CA1271984A

CA1271984A - Article of furniture

Info

Publication number: CA1271984A
Application number: CA000479507A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Mike Mcevenue
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-18
Filing date: 1985-04-18
Publication date: 1990-07-24

Abstract

TITLE: ARTICLE OF FURNITURE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An article of furniture is adapted for stacking with another article of furniture in a manner that limits lateral movement at least of the article of furniture. The article of furniture has a top surface and two top edge surfaces downwardly spaced to define a respective small step. In use, another article of furniture has downwardly extending projections that engage the top edge surfaces to limit movement of it.
The top edge surfaces can be close to the top surface, so as not to be unsightly, whilst preventing or restricting movement of another article of furniture. The arrangement can keep positive alignment of the "stacked" articles of furniture.

Description

- 2 -This inyention relates to an article of furniture ! and more particularly, but not exclusively ! relates to an article of furniture formed from a plurality of panels.
Presently, a popular and inexpensive form of construction for furniture uses wood panels. Commonly, these panels are formed from particle board or the like, and are provided with facing sheets, which can be wood or a plastic material. Chests of drawers, tables and other articles of fuxniture can be readily formed from a number of such panels.
O Further, for this type of furniture construction, the furniture is frequently supplied in so called "knock down" form. In knock down form, the customer purchases a pack of panels, with appropriate hardware, such as screws, handles etc, and then assembles the article of furniture himself. This greatly reduces the space required to store the furniture, as the panels can readily be stacked horizontally on top of one another.
Further, such disassembled articles of furniture are much less prone to damage, whilst in storage or transit.
The present invention is also concerned with a modular O furniture system, in which a variety of different units are available, and these units can be stacked on top of one another.
For example, a unit having open shelves can be placed on top of a unit provided with drawers. As each unit is provided individually, a customer can select each unit individually, with regard to size number of drawers or shelves, etc, the only limitation being that the two units should be compatible with one another. Whilst it is knownto stack furniture in this fashion, most arrangements simply rely on placing one article on a flat top surface of the other. This has the disadvantage that there is no positive location between two such stacked units. Consequently, the top unit is frequently not properly aligned, which mars the appearance of the furniture. Also, it is relatively easy for the top unit to be displaced relative to the bottom unit.
Accordingly to the present invention, there is provided one article of furniture adapted for stacking with another article of furniture, said one article of furniture including a -top panel having a top surface, and two upright members having top edge surfaces, each of which is located adjacent on edge of the top surface and is downwardly spaced therefrom to define a respective small step, for, in use, engaging a downwardly extending member of another article of furniture to limit horizon-tal movement thereof.
Preferably, the top surface of the panel is generally horizontal, and the upright members comprise generally vertical side panels.
Preferably, the invention is applied to articles of furniture, that are made solely from rectangular panels, and in which, in known manner the panels are perpendicular to one another. Then, preferably the top panel protrudes slightly above the top edges of surrounding side or front and back panels, when present (for some designs the front panel is omitted)O The other article of furniture, for stacking on it, is then preferably provided with two side . ~
~, panels which extend down further than the rest of the article, by an amount corresponding to the depth of the small steps formed around the top member or panel of the bottom article of furniture. This enables just these two side panels of the top article to engage the bottom article, and consequently to provide lateral location for the top article of furniture. In general, the problem of location of the top article of furniture in the front-back direction is not so great as the problem of location sideways. However, if desired, the two articles can be so formed, that, when stacked, no horizontal movement in any direction can occur between them.
Preferably, an article of furniture according to the present invention, formed to accept another article stacked on top of it, is itself formed at its bottom, to correspond to its top, so that it can similarly be stacked on top of an article of furniture. This will enable articles of furniture according to the present invention, to be stacked three or more units high.
~lthough the present invention can be applied to any articles of furniture that are stacked, or adapted for stacking, ~0 it is expected to prove particularly suitable for articles such as cabinets, closets, cupboards and chests of drawers, for domestic use, industrial use, and office use. A preferred embodiment of the invention is described which includes a chest of drawers and a closet, but it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this application.
By way-of example, the thickness o the panels used could be 5/8" or 3/4", 5/8" being preferred.

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For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a chest of drawers, with the drawers removed;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the chest of drawers of figure 1, above a cupboard, with a part of a side wall of the cupboard shown removed;
Figure 3 shows a side view of the chest of drawers and cupboard o~ Figure 2, with parts of their side walls shown removed;
Figure 4 shows a front view of the chest of drawers ~ and cupboard of Figures 2 and 3,with parts thereof shown removed;
Figures 5a and Sb show details of a front panel arrangement for the drawers of the chest of drawers;
Figure 6 shows, on a enlarged scale and in vertical section, details of a mounting device Eor the chest of drawers and the cupboard of the other Figures;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fastening member, for fastening together two articles of furniture; and Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the fastening member of Figure 7 and adjacent parts of two articles of furniture.
Reference will first be made to Figure 1, which shows a chest of drawers, generally indicated by the reference 1.

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This chest of drawers comprises a body 2, and two individual drawers indicated by the reerences 4, 6. The body 2 of the chest of drawers comprises two symmetrical side panels 8, lO, and bottom and top panels 12, 14 which extend between the side panels 8, lO.
The bottom and top panels 12, 1~ are secured to the side panels 8, 10 by mounting devices 80, shown in Figure 6.
This type of mounting device 80 is discussed in detail below, in relation to Figure 6. Here, it is sufficient to note that each mounting device 80 includes a mounting screw 82, and a mounting body 84, as shown .in Figure 6. The screws 82 can engage pre-inserted nylon sleeves, to enable a user to fit the screws 82. Although not shown in Figure l, for each of the bottom and top panels 12, 14, tw~
mounting screws are provided in one side panel 8 and two mounting screws are provided in the other side panel 10. Fach of the panels 12, 1~ is then provided with four of the mounting bodies 84, in locations corresponding to that of the mounting screws 82. This enables the body of the chest of drawers 1 to be quickly assembled and disassembled.
As shown in Figure 1, the bottom panel 1~ is raised above bottom edge surfaces of the side panels 8, 10. Similarly, the top panel 14 is raised above top edge surfaces 18, 20 of the side panels 8, lO by an amount corresponding to the spacing of the bottom panel 12 from the bottom edge surfaces of the side panels 8, In this embodiment, the panels are 5/8" thick and are formed from particle board with a plastic sheet or laminate covering. The top panel 14, is 1/16 of an inch above the side 7~

panels 8, lO. The bottom panel 12 is about l/8" above bottom of side panels 8, lO.
The body 2 of the chest of drawers 1 additionally includes a back panel 22. Similarly to the panels 12, 14, this panel 22 is secured to the side panels 8, 10, by mounting screws 82 located in the side panels 8, 10 and mounting screws 82 located in the back panel 22 (these mounting devices again not being shown). A top edge 24 of the back panel 22 is similarly spaced from the top of the panel 14, by an amount of 1/16 of an inch, to be flush with the top edge surfaces 18, 20. Side edge surfaces 26 of the back panel 22 are also set in from the outer surfaces of the panels 8, 10 by an amount of 1/16 of an inch, this allows one article to be freely moved between other articles of furniture. A bottom edge surface (not visible in Figure 1) of the back panel 22 is spaced about 1/32 of an inch below the bottom panel 12, and about 1/8 of an inch above bottom surfaces of the side panels 8, 10.
Mounted to inner surfaces of the side panels 8, 10 are four guide rails 30, for the drawers 4, 6. The drawers 4, 6 are provided with similar mounting rails 32, for engagement with the guide rails 30. The rails 30, 32 are of known design, for example the European 32 hole system, which will not be discussed in detail.
The drawers 4, 6 are generally similar, except for a different arrangement of their front panels. The front panels are indicated a-t 34, and Figures Sa and 5b show details of the connection of the front panels 34. Each of the drawers 4, 6, has two side panel members 36, 38, to which the respective mounting rails 32 are secured. Extending between the side panel members 36, 38, at the back of each drawer is a back panel member 40. Although not shown in Figure 1, at the front of each drawer, there is a similar front panel member 42, indicated in Figures 5a and 5b.
5 Extending acrosss the bottom of each drawer, and secured to panel members 36, 38, 40, and 42, is a bottom panel 44. Again, each of the panels or panel members 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 is preferably formed from particle board of 5/8" thickness, laminated with a plastic or other material, and each panel is attached to the other 10 by means of the mounting devices 80. It should be noted that all these panels need not be the same thickness; in particular, the bottom panel 44 could be formed from relatively thin material.
As shown in Figure 5a and b, the front panel 42 is formed with two mounting holes, which are positioned with respect to the 15 intended position of the facing panel 34 for both the top and bottom drawers 4, 6. For the top drawer 6, the facing panel 34 extends upwards, in order to cover the major part of a front edge of the top panel 14 of the body 2. As shown most clearly in Figure

3, the top surface of this facing panel 34 is so positioned, as to 20 be flush with the top edge surfaces 18, 20.
On the other hand, the facing panel 34 of the bottom drawer 4, extends down below the bottom of the drawer 4, by an amount sufficient to cover the front edge surface of the bottom panel 12 of the body 2. One common type of facing panel 34 is 25 provided for both drawers 4, 6 and the holes in the front panel 42 of the drawer are so positioned, that in one orientation, shown ~ 3~

in Figure 5a, the facing panel 34 is correct for the bottom drawer 4. In an alternative configuration, shown in Figure 5b, the facing panel 34 is correctly located, for the top drawer 6.
The facing panel 34 is thus effectively rotated through 180 between the configurations shown in Figure 5a and b.
With reference to Figure 2, the chest of drawers 1 is shown above a cupboard 50. The cupboard or closet 50 has a body, which is similarly constructed to the body 2 of the chest of drawers 1. It has two side panels 52, secured to a bottom panel 54 and a top panel 56. A back panel 58 is secured to these panels 52, 54 and 56. Again, like the body 2, the top panel 56 is so located, as to be slightly above top edge surfaces 60 of the side panels 52 and the rear panel 58. Similarly, the side edge surfaces 62 of the rear panel 58 are set inward from the outer faces of the side panels 52, by a corresponding amount.
The bottom panel 54 is above the bottom edges of the side panels 52. All the panels are secured together by means of the mounting devices 80.
Within the cupboard 50, there is a shelf 64, although i it is to be appreciated that two or more shelves can be provided, as desired. The shelf 64 is supported on four individual supporting members, one of which is shown, through the removed portion of a side panel 52, at 66. For each supporting member 66, a row of mGunting holes 68, one of which is shown, is provided. Thus, by moving the supports 66 in their rows of holes 68, the vertical position of the shelf 64 can be altered.
Preferably, the rows of holes 68 correspond to the European 32 System, but the holes are moved vertically upwards, corresponding to the relative vertical displacement of the top and bottom panels 54!56. This system permits interchange eg. two drawers can be exchanged for a ~rawer and shelf.
At the front of the cupboard 50, in known manner, there are provided two doors 70, secured to the side panels 52 by hinges 72. Top edge surfaces 74 of the doors 70 are flush with the top edge surfaces 60 of the side panels 52. Similarly, the bottom edge surfaces (not visible in Figure 2) of the doors 70 are V32'' below the bottom surface of the bottom panel 54.
Reference will now be made to Figures 3 and 4 which show the relative spacing of some of the panels of the described embodiment. As shown in these figures, the chest of drawers l is supported on the cupboard 50, by means of its side panelsIo. Bottom edge surfaces 16 of these side panels 8 abut the top edge surfaces 60 of the side panels 52 of the cupboard 50. The back panel 22 of the chest of drawers 1 is spaced above the top edge surface 60 of the back panel, as shown on the right-hand side of Figure 3. As shown on the left-hand side of Figure 3, when stacked, the facing panel 34 of the bottom drawer

4 is spaced above the top edge surface 74 of the doors 70, and a space is provided between the two facing panels 34 of the drawers. Further, both the bottom edge surfaces of the back panel 58 and the doors 70 are spaced above the bottom edge surfaces of the side panels 52, so that cupboard 50 rests on its side panels 52. This aspect of the construction of the cupboard .. 50, corresponds to the chest of drawers l, so that, if desired, the cupboard 50 could be stacked similarly on top of yet another article of furniture. Thus, one can stack as many units of . ;' .

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furniture on top of one another, as required. Figure 4 shows further details of the relative spacing of the various panels, and in the partial section on the left-hand side of Figure 4, the support of the chest of drawers 1 on the cupboard 50 via their respective side panels is shown.
With reference to Figure 5a, there is shown the front panel 42, and facing panel 34 of the top drawer 6. The front panel 42 is provided with holes for two screws 46. The facing panel 34 is also provided with corresponding holes, which do not extend through it for the screws 46, these holes being slightly below its centre line, as viewed in Figure 5. Figure 5, liXe Figure 5b, shows the view of the panels 34, 42, from behind.
To assemble these panels 34, 42, for the bottom drawer 4, the facing panel 34 is simply rotated through 180, so that the holes for the screws 46 now lie above its centre line. This configuration is shown in Figure 5b. This arrangement permits the different facing panel con~igurations required for the two draws 4, 6 to be provided.
With reEerence to Figure 6, there will now be given a description of one of the mounting devices 80, although these mounting devices are of known construction. Each mounting device 80 comprises two principal components, namely a mounting screw 82 and a mounting body 84. Additionally, within the mounting body 84, there is a locking screw 86. The mounting screw 82 comprises a threaded portion 88, adapted to be screwed into a corresponding bore in one of the side walls. An annular shoulder 90 is provided, so that when the screw 82 is fully ..: . . ...
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screwed into position, the shoulder 90 abuts an inside face of the respective side panel. The screw S2 has a head 92, and between the head 92 and the shoulder 90 a shaft portion 94.
During manufacture nylon or plastic sleeves for the screws are mounted in side panels, at required locations. Alternatively,the sleeves are inserted by the end user. Thus, only the portion of each screw 82 above the shoulder 90 protrudes from the surface. The body 84 is moulde~ in plastic, in two halves, which fit together to form a generally cylindrical body. The section of Figure 6 is taken along the joint plane between the two halves of the mounting body 84. As indicated at 96, one half body is provided with recesses and the other half body is provided with corresponding projections, to align them with respect to one another. Between the two body halves, there is the locking screw 86. It comprises a driving head 98, and a cup-shaped body portion 100. The body portion lO0 is provided with an internal surface 102, which is spiral, so as to form a cam surface. The two body halves define a bore for the lockin~
screw 86, and include an annular groove 104, into which extends a projection 106 of the locking screw 86. The groove 104 does not extend a complete circle, so that the angle of rotation of the locking screw 86 is limited.
The locking screw 86 is additionally provided with an opening 108, to permit it to engage the head 92 of the screw 82.
The mounting body 84 is provided with projecting ribc or the like llO, to enable it to be secured in posltion. To fit each mounting device 80 in position, a blind hole is drilled .. ~

in a respectiye panel, adjacent an edge thereof. The hole is so drilled, that it actually breaks through the edge of the panel slightly. Then, an~unting device 80 is pressed and glued into position, unt.il a flange 112 of the mounting device 80 is flush with the surface of the panel, the ribs 110 serving to secure the device 80 in position. The mounting device 80 is positioned so that a space between the two halves of the body 84 is located opening onto the edge of the panel, to permit a mounting screw 82 to be inserted. The screws 82 are not fitted during manufacture, to enable easier and safer storage of the furniture.
Then, the respective article of furniture can be readily assembled and disassembled, as re~uired . To fit one mounting device 80, to its respective screw 82, the locking screw 86 is rotated to one extreme of its range of angular movement. This brings the opening 108 into a position, to permit the head 92 of a screw 82 to enter it, as shown in Figure 6. The mounting device 80 and the respective panel are then engaged with a screw 82, by passing the screw head 92 and shaft portion 9~ through a slot 114 of the mounting device 80, until the screw head 92 reaches the position shown in Figure 6. Then, the locking screw 86 is rotated, so that the inner cam surface 102 engages the head 92 of the locking screw 82. Rotation of the locking screw 86 then pulls the mounting device 80 and its respective panel up against the panel associated with the mounting screw 82. The locking screw 86 can be tightened as much as neces~ary. The article of furniture can be readily disassembled, by simply rotating the locking screw 86 in the opposite direction, until the opening 108, permits r ~ 1 ' For the back panel of each article of furniture, the mounting devices 80 are preferably in the side panels, and the mounting screws 82 are screwed into the back panel, although the location of the mounting devices and screws 80, 82 could be reversed if the back panel is set in.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fastening member 120. It is formed from sheet metal. The fastening member 120 comprises a main portion 122 provided with two holes 124 and optionally elongate slots 126. At the top of the main portion 122, there is a horizontal flange portion 128. The flange portion 128 includes a vertical limb 130 for easy removal. In use, the fastening member 120 is slid between two stacked units of furniture, as shown in Figure 8. The main portion 122 is slid between a bottom panel 132 and back panel 134 of an upper unit, and between the top and back panels 14, 22 of a bottom unit. It thus prevents relative forward or backward movement between the stacked units of Eurniture. If desired, screws can be passed through the back panels 22, 134 and through the holes 124 and/or elongate slots 126 into the panels 14, 132, to secure the two units together. The fastening member 120 can be formed from metal or plastic.
The provision, for each article of furniture, of a top panel, which is slightly proud of the surrounding side, back a~d front panels, where applicable, enables another article of furniture to be simply and securely mounted on top of it. Once so mounted or stacked, the second article of furniture cannot be readily displaced sideways, as its downwardly extending panels ~;~7~

abut the portion of the top panel protruding above the side panels etc. Preferably, the top panel protrudes by an amount of 1/16 of an inch, although other dimensions can be chosen. This dimension has the advantage of providing sufficient interlock, without marring the appearance of the free, unobstructed top of an article. In prac-tice, it has been found that the slight raising of the top panel is barely noticeable. The corresponding arrangement of downwardly extending panels at the bottom of an article of furniture is not fully visible. The side panels serve to raise the article from the floor when it is placed by itself.
The invention enables as many articles of furniture as desired to be stacked on top of one another. The top surface of the top article is both acceptable in appearance, and can be used like any other article of furniture. Thus, there is no unattractive or awkward projections from either the top or bottom surfaces for the interlocking between them.
Finally, it should be noted that many variations are possible. For example, when stacking units for use as a room divider, they can be stacked facing in opposite directions.
Consequently, in each column, the front and backs of the units will alternate. Also, many different types of knock down fittings can be used, the mounting devices 80 being only exemplary.
It is expected that standard "cubes" or exteriors will be sold, together with auxiliary components, so the customer can fit a unit out as a closet, shelves, etc., as required.

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For aesthetic and functional reasons, the system can be designed so as to maintain a gap of 1/8" between all adjacent front and back vertical panels, which do not abut one another.
~lso, the fastening members can be used to locate units which are side by side, in a similar manner to that shown for staclced units in Figure 8.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. One article of furniture, adapted for stacking with another article of furniture, said one article of furniture including a top panel having a top surface, and two upright members having top edge surfaces, each of which is located adjacent an edge of the top surface and is downwardly spaced therefrom to define a respective small step, for, in use, engaging a downwardly extending member of another article of furniture to limit horizontal movement thereof.

2. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two small steps are located along opposite edges of the one article of furniture.

3. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upright members comprise side panels, with the two small steps located along sides of the article of furniture.

4. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the top surface is horizontal, and the two top edge surfaces are horizontal.

5. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the top edge surfaces are spaced downwards from the top surfaces by an amount of 1/16 of an inch.

6. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the top panel is horizontal, and the two side panels are vertical.

7. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, which further includes a third top edge surface at the back of the article of furniture, which, together with the top surface, defines a third small step.

8. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, which includes a back panel having an upper edge surface providing a third top edge surface, which, together with said top surface, defines a third small step.

9. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top panel is horizontal, and the side and back panels are vertical, and all the top edge surfaces are coplanar and horizontal.

10. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, which includes downwardly extending members at a lower end thereof, for engaging small steps formed at the upper end of a further article of furniture, for limiting movement.

11. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the side panels include downwardly extending support portions having bottom edge surfaces, and adapted to engage corresponding small, side steps of a further article of furniture, for limiting movement.

12. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 11, which includes a bottom panel, extending between the two side panels, and spaced from the bottom edge surfaces of the side panels, by an amount equal to or greater than the height of the small steps.

13. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a chest of drawers, and includes a main body, and a plurality of drawers within the main body.

14. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 13, wherein each drawer comprises a plurality of panels and includes a facing panel.

15. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 14, which includes two drawers, and wherein each drawer includes a front panel, to which a respective facing panel is secured, the front panels being identical and the facing panels being identical, and wherein each facing panel includes mounting holes displaced vertically from a horizontal centerline thereof, to enable each facing panel to be affixed to its respective front panel at a different orientation.

16. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 14 wherein a top edge surface of the facing panel of the top drawer is coplanar with said top edge surfaces of the article of furniture.

17. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the body of the chest of drawers includes a bottom panel, and wherein a bottom edge surface of the facing panel of the bottom drawer projects below a bottom surface of said bottom panel.

18. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the spacing between the facing panels of the drawers is twice the depth of the small steps.

19. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, which comprises a cupboard, and which includes a body open at the front thereof, and doors for the body, and hinges attaching the doors to the body, adjacent vertical edges of the doors.

20. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 19, wherein the doors include top surfaces, which are coplanar with said top edge surfaces.

21. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the body includes a bottom panel having a bottom surface, and wherein the doors include bottom edge surfaces slightly below said bottom surface.

22. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1 which includes a plurality of panels, which are secured together by a plurality of mounting devices, each mounting device comprising a plastic sleeve secured in one panel, a mounting screw secured in the plastic sleeve, a mounting body located in another panel, and a locking screw rotatably mounted in the mounting body and including a cam surface for engaging the mounting screw, to secure the two respective panels together.

23. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 13, wherein the body and the drawers comprise a plurality of panels, which are secured together by a plurality of mounting devices, each of which comprises a mounting screw secured by a plastic sleeve, a mounting body secured in another panel, and a locking screw rotatably mounted in the mounting body and including a cam surface for engaging the mounting screw.

24. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, which includes a back panel, and a sheet-form fastening member, which is capable of being slid between the back panel and the top panel, and, in use, with another article of furniture stacked on top of said one article, the other article of furniture including a bottom panel and a back panel, the sheet form fastening member is additionally slid between the back panel and bottom panel of the other article of furniture, to limit movement between the two articles of furniture.

25. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fastening member comprises a rectangular, main portion, for sliding between the panels of the articles of furniture, and a flange portion, which extends perpendicular to the main portion and which, in use, abuts a bottom panel of another article of furniture.

26. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 25, wherein the flange of the fastening member includes a downwardly extending limb, so that an inverted U-shape section is formed at the top of the fastening member.

27. An article of furniture as claimed in claim 24, 25 or 26, wherein the fastening member includes apertures for securing elements for securing it to the articles of furniture.

28. In combination an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 7, and a second article of furniture adapted at its bottom end for stacking on the first-mentioned article of furniture.

29. In combination an article of furniture as claimed in claim 24, 25 or 26, and a second article of furniture stacked on top of the first article of furniture with the fastening member slid between the back panels and respective top and bottom panels of the first-mentioned and second articles of furniture.

30. One article of furniture, adapted for stacking with another article of furniture, said one article of furniture having a front, a back, two sides, a top and a bottom, and including a top surface extending over a majority of the top and two top edge surfaces, each of which is located above and adjacent a respective side, extends from the front to the back and is downwardly spaced from the top surface to define a respective small step, for, in use, engaging a downwardly extending member of another article of furniture which extends from the front to the back thereof.

31. One article of furniture as claimed in claim 30, which includes a back edge surface, which is coplanar with said top edge surfaces, so as to define a further small step at the back thereof.

32. One article of furniture as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein the top surface and top edge surfaces are all horizontal.