FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the field of furniture and more particularly relates to a furniture with a device holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile phones have evolved from being a basic communication tool to include various functions including but not limited gaming, playing MP3, photographing, video recording, GPS, internet browsing and so on, which in turn made them increasingly popular for managing multiple aspects of one's daily life. On the other hand, prolonged usage of mobile phones has led to many health issues like change in natural curvature of neck, straining muscles and causing wear and tear on the structures of the neck. To avoid these health issues, physicians advise to place the mobile phones at right position, so that the users do not have to look down and/or drop head forward.

United States Patent No.: US 9,661 ,918 B2 discloses a wearable human body mounted electronic device support system comprising a waist mount portion encircling a user's waist for supporting a load. A cantilevered portion extends from the waist mount portion for supporting an electronic input device at an ergonomic position beneficial to the user. This system aims to promote computing ergonomics and minimize weight to ease user fatigue. However, it is inconvenient for a user to wear the mount portion every time the user needs to use the electronic input device.

United States Patent No.: US 10,512,331 B2 discloses a smart ergonomic chair and mobility system comprising a device holder attached to an accessory frame that is rotatable with respect to a rotational axis and coupled to an arm rest. However, the device holder is not allowed to be moved in a single dimensions, which forces the user to be seated in a fixed position. Hence, there is a need for a furniture with a device holder that allows three dimensional adjustment and locking in a desired position without compromising stability of the device holder. Furthermore, there is a need for a furniture with a device holder that does not affect aesthetics of the furniture without affecting stability and functionality of the device holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a furniture, comprising at least one user support panel, a set of leg members for supporting the support panel and at least one device holder for holding a device. The device holder is movable between a storage position and an extended position. Furthermore, the device holder includes at least one base member attached to one of the leg members and at least one holding means for releasably holding the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the device holder includes at least one intermediate member between the base member and the holding means. The intermediate member is rotatably or pivotably attached to at least one of the base member and the holding means. Furthermore, the intermediate member is telescopic with respect to the base member.

In one aspect of the present invention, at least one first locking means locks a position of the intermediate member with respect to the base member and at least one second locking means locks a position of the holding means with respect to the intermediate member.

In one aspect of the present invention, the base member is rotatably attached to the leg member.

In a preferred embodiment, the furniture comprises at least one armrest with one or more closure members, wherein the device holder is concealed within the armrest when in the storage position. Furthermore, the device holder is movable to the extended position when at least one of the closure members opened. Preferably, the furniture is at least one of an arm chair, couch and sofa, and the device is at least one of a mobile phone, tablet computer, palmtop computer and laptop computer.

The base member of the device holder is attached to the leg members supporting the user support panel, thus improving stability of the device holder. Each of the base member, intermediate member and the holding means is rotatable or pivotable with respect to the corresponding components attached thereto, thus enabling three dimensional (3D) adjustment of a position of the device held by the holding means. The device holder is placed within an enclosure that is formed as a part of the furniture, and the device holder is concealed when in storage position, thus providing the device holding functionality without affecting aesthetic value of the furniture.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference numerals. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference numerals with a second numeral that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference numeral irrespective of the second reference numeral.

FIGURE 1 shows a rear perspective view of the furniture, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a front perspective view of an enclosure of the furniture, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 3 shows a side view of the device holder, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 shows a front perspective view of the device holder, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 5 shows a perspective view of a locking means, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURES 6 - 9 show different views of the device holder while being moved to an extendable position, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURES 10 - 14 show different views of the device holder while being moved to an extendable position, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURES 15 shows a top perspective view of the device holder, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURES 16 - 19 show side view of the device holder while being moved to an extendable position, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a furniture, which will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description relates purely to the embodiments and suggested applications thereof.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiment in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processes are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiment herein. Accordingly, the description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment herein.

The description hereinafter, of the specific embodiment will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify or adapt or perform both for various applications such specific embodiment without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

FIGURE 1 shows a rear perspective view of a furniture (10), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The furniture (10) comprises at least one user support panel (1 ) for a user to sit on or lie down and a set of leg members (1 1 ) for supporting the support panel. Preferably, the furniture (10) is an armchair, couch or a sofa, and the user support panel (1 ) is a seat base of the furniture (10). The furniture (10) includes an enclosure (18) with one or more closure members (19) for housing a device holder (12), as shown in FIGURE 2.

The device holder (12) is provided for holding a device (20) to be used by the user, wherein the device holder (12) is movable between a storage position and an extended position. The device holder (12) is concealed within the enclosure (18) when in the storage position and is movable to the extended position when at least one of the closure members (19) is opened. Preferably the enclosure (18) is formed as an armrest with two closure members (19), wherein one closure member (19) is bigger than the other closure member (19), as shown in FIGURES 1 - 2 & 9 - 14. More preferably, the bigger closure member (19) includes one more projections such as a notch, indentation, bump or the like, that lock with hole, cavity or the like in the smaller closure member (19) while opening the bigger closure member (19), so as to automatically open the smaller closure member (19). Furthermore, the projections are configured to allow the smaller closure member (19) to open without locking with the hole or cavity in the smaller closure member (19). Alternatively, the enclosure (18) can be formed as any other part of the furniture (10), such as a support frame for the user support panel (1 ).

