OMAHA - It's not every day that a piece of furniture is patented. Last week, wood components manufacturer Archon Woodworks Inc.'s ManBench was awarded U.S. Patent No. D704,941 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent recognizes unique design features in the bench.

Archon says the ManBench resulted from years of research and development, and significant investment by its Thomas Creek operation. Archon says the significant award "signals an ongoing flow of innovation" for the products it manufactures.

ManBench, intended as a workbench, found new customers following a showing at the Minnesota Invention Expo last year. In addition to use as a general purpose workbench - sturdy pine 2x4 construction reinforced by galvanized pipe, lower shelf, and generous  work surface - the ManBench has also been adopted as a  table for restaurants and bars, and furnishings for Man Caves. The brand has been extended to accessories, and a bar-height version and even a woman's version have been developed.

Archon Woodworks Inc. was formerly known as Hoffco, Inc., founded in 1983 with three employees in Wood Lake, MN making accessories for national kitchen cabinet manufacturers.

Originally manufacturing pantry kits, wine racks, galley rail and wood corner blocks, Archon later expanded into spin trays, appliance garages, valances, organizers, stemware racks, wood hoods, tray divider kits and end shelves.

The company relocated in 1997 to Omaha, NE, acquiring Valley Oak Cabinet Doors in 2005.  In late 2013, the realigned company emerged as Archon Woodworks Inc., a unified manufacturing company, marketing a family of five brands operating in three facilities: one in Wood Lake, M and two in Omaha, NE.