CONFIGURABLE SEATING UNIT

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20180228285
  • Publication Number
    20180228285
  • Date Filed
    February 10, 2017
    8 years ago
  • Date Published
    August 16, 2018
    6 years ago
  • Inventors
    • Grannis; Eric J. (New York, NY, US)
Abstract
Disclosed is a configurable seating unit. The configurable seating unit is comprised of at least one rotatable seating component mounted on the periphery of a seating unit base through at least one vertical arm component; at least one seating component connected to at least one table component through at least one connecting arm, wherein at least one connecting arm is attached to the at least one vertical arm component at proximal end and the at least one table component at distal end; and a central component mounted on center of the seating unit base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application generally relates to the field of dynamic seating arrangements. Particularly, the application provides a configurable seating unit.


BACKGROUND

Incremental growth of human population and consequent space constraint has increased demand for utilizing available space with same furniture fixtures, while conducting various activities. Dynamic seating arrangements utilize available space optimally, such as by using the same furniture for various different activities in a given or limited space.


Prior art literature illustrates a variety of furniture, such as combined table or desk and chair or various seating arrangements, which requires less space and is useful for purposes such as school class rooms. Prior art literature has certain limitations in addressing the technical problem of space constraint while maintaining utility and economic considerations at the same time. Further, seating arrangements disclosed in prior art may not be sufficient to provide configurable options according to the requirements of a given space while keeping the same seating units. Prior art also does not illustrate any solution wherein a plurality of seating units are clubbed together to form a movable multi-unit, allowing users to use multiple orientations for sitting and working in the given space.


In view of the above-mentioned background, it is evident that there is a need for a seating unit that provides configurable options according to the requirements in a given space, while keeping the same seating sub-units. Furthermore, there exists a need for a seating unit with sub-units that are clubbed together to form a movable multi-unit. Furthermore, there exists a need for a seating unit that provides users with multiple orientations for sitting and working in the given space. A configurable seating unit is desired.


SUMMARY

Before the present systems, methods, and enablement are described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular systems and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application.


In accordance with the present application, the primary objective is to provide a configurable seating unit.


Another objective is to provide users with multiple orientations, such as facing forward or facing inward, according to the requirements in a given space, while keeping the same seating units.


Another objective of the present invention is to provide a configurable seating unit, wherein multiple seating sub-units are clubbed together to form a movable multi-unit.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a configurable seating unit is provided. The configurable seating unit (100) is comprised of at least one seating component (102) rotatable mounted on periphery of a seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108); at least one seating component (102) connected to at least one table component (104) through at least one connecting arm (106), wherein at least one connecting arm (106) is attached to at least one vertical arm component (108) at a proximal end, and at least one table component (104) at a distal end; and a central component (112) mounted on the center of the seating unit base (110).


The above configuration is provided for the seating unit, but also can be used for many other applications.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. There is shown in the drawings example embodiments, however, the application is not limited to the specific system and method disclosed in the drawings.



FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating perspective view of the configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating top view of the configurable seating unit, facing forward, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating top view of the configurable seating unit, facing inward, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the configurable seating unit, which has been rolled away from its starting position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the configurable seating unit, facing forward and facing inward, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the configurable seating unit, facing inward and disintegrated configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the configurable seating unit, facing inward and integrated configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the configurable seating unit, facing inward and integrated configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and



FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments, illustrating its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any methods, and systems similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments, the preferred methods, and systems are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a configurable seating unit (100) is provided. The configurable seating unit enables users to have configurable options with multiple orientations according to the requirements of a given space, while keeping the same seating units. The configurable seating unit may have a plurality of seating sub-units clubbed together to form a movable multi-unit.



FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the configurable seating unit (100) is comprised of at least one seating component (102); at least one table component (104); at least one connecting arm (106); at least one vertical arm component (108); a seating unit base (110); and a central component (112). The configurable seating unit (100) may be movable.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, at least one seating component (102) may be rotatable and mounted on the periphery of the seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108). At least one seating component (102) may be connected to at least one table component (104) through at least one connecting arm (106). At least one connecting arm (106) may be attached to at least one vertical arm component (108) at the proximal end and at least one table component (104) at the distal end. The central component (112) may be mounted on center of the seating unit base (110).


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, at least one rotatable seating component (102) is mounted on the seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108), and may rotate 360 degrees along with vertical axis. The seating unit includes a table component (104) connected through at least one connecting arm (106).


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, at least one table component (104) and the central component (112) may be located in the same horizontal plane. Further, the central component (112) may have a complementary peripheral structure to accommodate at least one table component (104) while facing inwards.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the configurable seating unit (100) has wheels (not shown in FIG. 1) connected to the bottom of the seating unit base (110), enabling the configurable seating unit (100) to be rolled around in different directions.



FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a top-down view of the configurable seating unit facing forward, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the configurable seating units (100) may be provided for various purposes, such as in a school classroom wherein the configurable seating units (100) may be utilized by a large number of students. For example, a teacher (120) may be teaching at the front of a classroom while the configurable seating unit (100) is configured to face forward towards teacher (120). The configurable seating unit (100) may be configured to face forward with the help of the rotatable mounting on the periphery of the seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108).



FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrates a top-down view of the configurable seating unit, this time facing inward, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the configurable seating unit (100) may be provided for various purposes, such as in a school classroom wherein the configurable seating units (100) may be utilized by a large number of students. If a teacher (120) wants to engage the students in a group or individual activity which may require interaction among students, the configurable seating unit (100) may be configured to face inwards. The configurable seating unit (100) may be configured to face inward with the help of a rotatable mounting on the periphery of the seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108).



FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top-down view of the configurable seating units, which have been rolled to different locations, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the configurable seating units (100) may be provided for a variety of purposes, such as in a school class room wherein the configurable seating units (100) may be utilized by a large number of students. If the teacher (120) wants to engage the students in a group or individual activity which may require a central space, there the configurable seating unit (100) may be displaced with the help of the wheels attached to the seating unit base (110).



FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of two configurable seating units, one facing forward and one facing inward, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, at least one rotatable seating component (102) may be mounted on the periphery of the seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108). At least one seating component (102) may be connected to at least one table component (104) through at least one connecting arm (106). At least one connecting arm (106) may be attached to at least one vertical arm component (108) at proximal end and the at least one table component (104) at distal end. The central component (112) may be mounted on center of the seating unit base (110). The configurable seating unit (100) may be configured to face forward or face inward, as may be required, with the help of rotatable mounting on periphery of the seating unit base (110) through the at least one vertical arm component (108).



FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating perspective view of configurable seating unit, facing inward and disintegrated configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a separate configurable seating unit (100) may be utilized by the teacher (120) (not shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8). The configurable seating unit (100) utilized by the teacher (120) may be disintegrated from the configurable seating unit (100) utilized by the students. The teacher's configurable seating unit (100) is also comprised of a seating component (102) rotatable mounted on a multi-arm seating unit base (114) through the vertical arm component (108); the seating component (102) is connected to the table component (104) through the connecting arm (106), wherein the connecting arm (106) is attached to the vertical arm component (108) at a proximal end of the table component (104) at a distal end; the seating component (102) may also be connected to a back support component (116) through a second connecting arm (118) (not shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 7; and FIG. 8). The seating component (102) may be rotatable and mounted on the multi-arm seating unit base (114) through a vertical arm component (108) which rotates up to 360 degrees along a vertical axis, along with the connected table component (104) through the connecting arm (106) and the back support component (116) through a second connecting arm (118). The multi-arm seating unit base (114) may be mounted on casters.



FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the configurable seating unit, facing inward and integrated with the teacher's configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a top view of configurable seating unit, facing inward and integrated configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the configurable seating unit (100) may be utilized by the teacher (120) (not shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 7; and FIG. 8). The configurable seating unit (100) utilized by the teacher (120) may be integrated into the configurable seating unit (100) utilized by the students to facilitate small group discussions or other such activities.



FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of configurable seating unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.


In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one seating component (102) may be rotatable mounted on periphery of the seating unit base (110) through the at least one vertical arm component (108). The at least one seating component (102) may be connected to the at least one table component (104) through the at least one connecting arm (106). The at least one connecting arm (106) may be attached to the at least one vertical arm component (108) at proximal end and the at least one table component (104) at distal end. The central component (112) may be mounted on center of the seating unit base (110).


The illustrations of arrangements described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other arrangements will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other arrangements may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.


The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this application pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit and scope.

Claims
  • 1. A configurable seating unit (100); wherein said configurable seating unit (100) is comprised of at least one rotatable seating component (102) mounted on the periphery of a seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108); at least one seating component (102) connected to at least one table component (104) through at least one connecting arm (106), wherein at least one connecting arm (106) is attached to at least one vertical arm component (108) at a proximal end and at least one table component (104) at a distal end; and a central component (112) mounted on the center of said seating unit base (110).
  • 2. The configurable seating unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rotatable seating component (102) is mounted on said seating unit base (110) through at least one vertical arm component (108) which rotates at 360 degree along with vertical axis, along with s at least one table component (104) connected through at least one connecting arm (106).
  • 3. The configurable seating unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one table component (104) and said central component (112) are located in the same horizontal plane.
  • 4. The configurable seating unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central component (112) has a complementary peripheral structure to accommodate said at least one table component (104), while facing inwards.
  • 5. The configurable seating unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said configurable seating unit (100) is movable.
  • 6. A configurable seating unit (100); wherein said configurable seating unit (100) comprises of a rotatable seating component (102) mounted on a multi-arm seating unit base (114) through a vertical arm component (108); said seating component (102) connected to a table component (104) through a connecting arm (106), wherein said connecting arm (106) is attached to said vertical arm component (108) at proximal end and said table component (104) at distal end; said seating component (102) connected to a back support component (116) through a second connecting arm (118).
  • 7. The configurable seating unit (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rotatable seating component (102) is mounted on said multi-arm seating unit base (114) through said vertical arm component (108) which rotates at 360 degree along a vertical axis, along with said table component (104) connected through said connecting arm (106).
  • 8. The configurable seating unit (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said multi-arm seating unit base (114) is mounted on casters.