Universal Arm Assembly Connection For Furniture Members

Abstract

An arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly includes a furniture member having a support frame. An attachment member is connected to the support frame. First and second connection members are individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member each extending vertically upward from the attachment member and individually positioned outward of a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member. Identically configured first and second arm assemblies each include first and second brackets. Each bracket includes a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly. Each cavity is adapted to receive one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the cavity such that the first and second arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a universal connection system for arm assemblies to furniture members.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Furniture members referred to generally as “stadium seats” are commonly provided as individual furniture pieces such as chairs, loveseats, sectionals, connecting sections, and the like connected by hardware to provide multiple occupant seating. Stadium seats are often used in home theater areas, and commercially in sports bars, and the like to closely connect seating to minimize seating floor space required and provide a common appearance for the combined assembly.

Disadvantages of known stadium seating arrangements include multiple loose pieces of hardware required to connect or disconnect the individual seating units, which increase costs and assembly/disassembly time. Further, known arrangements have the hardware visibly exposed after assembly in order to provide access to the hardware, or require a separate hardware cover piece after installation. This commonly results in an unsightly finished appearance for the furniture members. Known arrangements also require multiple different furniture pieces or sections that are different from each other which can increase the overall costs of the system. Regular use of the units can also result in loosening of the hardware which allows the individual furniture members to move with respect to each other, which can cause damage to the upholstered faces.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, an arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly includes a furniture member having a support frame supporting an occupant seat portion. An attachment member is connected to the support frame. A connection member is fixed to the attachment member and extends vertically upward from the attachment member and is positioned outward of one of a right hand and a left hand side of the occupant seat portion and the support frame. An arm assembly includes an arm assembly frame. At least one bracket is connected to the arm assembly frame having a connection member receiving cavity adapted to slidably receive the connection member when the arm assembly abuts the furniture assembly.

According to further embodiments, an arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly includes a furniture member having a support frame. An attachment member is connected to the support frame. First and second connection members are individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member, each extending vertically upward from the attachment member, and are individually positioned outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the furniture member. Identically configured first and second arm assemblies each include first and second brackets each having a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly and adapted to slidably receive one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the first and second arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member.

According to still further embodiments, an arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly includes at least first and second furniture members, each including a support frame supporting an occupant seat portion. An attachment member is connected to the support frame. First and second connection members are individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member and each extend vertically upward from the attachment member and are individually positioned outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the occupant seat portion and support frame. Identically configured at least first, second, and third arm assemblies each include an arm assembly frame having first and second side frame members. First and second brackets are individually connected to one of the first and second side frame members each having a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly and adapted to slidably receive one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the at least first, second, and third arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the first or second furniture members. One of the at least first, second, and third arm assemblies connects proximate ones of the at least first and second furniture members.

According to other embodiments, a method for connecting arms to a furniture member is provided. The furniture member includes a support frame, an attachment member connected to the support frame, and first and second connection members individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member, and the arms include identically configured first and second arm assemblies each having first and second brackets each including a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly. The method comprises orienting the first and second connection members vertically upward from the attachment member; individually positioning the first and second connection members outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the furniture member; and positioning each of the first and second arms to enclose one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the first and second arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of a universal arm assembly of the present disclosure adapted for installation to a furniture member;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a furniture assembly having the arm assembly of FIG. 1 shown in an installed position;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional front perspective view similar to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an attachment member of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the attachment member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional front elevational view of a furniture member having right and left hand side arm assemblies of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a configuration of furniture assemblies having one, two, three, or four furniture members separated by arm assemblies or modified arm assemblies of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 1, a furniture member 10 is adapted to receive an arm assembly 12 on either a left hand or a right hand side of the furniture member 10 as viewed by an occupant of the furniture member. Arm assembly 12 is created as a universal assembly, therefore arm assembly 12 when duplicated can be installed on either the left or right hand sides of furniture member 10. Furniture member 10 includes an occupant seat portion 14 which can be a pad member having a spring support base connected to a support frame 16. A backrest member 18 is connected to support frame 16 and according to several embodiments is fixed or can rotate with respect to occupant seat portion 14. A leg rest member 20 can also be provided which in several embodiments is extendable from the retracted position shown to an extended position (not shown).

Support frame 16 can be made from frame portions constructed from wood such as plywood, metal, or polymeric material and can include rear support feet 22 and front support feet 24 extending downward from support frame 16 to provide clearance for support frame 16 and a floor surface (only the right side rear support feet and front support feet 22, 24 are shown in this view). An attachment member 26 is fixedly connected such as by fasteners (not shown) to support frame 16 and extends partially beyond support frame 16 on each of a right hand and left hand side of furniture member 10. Fixedly connected to attachment member 26 is each of a first connection member 28 and a second connection member 30 (shown in phantom in this view). First and second connection members 28, 30 are each adapted to individually receive one of the arm assemblies 12 and retain the arm assembly 12 to the furniture member 10. The attachment member 26 is located within a cavity 32 defined between rear and front support feet 22, 24 such that a lower surface 33 of attachment member 26 can be raised above the floor surface upon which furniture member 10 is supported.

Furniture member 10 further includes a first upholstered side 34 and an opposite second upholstered side 36 defining right and left hand sides of furniture member 10 respectively. A first backrest upholstered side 38 and a second backrest upholstered side 39 further define a right hand and a left hand side of backrest member 18.

Each arm assembly 12 includes a first U-shaped bracket 40 creating a first connection member receiving cavity 42 and a second U-shaped bracket 44 creating a second connection member receiving cavity 46. The first and second U-shaped brackets 40, 44 are positioned within the frame structure and upholstered outer covering of the arm assemblies 12. Therefore, to provide for visual assistance in installing the arm assemblies 12, an alignment seam 48, 48′ can be provided on opposite first and second arm sides 50, 52. Alignment seams 48, 48′ are positioned parallel to and in co-alignment with a longitudinal axis of the respective first and second connection member receiving cavities 42, 44 to visually align first connection member receiving cavity 42 or second connection member receiving cavity 46 with either first or second connection member 28, 30 respectively. Alignment seams 48, 48′ can be for example stitching or sewn seams provided in the upholstery covering of arm assembly 12. For example, visual alignment of first connection member receiving cavity 42 with first connection member 28 can be accomplished by aligning alignment seam 48′ with a longitudinal axis 54 of first connection member 28 so that arm assembly 12 can be slidably aligned for installation onto first connection member 28. Arm assembly 12 can also be positioned on a left hand side of furniture member 10 by similarly aligning the second member receiving cavity 46 by visually aligning alignment seam 48 with a similar longitudinal axis (not shown) of second connection member 30. Any arm assembly 12 can therefore be universally used on either a right hand or a left hand side of furniture member 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, in an exemplary installation arm assembly 12 is shown positioned on a right hand side with respect to furniture member 10. When used on the right hand side installation, first U-shaped bracket 40 is aligned with respect to first connection member 28 and second U-shaped bracket 44 is not used. A furniture assembly 56 is created by the connection of arm assembly 12 to furniture member 10. When assembled, furniture assembly 56 includes a rear arm leg 58 and the forward arm leg 60 which both make contact with the ground or floor surface upon which furniture member 10 is supported. According to several embodiments, a cup holder 62 or similar device can be provided in each arm assembly 12 for the convenience of the occupant.

With arm assembly 12 positioned as shown, second arm side 52 can physically contact first upholstered side 34 (not visible in this view) of furniture member 10. Clearance is provided however between second arm side 52 and first backrest upholstered side 38 to allow backrest member 18 to rotate freely in each of a backrest rear rotation direction “A” and a backrest forward rotation direction “B”. In addition, leg rest member 20 is provided with clearance to second arm side 52 to allow leg rest member 20 to extend or retract in either the leg rest extension direction “C” or a leg rest retraction direction “D”. As shown and described in reference to FIG. 6, to connect a second furniture member 10′ to furniture assembly 56, a second arm assembly 12′ is first installed on a left hand side of furniture member 10 to which the second furniture member 10′ is connected. An arm assembly 12 or a modified version of arm assembly 12 is therefore required to be installed between any two furniture members 10, 10′.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an arm assembly frame 63 provided within arm assembly 12 can include a first side frame member 64, and an opposed second side frame member 66. A lower frame member 68 and a similarly configured upper frame member (not clearly visible in this view) positioned opposite to lower frame member 68 can also be provided. Frame members of the arm assembly 12 can be provided of a wood material such as plywood or from a polymeric material. Both of the first and second U-shaped brackets 40, 44 include common features and are similarly connected to first and second side frame members 64, 66, therefore the following discussion is applicable to both first and second U-shaped brackets 40, 44. Second U-shaped bracket 44 has been omitted from this view in order to more clearly identify the connection of first connection member 28 to first U-shaped bracket 40.

