Furniture pieces which incorporate load-bearing or non-load bearing structures in which water or other material may be stored. By incorporating such storage capacity within furniture, a user may take advantage of space that would otherwise be unused or unusable to unobtrusively and conveniently store an emergency water supply or other desired material.

Furniture pieces which incorporate load-bearing or non-load bearing structures in which water or other material may be stored. By incorporating such storage capacity within furniture, a user may take advantage of space that would otherwise be unused or unusable to unobtrusively and conveniently store an emergency water supply or other desired material.

A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between upright and reclined positions, and wherein the seat support structure reclines rearwardly as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.

A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between upright and reclined positions, and wherein the seat support structure reclines rearwardly as the back support structure moves from the upright to reclined positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

A flexible article is provided having a core formed from a plurality of laminar panels that are inter-connected to provide an expandable structure upon movement of the panels away from each other. Opposite ends of the core terminate in a pair of end panels whereby the end panels may be moved apart to expand the expandable structure. A passage extends in a direction between the end panels and intersects the panels, At least two tubes connected with a connector are located within the passage, and the connector includes two ends that are respectively friction fitted with ends of the tubes.

An Anti-Ballistic chair including a seat portion, and a first Anti-Ballistic panel removably inserted into a pocket having an opening formed within the seat portion, wherein the Anti-Ballistic panel comprises at least a first layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a first direction, and at least a second layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a second direction, different from the first direction.

An Anti-Ballistic chair including a seat portion, and a first Anti-Ballistic panel removably inserted into a pocket having an opening formed within the seat portion, wherein the Anti-Ballistic panel comprises at least a first layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a first direction, and at least a second layer of Anti-Ballistic material formed from high-strength synthetic fibers extending in a second direction, different from the first direction.

A chair assembly includes a back support arrangement that includes a back frame member and a forwardly-facing surface configured to support a user, a four-bar linkage assembly including a first linkage member, a second linkage member, a third linkage member and a fourth linkage member each pivotably coupled to one another such that the four-bar linkage assembly includes an upper end that is adjustable between raised and lowered positions, and an arm rest assembly supported on the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly, wherein a lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly is pivotably supported from an arm support structure for pivotable movement such that the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly is movable between a first position and second position located laterally outward from the first position, and wherein the fifth pivot point is located forwardly of the back frame member.

A chair assembly includes a back support arrangement that includes a back frame member and a forwardly-facing surface configured to support a user, a four-bar linkage assembly including a first linkage member, a second linkage member, a third linkage member and a fourth linkage member each pivotably coupled to one another such that the four-bar linkage assembly includes an upper end that is adjustable between raised and lowered positions, and an arm rest assembly supported on the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly, wherein a lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly is pivotably supported from an arm support structure for pivotable movement such that the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly is movable between a first position and second position located laterally outward from the first position, and wherein the fifth pivot point is located forwardly of the back frame member.