WO2018004448A1

WO2018004448A1 - A furniture frame, and a table comprising such furniture frame

Info

Publication number: WO2018004448A1
Application number: PCT/SE2017/050736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benny Andersson
Original assignee: Ikea Supply Ag
Priority date: 2016-07-01
Filing date: 2017-06-30
Publication date: 2018-01-04
Also published as: EP3478122A4; CN109475227A; SE1650959A1; SE541274C2; EP3478122A1

Abstract

A furniture frame (10) for an extensible table, comprising two members (12, 4) being connected to each other by means of a pivot joint (20), is provided. The members (12, 14) are moveable relative each other between a closed end position and a second end position, and the pivot joint (20) is configured such that the members (12, 4) are pivotally moveable between the closed end position and an intrinsic end position, whereby the opening angle (α) of the intrinsic end position is less than the opening angle (β) of the second end position.

Description

A FURNITURE FRAME, AND A TABLE COMPRISING SUCH FURNITURE FRAME

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a furniture frame and in particular to a furniture frame for use with collapsible furniture, such as a table. The present invention also relates to a method for extending a table using such furniture frame.

Background

For various reasons it is desirable to provide furniture with an extensible functionality, e.g. in order to design versatile furniture or to allow stowing. Adding such functionality may be accomplished in various ways, such as by using telescopic components. Another way of accomplishing collapsible furniture is to rely on hinges whereby specific furniture parts, being connected to the hinge on opposite sides of a fixed axis of rotation, can be folded into a less space-requiring configuration.

The hinge should normally be configured to allow for a rotation between two positions; a folded or retracted position, in which the furniture is at least semi-collapsed, and an unfolded or open position, in which the furniture is operational in an extended position.

Especially for furniture robustness is of great importance. When introducing hinges e.g. to an extensible table it is desired to ensure smooth pivotal action, but also well-defined end position for the hinge. An example of an extensible table is described in GB190910532.

In order to provide strong and rigid furniture once extended, the associated hinges must be manufactured using high precision tolerances for keeping any side play or end play at a minimum. Hence, the overall cost for the furniture will rapidly increase.

In view of this, there is a need for an improved solution which fulfills the above-mentioned requirements but at the same time may be manufactured less costly.

Summary

Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide a furniture frame which solves the problem of prior art solutions.

An idea of the present invention is to provide a furniture frame having a pivot joint such that the furniture frame can be pivoted to an intrinsic end position, and thereafter being urged and locked in a second, also referred to as final, end position being angularly positioned beyond the intrinsic end position. Hence, the pivot joint is manufactured with a built-in error as the pivotal capability of the furniture frame is not enough to open the pivot joint to its desired open end position. By introducing the tension to compensate for the built-in error any end play of the pivot joint will disappear, thus greatly increasing the robustness of the associated furniture frame.

According to a first aspect, a furniture frame for an extensible table is provided. The furniture frame comprises two members being connected to each other by means of a pivot joint, wherein the members are moveable relative each other between a closed end position and a final end position. The pivot joint is configured such that the members are pivotally moveable between the closed end position and an intrinsic end position, whereby the opening angle of the intrinsic end position is less than the opening angle of the final end position.

The pivot joint may be provided with an angular stop defining the maximum opening angle of the intrinsic end position between the members.

The opening angle of the final end position may be 180°, and the opening angle of the intrinsic end position may be between 175° and 179°.

One of said members may be fixed, whereby the other member may be moveable by means of the pivot joint.

At least one member may form part of a furniture leg.

According to a second aspect a furniture frame assembly is provided. The furniture frame assembly comprises at least two furniture frames according to the first aspect, wherein one member of the first furniture frame is connected to one member of the second furniture frame.

The connection between the two furniture frames may be formed by means of a hinge.

The connection between the two furniture frames may be formed by means of a pivot joint such that the connected members of the first and second furniture frame are moveable relative each other between a closed end position and a final end position, and wherein the pivot joint is configured such that the connected members of the first and second furniture frames are pivotally moveable between a closed end position and an intrinsic end position, whereby the opening angle of the intrinsic end position is less than the opening angle of the final end position.

The furniture frame assembly may further comprise a locking mechanism for maintaining the final end position of the connected members of the first and second furniture frames.

The locking mechanism may comprise a shoulder and a moveable locking member configured to apply a pressing force to said connected members of the first and second furniture frames. The locking member may be moveable in a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the furniture frames.

The locking member may be moveable in a direction being parallel with the longitudinal extension of the furniture frames.

The locking mechanism may comprise a groove in which the connected members of the first and second furniture frames will fit.

According to a third aspect, a furniture side structure is provided. The furniture side structure comprises two furniture frame assemblies according to the second aspect, wherein two members of different furniture frame assemblies are rigidly connected.

According to a fourth aspect a furniture, such as a table is provided. The furniture comprises at least one furniture frame according to the first aspect.

The furniture frame may form part of a furniture frame assembly according to the second aspect, and/or a furniture side structure according to the third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect a method for extending a furniture, such as a table, is provided. The method comprises providing a furniture frame, comprising at least two members being pivotally connected by means of a pivot joint; moving at least one of said members by a pivoting action to an intrinsic end position of the pivot joint, resulting in a total length of the furniture frame being slightly less than the desired total length of the furniture frame; applying a force to at least one of said two members urging the pivot joint to open further, thus extending the total length of the furniture frame; and locking the pivot joint such that said two members are forced towards each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be described in further detail below under reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a side view of a pivot joint for use with a furniture frame according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2a-c are top views of a pivot joint for use with a furniture frame according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a top view of a furniture frame according to an embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a furniture frame according to an embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a furniture frame according to an embodiment;

Fig. 6a is an isometric view of an extensible table, shown in a retracted position, and having several furniture side structures according to an embodiment;

Fig. 6b is an isometric view of the table shown in Fig. 6a, here shown in an extended position; Fig. 7 is an overview of the procedure for rearranging a table having several furniture side structures according to an embodiment between a retracted position and an extended position;

Figs. 8a-c are top views of an assembly including a furniture side structure according to an embodiment;

Fig. 9 is a front view of a table using a furniture side structure according to an embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a table using a furniture side structure according to an embodiment;

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of a table using a furniture side structure according to an embodiment;

Fig. 12 is a front view of a furniture side structure according to an

embodiment;

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of furniture legs for use with furniture side structures according to various embodiments; and

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a method according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Starting in Fig. la general description of a furniture frame 10 will be given. The furniture frame 10, which has proven to be particularly advantageous for use with extensible tables, is formed by two members 12, 14 being connected to each other by means of a pivot joint 20. The pivot joint 20 may be configured according to various well known techniques, such as by alternating cylindrical parts 15, 16 being axially and radially secured to each other by a pin 17 extending through the cylindrical parts 15, 16. One member 12 is provided with one or more cylindrical parts 15, while the other member 14 is provided with one or more cylindrical parts 16. The pin 17 extends through all cylindrical parts 15, 16 as is shown in Fig. 1. Due to this arrangement, which could be replaced by other working principles of pivot joints 20, the first member 12 is pivotable relative the second member 14 and vice versa.

However, the pivot joint 20 is also provided with a stop member 30 which limits the pivot movement of the members 12, 14. The stop member 30, which e.g. could be provided as a protruding part at one or more positions as indicated in Fig. 1, is constructed such that the pivot movement ends close to the linear position when the angle between the first and second members is 180°.

This is shown in Figs. 2a-c, of which Fig. 2a shows a position of the members

12, 14 where the pivot joint is fully operational. When reaching the position, i.e.

intrinsic end position, shown in Fig. 2b, i.e. when the stop member 30 engages with the second member 14, further pivoting of the second member 14 is prevented. The stop member 30 is thus preferably fixed relative the first member 12, such that it will always engage the second member 14 when the second member 14 is arranged at a specific angle a relative the first member 12. This position represents an intrinsic end position.

Unless the pivot joint 20 is manufactured with perfect tolerances there will be a certain play in the connection between the first and second member 12, 14. However, the inventors has surprisingly discovered that the robustness of the pivot joint 20, and thus also of the furniture frame 10, can be highly improved by applying a force to the furniture frame 10 such that the second member 14 moves past the intrinsic end position to reach a desired second or final end position, as indicated in Fig. 2c, defined by the angle β. When this force is applied, a rotational movement of the second member 14 will cause radial forces of much greater magnitude to the pivot joint 20 such that any play present will disappear. During application of the force the second member 14 will act as a lever arm, only requiring a very small torque to be applied at the free end of the second member 14 for achieving the desired radial force. The furniture frame can thus be said to operate according to the principles of a crowbar.

