US3672723A - Modular unit element for furniture - Google Patents

Modular unit element for furniture Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3672723A
US3672723A US31501A US3672723DA US3672723A US 3672723 A US3672723 A US 3672723A US 31501 A US31501 A US 31501A US 3672723D A US3672723D A US 3672723DA US 3672723 A US3672723 A US 3672723A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
legs
modular unit
chair
modular
furniture
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US31501A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Giorgio Decursu
Johathan De Pas
Donato D Urbino
Paolo Lomazzi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3672723A publication Critical patent/US3672723A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B87/00—Sectional furniture, i.e. combinations of complete furniture units, e.g. assemblies of furniture units of the same kind such as linkable cabinets, tables, racks or shelf units
    • A47B87/02—Sectional furniture, i.e. combinations of complete furniture units, e.g. assemblies of furniture units of the same kind such as linkable cabinets, tables, racks or shelf units stackable ; stackable and linkable
    • A47B87/0207—Stackable racks, trays or shelf units
    • A47B87/0223—Shelves stackable by means of poles or tubular members as distance-holders therebetween
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B85/00—Furniture convertible into other kinds of furniture
    • A47B85/04—Tables convertible into chairs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C13/00—Convertible chairs, stools or benches
    • A47C13/005—Modular seating

Definitions

  • Each of such units comprises two legs and a plate member connecting the legs at their upper end portions.
  • the legs are hollow and are open at the top and are adapted to receive the lower end portions of the legs of a superposed modular unit.
  • the legs are tapered and allow a partial copenetratiou.
  • a seat member in the form of a plate provided with projections insertable in the open ends of the legs near one of its sides and with openings in register with the bores of the legs of another modular unit, connects together two modular units forming the leg structures.
  • the back member is formed by inserting the lower end portions of a third modular unit into the openings of the set member, in register with the bores of the legs of an underlying modular unit.
  • the present invention relates to a modular unit element for the construction of furniture such as chairs or the like, and the furniture obtained from said modular element.
  • One of the most important problem in the composable pieces of furniture is that of permitting a quick and easy mounting and disassembling of each modular unit with respect to the other.
  • the main object of the present invention is that of offering, starting from a modular element, a chair structure which can be disassembled and which is obtained by a limited number of component parts, easily assembled and disassembled, and obtained by manufacturing techniques of current use and by the use of materials easily available commercially, so as to be particularly advantageous from the economical point of view.
  • Another object of the invention is that said chair structure is formed only from two different types of component elements, so that the problem. of its manufacture and the storing of the disassembled parts is considerably simplified.
  • synthetic plastics materials subjected to pressing it is possible to make use of only two moulds contained either in a single die or in only two separate dies. As is evident a considerable economy derives from this, even from the manufacturing equipment aspect.
  • Another object of the invention is that said chair structure is arranged in such a manner that when it is disassembled it occupies a very small space, thus considerably simplifying the problems of storage and transport of large quantities of these chairs.
  • Another object of the invention is that this chair structure is suitable for being used as a didactic game, especially in a childs version, who are given a chair to assemble starting from its disassembled parts.
  • Another object of the invention is that of permitting the construction of furniture of other types, starting from the same modular element.
  • a modular element formed essentially from a single frame body defining a pair of tubular legs connected by a crosspiece.
  • a chair which can be disassembled obtained from said modular elements comprises a seat plane and three equal frames which define a first pair of legs, a second pair of legs and the back respectively, and means for the rapid reciprocal coupling of said elements.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled chair obtained from said modular elements
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the same chair
  • FIGS. 3 4, 5 show a side elevation, frontal elevation and plan view of the same chair.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show two other pieces of furniture (a table and a wardrobe) obtained by the use of the same modular elements.
  • the chair comprises principally three equal modular elements, indicated by the reference numerals 1, 2 and 3, and a fourth fiat member indicated by the reference numeral 4 which forms the seat plane of the chair.
  • Each of the equal modular elements 1, 2 and 3 comprises, in the form of a frame, a pair of spaced uprights or elongated tubular downwardly tapered members 5 and 6 and a crossmember or transversal connection plate 7 having a slightly arcuated shape.
