Patent Publication Number: US-2022220992-A1

Title: Magnetic bracket assembly for modular furniture system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/249,450, filed Jan. 16, 2019 and entitled “Magnetic Bracket Assembly for Modular Furniture System”, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a modular furniture system, and more particularly, to a magnetic bracket assembly for connecting components of a modular furniture system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modular furniture systems allow customization of work spaces by allowing for the addition or removal of modular units such as panels, dividers, extensions pieces, and other components to or from furniture members. In conventional furniture systems, modular units may be appended to furniture members in one of two ways: 1) by permanently attaching the modular unit to the furniture member using screws; or 2) by removably attaching the modular unit to the furniture member via a screw-knob assembly. These conventional systems are not only difficult and burdensome to install, but they lack flexibility as they may only allow modular units to be attached in specified orientations. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure generally relates to modular furniture systems, and particularly to a magnetic bracket assembly for connecting a modular unit to a furniture member in a modular furniture system. 
     In an implementation, the modular furniture system may comprise a modular unit capable of being removably affixed to a furniture member via at least one bracket assembly, the bracket assembly comprising a first bracket disposed on the modular unit and having a first magnetic component and at least one locking means; and a second bracket disposed on the furniture member and having a second magnetic component and a receiving means capable of engaging the at least one locking means. 
     In another implementation, the bracket assembly may comprise a first bracket having a first magnetic component and at least one locking means; and a second bracket having a second magnetic component and a receiving means capable of engaging the at least one locking means. 
     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the implementations will be apparent from the description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates perspective view of a magnetic bracket assembly for use in connection with a modular furniture system, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of a first bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates perspective view of a first bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly having a cover, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a side view of a first bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of a first bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly and its cover as attached to a modular unit, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a perspective view of a cover of a first bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of a second bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates another perspective view of a second bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a side view of a second bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a second bracket of a magnetic bracket assembly as attached to a furniture member, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cutaway view of an assembled magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cutaway view of a disassembled magnetic bracket assembly, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a perspective view of a plurality magnetic bracket assemblies for use in connection with a modular furniture system, according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a perspective view of a modular unit arranged in a downward configuration, according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates a perspective view of a modular unit arranged in an upward configuration, according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a modular furniture system, and more particularly, to a magnetic bracket assembly for connecting components of a modular furniture system. According to the present disclosure, the magnetic bracket assembly may allow a modular unit to be joined to or removed from a furniture member, while also providing flexibility and versatility in the modular furniture system. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which depicts a magnetic bracket assembly  100  for use in connection with a modular furniture system according to the present disclosure. Magnetic bracket assembly  100  may generally comprise a first bracket  130  which may be fixedly attached onto a modular unit  110  of a modular furniture system, and a second bracket  140  which may be fixedly attached onto a furniture member  120  of a modular furniture system. Modular unit  110  onto which first bracket  130  may be attached may comprise a divider, a privacy panel, a modesty panel, or any other component desired to be (or capable of being) appended to modular furniture system. Furniture member  120  onto which second bracket  140  may be attached may comprise a desk, a table, a shelving unit, or any other furniture structure. The first bracket  130  of the modular unit  110  and the second bracket  140  of the furniture member  120  may be configured to be mateably coupled to thereby join modular unit  110  with the furniture member  120 . While the present disclosure may describe the magnetic bracket assembly  100  in singular terms (as a single magnetic bracket assembly having a first bracket  130  and a second bracket  140 ), the disclosure is not intended to be so limited. The modular furniture system of the present disclosure may utilize one or more magnetic bracket assemblies having a corresponding number of first and second brackets for use therewith. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C , which depict detailed views of a first bracket  130  of the magnetic bracket assembly  100 , according to the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 2A , first bracket  130  may comprise a first magnet  132  having a first magnetic pole (i.e., a north or south magnetic pole). First magnet  132  may comprise any variety of magnet known in the art. In an implementation, first magnet may comprise a N35-grade neodymium magnet with a thickness of 2 mm and a diameter of 25 mm. First magnet  132  may be disposed within first cutout  138 , which may be specifically configured to the size and shape of first magnet  132 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , first magnet  132 , when placed inside first cutout  138 , may be substantially flush with the surface of first bracket  130 . 
     First bracket  130  may further comprise first locking means  134  and second locking means  136 . First and second locking means  134 ,  136  may each comprise a hook, a fastener, a peg, or other means to secure first bracket  130  with second bracket  140 . By way of example,  FIGS. 2A-2C  depict first and second locking means  134 ,  136  as hooks. 
     In an implementation, and as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , first and second locking means  134 ,  136  may be positioned at opposing ends of first bracket  130  and facing each other (i.e., in a symmetrical configuration). This allows first bracket  130  to operate in at least two orientations (upside down or right-side up) on modular unit  110 , thereby increasing the versatility of the modular furniture system. Alternatively, in another implementation, first bracket  130  may comprise a single locking means. In yet another implementation, first bracket  130  may comprise a plurality of locking means in various configurations to further increase versatility of the modular furniture system (e.g., four locking means arranged on four sides of first bracket  130 ). 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3A , which depicts first bracket  130  of the modular bracket assembly  100  affixed onto a back surface (or bottom side)  112  of modular unit  110  of a modular furniture system. First bracket  130  may further comprise at least two screw holes  135  configured to receive at least two screws  133 . Screws  133  may affix first bracket  130  and first magnet  132  to modular unit  110 . With further reference to  FIG. 3A , cover  139  (the inside of which is shown in  FIG. 3A ) may be affixed to a front surface (or top side)  114  of modular unit  110 . Cover  139  may comprise at least two holes  137  to receive screws  133  inserted through first bracket  130  through the back surface  112  of the modular unit  110  to the front surface  114  of modular unit  110 .  FIG. 3B  depicts an exemplary outside surface of cover  139 . The smooth outside surface of cover  139  conceals screws  132  and screw holes  135  of the first bracket  130 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A-4C , which depict detailed views of second bracket  140 , according to the present disclosure. Second bracket  140  may comprise a L-shaped bracket having a first surface  147  and a second surface  149 . First surface  147  of second bracket  140  may be configured to mateably couple with first bracket  130 . Second surface  149  of second bracket  140  may be configured for attachment onto furniture member  120 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 4A-4C , second bracket  140  may further comprise a second magnet  142  having a second magnetic pole which is opposite to the magnetic pole of first magnet  132 . Therefore, if the first magnet  132  of first bracket  130  has a north magnetic pole, the second magnet  142  of second bracket  140  may comprise a south magnetic pole. Due to their opposing magnetic poles, first and second magnets  132 ,  142  may attract and may pull toward each other when aligned in close proximity. Second magnet  142  may comprise any variety of magnet known in the art. In an implementation, second magnet  142  may comprise a N35-grade neodymium magnet with a thickness of 3 mm and a diameter of 25 mm. Second magnet  142  may be disposed within second cutout  148 , which may be configured to the size and shape of second magnet  142 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , second magnet  142 , when placed inside second cutout  148 , may be substantially flush with the surface of second bracket  140 . 
     Second bracket  140  may further comprise a receiving means  144  capable of receiving and engaging first or second locking means  134 ,  136 . Receiving means  144  may comprise a groove, a cut-out, or other such means for receiving first or second locking means  134 ,  136 , thereby securing first and second brackets  130 ,  140  to each other. In an implementation, if there are more than one locking means (e.g., first and second locking means  134 ,  136 ) in first bracket  130 , receiving means may be configured to receive any one of the locking means. This may allow for installation of the modular unit  110  onto the furniture member  120  in various orientations. For example, the coupling of first locking means  134  of the first bracket  130  to receiving means  144  of the second bracket  140  may result in the installation of the modular unit  110  in an upward direction to function as a privacy panel, and the coupling of the second locking means  136  to the receiving means  144  may result in the installation of the modular unit in a downward direction to function as a modesty panel. Thus, the present disclosure contemplates a magnetic bracket assembly  100  configured for multi-functional capability. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4C , which depicts a side view of second bracket  140 . Second bracket  140  may further comprise a disengagement means (such as a ramp)  146  configured on a bottom edge of its first surface  147 . As described in detail below, disengagement means (such as a ramp)  146  may assist in the disengagement of the first bracket  130  from the second bracket  140 , thereby separating modular unit  110  from furniture member  120 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5  (in conjunction with  FIG. 4A ), second bracket  140  of the modular bracket assembly  100  is depicted as affixed onto an underside  124  of furniture member  120  (such a desk). Second bracket  140  may be positioned along an edge  122  of furniture member  120 , with the first surface  147  of the second bracket  140  substantially flush with the edge  122  of the furniture member  120  and second surface  149  of second bracket  140  positioned against the underside  124  of the furniture member  120 . As such, second magnet  142  may face outward so that it may attach to first magnet  132  on first bracket  130 . Second bracket  140  may be affixed onto furniture member  120  via one or more screws  143  disposed within one or more holes/slots  145  on second surface  149  of second bracket  140 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which depicts a cutaway view of a magnetic bracket assembly  100  in an engaged/locked position according to the present disclosure. In operation, when the first and second brackets  130 ,  140  are positioned in close proximity and generally facing each other, the first and second magnets  132 ,  142  disposed within first and second brackets  130 ,  140  pull together due to their magnetic attraction. As the first and second magnets  132 ,  142  engage, the first locking means  134  (or second locking means  136 , if first bracket  130  was inverted) engages receiving means  144 , thereby securing the first and second brackets  130 ,  140  into a unitary configuration. As a result, the modular unit  110  is secured to the furniture member  120 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , wherein is shown a cutaway view of a magnetic bracket assembly  100  in a disengaged/unlocked position according to the present disclosure. To separate the modular unit  110  from the furniture member  120 , the modular unit  110  may be lifted upward (or an upward pressure applied) to disengage first locking means  134  from the receiving means  144 . As the modular unit  100  is lifted up, the second locking means  136  will contact the disengagement means (such as a ramp)  146  on the second bracket  140  to assist in pushing the first and second magnets  132 ,  142  away from each other. As noted above, while  FIGS. 6-7  depict first locking means  134  engaging the receiving means  144  to secure first and second brackets  130 ,  140  together, it may be understood that if the first bracket  130  is inverted, second locking means  136  may engage the receiving means  144  to secure the first and second brackets  130 ,  140  together. In such case, when the bracket assembly is disengaged, first locking means  134  will contact disengagement means (such as a ramp)  146  to disengage the first and second magnets  132 ,  142 , and therefore first and second brackets  130 ,  140  from each other. It is to be understood that while  FIG. 7  depicts disengagement means  146  as a ramp, the present disclosure is not intended to be so limited. Various structures may operate as a disengagement means to facilitate disengagement of the first and second magnets  132 ,  142  and/or first and second brackets  130 ,  140  without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8A , which depicts the use of multiple magnetic bracket assemblies  200 ,  300  according to the present disclosure. Because modular units may be fashioned in various sizes and shapes, one or more magnetic bracket assemblies may be used to support and affix a modular unit  110  to a furniture member  120 . By way of example,  FIGS. 8A-8C  shows first and second magnetic bracket assemblies  200 ,  300  to affix a modular unit  110  to a furniture member  120 . First and second magnetic bracket assemblies  200 ,  300  may comprise first brackets  230 ,  330  affixed to a modular unit  110  and second brackets  240 ,  340  affixed to a furniture member  120 . Where multiple bracket assemblies are desired, it must be noted that the orientation and distance between the first brackets  230 ,  330  must correspond to the orientation and distance between the second brackets  240 ,  340 . This ensures that the first brackets  230 ,  330  mateably couple with second brackets  240 ,  340  of the magnetic bracket assemblies  100 ,  200 . Magnetic bracket assemblies  100 ,  200  may comprise all of the components discussed above with respect to magnetic bracket assembly  100 . As such, first brackets  230 ,  330  may engage and disengage with second brackets  240 ,  240  in the same manner discussed above with respect to first bracket  130  and second bracket  140 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8B and 8C , the magnetic bracket assemblies according the present disclosure allow versatility as modular unit  110  may be coupled to furniture member  120  in a variety of orientations such as, e.g., in downward ( FIG. 8B ) or upward ( FIG. 8C ) positions. Although not shown in the Figures, the modular unit  110  may also be oriented in left-facing or right-facing (horizontal) positions, simply by affixing second brackets  240 ,  340  along a vertical edge of furniture member  120 . Thus, a variety of orientations and configurations may be achieved by the magnetic bracket assembly of the present disclosure. 
     While the magnetic bracket assembly of the present disclosure is described and shown in connection with a modular furniture system, it is to be understood that the magnetic bracket assembly is not intended to be so limited, and may be used, fashioned, and/or applied in contexts outside the field of modular furniture systems. 
     It is to be understood the implementations are not limited to particular systems or processes described which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.