AU2021107418A4

AU2021107418A4 - Modular Furniture System

Info

Publication number: AU2021107418A4
Application number: AU2021107418A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Aaron boon Wah Teo
Original assignee: Oopenspace Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Oopenspace Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25

Abstract

A customisable modular furniture system comprising: at least two members, wherein each member comprises a substantially planar portion; one or more supports for releasably affixing one of the members or a portion thereof to another of the members; and at least one screen slidable within a track or a section thereof, the track comprising opposing channels within opposing faces of two of the members; wherein each screen comprises a plurality of screen elements releasably coupled together by magnetic force. 1/6 10 22 14 12 34 1 40 2 12 12 16 -, 22 14 12 12 12 14 3 2 14 1 12 12 2 114 234 12 FIUR 14

Description

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Modular Furniture System

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to modular furniture systems for producing a plurality of customised articles of furniture. More particularly, the present invention relates to customisable modular furniture systems that comprise adjustable screens that are formed from screen elements attached by magnets and slide in channels assisted by magnets to reduce friction.

Background

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Modular furniture systems are beneficial as they enable a purchaser to build a custom article of furniture. For example, modular shelving can be assembled to a desired size to fit a space or room, with consistent or different shelf sizes, and with varying numbers of shelves to suit the required purpose.

[0004] However, while creating customised shelves attached by supports or uprights is possible using a raft of different available customisable modular furniture systems, less common are useful, easy to use, and aesthetically pleasing solutions for the inclusion and customisation of screens, doors, or drawers when a user wishes to hide items on the shelving. Improved customisable modular furniture systems would therefore be of benefit.

[0005] Throughout the specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0006] Throughout the specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Summary of Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular furniture system comprising:

at least two members, wherein each member comprises a substantially planar portion;

one or more supports for releasably affixing one of the members or a portion thereof to another of the members; and

at least one screen slidable within a track or a section thereof, the track comprising opposing channels within opposing faces of two of the members;

wherein each screen comprises a plurality of screen elements releasably coupled together by magnetic force.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the screen coupling magnets releasably couple the screen elements together to form the screen. The screen coupling magnets are preferably attached to, embedded within, or located within cavities in the screen elements. The screen coupling magnets are preferably located within the screen elements such that they are not visible at least from one side of the screen for aesthetic appeal. In another embodiment, the screen coupling magnets in the screen elements are visible but form part of the patterning or visual element of the screen.

[0009] The screen elements preferably comprise two ends and a portion of each end is located within an opposing channel. The screen elements preferably comprise elongated lengths of a material, for example, timber, composite wood, synthetic wood, a polymer, a plastic polymer, metal or alloy, amongst others.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a screen element end magnet is located at or within at least one of the two ends, and preferably in both of the two ends, of some or preferably all of the screen elements.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, at least one of the ends of preferably each one of the screen elements (or a portion of the screen elements) comprises a socket and the screen element end magnet comprises a bar magnet located within the socket with a portion of the screen element end magnet preferably extending beyond the end of the screen element.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the ends of each one of the screen elements comprises a socket and the screen element end magnet is substantially spherical and located within the socket with a portion of the screen element end magnet extending beyond the end of the screen element. The screen element end magnet can preferably rotate within the socket. The substantially spherical screen element end magnet in one embodiment comprises a magnetic or magnetised ball bearing.

[0013] A spring preferably biases the screen element end magnet against the socket and the screen element end magnet is preferably resiliently retractable within the socket, whether the screen element end magnet comprises a bar magnet or a substantially spherical shape or another shape.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the screen coupling magnet comprises the screen element end magnet. That is, instead of or in addition to, screen coupling magnets at one or more locations along the elongated length of the screen element, the screen element end magnets also act as the screen coupling magnets and assist to releasably couple screen elements together to form the screen.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, a magnetic force is exerted from at least one of the opposing channels. More preferably, a magnetic force is exerted from both of the opposing channels. The one or more channel magnets preferably exert the magnetic force from at least one or both of the opposing channels.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the screen element end magnets in the ends of the screen elements in the at least one screen comprise a magnetic pole that is directed towards and repelling against at least one like magnetic pole of the one or more channel magnets. The repelling force created by the like-facing magnetic poles of the one or more channel magnets and screen element end magnets reduces or eliminates friction when sliding the screen comprising the plurality of screen elements or an individual screen element within the opposing channels of the track. This is due to minimising contact between the screen element end magnets and the channel, and particularly base surface of the channel.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the screen element end magnet in the end of at least one of the screen elements within one of the opposing channels comprises a magnetic pole that is directed towards and attracting at least one opposite magnetic pole of the one or more channel magnets. This also assists to reduce friction when moving screen elements within opposing channels albeit less so than repelling magnetic forces and/or can assist to maintain the screen in place within the track depending on the requirement of the screen within the particular article of furniture assembled.

[0018] While members forming shelves will typically comprise at least planar portions of the members in a substantially horizontal configuration in order to hold items on the shelf, for example, due to gravity. This may mean that the orientation of the screen elements is substantially vertical in the screen. However, other orientations of the screen elements and screen within an article of furniture assembled using the modular furniture system of the invention. For example, the orientation of the screen elements from end to end may be substantially horizontal to form a screen that can move up and down between two vertically orientated members. This may be useful in assembling a rolltop desk, or cupboard, amongst other non-limiting examples.

[0019] In a further embodiment, a plurality of ball bearings housed within one or both of the opposing channels can contact the ends of the screen elements to assist with movement of screen elements and the screen within the opposing channels. The ball bearings preferably work in combination with channel magnets. In one embodiment, one opposing channel may comprise ball bearings and the other opposing channel may comprise channel magnets. In another embodiment, both opposing channels comprise ball bearings and channel magnets. The plurality of ball bearings assist to reduce friction when sliding the screen comprising the plurality of screen elements within the opposing channels of the track or even an individual screen element.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, each substantially planar portion of the at least two members comprises one or more recesses for receiving one of the one or more supports.

[0021] Each support comprises a support end. The support end of one or more of the supports comprises a section reduced in cross sectional area or is tapered for the support end to be releasably affixed within one of the one or more recesses. An end surface of the support end preferably abuts a recessed surface when inserted in the recess.

[0022] In one embodiment, each support end of the supports comprises a threaded portion and the one or more recesses comprise a matching thread for releasably securing the support end of the support into the recess of the member by rotation.

[0023] In an embodiment, the one or more recesses are opposed or mirrored on opposing sides of each member. A recess may comprise a hole through each pair of opposing recesses. A through member support which may comprise a threaded portion along its length may be inserted in the hole and additional supports connected to each end of the through member support coupling the member therebetween.

[0024] In a further embodiment, a spacer comprises two opposing threaded recesses for securing within each recess the support end of a support to couple together at least two supports. Alternatively, the support ends may be tapered and opposing recesses of the spacer configured to receive the tapered support ends. The spacer increases the number of possible configurations of furniture assembled using the modular furniture system of the invention. This is due to the ability to assemble various lengths of supports as required to produce customised furniture using the spacers to form longer supports. Therefore, one or more members may be spaced further apart by two or more supports coupled together using a spacer. The spacer is preferably substantially the same width as the support to which it can releasably affix to.

[0025] The modular furniture system of the invention is sufficiently adaptable using the members, the supports, the screens and the screen elements and the spacers to assemble various customised articles of furniture with open, closed or temporarily screened configurations, for example, amongst others, modular shelving, coffee tables, bed side tables, bookshelves, buffets, and other storage solutions.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, invention provides an article of modular furniture assembled using the modular furniture system of the invention as described herein.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, invention further provides a method of assembling an article of modular furniture formed using the modular furniture system of the invention as described herein.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, invention further provides a method of manufacturing an article of furniture using the modular furniture system of the invention as described herein.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, invention further provides a method of manufacturing the members, supports, and screen elements used in the modular furniture system of the invention as described herein.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, invention further provides a kit for assembling an article of furniture using the modular furniture system of the invention as described herein, the kit comprising at least two or more members, two or more supports, and two or more screen elements.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0031] In order to provide a better understanding, embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a shelving unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a screen element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a cross section view of a screen comprising a plurality the screen elements of Figure 2 in a track;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the cover outside of the track according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a cross section of a member across a channel of the track according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a top view of the member according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a support according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a threaded insert according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a spacer coupling according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a support attached to the member according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 11 is an alternative embodiment wherein ball bearings are embedded in the ends of the screen elements according to an embodiment of the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a preferred embodiment of an article of furniture assembled using the modular furniture system according to the invention. The article of furniture is in the form of a shelving unit 10, one of many furniture configurations capable of being assembled using the customisable modular furniture system of the present invention. The provided embodiment of the shelving unit 10 comprises ten members in the form of a shelf 12, each shelf comprises a substantially planar portion, which are spaced apart and releasably fixed to one another by one or more of a plurality of supports 14.

[0033] The present embodiment of the shelving unit 10 comprises three screens 16 positioned between pairs of shelves 12. Each of the shelves 12 comprises at least one channel 24 in each substantially planar face. A plurality of tracks is defined by pairs of opposing channels 24 or sections thereof that mirror each other in opposing faces of the shelves 12 (as seen in Figure 3). Each screen 16 moves within a track defined by the pair of opposing channels or portions thereof. The screens 16 comprise a plurality of screen elements 40 which are releasably magnetically coupled together. The screens 16 may move so as to define a back of space within the shelf or other article of furniture and/or to cover the space within a shelf or other article of furniture, or act as a door to access a shelf when in an 'open' format, or which assists to hide items on the shelf when in a 'closed' format. The screens 16 may extend entirely around the edges of opposing members within the article of furniture to assist with additional support and stability.

[0034] While the present configuration provides ten shelves 12 and three screens 16, the number and positioning of the shelves 12, the supports 14 and the screens 16 is customisable according to the design requirements of a user. The term 'shelf' or 'shelves' may be more appropriately named based on the article of furniture being assembled. For example, if assembling a coffee table or buffet, the shelf 12 may be a 'top', 'table top', 'surface' etc.

[0035] Referring to Figure 2, there is provided a screen element 40. In a preferred embodiment, each of the screen elements 40 comprise a timber of elongated shape. Each of the screen elements 40 comprises one or more screen coupling magnets 42 embedded along its length. The screen coupling magnets 42 of adjacent screen elements magnetically interact with each other so as to attract adjacent screen elements 40 thereby releasably coupling them together to form a screen 16. The number of screen elements 40 coupled together will determine the size or length of the resulting screen 16. Also, a screen 16 may be separated at the junction of two coupled screen elements 40 to form a door and/or access items within a shelf 12.

[0036] The screen elements 40 may further comprise screen element end magnets 44 positioned at each end of the screen element 40. The screen element end magnets 44 may be mounted within a recess 46 of a socket at respective ends of each screen element 40. The screen element end magnets 44 may be resiliently retractable within each end of the screen element 40. The or each screen element end magnet 44 may be mounted on a spring 48, each respective spring 48 being affixed within each recess 46. Preferably, the spring 48 is biased such that the screen element end magnet 44 or a portion thereof extends out from the or each recess 46.

[0037] Referring to Figure 5, each channel comprises a magnetic force created by a channel magnet 52 embedded adjacent to each channel. In a preferred embodiment, the channel magnet 52 embedded within the member such that the magnetic force of channels 24 on opposite sides of the same shelf 12 is created by the same channel magnet 52. Alternatively, the channel magnets 52 for each channel may be separate from another channel 24. The channel magnet 52 may comprise a plurality of smaller magnets. The second magnets 44 of each screen elements 40 within the screen 16 are received within a respective channel of the track. The second magnets 44 interact with the channel magnets 52 so as to reduce and/or eliminate contact between the screen elements 40 and the respective shelf 12 to reduce and/or eliminate friction between the cover 16 within the track and the channel 24 of the respective shelf 12. Preferably, the screen coupling magnets 42, the second magnets 44 and channel magnets 52 comprise bar magnets. Preferably, the screen coupling magnets 42, the second magnets 44 and channel magnets 52 comprise neodymium magnets.

[0038] Referring to Figure 11, in an alternative embodiment, each screen element comprises a ball bearing 84 mounted on each end of the screen elements 40. A socket or more specifically, a ball bearing seat 82 may be mounted in the recess at the end of each screen element 40 for holding each ball bearing 84. Each ball bearing 84 is retained in the seat by a washer 86 which allows a portion of each ball bearing 84 to protrude through the opening of the washer 86 for contacting the base of and sliding within the respective channels 24 of the track. The ball seat 82, the ball bearing 84 and the minimal contact between the ball bearing 84 and the base of the channel 24 results in minimal friction as the screen 16 moves along the track.

[0039] Referring to Figure 6 there is provided a shelf 12 having the substantially planar portion. Within each planar portion there is provided one or more recesses 22. In the present embodiment, there is provided three recesses 22. Each recess 22 receives an end of one of the one or more supports 14. Preferably, the location of each recess 22 within each planar portion alternates from side to side of the planar portion of each shelf 12. Accordingly, each recess 22 is located at approximately a 45-degree angle relative to a centreline of a respective recess 22 extending longitudinally with the shelf 12 from a previous recess 22. The number of recesses 22 within each shelf 12 is determined by the overall length of each shelf 12. Preferably, each side of the shelf 12 comprises the same as the opposite side of the same shelf 12. The positioning of the recesses 22 are mirrored in a planar face on the opposite side of the same shelf 12. Preferably, mirrored or opposing pairs of recesses comprise a through hole which allows at least a threaded rod or through member support to pass through for coupling a respective shelf 12 between adjacent supports 22.

[0040] Referring to Figure 7, there is provided the support 14 having a section of each end having a reduced cross-sectional area to create a shoulder 53. The cross-sectional area of each end of the one or more supports 14 corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the void created by the one or more recesses 22. For example, the outer diameter of the end of each of the one or more supports 14 will be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the one or more recesses 22. When inserted in a respective recess, the shoulder 53 of the end of the respective supports 14 will preferably become flush with the planar portion of the shelf 12. Each end of the support 14 comprises a face 54 which, when inserted in a respective recess 22, abuts a recessed face 26 as the shoulder 53 engages with the planar portion of the shelf 12.

[0041] Each end of the supports 14 further comprises a blind hole 56 extending a distance so as to accommodate a threaded insert 60 as seen in Figure 8. The external threading 62 of a respective threaded insert engages with the inner surface of each blind hole 56 such that the threaded insert 60 is secured to the support 14. The threaded insert 62 comprises a threaded receptacle 64 for threadedly engaging with a threaded rod.

[0042] Referring to Figure 9, there is provided a spacer in the form of a spacer coupling 34. The spacer coupling 34 comprises a support in the form of a threaded rod 36 extending from each end. The threaded rod 36 is receivable within the threaded receptacle 64 of the threaded insert 60 at each end of the one or more supports 14. The spacer coupling 34 is preferably the same width as the shelf 12, such that the spacer coupling 34 could take the place of the shelf 12. As can be seen in Figure 1, each shelf 12 may extend only a portion of the way across the entirety of the shelving unit 10. As such, some supports 14 may be coupled together using the spacer coupling 34 instead of being coupled together through a member. Accordingly, depending on the desired design, two supports 14 may be coupled together by a spacer coupling 34. In an alternative embodiment, the spacer coupling 34 may comprise a threaded receptacle therethrough so as to receive a threaded rod.

[0043] Referring to Figure 10, there is provided a view of one of the connection points of the uppermost shelf 12. In the upper most connection, instead of a further support 14, a washer 70 and threaded screw or bolt 72 may be used to couple the shelf 12 to the immediately lower support 14. The present invention may also comprise a plurality of facia plates or surfaces for use in covering up visible recesses 22 and/or channels 24.

[0044] As can be seen in Figure 1, the shelves 12 do not always align with the most adjacent shelf 12. Accordingly, the screens 16 may not move within the bounds of each of the channels 24 of the shelves 12. Furthermore, each shelf 12 may comprise channels 24 which intersect the members 12 at a position other than what is shown so as so to section off different spaces of the same shelf 12. As such, each shelf 12 may have channels 24 which are unused depending on the configuration of the article of furniture and/or the size and orientation of the adjacent shelf 12 of the article of furniture whose channels 24 define the respective track for the screen 16. Customising of the final article of furniture may render one or more features moot. As mentioned above, there are a number of facia plates which may be used to hide such features.

[0045]While the present embodiment is directed towards a shelving unit 10, the components described herein can be used to form a plurality of articles of furniture including, but not limited to, bench, coffee table, shoe rack, sideboard, side table, entertainment cabinet, etc. In the simplest form, an article of furniture employing the present invention may only require two shelves 12, a support 14, a plurality of screen elements 40 coupled together within the track defined by the channels 24 of the two shelves 12 forming a screen 16 about a portion or the entirety of the track.

[0046] Modifications may be made to the present invention within the context of that described and shown in the drawings. Such modifications are intended to form part of the invention described in this specification.

Claims

Claims 1. A modular furniture system comprising:

at least two members, wherein each member comprises a substantially planar portion;

one or more supports for releasably affixing one of the members or a portion thereof to another of the members; and

at least one screen slidable within a track or a section thereof, the track comprising opposing channels within opposing faces of two of the members;

wherein each screen comprises a plurality of screen elements releasably coupled together by magnetic force.
2. A modular furniture system according to claim 1, wherein screen coupling magnets releasably couple the screen elements together to form the screen and wherein the screen coupling magnets are attached to, embedded within, or located within cavities in the screen elements.
3. A modular furniture system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the screen elements comprise two ends and a portion of each end is located within an opposing channel.
4. A modular furniture system according to claim 3, wherein a screen element end magnet is located within at least one of the ends of the screen elements.
5. A modular furniture system according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the ends of each one of the screen elements comprises a socket and the screen element end magnet comprises a bar magnet or spherical magnet that is located within the socket with a portion of the screen element end magnet extending beyond the end of the screen element.