Transformable furniture

Disclosed is a transformable seat-table. The seat-table has at least two operable configurations, the first configuration is a seat and the second configuration is a table. The seat-table includes a support structure that should have at least two horizontal members, one upper horizontal member and one lower horizontal member. The seat-table further includes two boards, the first of which has an adjustment mechanism or a releasable snap. If an adjustment mechanism is used, it is slidingly and rotatably engaged with the upper horizontal member. The two boards are connected by a hinged connecting mechanism. The second board should be at least rotatably connected to the lower horizontal member.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a desk-chair combination arrangement. By using its embedded adjustment mechanism, this arrangement becomes interchangeable between a desk and a chair in order to satisfy different needs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As technologies progress rapidly, the general public's demand for better quality of life is also moving higher. In addition to providing aesthetic appearances, consumers also require furniture to be multi-purpose, expandable and easy-to-use.

Conventionally, desk and chair are functioning independently. When space and budget are limited, adding additional desks or chairs to suit temporary needs can be inconvenient and costly. To improve this single-use of a desk or a chair, the most popular desk-chair combination design is to have the desk top (board) attached to the armrest. Under this design, the board, when needed, has to be extended either sideway or forward which can cause imbalance of the entire setup. To compensate this, a smaller board is sometime used which can cause discomfort or inconvenience to the user. Furthermore, for chairs with no armrests, this design is rendered worthless.

Currently, most home and office furniture serves a single use: chairs for sitting, desks and tables for work surfaces, beds for sleeping, shelving for storage, etc. With a few exceptions, home and office furniture cannot be re-used or transformed to serve a number of uses in more than one aesthetic style.

While the creation of single-use furniture is well-known, novel furniture innovations are still being developed even to this day. In particular, the field of creating furniture for a plurality of uses is still a wide-open field of development. Some single-use furniture types do have some minor flexibility of use within the larger constraint of serving as a single type of furniture, for instance cabinets with adjustable height shelves.

Another disadvantage of the previous attempts is that extraneous portions of the furniture must be added in order to adjust or reposition the furniture. These parts can be easily broken off and damaged rendering the furniture useless. For example, a reclining chair requires a special handle to adjust the angle of the back relative to the seat; and lounge chairs and futons use slats or attached legs to hold them in a certain position. Thus, the adjusting feature requires additional appendages not integral to the frame of the furniture.

Another disadvantage is style. Previous attempts at convertible furniture are only capable of one style. For instance, the reclining chair is not capable of changing style or appearance.

Single or dual-use pieces of furniture serving limited functions are relatively much more expensive because once their function is no longer needed they are discarded, for instance if the use of a particular style chair might not be aesthetically desired or ergonomically correct. The economic cost and impact on the environment of manufacturing wood and other materials, and of discarding furniture with limited utility in landfills, is large. Most furniture not in use is stored in attics or basements taking up a great deal of space. Also, most furniture is shipped fully assembled, which takes more space and therefore creates larger transportation costs, rather than being shipped disassembled or flat.

Finally, the desk-chair combination type may not be required at all time by all users. A new design to satisfy the single need of having only a desk or a chair but can be easily transformed by users is clearly warranted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTIVE ASPECTS

The disclosed inventive seat-table includes an embodiment that is transformable between a seat configuration and a desk (or table) configuration. The inventive seat-table generally includes a first board, which has an attached adjustment mechanism, a second board, and a connecting mechanism that rotatably connects the first board to the second board. The seat-table should include a support structure that has an upper horizontal member, which slidingly and rotatably engages with the adjustment mechanism, and a lower horizontal member, which rotatably engages with the second board. The seat-table adjustment mechanism can include a locking mechanism and an adjustment handle that makes the locking mechanism releasable by application of force to the adjustment handle.

Another embodiment of the inventive seat-table is transformable between a seat configuration and a desk (or table) configuration. The inventive seat-table should include a support structure that has at least one horizontal member. Attached to the horizontal member is a first board that is comprised of an adjustment mechanism that has a releasable snap holder for attaching the adjustment mechanism to the horizontal member. The snap holder can be released by application of force to an adjustment handle, which can be included on the attachment mechanism. Also, a second board is rotatably connected to at least the first board by a connecting hinge.

An additional embodiment of the inventive seat-table is transformable between a seat configuration and a table (or desk) configuration. This embodiment of the seat-table should include a support structure, which should have an upper support member, a first lower support member and a second lower support member. This embodiment should also include a first board, which rotatably connects to the upper support member, a first connecting arm that is attached at one end to a lower portion of the first board and attached at its other end to the first lower support member. Also, a second connecting arm is attached at one end to a lower portion of the first board and attached at its other end to the second lower support member. To help transform the seat from the table or vice versa, the inventive seat-table can include a handle.

Yet another embodiment of the inventive seat-table is transformable between a seat configuration and a table (or desk) configuration. This embodiment of the seat-table should include a support structure, which should have an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member. A first board is rotatingly and slidingly attached to the upper horizontal member by an adjustment mechanism. A second board is connected to the first board by a connecting hinge and is rotatingly connected to the lower horizontal member.

Finally, a further embodiment of the inventive seat-table is transformable between a seat configuration and a table (or desk) configuration and includes a support structure having an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member. The support structure should be comprised of a first seat support rail and a second seat support rail. A first board having a retractable protrusion is attached to and rotatable about the upper horizontal member. A second board having a first recess, which has a first recess inlet and a second recess inlet, is included in the lower horizontal member. When the seat-table is in the seat configuration, the retractable protrusion is engaged with the first recess inlet; and when the seat-table is in the table configuration, the retractable protrusion is engaged with the second recess inlet. A releasing mechanism for retracting the retractable protrusion should be attached to the retractable protrusion. A biasing means can be attached to a hinge of either the first board, the second board, or both boards to urge either or both of the boards to a seat or table configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 2a is a side view of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a chair configuration;

FIG. 2b is a side view of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a table configuration;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a frame of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adjustment mechanism of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 4a is an exploded perspective view of the adjustment mechanism of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 4b is a front view of a base of the locking mechanism positioned within the adjustment mechanism of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table showing the mechanism in a first locked position;

FIG. 4c is a front view of the base of the locking mechanism positioned within the adjustment mechanism of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table showing the mechanism in an unlocked position;

FIG. 4d is a front view of the base of locking mechanism positioned within the adjustment mechanism of the first embodiment of the inventive seat-table showing the mechanism in a second locked position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 6 shows an adjustment mechanism of the second embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 7 shows the second embodiment of the inventive seat-table in mid transformation;

FIG. 8a shows a side perspective view of a third embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a seat configuration;

FIG. 8b shows a side perspective view of the third embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a table (desk) configuration;

FIG. 8c shows a lower side perspective view of the third embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a table (desk) configuration;

FIG. 8d shows a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a table (desk) configuration;

FIG. 8e shows a perspective view of an adjustment mechanism of the third embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 8f shows a first hinge joint of the third embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 8g shows a second hinge joint of the third embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a seat configuration;

FIG. 10 shows the fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a table configuration;

FIG. 11 shows the fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table in mid transformation;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a table configuration;

FIG. 13a shows a rear perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a chair configuration;

FIG. 13b shows an adjustment mechanism of the fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table;

FIG. 14a shows a front perspective view of a plurality of the fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a stack; and

FIG. 14b shows a side view of a plurality of the fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table in a stack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b show a first embodiment of the inventive transformable furniture as a seat-table 100, which is transformable between a first configuration—that of a chair—as shown in FIG. 2a and a second configuration—that of a desk—as shown in FIG. 2b. The seat-table 100 includes a first board 1, a second board 2 and a support structure 3. An adjustment mechanism 4 is embedded in the first board 1; and a connecting mechanism 5 is positioned between the first board 1 and the second board 2 and rotatably connects the first board 1 to the second board 2.

With further reference to FIG. 2b, connecting mechanism 5 is composed of a first board connector 51 attached to the first board 1, a second board connector 52, attached to the second board 2, and a connecting axle 53. With this configuration, the first board 1 and the second board 2 can be rotated about the connecting axle 53.

With reference to FIG. 3, support structure 3 includes a first frame portion 31 and a second frame portion 32. The first frame portion 31 includes two support legs 312 and 312b, a first frame horizontal beam 311 between the two legs 312 and 312b, and two coasters 313 and 313b at the bottom of the legs 312 and 312b, respectively, for easy moving. Coasters 313 and 313b include coaster locks 21a and 21b.

