All In One Loft wins patent protection
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, May 3, 2004
HIGH POINT — HIGH POINT— The inventors of the All In One Loft bed have received a utility patent that covers more than 30 functional and structural elements.
The product, licensed to Powell, is a bunk bed that includes drawer and storage space as well as a desk and hutch area. It was on display during last week's International Home Furnishings Market.
The inventors, Anthony Lupo and Bryan Smith, said that the loft evolved from an L-shaped bunk bed that is typical in the industry.
The All In One Loft is different in that it places the desk, hutch and drawers above the lower trundle and essentially places the entire bunk and storage concept in a twin-bed-sized footprint. It has a center rail that helps support the structure's entire length. The drawers and the desk/hutch can be interchanged.
With a retail price of $1,000, the loft comes in two designs — twin over twin and full over twin — and eight finishes.
Lupo and Smith said they have mailed patent-pending letters to about 35 companies they claim are selling similar versions of the product, mostly to wholesalers but including a few retailers.
The patent became effective on April 20, meaning the inventors can begin pursuing legal action against alleged violators. "Our preference is to get the principals of each company on the phone and ask them about licensing the product, or allowing them to pull out of it," Smith said.
The patent covers 34 structural elements of the product. A company that copies any one of those is technically violating the patent. If they prove their case in court, the inventors can claim profits made on the sale of the product after April 20.
