Quick assembly furniture

Abstract

A bookcase includes a furniture carcass (1) having a bight panel (1a) and two wing panels (1b, 1c). The bight panel (1a) has hinge edges (2a, 2b), and one of the wing panels (1b, 1c) may be hinged with each of the hinge edges (2a, 2b). The wing panels (1b, 1c) and the bight panel (1a) form a U-shaped open sided case configuration, with the wing panels (1b, 1c) and hinges (2a, 2b) capable of being folded from the U-shaped configuration to an at least semi-flat panel configuration. A pair of interlocking shelves (3a, 3b) form a box panel which interconnects the two wing panels (1b, 1c) and holds the furniture carcass (1) in the U-shaped configuration. A base (4a) and a top (4b) mate with the furniture carcass (1).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 893,943 filed Mar. 9, 2007.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING[0004]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]1. Field of the Invention[0006]The invention relates to furniture case goods, which are known to include desks, dressers, shelving cabinets, and the like, and, more particularly, to adaptation of furniture case goods so that they may be collapsed to achieve efficiency in transportation and convenient reassembly.[0007]2. Background Art[0008]Supply chain management is a critical aspect of how goods, including furniture, are made readily available and provided at low cost to customers. Fully assembled case goods are difficult to manage and are thereby relatively expensive to ship and deliver. Fully assembled c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Further, a unit according to the invention may be easily transported to its final destination, even if such destination is the penthouse suite of a 200-year-old apartment building. While this semi-flat approach to the solution may have a larger carton than traditional ready to assemble (RTA) or knock down, flat pack furniture, typically about 50% larger, quick assembly furniture of the invention will be much smaller than a comparable pre-assembled case good, typically about 75% smaller. Thus, this inventive provides notable improvement, including smaller cartons for easier logistics and a high level fit and finish of the end product.

Problems solved by technology

Fully assembled case goods are difficult to manage and are thereby relatively expensive to ship and deliver.

Fully assembled case goods are not easily delivered to a customer's home, because of stairs, small rooms and other “obstacles” which are typically large, cumbersome items.

Fully assembled case goods also occupy large volumes of space in transit from their source of origin to the ultimate customer, and volume increases shipping costs.

On the other hand, while unassembled units may be easier to deliver, they require too much time and too much skill to assemble in the customer's home, making this a non-option in supply chain management consideration.

Images