WO1994015498A1

WO1994015498A1 - A table

Info

Publication number: WO1994015498A1
Application number: PCT/AU1994/000019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Christopher Etchells
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-18
Filing date: 1994-01-14
Publication date: 1994-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 1995-07-18

Abstract

A table (10) is disclosed having a table top comprised of two table top portions (12, 13). The portions (12, 13) are hinged and movable independently to provide access to a storage compartment (17) which is divided into two sections by a partition (21).

Description

TITLE "A TABLE" FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a table. In particular the invention concerns a table suitable for use with games and activities involving the use of building blocks sold under the trade mark LEGO.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the way it may be used with building blocks of the type referred to above but it should be appreciated that the table of the invention is not limited to this example application.

Building blocks of the type sold under the trade mark LEGO are easily misplaced, lost or damaged.

Indeed, such blocks are primarily intended for use by relatively young children and there is a tendency for the blocks to be left lying about after the particular playing session has terminated. This is also usually the case with other toys or games. The very nature of such games or toys requires that a full set of articles be retained so that they remain available for future playing sessions. This is particularly so with games such as jig-saw puzzles. When one or more pieces of such games are lost the whole game is often rendered useless or not as attractive for future use.

Toy boxes have been proposed as ready containers for games and toys of the type discussed.

Such containers only provide a suitable storage receptacle for toys and games between playing sessions and do not greatly reduce the difficulty referred to above. These containers would only be effective in solving the difficulty if the toys or games are returned to the box for storage. Unfortunately, this does usually not occur because to effectively play, the toys or games need to be moved to a playing area distant from the box.

Tables may provide suitable surfaces on which the activities with the toys or games may be carried out. Such tables do not provide a means facilitating ready storage of the toys or games between playing sessions although tables with slide out drawers are known. The tendency with such drawers is that they are completely removed from the table and the contents littered about.

Another known table had a table top provided by two table top portions. The portions were hinged to one another and one of the portions was free to pivot relative to the remainder of the table about an axis normal to the plane of the table top. The table had a storage compartment normally closed off by the table top portions. To access contents within the compartment, one table top portion was hinged over to overlie the other. This provided access only to that part of the compartment normally closed off by that table top portion. To provide access to the whole of the compartment the other table top portion needed to be pivoted about an axis normal to the plane of the table top. Such tables could not be used to provide access to the compartment if toys or games were present on top of either of the table top portions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a table which at least minimises the disadvantages referred to above.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a table having a table top comprising two table top portions and a storage compartment normally closed off by the table top portions whereby the table top portions are hinged to the table and are movable independently of each other to provide access to the storage compartment.

The table top portions which comprise the table may be substantially planar, although if desired, a peripheral border may extend along edges of the portions. In one embodiment a border extends along at least three edges of each of the portions to thereby provide a lip or ledge which, when the portions close off the compartment, extends completely around the table.

The table top may be coated with a slip resistant or other surface coating. Preferably one or both of the table top portions have such a surface coating.

If desired the table top may be horizontal or inclined in use. Preferably, the table top is horizontal in use.

The table top may have any convenient or desired peripheral shape. It is preferred that the top be rectangular or square in shape although other shapes may equally be adopted. The table top portions may be of equal or unequal size. Preferably, the top portions are of substantially equal size. The top portions, as mentioned are hinged to the remainder of the table. If desired the top portions may be hinged to the table about a common axis, parallel axes or axes which extend at an angle to one another. For example the axes about which the top portions hinge may extend at right angles to one another. It is preferred that the top portions hinge about parallel axes and in which case the top portions may be hinged at opposed side of the table.

The table may include limiting members coupled to the table top members which control the movement of these portions. For example the limiting members may govern the extent to which or rate at which the top portions may be hinged to provide access to and/or close off the compartment. The limiting members may comprise a stay or control arm. Preferably a damper is employed to achieve this action. A pneumatic or fluid damper is preferred which governs not only the extent to which the top portions may be moved but also the rate at which they move. Thus, with such a damper the top portions, once in a position in which access to the compartment is provided, may gradually return to the normally closed position under influence of their own weight and against the action of the damper.

The storage compartment may be partitioned into storage zones. These zones may be employed to store contents in an orderly fashion.

The table may have any suitable base which facilitates presenting and supporting the table top at a convenient height. The base may comprise a stand or one or more legs which support the compartment and the table top. Where the stand comprises one or more legs it is preferred that four legs be present although a greater or lesser number than four may be employed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE DRAWINGS A particular preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the table of figure 1 with one of the table top portions hinged away to provide partial access to the storage compartment, and,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the table of figure 1 with both of the table top portions hinged away to provide full access to the storage compartment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The table 10 of figure 1 has a table top 11 comprising two equal sized table top portions 12, 13. Four legs 14 (only three of which are visible) are located at respective corners of the table 10.

Two sides 15, 16 of a storage compartment 17 are visible in figure 1. In this figure, top portions 12, 13 close off the storage compartment and the upper surface of one or both of the top portions may be used as a playing surface although it is preferred that the upper surface of one only of the top portions be used in this way.

Figure 2 shows the table 10 of figure 1 with table top portion 13 open to provide access to part of the storage compartment 17. Two further sides 18, 19 of the compartment 17 are visible in this figure. With the table as shown in figure 2 it is possible to use the upper surface of top portion 12 as a work surface and still be able to access the compartment to either remove or return building blocks or the like. The compartment 17 has a floor 20.

Figure 3 shows the table with both table top portions 12, 13 open to provide access to the compartment 17. In this embodiment the compartment 17 is divided into two storage zones by partition 21. Further partitions may be present if desired. The portions 12, 13 are hinged to opposed edges of the table 10.

The table of the invention may be used to store toys or the like and can be used to provide a playing surface while still providing ready access to the storage compartment. With both table top portions in the closed position the table may be used as a normal table.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A table having a table top comprising two table top portions and a storage compartment normally closed off by the table top portions whereby the table top portions are hinged to the table and are movable independently of each other to provide access to the storage compartment.

2. The table of Claim 1 wherein the table top portions are substantially planar.

3. The table of Claim 1 or 2 wherein a peripheral border extends along edges of the table top portions to provide a lip which when the portions close off the compartment, extends completely around the table.

4. The table of any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the table top is substantially rectangular and at least one of the table top portions has a slip resistant surface.

5. The table of any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the table top portions are of equal size.

6. The table of any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the table top portions are hinged to the table about hinges extending along parallel axes extending along opposed sides of the table.

7. The table of any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the storage compartment is partitioned into a plurality of storage zones.

8. The table of any one of Claims 1 to 7 including stays for limiting the extent to which the table top portions may move.

9. The table of any one of Claims 1 to 8 including a base comprising a plurality of legs.