GB2573552A

GB2573552A - A furniture kit

Info

Publication number: GB2573552A
Application number: GB1807600.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mathieson John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-10
Filing date: 2018-05-10
Publication date: 2019-11-13
Also published as: WO2019215689A1; GB201807600D0

Abstract

The furniture kit has two vertical 3 and two horizontal 5 frame members connectable by a plurality of connectors 17. The connectors 17 have a through piece to go through an aperture in the vertical frame member 3 and an abutment formation on either end, where one abutment formation has a spacer and a flange. The flange can pass through an entrance of a receiving formation in the horizontal frame member 5 when the connector 17 extends from the aperture. The connector 17 may be ferromagnetic to attach finishing components including a shelf 60, drawer or door. The through piece may be formed by two shafts threadedly connected. A subset of connectors 17 may have a spacer and flange at both ends. The kit may include entrance closure caps to close the entrances via an interference fit. The kit may allow for tool-less construction where the receiving formation may slide over and connect with the spacer.

Description

A FURNITURE KIT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of furniture and, in particular, to ready-to-assemble furniture kits.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Cupboards of the built-in variety and other such furniture items are often required to be custom made to fit within the relevant room or space. Typically, these are made from chipboard or the like which is required to be cut to size and finished and then expertly fitted together in the relevant space. In most cases, cutting and finishing of the chipboard takes place at a factory, meaning that measurements of the space into which the cupboards are to be fitted need to be made and sent to the factory so that panels of the appropriate dimensions can be cut and finished. The process of edging appropriately cut panels of chipboard, which typically takes place at the factory as a part of the finishing process and includes gluing melamine strips on to the panels, can be particularly time consuming and difficult, especially if a high quality finish is to be achieved. It follows that the custom nature of such furniture items increases installation costs to the detriment of the consumer.

The installation process can also be tedious and requires skilled labour and considerable time to assemble the furniture items. It is not uncommon for the installation process to result in lengthy snag lists in which defects are listed and which need to be fixed before the job can be completed. It is for this reason that payment, for example, for installation of kitchen cupboards, counters, etc. is only made once the customer is satisfied.

There may also be problems associated with the quality and longevity of chipboard-based furniture items, particularly those which are found in the kitchen. For example, it is not uncommon for edging to peel off over time, especially when exposed to steam. Further, chipboard based furniture items are particularly sensitive to water damage, making them unsuitable for use in the kitchen.

Furthermore, such cupboards are often permanently fitted in that they cannot be easily removed, reconfigured, added to or the like. This naturally limits the practicability of such furniture items and increases costs associated with reconfiguring or adding to a cupboard arrangement of a particular space.

While the concept of temporary shelving and the like is known, such solutions are exactly that temporary, and typically lack the required aesthetic appeal and structural integrity required of a long-term installation.

There is accordingly scope for improvement and aspects of the present disclosure aim to address these and other problems.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a furniture kit comprising at least two vertical frame members, at least two horizontal frame members and a plurality of connectors for connecting the vertical frame members to the horizontal frame members, wherein apertures are provided through the vertical frame members, axes of each of the apertures being transverse to a plane defined by the vertical frame members, wherein each connector includes a through-piece which is shaped and dimensioned to fit within an aperture of a vertical frame member and which provides first and second abutment formations at each end thereof, at least a first abutment formation including a spacer and an enlarged flange, the horizontal frame members having receiving formations, each of which being shaped and dimensioned to receive an enlarged flange of a connecter through an entrance thereof, wherein the apertures and receiving formations are provided at locations in the vertical frame member and horizontal frame member respectively to facilitate coupling of the vertical frame members to the horizontal fame members by introducing respective enlarged flanges extending from apertures of the vertical frame member into cooperating receiving formations via the entrances thereof, wherein the vertical frame members and horizontal frame members are for assembly into a furniture article framework onto or into which finishing components can be fitted.

Further features provide for each connector to include a ferromagnetic material for use in the attachment of finishing components; for the connectors to be fitted in the apertures during manufacture; for the through-piece to be provided by two shafts joined together via a fastening arrangement, and for the fastening arrangement is in the form of a threaded bolt.

Still further features provide for at least a subset of the connectors to be of a first type including the second abutment formation including a spacer and an enlarged flange; for spacers and enlarged flanges of the connectors to be dimensioned relative to the horizontal frame members and receiving formations to provide a low tolerance, for the tolerance to be selected so as to provide a friction fit, and the friction fit in operation to contribute to the rigidity of an assembled furniture article framework; for each spacer to be in the form of a disc and to have a diameter which is larger than that of the apertures.

A yet further feature provides for a subset of the connectors to be of a second type including the second abutment formation including a flange in the form of a disc of a diameter which is larger than that of the apertures.

Further features provide for the vertical and horizontal frame members to include alignment holes at locations which are arranged such that each alignment hole of a vertical frame member aligns in operation with a corresponding alignment hole of a horizontal frame member, the kit further including locking pins arranged operatively to pass through and be secured in the aligned alignment holes of the vertical and horizontal frame members, the locking pins operating to restrict movement of the vertical frame member relative to the horizontal frame member; and for each locking pin to be dimensioned relative to the alignment holes to provide a friction or interference fit when urged through the alignment holes so as to operatively contribute to the rigidity of an assembled furniture article framework.

Still further features provide for each horizontal frame member to define a support for supporting a finishing component; for the kit to include one or more finishing components selected from the group including: a shelf, a wire shelf, an appliance support shelf, a drawer assembly, a door, a side panel and a counter top; for the side panel to have a periphery which corresponds to that of a corresponding vertical frame member and a plurality of fasteners provided at locations on the side panel which correspond with locations of the apertures of the corresponding vertical frame member; and for the fasteners to be provided by magnets which are arranged to attract and abut connectors located in the apertures of the corresponding vertical frame member.

Further features provide for the kit to include leg supports providing sockets for connecting leg arrangements, for each vertical frame member has two leg supports fitted therein at the time of manufacture. Each leg arrangement may include an adjustable foot insert for adjusting the height of each end of each vertical frame member.

Still further features provide for the kit to include entrance closure caps, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to close an entrance of a receiving formation, for the dimensions of the entrance closure caps as compared to the dimensions of the entrance and receiving formation to be selected to provide a low tolerance, the entrance closure caps thereby in operation contributing to the rigidity of an assembled furniture article framework.

