Abstract:
A seating unit comprises: an armrest having an inwardly facing surface that includes an aperture; a table having a support surface mounted on and above a mounting post; and a mounting bracket mounted within the armrest. The mounting bracket is configured to receive the mounting post through the aperture in the armrest and to detachably secure the mounting post such that the support surface is generally horizontally disposed. In this configuration, the seating unit can provide a table-type surface in a convenient location for an occupant of the seating unit, yet the table can be removed when its presence is undesirable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to furniture, and relates more particularly to seating units. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many residences today include a seating unit, such as a sofa or chair, near which is placed a table, such as a coffee table or end table. Coffee tables can provide a surface for supporting food and drink and displaying decorative items or reading materials, and can also by themselves improve the appearance of the room. Likewise, end tables can provide a support surface for these items as well as reading lamps, telephones and the like. 
     One of the drawbacks of the support surfaces provided by coffee tables and end tables is the inconvenient location of the support surface relative to an occupant of the seating unit. For example, if the occupant rests a plate of food or a drinking glass on the coffee table, he must lean forward from a seated position to retrieve it; this is somewhat awkward, particularly with seating units that employ deep, soft cushions. If the occupant wishes to eat from the plate or drink from the glass, he has two options. First, he can lean over the table while eating or drinking, which can be even more awkward then simply leaning over the table to retrieve the plate. Second, the occupant can grasp the plate and carefully balance it as it travels with him to the seated position, after which he must support the plate as he eats. Either of these options can be unsatisfactory, as the risk of the occupant spilling food or drink onto the table, the underlining floor (which is often carpeted), or the seating unit itself is significant. 
     The situation is typically no better with an end table; the occupant must twist to retrieve the plate or glass from the end table and either consume in this awkward twisted position or balance the plate or glass as it travels and resides above the seating unit. Often the difficulty is exasperated by the presence of an armrest on the end of the seating unit that the occupant must negotiate. 
     The underlying cause of these difficulties is the position of the support surface relative to the seating unit. On coffee tables, the support surface is too low and too far forward for convenient access to the occupant of the seating unit. On end tables, the support surface is placed beside, rather than directly in front of, the seated occupant. However, furniture styles dictate that coffee tables and end tables provide support surfaces in these locations. 
     One common solution to this problem is the use of a portable “TV tray” that can be placed in front of the seating unit at a reasonably comfortable height and location. However, typically such TV trays are stored at locations that are some distance away from the seating unit, and are not, therefore, particularly convenient. Also, because these units are intended to be portable, they are often rather light and can tip easily when jostled by an occupant of the seating unit. 
     Another approach to this problem is offered through the use of table surfaces that store within the armrest of a seating unit. In one such example, the upholstered top surface of the armrest opens to expose an internal cavity in the armrest within which is stored a tray. This table surface, which is mounted within the cavity, rises above the armrest and pivots to provide a support surface immediately in front of an occupant of the seating unit. Another approach has been to include a table surface that emerges from the front of the armrest to pivot into position in front of an occupant. 
     Each of these approaches has certain drawbacks. First, including the mechanisms that enable the table surface to fold into position from the armrest cavity can add both cost and weight to the seating unit. Second, in each instance access to the table surface requires that some portion of the armrest be removable. As such, this can adversely impact the appearance of the seating unit, and may be appropriate only with certain furniture styles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A seating unit of the present invention can address some of the aforementioned shortcomings by providing a support surface that can be easily accessed and used with a wide variety of furniture styles. A seating unit of the present invention comprises: an armrest having an aperture (preferably located in an inward surface of the armrest); a table having a support surface mounted on and above a mounting post; and a mounting bracket mounted within the armrest. The mounting bracket is configured to receive the mounting post through the aperture in the armrest and to detachably secure the mounting post such that the support surface is generally horizontally disposed. In this configuration, a seating unit of the present invention can provide a table-type surface in a convenient location for an occupant of the seating unit, yet the table can be removed when its presence is undesirable. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the aperture in the armrest is positioned below the upper support surface of a seat cushion, thereby hiding the aperture from view when the seating unit is unoccupied. Preferably, the seat cushion compresses sufficiently under the weight of an occupant to expose the aperture, with the result that the table can be inserted easily into the aperture for mounting. 
