WO2019088822A1

WO2019088822A1 - Multipurpose furniture assembly with safety feature

Info

Publication number: WO2019088822A1
Application number: PCT/MY2018/050073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teck Lai NG
Original assignee: Ng Teck Lai
Priority date: 2017-11-01
Filing date: 2018-10-25
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: CN214711306U; JP2021501026A; KR20200078611A; JP7263342B2; KR102617094B1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a knock-down lay flat furniture kit comprising a basic unit comprising a generally rectangular back-board (100) and a pair of generally rectangular metal side members (200) having ladder-like frames hingedly connected to the vertical edges of the back-board (100) so that they can be moved between a position in which they lie flat on the back-board (100) and a position in which they extend perpendicular to the back-board (100); at least one further panel attached to the frame by clip members that fit closely on horizontal rungs of the side members (200); and security means for retraining the further panels from detachment.

Description

MULTIPURPOSE FURNITURE ASSEMBLY WITH SAFETY FEATURE

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a furniture. More particularly, the invention relates to a knock-down lay flat furniture kit being able to serve different purposes with different forms of further panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furniture may be defined as a movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating, eating, and sleeping. Besides, furniture is also used to hold objects at a convenient height for work or store things. Majority of the people are living in a smaller space in the current era, resulting in the needs for making every piece of furniture pull double duty. In the quest to live smaller, the idea of 'multipurpose' goes a long way. When possessions perform more than one function, people may have need for fewer of them. In the modern homes, multipurpose furnishings save space, which allows the people to choose smaller, more efficient dwellings. Also known as modular furniture, multipurpose furnishings are able to expand or shrink depending on needs, serve two purposes at once, or transform seamlessly from one function to another.

In one example as shown in the patent document US3556586A discloses a multifunctional article of furniture, especially child furniture, formed as a monolithic hollow Walled molding of rigid plastic material operationally usable as an upright chair, a rocking chair, a desk and a table according to selective positioning of the article. However, the disclosed furniture has a limitation whereby the furniture is not foldable into a compact size for storage purpose. In second example as shown in patent document US20080276839A1, a convertible furniture item is disclosed. The disclosed furniture item is convertible between a coffee table and a dining table with chairs, by simply rotating the furniture from a horizontal position to an upright standing position. However, the furniture has a difficult connection whereby it cannot to be detached easily into smaller pieces for transportation and storage purpose.

Meanwhile, a patent document BE 1008843 A3 discloses a folding piece of furniture which is able to transform its functions between a chair, stool, table or shelving. The furniture consist of hinges to allow the furniture to be folded in certain degree. However, the rigidness of the furniture is not guaranteed.

In a nut shell, it is necessary to provide an invention of multi-functional furniture which is foldable, dismountable into smaller pieces with a simple connection. Therefore, this invention provides such a furniture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide a knock-down lay flat furniture kit having a basic unit comprising a generally rectangular back-board and a pair of generally rectangular metal side members comprising ladder-like frames hingedly connected to the vertical edges of the back-board so that they can be moved between a position in which they lie flat on the back-board and a position in which they extend perpendicular to the back-board.

Preferably, the kit includes panels attached to the frame by clip members that fit closely on the rungs and side pieces of the side members.

Preferably, the kit includes further back panel with interlocking means for connecting the back panels.

Preferably, the side members includes ladder-like members with both horizontal and inclined rungs.

Preferably, the back-board comprises a pair of hinged panels being able to fold symmetrically along the vertical axis.

Preferably, the further panel may comprises but not limit to drawer, shelf, cabinet, foldable table and chair.

Alternately, the clip members comprises a 'U' -shaped hook with a flange extended from the hook. Alternately, the side panels include a limit means next to the hinge, limiting the extension of the side panel to allow the kit to stand upright before attaching the further panels.

Alternately, the kit further includes earthquake prevention measures applied on the clips members and the further panels.

