STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
This invention was not made using federally sponsored research and development.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
None.
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING
There is no sequence listing in this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of furniture and more particularly to the packaging of sofa kits. Sofas have long been known in the furniture making arts but the traditional sofa design with a one piece frame is not susceptible to easy assembly and disassembly. It is also not easy to package such a sofa in a flat box for storage at the seller's warehouse.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns a sofa which solves the problems of the prior art by providing a sofa that can easily be assembled or disassembled by the end consumer at home.
The disassembled sofa can be stored in a flat box. Storage in the flat box not only helps the warehouse to store the sofa, but when the end user has purchased the sofa it is easier in such a flat box to transport it to the location where it will be assembled. The way this invention accomplishes these results is as follows: The parts of the sofa can be broken down into three boxes. Chaise sections can be assembled by placing the seat back flat on the ground and placing the seat frame/arm upright on top of the seat back. A metal threaded rod is used to connect the seat frame and the seat back. A metal nut is used to secure the seat frame to the back using a wrench that comes provided in the package of the kit. The legs are then twisted onto the bottom of the seat frame. The Chaise can be assembled in a left handed or right handed configuration. There is also a love seat portion and an ottoman portion. The love seat portion can also be assembled in a left handed or right handed configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fully exploded diagram of the first portion of the kit.
FIG. 2 shows the first step in the assembly of the first portion.
FIG. 3 shows the second step in the assembly of the first portion (right handed).
FIG. 4 shows the third step in the assembly of the first portion (right handed).
FIG. 5 shows the fourth step in the assembly of the first portion (right handed).
FIG. 6 shows the final step in the assembly of the first portion (right handed).
FIG. 7 shows the second step in the assembly of the first portion (left handed).
FIG. 8 shows the third step in the assembly of the first portion (left handed).
FIG. 9 shows the fourth step in the assembly of the first portion (left handed).
FIG. 10 shows the final step in the assembly of the first portion (left handed).
FIG. 11 shows a fully exploded diagram of the parts of the second portion of the sofa kit.
FIG. 12 shows the first assembly step of the second portion (right handed).
FIG. 13 shows the second assembly step of the second portion (right handed).
FIG. 14 shows the third assembly step of the second portion (right handed).
FIG. 15 shows the fourth assembly step of the second portion (right handed).
FIG. 16 shows the fifth assembly step of the second portion (right handed).
FIG. 17 shows the first assembly step of the second portion (left handed).
FIG. 18 shows the second assembly step of the second portion (left handed).
FIG. 19 shows the third assembly step of the second portion (left handed).
FIG. 20 shows the fourth assembly step of the second portion (left handed).
FIG. 21 shows the fifth assembly step of the second portion (left handed).
FIG. 22 shows a fully exploded diagram of the third portion of the sofa kit.
FIG. 23 shows a cutaway view of the interior of the ottoman.
FIG. 24 shows the first step of the assembly of the third portion.
FIG. 25 shows the third portion with the legs attached.
FIG. 26 shows the final step of assembling the third portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns a sofa kit which solves the problems of the prior art by providing a sofa that can easily be assembled or disassembled by the end consumer at home. The disassembled sofa can be stored in three flat boxes. Storage in the flat boxes not only helps the warehouse to store the sofa, but when the end user has purchased the sofa it is easier in such a flat box to transport it to the location where it will be assembled. The way this invention accomplishes these results is as follows: The parts of the sofa can be broken down into three boxes. Chaise sections can be assembled by placing the seat back flat on the ground and placing the seat frame/arm upright on top of the seat back. A metal threaded rod is used to connect the seat frame and the seat back. A metal nut is used to secure the seat frame to the back using a wrench that comes provided in the package of the kit. The legs are then twisted onto the bottom of the seat frame. The Chaise can be assembled in a left handed or right handed configuration. There is also a love seat portion and an ottoman portion. The love seat portion can also be assembled in a left handed or right handed configuration. Turning now to FIG. 1, the parts found in the first box are shown disassembled. The first box contains five metal threaded rods (1), five nuts (2), five lock washers (3), five washers (4), a wrench (5), four feet 15, a first portion base (7), a first portion main back (8), and a first portion secondary back (9). Turning now to FIG. 2, three of the metal threaded rods are being used to attach the first portion main back (8) to the first portion base (7) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods on the far side of the first portion base (7) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Note the interior construction of the first portion base (7) in the cutaway. It is essentially a box formed of two rectangles each having long sides (10) and short sides (11). The two rectangles are held in a parallel configuration to form a box by the use of perpendicular spacers (12). A matrix of resilient bands (13) is placed parallel to one of the rectangles and it attaches to the perimeter of the rectangle. Angle braces (14) are placed in the corners of the rectangles for stability. The Chaise base, chaise main back and chaise secondary back, as well as the love seat base, love seat main back, love seat secondary back, and the ottoman base can all be constructed in this fashion. Turning now to FIG. 3, two of the metal threaded rods are being used to attach the first portion secondary back (9) to the first portion base (7) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods (1) on the far side of the first portion base (7) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Note: the first portion secondary back (9) is placed at the right elbow of a hypothetical person sitting on the base when it is placed on the floor. Turning now to FIG. 4, the feet (15) are screwed into the four bottom corners of the first portion base (7). FIG. 5 shows the first portion after assembly. Note that a cover (16) on the first portion base (7) envelopes the matrix of resilient bands (13) so they are not seen in this assembled view. Note that the chaise base, chaise main back and chaise secondary back, as well as the love seat base, love seat main back, love seat secondary back, and the ottoman base can all be constructed with such covers. FIG. 6 shows the assembled first portion after cushions (17) are added. The wrench (5) may be omitted from the first portion box if it is contained in the second portion box or the third portion box. Turning now to FIG. 7, three of the metal threaded rods (1) are being used to attach the first portion main back (8) to the first portion base (7) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods (1) on the far side of the first portion base (7) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Turning now to FIG. 8, two of the metal threaded rods (1) are being used to attach the first portion secondary back (9) to the first portion base (7) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods (1) on the far side of the first portion base (7) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Note: the first portion secondary back (9) is placed at the left elbow of a hypothetical person sitting on the base when it is placed on the floor. Turning now to FIG. 9, the feet (15) are screwed into the four bottom corners of the first portion base (7). FIG. 9 shows the first portion after assembly and FIG. 10 shows the assembled first portion after cushions are added. The wrench (5) may be omitted from the first portion box if it is contained in the second portion box or the third portion box. Turning now to FIG. 11, the parts found in the second box are shown disassembled. The second box contains four metal threaded rods (1), four nuts (2), four lock washers (3), four washers (4), a wrench (5), four feet (15), a second portion base (18), a second portion main back (19), and a second portion secondary back (20). Turning now to FIG. 12, two of the metal threaded rods (1) are being used to attach the second portion main back (19) to the second portion base (18) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods (1) on the far side of the second portion base (18) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Note that if the base is turned down to the floor the second portion main back (19) is installed in this example at the right elbow of a hypothetical person sitting on the base. Turning now to FIG. 13, three of the metal threaded rods (1) are being used to attach the second portion secondary back (20) to the second portion base (18) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods on the far side of the second portion base (18) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Turning now to FIG. 14, feet (15) are being screwed into the four bottom corners of the second portion base (18). FIG. 15 shows the second portion assembled and FIG. 16 shows the second portion after cushions (17) have been added. The wrench (5) may be omitted from the second portion box if it is contained in the first portion box or the third portion box. Turning now to FIG. 17, two of the metal threaded rods (1) are being used to attach the second portion main back (19) to the second portion base (18) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods (1) on the far side of the second portion base (18) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Note that if the base is turned down to the floor the second portion main back (19) is installed in this example at the left elbow of a hypothetical person sitting on the base. Turning now to FIG. 18, three of the metal threaded rods (1) are being used to attach the second portion secondary back (20) to the second portion base (18) by connecting to each of the metal threaded rods on the far side of the second portion base (18) in the following order: a washer (4), a lock washer (3), and a nut (2) using the wrench (5). Turning now to FIG. 19, feet (15) are being screwed into the four bottom corners of the second portion base (D). FIG. 20 shows the second portion assembled and FIG. 21 shows the second portion after cushions (17) have been added. The wrench (5) may be omitted from the second portion box if it is contained in the first portion box or the third portion box. Turning now to FIG. 22, the third portion is shown in a fully exploded diagram to have a third portion base (21), and four feet (15). FIG. 23 is a cutaway view showing the frame of wood or other suitable substance that the fabric or other upholstery is mounted on. Turning now to FIG. 24, the feet (15) are being screwed onto the four bottom corners of the third portion base (21). FIG. 25 shows the third portion assembled and FIG. 26 shows the third portion after a cushion has been added. The third portion is of course shipped, stored, and sold in the third box. The parts of this sofa kit can thus be fit into three boxes for easy shipping, storage, and sale and yet they can easily be assembled at home by the end user. The attachment means shown on the feet (15) in the drawing sheets comprises a threaded metal cylindrical extension which can be screwed into a corresponding hole on a furniture base, but several other attachment means for feet are well known in the furniture arts. Applicant does not intend to be limited to this one attachment means.