The present invention relates to furniture.
Desks in school environments often include a table top and attached legs. Children and adults using the desks often use boxes, containers, and other storage options on top of the desk to store items, such as school supplies. However, table top storage can be bulky, decrease the availability of table top space and decrease collaborative learning and projects (e.g., since children may not be able to see over table top storage). Furthermore, desktop storage has a tendency to be knocked over, spill, and/or have its contents otherwise fall out creating a messy and/or unusable desktop. Some desks have a slot or cabinet that extends the length and/or depth of the table top (e.g., that is disposed under the table top to store books and other items). However, small items are quickly lost in the deep storage (e.g., due to depth of the slot, darkness in the slot, and lack of organization in the slot). Thus, there is a need for better desks and better storage.
In various implementations, furniture may include an organizational frame. For example, tables (e.g., desks, computer tables, and/or printer tables), free standing boards (e.g., smart boards, white boards, chalk boards, and/or projector screens), etc. may include an organizational frame. In some implementations, a table, such as a desk, may include a table top coupled to a frame. The frame of the table may include legs and at least one organizational member disposed between the legs. The organizational member may include a plurality of coupling members, such as openings. The coupling member(s) in the organizational member may be able to couple with organization tools (e.g., pegs, hooks, brackets, containers, writing surfaces, etc.).
In various implementations, the furniture may include tables, such as desks, and freestanding furniture, such freestanding boards (e.g., smart boards, writing boards, easels, etc.).
In various implementations, a table may include one or more organizational members, a frame, and a table top (e.g., disposed on the frame and/or coupled to the frame). An organizational member may include a surface, and a plurality of organizational coupling members. Organizational coupling members may include recesses, protrusions, and/or other appropriate coupling members. Organizational coupling members may be disposed through the surface of the organizational member. Organizational coupling members may couple with one or more organizational tools or portions thereof. The frame of the table may include a first side and an opposing second side. The table may be adapted such that the second side of the frame is disposed on a surface of a location on which the table is disposed. The frame may include one or more legs. In some implementations, the frame may include at least two sets of legs that each include at least two legs. At least one of the organizational members may be disposed between two or more legs of at least one of the set of legs.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The table top may be disposed proximate the first surface of the frame. The table may be a desk. Leg(s) of the frame may include at least one straight section and at least one slanted section. In some implementations, each set of legs may include two legs. A leg may include a first end and an opposing second end. In some implementations, the angled section of a leg may be disposed proximate the first end of the leg, and the straight section may be disposed proximate the second end of the leg. The straight section may be disposed proximate to the angled section. In some implementations, the first ends of the legs may be closer together than the second ends of the legs in a frame and/or in a portion of the frame (e.g., a side of the frame). One or more of the legs include one or more casters.
The desk may include one of more shelves and/or drawers. Shelves and/or drawers may be disposed between at least two of the set of legs.
In various implementations, a freestanding board may include a frame, at least one organizational member, and at least one board. The frame may include at least one first leg and at least one second leg. At least one organizational member may be disposed between a first leg and a second leg of the frame. The organizational member may include a surface and a plurality of organizational coupling members disposed on the surface. Organizational coupling member(s) may couple with one or more organizational tools or portions thereof (e.g., organizational coupling members). A board may be coupled to the frame (e.g., at an end of the frame).
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first leg and/or the second leg may include a C-shaped member with two feet, and wherein the second leg comprises a C-shaped member with two feet. The first leg and/or the second leg may include C-shaped spine members, L-shaped spine members, and/or T-shaped spine members. The first leg may include caster(s) and/or the second leg may include caster(s). The board may include writing surface and/or a screen. The freestanding board may include a ledge. Organizational member(s) may include openings disposed through the surface of the organizational member. A first end of the board may be coupled proximate a first end of the first leg of the frame and an opposing second end of the board may be coupled to a first end of the organizational member, and wherein an opposing second end of the organizational member is coupled to the second leg of the frame.
In various implementations, a piece of furniture may include a frame and at least one organizational member. The frame may include at least one pair of legs (e.g., where a pair of legs includes a first leg and a second leg) and the frame may be adapted to couple with one or more other components of the furniture. An one organizational member may include one or more coupling members. Coupling member(s) may coupling with one or more organizational tools or portions thereof. At least one of the organizational members may be disposed between the first leg and the second leg of the frame.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The piece of furniture may include a table and/or a freestanding board. A first end of an organizational member may be coupled to the first leg and an opposing second end may be coupled to the second leg. A coupling member of an organizational member may include an opening, a recess, and/or a protrusion. The organizational member may include one or more apertures (e.g., to grip the furniture, to secure the furniture, and/or to facilitate moving the furniture). The furniture may include one or more organizational tools (e.g., coupleable to the organizational member). Organizational tools may include a hook, a loop, a basket, a container, and/or a bracket.
