# US 8,539,888 B2 · Table-board-partition > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,539,888 B2 - Document ID: US8539888B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/416,670 - Filed: 2012-03-09 - Published: 2012-10-11 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-11 - Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Applicants: Noe Vargas Hernandez; Jose Gabriel Davila Rangel; Angel Ernesto Delgado - Inventors: Noe Vargas Hernandez; Jose Gabriel Davila Rangel; Angel Ernesto Delgado - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8539888B2 ## CPC - A47B 85/06: Tables convertible otherwise (into beds A47C17/62; into billiard tables A63D15/04) - Y10T 29/49716: Converting - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A transforming project table, white erase board, and office partition all-in-one powered by a drive system is disclosed herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable work surface capable of movement along a vertical axis, capable of a 360-degree rotation around a pivot or both comprising: a generally planar tabletop defining a plane, wherein the table top comprises a work (top) surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, a back edge, a left edge, and a right edge; a generally vertical support member disposed for a movement in a generally vertical direction, wherein a top portion of the vertical support member is attached to the right edge and the left edge of the tabletop by one or more pivot joints, wherein the vertical support member further comprises one or more supporting bars extending along a length of the support member and attached to a bottom portion of the support member, wherein the bars are substantially parallel to each other and are capable of movement along the vertical direction concomitantly with a vertical movement of the support member; a generally vertical frame structure for receiving the vertical support member, wherein the frame structure further comprises; a first stationary support bar attached to a top portion of the frame structure and extending along the length of the frame structure, wherein the first stationary support bar comprises a groove for receiving the front edge or the back edge of the planar tabletop, wherein the first stationary support bar is substantially parallel to the one or more supporting bars of the vertical support member, wherein the first stationary support bar is parallel to the tabletop when the tabletop is horizontal at a 0° angle and is perpendicular to the tabletop when the tabletop is vertical at a 90° angle; and a second stationary support bar attached to a bottom portion of the frame structure, wherein the second stationary support bar is substantially parallel to the first stationary support bar and to the one or more supporting bars of the vertical support member; and two or more wheels for ease of movement of the work surface, wherein the wheel are attached directly to the frame structure or may be attached to a rod or a similar device welded onto or attached to the frame structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, wherein the tabletop comprises a white board, an easel, a project table, a partition board, or combinations and modifications thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, wherein the first stationary support bar is a top edge of a planar surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The work surface of claim 3, wherein the planar surface enables functioning of the work surface as a partition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The work surface of claim 3, wherein the planar surface comprises a material similar to the planar tabletop. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, wherein the ridge or the groove in the first stationary support bar locks the tabletop at a 90° angle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, further comprising a wheel locking mechanism for preventing movement of the work surface during use. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for removing the wheels once the work surface is placed at a desired location. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, wherein the work surface is used as a project table when the tabletop is substantially horizontal or at a 0° angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, wherein the work surface is used as white board or an easel when the tabletop is adjusted at an angle between 45° and 90°. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, wherein the work surface is used as a partitioning device or partition board when the work surface is substantially vertical or at a 90° angle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The work surface of claim 1, wherein the drive system is a pneumatic, spring, electric or hydraulic drive system. ### Claim 13 A transforming all-in-one powered system comprising a project table, a white erase board, and an office partition device capable of movement along a vertical axis, capable of a 360-degree rotation around a pivot or both comprising: a generally planar tabletop defining a plane, wherein the table top comprises a work (top) surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, a back edge, a left edge, and a right edge; a generally vertical support member disposed for a movement in a generally vertical direction, wherein a top portion of the vertical support member is attached to the right edge and the left edge of the tabletop by one or more pivot joints, wherein the vertical support member further comprises one or more supporting bars extending along a length of the support member and attached to a bottom portion of the support member, wherein the bars are substantially parallel to each other and are capable of movement along the vertical direction concomitantly with a vertical movement of the support member; a generally vertical frame structure for receiving the vertical support member, wherein the frame structure further comprises; a first stationary support bar attached to a top portion of the frame structure and extending along the length of the frame structure, wherein the first stationary support bar comprises a groove for receiving the front edge or the back edge of the planar tabletop, wherein the first stationary support bar is substantially parallel to the one or more supporting bars of the vertical support member, wherein the first stationary support bar is parallel to the tabletop when the tabletop is horizontal at a 0° angle and is perpendicular to the tabletop when the tabletop is vertical at a 90° angle; and a second stationary support bar attached to a bottom portion of the frame structure, wherein the second stationary support bar is substantially parallel to the first stationary support bar and to the one or more supporting bars of the vertical support member; and two or more wheels for ease of movement of the work surface, wherein the wheel are attached directly to the frame structure or may be attached to a rod or a similar device welded onto or attached to the frame structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the ridge or the groove in the first stationary support bar locks the tabletop at a 90° angle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the first stationary support bar is a top edge of a planar surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the planar surface enables functioning of the system surface as a partition. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the planar surface comprises a material similar to the planar tabletop. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising a wheel locking mechanism for preventing movement of the system during use. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the system is used as a project table when the tabletop is substantially horizontal or at a 0° angle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the system is used as white board or an easel when the tabletop is adjusted at an angle between 45° and 90°. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the system is used as a partitioning device or partition board when the work surface is substantially vertical or at a 90° angle. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the drive system is a pneumatic, spring, electric or hydraulic drive system. ### Claim 23 A method of transforming an open space, dividing a large area into one or more smaller areas or both comprising the steps of: providing an open space, a large area or both; providing one or more drive operated partitioning devices capable of movement along a vertical axis, capable of a 360-degree rotation around a pivot or both comprising: a generally planar tabletop defining a plane, wherein the table top comprises a work (top) surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, a back edge, a left edge, and a right edge; a generally vertical support member disposed for a movement in a generally vertical direction, wherein a top portion of the vertical support member is attached to the right edge and the left edge of the tabletop by one or more pivot joints, wherein the vertical support member further comprises one or more supporting bars extending along a length of the support member and attached to a bottom portion of the support member, wherein the bars are substantially parallel to each other and are capable of movement along the vertical direction concomitantly with a vertical movement of the support member; a generally vertical frame structure for receiving the vertical support member, wherein the frame structure further comprises; a first stationary support bar attached to a top portion of the frame structure and extending along the length of the frame structure, wherein the first stationary support bar comprises a groove for receiving the front edge or the back edge of the planar tabletop, wherein the first stationary support bar is substantially parallel to the one or more supporting bars of the vertical support member, wherein the first stationary support bar is parallel to the tabletop when the tabletop is horizontal at a 0° angle and is perpendicular to the tabletop when the tabletop is vertical at a 90° angle; and a second stationary support bar attached to a bottom portion of the frame structure, wherein the second stationary support bar is substantially parallel to the first stationary support bar and to the one or more supporting bars of the vertical support member; and two or more wheels for ease of movement of the work surface, wherein the wheel are attached directly to the frame structure or may be attached to a rod or a similar device welded onto or attached to the frame structure; and placing the one or more partitioning devices with the planar tabletop in a vertical orientation in the open space or the large area to transform or divide the open space or the large area, wherein the one or more partitioning devices may be linked to each other or to existing structures in the open space or the large area by one or more connectors. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the open space or the large area comprises an office space, a laboratory, a warehouse, a classroom, a conference room, an arena and any combinations thereof. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein the partitioning device transforms an office space into one or more cubicles, training rooms, conference rooms, and any combinations thereof. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the connectors comprise ropes, chains, tethers, and any combinations thereof. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, further comprising a wheel locking mechanism for preventing movement of the partitioning device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the ridge or the groove in the first stationary support bar locks the tabletop at a 90° angle. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the first stationary support bar is a top edge of a planar surface. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the planar surface enables functioning of the partitioning device to transform the open space, divide the large area into one or more smaller areas or both. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the planar surface comprises a material similar to the planar tabletop. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the tabletop comprises a white board, an easel, a project table, a partition board, or combinations and modifications thereof. ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the partitioning device may be used as the project table, the white board, or the easel in the open space or the large area. ### Claim 34 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the partitioning device is used as a project table when the tabletop is substantially horizontal or at a 0° angle. ### Claim 35 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the partitioning device is used as white board or an easel when the tabletop is adjusted at an angle between 45° and 90°. ### Claim 36 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the drive system is a pneumatic, spring, electric or hydraulic drive system. ### Claim 37 (depends on 23) An office space or a large area transformed or partitioned into one or more small areas or cubicles by the method of claim 23.