A furniture module having a support surface and at least three legs extending therefrom. A first leg is placed adjacent a first edge of the support surface; while two second legs are placed adjacent a second edge of the support surface that is opposite to the first surface edge. The two legs are spaced apart by a distance that is substantially equal to the width of the first leg, and the first leg is spaced apart from the two second legs by a distance that is substantially the same as or greater than the width of the support surface. The outside edges of the first leg are configured for parallel alignment with the inside edges of the second legs to facilitate interlocking of the second legs of one module around the first leg of another module. Multiple modules may be combined to form various furniture designs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to stackable, interlocking furniture. More particularly, this invention concerns the appropriate positioning and spacing of the furniture's structural elements to achieve effective interlocking of multiple modules and efficient use of space when multiple modules are stacked for storage or shipment. Among other uses, individual modules of this invention may be used as a general purpose stool, step ladder, ottoman, bench, bedside table, coffee table, or shelving. Multiple modules can be interlocked end-to-end to form longer single level structures. Multiple modules can be stacked in a variety of configurations to create shelving units or pillars for efficient use of storage space.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,331 discloses stackable, nestable articles of furniture including two identical tables and two identical chairs which may be used separately or mated together to form a single cube-like unit. The table units include three legs, one leg extending down from a table surface and having a predetermined width, and the other two legs extending down from the table surface having a space between the legs sized to accommodate the first leg. When assembled into a cube-like unit, the table units are oriented at 180° with respect to each other on the vertical axis and at 180° with respect to each other on the horizontal axis, such that one table surface rests on the ground and the other table surface faces away from the ground. In this orientation, the first leg of one table interlocks with the two legs of the second table and vice versa, created a stacked unit of tables. The associated chairs are similarly designed to nest, within the stacked table unit to form the cube-like unit.

While this prior art illustrates an effective way to stack furniture, it suffers from several problems. First, it does not teach any way to stack more than two table units. In situations where more than two tables are in use, this design would force a user to create multiple cube-like units which are not interconnected. Because additional units are not interconnected, vertical storage would result in a safety risk and side by side storage would limit storage room. Second, the table units of the prior art stack inefficiently, again making it difficult to store a large number of units in a small space. Because the patent discloses stacking the legs of one table upon the legs of the other, the composite cube-like unit is nearly as tall as the height of two tables. Therefore, very little vertical space is saved in this storage configuration. Finally, the system does not provide any means for interlocking the table units while the individual components are arranged for use. Thus, long rows of tables are created only by placing the tables next to each other; there is no means of preventing them from coming out of alignment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves all of the aforementioned problems of prior art furniture modules. It allows for the stacking of an indefinite number of furniture modules in an efficient manner, while also creating modules capable of interlocking end to end with other modules to create a table or bench-like structure. The modules also can also create stackable, interlocking shelving units.

In particular, the invention relates to a furniture module, comprising a support surface having a thickness and a predetermined width; and at least three legs attached to the surface and extending therefrom in the same direction. A first leg arrangement is placed adjacent a first edge of the surface and has a thickness, outside edges and a predetermined width terminating at the outside edges; while a second leg arrangement of at least two second legs is placed adjacent a second edge of the surface that is opposite to the first surface edge, with the two legs each having a thickness, an inside edge, and being spaced apart by a distance that is substantially equal to the predetermined width of the first leg arrangement. Thus, the first leg arrangement is spaced apart from the at least two second legs by a predetermined distance that is substantially the same as or greater than the width of the support surface; and the outside edges of the first leg arrangement are configured for parallel alignment with the inside edges of the second legs to facilitate interlocking of the at least two second legs of one module around the first leg arrangement of an identical module.

The invention also relates to furniture formed from one or preferably two or more of the modules. Typically, each module is substantially identical in size and shape, with the furniture comprising a first module and a second module situated adjacent the first module wherein the first and second modules cooperate in a number of different ways to form various functional furniture designs and shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to this embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention is directed to furniture modules capable of being used individually or being interlocked to form shelving, a bench, or other articles. The modules can also be effectively stacked atop each other.

In the description that follows, reference will be made to the orientation of a module by considering the support surface as the top, the first leg as being the back, and the second legs as being the front. Of course, this reference is made for the convenience of understanding this description and not to limit the use of description of the arrangement of the modules in various furniture designs.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, a first module according to the invention can cooperate with another identical module in any of the following ways beginning with first and second modules each resting on a planar surface and with:

(a) the second module situated adjacent to the first module in the direction of the first module's second leg arrangement with the first leg arrangement of the first module disposed adjacent the inside edges of the two second legs, e.g., to form a bench,

(b) the second module rotated 180° about an axis extending perpendicular to the surface of its first leg arrangement and situated adjacent to the first module in the direction of the first module's second leg arrangement e.g., to form a component of a shelving unit; or

(c) the second module rotated 180° about an axis extending perpendicular to the surface of its first leg arrangement and 180° about an axis extending perpendicular to its primary support surface and situated adjacent to the first module in the direction of the first module's legs e.g., to form a cube-like arrangement; or

(d) the second module rotated 180° about an axis extending perpendicular to the primary support surface and situated adjacent to the first module in the direction of the first module's primary support element e.g., to form a stacking unit.

In another embodiment, the modules produce combinations wherein the second module can be situated adjacent to the first module with the first leg arrangement of the second module disposed adjacent the inside edges of the two second legs of the first module; the second module situated adjacent to the first module with the first leg arrangement of the second module disposed adjacent the inside edges of the two second legs of the first module and the first leg arrangement of the first module disposed adjacent the inside edges of the two second legs of the second module; or one of the first module and the second module being situated adjacent another of the first module and the second module with the support surface of either module disposed between the first leg arrangement and the two second legs of the other module. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second module may be inverted with respect to the first module.

The furniture modules of this invention may be made of any material, including but not limited to woods, composites, wood composites, metals, metal composites and equivalents and combinations thereof. Plastics, metal and woods are preferred because in appropriate types they are light in weight, strong and low in cost. Furthermore, the furniture modules of this invention may be scaled to any size, so long as relevant dimensions described hereafter remain in proportion. Although various modules may, in their final form, appear in different colors and with different design patterns, in the preferred embodiment, all of modules have the same height and shape.

In accordance with the invention, each furniture module9is comprised of a preferably square top surface10, a first set of one or more legs11, and a second set of at least two legs12. Both the first set of legs and the second set of legs extend downward from opposing sides of the surface and are preferably offset from the surface edges as illustrated. In the preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the surface10has a single leg11extending downward from one side of the surface10and two legs12extending downward from the opposite side of the surface10.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the first leg11has a predetermined width A between its outermost surfaces13. In another embodiment of the invention also illustrated inFIG. 1, multiple legs11A designated by dashed lines B could replace the unitary first leg11. However, in such an embodiment, the predetermined width between the outermost surfaces of the outermost legs must remain A.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the two legs12are spaced apart from each other, creating a void of width B between the innermost leg surfaces14. The width B must be greater than or equal to the predetermined width A in order to accommodate insertion of the first leg11at an adjacent but (here) identical module9into the void created by the separation of the two legs12, as illustrated inFIG. 2. Although the preferred embodiment discloses the use of two legs to create the void, any number of legs may be used so long as the width between the innermost surfaces of the innermost legs remains width B.

In the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 2, the modules interlock. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by protruding the first leg11from the surface edge15and by protruding the two legs12from the surface edge16, as illustrated inFIG. 1. The protruding first leg11of a first module is inserted into the void created by the protruding two legs12of a second module, thus preventing lateral movement. Longitudinal movement can be prevented by providing interlocking dovetail formations (not shown) in the leg surfaces13and14.

Alternatively, the invention includes placement of the legs directly underneath the surface, rather than in an offset position. In this embodiment, the legs of a first module (not shown) would be positioned outside or beyond the perimeter of the surface of a second, nested module. This second module would nest within the void between the innermost surfaces of the legs of the first module. This would also result in interlocking modules that prevent lateral movement.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention,FIG. 1illustrates that the space between the first leg11and the two legs12has a predetermined length X. The maximum width Y of the surface10is less than or equal to the predetermined length X. As shown inFIG. 3, this spacing permits the stacking of a first module31upon a second module32, with the first module31oriented at 180° with respect to the second module32. This arrangement increases the height of the combined structure by only the height H of the surface10and thus maximizes storage space. As further illustrated inFIG. 3, by orienting a third module33at 90° in either direction with respect to the second module32, the third module33may be stacked upon the second module32. In addition, by stacking a fourth module oriented at 180° in either direction with respect to the third module33, a stacking unit30is created. The entire configuration can be locked in place by placing a fifth module atop the stack, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Repetition of this process permits the stacking of an indefinite number of furniture modules.

FIG. 4illustrates an embodiment of yet another aspect of this invention.FIG. 4depicts an embodiment of a shelving unit40created through the combination of two identical shelf modules41. These modules41are identical in configuration with the modules inFIGS. 1-3. Each shelf module41includes a side surface42, a top leg43, and two bottom legs44. The top leg43and the bottom legs44extend perpendicularly to the side surface42in the same direction. The top leg43is designed with a predetermined width W. The bottom legs44are spaced apart so that the width between the innermost surfaces of the two legs is V, a distance greater than or equal to the predetermined width W.

As seen inFIG. 5, the spacing is such that the top leg53of one shelf module51will nest within the space between the bottom legs54of a second shelf module52, effectively interlocking shelf module51and shelf module52.

The shelf modules ofFIG. 4are configured and oriented so that the top legs43and the bottom legs44of two shelf modules41confront each other. The combination of the two shelf modules in this orientation constitutes a shelving unit. Although the shelving unit depicted inFIG. 4is the preferred embodiment, multiple variations can be created. As an example, any number of legs may be used as a substitute for the top leg or the bottom legs, so long as the space between the innermost surfaces of the innermost bottom legs remains greater than or equal to the width of the outermost opposing surfaces of the outermost top legs. Aside from this spacing limitation, the shelving units41may come in any size or shape. However, each shelf module41must be substantially identical in size and shape when compared to the other modules.

The shelving units ofFIG. 4can be combined into a variety of structures, some of which are illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6. To accomplish this, all shelving units and shelf modules used to create the shelving structure are oriented in the same direction. The shelving units should be oriented so that at least one flat surface of the shelving unit is parallel to the ground. As illustrated inFIG. 5, each shelving unit41is oriented such that the top legs43face down and the bottom legs44face up. A number of shelving units are placed side by side so that the side surface42of one shelving unit43abuts the side surface42of another shelving unit41. Another second-level shelving unit41may be placed atop the ground level shelving units41just described. The second-level shelving unit41is centered above the point where the side surfaces42of the ground level shelving units41meet. The top legs43of the second-level shelving unit42nest within the space created by the bottom legs44of the ground level shelving units41, interlock all of the shelving units and preventing lateral movement. Due to this spacing, it is necessary to fill out the second level with a single shelf module41at each end. As before, the side surface42of the shelf module41abuts the side surface42of the adjacent shelving unit41and the top leg43of the shelf module41interlocks with the bottom legs44of the ground level shelving unit. By repeating this process, a shelving structure of indefinite length and height can be achieved.

The same approach may be used by rotating the shelving units and shelf modules in any direction, so long as one surface remains parallel to the ground. In the further embodiment ofFIG. 6, the same approach is used, however the shelving units11are oriented such that the top legs44face up and the bottom legs43facedown.

FIGS. 7 to 12show examples of pairs of modules9forming arrangements wherein the outside edges of the first leg11are configured for parallel alignment with the inside edges of the second legs12. Although the modules to be combined are not limited to the examples as shown and described herein, these examples demonstrate the versatility of module9to facilitate interlocking of the second legs of one module around the first leg of another module to form a load bearing structure.

FIGS. 7 and 8show examples of pairs of interlocked modules9of the type shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 7shows a pair of interlocked modules9, each in an upright orientation with the surface10facing upward and first leg11and the two legs12depending downward therefrom. InFIG. 8, one module remains in an upright orientation while a second module is inverted such that surface10faces downward relative to a support surface with the first leg11and the two legs12depending upwardly therefrom. In each example, the offset first leg11of a first module9is inserted into the void created by the offset two legs12of a second module9, thus providing an arrangement of consecutively interlocked modules that resist lateral movement relative to one another.

FIGS. 9 and 10show examples of pairs of stacked interlocked modules of the type shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 9shows a pair of stacked interlocked modules9wherein a first module is provided in an upright orientation (with the surface10facing upward and first leg11and the two legs12depending downwardly therefrom) and a second module is inverted (such that surface10faces downward parallel to a surface with the first leg11and the two legs12depending upwardly therefrom).FIG. 10shows a pair of stacked interlocked modules wherein both modules9are provided in an upright orientation with surface10facing upward and first leg11and the two legs12depending downwardly therefrom. In this example, one module (the “upper module”) is placed atop the second module (“the lower module”) such that the surface10of the lower module supports the upper module thereby. In both examples, the first leg11of each module9is inserted into the void created by the offset two legs12of the other module9, thus providing an arrangement of stacked interlocked modules that resist later movement relative to one another.

FIGS. 11 and 12show examples of pairs of stacked modules of the type shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 11shows a pair of stacked modules9wherein a first module is provided in an upright orientation (with the surface10facing upward and first leg11and the two legs12depending downwardly therefrom) and a second module is inverted (such that surface10faces downward parallel to a surface with the first leg11and the two legs12depending upwardly therefrom).FIG. 12shows a pair of stacked modules wherein both modules9are provided in an upright orientation with surface10facing upward and first leg11and the two legs12depending downwardly therefrom. In this example, one module (the “upper module”) is placed atop another module (“the lower module”) such that the surface10of the lower module supports the upper module thereby. In both examples, the surface10is inserted into the void created by the space between the first leg11and the two legs12, thus providing an arrangement of stacked modules that resist later movement relative to one another.

FIGS. 13ato13dshow examples of module9in different orientations forming arrangements wherein module9serves as a support surface or a base for an object such as a tabletop or other surface. Although the implementation of module9is not limited to that of a support or base as shown and described herein, these examples demonstrate the versatility of module9to serve as a load bearing structure by itself.

Each ofFIGS. 13aand13bshows a single module9of the type shown inFIG. 1serving as a support surface for an object such as coffee cup90(although coffee cup90is shown, it is understood that module9may support any amenable object, animal and/or person).FIG. 13ashows module9in an upright orientation with the surface10facing upward and first leg11and the two legs12depending downward therefrom. In this example, surface10supports coffee cup90thereby.FIG. 13bshows module9rotated 90° clockwise relative to the upright position shown inFIG. 13asuch that surface10is sideward facing with first leg11and the two legs12extending outwardly relative thereto. The two legs12are parallel with a support surface to support module9thereon and also with first leg11, which supports coffee cup90thereby. In both examples, module9may serve as a functional and/or ornamental piece, such as a table, chair, plant stand or foot rest or in any other manner amenable to practice of the invention as shown and described herein.

Each ofFIGS. 13cand13dshows a single module9of the type shown inFIG. 1serving as a base for another support surface such as table top100(shown herein supporting coffee cup90thereon, although it is understood that table top100may support any other object thereon).FIG. 13cshows module9in an inverted orientation with the surface10in parallel with and supported by a surface with first leg11and the two legs12depending upwardly therefrom. In this example, the free extents of first leg11and the two legs12support table top100thereby.FIG. 13dshows module9rotated 90° clockwise relative to the inverted position shown inFIG. 13c(or, alternatively, 90° counterclockwise relative to the upright position shown inFIG. 13a) such that surface10is sideward facing with first leg11and the two legs12extending outwardly relative thereto. The first leg is parallel with a support surface to support module9thereon and also with the two legs12, which support table top100thereby. It is understood that module9in the orientations shown inFIGS. 13aand13bmay also support table top100or a similar or complementary surface (for instance, by placing table top100upon surface10of the module shown inFIG. 13aor upon first leg11of the module shown inFIG. 13b). It is understood that table top100is an optional feature and that the modules shown inFIGS. 13cand13dmay serve as functional and/or ornamental pieces on their own.

Although the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings show generally rectangular geometries, the invention comprehends any shaped surface that permits attachment of the required leg structures. Furthermore, except where otherwise required, the legs need not be perpendicular to the surface, but may extend from the surface at any angle so long as the required proportional dimensions are not violated.

The numerical values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such value is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value as well as equivalent units of that value.

While the invention has been described in a preferred form, it will be understood that changes, additions, and modifications may be made to the respective articles forming the invention. Accordingly, no limitation should be imposed on the scope of this invention, except as set forth in the accompanying claims.