The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the implementations will be apparent from the description and drawings.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
In various implementations, furniture may include an organizational frame. Organizational frames may allow users to store tools, dispose of waste conveniently, organize components for projects, etc. For example, organizational frame(s) may allow convenient storage of building bricks, such as LEGOS®, and/or robotic components, such as VEX®, on desks. As another nonlimiting example, users may store filament spools, resins, plastics, nylons, and/or other 3D printing supplies via the organizational frame on a printing table or table proximate a printer. As another nonlimiting example, markers, stencils, teaching aids, pointers, etc. may be stored via the organizational frame of a free-standing board. As another nonlimiting example, a user may store art and/or other craft supplies such as paint, beads, brushes, canvas, paper, etc. By allowing storage of supplies that are commonly and/or occasionally used, users may spend more time on tasks (e.g., building, creating, teaching, etc.).
In various implementations, furniture may include an organizational frame. The organizational frame may be coupled to other members of the furniture, in some implementations. For example, the frame may be coupled to a table top. In some implementations, the frame may be coupled to a white board, smart board, screen, and/or other free-standing board. The organizational frame may include coupling members that allow tools, such as organizational tools to be coupled to the organizational frame. In some implementations, tools may be directly coupled to the organizational frame or portions there of (e.g., organizational member, legs, etc.).
In some implementations, the furniture may include a table, such as a desk.
The desk 100 may include a table top 110 and an organizational frame 120.
The table top may be any appropriate size, shape, and/or material as appropriate. A table top may be disposed approximately parallel to a surface on which the desk is disposed (e.g., as illustrated in
In some implementations, the table top 110 may include cutouts 112. A cutout may facilitate access to organizational tools, facilitate movement of the desk and/or inhibit pinching of extremities when moving the desk (e.g., a desk may be lifted by the cutout and placed against a wall or other desk while inhibiting pinching of fingers between contacting surfaces).
The organizational frame of a table may include two or more legs 130 and one or more organizational members. As illustrated in
The legs 130 of the organizational frame 120 may have any appropriate size and/or shape. A leg may or may not have an approximately uniform cross-sectional shape across a height of the leg. A leg or a portion thereof may be approximately vertical. A leg or portion there of may be slanted (e.g., when compared to a vertical axis that extends between a surface on which the table is disposed and a table top). As illustrated in
As illustrated in
One or more of the legs 130 may be adjustable in height. For example, a leg may be telescoping. A leg may be extended to a height and locked into place (e.g., via a pin). A leg may include an adjustable height leg similar to the leg described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,355, which is incorporated by reference.
One or more of the legs 130 may include one or more casters 136 (e.g., locking and/or non-locking) or other mobility devices (e.g., glider feet to facilitate sliding). Casters may facilitate movement of the desk. As illustrated in
The frame 120 may include brackets 140. As illustrated in
In some implementations, the desk 100 may include one or more shelves 160. A shelf may have any appropriate size and/or shape. As illustrated in
In some implementations, the desk 100 may include one or more drawers (not shown). A drawer may have any appropriate size and/or shape. A drawer may be disposed between brackets. In some implementations, a drawer may be disposed proximate a shelf (e.g., below at least a portion of a shelf). The shelf 160 may be coupled to the brackets 140 via any appropriate coupling (e.g., adhesive, bonding, welding, fusing, and/or fastening). A shelf may extend to the organizational member(s) 150 such that it contacts and/or couples with the organizational member(s). The drawer may extend at least partially along the length and at least partially along the width of the organizational member and/or a shelf proximate the drawer. A drawer may allow, for example, storage of any appropriate objects such as supplies for use with project, textbooks, instructions, equipment, etc. A drawer may include lock(s) (e.g., to secure objects store in the drawer). A drawer may increase organizational capabilities of furniture with an organizational frame and/or allow secure storage of objects (e.g., high value objects, objects frequently stolen, important objects, etc.).