Even further features provide for the vertical and horizontal frame members to be assembled from tubular members, and for the tubular members to be rectangular in cross-section.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a vertical frame member of a kit according to aspects of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a three dimensional view of a leg support;

Figure 3 is a three dimensional partial view of leg supports and associated openings provided in a vertical frame member;

Figure 4 is the same as Figure 3 but shows the leg supports fitted within the vertical frame member;

Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of a horizontal frame member of a kit according to aspects of the present disclosure, the member being shown from a first perspective;

Figure 6	is a three-dimensional view of the horizontal frame member of Figure 5 from a second perspective;
Figure 7	is an end view of the horizontal frame member of Figure 5;
Figure 8	is a three-dimensional view of a connector of a kit according to aspects of the present disclosure;
Figure 9	is a three-dimensional partial view of a connector locating in a vertical frame member;
Figure 10	is a schematic sectional view of a connector locating in a vertical frame member;
Figure 11	is a three-dimensional partial view of a vertical frame member being coupled to a horizontal frame member via connectors locating in apertures of the vertical frame member;
Figure 12	is a three-dimensional partial view of an enlarged flange locating in a receiving formation of a horizontal frame member;
Figure 13	is a schematic sectional view showing a cap to close the entrance of a receiving formation;
Figure 14	is a three-dimensional partial view of a locking pin which may be used in aspects of the present disclosure;
Figure 15	is a schematic sectional view showing a locking pin locating in alignment holes of the vertical and horizontal frame members respectively;
Figure 16	is a three dimensional view showing a locking pin locating in alignment holes of the vertical and horizontal frame members respectively;
Figure 17	is a three dimensional view of an exemplary frame assembly method from top to bottom, with vertical frame members and incremental addition of horizontal members;

Figure 18	is a three dimensional partial view showing horizontal and vertical frame members and a mounting bracket;
Figure 19	is a side view of a side panel which may be used in aspects of the present disclosure;
Figure 20	is a three dimensional view of an interior surface of the side panel of Figure 19;
Figure 21	is a rear view of an interior surface of a first member of a door assembly according to aspects of the disclosure;
Figure 22	is a rear view of an interior surface of a second member of a door assembly according to aspects of the disclosure;
Figure 23	is a first three dimensional view of a door assembly according to aspects of the disclosure;
Figure 24	is a second three dimensional view of the door assembly of Figure 23;
Figure 25	is a sectional view through the door assembly of Figure 23;
Figure 26	is a schematic diagram which illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which components of a kit are wired for electrical connection;
Figure 27	is a three dimensional partial view which illustrates sockets and a connector of electrically wired components according to aspects of the disclosure;
Figure 28	is a bottom view of an interior surface of a portion of a light equipped shelf according to aspects of the disclosure;
Figure 29	is a three dimensional view of the shelf of Figure 28;
Figure 30	is a three dimensional view of three exemplary shelf configurations;

Figure 31	is three dimensional view of drawer boxes of a drawer assembly according to aspects of the disclosure;
Figure 32	is three dimensional view of a sleeve of the drawer assembly;
Figure 33	is three dimensional view of the sleeve including the drawer boxes;
Figure 34	is three dimensional view of the drawer assembly being fitted to a furniture framework;
Figure 35	is a partial three dimensional view showing alignment of connectors of a vertical frame member with fasteners of a sleeve of a drawer assembly.
Figure 36	is a partial three dimensional view showing a counter top fastener clip in position in a vertical frame member before securing a counter top;
Figure 37	is a schematic sectional view showing alignment of a counter top fastener with a counter top fastener clip of a vertical frame member;
Figure 38	is a three dimensional view showing fitment of a counter top to vertical frame members according to aspects of the present disclosure;
Figure 39	is a three dimensional view which illustrates fitment of an exemplary open display unit is illustrated to a framework according to aspect of the present disclosure;
Figure 40	is a three dimensional view of a backing insert according to aspects of the present disclosure;
Figure 41	is a sematic sectional view showing the locating of a backing insert in a framework according to aspects of the present disclosure;
Figure 42	is a sematic sectional view showing a gap-closing arrangement positioned between a support structure and a side panel adjoined to a vertical member; and

Figure 43 is a three dimensional view showing an exemplary furniture article that may be assembled using kits described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of this disclosure relate to ready-to-assemble furniture kits, in particular to kits for assembling furniture frameworks onto which various finishing components or “accessories” can be fitted. The disclosure is primarily directed towards cupboards such as those that may be found in kitchens, bedrooms and the like. However, it should be appreciated that aspects of this disclosure may find application in a wide variety of furniture articles. It should further be appreciated that there are a multitude of possible configurations of furniture articles and those illustrated herein are merely exemplary.

The described furniture kit may further be configured for substantially tool-free assembly and installation. For example, respective pieces of the furniture kit may be configured for interconnection without the use of screwdrivers, hammers and the like. In some implementations, tools may only be required for fixing the furniture articles to the support structures, such as a wall.

The Figures illustrate exemplary components which may be included in furniture kits according to aspects of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that although the term furniture article is used to describe the end product, it may be that this furniture article forms a portion of a larger furniture article. For example, expansion kits may be provided for expanding an existing furniture article.

An exemplary furniture kit may include at least two vertical frame members (3) and at least two horizontal frame members (5). It should be appreciated that the number of frame members (3, 5) may differ from one kit to the next. It should also be appreciated that frame members may come in various shapes and sizes and may be sold separately. This may enable expansion of a particular furniture kit or customization of the desired furniture article.

Different frame members are illustrated in different Figures of this disclosure. For example, Figure 1 illustrates a tall vertical frame member that may be used for assembling a wardrobe. Figure 33 illustrates a furniture article having a shorter vertical frame member (which may be considered the standard dimensions).

The vertical frame members (3) may be in the form of rectangular frames. Each vertical frame member (3) may be provided by two major tubular members (7) connected together by two or more minor tubular members (9). For example, taller furniture articles (such as closets or wardrobes) may require three or four minor tubular members (e.g. as shown in Figure 1) whereas shorter articles, such as nightstands, may require only two minor tubular members (e.g. as shown in Figure 33). The tubular members may be rectangular in cross-section. The tubular members (7, 9) may be joined to each other at right angles. Joining of the members may be by way of laser beam welding or another appropriate bonding process.

Those minor tubular members that are connected to respective ends of the major tubular members to define the rectangular shape of the vertical frame member may be referred to as terminal members. Those minor tubular members that extend between the major tubular members within the bounds of the rectangle may be referred to as cross members.

The terminal members may be joined to the major tubular members so as to define inner and outer corners at each of the four corners of the vertical frame member.

The vertical frame members (3) may be made from any suitable material, such as mild steel (that may be nickel plated), aluminium (that may be powder coated) or the like. The vertical frame members (3) may be configured to provide sufficient tensile strength as support members. In the case of mild steel, a thickness of between about 0.9 mm and 1.6 mm may be selected (although a material thickness of about between 0.9 and 1.2 mm may be strong enough).

Manufacture of the vertical frame members utilizing malleable mild steel may facilitate production of frame members in design-appropriate dimensions. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the vertical frame member may be made from solid members (which may be rectangular in cross section).

Apertures (11) may be provided through the vertical frame members (3) at various locations. In the case of the frame member being made from tubular members, each aperture may include a hole in opposing side walls of the tube member so as to define a through-hole in the frame member. Axes of each of the apertures may be transverse to a plane defined by the vertical frame member (3). The apertures (11) may be provided in pairs along the length of the major tubular members (7), with respective apertures of a pair being located on respective major tubular members at locations which in operation will be in a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal. The pairs of apertures (11) may be spaced apart along the major tubular members (7) by convenient lengths, which may differ between one aperture pair to the next. The apertures (11) provided on each major tubular member may be arranged linearly. The spacing may vary depending on the article which the vertical frame member is intended to form.

Openings (12), for receiving leg supports, may be provided in a wall of a terminal member of each vertical frame member. The openings may be provided in an outer wall of the terminal member which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the vertical frame member. The openings (12) may be provided at locations which are opposite inner corners at which an inner wall of the terminal member joins inner walls of the respective major tubular members. The openings may be aligned such that the respective inner corners are towards or at the middle of the openings.

Guides (12A), illustrated in Figure 3, may further be formed within the terminal tubular member. The guides may be in the form of projections which extend substantially between the respective openings and the inner corners. The guides may provide a guiding surface which is generally perpendicular to sides of the terminal member. The guides may be arranged within the terminal members such that the guiding surfaces thereof align substantially with the outer peripheries of the respective openings. The openings and guides may be arranged to cooperate with leg supports, described in greater detail below. The guides may sufficiently strong to withstand forces applied by the weight of the furniture article. The guides may be fastened to the vertical frame members by welding or other suitable process.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, the kit may further include leg supports (37). Each leg support may be provided by a rectangular block with a step at one end and a socket (37A) at its opposite end. Each leg support may be shaped and dimensioned to fit within the terminal member of the vertical frame member in cooperation with the openings (12) and guides (12A) thereof. In particular, the leg support may be arranged such that it may be introduced into a cavity of the terminal member via the opening and located with its stepped end receiving the inner corner opposite the opening (12) of the vertical frame member and its major surface bearing against the guiding surface of the guide. The guide and inner corner therefore cooperate with the leg support to prevent movement of the leg support once located within the terminal member. The leg supports may be made from any suitable material, such as wood, a hard plastic (e.g. high density polyethylene) or the like. Sockets (37A) of the leg supports are arranged to receive a leg arrangement (38). Various types of leg arrangements may be provided. Each leg arrangement may include an adjustable foot insert for adjusting the height of each end of each vertical frame member on an undulating floor level so as to ensure that all the vertical frame members are at the same level. The leg supports may be glued in place and may be fitted at the time of manufacture (e.g. before leaving the factory).

In other implementations (for example for low cost applications), the openings and guides may be replaced with leg assemblies which are fixed to the vertical frame members at the time of manufacture. The leg assemblies may be metallic components configured to receive a decorative plastic casing.

Holes (11 A) may be formed in the vertical tubular members (3) for attaching mounting brackets and/or hinge assemblies. The holes may be located on the major tubular members at positions which facilitate the coupling of hinge assemblies of doors. The holes may be located on each major tubular member at locations which are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the vertical frame members. The holes may similarly be of the same shape and dimensions to simply manufacture and stock keeping.

In manufacturing a standard vertical frame member, for example, steel rectangular tubular members may be laser cut at 45 degrees and then the four pieces welded together. The welds may be machined smooth and then the whole vertical frame member may be nickel plated. After that the holes for the legs, connectors, brackets, hinge blocks etc. may be laser cut. Solid sections may be avoided so that open space inside can be used to run electrical cables. It should be noted that in other embodiments, a combination of steel and plastic could be used to make the vertical frame members.

In some implementations, vertical frame members for corner furniture articles (e.g. for pantry cupboards) may include a 45 degree member fixed to a longitudinal edge thereof.

Vertical frame members having heights selected from one or more of: about 720 mm, about 900 mm, about 1080 mm, about 1940 mm, about 2120 mm and about 2300 mm may for example be provided. The latter three heights (i.e. 1940 mm, 2120 mm and 2300 mm) may be made up by adding a 500 mm extension in between two vertical frame members having heights selected from any suitable combination of 720 mm, 900 mm or 1080 mm. Vertical frame members having depths of about 300 mm, about 560 mm, about 580 mm or about 600 mm (e.g. in the case of a corner walk-in pantry) may be provided. Rectangular tubular members from which the vertical frame members are made may for example have cross-sectional dimensions in the region of about 32 mm x 70 mm (in some cases dimensions of about 40 mm by about 80 mm may be used). As mentioned above, material thickness may be about 1.6 mm or less.

Depending on the particular kit, the horizontal frame members (5) have a variety of different shapes. In one example, the horizontal frame members (5) may be in the form of rectangular frames. In another example, the horizontal frame members may have a suitable polygonal shape which facilitates placement of the furniture article in, for example, a corner. For example the horizontal frame members may be L-shaped, bevelled L-shaped, triangular, square or the like. It should be appreciated that the shape of the horizontal frame members substantially defines the footprint of the furniture article in question.

Each horizontal frame member (5) may be provided by a suitable number of tubular members joined, in most cases, at their ends to provide the required shape. In the case of horizontal frame members being in the form of rectangular frames, for example, each horizontal member may be made up of two major tubular members (14) connected together at their respective ends via two minor tubular members (8). The tubular members may be rectangular in cross-section.

The horizontal frame members (5) may be made from any suitable material, such as mild steel (that may be nickel plated) aluminium (that may be powder coated) or the like. In some implementations, the vertical frame members and horizontal frame members may be manufactured from the same material and may have the same coating (e.g. nickel plated or powder coated to the same finish).

The horizontal frame members (5) may be configured to provide sufficient tensile strength as support members. Manufacture of the vertical frame members utilizing malleable mild steel may facilitate production of frame members in design-appropriate dimensions. The horizontal frame members may be configured to provide a sufficiently high polar moment of inertia so as to provide the furniture article with sufficient structural rigidity to support heavy stone worktops and the like.

For example, in the case of a horizontal frame member made from rectangular tubular members having cross-sectional dimensions of about 25 mm x 12 mm and a material thickness of about 1.6 mm, the tubular members may be oriented such that the higher walls of the member are perpendicular to the ground in operation such that these walls provide a weight bearing function in operation and thus provide a stronger polar moment of inertia strength. The tubular members are thus provide support along the front and rear of the framework. This is in contrast to conventional kitchen cupboards which offer little to no support across the top front of the carcass.

It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the horizontal frame member may be made from solid members (which may be rectangular in cross section).

Each horizontal frame member (5) may define a receiving zone for receiving certain finishing components, such as a solid shelf, a wire shelf, an appliance support shelf, and the like. Selected finishing components are described in greater detail below. As will be described in greater detail below, the finishing components may be shaped and dimensioned to locate within the receiving zone and bear against the horizontal frame member under the influence of gravity. For example, the finishing components may include rims around their peripheries which are configured to engage and bear against surfaces of the horizontal frame members. Tolerances may be arranged so as to provide a press fit of, for example, shelves fitted into a receiving zone defined by the horizontal frame member.

Each of the horizontal frame members (5) may include receiving formations (13). Each of the receiving formations (13) may be provided by a constricted zone having an entrance (16). In the case of the horizontal frame members being made from tubular members, the constriction may be defined by a slot which is cut into one of the walls of the tubular member and the zone may be defined by a cavity within the tubular member. The slot may be cut from an edge of the relevant wall of the tubular member and may extend transversely away therefrom. The entrance may be provided by a cut-out formed in the wall of the tubular member which adjoins the edge from which the slot extends and may extend along that edge beyond peripheries of the slot.

Each horizontal frame member (5) may have two pairs of receiving formations (13). The receiving formations of each pair may be spaced apart by the same distance as that by which the each aperture (11) of the pairs of apertures are spaced apart. In this manner, the receiving formations are arranged to align with the apertures (11) of the vertical frame members (3). The receiving formations (13) may be arranged on the horizontal frame member (5) such that the entrance of each formation of a pair of receiving formations is on the same side of the horizontal frame member (5).

Each pair of receiving formations (13) may be provided on respective tubular or solid members (as the case may be) of the horizontal frame member (5), which may be termed engaging members. The engaging members may have a length which is substantially the same as the depth of the vertical frame members (3). In the case of a rectangular frame member, the engaging members may be provided by opposing minor tubular members (8) of the rectangular horizontal frame member (5) and the receiving formations (13) may therefore locate on the opposing minor tubular members (8).

In some configurations, for example in the case of L-shaped horizontal frame members, some tubular members may be joined mid-way or intermediate ends of the engaging members to provide a shallow receiving zone. The engaging members may have a length which corresponds to a depth of the vertical frame members.

The apertures (11) and receiving formations (13) may thus be provided at locations in the vertical frame members (3) and horizontal frame members (5) respectively to facilitate coupling of the vertical frame members to the horizontal fame members using connectors (17) which are arranged to fit within the apertures (11) and cooperate with the receiving formations (13) to couple the frame members together.

For the purpose of illustration, rectangular horizontal frame members may have widths of between about 200 mm and about 1300 mm. Depths of the horizontal frame members may correspond to a depth of a vertical frame member with which the horizontal frame member cooperates, for example about 300 mm, about 560 mm or about 580 mm. Rectangular tubular members from which the horizontal frame members are made may for example have crosssectional dimension in the region of about 12 mm by about 25 mm and may have a material thickness of about 1.6 mm.

The kit may further include a plurality of connectors (17) for connecting the vertical frame members (3) to the horizontal frame members (5). Each connector may include a through-piece (19) which is shaped and dimensioned to fit within an aperture (11) of a vertical frame member and may include abutment formations provided at each end thereof. At least the abutment formations (or in some implementations the entire connector) may include or be made from a ferromagnetic material so as to be attracted by the magnetic force of magnets.

First and second abutment formations may be provided at each end of the through-piece. In a typical configuration (e.g. a first type of connector), each of the first and second abutment formation may be provided by a spacer (21) connected to an enlarged flange (23).

In other configurations (e.g. a second type of connector), the abutment formation at one of the ends of the connector may include only a flange (i.e. the spacer and enlarged flange may be omitted), which may be provided by a disc of a diameter which is larger than that of the apertures. Such a connector may be termed a compact connector and may be used in furniture kits for the assembly of furniture articles configured to house appliances.

The through-piece may be provided by two separate, substantially identical components, in the illustrated embodiments being shafts, which are configured to be joined to each other. The through-piece may include a fastening arrangement (27) configured to fasten the components of the through-piece together. The fastening arrangement may for example include a screw and thread arrangement for fastening respective shafts together. Providing the screw and thread arrangement may provide adjustability of the connector once fitted in the aperture.

The spacer (21) may be in the in the form of a disc and may have a diameter (21 A) which is larger than that of the apertures (11). The diameter of the spacer may further be slightly less than the width of the constriction of the receiving formations (13). This may allow the spacer (21) to fit within the constriction (e.g. within the slot) of the receiving formation (13) and to be moveable therealong. The height of the spacer (21) may be slightly larger than a thickness of the wall of the horizontal frame member (3) in which the receiving formation is defined (e.g. slightly larger than 1.6 mm).

The enlarged flange (23) may also be in the form of a disc and may have a diameter (23A) which is larger than that of the spacer. The enlarged flange (23) may have a diameter which is slightly less than a length of the entrance (16) of the receiving formations (13) and a height which is slightly less than a height of the entrance (16) of the receiving formations (13). This may allow passage of the enlarged flange through the entrance of the receiving formation and into the constricted zone. As the diameter of the enlarged flange (23) is larger than a width of the constriction of the receiving formation, the enlarged flange may be held captive in the receiving formation (13) against forces in all directions other than along the constriction towards the entrance.

In other implementations, the spacer and flange could be other suitable shapes which provide a neck and larger-width projection on which a slot could fit. They could be rectangular or hexagonal, for example.

In some implementations, the abutment formations (e.g. the enlarged flanges) may include a tool socket (e.g. an Allen key or screw driver socket) for fastening components of the connector together when fitting the connector in an aperture.

As is shown most clearly in Figures 9 and 10, with the connectors (17) fitted in the apertures (11), the enlarged flanges are spaced apart from walls of the frames from which the respective connectors extend and provide mounts by way of which horizontal frame members may be coupled to the vertical frame member.

Lengths of the through-pieces of the connectors may be adjustable by virtue of the fastening arrangement. Respective shafts of the through-piece may have a diameter of about 9 mm, corresponding to the diameter of the apertures. The spacers may have a diameter of about 13 mm while the enlarged flanges may have a diameter of about 18 mm. The spacer may have a height of about 1.6 mm (corresponding, within a selected tolerance, to a thickness of the material from which the horizontal frame member is made). The enlarged flange may have a height of about 2 mm.

The apertures of the vertical frame members, the receiving formations of the horizontal frame members and the connectors may be shaped and dimensioned to provide a tight fit. The tolerances of, for example, the dimensions of the connector and the receiving formation may be selected to be in the order of 0.01mm - 0.005mm so as to provide a tight fit. This may improve the rigidity of the furniture article, once assembled.

To facilitate easy assembly of the furniture article, it is anticipated that the connectors will be fitted within the apertures during manufacture of the kit (e.g. before the kit is boxed and distributed). Fitting the connectors in an aperture may include locating a first component of the connector in the aperture from a first side thereof and locating a second component of the connector in the aperture from a second side thereof. The respective components may be urged towards each other and then, in the case of a fastening arrangement being a screw and thread arrangement, screwing one of the components into the other. Torsion required for screwing may be provided by an assembler’s fingers or a tool corresponding to the tool socket provided in the enlarged flanges. It should be appreciated that different furniture kit configurations may include configurations of connectors in the apertures. For example, some kits may require only a subset of the apertures to be fitted with connectors, with remaining apertures being fitted with caps. In some cases, for example in the case of a kit for housing an appliance, compact connectors may be fitted in some or all of the apertures. In some cases, a suitable thread-locking adhesive (such as LOCTITE, a trade mark of the Loctite Corporation) may be used.

Coupling a horizontal frame member to a vertical frame member, best illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, may be achieved by supporting the horizontal frame members with its engaging member engaging the vertical frame member with the entrances of the receiving formations (13) of the engaging member facing and aligned with the enlarged flanges of the connectors of the vertical frame member. From this position, the horizontal frame member can be urged along the vertical frame member in the direction (illustrated as dashed arrows in Figure 11) of the enlarged flanges. Continued movement will result in the enlarged flanges entering the entrances of the receiving formations. The horizontal frame member can be further urged along the vertical frame member so that the spacers moves along the constrictions towards a terminal point opposite the entrance at which the enlarged flange is held captive within the constricted zone of the receiving formation against forces in most directions. Coupling of a vertical frame member to a horizontal frame member can therefore be achieved by a simple sliding action. As noted above, however, the frame members and connectors may be dimensioned to provide small tolerances and consequently a tight fit. Thus, the horizontal frame member may have to be urged into place against resistance caused by the tight fit.

Typically, the abutment formation of the connector is provided by a spacer and enlarged flange as described in the foregoing to allow back-to-back connection of horizontal frame members to the vertical frame member. However, in some cases, for example where a cavity for fitting an appliance needs to be defined, the abutment formation may be provided by a flange having a diameter which is greater than that of the aperture. For example, the abutment formation may provide only for a flange having similar shape and dimension to a spacer (or otherwise a disk having a lower profile than that of the spacer).

Referring now to Figure 13, entrance closure caps (26) may be provided to close the entrances (16) of the receiving formations. Each cap may include a body into which a first semi-circular cradle is defined which is shaped and dimensioned in situ to circumferentially abut the spacer (21) of a connector (17). A second semi-circular cradle may be defined in the body, adjacent the first cradle, which is shaped and dimensioned in situ to circumferentially abut the enlarged flange (23) of the connector (17). The body may further include a wall, which is adjacent the second cradle and which bears against a portion of the flat portion of the enlarged flange.

The portion of the body defining the first cradle may have a width which corresponds to the width of the slot of the receiving formation so as to in situ fill and close the slot. The width of that portion of the body which defines the second cradle may be wider than that portion of the body which defines the first cradle. I.e. the body may have a cross section which conforms to the shape defined by the slot and entrance of the receiving formations so that the cap can be accommodated within the receiving formation and bear against the spacer and enlarged flange of the connector.

The body may be dimensioned such that a base thereof (being at an end opposite the cradles) is in situ flush with an outer surface of the horizontal frame member. The body may include a clip on a side thereof which provides the wall and which is arranged to hold the cap in place in the receiving formation.

The caps may be manufactured using high density polyethylene or the like to provide sufficient strength. In some implementations, the caps may be nickel plated/coloured to match the vertical and horizontal frame members. The caps may be shaped and dimensioned to provide a press fit and may assist in improving the rigidity of the assembled furniture article framework.

The vertical and horizontal frame members may include alignment holes (33), as illustrated in Figure 15, at locations which are arranged so as to align in operation. Each alignment hole is arranged to cooperate with a locking pin (35) which is configured to extend through the horizontal frame member via an alignment hole thereof and into a corresponding alignment hole of the vertical frame member.

The alignment holes may for example be provided on the vertical frame member between apertures of one or more pairs of apertures. For example, the alignment holes may be provided in between the apertures of the pairs of apertures provided at opposite ends of the vertical frame member (3). Similarly, alignment holes may be provided on the horizontal frame members between the receiving formations of receiving formation pairs.

Each locking pin (35) may be in the form of a capped cylinder with a central, blind bore extending from the capped end. The locking pin (35) is shaped and dimensioned to provide a friction or interference fit when urged through the alignment holes of the horizontal and vertical frame members respectively and operates to improve the rigidity of the coupling of the horizontal members to the vertical members. The locking pins may for example be oversized relative to the alignment holes so as to provide an interference fit. The locking pin (35) may be configured for fitment without the use of tools. The blind bore may be provided to facilitate removal of the locking pin and in some implementations may be threaded (e.g. should the fit be very tight). Such locking pins may be used for stand-alone furniture where the integrity of the structure cannot rely on the wall bracket for support. The locking pin (35) may be cheap to make and easy to fit, keeping the installation/assembly simple. In some implementations, the locking pin may be provided by a rivet.

In other implementations, temporary locking pin may be provided. The temporary locking pin may have more generous tolerances and a handle for easy insertion and removal. A temporary locking pin may be used in cases where the furniture article is to be secure to a support structure, such as a wall, which may obviate the need for a more permanent locking pin.

Vertical frame members (3) having connectors located in apertures thereof, are connected to each other using horizontal frame members (5). Multiple vertical frame members may be provided, as may be required to fill the space occupied by the furniture article.

The assembly of vertical frame members and horizontal frame members using the connectors provides a framework onto or into which any number of finishing components may be fitted, such as counter tops, drawer assemblies, doors, side panels, shelves (including light-fitted shelves, appliance support shelves, wire shelves, etc.), display units, backing and the like.

As mentioned above, assembly of the framework and fitting of finishing components thereto may be performed almost entirely without the use of tools. More so, the finishing components can be removed and replaced as may be required and the framework can be added to or reduced according to changing requirements. This may be done without damaging existing components of the furniture article, thus saving cost and reducing waste.

Aspects of the present disclosure thus provide a furniture kit for the assembly of a furniture framework onto or into which various finishing components may be fitted. The framework may be easily expandable (or contactable) after initial assembly, as requirements change.

Where the vertical and horizontal frame members are provided by an arrangement of tubular members (e.g. as described in the foregoing and illustrated in the Figures), the framework may be in the form of a lattice in that, once assembled, a structure of tubular members joined together with square or rectangular-shaped spaces left between them is provided. These spaces may be advantageous in that access to difficult to reach places may be facilitated. Furthermore, the build-up of damp may be prevented or otherwise easily detected. As mentioned above, surfaces of the vertical and horizontal frame members may be finished with the same, aesthetically pleasing, finishing (e.g. nickel plating or aluminium powder coating) and will hence match each other. Once the relevant furniture article has been assembled from the kit (e.g. with all the relevant finishing components fitted thereto), the aesthetically pleasing finish of respective members, which may be visible despite the finishing components (e.g. when a door is open, etc.) may match with the finishing of the finishing components (such as white, cream, wood look, real wood, etc.). This may eliminate the difficulty and cost associated with needing to edge each chipboard carcass and shelf in a matching colour, pattern, etc. as described in the foregoing. In some implementations, one aesthetically pleasing finish for the vertical and horizontal frame members may be provided for any of a variety of different finishing component finishes.

Figure 17 illustrates assembly of a furniture framework using exemplary vertical and horizontal frame members (3, 5), such as those described in the foregoing. Initially (A), two vertical frame members (3) may be supported upright (e.g. relative to the ground). The vertical frame members may be arranged opposite and parallel to one another such that connectors locating in apertures of respective vertical frame members are substantially coaxial.

At a next stage (B), a horizontal frame member (5) may be coupled to the two vertical frame members (3) using the connectors of the vertical frame members and corresponding receiving formations of the horizontal frame member (i.e. operatively the bottom-most connectors). In the illustrated scenario, pairs of connectors located closest to the legs of the respective vertical frame members are used to couple the horizontal frame member to the vertical frame members.

At a next stage (C), another horizontal frame member (5) may be fitted to the two vertical frame members, in the illustrate scenario using pairs of connectors which are adjacent the operatively bottom-most connectors.

Next (D), yet another horizontal frame member may be fitted to the next pairs of connectors, in the illustrated scenario being the operatively top-most connectors to provide a free-standing furniture framework (36). If required, locking pins and/or caps such as those described in the foregoing may be fitted.

In further stages (E), the framework (36) may be added to by providing another vertical frame member (3), supported upright and arranged opposite and parallel to one of the other vertical frame members such that connectors locating in apertures of respective vertical frame members are substantially coaxial. Further horizontal frame members may be added as required. It should be appreciated that the framework can be added to by using vertical frame members of other dimensions too. For example, in some cases a kit may include a combination of shorter and taller vertical frame members to provide a furniture article in the form of a kitchen counter with drawers and cupboards underneath and an adjacent cabinet for housing a fridge, freezer or other tall appliance.

Once the desired framework has been assembled, various finishing components, such as shelves, doors, side panels, counter tops, backing inserts, drawer assemblies, open display units and the like may be fitted onto the framework (36).

Once assembled, the article may be fastened to a support structure, such as a wall. For this purpose, the kit may include a plurality of mounting brackets (39), an example of which is illustrated in Figure 18. The mounting brackets may be configured to mount vertical frame members to support structures, such as a wall or the like. The mounting bracket may be a right angled bracket and may include holes to facilitate fasting to the vertical frame member via corresponding holes (11 A) and the support structure respectively. The mounting brackets may be fastened to the vertical frame members at the time of manufacture (e.g. before leaving the factory). In some cases, mounting brackets may be used to connect two vertical frame members together so that, for example, a back-to-back arrangement of vertical and horizontal frame members may be assembled. Vertical frame members may be joined via the mounting brackets at the time of manufacture, for example in the case of kits for the assembly of a free-standing kitchen island.

Once assembled and fastened to a support structure (if required), one or more finishing components may be fitted to complete the furniture article. As will be apparent from the description which follows, the finishing components may be fitted to the framework without the use of tools. Different furniture kits may include different finishing components, depending on the furniture article to which the kit relates. Various exemplary finishing components are described below.

Referring to Figures 19 and 20, the kit may include side panels (41). A kit for a typical furniture item may include two side panels so as to close sides of the furniture article (e.g. as shown in Figure 43). Each side panel may have a periphery which substantially conforms to that of the vertical frame members (3). Each side panel may further include a lip (43) which extends transversely from an edge of the side panel. The lip may for example extend from an edge of an end of a side panel which has substantially the same length as the height of the vertical frame member. The lip may be arranged to engage the vertical frame member. When fitted to the vertical frame member, the lip may run, in an operative orientation of an assembled furniture kit, from top to bottom of a front facing surface of the vertical frame member and may be configured to cooperate with doors so as to provide a substantially flat front facing surface of the assembled furniture article (as illustrated most clearly in Figure 42).

The side panel may include a plurality of fasteners (45) configured to fasten the side panel to a vertical frame member. The fasteners may be provided at locations which operatively align with locations of some or all of the apertures (and hence connectors) of the vertical frame member with which the side panel is compatible. The fasteners may be provided by magnets which are arranged to attract and abut the abutment formations of the connectors (17) fitted in the apertures (11) of the vertical frame member so as to hold the side panel in place. The side panels may therefore be configured to snap into place with relative ease and without requiring the use of tools. In some cases the magnets may be sufficiently strong so as to make removal of the side panels difficult. For example, a shear force may be required to remove the side panels, as the tension force required to axially separate the magnets from the connectors (17) may be too high to be practical. In some implementations, the magnets may be recessed to provide a pit into which the connector may be received to make removal of the side panel (41) more difficult.

The kit may further include doors (47), examples of which are illustrated in Figures 21 to 24. Each door may be formed from two members which are jointed together. One of the members (47A), the main member, may include reinforcements (49), for example in the form of crossed ribbing, and may be configured for fastening to a complimentary member (47B) which provides the front facing surface of the door. Attachment may be via glue and/or pits and corresponding boss formations provided in the respective members which may be shaped and dimensioned to provide an interference fit, friction fit or the like. In the case of attachment via pit and boss formations, the bosses may be provided on the complimentary member (47B) and may be sized small enough so as to prevent artefacts from appearing on the front facing surface of the complimentary member.

Each door (47) may have holes (51) for securing a hinge assembly thereto. It is anticipated that any suitable hinge assembly may be used to hingedly connect the door (47) to a corresponding vertical frame member (3). Holes for fitting handles may also be provided. In some implementations, the doors may ship with handles and or hinge assemblies pre-assembled. The respective members of the doors may be manufactured using plastic injection moulding, thermos-vacuum formed, using a steel sheet or the like or the like. The finishing of the door panels may be done by a water transfer process (also referred to as hydrographic printing); plain ABS plastic, spray painted (e.g. using DUCOSPRAY™), vinyl wrapped, UV printing and the like to achieve a myriad of designs.

The doors may be made in two parts with ribbing to save material costs. The main member (47A), which holds the hinges, will typically be made from a PVC-type plastic (e.g. by injection moulding) and may have an overall thickness of about 10 mm (the panel thickness being about 5 mm and the ribbing thickness being about 5 mm), which may allow complimentary members (47B) of different materials (e.g. ABS plastic, polycarbonate vacuum, thermos formed, sheet steel, etc.) to be joined to it. The materials of such members (47B) can be finished in various finishes, for example: a sheet metal formed front that clips into place on the main member (47A). Alternatively, an injection moulded polycarbonate complementary member (47B) may be used. The polycarbonate front section may not offer any integrity to the door and is merely an aesthetic cover. In some implementations, the complementary member could be soft and pliable (e.g. similar to modern luggage). The joint provided by the two members may also allow for the wrapped ends of the vinyl to be hidden. The PVC back piece could also be covered with water transfer, wrapped of painted as an option for high end kitchens/furniture.

It should be appreciated that any door types may be used. For example, in other implementations, the doors may be wooden, include glass panes, other suitable solid surface materials (e.g. such as those composed of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate, typically sold under the trade name CORIAN, a trade mark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company) and the like.

In some implementations, referring now to Figures 26 to 29, components of the kit may be wired for the distribution of electrical power across appropriately wired and connected components. The vertical frame members (3) and corresponding finishing components (shelves, doors, etc.) may for example be wired for distribution of electrical power. The vertical frame members (3) and finishing components include electrical sockets (53) which are fitted within walls of the members and which are in electrical communication with electrical wires (55) located within the members. Top-most sockets of the vertical frame members may be used to connect to an electrical outlet, without the need of long cables, and/or to bridge adjacent vertical frame members.

The kit may include electrical bridges (57, 59) which are configured to electrically connect electrified components of the kit. The flat bridges (57) may typically be used to connect electrical sockets of vertical frame members which are provided on top ends thereof to a corresponding finishing component locating in the receiving zone of the horizontal frame member. The bridges may further include angled bridges (59) which may be arranged to connect sockets which are oriented at right angles relative to each other. The bridges may be made from a flexible material to facilitate connecting to sockets provided in the vertical frame members or finishing components. Each bridge (57, 59) may include two electrical plugs which are electrically connected to each other and which are arranged to cooperate with the sockets so as to distribute electrical power from one component to another. The plugs may be configured to cooperate with standard electrical sockets and may for example be two-pin plug connectors (e.g. such as those found on two or three pin appliance leads, LED low lamps, etc.). The electrical bridges may be cooperate with adjacent vertical frame members and, for example, a shelf located in between the members and acting as a bridge to extend electrical power form one vertical frame member to the next.

In the illustrated embodiment, the finishing components are in the form of shelves (60) having one or more lights (61) fitted therein. The lights may for example be in the form of an LED lighting strip which extends along a length of the shelf (60). The lights may be housed within the shelf (60) and may be covered by a translucent cover (63).

Generally, the shelves described herein (whether fitted with lights or not) may be formed from two components which are joined together. The components may be configured to inter-lock and may for example provide corresponding pit and boss formations configured to provide an interference fit or friction fit to fasten the respective components together. Reinforcement in the form of ribs may be provided along interior surfaces of one or both of the components. Shelves may be finished using for example a water transfer printing method for any desired aesthetic look on exterior surfaces thereof. Manufacture of the shelves may utilize malleable plastic which may facilitate production in design-appropriate dimensions. This process may involve injection moulding. Shelves may also be manufactured using stainless steel or any such malleable material with tensile strength or the like.

A rim (67) may extend from the shelf (60) and may be shaped and dimensioned to bear against members of the horizontal frame members (5). The shelf may for example be shaped and dimensioned to fit within the receiving zone defined by the corresponding horizontal frame member with which the shelf is intended to be used and the rim extend from an operatively upper surface of the shelf so as to engage and, under the influence of gravity in operation, bear against the members of the horizontal member which define the receiving zone. Tight tolerances may be selected such that a press fit is provided.

It should be appreciated that shelves may be made from other materials and may have other designs. For example, Figure 30 illustrates various shelf configurations, PVC foam board shelves, polypropylene drop in shelves and polypropylene solid drop in shelves. In other cases, shelves may be made from one or more of: plastic, wood-plastic composite (WPC), PVC foam board, glass, solid wood or the like.

In some implementations, wire shelving may be provided (e.g. for storing vegetables). In some cases, an appliance support shelf may be provided. The appliance support shelf may be configured to support the load of a kitchen appliance, such as an oven, and may for example be made from stainless steel or another sufficiently strong material. The appliance support shelf may include ribbing to improve its load bearing capacity.

In some implementations, shelf gap fillers may be provided to fill the gap between adjacent shelves. The shelf gap fillers may also be rimmed for bearing against members of the horizontal frame members for holding the fillers in place. Tolerances may be selected to provide a tight fit.

Similarly, in some implementations, side fillers may be provided to close gaps provided by the vertical frame members so that a furniture article such as a cupboard can be compartmentalised. The side fillers may be made from a foam board which may be coated in a hard plastic to permit the fillers to be urged into position. The side fillers may be dimensioned to be slightly oversize such that the resilient flexibility of the foam board holds the fillers in place. In some cases, self-sticking wall paper for sticking to a support structure, such as a wall, may be provided to provide a backing to the furniture article, which may be applied directly onto the fixed wall surface.

Figures 31 to 35 illustrate an exemplary finishing component in the form of a drawer assembly (71). The assembly (71) may include a sleeve (73). The sleeve may include a base (75) which is shaped and dimensioned to be received and cradled by a receiving zone of an appropriately shaped and dimensioned horizontal frame member (5). The sleeve may include fasteners for fastening the sleeve to the vertical and/or horizontal frame members. The fasteners may be provided by suitable magnets (e.g. neodymium magnets) which may be provided at locations on the sleeve which operatively align with abutment formations of connectors (17) of the vertical frame members, as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 35. The sleeve may provide rails (75) which arranged to cooperate with rollers of corresponding drawer boxes (77). In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve is made from a transparent or semi-transparent material, although in other implementations it may be made from an opaque material. In some implementations, the drawer boxes may be pre-fitted with organisers (e.g. cutlery organisers, and the like). In some configurations, an automation system may be provided to control opening and closing of the drawer boxes using a motor and suitable drive assembly.

The sleeve may thus be configured to be fitted to an appropriately dimensioned furniture article with relative ease. This may for example be achieved by simply urging the sleeve into the space above the receiving zone until the fasteners engage and attract the corresponding abutment formations.

In other implementations, the sleeve may be fixed in position using a pin configured to cooperate with alignment holes (33) provided in the vertical frame members and corresponding holes provided in the sleeve.

In some implementations, the furniture kit may include finishing components in the form of counter tops. Figures 36 to 38 illustrate exemplary counter tops (80) and how they may be fitted to a framework according to aspects of the present disclosure. The counter tops (80) may have counter top fastener clips (82) fixed to an operatively underneath surface thereof at locations selected to correspond to locations of holes formed in operatively upper most surfaces of the vertical frame members.

In the illustrated embodiment, holes (84) for receiving the counter top fastening clips may be provided in the vertical frame members (3). The holes (84) may be square and may be cut at the time of manufacture, although in other implementations the holes may have other shapes. The holes may be cut at in operatively upper surfaces of operatively upper terminal members of the vertical frame member (3). The holes may be cut towards ends of the terminal member and may be cut so as to define an angled edge in the wall of the terminal member. The counter top fastener clips (82) may include a cooperating formation (86) which is shaped and dimensioned to locate in the hole (84). The cooperating formation (86) may be oversized relative to the hole, so as to provide an interference fit when urged into the hole. Each counter top fastener clip (82) may include a depression (88) into which glue for fixing the counter top fastener clip to the counter top may locate.

In some implementations, the counter top fastener clips (82) may be glued into position on the counter tops in the factory and may then be fitted to the holes of the vertical frame members during assembly of the furniture article.

In other implementations, the counter tops can be glued into position in situ after the framework is installed in, for example, a kitchen. For example the counter top fastener clips (82) may be fitted into the holes (84) of appropriate vertical frame members (3) at the time of manufacture (e.g. before leaving the factory). At the time of assembly of the furniture article to which a given kit relates, once the framework has been assembled, the counter tops (80) may be secured to the framework by filling the worktop fastener clips with glue and then fitting the appropriately sized and dimensioned countertop. The glue (or other adhesive) may bond the counter top to the corresponding countertop fastening clips and the interference fit may hold the counter top fastening clips in place in the holes of the vertical frame members. The interference fit however allows for removal of the counter top (together with the fasteners glued thereto) to provide a removable counter top which is relatively easy to fit at the time of assembly.

Some furniture kits may include open display units. An exemplary open display unit (94) is illustrated in Figure 39. The open display unit may include a sleeve (96) which may be in the form of a cube having five closed sides and one open side. One of the closed sides adjacent the open side may define a base (98) which is shaped and dimensioned to engage operatively upper surfaces of a horizontal frame member (3) of a framework. The sleeve may be shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly within a zone defined by opposing, parallel vertical frame members (3) and opposing horizontal frame members (5) fitted to the vertical frame members. One or more shelves may be fitted to (or integrally formed with) the sleeve. In the illustrated embodiment, a shelf (102) is located in the sleeve midway between the base and the roof of the sleeve. A rim (104) may extend from edges of the sleeve which are adjacent the open side. The rim may extend transverse to the closed sides of the sleeve and may be dimensioned such that with the open display unit fitted into a framework, operatively front facing surfaces of the vertical and horizontal frame members defining the zone in which the unit locates are concealed by the rim.

The sleeve (96) may include fasteners for fastening the sleeve to the vertical and/or horizontal frame members. The fasteners may be provided by suitable magnets (e.g. neodymium magnets) which may be provided at locations on the sleeve which operatively align with abutment formations of connectors of the vertical frame members.

In a kit including the open display unit and doors and/or side panels, the open display unit, doors and side panels may all have the same finish. The open display unit may thus be made from and finished with the same materials from which the doors and/or side panels described herein may be made or finished.

It is further anticipated that furniture kits described herein may include a backing insert (106), for example for use with furniture kits employing glass doors. The backing insert may provide an aesthetically pleasing backing to, for example, a kitchen cupboard having glass doors. For example, with reference to Figures 40 and 41, an exemplary backing insert (106) may include a backing sheet (108) and two side sheets (110) extending from opposite ends of the backing sheet. The side sheets may be hingedly connected to the backing sheet. In some implementations, the backing sheet and side sheets may be formed by imprinting lines of weakness into an appropriately dimensioned sheet of material to define the backing sheet and side sheets respectively. Open sections (112) may be cut into the side sheets at appropriate locations for accommodating hinge assemblies and holes may be provided for use in securing the backing insert into place using appropriate connectors.

