Abstract This invention relates to a novel furniture module and to furniture items obtainable with the use of such modules. The basic module consists of a generally I-shaped unit provided with a backing wall. By proportioning the module portions as set forth in equations, various items of furniture may be obtained from combining any one of a number of modules. The individual modules may be in one piece of plastic or other moldable material or may be built up from flat panels of wood or plastic suitably united to provide a module structure. The various panels which are used to make a module when made from individual pieces may be cemented or may be attached in any other suitable fashion as by screws or by slip interlocking fit. Preferably, locking clips having a general shape of a T with a laterally extending piece may be provided for use in assembling modules to lock them in position. Various items of furniture such as tables, chairs, bookcases, cabinets and the like may be made by using the modules in different relations. An important feature of the new module resides in its susceptibility to interfitting a number of modules into a package whose dimensions are of the same order as a module.
A combination comprising at least four and no more than six identical modules useful for combining with each other for creating various items of furniture, each said module comprising an I-shaped part having spaced opposed parallel sides (10 and 11) with a flat cross panel (12) extending between said opposed sides midway between the free edges of the sides and a back panel (15) closing one end of the I-region as viewed from the front of the I, all forming an integral structure, said opposed sides (10 and 11) being substantially equal and having a length designated as dimension 1, a width designated as dimension 2, all thicknesses being designated as dimension B, the distance between the outer faces of the parallel sides of the module being dimension A, the distance between opposed inside faces of said sides being designated as dimensIon 4, said flat cross panel (12) having its width dimension substantially equal to dimension 2 minus B, dimension 1 being substantially equal to A minus 2B ; dimension 2 being substantially equal to A plus B divided by two; dimension 3 being substantially equal to one-half of dimension 1 and being substantially A minus 2B divided by two; and dimension 4 being the distance between opposed inside faces of the sides (10 and 11) of the module and constituting A minus 2B, the dimensional relationships between the various module parts permitting a wide variety of functional module arrangements, dimensions A and B being determined by the ultimate use of such modules as for a child or adult furniture, the relationship between the module dimensions permitting from four to six identical modules susceptible to nesting into a compact cubical package whose volume is substantially equal to the volume defined by two Ishaped modules in edge to edge contacting relation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
A combination comprising at least four and no more than six identical modules useful for combining with each other for creating various items of furniture, each said module comprising an I-shaped part having spaced opposed parallel sides (10 and 11) with a flat cross panel (12) extending between said opposed sides midway between the free edges of the sides and a back panel (15) closing one end of the I-region as viewed from the front of the I, all forming an integral structure, said opposed sides (10 and 11) being substantially equal and having a length designated as dimension 1, a width designated as dimension 2, all thicknesses being designated as dimension B, the distance between the outer faces of the parallel sides of the module being dimension A, the distance between opposed inside faces of said sides being designated as dimensIon 4, said flat cross panel (12) having its width dimension substantially equal to dimension 2 minus B, dimension 1 being substantially equal to A minus 2B ; dimension 2 being substantially equal to A plus B divided by two; dimension 3 being substantially equal to one-half of dimension 1 and being substantially A minus 2B divided by two; and dimension 4 being the distance between opposed inside faces of the sides (10 and 11) of the module and constituting A minus 2B, the dimensional relationships between the various module parts permitting a wide variety of functional module arrangements, dimensions A and B being determined by the ultimate use of such modules as for a child or adult furniture, the relationship between the module dimensions permitting from four to six identical modules susceptible to nesting into a compact cubical package whose volume is substantially equal to the volume defined by two Ishaped modules in edge to edge contacting relation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein fastening means are provided for maintaining two adjacent modules in desired relative posision.