Adjustable height table having one or bench seats and method therefor

Abstract

An adjustable height table having bench seats has a frame member having a hollow central area and a predetermined thickness. The frame member will have a channeling formed on an interior section of the thickness. At least one padded member is moveably coupled to the thickness of the frame member for forming a surface to rest a person's feet. The padded member moves away and down from the frame member to form bench seats to sit around the adjustable height table. A finished table surface is positioned on a top portion of the frame member within the channeling. A lifting mechanism is located withing the hollow central area of the frame member for raising and lowering a height of the finished table surface. A “Lazy Susan” may be located substantially at a middle portion of the lifting mechanism and coupled to the finished table surface for rotating the finished table surface.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,193 issued on Apr. 4, 2000, in the name of Edward H. Johnson, and entitled “COMBINATION MULTIPLE OTTOMANS AND COFFEE TABLE AND METHOD THEREFOR”. The patent application is further related to pending U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 10/225,508, filed on Aug. 21, 2002, in the name of Edward H. Johnson, and entitled “AN ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT TABLE HAVING MULTIPLE CHAIRS/OTTOMANS WITH STORAGE AND METHOD THEREFOR”. The above mentioned patent and patent application are hereby incorporated into the present patent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to household furniture and, more specifically, to a furniture item that can be converted from a coffee table to a combined adjustable height table with pull-out benches having storage space and method therefor.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Presently, most furniture is designed for a single purpose. Most all furniture is designed to perform one main function and cannot be changed or altered to allow the furniture to perform a different function or task.

[0006] Ottomans and coffee tables are typical features of the modern living room. Of course, the ottoman is useful as a support for the feet and legs of a person sitting in close proximity thereto. The coffee table, on the other hand, may be used to hold decorative objects or food and drinks. It is noted herein, as is known to those skilled in the art, that even though the term coffee table is used throughout this application, coffee tables also serve as and are interchangeable with end tables, snack tables, etc. which may be located in front of or to the side of a user. The problem with the above furniture is that most chairs/ottomans cannot be used for any other purpose. Furthermore, most coffee tables can not be altered to perform other functions.

[0007] Therefore, a need existed to provide furniture which overcomes the problems associated with prior art furniture and which can be used for multiple purposes/functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved piece of furniture.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide furniture which overcomes the problems associated with prior art furniture and which can be used for multiple purposes/functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0010] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable height table having bench seats is disclosed. The adjustable height table having bench seats has a frame member having a hollow central area and a predetermined thickness. The frame member will have a channeling formed on an interior section of the thickness. At least one padded member is moveably coupled to the thickness of the frame member for forming a surface to rest a person's feet. The padded member moves away and down from the frame member to form bench seats to sit around the adjustable height table. A finished table surface is positioned on a top portion of the frame member within the channeling. A lifting mechanism is located withing the hollow central area of the frame member for raising and lowering a height of the finished table surface. A “Lazy Susan” may be located substantially at a middle portion of the lifting mechanism and coupled to the finished table surface for rotating the finished table surface.

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of an adjustable height table with pull-out benches of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the adjustable height table with pull-out benches of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the adjustable height table with pull-out benches of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements a combination adjustable height table with pull-out benches assembly 10 (hereinafter assembly 10) is shown. The assembly 10 is comprised of an adjustable height table 12 and one or more pull-out benches 14. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly 10 comprises two pull-out benches 14. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pull-out benches 14 are substantially semi-circular in shape, so that together the pull-out benches 14 form a circle when placed adjacent to one another. However, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention, other geometrical configurations for the pull-out benches 14, the adjustable height table 12, and the fully assembled combination adjustable height table with pull-out benches assembly 10 are possible. Moreover, while the embodiment in the Figures depict the assembly 10 having two pull-out benches 14, a smaller or larger number of pull-out benches 14 may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the assembly 10 has a frame member 16. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the frame member 16 is circular in shape. However, other geometric figures may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The frame member 16 is in general a tubular one piece member having an inner and outer circumference. A padding 18 is generally positioned on top of the frame member 16. The padding 18 generally covers the thickness of the frame member 16 between the inner and outer circumference. The padding 18 may be covered with leather or vinyl or any other covering material typically used in the manufacture of furniture. The padding 18 may be segmented into two or more different sections. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the padding 18 is broken into two different segments, however, this should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] The padding 18 is used for two main purposes. The first purpose is to allow people sitting near the assembly 10 to comfortably rest ones arms, legs, or the like on the assembly 10. In particular, the padding 18 will allow one to comfortably rest his/her feet on the assembly 10. Thus, the assembly 10 will function as multi person ottoman.

[0019] The padding 18 is also used to form two or more bench seats 14. The padding 18 is coupled to the frame member 16 so that one may extend the padding 18 away from the frame member 16 and in a downward position. This will allow the padding 18 to function as the bench seat 14 so that one may sit around the assembly 10 after the table portion, which will be described later, is raised. The padding 18 must be extended far enough away to allow one to comfortably position his/her legs and feet between the padding 18 and the frame member 16. This is most clearly shown in FIG. 2. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, rod members 20 are coupled to the frame member 16 and the padding 18. The rod members 20 may be extendable rod members 20 in order to allow one to further extend the padding 18 away from the frame member 16 and to conceal the rod members 20 within the frame member 16 when not in use. The padding 18 may be movably coupled to the rod member 20. Rollers 21 or other items may be used to move the padding 18 along the rod member. Thus, one may extend the rod members 20 back and then move the padding 18 along the rod members 20 and then downward so that the padding 18 is level with the frame member 16. Thus, the padding 18 will provide a bench seat 14 in which one may be seated.