     The mounting bracket preferably comprises: a mounting panel adapted for mounting to a front stump of the armrest; an inward panel that extends rearwardly from the mounting panel that includes an entry aperture; and a plurality of guide members attached to and extending rearwardly from the mounting panel. The guide members are configured and arranged to receive and detachably secure the mounting post of a removable table, as the inward panel aperture and the guide members define a travel path for the mounting post. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a partial rear perspective view of a seating unit and removable table of the present invention with the seat cushion in place. 
     FIG. 1A is a partial rear view of the seating unit and table of FIG. 1 with an occupant seated therein. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial rear perspective view of the seating unit of FIG. 1 illustrating the removable table inserted into a mounting bracket with the seat cushion removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial rear perspective view of the seating unit of FIG. 1 illustrating the table removed from the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 4 is a cutaway rear view of the removable table shown in FIG. 1 with the table removed from the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 4A is a greatly enlarged partial view of the post and knob of the table of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cutaway rear view of the seating unit of FIG. 1 with the removable table inserted into the mounting bracket with the seat cushion illustrated in phantom line. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial rear perspective view of another embodiment of the seating unit and removable table of the present invention with the seat cushion illustrated in phantom line. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial rear perspective view of the seating unit and removable table of FIG. 6 with the table removed from the mounting bracket and the seat cushion removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 8 is a cutaway rear view of the seating unit and removable table of FIG. 6 with the table removed from the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 9 is a cutaway rear view of the seating unit and table of FIG. 6 with the table inserted into the mounting bracket. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like components throughout. Some dimensions and thicknesses may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a chair, designated broadly at  20 , is illustrated therein. FIG. 1 illustrates one armrest  22  of the chair  20  along with a removable seat cushion  21  having an upper surface  21   s  for supporting a seated occupant. The armrest  22  includes a front stump  24  (see FIG.  2 ), typically formed of wood, that forms the front face of the armrest  22  (ordinarily, the front surface of the front stump  24  is covered with upholstery  25 , as is the remainder of the armrest  22 ). The armrest  22  also includes an inward surface  23  that faces the seat cushion  21 . (As used herein, “inward”, “inner” and derivatives thereof refer to the horizontal direction extending from the armrest toward the cushion; “outward”, “outer” and derivatives thereof refer to the direction opposite the inward direction. Together, the inward and outward directions define a “lateral” axis. A “fore-and-aft” axis is horizontally disposed perpendicular to the lateral axis). 
     Those skilled in this art will recognize that, although the chair  20  is illustrated herein, the present invention is suitable for a variety of different seating units, including chairs, sofas, loveseats, sectional and modular sofas, and the like. Also, skilled artisans will recognize that the present invention may be used with both conventional stationary furniture and “motion” furniture, which includes, inter alia, reclining seating units and sofas that include foldable beds. Irrespective of the type of seating unit employed with the present invention, the seating unit should include an armrest having an inward face that faces the occupant support surface (as exemplified by the upper surface  21   s  of the seat cushion  21 ). 
     A mounting aperture  26  is located in a preferred location in the inward surface  23  of the armrest  22  (although it can be located on the outer or front surfaces of the armrest). Illustratively and preferably, the aperture  26  is located below the upper surface  21   s  of the seat cushion  21 , such that, when the seat cushion  21  is relaxed (i.e., that portion of the chair  20  is unoccupied), the upper surface  21   s  of the seat cushion  21  is at a higher elevation then the aperture  26 . When the aperture  26  is so located, it is hidden from view when the seat cushion  21  is unoccupied and only becomes visible when the seat cushion  21  deforms downwardly under the weight of an occupant (see FIG.  1 A). Preferably, the aperture  26  is positioned between about 0.5 and 2.0 inches below the undeformed upper surface  21   s,  and between about 1.0 and 8.0 inches from the front edge of the chair  20 . A cap  28 , typically plastic, is mounted upon the inward face  23  surrounding the aperture  26  to protect it from wear and abuse. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, a mounting bracket  30  is mounted to the front stump  24  outwardly of the inward face  23  of the armrest  22  within the cavity of armrest  22 . Illustratively and preferably, the mounting bracket  30  includes a front mounting panel  32  that is mounted against the rear face of the front stump  24  via threaded fasteners  32   a.  The mounting bracket  30  also includes an inward mounting panel  34  that extends rearwardly from the inward edge of the front panel  32  and is disposed outwardly of and against the inward face  23  of the armrest  22 . Although not employed for mounting in the illustrated embodiment, the forward mounting panel  34  may be employed to mount the mounting bracket  30  to a suitable surface within the armrest cavity. The inward mounting panel  34  includes an entry aperture  36  that is positioned slightly below the aperture  26  and is aligned with the aperture  26  along a vertical plane V (FIG. 3) that is parallel to the lateral axis. 
     A pair of inward rollers  38   a,    38   b  are mounted to the rear surface of the front mounting panel  32  and extend rearwardly therefrom. Each of the inward rollers  38   a,    38   b  is free to rotate about its axis, which is parallel to the fore-and-aft axis. The gap  38   a  between the inward rollers  38   a,    38   b  is approximately equal to the vertical dimension of the entry aperture  36 . An angled guide  42  is mounted to the rear surface of the front mounting panel  32 . The guide  42  includes a rearwardly-extending flange  43  that slopes downwardly, outwardly and tangentially from the circumferential surface of the inward roller  38   a.  A pair of lateral rollers  40   a,    40   b  are also rotatably mounted to the rear surface of the front mounting panel  32  and extend rearwardly therefrom. The lateral rollers  40   a,    40   b  form a gap  40   c  therebetween. A stop pin  44  is mounted to and extends rearwardly from the rear surface of the front mounting panel  32  and is located just below the lateral roller  40   a.    
     As can be seen from FIG. 4, the gap  38   c,  the rear flange  43 , and the gap  40   c  define a linear travel path P. The travel path P extends from the entry aperture  36  to the stop pin  44  within the aforementioned plane V (of course, the travel path need not be parallel to this plane). Those skilled in this art will appreciate that components other than the illustrated rollers and guide flange may also be employed to define the travel path P, including projections of other configurations, rings, bushing brackets, clips, and the like. 
     Referring still to FIGS. 2 through 5, a removable table  50  can be removably mounted to the chair  20  via a mounting post  56 . The table  50 , which provides a support surface  51 , includes a mounting aperture  52  that houses a hollow bushing  54 . The bushing  54  receives a knob  58  located at the upper end of the mounting post  56 . Illustratively, the knob  58  is slightly tapered at an angle from its lower to its upper end, as is the bushing  54 . This configuration enables the table  50  to be secured and removed from the mounting post  56 , yet still rotate relative thereto about a vertical axis A (as shown in FIG.  2 ). Of course, the table  50  may be permanently secured to the mounting post  56 ; for example, it may be fixed thereto, or may be pivotally attached such that the mounting post  56  folds to a position adjacent to and parallel with the table  50 . 
     The mounting post  56  includes a vertical segment  60 , which is attached to and extends downwardly from the knob  58 , and an angled segment  62 , which merges with the lower end of the vertical segment  60  and extends downwardly and outwardly therefrom. Preferably, the angled segment  62  forms an angle of between about 30 and 60 degrees with the vertical segment  60 . Illustratively, the mounting post  56  is formed of square tubing, the cross-section of which can improve interaction between the angled segment and the mounting bracket  30 , although those skilled in this art will understand that other configurations and cross-sections for the mounting post  56  may also be suitable for the present invention. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the operation of the removable table  50  is illustrated therein. Initially, the table  50  and mounting post  56  are detached from the chair  20  (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). The table  50  can be mounted to the chair  20  by inserting the angled segment  62  of the mounting post  56  through the aperture  26  in the inward surface  23  of the armrest  22 , then through the entry aperture  36  of the mounting bracket  30 , then along the travel path P defined by the gap  38   c,  the flange  43 , and the gap  40   c.  Movement of the mounting post  56  ceases when the lower end of the angled segment  62  strikes the stop pin  44  (FIGS.  2  and  5 ). Insertion of the angled segment  62  is facilitated by the rollers  38   a,    38   b,    40   a,    40   b,  as the rotating action thereof can reduce the friction experienced by the angled segment  62  during insertion. Also, the flange  43  as close to arm as possible acts as a positioning guide to prevent the lower end of the angled segment  62  from veering from the travel path P. Insertion of the table  50  positions the support surface  51  directly in front of a seated occupant (preferably at a height of about 20 and 35 inches above the underlying surface). The table  50  can be detached simply by drawing the angled segment  62  of the mounting post  56  along the travel path P and out of the aperture  26 . 
