Article of furniture with modular construction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8950817-B2
Application number	US-201213599379-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 30, 2012
Priority date	Aug 30, 2012
Publication date	Feb 10, 2015
Grant date	Feb 10, 2015

Abstract

An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An article of furniture comprising:
a base comprising a frame structure;
at least three components attached to the base and supported by the base;
wherein the base comprises at least two leg assemblies and at least two trim members secured to a leg assembly;
wherein the components comprise a seating unit and at least two other components selected from a group comprising a seating unit, a casegoods unit, a backrest, an armrest, a wide armrest, a narrow armrest, a console, a tray, a table, an inlaid panel, a privacy panel, a tray, an outlet for power, an outlet for data, an electronic device, a worksurface, a wall; and
wherein each trim member has an internal cavity and each leg assembly comprises a biased member configured to fit within the cavity of the trim member to attach the trim member to the leg assembly and to the base.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the member comprises a spring-biased member.

3. The article of claim 2 wherein the member is a plunger.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a support structure; and a supplemental frame; wherein the frame structure is coupled to two leg assemblies at one end and to the supplemental frame at the other end; wherein the supplemental frame is coupled to the frame structure at one end and to two leg assemblies at the other end; and further comprising at least two supplemental trim members coupled at one end to one of the at least two trim members and at the other end to a leg assembly.

5. The article of claim 4 comprising four leg assemblies and four trim members and wherein each one of the at least two trim members is secured between two leg assemblies; and wherein the frame structure is attached to the support structure by a clevis arrangement fit at least partially within a base of each leg assembly.

6. An article of furniture having a modular construction comprising:
(a) a base comprising a frame structure;
(b) a seating component supported on the frame structure of the base;
(c) a casegood component supported on the frame structure of the base;
wherein the frame structure of the base is configured to support at least one additional modular component selected from a seating unit, a backrest, an armrest, a console, a tray, a worksurface, a panel, an outlet for power, an outlet for data, an electronic device;
wherein the frame structure comprises at least one inner frame member and at least one outer frame member, wherein a first channel for attachment of a component is provided adjacent to the inner frame member and a second channel for attachment of a component is provided adjacent to the outer frame member, and wherein a bracket is provided for the component to secure the component within the first channel.

7. The article of claim 6 wherein the bracket is provided for the component to secure the component within the second channel.

8. The article of claim 7 wherein the bracket comprises a clip configured to fit across two frame members.

9. The article of claim 8 wherein the component comprises at least one of a casegood unit, a seating unit, or a backrest.

10. The article of claim 6 wherein the first channel is formed along a top surface of the frame member.

11. The article of claim 6 wherein the first channel is formed between two frame members.

12. The article of claim 6 wherein the bracket comprises a flange configured to fit within the first channel.

13. The article of claim 6 wherein the second channel is formed along a top surface of the outer frame member.

14. The article of claim 13 wherein the second channel is formed between the top surface of the outer frame member and a bottom surface provided by a flange of a trim member attached at least partially over the outer frame member.

15. The article of claim 14 wherein the bracket to secure the component comprises a flange configured to fit within the second channel.

16. The article of claim 13 wherein the component comprises at least one of a seating unit providing a seat cushion, a table, an armrest, a console, or a casegood unit.

17. An article of furniture having a modular construction comprising:
a base comprising a frame structure;
a seating component supported on the frame structure;
a casegood component supported on the frame structure;
wherein the base comprises at least two leg assemblies and at least two trim members secured to a leg assembly; and
wherein each trim member has an internal cavity and each leg assembly comprises a biased member configured to fit within the cavity of the trim member to attach the trim member to the leg assembly and to the base.

18. The article of claim 17 wherein the biased member comprises a spring-biased member.

19. The article of claim 17 wherein the casegood component comprises at least one of a storage unit, a cabinet, a shelving unit, a countertop, a planter, a worksurface, a table.

20. The article of claim 17 wherein the frame structure of the base is configured to support at least one additional modular component selected from a seating unit, a backrest, an armrest, a console, a tray, a worksurface, a panel, an outlet for power, an outlet for data, an electronic device.

21. The article of claim 19 wherein the frame structure of the base is configured to support at least one additional modular component selected from a seating unit, a backrest, an armrest, a console, a tray, a worksurface, a panel, an outlet for power, an outlet for data, an electronic device.

Assignees

• Iacovoni Joseph
• Rheault Alan Ernest
• Mead Karl
• Kapka Mark
• Steelcase Inc

Inventors

• Iacovoni Joseph
• Rheault Alan Ernest
• Mead Karl
• Kapka Mark

Classifications

• A47B83/001 Primary

  Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems · CPC title

• A47C13/005

  Modular seating · CPC title

• A47B13/021

  Fastening devices of the feet or legs (A47B13/023 takes precedence) · CPC title