TABLES, AND FURNITURE

RELATED APPLICATION

[001] This application claims the benefit of Chinese utility model patent CN202220454998.2, filed 3 March 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application further claims the benefit of Chinese utility model application CN 202222794082.4, filed 21 October 2022.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] The present invention generally relates to connection structures, connecting member assemblies and rod assemblies for assembling a support framework for furniture articles such as shelves, chairs, and tables.

BACKGROUND

[003] Furniture includes seating furniture, tables, storage furniture, indoor furniture, outdoor furniture. The examples are tables, dining tables, desks, stools, sofas, chairs, dressers, cabinets, bookcases, wardrobes, shelving racks, beds, nightstands, coffee tables, etc. The basic elements for furniture include panels, support frames or support frameworks, support feet or legs, and other components, and the components may be connected thus assembled by multiple connectors.

[004] Furniture is often sold disassembled, partially assembled, or as a “flat-pack”. Disassembled or partially disassembled furniture takes up less space during shipping and storage than fully assembled furniture thus saves costs. In particular, flat-pack packaging is widely used because of the efficient use of space. To reduce transportation costs, the manufacturing plant designs and manufactures components such as panels, support frames or support frameworks, support feet, and connectors, and then transport them to distributors after packaging, and then sell them to consumers. An assembly manual is usually enclosed in the packaging for instructing customers how to assemble the furniture items. The consumers complete the installation of the furniture according to the instructions in the manual.

[005] In addition, disassembled or partially disassembled furniture allow personal customization of the furniture. For example, a client can alternate the assembly process to his or her own taste.

[006] Furniture manufacturers are thus incentivized to package basic elements of furniture items in a compact volume before transporting it to distributors for delivering to the customers.

[007] Document CN104116319A discloses an attachment mechanism by means of which a desktop can be attached to a steel frame. Recesses having a plastic side wall are formed in the underside of the top. At corresponding locations on the frame are located upstanding fingers each of which has a barb. Document CN111683564A discloses a table frame assembly in which a first frame member and a second frame member are respectively formed as tubular members. The first and second frame members are fastened to a third frame member by means of a fastening member.

[008] Some packaged furniture articles include pre-welded components that are welded during manufacturing processes. However, the welding is preferred to be avoided because it is a labor-intensive and expensive process compared to other methods of joining material such as screws, bolts, or adhesives. A welding process is less environmentally sustainable because it produces hazardous fumes and waste materials which may be harmful to the environment. [009] For these reasons, it is desired to have a connecting member, a connecting assembly, a furniture article that can be packaged in a compact volume, preferably flat-packed, which allows furniture manufacturing and assembling without a welding process. In other words, it is desired to have a connecting mechanism that allows avoiding welding and compact packaging.

[0010] The background section of this document is provided to place embodiments of the present invention in technological and operational context to assist those of skill in the art in understanding their scope and utility. Unless explicitly identified as such, no statement herein is admitted being prior art merely by its inclusion in the background section.

Summary

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection structure for furniture articles that is highly reliable and that allows for compact packaging, and that can be assembled from parts that have been manufactured without welding. [0012] One aspect of the invention relates to a connection structure for use as a support framework of an article of furniture. The connection structure comprises a rod assembly and a connecting member assembly. According to this aspect of the invention, rod members of the rod assembly are connected using the connecting members from the connecting member assembly, forming a three-dimensional structure for furniture.

[0013] In embodiments, the connection structure can also comprise a panel, such as a wooden plate. In embodiments, the panel is a horizontal surface that can be used as the top surface of the furniture article. The panel can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, glass, plastic, or stone. The term “connection structure” is used in this document to indicate a structure comprising elements that are assembled or can be assembled to form a three-dimensional structure.

[0014] In embodiments, the connection structure can also comprise a panel, such as a wooden plate, and sets of fasteners. The sets of fasteners are for connecting elements of the connection structure. The fasteners allow to connect the rod assembly using the connecting member assembly. The rod assembly can support the panel and the fasteners can be used to connect the panel to the rod assembly and to the connecting member assembly.

[0015] In embodiments, the rod assembly includes a first rod member, a second rod member, and a third rod member. The rod members are rigid rods that can provide structural support to the furniture article.

[0016] In embodiments of the first aspect, the rod members of the rod assembly are connected by connecting members to form the support framework. In embodiments, the connecting member assembly comprises connecting members which connect the rod members of the rod assembly via sets of fasteners. In embodiments, the connecting member assembly connects the first, second and third rod member in a manner that the first rod member and the second rod member are connected at a first angle, such as at about 90 degrees, forming a horizontal plane which can support the panel on top of the horizontal plane. The connecting member assembly may connect the third rod member to the first rod member and the second rod member where the third rod member is generally perpendicular to the horizontal plane that is formed by the first and second rod member. The first angle corresponds with the angle of the panel connected thereto. Preferably the panel is rectangular, and the first angle is about 90 degrees. However, five- or six-sided panels can also be employed. Preferably the panel has X sides, each positioned at 360/X degrees with respect to each other.

[0017] In embodiments, the connecting member assembly comprises a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first connecting member may be a bent connector plate comprising a first connecting member surface and a transverse surface. In embodiments, the first connecting member surface may be aligned in a vertical direction when assembled. The transverse surface may extend at a second angle of preferably about 90 degrees from the first connecting member surface. In other words, the first connecting member is a plate that is bent approximately 90 degrees with respect to the transverse surface thus making the two surfaces face different directions. The second connecting member may be a flat connector plate and comprises a second connecting member surface. The first and second connecting member may have through-holes for fasteners such as screws. The through-holes allow the connecting members to be connected to any rod member or panel via screwing. If the rod member and panel have corresponding through-holes, a lock screw, which is a pair of screw and sleeve, can be used to firmly connect the said elements.

[0018] In embodiments the first connecting member is formed from a flat metal plate wherein a part, the transverse surface, is bent away from the plane field. In this embodiment, a connecting member having a bent part is referred to as a connector plate or a bent connector plate. The use of connector members formed from a metal plate is well-known and cost efficient. Metal connector plates provide structural integrity to a support framework of an article of furniture. In a metal connector plate through-holes can be pre-formed, which guide the user to position a fastener, such as a screw, at a desired position.

[0019] In embodiments, the longitudinal directions of the first, second and third rod members extend generally in three generally mutual perpendicular directions in the assembled, connected state. The transverse surface parallel to the horizontal plane, the first connecting member surface and the second connecting member surface are also positioned in generally mutual perpendicular directions. In embodiments, each of the three surfaces are perpendicular to one of the longitudinal directions of the first, second and third rod members. [0020] In embodiments, the sets of fasteners may include a first set of fasteners, a second set of fasteners, a third set of fasteners, a fourth set of fasteners, or even more when additional reinforcement structures are used. The sets of fasteners may be used to secure the connection between the rod assembly, the panel, and the connecting member assembly. A fastener is a hardware component to hold two or more parts of an article of furniture together securely. Examples of the fasteners are screws, self-tapping screws, locking screws, pairs of screws and sleeves, nails, staples, bolts, glues, and nuts. When screws are used, the screws can be used together with sleeves to secure the connection between the objects. The screws and the sleeves can pass through the rod members or panels, for example through sets of through- holes in the panels and rod members. A first set of fasteners can be a pair of screw and sleeve. The first rod, second rod and the panel can have pre-formed through-holes. The panel having through-holes can be made of wood, glass or ceramics. First fasteners, formed by screw and sleeve, extend through the aligned through-holes and allow sandwiching the intermediate parts, locking them into position. The first and second rod members may be sandwiched between a glass panel and the transverse surface of the first connecting member. In other words, the first and second rod members forming the horizontal plane are below the glass panel, and the transverse surface of the first connecting member is below the horizontal plane of the first and second rod members. The transverse surface, first and second rod members, and the glass panel may all contain corresponding through-holes aligned in the vertical direction such that the pairs of screws and sleeves can connect the transverse surface, first and second rod members, and the glass panel. The first set of fasteners, the pairs of screws and sleeves, wherein the screws are inserted to the aligned through-holes from the bottom and the sleeves are inserted from the top, firmly securing the connection with the screws through the through-holes from the upper surface of the glass panel.

[0021] In embodiments, the first set of fasteners may attach to the panel through the transverse surface of the first connecting member via and through the first rod member and via the second rod member. The first set of fasteners thus attach the panel to two rod members and to the transverse surface of the first connecting member. Using one connecting member or connector plate for connecting three parts is efficient and results in low costs. The transverse surface has connection points that are used to connect to the rod members. In embodiments both the first and second rod members are connected with the first set of fasteners near end sections of the longitudinal rod members. The longitudinal directions of the first and second rod members are fixed at mutual perpendicular directions.

[0022] In embodiments, through-holes are formed in the transverse surface, preferably two or three or more through-holes and preferably generally along a straight line. One or two through-holes can be used to provide a fastener for attaching the first rod member, while a third hole is used for a further fastener that connects to the second rod member. The fastener is then connected to the first or second rod member, such that the fastener extends through the rod member and can connect to the panel on top side surface of the rod member. As a result, the first rod member and the second rod member are sandwiched between the transverse surface of the first connector member on one side and the panel on the other side of the rod members. Each fastener of the first set can connect the panel with the first connecting member through the first and second rod member. This is an efficient connection that connects and align multiple rod members and the panel and that can be easily assembled by the user.

[0023] In embodiments, the second set of fasteners attach the third rod member to the first connecting member surface of the first connecting member. In embodiments the first connecting member surface has two or more through-holes for fasteners. As the transverse surface is at a generally perpendicular angular to the first connecting member surface, the third rod can be positioned perpendicular to the transverse surface and contacting the first connecting member surface along its longitudinal rod axis.

[0024] An advantage of an aspect of the invention is providing a single first connecting member that, using two sets of fasteners, is connected to three rod members, the three rod members each extending in mutual perpendicular directions (in an x-direction, y-direction and z-direction). Moreover, the first set of fasteners connect a panel to the rod members. In all, a horizontal panel supported by first and second rod members can be obtained while the first and second rod members extending in mutual perpendicular directions. The third rod, perpendicular to the first and second rod members, forms the vertical rod which can be seen as a vertical support framework part for a leg of a furniture article.

[0025] In order to increase the strength of the connection assembly, a second connecting member is applied to the assembly of first, second and third rod connected with the first connecting member. Preferably the second connecting member is a connector plate too, formed from a metal sheet and provided with through-holes for fasteners. The second connecting member may have one flat surface. With a third set of fasteners the second connecting member can be connected to the first or second rod member. Preferably two or more fasteners are used for connecting the connecting member to the first or second rod. [0026] A fourth set of fasteners attach the second connecting member to the third rod member. As the second connecting member is already connected to the first or second rod, connecting the third rod to the connecting member provides extra strength and rigidity. Preferably the second connecting member is connected to the second rod and third rod. [0027] In embodiments, the connecting member assembly connects the three rod members in mutual perpendicular directions. The transverse surface of the first connecting member extends in a horizontal plane, where the first connecting member surface extends in a vertical direction. The second connecting member surface extends in a vertical surface perpendicular to the plane of the first connecting member surface. By providing the first and second connector plates in mutual perpendicular planes, the provided rigidity and strength of the connection is efficiently increased. Similarly, the first rod extends in a first direction, the second rod extends in second direction and the third rod in a third direction. The transverse surface is perpendicular to the third direction. The first connecting member surface is perpendicular to the second direction. The second connecting member surface is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0028] In a support framework, the panel is rectangular. At each corner of the panel, a connection assembly is formed, each of the connection assembly locking two horizontal rod members and a vertical rod members. The panel will be supported by four rod members in the horizontal plane. At each corner two of those four horizontal rod members are connected via the connection assembly. Four rod members extend in the vertical direction, one at each comer.

[0029] In embodiments, the first, second and third rod member have a maximum diameter or thickness and wherein the transverse surface extends from the first connecting member surface by a length that is less than or about the same as that maximum diameter or thickness. This allows for compact packaging. Rod members and the transverse surface will have a similar thickness. The first connecting member does not exceed the height of the maximum diameter or thickness of the rod members. When the rod members and the first connecting member are placed on a packaging box surface or a panel surface in the packaging box, the diameter or thickness of the rod members and a height of the first connecting member will determine the required box thickness. When the length of the transverse surface of the first connecting member is shorter than the diameter or thickness of the rod members, the first connecting member can be packaged within the box without protruding vertically. An efficient flat packaging is thus possible by this embodiment.

[0030] A rod member may be a long piece of material used for providing structural support to the furniture article. The rod members may be hollow pipes, metal pipes, straight rods having a first and second ends wherein the end may have a surface perpendicular to the straight extension of the rod. The rod members may also have a square cross-section, preferably having a beam shape, more preferably having four rod outer side surfaces extending between ends of the rod members, each of the four rod outer side surfaces connected perpendicular to two other rod surfaces. The rod members may have one or more through-holes, preferably close to one or more end sections of the rod member. The crosssection of the rod can be rectangular, circular, or any other geometry which can provide mechanical support to the support framework. The set of first fasteners can extend through the rod member from a first outer side surface through the rod to the opposite outer side surface. [0031] A contact point or a through-hole occupied by a fastener is referred as connection point. If two objects are connected by only one connection point, for example by one screw, the two objects may rotate with respect to each other. However, if two objects are connected by more than two points at different locations, the objects are no longer rotatable.

[0032] In embodiments, the first set of fasteners may comprise at least three fasteners, wherein at least two fasteners are attached to the panel via the first rod member and wherein at least one fastener is attached to the panel via the second rod member. The second set of fasteners may comprise at least one fastener. The third set of fasteners may comprise at least one fastener. The fourth set of fasteners may comprise at least one fastener.

[0033] In embodiments, an end of the first rod member abuts to an outer surface of the second rod member, and wherein preferably the end of the first rod member is flush with the outer surface of the second rod member; and/or an outer surface of the first rod member is positioned flush with an outer surface of the second rod member; and/or an end of the second rod member abuts to an outer surface of the third rod, and wherein preferably the end of the second rod member is flush with the outer surface of the third rod member; and/or the transverse surface of the first connecting member abuts in flush an outer surface of the first rod member and an outer surface of the second rod member; and/or the first connecting member surface of the first connecting member abuts in flush an outer surface of the third rod member; and/or the second connecting member surface of the second connecting member abuts in flush an outer surface of the second rod member and an outer surface of the third rod member.

[0034] In embodiments, two first rod members and two second rod members connected by four connecting member assemblies form a rectangular support surface for a rectangular panel, wherein preferably the two first rod members and two second rod members have outer surfaces that form a flush surface for supporting the rectangular panel.

[0035] In embodiments, the connection structure further comprises an auxiliary reinforcement structure. In embodiments, the auxiliary reinforcement structure comprises a third connecting member connected to the first or second rod member via a fifth set of fasteners. In embodiments, the auxiliary reinforcement structure comprises a fourth connecting member connected to the third rod member via a sixth set of fasteners. In embodiments, the auxiliary reinforcement structure comprises a fourth rod member connected to the third and fourth connecting member, wherein the fourth rod member is at angle between 15-75 degrees with respect to the first/second rod member and with respect to the third member. The fourth rod provides an extra structural connection between the perpendicular rod, reinforcing the support structure.

[0036] In preferred embodiments, the connection of the auxiliary reinforcement structure to the first, second or third rod is provided at a distance of at least 3 cm from the connecting member assembly, preferably at more than 5 cm, more preferably more than 10 cm, and/or wherein the angle formed between the fourth rod member and the first/second rod member and the angle formed between the fourth rod member and the third rod member is between 25 - 65 degrees, preferably between 30 - 60 degrees, more preferably between 40 and 50 degrees and most preferably at about 45 degrees.

[0037] In more preferred embodiments, the third and fourth connecting member are formed from a metal plate, preferably having through-holes for receiving fasteners, preferably screws, wherein preferably the connector plate is shaped with two plate parts extending at an angle with respect to each other, forming a V-shaped connector plate, wherein preferably the angle is between 15 - 75 degrees, preferably between 30 - 60 degrees, more preferably between 40 and 50 degrees and most preferably at about 45 degrees.

[0038] In embodiments, an article of furniture has a top plate supported by a support framework, wherein the support framework comprises the connection structure according to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0039] In embodiments, the article of furniture is any of table, dining table, desk, stool, sofa, chair, dresser, cabinet, bookcase, wardrobe, shelving rack, bed, nightstand, and coffee table. [0040] In embodiments, a furniture package comprises the connection structure of any of the embodiments described herein, wherein the rod assembly and the connecting member assembly are disassembled and flat-packed, wherein the package comprises two or more layers, wherein a first layer comprises the panel and wherein a second layer comprises several rod assemblies and several connecting member assemblies.

[0041] In embodiments, the first, second and third rod member have a maximum diameter or thickness and the transverse surface extends from the first connecting member surface by a length that is less than or about the same as that maximum diameter or thickness. This allows for compact packaging when the rod members are placed in the same layer of a package with the first connecting member. The first connecting member can be placed in a position with the transverse surface in a direction of the layer thickness. As the rod members have a thickness that is similar to the length of the transverse surface, both the rod members and the transverse surface ‘fit’ in that layer. The first connecting member does not exceed the height which can be the maximum diameter or thickness of the rod members. An efficient flat packaging is thus possible by this embodiment.

[0042] In preferred embodiments, the furniture package includes an auxiliary reinforcement assembly comprising a third and a fourth connecting member, a fifth and sixth set of fasteners and a fourth rod member.

[0043] In the following paragraphs, [0044] - [0064], further disclosures are provided of a connection structure, which is applied to furniture. [0044] The connection structure includes a panel, a rod assembly, a connector, and multiple sets of fasteners. The connector includes a first connecting member surface and a transverse surface bent at 90 degrees. The rod assembly includes a first rod, a second rod and a third rod; the first rod and the second rod form a horizontal plane with 90 degrees. The first rod and the second rod jointly support the panel. The third rod is perpendicular to the horizontal plane where the panel is located. A first set of fasteners is attached to the panel through the transverse surface, the first rod and the second rod. A second set of fasteners passes through the first connecting member surface to secure the connection with the third rod.

[0045] In embodiments, the outer end of the second rod is flush with the outer side of the first rod and the outer side of the first connecting member surface, and the outer side of the second rod is flush with the outer side of the third rod flush on the outside.

[0046] In embodiments, the first set of fasteners are self-tapping screws, the transverse surface is provided with several through-holes, and the first rod and the second rod are provided with corresponding through-holes. Screws are screwed on the panel after passing through the through-holes of the transverse surface, the first rod and the second rod respectively.

[0047] In embodiments, the first rod, the second rod and the third rod are metal pipes, and the cross-section of the metal pipes is a square structure.

[0048] In embodiments, the second set of fasteners includes a first lock screw passing through the first connecting member surface and the third rod via the through-holes therein. [0049] In embodiments, the third rod is arranged on the outside of the corner of the first rod and the second rod, and the two sides of the third rod are respectively flush with the corresponding first rod or the second rod, the end of the third rod exceeds the upper plane formed by the first rod and the second rod and does not exceed the upper surface of the panel. [0050] In embodiments, the connection structure further includes a reinforcement member, the reinforcement member is a plate-shaped body having at least one lock screw connecting the reinforcement member to the second rod, and at least one lock screw connecting the reinforcement member with the third rod.

[0051] In embodiments, the reinforcement member is provided with a plurality of through- holes, the second rod and the third rod are correspondingly provided with a plurality of through-holes, and the lock screw passes through the reinforcement member, the second rod, and the third rod via the through-holes and connecting the three.

[0052] In embodiments, the first connecting member surface has a triangular structure, which includes an upper horizontal edge, an outer vertical edge, a lower bottom edge and an inner arc edge, and the length of the lower bottom edge is equal to or greater than that of the third width of the rod.

[0053] In another aspect, connection construction, for use in furniture, is characterized by comprising connectors, rod assemblies, panels and sets of fasteners. The connecting member includes a first surface and a second surface bent at a first angle to each other. The rod assembly includes a first rod, a second rod and a third rod. The first rod and the second rod lie on the same plane, and the third rod forms a second angle with the plane. Said first angle is equal to said second angle. The lower surfaces of the first rod and the second rod are in close contact with the upper surface of the first surface, and the panel is supported on the upper surface of the first rod and the second rod. The first group of fasteners passes through the lower surface of the first surface, passes through the first rod and the second rod, and connects with the panel. The inner surface of the third rod is in close contact with the outer surface of the second surface, and the second set of fasteners connects the third rod with the second surface.

[0054] In embodiments, the connecting member is a bent plate body, the first surface and the second surface form a 90-degree angle, the first surface is used as a transverse surface, and the second surface is used as a first connecting member surface.

[0055] In embodiments, the first rod and the second rod are at 90 degrees, the outer end of the first rod is flush with the outside of the second rod and the outside of the first connecting member surface, so the outer side of the second rod is flush with the outer side of the third rod.

[0056] In embodiments, the first surface is provided with three through-holes distributed along a straight line, the end of the second rod is provided with a corresponding through-hole, and the first rod is provided with two corresponding through-holes in parallel. The first group of fasteners are three self-tapping screws, and the self-tapping screws are screwed on the panel through the through-holes on the first surface and the first rod and the second rod. [0057] In yet another aspect, it is disclosed a connection construction, for use in furniture, including panels, rod assemblies, connectors, reinforcement members and sets of fasteners. The rod assembly includes a first rod, a second rod and a third rod, the first rod and the second rod form a horizontal plane forming 90 degrees, the first rod and the second rod support the panel, The third rod is perpendicular to the plane where the panel is located. The connecting member includes a first connecting member surface and a transverse surface bent at 90 degrees. The reinforcement member is a plate-shaped body distributed vertically. The first set of fasteners passes through the transverse surface, the first rod, and the second rod to attach to the panel, the second set of fasteners passes through the first connecting member surface to connect to the third rod, and the third set of fasteners passes through the reinforcing member connects and fixes the second rod and the third rod.

[0058] In embodiments, the first group of fasteners are a plurality of self-tapping screws, the transverse surface, the first rod, and the second rod are provided with through-holes, and the self-tapping screws pass through the through-hole screwed on said panel. The second group of fasteners and the second group of fasteners are locking screws, and the locking screws include sub-screws and nuts. The first rod and the third rod are provided with through-holes, and the first connecting member surface and the reinforcing member are provided with through-holes. The lock screw passes through the first connecting member surface and connected with the third rod, and the lock screw passes through the reinforcing member and connected with the third rod.

[0059] In yet another aspect of the invention, it is disclosed a storage rack, including N panels, 4 x N connectors, 2 x N groups of first rod members and second rod members, four third rod members and multiple sets of fasteners. Said N is greater than or equal to 2. Two sets of first rod members and second rod members are arranged at 90 degrees to each other in turn to form N horizontal rectangular frames aligned up and down in the vertical direction, and each horizontal rectangular frame supports a panel. Four third rod members are arranged vertically, and the four comers of each horizontal rectangular frame are respectively connected to the third rod members through connectors. The connecting member includes a first connecting member surface and a transverse surface bent at 90 degrees, the lower surfaces of the first rod and the second rod are close to the upper surface of the transverse surface, and the inner surface of the third rod is close to the first connecting member surface. The first group of fasteners passes through the lower surface of the transverse surface and connects with the panel after passing through the first rod member and the second rod member, and the second group of fasteners passes through the first connecting member surface and will be connected with the third rod member.

[0060] In embodiments, the third rod member is arranged on the outside of the corner of the first rod member and the second rod member, and the two sides of the third rod member are respectively flush with the corresponding first rod member or the second rod member. In embodiments, the upper end of the third rod is the uppermost horizontal rectangular frame and does not exceed the upper surface of the uppermost panel.

[0061] In embodiments, said N is 3 and said panels of each layer form an upper shelving layer, a middle shelving layer and a lower shelving layer distributed in the height direction. [0062] In embodiments, each of the lower ends of the third rod members is provided with a foot pad, and each of the upper ends of the four third rod members are provided with a cover. [0063] In yet another aspect of the invention it is disclosed a table, including a panel, four connectors, two sets of first rod members and second rod members, four third rod members and multiple sets of fasteners. The two groups of first rod members and second rod members form a horizontal rectangular frame at 90 degrees to each other in sequence, and a panel as a desktop is supported on the horizontal rectangular frame. Four third rod members are arranged vertically as table legs, and the four corners of the horizontal rectangular frame are respectively connected to the third rod members by connectors. The connecting member includes a first connecting member surface and a transverse surface bent at 90 degrees, the lower surfaces of the first rod and the second rod are close to the upper surface of the transverse surface, and the inner surface of the third rod is close to the first connecting member surface. The first group of fasteners passes through the lower surface of the transverse surface and connects with the panel after passing through the first rod and the second rod, and the second group of fasteners passes through the first connecting member surface and will be connected with the third rod connection is fixed.

[0064] Compared with the prior art, the invention has the advantage that the first rod member and the second rod member of the connection structure are joined at 90 degrees and enclose a horizontal plane to jointly support the panel, the third rod member is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The transverse surface of the connecting member is used to connect the first rod member and the second rod member and to fix the panel using the first set of fasteners. The first connecting member surface of the connecting member connects the third rod and fixes it using the second set of fasteners.

[0065] According to a further aspect, a connection structure according to claim 16 is provided. Accordingly, the rod assembly is constructed and connected using the connection member assembly and sets of fasteners. In this further aspect, the first set of fasteners is connected to the first rod and second rod. The first and second rod members are connected such that they form a plane.

[0066] Embodiment of the further aspect can have the first and second rod members form different shapes, e.g. non-rectangular shapes, by varying the first angle.

[0067] Embodiments of the further aspect can be combined with any of the features disclosed herein.

[0068] According to a different aspect, a connection structure according to claim 18 is provided. Accordingly, the rod assembly is constructed and connected using the first connection member and sets of fasteners. In this different aspect, the first set of fasteners is connected to the first rod and second rod. The first and second rod members are connected such that they form a plane. According to this different aspect, only the first connecting plate is used and a connection of the three rods is provided without a second connection plate.

[0069] Embodiment of the different aspect can have the first and second rod members form different shapes, e.g. non-rectangular shapes, by varying the first angle.

[0070] Embodiments of the different aspect can be combined with any of the features disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] The invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that these drawings are only drawn for the purpose of explaining preferred embodiments, and therefore should not be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are only schematically intended to conceptually represent the composition or configuration of depicted objects and may contain exaggerated representations, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article of furniture;

FIG. 2 is a second structural schematic diagram of the article of furniture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a partial structure of the article of furniture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one of the tables of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is the second schematic diagram of the table;

FIG. 6 is the structural schematic diagram of a connection structure;

FIG. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of one of the connection structures;

FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of another connection structure;

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of the crosspiece and the vertical shelf;

FIG. 10 is the overall schematic diagram of connecting member;

FIG. 11 is the overall schematic diagram of the transverse reinforcing plate;

FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view of place Ain FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view of B in FIG. 5;

FIG. 14 is an overall schematic diagram of a furniture packaging;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary reinforcement structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these descriptions are only descriptive and exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of the present invention.

[0073] It should be noted that similar reference numerals denote similar items in the following figures, therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it may not be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0074] The connection between the various components of the furniture usually requires the use of a connection structure. The traditional connection structure is complicated, and it is not convenient for users to install it by themselves. With the increasing development of e- commerce, logistics is becoming more and more developed, and the structure of furniture is becoming more and more detachable and assembled.

[0075] FIG 1 shows a connection structure 201. The connection structure 201 forms the basis for furniture, here a storage rack. The connection structure 201 is formed from a number of rod members 20, panels 10, and connecting members 30, 50.

[0076] The number of rod assemblies and connection assemblies of each piece of furniture can be adjusted according to actual needs and shapes. It should be noted that the connection structure 201 is not limited to the examples shown in this application, but can be widely used in various furniture articles, and the detachable mode of each furniture can also be designed and developed based on the connection structure.

[0077] FIGS. 1-3 show schematic views of a connection structure 201 embodied as storage rack. The connection structure 201 in this example includes three panels 10. The panels 10 are rectangular and each have four corners. The connection structure 201 includes twelve connection assemblies 30,50. Each connection assembly comprises at least a first connecting member 30 and a second connecting member 50. The connection structure 201 comprises six first rod members 21 and six second rod members 22, and four vertical third rod members 23. Multiple sets of fasteners are used.

[0078] The panels 10 are provided at three heights, hl-h3. Each layer of panels 10 of the support structure 201 forms an upper shelf layer hl, a middle shelf layer h2 and a lower shelf layer h3 distributed in the height direction. The lower ends of the third rod members 23 are respectively provided with foot pads f2, and the upper ends of the four third rod members 23 are respectively provided with caps fl. The number of layers of the storage rack 201 can be increased or decreased according to actual needs of users.

[0079] Three groups of two first rod members 21 and two second rod members 22 form three vertically aligned horizontal rectangular frames at 90 degrees to each other in sequence, and each horizontal rectangular frame supports a panel 10.

[0080] Four third rod members 23 are arranged vertically, and the four comers of each horizontal rectangular frame are respectively connected to the third rod members 23 through connectors 30.

[0081] Wherein, the connecting member 30 includes a first surface and a second surface bent at a first angle to each other. Preferably, the first angle formed by the first surface and the second surface is 90 degrees. Currently, the first surface is first connecting member surface 31, the second surface is a transverse surface 32.

[0082] Near a corner of a panel, the rod assembly 20 includes a first rod member 21, a second rod member 22 and a third rod member 23. The first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 are, in assembled state, located and extending in the same horizontal plane. The third rod member 23 extends in the vertical direction, perpendicular to the first and second rod members. In actual installation, the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 form a horizontal plane with the rod members at an angle of 90 degrees. The third rod member 23 is perpendicular to the plane where the panel 10 is located, that is, the second angle is 90 degrees.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows the details of the different connections at a comer of the panel along the vertical third rod member 23. Near the top, a connecting member assembly comprising a first connecting member 30 and a second connecting member 50 is formed. At the middle lever, the rod members 21 and 22 are connected by a first connecting member 50 to the vertical rod. At the bottom, again a connecting member assembly of first connecting member 30 and second connecting member 50 form the connecting member assembly that connects the three rod members 21, 22 and 23 at mutual perpendicular angles.

[0084] First connecting member 30 is formed from a metal plate. It comprises a first connecting member surface 31 and a second transverse connection surface 32. In assembled state, the first connecting member surface 31 extends in a direction perpendicular to second rod member 22. In assembled state, the transverse surface 32 extends in a direction perpendicular to vertical third rod member 23. The surfaces 31 and 32 may have through- holes through which fasteners formed by screws can be positioned.

[0085] As shown in FIG 3, FIG 7 and FIG 8, the first set of fasteners 41 is connected to the panel 10 through the transverse surface 32, the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22.

[0086] The first group of fasteners 41 are self-tapping screws t, and the transverse surface 32 is provided with several through-holes. In this embodiment, the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 are provided with corresponding through-holes. The self-tapping screws t respectively pass through the transverse surface 32, the through-holes of the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 are screwed into the panel 10. As a result the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 are sandwiched between the transverse surface 32 and the panel in the vertical direction. In the shown embodiment two through-holes are provided for fastening the first connecting member 30 to the first rod member 21. In the shown embodiment one through-hole is provided for fastening the first connecting member 30 to the second rod member 22.

[0087] As shown, an end of the first rod member 21 will abut to a longitudinal surface of the second rod member 22. The end surface of the first rod member 21 is preferably flush with a side of the second rod member 22. By using rod members that have a rectangular crosssection, a flat end of the first rod member can abut on the side surface of the second rod member 22.

[0088] The second set of fasteners 42 pass through the first connecting member surface 31 will be connected and fixed with the third rod member 23.

[0089] The second group of fasteners 42 will attach the vertical third rod member 23 to the first connecting member 30. The first connecting member surface 31 has corresponding through-holes. The first connecting member surface 31 and the third rod member 23 are provided with corresponding through-holes.

[0090] In the shown embodiment, fasteners 42 from the second group are embodied by a pair of screws tl and sleeves t2. The pair of locking screws pass through the through-holes of the first connecting member surface 31 and the third rod member 23 into the sleeves t2 to lock the first connecting member 30 and the third rod member 23.

[0091] The outer end of the second rod member 22 is flush with the outer side of the first rod member 21 and the outer side of the first connecting member surface 31, and the outer side of the second rod member 22 is flush with the outer side of the third rod member 23.

[0092] It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 12, the cross-section of the outer end of the second rod member 22 fits on the side of the first rod member 21 and does not exceed the outer end of the first rod member 21, so that the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 The upper surfaces of the two rod members 22 form a continuous and flat horizontal plane so as to jointly support the panel 10 . The side width of the third rod member 23 is consistent with the section width of the second rod member 22, and the third rod member 23 side cannot exceed the second rod member 22 when the outer end section of the second rod member 22 fits, so that the outer end of the second rod member 22 is in flush with the outside of the third rod member 23.

[0093] The first rod member 21, the second rod member 22 and the third rod member 23 may be metal tubes, and the cross-section of the metal tubes may be a square or rectangular. [0094] The overall state after assembly is that the third rod member 23 is arranged on the outside of the corner of the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22, one side of the third rod member 23 is flush with the corresponding second rod member 22. As shown in FIG.13 the upper end of the third rod member 23 can be flush with the upper side of the first and second rod members 21, 22. In FIG. 12, the upper part exceeds the upper plane formed by the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22.

[0095] The connection structure 201 in this embodiment is easy to disassemble and has high stability, so that the furniture products combined based on the connection structure 201 are more convenient for users to disassemble and assemble and overcome the problem of low stability of traditional detachable furniture.

[0096] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the connection structure 201 in this embodiment further includes a second connecting member 50, which is a vertically distributed plate-shaped body, and the second connecting member 50 is fixed and installed by further sets of fasteners, embodied by locking screws. Specifically, pairs of screw tl and sleeves t2 form the fasteners tO used to connect the second connecting member 50 to the second rod member 22 and to the third rod member 23.

[0097] To that end, the second connecting member 50 is provided with a plurality of through- holes. In the shown embodiment second connecting member 50 has three through- holes. Second rod member 22 has a single through-hole and third rod member 23 has two through-holes. For connecting the second connecting member 50 to the second rod member 22, a third set of fasteners is used. Here screw tl of the locking screw tO passes through the through-hole in second connecting member 50 and through the through-hole of the second rod member 22.

[0098] Further, two screws tl pass through the through-holes in the second connecting member 50 and through the third rod member 23, and then fix it with a sleeve t2, thereby fixing the connection. In all, using the three locking screws tO, the three through-holes in the second connecting member 50, the one through-holes in the second member 22 and the two through-holes in the third rod, the rod assembly and connection assembly are firmly connected.

[0099] As shown in FIG 10, the first connecting member surface 31 has a triangular structure, which includes an upper horizontal side cl, an outer vertical side c2, a lower bottom side c3 and an inner arc side c4, and the length of the lower bottom side c3 is equal to or greater than the width of the third rod member 23.

[00100] Figures 4 and 5 show a table 202, like a coffee table, a tea table, etc. The table 202 includes a panel 10, four first connecting members 30, eight second connecting member 50, three first rod members 21 and four second rod members 22, four third rod members 23 and multiple sets of fasteners 40.

[00101] Two first rod members 21 and two second rod members 22 form a horizontal rectangular frame. The rod members 21 and 22 are at 90 degrees to each other , and a panel 10 as a desktop is supported on the horizontal rectangular frame.

[00102] Four third rod members 23 are arranged vertically to serve as table legs, and the four comers of the horizontal rectangular frame are respectively connected to the third rod members 23 through connectors 30. The connection structure 202 includes a panel 10, a four rod assemblies 20 and four connection assemblies, each comprising first connecting member 30 and second connecting member 50 and a plurality of sets of fasteners 40.

[00103] Similar to the embodiment of FIGS 1-3, the connecting member 30 includes a first connecting member surface 31 and a transverse surface 32 bent at 90 degrees. The lower surfaces of the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 are in close contact with the upper surface of the transverse surface 32 and fastened thereto. A surface of the third rod member 23 that faces inward is in close contact and fixed to the outer surface of the first connecting member surface 31.

[00104] The first set of fasteners 41 passes through the lower surface of the transverse surface 32 and is connected with the panel 10 after passing through the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22. A second set of fasteners 42 passes through the first connecting member surface 31 and will be connected with the third rod member 23.

[00105] The first set of fasteners 41 are self-tapping screws t, and the transverse surface 32 is provided with several through-holes, and the first rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 are provided with corresponding through-holes. The self-tapping screws t respectively pass through the transverse surface 32, the first through-holes of the rod member 21 and the second rod member 22 are screwed on the panel 10 behind.

[00106] The second set of fasteners 42 include locking screws. The locking screws tO include sub-screws tl and sleeves t2. The first connecting member surface 31 and the third rod member 23 are provided with through-holes, and the locking screws pass through the through- holes of the first connecting member surface 31 and the third rod member 23 to connect the two.

[00107] The first rod member 21, the second rod member 22 and the third rod member 23 are metal tubes, and the cross-section of the metal tubes is a square structure.

[00108] The four top corners supporting the panel further include a second connecting member 50, which is a plate-shaped body, and the locking screw tO that fixes the second connecting member 50 to the second rod member 22, and the locking screw tO simultaneously connects the second connecting member 50 to the third rod member 23.

[00109] The second connecting member 50 is attached to the outer surfaces of the second rod member 22 and the third rod member 23. Specifically, the second connecting member 50 is provided with a plurality of through-holes, the second rod member 22 and the third rod member 23 are correspondingly provided with a plurality of through-holes, and the locking screw tO passes through the second connecting member 50, the second rod member 22, the through-hole in the third rod member 23 to connect the three.

[00110] The first connecting member surface 31 of the connecting member 30 has a triangular shape, which includes an upper horizontal side cl, an outer vertical side c2, a lower bottom side c3 and an inner arc side c4 . The length of the lower bottom side c3 is equal to or greater than the width of the third rod member 23.

[00111] Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, four third rod members 23 are vertically arranged as table legs, and the bottoms of the opposite groups of third rod members 23 are connected with crosspieces 62. A further first rod 61 connects to the two crosspieces 62. The connection between the two crosspieces 62 and the first rod 61 is obtained with a transverse reinforcing plate 63.

[00112] As shown in FIG. 11, the transverse reinforcing plate 63 includes a basis e2 with through-holes that allow attaching to the upper surface of the crosspiece 62. The transverse reinforcing plate 63 further has a finger piece el extending away from the middle of the basis e2. Finger piece el has a through-hole that allows attaching to the upper surface of the first rod 61. The basis e2 and the finger piece el are in a “T” shape. The crosspiece 62, the first rod 61 and the transverse reinforcing plate 63 can enhance the stability of the table legs.

[00113] The shelf 201 and the table 202 assembled based on the connection structure 100 have higher overall stability after installation, and in terms of detachability, it is also more convenient for users to install or disassemble independently.

[00114] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a furniture package 140 comprising disassembled elements of a connection structure according to embodiments of the invention. The package 142 is a cardboard package that contains the rod member assembly 20, panels 10, second connecting members 50, first connecting members 30 and fastening member of a support structure.

[00115] FIG. 14 shows are flat-packed in a packaging box 142. The panels 10, which are flat boards, are stacked in the box 142. As shown in FIG. 14, plurality of panels 10 can be stacked without wasting packaging volume. On top of the panels 10, rod members of the rod assembly 20 are placed. As the rod members have a maximum thickness 144, they form a further layer of the stack of elements in the packaging box 142.

[00116] The first and second connecting members of the connecting member assembly are also placed on top of the panels 10, in the same layer as the rod members. By positioning the first connecting member surfaces 31 of the connecting member in flush with the upper surface of the panels 10, the transverse surfaces 32 will extend upward, perpendicular to the upper surface of the panels 10. As shown, the upward length of the transverse surface 32 is similar to or less than the maximum thickness 144 of the rod members of the rod member assembly 20. As a result, the thickness of the packaging box 142 is limited by the maximum thickness 144 of the rod member assembly 20. Because the second connecting members 50 are substantially flat, they do not limit the thickness of the packaging box 142. [00117] FIG. 15 shows an auxiliary reinforcement structure 150 that may be additionally provided to the embodiments of the present invention. The auxiliary reinforcement structure 150. The auxiliary reinforcement structure may comprise a third connecting member 150 connected to one of the rod members 21,22,23 via a fifth set of fasteners 152. The third connecting member 150 can be a connector plate formed from metal and having through- holes for fasteners. In embodiments, the third connecting member 150 has a third connecting member surface. In assembled state, the third connecting surface of the third connecting member connected to a first rod member is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a second rod member.

[00118] In FIG. 15, the third connecting member 150 is connected to one of the horizontal rod members, e.g., the first or second rod member 21, 22. The fasteners 152 can be pairs of locking screws such as a screw and a sleeve.

[00119] The third connecting member 150 connects the rod member to a fourth rod member 154 via the fifth set of fasteners 152. By configuring the positions of the fasteners 152, the fourth rod member 154 may be also connected to the third rod member 23.

[00120] The fourth rod member 154 may be connected to one of the rod members 21,22,23 at an angle. The angle may be chosen depending on the overall shape of the furniture article. Preferably, the angle is between 25 - 65 degrees, more preferably between 30 - 60 degrees, even more preferably between 40 and 50 degrees and most preferably at about 45 degrees.

[00121] In embodiments, the fourth rod member 154 is connected to a rod member 21,22,23 at one end and is further connected to another rod member 21,22,23 at the other end. The connected fourth rod member 154 thus can enhance the mechanical stability of the support framework of the furniture article. The enhanced mechanical stability may be of a horizontal plane of a panel or in a vertical plane formed by one of the first and second rod members and the third rod member which is positioned vertically.

[00122] In embodiments, the end of the fourth rod member 154 is cut at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the fourth rod member 154. In the shown embodiment, the end of the fourth rod member 154 is cut at an angle of about 45 degrees. As a result, the end surface of the fourth rod member abuts the upper side surface of the rod member to which it attaches. The opposite end of the fourth rod member 154 may be also cut at an angle for abutting the corresponding contacting rod member.

[00123] In embodiments, the other end of the fourth rod member is connected to a different rod member of the support structure 201, attached thereto with a six set of fasteners and via a fourth connecting member. Preferably the end surface is angled to abut the side surface of the rod member to which it is connected. In this way, the fourth rod member becomes a force transfer beam between two rod members.

[00124] In embodiments, the reinforcement structure may contain more than one rod members that are connected to the rod members of the connection structure. Two rod members of the reinforcement structure may intersect at a point and forming a joint such that the force transfer is diversified compared to having one reinforcing rod member.

[00125] In embodiments, the auxiliary reinforcement structure connects a first or second rod member to a third rod member. In embodiments, the auxiliary reinforcement structure connects a first or second rod member to a first or second rod at a different horizontal plane. This allows transferring loads from a higher panel to a lower panel. Also skewing of the support structure can be prevented by having the auxiliary reinforcement structure between horizontal rod members that support panels.

[00126] In the description of the invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the term’s "front", "rear" and the like are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the conventional orientation of the invention product during use. The orientation or positional relationship is only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be interpreted as a reference to the invention. New types of restrictions.

[00127] connection structure provided by the invention and the furniture using the connection structure have been introduced in detail above. In this paper, specific examples are used to illustrate the principle and implementation of the invention. The description of the above embodiments is only for helping to understand the invention and core idea. It is necessary to point out that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principle of the invention, some improvements and modifications can also be made to the invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall into the protection of the claims of the invention. within range.