Furniture having load-bearing or non-load bearing structures for storage of water or other material

Abstract

Furniture pieces which incorporate load-bearing or non-load bearing structures in which water or other material may be stored. By incorporating such storage capacity within furniture, a user may take advantage of space that would otherwise be unused or unusable to unobtrusively and conveniently store an emergency water supply or other desired material.

1 . A table having integrated storage capacity comprising:
 a removable tabletop which is supported by a load-bearing frame;   said load-bearing frame defining a recessed area overlayed by said tabletop, said recessed area housing one or more non-load bearing storage containers; and   one or more load-bearing structures for supporting said tabletop, load-bearing frame and one or more storage containers above a floor surface.   
     
     
         2 . The table as in  claim 1  wherein said one or more non-load bearing storage containers form an emergency water store. 
     
     
         3 . The table as in  claim 1  wherein said table is adapted to accommodate a pump assembly which is coupled to said one or more non-load bearing storage containers. 
     
     
         4 . A chair having integrated storage capacity comprising:
 a load-bearing frame defining a recessed area overlayed by a removable seat, said recessed area housing one or more non-load bearing storage containers; and   one or more load-bearing structures for supporting said load-bearing frame, seat and one or more storage containers above a floor surface.   
     
     
         5 . The chair as in  claim 4  wherein said one or more non-load bearing storage containers form an emergency water store. 
     
     
         6 . A chair having integrated storage capacity:
 a seat; and   one or more load-bearing storage containers arranged to support said seat above a floor surface.   
     
     
         7 . The chair as in  claim 6  wherein said one or more non-load bearing storage containers form an emergency water store. 
     
     
         8 . A chair having integrated storage capacity:
 a seat;   one or more load-bearing structures for supporting said seat above a floor surface; and   said chair including a compartment for housing one or more non-load bearing storage containers.   
     
     
         9 . The chair as in  claim 8  wherein said one or more non-load bearing storage containers form an emergency water store. 
     
     
         10 . A table having integrated storage capacity comprising:
 a removable tabletop having a bottom surface which bears on a load-bearing pedestal adapted to engage with said bottom surface; and   said pedestal housing one or more non-load bearing storage containers.   
     
     
         11 . The table as in  claim 10  wherein said pedestal includes a door which provides access to said one or more non-load bearing storage containers without removing said tabletop. 
     
     
         12 . The table as in  claim 10  wherein said one or more non-load bearing storage containers form an emergency water store. 
     
     
         13 . The table as in  claim 10  wherein said table is adapted to accommodate a pump assembly which is coupled to said one or more non-load bearing storage containers. 
     
     
         14 . A table having integrated storage capacity comprising:
 a removable tabletop having a bottom surface; and   one or more load-bearing storage containers adapted to engage with said bottom surface and capable of supporting said tabletop.   
     
     
         15 . The table as in  claim 14  wherein said one or more load-bearing storage containers form an emergency water store. 
     
     
         16 . The table as in  claim 14  wherein said one or more load-bearing storage containers are supported by a wheeled base. 
     
     
         17 . The table as in  claim 14  wherein a height extender is coupled between each of said one or more load-bearing storage containers and said bottom surface. 
     
     
         18 . The table as in  claim 17  wherein said bottom surface includes one or more receptacles shaped and dimensioned to engage one end of said height extender, the other end of said height extender adapted to engage with one of said one or more load-bearing storage containers. 
     
     
         19 . The table as in  claim 14  wherein said one or more load-bearing storage containers are supported by a wheeled base. 
     
     
         20 . The table as in  claim 14  wherein said table is adapted to accommodate a pump assembly which is coupled to said one or more load-bearing storage containers. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus comprising:
 a piece of furniture having integrated storage capacity provided by one or more load-bearing storage containers; and   said one or more load-bearing storage containers arranged to support said piece of furniture on a floor surface.   
     
     
         22 . Apparatus comprising:
 a piece of furniture having integrated storage capacity provided by one or more non-load bearing storage containers, wherein said piece of furniture is not supported by said one or more non-load bearing storage containers.