The second frame portion 32 includes two second frame portion support legs 322 and 322b and a second frame portion horizontal beam 321 between the two second frame portion support legs 322 and 322b. The horizontal beam 311 is positioned higher in the support structure 3 than the second frame portion horizontal beam 321.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, when the invention is in the “chair” configuration, the first board 1 is connected to the horizontal beam 311 of the frame 31, and the second board 2 is fixed and supported by the second frame portion horizontal beam 321. In this configuration, the first board 1 is the backrest of the chair and the second board 2 is the sitting area of the chair.

FIG. 2b shows the side view of a transformed desk configuration. The first board 1 is transformed into desk top via adjustment mechanism 4 and connecting mechanism 5. The second board 2 helps to support the first board 1 (now functioning as a desk top). In this configuration, the second board acts as a modesty panel to provide privacy for a person sitting at the desk.

With reference to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown with at least one armrest 34 added between the support leg 312 of the first frame portion 31 and support leg 322 of the second frame portion 32. The armrest 34 is equipped with a first armrest connector 341 and a second connector 342 at opposite ends of the armrest 34. The support leg 312 of the first frame portion 31 and the support leg 322 of the second frame portion 32 are connected with the first armrest connector 341 and the second armrest connector 342 via connecting elements 314 and 323.

To assemble an embodiment of the seat/chair having an armrest, insert the vertical part of the horizontal beam 311 of the first frame portion 31 through the first armrest connector 341 and connecting element 314, and then into the support leg 312. Secure the structure by inserting and tightening an armrest tightening screw 344 from the back side on the support leg 312 through connecting element 314 and horizontal beam 311. The same procedure should be followed for connecting the second armrest connector 342 to second frame portion 32.

With particular reference to FIG. 4a and general reference to FIGS. 4-4d, the adjustment mechanism includes an outer shell 41, a base 42 (shown in FIG. 4a), an adjustment handle 43 between the outer shell 41 and the base 42, two springs 44a and 44b, two L-shaped brakes 45a and 45b, a built-in block 46 with relief 463, and two sliders 47a and 47b installed on the base 42. The inner side of the outer shell 41 has a concavity 411 in which a horizontal slot 412 is cut. Screw holes 413a and 413b are pre-drilled on both sides of the opening. On the inner side of the outer shell 41, two vertical sliding slots 414a and 414b are cut and surrounded by vertical sliding slot frames 415a and 415b, respectively. The vertical sliding slot frames 415a and 415b are also used as sliding tracks 416a and 416b. The adjustment handle 43 has an extruded adjustment handle grip 431, one pre-drilled screw hole 432 at an upper part thereof and two holes 433a and 433b at a lower part thereof.

Brakes 45a and 45b each have a respective locking area 453a and 453b, which each have a lower locking key 451a and 451b and a lower locking key 452a and 452b. Each brake 45a and 45b also has a horizontal slot 454a and 454b, and a pre-drilled screw hole 455a and 455b for fastening the respective brake to the outer shell 41.

On the side facing the adjustment handle 43, the built-in block 46 has an upper extrusion 461 and two lower extrusions 462a and 462b that correspond with the adjustment handle 43 pre-drilled holes 432, 433a and 433b, respectively.

On the side facing the vertical sliding slots 414a and 414b, sliders 47a and 47b each have a respective snap-on holder 471a and 471b and sliding groove 473a and 473b on each side corresponding with the sliding tracks 416a and 416b on the outer shell 41. A respective stopper 474a is installed above the snap-on holder 471a and 471b to prevent the respective holders 471a and 471b from moving upward in the respective vertical sliding slots 414a and 414b. Each slider also has a respective slider locking key 472a, to correspond with locking keys 451a and 452a, and 472b to correspond with the locking keys 451b and 452b.

To assemble the adjustment mechanism, push the extruded adjustment handle grip 431 through the horizontal slot 412 on the outer shell 41 and secure the brakes 45a and 45b to the outer shell 41 by tightening screws 456a and 456b through the brake pre-drilled holes 455a and 455b and outer shell screw holes 413a and 413b. The horizontal slots 454a and 454b on the brakes 45a and 45b should now be lined up with the adjustment handle grip holes 433a and 433b on the adjustment handle 43. Next, push the built-in block extrusions 462a and 462b on the built-in block 46 through the locking key horizontal areas 454a and 454b on the brake 45. Connect the built-in block extrusions 462a and 462b with the adjustment handle grip holes 433a and 433b on the adjustment handle 43. The upper extrusion 461 on the built-in block 46 will also be connected to the pre-drilled screw hole 432 on the adjustment handle 46.

