US3926483A

US3926483A - Modular furniture structure assembly

Info

Publication number: US3926483A
Application number: US511239A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald M Hentrich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-10-02
Filing date: 1974-10-02
Publication date: 1975-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-16

Abstract

A modular furniture structure assembly utilizing rectilinear loops of substantially rigid material. Each leg of each loop is provided with longitudinally extending planar surfaces which are disposed at an angle to the plane of the loop. The planar surfaces on adjacent legs of separate loops may be secured in complimentary abutting relation by suitable fastening elements so as to provide a load supporting structure formed of a plurality of interconnected, rectilinear, three-dimensional frame members.

Description

United States Patent [191 Hentrich Dec. 16, 1975 MODULAR FURNITURE STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Donald M. Hentrich, 2615 35th Ave., Rock Island, 111. 61201 22 Filed: on. 2, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 511,239

[52] US. Cl 312/107; 108/159 [51] Int. Cl. A47B 3/06; A47B 87/00 [58] Field of Search 312/257 R, 256 SK, 257 SM, 312/257 A, 108, 111, 107; 297/443, 444;

108/157, 159, 111; 24/73 BP, 81 CC, 243

AB, 81 SK, 268, 257 R, 16 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 451,599 5/1891 Meigs 312/107 1,787,734 l/193l Rowling 24/268 UX 2,234,156 3/1941 Creson 24/268 UX 2,356,059 8/1944 Humphner 24/16 R UX 2,750,315 6/1956 Tierney 24/16 R UX 2,775,805 l/l957 Sands 24/243 AB 3,252,434 5/1966 Young 108/111 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,199,452 8/1965 Germany 103/111 173,549 12/1960 Sweden 108/159 2,013,083 12/1971. Germany 108/111 Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, or FirmHume, Clement, Brinks, Willian, Olds & Cook, Ltd.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A modular furniture structure assembly utilizing rectilinear loops of substantially rigid material. Each leg of each loop is provided with longitudinally extending planar surfaces which are disposed at an angle to the plane of the loop. The planar surfaces on adjacent legs of Separate loops may be secured in complimentary abutting relation by suitable fastening elements so as to provide a load supporting structure formed of a plurality of interconnected, rectilinear, three-dimensional frame members.

lClaim, 13 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,926,483

F|G.1 FIGZ US, Patsnt Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,926,483

52 FIG. 7

FIG/I3 MODULAR FURNITURE STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a modular furniture structure assembly capable of taking a number of forms but basically being a load bearing structure. Suitable panels may be included in the assembly to provide shelving of various configurations with selectively placed dividers and back panels.

The principal objects of this invention are: to provide a simple inexpensive load supporting structure which is constructed of a minimum of parts and which can be quickly assembled from a plurality of modules and fastening elements which themselves have a simple construction; to provide such a structure in knocked-down form, comprising a plurality of simple modular members capable of being readily secured one to another to form three-dimensional rectilinear frame members that in themselves form sub-assemblies for the complete assembly; to provide a modular furniture structure in which the basic components have configurations such that they can be readily secured together to form a substantially rigid element with very simple inexpensive fastening means such as pressure sensitive tape; to provide a supporting structure for a plurality of panel members selectively placed to form shelves, vertical dividers and back members in accordance with the aesthetic taste of the person assembling the structure; and to provide a structure of the character described which is pleasing and interesting in appearance and formed of light, simple and inexpensive members, stable and durable in use and particularly well adapted for the use for which they are designed.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of rectilinear loop member adapted to be utilized in the furniture structure assembly.

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal cross-section of the loop shown in FIG. 1, the view being taken along the line 2-2 of that figure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of loops of the type shown in FIG. 1, the loops being assembled substantially in the form of a cube, with a horizontally disposed panel supported thereby.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one corner of the subassembly shown in FIG. 3, with parts broken away showing in more detail the manner of assembly of the loops.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another form of rectilinear loop member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of loops of the types shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 with the loops being assembled substantially in the form of an elongated box-like structure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a furniture structure assembly comprised of a plurality of sub-assemblies of the form shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of one portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 7, with parts broken away, showing the configuration of an interior corner of that assembly.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in cross-section of the adjacent legs of four loops disposed in complimentary abutting relation also illustrating one form of partially assembled clip member adapted to secure the legs in such relation.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly in cross-section of a loop member having a cross-sectional configuration alternative to that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section of the complimentary abutting legs of a plurality of loop members of the form shown in FIG. 10 shown in assembled relation.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly in cross-section, of another form of loop member having another cross-sectional configuration alternative to that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section of the complimentary abutting legs of a plurality of loop members of the form shown in FIG. 12 shown in assembled relation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, a structural component indicated generally by the numeral 10 is shown therein in the form of a substantially square loop of material with four legs 12, l4, l6 and 18 having rounded comers such as 20 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, the loop is preferably formed of material having a substantially square cross-sectional configuration, rotated preferably 45 degrees from what would normally be regarded as the conventional position. As a result, the material is formed so that the outer and

inner peripheries

22 and 24, respectively, of the loop are defined by opposite corners of the square section. Likewise, the two side peripheries of the loop are formed by the remaining

opposite corners

26 and 28 of the square section.

This cross-sectional configuration of the legs of the loop provides each leg with a plurality of longitudinally extending

plane surfaces

30, 32, 34 and 36 disposed preferably at right angles to each other and at an angle to the plane of the loop, which plane includes the inner and

outer peripheries

22 and 24 thereof.

This configuration of the loop 10 as just described permits a plurality of such loops to be assembled together with one or more of the plane surfaces on each leg of each loop secured in complimentary abutting relation to one or more of the plane surfaces on one or more of the legs of adjacent loops to form a three-dimensional rectilinear frame member. Such a member, substantially in the form of a cube, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 38 in FIG. 3. A single panel member 40 is shown disposed in horizontal supported relation by the frame member 38. The edges of such panel are preferably bevelled so as to be received in aligned, supported relation by the upper, interior plane surfaces 42 of the upper horizontal loop member 44 shown in FIG. 4. Such an assembly 38 can itself form an end or occasional table of attractive appearance. It likewise can form a module in a more complex structure as described below.

The fastening elements used to secure the legs of adjacent loops together in the manner described may be of a highly simplified form, such as the segments of tightly wrapped thin-walled material 46, best shown in FIG. 4. Such segments 46 may preferably be in the form of pressure sensitive, adhesive tape containing longitudinal reinforcing strands of a suitable material such as nylon, the tape being tightly wrapped around adjacent legs of the assembled loop members. This manner of assembly of the loops, although extremely simple, provides a structure that is capable of supporting a substantial load. The angularly disposed, interfitting complimentary planes form bearing surfaces that are subjected to a substantial portion of the load created forces. As a result, the fastening elements are subjected to relatively light forces and can thus have a simplified construction.

The loop or ring members can be fabricated of any suitable material having sufficient rigidity and formability. In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 the members are formed of standard metal square wire or bar stock with a suitable butt weld at the point of juncture of the two ends. A suitable dimension for the stock has been found to be a A inch square. It is also preferable to provide a suitable finish coat for the loops such as appropriate plating or a suitable covering such as an epoxy resin, for example.

Other materials such as plastic can, of course, be used to fabricate the loops if it possesses sufficient rigidity and strength for the intended purpose of a furniture structure assembly. When such materials are used, it is possible that the loop members can be fabricated as an integral whole by a molding process so that the necessity of forming a joint in the individual loops is eliminated.

For aesthetic reasons the fastening members 46 pref erably have a finish coat that matches the finish of the loop members. A laminated outer layer may be desir able to achieve this result. The base layer preferably can be cellulosic tape having longitudinal reinforcing strands of synthetic material embedded therein of the type commonly used for packaging in industry.

A second structural component, loop 48 shown in FIG. 5, has a generally rectangular configuration and is preferably half again as long as loop 10, previously described. As shown in FIG. 6, four of the loops 48 can be assembled with their elongated legs secured together in pairs with the plane surfaces thereof in abutting relation by the use of a plurality of fastening means 46. A loop of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be secured to the shorter legs of each loop 48 to form the ends of the elongated box-like member indicated generally by the numeral 50 shown in FIG. 6. Again the end members are secured in the position indicated by suitable fastening members 46 as shown.

Two basic sub-assemblies are thus provided that differ in the direction of one axis in dimension. From these two basic components a large variety of complete assemblies can be fabricated such as the one illustrated in FIG. 7, generally identified by the numeral 52. Suitable panel members such as 54, 56 and 58 can be disposed horizontally and vertically as shelving, separators or back panels, in various patterns to achieve both functional and aesthetic results as desired. These panels may be transparent or opaque and of selected colors to add interest to the design.

The cooperative interfitting nature of the components is illustrated in FIG. 8. As shown therein, one leg 60 of vertical frame member 62 and one leg 64 of vertical frame member 66 are secured in nested relation with one leg 68 of horizontal frame member 70 and one leg 72 of horizontal frame member 74. The panel member 76 is supported by the surface 78 of the horizontal frame member 74 upon which the bevelled edge 80 of the panel member 76 rests in interfitting relation. The

4 vertically disposed panels can be secured in place by any suitable holding means so that the bevelled edges of the panel abut the mating surfaces of the associated frame member. Such holding means may be in the form of a suitable clip member or a two sided adhesive strip, for example.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 9, the fastening elements used to secure the legs of adjacent loops together may take the form of thin-walled clip members of suitable configu ration. One such clip member can comprise the main element 82 which is fabricated of sufficiently flexible material to be able to be forced over the legs 84. After the main element 82 is thus disposed in clamping relation to the leg members 84 a locking member 86 may be slid into place in cooperative engagement with the

flange members

88 and 90 on the element 82. Other suitable clip members may, of course, be utilized but they should be as unobtrusive as possible for aesthetic reasons.

The loop members may likewise have other than a rectilinear cross-section, but in each instance such alternative embodiments are provided with longitudinally extending planar surfaces disposed at an angle to the plane of the loop so as to permit substantially the same kind of assembly previously described. For example, loop member 92 shown in FIG. 10 has a substantially L-shaped crosssection. The leg 94 of the loop 92, therefore, has two longitudinally extending plane surfaces 96 and 98 disposed preferably at right angles to each other and at an angle to the plane of the loop. Four

such loop members

92, 100, 102 and 104 are adapted to be secured in abutting relation in the manner shown in FIG. 11, for example, when the loops are oriented as shown in FIG. 8.

Another embodiment having a substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration is shown in the loop member 106 in FIG. 12. The leg 108 of the loop 106, therefore, has two longitudinally extending plane surfaces 1 10 and 112 disposed preferably at right angles to each other and at an angle to the plane of the loop. Four

loop members

106, 114, 116 and 118 having this form can be assembled as shown in FIG. 13, when oriented as shown in FIG. 8, to produce comparable functional results obtained with the previously described forms of devices. The cross-sectional configuration of the loops may thus take a number of alternative forms, as indicated. However, each such form has certain characteristics which may or may not be desired. For example, some such forms are more suitable for use when panel members are to be incorporated in the final assembly. Likewise, some may be considered to be more suitable than others for particular aesthetic reasons.

While the particular modular furniture structure assembly herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design steps herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. A modular furniture structure assembly of generally rectilinear, planar loops of elongated, substantially rigid material, the outer peripheral edge of each leg of clamping means for securing said surfaces, so disposed, against lateral displacement relative to each other so that said loops are held in alignment against load generated forces to form a plurality of rigid, three-dimensional, rectilinear, open frame members interconnected in stacked relation to provide a load bearing structure suitable for shelving.

Claims

1. A modular furniture structure assembly of generally rectilinear, planar loops of elongated, substantially rigid material, the outer peripheral edge of each leg of each loop being formed of two elongated planar surfaces angularly disposed to the plane of the loop and to each other, so that the line of intersection of said surfaces forms the outer peripheral edge of said leg, said loops being assembled so that at least one of said planar surfaces of each leg of each loop is disposed in abutting, complimentary relationship to a corresponding planar surface on the leg of an adjacent loop and clamping means for securing said surfaces, so disposed, against lateral displacement relative to each other so that said loops are held in alignment against load generated forces to form a plurality of rigid, three-dimensional, rectilinear, open frame members interconnected in stacked relation to provide a load bearing structure suitable for shelving.