GB2206280A

GB2206280A - Furniture modules

Info

Publication number: GB2206280A
Application number: GB08813743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Graham Eastman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-06-11
Filing date: 1988-06-10
Publication date: 1989-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2008-06-10
Also published as: GB8813743D0; GB2206280B

Abstract

Furniture comprising modules of two or more panels (10), joined through interleaving edges, for example tubing 12, 14 on one edge arranged to interleave with similar tubing 16 on the edge of an adjacent panel. <IMAGE>

Description

Modules DESCRIPTION This invention concerns furniture modules and furniture of a modular construction.

The object of this invention is to provide a furniture module and furniture of a modular construction.

According to the invention there is provided a furniture module comprising two or more panels joined through interleaving edges.

The interleaving edges are preferably provided by tubing . on the edges of the panels arranged to interleave with similar tubing on the edge of an adjacent panel. Typically one panel edge will have upper and lower spaced tubing sections and the adjacent panel edge will have a single tubing section positioned to fit between the tubing sections first panel.

Connection between the interleaved tubing sections may be made by means of rod or dowel i.e. in the manner of a hinge. The tubing sections may be of any suitably strong material, aluminium or plastics material being preferred. A preferred module comprises three panels forming a triangular section module.

Modules may be joined together by means of coupling pieces secured by the rods or dowels used to join the module panels. Various coupling pieces may be provided so that any desired number of modules may be joined together. The preferred coupling pieces also allow for coupled modules to be pivotted relative to each other.

The preferred modules of the invention may be used as cupboards for which one of the panels can act as the cupboard door. Shelves may be incorporated in the modules, if desired. Another preferred module comprises two panels holding between them triangular shelves. Two such modules coupled along one edge may be used as a cupboard, pivotting the modules away from each other, exposing the shelves and towards each other closing the cupboard.

Tops and bottom for modules of the invention may conveniently be retained in place by the rods or dowels say either by fixed or connectable caps on the rods or dowels, the rods or dowels also passing through the tops or bottoms and the caps or the like preferably fitting recesses in the tops or bottom to provide a flush finish.

In order to fit shelves in modules of the invention it is further proposed to secure shelf supporing members between overlying tubular sections at the edges of the panels to be held in place by the panel connecting rods or dowels. The shelf supporting members may be tailed washers that fit between the tubular sections with their tails pointing inwards of the module, shelves being rested on the tails. Notches or slots in the edges of the panels just above and/or below the tubular sections may be needed to accomodate edges positions of the tailed washers, particularly module configuration having acute angles between connected panels.

Thus, the present invention provides a module that is simple to make yet extremely effective and which can be made as and into various items of furniture including cupboards, shelving units, desks, beds, dressing tables and so on.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following exemplary description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a module panel; Figure 2 shows a module; Figure 3 shows corner detail of a module panel; Figure 4 shows a module with top; Figure 5 shows a module in the form of a cupboard; Figure 6 shows a module as a shelving unit; Figure 7 shows coupling of modules; Figure 8 and 9 show other module couplers; Figure 10 shows edge finishing of uncoupled modules; Figure 11 shows coupled shelving modules; Figure 12 shows a typical arrangement of modules of the invention; Figure 13 shows another arrangement of modules of the invention; Figure 14 shows six modules coupled together; Figure 15 shows two modules one on top of the other;; Figure 16 shows six modules coupled together to form a unit that can be opened out into a line of modules; Figures 17, 18, 19 and 20 show modules of the invention in different room settings; Figure 21 shows an alternative module panel; Figure 22 shows a shelf support for use with the panel of Figure 21; Figure 23 shows a shelf support in position between connected panels; and Figure 24 shows a door construction for a module panel.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a panel to say of medium density fibreboard for making furniture modules has on one edge space upper and lower tubular members 12, 14 and on opposite edge a single tubular member 16. The tubular members 12, 14 and 16 could be of aluminium or plastics material and fastened to the panels by means of suitable adhesive. The panel 10 has its ends 18 recessed to receive the tubing members so that they are flush with the intended outer face 20 of the panel and the inner face 22 of the panel is chamfered adjacent said recesses 18 to increase the range of angles at which the panels 10 may be joined.

Figure 2 shows a triangular section module 30 made up of three panels 10 whose tubular members 12, 14 and 16 are interleaved and rods 32 having caps 34 passed through the resultant continuous tubes to hold the panels together. The caps 34 may be integral with the rods 32 or as preferred attachable thereto say by mutually engaging screw threads.

As shown in Figure 3, the upper tubular member 12 of each panel can be countersunk so that the caps 34 fit flush with the top of the panels. That allows for a top or cover either fixed or loose to be added to the module.

Turning to Figure 4, the rods 32 may be used also to secure a top 40 to a module 30, the top 40 having countersunk holes 42 therein through which the rods 32 can pass with their caps 34 sitting in the countersunk holes 42 to provide a flush finish.

In Figure 5 a module 50 is made into a cupboard, one of the panels 10 having a door 52 provided therein.

In Figure. 6 a module 60 is made as a shelving unit from two panels 10 and shelves 62. The shelves 62 have corners of thinner section so that no height is added to the unit. Any other conventional method of fixing shelves in the module may, of course, be used.

For some application it may be desirable to connect modules together. For this coupling pieces may be provided such as shown in Figure 7. The coupling pieces 80 are of oblong shape with a pair of holes 82.

The coupling pieces are fitted between the tubular members of one module corner with the rod 32 through one hole 82 and between the tubular members of the corner of the adjacent module with that rod 32 through the other hole 82 of the coupling piece 80.

The coupling pieces 80 have curved ends so that it should be possible to have coupled modules at any desired angle to each other.

Figures 8 and 9 show respectively other coupling pieces 90 for coupling three modules and 100 for coupling four modules.

To accommodate coupling pieces, the tubular members 12, 14 and 16 of each panel will have to interleave with slight gaps in between. These gaps may be filled with washers 110 as shown in Figure 10.

One use of coupled modules 30 is shown in Figure 11, wherein two shelved modules 60 (see Figure 6) are coupled to pivot relative to each other, access to the shelves being available by pivotting the open sides of the modules away from each other. A base plate 120 into which the rods 32 are screwed in order to make a hinge for the modules 60 to pivot relative to each other.

In Figure 12, various modules 30 of the invention are shown arranged as a corner unit. In Figure 13 two modules 30 have a drawer 130 and cupboard 132 and form the pedestals for a worktop 134 say to form a desk or dressing table.

In Figure 14 six modules 30 two of which have a cupboard door 140 are coupled together to form a hexogonal setion unit. In Figure 15 two modules 30 are arranged one on top of the other. The topmost being rotatable relative to the bottom module.

In Figure 16, six modules 30 ae coupled edge to edge so that they can be formed into a hexagonal section unit 160 or opened out 162 to reveal shelves, cupboards space etc.

Figures 17 to 20 show room settings containing various items of furniture made from modules of the invention as can be easily seen, including a bed (Figure 20) that may be folded up against the wall when not required.

Turning to Figures 21 to 23 of the accompanying drawings, in order to provide support for shelves in modules of the invention, modules are made of panels 200 which are virtually identical with the module panels 10 of Figure 1 except that slots 202 are provided in the edges of the panel above and below tubes 212, 214 and 216 that are on the ends of the panel. The slots 202 are to accommodate tailed washers 218 (see Figure 23 that are secured by rods 232 that hold the panels 200 together through the tubes 212, 214 and 216. The tail 220 of the washer extends into a module made up of panels 200 and shelf members can then be rested thereon.

Finally, in Figure 24 there is illustrated a door systems suitable for a panel of the invention. A panel 300 has a door opening 302 around the perimeter of which are strips 304 to 308 mitred together, possibly of a different wood type or colour to the rest of the panel, but leaving a gap 309 on one side thereof. A door 310 fits the opening 302 with its handle part 311 fitting the gap 309. The door 310 pivotably held in the opening by means of dowel pieces 312 through holes 314A and 314B in the upper and lower sides respectively of the panel, the hole 314B being blind and onto blind bores 316 in the upper and lower sides of the door 310.

To facilitate pivoting of the door its edge opposite the edge with the handle is rounded (see 320). The panel 300 may be as those of Figures 1 and 21 but connecting detail have been omitted for simplicity.

Whilst various specific items of furniture have been illustrated, it will be apparent that many other items of furniture may be made and the modules of the invention put to other uses.

Claims

1. A furniture module comprising two or more panels joined through interleaving edges

2. A furniture module as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interleaving edges are provided by tubing on the edges of the panels arranged to interleave with similar tubing'on the edge of an adjacent panel.

3. A furniture module as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein one panel edge has upper and lower spaced tubing sections and the adjacent panel edge has a tubing section positioned to fit between upper and lower spaced tubing sections.

4. A furniture module as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein connection between said interleaved tubing is by means of a rod or a dowel.

5. A furniture module as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said tubing sections are of aluminium.

6. A furniture module as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said tubing sections are of plastics material.

7. A furniture module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising three panels forming a triangular section module.

8. A furniture module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein modules are joined together by means of coupling pieces secured by said rods or dowels used to join the module panels.

9. A furniture module as claimed in claim 8 wherein said coupling pieces allow for coupled modules to be pivotted relative to each other.

10. A furniture module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the panels also acts as a door.

11. A furniture module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims containing shelves.

12. A furniture module as claimed in claim 11 comprising two panels holding between them triangular shelves.

13. A furniture module as claimed in any preceding claim having a top and/or a bottom retained in place by fixed or connectable caps on said rods or dowels.

14. A furniture module as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rods or dowels pass through the tops or bottoms and the caps fit recesses in the tops or bottoms.

15. A furniture module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein shelf supporting members are held between overlying tubular sections at the edges of the panels.

16. A furniture module as claimed in claim 15, wherein said shelf supporting members are held in place by the panel connecting rods or dowels.

17. A furniture module as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein said shelf supporting members are tailed washers that fit between the tubular sections with their tails pointing inwards of the module.

A A furniture module as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein notches or slots in the edges of the panels above and/or below said tubular sections accommodate edge portions of said tailed washers.

19. An item of furniture comprising one or more modules as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A furniture module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.

21. An item of furniture substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in any one of the accompanying drawings.