U.S. patent application number 16/971858 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-14 for universal support bases for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Enfant Terrible Design AB. The applicant listed for this patent is ENFANT TERRIBLE DESIGN AB. Invention is credited to Lisa FURULAND.
Application Number | 20210007507 16/971858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005148538 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210007507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FURULAND; Lisa |
January 14, 2021 |
Universal Support Bases for Supporting Modular and Varied Articles
of Furniture
Abstract
A convertible article of furniture. The convertible article of
furniture may include a support base (100), wherein the support
base (100) may be configured to interchangeably support one of a
first modular furniture piece (120) or a second modular furniture
piece (130) securely thereon in a non-permanent manner. Further,
method of converting an article of furniture may include providing
a first article of furniture. The first article of furniture may
include a support base (100); and a first modular furniture piece
(120) secured thereto in a non-permanent manner; and wherein the
support base (100) may be configured to interchangeably support
various modular furniture pieces (120, 130, 140).
Inventors: |
FURULAND; Lisa; (Norrtalje,
SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ENFANT TERRIBLE DESIGN AB |
Norrtalje |
|
SE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Enfant Terrible Design AB
Norrtalje
SE
|
Family ID: |
1000005148538 |
Appl. No.: |
16/971858 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
March 12, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2019/052002 |
371 Date: |
August 21, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62686400 |
Jun 18, 2018 |
|
|
|
62644909 |
Mar 19, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 11/005 20130101;
A47B 85/06 20130101; A47C 3/02 20130101; A47D 9/00 20130101; A47D
11/002 20130101; A47B 85/04 20130101; A47C 13/00 20130101; A47D
11/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47D 11/00 20060101
A47D011/00; A47C 3/02 20060101 A47C003/02; A47C 13/00 20060101
A47C013/00; A47B 85/04 20060101 A47B085/04; A47D 9/00 20060101
A47D009/00; A47D 11/02 20060101 A47D011/02; A47B 85/06 20060101
A47B085/06 |
Claims
1. A convertible article of furniture, comprising a support base,
wherein the support base is configured to interchangeably support
one of a first modular furniture piece or a second modular
furniture piece securely thereon in a non-permanent manner.
2. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
first modular furniture piece comprises a bassinet basket.
3. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
second modular furniture piece comprises any one of a tabletop,
bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, or a desk
top.
4. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
support base comprises a rocking style frame.
5. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
support base includes one or more support members, wherein the one
or more support members are configured to support either of the
first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture
piece.
6. The convertible article of furniture of claim 5 wherein the one
or more support members span at least a portion of one or both of a
width and length of a top portion of the support base.
7. The convertible article of furniture of claim 5 wherein the one
or more support members are positioned flush with an uppermost edge
of the support base.
8. The convertible article of furniture of claim 5 wherein the one
or more support members are disposed a distance below an uppermost
edge of the support base.
9. The convertible article of furniture of claim 5 wherein the one
or more support members comprise a lip that extends around an inner
periphery of the support base.
10. The convertible article of furniture of claim 9 wherein the lip
extending around the inner periphery of the support base is flush
with an uppermost edge of the support base.
11. The convertible article of furniture of claim 9 wherein the lip
extending around the inner periphery of the support base is
disposed a distance below an uppermost edge of the support
base.
12. The convertible article of furniture of claim 5 wherein the one
or more support members comprise a top frame portion of the support
base.
13. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 further
comprising one or more spacers.
14. The convertible article of furniture of claim 13 wherein the
one or more spacers are configured and sized to position the first
modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, such
that when installed atop the one or more support members, a top
surface of the second or third structure is at a height
substantially equal to or greater than an uppermost edge of the
support base.
15. The convertible article of furniture of claim 14 wherein the
spacer is disposed between one or more of the one or more support
members and a bottom surface of either of the first modular
furniture piece or second modular furniture piece.
16. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 further
comprising one or more pieces of a material disposed between one or
more of the one or more support members and a bottom surface of
either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular
furniture piece, wherein the one or more pieces of material are
configured to provide one of an adhesive and non-slip property.
17. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece,
when installed on the support base, are secured to the support base
by gravity.
18. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece,
when installed on the support base, are secured to the support base
by a securing mechanism.
19. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
support base comprises a non-foldable/non-collapsible
structure.
20. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
support base comprises a continuous rim or edge about its uppermost
periphery.
21. The convertible article of furniture of claim 1 wherein the
support base is configured to interchangeably support one of the
first modular furniture piece or the second modular furniture piece
without modification to the structure of the support base, the
first modular furniture piece, or the second modular furniture
piece.
22. A convertible bassinet, comprising: a. a support base; and b. a
bassinet basket configured to be received by the support base in a
secure but non-permanent manner thereby creating a first article of
furniture; and wherein the support base is further configured to
interchangeably receive a modular furniture piece, wherein
replacing the bassinet basket with the modular furniture piece
converts the first article of furniture to a second article of
furniture.
23. The convertible bassinet of claim 22 wherein the modular
furniture piece comprises any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool
top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, or a desk top.
24. A method of converting an article of furniture, the method
comprising: a. providing a first article of furniture, comprising:
i. a support base; and ii. a first modular furniture piece secured
thereto in a non-permanent manner; and wherein the support base is
configured to interchangeably support various modular furniture
pieces; b. providing a second modular furniture piece; c. removing
the first modular furniture piece from the support base; and d.
installing the second modular furniture piece on the support base
in a secure and non-permanent manner.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first modular furniture
piece comprises a bassinet basket and the second modular furniture
piece comprises any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a
pouf, a seat portion, a chair, or a desk top.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority and is related to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/644,909 entitled
"Universal Support Bases for Supporting Modular and Varied Articles
of Furniture," filed Mar. 19, 2018; and 62/686,400 entitled
"Universal Support Bases for Supporting Modular and Varied Articles
of Furniture," filed Jun. 18, 2018, with the contents of each
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, articles of furniture are designed for one
specific use. However, it may be beneficial to provide furniture
that is multifunctional.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one embodiment, the invention provides a convertible
article of furniture. The convertible article of furniture may
include a support base, wherein the support base may be configured
to interchangeably support one of a first modular furniture piece
or a second modular furniture piece securely thereon in a
non-permanent manner The first modular furniture piece may include
a bassinet basket. The second modular furniture piece may include
any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat
portion, a chair, a desk top, or the like. The support base may
include a rocking style frame. The support base may include one or
more support members, wherein the one or more support members may
be configured to support either of the first modular furniture
piece or second modular furniture piece. The one or more support
members may span at least a portion of one or both of a width and
length of a top portion of the support base. The one or more
support members may be flush with an uppermost rim or edge of the
support base. The one or more support members may be disposed a
distance below an uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The
one or more support members may include a lip that extends around
an inner periphery of the support base. The lip extending around
the inner periphery of the support base may be flush with an
uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The lip extending around
the inner periphery of the support base may be disposed a distance
below an uppermost rim or edge of the support base. The one or more
support members may include a top frame portion of the support
base. The article of furniture may further include one or more
spacers. The one or more spacers may be configured and sized to
position the first modular furniture piece or second modular
furniture piece, such that when installed atop the one or more
support members, a top surface of the second or third structure is
at a height substantially equal to or greater than an uppermost rim
or edge of the support base. The spacer may be disposed between one
or more of the one or more support members and a bottom surface of
either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular
furniture piece. The convertible article of furniture may further
include one or more pieces of a material disposed between one or
more of the one or more support members and a bottom surface of
either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular
furniture piece, wherein the one or more pieces of material may be
configured to provide one of an adhesive and/or non-slip property.
The first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture
piece, when installed on the support base, may be secured to the
support base by gravity. The first modular furniture piece or
second modular furniture piece, when installed on the support base,
may be secured to the support base by a securing mechanism. The
support base may include a non-foldable/non-collapsible structure.
The support base may include a continuous rim or edge about its
uppermost periphery. The support base may be configured to
interchangeably support one of the first modular furniture piece or
the second modular furniture piece without modification to either
the support base or the first modular furniture piece or the second
modular furniture piece.
[0004] In another embodiment, the invention provides a convertible
bassinet is provided. The convertible bassinet may include a
support base; and a bassinet basket configured to be received by
the support base in a secure but non-permanent manner thereby
creating a first article of furniture; and wherein the support base
is further configured to interchangeably receive a modular
furniture piece, wherein replacing the bassinet basket with the
modular furniture piece converts the first article of furniture to
a second article of furniture. The modular furniture piece may
include any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat
portion, a chair, or a desk top.
[0005] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method
of converting an article of furniture. The method may include
providing a first article of furniture. The first article of
furniture may include a support base; and a first modular furniture
piece secured thereto in a non-permanent manner; and wherein the
support base may be configured to interchangeably support various
modular furniture pieces. The method may further include providing
a second modular furniture piece; removing the first modular
furniture piece from the support base; and installing the second
modular furniture piece on the support base in a secure and
non-permanent manner. The first modular furniture piece may include
a bassinet basket and the second modular furniture piece may
include any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat
portion, a chair, a desk top, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter
in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying
Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 illustrate a
perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, of an example of a circular (or ovular)
base, which is one example of the presently disclosed universal
support bases for supporting modular and varied articles of
furniture;
[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example of the
circular (or ovular) base shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4,
and FIG. 5 supporting a bassinet;
[0009] FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 illustrate a
perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, of an example of the circular (or
ovular) base and bassinet shown in FIG. 6;
[0010] FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 illustrate a
perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, that show more details of the circular
(or ovular) base and bassinet shown in FIG. 6;
[0011] FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22
illustrate various perspective views of the circular (or ovular)
base shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 supporting
various types of tabletops;
[0012] FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 illustrate a
perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, of another example of the presently
disclosed universal support bases for supporting modular and varied
articles of furniture;
[0013] FIG. 28 illustrates a perspective view of an example of the
base shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27
supporting a bassinet;
[0014] FIG. 28, FIG. 29, FIG. 30, FIG. 31, FIG. 32, and FIG. 33
illustrate a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top
view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of the base
and bassinet shown in FIG. 28;
[0015] FIG. 34, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37, and FIG. 38 illustrate a
perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, that show more details of the base and
bassinet shown in FIG. 28;
[0016] FIG. 39, FIG. 40, FIG. 41, FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44
illustrate various perspective views of the base shown in FIG. 23,
FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 supporting various types of
tabletops;
[0017] FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 illustrate a
perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, of another example of the presently
disclosed universal support bases for supporting modular and varied
articles of furniture; and
[0018] FIG. 50 and FIG. 51, illustrates perspective views of an
example of the base shown in FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48,
and FIG. 49 supporting a chair as another non-limiting example of
modular and varied articles of furniture that can be supported by
the universal support base of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings,
in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed
subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied
in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to
the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal
requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of
the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come
to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed
subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently
disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific
embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments
are intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims.
[0020] The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to
articles of furniture and more particularly to universal support
bases for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture.
[0021] In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter
provides universal/multifunctional support bases for supporting
modular and varied articles of furniture. In one embodiment, the
universal support base may be a circular (or ovular) base that can
support a variety of modular furniture pieces, such as, but not
limited to, a bassinet, a tabletop, a stool or bench top, a pouf, a
chair and the like. In another embodiment, the universal support
base may be a curved-leg style base that can support a variety of
modular furniture pieces, such as, but not limited to, a bassinet,
a tabletop, a stool or bench top, a pouf a chair, and the like. In
yet another embodiment, the universal support base may be a rocker
style base that can support a variety of modular furniture pieces,
such as, but not limited to, a bassinet, a tabletop, a stool or
bench top, a pouf a chair, and the like. In these examples,
"modular" means furniture pieces that are interchangeable and
therefore, while they may be securely installed on the universal
support base, are not permanently attached thereto and can be
switched in or out from the presently disclosed universal support
bases, and preferably with minimal effort and little to no
modification to the universal support bases and/or the modular
furniture pieces. For example, the universal support base may be
supporting a bassinet. Then, the bassinet may be easily removed
from the base and replaced with a, for example, a tabletop.
Accordingly, using the presently disclosed universal support bases
a bassinet can be converted into a table, a stool, and so on.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5
is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, of an example of a universal support
base 100 for supporting modular and varied articles of furniture.
In this example, universal support base 100 is a circular (or
ovular) style base. However, universal support base 100 may be of
any general shape and or style. The universal support base 100 may
be a non-collapsible/non-foldable structure. Having a
non-collapsible/non-foldable structure may help to provide a more
stable and secure base for supporting the modular and varied
articles of furniture, for example no concerns of the universal
support base 100 unintentional collapsing or folding up while
supporting one of the modular and varied articles of furniture,
such as a bassinet. The universal support base 100 may further
include a continuous rim, edge, or top frame about its uppermost
periphery. Having a continuous rim, edge, or top frame about the
uppermost periphery of the universal support base 100 may also help
to provide a more stable and secure base for supporting the modular
and varied articles of furniture, by providing a continuous support
structure for the modular and varied articles of furniture to sit
on or in.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example
of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3,
FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 supporting a bassinet 120. In this example, the
bassinet 120 may be a padded and upholstered bassinet. The shape of
the bassinet 120 preferably corresponds to the shape of the
universal support base 100, such that the bassinet 120 can be
installed easily atop the universal support base 100. The bassinet
120 is preferably installed on the universal support base 100 in a
secure but non-permanent (removable) manner, such that the bassinet
120 is secure atop the universal support base 100, but may still be
removed.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG.
11 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and
a bottom view, respectively, of an example of the universal support
base 100 and bassinet 120 shown in FIG. 6. Further, FIG. 12, FIG.
13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 is a perspective view, a side
view, an end view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively,
that show more details of the universal support base 100 and
bassinet 120 shown in FIG. 6. In this example, the universal
support base 100 may include one or more support members 105, e.g.,
two (2) support members 105, that span the top portion thereof,
wherein the bassinet 120 can be rested atop the support members
105. Support members 105 may, alternatively, be disposed a distance
below an upper rim of universal support base 100. Support members
105 may, in another alternative, be disposed flush with an upper
rim of universal support base 100. In yet another alternative,
support members 105 may be a lip that extends around an inner
periphery of universal support base 100, wherein an edge portion of
the bassinet 120 would rest on the lip portion. In still yet
another alternative, support members 105 may be a shelf, or partial
shelf, that extends continuously, or semi-continuously, across the
inner portion of the universal support base 120 wherein a bottom
portion of the bassinet 120 would rest on the shelf.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG.
21, and FIG. 22 is various perspective views of the universal
support base 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG.
5 supporting various types of tabletops.
[0026] In FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19, the universal support base
100 is shown supporting various configurations of a tabletop 130.
The tabletop 130 can be any shape, such as round, oval, square,
rectangular, and the like. The tabletop 130 can be of almost any
material, for example, a stone, marble, imitation marble tabletop,
or any other suitable material. For some material, such as stone,
marble, and the like, it may not be possible (or desirable) to make
holes or screw into the tabletop material. Namely, FIG. 17 shows
the tabletop 130 fitted within the universal support base 100 and
simply resting by gravity atop the support members 105. In this
example, the top surface of the tabletop 130 may be slightly below
the upper rim of the universal support base 100. If it is desired
that the surface of the tabletop 130 match the height of, or be
greater than, the upper rim of the universal support base 100,
certain spacer material 135 may be installed beneath the tabletop
130, as shown in FIG. 18. Further, if it is desired that the area
of the tabletop 130 is greater than that of the circular (or
ovular) base 100, again certain spacer material 135 may be
installed beneath the tabletop 130, as shown in FIG. 19.
Alternatively, the tabletop 130 may rest directly on the uppermost
rim, edge, or top frame of the universal support base 100. The
universal support base 100 is preferably configured such that
bassinet 120 and/or other modular/various articles of furniture,
e.g., tabletop 130, may be interchangeably installed on the
universal support base 100 with preferably minimal effort and
little to no modifications to any of the universal support base
100, bassinet 120, or other modular/various articles of furniture,
e.g., tabletop 130.
[0027] In FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22, the universal support base
100 is shown supporting various configurations of a tabletop 140.
The tabletop 140 can be any shape, such as round, oval, square,
rectangular, and the like. The tabletop 140 can be, for example, a
wood, eco-leather upholstered tabletop, or other suitable material.
In this example, it may be possible to make holes or screw into the
tabletop material. Namely, FIG. 20 shows an example of the tabletop
140 fitted within the universal support base 100 and may be
fastened to the support members 105 via screws or other suitable
mechanism, or alternatively be held in place by gravity. In one
example, certain holes may be provided in the support members 105
and/or tabletop 140 for receiving the screws. In such an example,
the surface of the tabletop 140 may be slightly below the upper rim
of the universal support base 100. The tabletop 140 may be thicker
so that its surface can match the height of, or be greater than,
the upper rim of the universal support base 100. Again, the
tabletop 140 may be fastened to the support members 105 of the
universal support base 100 via screws or other suitable mechanism,
or alternatively be held in place by gravity. Further, certain
spacer material 135 may be installed beneath the tabletop 140, as
shown in FIG. 22, for example, if the area of the tabletop 140 is
greater than that of the circular (or ovular) base 100.
Alternatively, the tabletop 140 may rest directly on the uppermost
rim, edge, or top frame of the universal support base 100.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and
FIG. 27 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top
view, and a bottom view, respectively, of another example of a
universal support base 100 for supporting modular and varied
articles of furniture. In this example, universal support base 100
may be a crossed legged style base. However, universal support base
100 may be of any general shape and or style.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an example
of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG.
25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27 supporting a bassinet 220. In this
example, the bassinet 220 may be a padded and upholstered bassinet.
The shape of the bassinet 220 preferably corresponds to the general
shape of the universal support base 100, such that the bassinet 120
can be fitted easily, and secured, atop the universal support base
100.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 29, FIG. 30, FIG. 31, FIG. 32, and
FIG. 33 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top
view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of the
universal support base 100 and bassinet 220 shown in FIG. 28.
Further, FIG. 34, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37, and FIG. 38 is a
perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top view, and a
bottom view, respectively, that show more details of the universal
support base 100 and bassinet 220 shown in FIG. 28. In this
example, the universal support base 100 includes a top frame member
205 supported by a crossing leg structure 210, wherein the bassinet
220 can be rested atop the top frame member 205.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 39, FIG. 40, FIG. 41, FIG. 42, FIG.
43, and FIG. 44 is various perspective views of the universal
support base 100 shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and
FIG. 27 supporting various types of tabletops.
[0032] In FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41, the universal support base
100 is shown supporting various configurations of a tabletop 230.
The tabletop 230 can be any shape, such as round (see FIG. 39),
oval (see FIG. 40), square, rectangular (see FIG. 41), and the
like. The tabletop 230 can be, for example, a stone, marble,
imitation marble tabletop, or other suitable type material. In this
example, it may not be possible to make holes or screw into such
tabletop material. FIG. 39, FIG. 40, and FIG. 41 show material 235
positioned between the tabletop 240 and the top frame member 205.
Material 235 may act as a spacer similar to spacer material 135, or
may be a thin material for assisting to secure and/or hold tabletop
240 in place to the top frame member 205. In one example, material
235 may be adhered to the bottom surface of the tabletop 230 and
positioned to align with the corners (or other portions) of the top
frame member 205 of the universal support base 100. Alternatively,
material 235 may be adhered to the top frame member 205 of the
universal support base 100, e.g., at the corners of the top frame
member 205. The tabletop 230 may rest by gravity or adhesion atop
the top frame member 205.