First U-shaped bracket 40 includes a first bracket wing 70 and an opposed second bracket wing 72 which are fixedly connected to first side frame member 64 on an interior facing side of first side frame member 64. A first bracket leg 74 having a first boundary wall 75 is oriented substantially parallel to a second bracket leg 76 having a second boundary wall 77. The first connection member receiving cavity 42 is created by a predetermined separation distance between the first and second boundary walls 75, 77. The predetermined separation distance is at a minimum approximately equal to a width or diameter of first connection member 28 and is at a maximum approximately one quarter inch (0.64 cm) greater than the width or diameter of first connection member 28. First connection member 28 is received in first connection member receiving cavity 42 with either a sliding fit or a frictional fit to limit displacement of arm assembly 12 such that contact between first connection member 28 and first boundary wall 75 prevents displacement of arm assembly 12 in a forward direction “E”. Similarly, contact between first connection member 28 and second boundary wall 77 prevents displacement of arm assembly 12 in rearward direction “F”. A connection portion 78 integrally joins first and second bracket legs 74, 76.

According to several embodiments each of the first and second bracket wings 70, 72 are connected to an interior facing frame surface 79 of first side frame member 64. Each of the first and second bracket legs 74, 76 and the connecting portion 78 are fixedly connected to a frame wall 80 which can be independently connected to first side frame member 64, or can be an integral extension of first side frame member 64. Contact between first connection member 28 and an interior facing surface 81 of frame wall 80 prevents displacement of arm assembly 12 in a lateral direction “G”. It should be evident that use of the first and second U-shaped brackets 40, 44 of the present disclosure, with either the first or second connection members 28, 30 provide for installation of arm assembly 12 to either a right or left hand side of furniture member 10 without the requirement or need of additional fasteners, connecting members, adhesives, or the like. Disassembly of any arm assembly 12 from a furniture member 10 can therefore be accomplished by lifting the arm assembly 12 vertically from the position shown in FIG. 3 until the first connection member 28 (or alternately the second connection member 30) is clear of the respective one of the first or second connection member receiving cavities 42, 46 of either first or second U-shaped bracket 40, 44. Frictional contact between the arm assembly 12 and furniture member 10 minimizes lateral displacement of the arm assembly 12 with respect to a rear portion of furniture member 10. Use of a second one of the first connection member 28 or the second connection member 30 on either of the right or left hand sides of furniture member 10 is therefore not necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, and again to FIG. 1, attachment member 26 can be made from a metal material including steel, a polymeric material, or wood. According to several embodiments attachment member 26 is provided as a substantially rectangular shaped metal tube having a total length “H” which is predetermined to ensure that a spacing dimension “J” between each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 provides a controlled clearance of the first and second connection members 28, 30 from furniture member 10 following installation of attachment member 26. Attachment member 26 can be connected to furniture member 10 using fasteners (not shown) inserted through each of a first and a second mounting aperture 82, 84 which are positioned to align with frame structure of support frame 16.

First and second caps 86, 88 can be inserted into free ends of each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 at the discretion of the manufacturer. First and second caps 86, 88 can be made from a material such as a polymeric material to decrease the friction during installation of the arm assemblies 12 onto the first and second connection members 28, 30. First and second connection members 28, 30 can be connected to attachment member 26 by inserting an insertion end 90, 90′ of each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 into individual ones of a first mounting cavity 92 or a second mounting cavity 94. A fixed connection between first or second connection members 28, 30 and attachment member 26 is created for example by welding. To provide for the welded connection, the material used for each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 is therefore a metal such as steel. First and second connection members 28, 30 are preferably, but not limited in form to a circular tube to reduce friction when first and second connection members 28, 30 are inserted in arm assemblies 12. Both the first and second connection members 28, 30 are oriented at an angle α with respect to attachment member 26. According to several embodiments angle α is 90 degrees. When assembly of attachment member 26 is complete, a height “K” is maintained for both first and second connection members 28, 30 which is less than a length of the first and second connection member receiving cavities 42, 44.

Referring to FIG. 6, a furniture member assembly 96 includes a furniture member 10 having both first and second arm assemblies 12, 12′, with first arm assembly 12 defining a right hand assembly and second arm assembly 12′ defining a left hand assembly (with respect to an occupant of the furniture member assembly 96). Portions of upholstery cover 49, 49′ of first and second arm assemblies 12, 12′ are removed in FIG. 6 to more clearly show the frame members within. Furniture member assembly 96 can be supported on a floor surface 98 using front support feet 24, 24′ (visible) and rear support feet 22, 22′ (not visible in this view) in contact with floor surface 98. First arm assembly 12 is shown in a connected position having first connection member 28 fully engaged within first U-shaped bracket 40 and in contact with frame wall 80. Upholstery cover 49 can be in direct contact with first upholstered side 34 of furniture member 10 and a clearance is preferably provided between first backrest upholstered side 38 and first upholstered side 34. Second U-shaped bracket 44 of first arm assembly 12 and first U-shaped bracket 40 of second arm assembly 12′ are not engaged with a first or second connection member 28, 30 in furniture member assembly 96.

The second arm assembly 12′ is shown during installation to furniture member 10. Each of the arm assemblies 12, 12′ are similarly installed. In the example shown in FIG. 6, arm assembly 12′ is installed by initially positioning arm assembly 12′ above the floor surface 98 and co-axially aligning the second connection member receiving cavity 46 of second U-shaped bracket 44 with the longitudinal axis 54′ of second connection member 30. The arm assembly 12′ is then lowered in a substantially vertically downward direction “L” until arm legs such as forward arm legs 60, 60′ (rear arm legs 58, 58′ are not visible in this view) contact the floor surface 98. Upholstery cover 49′ can directly contact second backrest upholstered side 39 to minimize subsequent movement of arm assembly 12′ with respect to furniture member 10. Each of the first and second connection members 28, 30 are spaced at a spacing dimension “M” from either the first or second upholstered side 34, 36 respectively so that frictional contact between the first and second arm assemblies 12, 12′ and the furniture member 10 is created.

Referring to FIG. 7, several configurations of furniture member assemblies are shown. The type and quantity of furniture member assemblies of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to those shown in FIG. 7. Furniture member assembly 96 as previously noted includes a single furniture member 10 having first and second arm assemblies 12, 12′. A furniture member assembly 100 includes first and second furniture members 10, 10′ having a right hand positioned arm assembly 12, a left hand positioned arm assembly 12′, and a modified arm assembly 102 positioned between first and second furniture members 10, 10′. Modified arm assembly 102 can be shaped similar to a wedge, differs from arm assemblies 12, 12′ only in geometry, and is otherwise interchangeable with arm assemblies 12, 12′. To create the wedge shape, a forward end 104 of modified arm assembly 102 is narrower than a rear end 106.

A furniture member assembly 108 includes first, second, and third furniture members 10, 10′, 10″. Furniture member assembly 108 further includes a right hand positioned arm assembly 12, a left hand positioned arm assembly 12′, a modified arm assembly 102 positioned between first and second furniture members 10, 10′, and a second modified arm assembly 102′ positioned between second and third furniture members 10′, 10″. A furniture member assembly 110 includes first, second, third, and fourth furniture members 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″. Furniture member assembly 110 further includes a right hand positioned arm assembly 12, a left hand positioned arm assembly 12′, a modified arm assembly 102 positioned between first and second furniture members 10, 10′, a second modified arm assembly 102′ positioned between third and fourth furniture members 10″, 10′″, and an arm assembly 12″ positioned between second and third furniture members 10′, 10″. It should be evident that multiple further perturbations of furniture member assemblies can be created using the arm assemblies or modified arm assemblies of the present disclosure, and with different furniture member designs such as loveseats, sofas, non-reclining chairs, and the like.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly, comprising:

a furniture member including: a support frame supporting an occupant seat portion; an attachment member connected to the support frame; and a connection member fixed to the attachment member and positioned outward of one of a right hand and a left hand side of the occupant seat portion and the support frame; and

an arm assembly including: an arm assembly frame; and at least one bracket connected to the arm assembly frame having a connection member receiving cavity adapted to slidably receive the connection member when the arm assembly abuts the furniture member.

2. The arm attachment system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket includes:

opposed first and second bracket legs creating first and second boundary walls defining the connection member receiving cavity;

first and second bracket wings integrally and individually connected to one of the first and second bracket legs, the first and second bracket wings oriented substantially transverse to the first and second bracket legs; and

a connecting portion integrally connecting the first bracket leg to the second bracket leg.

3. The arm attachment system of claim 2, further comprising:

a side frame member having a frame wall connected to the side frame member;

wherein the first and second bracket legs and the connecting portion are fixedly connected to an interior facing frame wall surface of the frame wall; and

wherein the first and second bracket wings are fixedly connected to an interior facing frame surface of the frame wall.

4. The arm attachment system of claim 3, wherein the frame wall defines a third boundary wall of the connection member receiving cavity.

5. The arm attachment system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket includes opposed first and second bracket legs having the connection member receiving cavity positioned between the first and second bracket legs.

6. The arm attachment system of claim 5, the first and second bracket legs are fixedly connected to an interior facing surface of the support frame.

7. The arm attachment system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bracket includes first and second U-shaped brackets each including opposed first and second bracket legs having the connection member receiving cavity positioned between the first and second bracket legs.

