FIELD
The specification relates generally to furniture, and more specifically, to knock-down furniture assemblies and related methods.
BACKGROUND
U.S. Pat. No. 10,182,659 (Kuhl et al.) discloses a modular sofa assembly including a plurality of seating modules each having a seat section, a backrest section, and side edge surfaces. The backrest section includes first and second portions coupled for movement between a folded configuration and an extended configuration. An armrest module has an armrest side edge surface configured for mating engagement with a side edge surface of a seating module. The modular sofa is assembled by aligning connectors of the seating modules and armrest module, with each respective connectors slidingly engaged along an axis. After bringing the modules together, these connections are secured with the side edge surfaces in abutting engagement. The modular sofa further may include a power cradle mounted at the sofa's bottom surface. The power cradle includes a cubic power outlet near the front of the sofa, and power cable extending beyond the back of the sofa.
SUMMARY
The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention.
According to some aspects, a knock-down furniture assembly includes a seating assembly including a plurality of seat sections releasably securable to one another in a laterally side-by-side arrangement. Each seat section includes a seat base having a front, a rear opposite the front, a plurality of rear connectors adjacent the rear, and first and second opposed sides each extending between the front and the rear. The first side of each seat base has a pair of male connectors attached thereto and the second side of each seat base has a pair of female connectors attached thereto. The male connectors of the first side of any one seat base are releasably interlockable with the female connectors of the second side of any other seat base for releasably securing together the respective first and second sides of two adjacent seat bases. Each seat section also includes a seat back having a top, a bottom vertically opposite the top, and a plurality of bottom connectors adjacent the bottom and alignable with the rear connectors of the seat base for removably attaching the seat back to the seat base to form the seat section. The seating assembly also includes a first arm having a first inboard side including a further pair of the female connectors interlockable with the pair of male connectors of the first side of any first one of the seat bases for removably attaching the first arm to the first seat base. The seating assembly also includes a second arm having a second inboard side including a further pair of the male connectors interlockable with the pair of female connectors of the second side of any second one of the seat bases for removably attaching the second arm to the second seat base. The seat bases are devoid of connectors enabling assembly of the first side of one seat base with the first side of another seat base, and are devoid of connectors enabling assembly of the second side of one seat base with the second side of another seat base, and the seat bases are identical to one another, thereby facilitating error-free assembly of the first arm, the plurality of seat bases, and the second arm.
In some examples, the seat bases are devoid of connectors enabling assembly of the first side of any one of the seat bases with the first arm, and are devoid of connectors enabling assembly of the second side of any one of the seat bases with the second arm.
According to some aspects, a knock-down furniture assembly includes a seating assembly including a plurality of seat sections releasably securable to one another in a laterally side-by-side arrangement. Each seat section includes a seat base having a front, a rear opposite the front, a rear connector adjacent the rear, and first and second opposed sides each extending between the front and the rear. The first side of each seat base has a base first side connector attached thereto and the second side of each seat base has a base second side connector attached thereto. The base first side connector of the first side of any one seat base is releasably interlockable with the base second side connector of the second side of any other seat base for releasably securing together the respective first and second sides of two adjacent seat bases. Each seat section also includes a seat back having a top, a bottom vertically opposite the top, first and second opposed sides each extending between the top and bottom, and a bottom connector adjacent the bottom and alignable with the rear connector of the seat base for removably attaching the seat back to the seat base to form the seat section. The seating assembly also includes a first arm having a first inboard side including a second base side connector interlockable with the first base side connector of the first side of any first one of the seat bases for removably attaching the first arm to the first seat base. The seating assembly also includes a second arm having a second inboard side including a first base side connector interlockable with the second base side connector of the second side of any second one of the seat bases for removably attaching the second arm to the second seat base. The first and second sides of the seat backs of the plurality of seat sections are configured to facilitate said attaching the seat backs in any order relative to one another after the seat bases of the plurality of seat sections are assembled together, thereby facilitating order-neutral assembly of the seat backs with the seat bases after the seat bases are secured together.
According to some aspects, a knock-down furniture assembly includes a seating assembly including a plurality of seat sections releasably securable to one another in a laterally side-by-side arrangement. Each seat section includes a seat base having a front, a rear opposite the front, a rear connector adjacent the rear, and first and second opposed sides each extending between the front and the rear. The first side of each seat base has a base first side connector attached thereto and the second side of each seat base has a base second side connector attached thereto. The base first side connector of the first side of any one seat base is releasably interlockable with the base second side connector of the second side of any other seat base for releasably securing together the respective first and second sides of two adjacent seat bases. Each seat section also includes a seat back having a top, a bottom vertically opposite the top, first and second opposed sides each extending between the top and bottom, and a bottom connector adjacent the bottom and alignable with the rear connector of the seat base for removably attaching the seat back to the seat base to form the seat section. The seating assembly also includes a first arm having a first inboard side including a second base side connector interlockable with the first base side connector of the first side of any first one of the seat bases for removably attaching the first arm to the first seat base. The seating assembly also includes a second arm having a second inboard side including a first base side connector interlockable with the second base side connector of the second side of any second one of the seat bases for removably attaching the second arm to the second seat base. The first and second sides of each seat back of the plurality of seat sections are configured to facilitate removal of the seat backs in any order relative to one another from the knock-down furniture assembly when the seat backs, seat bases, and first and second arms are assembled together.
In some examples, the first and second inboard sides of the first and second armrests, respectively, are devoid of connectors for securing each respective armrest to an adjacent seat back.
In some examples, the first and second sides of each seat back are devoid of connectors.
In some examples, the first side of each seat back has a back first side connector and the second side of each seat back has a back second side connector. The back first side connector of the first side of any one seat back is interlockable with the back second side connector of the second side of any other seat back for releasably securing together the respective first and second sides of two adjacent seat backs against relative forward and backward movement between the two adjacent seat backs. The first inboard side of the first arm includes a back second side connector interlockable with the back first side connector of the first side of a first one of the seat backs for releasably securing together the first arm and the first seat back against relative forward and backward movement between the first arm and the first seat back. The second inboard side of the second arm including a back first side connector interlockable with the back second side connector of the second side of any second one of the seat backs for releasably securing together the second arm and the second seat back against relative forward and backward movement between the second arm and the second seat back.
In some examples, the seat back first side connectors and the seat back second side connectors, when interlocked with one another, form a plurality of respective pass-through connector assemblies each having a pass-through axis oriented generally vertically when the seat back is upright. For each pass-through connector assembly, the respective seat back first side connector is disengageable from the respective seat back second side connector by relative sliding in either direction along the respective pass-through axis.
In some examples, each of the back first side connectors is a slide connector, each slide connector including a slide member, and each of the back second side connectors is a channel connector, each channel connector including a channel for slidably receiving the slide member of any one of the slide connectors, each channel extending along a channel axis between a first end and a second end, each channel axis parallel to the pass-through axis. The first end and the second end of each channel are each open for receiving the slide member into the channel through either end.
In some examples, each channel connector includes a base plate secured to the seat back and a pair of retaining flanges spaced apart from the base plate and defining the channel between the base plate and the flanges, and each slide member is slidable into the channel along the channel axis for interlocking thereof.
In some examples, each channel connector includes an open slot between the pair of retaining flanges, and each slide member includes a base plate secured to the seat back and slidable between the pair of retaining flanges along the channel axis and a pair of projecting flanges spaced apart from the base plate to be received behind the pair of retaining flanges.
In some examples, each channel has a front, a rear opposite the front, and a channel width between the front and the rear, and each slide member has a front, a rear opposite the front, and a slide member width between the front and the rear, and the channel width is generally equal to the slide member width.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses, assemblies, and methods of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of framing for an example furniture assembly;
FIG. 2 is a side view of an example pair of connectors for the furniture assembly of FIG. 1, shown uncoupled;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the pair of connectors of FIG. 2, shown coupled;
FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of an example seat section for the furniture assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side schematic view of an example pair of connectors of the seat section of FIG. 4, shown uncoupled;
FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of an example leg for the furniture assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a top view and a side view of an example leg plate for the furniture assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a top view and a side view of another example leg plate for the furniture assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 shows a step of an assembly process for another example furniture assembly, the step including attaching a first arm portion to a seat base portion;
FIG. 10 shows another step of the assembly process that includes attaching a second arm portion to the seat base portion;
FIG. 11 shows another step of the assembly process that includes attaching a seat back portion to the seat base portion;
FIG. 12 shows another step of the assembly process that includes latching the first arm portion to the seat base portion;
FIG. 13 shows the furniture assembly of FIG. 9 without seat and back cushions;
FIG. 14 shows the furniture assembly of FIG. 9 with seat and back cushions;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another example furniture assembly;
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the furniture assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an arm portion of the furniture assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 18 is an inboard side view of the arm portion of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the arm portion of FIG. 17;
FIG. 20 is an inboard side view of another arm portion of the furniture assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the arm portion of FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of an example seat section of the furniture assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of a back portion of the seat section of FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a side view from one side of a base portion of the seat section of FIG. 22;
FIG. 25 is a side view from an opposite side of the base portion of FIG. 24;
FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the base portion of FIG. 24;
FIG. 27 is a side view of an example female bracket for the furniture assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 28 is a side view of an example male bracket for the furniture assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 29 is a side view showing the male bracket of FIG. 28 coupled to the female bracket of FIG. 27;
FIG. 30 is a top view of the male bracket of FIG. 28 coupled to the female bracket of FIG. 27;
FIG. 31 is a schematic side view showing a lower end of the back portion of FIG. 23 and an upper rear of the base portion of FIG. 24;
FIG. 32 is a bottom view of an example latch mechanism of the furniture assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of another example furniture assembly;
FIG. 34 is a bottom view of a seat back of the furniture assembly of FIG. 33;
FIG. 35 is an inboard side view of an arm portion of the furniture assembly of FIG. 33;
FIG. 36 is a bottom view of the arm portion of FIG. 35;
FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an example pair of connectors of the furniture assembly of FIG. 33, shown separated;
FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the example pair of connectors of FIG. 37, shown interlocked; and
FIG. 39 is a top view of the example pair of connectors of FIG. 37, shown interlocked.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various apparatuses, assemblies, or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses, assemblies, or processes that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, assemblies, or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus, assembly, or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, assemblies, or processes described below. It is possible that an apparatus, assembly, or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, assembly, or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document. Like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout.
The present disclosure relates to knock-down furniture in the form of, for example, upholstered seating furniture such as chairs and sofas. The knock-down furniture of the present disclosure can be shipped from a factory in flat boxes and then handled and assembled by an end user without tools. This can simplify shipping and delivery of the furniture and help reduce costs relative to traditional furniture that leaves the factory fully assembled. This can also allow for the furniture components to be more easily handled by the end user—for example, carried up/down narrow staircases, through narrow hallways and doorways, and around tight turns—which can reduce the need for furniture mover laborers and allow for the furniture to be utilized in areas of a home that may pose difficulty for delivery of traditional preassembled furniture.
The furniture disclosed herein can be designed for ease of assembly for the average end user. For example, in some examples, no tools (e.g. hand or power tools) are required for the assembly process. Integrated connectors such as, for example, quick assembly brackets can be used to create strong, sturdy, and accurate connections between the different furniture components. In some examples, the brackets can include pairs of male and female brackets slidable generally vertically relative to each other for interlocking the furniture components. In some examples, the brackets are tapered to provide dimensionally close and sturdy connections between the furniture components. The furniture described herein can also be readily disassembled, which can make moving out the furniture easier relative to fully assembled traditional furniture.
According to some aspects, the knock-down furniture of the present disclosure is formed of a plurality of modular components (e.g., two arms and seat components for assembling one to three or more seat sections each having a seat base and back). Some of the modular components can, for example, be used interchangeably in a variety of configurations such as in chairs, loveseats, and/or sofas of various sizes. In some examples, the modular components are built separately and packaged in individual boxes that can be shipped directly to the home or office of the end user. The modular components can be unpacked by the consumer and assembled together straight out of the boxes with relative ease. In some examples, the modular components disclosed herein are releasably attachable to each other by corresponding pairs of the quick connectors (e.g. such as slidably couplable male and female brackets).
In some examples, after modular components are connected through the quick connectors, some of the modular components (e.g. the arms and seat sections) can be latched together by latch mechanisms (e.g. draw latches with metal clasps) for pulling together and securing the components. Leg assemblies can also be installed at attachment joints in the corners and between connection interfaces of adjacent modular components for added strength and durability. Each leg assembly can help support the connection of two of the modular components, which can help provide more even weight distribution.
In some examples, the frames of the modular components can be constructed with furniture grade plywood and hardwood and mortise and tenon joints. In some embodiments, the frame joints can be glued for added durability.
Referring to FIG. 1, in the example illustrated, an example furniture assembly 100 is shown. In the example illustrated, the assembly 100 includes multiple modular furniture components. The furniture components can be assembled by an end user as described further herein. FIG. 1 shows the furniture components of the furniture assembly 100 without upholstery, cushions, fill, springs, and the like so that the framing is visible.
The furniture assembly 100 includes a first arm 110a, a second arm 110b, and a seating assembly 102 having laterally opposite ends to which the first and second arms 110a, 110b are attachable. In the example illustrated, the seating assembly 102 includes a plurality of seat sections 120 including a first seat section 120a, a second seat section 120b, and a third seat section 120c. While the seating assembly 102 in FIG. 1 is shown to include three seat sections 120a, 120b, 120c, in some examples, a single seat section, two seat sections, or more than three seat sections can be included. For example, when two seat sections are included, the assembled furniture assembly can be considered a love seat. When a single seat section is included, the assembled seating furniture assembly can be considered a chair. While the depicted seat sections 120a, 120b, 120c are shown as being the same size and generally identical, in some examples one or more of the seat sections for the furniture assembly can be different from (e.g. larger than) the other seat sections. In the example illustrated, each seat section 120 is made of two separate modular components, referred to herein as a seat bottom (or seat base) and a seat back. For example, the third seat section 120c comprises a seat bottom 122c and a seat back 126c attachable to the seat bottom 122c. In some examples, the seat bottoms 122 and seat backs 126 are shipped to the consumer as separate components and the consumer assembles the seat bottoms 122 and the seat backs 124 together to form the seat sections 120.
In the example illustrated, each modular component of the furniture assembly 100 is releasably attachable to one or more other modular components of the furniture assembly 100 using sturdy connectors, as described further below. The end user can assemble the modular components using such connectors and without necessarily requiring tools.
In some examples, each of the arms 110a, 110b of the furniture assembly 100 can be attached to a respective adjacent seat section 120 using corresponding pairs of interlockable connectors. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the example illustrated, each pair of the connectors for attaching the arms to corresponding seat sections includes a first female bracket 200f and a first male bracket 200m slidably couplable to the female bracket 200f. As shown in FIG. 3, the male bracket 200m can be slid generally vertically into a slot 202 (also referred to as bracket channel 202) defined by the female bracket 200f for interlocking of the brackets 200f, 200m. In the example illustrated, the female bracket 200f and the male bracket 200m are tapered, with the width of each bracket 200f, 200m gradually decreasing along its length. This facilitates a joint that is secure and sturdy and provides a tight, strong fit when the tapered female bracket 200f and the tapered male bracket 200m are fully engaged with each other. In some examples, the tapered male bracket 200m snaps into a final position within the tapered female bracket 200f to become releasably detained therein.
In some examples, the female brackets 200f and the male brackets 200m are mounted to the modular components of the furniture assembly in a predetermined arrangement to allow for the modular components to be assembled in multiple different configurations (e.g., as a chair, a loveseat, or larger sofas of various sizes). For example, in some examples, the first arm 110a includes at least two of the tapered female brackets 200f fixedly attached thereto. In such examples, a first side (e.g. the right side in the example of FIG. 1) of each of the seat sections 120 can include at least two corresponding tapered male brackets 200m fixedly attached thereto, and any one of the seat sections 120 can be releasably attached to the first arm 110a by slidably inserting the tapered male brackets 200m of the seat section 120 into engagement within the tapered female brackets 200f of the first arm 110a. In such examples, the second arm 110b can include at least two of the tapered male brackets 200m fixedly attached thereto, and the second side (e.g. the left side in the example of FIG. 1) of each of the seat sections 120 can include two corresponding tapered female brackets 200f fixedly attached thereto, and any one of the seat sections 120 can be releasably attached to the second arm 110b by slidably inserting the tapered male brackets 200m of the second arm 110b into engagement within the tapered female brackets 200f of the seat section. In a similar manner, each pair of adjacent seat sections are releasably attachable to each other through interlocking of the tapered male brackets 200m (on the first side) of one of the seat sections 120 with corresponding tapered female brackets 200f (on the second side) of an adjacent seat section 120.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the example illustrated, the seat backs 122 and the seat bottoms 126 of the seat sections 120 can be releasably attached to each other using corresponding pairs of interlockable connectors. In the example illustrated, each pair of the connectors for attaching the seat backs 122 to the bottoms 126 includes a second female bracket 300f and a second male bracket 300m slidably couplable to the female bracket 300f. As shown in FIG. 4, the tapered male bracket 300m can be slid into a slot 302 (FIG. 5, also referred to as bracket channel 302) defined by the tapered female bracket 300f for interlocking of the brackets 300f, 300m.
In the example illustrated, each of the female bracket 300f and the male bracket 300m are tapered, with the width of each bracket 300f, 300m gradually decreasing along its length. This facilitates a joint that is secure and sturdy and provides a tight, strong fit when the tapered female bracket 300f and the tapered male bracket 300m are fully engaged with each other. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the seat bottom 122c includes at least one tapered male bracket 300m extending upwardly therefrom (two tapered male brackets 300m in the example illustrated, one adjacent each side of the seat bottom 122c), and the seat back 126c includes at least one tapered female bracket 300f attached thereto (two tapered female brackets 300f in the example illustrated, one adjacent each side of the seat back 126c). The seat bottom 122c and the seat back 126c can be releasably coupled together by slidably inserting the two tapered male brackets 300m of the seat back into engagement within the two tapered female brackets 300f of the seat bottom. In some examples, the tapered male bracket 300m snaps into a final position within the tapered female bracket 300f to become releasably detained therein.
Referring also to FIGS. 6 to 8, the furniture assembly 100 can include legs that are attachable to the components of the furniture assembly 100 using leg brackets. Such attachment of the legs can be performed by the end user. For example, the brackets used to attach the legs to the components of the furniture assembly 100 can include one or more leg plates (e.g. leg plates 400, 500) mountable to an underside of the furniture components for attaching the legs (e.g. leg 600) thereto. Each leg can be attachable to a corresponding leg plate through a threaded connection. The threaded connection can be between a leg screw projecting from a top end of each leg and a threaded opening in each plate for threadingly receiving the leg screw. In some embodiments, each leg plate is configured to releasably attach to two adjacent components of the furniture assembly 100 (e.g. to an arm and an adjacent seat section, or to a pair of adjacent seat sections), so that each leg supports two components.
The leg plates can include one or more center leg plates 400 (FIG. 7) and/or one or more end leg plates 500 (FIG. 8). The legs, such as the example leg 600, can be threadedly coupled to (and therefore removable from) the leg plates 400, 500. In the example illustrated, the center leg plates 400 are releasably attachable to an underside of the furniture components at the junction/interface between a pair of two adjacent seat sections (e.g., at the junction/interface between the seat sections 120a and 120b, and between the seat sections 120b and 120c). A mounting hole on one end of the center leg plate 400 can be used to attach the center leg plate 400 to one seat section 120, and another mounting hole on the opposite end of the center leg plate 400 can be used to attach the center leg plate 400 to the adjacent seat section 120. The leg 600 is then coupled to the center leg plate 400 and can support both adjacent seat sections. In some examples, each seat section includes threaded inserts attached to its frame for threadingly receiving a leg plate screw (e.g., a thumbscrew that does not require tooling to install) for attaching the center leg plate 400 to the pair of adjacent seat sections.
In some examples, the end leg plate 500 can be similarly used to attach an arm to an adjacent seat section, and to allow for a corresponding leg 600 to be releasably attached thereto. For example, for the furniture assembly 100 of FIG. 1, the end leg plates 500 can be installed at the junction/interface between the first arm 110a and the first seat section 120a, and between the second arm 110b and the third seat section 120c. One or more of the leg plates can be used at each of the junctions/interfaces. For example, in some examples two of the end leg plates 500 are used at each of the junctions/interfaces (one adjacent a front of the furniture assembly 100 and one adjacent a rear of the furniture assembly 100).
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 14, an example process for assembling another example furniture assembly 700 (in the form of a chair 700) is shown. The chair 700 includes a first arm 710a, a second arm 710b, a seat bottom 722, and a seat back 726. In FIG. 9, the assembler is slidably attaching the first arm 710a to the seat bottom 722, by sliding a pair of male brackets generally vertically (relative to the top of the furniture assembly 700) into a corresponding pair of female brackets for interlocking thereof. In the example step shown in FIG. 10, the assembler is slidably attaching the second arm 710b to the seat bottom 722 in a similar manner. Tapered male/female brackets (such as those disclosed herein, including at FIGS. 2-3) are used in the present example to create a tight, strong fit between the first arm 710a and the seat bottom 722, and between the second arm 710b and the seat bottom 722.
In the example shown in FIG. 11, the assembler is slidably attaching the seat back 726 to the seat bottom 722, by sliding a pair of male brackets generally vertically (relative to the top of the furniture assembly 700) into a corresponding pair of female brackets for interlocking thereof. In some embodiments, tapered male/female brackets (such as those disclosed herein, including at FIGS. 4-5) are used to create a tight, strong fit between the seat back 726 to the seat bottom 722.
In the example shown in FIG. 12, the assembler is latching the seat bottom 722 and the first arm 710a together. In some examples, an over center latch mechanism (e.g. in the form of a draw latch) is used for this purpose. Using such a latch mechanism, the seat bottom 722 and the first arm 710a can be pulled together to exert a compressive force between the seat bottom 722 and the first arm 710a to help further secure the components and increase rigidity of the furniture assembly 700. In the example shown, two latch mechanisms are provided between the seat bottom 722 and the first arm 710a (one adjacent a front of the chair 700 that the assembler is shown latching, and one adjacent a rear of the chair 700, shown at the bottom of FIG. 12). A pair of similar latch mechanisms are provided on the opposite side of the seat bottom 722 for latching the second arm 710b to the seat bottom 722 in a similar manner. In other examples in which the furniture assembly includes multiple seat sections (such as the example shown in FIG. 1), similar latch mechanisms can be provided between adjacent seat sections for latching the adjacent seat sections to each other in a similar manner.
FIG. 13 shows an example of the chair 700 generally assembled but without cushions. In the example shown, the first arm 710a and the second arm 710b are releasably attached to the seat bottom 722, and the seat back 726 is releasably attached to the seat bottom 722. In some examples, leg mounting plates and legs can be attached to the underside of the components (e.g., as disclosed herein, including with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8). As shown in FIG. 14, in this example, a seat bottom cushion 730 and a seat back cushion 740 are added to complete the chair 700.
Referring to FIG. 15, another example knock-down furniture assembly 1100 is shown. The furniture assembly 1100 has similarities to the furniture assembly 100, and like features are identified with like reference characters, incremented by 1000.
In the example illustrated, the furniture assembly 1100 includes a seating assembly 1102 having an assembly first end 1102a and an assembly second end 1102b laterally opposite the first end 1102a. A first arm 1110a is removably attached to the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102, and a second arm 1110b is removably attached to the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102.
Referring to FIG. 16, in the example illustrated, the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102 includes a plurality of first end connectors 1104 (FIG. 25) and the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102 includes a plurality of second end connectors 1106.
In the example illustrated, the first arm 1110a has a first outboard side 1112 directed away from the seating assembly 1102, and a first inboard side 1114 laterally opposite the first outboard side 1112 and directed toward the seating assembly 1102. In the example illustrated, the first inboard side 1114 includes a plurality of first arm connectors 1154. Each first arm connector 1154 and a corresponding first end connector 1104 (FIG. 25) define a first pair of interlockable connectors for removably attaching the first arm 1110a to the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102. In the example illustrated, the first inboard side 1114 of the first arm 1110a includes two of the first arm connectors 1154 and the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102 includes two corresponding first end connectors 1104 (FIG. 25), defining two first pairs of interlockable connectors for removably attaching the first arm 1110a to the first end 1102a. One first pair of the interlockable connectors is adjacent a front 1103a (FIG. 15) of the seating assembly 1102 and the other first pair of interlockable connectors is adjacent a rear 1103b (FIG. 15) of the seating assembly 1102.
Referring to FIG. 16, in the example illustrated, the second arm 1110b has a second outboard side 1116 directed away from the seating assembly 1102, and a second inboard side 1118 laterally opposite the second outboard side 1116 and directed toward the seating assembly 1102. In the example illustrated, the second inboard side 1118 includes a plurality of second arm connectors 1156 (FIG. 20). Each second arm connector 1156 (FIG. 20) and a corresponding second end connector 1106 define a second pair of interlockable connectors for removably attaching the second arm 1110b to the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102. In the example illustrated, the second inboard side 1118 of the second arm 1110b includes two of the second arm connectors 1156 (FIG. 20) and the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102 includes two corresponding second end connectors 1106, defining two second pairs of interlockable connectors for removably attaching the second arm 1110b to the second end 1102b. One second pair of the interlockable connectors is adjacent the front of the seating assembly 1102 and the other second pair of interlockable connectors is adjacent the rear of the seating assembly 1102.
Referring to FIG. 15, the seating assembly 1102 includes at least one seat section 1120 for supporting the body of a user. In the example illustrated, the seating assembly 1102 includes a plurality of the seat sections 1120 removably attachable to each other in a sofa arrangement. In the example illustrated, the seating assembly 1102 includes three seat sections 1120: a first seat section 1120a defining the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102 (and removably attachable to the first arm 110a), a second seat section 1120b laterally opposite the first seat section 1120a and defining the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102 (and removably attachable to the second arm 1110b), and a third seat section 1120c between and removably attachable to the first and second seat sections 1120a, 1120b.
Referring to FIG. 16, in the example illustrated, each seat section 1120 has a first side 1121a and a second side 1121b laterally opposite the first side 1121a. In the example illustrated, the first side 1121a of the first seat section 1120a defines the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102 and the second side 1121b of the second seat section 1120b defines the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102. In the example illustrated, the seat sections 1120 are identical to each other for interchangeability therebetween, so that any one of the seat sections 1120 can be positioned to define the first end 1102a (attachable to the first arm 1110a) or the second end 1102b (attachable to the second arm 1110b) of the seating assembly 1102.
