WO1981001501A1

WO1981001501A1 - A foldable furniture assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1981001501A1
Application number: PCT/GB1980/000206
Authority: WO
Inventors: D Rogers
Original assignee: D Rogers
Priority date: 1979-11-29
Filing date: 1980-11-28
Publication date: 1981-06-11
Also published as: EP0041069A1

Abstract

A foldable furniture assembly which has extended and closed positions and which is to be folded and stored in the closed position in a minimum amount of space. The assembly has first and second frames (5, 60) mounted for pivotal movement about vertical and horizontal axes (21, 16) respectively. The first frame has a seat subframe (32) pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis and the second frame supports a table top (66). The first frame is offset to one side relative to a vertical median axis through the second frame. When moving the assembly from an extended position to a closed position, the first and second frames and the seat sub-frame are pivoted about their respective axes so that the frames overlap one another in the closed position. Preferably, the assembly is mounted in a cabinet (1) in the form of a Welsh Dresser and can be used in a kitchen to provide table and seats when required.

Description

A FOLDABLE FURNITURE ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a foldadle furniture assembly, particularly of the type which in an extended or unfolded position forms at least a table and a seat.

Such foldable furniture assemblies are of course known and these are usually constructed so as to be fixed to a wall so that the table and seats will pivot about a horizontal axis between an extended and closed position in which the table and seats is supported in a vertical direction against the wall. During movement of the table and seats from the extended to the closed position, supporting legs are arranged to pivot so that in the closed position they lie substantially flat against the underneath of the table top or seats. Such assemblies are generally of a one piece construction and when used in a kitchen, for example, look very ugly and take up valuable space. Although such constructions may be mounted in a cabinet the cabinet is generally of an odd shape and looks out of place.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable furnitureassembly in which these disadvantages are substantially overcome.

According to the present invention there is provided a foldahle furniture assembly having closed and extended positions, including, first frame means for attachment to a support means and arranged for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, the first frame means including a sub-frame which is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis and which forms a seat, and second frame means for attachment to the support means and arranged for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis and for supporting a table top, the second frame means having a median vertical axis therethrough and the first frame means being offset to one side of the median vertical axis, wherein then the assembly is moved from an extended position to a closed position the second frame means and the sub-frame are pivoted about their respective horizontal axes until located in a substantially vertical plane and the first frame means is pivoted about its vertical axis for storage in the closed position with the first and second frame means overlapping one another.

In a preferred embodiment a main support frame is provided to which the first and second frame means are attached for pivotal movement about their respective axes. The main support frame may have at one side, top and bottom curved portions and between the outer ends of the curved portions maybe located the pivotal axis for the first frame means. Preferably, the main support frame has at opposite sides of a central frame portion top and bottom curved portions, the curved portions at one side preferably extend outwardly by a larger amount than the curved portionsat the other side.

Preferably, the assent)ly includes a third fraire means substantially identical to the first frame means and being offset to the opposite side of the median vertical axis from said first frame means.

Ihe first and third frame means may each include a main seat support frame which preferably lies in a substantially vertical plane and has top and bottom support bars. Hie first sub-frame is preferably pivotally mounted on the top support bar. Ihe first and third frame means may each include rear supporting legs which are pivotally interconnected with the top and bottom support bars of the main seat support frame. Preferably, the rear supporting leg£ are connected with the top support bar via a pivotal interconnection between the rear legs and the first sub-frame. A backrest framework maybe attached to the rear supporting legs of the first and third frame means. Preferably, the main seat support frame may have a wheel at its lower front outer extremity for supporting the first and third frame means on the ground when the first and third frame means are pivoted about their respective pivotal axes. Ihe wheel may be on a fixed axis and may be adjustable in a verticle direction.

