Title of Invention

"ROLL UP SYSTEM FOR FURNITURE AND LIGHT STRUCTURE INSTALLATIONS"

Abstract The invention describes a roll up system for furniture and other light temporary installations. The invention allows the system to be rolled up thereby allowing it to be portable and suitable for temporary installations. The system allows rolling up in one direction only and resists rolling in the other. The roll up system as per the invention is load bearing and thus suitable for furniture. Another object of the invention is to provide a roll up system with a degree of standardization allowing various profiles and shapes while using the same basic components. This allows numerous designs and profiles to be obtained while maintaining simplicity of manufacturing and fabrication.
Full Text The invention relates to a roll up Mechanism for Furniture and Light Structure
Installations
Field of invention:
The invention relates to portable furniture and light structure installations and more particularly to a portable roll up system that can be of different profiles and shapes using the same members.
Background of invention:
Portable furniture of a large variety is available. This kind of furniture is mostly detachable and foldable. Portable furniture includes chairs, tables, stands, shelves, awnings, including lightweight designer display etc. It consists of a number of members that have to be assembled and disassembled together. This furniture cannot be rolled up.
In most cases there is a central support frame or structure on which the various members are connected. In order to obtain different sizes, shapes or profiles new members and design has to be used. This leads to a lot of individual members required for a range of furniture.
Thus the above furniture systems suffer from the following drawbacks:
1. They cannot be rolled up conveniently
2. They have to be assembled and disassembled which is time consuming
3. For different shapes and designs new individual members are required creating manufacturing complexities
Objects of Invention: It is an object of the invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is an object of the invention to provide a system f
or use in furniture and other light structure installations that can be rolled up.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system that allows rolling up in one direction only and resists rolling in the other.
Another object of the invention is to provide a roll up system that can bear load.
Another object of the invention is to provide a roll up system with a degree of standardization allowing various profiles/shapes to be obtained while using the same basic components.
Summary of invention:
To achieve the objectives this invention provides a roll-up system for furniture and other light structure installations comprising:
plurality of fixed members at predetermined spaces interconnected with fabric sheet or atleast two strings ,
first member in said fabric sheet or string is fastened to the sheet at its end and the last member is provided with a regulator at its end to tighten said fabric sheet or strings,
wherein a plurality of intermediate variable members are provided in said predetermined spaces to provide required shape of the furniture or temporary installation and,
the shape of said intermediate variable member is governed by D = 360 / (( 2 .(22/7),R) / L) for obtaining the desired shape of the furniture,
the arrangement between the fixed and the intermediate variable members in the fabric sheet or strings being such that said fixed and variable members roll in the side of fabric or strings and resist in the opposite direction to retain the desired shape of the furniture or the temporary installations.

