GB2098472A - Knock-down furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

Knock-down furniture comprises identical lengths of hollow metal tubing bent to different forms, i.e. different U-shaped components (5, 7) and S-shaped components (6). The components are push-fitted together and define horizontal portions (6B, 7B) for supporting a table top and seats. The table top is defined by a pair of identical boards side-by-side and each seat is defined by another of the said boards. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Knock-down furniture This invention relates to 'knock-down' or selfassembly furniture which may be readily assembled and dismantled by the purchaser and which adopts a compact form when dismantled for purposes of storage or transport. The invention is especially applicable to articles of this kind adapted to form a table and seats.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an item of knock-down furniture which is of simple construction and may therefore be easily and cheaply manufactured and also assembled and dismantled by purchasers without difficulty.

The invention provides an article of knockdown furniture adapted to form a table and at least one seat and comprising a framework constructed from separable tubular components and a plurality of generally flat board-like members adapted to be mounted on the assembled framework to form a table top and one or more seats. Preferably the article is designed to form a table and two seats at respective opposite sides of the table.

Advantageously the tubular components are each formed from identical lengths of tube bent to different forms. The board-like members are preferably also of identical size, four members being provided two of which form the table top and the other two respective bench seats. In this way the entire article may be constructed from two basic components, namely a plurality of identical lengths of tube and a plurality of board members of identical size.

Formations are preferably provided at appropriate positions on selected ones of the tubular components for engagement with clips carried by the board members to retain same in the desired positions on the framework when the article is assembled.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a framework for an article of furniture according to the invention in its assembled condition; Fig. 2 is an end view of a board member serving as part of the table top or as a seat; Fig. 3 is a side view of the board member shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is an underneath view of the board member shown in Fig. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a framework for a table and seat assembly comprising a plurality of inter-fitting tubular components which together form a central frame assembly adapted to support a table top and two side frame assemblies of lesser height adapted to form bench seats. The framework is composed of three differently shaped tubular components including a pair of identical ground-engaging spacer components 5 the main portion 5A of each of which is adapted to seat on the ground and is provided with up-turned ends 5B.The framework also includes two pairs of generally S-shaped elements 6 which in use are disposed on their sides and form end frame elements for the respective bench seats, the depending free limb 6A of each element engaging with the up-turned end 5B of the associated component 4, the upper horizontal portion 6B serving as a support for the seat, the lower horizontal portion 6C engaging the ground and interconnecting the seat to the associated table, and the upwardly directed free portion 6D engaging with the table-forming frame components which constitute the third form of component and comprise a pair of inverted Ushaped elements 7 having depending legs 7A which engage with the upstanding portions 6D of the elements 6 and horizontal portions 7B which serve to support the table top.

The various components are all formed by bending from four foot lengths of circular section hollow metal tubing which may be plastic coated and the free end portions 5B and 6D of the components 5 and 6 are formed with reduced diameter portions adapted to be received within the free end portions 6A and 7A of the components 6 and 7 whereby the entire assembly may be simply erected by push fitting the components together. Depressions or cutouts 6E and 7C are formed in the horizontal portions 6B and 7B for engagement by clips carried by the table top and bench seat members shown in Figs. 2 to 4. This prevents sliding movement of the table top and seats relative to the frame when assembled.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, each bench seat comprises a rectangular board 10 provided on its underside with spring clips 11 adjacent its four corners. These clips are adapted to engage with the depressions 6E in the horizontal portions 6B of the framework and locate the boards 10 in position to form bench seats. The table top is formed from a pair of identical board-like members which are fitted side-by-side to the horizontal section 7B of the framework and retained by engagement of the clips 11 with the depressions 7C.

By virtue of the arrangement described an article of furniture consisting of a table and two bench seats may be quickly and easily assembled by interfitting the tubular components and clipping on the seat and table top members. The article can be readily dismantled and formed into an extremely compact unit for transport or storage. By virtue of the fact that the table top and bench seats are formed from identical components and all the frame members are formed by bending identical lengths of tubing, the article can be very easily and cheaply manufactured. Moreover since the only component determining the width of the assembly is the ground-engaging component 5, a wider table and seat assembly adapted to accommodate additional persons may be constructed by substituting longer components for the component 5 and providing longer bench and table top members.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example while the arrangement described is formed from round section tubing it could alternatively be constructed from square section tubing. This increases rigidity but requires greater accuracy during manufacture. An advantage of using round section tubing is that when the table top and seats have been disconnected and the frame components 7A, 7B removed, the remaining sections of the frame assembly may be folded without disconnecting the components if desired.

While in the arrangement described the components are push fitted together, pins, bayonet fittings or other positive means of connection may be utilised if desired. The seat and table top members could also be retained in position by bolts or other suitable means if desired and the two components of the table top could be hingedly interconnected. Moreover while the invention has been described with reference to a table and bench seat arrangement which might be used, for example, for picnicking or other outdoor purposes, the invention could also be applied to more permanent indoor furniture, for example by utilising glass tops and chrome-plated tubular frame components.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (filed 12/5/82) 1. An article of knock-down furniture adapted to form a table and at least one seat and comprising a framework constructed from separable tubular components, each formed from identical lengths of tube bent to different forms, and a plurality of generally flat board-like members adapted to be mounted on the assembled frame-work to form a table top and one or more seats.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein is formed a table and two seats.

3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the two seats are formed at respective opposite sides of the table.

4. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the board-like members are of identical size.

5. An article according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein four of the board-like members are provided, two of which form the table top and the other two respective bench seats.

6. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein formations are provided at appropriate positions on selected ones of the tubular components for engagement with clips carried by the board-like members to retain same in the desired positions on the framework when the article is assembled.

7. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular components are formed from round section tubing.

8. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular components are formed from hollow metal tubing.

9. An article according to claim 8, wherein the hollow metal tubing is plastic coated.

10. An article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein free end portions of selected ones of the tubular components are formed with reduced dimensions adapted to be received within free end portions of others of the tubular components.

11. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular components are each formed from four foot lengths of tubing.

12. An article of knock-down furniture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. for the component 5 and providing longer bench and table top members. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example while the arrangement described is formed from round section tubing it could alternatively be constructed from square section tubing. This increases rigidity but requires greater accuracy during manufacture. An advantage of using round section tubing is that when the table top and seats have been disconnected and the frame components 7A, 7B removed, the remaining sections of the frame assembly may be folded without disconnecting the components if desired. While in the arrangement described the components are push fitted together, pins, bayonet fittings or other positive means of connection may be utilised if desired. The seat and table top members could also be retained in position by bolts or other suitable means if desired and the two components of the table top could be hingedly interconnected. Moreover while the invention has been described with reference to a table and bench seat arrangement which might be used, for example, for picnicking or other outdoor purposes, the invention could also be applied to more permanent indoor furniture, for example by utilising glass tops and chrome-plated tubular frame components. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. Claims (filed 12/5/82)

1. An article of knock-down furniture adapted to form a table and at least one seat and comprising a framework constructed from separable tubular components, each formed from identical lengths of tube bent to different forms, and a plurality of generally flat board-like members adapted to be mounted on the assembled frame-work to form a table top and one or more seats.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein is formed a table and two seats.

3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the two seats are formed at respective opposite sides of the table.

4. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the board-like members are of identical size.

5. An article according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein four of the board-like members are provided, two of which form the table top and the other two respective bench seats.

6. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein formations are provided at appropriate positions on selected ones of the tubular components for engagement with clips carried by the board-like members to retain same in the desired positions on the framework when the article is assembled.

7. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular components are formed from round section tubing.

8. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular components are formed from hollow metal tubing.

9. An article according to claim 8, wherein the hollow metal tubing is plastic coated.

10. An article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein free end portions of selected ones of the tubular components are formed with reduced dimensions adapted to be received within free end portions of others of the tubular components.

11. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular components are each formed from four foot lengths of tubing.

12. An article of knock-down furniture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.