Abstract:
A furniture system includes a desk having an upper surface and a pair of opposed depending ground-engaging side walls, at least one of the side walls defining means for storing books or the like. An overlay overlying the desk top provides a surface for erasable writing thereon. At least one bench is stowable beneath the desk top. The bench provides a storage area and a non-tiltable seat for at least one child by providing an area in which a child&#39;s feet can be emplaced and confined. When not used as a seat, the seating member can be rotated from a horizontal to a vertical position to expose a further stowage chamber. Optimally, a second seat can be secured to the exterior of the bench.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to furniture. More particularly, the present invention pertains to furniture systems. Even more particularly, the present invention pertains to a furniture system particularly adapted for use by children and which combines stowable parts or components. 
   2. Prior Art 
   As is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, furniture systems particularly those specifically adapted for use by children are ordinarily restricted to sleeping systems, such as bunk beds and the like, as well as small tables, desks and chairs where children play games, draw, etc. Yet, with respect to the latter type of furniture, children, being rambunctious, when sitting in a chair, have a tendency to tilt or rock the chair. This easily precipitates the child hurting himself or herself when the chair falls over. Similarly, within the context of a home, children collect toys, books and other paraphernalia and the stowability of same becomes an issue. 
   As is detailed herein the present invention provides, not only a safety bench, to prevent a child from falling backwards but, which at the same time, provides a table top or desk surface for entertainment and games as well as providing stowability. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention there is provided a furniture system which, generally, comprises:
         (a) a desk having an upper surface and a pair of opposed depending ground-engaging side walls, at least one of the side walls defining means for storing books or the like;   (b) an overlay overlying the desk top and providing a surface for erasable writing thereon, and   (c) at least one bench stowable beneath the desk top, the stowable bench including a non-tiltable seat.       

   With more particularity, the bench has at least one divider for dividing the bench into a stowage compartment and a seating compartment, the seating compartment including a chamber in which a child&#39;s feet may be emplaced and a seating surface such that the child sits on the seating surface with his or her feet disposed within the chamber to prevent the tilting and rocking of the bench. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the seating surface is configured to accommodate more than one child 
   When not used as a seat, the seating member can be rotated from a horizontal to a vertical position to expose a further stowage chamber. 
   For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawings like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the furniture system hereof; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a stowable bench in accordance herewith; 
       FIG. 3  is a second perspective view of the bench hereof, and 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view, partly in phantom, of the furniture system hereof; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment hereof; 
       FIG. 6   a  is a partial, perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  showing the bench and hinge in a first position; 
       FIG. 6   b  is a side-elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  hereof with the bench in a second upright position; 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a third embodiment hereof showing the seat in a first position; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  but showing the seat in an upright position; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plane view of a third embodiment hereof. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With more particularity, and as shown in the drawing, and, in particular  FIGS. 1-4 , there is provided a furniture system  10  which, generally comprises a table or desk  12  having at least one bench  14 , associated therewith, the bench  14 , being stowable beneath the tabletop or desktop. 
   As shown, the desk or table  12 , includes a top or top surface or upper surface  16  and depending opposed legs or sidewalls  18  and  20 , respectively. The top or top surface  16  is bordered by a perimetral edge or molding  22  which extends above the top surface  16 . A removable transparent or translucent overlay  24  seats atop the top surface  16  and thus, a gap  26  is provided between the top  16  and the overlay  24 . The gap  26  enable items such as a checkerboard, photographs, and other types of items (not shown) to be disposed and displayed between the top surface  16  and the overlay  24 . 
   As shown, the overlay  24  nests within the area defined by the perimetral edge and over the top surface  16 . It should be noted that the overlay  24  can be removably mounted on the top surface  16  by any means such as by magnets, by merely sitting atop thereof or in any other manner to enable it to be removably seated or disposed there atop. 
   The overlay  24  is, preferably, formed from an erasable surface, such as an acrylic sheet or glass upon which can be used crayons, dry erasable markers and the like to enable a child to draw thereon. Thus, the overlay provides an erasable marking surface. It should be noted that the overlay is optional, but, preferable. 
   Referring again to the drawing, and as noted above, downwardly depending from the top surface  16  at opposed ends thereof are ground-engaging sidewalls or legs,  18  and  20 , respectively. At least one sidewall, here shown as leg  20  comprises an inset back wall  28 , spaced apart side walls  30 ,  32  and a plurality of vertically axially spaced apart ledges  34 . The space between the ledges  34  being sufficient to enable the ledges to define bookshelves for stowage of reading materials and the like. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4  there is shown therein the bench or seat  14  for use herein. The bench  14  is dimensioned to stow beneath the top  16  of the table  12 . The bench  14  comprises an open-topped member having a base  36  upstanding side walls  38 ,  40  and end walls  42  and  44 . At least one of the chambers or both can be used to store toys, games, etc. A second removable divider  52 , disposed normal to the first divider  46  bisects the chamber  50  into two sub-chambers  54  and  56 . 
