Patent Publication Number: US-2016220020-A1

Title: Seating apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/609,866, filed on Jan. 30, 2015, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/061,995, filed on Oct. 24, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,805, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/542,699, filed on September 21, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,629, which is the National Phase of PCT/GB2004/000205 filed on Jan. 19, 2004; and claims priority of Application No. 0301227.5 filed in Great Britain on Jan. 20, 2003. The entire contents of each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a seating apparatus, and more particularly to a combined table and chair. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, seating arrangements are provided as a separate table and chair. It is known to combine a chair and table, as shown in WO99/34706, for example. This arrangement, however, possesses many of the disadvantages of a conventional table and chair. For example, it is difficult to transport the arrangement, and the user is restricted to facing in one direction. 
     FR-2 781 656 describes an alternative arrangement for a table having a single central table leg or post. Mounted for rotation about the post is an articulated arm having a seat rotatably mounted at the remote end thereof. However, the table can become unbalanced. Additionally as the seat is rotated about the post, it also rotates about the table. Accordingly, a person sat working at the table has to move their work around the table as they move the seat. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to overcome these problems and provide a more versatile seating arrangement. 
     According to the present invention there is provided a seating apparatus comprising a table or other surface, a chair and a table base wherein the table comprises a table top and a table leg defining an axis about which axis said table top is rotatable with respect to the table base; wherein the chair is mounted for rotation with said table top about said axis. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the chair comprises a seat and a chair frame upon which the seat is mounted, wherein the frame includes at least one floor-engaging leg. Preferably, the table leg has upper and lower ends, the lower end being mounted for rotation upon the table base and the chair frame is mounted upon the table leg at a point intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. More preferably, the chair frame is mounted substantially adjacent the lower end of the table leg. 
     Alternatively, the table top is mounted for rotation about the upper end of said leg and said chair frame is mounted upon said table top. 
     Advantageously, each seat frame floor-engaging leg includes means for allowing easy movement across the floor, such as a castor or a glide. 
     Preferably, the chair is connected to the table leg such that rotation of the chair about the axis of the table leg causes rotation of the table leg. Advantageously, the table top is fixed to the table leg such that rotation of the chair also rotates the table top. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the table base comprises a lower plate and an upper plate and an intermediate glide disk, and wherein the upper plate is fixed to the table leg. Suitably, the table base is removably secured to the table leg, for example by means of a threaded bolt arrangement. Preferably, the glide disc is made from nylon. More preferably, the glide disc further comprises raised or domed portions to allow for smooth rotation of the upper plate by reducing the surface area in contact with the upper plate. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the base comprises an upper concave plate having a rim, and a lower plate having a track corresponding to the rim of the upper plate. The base may alternatively comprise rotation means such as ball bearings. 
     Advantageously, the seat is rotatable about the vertical axis of the chair frame. 
     Optionally, the height of the seat is adjustable. Suitably, this may be achieved by means of a gas action strut, a threaded bolt or an electrical motor. Similarly, the height of the table may be adjustable, suitably by similar means. 
     In one embodiment, the table top is tiltable from its horizontal axis. Suitably, the table top is tilted by means of the rotation of a wheel having cogs located on the underside of the table top. 
     Optionally, the table top is slidable with respect to the table leg. In one arrangement, this can be achieved by means of a glide disc, suitably of nylon, positioned between the surface of the table top and the surface of the table leg. Preferably, the table leg further comprises a plate at the point where it meets the table leg, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of apertures enabling the table top to be locked in position by means of one or more pins. In an alternative embodiment, the seat is slidable with respect to the chair frame. Suitably, this is by means of a similar glide disc and a locking plate. 
     In one embodiment, the table top is rotatable through 180° about the vertical axis of the table leg. Suitably, this may be by means of a gas action in the table leg, wherein the table leg is fixed off centre to the table top. 
     The table top may be of any shape which suits the requirements of the user. Suitably, the table top is circular. 
     Optionally, the table leg further comprises one or more castor legs, each having a castor. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an additional chair. Suitably, wherein the table base is fixed to the floor. Advantageously, the table further comprises one or more storage means. In a preferred embodiment, the table top further comprises a hook on its underside, suitable for the storage of coats and bags. Preferably, the hook is also suitable for use as a handle. 
     A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is side view of an embodiment of a combined table and chair in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed cross section of the rotation means of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section along line IV-IV of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is cross section of the tilt mechanism of an embodiment of a combined chair and table of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    are cross sections of an adjusting mechanism of an embodiment of a combined chair and table of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    are cross sections of two alternative embodiments of a chair frame in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 8 a , 8 b  and 8 c    are cross sections of an embodiment of a table leg in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST AND VARIOUS MODES COR CARRYING OUT INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  there is shown a table  25  having a table top  10  supported on a table leg  11 . Table  25  is supported on the ground by table base  16 . As is shown in  FIG. 3 , table base  16  comprises an upper plate  13  and a lower plate  14 . Lower plate  14  is connected to upper plate  13  and table leg  11  by means of bolt  20 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , table top  10  is fixed to table leg  11 . Table top  10 , table leg  11  and upper plate  13  can be rotated easily with respect to lower plate  14  by means of a glide disc  15  positioned between lower plate  14  and upper plate  13 . Glide disc  15  has a central aperture  18  for receipt of bolt  20  and raised or domed portions  17  located around its circumference in order to aid smooth movement of upper plate  13 , as shown in 
       FIG. 4 . Glide disk  15  is suitably made from nylon but may be made from any suitable material. Alternative arrangements enabling rotation are equally suitable. For example, assemblies including ball-races will be suitable. Lower plate  14  may be fixed to the ground by means of a bolt (not shown), for example. 
     Table  25  is attached to a chair  26 . Chair  26  has a seat  21  and a chair frame  31 . Chair frame  31  connects seat  21  to table  25  at the base of table leg  11 . Chair frame  31  is supported on the ground by two castor legs  22 , each having a castor  23 . The arrangement of table  25  and chair  26  therefore provides that there are only three points of contact with the ground (two castors  23  and table base  16 ), as opposed to the 8 legs provided by a traditional separate table and chair. 
     Chair  26  can be rotated around the circumference of table top  10  using castors  23 . Rotation of chair  26  causes the rotation of table leg  11  about its vertical axis, and hence table top  10 , which is fixed to table leg  11 . Hence it will be seen that Chair  26  rotates with respect to table top  10  in a manner analogous to a geostationary satellite. The apparatus therefore has the advantage that it can be positioned to face in different directions by re-positioning only the chair. This is of particular benefit when the apparatus is used as a school desk or in a conference room, for example. When in use, the weight of the user in seat  21  prevents movement of castors  23 , making chair  26  secure. Alternatively or additionally the castors may include a braking arrangement to ensure that rotation is prevented upon application of only a small force downward. The table leg  11  may also include such an arrangement. 
     In order to illustrate more clearly the extent of the present invention, two alternative embodiments are shown in  FIG. 7 . In a first alternative embodiment ( FIG. 7 a   ), chair frame  31  connects to table  25  at table top  10 . In this embodiment, table leg  11  is fixed with respect to table base  16 . Table top  10  is rotatable with respect to table leg  11 , and hence rotation of chair  26  causes rotation of table top  10 . In the second of the alternative embodiments shown in  FIG. 7 b   , chair frame  31  connects to table  25  at a point intermediate table base  16  and table top  10 . In this case, an upper portion  41  of table leg  11  is rotatable with respect to a lower portion. Table top  10  is fixed to table leg  11 , and the lower portion of table leg  11  is fixed to table base  16 . Chair frame  31  is connected to the upper portion of table leg  11 , and hence rotation of chair  26  will cause rotation of the upper portion of table leg  11  and table top  10 . In both of these embodiments, rotation can be achieved by means of a glide disc, for example. 
     In preferred embodiments, seat  21  can rotate in a conventional manner about the vertical axis of chair frame  31  in order to enable easy access by a user to seat  21  without interference from table top  10 . An additional advantage is provided in that seat  21  can be positioned in any direction, i.e. away from table top  10 . Seat  21  and table top  10  are positioned such that table top  10  does not obstruct the rotation of seat  21 , which can be rotated through 360°. Seat  21  may be mounted eccentrically with respect to the frame  31  such that the risk of trapping the user&#39;s fingers as the chair is rotated is reduced. 
