TABLE AND SEATING UNIT

Abstract

Table and seating arrangement (100), comprising: a table (104), a frame (102) comprising a vertical frame element (70) and a shaped monolithic seat element (22), comprising: a seat section with a rectangular perimeter, including opposing end sections (42) and opposing side sections (44) with rounded corner sections (46) abutting the end sections and the side sections, wherein the seat section has a concave upper surface (40) with a middle section that is lower than the end sections, wherein the seat section has a length between the end sections (42) that is greater than a width between the side sections (44), wherein the upper surface (40) has no indentation in which spilled liquids can accumulate, a central receiving section (30) projecting from an underside of the seat section, wherein the vertical frame element (70) is inserted into the central receiving section (30), and a plurality of radial ribs (50) extending from the central receiving section (30) to a circumference of the seat section.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a table and seating device with a molded monolithic seating element. Description of the state of the art

[0002] As described in US 2008 / 0 116 724 A1, in large multi-purpose rooms and areas that are used at various times as dining rooms, meeting rooms, dance areas, exercise rooms, classrooms, and for other diverse activities, the use of movable multi-purpose furniture is often desirable. This furniture includes tables, chairs, benches, and / or stools, as well as table and seat combinations. In addition, where practical, this furniture is foldable so that it can be stored more efficiently when not in use. Table and seat combinations often use stool-like seats, which are extremely practical and accessible for the users of the table and seat system. Such seats are accessible without having to step over bench-like seating systems. Such systems can be foldable and can be mounted on casters or wheels for transport to and from storage.

[0003] To date, many table and seating systems have used stool-like seats with round seating elements. The seating elements are typically mounted on a central frame. The elements are typically lightweight molded plastic seats mounted on a vertical tubular support post. These seats can be bolted to the seat support with a conventional bolt. Furthermore, according to US 2010 / 0 052 398 A1, systems have been developed to minimize damage caused by misuse and prevent rotation of the seat section relative to the tubular support post.

[0004] While such stool-like seats have proven useful, they still have some disadvantages. The typical stool seat is a circular seat with a concave center section. While such circular seats with a concave top surface may be more comfortable for a user than a flat top surface, the circular seats do not provide a comfortable contour for many users. Furthermore, while such circular seats may be comfortable for a user sitting on the stool for only a short time, such as during school lunch, the same seats may not be comfortable for a user during extended use. Furthermore, if something spills, the concave top surface does not drain away. Therefore, spills collect in the center of many types of circular stools and can pose a greater problem when cleaned up or cause discomfort to a user.

[0005] It is evident that there is a need for a new and improved lightweight, molded stool seat. Such a seat should be lightweight, easy to mold, durable, and mountable to a central vertical tubular frame. Furthermore, such a seat should provide greater comfort to a user, even when sitting on it for extended periods. Such a system should also have a top surface that does not allow for the accumulation of spilled liquids. The present invention is directed to these and other problems associated with stool-type seats.

[0006] From CN 202618995 U, a stool is known which consists of a stool body, a connecting rod, and a positioning bracket, wherein the positioning bracket is provided with a connecting seat that corresponds to the height of the connecting rod. The stool body is movably connected to the connecting seat of the positioning bracket by the front end of the connecting rod. One end of the positioning bracket is connected to the floor via a disc. A vertically downward-pointing spring positioning bolt is arranged at the front end of the connecting rod. A spring seat 7 corresponding to the spring positioning bolt is arranged at the front end of the positioning bracket. A screw hole cooperating with the spring positioning bolt is arranged at the front end of the spring seat. The spring seat is designed such that, when the stool is not loaded, it is raised supported by the spring force.The stool body has a flat upper surface.

[0007] US 6 074 005 A discloses a seating device comprising a rigid tube dimensioned to enclose a signpost. A pair of rigid seating structures are connected to the tube, defining two seating surfaces approximately perpendicular to the tube and located on opposite sides of the tube. An anchoring mechanism is connected to a lower end of the tube for securing the tube to the ground. The seating surfaces have a flat upper surface.

[0008] US 5,638,135 A relates to a folding table and chair device comprising a pair of tabletop halves pivotally connected to two pairs of support legs pivotally attached to each other. A seat is pivotally connected to each of the pairs of support legs and is provided with seat bracing elements to hold the seat in a fixed position relative to the pair of support legs when the device is unfolded in use mode. The seats have a flat upper seating surface.

[0009] From US 4 569 555 A, a table and seat device is known which comprises a seat assembly with pivotally mounted, elongated extension arms which are movable between a folded and an extended position. A table support structure provides a flat upper surface area on which tabletop means are supported, the support structure comprising leg elements which extend convergingly upwards to create a wider base area compared to the upper surface enclosed by the legs. The support structure comprises upper pairs of bracing elements which enclose the upper portions of the leg elements and support them against movement. The extension arms of the seat assembly enclose the lower portions of the leg elements and support them against movement. The seats of the seat assembly have a flat upper seating surface.

[0010] US 2010 / 0 052 398 A1 discloses a table and seat assembly in which a seat post is integrated into the frame of a folding table. The seat post mates with a support bracket attached to the underside of the seat. The aligned surfaces of the seat post and support bracket have a non-circular cylindrical shape to prevent rotation of the support bracket relative to the seat post. The seats have a flat upper seating surface.

[0011] From US 2008 / 0 116 724 A1, a foldable table and seat device is known which has a substantially oval shape and seating structures arranged around the perimeter of the table. The folding table comprises a pair of semicircular tabletop sections which are foldable along the straight edge of each section. The frame extends downwardly and outwardly to form eight stools, with four stools spaced apart around the curved perimeter of each tabletop section in a first seating configuration. In a second seating configuration, the frame supports four benches, with two benches spaced apart around the curved perimeter of each tabletop section. A support part of the frame extends beneath each stool to support the entire table at a distance, or two legs extend downwardly from each bench. The benches and stools are interchangeable. Both the stools and benches have a flat upper surface.

[0012] From US 2007 / 0241591 A1, a table and seat assembly is known which comprises a table top defining a longitudinal direction and having longitudinal edges. A frame is attached to an underside of the table top and includes laterally extending parts. Casters or wheels are mounted on the frame, which enable easy transport of the table and seat assembly. Seat assemblies with two stools are attached to the frame via rods, which allow the seats to be moved from a use position, in which the seats are extended over the longitudinal edge of the table top and touch the floor, to a storage position, in which the seats are raised and retracted so that they are located within the edges of the table top. The seats have a flat upper seating surface.

[0013] US 2006 / 0 125 294 A1 discloses an interchangeable stool assembly that can be removably attached to a free end of a tube of a piece of furniture. The stool assembly comprises a base portion that can be removably attached to the free end of the tube and a plurality of reinforcing ribs arranged on the base portion to provide structural integrity to the base portion. The stool assembly further comprises a seat portion configured to support a user of the assembly and is received and removably held by the base portion. The seat portion has a flat upper seating surface. Brief description of the invention

[0014] The present invention relates to a table and seat assembly with a molded monolithic seat element according to US 2008 / 0 116 724 A1. The table and seat assembly can be used with a table and a frame supporting the table. The frame has a vertical frame element configured at the upper end to support one or more seats.

[0015] According to the invention, the seat portion has an upper surface with a substantially rectangular perimeter. The seat portion has opposed raised end portions and opposed side portions. The seat portion has rounded corner portions that abut the end portions and the side portions. The upper surface of the seat portion is concave, with the central portion being lower than the end portions, but the edges on the side portions allow liquids to drain away and therefore prevent liquid accumulation.

[0016] A bottom surface of the seat portion includes a central receiving portion extending downward from the center of the seat portion. The central receiving portion includes a cavity configured to receive the vertical frame member of the frame. The cavity may have a circular cross-section and a non-circular cross-section portion configured to receive a complementary frame member having at least one non-circular cross-section portion to prevent relative rotation between the frame and the seat.

[0017] The underside of the seat portion also includes radial ribs extending outward from the central receiving portion to a lip on the periphery of the seat portion. The height of the radial ribs generally increases from the lip on the periphery of the seat to the bottom of the receiving portion in the center of the underside of the seat portion. The underside of the seat portion may also include a rectangular rib spaced inwardly from the lip and outwardly from the receiving portion. The rectangular rib intersects the radial ribs and provides additional support. A circular rib is spaced inwardly from the rectangular rib but outwardly from the frame receiving portion. The circular rib also intersects the radial ribs and extends downwardly farther than the rectangular rib. The configuration of the ribs and seat portion provides a seat member that is strong and lightweight and is molded from conventional materials.

[0018] These novel features and various other advantages which characterize the invention will be particularly apparent from the appended claims which form a part hereof. However, for a fuller understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which also form a part hereof and to the accompanying description in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described. Short description of the drawings

[0019] In the drawings, in which the same reference symbols and numbers indicate corresponding structures in the several views, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table and seat assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a seat assembly for the Fig. 1 shown table and seat device from below, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a seating element for the Fig. 1 shown table and seat device from above, Fig. 4 a plan view of the Fig. 3 seat element shown from above, Fig. 5 a side elevation of the Fig. 3 shown seat element, Fig. 6 a front elevation of the Fig. 3 shown seat element, Fig. 7 a plan view of the Fig. 3 shown seat element from below and Fig. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a seat assembly for the Fig. 1 shown table and seat device from below. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

[0020] The drawings and in particular Fig. 1 illustrates a table and seat assembly generally designated 100. The table and seat assembly 100 includes a pair of table tops 104 supported by a frame 102. The frame 102 includes tubular frame members having a generally circular cross-section that are joined together by welding or other conventional techniques. In the illustrated embodiment, the table and seat assembly 100 is a folding system and includes a central folding linkage that provides for folding between a storage position (not shown) in which the table tops are substantially opposed to one another and the extended use position. It is to be understood that the present invention may be used with other table and seat assemblies, including those that are not foldable. Furthermore, the present invention may also be used with seating systems that do not include a table.

[0021] The table and seating system comprises a seating arrangement (20) with seats (20), as can be seen more clearly from Fig. 2. As in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the seat member (22) has a generally rectangular shape with a top surface (40) that is concave with respect to raised ends (42). The seat member (22) is preferably a monolithic molded plastic member that may be formed from any suitable lightweight plastic material. The seat member (22) has raised ends (42) between opposite sides (44) and rounded corners (46). A lip (48) extends generally around the periphery of the seat member and projects downwardly. The transition from the lip (48) to the top surface (40) is generally rounded with no sharp edges. In the embodiment shown, the length between the opposite ends (42) is greater than the width between the opposite sides (44). It should be understood, however, that the relative dimensions may vary and still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.Furthermore, the concave upper surface may have a greater or lesser curvature depending on the application and intended users. Generally speaking, the sides are straight and the ends have a slight curve; however, as long as the seat (20) maintains a generally rectangular shape, the essential straightness may be varied with a slight curve, as long as it is easy to shape. However, it is preferred that the upper surface (40) not have an indentation in which any spilled liquids can collect. It has been found that concaveness between the ends (42) with the somewhat rectangular shape provides satisfactory comfort for a user.

[0022] In Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the underside of the seat element (22) has a frame receiving portion (30). The frame receiving portion (30) defines a central cavity (32) configured to receive a tubular frame member of the table and seat assembly. The cavity (32) may have generally rounded sides (34) and may have corner portions (36) configured to receive a frame (72), as shown in Fig. 8. In the Fig. 8, the frame member (72) has a circular first portion (74), a non-circular cross-section (76), and a transition portion (78). The cavity (32) has corner portions that engage the portion (76) with the non-circular cross-section and prevent relative rotation between the frame member (72) and the seat member (22). The frame receiving portion (30) also has an opening (38) configured to receive a bolt or other retainer (90). The bolt extends through an opening (82) in the round tubular frame or into the frame (72). Furthermore, the cavity (32) may be configured to receive conventional tubular frame members (80), as in Fig. 2, wherein the cavity (32) has generally rounded sides (34) that engage the rounded outer surface of the tubular frame member (80). The generally rounded sides (34) engage the rounded outer surface of the frame member (80). The opening (38) is aligned with the opening (82) in the frame to receive a mounting bolt.

[0023] In Fig.2 and 5 - 7, the underside of the seat (20) has radial ribs (50) which extend generally radially outward from the frame receiving portion (30) to the lip (48). First radial ribs (52) extend outward from the frame receiving portion (30) to the corners (46). Second radial ribs (54) extend radially outward from the frame receiving portion (30) to the sides (44). Third radial ribs (56) extend outward from the frame receiving portion (30) to the ends (42). However, for the ribs near the opening (38), a shorter form of ribs (58) extends outward from the frame receiving portion (30) to the ends (42). The ribs (58) also extend downwardly to a lesser extent than the radial ribs (56) to provide access for the bolt (90) and the opening (38). It will be appreciated that the height of each of the radial ribs (52, 54 and 56) generally increases from the lip (48) to the central frame receiving portion (30).The radial ribs (52, 54, 56, and 58) generally each have a height substantially equal to the height of the lip (48) at an outermost portion. Furthermore, the radial ribs (52, 54, and 56) all extend generally downward at an inner end to the bottom of the frame receiving portion (30) at their inner ends. The radial ribs (52, 54, 56, and 58) each have a first portion (60) whose height generally increases inwardly from the lip at a first angle. A second portion (62) has a height that increases from the innermost end of the first portion (60) toward the frame receiving portion (30) at a second angle that is greater than the first angle.

[0024] In addition to the radial ribs (50), the seat (20) has a rectangular rib (64). The rectangular rib (64) is spaced inwardly from the lip (48) and is generally parallel to the end (42) and sides (44). The rectangular rib (64) intersects the radial ribs and has corners that intersect the first radial ribs (52). The rectangular rib (64) has an upper portion that engages the underside of the concave upper surface (40) of the seat (20). The lower edge of the rectangular rib (64) is in a horizontal plane.

[0025] A circular rib (66) is spaced inwardly from the rectangular rib (64). The circular rib (66) therefore lies between the frame receiving portion (30) and the rectangular rib (64). The circular rib (66) is taller than the rectangular rib (64) and extends farther downwardly than the rectangular rib (64). The seat (20) is configured so that the height of the support structures generally increases from the outer edge to the center. The middle portion (30) is taller than the circular rib (66), which is taller than the rectangular rib (64), which is taller than the lip (48). The circular rib (66) is intersected by the radial ribs (50) and has a lower edge that, at the intersection, lies on the same plane as the lower edge of the radial ribs (50). The lower edge of the circular rib (66) also lies in a horizontal plane which lies below the horizontal plane of the lower edge of the rectangular rib (64).

[0026] It will be appreciated that the seat assembly (20) of the present invention provides a lightweight, more comfortable seat compared to the seat provided by the prior art. In addition, the seat (20) is easily adapted to conventional seating systems and can replace round stool-type seats. Retrofitting is simply accomplished by unscrewing the old stool and attaching the seat (20). Furthermore, the present invention provides a simple, durable, lightweight, easy-to-mold, and cost-effective monolithic seat (20). The seat (20) includes a frame-receiving portion that can accommodate both conventional round tubular members and frames having a portion with a non-circular cross-section. It will be appreciated that such a seating system or seats (20) having all of these features and advantages are neither taught nor suggested in the prior art.

Claims

[1] Table and seating device (100), comprising: a table (104), a frame (102) having a vertical frame member (70) and a molded monolithic seat member (22) comprising: a seat portion having a rectangular perimeter, including opposite end portions (42) and opposite side portions (44) with rounded corner portions (46) abutting the end portions and the side portions, the seat portion having a concave upper surface (40) with a central portion that is lower than the end portions, the seat portion having a length between the end portions (42) that is greater than a width between the side portions (44), the upper surface (40) having no indentation in which spilled liquids can collect, a central receiving portion (30) projecting from a bottom side of the seat portion, wherein the vertical frame member (70) is inserted into the central receiving portion (30), and a plurality of radial ribs (50) extending from the central receiving portion (30) to a periphery of the seat portion. [2] The table and seat assembly (100) of claim 1, further comprising a bracket (90) for attaching the central receiving portion (30) to the vertical frame member (70). [3] Table and seat device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height of the radial ribs (50) increases from the circumference of the seat portion to the central receiving portion (30). [4] Table and seat device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radial ribs (50) have a first part (52) whose height increases from the circumference of the seat section to the central receiving section (30) at a first angle and wherein the radial ribs (50) have a second part (54) whose height increases from the first part (52) to the central receiving section (30) at a second angle which is greater than the first angle. [5] The table and seat assembly (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising a lip (48) extending downwardly around a periphery of the seat portion. [6] The table and seat assembly (100) of claim 5, wherein the radial ribs extend radially inwardly from the lip (48). [7] The table and seat assembly (100) of claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising a rectangular rib support (64) spaced inwardly from the lip (48), the rectangular rib support (64) extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the seat portion and intersecting the radial ribs. [8] The table and seat assembly (100) of claim 7, further comprising a circular rib support (66) spaced inwardly from the rectangular rib support (64), the circular rib support (66) extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the seat portion and intersecting the radial ribs (50). [9] The table and seat assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the frame member (70) comprises a tubular frame member. [10] The table and seat assembly (100) of claim 9, wherein the receiving portion (30) includes a complementary cavity (32) configured to receive the tubular frame member. [11] The table and seat assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the frame member comprises a tubular frame member having a first portion (74) having a circular cross-section and a second portion (76) having a non-circular cross-section, and wherein the receiving portion (30) comprises a cavity (32) complementary to a non-circular cross-section of the tubular frame member. [12] A table and seat assembly (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein a lip (48) extends around the periphery of the seat member (22) and projects downwardly.

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