The fixed members and the intermediate variable members are made of wood, plastic material or metal.
The fixed members and intermediate members are provided with slots or holes for fabric sheet or the string to pass through them.
The fixed members are provided with stoppers at their ends to restrict the lateral movement of said intermediate variable members with respect to the fixed members.
The regulators comprises an axle having regulating means at its end for regulating said fabric sheets or the string, the said regulating means are connected to the last fixed member.
The regulating means has locking means to lock the axle whenever desired after tightening the string or the fabric sheet.
The fixed members at the ends have different shapes than the fixed members in the middle at pre-determined spaces.
The first fixed member apart from the slot has fastening means.
The last fixed member has only a slot or a hole for passing of said fabric sheet or string.
A cylindrical extension is provided in first fixed member and last fixed member for fixing a rope to maintain the desired shape of the furniture or the temporary installations.
The cylindrical extension is provided at the end of the two fixed members at predetermined spaces for either hanging the weight or to tie the two members with a string and to maintain the desired shape of the furniture or the temporary installations depending on the type of furniture or the temporary installations.
The intermediate variable member comprising a broad section at the bottom and a narrow section in the upper portion, said broad section having curved edges and a slot to allow the fabric sheet or string to pass through said broad section
The slot is provided in the said intermediate variable member in the wider section of the member and said slot extends towards the base at the curved edges to allow the fabric sheet or the string to rotate about a pivot point in the intermediate variable member.
The slot is provided in the fixed member in the narrow section of the member.
The intermediate variable member wherein said broader section has a flat base when straight profile in said roll up system is required.
The intermediate variable member wherein said broader section has a curvilinear base when curved profile in said roll up system is required.
The intermediate variable member wherein said broader section has an inverse curvilinear base when inverted curve profile in said roll up system is required.
The intermediate variable member wherein the said member has two arms at an angle between 70 to 100 degrees, having curved edges and a slot through it to allow the fabric or string to pass through the arms, said slot having the area underneath it along the curved edge removed to allow rotation of said fabric or string about a pivot point, said arms having stepped portion in between them to allow interlocking with adjacent fixed
member, said intermediate variable member allowing sudden changes of angle in profile of said roll up system.
Brief description of accompanying figures:
Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of first fixed member X j Figure 2 shows elevation of fixed end member X Figure 3 shows sectional elevation of end member X
Figure 4 shows elevation of fixed intermediate member Y
Figure 5 shows sectional elevation of fixed intermediate member Y
Figure 6 shows sectional elevation of fixed intermediate member Y with cylindrical extensions at end.
Figure 7 shows the plan of fixed end regulator Z
Figure 8 shows elevation of fixed end regulator Z
Figure 9 shows sectional elevation of fixed end regulator Z
Figure 10 shows axonometric view of fixed end regulator Z
Figure 11 plan of variable intermediate member U
Figure 12 shows elevation of variable intermediate member U
Figure 13 shows sectional elevation of variable intermediate member U
Figure 14 shows bending of fabric about a pivot point in variable intermediate member U
Figure 15 (a) shows the straight profile obtained when variable intermediate member U is used.
Figure 15 (b) shows the rolling up of the system in the direction of the fabric or string.
Figure 16 shows the plan of variable intermediate member V
Figure 17 shows elevation of variable intermediate member V
Figure 18 shows the curvature of base wherein each member V allows a 'd' degree shift as defined in equation 1. The member V thus allows a curved profile.
Figure 19 (a) shows the profile obtained when variable intermediate member V is used.
Figure 19 (b) shows the rolling up of the system in the direction of fabric or string.
Figure 20 shows the plan of variable intermediate member W
Figure 21 shows the elevation of variable intermediate member W
Figure 22 shows the curvature of base wherein each member W allows a 'd' degree shift as defined in equation 1. The member W thus allows a curved profile.
Figure 23 (a) shows the profile obtained when variable intermediate member W is used
Figure 23 (b) shows the rolling up of the system in the direction of fabric or string.
Figure 24 shows the plan of variable intermediate member L
Figure 25 shows the elevation of variable intermediate member L
Figure 26 shows sectional elevation of variable intermediate member L
Figure 27 (a) shows the profile obtained when variable intermediate member L is used.
Figure 27 (b) shows the rolling up of the system in the direction of fabric or string
Figure 28 shows the interlocking arrangement between Y and Q
Figure 29 shows the resistance in motion the members face when rotated in the direction away from the fabric or string
Figure 30 shows the fabric not only as a binder but also as a hinge allowing members to rotate towards the base of Q
Figure 31 shows one embodiment of the invention as a roll up chair.
Figure 32 the member used at different parts of the chair to obtain the required profile.
Figure 33 shows the chair completely rolled up as per the invention
Detailed description of invention:
To achieve the said objective the roll up system according to the present invention comprises a combination of stiff horizontal members and 'fabric or string' hinges which mechanically work together to form a sheet of roll which when opened up becomes taut in a certain profile. The invention has been explained using fabric.
To achieve a certain degree of standardization the mechanism has been made of fixed and variable members. These members can be made of wood, plastic or any metal such as aluminum. The mechanism is made up of two fixed end members generally designated 'X' and 'Z'. A number of fixed intermediate members generally designated 'Y', depending on the length of the mechanism required, are placed between the end connectors.
X, Y, Z are the fixed members of the mechanism and will be present in all profiles. A number of variable intermediate members generally designated 'Q' are also placed between the end connectors alternatively with the fixed members. The variable intermediate members 'Q' of different shapes are used depending on the profile required. The fabric or strings run through these members connecting them. The use of variable members allows different profiles and shapes to be obtained.
The intermediate variable members are of four basic kinds that have been generally designated as 'U', 'V, 'W and 'L'. When a straight profile is required intermediate variable member U is used alternatively with the fixed members between the end connectors X and Z. Variable member V is used when a curved profile is required and variable member W is used when an inverted curve profile is desired.
Both V and W cause a certain amount of deviation in the sheet to ultimately acquire the
desired profile. Say for instance an arc of radius R is required the deviation 'd' will be:-
d = 360 / (( 2.(22/7).R) / L) (1)
where L is the length between center of one intermediate variable member Q to another.
For V, the deviation is in the counter clockwise direction. For W, the deviation is in the clockwise direction.
A fourth variable member L is used when sudden changes in profiles are required.
To summarize, the list of members is:
Fixed Members: X- first member holding one end of fabric or string Y- intermediate member between any two variables Z- last member holding the other end of fabric or string and a regulator that can tighten or loosen the cloth as required
Variable Members (Q): U- member inserted for straight profile
V- member inserted for curved profile W- member inserted for inverted curve profile L- member for sudden changes in profile
Therefore 'Q' as a variable member is used between, any two Y or [Y and X] or
[YandZ].
The following is a typical configuration of members in any sheet:
X-Q-Y-Q-Y-Q-Y-Q-Y-Q-Y-Q-Y-Q-Z
X: figure 1 shows an axonometric view of end member X. It consists of a basic member (2) with holes (7) to accommodate screws (3). The member (2) can have a slot for fabric or holes for strings to pass through. Figure 1 shows a slot for a fabric (5) to pass through. The fabric (5) has holes (4) in it to allow the screws to pass through and thereby fasten the fabric to member (2). At both ends of the member cylindrical extensions (6) are provided to allow a string to be tied and faste
Figure 2 shows the elevation of the end member X. Stopper (1) prevents lateral shift of adjacent member with respect to X. Similar stoppers are present on all fixed members to prevent lateral shift of member with respect to each other. The member X is generally in the shape of the letter 'L'.
Figure 3 shows the sectional elevation of fixed end member X. The path of the fabric through the member is shown. The screw passes through the fabric twice thereby firmly securing it.
Y: figure 4 shows the elevation of fixed intermediate member Y. Fixed intermediate member Y is generally in the shape of letter 'T'. The fixed intermediate member Y has a broad section that is the base and the narrow section the head. A stopper (10) is provided at the head section to resist lateral movement of adjacent members. The fabric (5) runs through a slot in the head of the fixed intermediate member Y as shown in sectional elevation of figure 5.
Figure 6 shows elevation of fixed intermediate member Y with cylindrical extensions. The extensions are used to tie strings between corresponding extensions on another fixed intermediate member. The fixed intermediate member Y with such cylindrical extensions is used at select places according to the design.
Z: figure 7 shows the plan of fixed end regulator Z. A axle (18) has regulators (16) at both ends. Rotating the regulator rotates the axle. Axle (18) has holes (22) on one surface. Corresponding holes are present in fabric (5) that passes through a slit in the axle and then semi-wound around axle. Screw (20) passes through the hole in the fabric (5) and then through the corresponding hole in the axle (22) and is used to tighten the fabric (5) around the axle. Tube (23) holds axle (18) and is used to lock the axle with respect to the tube with stopper (24). Tube (25) resists the horizontal movement of the axle. Member (21) is generally in the shape of letter 'L'. The broader section forms its base and the narrow section its head. The member (21) receives the fabric through a slot in its head. The member (21) is
attached to the tube (23) that holds the axle. The fabric enters the head of member (21), passes through a slot in axle (18), wraps partly around the axle and is locked in place by the screw (20). Stopper (17) on member (21) prevents lateral shift of adjacent member.
Figure 8 shows elevation of member Z. member (21) is shown fixed to the tube (23). Tube (23) and regulators (16) together constitute the regulating means. Regulator (16) shown has grips protruding. Alternatively any kind of regulator commonly available can be used. Stopper (17) resists lateral movement of adjacent members.
Figure 9 shows sectional elevation of member Z. The fabric (5) passes through slot in head of member (21), through slit in axle (23) and is locked by screws. The fabric thus has two sets of holes through which the same screw must pass. Dotted circular line in member (21) is the cylindrical extension provided to tie string between corresponding extension on member X.
Figure 10 shows axonometric view of Z. Stopper (24) is used to lock the axle (18) with respect to the tube (23). Thus when fabric slackens with use the stopper (24) is removed, axle (18) is wound using regulator (16) till the next hole in the axle is under the stopper (24). The fabric is permanently screwed onto the axle.
U: figure 11 shows the plan of variable intermediate member U. member U is generally in the shape of letter T. the broader section forming its base and the narrow section its head. Fabric (5) passes through a slot in the base.
Figure 12 shows elevation of member U. member U has curved edges on the base. Figure 13 shows sectional elevation of member U. The slit runs through the length of the base. At the beginning and end, of slot, the slot extends till the bottom of the base as shown. This allows the fabric (5) to bend as shown in figure 14.
