US2545891A - Convertible furniture - Google Patents

Description

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4 Sheets-Sheet 1 72u, 2a 7J 74 Iz, if? 4v Filed NOV. 6, 1945 March 20, 1951 INVENTOR BY Fred Me//r Z ATTORNEYS March 20, 1951 o. MEHR ET Al. 2,545,891

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Nov. 6, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 vf/f ' INVENTOR fo Mehr gz?? 6: ,zyrf. BY Fred/fehl ATTO R N EYS March 20, 1951 o. MEHR ET AL CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 6, 1945 INVENTOR Oo Mehr Fred Mehr 2 MATH/ENEA? March 20, 1951 o. MEHR ETAL 2,545,891

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed Nov. e, 1945 `4 Sheng-sheet 4 Y BY 76,! Q' \ff2 ff? l i 7516" /f 7gg A T 7' ORNE YS Patented Mar. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT I OFFICE CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Otto Mehr and Fred Mehr, North Bergen, N. J. Application November 6, 1945, Serial No. 626,972

Claims.

This invention relates to convertible or knockdown furniture of a kind which can be interchangeably converted from one unit of furnitureto another and contemplates a construction which is light in weight, yet durable.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a framework or foundation piece which can be converted with minimum effort into a number of furniture items or units of varied utility and appearance. auxiliary pieces capable of interchangeable use in the different furniture items. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

The invention in general involves a horizon- 'tally situated surface member supported by legs and having its edges fitted to receive and be joined to other members by a sliding connection, so as to secure said other members in a position more or less normal to the surface member. The

sliding connection is preferably in the form of a track and slide arrangement, which lends itself to unobtrusive installation, but, as will be understood, other connecting means are applicable. The surface member, which term includes a main surface member to be referred to hereinafter and certain auxiliary surface members, may have its top portion or top side cut by one or more channels, which may intersect each other, and in which tracks may be located, so that appropriate upright members having slides to engage said tracks may be positioned in the channels. The upright members may be upholstered or may be finished plain.

In one form of the invention the main surface member, as above described, may comprise the top of a table, and the table may be provided With means for increasing the top surface, as well fas for varying its height. In other applications and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the table unit showing the table to-p in full size;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the table of Fig. l Y

. showing the table at its nlXlLlum height;

Another object is to provide 10 2 v Fig. 3 isv an elevational view of the table of Fig. 1 from another side; l

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the table top reduced in size;

Fig. 51s an elevational view of a couch unit constructed from the table unit;

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are views of upholstered members used in the unit of Fig. 5;

Fig.v 9 is a bottom view of the unit shown in Fig; 5 but with a slight modification;

Fig. 10 is an elevation of a lounge or divan unit constructed from one of the auxiliary surface members shown in Fig. 1; Fig; 11 is an end elevation of Fig. 10; y Fig. 12 is a section through line I2-I2 of Fig. 10;

Figs. 13 and 14 are detailed views of the upholstered members employed in the divan unit;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an upholstered unit formed from the table unit;

Fig. 16 is a partial vertical section through one leg of the'unit in Fig. 5, showing the internal construction;

Fig. 17 is a partial plan view of the table unit of Fig. 1 with aA portion of the table top removed to show the'inner construction; f'

Fig. 18 is a partial view along line I8-I8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged, broken view of a portion of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 20 is an enlarged section along line 2li- 20 of Fig. 17.

In Figs. 1-4 the table unit is shown, from which it will be seen to comprise a top I supported by legs 2, 3,4, and 5. The top includes the surface member 6', which in 'this form of the invention may be designated a main surface member. Surface members l, 8, 9, I0, II, I2, I3, and I4 may 'be termed auxiliary surface members. Surface member is an integral element, having right angularly disposed channels I5 and I6 intersecting each other in its top portion or top side and thus dividing it into the smaller surface sections I'I, I8, I9, and 20. The' latter form a part of the main surface member 6, there being provided a base plate 2l (Figs. 16 and 17) to which each surface section is fastened. The edges of the member 6 have T- shaped tracks 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21, 28, and 29 extending outwardly therefrom, each length of track ending at one end at a corner of member 6 and at its other end at one of the intersecting channels I5, I6 which open through the sides of the main surface member 6. Tracks 30, 3|, 32, and 33 are also provided in the channels I and I6, as shown.

A preferred construction of the tracks is illustrated in Fig. 1'1, in which is shown the arrangement of one of the surface sections, the others being identical. All four of the surface sections are formed upon the base plate 2|. Section I8, for example, comprises a rectangular framework formed by the members 34, 35, 3S, and 31 which are fastened to the plate 2|. Each of these members has a step or recess rabbeted in one side thereof Gnote 156 and 35a in Eig. 20) in which the tracks 25', 2B, 3|, and 32 are secured, as by means of screws as shown. A top plate 38 (not. shown in Fig. 1'7) is then positioned upon the members 34, 35, 36, and 31 (note Fig..l)' thereby forming the surface of section I8.-

A lower surface member 39', havingturned down edges, is secured to each leg of the table andi serves to brace the same, as well as to provide storage space. Each leg, is provided with swingable frame members 40-, 4|, 42, and 43, each of which is adapted to pivot completely about its respective leg. rIhe construction of' the swingable frame members is the same, and therefore a description of one will bey given which will suffice for all. of a plate 44 of a general quadranta-l shape and supported by a pair of struts 453, 4S', spaced at right angles to each other. The lnlate 44 is suitably fastened to a member whosev outer end is curved to correspond to the curvature of the plate. Plate 44, struts 45". 4B, and' lower surface member Bare each secured to the leg 2 preferably as illustrated in Fig. 16, vf'hereinleg 2 is shown as consisting of two` parts 4g and 49;. each having a suitable bore. A bolt 50 passes through base plate 2|, plate 44 and the bore in leg part 4B, and then throi-rghthe struts 45 and 46, lower surface member 392 and the bore in leg part 49, the bolt being held in place by a nut 5| recessed inthe end of the part 491.

The swingable frame mem-bers 49, 4|, 42, and 43, when swung outwardly of the legs 2*, 3, 4, and 5, as shown in Figs. 1 3, are adapted to support the auxiliary surface members 1, 8i, S, i9, II, I2,

I3, and i4 in positions adjacent to and flush with the main surface member 5 and each other. The rectangularly-shaped members 1', 8, 9, and l'x'l are each supported by a pair of swingable frame members; thus the surface member- 1 is supported on swingable members 40 and 43 (Figs. l and 2.) ,i

and is secured thereto by means of pins 52, 53, which ilt into corresponding holes in the quadrantal plates andv struts of swingable members 4G and 43.; surface member 8 is supported on swingable members 4|? and 4| and has pin- s 54, 55, which t into corresponding holes in the duadrantal plates and struts of the members 4t and 4| (Fig. 18) similarly, surface member 9 has pins 56, 51, for securing it to swingable members 4| and 42, and surface member IQ has pins 58, 59,

for securing it to swingable members 42 and 43.

Surface member 1 has a groove 60 extending across its top portion or side in which a length of T-shaped track 5i is disposed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and also has tracks G2, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 61 mounted in its edges. Surface member 8, like the member 1, has a groove 58 intersecting its top portion or side in which is situated the T-shaped track 69, It is also provided with tracks 10 and 1| in its outer edge (Fig. 18) rlhe frame construction of the surface members 1 and 8 is generally similar to that of surface member 6 and will not, therefore, be further described.

The mem-ber 4|), for exam-ple, is formed Surface member 9 carries no tracks and is provided on its underside with two pairs of folding legs generally designated as 12 and 13 (Figs. 1 and 2). The pair 12 consists of two legs 12a, 12b, pivoted to ears 14, 15, respectively, and secured to reinforcing members 16, 11, respectively. The latter are fastened to the legs by spacers 18, 19, and serve to brace the same, A detachable brace 8i! also helps to support the legs. The pair of folding legs 13 is similar in construction to pair 'I2 and will not be further described. Members 8l and 82 are extensions of they frame members 33, to which the ears 14', 15 are attached, and have a decorative effect. Fig. 2 illustrates the folding legs 12 and 'I3 in their folded position, and alsog. dotted outline, in their extended position. In Fig. 15 is shown a perspective view of the surface member 9, wherein the folding legs have been turned down to provide support and a cross member 84 replaces the detachable braces such as 8U.

Surface member Il] has tracks 85, 85 on its two side edges., Its frame construction isshown in Fig.; 9, from which it is seen to consist of a rec,.- tangularly shapedA frame. generally design-ated as lea and a. cross member |919.

