SEATING CONNECTOR BRACKETS
The present invention relates to a tubular seating connector bracket assembly for modular seating furniture, the seating being aligned in side by side proximity. A three-piece connector bracket is disclosed for securing independent sections of modular furniture, preferably two seating units having an arm between. Additionally, a two-piece connector bracket is disclosed for adjoining a modular seating unit with an arm, or two modular seating units. A backing member is also disclosed to be secured to the frame of the modular furniture and fits behind the tubular connector brackets.
The present invention relates to connectors for modular seating and sectional so furniture.
BACKGROUNDModular seating arrangement furniture, such as sectional sofas are comprised of combinations of chairs, recliners, curves and the like, and provide flexibility in design and utility in a sofa arrangement to suit consumer preferences. The different modules, or sections, once selected are required to be adjoined into one unit. The differences in the seating components of modular seating arrangements and sectional sofas pose unique difficulties for interconnection of the individual modules. Various attempts have been made to provide connections between modules but have been either ineffective, unduly complex or have created additional problems.
Some seating connectors provide rigid connections and require massive components and frames, or result in distortion of lighter weight frames and misalignments when mechanisms are operated.
The prior use of complex high-strength connectors to make a rigid connection between the seating elements has disadvantages in the added strength requirements for the component parts such as the frame.
The present invention and disclosure overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates to a tubular seating connector bracket assembly for modular seating furniture, the seating units being aligned in side by side proximity. Generally, the present invention adjoins components of modular sofas having a plurality of furniture sectional components.
Particularly, a connector bracket is disclosed for securing independent sections of modular furniture. For example, one embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to join three pieces of modular furniture. This bracket embodiment may be referred to as a “W” bracket because of its general shape. Typically, in this embodiment, the bracket is used for connecting two seating units with an arm between them. The connector comprises a bracket arm having extensions on two lateral end points of the bracket arm along with a medially extending arm.
In another embodiment, a connector bracket is disclosed for adjoining a modular seating unit with an arm, or generally two units of modular seating components. This embodiment may also be referred to as a “U” bracket.
A backing member is also disclosed which is secured to the frame of the modular furniture and fits between the tubular connector brackets and the frame of the modular furniture unit.
Other features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and the accompanying drawings, wherein the embodiments of the disclosure are described and shown, and in part will become apparent upon examination of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe above mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
While the present disclosure will bc described fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a particular embodiment is shown, it is to be understood at the outset that persons skilled in the art may modify the disclosure herein described while still achieving the desired result. Accordingly, the description that follows is to be understood as a broad informative disclosure directed to persons skilled in the appropriate art and not as limitations on the present disclosure.
As seen in
The connector brackets described in the present disclosure may generally be made of square or rectangular steel tubing or fabricated flat steel welded or joined together as is generally known in the art. The backing member 33 may generally be made from a length of steel c-channel or similar material known in the art. Alternatively, another embodiment of backing member 33 may be fabricated from flat steel plate as shown in
Various features of the disclosure have been shown and described in connection with the illustrated embodiment, however, it is understood that these arrangements merely illustrate, and that the disclosure is to be given its fullest interpretation.
Claims
1. A modular seating connector bracket assembly comprising:
- a bracket arm having a first end and a second end;
- a first extension extending perpendicularly from the first end;
- a second extension extending perpendicularly from the second end and parallel to the first extension;
- wherein the first extension and second extension are dispersed between, and adapted to be secured to a plurality of seating units.
2. The connector bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one aperture on the first extension, wherein the aperture is adapted for receiving bolts to secure the bracket to seating units.
3. The connector bracket assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one aperture on the second extension, wherein the aperture is adapted for receiving bolts to secure the bracket to seating units.
4. The connector bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a medial extension extending generally from the midpoint of the bracket arm and parallel to the first extension and the second extension.
5. The connector bracket assembly of claim 4, wherein the connector bracket adjoins a first seating unit with a second seating unit having an arm between the first and second seating units.
6. The connector bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector bracket adjoins a first seating unit and an arm.
7. The connector bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a backing member having at least one aperture adapted to receive bolts to secure the backing member to a furniture frame.
8. The connector bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the backing member further comprises a flange along each side of the length of the backing member.
9. A modular seating connector bracket assembly comprising:
- a bracket arm having a first end and a second end;
- a first extension extending perpendicularly from the first end, the first extension comprising at least one aperture;
- a second extension extending perpendicularly from the second end and parallel to the first extension, the second extension comprising at least one aperture; and
- a medial extension extending generally from the midpoint of the bracket arm and being parallel to the first extension and the second extension;
- wherein the first extension, the medial extension and second extension are dispersed between and adapted to be secured to a plurality of seating units.
10. The connector bracket assembly of claim 9, further comprising a backing member comprising at least one aperture, adapted to receive bolts and to be secured to a furniture frame.
11. The connector bracket assembly of claim 10, wherein a plurality of backing members are secured to a furniture frame.
12. The connector bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the first extension, the medial extension and the second extension are dispersed between and adapted to be secured a first seating unit, an arm and a second seating unit.
13. A modular seating connector bracket comprising:
- a bracket arm having a first end and a second end;
- a first extension extending perpendicularly from the first end, the first extension comprising at least one aperture;
- a second extension extending perpendicularly from the second end and parallel to the first extension, the second extension comprising at least one aperture;
- wherein the extensions are dispersed between and adapted to be secured to two seating units.
14. The connector bracket of claim 13, wherein the second seating unit is an arm.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 24, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 13, 2007
Inventors: Lloyd Berning (Hazel Green, WI), Patrick Maas (Dubuque, IA)
Application Number: 11/276,350
International Classification: A47C 15/00 (20060101);