FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to multipurpose furniture and more particularly to a knock-down assembly of parts forming a chair unit which may be reoriented on a supporting surface to provide different functional positions or modes. The chair unit provides an easily assembled combination of interfitting cross panels and side frames forming a single rigid structure.
BACKGROUND
Many types and varieties of multipurpose furniture assemblies are known in the art for providing different seating functions, depending upon the positioning or orientation of the unit on a support surface. Most notably, such assemblies are particularly adapted to such functions as a regular or specialized seating or chair such as, but not limited to, a child's chair, an amusement rocker or rocking chair or a desk or table and chair mode. Although not necessarily so limited, this type of convertible multiuse assembly adapts itself easily to a child's high chair, an amusement rocking horse (or other simulations) mode and a child's desk mode. Although not necessarily true with all such devices, the concept of a knock-down assembly of parts for easy transport or storage has also been developed in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,918 to Berkes and U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,454 to Chuo Fu Tsung are examples of such multipurpose chair assemblies. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 357,128 to Watson et al and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 248,516 to Johansson are also examples of multipurpose furniture assemblies adapted particularly to child use and include alternately a child's high chair configuration, a child's amusement rocker and a child's desk unit as the assembly is rotated between several positions about a horizontal axis. This type of multipurpose furniture construction and assembly has distinct advantages as far as space saving by the elimination of several different and separate items of furniture. Additionally, such structures may be adapted for knock-down type assembly to permit easy storage and packaging for initial shipping and handling. It is also highly advantageous to provide simplified methods of assembly and to avoid complexity in the configurations of the various parts as well as a reduction of the number of parts to be assembled while keeping in focus the need for rigidity of the assembled structure for safety reasons. Avoiding the need for several separate unites of furniture also has obvious economic advantages.
SUMMARY
A multipurpose furniture assembly is provided which includes a dining chair mode in a primary upright position combined with a rocker configuration or a desk chair configuration by simply rotating the assembly about a horizontal axis. The disclosed primary preferred embodiment includes opposite side frames and a plurality of multi-functioning interrelated cross panels which function as seat surfaces, back rests and other functions, dependent upon the position and functional mode of the assembly. The cross panels are engaged and connected between the two side frames by means of mating projections on the panels and slotted openings in the side frames. The cross panels and side frames are ultimately locked in a rigid configuration by the positioning of a center panel or unit which holds the cross panels in position. The two side frames are ultimately held against the cross panels by cross member such as dowels or the like located along first parallel edges of the side frames, one of the cross members being connected to the center panel to secure it in place. The opposite parallel edges of the side frames are held together by the interaction of the cross panel projections and slotted openings in the respective side frames. This structure provides for a minimum total number of parts, since each cross panel serves alternate functions in the different functional modes of the assembly. Rigidity is accomplished by interacting slotted projections and mating slotted openings, a key locking central panel member and simple cross members and fastener elements. This arrangement and order of connecting the parts permits easy assembly and disassembly for storage, packaging and transporting. For use with smaller children, safety straps may be utilized in the high chair mode for restraining the occupant. In an alternate embodiment, a rigid safety bar configuration may be incorporated into one of the cross rods or dowels for increased safety considerations, either with or without additional straps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a collective view of the disassembled parts of the furniture assembly;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the furniture assembly in the high chair position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the furniture assembly in the rocking chair position;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the furniture assembly in the desk position;
FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the assembly with one of the side frames removed to show the relationship of the parts;
FIGS. 6-10 are perspective views illustrating the order of assembly of the side and cross panels to form the rigid structure;
FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the assembly in the high chair position, illustrating a second embodiment comprising a child's safety restraint bar;
FIG. 11A is a partial plan view of the bottom end portion of the restraint bar of FIG. 11; and
FIG. 11B is a partial plan view of a section of the forward portion of the high chair seating panel, illustrating the slotted receptacle for the restraint bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIMARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The multipurpose furniture assembly is illustrated as a child's high chair unit in FIGS. 1-10 which may be rotated about a horizontal axis to present additional seating mode positions or presentations of a rocker or rocking horse as illustrated in FIG. 3, and a child's seat and desk mode as shown in FIG. 4. To enable a clear understanding of the structural relationship of the various panels, the terms “bottom” and “back” are used to describe a seat bottom or a seat back and it will be appreciated that a seat bottom in one mode may become a seat back in another mode. The terms “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “left” and “right” are all determined by an occupant using the unit in a high chair position, such as shown in FIG. 2, unless another position is clearly stated. It will also be understood that the material for constructing the various panels and side frames may be varied. Although the preferred material of construction is injection molded or otherwise formed plastic using known methods, other materials such as plywoods, hardwoods, particle board, metal or any other suitable material chosen on the basis of strength, durability, safety, as well as the expense of construction may be utilized.
FIG. 1 is a collective plan view showing the essential elements or members that make up the chair unit, prior to assembly. Referring to FIG. 1, the units of the assembly include identical, essentially planar side frames 1 and 2. The side frames 1 and 2 may be identical in structure, from a manufacturing standpoint, or may be mirror images for reasons presently to be described. A pair of identical dowels or cross rods 3 and 4 are provided, the ends of which are designed to be seated in upper and lower circular recesses 6-7 and 8-9 in the inside surfaces of the side frames 1 and 2 respectively.
The high chair seat 11 is a generally rectangular flat panel which may have a curved rear edge 12, the curvature of which is a matter of choice or design. The seat panel 11 is not limited to any particular edge design configuration but will include projections 13 and 14 on the right side and projections 16 and 17 on the left side. The high chair back or back rest 18 also comprises a generally rectangular planar panel with a curved top edge 19, the curvature of which is optional, and an optional hand grip opening 21 for lifting purposes as desired. The panel 18 includes upper right and lower right side projections 22 and 23 and upper and lower left side projections 24 and 26 respectively.
Referring to FIG. 2, the assembly is shown in the high chair mode with the high chair seat panel 11 having its bottom seating surface 27 facing upwardly, the panel being supported by the projections 13-14 and 16-17 which extend through appropriately positioned through slots 28-29 and 31-32 respectively in the side frames 1 and 2 respectively. The high chair back or back rest 18 is positioned with the back rest surface 33 extending upwardly and substantially normal relative to the seat surface 27, being held in position by the projections 22-23 and 24-26 which engage in the corresponding through slots 34-36 and 37-38 respectively in the frames 1 and 2 respectively as illustrated in FIG. 1. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, the back rest panel 18 terminates adjacent the high chair seat surface 27 at a location in the approximate mid portion of the panel 11. This configuration creates a shelf-like area formed by the rear portion of the panel 11 and the back surface 40 of the panel 18, see FIGS. 6 and 7. The shelf may be used for storage during use of the assembly as a dining chair.
The side frames 1 and 2 are held together by means of the upper cross rod 3 and the lower cross rod 4, both of which are located adjacent the front parallel edges 39 and 41 of the side frames 1 and 2 respectively. As aforementioned, the ends of the cross rods or dowels 3 and 4 are seated in appropriate recesses 6, 7, 8 and 9 in the inside surfaces of the side frames 1 and 2 for a purpose presently to be described. It will also be noted that the front edges 39 and 41 are both curved inwardly with the terminal ends of the edge 39 providing support surfaces or legs 42 and 43 on its upper and lower ends respectively, the exact curvature of the surface being a matter of design. Likewise, the edge 41 terminates at its upper and lower ends with the support surfaces or legs 44 and 46 respectively for a purpose presently to be described. In the alternative the front edges of the side frames may have a straight line configuration.
The child high chair configuration may also include the usual restraint harness such as the crotch strap 47 which, in the present embodiment, is connected at one end about the upper dowel 3 and engages a suitable slotted opening 48 in the front edge of the chair seat 11 at its opposite end. Additional safety restraint is provided by the two-piece belt 49 in the nature of a seat belt connected by any suitable connector, such as the bayonet type connector 51. The ends of the belt 49 will be suitably anchored in the walls of the side frames 1 and 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be understood that any form or design of well known restraint harness, such as known three-piece straps and buckles, may be adapted for use with and suitably anchored to the seat structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the bottom or lower ends of the side panels 1 and 2 respectively are provided with support legs or surfaces 52-53 and 54-56. These support surface contact areas will be spaced on each frame to provide sufficient support and stability contact points to prevent any chance of tipping. In the alternative, the bottom edges of each of the side frames could be a continuous surface as desired. The upper ends of the side frames 1 and 2 include edge surfaces 50 and 55 respectively, the height of which will be chosen to fit beneath the conventional table height to permit the high chair assembly to be placed in a position to allow the chair occupant to use the table surface.
FIG. 3 illustrates the amusement rocker or hobby horse rocker mode for the child's chair and is attained by rotating the assembly rearwardly about a horizontal axis from the FIG. 2 position such that the entire assembly is then supported on the curved edges 57-58 of the side frames 1 and 2 respectively as shown in FIG. 3. A rocker seat panel 59 is located midway in the assembly and extends in a generally horizontal direction normal to and at substantially right angles to the bottom surface of the dining chair seat panel when the assembly is in the mode shown in FIG. 3. The rocker seat includes a rocker seat bottom surface 61, which may be generally triangular in shape as shown in FIG. 1, and a back edge 62 which abuts the high chair seat panel 11, the bottom surface of which forms the rocker seat back rest surface 63. The rocker seat panel 61 includes the projections 64 and 66 on opposite sides which engage through the elongated slots 67 and 68 in the side frames 1 and 2 respectively. It will be noted that the projections 64 and 66 are provided with slider slots 69 which allow the panel 59 to be moved into abutment with the back rest surface 63 of the panel 11 such that the slots 69 interlock with the walls of the side frames I and 2. This relationship is shown most clearly in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. The remaining two side edges of the panel 59 terminate in a projecting apex 71 with an edge which includes a slot 72 the purpose of which will be presently described. A foot rest panel 73 is positioned adjacent the bottom ends of the side panels 1 and 2 and below the level of the rocker seat panel 59 in the position shown in FIG. 3 and provides a foot rest surface 74 for a child seated on the rocker seat bottom 61. The foot rest panel 73 includes projections 76 and 77 on one side and projections 78 and 79 on the opposite side, each of which includes a slot 81 for engagement with the walls of the respective side frames 1 and 2 in the manner described for the rocker seat panel 59. It will be noted that the elongated slots 81 allow panel projections 76-77 and 78-79 to pass through the elongated slots 82-83, 84-86 of the side frames and the panel 73, see FIG. 1, to be slid forwardly, as viewed in FIG. 3, in the opposite direction from the direction of sliding of the rocker seat panel 59 for a purpose presently to be described.
A center panel 87 is utilized as a multi-functioning panel which serves to support the forward end of the rocker panel 59, to engage positively with the foot rest panel 73 and to receive the cross rod or dowel 4 so as to constitute the final locking link in rigidifying the cross panels and the side frames. The panel 87 is located midway between the side frames 1 and 2 and extends parallel to the side frames. This panel may take the shape of a rocking horse head as in the present embodiment for child amusement or may be formed in any other representation as desired. The panel 87 includes circular opening 88 for reception of the dowel 4, a notch or slot 89 for engaging the slot 72 in the rocker seat, and spaced projecting pins or pegs 91 on the bottom edge thereof for engagement with the holes or recesses 92 in the foot rest panel 73 as seen in FIG. 1. Other forms of removable positive engagement between the panel 87 and the panel 73 are also possible and the size and shape of such may be varied. This positive engagement of the central panel serves to lock the rocker seat panel 59 and the foot rest panel 73 in their engaged positions so as to rigidify the assembly. With the panels arranged in this mode, the child will be seated on the seat bottom 61 and against the back rest 63 with feet resting on the panel surface 74, utilizing the cross dowel 4 for hand holds.
FIG. 4 illustrates the assembly in the third functional mode of a child's desk and seat. This functional mode is obtained by simply rotating the assembly from the position shown in FIG. 2 forwardly, such that the entire assembly is then supported on the surfaces 42-43 and 44-46. In this position, the bottom side of the rocker seat panel 59 provides a seat bottom surface 93 and the rear portion of the bottom side of the panel 11 provides a back rest 94. In this position the surface 40 on the back side of the panel 18 and the rear surface portion of the high chair seat panel 11 opposite the surface 94 create a shelf-like area for storage during use of the assembly as a desk. The bottom side of the foot rest panel 73 provides the desk top surface 96 and the child seated on the seat bottom 93 may also use the cross dowel 4 as a foot rest.
FIGS. 6-10 illustrate the procedure for quick assembly of the furniture unit utilizing the interlocking projections and mating slots. Referring to FIG. 6, one side frame, in this instance the side frame 2, is preferably placed in a horizontal position and the chair seat 11 and high chair back rest panel 18 are placed in position with their appropriate projections inserted into the mating slots in the side frame. The rocker seat panel 59 is then placed in position with the edge 62 adjacent the bottom surface 94 of the high chair seat panel 11 with one of its side projections 66 inserted into the elongated slot 68 in the side frame 2. Likewise the foot rest panel 73 is positioned with its curved edge facing outwardly and with the spaced holes 92 facing inwardly, as viewed in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 7, the second side frame 1 is laid on top of the assembly, insuring that the slots in the side frame are aligned with the projections on the cross panels. While holding the frame together, the chair is then stood upright as shown in FIG. 8 and the panels 59 and 73 are moved in opposite directions so that the slotted portions of their projections engage and capture the side walls of the side frames 1 and 2. Panel 59 must be moved upwardly so that its edge 62 seats against the surface 94 as seen in FIG. 7 and the panel 73 is slid in the opposite direction to bottom out the slotted projections 76-79. Referring to FIG. 8, the dowel 3 is passed through the end of the crotch strap 47 and the dowel is inserted into the recesses 6 and 8 in the side frames and the ends of the dowel 3 are solidly connected to the side frames 1 and 2 with hardware such as screw threaded members 97, using a standard screw driver 95 as shown in FIG. 8. Screw threaded fasteners 97 are used on both ends of the dowel 3 and may include standard washers as illustrated. It will also be understood that any suitable alternative fastener means may be substituted for the screw threaded fasteners disclosed without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the invention. The assembly may then be positioned in the rocking chair mode, as shown in FIG. 9, and the central panel 87, with the dowel 4 extending through the hole 88, is placed between the side frames 1 and 2. The slot or notch 89 in the central panel is engaged with the slotted portion 72 of the rocker seat panel 59 and pegs 91 of the central panel aligned with the holes 92 in the foot rest panel 73. Central panel 87 is carefully pushed into place and the dowel 4 moved to snap into the recesses 7 and 9. The dowel 4 is then secured with screw threaded members 97 on both ends as previously described, utilizing a standard screw driver. The assembly is then ready for use in all three modes described. The cross rod dowels 3 and 4 serve to secure the two side frames together along the front edges 39 and 41 while the slotted projections on the panels 59 and 73 serve to secure the opposite side edges of the side frames together. The center panel 87 and its connections with the panels 59 and 73 and its engagement on the rigid cross rod or dowel 4 serve to hold the panels 59 and 73 in their engaged positions. It will also be noted that the dimensions of the various slotted openings in the side frames 1 and 2 will be such as to receive the various projections on the cross panels with a snug fit. The present disclosure thus presents improvements over known knock-down furniture units of the character described requiring no glue, bolts, clamps, wedging connectors, or reinforcing members and relies on a minimum number of simple fastener means and a conventional tool to complete the assembly.
FIGS. 11, 11A and B illustrate a second embodiment of the disclosure wherein a safety restraint bar is utilized to protect the occupant. In this embodiment a “T” shaped restraint bar 99 is incorporated into the top cross member or dowel 3 and extends between the side panels as shown in FIG. 11. It will be understood that the remaining panels and frames may remain in the same configuration described and that the restraint bar 99 may be formed of the same material as previously described. Likewise, the ends of the bar 99 may be seated in the side frame recesses 6 and 8 and secured with the screw threaded fasteners 97 or their equivalent as previously described for the cross dowel 3. In order to anchor the restraint bar 99, a groove 98 is formed in the high chair seat surface 27 as shown in FIG. 11B and will be dimensioned and positioned so as to snugly receive the extensions or projections 101 on the bottom end of the bar 99 as shown in FIG. 11A. It will be understood of course that the configuration and order of both the projections 101 on the bottom of the bar 99 as well as the groove or recess 98 in the high chair seat surface may be altered to suit the purpose of removably anchoring the bottom end of the restraint bar when in the engaged position between the side frames 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 8 and the assembly steps previously described, the restraint bar 99 will be placed in position and secured in the same manner as cross dowel 3. Additional safety straps or harness may of course be used with the restraint bar 99 if desired or required for any particular purpose.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the primary preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that alternative structural or mechanical details, as well as variations in-design, may be made in order to accomplish the objects of the invention. The detailed configuration of the various seat and back rest panels as well as the side frames may be changed to suit different intended functions or aesthetic preference and the center rocker panel 87 may be plain or take the shape of any desired simulation. The scope of the invention therefor, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property is claimed are defined as follows.
Patent Application
20100038935
