FURNITURE ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEMS

Abstract

A furniture assembly system including a furniture assembly including an inner member including an inner member body and a filler disposed within the inner member, and an outer cover configured to selectively receive the inner member, and a furniture accessory selectively operatively coupled to the furniture assembly. The furniture assembly can be a frameless furniture assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for enhancing a user's experience with the furniture assembly.

2. The Relevant Technology

A variety of types of furniture have been developed over the years to provide comfort and decoration. Consumers appreciate furniture which can withstand a high level of use without having to be quickly replaced. Thus, it is desirable to make furniture that is durable and high quality.

Once purchased, consumers expect furniture to be easily assembled. Once assembled, consumers appreciate furniture which can be readily cleaned. Most upholstered furniture has the upholstery nailed or stapled to the furniture, requiring new upholstery if the furniture should become soiled or stained. It would thus be an advantage to have furniture which is easily assembled and disassembled for cleaning purposes.

For those consumers who cannot afford many pieces of furniture, it is also desirable to have furniture which can provide multiple functions. For example, a futon bed serves the function of both a bed and a couch. However, futon beds are bulky, and thus subject to the cost factors. In addition, futon mattresses are often thin and uncomfortable both as a couch and as a bed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementation of the present invention solves one or more problems in the art with apparatus, systems, and methods for adjusting characteristics of furniture to enhance a user's experience with the furniture. Furniture characteristics, such as conformability, compressibility, pliability, rigidity, and resiliency, can be changed through use of, for example, a removable member associated with the furniture and/or an insert of the furniture.

In one configuration, the present invention relates to a furniture assembly system with a furniture assembly that includes an inner member comprising an inner member body and a filler disposed within the inner member; and an outer cover configured to selectively receive the inner member; and a furniture accessory selectively mounted to the furniture assembly. The furniture assembly can be a frameless furniture assembly. The furniture accessory includes a cup holder or a table. The cup holder includes a body comprising an opening configured to receive at least a portion of a liquid receiving structure, and an attachment assembly configured to attach to a portion of an outer cover of a furniture assembly. The table includes a telescoping protrusion extending from a body.

In one configuration, the present invention relates to a furniture assembly system comprising a furniture assembly comprising an inner member filled with a filler material, and an outer member surrounding the inner member; and an elongate furniture accessory mounted to an exterior surface of the furniture assembly. The furniture accessory includes an illumination assembly, such as a light emitting diode strip.

In one configuration, the present invention relates to a furniture assembly system comprising a furniture assembly comprising an inner member filled with a filler material, an outer member surrounding the inner member, a recess formed in proximity to a sitting area of the furniture assembly, and a modular furniture experience module selectively mounted within the recess, the modular furniture experience module comprising at least one of an insert with a durometer different from the inner member, a heating assembly, a cooling assembly, a massaging assembly, and a sensory comfort assembly that are interchangeable mounted within the recess of the furniture assembly.

In one configuration, the present invention relates to a furniture assembly system comprising a furniture support assembly configured to receive a furniture assembly, the furniture support assembly comprising a receiving body with a cavity configured to receive a furniture assembly and a protection assembly selectively disposed over the cavity of the receiving body, a canopy assembly of the protection assembly being movable towards and away from the furniture support assembly, wherein at a position closest to the furniture support assembly, the protection assembly maintains a canopy assembly dimension transverse to a direction of travel of the canopy assembly toward the furniture support assembly that is greater than a dimension of the furniture support assembly transverse to the direction of travel.

In one configuration, the present invention relates to a modular system for a furniture assembly, the system comprising a first support body comprising a first furniture assembly receiving cavity that prevents lateral movement of the furniture assembly and a first base support configured to support the furniture assembly, selectively cooperate with the first support body, and position the furniture assembly adjacent to the first furniture assembly receiving cavity. The first support body includes one or more speakers, amplifiers, fans, controllers, and other supports and elements to provide a user with an experience with the modular system.

In one configuration, the present invention relates to a furniture assembly system including a furniture assembly including an inner member filled with a filler material, and an outer member surrounding the inner member, and a furniture accessory operatively cooperating with the furniture assembly, the furniture accessory including a support that prevents lateral movement of the furniture assembly in relation to the furniture accessory and is operatively coupled to an experience adjusting assembly configured to cooperate with the furniture assembly.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a furniture assembly according to the present invention having a user resting comfortably thereon.

FIG. 2 illustrates a furniture assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an insert being placed in an outer cover.

FIG. 4 illustrates the insert.

FIG. 5 illustrates the insert having filter material placed therein.

FIG. 6A illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a furniture assembly system, including a furniture assembly and a furniture accessory according to the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates a furniture accessory detached from the furniture assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a furniture accessory of the furniture assembly system of FIGS. 6A and 6B according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a furniture accessory of FIG. 7 according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate furniture accessory receiving portion of the furniture assembly of FIGS. 6A and 6B according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates another furniture assembly system, including a furniture assembly and a furniture accessory according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the furniture assembly of FIG. 10 attached to the furniture assembly of FIG. 10 according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates another furniture assembly system, including a furniture assembly and furniture accessories according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a back view of one furniture accessory of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 12 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a furniture experience module that cooperates with a furniture assembly of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 12 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a furniture experience module that cooperates with a furniture assembly of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 12 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a furniture experience module that cooperates with a furniture assembly of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 12 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a furniture experience module that cooperates with a furniture assembly of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 12 according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a furniture experience module that cooperates with a furniture assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates another furniture assembly system, including a furniture assembly and furniture accessories according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a canopy assembly for the furniture assembly system of FIG. 19 according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a crank assembly for the furniture assembly system of FIG. 19 according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tiling mechanism for the furniture assembly system of FIG. 19 according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates the canopy assembly of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 19 in a collapses state according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 illustrates another furniture assembly system, including a furniture assembly and furniture accessories according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of a furniture accessory of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 24 according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates a side view of a furniture accessory of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 24 according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an experience adjusting assembly of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 24 according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates the furniture assembly system of FIG. 24 including multiple furniture assemblies and furniture accessories according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the multiple furniture assemblies and furniture accessories in FIG. 28 according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 illustrates a carrier assembly of the furniture assembly system, including a furniture assembly and furniture accessories, according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 illustrates a top view of the entertainment assembly of FIG. 28 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 32A and 32B illustrated alternate arrangements of the entertainment assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 illustrates another furniture assembly system, including a furniture assembly and furniture accessories according to the present invention.

FIG. 34 illustrates the furniture accessory of the furniture assembly system of FIG. 33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, some features of an actual embodiment may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one embodiment to another. It should further be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may generally relate to apparatus, systems, and methods for enhancing a user's experience with a furniture assembly. By including various accessories or apparatus for the furniture assemblies or systems a user's experience can be changed and enhanced per the user's desired choices.

While the present disclosure will describe particular implementations of apparatus, systems, and methods for enhancing a user's experience with the furniture, it should be understood that the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may be applicable to other uses. Additionally, elements described in relation to any embodiments depicted and/or described herein may be combinable with elements described in relation to any other embodiment depicted and/or described herein.

Generally, now referring to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals are used to designate like elements, structures, or components, there is shown one or more embodiments of the present disclosure that provides apparatus, systems, and methods for enhancing a user's experience with the furniture.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a furniture assembly 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts a large furniture assembly 10 with a user resting comfortably thereon in a main sitting area 12. The furniture assembly 10 may range in size from large on which two adult sized people may comfortably rest, to small on which a small child may rest. It will be appreciated that furniture assembly 10 can conform to the shape of the user resting thereon to form a chair-like structure. Additional details regarding the furniture assembly 10 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,906, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

While FIG. 1 shows the furniture assembly 10 being used in a chair-like function; however, the furniture assembly 10 may have a variety of uses. The furniture assembly 10 may be flattened to provide a bed-like surface upon which to lie. A smaller furniture assembly 10 may function as an ottoman. Alternatively, the furniture assembly 10 may function as a toy for children to jump or land upon during play. Further, the furniture assembly 10 may be formed slightly elongated in shape so that a household pet, or even a small infant, may sleep comfortably thereon. Thus, it will be appreciated that the furniture assembly 10 is extremely comfortable and versatile for a variety of uses.

The furniture assembly 10 may be constructed in a variety of shapes. As shown in FIG. 2, furniture assembly 10 is generally spherical in shape. However, it will be appreciated that the furniture assembly may have a generally cubical or cylindrical shape, or a variety of other shapes. Furthermore, the furniture assembly 10 is durable and is constructed from an efficient design which reduces the costs of manufacturing and packaging, the details of which will be described herein in further detail.

Referring for a moment to FIG. 3, in one configuration the furniture assembly 10 includes an insert or chair 14 having a removable cover 16. The insert 14 can range in size from 2 feet to 7 feet in diameter, for example. As shown best in FIGS. 4-5, the insert 14 includes an air permeable member 18 which houses a filler material 24 disposed therein. While it is preferred to employ a protective cover 16 over member 18, another embodiment of a “furniture assembly” as discussed herein includes a member 18 having a filler material 24 therein. An example of air permeable member 18 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-5.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depicts one embodiment of the manufacture of air permeable member 18. Air permeable member 18 includes a central portion 20 and two side portions 22A, 22B formed of a fabric material, for example. However, it will be appreciated that a variety of shapes may be profitably employed. The side portions 22A, 22B are joined to the central portion 20 so that the edges of the side portions 22A, 22B and the edges of the central portion 20 can be sewn together or otherwise attached so that, as shown in FIG. 4, the insert 14 forms a generally spherical structure. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each side portion 22A, 22B is formed of multiple pieces joined together, such as being sewn together or otherwise joined together. It is understood, however, that each side portion can be formed of a single portion or member.

Disposed in the central portion 20 is an opening 26 that can be selectively opened and closed and thus includes a structure which facilitates such opening and closing such as, but not limited to, a zipper, lacing, hook and loop fasteners, clips, buttons, snaps, detents, other mechanical fasteners, other connecting structure(s), and combinations or modifications thereof. Additionally, a flap 30 can be disposed over the opening 26 to cover the structures that facilitate opening and closing. The flap 30 can be attached to the central portion 20, the side portion 22A, the side portion 22B, or any combination of the central portion 20, the side portion 22A, and the side portion 22B.

