Patent Publication Number: US-10306996-B1

Title: Multi-purpose children&#39;s furniture

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present application relates to children&#39;s furniture and more particularly to furniture that may serve multiple purposes, such as acting as a step stool, chair, desk, art station, and the like. 
     2. Related Art 
     Children, and especially toddlers, amass stuff. Toys, clothes, books, videos, and the like accumulate from infancy as parents, grandparents, family and friends provide an endless stream of gifts to nurture and support the rapidly developing child. Furniture is no exception. Cribs, beds, rocking chairs, changing tables, wardrobes, toy chests, and the like. The smallest member of the household often takes a disproportionately large share of the space. 
     To address these problems, some convertible furniture have been developed to provide multiple functions with the same materials. However, these pieces suffer from problems of their own. For example, they are usually large, cumbersome and/or complex, making them difficult and potentially dangerous for use by children. For example, when in typical step stool configurations, these devices usually provide an upper step positioned nearly directly overtop a intermediate step, making it difficult for a toddler still adapting to her new movement abilities to reach the top step. Similarly, it typically requires significant effort, precision, or both to properly configure these pieces as tables or desktops, well beyond the capabilities of a toddler. Even if a parent or other adult is able to re-configure the furniture in such a configuration, the resulting table or desk is either difficult to use, unstable, or both. 
     Accordingly, a need has long existed for convertible furniture that may be utilized by children and provides real utility in each of its various configurations. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a combination desk-step stool furniture piece may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help children reach elevated objects and have a desk and chair to foster their creative minds or however else they see fit to use it. The piece may include a support frame having a base that defines a footprint, an upper step and at least one intermediate step. One or more of the steps may lie substantially within the footprint, i.e. directly above the area defined by footprint. The upper step and/or the intermediate step may be textured to provide traction to facilitate use of the furniture piece as a step stool. The piece also may include a removable table top that may be attached to the upper step. The frame also may include a storage compartment for stowing the tabletop when the furniture is not being used as a desk. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and technical advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary convertible furniture piece; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a top portion of the exemplary convertible furniture piece of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-B  show perspective views of exemplary table tops for an exemplary convertible furniture piece; 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary storage slot of an exemplary convertible furniture piece; and 
         FIG. 5A-B  shows perspective views of another exemplary convertible furniture piece; and 
         FIGS. 6A-B  show cutaway views of portions of exemplary table top portions of the exemplary convertible furniture piece of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The elements illustrated in the Figures interoperate as explained in more detail below. Before setting forth the detailed explanation, however, it is noted that all of the discussion below, regardless of the particular implementation being described, is exemplary in nature, rather than limiting. 
     1.0 Convertible Furniture Overview 
     Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary convertible furniture piece  10  is shown. The convertible furniture piece  10  may include a body  20  that includes a base portion  21 , an upper step  40 , and an intermediate step  30 . The upper step  40  may be used in conjunction with the intermediate step  30  to enable a child or other person to use the furniture  10  as a step-stool. In this manner, the convertible furniture piece  10  allows children to reach items higher than their bodies alone can reach, such as a sink for washing their hands or brushing their teeth. In addition, a table top  60  also may be provided. The table top  60  may be removably attached to the upper step  40  so that the child may use the furniture as a desk or workspace. In such a configuration, a child may use the intermediate step  30  as a seat so that the furniture acts as a unitary desk/workstation. 
     The components of furniture piece  10  may be made of any suitable material. For example, rigid or semi-rigid materials such as plastics or thermoplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), wood, rubber, metal and the like may be used. The components may be made of the same material, or different components may be made using different materials or combinations of materials. The piece  10  as a whole may be made of a unified construction, subsets of components made of a unified construction, or each component may be separately constructed. The body  20  may be translucent or opaque, clear or colored. Preferably, the body  20  is made of any suitable rigid material that may support the weight of a toddler, or in some embodiments, the weight of an adult. 