In some implementations, the shelf and/or drawer may include organizational inserts placed in, coupled to, and/or disposed in the shelf and/or drawer. For example, an organizational block may allow storage of sorted objects, such as building block, brushes, spools, paints, beads, wires, instructions, etc. The organizational insert may include vertical and/or horizontal walls (e.g., to allow vertical and/or horizontal storage of objects). For example, an organizational insert may include dividers (e.g., that allow storage of books and/or instructions) and/or cubbies (e.g., that allow storage of building blocks, paints, brushes, tools, etc.).
The organizational member may be any appropriate size and/or shape. The organizational member may be linear (e.g., in a plane disposed between the legs to which the organizational member is coupled) and/or not linear (e.g., include curved section(s)). The organizational member may extend to the top of the frame, as illustrated in
The organizational member 150 may be coupled to other portions of the organizational frame 120 via any appropriate coupling member (e.g., fasteners, openings, hooks, pin and socket, adhesive, welding, fusing, etc.). The organizational member may be coupled to legs 130 (e.g., as illustrated in
The organizational member 150 may include a plurality of coupling members 152 (e.g., recesses, openings, protrusions such as pegs and/or hooks, etc.). The coupling members 152 may be disposed across a surface of the organizational member 150 or a portion thereof. As illustrated, the coupling members of the organizational member 152 may include openings. The openings may be any appropriate shape(s) (e.g., circular, oval, square, other regular shapes, irregular shapes and/or combinations thereof). The coupling members 152 may be disposed on the organizational member in any appropriate pattern and/or disposed irregularly on the organizational member. Coupling member(s) may be capable of coupling with an organizational tool. For example, an opening through the organizational member may receive a protrusion of the organizational tool. As another example, a protrusion of the organizational tool may receive a loop or opening of an organizational tool.
An organizational tool may include any appropriate organizational tool. For example, organizational tools may include one or more containers (e.g., buckets, bins, cubbies), hooks (e.g., s-hooks, c-hooks, etc.), pegs, writing surfaces (e.g., chalkboard, white board, electronic writing display, etc.), shelves, magnetic bars (e.g., to couple magnetic objects to the organizational member), display device holders, brackets (e.g., sliding, L-shaped, C-shaped, etc.), bags, and/or any other appropriate organizational tool. An organizational member may include one or more organizational coupling member (e.g., protrusions such as hooks and/or pegs, loops, ties, recesses, tracks etc.) that is capable of coupling with one or more of the coupling members of the organizational member. The organizational coupling member of a tool may be configured to mate with one or more coupling member of the organizational member (e.g., slot and bar, pin and hole, bolt and opening, hook and opening, peg and loop, track and traveling member, etc.). The organizational coupling member may be rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible. The organizational coupling member of the tool may be capable of supporting the weight of the tool when coupled to the organizational member. The supplies such as school supplies, art supplies, project supplies, and/or other objects may be disposed in the organizational tool. Storing the supplies in the organizational tool may increase user satisfaction (e.g., since supplies are easily stored, accessed and organized) and/or increase useable area on a table top (e.g., since containers on the table top may not be utilized).
In some implementations, an organizational coupling member (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled to a tool and/or organizational member) tool may include one or more protrusions. A protrusion may be disposed at least partially in an opening of the organizational to couple the organizational tool to the organizational member. For example, the protrusion may include an s-hook, c-hook, L-hook, t-bracket, etc. The protrusion(s) may be capable of coupling with opening(s) of the organizational member such that the organizational tool is retained in a position until a user removes the organizational tool (e.g., unhook the tool).
In some implementations, one or more organizational tools may be used to indirectly couple an organizational tool and/or other tool to the organizational member. For example, as illustrated in
As another example, a set of hooks may be utilized to retain an organizational tool. In some implementations, an organizational tool may include a set of hooks to couple with the organizational frame.
In some implementations, other components may be coupled to the organizational member. For example, signs (e.g., motivational, label, etc.), instructions (e.g., directly or indirectly for example via a loop attached to instructions), decorations, etc. may be coupled to openings in the organizational member via couplers on the other components.
In some implementations, the organizational member 150 may include apertures 154. The apertures 154 may be disposed at least partially through the organizational member 150. An aperture may facilitate movement of the desk (e.g., by allowing a user to grip the frame via the aperture). In some implementations, a covering 155 may be provided at least partially on the aperture (e.g., at least partially around a perimeter and/or at least partially through the aperture). The covering 155 may facilitate gripping, may provide a cushioned grip, inhibit degradation of exposed surfaces in the aperture, provide a smooth surface to inhibit injury while gripping the surface, and/or any have other appropriate purpose.
In some implementations, leg(s) and/or brace(s) may include coupling members that allow organizational tools to be directly coupled to the legs. For example, in place of and/or in additional to one or more of the organizational member(s) of furniture, leg(s) and/or brace(s) may include coupling members, such as openings, that are capable of coupling with tools, such as organizational tools (e.g., hooks, containers, and/or loops).
In some implementations, a table, such as a desk or any other appropriate table, may include more than 4 legs and/or may include less than four legs. For example, a table may include 3 legs and/or 2 legs. An organizational plate may be disposed between at least two of the legs. A leg may be directly coupled to one or more than one organizational plate. As illustrated in
In various implementations, the materials utilized to make components of the furniture may vary or be the same. In some implementations, the material selected may be based on the component and/or use of the furniture. For example, the legs may include a material selected to support the weight of the furniture and/or use of the furniture by users. The table top may include a material selected for ease of cleaning, to minimize interference with projects (e.g., non-electrically conducting), etc. As another nonlimiting example, a coating may be utilized to provide functionality to tabletops and free-standing boards, such as materials that allow the coated surface to be used as a smart screen, projection screen, writing surface (e.g., white board and/or chalk board), cork board, etc.
In some implementations, although the coupling members of the organizational member are illustrated as the same across a surface of an organizational member, the types of coupling members may vary. For example, a surface of an organizational member may include openings through the organizational member and one or more other types of organizational members, such as protrusions (e.g., hooks, loops, and/or pegs). Varying the type of organizational member may provide compatibility versatility of the organizational member since different connections may be used. In some implementations, the same type of coupling member may be utilized across a surface of the organizational member to allow positioning versatility since a compatible organizational tool may be positioned based on user desire rather than inhibited by the arrangement of the coupling members on the surface of the organizational members.
Organizational tools may be fixedly (e.g., via toggle fasteners, such as toggle bolts) and/or removably (e.g., via hooks) coupled to the organizational member.
In some implementations, the desk may not include shelves.
In some implementations, a table (e.g., a desk) may include a table top is coupled to a frame. The frame includes four legs. The frame includes a first side with two legs and a second opposing side with an additional two legs. A first organizational member is disposed between the legs on the first side and/or a second organization plate is disposed between the legs on the second side. The organizational member may be coupled to the legs via fastener(s) and/or via any other appropriate coupling (e.g., glue, slot and tongue, etc.). As illustrated, a leg includes a slanted section (e.g., curved and/or linear) and a straight section. The legs may be disposed farther apart proximate a floor than proximate a table top (e.g., to increase stability, to increase user leg room, etc.). The legs may include one or more braces coupled (e.g., via a fastener) between legs on opposing sides. As illustrated, the openings in the organizational member may be utilized to couple organizational tools to the legs via the organizational member. As illustrated, a hook may be utilized to couple scissors, cubbies may coupled to the plate, and/or extended hooks (e.g., racks) may be coupled to the plate.
In various implementations, a table, such as a desk may include a table top coupled to a frame. The frame may include legs and at least one organizational member disposed between the legs. The frame may include at least one brace between the legs. The organizational member may include a plurality of openings. The opening(s) in the organizational member may be able to couple with organization tools (e.g., pegs, hooks, containers, writing surfaces, etc.).
In some implementations, the frame for a table may include two legs and an organizational member disposed between the legs. At least one of the legs may two or more feet. For example, the leg may include a C-shaped member proximate the bottom side of the frame such that the ends of the C contact a ground on which the table is disposed. The C-shaped member may include curved sections and/or straight sections.
In some implementations, the table top may include features such as nests (e.g., to store media devices), grooves (e.g., to retain writing devices), ledges (e.g., to support media devices such as books, instruction manuals, and/or electronic devices). The desk may include wire management members (e.g., clips, openings in components, etc.), and/or connectivity ports (e.g., power, data, etc.). In some implementations, one or more of the desktop organization features as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,565,928, which is hereby incorporated by reference, may be included in the table top and/or furniture. For example, the table top may include a desk sleeve with a pivot panel, sleeve, nest, ledges, wire management, etc.
In some implementations, a desk may include a kickstand base. For example, a kickstand base may be similar to the kickstand base described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,226,579. The kickstand base may be coupled to the frame such that it at least partially contacts a surface of a location on which the desk is located (e.g., when the desk is disposed on the surface of the location, when a force to tilt the desk is applied to the desk, and/or when the desk is tilted to inhibit the desk from falling). For example, the kickstand base may be disposed proximate the second sections and the third sections of the C-shaped spine members. The kickstand base may be disposed on the third section and/or proximate the second section (e.g., which is disposed proximate a surface of the location on which the desk is disposed).
