Abstract:
An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture includes a multi-purpose article of furniture for use by at least one worker in a work environment having a horizontal support surface such as a floor and at least one vertical support surface such as a wall. The article includes a core formed by a first core section coupled to a second core section at an angular displacement and a cover configured to fit around the core. The core can be oriented in a first position for a first purpose and a second position for a second purpose. The article may be stored adjacent another article of furniture in a first arrangement and in use adjacent another article of furniture in a second arrangement. The article may also be a pocket for storing items attached to a covering skin. The covering skin may include a marking identifier.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The following U.S. patent application is cited by reference and incorporated by reference herein: Ser. No. 29/120,447 titled “ARTICLE OF FURNITURE” commonly assigned and filed on Mar. 17, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an article of furniture for use in a work environment. In particular, the present invention relates to a multi-function article of furniture that can be used as a seating product, as support, as a work surface, or in any of a wide variety of other arrangements. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known to provide an article of furniture for supporting a worker in a work environment. Seating products such as chairs for supporting a worker in a seated position are generally well-known. Typically a chair will include a base (or legs), a seat and a back. However, such known chairs comfortably support a worker only in a single posture (i.e., a single seated position). Alternative seating products, such as “bean-bag” chairs or the like are known but not commonly thought of as comfortable (or aesthetically suitable for the work environment), even though multiple postures may be supported. It is also known to provide for a stool, which will support a single posture (i.e., a seated position). 
     It is also generally well-known to provide an article of furniture that functions as a support. For example, it is well-known to use a stool such as a foot stool for supporting the feet of a worker. Known foot stools typically have a relatively small height (i.e., lower than the lap of a worker when in a seated position). Such known footstools are usually used in association with a chair, such that a worker sitting in the chair can rest his or her feet on the stool (i.e., below the seat of the chair). Such known stools may also be used to support a worker in a seated position (i.e., sitting on the stool or resting on a floor against the stool). However, such known stools provide only a limited number of seating positions at a limited number of heights (e.g., seated on top of the stool, or seated on the floor and resting against the stool). Moreover, such known articles of furniture are not typically capable of a multi-function use. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an article of furniture for multi-function use in a work environment, for example as a seating product to support a worker in a variety of positions at a variety of heights, as a support, as a work surface, etc. It would further be advantageous to provide a multi-function article of furniture that may be formed in a variety of sizes and shapes and that may be easily transported between work areas. Other advantages of the subject matter recited in the appended claims will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the specification and the claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multi-purpose article of furniture for use by at least one worker in a work environment having a horizontal support surface such as a floor and at least one vertical support surface such as a wall, including a core formed by a first core section coupled to a second core section at an angular displacement, and a cover configured to fit around the core. The core can be oriented in a first position for a first purpose and a second position for a second purpose. 
     The present invention also relates to a seating product selectively positionable between a vertical orientation along a vertical axis and a horizontal orientation along a horizontal axis in a work environment or the like providing a horizontal surface such as a floor and a vertical surface such as a wall. The seating product includes a semi-rigid core having a first generally cylindrical portion coupled to a second generally cylindrical portion thereby forming an oblique portion relative to the vertical axis, a generally planar end cap coupled to the first portion of the core, the end cap being inclined relative to the horizontal axis, and a generally planar base coupled to the second portion generally parallel to the horizontal axis. The core in both the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation is configured to support at least one worker. 
     The present invention also relates to an article of furniture selectively positionable between an upright orientation and a horizontal orientation for use in a work environment or the like having a horizontal support surface such as a floor and a vertical support surface such as a wall. The article of furniture includes a core having a generally planar side and a first end configured for resting on the horizontal support surface and a second end being oblique relative to the first end and configured for supporting a worker, a curved portion disposed between the first end and the second end of the core, a generally planar base for supporting the core in the upright orientation coupled to the first end of the core, and a generally planar cap coupled to a second end of the core. The planar side of the core is configured to rest against the horizontal surface or the vertical surface to selectively retain the core in either a first horizontal position or a second horizontal position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a multi-function article of furniture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the article of furniture. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the article of furniture. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the article of furniture. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the article of furniture taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the article of furniture taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is fragmentary a cross-sectional view the article of furniture taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 8A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the article of furniture taken along line  8 A— 8 A of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the article of furniture taken along line  8 B— 8 B of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8C is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the article of furniture taken along line  8 C— 8 C of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a work environment showing multiple articles of furniture used in multiple exemplary functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a work environment showing multiple articles of furniture used in multiple functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a multi-function article of furniture (shown in an exemplary configuration as an article  10 ) for use in a work environment is shown according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Article  10  includes a curved or “bent” transition portion (shown as a “kink”  12 ) intermediate a base portion  14  and an end cap  16 . Article  10  includes a face section shown as a front  22  (see FIGS. 2 and 3) having a width W 1  greater than a width W 2  of a side section  26 , such that article  10  provides an elongate “footprint” (shown as an oval). It should be noted that according to alternative embodiments, the article could provide any of a wide variety of other footprints of any of a variety of other shapes, sizes and proportions (including wholly or partially circular or rectilinear or combinations thereof). 
     The construction of article  10  is shown in FIG.  4 . Article  10  includes a core shown as a body  30  having a generally cylindrical shape. An upper section (shown as a wedge  32 ) of body  30  is attached to a lower section (shown as a wedge  34 ) by a fastener (shown in FIG. 5 as an adhesive  20 ). Each of wedges  32  and  34  include an angled surface (shown as an oblique end  36 ), which is inclined relative to a generally planar base plate  38  that supports wedge  34 . Each of wedges  32  and  34  include a planar end  40 , which is generally parallel to base plate  38 , opposite oblique end  36 . Base plate  38  is attached to wedge  34  by a fastener shown as adhesive  20  (see FIG.  5 ). 
     The attachment of oblique end  36  of wedge  32  to oblique end  36  of wedge  34  forms kink  12 . Oblique end  36  is inclined from vertical by angle A 1 , which is preferably in the range of about 2 to 8 degrees relative to base plate  38 , more preferably in the range about 3 to 5 degrees, most preferably at about 4 degrees. When oblique end  36  of wedge  32  is attached to oblique end  36  of wedge  34 , body  30  is inclined from horizontal by angle A 2 , which is preferably in the range of about 4 to 12 degrees, more preferably in the range of about 6 to 10 degrees, most preferably at about 8 degrees. According to alternative embodiments, the kink may be an angle or a curve. According to any preferred embodiment, the article has an offset or displacement between the upper section (e.g. wedge) and the lower section (e.g., wedge). Kink  12  provides a in convenient location for supporting a portion of a worker (e.g., head, arm, foot, leg, back, etc.). For example, a worker may rest his or her head against kink  12  (as shown in FIG.  9 ). Also, kink  12  provides a work surface  96  of article  10  that is inclined relative to a horizontal surface such as a floor (as shown in FIG. 9) for ergonomic positioning (e.g. writing). According to a preferred embodiment, the core is made of a semi-rigid, lightweight material (e.g., structural foam such as polystyrene). According to an alternative embodiment, the core may be a unitary piece made of molded styrofoam or other semi-rigid material, or from combinations of two, three or more pieces of material (which may be solid or hollow) in various suitable shapes that provide a core of suitable strength and rigidity. According to other alternative embodiments, the core can be reinforced with rigidifying members (e.g., structural steel, plastic, rebar, etc.) or other structures or materials. 
     Referring further FIG. 4, a cushion layer (shown as a wrap  42 ) circumscribes and surrounds body  30 . Wrap  42  includes a left end  44  in an abutting relationship to a right end  46 . The wrap is preferably made of a semi-rigid material such as foam. A generally rigid plate (show shown as a disk  50 ) is attached to wedge  32  by adhesive  20  (see FIG.  5 ). A flexible cushion (shown as a foam pad  48 ) is attached to disk  50  and wrap  42 . 
     An interior covering (shown as a skin  60 ) encapsulates body  30  as shown in FIG.  4 . Skin  60  is generally tubular shaped and includes a reinforcing layer  62  coaxial with body  30 . Reinforcing layer  62  functions to compress the components of body  30  in a tight relationship to inhibit shifting, and also functions to protect pad  48  and wrap  42  from wear. Reinforcing layer  62  includes left end  66  attached to right end  64  by an abutting seam  68 . A fastener (shown as stitching  70 ) may further attach a left end  66  to a right end  64 . Referring to FIG. 6, a rim  72  it is shown attached to reinforcing layer  62  by a fastener (shown as a stitch  74 ). Rim  72  includes a top wall  76  generally parallel to base plate  38  and a side wall  78  generally parallel to reinforcing layer  62 . A length of top wall  76  may be folded onto itself and secured with a fastener (shown as a stitch  82 ) to form a reinforcing bead  80 . In a similar manner, side wall  78  may be folded onto itself and secured with a fastener (shown as a stitch  84 ) to form a reinforcing bead  86 . 
     Referring further to FIG. 6, an interior cavity  88  is located between reinforcing layer  62  and side wall  78 . Cavity  88  may function as a handle for moving or positioning article  10 . To reposition article  10 , a worker may insert his or her fingers within cavity  88  and lift article  10  between work areas. According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, bead  86  is not necessarily directly attached to reinforcing layer  62 , such that side wall  78  may be selectively positionable between a use position  90  (i.e., side wall  78  “folded” over an exterior covering shown as a “sock”  100 ) and an extended position (not shown) for grasping, lifting or dragging article  10 . 
     The exterior covering or sock  100  encapsulates body  30  and skin  60  as shown in FIG.  4 . Sock  100  is generally tubular shaped and is coaxial with body  30 . Sock  100  functions to protect pad  48  and wrap  42  from wear or soiling, and is easily removable from body  30  for cleaning. Sock  100  includes a seam  104  having a stitched left end  102  that abuts against a stitched right end  106 . A fastener (shown as stitches) assists in attaching left end  102  to right end  106 . A side wall  108  of sock  100  is generally parallel to reinforcing layer  62 . A base wall  98  of sock  100  is attached by a fastener (shown as a stitch  112 ) to side wall  108 . Base wall  98  is generally perpendicular to side wall  108  and supports body  30 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, sock  100  may be pulled (or drawn) under rim  72  of lid or end cap  16  and inside cavity  88  near bead  80 . According to an alternative embodiment, the sock may butt against the lower end of the lid (e.g. bead  86 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 8A, sock  100  includes a tightening mechanism  114  for securing sock  100  around body  30 . Tightening mechanism includes side wall  108 , which is shown folded onto itself and attached by a fastener (shown as a stitch  118 ) to form a fold  116 . Fold  116  includes a cavity  120  for housing an elongate flexible member (shown as a drawstring  122 ). Drawstring  122  may be tightened to secure sock  100  around skin  60  and body  30 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, a labeling surface (shown as a hangtag  92 ) may be attached to side wall  78  of rim  72 . The labeling surface and the exterior cover (i.e., sock) may include indicia (e.g., color, text, etc.) for a functional purpose (e.g., to indicate the source or ownership of the article) or a decorative purpose (e.g., to “match” the color or pattern of the walls or floor of the work space). 
     Article  10  is selectively repositionable between a variety of positions and orientations such as a vertical orientation  130  along a vertical axis  134  and a horizontal orientation  132  along a horizontal axis  133  (see FIGS.  9 - 10 ). As shown in FIGS. 1-3, heights H 1  and H 2  of article  10  are greater than width W 1 , which is greater than width W 2 . Accordingly, a worker may be supported by article  10  at different heights relative to a floor  150 . For example, a worker perched on article  10  in vertical orientation  130  could be positioned at a distance of height H 1  or H 2  relative to floor  150 , and a worker seated on article  10  in horizontal orientation  132  could be positioned at a distance of width W 1  or W 2  relative to floor  150 . 
     A worker may use the multi-function article of furniture, alone or in combination with any other articles of furniture (e.g. single or multi-function) and/or in a variety of orientations for a variety of purposes. As shown in FIGS.  9 — 10 , the articles may cooperate with other mobile and/or fixed articles of furniture to allow reconfiguration of work spaces, work areas and work stations for use by individual workers or groups of workers (who may be engaged in group, public, semi-private or private activities). FIG. 9 shows multiple multi-function articles of furniture used by workers for a variety of purposes in a work space  138   a , and FIG. 10 shows workers in a work space  138   b  using a variety of multi-function articles of furniture positioned in a variety orientations. According to alternative embodiments, the article may be used in a confined work area (e.g., cashier stand, ticket booth, phone booth, etc.) or an open work area. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, a worker  142   a  in a work area  140   a  of work space  138   a  is shown straddling an article  110   a , substantially identical to article  10  and having like reference numerals to identify like elements. Front  22  of article  110   a  is shown resting on floor  150 . Width W 1  of front  22  is greater than width W 2  of side  26 , such that article  110   a  resists rolling onto side  26  when article  110   a  is in horizontal orientation  132 , and a worker seated on article  110  is at a distance of width W 2  from floor  150 . According to an alternative embodiment, the side of the multi-function article of furniture in the horizontal orientation can be supported by the floor and straddled by a worker so the worker seated on the article is at a distance of width W 1  from the floor. According to other alternative embodiments, the width of the front of the article may be reduced so the article in the horizontal orientation may easily be rolled along a horizontal surface such as a floor. 
     The article may support a worker in a non-seated or alternative posture position. In FIG. 9, a worker  142   b  is shown in a work area  140   b  resting in a prone position against an article  110   b . Article  110   b  is shown in horizontal orientation  132  wedged between worker  142   b  and a wall  152 . According to alternative embodiments, a worker may use the multi-function article of furniture to hold up any part of the body of the worker (e.g., head, back, arms, legs, etc.). Referring further to FIG. 9, a worker  142   c  is shown in a work area  140   c  perched on an article  110   c  in vertical orientation  130 . An accessory (shown as a notebook computer  154 ) rests on work surface  96  of an article  110   d . Work surface  96  may support other accessories such as a keyboard (and shown as a book  158  and a pen  156 ) or for providing a generally planar surface for writing or taking notes. According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, base portion  14  rests on floor  150  when article  110   d  is in vertical orientation  130 . According to other alternative embodiments, the orientation of the article of furniture may be reversible (e.g., the end cap may be supported by the floor and the work surface may support a worker or an accessory). 
     Referring further to FIG. 9, multi-function article  110   e  and multi-function article  110   f  are shown in work area  140   b  associated with other articles of furniture commonly thought of as having a single-function (e.g., chair, file drawer, desk, etc., and shown as a table  160 ), which may support other accessories. A worker may be associated with the multi-function article by, for example, marking it with indicia (e.g., text, color, etc.) or by keeping it in close proximity. Accordingly, worker  142   c  shown in FIG. 9 may be closely associated with article  110   c  by using it for seating in work area  140   c  and then carrying it to work area  140   a  for use with table  160 . 
     The multi-function article of furniture may be used for a variety of other purposes. The article may be used alone for supporting a worker in the seated, prone or alternative position. For examples, a worker  142   g  in FIG. 10 is shown sitting on an article  110   g  in vertical orientation  130 , and workers  142   j  and  142   k  are both shown seated on an article  110   j  in horizontal orientation  132 , which functions as a bench. The article may be used alone to provide a work surface or a podium, or may be used alone as a footstool or a pillow. The multi-function article of furniture may also be used with other conventional articles of furniture such as panel wall systems, storage products, seating products, work stations, work surfaces, etc. For example, the article may be stowed under a table or a desk. The article may be placed near a display board mounted to a vertical wall to allow a worker to be supported by the article and use the display board. Also, the multi-function article of furniture may be used in combination with other like articles (of an identical or different size and/or shape). For example, multiple articles may be aligned in the vertical or horizontal orientation to provide a sofa or lounge. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, a worker  142   h  is shown seated on an article  110   h  and resting his or her feet on another like article  110   i  in horizontal orientation  132 . Multiple articles may be placed in a work space for division into multiple work areas (e.g., physically and visually divide the work area for worker activity). Multiple articles may be used as a pedestal for a large horizontal work surface such as a display board. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the exterior covering (i.e., sock) is made of a flexible and durable material (e.g., fabric, leather, vinyl, etc.). According to a particular preferred embodiment, the exterior covering is made of Fab Link Milliken Burgundy 5A20 fabric commercially available from Applied Textiles of Detroit, Mich., U.S.A. According to alternative embodiments, any of a wide variety of these or other materials may be used in any of a variety of combinations. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the reinforcing layer is made of Nylon Spandex Raw material commercially available from Simil Cuero of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. The lid is preferably made of vinyl (model number Vinyl Black 57B3) commercially available from Omnoval Gencorps of Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. The labeling surface is preferably made of leather commercially available from Towsley&#39;s of Manitowoc, Wis., U.S.A. The elongate flexible member (i.e., drawstring) is preferably made of white polypropylene. The wrap is preferably made of plush 55 polyurethane foam (having dimensions of 1×26×46¾, 1.8/55 straight cut) commercially available from Foamex of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. The pad is preferably made of plush 55 polyurethane foam (having dimensions of 2.16⅞×12⅞, 2.5/45 pat top TS33) commercially available from Foamex of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. The lid and the wrap preferably have a density in the range of about 1.0 to 2.0 lbs./ft 3 . The core is preferably made from white styrofoam (polystyrene) commercially available from Fanosa of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The disk is preferably made of masonite particleboard having a thickness in the range of about between one-fourth to three-fourth inches commercially available from Ponderosa of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. The base plate is preferably made from plywood or particleboard having a thickness of about three-quarter inches. The adhesive is preferably a hot melt adhesive (model no. Instaweld 34-3378) commercially available from Reichold of Charlotte, N.C., U.S.A. The multi-function article preferably has a height in the range of about 20-28 inches, more preferably about 24 inches. The article preferably has a width of about 15 inches, more preferably about 15.25 inches. The article preferably has a depth of about 22 inches. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the multi-function article of furniture shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments (such as variations in sizes, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, colors, combinations of shapes, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. For example, according to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, article  110   g  may be fitted with an interior or exterior pocket (shown as a saddle bag  162 ) for storing accessories. The lid of the article may be selectively removable from the body. The interior of the article may be partially hollowed or partitioned for storing accessories. As shown in FIG. 10, a handle  164  may be attached to the lid or exterior covering for easily repositioning the product or article in a work area. The core of the article may be unitary, or may include a plurality of structural components. The core may be cylindrical and/or may have an angular or bent profile. The core may be made of sculpted foam or other materials to provide for desired characteristics such as strength, weight, cost, etc. The reinforcing layer, rim and exterior covering may be made from any fabric such as polyester, cotton, nylon, polyester-cotton, black accord (model no. 19W1-250), etc. A variety of fasteners or fastening arrangements (e.g., adhesives, stitching, staples, tacks, etc.) as are known to those of skill in the art who may review this disclosure may be used to secure the components (e.g., sock and side wall) of the article together. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.