The sliders 47a and 47b are now placed between the outer shell 41 and the base 42 with the snap-on holders 471a and 471b and stoppers 474a and 474b extending through the respective vertical sliding slots 414a and 414b. With the interactions between the respective springs 44a and 44b, locking keys 451, 452 and 472 and locking area 453, the sliders 47a and 47b can be moved smoothly and securely inside the vertical sliding slots 414a and 414b.

With reference to FIGS. 4b and 4c, an explanation for transforming the seat/chair from a chair configuration into a desk configuration is provided. When the invention is in the chair configuration, the locking key 472 on the slider 47 is seamlessly positioned inside the locking area 453 on the brake 45. By lifting the adjustment handle 43 (not shown in this figure) upward through the relief 463 above the built-in block 46, the locking area 453 will retract from the slider locking key 472 on the slider 47. The snap-on holders 471 now hold the horizontal beam 311 of first frame portion 31 with sliding motion allowed in the vertical sliding slot 414. When pushing the connecting mechanism 5 upward, the first board 1 (backrest) will be rotating horizontally whereas the second board 2 (sitting area) will be rotating vertically. The space required for rotating the first board 1 is achieved by sliding the snap-on holders 471a and 471b in the vertical sliding slots 414a and 414b. When the rotations are completed and the desk configuration is reached, the locking key 472 on the slider 47 is positioned above the locking key 452 of the brake 45.

An alternative embodiment of the seat/table is one in which the snap-on holder 471a and 471b do not slide but rather they release from the horizontal beam 311 of the first frame portion 31. Whether a sliding or non-sliding snap-on holder is used, changing the seat-table from either a seat configuration or a table (or desk) configuration into the other configuration is carried out by simply unsnapping the snap-on holders 471a and 471b from the horizontal beam 311, rotating the first board 1 and the second board 2 about the connecting axle 53, and re-snapping the snap-on holders 471a and 471b back to the horizontal beam 311. Also, in this embodiment or in the previous “sliding” embodiment, snap-on holders 471a and 471b can be replaced by a single snap-on holder (not shown) that, in the previous embodiment, is slidable within a single vertical sliding slot and, in the present embodiment, is unsnappable from the horizontal beam 311.

With reference to FIG. 5, an additional embodiment of the seat-table 500 is transformable between a first configuration as a seat and a second configuration as a chair. As with some of the earlier embodiments of the present invention, the frame of this embodiment of the seat-table 500 includes a support structure 3 having an upper horizontal member 14 and a lower horizontal member 18. Also included in this embodiment of the inventive seat-table are: a first board 501 comprised of an adjustment mechanism 504; and a second board 506 that is connected to the first board 502 by a connecting hinge 508. The second board 506 is rotatingly connected to the lower horizontal member 18.

With respect to FIG. 6, the adjustment mechanism 504 includes an adjustment mechanism handle 510 and an adjustment mechanism sliding track 512 positioned on each side of the adjustment mechanism 504. The upper horizontal member 14 passes through the adjustment mechanism sliding track 512 and is retained in an adjustment mechanism sliding track locked section 516 by adjustment mechanism sliding track retaining member 514. The adjustment mechanism sliding track retaining member 514 is elastically deformable such that it gives way when enough force is applied to the upper horizontal member 14 to move the adjustment mechanism sliding track 512 past the adjustment mechanism sliding track retaining member 514. However, the adjustment mechanism sliding track retaining member 514 is rigid enough to withstand gravitational forces and to retain the adjustment mechanism sliding track retaining member 514 within the adjustment mechanism sliding track locked section 516.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the seat-chair 500 in mid transformation between a seat configuration and a table configuration. To transform the seat-table from a seat into a table, a person must lift the adjustment mechanism handle 510 upward with enough force to so that the adjustment mechanism sliding track retaining member 514 gives way to release upper horizontal member 14 from the adjustment mechanism sliding track lock section 516. Sliding motion is now allowed in the adjustment mechanism sliding track 512. When pulling the first board upward, the adjustment mechanism sliding track 512 allows enough space for the first board 502 to slide and rotate about the upper horizontal member 14 to an angle one-hundred and eighty degrees to that of the second board 506, which rotates about lower horizontal member 18. When the transformation is completed and the table configuration is reached, the upper horizontal member 14 will have been reinserted into the adjustment mechanism sliding track locking section 516 so that the table will not easily lose its stability in the table configuration.

