U.S. patent number 3,706,473 [Application Number 05/151,841] was granted by the patent office on 1972-12-19 for structural module and furniture or other structures formed therefrom.
Invention is credited to John W. Mullen.
United States Patent |
3,706,473 |
Mullen |
December 19, 1972 |
STRUCTURAL MODULE AND FURNITURE OR OTHER STRUCTURES FORMED
THEREFROM
Abstract
A structural module and furniture constructed using the same,
wherein preformed blocks of resilient or elastomeric material,
preferably having rounded edges, with openings for connecting the
blocks to others into structural assemblies are utilized to form
seating or reclining furniture structures. The blocks are also
preferably formed with a smooth exterior skin or a plastic film
coating which may be applied by immersion or by spraying. Rods or
flexible members may be used to join the blocks. The blocks may be
formed as cubes with the openings disposed along one axis, two axes
or three axes passing through substantially the center of the cube,
or may be blocks elongated along one or two axes, with suitable
openings formed therein.
Inventors: |
Mullen; John W. (Dallas,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
22540449 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/151,841 |
Filed: |
June 10, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.16;
297/DIG.1; 297/118; 297/451.8; 5/723; 297/452.61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
87/007 (20130101); A47C 3/16 (20130101); A47C
7/024 (20130101); A47C 7/405 (20130101); A47C
13/005 (20130101); A47C 5/12 (20130101); Y10S
297/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
5/00 (20060101); A47C 3/16 (20060101); A47C
5/12 (20060101); A47B 87/00 (20060101); A47C
13/00 (20060101); A47C 3/00 (20060101); A47c
007/02 (); A47c 027/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;46/17,19,29,31
;5/352,357 ;297/453-456,440 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A structural module comprising: a resilient body of elastomeric
material in a substantially rectangular shape; at least one
transverse aperture means opening between at least one pair of two
opposed faces of said rectangular body and having slightly flared
ends at the opposed faces, said ends of said aperture means opening
through each of said opposed faces at a point spaced equidistant
from at least three edges of each said opposed face, said aperture
means comprising the sole aperture means opening between said
opposed faces.
2. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 1,
wherein: a plurality of transverse aperture means are formed in
said rectangular body opening between a plurality of pairs of
opposing faces at points on each of said opposed faces spaced
equidistant from at least three edges of said faces.
3. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 1,
wherein: the rectangular body is formed with a uniform dense
exterior surface providing a substantially imperforate exposed skin
on all exterior surfaces of the rectangular body.
4. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 1,
wherein: the rectangular body is provided with a coating of thin
resilient flexible plastic sealing the same and providing a
relatively impervious exterior skin on the exposed surfaces of said
body.
5. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 1
wherein said body is formed internally hollow with resilient load
supporting walls defining its outer surfaces.
6. A structural module comprising: a body of foamed, resilient,
high density elastomeric material in a substantially cubical shape;
at least one transverse aperture aligned axially between two
opposed faces of said cubical shape and having slightly flared ends
at the opposed faces opening at a point on each of said faces
spaced equidistant from all edges of each said face, said aperture
comprising the only opening on each face.
7. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 6,
wherein: a plurality of axially extending transverse apertures are
formed in said cubical body extending between a plurality of pairs
of opposing faces and passing adjacent each other in the central
portion of the body without intersecting, each end of each of said
apertures opening at a point on each of said pair of opposed faces
spaced equidistant from all edges of said faces.
8. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 6,
wherein: the cubical body is provided with three separate axially
extending transverse apertures each extending between a separate
pair of opposed faces and passing each other without intersecting
at the mid-portion of the body and opening through the mid-portion
of each of said pair of opposed faces of said cubical body at a
point equidistant from the edges of said faces.
9. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 1
wherein the rectangular body is formed internally hollow with
resilient load supporting walls forming its outer surfaces.
10. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 6,
wherein: the cubical body is formed with a uniform dense exterior
surface providing a substantially imperforate exposed skin on all
exterior surfaces of the cubical body.
11. A structure comprising: a plurality of abutting substantially
rectangular structural body modules each having at least one
transverse aperture means opening between two opposed faces of said
body module at a point spaced equidistant from at least three edges
of each of said opposed faces and disposed to be aligned with the
aperture means of the abutting modules; securing means extending
through the aligned aperture means of a plurality of abutting
structural modules and projecting from the opposed exterior
surfaces of the outer modules of such plurality of rectangular
structural body modules; and securing means on said connecting
means securing the connecting means in place extending through the
aperture means of the structural modules to hold said modules in
connected condition.
12. A structure of the character set forth in claim 11, wherein:
each of said structural modules is formed of a body of foamed,
resilient, high density elastomeric material.
13. A piece of furniture comprising: a plurality of structural
modules of the character set forth in claim 1 disposed in abutting
relationship with at least one aperture means of each module
aligned with at least one aperture means of the abutting modules to
be joined together to provide a horizontal seating or reclining
surface; and connecting means extending through the aligned
aperture means of abutting modules to project from the exposed
outer surfaces of the abutting plurality of modules for securing
said modules in said abutting condition to hold the same connected
together to provide such supporting surface.
14. A piece of furniture of the character set forth in claim 13
wherein: additional structural modules are disposed in abutting
relationship with selected ones of the plurality of the modules
forming the supporting surface with at least one aperture means of
said additional modules aligned with at least one aperture means of
said abutting seating surface modules to provide arm and back
rests; and connecting means extending through the aligned aperture
means of said additional structural modules and of said abutting
seating surface modules to hold the same connected together.
15. A piece of furniture comprising: a plurality of structural
modules each formed of a body of foamed resilient high density
elastomeric material in a substantially cubical shape; each of said
modules having at least one transverse opening extending between
opposed exposed faces thereof and opening through said opposed
faces at points equidistant from the edges of each said face, said
modules being disposed in abutting relationship in a plurality of
parallel rows with the transverse openings of of abutting modules
aligned; connecting means in said aligned transverse openings of
said abutting modules joining said plurality of modules in said
plurality of parallel rows forming a supporting surface and back or
arm rests; and securing means securing said connecting means
against displacement from connecting position in said transverse
openings to hold said cubical modules in such parallel rows.
16. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 1
wherein: a second pair of said opposed faces of said rectangular
body have longitudinal dimensions twice the transverse dimension of
said second pair of opposed faces; and at least one second aperture
means opens between said second pair of opposed faces at a point
spaced equidistant from at least three edges of each of said
opposed faces of said second pair of opposed faces.
17. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 16
wherein said two opposed faces of said rectangular body through
which said at least one transverse aperture means opens comprises a
substantially square configuration having edges of equal length;
and said second pair of said opposed faces of said rectangular body
have two transverse aperture means opening between said faces, each
aperture being spaced from the three edges of said opposed faces
adjacent the transverse edges thereof a distance equidistant from
said three edges.
18. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 16
wherein: said third pair of opposed faces comprising said
substantially rectangular shaped body are formed with longitudinal
and transverse dimensions each equal to the longitudinal dimension
of said second pair of opposed faces of said rectangular body; and
at least one transverse aperture means opens between said third
pair of opposed faces at a point spaced from two adjacent
convergent edges of said third pair of faces a distance equal to
the distance which said at least one transverse aperture means is
spaced from the three edges of said two opposed faces of said
rectangular body.
19. A structural module of the character set forth in claim 18
wherein: said second pair of opposed faces is provided with two
transverse aperture means opening between said second pair of
opposed faces each spaced from the three edges of said opposed
faces adjacent the transverse edges thereof a distance equidistant
from said three edges; and said third pair of opposed faces is
provided with four aperture means opening between said opposed
faces and disposed at points adjacent the four corners of said
faces spaced equidistant from the two convergent edges forming said
corners a distance equal to the distance which said two transverse
aperture means are spaced from said at least three edges of said
second pair of opposed faces of said rectangular body.
Description
This invention relates to structural modules and furniture
furniture or other structures constructed by use thereof.
It is one object of the invention to provide a structural module,
such as a cube or block, formed of a resilient or elastomeric
material having a smooth coating applied thereto and provided with
one or more transverse openings by means of which the module may be
joined to other modules to form a structural unit such as a
divider, a seating structure such as a couch or chair, a bed or the
like, by means of rigid rods or flexible stringers extending
through aligned axial openings in adjacent abutting modules to
provide the desired structure, with suitable retaining means
provided on the ends of the connecting members to hold the
connecting members in place and the modules interconnected.
It is an important object of the invention to provide a structural
module which lends itself to the ready formation of substantially
any desired configuration of furniture unit, or other structure by
joining a plurality of such modules together in the configuration
desired by the user.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a structural
unit, such as a divider, wall panel, or the like, or an item of
furniture such as a chair, couch, bed, or the like, formed of a
plurality of the modules joined together by a connecting means and
securely held connected together to retain the desired
configuration.
A particular object of the invention is to provide a structural
module formed of a high density flexible polyurethane foam or other
elastomeric material for use in constructing furniture or other
structural units.
Still another object of the invention is to provide in combination
with a structural module of the character set forth means for
securing the modules together in a desired configuration and for
retaining said modules in such configuration during use.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily
apparent from the reading of the following description of a device
constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the
accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view, partly in elevation and partly in
section, of a module constructed in accordance with the invention
and showing a single axial connecting opening extending through the
module;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view, in section, showing a plurality of
modules of the character illustrated in FIG. 1 joined together by
connecting means to form a structural unit, such as a divider;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a plurality of structural modules
joined together to form a seat of furniture having one arm
rest;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view, partly in elevation and partly in
section, of a modified form of the structural module showing the
same provided with three axial connecting apertures extending
therethrough;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5 -- 5 of FIG.
4 and further illustrating the manner in which the axial apertures
are formed in the modules;
FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view showing a plurality of the
modules and connectors in position to be connected together to form
a structural unit;
FIG. 7 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a
structural unit formed from a plurality of the modules of FIGS. 5
and 6, showing a base or supporting section and an arm portion and
an upstanding back portion;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view, in section, showing a plurality of
structural elements joined together to form a modified form of
furniture unit for back-to-back seating;
FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a piece of furniture such as
a couch formed by means of the modules of the invention;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of a modified form of
retainer member or cap and flexible connector;
FIG. 11 is an isometric view, in elevation, of a modified form of
module;
FIG. 12 is an isometric view, in elevation, of a further modified
form of module;
FIG. 13 is an isometric view, partly in elevation and partly in
section, of a hollow cubical module having connector conduits
therein;
FIG. 14 is a view, similar to FIG. 13, of a hollow cubical module
without the connector conduits; and,
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an elongate hollow module,
similar to those of FIGS. 11 and 12.
In the drawings, in FIG. 1 is shown a structural module or cube 10
preferably formed of a mass of high density resilient poly-urethane
foam or other elastomeric material, having rounded corners 11 and
edges 12 on all the corners and edges thereof. The cube is formed
in a mold in substantially the shape shown, and has uniform height,
width and depth. A transverse bore or axial opening 15 extends
through the cube perpendicularly from the bottom 13 to the top 14
of the cube, and is rounded or flared as at 16 at each end for a
purpose which will be hereinafter more fully explained. The
exterior surfaces of the cube may be formed with a skin or coating
20, which may be produced by the molding process and is smooth,
uniform and relatively imperforate, or an added film of plastic
such as a vinyl plastic may be applied to the exterior of the cube
by immersion of it in a body of vinyl, or by spraying the same, or
otherwise, to produce such coating. This coating provides a uniform
imperforate skin for the cube.
The cube shown in FIG. 1 is utilized in forming structural units,
such as dividers, or furniture, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG.
2 a divider is shown, consisting of a pair of parallel superposed
rows of the cubes secured in such superposed condition by a
transverse lower connector bar 25 extending through the transverse
openings or apertures 15 of a plurality of the modules 10 forming
the bottom row of the divider and having a retainer flange or head
26 on each of its opposite ends to secure the rod in place in the
several modules. A pair of tie bars, braces or straps 30 having
apertures 31 and 32 therein extend between the lower connector bar
and an upper connector bar 27 which has retaining heads or flanges
28 on its opposite ends extending through the apertures 32 in the
braces or straps 30. The braces or straps 30 space the modules
vertically and provide means for tying the rods 25 and 27 together
to form a unit in which the modules are held in proper parallel
spaced position to form the desired structure. It is believed
readily apparent that, if desired or necessary, braces such as the
braces 30 may be provided between abutting modules 10 intermediate
the ends of the rods 25 and 27 for added rigidity or bracing of the
structure.
In FIG. 3 a plurality of parallel abutting modules 10 are shown to
be joined together by rods 35 extending through the apertures 15 of
such modules and connected at their ends to an L-shaped strap or
brace member 36 to tie three parallel rows of the modules together
to form a supporting base or seat portion 37, and a rear upper row
of modules disposed along and above the rear row of modules of the
seat portion in position to form a back portion 38 to the furniture
element. The right hand end of the structure may have a solid plate
or an O-shaped strap (not shown), similar to the L-shaped strap
member 36, in which extra upper arm (not shown) holds the two
modules 10a forming the arm rest portion 39 of the structure in
properly spaced position overlying the end modules of the group
forming the seat or supporting section 37 of the piece of
furniture.
Obviously, any desired configuration may be formed by means of the
modules and suitable connecting rods, braces and straps.
It is believed readily apparent that the modules may be formed with
two or more transverse axial openings or apertures therein, and in
FIG. 4 is shown a module 110 which has a vertical aperture 115, a
horizontal aperture 140 extending from one side to the other and
another horizontal aperture 150 extends at right angles to the
aperture 140 and at right angles to the aperture 115. The apertures
115, 140 and 150 do not intersect, but extend closely adjacent each
other through substantially the center of the module and
perpendicular to the opposed faces of the cube between which each
aperture extends. Actually, the ends of the apertures may extend
directly to the center of the face of the module through which they
open, with the apertures being slightly curved as they pass each
other in the central portion of the module, as is shown in FIG. 5.
The curvature of the central portion of the apertures is
exaggerated in FIG. 5 to clearly illustrate the fact that the
apertures may be curved to pass each other without intersecting.
The corners 111 and the edges 112 of the module are rounded in the
same manner as the form first described, and the openings of the
apertures through the faces of the cubical module are flared as at
116, 146 and 156, respectively, in the same manner as the first
form. Other details of the structure are identical except that
three transverse axial openings or apertures 115, 140 and 150 are
formed in the cubical module.
It is also believed readily apparent that the edges and corners of
the modules need not be rounded, but may be square to form perfect
cubes, if desired.
This form of the module also lends itself to more varied structural
assemblies, as shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, the connecting members
may be rods of plastic or flexible metal 127, 147 and 157 having
securing means, such as threads, at their ends to which button, cap
or other retaining members 130 may be secured to connect the
several modules together. Also, in some cases, as when there is a
longitudinal axial thrust or force applied to the connecting
members, such members may be flexible or flaccid, as when formed of
a chain, wire, cord or the line, 225, connected to a retaining
member or knob 230 provided with an eye or aperture 235 for
receiving the end of the connecting member, as shown in FIG.
10.
As shown in FIG. 7, the modified modules of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be
more simply connected to form a piece of furniture than those of
the form first described, since no external brace or strap member
is required. As will be seen, the longer connecting members or rods
127a, 147a and 157 extend through the aligned apertures 115, 140
and 150 of abutting modules, and the flange headed securing button,
cap or end members 130 are secured to the ends of the rods, and
that such end members fit in the flared openings at the surfaces of
the modules to provide a smooth pleasing appearance.
The three modules on the lower portion of the structure shown in
FIG. 7, connected by the elongate connecting members or rods 147a,
form a supporting or seat section 137 of a piece of furniture
similar to the seat section of the piece of furniture shown in FIG.
3. The right hand upper module 110a is secured by means of the
elongate securing rod 127a above the next adjacent lower module at
one end of the supporting or seat section to form an arm section
139 and the aperture 140 is closed by means of the shorter rod 147
extending therethrough and having the retaining cap members 130
secured to the ends of the rods to close the aperture and provide a
smooth uniform surface. The two back section modules 110b disposed
above the two rear left hand modules 110 of the seating section 135
are connected by means of vertically extending rods such as the
elongate connecting rods 127a, extending upwardly through the
aligned vertical apertures 115 in the modules and held in place by
means of the retaining caps 130. The caps are provided on the ends
of the rods in the flared openings in all of the exposed faces of
the modules, being secured to the ends of the rods for closing the
apertures and presenting a uniform attractive external appearance.
Of course, a flexible or flaccid connector member such as the cord
225 of FIG. 10 may be used to secure the caps 130 in the flared
openings of the apertures of single modules.
It is believed readily apparent that the modules may be formed into
structures of any desired suitable configuration, such as those
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, a back-to-back seating
arrangement is shown in section, wherein parallel rows of five
modules form a supporting or seating surface 237 and a central row
of modules disposed above the medial module provides a common arm
rest or back rest 238 for the piece of furniture. Similarly, in
FIG. 9 a supporting section 337 has a pair of arm rests 339 at its
opposite ends, secured in position thereon in the manner already
described. Obviously, any other modified arrangement of the modules
may be constructed which is desired, depending only upon the length
of the connecting members or rods, which may be lengthened still
more by joining two or more rods by means of intermediate
couplings, and the ingenuity of the user or designer.
As has been explained, while the modules have been shown as
principally connected by flexible metal or plastic rods, suitable
flexible or flaccid connecting members such as a chain, wire or the
like may be utilized to secure the several modules together or to
close the apertures subject to longitudinal thrust, held in place
by means of retaining members or knobs 230 provided with an eye or
aperture 235 for receiving the flexible or flaccid connecting
member 225, which may extend through the eye or aperture in the
knob and be twisted, tied, or otherwise fastened in place.
Since the modules are preferably formed of foamed or expanded
elastomeric materials such as poly-urethane, or foam rubber or the
like, and the exterior surfaces are molded to form a smooth
impervious surface, or are coated with a plastic film or coating to
provide such an exterior surface, that a comfortable, easily
cleanable, structural module has been provided which may be
assembled to produce dividers, pads, chairs, lounges, couches and
the like as desired.
It is also readily apparent that the modules may be formed in any
desired number and joined together to produce the desired furniture
member or structure. It will also be apparent that the structure
assembled will be soft, resilient, and comfortable to the user.
Further modified forms of the modules are shown in FIGS. 11 through
15. In FIG. 11 the module is formed in an elongate substantially
rectangular shape having a length equal to twice the dimension of
the vertical and horizontal or transverse dimensions of the module.
One end 311 of the module 310 is a substantial square having an
upright side edge 312 equal to the horizontal bottom and top edges
313 and 314 in dimension. The longitudinal dimension 325 of the top
surface is twice the length of the upright side edge 312 and the
top and bottom edges 313 and 314. Also, a longitudinal axial
aperture or opening 340 is formed centrally of each of the opposed
square ends of the module while two horizontal transverse openings
350a and 350b are aligned transversely of the elongate sides of the
body from the right hand face 317 to the left hand face (not
shown). Vertical apertures 315a and 315b are formed in the top
surface 316 and aligned with complementary apertures in the bottom
surface (not shown), for use in the same manner as the apertures
115, 140 and 150 of the form shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. If desired,
also, the apertures in the elongate faces 316 and 317 may be
omitted, or those extending from one of the faces to the other may
be omitted to produce a desired surface effect. Otherwise this
module may be identical in construction to the form first
described, and may be coated with plastic film or coating to form a
smooth and impervious surface in the same manner.
In FIG. 12 is shown a module 360 which has a rectangular top
surface 366 and four elongate sides, the vertical corner edge 362
at each corner being one-half the length of the horizontal edges,
so that the upper surface 366 is the equivalent of four of the
cubes of FIGS. 4 and 5, while the sides 361 and 367 are the
equivalent of two of the cubes in horizontal dimension along the
lower and upper edges 363 and 364, respectively, of the side face.
As has been pointed out, this module is the equivalent of four of
the single modules of FIGS. 4 and 5 and is provided with the
aligned vertical aperture sets 365a, 365b, 365c and 365d, the
longitudinal apertures 370a and 370b and the transverse apertures
380a and 380b, any of which may be omitted, if desired, to provide
a module having the desired configuration and surface appearance.
The faces of this module may also be coated with plastic film or
other coating to provide an exterior surface that is comfortable,
easily cleanable, resilient and soft in use.
In FIG. 13 is shown a cubical module 410, similar to the module of
FIGS. 4 and 5, which is hollow and has its outer load supporting
walls formed of a foamed plastic or polyurethane or any other
suitable resilient load supporting material. The apertures 415, 440
and 450 m are in the form of tubular members 421, 422 and 423,
respectively, which extend from the mid-point of each of the faces
of the cubical module to the opposite face thereof and define the
separate apertures. The tubular members may be integral with the
skin or outer hollow walls of the body of the module and have their
outer portions flared in the same manner as the apertures of the
form of FIGS. 4 and 5 to receive the caps 30 or 130 or 230, as the
case may be.
In FIG. 14 is shown a slightly modified hollow cubical module 510
which is r provided with openings 540a, 540b, 515a, 515b, 550a and
550b formed centrally of the opposite walls of the hollow cube.
There are no connecting tubular members in this form of the device,
the strength of the resilient load supporting walls of the hollow
body 510 being sufficient to retain the cubical shape.
In FIG. 15 an elongate hollow body 610 similar to that shown in
FIG. 14 is illustrated, having resilient load supporting plastic
side walls and a hollow interior. Aligned sets of apertures 615a,
615b, 615c and 615d are formed in the opposing upper and lower
surfaces of the module while aligned apertures 640a and 640b are
formed in the opposite ends of the module, and aligned sets of
apertures 650a and 650b are formed in the elongate sides. This form
of the module may take either the elongate rectangular two cube
unit form of FIG. 11 or the rectangular form of FIG. 12 equal to
four cubes. Otherwise, the module is the same in use as the module
of FIG. 14 and equivalent to the modules of FIGS. 11 and 12.
It will now be seen that various configurations may be utilized in
forming the modules which are designed to be assembled to produce
structural units or furniture or the like, and that the modules of
the several forms may be joined together in any manner in any
suitable arrangement and in any desired number to produce the
desired furniture or structural members.
The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and
changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made
by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended
claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *