TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to children's furniture, of the type which can be configured to form different items of furniture.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Children's furniture, in many cases, is suitable only for a short period in a child's life. For example, a cot may be suitable for a year or two of a child's life, but is of no use after that time. Similarly, if a smaller bed is used for the initial stage after a child is removed for a cot, this is also only suitable for a few years at best. This short term usage creates a situation where, as the furniture item is only used for a limited period of time, a less durable item is often purchased.

It is known, for example from the Stokke Sleepi products, to provide a furniture item in which some of the parts are re-used, in order to make a new configuration of the product. For example, an initial small, bassinet size item can be re-assembled and configured as a larger cot or crib sized item, using additional parts. With the addition of further parts and more deconstruction and re-assembly, the cot can be made into a junior bed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reconfigurable children's furniture system, in which the components are more fully re-used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a reconfigurable furniture system, the system including two open box sections, each section having a base, two sides and an end, wherein in a first configuration, the open box sections are connected so as to form a cot, and in a second configuration, the open box sections are separated about their open sides, and a base extension part connected between the bases of each section, so as to form a bed with protective side panels, and an opening between the side panels on each side of the bed. The invention accordingly provides an arrangement in which all the structural components (perhaps excepting some fasteners and the like) from the cot stage are re-used for subsequent configurations of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An illustrative implementation of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first configuration of one implementation of the present invention;

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a side and end view of the first configuration of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a second configuration of this implementation;

Figure 4 is a view showing assembly of the base portion of figure 3; and

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show a perspective view of a third configuration of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a view showing assembly of the first configuration of figure 1 , not including the legs and casters. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An implementation of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that the example is purely illustrative, and is not intended to be limitative of the scope of the present invention. It is also noted that the present invention can be implemented with a wide range of aesthetic features altered as desired by the designer in each case. This may include, for example, details of surface features, shape of components, perforations and other openings in component, details of construction (for example, as a solid part or as a slat type construction) and dimensions.

The furniture item according to this implementation is capable of being assembled in three different configurations: a cot; a junior bed; and two chairs with a table.

Referring to figure 1 , a first configuration of the present implementation is illustrated. The furniture item, generally 10, is formed from two open box sections, 20 and 30. A first box section 20 is formed from end piece 21; side pieces 22, 23; and base 24. Similarly, a second box section 30 is formed from end piece 31 ; side pieces 32, 33; and base 34. Although the various sections are shown as formed from slats, or from a solid material, it will be appreciated that this is purely a matter of design choice, and the material for each can be selected as desired from one of these alternatives, or formed for example from perforated material, or any other suitable material.

It is preferred that furniture item 10 is formed from wood. However, one or more of the pieces may be formed from alternative material, for example a synthetic material such as plastic or simulated wood, metal, or other natural materials.

It is also preferred that the furniture item be supplied as a flat packed kit for assembly by the user, as is common practice for furniture, with assembly to be completed by the user. As will be apparent from the discussion following, it is intended moreover that the item be assembled and reconfigured as required by the user. In the example provided, the first and second box sections 20, 30 are preferably assembled from flat components (the base, sides, etc) by the user. Any suitable fasteners, for example screws, bolts and similar fixing devices as are known in the art, may be used to affix the components of the furniture item together.

It can be seen that the two box sections 20, 30 are joined at line 25, for example by suitable bolts or the like through the abutting portions of the side pieces 23, 33 and 22, 32, and the base portions 24, 34. Legs 40 and casters 41 raise the cot off the floor. The casters are preferably of the type which is lockable into position to prevent rolling.

The base parts are affixed to the end and side portions by fasteners, such as screws, suitable bolts or the like. Suitable holes may be provided, for example, to allow the height of the base to be adjusted as required.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate side and end views of the cot according to figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates the junior bed configuration of the furniture item 10. In this form, the connections along join 25 are removed, and box sections 20, 30 are separated, but otherwise left assembled. Legs 40 and casters 41 are removed, preferably to provide improved stability to the junior bed by inhibiting rolling. Base extension piece 43 is affixed at either end to base pieces 24, 34, so as to extend the length of the base. Base extension piece 43 and base pieces 24, 34 are raised and attached to the box sections 20, 30 at a higher position. This, in effect, raises the bed to a more suitable height relative to the cot configuration. This configuration provides a junior bed, with the side pieces 22, 23, 32, 33 acting as side barriers, to prevent a child from rolling out of bed. However, a gap is still present in each side, around the central join 25, so that the child can enter and exit the bed unassisted, with the side portions preventing the child from inadvertently rolling out of bed.

It will also be apparent that the configuration of the box sections is very stable, so that the structure of the bed is self supporting. This is assisted by the rectangular shape of the box sections.

Figure 4 illustrates one mechanism for connecting the base extension piece 43 to the base pieces 24, 34. It will be noted that in this figure, the base parts 24, 34 are formed from slats on a frame. Brackets 42 are provided, two on each side, to each retain screws 44, 45 which affix the base extension piece 43 and the base pieces 24, 34 to the bracket.

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a third configuration of furniture item 10. The box sections 20, 30 are configured to be separate chair or sofa elements. Base extension piece 43 is affixed to legs 40 and casters 41 , so as to provide a table 50. It will be seen that that the box structure is self supporting and stable, without further addition, so as to provide solid and stable chairs.

Figure 6 illustrates an assembly of the components of furniture item 10 (not including the legs 40 and casters 41 ). As can be seen from the figure, the components are relatively flat and thus may be supplied as a flat packed kit.

It will be appreciated that suitable mattresses, cushions, etc are required to be added to the furniture at each stage in order to make the item comfortable. By suitable design, these can also be fully or partly re-usable between stages.

Thus, the implementation provides a cot, junior bed, and chairs and table combination using the same components. It is simple to change the configuration, so that the same item of furniture can be adjusted to suit the needs of a child at different stages of development. Further, there is no need for expensive or complex conversion kits, and the furniture does not require major disassembly to change between configurations.

It will be appreciated that there are many alternative constructions possible, within the general inventive scope of the present invention.