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(11) | EP 1 470 773 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Improvements in and relating to a modular furniture system |
| (57) The present invention relates to an improved furniture system, in particular, to
produce items of furniture for use in an office environment or the like. Such furniture
systems are required to permit of readily assembly and disassembly, while being of
sturdy and robust construction when assembled during use. Often many so-called modular
systems are no more than a collection of separate items of furniture that may permit
of different arrangements when placed together. In the disclosed invention, a modular
furniture system comprises a plurality of panel members (2,4), at least one panel
member (2,4) having a curvature, a plurality of end pieces (6, 106) adapted to be
located between and secured to adjacent panel members (2,4), the end pieces (6,106)
and the at least one panel member (2,4) forming a curved framework, wherein the ends
of each panel member (2,4) are provided with a recessed channel (16) within which
one of the end pieces (6,106) is received. Items of furniture is produced according
to the invention are also shown. |
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved furniture system. In particular, the furniture system may be used to produce items of furniture for use in an office environment or the like. Such furniture systems are required to permit of readily assembly and disassembly, while being of sturdy and robust construction when assembled during use.
[0002] However, due to these difficulties many so-called modular systems are no more than a collection of separate items of furniture that may permit of different arrangements when placed together. It is an object of the present invention to provide for a truly modular furniture system in which a number of different items of furniture may be constructed from similar or common parts.
[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a modular furniture system comprises a plurality of panel members, at least one panel member having a curvature, a plurality of end pieces adapted to be located between and secured to adjacent panel members, the end pieces and the at least one panel member forming a curved framework, characterised in that the ends of each panel member are provided with a recessed channel within which one of the end pieces is received.
[0004] This has as an advantage that the curvature enhances the overall strength of an item of furniture produced from the system.
[0007] Preferably the channel comprises a first part and a second part, the first part adapted to receive a thickness of the end piece and a second part adapted to receive the at least one flange of the end piece.
[0008] Preferably a plurality of through bores extend from a one side of the panel member through to the second part of the channel.
[0010] The furniture system preferably further comprises one or more fixing members to be fitted into the one or more of the plurality of slots and a furniture component securable to the one or more fixing members.
[0011] Conveniently the furniture component comprises one of the following:
a shelf unit;
a side shelf member;
a desktop;
a seat; or
a seat back.
[0012] Preferably where more than one panel has a curvature, the curvature of each curved panel is the same.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention an item of furniture is produced according to the system of the first aspect of the invention.
[0014] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 shows in section adjacent panel members secured to an end piece according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows in section adjacent panel members partially secured to an end piece;
Figure 3 shows a side view of an end piece and a plurality of fixing means;
Figure 3a shows a side shelf member for attachment to the end piece of Figure 3;
Figure 4 shows a suitable fixing member;
Figure 5 shows a plan view of a fixing blade secured to a first and second panel members;
Figure 6 shows a side view of a fixing blade and desktop;
Figure 7 shows a side section of a shelf unit connected to a fixing blade;
Figure 8 shows a side view of a seat unit and seat back;
Figure 9 shows somewhat schematically in section a number of different arrangements illustrating possible combinations of the furniture system according to the present invention;
Figure 10 shows somewhat schematically in section a number of additional different arrangements illustrating possible combinations of the furniture system according to the present invention;
Figure 11 shows somewhat schematically in section a number of further different arrangements illustrating possible combinations of the furniture system according to the present invention;
Figure 12 shows a detail of an end piece in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 13 shows an alternative form of a fixing lug, in particular for use with the second embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 14 shows an alternative form of a blade for use, in particular, with the second embodiment of the invention.
[0015] Referring first to Figure 1 there may be seen a furniture arrangement formed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprising adjacent first and second panel members 2,4 secured to an end piece 6. Each of the first and second panel members 2,4 can be seen to possess a curvature. On each side of the first and second panel members 2,4 a furniture component 8 is secured to the end piece 6 by a fixing member 10. The end piece 6 is provided with first and second outwardly extending flange members 12. Each of the first and second panel members 2,4 is secured to a respective outwardly extending flange member 12 by secondary fixings 14.
