U.S. patent application number 10/931293 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for item of furniture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Worlds Apart Limited. Invention is credited to Jacklin, Steven A., Shinner, Neil.
Application Number | 20050088064 10/931293 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28686778 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050088064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacklin, Steven A. ; et
al. |
April 28, 2005 |
Item of furniture
Abstract
An item of furniture is provided including a frame and
substantially flexible material carried by the frame to form a part
or whole of one or more of the base, side walls, top and/or end
walls of the item of furniture. The shape of the frame when
assembled is associated with one or more images, characters, lines,
shapes, photographs and/or text provided on the flexible
material.
Inventors: |
Jacklin, Steven A.; (London,
GB) ; Shinner, Neil; (London, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
Worlds Apart Limited
Cornwall
GB
Spin Master Toy Far East Limited
|
Family ID: |
28686778 |
Appl. No.: |
10/931293 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/204 ;
312/265.4; 312/330.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 43/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/204 ;
312/265.4; 312/330.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2003 |
GB |
0320534.1 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An item of furniture, said item of furniture including a frame
and substantially flexible material carried by said frame to form a
part or whole of one or more of the base, side walls, top and/or
end walls of said item of furniture, wherein the shape of the frame
in an assembled form is associated with one or more images,
characters, lines, shapes, photographs and/or text provided on the
flexible material.
2. An item furniture according to claim 1, wherein one or more
images, characters, lines, shapes, photographs and/or text is
attached to the flexible material via any one or any combination of
stitching, printing, painting, ties or adhesive.
3. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein one or more
images, characters, lines, shapes, photographs and/or text is
integrally formed with the flexible material.
4. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the frame
includes a plurality of frame members which are joined together by
attachment members.
5. An item of furniture according to claim 4, wherein the frame
members include a plurality of substantially horizontal members and
a plurality of substantially vertical members when assembled.
6. An item of furniture according to claim 4, wherein the
attachment members include any one or any combination of one or
more clips, adhesive, sleeve members, screws, nuts and bolts, ties,
clamping member or connection pieces.
7. All items of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the
flexible material is in the form of a cover which is located over
or with said frame when assembled.
8. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is held in position with respect to the frame by any one
or any combination of connection members, gravity and/or friction
fit.
9. An item of furniture according to claim 8, wherein the
connection members include any one or any combination of elastic,
one or more ties, clips, VELCRO or stitching.
10. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is located and movable with the frame on assembly and/or
dismantling of said item of furniture.
11. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is provided as a single article which is located with the
frame.
12. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is provided in two or more parts.
13. An item of furniture according to claim 12, wherein fasteners
are provided for joining together adjacent parts of the flexible
material.
14. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the item is
in the form of a wardrobe.
15. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the item is
in the form of a chest of drawers.
16. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein one or more
shelve portions or drawer portions are provided with said
frame.
17. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein an image of
an object which is capable of undergoing movement is located on a
portion of the flexible material and/or frame which is also capable
of undergoing movement.
18. Art item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein a pelmet is
provided on the furniture item.
19. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is substantially complementary in shape to the frame when
assembled.
20. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
material is movable between folded and erect conditions for
location with the frame as often as is required.
21. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein one or more
connectors are provided for connecting one of more frame members of
said frame together.
22. An item of furniture according to claim 21, wherein the
connectors include one or more apertures and/or protrusions which
engage with one or more corresponding apertures and/or protrusions
provided on said frame members.
23. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein one or more
parts of the one or more images, characters, lines, shapes,
photographs and/or text provided on the flexible material protrude
outwardly of the frame and said protruding parts arc provided on or
are formed from substantially rigid material.