In one configuration, the air permeable member 18 is comprised of a flaccid, air-permeable material, such as a fabric or mesh material. For example, the air permeable member 18 may include a fabric material, such as cotton, polyester, woven or stitched materials, or various other fabric materials. In one embodiment, the air permeable member 18 is constructed of a flaccid fabric, such as linen, cotton, gauze, mesh, and/or combinations thereof, optionally with an untreated finish. The air permeable member 18 may also include another flaccid, air permeable material, for example.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure, member 18 may be constructed employing a variety of different methods and may comprise a variety of different air permeable, flaccid materials that allow it to receive a filler therein and comfortably conform to the shape of a user's body.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the air permeable member 18 is filled with the filler material 24 and then the opening 26 is closed. The filler material 24 can be a compressible material which is resilient so that it selectively expands and contracts. Furthermore, the filler material 24 can be deformable, such that when the insert 14 is filled, the filler material 24 conforms to the contours of a body resting on the furniture assembly 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The filler material 24 may be cut into small pieces of material, such as about 1 inch pieces, before being placed in the air permeable member 18. While references is made to a particular size of the pieces of the filler material, it will be understood that the pieces of material forming the filler material 24 can range, in a longest dimension, from about one (1) to six (6) inches, to about inches, from about two (2) to five (5) inches, within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values, or other dimensions. The filler material 24 may comprise foam, Styrofoam, urethane, latex, polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), combinations thereof, and the like, for example. Alternatively, the filler material 24 may be a memory foam material, such as a viscoelastic material, which may be employed such that the insert 14 conforms to a user's body when in use, but the foam refills with air when a user gets off the furniture assembly 10, enabling the insert 14 to puff back up. For example, in one embodiment, the filler material is a polyurethane foam having a density in an uncompressed state of approximately 1 to approximately 3 lb/ft³, such as approximately 1.5, 1.8, 2, 2.5 lb/ft³, or a density within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the filler material can have an internal load deflection (ILD) of approximately 10-60 lbf, such as 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, or an ILD within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values.

Returning to FIG. 3, the insert 14 is inserted into the cover 16. The cover 16 is easily removable from the insert 14. One reason for this is that the cover 16 may be made from a variety of colors, patterns, and/or fabrics so that the purchaser may select from various outer covers for the chair. In addition, the insert 14 can be packaged and/or sold separately from cover 16. This prevents the cover 16 from becoming wrinkled during packing and shipping. Further, the insert 14 can be packaged such that the volume and weight of the insert 14 is decreased. Advantageously, when the volume of the insert 14 is diminished, the weight of the furniture assembly 10 also decreases, thus, reducing packaging and shipping costs of the chair. Furthermore, as the size of the insert 14 decreases, the insert 14 can increase in firmness which facilitates carrying and stacking of chairs.

The manufacture of the cover 16 may be similar to that for air permeable member 18 discussed above, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 16 includes a central portion 40 and two side portions 42A, 42B each having generally circular form. The two side portions 42A, 42B are placed against the central portion 40 similar to that shown in FIG. 3 for air permeable member 18. The edges of the central portion 40 and the two side portions 42A, 42B are sewn together or otherwise attached so that, when filled, the cover 16 forms a generally spherical structure. However, it will be appreciated that other shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present invention such as generally cubical, generally cylindrical, and other geometrical shapes.

While the air permeable member 18 includes the opening portion 26 in the central portion 20, the cover 16 includes an opening 46 extending lengthwise across the central portion 40 and at least portions of the two side portions 42A, 42B. In one embodiment, the opening 46 is formed following sewing together of the two side portions 42A, 42B and the central portion 40. The opening 46 can be selectively opened and closed and thus cover 16 includes a structure which facilitates such opening and closing such as, but not limited to a zipper, lacing, hook and loop fasteners, clips, buttons, snaps, detents, other mechanical fasteners, other connecting structure(s), and combinations or modifications thereof. Additionally, a flap 50 can be disposed over the opening 46 in an intermediate region 48 to cover the structures that facilitate opening and closing. The flap 50 can be a single flap extending across the central portion 40 and at least portions of the two side portions 42A, 42B and or alternatively, the flap 50 can be segmented, and so multiple flaps can be used to cover the opening 46. The cover 16 may also comprise an air-permeable material. For example, the cover 16 may comprise a fabric material, for example, or another flaccid material.

In one embodiment, the cover 16 is constructed from cotton, twill, linen, nylon velvet, leather, suraline gabardine material, stretchable material, natural material, recycled material, and/or combinations thereof. Advantageously, the cover 16 can be made of different patterns and colors or may incorporate features such as logos or pockets. Generally, the cover 16 can be formed of a material that allows air to fill the insert 14 through the cover 16 to thereby cause the filler material 24 within the insert 14 to fill with air when a user gets off the furniture assembly 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, following inserting the insert 14 into the opening 46 of the cover 16, the opening 46 is closed and the user can then arrange the furniture assembly 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 into the configuration desired. It will be appreciated that even after packaging the insert 14, the chair retains at least substantially all of its original compressibility, pliability, rigidity, and resiliency that it originally had. As such, the user is provided a comfortable, durable piece of furniture which may be applied in a variety of uses.

FIGS. 6A-9 illustrate a furniture assembly system that can be used to enhance a user's experience with a furniture assembly or system. The description related to the furniture assembly 10 or other systems or assemblies provided herein are also applicable to the furniture assembly 110. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, a furniture assembly 110, or furniture assembly or system, includes a chair or insert 114, and more generally an inner member, that is surrounded by a removable cover 116 or outer cover. The furniture assembly 110 includes a furniture accessory receiving portion or an anchor member 120 that accommodates a furniture accessory, such as a cup holder 130, to enhance the user's experience with the furniture assembly 110.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, in the illustrated configuration the anchor member 120 extends from a body of the removable cover 116 to provide a location where the cup holder 130 can be attached, whether releasably or permanently. The anchor member 120 has a looped configuration forming an opening 122 between the anchor member 120 and an outer surface 118 of the removable cover 116. The opening 122 is sized to receive a portion of the cup holder 130 and can have various configurations while providing the cup holder 130 with a location to connect or couple to the removable cover 116. While reference is made to the anchor member 120 extending from the removable cover 116 it will be understood that rather than extending from the removable cover 116, a cup holder receiving portion in a form of an anchor pocket 124, optionally extending into a complementary recess 115 of the insert 114, such as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In the illustrated configurations, the anchor member 120 or anchor pocket 124 is formed of the same material as the removable cover 116, however this need not be the case and the pocket or anchor member 120 can be formed of any material that provides sufficient structural support for coupling or connecting of the cup holder 130 to the removable cover 116. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the anchor member or pocket can be formed of cotton, twill, linen, nylon velvet, leather, suraline gabardine material, stretchable material, natural material, recycled material, and/or combinations thereof. In another configuration, the material forming the anchor member 120 can surround an internal support member 128, schematically illustrated in FIG. 6B, that can be formed of a more rigid material than the material forming the outer surface of the anchor member 120. For instance, the internal support member 128 can be formed of a polymer, a metal, alloy, natural material, synthetic material, combinations or modifications thereof. Additionally, the internal support member 128 can be formed in the insert 114 such as when the complementary recess 115 includes an internal support for the cup holder 130.

With reference to FIGS. 6A-8, the cup holder 130 includes a body 132 and an attachment assembly 134 configured to attach to the removable cover 116, in one configuration. The body 132 includes an upper member 136 having a first side 138 that is shaped to approximate a curvature of the furniture assembly 110, although in other configurations the first side 138 does not approximate a curvature of the furniture assembly 110, but can have a configuration that the first side 138 extends inwardly (illustrated in phantom) to enhance anchoring of the cup holder 130 to the furniture assembly 110 by overlapping a portion of the removable cover 116 and/or the insert 114 positioned below the first side 138. By so doing, the anchor member 120 and the removable cover 116 and/or the insert 114 aid with supporting the cup holder 130.

A cavity forming member 140 extends from the body 132. An opening 142 through the upper member 136 is configured to receive at least a portion of a liquid containing structure or other structure 160 having a generally complementary form to at least one of the opening 142 or a cavity 144 of the cavity forming member 140. A wall 150 of the cavity forming member 140 provides support to the at least a portion of a liquid containing structure or other structure 160, such as a body of the liquid containing structure or other structure 160, and can form the cavity 144 to provide sufficient points of contact with the liquid containing structure 160 to retain the liquid containing structure 160 to the cup holder 130. For instance, the cavity 144 can have a bottom or be bottomless so long as a reminder of the wall 150 includes sufficient points of contact with the liquid containing structure 160 to retain the liquid containing structure 160 to the cup holder 130. The sufficiency the points of contact can vary based upon the cooperation of the liquid containing structure 160 with the cup holder 130. For instance, if the liquid containing structure 160 is tapered the liquid containing structure 160 can be supported by a lip forming the opening 142 optionally with contact with a portion of the wall 150 near or adjacent to the lip. In other configurations, the wall 150 contacts the liquid containing structure 160 along substantially an entirety of the wall's depth to the bottom. Therefore, the number of points of contact can range from 1 (such as cooperation with the lip as described above), 2, 3, or more points of contact along a length of the liquid containing structure 160. In addition to this, the cavity 144 can have a generally cylindrical form, a generally tapered form, combinations or modifications thereof. For instance, the liquid containing structure 160 can be, but not limited to, a cup, a bottle, flask, can, jar, or other structure that can hold a liquid, modifications or combinations thereof.

The attachment assembly 134 includes one or more protrusions 152 extending from the upper member 136 of the body 132, the one or more protrusions 152 being configured to be received within the opening 142 or a cup holder receiving portion, of the removable cover 116, the insert 114, or a combination of the removable cover 116 and the insert 114. The one or more protrusions 152 are illustrated as being elongate and can include a protrusion body 154 with a ridge 156 or other member to enhance rigidity of the protrusion body 154 while allowing a reduction of weight of the protrusion 152 and so the cup holder 130. It will be understood that the protrusion 152 need not include a ridge 156. Additionally, instead or in combination with being elongate the protrusion 152 can be curved in one or more directions, a combination of curved and elongate, combinations or modifications thereof. The protrusions, and portions of the body 132 can include other attachment structures, such as barbs, hooks, snaps, clips, utilize adhesives, thermal or chemical bonds, mechanical fasteners, such as clips, snap fasteners, studs, clamps, mechanical fasteners, (optionally with stitching (single, double, etc.) or tacking), and combinations and modifications thereof to releasably or permanently couple or mount the cup holder 130, which can cooperate with the fabric or material forming the outer cover or removable cover 116 or with complementary structures formed on the outer cover or removable cover 116 and/or the insert 114. For instance, rather than including the one or more protrusions 152 the cup holder 130 and the cup holder receiving portion (such as the anchor member 120 or the anchor pocket 124) can use various mechanical attachment structures, such as but not limited to, a zipper, lacing, hook and loop fasteners, clips, buttons, snaps, detents, other mechanical fasteners, other connecting structure(s), and combinations or modifications thereof.

Generally, the cup holder 130 can be formed of a polymer, a metal, alloy, natural material, synthetic material, combinations or modifications thereof.

Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11 a furniture assembly system that can be used to enhance a user's experience with a furniture assembly or system, such as the furniture assembly 10 described herein. As illustrated in FIGS. 10-11, a furniture assembly 210, such as a furniture assembly, includes an insert or chair, and more generally an inner member, that is surrounded by a removable cover or outer cover similar to the other furniture assemblies described herein. The furniture assembly 210 includes a furniture accessory, such as an illumination assembly 220, to enhance the user's experience with the furniture assembly 210. The description related to the furniture assembly 10 or other furniture systems or assemblies described herein are also applicable to the furniture assembly 210.

In the illustrated configuration, a removable cover 216 of the furniture assembly 210 includes the illumination assembly 220 that is coupled or attached, whether releasably or permanently, to the removable cover 216. The illumination assembly 220, which is one example of an elongate furniture accessory, has a body 222 with a plurality of illuminating structures 224 mounted to the body 222. The plurality of illuminating structures 224 can be electrically connected by wires 248. The illumination assembly 220 can, therefore, have a form of a light emitting diode (LED) strip, i.e., the illuminating structures 224 being LEDs. In one configuration, the illumination assembly 220 extends circumferentially around a majority of the furniture assembly 210. In another configuration the illumination assembly 220 extends at least part way around the furniture assembly 210, whether or not the illumination assembly 220 extends about a circumference of the furniture assembly 210 or some other arc or curve associated with the furniture assembly 210.

The body 222 and the removable cover 216 can have complementary anchor or connecting structures 226a, 226b that utilize adhesives, thermal or chemical bonds, mechanical fasteners, such as clips, snap fasteners, studs, clamps, stitching, ties or lacing, tacking, mechanical fasteners, (optionally with stitching (single, double, etc.) or tacking), and combinations and modifications thereof, to releasably or permanently couple or mount the illumination assembly 220 to the removable cover 216. It will be understood, that while reference is made to the removable cover 216 having complementary anchor or connecting structures 226a, 226b, the insert 214 and/or the removable cover 216 can alternatively include complementary anchor or connecting structures.

The illumination assembly 220 can connect to an external power source 240, such as mains power via a power connector 242 that is connected to a controller 250 that controls voltage and/or current delivered to the illuminating structures 224. Alternatively, the power connector 242 can connect to an internal power supply or source 244 of the furniture assembly 210, with that internal power supply or source 244 utilizing an internal battery and/or being itself connected to the external power source 240 via another power connector 246 or wireless charging of the internal battery. The internal power supply or source 244 can also function as a controller 250 or a controller for the illumination assembly 220. The controller 250 can be controlled by wirelessly and/or via a control 252 in a wired connection with the controller 250. In still other configurations, the illumination assembly 220 can include an external battery, such as a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery, to provide power to illuminating structures 224 without the illumination assembly 220 being connected to an external power supply or source or to an internal power supply or source.

Turning to FIGS. 12-18 furniture assembly system that can be used to enhance a user's experience with a furniture assembly or system, such as the furniture assembly 10 described herein. As illustrated in FIGS. 12-18, a furniture assembly 310, such as a furniture assembly, includes an insert or chair, and more generally an inner member, that is surrounded by a removable cover or outer cover similar to the other furniture assemblies described herein. The furniture assembly 310 includes a furniture accessory, such as furniture experience modules 330, to enhance the user's experience with the furniture assembly 310. The description related to the furniture assembly 10 or other furniture systems or assemblies or furniture accessories are described herein are also applicable to the furniture assembly 310.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-14B, the furniture assembly 310 includes a recess 320, with the retainers 322, that can receive and securely hold different furniture experience modules 330 that enhance the user's experience with the furniture assembly 310. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 12, furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e are illustrated where the furniture experience module 330a provides a heating effect, the furniture experience module 330b provides a cooling effect, the furniture experience module 330c provides a massage effect, the furniture experience module 330d provides a sensory comfort effect, and the furniture experience module 330e provides a combination of any of the identified effects or other effects that enhance the user's experience with the furniture. It will also be understood that in addition to, or instead of the furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e described herein, an insert or other member having a durometer different from the insert 314 can be disposed within the furniture assembly 310, such as on top of the insert 314. Such an insert or other member can be found in co-pending U.S. Patent App. No. 63/494,645 (Atty. Docket No. 15605.546), entitled “Frameless Furniture with a Cover,” filed Apr. 6, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

The recess 320 to receive furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e is approximately positioned at a sitting area 312 of the furniture assembly 310, with the furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e providing at least a portion of a surface forming the sitting area 312 for a user of the furniture assembly 310. The recess 320 can be formed from one or both of the removable cover 316 and the insert 314. For instance, the insert 314 can have a pre-formed insert recess and the removable cover 316 can be shaped to extend into the insert recess. Alternatively, the insert 314 and removable cover 316 can be compliant or malleable to change their shapes or deform so that the furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e can cooperate with the recess 320 to provide the sitting area 312.

The different furniture experience modules are maintained in a positional relationship to a remainder of the furniture assembly 310, such as the insert 314 and the removable cover 316, through the retainer 322 (optionally in combination with a shape of at least a portion of the furniture experience module meshing or engaging with at least one of the insert 314 and the removable cover 316). The retainer 322 of the recess 320 forms a mechanical connection between the recess 320 and each of the furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e disposed within the recess 320, and in some cases with other portions of the furniture assembly 310. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the retainer 322 cooperates with complementary retainer 332a attached on a back portion 334a of the furniture experience module 330a (while reference is made to furniture experience module 330a including the complementary retainer 332a, it will be understood that each of the other furniture experience modules 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e can also include the complementary retainers 332b, 332c, 332d, 332e).

In this configuration, the retainer 322 and the complementary retainer 332a are portions of a hook and loop fastener that allows selective detachment and reattachment of the furniture experience module 330a to the recess 320. It will be understood that other retainers and complementary retainers are possible. For instance, retainers or retaining structures that utilize adhesives, thermal or chemical bonds, mechanical fasteners, such as clips, snap fasteners, studs, clamps, detents, stitching, ties or lacing, tacking, mechanical fasteners, (optionally with stitching (single, double, etc.) or tacking), and combinations and modifications thereof, to releasably or permanently connect or couple the furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e and the recess 320.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 14-17B, the furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, 330d, and 330e will be described in more detail.

The furniture experience module 330a includes a module body 336a with an outer cover 338a and an inner member 340a. The outer cover 338a can be similar to the removable covers described herein and can be formed of similar materials, etc. The inner member 340a can have a similar form to the inserts described herein, while also including a heating assembly 342a to provide heat to the furniture experience module 330a. The heating assembly 342a includes a heater 344a, a power source 346a to power the heater 344a, and a control 348a to control the operation of the heating assembly 342a. The heater 344a can include a heating coil that increases in temperature as electric current flows to the heating coil from the power source 346a, such as an internal battery. Alternatively, the heating assembly 342a can include one or more of a resistive wire, a Peltier device, circulating heating fluid, circulating heating gas, an inductive heater, and a fan. The control 348a includes a microprocessor to control the electric current flow to the heater 344a via the wires 350a. The control 348a can be operated wirelessly or via an interface 352a disposed on the furniture experience module 330a and accessible to a user. Alternative, if the furniture assembly 310 includes another external control or controller (as will be discussed in detail hereinafter) the heating assembly 342a can be controlled by the external control or controller.

The power source 346a can be a rechargeable battery that can be recharged either wirelessly through a wireless charging receiver 354a in a back portion 334a of the furniture experience module 330a (that is powered via an internal battery 326, which is in turn receives power from a wired connection 328 with mains power or some other power source, such as batteries, generators, etc., or wirelessly) or via a wired connection 356a (which again is powered via the internal battery 326 or via a separate wired connection, such as the wired connection 328).

The furniture experience module 330b includes a module body 336b with an outer cover 338b and an inner member 340b. The outer cover 338b can be similar to the removable cover described herein and can be formed of similar materials, etc. The inner member 340b can have a similar form to the insert described herein, while also including a cooling assembly 342b to provide cooling to the furniture experience module 330b. The cooling assembly 342b includes a cooler 344b, a power source 346b to power the cooler 344b, and a control 348b to control the operation of the cooling assembly 342b. The cooler 344b can include one or more cooling fans to draw air into the furniture experience module 330b and then out through perforations in the sitting area 312 to cool a user sitting in the sitting area 312. Alternatively, the cooler 344b can include one or more of a Peltier devices, circulating cooling fluids, circulating cooling gases, etc. The control 348b includes a microprocessor that controls the electric current flow to the one or more fans of the cooler 344b via the wires 350b. The control 348b can be operated wirelessly or via an interface 352b disposed on the furniture experience module 330b and accessible to a user. Alternative, if the furniture assembly 310 includes another external control or controller (as will be discussed in detail hereinafter) the cooling assembly 342b can be controlled by the external control or controller.

The power source 346b can be a rechargeable battery that can be recharged either wirelessly through a wireless charging receiver 354b in a back portion 334b of the furniture experience module 330b (that is powered via an internal battery 326, which is in turn receives power from a wired connection 328 with mains power or some other power source, such as batteries, generators, etc., or wirelessly) or via a wired connection 356b (which again is powered via the internal battery 326 or via a separate wired connection, such as the wired connection 328).

The furniture experience module 330c includes a module body 336c with an outer cover 338c and an inner member 340c. The outer cover 338c can be similar to the removable cover and can be formed of similar materials, etc. The inner member 340c can have a similar form to the insert, while also including a massager assembly 342c to provide massaging effect to the furniture experience module 330c. The massager assembly 342c includes one or more massager units 344c, a power source 346c to power the one or more massager units 344c, and a control 348c to control the operation of the massager assembly 342c. The one or more massager units 344c can include one or more inflatable pockets that are inflated and deflated to provide a user resting in the sitting area 312 with a massage experience. Alternatively, the one or more massager units 344c can include rollers, rolling balls, rolling cups, rolling rollers, water jets, air jets, a matrix of massaging pins or pegs, combinations or modifications thereof, all controlled by the control 348c.

The control 348c includes a microprocessor that controls the operation of the one or more massager units 344c, such as controlling the flow of air from one or more fans to the one or more air pockets of the massager assembly 342c via the wires 350c. The control 348c can be operated wirelessly or via an interface 352c disposed on the furniture experience module 330c and accessible to a user. Alternative, if the furniture assembly 310 includes another external control or controller (as will be discussed in detail hereinafter) the massager assembly 342c can be controlled by the external control or controller.

The power source 346c can be a rechargeable battery that can be recharged either wirelessly through a wireless charging receiver 354c in a back portion 334c of the furniture experience module 330c (that is powered via an internal battery 326, which is in turn receives power from a wired connection 328 with mains power or some other power source, such as batteries, generators, etc., or a wirelessly) or via a wired connection 356c (which again is powered via the internal battery 326 or via a separate wired connection, such as the wired connection 328).

The furniture experience module 330d includes a module body 336d with an outer cover 338d and an inner member 340d. The outer cover 338d can be similar to the removable cover described herein and can be formed of similar materials, etc. The inner member 340d can have a similar form to the insert described herein, while also including a comfort assembly 342d to provide an individual with different experiences. The comfort assembly 342d includes one or more comfort units 344d, a power source 346d to power the one or more comfort units 344d, and a control 348d to control the operation of the comfort units 344d. The comfort units 344d can be one or more of the heating assembly 342a, the cooling assembly 342b, or the massager assembly 342c. As such, the discussions of the heating assembly 342a, the cooling assembly 342b, and the massager assembly 342c also apply to the furniture experience module 330d that is a combination of one or more of the heating assembly 342a, the cooling assembly 342b, or the massager assembly 342c.

