MODULAR FURNITURE OBJECTS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A modular furniture object may include a set of panels. The set of panels may include a plurality of nesting panels and a plurality of side panels securable to the nesting panels. The nesting panels may include one or more nesting protrusions. A method of establishing a modular furniture object is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A modular furniture object comprising: a set of panels comprising: a plurality of nesting panels; and a plurality of side panels securable to the nesting panels; wherein the nesting panels include one or more nesting protrusions, the nesting protrusion includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery, and a contour of the outer periphery is dimensioned to substantially follow a contour of the inner periphery.

2. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the one or more nesting protrusions include a plurality of nesting protrusions distributed along a face of the nesting panel.

3. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 2, wherein: the nesting protrusions are spaced symmetrically along the face of the nesting panel.

4. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the one or more nesting protrusions extend from an undersurface of the nesting panel; the nesting panels include a top nesting panel and a bottom nesting panel; and the side panels are securable to the top and bottom nesting panels to establish a cavity such that the one or more nesting protrusions of the top nesting panel extend into the cavity and the one or more nesting protrusions of the bottom nesting panel extend away from the cavity.

5. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the side panel includes a side protrusion that establishes a rail.

6. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 5, wherein: the side protrusions of the side panels are arranged to establish opposing rails adapted to support a component.

7. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the side panels include a plurality of flanges securable to the nesting panels; and the flanges are formed from bending.

8. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the panels are monolithic.

9. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the panels are formed from sheet metal.

10. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the one or more nesting protrusions are formed by stamping.

11. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the side panels are secured to the nesting panels to establish a substantially cubic geometry.

12. The modular furniture object as recited in claim 1, wherein: the nesting panel includes an indexing flange; and the side panel includes a recess dimensioned to at least partially receive the indexing flange to index the nesting panel and the side panel relative to each other.

13. A modular furniture system comprising: a plurality of modular furniture objects including a first modular furniture object and a second modular furniture object, wherein the modular furniture object comprises: a plurality of nesting panels including one or more nesting protrusions, wherein the nesting protrusion includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery; and a plurality of side panels securable to the nesting panels; wherein a contour of the outer periphery of the one or more nesting protrusions of the first modular furniture object substantially mates with a contour of the inner periphery of the one or more nesting protrusions of the second modular furniture object to nest the first and second modular furniture objects with each other.

14. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 13, wherein: the one or more nesting protrusions include a plurality of nesting protrusions distributed along a face of the nesting panel; and the nesting protrusions are spaced symmetrically along the face of the nesting panel such that the first modular furniture object is stackable in different rotational configurations relative to the second modular furniture object.

15. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 14, wherein: the rotational configurations are established in 90-degree increments.

16. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of components; wherein the side panels includes side protrusions that establish respective rails; and wherein the side protrusions of the side panels of the modular furniture objects are arranged to establish opposing rails adapted to support the components.

17. The modular furniture system as recited in claim 13, further comprising: a power grommet insertable in the one or more nesting protrusions.

18. A method of establishing a modular furniture object comprising: forming one or more nesting protrusions in a set of nesting panels, wherein the nesting protrusion includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery, and a contour of the outer periphery is dimensioned to substantially follow a contour of the inner periphery; forming flanges and a rail in a set of side panels; and securing the nesting panels to the flanges of the side panels to establish a modular furniture object including a cavity, wherein the rails of the side panels oppose each other to support a component received in the cavity.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein: the one or more nesting protrusions include a plurality of nesting protrusions spaced symmetrically along a face of the nesting panel.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein: the panels are formed from sheet metal; the step of forming the one or more nesting protrusions includes stamping the sheet metal; the step of forming the rail includes stamping the sheet metal; and the step of forming the flanges include bending the sheet metal.

21. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the nesting panels include a first nesting panel and a second nesting panel, and further comprising: stacking the first and second nesting panels to establish a packable configuration, including nesting the outer periphery of the one or more nesting protrusions of the first nesting panel with the inner periphery of the one or more nesting protrusions of the second nesting panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 discloses a perspective view of a modular furniture object.