24. An item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein the outer
shape of the one or more images, characters, lines, shapes,
photographs and/or text provided on the flexible material
corresponds substantially to the outer shape of said frame when
assembled.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Great Britain
Application No. 0320534.1, filed Sep. 2, 2003, the entirety of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an item of furniture, and
particularly, although not necessarily exclusively to an item of
furniture having storage facilities.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Most items of furniture are rigid structures, the components
forming the structure being fixedly attached together. As such,
conventional items of furniture are often large, cumbersome and
difficult to construct and/or transport. Flat packed items of
furniture are known but such items often require special tools for
allowing construction thereof, such as screw drivers, hammers
and/or similar. In addition, the panels forming the furniture are
generally rigid and are often difficult and heavy to manipulate for
assembly.
[0006] Although it is known to provide furniture including a frame
over which flexible material can be located, such types of
furniture are generally not aesthetically pleasing, are purely
functional and provide only limited interest to a user,
particularly if the user is a child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an item of furniture which is quick and easy to assemble,
which is inexpensive to purchase and which is lightweight and
compact prior to assembly, yet sturdy when constructed, thereby
increasing the ease with which the item of furniture can be
transported and/or stored.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an item of furniture which has an improved aesthetic appearance and
provides greater interest to a user of the same.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided an item of furniture, the item of furniture including a
frame and substantially flexible materiel carried by the frame to
form a part or whole of one or more of the base, side walls, top
and/or end walls of the item of furniture, wherein the shape of the
frame when assembled is associated with one or more images,
characters, lines, shapes, photographs and/or text provided on the
flexible material.
[0010] In one embodiment the outer shape of the frame corresponds
substantially to the outer shape of one or more images, characters,
shapes, lines, photographs and/or text provided on the outer
surface of the flexible material.
[0011] Preferably the frame includes a plurality of frame members
joined together by attachment members to form the frame in the form
of the item of furniture. The frame members are typically formed
from a substantially rigid material.
[0012] The frame members are preferably detachably attached
together, thereby allowing the item of furniture to be assembled
and disassembled quickly and easily as required.
[0013] Preferably the attachment members for attaching the frame
members together in a required orientation include any one or any
combination of one or more clips, adhesive, sleeve members, screws,
nuts and bolts, ties, clamping members, connection pieces and/or
the like.
[0014] The frame members typically include a plurality of
substantially horizontal members and a plurality of substantially
upright or vertical members when the furniture unit is in an
assembled form.
[0015] In one embodiment the flexible material is in the form of a
cover which is located over or with the frame when assembled. The
frame maintains the material in a required shape to form at least
one or more external surfaces of the item of furniture.
[0016] The flexible material can be held in position with respect
to the frame by connection members, via gravity, via friction fit
and/or the like.
[0017] The connection members can include elastic, ties, VELCRO,
stitching and/or similar.
[0018] In an alternative embodiment the flexible material is
located with one or more of the frame members and moved with the
frame members on assembly/dismantling of the item of furniture.
[0019] In one embodiment the material is provided as a single
article which is located with the frame. Alternatively, the
material can be provided in two or more portions. The portions can
be joined together or can remain separate as required.
[0020] Fasteners can be provided for fastening adjacent portions of
material together, such as for example, for fastening door portions
of the item of furniture together. The fasteners can include any or
any combination of VELCRO, zips, ties, clips and/or the like.
[0021] The one or more images, characters, lines, shapes,
photographs and/or text provided on the flexible material can be
stitched thereon, printed thereon, tied thereto, adhered thereto,
be integral therewith and/or the like.
[0022] In one embodiment the item of furniture is in the form of a
wardrobe. The wardrobe can include one or more regions of hanging
space for garments and/or shelving for location of one or more
items thereon. A hanging rail can be provided in conjunction with
the frame if required. One or more shelves can also be provided for
location with the frame. The shelves can be formed from flexible
material or can be formed from substantially rigid material.
Material can be provided to covet the shelves if required.
[0023] Preferably if the image of a normally movable object is
provided on a part of the flexible material, the flexible material
and/or frame part corresponding to the flexible material is also
movable to increase the realism of the image being depicted on the
furniture item to the user. For example, if an image of a door
which is normally openable between open and closed positions is
provided on the material, the material and/or frame associated with
the material depicting the door is also typically movable between
open and closed positions.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment the item of furniture is in the
form of a chest of drawers. Drawer units can be provided for
location with the frame and/or shelves provided with the frame as
required.
[0025] Other items of furniture can be constructed in accordance
with the present invention, such as a vanity unit, desk or
similar.
[0026] In one embodiment one or more pelmets are provided on the
item of furniture from which the flexible material, a cover or
curtain can hang.
[0027] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of construction of a frame with flexible
material for forming an item of furniture, the method including
attaching together a plurality of frame members in a pre-determined
arrangement to form the frame and attaching flexible material to
and/or over the frame to form the item of furniture.
[0028] According to a yet further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a connection member for allowing the attachment
of two or more frame members together for forming an item of
furniture.
[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided an item of furniture, the item of furniture including a
frame and substantially flexible material carried by the frame to
form a part or whole of one or more of the base, side walls, top
and/or end walls of the item of furniture, wherein the
substantially flexible material is substantially complementary in
shape of the shape of the frame when assembled.
[0030] Preferably the flexible material substantially follows the
contours of the frame.
[0031] The present invention has the advantage that no special
tools are required to construct the item of furniture and the same
can be assembled and dismantled both quickly and easily. The
flexible material is typically folded and stored when the frame
structure is dismantled. The aesthetic design on the flexible
material or cover can be fully printed and, the invention allows
flexible styling which can be used to form any required item of
furniture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0033] FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate an assembled view of a frame for
a round arch wardrobe and an exploded view of the frame
respectively;
[0034] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate an assembled view of a frame for
a traditional arch wardrobe and an exploded view of the frame
respectively;
[0035] FIGS. 3a-3f illustrate a wardrobe assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a wardrobe assembly according to a
further embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate a wardrobe assembly according to a
yet further embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate an assembled view of a frame for
a traditional arch chest of drawers and an exploded view of the
frame respectively;
[0039] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate an assembled view of a frame for
an arch chest of drawers and an exploded view respectively;
[0040] FIGS. 8a-8e illustrate a chest of drawers in different
stages of assembly;
[0041] FIGS. 9a-9e illustrate a chest of drawers according to a
different embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 10 illustrates a chest of drawers according to a
further embodiment of the present invention; and
[0043] FIGS. 11a-11c illustrate a further embodiment of a combo
storage unit in different stages of assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1a-1b, there is illustrated an
item of furniture in the form of a wardrobe frame 2. The wardrobe
frame 2 includes a plurality of upright frame members in the form
of rods 4 and a plurality of shelving panels 6 which are supported
by a plurality of horizontal frame members 8.
[0045] Connection portions 10 are provided for the connection of
the horizontal frame members 8 with rods 4. The connection portions
10 include an arm portion 12 with channel portions 14 provided at
either end 16, 18 thereof. Openings 20, 22 provided at opposite
ends of the channel portions 14 receive ends 24, 26 of rods 4
respectively in use.
[0046] In addition, apertures 28 provided on the inner surface of
the channel portions 14, adjacent ends 16, 18 thereof, receive ends
30, 32 of horizontal frame members 8.
[0047] Two further apertures 34, 34' are provided between ends 16,
18, and typically substantially centrally of said ends, for
receiving ends 36 of further frame members 38 in a substantially
horizontal orientation. Apertures 34, 34' are typically vertically
aligned (i.e., aperture 34' is located below aperture 34).
[0048] A support strut 40 is provided transversally of frame
members 38, 8 and is joined thereto to provide additional support
for shelving panels 6. Shelving panels can engage with the frame
structure or can simply rest on top of the horizontal frame members
and/or connection portions.
[0049] In this example, the rods and horizontal frame members
provide three shelves in the wardrobe, a bottom shelf 42, an
intermediate shelf 44 and a top shelf 46. However, it will be
appreciated by persons skilled in the art that different numbers of
rods and frame members can be used to provide different numbers of
shelves as required. In addition, different sized rods and frame
members can be used to provide different sized wardrobe
structures.
[0050] Adjacent top shelf 46, two pairs of curved frame members 48
are provided and are joined together to form two arch members at
the front and rear of the wardrobe construction respectively. Ends
40 of frame members 48 are located its uppermost apertures 20 on
connection portions 10, and ends 50 are provided with complementary
attachment means, which includes a protrusion member 52 on one
frame member which is located in a complementary shaped aperture 54
on the adjacent frame member. Support arms 56 are provided at
spaced intervals between parallel frame members 48 at the front and
rear of the wardrobe construction.
[0051] A plurality of support feet 58 are provided underneath
bottom shelf 42 to raise the structure a pre-determined distance
above a floor surface. Rubber members 60 can be provided on free
ends 62 of support feet 58 to provide improved grip between the
wardrobe and a floor surface.
[0052] Once the wardrobe frame structure has been assembled by a
user locating the relevant frame members together, a cover 64 can
be provided therewith, as shown in FIGS. 3a, 3c-3f. The cover 64 is
formed from substantially flexible material, thereby allowing the
same to be manipulated sufficiently for location over the frame
structure. The shape of cover 64 is such that when assembled with
the frame 2 it forms a rear wall 66, side walls 68 and top 70. The
front of the wardrobe is divided into an upper part 72 and a lower
part 74. When the cover is assembled over the frame, the cover is
typically pulled taut over the frame.
[0053] Upper front part 72 includes a closure portion 73 and a
border portion 75. Closure portion 73 is attached to border portion
75 along an intermediate portion 74 and is detachably attached to
border portion 75 along curved edge 76 via attachment means in the
form of a zip.
[0054] Lower front part 74 includes two movable: curtain members 78
which extend substantially the full length between intermediate
portion 74 and the bottom shelf 42 and can be moved between open
and closed positions, as shown in FIGS. 3d and 3c respectively. A
rail member is typically provided to allow movement of the curtain
members between said open and closed positions.
[0055] Designs are provided on the outer surface of cover 64, some
of which correspond to the shape of the wardrobe 2. Additional
designs or parts of designs 80 can be provided which protrude from
the outer surface of the wardrobe to provide increased realism and
interest of the subject matter depicted on the cover to a user.
These additional designs or at least the protruding elements of the
designs are typically provided on or formed substantially from
substantially rigid material. Alternatively, the protruding parts
can include frame members provided around the peripheral edge
thereof and said frame members are shaped substantially to the
outer shape of the protruding parts.
[0056] It can be seen that the wardrobe can include shelves 6, as
shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3d and 3f or can have only an upper shelf
46, as shown in FIG. 3c. Any other combination of shelf
arrangements can be provided as required. Furthermore, upper front
portion 72 can be provided with a closure portion 73, as shown in
FIG. 3c or without a closure portion, as shown in FIG. 3d.
[0057] A further example of a possible design for use with the
outer cover is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein cover 64 is in the
form of a sports locker. The designs provided on the external
surface of cover 64 correspond to the shape of the wardrobe frame
2. Thus two locker doors 80 are printed on front lower portion 74
corresponding to curtain members 78 and a grating arrangement 82 is
printed on side walls 68. Additional designs in the form of a base
ball glove 84 protrude from the surface of the cover 64, thereby
increasing the realism of the design. Other features can also be
provided on the cover, such as a handle 86, ventilation channels 88
and/or the like.
[0058] Different shaped wardrobes can be provided as required. A
traditional arch shaped wardrobe frame 102 is illustrated in FIGS.
2a and 2b. The same reference numerals are used to identify the
same components as in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Rather than four curved
members 48 being provided as in FIGS. 1a and 1b, two central curved
members 104, 106 are provided at the front and rear of the wardrobe
frame 102 respectively. Four corner pieces 108 are provided for
attachment at a first end 110 to curved members 104, 106 and for
attachment to connection portion 10 at a second end 112. The corner
pieces 108 in this example have an upright portion 114 and a
concave portion 116 but the corner pieces can be provided in any
required shape.
