US20020011197A1 - Tabletop with a configuration having safety features and maximum seating capacity for a given size - Google Patents
Tabletop with a configuration having safety features and maximum seating capacity for a given size Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020011197A1 US20020011197A1 US09/829,886 US82988601A US2002011197A1 US 20020011197 A1 US20020011197 A1 US 20020011197A1 US 82988601 A US82988601 A US 82988601A US 2002011197 A1 US2002011197 A1 US 2002011197A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shapes
- curve
- surface according
- closed
- furniture
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B13/00—Details of tables or desks
- A47B13/08—Table tops; Rims therefor
- A47B13/10—Tops characterised by shape, other than circular or rectangular
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to surfaces of objects and the shapes thereof, which are two-dimensional, closed, curvilinear and three-dimensional, closed, curviplanar in nature, and which have outer boundaries that are defined according to a mathematical expression, such that the shapes have no discontinuities, irregularities, inflection or transition points about their periphery that result in potentially unsafe or dangerous angular, sharp corners or edges in the contours of the shapes, and are otherwise also generally ergonomically beneficial and aesthetically pleasing. More particularly, the invention relates to such shapes as used for items of furniture, windows, doors, and floor coverings.
- the invention relates to such shapes that have closed, curvilinear outer boundaries and that are substantially two-dimensional, with no angular corners or sharp edges in their contour, for use as tabletops, wherein the number of individuals, who may be seated around the perimeter of a table incorporating such a tabletop, is maximized for a table of given dimensions, as measured by a total continuous linear dimension, with each individual to be seated thereat being allocated a predetermined amount of linear space around the periphery of the table.
- Plane surfaces such as windows, doors, carpets, tables, and the surface of furniture and other items have previously been designed so that those surfaces have boundaries which are rectangular, square, circular, elliptical, or a combination of these geometric shapes.
- x and y are coordinates of points on the outer boundary of the geometric shape, with reference to x and y axes defining an ordinary Cartesian coordinate (x, y) system; and A and B are the coordinates of the points at which the curve described by the above equation intersects the x and y axes.
- the curve intersects the positive x axis at (A, 0 ), the negative x axis at ( ⁇ A, 0 ), the positive y axis at ( 0 , B), and the negative y axis at ( 0 , ⁇ B).
- the exponents u and v are the degrees or orders of the closed curve, and may be any rational numbers, not just integers.
- the invention comprises surfaces, such as table tops, with boundaries defined by the general analytical curve ( 1 ), shown above, but with the further restriction that 2 ⁇ u ⁇ 10 and 2 ⁇ v ⁇ 10 ( 2 ).
- the upper limit of 10 has been found empirically to be the limit after which the boundary shape approximates a rectangle or square, albeit with slightly rounded corners.
- FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the table of FIG. 6.
- Equation (1) can be converted into the following equation by multiplying both sides by the factor A u B v :
- the closed curves are drawn with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system, wherein the x axis is a first axis of symmetry, 2 , for the curves, and the y axis is a second axis of symmetry, 4 , for the curves.
- the x and y axes are perpendicular to each other. In all of FIGS.
- Standard individual seating spaces of 23-inch width are arranged about the table. As can be seen in FIG. 5, a total of ten such seating spaces can be arranged around the table.
- FIG. 4 shows that only eight 23-inch seating spaces can be arranged comfortably about that table. The 14-inch seating spaces remaining at each relatively curved end of the table do not afford comfortable seating spaces.
- FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional (3-D) perspective view of the table according to FIG. 5, showing the way in which ten persons may comfortably be seated.
Abstract
Surfaces of objects and the shapes thereof, which are two-dimensional, closed, curvilinear and three-dimensional, closed, curviplanar in nature, and which have outer boundaries that are defined according to a mathematical expression, such that the shapes have no discontinuities, irregularities, inflection or transition points about their periphery that result in potentially unsafe or dangerous angular, sharp corners or edges in the contours of the shapes, and are otherwise also generally ergonomically beneficial and aesthetically pleasing, are disclosed. The shapes are useful in providing surfaces for objects such as items of furniture, windows, doors, and floor coverings. The shapes are particularly useful for providing surfaces for tabletops that also maximize the number of individuals, who may be seated around the perimeter of a table, for a table of given dimensions, with each individual to be seated thereat being allocated a predetermined amount of linear space around the periphery of the table.