As is more clearly illustrated in Figure 41, the sheet of material from which the backing insert (106) is made may be dimensioned such that each side sheet (110) fits within a gap defined between the rim (67) of a shelf (6) supported by a horizontal frame member (5). It is anticipated that the gap may be in the region of 3 mm and the sheet of material may thus have a similar thickness.

In some implementations, furniture kits may include gap-closing arrangements (120), which may also be termed ‘adjustable fillers’, for closing gaps between furniture articles and adjacent support structures, such as walls (122). With reference to Figure 42, a gap-closing arrangement (120) may be provided by cooperating elongate members (124, 126), each of which having a major dimension which corresponds with the height of the vertical frame member (3) with which the gap-closing arrangement is configured to cooperate. The cooperating elongate members may include a major member (124) configured to receive a minor member (126) via an opening extending along the major dimension of the major member (124). The minor member may be rectangular in cross section while the major member may be U-shaped in cross section to provide the opening for receiving the minor member. The members (124, 126) may be dimensioned such that the minor member is slideable into and out of the opening of the major member. Stop formations may be provided to prevent the minor member from exiting the opening and a biasing means (such as a spring (128)) may be provided within the gap-closing arrangement so as to bias the minor member out of the opening and away from the major member until restrained by the stop formations.

The gap-closing arrangement may thus be able to adapt to and fill gaps of various sizes. In operations, an adhesive, such as double-sided tape, may be used to hold the gap-closing arrangement in place. Gap-closing arrangements may be made of the same material applied for the furniture article, ranging from plastic, wood-plastic composite (WPC), PVC foam board, glass, solid wood or the like, with any finish mentioned earlier for side panels (41) and/or doors (47).

It should also be appreciated that kits for a wide variety of furniture articles may be provided, for example including beds, filing cabinets, vanity cabinets, desks, shelving, and the like. In some cases, for example for wardrobes, backing in for form of self-stick roll on wallpaper may be provided. Closures, to close gaps between the minor tubular members may also be provided. These may be in the form of panels which are shaped and dimensioned to fit within the space defined between the respective frame portions. Spring loaded space fillers may be provided to close gaps between furniture articles and, for example, adjacent walls.

Furniture kits such as those described above may have advantages over existing furniture articles, particularly of the built-in type. One advantage for suppliers is that the kits may be paid for in advance, as opposed to upon installation to the satisfaction of the client. This may be in part because of the simple installation leading to minimal (if not no) snags and/or the durable materials from which the various components are manufactured.

The skeletal nature of the furniture articles assembled using kits having components described herein may make cleaning and maintenance easier. In some cases, the skeletal (or Open’ nature of the furniture articles may assist in preventing build-up of damp and other issues associated with traditional built-in kitchen articles.

The vertical and horizontal frame members described herein may come in various dimensions. In some implementations, for example in the case of furniture kits for the assembly of kitchen furniture items such as built in cupboards, countertops and appliance housings, the dimensions may be selected to conform with standard dimensions used for built-in furniture articles found in kitchens.

It is anticipated that kits and associated components may be sold online via an appropriate platform. In some cases, appliances may be sold together with furniture kits via the same online platform.

It should be appreciated that the embodiments described in the foregoing are exemplary and that various alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Unless the context dictates otherwise, the terms “operative”, “operatively” or similar derivatives as used herein refer to the final assembled condition of the furniture article and/or furniture article framework oriented as it will be used in normal circumstances.

The terms “vertical” and “horizontal” as used in “vertical frame member” and “horizontal frame member” respectively relate to the typical orientation of these members relative to the plane of the horizon during normal use of an assembled furniture article and/or furniture article framework. The terms should not however be considered to limit the orientation in which such frame members can be used.

Throughout the specification and claims unless the contents requires otherwise the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A furniture kit comprising at least two vertical frame members, at least two horizontal frame members and a plurality of connectors for connecting the vertical frame members to the horizontal frame members, wherein apertures are provided through the vertical frame members, axes of each of the apertures being transverse to a plane defined by the vertical frame members, wherein each connector includes a through-piece which is shaped and dimensioned to fit within an aperture of a vertical frame member and which provides first and second abutment formations at each end thereof, at least a first abutment formation including a spacer and an enlarged flange, the horizontal frame members having receiving formations, each of which being shaped and dimensioned to receive an enlarged flange of a connecter through an entrance thereof, wherein the apertures and receiving formations are provided at locations in the vertical frame member and horizontal frame member respectively to facilitate coupling of the vertical frame members to the horizontal fame members by introducing respective enlarged flanges extending from apertures of the vertical frame member into cooperating receiving formations via the entrances thereof, wherein the vertical frame members and horizontal frame members are for assembly into a furniture article framework onto or into which finishing components can be fitted.

2. The kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each connector includes a ferromagnetic material for use in the attachment of finishing components.

3. The kit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connectors are fitted in the apertures during manufacture.

4. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the through-piece is provided by two shafts joined together via a fastening arrangement, wherein the fastening arrangement is in the form of a threaded bolt.

5. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a subset of the connectors are of a first type including the second abutment formation including a spacer and an enlarged flange.

6. The kit as claimed in claim 5, wherein spacers and enlarged flanges of the connectors are dimensioned relative to the horizontal frame members and receiving formations to provide a low tolerance, wherein the tolerance is selected so as to provide a friction fit, and wherein the friction fit in operation contributes to the rigidity of an assembled furniture article framework.

7. The kit as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein each spacer is in the form of a disc and has a diameter which is larger than that of the apertures.

8. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a subset of the connectors are of a second type including the second abutment formation including a flange in the form of a disc of a diameter which is larger than that of the apertures.

9. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical and horizontal frame members include alignment holes at locations which are arranged such that each alignment hole of a vertical frame member aligns in operation with a corresponding alignment hole of a horizontal frame member, the kit further including locking pins arranged operatively to pass through and be secured in the aligned alignment holes of the vertical and horizontal frame members, the locking pins operating to restrict movement of the vertical frame member relative to the horizontal frame member.

10. The kit as claimed in claim 9, wherein each locking pin is dimensioned relative to the alignment holes to provide a friction or interference fit when urged through the alignment holes so as to operatively contribute to the rigidity of an assembled furniture article framework.

11. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each horizontal frame member defines a support for supporting a finishing component.

12. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the kit includes one or more finishing components selected from the group including: a shelf, a wire shelf, an appliance support shelf, a drawer assembly, a door, a side panel and a counter top.

13. The kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the side panel has a periphery which corresponds to that of a corresponding vertical frame member and a plurality of fasteners provided at locations on the side panel which correspond with locations of the apertures of the corresponding vertical frame member.

14. The kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fasteners are provided by magnets which are arranged to attract and abut connectors located in the apertures of the corresponding vertical frame member.

15. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the kit includes leg supports providing sockets for connecting leg arrangements, wherein each vertical frame member has two leg supports fitted therein at the time of manufacture.

16. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the kit includes entrance closure caps, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to close an entrance of a receiving formation, wherein the dimensions of the entrance closure caps as compared to the dimensions of the entrance and receiving formation are selected to provide a low tolerance, the entrance

10 closure caps thereby in operation contributing to the rigidity of an assembled furniture article framework.

17. The kit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical and horizontal frame members are assembled from tubular members, and wherein the tubular members are

15 rectangular in cross-section.