The idea is thus to manufacture the pivot joint with a built-in error such that the rotational end position is slightly before the desired end position, which normally is defined at a = 180°, and to force the members 12, 14 of the furniture frame 10 to move even further such that radial forces acting on the pivot joint reduces any slack in the construction of the pivot joint 20.

This specific principle can be used for various furniture frames 10 as will be further described in the following. In Fig. 3 one embodiment of a furniture frame 10 is shown, wherein one member 12 is fixed to a support 32, such as a wall or similar. The free end of the second member 14, i.e. the end facing away from the pivot joint 20, may be provided with a furniture leg 40. The furniture frame 10 can thus be used to fold in and out a leg 40 from the wall, and a table surface (not shown) could be arranged on top of the leg 40. As is easily understood, two or more furniture frames 10 could be used in this manner to improve supporting the table surface.

In Fig. 4 another embodiment of the use of furniture frames 10 is shown. Here, two furniture frames 10a, 10b form a furniture frame assembly 50. The free ends of the second members 14a, 14b of the first and second furniture frames 10a, 10b are connected by means of a hinge 60.

A yet further configuration of a furniture frame assembly 50 is shown in Fig. 5, in which the hinge 60 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 is replaced by a pivot joint 20 being similar to the configuration described above. Hence, the second member 14a of the first furniture frame 10a is connected to the second member 14b of the second furniture frame 10b by the pivot joint 20. The pivot joint 20 thus ensures that the connected members 14a, 14b of the first and second furniture frame 10a, 10b are moveable relative each other between a closed end position and a final end position, and the pivot joint 20 is configured such that the connected members 14a, 14b of the first and second furniture frames 10a, 10b are pivotally moveable between a closed end position and an intrinsic end position, whereby the opening angle β of the intrinsic end position is less than the opening angle a of the final end position.

Now turning to Fig. 6a an extensible table 100 is shown, which is provided with furniture frames 10 in the form of furniture frame assemblies 50. The table 100 is shown in a contracted or collapsed position. A tabletop 102 is supported by two opposite supports 103. The supports 103 and the tabletop 102 forms an interior space 104 accommodating the various parts used for extending the table 100.

As is further illustrated in Fig. 6b, the table 100 can be extended by pulling out a number of table sections 105a-e from the space 104. Each table section 105a-e includes a front pair of legs 40a-e, 40'a-e. The legs 40a-e, 40'a-e of a common pair, e.g. the two legs 40a and 40' a, are connected by a rigid rim 107, while two legs of adjacent pairs, e.g. the two legs 40'a and 40'b and the two legs 40a and 40b, are connected by a respective furniture frame assembly 50 forming a pivotable rim for the table section 105a-e. Hence, except for the last table section 105e the rear leg pair 40b-e, 40'b-e of each table section 105a-d form the front leg pair of the subsequent table section 105b-e.

Preferably, for this particular embodiment the furniture frame assembly 50 of the last table section 105e is connected at one respective end at the leg pair 40e, 40' e, and at the opposite ends at the supports 103.

Each table section 5a-e is further provided with an associated tabletop 108a-e. Each tabletop 108a-e rests on a frame formed by the rims 107, the upper ends of the legs 40a-e, 40'a-e, and the furniture frames 10.

As can be seen in Fig. 6a when the table 100 is contracted, the furniture frames assemblies 50 are folded or closed such that the leg pairs 40a-e, 40'a-e are arranged in close proximity to each other. When the table 100 is arranged in this position the tabletops 108a-e of each table section 105a-e may be stowed, e.g. in the space available underneath the tabletop 102 of the table 100. As can be seen in Fig. 6a the width of each support 103 is greater than the total width of the leg pairs 40a-e, 40'a-e such that the tabletops 108a-e of the table sections 105a-e may be positioned within the space 104 while still allowing the leg pairs 40a-e, 40'a-e to fit as well. The legs 40a-e, 40'a-e are thus fully accommodated within the space 104.

Now turning to Fig. 7 another embodiment of an extensible table 100 is shown. Starting at the leftmost portion of the figure, the table 100 includes a rectangular tabletop 110 and four legs 40a-b, 40'a-b arranged at each corner of the tabletop 110. The legs 40a-b, 40'a-b are arranged in pairs, such that two legs 40a, 40'a are connected by a rigid rim 107a, while the other two legs 40b, 40'b are connected by a similar rigid rim 107b.