The second objective of the invention is to provide a knock-down lay flat furniture kit comprising a basic unit comprising a generally rectangular back-board and a pair of generally rectangular metal side members having ladder-like frames hingedly connected to the vertical edges of the back-board so that they can be moved between a position in which they lie flat on the back-board and a position in which they extend perpendicular to the back-board, at least one further panel attached to the frame by clip members that fit closely on horizontal rungs of the side members; and security means for retraining the further panels from detachment. Preferably, the security means is in the form of having a gap between the side members and the back board, and at least one protrusion engagably in contact with the side member, being located at a position in between the gap and extended from one edges of the further panel, acting as a first stopper to prevent lateral movement of the further panel.

Preferably, the security means is in the form of having a bore at each edge of the further panel for receiving a pin, the bores are located close proximity beneath the horizontal rungs of which the further panel is attached so that each pin can engagably in contact with the underside of its respective horizontal rung to prevent longitudinal movement of the further panels.

Preferably, the security means is in the form of having a stopper attached to at least one side member or the back-board, located at a position close proximity above the further panel for preventing the further panel from flipping when load is applied at the outer end of the further panel.

Preferably, the stopper is an elongated U-shaped clip being attachable to the side members or the back-board.

Preferably, the security means is in the form of having at least one protrusion protruded from the underside of the further panel, engagably in contact with the clip members to prevent the further panel from sliding.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

Figure 1 is a drawing illustrating the knock-down lay flat furniture kit.

Figure 2 is a drawing illustrating the basic unit and extended unit of the furniture kit.

Figure 3 is a drawing illustrating the shelving of the furniture kit.

Figure 4 is a drawing illustrating the charging corner of the furniture kit.

Figure 5 is a drawing illustrating the drawer assembly of the furniture kit. Figure 6 is a drawing illustrating the folding table assembly of the furniture kit.

Figure 7 is a drawing illustrating the dismountable storage box assembly of the furniture kit. Figure 8 is a drawing illustrating the extension of wired frame of the furniture kit.

Figure 9 is a drawing illustrating the hook for holding the wired frame. Figure 10 is a drawing illustrating the first embodiment of the clip member.

Figure 11A is a drawing illustrating the second embodiment of the clip member. Figure 11B is a drawing illustrating the attachment of the further panels to the second embodiment of the clip member.

Figure 12 is a drawing illustrating the roller of drawer assembly. Figure 12A is a drawing illustrating the cross -sectional view of roller for drawer assembly.

Figure 13 is a drawing illustrating the base of the side member's leg.

Figure 14 is a drawing illustrating the safety measures in the form of stopper.

Figure 14A is a drawing illustrating the attachment of stopper to the furniture kit.

Figure 15 is a drawing illustrating the safety measures in the form of protrusions. Figure 15A is a drawing illustrating the application of protrusions to the furniture kit.

Figure 16 is a drawing illustrating the safety measures in the form of safety pins. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 indicate the drawing of the knock down lay flat furniture kit together with its accessories. The furniture kit has a basic unit which comprises a generally rectangular back-board 100 and a pair of generally rectangular metal side members 200 formed by ladder-like frames hingedly connected to the vertical edges of the back-board 100 so that they can flip into two positions, one which the side members 200 are lied flat on the back-board 100 and the other which the side members 200 extend perpendicular to the back-board 100. The side members 200, 210 further include a means for limiting the extension of the side panel to allow the kit to stand upright before attaching the further panels. Preferably, the limiting means may be but not limit to an extra bar added at the ladder- like frame of the side members 200,210, a stopper or ridge added at the end of the back-board 100,110.The back-board 100 comprises a pair of hinged panels capable of folding along the vertical axis in a corrugated way. The kit is also extendable horizontally by attaching another backboard 110 with single side member 210 to the main back-board 100 by interlocking means. Besides, the back-board 100 also includes a hook 222 for attaching a wired frame 220 so that the wired frame 220 can be extended vertically from the back-board 100 as illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The wired frame 220 also has an additional hook 221 to be clung on the back-board 100 for reinforcement. The kit includes further panels attached to the side members 200 by clip members 400 that fit closely on the rungs and side pieces of the side members 200 whereby the side members 200 include ladder- like members with both horizontal and inclined rungs. The further panels of the kit can be in different forms, which includes but not limited to drawer 320, shelf, cabinet 370, foldable table 330 and chair. In a first example as shown in Fig. 5, where the further panels are in the form of drawer 320, the drawer 320 has two pairs of clips 400 with a different orientation mounted on the inner sides of the drawer 320, so that the drawer 320 is capable of sliding in a maximum allowance along the rungs. The change of clip orientation not only allow the drawer 320 to be attached to the rungs but also act as a grip channel to allow the slid-ability of the drawer 320.