The member U allows a straight profile when used alternatively with fixed intermediate member Y as shown in figure 15 (a). X and Z form the end connectors while Y and U in-between, all held together by fabric form a sheet. Anticlockwise rotation of sheet as shown in figure 15(a) is prevented by the system. Clockwise rotation of sheet rolls the entire sheet up. The fabric (5) must remain on one side of the sheet only.
V: figure 16 shows the plan of variable intermediate member V. the member V is generally in the shape of letter 'T' The broader section forming its base and the narrow section its head. Fabric (5) passes through a slot in the base.
Figure 17 shows elevation of member V. the fabric (5) passes through a slot in the base. The member is similar to U except that the base is curvilinear. The radius of curvature depends on the profile required.
Figure 18 shows the curvature of base wherein each member V allows a 'd' degree shift as defined in equation 1. The member V thus allows a curved profile.
Figure 19 (a) shows the profile obtained when member V is used alternatively with fixed intermediate member Y in-between end connectors X and Z. anticlockwise rotation of the sheet is prevented by the system as shown in figure 19 (a), clockwise rotation of sheet allows it to be rolled as shown in figure 19 (b).
W: figure 20 shows the plan of variable intermediate member W. the member W is generally in the shape of letter 'T'. The broader section forming its base and the narrow section its head. Fabric (5) passes through a slot in the base.
Figure 21 shows elevation of member W. the fabric (5) passes through a slot in the base. The member is similar to U except that the base is curvilinear in the direction opposite to that of member V. The radius of curvature depends on the
profile required. As opposed to V the member W allows an inverted curve profile to be achieved.
Figure 22 shows the curvature of base wherein each member W allows a 'd' degree shift as defined in equation 1. The member W thus allows a inverted curved profile.
Figure 23 (a) shows the profile obtained when member W is used alternatively with fixed intermediate member Y in-between end connectors X and Z. anticlockwise rotation of the sheet is prevented by the mechanism as shown in figure 23 (a). Clockwise rotation of sheet allows it to be rolled as shown in figure 23 (b).
L: figure 24 shows the plan of the variable intermediate member L. member L is generally in the shape of the letter 'L'. figure 25 shows the elevation of member L. it allows for sudden changes in profile. The member L has a slot that runs through it. The ends of L are curved. The slot at the beginning and end is till one surface of the member thereby allowing the fabric to move as shown in figure 26.
Figure 27 (a) shows the profile obtained when member L is used between fixed intermediate member Y. Anticlockwise rotation of the sheet is prevented by the mechanism as shown in figure 27 (a). Clockwise rotation of sheet allows it to be rolled as shown in figure 27 (b).
In any given profile of the sheet all the members are so placed that they interlock with one another, that is the head of Y meets the base of Q and the head of Q meets the base of Y from the sides. The slot goes horizontally through the base of Q (curved edges) and the head of Y.
Figure 28 shows the interlocking arrangement between Y and Q. The variable Q in this case is a U member. The fabric passes through the head of Y and the base
of U. Also stopper on Y prevents any lateral movement between Y and U. The curved edges of Q ensure that the members (X, Y or Z) rotate towards the base of Q. the fabric not only acts as a binder but also as a hinge allowing members to rotate towards the base of Q, as shown in figure 30.
The members themselves, as shown in figure 29 resist rotation towards the head of Q, as they lock against each other. The other resisting force is the fabric hinge. The pivot point of the rotation of the fabric is also the centre of curvature of the curved edge profile of the base of Q. Rotation of member Y is about the same centre. To allow and accommodate the movement of fabric about its pivot point during its rotation, the lower part of the curved edge profile of the base Q beneath the slit has been removed. When the member Y moves towards the head of Q as shown in figure 29, the pivot centre of the fabric moves thereby increasing the length of the fabric about the original pivot point. Since the same length of fabric is needed for rotation the fabric tends to stretch and therefore resists.
The load on a system must be such that it tends to make the members rotate in the direction that offers resistance and thus makes the profile taut. A string will be required to hold X and Z and at some places even two Y together as human weight cannot always provide the required load at all times. This is achieved with the cylindrical extensions on X, Z and Y. This also allows the chair to maintain its profile at all times.
If required a weight can be suspended from the cylindrical extensions on the fixed member at predetermined spaces to provide necessary tension for maintaining profile. Alternatively strings can be tied to these extensions.
To accommodate the stretch in the fabric during use the regulator on fixed end member Z is rotated to compensate.
Instead of fabric metal strings can be used in which case there will be holes in the members instead of slot and means to lock the string in the end connector and end regulator.
Figure 31 shows one embodiment of the invention as a roll up chair. The chair uses all the members at different parts on the chair as shown in figure 32. Different profiles of the chair can be obtained by using different members. The invention thus allows numerous profiles/shapes to be obtained using the same members. The chair can be rolled up as shown in figure 33.
Figure 32 shows the details of the various components used in the chair for the given profile. The chair starts with fixed member Z at the top, uses variable intermediate member V for the first curve, then variable intermediate member U for the straight profile, member W for the next curve and so on as required. Figure 32 also shows a weight suspended from the cylindrical extension on a fixed member. This weight provides the necessary tension in the chair. Also a string is attached between the two fixed end members in order for the chair to maintain its profile.
When a weight is applied to this chair from above, that is when someone sits on it the reaction in the chair tends to make it rotate in the direction opposite to that which is allowed by the members thereby tightening the profile.






