MODULAR FURNITURE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A modular furniture system includes opposing sidewalls for mounting one or more stationary or slideable components. Each sidewall includes a plurality of pairs of holes for mounting the stationary or slideable component that are aligned with corresponding holes in the opposing sidewall. A first set of mounting pins has a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes in the opposing sidewalls and a second end adapted to support the stationary component. A second set of mounting pins has a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes in the opposing sidewalls and a second end connected to an outer slide member for slidably mounting the slidable component. The first end of the first and second set of mounting pins is the same such that the stationary component and the slidable component are interchangeably mounted in the holes in the opposing sidewalls.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to modular furniture and, more particularly, to slides for mounting slidable components, such as drawers or sliding shelves, in modular furniture.

Many modular furniture systems include opposing sidewalls that each include pre-formed, spaced holes into which mounting hardware is installed to support various furniture components, such as shelving and drawers, between the opposing sidewalls. Generally, pairs of horizontally aligned holes are formed in both the left and right sidewalls such that when the left and right sidewalls are assembled, the pairs of holes in the left sidewall are vertically aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the opposing right sidewall. Mounting hardware can be used to mount a furniture component to each of the left and right sidewalls using the vertically aligned pairs of holes such that a furniture component can be supported level therebetween.

Slidable components, such as sliding drawers or shelves, can be supported between the opposing sidewalls on slides mounted to the sidewalls using the pairs of holes in each of the sidewalls. The slidable components generally include rollers or rails that are received within outer slide members that are mounted opposite one another on the left and right sidewalls. The outer slide members are typically secured to the opposing sidewalls using screws that are threaded into the pre-formed holes in the sidewalls.

In addition to drawers, some office furniture constructions include stationary shelves supported between opposing sidewalls. Mounting pins can be inserted into a pair of holes in the left sidewall and a corresponding pair of holes in the opposing right sidewall to support the shelf level therebetween.

In the above described constructions, the location of the shelves may be adjusted by a user by moving the mounting pins to holes in the left and right sidewalls at different locations. However, adjustment of the location of the sliding drawers is often limited due to the manner in which the outer slide member is secured to the left and right sidewalls. The screws used to secure the outer slide member to the sidewalls often damage the inside of the hole as well as the surface of the sidewall surrounding the holes. Movement of the outer slide member to a new location to relocate the sliding drawer may expose the damage caused by the screws, which can be aesthetically undesirable. In addition, the screws may damage and/or deform the interior of the holes such that alternative mounting hardware, such as the shelf mounting pin, cannot support another furniture component at that location. Further, installing and removing screws requires special tools and can be time consuming for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned issues are addressed by the present embodiments of the invention in which a slide is configured such that it can be mounted interchangeably with mounting pins used to mount stationary furniture components, such as shelves, between opposing sidewalls of a modular furniture system. The modular furniture system includes opposing sidewalls each having pairs of horizontally aligned holes that vertically align with pairs of holes in the opposing sidewall to support a furniture component level therebetween. The holes can be configured to interchangeably support shelf mounting pins and outer slide members to allow for customization of stationary and slidable furniture components. The ability to reposition stationary and/or slidable components provides a user with enhanced flexibility and customization of the modular furniture system.

According to an embodiment, a modular furniture system includes first and second sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage space therebetween. The first sidewall can include a plurality of pairs of holes that are aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall. First and second slides can be provided which are adapted to mount a slideable component between the first and second sidewalls. Each of the first and second slides can include an outer slide member having an outer surface adapted to be mounted adjacent one of the first and second sidewalls and an opposing inner surface defining a channel. An inner slide member can be mounted to the slideable component and is adapted to be received within the channel for sliding movement relative to the outer slide member. A pair of slide mounting pins can project from the outer surface of the outer slide member. The mounting pins can be received within the pairs of holes for mounting the first and second slides to respective first and second sidewalls. A support element can extend between the outer slide members of the first and second slides. The support element can have a length sufficient to maintain the outer slide members adjacent the respective first and second sidewalls. The slide mounting pins can be press-fit into the pairs of holes for mounting the slideable component to the first and second sidewalls and are interchangeable with mounting pins adapted to support a stationary component relative to the first and second sidewalls.

In another embodiment, a modular furniture system includes first and second sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage space therebetween. The first sidewall can include a plurality of pairs of holes that are vertically aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall. A stationary shelf and a slidable component are adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls. A first set of mounting pins includes a first end adapted to be press-fit into a pair of holes in the first and second sidewalls and a second end adapted to support a stationary component. A second set of mounting pins includes a first end adapted to be press-fit into a pair of holes in the first and second sidewalls and a second end connected to an outer slide member. The outer slide member is adapted to receive an inner slide member mounted to the slidable component for sliding movement of the slideable component relative to the outer slide member. The stationary component can be mounted between the first and second sidewalls by installing the first set of mounting pins in vertically aligned pairs of holes in each of the first and second sidewalls. The slideable component can be mounted between the first and second sidewalls by installing the second set of mounting pins in vertically aligned pairs of holes in each of the first and second sidewalls. The first end of the first set of mounting pins can be the same as the first end of the second set of mounting pins such that the stationary component and the slidable component are interchangeably mounted in the pairs of holes in the first and second sidewalls.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling a modular furniture system is provided. The modular furniture system includes first and second sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage space therebetween. The first sidewall can include a plurality of pairs of holes that are vertically aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall. The method can include providing a stationary component adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls. A slideable component adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls is also provided. A first pair of mounting pins is inserted into a pair of holes in the first sidewall and a second pair of mounting pins is inserted into a corresponding pair of holes in the second sidewall. Each of the mounting pins includes a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes and a second end adapted to support the stationary component. A first pair of slide mounting pins can be inserted into a pair of holes in the first sidewall and a second pair of slide mounting pins can be inserted into a corresponding pair of holes in the second sidewall. Each of the slide mounting pins can include a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes and a second end connected to an outer slide member. The outer slide member is adapted to receive an inner slide member mounted to the slideable component for sliding movement of the slidable component relative to the outer slide member. The first end of the mounting pin can be the same as the first end of the slide mounting pin such that the stationary component and the slidable component are interchangeably mounted in the pairs of holes in the first and second sidewalls.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiments and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular furniture system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of a part of the modular furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an outer slide member according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the outer slide member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a modular furniture system illustrating a method of assembling according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a slide according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of an outer slide member according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the outer slide member of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an outer slide member according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the outer slide member of FIG. 8A.

DESCRIPTION

I. Structure

The current embodiments relate to a modular furniture system in which a slide for mounting slidable furniture components can be interchangeably mounted with hardware used to mount stationary furniture components. A modular furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and designated 10.

While the modular furniture system 10 is illustrated and described in the context of a single furniture unit, it will be understood that the embodiments of the invention may include multiple furniture units that are different or the same. As used herein, a “furniture unit” refers to an assembly of at least two sidewalls defining at least one storage area. The storage area may be an undivided or divided space. Furniture units having the same or different dimensions and features may be combined as desired to provide a system that satisfies the desired storage and space requirements.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modular furniture system 10 includes a furniture unit 12 having opposing first and second sidewalls 14 and 16 defining a storage area that is divided by an intermediate sidewall 18 into storage areas 20 and 22. As illustrated in FIG. 1, first sidewall 14 and intermediate sidewall 18 define the first storage area 20 while second sidewall 16 and intermediate sidewall 18 define the second storage area 22. The furniture unit 12 optionally includes a top panel 28, a bottom panel 30, and/or a rear panel 32 defining the storage areas 20, 22.

Each of the first, second, and intermediate sidewalls 14, 16, and 18 include pairs of holes 14a, 16a, and 18a horizontally aligned in a row for supporting hardware used to mount furniture components, such as drawers and shelves. The number of pairs of holes 14a, 16a, and 18a, their dimensions, and their spacing can be configured as desired. The intermediate sidewall 18 can include pairs of holes 18a and 18a′ (not shown) on both sides of sidewall 18 for supporting components in both of the storage areas 20 and 22. The pairs of holes 14a, 16a, and 18a are configured such that when the sidewalls 14, 16, and 18 are assembled, each pair of holes 14a, 16a, and 18a is vertically aligned with a corresponding pair of holes 14a, 16a, or 18a in the opposing sidewall 14, 16, and 18. In this manner, a first set of hardware mounted in a pair of holes 14a, 16a, and 18a and a second set of hardware mounted in a corresponding, vertically aligned pair of holes 14a, 16a, or 18a in the opposing sidewall 14, 16, and 18 can support a furniture component level between the opposing sidewalls 14, 16, and 18.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, furniture unit 12 can include one or more slidable components 40 and one or more stationary components 42. The slideable component 40 can be in the form of a drawer, as illustrated, or other slideable structure, non-limiting examples of which include a sliding shelf and a sliding basket. The stationary component 42 can be in the form of a shelf or other stationary component, such as a stationary tray. While FIG. 2 illustrates a single drawer 40 and a single shelf 42, it will be understood that any combination of drawers, shelves, and other components may be provided in either or both of the storage areas 20, 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the drawer 40 is mounted to the adjacent first sidewall 14 and intermediate sidewall 18 by a pair of slides 50. Each slide 50 includes an inner slide member 52 that adapted to be mounted to the drawer 40 and an outer slide 54 that is adapted to be mounted to the adjacent sidewall 14 and 18. The inner slide member 52 is configured for sliding movement relative to the outer slide member 54 for movement of the drawer 40 between a retracted, closed position (FIG. 1) and an extended, open position (not shown). The inner and outer slide members 52 and 54 may be configured for relative sliding movement according to any known slide design, non-limiting examples of which include a ball bearing slide (shown), a roller slide, and an under-mount slide.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the shelf 42 is supported between the sidewalls 14 and 18 by a set of shelf mounting pins 60. Each shelf mounting pin 60 includes a first end 62 that is adapted to be press-fit within the holes 14a, 16a, 18a and a second end 64 that is adapted to support the shelf 42. The shelf 42 can include recesses 66 adapted to receive the shelf mounting pin second end 64 therein for mounting the shelf 42 to the adjacent sidewall 14, 18. The second end 64 may have any desired shape for engaging the shelf 42. For example, the second end 64 may have a shape configured to support the shelf 42 thereon, such as a flat, ledge portion. In another example, the second end 64 may be rounded and optionally received within the recess 66. The second end 64 and shelf 42 may be configured such that an underside of the shelf 42 rests upon the second end 64 or such that at least a portion of the second end 64 is inserted within the body of the shelf 42.

Optionally, a support element 68 is provided for use with the slides 50. The support element 68 can be in the form of a rod or bar having sufficient length to extend between the outer slide members 54 when the outer slide members 54 are mounted to opposing sidewalls 14, 18. The support element 68 can be configured to be press-fit between the mounted outer slide members 54 to prevent the outer slide members 54 from falling out or un-mounting when the drawer 40 is pulled out into a fully extended position. However, if the drawer 40 and/or slides 50 include a stop for preventing the drawer 40 from being pulled into a fully extended position, the optional support element 68 may not be needed, as the drawer 40 will prevent the outer slide members 54 from withdrawing from the sidewalls. The outer slide members 54 optionally include an aperture or groove for receiving an end of the support element 68 to facilitate mounting the support element 68 between the opposing outer slide members 54. Alternatively, rather than being press-fit between opposing outer slide members 54, the support element 68 may be mounted at each end to the adjacent outer slide member through a snap-fit connection.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, one of the outer slide members 54 is illustrated. While the embodiment is described in the context of a single outer slide member 54 for mounting the drawer 40 to the sidewall 18, it is understood that outer slide member 54 for mounting the drawer 40 to the opposing sidewall 14 is similar in design and function. Generally, slide components for mounting on the left and the right sides of the drawer 40 may be identical or mirror images of one another.

Outer slide member 54 includes a body 70 from which extend a pair of opposing legs 72, 74. The legs 72, 74 and an inner surface of the body 70 together define a channel 76 adapted to receive the inner slide member 52 (FIG. 2) for sliding movement therein. While the channel 76 is defined by top and bottom legs 72, 74, the channel 76 may optionally be defined by a single leg 72, 74.

Outer slide member 54 also includes a slide mounting pin 80 having a first end 82 adapted to be press-fit within the holes 14a, 16a, 18a for mounting the outer slide member 54 to one of the sidewalls 14, 16, and 18 and a second end formed by the body 70. The slide mounting pin first end 82 projects from an outer surface of the body 70 in a direction opposite of the legs 72, 74. The outer slide member 54 can include first and second slide mounting pins 80 spaced along the body 70 such that the mounting pins 80 align with the pairs of holes 14a, 16a, and 18a in the sidewalls 14, 16, and 18.

The slide mounting pins 80 can be formed integrally with the body 70 of the outer slider member 54 or connected thereto and may be made from the same or different material as the body 70. For example, the slide mounting pin 80 can be welded to the body 70, press-fit through a pair of apertures formed in the body 70, or swage set in the body 70. The body 70 and/or slide mounting pins 80 can be made from any metal or polymeric material, non-limiting examples of which include steel, aluminum, and plastic.

