Abstract:
A corner unit for an article of sectional furniture. In an exemplary embodiment, the corner unit includes a frame having a plurality of frame members. The frame may include two internal frame members which are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. The internal frame members provide rigidity and strength to the frame without requiring other angled cuts and connections for the frame. The frame may also include a cover assembly which provides a seat and at least one storage compartment. The frame members may be interconnected by interlocking protrusions and cutout portions, as well as by threaded fasteners received in push-in connector elements which are held in recesses within the frame members.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Disclosure 
   The present disclosure relates generally to custom ordered furniture and the construction and packaging of such furniture for shipment and storage. More particularly, the disclosure relates to fully upholstered, ready-to-assemble furniture which may be custom ordered by a consumer, packaged by the seller for shipment to the consumer by a parcel delivery service, and then assembled by the consumer from the packaged components. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Ready-to-assemble furniture is furniture which is packaged for shipment and storage in disassembled form, with assembly to be done by the consumer or end user. Examples of existing ready-to-assemble non-upholstered furniture include bookcases, television stands, and simple chairs and benches. Mass merchandized, ready-to-assemble furniture is expected to be rather less expensive to the consumer than comparable pre-assembled furniture or to have distinctive functional features generally not available with its pre-assembled counterpart. 
   The genre of ready-to-assemble furniture packaged for mass merchandizing sale and home delivery has generally been limited to pieces of furniture which are utilitarian or hard-surfaced. As such, prior ready-to-assemble furniture does not satisfy the need for primary pieces of fully upholstered furniture which may be custom ordered by the consumer, and either delivered to the household of the consumer by a parcel delivery service, or taken home by the consumer from a retail location. 
   What is needed is ready-to-assemble furniture of high quality and stable construction which may be packaged in a compact, easily storable and transportable manner, for easy shipment via existing, non-particularized home delivery channels. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present disclosure provides a corner unit for an article of sectional furniture. In an exemplary embodiment, the corner unit includes a frame having a plurality of frame members. The frame may include two internal frame members which are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. The internal frame members provide rigidity and strength to the frame without requiring other angled cuts and connections for the frame. The frame may also include a cover assembly which provides a seat and at least one storage compartment. The frame members may be interconnected by interlocking protrusions and cutout portions, as well as by threaded fasteners received in push-in connector elements which are held in recesses within the frame members. 
   In one form thereof, the present disclosure provides a corner unit for an article of sectional furniture, including at least a first internal frame member and a second internal frame member disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to each other; at least a first sectional facing frame member and a second sectional facing frame member, said sectional facing frame members respectively connected to said first internal frame member and said second internal frame member; and a first backrest frame member and a second backrest frame member, said first and second backrest frame members at least partially defining a backrest, said first and second backrest frame members respectively connected to said first internal frame member and said second internal frame member. 
   In another form thereof, the present disclosure provides a corner unit for an article of sectional furniture, including a backrest portion; a seating portion; and at least a first internal frame member and a second internal frame member each defining at least a portion of said seating portion and said backrest portion, said first internal frame member and said second internal frame member disposed in overlapping relationship and substantially perpendicular with respect to each other. 
   In yet another form thereof, the present disclosure provides a corner unit for an article of sectional furniture, the corner unit including a sectional facing portion and a backrest portion, including a storage area defined by a plurality of interconnected frame members having upper edges; and a cover assembly supported by said upper edges, said cover assembly defining at least two diverging planar seating surfaces. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features of the disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary article of furniture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, shown as a sectional corner unit; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sectional sofa furniture unit incorporating the sectional corner unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the assembled frame of the sectional corner unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a view of a plurality of frame members of the frame of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is another view of a plurality of frame members of the frame of  FIG. 3 , showing the attachment of foot caps to the feet of the frame members; 
       FIG. 6  is a partially exploded view of a plurality of frame members of the frame of  FIG. 3 , showing the attachment of individual frame members according to the initial assembly steps; 
       FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 A,  9 B,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 A, and  18  are exploded partial perspective views of portions of the frame of  FIG. 3 , showing the attachment of individual frame members according to the assembly steps; and 
       FIG. 17B  is a top view of the portion of the frame of  FIG. 17A . 
   

   Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Except as described below, article of furniture  30  includes many features similar to the articles of furniture described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,557, entitled ARTICLE OF READY-TO-ASSEMBLE FURNITURE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,747, entitled FULLY UPHOLSTERED, READY-TO-ASSEMBLE ARTICLE OF FURNITURE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,058, entitled METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A FULLY UPHOLSTERED READY-TO-ASSEMBLE ARTICLE OF FURNITURE; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,446, entitled COMPRESSED UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE ASSEMBLY KIT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , article of furniture  30  is shown and may be formed as a sectional corner unit. Article of furniture  30  may be a portion of sectional sofa unit  31 , shown in  FIG. 2 , which may include other sectional units  64   a ,  64   b.    
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , article of furniture  30  may include frame  32  having a plurality of individual frame members  34  which are assembled together to form frame  32 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , frame members  34  generally may include lower front or sectional facing panels  34   a ,  34   b , upper front or sectional facing panels  34   c ,  34   d , lower intermediate panels  34   e ,  34   f , upper intermediate panels  34   g ,  34   h , lower rear panels  34   i ,  34   j , upper rear panels  34   k ,  34   l  ( FIG. 14 ), base panels  34   m  ( FIG. 9A ),  34   n  ( FIG. 9A ), backrest panels  34   o  ( FIG. 15 ),  34   p  ( FIG. 16 ), support panel  34   q  ( FIG. 17A ), and seat panels  34   r  ( FIG. 18 ),  34   s  ( FIG. 3 ). 
   Frame members  34  may also include projections  36  and cutout portions  38 , which are insertable into one another to connect adjacent frame members  34 . As shown with reference to upper front panel  34   c  in  FIG. 4 , for example, cutout portions  38  may include slots  38   a  and apertures  38   b . For securing adjacent frame members  34 , recesses  40  are provided and are adapted to receive push-in connector elements  42 . Frame members  34  may also include apertures  44  which receive fasteners  46  ( FIG. 7 , for example) cooperating with connector fastener holes  43  ( FIG. 5 , for example) of push-in connector elements  42 , as described below. As described in detail in the above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,058, push-in connector elements  42  may be formed of any suitable plastic and may receive fasteners  46  in connector fastener holes  43 . Push-in connector elements  42  provide secure connections between frame members  34  when a fastener  46  is inserted through aperture  44  in a frame member  34  and tapped or screwed into connector fastener hole  43  of push-in connector element  42 . Each frame member  34  may include number cutout  48 . The numbering of frame members  34  eases assembly of frame  32  by allowing individual frame members  34  to be identified and referred to in a set of printed assembly instructions, for example. Number cutouts  48  are unrelated to the reference numerals used in the present disclosure. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an initial step of the assembly process involves attaching foot caps to a selected portion of the frame members. Some frame members  34 , such as lower front panels  34   a ,  34   b  and lower intermediate panels  34   e ,  34   f , may include feet  50  which may each be covered by foot cap  52  which is pressed onto each foot  50 . Foot caps  52  engage a floor surface to prevent frame  32  from sliding thereon, and to prevent frame  32  from scratching the floor surface. Foot caps  52  also serve as a protective “boot” to protect feet  50  from water or moisture, and to protect feet  50  from contact with other objects which may cause feet  50  to dent, flake, or delaminate. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the next step of the assembly process involves constructing the front, or sectional facing, and intermediate panels of frame  32 . Each upper front panel  34   c ,  34   d  includes projection  36  and each lower front panel  34   a ,  34   b  includes slot  38   a . Upper front panel  34   c  and lower front panel  34   a  are interlocked together by inserting projection  36  of upper front panel  34   c  into slot  38   a  of lower front panel  34   a . Similarly, upper front panel  34   d  and lower front panel  34   b  are interlocked together by inserting projection  36  of upper front panel  34   d  into slot  38   a  of lower front panel  34   b . Each upper intermediate panel  34   g ,  34   h  includes projection  36  and each lower intermediate panel  34   e ,  34   f  includes slot  38   a . Upper intermediate panel  34   g  and lower intermediate panel  34   e  are interlocked together by inserting projection  36  of upper intermediate panel  34   g  into slot  38   a  of lower intermediate panel  34   e . Similarly, upper intermediate panel  34   h  and lower intermediate panel  34   f  are interlocked together by inserting projection  36  of upper intermediate panel  34   h  into slot  38   a  of lower intermediate panel  34   f.    