A third embodiment of the present inventive transformable furniture 800 is shown in FIGS. 8a-8c and includes a seat-table transformable between a seat configuration (shown in FIG. 8a) and a table (or a desk) configuration as shown in FIG. 8b-8d. Similar to the previous embodiments, this embodiment includes a support structure 802 having an upper support member 804, at least one transverse support member 818, a first longitudinal lower support member 806 and a second longitudinal lower support member 808. A first board 810 is rotatably connected to the upper support member 804, and an adjustment mechanism 816 (most easily seen in FIG. 8e), which is configured similarly to the adjustment mechanism 4 of the previous embodiments, is attached to the first board 810.

A first connecting arm 812, is connected at one end to the transverse support member 818 and is connected at its other end to the first board 810. Similarly, a second connecting arm 814 is located on a side of the first board 810 opposite that of the first connecting arm 812 and is connected at one end to the transverse support member 818 and is connected at its other end to the first board 810. As can be seen in FIG. 8g, using connecting arm 812 as an example, the connection between connecting arm 812 and first board 810 includes a hinge 822. Also, the first board includes a corner protecting cover 824. With reference to FIG. 8f, the end of the connecting arm 812 that is opposite the end connected to the first board 810 also includes a second hinge 826. However, the second hinge 826 is comprised of a ring 828 that at least substantially surrounds the transverse support member 818.

Yet a fourth embodiment of the inventive seat-table is shown in FIGS. 9-14b. The seat-table 900 is transformable between a first configuration as shown in FIG. 9 and a second configuration 900′ as shown in FIG. 10. The seat-table 900 includes a support structure 902 that has an upper horizontal member 904, a first side frame 906 that is attached to a first end 908 of the upper horizontal member 904, and a second side frame 910 attached to a second end 912 of said upper horizontal member 904. Also, the support structure 902 should include a first longitudinal support member 932 and a second longitudinal support member 934.

A first board 914 is attached to the upper horizontal member 904 such that the first board 914 is able to rotate about the upper horizontal member 904. The first board 914 includes a retractable protrusion 916 (more easily seen in FIG. 11) located on a bottom edge thereof. A second board 918 is attached to the frame 902 such that the first side frame 906 is attached to a first edge of the second board 918 and the second side frame 910 is attached to an edge opposite the first edge of the second board 918. When in a seat configuration, the second board 918 is supported by first longitudinal support member 932 and the second longitudinal member 934. The second board 918 has a recess 920 that is comprised of a first recess inlet 922 that receives the retractable protrusion 916 when the seat-table is in the seat configuration. The recess 920 is also comprised of a second recess inlet 924 that receives the retractable protrusion 916 when the seat-table is in the table configuration. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the second board 918 serves as a modesty panel when the seat-table is in a table configuration to provide privacy to a person seated at the table.

With reference to FIGS. 13a and 13b, the location and configuration of a retractable protrusion mechanism 926 can be seen. The retractable protrusion mechanism 926 is situated within the first board 914 and includes a handle 928 and the retractable protrusion 916, which is retractable by applying an upward force to the handle 928. The retractable 916 protrusion should be outwardly biased (from the first board 914) using a spring (not shown). The retractable protrusion mechanism 926 also includes a channel 930 in which upper horizontal member 904 is inserted. Through the connection between channel 930 and upper horizontal member 904, the first board 914 can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the upper horizontal member 904.

The first board 914, the second board 918 or both boards can be biased in either a seat or a table position by using a biasing means 950. The biasing means 950 can be any mechanism that urges the board in one direction or the other such as a torsion spring, a leaf spring, or helical springs. The biasing means can be located within the boards, within the support structure 902 or at a position in between the boards and the support structure 902.

For ease of transport, storage, etc. the inventive seat-chair can be stacked as shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b.

