US009689161B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 9,689,161 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`*Jun. 27, 2017
`(45) Date of Patent:
`MacAllen et al.
`
`(54) FLEXIBLE FURNITURE SYSTEM
`
`(71) Applicant: molo design, Itd., Vancouver (CA)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Todd P. MacAllen, Vancouver (CA);
`Stephanie J. Forsythe, Vancouver (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: molo design, Itd., Vancouver (CA)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/067,541
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 11, 2016
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2016/0251849 Al
`
`Sep. 1, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/698,262, filed on
`Apr. 28, 2015, now Pat. No. 9,309,668, which is a
`(Continued)
`
`30
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`gn
`App
`ty
`
`Nov. 25, 2005
`
`(CA) wee ceeeecneteeeeneeees 2527927
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`E04B 2/74
`A47G 5/00
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC oo E04B 2/7401 (2013.01); A47C 4/04
`(2013.01); 447C€ 5/005 (2013.01); 447G 5/00
`(2013.01);
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ....... A47G 5/00; E04B 2/7433; E04B 2/7401;
`E04B 2/7405; E04B 1/00; A47C 4/04;
`A47C 5/005; E06B 9/262
`(Continued)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,101,836 A
`2,324,398 A
`
`12/1937 Benedict
`7/1943 Kahr
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CA
`CA
`
`1166951
`2586759
`
`5/1984
`11/2006
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Pedersen, Martin C.; “The Soft House”; Metropolis Magazine, Jul.
`2004, New York.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Blair M Johnson
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Blake, Cassels &
`Graydon LLP; Wilfred P. So
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A freestanding extensible wall for partitioning an area of a
`room, said wall having a base, a top, oppositely directed
`surfaces extending betweensaid base andsaidtop, said base,
`top and surfaces defining a core, said core comprising a
`cellular structure having multiple voids extending from said
`base to said top upon movementof said oppositely directed
`surfaces away from each other, said base having a width of
`at least 10 centimeters and placed on a floor, and said core
`having a height of at least 1 meter, whereby opposite ends
`of said core may be moved apart to expand said cellular
`structure and extend the length of said core and to form at
`least a substantially straight freestanding wall configuration,
`while maintaining its vertical extent.
`
`oe ae
`
`(Continued)
`
`35 Claims, 41 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 1
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US 9,689,161 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`continuation of application No. 14/638,704, filed on
`Mar. 4, 2015, now Pat. No. 9,290,935, which is a
`continuation of application No. 14/042,857, filed on
`Oct. 1, 2013, now Pat. No. 9,243,403, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/646,822, filed on
`Dec. 23, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,561,666, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 12/343,042,
`filed on Dec. 23, 2008, now Pat. No. 9,394,686,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`11/742,984, filed on May 1, 2007, now Pat. No.
`7,866,366, which is a continuation-in-part of appli-
`cation No. 11/287,195, filed on Nov. 28, 2005, now
`abandoned.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/681,972, filed on May
`18, 2005.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`AA4TC 4/04
`AA4T7C 5/00
`E04B 1/00
`EO6B 9/262
`USS. Cl.
`
`CPC wee E04B 1/00 (2013.01); EO4B 2/7405
`(2013.01); B04B 2/7433 (2013.01); FO6B
`9/262 (2013.01)
`
`Field of Classification Search
`USPC ..... 160/84.05, 351, 135, 113, 114; 410/154;
`428/116, 118, 178; 52/793.1, 793.11, 28,
`52/DIG. 28; 156/197; 362/352, 353;
`297/440.14
`See application file for complete search history.
`
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`
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`108/157.14
`1/2016 MacAllen .......... AATC 4/04
`. AA7C 4/04
`3/2016 MacAllen .
`
`4/2016 MacAllen .......0.. AATC 4/04
`7/2016 MacAllen ........... AATC 4/04
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`
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`9,290,935 B2*
`9,309,668 B2*
`9,394,686 B2*
`2001/0009179 Al
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`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`EP
`WO
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`WO
`
`2517579 Al
`202008002395 U1
`1811095 A2
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`200704895 1
`2008 144537
`
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`Dempster, Victoria; PCT International Search Report PCT/CA2009/
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`“Acknowledegtment of receipt of observations by third parties (Art.
`115 EPC);
`issued in corresoponding EP Patent Application No.
`EP09833988; dated Jun. 15, 2011.”
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`responding EP application No. EP09833988; search completed Feb.
`20, 2014.”
`“http://www.balkanyug.bg/new/index.php?page=shop.browse&cat-
`egory_id=103&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=4—products of
`Balcan Yug OOD from Haskovo, Bulgaria; retrieved from the
`Internet May 1, 2013.”
`of
`“http://www.lessocenter.com/products-49 .html—products
`Lesoncentar OOD, Trojan, Bulgaria; retrieved from the Internet
`May 1, 2013.”
`“http://kori-vrati.g-m.bg/—products of G&M from Varna, Bulgaria;
`retrieved from the Internet May 1, 2013.”
`“Timmyvitusli1; “Flexible Love’” Folding Chair; http://www.
`youtube.com/watch?v=LbEEXMIhZRO; retrieved from the Internet
`May 1, 2013.”
`“Rushtang72; Paper Sofa Folding Chair Carton Furniture; http://
`www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s5cWX6QyBs;
`retrieved from the
`Internet May 1, 2013.”
`http://www.youtube.com/
`Chair;
`“Paparazzia;
`Folding
`watch?v=t9dNbQCHfM¢e;retrieved from the Internet May 1, 2013.”
`“ONETWOeasy-2-do event furniture; Product Catalogue 2005.”
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 2
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 41
`
`US 9,689,161 B2
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`
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 3
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 41
`
`US 9,689,161 B2
`
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 4
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 4
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 5
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 5
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`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 6
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 6
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`
`
`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 7
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 7
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`
`
`
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 8
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 9
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 10
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 10
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 11
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 11
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 12
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 12
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`