     Notably, the table  50  can be inserted for use when an occupant is seated in the chair  50 . The seat cushion  21  compresses under the weight of the occupant, which exposes the aperture  26  so that it can receive the mounting post  56 . As such, the table  50  and mounting post  56  can be kept near the chair  50  when the chair  50  is unoccupied or when the occupant does not wish to use the table  50 , then can be conveniently reached, grasped and inserted without the occupant needing to leave the chair  20 . In one embodiment, the chair  20  can include a pocket or pouch (for example, located on the lower front face of the chair  20  below the seat or on the outer surface of the armrest  22 ) within which the table  50  and mounting post  56  can be stored during periods of non-use. 
     Also, table  50  may be configured to serve additional functions besides a support surface. For example, the table  50  may include cut-out areas that serve as drink holders. Also, the table  50  may have an underlying drawer that can store writing instruments, paper, stamps, and the like, or may include a foldable reading lamp. Further, the table  50  may include a high-friction area that can serve as a “mouse pad” for computer use. Those skilled in this art will be able to envision other functions for which the table  50  may be suitable. In fact, an owner of the chair  20  may prefer to have at his disposal multiple tables  50 , each of which serves one or more different functions. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, in which a chair  20 ′ is illustrated. The seat cushion  21 ′, armrest  22 ′, front stump  24 ′, upholstery  25 ′, aperture  26 ′ and cap  28 ′ are identical to those shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, as are the table  50 ′ and the mounting post  56 ′ (with its vertical segment  60 ′ and its angled segment  62 ′); however, in this embodiment a mounting bracket  130  is configured differently than the mounting bracket  30  of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 through 5. The mounting bracket  130  includes a front mounting panel  132  mounted to the rear surface of the front stump  24 ′ and an inward mounting panel  134  that is mounted to an outward surface of the armrest  22 ′ with an entry aperture  136 . An inward roller  138  is mounted just below and outwardly of the upper edge of the entry aperture  136 . An inward guide pin  140  is mounted below and outwardly of the lower edge of the entry aperture  136 . A cover  150  is mounted to and rearwardly of the mounting bracket  130  and includes a guide panel  152  located in essentially the same position as the rear flange  43  of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 through 5. An outward roller  142  is mounted outwardly from and below the guide panel  152 , and a stop pin  144  is mounted below the outward roller  142 . Thus, a travel path P′ is defined by (a) the gap  139  between the inward roller  138  and the inward guide pin  140 , (b) the guide panel  152 , and (c) the lower end of the outward roller  142 . 
     A stabilizing shim  146  is fixed to the axle of the lateral roller  142  and extends downwardly and outwardly therefrom. Notably, the stabilizing shim  146  extends downwardly and outwardly at a slightly steeper angle (relative to the underlying surface) than the travel path P′. As a result, as the angled segment  62 ′ of the mounting post  56 ′ strikes the stabilizing shim  146 , it is forced downwardly by the lower surface of the stabilizing shim  146 . Consequently, the mounting post  56 ′ (and in turn the table  50 ′) is stabilized from movement in the lateral direction that otherwise may be possible due slight mismatches in dimensions between the rollers  138 ,  142 , the guide pin  140 , and the guide panel  152 . 
     Those skilled in this art will recognize that other structures and components may be substituted for the shim  146  and have similar stabilizing effect. For example, a shim may be positioned below the travel path P′ and have a slightly shallower angle than the travel path P′. Alternatively, the stop pin  144  may be replaced with an open-ended pocket or square bushing that receives the end of the angled segment  62 ′. Virtually any structure that can limit the movement of the end of the angled segment  62 ′ perpendicular to the travel path P may be suitable for stabilizing the table  50 ′ of the present invention. 
     The foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting thereof, the invention being defined by the claims that follow. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate of any modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention.