CONFIGURABLE AND CUSTOMIZABLE FURNISHINGS

In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus, comprising a frame having a planer surface and a plurality of customizable pieces. The frame is configured to receive and hold the plurality of customizable pieces. The plurality of customizable pieces may be arranged and interconnected in any order. A glass cover is retained by the frame and covers the plurality of customizable pieces.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure and related inventions include configurable and customizable furnishings such as furniture, wall hangings or panel decoration, which include a plurality of interconnected, removable, reconfigurable and customizable components.

OVERVIEW OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus, comprising a frame having a planer surface and a plurality of customizable pieces. The frame is configured to receive and hold the plurality of customizable pieces. The plurality of customizable pieces may be arranged and interconnected in any order. A glass cover is retained by the frame and covers the plurality of customizable pieces.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This description provides examples not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. The figures generally indicate the features of the examples, where it is understood and appreciated that like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an example embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment described herein and does not imply that the feature, structure, or characteristic is present in all embodiments described herein.

In representative embodiments as illustrated in the accompanyingFIGS. 1-4, a furnishing such as a table10as illustrated inFIG. 1has a planar surface12of a table top configured to receive and hold a plurality of pieces or components, indicated generally at20, which are interconnected in a particular arrangement on the table top12, and which are removable, customizable and replaceable and/or reconfigurable on the table top as further described.

Some or all of the pieces20may be interconnected by for example interlocking edges as shown inFIG. 4in the form of dis-engagable tongue-and-groove interconnection to form a generally contiguous structure and surface. Some or all of the pieces20may thereby be removed from interlocked engagement with the other pieces and reconfigured or decorated or embellished as desired, as shown for example inFIGS. 1-3. The pieces20may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.

In order to enable creation of customized furnishing, one or more of the pieces20may be removed from or added to the interconnected assembly and decorated or otherwise modified to have a different design and appearance. For example, the exposed surface of a piece20can be modified to bear a design as illustrated. For pieces20which are made of wood, designs may be applied in any medium including burning or carving or any type of coating or pigment. Customized pieces20can be positioned in the assembly in any arrangement as shown in order to provide a unique appearance to the planar surface and to the furnishing overall.

With the pieces20fully assembled to form the planar surface of the table top, a glass cover GC is placed over the surface to protect each of the individual pieces20and the surface overall.

FIG. 2illustrates a furnishing of an alternate embodiment wherein the planar surface12and associated frame F and pieces20are provided in the form of a panel which may be hung vertically on a wall in the manner of a wall furnishing such as a framed work. In this embodiment the glass cover GC is suitably retained within the frame and over the interlocked pieces20.

Although described with reference to certain preferred and alternate embodiments, the disclosure includes other forms in which the concepts and features of the disclosure could be embodied, such as for example but not limited to frames for the planar surface of different sizes and shapes, different numbers, sizes and shapes of the interlocking pieces, and different types of furnishings such as different types of furniture and wall hangings.