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking one of the front panels with one of the intermediate panels. Lower front panel  34   a  includes aperture  38   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e  includes projection  36 . Lower intermediate panel  34   e  is interlockingly connected to lower front panel  34   a  by inserting projection  36  of lower intermediate panel  34   e  into aperture  38   b  of lower front panel  34   a . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in lower front panel  34   a  and into connector fastener hole  43  ( FIG. 5 ) of push-in connector element  42  in lower intermediate panel  34   e.    
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking the two front panels. Lower front panel  34   a  includes slot  38   a  and projection  36  and lower front panel  34   b  includes slot  38   a  and projection  36 . Lower front panel  34   a  is interlockingly connected to lower front panel  34   b  by inserting projection  36  of lower front panel  34   a  into slot  38   a  of lower front panel  34   b  and by inserting projection  36  of lower front panel  34   b  into slot  38   a  of lower front panel  34   a . Fasteners  46  may be inserted through apertures  44  provided in each lower front panel  34   a ,  34   b  and into connector fastener holes  43  provided in respective push-in connector elements  42  in each lower front panel  34   b ,  34   a.    
   Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking the base panels to the front panels and one of the intermediate panels. Each lower front panel  34   a ,  34   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e  includes at least two apertures  38   b . Each base panel  34   m ,  34   n  includes a plurality of projections  36 . As shown in  FIG. 9B , lower front panel  34   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e  may be slightly moved away from each other while still maintaining the interlocking connections with lower front panel  34   a , such as to facilitate insertion of base panels  34   m ,  34   n . For example, lower front panel  34   b  is moved slightly in the general direction of arrow A in  FIG. 9B  and lower intermediate panel  34   e  is moved slightly in the general direction of arrow B in  FIG. 9B . Such movement of panels  34   b ,  34   e  provides a clearance for insertion of base panels  34   m ,  34   n , specifically, such movement of panels  34   b ,  34   e  allows passage of projections  36  of base panels  34   m ,  34   n  during movement of base panels  34   m ,  34   n  in the general direction of arrow C and insertion of projections  36  into corresponding apertures  38   b  in each lower front panel  34   a ,  34   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e.    
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking the other intermediate panel to the front panels and the first intermediate panel. Lower intermediate panel  34   e  includes slot  38   a . Lower front panel  34   b  includes slot  38   a  and aperture  44 . Lower intermediate panel  34   f  includes slot  38   a  and projection  36 . Lower intermediate panel  34   f  is interlockingly connected to lower intermediate panel  34   e  by interlocking slot  38   a  of lower intermediate panel  34   f  with slot  38   a  of lower intermediate panel  34   e  (i.e., slot  38   a  of intermediate panel  34   e  slides through slot  38   a  of lower intermediate panel  34   f , after which slot  38   a  of intermediate panel  34   e  engages lower intermediate panel  34   f  above slot  38   a  of lower intermediate panel  34   f  and slot  38   a  of intermediate panel  34   f  engages lower intermediate panel  34   e  below slot  38   a  of lower intermediate panel  34   e ) and by engaging projection  36  of lower intermediate panel  34   f  with slot  38   a  of lower front panel  34   b . A portion of lower intermediate panel  34   e  extends rearwardly, i.e., away from the sectional facing portions of frame  32 , of the interlocking connection with lower intermediate panel  34   f . Similarly, a portion of lower intermediate panel  34   f  extends rearwardly of the interlocking connection with lower intermediate panel  34   e . Such overlapping of lower intermediate panel  34   e  and lower intermediate panel  34   f  creates added stability for frame  32 . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  provided in lower front panel  34   b  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in lower intermediate panel  34   f.    
   The partially assembled frame  32  shown in  FIG. 10  is formed of four interlockingly engaged planar frame members  34  which are arranged at approximately 90° angles with respect to each other, i.e., lower front panel  34   a  forms an approximate 90° angle with lower front panel  34   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e , lower front panel  34   b  forms an approximate 90° angle with lower front panel  34   a  and lower intermediate panel  34   f , lower intermediate panel  34   f  forms an approximate 90° angle with lower front panel  34   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e , and lower intermediate panel  34   e  forms an approximate 90° angle with lower front panel  34   a  and lower intermediate panel  34   f . Advantageously, a 45° angled cut or intersection between these primary support frame members of frame  32  is not necessary; therefore, frame  32  is stronger and easier to assemble and manufacture than a frame requiring such frame members with 45° angled cuts and/or intersections. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking one of the lower rear panels to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Lower front panel  34   b  may include slot  38   a  and aperture  44 . Lower rear panel  34   i  may include projection  36  and aperture  44 . Lower rear panel  34   i  is interlockingly connected to lower front panel  34   b  by engaging projection  36  of lower rear panel  34   i  with slot  38   a  of lower front panel  34   b . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in lower rear panel  34   i  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in lower front panel  34   b . Similarly, fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in lower front panel  34   b  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in lower rear panel  34   i . Lower intermediate panel  34   e  may include projections  36  and lower rear panel  34   i  may include slots  38   a  and aperture  44 . Lower rear panel  34   i  is interlockingly connected to lower intermediate panel  34   e  by engaging projections  36  of lower intermediate panel  34   e  into slots  38   a  in lower rear panel  34   i . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in lower rear panel  34   i  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in lower intermediate panel  34   e.    
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking the other lower rear panel to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Lower rear panel  34   i  may include slot  38   a  and lower rear panel  34   j  may include projection  36  and apertures  44 . Lower rear panel  34   j  is interlockingly connected to lower rear panel  34   i  by engaging projection  36  of lower rear panel  34   j  into slot  38   a  of lower rear panel  34   i . Fasteners  46  may be inserted through apertures  44  in lower rear panel  34   j  and into connector fastener holes  43  in push-in connector elements  42  disposed in lower rear panel  34   i . Lower rear panel  34   j  may include at least two slots  38   a  and aperture  44  and lower intermediate panel  34   f  may include projections  36 . Lower rear panel  34   j  is interlockingly connected to lower intermediate panel  34   f  by engaging projections  36  of lower intermediate panel  34   f  into slots  38   a  of lower rear panel  34   j . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in lower rear panel  34   j  and into connector fastener hole  43  of push-in connector element  42  disposed in lower intermediate panel  34   f . Lower front panel  34   a  may include projections  36 , slot  38   a , and aperture  44  and lower rear panel  34   j  may include projection  36 , slots  38   a , and aperture  44 . Lower rear panel  34   j  is interlockingly connected to lower front panel  34   a  by engaging projections  36  of lower front panel  34   a  with slots  38   a  of lower rear panel  34   j  and by engaging projection  36  of lower rear panel  34   j  with slot  38   a  of lower front panel  34   a . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in lower rear panel  34   j  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in lower front panel  34   a . Similarly, fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in lower front panel  34   a  and into connector fastener hole  43  (not shown) in push-in connector element  42  disposed in lower rear panel  34   j.    
   Referring to  FIG. 13 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking one of the upper rear panels to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Upper front panel  34   d  may include projections  36  and slot  38   a  and upper rear panel  34   k  may include projection  36 , slots  38   a , and aperture  44 . Upper rear panel  34   k  is interlockingly connected to upper front panel  34   d  by engaging projections  36  of upper front panel  34   d  with slots  38   a  of upper rear panel  34   k  and by engaging projection  36  of upper rear panel  34   k  with slot  38   a  of upper front panel  34   d . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in upper rear panel  34   k  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in upper front panel  34   d . Upper intermediate panel  34   g  may include projections  36  and upper rear panel  34   k  may include slot  38   a , aperture  38   b , and aperture  44 . Upper rear panel  34   k  is interlockingly connected to upper intermediate panel  34   g  by engaging projections  36  of upper intermediate panel  34   g  with slot  38   a  and aperture  38   b  of upper rear panel  34   k . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in upper rear panel  34   k  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in upper intermediate panel  34   g.    
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking the other upper rear panel to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Upper front panel  34   c  may include projections  36  and slot  38   a  and upper rear panel  34   l  may include projection  36 , slots  38   a , and aperture  44 . Upper rear panel  34   l  is interlockingly connected to upper front panel  34   c  by engaging projections  36  of upper front panel  34   c  with slots  38   a  of upper rear panel  34   l  and by engaging projection  36  of upper rear panel  34   l  with slot  38   a  of upper front panel  34   c . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in upper rear panel  34   l  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in upper front panel  34   c . Upper intermediate panel  34   h  may include projections  36  and upper rear panel  34   l  may include slot  38   a , aperture  38   b , and aperture  44 . Upper rear panel  34   l  is interlockingly connected to upper intermediate panel  34   h  by engaging projections  36  of upper intermediate panel  34   h  with slot  38   a  and aperture  38   b  of upper rear panel  34   l . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in upper rear panel  34   l  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in upper intermediate panel  34   h . Upper rear panel  34   k  may include slot  38   a  and projection  36  and upper rear panel  34   l  may include projection  36 , slot  38   a , and aperture  44 . Upper rear panel  34   l  is interlockingly connected to upper rear panel  34   k  by engaging projection  36  of upper rear panel  34   k  with slot  38   a  of upper rear panel  34   l  and by engaging projection  36  of upper rear panel  34   l  with slot  38   a  of upper rear panel  34   k . Fastener  46  may be inserted through aperture  44  in upper rear panel  34   l  and into connector fastener hole  43  in push-in connector element  42  disposed in upper rear panel  34   k.    
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking one of the backrest panels to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Backrest panel  34   o  may include four apertures  44 . Backrest panel  34   o  is interlockingly connected to upper front panel  34   c , lower front panel  34   a , lower intermediate panel  34   f , and upper intermediate panel  34   h . Fasteners  46  may be inserted through apertures  44  in backrest panel  34   o  and into connector fastener holes  43  in push-in connector elements  42  disposed in upper front panel  34   c , lower front panel  34   a , lower intermediate panel  34   f , and upper intermediate panel  34   h . Backrest panel  34   o  provides a backrest for a user as well as a back support for back cushion  62  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 16 , the next step of the assembly process involves interlocking the other of the backrest panels to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Backrest panel  34   p  may include four apertures  44 . Backrest panel  34   p  is interlockingly connected to upper front panel  34   d , lower front panel  34   b , lower intermediate panel  34   e , and upper intermediate panel  34   g . Fasteners  46  may be inserted through apertures  44  in backrest panel  34   p  and into connector fastener holes  43  in push-in connector elements  42  disposed in upper front panel  34   d , lower front panel  34   b , lower intermediate panel  34   e , and upper intermediate panel  34   g . Backrest panel  34   p  provides a backrest for a user as well as a back support for back cushion  62  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 17A , the next step of the assembly process involves assembling a support member for supporting at least a portion of the seat of the frame. The intersection of lower intermediate panels  34   e ,  34   f  forms rear junction  35   b  toward the rear of frame  32  and the intersection of lower front panels  34   a ,  34   b  forms front junction  35   a  toward the front of frame  32 . Support panel  34   q  may be positioned in frame  32  to extend from rear junction  35   b  to front junction  35   a . Support panel  34   q  may also include a generally tapered top edge, i.e., height H 1  of support panel  34   q  matches height H 1  of lower intermediate panels  34   e ,  34   f  at rear junction  35   b  and height H 2  of support panel  34   q  matches height H 2  of lower front panels  34   a ,  34   b  at front junction  35   a . In an exemplary embodiment, height H 2  of lower front panels  34   a ,  34   b  at front junction  35   a  may be greater than height H 1  of lower intermediate panels  34   e ,  34   f  at rear junction  35   b . Thus, support panel  34   q  defines a seat rise from the rear of frame  32  toward the front of frame  32 . Referring to  FIGS. 17A and 17B , support panel  34   q  also at least partially defines two separate and distinct storage compartments  54   a ,  54   b  within frame  32 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 18 , the next step of the assembly process involves assembling one of the seat panels to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Seat panel  34   r  may include slots  38   a  and handle aperture  56  and lower front panel  34   a  may include projection  36 . Seat panel  34   r  is interlockingly connected to lower front panel  34   a  and lower intermediate panel  34   f  by engaging projection  36  of lower front panel  34   a  with slot  38   a  of seat panel  34   r  and engaging the remaining slots  38   a  of seat panel  34   r  with more rearward portions of lower front panel  34   a  and lower intermediate panel  34   f , i.e., proximate the attachment of backrest panel  34   o  thereto. Handle aperture  56  may be provided for a user of article of furniture  30  to easily lift seat panel  34   r  to access storage compartment  54   a.    
   Seat panel  34   r  may be generally triangularly-shaped and rests upon the upper edges of lower front panel  34   a , lower intermediate panel  34   e , and support panel  34   q , which together are disposed in the same plane which is inclined in accordance with a seat rise, as described below. When positioned on frame  32 , seat panel  34   r  generally rises from the rear of frame  32  toward the front of frame  32  due to the increasing height of lower front panel  34   a  from the rear toward front junction  35   a  of frame  32  and due to the increasing height of support panel  34   q  from rear junction  35   b  toward front junction  35   a  of frame  32 , i.e., height H 2  defined by lower front panel  34   a  and support panel  34   q  toward front junction  35   a  of frame  32  is greater than height H 1  defined by lower front panel  34   a , support panel  34   q , and lower intermediate panel  34   e  toward rear junction  35   b  of frame  32 . Seat panel  34   r  may define a first plane. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the next step of the assembly process involves assembling the other seat panel to the remainder of the partially assembled frame. Seat panel  34   s  may include slots  38   a  and handle aperture  56  and lower front panel  34   b  may include projection  36 . Seat panel  34   s  is interlockingly connected to lower front panel  34   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e  by engaging projection  36  of lower front panel  34   b  with slot  38   a  of seat panel  34   s  and engaging the remaining slots  38   a  of seat panel  34   s  with more rearward portions of lower front panel  34   b  and lower intermediate panel  34   e , i.e., proximate the attachment of backrest panel  34   p  thereto. Handle aperture  56  may be provided for a user of article of furniture  30  to easily lift seat panel  34   s  to access storage compartment  54   b . Seat panels  34   r ,  34   s  provide a seating surface and a support for seat cushion  60  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   Seat panel  34   s  may be generally triangularly-shaped and rests upon the upper edges of lower front panel  34   b , lower intermediate panel  34   f , and support panel  34   q , which together are disposed in the same plane which is inclined in accordance with a seat rise, as described below. When positioned on frame  32 , seat panel  34   s  generally rises from the rear of frame  32  toward the front of frame  32  due to the increasing height of lower front panel  34   b  from the rear toward front junction  35   a  of frame  32  and due to the increasing height of support panel  34   q  from rear junction  35   b  toward front junction  35   a  of frame  32 , i.e., height H 2  defined by lower front panel  34   b  and support panel  34   q  toward front junction  35   a  of frame  32  is greater than height H 1  defined by lower front panel  34   b , lower intermediate panel  34   f , and support panel  34   q  toward rear junction  35   b  of frame  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, seat panel  34   s  may define a second plane which diverges from and is non-coplanar with the first plane defined by seat panel  34   r.    
   The final steps of construction for article of furniture  30  of  FIG. 1  are described in detail in the above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,058. Fabric upholstery covers are draped over frame  32  and secured thereto via hook-and-loop fasteners, for example. Fabric covers are also designed to fit over foam padding elements or pillows made for the various cushions of article of furniture  30 . For example, back cushions  62  are constructed using a fabric cover fitted over a pillow. In contrast, for example, seat cushion  60  may be constructed using a fabric cover fitted over a foam pad. The cushions are then placed on upholstered frame  32  in an arrangement, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   Although described above in a particular order of assembly, frame members  34  and other associated portions of frame  32  may be assembled in a different order than described herein. For example, lower intermediate panel  34   e  and lower intermediate panel  34   f  could be assembled together prior to assembling either lower front panel  34   a  or lower front panel  34   b  to the lower intermediate panels. 
   Frame  32  may be joined with other sectional units  64   a ,  64   b  of sectional sofa unit  31  via a plurality of connector bolts (not shown) which extend through connector bolt apertures  66  ( FIG. 3 ) in lower front panels  34   a ,  34   b  and into similar connector bolt apertures (not shown) in each sectional unit  64   a ,  64   b.    
   Each of the above-described planar frame members are of a suitable size so they may be packaged for non-particularized parcel delivery service, as discussed above. The ease of transportation of the shipping packages by merchants or carriers advantageously reduces shipping costs and/or labor. Further, the smaller frame members advantageously allow for compact packaging and gives consumers the option of either receiving home delivery of the furniture by a parcel delivery service, or easily taking the furniture home from a retail location at the time of sale in their own vehicles, rather than requiring them to wait for particularized delivery by the retailer or another carrier. 
   The number, size and shape of frame members discussed above will vary depending on the article of furniture to be produced. The frame members may be formed of any suitable supporting material, such as pre-finished plywood, oriented strand board (“OSB”), medium density fiberboard (“MDF”), laminated veneer lumber (“LVL”), solid wood boards, laminated particle board, pre-formed plastic or metal pieces, other varieties of fiber board or strand board, or structural cardboard of honeycombed paperboard. Furthermore, fasteners may not be required for securing the frame members. For example, the interconnection of the frame assembly may instead consist of interlocking frame members which may include slots for mutual engagement, or adhesives may be used to join the frame members. The frame members may be pre-finished or may consist of unfinished pieces that the consumers may stain and varnish or paint to suit their individual tastes. 
   In an exemplary embodiment, the frame members discussed above may be planar sheets or panels, and may be made of medium density fiberboard (“MDF”). MDF is made from fibers of various types of wood which are refined and pressed to form lightweight fiberboard sheets having a strong outer surface which can be finished with most commercial finishing materials such as sealer, varnish, or paint. MDF is available in sheets which may range from ⅜″ thick to 1½″ thick, for example, and the length and width of MDF sheets may vary widely depending upon the supplier. One such MDF material is ½″ GP Superior, available from Georgia-Pacific Co., and manufactured at their Sault Ste. Marie plant in Ontario, Canada. However, MDF is generally widely available from many commercial suppliers. Frame members  34  may be cut from large sheets of MDF using widely-available machinery such as computer-controlled cutting saws and routers, for example. 
   The construction and size of the various components of the present disclosure advantageously provide to consumers ready-to-assemble upholstered furniture of high quality and low cost. For shipment, the article of furniture may be packaged such that the frame members, connector elements, and fasteners are packaged in a first container, the padding elements are packaged in a second container, and the upholstery covers are packaged in a third container. Each one of the first, second, and third containers may weigh about 70 pounds or less to allow them to be delivered directly to the home of a consumer by a parcel delivery service. 
   While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.