Abstract: A classroom chair includes a seat and a backrest, where the chair facilitates a wide variety of uses by an occupant. The backrest includes a center section and a pair of armrest sections that extend from the center section. The pair of armrest sections and center section each include a utility surface located in a plane parallel to a seating plane. Each of the armrest sections includes a lower edge positioned above the lowermost portion of the center section, which allows the occupant's legs to be located beneath the armrest sections. In one embodiment, the classroom chair includes a base having four legs. In another embodiment, the base includes two legs joined to a support frame have four stub legs. At least one of the legs extends rearward past the backrest such that the base provides required support for the occupant when the occupant's weight is supported by the backrest.

Abstract: A classroom chair includes a seat and a backrest, where the chair facilitates a wide variety of uses by an occupant. The backrest includes a center section and a pair of armrest sections that extend from the center section. The pair of armrest sections and center section each include a utility surface located in a plane parallel to a seating plane. Each of the armrest sections includes a lower edge positioned above the lowermost portion of the center section, which allows the occupant's legs to be located beneath the armrest sections. In one embodiment, the classroom chair includes a base having four legs. In another embodiment, the base includes two legs joined to a support frame have four stub legs. At least one of the legs extends rearward past the backrest such that the base provides required support for the occupant when the occupant's weight is supported by the backrest.

Abstract: A lounge chair having a seat shell that defines a chair back and a seat is pivotally movable about a stationary base. The stationary base includes a concave support surface having a shape that generally corresponds with a convex outer surface of the seat shell. A swivel disc is positioned between the seat shell and the base to allow the seat shell to pivot about the stationary base. The interaction between a pivot post formed on the base and a pivot limiting guide formed in the seat shell defines the range of movement for the seat shell. A bias member connects the seat shell to the seat base and creates a bias force to urge the seat shell into an upright seating position. The base includes a series of glide buttons that support the swivel disc to allow the seat shell to pivot relative to the stationary base.

Abstract: A lounge chair having a seat shell that defines a chair back and a seat is pivotally movable about a stationary base. The stationary base includes a concave support surface having a shape that generally corresponds with a convex outer surface of the seat shell. A swivel disc is positioned between the seat shell and the base to allow the seat shell to pivot about the stationary base. The interaction between a pivot post formed on the base and a pivot limiting guide formed in the seat shell defines the range of movement for the seat shell. A bias member connects the seat shell to the seat base and creates a bias force to urge the seat shell into an upright seating position. The base includes a series of glide buttons that support the swivel disc to allow the seat shell to pivot relative to the stationary base.

Abstract: A lounge chair having a seat shell that defines a chair back and a seat is pivotally movable about a stationary base. The stationary base includes a concave support surface having a shape that generally corresponds with a convex outer surface of the seat shell. A swivel disc is positioned between the seat shell and the base to allow the seat shell to pivot about the stationary base. The interaction between a pivot post formed on the base and a pivot limiting guide formed in the seat shell defines the range of movement for the seat shell. A tether connects the seat shell to the seat base and creates a bias force to urge the seat shell into an upright seating position. The base includes a series of glide buttons that support the swivel disc to allow the seat shell to pivot relative to the stationary base.

Abstract: A chair that facilitates user ingress and egress has a chair support structure and a seat, a backrest, and at least one armrest coupled to the chair support structure. A lower portion of the armrest is coupled to the chair support structure and an upper portion of the armrest is coupled to the lower portion to allow rotation of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion around a horizontal axis that splits the armrest into the two portions. The upper portion can be placed in an upright position above the lower portion and a folded position alongside the lower portion by rotation of the upper portion around the horizontal axis. The upper portion can be locked in the upright position with a locking mechanism that can extend through both the lower portion and the upper portion to prevent rotation of the upper portion around the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A media station can be broken-down and reconfigured such that the individual parts of the media station can be used in multiple configurations. The media station includes a central technology backbone that houses the computer hardware and media modules required for the type of monitor/media sharing desired. The technology backbone includes magnetic coupling members that increase the options for the different types of work tables that can be connected to the technology backbone dependent upon the user's needs and the size of the group. The ability to separate the work tables from the central technology backbone allows for flexibility in the styles of table used as well as the potential for cross room cohesiveness and economies of scale in unit types. When the media station is not in use, users can separate the individual work tables from the backbone and use the tables in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A chair that facilitates user ingress and egress has a chair support structure and a seat, a backrest, and at least one armrest coupled to the chair support structure. A lower portion of the armrest is coupled to the chair support structure and an upper portion of the armrest is coupled to the lower portion to allow rotation of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion around a horizontal axis that splits the armrest into the two portions. The upper portion can be placed in an upright position above the lower portion and a folded position alongside the lower portion by rotation of the upper portion around the horizontal axis. The upper portion can be locked in the upright position with a locking mechanism that can extend through both the lower portion and the upper portion to prevent rotation of the upper portion around the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A storage assembly adapted to be secured to a work surface includes an enclosure defining an interior, wherein the enclosure is adapted to be secured around an opening in the work surface. A platform is disposed within the enclosure, and a cover is connected to the enclosure and configured to enclose the interior of the enclosure. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cover in the closed position forms a top wall for the enclosure, and wherein the cover in the open position exposes the platform. A movement control arrangement is connected between the enclosure, the platform and the cover. The movement control arrangement and the enclosure have cooperating guide slot structure for receiving and guiding the platform, and enabling raising and lowering of the platform within the enclosure in response to movement of the cover between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A storage assembly adapted to be secured to a work surface includes an enclosure defining an interior, wherein the enclosure is adapted to be secured around an opening in the work surface. A platform is disposed within the enclosure, and a cover is connected to the enclosure and configured to enclose the interior of the enclosure. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cover in the closed position forms a top wall for the enclosure, and wherein the cover in the open position exposes the platform. A movement control arrangement is connected between the enclosure, the platform and the cover. The movement control arrangement and the enclosure have cooperating guide slot structure for receiving and guiding the platform, and enabling raising and lowering of the platform within the enclosure in response to movement of the cover between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A mobile furniture and accessory system for an office environment includes storage components, table or desk components, screen or partition components, paper management components, marker board components, computer support furniture and the like, for use in facilitating flexibility in manufacturing such components to user specifications and in arranging such components according to user requirements.

