WO2014022571A1

WO2014022571A1 - Collapsible furniture modules and articles of furniture assembled with the modules

Info

Publication number: WO2014022571A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/053045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Billy Joe GRIGGS
Original assignee: Griggs Billy Joe
Priority date: 2012-07-31
Filing date: 2013-07-31
Publication date: 2014-02-06
Also published as: US20140034595A1

Abstract

A module for forming furniture includes an upper frame, a lower frame, and at least two support posts to connect said upper frame to said lower frame whereby said upper frame and lower frame form an assembled configuration when said support posts connect and a disassembled configuration when said support post connection is disconnected.

Description

IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

NON-PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

Title : Collapsible Furniture Modules and Articles of

Furniture Assembled with the Modules

Inventor : Billy Joe Griggs, Jr.

INDEX TO REALTED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional of, and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/677,774 filed July 31, 2012 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

Ready-to-assemble furniture is very popular in many aspects of the furniture industry. Often times, ready-to-assemble

furniture requires a significant plurality of component parts. Additionally, although ready-to-assemble furniture is configured such that a consumer is able to assemble and use said furniture, it often requires the consumer to use numerous hand tools including but not limited to, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, vice grips and the like. Another drawback with conventional ready-to-assemble furniture relates to versatility. Most ready- to-assemble furniture products have a single use and a single configuration. Furthermore, the ready-to-assemble furniture products currently available are not provided such that they can be disassembled and moved easily. The present disclosure sets forth the discovery of a configuration for a module whereby the module can be used for a plurality of purposes. The module can be provided as a sguare module and utilized as an ottoman. The module can have a square or slightly rectangular configuration and be provided as a back portion and used as a single portion chair. Additionally, the single person chair can be provided with one or two arm portions and utilized as a chair with arm portions. It is this very configuration and construction whereby assembly and disassembly and be repeatedly carried out without the need for hand tools.

The present invention further includes an article of furniture comprising:

at least one module,

wherein said module is assembled into an article of furniture. The furniture is any of an ottoman, a chair, a loveseat, or a sofa . In one embodiment, the furniture is constructed of a single module is utilized to form said furniture.

In additional embodiments, the furniture is formed between 2-20 modules, preferably 2-10 modules. In one embodiment the furniture is formed of any of 2-8 modules, 2-6, modules, and/or 2-4 modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, the present invention is a module for forming furniture, said module comprising:

an upper frame;

a lower frame;

at least two support posts to connect said upper frame to said lower frame whereby said upper frame and lower frame form an assembled configuration when said support posts connect and a disassembled configuration when said support post connection is disconnected . In one embodiment, the upper frame has at least one side plate, wherein said side plate is configured to rotate into a

perpendicular orientation relative to said frame and a

substantially parallel orientation relative to said frame.

Rotation, in one embodiment, is a hinged rotation about an attached hinge.

In one embodiment, the said rotation is effectuated by at least one hinge connected each to said side portion and said base frame. The upper frame has a pair of opposing side plates and said lower frame has a pair of opposing side plates, whereby each set of opposing side plates is constructed and arranged to define four side walls of a rectangular solid when said upper frame and said lower frame are in an assembled configuration. As with the lower frame, the upper frame is similarly

constructed with at least one hinge connected each to said side portion and said base frame .

The upper frame has a seat support structure attached thereto whereby said seat support structure is constructed and arranged to remain in place on said upper frame when said upper frame is in each of the assembled and unassembled configurations.

The present invention further includes an article of furniture comprising :

at least one module according to the present invention, wherein said module is assembled into an article of furniture.

The furniture is any of an ottoman, a chair, a loveseat, or a sofa. In one embodiment, a single module is utilized to form said furniture. This can be any of ottoman, a chair, a loveseat, or a sofa. The furniture can be backless, like an ottoman, have a back, a plurality of back portions, armless, on or more arm portions, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, between 2-20 modules are used to form the furniture article.

In one embodiment, the invention is a module for forming furniture, said module comprising:

at least one collapsible support frame; and

a means for locking said collapsible frame into a standing assembled position.

The module has one or more support posts to support said frame in a standing position, said posts and frame forming a furniture module in an assembled configuration.

The module has one or more side plates, wherein said side plate is configured to rotate into a perpendicular orientation relative to said frame and a substantially parallel orientation relative to said frame.

The rotation is about a hinge connected each to said plate and support frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 is a bottom perspective of an exemplary assembled module. Fig. 2 is plan detail of the top portion of an exemplary module. Fig. 3 is a side view of the module from Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side view with side portions from Fig. 2 rotated inward with respect to the frame.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bottom portion of an exemplary module .

Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side view with side portions rotated inward with respect to the frame.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a support item used in the module. Fig. 9 is a section view along sections lines A-A of Fig. 1 showing support post assembly.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of two portions demonstrating along the indicated arrows assembly of an exemplary module.

Fig. 11 the portions of Fig. 10 connected and forming a module.

Fig. 12 is an isometric view of Fig. 11 with the side portions in an open position.

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of item 11 with the side portions rotated inward with respect to the frame.

Fig. 14 is an isometric view of item 12.

Fig. 15 is an isometric view of the bottom portion of an article of the present invention with side portions rotated inward along complementary hinges .

Fig. 16 is an exemplary module in a folded configuration.

Fig. 17 is another exemplary embodiment of a module whereby the module has more than four sides.

Fig. 18 is a plan view showing the female connecting portion of an embodiment of the module.

Fig. 19 is the female frame portion with sides folded inward with respect to the frame

Fig. 20 is the male frame portion of an embodiment of the module .

Fig. 21 is the male portion of the frame of an exemplary module with sides folded inward with respect to the frame.

Fig. 22 is a front view of an exemplary frame.

Fig. 23 is a back view the frame of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a side view of the frame depicted in Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a partial side view showing an exemplary center support plate.

Fig. 26 is a center support plate end view.

Fig. 27 is the side view of the base with center support plate. Fig. 28 is an exemplary female mounting bracket.

Fig. 29 is an exemplary male mounting bracket complementary to the female mounting bracket of Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 demonstrates locking bolt. Fig. 31 shows the separated foot and post detail.

Fig. 32 shows an exemplary connected and assembled foot and post arrangement .

Fig. 33 a perspective view of an assembled module configured as a seat according to the present invention.

Fig. 34 is a plan view of the base of a module according to the present invention.

Fig. 35 is a front view of the base of a module to the present invention .

Fig. 36 is a side view of the base of a module into the present invention .

Fig. 37 is a side view of a collapsed frame of a module into the present invention.

Fig 38 is a side view of a top portion of a module into the present invention.

Fig. 39 is a plan view of a top portion of the module according to the present invention.

Fig. 40 is a top view of an assembled module coring to the present invention

Fig. 41 is a partial section side view showing female connector and back portion according to the present invention.

Fig. 42 is a separated view showing support post and foot assembly with directional arrow indicating connection according to the present invention.

Fig. 43 are the support post and foot assembly of figure 42 in an assembled configuration.

Fig. 44 is an isometric separated view showing components of the present invention in a configuration with directional arrows indicating points of assembly.

Fig. 45 is the back assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 46 is a collapsed top frame according to the present invention .

Fig. 47 is a collapsed bottom frame according to the present invention .

Fig. 48 is demonstrative of a shipping arrangement to the present invention whereby a collapsed top portion of a framing module and a collapsed bottom portion of a frame module nest within a back portion for shipping.

Fig. 49 is an expanded view of collapsible frame back portions and arm portions of a sofa assembled according to the present invention .

Fig. 50 is a plan view of the bottom portion of a frame module according to the present invention.

Fig. 51 is a front view of the bottom portion of the frame module according to the present invention.

Fig. 52 is a side view of the bottom portion of the frame module pouring to the present invention. Fig, 53 is a plan view of the bottom frame portion of a module according to the present invention whereby each side piece is slightly opened to demonstrate the collapsible nature of the frame portion.

Fig. 54 is a front view of the bottom frame portion of the module of the present invention in a closed position.

Fig. 55 is a plan view of the top frame portion of a module of the present invention in an open position.

Fig. 56 is a front view of the top frame portion of a module of the present invention in an open position.

Fig. 57 is a side view of the top frame portion of a module the present invention in an open position.

Fig. 58 is a side view of a top frame portion of a module to present invention in a closed position.

Fig. 59 is a plan view of a top frame portion of a module of the present invention in a closed position.

Fig. 60 is a front view of one sofa back according to the present invention.

Fig. 61 is a side view of one sofa back according to the present invention.

Fig. 62 is a front view of a sofa arm according to the present invention .

Fig. 63 is a bottom view of a sofa arm according to the present invention . Fig. 64 is a side view of a sofa arm ring to the present invention .

Fig. 65 is a partial cross section side view of support posts and framing according to the present invention demonstrating multiple frames are attachable one to another to form and expanded article of furniture.

Fig. 66 is a separated view showing a support post and thought according to the present invention.

Fig. 67 is one embodiment of a female connector utilize the present invention.

Fig. 68 is one embodiment of a male connector utilized in the present invention.

Fig. 69 is one embodiment of a male-female connection according to the present invention whereby male connection is a hand- tightened screw that connects into a nut utilized in the present invention .

Fig. 70 is an isometric separated view of a connecting portion whereby the side portions of two frame modules according to the present invention are connected to form a larger article of furniture based on connected modules.

Fig. 71 shows demonstrative placement of components of the furniture article in an unassembled shipping configuration.

Fig. 72 is a plan view of a two seat bottom frame portion used the module of the present invention. Fig. 73 is a front view of a two seat bottom frame portion used in the module of the present invention.

Fig. 74 is a side view of a two seat bottom frame portion used the module of present invention.

Fig.75 is a plan view of a two-seat top frame portion used in the module of the present invention.

Fig. 76 is a front view of a two frame top frame portion used in the module the present invention with side walls in a

disassembled configuration.

Fig. 77 is a plan view of a two seat top frame portion used the module of the present invention.

Fig. 78 is a front view of a two seat top frame portion used in the module of the present invention.

Fig. 79 is a side view of a two seat top frame portion used the module of present invention.

Fig. 80 is a plan view of a two-seat bottom frame portion used in the module of the present invention.

Fig. 81 is a front view of a two frame bottom frame portion used in the module the present invention with side walls in a disassembled configuration.

Fig. 82 shows demonstrative placement of components of the furniture article in an unassembled shipping configuration.

Fig. 83 is an embodiment utilizing a single frame component as the furniture module whereby the single frame component includes four sidewalls and supporting corner braces to secure each sidewall into and assembled position.

Fig. 84 is a front view from figure 83.

Fig. 85 is a front view from figure 83 with side walls retracted in a disassembled configuration.

Fig. 86 is one embodiment of the present invention whereby a swivel swing gate traverses the base frame of a module.

Fig. 87 is a perspective partial view of the swivel swing gate from figure 86.

Fig. 88 is a partial side view of the swivel swing gate

demonstrative of movement with in a frame of the module of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The various embodiments of a collapsible furniture module presented below and their advantages are best understood by referring to Figures 1 through 71 of the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. Furthermore, reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "various embodiments," or any variant thereof means that a particular feature or aspect of the invention described in conjunction with the particular embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ^,ίη one embodiment," "in another embodiment," or variations thereof in various places throughout the

specification are not necessarily all referring to its

respective embodiment.

A collapsible furniture module may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiments described below are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. As best understood, the present disclosure relates to

individualized modules that are assembled and disassembled to form articles of furniture. Each individual module can form a single individual piece of furniture. Alternatively, modules can be connected to form larger pieces of furniture. For example, a single module can be assembled to form an ottoman. A single module with a back portion affixed thereto can form a single seat chair with no arm portions. Additionally, the single module can have one or two arm portions affixed thereto. In an assembled configuration, the module has the strength and stature of an article of conventional furniture.

