BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for moving frameless furniture to enhance a user's experience with the frameless furniture.
2. The Relevant Technology
A variety of types of furniture have been developed over the years to provide comfort and decoration. Consumers appreciate furniture which can withstand a high level of use without having to be quickly replaced. Thus, it is desirable to make furniture that is durable and high quality.
Once purchased, consumers expect furniture to be easily assembled. Once assembled, consumers appreciate furniture which can be readily cleaned. Most upholstered furniture has the upholstery nailed or stapled to the furniture, requiring new upholstery if the furniture should become soiled or stained. It would thus be an advantage to have furniture which is easily assembled and disassembled for cleaning purposes.
For those consumers who cannot afford many pieces of furniture, it is also desirable to have furniture which can provide multiple functions. For example, a futon bed serves the function of both a bed and a couch. However, futon beds are bulky, and thus subject to the cost factors. In addition, futon mattresses are often thin and uncomfortable both as a couch and as a bed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Implementation of the present invention solves one or more problems in the art with apparatus, systems, and methods for adjusting characteristics of frameless furniture to enhance a user's experience with the frameless furniture. Frameless furniture characteristics, such as conformability, compressibility, pliability, rigidity, and resiliency, can be changed through use of, for example, a removable member associated with the frameless furniture and/or an insert of the frameless furniture.
In particular, one configuration of the present invention relates to moving frameless furniture, the frameless furniture movement assembly including a receiving body that accommodates the frameless furniture assembly and limits or prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body in at least one of a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a movement assembly operatively coupled to the receiving body to move the receiving body in the first direction.
In another configuration, the present invention relates to a frameless furniture moving system including a frameless furniture assembly comprising a cover and an insert disposed within the cover, and a frameless furniture moving assembly comprising a receiving body that accommodates the frameless furniture assembly and limits or prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body in at least one of a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a movement assembly, mounted to the receiving body, for movement of the frameless furniture moving assembly in the first direction.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly includes at least two rails mounted to the receiving body.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly includes at least one rotating assembly to which the receiving body slidably moves. The least one rotating assembly can be, in one configuration, a wheel or roller and the movement assembly can include at least one stop to limit or control movement of the rotating assembly.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly the receiving body includes at least one engagement channel configured to receive a portion of the movement assembly, the at least one engagement channel being configured to guide movement of the receiving body over the movement assembly.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly includes a frame assembly pivotally connected to a receiving body support.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, further including a linkage disposed between the frame assembly and the receiving body support.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, movement of the receiving body moves in at least one of a linear motion and a non-linear motion.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the receiving body is detachable from the movement assembly.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the receiving body includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion. When the first side portion is in contact with the rotating assembly at a first junction, the intermediate portion can be further from the frameless furniture assembly than the first side portion at the first junction.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the receiving body includes an engagement channel configured to receive a portion of the movement assembly, the engagement channel configured to guide movement of the receiving body over the movement assembly.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly comprises a resiliently deformable member mounted to a base, the resiliently deformable member configured to cradle an outer surface of the receiving body.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly comprises at least one bearing surface forming a surface of a member configured to support the receiving body.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly comprises a frame assembly supporting a receiving body support operatively coupled to the receiving body, the receiving body support being pivotally coupled to the frame assembly.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, linkages operatively connect the frame assembly to the receiving body support.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, a lock mechanism limits movement of the receiving body support in relation to the frame assembly.
In another configuration, a frameless furniture movement assembly for moving a frameless furniture assembly includes a frameless furniture support that accommodates the frameless furniture assembly and limits or prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body in at least one of a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a movement assembly configured to move the frameless furniture support in the first direction.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly includes a portion of the frameless furniture support.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the movement assembly includes a frame supporting the frameless furniture support.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the frameless furniture support comprises at least one curved slat member.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, further includes a spring assembly extending between an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly of the movement assembly.
In another configuration of the frameless furniture movement system or assembly, the spring assembly is selectively replaceable to varying a degree of flexing and movement of the upper frame assembly in relation to the lower frame assembly.
Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a furniture assembly according to the present invention having a user resting comfortably thereon.
FIG. 2 illustrates a furniture assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an insert being placed in an outer cover.
FIG. 4 illustrates the insert.
FIG. 5 illustrates the insert having filter material placed therein.
FIG. 6 illustrates a frameless furniture assembly supported by a frameless furniture movement assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates schematically movement of the frameless furniture assembly supported by the frameless furniture movement assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate frameless furniture receiving body according to the present invention.
FIG. 10A-10B illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a portion of a frameless furniture movement assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 illustrates a portion of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 11 according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates a portion of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 11 according to the present invention.
FIG. 14A-14C illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a portion of a frameless furniture movement assembly according to the present invention, with the receiving body having different configurations.
FIG. 15 illustrates another alternate frameless furniture receiving body according to the present invention.
FIGS. 16 illustrates a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 illustrates a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-section view of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 17.
FIGS. 19-20 illustrate an alternate movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 illustrates a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 a side view of a portion of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 21 according to the present invention.
FIG. 23. is an end view of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 21 according to the present invention.
FIG. 24 illustrates a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 illustrates a portion of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 24 according to the present invention.
FIG. 26 illustrates an alternate portion of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 24 according to present invention.
FIG. 27 illustrates another furniture assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 28 a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a side view of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 28 according to the present invention.
FIG. 30 is perspective rear view of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 28 according to the present invention.
FIG. 31 a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32 a side view of the frameless furniture movement assembly of FIG. 31 according to the present invention.
FIG. 33 a frameless furniture movement assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, some features of an actual embodiment may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one embodiment to another. It should further be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may generally relate to apparatus, systems, and methods for moving frameless furniture to enhance a user's experience with the frameless furniture. By moving the frameless furniture, such as by rotating, rocking, sliding, etc. a user's experience can be changed and enhanced per the user's desired choices.
While the present disclosure will describe particular implementations of apparatus, systems, and methods for enhancing a user's experience with the frameless furniture, it should be understood that the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may be applicable to other uses. Additionally, elements described in relation to any embodiments depicted and/or described herein may be combinable with elements described in relation to any other embodiment depicted and/or described herein.
Generally, now referring to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals are used to designate like elements, structures, or components, there is shown one or more embodiments of the present disclosure that provides apparatus, systems, and methods for moving frameless furniture to enhance a user's experience with the frameless furniture. The apparatus, systems, and methods permit a user of the frameless furniture to rock, slide, glide, or otherwise move the frameless furniture upon which a user is resting. This can be achieved, in one configuration, by a frameless furniture movement assembly having a receiving body configured to receive frameless furniture and a movement assembly configured to move the receiving body. The receiving body can be formed with or selectively detachable from the movement assembly to allow modification or changes to the user experience and provide flexibility to the user.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a furniture assembly 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts a large furniture assembly 10 with a user resting comfortably thereon in a main sitting area 12. The furniture assembly 10 may range in size from large on which two adult sized people may comfortably rest, to small on which a small child may rest. It will be appreciated that furniture assembly 10 can conform to the shape of the user resting thereon to form a chair-like structure. Additional details regarding the furniture assembly 10 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,906, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
While FIG. 1 shows the furniture assembly 10 being used in a chair-like function; however, the furniture assembly 10 may have a variety of uses. The furniture assembly 10 may be flattened to provide a bed-like surface upon which to lie. A smaller furniture assembly 10 may function as an ottoman. Alternatively, the furniture assembly 10 may function as a toy for children to jump or land upon during play. Further, the furniture assembly 10 may be formed slightly elongated in shape so that a household pet, or even a small infant, may sleep comfortably thereon. Thus, it will be appreciated that the furniture assembly 10 is extremely comfortable and versatile for a variety of uses.
The furniture assembly 10 may be constructed in a variety of shapes. As shown in FIG. 2, furniture assembly 10 is generally spherical in shape. However, it will be appreciated that the furniture assembly may have a generally cubical or cylindrical shape, or a variety of other shapes. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 27 the furniture assembly can have a generally flattened form. Furthermore, the furniture assembly 10 is durable and is constructed from an efficient design which reduces the costs of manufacturing and packaging, the details of which will be described herein in further detail.
Referring for a moment to FIG. 3, in one configuration the furniture assembly 10 includes an insert or chair 14 having a removable cover 16. The insert 14 can range in size from 2 feet to 7 feet in diameter, for example. As shown best in FIGS. 4-5, the insert 14 includes an air permeable member 18 which houses a filler material 24 disposed therein. While it is preferred to employ a protective cover 16 over member 18, another embodiment of a “furniture assembly” as discussed herein includes a member 18 having a filler material 24 therein. An example of air permeable member 18 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-5.
FIGS. 4 and 5 depicts one embodiment of the manufacture of air permeable member 18. Air permeable member 18 includes a central portion 20 and two side portions 22A, 22B formed of a fabric material, for example. However, it will be appreciated that a variety of shapes may be profitably employed. The side portions 22A, 22B are joined to the central portion 20 so that the edges of the side portions 22A, 22B and the edges of the central portion 20 can be sewn together or otherwise attached so that, as shown in FIG. 4, the insert 14 forms a generally spherical structure. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each side portion 22A, 22B is formed of multiple pieces joined together, such as being sewn together or otherwise joined together. It is understood, however, that each side portion can be formed of a single portion or member.
Disposed in the central portion 20 is an opening 26 that can be selectively opened and closed and thus includes a structure which facilitates such opening and closing such as, but not limited to, a zipper, lacing, hook and loop (e.g., VELCRO), or other connecting structure. Additionally, a flap 30 can be disposed over the opening 26 to cover the structures that facilitate opening and closing. The flap 30 can be attached to the central portion 20, the side portion 22A, the side portion 22B, or any combination of the central portion 20, the side portion 22A, and the side portion 22B.
In one configuration, the air permeable member 18 is comprised of a flaccid, air-permeable material, such as a fabric or mesh material. For example, the air permeable member 18 may include a fabric material, such as cotton, polyester, woven or stitched materials, or various other fabric materials, optionally with an untreated finish. The air permeable member 18 may also include another flaccid, air permeable material, for example.
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure, member 18 may be constructed employing a variety of different methods and may comprise a variety of different air permeable, flaccid materials that allow it to receive a filler therein and comfortably conform to the shape of a user's body.
As depicted in FIG. 5, the air permeable member 18 is filled with the filler material 24 and then the opening 26 is closed. The filler material 24 can be a compressible material which is resilient so that it selectively expands and contracts. Furthermore, the filler material 24 can be deformable, such that when the insert 14 is filled, the filler material 24 conforms to the contours of a body resting on the furniture assembly 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The filler material 24 may be cut into small pieces of material, such as about 1 inch pieces, before being placed in the air permeable member 18. While references is made to a particular size of the pieces of the filler material, it will be understood that the pieces of material forming the filler material 24 can range, in a longest dimension, from about ¼ inch to about 6 inches, from about ½ inch to about 6 inches, from about ¾ inches to about 6 inches, or other dimensions. The filler material 24 may comprise foam, Styrofoam, polyform, polyethylene foam, silicone, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) foam, memory foam lux foam, closed cell foam, and the like, for example. Alternatively, the filler material 24 may be a memory foam material, such as a viscoelastic material, which may be employed such that the insert 14 conforms to a user's body when in use, but the foam refills with air when a user gets off the furniture assembly 10, enabling the insert 14 to puff back up. For example, in one embodiment, the filler material is a polyurethane foam having a density in an uncompressed state of approximately 1.5 to approximately 1.8 lb/ft3.
Returning to FIG. 3, the insert 14 is inserted into the cover 16. The cover 16 is easily removable from the insert 14. One reason for this is that the cover 16 may be made from a variety of colors, patterns, and/or fabrics so that the purchaser may select from various outer covers for the chair. In addition, the insert 14 can be packaged and/or sold separately from cover 16. This prevents the cover 16 from becoming wrinkled during packing and shipping. Further, the insert 14 can be packaged such that the volume and weight of the insert 14 is decreased. Advantageously, when the volume of the insert 14 is diminished, the weight of the furniture assembly 10 also decreases, thus, reducing packaging and shipping costs of the chair. Furthermore, as the size of the insert 14 decreases, the insert 14 can increase in firmness which facilitates carrying and stacking of chairs.
The manufacture of the cover 16 may be similar to that for air permeable member 18 discussed above, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 16 includes a central portion 40 and two side portions 42A, 42B each having generally circular form. The two side portions 42A, 42B are placed against the central portion 40 similar to that shown in FIG. 4 for air permeable member 18. The edges of the central portion 40 and the two side portions 42A, 42B are sewn together or otherwise attached so that, when filled, the cover 16 forms a generally spherical structure. However, it will be appreciated that other shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present invention such as generally cubical, generally cylindrical, and other geometrical shapes.
While the air permeable member 18 includes the opening portion 26 in the central portion 20, the cover 16 includes an opening 46 extending lengthwise across the central portion 40 and at least portions of the two side portions 42A, 42B. In one embodiment, the opening 46 is formed following sewing together of the two side portions 42A, 42B and the central portion 40. The opening 46 can be selectively opened and closed and thus cover 16 includes a structure which facilitates such opening and closing such as, but not limited to a zipper, lacing, hook and loop (e.g., VELCRO), or other connecting structure. Additionally, a flap 50 can be disposed over the opening 46 in an intermediate region 48 to cover the structures that facilitate opening and closing. The flap 50 can be a single flap extending across the central portion 40 and at least portions of the two side portions 42A, 42B and or alternatively, the flap 50 can be segmented, and so multiple flaps can be used to cover the opening 46. The cover 16 may also comprise an air-permeable material. For example, the cover 16 may comprise a fabric material, for example, or another flaccid material.
In one embodiment, the cover 16 is constructed from cotton, twill, linen, nylon, velvet, leather, suraline gabardine material, stretchable material, polyester, combinations and modifications thereof. Advantageously, the cover 16 can be made of different patterns and colors or may incorporate features such as logos or pockets. Generally, the cover 16 can be formed of a material that allows air to fill the insert 14 through the cover 16 to thereby cause the filler material 24 within the insert 14 to fill with air when a user gets off the furniture assembly 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, following inserting the insert 14 into the opening 46 of the cover 16, the opening 46 is closed and the user can then arrange the furniture assembly 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 into the configuration desired. It will be appreciated that even after packaging the insert 14, the chair retains at least substantially all of its original compressibility, pliability, rigidity, and resiliency that it originally had. As such, the user is provided a comfortable, durable piece of furniture which may be applied in a variety of uses.
The frameless furniture assembly 10 can be moved to provide the user with an enhanced experience. For instance, the frameless furniture assembly 10 can move rocked, slide, glided, or otherwise moved while the user rests in the sitting area 12 (FIG. 1) of the frameless furniture assembly 10.
Turning to FIG. 6, illustrated is the frameless furniture assembly 10 supported by a frameless furniture movement assembly 100. The frameless furniture movement assembly 100 allows movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 so that a center of the frameless furniture assembly 10, as illustrated in FIG. 7, is moved in relation to a location of the center 60 of the frameless furniture assembly 10 when positioned upon a surface 70, such as a floor or other surface. The movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 can include movement in a direction parallel, orthogonal, and/or angularly to the surface 70, with such movement being along one or more straight paths, curved paths, combinations thereof and/or modifications to those paths. Those paths can be in a single or multiple planes. For instance, those paths can extend in one or more of a direction of the X-axis, (i.e., the X-direction), a direction of the Y-axis (i.e., the Y-direction), and/or a direction of the Z-axis (i.e., the Z-direction).
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 includes a receiving body 110 and a movement assembly 120 that allows for movement of the receiving body 110 to reposition or move the center 60 of the frameless furniture assembly 10. The receiving body 110 supports or cradles the frameless furniture assembly 10 and limits unwanted movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 as the receiving body 110 is moved by the movement assembly 120. Cradling of the frameless furniture assembly 10 by the receiving body limits or prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly 10 in one or more of the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction of possible movement allowed by the movement assembly 120, such as movement induced by a user of the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 and the frameless furniture assembly 10. The limited movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 can include limiting sliding, rotational, lateral, and upward movement across a portion of the receiving body 110, and combinations of such movements.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the receiving body 110 includes a first end 130 spaced from a second end 132 with an inner surface 134 and an outer surface 136 extending between the first end 130 and the second end 132 to form a receiving cavity 138 to receive, hold, or cradle at least a portion of the frameless furniture assembly 10 and limit or prevent decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly 10 from the receiving cavity 138 of the receiving body 110. In the illustrated configuration, the second end 132 is vertically elevated in relation to the first end 130 but in other configurations the first end 130 and the second end 132 can be positioned at the same, or substantially the same, height above the surface 70 upon which the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 rests or is placed, or the first end 130 can be elevated above the second end 132.
A junction of the inner surface 134 and the outer surface 136, and/or a wall 140 between the inner surface 134 and the outer surface 136, form a perimeter 142 of the receiving cavity 138, which has in the illustrated configuration a generally curved profile. This curved profile, as viewed in the Y-direction can be circular, elliptical, oval, conic curve, combinations and/or modifications thereof. The perimeter 142 can be parallel or inclined in relation to the surface 70 upon which the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 rests or is placed. Additionally, the perimeter 142 can curve from the first end 130 to the second end 132, or vice versa, as viewed in the Z-direction, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
The inner surface 134 that forms the receiving cavity 138 extends from the perimeter 142 to a base 144 that is angularly oriented to the inner surface 134. While a discrete transition 146 is illustrated between the inner surface 134 and the base 144, it will be understood that the inner surface 134 can extend to and from the base 144 without the discrete transition 146, i.e., the inner surface 134 incorporates the base 144 so that the base 144 has a curved rather than a generally planar orientation as illustrated in FIG. 6. Stated another way, the inner surface 134 and the base 144 can be integral or separate discrete portions forming the receiving cavity 138.
The receiving body 110 is illustrated the inner surface 134 and the outer surface 136 that are each generally continuous to support the frameless furniture assembly 10. However, it will be understood that the receiving body 110 can be noncontinuous or include a number of discrete or separate receiving body elements 150 supported by a frame 152 approximating the perimeter 142 that can be combined to support the frameless furniture assembly 10, whether or not portions of the frameless furniture assembly 10 protrude through the spaces formed by the separate or discrete receiving body elements 150. For instances, the receiving body 110 can include one more spindles, slats, cross rails, stiles, splats, etc., such as schematically illustrated FIG. 9. When the portions of the frameless furniture assembly 10 extend between the receiving body element 150, this engagement can also aid with limiting or preventing decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly 10 from the receiving body 110.
With continued reference to FIG. 6, supporting the receiving body 110 is the movement assembly 120. As illustrated, the movement assembly 120 includes rails or runners 170, such as a first rail or runner 170a and a second rail or runner 170b mounted to the receiving body 110 at mounting locations 172. The first runner 170a and the second runner 170b are mounted to the outer surface 136 of the receiving body 110 at the mounting locations 172 such as through adhesives, fasteners, interference fit, snap fit, and combinations therefore, optionally with an intermediate mounting structure such as a brace, bracket, rail, stile, slat, etc. In still other configurations, one or more components or elements of the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 can be molded as a single body. For instance, the receiving body 110 and the rails or runners 170 can be molded as single member, such as a single, monolithic or unitary structure.
Reference will be made to the details of the first runner 170a, however a similar discussion may also be made for the second runner 170b. The first runner 170a includes a first runner end 174 and a second runner end 176 curving upwardly from an intermediate runner portion 178 disposed between the first runner end 174 and the second runner end 176. A lower runner surface 180 upon which the movement assembly 120 moves has a generally curved profile from the first runner end 174 to the second runner end 176 so that the first runner 170a can provide a rocking motion to a user of the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 who is resting on the frameless furniture assembly 10. To achieve different rocking or movement motions, a curvature of the lower runner surface 180 can be varied, changed, or selected to enhance the user's experience with the frameless furniture assembly 10. An upper runner surface 182 is also curved from the first runner end 174 to the second runner end 176, but it need not be the case and the upper runner surface 182 can be shaped to accommodate the outer surface 136 of the receiving body 110 to simplify mounting of the receiving body 110 to the first runner 170a of the movement assembly 120 at the mounting locations 172. In addition to curving between the first runner end 174 and the second runner end 176, the lower runner surface can have a planar form in the Z-direction, as illustrated in FIG. 10A as lower runner surface 180a or optionally curve in a direction orthogonal to the direction of curvature between the first runner end 174 and the second runner end 176, such as in the Z-direction as illustrated in FIG. 10B as lower runner surface 180b.
Generally, the movement assembly 120, or frameless furniture movement assembly, can be formed of a variety of different materials, such as metal, wood, grasses, composite, polymer, alloys, natural materials, synthetic materials, combinations thereof. Additionally one or more of the surfaces of the movement assembly 120 can include surface finishes to increases frictional contact between the movement assembly 120 and the frameless furniture assembly 10 and/or the surface 70 upon which the movement assembly 120 rests. For instance, the inner surface 134 of the receiving cavity 138 can include friction increasing structure 190 such as a surface treatment, coating, film, taper, layer, or combinations thereof over all or portions of the inner surface 134 to increase friction between the inner surface 134 and the frameless furniture assembly 10, such as the cover 16 (FIG. 1) of the frameless furniture assembly 10. The lower runner surface 180 can also include a friction increasing structure 190 such as a surface treatment, coating, film, tape, layer, or combinations thereof over all or portions of the lower runner surface 180 to increase friction between lower runner surface 180 and the surface 70.
It is noted that for the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 described above, the receiving body 110 and the movement assembly 120 move together as a user resting in/on the frameless furniture assembly 10 moves the frameless furniture assembly 10. It will be understood, however, that the frameless furniture movement assembly can alternatively allow movement of the frameless furniture assembly without all of the frameless furniture movement assembly moving, i.e., moving a receiving body while at least a portion of a frameless furniture movement assembly remains stationary with respect to the surface upon which a frameless furniture movement assembly rests or sits. Such is the case with the frameless furniture movement assembly 200 as illustrated in FIG. 11. The disclosure related to the movement assembly 120 is applicable to the movement assembly 220 and like reference numerals will be used for like elements, structures, or components.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the frameless furniture movement assembly 200 includes a receiving body 210 and a movement assembly 220, or frameless furniture movement assembly, about which the receiving body 210 moves to reposition or move the center 60 of the frameless furniture assembly 10. As discussed above, the receiving body 210 supports or cradles the frameless furniture assembly 10 and limits unwanted movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 as the movement assembly 220 moves the frameless furniture assembly 10 supported or cradled by the receiving body 210. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the receiving body 210 can limit movement in one or more of the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction of possible movement allowed by the movement assembly 220, such as movement induced by a user of the frameless furniture movement assembly 100 and the frameless furniture assembly 10. Stated another way, the receiving body 210 can limit or prevent decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body 210 of the movement assembly 220.
