MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY WITH LOCKING MECHANISM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY
A modular furniture assembly a first strut assembly, a second strut assembly, and a connector. The first strut assembly includes a first strut, a first strut end fitting, and a first locking member. The second strut assembly includes a second strut, a second strut end fitting, and a second locking member. The connector includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle. The first receptacle is configured to accommodate protruding portions of the first strut end fitting. The second receptacle is configured to accommodate protruding portions of the second strut end fitting. The first locking member is configured to interface with the first strut end fitting and couple with the connector to secure the first strut to the connector. The second locking member is configured to interface with the second strut end fitting and couple with the connector to secure the second strut to the connector.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/795,191, filed on Jan. 22, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUNDSome existing furniture items are sold and delivered in a configuration that requires some amount of final assembly. Such a some-assembly-required configuration typically provides benefits such as reduced cost of production, reduced storage cost, and reduced shipping cost.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates to modular furniture items and related methods of assembly. In many embodiments, a modular furniture item includes modular components that are configured to be interconnected during final assembly of the modular furniture item. In many embodiments, the modular components include structural struts, strut end fittings, connectors, and locking members. Each of the strut end fittings can be connected to an end of one of the structural struts. Each of the connectors can have any suitable number of receptacles (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more). Any suitable number of the receptacles (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more) of each of the connectors can be configured to accommodate and interface with one of the end fittings. Each of any suitable number of the locking members can be configured to be interfaced with one of the strut end fittings and coupled with one of the connectors to fixedly secure the strut end fitting in the receptacle, thereby fixedly securing the strut (to which the strut end fitting) is attached to the connector. The modular components and related methods of assembly can be employed in any suitable furniture item or structural assembly, including, but not limited to, tables, chairs, bookcases, canopy supports, and the like.
Thus, in one aspect, a modular furniture assembly includes a first strut, a first strut first end fitting, a second strut, a second strut first end fitting, a connector, a first locking member, and a second locking member. The first strut has a first strut first end portion and a first strut second end portion disposed opposite to the first strut first end portion. The first strut is elongated along a first strut axis that extends through the first strut first end portion and the first strut second end portion. The first strut first end fitting is attached to the first strut first end portion. The first strut first end fitting includes protruding portions that extend transverse to the first strut axis to beyond an outer surface of the first strut first end portion. The second strut has a second strut first end portion and a second strut second end portion disposed opposite to the second strut first end portion. The second strut is elongated along a second strut axis that extends through the second strut first end portion and the second strut second end portion. The second strut first end fitting is attached to the second strut first end portion. The second strut first end fitting includes protruding portions that extend transverse to the second strut axis to beyond an outer surface of the second strut first end portion. The connector includes a first receptacle and a second receptacle. The first receptacle is configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting into the first receptacle. The second receptacle is configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting into the second receptacle. The first locking member has a central passage through which at least one of the first strut first end portion and the first strut first end fitting extends. The first locking member is configured to interface with the first strut end fitting and be coupled to the connector so as to clamp the protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the first receptacle to fixedly secure the first strut to the connector. The second locking member has a central passage through which at least one of the second strut first end portion and the second strut first end fitting extends. The second locking member is configured to interface with the second strut first end fitting and be coupled to the connector so as to clamp the protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the second receptacle to fixedly secure the second strut to the connector.
The first locking member and the second locking member can have any suitable configuration for coupling with the connector. In some embodiments, the first locking member is coupled with the connector via a first threaded connection. For example, the first threaded connection can be formed via the first locking member having male threads that are interfaced with female threads formed within the first receptacle. The first threaded connection can have a first pitch diameter. The protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting can extend transverse to the first strut axis to beyond the first pitch diameter. Likewise, in some embodiments, the second locking member is coupled with the connector via a second threaded connection. The second threaded connection can be formed via the second locking member having male threads that are interfaced with female threads formed within the second receptacle. The second threaded connection can have a second pitch diameter. In many embodiments, the second pitch diameter is the same as the first pitch diameter. The protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting can extend transverse to the second strut axis to beyond the second pitch diameter.
The first strut first end fitting, the first strut first end portion, the second strut first end fitting, and the second strut first end portion can have any suitable configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the first strut first end fitting is attached to the first strut first end portion via a threaded connection. Likewise, in some embodiments, the second strut first end fitting is attached to the second strut first end portion via a threaded connection. In some embodiments, the first strut first end fitting is attached to the first strut first end portion via a riveted connection. Likewise, in some embodiments, the second strut first end fitting is attached to the second strut first end portion via a riveted connection.
The first locking member and the second locking member can have any suitable configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the first locking member includes a first locking member sleeve portion and a first locking member flanged portion attached to an end of the first locking member sleeve portion. The first locking member sleeve portion can have a first locking member sleeve end surface configured to clamp the protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting to the interfacing surface of the first receptacle. In some embodiments, the first locking member flanged portion is configured to be disposed outside of the first receptacle when the protruding portions of the first strut end fitting are clamped to the interfacing surface of the first receptacle to be accessible for rotation of the first locking member flanged portion relative to the connector. Likewise, in some embodiments, the second locking member includes a second locking member sleeve portion and a second locking member flanged portion attached to an end of the second locking member sleeve portion. The second locking member sleeve portion can have a second locking member sleeve end surface configured to clamp the protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting to the interfacing surface of the second receptacle. In some embodiments, the second locking member flanged portion is configured to be disposed outside of the second receptacle when the protruding portions of the second strut end fitting are clamped to the interfacing surface of the second receptacle to be accessible for rotation of the second locking member flanged portion relative to the connector. The first locking member flanged portion can include radially protruding portions that are circumferentially spaced. Likewise, the second locking member flanged portion can include radially protruding portions that are circumferentially spaced.
The modular furniture assembly can include any suitable number of panels. For example, in some embodiments, the modular furniture assembly includes a panel having a first elongated edge portion and a second elongated edge portion. In some embodiments, the first strut has an elongated first strut receptacle shaped to receive and interface with the first elongated edge portion and/or the second strut has an elongated second strut receptacle shaped to receive and interface with the second elongated edge portion.
The connector can have any suitable exterior shape. For example, in some embodiments, the connector includes a spherical exterior surface. In some embodiments, the connector has a cubicle exterior shape.
The modular furniture assembly can include any suitable additional number of struts, strut end fittings, locking members, and/or connectors. For example, the modular furniture assembly can include a third strut, a third strut first end fitting, and a third locking member. The third strut can have a third strut first end portion and a third strut second end portion disposed opposite to the third strut first end portion. The third strut can be elongated along a third strut axis that extends through the third strut first end portion and the third strut second end portion. The third strut first end fitting can be attached to the third strut first end portion. The third strut first end fitting can include protruding portions that extend transverse to the third strut axis to beyond an outer surface of the third strut first end portion. The third locking member can have a central passage through which at least one of the third strut first end portion and the third strut first end fitting extends. The connector can include a third receptacle configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the third strut first end fitting into the third receptacle. The third locking member can be configured to interface with the third strut first end fitting and be coupled to the connector so as clamp the protruding portions of the third strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the third receptacle to fixedly secure the third strut to the connector.
The modular furniture assembly can include any suitable number of terminal support fittings. For example, the modular furniture assembly can include a terminal support fitting configured to attach to a furniture member of the modular furniture assembly. The connector can include a receptacle via which the terminal support fitting is attachable to the connector. For example, the furniture member can include a glass table top member. In some embodiments, the terminal support fitting includes a suction cup configured to interface with the glass table top. As another example, the modular furniture assembly can include a suitable number of terminal support fittings configured as floor support fittings, which can include a suitable floor support member such as a rubber foot pad or other suitable member configured to interface with a support surface (e.g., floor, table top, and the like) by which the modular furniture assembly is supported.
In another aspect, a method of fabricating a furniture assembly includes inserting a first strut into a central passage of a first locking member. A first strut first end fitting is attached to a first strut first end portion of the first strut. The first strut first end fitting is inserted into a first receptacle of a connector. The first locking member is coupled to the connector so as to clamp protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the first receptacle to fixedly secure the first strut to the connector.
Any suitable approach can be used to couple the first locking member to the connector. For example, in some embodiments, coupling the first locking member to the connector includes engaging a male thread of the first locking member with a female thread of the connector that defines a portion of the first receptacle.
In many embodiments, the method includes coupling one or more additional struts to the connector. For example, the method can include: (1) inserting a second strut into a central passage of a second locking member, (2) attaching a second strut first end fitting to a second strut first end portion of the second strut, (3) inserting the second strut first end fitting into a second receptacle of the connector, and (4) coupling the second locking member to the connector so as to clamp protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the second receptacle to fixedly secure the second strut to the connector. The method can further include: (1) inserting a third strut into a central passage of a third locking member, (2) attaching a third strut first end fitting to a third strut first end portion of the third strut, (3) inserting the third strut first end fitting into a third receptacle of the connector, and (4) coupling the third locking member to the connector so as to clamp protruding portions of the third strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the third receptacle to fixedly secure the third strut to the connector.
In many embodiments of the method, the furniture assembly is fabricated to include one or more panels. For example, in some embodiments, the method includes: (1) coupling a first panel to the first strut by inserting a first elongated edge portion of the first panel into an elongated first strut receptacle of the first strut, and/or (2) coupling the first panel to the second strut by inserting a second elongated edge portion of the first panel into an elongated second strut receptacle of the second strut.
In many embodiments of the method, the furniture assembly is fabricated to include one or more terminal support fittings. For example, in some embodiments, the method includes attaching a terminal support fitting to the connector via a receptacle of the connector. In some embodiments, the method includes attaching a furniture member to the terminal support fitting. In some embodiments, the terminal support fitting is configured to interface with a support surface, such as a floor or table top.
In another aspect, a locking mechanism includes an end fitting, a connector, and a locking member. The end fitting is configured to couple with a structural member. The end fitting includes protruding portions. The connector includes a receptacle configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the end fitting into the receptacle and to restrain rotation of the end fitting within the receptacle. The locking member has a central passage configured to accommodate and interface with the structural member. The locking member is configured to be coupled to the connector so as clamp the protruding portions of the end fitting to an interfacing surface of the receptacle to fixedly secure the end fitting to the connector.
In some embodiments, each of any suitable number of the strut end fittings is connectable to a respective strut via a threaded connection. For example, the strut end fitting can have a male threaded portion and the strut can have a complementary female threaded portion configured for coupling with the male threaded portion of the end fitting. Alternatively, the strut can have a male threaded end portion and the strut end fitting can have a complementary female threaded portion configured for coupling with the male threaded portion of the strut.
In many embodiments, each of any suitable number of the end fittings has a suitable number of distally disposed protruding portions configured to be received within a receptacle of a connector and be clamped into engagement with a surface of the receptacle via a locking member coupled with the connector. The distally protruding portions can extend transverse to an elongate axis of a strut when the end fitting is connected to the strut. In some embodiments described herein, the distally protruding portions form a cross shape. In many embodiments, the receptacle has a complimentary shape to that of the distal end of the end fitting to receive an interface with the distally protruding portions of the end fitting. In many embodiments, the distally protruding portions of the end fitting and the receptacle of the connector are shaped to prevent the strut and the end fitting from rotating freely within the receptacle.
Any suitable approach can be used to couple an end fitting with a strut. For example, an end fitting can be coupled with a strut via a riveted connection or threaded fastener inserted through an opening in the side of the strut. The end fitting can be inserted into a receptacle in an end of the strut, and the rivet or threaded fastener can be installed in a hole extending radially into or through the end fitting and one or more sides of the strut to fixedly retain the end fitting in the receptacle in the end of the strut. Each of one or more holes in the strut can have a countersink to accommodate a countersink head of a rivet or a fastener so that the rivet or fastener lies flush with or below the outer surface of the strut, so that a locking member can pass freely over the opening.
