A modular furniture system includes a plurality of panel elements having opposing first and second major faces, a perimeter wall defining a minor face therebetween, and at least a boss aperture which passes through the first and second major faces. A panel connector has a bridging element and at least two bosses in spaced apart relationship on the bridging element, each boss being a complementary fit in the boss aperture of a respective panel element, a first fastener recess in a distal free end of each boss, and a second fastener recess opposing the first fastener recess and adjacent to a proximal end of each boss. An oversized fastener associated with each boss has a panel-retaining head and a tail which is interengagable with the panel-retaining head.

A modular furniture system includes a plurality of panel elements having opposing first and second major faces, a perimeter wall defining a minor face therebetween, and at least a boss aperture which passes through the first and second major faces. A panel connector has a bridging element and at least two bosses in spaced apart relationship on the bridging element, each boss being a complementary fit in the boss aperture of a respective panel element, a first fastener recess in a distal free end of each boss, and a second fastener recess opposing the first fastener recess and adjacent to a proximal end of each boss. An oversized fastener associated with each boss has a panel-retaining head and a tail which is interengagable with the panel-retaining head.

A ready-to-assemble upholstered and non-upholstered chair consisting of factory assembled sub-assemblies reducing the number of overall parts and assembly hardware which decreases the packaged cubic measure allowing more units to be loaded into shipping containers and trailers, inventoried in warehouses and distribution centers and displayed in retail outlets thereby reducing transportation and handling costs, while simplifying and expediting the assembly process. The invention includes a seat box sub-assembly so constructed to allow a portion of the chair back leg sub-assembly to nest therein reducing the package profile and cubic measure, as well as a front leg sub-assembly. The front leg and back leg sub-assemblies are assembled utilizing a left and right tenoned side rail which inserts into mortises on the front and back leg assemblies. The leg sub-assemblies are secured with a metal bolt, threaded on each end, housed longitudinally within a routed channel running on the exterior face of each side rail. The bolt is secured by threading one end into the pre-installed knurled nut in the back leg sub-assembly and a hex socket T-nut and washer on the face of the front leg sub-assembly. The seat box sub-assembly is fitted over the front leg sub-assembly and the left and right side rails and secured on the underside with metal bolts. With the factory manufactured pre-assemblies resulting in fewer joints, the assembled chair is stronger eliminating potential racking. On upholstered chairs, the removable outer decorative back and seat cover are positioned over the chair back and chair seat and quickly Velcro's into place. Chair covers can be removed for cleaning or retailers can sell additional covers in a variety of materials and designs without needing to stock additional chairs. Once assembled, the invention offers the distinction that no assembly hardware is visible, giving the chair a “factory made” look.

A piece of seating furniture having a base member, on the upper side of which a padded seat surface is provided, and having at least one backrest member with an upholstered backrest surface, which can be positioned in various positions on the upper side of the base member. A slot structure is provided in the padded seat surface of the base member, which penetrates the padded seat surface, and furthermore a guide member is connected to the backrest member which projects through the upholstered seat surface in the area of the slot structure.

A bench including a first support, a second support, a seat, and one or more protective metal plates. The seat extends between the supports. The metal plates extend above the seat or below the seat, or both, and provide at least NIJ Level IIA, preferably Level IV, ballistic protection. The metal plates are attached to the bench, partially or completely, via one or more reversible toolless connections such as a slotted hole and headed stud. The bench can be assembled and disassembled in the field by unskilled labor with few or no tools required.

A quick-release device for securing a gas cylinder in a seat plate includes a pedestal defining a socket for receiving the gas cylinder. The pedestal projects upwardly from an endwall to form a jaw against which the gas cylinder is received when applied to the socket. A clamp is pivoted to the jaw for movement between an open position and a closed position. A flange is formed in the pedestal and has a lower surface for confrontation with the seat plate. A latch is coupled to the pedestal. The latch moves between a first position enabling movement of the clamp between the open and closed positions, and a second position disabling movement of the clamp between the open and closed positions.

A quick-release device for securing a gas cylinder in a seat plate includes a pedestal defining a socket for receiving the gas cylinder. The pedestal projects upwardly from an endwall to form a jaw against which the gas cylinder is received when applied to the socket. A clamp is pivoted to the jaw for movement between an open position and a closed position. A flange is formed in the pedestal and has a lower surface for confrontation with the seat plate. A latch is coupled to the pedestal. The latch moves between a first position enabling movement of the clamp between the open and closed positions, and a second position disabling movement of the clamp between the open and closed positions.

A knock-down furniture frame includes a plurality of panels having interlocking sides and at least one tensioning device having a band that draws the plurality of panels together under tension into an interlocking relationship. In one embodiment, the band may apply tension to each of the plurality of panels and extend exclusively within the interior space defined by the plurality of panels. In another embodiment, the band may be woven through the plurality of panels such that at least a first portion of the band extends along an outside surface of at least one of the plurality of panels and at least a second portion of the band extends within the interior space defined by the plurality of panels.

A knock-down furniture frame includes a plurality of panels having interlocking sides and at least one tensioning device having a band that draws the plurality of panels together under tension into an interlocking relationship. In one embodiment, the band may apply tension to each of the plurality of panels and extend exclusively within the interior space defined by the plurality of panels. In another embodiment, the band may be woven through the plurality of panels such that at least a first portion of the band extends along an outside surface of at least one of the plurality of panels and at least a second portion of the band extends within the interior space defined by the plurality of panels.

A chair has a seat member and a backrest member. The seat member has a seat body having a horizontal frame disposed horizontally; a front supporting leg mounted on a bottom surface of the horizontal frame near a front end of the horizontal frame; and two rear supporting legs mounted respectively on two sides of a bottom surface of the horizontal frame near a rear end of the horizontal frame. The backrest member has a backrest frame having two backrest sidebars mounted respectively on two sides of the horizontal frame and an upper crossbar connected between two top ends of the backrest sidebars and having a suspension slot defined in a rear surface of the upper crossbar. The suspension slot is axially elongated and has an L-shaped cross section. The chair may be used independently and may be easily combined other furniture units to form a furniture set.