The present invention relates to a furniture assembly which is interchangeable between a plurality of modes and use of the aforesaid furniture assembly. The present invention also relates to a folding wheel assembly, suitable for use with a furniture assembly.

Furniture which can be moved between modes of operation are known in the art. For example, a folding table assembly may have a stored configuration, in which leaves of the table-top are folded down so as to reduce its overall volume, and an extended configuration, in which the table-top is fully usable. This is just one example of a piece of furniture which may have more than one mode and there are, of course, many others. Whilst the advantages of known assemblies are readily apparent to those working in this field, it is only when one wishes to make that furniture more moveable that one realises the disadvantage(s). In particular, often the furniture is not easily carried a large distance, as it must normally be lifted.

Weight may be reduced, but often at the expenses of utility, as the furniture may result in being flimsy and/or unstable. Further, whilst it may be possible to secure one or more chairs in or around known furniture, the intention is more towards storage than to overall mobility of the furniture which, incidentally, adds to its weight and the disadvantage just highlighted.

When one is picnicking outside, in particular at outdoor concerts or events, one may be required to transport one's table, chairs, food and drinks, etc. a long distance from one's car to a suitable spot for setting up one's picnic. Apart from the weight, there are, typically, too many items which require transportation at any one time.

Therefore, there is a need for furniture which, during transporting, supports at least some of its own weight and makes transportation easier. Further, the invention is aimed at furniture which may be more easily transported despite its apparent weight and no matter how many chairs or other goods need transporting at the same time.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a furniture assembly, interchangeable between a plurality of modes, the assembly comprising a plurality of peripheral leaves surrounding or adjacent a central leaf of the assembly, wherein one or more of the peripheral leaves are operably connected to the central leaf and/or each other, so as to enable the assembly to be movable between:

a barrow mode, in which the one or more leaves provide at least part of a receptacle;

a storage mode, in which the one or more leaves may be flat-packed for compactness; and/or

a table mode, in which the central leaf, or the central leaf and one or more leaves provide a table-top; or

a bed mode, in which the central leaf and the one or more leaves provide a sleeping surface.

Preferably, the central leaf comprises a layered structure having at least one further leaf folded directly adjacent thereto.

Preferably, in a barrow mode, a first surface of the central leaf and the one or more leaves provide at least part of a receptacle; in a table mode, a second surface of the central leaf, or a second surface of the central leaf and the one or more leaves provide a table-top; and/or in a bed mode, a second surface of the central leaf and the one or more leaves provide a sleeping surface.

Preferably, one or more of the peripheral leaves are hingedly-connected to the central leaf.

Preferably, one or more of the peripheral leaves are slidably-connected to the central leaf.

Most preferably, the assembly comprises one of more retractable handles and/or one or more detachable or retractable legs.

Preferably, in a table mode, the one or more leaves extend the central leaf so as to provide a table-top surface of greater surface area than the central leaf per se. Most preferably, in a table mode, the assembly comprises eight leaves in total.

Further preferably, the table-top comprises two leaves of equal size, one of the leaves being the central leaf.

Preferably, in a bed mode, the one or more leaves extend the central leaf so as to provide a sleeping surface of greater surface area than the central leaf per se. Most preferably, in a bed mode, the assembly comprises nine leaves in total.

Preferably, each leaf comprises at least a leg. Most preferably, the central leaf comprises four legs. Preferably, the legs are detachable, retractable and/or foldable. Preferably, in a barrow mode, six leaves surrounding the central leaf are erected in an upright configuration so as to provide four walls to the receptacle.

Further preferably, in a barrow mode the central leaf provides a base of the receptacle and the one or more peripheral leaves provide one or more sides.

Preferably, in a storage mode, the leaves fold flat onto the central leaf, so as to flat-pack for compactness. Most preferably, the leaves may be secured in a flat- packed condition by a locking mechanism.