[0029] FIG. 2 discloses an end view of the modular object of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 3 discloses a side view of the modular object of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 4 discloses a top view of a nesting panel of the modular object of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 5 discloses a bottom view of a nesting panel of the modular object of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 6 discloses an isolated perspective view of the nesting panel of the modular object of FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 7 discloses an isolated perspective view of a side panel of the modular object of FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 8 discloses a back view of the side panel of FIG. 7.

[0036] FIG. 9 discloses a side view of the side panel of FIG. 7.

[0037] FIGS. 10-11 disclose perspective sectional views of the modular object taken along lines 10-10 and 11-11 of FIG. 2.

[0038] FIG. 12 discloses an exploded view of the modular object of FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 13 discloses a modular system including an arrangement of modular furniture objects according to an implementation.

[0040] FIGS. 14A-14B disclose sectional views of stacked modular objects taken along line 14A-14A and line 14B-14B of FIG. 13.

[0041] FIG. 15 discloses an arrangement of nesting panels of the modular object in an unassembled configuration.

[0042] FIG. 16 discloses another arrangement of side panels of the modular object in an unassembled configuration.

[0043] FIG. 17 discloses a modular object of FIG. 13 including various components according to an implementation.

[0044] FIG. 18 discloses a modular system according to another implementation.

[0045] FIGS. 19-20 disclose a modular system including modular furniture objects according to yet another implementation.

[0046] FIG. 21 discloses a modular system and a rail system according to another implementation.

[0047] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Disclosed are modular furniture (e.g., integrated modular) objects (IMOs) and associated methods of fabrication and assembly.

[0049] The modular furniture objects (e.g., modules) may be incorporated into a modular storage system. The system may be modified and arranged in a multitude of different ways to fit the needs of the user. The furniture objects may be arranged to establish a relatively lightweight, durable, modular storage system that can be arranged on the floor or mounted on the wall. The system may be established by two or more module(s), which may be nested together. The simple construction and vast connection points may allow for maximum single unit customization and multiple unit arrangements on the ground and/or mounted on a wall using a rail system.

[0050] Each modular object may be established by one or more panels (e.g., plates). The panels may include one or more nesting panels and/or one or more side panels. In implementations, the object may be a lightweight, durable box including four panels. The panels may include a set of the nesting panels and/or a set of the side panels. The nesting panels may include a top nesting panel and a bottom nesting panel.

[0051] Each modular object may include a plurality of holes and/or one or more rows of (e.g., punched) elongated openings (e.g., slots). The slots may be punched into the side panels. One or more holes may be laser cut or otherwise formed in the panel(s) and may be dimensioned to receive a cross brace for horizontal interlocking between adjacent objects. The modular objects may accommodate various components, such as hardware-free drawer inserts, shelves, swinging cabinet fronts, wall mounting, and/or mounts for lateral braces.

[0052] Holes may be stamped or otherwise formed in one or more (e.g., four) corners of the nesting panel. The holes may be associated with respective protrusions (e.g., locators). The locators may serve as legs, which may be useful in elevating the respective modular object from the floor or another surface. The locators may be dimensioned to allow modular objects to nest on top of one another. The locators may be dimensioned to interfit with the hole of an adjacent modular object to facilitate (e.g., uniform) stacking of the modules.

[0053] The hole may be dimensioned to at least partially receive various components, such as a power grommet. The power grommet may be attached to the respective panel. One or more electrical cords may be passed through one or more holes of the respective modular objects, including in a stacked configuration. The locators may be spaced symmetrically along a face of the respective panel such that adjacent modules may be rotatable and stackable in different configurations relative to each other (e.g., rotated and secured in 90-degree increments). The panels may be dimensioned to facilitate flat-packing and case of shipping.

[0054] The panels may incorporate various metallic and/or non-metallic materials. In implementations, the panels may be formed from sheet metal. Various techniques may be utilized to establish the panels and associated features, including stamping, turret punching and/or metal bending.

