Patent Application
20250064204
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 17/897,956, filed on Aug. 29, 2022, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Applicant refers to the petition filed to convert the non-provisional application to a provisional application, which was granted on Mar. 1, 2023. The Decision for the Petition has been submitted with this application as a Miscellaneous Incoming Letter. A new application number for the U.S. Provisional Application was never provided after the grant of the Petition. Accordingly, we refer to the U.S. application Ser. No. 17/897,956 as the provisional application to which this application is claiming priority.
The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to transformable furniture.
Modem urban living spaces can be particularly small, and though smaller furniture and more efficient floor plans can make a smaller space seem larger, sacrifices often must be made when choosing to live in these smaller areas. Transformable furniture may be used to save space while providing more than a single use case to increase the functionality of small living spaces. This is particularly important when certain activities require that a large space and/or furniture be designated so that a participant may partake, which can be a large problem when one needs to partake in said certain activities inside a homeplace having a floorplan too small to allow for a designated area without affecting the traditional feel of the homeplace. Two such activities that often require designated areas and/or pieces of specialized furniture is work and gaming. For instance, a home office may require a desk, chair, secure/highspeed internet connection, etc. in order to allow for a proper working environment whereas a gaming center may require a racing seat, wheel, and pedals in order to properly simulate a racing experience. Unfortunately, the furniture required for either activity might not have the desired look one might like to place in their main living area, resulting in vocational furniture and gaming furniture that is often ignored in favor of more traditional furniture types.
In fact, the design of furniture is arguably more important in smaller spaces than larger because it will be more noticeable. The look and design of a room is often one of the first things someone will notice about a home, and since furniture helps form the look and design of a home, selecting the right types of furniture for the desired look and design is imperative in a smaller living area. Traditional vocational furniture and gaming furniture can take up a lot of room and isn't particularly attractive, meaning one must be particularly dedicated to their vocation or their hobby to sacrifice the interior design of their living area with those types of furniture when living in a homeplace with a smaller floorplan. Though there are some who may be willing to sacrifice areas of their homeplace for the convenience of having a large piece of vocational or gaming furniture at their disposal, there are many others who are not willing to do so. This is especially true for some of the modern gaming methods, such as virtual reality (VR), since these more modern gaming methods often require a lot of space for a user to play effectively. Additionally, the advancement of augmented reality (AR) headsets seems to have created the need for a single piece of transformable furniture that can function for both vocational work and VR gaming.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for transformable furniture that may serve vocational and gaming purposes while also having the ability to hide any vocational/gaming components and design features when not in use.
A system for multifunctional furniture device is provided. In one aspect, the multifunctional furniture device of the present disclosure is designed to provide transformable/reconfigurable furniture capable of serving multiple functions. In another aspect, the multifunctional furniture device of the present disclosure is designed to provide a piece of furniture that may store components of a second configuration within an inner cavity so that said components are not visible when in a first configuration. Generally, the multifunctional furniture device of the present disclosure allows a user to create a working and/or gaming space using a piece of furniture that completely hides said working and/or gaming space when a user so desires. The multifunctional furniture device generally comprises an exterior shell, positioning mechanism, platform, and seating arrangement.
The exterior shell comprises a top section and a bottom section secured to one another via a hinge at one end. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior shell is placed in an open position and closed position by a user by rotating the top section about the bottom section via a hinge. The multifunctional furniture device is placed in an open position when the seating arrangement is placed in a seating position, which preferably occurs when a floor panel of the top section is in plane with the bottom panel of the bottom section. The seating arrangement allows a user to sit within the open cavity of the reconfigurable furniture device. The seat of the seating arrangement is rotatably secured to the interior surface of the top section via a hinge and is secured within slots of a support base of the seating arrangement via a seat bar. The support base is itself secured to the interior surface of the floor panel of the top section. The slots of the support base allow for the seat bar of the seat to slide as the multifunctional furniture device is moved between an open position and closed position. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the seat is slidably attached to the support base. In a preferred embodiment, a user may position the seat within the slots in order to customize the position of the seat.
The positioning mechanism comprises rotating pillars, positioning bars, and platform bars. In a preferred embodiment, the multifunctional furniture device comprises two rotating pillars rotatably secured to the interior surface of the side panels of the bottom and top sections. The rotating pillars comprise an outer column and inner column that are rotatably secured to the bottom section via crank points 509 and the rotatably secured to a platform bar via free-linkage attachment points. As the inner column and outer column rotate about the crank points 509, they move between a collapsed position and upright position. Additionally, rotation of the outer column and inner column about the crank point causes the platform bar to reorient about the free linkage attachment points in a way such that a platform secured to said platform bar is reoriented in front of the seat in a way such that it may be used by a user. The positioning bar is rotatably secured to sides of the top section at a first end and rotatably secured to the bottom end of the outer column at a second end. The positioning bars apply a pulling force to the outer column as the top section is rotated about the bottom section via the hinge, which causes the rotatable pillars to rotate about the crank points 509, resulting in the rotating pillars achieving an upright position when the seating arrangement is placed in a seating position.