It will be seen that a variety of forms. of. auxiliary surfaces canV be used to develop. the table unit, including auxiliary surface members having: no tracks, such as' the member 9., As will be understood, all of the foregoing auxiliary' surface, mem.-

bers may be cf` one kind, for example, like the member 1:, orany of the other members,. or of any combination of these members..

The corner surface. members H, I2,A I3, and I4 all have a quadrantal or segmental shape and are designed to rest upon the swingable frame members. The member I, for'example,y consists of a quadrantally shaped frame member la upon which is fastened a plate IIb of similar shape but having a marginal extension llc. Corner members l2, I3, and I4 also have this construction. Member I I has a pair of pins 31, 81a which engage with a pair of corresponding; holes in the quadrantal plate 44 of the swingable frame member 49. These holesV extend through the plate 44 and into the member 41 to an appropriate depth. By this. arrangement the member is removably secured to the swingable member 4B and can be supported upon said member' in a position adjacent to and ilush with the main surface member 8 and the adjacent members 1 and 8. 'The construction of the surface members 2-, I3, and I4, being identical to that of member I I, Will not be described, except to. say that they are provided with pairs of pins 88 and 88a, 89 and 89a, 9.9 and 90a, respectively, which t into GQITrespending holes in the quadrantal plates; and crQSs members of the swingable frame members 4|, 42, and 43, respectively (Fig. 18).

As shown in Figs 2, 3, 4, and 9, the lower surface member 39 is provided with a pair of folding 'leg members 9| and 92 for increasing the height of the table unit. Fig. 9 gives a bottom view of the leg member 9| in its extended position, and also, in dotted outline, in its folded position, and leg member 92 is illustrated in the folded position. Leg member 9| is secured to the underside of lower surface member 39 by hinges 93 and 94, leg member 92 by hinges 95 and 96. Rectangularly shaped portions have been cut from the leg members 9|v and 92 to provide openings 91 and 98, respectively, which are then partially blocked olf by plates 99 and |00 fastened to the inner 75 sides `of leg members 9| and 92, respectively.

amasar underside of lower surface member 39 by means of brackets |03 and |04. When the leg members are extended as shown in Figs. 2-4, the stops |0| and |02 t into the openings 91 and 98, respectively, in a position flush with the outer sides of the leg members, as shown in Fig. 9 in the case of leg member 9|. The plates 99 and |00, which block further passage of the stops through the openings, prevent the leg members from being swung outwardly beyond the stops. Catches |05 and |06 are adapted to lock the leg members in their extended positions to the stops and |02, respectively, so as to prevent inward movement of said leg members. Each of the catches and |06 is provided with a pivot |01, |08, a handle |09, ||0, and a catch stop ||2, respectively. In their folded position, leg members 9| and 92 are concealed from view by the turned down edges of the lower surface member 39.

Referring to Figs. 1 4, the main surface member 6 and its supporting structure, which includes the legs, the swingable frame members, the lower surface member, and the folding leg members, comprise the basic table unit from which may be constructed a number of other units of varying size, appearance, and usefulness. Some of these units will be described to illustrate the principles of the invention, although it will be understood that many other units may also bebuilt in accordance with the invention. Fig, 4, for example, shows the table unit in a reduced size and having as surface members only the main surface member 6 and auxiliary surface member I0. In this form theunit is adapted to be converted into the furniture item of Fig. 5, shown as a couch or recliningl lounge and made by reducing the height of the unit in Fig. 4 and adding thereto appropriatev upright or upholstered members and cushions. The upright members ||3 and H4 have slides ||5 and ||6, respectively, extending from their edges, which are adapted to engage the tracks in the manner shown (Figs. 5-8) A number of upright members may be used, of course, to extend completely across any particular side of the furniture unit. Cushion members |1 and 8 are of any suitable design. Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the couch unit of Fig. 5, but with leg member 9| in an extended form to reveal its construction.

In Fig. a unit is shown which utilizes the basic table unit, the auxiliary surface member 9 with its legs extended and resting on the floor, and two surface members 8 and 8" which are identical to the member 8 (see Fig. 1). Upright members ||3 and ||3" are the same as that shown in Figs. 6 and '1; and upright members ||4, ||4" and ||4 are the same as that shown in Fig. 8. The members ||9, ||9, |20, and |20 are similar to those of Figs. 6-8 but of different sizes and shapes. Cushions |2I, |2|, |22, |22', and |23 complete the unit.

As heretofore pointed out, the auxiliary surface members shown in Fig. 1 may be interchangeably used in constructing a number of furniture units, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 15. In some instances, the auxiliary surface members may function as the basic or central structural element upon which to build separate and distinct furniture items. In one application of this form ofthe invention, the `surface member 75 one to the other to provide a compactly assem- 1, which in Fig. 1 is employed as an auxiliary surface member, may be used as the basic element of the item shown in Figs. 10-12. In this particular item, shown as a divan unit, the surface member 1 constitutes a seat support or, in this form of the invention, a main surface member. In the assembly of the divan, a back or upright member |24 having a slide |25 integrally formed with leg members |26 and |21, is rst slipped into place on the rear edge of surface member 1 by means of the track 65 and slide |25 (Figs. 12-13), approximately half of said rear edge being engaged by the member |24. The track and slide engagement is started at the edge |28 of the slide |25. A skirt member |29 is secured to leg members |26 and |21 and serves to conceal the construction of the unit as well as to improve the appearance of the same. Leg members |26 and |21 (see Fig. 13) are fastened to the skirt member |29 by means of rivets. It is intended that the leg members and the Skirtmember be integrally formed. The leg members extend upwardly to the top portion of the back member |24 and are imbedded in such member, as shown in Figs. l2 and 13. The upward extensions of the leg members are indicated in Fig. 13 by the dotted lines. The slide |25 is an integral part of the skirt |28 although it may be formed separately of the skirt and later riveted or welded thereto. It will thus be seen that the member |24 shown in Fig. 13 is a single unitary structure and is attachable to the surface member 1 by threading or sliding the track 66 of surface member 1 through the slide 25 of back member |24, as shown in Fig. 12.

Skirt member |29 is formed with a pair of lips |30 disposed at right angles to it. A back member |3|, having a construction matching that of the back member |24, is adapted to engage the other half of the rear edge of surface member 1. Back members |24 'and |3|, when properly in position, t snugly against each other at the back of the unit. Upright members |32 and |33, having integrally formed slides |34 and |35 and skirt members |36 and |31, respectively, are next slid into place by engaging said slides with the tracks 61, 64, respectively, of the surface member 1. Upright member |32, as shown in detail in Fig. 14, has a tongue portion |38 which is adapted to engage the lips |30 of back member |24. The tongue portion |38 is only partially shown in Fig. l1 in order to reveal the other construction. Upright member |33 is similar to the member |32 and of matching design. An upright member |39, identical to that shown in Fig. 8, is adapted to engage the tracks 6| (Fig. 19) in the groove 60 of surface member 1. As is shown in Figs. 10-14, all if the above-mentioned Aupright members have an upholstered finish.

To complete the assembly of the divan unit, skirt members |40 and |4|, having slides |42 (Figs. 11 and 12) and |43 (not shown) similar to slide |25 of back member |24 4of Fig. 13, are slid into place along the tracks 62 and 63, respectively, of the surface member 1. Fig. 19 shows the skirt members as they approach each other on `the tracks 52 and 63. As illustrated in Figs. 10, 1l. 12, and 19 skirt members 40 and 14| are'integrally formed with leg members |44, M5, and |46, |41, respectively, and each skirt member is bent at right angles `at one of their ends, to form a clamp or stop |48, |49, respectively (note Fig. 11). At their other ends each of the skirt members is provided withmeans forr locking 7 bled furniture unit. In the present instance such locking means comprise a sliding plate |50 having a pair of slots ||,V |52; engaged by the pins |53, [54; which are fastened to skirt member |40.V An arm |55, pivoted to leg member and plate |513, serves to move the latter up and down through the distance permitted by the slots. A at member [56 is secured to the skirt |40 to provide support for the sliding plate |50. Cooperating with` the foregoing arrangement of parts is an inverted L-shaped member |51 secured to the skirt i4! and slightly bent out of the plane ofy said skirt to permit it to slide over the skirt |40 (above the skirt, according to Fig. 19) when both skirts are brought together. 'Ijhe member |51 has a recess |58 to receive the plate |50. The portion |59 of skirt |4| is also bent slightly out of the plane of said skirt to permit it to slide under the skirt |40 (below the skirt, accordi-ng to Fig. 19) when both skirts are brought together. With skirts IAQ and HH advanced their full limit along tracks t2 and 63 respectively, i. e., with clamps |48 and |49` pressing against the side skirts |36 and |31, the skirts |60 and [4| will have the position shown in Fig.V 10. The member |5'| of skirt and the portion |59 will extend underneath said opposite skirt. By turning armv upwardly the plate |58 will enter recess'I'B and lock the skirts iti! andv i4! together. A snug and compact fit of all parts may be secured, and it will be observed that each partis adapted to support and stabilize the previously assembled part. Ihus, the skirts Hi8 and |4| serve to retain and compress the upright members |32 and |33 by means of the clamps |48 and |40. These upright members are in turn held firmly in place between the skirts Ulli, Ml and the lips of the back members |24, lili,l as well as by the track and slide arrangement. ,a pair of'cushions |60, |E| complete the divan unit.

It is apparent that the invention provides exible and Versatile means of constructing a larg@ number of furniture units with ease from a relatively small number of pieces. The size of the units that may be built will, of course, depend upon the size of the various ystructural elements involved, which may vary widely, depending upon the purpose for which the unitsare made, It will also be appreciated that the foregoing description of the invention is illustrativeV and that it is capable of application in various other mod iications. The following is claimed:

l. In convertible furniture adapted to be interchangeably converted from one unit of furniture to another, the combination of a main surfae member having supporting legs therefor, a lower surface member disposed beneath saicl main surface member and secured to said legs, said lower surface member serving to brace said legs and to provide storage space, swingable frame members swingably connected to said legs, said main surface member having T-shaped tracks mounted in the edges and extending outwardly thereof, upright members having slides extending outmember having supporting legs therefor,` va lower surface member disposed beneath said main suriace member and secured to said legs, said lower surface member serving to brace said legs and to provide storage space, swingable frame members supported on said lower surface member and swingably connected to said legs, auxiliary surface members removably secured to saidv swingable frame members in positions adjacent said main surface member so as to increase the surface area of said latter member, said lower surface member having folding leg members hinged thereto and foldable outwardly thereof to inerease the height of the furniture unit.

3. In convertible furniture the combination of a main surface member having a top portion and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having Supporting legs secured thereto, said top portion having intersecting channels, opening through the sidesv of said main surface member, thereby di; vidins the top Portion into Surface Sections, each 0i Seid Surface Sectcns having edges admiring Said channels, certain of said edges havins'tradg extending outwardly thereof into Said, Channels,

u upright members having one side heeof mi will extend over and above, the opposite Sklrt,

terminating in slides, said slides engaging said tracks to. locate said upright members. in a Sub: rst antially upright position relative to said main surface member.

4. In convertible furniture, the combination of a main surface member having supporting legs therefor, said main surface member having-"fshaped tracks mounted in the edges and extend-,- ing outwardly thereof, swingable frame members supported on and swingable about said legs, auxiliary surface members removably -secur-ed to said swingable frame members in positions adjacent said main surface member, said auxiliary surface members having T-shaped tracks mounted in their edges and extending outwardly thereof, and upright members having slides extending outi wardly of their edges,l said slides engaging said wardly of their edges, said slides engaging said tracks so as to unite. said upright members with said main surface member and said auxiliary surface members 5, In convertible. furniture, the combination of -a main surface member having supporting legs therefor, said main surface member having T- shaped tracks mounted in the edges and extending outwardly thereof, said main surface member having a top portion and a bottom por-tion, said top portion having intersecting channels opening through the sides of said main surface member, thereby dividing the latter into surface sections, each ofsaid surface sections having edges adjoining said channels, certain of said last-mentioned edges having tracks extending outwardly thereof into said channels, swingable frame members supported on and swingable about said legs, auxiliary surface members removably secured to said swingable frame members in positions adjacent said main surface member, said auxiliary surface members having 'FI-shaped tracks mounted in their edges and extending outwardly thereof, and upright members having slides extending outwardly of their edges, said `slides engaging the tracks in said auxiliary surface members and said main surface member, including the tracks in said intersecting channels.

oTTo FRED (References on following page) Shalansky NOV. 8, 1910 Name Date Shea et a1 Apr. 4, 1911 Wheeler May 1, 1923 Meyer Mar. 1, 1938 Buchholz Jan. 27, 1942 Mehr Dec. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1895

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