Bowling table with multiple seating arrangements

[00002] This application is a continuation application of U.S. Design Application No. 29/162,606, filed Jun. 17, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. D,478,427, which is incorporated by reference, herein, in its entirety.

[00003] 1. Field of the Invention

[00004] The present invention generally relates to a furniture unit, and more specifically, a table with sets of seats attached along the sides of thereof arranged for unimpeded viewing.

[00005] 2. Background Description

[00006] Various types of tables with seating arrangements are known. However, a table with attached seats arranged to provide a socially friendly configuration with consideration for convenience of entry and exit are of limited availability. In certain settings, such as for example, a bowling alley setting or the like, a table can contribute to the motif and ambiance and provide functional convenience for the clientele or user. Whether the table is used in a working session/meeting type of situation (e.g., a school or the like) or in a social setting (e.g., a bowling alley) the table should be easy and convenient to access while entering, remaining in, or exiting a seat. Table and seat configurations and support structures should be oriented to minimize undue interference when entering or exiting a seat, and the seat should be conveniently oriented in relation to the table. The orientation of the seats should also provide optimum-viewing directivity in applications requiring directed views.

[00007] Currently, there are several known types of table and chair arrangements used in bowling alley settings. But none of these configurations are known to provide ease of viewing, regardless of the seating position of the user, easy ingress and egress as well as other advantages. By way of example, it is known to use rectangular-type tables with seats positioned on both sides of the table. In this type of configuration, the users sit at the table, facing one another; however, there is no clear view of the bowling lanes, thus provided an impediment to the viewing of the game, itself. This makes an uncomfortable setting. In other types of arrangements, it is known to place seats on all sides of the table, also contributing to the hindrance of viewing and enjoyment by the participants. Another known type of seating arrangement is the “scoring table” configuration. This same type of configuration can be used in other applications throughout the bowling alley setting. In this configuration, only two seats are provided adjacent to one another. This, of course, is not conducive for conversation and is limited to the seating of two people.

[00008] The present invention overcomes the above problems.

[00009] In an aspect of the present invention, a furniture unit is provided comprising a substantially triangular table with a first and second plurality of seats positioned along a first and second side, respectively. The third side of the substantially triangular table is devoid of fixedly attached seats such that the position of the first and second plurality of seats provides an unobstructed view towards the third side of the substantially triangular table.

[00010] In another aspect of the present invention, a furniture unit is provided comprising a substantially triangular table with a first and second plurality of seats positioned along a first and second side, respectively. The position of the first and second plurality of seats provides an unobstructed view towards a view of the third side of the table. A support structure provides support to the substantially triangular table and each seat of the first and second plurality of seats. The support structure maintains and supports the table and each seat at a predetermined distance.

[00011] In an aspect of the present invention, a furniture unit is provided consisting essentially of a substantially triangular table and a first and second plurality of seats positioned along a first and second side of the substantially triangular table. A support structure supports the substantially triangular table and each seat of the first and second plurality of seats. The support structure includes horizontal support members and vertical support members. Each seat of the first and second plurality of seats are attached to respective ones of the vertical support members and at least one of the vertical support members is attached to an underside of the substantially triangular table. The horizontal support members are fixedly attached between the at least one of the vertical support member and the respective ones of the vertical support members. A third side of the substantially triangular table is devoid of fixedly attached seats such that the position of the first and second plurality of seats provides an unobstructed view towards the third side of the substantially triangular table.

[00019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, generally denoted as reference numeral 10. In this configuration, the present invention includes a substantially triangular table 15 with a first set of seats 20a fixed along a first side of the substantially triangular table 15 and a second set of seats 20b fixed along a second side of the substantially triangular table 15. The substantially triangular table may be a cam-shaped having acutely angled sides with respect to a third side such that the seats placed on the acutely angled sides allow for an unobstructed view towards the third side in accordance with the present invention. The seats 20a and 20b may be more than two seats on each side of the table 15, depending on the particular use, the space requirements and the like. In this embodiment, a third side 25 of the substantially triangular table 15 is devoid or free from a third set of seats. In this manner, the seats 20a and 20b provide the participants an unobstructed view towards a third side 25 of the substantially triangular table 15 when any or all of the seats are occupied. This arrangement allows for both a socially friendly configuration and permits unobstructed viewing towards the third side 25. This type of arrangement would be suitable for various types of settings, such as for example, bowling alleys or the like.

