GB2419813A

GB2419813A - Knock-down furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2419813A
Application number: GB0424403A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael David Barlow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-04
Filing date: 2004-11-04
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Also published as: GB0424403D0

Abstract

A furniture assembly 1 comprising modular sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 to define a required ready to assemble furniture profile, each modular section including an abutment surface reciprocal with the abutment surface in adjacent modular sections within the furniture profile, the abutment surfaces including apertures 8 preferably countersunk 9 to receive securing pegs 7 to retain association between the abutment surfaces in the furniture profile. Preferred securing pegs 7 are threaded bolts of various designs including expansive bolts, see figure 6. Additional securing means include hook and loop fasteners, adhesives and press studs. Abutment surfaces may be inclined to the horizontal to improve shear characteristics of the securing pegs.

Description

Furniture The present invention relates to furniture and more particularly

to relatively bulky furniture such as sofas and three piece suites.

It will be appreciated that furniture such as sofas, three piece suites and beds are generally of a relatively bulky nature. In such circumstances it is difficult to move such furniture into housing through narrow doorways and around bends in passageways within buildings. This if further exacerbated by the use of smaller doorways, etc in modern buildings. In any event, the difficulties with respect to manipulating such bulky forms of furniture mean that time that could be spent on other matters could be spent simply attempting to move the furniture.

This has particular significance with respect to delivery, removal and installation as part of a house move or for disposal. It will also be understood that use of excessive force may damage the furniture or the surrounding passageway or doorway. Nevertheless, alternative smaller or collapsible or wholly soft furnishings are generally not acceptable to individuals. It will be appreciated that furniture has an aesthetic aspect and with regard to such items as sofas and beds, size is considered an attribute.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a furniture assembly comprising modular sections to define a required furniture profile, each modular section including an abutment surface reciprocal with the abutment surface in adjacent modular sections within the furniture profile, the abutment surfaces including apertures to receive securing pegs to retain association between the abutment surfaces in the furniture profile.

Typically, the abutment surfaces are flat. Normally, the abutment surfaces are perpendicular to a surface in use upon which the furniture assembly is formed. Alternatively, the abutment surfaces are angled to a surface in use upon which the furniture assembly is formed.

Typically, the securing pegs pass through apertures aligned in the respective abutment surfaces from an exterior surface position of the furniture profile. Generally, exterior modular sections will have apertures which pass through those sections for alignment with apertures in underlying modular sections. Typically, the exterior surface position is counter sunk to receive a head of a respective peg. Possibly, the exterior surface position is covered by a flap to hide the peg in use.

Possibly, portions of the peg which enter some or all of the apertures may be rendered expansive. Possibly, such expansion is through screw thread contraction with resultant outward deflection of leaves in the pegs.

Typically, the modular sections are associated with supports for rigidity.

Normally, the supports are provided at corner positions of the furniture profile.

Advantageously, the supports are positioned at intermediate positions in the furniture profile. Generally, the supports include apertures to allow the supports to be secured by pegs. Possibly, the supports are associated with the modular sections through pocket recesses formed in the modular sections.

Advantageously, the abutment surfaces may include adhesive or hook and fleece fastenings or press studs to reinforce the association between the modular sections.

Generally, the furniture profile is consistent with a chair or sofa or bed or other household furniture incorporating a frame of a relatively bulky nature.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a furniture assembly comprising a chair in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic end view of the chair depicted in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic depiction of the chair depicted in Fig. 2 with the armrest removed; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the base of the chair depicted in Figs. 1 to 3; and, Fig. 5 is a schematic depiction of a peg secured in an aperture in order to form the furniture assembly in accordance with the present invention.

As indicated previously, furniture assemblies can be of a relatively bulky and cumbersome nature. In such circumstances, manoeuvring such furniture into buildings and in particular domestic buildings through narrow passageways and corridors can be difficult. By modulising the furniture it is possibly simply to transport modular sections of furniture individually and then assemble that furniture as required. Nevertheless, it is important that the furniture is sufficiently robust to meet requirements as well as aesthetic appearance. It will be understood that furniture is typically an intrinsic aesthetic feature within a home environment and so achievement of acceptance for such purposes must be maintained.

In accordance with the present invention aesthetic styling and appearance of a furniture assembly can be retained by defining a furniture profile as required.

Thus, the full design palette with respect to shaping of the furniture can be maintained and then by analysis of that furniture profile, appropriately sized modular sections achieved. At a basic level with a chair as described in the embodiment below, this may comprise provision of a base and other features such as arm rests, a back and a seat section. In such circumstances a large number of modular sections are created but in other situations with different designs modular sections which may comprise the base in association with the arm rests or simple halving of the chair may be appropriate. What is important is that the modular sections are of such size that they can be readily moved with respect to household passageways and doorways then assembled in situ as required. In accordance with the present invention this is achieved through, as indicated, analysis of the desired furniture profile in order to note acceptable modularisation of that design such that seams do not become intrusive with respect to the final furniture profile. The furniture assembly is then secured together through the use of appropriately sized pegs which extend from exterior surfaces of the furniture in order to retain that furniture's profile.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 illustrating a chair as an exemplary furniture assembly in accordance with the present invention. Thus, a chair 1 comprises a back 2, a base 3, armrests 4, 5 and a seat section 6. As can be seen, this relatively simple furniture assembly creates a furniture profile typical of a seat forming part of a three piece suite. It will be understood by altering the sizing and shaping of in particular the back 2, base 3 and seat 6, a sofa could be formed. In any event, the furniture assembly is secured together through pegs 7 which extend from external surfaces through apertures to engage adjacent abutment surfaces of modular sections 2-6. Clearly, these pegs are designed to be of a relatively long length whereby they can pass through the external modular sections 2-6 in order to engage with their adjacent modular section in order to create the furniture profile.

The number of apertures and pegs used will depend upon the furniture assembly as well as the necessary structural strength required by the furniture.

Fig. 2 illustrates an aperture profile of the assembly 1. Thus, apertures 8 are provided which extend from the exterior of the arm rest modular section 5 inwardly to the back modular section 2 whilst apertures 9 extend upwards into the seat section 6 from the base 3. These apertures 8, 9 accommodate pegs in order to retain association between the sections in order to form the furniture profile.

Fig. 3 illustrates the seat from the side with the arm rest modular section 5 removed. Thus, as can be seen apertures 18 are provided in the respective back modular section 2 and the seat modular section 6 which in use will be aligned with the apertures 8 (Fig. 2) in order that the pegs re-extend from the exterior surface of the furniture assembly 1. It is a key to the present invention that there is alignment between these apertures in order that the pegs can create the necessary assembly profile. It will be understood that it is possible that the apertures could extend completely through from one side of the furniture assembly to the other in such circumstances the pegs will then take the form of tie rods creating further strength. It will be noted that the apertures 9 in the base 3 now no longer extend into the now removed arm rest or side modular section 5 and so are exposed.

Referring to Fig. 4 showing the furniture assembly previously depicted but with the base removed, it will be noted that the arm rest or side modular sections show pegs 7 extending into the seat section 6 in order to secure its location whilst the seat section 6 includes apertures 10 which in use will be aligned with apertures in the back modular section 2 50 that pegs can extend through these apertures in order to secure location.

It will be appreciated from the above that it is the use of pegs in accordance with the present invention which allows creation of the desired furniture profile from modular sections. These pegs extend inwardly from the exterior surface of the furniture profile at least passing through one modular section in order to engage through an abutment surface in an opposed adjacent modular section an aperture for securing location. These pegs will typically be formed from a plastics material, and in a sufficient number with reciprocal aligned apertures in the sections 2 to 6 to achieve secure location. Generally, the pegs may be simply driven home by percussive force or alternatively screw thread or gripper surfaces may be provided on the pegs to secure location as required.

Further alternatively, the pegs may be designed such that there is an internal screw thread within the peg which through turning a rod within the peg ensures that an end proportion of the peg expands outwardly through the contraction in the elongate length of the peg. The pegs could also incorporate wing sections which extend outwardly providing a one way retention for the peg in an aperture.

Embodiments of these peg types are described in Fig. 6 below.

Fig. 5 illustrates a typical peg 17 secured in an aperture 8 aligned with an aperture 18. As can be seen, the peg has a head 27 which aligns with a counter sunk section 28 in the aperture 8. In such circumstances once driven home the peg is substantially flush with an exterior surface 30 of its modular section. The peg itself may be coloured such that it is less conspicuous in that surface 30 or a flap or patch provided to cover the head 27. As can be seen the aperture 18 is only penetrated partially by the peg 17. Generally there will be sufficient overlap to ensure adequate secure location.

It will be seen that respective abutment surfaces 31, 32 of the modular sections are brought into close association by the bindingeffect of the pegs 17.

These abutment sections 31, 32 may incorporate auxiliary fastening rechnisms including an adhesive layer, hook and fleece fastening surfaces (Velcro or press studs in order to reinforce the association provided by the pegs 17. Generally sufficient pegs 17 will be provided in the furniture assembly in order to retain association of the assembly.

Fig. 6 illustrates possible ways of further enhancing peg retention in the aligned apertures of a furniture assembly in accordance with the present invention. Thus, with respect to Fig. 6a it will be noted that a peg 37 incorporates teeth or serrations 40 to grip an aperture surface for interference and friction retention of the peg. In Fig. 6b relatively sophisticated pegs are provided in which an internal screw thread is provided such that through rotation of that screw thread in the direction of arrowhead A, the effective length of the peg is reduced so that leaf sections buckle towards a tip end of the peg and are forced outwardly in order to therefore increase compressive engagement with the walls of an aperture. Fig. 6c illustrates a peg 38 in which wing elements 39 are provided towards a tip end of the peg 38. These wing elements have an outward bias in the direction of arrowhead B again causing enhanced interference with the walls of an aperture inhibiting withdrawal of the peg.

In order to further reinforce a furniture assembly in accordance with the present invention, supports may be provided particularly at the corners of the assembly. These supports may be incorporated externally of the modular sections in appropriate recesses in those sections or by provision of pockets or sleeves within the sections to accommodate the supports. Typically, the supports will comprise posts which are arranged to be substantially perpendicular or lateral to the furniture assembly. It will be understood the supports may also be provided within the assembly between the corners in order to improve rigidity.

Fig. 7 illustrates schematically situations where support posts are provided.

Thus, in a furniture assembly 100 illustrated support posts will be incorporated as depicted by broken lines 101 to provide perpendicular as well as lateral reinforcement for the furniture assembly 100. These broken lines 101 may constitute recess pockets or apertures in which posts are provided for reinforcement. Typically these posts themselves will incorporate apertures whereby pegs as described previously will be utilised in order to incorporate these posts into the structure and provide association with the modular sections which define the furniture profile.

In addition to providing reinforcement the posts and supports outlined in Fig. 7 may also be utilized in order to provide bracing. The slats, posts or other reinforcing members may be embedded or positioned on the surface of the furniture at appropriate spacing, typically 5cm in order that these members provide reinforcements within the respective modular section and extend between sections in order to create binding association between them. The supports and other members will be secured to pegs as described previously at appropriate spacings in order to achieve operational performance. Generally the support members will be made from wood or a plastics material or where possible acceptable lightweight metal components such as aluminium extrusions may be used.

Generally, the abutment surfaces provided by the modular sections in accordance with the present invention would be flat. Furthermore, these flat sections will be arranged to be either perpendicular to or horizontal to the surface upon which the furniture assembly is located once assembled. Such flat abutment facilitates ease of determination of the necessary modular sections in order to create the furniture profile. It will be understood that the respective modular sections will be arranged to reinforce each other in creating the design required. As an alternative to providing perpendicular and horizontal orientations of the abutment sections it will also be possible to provide for angular association between the abutment sections thereby utilising modular section weight with the pegs for greater association strength. It will be appreciated that by inward sloping or outward sloping of the abutment surfaces the weight of the modular section above the abutment surfaces will therefore act through a shearing effect upon the peg in order to create potentially greater compressive engagement between the aperture and the peg and therefore stronger association between the respective modular sections. It will also be understood that the abutment surfaces may also be entrant such that one abutment surface presents a tension while the other abutment surface presents a mortice or tongue and groove type association.

The present invention allows furniture assembly to be made in the form of chairs or seats as depicted or alternatively a bed or other bulky furniture item may be constructed. It is purely dependent upon determination of an acceptable combination of modular sections and the ability to provide alignment of apertures in which pegs in accordance with the present invention may be provided which limits the potential for appropriate furniture assemblies. For example, with respect to a bed, generally a head board will be secured to a base with side sections defining a well recess within which a mattress for the bed will be accepted. As described above with respect to a sofa, simply the base and back along with a seat section will be adjusted to the required length in order to create the necessary sofa size.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A furniture assembly comprising modular sections to define a required furniture profile, each modular section including an abutment surface reciprocal with the abutment surface in adjacent modular sections within the furniture profile, the abutment surfaces including apertures to receive securing pegs to retain association between the abutment surfaces in the furniture profile.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim I wherein the abutment surfaces are flat.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the abutment surfaces are perpendicular to a surface in use upon which the furniture assembly is formed.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the abutment surfaces are angled to a surface in use upon which the furniture assembly is formed.

5. An assembly as claimed in the preceding claim wherein the securing pegs pass through apertures aligned in the respective abutment surfaces from an exterior surface position of the furniture profile.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein modular sections at the exterior of the assembly have apertures which pass through those sections for alignment with apertures in modular sections which underlie the modular sections at the exterior of the assembly.

7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an exterior surface is counter sunk to receive a head of a respective peg.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the exterior surface is covered by a flap to hide the peg in use.

9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein portions of the peg which enter some or all of the apertures may be rendered expansive.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein expansion is through screw thread contraction with resultant outward deflection of leaves in the pegs.

11. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the modular sections are associated with supports for rigidity.

12. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the supports are provided at corner positions of the furniture profile.

13. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the supports are positioned at intermediate positions in the furniture profile.

14. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the supports include apertures to allow the supports to be secured by pegs.

15. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the supports are associated with the modular sections through pocket recesses formed in the modular sections.

16. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the abutment surfaces may include adhesive or hook and fleece fastenings or press studs to reinforce the association between the modular sections.

17. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the furniture profile is consistent with a chair or sofa or bed or other household furniture incorporating a frame of a relatively bulky nature.

18. A furniture assembly such as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.