System, method, and apparatus for a retractable and concealable support for an item of furniture

• US 20060288482A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oscar Q. Soto, Richard Herrera
• Original Assignee: Oscar Q. Soto, Richard Herrera
• Inventors: Herrera, Richard, Soto, Oscar Q.
• Granted Patent: US 7,509,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/507.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 17/04 Seating furniture, e.g. sofas, couches, settees, or the like, with movable parts changeable to beds; Chair beds
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/626 directly under the seat
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/70 of foldable type

Abstract

A device for providing a dining support that is extendable from and retractable and concealable on furniture is disclosed. The device has a platform that is movable between a deployed position for supporting food and drinks, and a retracted position beneath the furniture. To move device from the retracted position to the deployed position, the platform is pulled from beneath the furniture and then elevated to a horizontal position. The height of the platform is vertically adjustable.

Claims

1. A system of accommodating a furniture user, comprising:

an item of furniture having a seating surface adapted to support a user thereon, a lower surface located below the seating surface and adapted to face a floor on which the furniture is located, a vertical clearance defined between the lower surface and the floor, and a front located between the seating surface and the lower surface along a forward portion of the furniture; and

a support device having a retracted position located in the vertical clearance such that the support device is substantially concealed, and an extended position elevated above the retracted position adjacent the seating surface at the front of the furniture;

the support device further comprising;

a frame mounted to the lower surface of the furniture and a platform mounted to the frame, and the platform is horizontal at all times and throughout a range of movement between the retracted and extended positions.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein, when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the platform moves forward and then upward, and when moving from the extended position to the retracted position, the platform moves downward and then rearward.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein a width of the platform is substantially equal to a width of the seating surface, and the platform has at least one cup holder.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the frame is secured directly to a furniture frame and secured thereto with support brackets that extend inward from the furniture frame toward each other to a pair of base pipes, the base pipes being rigid and immovable relative to the furniture frame to define horizontal axes that extend forward therefrom.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein each base pipe has a platform support that supports and immobilizes the platform in the retracted position.

6. A system according to claim 4, further comprising a leg movably mounted to each base pipe, each leg having a lower portion and an upper portion, such that the lower portions are slidably and telescopically mounted inside the base pipes for horizontal movement forward and rearward along horizontal axes.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the lower portions are not permitted to completely exit the base pipes, and the upper portions are pivotable about the horizontal axes.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein, when moving to the extended position, the upper portions pivot away from each other such that the platform is vertically elevated and, when moving to the retracted position, the upper portions pivot toward each other such that the platform is vertically lowered.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein the upper portions have upper ends that are pivotally mounted to a brace, each brace has a pair of pins that slide inside a pair of tracks mounted to an underside of the platform, and the tracks capture the pins to movement of the pins to lateral sliding.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein when the upper portions are pivoted fully outward and vertically upright, and the braces are in an outermost positions, a pair of pivotable struts are lowered from the underside of the platform to secure the platform in the extended position.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein each strut is hinged to the platform for movement between a horizontal stored position wherein the hinges are captured between the platform and the upper portions, and a diagonal reinforcement position wherein distal ends of the struts are releasably secured to the upper portions such that the upper portions are prevented from rotation about the horizontal axes.

12. A system according to claim 11, further comprising elevational rods located inside the upper portions, such that upper ends of the elevational rods are pivotally secured to the braces, and lower ends of the elevational rods are located in the upper portions, and the elevational rods are slidably telescopic and permit the vertical elevation of the platform to be adjusted in a variety of positions.

13. A support device for an item of furniture, comprising:

a platform having a retracted position adapted to be located and substantially concealed beneath the furniture, and an extended position elevated above the retracted position and adapted to be located adjacent a seating surface of the furniture at a front of the furniture; and

a frame adapted to be mounted to the furniture therebelow for supporting the platform, the frame having base pipes that are immovable relative to the furniture to define horizontal axes that extend forward therefrom, and each base pipe having a platform support that supports and immobilizes the platform in the retracted position.

14. A support device according to claim 13 wherein, when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, the platform moves forward and then upward, and when moving from the extended position to the retracted position, the platform moves downward and then rearward;

the platform is horizontal at all times and throughout a range of movement between the retracted and extended positions;

a width of the platform is substantially equal to a width of the seating surface; and

the platform has at least one cup holder.

15. A support device according to claim 13 further comprising a leg movably mounted to each base pipe, each leg having a lower portion and an upper portion, such that the lower portions are slidably and telescopically mounted inside the base pipes for horizontal movement forward and rearward along horizontal axes.

16. A support device according to claim 15, wherein the lower portions are not permitted to completely exit the base pipes, and the upper portions are pivotable about the horizontal axes.

17. A support device according to claim 15, wherein, when moving to the extended position, the upper portions pivot away from each other such that the platform is vertically elevated and, when moving to the retracted position, the upper portions pivot toward each other such that the platform is vertically lowered.

18. A support device according to claim 15, wherein the upper portions have upper ends that are pivotally mounted to a brace, each brace has a pair of pins that slide inside a pair of tracks mounted to an underside of the platform, and the tracks capture the pins to movement of the pins to lateral sliding.

19. A support device according to claim 18, wherein when the upper portions are pivoted fully outward and vertically upright, and the braces are in an outermost positions, a pair of pivotable struts are lowered from the underside of the platform to secure the platform in the extended position.

20. A support device according to claim 19, wherein each strut is hinged to the platform for movement between a horizontal stored position wherein the hinges are captured between the platform and the upper portions, and a diagonal reinforcement position wherein distal ends of the struts are releasably secured to the upper portions such that the upper portions are prevented from rotation about the horizontal axes;

and further comprising

elevational rods located inside the upper portions, such that upper ends of the elevational rods are pivotally secured to the braces, and lower ends of the elevational rods are located in the upper portions, and the elevational rods are slidably telescopic and permit the vertical elevation of the platform to be adjusted in a variety of positions.