     2.0 Exemplary Base Portions  21   
     The body  20  may include a base portion  21  that defines a footprint for the convertible furniture piece  10 . In some embodiments, the base portion  21  may include one or more feet  22   a - d  that may be interconnected. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the base portion  21  includes four feet  22   a - d  interconnected by lateral supports  28   a - d . Preferably, the footprint is large enough to accommodate substantially all of either the upper step  40 , the intermediate step  30 , or both. In addition, the interior of the convertible piece  10  preferably may be relatively free from obstruction so that the when the child is using the intermediate step  30  as a chair, the piece  10  can accommodate the child&#39;s legs without much restriction. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame  20  does not include cross-beams or the like that obstruct the interior of the convertible piece  10 . In other words, the frame  20  in the illustrated embodiment only consists of components disposed on a perimeter of the piece. 
     In some embodiments, dimensions of the convertible furniture piece  10  may be as follows: the width of the footprint (e.g. distance between feet  22   a  and  22   b ) of the convertible furniture piece  10  may be between about 8 inches and about 20 inches, preferably between about 10 inches and about 18 inches, and even more preferably between about 12 inches and about 16 inches; the length of the footprint (e.g. distance between feet  22   b  and  22   d ) of the convertible furniture piece  10  may be between about 10 inches and about 22 inches, preferably between about 13 inches and about 19 inches, and even more preferably between about 15 inches and about 17 inches; and the height of the convertible furniture piece  10  may be between about 12 inches and about 24 inches, preferably between about 15 inches and about 21 inches and even more preferably between about 17 inches and about 19 inches. These sizes typically allow the convertible furniture piece  10  to be small enough to be stowed away while also being large enough to accommodate most toddlers&#39; needs as a stool and/or as a chair/workspace combination. In the illustrated embodiment, the overall footprint of the convertible furniture piece  10  is about 14 inches by about 16 inches and the height is about 18 inches. Other sizes may also be used. Alternatively, or additionally, the convertible furniture piece  10  may be sold in various sizes, such as extra small, small, medium, large, and extra-large and/or in various colors. In some embodiments, different colors may be used for different components of the accessory. 
     Optionally, the bottom of the base portion  21  may be made of a material having a suitable coefficient of friction to impede movement or slippage of the convertible furniture piece  10  during normal use (also referred to herein as a “non-slip” surface or material). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each foot  21   a - d  has a corresponding non-slip material  23   a - d  applied to its underside. Alternatively or additionally, such a material may be attached to or applied to only certain portions of the bottom base  21 . 
     3.0 Exemplary Intermediate Step  30   
     The intermediate step  30  may be attached to the base portion  21 . Preferably, the intermediate step  30  is fixedly attached to the base  21 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate step  30  is fixedly attached to feet  22   a  and  22   b  of the base  21  by legs  26   a  and  26   b . In some embodiments, substantially all of the intermediate step  30  is positioned directly above the footprint defined by the base  21 . Stability of the piece  10  is increased by keeping substantially all of the intermediate step  30  directly above the footprint of the base  21  and/or by fixedly attaching the intermediate step  30  to the base  21 . This stability increase may be realized either when the intermediate step  30  is used as a step or as a seat. 
     In addition, the intermediate step  30  also may be attached to the upper step  40 , and preferably is fixedly attached to the upper step  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate step  30  is fixedly attached to the upper step  40  by upper supports  24   a  and  24   b . Upper supports  24   a  and  24   b  provide a support structure for the upper step  40  and also may provide side rails that restrict the child&#39;s movement and reinforce proper usage of the intermediate step  30  as a seat. Children, and toddlers particularly, often sit precariously off-center in free standing seats, such as by sitting on the edge of a seat or positioning their weight other than directly atop the seat. By acting as rigid side rails, upper supports  24   a  and  24   b  encourage proper use of the convertible furniture piece  10  as a seat. In the illustrated embodiment, upper supports  24   a  and  24   b  are arched supports. Other shapes may be used. 