The tabletop 110 rests on a frame 113 formed by two essentially parallel rims

114, extending on the lower side of the tabletop 110. In this particular figure only one rim 114 is shown, but it is to be understood that a corresponding rim is provided on the opposite side of the tabletop 110.

The rims 114are preferably securely attached to the tabletop 110. Each rim 114 has a longitudinal extension along the underside of the tabletop 110 such that it ends slightly before the edge of the tabletop 110. Hence, the legs 40a-b, 40'a-b will be allowed to fit adjacent to the respective rims 114 while still being arranged underneath the tabletop 110.

Importantly, the legs 40a-b, 40'a-b are not directly connected with the rimsl 14 and/or the tabletop 110, but instead each leg 40a-b, 40'a-b is indirectly connected with the tabletop/rim construction by means of a respective furniture frame assembly 50. Each furniture frame assembly 50 is thus at one end connected to the rim/tabletop construction, and at the opposite end it is connected to a leg 40a-b, 40'a-b.

As can be seen in the rightmost portion of Fig. 7, each leg pair 40a, 40'a or 40b, 40'b can be pulled out from the tabletop 110 by means of the furniture frame assemblies 50. The furniture frame assemblies 50 are moveable from a closed position, as indicated in the leftmost portion of Fig. 7, to an open position as shown in the rightmost portion of Fig. 7. An intermediate position of the furniture frame assemblies 50 is shown in the centre portion of Fig. 7. In the open position the furniture frame assemblies 50 will form elongations of the rigid rims 114, and additional tabletops

108a-b may be arranged on top of the support frame formed by two opposite furniture frame assemblies 50 and the upper ends of the legs 40a, 40'a or 40b, 40'b such that additional table sections 105a, 1055b are formed.

With respect to the description above two possible table configurations have been disclosed, for which the extensible functionality is made possible by the provision of the furniture frame assemblies 50 formed by connected furniture frames 10. By using this type of furniture frame assemblies 50, of which the details will be further explained in the following, also other furniture may be improved by adding an extensible functionality. Such examples include chairs, sofas, foldable panels, etc.

In Figs. 8a-c the functionality of the furniture frame assemblies 50 is shown in more detail. For facilitating the understanding, the furniture frame assemblies 50 are shown in a configuration being similar to the furniture frame assemblies 50 used for the tables 100 shown in Figs. 6a-b and Fig. 7.

As can be seen in Fig. 8a two furniture frame assemblies 50a, 50b are provided to form a furniture side structure 200.

Each furniture frame assembly 50a, 50b is formed by two interconnected furniture frames 10a, 10b. The first member 12 of a furniture frame 10 represents a furniture leg 40, or parts of it. Each pair of first members 12a, 12b are connected by a rigid connecting member 107, corresponding to the rigid rims 107 of Figs. 6a-b and Fig. 7.

Hence, each furniture frame assembly 50a, 50b corresponds to any of the embodiments described previously with respect to Figs. 4 and 5.

The second members 14a, 14b of the same furniture frame assembly 50a, 50b will preferably have the same length, or substantially the same length, for allowing the first members 12a, 12b to be arranged in close proximity to each other when the furniture frame assemblies 50a, 50b are fully closed. However, should it be desired to have an offset between the first members 12a, 12b when the furniture frame assemblies 50a, 50b are closed it would be possible to provide the second members 14a, 14b of different lengths such that the second member 14a of the first furniture frame assembly 50a has the same length as the second member 14b of the second furniture frame assembly 50b.

Each interface between a first member 12a, 12b and its associated second member 14a, 14b is provided by means of a pivot joint 20 as previously described.

