Articulatable furniture

• US 5,967,058 A
• Filed: 06/02/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flex-Rest LLC (Flex-Rest)
• Original Assignee: Flex-Rest LLC (Flex-Rest)
• Inventors: Hawley, David, Ambrose, Frederic C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/866,672
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 108/64, 108/66, 108/69, 108/65
• US Class Current: 108/64
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/10 Tops characterised by shape, other than circular or rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/065 Pivotally mounted auxiliary tables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

A structure system includes a plurality of elements which mate along respective cooperating concave and convex ends. Each end has a constant common radius of curvature value and spans a predetermined included angle to provide infinitely variable articulation of mating elements within respective angular ranges. The system elements may be combined to form linear combinations as well as open and closed curves. The system is suitable for use as a work surface in classroom or office environments where the arrangement of elements may be varied readily to accommodate any number of users and floor plans.

Claims

1. A structure comprising:

a first element comprising;

a first convex arcuate end comprising;

a constant radius of curvature having a first origin and a value, R_X1 ;

an included angle value, θ

_X1 ; and

an orientation angle, α

having a value greater than 90 degrees, and

a first concave arcuate end disposed remotely therefrom comprising;

a constant radius of curvature having a second origin and a value, R_V1 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_V1, wherein θ

_X1 is greater than θ

_V1 ; and

the first origin and the second origin define an orientation line passing therethrough from which the orientation angle ∝

, is measured.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein R_V1 is greater than or substantially equal to R_X1.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the difference between θ

_X1 and θ

_V1 is less than about 270 degrees.

4. The invention according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second element comprising;

a second convex arcuate end comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_X2 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_X2 ; and

a second concave arcuate end disposed remotely therefrom comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_V2 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_V2, wherein at least one of;

the second convex arcuate end mates with the first concave arcuate end; and

the second concave arcuate end mates with the first convex arcuate end.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein θ

_X2 is greater than θ

_V1.

6. The invention according to claim 4 wherein θ

_X1 is greater than θ

_V2.

7. The invention according to claim 4 wherein the first element is pivotable relative to the second element generally about an origin of R_X2.

8. The invention according to claim 7 further comprising a pivot member linking the first element to the second element generally along a line which passes through the origin of R_X2.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the pivot member forms a chase for routing a cable.

10. The invention according to claim 4 wherein the second element is pivotable relative to the first element generally about the origin of R_X1.

11. The invention according to claim 10 further comprising a pivot member linking the first element to the second element generally along a line which passes through the origin of R_X1.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein the pivot member forms a chase for routing a cable.

13. The invention according to claim 4 further comprising a leg attached to at least one of the first element and the second element.

14. The invention according to claim 1 further comprising a leg attached to the first element.

15. A structure comprising:

a first element comprising;

a first convex arcuate end comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_X1 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_X1 ;

a first concave arcuate end disposed remotely therefrom comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_V1 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_V1, wherein θ

_X1 is greater than θ

_V1 ;

a second element comprising;

a second convex arcuate end comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_X2 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_X2 ; and

a second concave arcuate end disposed remotely therefrom comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_V2 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_V2, wherein at least one of the second convex arcuate end mates with the first concave arcuate end and the second concave arcuate end mates with the first convex arcuate end and wherein the first element is pivotable relative to the second element generally about an origin of R_X2 ; and

a pivot member linking the first element to the second element generally along a line which passes through the origin of R_X2, wherein the pivot member forms a chase for routing a cable.

16. A structure comprising:

a first element comprising;

a first convex arcuate end comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_X1 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_X1 ; and

a first concave arcuate end disposed remotely therefrom comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_V1 ; and

an included angle value, θ

V1, wherein θ

_X1 is greater than θ

_V1 ;

a second element comprising;

a second convex arcuate end comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_X2 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_X2 ; and

a second concave arcuate end disposed remotely therefrom comprising;

a constant radius of curvature value, R_V2 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_V2, wherein at least one of the second convex arcuate end mates with the first concave arcuate end and the second concave arcuate end mates with the first convex arcuate end and wherein the second element is pivotable relative to the first element generally about an origin of R_X1 ; and

a pivot member linking the first element to the second element generally along a line which passes through the origin of R_X1, wherein the pivot member forms a chase for routing a cable.

17. A structure system comprising:

a first element comprising;

a first convex arcuate end comprising;

a radius of curvature having an origin and a value, R_X1 ;

an included angle value, θ

_X1, less than 360 degrees; and

an orientation angle, α

, having a value greater than 90 degrees; and

an edge extending generally along a length of the first element; and

a second element comprising;

a first concave arcuate end comprising;

a radius of curvature value, R_V2, substantially equal to or greater than R_X1, wherein;

the first concave arcuate end is adapted to engage the first convex arcuate end;

the second element is pivotable relative to said first element generally about the origin of R_X1 ; and

the orientation angle ∝

, is measured from an orientation line passing through the origin of R_X1, the orientation line extending generally along the edge of the first element.

18. The invention according to claim 17 wherein the first element further comprises a second convex arcuate end disposed remotely from the first convex arcuate end.

19. The invention according to claim 17 wherein the second element further comprises a second concave arcuate end disposed remotely from the first concave arcuate end.

20. The invention according to claim 17 further comprising a pivot member connecting the first element to the second element generally along a line which passes through the origin of R_X1.

21. The invention according to claim 20 wherein the pivot member forms a chase for routing a cable.

22. The invention according to claim 17 further comprising a leg attached to at least one of the first element and the second element.

23. The invention according to claim 17 further comprising:

a first leg attached to the first element; and

a second leg attached to the second element.

24. A structure system comprising:

a first element comprising;

a first convex arcuate end comprising;

a radius of curvature value, R_X1 ; and

an included angle value, θ

_X1, less than 360 degrees;

a second element comprising;

a first concave arcuate end comprising;

a radius of curvature value, R_V2 substantially equal to or greater than R_X1,

wherein the first concave arcuate end is adapted to engage the first convex arcuate end and the second element is pivotable relative to said first element generally about an origin of R_X1 ; and

a pivot member connecting the first element to the second element generally along a line which passes through the origin of R_X1, wherein the pivot member forms a chase for routing a cable.