EP0000314A1 - Folding furniture consisting of a table and at least one seat in combination with one another - Google Patents

Abstract

It comprises a table top 1 of essentially polygonal shape and at least two sides or lateral frames 2 and 3 mounted pivotably on the edges 1a and 1b of the top 1. The two sides or lateral frames rest on the ground via their lower edge. A seat structure 7 is hinged on each of these sides. The two sides or frames can be folded under the top 1. Application: furniture elements for camping, apartments etc. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a piece of furniture formed by a table and at least one seat secured to one another and which is foldable so that it has, in the folded state, a substantially flattened shape.

It relates more particularly to such a piece of furniture which comprises a table top of substantially polygonal shape and at least two sides or side frames depending on two distinct edges of the table top and each having a lower side which is intended to rest on the ground, floor or the like. , at least one of these sides or frames having a folding seat structure on its plane and each of the sides or frames being foldable against one face of the table top.

A piece of furniture of this kind is known which is such that its deployment and folding are relatively complex operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a piece of furniture of this kind which is particularly robust.

Yet another object of the invention is to allow the production of such a piece of furniture whose bulk is particularly reduced in the folded state.

Another object, finally, of the invention is to allow a simple and economical production of a piece of furniture of the type mentioned above.

The piece of furniture according to the invention is characterized in that the two sides or lateral frames are both pivotally mounted on the edges of the plate on which they depend and in that the side (s) or frame (s) comprising a foldable seat structure has (s) a notch with a horizontal lower edge under conditions of use to which is articulated a seat cushion forming part of said seat structure and means for supporting this seat cushion under conditions of use .

Such a piece of furniture is particularly simple to deploy and fold up. In addition, its manufacture is easy.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the notch of the lateral flank is released from at least one side of the seat cushion so as to allow a user to sit on said cushion by introducing his legs laterally under the plate by said part released from the notch, without having to step over the seat.

It is particularly advantageous that the piece of furniture according to the invention comprises a stiffening element which has a slice pivotally fixed on the underside of the table top, this stiffening element extending between the sides or lateral frames and being foldable against the underside of the table top.

Advantageously, the means for supporting the seat cushion comprise a side wall or frame pivotally attached to the rear edge of the seat cushion, which extends, under the condition of use of the furniture, in a manner substantially parallel to the side wall or corresponding side frame, has a lower edge intended to rest on the ground, floor or the like, and is foldable against the underside of the seat cushion and against said sidewall or corresponding side frame.

Other purposes and provisions, as well as the. advantages of the invention will appear with the description of some of its embodiments, this description being made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

• la figure 4 représente, en perspective, une partie d'un meuble conforme à l'invention dont certains éléments composants sont à l'état replié;
• la figure 5 illustre, également en perspective, le meuble montré sur la figure 4, en condition d'utilisation;
• la figure 6 représente, en perspective, un autre mode de réalisation du meuble conforme à l'invention, l'un de ses flancs étant replié;
• la figure 7 représente une coupe horizontale d'une partie du meuble montré sur la figure 6;
• la figure 8 est.une vue analogue à la figure 7, mais en position repliée de ladite partie; et
• les figures 9 à 13 montrent de façon schématique plusieurs modes de réalisation de la partie formant siège du meuble conforme à l'invention, la partie inférieure de chacune de ces figures correspondant au meuble en position d'utilisation et la partie supérieure dudit meuble en cours de repliement.

FIGS. 1 to 3 each represent a schematic cross section of a piece of furniture according to the invention, each of these figures showing said piece of furniture in different positions;

• FIG. 4 represents, in perspective, part of a piece of furniture according to the invention, certain component elements of which are in the folded state;
• FIG. 5 illustrates, also in perspective, the piece of furniture shown in FIG. 4, in condition of use;
• Figure 6 shows, in perspective, another embodiment of the furniture according to the invention, one of its sides being folded;
• Figure 7 shows a horizontal section of part of the cabinet shown in Figure 6;
• Figure 8 est.une view similar to Figure 7, but in the folded position of said part; and
• Figures 9 to 13 schematically show several embodiments of the seat portion of the furniture according to the invention, the lower part of each of these figures corresponding to the furniture in use position and the upper part of said piece of furniture in progress folding.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the piece of furniture comprises a table top 1, of rectangular shape, shown in broken lines in FIG. 5.

With two parallel edges (FIG. 5), respectively la and lb of the plate 1 are associated with pivoting, by means of hinges or the like (not shown), flanks 2 and 3. In the example, these flanks 2 and 3 are identical, it will therefore suffice to describe only one, the flank 3 in the present case, which will be described later.

Between the edges la and lb is provided a rectangular frame _'lar 4 which $ 5 is pivotally attached to the underside of the plate 1, through hinges or the like (not shown) along a line constituting the mediator segments forming the sides 1a and 1b. Under conditions of use, the frame 4 extends along a plane perpendicular to the plane of the plate 1 and its vertical edges are in contact with the respective internal faces of the sides 2 and 3.

The frame 4, the height of which is less than that of the sides 2 and 3, that is to say less than the height of the piece of furniture, is mainly intended to ensure the rigidity of said piece of furniture in conditions of use; to further improve this rigidity, provision is also made for removable means for fixing (not shown) said lateral edges of the frame 4 to the respective internal faces of the sides 2 and 3. These fixing means are constituted, for example, by members hook, latch, magnetic plates, etc.

The sidewall 3 is, in the example, symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane containing the frame 4 in conditions of use; it is therefore only necessary to describe half of this flank.

Each half of the sidewall 3 has at its upper part a notch 6 open on the outside. In this way, the upper part of the sidewall 3 has substantially the shape of a T.

At the lower edge 6a of the notch 6 is pivotally fixed - by means of hinges or the like (not shown) the front edge of a seat cushion 7. To support the two seat cushion associated with the sidewall 3, we provides a support flank 8 which is pivotally attached to the respective rear edges of these seats. In normal condition, this flank 8 is parallel to the flank 3 and has the same height as said flank part located below the seat 7 so normally, said seat is substantially horizontal, it will be noted that this flank 8 contributes, like the flanks 2 and 3, to the stability of the piece of furniture under conditions of use.

Also to support the seat bases in condition of use, bracing elements are provided which comprise, in the example shown in FIG. 5, horizontal bars or blades 9, 10 and 11 pivotally attached to the lower parts of the sides 3 and 8. As bracing elements, two oblique bars or blades 12 and 13 are also provided on each side of the flanks. Each of these bars (12 or 13) is pivotally connected, by one of its ends, to the lower edge of the sidewall 3. The other end of these bars 12 or 13 is adapted to move in a slide of the seat 7. This slide has been represented schematically by the broken line 14; it is arranged in the vicinity of the lateral edge 7a of the seat 7 and is parallel to this edge. The upper end of the bar 12 comprises, for example, a screw (not shown), the head of which rests on the edges of a slot constituting the slide 14.

Finally, as regards the bracing elements, these comprise a central bar 15 of oblique direction - different from that of the bars L2 and 13 - and one end of which is pivotally connected to the central part of the lower edge of the sidewall 8 and the other end of which is able to move in a slide from the central part of the sidewall 3; this slide, which has, in the example, the shape of a slot or buttonhole 16, and is of vertical direction, has been represented schematically by a simple line in FIG. 5.

In a particular embodiment, most of the elements making up the furniture assembly shown in FIG. 5 are made of wood. It has been found that such a piece of furniture has a solidity and a rigidity which correspond, in this respect, to the current requirements for this type of furniture.

FIG. 4 shows the seat bases 7 and the elements which support them in the folded state against the sidewall 3.

It will be noted above all, with regard to this figure, that the shape and the dimensions of the seat 7 and of the notch 6 are such that, in the folded state, the seat 7 is housed in said notch 6. Thus , in the folded state, the size of the furniture is minimal.

