Flat-pack, snap-together furniture system

Abstract

A furniture system includes a tabletop and legs. The tabletop has an underframe system that defines a storage slot and includes a leg base that defines a leg slot. The legs are receivable within the storage slot to support the legs in a storage configuration within the underframe system. The legs have a head end and a bottom end. The head end has a first branch and a second branch that are receivable within the leg slot. The first branch is separated from the second branch by a pivot channel such that the first branch is pivotable relative to the second branch. The second branch is engageable with a first end portion of the leg slot. After the second branch is engaged with the leg slot and after the first branch is pivoted relative to the pivot channel, the first branch is engageable with a second end portion of the leg slot.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 067,376, filed on August 19, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to furniture, and more particularly to flat - pack, click - together furniture. Background art

[0004] Flat - pack, click - together furniture is typically assembled by the end - user from flat pieces and is thus easy to store and transport in an unassembled form. Flat - pack, click - together furniture often suffers from instability and, in some cases, is made overly complex or uses more permanent fastening or construction methods to stabilize the furniture. However, this makes the furniture more cumbersome for the end - user and reduces some of the portability and ease - of - use associated with this type of furniture. Additionally, using fasteners (such as screws or nails, etc.) to stabilize the furniture generally extends the amount of time required for assembly and perpetuates the difficulty of such assembly. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a flat - pack, click - together furniture system that includes a tabletop and legs. The tabletop has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side has a chassis system. The chassis system includes a leg base that defines an elongate leg slot. The chassis system also defines a storage slot. The legs are receivable within the storage slot to support the legs within the chassis system in a storage configuration where the furniture system has a low profile. The legs have a head end and a bottom end. The head end has a first branch and a second branch that are receivable within the elongate leg slot. The first branch is separated from the second branch by a pivot channel such that the first branch is pivotable relative to the second branch. The second branch is capable of engaging a first end of the elongate leg slot. After the second branch engages the elongate leg slot and after the first branch pivots relative to the pivot channel, the first branch is capable of engaging a second end of the elongate leg slot.

[0006] In an aspect, the first branch may be coupled to the leg by a hinge.

[0007] In an aspect, the first branch may include a first tab on a first side of the first branch, and wherein each leg base may define a first tab groove. When the first branch pivots from its temporary position to its permanent position, the first tab groove may be positioned to receive the first tab. The second branch may include a second tab on a first side of the second branch, and wherein each leg base may define a second tab groove. The second tab groove may be configured to receive the second tab before the first tab. The second tab may serve as a pivot about which the corresponding leg pivots.

[0008] In an aspect, the plurality of legs may include a flexible material. The flexible material may include at least one of HDPE or plywood.

[0009] In an aspect, each storage slot of the plurality of storage slots includes a locking rib that may be received between the first and second branches of the corresponding leg to secure the corresponding leg within the corresponding storage slot. Each storage slot may include a protrusion that engages the bottom surface of the corresponding leg of the plurality of legs to facilitate securing the corresponding leg within the corresponding storage slot.

[0010] In an aspect, the bottom end portion of the leg may be angled relative to the head end portion of the leg.

[0011] According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a flat-pack, snap-together furniture system. The furniture system includes a tabletop and legs. The tabletop has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side has a bottom frame system. The bottom frame system includes leg bases that define elongated leg slots. The bottom frame system further defines storage slots. The legs may be received within the storage slots to support the legs within the bottom frame system in a storage configuration in which the furniture system has a low profile. The legs have a head end portion and a bottom end portion. The head end portion has a first branch and a second branch that may be received within the elongated leg slots. The first branch is separated from the second branch by a pivot channel such that the first branch is capable of pivoting relative to the second branch. The second branch is capable of engaging a first end of the elongated leg slot. After the second branch engages the elongated leg slot and after the first branch pivots relative to the pivot channel, the first branch is capable of engaging a second end of the elongated leg slot.

[0012] In an aspect, the first branch may include a first tab on a first side of the first branch, and wherein the leg base may define a first tab groove. When the first branch pivots from its temporary position to its permanent position, the first tab groove may be positioned to receive the first tab.

[0013] In an aspect, the second branch may include a second tab on a first side of the second branch, and wherein the leg base may define a second tab groove. The second tab groove may be configured to receive the second tab before the first tab.

[0014] In one aspect, the storage slot may include locking ribs that can be received between the first and second branches of the leg to secure the leg within the storage slot. The storage slot may include a protrusion that engages the bottom surface of the leg to facilitate securing the leg within the storage slot.

[0015] In one aspect, the furniture system may further include a shelf assembly that can be selectively attached to the tabletop. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate aspects of the disclosure and, together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a furniture system in a storage configuration according to the principles of the disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is of a furniture system in an assembled configuration according to the principles of the disclosure Figure 1 top perspective view;

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 2 bottom perspective view;

[0020] Figures 4A - 4D is a progressive view illustrating Figures 1 - 3 the legs of a furniture system fixed to the Figures 1 - 3 leg bases of the tabletop of a furniture system to set the furniture system in an assembled configuration;

[0021] Figures 5A - 5F is a progressive view illustrating Figures 1 - 3 the legs of a furniture system fixed to the Figures 1 - 3 storage slots of the tabletop of a furniture system to set the furniture system in a storage configuration;

[0022] Figures 6A - 6D is a progressive view illustrating the legs fixed to the storage chassis Figures 5A - 5F of;

[0023] Figure 7A is a perspective view of a tabletop shelf assembly according to the principles of the disclosure, shown in an unassembled configuration;

[0024] Figure 7B is shown in an assembled configuration Figure 7A perspective view of the tabletop shelf assembly;

[0025] Figures 8A - 8D is a progressive view illustrating the shelf legs of the tabletop shelf assembly fixed to the shelf chassis of the tabletop shelf;

[0026] Figure 9A and Figure 9B are progressive views illustrating a Figure 7B desktop shelf assembly fixed to another furniture system;

[0027] Figures 11A - 11D are progressive views illustrating Figure 7B the shelf legs of the desktop shelf assembly coupled to Figure 9A and Figure 9B the mounting ribs of a furniture system;

[0028] Figure 12A and Figure 12B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of another furniture system in an assembled configuration according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 13A and Figure 13B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of yet another furniture system in an assembled configuration according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 14A and Figure 14B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of still another furniture system in an assembled configuration according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 15A and Figure 15B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of another furniture system in an assembled configuration according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

[0032] Figure 16A and Figure 16B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of yet another furniture system in an assembled configuration according to the principles of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0033] Aspects of the disclosed systems and methods are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to the same or corresponding elements in each of the several figures. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with unnecessary detail.

[0034] The furniture system of the present disclosure is a flat-pack, snap-together furniture joint system.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 - 6D, the furniture system 10 includes a tabletop 12 and a plurality of legs 14 that snap-fit to a chassis system 16 of the tabletop 12. The tabletop 12 includes a top side 12a that is generally used as a work surface and a bottom side 12b that secures the legs 14 to the tabletop 12. The tabletop 12 also includes a long side 12y and a short side 12x. The chassis system 16 is disposed on the bottom side 12b of the tabletop 12 and can be secured to the bottom side 12b of the tabletop 12 using, for example, fasteners "F" (such as nails or screws), although any suitable securing technique (e.g., adhesives, welding, etc.) can be used. The chassis system 16 includes a plurality of leg bases 18 disposed at spaced positions around the outer edge of the chassis system 16 (e.g., one adjacent to each of the four corners 12d of the tabletop 12). Each leg base 18 defines an elongated leg slot 18a therein. The elongated leg slot 18a includes an inner end 18b and an outer end 18c. The inner end 18b is positioned closer to the center 12c of the tabletop 12 than the corresponding outer end 18c, and the outer end 18c is disposed closer to one of the corresponding corners 12d of the tabletop 12 than the corresponding inner end 18a. The inner end 18b defines a rear tab groove 18d therein, and the outer end 18c defines a front tab groove 18e therein. The leg bases 18 are configured to secure the legs 14 to the chassis system 16 to hold the furniture system 10 in an assembled configuration in which the furniture system 10 has an extended profile.