As illustrated, the movement assembly 220 includes a frame assembly 260 mounted to a base 262 that rests upon the surface 70. Rotating assemblies 264 are supported by the frame assembly 260 and selectively cooperates with the receiving body 210. The frame assembly 260 includes a plurality of rails 270 elevated above the surface 70 by the base 262, but in other configurations the plurality of rails 270 rest upon the surface 70 without the base 262. The rails 270 include an upper surface 282 and a lower surface 280 mounted to the base 262. The upper surface 282 is curved to limit the possibility of the receiving body 210 contacting the rails 270 as the receiving body 210 moves along the rotating assemblies 264. It will be understood that the upper surface 282 can be planar, combinations of curved and planar, or have other shapes as desired.
In the illustrated configuration, the rotating assemblies 264 are disposed between two rails 270 and provide a surface upon which the receiving body 210 can move. For instance, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the rotating assemblies 264 can include wheels 284 with bearings 286 that receive an axle 288 disposed in receiving holes 272 of the rails 270. Each wheel 284 can freely rotate about the respective axle 288 to which it is mounted so that the receiving body 210 can move along the wheels 284. It will be understood that the receiving holes 272 can optionally include bearings (not shown) so that the wheels 284 can be fixedly attached to the axle 288 and the axle 288 can rotate using the bearings within the receiving holes 272 to allow receiving body 210 to move in relation to the base 262 rather than within bearings of the wheels 284.
With respect to FIGS. 11 and 13, in the illustrated configuration the wheels 284 of the rotating assemblies 264 can run along the outer surface 136 of the receiving body 210. The movement of the receiving body 210 can be limited by stops 292a, 292b disposed on the outer surface 136 and extending across a portion or all of the outer surface in a direction transverse or orthogonal to a direction of movement of the receiving body 210 along the wheels 284. It will be understood that the stops 292a, 292b can extend at some angular origination in relation to the movement of the receiving body 210 and can be formed of one or more individual stop components. For instance, each of the lower stop 292a and the upper stop 292b can be formed of one or more stop components, with the number of stop components being the same or different for each of the lower stop 292a and the upper stop 292b.
To aid with positioning of the receiving body 210 in relation to the movement assembly 220, the receiving body 210 can be formed to self-center between the rotating assemblies 264 and/or aid with limiting or preventing unwanted movement that decouples the receiving body 210 from the movement assembly 220. In the illustrated configurations of FIGS. 14A-C, a curvature of the outer surface of the receiving body 210 positions the receiving body 210 between the rotating assemblies 264. For instance, the receiving body 210 has a first side portion 250a separated from a second side portion 250c by an intermediate portion 250b. As illustrated in FIGS. 14A, the intermediate portion 250b protrudes downwardly away from the first side portion 250a and the second side portion 250c so that the receiving body 210 self-centers the receiving body 210 between the rotating assemblies 264. That is, the engagement of the lower surface 70 with the rotating assemblies 264 centers the intermediate portion 250b between the rotating assemblies 264 and so disposes the intermediate portion 250b further from the frameless furniture assembly 10 supported by the receiving body 210 than the junctions 252 between the rotating assemblies 264 and the first side portion 250a and the second side portion 250c. This can be achieved through engagement or contact of the rotating assemblies 264 with the first side portion 250a and the second side portion 250c, at a junction of the first side portion 250a and the second side portion 250c as illustrated schematically in FIG. 14B, and/or on a portion of the intermediate portion 250b as illustrated schematically in FIG. 14C. While the inner surface of the receiving body 210 mirrors the curvature of the outer surface contacted by the rotating assemblies 264, it will be understood that the inner surface can have a variety of different orientations and shapes that mirror or do not mirror the curvature of the outer surface, such as but not limited to, convex, concave, planar, combinations and/or modifications thereof.
While FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate one manner to aid with positioning the receiving body 210 in relation to the movement assembly 220 and the associated rotating assemblies 264, FIG. 15 illustrates another manner. The disclosure related to the frameless furniture movement assembly 200 is applicable to the configuration in FIG. 15 with like reference numerals being used for like elements, structures, or components.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, an outer surface 336 of a receiving body 310 optionally includes engagement channels, such as a first groove or channel 348a and a second groove or channel 348b disposed in at least a portion of the outer surface 336. The first groove or channel 348a and the second groove or channel 348b are formed to receive a portion of the rotating assemblies 264 of the movement assembly 220 and can function as mounting locations where the receiving body 210 mounts or couples to the movement assembly 220. The receiving body 310 slides along the rotating assemblies 264 as the user rests on the frameless furniture assembly 10.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, at least one of the first groove or channel 348a and the second groove or channel 348b includes one or more stops 392 to limit movement of the receiving body 310 within the first groove or channel 348a and the second groove or channel 348b. The one or more stops 392 can either be fixed at specific locations along a length of the first groove or channel 348a and/or the second groove or channel 348b or removably positioned along the length of first groove or channel 348a and the second groove or channel 348b. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the stop 392 include at least one projection or pin 394 or other protruding member extending from a stop body 396. The pin 394 can be received within complementary holes 350 formed in one or more of the first groove or channel 348a and the second groove or channel 348b. FIG. 15 illustrates two different stops 392; a first stop 392a having a single pin 394 and a second stop 392b having two pins 394. A user can adjust the location of the stop(s) 392a, 392b by moving the stop(s) 392a, 392b between holes 350. When moving the second stop 392b, the stop body 396b extends to the first groove or channel 348a and the second groove or channel 348b so that pin 394 is in one complementary hole 350 in the first groove or channel 348a and pin 394 in another hole 350 in the second groove or channel 348b. Moving and positioning the stops limits the overall motion of the receiving body 310 in a backward and forward direction along the base 262. By allowing for variability to the travel distance of the receiving body 310 to the movement assembly 220, a user's experience with the frameless furniture assembly 10 can be enhanced.
While reference is made to the receiving body 310 including the first groove or channel 348a and the second groove or channel 348b that are complementary to individual wheels 284, it will be understood that the wheels 284 can be replaced, as illustrated in a frameless furniture movement assembly 400 of FIG. 16, by rotating assemblies 464 that cooperate with a receiving body 410. The rotating assemblies 464 can include rollers 484 that extend between the rails 470 and a single groove or channel 448 can accommodate the rollers 484. The single groove or channel 448 can optionally include the complementary holes 450 and the stops described herein. The rails 470 include an upper surface 482 and a lower surface 480 mounted to the base 462. The upper surface 482 is curved to limit the possibility of the receiving body 410 contacting the rails 470 as the receiving body 410 moves along the rotating assemblies 464. It will be understood that the upper surface 482 can be planar, combinations of curved and planar, or have other shapes as desired. Additionally, only one of the rails 470 in each rail pair can be included when the rollers 484 are used (it being understood that in alternate configurations of using the wheels 484 one of the rails 470 in each rail pair can be used to support each pair of wheels).
Generally, the movement assembly 220-420, or frameless furniture movement assembly, including the receiving body 210-410 can be formed of a variety of different materials, such as metal, wood, grasses, composites, polymers, alloys, natural materials, synthetic materials, combinations or modifications thereof. Additionally one or more of the surfaces of the movement assembly 220-420 can include surface finishes and/or friction increasing structures as described in relation to the receiving body 110.
As mentioned in relation to the frameless furniture movement assembly 200-400 described above, the frameless furniture movement assemblies can allow movement of the frameless furniture assembly without all of the frameless furniture movement assembly moving, i.e., moving the receiving body while at least a portion of a frameless furniture movement assembly remains stationary with respect to the surface upon which a frameless furniture movement assembly rests or sits. Such is the case with the frameless furniture movement assembly 500 as illustrated in FIGS. 17-20. The disclosure related to the other frameless furniture movement assemblies is applicable to the frameless furniture movement assembly 500 and like reference numerals will be used for like elements, structures, or components.
As illustrated in FIG. 17, the frameless furniture movement assembly 500 includes a receiving body 510 and a movement assembly 520 about which the receiving body 510 moves to reposition or move the center of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1). As discussed above, the receiving body 510 supports or cradles the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) and limits unwanted movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) as the movement assembly 520 moves the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) supported or cradled by the receiving body 510. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the receiving body 510 can limit movement in one or more of the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction of possible movement allowed by the movement assembly 520, such as movement induced by a user of the frameless furniture movement assembly 500 and the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1). Stated another way, the receiving body 510 can limit or prevent decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body 510 of the frameless furniture movement assembly 500.
As illustrated, the movement assembly 520 includes a base 562 that rests upon the surface 70 and one more resiliently deformable members 564. The one or more members 564 resiliently deform as a user moves in the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1), while having sufficient resiliency to return to or rebound from a deformed state to return to the pre-deformed shape. This aids to move the receiving body 510 and provide movement as desired in by the user of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1). Additionally, the resiliently deformable members 564 can be deformed in two or more of X-direction, Y-direction, and the Z-direction allow enhanced movement. This can be achieved, in one configuration, by forming the members 564 from a polymeric material, rubber, clastic material, combinations or modifications thereof.
As illustrated the members 564 include a base 566 that mounts to the base 562 and a supporting surface 568 that contacts the outer surface 536 of the receiving body 510. The supporting surface 568 is inclined in relation to the base 566 to aid with cradling the outer surface 536 of the receiving body 510 but the supporting surface 568 can also be planar or, more generally, parallel to the base 566. As illustrated, the supporting surface 568 of each of the members 564 incline generally towards a central axis of the base 562 or towards a central axis of the receiving body 510 when it rests upon the member 564. However, the supporting surface 568 can be inclined towards a center of the receiving body 510, whether or not that center is on the central axis, or toward some other point(s) of the base 562 or the receiving body 510.
To aid with movement of the receiving body 510, the members 564 can optionally include bearing surface 570 that extend from the supporting surface 568. These bearing surfaces 570 can be formed from transfer bearings 572 in which the ball 574 extends from the supporting surface 568, as illustrated in FIGS. 19-20. The receiving body 510 can ride along the bearing surfaces 570 provided by the balls 574. The use of the bearing surface 570, such as the transfer bearings 572, can be used in any of the frameless furniture movement assemblies described herein. It will be understood that the members 564 can be rigid or substantially rigid rather than “resiliently deformable.” In such a case, the bearing surface 570 can provide a surface upon which the receiving body 510 can move.
Turning to FIGS. 21-23, illustrated is another frameless furniture movement assembly 600. The frameless furniture movement assembly 600 allows movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) so that a center of the frameless furniture assembly 10 is moved in relation to a location of the center of the frameless furniture assembly 10 is positioned upon a stationary surface, such as a floor or other surface. The disclosure related to the other frameless furniture movement assemblies described herein are also applicable to the frameless furniture movement assembly 600 and like reference numerals will be used for like elements, structures, or components.
As illustrated in FIGS. 21-23 the frameless furniture movement assembly 600 includes a receiving body 610 and a movement assembly 620 that moves the frames furniture receiving body 610 to reposition or move the center 60 of the frameless furniture assembly 10. The receiving body 610 supports or cradles the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) and limits unwanted movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) as the movement assembly 620 moves the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) supported or cradled by the receiving body 610. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the receiving body 610 can limit movement in one or more of the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction of possible movement allowed by the movement assembly 620, such as movement induced by a user of the movement assembly 620 and the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1). The limited movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) can include limiting sliding, rotational, and upward movement across a portion of the receiving body 610, and combinations of such movements.
As illustrated in FIGS. 21-22 the receiving body 610 includes a first end 630 spaced from a second end 632 with an inner surface 634 and an outer surface 636 extending between the first end 630 and the second end 632 to form a receiving cavity 638 to receive, hold, or cradle at least a portion of the frameless furniture assembly 10. In the illustrated configuration, the second end 632 is vertically elevated in relation to the first end 630 but in other configurations the first end 630 and the second end 632 can be positioned at the same, or substantially the same, height above the surface 70 upon which the frameless furniture movement assembly 600 rests or is placed, or the first end 630 can be elevated above the second end 632.
A junction of the inner surface 634 and the outer surface 636, and/or a wall 640, form a perimeter 642 of the receiving cavity 638, which has in the illustrated configuration a generally curved profile. This curved profile, as viewed in the Y-direction can be circular, elliptical, oval, conic curve, combinations and/or modifications thereof. The perimeter 642 can be parallel or inclined in relation to the surface 70 upon which the movement assembly 600 rests or is placed. Additionally, the perimeter 642 can curve from the first end 630 to the second end 632, or vice versa, as viewed in the Z-direction.
The inner surface 634 that forms the receiving cavity 638 can extend from the perimeter 642 to a base 644 that is angularly orientated to the inner surface 634. While a discrete transition might be formed between the inner surface 634 and the base 644, it will be understood that the inner surface 634 can extend to and from the base 644 without a transition, i.e., the inner surface 634 incorporates the base 644 so that the base 644 has a curved rather than a generally planar orientation. Stated another way, the inner surface 634 and the base 644 can be integral or separate discrete portions forming the receiving cavity 638.
The receiving body 610 is illustrated as having generally continuous inner surface 634 and outer surface 636 to support the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1). However, it will be understood that the receiving body 610 can be noncontinuous or include a number of discrete or separate receiving body elements that can be combined to support the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) as described in relation to the receiving body 110.
With continued reference to FIGS. 21-23, supporting the receiving body 610 is the movement assembly 620. The movement assembly 620 allows the receiving body 610 to move in a swaying motion as compared to a rocking motion associated with some of the other movement assemblies described herein where the receiving bodies tip forward and backward. As illustrated, the movement assembly 620 includes a frame assembly 660 supporting a receiving body support 662. The receiving body support 662 is pivotally connected to the frame assembly 660 by linkages 664a-664d to allow motion of the receiving body 610.
The receiving body support 662 includes a first support extension 666a and a second support extension 666b mounted to the receiving body 610 at mounting locations 672. The first support extension 666a and the second support extension 666b are mounted to the outer surface 636 of the receiving body 610 at the mounting locations 672 such as through adhesives, fasteners, interference fit, snap fit, and combinations therefore, optionally with an intermediate mounting structure such as a brace, bracket, etc. Additionally, the support extension(s) and the receiving body can be molded as single member, such as a single, monolithic or unitary structure. Each of the first support extension 666a and the second support extension 666b includes a leg 668a, 668b extending to an arm 674a, 674b although it will be understood that other configurations of the support extensions are possible in which a plurality of legs and/or a plurality of arms are provided.
Each of the first support extension 666a and the second support extension 666b are moveably connected to a frame assembly 660 by linkages 664a-664d. The pivotal or rotating connections provided by the linkages 664a-664d allow the receiving body 610 supported by the movement assembly 620 to move in a back and forth motion along a generally linear or curved track or path. For instance, linkages 664a, 664c connect the first support extension 666a to a first side frame member 668a of the frame assembly 660 and the linkages 664b, 664d connect the second support extension 666b to a second side frame member 668b of the frame assembly 660. This allows the first support extension 666a and the second support extension 666b to move together in relation to the frame assembly 660.
In the illustrated configuration, the linkages 664a, 664b are pivotally connected to upper supports 682a, 682b of the frame assembly 660, while also being pivotally connected to the arms 674a, 674b of the first support extension 666a and the second support extension 666b. For instance, the first ends are pivotally pinned to the upper supports 682a, 682b the second ends are pivotally pinned to the arms 674a, 674b through pinned, rotating connection, i.e., pins 684 extending between and disposed within holes 686 that optionally include bearings or other structures to aid with rotational or pivotal movement. The pinned connections allow the receiving body 610 to glide or slide in the direction of the arrows. This movement enhances a user's experience with the frameless furniture assembly 10.
To limit movement of the receiving body 610 by the movement assembly 620, a locking mechanism 690 controls movement of the arm 674a. The locking mechanism 690 extends from engagement with the arm 674a to lower support 688a of the frame assembly 660. The locking mechanism 690 includes lock member 692 that rests upon a portion of the arm 674a that can slide along the arm 674a as it moves with movement of the receiving body 610. A lock extension 694 extends from the lock member 692 to the lower support 688a on one side of the lock member 692 so that the lock member 692 can pivot or rotate in relation to the lower support 688a. A releasable lock anchor 696 extends from an attachment point 698 of the lock member 692 to a release mechanism or handle 699 on the opposite side of the lower support 688a. The lock anchor 696 releasably connects to the attachment point 698, such as hook, so that when the handle 699 is manipulated to move the locking mechanism 690 from a locked state to an unlocked state the lock anchor 696 can be released from engagement with the attachment point 698. When the handle 699 maintains the lock anchor 696 in the locked state, tension is applied to the lock member 692 that in turn applies a force to the arm 674a that limits movement of the arm 674a and so movement of the receiving body 610. Although one locking mechanism 690 is illustrated in FIGS. 21-23 various other locking mechanisms would be understood by one skilled in the art in view of the disclosure contained herein. For instance, a lock anchor 696 can take the form of a resilient, generally resilient, clastic, or combination or modification anchor that extends directly to the one of the arm 674a and passes through a hole in the arm 674a. Additionally, while the locking mechanism 690 is provided on the frameless furniture movement assembly 600, it will be understood that locking mechanisms can be included in another of the frameless furniture movement assemblies described herein.
Generally, the frameless furniture movement assembly 600 can be formed of a variety of different materials, such as metal, wood, grasses, composite, polymer, alloys, natural materials, synthetic materials, combinations thereof. Additionally one or more of the surfaces of the frameless furniture movement assembly 600 can include surface finishes or friction increasing structures, such as described herein.
As mentioned previously herein, the receiving body slides or moves in relation to the movement assembly. While rotating assemblies, etc. are described as being associated with the movement assembly, it will be understood that in other configurations, the rotating assemblies can be associated or mounted to the receiving body and cooperate with a movement assembly configured to accommodate those rotating assemblies. Stated another way, portions or components of the movement assemblies described herein can be formed, mounted, or coupled to the receiving body rather than in the described movement assemblies.
Turning to FIGS. 24-26 illustrated is another configuration of a frameless furniture movement assembly 700 in which one or more of portions or components of a movement assembly can be formed, mounted, or coupled to a receiving body rather than in the described movement assemblies. The disclosure related to the other frameless furniture movement assemblies described herein are also applicable to the frameless furniture movement assembly 700 and like reference numerals will be used for like elements, structures, or components.
As illustrated in FIGS. 24-26, the frameless furniture movement assembly 700 includes a receiving body 710 and a movement assembly 720 about which the receiving body 710 moves to reposition or move the center 60 of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1). As discussed above, the receiving body 710 supports or cradles the frameless furniture assembly 10 and limits unwanted movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 as the movement assembly 720 moves the frameless furniture assembly 10 supported or cradled by the receiving body 710. Cradling of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) by the receiving body limits or prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) in one or more of the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction of possible movement allowed by the movement assembly 720, such as movement induced by a user of the frameless furniture movement assembly 700 and the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1). The limited movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) can include limiting sliding, rotational, and upward movement across a portion of the receiving body 710, and combinations of such movements.
As illustrated, the movement assembly 720 is split between the receiving body 710 and the movement assembly 720. For instance, rotating assemblies 764a-764d are mounted or otherwise attached or coupled to the receiving body 710 and are received within channels or grooves 748a, 748b of the frame assembly 760 having rails 770a, 770b supported the base 762. The rotating assemblies 764a-764d are received into the channels or grooves 748a, 748b generally in the Y-direction.
FIG. 25 illustrates a configuration of the rotating assembly 764a within the channel or groove 748a of the rail 770a. It will be understood that a similar discussion can be had with respect to the other channels, grooves, rails and rotating assemblies of the frameless furniture movement assembly 700. A bracket 774a mounts a wheel 784a of the rotating assembly 764a to the receiving body 710, the wheel 784a being slidably received within the channel or groove 748a of the rail 770a. The rail 770a can be a U-shaped to provide the channel or groove 748a or the channel or groove 748a can be provided in another manner. While the rails 770a, 770b are illustrated as being generally elongate and generally straight, it will be understood that to provide a rocking motion, the rails 770a, 770b and/or the channel or grooves 748a, 748b can have a curved orientation in the X-direction so that when the wheels 784 run along a lower surface 790a, 790b of the channels or grooves 748a, 748b the furniture receiving body 710 moves in a rocking motion.
In the illustrated in FIG. 25, the wheel 784a is disposed between two rail portions 776a, 776b to provide the channel or groove 748a. The rotating assembly 764a can include the wheel 784a with bearings 786a that receive an axle 788a disposed in receiving holes 772a of the bracket 774a; the receiving holes 772a being formed in a first leg 778a and a second leg 778b extending from a bracket base 780a that mounts or couples to the receiving body 710. The wheel 784a can freely rotate about the respective axle 788a to which it is mounted so that the receiving body 710 can move along the channel or groove 748a. It will be understood that the receiving holes 772a can optionally include bearings (not shown) so that the wheels 784a can be fixedly attach to the axle 788a and the axle 788a can rotate using the bearings within the receiving holes 772a to allow receiving body 710 to move in relation to the base 762 rather than within bearings of the wheels 784a.
As illustrated in FIG. 24, at least one end of at least one of the grooves or channels 748a, 748b are closed to function as a stop 792 to limit movement of the receiving body 710 along the groove or channel 748a, 748b. Alternatively, or in addition to the illustrated stops 792, the selectively removable stops described herein, such as in FIG. 25, can be combined with or replace the stops 792.
While reference is made to the wheels 784 being received within the channels or grooves 748a, 748b, such as in the Y-direction, with an opening 782 facing the Y-direction, it will be understood that the channel or groove can include an opening that opens in the X-direction or the Z-direction. For instance, and as illustrated in FIG. 26, in another configuration, a channel or groove 848 includes an opening 882 that opens in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the opening 882 of the rail 870 opens. This can be achieved, in one configuration, where the rail 870 has a C-shape. In this configuration, the opening 882 of adjacent rails 870 can face towards each other, away from each other, or face in the same direction so that one opening 882 face towards one of the adjacent rails 870 and one opening faces away from the adjacent rail. With this configuration, instead of two legs 878a, 878b extending from the bracket base 880, a single leg 878 extends from a bracket base 880. With a spacer 890 mounted on the axle 888, a gap G is formed between the single leg 878 and the wheel 884; this gap G receives a first portion 871a and a second portion 871b of the rail 870. The combination of the first portion 871a, the second portion 871b, a first member 871c from which the first portion 871a extends, a second member 871d from which the second portion 871b extends, and a joining member 871e connecting the first member 871c and the second member 871d retains the wheel 884 within the channel or groove 848. The rail 870 is mounted to the base 862 by one of the first member 871c and the second member 871d using appropriate fasteners, adhesives, welding, bonding, combinations and/or modifications thereof.
Generally, the frameless furniture movement assembly 800 illustrated in FIGS. 24-26, can be formed of a variety of different materials, such as metal, wood, grasses, composite, polymer, alloys, natural materials, synthetic materials, combinations thereof. Additionally one or more of the surfaces of the frameless furniture movement assembly 800 can include surface finishes or friction increasing structures as described herein.
Turning to FIGS. 27-33, illustrated is alternate configurations of furniture assemblies according to the present invention. The discussion related to the furniture assembly 10 also applies to the furniture assembly 10b, with like numbers being are used for the configuration of FIGS. 27-33. While the furniture assembly 10 (FIG. 1) has a generally spherical or ball-shape, the furniture assembly 10b has a generally rectangular, square, or polygonal shape as viewed from above. The furniture assembly 10b may range in size from large on which two adult sized people may comfortably rest, to small on which a small child may rest. It will be appreciated that furniture assembly 10b can conform to the shape of the user resting thereon to form a chair-like structure.
While FIGS. 28-33 shows the furniture assembly 10b being used in a chair-like function; however, the furniture assembly 10b may have a variety of uses. The furniture assembly 10b may be flattened to provide a bed-like surface upon which to lie. A smaller furniture assembly 10b may function as an ottoman. Alternatively, the furniture assembly 10b may function as a toy for children to jump or land upon during play. Further, the furniture assembly 10b may be formed slightly elongated in shape so that a household pet, or even a small infant, may sleep comfortably thereon. Thus, it will be appreciated that the furniture assembly 10b is extremely comfortable and versatile for a variety of uses.
In one configuration, the furniture assembly 10b includes an insert or chair 14b having a removable cover 16b, in a similar manner to the furniture assembly 10. The insert 14b can range in size from 2 feet to 12 feet in cross-section, for example.
As illustrated in FIG. 27, the cover 16b includes an upper portion 40b and a lower portion 42b that are joined together, such as being sewn together or otherwise joined together, about a perimeter 44b. The cover 16b is constructed from an air-permeable material, cotton, twill, linen, nylon, velvet, leather, suraline gabardine material, stretchable material, combinations or modifications thereof.
Turning to FIGS. 28-30, illustrated is the frameless furniture assembly 10b supported by a frameless furniture movement assembly 900. The frameless furniture movement assembly 900 allows movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10b so that a center of the frameless furniture assembly 10b is moved in relation to a location of a center 60b of the frameless furniture assembly 10b when the frameless furniture movement assembly 900 is positioned upon a surface 70, such as a floor or other surface. The movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10b can include movement in a direction parallel, orthogonal, and/or angularly to the surface 70, with such movement being along one or more straight paths, curved paths, combinations thereof and/or modifications to those paths. Those paths can be in a single or multiple planes. For instance, those paths can extend in one or more of a direction of the X-direction), the Y-direction), and/or the Z-direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 28-30 the frameless furniture movement assembly 900 includes a receiving cavity 938 provided by a frame 952 and a frameless furniture support 954. The frame 952 and/or the frameless furniture support 954, either individually or in combination provides for movement of the frameless furniture 10b to reposition or move the center 60 of the frameless furniture assembly 10b. Therefore, the frame 952 and/or the frameless furniture support 954 is a movement assembly. The frame 952 and the frameless furniture support 954 also supports or cradles the frameless furniture assembly 10b and limits unwanted movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10b as the frame 952 and the frameless furniture support 954 move. For instance, and not by way of limitation, the frame 952 can limit movement in one or more of the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction of possible movement allowed by the frame 952 and the frameless furniture support 954, such as movement induced by a user of the frameless furniture movement assembly 10b and the frameless furniture assembly 10b. The limited movement of the frameless furniture assembly 10b can include limiting sliding, rotational, and upward movement across a portion of the frameless furniture support 954, and combinations of such movements. Additionally, cradling of the frameless furniture assembly 10b within the receiving cavity 938 limits or prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly 10b in one or more of the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 28-33, the frame 952 includes a lower frame assembly 962 and an upper frame assembly 964 connected by an upright assembly 966. The upper frame assembly 964 extends in a cantilever fashion from the upright assembly 966, and the upright assembly 966 extends from the lower frame assembly 962 in a cantilever fashion. This relationship allows the upper frame assembly 964 to move in relation to the upright assembly 966 and the upright assembly 966 to move in relation to the lower frame assembly 962 to provide movement of the frameless furniture support 954. For instance, the upper frame assembly 964, the upright assembly 966, and/or the lower frame assembly 962 can flex to aid with the movement. To aid with movement, the lower frame assembly 962 can have curved structures to aid with a rocking motion, as will be described hereinafter.
The frameless furniture support 954 extends from the upper frame assembly 964 towards the lower frame assembly 962, or the upright assembly 966 extending from or being part of the lower frame assembly 962. The lower frame assembly 962 includes first base members 974a, 974b connected by a second base member 976, with the upright assembly 966 extending from the first base members 974a, 974b. The second base member 976 can extend from ends 978a, 978b of the first base members 974a, 974b opposite to the ends 980a, 980b from which the upright assembly 966 extends or can extend between the first base members 974a, 974b at intermediate locations between the ends 978a, 978b and ends 980a, 980b.
In the illustrated configuration, the lower frame assembly 962 the first base members 974a, 974b and the second base member 976 are generally in the same plane thereby providing support to a remainder of the frameless furniture movement assembly 900. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 31-32, the first base members 974a, 974b can be curved, similar to the runners described and illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, to aid with a rocking motion, while the upper frame assembly 964 has a similar form to that of the configuration of FIGS. 28-30.
Returning to FIGS. 28-30, the upright assembly 966 includes leg members 982a, 982b connected to the first base members 974a, 974b with a brace member 984 extending between the leg members 982a, 982b. The upper frame assembly 964 connects to and can extend from ends 986a, 986b of the leg members 982a, 982b opposite to the ends 988a, 988b from which the upright assembly 966 extends. The brace member 984 can extend between the leg members 982a, 982b at intermediate locations between the ends 986a, 986b and 988a, 988b.
In the configuration of FIGS. 28-30, the upper frame assembly 964 has a similar configuration to the lower frame assembly 962 with upper frame members 990a, 990b having a length shorter than the first base members 974a, 974b, although the upper frame members 990a, 990b can be longer or the same length as the first base members 974a, 974b. A second upper member 992 can extend between the upper frame members 990a, 990b. That said, in other configurations, such as illustrated in FIGS. 31-32, the first base members 974a, 974b are curved to aid with a rocking motion, while the upper frame assembly 964 has a similar form to that of the configuration of FIGS. 28-30.
Extending between the second upper member 992 and the brace member 984 is the frameless furniture support 954. As illustrated, the frameless furniture support 954 includes a plurality of curved slats 1000 that collectively form a surface to support a furniture assembly, such as those described herein or otherwise anticipated by the disclosure presented herein. While curved slats 1000 are illustrated, the frameless furniture support 954 can include one or more slats or support members, whether curved, straight, curved and straight, combinations and/or modification thereof.
Generally, the frameless furniture movement assembly 900 illustrated in FIGS. 28-32, can be formed of a variety of different materials, such as metal, wood, grasses, composite, polymer, alloys, natural materials, synthetic materials, combinations thereof. Additionally one or more of the surfaces of the frameless furniture movement assembly 900 can include surface finishes or friction increasing structures as described herein.
Turning to FIG. 33, to aid with movement of the upper frame assembly 964 and the upright assembly 966 in relation to the surface 70, and/or the lower frame assembly 962, a spring assembly 968 extends between the upper frame assembly 964 and the lower frame assembly 962. As mentioned herein, the upper frame assembly 964 extends in a cantilever fashion from the upright assembly 966, and the upright assembly 966 extends from the lower frame assembly 962 in a cantilever fashion. The upper frame assembly 964 flexes or moves in relation to the upright assembly 966 and the upright assembly 966 flexes or moves in relation to the lower frame assembly 962 to provide movement of the frameless furniture support 954. To vary or change the flexing or movement, a spring assembly or member 968 extends from the upper frame assembly 964 and the lower frame assembly 962. For instance, the spring assembly 968 extends from the second base member 976 to the second upper member 992 and provide resiliency to the movement of the second upper member 992. The spring assembly 968 can be formed of a flexible, elastic, resilient, or semi-resilient member that flexes or bends and has sufficient resiliency to move the upper frame assembly 964 away from the lower frame assembly 962. The spring member 968 can be fixably attached to one or both of the lower frame assembly 962 and the upper frame assembly 964, such as through welding, bonding, etc. or can be releasably attached to one or both of the lower frame assembly 962 and the upper frame assembly 964 using a releasing mechanism 994, such as through hinge, releasable pin connection, or interaction of two member having interacting geometries that allow all or portions thereof so the two members can interface and allows adjustability of the overall length, combinations and/or modifications thereof. The later allows for replacement of the spring member 968 to change flexing characteristics of the spring member 968 and so the frameless furniture movement assembly 900. Changing these flexing characteristics enhances the use of the frameless furniture movement assembly and so the frameless furniture by a user.
Returning to FIGS. 8-24, the frameless furniture movement assemblies can include various electrical assemblies 199, 299, 499, 599, 699, 799 illustrated schematically in phantom lines, that contain or connect to a power source to support and power a plethora of electronic components. For example, the frameless furniture movement assemblies can house or otherwise contain speakers, chargers, ports, etc. that can be powered by the various electrical assemblies and/or power sources.
Examples of electrical components that can be contained or otherwise included with the frames furniture movement assemblies are outlined in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/349,363, filed Jun. 26, 2021, entitled “Furniture Console and Methods of Using the Same,” the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Additional examples are outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 10,236,643, filed Sep. 20, 2016, entitled “Electrical Hub for Furniture assemblies,” the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Further examples are outlined U.S. Patent Nos.: 10,212,519, filed Nov. 10, 2016, entitled “Electronic Furniture Systems with Integrated Internal Speakers;” 11,178,486, filed Nov. 26, 2019, entitled “Modular Furniture Speaker Assembly with Reconfigurable Transverse Members;” 11,178,487, filed Jan. 9, 2020, entitled “Electronic Furniture Systems with Integrated Induction Charger;” and 11,172,301, filed Feb. 12, 2019, entitled “Electronic Furniture Systems with Integrated Internal Speakers.” The entire contents of each of the foregoing patents are herein incorporated by reference.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant work of drywall repair.
The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.
A user having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.
Following are some further example embodiments of the invention. These are presented only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Further, any example embodiment can be combined with one or more of the example embodiments.
- Embodiment 1. A frameless furniture movement assembly for moving a frameless furniture assembly, the frameless furniture movement assembly comprising a receiving body that accommodates the frameless furniture assembly and limits or prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body in at least one of a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a movement assembly operatively coupled to the receiving body to move the receiving body in the first direction.
- Embodiment 2. The frameless furniture movement assembly of embodiment 1, wherein the movement assembly comprises at least two rails mounted to the receiving body.
- Embodiment 3. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 1-2, wherein the movement assembly comprises at least one rotating assembly to which the receiving body slidably moves.
- Embodiment 4. The frameless furniture assembly of any of the embodiments 1-3, wherein the at least one rotating assembly comprises one of a wheel or roller.
- Embodiment 5. The frameless furniture assembly of any the embodiments 1-4, further comprising at least one stop.
- Embodiment 6. The frameless furniture assembly of any of the embodiments 1-5, wherein the receiving body comprises at least one engagement channel configured to receive a portion of the movement assembly, the at least one engagement channel being configured to guide movement of the receiving body over the movement assembly.
- Embodiment 7. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 1-6, wherein the movement assembly comprises a frame assembly pivotally connected to a receiving body support.
- Embodiment 8. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 1-7, further comprising a linkage disposed between the frame assembly and the receiving body support.
- Embodiment 9. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 1-8, wherein movement of the receiving body moves in at least one of a linear motion and a non-linear motion.
- Embodiment 10. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 1-9, wherein the movement assembly comprises a resiliently deformable member mounted to a base, the resiliently deformable member configured to cradle an outer surface of the receiving body.
- Embodiment 11. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 1-10, wherein the movement assembly comprises at least one bearing surface forming a surface of a member configured to support the receiving body.
- Embodiment 12. A frameless furniture moving system comprising a frameless furniture assembly comprising a cover and an insert disposed within the cover, and a frameless furniture moving assembly comprising a receiving body that accommodates the frameless furniture assembly and prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body in at least one of a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a movement assembly, mounted to the receiving body, for movement of the frameless furniture moving assembly in the first direction.
- Embodiment 13. The frameless furniture moving system of embodiment 12, wherein the movement assembly comprises at least two rails mounted to the receiving body.
- Embodiment 14. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-13, wherein the receiving body is detachable from the movement assembly.
- Embodiment 15. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-14, wherein the movement assembly comprises a rotating assembly.
- Embodiment 16. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-15, wherein the receiving body comprises a first side portion, a second side portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion.
- Embodiment 17. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-16, wherein when the first side portion is in contact with the rotating assembly at a first junction, the intermediate portion is further from the frameless furniture assembly than the first side portion at the first junction.
- Embodiment 18. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-17, wherein the rotating assembly comprises one of a wheel or roller.
- Embodiment 19. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-18, further comprising at least one stop.
- Embodiment 20. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-19, wherein the receiving body comprises an engagement channel configured to receive a portion of the movement assembly, the engagement channel configured to guide movement of the receiving body over the movement assembly.
- Embodiment 21. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-20, wherein the movement assembly comprises a frame assembly pivotally connected to a receiving body support.
- Embodiment 22. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-21, further comprising a linkage disposed between the frame assembly and the receiving body support.
- Embodiment 23. The frameless furniture moving system of any the embodiments 12-22, wherein movement of the receiving body moves in at least one of a linear motion and a non-linear motion.
- Embodiment 24. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 12-23, wherein the movement assembly comprises a resiliently deformable member mounted to a base, the resiliently deformable member configured to cradle an outer surface of the receiving body.
- Embodiment 25. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 12-24, wherein the movement assembly comprises at least one bearing surface forming a surface of a member configured to support the receiving body.
- Embodiment 26. The frameless furniture movement system of any of the embodiments 12-25, wherein the movement assembly comprises a frame assembly supporting a receiving body support operatively coupled to the receiving body, the receiving body support being pivotally coupled to the frame assembly.
- Embodiment 27. The frameless furniture movement system of any of the embodiments 12-26, further comprising linkages operatively connecting the frame assembly to the receiving body support.
- Embodiment 28. The frameless furniture movement system of any of the embodiments 12-27, further comprising a lock mechanism limiting movement of the receiving body support in relation to the frame assembly.
- Embodiment 29. A frameless furniture movement assembly for moving a frameless furniture assembly, the frameless furniture movement assembly including a frameless furniture support that accommodates the frameless furniture assembly and prevents decoupling of the frameless furniture assembly from the receiving body in at least one of a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a movement assembly configured to move the frameless furniture support in the first direction.
- Embodiment 30. The frameless furniture movement assembly of embodiment 29, wherein the movement assembly includes a portion of the frameless furniture support.
- Embodiment 31. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 29-30, wherein the movement assembly includes a frame supporting the frameless furniture support.
- Embodiment 32. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 29-31, wherein the frameless furniture support includes at least one curved slat member.
- Embodiment 33. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiments 29-32, further including a spring assembly extending between an upper frame assembly and a lower frame assembly of the movement assembly.
- Embodiment 34. The frameless furniture movement assembly of any of the embodiment 29-33, wherein the spring assembly is selectively replaceable to varying a degree of flexing and movement of the upper frame assembly in relation to the lower frame assembly.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.