Abstract:
A modular furniture assembly unit includes a box having a length, a width, and a depth, the box having first and second major sides in opposition to each other that define the length and the width of the box, and having third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides therebetween, the first side having a first connector attached thereto at a distance from the third side of the box substantially equivalent to the depth of the box, the second side of the box having a plurality of second connectors attached near at least three of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides of the box, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a second connector of an identical box to couple the box to the identical box to form a modular furniture piece. In a further aspect, the first connector is a rotatable clamp and the second connectors are hooks to which the rotatable clamp is connectable.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present embodiments relate generally to modular furniture and more specifically to modular furniture formable from a modular furniture assembly unit. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    A variety of shapes and sizes of furniture have been developed over the years to provide comfort and decor. Consumers appreciate furniture that serve multiple purposes and withstand the wear of everyday use without requiring much attention. Thus, what is desirable is furniture that is versatile, durable, and relatively maintenance free. 
         [0005]    Consumers expect to purchase furniture that is already assembled or can be easily assembled. Once assembled, however, most furniture cannot be easily disassembled. Most furniture is assembled using nails, staples, epoxy or some other type of fastener. Further, various types of furniture have upholstery covering the fastener thus making it difficult to disassemble the furniture. This presents a challenge for consumers, especially when the furniture needs to be transported from one location to another or moved through a confined space. 
         [0006]    One aspect that makes furniture cost-prohibitive is shipping and packaging. For example, a large piece of furniture requires a large amount of space during shipping. The non-solid shape of most furniture makes it difficult to maximize the space utilized when packaging and shipping furniture. This adds increased costs of shipping due to the amount of space the furniture requires, regardless if the furniture fills all or most of the required space. 
         [0007]    Another aspect that makes furniture cost-prohibitive is the difficulty in stacking furniture. When large pieces of furniture are stacked, damage frequently occurs to the furniture on the bottom of the stack. This damage may result from the shape and non-solid nature of the packaged furniture. Even when furniture is disassembled and boxed in order to facilitate stacking, often there is still much wasted space. The wasted space not only increases the cost of shipping, but also provides for a less stable base for which to stack other pieces of furniture. 
         [0008]    Currently commercially available models of modular furniture use two different-sized furniture pieces, one to act as a base, and another to act as a lateral side or back piece. While like pieces (or boxes) of such modular furniture can be shipped stacked together, there is still some compatibility issues with two different-sized boxes. Furthermore, retail stores may prefer to sell a single piece, making it simple for stacking on an end cap and simple to track in terms of inventory. 
         [0009]    For those consumers who cannot afford many pieces of furniture, it is also desirable to have furniture which can provide multiple functions. For example, a futon bed serves the function of both a bed and a couch. However, futon beds are bulky, and thus subject to the cost factors described above. In addition, futon mattresses are often thin and uncomfortable both as a couch and as a bed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    With regards to various aspects of the present embodiments, a first aspect may include a modular furniture assembly unit having a box including a length, a width, and a depth, the box having first and second major sides in opposition to each other that define the length and width of the box, and having third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides therebetween, the third and fourth sides being opposite each other and the fifth and sixth sides being opposite each other, the first side having a first connector attached thereto at a distance from the third side of the box substantially equivalent to the depth of the box, the second side of the box having a plurality of second connectors attached near at least three of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides of the box, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a second connector of an identical box to couple the box to the identical box to form a modular furniture piece. 
         [0011]    In a second aspect, a modular furniture assembly unit may include a substantially-hollow box including a length, a width, and a depth, the box having first and second major sides in opposition to each other and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides therebetween, the first and second sides defining the length and width of the box, the first side having a first connector attached thereto, the second side of the box having a plurality of second connectors attached near at least three of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides of the box, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a second connector of an identical box to couple the box to the identical box to form a modular furniture piece, the third side including a door that allows access to storage space defined between the first and second sides within the box. 
