Patent Application
20080012416
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be better understood, certain drawings or flow charts are appended hereto. It is to be noted, however, that the appended illustrations depict only selected embodiments of the inventions and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the inventions may admit to other equally effective embodiments and applications.
As used herein, the term “couch” means any article of furniture on which one may sit, and which has a major axis.
The term “chaise couch” means a couch which does not have dual arm rests.
The illustrative base 110 is rectangular in shape. However, the base 110 may be in the shape of any polygon that is capable of supporting the backing 130. The base 110 preferably rests on a set of four legs 116, with each leg 116 being secured at a lower corner quadrant of the base 110. The legs 116 allow for easier movement of the base 110 on surfaces such as hardwood floors, and allow for easier cleaning of the floor surface beneath the base 110. In another aspect, the base 110 may include an additional pair of legs (not shown) located intermediate of the corner legs 116. An intermediate pair of legs may be especially suitable for a couch 100 of extraordinary length. The legs 116 may be fabricated from any rigid material capable of supporting the weight of the couch 100 and a human body. Suitable materials include a hard wood or durable resin.
The base 110 is fabricated from a frame.
The framework 168 is formed by a pair of end frame supports 150, a middle frame support 152, and a pair of side frame supports 154. The end frame supports 150 and side frame supports 154 may be cut to various lengths to form various sized couches. The middle frame support 152 is cut at a length approximately equal to the width of the couch 100. The end frame supports 150 and side frame supports 154 are secured to each other at right angles. This may be accomplished by insertion of a plurality of fasteners 169 such as screws or nails. The middle support 152 may be secured in a similar manner at a central location between the end frame supports 150.
The base 110 length and width are preferably dimensioned so as to accommodate a person in a reclined position. The base 110 height is preferably that of an average complimentary couch or chair. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 110 is approximately 24 inches high, 60 inches long and 30 inches wide. However, it is understood that the present inventions are not limited to any specific dimensions for the base 110 A durable material such as leather, woven cloth or any other cover material known in the art covers the framework 168 and gives the base 110 the aesthetic appearance of a single, movable unit.
As noted, the couch 100 also includes a cushion. The cushion is shown at 120 in
The cushion 120 is filled with upholstery filler such as foam, down feathers, layered batting or other filler known in the art. The filler is encased in an upholstery covering or shell such as leather or woven cloth that aesthetically matches the covering of the base 110. The thickness or height of the cushion 120 is consistent and is dimensioned so as to provide comfortable support to a user. The length and width is preferably also complimentary to that of the top surface 113 of the base 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the cushion is approximately 4 to 8 inches thick, 20 to 60 inches long and 15 to 30 inches wide. However, it is understood that the present inventions are not limited to any specific dimensions for the cushion 120.
In one embodiment, the cushion 120 contains a cut-out section 124 in one quadrant. The cut-out section 124 is dimensioned to engage the removable backing 130. In another aspect, the cushion 120 may be dimensioned to accommodate a pair of removable backings 130. For instance, backings 130 may be placed in a side-by-side relationship, or in opposing orientations. In use, the removable backing 130 provides a resting place for a human arm or back depending on the orientation of the resting body.
The removable backing 130 shown in
The cushion 120 has a first surface 123 and an opposing second surface (not seen). In the view of
The couch also includes a releasable connector. An illustrative connector is shown at 140 in
The bracket connector 144 includes an aperture 145 that, in use, slideably engages an elongated member 143 of the bracket post 142. The aperture 145 is substantially oval in shape. The bracket connector 144 also includes two openings 147c on a single wall through an upper portion. A fastener such as a screw or bolt engages each of the openings 147c in order to secure the bracket connector 144 to the framework 168 of the base 110. The bracket connector 144 further includes a single opening 147d centrally located on a tapered end 148 that aligns with the opening 147b on the bracket post 142 when the engaged. A fastener such as bolt or screw may be installed through the aligned openings 147b, 147d. In this way, the bracket post 142 is secured within the bracket connector 144.
In use, one or more bracket posts 142 is secured to the removable backing 130. In one aspect, a pair of bracket posts 142 extends from a bottom surface 135 of the removable backing 130. The bracket posts 142 are dimensioned to slideably engage corresponding bracket connectors 144 disposed in the base 110. It is understood that the locations of the bracket posts 142 and bracket connectors 144 forming the connector assembly 140 may be reversed. In this aspect, the bracket posts 142 may be secured to the framework 168 of the base 110, and the bracket connectors 144 may be secured to the backing 130 in order to slideably receive the corresponding bracket post 142.
In an alternative embodiment, the releasable connector defines a quick connect system (not shown). The quick connect system may employ pairs of brackets, as with assembly 140 of
It is preferred that the releasable connector, such as bracket assembly 140, be disposed at multiple positions around the base 110. In the exploded view of
Referring now to
The bracket connectors 144 are secured to the end frame supports 150 and middle frame support 152 at various locations For proper alignment of the removable backing 130, the corresponding bracket posts 142 are secured to an opposing interior face 160 at each end 161 of the removable backing 130. In an alternative embodiment, the bracket connectors 144 are secured to an interior surface 170 of the side frame supports 154. The corresponding bracket posts 142 are secured to the interior face 171 of the removable backing 130.
A method for arranging furniture is also disclosed herein.
At step 210, a user is provided an item of furniture having a base, a removable backing and a cushion. The item of furniture is preferably a couch 100 from
At step 240, the user installs the removable backing along the second section of the base. In one aspect, installation is done at a position along the base where the cutaway section of the cushion is placed. Optionally, at step 250, the user moves the base from a first position where its first end is adjacent to an object such as another article of furniture or a wall, to a second position where its second end is adjacent to the object.
A method of arranging a chaise couch is also provided. In one embodiment the method includes the step of providing a chaise couch having a base with first and second opposite sides, first and second opposite ends, and a top surface. Also provided is a removable backing configured to rest on a portion of the base, a releasable connector releasably connecting the removable backing from the base, and a cushion having first and second opposite surfaces as well as a cut-out section configured to accommodate the removable backing at different sections on the base. In addition, the method also includes the steps of removing the removable backing from a first section of the base, changing the position of the cushion to accommodate the removable backing along a second section of the base and installing the removable backing along the second section of the base. In one aspect, the step of changing the position of the cushion comprises the step of flipping the cushion from having its first surface resting on the base, to having its second surface resting on the base.
In another aspect, the method of arranging a chaise couch may include the step of moving the base from a first position where its first end is adjacent to a first end of a couch, to a second position where its second end is adjacent to a second end of the couch.
Thus, an improved couch has been provided in various arrangements. Further, methods for arranging furniture such as a couch have been disclosed. It is understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the inventions, which may be embodied in various forms. It is intended that alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims.
