GB2509106A - An item of furniture assembled from flat panel components - Google Patents

Abstract

An item of furniture comprising a first panel member 4 which can be bent to define a support structure and a second panel 14 which can be attached to the first panel 4 such that it is perpendicular to the surface of the support panel which it is attached to. The item may be a chair suitable for use with children. Attachment 8 may be facilitated by hinges, clips, brackets, screws, hook and loop systems or tension cables. The second pane 14 may rest on top of and be support by the attachment means. The panels may be provided with creases to assist with folding. The device may be arranged to stack or be connected to another piece of furniture. The device may be positioned at a different angle to provide a different function.

Description

AN ITEM OF FURNITURE WHICH IS ASSEMBLED FROM PANEL COMPONENTS

This invention relates to an item of furniture and, more specifically this invention relates to a ready to assemble, lightweight item of furniture which is assembled from pre-prepared panel components. For example, the panels may be cut, pressed or moulded to the required size and shape. These panels may be packaged in a flat-pack form for distribution. However they may be packaged in other ways such as rolled up, folded or loose pieces.

Traditional items of furniture are generally in the form of bulky units which are usually dilficult and expensive to transport. Alternatively, they could be assembled from easily transportable rigid flat pack panel pieces which are quite complicated to put together and normally require tools to do so.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an item of furniture which obviates or reduces the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a first panel member which has a degree of flexibility, so it can be bent by manual force and joined to a second panel member in a perpendicular relationship thereto, by the use of attachment means.

Another embodiment of the present invention may have the second panel member resting on top of linking means which connect or bridge together the two end parts of the first panel member to hold it in bent condition. The linking means are generally extensions of the attachment means.

Because the present invention, in it's basic form, is constructed from only two panels, it is easily transported as well as quick and simple to assemble and take apart, especially if the attachment means do not require tools but rather work using alternative systems such as one example which allows for manually pushing together to attach and pulling apart to detach.

The present invention is light which makes it easy to carry or re-position as the user desires. The present invention is also not as hard as wood which makes it safe and comfortable, especially for children.

An embodiment of the present invention may have two mutually exclusive seat arrangements. The whole item may be turned over or flipped such that what was the top horizontal surface of the seat now becomes the bottom of the alternative horizontal seat surface. This enables the present invention to be changed for example from a high seated chair to a low seated sofa chair.

Other embodiments of the present invention may have multiple mutually exclusive functons. The item may be re-positioned such that it's orientation relative to the floor or other supporting surface results in varying arrangements of the top surface of the present invention. This enables mutually exclusive functions, which are also dependent on the shape of the particular embodiment of the present invention.

For example, one embodiment of the present invention may have the options of a low seated sofa chair, a high seated chair, a low lying game-pod style chair or a table.

Another embodiment of the present invention may have the options of a low seated sofa chair, a high seated chair and a rocking horse.

Another embodiment of the present invention may have the options of a stable chair or a rocking chair.

The above mentioned examples are not an all inclusive list, other embodiments of the present invention may also be possible.

The first panel member, in basic form, is usually long in length and for descriptive purposes, consists of a central portion and two end portions. It has a degree of flexibility which allows it to be manually forced into a bent state such that, for example, the said end portons of the first panel member are generally in a parallel relationship to one another. In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the first panel member could be bent in the form of a u-shaped' wall structure with an inner and outer surface where this u-shaped' wall structure is held in this form by the attachment of the second panel member, in a perpendicular relationship, to the inside of this u-shaped' wall structure.

Another embodiment of the present invention may have the first panel member bont in a more square fashion with sharper, more right angled corners. This may be aided by having fold markings prepared on The panel.

The first and second panel members, may comprise attachment means of first and second parts respectively. The first part may for example comprise of a slot in the first panel member which accepts and interconnects with the second part, a corresponding tongue like extension of the second panel member, which is configured to fit through the said slot, such as for example a mortice and tenon or dovetail joint relationship. The attachment means hold the assembled present invention in its form wilh the second panel member suspended on the inside of the structure formed by the first panel member in bent condition.

These first and second parts of the attachment means may further include securing means in the form of an extension with flaps, at the end of the second part, which when pushed through the slot it extonds outwards and the flaps engage, like the hooks of an anchor, to the outer surface of the structure formed by The first panel member in benT condiTion. This locks The panels inTo posiTion so Thai The aTTachmenT means are more secure.

It should be mentioned that additional aids may be provided to manipulate the shape and/or size of at least one of the first and second parts to aid attachment during assembly of the present invention. For example, a cap which fits over the second part after it has been compressed which holds it in smaller dimensions so that it fits easily through the slot when pushed. Once through the slot the cap is removed to allow the second part to expand and possibly engago with the first part to hold the panels together. Other examples of these additional aids could be a strap, clip or a device such as a shoe horn.

Other constructions of attachment means, such as for example ones which make use ol hinges, clips, brackets, screws, nuts & bolts, hook and loop type systems, tension cables, rods, pipes and end locking bits may alternatively be employed.

Some attachment means systems may consist of linking means, for example extensions of the second pal of The aTTachmenT means, which form a bridge or connecTion across the strucTure of The firsT panel member in bent condition from one end wall portion to the other end wall. Specific examples may be cables, rods or pipes as mentioned above. Depending on the design, the second panel member could either rest on top of the linking means or it could have the linking means running through it. More specifically it could have the linking means running through a channel which has been bored through it.

The first panel member may have fold markings on the surface to indicate where to form a fold.

Thoso markings may oven facilitate folding it. The fold markings may be grooves or valloys which have been made by removing some of the volume of the material in that particular region of the first panel member To aid sharper angled bIds on iT. The fold markings may exTend perpendicularly of the lengTh of the first panel member in a side-to-side direction.

Alternatively, the first panel member may not have any fold markings and may be bent in such a way that there is a gradual smooth folded section along it, such as for example in a u' shape.

The first panel member may be made of any suitable material. Generally, the material should be strong and have a degree of flexibility if no hinges are present. Thus, for example, the first panel member may be made of rubber or a foam material such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA).

Usually, the first panel member will primarily be made of a solid sheet of material of standard thickness. It could alternatively be made of a material of non-standard thickness or multiple sections of a more rigid material hinged together or a material with living hinges such as on the lid of the tic tao' brand mints box.

The firsT panel member may be made in any suiTable shape depending on The sTyle of the assembled present invention. Thus, for example, the first panel member may be made as a pure rectangular shaped panel, or one with more rounded corners.

The long edges of the first panel member will usually be cut or moulded in a shape, such as for example, a straight line to provide the assembled present invention with a base portion which serves to maintain the assembled present invention in a statically stable condition.

The first panel member may be cut or moulded with alternative shapes to the normally straight long edges, such as in a curvilinear shape to define rocker means for supporting the assembled present invention in unsTable condiTion To allow for a rocking moTion when engaged wiTh The floor or oTher supporting surface.

In this rocking chair embodiment of the present invention, part of the first panel member may protrude in an outward direction from the walls of the assembled form of the present invention to provide an extended portion of the curvilinear shape or the rocking surface.

The second panel member, provides the seating surface of the assembled present invention when it is orientated for use as a chair, sofa chair or rocking chair function.

The second panel member may be made of the same material as the first panel member, including any layers or covering if present.

The second panel member may alternatively be made of a more sturdier material and may have a soft layer or covering attached.

The second panel member may be any suiTable shape. Thus, for example, The second panel member may be prepared as a generally square shaped panel, or one with more rounded corners. Another example of a shape for the second panel member could be a half circle.

As mentioned earlier the second panel member may comprise attachment means so it can be joined, in a perpendicular relationship to, the inside of the structure created when the first panel member is in a bent condition.

The second panel member could be provided in a longer shape and material which itself also requires bending or folding to generally provide a double layer to be attached to the bent first panel member. It may include fold markings such as those mentioned for the first panel member.

The panel members, and thorefore the final assombled prosent invention, may bo mado in any suitable size, thus for example, they may be of a size which is suitable for children.

Usually, the panol members will be made of waterproof material.

The panel members may be decorated for fashion and/or coloured for fashion.

The panel members may have shapes cuT ouT, pressed in or moulded on Them for fashion, TransporTaTion or attachment means.

Part or all of the panel members may be provided with a skin-friendly layer or cover, for example a layer of cotton material to absorb sweat.

There may be addtional parts or panel members supplied, for example to provide additional cushioning support on the assembled present invention or for additional structural support to the self standing two panol structuro of the present invention.

As many aTTachmenT means may be used as is required.

The type of attachment means used doesn't need to be limited to one type.

The attachment means may be coded to indicate which parts connect to one another. The parts may be coded by shape, letters, numbers and/or by colour.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1-2 are perspective views of the unassembled first panel members of 2 different embodiments of the present invention in their normal flat condition at rest; Figure 3-4 are perspecTive views of The unassembled firs! panel members of 2 differenT embodiments of the present invention after force has been applied to bend them into simple three dimensional structures with internal and external wall surfaces; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the unassembled panel members of a standard cube shaped embodiment of the present invention 2 in flat form at rest; Figure 6 -B are perspective views of the assembled standard cube shaped embodiment of the present invention 2 in different orientations relative to the supporting surface; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the unassembled panel members of a more rounded shaped embodiment of the present invention 2 in flat form at rest, showing alternative attachment means to those shown in figureS; Figure 10 -11 are perspective views of a more rounded shaped assembled embodiment of the present invention 2 in different orientations relative to the supporting surface; Figure 12 s a perspective view of the assembled present invention 2 as in Figure 11, but with an additional panel member fitted to it which provides a table surface on the chair; Figure 13-14 are perspective views of a rocking chair' embodiment of the present invention 2 in unassembled and assembled forms respectively; Figure 15 -16 are perspective views of a baby chair' embodiment of the present invention 2 in unassembled and assembled forms respectively; Figure 17 -19 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2, which provides a chair and rocking horse' option, in unassembled and assembled forms respectively; Figure 20 -21 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in assembled form, which provides the options of a chair or a floor level game pod' seat as shown; Figure 22 -23 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in unassembled and assembled forms respectively, where the first panel member includes extension parts which provide support and a reclining backrest for the chair; Figure 24 -25 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in unassembled and assembled forms respectively, where the first panel member includes extension parts to provide support and an additional panel member can be fitted to provide a reclining backrest on the chair; Figure 26 s a perspective view of of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in orientation relative to the supporting surface to provide a wide sofa chair.

Referring to Figure I, there is shown a first panel member 4 which is one of the two primary parts that make up the assembled present invention 2. Also shown are two different types of the first part 10 of the attachment means B. For descriptive purposes to help explain how the first panel member 4 is bent into a three dimensional structure, the end parts 1 and central part 3 of the body portion 6 are also labelled; Figure 2 shows a first panel member 4, of a different embodiment of the present invention to figure 1, which consists of two layers. The primary layer 7, shown as a darker colour, has three additional layers 5 attached which are shown as a lighter colour in the diagram. The diagram shows three additional layers 5 attached, however other embodiments of the present invention may be possible with a different amount of additional layers 5 attached, such as at least one. The primary layer 7 may provide flexibility for bending and the additional layers S may be more rigid to give support to the assembled present invention 2. This embodiment of the present invention 2 of the first panel member 4 has demarcated fold lines 9 which are between the rigid additional layers 5 on this embodiment; Figure 3 shows the first panel member 4 from Figure 1 after force has been applied to bend it into a rounded shaped three dimensional structure such that the two end parts 1 are closer to each other. This structure forms the outer frame of the assembled present invention 2. The same components are labelled as in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the first panel member 4 from Figure 2, with the same components labelled, after it has been bent along the folding lines 9 into a cube shaped three dimensional structure. The same components are labelled as in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows the two primary parts, in unassembled condition, of a standard cube shaped embodiment of the present invention 2. These are namely the first panel member 4 and the second panel member 14.

