Patent Publication Number: US-2005140184-A1

Title: Furniture system facilitating informal collaboration and presentations

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      The present invention relates to furniture systems that facilitate informal group discussions, and more particularly relates to a furniture system including lounge seating units and a presenter-specific seating unit, where the presenter-specific seating unit is particularly adapted for supporting the activity of a presenter, and for helping the presenter maintain eye contact with his group and also to maintain control, while still keeping the informality of the situation.  
      Lounge seating is known to promote an informal setting and discussion, and is often used in lobbies and similar public places where it is desirable to encourage people to relax and have conversations. This contrasts to other furniture, such as task chairs, which are intended to support and promote task-oriented activity and movement, but in a more formal task-oriented way. The differences are subtle but significant, since people act differently in informal situations versus more formalized task-oriented situations. Lounge seating tends to have thicker, softer, deeper cushions, and tends to be more comfortable in function and “warmer” in appearance. Lounge seating will often include pillows, or pillow-like components, and often is not adjustable. Historically, lounge seating is not used for doing tasks, but instead is intended primarily for promoting informal discussion, reading, or relaxation while doing little else. Contrastingly, task chairs are intended to support the seated user primarily in an upright position, and to facilitate reaching and active movement while doing tasks. It is desirable to provide a furniture system that includes features promoting an informal setting and interactive discussion, so as to reduce the “cultural guards and barriers” to good communication such as during sales presentations, while at the same time supporting a presenter in a manner helping him (or her) show information that the presenter needs to present and also while supporting listeners in a manner promoting active listening, active exchange and interaction, and productive informal discussion and collaboration.  
      More specifically, it is desirable to provide furniture that promotes informal collaboration during presentations, so that a group of listeners feel more relaxed and more inclined to react and interact positively and participatively to presentations (rather than rigidly and stoically). At the same time, it is desirable to provide furniture that is specific to the presenter and sufficiently flexible in use to support the presenter&#39;s activities and meet speaker and leader needs. Furniture is needed that does not “remove” the presenter from the group, nor that unnecessarily separates the presenter from the group, nor that places the presenter in an “authoritative” domineering position that discourages participation and interaction. The furniture must help prevent clutter and circumstances where the presenter becomes disheveled and disorganized. The furniture must hold and support information, such as charts, graphs, projected images and the like, at locations where the presenter can easily point to them, without the presenter having to constantly move back and forth to “get out of the way” so that listeners can see the information. The furniture must provide places to hold water or beverages, markers and pencils, papers and sheets of information, while at the same time providing the “deep” soft cushions and aesthetic “look” that are characteristic of lounge seating units.  
      Thus, a furniture system having the aforementioned advantages and solving the aforementioned problems is desired.  
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      In one aspect of the present invention, a furniture system adapted for informal collaboration and presentations includes at least one lounge seating unit adapted to support seated group members in an informal setting, and a podium seating unit having a seat for a seated presenter. An information display panel is coupled to the podium seating unit and located adjacent a rear of the podium seating unit. The display panel extends above the seating unit with its front surface being reachable over a back of the podium seating unit. By this arrangement, the seated presenter can maintain level eye contact with group members in an informal setting while discussing and pointing to information on the display panel.  
      In another aspect of the present invention, a podium seating unit adapted for informal collaboration and presentations includes a podium seating unit having a seat for a seated presenter, and an information display panel attached to the podium seating unit and located adjacent a rear of the podium seating unit. The display panel extends above the seating unit with its front surface being reachable over a back of the podium seating unit. By this arrangement, the seated presenter can maintain level eye contact with group members in an informal setting while discussing and pointing to information on the display panel.  
      In yet another aspect of the present invention, a seating unit includes a base, and a seat and a back supported on the base. A projector screen is attached to one of the base, back and seat. The screen extends above the back, and the back has a low height allowing a user sitting on the seat to reach over the back and point to projected images on the screen.  