The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system and method of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features that form the subject of the claims will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purpose of the system and method disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do not depart from the scope of the system and method of the present disclosure.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For instance, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For instance, a multifunctional furniture device “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
As will be evident from the disclosure provided, the present invention satisfies the need for a multifunctional furniture device 100 that can accommodate work/entertainment needs as well as function as other pieces of furniture.
In a preferred embodiment, the exterior shell 105 of the multifunctional furniture device 100 comprises a top section 105A and bottom section 105B operably connected via a hinge 105C where the top section 105A and bottom section 105B meet at a corner, as illustrated in
The furniture configurations created when the multifunctional furniture device 100 is placed in an open position 710 and closed position 705 are preferably of different furniture types, which may allow a user 805 to use the multifunctional furniture device 100 for multiple activities. Furniture types that the device 100 may take on include, but are not limited to, tables, chairs, desks, ottomans, beds, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior shell 105 may be placed an open position 710 or closed position 705 by rotating the top section 105A about the bottom section 105B via the hinge 105C. An opening mechanism contained within the exterior shell 105 controls the position of the platform 125 whereas the position of the top section 105A and a seating arrangement contained within the exterior shell 105 control the position of the seat 130. Materials that may be used to construct the exterior shell 105 include, but are not limited to, wood, aluminum, steel, plastic, or any combination thereof.
The seating arrangement controls the position of the seat 130 within the cavity of the exterior shell 105 and allows the seat 130 to change position as the multifunctional furniture device 100 is moved from a closed position 705 to an open position 710. In a preferred embodiment, the seating arrangement comprises a seat 130 and a support base 135 to which the seat 130 is operably connected. The seating arrangement is preferably enclosed within the cavity when the multifunctional furniture device 100 is in a closed position. The seat 130 is preferably rotatably attached to the interior surface of the top panel via a hinge 105C located at a top end of said seat 130. A seat bar 132 secured to the bottom of the seat 130 via an extension preferably anchors the bottom of the seat 130 to the support base 135 in a way that prevents the base of the seat 130 from moving too far forward. In some embodiments, the seat 130 may further comprise a head support positioned on or above the top end of the seat 130. The support base 135 is connected to the interior surface of the floor panel and positioned in a way to accept a seat bar 132 of the seat 130. As illustrated in
The positioning mechanism controls the position of the platform 125 relative the seat 130 within the cavity of the exterior shell 105. As the exterior shell 105 is moved from a closed position 705 to an open position 710, a force transferred to the opening mechanism causes said opening mechanism to rotate into an upright position and places the platform 125 in a position so that it may be used by a user 805. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning mechanism is a 4-bar linkage mechanism driven by a rigid, pivoting linkage. The positioning mechanism generally comprises rotating pillars, platform bars 120, and positioning bars 115, wherein the rotating pillars and positioning bars 115 act with the side panels of the bottom section 105B (which act as fixed linkages) to act as the 4-bar linkage while the positioning bar 115 acts as the rigid, pivoting linkage operably connected to the 4-bar linkage. Preferably, a first rotating column is rotatably secured to the bottom right panel and second rotating column is rotatably secured to the bottom left side panel via forward attachment points 605 and backward attachment points 610. The rotating pillars comprise an outer column 110B and inner column 110A, wherein said outer columns 110B are rotatably secured to the bottom right panel and bottom left side panel at said forward attachment points 605 and the inner columns 110A are rotatably secured to the bottom right panel and bottom left side panel at said backward attachment points 610. The forward attachment points 605 of the bottom side panels are preferably aligned directly across from one another in a way such that a line drawn between the forward attachment points 605 is substantially parallel with one of the ground or the inner surface of the bottom panel, and the backward attachment points 610 of the bottom side panels are preferably aligned directly across from one another in a way such that a line drawn between the backward attachment points 610 is substantially parallel with a flat surface on which the bottom panel is in contact with one of the ground or the inner surface of the bottom panel. In another preferred embodiment, the line drawn between the forward attachment points 605 and the line drawn between the backward attachment points 610 are in plane and/or substantially parallel. In yet another preferred embodiment, the forward attachment points side panels are higher than the backward attachment points so that if a line is drawn between a forward attachment point and backward attachment point of a side panel, the resulting line would not be substantially parallel with the bottom panel of the bottom section. The shapes of the inner column 110A and outer column 110B allow for the orientation of the platform bar 120 (and therefore any platform secured thereto) to change as said rotating pillars move from a collapsed position to an upright position, as illustrated in
To allow for unitary motion of the inner and outer columns 110B so that they may behave as if they are part of a 4-bar linkage, the inner columns 110A and their respective outer columns 110B are rotatably secured to platform bars 120 via free linkage attachment points 510. In a preferred embodiment, the platform bar 120 secures to the inner column 110A at a first end and the outer column 110B at a second end. The resulting rotating pillars form a 4-bar linkage mechanism, which allow the rotating pillars to move between collapsed and upright positions. A platform is secured to the platform bars 120 of the rotating pillars, allowing for the simultaneous movement of the rotating pillars. As the rotating pillars move between collapsed and upright positions, the shapes of the inner column 110A and outer column 110B (in combination with their different attachment points about the bottom section 105B) result in the platform bar 120 reorienting. In a preferred embodiment, the platform bar 120 reorients in a way such that a platform secured thereto may be used as a working surface for an activity. In some embodiments, the platform bar 120 may reorient in a way such that it is generally perpendicular with the floor so that a user 805 may view an output device secured to the platform bar 120 and/or platform.
