WO2019046887A1

WO2019046887A1 - A coffee table

Info

Publication number: WO2019046887A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/050511
Authority: WO
Inventors: David King; Tanya Rechberger
Original assignee: King Furniture Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-06
Filing date: 2018-05-25
Publication date: 2019-03-14
Also published as: AU2017101222A4

Abstract

A coffee table (10) includes a base member (12). A table top portion (14) is detachably mounted to the base member (12). A mounting arrangement (16) protrudes from the base member (12). The table top portion (14) rests on the mounting arrangement (16). The mounting arrangement (16) carries a retention mechanism (20) retaining the table top portion (14) in position relative to the base member (12).

Description

"A Coffee Table"

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Innovation Patent No 2017101222 filed on 6 September 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates, generally, to an article of furniture and, more particularly, to a coffee table.

Background

[0003] With certain designs of coffee table, the means by which the table top is attached to the base can often be unsightly due to the presence of brackets and/or other fittings. Those brackets and/or other fittings are visible from certain vantage points and may adversely impact the aesthetics of the coffee table.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

Summary

[0005] In some embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a coffee table which includes

a base member;

a table top portion detachably mounted to the base member; and

a mounting arrangement, protruding from the base member, on which the table top portion rests, the mounting arrangement carrying a retention mechanism retaining the table top portion in position relative to the base member. [0006] The table top portion may comprise a table top and a pair of opposed end panels extending from the table top, a dimension between the end panels approximating a length of the base member so that, in use, the base member is received between the end panels.

[0007] The mounting arrangement may comprise at least one mounting plate at each end of the base member, each mounting plate extending outwardly from an operatively bottom surface of the base member, each mounting plate supporting one of the end panels of the table top portion.

[0008] That portion of each mounting plate extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the base member may carry the retention mechanism, the retention mechanism being in the form of a slip-resistant pad frictionally retaining the table top portion in position relative to the base member.

[0009] The slip-resistant pad may be held captive between the mounting plate and the base member to assist in retaining the slip-resistant pad in position on its associated mounting plate.

[0010] Each mounting plate may be received in a groove defined in the operatively bottom surface of the base member, with the slip resistant pad extending into the groove. Each groove may be dimensioned so that a surface of its associated mounting plate lies

substantially flush with the operatively bottom surface of the base member.

[0011] The coffee table may include a plurality of feet extending from the operatively bottom surface of the base member, each foot serving to retain one of the mounting plates in position relative to the base member.

[0012] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] An embodiment of the disclosure is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view, from above, of an embodiment of a coffee table;

[0015] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view, from below, of the coffee table;

[0016] Fig. 3 shows an exploded, perspective view of the coffee table; and

[0017] Fig. 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of the coffee table encircled by Circle 'A' in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0018] In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a coffee table. The coffee table 10 includes a base member, or base, 12 and a table top portion 14 detachably mounted to the base 12. A mounting arrangement 16 (Fig. 2) protrudes from an underside 18 of the base 12, the mounting arrangement 16 supporting the table top portion 14 in position relative to the base 12. The mounting arrangement 16 includes a retention mechanism 20 (shown most clearly in Fig. 4 the drawings) for retaining the table top portion 14 in position relative to the base 12.

[0019] In an embodiment, the base 12 is of a timber construction and is supported on a plurality of spaced feet 22. Each foot has a component, in the form of a mounting plate 24, of the mounting arrangement 16 associated with it. More particularly, the mounting

arrangement 16 comprises at least one and, as illustrated in the present embodiment, a pair of laterally spaced mounting plates 24 associated with each end 26 of the base. Each mounting plate 24 has a portion, or tongue, 28 projecting outwardly beyond the end of the base 12 as shown in greater detail in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

[0020] The table top portion 14 comprises a table top 30 which is held in spaced relationship relative to the base 12 by a pair of opposed end panels 32. A spacing between the end panels 32 is such that the base 12 is received between the end panels 32 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

[0021] Each tongue 28 supports a retention mechanism 20 on its operatively upper surface. In an embodiment, each retention mechanism comprises a slip-resistant, retention pad 20 which frictionally abuts an end 34 of its associated end panel 32 of the table top portion 14. Thus, for example, each retention pad 20 is in the form of an elastomeric pad which, additionally, may have a roughened surface to enhance frictional abutment with the end 34 of the end panel 32.