I claim:
1. A roll-up system for furniture and light structure installations
comprising:
plurality of fixed members (X,Z) at predetermined spaces interconnected with fabric sheet or atleast two string ,
first member in said fabric sheet or string is fastened to the sheet at its end and the last member is provided with a regulator at its end to tighten said fabric sheet or strings,
wherein a plurality of intermediate variable members (Y)are provided in said predetermined spaces to provide required shape of the furniture or temporary installation and,.
2. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed members and the intermediate variable members are made of wood, plastic material or metal
3. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed members and intermediate members are provided with slots or holes for fabric sheet or the string to pass through them.
4. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed members are provided with stoppers at their ends to restrict the lateral movement of said intermediate variable members with respect to the fixed members.
5. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said regulators comprises an axle having regulating means at its end for regulating said fabric sheets or the string, the said regulating means are connected to the last fixed member.
6. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said regulating means has locking means to lock the axle whenever desired after tightening the string or the fabric sheet.
7. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein first fixed member apart from the slot has fastening means.
8. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the last fixed member has only a slot or a hole for passing of said fabric sheet or string.
9. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cylindrical extension is provided in first fixed member and last fixed member for fixing a rope to maintain the desired shape of the furniture or the temporary installations.
10. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein cylindrical extension is provided at the end of the two fixed members at predetermined spaces for either hanging the weight or to tie the two members with a string and to maintain the desired shape of the furniture or the temporary installations depending on the type of furniture or the temporary installations.
11. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said intermediate variable member comprising a broad section at the bottom and a narrow section in the upper portion, said broad section having curved edges and a slot to allow the fabric sheet or string to pass through said broad section
12. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot is provided in the said intermediate variable member in the wider section of the member and said slot extends towards the base at the curved edge to allow the fabric sheet or the string to rotate about a pivot point in the intermediate variable member.
13. A roll-up system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot is provided in the fixed member in the narrow section of the member.
14. A intermediate variable member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said member has two arms at an angle between 70 to 100 degrees, having curved edges and a slot through it to allow the fabric or string to pass through the arms, said slot having the area underneath it along the curved edge removed to allow rotation of said fabric or string about a pivot point, said arms having stepped portion in between them to allow interlocking with adjacent fixed member, said intermediate variable member allowing sudden changes of angle in profile of said roll up system.
15. A roll up system for furniture and light temporary installations
substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.



Documents:

233-del-2003-abstract.pdf

233-del-2003-claims.pdf

233-del-2003-complete specification [granted].pdf

233-del-2003-correspondence-others.pdf

233-del-2003-correspondence-po.pdf

233-del-2003-description (complete).pdf

233-del-2003-drawings.pdf

233-del-2003-form-1.pdf

233-del-2003-form-19.pdf

233-del-2003-form-2.pdf

233-del-2003-form-3.pdf

233-del-2003-gpa.pdf

233-del-2003-pa.pdf


Patent Number 242476
Indian Patent Application Number 233/DEL/2003
PG Journal Number 36/2010
Publication Date 03-Sep-2010
Grant Date 27-Aug-2010
Date of Filing 06-Mar-2003
Name of Patentee AMIT SINHA
Applicant Address P 26/A SHANKAR VIHAR OFFICER'S ENCLAVE MAHIPALPUR DELHI CANTONMENT NEW DELHI 110 010
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 AMIT SINHA P 26/A SHANKAR VIHAR OFFICER'S ENCLAVE MAHIPALPUR DELHI CANTONMENT NEW DELHI 110 010
PCT International Classification Number A47C 4/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA