US4236460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable furniture system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-09
•
Granted: 1980-12-02
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Expires: 1998-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A multifunctional folding furniture system includes a basic frame structure to which functional panels are removably attached. The frame consists of four stiles (uprights) connected by side rails to form side members, which members are removably and rotationally connected to a back panel having two elongated slots to form the frame of the basic unit. Functional panels of various dimensions and configurations may be removably and rotationally applied to the frame to create functional surfaces. The complete system includes a number of frame units and separate panels, all of which may be interconnected to form a large variety of furniture pieces, including various arrangements of desks and tables.
Inventors
- 👤 Felice Poupko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:38
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B85/00; A47B43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A multifunctional furniture unit comprising a frame and two side panel members, said frame comprising: first, second, third and fourth elongated stile members which are parallel to each other; a rear panel attached at its opposite sides to said second and third stile members respectively, said rear panel having at least one elongated slot within which a panel of a second furniture unit is placed, said slot being in a plane which is perpendicular to said elongated stiles; means to pivotally attach said second and third stile members to said rear panel portion; a first and a second side rail means non-pivotally connected to said stile members at opposite ends of said side rail means, with said first side rail means having said first and second stile members connected thereto and said second rail means having said second and third stile members connected thereto; means to non-pivotally attach said first and second side rail means between respectively said first and second and said third and fourth stile members; said unit also comprising a first and a second side panel member removably and pivotally connected to said frame at respectively said first and fourth stile members to provide functional surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A multifunctional furniture unit comprising a frame and two side panel members, said frame comprising: first, second, third and fourth elongated stile members which are parallel to each other; a rear panel attached at its opposite sides to said second and third stile members respectively, said rear panel having at least one elongated slot within which a panel of a second furniture unit is placed, said slot being in a plane which is perpendicular to said elongated stiles; means to pivotally attach said second and third stile members to said rear panel portion; a first and a second side rail means non-pivotally connected to said stile members at opposite ends of said side rail means, with said first side rail means having said first and second stile members connected thereto and said second rail means having said second and third stile members connected thereto; means to non-pivotally attach said first and second side rail means between respectively said first and second and said third and fourth stile members; said unit also comprising a first and a second side panel member removably and pivotally connected to said frame at respectively said first and fourth stile members to provide functional surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
219 words
A multifunctional furniture unit comprising a first and a second frame, each of said first and second frames comprising: first, second, third and fourth elongated stile members which are parallel to each other; a rear panel having at least one elongated slot lying in a plane which is perpendicular to said elongated stiles, said rear panel being pivotally attached at its opposite sides to said second and third stile members, respectively; means to pivotally attach said second and third stile members to said rear panel portion; a first and a second side rail means non-pivotally connected to said stile members at opposite ends of said side rail means, with said first side rail means having said first and second stile members fixed thereto and said second rail means having said third and fourth stile members connected thereto; means to non-pivotally attach said first and second side rail means between respectively said first and second and said third and fourth stile members; a first and a second side panel member each removably and pivotally connected to said frame at respectively said first and fourth stile members to provide functional surfaces; said unit further comprising a connecting rectangular panel connected at its opposite ends to each of said frames by fitting and resting within said rear panel slots of said frames.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
219 words
A multifunctional furniture unit comprising a first and a second frame, each of said first and second frames comprising: first, second, third and fourth elongated stile members which are parallel to each other; a rear panel having at least one elongated slot lying in a plane which is perpendicular to said elongated stiles, said rear panel being pivotally attached at its opposite sides to said second and third stile members, respectively; means to pivotally attach said second and third stile members to said rear panel portion; a first and a second side rail means non-pivotally connected to said stile members at opposite ends of said side rail means, with said first side rail means having said first and second stile members fixed thereto and said second rail means having said third and fourth stile members connected thereto; means to non-pivotally attach said first and second side rail means between respectively said first and second and said third and fourth stile members; a first and a second side panel member each removably and pivotally connected to said frame at respectively said first and fourth stile members to provide functional surfaces; said unit further comprising a connecting rectangular panel connected at its opposite ends to each of said frames by fitting and resting within said rear panel slots of said frames.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multifunctional furniture unit as in claims 1 or 2 wherein said rear panel has a second elongated slot which is parallel to said first elongated slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A multifunctional furniture unit as in claims 1 or 2 and further comprising fastener means to removably secure and release upon contact said first and second side panels to respectively said second and third stile members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multifunctional furniture unit as in claim 1 and further including a top panel removably secured at the ends of said stiles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A multifunctional furniture unit as in claim 2 wherein each of said rear panels has a second elongated slot parallel to said first elongated slot and the unit further includes a second connecting rectangular panel connected at its opposite ends to each of said frames by fitting and resting within said second rear panel slots.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A multifunctional furniture unit as in claims 1 or 2 and further comprising fastener means to removably secure said first and second side panels to respectively said second and third stile members and also respectively to said first and fourth stile members.
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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) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-06-02 | 1984-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-02 | 1988-06-02 | 1988-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-02 | 1992-06-02 | 1992-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |