 8, the chamber being adapted to receive a respective one of the end members 6 therein, more particularly the end flange 18 and the lug or lugs 19 of the respective end member 6. The wall portions 22 extend upwardly from at least one and preferably a pair of shoulders 23 which are each engageable by a lug or lugs 19 to prevent removal of the vertical end portion 5 and the end member 6 thereon from the bracket or socket member 7. Wall portions 24 depend from the shoulders 23 and define a generally vertically extending bore 25 communicating with the chamber within the bracket or socket member 7. The bore 25 is tapered having its smallest diameter as at 25' adjacent to the shoulders 23 and enlarging to the lower end 24' of the wall portions 24 to provide for chair movement as later described. The bore 25 is adapted to receive the vertical end portion 5 of a respective one of the rigid members 4 therein with the bore defining wall at the small or upper end of the bore having engagement with said vertical end portion 5 for rotation thereof in the socket member 7. At least one and preferably a pair of laterally opposed recesses or slots 26 in the bore 25 are adapted to receive the respective lug or lugs 19 therein for movement therethrough.
It is desirable to facilitate the turning or swinging movement of the chairs 3 relative to the table top 2, therefore, each of the chairs 3 has a plurality of spaced floor-engaging members, such as rollers 27 each mounted on a lower end of each of the legs or support members 10 for supporting same during relative turning or swinging movement between the respective chairs 3 and the table top 2.
In assembling and using a table and chair combination as illustrated and described, the socket members 7 are secured to the lower surface 8 of the table top 2 by means of the screws 21. The end members 6 are secured in the open upper end of the respective vertical end portion 5 of the rigid members 4, as by the screws 17. The table top 2 is positioned above the end members 6 and the chairs 3 are maneuvered until the lugs 19 are aligned with the slots 26 in the respective bore 25 whereby the table top may be lowered until the end member 6 is in engagement with the lower surface 8 whereby the chairs 3 provide the sole support for the table top 2. The chairs 3 are then maneuvered to move the lugs 19 out of alignment with the respective slots or recesses 26. Then a person desiring to sit at the table top 2 may grasp a selected chair 3 and pull same whereby the selected chair swings or rolls outwardly from the table top 2, the swinging movement being about the vertical axis of the vertical end portion 5. When the chair is swung out from the table top 2, a person may be seated in the chair and then move same toward the table top 2 whereby the chair moves on the rollers 27 in an arcuate path about the vertical end portion 5 to swing back to a normal seating position for a person adjacent the table top 2. The table top 2 is supported by the chairs 3 and remains in position regardless of whether the chairs are at the seating position along side the table top 2 or whether one or all of the chairs are swung outwardly from the table top 2. The weight of the table top 2 maintains the upper end or surface of the end member 6 in engagement with the lower surface 8 of the table top 2. During all the swinging movement of the chairs 3, the lugs 19 of the end members 6 each have a lower surface thereof spaced above an upper surface of the shoulder or shoulders 23 at the upper end of the respective bores 25. The table top 2 may be removed from the chairs 3 or a chair or chairs 3 may be removed from the combination only when the chair or chairs 3 are moved beyond a selected angle of turning or swinging to move the lugs 19 from a position above the respective shoulders 23 to a position above and aligned with a respective slot 26 in the bores 25 and then the table top 2 may be lifted to move the socket members 7 upwardly while the chairs 3, rigid members 4, and end members 6 remain in position thereby effecting relative movement between the lugs 19 and the slots 26.
The table and chair combination 1 is a substantially stable structure and there is a minimum of relative lateral movement between the table top 2 and the chairs 3 as a result of a minimum clearance between interior surfaces of the small portion of the bores 25 as at 25' and exterior surfaces of a respective vertical end portion 5 of the rigid members 4.
It is to be understood that either the bore 25 or vertical portion 5 may have the taper with the other being substantially cylindrical or other suitable combination to provide the bearing engagement at one end and clearance at the other to permit angular variation between the vertical portions and the table top. In the illustrated structure, the bores 25 diverging downwardly to the larger diameter at the lower end of the walls 24 permit the end portions 5 of the chair rigid members 4 to vary from normal relation or permit angular variation relative to the table top. This structure gives stability and accommodates uneveness of floors without binding or other interference with the swinging of the chairs relative to the table top. The chairs can swing or move over their respective areas and even if the floor is uneven the taper of the bore 25 and relative fit keeps the table top in its selected position.
It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described one form of our invention, it is not to be limited to this specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.