      The present furniture system serves as an excellent focal point for a lounge-based meeting, where informal communication and collaboration is desired. The podium lounge seating unit provides comfortable seating for the presenter along with a handy tablet arm, secured storage, and a projection surface. A lockable storage drawer is available to secure projection equipment or presentation tools. The fixed tablet arm provides a surface for presenter&#39;s notes, laptop computer, or wireless mouse. Also, a cushion-engaging service tray accessory nests securely on the benches and podium seating units for food service and to support projection equipment in a lounge-based meeting space, and is movable along the cushions for optimal positioning. The podium seating unit includes an integrated projection screen attached to its rear area and which extends up above its low-height back. The projection screen is a fine white mesh, and provides a cleanable surface that allows light to filter through when the screen is used to divide space. The projection screen also accommodates Steelcase&#39;s Huddleboard™ marker board, which is an erasable board that can be hung on the screen and easily written on by a presenter sitting on the podium seating unit. The Huddleboard™ marker board is removable, and also is slidable along the screen for optimal positioning relative to the seated presenter. The back of the podium seating is particularly constructed to reduce a tendency to recline against the back screen, such as by its low height (which does not fully support a seated user&#39;s lumbar, and hence tends to cause a seated user to sit upright and/or forwardly) and also by its fore-to-aft thickness (which is sufficient to space a seated user away from the screen while still permitting full access for pointing or writing thereon).  
      The present furniture system further includes “bench” lounge seating units, which are more conventional in nature. Bridge tables are provided that extend between and interconnect adjacent bench lounge seating units, and which provide a place for users to rest food, writing supplies, and materials. Also, privacy screens are provided that attach to rear edges of the bridge tables, and that extend along linear tables or around corners defined by corner tables.  
      These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       FIGS. 1-3  are three perspective views showing three different collaborative environments formed by the present furniture system;  
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the podium lounge seating unit shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
       FIGS. 5-8  are top, front, right side, and rear views of the podium lounge seating unit of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a rear view of the rear-mounted screen shown in  FIGS. 4-8 ;  
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged sectional view of a connector joining abutting ends of the tubular frame for the screen; and  
       FIGS. 11-13  are perspective, end and side views of the accessory tray shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      A furniture system  20  ( FIG. 1 ) particularly adapted for informal collaboration and presentations includes “bench” lounge seating units  21  for team members and a podium lounge seating unit  22  for a seated presenter. An information display panel (i.e. screen  23 ) is attached to a rear of the podium lounge seating unit  22  and extends vertically with its front surface being easily reachable over a low-height back  24  of the podium lounge seating unit  22 . By this arrangement, the seated presenter “P” ( FIG. 2 ) maintains level eye contact with group members “G” in an informal setting while discussing and pointing to information  23 A projected by projector  23 B on the screen  23 . Additional accessories are provided to enhance use of the system, such as a paper-and-drink-and-projector tray  26  for resting on the seat cushion, an erasable board  27  (called a Huddleboard™ marker board) ( FIGS. 3-4 ) attachable to and hangable on the screen  23 , bridge tables  28  and  29  ( FIG. 2 ) positionable between bench lounge seating units  21  to interconnect the seating units  21 , and table-attached screens  30  and  31  (linear and corner-attached) for promoting privacy. Also, the podium lounge seating unit  22  can include additional features and options, such as an end tablet  32  ( FIG. 1 ) or a lockable drawer  33  ( FIG. 4 ), as described below. Also, an end table or coffee table  34  is configured to match the decor of the seating units  21  and  22 , and also is constructed to receive the tray  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , these seating units and accessories can be arranged in a variety of different configurations.  