     The intermediate step  30  may be dimensioned to accommodate a child when being used as a step, as a seat, and preferably as both. For example, in some embodiments, dimensions of the intermediate step  30  may be as follows: the width of the intermediate step  30  may be between about 8 inches and about 20 inches, preferably between about 10 inches and about 18 inches, and even more preferably between about 12 inches and about 16 inches; the length of the intermediate step  30  may be between about 3 inches and about 14 inches, preferably between about 4.5 inches and about 10 inches, and even more preferably between about 6 inches and about 8 inches; and the intermediate step  30  may sit at a height of about 3 inches and about 15 inches, preferably between about 5 inches and about 12 inches and even more preferably between about 7 inches and about 9 inches. In addition, upper supports  24   a  and  24   b  may be between about 0.25 inches wide and about 3 inches wide, preferably between about 0.35 inches wide and about 2 inches wide, and even more preferably between about 0.45 inches wide and about 1 inch wide, and have a height between about 5 inches and about 12 inches, preferably between about 7 inches and about 10 inches, and even more preferably between about 8 inches and about 9 inches. Other sizes also may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate step is about 14 inches wide, about 7 inches long and sits at a height of about 8 inches and upper supports  24   a  and  24   b  are about 0.5 inches wide and about 8.5 inches tall. 
     Optionally, the intermediate step  30  may include an upper surface  32  having a material with a suitable coefficient of friction to impede movement or slippage of during normal use (also referred to herein as a “non-slip” surface or material). Such a material may be attached to or applied to only certain portions of the intermediate step  30 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each foot  21   a - d  has a corresponding non-slip material  32  applied to its underside. 
     4.0 Exemplary Upper Steps  34   
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of an upper step  40  of the exemplary convertible furniture piece  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. The upper step  40  may include an upper surface  42  that may be substantially flat. Preferably, the upper step  40  is fixedly attached to the base  21 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper step  40  is fixedly attached to feet  22   c  and  22   d  of the base  21  by legs  26   c  and  26   d . In some embodiments, substantially all of the upper step  40  is positioned directly above the footprint defined by the base  21 . Stability of the piece  10  is increased by keeping the substantially all of the upper step  40  directly above the footprint of the base  21  and/or by fixedly attached the upper step  40  to the base  21 . These stability increases may be realized either when the upper step  40  is used as a step or as a desk/workstation. 
     As noted above, the upper step  40  also may be attached to the intermediate step  40 , and preferably may be fixedly attached to the intermediate step  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper step  40  is fixedly attached to the intermediate step  30  by upper supports  24   a  and  24   b , as described above. 
     In some embodiments, the upper surface  42  includes a textured surface  44 , such as a material with a suitable coefficient of friction to impede movement or slippage of during normal use (also referred to herein as a “non-slip” surface or material). Such a material may be attached to or applied to only certain portions of the intermediate step  30 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a non-slip material  44  is applied to most of the upper surface  42  of step  40 , leaving an uncoated border around the textured surface  44 . 
     The upper step  40  may be dimensioned to accommodate a child when being used as a step, as a desk/workstation, and preferably as both. For example, in some embodiments, dimensions of the upper step  40  may be as follows: the width of the upper step  40  may be between about 8 inches and about 20 inches, preferably between about 10 inches and about 18 inches, and even more preferably between about 12 inches and about 16 inches; the length of the upper step  40  may be between about 8 inches and about 20 inches, preferably between about 10 inches and about 18 inches, and even more preferably between about 12 inches and about 16 inches; and the upper step  40  may sit at a height of about 12 inches and about 32 inches, preferably between about 16 inches and about 28 inches and even more preferably between about 20 inches and about 24 inches. Other sizes also may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper step  40  is about 13 inches wide, about 13 inches long and sits at a height of about 22 inches. 
     5.0 Exemplary Table Tops  60   
     The table top  60  may be removably attached to the upper step  40  so that the child may use the furniture as a desk or workspace.  FIGS. 3A-B  show perspective views of an exemplary table top  60  for an exemplary convertible furniture piece  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the table top  60  may include a substantially flat upper surface  62  that provides a workspace for the child to use when the table top  60  is attached to the upper step  40 . The table top  60  also may include a locking mechanism  66  that may engage a complimentary locking mechanism  46  on the upper step  40 . As explained in more detail below, a variety of locking mechanism may be used. 