In various implementations, the table (e.g., the desk) or portions there of may include any appropriate material, may be any appropriate size, and/or may be any appropriate shape.
Although desk has been described and illustrated in
Although an example of furniture with an organizational frame has been illustrated as a desk, other appropriate types of furniture may include one or more similar features of the desk described and illustrated in
In some implementations, furniture may include an organizational frame similar to the described desk organizational frame. For example, furniture may include an organizational frame 120.
The frame may be coupled to any appropriate components of the furniture, such as a table top, a board (e.g., smart board, writing board, easel surface, projector screen, etc.).
An organizational member 150 may be coupled to the legs 130 of the frame 120 (e.g., proximate an end of the organizational member, as illustrated, and/or not proximate an end of the organizational member). The organizational member 150 may include one or more coupling members 152, to allow coupling of one or more organizational tools to the organizational member, and/or aperture(s) 154.
A board 860 may be coupled to the frame in any appropriate orientation. The board 860 may be coupled to a top side of the frame, a bottom side of the frame, in the frame, etc. As illustrated, the board 860 may be coupled to the frame 120 such that the board 860 is disposed proximate the top side 851 of the freestanding board 850. In some implementations, the board may be disposed proximate the bottom side 852 of the frame and the organizational member 150 may be disposed proximate the top side 851 of the freestanding board.
The board 860 may have any appropriate shape including planar and non-planar shapes (e.g., curved surface). The board may include materials (e.g., as coating, layer, and/or portion of the board) that allow functionality for a purpose such as writing, viewing (e.g., media on the board), etc. For example, the board may include a white board, chalk board, paper, paper holder, screen (e.g., onto which a projector may project media and/or on which media can be displayed).
Although the board and the organizational member are described an illustrated as being disposed one component on top of the other component, other orientations may be utilized with furniture, including the freestanding board. For example, a board and an organizational member may be disposed side by side (e.g., such that the board and the organizational member are disposed between at least two of the legs of the frame and/or a bracket). In some implementations, one or more freestanding boards may include more than one board and/or organizational frame. For example, an organizational member may be disposed between boards and/or a board may be disposed between organizational members.
Although an implementation of the freestanding board is described and illustrated in
In some implementations, furniture (e.g., desks, free-standing boards, easels, etc.) may include L-shaped legs. For example, the frame may include two or more legs that are L-shaped spine members. The L-shaped leg may include a first approximately vertical section and a second section that is disposed proximate a surface of the location on which the furniture is disposed. The first section may be coupled to other component(s) of the furniture (e.g., board, table top, etc.) proximate a first end and a second end may be coupled to the second section of the leg (e.g., proximate an end of the second section). In some implementations, the leg may be T-shaped with a first section approximately vertical section and a second section disposed proximate a surface of the location on which the furniture is disposed. The first section may be coupled to other component(s) proximate a first end and may be coupled at a second end to the second section of the leg (e.g., proximate a middle).
In some implementations, the furniture may include one or more legs with a C-shaped spine member.
Although in various implementations, a desk has been described as an example implementation of furniture, other types of tables may include one or more of similar features. Although in various implementations, a freestanding board has been described as an example implementation of furniture, other types of furniture may include one or more similar features.
Descriptions of orientation are relative to the furniture and have been provided to illustrate an example, and not limiting.
U.S. patents and/or U.S. patent applications described as incorporated by reference as herein fully incorporated by reference as to all of the features described in the U.S. patents and/or U.S. patent applications to the extent that the teachings do not conflict with the teachings of the current application. Features in these U.S. patents and/or U.S. patent applications not discussed specifically in the current application are not disclaimed merely absence of a reference to the particular feature in the current application.
Although users have been described as a human, a user may be a person, a group of people, a person or persons interacting with one or more computers, and/or a computer system.
It is to be understood the implementations are not limited to particular systems or processes described which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an organizational member” includes a combination of two or more organizational members and reference to “an organizational tool” includes different types and/or combinations of organizational tools.
Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/802,401, entitled “Furniture with Organizational Frame”, filed on Nov. 2, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/416,663, entitled “Table with Organizational Frame”, filed on Nov. 2, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62416663 | Nov 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 15802401 | Nov 2017 | US |
Child | 16518620 | US |