Referring to FIG. 22, In the example illustrated, the first side 1121a of each seat section 1120 includes a plurality of first side connectors 1164 (FIG. 25) and the second side 1121b of each seat section 1120 includes a plurality of second side connectors 1166. Each first side connector 1164 (FIG. 25) of the seat section 1120 is interlockable with a corresponding second side connector 1166 of an adjacent seat section 1120 to define a third pair of interlockable connectors for removably attaching adjacent seat sections 1120 to each other. Referring to FIG. 25, in the example illustrated, the first side connectors 1164 of the first seat section 1120a define the first end connectors 1104 for attaching the first arm 1110a to the seating assembly 1102. Referring to FIG. 16, the second side connectors 1166 of the second seat section 1120b define the second end connectors 1106 for attaching the second arm 1110b to the seating assembly 1102.
Referring to FIGS. 27 to 30, in the example illustrated, each of the first, second, and third pair of interlockable connectors comprises a first female bracket 1200f and a first male bracket 1200m slidable into the first female bracket 1200f for interlocking thereof. In the example illustrated, the first male and female brackets 1200m, 1200f of the first pair of interlockable connectors are identical to the first male and female brackets 1200m, 1200f of the second pair of interlockable connectors and of the third pair of interlockable connectors to facilitate interchangeability of the seat sections 1120.
In the example illustrated, each first female bracket 1200f defines a first bracket channel 1202 extending along a first channel axis 1204 oriented generally vertically when the furniture assembly 1100 is upright. Each first male bracket 1200m comprises a first slide member 1206 slidable into the first bracket channel 1202 generally along the first channel axis 1204 for interlocking thereof to inhibit horizontal movement therebetween. The channel axis 1204 can be oriented at, for example, 60 to 120 degrees from horizontal when the furniture assembly 1100 is upright to facilitate insertion of the slide member 1206 into the bracket channel 1202 in a generally vertical direction. In the example illustrated, the first channel axis 1204 is oriented at about 90 degrees from horizontal when the furniture assembly 1100 is upright. In the example illustrated, the first bracket channel 1202 extends along the channel axis 1204 between a channel first end 1207 and a channel second end 1208 opposite the first end 1207. The first end 1207 of the first bracket channel 1202 defines a first channel opening 1210 oriented generally normal to the channel axis 1204 and through which the slide member 1206 is insertable into the bracket channel 1202.
In the example illustrated, the first male and female brackets 1200m, 1200f are tapered to facilitate nesting of the male bracket 1200m in the bracket channel, which can facilitate a close, tight fit between the brackets 1200m, 1200f. In the example illustrated, the first bracket channel 1202 has a first channel length extending along the first channel axis 1204 and a first channel width tapering along the channel length at a first taper angle, with the first end 1207 of the bracket channel 1202 being wider relative to the second end 1208. The first slide member 1206 has a first slide member length and a first slide member width tapering along the slide member length at a second taper angle corresponding to the first taper angle to facilitate nesting of the first slide member 1206 in the first bracket channel 1202. In the example illustrated, the first slide member 1206 extends along its length between a slide member first end 1224 for insertion into the channel opening 1210 and a slide member second end 1226 opposite the first end. The slide member first end 1224 is narrower relative to the slide member second end 1226.
Referring to FIG. 30, in the example illustrated, the first female bracket 1200f has a generally C-shaped cross section (taken normal to the channel axis 1204) defining the bracket channel 1202, and the first male bracket 1200m has a generally C-shaped cross section (taken normal to the channel axis 1204) corresponding to that of the first female bracket 1200f and defining the slide member 1206. In the example illustrated, each of the first female bracket 1200f and the first male bracket 1200m has a mount plate 1230f, 1230m extending lengthwise along the first channel axis 1204 and widthwise between opposed edges of the mount plate 1230f, 1230m. The mount plate 1230f, 1230m of each bracket 1200f, 1200m has a plurality of mounting holes for attaching the brackets to corresponding furniture components using fasteners. Each of the female and male brackets 1230f, 1230m further has a pair of retaining flanges 1232f, 1230m projecting from the opposed edges generally perpendicular to the mount plate 1230f, 1230m. The flanges 1230m of the first male bracket 1200m are sized and shaped to be retained by the flanges 1232f of the first female bracket 1200f in close fit when the first male bracket 1200m is seated in the bracket channel 1202.
Referring to FIG. 22, in the example illustrated, each seat section 1120 includes a seat base 1122 having a front, a rear opposite the front, and a plurality of rear connectors 1140 adjacent the rear. Each seat section 1120 further includes a seat back 1124 having a top, a bottom vertically opposite the top, and a plurality of bottom connectors 1142 (FIG. 23) adjacent the bottom. Each bottom connector 1142 (FIG. 23) and a corresponding rear connector 1140 (FIG. 22) define a fourth pair of interlockable connectors for removably attaching the seat back 1124 to the seat base 1122 to form the seat section 1120.
Referring to FIG. 31, in the example illustrated, each fourth pair of interlockable connectors comprises a second female bracket 1300f and a second male bracket 1300m slidable into the female bracket 1300f for interlocking thereof. In the example illustrated, each second female bracket 1300f defines a second bracket channel 1302 extending along a second channel axis 1304 oriented generally vertically when the furniture assembly 1100 is upright. Each second male bracket 1300m comprises a second slide member 1306 slidable into the bracket channel 1302 generally along the second channel axis 1304 for interlocking thereof to inhibit horizontal movement therebetween. The channel axis 1304 can be oriented at, for example, 60 to 120 degrees from horizontal when the furniture assembly 1100 is upright to facilitate insertion of the slide member 1306 into the bracket channel 1302 in a generally vertical direction. In the example illustrated, the channel axis 1304 is oriented between about 80 and 90 degrees from horizontal when the furniture assembly 1100 is upright. In the example illustrated, the bracket channel 1302 extends along the channel axis 1304 between a channel first end and a channel second end opposite the first end. The first end defines a channel opening 1310 oriented generally normal to the channel axis 1304 for insertion of the slide member 1306 into the bracket channel 1302.
In the example illustrated, the second male and female brackets 1300m, 1300f are tapered to facilitate nesting of the second male bracket 1300m in the second bracket channel 1302, which can facilitate a close, tight fit between the brackets 1300m, 1300f. In the example illustrated, the second bracket channel 1304 has a second channel length extending along the channel axis and a second channel width tapering along the channel length at a third taper angle, and the first end (defining the opening 1310) of the bracket channel 1302 is wider relative to the second end. The second slide member 1306 has a slide member length and a slide member width tapering along the slide member length at a fourth taper angle corresponding to the third taper angle to facilitate nesting of the second slide member in the second bracket channel 1302. In the example illustrated, the second slide member 1306 extends along its length between a slide member first end for insertion into the channel opening 1310 and a slide member second end opposite the first end. The slide member first end of the second slide member 1306 is narrower relative to the slide member second end of the second slide member 1306.
Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, in the example illustrated, the first and second side connectors 1164, 1166 of each seat section 1120 are fixed to the seat base 1122, and the seat back 1124 (FIG. 22) is free of any of the first and second side connectors 1164, 1166.
Referring to FIG. 32, in the example illustrated, the furniture assembly 1100 includes a plurality of latch mechanisms 1170 for pulling together and latching pairs of the furniture components, including the first arm 1110a to the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102, the second arm 1110b to the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102, and each seat section 1120 to an adjacent seat section 1120. In the example illustrated, each latch mechanism 1170 comprises a draw latch including a keeper portion 1172 fixed to an underside of one of the furniture components and a clasp portion 1174 fixed to an underside of the other one of the furniture components and engageable with the keeper portion 1172 for pulling together the furniture components.
In the example illustrated, the furniture assembly 1100 includes a corresponding pair of latch mechanisms 1170 at the interface between the first arm 1110a and the first end 1102a of the seating assembly 1102, at the interface between the second arm 1110b and the second end 1102b of the seating assembly 1102, and at the interface between each pair of adjacent seat sections 1120. Each pair of latch mechanisms 1170 includes one latch mechanism adjacent the front of the seating assembly 1102 and the other latch mechanism adjacent a rear of the seating assembly 1102.
One of the keeper portion 1172 and the clasp portion 1174 can be fixed to the first arm 1110a adjacent the inboard side 1114 and to each seat section 1120 adjacent the second side 1121b, and the other one of the keeper portion 1172 and the clasp portion 1174 can be fixed to the second arm 1110b adjacent the second inboard side 1118 and to each seat section 1120 adjacent the first side 1121a, which can facilitate interchangeability of the seat sections 1120.
Referring to FIG. 16, in the example illustrated, a plurality of legs 1600 are attachable to an underside of corresponding furniture components to support the furniture components above a ground surface. In the example illustrated, the legs 1600 are attachable to the furniture components through corresponding leg plates 1400, 1600 mountable to the underside of the furniture components.
Referring again to FIGS. 15 and 16, each seat back 1126 has a top 1128a, a bottom 1128b vertically opposite the top, and first and second opposed sides 1128c, 1128d each extending between the top 1128a and the bottom 1128b. In the example illustrated, the first and second sides 1128a, 1128b of the seat backs of the plurality of seat sections are configured to facilitate attaching the seat backs 1126 to the seat bases 1122 in any order relative to one another after the seat bases of the plurality of seat sections are assembled together, thereby facilitating order-neutral assembly of the seat backs 1126 with the seat bases 1122 after the seat bases 1122 are secured together. This allows the end user to more easily assemble the seat backs to the seat bases. In some examples, the end user is also able to remove any seat back from the assembly without removing any other seat back. For example, the user may remove a single seat back for cleaning or replacement while the other seat backs remain in place in the assembly.
In the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, the first and second sides 1128a, 1128b of the seat backs of the plurality of seat sections are devoid of connectors for securing each respective seat back to an adjacent seat back. In this way, the example first and second sides 1128a, 1128b of the seat backs of the plurality of seat sections are configured to facilitate attaching the seat backs 1126 to the seat bases 1122 in any order relative to one another. In the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, the first and second sides 1128c, 1128d are devoid of any connectors. This eliminates the possibility of any connector on a side of a seat base interfering with the movement of an adjacent seat base.
Referring still to FIGS. 15 and 16, in the example illustrated, the first and second inboard sides 1114, 1118 of the first and second arms 1110a, 1110b are configured to facilitate attaching the seat backs 1126 and arms 1110a, 1110b to the seat bases 1122 in any order relative to one another after the seat bases 1122 of the plurality of seat sections are assembled together, thereby facilitating order-neutral assembly of the seat backs 1126 and arms 1110a, 1110b with the seat bases 1122 after the seat bases 1122 are secured together. In the example illustrated, the first and second inboard sides 1114, 1118 of the first and second arms 1110a, 1110b are devoid of connectors for securing each respective armrest to an adjacent seat back, and thereby configured to facilitate attaching the seat backs 1126 and arms 1110a, 1110b to the seat bases 1122 in any order relative to one another after the seat bases 1122 of the plurality of seat sections are assembled together. In the example of FIGS. 15 and 16, the first and second inboard sides 1114, 1118 are devoid of any connectors in an area 1130a, 1130b (marked in FIG. 20) which abuts an adjacent seat back 1126 when the furniture assembly is assembled.
Referring now to FIGS. 33 to 36, another example knock-down furniture assembly 2100 is shown. The furniture assembly 2100 has similarities to the furniture assembly 1100, and like features are identified with like reference characters, incremented by 1000.
The first and second sides 2128a, 2128b of the seat backs 2126 of the plurality of seat sections 2120 of the example assembly 2100 are configured to facilitate attaching the seat backs 2126 to the seat bases 2122 in any order relative to one another after the seat bases 2122 of the plurality of seat sections 2120 are assembled together, thereby facilitating order-neutral assembly of the seat backs 2126 with the seat bases 2122 after the seat bases 2122 are secured together. In the example illustrated, the first and second sides 2128c, 2128d of each seat back 2126 include connectors for securing the seat back to an adjacent seat back. In the example illustrated, the first side 2128c of each seat back 2126 has a seat back first side connector 2700 (shown in FIG. 34) and the second side 2128d of each seat back 2126 has a seat back second side connector 2702. The seat back first side connector 2700 of the first side of any one seat back is interlockable with the seat back second side connector 2702 of the second side of any other seat back for releasably securing together the respective first and second sides of two adjacent seat backs against relative forward and backward movement between the two adjacent seat backs. In the illustrated example, each seat back is identical to each other seat back.
Referring still to FIG. 33, in the example illustrated, the first inboard side 2114 of the first arm 2110a includes a seat back second side connector 2702 interlockable with the seat back first side connector 2700 of the first side of a first one of the seat backs for releasably securing together the first arm and the first seat back against relative forward and backward movement between the first arm and the first seat back. In the example illustrated, the second inboard side 2118 of the second arm 2110b includes a seat back first side connector 2700 (shown in FIGS. 35 and 36) interlockable with the seat back second side connector 2702 of the second side of any second one of the seat backs for releasably securing together the second arm and the second seat back against relative forward and backward movement between the second arm and the second seat back.
Referring now to FIGS. 37 to 39, the seat back first side connectors 2700 and the seat back second side connectors 2702, when interlocked with one another, form a plurality of respective pass-through connector assemblies 2710 each having a pass-through axis 2712 oriented generally vertically when the seat back is upright. For each pass-through connector assembly 2710, the respective seat back first side connector 2700 is disengageable from the respective seat back second side connector 2702 by relative sliding in either direction along the respective pass-through axis 2712. The pass-through nature of the assemblies 2710 allows the user to assemble seat bases together and then attach either of two adjacent seat backs to the assembled seat bases first without obstructing the attachment of the other. In some examples, the pass-through nature of the assemblies 2710 allows the user to assemble seat bases together and then attach either of an arm and an adjacent seat back to the assembled seat bases first without obstructing the attachment of the other.
Referring still to FIGS. 36 to 38, in the example illustrated, the seat back first side connector 2700 is a slide connector, including a slide member 2720. In the example illustrated, the seat back second side connector 2702 is a channel connector, including a channel 2722 for slidably receiving the slide member 2720 of any one of the slide connectors. The channel 2722 extends along a channel axis 2724 between a first end 2726 and a second end 2728. The channel axis 2724 is parallel to the pass-through axis 2712. The first end 2726 and the second end 2728 are each open for receiving the slide member 2720 into the channel 2722 through either end.
In the example illustrated, the channel connector includes a base plate 2730. In use, the base plate 2730 is secured to the seat back 2126. The channel connector also includes a pair of retaining flanges 2732a, 2732b spaced apart from the base plate 2730 and defining the channel 2722 between the base plate and the flanges. Each slide member 2720 is slidable into the channel 2722 along the channel axis 2724 for interlocking the seat back first and second connectors 2700, 2702 together. In the example illustrated each channel connector includes an open slot 2734 between the pair of retaining flanges 2732a, 2732b. Each example slide member 2720 includes a base plate 2740. In use, the base plate 2740 is secured to the seat back 2126. The base plate 2740 is slidable between the pair of retaining flanges 2732a, 2732b along the channel axis. Each example slide member 2720 also includes a pair of projecting flanges 2742a, 2742b spaced apart from the base plate 2740 to be received behind the pair of retaining flanges 2732a, 2732b.
The example pass-through connector assembly 2710 is sized to provide a snug fit in a forward-rearward direction between the seat back first and second side connectors 2700, 2702. Referring to FIG. 38, the channel 2722 of the seat back first side connector 2700 has a front, a rear opposite the front, and a channel width 2744 between the front and the rear, and each slide member 2720 has a front, a rear opposite the front, and a slide member width 2746 between the front and the rear, and the channel width 2744 is generally equal to the slide member width 2746.
What has been described above is intended to be illustrative of examples of the teaching disclosed herein, without limiting the scope of patent claims granted herefrom. The scope of such claims should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Patent Application
20250160523