  • the uprights or elongated tubular downwardly tapered members 5 and 6 are advantageously hollow internally and have a tapered shape so that the outer diameter of the lower portion of the uprights is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the bore 8, so that two modular elements can be superimposed inserting one into the other by partial penetration of one ofthe uprights into the corresponding seat or bore 8 of the other.
  • the seat structure in theform of a substantially horizontal plate member 4 is provided at its lower part near the forward edge thereof with a pair of projections 9 which match said upper openings'or bores 8 in the uprights 5 and 6 so that they can be inserted. Near its rearward edge the seat structure 4 is provided with a pair of holes 10 through which the tapered extremities of the uprights 5 and 6 are inserted.
  • the legs 5 and 6 have a downwardly tapering upper end portion provided with the 11pwardly open coaxial bore 8 and a downwardly tapering lower end portion insertable into the open bore 8 of an underlying leg structure.
  • a strengthening rib 11 is provided under the seat plane 4 between the projections 9. Because of this the upright or legs 5, 6 are provided with slots 12 at theirupper openings into which the reinforcing rib 11 is inserted.
  • the assembly of the chair takes place in an obvious manner. Because the three elements 1, 2 and 3 are perfectly similar, any two of them can be chosen for forming the opposing pair of leg structure of the chair.
  • the seat member 4 is rested on the upper edge of the connection plates 7, while the projections '9 are inserted into a corresponding pair of uprights 5, 6, which in this case act as chair forward legs.
  • the assembly of the chair is completed by inserting the remaining frame element into the matching seats 8 of the back or rearward legs by way of the holes 10 provided in the seat member 4, thereby to form the back structure of the chair.
  • FIG. 6 shows a table obtained by using two equal frames of the type of frame 1 previously described.
  • two elements 1 are attached to a plane 13 with the interposing of a transversal U reinforcement 14, which is inserted between the lower extremity of the legs 13a of the plane 13 and the frame elements 1.
  • the legs 13a of the plane 13 are substantially similar to the uprights 5 and 6 of the frame 1 and are inserted in socket elements 15 which project lowerly from the plane 13, or which constitute a single body with the plane itself.
  • FIG. 7 shows a wardrobe structure, obtained by the use of a plurality of equal frame elements 1 superimposed one on the other and attached to particularly simple accessory elements, according to the invention.
  • -An element 16 is analogous to the plane 13 previously described.
  • This portion 16 comprises four legs 16a, completely analogous to the legs 13a of the table previously described.
  • a clothes hanger rod 17 is hung from the plane 16.
  • Two planes 18 and 19 are indicated which are similar one to the other and similar to the plane of the element 16.
  • the plane 19 rests on the ground by means of the four sockets 20 with which it is provided, and to whose base are attached the feet 21.
  • a composable chair comprising in combination three substantially equal modular unit elements forming two leg structures and a back structure of said chair, respectively, and a substantially flat member having means for connection of said three modular unit elements substantially orthogonally to said flat member and forming the seat structure of said chair, said modular unit elements each having vertical elongated tubular members capable of being partially inserted in one another, wherein, according to the improvement:
  • said two leg structures have each a forward vertical downwardly tapering elongated tubular member forming one forward tubular leg and, spaced therefrom, a rearward vertical downwardly tapering tubular member forming one rearward tubular leg and a cross member connecting said one forward leg and said one rearward leg, said forward and said rearward legs having each a downwardly tapering lower end portion and a downwardly tapering upper end portion having a coaxial open bore therein, said crossmember being in the form of a plate extending substantially in a vertical plane and connecting the upper end portion of said one forward leg with the upper end portion of said one rearward leg, said plate having a slightly arcuated shape,
  • said two leg structures being arranged laterally spaced apart from each other, said seat structure comprising a substantially horizontal quadrangular plate member having a forward edge and a rearward edge, near said forward edge two laterally spaced projections downwardly projecting from said horizontal plate member and inserted each into a corresponding of said open bores of said forward legs of said laterally spaced apart leg structures thereby to connect said laterally spaced apart leg structures together, near said rear edge means defining two spaced apart holes of said horizontal plate member and in register with the respective of said open bores of said rearward legs of said laterally spaced apart leg structures,
  • said back structure being substantially equal to each of said leg structures and being arranged vertically above said rearward legs of said laterally spaced apart leg structures and having vertical elongated downwardly tapering tubular members corresponding to said legs of said leg structures and including downwardly tapering tubular end portions thereof inserted through said holes into the respective of said open bores of said rearward legs of said two leg structures thereby to maintain in position said rearward legs and said plate member and to form thFback of the chair.

