Modular furniture and method of forming same
A modular furniture assembly including a first freestanding furniture unit having a frame with a first side having a first preformed hole, and the frame supporting a sink. The assembly further including a second freestanding furniture unit having a first side with a second preformed hole, and a first fastener positioned within the first and second preformed holes to secure the first and second furniture units together to from an integral, first furniture assembly. Also, a method of forming a modular furniture system, including opening a first preformed hole in a first freestanding furniture unit by removing a first removably replaceable plug from within the first preformed hole, opening a second preformed hole in a second freestanding furniture unit by removing a second removably replaceable plug from within the second preformed hole, and positioning a first fastener within the first and second preformed holes to secure the first and second furniture units together to from an integral, first furniture assembly.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/167186, filed Jun. 28, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/582,813, filed Jun. 28, 2004. Each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, respectively.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to furniture such as cabinets and, in particular, to a cabinet structure for accommodating conduits such as plumbing and electrical wiring and outlets, and methods for forming modular cabinet assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention relates to a modular furniture assembly, including a first freestanding furniture unit having a frame with a first side having a first preformed hole, said frame supporting a sink; a second freestanding furniture unit having a first side with a second preformed hole; and a first fastener positioned within the first and second preformed holes to secure the first and second furniture units together to from an integral, first furniture assembly.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of forming a modular furniture system, including opening a first preformed hole in a first freestanding furniture unit by removing a first removably replaceable plug from within the first preformed hole; opening a second preformed hole in a second freestanding furniture unit by removing a second removably replaceable plug from within the second preformed hole; and positioning a first fastener within the first and second preformed holes to secure the first and second furniture units together to from an integral, first furniture assembly.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of forming furniture, including covering an opening in a first side of a freestanding furniture unit with a removably replaceable panel, the furniture unit having a frame and four sides and the opening leading to the interior of the frame; removing the panel from the first side to expose the opening in the first side; attaching a device to the first side to provide selective access to the opening; and opening and closing the device to selectively access the interior of the frame.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of forming a modular furniture system, comprising: opening a first preformed hole in a first freestanding furniture unit by removing a first removably replaceable plug from within the first preformed hole; and positioning a first fastener within the first preformed hole to secure the first furniture unit to a second furniture unit as an integral, first furniture assembly.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention and the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe illustrated embodiments of the present invention are further described in the detailed description which follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting exemplary embodiments, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
Before one or more embodiments of the invention are described in detail, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and the arrangement of steps set forth in the following detailed description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS The illustrated embodiments of the present invention, and especially with respect to
Among the wide variety of applications, some applications of the invention may include kitchen cabinetry, kitchen islands, and bathroom vanities. The invention may also find use in many other applications where built-in cabinetry, or freestanding furniture is utilized.
Receiving frame 110 defines the board-receiving area. Receiving frame 110 is constructed from a single sheet of material. In another embodiment, receiving frame 110 is constructed from two or more pieces of material.
Receiving frame 110 is mounted on top of base 120. Brush seal 160 is affixed to the other side of base 120. Base 120 and brush seal 160 define the height of the access area beneath removable boards 130. Brush seal 160 is designed to contact the floor. An exemplary brush seal 160 includes a polypropylene bristle in a metal channel with an overall height of approximately 0.88 inches. Brush seals are manufactured by Precision Brush Company of Solon, Ohio, for example. Bristle material and color is chosen depending on the application and customer preference. For example, in a kitchen or bath area, a bristle material resistant to water, fungus, and bacteria, such as nylon or polypropylene, is used. In other applications such as entertainment centers, horse or goats hair bristles are used for the desired look, color, and feel. The bristle density can also be chosen to suit particular applications. For example, if the cabinet is placed over an HVAC vent, a lower bristle density is chosen for greater airflow. In a kitchen area, a very high density bristle is chosen for a tighter seal against water, dirt, and pests.
Alternatively, brush seal 160 could be any air permeable barrier that allows the passage of air, compensates for the unevenness of a floor, and eliminates any gaps visible between the bottom of the cabinet and the floor. For example, plastic strips or cloth strips could be used in lieu of a brush seal.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a modular shelf unit without a base, which can be positioned, for example, in a cabinet toward the bottom as a removable modular baseboard or higher in the cabinet as a removable modular shelf.
Each unit 12-16 is versatile in that it can be transformed between a freestanding piece of standalone furniture and a part of a modular assembly. Additionally, each unit 12-16 individually may be transformed to take on various configurations, as explained below. As seen in
In
As seen in
The leveling devices 52 may include vibration dampers designed to resist and dampen applied forces, jolts, vibrations, and impacts. The leveling device 52, as illustrated, employs the protective surface 55, which may be formed from a resilient material, such as neoprene, to form a built-in suspension system and to permit the base 54 to contact the floor 50 with a powerful friction grip to prevent movement of the unit 15. Thus, the surface 55 may not only provide protection for the floor, but it may also provide dampening action and a friction grip between the cabinet 15 and the floor 50. Therefore, the unit 15 can remain freestanding even against walls and can function with or without a rigid attachment to a wall. Thus, the freestanding units 12-16 may be easily secured to the floor 50, and wall damage may be avoided.
Each of the units 12-16 may be connected to each other by attaching the frames of adjacent units 12-16 together. The units 12-16 may be attached in variety of ways, but the units are illustrated as being attached by fasteners 60 (best seen in
The illustrated units 12-16 each have four pre-drilled holes on each side through which a joining fastener 60 may be used to secure the units 12-16 to each other. When not used, each hole may be filled with a plug 64. Through the use of predrilled holes 62 and plugs 64, each unit 12-16 may give the appearance of being finished on all four sides, when desired, while allowing for various configurations as described herein, such as a right, or left hand configuration, or a center island application with opposite sides of a unit 12-16 being functional with drawers and doors.
To attach one of the units 12-16 to an adjacent one of the units 12-16, the two units to be connected are positioned adjacent one another in an abutting relationship. Also, holes 62 of abutting units 12-16 are aligned so that the units can be fastened together.
Each of the units 12-16 may also utilize removable baseboards 130 as described above, and removably replaceable backing boards or panels 76, which can be modified for plumbing and electrical conduits, 104, 106, entering from wall or floor areas. Panels 76 may be constructed so that they are not load bearing and may be replaceably attached to a frame member of a unit 12-16. Therefore, structural modification of a panel 76 for such things as the passing of conduits does not affect the structural integrity or value of the particular unit 12-16. A new panel 76 may replace previous panels 76 that have been altered for various reasons, such as for the passing through of conduits. The removable baseboards 130 and panels 76 may also allow access to areas behind and beneath the units 12-16. As described herein, the removable panels 76 may be replaceable with drawers and/or door fronts for dual-side applications.
Each of the units 12-16 may include a removable toe-kick or base 120 with a brush seal 160 as described and illustrated above with respect to
As mentioned above, the units may take various configurations. One such alternative configuration for a foot 48 of a unit 12-16, is illustrated in
The units 12-16 can be used differently depending on the desired application. In one use, removably replaceable plugs 64 are removed from within preformed holes 62 and a fastener 60 is positioned within the preformed holes 62 to secure two of the units 12-16 together to from an integral, first furniture assembly 10. Then, if it is desired to separate the units 12-16, the fasteners 60 may be removed and the holes 62 closed once again by plugs 64. If it is later determined to reattach one or more of the units 12-16, the plugs 64 are removed and fasteners 60 employed once again to joint abutting units 12-16, for example, a different assembly 210 may be formed. Adjusting of leveling devices 52 and the making of openings for conduits may occur at any time during use of the units 12-16 and in any configuration. Similarly, when covering an opening in a first side of a unit 12-16 with a removably replaceable panel 76, a unit 12-16 may be used with a panel 76 and then used without the panel 76 and, instead, with doors and drawers. Further, if desired, the doors and drawers may be removed and the panel 76 reinstalled. Similarly, if a panel 76 has been reconfigured for a dedicated purpose, such as having holes for passing a conduit there through, and that purpose changes, the panel 76 may be replaced with another panel 76.
