Furniture connection system

Disclosed herein are furniture connection systems for connecting modular furniture components while disguising the connections between components. In some embodiments, a first furniture component is coupled to a second furniture component via a removable bracket, the bracket being secured to the second furniture component via a fastener extending through an opening in the bracket into an attachment hole in the second furniture components. In these embodiments, the furniture connection system further includes a button element having a head and a shank. When the bracket and fastener are removed, the shank of the button element is inserted into the attachment hole causing the head of the button element to cover the attachment hole, thereby disguising the presence of the attachment hole in the second furniture component.

FIELD

The present invention relates to furniture systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to furniture systems using modular components configured to disguise the connections between components.

BACKGROUND

Modern offices often include open plan workspaces, where modular furniture can be reconfigured to meet business needs. Due to changes in personnel, storage needs, and other factors, furniture may need to be added or removed from a location. Modular furniture components may be mechanically connected using screws, nails, bolts, or other fasteners. However, when the furniture components are later disconnected, unsightly holes from the screws, nails, bolts, or other fasteners remain.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an office furniture system using modular components configured to disguise the connections between components.

One aspect of the present invention pertains to a modular furniture system comprising: a first furniture component having a first surface and a rear surface opposite the first surface; a second furniture component having a front surface including at least one attachment hole; a bracket; and a button element having a head and a shank adapted to be inserted into the at least one attachment hole; wherein, upon removal of the button element, the bracket connects the first furniture component and the second furniture component by contacting the first surface and the front surface. In some embodiments, the bracket includes an opening, and a fastener extends through the opening and into the at least one attachment hole. In further embodiments, the front surface includes at least one recessed portion configured to receive a portion of the bracket.

In certain embodiments, the modular furniture system includes two first furniture components as described above and includes at least two brackets as described above, and the second furniture component includes at least two attachment holes. In certain of these embodiments, the two first furniture components are positioned adjacent to each other and adjacent to the second furniture component such that at least a portion of the rear surface of each first furniture component contacts the front surface of the second furniture component. A clip for connecting the two adjacent first furniture components may also be included.

In further embodiments, the first furniture component is box shaped, with an internal cavity, a rim surrounding the internal cavity, and a removable lid configured to fit atop the rim. In certain embodiments, the lid includes at least one descending tab sized to fit within the internal cavity of the first furniture component. In some embodiments, the first surface is the surface of the internal cavity opposite the rear surface of the box.

In some embodiments, the bracket serially includes a first vertical portion, a transverse portion, and a second vertical portion, the second vertical portion including an opening. The first vertical portion extends into the internal cavity, the transverse portion extends across the rim, and the second vertical portion extends upwards along the front surface such that the opening is aligned with the attachment hole. In certain embodiments, the first surface includes at least one recessed portion or a plurality of recessed portions configured to receive a portion of the bracket whereby the received portion of the bracket is either flush or recessed to the first surface. The lid, when positioned on the rim of the first furniture element, conceals the bracket.

In some embodiments, the head of the button element is larger than the at least one attachment hole. In further embodiments, the shank of the button element is configured such that a friction fit removably maintains the shank within the at least one attachment hole.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to a method for removably connecting a first furniture component and a second furniture component, the method comprising: providing a first furniture component having a first surface and a rear surface opposite the first surface; providing a second furniture component having a front surface including at least one attachment hole; providing a button element having a head and a shank, the shank of the button element positioned within the at least one attachment hole; removing at least one button element from the second furniture component; positioning the rear surface of the first furniture component adjacent to the front surface of the second furniture component; and connecting the first furniture component to the second furniture component using a bracket. In some embodiments, the step of connecting further comprises inserting a fastener through an opening in the bracket and into the at least one attachment hole. In further embodiments, the step of connecting further comprises positioning a portion of the bracket in a recessed portion of the first surface.

A further aspect of the present invention pertains to a method for disconnecting a first furniture component and a second furniture component, the method comprising: providing a first furniture component; providing a second furniture component, the first furniture component and second furniture component being connected by a bracket fastened to an attachment hole in the second furniture component; removing the bracket; and inserting a button element in the attachment hole. In some embodiments, the button element includes a head configured to match the aesthetics of the second furniture component and a shank extending from the head, the shank configured to friction-fit within the attachment hole.

DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Generally, the present system, method, and apparatus provide attachment mechanisms for connecting adjacent, modular pieces of furniture in an unobtrusive, yet secure fashion. While the figures herein illustrate one specific implementation, the invention as illustrated will be adapted and modified by those skilled in the art as will occur to them in view of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a first embodiment of a furniture connection system10. In this embodiment, a second furniture component12, namely, a vertical panel, is positioned behind two first furniture components14, namely, seat-box units, to provide a seating space with a back. As shown, the first furniture components14each include a first surface16and a rear surface18opposite the first surface16. The second furniture component12includes a front surface20. When connected, the rear surface18of the first furniture component14is adjacent to the front surface20of the second furniture component12. InFIG. 1, cushioned lids24of the seat-box units have been removed to show the interior cavity22of each box-like first furniture component14and the mechanism for connecting the furniture components12,14and components14,14. When the lids24are present, as shown inFIG. 2, the mechanism for connecting the furniture components12,14is obscured from view.

As can be seen inFIG. 1, the interior of each seat-box in this embodiment includes recessed portions26near the rim27. The recessed portions26can be formed by using a router on the interior of the cavity22or using other suitable techniques. The recessed portions26may be formed in one, a plurality, or all sides of the cavity22. Each recessed portion26is adapted to receive a bracket28that is attached to the adjacent second furniture component12. One or more square-cornered U-shaped clips30connect adjacent first furniture components14,14maintaining the seat-boxes in a fixed relative position. In some embodiments, the U-shaped clip30, bracket28, or both are configured to partially fit within the recessed portions26so that the clip30or bracket28is flush or recessed with the interior surface of the cavity22. The second furniture component12includes at least one button element32, described in further detail below, aesthetically filling at least one attachment hole (not visible in these figures) that is strategically placed to match up with a recessed portion26of the first furniture component14.

FIGS. 3-4illustrate a second embodiment of a furniture connection system110. In this embodiment, a single first furniture component114is positioned in front of and adjacent to a second a second furniture component112, forming a seating space with a back.FIG. 3depicts this second embodiment110with the lid124removed from the first furniture component114, whileFIG. 4shows the lid124in place. In this embodiment, the second furniture component112is a vertical panel with four attachment holes, two with inserted button elements132and two with attached brackets128. In this embodiment, the button elements132and attachment holes are positioned to form an aesthetically pleasing pattern that coincides with reasonable attachment points for other modular furniture components, namely, the first furniture component114. The button elements132in this embodiment also press against the upholstery of the second furniture component112, supplementing the aesthetic effect.

FIGS. 5-8show a method of connecting a first furniture component114to a second furniture component112. As shown inFIG. 5, the second furniture component112is a vertical panel with four button elements132in place, each inserted in an attachment hole134. In this embodiment, the button elements132are friction-fit into the attachment holes134so they can be pulled out with the application of modest force.FIG. 6shows the same second component112, with two button elements132removed, revealing two attachment holes134.FIG. 7shows the second furniture component112ofFIG. 6, with a first furniture component114positioned in front. The rear surface118of the first furniture component114is adjacent the front surface120of the second furniture component112. The attachment holes134, no longer filled by button elements132, are seen aligned with recessed portions126on the first surface116of the first furniture component114. These attachment features are visible only because the lid124of the first furniture component114has been removed.

To attach these furniture components together, a roughly S-shaped bracket128is placed in the recessed portion126, across the rim127of first furniture component114, and over the attachment hole134. In this embodiment, a fastener136, such as a screw or nail, is fed through an opening (not visible in these figures) in the bracket128and into the attachment hole134, thus holding the first furniture component114to the second furniture component112.FIG. 8shows the furniture components112,114with brackets128in place. Upon disassembly of the modular furniture components112,114, the button elements132are reinserted into the attachment holes134to disguise the attachment holes134and maintain the aesthetics of the second furniture component112. Due to the nature of the disclosed connection mechanism, no holes or other disfigurements are left on the first furniture component114.

FIG. 9shows a button element132adapted for placement in an attachment hole134. In preferred embodiments, the button element132includes a head140and a shank142, the head140being configured to match the aesthetics of the second furniture component112. In this embodiment, the shank142comprises two elongated metal strips143biased to separate slightly; thereby increasing the friction fit in the attachment holes134. In other embodiments, other shanks will be used, and in still other embodiments, other attachment dynamics will be used as will occur to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10shows an embodiment of a bracket128. In this embodiment, the bracket128serially includes a first, generally vertical, portion144, a transverse portion146, and a second vertical portion148, the second vertical portion148including the opening138. In some embodiments, the first vertical portion144is straight. In other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 10, the first vertical portion144may include a slight angle to bias the first vertical portion144against the first surface116when installed. In preferred embodiments, the first vertical portion144is sized to be accepted within the recessed portion126of the first surface116. In some embodiments, the transverse portion146is sized to span the rim127of the first furniture component114. In certain embodiments, the recessed portion126is configured to receive the first vertical portion144whereby the received portion of the bracket128is either flush or recessed to the first surface116.

FIG. 11illustrates the second embodiment of the furniture connection system110using a cross-section view ofFIG. 3. In some embodiments, the button element132is secured within the second furniture component112using a washer-type element150. In use, the head140of the button element132is positioned on the outside of the second furniture component112with its shank142extending through the attachment hole134. On the interior of the second furniture component112, the shank142passes through the washer-type element150, which fits snugly around it and improves the friction-fit resistance to the button element132working itself loose.

When installed, the bracket128contacts both the front surface120of the second furniture component112and the first surface116of the first furniture component114. The bracket128is secured to the second furniture component112by a fastener136extending through the opening138and into the attachment hole134. Due to the shape of the bracket128, it mechanically secures the first furniture component114to the second furniture component112. In some embodiments, the bracket128is pressed into the upholstery152of the second furniture component112such that the lid124may fit on the rim127flush against the front surface120and obscure the bracket128from view.

FIG. 12illustrates the second embodiment of the furniture connection system110using a cross-section view ofFIG. 4. In some embodiments, the removable lid124includes at least one tab154which extends downward from the lid124. In some embodiments, each side of the lid124includes a downward extending tab154. When placed on the seat box portion of the first furniture component114, the tabs154extend into the cavity122, contacting the sides of the rim127and preventing the lid124from sliding off the seat box portion. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 12, the tab154is sized to fit between recessed portions126. In other embodiments, the tab154may extend over one or more recessed portions126. As described, the first vertical portion144of the bracket128may fit flush or recessed to the first surface116, such that the tab154may fit over the bracket128.

In some embodiments, the first surface includes a plurality of recessed portions so that a user may select where to position the bracket so that the first and second furniture components can be shifted left or right in relation to each other and still have a recessed portion and attachment hole aligned for connection. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the leftmost first furniture component fits flush with the second furniture component and the rightmost first furniture component extends past the right side of the second furniture component. A user could remove the brackets, shift both first furniture components to the left, and reattach the brackets, such that the rightmost first furniture component fits flush and the leftmost first furniture component extends past the side of the second furniture component. The terms left and right are used herein for ease of understanding and are not meant to be limiting.

In other embodiments, different types of furniture are configured with attachment holes and recessed positioning portions so that modular pieces can be combined and fixed together into a single “unit.” While the figures depict a comparatively squat and generally rectangular first furniture component and a comparatively tall and generally rectangular second furniture component connected to for a seating space with a back, other furniture shapes are within the scope of the invention. For example, the front surface of a generally upright c-shaped second furniture component could be positioned adjacent to a generally cylindrical-shaped first furniture component and be connected thereto using the disclosed system.

While the figures depict either one or two first furniture components being connected to a single second furniture component, it should be understood that different combinations of first and second furniture components may be used. In some embodiments, a single first component may be connected to a single second component. In further embodiments, a single first component may be connected to two second components. In other embodiments, three first components may be connected to a single second component. In certain embodiments, three first components may be connected to two second components, where a left first component is connected to a left second component, a right first component is connected to a right second component, and a central first component is connected to both the left and right second components. In other embodiments, a second furniture component could include attachment holes and button elements on two different sides, effectively having two front surfaces using the nomenclature herein, and connect two first furniture components spaced apart from each other. Other combinations and arrangements will occur to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

All publications, prior applications, and other documents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each had been individually incorporated by reference and fully set forth. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.