As shown in the diagrams in FIG. 11, in order to arrive at the position shown in FIG. 4, the sidewall 8 and the seat are raised. This movement leads, of course, to a movement of the bracing elements. During said movement, the side 8 remains parallel to the side 3, as illustrated in the upper part of FIG. 11. The seat 7 pivots around the hinge 7b; the lower bracing elements 9, 10 and 11 pivot around their hinge lower 10a and the angle they form with the side 8 varies to reach 180 "in the folded position. As also illustrated in FIG. 11, the lower end of the bracing element 15 remains fixed to the lower edge of the side 8 by means of a hinge 15a and the upper end of said element 15 moves in the slide 16.

As shown by. diagrams of FIG. 9 during said movement carried out with a view to storing the piece of furniture in the folded state, the bracing element 12 pivots around its lower hinge and its upper end moves in the slide 7a provided on the underside of seat 7.

In the folded position, the bracing blades 9, 10 and 11 are housed inside the frame formed by the lower part of the sidewall 3, as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, in said folded position, the sidewall 8 and the bracing elements 12, 13 and 15 lie substantially in the same plane.

A locking member 17 fixed to the sidewall 3 keeps the sidewall 8 and the associated elements against said sidewall 3 in the folded position.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 schematically illustrate how, from its folded position (Figure 1), the furniture according to the invention is arranged in condition of use.

Figure 1 shows the furniture according to the invention in the fully folded state. In this position, the frame 4 is applied against the underside of the plate 1; the sidewall 3 is folded back against the frame 4 and finally the sidewall 2 is itself folded back against the sidewall 3.

To install the furniture assembly, the sides 2 and 3 are rotated around their respective hinges so that they each form a right angle with the plate 1. Similarly, the frame 4 is, by rotation around its hinge (arrow F in broken lines in FIG. 5), placed in its position of use.

'' Finally (Figure 3), the seat bases 7 and the associated elements (sidewall 8 and bracing) are arranged in terms of use.

The installation and storage of furniture according to the invention are therefore particularly simple operations.

We will now describe in relation to Figures 6, 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment of the furniture according to the invention.

The embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in these Figures 6 to 8 differs from that shown in Figures 4 and 5 in that a part of the elements which compose it are established using tubes, rods or the like, whereas in the case of FIGS. 4 and 5 the various elements of the furniture are established using blades or plates. This embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8 preferably relates to such a piece of furniture at least some of the elements of which are metallic. It should, however, be noted that the general structure of this piece of furniture illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 is similar to that of the piece of furniture shown in Figures 4 and 5; this is why in these FIGS. 6 to 8, the same reference numbers have been used for similar elements as in said FIGS. 4 and 5.

As regards the general structure, the piece of furniture shown in FIG. 6 differs from that shown in FIG. 5 first of all by the fact that the central oblique bracing element 20 is parallel to the lateral oblique bracing elements 12 and 13. In addition, the upper ends of these elements 12, 13 and 20 are pivotally attached to the upper part of the sidewall 8 and their lower ends are capable of moving in slides 21 provided on vertical uprights of the sidewall 3.

In the example of FIG. 6, the sidewall 3 comprises a T-shaped tubular profile 22 whose vertical branch 22a occupies the entire height of said sidewall 3 and whose horizontal branch 22b is pivotally linked to the plate 1.

At the lower part of the vertical branch 22a is fixed a first horizontal flat blade 23, oriented inward, that is to say towards the space below of the plate 1. A second horizontal blade 24 is fixed in the same way to the branch 22a, substantially halfway up this branch.

These horizontal blades 23 and 24 are associated, on either side of the branch 22a, two tubular frames. The vertical branches of these frames are arranged between said blades 23 and 24. Two of these vertical branches, respectively 25 and 26 (Figures 7 and 8), are arranged on either side of the central rod of the part 22, - on the same side with respect to the blades 23 and 24. Two other vertical branches 27 and 28 of these frames are installed between the ends of said blades 23 and 24 on the same side of these blades as the rods 25 and 26.

The sidewall 8 comprises two inverted U-shaped frames (that is to say whose base is turned upwards) connected in the upper and lower parts by horizontal blades. It is important to note, as shown in FIG. 7, that in conditions of use, the two central rods 29 and 30 forming part of two inverted U-shaped frames distinct from the side 8 are not located opposite the rods 25 and 26, or moreover opposite the central rod 22a of the T-piece 22. Thus, the rod 29 is located opposite the space separating the rods 25 and 22a and the rod 30 is opposite the space separating the rods 22a and 26. Similarly, the lateral rods 31 and 32 of the sidewall 8 are not located opposite the corresponding rods 27 and 28 of the sidewall 3.

The purpose of these latter provisions, as shown in FIG. 8, is to ensure, in thickness, a minimum space requirement for the assembly according to the invention. In fact, in the folded position (FIG. 8), the vertical rods of the sidewall 3 are substantially at the same level, that is to say in the same plane as the vertical rods of the sidewall 8.

In the example, the various tubes have, in section, the shape of a square.

The crosspieces 9, 10 and 11 and the oblique elements 12, 13 and 20 are, in the example, constituted by flat bars which are placed on edge against the lateral faces corresponding tubular elements. Thus, the horizontal cross member 9 is articulated on the outer edge of the rod 27 and on the other side on the inner edge of the vertical rod 31. The oblique cross member 12 is articulated on the internal edge of the vertical rod 31, and, at its other end, it cooperates with the slide 21 of the rod 27. In the folded position, these crosspieces are applied against the corresponding edges of the rods on which they are articulated and therefore do not increase the size of the cabinet.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments specially described; on the contrary, it encompasses all variants.

Some of these variants have been shown, by way of examples, in FIGS. 10, 12 and 13. These variants only relate to the embodiments of the cross members or bracing elements for the seat cushion 7.

In the example of FIG. 10, a crosspiece 40 is connected at its upper end to a hinge 40a which is also fixed to the upper edge of the sidewall 8 and to the rear edge of the seat 7. The lower end of the crosspiece 40 cooperates with a slide or the like provided on a vertical upright of the sidewall 3. This example also corresponds to elements 12, 13 and 20 of FIG. 6.

In the example of FIG. 12, the bracing elements consist of compasses, 41 and 42 respectively. Each compass has two branches of equal length. The branches 43 and 44 of the compass 41 are connected to each other by means of a central hinge 45. The branch 43 is connected to the front edge of the seat 7 and to an upright of the sidewall 3 by means of a hinge 43a. The branch 44 is pivotally fixed at a point of a vertical upright of the sidewall 8 by means of a hinge or the like 44a.

The two arms 46 and 47 of the compass 42 are interconnected by means of a hinge 48. The arm 46 is pivotally fixed at a point of a vertical upright of the sidewall 3 by means of a hinge or analog 46a. Finally, the branch 47 of the compass 42 is pivotally fixed to the lower edge of the sidewall 8 by means of a tank. or similar 47a.

Locking means (not shown) are advantageously provided at the hinges 45 and 48 in order to block the arms 43 and 44 and 46 and 47 in condition of use so that, in said condition of use, the arms of the same compass are in the extension of one another and remain locked in this position. These blocking means are constituted, for example, by the cooperation of a projection provided on one of the branches and of a housing on the other branch, or by a ball catch, or even by a projection of the one of the branches resting on the edge of the other branch.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIG. 13, there is also provided as a bracing element a compass 49 disposed under the seat 7 and between the sides 3 and 8. However, in this example, the compass 49 has branches 50 and 51 of unequal lengths. The branch 50 of greater length is pivotally connected to the front edge of the seat 7 and the branch 51 of shorter length is pivotally connected to the lower edge of the sidewall 8. In use, the branches 50 and 51 are aligned.

In addition, in the example illustrated in Figure 13, there is provided, above the seat 7, and at the middle portion (between the two seat seats) of the sidewall 3, a compass 52 with equal branches . The lower branch 53 of this compass 52 is pivotally connected to the rear edge of the seat 7. The upper branch 54 of said compass 52 is pivotally connected to the upper part of the sidewall 3 ..

It should be noted that the compass 52 constitutes, in addition to a bracing element, a means of separation between the two seats provided on the same side of the cabinet according to the invention, as well as a support for an arm of an installed user on one of the seats.

Still with regard to the variants, it will be noted that it is not essential for seats to equip the two sides 2 and 3 of the piece of furniture according to the invention. In a particular embodiment (not shown), the furniture in question has only one seat.

In another embodiment, on each side of the plate 1. is associated a corresponding sidewall and at least one seat is provided for each of these sides.

In the examples which have been described, the plate 1 has the rectangular shape. However, the invention is not limited to this form; it suffices that, at least over part of its contour, the plate 1 has a polygonal shape, regular or not.

Likewise, in all the examples which have been described in connection with the figures, the sides are vertical in conditions of use. This provision is not essential; in fact, in a variant (also not shown), oblique flanks inclined towards the outside with respect to the plate 1 are provided.

The furniture according to the invention can be made of various materials. Wood and tubular or metallic sections have already been reported. To these examples, it is also possible to add the pressed sheet metal, the plastic material, etc.

In addition to the advantages of the invention which have already been mentioned above, it should be added that the piece of furniture according to the invention is, under conditions of use, particularly rigid, in particular because the tray 1 is not foldable .

This piece of furniture according to the invention can lend itself to numerous applications. By way of example, mention may be made of its use as camping furniture, refectory, conference room, school office. It can also be used as a table and gaming chairs, usual household furniture, etc.

Its dimensions can be chosen at will according to the desired use.

Claims (9)

1.- Furniture consisting of a table and at least one seat integral with each other, this furniture being foldable so as to present in the folded state a substantially flat shape, and comprising a table top of substantially polygonal shape and at least two sides or side frames depending on two distinct edges of the tray and each having a lower side which is intended to rest on the ground, floor or the like, at least one of these faces or frames having a seat structure foldable on its plane and each of the sides or frames being foldable against one face of the table top, characterized in that the two sides or side frames are both pivotally mounted on the edges of the table on which they depend and in that the side or frame comprising a folding seat structure has a notch with a normally substantially horizontal lower edge, to which is articulated a seat cushion forming part of said seat structure and means of e support of this seat cushion under conditions of use. 2. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a stiffening element having a slice pivotally attached to the underside of the table top, this stiffening element extending between said sides or lateral frames and being foldable against the underside of the table top. 3. Furniture according to claim 2, characterized in that the stiffening element is in the form of a frame having two vertical sections in condition of use which are applied against the sides or side frames. 4. Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said notch is released from at least one side of said seat seat so as to allow a user to sit on said seat by introducing his legs laterally under the plate by said part released from the notch, without having to step over said seat. 5. Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means for the seat cushion comprise a side wall or frame pivotally attached to the rear edge of the seat, this side wall or frame of the support means s 'extending, in condition of use, substantially parallel to the sidewall or lateral frame of said piece of furniture and having a lower edge intended to rest on the ground, floor or the like, and being foldable against the underside of the seat cushion and against the side or corresponding side frame. 6. Furniture according to claim 5, characterized in that the support means of the seat cushion comprise at least one bar, rod or the like, extending between said side or frame of the support means and the side or frame associated with it. 7. Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for supporting the seat cushion include a bar, rod or the like, extending, in use, between the sidewall or frame corresponding side and the underside of the seat cushion. 8. Furniture according to claim 7, characterized in that said sidewall or side frame and the sidewall or frame of the support means are each formed by a set of vertical or horizontal bars or rods arranged in such a way that the bars or vertical rods of the sidewall or frame of the support means for the seat cushion are arranged, in use condition, opposite the spaces separating the bars or vertical rods from the sidewall or corresponding lateral framed and that, in the folded state, the horizontal bars or rods of said sides or frames are at different levels. 9. Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sidewall or lateral frame comprises a second notch, at the lower edge of which is associated a second seat seat, and second means for supporting this seat of seat.

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