[0033] In FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44, the universal support base
100 supports various configurations of a tabletop 240. The tabletop
240 can be any shape, such as round (see FIG. 42), oval (see FIG.
43), square, rectangular (see FIG. 44), and the like. The tabletop
240 can be, for example, a wood, eco-leather upholstered tabletop,
or other suitable type material. In this example, it may be
possible to make holes or screw into the tabletop material. For
example, as shown in FIG. 42, FIG. 43, and FIG. 44 the tabletop 240
may be fastened to the top frame member 205 of the universal
support base 100, without material 235 positioned there between,
and may be secured using screws or other suitable mechanism, or
alternatively may be held in place by gravity. Certain holes may be
provided in the top frame member 205 and/or tabletop 240 for
receiving the screws.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and
FIG. 49 is a perspective view, a side view, an end view, a top
view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an example of universal
support base 100 for supporting modular and varied articles of
furniture. In this example, universal support base 100 is a rocking
style base. However, universal support base 100 may be of any
general shape and or style.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 50 and FIG. 51 is a perspective view
of an example of the universal support base 100 shown in FIG. 45,
FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 supporting a chair 300. In
this example, it may be possible to make holes or screw into the
bottom of the chair 300. For example, the chair 300 may be fastened
to the top frame member 305 of the universal support base 100 and
may be secured using screws or other suitable mechanism, or
alternatively may be held in place by gravity. Certain holes may be
provided in the top frame member 305 and/or chair 300 for receiving
the screws.
[0036] It should be understood that universal support base 100
shown in FIG. 45, FIG. 46, FIG. 47, FIG. 48, and FIG. 49 may be
used to support bassinet 120 or 220, or other modular furniture
pieces. Further, chair 300 may also be supported on one or more
other base 100 styles, for example, the circular or crossed legged
style bases 100.
[0037] The examples used in the above description (e.g., table top,
bassinet, chair) are used only as non-limiting examples of modular
furniture piece that may be fitted atop universal support base 100.
However, it should be understood that the piece of modular
furniture may be one or more of a variety of pieces, such as, but
not limited to, a bassinet, a tabletop, a stool, bench top, a pouf,
seat, chair, a desk, and the like. Further, universal support base
100 in the above description and figures is shown as a circular (or
ovular) style, crossed legged style, or rocking style base for the
purposes of example only, and universal support base 100 may take
on a number of different styles, shapes, and/or designs. The
combination of particular modular and varied articles of furniture
with a particular style of base 100 in the description above is
only meant exemplary purposes, and it should be appreciated that
the various modular and varied articles of furniture may be used
with various styles of bases 100.
[0038] Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms
"a," "an," and "the" refer to "one or more" when used in this
application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to
"a subject" includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context
clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so
forth.
[0039] Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms
"comprise," "comprises," and "comprising" are used in a
non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise.
Likewise, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are
intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a
list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be
substituted or added to the listed items.
[0040] For the purposes of this specification and appended claims,
unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes,
dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters,
percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical
values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood
as being modified in all instances by the term "about" even though
the term "about" may not expressly appear with the value, amount or
range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical
parameters set forth in the following specification and attached
claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or
larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion
factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other
factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired
properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject
matter. For example, the term "about," when referring to a value
can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments,
.+-.100% in some embodiments .+-.50%, in some embodiments .+-.20%,
in some embodiments .+-.10%, in some embodiments .+-.5%, in some
embodiments .+-.1%, in some embodiments .+-.0.5%, and in some
embodiments .+-.0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations
are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the
disclosed compositions.
[0041] Further, the term "about" when used in connection with one
or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer
to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies
that range by extending the boundaries above and below the
numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by
endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including
fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the
recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as
fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and
any range within that range.
[0042] Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in
some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of
clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced
within the scope of the appended claims.
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