         [0012]    In a third aspect, a modular furniture assembly may include a box including a length, a width, and a depth, the box having first and second major sides in opposition to each other and third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides therebetween, the first and second sides defining the length and width of the box, the first side having a plurality of apertures and a first connector attached thereto, the second side of the box having a plurality of second connectors attached near at least three of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides of the box, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a second connector of an identical box to couple the box to the identical box to form a modular furniture piece, wherein the third side is along the length of the box and also includes a plurality of apertures; and a pair of base couplers and at least two pegs, each base coupler having a plurality of threaded holes for receipt of the pegs, wherein the pegs include a threaded bolt portion for insertion within the threaded holes, the pegs sized for insertion into any of the plurality of apertures in the first and third sides of the box. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The system may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred modular furniture assembly unit for forming modular furniture, showing apertures and a clamp. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the modular furniture assembly unit of  FIG. 1 , showing hooks to which the clamp on the bottom of a single unit can attach. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the modular furniture assembly unit of  FIG. 1 , showing a door with apertures. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pillow and a pillow cover of the modular furniture assembly unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a seat cushion and a seat cushion cover of the modular furniture assembly unit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a pair of base couplers of the modular furniture assembly unit. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a modular furniture chair assembled from two of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6 , including a covered cushion and a covered pillow. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the modular furniture chair of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the modular furniture chair of  FIG. 7 , including a base coupler turned out from beneath the chair to receive an accessory lamp. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the clamp and hook of two modular furniture assembly units of  FIG. 1  after connection between the two as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , before connection of the clamp to the hook. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a cross section view taken along  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10  after connection of the clamp to the hook. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an arm chair assembled from four of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6  without covered pillows or cushions. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the arm chair of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a chaise lounge sofa assembled from four of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6 , and including a headrest. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a love seat sofa assembled from six of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6 , and including a cup holder. 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a deep sofa assembled from six of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a playpen couch assembled from twelve of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a sectional assembled from fourteen of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a bed assembled from eight of the modular furniture assembly units of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 21  is a cut-away, perspective view of a modular furniture assembly unit of  FIGS. 1-6 , showing the flexible webbing forming the top side of the unit. 
           [0035]      FIG. 22  is an exploded view of a modular furniture assembly unit of  FIGS. 1-6 , showing the flexible webbing and a frame of flexible cross members exploded. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    In some cases, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will also be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, some of which are not specifically shown or described. 
         [0037]    By way of introduction, the present embodiments refer to a modular furniture assembly unit that allows for easy assembly and disassembly of various types of modular furniture. The modular furniture assembly unit is configured to include means by which identical units are connected to each other in various configurations. Accordingly, the modular furniture assembly unit may be adaptively used as a base or as a side or back piece in these configurations, as will be explained. In some configurations, base pieces may be formed into a bed or used as a foot rest. Other parts of the assembly—and in some cases, including accessories—finish off the creation of each piece of modular furniture. Such a versatile, modular furniture assembly unit allows for easy shipment, storage, inventory tracking, and display of the modular furniture. Easy assembly and disassembly makes purchase attractive because delivery and setup costs are eliminated for the average consumer. Other advantages will be apparent and noted herein. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , a preferred modular furniture assembly unit  100  for assembling modular furniture includes a number of parts, all of which may be inserted into a box  102  of the unit  100 . Accordingly, the modular furniture assembly  100  includes at least the box  102 , a pillow  104 , a pillow cover  108 , a cushion  112 , a cushion cover  116 , a pair of base couplers  120 , and at least two pairs of pegs  124 , one pair corresponding to each base coupler  120 . The box  102  having a length, a width, and a depth includes a bottom  130  and a top  132  as major sides in opposition to each other, and a number of minor sides  134  therebetween such as the side  134  shown in  FIG. 3 . The box  102  also includes a cover (or liner)  140  to add aesthetic value to the box, making it attractive as a furniture piece component, as well as a certain amount of cushion. 
         [0039]    In  FIGS. 21 and 22 , the box  102  of  FIGS. 1-3  is displayed showing a substantially-flat, flexible webbing  300  forming the top  132  of the box  102 . Over the flexible webbing  300  is built a frame  310  of flexible cross members  320 , to add rigidity and support to the flexible webbing  300 . This design—of the flexible webbing  300  and the frame  310  of flexible cross members  320 —provides spring to the top  132  of the box  102  where people sit, without taking up valuable space normally filled with box springs in other types of furniture. Accordingly, a storage space  330  is formed between the bottom  130  and top  134  major sides of each box  102 . As discussed above, this space  330  may receive at least the pillow  104 , the pillow cover  108 , the cushion  112 , the cushion cover  116 , the pair of base couplers  120 , and at least two pairs of pegs  124 , which are part of the modular furniture assembly unit  100  disclosed with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . In an alternative embodiment, the flexible webbing  300  and frame  310  of flexible cross members  320  may be replaced with a group of shallow springs or some other flexible, cushioning material. 
         [0040]    One of the minor sides  134 , preferably one along the length of the box  102 , may include a door  144  connectable to the side  134  with any sort of connector. For instance, in the displayed embodiment, the connector may include a clamp  148  in the door  144  and a hook  150  on the side  134  of the box corresponding to the clamp  148 . The clamp  148  and hook  150  displayed includes a clamp such as may be used on a jar lid for clamping onto a glass jar. The clamp  148  may be recessed within the door  144  so that its profile does not stick out and snag anything during transport or during assembly or disassembly of modular furniture from the box  102 . The door  144  may swing on hinges (not shown). 
         [0041]    Several parts of the modular furniture assembly unit  100 —including the pillow  104 , the pillow cover  108 , the cushion  112 , the cushion cover  116 , the pair of base couplers  120 , and at least two pairs of pegs  124 —may all be inserted through the door  144  into the inside of the box  102  for storage during transport or storage. While a door  144  is not required, access to the storage space  330  of the substantially-hollow box  102  is facilitated thereby. 
         [0042]    The bottom  130  of the box  102  also includes a connector, one suitable and positioned such as to make the box  102  attachable to another, identical box  102  ( FIG. 7 ). In the displayed embodiment, the connector is a clamp  154 , which can be similar to the clamp  148  in the side  134  of the box  102  and may also be recessed in the bottom  130  of the box  102 . 
         [0043]    The top  132  of the box  102  includes a number of hooks  156 , at least three of which are located near minor sides of the box  102 , corresponding to the clamp  154  in another, identical box  102 . Accordingly, the clamp  154  may connect to any of the hooks  156  in another, identical box  102  for attachment or coupling thereto. For such attachment, the clamp  154  is positioned a distance from the minor side  134  of the box  102  substantially equivalent to the depth of the box  102 . This minor side  134  may be the side of the box  102  having the door  146  and may be along the length of the box  102 , where the width of the box  102  is along a shorter, minor side  134  thereof. Because the clamp  154  is recessed in the bottom  130  of the box  102 , it will not stick out during transport or when being stacked. It may, however, stick out when deployed to attach two boxes  102  to each other, which will be explained in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0044]    The bottom  130  of the box  102  and the door  144  each also includes a number of apertures  160  into which corresponding pegs  124  ( FIG. 6 ) may be inserted. The pegs  124  may further include threaded bolts  164  or the like for insertion into corresponding threaded holes  168  of the base couplers  120 . The pegs  124  of the base couplers  120  are thus insertable into the apertures  160  once threaded into the threaded holes  168 . If the box  102  is placed with its bottom  130  side down on a floor, it may act as a base of the modular furniture. If the box  102  is placed with its side  134 —the one having the door  144 —down on the floor, it may act as a side or back piece. After the boxes  102  are coupled together by their respective clamp  154  and hook  156 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the base couplers  120  may provide a way to attach two or more boxes  102  together at the floor. Only the pegs  124  required to provide such attachment—and that would have clearance into one of the apertures  160 —need to be inserted into the base couplers  120 , as shown in  FIG. 8  and discussed below. The base couplers  120  also provide some lift to the modular furniture pieces that they support, making the same easier to get into and out of during use. Conveniently, the base couplers  120  may be made of varying depths to accommodate different height requirements or preferences. 
         [0045]    The cover  140  may be made out any kind of fabric and may be lined to increase its thickness, and thus cushioning quality. The fabric includes, but is not limited to: micro-suede, leather, and pleather (or synthetic leather). The cover  140  may include apertures to correspond to the apertures  160  of the box  102  and slits to correspond to the hooks  156  on the top of the box  102 . The cover  140  may reach around to the side  134  of the box  102 , excluding the door  144 . Likewise, the cover  140  may include an opening through which the clamp  154  may pass. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , two pillows  104  are insertable into the pillow cover  108  to create a covered pillow  170 , although just one pillow  104  may be inserted for a thinner covered pillow  170 . The pillow cover  108  may include a connectable seam  172  such as a folded flap, a zipper, or a Velcro strip, etc. Likewise, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , two cushions  112  are insertable into the cushion cover  116  to create the covered cushion  174 . The cushion cover  116  may include a connectable seam  176  such as a zipper or a Velcro strip, etc. The cushion may be formed of any type of foam or padding known in the art, including but not limited to: foam, memory foam, quilt or other batting made of cotton, plastic, or other material, and plastic stuffing or fiber fill. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , for instance, the box may further include aperture covers  180  to cover the apertures  160  of the bottom  130  of the box, so that the apertures  160  are aesthetically less noticeable when the box is used as a side or a back piece. Accordingly, the aperture covers  180  may be covered with the same material used to make the liner  140  to cover the rest of the box  102 . The aperture covers  180  may optionally be made with logos, pictures, or some sort of advertising thereon, e.g., to make a statement or provide a decorative flare. The aperture covers  180  are removable so that the box  102  may be transformed into a base, to receive the pegs  124  of the base couplers  120 , or to receive accessories that are adapted for insertion therein. Such accessories include, but are not limited to a headrest ( 184  in  FIG. 15 ), a cup holder ( 188  in  FIG. 16 ), a reading lamp, a document or book holder, a container for remote controls or snacks, etc. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , two of the boxes  102  may be attached together with the clamp  154  of one box—acting as a back piece—and a hook  156  along the length of another box  102 —acting as a base piece—to form the modular furniture chair  190 . Preferably, the minor side  134  with the door  144  in the base piece is oriented toward the back piece, for aesthetic purposes. As discussed, the pegs  124  are inserted into the base couplers  120  to correspond with the apertures  160  in the bottom  130  of the base piece and in the door  144  of the back piece. In one embodiment, the base couplers  120  are located completely underneath the base piece or centered under the line of attachment between the base and back boxes  102 . 
         [0049]    To deploy the base couplers  120  with their pegs  124  into appropriate apertures  160  during assembly, each base coupler  120  may be placed on the floor and the back and base pieces placed over them until the apertures  160  align with the pegs  124 , which slide into the apertures  160 . Preferably, the base and back pieces are then attached with the clamp  154  and hook  156 , as discussed before. In the alternative, the connected base and back pieces may remain on the floor while the base couplers  120  with pegs  124  are slid underneath the connected boxes  102  until the pegs  124  align with—and slide inside of—their corresponding apertures  160 . Pegs  124  without a corresponding aperture  160  should be removed, and thus are seen a number of unused threaded holes  168 . Optionally, additional apertures may be formed in the bottom  130  and door  144 , if desired, to allow the insertion of additional pegs  124 , which can be sold separately or included in greater numbers with the assembly  100 . As mentioned, the base couplers  120  provide an attachment location at the floor between boxes  102  and provide additional height more typical of furniture. 
         [0050]    As seen in  FIG. 9 , one of the base couplers  120  may be rotated outwardly such that the base coupler  120  is not completely underneath the modular furniture, in this case the chair  190 . A lamp  194  or other accessory may include a threaded bolt, such as the threaded bolts  164  used in the pegs  124 , and be attached to the exposed threaded holes  168  of the protruding base coupler  120 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is an enlargement of a deployed connector between two boxes  102  forming the modular furniture chair  190  discussed above, including the clamp  154  of a back piece connected to a hook  156  of a base piece of two boxes  102 . Note that an aperture  198  is formed in the cover  140  of the box  102  near the clamp  154 , to provide space for the clamp  154  to function. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the clamp  154  includes a clamping portion  204 , a lever portion  206 , and a securement portion  208  that work together to make the clamp  154  rotatable about the securement portion  208 . When deployed, the clamping portion  204  extends beyond the hook  156  before depression of the lever portion  206  pulls the clamp clamping portion  204  into place, locking the clamping portion  204  over the hook  156 . To provide the rotation, the clamp  154  pivots about the securement portion  208 . Other connectors or configuration of connectors may be employed to couple two of the boxes  102  to each other. Also shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  are the plywood  210  or other wood or plastic pieces  210  that make up the sides  130 ,  132 , and  134  of the box  102 . In the top  132  of the box  102  is the flexible-webbing material  300  referred to with reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 . Other materials may be used within the constraints of weight and cost for the application of use in modular furniture pieces. 
         [0052]      FIG. 13  further displays an arm chair  220  that now requires four boxes  102  as disclosed above. Properly-located hooks  156  on the top  132  of the base piece align with the clamps in the bottom  130  of the back and side pieces, so that when attached, the four boxes  102  have a snug fit in relation to each other.  FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the arm chair  220 , showing how the base couplers  120  with their pegs  124  align to insert within the apertures  160 , again to secure the boxes  102  at the floor and to provide additional height to the arm chair  220 . Note that, because more boxes  102  are needed for the arm chair  220 , more pegs  124  are also needed so that at least the adjacent corners of the respective boxes  102  are secured to each other. In  FIG. 14 , where only the threaded holes  168  of base couplers  120  are exposed, as displayed, no pegs  124  are inserted. The covered pillow  170  and covered cushion  174  of the arm chair  220  are omitted for clarity. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 15 through 20  display a number of different furniture configurations formable from multiples of the modular furniture assembly unit  100  discussed above. They may be assembled substantially as discussed with reference to the chair  190  and the arm chair  220 , except with a varying number of boxes  102  in varying configurations.  FIG. 15  is a chaise lounge sofa  230  assembled from four of the modular furniture assembly units  100 , including two covered cushions  174  and a covered pillow  170 , although two covered pillows  170  are available from the four units  100 . As previously mentioned, the headrest  184  may be attached to the top of the back piece, which can be used thus in the other modular furniture configuration disclosed herein. The headrest  184  may slide over the side of the back piece that is oriented upwards, and/or may include connectors that connect into the apertures  160  of the back piece. A corner chair (not shown) may be created by removing one modular furniture assembly unit  100  from the chaise lounge sofa  230 . The corner chair would include a base piece, a back piece, and a side piece. 
         [0054]      FIG. 16  is a love seat sofa (or couch)  240  assembled from six of the modular furniture assembly units  100  disclosed above, including two covered cushions  174  and two covered pillows  170 . While an additional covered cushion  174  and covered pillow  170  are available because of the six assemblies  100 , they are not needed. Extra parts of the modular furniture assembly units may remain stowed within some of the boxes  102  for convenience, and to facilitate keeping track of them. If additional pieces are purchased later to expand the love seat sofa  240 , e.g., to make a sectional ( 270  in  FIG. 19 ), then those pieces could be extracted to assemble the larger modular furniture. 
         [0055]      FIG. 17  displays a deep sofa (or couch)  250  that is assembled substantially the same as the love seat, with the same number of modular furniture assembly units  100 , except that the base pieces are oriented with their lengths creating the depth of the deep sofa  250 . Accordingly, the side pieces go along the length of the base pieces, and the back pieces overlap the base and side pieces, taking up the whole of the back of the deep couch  250 . This transformation from the love seat  240  to the deep couch  250  while keeping the side pieces flush at the front with the base piece is made possible by the relative sizes of the width of the box  102  plus its depth being equal to its length. These relative dimensions also facilitate the assembly of the other pieces of modular furniture. 
         [0056]      FIG. 18  displays a playpen couch  260  assembled from twelve modular furniture assembly units  100 , including four covered cushions  174  and four pillows  170 , although two more covered pillows  170  could be assembled, as desired. 
         [0057]      FIG. 19  is a sectional  270  assembled from fourteen of the modular furniture assembly units  100 , including six covered cushions  174  and five covered pillows, although two more covered pillows  170  could be assembled. Note that at one end of the sectional  270  is formed a deep couch  250  while at the other end is formed a chaise lounge chair  230 . One of the base pieces may be used as a foot rest  275 . The sectional  270  could be formed in a variety of ways, as would be apparent to one assembling the modular furniture from a number of modular furniture assembly units  100 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 20  displays a bed  280  assembled from eight of the modular furniture assembly units  100 , including all four available covered cushions  174  and only two of the four available covered pillows  170 . As mentioned, the additional parts that are not needed may be stored inside some of the boxes  102  of the bed  280 , for easy retrieval later, if needed, for instance to replace the pillows or rotate use of the pillow covers. 
         [0059]    Accordingly, a variety of modular furniture pieces may be formed—not all of which are disclosed herein—through the assembly of two or more of the modular furniture assembly units  100 , providing at least the following non-exhaustive list of advantages. Such a versatile, modular furniture assembly unit  100  allows for easy shipment, storage, inventory tracking, and display of the modular furniture. Display of the modular furniture includes simply stacking the units  100  in an end cap in a retail store, perhaps with pictures of possible configurations displayed nearby. In the alternative, given sufficient space, the modular furniture assembly units  100  may be assembled into one or more modular furniture pieces to display to consumers the types of configurations that may be attractive. Such modular furniture is easily assembled and dissembled into various configurations so that such a display does not become stagnant. 
         [0060]    Likewise, easy assembly and disassembly makes purchase attractive because delivery and setup costs are eliminated for most consumers because consumers themselves can easily transport and set up the modular furniture. Additionally, a consumer may only buy the number of units  100  that he or she can afford, and then purchase additional units  100  later to expand on an existing piece of modular furniture, or to assemble additional pieces of modular furniture. Extra covered pillows and covered cushions in some configurations make it easy to swap out damaged or stained parts that are likely to see the most wear. The various accessories, such as lamps, headrests, cup holders, or decorative apertures covers, etc., may also attract buyers because of the adaptive utility of the modular furniture formed form the modular furniture assembly units  100  and provide another stream of revenue outside of the units  100  themselves for retailers. 
         [0061]    The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosed embodiments. For example, the apertures  160  of the box may, instead of being big to receive the pegs  124  of the base couplers  120 , be the smaller, threaded holes  168  to receive the threaded bolts  164  of the pegs  124 . In such an alternative embodiment, the base couplers  160  would, instead of having smaller, threaded holes  168 , include the bigger apertures  160  for receipt of the distal ends of the pegs  124 . In practice, the furniture cushion may be made by the insertion of only one cushion  112  into the cushion cover  116 , and the furniture pillow may be made by inserting only one pillow  104  into the pillow cover  108 . Just because the modular furniture assembly unit  100  includes various parts, as disclosed, does not mean that every piece of modular furniture that may be assembled from multiple units  100  will use all of the parts. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.