[0020] The frame member 16 will also function as an area to store items. The frame member 16 may have a hollow section 24 located internal to the frame member 16. The hollow section 24 may be used to store and house items within the frame member 14. The hollow section 24 may further provided additional leg room when an individual is sitting on the padding 18 and places his/her legs and feet between the padding 18 and the frame member 16. Shelving 26 may further be located within the frame member 14. The shelving 26 would be used to help arrange items within the assembly 10. In order to access the hollow section 24, one or more doors 28 may be coupled to each end of the frame member 14. Alternatively, the hollow section 24 may remain open. If doors 28 are used, the doors 28 are coupled to each end of the frame member 14 by using one or more hinges 30. It should be noted that one or more doors 28 may be used on the frame member 14. A locking mechanism 32 may be used to secure the door 28 in a closed position. Any type of locking mechanism 32 may be used. For example, a simple set of magnets may be used as a locking mechanism 32. It should be noted that the above is just given as an example and should not be seen as to limit he scope of the present invention.

[0021] On top of the frame member 16 is a table surface top 20. The table surface top 20 may be made out of any of the types of material that is typically used in the manufacture of dining tables, coffee tables, end tables, snack tables, etc. A channeling 22 is generally formed along the inner circumference of the frame member 18. The channeling 22 will provide a place for the table surface top 20 to rest on top of the frame member 18.

[0022] Located within the center area 34 of the frame member 16 is a lift mechanism 36. The lifting mechanism 36 is used to raise and lower the table surface top 20. Thus, the lifting mechanism 36 may raise the table surface top 20 so that the assembly 10 may be used more for dining, gaming (i.e., playing cards, board games, and the like), etc. Thus, the assembly 10 could be used for sitting around the raised table surface top 20. Any type of lifting mechanism 36 may be used. The lifting mechanism 36 may be a hydraulic lift, pneumatic lift, motor driven, hand cranked or the like. The listing of the above lifting devices 36 are only given as examples and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0023] A “Lazy Susan” 38 may be coupled to a top surface of the lifting mechanism 36 and to a bottom surface of the table surface top 20. The “Lazy Susan” 38 is used to allow the table surface top 20 to rotate in order to allow one to more easily gather items on the table surface top 20. The “Lazy Susan” 38 will allow the table surface top 20 to rotate whether the table surface top 20 is raised or lowered.

[0024] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable height table having bench seats comprising, in combination:

a frame member having a hollow central area and a predetermined thickness wherein the frame member will have a channeling formed on an interior section of the thickness;

at least one padded member moveably coupled to the thickness of the frame member for forming a surface to rest a person's feet wherein the padded member moves away and down from the frame member to form the bench seats to sit around the adjustable height table;

a finished table surface positioned on a top portion of the frame member within the channeling; and

a lifting mechanism located withing the hollow central area of the frame member for raising and lowering a height of the finished table surface.

2. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a “Lazy Susan” located substantially at a middle portion of the lifting mechanism and coupled to the finished table surface for rotating the finished table surface.

3. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 1 wherein the frame member has a hollow interior side section for storing items.

4. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 2 further comprising shelving coupled to the frame member within the hollow interior side section for storing items.

5. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 3 further comprising at least one door coupled to the frame member for closing the hollow interior side section.

6. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the door and to the frame member for securing the door in a locked position.

7. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 1 wherein the frame member is a circular tube.

8. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 1 further comprising rod members coupled to the frame member and to the at least one padded member for extending the padded member away and down from the frame member.

9. An adjustable height table having bench seats comprising, in combination:

a frame member having a hollow central area and a predetermined thickness wherein the frame member will have a channeling formed on an interior section of the thickness and wherein the frame member has a hollow interior side section for storing items;

at least one padded member moveably coupled to the thickness of the frame member for forming a surface to rest a person's feet wherein the padded member moves away and down from the frame member to form the bench seats to sit around the adjustable height table;

a finished table surface positioned on at a top portion of the frame member within the channeling;

a lifting mechanism located withing the hollow central area of the frame member for raising and lowering a height of the finished table surface; and

a “Lazy Susan” located substantially at a middle portion of the lifting mechanism and coupled to the finished table surface for rotating the finished table surface.

10. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 9 further comprising shelving coupled to the frame member within the hollow interior side section for storing items.

11. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 9 further comprising at least one door coupled to the frame member for closing the hollow interior side section.

12. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the door and to the frame member for securing the door in a locked position.

13. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 9 wherein the frame member is a circular tube.

14. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 9 further comprising rod members coupled to the frame member and to the at least one padded member for extending the padded member away and down from the frame member.

15. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 14 further comprising rollers coupled to the padded member to move the padded member along the rod member.

16. An adjustable height table having bench seats in accordance with claim 8 further comprising rollers coupled to the padded member to move the padded member along the rod member.