CHAIR AND WORK SURFACE SYSTEM

SYSTEME DE CHAISES ET DE PLAN DE TRAVAIL

English 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.

Claims

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.
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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.
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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.
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Description

CA 02430396 2003-05-29
CHAIR AND WORK SURFACE SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] 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.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] 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.
I0 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] What is described here is a chair and work surface system comprising a
work surface,
a first chair pivotally connected to a first portion o:f the work surface and
a second chair
pivotally connected to a second portion of the work surface.
[0004] There are a number of advantages, features and objects achieved with
the present
15 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.
[0005] A more complete understanding of the present invention and other
objects,
advantages and features thereof will be gained from a consideration of the
following
20 description of a preferred embodiment read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing
figures provided herein. The preferred embodiment represents an example of the
invention

CA 02430396 2003-05-29
which is described here in compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 1 l2 (first
paragraph), but
the invention itself is defined by the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0006] FIGURE 1 is rear isometric view of a two chair and 'work surface
system.
[0007] FIGURE 2 is a front isometric view of the two chair and work surface
system shown
in FIGURE 1 illustrating each chair in two positions.
[0008] FIGURE 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 FIGURES 1 and 2.
[0009] FIGURE 4 is an enlarged downward looking isometric view taken within
curve 4-4
of FIGURE 3.
[0010] FIGURE 4a is an upward looking isometric view of a variation of a leg.
[0011] FIGURE 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
[0012] 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
nntention 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 1.12 (second paragraph).
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[0013] Referring now to FIGURES l, 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 1 l, 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.
[0014] 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.
[OOIS] It is apparent that the right front leg 62 ofthe 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.
[0016] Each of the chair frames also includes two pairs of upright frame
members 90, 92,
94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, FIGURE. 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.
[0017] Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is illustrated in more detail the
first portion or
comer 13 of the table 11 and the common table leg 20 and the chair leg 62.
This common leg
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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 Peg 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.
[0018] A variation of the common leg is to have a pin 134a, FIGURE 4a, extend
upwardly
from the middle portion 124a and an opening 136a in the top portion 126a
receives the pin.
[0019] As shown in FIGURES 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
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CA 02430396 2003-05-29
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.
[0022] 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.
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