Adaptive Modular Support System for Multi-Industry Storage

Publication ID: 24-11857083_0007_PTD

Published: November 07, 2025

Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Modular Support System for Multi-Industry Storage,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857083_0007_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857083_0007_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,083.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a seating unit with a hook assembly for retaining accessory articles in an office setting. However, this design was limited to a specific application and did not address the need for adaptable, secure, and visually inconspicuous storage solutions in other industries. The present invention addresses this limitation by applying the core technology to various fields, providing a flexible support member and hook assembly that can be integrated into different products and environments.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases that were not originally considered in the original patent. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to diverse fields, providing a flexible support system that can be integrated into various products and environments, thereby expanding the scope of the original invention.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include adjustable hook assemblies, retractable support members, or integrated sensors for detecting the presence of stored items. Variations of the invention could also include different materials, shapes, or sizes of the flexible support member and hook assembly to accommodate specific industry requirements.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The adaptable support system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including wearable technology, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and sports equipment. The system's versatility and modularity make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to provide innovative, convenient, and secure storage solutions for their customers.

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Ergonomic seating design and accessory attachment systems, encompassing furniture engineering, biomechanical design, and modular storage solutions

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A design engineer with expertise in furniture design, mechanical engineering, and ergonomic product development, familiar with modular attachment systems and adaptive seating configurations

Obviousness Rationale

A person of ordinary skill would recognize the fundamental adaptability of the source patent's hook assembly and flexible support member as a versatile platform for extending functionality across multiple domains. The core technical concept of a secure, compact attachment mechanism can be readily translated to different contexts by applying standard design adaptation techniques. The PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the original chair-based hook assembly concept to alternative use cases.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Hook assembly protruding from backrest for securing accessory articles

PTD Variation

Adapting hook assembly to wearable devices for personal item storage

Obviousness Reasoning

Transferring a known attachment mechanism to a wearable context represents a predictable design variation using known techniques of modular attachment

Source Patent Element

Flexible support member extending along seat and backrest

PTD Variation

Integrating support member into vehicle seat or bicycle seat configurations

Obviousness Reasoning

Applying the structural support concept to alternative seating environments is an obvious design adaptation within a predictable range of modifications

Source Patent Element

Compact and visually inconspicuous storage mechanism

PTD Variation

Medical device attachment using similar hook assembly principles

Obviousness Reasoning

Translating a storage solution to medical equipment represents a standard engineering approach of repurposing proven mechanical attachment strategies

Source Patent Element

Structural configuration allowing secure item retention

PTD Variation

Workshop tool organization system using identical attachment principles

Obviousness Reasoning

Extending a storage mechanism to tool management is a straightforward application of known mechanical attachment techniques

Source Patent Element

Hook assembly integrated with seating structure

PTD Variation

Storage container attachment for bicycle or vehicle seats

Obviousness Reasoning

Modifying attachment systems for transportation contexts represents a predictable design evolution using known mechanical integration methods

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857083, the present publication demonstrates that the claimed variations represent obvious extensions of the original chair-based hook assembly concept, rendering subsequent claims involving similar modular attachment mechanisms unpatentable as predictable design adaptations within the ordinary skill of a person trained in ergonomic and mechanical design engineering.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,083
Title	Chair having a flexible support member
Assignee(s)	Steelcase Inc.