      The back  24  is low in height (such as only about 6″ to 8″ above a top surface of the seat, or more preferably about 7″ to 7-½″) and terminates at or below a presenter&#39;s lumbar. The back  24  is further deep enough (such as about 6″ to 8″, or more preferably about 6-½″) such that it acts as a “curb” to discourage the presenter from leaning rearwardly against the screen  23 . The back  24  has a rearwardly angled front surface, making it look somewhat like a curb, and is positioned at a height usable as an armrest by the presenter. The back (also called a “bolster”) exists as a stop or barrier or curb positioned in front of the screen  23 . Ergonomically speaking, its height was determined, in part, to fit the small of a person&#39;s back to enhance a “perching” posture, and to serve as an arm rest. It also makes a clear distinction from traditional sofa backs which welcome a “lounging” posture. Surprisingly, the back height of less than 8 inches achieves a surprising, unexpected and beneficial result in that the lumbar of a seated user is not fully supported, yet the result is a more upright (yet comfortable and informed) seating posture of the seated presenter.  
      Briefly, the bench lounge seating units  21  ( FIG. 1 ) include a box-like base frame  40  supported on two or more leg frames  41 , each having a front leg and a rear leg  42  connected by a horizontal tube section  43  supporting the base frame  40 . (See  FIG. 1 .) A generously deep seat cushion  44  is placed on the base frame  40 , and a mid-level back  45  is positioned on the base frame  40  behind the seat cushion  44 . The seat cushion  44  and back  45  are generously cushioned, but crisp clean lines are maintained along corners of the cushions to help provide a hint of a structured activity-based working environment. A visual screen  46  is attached to a rear of the back  45 , and extends considerably above the back, for providing a visual screen for creating a semi-private area and informal discussion. A more detailed discussion of a lounge seating unit similar to the bench lounge seating unit  21  can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,067 and Des No. 476,819, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.  
      The podium lounge seating unit  22  ( FIG. 4 ) includes a tubular frame  50  with legs supporting a couch-like base  51 , and includes seating cushion  52  supported on the base  51 . The back  24  is cushioned and upholstered, but is sufficiently stiff so that it functions to hold seated presenters away from the screen  23 , in a manner that tends to prevent presenters from leaning on the screen  23 . The back  24  is attached to the base  51 , and defines a vertical crevice  53  between itself and the seat cushion  52 . This allows flanges on the tray  26  to fit securely into the crevice  53  for stability, yet allows the tray  26  to slide along the seat (including the crevice) to an optimal position of use. As noted above the back is about 6-8 inches high, and more preferable is 7½ inches high, and is about 6-8 inches deep, and more preferably is about 6½ inches deep. The back  24  has an angled front surface, giving it a “curb” shape not unlike the shape of a curb on a street. The illustrated back  24  terminates about 5 inches short of ends of the seat cushion  52 . The base  51  and seating cushion  52  are relatively squared off with flat surfaces and clean, crisp corners.  
      The tablet  32  ( FIGS. 5-8 ) is supported on a tubular post-like upright  55  that extends from the tubular frame  50  at a front corner of the seating cushion  52 . A tablet top  56  is attached to a top of the upright  55 . The illustrated tablet top  56  is round and includes a durable finish, but it is noted that different shapes, sizes, and materials can be used. The lockable drawer  33  ( FIG. 6 ) is positioned in a pocket located at a left front of the base  51 . Drawers are well known in the art for releasably securing the drawer in its closed position. The illustrated drawer  33  has a flat front that matches the shape of the opening in the base  51 , and that lines up flush with the front of the base  51 . A lock  57  is shown in the upper left corner of the drawer  33 .  
      An end table  34  ( FIG. 3 ) is provided that is similar in shape and appearance to the base  51  and seat cushion  52 . The end table  34  includes a tubular frame  59  similar to the seating unit frame  50 , and further includes a base  60  that is similar to the base  51  on the seating unit  22 . The size and shape of a top surface  61  of the end table  34  is similar to the top surface of the seat cushion  52 , so that the tray  26  can fit securely on the table  34 . The table  34  could include a cushioned top surface if desired. A pocket  83  is formed in the base  60  for receiving magazines. The pocket can also be used to store the tray  26 .  
      The screen  23  includes a tubular perimeter frame  63  ( FIGS. 8-9 ) attached to a rear of the base  51 . The tubular frame  63  includes a tube section bent into a rectangular shape with radiused corners, with ends of the tube joined with an internal coupler  64  ( FIG. 10 ). A flexible sheet  65  of light-colored material, such as fine white mesh material suitable for use to receive a projected image, is stretched across and attached to the tubular frame. The attachment can be by any means known, including by wrapping and sewing an edge flap of material to the tubular frame, or by adhering the sheet to the frame, or both, or by other fastening means. The two lower outer corners  66  of the sheet  65  are cut-away, to leave the lower outer corners of the frame  63  exposed. As illustrated, threaded fasteners  67  ( FIG. 3 ) extend through the exposed corners of the tubular frame  63  and interconnect the screen  23  to the base  51  of the podium lounge seating unit  22 . It is contemplated that panels or boards can also be used in place of the frame  63  and sheet  65 .  
      A marker board  27  ( FIG. 4 ) is provided with a stiff panel  69  having an erasable front surface  70 , and two spaced-apart hooks  71  shaped to releasably engage a top edge  72  of the screen  23 . The marker board  27  can be slid along the top edge  72  for optimal positioning of the board  27 .  
      One (or more) linear bridge tables  28  ( FIG. 2 ) and corner bridge tables  29  are provided for interconnecting adjacent in-line and corner-forming seating units  21 , respectively. The tables  28  and  29  each include a tubular frame  73  ( FIG. 3 ) with legs (not unlike the frames of seating units  21  and  22 ), and include a table top conforming to the shape needed to interconnect the seating units. Specifically, the linear table  28  includes front and rear edges that are spaced about equal to or slightly above the seats to continue the front and rear visual lines formed by the seat cushions of the seating units  21 . The table  28  is positioned in-line. The corner-forming table  29  includes a pointed front corner (where the visual front edge of adjacent seat cushions  44  meet) and a rounded rear edge (which leads from the rear edge of one seating unit to the rear edge of the adjacent seating unit).  
      Table-attached linear screens  30  and table-attached corner screens  31  are attached to the rear edge of respective tables  28  and  29  and supported thereon by screen supports  30 A,  31 A, and  31 B ( FIG. 2 ). The screens  30  and  31  are given a curved shaped by table-attached screen-supporting brackets having a curved rear edge and inverted U-shaped bent-wire supports. The structure and function of these screen, supports, brackets, and tables are disclosed more fully in a patent application entitled, “TABLE-MOUNTED SCREEN AND SCREEN SUPPORT”, filed on even date herewith, commonly assigned and co-invented, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety. A downwardly-extending angled shelf ( FIG. 3 ) can be attached along a front bottom edge of the table top of table  28 . the angled shelf provides both a useful function by supporting magazines and the like, but also provides an aesthetic function as a front visual shield prevented one from seeing under the table  28  where the tubular support frames  73  are and where utilities (such as data, voice, power) may be.  
      The tray  26  ( FIGS. 11-13 ) is bent from sheet metal, and includes radiused corners and deburred and treated edges to reduce sharpness. The tray  26  includes a large flat panel  75 , up flanges  76 - 79  at each edge, and down flanges  80 - 81  at the front and rear edges  76  and  77 . The down flanges  80 - 81  extend below the flat panel  75 , and are spaced apart the same distance as the front-to-rear dimension of the seat cushion  52  (and of the end table  34 ). By this arrangement, the tray  26  will rest on the seat cushion  52 , with its front and rear flanges  80 - 81  fitting into the crevice  53  and against the front surface of the seat cushion  52  (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). The tray  26  will also fit on the end table  34 , and will fit into the pocket  83  ( FIG. 3 ) formed under a center of the end table&#39;s top surface.  
      It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.