In some embodiments, a locking member has a sleeve portion and a flanged portion. The sleeve portion can have male threads that mate with a female threaded portion of the receptacle. The flanged portion can have any suitable configuration to enhance the ability of an assembler to rotate the locking member relative to the connector during coupling/decoupling of the locking member to/from the connector. For example, in some embodiments, the locking member has circumferentially-spaced protrusions that allow the assembler of the modular furniture item to easily grasp the locking member and rotate the locking member relative to the connector. In embodiments where the locking member is coupled to the connector via a threaded connection, the end of the strut can be passed through a central passage of the locking member prior to connection of an end fitting to the strut. The protruding portions of the end fitting can then be inserted into the receptacle and the locking member coupled with the connector to clamp the end fitting to the connector, thereby fixedly securing the strut to the connector. A locking member can also be used to fixedly connect any other suitable member to the connector, including, for example, a suitable terminal fitting.
In many embodiments, a modular furniture item includes struts, connectors, locking members, end fittings, and terminal support fittings. The terminal support fittings can include floor support fittings that have rubber pads configured to interface with a suitable horizontal support surface. The terminal support fittings can also include table top interface fittings, each of which can include a suction cup for attachment to a table top panel to couple the table top panel to the connector via the table top interface fitting. The struts, connectors, locking members, and end fittings can be combined to form a frame of the modular furniture item. The frame of the modular furniture item can be formed into any suitable shape. For example, in some embodiments, the frame of the modular furniture item can have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In some embodiments, any suitable number of the connectors can have any suitable number of receptacles oriented and/or positioned so as to produce a suitable desired relative orientation and/or relative position between two struts connected to the connector, including being perpendicular, non-perpendicular, parallel, and/or offset by any suitable distance.
In some embodiments, any suitable number of the connectors can have a spherical outer surface, such that the connector resembles a ball. A connector, including but not limited to a connector having a spherical outer surface, can have receptacles positioned and oriented such that the orientation of each of the struts coupled to that connector has any suitable relative position and orientation relative to the other struts connected to the connector. Accordingly, the connectors as described herein can be configured to connect struts in a wide variety of relative strut orientations and/or positions.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings.
In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
Modular assemblies described herein can be employed in a variety of furniture items that can be readily assembled. In many embodiments, the furniture item can be disassembled, reconfigured, and reassembled quickly and easily as the desires and needs of the user change. Improvements in materials and manufacturing techniques, including injection molding, 3D printing, and other additive manufacturing techniques, allow for a wide selection of materials for the construction of the modular components of embodiments described herein.
Turning now to the drawing figures in which similar reference identifiers are used to designate similar elements,
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the vertically oriented strut assemblies 104 have the same first length, each of the first set of horizontally oriented strut assemblies 106 have the same second length, and each of the second set of horizontally oriented strut assemblies 108 have the same third length. In the illustrated embodiment, the second set of horizontally oriented strut assemblies 108 have a third length that is somewhat longer than the first length of the vertically oriented strut assemblies 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the first set of horizontally oriented strut assemblies 106 have a second length that is substantially longer than the third length of the second set of horizontally oriented strut assemblies 108. The strut assemblies 104, 106, 108, however, can have any suitable lengths. For example, the second set of horizontally oriented strut assemblies 108 can have the same length as the vertically oriented strut assemblies 104, such that the frame structure 118 has a square end profile. The respective lengths of the strut assemblies 104, 106, 108 can be selected so that the frame structure 118 can have any suitable length, width, and height.
The table top panel 110 can have any suitable configuration and be fabricated from any suitable material. For example, the table top panel 110 can include a glass panel, a wood panel, a plastic panel, or a metal panel. The table top panel 110 can have a bottom surface that is substantially non-porous such that a suction cup, such as in the table top connection fitting 112 described herein, can couple to the bottom surface.
In many embodiments, each of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S is an elongated structural member. Each of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S can have any suitable cross-sectional shape that can be accommodated within the central passage 126 of the locking member 124. For example, each of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S can have a substantially circular cross section. In other embodiments, the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S can have a square cross section, an elliptical cross section, a rectangular cross section, or other shaped cross section. The struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S can be solid, tubular, or have portions that are solid and other portions that are hollow or tubular as suitable for any particular modular furniture assembly. The struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S can have any length suitable for any particular modular furniture assembly. As described herein, the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S can have an elongated channel adapted to receive an elongated edge of a panel to constrain and support the panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the central passage 126 has a cylindrical inner surface sized to slidingly receive any one of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S. Each of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S has two end portions 128, which are disposed on opposite ends of the strut. The strut end fitting 122 is configured for attachment to any one of the end portions 128. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the struts in a modular furniture assembly can be selected to satisfy design requirements of the modular furniture assembly while still retaining modularity, including load capacities, weight, and material cost. For example, some struts could be selected to be aluminum where additional strength is required while other struts could be selected to be a plastic to reduce material costs where additional strength is not required.
The strut end fitting 122 has a strut coupling portion 136 and a connector coupling portion 138. The strut coupling portion 136 is configured to couple with an end portion 128 of any of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S. The strut coupling portion 136 and the end portions 128 of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S can have any suitable complementary features for attachment of the coupling portion 136 to the end portion 128. For example, in some embodiments, the strut coupling portion 136 and the end portions 128 of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S are configured for interconnection via a threaded connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the strut coupling portion 136 has a male threaded segment and the end portion 128 has a complementarily configured female threaded segment for coupling with the male threaded segment of the strut coupling portion 136. As another example, the strut end fitting 122 can be coupled with the end portion 128 via a riveted connection or a threaded fastener, such that the rivet or threaded fastener is engaged with the strut end fitting 122 and a side wall of the end portion 128. In such embodiments, the sidewall of the end portion 128 can have a countersunk fastener hole to accommodate a countersunk fastener that does not extend beyond the outer surface of the end portion 128. The connector coupling portion 138 of the strut end fitting 122 includes features that protrude transverse to the elongate direction of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S to beyond the outer surface of the end portion 128 of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector coupling portion 138 has four protruding tabs that protrude transverse to the elongate direction of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S and form a cross oriented transverse to the elongate axis of the struts 104-S, 106-S, 108-S. In other embodiments, the connector coupling portion 138 has one, two, three, or more than four protruding tabs. In many embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the connector coupling portion 138 substantially matches a corresponding cross-sectional shape of each of the receptacles 116 of a connector 102 to accommodate insertion of the connector coupling portion 138 into the receptacle 116 and to prevent any significant rotation of the strut end fitting 122 around the elongate axis of the strut 104-S, 106-S, 108-S relative to the connector 102 when the connector coupling portion 138 is disposed within the receptacle 116.
The connectors 102, the strut end fittings 122, and/or the locking members 124 can be fabricated using any suitable approach. For example, the connectors 102, strut end fittings 122, and/or the locking members 124 can be fabricated via injection molding and/or three-dimensional printing. In addition, the connectors 102, the strut end fittings 122, and/or the locking members 124 can be fabricated using other approaches such as casting, machining, or other approaches using suitable materials.
The table top connection fitting 112 includes a strut locking member 124 and a suction cup assembly 130. The suction cup assembly 130 has a suction cup portion 132 and a stem portion 134 configured to be received within the central passage 126 of the strut locking member 124 so as to retain the suction cup assembly 130 to the strut locking member 124 against inadvertent separation of the suction cup assembly 130 from the strut locking member 124. The stem portion 134 can have any suitable configuration to enable coupling the suction cup assembly 130, and retention of the suction cup assembly 130, to the strut locking member 124. For example, the stem portion 134 can have a cylindrical outer surface having a diameter selected to be received by the central passage 126 of the strut locking member 124, and produce a suitable fit between the stem portion 134 and the strut locking member 124, such as a suitable minimal clearance fit up to a suitable maximum interference fit that accommodates the ability for an assembler to press-fit the stem portion 134 into the central passage 126 by hand.
Each of the locking members 124 has a sleeve portion 144 and a collar portion 146. The sleeve portion 144 has a male threaded segment configured for threaded connection to the female threaded segments 142 of the receptacle 116. In many embodiments, the collar portion 146 is configured for grasping by an assembler of the modular table 100 to enable the assembler to rotate the locking member 124 relative to the connector 102 to engage the male threaded segment of the sleeve portion 144 with the female threaded segments 142 during coupling of the locking member 124 to one of the connectors 102.
Each of the receptacles 116 is partially defined by the annularly distributed separate female threaded segments 142, which are separated from each other by intervening non-threaded portions 158 of the receptacle 116 that accommodate the protruding tabs of the connector coupling portion 138. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the intervening non-threaded portions 158 extend radially beyond a pitch diameter of the female threaded segments 142.
The connector 102 can have any suitable number of the receptacles 116. Each of the receptacles 116 can have any suitable position and orientation relative to the other receptacles 116 of the connector 102. For example, the connector 102 can have one or more of the receptacles 116 that are positioned and oriented such that at least some strut assemblies connected to the connector 102 via the receptacles 116 have a relative orientation that is non-orthogonal.
Since the struts have two ends, it is possible in some embodiments for the method 400 to be applied only with regard to at least one of the strut ends. For example, the strut end fitting for a first end portion of a strut may be attached prior to the strut being inserted into the central passage of either a first or second locking member, since the strut can be inserted through each of the strut locking member 124 from a second end portion of the strut. Additionally, the first end portion and attached first strut end fitting may be inserted into a receptacle of a connector prior to inserting the second end portion into either the first or second strut locking member 124. The method 400 can then proceed as illustrated in
Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
Claims
1. A modular furniture assembly comprising:
- a first strut having a first strut first end portion and a first strut second end portion disposed opposite to the first strut first end portion, the first strut being elongated along a first strut axis that extends through the first strut first end portion and the first strut second end portion;
- a first strut first end fitting attached to the first strut first end portion, the first strut first end fitting comprising protruding portions that extend transverse to the first strut axis to beyond an outer surface of the first strut first end portion;
- a second strut having a second strut first end portion and a second strut second end portion disposed opposite to the second strut first end portion, the second strut being elongated along a second strut axis that extends through the second strut first end portion and the second strut second end portion;
- a second strut first end fitting attached to the second strut first end portion, the second strut first end fitting comprising protruding portions that extend transverse to the second strut axis to beyond an outer surface of the second strut first end portion;
- a connector comprising a first receptacle and a second receptacle, the first receptacle being configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting into the first receptacle, the second receptacle being configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting into the second receptacle;
- a first locking member having a central passage through which at least one of the first strut first end portion and the first strut first end fitting extends, the first locking member being configured to interface with the first strut first end fitting and be coupled to the connector so as to clamp the protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the first receptacle to fixedly secure the first strut to the connector; and
- a second locking member having a central passage through which at least one of the second strut first end portion and the second strut first end fitting extends, the second locking member being configured to interface with the second strut first end fitting and be coupled to the connector so as to clamp the protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the second receptacle to fixedly secure the second strut to the connector.
2. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- the first locking member is coupled with the connector via a first threaded connection; and
- the second locking member is coupled with the connector via a second threaded connection.
3. The modular furniture assembly of claim 2, wherein:
- the first threaded connection is disposed within the first receptacle; and
- the second threaded connection is disposed within the second receptacle.
4. The modular furniture assembly of claim 3, wherein:
- the first threaded connection has a first pitch diameter;
- the protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting extend transverse to the first strut axis to beyond the first pitch diameter;
- the second threaded connection has a second pitch diameter; and
- the protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting extend transverse to the second strut axis to beyond the second pitch diameter.
5. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- the first strut first end fitting is attached to the first strut first end portion via a threaded connection; and
- the second strut first end fitting is attached to the second strut first end portion via a threaded connection.
6. The modular furniture assembly of claim 5, wherein:
- the first locking member comprises a first locking member sleeve portion and a first locking member flanged portion attached to an end of the first locking member sleeve portion;
- the first locking member sleeve portion has a first locking member sleeve end surface configured to clamp the protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting to the interfacing surface of the first receptacle;
- the first locking member flanged portion is configured to be disposed outside of the first receptacle when the protruding portions of the first strut end fitting are clamped to the interfacing surface of the first receptacle to be accessible for rotation of the first locking member flanged portion relative to the connector;
- the second locking member comprises a second locking member sleeve portion and a second locking member flanged portion attached to an end of the second locking member sleeve portion;
- the second locking member sleeve portion has a second locking member sleeve end surface configured to clamp the protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting to the interfacing surface of the second receptacle; and
- the second locking member flanged portion is configured to be disposed outside of the second receptacle when the protruding portions of the second strut end fitting are clamped to the interfacing surface of the second receptacle to be accessible for rotation of the second locking member flanged portion relative to the connector.
7. The modular furniture assembly of claim 6, wherein:
- the first locking member flanged portion comprises radially protruding portions that are circumferentially spaced; and
- the second locking member flanged portion comprises radially protruding portions that are circumferentially spaced.
8. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- the first strut first end fitting is attached to the first strut first end portion via a riveted connection; and
- the second strut first end fitting is attached to the second strut first end portion via a riveted connection.
9. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, further comprising a panel having a first elongated edge portion and a second elongated edge portion, and wherein:
- the first strut has an elongated first strut receptacle shaped to receive and interface with the first elongated edge portion; and
- the second strut has an elongated second strut receptacle shaped to receive and interface with the second elongated edge portion.
10. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a spherical exterior surface.
11. The modular furniture assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a third strut having a third strut first end portion and a third strut second end portion disposed opposite to the third strut first end portion, the third strut being elongated along a third strut axis that extends through the third strut first end portion and the third strut second end portion;
- a third strut first end fitting attached to the third strut first end portion, the third strut first end fitting comprising protruding portions that extend transverse to the third strut axis to beyond an outer surface of the third strut first end portion;
- a third locking member having a central passage through which at least one of the third strut first end portion and the third strut first end fitting extends,
- wherein the connector further comprises a third receptacle configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the third strut first end fitting into the third receptacle, and
- wherein the third locking member is configured to interface with the third strut first end fitting and be coupled to the connector so as clamp the protruding portions of the third strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the third receptacle to fixedly secure the third strut to the connector.
12. The modular furniture assembly of claim 11, further comprising a terminal support fitting configured to attach to a furniture member, and wherein the connector further comprises a fourth receptacle via which the terminal support fitting is attachable to the connector.
13. The modular furniture assembly of claim 12, wherein:
- the furniture member comprises a glass table top member; and
- the terminal support fitting comprises a suction cup configured to interface with the glass table top.
14. A method of fabricating a furniture assembly, the method comprising:
- inserting a first strut into a central passage of a first locking member;
- attaching a first strut first end fitting to a first strut first end portion of the first strut;
- inserting the first strut first end fitting into a first receptacle of a connector; and
- coupling the first locking member to the connector so as to clamp protruding portions of the first strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the first receptacle to fixedly secure the first strut to the connector.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein coupling the first locking member to the connector comprises engaging a male thread of the first locking member with a female thread of the connector that defines a portion of the first receptacle.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- inserting a second strut into a central passage of a second locking member;
- attaching a second strut first end fitting to a second strut first end portion of the second strut;
- inserting the second strut first end fitting into a second receptacle of the connector; and
- coupling the second locking member to the connector so as to clamp protruding portions of the second strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the second receptacle to fixedly secure the second strut to the connector.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- coupling a first panel to the first strut by inserting a first elongated edge portion of the first panel into an elongated first strut receptacle of the first strut; and
- coupling the first panel to the second strut by inserting a second elongated edge portion of the first panel into an elongated second strut receptacle of the second strut.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- inserting a third strut into a central passage of a third locking member;
- attaching a third strut first end fitting to a third strut first end portion of the third strut;
- inserting the third strut first end fitting into a third receptacle of the connector; and
- coupling the third locking member to the connector so as to clamp protruding portions of the third strut first end fitting to an interfacing surface of the third receptacle to fixedly secure the third strut to the connector.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
- attaching a terminal support fitting to the connector via a fourth receptacle of the connector; and
- attaching a furniture member to the terminal support fitting.
20. A locking mechanism comprising:
- an end fitting configured to couple with a structural member, the end fitting comprising protruding portions;
- a connector comprising a receptacle configured to accommodate insertion of the protruding portions of the end fitting into the receptacle and to restrain rotation of the end fitting within the receptacle; and
- a locking member having a central passage configured to interface with the structural member, the locking member being configured to be coupled to the connector so as clamp the protruding portions of the end fitting to an interfacing surface of the receptacle to fixedly secure the end fitting to the connector.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 18, 2019
Publication Date: Jul 23, 2020
Inventor: Lokendra Kumar (Union City, CA)
Application Number: 16/575,011