Ihe second frame means preferably coπprises second and third sub-frames each of which may support a respective part of a two-part table top, which parts are pivotally interconnected. Ihe third sub-frame may have table legs pivotally mounted thereon. Preferably, to accommodate the table legs in the minimum amount of space the third sub-frame may have a curved portion projecting in a direction transverse to the plane of the table top, the table legs being pivotally mounted at the outer extremity of the curved portion of the third sub-frame and having a correspondingly curved portion for allowing the legs to be folded against the underside of the table top. Ihe table legs may be of a framework having a rectangular configuration. Furthermore, the first, second and third sub-frames can be rectangular frameworks.

Preferably, the second and third sub-frames have support means supporting sub-frames in an extended position of the table and the support means may comprise a pair of spaced interconnected elements extending side-by-side and a third element pivotally connected to the spaced elements for movement therebetween. Interlocking means may be provided on the support means to lock the support means in an extended position. Preferably, the pair of spaced elements and the third element are tubular and the interlocking means comprises an annular collar slidable on the third element and having an angled flange extendirg radially therefrom, which angled flange is arranged to engage a plate fixed to the pair of spaced elements when the pair of spaced elements and the third element extend in opposite directions relative to their common pivotal axis. The support means for the third sub-frame may have a pair of spaced elements connected to the table legs and in the region of the attachment to the table legs the pair of spaced elements are curved.

Preferably, the first frame means is of an elongate-rectangular construction and forms a bench seat for two or moire persons. Ihe third frame means may be of an identical construction.

The first and third frame means preferably include locking means for locking the first sub-frame ih a substantially horizontal plane. Ihe locking means may comprise pivotally interconnected arms with an over center locking action. A pair of such arms may be located at each end of the first sub-frame and may include a locking bar interconnecting each pair of arms for operating the pairs of arms simultaneously.

Preferably, all frameworks of the assembly are formed of tubular elements and may be made of mild steel. In another embodiment the assembly may include a cabinet in which first, second and third frame means are stored when the asserrbly is in its closed position. Preferably, the cabinet is provided with shelving and drawers, one of which drawers is in the form of a pivotal flap. Preferably, the cabinet doors have a caster on their outer lower extremity and the doors may be L-shaped. Preferably, the cabinet is in the form of a Welsh Dresser. Ihe cabinet and shelving of the dresser may be formed separately or as a single unit.

In a further eirbodiirent the table top supported by the second frame means is slidable on the second frame means.

An embodiment of the present invention will new be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a foldable furnitureassembly in accordance with the invention, the assembly being in an open or extended position,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the foldable furniture assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a main support framework to which the table and seats of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2 are attached,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the seats of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 5 illustrates part of one of the legs of the seat of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of part of the table of the assembly.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a foldable furniture assembly in accordance with the invention which is mounted in a Welsh Dresser having a bottom cabinet 1 with doors 2 and an upper shelf unit 3.

Mounted within the cabinet 1 and shown in an extended position in Figures 1 and 2 are a table 4 and two seats 5 in the form of bench seats. As will be more fully described hereinafter, the table and seats are constructed in a manner which will allow them to be folded into the cabinet 1 so that when the doors 2 are closed the furniture assembly will have the appearance, as indicated above, of a Welsh Dresser.

To facilitate storage of the table and seats in the cabinet 1, the right-hand seat 6, in Figure 2. projects further from the cabinet than the left-hand seat 7, as will be more clearly described hereinafter.

The shelf unit 3 of the Welsh Dresser is shown to have three shelves but the number of shelves may be varied. The cabinet 1 is provided with two L-shaped doors 2 and inside the cabinet with shelving 8 and drawers 8awhich conveniently can be used for storing table mats, napkins, salt and pepper pots and items of cutlery. The top one of the draws is slidable and the lower draw is in the form of a flap which pivots downwardly.

Also inside the cabinet and fixed to the back panel of the cabinet is a main support frame 9, Figure 3, which is of a rectangular tubular construction with a plurality of flanges 10 fixed to the frame work and by means of which the main support frame is attached to the back panel of the cabinet or through the cabinet to a wall or other support member. A centre portion 15 of the main support frame 9 is higher than the remaining parts of the main support frame and its top support bar 16 has located towards each end thereof a collar 17 which are directly connected to a framework, only part of which is shown in Figure 3, which serves to support a part of the table 4. The collars 17 have substantially the same internal diameter as the external diameter of the bar 16 and are freely rotatable on the bar so as to allow the table to be pivotable relative to the main support frame in a vertical direction

At each end of the main support frame 9 are provided curved elements 18 and 19. At the outer extremities of the curved elements 18 and 19 are provided cup bearings 20 between which extends a vertical tube 21 which is rotatable about a fixed rod (not shown) permanently fixed to the cups 20. Ihe lower ones of the cup bearings 20 are case hardened since these bear all the weight of the seats 5.

The tubular bar 21 is attached, as will be hereinafter described, to a main seat support frame for the seats 5 to provide pivotal movement of the seats between the closed and open positions of the fUrniture assembly. Cross-bars 22 are provided across the curved elements 18 and 19 to provide added strength to these elements. Two flat horizontally extending bars 23 are also provided and whilst giving added strength to the main support frame 9 and the back panel of the cabinet 1 by connection through flanges 10 of the frame 9, the bars 23 facilitate fixing of the main support frame 9 to an external support such as a wall or supports of any spacing within the length of the bars 23, such as spaced timbers. The bars 23 are conveniently attached to the main support frame 9 by means of the top and bottom sets of lugs 10.

Ihe vertically extending bar 21 forms one side of a fixed main seat support frame 25 which is of an elongate rectangular construction, A main seat support frame 25 has fixed top and bottom tubular bars 26, 27 with two separating upright support elements 28, 29. At the end of the bars 26,27 opposite to the bar 21 is a further vertically extending bar 30 which also serves as a front leg for the seat. The bar 30 has on its lower end a wheel 31 to facilitate pivotal movement of the seat between the closed and open positions of the assembly. As will be described the wheel can be adjusted in the verticle direction to accommodate discrepancies in the floor level of the room in which the dresser is to be located.

Pivotally mounted on the top support bar 26 of the main seat support frame 25, by means of two collars, one at either end, is a seat frame 32 having flat bars 33 for supporting seat padding which for the sake of clarity has been omitted from Figure 4. Tne bars 33 are not connected to the bar 26. As can be seen from Figure 4 the bar 26 is set closer the front of the seat frame 32 than the rear to ensure the seat would not easily tip in use.

Towards the back of the seat frame 32 at each end thereof there is pivotally connected a rear leg 34. In the open position of the seat the rear leg 34 is supported relative to the main seat support frame 25 by means of a curved strut member 35 which is pivotally connected by a pin arrangement to the rear leg and extends forwardly of the seat assembly to run parallel to the lower bar 27 to which it is pivotally connected by collars 36 interconnecting the bar 27 and the strut 25.

A locking device 37 is pivotally interconnected between the rear leg and the seat frame 32 by pin arrangements, to ensure that the seat frame is locked in position when unfolded. Ihe locking device 37 comprises two arms 38, 39 which are pivotally interconnected and lock the seat frame 32 by being forced into an over-center position as indicated in Figure 1. A locking device is provided at each end of the seat frame 32. To operate the locking devices simultaneously a locking bar 40 interconnects the two locking devices.

Attached to the rear legs 34 is a backrest framework 41 of a U-shaped construction and having flat bars 43 to which the padding of a backrest is attached. Ihe backrest framework is attached to the legs 34 by bolts.