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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 13
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 13
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 14
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 14
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 15
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 14 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 16
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 16
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`

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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 17
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 16 of 41
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`US 9,689,161 B2
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 18
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 18
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 17 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 20
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 20
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 19 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 21
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
`
`Sheet 20 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 22
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 22
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 21 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`

`

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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`

`

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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`

`

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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 29 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 31 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 33 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 27, 2017
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`Sheet 41 of 41
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
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`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 43
`
`

`

`US 9,689,161 B2
`
`1
`FLEXIBLE FURNITURE SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 14/698,262 filed on Apr. 28, 2015, which is a
`continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/638,704
`filed on Mar. 4, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 14/042,857 filed Oct. 1, 2013, which is
`a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/646,
`822 filed Dec. 23, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of
`USS. patent application Ser. No. 12/343,042filed on Dec. 23,
`2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 11/742,984 filed on May 1, 2007, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`11/287,195 filed on Nov. 28, 2005, which claimspriority
`from Canadian Patent Application No. 2,527,927 filed on
`Nov. 25, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/681,
`972 filed on May 18, 2005, all of which are incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to flexible furniture com-
`ponents and methods of making such components.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`
`Furniture is a staple product used in domestic, working
`and public environments. Furniture may be usedto facilitate
`the use of space, such as in a seat or table, or to divide space,
`such as in a partition. By way of example, partitions are
`frequently used to subdivide spaces, or to create more
`intimate spaces. Typically such partitions are rigid, or have
`rigid frames, or are formed from rigid interconnected panels
`and they are relatively large, heavy, and cumbersome, and
`therefore difficult to set-up, take down, store, and transport.
`Similarly other items of furniture, such as seating structures,
`are typically of a rigid, or permanentnature that, at most, are
`moveable to alternative locations.
`Moreover, the inherent rigidity of such items of furniture
`limits the extent to which they can be dynamically resized
`(extendedor contracted) and reshaped to suit varying spaces
`and requirements, or readily moved aroundforrelocation, or
`storage.
`Additionally, such furniture items, particularly in the form
`of partitions are typically formed from opaque panels which
`inhibit
`the transmission of light,
`therefore necessitating
`increased use of, or rearrangement ofartificial lighting to
`restore adequate lighting levels.
`is
`In domestic, working, and public environments it
`frequently desirable to be able to subdivide and reshape
`space on a temporary basis. For example, visitors may
`require a temporary sitting or sleeping area, office workers
`may need to convert an open plan area into subdivided
`working space or temporary meeting space,
`trade show
`participants may need to demarcate a temporary display
`area, and designers may need to create and shape a tempo-
`rary area for an event, or a backdrop for a designed area,
`such as in a window display in a retail setting, in a show-
`room, or in a theatrical setting. For these types of applica-
`tions, furniture components that are rigid, heavy, and/or
`cumbersome may be costly to transport, difficult
`to set
`up/take down, and may require significant storage space.
`Furniture in the form of a partition that is rigid will also
`place significant constraints on the ways in which a given
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
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`
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`space can be partitioned, limiting its functionality, and a
`partition that is fully opaque will severely disturb natural
`lighting.
`The above disadvantages are herein recognized.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`According therefore to one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an article of furniture having a core formed
`from a plurality of laminar panels of a flexible flaccid
`material. Each panel has a pair of oppositely-directed major
`faces with faces of adjacent panels being inter-connected to
`provide a cellular structure upon movement of the faces
`away from each other. A respective one of a pair of supports
`is provided at opposite ends of the core and connected to
`respective ones of the faces. The supports are self-support-
`ing to provide rigidity to the article of furniture and/or to
`provide connectivity between like articles of furniture. In
`this way, the supports may be moved apart to expand the
`cellular structure and extend the overall length ofthearticle
`of furniture, and/or be used to connect any of more than one
`of such articles together in series.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Embodiments of the invention will now be described by
`way of example only with reference to the accompanying
`drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a front perspective view ofa partition;
`FIG.2 is a perspective view showingthree of the panels
`used to form the partition of FIG. 1;
`FIG.3 is a view on the line IJJ-IJ] of FIG. 1;
`FIG.4 is a series of views showing the sequential opera-
`tions required to erect the panel of FIG. 1;
`FIG.5 is a detailed view of the portion shownin circle A
`in FIG.4;
`FIG.6 is a view showing the sequential steps to join a pair
`of panels shown in FIG. 1 end-to-end;
`FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the inter-connection of the
`
`panels shown in FIG.6;
`FIG.8 is a top perspective view showing the arrangement
`of a panel within a living area;
`FIG. 9 is a top perspective view showing an alternative
`configuration of panel;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an alternative
`embodiment of connection applied to a partition;
`FIG. 11 is a view on the line XI-XI of FIG. 10;
`FIG. 12 is a view in the direction of arrow XII of FIG.11;
`FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement
`of the connection of FIG. 10 with different size partitions;
`FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a seat arrangement
`incorporating the connection of FIG. 10;
`FIG. 15 is a view on the line XV-XV of FIG. 14;
`FIG. 16 is a front elevation of a light incorporating a
`connection similar to FIG. 10;
`FIG. 17 is a section on the line XVII-XVII of FIG. 16;
`FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a method of
`manufacturing a light similar to that of FIGS. 16 and 17;
`FIG. 19 is a prospective view of a further embodiment of
`a partition;
`FIG. 20 is a view on the line XX-XX of FIG. 19;
`FIG. 21 is a end view ofthe partition shown in FIG. 19;
`FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 of the opposite end
`of the partition of FIG. 19;
`FIG. 23 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the
`end wall of the partition shown in FIG. 22;
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 44
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1001
`Page 44
`
`