[0022] Each retention pad 20 is secured to its associated tongue 28 by a suitable adhesive. In addition, the retention pad 20 is slightly longer than its associated tongue 28 to be held captive, or pinched, between the underside 18 of the base 12 and the mounting plate 24. As shown in greater detail in Fig. 4 the drawings, each mounting plate 24 is received in a channel or groove 36 defined in the underside 18 of the base 12 so that an operatively outer side of the plate 24 lies substantially flush with the underside 18 of the base 12.

[0023] Each mounting plate 24 is retained in position by one of the feet 22 being secured to the base 12. For example, each foot 22 has a threaded shank (not shown) extending from its operatively top surface, the shank screw threadedly engaging the base 12. A further fastener, such as a screw 38 (Fig. 2), retains each mounting plate 24 in position on the underside 18 of the base 12 and inhibits rotation of the mounting plate 24 relative to its associated foot 22.

[0024] In use, the ends 34 of the end panels 32 of the table top portion 14 rest on the mounting plates 24 of the mounting arrangement 16 with the retention pads 20 restraining the table top portion 14 against lateral movement relative to the base 12.

[0025] It is therefore an advantage of the disclosed embodiments that a coffee table is provided which is extremely simple to assemble and which utilises an effective retention mechanism for restraining the table top portion of the coffee table against movement relative to the base of the coffee table. The mounting arrangement is further aesthetically pleasing as it is largely out of view, in so doing improving the aesthetics of the coffee table. Still further, from certain angles, it looks as though the table top portion is "floating" relative to a substrate supporting the coffee table. [0026] In addition, the versatility of the coffee table is improved since it enables a user to remove and replace the base with a base of a different colour and/or material as and when desired simply and quickly and without the need for any tools at all. It also facilitates production of the coffee table and storing of stock of the components of the coffee table.

[0027] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A coffee table which includes

a base member;

a table top portion detachably mounted to the base member; and

a mounting arrangement, protruding from the base member, on which the table top portion rests, the mounting arrangement carrying a retention mechanism retaining the table top portion in position relative to the base member.

2. The coffee table of claim 1 in which the table top portion comprises a table top and a pair of opposed end panels extending from the table top, a dimension between the end panels approximating a length of the base member so that, in use, the base member is received between the end panels.

3. The coffee table of claim 2 in which the mounting arrangement comprises at least one mounting plate at each end of the base member, each mounting plate extending outwardly from an operatively bottom surface of the base member, each mounting plate supporting one of the end panels of the table top portion.

4. The coffee table of claim 3 in which that portion of each mounting plate extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the base member carries the retention mechanism.

5. The coffee table of claim 4 in which the retention mechanism is in the form of a slip- resistant pad frictionally retaining the table top portion in position relative to the base member.

6. The coffee table of claim 5 in which the slip-resistant pad is held captive between the mounting plate and the base member to assist in retaining the slip-resistant pad in position on its associated mounting plate.

7. The coffee table of claim 6 in which each mounting plate is received in a groove defined in the operatively bottom surface of the base member, with the slip resistant pad extending into the groove.

8. The coffee table of claim 7 in which each groove is dimensioned so that a surface of its associated mounting plate lies substantially flush with the operatively bottom surface of the base member.

9. The coffee table of any one of claims 3 to 7 which includes a plurality of feet extending from the operatively bottom surface of the base member, each foot serving to retain one of the mounting plates in position relative to the base member.