Abstract: A molded chair shell includes a seat portion and a back portion joined at a junction area. A support or reinforcement member is located at the junction area and is formed integrally with the seat portion and the back portion. The reinforcement member includes an internal cavity between the seat portion and the back portion that is substantially positioned over the junction area. The cavity is formed by cavity walls, which may form ribs that extend forwardly along the seat portion and upwardly the back portion of the chair shell. The chair shell may be formed in an injection molding process, and the internal cavity may be formed in a gas assist operation carried out during the injection molding process.

Abstract: A molded chair shell includes a seat portion and a back portion joined at a junction area. A support or reinforcement member is located at the junction area and is formed integrally with the seat portion and the back portion. The reinforcement member includes an internal cavity between the seat portion and the back portion that is substantially positioned over the junction area. The cavity is formed by cavity walls, which may form ribs that extend forwardly along the seat portion and upwardly the back portion of the chair shell. The chair shell may be formed in an injection molding process, and the internal cavity may be formed in a gas assist operation carried out during the injection molding process.

Abstract: An article of furniture (22) having an opening (62) is configured with a support (20) operable to serve as a glide and as a floor surface protector. The support includes a body (40) having a boss (45) with a plurality of collapsible mounting boss sections (65). The boss sections define an axial passage (80, 90) therebetween and extending through the body. When inserted into the opening in the article of furniture, the edge defining the opening moves the boss sections radially inward relative to the edge of the opening toward a collapsed condition. The support further includes a wedge configured to be driven by an applied force into the passage of the body. The driven wedge is configured to move the boss sections apart against the edge of the opening to secure the body member to the article of furniture.

Abstract: A mobile furniture and accessory system for an office environment includes storage components, table or desk components, screen or partition components, paper management components, marker board components, computer support furniture and the like, for use in facilitating flexibility in manufacturing such components to user specifications and in arranging such components according to user requirements.

Abstract: A storage unit includes a cabinet defining an interior and a door assembly, which has a first door section and a second door section. Each of the door sections is pivotably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an open position and a closed position. The first and second door sections prevent access to the interior of the cabinet when in the closed position and provide access to the interior of the cabinet when in the oven position. The storage unit also includes a link pivotably interconnected between the first and second door sections so as to synchronize movement of the first and second door sections between the open and closed positions. A biasing arrangement counterbalances the door assembly and maintains the first and second door sections in both the open position and closed position and positions therebetween.

Abstract: A storage unit includes a cabinet having an open front, and a counterbalanced door arrangement is interconnected with the cabinet for selectively closing the open front of the cabinet. The counterbalanced door arrangement includes an upper door member located between a pair of arms, each of which is pivotably mounted to the cabinet, in combination with a lower door member including a pair of arms pivotably interconnected with the cabinet. The pivotable connections of the upper and lower door member arms to the cabinet provides movement of the upper and lower door members between an open position, in which the upper and lower door members are moved apart, and a closed position in which the upper and lower door members are moved together. A link is interconnected between the upper and lower door member arms, for providing synchronous movement of the upper and lower door members between their open and closed positions.

Abstract: A space dividing or partitioning system includes a series of panels adapted to be knocked down and reconfigured. Each panel includes a panel frame constructed from a pair of vertical posts interconnected by one or more horizontal support members. Each vertical post includes a series of receptacles aligned vertically along each face surface of the vertical post. The receptacles on the vertical posts receive attachment members contained on each end of the horizontal support member. The horizontal support member can be attached between a pair of the vertical posts without requiring the vertical posts to be separated. A tile retaining hook is received within a hook opening formed in the vertical post. The tile retaining hook includes a hook portion that is received in a hook channel of a decorative tile, such that the decorative tile can be hung on the panel frame through the use of the tile retaining hooks.

Abstract: A space dividing or partitioning system includes a series of panels adapted to be knocked down and reconfigured. Each panel includes a panel frame constructed from a pair of vertical posts interconnected by one or more horizontal support members. Each vertical post includes a series of receptacles aligned vertically along each face surface of the vertical post. The receptacles on the vertical posts receive attachment members contained on each end of the horizontal support member. The horizontal support member can be attached between a pair of the vertical posts without requiring the vertical posts to be separated. A tile retaining hook is received within a hook opening formed in the vertical post. The tile retaining hook includes a hook portion that is received in a hook channel of a decorative tile, such that the decorative tile can be hung on the panel frame through the use of the tile retaining hooks.

Abstract: A space dividing or partitioning system includes a series of panels adapted to be knocked down and reconfigured. Each panel includes a panel frame constructed from a pair of vertical posts interconnected by one or more horizontal support members. Each vertical post includes a series of receptacles aligned vertically along each face surface of the vertical post. The receptacles on the vertical posts receive attachment members contained on each end of the horizontal support member. The horizontal support member can be attached between a pair of the vertical posts without requiring the vertical posts to be separated. A tile retaining hook is received within a hook opening formed in the vertical post. The tile retaining hook includes a hook portion that is received in a hook channel of a decorative tile, such that the decorative tile can be hung on the panel frame through the use of the tile retaining hooks.