8. The arm attachment system of claim 1, wherein the connection member extends vertically upward from the attachment member.

9. The arm attachment system of claim 1, including an assembled condition of the furniture assembly having the connection member received within the connection member receiving cavity by a downward directed motion of the arm assembly onto the connection member to releasably couple the arm assembly to the furniture member.

10. The arm attachment system of claim 1, wherein the arm assembly includes:

an upholstery cover; and

an alignment seam axially aligned with the connection member receiving cavity to assist with visual alignment of the connection member receiving cavity with the connection member.

11. An arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly, comprising:

a furniture member including: a support frame; an attachment member connected to the support frame; and first and second connection members individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member each extending vertically upward from the attachment member and individually positioned outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the furniture member; and

identically configured first and second arm assemblies each including first and second brackets each having a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly and adapted to slidably receive one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the first and second arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member.

12. The arm attachment system of claim 11, wherein each arm assembly includes an arm assembly frame having first and second side frame members, the first and second brackets being individually connected to one of the first and second side frame members.

13. The arm attachment system of claim 11, wherein the attachment member is a metal tube having first and second mounting apertures at opposed ends individually adapted to receive a connecting portion of one of the first and second connection members.

14. The arm attachment system of claim 11, wherein the first and second connection members are each a metal tube adapted to be fixedly connected by a weld to the attachment member.

15. The arm attachment system of claim 11, further including a cap connected to a free end of each of the first and second connection members, the cap being made of a polymeric material.

16. The arm attachment system of claim 11, wherein a first spacing of the first connection member from the right hand side of the furniture member equals a second spacing of the second connection member from the left hand side of the furniture member, and wherein the first and second arm assemblies each include first and second legs.

17. The arm attachment system of claim 11, wherein the first and second arm assemblies each include:

an upholstery cover; and

opposed first and second alignment seams each axially aligned with the connection member receiving cavity of one of the first and second brackets to assist with visual alignment of the connection member receiving cavity with the connection member.

18. The arm attachment system of claim 11, wherein:

the first connection member is received in the connection member receiving cavity of the first bracket when the first arm assembly is positioned at the right hand side of the furniture member; and

the second connection member is received in the connection member receiving cavity of the second bracket when the second arm assembly is positioned at the left hand side of the furniture member.

19. An arm attachment system for a furniture member assembly, comprising:

at least first and second furniture members, each including: a support frame supporting an occupant seat portion; an attachment member connected to the support frame; and first and second connection members individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member and each extending vertically upward from the attachment member and individually positioned outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the occupant seat portion and support frame; and

at least first, second, and third identically configured arm assemblies each including: an arm assembly frame having first and second side frame members; and first and second brackets individually connected to one of the first and second side frame members and each having a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly and adapted to slidably receive one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the at least first, second, and third arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the first or second furniture members, having one of the at least first, second, and third arm assemblies connecting proximate ones of the at least first and second furniture members.

20. The arm attachment system of claim 19, further including a modified arm assembly defining a different geometric shape than a shape of the at least first, second, and third arm assemblies.

21. The arm attachment system of claim 20, wherein the different geometric shape comprises a wedge shape.

22. The arm attachment system of claim 19, wherein a first spacing of the first connection member from the right hand side of the furniture member equals a second spacing of the second connection member from the left hand side of the furniture member.

23. A method for connecting arms to a furniture member, the furniture member including a support frame, an attachment member connected to the support frame, and first and second connection members individually fixed at opposing ends of the attachment member, and the arms including identically configured first and second arm assemblies each having first and second brackets each including a connection member receiving cavity opening downwardly, the method comprising:

orienting the first and second connection members vertically upward from the attachment member;

individually positioning the first and second connection members outward of one of a right hand side and a left hand side of the furniture member; and

positioning each of the first and second arms to enclose one of the first or second connection members upwardly into the connection member receiving cavity such that the first and second arm assemblies can be interchangeably connected at either a right hand side or a left hand side of the furniture member.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising enclosing the first connection member in the connection member receiving cavity of the first bracket when the first arm assembly is positioned at the right hand side of the furniture member.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising enclosing the second connection member in the connection member receiving cavity of the second bracket when the second arm assembly is positioned at the left hand side of the furniture member.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

covering each of a first and second arm with an upholstery cover; and

creating opposed first and second alignment seams in each of the first and second arms, the first and second alignment seams each axially aligned with the connection member receiving cavity of one of the first and second brackets to assist with visual alignment of the connection member receiving cavity with the connection member.