The control 348d includes a microprocessor that controls the operation of the one or more comfort units 344d via the wires 350d. The control 348d can be operated wirelessly or via an interface 352d disposed on the furniture experience module 330d and accessible to a user. Alternative, if the furniture assembly 310 includes another external control or controller (as will be discussed in detail hereinafter) the comfort assembly 342d can be controlled by the external control or controller.

The power source 346d can be a rechargeable battery that can be recharged either wirelessly through a wireless charging receiver 354d in a back portion 334d of the furniture experience module 330d (that is powered via an internal battery 326, which in turn receives power from a wired connection 328 with mains power or some other power source, such as batteries, generators, etc., or a wirelessly) or via a wired connection 356d (which again is powered via the internal battery 326 or via a separate wired connection, such as the wired connection 328).

The furniture experience module 330e includes a module body 336e with an outer cover 338e and an inner member 340e. The outer cover 338e can be similar to the removable cover described herein and can be formed of similar materials, etc. In some cases, an individual might benefit from the sensory comfort associated with the furniture assembly, but might have difficulty remaining seated on the furniture assembly. To aid those individuals, a furniture assembly can include the furniture experience module 330e, such as a sensory comfort module or assembly, that can be securely attached to the furniture assembly in such a manner that maintains the sensory comfort and contact associated with the furniture assembly, but also supports the individual in a secure manner to limit the possibility of injury from fall off the furniture assembly.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the module body 336e includes a lower member 360e upon which a user can sit or rest, a back member 362e extending generally upwardly from the lower member 360e to support a back of a user sitting or resting on the lower member 360e, and an upper member 364e extending generally upwardly from the back member 362e that can accommodate a head of a user. One or more of the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e can be moved in relation an adjacent one of the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e to provide a more comfortable sitting surface for a user. For instance, the module body 336e can include articulated lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e. In still another configuration, the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e can be angularly orientated in relation to an adjacent one of the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e to provide a more comfortable sitting surface for a user. The angular orientation or relative position of the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e can be fixed or can be adjustable.

As illustrated, a movable joint can be included at junctions of adjacent ones of the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e to allow one or more of the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, and the upper member 364e. For instance, a movable joint 366e between the back member 362e and the upper member 364e can allow the upper member 364e to slide, rotate, pivot, tilt, or combinations or modifications thereof in relation to the back member 362e. A movable joint 368e between the lower member 360e and the back member 362e can allow the back member 362e to slide, rotate, pivot, tilt, or combinations or modifications thereof in relation to the lower member 360e. The movable joints 366e, 368e can provide hinged connections, telescoping connections, ball and socket connections, or combinations or modifications thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, a safety attachment assembly 370e, such as safety straps 372e, are mounted to the module body 336e and are illustrated in a crisscross configuration, although other configurations are possible. For instance, the safety attachment assembly 370e or safety straps 372e can have the form that provides 2 or more points of contact, such as but not limited to a 2, 3, 4, 5 or more point harness, combinations or modifications thereof.

While the furniture experience module 330e can mount to the recess 320 through the retainers 322, in some circumstances additional security might be needed to prevent movement of the furniture experience module 330e in relation to a remainder of the furniture assembly 310. In such a case, and as illustrated in FIG. 18, a securing assembly 380e can be used to aid with mounting the furniture experience module 330e. The securing assembly 380e also includes a number of safety straps 382e that extend from the furniture experience module 330e to the furniture assembly 310 and can be tensioned by tensioning assemblies 384e, such as turnbuckles, strap tensioner, rotatory strap or cable tensioner, and combinations and modifications. The safety straps 382e, the securing assembly 380e, the module body 336e, and the furniture assembly 310 have complementary anchor points or locations, which associate mechanical structures that utilize mechanical fasteners, such as clips, snap fasteners, studs, clamps, stitching, tacking, mechanical fasteners, turnbuckles, and combinations and modifications thereof to couple or mount the safety straps 382e to the furniture experience module 330e and the furniture assembly 310 to maintain a positional relationship of the furniture experience module 330e to the recess 320 or more generally to the furniture assembly 310. While the furniture experience module 330e is illustrated within the recess 320, it will be understood that the furniture experience module 330e can be mounted to any furniture assembly having complementary anchor or mounting locations or points and associated mechanical fasteners. As such, the furniture experience module 330e can optionally conform to a portion of the furniture assembly to which it contacts. For instance, one or more of the lower member 360e (or seat portion), the back member 362e (or back portion), or the upper member 364e (optionally a back portion) can conform to a portion of the furniture assembly to which the lower member 360e, the back member 362e, or upper member 364e contact.

In addition to the above, the furniture experience module 330e can include one or more of the heating assembly 342a, the cooling assembly 342b, or the massager assembly 342c and also mount or be powered in a similar manner to any of the furniture experience modules 330a, 330b, 330c, and 330d. As such, the discussions of the heating assembly 342a, the cooling assembly 342b, or the massager assembly 342c also apply to the furniture experience module 330e.

Turning to FIGS. 19-23 illustrated is a furniture assembly, and associated furniture accessory, that can be used to enhance a user's experience with the furniture assembly, such as the furniture assemblies described herein. As such, the discussions related other furniture assemblies or systems and other furniture accessories is also application to the furniture assembly 410. To enhance a user's experience with the furniture assemblies or systems, a support assembly as a furniture accessory can be provided that protects the furniture assembly from adverse impacts from weather, such as rain, etc., with the furniture assembly being in an outdoor setting.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, illustrated is the furniture assembly 410 supported by a furniture support assembly 420, which is an example of another furniture accessory. The furniture support assembly 420 includes a receiving body 422 and a base 424. The receiving body 422 supports or cradles the furniture assembly 410 and limits unwanted movement of the furniture assembly 410. Cradling of the furniture assembly 410 by the receiving body 422 prevents decoupling of the furniture assembly 410 while a user is resting or sitting on the furniture assembly 410. The movement of the furniture assembly 410 limited by the receiving body 422 can include limiting sliding, rotational, and upward movement across a portion of the receiving body 422, and combinations of such movements. While the receiving body 422 is illustrated supported by the base 424 that in turn rests upon a surface, it can be understood that in other configurations the receiving body 422 can be positioned directly upon the surface without the user of the base 424.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the receiving body 422 includes a first end 430 spaced from a second end 432 with an inner surface 434 and an outer surface 436 extending between the first end 430 and the second end 432 to form a receiving cavity 440 to receive, hold, or cradle at least a portion of the furniture assembly 410 and prevent decoupling of the assembly furniture 410 from the receiving cavity 440 of the receiving body 422. In the illustrated configuration, the first end 430 and the second end 432 are positioned at substantially the same height above a surface upon which the furniture support assembly 420 rests or is placed, but it will be understood that one of the first end 430 or the second end 432 can be vertically elevated above the other of the first end 430 or the second end 432.

A junction of the inner surface 434 and the outer surface 436, and/or a wall 444 between the inner surface 434 and the outer surface 436, form a perimeter 438 of the receiving cavity 440, which has in the illustrated configuration a generally curved profile. This curved profile, as viewed in the Z-direction can form part of a circle, ellipse, oval, be circular, elliptical, oval, combinations and/or modifications thereof, whether or not the curved profile also includes straight lines. The perimeter 438 can be parallel or inclined in relation to a surface upon which the furniture support assembly 420 rests or is placed. Additionally, the perimeter 438 can curve from the first end 430 to the second end 432, or vice versa, as viewed in the Y-direction.

The receiving body 422 is illustrated as having generally continuous inner surface 434 and outer surface 436 to support the furniture assembly 410 with one or more holes 442 to provide drainage locations for water or other liquid to flow from within the receiving body 422. However, it will be understood that the receiving body 422 can be noncontinuous or include a number of discrete or separate elements. Generally, the receiving body 422 provides sufficient points of contact with the furniture assembly 410 to retain the furniture assembly 410 to the receiving body 422. For instance, the receiving cavity 440 can have a bottom 446 or be bottomless so long as a reminder of the wall 444 includes sufficient points of contact with the furniture assembly 410 to retain the furniture assembly 410 within the receiving cavity 440 and to the receiving body 422, with or without the aid of the surface upon which the receiving body 422 rests. The sufficiency of the points of contact can vary based upon the cooperation of the furniture assembly 410 with the receiving body 422. For instance, the furniture assembly 410 can be supported by perimeter 438 optionally with contact with a portion of the wall 444 near or adjacent to perimeter 438. In other configurations, the wall 444 contacts the furniture assembly 410 along substantially an entirety of the wall's depth to the bottom or to the surface upon which the wall 444 rests. Therefore, the number of points of contact can range from 1 (such as cooperation with perimeter 438 as described above), 2, 3, or more points of contact along a length of the furniture assembly 410.

With continued reference to FIG. 19, supporting the receiving body 422 is the base 424. The base 424 has a base body 450 that rests on a surface. Extending from the base 424, such as from an opening 452, is a protection assembly 460, such as an umbrella-like structure. The protection assembly 460 includes a canopy assembly 462 disposed on an elongate support structure 464; the canopy assembly 462 extending from the elongate support structure 464 in a cantilever fashion. The canopy assembly 462 can be selectively opened and closed and a length of the elongate support structure 464 can be varied to allow the canopy assembly 462 to moved towards the receiving body 422 and the furniture assembly 410 supported within the receiving cavity 440, such as illustrated in FIG. 23. By moving the canopy assembly 462 toward the receiving body 422, the canopy assembly 462 covers the furniture assembly 410 and protects it from inclement weather, such as rain, snow, wind, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the canopy assembly 462 includes an upper hub 470 mounted to the upper end 466 of the elongate support structure 464. A canopy 468 extends from the upper hub 470. A rib assembly 480 supports the canopy 468 and can transition the canopy 468 between an open state and a closed state. The rib assembly 480 can include first canopy ribs 482 extending from an edge 474 of the canopy 468 towards the upper hub 470, and optionally connected to the upper hub 470, and second canopy ribs 484 that can extend from the first canopy ribs 482 to a movable hub 476 that is slidably mounted to the elongate support structure 464 by way of an opening 478 through a movable hub body 479 of the movable hub 476. Each second canopy rib 484 is pivotally or rotatably connected to the movable hub 476 at one end 486 and to one of the first canopy ribs 482 at the other end 488. The pivotal or rotatable connection allows the canopy 468 to collapse as the movable hub 476 moves downwardly toward the receiving body 422 and expand as the movable hub 476 moves upwardly away from the receiving body 422.

The elongate support structure 464 includes a lower support member 490 that can extend from the base 424, an intermediate support member 492 that is telescopically connected to the lower support member 490 and includes a crank assembly 500 at an end 496. An upper support member 494 extends from the crank assembly 500 upward to the upper end 466. In this configuration, the movable hub 476 slides along the upper support member 494 as an elongate member 502 of the crank assembly 500, illustrated in FIG. 21, which is attached to the movable hub 476 at one end and to a spindle 504 of the crank assembly 500, is wrapped around the spindle 504 through rotation of a handle 506 of the crank assembly 500 is rotated; the spindle 504 being mounted or connected to the handle 506 and supported by a crank assembly body 508. The spindle 504 and the crank assembly body 508 cooperate to frictionally control rotation of the spindle 504, thereby controlling a position of the canopy assembly 462. The friction engagement can be considered a locking mechanism to selectively position the canopy assembly. It will be understood that other locking mechanisms are possible, such as but not limited to, complementary detents, a pawl and ratchet, rotational clutch, spring pins, friction latch, friction lock, and combinations and modifications.

While reference is made to the upper support member 494 extending from the crank assembly 500 upward to the upper end 466, it will be understood that the upper support member 494 can include a first upper support member 498a and a second upper support member 498b, such as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 22, that are connected by way of a tilting mechanism 520 that allows movement, tilting, inclination, etc. of the canopy assembly 462 in relation to the elongate support structure 464 and so vary shade, etc. provided by the canopy assembly 462 to a user resting or sitting in the furniture assembly 410. The tilting mechanism 520 can include a first member 522 that overlaps a second member 524, the first member 522 being pivotal about the second member 524 about a shaft 526 as a pivot axis. The first member 522 and the second member 524 can include securing detents 528 that provide sufficient frictional engagement to prevent unwanted movement of the first member 522 in relation to the second member 524 until that frictional engagement is overcome by a user, for instance, to activate the tilting mechanism 520 so that the movement, tilting, inclination, etc. of the canopy assembly 462 in relation to the elongate support structure 464 and so vary shade, etc. It will be understood that in addition to, or instead of, a lock can be provided as part of the tilting mechanism 520 that prevent movement of the first member 522 in relation to the second member 524 until the lock is released, such as by unlocking with a separate member, such as a key, or rotating, depression, and/or sliding a locking member from a locked to an unlocked position.

Returning to FIGS. 19 and 23, to protect the furniture assembly 410 from inclement weather, the canopy assembly 462 can be opened using the crank assembly 500. Once opened, the canopy assembly 462 can be moved downwardly as the intermediate support member 492 telescopes into or is received by the lower support member 490. As illustrated in FIG. 23, the intermediate support member 492 moves downward until it reaches a position where the canopy assembly 462 reaches the lowest position and the edge 474 of the canopy 468 is below the perimeter 438 of the furniture support assembly 420. Stated another way, as the canopy assembly 462 is moved towards and away from the furniture support assembly 420, at a position closest to the furniture support assembly 420, the canopy assembly 462 is maintained in a position where a canopy assembly dimension (D₁) transverse to a direction of travel (D_T) of the canopy assembly 462 toward the furniture support assembly 420 is greater than a dimension (D₂) of the furniture support assembly 420 transverse to the direction of travel (D_T).

Optionally, locking members 530 can be positioned between the edge 474 of the canopy 468 and the base 424 to provide added security, such as when high winds, etc. might move the canopy 468 upwardly and expose the furniture assembly 410. For instance, connectors 532 of the locking member 530 can connect to complementary connectors 534 on the canopy 468 and the base 424. Those connectors 534 can include mechanical fasteners, such as clips, snap fasteners, studs, clamps, hooks and holes, mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fastener, magnets, ties or lacing, and combinations and modifications thereof.

Generally, the furniture support assembly 420 can be formed of a variety of different materials, such as metal, wood, composite, polymer, alloys, natural materials, organic materials, synthetic materials, combinations or modifications thereof. Additionally one or more of the surfaces of the furniture support assembly 420 can include surface finishes to increases frictional contact between the furniture support assembly 420 and the furniture assembly 410 and/or the surface upon which the furniture support assembly 420 rests. For instance, the inner surface 434 of the receiving cavity 440 can include friction increasing structure such as a surface treatment, coating, film, taper, layer, or combinations thereof over all or portions of the inner surface 434 to increase friction between the inner surface 434 and the furniture assembly 410, such as the cover 16 (FIG. 1) of the furniture assembly 10.

Turning to FIGS. 24-32 illustrated is a furniture assembly, with associated furniture accessory, that can be used to enhance a user's experience with the furniture assembly, such as the furniture assemblies described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 24, a furniture assembly 610 includes an insert or chair 614, and more generally an inner member, that is surrounded by a removable cover 616 or outer cover. The furniture assembly 610 cooperates with a furniture accessory 620 to enhance the user's experience with the furniture assembly 610. The description related to the furniture assembly 10, other furniture systems or assemblies, and furniture accessories provided herein are also applicable to the furniture assembly 610 and the furniture accessory 620.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the furniture assembly 610 cooperates with the furniture accessory 620 forming part of an entertainment assembly 600 that a user can use while participating in a theater-like experience with audio and video devices or equipment (not shown). The entertainment assembly 600 can include a support 630 and an experience adjusting assembly 680. The support 630 provides controls for the experience adjusting assembly 680 so a user sitting or resting on the furniture assembly 610 cooperating with the experience adjusting assembly 680 can adjust the experience provided by the experience adjusting assembly 680, the entertainment assembly 600, or the audio and video devices or equipment (not shown) associated with the theater-like experience.

The support 630 includes a support housing 632 having a controller 634, such as a microprocessor, to operate the experience adjusting assembly 680 and the support 630. The controller 634 can cooperate with an electrical hub 636, which provides electrical power to the components of the support 630 and the experience adjusting assembly 680, such as amplifier 668, speakers 672, and other components described herein. The electrical power can be provided to the electrical hub 636 through an electrical cord 638 connected to an external power source, such as the mains power. Various internal connections or cables can transmit the power from the electrical hub 636 to the components of the support 630 and the experience adjusting assembly 680. The experience adjusting assembly 680 can electrically communicate with the support 630 directly or indirectly (such as wirelessly) or electrically communicates directly or indirectly (such as wirelessly) with the external power source, such as the mains power.

The support housing 632 can include a front portion 640, a back portion 642, and two side portions 644a, 644b that curve between the front portion 640 and the back portion 642. The side portions 644a, 644b are shaped to accommodate the furniture assembly 610 positioned adjacent to the support 630. For instance, in one configuration the side portions 644a, 644b curve both from the front portion 640 to the back portion 642 and from a top portion 646 to a bottom portion 666. In other configurations, the side portions 644a, 644b curve in either from the front portion 640 to the back portion 642 or from a top portion 646 to a bottom portion 648. In still other configurations, the side portions 644a, 644b, and more generally any of the portions 640, 642, 644a, 644b, 646, 666, or other portions of support housing 632 can be planar, flat, convex, concave, and combinations or modifications thereof.

In the illustrated configuration, the curvature of the side portions 644a, 644b (and/or any of the other portions 640, 642, 644a, 644b, 646, 666 and more generally any portion of the support housing 632) can approximate a curvature of the furniture assembly 610 in an unloaded state, i.e., without a user resting or sitting on the furniture assembly 610, in a loaded state, i.e., with a user resting or sitting on the furniture assembly 610, or some curvature selected between the unloaded state and the loaded state. The loaded state can be approximated with a load ranging from about 0 pounds to about 450 pounds, 0 pounds to about 400 pounds, 0 pounds to about 350 pounds, 0 pounds to about 300 pounds, 0 pounds to about 250 pounds, 0 pounds to about 200 pounds, 0 pounds to about 150 pounds, 0 pounds to about 100 pounds, 0 pounds to about 50 pounds, 0 pounds to about 25 pounds.

The front portion 640, in this configuration, includes a control panel 650 having a number of buttons, controls, switches, etc. to control the operation of the experience adjusting assembly 680, the support 630, the entertainment assembly 600, or the audio and video devices or equipment (not shown) associated with the theater-like experience. For instance, the control panel 650 can include analog controls, digital controls, touch controls included in a touch panel, etc. Additionally, the control panel 650 can include one or more electrical ports that allow a user to charge, control or otherwise interface with separate electrical/electronic devices, the support 630, the furniture assembly 610, or other structures (electronic or otherwise) associated with one or more of separate electrical/electronic devices, the support 630 and the furniture assembly 610, such as but not limited to, power ports, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, power sockets, or combinations or modifications thereof. While reference is made to the front portion 640 including the control panel 650, the control panel 650 can be formed on the top portion 646 and/or one or more of the side portions 644a, 644b. The top portion 646 can also include cup holders 652 or other structures.

The side portions 644a, 644b of the support housing 632 provide support for fans 660a, 660b to provide cooling for an interior of the support housing 632. As illustrated, fan 660a is configured to draw air into the interior of the support housing 632 while the fan 660b is configured to force air from within the interior of the support housing 632 to an exterior of the support housing 632. While one fan is illustrated on each of the side portions 644a, 644b, one or more fans can be included on one or more of the side portions 644a, 644b, the top portion 646, the front portion 640, the back portion 642, the bottom portion 648.

The side portions 644a, 644b of the support housing 632 provide support for wireless transmitters 662a, 662b that cooperate with wireless receivers 670 (FIG. 25) of furniture assembly 610 to provide power to the experience adjusting assembly 680 and more generally the furniture assembly 610. While one wireless transmitter 662a, 662b is illustrated on each of the side portions 644a, 644b, one or more wireless transmitters 662a, 662b can be included on one or more of the side portions 644a, 644b, the top portion 646, the front portion 640, the back portion 642, the bottom portion 648. Additionally, one or more wireless receivers 664 can be included in the one or more of the side portions 644a, 644b, the top portion 646, the front portion 640, the back portion 642, the bottom portion 648, the wireless receivers 664 being configured to power the support 630 from an external wireless transmitter. It is also understood that when the experience adjusting assembly 680, and more generally the furniture assembly 610, a wireless transmitter of the experience adjusting assembly 680, and more generally the furniture assembly 610, can power the support 630 via the wireless receiver 664.

Turning to the experience adjusting assembly 680, as illustrated in FIGS. 24-27, the experience adjusting assembly 680 can be disposed between the insert 614 and the removable cover 616, within the chair or insert 614, or outside of the furniture assembly 610 so that the furniture assembly 610 rests upon the experience adjusting assembly 680. The experience adjusting assembly 680 can be considered as a base support for the furniture assembly 610 and provides a surface 682 upon which at least a portion of the furniture assembly 610 can rest, such as the insert 614 or the removable cover 616. In the illustrated configuration, the experience adjusting assembly 680 can include an inflatable bladder 684 that is filled via a pump 686 that can be powered by a power source 688. Inflation and deflation of the inflatable bladder 684 can be controlled by the controller 690, such as a microprocessor, that can be in turn controlled wirelessly by the control panel 650 of the support 630. The power source 688 can be powered or charged through electrical communication between the wireless transmitter 662a, 662b of the support 630 and the wireless receiver 670 formed on the furniture assembly 610. By so doing, with the support 630 connected to an external power source, such as mains power, there is no need for the furniture assembly 610 to directly electrically connect to mains power to operate the experience adjusting assembly 680. It is, however, possible for the furniture assembly 610 to receive power directly from the mains power, if desired.

Instead of or in addition to the experience adjusting assembly 680 including the inflatable bladder 684, a haptic assembly 692 can be provided. The haptic assembly 692 can include a haptic body 694 with a force application mechanism 696 to provide the haptic feedback to the user resting or sitting on the furniture assembly 610, such as feedback that is optionally synchronized with the audio-video systems 800 (FIG. 31) that can optionally be controlled through the support 630, either directly or via the controller 690. Such audio-video systems (800), which can also be considered as a non-exhaustive list of separate electrical/electronic devices, can include a wide variety of audio and/or video sources that may be used with the present systems (e.g., including, but not limited to television (TV), disc player such as a compact disk (CD) player, Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, Blu-ray player, over-the air radio, TV or other transmissions, etc.). The haptic feedback can include vibrotactile feedback, force feedback, electro tactile feedback, ultrasound tactile feedback, thermal feedback, visual feedback, combinations or modifications thereof. The force application mechanism 696 can include one or more eccentric rotating masses, linear resonant actuators, piezo-haptic actuators, thermal haptic actuators, solenoid actuator, ultrasonic transducer or sensor, light or image generating device or components, combinations or modifications thereof.

Returning to FIG. 24, as mentioned earlier the furniture accessory having the form of the entertainment assembly 600, allows a user to participate in a theater-like experience with audio and video devices or equipment (not shown). To further that experience, multiple furniture accessories can mount together so that multiple furniture assemblies can be disposed or positioned adjacent to one another. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 28, four furniture assemblies 610a-610d are positioned with four furniture accessories 620a-620d. It will be understood that any number of the furniture assemblies and the furniture accessories can be combined, whether or not an equal number of furniture assemblies and furniture accessories are positioned together. Additionally, while FIG. 28 illustrates the four furniture assemblies 610a-610d are positioned with four furniture accessories 620a-620d in a linear relationship, it will be understood that the furniture assemblies and the furniture accessories can be orientated in non-linear relationship so that one group of the furniture assemblies and the furniture accessories are disposed in front or behind another group of the furniture assemblies and the furniture accessories. In still another configuration, the furniture assemblies and the furniture accessories can be angularly orientated in relation to other of the furniture assemblies and the furniture accessories.

To facilitate positioning of the furniture assemblies and the furniture accessories, and with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the support 630 can include a mounting portion 700 that can accommodate a connecting member 720; the connecting member 720 extending between adjacent furniture accessories 620a-620d to maintain a relative position of the adjacent furniture accessories 620a-620d and the associated furniture assemblies 610a-610d. The mounting portion 700 can be a channel, groove, recess, indentation, or the like formed in the bottom portion 648 and extending from side portion 644a to side portion 644b or from the front portion 640 to the back portion 642. The connecting member 720 can be permanently or releasably disposed within the mounting portion 700 through mechanical attachment structures 702, such as but not limited to, a zipper, lacing, hook and loop fasteners, clips, buttons, snaps, detents, other mechanical fasteners, other connecting structure(s), and combinations or modifications thereof. Additionally to, or in combination with the mechanical structures 702, adhesives, thermal or chemical bonds can be used.

The connecting member 720 can be a base support and can be a rod, bar, post, pin, brace, board, panel, etc. that is monolithic, solid, or hollow and has sufficient strength and rigidity to maintain the spacing of furniture assembles 610a-610d separated and connected by the connecting member 720. The connecting member 720 can also provide a surface upon which the furniture assembly 610 can rest. The connecting member 720 can be formed of a variety of different materials, such as metal, wood, composite, polymer, alloys, natural materials, organic materials, synthetic materials, combinations thereof.

Instead of the mount portion 700 being formed in the bottom portion 648 of the support 630 of the furniture accessory 620, as illustrated in FIG. 29, in a fixed position, the mounting portion 700 can include in a first carrier 730a, and a second carrier 730b that are each rotatably coupled to the bottom portion 648 by an axle 732a, 732b, such as illustrated in FIG. 30. The carriers 730a, 730b can include a plurality of mounting portions 700, such as receiver, chamber, channel, groove, recess, indentation, or the like, to accommodate one or more connecting members 720. Each of the first carrier 730a and the second carrier 730b can move or rotate about their respective axels 732a, 732b, acting as axes of rotation, to position each of the first carrier 730a and the second carrier 730b so that the one or more connecting members 720 can join or attach adjacent supports 630 that are angularly position in relation to one another. Rotational movement of the carriers 730a, 730b allows positioning of the connecting members 720 at an angle relative to the side-to-side direction (i.e., from side portion 644a to side portion 644b) or the front-to-back direction (i.e., from the front portion 640 to the back portion 642) of the support 630. Stated another way, the first carrier 730a and the second carrier 730b can have, respectively, a longitudinal axis 738a, 738b. The first carrier 730a and the second carrier 730b can turn or move angularly about the axes 734a, 734b, and in relation to a longitudinal axis 736 of the support 630 or the furniture accessory 620, so that angles 740a, 740b between the longitudinal axis 736 and longitudinal axes 738a, 738b can range from 0 degrees to about 360 degrees. While two carriers 730a, 730b are illustrated it will be understood that one or more carriers can be provided in the support 630. Additionally, while the axles 732a, 732b are illustrated as being spaced apart from the longitudinal axis 736, in other configurations one or both of the axles 732a, 732b can be positioned on the longitudinal axis 736.

It will be understood that the position of adjacent supports 630 and the furniture assemblies 610a-610d in the entertainment assembly 600 may also impact a particular angular orientation of the first carrier 730a and the second carrier 730b, and so the one or more connecting members 720, for a particular grouping of the furniture assemblies 610a-610d and associated supports 630. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 31, the entertainment assembly 600 includes the furniture assemblies 610a-610d, and furniture accessories 620a-620d, aligned along an axis 750 with longitudinal axes 736a-736d being perpendicular to the axis 750, which also passes through the centers 760a-760d of the furniture accessories 620a-620d and the centers 619a-619d of the furniture assemblies 610a-610d. In this configuration, angles 740a, 740b would be approximately 90 degrees. In the event that any of the centers 760a-760d or 619a-619d are positioned off the axis 750, one or both of the angles 740a, 740b would be greater or less than 90 degrees. The flexibility of angular orientation of the first carrier 730a and the second carrier 730b, and so the one or more connecting members 720, allows the furniture assemblies 610a-610d and the furniture accessories 620a-620d to be positioned to form the entertainment assembly 600 into an L-shape, V-shape, W- shape, spline-shape, combinations or modifications thereof. FIGS. 32A and FIG. 32B illustrate two configurations of the entertainment assembly 600; entertainment assembly 600A and entertainment assembly 600B.

As illustrated in FIG. 32A, the entertainment assembly 600A has the furniture assemblies 610a-610d and the furniture accessories 620a-620d generally orientated in a diamond shape where the center 619a of the furniture assembly 610a, the center 760c of the furniture accessory 620c, and the center 619d of the furniture assembly 610d being aligned along an axis 752. In FIG. 32B, the entertainment assembly 600B has the furniture assemblies 610a-610d and the furniture accessories 620a-620d generally orientated in a parallelogram shape where the center 619a of the furniture assembly 610a and the center 619b of the furniture assembly 610b lie along axis 754, while the center 619c of the furniture assembly 610c and the center 619d of the furniture assembly 610d lie in axis 756 that is parallel to the axis 754. In each of this configurations, the contact between adjacent furniture assemblies 610a-610d, adjacent furniture accessories 620a-620d, and/or contact between adjacent furniture assemblies 610a-610d and furniture accessories 620a-620d can limit the positions of adjacent ones of the furniture assemblies 610a-610d and the furniture accessories 620a-620d and so limit the angular orientation of the carriers (see carriers 740a, 740b in FIG. 30) and connectors (see connectors 720 in FIG. 30). Therefore, while the carrier(s) and connector(s) can be rotated about 0 degrees to about 360 degrees about their respective axes of rotation, the particular shape or configuration of the furniture assemblies 610a-610d and the furniture accessories 620a-620d might reduce the range of motion about the axes of rotation. For instance, an angle 760 of a line 762 extending from the center 619a of the furniture assembly 610a to the center 619b of the furniture assembly 610b can be about 30 degrees from the axis 752. The positions of the carriers (see carriers 740a, 740b in FIG. 30) and connectors (see connectors 720 in FIG. 30) can be varied to achieve this angular orientation. Additionally, in FIG. 32B, an angle 764 of a line 766 extending from the center 619b of the furniture assembly 610b to the center 619d of the furniture assembly 610d can be about 120 degrees from the axis 754. The positions of the carriers (see carriers 740a, 740b in FIG. 30) and connectors (see connectors 720 in FIG. 30) can be varied to achieve this angular orientation. It will be understood that the angles 760, 764 can vary from about 0 degrees to about 360 degrees based upon the particular configuration or shape of the entertainment assemblies.

Turning to FIGS. 33-34 illustrated is a furniture assembly, with associated furniture accessory, that can be used to enhance a user's experience with the furniture assembly, such as the furniture assemblies described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 33, a furniture assembly 810 includes an insert or chair 814, and more generally an inner member, that is surrounded by a removable cover 816 or outer cover. The furniture assembly 810 cooperates with a furniture accessory 830 to enhance the user's experience with the furniture assembly 810. The description related to the furniture assembly 10, other furniture systems or assemblies, and furniture accessories provided herein are also applicable to the furniture assembly 810 and the furniture accessory 830.

With continue reference to FIG. 33, the furniture assembly 810 includes a furniture accessory receiving portion 820 that accommodates a furniture accessory, such as a table 830, to enhance the user's experience with the furniture assembly 10. While the furniture accessory receiving portion 820 is illustrated on one side of the furniture assembly 810, the furniture assembly 810 can include one or more the furniture accessory receiving portions to provide additional stability to the table 830. For instance, the table 830 can extend between the furniture accessory receiving portions that are circumferentially and/or radially spaced apart from one another. Generally, the table 830 can be formed of a polymer, a metal, alloy, natural material, organic material, synthetic material, combinations or modifications thereof.

The furniture accessory receiving portion 820 extends from a body of the removable cover 816 to provide a location where the table 830 can be attached, whether releasably or permanently. The furniture accessory receiving portion 820 has a looped configuration forming an opening 822 between the furniture accessory receiving portion 820 and an outer surface 818 of the removable cover 816. The opening 822 is sized to receive a portion of the table 830 and can have various configurations while providing the table 830 with a location to connect or couple to the removable cover 816. While reference is made to the furniture accessory receiving portion 820 extending from the removable cover 816 it will be understood that rather than extending from the removable cover 816, the furniture assembly 810 can include a pocket, such as the anchor pocket 124 described in relation to FIG. 9.

In the illustrated configurations, the furniture accessory receiving portion is formed of the same material as the removable cover 816, however this need not be the case and the furniture accessory receiving portion or pocket can be formed of any material that provides sufficient structural support for coupling or connecting of the table 830 to the removable cover 816. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the anchor member or pocket can be formed of cotton, twill, linen, nylon velvet, leather, suraline gabardine material, stretchable material, natural material, recycled material, and/or combinations thereof. In another configuration, the material forming the furniture accessory receiving portion 820 can surround an internal support member 824, schematically illustrated in FIG. 33, that can be formed of a more rigid material than the material forming the outer surface of the furniture accessory receiving portion 820. For instance, the internal support member 824 can be formed of a polymer, a metal, alloy, natural material, organic material, synthetic material, combinations or modifications thereof. Additionally, the internal support member 824 can be formed in the insert 814 such as when the complementary recess (as described in relation to FIGS. 6A-9) includes an internal support for the table 830.

With reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, the table 830 includes a body 832 and an attachment assembly 834 configured to attach to the furniture assembly 810, such as to the cover 816 and/or the insert 814. The body 832 includes an upper member 836 having a first side 838 that can optionally be shaped to approximate a curvature of the furniture assembly 810 (such as illustrated as extending inwardly in phantom in FIG. 34), although in other configurations the first side 838 does not approximate a curvature of the furniture assembly 810, such as illustrated in FIG. 33. The body 832 can optionally include a lip so that the upper surface of the body 832 forms a recess to securely retain objects placed on the body 832. Optionally, the upper member 836 can have a cavity forming member 840 similar to the anchor member 120 described herein. The cavity forming member 840 can extend from the body 832. An opening 842 through the upper member 836 is configured to receive at least a portion of a liquid containing structure or other structure 160 (FIG. 8) having a generally complementary form to at least one of the opening 842 or a cavity of the cavity forming member 840. A wall 844 of the cavity forming member 840 provides support to the at least a portion of a liquid containing structure or other structure 160 and can form the cavity to provide sufficient points of contact with the liquid containing structure 160 (FIG. 8) to retain the liquid containing structure 160 (FIG. 8). For instance, the cavity of the cavity forming member 840 can have a bottom or be bottomless so long as a reminder of the wall 844 includes sufficient points of contact with the liquid containing structure 160 to retain the liquid containing structure 160. The sufficiency the points of contact can vary based upon the cooperation of the liquid containing structure 160 with the table 830. For instance, if the liquid containing structure 160 is tapered the liquid containing structure 160 can be supported by a lip forming the opening to the cavity forming member 840 optionally with contact with a portion of the wall 844 near or adjacent to the lip. In other configurations, the wall 844 contacts the liquid containing structure 160 along substantially an entirety of the wall's depth to the bottom. Therefore, the number of points of contact can range from 1 (such as cooperation with the lip as described above), 2, 3, or more points of contact along a length of the liquid containing structure 160. In addition to this, the cavity formed by the cavity forming member 840 can have a generally cylindrical form, a generally tapered form, combinations or modifications thereof. For instance, the liquid containing structure 160 can be, but not limited to, a cup, a bottle, flask, can, jar, or other structure that can hold a liquid, modifications or combinations thereof.

The attachment assembly 834 includes protrusions 850 extending from the upper member 836 of the body 832, the protrusions 850 being configured to be received within the opening 822 of the furniture accessory receiving portion or pocket of the removable cover 814, the insert 816, or a combination of the removable cover 814 and the insert 816. The table 830 can be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the protrusion 850 so that the protrusion 850 acts as a pivot or provides an axis of rotation for the body 832 as it is moved toward or away from the furniture assembly 810. While one protrusion 850 is illustrated, when the furniture assembly 810 includes two furniture accessory receiving portions that are circumferentially and/or radially spaced apart from one another, the attachment assembly 834 can include two or more protrusions (optionally with the protrusions having a form similar to the protrusions of the furniture accessory described in relation to FIGS. 6A-9).

The protrusion 850 is illustrated as being elongate having a nested or telescoping structure to aid with vertical positioning of the table 830 in relation to a user resting or sitting on the furniture assembly 810. As illustrated, the protrusion 850 includes outer protrusion member 852a and inner protrusion member 852b, with the inner protrusion member 852b is rotatable and/or can telescope relative to an outer protrusion member 852a that cooperates with the furniture accessory receiving portion 820. Stated another way, the inner protrusion member 852b can move in at least one of a sliding motion or a rotating motion in relation to the outer protrusion member 852a or vice versa. The inner protrusion member 852b can mount to the body 832 by way of a mounting assembly 854 with a flanged end 856 to aid with mounting the mounting assembly 854 to the body 832. The flanged end 856 can mount to the body 832 through mechanical fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts, clips, snaps, studs, etc., adhesives, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, combination or modifications thereof.

The mounting assembly 854 includes a generally cylindrical portion 858 extending from the flanged end 856, the generally cylindrical portion 858 including an opening 860 to receive a portion of the protrusion 850. The protrusion 850 can be fixed within the generally cylindrical portion 858 or can move, such as rotate, slide, etc., within the cylindrical portion.

Optionally, the protrusions, and portions of the body can include other attachment structures, such as barbs, hooks, snaps, clips, utilize adhesives, thermal or chemical bonds, mechanical fasteners, such as clips, snap fasteners, studs, clamps, mechanical fasteners, (optionally with stitching (single, double, etc.) or tacking), and combinations and modifications thereof to releasably couple or mount the table 820, which can cooperate with the fabric or material forming the outer cover 816 or with complementary structures formed on the outer cover 816 and/or the insert 814.

The furniture accessories presented herein can each provide or enhance a user's experience with a furniture assembly. Each of the furniture accessories, such as but not limited to the entertainment assembly 600 and the furniture accessory 620, and more generally the furniture assemblies, furniture accessories, and systems presented herein, can house or otherwise cooperate with speakers, amplifiers, massagers, heaters, coolers, rumblers, haptic feedback devices, inflatable/deflatable bladders, among other systems and electrical components that can be powered by various power sources, such as those presented herein. Those speakers, amplifiers, massagers, heaters, coolers, rumblers, haptic feedback devices, inflatable/deflatable bladders, among other systems and electrical components can be included within any of the furniture accessories and/or the furniture assemblies. Examples of such electrical components that can be contained or otherwise included with the furniture accessories or assemblies described herein are outlined in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/349,363, filed Jun. 26, 2021, entitled “Furniture Console and Methods of Using the Same,” the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Additional examples are outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 10,236,643, filed Sep. 20, 2016, entitled “Electrical Hub for Furniture assemblies,” the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Further examples are outlined U.S. Pat. No. 10,212,519, filed Nov. 10, 2016, entitled “Electronic Furniture Systems with Integrated Internal Speakers;” U.S. Pat. No. 11,178,486, filed Nov. 26, 2019, entitled “Modular Furniture Speaker Assembly with Reconfigurable Transverse Members;” U.S. Pat. No. 11,178,487, filed Jan. 9, 2020, entitled “Electronic Furniture Systems with Integrated Induction Charger;” and U.S. Pat. No. 11,172,301, filed Feb. 12, 2019, entitled “Electronic Furniture Systems with Integrated Internal Speaker,” the entire contents of each of the foregoing patents are herein incorporated by reference.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant work.

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.

A user having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.

Following are some further example embodiments of the invention. These are presented only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Further, any example embodiment can be combined with one or more of the example embodiments.

Embodiment 1. A furniture assembly system, comprising a furniture assembly comprising an inner member comprising an inner member body and a filler disposed within the inner member; and an outer cover configured to selectively receive the inner member; and a furniture accessory selectively mounted to the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 2. The furniture system of embodiment 1, wherein the furniture accessory comprises a cup holder that comprises: a body comprising an opening configured to receive at least a portion of a liquid containing structure; and an attachment assembly configured to attach to a portion of an outer cover of a furniture assembly.

Embodiment 3. The furniture system of any of embodiments 1-2, wherein the attachment assembly comprises a protrusion extending from the body, the protrusion being configured to be received within a furniture accessory receiving portion of the outer cover of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 4. The furniture system of any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the attachment assembly comprises a protrusion extending from the body, the protrusion configured to be received within a furniture accessory receiving portion of the inner member of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 5. The furniture system of any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the furniture accessory comprises a table.

Embodiment 6. The furniture system of any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the table comprises a telescoping protrusion extending from a body.

Embodiment 7. A furniture accessory comprising a body comprising an opening configured to receive at least a portion of a liquid containing structure; and an attachment assembly configured to attach to a portion of an outer cover of a furniture assembly.

Embodiment 8. The furniture system of embodiment 7, wherein the body comprises a cavity communicating with the opening.

Embodiment 9. The furniture system of any of embodiments 7-8, wherein the cavity is generally cylindrical, generally tapered, or a combination of generally cylindrical and generally tapered.

Embodiment 10. The furniture system of any of embodiments 7-9, where the attachment assembly comprises a telescoping protrusion extending from the body, the telescoping protrusions selectively mounted to the body by a mounting assembly.

Embodiment 11. The furniture system of any of embodiments 7-10, wherein the telescoping protrusion comprises an outer protrusion member and an inner protrusion member, the inner protrusions configured to move in at least one of a sliding motion or a rotating motion in relation to the outer protrusion member.

Embodiment 12. A furniture assembly system comprising a furniture assembly comprising: an inner member filled with a filler material; and an outer member surrounding the inner member; and an elongate furniture accessory mounted to an exterior surface of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 13. The furniture system of embodiment 12, wherein the furniture accessory comprises an illumination assembly.

Embodiment 14. The furniture system of any of embodiments 12-13, wherein the illumination assembly comprises a light emitting diode strip.

Embodiment 15. The furniture system of any of embodiments 12-14, wherein the outer member comprises a plurality of anchors configured to cooperate with the furniture accessory.

Embodiment 16. The furniture system of any of embodiments 12-15, wherein the outer member and the furniture accessory comprise complementary attachment mechanisms.

Embodiment 17. The furniture system of any of embodiments 12-16, wherein the elongate furniture accessory extends circumferentially around a majority of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 18. A furniture assembly system comprising a furniture assembly comprising: an inner member filled with a filler material; an outer member surrounding the inner member; a recess formed in proximity to a sitting area of the furniture assembly; and a modular furniture experience module selectively mounted within the recess, the modular furniture experience module comprising at least one of an insert with a durometer different from the inner member, a heating assembly, a cooling assembly, a massaging assembly, and a sensory comfort assembly that are interchangeable mounted within the recess of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 19. The furniture system of embodiments 18, wherein the sensory comfort assembly comprises a seat portion that is configured to generally conform to a portion of the furniture assembly to which it is in contact; a back portion that is configured to generally conform to a portion of the furniture assembly to which it is in contact; and a safety attachment assembly associated with at least one of the seat portion and the back portion and configured to aid with supporting an individual on the seating support; and a securing assembly configured to selectively mount the seating support to the furniture assembly and limit separation of the seating support from contact with the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 20. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-19, further comprising a head rest supported by the seat portion.

Embodiment 21. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-20, wherein the safety attachment assembly comprises a first elongate member and a second elongate member crossing the first elongate member.

Embodiment 22. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-21, wherein the securing assembly comprises a plurality of elongate anchor attachment members that selectively connect to a plurality of anchors supported by the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 23. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-22, wherein the plurality of elongate anchor attachment member are configured to be tensioned.

Embodiment 24. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-23, further comprising a tensioning mechanism configured to tension at least one of a first elongate member and a second elongate member of the safety attachment assembly.

Embodiment 25. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-24, wherein the heating assembly comprises a heater, a power source, and a controller configured to control the heater.

Embodiment 26. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-25, wherein the cooling assembly comprises a cooler, a power source, and a controller configured to control the heater.

Embodiment 27. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-26, wherein the massaging assembly comprises a massager, a power source, and a controller configured to control the heater.

Embodiment 28. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-27, wherein the inner member has resiliency to substantially maintain a shape of the furniture assembly, the inner member defining a preformed seating region and the recess.

Embodiment 29. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-28, wherein the outer member conforms to the inner member.

Embodiment 30. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-29, further comprising a retainer configured to mount the modular furniture experience module to the furniture assembly, the retainer comprising hook and loop fasteners, detents, snap fasteners, magnets, zippers, tongue and groove rope, and combinations or modifications thereof.

Embodiment 31. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-30, wherein a heating assembly comprises one or more of a resistive wire, a Peltier device, circulating heating fluid, circulating heating gas, an inductive heater, and a fan.

Embodiment 32. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-31, wherein a cooling assembly comprises one or more of a Peltier device, circulating cooling fluid, a circulating cooling gas, and a fan.

Embodiment 33. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-32, wherein a massaging assembly comprises one or more rolling balls, rolling cups, rolling rollers, an air bladder, a fluid bladder, and a pump.

Embodiment 34. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-33, wherein the modular furniture experience module comprises a power source.

Embodiment 35. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-34, wherein the modular furniture experience module electrically communicates with a power source selected from a first power source within the furniture assembly or a second power source external to the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 36. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-34, wherein the first power source is a battery.

Embodiment 37. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-36, wherein the battery is in electrical communication with the second power source.

Embodiment 38. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-37, wherein the first power source electrically communicates with a wireless charging receiver.

Embodiment 39. The furniture system of any of embodiments 18-38, wherein the outer layer surrounds the recessed portion.

Embodiment 40. A furniture assembly system comprising a furniture support assembly configured to receive a furniture assembly, the furniture support assembly comprising a receiving body with a cavity configured to receive a furniture assembly; and a protection assembly selectively disposed over the cavity of the receiving body, a canopy assembly of the protection assembly being movable towards and away from the furniture support assembly, wherein at a position closest to the furniture support assembly, the protection assembly maintains a canopy assembly dimension transverse to a direction of travel of the canopy assembly toward the furniture support assembly that is greater than a dimension of the furniture support assembly transverse to the direction of travel.

Embodiment 41. The furniture system of embodiment 40, further comprising an elongate support structure to which the canopy assembly mounts, the elongate support structure being collapsible.

Embodiment 42. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-41, wherein the elongate support structure comprises a first support extending from a base of the furniture support assembly and a second support extending from the first support, the first support and the second support slidable cooperate.

Embodiment 43. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-42, wherein the first support and the second support are in telescoping engagement.

Embodiment 44. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-43, further comprising a locking mechanism that selectively positions the canopy assembly in relation to the furniture support assembly.

Embodiment 45. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-44, wherein the locking mechanism is a friction lock.

Embodiment 46. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-45, further comprising a cranks assembly configured to engage with a slide movable hub.

Embodiment 47. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-46, further comprising at least one rib connecting a canopy of the canopy assembly to the movable hub.

Embodiment 48. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-47, further comprising a base configured to support the receiving body.

Embodiment 49. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-48, wherein the receiving body further comprises a plurality of holes is configured to rest upon.

Embodiment 50. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-49, wherein the receiving body comprise at least one point of contact with the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 51. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-50, wherein the least one point of contact comprises one of a perimeter of the receiving body or the bottom of the receiving cavity.

Embodiment 52. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-51, further comprise a locking member extending from the canopy assembly of the protection assembly.

Embodiment 53. The furniture system of any of embodiments 40-52, wherein the locking member extends from the canopy assembly to a base configured to support the receiving body.

Embodiment 54. A modular system for a furniture assembly, the system comprising a first support comprising a first furniture assembly receiving cavity that prevents lateral movement of the furniture assembly; and a first base support configured to support the furniture assembly, selectively cooperate with the first support, and position the furniture assembly adjacent to the first furniture assembly receiving cavity.

Embodiment 55. The modular system of embodiment 54, wherein the first support comprises one or more speakers.

Embodiment 56. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-55, wherein the first support comprises an amplifier.

Embodiment 57. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-56, wherein the first support comprises a power source.

Embodiment 58. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-57, wherein the first support comprises a wireless power receiver and a wireless power transmitter.

Embodiment 59. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-58, wherein the first support comprises a second furniture assembly receiving cavity.

Embodiment 60. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-59, further comprising a second support adjacent to and selectively coupled to the first base support.

Embodiment 61. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-60, further comprising a second base support that is operatively coupled the second support.

Embodiment 62. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-61, wherein the first base support separates the first support and the second support to accommodate the first furniture assembly.

Embodiment 63. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-62, wherein the first base support is rotatably mounted to at least one of the first support and the second support.

Embodiment 64. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-63, wherein the first base support is configured to rotate between about 0 degrees and 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the first base support.

Embodiment 65. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-64, further comprising a mount portion configured to mount the first base support to at least one of the first support and the second support.

Embodiment 66. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-65, further comprising an experience adjusting assembly electrically communicating with the first support.

Embodiment 67. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-66, wherein the experience adjusting assembly supports at least a portion of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 68. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-67, wherein the experience adjusting assembly is disposed between the inner member and the outer member.

Embodiment 69. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-68, wherein the experience adjusting assembly is disposed within the inner member.

Embodiment 70. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-69, wherein the experience adjusting assembly is disposed outside of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 71. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-70, wherein the experience adjusting assembly comprises at least one of an inflatable bladder or a haptic assembly.

Embodiment 72. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-71, wherein the haptic assembly comprises a force application mechanism, the force application mechanism comprises one or more eccentric rotating masses, linear resonant actuators, piezo-haptic actuators, thermal haptic actuators, solenoid actuator, ultrasonic transducer or sensor, light or image generating device or components, combinations or modifications thereof.

Embodiment 73. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-72, wherein the first support comprises a controller configured to control operation of the first support.

Embodiment 74. The modular system of any of embodiments 54-73, wherein the controller is configured to control an audio-video system.

Embodiment 75. A furniture assembly system comprising a furniture assembly comprising an inner member filled with a filler material; and an outer member surrounding the inner member; and a furniture accessory operatively cooperating with the furniture assembly, the furniture accessory comprising a support that prevents lateral movement of the furniture assembly in relation to the furniture accessory and is operatively coupled to an experience adjusting assembly configured to cooperate with the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 76. The furniture assembly system of embodiment 75, wherein the experience adjusting assembly supports at least a portion of the furniture assembly

Embodiment 77. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-76, wherein the experience adjusting assembly is disposed between the inner member and the outer member.

Embodiment 78. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-77, wherein the experience adjusting assembly is disposed within the inner member.

Embodiment 79. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-78, wherein the experience adjusting assembly is disposed outside of the furniture assembly.

Embodiment 80. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-79, wherein the experience adjusting assembly comprises at least one of an inflatable bladder or a haptic assembly.

Embodiment 81. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-80, wherein the haptic assembly comprises a force application mechanism, the force application mechanism comprises one or more eccentric rotating masses, linear resonant actuators, piezo-haptic actuators, thermal haptic actuators, solenoid actuator, ultrasonic transducer or sensor, light or image generating device or components, combinations or modifications thereof.

Embodiment 82. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-81, wherein the furniture accessory comprises a controller configured to control operation of the furniture accessory and the experience adjusting assembly.

Embodiment 83. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-82, wherein the controller is configured to control an audio-video system.

Embodiment 84. The furniture assembly system of any of embodiments 75-83, wherein the furniture accessory comprise one or more speakers, amplifiers, fans, controllers, wireless power receivers, wireless power transmitters, and power sources.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A furniture assembly system comprising: a furniture assembly comprising: an inner member filled with a filler material;an outer member surrounding the inner member;a recess formed in proximity to a sitting area of the furniture assembly; anda modular furniture experience module selectively mounted within the recess, the modular furniture experience module comprising at least one of an insert with a durometer different from the inner member, a heating assembly, a cooling assembly, a massaging assembly, and a sensory comfort assembly that are interchangeable mounted within the recess of the furniture assembly.

19. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the sensory comfort assembly comprises: a seat portion that is configured to generally conform to a portion of the furniture assembly to which it is in contact;a back portion that is configured to generally conform to a portion of the furniture assembly to which it is in contact; anda safety attachment assembly associated with at least one of the seat portion and the back portion and configured to aid with supporting an individual on the seating support; anda securing assembly configured to selectively mount the seating support to the furniture assembly and limit separation of the seating support from contact with the furniture assembly.

20. The furniture assembly system of claim 19, further comprising a head rest supported by the seat portion.

21. The furniture assembly system of claim 19, wherein the safety attachment assembly comprises a first elongate member and a second elongate member crossing the first elongate member.

22. The furniture assembly system of claim 21, wherein the securing assembly comprises a plurality of elongate anchor attachment members that selectively connect to a plurality of anchors supported by the furniture assembly.

23. The furniture assembly system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of elongate anchor attachment member are configured to be tensioned.

24. The furniture assembly system of claim 22, further comprising a tensioning mechanism configured to tension at least one of a first elongate member and a second elongate member of the safety attachment assembly.

25. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the heating assembly comprises a heater, a power source, and a controller configured to control the heater.

26. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the cooling assembly comprises a cooler, a power source, and a controller configured to control the heater.

27. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the massaging assembly comprises a massager, a power source, and a controller configured to control the heater.

28. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the inner member has resiliency to substantially maintain a shape of the furniture assembly, the inner member defining a preformed seating region and the recess.

29. The furniture assembly system of claim 28, wherein the outer member conforms to the inner member.

30. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, further comprising a retainer configured to mount the modular furniture experience module to the furniture assembly, the retainer comprising hook and loop fasteners, detents, snap fasteners, magnets, zippers, tongue and groove rope, and combinations or modifications thereof.

31. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the heating assembly comprises one or more of a resistive wire, a Peltier device, circulating heating fluid, circulating heating gas, an inductive heater, and a fan.

32. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the cooling assembly comprises one or more of a Peltier device, circulating cooling fluid, a circulating cooling gas, and a fan.

33. The furniture assembly system of claim 18, wherein the massaging assembly comprises one or more of rolling balls, rolling cups, rolling rollers, an air bladder, a fluid bladder, and a pump.

34. The furniture assembly of claim 18, wherein the modular furniture experience module comprises a power source.

35. The furniture assembly of claim 18, wherein the modular furniture experience module electrically communicates with a power source selected from a first power source within the furniture assembly or a second power source external to the furniture assembly.

36. The furniture assembly of claim 35, wherein the first power source is a battery.

37. The furniture assembly of claim 36, wherein the battery is in electrical communication with the second power source.

38. The furniture assembly of claim 36, wherein the first power source electrically communicates with a wireless charging receiver.

39. The furniture assembly of claim 18, wherein the outer layer surrounds the recessed portion.

40-84. (canceled)