The module can be sized and shaped as desired. Although the figures depict an article configured for use as an ottoman or single person chair, the module can be configured for any article including, but not limited to: chair,

love seat, or sofa of any size. The love seat or sofa

configurations are made of a single large collapsible module frame, or of two or more modules connected one to another to form a larger article of furniture. Moreover, in a disassembled configuration, the upper and lower component of the module collapse and are easily shipped. In general, an exemplary module is formed with an upper frame member 11 and a lower frame member 12. A first pair of opposing side panel members 13 are pivotally connected by respective edges to opposite sides of the upper frame member 11. Similarly, a second pair of opposing side panel members 16 are pivotally connected by respective edges to opposite sides of the lower frame member 12. The pivoting connections 15 of each side panel member permit roughly ninety degrees of rotation such that the panel members may rotate with respect to the frame member from a parallel orientation in the unassembled configuration (Fig. 4) to a roughly perpendicular orientation for assembly (Fig. 3) . As illustrated in Fig. 3, side panel portions 15 rotate to a perpendicular orientation relative to the base member 14 of frame 11. The configuration of Fig. 3 is utilized to prepare an assembled configuration. For a disassembled configuration each side panel portion 13 rotates to form a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the base member 14. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, each support frame 11, 12 preferably comprise brackets 14, 17 within each of which is defined an aperture 20, 22, described in greater detail below. In one embodiment, each side portion is hingedly attached to a base portion of a frame whereby hinge 15 provides for movement of a side portion to a perpendicular orientation to a frame when in use and to a collapsed configuration when not in use.

For example, side wall 13 is attached to base portion 14 of frame 11. Each respective side wall 13 is raised until

achieving a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to frame portion 14 by movement of hinge 15. When opposing frame portions 11 and 12 are interconnected, all four walls are secured into position.

With reference now to Figs. 10 and 11, a module is assembled by combining two complementary sections are joined forming the rectangular solid. The top frame 11 has one pair of opposing side panel members 13 and the bottom frame 12 has one pair of opposing side panel members 16. Thus assembled, the respective side panel members 13, 16 form the four perimeter walls of an assembled rectangular solid as shown in Fig. 11.

In order to provide strength and stability such that the module is suitable for use as a piece of furniture, a plurality of internal support posts 18 are secured into position attaching top frame 11 and bottom frame 12. In general, support post 18 is configured with a boss 23 within which is defined a first female threaded portion 25 and a male threaded screw portion 24 each located on opposing ends as illustrated in Fig. 8. The support post 18 is installed by inserting the boss 23 into aperture 22 defined in the bracket 17 of the lower frame member 12. A foot 19 includes a threaded bolt 26 that threadably engages with the female aperture 25 within the boss 23 and secures support post 18 onto base member 17 and thus, the lower frame member 12. The upper frame bracket 14 includes a threaded aperture 20 for receiving the male threaded portion 24 of the support post 18 to secure post 18 to bracket 14 of upper frame member 11. In a configuration in which the module 10 is a rectangular solid, it is preferable that at least four support posts 18 are utilized to secure top frame 11 and bottom frame 12 into position. If module 10 is an elongate rectangular configuration additional support posts 18 can be added along either the length or width of the completed rectangular solid.

Figs. 12 through 16 are demonstrative of the assembly and dissassembly of modules. As shown in Fig. 12, side walls 13 of top frame 11 are rotated such that each side panel 13 is substantially perpendicular with base member 14 of top frame 11. When a disassembled configuration is desired, each side panel 13 rotates inwardly with respect to the frame 11 to form a

substantially planar configuration with each other as

demonstrated in fig. 13. Although the figures demonstrate rotation along a plurality of hinges, rotation can be achieved with any acceptable attaching device that permits the desired rotation of approximately 90 degrees. In a preferred

embodiment, the 90 degree rotation for a disassembled form as shown in Fig. 13 relates to 90 degree rotation inward towards each side piece towards each other. Figures 14 and 15

demonstrate similar configurations whereby Figure 14 is an assembled configuration and side walls 16 of bottom frame 12 are substantially in a 90 degree or perpendicular configuration in relation to base member 17. Figure 15 for an unassembled configuration shows each side piece 16 rotated inward towards the other forming a substantively co-planar configuration desired for the unassembled configuration. Thus, for packing, storage and transport, the folded frame members 11, 12 may be stacked as shown in Fig. 16, and the feet 19 and support posts 18 stored within the open areas of the stacked frames 11, 12.

