US7878128B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.6 years remaining
Pivotable board provided with legs
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
•
Filing: 2007-05-31
•
Granted: 2011-02-01
•
Expires: 2027-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A system includes a board having opposing surfaces and at least one leg connected to one surface of the board through a first pivotable fitting to allow the board and the leg to move between a first position wherein the board and the leg are substantially parallel and a second position wherein the board and the leg are substantially perpendicular. The system also includes a locking mechanism secured to the board through a second pivotable fitting at a first end and configured to rotate at a second end opposite the first end between a storage position extending parallel with the board and a work position extending perpendicular to the board.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronnie K. Watson
- 👤 Robert L. Stewart
- 👤 Lopa Patel
- 👤 Jennifer Ellen Davis-Wilson
- 👤 Craig M. Lawrence
- 👤 Steven Bishop
- 👤 Emily Ma
- 👤 James Yurchenco
- 👤 Christian Cornelius
- 👤 Phillip Stob
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:30
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B3/00; A47B3/08; A47B3/0803; A47B3/0818; A47B7/00; A47B7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A board comprising: a worksurface; at least one leg engaged at a first end of the at least one leg with the worksurface to support the worksurface; a first pivotable fitting securing the at least one leg to the worksurface to allow the worksurface to be rotated along a first path between a first position where the worksurface is substantially perpendicular to the at least one leg and a second position where the worksurface is substantially parallel with the at least one leg; and a locking mechanism extending from a first end to a second end; wherein the first end of the locking mechanism is secured to the worksurface through a second pivotable fitting; and wherein the locking mechanism is rotatable about the second pivotable fitting between a storage position at which the locking mechanism extends substantially parallel with the worksurface and a work position at which the locking mechanism extends substantially perpendicular to the worksurface such that the second end engages the at least one leg when the worksurface in the first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A board comprising: a worksurface; at least one leg engaged at a first end of the at least one leg with the worksurface to support the worksurface; a first pivotable fitting securing the at least one leg to the worksurface to allow the worksurface to be rotated along a first path between a first position where the worksurface is substantially perpendicular to the at least one leg and a second position where the worksurface is substantially parallel with the at least one leg; and a locking mechanism extending from a first end to a second end; wherein the first end of the locking mechanism is secured to the worksurface through a second pivotable fitting; and wherein the locking mechanism is rotatable about the second pivotable fitting between a storage position at which the locking mechanism extends substantially parallel with the worksurface and a work position at which the locking mechanism extends substantially perpendicular to the worksurface such that the second end engages the at least one leg when the worksurface in the first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The board of claim 1 further comprising a biasing mechanism engaged with the worksurface and the locking mechanism, and configured to bias the locking mechanism in the work position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The board of claim 2 wherein the at least one leg is configured to engage the locking mechanism when the worksurface is in the second position and overcome the biasing mechanism to secure the locking mechanism in the storage position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The board of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism includes a cupped portion configured to at least partially surround the at least one leg when the locking mechanism is in the work position to lock the worksurface in the first position by engaging the cupped portion with the at least one leg to inhibit rotation of the worksurface along the first path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The board of claim 4 further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to bias the locking mechanism in the work position to engage the cupped portion with the at least one leg.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The board of claim 5 further comprising a disengagement mechanism configured to overcome the biasing mechanism by disengaging the cupped portion from the at least one leg to unlock the worksurface from the first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The board of claim 6 wherein the disengagement mechanism includes a link extending from the cupped portion away from the at least one leg and toward the worksurface and coupled to a user interface configured to receive a user actuation and transfer a force associated with the user actuation to the cupped portion through the link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The board of claim 7 further comprising a clip configured to receive a portion of the link proximate the worksurface and secure the link to the worksurface when the locking mechanism is in the work position and release the link as the locking mechanism is moved from the work position toward the storage position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The board of claim 4 wherein the locking mechanism includes at least one support arm extending from the second pivotable fitting to support the cupped portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The board of claim 9 wherein the at least one support arm includes a pair of support arms, wherein the second pivotable fitting includes a pair of second pivotable fittings, and wherein each of the pair of support arms extends from one of the pair of second pivotable fittings to support the cupped portion from opposing sides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The board of claim 4 further comprising a shield extending along a portion of the at least one leg and engaged by the cupped portion when the locking mechanism is in the work position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The board of claim 11 wherein the shield is configured to protect the at least one leg from engaging the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in both the work position and the storage position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The board of claim 12 further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to bias the locking mechanism in the work position and wherein the shield is configured to press against the locking mechanism as the worksurface is moved between the first position and the second position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
The board of claim 1 further comprising at least one foot extending from a second end of the at least one leg and wherein the first pivotable fitting includes a pivot axis extending in a direction slanted with respect to at least one of the worksurface and the at least one leg to rotate the at least one foot along a second path transverse to the first path as the worksurface is rotated along the first path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The board of claim 1 wherein the first pivotable fitting includes a pivot axis extending in a direction slanted with respect to at least one of the worksurface and the at least one leg.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The board of claim 1 wherein the first pivotable fitting includes a base extending in a first direction away from the worksurface to form a pivot axis at an end opposite the worksurface that extends not parallel with the worksurface when the worksurface is in the first position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The board of claim 16 further comprising a bumper mounted on the base and configured to extend above a plane formed by the worksurface and the at least one leg when the worksurface and the at least one leg are substantially parallel to protect the worksurface, the at least one leg, and the locking mechanism from engaging an adjacent worksurface arranged proximate thereto.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The board of claim 1 wherein the first pivotable fitting forms a pivot axis extending neither parallel nor perpendicular to at least one of the worksurface and the at least one leg.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
The board of claim 1 further comprising a privacy shield defining a mass and mounted to the worksurface such that the mass of the privacy shield is urged by gravity to extend the privacy shield substantially perpendicular to the worksurface when the worksurface is in the first position and move the privacy shield, such that a majority of the privacy shield extends substantially parallel with the worksurface, when the worksurface is rotated along the first path to the second position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The board of claim 19 wherein the privacy shield includes a flexible covering and a biasing mechanism arranged within the flexible covering configured to bias the privacy shield to extend substantially perpendicular to the worksurface when the worksurface is in the first position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The board of claim 20 wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to be overcome as the worksurface is rotated along the first path to the second position to cause the majority of the privacy shield to extend substantially parallel with the worksurface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The board of claim 1 wherein worksurface forms one of a tabletop, an easel, a display, a blackboard, and a podium.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
143 words
A system comprising: a board having opposing surfaces; at least one leg connected to one surface of the board through a first pivotable fitting to allow the board and the at least one leg to move between a first position wherein the board and the at least one leg are substantially parallel and a second position wherein the board and the at least one leg are substantially perpendicular; and a locking mechanism secured to the board through a second pivotable fitting at a first end of the locking mechanism and configured to rotate such that a second end of the locking mechanism opposite the first end moves between a storage position at which the locking mechanism extends parallel with the board and a work position at which the locking mechanism extends perpendicular to the board and end engages the at least one leg.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
143 words
A system comprising: a board having opposing surfaces; at least one leg connected to one surface of the board through a first pivotable fitting to allow the board and the at least one leg to move between a first position wherein the board and the at least one leg are substantially parallel and a second position wherein the board and the at least one leg are substantially perpendicular; and a locking mechanism secured to the board through a second pivotable fitting at a first end of the locking mechanism and configured to rotate such that a second end of the locking mechanism opposite the first end moves between a storage position at which the locking mechanism extends parallel with the board and a work position at which the locking mechanism extends perpendicular to the board and end engages the at least one leg.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the first pivotable fitting forms a pivot axis extending through a plane formed by the board and a line formed by the at least one leg.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 24 wherein movement of the board about the pivot axis causes movement of the at least one leg about the pivot axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the board includes a plurality of side surfaces extending between the opposing surfaces to form a plurality of corners thereabout and wherein the first pivot axis is slanted with respect to the plurality of corners.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising a biasing mechanism engaged with the board and the locking mechanism, and configured to bias the locking mechanism in the work position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the at least one leg is configured to engage the locking mechanism when the board is in the second position and overcome the biasing mechanism to secure the locking mechanism in the storage position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the locking mechanism includes a cupped portion configured to at least partially surround the at least one leg when the locking mechanism is in the work position to lock the board in the first position by engaging the cupped portion with the at least one leg to inhibit movement of the board between the first position and the second position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 29 further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to bias the locking mechanism in the work position to engage the cupped portion with the at least one leg.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 30 further comprising a disengagement mechanism configured to overcome the biasing mechanism by disengaging the cupped portion from the at least one leg to unlock the board from the first position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the disengagement mechanism includes a link extending from the cupped portion away from the at least one leg and toward the board and coupled to a user interface configured to receive a user actuation and transfer a force associated with the user actuation to the cupped portion through the link.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 32 further comprising a clip configured to receive a portion of the link proximate the board and secure the link to the board when the locking mechanism is in the work position and release the link as the locking mechanism is moved from the work position toward the storage position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 29 wherein the locking mechanism includes at least one support arm extending from the second pivotable fitting to support the cupped portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 34 wherein the at least one support arm includes a pair of support arms, wherein the second pivotable fitting includes a pair of second pivotable fittings, and wherein each of the pair of support arms extends from one of the pair of second pivotable fittings to support the cupped portion from opposing sides.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 29 further comprising a shield extending along a portion of the at least one leg and engaged by the cupped portion when the locking mechanism is in the work position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the shield is configured to protect the at least one leg from engaging the locking mechanism when the locking mechanism is in both the work position and the storage position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 37 further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to bias the locking mechanism in the work position and wherein the shield is configured to press against the locking mechanism as the board is moved between the first position and the second position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising at least one foot extending from a second end of the at least one leg and wherein the first pivotable fitting includes a pivot axis extending in a direction slanted with respect to at least one of the board and the at least one leg to rotate the at least one foot along a second path transverse to the first path as the board is rotated along the first path.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the first pivotable fitting includes a pivot axis extending in a direction slated with respect to at least one of the board and the at least one leg.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the first pivotable fitting includes a base extending in a first direction away from the board to form a pivot axis at an end opposite the board that extends not parallel with the board when the board is in the first position.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 41 further comprising a bumper mounted on the base and configured to extend above a plane formed by the board and the at least one leg when the board and the at least one leg are substantially parallel to protect the board, the at least one leg, and the locking mechanism from engaging an adjacent board arranged proximate thereto.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the first pivotable fitting forms a pivot axis extending neither parallel nor perpendicular to at least one of the board and the at least one leg.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising a privacy shield defining a mass and mounted to the board such that the mass of the privacy shield is urged by gravity to extend the privacy shield substantially perpendicular to the board when the board is in the second position and move the privacy shield, such that a majority of the privacy shield extends substantially parallel with the board, when the board is moved to the first position.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 44 wherein the privacy shield includes a flexible covering and a biasing mechanism arranged within the flexible covering configured to bias the privacy shield to extend substantially perpendicular to the board when the board is in the second position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to be overcome as the board is moved to the first position to cause the majority of the privacy shield to extend substantially parallel with the board.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2014-01-31 | 2014-08-02 | 2015-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2018-01-31 | 2018-08-02 | 2019-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2022-01-31 | 2022-08-02 | 2023-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |