Abstract:
Provided is a bench comprising: a) a plurality of parallel middle members, each of the middle members having at least two openings; b) at least two crossbars with a first end and a second end, each of the crossbars configured to go through one of the two openings; c) a plurality of legs for attaching to the crossbars, the legs making contact with a ground; wherein the plurality of the middle members are spaced apart from each other in such configuration that each of the two openings align from one middle member to another, and each of the crossbars transverses one of the openings of the middle members to be attached to the legs at the first and the second end of the crossbar, a top surface of the middle members in the configuration attached to the legs defining a sitting area of the bench.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 62/058,585, filed on Oct. 1, 2014, and in a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Appl. No. 29/504,085 filed on Oct. 1, 2014, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND SECTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many consumers prefer high end furniture that gives a luxurious look to a person&#39;s house or office. The problem with such furniture is that they are difficult to manufacture and assemble. In addition, the furniture may not have a luxurious feel and look, be sturdy and durable, and be capable of being manufactured at a reasonable price, and be available in a modular kit for assembly. 
         [0003]    There is a need in the art for a bench that fulfills the above needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Provided is a bench comprising: a) a plurality of parallel middle members, each of the middle members having at least two openings; b) at least two crossbars with a first end and a second end, each of the crossbars configured to go through one of the two openings; c) a plurality of legs for attaching to the first end and the second end of the crossbars, the legs making contact with a ground; wherein the plurality of the middle members are spaced apart from each other in such configuration that each of the two openings align from one of the middle members to another; wherein each of the crossbars transverses one of the openings of the middle members to be attached to the legs at the first and the second end of the crossbar; wherein a top surface of the middle members in the configuration attached to the legs define a sitting area of the bench. Two of the U-shaped legs can be used, each of the U-shaped legs fabricated from a single piece of material. One of the two U-shaped legs can have a first vertical portion of higher height that a second vertical portion, the first vertical portion rising above the sitting area to cradle a cushion. All of the crossbars can be parallel to each other. The openings can be circular. The members can have a length, a width, and a thickness, and the middle members are positioned in relation to each other in such manner that the width of one member faces the width of another member, and the thickness of the middle members creates the sitting area of the bench. The bench can further comprise the crossbars having a plurality of diametrically spaced openings on a length of the crossbar, and the middle members having a channel that aligns with the openings on the crossbars. The bench can further comprise a fastener, the fastener attaching the middle member to the cross bar by travelling through the channel, then the diametrically spaced openings of the crossbar, and then a portion on the middle member on opposite side of which the fastener entered the diametrically spaced openings. The diametrically spaced openings can be configured to receive the fastener in a parallel fashion to a side of the middle member which is a width of the middle member. The bench can further comprise a front and a rear member placed on outside of the legs in parallel fashion to the middle members. Each of the front and the rear members can have two slots, each slot configured to accept a vertical portion of the leg. Each of the slots can have one or more receivers configured for receiving a fastener. Each leg can have two types of openings, with one type of opening configured for attachment to the crossbar and one type of opening configured for attachment to a front or a rear member. At least one of the middle members can be asymmetric. At least one of the middle members can have an asymmetric end to cradle a cushion. The bench can have a combination of asymmetric and symmetric middle members, the asymmetric members having portions that rise upward and limit lateral movement of a cushion. The middle members can have exposed ends without presence of a frame. 
         [0005]    Provided is a bench comprising: a) a plurality of parallel middle members, each of the middle members having at least two openings through a thickness of the middle members, and two channels configured for accepting fasteners; b) two crossbars with a first end and a second end, each of the crossbars configured to go through one of the two openings, the crossbar further comprising a plurality of diametrically spaced openings along a length of the crossbar; c) two U-shaped legs for attaching to the first end and the second end of the crossbars, the legs making contact with a ground; d) a front member for attaching to outside of the two U-shaped legs; e) a rear member for attaching to outside of the two U-shaped legs; wherein the plurality of the middle members are spaced apart from each other in such configuration that each of the two openings align from one of the middle members to another; wherein each of the crossbars transverses one of the openings of the middle members to be attached to the legs at the first and the second end of the crossbar; wherein the diametrically spaced openings on the crossbar align with the channel on the middle members so that the middle members can be fastened to the crossbar; and wherein a top surface of the middle members in the configuration attached to the legs define a sitting area of the bench. One of the two U-shaped legs has a vertical portion that extends above the sitting area to cradle a cushion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a U-Shaped leg where both vertical portions of the leg have the same height. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a U-Shaped leg where the vertical portions have different heights. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a close-up of the inside of the vertical portion of the U-shaped leg of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a close-up of the outside of the vertical portion of the U-shaped leg of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a crossbar. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates one of the two crossbars going through the middle wood members in a transverse direction, and being fastened by a fastener that goes through an opening on the bottom side of the wood member. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  illustrates a slot in the rear and/or front wood member. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the crossbar being placed through the opening of the middle wood members. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  illustrates attachment of the U-shaped legs to the two crossbars that has traveled through the openings of the middle wood members. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  illustrates a close-up of the attachment of the U-shaped leg having vertical portions of different heights. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a close-up of the attachment of the U-shaped leg to the slot of a rear or front wood member. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a close-up of the attachment of the U-shaped leg with a taller vertical portion to the slot of a rear wood member. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  illustrates an asymmetric middle wood member. 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  illustrates a symmetric middle wood member. 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  illustrates a rear wood member. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  illustrates outside of a front wood member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  illustrates the inside of a front wood member. 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  illustrates a top perspective view of the bench. 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the bench. 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  illustrates a top perspective view of the bench with a cushion. 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  illustrates fastening of the crossbar to the middle wood member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Provided is a bench that is modular, flexible, customizable, and gives the consumer inputs as to using different materials, such as different wood species. The bench can be put together after an order is received, therefore occupying less storage space. The bench also has an aesthetically pleasant look. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first type of a U-Shaped leg  1  where each vertical portion  2  has the same height. The vertical portions  2  are connected through a horizontal portion  3 . The U-shaped leg  1  is typically fabricated from a single piece of material. Typically, the U-shaped leg  1  is made from a single piece of metal that is bent in two places. The metal for the U-Shaped leg  1  can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and mild steel. The stainless steel can be ASTM A-304 stainless steel. U-shaped leg  1  can also be made from wood. Each corner of the U-shaped leg  1  can be made to be round. The thickness of the metal that is bent, particularly stainless steel, can be about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch, such as about 0.25 to about 0.5 inch, or such as about 0.30 inch to about 0.40 inch, such as about 0.375 inch. The width of the of the metal that is bent, particularly stainless steel, can be about one inch to about 6 inches, such as about 2 inches to about 4 inches, such as about 3 inches. The U-shaped leg  1  typically has a uniform thickness and a uniform width. 
         [0029]    The vertical portions  2  and the horizontal portion  3  are perpendicular to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It is possible to have different angles between vertical portions  2  and the horizontal portion  3 , such as about zero to 30 degrees variation from the perpendicular angle. The radius of the circular corners formed between the vertical portions  2  and the horizontal portion  3  can be about 0.5 inch to about 3 inch, such as about 1 inch to about 2 inches, such as about 1.5 inches. 
         [0030]    Each vertical portion  2  of the U-shaped leg  1  as illustrated has three openings  4 ,  5 , and  6  on each vertical portion  2 . The middle opening  6  is used for attachment to a crossbar. Openings  4  and  5  are used for attaching the U-shaped leg  1  to the wood members. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a U-Shaped leg  9  where the vertical portion  8  is taller than the vertical portion  2 . Nevertheless, openings  4 ,  5 , and  6  align and are positioned at the same elevation in relation to the floor (or horizontal portion  3 ). 
         [0032]    The height of vertical portion  2  can be about 12 to about 24 inches, such as about 14 to about 18 inches, such as about 15 inches. The height of vertical portion  8  can be about 14 to about 24 inches, such as about 16 to about 20 inches, such as about 18 inches. The difference in height of vertical portion  2  and vertical portion  8  is typically the same as the height of cushion  26  that is placed on the bench. The cushion  26  as illustrated in  FIG. 26  is three inches tall. The length from inside of vertical portion  2  and to inside of vertical portion  8  (a parallel line to the horizontal section  3 ) can be about 15 inches to about 30 inches, such as about 20 inches to about 25 inches. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate openings  4 ,  5 , and  6  on the vertical portion  2  or  8 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the openings from inside (where the two vertical portions  2  and/or  8  face each other) and  FIG. 4  illustrates the openings from the outside. Openings  4  and  5  are screw holes that are countersunk from the inside so when a screw or other fastener is attached, the screw head is flush (same level) with the plane of the U-shaped leg member. Opening  6  has a counter sunk from the outside. The actual opening for all openings  4 ,  5 , and  6  is a quarter of inch diameter, which can be varied depending on the type of the fastener. Opening  6  has a matching hole  10 , which is configured to receive crossbar  11 . Matching hole  10  has almost the same diameter as crossbar  11  to provide a tight fit. The matching hole  10  is illustrated as being drilled at half depth (half the thickness of the vertical portion  2  or  8 ). 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates crossbar  11 . Crossbar  11  is typically made from a single piece of material, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and mild steel. The stainless steel can be ASTM A-304 stainless steel. Crossbar  11  is typically a round bar with flat perpendicular ends. The length of crossbar  11  is slightly larger than the distance from one vertical portion  2  and/or  8  to compensate for the depth of matching hole  10  on both vertical portions  2  and/or  8 . The depth of matching hole  10  is approximately one half of the thickness of vertical portion  2  and/or  8  of leg  1 . 
         [0035]    There are a plurality of openings  12  along the surface of the crossbar  11 . Opening  12  is configured to receive a screw or other fastener can enter inside the crossbar from one surface and exit through a diametrically opposed opening. As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , a pair of diametrically opposes openings  12  are on crossbar  11  (the lower opening would not be visible in this view and is shown in this figure for illustration). The diametrically opposed openings  12  are aligned in a configuration that allows a fastener  14  to enter one of the openings  12  and exit through the other opening  12 . The screw (fastener)  14  creates a channel  27  in middle wood member  21  and transverses the opening  16  and is fastened to the middle wood member  21 . An opening to the outside is not created on other side of the middle wood member. Each pair of openings  12  that are placed in a diametrically opposed position are configured to be used for attaching the crossbar at that opening to a wood member. The openings  12  are configured so that a screw or other fastener can go through a cross-section of the crossbar. Openings  13  are placed at each end of the crossbar. Openings  13  can have an internal thread to accommodate a fastener such as a screw from outside surface of vertical portions  2  and/or  8  through opening  6 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates wood members  21  having opening  16  which align from one wood member  21  to another. The crossbar  11  goes through openings  16  in a perpendicular direction in which wood members  21  are placed. Wood members  21  are placed in a parallel fashion to each other with the length of the wood member  21  defining the length of the resulting bench. Wood members  21  are placed so that the width of the woods members  21  defines the top of the bench, with gaps between wood members  21  dictated by openings  12  on cross-member  11  and the actual width of wood member  15 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6  (which shows the bottom of the resulting bench), a screw  14  goes through wood member  21  into crossbar  11 , and then exits the crossbar  11  and is fastened to wood member  21 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  illustrates a second crossbar  11  which is placed through middle wood members  21  closer to the other end of middle wood members  21 . Each middle wood member has two openings  16 , and is configured to receive two crossbars  16 . The openings  16  in middle wood members  21  dictate where the legs of the bench are attached and the distance between the U-shaped legs  1 ,  9 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the other end of the bench with middle wood members  21 , viewed from the top side. There are two types of middle wood members  21 , symmetric middle wood member  22 , and asymmetric middle wood member  23 . The asymmetric member  23  has a raised end  24  to cradle a cushion or other objects placed on the bench. It is also possible to use only one type of middle wood members  22  or  23  for the bench rather than two types of middle wood members. All wood members illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10  are middle wood members  21 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates wood member  15 . In this case, the wood member can be a front or a rear wood member  17 . The front wood member  17 A is the first member that is lined up and the rear wood member  17 B the last member, and both of them are the last wood members  15  that are assembled. The front or rear wood members  17  each have two slots each  16 . The slots  18  are configured to receive U-shaped legs  1  and  9 . Each slot  18  can have a fattener receiver  19 , which can be made by drilling a hole in wood member  17  and placing a wood insert  20  inside the hole. Wood insert  20  has threads that are complementary to a fastener. The vertical portions  2  and  9  have openings  4  and  5  which align with fastener receivers  19 . The rear and front wood members  17  are fastened to the vertical portion  2  and  9  of the U-shaped leg by having a fastener go through from inside of the U-shaped leg through openings  4  and  5  and into the wood insert  20  of receivers  19 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate the assembled bench before attachment of the front and rear wood members  17 . Illustrated are middle wood members  21 , which comprise symmetric middle wood members  22  and asymmetric middle wood member  23 . The middle wood members  21  are held in place with two crossbars  11 , which are attached to the U-shaped legs  2  and  9  at middle opening  6  on the U-shaped legs  2  and  9  with fasteners such as screws. At this point during assembly, the attachment of the U-shaped legs  2  and  9  can be considered a pivot joint and the legs  2  and  9  are locked in place. The next step is adding a fastener such as a screw to the taller vertical portion  8  rises above the top surface of the bench that defines a space for placing a cushion or other object. The taller vertical portion  8  and raised ends  24  typically rise above the top surface (plain) of the bench in approximately the same distance. Two U-shaped legs  2 ,  9  support middle wood members  21  which are spaced apart and attached to the crossbar  11 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate attachment of vertical portion  2  or  8  of U-shaped leg  1  or  9  to a front or rear wood member  17 . Each vertical portion  2  is placed in slot  18 , and a fastener such as a screw attached the vertical portion  2  or  8  to the front or rear wood member  17  through openings  4  and  5 . Slots  18  provide rigidity to the bench. The screws used in openings  4  and  5  face the interior of the bench, leaving a clean and an aesthetic look on the outside. Three out of four U-shaped leg connections have the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 11 , and one of the four U-shaped legs has the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  illustrates the same concept of attaching a front or rear wood member  17  to a U-shaped leg  9 , except in this case the taller vertical portion  8  of the U-shaped leg is attached. The taller vertical portion  8  is attached to the rear wood member  17 B. The rear wood member  17 B has a larger width than the other wood members  15 , and the larger width is configured to match the height of the taller vertical portion  8  of the U-shaped leg  9 , so that the taller vertical portion  8  of the U-shaped leg is complemented and/or enveloped by the rear wood member  17 B. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 13-17  illustrate the different types of wood members that can be used to make the bench.  FIG. 13  illustrates an asymmetric middle wood member  23  with a raised end  24 . The function of the raised end  24  is to limit movement of a cushion placed on the bench.  FIG. 14  illustrates symmetric middle wood member  22 . The asymmetric middle wood member  23  and the symmetric middle wood member  22  have a pair of wood member openings  16 , which are shaped like a circle and are configured to accept crossbar  11 . The openings  16  align from one wood member to another to allow crossbar  11  to go through the openings of all middle wood members.  FIG. 15  illustrates rear wood member  17 B, with a pair of slots  18 , with each slot having two fastener receivers  19 . Rear wood member  17 B is asymmetrical and has a raised portion  25  whose function is to limit movement of any cushion. The raised position is configured to complement the height of the taller vertical portion  8  of U-shaped leg  9 .  FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrates front wood member  17 A, with a pair of slots  18 , with each slot having two fastener receivers  19 . The fastener receivers  19  on wood members  17 A and  17 B are configured for attaching these two wood members to the U-shaped leg  1  or  9  with a fastener. 
         [0042]      FIG. 18  illustrates a top perspective view of the bench and  FIG. 19  a bottom perspective view of the bench. The front side wood member  17 A and the rear side wood member  17 B are attached on the outside to U-shaped legs  1  or  9  via the four slots  18 . One of the vertical portions  8  of U-shaped legs  9  extends above the seating area of the bench, and complements the raised portion  25  of rear wood member  17 B. Symmetric middle wood member  22  and asymmetric middle wood member  23  are placed in between each vertical portion of U-shaped legs  1  and  9 . A crossbar  11  goes through the middle wood members  22  and  23 , and joins these wood members to the U-shaped legs. The bench has two U-shaped legs  1  and  9 , and each U-shaped leg has its own crossbar  11 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the bench lacks a frame around wood members  22  and  23 . Wood members  22  and  23  have exposed ends and are separated from each other via a gap in between them. 
         [0043]      FIG. 20  illustrates a bench with a cushion  26 . The raised portion  25  of rear side wood member  17 B and the raised end  24  of asymmetric middle wood member  23  cradle the cushion  26  and limit the movement of the cushion  26 . 
         [0044]    The members can be made from wood. They can also be made from wooden boards, Mechanically Bonded Fiber (MBF), metal, aluminum, fiber glass, or plastic. 
         [0045]    The U-shaped legs can be made from stainless steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, chrome, or plastic, preferably stainless steel. The U-shaped legs can be fabricated from a single piece of material. 
         [0046]    The bench can have a length of about 5 feet to about 7 feet, s a width of about 22 inches to about 28 inches, and a height of about 16 inches to about 20 inches, the height measured from top surface of the symmetric middle wood members  22  of the bench. 
         [0047]    The number and types of wood members can vary. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , there are seven asymmetrical wood members  23  and five symmetrical wood members  22 . The number of middle wood members  21  can vary, for example from  8  to  14 , such as  12 . 
         [0048]    The length of the wood members  15  can be about 5 feet to about 7 feet, such as about 6 feet, the thickness of the wood members  15  can be 0.5 inch to 3 inches, such as 1 inch, and the width at portions that are not raised can be 1.5 inches to 6 inches, such as about 3 inch. 
       REFERENCES 
       [0000]    
       
           1 -U-Shaped leg 
           2 -Vertical portion of U-shaped leg 
           3 -Horizontal portion of U-shaped leg 
           4 -Upper opening for attaching to wood member 
           5 -Lower opening for attaching to wood member 
           6 -Opening for attachment to a bar 
           7 -Circular corner of U-shaped leg 
           8 -Taller vertical portion of U-shaped leg 
           9 -U-shaped leg with uneven vertical portions 
           10 -Matching hole on opening  6   
           11 -Crossbar 
           12 -openings on the surface of the crossbar 
           13 -Opening on end of crossbar 
           14 -Screw (through wood and crossbar) 
           15 -wood member (encompass all wood members) 
           16 -wood member opening 
           17 -front or rear wood member 
           17 A-front wood member 
           17 B-rear wood member 
           18 -Slot of front or rear wood member 
           19 -fastener receiver 
           20 -wood insert: 
           21 -Middle wood members 
           22 -Symmetric middle wood member 
           23 -Asymmetric middle wood member 
           24 -raised end of asymmetric middle wood member 
           25 -raised portion of rear wood member 
           26 -Cushion 
           27 -Middle Wood Member Channel