[0016] Each of the panel members 2,4 may be formed from any suitable material. In a preferred embodiment each panel member 2,4 comprises one or more sheets of laminated plywood 28. Preferably, each panel member has a span of a metre. The laminated plywood 28 may additionally be provided with a surface covering 30. Each panel member 2,4 and associated end piece 6 is of a suitable height for the furniture arrangement to be constructed. In addition to the inherent strength of the material forming the panel member, the curvature increases the strength of the panel member and the furniture arrangement produced using such a panel member.
[0017] Each end of the respective first and second panel members 2,4 is provided with a channel 16. The channel 16 comprises a first part 18 and a second part 20, the first part 18 adapted to receive a thickness of the end piece 6 and the second part 20 adapted to receive the at least one flange member 12 of the end piece 6. In the preferred embodiment, the channel 16 is formed as a routed rebated slot.
[0018] Openings 22 are provided in one side of each panel member between an outer face of the respective panel member 2,4 and the second part 20 of the recess 16. The secondary fixings 14, such as lug or grub screws, extend through and are retained within the openings 22 to secure the respective panel member 2,4 to the end piece 6. The secondary fixings 14 may then be used to secure a furniture component 8 to create a furniture arrangement formed in accordance with the present invention. The openings 22 may be provided with a taper or beveled edge to aid the introduction of the secondary fixings 14 into the openings 22.
[0019] As may be seen from Figure 2, each panel member 2,4 is first generally arranged in position in relation to the end piece 6. It will not always be possible precisely to align the panel member 2,4 to the end piece 6. However, the presence of a tapered recess 24 on a first surface 24 of the flange member 12 ensures that when the secondary fixing 14 is tightened to the flange member 12 the panel member 2,4 is drawn into position against the end piece 6. When the respective panel members 2,4 are drawn into position only a shadow line between the respective panel members 2,4 is visible to a user of the furniture arrangement.
[0020] It will be understood that for that for an enhanced appearance the panel member at each end of a furniture arrangement may have a channel 16 only at one end. The other end of such a panel member will have a suitable finish, such as a rounded edge.
[0021] The construction of a suitable end piece 6 is shown more clearly in Figure 3. The end piece 6 is hollow and of generally rectangular section. The flange member 12 may take the form of a plurality of lugs 32 (in the embodiment illustrated two) rather than a single flange 12 to each side of the end piece 6. Normally disposed between the flange members 12 are a plurality of vertical slots 34 extending through a thickness of the end piece 6. The slots 34 are spaced at predetermined intervals on both a front and rear surface of each end piece 6. In a preferred embodiment, the end piece 6 is formed from a hollow steel section to which the plurality of lugs 32 have been welded.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the end piece may be formed without a flange member. In such a construction, the end piece is of generally rectangular section, and the channel comprises only a single part extending to the depth of the second part of the illustrated embodiment. The openings in the side of each panel remain in the same position in relation to an edge of the panel member as in the illustrated embodiment. In use, the end piece is located within the channel such that the secondary fixings extending through the openings are secured to the outer surface of the end piece. Otherwise, the end piece is identical to that of the illustrated embodiment, that is a plurality of vertical slots are provided extending through the thickness of the end piece on each of a front and rear surface of the end piece.
[0023] The slots 34 are adapted to be engaged by the fixing members 10. Figure 3b shows a furniture component 8 in the form of a side shelf member 40 having two fixing members 10 extending from a rear surface. The fixing members 10 are arranged on the side shelf member 40 at suitable intervals to fit into corresponding vertical slots 34. The side shelf member 40 has a plurality of parallel fixing points 41 to which the ends of a suitable member may be fixed to provide a shelf. By fixing a side shelf member 40 at each end of a panel member 2,4 a plurality of shelf elements (each having a rear surface of curvature matching that of the panel member against which the shelf element is adjacent) may then be secured between the side shelf members to form a shelf unit.
[0024] A suitable fixing member 10 is shown in Figure 4. The fixing member 10 comprises a front portion 36 and a rear portion 38. The front portion 36 comprises a plate having a depending hook 37 for insertion and retention within a suitable end piece slot 34. The rear portion 38 comprises a locking portion for securing to a furniture component 8. In the illustrated embodiment the locking portion comprises a serrated tongue for driving into a furniture component 8 to engage therein.
[0025] The fixing member 10 may be provided to a user as an integral part of the furniture component 8 (as in the case of the side shelf member 40 described above) or be formed separately for subsequent attachment to a furniture component 8 when inserted and retained within an end piece slot 34.
[0026] An example of attachment of a furniture component 8 such as a blade fixing 42 is shown in Figure 5. Blade fixings 42 are used to provide additional support for furniture components 8 such as desk tops 44 and the like. The blade fixing 42 is secured by one or more fixing members 10 to an end piece 6 between adjacent first and second panel members 2,4. A through bore may conveniently be formed by an internally threaded bushing 50 extending through both the blade fixing 42 and the fixing member 10, or alternatively solely through the blade fixing 42. A first end of respective first and second brackets 51,52 may then be bolted to each side of the blade fixing 42. Each of the first and second brackets 51,52 is substantially L-shaped, an end in use remote from the blade fixing 42 being conveniently secured to an adjacent panel member 2,4. Conveniently, the end of the bracket 51,52 adjacent the blade fixing 42 may be adapted to hang over a shaft of a bolt 53,54 extending into the threaded bore.
[0027] Figure 6 shows a desktop 44 to blade fixing 42 detail in which it can be seen that following attachment of the blade fixing 42 to an end piece 6 at each end of a panel member 2, 4 of the furniture system the desktop 44 need only be lowered into position and then fixed to the blade fixing 42 at suitable fixing points 41. In use, the desktop 44 bears onto the blade fixing 42. The blade fixing 42 may additionally be provided with an aperture 56 to serve as a cable guide. Additionally, or alternatively, recesses may be formed in the edge of a desktop 44 to serve as a cable guide.
[0028] The forward facing edges of the furniture components 8 are conveniently provided with a finish such as a moulded polyurethane edge trim to protect against wear.
[0029] As shown in Figure 6, the blade fixing 42 may also be provided with additional fixing points 41 to which may be secured furniture components 8 in the form of shelf units. In Figure 7 attachment of a furniture component such as a shelf unit 46 to a blade fixing 42 is shown. The blade fixing is provided with a through bore that is conveniently formed by an internally threaded bushing 50. A first end of a shelf unit 46 may then be bolted to the blade fixing 42 as shown in Figure 7.
[0030] In Figure 8 a blade fixing 42 can be seen, together with the fixing members 10 extending rearwardly therefrom. A seat 46 is shown in position on the blade fixing 42. Above the seat 46 can seen a seat back 48, again having a fixing member 10 extending from the rear thereof.
[0031] Figure 9 shows a first arrangement of furniture produced in accordance with the present furniture system. To the left a relatively high set of panel members have been used to provide a low bookcase 60 to one side of the panel members and a shelf unit with table top 62 and upper shelf unit 64 to the other. To the right, a relatively low set of panel members have been used to construct a seating unit 66 with a back rest 48 to one side of the panel members and a desk unit 68 to the other.
[0032] Figure 10 shows a second arrangement of furniture produced in accordance with the present furniture system. To the left, a set of panel members of intermediate height have been used to construct a seating unit 66 to one side of the panel members and a desk unit 68 to the other. To the right a relatively high set of panel members have been used to provide a tall bookcase 70 to one side of the panel members and a seating unit 66 with a back rest 48 to the other.
[0033] Figure 11 shows a third arrangement of furniture produced in accordance with the present furniture system. To the left a relatively high set of panel members have been used to provide a tall bookcase 70 to one side of the panel members and a desk unit 68 to the other. To the right, a relatively high set of panel members have been used to construct a tall bookcase 70 to one side of the panel members and a desk unit 68 and upper shelf unit to the other. In the desk unit to the right the desktop 44 does not extend to the panel member but is spaced in relation thereto. The space may be used to pass cables through to computers or the like in use located on the desktop 44.
[0034] Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the versatility of the modular furniture system provided for by the invention. It will be understood that the furniture system may also use panel members without a curvature in constructing a furniture module, but that in order to provide appropriate strength and rigidity at least one, and preferably more, panel members having a curvature should be used.
[0035] In addition to the furniture components discussed other furniture components may be used, including but not limited to, lighting units.
[0036] In this way a variety of furniture arrangements may be provided for, including, but not limited to, in addition to those discussed above, workstations, reception areas, meeting areas, conference areas, training areas, screens, changing areas, play areas.
[0037] Details of a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. Figure 12 shows details of an improved end piece 106. The end piece 106 has no flange and is adapted to be located within a recessed channel formed at an end of a first or second panel (not shown). Preferably, the channel is formed as a routed slot terminating short of an upper surface of the first or second panel in question. The end piece 106 is provided with a plurality of threaded inserts 124 to provide a corresponding plurality of threaded bores. Although only the bottom pair of these inserts 124 are shown, it will be understood that other such pairs are disposed along the height of the end piece 106.
[0038] The first and second panels are provided with a plurality of through openings, preferably defined by threaded inserts, extending from one side of the panel member through to the recessed channel. In use, the threaded inserts 124 in the end piece are aligned with the openings in the panels such that the end piece 106 and the panel may be secured together by a suitable threaded member (not shown).
[0039] The end piece 106 may also be provided with a threaded insert 170 at a lower end thereof. A threaded member (not shown) having a suitable foot member may then be screwed into this threaded member 170.
[0040] The end piece 106 is provided with a plurality of slots 134 extending through a thickness of the end piece 106. The slots 134 are spaced at predetermined intervals on both a front and a rear surface of each end piece 106.
[0041] The slots 134 are adapted to be engaged by suitable fixing members. A modified fixing member 110 is shown in Figure 13. The fixing member 110 comprises a front portion 136 and a rear portion 138. The front portion 136 comprises a plate having a depending hook 137 for insertion and retention within a suitable end piece slot 134. The rear portion 138 comprises a locking portion for securing, for example, to a blade fixing 142 (as shown in Figure 14).
[0042] The blade fixing 142 is provided at a lower end with a threaded insert 172 adapted to receive a threaded member (not shown) having a suitable foot. The members inserted into the threaded inserts 170,172 when a desired item of furniture has been assembled may be adjusted to account for an uneven floor surface, thereby to increase the stability of the assembled item of furniture.
[0043] The blade fixing 142 may of the kind suitable to support a table top. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade fixing 142 is provided with fixing means such as threaded inserts 180 by which a table top (not shown) may be releasably secured to the blade fixing 142. In the illustrated embodiment, U-shaped cut-out 156 serves as a cable guide.
1. A modular furniture system comprises a plurality of panel members (2,4), at least
one panel member (2,4) having a curvature, a plurality of end pieces (6, 106) adapted
to be located between and secured to adjacent panel members (2,4), the end pieces
(6,106) and the at least one panel member (2,4) forming a curved framework, characterised in that the ends of each panel member (2,4) are provided with a recessed channel (16) within
which one of the end pieces (6,106) is received.
2. A furniture system according to claim 1, characterised in that the or each end piece (6) has at least one outwardly extending flange portion (12).
3. A furniture system according to claim 2, characterised in that the flange (12) is formed as a lug extending from the or each end piece (6).
4. A furniture system according to claim 3, characterised in that the channel (16) comprises a first part (18) and a second part (20), the first part
(18) adapted to receive a thickness of the end piece (6) and a second part (20) adapted
to receive the flange portion (12) of the end piece (6).
5. A furniture system according to claim 4, characterised in that a plurality of through bores (22) extend from a one side of the panel member (2,4)
through to the second part (20) of the recessed channel (16).
6. A furniture system according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of through bores extend from a one side of the panel member through to
the recessed channel (16).
7. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each end piece (6,106) is formed with a plurality of slots (34,134).
8. A furniture system according to claim 7, characterised in that the system further comprises one or more fixing members (10,110) which may be fitted
into the one or more of the plurality of slots (34,134) and a furniture component
securable to the one or more fixing members (10,110).
9. A furniture system according to claim 8, characterised in that the furniture component comprises one of the following:
a shelf unit (60, 64 ,70);
a side shelf member;
a desktop (44,68);
a seat (46,66); or
a seat back (48).
10. A furniture system according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that where more than one panel (2,4) has a curvature, the curvature of each curved panel
(2,4) is the same.
11. An item of furniture produced according to the system in accordance with any previous
claim.