II. Assembly

An exemplary method of assembling the modular furniture system 10 using the shelf mounting pins 60 and slide mounting pins 80 is now described. While the method of assembly is described in the context of sidewalls 14 and 18, it will be understood that the method of assembly can be used in a similar way to mount stationary and slidable components in storage area 22 between sidewalls 18 and 16.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a method for assembling the drawer 40 and shelf 42 between sidewalls 14 and 18 is illustrated schematically. Additional components, such as the top, bottom, and rear panels 28, 30, and 32, respectively, are not shown for the sake of simplicity. It will be understood that mounting of the drawer 40 and/or shelf 42 can occur before or after assembly of additional components of the modular furniture system 10, such as the top, bottom, and rear panels 28, 30, and 32.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the drawer 40 can be assembled with the sidewalls 14, 18 by mounting one of the outer slide members 54 on each sidewall 14, 18. To mount the outer slide member 54, the user selects one of the pairs of holes 18a in the sidewall 18 corresponding to the height at which the user desires the drawer 40 to be installed and inserts the slide mounting pins 80 into the selected pair of holes 18a. The user presses the body 70 toward the sidewall 18 to install the first end 82 of the slide mounting pins 80 within the holes 18a. The process is repeated for installing the outer slide member 54 into the opposing sidewall 14 in a pair of holes corresponding to the same height at which the outer slide member 54 is mounted in the sidewall 18. The inner slide members 52 can be mounted to the drawer 40 in a conventional manner, for example using one or more screws, and the inner slide members 52 are then mated with the mounted outer slide members 54 for installing the drawer 40 between the sidewalls 14, 18.

Optionally, the support element 68 is installed between the outer slide members 54 installed in opposing sidewalls 14, 18. The support element 68 has sufficient length to press the outer slide members 54 toward the adjacent sidewall 14, 18. The support element 68 prevents the mounting pins 80 from completely withdrawing from the holes 18a, 14a in the event that the drawer 40 is pulled into the fully extended (open) position or is removed. The support element 68 can be installed prior to inserting the drawer 40 or subsequent to inserting the drawer 40, such as by accessing a rear of the unit 12.

To mount the stationary shelf 42, the shelf mounting pins 60 are inserted into a pair of holes 18a in the sidewall 18 at a location corresponding to the desired height for the shelf 42. The first end 62 of each shelf mounting pin 60 is pressed into the selected hole 18a to a degree sufficient to support the shelf 42. Shelf mounting pins 60 are also inserted into a corresponding pair of holes in the sidewall 14 that are vertically aligned with the holes 18a in the sidewall 18 into which the shelf mounting pins 60 are installed. In this manner, the shelf 42 can be supported level between the sidewalls 14 and 18 by the shelf mounting pins 60 installed in each sidewall 14, 18.

Subsequent to the installation of the drawer 40 and/or the shelf 42, the relative location of each can be changed in a similar manner. To change the vertical location of the shelf 42 between the sidewalls 14, 18, the shelf 42 can be removed and the shelf mounting pins 60 withdrawn from the holes 14a, 18a. The shelf mounting pins 60 may then be inserted into different sets of aligned pairs of holes 14a, 18a in each of the sidewalls 14, 18 to install the shelf 42 at a different height.

The vertical location of the drawer 40 can be changed by removing the drawer 40 and then the optional support element 68 and each of the outer slide members 54. The outer slide members 54 are removed by pulling the body 70 away from the adjacent sidewall 14, 18 to withdraw the mounting pins 80 from within the holes 14a, 18a. The outer slide members 54 can then be re-installed at a different height by selecting a different set of vertically aligned pairs of holes 14a, 18a in the same manner as described above.

The first ends 62 and 82 of the shelf mounting pin 60 and slide mounting pin 80, respectively, are similar and thus the stationary shelf 42 and the drawer 40 can be interchangeably installed between the sidewalls 14, 18. The first ends 62 and 82 of the shelf mounting pin 60 and slide mounting pin 80 can be press-fit into the same holes 14a, 18a in the sidewalls 14, 18 without damaging the holes 14a, 18a or the adjacent portions of the sidewalls 14, 18. The manner in which both the drawer 40 and the shelf 42 are mounted to the sidewalls 14, 18 provides the user with flexibility to customize and to change the location and type of components installed in the unit 12. The shelf mounting pin 60 and slide mounting pin 80 may be made from the same or different materials, however, regardless of the material used, the first ends 62 and 82 of the shelf mounting pin 60 and slide mounting pin 80 are configured for interchangeable mounting within the holes 14a, 16a, 18a in the sidewalls 14, 16, and 18.

