# US 9,516,947 B2 · Ladder chair > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,516,947 B2 - Document ID: US9516947B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/707,976 - Filed: 2015-05-08 - Published: 2015-11-12 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-08 - Assignees: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc. - Applicants: Alex Taylor - Inventors: Alex Taylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9516947B2 ## CPC - A47B 85/06: Tables convertible otherwise (into beds A47C17/62; into billiard tables A63D15/04) - A47C 1/146: {of legless type} - A47C 4/04: Folding chairs with inflexible seats - A47C 13/00: Convertible chairs, stools or benches (step-stools requiring conversion between the step and seat functions A47C12/02) - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract A configurable furniture system and method are disclosed. The system and method include one or more panels, each of the panels having one or more working edges. One or more hinges successively connect the panels together at the working edges. The system is able to convert from a folded configuration into a functional configuration, which may be a chair, desk, lounge, table or stool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-functional, convertible furniture system comprising: a plurality of panels, each of said panels having a first working edge and an opposingly located second working edge; two adjacent panels connected by at least a first strap and a second strap, the first and second straps being spaced apart, each of said straps having an end connected to a first working edge of one panel and an opposing end of said strap connected to the second working edge of the other adjacent panel; a third strap interlaced between said spaced apart first and second straps, said third strap having an end connected to a first working edge of one panel and an opposing end of said strap connected to the second working edge of the other adjacent panel; said interlaced first, second, and third straps permitting adjacent panels to act as if hinged to one another at either said first or said second working edges; and said panels adapted to be converted from a folded configuration to a functional configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further including a plurality of slots in said panels sized to releaseably engage at least one locking mechanism that rigidly connects the panels together. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 wherein said plurality of panels is comprised of seven panels. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein said functional configuration is a chair. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein said functional configuration is a lounge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein said functional configuration is a desk. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein said functional configuration is a table. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein said functional configuration is a stool. ### Claim 9 A multi-functional, convertible furniture system comprising: seven panels, each of said panels having; a first working edge and an opposingly located second working edge; two adjacent panels connected by at least a first strap and a second strap, the first and second straps being spaced apart, each of said straps having an end connected to a first working edge of one panel and an opposing end of said strap connected to the second working edge of the other adjacent panel; a third strap interlaced between said spaced apart first and second straps, said third strap having an end connected to a first working edge of one panel and an opposing end of said strap connected to the second working edge of the other adjacent panel; said interlaced first, second, and third straps permitting adjacent panels to act as if hinged to one another at either said first or said second working edges; a plurality of slots in said panels sized to releasably engage at least one locking mechanism that rigidly connects the panels together; and said seven panels adapted to be converted from a folded configuration to a functional configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein said functional configuration is a chair formed by arranging said panels into three connected triangles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein said functional configuration is a lounge formed by arranging said panels into two connected triangles. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein said functional configuration is a desk formed by arranging said panels into two opposingly located triangles connected by a planar surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein said functional configuration is a table formed by arranging said panels into three connected triangles. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein said functional configuration is a stool formed by arranging the panels into a quadrilateral.