[0055] In implementations, four pieces of sheet metal may be cut out and may be stamped (e.g., punched) with an array of holes and/or slots. The holes and/or slots may be associated with respective protrusions. The holes and slots may be formed in a variety of sizes. Opposing nesting (e.g., top and bottom) panels and/or opposing side panels may be identical to each other, which may result in two sets of two unique panels. A panel bender may be used to bend the side panels to establish one or more flanges. The top and bottom panels may be secured to the adjacent flanges of the side panels with one or more fasteners. The panels may cooperate to establish a closed rectangular (e.g., cubic) shape with openings on both ends. A cross brace may be positioned in openings of an adjacent pair of the module objects. The cross brace may be secured to the objects with one or more fasteners. The nesting panels and/or side panels may be stacked on each other to facilitate a flat-packable configuration.

[0056] Protrusions associated with the slots may establish opposing rails. One or more components may be dimensioned to slidably engage the rails, such as a drawer or shelf. The rails may provide hardware-free mounting of components within the respective modular object.

[0057] The modular objects and/or modular storage system may interface with a wall mounted rail system and/or one or more connectors (e.g., legs). The connectors may be configured to secure adjacent objects together. In implementations, the connectors may serve as legs dimensioned to raise the object(s) off a floor or other structure.

[0058] The modular objects may be utilized to establish a modular system which may be highly customizable and durable. The modular system may be utilized in a wide variety of environments, including homes, schools and/or offices. The modular objects may be utilized to establish a desk configuration. The modular objects may interface with one or more wall shelves. The modular object may be cantilevered from an adjacent modular object. The modular object may serve as a planter. The modular system may incorporate various features, including lighting, various leg and/or caster configurations, vertical and/or horizontal spacer modules, clothes rods, and/or power panels.

[0059] FIGS. 1-2 disclose a modular (e.g., furniture) object 20 according to an implementation. The modular object 20 may include one or more panels (e.g., plates) 22. The panels 22 may include one or more nesting (e.g., top and bottom) panels 24 and/or one or more side panels 26. The panels 24, 26 may be joined together to establish the object 20. The panels 24, 26 may cooperate to establish a cavity 28. The cavity 28 may be open at opposing ends (e.g., FIG. 2). The panels 22 may incorporate any of the materials disclosed herein. The panels 22 may be formed utilizing any of the techniques disclosed herein. Each panel 22 may be monolithic or may include two or more components fixedly attached or otherwise secured to each other.

[0060] The panels 22 may have various shapes and sizes. In implementations, the panels 22 may have a substantially rectangular (e.g., square) perimeter. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term substantially means 5 percent of the stated value or relationship unless otherwise indicated. The panels 22 may be joined to together such that the modular object 20 may have a substantially cubic geometry.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-2, each side panel 26 may include one or more openings 30. The openings 30 may be established by respective (e.g., side) protrusions 32. In implementations, the openings 30 may be slots established in the respective protrusions 32. The protrusions 32 may be respective rails that may protrude into the cavity 28 (e.g., FIG. 2). The rails may be adapted to support one or more components, including any of the components disclosed herein. The protrusions 32 of the side panels 26 may be arranged to establish opposing rails that may cooperate to support a component, including any of the components disclosed herein. One or more components may be dimensioned to slidably engage the rails, such as a drawer or shelf. The protrusions 32 may be uniformly and/or non-uniformly spaced apart along the side panel 26.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-2, each nesting panel 24 may include one or more (e.g., nesting) openings 34. The openings 34 may be established by respective (e.g., nesting) protrusions (e.g., locators) 36. The nesting opening 34 may be dimensioned to extend through the nesting protrusion 36. The nesting protrusions 36 may be arranged to extend into and/or away from the cavity 28 (e.g., FIG. 2). The protrusion(s) 36 may extend from an undersurface 39 of the nesting panel 24 (e.g., FIG. 15). In implementations, the protrusions 36 may serve as legs for elevating the modular object 20 from a floor or other surface. The protrusion(s) 36 may be adapted to elevate a main body 37 of the nesting panel 24 (e.g., from a floor or other surface). The protrusions 36 may be uniformly and/or non-uniformly spaced apart along the nesting panel 24. In implementations, the protrusions 36 may be uniformly distributed about a center of the nesting panel 24, which may facilitate arranging adjacent modular objects 20 in different orientations relative to each other. The protrusions 36 may be spaced symmetrically along a face of the respective nesting panel 24 such that adjacent modular objects 20 may be rotatable and stackable in different (e.g., rotational) configurations relative to each other (e.g., rotated and secured in 90-degree increments).

[0063] The nesting protrusions 36 may be dimensioned to nest with each other, which may facilitate flat packing the nesting panels 24. An outer periphery 36PO of the protrusion 36 may have a truncated convexly shaped geometry (see also FIG. 5). An inner periphery 36PI of the nesting protrusion 36 may have a truncated concavely shaped geometry (see also FIG. 4). The inner periphery 36PI may establish a recess 36R. A contour of the outer periphery 36PO of the protrusion 36 may be dimensioned to substantially follow a contour of the inner periphery 36PI of the protrusion 36. The protrusion(s) 36 of the nesting panel 24 may be arranged to nest (e.g., interfit) with the protrusion(s) 36 of an adjacent nesting panel 24 (e.g., FIG. 14A). The protrusion(s) 36 may be at least partially received in the recess 36R associated with the protrusion 36 of the adjacent nesting panel 24. The nested panels 24 may establish a stacked configuration of adjacent modular objects 20.

[0064] FIGS. 6-7 disclose isolated views of the nesting panel 24 and side panel 26.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-2, the side panel 26 may include one or more flanges 38. The flanges 38 may extend from a main body 40 of the side panel 26. The flanges 38 may be dimensioned to extend into the cavity 28. The nesting panels 24 may be fixedly attached or otherwise secured to the adjacent flange(s) 38, such as with one or more fasteners F (e.g., FIG. 12).

[0066] FIGS. 10-11 disclose perspective sectional views of the modular object 20 taken along lines 10-10 and 11-11 of FIG. 2.

[0067] The modular object 20 may include one or more indexing features 53 (see also FIGS. 1 and 3). The indexing features 53 may be adapted to index adjacent pairs of the panels 22, including the nesting panels 24 and side panels 26. Indexing the panels 22 may reduce assembly time and/or improve rigidity of the modular object. The index feature 53 may include an indexing flange 55 and a recess (e.g., slot) 57 (see also FIGS. 6-7). The recess 57 may be bounded by a pair of retention flanges 59 (see also FIG. 7). The retention flanges 59 may be established at corners of the side panels 26. A length of the recess 57 may be substantially equal to a length of the indexing flange 55. The recess 57 may be dimensioned to at least partially receive (e.g., mate with) the indexing flange 55 to index the nesting panel 24 and the side panel 26 relative to each other. The indexing flange may be captured between the retention flanges 59.

[0068] FIG. 13 discloses a configuration of a modular system 60 according to an implementation. The modular system 60 may include two or more modular objects 20. The modular objects 20 may be positioned (e.g., vertically and/or horizontally) adjacent to each other. The modular objects 20 may be positioned in a stacked configuration relative to each other. In the implementation of FIG. 14A, the nesting protrusion(s) 36 of the nesting panel 24 may be arranged to nest (e.g., interfit) with the protrusion(s) 36 of an adjacent nesting panel 24. A pair of the modular objects 20 may be arranged such that all protrusions 36 of the nesting panel 24 may nest with the protrusions 36 of the adjacent nesting panel 24 to interlock or otherwise secure the modular objects 20 with each other. A contour of the outer periphery 36PO of the nesting protrusion 36 of a first modular object 20 may substantially mate with a contour of the inner periphery 36PI of the nesting protrusion 36 of a second modular object 20 to nest the first and second modular objects 20 with each other. In the implementation of FIG. 14B, the modular objects 20 may be stacked on each other. The stacked modular objects 20 may be secured to each other with one or more fasteners F.

[0069] The system 60 may include one or more components 62. The components 62 may include one or more drawer inserts, shelves and/or swinging cabinet fronts (e.g. doors). The opening(s) may be dimensioned to receive one or more of the components 62, including an electrical cord 62C. The electrical cord 62C may be a standardized U.S. 3 prong electrical cord. The electrical cord 62C may be (e.g., freely) passed through one or more of the openings 34 (see also FIG. 17). Positioning the electrical cord 62C relative to the opening(s) 34 may facilitate a relatively compact and organized arrangement.

[0070] FIG. 15 discloses an arrangement of the nesting (e.g., top and bottom) panels 24 of the modular object 20 in an unassembled (e.g., packable) configuration. The panels 24 may be stacked on each other, which may establish a flat-packable configuration. The nesting protrusion(s) 36 of the nesting panel(s) 24 may be arranged to nest (e.g., interfit) with the protrusion(s) 36 of an adjacent nesting panel 24.

[0071] FIG. 16 discloses another arrangement of the side panels 26 of the modular object 20 in an unassembled (e.g., packable) configuration. A pair (e.g., set) of the side panels 26 may be arranged (e.g., nested) to establish a rectangular geometry, which may facilitate packing the side panels 26. The arrangement may establish a stackable unit. The flange(s) 38 may extend from an undersurface 41 of the main body 40 of the side panel 26. The side panels 26 may be arranged such that the undersurfaces 41 may face towards each other and such that the flanges 38 may be staggered. Sets of the nested side panels 26 may be stacked on each other.

[0072] FIG. 18 discloses a modular system 160 including a modular object 120 according to another implementation. In this disclosure, like reference numerals designate like elements where appropriate and reference numerals with the addition of one-hundred or multiples thereof designate modified elements that are understood to incorporate the same features and benefits of the corresponding original elements. The modular system 160 may include one or more components 162, including one or more rails 162R which may be dimensioned to slidably receive one or more doors 162D. In the implementation of FIG. 18, the modular object 120 may include a pair of nesting panels 124 and a pair of side panels 126. The nesting panel 124 may have a rectangular geometry. The nesting panel 124 may include a first set of openings and protrusions 134-1, 136-1 and a second set of openings and protrusions 134-2, 136-2. The first set of openings and protrusions 134-1, 136-1 and the second set of openings and protrusions 134-1, 136-2 may have be arranged in substantially the same pattern as each other, but may be offset from each other. The patterns may be substantially the same as a pattern of the modular object 20 such that the nesting protrusions 36 of the modular object 20 may be arranged to nest with the first set of protrusions 136-1 and/or the second set of protrusions 136-2.

[0073] FIGS. 19-20 disclose a modular system 260 according to another implementation. Each side panel 226 may include one or more openings (e.g., slots) 264. The opening(s) 264 may be dimensioned to receive a respective cross (e.g., lateral) brace 266. The cross brace 266 may be fixedly attached or otherwise secured to the nesting panel 224 and/or side panel(s) 226, such as with one or more fasteners F. The cross brace 266 may (e.g., horizontally) interlock adjacent modular objects 220.

[0074] FIG. 21 discloses a modular system 360 according to another implementation. The modular system 360 may include one or more modular objects 320, including any of the modular objects and/or associated configurations disclosed herein. The system 360 may include or may otherwise interface with a rail system 368. One or more modular objects 320 may be fixedly attached or otherwise secured to one or more rails 370 of the rail system 368. The modular objects 320 may be arranged at various vertical positions along the rails 370.

[0075] The simple construction and vast connection points may allow for maximum single unit customization and multiple unit arrangements on the ground and/or mounted on a wall using a rail system.

[0076] Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.

[0077] Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present disclosure.

[0078] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications and variations in light of the above teachings will fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reason the appended claims should be studied to determine true scope and content.