US3509831A - Dressing table with pivotable receptacles - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1970 E. SCHNETZER DRESSING TABLE WITH PIVOTABLE RECEPTACLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5. 1968 Inventor:

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May 5, 1970 E. SCHNETZER DRESSING TABLE WITH PIVOTABLE RECEPTACLE IS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5. 1968 love/I10! Eyme scnusrz 2 d m/4M f. fi -Aw- United States Patent 3,509,831 DRESSING TABLE WITH PIVOTABLE RECEPTACLES Edgar Schnetzer, 68 Ostenallee, Hamm 47, Germany Filed Aug. 5, 1968, Ser. No. 750,065 Int. Cl. A47b 67/00, 83/02 U.S. Cl. 10826 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a table, and more particularly to a dressing table.

Dressing tables are articles of furniture which are customarily given a fixed place in a room where they are to be used. However, with the trend towards smaller homes and apartments, and indeed smaller rooms, known dressing tables are becoming more and more diificult to accommodate in a room because of their size and because of their immobility. Yet it is these two factors which dictate the positioning of the dressing table, it being evident that the dressing table must ordinarily be so positioned that the light entering a room through the windows will be favorable for illuminating the face of the user of the dressing table. Evidently, only certain parts of a given room will provide for such positioning. Placing the dressing table at such locations may, however, be highly disadvantageous from the point of view of obstruction of the trafiic pattern through the room or in the room by the dressing table. On the other hand, it is not possible with known dressing tables to store these at a location where they are not in the way and to place them at the most favorable location only when they are to be used so that they can be subsequently again removed.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved dressing table.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide a dressing table which will offer a maximum of comfort and utility, as well as mobility, while requiring a minimum amount of space and being capable of being moved readily to any desired location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the above objects, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of my invention resides in the provision of a table, particularly a dressing table, which comprises a first receptacle constituting a base, and an upwardly open second receptacle which is arranged in spaced relationship with the first receptacle. A cover for the second receptacle is arranged about the latter and is adapted for use as a table top. Upright support means is secured to the first receptacle and mounts the second receptacle and the cover in spaced relationship above the first receptacle with freedom of pivotal movement relative to the first receptacle as well as relative to one another in respective planes normal to the upright support means.

Advantageously, the first receptacle will have a lid ice which may be in form of a cover panel itself attached to the upright support means and pivotable about the vertical axis thereof. The support means may be a post or a tubular member. It is advantageous if both receptacles, the lid for the first receptacle and the cover for the second receptacle are of substantially identical crosssectional outline, as seen in the direction normal to the upright support means. Preferably, this cross-sectional outline is circular.

In accordance with a further feature of my invention, I may secure to the upright support means an arm which will serve to hold a mirror in such a manner that the mirror is both pivotal and vertically adjustable. At least the upper portion of this arm may be in form of a flexible tube or hose. Also, I may provide in accordance with a further embodiment of my invention a pivotal lamp and device for receiving and holding auxiliary articles, such as boxes of paper tissues and the like, which will advantageously be magnetically ecured to the second receptacle. A dressing table according to my invention occupies only a small amount of space and may be moved to and positioned in any desired location of a room. When in use it may be readily moved to a position where the most advantageous lighting conditions prevail, for example before a window or under a light. The constituent elements of the table may be readily and quickly so pivoted with reference to one another that they will be positioned in the most comfortable and expedient manner for a given purpose, for instance for holding various makeup supplies, for arranging the hair of a user, or the like. Inasmuch as a dressing table ordinarily is used with a chair on which the user will sit while utilizing the facilities of the dressing table, one embodiment of my invention provides for a construction wherein a chair of special configuration is supported on the dressing table when not in use so as not to occupy additional space. For this purpose the first or lower receptacle constituting the base may be provided with a lower projecting edge portion and the chair may have a semi-circular base the diameter of which is such that it can rest on the projecting edge portion. The chair seat may then be connected with the space by means of an arcuately curved single supporting leg.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned side-elevational view of one embodiment of a dressing table according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is a top-plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 but showing the various components pivoted to positions different than is illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic side-elevational view corresponding of that of FIG. 1, but illustrating a further embodiment of the invention including a chair adapted to be supported on the dressing table for storage purposes; and

FIG. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of each shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, it will be seen that in this embodiment my novel dressing table comprises a first receptacle 1, here shown as being of circular outline, having a heavy base plate 2 which is mounted on four guide casters 3 of conventional construction so that the dressing table can be rolled wherever desired. Secured to the circumferential wall of the receptacle 1 is an upright support means in form of a post 4 which in this embodiment is assumed to be of tubular type. Connected to the post 4, by means of a hub 5a, is a circular lid panel 5 for the receptacle 1; this panel 5 is retained by a ring 6 secured to the post 4 and is thus pivotal about the latter.

Apartly spaced from the receptacle 1 is a flat second receptacle 7 which is also shown as being of circular outline. A lid or cover 7a overlies the upper open side of the receptacle 7 and the post 4 extends through registering apertures in the bottom of the receptacle 7 and in the cover 7a. A firmly attached ring 8 is provided on the post 4 within the confines of the receptacle 7, and the latter is supported from this ring 8. The cover 7a extends only over a small section of the upper open side of the receptacle 7, this section being located in the zone or region of the post 4. Directly above the receptacle 7 is a circular cover 9 constituting a table top. A vertical hollow shaft 9a is either rigidly secured to or integral with the circular lid 9 constituting the table top, and the later together with the shaft 9a rests on the top of he tubular post 7, that is bears on the upper end face thereof. The cover 9 is also pivotal about the post 4 and constitutes the actual lid for the receptacle 7. Locking or set screws 5b, 7b and 9b are provided for locking the respective pivotal components 5, 7 and 9.

In the illustrated embodiment I further provide a curved rod or arm 10 which is partly received in the hollow shaft 9a and to which a mirror 12 is attached by a conventional ball joint 11. A locking or set screw 10b is provided for holding the rod 10 in desired positon in the hollow shaft 9a, and for thus maintaining the rod 10 not only pivotally connected with the shaft 9a but also making it vertically adjustable and removable if desired. Furthermore, at least one portion of the rod 10, for instance the upper portion thereof, may be constituted or replaced by a flexible tube or hose to which the mirror 12 may then be secured without the provision of the ball joint 11 because the use of such a flexible tube or hose will make possible the positioning of the mirror in requisite location without a ball joint. Evidently, the rod 10 may also be upwardly bifurcated and then carry the mirror 12 between its two forked arms, thus allowing the mirror to be tilted.

Arranged in the illustrated embodiment on the mirror 12, or if desired at another suitable location such as for example on the rod 10, is a pivotal lamp 13 for illuminat ing the table and/or the face of the user. In accordance with my invention I have furthermore provided a holder or frame 14 which may be secured to any desired point of the dressing table. In the illustrated embodiment this holder or frame 14, which may serve to hold auxiliary articles and is here assumed to be a holder for holding a box of facial tissues, is magnetically attached with the aid of a non-illustrated magnet, to the receptacle 7, or more specifically to the bottom thereof as Shown. This of course pre-supposes that the receptacle 7 is magnetizable. Of course, other securing means may be provided instead of the magnet. It will be appreciated that the interior of the receptacles 1 and 7 may be provided, as illustrated in FIG. 2, with a plurality of subdivisions for cosmetics, flasks, boxes, containers and other items needed in conjunction with a dressing table. If desired, I can also provide a receptacle 1a (compare FIG. 2) for waste paper or the like.

'FIG. 2 clearly shows how the various pivotable components can be pivoted to a plurality of positions (the locations illustrated in FIG. 2 being exemplary of one of such possibility) at the will and convenience of the user. While in FIGS. 1 and 2 the pivotable components are independently pivotable, it is clear that other possibilities also exist. For instance, it is possible to make the construction in such a manner that the element '5 and the receptacle 7 may be pivoted only together, or that the receptacle 7 is not pivotable at all with only the elements 5 and 9 being pivotable. Furthermore, the post 4 may itself be pivotably mounted in the receptacle 1 if desired.

