Abstract:
The invention is a cantilevered table removably clamped to the underside of the frame of a piece of furniture, such as a sofa, the table featuring a table top surface adjustably affixed to at least one curved vertical side member terminating at its bottom end in a foot that extends beyond the proximal edge of the top surface. At least one wedge or clamp assembly is affixed to a bottom end of one vertical side member, beyond the proximal edge of the table top surface, the wedge assembly adjustably expanded to close the gap between the floor surface and the underside of the furniture, causing the furniture to anchor the cantilevered table to the floor. A plurality of wedge adaptors are provided to accommodate varying furniture designs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Reference is made to and priority claimed from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/620,576, filed on Apr. 5, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to the field of furniture end tables. More particularly, the present invention pertains to tables for use with furniture such as sofas, chairs, and recliners. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The optimum living room is furnished with a mix of seating, tables, and lighting to create a comfortable socializing environment for approximately 5-8 adults. Ideally, a living room will have a standard (3 person) sofa, 2 chairs, and a loveseat (2 person sofa), with a coffee table in front of the sofa and with end tables placed at each arm rest of the sofa and loveseat, as well as beside each chair or recliner. Lamps are positioned on the end tables. In great rooms, in which multiple living spaces are combined into a single large room, often the living room—dining room, or living room—kitchen, an additional long narrow table is placed behind the sofa to partition the space. 
         [0004]    As the living room is the most heavily used room in the house for socializing and relaxing, it also usually includes multiple entrances to allow access from several other rooms, and thus the furniture selection and arrangement must accommodate entrances and walkways to avoid awkward passage around the furniture. Traditional end tables, due to their height requirements, must be relatively heavy and of sufficient width for stability. If furniture placement requires an end table to be placed along a walkway or entrance, these traditional tables often protrude into the walking area, and thus present a tripping hazard. Many homeowners thus choose to eliminate end tables, but then are inconvenienced by the lack of a table upon which to place a beverage, the tv remote control, etc. 
         [0005]    Some previous solutions have been to create small diameter tables to sit beside the sofa or chair arm rest, but the small footprint of these designs result in unstable tables that are easily bumped or knocked over, especially when placed alongside the walking paths through rooms, and are particularly unstable on carpeted surfaces. More stable designs, such as cantilevered tables that have relatively long feet extending underneath the table surface, as well as the ubiquitous folding “tv” table, with its X-brace legs, create potential tripping hazards for passersby. Other small tables gain stability by fitting over the arms of the sofa or chair, but these designs destroy the utility and visual lines of the furniture, since the arm rests of a sofa or chair are needed for seating comfort and a table occupying this important space trades comfort for convenience. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a small, stable, and stylish end table to accommodate rooms with limited space, particularly along high traffic corridors and high visibility areas of the room. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention is a cantilevered table designed to removably clamp to an underside of a frame for a piece of furniture, such as a sofa or chair, the table featuring a table top surface adjustably affixed to at least two curved vertical side members that at their top end are affixed to an underside of the table surface, and terminate at their bottom ends in feet extending beyond the edge of the table surface. In a preferred embodiment, at least two wedge assemblies in spaced apart relation are affixed to bottom ends of the vertical side members, beyond the edge of the table top surface, and adjust to span the gap between a floor surface and the underside of the furniture frame, the wedge assemblies anchoring the table to the furniture and to the floor. The wedge assemblies may include a plurality of adaptors to accommodate different gaps between the underside of varying furniture designs and the floor upon which it rests. A single wedge assembly may be substituted for the pair of wedge assemblies, and the table may be anchored exclusively to the furniture if the furniture is provided with two or more parallel frame members elevated off the floor surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of the table according to the invention as it appears installed on a sofa. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of the table according to the invention, as it would appear prior to installation. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the table according to the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the table, shown in position for installation but not clamped to an underside of a sofa, with the support leg of the sofa removed to allow visualization of the wedge assembly placement. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the table in  FIG. 3 , shown with the wedge assembly clamped to the lateral support member of an underside of the sofa. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bottom ends of the vertical side members and the wedge assemblies, with the upper wedge shown in an elevated (installed) position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the installed table shown in  FIG. 4 , as viewed looking from under the sofa towards the table. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the installed table shown in  FIG. 4 , as viewed looking from the front face of the lower brace of the table towards the underside of the sofa. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of the table according to the invention, shown as viewed from behind the sofa. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8   b  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the table, as installed on the back of a sofa. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0019]    The following is a list of reference labels used in the drawings to label components of different embodiments of the invention, and the names of the indicated components.
     10  cantilevered table     20  table top     20   a  underside of table top     20   c  outer edge of table top     20   d  inner edge of table top     22  top support     22   a  distal edge of top support     22   b  proximal edge of top support     22   c  through holes     30  upper brace     32  lower brace     32   a  front face of lower brace     34  vertical side member     34   a  top end of vertical side member     34   b  bottom end of vertical side member     40  base     42  lateral edge of base     44  distal edge of base     46  proximal edge of base     50  clamp or wedge assembly     52  upper wedge     54  lower wedge     55  aperture     56  wedge adjustment bolt     58  wing-nut     60  fasteners     70  floor surface     80  sofa     82  arm rest of sofa     84  lateral support of sofa frame     86  back support of sofa frame     88  sofa leg   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0052]    A first embodiment of a cantilevered table  10  according to the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-8   b.  Looking at  FIG. 2 , begin assembly by using three fasteners  60 , typically 1¼″ wood screws, to securely fasten a bottom end  34   b  of each vertical side member  34  to a lateral edge  42  of a base  40 , such that the base  40  is affixed between the vertical side members  34 . Attach a top support  22  to a top end  34   a  of the vertical side members  34  using four fasteners  60 , positioning the top support  22  parallel to the base  40 . Due to the curve in the vertical side members  34 , the top end  34   a  and the affixed top support  34  will extend beyond a distal end  44  of the base  40 . Looking more specifically at  FIG. 4 , the angle at which the bottom ends  34   b  of the vertical side members  34  curve away from the top ends  34   a  is shown as angle theta, which in the present embodiment is about 60 degrees. The value of theta can range anywhere between 20 and 90 degrees, but the inventor has found that at 60 degrees, as shown in the Figures, the base is tucked well out of the walking area around the table. A lower brace  32  is affixed to the distal edge  44  of the base  40  using four fasteners  60 , and fits between the vertical side members  34 . An upper brace  30  is affixed to a distal edge  22   a  of the top support  22 . 
         [0053]    Each clamp or wedge assembly  50  is assembled by positioning an upper wedge  52  over a lower wedge  54 , such that the pair of wedges  52   54  form a rectangle or a square, and a single wedge adjustment bolt  56  is inserted first through an elongated through-aperture  55  ( FIG. 6 ) in the upper wedge  52 , and then into a second through-aperture (shown in  FIG. 7 ) in the lower wedge  54 . The end of the adjustment bolt  56  will protrude out of the through-aperture formed in the lower wedge  54 . A wing-nut  58  and a washer (not shown) are threaded onto the protruding adjustment bolt  56 . Each wedge assembly  50  is affixed to the base  40  near a proximal edge  46  using a small amount of wood glue, if desired. It should be noted that the wedge assemblies  50  are still functional even if not affixed to the base  40 , however they must be located at or near the proximal edge  46  of the base  40 . A table top  20  is provided with a plurality of holes (not shown) in a predetermined arrangement on an underside  20   a  of the table top  20 , the holes sized and oriented so as to correspond with the pattern and size of through-holes  22   c  in the top support  22 . Fasteners  60  are inserted into at least two of the through-holes  22   c  and the holes to secure the table top  20  to the top support  22 . The pattern of holes allow the table top  20  to be adjusted towards or further away from an arm rest  82  of a sofa  80  to accommodate varying shaped arm rests of different sofas. 
         [0054]    In a second embodiment, not shown, the table  10  according to the invention may be provided without the base  40 , and instead, the wedge assemblies  50  may be directly affixed to the bottom ends  34   b  of the vertical side members  34 , and for aesthetics, to a medial side of the vertical side members  34  such that they are not visible when viewing the table in its installed position adjacent to a sofa arm rest  82 . 
         [0055]    To install the table according to the invention next to an arm rest of a sofa, the base  40  and/or the bottom ends  34   b  of each vertical side member  34  is placed on a floor surface  70  and slid under a desired side of the sofa  80  until each wedge assembly  50  is under a lateral support member  84  of the sofa  80 . Once positioned, the wedge adjustment bolt  56  is tightened by turning the wing-nut  58 , causing the upper wedge  52  to slide upwards and against the lateral support member  84  of the sofa  80  to close the gap between the lateral support member  84  and the floor surface  70  so as to provide a secure fit. The upper wedge  52  slides up or down on the adjustment bolt  56  via the elongated slot  55 . Tightening the wing nut  58  causes the upper wedge to slide upwards, loosening it causes the upper wedge to slide downwards. It should be noted that so long as the wedge assembly  50  closes the gap between the lateral support member  84  and either the base  40  or in the second embodiment of the invention, the floor surface  70 , the table  10  is secure and upright. The Figures show a pair of wedge assemblies  50 , however, a single wedge assembly  50  of sufficient size, either affixed to the base  40  or to the bottom end  34   b  of at least one vertical side member  34 , is also capable of anchoring the table to the furniture, thus the single wedge assembly  50  could be substituted for the pair of assemblies  50  shown in the Figures. The table top  20  is then adjusted until a desired location adjacent the arm rest  82  is determined. The table  10  is cantilevered and held in place by the wedge assembly or assemblies  50  against the floor surface  70  and the lateral support member  84 . The bottom ends  34   b  of the vertical side members  34  curve toward the sofa  80  and thus create an open space beneath the table top  20 , eliminating supports that might otherwise protrude into walking areas. The cantilever design thus results in a small, stable table that maximizes utility of the table top  20  and minimizes tripping hazards below the table top surface on the floor surface  70  and the immediate vicinity around the table. 
         [0056]    In a third embodiment shown in  FIG. 8   b,  the table  10  according to the invention provides a narrow, elongated table top  20  installed along a back side of the sofa  80 , the wedge assemblies  50  fitted against a back support member  86  (shown in  FIG. 8   a ) of an underside of the sofa  80 . 
         [0057]    The table  10  according to the invention, unlike the prior art cantilevered tables, is not self supporting, and requires the wedge assemblies  50  to be secured between the floor surface  70  and the lateral  84  or back support member  86  of the underside of the sofa  80 . The sofa  80  anchors the table  10  to the floor surface  70 , and given the weight of a typical sofa compared to the table  10 , the sofa will most often weigh enough to effectively balance the table top  20  (and things placed upon it, such as plates of food) and render the table secure and stable. 
         [0058]    Paint and/or stain grade wood is suitable for construction of the table as described in the embodiments within, however, a mix of different materials, such as metal, plastic, stone, and other traditional materials are also suitable. Heavier materials, such as stone, are only recommended if the table will be clamped to a relatively heavy piece of furniture. The table top  20  in some embodiments (not shown) may also include a raised lip or border along the perimeter of the outer edge  20   c  of the table top  20  opposite the side directly adjacent to the sofa arm rest  82 , to further guard against items inadvertently rolling or sliding off the table top  20  as might be the case if the table is bumped by someone walking past it. Installed correctly, with the wedge assemblies  50  firmly in position, the table top  20  is level and stable and will not be dislodged by normal use. 
         [0059]    While the embodiments thus described and shown in the Figures depict the use of the table  10  with the sofa  80 , it should be noted that the table  10  is also suitable for chairs, stationary base (non-rocking) recliners, and other types of furniture and the Figures should not be interpreted as limiting the table  10  to sofas or even to upholstered furniture in general. Depending on design, different sofas, chairs, etc. may have different sized gaps between the underside of the back or lateral supports of the furniture frame and the floor surface, hence, the table  10  includes adaptor pieces (not shown) placed on the upper wedge  52  of the wedge assembly  50  to help close the gap. The adaptor pieces are shaped to complement the furniture to which it will be clamped, for instance, they may have planar surfaces, or may include a channel in the event the underside of the furniture is nonplanar, such as the lateral supports typically found on many dining room chairs. Additionally, the table  10  according to the invention may also be clamped directly to a piece of furniture and not to the floor surface  70  in the event the furniture is provided with multiple lateral or back support members that are elevated above the floor surface, such as in the case of a typical dining room chair which features a lateral support member in addition to the lateral support that directly supports the chair seat. With such designs, the table  10  may be clamped to chair by adjusting the upper wedge  52  against the underside of the chair seat and the lower wedge  54  against the lateral support. While not shown in the Figures, it should also be noted that a relatively small table top may be sufficiently supported by a single vertical member, and larger or heavy table tops may be supported by two or more vertical members. 
         [0060]    It is to be understood that the arrangements shown and described above and in the attachments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The cantilevered table according to the invention may be clamped to other types of furniture, such as bed frames, as well as to other structures that feature protrusions sufficient for clamping by the wedge assembly, including exterior walls. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.