In order that the seats 5 can be located within the cabinet in the minimum amount of space each seat 5 folds into a thickness which amounts approximantely to the sum of the thickness of the seat frame 32, the leg 30 and the rear leg 3 4. To accomplish this it is first necessary to push the bar 40 so that the arms 38, 39 of the locking device 37 are pushed out of their locking position, as shown in Figure 1, into the position shown in Figure 4. Ihe seat frame 32 is then free to pivot about an axis defined by the bar 26 so that the rear of the seat frame moves in an upwardly direction. This movement of the rear of the seat frame 32 pulls the leg 34 off the ground and pivots the strut 35 relative to the bar 27 so that the end of the strut 35 which is pivotally connected to the rear leg also moves in an upwardly direction. Ihe movement is continued until the seat frame 32 is in a substantially vertical plane when the rear leg 34 will be in a position closely adjacent to the leg 30 of the main seat support frame 25.

To open a seat 5 the above movement is reversed until the seat frame 32 is in a substantially horizontal position with the rear legs on the ground. The locking bar 40 is then pulled forward so that the arms 38, 39 of the locking device 37 are pulled through their central position into an over-center locking position, as shown in Figure 1. The seat frame 32 is then locked in position. Both seats 5 operate in the same manner.

As mentioned above the leg 30 is provided with a wheel 31 which is adjustable in the vertical direction. One construction in which this may be achieved is shown in Figure 5 which illustrates a portion of each of the lower bar 27 and the leg 30 of the main seat support frame 25. Connected to the bar 27 is a vertically extending tubular collar 50 having a longitudinally extending slot 51 in which a pin 52 is located,which pin extends radially from a tubular foot member 53 located within the collar 50. Ihe foot member 53 is a close fit in the collar 50. The wheel 31 is connected to the lower end of the foot 53. At upper end of the foot 53 is fixedly attached a threaded shank 54. which engages with an internal thread 55 at the lower end of the tubular leg 30 which has a portion thereof which is rotatable. To adjust the vertical position of the wheel 31 the leg 30 is rotated in an appropriate direction so that the screw thread 54 screws into or out of the lower end of the tubular leg 30, to raise or lower the foot 53, the pin 52 preventing rotation of the foot and sliding up or down the slot 51. The pin 51 is removable for disassembly of the dresser. When the wheel height is set a pin (not shown) is located in a hole (also not shown) in the top of the rotatable portion of the leg 30.

Referring again now to Figure 3 the main support frame 9 supports on top bar 16 rotatable collars 17 which are fixedly attached to a framework for supporting a table. The framevrork to which the collars 17 are fixed is shown in broken lines in Figure 2 and as can be seen this framework consists of a rectangular framework 60 on which is mounted a table top 6l by means of screws which pass through holes in lugs 62 fixed to the framework. The framework 60 has fixed to it a support device 63 which comprises two spaced arms 64 pivotally connected to a lower horizontal bar 14 of the main support frame 9 at one end, and at their other end being pivotally connected to a single arm 65 which is in turn pivotally connected to the framework 60. The support device 63 serves to support the table when it is raised to a horizontal position. Ihe support device can be locked when the table is in its raised position by reans of a collar which slides on the arm 65 and interlocks with a plate fixed to the arms 64 in the region of their pivotal connection with the arm 65. The collar of this locking device (not shown) has a radially extending angle bracket so that in the locked position the plate attached to the arms 64 enters the space between the bracket and collar thereby preventing further pivotal movement between the arms 64 and 65.

Ihe table 4 is formed in two parts 66. 67 which are interconnected by hinges at edges 68 and 69 of parts 66 and 67, respectively. The hinges are so arranged that the part 67 of the table 4 pivots about its edge 69 so that when the table 4 is folded its opposite edge 70 iroves in an upwardly direction until the part 67 rests on top of the part 66.

The table part 67 is also provided with a rectangular framework 71 which is attached to the table top in a similar manner to the fixing of the framework 60. A support device 72 similar to the support device 63, serves to support the table part 67 in an extended position and is lockable in that position in a similar manner by means of a locking device which is identical to the locking device described with reference to the support device 63. However, the framework 71 of the table part 67 differs from the framework 60 of the table part 66 and for a clearer understanding of the construction of the framework 71 reference is made to Figure 6.

