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Seating device with a foldable tableSeating device with a foldable table description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070216201, Seating device with a foldable table. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Chairs with a table, such as college seats and baby high chairs, are well known. Chairs with a hinged table are also well known. Chairs with a hinged table typically have an assembly for mounting a table on a chair, the assembly comprising a shaft pivotally secured to the seat at a pivot axle and rotatable about the pivot axle from a horizontal position to a vertical position, the table pivotally secured to the shaft at a pivot pin and rotatable relative to the shaft about the pivot pin to a horizontal working position when the shaft is in the vertical position, and a stop pin for limiting rotational movement of the shaft relative to the table. [0002] While the current table attachments for chairs are effective for their purposes, they do have certain deficiencies. Table attachments have been developed which allow a mounted table to be positioned in numerous orientations. Accordingly, a table attachment that allows a mounted table to be positioned in numerous orientations would be advantageous. However, even other types of table attachments which allow flexibility of use have complex configurations to manufacture and use. Table attachments with simple configurations are preferable for portable folding chairs with a chair-mounted movable table. [0003] Some table attachments do not fold up neatly with the folding chair. They are separate attachments that must be mounted onto the folding chair each time the table attachment is used. It is often difficult or awkward to attach and remove the table from a lightweight folding chair. Thus, because the table attachments do not fold with the folding chair they severely limit the portability of the chair/table attachment combination. [0004] Specific examples in the prior art illustrate these deficiencies. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,451 to Smith discloses a tray mounted on both arms of a folding chair. The tray may be relatively easily removed and attached to the arms and can be used as a cafeteria tray. However, to fold the chair, the tray must be removed, the chair folded and then the tray reattached onto the arms of the chair to lock the chair in the folded position. This procedure is difficult and inconvenient especially in most picnic or beach settings. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,911 issued to Sorenson discloses an example of a more flexible mounting system. However, this reference fails to provide a flexible mounting system of a simple structure. Although this mounting system allows a table to be rotated around four different axes, it comprises four major interconnected arms which are capable of rotating around four different axes. The configuration of the mounting system would be difficult to manufacture in a simple procedure and with low cost. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,779 issued to Tolbert et al. discloses an example of a more flexible mounting system for folding chairs. However, this reference still fails to provide flexible mounting in a variety of positions. Although this mounting system allows flexible movement of a table with a collapsible chair, it still requires complex assembly procedures for manufacturers. Furthermore, to store the table for the collapsed chair, the mounting system is only capable of folding down underneath the seat. It is incapable of folding down to the side of the seat. [0008] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved table support structure for a chair. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a positioning system with a high degree of flexibility and versatility. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a table attachment which may be used with a collapsible chair [0009] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0010] The present invention in one embodiment involves the provision of a seating device with a foldable table comprising a seat assembly mounted on a plurality of legs, a table and a table support structure with releasing latches allowing the table to rotate and to move longitudinally. [0011] The table mounting structure includes a support structure having first and second telescoping arm assemblies fixed in an angular relationship, the first telescoping arm assembly having a first arm and a slide telescopically mounted on a guide of the first arm for relative rotation and longitudinal movement and the second telescoping arm assembly having a second arm and a socket member secured to one of the legs, the socket member cooperatively interengaging with the second arm to provide relative rotation and longitudinal movement therebetween. [0012] The table mounting structure also includes a first selectively releasable clamp assembly associated with the first arm allowing the slide to selectively rotate and move longitudinally and to releasably lock in place and a second selectively releasable clamp assembly associated with the socket member allowing the second arm to selectively rotate and move longitudinally and to releasably lock in place. The chair with the foldable table of the present invention may or may not include armrests. In the case of a chair with armrests, the socket member can be secured to one of the legs. The first and second arms may be connected respectively to the slide and the socket member with a respective clamp assembly having a latching lever. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved table support structure for a chair. [0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved table structure which may be used with collapsible chairs. The chair of the present invention may also include a collapsible frame for supporting the seat and back portions. Further, the table may include a support for holding objects on the table, such as books, hingedly connected at the proximal edge of the table with a stop hinge to allow the support to be pivoted between a stored position at the proximal edge of the table and an upright in-use position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating device with a foldable table made in accordance with the present invention, the chair and table support structure being in an up position, showing two of several possible positions of the table. [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seating device with a foldable table made in accordance with the present invention, the chair and table support structure being in a folded position, showing two of several possible folded positions of the table. [0016] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a seating device with a foldable table of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 4A is a fragmentary front view of the table support structure. [0018] FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A but also showing a table secured to the table support structure. [0019] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the table support structure. [0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp assembly with a portion broken away to show details of a lever retention structure. [0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing a collapsible chair. Continue reading about Seating device with a foldable table... Full patent description for Seating device with a foldable table Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Seating device with a foldable table patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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