Abstract:
A bar stool system having a first assembled configuration for seating and a second unassembled configuration for storage and shipping, having a horizontal seat, a support frame having leg assembly members and interchangeable legs that assemble quickly and disassemble into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to ready-to-assemble (“RTA”) furniture. More specifically, the present invention relates to RTA bar stools configured for rapid assembly to a fully assembled state after shipping and storage stages. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is a bar stool constructed and arranged for minimizing packaging volume for rapid assembly to a fully assembled state with minimal effort and tools. 
         [0003]    In one embodiment, the present invention is a bar stool system having a first assembled configuration for seating and a second unassembled configuration for storage and shipping. 
         [0004]    The assembly has a horizontal seat, a support frame having leg assembly members and interchangeable legs. The assembly may be configured with three, four, or five support frame members, as desired. Preferably, the interchangeable legs attach to the lower portion of the support frame in a male-female connecting arrangement. The interchangeable legs may have varying sizes shapes and other configurations that may be selected as desired by a user. 
         [0005]    In one preferred embodiment an interchangeable leg is provided such that the assembled barstool may be used as a conventional counter height stool. 
         [0006]    In an alternative embodiment, a longer interchangeable leg may be used such that the stool of the present invention resembles that of a conventional barstool. A conventional barstool is configured to a greater height than that of a conventionally used counter height stool. 
         [0007]    The unassembled configuration is substantially rectangular. In order to achieve the substantially rectangular configuration, the interchangeable legs must be removed from their respective leg frames. 
         [0008]    The assembly also has a support ring and a foot ring for structural support. The support ring is typically positioned on the upper portion of the assembly below the seat. The foot ring is typically positioned on the lower portion of the assembly. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the support frame circumferraly attaches to the support ring. 
         [0010]    Also contemplated are methods of shipping Ready to Assemble 
         [0011]    (RTA) bar stool assemblies with interchangeable legs having the steps of: 
         [0000]    (a) providing RTA components of comprising:
       (i) a horizontal seat;   (ii) support frame having leg assembly members; and   (iii) interchangeable legs;   wherein said interchangeable legs attach to the lower portion of the support frame by a male-female connection
 
(b) arranging said RTA components such that said components form a rectangular configuration;
 
(b) packaging said RTA furniture into a conventional shipping container such that each unit forming said rectangular frame efficiently utilizes the available shipping space of a conventional shipping container.
       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the unassembled configurations. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the unassembled configurations also showing how the interchangeable leg is removed to arrange the components in a substantially rectangular manner. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows the disconnected arrangement removed from a rectangular container. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a disassembled view of the components. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a close up of the interchangeable leg and male-female connection. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Barstool system  5  has frame assembly  50  that supports seat  70 . Each individual frame assembly  50  is arranged circumferrally around support ring and  40  and foot ring  60 . Mounting screws  80  secure foot ring  60  to each frame assembly  50  at frame assembly mounting support  36 . Each lower portion of frame assembly  50  has a female cavity  34  that receives male connector  32  on interchangeable leg  30 . Interchangeable leg  30  may have protective cap  31  affixed to the lower end of interchangeable leg  30 . Barstool system  5  may optionally have back assembly  10  that can be secured to either seat  70  or any one or more of frame assembly members  50  by any acceptable securing mechanism as are commonly known such as, but not limited to. Mounting screws. 
         [0022]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , barstool assembly  5  may be disassembled and contained within a substantially rectangular solid such as a typical shipping box or container. 
         [0023]    Interchangeable legs  30  are preferably removed from the frame assembly  50  prior to shipping because, as seen in  FIG. 2 , interchangeable legs  30 , when connected to frame assembly  50 , extend beyond the periphery of the desired substantially rectangular configuration. 
         [0024]    Barstool system  5  may be provided with interchangeable legs  30  and interchangeable legs  20 . System  5  may be utilized with many types of interchangeable legs as desired by the user. The interchangeable legs may have such features as different lengths, different widths, different decorative surface features, wheels or casters, and the like. Barstool system  5 , with the aforementioned interchangeable leg features may be shipped with a plurality of different interchangeable legs that may be selected for use by a particular user when system  5  is assembled. 
         [0025]    Each interchangeable leg provided with system  5 , will have a male connector  32  that pairs with the female connector cavity  34  of frame assembly  50 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , detail A, the arrow indicates the insertion path of male connector  32  into the female cavity  34 . Interchangeable leg  30  may be secured to frame assembly  50  by any acceptable means as is commonly known. In one embodiment, male connector  32  has an orifice  33  that pairs with orifice  35  on frame assembly  50 . A mounting screw  80  may then pass through orifice  35  and orifice  33  to securely hold adjustable leg  30  in place on frame assembly  50 . 
         [0026]    In assembling a preferred embodiment, the components are separated and the frame assembly  50  is placed in an upright position, e.g. positioned upright so as to receive the component parts and be usable upon assembly. Each frame assembly  50  is connected to each of support ring  40  and foot ring  60  through use of screws  80 . In one embodiment, mounting screws  80  interact with nuts permanently mounted into incorporated orifices into each of said frame assembly  50  support ring  40  and foot ring  60 . 
         [0027]    The bar stool system of the present invention provides not only a cost savings in shipping, but also a savings in labor for assembling. Once the article is unpacked from shipping configuration; it comprises simple components and assembles quickly. 
         [0028]    The system of the present invention is advantageous because the interchangeable leg extension allows a user to select a counter height stool, chair, or a bar stool. Typically, the counter height stool and bar stool are separate items. The system of the present invention allows a user to purchase a single stool and interchange the legs as desired. This reduces the number of stools needed for display inventory and further allows display inventories to demonstrate varying styles without having to display separate chair height, counter height, and bar stool models. 
         [0029]    Assembly of the system of the present invention on a commercial scale is also economized because any assembly line processes can be done quickly. 
         [0030]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.