As shown in Fig. 8a, when the first members 12a, 12b are pulled away from each other the furniture side structure 200 will open, until the furniture frames 10 reach their intrinsic open end position being shown in Fig. 8b. As is clearly shown, the open end position angle between the respective first and second members 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b is slightly less than 180°, which is required for ensuring fully extended furniture side structure 200. For example, the intrinsic open end position angle a may e.g. be in the range of 175-179° depending on the application. At this position, any slack in a furniture frame 10 caused by tolerances or other manufacturing errors will reduce the robustness of the furniture side structure 200. Therefore, as indicated by the thick arrows in Fig. 8b, the furniture frames 10 will be pressurized in response to a pressing force being applied in the direction of the arrows. Such force will urge the furniture frames 10 to open further until the desired open end position angle β of 180° is reached. As is evident any suitable intrinsic open end position angle a is possible, as long as it is slightly less than the desired open end position angle β. The final position of the furniture side structure 200 is shown in Fig. 8c, in which the furniture frames 10 have been urged outwards to reach the desired open end position angle β of 180°.

A maintained force is required for keeping the furniture frame 10 in the pressurized state shown in Fig. 8c. For this, a number of mechanisms may be provided, of which some will be discussed in the following.

In Fig. 9 a cross-sectional view of a part of a furniture is shown. A tabletop 102 (or other furniture structure) is resting on a frame comprising at least one furniture frame assembly 50; in the shown embodiment two parallel furniture frame assemblies 50a, 50b are shown, supporting a respective side of the tabletop 102. The tabletop 102 is provided with two identical locking mechanisms 130 for ensuring that the furniture frame assemblies 50 remain in their pressurized position once mounted. Each locking mechanism 130 of Fig. 9 consists of two main parts; a shoulder 132 having a fixed position relative the tabletop 102 and being aligned such that an inner surface of the shoulder 132 is positioned such that the furniture frame assembly 50, when pressed against the inner surface, will have its desired open end position. In addition to the shoulder 132 the locking mechanism 130 also comprises a moveable locking member 134 which is moveable from an idle position, which allows the furniture frame assembly 50 to be positioned between the shoulder 132 and the locking member 134 when the furniture frame assembly 50 is positioned in its intrinsic open end position, and a locked position in which the locking member 134 presses the furniture frame assembly 50 against the shoulder 132.

In Fig. 9 the locking mechanism 130 shown to the left is arranged in an idle position, i.e. when the locking member 134 is positioned in the idle position. In this position the furniture frame assembly 50 is opened to its maximum end position by a purely pivoting action, i.e. slightly less than the desired open end position. When the locking member 134 is moved in the direction of the arrow the furniture frame assembly 50 will be exposed to a pressing force and hence the furniture frame assembly 50 is urged to move to a pressurized position, shown to the right in Fig. 9. The locking member 134 may e.g. be guided by sliding rails, grooves, etc in the tabletop 102 and a snap-locking may be provided at the end position of the locking member 134, i.e. at the position where the furniture frame assembly 50 is pressed against the shoulder 132.

The shoulder 132 may extend along the furniture frame assembly 50 at least to some extent, and the centre position of the shoulder 132 may preferably coincide with the centre position of the furniture frame assembly 50. This means that the fixed axis of rotation of the furniture frame assembly 50 should preferably be arranged within the longitudinal extension of the shoulder 132. In a similar manner the locking member 134 may extend along the furniture frame assembly 50 at least to some extent, and the centre position of the locking member 134 may preferably coincide with the centre position of the furniture frame assembly 50. This means that the fixed axis of rotation of the furniture frame assembly 50 should preferably be arranged within the longitudinal extension of the locking member 134.

Another embodiment of the locking mechanism is shown in Fig. 10. Here, the locking mechanism 130 is provided as a longitudinal groove 136 extending at the under side of the tabletop 102. When the furniture frame assemblies 50 are to be arranged in their desired open end positions a user may manually urge the furniture frame assemblies 50 outwards until the open end position angle β, e.g. 180°, ensures that the members of the furniture frame assembly 50 are aligned with the respective groove 136. Upon this the tabletop 102 will sink downwards such that the grooves 136

accommodate the upper part of the furniture frame assemblies 50. The width of each groove 136 should be dimensioned such that there is no or very little slack for the furniture frame assembly 50 to move inside the groove 136. The force acting on the furniture frame assemblies 50 will thus be constant until a user manually pulls the tabletop 102 upwards for allowing the furniture frame assemblies 50 to return to its non- pressurized state, i.e. to its intrinsic open end position.