In conclusion, the aforementioned invention has distinctly satisfied all relevant conditions and requirements to be patentable. For those who with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical fields creating and implementing equivalent modifications and/or variations based on concepts and spirits of this invention shall be deemed as covered under the Claimed Scope (attached hereinafter) of this patent application.

Claims

1. A seat-table transformable between a first configuration and a second configuration the seat-table comprised of

a first board having an adjustment mechanism,
a second board,
a connecting mechanism rotatably connecting said first board to said second board; and
a support structure having an upper horizontal member slidingly and rotatably engaged with said adjustment mechanism and a lower horizontal member rotatably engaged with said second board.

2. A seat-table as recited in claim 1 wherein said adjustment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism.

3. A seat-table as recited in claim 1 wherein said adjustment mechanism is comprised of an adjustment handle.

4. A seat-table as recited in claim 3 wherein said adjustment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism releasable by application of force to said adjustment handle.

5. A seat-table transformable between a first configuration and a second configuration the seat-table comprised of

a support structure having at least one horizontal member;
a first board being comprised of an adjustment mechanism having a releasable snap holder and said first board being in communication with said at least one horizontal member through said snap holder;
a second board rotatably connected to said first board by a connecting hinge.

6. A seat-table as recited in claim 5 wherein said snap holder is releasable.

7. A seat-table as recited in claim 5 wherein said adjustment mechanism is comprised of an adjustment handle.

8. A seat-table as recited in claim 7 wherein said adjustment mechanism is further comprised of a locking mechanism releasable by application of force to said adjustment handle.

9. A seat-table transformable between a first configuration and a second configuration the seat-table comprised of

a support structure having an upper support member, a first lower support member and a second lower support member,
a first board being rotatably connected to said upper support member,
a first connecting arm having an upper portion and a lower portion, said first connecting arm attached at its upper portion to a lower portion of said first board and attached at its lower portion to said first lower support member;
a second connecting arm having an upper portion and a lower portion said second connecting arm attached at its upper portion to a lower portion of said first board and attached at its lower portion to said second lower support member.

10. A seat-table as recited in claim 9 further comprised of an adjustment mechanism and a support structure having an upper horizontal member slidingly and rotatably engaged with said adjustment mechanism.

11. A seat-table transformable between a first configuration and a second configuration the seat-table comprised of

a support structure having an upper horizontal member and a lower horizontal member;
a first board comprised of an adjustment mechanism, said adjustment mechanism being engaged with said upper horizontal member; and
a second board connected to said first board by a connecting hinge and said second board being rotatingly engaged with said lower horizontal member.

12. A seat-table as recited in independent claim 11 wherein said adjustment mechanism is rotatably engaged with said upper horizontal member.

13. A seat-table as recited in independent claim 11 wherein said adjustment mechanism is slidingly engaged with said upper horizontal member.

14. A seat-table as recited in independent claim 11 wherein said adjustment mechanism is rotatably and slidingly engaged with said upper horizontal member.

15. A seat-table transformable between a first configuration and a second configuration the seat-table comprised of

a support structure having an upper horizontal member, a first side frame attached to a first end of said upper horizontal member, and a second side frame attached to a second end of said upper horizontal member;
a first board in communication with said upper horizontal member, said first board having a retractable protrusion; and
a second board in communication with both of said first side frame and said second side frame, said second board having a recess comprised of a first recess inlet adapted to be engaged with said retractable protrusion when the seat-table is in the first configuration, and said recess being further comprised of a second recess inlet adapted to be engaged with said retractable protrusion when the seat-table is in the second configuration.

16. A seat-table as recited in claim 15 further comprised of a biasing means located at a point of communication of said second board with said first side frame, whereby said second board is biased toward a vertical position.

17. A seat-table as recited in claim 16 wherein said second board is rotatable about said point of communication of said second board with said first side frame.

18. A seat-table as recited in claim 15 wherein said first board is further comprised of a releasing mechanism for retracting said retractable protrusion.

19. A seat-table as recited in claim 15 wherein said first board is rotatable about said upper horizontal member.

20. A seat-table as recited in claim 15 wherein said support structure is comprised of a first seat support rail and a second seat support rail.

Patent History
Publication number: 20060145519
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 6, 2006
Inventor: John Hardt (Belton, TX)
Application Number: 11/321,603
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 297/124.000
International Classification: A47B 85/04 (20060101);