   A divider  46  extends between the sidewalls  38 ,  40  of the bench to divide the interior of the bench into two interior chambers  48  and  50 . 
   A rotatable seat  58  is hingedly mounted within the interior of the bench and rotates between a closed position and an open position. The seat is dimensioned to seat atop the divider walls  46  and  52 , and is stabilized by seating atop a brace (not shown) secured to the end wall  42 . 
   Preferably, the dividers  46  and  52  can be rendered removable by emplacing them in guideways, such as guideways  53  and  55 . 
   The seat  58  does not traverse the entire width of the bench but, rather, only extends partially across the span between the sidewalls. Thus, the chamber  54  is always open enabling a child to sit atop the seat  58  with his or her legs disposed in the chamber  54 . Because of the dimensioning of the bench the child cannot, without great effort, rock the bench and tilt it backwards or forwards. Thus, the ability to fall backward or forward is greatly minimized. 
   It is apparent when not in use by a child, the chambers  54  and  56  also define a storage compartment for toys or the like. 
   Further, by removing both of the dividers  46  and  52 , when used, an open storage chamber is provided by retaining the seat  58  in an upward position by any suitable means, such as a hook or the like (not shown). 
   In practicing the present invention it is contemplated that there be a pair of benches each slidingly stowable underneath the top  16   
   It is apparent that the present invention need not be limited to use by children. Rather, the overlay  24  can be used in cooperation with the top  16  to encase and display photographs, sewing patterns, memorabilia etc. 
   It is further contemplated, although not shown, that each of the legs  18  and  20  comprise a bookcase. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5 ,  6   a  and  6   b  there shown therein a further embodiment of the bench, of the present invention denoted at  114 . 
   According to this embodiment, a seat  116  is rotatably secured to the exterior side wall  138 . A hinge  140  is secured to the exterior of the side wall  138  by any suitable means such as screws, nails or other means for fastening. The hinge  140  comprises a first plate  142 , which is secured to the wall  138  and a second plate  144  secured to the seat  116  which interdigitates with the first plate  142  in a well known manner. A pin  150  extends along the length of the plates to retain the interdigitation. The second plate  144  is rotatable between a first horizontal position as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6   a  and a second vertical position in abutment with the side wall  138 , as shown in  FIG. 6   b . A pair of opposed, spaced-apart support brackets  152 ,  154  respectively, each have a first end  156  and  158 , respectively, secured to the side wall  138  and a second end  160 ,  162 , respectively, secured to the seat  116 . 
   The support bracket is of conventional configuration and each includes first and second elements  164 ,  164 ′ and  166 ,  166 ′ respectively. Each element or member  166  or  166 ′ is slotted at  165  to enable a locking pin  167  affixed to the terminus of the member  164 ′ to project into the seat and be retained therewithin. The pin  167  limits the amount of rotation of the seat  116  and, necessarily, the plate  144 . 
   The pin  167 , also, provides a guide for each second element  166 ,  166 ′ to render the seat stowable, as shown in  FIG. 6   b , in the well-known manner. 
   Clearly, other types of lockable support brackets, such as a pin and spring-loaded detent assembly, a cammed lock or the like may be used. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8  there is shown therein a further embodiment thereof. In this embodiment the chamber  256  is divided by interior walls  270  and  272 , the wall  272  being normal to the wall  270  and cooperating with the end wall  244  and the side wall  238  to form a small enclosure  239  within the chamber  256 . Here, the seat  276  traverses the entire length of the bench  214 , the first end thereof being supported by the walls which define the enclosure  239  and an opposed support member  278  disposed within the interior. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8  the seat  276  is rotatable to an upright position to, thus, provide two interior chambers, as shown. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9  there is shown a further embodiment of the bench contemplated for use herein and generally denoted at  310 . As with the first two embodiments the bench  310  comprises opposed end walls  312  and  314  and side walls  316  and  318  integral therewith to form an open topped container. The walls  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318  extend upwardly from a base  320 . According to this embodiment a divider  322  traverses the length of the bench  310  and a medial divider  324  divides the interior of the bench into three chambers  326 ,  328  and  330 , respectively. Again, as with the seat of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the seat  332  traverses the entire length of the bench  310 . However, it should be noted that such construction is not limited thereto. Rather, the seat may only traverse a portion of the length of the bench. 
   The seat  332  is rotatable between first and second positions i.e., between a horizontal and a vertical position in the manner previously described. Furthermore, the exterior seat  166  of the second embodiment is optional in this embodiment. 
   From the above it is readily appreciated that there has been defined herein a furniture system which enables storage, such as for toys, entertainment and safety. The furniture system also enables the display of various items, as well.