Patent Grant
11882939
This application is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/EP2020/082957 filed on Nov. 20, 2020, which claims priority to German Patent Application 102019131332.5 filed on Nov. 20, 2019, the entire content of both are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to a modular furniture system for a variety of purposes comprising at least one furniture base module consisting of a backrest element, a seat base module, two upholstery elements and a plurality of foot elements.
Modular furniture systems that consist of a plurality of furniture units that are capable of being releasably connected and fastened to one another are known to the prior art.
A generic, modular seating furniture is, for example, described in EP 3 292 793 A1. The seating furniture consists of individual seating furniture elements. The seating furniture elements can be connected to one another by connecting units, while a plurality of connecting recesses are provided in a grid-like manner on the underside of each seating furniture element. Each connecting unit comprises a foot element and connecting studs, wherein the foot element is designed as the foot of the seating furniture, and the connecting studs are arranged opposite the foot element corresponding to the connecting recesses of the seating furniture element. The seating furniture elements with the connecting units are thus capable of being connected to one another and released from one another from underneath the seating furniture element, without the use of tools and in a variety of ways as desired. A seat part of the modular seating furniture presented in EP 3 292 793 A1 does not consist of two basic elements that are capable of being connected to one another, but the seat part is instead designed as one piece, which means that the seating furniture cannot be shipped economically in one package.
DE 24 02 525 A1 discloses a connecting fitting for connecting a plurality of seating furniture items into one seating group. The fitting consists of a clamping arm and a bolt plate. The clamping arm is arranged in the plane of the underside of the furniture, and has spring-loaded, expandable longitudinal latch slots. The bolt plate can be fastened to an underside of a further furniture element using two fastening holes. An engagement bolt is formed in the centre of the bolt plate. By latching the engagement bolt of the bolt plate between the longitudinal latch slots, the furniture elements may be firmly fastened to one another from the underside. The clamping arm can be swivel-mounted by means of a hole. The seat group does not have a multi-part seat part. A large volume is therefore needed for transport, and transport costs are high.
A component set with which furniture elements are capable of being releasably connected to one another on the underside by feet is illustrated in DE 86 07 261 U1. The component set comprises a pin-shaped connector and two sliders. Each slider is attached with a fastening pin to a central axis of a frame or foot of the furniture element. The connector may be brought into various positions in the slider and fastened by grooves at both ends. DE 86 07 261 U1 shows a possibility for connecting two seating furniture items to one another. A seat part of the seating furniture is designed in one piece, and can only be shipped with a large transport volume. The transport costs are therefore high.
WO 2017/222580 A1 furthermore discloses a modular furniture system consisting of a plurality of furniture units that can be connected by means of connecting elements. Transport should thereby be made easier, and seating furniture that can be used flexibly is provided. Since the external dimensions of rectangular and inclined furniture units are matched to one another, different seating groups can easily be assembled. The coupling of the individual furniture units is supported by foot elements that are arranged on the underside of the furniture unit. The seating furniture that is to be connected is designed with a one-piece seat part, so that high transport expenditure is entailed by transport.
WO 2006/135509 A2 furthermore illustrates a modular furniture unit with which seating groups put together in different ways can be created. The transport can thereby be made easier. The individual elements can be fixed to one another by means of a foot connecting element. The seating group does not comprise a seat part consisting of multiple parts. The seating furniture can thus not be shipped economically in one package.
It is disadvantageous to the prior art that a modular furniture system as referred to above requires a relatively large transport volume when being transported, so that the transport is complex and expensive.
A further disadvantage of the known modular furniture system is that the modularity can only be exploited within narrow limits.
On the basis of the above prior art, it is the object of the invention to provide a better transport possibility, and thereby reduce costs significantly.
It is, furthermore, an object of the invention to create a freely-combinable modularity, so that very different furniture landscapes can be realized for different purposes from identical furniture base modules.
This object is achieved by a modular furniture system with the features as disclosed herein. Advantageous developments of the invention are also disclosed.
The invention relates to a modular furniture system for a variety of purposes comprising at least one furniture base module consisting of a backrest element, a seat base module, two upholstery elements and a plurality of foot elements.
It is proposed according to the invention that the backrest element and the seat base module are capable of being interconnected and fastened by the foot elements without the use of tools, so that the furniture base module can be packed ready for assembly in a shipping carton with low dimensions, in particular with dimensions up to 120 cm×60 cm×60 cm, and with a reduced weight, in particular with a weight of less than 30 kg.
A modular furniture system consisting of at least one furniture base module that is capable of being dismantled into small parts and therefore effectively transported is thus proposed. The feature, according to which the furniture base module consists of a backrest element, a seat base module, two upholstery elements and a plurality of foot elements, wherein these are capable of being connected to one another through the foot elements without using tools, enables a much smaller package volume in comparison with a conventional modular furniture system, so that the furniture base module fits into a small shipping carton with a maximum size of 60 cm×60 cm×120 cm. In particular, a combined length and girth of up to 360 cm (where the combined length and girth can be found from (height+width)×2+length) can be maintained. In addition, a total weight of less than 30 kg can be maintained. With a package of this size and weight, the package can be shipped by single package delivery service, wherein heavy-load shipping is not necessary and shipping costs can be saved. The seat base module and/or the backrest element may for this purpose consist of a foamed material, such as polypropylene or polystyrene, so that the furniture base module may have a low total weight in comparison with the volume. Assembly and disassembly of the furniture system and all of the individual parts such as the cover, springing, and add-on parts is possible without tools at any time.
This has the advantageous result that the modular furniture system can be shipped economically in one shipping carton by a shipping service provider such as DHL, HERMES, UPS or the like, and is capable of being transported easily by one person. The shipping costs for such shipping cartons typically amount to around 8 euros, whereas typical heavy-load transport costs for complete furniture elements amount to 120 euros or more. The transport costs and the logistical outlay of such a shipment are thus significantly reduced.
It is furthermore advantageous that the modular furniture system is capable of being assembled from at least one furniture base module. The modular furniture system can thus be given different appearances, as desired, by assembling the furniture base modules in different ways, so that the modular furniture system can be used, as required, in a living area, lounge area, a semi-public area, or an outdoor area.
In one advantageous development of the modular furniture system, the seat base module can consist of at least two seat base elements, wherein the seat base elements are preferably substantially identically designed, and are capable of being joined to one another to form a seat base module by means of at least one connecting means, preferably of complementary function, preferably without tools. Fastening holes can be provided for this purpose in an edge region of one of the seat base elements, through which screws or rivets can be passed to fasten the seat base element to the other seat base element. If fastening holes are not provided, the edge regions of the seat base elements can each be provided with at least one fastening magnet. The fastening of the seat base elements can, furthermore, be achieved through gluing. It is furthermore possible to achieve a connection between the seat base elements using at least one latching connection.
In a further advantageous development, the seat base element may be capable of being plugged together and joined to form the seat base module in a functionally complementary manner by means of at least one pair, preferably two pairs, in particular several pairs of dovetail guides, wherein the dovetail guides are designed as the connecting means. The dovetail guides of the seat base element may have a first connecting profile. The other seat base element to be joined may be provided with the dovetail guides that have a second connecting profile that is designed to have a shape that is complementary to the first connecting profile. This can have the advantageous result that the seat base elements are capable of being assembled and joined easily. Fastening without tools can be enabled in this way.
In a further advantageous development, the at least one pair of dovetail guides may be provided in a wall region and/or a base region of the seat base element. The dovetail guides may advantageously be formed as one piece with the seat base element, so that it is possible for no further fastening means to be required between the seat base element and the dovetail guides. The dovetail guides may, alternatively, be attached to the seat base element by means of at least one fastening means. The dovetail guides can thus be replaced when worn out.
In this development, the seat base element may be provided with an additional means of joining in an edge region. In this way it can be ensured that the seat base elements are securely and firmly joined to one another.
On the basis of the previous embodiment, in one further advantageous development, the at least two pairs, in particular the multiple pairs, of the dovetail guides may be formed in the wall region and/or in the base region of the seat base element. In other words, the seat base element can be fitted with dovetail guides that are formed both in the wall region and in the base region. This has the advantageous effect that no additional space has to be provided at an outer surface of the seat base element for an arrangement of the dovetail guides.
In a further advantageous development, at least one pot-shaped foot element may be designed and pre-moulded in the dovetail joints to support the furniture base module on the base side. Each dovetail joint may consist of a pair of two dovetail guides. Advantageously, at least one pot-shaped foot element may be formed as one piece at a part of the dovetail joint. In this way it is possible that in addition to the foot elements by which the backrest element and the seat base element are capable of being joined and fastened without tools, a further possibility can be offered for supporting the furniture base module, in particular for supporting the modular furniture system, and to prevent unintentional release of the connection.
In a further advantageous development, at least one, in particular a plurality, of recesses to accommodate the foot element may be provided on a base side of the seat base module and/or on a base side of the backrest element, wherein the recesses are preferably formed in the edge region of the seat base module and/or of the backrest element. The recesses can be designed with a pot-like shape. The foot elements can be inserted, preferably without tools, into the pot-shaped recesses that are formed on the base side of the seat base module and/or of the backrest element. As a result, the seat base module can be connected to the backrest element, or the seat base modules can be connected to one another as desired. Highly varied furniture landscapes can thus be realized for different purposes.
In a further advantageous development, foot elements that are arranged adjacent to one another may be capable of being connected to one another by means of at least one bracket element. The bracket element can advantageously have a U-shaped design. Advantageously, furthermore, the U-shaped bracket element can be of insertable design, wherein the U-shaped bracket element may comprise two insertion regions at the ends for insertion into the foot elements of adjacent furniture base modules, and a connecting region for connecting these foot elements. A connection between the two foot elements may hereby be provided by means of the U-shaped bracket element. The bracket element here is preferably made in one piece. The bracket element may, furthermore, consist of metal, wood or of a plastic material.
On the basis of the previous embodiment, the foot element may consist of at least two shell parts that are capable of being plugged together and latched, wherein at least one shell part comprises an embedding receptacle for an end region of the bracket element. More than one embedding receptacle may advantageously be provided, so that end regions of two or a plurality of bracket elements are capable of being accommodated in order to enable cross-corner connections or also crossover connections by means of the bracket elements. The shell parts may preferably consist of a plastic material. The end region of the bracket element may be inserted into the embedding receptacle. Each shell part may, furthermore, comprise push-in and latching elements for connecting to a second shell part preferably having a complementary shape, in particular of identical design, so that the foot element can be formed by pushing and latching the two shell parts together without the use of tools. The push-in elements serve for mechanically fixing the shell parts to one another to form the foot element, wherein, by means of a latching notch, the latching elements provide an additional safeguard when pushed together. It is advantageous that guide ribs are provided in the longitudinal direction of the foot element on an outer surface of an push-in regions of the foot element or of the shell part. Because, when the foot element is inserted into the recesses of the base side of the seat base module or of the backrest element, the guide ribs press into the soft, foamed material of the base side, a form-fitting resistance to rotation, and a better push-in effect, can be ensured.
In a further advantageous development, at least one recess may be formed on an upper side of the seat base element along the wall region to accommodate spring elements for the upholstery element arranged on the seat base module. The recess can be trough-shaped, while a plurality of spring elements may be arranged and fastened on the circumferential side of the recess at the upper side of the seat base module. The upholstery element may be arranged on the spring elements, or the spring elements may be integrated into or inserted into the upholstery element. The recess permits the definition of a spring region into which the spring elements can plunge in order to develop a spring characteristic.
On the basis of the preceding embodiment, at least one spring element may be designed as a spring strip, wherein the spring strip comprises a leaf spring envelope with at least one wing area and at least one rod-shaped core arranged in the leaf spring envelope with a spring characteristic that depends on the material. The different spring characteristics can be achieved in that the core consists of different materials such as, for example, steel, aluminium, wood or a plastic material. The leaf spring envelope with the wing areas may advantageously consist of a different material, in particular of a different plastic material. The at least one wing area can have a supporting effect in the radial direction with respect to the core, and the core can provide a supporting effect in the longitudinal direction, so that longitudinal and transverse springing are capable of being separately and individually modified, for example, by changing the material. The spring strips may, furthermore, be fastened at least temporarily to the seat base module by screws or dowels.
On the basis of the preceding embodiment, the core and/or the leaf spring envelope with the at least one wing area may be designed to be exchangeable with different materials. It is advantageous that the core and/or the leaf spring envelope are designed to be exchangeable. It is therefore possible for the spring characteristics of the furniture base module or of the modular furniture system to be changeable according to need and to be individually adjustable.
In a further advantageous development, at least one seat base element of the seat base module may comprise a framework structure, preferably with a spring characteristic, wherein the framework structure is preferably formed on the base side of the seat base element. It is advantageous that the framework structure can bring about a spring characteristic. Additional springing for the seat base module can be provided in this way. The framework structure furthermore advantageously enables improved ventilation and reduces the weight, while material can be saved.
In a further advantageous development, the upholstery element may be designed as a spring mat that is capable of being fastened to the seat base module and/or to the backrest element. The spring mat is capable of being placed on a seat frame of the seat base module and/or a backrest frame of the backrest element, wherein multiple spring elements may be inserted into the spring mat. It is advantageous that the spring mat is designed as a foam cushion, so that the spring elements, or the spring strips therein, are capable of being rolled together and can be placed as one piece on the seat frame and/or the backrest frame. The spring mat may be fastened with a fastening means to the seat base module, although this is not essential.
On the basis of the preceding embodiment, the spring elements or the spring strips may be inserted into the spring mat. A large number of depressions may here be preformed in the spring mat for the arrangement of the spring elements or the spring strips, wherein at least one spring element or one spring strip may be inserted into each depression. Alternatively, one or a plurality, in particular parallel, insertion channels may be provided in the spring mat, into which the spring elements can be pushed. These spring elements or spring strips may be fixed in the spring mat without fastening means. This advantageously has the effect that additional springing can be integrated into the spring mat, so that the upholstery element can be provided with what is known as double-springing. Better damping can be achieved in this way.
In a further advantageous development, the upholstery element is designed in the form of a cushion cover with a lower opening, so that the upholstery element is capable of being stretched on the seat base module and/or on the backrest element without using tools. The cushion cover may be provided with an elastic band in an edge region along the lower opening, so that the upholstery element can be fastened to the seat base module and/or to the backrest element by means of the elastic band without using tools. The upholstery element can be taken off, washed or exchanged, allowing the furniture base module a longer service life than the upholstery element. The colour and pattern printing of the upholstery element can, furthermore, be matched to a user's preferences, and offered separately as a replacement set.
On the basis of the previous embodiment, along the lower opening of the upholstery element or the cushion cover, an at least partially surrounding hook and loop tape may be provided on side walls of the opening for fixing the upholstery element or the cushion cover to the basic seat module and/or to the backrest element, wherein a complementary hook and loop tape is provided running around a peripheral surface on the base side of the seat base module and/or of the backrest element. This complementary hook and loop tape may be provided in the manner of a hook and loop fastening that depends on the hook and loop tape provided on the side walls of the opening of the upholstery element.
The upholstery element may be pulled onto the seat base module and/or onto the backrest element and fastened by means of the hook and loop tape before the seat base module and the backrest element are brought together. Alternatively, the upholstery element may be pulled on after assembly of the furniture base module, and fixed to the seat base module and/or the backrest element by means of the hook and loop tape. It is advantageous that a hook and loop connection of the upholstery element to the seat base module or to the backrest element by means of the hook and loop tape provided on the floor-side circumferential surface can provide a U-shaped enclosure of floor-side edges of the seat base module or of the backrest element may be under tension, so that overstretching the hook and loop connection is prevented, and a lasting, reliable fastening of the upholstery element to the seat base model and/or the backrest element can be ensured.
In a further advantageous development, an insertion slot or insertion groove may be formed on at least one edge of the base side of the seat base module and/or on the base side of the backrest element for a push-in fastening of the upholstery element preferably surrounding it at least in sections. The upholstery element may be provided, at least in sections, with an end strip in the push-in region to improve a force-locked push-in connection of the upholstery element to the seat base module or to the backrest element.
On the basis of the preceding embodiment, at least one hem region of the upholstery element may be provided with an end strip for closing off the opening of the upholstery element, wherein the end strip is capable of being inserted into the insertion slot so that the upholstery element may be fastened to the seat base module and/or to the backrest element. The upholstery element may either be pulled onto the seat base module and/or onto the backrest element before assembly of the seat base module and the backrest element, or may be pulled on after assembly of the furniture base module. The upholstery element may subsequently be fastened by means of the end strip. The end strip may be formed as a plastic strip that may be inserted into the insertion slot and fixed, so that the upholstery element can be prevented from being pulled down off the furniture base module. In a fastening position, the plastic strip may be aligned vertically upwards, so that the hem region of the opening of the upholstery element can surround in a U-shaped manner the lower edge of the seat base module or of the backrest element. Through a push-in connection of the upholstery element to the seat base module or to the backrest element by means of the inserted end strip, the U-shaped enclosure of floor-side edges of the seat base module or of the backrest element may be under tension, so that the end strip can be prevented from slipping down, and a reliable fixing of the upholstery element to the seat base module or to the backrest element can be ensured.
In a further advantageous development, the seat base module and/or the backrest element may be trapezoidal in shape, wherein the backrest element may be fastened by the foot elements to a long side or a short side of the seat base module. It is advantageous that the trapezoidal seat base modules and/or the trapezoidal backrest elements are connected to the seat base modules and/or the backrest elements that have a different shape. In this way, the modular furniture system can be curved in any desired way, with seat regions having convex or concave forms.
Further advantages emerge from the figures and the associated descriptions of the drawings. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures. The figures and the description contain numerous features in combinations. The expert will expediently also consider the features individually and merge them to form useful further combinations. In the figures:
Identical or similar components are given the same reference signs in the figures.
A seat base element 24 is illustrated in
A seat base module 16 is shown in
In
In a further embodiment of a seat base module 16, two seat base elements 24 are connected together in
Various foot element combinations are illustrated in
A backrest element 14 is shown in
Various embodiments of a modular furniture system 10 are illustrated in
The furniture base modules 12 shown in
In
An upholstery element 18 for a seat base module 16 and an upholstery element 18 for a backrest element 14 are illustrated in
In
In
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102019131332.5 | Nov 2019 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/082957 | 11/20/2020 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2021/099601 | 5/27/2021 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3811728 | Redemske | May 1974 | A |
| 3929375 | Gans | Dec 1975 | A |
| 3944281 | Piretti | Mar 1976 | A |
| 3973800 | Kogan | Aug 1976 | A |
| 4077666 | Heumann | Mar 1978 | A |
| 4311337 | Brunn | Jan 1982 | A |
| 4621381 | Schramek | Nov 1986 | A |
| 4668011 | Fister, Jr. | May 1987 | A |
| 4893958 | Wieland | Jan 1990 | A |
| 5000512 | Laird | Mar 1991 | A |
| 5509720 | Croom | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5544938 | Saul | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5890767 | Chang | Apr 1999 | A |
| 6543845 | Seitz | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 7044557 | Wieland | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7213885 | White, III | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7547073 | White, III et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
| 7806474 | Wahl | Oct 2010 | B2 |
| 8528972 | Johnsson | Sep 2013 | B2 |
| 8764114 | Frank | Jul 2014 | B1 |
| 8783778 | Nelson | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 9004585 | Pidgornyy | Apr 2015 | B1 |
| 9273709 | Mehringer | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9277826 | Nelson | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 10123623 | Nelson | Nov 2018 | B2 |
| 10159355 | Policicchio | Dec 2018 | B2 |
| 10182659 | Kuhl | Jan 2019 | B2 |
| 10327557 | Neil | Jun 2019 | B2 |
| 10433648 | Kuhl | Oct 2019 | B1 |
| 10905245 | Bangalore | Feb 2021 | B2 |
| 11178973 | Nelson | Nov 2021 | B2 |
| 20050046243 | Cimino | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20080252130 | Wieland et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20090045666 | Westendorf | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20100244536 | Chen | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100244537 | Chen | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20110233976 | Hanson | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110298340 | Nelson et al. | Dec 2011 | A1 |
| 20120256464 | Chang | Oct 2012 | A1 |
| 20160022054 | Griffin | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| 20160128486 | Chia | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20170354262 | Neil | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20200268160 | Kuhl | Aug 2020 | A1 |
| 20210186220 | Bangalore | Jun 2021 | A1 |
| 20220211183 | Bangalore | Jul 2022 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2402525 | Jul 1975 | DE |
| 3634346 | Apr 1987 | DE |
| 8607261 | Jul 1987 | DE |
| 202004008408 | Sep 2004 | DE |
| 2145567 | Jan 2010 | EP |
| 2213204 | Aug 2010 | EP |
| 2213205 | Aug 2010 | EP |
| 3213658 | Sep 2017 | EP |
| 3292793 | Mar 2018 | EP |
| 2933855 | Jan 2010 | FR |
| 2006135509 | Dec 2006 | WO |
| 2017222580 | Dec 2017 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report dated Feb. 1, 2021; International Application No. PCT/EP2020/082957. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220408929 A1 | Dec 2022 | US |
