Abstract:
A modular furniture system that includes a base cabinet having a drawer used for storage and able to be opened and closed; a plurality of shelf members; means for support the plurality of shelf members in at least one stacked array over said base cabinet; and a plurality of modular leg members that are interengageable by screwing together and that are adapted for placement in said drawer.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates in general to furniture. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a modular furniture system that can be readily assembled to construct shelving, tables, chairs, benches, desks, bedding and other furniture items. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Traditional furniture has been used to furnish homes, offices and condos for countless years. Traditional furniture is made in a number of different styles, using a variety of materials and finished with a variety of surface finishes. One common feature of traditional furniture, however, is that it comes completely assembled from the furniture manufacturer, and once the item of furniture has been made, it can not be otherwise modified or tailored to suit the purchaser or the environment in which it is to be used. 
   As an alternative to pre-finished manufactured “traditional” furniture, many consumers have purchased unfinished furniture or unfinished furniture kits. In these unfinished furniture kits, all the necessary pieces of furniture are provided to assemble a piece of furniture, whereupon the consumer finishes the furniture itself. However, although unfinished furniture kits have become a popular and usually less expensive alternative to traditional furniture, the problem remains that even these furniture kits are only constructed to form traditional pieces of furniture once assembled, and do not allow for any degree of flexibility in assembly, or the ability to be readily modified into other pieces of furniture for use in a house, condo, office or other environment. 
   In an effort to provide more flexibility in furniture, some manufacturers have provided shelving units, such a metal shelving units, which can be assembled in a variety of shelving configurations. Others have used, for example, “egg” crates, or “milk” crates. These crates have been typically used in conjunction with standard wooden planks to form fixed shelving units. These “crate” arrangements have very limited configuration flexibility and are not readily adapted for use as more traditional pieces of furniture, such as, chairs, tables, benches, and the like. 
   What is needed, therefore, but seemingly unavailable in the art is a modular furniture system that can be used for fashioning a large variety of furniture pieces which can be used throughout the house or office to include shelves, tables, chairs, benches, lamps, plant stands. The use of the modular furniture system of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, bedroom furniture such as beds, end tables, benches, night stands, vanities and the like. Another use is as office furniture to include desks, credenzas, and other pieces of furniture. Moreover, what is needed is a modular furniture system which is easy to assemble, inexpensive to purchase, highly flexible, but yet is available in a variety of finishes, textures and/or patterns for use in an extremely wide variety of applications throughout the home, the office, as well as in schools, churches, pre-schools, and any other facility in which furniture is needed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an improved modular furniture system which overcomes a number of the design deficiencies of other pieces of furniture known in the prior art, and which represents a significant advance in the art. The improved modular furniture system of the present invention provides a highly flexible furniture system easily adaptable to the needs of the consumer or end-user, which can be used in a variety of home or office applications, as well as in pre-schools, schools, and other commercial facilities, yet which is easy and inexpensive to construct, and may be arranged in a variety of configurations. Accordingly, the improved modular furniture system of this invention can be matched to the needs of the individual user or institutional user, for example a school or other commercial/office facility, by providing a highly flexible and relatively inexpensive modular furniture system useful for creating a variety of furniture pieces commonly found in such facilities. 
   The improved modular furniture system of this invention uses an elongate post or leg member, that can be constructed of almost any material, and which can be either hollow or solid, used in combination with, inter alia, a plurality of shelving members. Moreover, the improved modular furniture system of this invention uses virtually no external hardware for assembly, yet provides a durable furniture construction. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved modular furniture system which is highly flexible as to configuration, so that the furniture can be assembled into a variety of furniture pieces, and a variety of configurations. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved modular furniture system which is easy to assemble and which does not require any tools for use in assembling the furniture. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved modular furniture system which is readily inexpensive when contrasted with the cost of more traditional furniture, as well as unfinished furniture kits. 
   Still another object of the present invention to provide an improved modular furniture system which is simple in design, easy to construct and assemble and is durable and rugged in structure. 
   To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there is provided, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a modular furniture system comprising: a base cabinet having a drawer used for storage and able to be opened and closed; a plurality of shelf members; means for support the plurality of shelf members in at least one stacked array over the base cabinet; and a plurality of modular leg members that are interengageable by screwing together and that are adapted for placement in the drawer. 
   In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the drawer has means at the front thereof that enable a user to open and close the drawer; the plurality of shelf members include a base shelf member and two sets of narrower shelf members disposed over the base shelf member; including a plurality of cap screws that may be threadedly engageable with a corresponding modular leg member; including a threaded ring that is engageable with at least one of a cap screw and modular leg; the shelf members have a hole at least one end thereof and a shelf member is positioned between the leg member and cap screw; each leg member has a male end and a female end; the base cabinet has a top wall with a plurality of holes therein and a plurality of the leg members having a threaded male end extending upwardly through the hole in the top wall, said shelf members also having holes therein that fit over the male end; each leg member has a threaded male end and a threaded female end, the shelf members having a hole at opposite ends thereof and the shelf member is positioned between leg members and engaged with the leg member via the hole; and including a door cabinet supported over said base cabinet and supported by a set of said leg members. 
   In accordance with still a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular furniture system comprising: a plurality of shelf members each having at least one hole at one end thereof; a plurality of modular leg members that are interengageable by screwing together and that each have a threaded male end and a threaded female end; a base piece from which a set of leg members is supported in an upright position; and a set of at least two leg members supporting a shelf member thereover. 
   In accordance with further aspects of the invention the base piece comprises a base cabinet having a drawer used for storage and able to be opened and closed; the drawer has means at the front thereof that enable a user to open and close the drawer and wherein the plurality of shelf members include a base shelf member and two sets of narrower shelf member including a plurality of cap screws that may be threadedly engageable with a corresponding modular leg member and a threaded ring that is engageable with at least one of a cap screw and modular leg; including a first leg member set supported from said base piece, having the male end extending upwardly for receiving a shelf member at respective ends thereof, each shelf member having opposite holes therein that receive the male end of the leg member; including a cap screw over the shelf member for engaging with the male end of the leg member; and including a support for a mattress supported from the leg members. 
   In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular furniture kit comprising: a base cabinet having a drawer used for storage and able to be opened and closed; a plurality of shelf members; a plurality of support members for support the plurality of shelf members in at least one stacked array over the base cabinet; and a plurality of modular leg members that are interengageable by screwing together and that are adapted for placement in the drawer. 
   In accordance with further aspects of the invention the drawer has means at the front thereof that enable a user to open and close the drawer and the plurality of shelf members include a base shelf member and two sets of narrower shelf members disposed over the base shelf member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the modular furniture system of one embodiment of the present invention as presented in an as-sold form; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing, in an exploded form, all of the various components that make up the modular furniture system of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a leg member (male-female) use in the modular furniture system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a different leg member (female-female) use in the modular furniture system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cap screw member use in the modular furniture system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a ring member use in the modular furniture system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  shows a final configuration of the modular furniture system assembled as a cabinet and shelving; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the configuration of  FIG. 7  in an exploded form; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view as taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7  illustrating the manner in which the leg members are interconnected; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view as taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7  illustrating the manner in which a leg members and cap screw are interconnected; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view as taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7  illustrating the manner in which a ring member and cap screw are interconnected; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate shelf support arrangement used in conjunction with the modular furniture system of the invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the shelf arrangement of  FIG. 12  as taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of still another alternate shelf support arrangement used in conjunction with the modular furniture system of the invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the shelf arrangement of  FIG. 14  as taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ; and 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing another modular furniture arrangement that can be formed with the system of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the modular furniture system or kit of the present invention. This may be considered a basic kit. The modular system may also be constructed in larger kits to construct larger pieces of furniture. In the drawings  FIGS. 2-6  illustrate the separate components that are used in the basic kit or system.  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate one of many different furniture arrangements that may be constructed with the modular furniture system of the present invention. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , the modular furniture system or kit comprises a base cabinet  10  that may be constructed of a plastic material or a lightweight wood material. This cabinet has sides, a back, a bottom, a top and a front. The base cabinet may be constructed with supporting ribs or other appropriate supporting framework. A drawer  12  is supported from the front face  14  of the base cabinet. The drawer  12  may be supported in a known manner within the base cabinet so as to be able to be readily manually moved in and out.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the drawer  12  in an open position while  FIG. 7  shows the drawer closed. The front of the drawer  12  is provided with a recessed handle  16  that enables a user to push the drawer in and to pull the drawer out. Appropriate runners (not shown) may be provided so that the drawer can be properly supported and moved in and out. 
   As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the base cabinet  10  includes a top  20  that is provided with a series of holes  22 , at least some of which receive corresponding threaded posts  24 . These posts may be in the form of an inverted cap screw such as illustrated at  38  in  FIG. 5  herein, arranged extending up through the corresponding hole  22 . In  FIG. 2  the top  20  of the cabinet  10  is actually provided with eight holes  22  disposed in four sets of two each. The assembled version illustrated in  FIG. 1  shows the use of only four threaded posts accommodated in four corresponding holes  22 , all extending upwardly from the top  20 . 
   The modular furniture base system also has, disposed over the base cabinet  10 , the shelf members  30 . The shelf members may be used to form shelf units or for other support purposes.  FIG. 7  illustrates one manner in which shelf members can be assembled in building a furniture system. The shelf members  30  are illustrated as being in two different sixes including a set of two wider shelf members  30 A and eight narrower shelf members  30 B. Each of these sets may be constructed with greater or fewer numbers of shelf members. Each shelf member has at least one hole  31  at each longitudinal end. For the wider shelf members there are two holes at each end as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the narrower shelf members  30 B as supported over the base cabinet in two sets of four each. However, there may be different numbers of shelf members in each set. 
   Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  with the use of four threaded posts  24 , the holes of each shelf member fit over each post. The shelf members are secured in place, such as in the position shown in  FIG. 1  with the use of a series of threaded rings  34 . Each ring  34  is threaded to a corresponding post  24  to hold the shelf members in place.  FIG. 1 , it is noted, has a small partial cut-away portion to show the threads of the support post. As indicated previously each of these posts may be formed by a cap screw, such as the cap screw  38  illustrated in  FIG. 5  positioned upside down and inserted in through the cabinet  10  up through the hole  22 . Once the ring  34  is threaded onto the cap screw it stays in place. 
     FIG. 1  also shows the drawer  12  containing leg members  40 . Most of the leg members are male-female members that can be stored by threading members together in series.  FIG. 1  shows three leg members screwed together in a single structure. It is the intent to sell the modular furniture system in a compact format and by threading the leg members together the various pieces can be stored easily and compactly. Easy access is provided to these various pieces by opening the drawer  12 . Also, not only are these leg members stored in the drawer  12 , but also other modular furniture pieces can be readily stored such as those disclosed in  FIGS. 2-6 . 
   In addition to the leg members  40 , rings  34  and cap screws  38 , the modular furniture system of the present invention preferably also includes members of different sizes and/or lengths and the female-female leg members  42 .  FIG. 2  illustrates two different length leg members  40 . There are shown twelve leg members that are 12 inches long and eight leg members that are 6 inches long. Of course, the leg members may also be of different lengths and diameters.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one leg member having a male end  41  and a female end  43 , each having threads, as shown. 
     FIG. 2  also shows eight female-female leg members  42  that may each be 6 inches long. Of course, the leg members  42  may also be of different lengths and diameters.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one female-female leg member  42  having female ends at each end, each having threads, as shown. There may be separate internal threads at each end or the leg member  42  may be threaded entirely through from one end to the opposite end. 
     FIG. 2  also shows cap screws  38  that are illustrated as of two different lengths. In  FIG. 2  there are eight cap screws that may each be 6 inches long and four shorter cap screws. The cap screws may be of different lengths and diameters.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one cap screw  38  having a head  45  and a threaded shaft portion  46 . 
     FIG. 2  also shows the threaded rings  34 . There are twelve such rings  34  illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a threaded ring member  34 . In  FIGS. 2-6  these members or pieces may be constructed of a plastic material. They are preferably light in weight and manufactured in various colors or patterns. 
   The kit depicted in  FIG. 1  is meant to be sold with all pieces that make up the furniture arrangement either stored over the base cabinet  10  or stored in the cabinet drawer  12 . As indicated previously several of the components are adapted for storage in the drawer  12  either singly or preferably screwed together to make the storage more compact. In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the shelf pieces are disposed over the base cabinet  10  with the use of posts  24  (inverted cap screws) and threaded rings  34 . To construct a piece of furniture one simply unthreads the rings  34  enabling them to detach from the post. The post can then be removed from inside the cabinet and all of the shelf members are then accessible to the user The user can then assemble the various pieces in an arrangement such as depicted in, for example,  FIG. 7 . 
   Refer now to  FIG. 7  for an illustration of one of many different furniture arrangements that can be formed with the modular furniture system of the present invention. This furniture arrangement is made up of a basic kit along with additional pieces such as the overhead cabinet  50 . Cabinet  50  includes front doors  52  each with a handle  54 . In  FIG. 7  one of the doors is shown opened and the other door is in its closed position. The cabinet  50  is supported by a series of upright leg members  40  that are screwed together in the positions shown with shelving therebetween. The cabinet  50  has holes in top and bottom surfaces for receiving ends of leg members or cap screws. For example, in  FIG. 7  at the open door  52  there is disclosed a screw top  41  of one leg member extending through a hole in the bottom surface of the cabinet  50  and secured by means of a threaded ring  34 . At the location above that a further female cap member  48  may be used, in combination with, a male cap screw  38  to provide a decorative top post on the cabinet  50 . Member  48  unlike member  42  may have only one internally threaded female end and is closed at the opposite end so as to provide an external finish piece. 
   Reference to  FIG. 8  is helpful in seeing how most of the furniture piece of  FIG. 7  is constructed.  FIG. 8  is an exploded view that illustrates how all of the various components or pieces are assembled.  FIGS. 9-11  are further examples of how the pieces are assembled by taking representative cross-sectional views at various locations of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7  through a location where two leg members  40  are interconnected at a shelf member  30 B. A male end  41  of the lower leg member extends up through the hole in the shelf member  30 , and the female end  43  of an upper leg member is threaded onto the male end of the lower leg member, as illustrated. The shelf member is retained between these leg members. It is noted that the assembly of these leg members, as well as other components, can be readily carried out without the need for any special tools or fixtures. One has to only hand screw the members together to firmly hold the members in position. 
     FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7  through a location where a leg member  40  and a cap screw are interconnected at a shelf member and the cabinet  10 . A female end  43  of the leg member extends up through the hole in the shelf member  30 , and the threaded shaft  46  of the cap screw  38  is threaded with the female end of the cap screw, as illustrated. The shelf member and cabinet are retained between these pieces. 
     FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7  through a location where a threaded ring  34  and a′ cap screw are interconnected at shelf members. The cap screw  45  is secured by the threaded ring  34  between the two shelf members  30 . 
   Refer now to  FIG. 12  which is a perspective view of another manner in which shelf members can be supported relative to the modular furniture system. See also the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13  for further details.  FIG. 12  shows a backing board  60  that may be attached to a rear surface against which the furniture system rests. This may be between other shelf members on a rear wall. The shelf members  62  are then supported from the backing board  60  by means of bracket  64 . Adhesives may be used to secure the backing board to a wall, as well as to secure the brackets  64  to the backing board  60 . The shelf members  62  may be slid into the corresponding bracket  64 . 
   Refer now also to  FIGS. 14 and 15  for illustrations of a further arrangement for supporting a backing board  70 . This may be supported above a cabinet top  74  by means of the support bracket  72 . A series of screws  75  secures the bracket  72  to the top  74 . 
   Refer now to  FIG. 16  for an illustration of an alternate furniture arrangement that is easily adapted to the modular furniture system of the present invention. This arrangement includes the base cabinet  80  which may be the same as the base cabinet previously described in  FIG. 1  and a bed system made up of a base board  82  supported at one end by the base cabinet  80  and a mattress  84 . The other end of the board is supported by the leg members  86  and cap screw  87 . 
   In accordance with the present invention the leg members or posts are preferably hollow, but may also be constructed at least partially solid. The advantage of a hollow post is that it is lighter in weight and thus easier to handle during the fabrication or assembly of the modular furniture system into a configuration such as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The leg members, as well as virtually all other components, may be constructed of wood or a wood product such as a laminate formed from wood by-products thus offering the structural integrity of wood yet the lower cost of a by-product material. Alternatively, they can be made from a plastic, glass, plexiglass, fiberglass, chrome, stainless steel, marble, stone, and/or PVC piping. The exterior surface can be finished as desired. For a wood product it can be painted or left natural. For a plastic of other materials it can be painted or provided with another decorative surface pattern. 
   The shelf members can be made of the same materials as just mentioned for the other components. For example, the shelves can be made of a light weight wood or wood by-product or even a mirrored glass with a decorative surface. Also, the various pieces that are used in the modular furniture system of the invention need not all be made of the same material. For example, the leg members can be plastic while the shelf members are glass or wood. 
   The components that have been described herein represent only a limited number of variations. The leg members, for example, can be of different lengths and diameters and have different wall thicknesses. They can also have different shape cross-sections such as, but not limited to, round, rectangular, square or multi-sided. 
   As mentioned previously, one of the significant aspects of the present invention is that the entire assembly or fabrication sequence can be accomplished without the need for any tool or fixtures. It is anticipated that the modular furniture system can be sold in many different arrangements and kit types depending upon the particular piece of furniture that one intends to fabricate. It is further anticipated that the kit is sold with an instruction sheet for the particular piece that is to be made. Also, it is anticipated that each kit is sold with several options for variations of furniture pieces. 
   Moreover, it is anticipated that the modular furniture system of the present invention could be used to construct not only shelving units, to include room dividers, entertainment centers and etageres; but also to construct tables to include end tables and coffee tables, chairs, benches, floor lamp, plane stands; it may also be used to construct bedroom furniture to include beds, children&#39;s beds, bunk beds, trundle beds, as well as tables, chairs and desks used in bedrooms. It is also anticipated that the modular furniture system of this invention be used as well to construct dining room tables and chairs, bars, as well as game room and recreational equipment to include play tables, chairs, benches, shelving and storage cabinets. 
   It is also anticipated that the modular furniture system of the invention is equally well adapted for use in furnishing offices, to include desks, computer and printer stands, shelving units, and telephone, copier, printer and facsimile stands. This could also include the use of the modular furniture system for creating shelving units, island displays, hanging racks, cash register islands or support tables, and changing rooms in commercial and/or retail establishments. 
   While preferred embodiments of the invention have now been described, it is understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications thereof can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.