     The height of seat  21  is adjustable by means of a gas action (not shown) in order to provide for users of different heights. In a modification, the frame  31  may form the outer tube of the gas strut providing the gas action. Similarly, table  25  may be adjustable by means of a gas action (not shown). 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , table top  10  is not permanently fixed to table leg  11 . Table top  10  can be tilted away from its horizontal axis in order to provide for the requirements of the user. With reference to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a table top  10  having a hinge  32  positioned close to the outer edge of table top  10 . Hinge  32  engages table top  10  and a bar  40 . Both the underside of table top  10  and bar  40  have teeth which engage a cog  33 . Cog  33  is positioned close to where table top  10  meets table leg  11 . Rotation of cog  33  in a clockwise direction causes its movement towards hinge  32  by engaging the teeth of table top  10  and bar  40 . This movement raises the edge of table top  10  remote hinge  32 . 
     Reversing the process will lower the table top to its original position. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , table top  10  is slidable with respect to table leg  11 . This provides for adjusting the depth between seat  21  and table top  10 . With reference to  FIG. 6  there is shown a table top  10  having two runners  36  attached at its underside. Table leg  11  has a rectangular plate  35  attached to its surface where table leg  11  meets table top  10 . Plate  35  contains a plurality of apertures along each long side. Runners  36  engage plate  35  hence enabling table top  10  to slide over plate  35 . A nylon glide  34  is located between table top  10  and plate  35  to provide for smooth movement of table top  10 . Table top  10  is secured in position by means of two pins, each engaging an aperture of plate  35 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the depth between seat  21  and table top  10  may alternatively be adjusted by means of rotating table top  10 , which is fixed off-centre to table top  10 . With reference to  FIG. 8  there is shown table leg  11  having two engaging blocks, an upper block  42 , and a lower block  43 , each having a central aperture, mounted above a spring  44 . Table leg  11  is fixed to table top  10  at a short distance from the centre point of table top  10  by a gas action strut  45  which passes through the apertures of upper block  42  and lower block  43  within table leg  11 . Table top  10  can be pulled vertically to disengage block  42  from block  43 . Table top  10  can then be rotated through 180° and released thereby orienting table top  10  with its centre-point positioned in line with table leg  11 . This action alters the distance of the edge of table top  10  from seat  21 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , table  25  also has a storage hook  24  located on the underside of table top  10 . Hook  24  provides for the storage of items such as coats and bags. Hook  24  has the additional advantage that it can be used as a handle to move the apparatus. Table  25  can be lifted by hook  24 , and the apparatus can be transported on castors  23 . 
     The embodiments described above can be modified in a number of ways, all encompassed by the present invention. For example, where components are formed from injection-moulded plastics materials, additional aesthetic features can be incorporated. The apparatus may also incorporate a footrest, which may be mounted on the table leg  11  or on the chair. 
     In embodiments comprising a plurality of seats, the seats may be mounted at fixed respective angles, such as opposite each other at 180°, or adjacent, such as at angles of from 30° to 90°. Alternatively, the angle between adjacent seats may be variable. 
     The apparatus of the present invention may further include shelves above or below the table top and/or a cradle for receipt of a computer case. Indeed, in one embodiment (not shown), computer hardware, including a monitor are fully integrated into the table. In particular, the table top may constitute a housing for the hardware of a computer workstation and the input devices may be incorporated into the surface of the table top. 
     The apparatus of the present invention is of particular benefit in educational environments. It allows simply and rapid re-orientation of a classroom. This is particularly advantageous in the teaching of information technology and communications where conventionally students are sat at desks arranged around the edge of a room (to allow for connectivity to power supplies and network communications). However, sometimes, whole class teaching at a board at the front of the classroom may be desirable. In conventional arrangements, the students can turn their seats to face the board but are then left without a desk at which to write. The present invention overcomes such difficulties.