BACKGROUND
Generally, articles of furniture are designed for one specific use. However, it may be beneficial to provide furniture that is multifunctional.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention provides a convertible article of furniture. The convertible article of furniture may include a support base, wherein the support base may be configured to interchangeably support one of a first modular furniture piece or a second modular furniture piece securely thereon in a non-permanent manner The first modular furniture piece may include a bassinet basket. The second modular furniture piece may include any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, a desk top, or the like. The support base may include a rocking style frame. The support base may include one or more support members, wherein the one or more support members may be configured to support either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece. The one or more support members may span at least a portion of one or both of a width and length of a top portion of the support base. The one or more support members may be flush with an uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The one or more support members may be disposed a distance below an uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The one or more support members may include a lip that extends around an inner periphery of the support base. The lip extending around the inner periphery of the support base may be flush with an uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The lip extending around the inner periphery of the support base may be disposed a distance below an uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The one or more support members may include a top frame portion of the support base. The article of furniture may further include one or more spacers. The one or more spacers may be configured and sized to position the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, such that when installed atop the one or more support members, a top surface of the second or third structure is at a height substantially equal to or greater than an uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The spacer may be disposed between one or more of the one or more support members and a bottom surface of either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece. The convertible article of furniture may further include one or more pieces of a material disposed between one or more of the one or more support members and a bottom surface of either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, wherein the one or more pieces of material may be configured to provide one of an adhesive and/or non-slip property. The first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, when installed on the support base, may be secured to the support base by gravity. The first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, when installed on the support base, may be secured to the support base by a securing mechanism. The support base may include a non-foldable/non-collapsible structure. The support base may include a continuous rim or edge about its uppermost periphery. The support base may be configured to interchangeably support one of the first modular furniture piece or the second modular furniture piece without modification to either the support base or the first modular furniture piece or the second modular furniture piece.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a convertible bassinet is provided. The convertible bassinet may include a support base; and a bassinet basket configured to be received by the support base in a secure but non-permanent manner thereby creating a first article of furniture; and wherein the support base is further configured to interchangeably receive a modular furniture piece, wherein replacing the bassinet basket with the modular furniture piece converts the first article of furniture to a second article of furniture. The modular furniture piece may include any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, or a desk top.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of converting an article of furniture. The method may include providing a first article of furniture. The first article of furniture may include a support base; and a first modular furniture piece secured thereto in a non-permanent manner; and wherein the support base may be configured to interchangeably support various modular furniture pieces. The method may further include providing a second modular furniture piece; removing the first modular furniture piece from the support base; and installing the second modular furniture piece on the support base in a secure and non-permanent manner. The first modular furniture piece may include a bassinet basket and the second modular furniture piece may include any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, a desk top, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of a circular (or ovular) base, which is one example of the presently disclosed universal support bases for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture;
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example of the circular (or ovular) base shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 supporting a bassinet;
FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of the circular (or ovular) base and bassinet shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, that show more details of the circular (or ovular) base and bassinet shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 illustrate various perspective views of the circular (or ovular) base shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 supporting various types of tabletops;
FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of another example of the presently disclosed universal support bases for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture;
FIG. 28 illustrates a perspective view of an example of the base shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 supporting a bassinet;
FIG. 28, FIG. 29, FIG. 30, FIG. 31, FIG. 32, and FIG. 33 illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of the base and bassinet shown in FIG. 28;
FIG. 34, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37, and FIG. 38 illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, that show more details of the base and bassinet shown in FIG. 28;
FIG. 39, FIG. 40, FIG. 41, FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44 illustrate various perspective views of the base shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 supporting various types of tabletops;
FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of another example of the presently disclosed universal support bases for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture; and
FIG. 50 and FIG. 51, illustrates perspective views of an example of the base shown in FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 supporting a chair as another non-limiting example of modular and varied articles of furniture that can be supported by the universal support base of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to articles of furniture and more particularly to universal support bases for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture.
In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides universal/multifunctional support bases for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture. In one embodiment, the universal support base may be a circular (or ovular) base that can support a variety of modular furniture pieces, such as, but not limited to, a bassinet, a tabletop, a stool or bench top, a pouf, a chair and the like. In another embodiment, the universal support base may be a curved-leg style base that can support a variety of modular furniture pieces, such as, but not limited to, a bassinet, a tabletop, a stool or bench top, a pouf a chair, and the like. In yet another embodiment, the universal support base may be a rocker style base that can support a variety of modular furniture pieces, such as, but not limited to, a bassinet, a tabletop, a stool or bench top, a pouf a chair, and the like. In these examples, “modular” means furniture pieces that are interchangeable and therefore, while they may be securely installed on the universal support base, are not permanently attached thereto and can be switched in or out from the presently disclosed universal support bases, and preferably with minimal effort and little to no modification to the universal support bases and/or the modular furniture pieces. For example, the universal support base may be supporting a bassinet. Then, the bassinet may be easily removed from the base and replaced with a, for example, a tabletop. Accordingly, using the presently disclosed universal support bases a bassinet can be converted into a table, a stool, and so on.
Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of a universal support base 100 for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture. In this example, universal support base 100 is a circular (or ovular) style base. However, universal support base 100 may be of any general shape and or style. The universal support base 100 may be a non-collapsible/non-foldable structure. Having a non-collapsible/non-foldable structure may help to provide a more stable and secure base for supporting the modular and varied articles of furniture, for example no concerns of the universal support base 100 unintentional collapsing or folding up while supporting one of the modular and varied articles of furniture, such as a bassinet. The universal support base 100 may further include a continuous rim, edge, or top frame about its uppermost periphery. Having a continuous rim, edge, or top frame about the uppermost periphery of the universal support base 100 may also help to provide a more stable and secure base for supporting the modular and varied articles of furniture, by providing a continuous support structure for the modular and varied articles of furniture to sit on or in.
Referring now to FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 supporting a bassinet 120. In this example, the bassinet 120 may be a padded and upholstered bassinet. The shape of the bassinet 120 preferably corresponds to the shape of the universal support base 100, such that the bassinet 120 can be installed easily atop the universal support base 100. The bassinet 120 is preferably installed on the universal support base 100 in a secure but non-permanent (removable) manner, such that the bassinet 120 is secure atop the universal support base 100, but may still be removed.
Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of the universal support base 100 and bassinet 120 shown in FIG. 6. Further, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, that show more details of the universal support base 100 and bassinet 120 shown in FIG. 6. In this example, the universal support base 100 may include one or more support members 105, e.g., two (2) support members 105, that span the top portion thereof, wherein the bassinet 120 can be rested atop the support members 105. Support members 105 may, alternatively, be disposed a distance below an upper rim of universal support base 100. Support members 105 may, in another alternative, be disposed flush with an upper rim of universal support base 100. In yet another alternative, support members 105 may be a lip that extends around an inner periphery of universal support base 100, wherein an edge portion of the bassinet 120 would rest on the lip portion. In still yet another alternative, support members 105 may be a shelf, or partial shelf, that extends continuously, or semi-continuously, across the inner portion of the universal support base 120 wherein a bottom portion of the bassinet 120 would rest on the shelf.
Referring now to FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 is various perspective views of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 supporting various types of tabletops.
In FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19, the universal support base 100 is shown supporting various configurations of a tabletop 130. The tabletop 130 can be any shape, such as round, oval, square, rectangular, and the like. The tabletop 130 can be of almost any material, for example, a stone, marble, imitation marble tabletop, or any other suitable material. For some material, such as stone, marble, and the like, it may not be possible (or desirable) to make holes or screw into the tabletop material. Namely, FIG. 17 shows the tabletop 130 fitted within the universal support base 100 and simply resting by gravity atop the support members 105. In this example, the top surface of the tabletop 130 may be slightly below the upper rim of the universal support base 100. If it is desired that the surface of the tabletop 130 match the height of, or be greater than, the upper rim of the universal support base 100, certain spacer material 135 may be installed beneath the tabletop 130, as shown in FIG. 18. Further, if it is desired that the area of the tabletop 130 is greater than that of the circular (or ovular) base 100, again certain spacer material 135 may be installed beneath the tabletop 130, as shown in FIG. 19. Alternatively, the tabletop 130 may rest directly on the uppermost rim, edge, or top frame of the universal support base 100. The universal support base 100 is preferably configured such that bassinet 120 and/or other modular/various articles of furniture, e.g., tabletop 130, may be interchangeably installed on the universal support base 100 with preferably minimal effort and little to no modifications to any of the universal support base 100, bassinet 120, or other modular/various articles of furniture, e.g., tabletop 130.
In FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22, the universal support base 100 is shown supporting various configurations of a tabletop 140. The tabletop 140 can be any shape, such as round, oval, square, rectangular, and the like. The tabletop 140 can be, for example, a wood, eco-leather upholstered tabletop, or other suitable material. In this example, it may be possible to make holes or screw into the tabletop material. Namely, FIG. 20 shows an example of the tabletop 140 fitted within the universal support base 100 and may be fastened to the support members 105 via screws or other suitable mechanism, or alternatively be held in place by gravity. In one example, certain holes may be provided in the support members 105 and/or tabletop 140 for receiving the screws. In such an example, the surface of the tabletop 140 may be slightly below the upper rim of the universal support base 100. The tabletop 140 may be thicker so that its surface can match the height of, or be greater than, the upper rim of the universal support base 100. Again, the tabletop 140 may be fastened to the support members 105 of the universal support base 100 via screws or other suitable mechanism, or alternatively be held in place by gravity. Further, certain spacer material 135 may be installed beneath the tabletop 140, as shown in FIG. 22, for example, if the area of the tabletop 140 is greater than that of the circular (or ovular) base 100. Alternatively, the tabletop 140 may rest directly on the uppermost rim, edge, or top frame of the universal support base 100.
Referring now to FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of another example of a universal support base 100 for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture. In this example, universal support base 100 may be a crossed legged style base. However, universal support base 100 may be of any general shape and or style.
Referring now to FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an example of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 supporting a bassinet 220. In this example, the bassinet 220 may be a padded and upholstered bassinet. The shape of the bassinet 220 preferably corresponds to the general shape of the universal support base 100, such that the bassinet 120 can be fitted easily, and secured, atop the universal support base 100.
Referring now to FIG. 29, FIG. 30, FIG. 31, FIG. 32, and FIG. 33 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of the universal support base 100 and bassinet 220 shown in FIG. 28. Further, FIG. 34, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37, and FIG. 38 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, that show more details of the universal support base 100 and bassinet 220 shown in FIG. 28. In this example, the universal support base 100 includes a top frame member 205 supported by a crossing leg structure 210, wherein the bassinet 220 can be rested atop the top frame member 205.
Referring now to FIG. 39, FIG. 40, FIG. 41, FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44 is various perspective views of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 supporting various types of tabletops.
In FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41, the universal support base 100 is shown supporting various configurations of a tabletop 230. The tabletop 230 can be any shape, such as round (see FIG. 39), oval (see FIG. 40), square, rectangular (see FIG. 41), and the like. The tabletop 230 can be, for example, a stone, marble, imitation marble tabletop, or other suitable type material. In this example, it may not be possible to make holes or screw into such tabletop material. FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41 show material 235 positioned between the tabletop 240 and the top frame member 205. Material 235 may act as a spacer similar to spacer material 135, or may be a thin material for assisting to secure and/or hold tabletop 240 in place to the top frame member 205. In one example, material 235 may be adhered to the bottom surface of the tabletop 230 and positioned to align with the corners (or other portions) of the top frame member 205 of the universal support base 100. Alternatively, material 235 may be adhered to the top frame member 205 of the universal support base 100, e.g., at the corners of the top frame member 205. The tabletop 230 may rest by gravity or adhesion atop the top frame member 205.
In FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44, the universal support base 100 supports various configurations of a tabletop 240. The tabletop 240 can be any shape, such as round (see FIG. 42), oval (see FIG. 43), square, rectangular (see FIG. 44), and the like. The tabletop 240 can be, for example, a wood, eco-leather upholstered tabletop, or other suitable type material. In this example, it may be possible to make holes or screw into the tabletop material. For example, as shown in FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44 the tabletop 240 may be fastened to the top frame member 205 of the universal support base 100, without material 235 positioned there between, and may be secured using screws or other suitable mechanism, or alternatively may be held in place by gravity. Certain holes may be provided in the top frame member 205 and/or tabletop 240 for receiving the screws.
Referring now to FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of universal support base 100 for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture. In this example, universal support base 100 is a rocking style base. However, universal support base 100 may be of any general shape and or style.
Referring now to FIG. 50 and FIG. 51 is a perspective view of an example of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 supporting a chair 300. In this example, it may be possible to make holes or screw into the bottom of the chair 300. For example, the chair 300 may be fastened to the top frame member 305 of the universal support base 100 and may be secured using screws or other suitable mechanism, or alternatively may be held in place by gravity. Certain holes may be provided in the top frame member 305 and/or chair 300 for receiving the screws.
It should be understood that universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 may be used to support bassinet 120 or 220, or other modular furniture pieces. Further, chair 300 may also be supported on one or more other base 100 styles, for example, the circular or crossed legged style bases 100.
The examples used in the above description (e.g., table top, bassinet, chair) are used only as non-limiting examples of modular furniture piece that may be fitted atop universal support base 100. However, it should be understood that the piece of modular furniture may be one or more of a variety of pieces, such as, but not limited to, a bassinet, a tabletop, a stool, bench top, a pouf, seat, chair, a desk, and the like. Further, universal support base 100 in the above description and figures is shown as a circular (or ovular) style, crossed legged style, or rocking style base for the purposes of example only, and universal support base 100 may take on a number of different styles, shapes, and/or designs. The combination of particular modular and varied articles of furniture with a particular style of base 100 in the description above is only meant exemplary purposes, and it should be appreciated that the various modular and varied articles of furniture may be used with various styles of bases 100.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.
Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.
For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments, ±100% in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.
Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.
Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20210007507