Preferably, the furniture assembly further comprises a folding wheel assembly as defined in the third aspect.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides use of a furniture assembly which is interchangeable between a plurality of modes, the assembly comprises a plurality of peripheral leaves surrounding or adjacent a central leaf of the assembly, wherein the one or more peripheral leaves are operably connected to the central leaf and/or each other, so as to enable the assembly to be movable between respective modes, the use comprising:

moving one or more leaves from a barrow mode, in which the one or more leaves form at least part of a receptacle, to a storage mode, in which the one or more leaves may be flat-packed for compactness;

moving the one or more leaves from a barrow mode, in which the one or more leaves form at least part of a receptacle, to a table mode, in which the central leaf, or the central leaf and one or more leaves provide a table-top; or moving the one or more leaves from a barrow mode, in which the one or more leaves form at least part of a receptacle, to a bed mode, in which the leaf and the one or more leaves provide a sleeping surface.

Preferably, in a barrow mode, a first surface of the central leaf and the one or more leaves provide at least part of a receptacle; in a table mode, a second surface of the central leaf, or a second surface of the central leaf and the one or more leaves provide a table-top; and/or in a bed mode, a second surface of the central leaf and the one or more leaves provide a sleeping surface.

Preferably, in a table mode, the one or more leaves extend the central leaf so as to provide a table-top surface of greater surface area than the central leaf per se. Preferably, in a bed mode, the one or more leaves extend the central leaf so as to provide a sleeping surface of greater surface area than the central leaf per se.

Preferably, the use comprises moving the one or more leaves from a bed mode or a table mode to a storage mode or a barrow mode, or vice-versa.

Preferably, the use comprises, starting from the barrow mode, folding one or more peripheral leaves and lowering them onto the central leaf, so as to remove the four walls of a receptacle and, thereby, form the storage mode or table mode. Most preferably, the use comprises moving a further leaf underlying the central leaf so as to form an extended table-top.

Preferably, the use comprises, starting from a barrow mode, folding down one or more peripheral leaves around the central leaf, so as to remove the four walls of a receptacle, and, thereby, form the bed mode.

Preferably, the use comprises, starting from a table mode, moving the further leaf from its extended position so as to again lie in register with the central leaf, and erecting the one or more peripheral leaves above the central leaf, so as to provide four walls of a receptacle and, thereby, form the barrow mode.

Preferably, the use comprises, starting from a storage mode, unfolding one or more peripheral leaves and erecting them above the central leaf, so as to provide four walls of the receptacle and, thereby, form the barrow mode.

The use may comprise unfolding a folding wheel assembly into a use condition or refolding a folding wheel assembly into a stored condition.

The use may comprises sliding a support of the folding wheel assembly into its stored condition or use condition.

The use may further comprise retracting one or more handles or extending one or more handles and/or extending or retracting one or more table legs and/or attaching or disconnecting one or more table legs.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a folding wheel assembly comprising:

a first support, hinged at one end to a housing and attachable at another end to a first wheel; and

a second support, hinged at one end to a/the housing and attachable at another end to a second wheel, such that the first and second supports are movable between respective flattened, stored conditions and erected, in use conditions,

wherein, the first support is additionally slidable between the flattened, stored condition of the first support, in which the first support lies next to the second support when in its stored condition, and the erected, in use condition of the first support, in which the first support is located in register with the second support.

Preferably, the housing of the first support comprises a runner or channel along which the support is slidable. Further preferably, the first support and the second support are securable in stored and in use conditions. Most preferably, the supports are securable by locking arms

Preferably, for compactness, the first support and the second support are located proximally, such that a distance between axes of movement of the first and second support is less than a combined length of the first and second supports.

Preferably, for compactness, the first support and the second support are located proximally, such that a distance between axes of movement of the first and second support is less than a combined length of the first and second supports including their respective wheels.

The distance between axes of movement of the first and second supports is the length of one of the supports or the length of one of the supports including a wheel.

Preferably, the housing for the first support and the housing for the second support are separate housings or, alternatively, the housing for the first support and the housing for the second support are the same housing. Advantageously, the present invention provides an assembly which may be transformed from a barrow mode to a storage mode, or a table mode or bed mode. The barrow mode makes transportation of the bed or table, any chairs, equipment, food and drinks easy, as the barrow takes at least some of the weight of those items. Further, the barrow forms a receptacle that carries and secures the items, making them easily transported by one person. In a storage mode, the assembly may be easily transported, as it may be dimensioned to fit within the boot of a standard saloon, hatchback or estate car. The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of furniture assembly, in barrow mode;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 during

transformation to a storage mode or a table mode;

Figure 3 is a further perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 , after that of

Figure 2, during transformation to a storage mode or a table mode;

Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 , after that of

Figure 3, during transformation to a storage mode or a table mode;

Figure 5 is a further perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 , after that of

Figure 4, during transformation to a table mode;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 , in table mode; Figure 7 is an underneath plan view of the assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is an underneath plan view of the assembly of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an underneath plan view of a second embodiment of furniture assembly, in a bed mode.

A first embodiment of furniture assembly, identified generally by reference 1 , is shown in Figures 1 to 8. In Figure 1 , the assembly 1 is shown in a barrow mode 1 A and, conversely, in Figure 8, the assembly 1 is shown in a table mode 1 B. A third mode, storage mode 1 C, is exemplified by Figure 4, with the exception of pairs of legs and handles. The assembly may be moved between the barrow mode 1 A and the table mode 1 B, without going through the storage mode 1 C.

In barrow mode 1 A, the assembly 1 comprises a pair of handles 2, a pair of legs 3, and a pair of foldable wheel supports 4, which each include a wheel 5. The main support surface of the barrow mode 1 A is provided by a table-top 6, which is divided into two respective halves 6A; 6B, which are hinged together. As shown in the barrow mode 1 A, table-top half 6A rests upon table-top half 6B. A usable table surface is protected by being provided on inwardly facing surfaces of the table-top halves 6A and 6B. A receptacle 7 is formed by six side panels 8A to 8F and the table-top half 6A. Walls of the receptacle 7 are formed in two halves, in that a first half is formed by panels 8A to 8C and a second half is formed by panels 8D to 8F. As panels 8A, 8C, 8D, and 8F are smaller panels than panels 8B and 8E, a pair of those panels make up a wall of the receptacle 7. Table top half 6A (on what is its underneath surface in table mode) includes a locking mechanism 9, by which the panels 8A to 8F may be secured to the table-top half 6A for a flat-packed

configuration. The locking mechanism 9, which is a form of T-shaped member, includes a fixed shank and a transverse bar that may be simply rotated so as to overlap with one or more of the panels 8A to 8F. Panel 8B is hinged along its lower longitudinal edge 10 to the table-top half 6A at one end thereof. Panel 8A is hinged to an upright edge of panel 8B and, correspondingly, panel 8C is hinged to an opposing upright edge of panel 8B. A hinge 1 1 is formed between panel 8A and 8B and a hinge 12 is formed between panel 8B and panel 8C. Panel 8E is hinged along its lower longitudinal edge 13 at an opposing end of table-top half 6A to panel 8B. Panel 8E is hinged at an upright edge, through a hinge 14, to panel 8F, and panel 8E is hinged at an opposing upright edge, through a hinge 15, to panel 8D. Further, panels 8C and 8D are secured with a locking mechanism 16 when formed in barrow mode, and so too are panels 8A and 8F (not shown). Panels 8A to 8F may be folded so as to flat-pack the receptacle 7. Panels 8A and 8C are provided with sockets 17, for receipt of legs 3, when the assembly is provided in table mode 1 B. Table-top half 6B includes slots 18, for receipt of the handles 2, so as to enable the handles 2 to be stored. Table top half 6B also includes sockets 19, as shown in Figure 7, which are also shown to include legs 3 therein.

A first wheel support 4A and a second wheel support 4B are shown

connected to the under-side of table top half 6B. Each wheel support 4A; 4B may include an integral housing or the housing may be provided by the table-top half 6B, and includes a pair a members connected at a wheel receiving end to form a V- shaped support 4A; 4B. Each support may additionally include a third member which serves to lock the support 4A; 4B in its use condition. Wheel support 4A is rotatable but also slidable in that it can move from the configuration shown in Figure 7A to that shown in Figure 8. Support 4A is slidable along a channel 22, which has the effect of off-setting the wheel supports 4A; 4B and allowing them to be placed in a flattened condition next to each other. Wheel support 4B, however, is only rotatable. Each wheel support 4A; 4B can be rotated so as to flatten the wheel supports 4A; 4B and, thereby, make the assembly 1 more compact. This is required because a distance from an axis 20 of movement (rotation and sliding) of support 4A from an axis 21 of rotation of support 4B is only slightly longer than the overall length (support and wheel) of one of the supports 4A or 4B and the distance is not large enough (for the sake of compactness) for the two supports 4A; 4B to be folded flat whilst in register with each other.

Preferably, table-top halves 6A; 6B are manufactured from good quality wood, such as iroko, so as to provide a durable table-top surface. Non retractable legs may be manufactured from the same wood or be dressed aluminium. Retractable legs may be manufactured from aluminium. As for panels 8A to 8F, they are preferably manufactured to have a light-weight framework, preferably of aluminium, which supports a panel of semi-rigid material, such as plastics or honeycomb composite. The framework may have a U-shaped or L-shaped cross-section.

Further, the wheel supports 4A; 4B are preferably manufactured from aluminium. The wheels 5 are, preferably, air-filled tyres but could be puncture proof tyres.

In use, so as to transform the apparatus 1 from the barrow mode 1A (as shown in Figure 1 ) to the table mode 1 B (as shown in Figure 6), the locking mechanisms 16 are unlocked and the panels 8A and 8C are folded through 270°, so as to lie against an outside of panel 8B. Panels 8D and 8F are correspondingly folded around panel 8E, as exemplified by the directional arrows 25 in Figure 2. Panels 8A to 8C and panels 8D to 8F may be folded in the direction of the locking mechanism 9. A slot 24, provided in panels 8B and 8E, ensures correct alignment of the panels 8B; 8E with the locking mechanism 9. The transverse bar of the locking mechanism 9 may be rotated - as exemplified by directional arrows 26 in Figure 3 - so as to secure all of the panels 8A to 8F in that flat-packed configuration. Upon inverting the assembly shown in Figure 3, support 4B may be simply rotated in a direction exemplified by directional arrow 27 (of Figure 4), so as to lie flat against an under-side of table-top half 6B. As for wheel support 4A, as wheel support 4B has already been secured, wheel support 4A must be slid along the channel 22 in a direction exemplified by directional arrow 28 (of Figure 4), so as to offset the two wheel supports 4A; 4B, such that wheel support 4A may be correspondingly rotated to lie in the flattened condition shown in Figure 4. The order of movement of supports 4A; 4B could be reversed, such that support 4A moves first, followed by support 4B. The handles 2 are then slid into retracted positions within at least part of table-top half 6B, which is exemplified by directional arrows 29 (of Figure 5). With the handles 2 secured within the table-top half 6B and the legs 3 removed from sockets 19, the assembly shown in Figure 4 approximates to a storage mode 1 C. Table-top halves 6A; 6B are then unfolded, so as to extend the surface area of the table-top, and are secured. A further pair of legs 3 are located in the pair of sockets 17 so that the table mode 1 B may be formed and the assembly may be placed upon its legs, as shown in Figure 6. Naturally, by reversing the steps just described, the apparatus 1 may be transformed from table mode 1 B into barrow mode 1 A.

Figure 9 shows a second embodiment of furniture assembly, identified generally by reference 50, and shows, in particular, an underneath plan view of a bed mode. The assembly 50 includes: a centre-most panel 51 ; end panels 52 and 53; a side panel 54, which is hingedly connected to smaller side/end panels 55 and 56; a further side panel 57, which is hingedly connected to smaller side/end panels 58 and 59. Panels 51 , 52 and 53, being the central panels, include sockets 60, for the insertion of detachable legs. Panels 54, 55 and 56, and panels 57, 58 and 59, include foldable legs 61 . As such, each of the small circles shown in Figure 9 either represents a socket 60 or foldable leg 61 , and the circles represent the approximate location of the sockets 60 or legs 61. The centre-most panel 51 is hingedly connected to the end panels 52; 53 and the side panels 54; 57. Slots 62 are provided so as to separate the end panel 52 from side/end panels 55; 58 and, correspondingly, slots 62 are provided so as to separate the end panel 53 from the side/end panels 56; 59. Advantageously, each of the legs placed in sockets 60 or foldable legs 61 will be sized so as to provide the assembly 50 with a relatively flat, upper surface which is approximately 12 to 18 inches from the ground. Although Figure 9 is not drawn to scale, in the bed mode, the assembly 50 provides an upper surface having a surface-area which is the same or similar to a double- or king-sized bed. Alternatively, the assembly 50 could be sized for one person.

Each of the panels 51 to 59 is substantially flat on their other surface (facing into the page), and are relatively thin. Lines defining and separating the panels show the approximate location of an aluminium framework, which surrounds each of the panels and provides hinged connections to adjacent panels, so as to allow rotation of the panels with respect to each other. The provisions of hinges allows the assembly to be flat-packed for storage - in a storage mode very similar to that described in relation to Figure 4 - and be formed into a barrow - very similar to the one shown in Figure 1 . Panels 51 to 59 include a honeycomb composite material placed within the aluminium framework. The framework may have a U-shaped or L-shaped cross- section. Panel 51 , the centre-most panel, is substantially equipped in a similar way to table-top half 6B, such that panel 51 further includes a pair of retractable handles (not shown) and a folding wheel assembly, preferably in the form of a pair of foldable wheel supports, etc. (not shown), as described in relation to the first embodiment. So as to maintain a relatively flat sleeping surface on one side, the folding wheel assembly (not shown) would be located on the same side as the sockets 60 of panel 51 .

In use, and in transforming the assembly 50 into a barrow, end panels 52 and 53 are folded onto the centre-most panel 51 first. Following the 180° movement of those panels 52; 53, side panels 54 and 57 may rotate through 90° so as to extend upwardly (or outwardly as they would from the page of Figure 9) and, with

corresponding 90° movements of side/end panels 55 and 56, and 58 and 59, the four sides of a receptacle may be formed. To finish the barrow mode, the handles are extended and the wheel supports slid and/or rotated in to the in register, use conditions (in a similar manner to the first embodiment, where the wheels have in-line axes of rotation), so as to form a barrow mode (not shown) which would correspond closely to that shown in Figure 1 . As for forming a storage mode, once side/end panels 55 and 56 are flattened against the side panel 54 and,

correspondingly, side/end panels 58 and 59 are flattened against the side panel 57, a further 90° movement of each of the sets of panels allow them to rest upon the folded down end panels 52 and 53 in a flat-packed condition, where they may be secured. The folding wheel assembly underneath may be folded into its compact condition, as exemplified in part in Figure 8, and the handles may be retracted so as to form the storage-mode of the apparatus 50. It will therefore be apparent that the main difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the first embodiment provides an assembly which transforms between a barrow mode, a storage mode and a table mode and the second embodiment provides an assembly which transforms between a barrow mode, a storage mode and a bed mode.

The assembly 50, whilst being a standalone unit, may be provided as part of a glamping tent. A frame of a glamping tent may then be located over the top of the assembly 50 before the tent material is placed over the framework. Preferably, a head-end of the assembly 50 in bed mode may include one or more fasteners, preferably zips, for securing directly to tent material of the glamping tent. Further, one or more peripheries of the assembly 50 in bed mode may include one or more fasteners, preferably zips, to enable the assembly 50 to be secured to a ground sheet.