Ihe framework 71 while being of a rectangular construction has two side arms 73 which are curved downwardly away from the underneath of the table part 67 in the region of the edge 70. Connected to the free end of these curved side arms 73 is a bar 74 to each end of which is pivotally connected a rectangular framework 75 which forms a leg structure for the table part 67. The rectangular framework 75 has two side arms 76, 77 which are also curved in an exactly similar manner to the curved portion, of the arms 73 of the framework 71. The curved portion of the arms 75 extends backwardly from the bar 74 away from the edge 70 of the table part 67. When the support device 72 is released and the leg framework 75 is pivoted upwardly, the frameworks 71 and 75 eventually lay side by side adjacent to the underneath of the table part 67 with the extremities of the legs 76,77 of the framework 75 extending beyond bar 78 of the framework 71.

To ensure that the frameworks 71 and 75 do lie side by side, the spaced arms of the support device 72 are curved in the region 79 to prevent obstruction with the bar 78. A locking device (not shown) which takes the form of a simple bolt type lock is provided to ensure that the two parts 66, 61 of the table remain locked together when they are in an extended position.

In order to fold the table into the cabinet 1 it is first necessary to unbolt the locking device between the table parts 66, 67 and then pivot the table part 67 in the direction of the arrow A about the hingesalong the edge 69 until the table part 67 is resting on top of the table part 66. The locking device on the support device 72 is then removed and the frame 75 is pivoted in the direction of arrow B so that the frameworks 71 and 75 lie side by side adjacent the table part 67. The locking device on the support device 63 is then released whereupon the table parts 67, 66 are pivoted downwardly in the direction of the arrow C in Figure 6 by means of the pivotal connection of the collars 17 on the top bar 16 of the main support framework 9. The table parts 66, 6j are moved downwardly untilthey lie adjacent the main support frame 9. A handle 80 in the region of the rear edge of the table part 67 is located on the underside of the table part so that the folded table parts are easily lowered or raised.

The outer table part 67 is slightly smaller from its front to back edge than the same distance from the front to back edges of the inner table part 66 so that when table part 67 rests upon part 66 there is a small space between the edge 70 of table part 66 and the rear or pivotal edge of the inner table 66. Adjacent this rear edge of the inner table is attached, to the table part 66, a wooden support 85, Figure 1.

On the top of the wooden support 85 is pivotally mounted a swivel lever 86 which, with the table part 66 in its horizontal position and table part 67 folded onto the part 66, is pivoted horizontally until it engages a bearing plate 87 (Figure 6) on the under surface (now uppermost) of table part 67 at the edge 70 thereof. When the folded table parts are lowered the swivel lever .86. prevents the table part 67 from pivoting forward.

With the table folded and stored away each of the seats 5 will then be folded as described above and firstly the left-hand seat will be swivelled inwardly so that the seat rests against the frameworks 71, 75 of the table part 67. The seat frame 33 is located beneath bar 74 interconnecting the frameworks 71, 75, and extendsinto the recess formed by the curved portion of the frameworks. The other seat 5 is then pivoted in a similar manner so that its seat framework 33 lies against the rear legs and backrest framework of the first seat. The L-shaped doors can then be pivoted into their closed position and a flap 81 at the top of the cabinet section is pivoted downwards to cover the space between the top of the doors 2 and the remainder of the cabinet. The doors 2 are provided with casters connected to their lower edge at the free ends thereof so that when the doors are in their open position the casters will provide support against persons leaning on the doors. The casters further assist in the pivotal movement of the door between its closed and open positions.

Although the foldable furniture assembly according to the present invention has been described above with reference to the Welsh Dresser it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention can be modified in a number of ways.

The foldable furniture assembly may simply comprise a cabinet with the foldable table and seats or alternatively may comprise the cabinet with a single table part and a single seat on either side of the table.

In a further embodiment, only a single seat need be provided together with a single table part.

It is clear form the above that the invention can therefore be applied to seating arrangements from one to four persons although seating arrangements for six persons can also be accommodated.

