CONFIGURABLE AND CUSTOMIZABLE FURNISHINGS

Abstract

In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus, comprising a frame having a planer surface and a plurality of customizable pieces. The frame is configured to receive and hold the plurality of customizable pieces. The plurality of customizable pieces may be arranged and interconnected in any order. A glass cover is retained by the frame and covers the plurality of customizable pieces.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure and related inventions include configurable and customizable furnishings such as furniture, wall hangings or panel decoration, which include a plurality of interconnected, removable, reconfigurable and customizable components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification illustrate the example embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a customizable and configurable furnishing in a horizontal orientation, such as, for example, a table.

FIG. 2 illustrates the configurable and customizable furnishing in a vertical orientation, such as, for example, an embodiment that is mounted on a wall.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating how a piece fits into the planer surface.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the configurable and customizable furnishing.

OVERVIEW OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following presents a simplified overview of the example embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the example embodiments. This overview is not an extensive overview of the example embodiments. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the example embodiments nor delineate the scope of the appended claims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the example embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus, comprising a frame having a planer surface and a plurality of customizable pieces. The frame is configured to receive and hold the plurality of customizable pieces. The plurality of customizable pieces may be arranged and interconnected in any order. A glass cover is retained by the frame and covers the plurality of customizable pieces.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This description provides examples not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. The figures generally indicate the features of the examples, where it is understood and appreciated that like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an example embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment described herein and does not imply that the feature, structure, or characteristic is present in all embodiments described herein.

In representative embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. 1-4, a furnishing such as a table 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 has a planar surface 12 of a table top configured to receive and hold a plurality of pieces or components, indicated generally at 20, which are interconnected in a particular arrangement on the table top 12, and which are removable, customizable and replaceable and/or reconfigurable on the table top as further described.

Some or all of the pieces 20 may be interconnected by for example interlocking edges as shown in FIG. 4 in the form of dis-engagable tongue-and-groove interconnection to form a generally contiguous structure and surface. Some or all of the pieces 20 may thereby be removed from interlocked engagement with the other pieces and reconfigured or decorated or embellished as desired, as shown for example in FIGS. 1-3. The pieces 20 may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.

In order to enable creation of customized furnishing, one or more of the pieces 20 may be removed from or added to the interconnected assembly and decorated or otherwise modified to have a different design and appearance. For example, the exposed surface of a piece 20 can be modified to bear a design as illustrated. For pieces 20 which are made of wood, designs may be applied in any medium including burning or carving or any type of coating or pigment. Customized pieces 20 can be positioned in the assembly in any arrangement as shown in order to provide a unique appearance to the planar surface and to the furnishing overall.

With the pieces 20 fully assembled to form the planar surface of the table top, a glass cover GC is placed over the surface to protect each of the individual pieces 20 and the surface overall.

FIG. 2 illustrates a furnishing of an alternate embodiment wherein the planar surface 12 and associated frame F and pieces 20 are provided in the form of a panel which may be hung vertically on a wall in the manner of a wall furnishing such as a framed work. In this embodiment the glass cover GC is suitably retained within the frame and over the interlocked pieces 20.

Although described with reference to certain preferred and alternate embodiments, the disclosure includes other forms in which the concepts and features of the disclosure could be embodied, such as for example but not limited to frames for the planar surface of different sizes and shapes, different numbers, sizes and shapes of the interlocking pieces, and different types of furnishings such as different types of furniture and wall hangings.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a frame having a planer surface;a plurality of customizable pieces;wherein the frame is configured to receive and hold the plurality of customizable pieces;wherein the plurality of customizable pieces are configured to be arranged and interconnected in any order; anda glass cover that is retained by the frame and covers the plurality of customizable pieces.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of customizable pieces are interconnected by interlocking edges.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein the interlocking edges are in the form of a dis-engagable tongue and groove interconnection.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the customizable pieces are made of one of a group consisting of wood, metal, and plastic.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein a design on an exposed side of a one of the plurality of customizable pieces is modifiable.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of customizable pieces have different designs.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein a first of the plurality of customizable pieces is removed from the frame and is replaced by a second customizable piece.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of legs attached to the frame forming a table.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the planer surface, frame, and plurality of customizable pieces are provided in the form of a panel configured to be hung on a vertical surface.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein a selected one of the plurality of customizable pieces is modifiable by one of a group consisting of burning, carving, covering with a coating, and covering with a pigment.