In other embodiments, modules may comprise shapes other than rectangular. For example, as is demonstrated in Figures 17 through 21 provides for a pentagonal-shaped solid. This particular configuration is suitable in a sofa sectional article of furniture providing the angular orientation for two sectional pieces to be connected thereto, also referred to as the corner wedge of the sectional. A pentagonal solid module comprises an upper base frame 130 and a lower base frame 120. Each of upper base frame 130 and lower base frame 120 are connected and secured into a configuration suitable to be used as a module in an article of furniture through attachment of a plurality of support posts 18 threaded and connected as described above.

Lower base frame 120 has side panels 121 that are pivotally connected by one edge to frame 120 such that in an assembled configuration side panel 121 forms a substantially perpendicular angle to base frame 120, and in an unassembled configuration, as shown in Fig. 19, each side plate 121 rotates inward to form a substantially planar article suitable for storage and shipping. Additionally, the module preferably includes an internal support member 145 interposed between the upper and lower frames 130, 120 and spanning the pentagonal shape. As depicted in Fig. 25, the internal support member may include an arcuate cut-out 150.

In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 17 a back frame 140 may be connected between upper base frame 130 and lower base frame 120. The lower portion of the back frame 140 comprises a plurality of receivers 141 that receive angled connector brackets 143 attached to and extending generally upward from the side panels 121 and from internal support member 145. As illustrated in Figs. 28 & 29, receiver 141 comprises a slot for receiving a male extension of connector bracket 143. Back frame 140 also preferably includes a bolt or peg 147 (Fig. 30) for securing back frame sections 140a, 140b together through an aperture (Fig. 24: 149) defined in the side members of the frame 140.

In a preferred embodiment as demonstrated in Figures 20 and 21 upper base frame 130 has affixed thereto seat support webbing 135. Seat support webbing 135 can be any type of metal, springs, material and the like as is commonly used in the furniture industry for forming a seat support in a frame. Thus the ready-to-assemble furniture module of is provided with an unassembled configuration having seat support webbing affixed thereto. When assembling and disassembling a module, it is not necessary to assemble or in any way affix the seat support mechanism to the module. Additionally, the present invention is assembled and disassembled without the need for any hand tools, such as a screwdriver, hammer, wrench, pliers and the like. In one embodiment, as best shown in figures 33 through 44, a module according to the present invention assembles into an article of furniture. The article of furniture can be a stand^¬ alone chair, a chair with one or two arms, an ottoman, or as demonstrated in figures 49 through 71, more than one module can be connected in order to form a larger article of furniture. By way of nonlimiting example, one can assemble a five seat sofa by connecting five modules each configured to seat a single person. Modules of the can present invention are not limited to seating a single person, and modules of the present invention can be configured for example to seek four people on a sofa by

connecting two modules each of which are of size and proportion to seat two people. Assembly 400 demonstrates an armless seat whereby back portion 419 is connected onto frame 402 utilizing male-female connectors as generally understood and described herein a bottom frame assembly 401 ties a pair of opposing sidewalls 403 that are pain gently connected to base member 404 by a plurality of hinges 405. Each of opposing sidewalls 403 are movable about hinge 405 to impart a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to base member 404 and subsequently fold downward onto base member

404 for storage and shipping.

Assembly 402 is the top frame assembly of module of the present invention whereby base member 407 has connected thereto a pair of opposing walls 406 that are dangerously connected with hinges

405 onto base member 407.

In one embodiment of use each of bottom frame portion 401 and top frame portion 402 are positioned such that their relative sidewalls are perpendicular to their base members. Foot 409 is positioned beneath base member 404 and is placed through an orifice for 12 such that a screw portion extends therethrough. Support post 408 has a receiving and 413 constructed and arranged to interact with foot 409 and a connecting end 414 constructed and arranged to interact with threads 20 that are on the interior of orifice 410. Thus support post 408 positions and connects bottom frame portion 401 top frame portion 402 and forms a furniture module according to the present invention.

Although the figures demonstrate the interconnection of a top frame portion and a bottom frame portion in order to form a code collapsible module according to the present invention it is further contemplated that a single frame portion can be

configured as a collapsible frame portion to be used in the formation of furniture. For example top frame portion 402 can be constructed and arranged with four sidewalls about the perimeter of base member 407 whereby each of the four side walls include a locking means to lock each sidewall into a

perpendicular orientation relative to base member 407. Then, support posts 408 are inserted into base member 407 and the module is used utilizing a single frame portion.

In one embodiment, as best seen in figure 44, upper frame portion 402 interconnects onto lower frame portion 401 in a manner such that sidewalls 403 are adjacent to sidewalls 406 and upon interconnection a multisided frame is formed whereby each side of the frame has a wall. In the embodiment shown in figure 44, a rectangular configuration is achieved and the rectangular configuration has four walls. It is further contemplated in the present invention, as

demonstrated in figures 45 through 48 that the collapsible frame configuration of the present invention creates an efficient manner in which to store and ship furniture assembled using the modules of the present invention. Not only is this a

significant improvement upon current furniture configurations, but also the collapsible frame configuration is significantly easier to assemble than conventional ready to assemble

furniture .

As demonstrated in figures 49 through 71, one embodiment of the present invention provides modules to be connected in order to form a larger portion of furniture. For example, as

demonstrated in figure 49 to frame modules are connected with a center support bar 734 affixed to a center support plate 733 such that a pair of bottom frames 711 and a pair of top frames 712 interconnect as described herein and are further connected one to another. As desired, arms 713 and arm 714 are affixed to side regions of top frame 712 and a first back portion 715 and a seven second back portion 716 are affixed to the top frame 712 and a fixed one to another using male female connectors 723. In this configuration bottom frame 711 hottest opposing sidewalls 727 connected to base portion 728 and depended on hinges 729 additionally as frame 711 is configured to be interconnected sidewall 727 as one or more openings 726 in order that it that can be connected to one or more additional frames. In one embodiment, bottom frame portion 711 has incorporated thereon connectors 724 constructed and arranged to interact with one or more back portions 715 or 716 in order to connect back portions to the frame. Top frame portions 712 is constructed and arranged with a pair of opposing walls 730 connected to base member 731 through a plurality of hinges 729. In one embodiment connector 725 is constructed and arranged to interact with connector 724 in order that back portion 715 is connected to the frame of the present invention. In one environment, as demonstrated in figure 65 to frame portions are interconnected utilizing locking bolt 723 that is constructed and arranged to pass through sidewall 730 of a pair of frames to be connected. Support bar 734 is utilized in order to stabilize the connection and lock into position by one or more locking bolts 723 positioned through undercarriage support plate 733. As generally

understood, and described above in this configuration foot 718 is constructed and arranged with base threaded screw portion to interact with threaded orifice 722 and connects with the receiving portion of support post 717. Support post 717

constructed and arranged with male threaded connection 720 that interacts with threaded orifice 719. As demonstrated in figure 71, and further as described herein, the collapsible frames of the present invention are uniquely configured to disassemble and provide an efficient arrangement for shipping.

In one embodiment, as best demonstrated in figures 72 through 82 the module of the present invention is constructed to seat more than one person. Although the demonstrative figures describe a two-seat module, the present invention is not limited to any particular number of seats in its configuration.

