The present invention relates generally to a furniture assembly, and more specifically, to modular components that interconnect to form various forms of the furniture assembly.
A considerable number of conventional items of furniture are available in the furniture marketplace, including for example, leather, fabric, wood, and other options. Construction and assembly of a conventional item of furniture is cost and labor intensive. Because overall design is a prime driver of sales, development, and production of furniture items, industrialized and standardized production and delivery thereof is limited and efficiency is extremely low. Present modular furniture designs are limited to the disassembly of the furniture itself, which has no practical significance. Moreover, the hardware connectors used in existing modular furniture suffer from deficiencies and low practicability such that modular furniture does not appear to a significant extent in the furniture marketplace.
For example, one conventional sofa that is misleadingly touted as a “modular” sofa includes at least two matching sofa monomers having insertion holes. During construction of the furniture assembly, the sofa monomers are positioned adjacent and a connecting nail is driven into the insertion holes to connect the monomers together. After the monomers are connected and the sofa is assembled, the monomers are difficult to disconnect. In fact, disassembly is difficult, being prone to damaging the monomers and/or requiring tools or excessive force. Additionally, it is necessary to set insertion holes on the sofa monomers, which requires additional effort and tools. As a result, processing, delivery, and installation costs for such a conventional sofa are high, rendering this type of sofa to be in true form a non-modular sofa. Accordingly, such a non-modular sofa is not conducive to modular commercial utility or consumer appeal. The present disclosure provides a solution for these and other problems.
The term embodiment and like terms, e.g., implementation, configuration, aspect, example, and option, are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this disclosure and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the present disclosure covered herein are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the disclosure and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. This summary is also not intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all drawings, and each claim.
According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a modular furniture assembly includes a modular universal base, an armrest module, and a modular recliner. The armrest module is modularly coupled to one side of the modular universal base, and includes an armrest member, a stepped member, a base horizontal member, and a base vertical plate. The armrest member is configured to receive a user arm when a user is in a seated position. The stepped member is configured to receive a user head when the user is in a lying down position, the stepped member being generally horizontal to and lower than the armrest member. The base horizontal member is generally parallel to and lower than the stepped member. The base vertical plate covers an empty internal space between the base horizontal member and a bottom end of the armrest module. The modular recliner is coupled to another side of the modular universal base, and has a recliner base and a backrest module. The recliner base has a plurality of frames and a top support. The frames are interconnected and mechanically attached to each other. The fames include a front frame member, a right frame member a left frame member, and a rear frame member. Each of the left and right frame members has a recessed surface that forms a transverse gap within the recliner base. The top support has a flat top surface aligned with top edges of the plurality of frames. The top support has at least two sandwiched frame layers having a top frame layer and a bottom frame layer. The at least two sandwiched frame layers have an internal space for reducing weight of the modular recliner. The backrest module has two backrest sections, each of the backrest sections having an end plate and an inner plate. Each end plate has a bottom surface at an inclined angle that is configured to move along a respective recessed surface, the end plate being structurally connected to the inner plate via a plurality of first connecting beams. The inner plates are structurally connected to each other via a plurality of second connecting beams.
According to some features of the above aspects, the recessed surface is near the frame rear member.
According to other features of the above aspects, the recessed surface is near the frame rear member.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the recessed surface has a generally arcuate shape.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the recessed surface extends inward starting at a top edge of the right frame member.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the recessed surface extends between the top edge of the right frame member and partially towards a lower edge of the right frame member.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the recliner base further has a pair of frame structures that includes a left frame structure and a right frame structure. The left frame structure is directly attached to the left frame member, and the right frame structure is directly attached to the right frame member.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, each frame structure of the pair of frame structures having a top member connected to a bottom member via an internal member.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, a pair of transverse members attach the internal member of each structure to the other internal member.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, a connector is attached directly to the modular recliner and the modular universal base, the connector coupling the modular recliner and the modular universal base achieving a secure, toolless modular attachment between the modular universal base and the modular recliner.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the connector is a pivotable connector, the pivotable connector including a first vertical mounting plate attached to the modular universal base and a second vertical mounting plate attached to the modular recliner, the pivotable connector further including a first pivotable plate coupled to the first vertical mounting plate and a second pivotable plate coupled to the second vertical mounting plate.
According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a modular furniture assembly includes an armrest module, an insertion connector, a modular recliner, and a receiving connector. The armrest module has an armrest member and a stepped member. The armrest member is configured to receive a user arm when a user is in a seated position. The stepped member is configured to receive a user head when the user is in a lying down position, the stepped member being generally horizontal to and lower than the armrest member. The insertion connector is attached directly to the armrest module, the insertion connector having bent end. The modular recliner has a recliner base and a backrest module. The recliner base has a plurality of frames and a top support. The frames are interconnected and mechanically attached to each other, and include a front frame member, a right frame member, a left frame member, and a rear frame member. Each of the left and right frame members has a recessed surface that forms a transverse gap within the recliner base. The top support has a flat top surface aligned with top edges of the plurality of frames, the top support having at least two sandwiched frame layers including a top frame layer and a bottom frame layer. The backrest module has two backrest sections, each of the backrest sections having an end plate and an inner plate. Each end plate has a bottom surface at an inclined angle that is configured to move along a respective recessed surface. The receiving connector is attached directly to the modular recliner. The receiving connector has a mounting space in which the bent end of the insertion connector is received. Mounting the receiving connector with the insertion connector achieves a secure, toolless modular attachment between the armrest module and the modular recliner.
According to some features of the above aspects, the insertion connector has an insertion plate that is connected to an attachment plate via a connecting side, the bent end being a free end extending from the insertion plate.
According to other features of the above aspects, the bent end is angled away from a plane of the attachment plate.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the insertion plate is offset from and parallel to the attachment plate.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the offset between the insertion plate and the attachment plate is based on a length dimension of the connecting side.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the receiving connector has two sides connected via a retaining side, each of the two sides having a mounting surface that is directly attached to the modular recliner.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the retaining side has a c-shaped profile relative to the mounting surface of the two sides.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, each of the two sides has two connector attachment holes.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the receiving connector is attached directly to either the left frame member or the right frame member. The c-shaped profile forms the mounting space between the retaining side and the one of either the left frame member or the right frame member to which the receiving connector is attached.
According to yet other features of the above aspects, the armrest module further has a base vertical plate that positioned generally perpendicular to and below the stepped member, the insertion connector being attached directly to the base horizontal member.
The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the novel aspects and features set forth herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Additional aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
The disclosure, and its advantages and drawings, will be better understood from the following description of representative embodiments together with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only representative embodiments, and are therefore not to be considered as limitations on the scope of the various embodiments or claims.
Various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate aspects and features of the present disclosure. Numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of certain aspects and features of the present disclosure, although one having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that these aspects and features can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, with other relationships, or with other methods. In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail for illustrative purposes. The various embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are necessarily required to implement certain aspects and features of the present disclosure.
For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, and where appropriate, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,” “near,” “nearly at,” “within 3-5% of,” “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances of,” or any logical combination thereof. Similarly, terms “vertical” or “horizontal” are intended to additionally include “within 3-5% of” a vertical or horizontal orientation, respectively. Additionally, words of direction, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “below” are intended to relate to the equivalent direction as depicted in a reference illustration; as understood contextually from the object(s) or element(s) being referenced, such as from a commonly used position for the object(s) or element(s); or as otherwise described herein.
Referring to
In other examples, the furniture assembly 100 includes other combinations of two or more modular components, the modular components being any of the modular recliner 102 and the modular universal base 104. For example, in an alternative combination the furniture assembly 100 includes a modular recliner 102 that is adjacent to and securely locked with another modular recliner 102 (instead of the illustrated modular universal base 104).
In yet another example, the furniture assembly 100 includes a modular recliner 102 that is adjacent to and securely locked with a modular universal base 104, which is adjacent to and securely locked with another modular recliner 102. Thus, in this example, the furniture assembly includes three components—two modular recliners 102 along the edges, with a modular universal base 104 in-between.
Referring to
The recliner base 106 has a generally flat top surface 112 for supporting a cushioning component (not illustrated). Thus, the flat top surface 112 provides the structural support for the cushioning component, which typically includes a shaped foam that offers comfort and support to a person resting on the modular recliner 102. The shaped foam includes, for example, a high density foam material.
One exemplary benefit of the flat top surface 112 is that it increases options for modularity and customization of the furniture assembly 100. While prior furniture assemblies require a recliner assembly to have an inclined (or angled) top surface, the present disclosure advantageously described the flat top surface 112 on which a variety of inclined cushioning components can be attached. In other words, the non-inclined (or non-angled) top surface 112 serves a much wider purpose in the recliner base 106 than typical, prior recliner assemblies (which are limited to the specific inclined top surface).
Yet another exemplary benefit of the flat top surface 112 is that a wider seat size is achieved. For example, according to one configuration a seat width 114 increase of about 4 inches is achieved.
Referring to
The recliner base 106 further has a top support 120 that forms the flat top surface 112 along, and aligned, with top edges 122 of the frame members 116-119. The front frame member 116 is generally rectangular and includes front attachment holes 124 to which additional components, such as a foot rest (not shown), is attachable. According to one example, the front attachment holes 124 include an array of four holes 124, arranged in a rectangular form of two rows and two columns. The rear frame member 119 is generally rectangular, providing primarily structural integrity for the recliner base 106.
Referring to
The right frame member 117 further includes frame attachment holes 132 to which a receiving connector 134 is attached. The receiving connector 134 has connector attachment holes 136 that match, respectively, the frame attachment holes 132.
Referring to
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The insertion plate 145 has a bent end 150, which is angled away from the plane of the attachment plate 147. The bent end 150 is beneficial at least because it provides an enhanced secured engagement when a secured, modular attachment is achieved. Thus, for example, based on the force of gravity and further based on frictional tension between the bent end 150 and the retaining side 140 of the receiving connector 134 (as disclosed below), toolless and secure engagement is achieved when attaching a plug-in furniture unit to the recliner base 106.
Referring to
Referring to
The armrest module 110 further has a base horizontal member 154 that further extends inward relative to the stepped member 152. The base horizontal member 152 is generally parallel to the stepped member 152 and is generally perpendicular to a base vertical plate 155, which generally encloses an empty internal space 156 (shown in
The structural design and configuration of the armrest module 110 is beneficial for several reasons. For example, the armrest module 110 is beneficial because it combines an optimal and efficient balance between structural integrity and low weight. The low weight is further achieved, for example, having a through empty space 162 between the base horizontal member and the stepped member 152. In another example, the armrest module 110 is beneficial because it facilitates easy, convenient, and toolless modular combination with other furniture components.
Referring to
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The connecting members include a top connecting plate 175, a front-top connecting beam 177, a front-bottom connecting beam 179, and a rear-bottom connecting beam 181. Each pair of parallel plates 171, 173 is structurally inter-connected via a front connecting beam 183. The end plates 171 are connected via the front-top connecting beam 181. The inner plates 173 are connected via the front-bottom and rear-bottom connecting beams 179, 181.
The backrest module 108 further includes a headrest frame 184 that is attached to the top connecting plate 175. More specifically, the headrest frame 184 is coupled with two headrest attachments 186. The headrest frame 184 provides structural support for additional furniture components that facilitates comfort and support for the head of a user.
Referring to
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The recliner base 106 further includes a left frame structure 216 and a right frame structure 218. Each frame structure 216, 218 has a top member 220 connected to a bottom member 222 via an internal member 224. Externally, the frame structures 216, 218 are directly and respectively attached to the right and left frame members 117, 118. A pair of transverse members 226, 228 further structurally attach the internal members 224 to each other, increasing overall strength and structural integrity.
Referring to
In the example of
In some implementations, each of the first and second pivotable plates 302a, 302b has identical dimensions (i.e., thickness, width, and height are equal). In some implementations, each of the first and second pivotable plates 302a, 302b has a rectangular or square shape. In some implementations, the rectangular or square shape includes rounded corners.
Referring to
The first and second pivotable plates 302a, 302b include one or more coupling holes 306a, 306b, respectively. The first and second pivotable plates 302a, 302b further include one or more protrusions 308a, 308b, respectively. The one or more protrusions 308a are configured to couple with the one or more coupling holes 306b. Similarly, the one or more protrusions 308b are configured to couple with the one or more coupling holes 306a. In some implementations, as provided in
Similarly, the two coupling holes 306a, 306b can be provided along a long edge of the first and second pivotable plates 302a, 302b, respectively, and/or at corners of the first and second pivotable plates 302a, 302b, respectively. Locations of the two protrusions 308a, 308b and the two coupling holes 306a, 306b are provided in one configuration in
Referring to
In the configuration of
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The snapping connector piece 310 has a central plate 314 with the pins 313 coupled to the central plate 314. In some implementations, the pins 313 are bent or hook-shaped to conform to a shape of the recess 312. The conformity allows for latching to the corresponding modified receiving connector 311. To install the snapping connector 310, the central plate 314 can be pressed downward so that one pair of pins 313 latch to the modified receiving connector 311 on the left frame member 118 while the other pair of pins 313 latch to the modified receiving connector 311 on the right outer frame member 303. When installation is complete, each pair of pins 313 is lodged into the front and back recesses 312 of the corresponding modified receiving connector 311. Tension provided by the rigid structure of the snapping connector piece 310 pinch each pair of ins together to prevent removal of the pins 313 from the recesses 312.
Referring to
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Numerous references are made herein to many embodiments, and in any of various other documents incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will also recognize that certain embodiments described for one device or system or method can be readily, or with slight modification, be included in the embodiments described for another device or system or method, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
By way of example, the following alternative embodiments are illustrative examples of the present disclosure.
Alternative Embodiment A1. A modular furniture assembly comprising: a modular universal base; a modular recliner having a recliner base, the recliner base having a plurality of frames interconnected and mechanically attached to each other, the plurality of frames including a front frame member, a right frame member, a left frame member, and a rear frame member, each of the left and right frame members having a recessed surface that forms a transverse gap within the recliner base; and a connector attached directly to the modular recliner and the modular universal base, the connector coupling the modular recliner and the modular universal base achieving a secure, toolless modular attachment between the modular universal base and the modular recliner.
Alternative Embodiment A2. The modular furniture assembly of Alternative Embodiment A1, wherein the connector is a pivotable connector, the pivotable connector including a first vertical mounting plate attached to the modular universal base and a second vertical mounting plate attached to the modular recliner, the pivotable connector further including a first pivotable plate coupled to the first vertical mounting plate and a second pivotable plate coupled to the second vertical mounting plate.
Alternative Embodiment A3. The modular furniture assembly of Alternative Embodiment A2, wherein the first pivotable plate is hingeably connected to the first vertical mounting plate, and the second pivotable plate is hingeably connected to the second vertical mounting plate.
Alternative Embodiment A4. The modular furniture assembly of Alternative Embodiment A2, wherein the first pivotable plate includes coupling holes for coupling to protrusions on the second pivotable plate.
Alternative Embodiment A5. The modular furniture assembly of Alternative Embodiment A2, wherein the second pivotable plate includes coupling holes for coupling to protrusions on the first pivotable plate.
Alternative Embodiment A6. The modular furniture assembly of Alternative Embodiment A5, wherein when in a coupling position, the protrusions on the first pivotable plate rest on one of the plurality of frames of the recliner.
Alternative Embodiment A7. The modular furniture assembly of Alternative Embodiment A1, wherein the connector is a snapping connector piece, the snapping connector piece being coupled to modified receiving connectors attached to the modular universal base and the modular recliner.
Alternative Embodiment A8. The modular furniture assembly of Alternative Embodiment A7, wherein the snapping connector piece includes pins that couple to recesses in the modified receiving connectors.
Alternative Embodiment B1. A modular furniture assembly comprising: a modular universal base; an armrest module modularly coupled to one side of the modular universal base, the armrest module having an armrest member configured to receive a user arm when a user is in a seated position, a stepped member configured to receive a user head when the user is in a lying down position, the stepped member being generally horizontal to and lower than the armrest member, and a base horizontal member generally parallel to and lower than the stepped member, and a base vertical plate covering an empty internal space between the base horizontal member and a bottom end of the armrest module; a Z-Shaped connector attached to the armrest module and configured to be received within a cavity in the modular universal base; and an L-Shaped connector configured to lock the Z-Shaped connector in the cavity.
While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein, without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the disclosure should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/431,924, filed Feb. 2, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/505,290, filed Nov. 9, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/455,606, filed on Aug. 24, 2023, now allowed, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 18431924 | Feb 2024 | US |
Child | 18432039 | US | |
Parent | 18505290 | Nov 2023 | US |
Child | 18431924 | US | |
Parent | 18455606 | Aug 2023 | US |
Child | 18505290 | US |