[0059] A cover 118 for location with frame 102 is of a
substantially complementary shape to said frame 102, as shown in
FIGS. 5a-5d. Borders 120 printed onto cover 118 correspond to the
edges of frame 102, thereby increasing the realism of the cover
being a rigid conventional structure. The front lower portion 74
includes two curtain type members 122 which are joined together
along their adjacent edges by closure means in the form of a zip
124. Front upper portion 72 is also provided with zips or VELCRO
adjacent the peripheral edges thereof to allow closure portion 73
to be removably attached to cover 118. Other aesthetic designs in
the form of flowers 120 are printed onto cover 118.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 6a-10, there is illustrated a further
item of furniture in the form of a chest of drawers. FIGS. 6a-6b
illustrate a traditional arch chest of drawers frame 202. The frame
construction is similar to that for wardrobes 2 and 102 and the
same components are identified using the same reference numerals.
In the illustrated embodiment, shelving panels 6 are provided with
a pivotable front panel 204 pivotally attached along a front edge
206 thereof. Thus, front panel 204 can be moved between a closed
position, wherein the front panel is substantially vertical/uptight
and the front opening 208 of the shelf 210 is closed, and an open
position, wherein the front panel 204 is pivoted outwardly of the
frame 202 and the front opening 208 of the shelf 210 is open.
[0061] Uppermost shelving panel 212 forms the top surface of the
chest of drawers and only a rear arched member 106 is provided for
attachment to two corner pieces 108.
[0062] Cover 214 is located over the assembled frame 202. In this
embodiment, the cover 214 forms the rear wall 216, side walls 218
and rear upper panel 220. Front panels 204 form the front of the
chest of drawers. Designs are printed onto the cover 214 and front
panels to provide the cover with the appearance of being a rigid
conventional structure and to improve the aesthetic appearance of
the same.
[0063] A further arrangement of a chest of drawers is shown in
FIGS. 7a and 7b. In this embodiment a round top arch chest of
drawers frame 222 is shown. Only the uppermost shelf 224 is
provided with a pivotal front panel 226 attached thereto in this
arrangement. Shelving panel 228 provides the top of the chest of
drawers. A cover 230 is located with the frame 222 to form the rear
wall 232, rear panel 234 and side walls 236. As described above,
designs are provided on cover 230, such as edge trimmings 238,
which correspond to the shape of the frame 222.
[0064] Drawers 240 are provided for location on intermediate shelf
242 and lower shelf 244. Thus the housings for the drawers 240 are
defined between shelf panels 6 and the cover 230, as supported by
frame 222. Drawers 240 are freely slidable with respect to shelf
panels 6 to allow access to the interior of drawers 240.
[0065] A further example of a possible design for use with the
chest of drawers is illustrated in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the
cover 302, fronts of the drawers 304 and outer surface of front
panel 305 are printed with designs to give the appearance of a
sports locker. Rear panel 306 has an aesthetic design thereon in
the form of a baseball glove and ball with protruding portions 308
of the design extending beyond the frame to increase the realism of
the design.
[0066] A yet further example of a possible item of furniture in the
form of a storage combo unit is illustrated in FIGS. 11a-11b,
wherein the frame structure 402 is provided with a wardrobe portion
404 and a drawer portion 406. In this embodiment, the connection
portions 408 intermediate the wardrobe portion and the drawer
portion are provided with additional apertures thereon for the
connection of the portions 404, 406 together. In addition, front
panel 408 can be rolled up and fastened in this position by ties
410 to move the same to an open position. In order to close the
front of the unit, the front panel 408 can be unrolled, thereby
allowing the same to extend substantially the full length of the
unit.
[0067] The frame members, rods, struts, feet portions and
connection portions can be formed from any required material, such
as wood, metal, plastic and/or the like.
[0068] The cover can be formed from any substantially flexible
material, such as a textile fabric, i.e., nylon, cotton, polyester
or plastic. The material can be easily folded and unfolded between
assembled and dismantled positions as often as required. One or
more rigid walls can be provided with the structure if
required.
[0069] Thus the cover and frame members define one or more
compartments which can be used for storage as an item
furniture.
* * * * *