GB2380125A

GB2380125A - Variable configuration collapsible furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2380125A
Application number: GB0123548A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Michael Walsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-01
Filing date: 2001-10-01
Publication date: 2003-04-02
Also published as: GB0123548D0

Abstract

At least three panels A,B,C,D each with a rigid frame 10 are connected in sequence by hinges 12 so that they may be collapsed by folding concertina fashion. A set of interchangeable pieces, eg bolt-on plates 16,18,20 or telescopic legs 22, is provided for connecting selected panels to each other to define a plurality of different in-use configurations eg bed, chair, stool, table. The panels may be upholstered.

Description

VARIABLE-USE COLLAPSIBLE FURNITURE Field of the invention The present invention relates to furniture and in particular to variable-use collapsible furniture.

Background of the invention While some forms of a variable-use collapsible furniture are known, such as so-called"sofa beds", which can convert from a seat to a bed, such furniture only has a limited number of configurations, such as two. Furthermore, such articles of furniture are rarely very portable. There is a desire for the provision of furniture which can be converted into a larger number of configurations, and yet is portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a variable-use collapsible furniture comprising at least three panels each having a rigid frame, the panels being connected to one other in sequence by hinges, enabling the panels to be concertinaed into a collapsed configuration, and a set of interchangeable connecting pieces for connecting selected panels to each other to define a plurality of in-use configurations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, four such panels are provided. The various configurations into which the furniture can be converted include seats, stools, beds, medical treatment tables, exercise equipment and the like.

The panels may be upholstered on one or both faces.

The rigid frames of the panels are, for example, generally rectangular.

The hinges by which the panels are connected one to another

are preferably knuckle hinges, which allow the panels to be hinged to any angle between a face-to-face configuration and a back-to-back configuration. The hinge axes about which the panels are connected to each other are preferably generally parallel to each other.

The set of interchangeable connecting pieces may include a set of connecting plates enabling adjacent panels to be connected to each other at different relative angles, such as 90 , 135 and 180 , all 22. 5 .

The set of connecting pieces may also include hinged legs, which are optionally telescopically adjustable. The hinged legs may attach directly to the rigid frames or indirectly, via other connecting pieces.

Releasable fixing devices such as nuts and bolts may be provided to co-operate with fixing holes in the rigid frame of each panel and with fixing holes each connecting piece.

The invention also includes the combination of the furniture with a box within which the collapsed panels, and optionally the connecting pieces, can be stored. Ideally, the box will include a carrying handle.

The invention will now be further described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of part of the furniture according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the furniture in its collapsed configuration; Figure 3 shows a set of connecting pieces which form part of

the furniture; and Figures 4A to 4E show in diagrammatic form various configurations of the furniture according to the invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a variable-use collapsible furniture kit includes four identical square panels A, B, C, D each having a rigid frame 10. The panels A, B, C, D are connected to one other in sequence by knuckle hinges 12, enabling the panels A, B, C, D to be concertinaed into a face-to-face and back-to-back collapsed configuration, as shown in Figure 2. The panels A, B, C, D are upholstered on one face 24.

The hinge axes about which the panels A, B, C, D are connected to each other are parallel to each other.

A set of interchangeable connecting pieces 16, 18, 20,22 is provided for connecting selected panels A, B, C, D to each other to define a plurality of in-use configurations. The set includes a collection of three types of connecting plates 16, 18, 20 enabling adjacent panels A, B, C, D to be connected to each other at different relative angles, i. e.

90 , 135 and 180 . Bolts 30 or other releasable fixing devices are provided to pass through fixing holes 32 in the rigid frame 10 of each panel A, B, C, D and through fixing holes 34 each connecting piece 16,18, 20,22. The bolt 30 are secured by a nut 31. As an alternative arrangement to that shown in the drawings, the bolt may be welded to the rigid frame 10, to pass through a fixing hole 34 in the connecting piece, to be secured with a nut on the outside.

The set of connecting pieces also includes hinged telescopically adjustable legs 22.

By the use of selected connecting pieces, furniture of

various configurations can be created, some of which are shown in Figures 4A to 4E. These include a floor based bed arrangement with raised back rest (Figure 4A), a floor mounted bed arrangement with raised head support (Figure 4B), a stool (Figure 4C), and by the use of the telescopic legs 22 a chair (Figure 4D), and a treatment or exercise table (Figure 4E). Where the telescopic legs 22 are used, cross bars 35 may be included to provide additional support.

A box (not shown) can be provided within which the collapsed panels A, B, C, D can be stored. The box may include one or more carrying handles.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Variable-use collapsible furniture comprising at least three panels (A, B, C, D) each having a rigid frame (10), the panels (A, B, C, D) being connected to one other in sequence by a hinges (12), enabling the panels (A, B, C, D) to be concertinaed into a collapsed configuration, and a set of interchangeable connecting pieces (16,18, 20,22) for connecting selected panels (A, B, C, D) to each other to define a plurality of in-use configurations.
2. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to claim 1, wherein the panels (A, B, C, D) are upholstered on at least one face (24) thereof.
3. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rigid frames (10) of the panels (A, B, C, D) are generally rectangular.
4. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge axes about which the panels (A, B, C, D) are connected to each other are generally parallel to each other.
5. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein the set of interchangeable connecting pieces includes a set of connecting plates (16, 18,20) enabling adjacent panels (A, B, C, D) to be connected to each other at different relative angles.
6. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to claim 5, wherein the different relative angles include 90 , 135 and 180 , all 22. 5 .

<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
7. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein releasable fixing devices (30,31) are provided to co-operate with fixing holes (32) in the rigid frame (10) of each panel (A, B, C, D) and with fixing holes (34) each connecting piece (16,18, 20, 22).
8. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein the set of connecting pieces includes hinged legs (22).
9. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to claim 8, wherein the hinged legs (22) are telescopically adjustable.
10. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinges by which the panels (A, B, C, D) are connected one to another are knuckle hinges (12).
11. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to any preceding claim, wherein at least four panels (A, B, C, D) are provided.
12. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to any preceding claim, together with a box within which the collapsed panels (A, B, C, D) can be stored.
13. Variable-use collapsible furniture according to claim 12, wherein the box includes a carrying handle.
14. Variable-use collapsible furniture, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.