In a foldable furniture assembly accorrding to the present invention in which there is provision for seating six persons the frame 6θ is attached to the table part 66 by brackets (not shown) which allow the table top 66 to slide relative to the frame 60.

Accordingly, when the table 4 is in its extended position it is pulled outwardly and an additional table flap (not shown) which is pivotally mounted in the cabinet 1 is lowered onto the exposed portion of the frame 60 and butts against the adjacent edge of the table part 66 to provide a flush table 4. Ihe table flap and table part 66 can be interlocked by a lock bolt arrangement.

The seats 5 will be constructed in substantially the same manner as described above but will be sufficiently long to accommodate the seating of three persons on each seat. Ihe cabinet 1 is made wider in this embodiment in order to accommodate the additional seat length in the closed position of the assembly.

One advantage of the doors 2 being L-shaped is that when the doors are open the longer or front part of each door extends parallel to the seats 5 when in their open position, and therefore the doors do not take up a great deal of space in the room in which the dresser is located and does not obstruct other furniture units within that room. In an alternative construction the doors may lift off their hinges and may be replaced by a roller blind which pulls down over the folded table and seats within the cabinet.

The Welsh Dresser described above may be constructed as a single unit or as two seperate units so that the shelf unit 3 is free standing on the cabinet 1.

The size of the cabinet 1 will vary in dependence upon the seating capacity provided and also on whether or not the corresponding table is a single or two flap table. For the particular embodiment described above with reference to the Figures the cabinet 1 is approximately 1.22 m (4ft.) in width 1.15 m (3.5 ft.) in height and 38.1 cm (15 inches) deep. The shelving unit for the Welsh Dresser is 1.22 m (4 ft.) wide,78/cm(2ft. 6¾ inches) high and 15.24 cm (6 inches) deep.

The cabinet 1 for a two seater foldable furniture assembly would be 1.22 m (4ft.) wide, 78cm (2ft .6 inches) high and 30.48cm (12 inches) deep. This size of cabinet could be conveniently used in a study or bedroom to provide a single flap table and a single seat as a desk or dressing table for example, thereby giving room within the cabinet by the omission of another seat, for the 'provision of shelving for storing paper, books or cosmetic items.

In an alternative foldable furniture assembly in accordance with the invention the table 4 is a two part table attached to the main support framework 9 in the manner previously described. Furthermore, the outermost part of the table is foldable onto the inner part of the table also as previously described, but these table tops are supported by two telescopic arm assemblies which are each of an L-shaped construction with one part of the L being pivotally mounted at one end to the main support frame 9 of the cabinet 1. The other part of the L in each case receives a further support bar which can be pulled out from the first mentioned support arm so that when the table is folded out into its extended position the second support arm serves to support the outermost flap of the table. The telescopic arm assemblies are located one on each side of the table towards a respective side edge of the table 4. Conveniently, a single leg member extends down from the free end of each second support bar to provide support for the outermost end of the table. The inner table flap is conveniently supported in the extended position by means of a supporting device substantially identical to support device 63 described with reference to Figure 2.

In the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6 the seats are identical, approximately 1.15 m (42 inches) long and 40.64 cm (16 inches) wide but the right hand seat of Figure 1 extends outwardly more than the left hand seat, by approximately 15.24 cm (6 inches). The reason for this is that the right hand side curved portions 18, 19 of the main support frame 9 extend outwardly more than the left hand curved portions by the same amount. Therefore the folded seats can be located in the cabinet parallel to each other. With such an arrangement the table opens out to approximately 1.48 m (4.5 ft.). Furthermore, the rotatable bar 21 on which the seats pivot can be provided with a calibrated cam ratchet device to ensure that the seats will move outwardly from the cabinet by a maximum amount, such as allowing the seats to pivot through 90° so that the seat extends perpendicularly from the cabinet 1. However, the seats can be pivoted through 180º if so desired.

The framework elements of the frameworks described.with reference to any of the above embodiments are preferably of a tubular construction having a maximum outside diameter of 3.17 cm (1.15 inches). It is preferred that the metal tubing is made of mild steel but the frameworks can be alao madeof alluminium, brass, copper, wood/orany other suitable metal and these may be coated in nylon or other synthetic material. Alternatively, the frameworks can be of suitably strong synthetic materials such as nylon and polythene preferably which is reinforced. The tubing preferably has a circular cross-section but may be of an oval or rectangular cross-section, for example square.

The framework elements may also be formed of the materials mentioned but where possible the elements are solid. In addition the framework elements can be of stainless steel or alternatively may be chromed or otherwise polished.

In an alternative construction, the frameworks may be constructed of angle-iron. Where suitable, the frameworks are fixed together by welding. Other conventional methods of interlocking the frameworks elements may be used.

The cabinet 1 and shelf unit 3 of the Welsh Dresser, or indeed the cabinet of any other embodiment is preferably made of wood, such as ply-wood, but may also be made of synthetic material such as nylon and fibreglass moldings may also be used, not only for the cabinet and shelf unit but also for the tableandseats. These seats may also be made of wood and whether wood or fibreglass is used can be covered with upholstered materials such as leather, FVC etc. The backrests are similarly constructed.

The embodiments of the foldable furniture assembly according to the invention have been described as being cabable of being attached to a wall in order to make the assem bly a permanently fixed structure and give strength to the assembly. However, where an establishment wishes to use more than one of the assemblies it is possible to connect two identical assemblies back to back, in which case the assemblies can be bolted, through bars 22 for example, to the floor to provide added stability.

While the wheel 31 has been described as being on a fixed axis,it is of course possible to replace the wheel by a caster. Preferably, the wheel 31 is provided with side plates welded to the foot 53, Figure 5, which extend downwardly close to the lowermost peripheral surface part of the wheel so that if the wheel axle breaks the seat 5 will drop onto the free edge of the plates. An extension arm (not shown) may extend downwardly from the bar 27 of the main seat frame 25 for the same purpose.

The leg 30 of each seat 5 has been described as being adjustable.

It is to be understood that all legs of the assembly can be provided with adjustable feet in screw threaded engagement with the ground contacting region of each leg.

Accordingly there has been described a foldable furniture assembly which may take a various number of forms and which can be used in a kitchen, study, bedroom etc., or in a caravan. The assembly can be of various sizes depending upon its use. and can be folded in all cases into a much smaller space that hitherto known.

In this respect the size of the cabinet 1 will depend to a great extent on whether or not a backrest is to be mounted on the seats 5. Clearly the backrest is optional and bolts onto the rear legs of the seats, although it can be permanently fixed by welding. In yet another embodiment the seats and table are provided separately with or without the cabinet and are independently mounted on a vertical surface, such as a wall, but arranged with a substantially identical inter-relationship as the embodiments described above. To achieve this inter-relationship, the pivotal axis 21 of each main seat support frame 25 is provided on a rectangular framework (not shown) one side of which opposite to that side having the axis 21, is directly attached to the wall. These rectangular frameworks meet the same requirements as the other frameworks of the assembly concerning form a material but one is wider than the other so that, as previously described, one pivotal axis is located further from the wall than the other pivotal axis.

In yet a further eπbodiment> for example where only a single seat is provided either side of the table, the main seat support frame may be of a right angled triangular construction with an element forming the hypotenuse of the triangle extending from the bottom of the vertical pivotal axis through bar 21 upwardly to the furthest edge of the seat from the pivot.

Claims

1. A foldable furniture assembly having closed and extended positions, including first frame means for attachment to a support-means and arranged for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, the first frame means including a sub-frame which is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis and which forms a seat, and second frame means for attachment to the support means and arranged for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis and for supporting a table top, the second frame means having a median vertical axis therethrough and the first frame means being offset to one side of the median vertical axis, wherein when the assembly is moved from an extended position to a closed position the second frame means and the sub-frame are pivoted about their respective horizontal axes until located in a substantially vertical plane and the first frame means is pivoted about its vertical axis for storage in the closed position with the first and second frame means overlapping one another.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, including a main support frame to which the first and second frame means are attached for pivotal movement about their respective axes.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main support frame has at one side, top and bottom curved portions and between the outer ends of the curved portions is located the pivotal axis for the first frame means.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the main support from has at opposite sides top and bottom curved portions.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the curved portions at one side extend outwardly by a larger amount than the curved portions at the other side.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including third frame means substantially identical to the first frame means and being offset to the opposite side of the median vertical axis from said first frame means.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and third frame means each include a main seat support frame.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the main seat support frame lies in a substantially vertical plane and has top and bottom support bars.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first sub-frame is pivotally mounted on the top support bar.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the first and third frame means each include rear supporting legs which are pivotally interconnected with both the top and bottom support bars.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rear supporting legs are connected with the top support bar via a pivotal interconnection between the rear legs and the first sub-frame.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 10 or 13, wherein the first and third frame means include a backrest framework.

13. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the main seat support frame has wheel means at its lower front outer extremity for supporting the first and third frame means on the ground when the first and third frame means are pivoted about their respective pivotal axes.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the wheel means is adjustable in a vertical direction.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wheel means comprises a wheel on a fixed axis.

16. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second frame means comprises second and third sub-frames each supporting a respective part of a two part table top.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the two parts of the table top are pivotally interconnected.

18. An assembly as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the third sub-frame has table legs pivotally mounted thereon.

19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the third sub- frame has a curved portion projecting therefrom in a direction trasverse to the plane of the table top, the table legs being pivotally mounted at the outer extremity of the curved portion of the thirdsub-frame and having a correspondingly curved portion for allowing the legs to be folded against the underside of the table top.

20. An assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the table legs comprise a framework having a rectangular configuration.

21. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the first, second and third sub-frames are rectangular frameworks.

22. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the second and third sub-frames have support means for supporting sub-frames in an extended position of the table.

23. An assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the support means comprises a pair of spaced interconnected elements extending side by side and a third element pivotally connected to the spaced elements for movement therebetween.

24. An assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein the support means has interlocking means to lock the support means in an extended position.

25. An assembly as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the pair of spaced elements and third element are tubular and the interlocking means comprises an annular collar slidable on the third element and having an angled flange extending radially therefrom, which angled flange is arranged to engage a plate fixed to the pair of spaced elements when the pair of spaced elements and the third element extend in opposite directions relative to their common pivotal axis.

26. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the support means for the third sub-frame has a pair of spaced elements connected to the table legs and in the region of the attachment to the table legs the pair of spaced elements are curved.

27. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame means is of an elongate-rectangular construction and forms a bench seat for two or more persons.

28. An assembly as claimed in claim 27 when dependent oh claim 6, wherein the third frame means is of an elongate-rectangular construction and forms a bench seat for two or more persons.

29. An assembly as claimed in any one of claim 27 or 28, wherein the first and third frame means include loclcing means for locking the first sub-frame in a substantially horizontal plane.

30. An assembly as claimed in claim 29, wherein the locking means comprises two pivotally interconnected arms with an over-center locking action.

31. An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein there is a pair of such arms at each end of the first sub-frame.

32. An assembly as claimed in claim 30 or 31, including a locking bar interconnecting each pair of arms for operating the pairs of arms simultaneously.

33. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein all frameworks of the assembly are formed of tubular elements.

34. An assembly as claimed in claim 33, wherein the tubular elements are made of mild steel.

35. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a cabinet in which the first, second and third frame means are storedwhen the assembly is in its closed position.

36. An assembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the cabinet is provided with shelving and draws.

37. An assembly as claimed in claim 35 or 36, wherein cabinet doors have a caster on the outer lower extremity thereof.

38. An assembly as claimed in claim 35, 36 or 37 wherein the cabinet doors are L-shaped.