When the dressing table of FIGS. 1 and 2 is to be used, it may be pushed to any desired location, for example in front of a window, and then pivoted apart in such a manner that the receptacles 1 and 7 are both opened and the space below the element 9 remains free to provide ample room for the feet and legs of the user. The set screws 6b, 7b, 9b, may then be tightened. However, it is also possible to leave the set screws 6b, 7b and 9b partially tightened at all times so that the pivotal elements 5, 7 and 9 can be moved with slight frictional resistance. The element 5 may be used for the position of items. The mirror 12 of course need be displaced only once to the most advantageous position relative to the element 9 constituting the table top, because it is moved simultaneously with the latter. When the dressing table is to be subsequently put away again, so as to occupy the minimum of space, all elements are pivoted into such a position that the receptacles 1 and 7 and the elements 5 and 9 are all in vertical alignment. Of course, if for any reason the dressing table is to be packed, for example for shipping purposes, the rod 10 may be removed entirely.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 I have shown a somewhat different embodiment of the invention. Here, the receptacle 1 is provided with a lowerprojecting edge portion 15 which may serve as a support for the circularly curved base 21 of a chair (compare FIG. 4) which is to be used in conjunction with and stored on the table. As seen in FIG. 4, the base 21 of the chair is connected with the seat 23 thereof by means of an arcuately curved leg or rod 22. Of course, the seat 23 may be upholstered and a backrest may beprovided if desired. The purpose of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is to provide for storage of the chair on the dressing table in such a manner that the chair will not take up additional space.

Removably secured in the illustrated embodiment to the underside of the seat panel 23 of the chair is a mirror holder 24, the lower portion of which consists of a rigid tube 25 whereas its upper portion comprises a flexible tube 26. A ball joint 27 is secured to the flexible tube 26 and mounts thereon a concave mirror 28 which is also removable. The flexible tube 26 may be vertically adjustable if desired. .The mirror 28 may thus be adjusted to such a position that the user is enabled, by glancing into the mirror of the dressing table, to see the back of her head for facilitating arranging of her hair styling. If the user should desire to use the concave mirror 28 for direct viewing, the latter may be removed from the flexible tube 26 and placed onto the dressing table, or be attached to the dressing table, for example to the mirror provided thereon. The removable mirror holder as well as the mirror 28 is advantageously secured to the dressing table when it is not secured to the chair, for example by means of a hook which may be provided on the dressing table.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a dressing table, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and,

therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A table, particularly a dressing table, comprising a first receptacle constituting a base; an upwardly open second receptacle arranged in spaced relationship above said first receptacle; a cover for said second receptacle arranged above the latter and adapted for use as a table top; and upright support means secured to said first receptacle and mounting said second receptacle and said cover in spaced relationship above said first receptacle with freedom of pivotal movement relative to said first receptacle as well as relative to one another in respective planes normal to said upright support means.

2. A table as defined in claim 1, said first receptacle being upwardly open; and further comprising a lid for closing said first receptacle.

3. A table as defined in claim 2, said lid being connected with said upright support means for pivotal movement in a plane normal to the same.

4. A table as defined in claim 2, said receptacles, said lid and said cover being of substantially identical crosssection in direction normal to said upright support means.

5. A table as defined in claim 4, wherein said crosssection is circular.

6. A table as defined in claim 2; further comprising a mirror, and mounting means mounting said mirror on said upright support means for pivotal movement and with freedom of vertical adjustment.

7. A table as defined in claim 6, siad mounting means comprising a mounting arm having a first end portion connected to said upright support means, and a second end portion carrying said mirror.

8. A table as defined in claim 7, at least said second end portion of said arm being flexible so as to enable bending of said second end portion and requisite positioning of said mirror at the will of a user.

9. A table as defined in claim 2; and further comprising pivotally mounted lamp means.

A table as defined in claim 2; and further cornprising holder means carried by said table and adapted for holding articles exteriorly of said receptacles.

11. A table as defined in claim 10, said second receptable being magnetizeable, and said holding means being a holding frame including magnet means magnetically connecting said frame to said second receptacle.

12. A table as defined in claim 2, said first receptacle having a lower portion provided with a projecting section; and further comprising chair means including a seat member, a ground-contacting member below said seat, and a connecting member connecting said members to one another, said ground-contacting member being so configurated as to be capable of being supported on said projecting section so that said chair means may rest on said section and be supported thereby when not in use.

13. A table as defined in claim 12, said connecting member being an elongated arcuately curved member.

14. A table as defined in claim 12; and further comprising mirror means and securing means adjustably securing said mirror means to said chair means to be adjustable in such a manner as to aiford a user a view of said mirror means in said mirror.

15. A table as defined in claim 14, said securing means detachably securing said mirror means to said chair means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 458,962 9/1891 Willershausen 10825 X 902,955 11/1908 Fike et al. 10826 1,472,804 11/1923 Mack 108-25 X 1,844,698 2/1932 Snyder 10826 X 1,994,844 3/1935 Winger et al. 22033 X 2,396,932 3/1946 Slaton et al. 22033 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner I. A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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