[00020] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the sides of the substantially triangular table 15 may include substantially concave edges 40. The substantially triangular table 15 may also be a substantially equilateral triangular table, although, other triangular configurations are also contemplated by the present invention. The corners 42 of the substantially triangular table 15 may be rounded to prevent the “snagging” of clothing and the like. A support structure, generally denoted by reference numeral 30, is further provided on an underside of the table 15. The support structure provides support to the substantially triangular table 15 and to each seat of the first and second set of seats 20a and 20b. The support structure 30 includes horizontal support members 36 and vertical support members 35a-35c.

[00021] In the configuration of FIGS. 1-3, the seats 20a and 20b are attached to a respective one of the vertical support members 35b. The seats may be attached via any known swivel mechanism to allow for easy ingress and egress. The swivel 37 also provides for a return of the seat to an original position, thus having the seat remain in an orderly fashion. At least one vertical support member 35a or 35c is also attached to the substantially triangular table 15. In an embodiment, at least one of the vertical support members 35a and 35c provides support of the substantially triangular table 15 when attached to the underside of the substantially triangular table 15. At least one of the vertical support structures is supported on a supporting surface such as a floor. In the embodiment of the present invention, the vertical support member 35a is attached between an underside of the substantially triangular table 15 and to the horizontal support members 36. The vertical support member 35a may be fastened by an appropriate manner, such as for example, a set of bolts, welds or the like. The horizontal support members 36 maintain the substantially triangular table 15 and each of the first and second set of seats 20a and 20b at a predetermined distance from a respective supporting structure 35a or 35c and hence the table, itself.

[00022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the horizontal support members 36 are fixedly attached to the vertical support members 35a and to each first and second set of seats 20a and 20b. Similarly, the horizontal support members 36 may also be attached to the vertical support members 35c. The horizontal support members 36 also fixedly attach to the vertical support members 35b of the first and second set of seats at a substantially fixed, i.e., predetermined, distance from the substantially triangular table 15. This creates a leg-area between the substantially triangular table 15 and each seat of the first and second set of seats 20a and 20b, so that the leg-area is substantially unobstructed by any part of the present invention. This arrangement maintains the relationship between the substantially triangular table 15 and the first and second set of seats, 20a and 20b, and also provides for unobstructed ingress and egress, thereto and therefrom, respectively, denoted by reference numeral 55 (FIG. 2).

[00023] The first and second set of seats, 20a and 20b may also include contoured backs 21 and contoured seat platforms 22. These contours provide for a certain level of comfort to any occupant. As shown in FIG. 3, each seat of the first and second set of seats 20a and 20b are attached to a corresponding vertical support member 35b by an attachment mechanism 60, located under each of the respective seats. This arrangement maintains each the first and second set of seats 20a and 20b at a predetermined height. The horizontal support members 36 may also include curved shaped sections, shown as reference numeral 31. The curved shaped sections 31 may be joined together by a connecting bracket 65. The ends of the curved sections 31 attach to the vertical support members 35b or 35c, as appropriate. Vertical support members 35a may also be supported as necessary by the horizontal support member 36, which may include curved sections 31.

[00024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a first, second and third set of seats on three sides, respectively, of a substantially triangular table. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the embodiment of FIG. 4. The features of this embodiment are similar to the features discussed previously. In this embodiment, however, a third set of seats 20c are positioned along the third side 25 of the substantially triangular table 15. The supporting structure 30 is similarly arranged as previously described, including horizontal support members 36, that may include curved sections 31. The vertical support members 35a and 35b are substantially the same as previously discussed, but typically includes one additional vertical support member 35a to support the substantially triangular table 15. In this embodiment, the vertical support member 35c is typically not employed. The horizontal support members 36 is now generally symmetrical in three directions in support of the first, second, and third set of seats positioned along the three sides of the substantially triangular table 15. The horizontal support members 36 maintain a predetermined distance between the substantially triangular table and each seat of the first, second and third sets of seats 20a, 20b and 20c.

[00025] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications and in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.