In second example as shown in Fig. 6, where the further panels are in the form of foldable table 330, the foldable table 330 includes a two-part form foldable table top attached with the clips on one side 332 and a folding leg 331 on the other side of the table top. The table 330 has an erected configuration and a compact configuration. In the erected configuration, the table top is laid flat at a generally horizontal position and the leg is flipped outwardly to a generally vertical position to support the table top. In the compact configuration, a first section of the table top is swung downwardly to a position which is perpendicular to a second section 332 of the table top and the leg is flipped inwardly to a position parallel to the first section. The height of the table is corresponded to the length of the folding leg 331 and different heights can serve different purposes. For instance, a taller table can serve as a bar table while a shorter foldable table 330 can serve as a working desk.

In a third example as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, where the further panels are in a form of a shelf, the shelf is attachable to the side members 200 at any level via the clips 400. The shelf can be in the form of a flat panel (350,360) or an L-shaped panel (310,340) to serve different purposes. For instance, the flat panel (350,360) can be laid horizontally to form a display shelf; the L-shaped panel (310,340) can be placed on top of the flat panel to form a concealed area; the L-shaped panel (310,340) can also attached to the side members 200 at a slanted angle where one end of the panel can be transformed into a ridge to hold an object on the panel at the slanted angle. In the fourth example as shown in Fig. 9, where the further panels are in the form of a cabinet 370. The cabinet 370 has a bottom panel with two pairs of clips 400 at the sides, two side panels 373 with hinged door 371 and a top cover panel 372 being connected via dowel connection. A first embodiment of the clip members 400 as shown in Fig.10 comprises a "U"- shaped hook 402 for the attachment to the rungs, a flange 404 extended either from one of the top end of the 'U' -shaped hook 402 or from the parabola base 401 of the 'U' -shaped hook 402. The flange has a hole 403 at the centroid allowing any fastening medium such as bolts, lock nuts and screws.

A second embodiment of the clip members 400 as shown in Fig 11A & Fig 11B comprises a beam structure 405 where each free end has a 'U' -shaped hook 402 for the attachment to the rungs of the side member's frame. The beam structure also has a pair of protrusions 406 mate able with the recesses of the further panel 350.

A third embodiment of the clip members as shown in Fig. 12, each is in the form of a grooved wheel 321, in which the rungs are seated within the grooved section of the wheel. This embodiment can be applied on the further panel in the form of drawer 320 for a better sliding of the drawer with the reduced friction.

In certain countries where earthquake occurs frequently, the furniture may incorporate features with earthquake prevention as shown in Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. In one of the example where the clip members 400 can further comprise a support beam structure 405 connecting both side of the clip members with a securing means to prevent the detachment of the clips 400 from the rungs caused by external force. The beam also includes a pair of holding means 406 such as roller catch for holding the further panels 350. In another example, the safety measures may be applied on the grooved wheel 321 of the drawer 320 whereby a reinforce panel 322 is added next to the grooved wheel 321 to provide further support to the drawer 320. Furthermore, the legs of the side members 200 has a foot 201 which its size can be enlarged to enhance the stability of the furniture.

Fig. 14 to Fig. 16 shows a knock-down lay flat furniture kit having a basic unit comprising a generally rectangular back-board 100 and a pair of generally rectangular metal side members 200 comprising ladder-like frame hingedly connected to the vertical edges of the back-board 100 so that they can be moved between a position in which they lie flat on the back-board 100 and a position in which they extend perpendicular to the back-board. When the kit is extended to an upright standing position, a plurality of further panels can be attached to the frame by clip members that fit closely on the rungs and side pieces of the side members. The kit further comprises means for securing the attachments of the further panels to the basic unit. In an example of the further panels being the folding table and/or the cabinet shelving, the securing means is in the form of having a gap between the side members 200 and the back board 100 as shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 14A, wherein a generally elongated U-shape stopper 500 is clipped on to the side members 200 for restricting the folding table 330 from flipping over when load is applied at the outer end of the folding table 330. Preferably, the stopper is made of rubber, elastomer, Ethylene Propylene Diene (EPDM) or any other material that is elastic and has frictional properties to allow the stopper to clip and hold on its position on the side members 200.

The second embodiment of security means as shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 15A, wherein the security means is in the form of having a gap between the side members 200 and the back board 100, and at least one protrusion engagably in contact with the side member 200, located between the gap and extended from one edges of the further panel for preventing lateral movement of the further panels. In one example, the L- shaped panel 310 having protrusions 501,502 extended from the side edges, wherein the protrusions 501,502 is fitted into the gaps between the side members 200 and the back board 100 so that the L-shaped panel 310 will not slide out of the kit when it is placed in an inclined position as lateral movement is restricted. Preferably, the protrusion 501,502 is in the form of a pin made by metal, plastic, wood or any other material that has the strength to prevent the further panels from sliding out of the kit. The third embodiment of the safety measures as illustrated in Fig. 16 is a pin 503 fitted into bores at each edge of the further panels for reinforcing the attachment of further panels to the side members 200, wherein the bores (504) are located close proximity beneath the horizontal rungs of which the further panel is attached. In one example of attaching the folding table 330 to the side members 200, the pin 503 is fitted into the bores at the side edges of the folding table 330 in a way such that the longitudinal movement of the folding table is restricted to prevent the detachment of the folding table 330 from the kit. Preferably, the pin 503 is a generally cylindrical shaped pin made of metal, plastic, wood or any other material that has the strength to hold the further panels in position.

The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A knock-down lay flat furniture kit comprising:

a basic unit comprising

a generally rectangular back-board (100) and

a pair of generally rectangular metal side members (200) having ladder-like frames hingedly connected to the vertical edges of the back-board (100) so that they can be moved between a position in which they lie flat on the backboard (100) and a position in which they extend perpendicular to the back- board (100);

at least one further panel attached to the frame by clip members that fit closely on horizontal rungs of the side members (200); and

security means for retraining the further panels from detachment.

2. A kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the security means is in the form of having a gap between the side members (200) and the back board (100), and at least one protrusion (501) engagably in contact with the side member (200), being located at a position in between the gap and extended from one edges of the further panel, acting as a first stopper to prevent lateral movement of the further panel.

3. A kit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the security means is in the form of having a bore (504) at each edge of the further panel for receiving a pin (503), the bores (504) are located close proximity beneath the horizontal rungs of which the further panel is attached so that each pin (503) can engagably in contact with the underside of its respective horizontal rung to prevent longitudinal movement of the further panels.

4. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the security means is in the form of having a stopper (500) attached to at least one side member (200) or the back- board (100), located at a position close proximity above the further panel for preventing the further panel from flipping when load is applied at the outer end of the further panel.

5. A kit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stopper (500) is an elongated U-shaped clip being attachable to the side members (200) or the back-board (100).

6. A kit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the security means is in the form of having at least one protrusion (502) protruded from the underside of the further panel, engagably in contact with the clip members (400) to prevent the further panel from sliding.