Abstract
This application describes a unique design and a method for designing furniture items that incorporate removable panels to either decorate or alter the use of a standard furniture item. The proposed furniture items take the form of standard furniture items but have recessed areas or cavities incorporated into different portions of the structure. These cavities correspond to and fit different panels which display artwork or different utility elements. These panels can be interchanged between different furniture items of the similar design.
Claims
1. A customizable table comprising: a leg; a top comprising a cavity; a first panel configured to removably engage within the cavity, the first panel comprising a face and a back wherein the face is displayed from the cavity when the first panel is removably engaged within the cavity; and a second panel configured to removably engage within the cavity, the second panel comprising a face and a back wherein the face is displayed from the cavity when the second panel is removably engaged within the cavity; wherein the first panel and the second panel engage with and are removable from the cavity at an angle perpendicular to the plane of the cavity; and wherein the first panel and the second panel are not simultaneously engageable within the cavity.
2. The customizable table of claim 1, wherein the face of the first panel comprises a decoration or a utility element.
3. The customizable table of claim 1, wherein the face of the second panel comprises a decoration or a utility element.
4. The customizable table of claim 1, further comprising a rack disposed underneath the top configured to house the first panel and second panel when the first panel and the second panel are not removably engaged within the cavity.
5. The customizable table of claim 1, wherein the first panel and second panel are removably secured within the cavity via an attachment mechanism.
6. A method of customizing furniture items, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first panel comprising a face and a back; providing a second panel comprising a face and a back; providing a first furniture item with a first cavity configured to selectively receive the first and second panel; and providing a second furniture item with a second cavity configured to selectively receive the first and second panel; wherein the first panel and the second panel engage with and are removable from the first cavity and the second cavity at an angle perpendicular to the planes of the cavities; wherein the first panel and the second panel are not simultaneously engageable within the first cavity; wherein the first panel and the second panel are not simultaneously engageable within the second cavity; and wherein the first panel and the second panel are interchangeable between the first cavity and the second cavity.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first furniture item is selected from a group consisting of: a table, a chair, a headboard, a cabinet, a chest, an armoire, a buffet stand, a TV stand, and a bookshelf.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the second furniture item is selected from a group consisting of a table, a chair, a headboard, a cabinet, a chest, an armoire, a buffet stand, a TV stand, and a bookshelf.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the face of the first panel is decorative or a utility element.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the face of the second panel is decorative or a utility element.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein the first panel and second panel are removably secured within the first cavity and the second cavity via an attachment mechanism.
12. A customizable furniture system comprising: a panel comprising a face and a back; a first furniture item with a first cavity configured to receive the panel; and a second furniture item with a second cavity configured to receive the panel; wherein the panel is selectively and removably engagable within the first cavity such that the face of the panel is displayed from the first cavity; wherein the panel is selectively and removably engagable within the second cavity such that the face of the panel is displayed from the second cavity; wherein the panel engages with and is removable from the first cavity at an angle perpendicular to the plane of the first cavity; wherein the panel engages with and is removable from the second cavity at an angle perpendicular to the plane of the second cavity; wherein the first furniture item is selected from the group consisting of: a table, a chair, a headboard, a cabinet, a chest, an armoire, a buffet stand, a TV stand, and a bookshelf; and wherein the second furniture item is selected from the group consisting of: a table, a chair, a headboard, a cabinet, a chest, an armoire, a buffet stand, a TV stand, and a bookshelf.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the face comprises a decoration.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the face comprises a utility element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following descriptions, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in which the furniture item is a table with a single cavity in the table top. The panel, as a non-limiting example, depicts Merry Christmas.
(3) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view taken laterally of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
(4) FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in which the furniture item is a table. The panel, as a non-limiting example, expresses a utility element in the form of a tray.
(5) FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in which the furniture item is a headboard with multiple cavities designed to house different panels. The panel from FIG. 1 can be placed into a cavity of the headboard in FIG. 4.
(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the headboard in FIG. 4.
(7) FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in which the furniture item is a chair with multiple cavities designed to house different panels. One of the smaller panels from FIG. 4 can be placed into one of the cavities of the chair in FIG. 6.
(8) FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in which the furniture item is an end table with slots located below the table top designed to house appropriately sized panels when said panels are not displayed in a cavity of a furniture item structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(9) In the Summary of the Invention above and in the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
(10) All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
(11) The term comprises and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article comprising (or which comprises) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components.
(12) Where reference if made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
(13) The term at least followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, at least 1 means 1 or more than 1. The term at most followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, at most 4 means 4 or less than 4, and at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as (a first number) to (a second number) or (a first number)-(a second number), this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm.
(14) FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in table form 1 with major components including the table top 3, a plurality legs 5, 7, 9 (fourth leg not visible and therefore not provided with a reference numeral), side stretchers 11, 13 and an H stretcher 15 that connects to the side stretchers 11, 13. These major components 3, 5, 7, 9 (fourth leg not visible), 11, 13, 15 make up the furniture item structure of this particular embodiment of the claimed invention in table form. The furniture item structure can be composed of any sturdy material capable of retaining a static shape, being composed of wood in this particular embodiment. The table top 3 can be of any shape and size, depicted as a rectangle in this particular embodiment. The plurality of legs may similarly be of any shape, size, or design, provided that they support the table top in sitting above the ground. The cavity 27 in the table top 3 is made to temporarily retain a panel 29. Like the table top 3, the cavity 27 can be of any shape, displayed here as a rectangle. In this particular embodiment, supports 25, preferably but not necessarily composed of the same material as the furniture item structure, run underneath the table top 3 and cavity 27 to support placement of the panel 29 into the cavity 27. The panel 29 can be of the same or different material as the furniture item structure, and it can be placed into any cavity of any furniture item structure that is sized to fit such panel; here, the panel 29 is rectangular and fits into a rectangular cavity 27. In this particular embodiment, the supports 25 have a means of attachment (here, magnets 23) that facilitate secure attachment of the panel 29 to the supports 25 via interactions between other magnets 21 on the ventral face of the panel 31. In this particular embodiment, the dorsal face of the panel 17 depicts a stylized Merry Christmas 19 as an aesthetic design. In other embodiments, other aesthetic or ornamental designs may be present. Additionally, in this embodiment and others, any furniture item may have multiple panels designed to fit in the same cavity of that furniture item. For example, in addition to the panel 29 depicted in FIG. 1, there may be another panel similarly sized that fits into the cavity 27 with a different ornamental design or utility element, such as a stylized Happy Thanksgiving or a tray.
(15) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view taken laterally between the two supports 33 of the first preferred embodiment in table form depicted in FIG. 1. The ventral face of the panel 31 contains notches 35, 37 in which the magnets of the panel 21 sit and the magnets on the supports 23 fit into, such that, in this particular embodiment, when the panel 29 is placed into the cavity 27, the dorsal face of the panel 17 is flush with the table top 3. While in this particular embodiment, the panel 29 fits into the cavity 27 such that the dorsal face of the panel 17 is flush with the table top 3, in other embodiments, the notches 35, 37 may be removed, or the panel 29 may be of varying thickness, such that the dorsal face of the panel is not flush with the table top 3.
(16) FIG. 3 depicts another preferred embodiment of the claimed invention. This particular embodiment is also in table form 37, with the major components including the table top 39 and a plurality of legs 41, 43, 45, 47, and these components 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 comprise the furniture item structure of this particular embodiment. The table top 39 can be of any shape or size, depicted here as being circular. The cavity 49 in the table top 39 is sized to fit a different panel 53 or panels than that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The lip 51 inside the cavity 49 supports the panel 53 when it is placed inside. Unlike in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, there are no means of attachment to secure the panel 53 inside the cavity 49 of the table top 39. Instead, gravity acts to secure the ventral face of the panel 57 to the lip 51 and keep the panel 53 in place once it is placed inside the cavity 49. The dorsal face of the panel 55, unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, houses a utility element in the form of a tray 59 with handles as opposed to an aesthetic or ornamental design. In other embodiments, other utility elements may be housed on the dorsal face of a given panel; additionally, the panel and cavity may be of different shapes and sizes than what is depicted in this particular embodiment. The ventral face of the panel 57 sits on the lip 51 inside the cavity 49 such that the dorsal face of the panel 55 is flush with the table top 39, and only the handles of the tray 59 protrude from the table top 39. In this embodiment and others, there may be multiple panels sized to fit the cavity 49 that depict different ornamental or aesthetic designs, or panels that display other utility elements such as a game board or candelabra.
(17) FIG. 4 depicts the third preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in the form of a headboard 61. The major components include the anterior face of the headboard 79, two legs 75, 77, the top 81, and the posterior face (not visible, but referenced as 83); these components 75, 77, 79, 81, 83 comprise the furniture item structure of this preferred embodiment. In this particular embodiment, the panel 29 that fits into the cavity 89 of the headboard 61 is the same panel that fits into the cavity of the table in FIG. 1. This is an example of how panels may be interchanged between furniture pieces having cavities of similar sizes. In addition to having a cavity 89 that temporarily retains the larger panel 29, this particular embodiment has two additional cavities 85, 87 that house different panels 63, 65. Two supports 91 running parallel to the ground are attached to the posterior face of the headboard 83, and, similar to FIG. 1, these supports 91 have magnets 93 that correspond to different magnets 21, 71 on the posterior faces of the appropriate panels 63, 65, 29. The panels 63, 65 that fit into the smaller cavities 85, 87 are similar in design to the panel 29 depicted here and in FIG. 1, such that the posterior faces 73 houses magnets 71 inside of notches (not visible and therefore not provided with a reference numeral) where the corresponding magnets of the supports 93 fit into, rendering the anterior faces of the panels 67 to be flush with the anterior face of the headboard 79 when the panels 63, 65 are inserted into the cavities 85, 87. The smaller panels 63, 65 have aesthetic designs of Christmas trees 69 on the anterior faces 67. In this embodiment and others, there may be multiple panels (not depicted) designed to fit in the same cavity of a given furniture item. For example, in this particular embodiment, there may be a panel housing a battery-powered reading light on the anterior face that fits into one of the smaller cavities 85, 87, or a panel with a different aesthetic design.
(18) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of same preferred embodiment as FIG. 4. This perspective view of the headboard 95 shows the supports 91 running parallel to the floor along the posterior face of the headboard 83, secured behind the cavities 85, 87, 89 and housing magnets 93 for the appropriate panels to attach to.
(19) FIG. 6 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in chair form 97. The major components include a seat 99, legs 101, 103, 105, 107, a back 109, and spindles 113. The furniture item structure of this embodiment comprises these major components 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 113. There are two cavities 111, 115 in this embodiment that house different panels 63, 117. The panel 63 that goes into the cavity 111 in the back of the chair is the same panel from FIG. 4, again showing that panels can be interchanged from one furniture piece to another having a cavities(s) of similar size. The panels 63, 117 attach to the chair in this embodiment with magnets similarly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. In this and other embodiments, there may be other panels (not shown) that fit into the cavities in the seat 115 and the back of the chair 111 that depict different ornamental designs, cushions, or other utility elements. If so desired, these other panels may be placed into different cavities in different furniture items as well.
(20) FIG. 7 shows the fifth preferred embodiment of the claimed invention in table form 119. The major components include a table top 121, a plurality of legs 123, 125, 127 (fourth leg not visible and therefore not provided with a reference numeral), and side stretchers 129. These major components 119, 121, 123, 125, 127 (fourth leg not visible), 129 make up the furniture item structure of this particular embodiment in table form. The furniture item structure can be composed of any sturdy material capable of retaining a static shape, being composed of wood in this particular embodiment. The table top 121 can be of any shape and size, depicted as a rectangle in this particular embodiment. The plurality of legs may similarly be of any shape, size, or design, provided that they support the table top in sitting above the ground. The lip 133 inside the cavity 131 supports a myriad of panels 135, 137, 141 when such a panel is placed inside. Like in FIG. 3, there are no means of attachment to secure the panels 135, 137, 141 inside the cavity 131 of the table top 121. In this particular embodiment, slots 139 are incorporated into the furniture item under the table top 121 to house appropriately sized panels, such as the panels 135, 137, 141 shown. The side stretches 129 on each side of the table form protrusions on the underside of table between the legs 123, 125, 127 that allow unused panels 141 to slide in and rest in the slots 139 resulting from said protrusions. In this manner, unused panels 141 can be stored when not in use. In other embodiments, racks, slots, or holders may be incorporated into different furniture items in different manners. For example, for an embodiment in table form, multiple spindles may run underneath the seat and create slots similar to this embodiment, and different panels may be stored in such slots when not in use.