The components on the first panel member 4 are labelled as per figure 1 and 2. In this embodiment of the present invention 2, the first panel member 4 is provided with fold lines 9 to assist in the bending of the first panel member 4 from its illustrated flat condition at rest to a bent condition. The fold lines 9 may be grooves or creases in the material of the first panel member 4. Alternatively, the fold lines 9 may be printed lines on the material of the first panel member 4. The fold lines 9 are on the body portion 6 of the first panel member 4. The fold lines 9 extend perpendicularly of the first panel member 4 in a side-to-side direction. The second panel member 14, comprises a body portion 16 with a rim 18, and second parts 12 of attachment means 8. One pair of the first part 10 and second part 12 of the attachment means 8 shown are in dovetail joint arrangement; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the standard cube shaped embodiment of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 5 have been assembled. The first panel member 4 is bent into the required three dimensional structure and the second panel member 14 is positioned in a perpendicular relationship on the inside of the said structure, such that part of the rim IS is in contact with the inner surface of the structure. The attachment means 8, with the help of the securing means 20, hold or lock the assembled present invention 2 in this form. Here the present invention 2 is in orientation relative to the floor, of a high seated chair where the body portion 16, of the second panel member 14, provides the seating surface; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the present invention 2 shown in figure 6, arranged in a different orientation relative to the floor, to provide a low seated sofa chair. The body portion 16 of the second panel member 14, provides the seating surface. It should be pointed out that this body portion 16 is in fact the alternate side of the second panel member 14 of the body portion 16 which formed the seating area of the present invention 2 in figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the assembled present invention 2 as shown in figure 6 and 7, arranged in a different orientation relative to the floor, to provide a table. The central part 3 of the body portion 6 of the first panel member 4, provides the table surface. The attachment means 8 on this surface are of such a shape and size that they are flush with the surface; Figure 9 shows the two primary parts, in unassembled condition, of a more rounded shaped embodiment of the present invention 2 in its unassembled form. These are namely the first panel member 4 and the second panel member 14. The attachment means 8 are a different type to those shown in figure 5. Unlike in figureS where the complete set of attachment means 8 are integral to the first panel member 4 and second panel member 14, these attachment means 8 include additional components. The attachment means here consist of long hollow rods 26 and end bolts 28 which fit through shallow channels 22 through the width of the first panel member 4 and deep channels 24 through the length of the second panel member 14. The hollow rods 26 provide linking means to form a bridge or connection across the structure of the first panel member in bent condition, from one end wall portion to the other. Depending on the design, the second panel member could either rest on top of the linking means or it could have the linking means running through it, or more specifically through a channel which has been bored through it.

The attachment means are not limited to these particular types, they may be of any suitable type; Figure 10 s a perspective view of a more rounded shaped embodiment of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 9 have been assembled. The first panel member 4 is bent into the required three dimensional structure and the second panel member 14 is positioned in a perpendicular relationship on the inside of the said structure, such that part of the rim 18 is in contact with the inner surface of the structure. The hollow rods 26 are then pushed through the channels 22 and 24 in the panels and the end bolts 28 are secured to the ends of the hollow rods 26 by screwing them to the threaded inside ends of the hollow rods 26. These attachment means 8, hold the assembled present invention 2 in this lorm. Here the present invention 2 is in orientation relative to the floor, of a high seated chair where the body portion 16, of the second panel member 14, provides the seating surface. In another embodiment of the present invention 2, the second panel member 14 representing the seat portion, may simply rest on the hollow rods 26 rather than having the rods go through it; Figure 11 s a perspective view of the present invention 2 shown in figure 10 which has been arranged in a different orientation relative to the floor, to provide a low seated sofa chair. The body portion 16 of the second panel member 14, provides the seating surface. It should be pointed out that this body portion 16 is the alternate side of the second panel member 14 of the body portion 16 which formed the seating area of the present invention 2 in figure 10; Figure 12 s a perspective view of the present invention 2 as shown in figure 11, however it has an additional accessory panel member 30 attached by additional attachment means 32 which provides a table surface on the chair; Figure 13 shows the two primary parts, the fii-st panel member 4 and the second panel member 14, in unassembled condition of a rocking chair' embodiment of the present invention. An additional support panel member 34 is also shown; Figure 14 s a perspective view of a rocking chair' embodiment of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 13 have been assembled. Here the present invention 2 is in the orientation such that the curved surface rests on the floor or supporting surface to allow for a rocking motion. The additional support panel member 34 provides additional structural support for the seating surface provided by the body portion 16 of the second panel member 14. Alternatively other parts such as rods, cables and rope may be provided for this additional structural support. Also shown in this diagram is an aperture in the first panel member 4 which serves as a handle ii on the present invention 2 to aid holding it or moving it; Figure 15 shows the two primary parts, the first panel member 4 and the second panel member 14, in unassembled condition of a baby chair' embodiment of the present invention 2. An additional support panel member 34 is also shown; Figure 16 a perspective view of a baby chair' embodiment of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 15 have been assembled. An additional accessory panel member 30 can be attached by additional attachment means 32 to provide a table surface on the chair. Also shown is an additional accessory strap 36 of which one end can be pulled through the slot 38 of the additional support panel member 34 and then attached to the assembled baby chair' embodiment of the present invention 2 by the additional attachment means 32. This provides a strap to keep a seated baby securely in position.

Note that the additional support panel member 34 can be pushed through alternative adjustment slots 40 in the second panel member 14 to adjust the size of the seating area 16 and possibly also the angle of recline provided by the second panel member 14 being bent along the fold line 9. This embodiment of the present invention 2 provides additional sturdiness due to the larger surface area of the floor or supporting surface which it engages with; Figure 17 shows the two primary parts, the first panel member 4 and the second panel member 14, in unassembled condition, of a embodiment of the present invention 2 which provides a sofa chair or rocking horse' opflons; Figure 18 a perspective view of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 17 have been assembled. Here the present invention 2 is in orientation relative to the floor, of a sofa chair where the second panel member 14 is folded along the fold lines 9 to provide a double layer of the seating surface; Figure 19 s a perspective view of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 17 have been assembled. Here the present invention 2 is in orientation such that the curved surface rests on the floor or supporTing surface To allow for a rocking moTion such as a rocking horse; Figure 20 s a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in assembled form, which is in orientation relative to the floor, of a chair with slanted side supports; Figure 21 s a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in assembled form, which is in orientation relative to the floor, of a floor level game pod' seat; Figure 22 s a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in unassembled form, where the first panel member 4 includes extension parts 13 and 15, with fold lines 9; Figure 23 s a perspective view of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 22 have been assembled. Here The presenT invenTion 2 is in orienTaTion relaTive To The floor, of a sofa chair where the extension part 13 of the first panel member 4 is folded along its fold line 9 and attached by attachment means B to the seating surface provided by the body portion 16 of the second panel member 14 to provide a reclining backrest for the sofa chair. The extension part 15 of the first panel member 4 is folded along its fold line 9 and attached to the opposite end of the first panel member 4 by the appropriate attachment means B to provide additional support for the seating surface which is provided by the body portion 16 of the second panel member 14; Figure 24 s a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention 2 in unassembled form, which includes an additional comfort panel member 42 to compliment the primary panols, namoly the first panol member 4 and the second panel membor 14. The first panel membor 4 also includes extension parts 15, with fold lines 9; Figure 25 s a perspective view of the present invention 2 after the panels shown in figure 24 have been assembled. Here the present invention 2 is in orientation relative to the floor, of a sofa chair which has The addiTional comfort panel member 42 aTTached To The present invenTion 2 by means of aTTachmenT means B to provide additional comfort in the form of a reclining backrest. The additional comfort panel member 42 may alternatively be in the form of a wedge shaped panel or block which can rest on the present invention to provide reclining means. The extension parts 15 of the first panel member 4 are folded along the fold lines 9 and attached to the second panel member 14 by the attachment means B to provide additional support for the seating surface which is provided by the body portion IC of the second panel member 14. The attachment means 8 on this surface are of such a shape and size that they are flush with the surface of the body portion 16; Figure 26 s a perspecTive view of an alternaTive embodimenT of The presenT invenTion 2 in assembled form, in orientation relative to the floor, of a wide sofa chair. This embodiment consists of longer panels to the previously described embodiments. The additional support panel member 34 may be required to support the longer second panel member 14 which may need to hold more weight as it has a larger seating surface provided by the body portion 16.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, the illustrated present invention 2 may be of different shapes than those shown.

The illustrated present invention 2 are shown made of solid sheet material but they may alternatively be made of any suitable and appropriate material.

The present invention 2 may be of a shape, or supplied with means, which enable it to be stacked with or joined To other similar uniTs.

The present invention 2 may be decorated and/or coloured as may be desired.

The panels may have shapes cut or moulded out of it for fashion or for attachment means.

Part or all of the panels may be provided with a skin-friendly layer or cover.

There may be more panel members supplied, for example to provide cushioning or for additional support.

The panels may be washed as and when required.