Convertible storage chest/ table

Abstract

A combination storage chest/coffee table whose table top converts into a dining table. The is pivotally attached to the main unit which allows to move from a closed position to partially open or fully open position. In the closed position the unit serves as a chest with a top lid and/or a coffee table. In the partial open position the unit serves as a dining table. The unit converts easily from a chest to a dining table through the means of a spring loaded lift and locks in to a stable position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and is claiming the benefit of a U.S. provisional application No. 60/562,578, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 16, 2004 by Peter Usselmann.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to convertible furniture, and more particularly, to a novel convertible chest/table. This invention easily converts from a storage chest/coffee table to a dinner table.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A shortcoming of coffee tables used in living rooms or family rooms today is that they are not able to store larger items like throw blankets nor are they comfortable for eating dinner in front of the television while sitting on a couch or sofa.

This invention can be used as storage chest/coffee table that converts to a dinner table. The object of this invention is to provide an economical, aesthetic and space saving unit that fulfills the needs of three different furnishings into one piece of furniture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 3-D illustration of invention;

FIG. 2 shows side view perspective of the invention in open position;

FIG. 3 shows side view perspective of the invention in transition mode;

FIG. 4 shows side view perspective of the invention in shifted open dinning table position;

FIG. 5 shows front view perspective of the invention in shifted open dinning table position;

FIG. 6 shows front view perspective of the invention in a closed position;

FIG. 7 shows side view perspective of the invention in closed position; and

FIG. 8 shows top view perspective of the invention in shifted open dining table position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description of the invention as set out below enable one to make and use the invention, it is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, but to serve as an example of the invention.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention in shifted open dining table position. The construction material for the walls of the invention is solid wood, plywood, particleboard, or other common construction material for furniture.

The invention comprised of a main container unit with a closed bottom wall 4 having a front wall 2, a rear wall 9 and opposing side walls 3 which extend completely around bottom wall 4. The front wall 2, rear wall 9, and opposing side walls 3 extending vertically upward to a predetermined equal height creating a storage space 23. The front wall 2, rear wall 9, and opposing side walls 3 each having an outer surface and an inner surface with respect to said storage unit 23. The rear wall 9, front wall 2, and opposing side wall 3 are attached to bottom wall 4 by screws. The opposing side walls 3 are attached to the front wall 2 and rear wall 9 by a flush, miter, dado, or dovetail joints as shown at 20 and a bonding agent, such as wood glue.

Decorative moldings 6, 7, and 8 are attached to the bottom perimeter of the invention by nails and/or glue. The molding is joined at the corners as shown at 21 by flush, miter, dado, or dovetail joint with a bonding agent.

The invention also has a top panel 1 with a front end, back end and opposing side ends having an outer surface and an inner surface. A lip 5 is attached to the underside of the top panel 1 at each opposing side ends by nails and glue. The front and back ends 22 of the lips are rounded or tapered. The lips 5 act as guides when the top panel 1 is being closed; it also provides additional stability to the top panel 1 when the invention is in the closed position.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage chest/table is sized to enable a few large blankets to be stored in the storage unit and configured to allow two people to eat comfortably from when it is in the dining table position. However, size of the invention can be decreased or increased. The outer surface of the front wall 2 can be finished to look like drawers or a cabinet.

FIG. 2-FIG. 5 shows the lifting mechanism of the invention and the table top supports 12 that lock top panel 1 in place when the invention is in dining table position.

The lifting mechanism consists of a wood plank 16 connected to the top panel 1 and the front wall 2. The plank 16 is attached to the top panel 1 with one or more hinges 10, such as piano hinges, near the midline of the inner surface of the top panel 1. The plank is attached to the front wall 2 with one or more hinges 11, such as piano hinges, near to top perimeter of the inner surface of the front panel 2. The lifting mechanism also consists of one or more loaded springs 18 attached to the wood plank 16 and the inner surface of the front wall 2. The loaded springs enable the top panel 1 to be opened and closed smoothly. This lifting mechanism allow the top panel 1 to be opened in to a fully open position as shown in FIG. 2 and a shifted open position as shown in FIG. 4.

The table top supports consist of support legs 12 and locks 13, 17 and latch blocks 14. The support legs 12 are attached with screws to the inner surface of the top panel 1 near the perimeter of the opposing side ends. The support legs 12 when engaged will stand flush on top the lack blocks 14. The latch blocks are attached by screws and a bonding agent to the inner surface of the opposing side walls 3 near the top perimeter. The latch blocks 14 has a vertical slot cut out to allow the lock latch 17 to be fitted inside. The actuator lever 13 of the lock is attached to the support legs 12. When the leg supports 12 are locked in place the invention is in the shifted open dining table position. The leg supports 12, locks 13, 17 and latch blocks enable the top panel 1 to be elevated and shifted into a very stable and immobile shifted open position.

The fully open position allows for full access to the storage space 23. The shifted open position with top panel elevated and extended beyond the sides of the main housing unit allow the top panel 1 to serve as a convenient and comfortable dining table.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the dining table allows a person to sit on a couch and eat comfortable of the top panel. The height of the top panel 1 can be increased or decreased.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 refers to four supports that are attached to the outer surface of the bottom wall 4, usually near the corners of the bottom wall 4. The supports may be wheels 19, feet, knobs, sliders, or levelers 17.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the closed bottom wall 4 of the invention. In this embodiment the closed bottom wall 4 is lined with aromatic cedar.

Claims

1) A convertible storage chest/table unit comprised of the following:

a.) a main container unit with a closed bottom wall, having a front wall, a rear wall and opposing side walls which extend completely around said bottom wall with said front, rear, and opposing side walls extending vertically upward to a predetermined equal height creating a storage unit with an open top; and said front, rear, and opposing side walls each having an outer surface and an inner surface with respect to said storage unit;

b.) a table top with a front end, back end and opposing side ends having a topside and an underside;

c.) a pivot lifting plank to lift and push forward said table top from a closed position into a full open position, said lifting plank having hinges at opposing ends with the first hinge attached to the underside of said table and with the second hinge attached to the inner surface of front wall.

2) The combination of claim 1, further comprising two loaded springs attached to said inner surface of front wall and to the said lifting plank to allow for smooth opening and closing.

3) The combination of claim 1, wherein when the said table top is in the closed position, said table top can be used as a coffee table.

4) A convertible storage chest/table unit comprised of the following:

a.) a main container unit with a closed bottom wall, having a front wall, a rear wall and opposing side walls which extend completely around said bottom wall with said front, rear, and opposing side walls extending vertically upward to a predetermined equal height creating a storage unit with an open top; and said front, rear, and opposing side walls each having an outer surface and an inner surface with respect to said storage unit;

b.) a table top with a front end, back end and opposing side ends having a topside and an underside;

c.) two support attached to the underside of the said table top at said opposing side ends;

d.) two lock for holding said table top in a stable immovable shifted open position, said locks having two parts with the first part an actuator lever attached to the said supports and with the second part a latch attached to the said inner surface of said opposing sides.

5) The combination of claim 5, wherein a wood block is attached to the said inner surfaces of each of the said opposing side walls to stabilize and immobilize the said supports.

6) The combination of claim 5, wherein when the said table top is lifted and extends beyond the sides of the main housing unit in said shifted open position, said table top can be used as a dining table.