The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.
Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A modular furniture assembly, comprising:
- a first freestanding furniture unit having a frame with a first side having a first preformed hole, said frame supporting a sink;
- a second freestanding furniture unit having a first side with a second preformed hole; and
- a first fastener positioned within the first and second preformed holes to secure the first and second furniture units together to from an integral, first furniture assembly.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein
- said first furniture unit has feet with adjustable leveling devices.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein
- said adjustable leveling devices include a threaded element.
4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein
- said first furniture unit has a first opening extending through a second side that is structured and arranged to receive a conduit.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein
- said first opening extends through a baseboard that is positioned under said sink.
6. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein
- said second side is a rear vertical side of said first furniture unit.
7. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein:
- the second side of the first furniture unit is covered with a removably replaceable panel and the first opening extends through said panel.
8. A method of forming a modular furniture system, comprising:
- opening a first preformed hole in a first freestanding furniture unit by removing a first removably replaceable plug from within the first preformed hole;
- opening a second preformed hole in a second freestanding furniture unit by removing a second removably replaceable plug from within the second preformed hole; and
- positioning a first fastener within the first and second preformed holes to secure the first and second furniture units together to from an integral, first furniture assembly.
9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:
- removing the first fastener from the first and second preformed holes and closing the first preformed hole again by reinserting a plug into the first preformed hole.
10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:
- closing the second preformed hole again by reinserting a plug into the second preformed hole.
11. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:
- removing the first fastener from the first and second preformed holes;
- positioning the first fastener within the first preformed hole of the first freestanding furniture unit and within a third preformed hole in a third freestanding furniture unit to secure the first and third furniture units together as an integral, second furniture assembly.
12. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:
- further securing the first and second furniture units together with a second fastener extending through additional predrilled holes in said first and second furniture units after removing an additional releasably securable plug from each of the additional predrilled holes.
13. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:
- adjusting leveling devices on the feet of the first and second furniture units to level the single furniture assembly.
14. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:
- forming a first opening in the first furniture unit; and
- connecting a conduit to the first furniture unit, the pipe extending through the first opening.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein
- the first opening extends through the baseboard.
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein
- the first opening extends through a rear side of the first furniture unit.
17. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:
- covering an opening in a first side of the first furniture unit with a removably replaceable panel, the first furniture unit having a frame and four sides, and the opening leading to the interior of the frame;
- removing the panel from the first side to expose the opening in the first side; and
- attaching one of a door and a drawer to the first side to provide selective access to the opening and to the interior of the frame.
18. A method of forming furniture, comprising:
- covering an opening in a first side of a freestanding furniture unit with a removably replaceable panel, the furniture unit having a frame and four sides and the opening leading to the interior of the frame;
- removing the panel from the first side to expose the opening in the first side;
- attaching a device to the first side to provide selective access to the opening; and
- opening and closing the device to selectively access the interior of the frame.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein
- opening and closing the device includes pivoting open a door.
20. A method according to claim 18, wherein
- opening and closing the device includes sliding open a drawer.
21. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:
- removing the device that provides selective access to the opening; and
- replacing the panel to its previous position on the first side of the first free standing furniture unit.
22. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:
- providing one of a drawer and a door to another side of the freestanding furniture unit that is opposite to the one side of the furniture unit.
23. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:
- adjusting leveling devices on the feet of the first and second furniture units to level the single furniture assembly.
24. A method of forming a modular furniture system, comprising:
- opening a first preformed hole in a first freestanding furniture unit by removing a first removably replaceable plug from within the first preformed hole; and
- positioning a first fastener within the first preformed hole to secure the first furniture unit to a second furniture unit as an integral, first furniture assembly.
25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising:
- removing the first fastener from the first preformed hole and closing the first preformed hole by reinserting a plug into the first preformed hole.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventor: Christopher Lizell (Green Lane, PA)
Application Number: 11/399,389
International Classification: A47B 77/08 (20060101); A47B 81/00 (20060101);