Patent Application
20100176643
The present disclosure relates to a universal connection system for arm assemblies to furniture members.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Furniture members referred to generally as “stadium seats” are commonly provided as individual furniture pieces such as chairs, loveseats, sectionals, connecting sections, and the like connected by hardware to provide multiple occupant seating. Stadium seats are often used in home theater areas, and commercially in sports bars, and the like to closely connect seating to minimize seating floor space required and provide a common appearance for the combined assembly.
Disadvantages of known stadium seating arrangements include multiple loose pieces of hardware required to connect or disconnect the individual seating units, which increase costs and assembly/disassembly time. Further, known arrangements have the hardware visibly exposed after assembly in order to provide access to the hardware, or require a separate hardware cover piece after installation. This commonly results in an unsightly finished appearance for the furniture members. Known arrangements also require multiple different furniture pieces or sections that are different from each other which can increase the overall costs of the system. Regular use of the units can also result in loosening of the hardware which allows the individual furniture members to move with respect to each other, which can cause damage to the upholstered faces.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, an arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly includes a furniture member having a support frame supporting an occupant seat portion. An attachment member is connected to the support frame. A connection member is fixed to the attachment member and extends vertically upward from the attachment member and is positioned outward of one of a right hand and a left hand side of the occupant seat portion and the support frame. An arm assembly includes an arm assembly frame. At least one bracket is connected to the arm assembly frame having a connection member receiving cavity adapted to slidably receive the connection member when the arm assembly abuts the furniture assembly.
According to further embodiments, an arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly includes a furniture member having a support frame. An attachment member is connected to the support frame. First and second connection members are individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member, each extending vertically upward from the attachment member, and are individually positioned outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the furniture member. Identically configured first and second arm assemblies each include first and second brackets each having a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly and adapted to slidably receive one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the first and second arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member.
According to still further embodiments, an arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly includes at least first and second furniture members, each including a support frame supporting an occupant seat portion. An attachment member is connected to the support frame. First and second connection members are individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member and each extend vertically upward from the attachment member and are individually positioned outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the occupant seat portion and support frame. Identically configured at least first, second, and third arm assemblies each include an arm assembly frame having first and second side frame members. First and second brackets are individually connected to one of the first and second side frame members each having a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly and adapted to slidably receive one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the at least first, second, and third arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the first or second furniture members. One of the at least first, second, and third arm assemblies connects proximate ones of the at least first and second furniture members.
According to other embodiments, a method for connecting arms to a furniture member is provided. The furniture member includes a support frame, an attachment member connected to the support frame, and first and second connection members individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member, and the arms include identically configured first and second arm assemblies each having first and second brackets each including a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly. The method comprises orienting the first and second connection members vertically upward from the attachment member; individually positioning the first and second connection members outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the furniture member; and positioning each of the first and second arms to enclose one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the first and second arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Referring to
Support frame 16 can be made from frame portions constructed from wood such as plywood, metal, or polymeric material and can include rear support feet 22 and front support feet 24 extending downward from support frame 16 to provide clearance for support frame 16 and a floor surface (only the right side rear support feet and front support feet 22, 24 are shown in this view). An attachment member 26 is fixedly connected such as by fasteners (not shown) to support frame 16 and extends partially beyond support frame 16 on each of a right hand and left hand side of furniture member 10. Fixedly connected to attachment member 26 is each of a first connection member 28 and a second connection member 30 (shown in phantom in this view). First and second connection members 28, 30 are each adapted to individually receive one of the arm assemblies 12 and retain the arm assembly 12 to the furniture member 10. The attachment member 26 is located within a cavity 32 defined between rear and front support feet 22, 24 such that a lower surface 33 of attachment member 26 can be raised above the floor surface upon which furniture member 10 is supported.
Furniture member 10 further includes a first upholstered side 34 and an opposite second upholstered side 36 defining right and left hand sides of furniture member 10 respectively. A first backrest upholstered side 38 and a second backrest upholstered side 39 further define a right hand and a left hand side of backrest member 18.
Each arm assembly 12 includes a first U-shaped bracket 40 creating a first connection member receiving cavity 42 and a second U-shaped bracket 44 creating a second connection member receiving cavity 46. The first and second U-shaped brackets 40, 44 are positioned within the frame structure and upholstered outer covering of the arm assemblies 12. Therefore, to provide for visual assistance in installing the arm assemblies 12, an alignment seam 48, 48′ can be provided on opposite first and second arm sides 50, 52. Alignment seams 48, 48′ are positioned parallel to and in co-alignment with a longitudinal axis of the respective first and second connection member receiving cavities 42, 44 to visually align first connection member receiving cavity 42 or second connection member receiving cavity 46 with either first or second connection member 28, 30 respectively. Alignment seams 48, 48′ can be for example stitching or sewn seams provided in the upholstery covering of arm assembly 12. For example, visual alignment of first connection member receiving cavity 42 with first connection member 28 can be accomplished by aligning alignment seam 48′ with a longitudinal axis 54 of first connection member 28 so that arm assembly 12 can be slidably aligned for installation onto first connection member 28. Arm assembly 12 can also be positioned on a left hand side of furniture member 10 by similarly aligning the second member receiving cavity 46 by visually aligning alignment seam 48 with a similar longitudinal axis (not shown) of second connection member 30. Any arm assembly 12 can therefore be universally used on either a right hand or a left hand side of furniture member 10.
Referring to
With arm assembly 12 positioned as shown, second arm side 52 can physically contact first upholstered side 34 (not visible in this view) of furniture member 10. Clearance is provided however between second arm side 52 and first backrest upholstered side 38 to allow backrest member 18 to rotate freely in each of a backrest rear rotation direction “A” and a backrest forward rotation direction “B”. In addition, leg rest member 20 is provided with clearance to second arm side 52 to allow leg rest member 20 to extend or retract in either the leg rest extension direction “C” or a leg rest retraction direction “D”. As shown and described in reference to
Referring now to
First U-shaped bracket 40 includes a first bracket wing 70 and an opposed second bracket wing 72 which are fixedly connected to first side frame member 64 on an interior facing side of first side frame member 64. A first bracket leg 74 having a first boundary wall 75 is oriented substantially parallel to a second bracket leg 76 having a second boundary wall 77. The first connection member receiving cavity 42 is created by a predetermined separation distance between the first and second boundary walls 75, 77. The predetermined separation distance is at a minimum approximately equal to a width or diameter of first connection member 28 and is at a maximum approximately one quarter inch (0.64 cm) greater than the width or diameter of first connection member 28. First connection member 28 is received in first connection member receiving cavity 42 with either a sliding fit or a frictional fit to limit displacement of arm assembly 12 such that contact between first connection member 28 and first boundary wall 75 prevents displacement of arm assembly 12 in a forward direction “E”. Similarly, contact between first connection member 28 and second boundary wall 77 prevents displacement of arm assembly 12 in rearward direction “F”. A connection portion 78 integrally joins first and second bracket legs 74, 76.
According to several embodiments each of the first and second bracket wings 70, 72 are connected to an interior facing frame surface 79 of first side frame member 64. Each of the first and second bracket legs 74, 76 and the connecting portion 78 are fixedly connected to a frame wall 80 which can be independently connected to first side frame member 64, or can be an integral extension of first side frame member 64. Contact between first connection member 28 and an interior facing surface 81 of frame wall 80 prevents displacement of arm assembly 12 in a lateral direction “G”. It should be evident that use of the first and second U-shaped brackets 40, 44 of the present disclosure, with either the first or second connection members 28, 30 provide for installation of arm assembly 12 to either a right or left hand side of furniture member 10 without the requirement or need of additional fasteners, connecting members, adhesives, or the like. Disassembly of any arm assembly 12 from a furniture member 10 can therefore be accomplished by lifting the arm assembly 12 vertically from the position shown in
Referring to
First and second caps 86, 88 can be inserted into free ends of each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 at the discretion of the manufacturer. First and second caps 86, 88 can be made from a material such as a polymeric material to decrease the friction during installation of the arm assemblies 12 onto the first and second connection members 28, 30. First and second connection members 28, 30 can be connected to attachment member 26 by inserting an insertion end 90, 90′ of each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 into individual ones of a first mounting cavity 92 or a second mounting cavity 94. A fixed connection between first or second connection members 28, 30 and attachment member 26 is created for example by welding. To provide for the welded connection, the material used for each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 is therefore a metal such as steel. First and second connection members 28, 30 are preferably, but not limited in form to a circular tube to reduce friction when first and second connection members 28, 30 are inserted in arm assemblies 12. Both the first and second connection members 28, 30 are oriented at an angle α with respect to attachment member 26. According to several embodiments angle α is 90 degrees. When assembly of attachment member 26 is complete, a height “K” is maintained for both first and second connection members 28, 30 which is less than a length of the first and second connection member receiving cavities 42, 44.
Referring to
The second arm assembly 12′ is shown during installation to furniture member 10. Each of the arm assemblies 12, 12′ are similarly installed. In the example shown in
Referring to
A furniture member assembly 108 includes first, second, and third furniture members 10, 10′, 10″. Furniture member assembly 108 further includes a right hand positioned arm assembly 12, a left hand positioned arm assembly 12′, a modified arm assembly 102 positioned between first and second furniture members 10, 10′, and a second modified arm assembly 102′ positioned between second and third furniture members 10′, 10″. A furniture member assembly 110 includes first, second, third, and fourth furniture members 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″. Furniture member assembly 110 further includes a right hand positioned arm assembly 12, a left hand positioned arm assembly 12′, a modified arm assembly 102 positioned between first and second furniture members 10, 10′, a second modified arm assembly 102′ positioned between third and fourth furniture members 10″, 10′″, and an arm assembly 12″ positioned between second and third furniture members 10′, 10″. It should be evident that multiple further perturbations of furniture member assemblies can be created using the arm assemblies or modified arm assemblies of the present disclosure, and with different furniture member designs such as loveseats, sofas, non-reclining chairs, and the like.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