     The table top  60  may be made of a variety of materials to facilitate its use as a desk/workstation and/or its attachment to the upper step  40 . For example, the table top  60  may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, such as acrylic or the like. In some embodiments, the table top  60  is translucent so as to allow a user of the convertible furniture piece  10  to see the upper surface  42  of the upper step  40  even if the table top  60  is attached thereto. In other embodiments, the table top  60  may be opaque. In some embodiments, the table top  60  may include an upper surface  62  made from chalkboard, whiteboard, corkboard, or other materials so the child can write or otherwise directly interact with the table top  60 . In some embodiments, the table top  60  may be made of or include pieces of ferromagnetic material to allow the child to attach magnetic objects to the table top  60 . In still other embodiments, the table top  60  may include components for attaching interlocking building block or the like. Multiple table tops  60  may be provided for interchangeable use with a single body  20 . 
     In some embodiments, the table top  60  may include indicia for facilitating learning or playing with the table top  60 . For example, indicia may include numbers, letters, gridlines for measurements, games (such as tic-tac-doe, checkers and the like) and the like. The indicia may be, for example, printed or etched onto the table top  60 . Other methods of placing indicia on the table top  60  also may be used. 
     The table top  60  may be dimensioned to cover all or a portion of the upper step  40 . For example, in some embodiments, dimensions of the table top  60  may be as follows: the width of the table top  60  may be between about 8 inches and about 20 inches, preferably between about 10 inches and about 18 inches, and even more preferably between about 12 inches and about 16 inches; the length of the table top  60  may be between about 8 inches and about 20 inches, preferably between about 10 inches and about 18 inches, and even more preferably between about 12 inches and about 16 inches. Other sizes also may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the table top  60  is about 13 inches wide, about 13 inches long. 
     6.0 Exemplary Locking Mechanisms 
     In some embodiments, the convertible furniture piece  10  may include a locking mechanism for securing the removably-attachable table top  60  to the upper step  40 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 and 3   a - b , the table top  60  and upper step  40  may have complimentary components ( 66  and  46 , respectively) that engage one another to secure the table top  60  to the upper step  40 . Preferably, the locking mechanism provides enough stability so that the table top  60  remains attached to the upper step  40  under moderate force so that the child&#39;s use of the furniture  10  as a desk or workspace is uninterrupted by the forces a child may typically exert on a desk/workstation during normal use. 
     The locking mechanism may be provided as complimentary components on the table tap  60  in some embodiments, such as in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 and 3   a - b . In the illustrated embodiment, the table top  60  may include a protrusion  66  that engages a recess or aperture  46  in the upper step  40 , thereby securing the table top  60  to the upper step. As best shown in  FIG. 3B , the protrusion  66  may extend between about 0.2 inches and about 0.75 inches, preferably between about 0.3 inches and about 0.5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion extends about 0.375 inches. 
     Optionally, the upper step  40  and the table top  60  may each include metal or other ferromagnetic material for cooperating with a magnet disposed in the other to be used in combination to secure the table top  60  to the upper step  40 . Other mechanism may also be used to fasten the table top  60  to the upper step  40 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 a   , the upper step  40  may include a curved or otherwise protruding edge that may be engaged by a lip portion  64  of the table top  60 . In some embodiments, the lip portion  64  may directly engage a square edge of the upper step  40 , as shown in  FIG. 6 b   . In such embodiments, the surface of the upper step  40  may have a coefficient of friction that impedes movement of table top  60  placed thereon, or magnetic and/or ferromagnetic materials may be disposed in the upper step  40  and/or table top  60  to secure the two to one another. Other mechanisms for removably attaching the table top  60  to the upper step  40  also may be used. 
     7.0 Exemplary Storage Slots  40   
       FIG. 4  shows an exemplary storage slot  50  of an exemplary convertible furniture piece  10 . As shown, the slot  50  may accommodate the table top  60  for safe keeping when the piece  10  is being used as a step stool. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage slot may be disposed in the upper step  40  and may include one or more support surfaces  52  upon which the table top  60  may rest when being stored in the slot  50 . Optionally, the slot  50  may include a locking mechanism  56  similar to that provided on the upper step  40  so that the table top  60  is securely kept in the slot  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism  56  is an aperture for receiving protrusion  66 . Alternatively, or additionally, the storage slot  50  may be disposed elsewhere on the convertible furniture piece  10 , such as between two legs  22   c  and  22   d  as shown  FIG. 5A-B . Such a configuration may accommodate table tops  60  that are wider and/or longer than the upper step  40 . 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.