U.S. patent application number 10/160686 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for chair and work surface system.
Invention is credited to Cronk, Jeffrey P., Green, Randall E. SR., Groulx, James M., Keitel, Joseph D..
Application Number | 20030222487 10/160686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29583236 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030222487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cronk, Jeffrey P. ; et
al. |
December 4, 2003 |
Chair and work surface system
Abstract
A flexible table and connected chair system is disclosed. The
table has opposite portions including support legs to which first
and second chairs are connected. The chairs each share a common leg
with the table and each chair rotates independently about the
respective common legs between positions where the chairs may face
in the same direction and where the chairs may face each other.
Inventors: |
Cronk, Jeffrey P.; (Tulsa,
OK) ; Keitel, Joseph D.; (Muscatine, IA) ;
Groulx, James M.; (Muscatine, IA) ; Green, Randall E.
SR.; (Muscatine, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ronald A. Sandler
Jones, Day Reavis & Pogue
77 West Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60601-1692
US
|
Family ID: |
29583236 |
Appl. No.: |
10/160686 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2083/025 20130101;
A47C 7/002 20130101; A47B 83/02 20130101; A47C 3/00 20130101; A47C
7/006 20130101; A47C 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/152 |
International
Class: |
A47B 083/02 |
Claims
1. A chair and work surface system comprising: a work surface; a
first chair pivotally connected to a first portion of said work
surface; and a second chair pivotally connected to a second portion
of said work surface.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first and said
second chairs pivot through an arc of about 90 degrees.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including: first and second
supports connected to said work surface; and wherein said work
surface and said first chair share said first support; and said
work surface and said second chair share said second support.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including: four supports
connected to said first chair; four supports connected to said
second chair; a first group of three casters connected to said
first chair and a second group of three casters connected to said
second chair.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including: said three casters
of said first group are connected to three of said four supports
connected to said first chair; and said three casters of said
second group are connected to three of said four supports of said
second chair.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first and
second chairs move between an alignment where said first and second
chairs face in the same direction and an alignment where said first
and second chairs are positioned to face each other.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first and
second chairs move between an alignment where said first and second
chairs face in the same direction through an arc of 90 degrees
where said chairs may be aligned to face each other.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including: first and second
supports connected to said work surface, and wherein the work
surface and said first chair share said first support; and said
work surface and said second chair share said second support.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including: four supports
connected to said first chair; four supports connected to said
second chair; and a first group of three casters connected to said
first chair and a second group of three casters connected to said
second chair.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including: said three
casters of said first group connected to three of said four
supports connected to said first chair; and said three casters of
said second group are connected to three of said four supports of
said second chair.
11. A flexible seating system comprising: a table having at least
first, second and third supports; a first chair having four
supports where one of said four supports of said first chair is
common with said first support of said table; and a second chair
having four supports where one of said four supports of said second
chair is common with said second support of said table.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein: said first and
said second chairs pivot through an arc of about 90 degrees.
13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 including: casters on the
three supports of each chair which are not in common with the table
supports.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein: said first and
second chairs move between an alignment where said first and second
chairs face in the same direction and an alignment where said first
and second chairs are positioned to face each other.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 including: a metal frame
for each chair, said frame having a first member between a first
rear support and a first front support, a second member extending
between first and second front supports, and a third member
parallel to said first member and extending between a second rear
support and said second first support.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a chair and work surface
system and more particularly to a combination table and two chairs,
each chair being connected to the table, but also being
independently movable relative to the table.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Typically, conferences are held around large conference
tables with independently movable chairs spaced around the
periphery of the tables. More recently conference furniture has
taken a more informal approach in which the large conference table
has been disposed of and replaced by individual chairs and small
tables spaced about a conference space.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] What is described here is a chair and work surface system
comprising a work surface, a first chair pivotally connected to a
first portion of the work surface and a second chair pivotally
connected to a second portion of the work surface.
[0006] There are a number of advantages, features and objects
achieved with the present invention which are believed not to be
available in earlier related devices. For example, several
advantages are that the present invention provides a conference
arrangement that is convenient, adjustable and comfortable.