In addition, both the shelf mounting pin 60 and the slide mounting pin 80 can be installed without tools, thus simplifying the installation process. This also allows the user to change the configuration of the drawer 40 and/or shelf 42 or mount a new component, such as a sliding shelf, without requiring the user to locate a particular tool.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7A-B, and 8A-B, the slide mounting pins 80 can be utilized on any type of outer slide member. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a heavy duty ball bearing slide 150 having an outer slide member 154 that includes slide mounting pins 180 for mounting the outer slide member 154 to the sidewalls 14, 18. FIGS. 7A-B illustrate a roller slide 250 having an outer slide member 254 including slide mounting pins 280 for mounting the outer slide member 254 to the sidewalls 14, 18. FIGS. 8A-B illustrate an under-mount slide 350 including an outer slide member 354 having slide mounting pins 380 for mounting the outer slide member 354 to the sidewalls 14, 18. All of the outer slide members 154, 254, and 354 can be mounted to the sidewalls 14, 18 in a manner similar to that described above for the outer slide member 54. In addition, the outer slide members 154, 254, and 354 may be installed interchangeably with the outer slide member 54 and the shelf mounting pins 60. The slideable component 40 can be configured to include an inner slide member that mates with the outer slide member 154, 254, and 354 for relative sliding movement in a conventional manner.

Modular furniture systems that utilize sidewalls having pairs of aligned holes for mounting components typically mount the outer slide members to the sidewalls using screws that are threaded into the holes. Threading the screws into the holes disturbs the interior surface defining the hole cavity and can even damage the surface of the sidewall adjacent the hole. This type of mounting system can limit the ability of a user to change the location of the drawer without revealing the damage, which may be aesthetically unpleasing. In addition, the damage to the interior surface of the hole cavity may prevent stably installing a shelf mounting pin into the hole, thus limiting the user's ability to install a shelf at the former location of the drawer. In addition, the challenges present in installing slidable components often leads manufacturers to offer furniture units with the slideable components in pre-configured positions that are often not reconfigurable.

In contrast, the outer slide member 54 described herein includes a slide mounting pin 80 that has a first end 82 that is the same as the first end 62 of the shelf mounting pin 60, thus allowing the slide mounting pin 80 and the shelf mounting pin 60 to be interchangeably installed within the same mounting holes. Thus, each sidewall 14, 16, and 18 only needs to include a single set of holes for mounting both stationary and slidable components. Both the slide mounting pin 80 and the shelf mounting pin 60 are installed in the same manner by press-fitting the first end 82, 62 into a hole and can be removed in a similar manner without damage to the hole or surrounding sidewall surface. This allows the user to customize the location of the drawer 40 and the shelf 42 and even to switch their location. The slide mounting pin 80 can be included on any type of outer slide member, providing the user with flexibility in selecting the type of slide to install or changing the type of slide based on the user's storage needs.

Other conventional methods for mounting drawers utilize clips that are stamped or formed in the outer slide member. However, this type of system limits the material to which the outer slide member can be mounted to metal, thus decreasing the user's options for materials and aesthetics. In contrast, the embodiments of the current invention can be used with both wood and metal furniture units.

This disclosure should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element of the described invention may be replaced by one or more alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.

The invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and practiced or carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein.

The phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

The disclosed embodiment includes a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits.

Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Directional terms, such as “front,” “back,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation.

Claims

1. A modular furniture system comprising:

first and second sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage space therebetween, the first sidewall including a plurality of pairs of holes that are aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall;

first and second slides adapted to mount a slideable component between the first and second sidewalls, each of the first and second slides comprising: an outer slide member having an outer surface adapted to be mounted adjacent one of the first and second sidewalls and an opposing inner surface defining a channel; an inner slide member mounted to the slideable component and adapted to be received within the channel for sliding movement relative to the outer slide member; and a pair of slide mounting pins projecting from the outer surface of the outer slide member, the slide mounting pins adapted to be received within the pairs of holes for mounting the first and second slides to respective first and second sidewalls; and

a support element extending between the outer slide members of the first and second slides, the support element having a length sufficient to maintain the outer slide members adjacent the respective first and second sidewalls, and

wherein the slide mounting pins are press-fit into the pairs of holes for mounting the slideable component to the first and second sidewalls and are interchangeable with mounting pins adapted to support a stationary component relative to the first and second sidewalls.