`

`US 9,689,161 B2
`
`3
`FIG.24 is an alternative embodimentof the arrangement
`shown in FIG. 23;
`FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the end of the partition
`shown in FIG. 21;
`FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 with the end wall of
`
`the partition closed;
`FIG. 27 is a plan view of FIG. 26;
`FIG. 28 is a section on the line XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG.
`26;
`FIG. 29 is an enlarged view showinga portion of the end
`wall of FIG. 26;
`FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an alternative embodi-
`mentof partition;
`FIG.31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing the assembly
`of the components of the partition of FIG. 30;
`FIG. 32 is a view on the line A/A of FIG. 31 when
`assembled;
`FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a building using parti-
`tions as shown in FIG. 31;
`FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a further building
`utilizing the partitions as shown in FIG. 31;
`FIG. 35 is a schematic representation of an alternative
`embodimentto the partition shown in FIG. 31;
`FIG. 36 is a further configuration of partition;
`FIG. 37 is a view ofthe partition shown in FIG. 36 in
`alternative configurations;
`FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 36 with an alternative
`configuration of voids;
`FIG. 39 is a view of a partition similar to FIG. 30
`deployed in a circular configuration as a light fixture;
`FIG. 40 is a view ofa partition used as a light fixture;
`FIG. 41 is a view similar to FIG. 31 showing an alterna-
`tive form of support;
`FIG. 42 is a view similar to FIG. 1 in an assembled
`configuration;
`FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing the attachment of
`supports to one another;
`FIG. 44 is a view on the line B/B of FIG. 43 when
`assembled;
`FIG. 45 is a view similar to FIG. 43 in a circular
`
`configuration;
`FIG. 46 is a perspective view of an alternative form of
`support for a partition;
`FIG. 47 is a view on the line C/C of FIG. 46;
`FIG. 48 is a schematic representation of the deployment
`of the supports shown in FIG. 45;
`FIG. 49 is a schematic representation of an alternative
`configuration of the supports shown in FIG. 48;
`FIG. 50 is a further alternative configuration of supports
`shown in FIG. 48;
`FIG. 51 is a side view of a assembly of partition with a
`portion removed for clarity to show a connector;
`FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of a connector
`used in FIG. 51;
`FIG. 53 is an alternative embodiment of the connector
`shown in FIG. 52;
`FIG. 54 is a perspective view showing the deployment of
`the connector shown in FIG. 52;
`FIG. 55 is a perspective view showing the assembly of
`partitions using the connector shown in FIG. 52;
`FIG. 56 is a front elevation of a partition with an addi-
`tional support provided;
`FIG. 57 is a section on the line D/D of FIG. 55;
`FIG. 58 is a view showing the partitions stacked and
`supported by the support of FIG. 55;
`FIG. 59 is a view showing the use of a support to secure
`partitions to a fixed abutment;
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. 60 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with an alternative
`
`form ofpartition;
`FIG.61 is a perspective view showing an alternative form
`of support for the partitions;
`FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a partition with an
`alternative disposition of lighting elements;
`FIG. 63 is a view similar to FIG. 34 of an alternative form
`
`of temporary building; and
`FIG. 64 is a view similar to FIG. 63 of an alternative
`embodiment of building.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring therefore to FIG. 1, a partition 10 comprises a
`core 12 and a pair of supports 14, 16 at opposite ends of the
`core 12. As can best be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the core
`12 is formed from a plurality of panels 18. The panels 18
`each have a pair of oppositely-directed major faces 19, 20,
`and are formed from a flexible flaccid material. In the
`preferred embodiment, the material forming the panels 18 is
`standard white, flame retardant tissue paper, having a weight
`of approximately 13.5 Ibs (500 sheets @ 24"x36"=13.5 Ibs).
`Each panel has a major dimension or height h and a width
`w which may be adjusted to suit particular environments.
`Typically the height will be in the order of 1-2 meters but
`could range from 0.5-3 meters when usedas a partition, or
`0.1 meters to 0.5 meters when used as a seat. A seat height
`of 0.45 m has been found particularly beneficial. The width
`is typically in the order of 30 centimeters but could range
`from 10-100 centimeters. Adjacent panels 18 are inter-
`connected to one another at spaced intervals that alternate
`across the width of the face of the panel 18. As indicated in
`FIG. 2,
`the connection between panels 18a and 18d is
`through a series of parallel, laterally-spaced strips 24 on the
`face 19 of panel 185. The strips 24 are defined by stripes of
`adhesive, which connects the panels 18a, 184 to one another,
`as shown in FIG.3.
`
`Similarly, the inter-connection between a panel 185 and
`18c is through spaced parallel strips 28 on the face 19 of
`panel 18c which are offset from the strips 24. Each of the
`pa