GB2100975A

GB2100975A - Multi-purpose furniture unit

Info

Publication number: GB2100975A
Application number: GB08109482A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Alan Hodgkinson
Original assignee: CONE RED Ltd
Current assignee: CONE RED Ltd
Priority date: 1981-03-26
Filing date: 1981-03-26
Publication date: 1983-01-12

Abstract

A furniture unit adaptable between several alternative configurations to enable it to be used for a number of different functions comprises first and second box members 1 and 2 and a bridging member, preferably in the form of a shallow tray 8, fitting between the two box members and pivotally connected to them at 9. The furniture unit may be used with the bridging member horizontal, when the unit may serve as a seat, a bed, a desk, a shop counter, a work surface or a sideboard, for example, or vertical, when the unit may serve as a cupboard, a wardrobe, a partition, a bar or a counter, for example. The box members are locked in the desired configuration by means of bolts passing through holes 10 and 11 in the box members and bridging member respectively. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Multi-purpose furniture unit This invention relates to a furniture unit which is adaptable between alternative configurations to enable it to be used for a number of different functions.

According to the invention, a furniture unit comprises a first and a second box member, each having two spaced generally square ends, two adjacent open side faces, and connecting members between the ends defining the other two side faces, and a planar bridging member arranged to fit within an open side face of each box member and pivotally connected to each end of each box member adjacent to the corner thereof between the open side faces.

The box members may be equal in size or dissimilar and the bridging member may fill the open side of each box member. The pivots are preferably arranged to hold the box members in contact with each other in each configuration of the furniture unit.

The furniture unit may be used with pivotting axes of the bridging member horizontal, when the unit may serve as a seat, a bed, a desk, a shop counter, a work surface or a sideboard, for example, or vertical, when the unit may serve as a cupboard, a wardrobe, a partition, or a seat, for example.

The unit may be constructed from any rigid sheet material, such as wood, plastics, metal, and composite materials, to which any desired decorative and/or protective finishing materials may be applied.

Any of the side faces, other than the open faces, of the box members may be extended by attaching thereto, or integrally forming therewith, a planar member extending beyond at least one of the edges of the face. These may serve to provide greater stability, or as a larger working surface for the item of furniture for which the unit is to be used.

The bridging member may be lockable in desired positions relative to each box member.

The furniture unit of the invention is simple in construction, but offers the possibility of providing a range of alternative furniture items with the single unit.

Reference is made to the drawings, which show a furniture unit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in three different configurations, and in which: Figure 1 shows the unit arranged for use as a bed or seat; Figure 2 shows the unit arranged for use as a seat, bar or shop counter; and Figure 3 shows the unit arranged for use as an alternative type of bar or shop counter. The unit comprises first and second box members 1 and 2, each formed with two square end panels 3 having one corner4 cut off, or alternatively rounded, to allow clearance from the adjacent corner of the other box member. Two adjacent rectangular side panels 5 join the end panels 3 of each box member, the remaining two sides 6 and 7 of the box member being open.A bridging member, in the form of a shallow tray 8, is shaped and dimensioned so as to fit closely into the open sides 6 of the two box members, when positioned with the other two open sides 7 together. The tray 8 can, where appropriate, receive a mattress or cushion, and can be replaced, if desired, by a flat board.

The tray 8 is pivottedto each end panel 3 of each box member 1 and 2 by pivots 9 adjacent to the cut-offcorners4thereof, and locking holes 10 are provided adjacent to each corner between an open side 6 or7 and a side panel 5. Corresponding alignable holes 11 are provided in the ends 12 of the tray 8, or alternatively or additionally holes are provided in the sides 13 with aiigned holes in the side panels 5.

In the configuration shown in Figure 1,the tray is fixed by means of bolts passed through the holes 10 and 11 and secured by nuts. A mattress or cushion may be fitted into the tray 8, the unit thus serving as a seat or bed.

In the configuration shown in Figure 2, the lower side panel 5 of one box member 2 is secured to a board 20 whose area is twice that of the side panel 5.

The bolts securing the tray to the other box member 1 are removed and the box member 1 is pivotted upwardly about its pivots 9 until the other locking holes 10 in the end panels 3 are aligned with the holes 11 in the tray 8. The bolts are then reinserted and secured. The unit may be further adapted by fitting a seat cushion 21, shown partially cut away for clarity, into the half of the tray 8 associated with the box member 2, and, if desired, fitting a shelf 22, again shown partially cut away, over the tray within the other box member 1. The unit may, in this configuration serve as an occasional seat combined with bookshelves, and is suitable for use as a telephone seat and table, for example.

To achieve the configuration shown in the Figure 3, the shelf 22 and cushion 21 may first be removed.

The bolts securing the tray 8 to the box member 2 are removed and the other box member 1 and the tray 8 are together pivotted about the pivots 9 in the fixed box member 2 until the other box member 1 rests on top of the fixed box member 2. The tray may then be secured to the fixed box member 2 using the lower holes 10 in the end panels. The unit may then be used as a bar or counter. If the uppermost bolts are removed, the upper box member 1 may be pivotted as a lid, enabling the unit to be used as a storage chest.

It will be appreciated that a wide variety of uses may be served by the different configurations of the unit, and that the units may be constructed to different relative dimensions to serve different ranges of uses. For example, a unit based on two cubes may serve as a single seat, while a unit of about 2 metres in length may serve as a bed or multiple seat.

1. Afurniture unit comprising a first and a second box member, each having two spaced generally square ends, two adjacent open side faces, and con

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Multi-purpose furniture unit This invention relates to a furniture unit which is adaptable between alternative configurations to enable it to be used for a number of different functions. According to the invention, a furniture unit comprises a first and a second box member, each having two spaced generally square ends, two adjacent open side faces, and connecting members between the ends defining the other two side faces, and a planar bridging member arranged to fit within an open side face of each box member and pivotally connected to each end of each box member adjacent to the corner thereof between the open side faces. The box members may be equal in size or dissimilar and the bridging member may fill the open side of each box member. The pivots are preferably arranged to hold the box members in contact with each other in each configuration of the furniture unit. The furniture unit may be used with pivotting axes of the bridging member horizontal, when the unit may serve as a seat, a bed, a desk, a shop counter, a work surface or a sideboard, for example, or vertical, when the unit may serve as a cupboard, a wardrobe, a partition, or a seat, for example. The unit may be constructed from any rigid sheet material, such as wood, plastics, metal, and composite materials, to which any desired decorative and/or protective finishing materials may be applied. Any of the side faces, other than the open faces, of the box members may be extended by attaching thereto, or integrally forming therewith, a planar member extending beyond at least one of the edges of the face. These may serve to provide greater stability, or as a larger working surface for the item of furniture for which the unit is to be used. The bridging member may be lockable in desired positions relative to each box member. The furniture unit of the invention is simple in construction, but offers the possibility of providing a range of alternative furniture items with the single unit. Reference is made to the drawings, which show a furniture unit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in three different configurations, and in which: Figure 1 shows the unit arranged for use as a bed or seat; Figure 2 shows the unit arranged for use as a seat, bar or shop counter; and Figure 3 shows the unit arranged for use as an alternative type of bar or shop counter. The unit comprises first and second box members 1 and 2, each formed with two square end panels 3 having one corner4 cut off, or alternatively rounded, to allow clearance from the adjacent corner of the other box member. Two adjacent rectangular side panels 5 join the end panels 3 of each box member, the remaining two sides 6 and 7 of the box member being open.A bridging member, in the form of a shallow tray 8, is shaped and dimensioned so as to fit closely into the open sides 6 of the two box members, when positioned with the other two open sides 7 together. The tray 8 can, where appropriate, receive a mattress or cushion, and can be replaced, if desired, by a flat board. The tray 8 is pivottedto each end panel 3 of each box member 1 and 2 by pivots 9 adjacent to the cut-offcorners4thereof, and locking holes 10 are provided adjacent to each corner between an open side 6 or7 and a side panel 5. Corresponding alignable holes 11 are provided in the ends 12 of the tray 8, or alternatively or additionally holes are provided in the sides 13 with aiigned holes in the side panels 5. In the configuration shown in Figure 1,the tray is fixed by means of bolts passed through the holes 10 and 11 and secured by nuts. A mattress or cushion may be fitted into the tray 8, the unit thus serving as a seat or bed. In the configuration shown in Figure 2, the lower side panel 5 of one box member 2 is secured to a board 20 whose area is twice that of the side panel 5. The bolts securing the tray to the other box member 1 are removed and the box member 1 is pivotted upwardly about its pivots 9 until the other locking holes 10 in the end panels 3 are aligned with the holes 11 in the tray 8. The bolts are then reinserted and secured. The unit may be further adapted by fitting a seat cushion 21, shown partially cut away for clarity, into the half of the tray 8 associated with the box member 2, and, if desired, fitting a shelf 22, again shown partially cut away, over the tray within the other box member 1. The unit may, in this configuration serve as an occasional seat combined with bookshelves, and is suitable for use as a telephone seat and table, for example. To achieve the configuration shown in the Figure 3, the shelf 22 and cushion 21 may first be removed. The bolts securing the tray 8 to the box member 2 are removed and the other box member 1 and the tray 8 are together pivotted about the pivots 9 in the fixed box member 2 until the other box member 1 rests on top of the fixed box member 2. The tray may then be secured to the fixed box member 2 using the lower holes 10 in the end panels. The unit may then be used as a bar or counter. If the uppermost bolts are removed, the upper box member 1 may be pivotted as a lid, enabling the unit to be used as a storage chest. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of uses may be served by the different configurations of the unit, and that the units may be constructed to different relative dimensions to serve different ranges of uses. For example, a unit based on two cubes may serve as a single seat, while a unit of about 2 metres in length may serve as a bed or multiple seat. CLAIMS

1. Afurniture unit comprising a first and a second box member, each having two spaced generally square ends, two adjacent open side faces, and con necting members between the ends defining the other two side faces, and a planar bridging member arranged to fit within an open side face of each box member and pivotally connected to each end of each box member adjacent to the corner thereof between the open side faces.

2. A furniture unit according to Claim 1,wherein the bridging member fills the open side of the each box member.

3. A furniture unit according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the box members are equal in size.

4. A furniture unit according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the box members are dissimilar in size.

5. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivots are arranged to hold the box members in contact with each other in each of a plurality of different configurations of the furniture unit.

6. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one side face, other than an open face, of the box members is extended by means of a planar member extending beyond at least one of the edges of the face.

7. A furniture unit according to Claim 6, wherein the planar member is attached to a side face of the box member.

8. A furniture unit according to Claim 6, wherein the planar member is integrally formed with a side face of a box member.

9. A furniture unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the bridging member is lockable in any desired position relative to each box member.

10. A furniture unit substantially as described herein with reference to, or as shown in, the draw ings.