Bottom frame 511 has base frame 528 sidewalls 527 that are hingedly connected to base frame 528 with hinges 529. Sidewall 527 has incorporated thereon a mounting bracket 525. Mounting bracket 525 ultimately interacts with mounting bracket 524

Incorporated on either back portion 515 or back portion 516. The mounting of a back portion onto bottom frame 511 is

accomplished through male-female connector relationship. In a configuration where the module is contemplated to seat multiple persons at least one transverse support 531 is positioned in the interior of frame 511. Transverse support 531 provides

structural support for the frame. Top frame 512 is configured with base frame portion 531 and sidewalls 530. Sidewalls 530 are hingedly connected to base frame 531 by hinges 529. In one embodiment, top frame 512 includes transfer support 531 as previously described. Frame 512 is constructed and arranged with a support leg mounting orifice 519 and arm mounting orifice 526. In one embodiment, frame 512 has a pair of recessed edges 532 constructed and arranged to accommodate a back portion secured onto the frame. As best seen in figure 82, even in a configuration contemplated the seat multiple persons, each of the frames forming the module of the present invention are constructed to collapse and nest for efficient storage.

In one embodiment, as demonstrated in figures 83 through 85, the module of the present invention is formed of a single frame structure having multiple walls attached thereto. Although the figures demonstrate a four walled structure, it is contemplated that even a three or two walled structure can formed of a single frame and assemble into the module of the present invention. In a configuration 401 a whereby a single frame is used to form the module of the present invention, opposing sidewalls 403 a and poor closing sidewalls 407 a are constructed and arranged to collapse in an unassembled configuration and pivot on hinges 405 into an assembled configuration. Although the particular embodiment demonstrates to hinges on each wall, the present invention requires at least one hinge on each wall. Once sidewalls 403a and 407a are pivoted into an upright position, forming a substantial or perpendicular orientation to base frame 404a, corner locking brackets 411 are inserted and secured into position. As disclosed herein, module 401a has incorporated there with a plurality of openings for 12 constructed and arranged for receiving support posts 18.

In one embodiment, as shown in figure 86-88 a transverse support 551 is a movable support. In the configuration using movable support 551, which can be selectively used in either bottom frame 511 and or top frame 512, the movable support rotates or other wives moves in a manner such that the volume of the module cavity is unobstructed and provides for placement of articles with in the module cavity in on assembled configuration. In one embodiment, movable support 551 is a swivel swing gate that pivots along pivot 557 Incorporated on base frame portion 528.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction,

fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A module for forming furniture, said module

comprising:

an upper frame;

a lower frame;

at least two support posts to connect said upper frame to said lower frame whereby said upper frame and lower frame form an assembled configuration when said support posts connect and a disassembled configuration when said support post connection is disconnected .

2. The module of claim 1, where in said upper frame has at least one side plate, wherein said side plate is configured to rotate into a perpendicular orientation relative to said frame and a substantially parallel orientation relative to said frame.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein said rotation is effectuated by at least one hinge connected each to said side portion and said base frame.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein said upper frame has a pair of opposing side plates and said lower frame has a pair of opposing side plates, whereby each set of opposing side plates is constructed and arranged to define four side walls of a rectangular solid when said upper frame and said lower frame are in an assembled configuration.

5. The module of claim 1 wherein said upper frame has a seat support structure attached thereto whereby said seat support structure is constructed and arranged to remain in place on said upper frame when said upper frame is in each of the assembled and unassembled configurations.

6. An article of furniture comprising:

at least one module according to claim 1,

wherein said module is assembled into an article of furniture .

7. The furniture of claim 6, wherein said furniture is any of an ottoman, a chair, a loveseat, or a sofa.

8. The furniture of claim 6 wherein a single module is utilized to form said furniture.

9. The furniture of claim 6 wherein between 2-20 modules are used to form said furniture.

10. The furniture of claim 6 including at least one arm member attached to said module.

11. The furniture of claim 6 including at least one back portion attached to said module.

12. A module for forming furniture, said module

comprising :

at least one collapsible support frame; a means for locking said collapsible frame into a standing assembled position.

13. The module of claim 12 having one or more support posts to support said frame in a standing position, said posts and frame forming a furniture module in an assembled configuration.

14. The module of claim 12 having one or more side plates, wherein said side plate is configured to rotate into a

perpendicular orientation relative to said frame and a

substantially parallel orientation relative to said frame.

15. The module of claim 14 wherein said rotation is about a hinge connected each to said plate and support frame.