As previously mentioned, positioning bars 115 acts as the rigid, pivoting linkage, which drives the 4-bar linkage that is the rotating pillars. As such, the positioning bars 115 preferably transfer force to the rotating pillars to cause said rotating pillars to move between collapsed and upright positions. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning bars 115 are rotatably secured to side panels of the top section 105A at first ends and are rotatably secured to the bottom end of the outer columns 110B at a second end. The positioning bars 115 are preferably secured to the outer columns 110B on the corner opposite the crank point 509, as illustrated in
In some preferred embodiments, the multifunctional furniture device 100 may comprise a computing device 810 and/or display. A computing device 810 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, servers, databases, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The computing device 810 may be implemented in a number of different forms. For instance, a computing device 810 may be implemented as a server or in a group of servers. In addition, a computing device 810 may be implemented as a personal computer, such as a desktop computer or laptop computer. A computing device 810 may include a processor, memory, storage device, high-speed expansion ports, low-speed expansion ports, and bus operably connecting the processor. In one preferred embodiment, the bus may comprise a high-speed interface connecting the processor to the memory and high-speed expansion ports as well as a low-speed interface connecting to the low-speed expansion ports and the storage device. Because each of the components are interconnected using the bus, they may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners as appropriate. In a preferred embodiment, the computing device 810 comprises at least one graphical processing unit (GPU), which may assist or fully replace the processor when generating two-dimensional and three-dimensional images from a model by means of computing instructions.
The processor may process instructions for execution within the computing device 810, including instructions stored in memory or on the storage device. Processing these instructions may cause the computing device 810 to display graphical information for a GUI on an output device, such as a display coupled to the high-speed interface. In other implementations, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memory units and/or multiple types of memory. Additionally, multiple computing devices 810 may be connected, wherein each device provides portions of the necessary operations. In a preferred embodiment, the computing device 810 of the present disclosure may be used by the user 805 in a virtual reality context, but a user 805 may use the computing device 810 of the present disclosure in any manner of ways without departing from the inventive subject matter described herein.
The multifunctional furniture device 100 may present data of the computing device 810 to the user 805 via a display operably connected to the processor. A display may be defined as an output device that communicates data that may include, but is not limited to, visual, auditory, cutaneous, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory, or any combination thereof. Information presented via a display may be referred to as a soft copy of the information because the information exists electronically and is presented for a temporary period of time. Information stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be referred to as the hard copy of the information. For instance, a display may present a soft copy of visual information via a liquid crystal display (LCD) mounted to the platform, wherein the hardcopy of the visual information is stored on a local hard drive. For instance, a display may present a soft copy of audio information via a speaker attached to the top section 105A on either side of the seat 130, wherein the hard copy of the audio information is stored memory. For instance, a display may present a soft copy of tactile information via a massage device integrated into the seat 130, wherein the hard copy of the tactile information is stored within a database.
Displays may include, but are not limited to, cathode ray tube monitors, LCD monitors, light emitting diode (LED) monitors, gas plasma monitors, screen readers, speech synthesizers, haptic feedback devices, virtual reality headsets, speakers, and scent generating devices, or any combination thereof. Some preferred embodiments of the multifunctional furniture device 100 may comprise a display unit, which may be defined as a plurality of displays that work together to display information to a user 805. For instance, the multifunctional furniture device 100 of the present disclosure may comprise a computing device 810 operably connected to a virtual reality headset, haptic feedback device, and speakers to create a display unit that may fully immerse a user 805 into a virtual racing environment. For instance, the multifunctional furniture device 100 acting as an arcade cocktail table in a closed position 705 and a work desk in an open position 710 may comprise an LCD screen that is incorporated into the top panel of the top section 105A and a platform configured to allow for the support of the use of a laptop. A user 805 may use the multifunctional furniture device 100 to play traditional joystick-based arcade games when in a closed position 705 using the first LCD screen.
As used herein, an input device 505 may be defined as a device that allows a user 805 to input data and instructions that is then converted into a pattern of electrical signals in binary code that are comprehensible to a computing device 810. An input device 505 may include one or more conventional devices that permit a user 805 to input information into the computing device 810, such as a scanner, phone, camera, scanning device, keyboard, a mouse, a pen, voice recognition and/or biometric mechanisms, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the input device 505 is mounted to the platform and/or inner surface of the bottom panel. When the multifunctional furniture device 100 is placed in a closed position 705, the input device 505 is stored within the created internal cavity, thus hiding it from view. Alternatively, other devices may be mounted to the at least one platform, including foot massaging devices, ellipticals, heat pads, cardio cycles, fans, or any combination thereof. For instance, a foot massaging device may be connected to the inner surface of the bottom panel in a way such that a user 805 sitting in the seat 130 may have the foot massage device massage their feet.
The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and process stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter.
