GB2024006A - Modular furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular seating system includes backless seating units 1 of cylindrical cross-section and complementary units (2,3,4) having at one or both ends complementary recesses flanked by side walls set at 120 DEG , so that three such units can be arranged to fit snugly about one backless unit (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Modular seating systems This invention relates to modular seating systems and resides broadly in a system comprising a backless seating unit of substantially circular cross-section (as herein defined) and of two or more complementary seating units, each having at least one end shaped to have a recess shaped to fit snugly against the backless unit, and so dimensioned so that at least three such units can be arranged snugly about the backless unit.

The term "substantially circular cross-section" is used above to denote a horizontal cross-section which is right cylindrical or is of regular polygonal form having six or more sides.

The present invention makes possible a great variety of seating arrangements by the use of a relatively small number of standardized modules or units.

One form of seating system in accordance with the invention is described below, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic plan view of the system in one possible arrangement.

The arrangement shown in the drawings comprises two backless seating units 1 of right'cylindrical cross-section, and complementary seating units 2, 3 and 4 each of which is illustrated as having a seat squab A and a backrest B.

Each of the units 2, 3 and 4 is shaped at least at one end with a semi-cylindrical recess to match and fit snugly against the profile of the units 1. Furthermore, the units are so dimensioned as to permit three such units to fit snugly about a single unit 1. This is achieved by arranging the vertical walls flanking the recess to diverge at an angle of 120 to each other.

The unit 2 is double-ended, in having both ends shaped as described above, while units 3 and 4 are single ended, being intended for use at the end of an arrangement. Units 3 are of a length to seat one person, while unit 4 is longer, to accommodate two persons.

Many variations will of course be possible in the detailed design of the units. Obviously, ionger units for three or more persons could be provided and may be of single-or double-ended design. Some or all complementary units may be backless.

The right cylindrical profile of the units 1 and complementary recesses can also be modified to have the cross-section of a regular polygon of six or more sides. In the case of a six-sided unit, the complementary units would have a recess defined by two flat edges with an inclined angle of 120 . Whether the basic shape chosen is truly cylindrical or multifaceted is largely a question of taste, but we prefer the cylindrical form from the point of view both of appearance and flexibility in arrangement.

1. A modular seating system comprising a backless seating unit of substantially circular cross-section (as herein defined) and two or more complementary seating units, each having at least one end formed with a recess shaped to fit snugly against the backless unit and so dimensioned that at least three such units can be arranged snugly about the backless unit.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the backless seating unit is of right circular cross-section, each complementary unit having at least one end formed with a recess of complementary, arcuate shape flanked by vertical end wall portions diverging at an angle of 120 to each other.

3. A modular seating system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Modular seating systems This invention relates to modular seating systems and resides broadly in a system comprising a backless seating unit of substantially circular cross-section (as herein defined) and of two or more complementary seating units, each having at least one end shaped to have a recess shaped to fit snugly against the backless unit, and so dimensioned so that at least three such units can be arranged snugly about the backless unit. The term "substantially circular cross-section" is used above to denote a horizontal cross-section which is right cylindrical or is of regular polygonal form having six or more sides. The present invention makes possible a great variety of seating arrangements by the use of a relatively small number of standardized modules or units. One form of seating system in accordance with the invention is described below, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic plan view of the system in one possible arrangement. The arrangement shown in the drawings comprises two backless seating units 1 of right'cylindrical cross-section, and complementary seating units 2, 3 and 4 each of which is illustrated as having a seat squab A and a backrest B. Each of the units 2, 3 and 4 is shaped at least at one end with a semi-cylindrical recess to match and fit snugly against the profile of the units 1. Furthermore, the units are so dimensioned as to permit three such units to fit snugly about a single unit 1. This is achieved by arranging the vertical walls flanking the recess to diverge at an angle of 120 to each other. The unit 2 is double-ended, in having both ends shaped as described above, while units 3 and 4 are single ended, being intended for use at the end of an arrangement. Units 3 are of a length to seat one person, while unit 4 is longer, to accommodate two persons. Many variations will of course be possible in the detailed design of the units. Obviously, ionger units for three or more persons could be provided and may be of single-or double-ended design. Some or all complementary units may be backless. The right cylindrical profile of the units 1 and complementary recesses can also be modified to have the cross-section of a regular polygon of six or more sides. In the case of a six-sided unit, the complementary units would have a recess defined by two flat edges with an inclined angle of 120 . Whether the basic shape chosen is truly cylindrical or multifaceted is largely a question of taste, but we prefer the cylindrical form from the point of view both of appearance and flexibility in arrangement. CLAIMS

1. A modular seating system comprising a backless seating unit of substantially circular cross-section (as herein defined) and two or more complementary seating units, each having at least one end formed with a recess shaped to fit snugly against the backless unit and so dimensioned that at least three such units can be arranged snugly about the backless unit.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the backless seating unit is of right circular cross-section, each complementary unit having at least one end formed with a recess of complementary, arcuate shape flanked by vertical end wall portions diverging at an angle of 120 to each other.

3. A modular seating system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.