In Fig. 11 a yet further alternative for a locking mechanism 130 is shown. The locking mechanism 130 includes a shoulder 132 in a similar manner as previously described with reference to Fig. 9. In addition to the shoulder 132 a moveable locking member 138 is provided, however this locking member 138 is moving in a direction being perpendicular to the moving direction of the locking member 134 of Fig. 9. As is best shown to the right in Fig. 11 the locking member 138 is moveable along a guiding track 139, e.g. being provided as a groove or protrusion in the tabletop 102. Initially the locking member 138 is arranged in an end position allowing the furniture frame assembly 50, opened to its intrinsic end position, to be positioned relative the tabletop 102. The locking member 138 is then moved towards the centre of the furniture frame assembly 50 along the track 139, thus coming into contact with the furniture frame assembly 50 and urging the furniture frame assembly 50 to open further. Optionally a user may urge the furniture frame assembly 50 to open further using one hand, while using the other hand to move the locking member 138. The locking member 138 is moved until it reaches a position where it covers a part of both second members 14a, 14b of the furniture frame assembly 50. This position is shown to the left in Fig. 11. At this position the furniture frame assembly 50 is pressed against the shoulder 132, thus forming a rigid connection link between the two supports to which the furniture frame assembly 50 is attached to. The resulting force from the furniture frame assembly 50 acts against the locking member 138, but since the locking member 138 is only allowed to move perpendicular to the direction of the resulting force it will remain at the locking position until a user manually moves the locking member 138 back to its idle position.

In Fig. 12 another alternative for a locking mechanism 130 is shown. Here, the locking mechanism 130 is provided in the furniture frame assembly 50 itself, meaning that no additional details for achieving a locking action of the furniture frame assembly 50 are required at surrounding constructional parts. The furniture frame assembly 50 is provided with a sliding locking member 140 which is moveable along guiding tracks 142 on the second member 14a of the first furniture frame 10a. The second member 14b of the second furniture frame 10b is also provided with guiding tracks 144 which are aligned with the guiding tracks 142 when the two members 14a, 14b are moved to its desired open end position. In this position a user may move the locking member 140 along the guiding tracks 142, 144 until it reaches a position where the locking member 140 covers a portion of the second members 14a, 14b, indicated by the dashed locking member 140 in Fig. 12. At this position the position of the furniture frame assembly 50 is fixed, as the locking member 140 prevents the furniture frame assembly 50 to flex back to its intrinsic open end position.

The furniture frame assemblies 50 described above may be used with various kinds of furniture. For some applications, such as the tables described above, the furniture frame assemblies 50 may be connected to legs, of which some typical examples are shown in Fig. 13. A leg 40 may for example have a rectangular cross section as is shown to the left in Fig. 13. The upper part of this leg 40 is formed integrally with a first member 12 of a furniture frame 10. The adjacent leg 40 is formed as a frusto-conical body having a separate piece attached to it, whereby the separate piece forms the first member 12 of a furniture frame 10. The next leg 40 is almost identical to the previous leg 40, however the body is cylindrical instead of frusto- conical. The last leg 40 is shown without the first member 12. The leg body is hollow leaving the upper end open, whereby the open end forms means for inserting a first member 12 into it.

So far various types of furniture frames 10 have been described. Although shown mostly with reference to tables, the use of the principle of manufacturing pivot joints 20 with a built-in error such that the furniture frames 10 can not be fully opened by pivotal movement only is applicable to various kinds of furniture, such as foldable chairs, sofas, etc. Further to this a furniture frame may not necessarily be limited to only two moveable members; the furniture frame assembly 50could in practice be constructed by interconnecting more than two members by pivot connections, wherein at least one of the pivot connections should be designed such that the intrinsic open end position angle is slightly less than the desired open end position angle.

In Fig. 14 a schematic overview of a method 300 according to an embodiment is shown. In a first step 302 a furniture frame 10 is provided. The furniture frame 10 comprises at least two members 12, 14 being pivotally connected by means of a pivot joint 20. In a next step 304 at least one of said members 12, 14 is moved by a pivoting action to an intrinsic open end position of the pivot joint 20. This step should result in a total length of the furniture frame 10 being slightly less than the desired total length of the furniture frame 10. A subsequent step 306 is thereafter performed, in which a force is applied to the furniture frame 10 urging it to open further, thus extending the total length of the furniture frame 10. In a final step 308 locking of the furniture frame 10 is performed such that the pressurized position of the furniture frame 10 is maintained.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A furniture frame (10) for an extensible table, comprising

a first member (12) and a second member (14) being connected to each other by means of a pivot joint (20), wherein the first and second members (12, 14) are pivotably moveable relative each other between a first end position and a second end position, and wherein

the pivot joint is provided with a stop member (30) arranged to limit the pivot movement between the first and second members (12, 14) by engaging with either of said first and second members (12, 14) at an intrinsic end position arranged between the first and second end position, and wherein the first and second members are arranged to move past the intrinsic end position towards the second end position upon the application of an external force to the furniture frame (10).

2. The furniture frame (10) according to claim 1, wherein said applied force causes radial forces to the pivot joint (20) to remove any play present between the first member (12) and second member (14).

3. The furniture frame (10) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the stop member (30) defines an opening angle (a) between the members (12, 14) at the intrinsic end position, and an opening angle (β) between the members (12, 14) at the second end position, whereby the opening angle (a) of the intrinsic end position is less than an opening angle (β) of the second end position.

4. The furniture frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening angle (β) of the second end position is 180°, and wherein the opening angle (a) of the intrinsic end position is between 175° and 179°.

5. The furniture frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of said members (12) is fixed, whereby the other member (14) is moveable by means of the pivot joint (20).

6. The furniture frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one member (14) forms part of a furniture leg (40).

7. A furniture frame assembly (50), comprising at least two furniture frames (10, 10a, 10b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one member (14a) of the first furniture frame (10a) is connected to one member (14b) of the second furniture frame (10b).

8. The furniture frame assembly (50) according to claim 7, wherein the connection between the two furniture frames (10a, 10b) is formed by means of a hinge (60).

9. The furniture frame assembly (50) according to claim 7, wherein the connection between the two furniture frames (10a, 10b) is formed by means of a pivot joint (20) such that the connected members (14a, 14b) of the first and second furniture frame (10a, 10b) are moveable relative each other between a closed end position and a second end position, and wherein the pivot joint (20) is configured such that the connected members (14a, 14b) of the first and second furniture frames (10a, 10b) are pivotally moveable between a closed end position and an intrinsic end position, whereby the opening angle (a) of the intrinsic end position is less than the opening angle (β) of the second end position.

10. The furniture frame assembly according to any one of claims 7-9, further comprising a locking mechanism (130) for maintaining the second end position of the connected members (14a, 14b) of the first and second furniture frames (10a, 10b).

11. The furniture frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism (130) comprises a shoulder (132) and a moveable locking member (134) configured to apply a pressing force to said connected members (14a, 14b) of the first and second furniture frames (10a, 10b).

12. The furniture frame assembly according to claim 11, wherein the locking member (130) is moveable in a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the furniture frames (10a, 10b).

13. The furniture frame assembly according to claim 11, wherein the locking member (130) is moveable in a direction being parallel with the longitudinal extension of the furniture frames (10a, 10b).

14. The furniture frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism (130) comprises a groove (136) in which the connected members (14a, 14b) of the first and second furniture frames (10a, 10b) will fit.

15. A furniture side structure (100), comprising two furniture frame assemblies (50, 50a, 50b) according to any one of claims 7-14, wherein two members (12a, 12b) of different furniture frame assemblies (50a, 50b) are rigidly connected.

16. A furniture, such as a table (100), comprising at least one furniture frame (10) according to any one of claims 1-6.

17. The furniture according to claim 16, wherein said furniture frame (10) forms part of a furniture frame assembly (50) according to any one of claims 7-14.

18. The furniture according to claim 17, wherein said furniture frame assembly (50) forms part of a furniture side structure (200) according to claim 15.

19. A method for extending a furniture, such as a table, said method comprising:

providing a furniture frame, comprising at least a first member (12) and a second member (14) being pivotally connected by means of a pivot joint wherein the pivot joint is provided with a stop member (30) arranged to limit the pivot movement between the first and second members (12, 14) by engaging with either of said first and second members (12, 14) at an intrinsic end position arranged between the first and second end position;

moving at least one of said members (12, 14) by a pivoting action to the intrinsic end position of the pivot joint, resulting in a total length of the furniture frame being slightly less than the desired total length of the furniture frame;

applying a force to at least one of said two members urging the pivot joint to open further, thereby forcing the first and second members to move past the intrinsic end position towards the second end position, thus extending the total length of the furniture frame; and

locking the pivot joint such that said two members are forced towards each other.