[0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
other objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from
a consideration of the following description of a preferred
embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
figures provided herein. The preferred embodiment represents an
example of the invention which is described here in compliance with
Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (first paragraph), but the invention
itself is defined by the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 is rear isometric view of a two chair and work
surface system.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the two chair and work
surface system shown in FIG. 1 illustrating each chair in two
positions.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front isometric view illustrating a frame and
support for each of the chairs and for the work surface of the
system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged downward looking isometric view taken
within curve 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 4a is an upward looking isometric view of a variation
of a leg.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of the work surface and
frame illustrating the movement capability of the chairs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0014] While the present invention is open to various modifications
and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiment shown in
the various figures of the drawing will be described herein in
detail. It is understood, however, that there is no intention to
limit the invention to the particular embodiment, form or example
disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalent structures and methods, and alternative
constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as expressed in the appended claims, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C.
section 112 (second paragraph).
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a
chair and work surface system 10 including a work surface in the
form of a low level table 11, a first chair 12 connected to a first
portion 13 of the table and a second chair 14 connected to a second
portion 15 of the table. Each chair includes a back portion 16, 17
and a seat portion 18, 19. The table is supported by two front
supports, at the first and second portions thereof, in the form of
two front legs 20, 22 and a rear column 24 which may house
communication cables and electrical wiring brought up through the
floor 26. Instead of the column, the table may also be designed to
have one or more additional legs at the rear, if desired.
[0016] Each chair includes a metal frame or base 30, 32 including a
horizontally disposed front frame member 34, 36 and two side frame
members 40, 42, 44, 46. Each chair also includes support legs
including a left rear leg 50, 52, a right rear leg 54, 56, a left
front leg 58, 60 and a right front leg 62, 64.
[0017] It is apparent that the right front leg 62 of the left chair
12 and the left front leg 60 of the right chair 14 are connected to
the left front leg 20 and right front leg 22, respectively, of the
table 11 to form common supports or legs for both the respective
chair and the table. Three casters are connected to the non-common
legs of the chairs such as left rear casters 70, 72, right rear
casters 74, 76. and left front caster 80 and right front caster 82
of the chairs 12 and 14, respectively.
[0018] Each of the chair frames also includes two pairs of upright
frame members 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, FIG. 3 connected
to each of the side frame members 40, 42, 44, 46, respectively.
Also connected to each pair of upright frame members is a bracket
110, 112, 114, 116, respectively, upon which the seat-back
combination of each chair is attached.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in more detail
the first portion or corner 13 of the table 11 and the common table
leg 20 and the chair leg 62. This common leg includes a bottom
portion 122 connected to a middle portion 124 and a top portion
126. The bottom and middle portions are fixed to the front frame
member 34 and is part of the chair 12. A peripheral edge 130 is
formed at the top of the middle portion 124. The top portion 126
also includes a peripheral edge 132. Projecting downwardly from the
top portion 126 is a pin 134 which in turn is received by an
opening 136 in the middle portion 124. A longitudinal axis 140 of
the pin coincides with a longitudinal axis of the common leg and
forms a line about which the chair 12 pivots or rotates relative to
the table 11. Rotational bearing surfaces are the peripheral edges
130, 132 of the middle leg portion and the top leg portion
respectively. It is understood that the table remains stationary
while the chairs rotate. Of course, the entire apparatus may be
easily moved if desired by simply separating the table from the
chairs.
[0020] A variation of the common leg is to have a pin 134a, FIG.
4a, extend upwardly from the middle portion 124a and an opening
136a in the top portion 126a receives the pin.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the chairs may rotate or pivot
through 90 degrees between a position where the chairs are aligned
to face in the same direction (and shown in solid line) and a
position where the chairs generally face each other (and shown in
broken line). This may be best understood by noticing the changes
of location of the casters between positions drawn in solid line
and broken line and designated with a number and then the same
number followed by a prime.
[0022] It is to be understood that the chairs pivot independently
of one another and each may take any position relative to the table
and to the other chair within their own 90 degree arc of
rotation.
[0023] The flexible seating system described may be used to
heighten the level of informality of a meeting and increase the
comfort of meeting attendees especially if the attendees spend long
periods in a seated position. To help with comfort, the chairs may
have arms, be reclining and have cup holders and writing pads (not
shown). It is further understood that the system described here may
be used with other similarly designed systems or with individual
chairs for a larger meeting. Or the system may be used alone in a
reception area or as part of an individual's office.
[0024] The above specification describes in detail a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Other examples, embodiments,
modifications and variations will, under both the literal claim
language and the doctrine of equivalents, come within the scope of
the invention defined by the appended claims. For example, a
different style of chair, frame or supports are considered
equivalent structures and will also come within the literal
language of the claims. The same is true for a different design for
the table and its legs. Still other alternatives will also be
equivalent as will many new technologies. There is no desire or
intention here to limit in any way the application of the doctrine
of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *