Technical Field

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a furniture assembly, and methods of construction of furniture.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Furniture items have been developed over the years to provide comfort, flexibility, style and aesthetic appeal. For lounge furniture, such as sofas and armchairs, methods of construction in widespread use include traditional sprung designs, and more economical constructions using timber and foam, as well as a variety of other materials.

[0003] A particular issue with all such items is that styles and fashions change, and the appearance of the lounge furniture can become dated in only a few years. It is generally not economically practical, nor in many cases possible, to modify or even re cover the items to meet current fashions, and so they are discarded. This creates an issue in terms of waste disposal of complex mixed construction materials. It is also an inefficient use of resources as much modern furniture is, in effect, disposable after only a few years of use.

[0004] A further issue relates to the ability to modify and individualise a furniture setting, or to modify it for different uses. Some modifiable items exist, such as sofa beds which can be moved from a sofa configuration to a bed configuration. Other examples allow for parts of the furniture item to connected or disconnected at discrete mounting points, so that for example an arm rest may be attached. This provides only a limited ability to customise or re-configure the furniture item.

[0005] Some disclosures in the prior patent literature disclose the use of furniture assemblies to allow engagement of other accessories.

[0006] For example, GB 2551675 A by Herman Miller Inc. discloses a partition system that has a wall or base element that includes an upstanding wall or a channel wherein either or both of which are engaged by one or more accessories. [0007] WO2015/124902 A1 by PJ Nolen Enterprises Limited discloses a modular furniture kit that has a panel and groove around the panel. In this case, drawers of different sizes may engage the groove of the panel using a rail.

[0008] However, none of these disclosures provide a furniture item that can be more readily customised or re-configured to meet the current and future requirements of the users. Accessories are only able to be connected at distinct mounting points.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide furniture which can be more readily modified to meet the current and future requirements of the users.

Summary of the Invention

[0010] In a broad form, the present invention provides a furniture construction including a base, with a mounting channel extending around the side of the base, so that components may be connected to the channel at many different locations around the base.

[001 1 ] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a furniture item, including a base, a channel extending around the base, and one or more accessories attached to the base using a releasable mount extending within the channel, wherein the accessories may be attached at any suitable location along the channel.

[0012] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of constructing a furniture item, including providing a base, the base including a mounting channel extending around the periphery of the base, and providing one or more accessories, each including a mounting flange, wherein the furniture item is formed by rotating the mounting flange of an accessory within the channel so as to removably affix the accessory to the base.

[0013] According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a furniture base adapted for the attachment of accessories, the base including a channel extending around the base, wherein accessories may be attached at any suitable location along the channel using a mounting connection.

[0014] As a result, the construction of implementations of the present invention allows for a relatively durable, solidly constructed base section, which can be re-used with different accessories. The style of the components such as arm rests, side tables, back rests, etc. may be refreshed by simply replacing those components as required. Different components may be added if the owner moves to a different home or puts the base to a different use within the home. As a result, the main component may provide many years of useful life, whilst the furniture item can remain useful and in fashion.

[0015] Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the description below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Illustrative implementations of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a structural component of one implementation of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is a sectional view of an extrusion;

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the principle of construction of the implementation of figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates an implementation of the mounting component;

[0021 ] Figure 5 illustrates perspective views of different optional components;

[0022] Figure 6 is a series of views illustrating a furniture item constructed according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 is perspective view of an implementation using an alternative base;

[0024] Figure 8 is a detailed view illustrating an arm rest attached to a base;

[0025] Figure 9 is a detailed view illustrating an alternative construction;

[0026] Figure 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating a possible alternative internal structure for a base according to an implementation of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 1 1 is perspective view illustrating the operation of the mounting connection and channel; [0028] Figure 12 is a sectional view of an alternative implementation of an extrusion;

[0029] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a portion of a frame illustrating an alternative implementation of an extrusion;

[0030] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a portion of a frame illustrating another alternative implementation of an extrusion;

[0031 ] Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting connection and a portion of a frame that are not engaged to each other; and

[0032] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a mounting connection and a portion of a frame that are engaged to each other.

Detailed Description of the invention

[0033] Implementations of the present invention will now be described in detail. It will be understood that the implementations described are only possible implementations, and the description is intended to be illustrative of the invention, and not limitative of its scope.

[0034] It will be understood that the present invention may be implemented with any suitable material, either one currently used in furniture construction, or other such materials as may be found suitable. The coverings may be fabric of any kind, leather, synthetic materials, or any other desired material. The base section may incorporate metal, such as steel, aluminium or alloys thereof, or any other suitable metal; wood, polymers or other synthetic materials, foam, metal spring or any other desired materials and components.

[0035] The underlying concept envisaged for products incorporating the present invention is that a relatively durable base component may be provided, which may be made of relatively high quality and yet simple construction. It is envisaged that several different options for size and comfort may be provided. This provides a bare platform, onto which the user can easily fit a variety of optional components. These may be replaced as desired, so that the furniture can be adapted to current fashions, different rooms, different uses, to replace a damaged or stained item, or to suit new premises.

[0036] This approach is also helpful where a furniture item is, for example, a bed at night and a sofa by day. It also facilitates easy disassembly to facilitate moving or storage of the furniture, and facilitates efficient shipping and logistics. [0037] Referring to figure 1 , the basic structural element 10 of a first implementation is shown. Frame 1 1 is formed from a continuous extrusion, so that a channel 12 extends completely around the periphery of element 10. Structural bracing 15 and support 14 are provided on element 10. Springs 20 are mounted on the extrusion. Channel 12, as will be further explained below, provides a mounting system for accessories, and is accessible around the complete periphery of the constructed furniture item. As a result, the user can have a large level of freedom in positioning accessories, so as to provide a completely customised item of furniture. The channel 12 being integrated into the main structural component removes the need for any intermediate structural connections between the mounting position and the structure of the furniture item, as the channel in this implementation is integrated within the structural frame.

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates an extrusion 30 for use with the present invention. This may be formed from any suitable material, although aluminium or an aluminium alloy are preferred. Each side has an open channel 12, 12A, formed by arms 32, 33 and 32A, 33A respectively. A central web 31 provides vertical continuity. In use, the structural frame 1 1 is formed by bending a suitable length of the extrusion, and providing a welded joint to close the frame.

[0039] Figure 12 illustrates an alternative extrusion 100 for use with the present invention. The extrusion 100 has a body 102 and two open channels 101 , 101 A located at the upper and lower portions of the extrusion 100, respectively. The open channel 101 is formed by arm 103 and a section of the body 102 parallel to arm 103. The open channel 101 is used to engage a mounting connection so that accessories may be attached at any suitable location along the channel. Likewise, the open channel 101 A is formed by arm 104 and a section of the body 102 parallel to arm 104. The open channel 101 A may be utilised to engage a base 60 (not shown).

[0040] It will be appreciated that these are only two suitable extrusions, and that other shapes and configurations could be used to implement the invention. Further, whilst it is preferred that the channel is continuous, it would be possible to have some flanges or section where the channel is not open, for example at the corners, or for example to provide an aesthetic effect. It is preferred that the channel is of uniform section, but implementations could have sections of different size opening, for example, although this is not preferred.

[0041 ] Figures 13 and 14 show portions of a frame 1 1 illustrating two alternative implementations of the extrusion. Each of the frame 1 1 in figures 13 and 14 has a body 122 and two open channels 121 , 121 A. The open channel 121 is formed by arms 123, 125. The open channel 121 is used to engage a mounting connection so that accessories may be attached at any suitable location along the channel. In figure 13, open channel 121 A is formed by arm 124 and a section of the body 122 parallel to arm 124. The open channel 121 A may be utilised to engage a base 60 (not shown). On the other hand, in figure 14, the open channel 121 A is formed by arm 124 and a section of the body 122 perpendicular to arm 124.

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates the structure of a furniture item once assembled, with an upper seat section 50, the structural frame 1 1 , and below a base 60. The seat section 50 may be formed of a fabric, leather or other material, over a foam material, or a sprung support. This may be suitably connected to the structural frame 1 1 with a hook and loop type connection (e.g. Velcro), or any other, preferably removable, connection. The base 60 may be formed from any suitable material, for example wood, veneer or a polymer.

[0043] The mounting connection 40 is also visible in this view. The general operation of the mounting connection 40 is that the operating flange 43 has a smaller width in a first direction than in a perpendicular direction, so that in the first orientation it can be inserted into channel 12, and then it is rotated 90 degrees. The wider flange then engages the inside of the channel 12, and the mounting is secured. It will be appreciated that many different possible shapes could be used to achieve this outcome. For example, in figures 15 and 16, the flange has a hook shape that is inserted and rotated 90 degrees to engage the inside of the channel 121 .

[0044] Bracket 40 has a vertical section 41 , and a horizontal section 42. Thus, accessories have a mounting connection 40 attached, and are affixed and removed by rotation as discussed. The bracket is preferably integrated into the structure of the accessory, but could be removable or at least rotatable with respect to the accessory in some implementations.

[0045] While any part of the channel 12,121 may in principle be used for mounting, depending upon the accessory, some positions may not be practical. For example, it may not be practical to mount accessories using the corner section of the channel 12,121 in the illustrated implementation.

[0046] Figure 4 illustrates an accessory 70, in this case a back rest. Mounting connection 41 can be seen in the rear detail. Figure 1 1 provides a more detailed view, showing the mounting bracket 40, and the differing dimensions of flange 43 in the insertion and fixed orientations relative to channel 12.

[0047] Figure 5 illustrates some examples of accessories that can be used with the base unit according to implementations of the present invention. 50A, 50B and 50C are alternative widths of cushioned arm rests. Arm rests 72, 74, 71 , and side table 73 are further examples. It will be appreciated that it is envisaged that a wide variety of possible accessories would be available using the mounting connection 40, and that these would change over time with fashion and design trends. Custom or one off accessories could also be provided.

[0048] Figure 6 provides an example of a sofa 80 constructed according to the implementation described. Structural frame 1 1 and channel 12 can be seen, visible and accessible in the finished sofa 80. Back rests 75, 76 have been connected to channel 12 with respective mounting connections 40 (not visible). In this case, the base is moulded plastic. Figure 9 shows a detail, in which the legs 92 can be more readily seen. It is envisaged that the base will be provided with different options for the height of set 50, and that the legs 92 will vary in height to provide the desired overall height. For example, a thicker seat will need shorted legs. Of course, a variety of legs can be provided for selection, or later replacement in accordance with fashion and design trends.

[0049] Figure 7 illustrates a base 81 which has the dimensions of a double bed. A back rest 78 and arm rest 79 are shown attached via respective mounting connections 40. For use as a bed, these may be easily removed.

[0050] Figure 8 illustrates a sofa with a relatively wide arm rest 86 attached, so that the profile is a more relaxed sofa.

[0051 ] It will be understood that the present invention is applicable to other items of furniture, such a single chairs, larger or smaller base shapes, or any other desired variations. Indeed, the ability to be adapted and changed is an important advantage of suitable implementations of the present invention.

[0052] Further, alternative constructions could be used, for example with the structural frame higher or lower within the furniture item, or with a different kind of sandwich construction.

[0053] Figure 10 illustrates an implementation in which the simple foam structure for the seat section 50 is enhanced with pocket springs 56, underlying the moulded foam 57. This would be particularly suitable for an item intended to be used as a bed. The seat support 17, attached to structural frame 1 1 , can be seen supporting the frame behind the moulded plastic base 60.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the illustrated construction allows for ready self- assembly by the user, and that the various components can be readily flat packed and shipped. [0055] It will be appreciated that many different features could be provided as accessories, within the general inventive concept which has been described.

[0056] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0057] All patent and other references cited above are hereby incorporated by reference into the specification.