Adjustable furniture systems to accommodate objects of various dimensions

Furniture systems are delineated including a first cabinet, a second cabinet and a base for supporting a provided object between the first cabinet and the second cabinet. One or both of the first cabinet and the second cabinet defines a space for which, in a first configuration of the system, the base resides outside of the space, and in a second configuration of the system, the base resides at least partially within the space. Accordingly, the delineated furniture systems can accommodate supporting on the base objects of various dimensions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to furniture such as an entertainment centers and, more particularly, to adjustable furniture systems to accommodate objects of various dimensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic components for audio and/or audiovisual applications conventionally include multiple, free-standing enclosures that receive power and signals from facility wiring and communicate with other components on wired cables or wireless links. Support for numerous components has conventionally been provided by furniture called an entertainment center. A conventional entertainment center may have open shelving and/or enclosed shelving for supporting and enclosing not only the components but also media used with the components. Such furniture also conventionally provides holes through the back and through the shelving for accommodating the signal cables and power cables associated with the components.

A conventional entertainment center is spaced away from a facility wall to allow cabling to be tucked behind the cabinetry of the entertainment center because provisions for cabling inside the cabinetry of the entertainment center are inadequate. The space between the entertainment center and the facility wall also supplies ventilation air for the components.

Conventional entertainment centers typically provide movable shelving for accommodating electronic components of different vertical height, however, such centers typically provide a fixed horizontal dimension to accommodate a maximum component width.

Thus, use of a conventional entertainment center is limited by the fixed horizontal width of its design. Users of such conventional entertainment centers seeking, for example, to accommodate a larger home theater display (e.g., a big screen television set, a rear projection system, or a front illuminated screen) have little recourse but to purchase new furniture in the event the larger width display does not fit the fixed horizontal width provided by the existing entertainment center.

A large market exists for furniture to support objects such as electronic components, e.g., audio system components and/or audio visual system components which may include stereo system components, television system components, home theater system components and the like. New electronic components and other products of various sizes are frequently launched. Consumers owning conventional entertainment centers for accommodating objects having a horizontal width less than a fixed width associated with the conventional entertainment center may be reticent to purchase new entertainment centers for accommodating objects, e.g., electronic components, having a horizontal width greater than the fixed width associated with the conventional entertainment center. Moreover, such consumers may also forego purchasing newer larger electronic components if the existing fixed-width entertainment centers cannot accommodate the horizontal width of the newer larger electronic components. Consequently, without the present invention, both the consumer electronics and furniture industries face economic impairment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a furniture system is disclosed comprising a first cabinet; a second cabinet; and a base for supporting a provided object between the first cabinet and the second cabinet; wherein one or both of the first cabinet and the second cabinet defines a space for which, in a first configuration of the system, the base resides outside of the space, and in a second configuration of the system, the base resides at least partially within the space.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a furniture system is disclosed comprising a first cabinet; a second cabinet; and means for supporting a provided object between the first cabinet and the second cabinet; wherein one or both of the first cabinet and the second cabinet defines a space for which, in a first configuration of the system, the supporting means resides outside of the space, and in a second configuration of the system, the supporting means resides at least partially within the space.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a furniture system is disclosed comprising a first cabinet including a first internal space; a second cabinet including a second internal space; and a base for supporting a provided object between the first cabinet and the second cabinet; wherein the base resides outside of the first and second internal spaces in a first configuration of the system and at least partially within one or both of the first and second internal spaces in a second configuration of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A furniture system according to various aspects of the present invention supports any of a variety of home theater displays of various widths. The furniture system generally encloses a space for locating the home theater display, the space being enclosed on several sides, for example, the left side, the right side, and the top. The furniture system may further enclose a portion of the rear of the space. Enclosing is typically for establishing, improving, or cooperating with the interior design of a room where the home theater display is to be used. The enclosure provides ventilation for the display according to various aspects of the present invention.

The display is supported on a base having wheels to transport the base and display as a unit separate from the enclosure portion of the furniture system. The furniture system is typically arranged to abut each vertical side of the home theater display and present to a front view a continuous series of trim surfaces that substantially hide the wheels from view. When the rear of the furniture system is placed against a facility wall, spaces defined by the enclosure accommodate wiring and ventilation and are easily accessible from the front of the furniture system. Conventional materials and techniques of furniture manufacture may be used in the design and construction of furniture systems of the present invention except as described below.

For example, furniture system100ofFIGS. 1-4includes cabinets102and103, back panel101, bridge104, and base105. Cabinets102(and103) support component electronics and media (not shown). Each cabinet102(103) includes inner side242(244), outer side250(252), crown132(133), any number of suitable shelves121and123, and a cabinet back246(248) having holes122and124through which power and signal cables may be routed. Because outer side250(252) extends further to the rear than inner side242(244), cabinet102(103) defines a space216(218) for cabling and ventilation.

A back panel of the furniture system enhances the finished appearance and is retained in a vertical position while cabinets102and103are moved to establish a suitable width110for base105. For example, back panel101is mounted to allow cabinets102and103to be repositioned without access to the rear of the furniture system to effect a change in mounting of back panel101. Back panel101in one implementation rests on a hook162(164) on each cabinet102(103) and slides in groove414of bridge104. When cabinets102and103are positioned closer together or farther apart, back panel101slides on hooks162and164and is maintained in a vertical position by groove414. Back panel101does not obstruct cable passage holes (e.g.,122and124) or significantly block ventilation holes in cabinet backs246and248when cabinets102and103are positioned for a minimum width110. Back panel101includes stiffeners210,212, and214to reduce warping.

A bridge provides a visual connection between cabinets, usually at the top of a furniture system, by spanning the width between cabinets. While cabinets are moved to establish a suitable width, the bridge cooperates with the cabinets and the back panel to maintain its position on top of the cabinets. The horizontal position of the bridge can be adjusted (e.g., to center the bridge between the cabinets) without access to the top or rear of the furniture system. A bridge may be supported on the front of crowns of two cabinets and may also be supported via a back panel and hooks on which the back panel is supported. A bridge may have a depth when installed that is substantially equal to the depth of the inner sides of cabinets on which it rests.

For example, bridge104rests on the top of cabinet102and rests on the top of cabinet103. Bridge104nests with back panel101in groove414to prevent movement of bridge104toward the front of furniture system100. Preferably, back panel101bears no weight of bridge104so that back panel101slides easily when cabinets are moved. Bridge104nests with crowns132and133via slots406and408to prevent movement of bridge104toward the front or toward the rear of furniture system100. A front surface422of crown132(and a symmetric surface of crown133(not shown)) is overlapped by a portion402of bridge104. When surface422includes raised or recessed features, corresponding recesses or raised features may be added to surface424to provide an integral appearance when surfaces422and424are pressed against each other. When supported by cabinets102and103, bridge104covers a space106between cabinets102and103. Bridge104may include conventional lighting to illuminate space106. In one implementation, bridge104is not fastened to either cabinet102or103but slides on the crown portion132and133of each cabinet so that bridge104is aligned easily over the center of space106and flush against crowns132and133. Bridge104may further include U-shaped slots for avoiding interference between body404of bridge104and lighting in crowns132and133(e.g., installed in apertures135and137).

A crown provides an aesthetically pleasing top to a cabinet and provides support for lighting and a bridge. A crown cooperates with a bridge according to various aspects of the present invention to support the bridge while the cabinet is being moved toward or away from the other cabinet on which the bridge is supported. For example, crowns132and133cooperate with bridge104as discussed above. Further, crowns cooperate with a bridge of the present invention to provide an aperture430for convection cooling of the home theater display and any entertainment equipment components located within cabinets102and103. Aperture430includes a portion216rear of cabinet back246, a portion218rear of cabinet back248, and a portion430above base105. Rear panels, crowns, and/or a bridge of furniture system100may include any conventional grills, hole patterns, slots, or voids to facilitate cooling.

A base, according to various aspects of the present invention provides an adjustable width so as to support one of various width home theater displays and provides a concealed mechanism for moving the base in and out of position between cabinets of the furniture system. Such a base includes sections mechanically coupled to each other and capable of being positioned with respect to each other to provide a base having one of various overall widths. Any mechanical coupling technique may be used to provide discrete or continuously variable positions. Concealment of wheels may be accomplished by expandable trim surfaces, where expansion is accomplished by overlapping, telescoping, deploying, or stretching trim surfaces. A deployed trim surface may be stored as rolled stock in the base. Stretching may include elastic, pleated, or accordioned material. For example, base105ofFIGS. 1-4includes stage113, section112attached to stage113by integral slides, and section114attached to stage113by integral slides. The stage provides wheels for movement of the base; and the sections and the stage provide cooperative overlapping trim surfaces to conceal the wheels. A trim surface of each section overlaps a portion of the nearest cabinet that abuts the base.

A stage provides support for at least one section and provides transportation for an object placed on the stage or on the section. For example, stage113includes platform111, casters302-305, studs311-314, and trim piece108. Section112(114) includes platform322(323), side306(308), and trim piece107(109). Platform322(323) includes a pair of slots326(327) and328(329) for attaching the section to the stage. The underside of section platforms322and323bears on the an upper side of stage platform111. Studs311-314pass through slots326-329to accept a stud termination (e.g., a fender washer and nut). Each slot, stud, and termination cooperate to form a slide for mechanically coupling a section to the stage. By loosening stud terminations, each section112and114may be moved along its respective slides (e.g., along axis110) toward and away from the center of platform111. By moving each section a proportional distance from the center of platform111, base113is extended to any width (W)110within the range of the slides. After moving the sections, any suitable lock (e.g., a locking mechanism) may be employed to secure the position, fix the overall width of stage113, and more efficiently transfer load borne by base105to casters302-305. For example, stud terminations may be tightened to draw and bind the stage and section together.

Casters302-305are fixed to an underside surface of platform111and provide load bearing support. Each caster pivots around a vertical axis. Each caster provides a wheel that rotates on a horizontal axis. Any conventional caster may be used. A home theater display placed onto base113may rest in part against an upper surface of platform111and/or on an upper surface of section platforms322and323. Weight of the display is communicated via slides to stage113and through casters302-305to the facility surface on which furniture system100is placed. In operation, casters302-305facilitate movement of stage113(and a display placed on stage113) along an axis of width110so to align stage113between cabinets102and103, and along an axis of depth120so to move stage113into space106. A home theater display atop stage113may completely fill the width110and depth120of space106.

The space directly below stage platform111is substantially hidden from view by the cooperation of trim pieces107-109. Trim piece107(109) extends away from the center of platform111and beyond the extremity of platform322(323) to overlap a portion of cabinet102(103) and consequently to cover any portion of space106that might remain between base113and cabinet102(103). Trim piece107(109) also extends toward the center of platform111to overlap a portion of trim piece108. When section112(113) is slid toward or away from stage111, trim piece107(109) slides in front of trim piece108to continue to perform the hiding function.

Each section112and114may further include a railing on one or more edges of the section to reduce the risk that an object placed on the base will unexpectedly slide off the base. For example, section112(114) may further include side306(308) that extends above platform322(323) to form a lip202(206). Railings may be added to the upper surfaces of any platform111,322, and/or323. For example, railing204(208) is added on the top rear edge of platform322(323).

Movement of base105is facilitated in any conventional manner. According to various aspects of the present invention, base105provides at least one handle or hand-hold to move base105. For example, trim piece108extends downward yet leaves space for a user to place his or her hand or hands under trim piece108and pull on trim piece108to move base105on depth axis120out from between cabinets102and103. In an alternate implementation, platform111is formed with a hand access hole through platform111to facilitate pulling base105on depth axis120out from between cabinets102and103.

Assembly of an entertainment system with an entertainment furniture system as discussed above may proceed according to a method performed in any order as follows. Measure the width of the home theater display to be positioned in space106. Determine whether it is desired to abut both cabinets102and103to the sides of the home theater display, and if not add a suitable amount to the width. Assemble sections112and114to stage113. Before tightening stud terminations, extend each section112and114symmetrically from the center of stage113an amount equal to about half the desired width, then lock the sections to the stage (e.g., by tightening the stud terminations). Place back panel101against a facility wall. Place cabinet102within a few inches of the facility wall as desired, allowing for access to cable TV, power, telephone, Internet, and other facility wiring connections for use by the entertainment system. Place cabinet103roughly the desired width from cabinet102. Lift back panel101onto hooks162and164. Place bridge104on top of the crown portions of cabinets102and103, centering bridge104over space106, and fitting bridge104onto back panel101for maintaining back panel101in a vertical position. Move cabinets102and/or103to obtain the desired width of space106. While cabinets102and103are being moved apart (or together), back panel101is confined to slide along groove414while being maintained in a vertical position, and bridge104is confined to slide along a plane coplanar to the top of cabinets102and103. If cabinet lighting is provided in bridge104or crown portions of cabinets102and103, connect power wiring. Place a home theater display on base105and transport the base and display as a unit to a position in front of space106. Place all other entertainment system components (e.g., tuner, amplifier, audio media player, speakers) in cabinets102and103. Route all cables and wiring from the display to the components. Reach around cabinet inner side242(244) to access cables passing through holes122and124(and suitable holes in cabinet back248(not shown)). Transport the base and display as a unit into space106until the trim pieces107and109meet and overlap a portion of the front trim pieces142and144of cabinets102and103.

Another furniture system according to various aspects of the present invention may include a base as discussed above and an enclosure. The enclosure may include: (a) shelving to one side of a space to be occupied by the base; and (b) a vertical panel on the opposite side of the space. The enclosure may include a bridge and/or a back panel that spans the top and/or rear sides of the space. For example, such a furniture system may include all of the structures discussed above with reference to system100, except that: (a) cabinet102is replaced by a panel similar to side250(e.g., omitting crown, doors, drawer, shelves, as well as front, inside, and rear structures) and supported by being attached to either a back panel similar to101and/or to a bridge similar to104; and (b) bridge104is replaced with a bridge modified to attach to or cooperate with side250(e.g., omitting all of the structure associated with resting on top of and cooperating with a full size cabinet102). The structures and cooperation of the bridge and cabinet103would be included in this alternate furniture system. The asymmetric implementation discussed here (cabinet to the right of display) may be implemented as a mirror image (cabinet on left of display) in an alternate implementation.

In alternative implementations of the furniture systems discussed above, cabinet doors and drawers are partially or entirely omitted. In still further alternate implementations, any arrangement of shelving, doors, and/or drawers may be located between sides244and252(and/or sides250and242if implemented).

Another alternate furniture system according to various aspects of the present invention includes merely a base as discussed above (cabinets102and103, bridge104, and back panel101are omitted).

FIGS. 5-12depict another embodiment of a furniture system1000in accordance with systems of the present invention. Furniture system1000may generally include a cabinet1002, a cabinet1004and a base1006. Furniture system1000may also include a light bridge1008and one or more adjustable shelves1010. Furniture system1000may be fabricated using any desired materials or manufacturing techniques. Furniture system1000may generally be employed to store and/or support any desired objects.

For example, furniture system1000may be employed to store and/or support any home entertainment system, which may include a television of any kind, stereo equipment, systems for receiving a broadcast signal such as a satellite system, a DVD player and/or recorder, a VHS player and/or recorder, one or more speakers and the like. Typically, the television in such systems is supported on base1006. Moreover, televisions come in a variety of different sizes. To accommodate televisions, or other objects, of different sizes, furniture system1000may be adjusted along an axis1013. For example, furniture system1000is shown inFIG. 5in an expanded configuration to accommodate televisions of a predefined maximum width, while furniture system1000is shown inFIG. 9in a retracted configuration to accommodate televisions of a predefined minimum width. Furniture system1000may accommodate televisions of any width between the two limits represented inFIGS. 5 and 9.

Referring toFIG. 6, cabinet1004is shown in perspective view. Cabinet1004may include a top member1026, a side member1024, a side member1020(including side members1020A and1020B) and a back member1032. One or more apertures (not shown) may be included in back member1032to facilitate the running of electrical connections between any electrical components that may be stored in cabinet1004and a television that may be supported on base1006or any other desired electrical connection point, e.g., a wall outlet. Cabinet1004may include doors1012,1014,1016and1018on the front face of cabinet1004. Molding1028-1030may also be included, respectively located at the top, between upper doors (1012and1014) and lower doors (1016and1018) and bottom of cabinet1004. Doors1012-1018may be conventionally hinged to permit the closure and opening thereof. Dividing members (not shown) may be employed to separate the respective compartments behind doors1012-1018. Moreover, shelving or other systems (not shown) for supporting and/or storing any desired objects (not shown), e.g., electronic components, may be employed behind any of doors1012-1018.

To clarify, door1018is identified as1018B inFIG. 6and as1018A inFIG. 5to distinguish between variations of door1018. Specifically, one embodiment of door1018may have a removable center panel, which may comprise any desired material. For example, inFIG. 5door1018includes a center panel with a speaker-grill material, while the center panel inFIG. 6is a solid material, e.g., a wood or other suitable material. The use of a speaker-grill material, e.g., a woven fibrous material, for a center panel may permit sound from one or more speakers which may be located behind a door having a center panel with the speaker-grill material to pass with minimum distortion, as compared to a door with a solid center panel. The use of a solid material for a center panel in a door may enhance the overall durability of the door and the appearance of the system1000.

A center panel, when employed in door1018or in any other door, may be removable or fixed. In the former case, the center panel may be removably coupled to the inner perimeter of a door by any connecting technique, e.g., a hook and loop fastener. Any door in furniture system1000may include either a removable or a fixed center panel, whether employing a speaker-grill material, a solid material or other material. However, any door in furniture system1000may have neither a removable, nor a fixed center panel, i.e., no center panel. Moreover, no panel, whether removable or fixed, needs be centered in a door and there may be more than one panel in a door.

Still referring toFIG. 6, side member1020of cabinet1004may include side members1020A and1020B. An aperture1034may reside between side members1020A and1020B. To clarify, side members1020A and1020B may be supported by being coupled to back member1032, as well to shelves behind doors1014and1018. As shown inFIG. 6, aperture1034may comprise a plurality of aperture segments1034A and1034B. Aperture1034may comprise an entry point to a space or a cavity that may extend into a region behind door1018. The cross-sectional shape of this space or cavity behind door1018may resemble the shape of aperture1034, e.g., a configuration of two or more linear segments intersecting orthogonally. Thus, a like-shaped space or cavity (like that of aperture1043) may reside in cabinet1004, behind door1018. As discussed below, this space or cavity may be employed to permit adjusting the length of furniture system1000by permitting the selective movement of base1006between one configuration where base1006resides outside of cabinets1002and1004and another configuration where base1006resides partially within one or both of cabinets1002and1004. The size, shape and location of aperture1034(and the corresponding space or cavity behind door1018) may take on any size, shape and location suitable to accommodate a portion of base1006which may be inserted therein to permit such adjustment.

Referring toFIG. 7, door1018is not shown to reveal the region normally hidden by the closure of door1018. Specifically, an interior side wall1036may serve to divide the region behind door1018with the region behind door1016. Shelves1038A and1038B are also shown. A portion1038C of shelf1038B is shown removed from shelf1038B. The normal position of portion1038C is installed, as shown inFIG. 8, to prevent objects from falling off of and then under shelf1038B. However, to facilitate adjustment of the system length by moving a portion of base1006into cabinet1004, portion1038C may be removed, as shown inFIG. 7. Portion1038C may be held in place by mechanical fit or any suitable means and may be removed by any suitable means. Moreover, if desired, portion1038C may be omitted, i.e., eliminating the need to remove it prior to system adjustment.

Cabinet1002may be constructed and arranged similarly to cabinet1004, the aperture in cabinet1002residing in the interior side member of cabinet1002, i.e., on the side closest to base1006. The size, shape and location of the aperture in cabinet1002(and the corresponding space or cavity behind the corresponding lower interior door) may take on any size, shape and location suitable to accommodate a portion of base1006which may be inserted therein to permit system adjustment. Such size, shape and location may be the same as or different from that for cabinet1004. Moreover, those skilled in the art appreciate that one of the cabinets1002or1004may not have any aperture, resulting in cabinet-to-base adjustability for only one of cabinets1002and1004. Preferably, however, both cabinets1002and1004have apertures and facilitate cabinet-to-base adjustability.

Referring toFIG. 9, system length has been reduced, as compare to that shown inFIG. 5. This is facilitated by an adjustable light bridge1008, an adjustable shelf1010, an adjustable back panel1011and the adjustability of the base-to-cabinet interface.

For example, adjustable light bridge1008may include sections1008A,1008B and1008C. Sections1008A and1008C may be coupled by connectors1009to cabinets1004and1002, respectively. Rails1008D may be connected to sections1008A and1008C, while posts residing within and constrained by respective rail channels may be attached to section1008B, permitting adjustment of light-bridge length. An illumination source, e.g., one or more lights, may be electrically and/or mechanically coupled through aperture1008E. A groove in a lower surface of light bridge1008may constrain the movement of back panel1011. Any other light bridge structure with adjustability along axis1013may be employed.

Similarly, any shelf structure with adjustability along axis1013may be employed for adjustable shelf1010. For example, adjustable shelf1010may include sections1010A,1010B and1010C. Sections1010A and1010C may be coupled to cabinets1004and1002, respectively. Section1010B may include recessed groove portions on a lower surface thereof for permitting sliding engagement with sections1010A and1010C.

Adjustable back panel1011may be supported by a plurality of hooks coupled to cabinets1002and1004(as shown with respect to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-4). Moreover, the groove in the lower surface of light bridge1008may constrain the movement of back panel1011. Accordingly, adjustable back panel1011, while not telescopic like adjustable light bridge1008and adjustable shelf1010, though it could be, if desired, is constrained to reside in a plane coplanar to back panel1011, though back panel1011may slide along the groove in light bridge1008and the hooks coupled to cabinets1002and1004when system1000is adjusted along axis1013.

The adjustability of the base-to-cabinet interface may be facilitated by aperture1034and its corresponding space or cavity in cabinet1004, the aperture (not shown) and its corresponding space or cavity (not shown) in cabinet1002(assuming both cabinets1002and1004have such apertures) and base1006having ends which may slide within such apertures.

Referring toFIGS. 11 and 12, base1006is shown in perspective view with removable modules1006C and1006D broken away. Base1006may include a top member1006A, a back member1006B, a removable module1006C and a removable module1006D. The term “module” as used herein shall mean one or more members for coupling to a structure for some purpose. One or more apertures (not shown) may be included in back member1006B to facilitate the running of electrical connections between any electrical components that may be stored in base1006and a television that may be supported on base1006or any other desired electrical connection point, e.g., a wall outlet or another electrical component in either of cabinets1002or1004. Base1006may include doors1006E,1006F,1006G,1006H and1006I on the front face of base1006. Molding1006J and1006K may also be included, respectively located at the top and bottom of base1006. Doors1006E-1006I may be conventionally hinged to permit the closure and opening thereof. Dividing members (not shown) may be employed to separate the respective compartments behind doors1006E-1006I. Moreover, shelving or other systems (not shown) for supporting and/or storing any desired objects (not shown), e.g., electronic components, may be employed behind any of doors1006E-1006I.

FIG. 10shows removable modules1006C and1006D in perspective isolated view. Removable module1006C may include a top member2004, a side member2000, a side member2002, a back member2014and shelves2006and2008. Apertures2010permit vertical adjustment of shelf2006, though similar apertures may permit vertical adjustment of shelf2008. Additional or fewer shelves may be employed. Apertures2012facilitate coupling of removable module1006C to base1006. Any suitable connector may be employed to couple removable module1006C to base1006using apertures2012or any other suitable connection points. Removable module1006D may be similarly constructed and arranged.

With removable modules1006C and1006D installed to base1006, base1006may function separate and apart from furniture system1000as an independent furniture system, e.g., a console. In this configuration, base1006is fully enclosed, i.e., it has a top side enclosure, a back side enclosure, a left side enclosure, a right side enclosure and a front side enclosure. In this configuration, base1006may also be used in furniture system1000, for example, as shown inFIG. 5where system1000is opened to maximum width along axis1013. In this configuration, base1006resides outside of cabinets1002and1004, substantially adjacent to aperture1034in cabinet1004and the aperture (not shown) in cabinet1002(assuming both cabinets1002and1004are used to adjust system width).

With removable modules1006C and1006D detached from base1006, base1006may function as part of furniture system1000. For example, one may detach removable modules1006C and1006D by removing fasteners at apertures2012. Back member1006B does not extend into the region behind doors1006E and1006I, i.e., where removable modules1006C and1006D may reside. Thus, with removable modules1006C and1006D detached from base1006, the ends of base1006correspond to the shape of aperture1034in cabinet1004and the aperture (not shown) in cabinet1002(assuming it has the same size, shape and location as aperture1034). Door1006E may include a removable center panel1006J, as shown inFIG. 5, which may be removed to facilitate access to shelves behind door1018A once base1006is inserted into cabinet1004. Door1006I may similarly include a removable center panel, which may be removed.

Thus, to employ furniture system1000in a fully-expanded mode, i.e., to accommodate a predefined maximum width object between cabinets1002and1004such as a television, one may leave removable modules1006C and1006D attached to base1006. This permits using base1006independently of cabinets1002and1004, if desired. It also provides usable space behind doors1006E and1006I, i.e., shelving or other storage systems. In this maximum width of system1000, one may still use a television of considerably lesser width, i.e., it is not necessary to have cabinets1002and1004snuggly fit or accommodate a television on base1006.

Alternatively, to employ furniture system1000in an adjustable mode, i.e., to accommodate an object having less than a predefined maximum width between cabinets1002and1004such as a television, one may detach removable modules1006C and/or1006D attached to base1006(depending on whether adjustment is one-way or two-way). Additionally, shelving portion1038C, if in place, may be removed to permit sliding a portion of base1006into cabinet1004(a similar portion may be detached from cabinet1002if two-way adjustment is employed).

The foregoing description discusses preferred embodiments of the present invention which may be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. While for the sake of clarity of description, several specific embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the invention is intended to be measured by the claims as set forth below.