Description
- This invention generally relates to surfaces of objects and the shapes thereof, which are two-dimensional, closed, curvilinear and three-dimensional, closed, curviplanar in nature, and which have outer boundaries that are defined according to a mathematical expression, such that the shapes have no discontinuities, irregularities, inflection or transition points about their periphery that result in potentially unsafe or dangerous angular, sharp corners or edges in the contours of the shapes, and are otherwise also generally ergonomically beneficial and aesthetically pleasing. More particularly, the invention relates to such shapes as used for items of furniture, windows, doors, and floor coverings. Still more particularly, the invention relates to such shapes that have closed, curvilinear outer boundaries and that are substantially two-dimensional, with no angular corners or sharp edges in their contour, for use as tabletops, wherein the number of individuals, who may be seated around the perimeter of a table incorporating such a tabletop, is maximized for a table of given dimensions, as measured by a total continuous linear dimension, with each individual to be seated thereat being allocated a predetermined amount of linear space around the periphery of the table.
- Plane surfaces such as windows, doors, carpets, tables, and the surface of furniture and other items have previously been designed so that those surfaces have boundaries which are rectangular, square, circular, elliptical, or a combination of these geometric shapes.
-
- where x and y are coordinates of points on the outer boundary of the geometric shape, with reference to x and y axes defining an ordinary Cartesian coordinate (x, y) system; and A and B are the coordinates of the points at which the curve described by the above equation intersects the x and y axes. Specifically, the curve intersects the positive x axis at (A,0), the negative x axis at (−A, 0), the positive y axis at (0, B), and the negative y axis at (0, −B). The exponents u and v are the degrees or orders of the closed curve, and may be any rational numbers, not just integers. If u=v=2 and A=B, the curve is a circle. If u=v=2 and A is not equal to B, the curve is an ellipse. If u=v=∞ and A=B, the closed curve is a square. Finally, if u=v=∞ and A is not equal to B, the closed curve is a rectangle.
- Although the circle and ellipse have commonly been used in the surfaces previously described, they lack surface area present with respect to comparably dimensioned squares and rectangles, respectively. On the other hand, the square and rectangular shapes, although providing maximum surface area for a given A and B, are not aesthetically pleasing and have the ergonomic disadvantage of sharp corners which may cause injury or other discomfort to users.
- Thus, there exists a need for surfaces shaped such that more surface area is available than the traditional circular or elliptical shapes, while eliminating the unattractiveness of and the hazard of sharp corners of square or rectangular shapes.
- The invention comprises surfaces, such as table tops, with boundaries defined by the general analytical curve (1), shown above, but with the further restriction that 2<u<10 and 2<v<10 (2). The lower limit of 2 defines a circle (when A=B) or an ellipse (when A B). The upper limit of 10 has been found empirically to be the limit after which the boundary shape approximates a rectangle or square, albeit with slightly rounded corners.
- FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of two comparative closed curves for the case of A=4 and B=3 where u=v=2 for one curve and u=v =3 for the other curve.
- FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of two comparative closed curves for the case of A=4 and B=3 where u=v=2 for one curve and u=v=4 for the other curve.
- FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of two comparative closed curves for the case of A=4 and B=3 where u=v=2 for one curve and u=v=6 for the other curve.
- FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a table top of an elliptical shape (u=v=2) where A=46 inches and B=23 inches, and shows outlines of 23 inch width spaces, each space representing the width needed for the seating of one person, arranged around the table top.
- FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a table top of a shape where u=v=4 and where A=46 inches and B=23 inches, and shows outlines of 23 inch width spaces, each space representing the width needed for the seating of one person, arranged around the table top.
- FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the table of FIG. 6.
- Equation (1) can be converted into the following equation by multiplying both sides by the factor AuBv:
- B v x u +A u y v =A u B v (3)
- Setting x=0, one obtains:
- Ayyv=AuBv (4)
- y=B (5)
- Letting y=0, one further obtains:
- Bvxu=AuBv (6)
- x=A (7)
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-
-
-
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- It has been empirically determined that u and v should not be allowed to reach the value of 10.
- In general, the surface area available increases as the degree of the curve increases, with the most dramatic increase occurring from the elliptical shape to the third degree shape.
- FIGS.1-3, respectively, graphically show the closed curves for u=v=3, u=v=4, and u=v=6, where A=4 and B=3 for all of FIGS. 1-3. The closed curves are drawn with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system, wherein the x axis is a first axis of symmetry, 2, for the curves, and the y axis is a second axis of symmetry, 4, for the curves. Being the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, the x and y axes are perpendicular to each other. In all of FIGS. 1-3, the closed curve for u=v=2 and A=4 and B=3, which is an ellipse, is also drawn with respect to the x and y axes for the purpose of comparison to the curves for u=v=3, u=v=4, and u=v=6.
- The use of these boundaries of degree three or higher up to degree nine can be applied in a myriad of plane surfaces commonly used. Examples of such applications are tables, doors, windows, carpets, any plane surface of furniture, or indeed any plane surface of any object imaginable. Furthermore, although the surface enclosed by such a shaped boundary may not, in fact, be planar, but rather curved in three dimensional space (curviplanar surface), the shape of the boundary described herein can still be used with like advantages for increased surface area yet pleasing aesthetic appearance and beneficial ergonomic characteristics.
- A specific example of a tabletop with a shape defined by the boundary of a closed curve, with A and B being set at actual physical dimensions, such that A=46 inches and B=23 inches, and u=v=4 is shown in FIG. 5. Standard individual seating spaces of 23-inch width are arranged about the table. As can be seen in FIG. 5, a total of ten such seating spaces can be arranged around the table. In contrast, a table top with a boundary, described by a closed curve with the same values of A and B as FIG. 5, but with u=v=2 (an ellipse), is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows that only eight 23-inch seating spaces can be arranged comfortably about that table. The 14-inch seating spaces remaining at each relatively curved end of the table do not afford comfortable seating spaces.
- FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional (3-D) perspective view of the table according to FIG. 5, showing the way in which ten persons may comfortably be seated.
Claims (12)
1. A surface of an object, comprising a shape having a closed, curvilinear outer boundary, the outer boundary of the shape being defined by a curve having a mathematical expression I
wherein:
x and y are coordinates of points (x, y) on the curve, as measured with reference to x and y axes of a standard Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system, from the origin (0, 0);
A and B are respectively coordinates of positive x and y intercepts of the curve, as measured with reference to the x and y axes of the standard Cartesian coordinate system, the positive x and y intercepts having respective coordinates A=(A, 0) and B=(0, B); and
u and v are orders of the curve, wherein u and v are each rational numbers in the range of from 2 to 10, and wherein u and v alternatively are the same or are different.
2. The surface of an object according to claim 1 , wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of: an item of furniture; a door; a window; and a floor covering.
3. The surface according to claim 2 , wherein the object is an item of furniture.
4. The surface according to claim 3 , wherein the item of furniture is a tabletop.
5. The surface according to claim 2 , wherein the object is a floor covering.
6. The surface according to claim 5 , wherein the floor covering is selected from the group consisting of: a mat; a rug; and a carpet.
7. The surface according to claim 5 , wherein the floor covering is free laying and not wall-to-wall.
8. The surface according to claim 1 , which is a flat planar surface existing in two dimensions.
9. The surface according to claim 1 , which is a curvi-planar surface existing in three dimensions.
10. The surface according to claim 1 , wherein A=4, B=3, and u=v= from about 2 to about 6.
11. The surface according to claim 1 , wherein A=2, B=1, and 2<u=v<10.
12. A surface for a table top according to claim 1 , wherein a relative ratio of the dimensions of A:B is 2:1; A has an absolute dimension of from about 40 to 50 inches; B has an absolute dimension of from about 20 to 25 inches; and u=v=4.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/829,886 US20020011197A1 (en) | 1999-10-05 | 2001-04-10 | Tabletop with a configuration having safety features and maximum seating capacity for a given size |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US41224499A | 1999-10-05 | 1999-10-05 | |
US09/829,886 US20020011197A1 (en) | 1999-10-05 | 2001-04-10 | Tabletop with a configuration having safety features and maximum seating capacity for a given size |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US41224499A Continuation-In-Part | 1999-10-05 | 1999-10-05 |
Publications (1)
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US20020011197A1 true US20020011197A1 (en) | 2002-01-31 |
Family
ID=23632222
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/829,886 Abandoned US20020011197A1 (en) | 1999-10-05 | 2001-04-10 | Tabletop with a configuration having safety features and maximum seating capacity for a given size |
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US (1) | US20020011197A1 (en) |
TR (1) | TR200002905A3 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060117669A1 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-06-08 | Baloga Mark A | Multi-use conferencing space, table arrangement and display configuration |
US8896656B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2014-11-25 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9465524B2 (en) | 2008-10-13 | 2016-10-11 | Steelcase Inc. | Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US10264213B1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-16 | Steelcase Inc. | Content amplification system and method |
US10492608B2 (en) | 2004-12-06 | 2019-12-03 | Steelcase Inc. | Multi-use conferencing space, table arrangement and display configuration |
US10631632B2 (en) | 2008-10-13 | 2020-04-28 | Steelcase Inc. | Egalitarian control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US10884607B1 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2021-01-05 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US11588681B2 (en) | 2017-05-01 | 2023-02-21 | Vmware, Inc. | Migration of managed devices to utilize management platform features |
-
2000
- 2000-10-05 TR TR2000/02905A patent/TR200002905A3/en unknown
-
2001
- 2001-04-10 US US09/829,886 patent/US20020011197A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060117669A1 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-06-08 | Baloga Mark A | Multi-use conferencing space, table arrangement and display configuration |
WO2006062797A2 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2006-06-15 | Steelcase Development Corporation | Multi-use conferencing space, table arrangement and display configuration |
WO2006062797A3 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2007-10-18 | Steelcase Dev Corp | Multi-use conferencing space, table arrangement and display configuration |
US8407944B2 (en) | 2004-12-06 | 2013-04-02 | Steelcase Inc. | Multi-use conferencing space, table arrangement and display configuration |
US10492608B2 (en) | 2004-12-06 | 2019-12-03 | Steelcase Inc. | Multi-use conferencing space, table arrangement and display configuration |
US9871978B1 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2018-01-16 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9510672B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-12-06 | Steelcase Inc. | Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9420880B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-08-23 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9456687B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-10-04 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9456686B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-10-04 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9462883B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-10-11 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9462882B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-10-11 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9339106B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-05-17 | Steelcase Inc. | Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9492008B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-11-15 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US10925388B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2021-02-23 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9699408B1 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2017-07-04 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9254035B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2016-02-09 | Steelcase Inc. | Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9883740B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2018-02-06 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US11743425B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2023-08-29 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US8896656B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2014-11-25 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US11337518B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2022-05-24 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workplace |
US11202501B1 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2021-12-21 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US9465524B2 (en) | 2008-10-13 | 2016-10-11 | Steelcase Inc. | Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US10631632B2 (en) | 2008-10-13 | 2020-04-28 | Steelcase Inc. | Egalitarian control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US10884607B1 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2021-01-05 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US11112949B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2021-09-07 | Steelcase Inc. | Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace |
US10897598B1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2021-01-19 | Steelcase Inc. | Content amplification system and method |
US11190731B1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2021-11-30 | Steelcase Inc. | Content amplification system and method |
US10638090B1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2020-04-28 | Steelcase Inc. | Content amplification system and method |
US11652957B1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2023-05-16 | Steelcase Inc. | Content amplification system and method |
US10264213B1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-16 | Steelcase Inc. | Content amplification system and method |
US11588681B2 (en) | 2017-05-01 | 2023-02-21 | Vmware, Inc. | Migration of managed devices to utilize management platform features |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TR200002905A2 (en) | 2001-04-20 |
TR200002905A3 (en) | 2001-04-20 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |