CA3052005C - Collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible flat-pack storage furniture can be converted into a chair or other type of furniture, such as a bench. The collapsible flat-pack storage furniture has a base that includes a foldable outer body that can be expanded or collapsed, an outer body support panel for insertion into the expanded outer body, a foldable inner body that can be expanded or collapsed and an inner body support panel for insertion into the expanded inner body. The expanded inner body may be fully inserted into the interior space created by the expanded outer body thereby creating a ledge on which a seat cap may be supported. Side arms and a back support are removably attachable to the base and connect to each other with interlocking fasteners. Legs may be attached to the base. The collapsible flat-pack storage furniture has an internal storage space when assembled. When collapsed, the outer body and inner body may be compactly flat- packed with the remainder of the components for easy storage or shipping.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE, FLAT-PACK STORAGE FURNITURE
Background [0001] The present disclosure relates to collapsible furniture, and specifically to collapsible furniture that is easy to assemble without tools, provides storage when assembled, and readily collapses or folds to occupy a small space, so that it may be flat-packed for shipping or storage when not in use.

[0002] Foldable items of furniture are known. For example, U.S.
Patent No.
8,205,935, describes a collapsible stool for easy storage. In that case, only the body of the stool or ottoman is collapsible. U.S. published application No.

describes a folding stool that includes a backrest and a hinge device for connecting the backrest to the seat portion of the stool. When assembled, such stools have no side supports, so that sitting on the stool is less comfortable than in a chair with a back and sides to fully support the user.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for collapsible furniture that provides increased support when used as a seat, provides storage, is easy to assemble and disassemble without the use of tools and may be flat-packed for shipping or storage when not in use.
Summary

[0004] In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture comprising: a base, the base comprising: an outer body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded outer body having a bottom end and an open top end, the expanded outer body having an inner perimeter;
an inner body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded inner body having a top end and a bottom end and an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter of the expanded inner body being less than the inner perimeter of the expanded outer body such that the expanded inner body may be fully inserted into the open top end of the expanded outer body; and a seat cap configured to cover the open top end of the expanded outer body; at least one side arm removably connected to the base; and a back support removably connected to the base.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture comprising: a first base removably connected to a second base, each base comprising: an outer body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded outer body having a bottom end and an open top end, the expanded outer body having an inner perimeter; an inner body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded inner body having a top end and a bottom end and an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter of the expanded inner body being less than the inner perimeter of the expanded outer body such that the expanded inner body may be fully inserted into the open top end of the expanded outer body; and a seat cap configured to cover the open top end of the expanded outer body; a first side arm removably connected to the first base; a second side arm removably connected to the second base; a first back support removably connected to the first base; a second back support removably connected to the second base; and a plurality of fasteners positioned on the first and second side arms and on the first and second back supports, the fasteners positioned and configured to removably connect the first side arm to the first back support, the first back support to the second back support, and the second side arm to the second back support; and a plurality of legs removably attached to the first and second bases to provide support for the furniture.

[0006] In accordance with a further aspect, there is provided a collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture comprising: a base, the base comprising: a collapsible outer body which expands to form a prism-shaped expanded outer body having a plurality of interconnected side panels when in an expanded state, the side panels having a first height, the expanded outer body having a bottom end and a top end; a rigid outer body support panel being mountable within the expanded outer body at the bottom end of the expanded outer body; a collapsible inner body which expands to form a prism-shaped expanded inner body having a plurality of interconnected side walls when in an expanded state, the side walls having a second height, the expanded inner body having a bottom end and a top end, wherein an outer perimeter of the expanded inner body is less than an inner perimeter of the expanded outer body, such that the expanded inner body fits fully inside the expanded outer body, a rigid inner body support panel being mountable within the expanded inner body at the bottom end of the expanded inner body; and a seat cap configured to cover the open top end of the expanded outer body;
at least one side arm removably connected to the base; a back support removably connected to the base; and a plurality of legs removably attached to the base.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Further features of the collapsible storage furniture disclosed herein will become apparent from the following written description and the accompanying figures, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 shows a fully assembled view of one embodiment of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture in the configuration of a chair;

[0009] Figure 2 is a partially exploded view of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture shown in Figure 1 with the addition of an optional removable cushion;

[0010] Figure 3 is a fully exploded view of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture shown in Figure 1;

[0011] Figure 4 shows the outer body of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture in a partially collapsed state;

[0012] Figure 5 shows the outer body of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture in a fully collapsed state;

[0013] Figure 6 shows a horizontal cross-section of the outer body of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture;

[0014] Figure 7 shows a horizontal cross-section of the inner body of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture;

[0015] Figure 8 is a perspective view the collapsible inner body of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture in a mostly collapsed state;

[0016] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the expanded inner body fully inserted within the interior space of the expanded outer body;

[0017] Figure 10 is a top plan view of the expanded inner body fully inserted within the interior space of the expanded outer body;

[0018] Figure 11 is an isolated view of a threaded leg and leg support plate;

[0019] Figure 12 is an isolated view of the seat cap;

[0020] Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture in the configuration of a chair with sloped side arms and an optional removable cushion;

[0021] Figure 14 shows the attachment of one side arm to the expanded outer body;

[0022] Figure 15 shows both side arms attached to the outer body;

[0023] Figure 16 shows the location of the side arm and back support latch brackets;

[0024] Figure 17 is a perspective view of two collapsible flat-pack storage chairs connected to form a love seat;

[0025] Figure 18 shows the location of threaded inserts in the base for connection of the threaded legs and leg support plates; and

[0026] Figure 19 shows all of the main components of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture in their fully collapsed state suitable for convenient shipping or storage.
Detailed Description

[0027] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture disclosed herein may be any type of furniture that includes foldable body members wherein the foldable body members provide both support and storage. Such furniture may be configured as a chair with sides forming arm supports and may include a back-support. The back-support may be of any height and may be attached to one or more of the body members. The collapsible flat-pack storage furniture may be configured as a chair or a bench of extended length and have a width to accommodate one or more persons in a seated position. The bench has side arms to provide support and the chair includes both side arms and a back support.
Other configurations of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture are possible.

[0028] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture 100, including a base 200, side arms 400, and a back support 500.
The collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 shown in Figure 1 is in the configuration of a chair, which may be used as a storage chair. Other configurations are possible, including a bench, for example.

[0029] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture 100, including an optional cushion 510, which may be of any desired shape or configuration. Also shown in Figure 2 are side arm fasteners or latch brackets configured and positioned to engage with back support fasteners or latch brackets 530 to better connect and secure the side arms 400 to the back support 500.

[0030] Referring to the exploded view of the collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture 100 shown in Figure 3, base 200 includes a collapsible outer body 220, a rigid outer body base-insert or support panel 240, a collapsible inner body 250, a rigid inner body base-insert or support panel 260, and a seat cap 270. Also shown in Figure 3 are threaded twist bolts 280 for connecting the side arms 400 and back support 500 to the outer body 220 and threaded legs 290 and leg support plates 291.

[0031] Outer body 220 can be folded to convert between an expanded state, as shown in Figure 3, in which the outer body 220 defines an interior space 225, and a collapsed state, as shown in Figure 5, in which the outer body 220 is folded flat for shipping or storage when not in use. Outer body 220 may have any number of side walls or panels forming a generally prism shape. As shown in Figure 3, outer body 220 is cube-shaped, having four adjoining side walls or panels 221 (front), 222 (rear), 223 (right-side), 224 (left-side), however, other shapes are possible.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, each side panel 221, 222, 223, 224 of the foldable outer body 220 includes one or more rigid insert 226 covered by a soft, flexible covering material 227. The rigid inserts 226 maintain the side panels in a stiff, rigid shape. The rigid inserts 226 have a relatively thin, planar, rectangular or square shape defining a pair of opposed faces and two pairs of opposed edges. The rigid inserts 226 are shaped to define the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 of the foldable outer body 220 in the expanded state.

[0033] In at least one embodiment, each side panel 221, 222, 223, 224 is pivotably connected to a first neighbouring side panel at a first edge and to a second neighbouring side panel at a second edge opposite the first edge. Thus, a plurality of neighbouring side panels are connected, each to its immediate neighbours, to form a hollow prism-shaped structure defined by the foldable outer body member 220 in the expanded state. When the expanded state of the outer body member 220 is in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, at least four such side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 are mutually connected.

[0034] The side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 are pivotably connected to each other by means of connecting hinges 230. Hinges 230 may be made of a soft flexible material connecting the neighbouring edges of each pair of neighbouring side panels 221, 222, 223, 224. As shown in Figure 6, the rigid inserts 226 of the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 can be enclosed between two continuous layers of the soft flexible covering material 227, such that portions of the covering material 227 between the neighbouring edges of the rigid inserts 226 function to connect the side panels together and form the flexible hinges 230.

[0035] As will be understood in the art, the layers of the soft, flexible covering material 227 may be connected to each other within the flexible hinges 230 between the neighbouring edges of the rigid inserts to isolate the rigid inserts 226 from each other and to maintain the rigid inserts in place between the soft, flexible covering layers 227.
Suitable methods to connect the layers to each other include but are not limited to stitching, welding, bonding, adhesives and other methods well known in the art.

[0036] In at least one embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, one or more side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 may comprise two or more rigid inserts 226 connected by flexible hinges 230, to allow the side panels to bend or fold more easily to facilitate conversion of the foldable outer body 220 between its expanded and collapsed states as shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively. Figures 4, 5 and 6 show side panels 223 and 224 each having two rigid inserts 226 connected by flexible hinges 230.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 have an outer body height 210, and the expanded outer body 220 has a bottom end 233 and an open top end 234 opposite the bottom end.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, an end panel 232 (see Figures 3 and 5) is connected to the edges of the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 at the bottom end 233. As will be understood by the skilled person, in such embodiments, the end panel 232 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom end 233 of the rectangular cuboid defined by the foldable outer body member 220 in the expanded state. In at least one embodiment, the end panel 232 is made of a soft, flexible material, which can be easily folded when the outer body 220 is in the collapsed state (see Figure 5). The end panel 232 serves to maintain the rigid outer body base-insert or support panel 240 within the outer body 220 when the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 is moved from place to place.

[0039] The rigid outer body base-insert 240 may be inserted into the interior space 225 of foldable outer body 220 when in the expanded state. In at least one embodiment, the outer body base-insert 240 is sized and shaped to align with and contact the end panel 232 and the adjoining side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 when inserted within the expanded outer body 220. Thus, the outer body base-insert 240 aids in maintaining the outer body 220 in its expanded state by preventing the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 from re-folding into the collapsed state. The outer body base-insert 240 may comprise a rigid insert covered by a soft, flexible covering, similar to the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 of the outer body 220 described above. Outer body base-insert 240 is removable from the interior space 225 to allow the outer body 220 to be folded into its collapsed state.

[0040] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, outer body base-insert 240 includes threaded inserts 242 located at each corner for attachment of thread legs 290 (see Figure 11). Each threaded leg 290 is inserted through a hole 292 in its respective leg support plate 291 and threaded from the bottom of base 200 into its respective threaded insert 242 at the corners of outer body base-insert 240. Holes are made at appropriate locations at the corners of end panel 232 through which each threaded leg 290 may be inserted to access the threaded inserts 242. The leg support plates 291 have a degree, right-angle configuration and edges 293 extending vertically upward from the base so that the edges 293 fit over the outside of adjacent side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 of outer body 220 (see Figure 18) to securely affix legs 290 to base 200 providing adequate support for the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 and the weight of any person or persons sitting thereon.

[0041] The collapsible inner body 250 is structurally similar to collapsible outer body 220. Collapsible inner body 250, when in an expanded state as shown in Figure 3, also forms a prism-shaped hollow structure having an inner body interior space 255.
Figure 3 shows an eight-sided inner body 250 having eight side walls or panels 252 and an octagonal cross-section. One skilled in the art will understand that inner body 250 may have more or less than eight side walls 252, depending on the configuration of outer body 220. The side walls 252 have an inner wall height 253, and the expanded inner body 250 has a bottom end 254 and a top end 256. Both the bottom end 254 and the top end 256 of the expanded inner body 250 remain open. In one configuration, the inner wall height 253 is less than the outer wall height 210. The interior space 255 of inner body 250 provides an easily accessible storage space.

[0042] As show in Figure 7, the eight inter-connected side walls 252 of inner body 250 are formed and connected in the same manner as the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 of outer body 220 shown in Figure 6, with a soft flexible exterior layer 227 and rigid inserts 226 that are enclosed within the soft flexible exterior layer 227. Between adjacent side walls 252 is an area which is free of rigid insert wherein the soft flexible exterior layer 227 forms connecting hinges 230 between adjacent side walls 252, enabling the inner body 250 to be collapsible.

[0043] Similar to the side panels of the outer body 220, in at least one embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, one or more of the side walls 252 may comprise two or more rigid inserts 226 connected by flexible hinges 230, to allow the side walls 252 to bend or fold more easily to facilitate conversion of the collapsible inner body 250 between its expanded and collapsed states. Figure 7 shows a total of 14 inter-connected rigid inserts 226 forming the eight side walls 252.

[0044] An outer perimeter of the expanded inner body 250 is less than an inner perimeter of the expanded outer body 220, such that the expanded inner body 250 fits fully inside the interior space 225 of the expanded outer body 220, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, thereby creating an inner ledge 258 formed by the top end 256 of the expanded inner body 250 which rests below the top end 234 of the expanded outer body 220.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the rigid inner body base insert or support panel 260 may be added to fit into the inner space 255 of the expanded inner body 250 to rest on top of the outer body base insert 240, as shown in Figure 9, to provide further stability to the collapsible storage furniture 100 in its expanded state, and to provide further support to the side walls 252 of inner body 250. In this configuration, the support panel 260 has eight sides, to match the eight-sided inner body 250, but could have more or less number of sides depending on the configuration of the inner body 250.

[0046] Base 200 includes a removable seat cap 270 having a top seat portion 271 facing upward. Top seat portion 271 is made from a thin sheet of rigid material and may include a layer of resilient padding on the top surface thereof to provide comfort to a user. A further soft, flexible exterior covering layer may be included. A
bottom edge portion 272 extends downward from the top seat portion 271, the bottom edge enclosing an inner seat cavity 273 facing downward. The seat cap has a thickness 274.
Figure 3 shows a four-sided seat cap 270 matching the four-sided outer body 220.

[0047] The bottom edge portion 272 of seat cap 270 has an outer perimeter that is less than the inner perimeter of the expanded outer body 220 and greater than an inner perimeter of the expanded inner body 250. Thus, in one configuration the bottom edge 272 will fit fully inside the expanded outer body 220 and be supported on the inner ledge 258 formed by the top end 256 of the expanded inner body 250 when the expanded inner body 250 is fully inserted within the expanded outer body 220, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The thickness 274 of the seat cap 270 is equal to or greater than the difference between the outer wall height 210 and the inner wall height 253, such that in this configuration the top surface 271 of the seat cap 270 rests co-planer or above the top end 234 of the expanded outer body 220 when the seat panel 270 is supported on the inner ledge 258.

[0048] In at least one other configuration, an inner perimeter of the bottom edge portion 272 of seat cap 270 is greater than the outer perimeter of outer body 220 so that seat cavity 273 fits fully over the open top end 234 of the expanded outer body 220 and the seat cap 270 is supported on the outer body open top end 234.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 14 and 15, side arms 400 and back support 500 are in the general shape of a rectangular cuboid or box but may be any suitable shape as desired for the intended use. For example, as shown in Figure 13, a top surface 410 of the side arms 400, may be curved, rather than flat, to give comfort to a user. The side arms 400 and back support 500 may be a single solid piece of rigid material, which may include one or more layers of resilient padding, and may be covered with a soft, flexible covering. Alternatively, the side arms 400 and back support 500 may be constructed of a rigid frame or box-like structure with a soft, flexible covering. One or more layers of resilient padding may be located between the soft, flexile covering and the rigid frame or box-like structure to give comfort to the user.

[0050] Threaded holes or inserts 420 are located on an inside surface 405 of the side arms 400 and are positioned to mate with holes 424 located on left and right side panels 223 and 224 of the outer body 220. Threaded holes or inserts 520 are located on an inside surface 505 of the back support 500 and are positioned to mate with holes 424 located on the rear side panel 222 of the outer body 220. The threaded inserts 420 and 520 and the holes 424 are sized to accept threaded twist bolts 280 for attachment of the side arms 400 and back support 500 to the outer body 220. Twist bolts 280 are designed for easy rotation by hand so that the collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture 100 may be assembled and disassembled without the aid of tools. Other means of removably attaching side arms 400 and back support 500 to the outer body 220 are possible, such as using hook and loop fastener material.

[0051] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 14, 15 and 16 each side arm 400 may include side arm fasteners or latch bracket 430 configured and positioned on the inside surface 405 of the side arms 400 to mate with left and right back support fasteners or latch brackets 530 located on an edge surface 506 of back support 500. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, side arm fasteners 430 and back support fasteners 530 may be of any suitable and compatible matching configuration that will allow the two fasteners to securably fit together to facilitate attachment of the back support 500 to the side arms 400. In other embodiments, the latch brackets 430, 530 may be replaced by hook and loop fastening means, by magnetic fastening means, or by any other suitable fastening means that will provide for easy connection and disconnection of back support 500 with the side arms 400.

[0052] One advantage of the collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture disclosed herein is that two or more of the units may be assembled into an alternate configuration, such as a love seat 110, as shown in Figure 17, or a sofa. In this configuration, two base units 200 are attached together using holes 424 and threaded twist bolts 280, each now including a washer and lock-nut to securably fasten the two outer bodies 220 to each other. One side arm 400 is attached to side panel 223 of one of the outer bodies 220 of one base 200, while another side arm 400 is attached to side panel 224 of the other outer body 220 of the other base 200. Back supports 500 are attached to the rear side panel 222 of each outer body 220, and the side arm latch brackets 430 are secured to the matching back support latch brackets 530. The two remaining back support latch brackets 530, which are now directly opposed one another, are secured together, to completing the assembly. A central support leg may be provided to further support the combined structure.

[0053] The rigid material used for the rigid inserts 226 of the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 of the outer body 220 and the side walls 252 of the inner body 250, and for construction of the seat cap 270, the base inserts 240 and 260, and the side arms 400 and back support 500 is chosen such that the collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture 100 maintains sufficient structural strength to support any weight intended to be supported by the furniture, including but not limited to the weight of a person sitting on the furniture. Suitable rigid materials include but are not limited to cardboard, wood, plastic, composite and any other rigid materials known in the art. In at least one embodiment, strong but lightweight materials are chosen such that the weight of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 is minimized while maintaining the required structural strength.

[0054] Suitable materials for the end panel 232 and for the soft, flexible coverings 227 of the side panels 221, 222, 223, 224 of the outer body 220 and the side walls 252 of the inner body 250, and the outer coverings of the seat cap 270, the base inserts 240 and 260, the side arms 400, and the back support 500, include but are not limited to synthetic and natural fabrics and textiles, leather and leather-like synthetic materials and other soft and flexible coverings recognized in the art. The skilled person will recognize that such coverings can also be selected to provide a decorative appearance and that the same or different coverings may be used for different components of the collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture 100.

[0055] Suitable materials for the resilient padding that may be included in the top seat 270, the side arms 400 or the back support 500 include but are not limited to compressible solid foam and compressible batting made from natural or synthetic fibers.

[0056] In use of the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100, the collapsible outer body 220 is unfolded into its expanded state to define the interior space 225, and the rigid outer body base insert 240 is inserted into the interior space 225 to align with and contact the end panel 232, so as to maintain the collapsible outer body 220 in the expanded state. The side arms 400 are attached to opposing outer body side panels 223, 224, by aligning holes 424 in the side panels 223, 224 with threaded inserts 420 in side arms 400 and connecting with threaded twist bolts 280. Alternatively, a hook and loop fastener material may be used to attach side arms 400 to side panels 223, 224.
Back support 500 is attached to rear outer body side panel 222 in the same manner used to attach the side arms 400, namely, with twist bolts 280 extending through holes 424 in rear side panel 222 and connecting with threaded inserts 520 in back support 500. At the same time, side arm latch brackets 430 are engaged with back support latch brackets 530 to fully connect the side arms 400 to the back support 500.

[0057] As shown in Figure 18, threaded legs 290 are attached to threaded inserts 242 in outer body base insert 240 using leg support plates 291.

[0058] Next, the collapsible inner body 250 can be unfolded into its expanded state to define the inner body interior space 255 and fully inserted within the expanded outer body 220, the bottom end 254 of the expanded inner body 250 contacting the rigid outer body base insert 240, and the top end 256 of the expanded inner body 250 positioned below the top end 234 of the expanded outer body 220, thereby creating the ledge 258. Rigid inner body base insert 260 may then be inserted into the inner space 255 to align and contact the outer body base insert 240 so as to maintain the inner body 250 in the expanded state.

[0059] The removable seat cap 270 is placed into the open top end 234 of the expanded outer body 220 so that the bottom edge 272 is supported on ledge 258 so as to enclose the interior space 255 within which items can be stored.

[0060] Alternatively, in at least one other configuration where the inner perimeter of the bottom edge portion 272 of seat cap 270 is greater than the outer perimeter of outer body 220, the seat cavity 273 is fit fully over the open top end 234 of the expanded outer body 220 so that the seat cap 270 is supported on the open top end 234.

[0061] The collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 is now in a fully assembled state, ready for use for supporting a user in a comfortable position or for storage of items in the interior space 255. To access the interior space 255, seat cap 270 may be lifted upward and moved away from the open top end 234 of the outer body 220. This may be easily accomplished while the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 is in its fully assembled state.

[0062] To collapse the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 for storage or transport, the seat cap 270 is lifted upward and moved away from the open end 234 of the outer body 220 and inner body 250 is lifted upward and out of the outer body 220 so that access may be gained to the twist bolts 280 to allow detachment of the back support 500 and side arms 400 from outer body 220. The side arm latch brackets 430 are disengaged from the back-support latch brackets 530. The legs 290 are detached from the outer body base insert 240 and the base inserts 240 and 260 are removed.
Finally, the outer body 220 and inner body 250 are folded into their collapsed states so that the collapsible flat-pack storage furniture 100 may be conveniently stacked and packaged into a compact form for shipping or storage as shown in Figure 19.

[0063] The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative of the present compositions and methods and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and changes consistent with the description as a whole and which are readily apparent to the person of skill in the art are intended to be included. The appended claims should not be limited by the specific embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims (21)

1. A collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture comprising:
a base, the base comprising:
an outer body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded outer body having a bottom end and an open top end, the expanded outer body having an inner perimeter;
an inner body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded inner body having a top end and a bottom end and an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter of the expanded inner body being less than the inner perimeter of the expanded outer body such that the expanded inner body may be fully inserted into the open top end of the expanded outer body; and a seat cap configured to cover the open top end of the expanded outer body;
at least one side arm removably connected to the base; and a back support removably connected to the base.

2. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 1, wherein the at least one side arm includes a side arm fastener positioned and configured to engage with a back support fastener to connect the at least one side arm to the back support.

3. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one side arm is two side arms.

4. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer body includes a bottom end panel covering the bottom end of the outer body, the bottom end panel being made of a soft, flexible material.

5. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 4, wherein the outer body includes a rigid outer body support panel sized and shaped to fit fully inside the expanded outer body and to align with and contact the bottom end panel to thereby prevent the expanded outer body from returning to its collapsed state.

6. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner body includes a rigid inner body support panel sized and shaped to fit fully inside the expanded inner body at the bottom end thereof to thereby prevent the expanded inner body from returning to its collapsed state.

7. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer body comprises a plurality of interconnected side panels, the side panels of the outer body having a first height when the outer body is in the expanded state;
wherein the inner body comprises a plurality of interconnected side walls, the side walls of the inner body having a second height when the inner body is in the expanded state; and wherein the first height is greater than the second height such that an inner ledge is formed by the top end of the inner body when the expanded inner body is fully inserted into the open top end of the expanded outer body.

8. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 7, wherein the seat cap is supported on the inner ledge.

9. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seat cap is configured to be supported on the open top end of the outer body.

10. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer body comprises a plurality of interconnected side panels and the inner body comprises a plurality of interconnected side walls, wherein adjacent ones of the interconnected side panels are interconnected by side panel hinges and adjacent ones of the interconnected side walls are interconnected by side wall hinges.

11. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 10, wherein the plurality of side panels are formed by rigid inserts enclosed within a soft flexible layer and the plurality of side walls are formed by rigid inserts enclosed within a soft flexible layer, the soft flexible layer enclosing the side panel rigid inserts forming the side panel hinges and the soft flexible layer enclosing the side wall rigid inserts forming the side wall hinges.

12. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 1 to 11, including a plurality of legs removably attached to the base.

13. A collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture comprising:
a first base removably connected to a second base, each base comprising:
an outer body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded outer body having a bottom end and an open top end, the expanded outer body having an inner perimeter;
an inner body configurable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the expanded inner body having a top end and a bottom end a-nd an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter of the expanded inner body being less than the inner perimeter of the expanded outer body such that the expanded inner body may be fully inserted into the open top end of the expanded outer body; and a seat cap configured to cover the open top end of the expanded outer body;
a first side arm removably connected to the first base;
a second side arm removably connected to the second base;
a first back support removably connected to the first base;
a second back support removably connected to the second base; and a plurality of fasteners positioned on the first and second side arms and on the first and second back supports, the fasteners positioned and configured to removably connect the first side arm to the first back support, the first back support to the second back support, and the second side arm to the second back support; and a plurality of legs removably attached to the first and second bases to provide support for the furniture.

14. A collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture comprising:
a base, the base comprising:
a collapsible outer body which expands to form a prism-shaped expanded outer body having a plurality of interconnected side panels when in an expanded state, the side panels having a first height, the expanded outer body having a bottom end and a top end;
a rigid outer body support panel being mountable within the expanded outer body at the bottom end of the expanded outer body;
a collapsible inner body which expands to form a prism-shaped expanded inner body having a plurality of interconnected side walls when in an expanded state, the side walls having a second height, the expanded inner body having a bottom end and a top end, wherein an outer perimeter of the expanded inner body is less than an inner perimeter of the expanded outer body, such that the expanded inner body fits fully inside the expanded outer body, a rigid inner body support panel being mountable within the expanded inner body at the bottom end of the expanded inner body; and a seat cap configured to cover the open top end of the expanded outer body;
at least one side arm removably connected to the base;
a back support removably connected to the base; and a plurality of legs removably attached to the base.

15. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 14, wherein the second height is less than the first height such that an inner ledge is formed by the top end of the inner body which rests below the top end of the outer body when the inner body is fully inserted within the outer body, and wherein the seat cap is supported on the inner ledge.

16. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 14, wherein the seat cap is configured to be supported on the open top end of the outer body.

17. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the at least one side arm includes a side arm fastener positioned and configured to engage with a back support fastener to connect the at least one side arm to the back support.

18. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the at least one side arm is two side arms.

19. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the outer body includes a bottom end panel covering the bottom end of the outer body, the bottom end panel being made of a soft, flexible material.

20. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of interconnected side panels are interconnected by side panel hinges and the plurality of interconnected side walls are interconnected by side wall hinges.

21. The collapsible, flat-pack storage furniture of claim 20, wherein the plurality of interconnected side panels are formed by rigid inserts enclosed within a soft flexible layer and the plurality of interconnected side walls are formed by rigid inserts enclosed within a soft flexible layer, the soft flexible layer enclosing the side panel rigid inserts forming the side panel hinges and the soft flexible layer enclosing the side wall rigid inserts forming the side wall hinges.