The device holder (12) includes at least one base member (13) attached to one of the leg members (12) and at least one holding means (14) for releasably holding a device (20). Preferably, the device holder (12) includes at least one intermediate member (15) between the base member (13) and the holding means (14). Preferably, the base member (13) is rotatably attached to the leg member (12) by means of a bearing mechanism or any other conventional rotational mechanism. The device (20) is at least one of a mobile phone, tablet computer, palmtop computer, laptop computer, keyboard and gaming device.

The intermediate member (15) is rotatably or pivotably attached to at least one of the base member (13) and the holding means (14). More preferably, a first end of the intermediate member (15) is rotatably or pivotably attached to the base member (13) and a second end of the intermediate member (15) is rotatably or pivotably attached to the holding means (14). Alternatively, the device holder (12) includes multiple intermediate members (15, as shown in FIGURES 3, 4, & 6 - 9), wherein one of the intermediate members (15) is rotatably or pivotably attached to the base member (13) and another of the intermediate members (15) is rotatably or pivotably attached to the holding means (14). In some other embodiment, the intermediate member (15) is slidable with respect to the base member (13), such that the intermediate member (15) is telescopic with respect to the base member (13) to allow vertical deployment of the holding means (14), as shown in FIGURES 10 & 11. For example, the intermediate member (15) the base member (13) are coaxial, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate member (15) is inside or overlaps the base member (13) and the intermediate member (15) can be slidably raised with respect to the base member (13). By this way, the intermediate member (15) can be slid up and rotated to allow the holding means (14) to be in position with the user, as shown FIGURES 12 - 14.

The device holder (12) includes at least one first locking means (16) for locking a position of the intermediate member (15) with respect to the base member (13) and at least one second locking means (17) for locking a position of the holding means (14) with respect to the intermediate member (15). In one embodiment, the locking means (16, 17) include a pin-hole mechanism with a pin (16a) slidable in a hole (16b), as shown in FIGURE 5. However, any conventional locking mechanism such as friction-based mechanism, spring-based mechanism, lever-based mechanism, gear-based mechanism, etc., can be used as the locking means (16, 17).

The base member (13) and each of the intermediate members (15) are made of a rigid material such as metal, alloy and the like. Preferably, the base member (13) is made of a denser material as compared to the intermediate members (15). Alternately, each of the base member (13) and the intermediate members (15) is made of same material. Optionally, the device holder (12) includes one or more reinforcement members (21 , 22), as shown in FIGURE 15, for reinforcing the base member (13) with respect to the enclosure (18) and/or for supporting the intermediate members (15) when in the storage position. Preferably, the reinforcement members (21 , 22) are in the form of plates attached to walls of the enclosure (18). Alternatively, the reinforcement members can also be in the form of rods, strips, chords or any other conventional reinforcement means. By this way, the present invention provides additional support and avoids too much stress at pivot points and/or joints.

The base member (13) is attached to the leg members (1 1 ) supporting the user support panel (1 ), thus improving stability of the device holder (12). Each of the base member (13), intermediate members (15) and the holding means (14) is rotatable or pivotable with respect to the corresponding components attached thereto, thus enabling three dimensional (3D) adjustment of a position of the device (20) held by the holding means (14). The device holder (12) is placed within an enclosure (18) that is formed as a part of the furniture (10), and the device holder (12) is concealed when in storage position, thus providing the device holding functionality without affecting aesthetic value of the furniture (10).

A different version of the device holder (12) that can be vertically deployed is shown in FIGURES 16 - 19. In this version, a first intermediate member (15a) is telescopic with the base member (13) to be vertically raised to deploy. Furthermore, a second intermediate member (15b) is rotatably connected the first intermediate member (15a) through a hinge (not shown), wherein the second intermediate member (!5b) is rotatable at an angle of 360° with respect to the first intermediate member (15a). Therefore, the second intermediate member (15b) can be positioned parallel to the first intermediate member (15a) for storage, thereby avoiding a need for bigger closure member.

Optionally, a spring-based actuator can be provided for automatically moving the device holder (12) vertically upwards when a closure member (19) is opened. Additionally, the first intermediate member (15a) can include a locking means for selectively locking the first intermediate member (15a) with respect to the base member (13) after choosing a desired height for the first intermediate member (15a) during use. A holding means (14) is rotatably or pivotably attached to the second intermediate member (15a), while the first intermediate member (15a) is rotatable at an angle of 360° with respect to the enclosure (18). By this way, the present invention allows 3D adjustment of a position of the device (20) without affecting stability and aesthetic value of the furniture (10).

Even though the present invention is shown as an arm chair, couch or sofa with an armrest in the above embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention can also be applied as a part of a bedding, teapoy, table or any other standalone furniture. Likewise, the present invention can be applied for holding any other daily use items such as mirror, magnifier, lighting device, book, food or drink items, newspaper and the like.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", “including” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

The method steps, processes and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements, as the use may be in one of the embodiments to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.