AU2016101952A4 - furniture spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

Furniture Spacer [001] The present invention relates to a device (FURNITURE SPACER) for placing in the space between the wall and the furniture to protect both wall and furniture from damaging each other, or accidental damage. [002] Pieces of furniture such as couches/lounge chairs are often placed in a room next to a wall. Movement by said furniture causes damage to both walls and furniture caused by simply sitting on the lounge chairs, causing them to move gradually over time back into the wall. [003] A common solution to this problem would be to set the distance more permanently between the wall and the said pieces of furniture. The Furniture Spacer does this by being flexible in length (refer to FIG 9) to fill the distance between the wall and the base of the piece of furniture. This device is easy to use and easily adaptable the fit the distance between the wall and the piece of furniture. (refer to FIG 10 a, b, c, d, e,) (0 e Q4.

Description

1 2016101952 08 Nov 2016

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT

NAME OF APPLICANT: Robert John PYNENBURG ACTUAL INVENTOR: Applicant ** Refer to Provision Patent Application number 2015904694 INVENTION TITLE: Furniture Spacer

Postal Address Robert John PYNENBURG ADDRESS; 74 Ladywell Street, Beckenham, 6107,

Western Australia.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me 2016101952 08 Nov 2016

Editorial Note 2016101952

The abstract is page 2 3 2016101952 08 Nov 2016

Background to the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a device (FURNITURE SPACER) for placing in the space between the wall and the furniture to protect both wall and furniture from damaging each other, or accidental damage.

[002] Pieces of furniture such as couches/lounge chairs are often placed in a room next to a wall. Movement by said furniture causes damage to both walls and furniture caused by simply sitting on the lounge chairs, causing them to move gradually over time back into the wall.

[003] A common solution to this problem would be to set the distance more permanently between the wall and the said pieces of furniture. The Furniture Spacer does this by being flexible in length (refer to FIG 9) to fill the distance between the wall and the base of the piece of furniture. This device is easy to use and easily adaptable the fit the distance between the wall and the piece of furniture, (refer to FIG 10 a, b, c, d, e,)

Summary of the Invention [004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a furniture spacer comprising: a base plate on which a leg of an item of furniture may be placed; a body having an opening in a first end into which an end portion of the base plate may be received such that the base plate is slide ability connected to the body; a first connector adjacent the first end of the body; and a second connector adjacent a second end of the body; wherein the second connector is engage able with the first connector of a further body such that the total length of the furniture spacer may be varied.

[005] Preferably, the base plate comprises a planar member on which the leg of the furniture is to rest and an extension member wherein the extension member is slide ability received in an open first end of the body.

[006] Preferably the extension member is slide able between a retracted position in which only a portion adjacent a first end thereof protrudes from the body, and an extended position in which a majority of the extension member extends beyond the first end of the body.

[007] In a preferred embodiment, the extension member is relatively thick in comparison to the planar member such that the first end of the extension member creates a surface against which the leg of the furniture may engage to prevent the leg sliding relative to the planar member.

[008] In one embodiment, the first end of the extension member includes a recessed portion therein such that the leg can be partially received in the recessed portion to restrict sideways motion of the leg relative to the base plate.

[009] In one embodiment, the extension member is generally rectangular in shape such that the extension member includes first and second parallel sides and first and second opposed ends, and the body comprises a housing being generally a rectangular prism having an open lower side such that the body comprises an upper wall, opposed first and second side walls and an end wall adjacent a second end thereof. 4 2016101952 08 Nov 2016 [010] In a preferred embodiment, the furniture spacer is provided with a securing mechanism for fixing the extension member relative to the body in a plurality of positions between and including the extended and retracted positions.

[011] In one embodiment, the securing mechanism comprises a pair of arms extending outwardly from the second end of the extension member the arms being flexible and including lugs on outer sides thereof to engage into indents located along the length of the inner surfaces of the first and second side walls.

[012] Preferably the lugs are disengaged from the indents by flexing the arms towards each other.

[013] In one embodiment, each of the arms includes a handle thereon comprising a loop provided on a side opposite the lug such that pulling the loops together disengages the lugs from the indents.

[014] Preferably the second end of the body includes a resilient pad secured thereon.

[015] In a preferred embodiment, the first connector comprises a rim extending outwardly from around the first and second side walls and the upper wall and the second connector comprise a channel provided around the resilient pad such that the rim of the body can be received into the channel of a further body.

[016] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a furniture spacer comprising: a base plate on which a leg of an item of furniture may be placed; a body having a first connector adjacent a first end thereof; and a second connector adjacent a second end of the base plate and adjacent a second end of the body; wherein the second connector of the base plate is engageable with the first connector of the body to secure the base plate to the body and wherein the second connector of the body is securable to a first connector of a further body such that the total length of the furniture spacer may be varied.

[017] Preferably, the base plate comprises a planar member on which the leg of the furniture is to rest and an extension member wherein the extension member is slide ability received in an open first end of the body.

[018] In a preferred embodiment, the extension member is relatively thick in comparison to the planar member such that the first end of the extension member creates a surface against which the leg of the furniture may engage to prevent the leg sliding relative to the planar member.

[019] In one embodiment, the first end of the extension member includes a recessed portion therein such that the leg can be partially received in the recessed portion to restrict sideways motion of the leg relative to the base plate.

[020] Preferably the second end of the body includes a resilient pad secured thereon.

[021] In a preferred embodiment, the first connector comprises a rim extending outwardly from the first end of the body and the second connector comprise a channel provided around the resilient pad such that the rim can be received into the channel. 2016101952 08 Nov 2016 5

Brief Description of the Drawings [022] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: [023] Figure 1a is an upper perspective view of a furniture spacer in accordance with the present invention; [024] Figure 1b is a lower perspective view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1a; [025] Figure 2 is an upper exploded view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1; [026] Figure 3 is a lower exploded view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1; [027] Figure 4a is top view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1; [028] Figure 4b is a front view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1; [029] Figure 4c is a top view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1 with the base plate in an extended position; [030] Figure 4d is a top view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1 with the base plate in the extended position and a further body attached; [031] Figure 5a is a view of the furniture spacer of Figure 1 in place behind the leg of a couch; [032] Figure 5b is a close up view of the furniture spacer of Figure 5a; [033] Figure 6a is a view of the furniture spacer in place behind the leg of a couch with the extension member in the extended position; [034] Figure 6b is a view of the furniture spacer in place behind the leg of a couch with the extension member in the extended position and a further body attached; [035] Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of a furniture spacer in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; [036] Figure 8a is a top view of the furniture spacer of Figure 7; [037] Figure 8b is a front view of the furniture spacer of Figure 7; [038] Figure 9 is an exploded view of the furniture spacer of Figure 7; [039] Figure 10a is a view of the furniture spacer of Figure 7 in place behind the leg of a couch; [040] Figure 10b is a close up view of the furniture spacer of Figure 10a; [041] Figure 10c is a view of the furniture spacer in place behind the leg of a couch with a first body secured to the base plate; [042] Figure 10d is a view of the furniture spacer in place behind the leg of a couch with first and second bodies secured to the base plate; and [043] Figure 10b is a view of the furniture spacer in place behind the leg of a couch with first, second and third bodies secured to the base plate. 6 2016101952 08 Nov 2016

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [044] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a furniture spacer 10 comprising a body 12 and a base plate 14. The base plate 14 is provided to engage with a leg 11 of an item of furniture, such as a couch. The body 12 is provided to engage with a wall located adjacent the leg 11 in order to prevent the furniture from moving closer to the wall.

[045] The base plate 14 comprises a planar member 16 on which the leg 11 of the furniture is to rest and an extension member 18. The planar member 16 is connected to the extension member 18 and the extension member 18 is connectable to the body 12.

[046] The planar member 16 comprises includes a first pad 20 secured to an upper surface thereof and a second pad 22 secured to a lower surface thereof. The upper surface of the planar member 16 includes a first recess 21 therein having a shape complementary to that of the first pad 20 such that the first pad 20 can be received in the first recess 21. The lower surface of the planar member 16 includes a second recess 23 having a shape complementary to that of the second pad 22 such that the second pad 22 can be received in the second recess 23.

[047] Each of the first and second pads 20 and 22 is constructed of a resilient material such that the first pad restricts the leg 11 from sliding relative to the planar member 16 and the second pad 22 restricts the planar member 16 from sliding relative to the floor.

[048] A first side of the planar member 16 is connectable to the extension member 18 of the furniture spacer 10. The extension member 18 is generally rectangular in shape such that the extension member 18 includes first and second parallel sides 24 and 25 and first and second opposed ends 26 and 27.

[049] The first side of the planar member 18 is connectable adjacent the first end 26 of the extension member 18. The upper surface of the planar member 16 includes protrusions 28 extending upwardly therefrom. As can be seen in Figure 3, a lower surface of the extension member 18 includes corresponding recesses 30 therein adjacent the first end 26 such that the protrusions 28 are each received in a corresponding one of the recesses 30. The protrusions 28 are provided to engage into the recesses 30 by friction fit. The protrusions 28 can therefore be pressed into the recesses 30 such that the planar member 18 is secured to the extension member 18.

[050] The extension member 18 is relatively thick in comparison to the planar member 16 such that the first end 26 of the extension member 18 creates a surface against which the leg 11 of the furniture may engage to prevent the leg sliding relative to the planar member 16. The first end 26 of the extension member 18 includes a recessed portion 32 therein such that the leg 11 can be partially received in the recessed portion 32 to restrict sideways motion of the leg 11 relative to the base plate 12. partially received in the recessed portion 32 to restrict sideways motion of the leg 11 relative to the base plate 12.

[051] The body 12 comprises a housing being generally a rectangular prism in shape and being open adjacent a first end 34 such that the extension member 18 is receivable in the open first end 34. The body 12 also includes an open lower side and therefore comprises an upper wall 36, opposed first and second side walls 37 and 38 and an end wall 40 adjacent a second end 35 thereof. The extension member 18 is slide ability receivable within the body 12 such that the first side 24 thereof is located adjacent the first side wall 37 7 2016101952 08 Nov 2016 and the second side 25 thereof is located adjacent the second side wall 38 thereof.

[052] The extension member 18 is slidable between a retracted position (as shown in Figure 1) in which only a portion adjacent the first end 26 thereof protrudes from the body 12, and an extended position (as shown in Figure 4c) in which a majority of the extension member 18 extends beyond the first end 34 of the body 12.

[053] The furniture spacer 10 is provided with a securing mechanism for fixing the extension member 18 relative to the body 12 in a plurality of positions between and including the extended and retracted positions. The securing mechanism comprises a pair of arms 41 extending outwardly from the second end 27 of the extension member 18. The arms 41 extend outwardly from the second end 27 parallel to each of the first and second sides 24 and 25.

[054] The arms 41 are flexible and include lugs 42 on outer sides thereof. That is, the lugs 42 are on the sides of each arm 41 opposite the other arm 41. Inner surfaces of the first and second side walls 36 and 37 of the body 12 include a plurality of indents 44. The indents 44 are located along the length of the inner surfaces of the first and second side walls 36 and 37 and are provided to receive the lugs 40. When the lugs 42 are engaged into the indents 44, sliding movement of the extension member 18 relative to the body 12 is prevented.

[055] The lugs 42 may be disengaged from the indents 44 by flexing of the arms 41 towards each other. Each of the arms 41 includes a handle thereon comprising a loop 46. The loop 46 on each arm 41 is provided on a side opposite the lug 42. By placing fingers in the loops 46 through the open lower side of the body 12 and pulling the loops 46 together, the arms 41 are thereby flexed towards each other and the lugs 42 disengage from the indents 44. The position of the extension member 18 can therefore be set relative to the body 12 by gripping the extension member 18 by the loops 46 and sliding to the desired position.

[056] The second end of the body 12 is provided with a resilient pad 48 secured on an outer surface thereof. The pad 48 may be formed of a suitable plastic or rubber based material and is provided to engage with the wall to restrict slipping of the body 12 along the wall, and to protect the wall from damage.

[057] The body 12 is provided also with a first connector adjacent the first end 34 thereof and a second connector adjacent the second end 35 thereof. The second connector of the body 12 is provided to engage with the first connector of a further body 12 such that the further body 12 is connected to the body 12.

[058] The first connector comprises a rim 50 extending outwardly from around the first and second side walls 37 and 38 and the upper wall 36. The second connector comprise a channel 52 provided around the resilient pad 48. The channel 52 extends around the first and second side walls 37 and 38 and the upper wall 36 and is complementary in shape to the rim 50 on the first end 34 of the body. The rim 50 of the body 12 can therefore be received into the channel 52 of a further body 12. Multiple bodies 12 can thereby be connected together to extend the effective length of the body 12 when a greater distance is required between the furniture and the wall. 2016101952 08 Nov 2016 8 [059] In use, the furniture spacer 10 is adjusted to the required length for the item of furniture by sliding the extension member 18 relative to the body 12 as described previously and locking the extension member in the desired position. If a length slightly longer than that of the furniture spacer 10 with the extension member 18 extended is required, the extension member 18 can be retracted and a further body 12 (as shown in Figures 4d and 6d) may be connected to the body 12 and the extension member 18 adjusted to the correct position. Even further bodies 12 may be also connected if required. The furniture spacer 10 is placed on the floor in the desired position with the body 12 located adjacent the wall and the leg 11 of the furniture placed on top of the base plate 14. The body 12 engages with the wall and the leg 11 engages with the first end 26 of the extension member 18 to prevent the furniture moving closer to the wall.

[060] Figures 7 to 10 show an embodiment of a furniture spacer 10 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention. The furniture spacer 10 of Figures 7 to 10 is similar to the first embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

[061] The furniture spacer 10 comprises a base plate 14 connectable to a body 12. The base plate 14 comprises a planar member 16 secured to an extension member 18 as in the first embodiment. The extension member 18 however is shorter and includes a resilient pad 48 secured to the second end 27 thereof. The second end 27 of the extension member 18 also includes a second connector provided to engage with first connectors provided adjacent the first end 34 of the body 12.

[062] As in the first embodiment, the first connector comprises a rim 50 extending outwardly from the first end 34 of the body 12 and the second connector comprise a channel provided around the resilient pad 48. The body 12 may therefore engage with the second end 27 of the extension member 18.

[063] There may be provided more than one body 12 of different lengths such that the total length of the furniture spacer 10 may be adjusted as required. In the embodiment shown, there is provided a first body 12’, a second body 12” and a third body 12’” each of increasing length. As shown in Figure 10, any number of bodies 12 may be used to achieve the desired length.

[064] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims (1)

1. The cBaims defining the invention are as follows; In one embodiment each of the arms includes a handle thereon comprising a loop provided on a side opposite the lug such that pulling the loops together, disengages the lugs from the indents. The lugs can be made from natural rubber or any suitable materials. The second end of the body 12 (referred to the Furniture Spacer is made from Polypropylene or any other suitable material), is provided with a resilient pad 48 secured on an outer surfaced thereof. The pad 48 may be formed of a suitable plastic or rubber based material and is provided to engage with the wall to restrict slipping of the body 12 along the wall, and to protect the wall from: damage. Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 show an embodiment of a Furniture Spacer 10 in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention. The Furniture Spacer 10 of Figure 7, 8, 9, and 10 is similar to the first embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. Figure 10. Any number of bodies 12 may be used to achieve the desired length. The non-skid pads as described in Figure 9, the first 20 and second pad 22 is constructed of a resilient material such that the first pad restricts the leg 11 from sliding relative to the planar member 16 and the second pad 22 restricts the planar member 16 from sliding relative to the floor.