2. The modular furniture system of claim 1 wherein the inner slide member is one of a ball bearing slide and a roller slide.

3. The modular furniture system of claim 1 wherein the slideable component is one of a drawer and a sliding shelf.

4. The modular furniture system of claim 1 wherein the pair of slide mounting pins are one of integrally formed with the outer slide member, welded to the outer slide member, press-fit through a pair of apertures in the outer slide member, and swage set in the outer slide member.

5. The modular furniture system of claim 1 wherein the inner slide is one of side-mounted and under-mounted on the slidable component.

6. A modular furniture system comprising:

first and second sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage space therebetween, the first sidewall including a plurality of pairs of holes that are vertically aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall;

a stationary component adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls;

a slideable component adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls;

a first set of mounting pins having a first end adapted to be press-fit into a pair of holes in the first and second sidewalls and a second end adapted to support a stationary component; and

a second set of mounting pins having a first end adapted to be press-fit into a pair of holes in the first and second sidewalls and a second end connected to an outer slide member, the outer slide member adapted to receive an inner slide member mounted to the slidable component for sliding movement of the slideable component relative to the outer slide member, and

wherein the stationary component is mounted between the first and second sidewalls by installing the first set of mounting pins in vertically aligned pairs of holes in each of the first and second sidewalls,

wherein the slideable component is mounted between the first and second sidewalls by installing the second set of mounting pins in vertically aligned pairs of holes in each of the first and second sidewalls, and

wherein the first end of the first set of mounting pins is the same as the first end of the second set of mounting pins such that the stationary component and the slidable component are interchangeably mounted in the pairs of holes in the first and second sidewalls.

7. The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein the slideable component is one of a drawer and a sliding shelf.

8. The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein a pair of the second set of mounting pins is one of integrally formed with the outer slide member, welded to the outer slide member, press-fit through a pair of apertures in the outer slide member, and swage set in the outer slide member.

9. The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein the inner slide is one of side-mounted and under-mounted on the slidable component.

10. The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein the inner slide member is one of a ball bearing slide and a roller slide.

11. The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein the first and second sets of mounting pins are made from one of steel, aluminum, and plastic.

12. The modular furniture system of claim 6 wherein:

a first outer slide member is mounted to the first sidewall and a second outer slide member is mounted to the second sidewall for supporting the slideable component between the first and second sidewalls; and

a support element extends between the first and second outer slide members and has a length sufficient to maintain the first and second outer slide members adjacent the respective first and second sidewalls.

13. A method of assembling a modular furniture system comprising first and second sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a storage space therebetween, the first sidewall including a plurality of pairs of holes that are vertically aligned with corresponding pairs of holes in the second sidewall, the method comprising:

providing a stationary component adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls;

providing a slideable component adapted to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls;

inserting a first pair of shelf mounting pins into a pair of holes in the first sidewall and a second pair of shelf mounting pins into a corresponding pair of holes in the second sidewall, each of the shelf mounting pins having a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes and a second end adapted to support the stationary component; and

inserting a first pair of slide mounting pins into a pair of holes in the first sidewall and a second pair of slide mounting pins into a corresponding pair of holes in the second sidewall, each of the slide mounting pins having a first end adapted to be press-fit into the holes and a second end connected to an outer slide member, the outer slide member adapted to receive an inner slide member mounted to the slideable component for sliding movement of the slidable component relative to the outer slide member, and

wherein the first end of the mounting pin is the same as the first end of the slide mounting pin such that the stationary component and the slidable component are interchangeably mounted in the pairs of holes in the first and second sidewalls.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising inserting a support element between the outer slide member mounted to the first sidewall and the outer slide member mounted to the second sidewall.

15. The method of claim 13 comprising repeating the steps of inserting a first and second pair of mounting pins for each stationary component to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls.

16. The method of claim 13 comprising repeating the steps of inserting a first and second pair of slide mounting pins for each slideable component to be mounted between the first and second sidewalls.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the slideable component is one of a drawer and a sliding shelf.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second pair of slide mounting pins are one of integrally formed with the outer slide member, welded to the outer slide member, press-fit through a pair of apertures in the outer slide member, and swage set in the outer slide member.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the inner slides are one of side-mounted and under-mounted on the slideable component.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the inner slide member is one of a ball bearing slide and a roller slide.