Landscapes

  • Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)
  • Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
  • Special Chairs (AREA)
US31501A 1969-05-03 1970-04-24 Modular unit element for furniture Expired - Lifetime US3672723A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1638769 1969-05-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3672723A true US3672723A (en) 1972-06-27

Family

ID=11148846

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US31501A Expired - Lifetime US3672723A (en) 1969-05-03 1970-04-24 Modular unit element for furniture

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US3672723A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE749401A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH524344A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2021201A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2046421A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1314726A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
LU (1) LU60805A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL7006054A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO129720B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE366639B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4190738A (en) * 1978-02-06 1980-02-26 Samuels George A Modular furniture structure
US4193351A (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-03-18 Belokin Paul Jr Display rack assembly
US4657302A (en) * 1985-03-11 1987-04-14 Fixtures Manufacturing Corporation Lounge construction
US4925245A (en) * 1989-03-09 1990-05-15 Pendleton John H Device convertible into a chair, table, bed or stool
DE3920283A1 (de) * 1989-06-21 1991-01-10 Hilmar Franz Gmbh & Co Kg Pols Polstermoebel aus mehreren aneinanderstellbaren einzelnen polstermoebelelementen
US5655815A (en) * 1995-02-06 1997-08-12 Hartmut Lohmeyer One-piece furniture frame
US6101954A (en) * 1998-12-17 2000-08-15 Rosemount Office Systems, Inc. Worktop and frame construction
US20030111882A1 (en) * 1999-11-05 2003-06-19 Alfred G. Niederman Modular furniture including interchangeable upholstery
US20060064909A1 (en) * 2004-09-24 2006-03-30 Paul Belokin Display assembly and method
USD531082S1 (en) 2004-09-24 2006-10-31 Martin Paul, Inc. Display container
USD537753S1 (en) 2004-09-24 2007-03-06 Martin Paul, Inc. Display case
US20070249246A1 (en) * 2006-03-24 2007-10-25 Neidert David R Modular personal pontoon boat
US20080084104A1 (en) * 2006-10-10 2008-04-10 Vanhorn Patrick Portable knock-down laterally extensible bench seat
USD600931S1 (en) 2008-05-26 2009-09-29 Steelcase Inc. Seating unit
US20090302649A1 (en) * 2008-06-04 2009-12-10 Russell Holdredge Chair with control system
US20100276971A1 (en) * 2009-05-01 2010-11-04 Maxwell Matthew C Chairs
US20110074187A1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2011-03-31 Zhong Zhi-Ren Leg frame and child chair having the same
USD654291S1 (en) 2008-05-26 2012-02-21 Steelcase Inc. Seating unit
US20120248834A1 (en) * 2011-04-04 2012-10-04 Ice Magic Holdings, Inc. Modular furniture utilizing securely stacked frames
US8511753B2 (en) * 2011-01-31 2013-08-20 Tsung-Chieh Huang Dismountable chair assembly
USD696055S1 (en) 2008-05-26 2013-12-24 Steelcase, Inc. Chair back
USD696545S1 (en) 2013-07-30 2013-12-31 Steelcase, Inc. Rear surface of a chair back
US9060606B1 (en) * 2010-01-02 2015-06-23 Harry Steinbok Table display, bench and shipping platform convertible apparatus and method of use
US10327557B2 (en) * 2016-06-13 2019-06-25 Gary Neil Modular seating system
US10368638B2 (en) * 2016-05-16 2019-08-06 Virco Mfg. Corporation Multi-component reconfigurable furnishing assembly
US10835043B2 (en) 2018-08-24 2020-11-17 Saw and Sew Ltd. Modular furniture and support therefor
US11666159B2 (en) * 2015-06-24 2023-06-06 Mbm Spa Configurable and dismantlable display case system and method of assembly

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2212717B (en) * 1987-11-24 1991-05-15 Eurotek Office Furniture Limit Article of furniture
IT214831Z2 (it) * 1988-04-29 1990-06-18 Tonon & C Spa Elemento a sedere personalizzabile.
DE9104458U1 (de) * 1991-04-12 1991-05-29 Turnwald, Peter, 6648 Wadern Regalelement, insbesondere eines Verkaufsregals
FR2676900B1 (fr) * 1991-06-03 1993-08-20 Morice Cie Traitogaz Ets Rayonnage modulaire.
US5211443A (en) * 1991-08-29 1993-05-18 Bemis Manufacturing Company Lounge chair
US5400719A (en) * 1993-10-04 1995-03-28 Selfix, Inc. Modular assembly and components therefor
CN102960964B (zh) * 2012-12-25 2014-07-16 廖建成 多功能家具

Cited By (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4190738A (en) * 1978-02-06 1980-02-26 Samuels George A Modular furniture structure
US4193351A (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-03-18 Belokin Paul Jr Display rack assembly
US4657302A (en) * 1985-03-11 1987-04-14 Fixtures Manufacturing Corporation Lounge construction
US4925245A (en) * 1989-03-09 1990-05-15 Pendleton John H Device convertible into a chair, table, bed or stool
DE3920283A1 (de) * 1989-06-21 1991-01-10 Hilmar Franz Gmbh & Co Kg Pols Polstermoebel aus mehreren aneinanderstellbaren einzelnen polstermoebelelementen
US5655815A (en) * 1995-02-06 1997-08-12 Hartmut Lohmeyer One-piece furniture frame
US6101954A (en) * 1998-12-17 2000-08-15 Rosemount Office Systems, Inc. Worktop and frame construction
US20030111882A1 (en) * 1999-11-05 2003-06-19 Alfred G. Niederman Modular furniture including interchangeable upholstery
US6827407B2 (en) * 1999-11-05 2004-12-07 Alfred Niederman Modular furniture including interchangeable upholstery
US20060064909A1 (en) * 2004-09-24 2006-03-30 Paul Belokin Display assembly and method
USD531082S1 (en) 2004-09-24 2006-10-31 Martin Paul, Inc. Display container
USD537753S1 (en) 2004-09-24 2007-03-06 Martin Paul, Inc. Display case
US20070249246A1 (en) * 2006-03-24 2007-10-25 Neidert David R Modular personal pontoon boat
US7587986B2 (en) * 2006-03-24 2009-09-15 Tillicum International, Inc. Modular personal pontoon boat
US20080084104A1 (en) * 2006-10-10 2008-04-10 Vanhorn Patrick Portable knock-down laterally extensible bench seat
USD696055S1 (en) 2008-05-26 2013-12-24 Steelcase, Inc. Chair back
USD600931S1 (en) 2008-05-26 2009-09-29 Steelcase Inc. Seating unit
USD696546S1 (en) 2008-05-26 2013-12-31 Steelcase, Inc. Chair back
USD654291S1 (en) 2008-05-26 2012-02-21 Steelcase Inc. Seating unit
US20090302649A1 (en) * 2008-06-04 2009-12-10 Russell Holdredge Chair with control system
US7841664B2 (en) 2008-06-04 2010-11-30 Steelcase Inc. Chair with control system
US20100276971A1 (en) * 2009-05-01 2010-11-04 Maxwell Matthew C Chairs
US8308230B2 (en) * 2009-09-30 2012-11-13 Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited Leg frame and child chair having the same
US20110074187A1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2011-03-31 Zhong Zhi-Ren Leg frame and child chair having the same
US9060606B1 (en) * 2010-01-02 2015-06-23 Harry Steinbok Table display, bench and shipping platform convertible apparatus and method of use
US8511753B2 (en) * 2011-01-31 2013-08-20 Tsung-Chieh Huang Dismountable chair assembly
US20120248834A1 (en) * 2011-04-04 2012-10-04 Ice Magic Holdings, Inc. Modular furniture utilizing securely stacked frames
US8714652B2 (en) * 2011-04-04 2014-05-06 Ice Magic Holdings, Inc. Modular furniture utilizing securely stacked frames
USD696545S1 (en) 2013-07-30 2013-12-31 Steelcase, Inc. Rear surface of a chair back
US11666159B2 (en) * 2015-06-24 2023-06-06 Mbm Spa Configurable and dismantlable display case system and method of assembly
US10368638B2 (en) * 2016-05-16 2019-08-06 Virco Mfg. Corporation Multi-component reconfigurable furnishing assembly
US10327557B2 (en) * 2016-06-13 2019-06-25 Gary Neil Modular seating system
US10835043B2 (en) 2018-08-24 2020-11-17 Saw and Sew Ltd. Modular furniture and support therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO129720B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-05-20
SE366639B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-05-06
BE749401A (fr) 1970-10-01
DE2021201A1 (de) 1970-11-12
FR2046421A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-03-05
CH524344A (de) 1972-06-30
GB1314726A (en) 1973-04-26
NL7006054A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-11-05
LU60805A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-06-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3672723A (en) Modular unit element for furniture
US3512857A (en) Modular furniture
US5601340A (en) Ready-to-assemble upholstered furniture
US3389666A (en) Furniture element
US3570418A (en) Assembly of elements to form articles of furniture
US3788700A (en) Multifunctional pegged furniture
US2582553A (en) Sectional toy furniture
US4217832A (en) Structure made up of several components particularly for use in classrooms
US2672181A (en) Convertible furniture construction set
US3241885A (en) Modular furniture and components thereof
US3603656A (en) Article of furniture
US3955850A (en) Modular furniture elements
US2479086A (en) Furniture construction
US4136623A (en) Furniture construction
US2955646A (en) Articles of furniture
US4940149A (en) Building assembly system
US2613957A (en) Connecting means for parallel tubes
US2514125A (en) Knockdown chair
US2853125A (en) Chair
US4060277A (en) Modular furniture
US3323833A (en) Readily expandable pedestal construction for one or more seating units
US3544125A (en) Prefabricated infant rearing implement
US3656194A (en) Play-pen for children
US2813576A (en) Knock down furniture assembly
US1328921A (en) Toy-furniture set