[0036] The chassis system 16 of the furniture system 10 further defines a plurality of storage slots 20 for storing the plurality of legs 14 within the chassis system 16 to maintain the furniture system 10 in a storage configuration in which the furniture system 10 has a low profile. Each storage slot 20 is shaped to conform to one of the legs 14. The storage slot 20 includes a head end 20a and a bottom end 20b. The head end portion 20a includes a front tab cutout 20c on a first side of the head end 20a and a rear tab cutout 20d on a second side of the head end portion 20a. The head end portion 20a further includes a locking rib 20e disposed between the front tab cutout 20c and the rear tab cutout 20d. The locking rib 20e extends from a first end 20f of the storage slot 20 toward a second end 20g of the storage slot 20. A protrusion 20h extends from the second end 20g of the storage slot 20 on the bottom end 20b toward the first end 20f of the storage slot 20.

[0037] The legs 14 of the furniture system 10 are selectively removable from the leg bases 18 of the underframe system 16 and are configured to be stored within storage slots 20 to reduce the profile of the system in a flat-packaged form for easier storage. Each leg 14 includes a head end 14a and a bottom end 14b angled relative to the head end 14a such that the leg 14 can provide increased support for the tabletop 12. Although shown at an angle "A" of approximately 10 degrees to 20 degrees relative to a line orthogonal to the floor, the angle "A" can have any suitable angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to a line orthogonal to the floor.

[0038] The head end 14a of the leg 14 includes a rear branch 14c and a front branch 14d separated by a pivot channel 14e that enables the front branch 14d to pivot from its permanent position (see Figure 4A ) to its temporary position (see Figure 4C ). Specifically, the front branch 14d is coupled to the leg 20 via a hinge 15 and is configured to pivot into the pivot channel 14e of the leg 14 about the hinge 15 toward the rear branch 14c when a force is applied to the front branch 14d, as indicated by the arrow "P". For example, such a force can be applied when a user squeezes the head end 14a toward the rear branch 14c and / or presses on the front branch 14d. When the force is removed, the front branch 14d is configured to pivot back toward its initial position (e.g., biased or pushed toward its initial position) and away from the rear branch 14c, as indicated by the arrow "B" (see Figure 4D)。At least a portion of the leg 14 is made of a flexible material, such as HDPE or plywood. The rear branch 14c includes a rear tab 14f, and the rear tab 14f can be received within a rear tab groove 18d of the leg base 18 to secure the rear branch 14c to the inner end 18b of the leg base 18. The bottom end 14b can pivot in a rearward direction about the rear tab 14f, as indicated by arrow "I", to facilitate insertion of the rear tab 14f into the rear tab groove 18d. The front branch 14d includes a front tab 14g, and the front tab 14g can be received within a front tab groove 18e of the leg base 18 to secure the front branch 14d to the outer end 18c of the leg base 18 when the front branch 14d pivots back to its initial position. In particular, with the rear tab 14f received within the rear tab groove 18d, the bottom end 14b can pivot in a forward direction (opposite to the rearward direction) as indicated by arrow "J", whereby the rear tab 14f serves as a pivot point to pivot the front branch 14d upwardly into the elongated leg slot 18a. Then, with the rear branch 14c and the front branch 14d disposed within the elongated leg slot 18a of the leg base 18, the applied actuating force can be removed such that the front tab 14g pivots (as indicated by arrow "B") about the hinge 15 and into the front tab groove 18e of the leg base 18 to lock the leg 14 to the leg base 18.

[0039] Each leg 14 is secured to a respective one of the leg bases 18 until all four legs 14 are secured to the tabletop 12 such that the legs 14 can support the tabletop 12 above the floor / ground in the assembled configuration ( Figure 2 )。Each leg 14 may include a footing 11 on the bottom surface of the bottom end 14b to protect the bottom surface of the leg 14 and / or the surface of the floor on which the furniture system 10 is placed.

[0040] When the furniture system 10 needs to be moved and / or stored away, each leg 14 can be removed by applying an actuating force to each front branch 14d and pivoting the leg 14 away from the respective leg base 18 to separate the leg 14 from the tabletop 12.

[0041] As best shown in Figures 5A - 6D , to set the furniture system 10 in a storage configuration, each leg 14 can be inserted into a respective one of the storage slots 20. To help facilitate securing of the legs 14 to the storage slots 20 of the tabletop 12, the front branch 14d of the leg 14 defines a rib channel 14y in its rear surface, and the rear branch 14c of the leg 14 defines a rib channel 14x in its front surface, and the rib channel 14x is arranged to be aligned with the rib channel 14y of the front branch 14d. The rib channels 14y, 14x are arranged to communicate with the pivot channel 14e and are positioned to align with the locking ribs 20e of the storage channel 20.

[0042] To enable the leg 14 to be inserted into the storage slot 20, the corresponding leg 14 is angled relative to the corresponding storage slot 20 such that the bottom end 14b of the corresponding leg 14 can be positioned against the projection 20h of the corresponding storage slot 20 (see Figure 5B and Figure 6A ). The leg 14 is then pivoted downwardly about the projection 20h into the storage slot 20 as indicated by the arrow "K" until the rib channels 14y, 14x receive the locking rib 20e of the storage channel 20 (e.g., friction fit). The locking rib 20e and the projection 20h of the storage slot 20 fix the leg 14 within the storage slot 14 such that the furniture system 10 can be easily stored. To remove the leg 14, the front branch 14d and the rear branch 14c can be separated from the locking rib 20e such that the leg 14 can be pivoted out of the storage slot 20 as needed to reassemble the furniture system 10.

[0043] As can be appreciated, in many respects, the relative positions of the rear branch 14d and the front branch 14c (and all corresponding structures of the furniture system 10) can be reversed.

[0044] Turning now to Figures 7A - 11D , a furniture system 10' can include a tabletop shelf assembly 100 that is selectively attachable to the tabletop 212 of the furniture system 10'. The tabletop 212 of the furniture system 10' is substantially similar to the tabletop 12 but includes shelf ribs 214 that extend along the long edge 212a of the bottom surface of the tabletop 212. In some aspects, the shelf ribs 212a can extend along the short edge 212b of the bottom surface of the tabletop 212. The tabletop shelf assembly 100 includes a shelf assembly 110 and an arm member 120 that couples the shelf assembly 110 to the tabletop 12. The shelf assembly 110 includes a top surface 110a and a bottom surface 110b that supports the arm base 110c. The arm base 110c is substantially similar in structure and operation to the leg base 18 of the tabletop 12 and thus will not be described in detail for the sake of brevity. The arm member 120 includes a head end 120a and a bottom end 120b. The head end 120a includes a first branch 122 that is substantially similar to the front branch 14d of the head end 14a of the leg 14, and a second branch 124 that is substantially similar to the rear branch 14c of the head end 14a of the leg 14. As Figures 8A - 8D shown, the first branch 122 and the second branch 124 of the head end 120a are coupled to the arm base 110c in substantially the same manner as the front branch 14d and the rear branch 14c of the leg 14 to the leg base 18. Thus, since the head end 120a of the arm member 120 is substantially similar in structure and operation to the head end 14a of the leg 14, the head end 120a of the arm member 120 will not be described further for the sake of brevity.

[0045] Referring toFigure 11A , the bottom end portion 120b of the arm 120 includes a balance bar 126 that extends distally from the arm member 120 and is configured to be slidably mounted on the top surface 212t of the tabletop 212. The bottom end portion 120b further includes a flexible hook 128 that hangs down from the proximal end of the balance bar 128. The flexible hook 128 includes a table fulcrum 128a and a flexible finger 130, and the table fulcrum 128a is configured to engage the side surface of the tabletop 212. The flexible finger 130 has a distal tooth 132. The flexible finger 130 is pivotable about a proximal hinge 134 between an unbent position (see Figure 11B ) and a bent position ( Figure 11C ), as indicated by the arrows "M" and "N", because when the tabletop shelf assembly 100 is moved distally to approach the tabletop 212, the flexible finger 130 cams along the shelf rib 214 of the tabletop 212 to fix the tabletop shelf assembly 100 to the tabletop 212. To remove the tabletop shelf assembly 100, the flexible finger 130 is bent downward, as indicated by the arrow "M", so that when the tabletop shelf assembly 100 slides proximally away from the tabletop 212 to separate the tabletop shelf assembly 100 from the tabletop 212, the flexible hook 128 can cam proximally along the shelf rib 214.

[0046] Turning now to Figures 12A to 16B , the furniture system of the present disclosure can have any of a variety of shapes and configurations as illustrated by the furniture systems 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600. For example, the furniture system of the present disclosure can be in the form of a table (e.g., a dining table, a coffee table, a side table, or an end table), a bench, a stool, or other suitable furniture.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will understand that the structures and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the drawings are non-limiting example aspects, and the description, disclosure, and drawings should be construed only as examples of specific aspects. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise aspects described, and those skilled in the art can implement various other changes and modifications without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Additionally, it is contemplated that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary aspect can be combined with the elements and features of another exemplary aspect without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications and variations are also intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, any combination of any disclosed elements and features is within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described.

Claims

1. A flat-pack, snap-together furniture system, comprising: A tabletop having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side having a chassis system including a plurality of leg bases, each leg base defining an elongate leg slot, the chassis system further defining a plurality of storage slots; And A plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs being receivable within a respective one of the plurality of storage slots to support the plurality of legs within the chassis system in a storage configuration in which the furniture system has a low profile, each leg having a head end and a bottom end, the head end having a first branch and a second branch, the first branch and the second branch being receivable within an elongate leg slot of a respective one of the plurality of leg bases, the first branch being separated from the second branch by a pivot channel such that the first branch is pivotable relative to the second branch, the second branch being engageable with a first end of the elongate leg slot, and after the second branch is engaged with the elongate leg slot and after the first branch is pivoted relative to the pivot channel, the first branch being engageable with a second end of the elongate leg slot, Wherein each of the plurality of storage slots includes a locking rib receivable between the first and second branches of a respective leg to secure the respective leg within the respective storage slot.

2. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein The first branch is coupled to the leg by a hinge.

3. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein The first branch includes a first tab on a first side of the first branch, and wherein each leg base defines a first tab groove positioned to receive the first tab when the first branch pivots from a temporary position of the first branch to a permanent position of the first branch.

4. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of legs includes a flexible material.

5. The furniture system according to claim 4, wherein, The flexible material includes at least one of HDPE or plywood.

6. The furniture system according to claim 3, wherein, The second branch includes a second tab on a first side of the second branch, and wherein each leg base defines a second tab groove configured to receive the second tab before the first tab.

7. The furniture system according to claim 6, wherein, The second tab serves as a pivot about which the respective leg pivots.

8. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein, Each storage slot includes a protrusion that engages the bottom surface of a respective one of the plurality of legs to facilitate securing the respective leg within the respective storage slot.

9. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom end of the leg is angled relative to the head end of the leg.

10. A flat-pack, snap-together furniture system, comprising: A tabletop having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side having a chassis system including a leg base defining an elongate leg slot, the chassis system further defining a storage slot; And A leg that can be received within the storage slot to support the leg in a storage configuration within the underframe system, in which the furniture system has a low profile. The leg has a head end and a bottom end. The head end has a first branch and a second branch that can be received within an elongate leg slot. The first branch is separated from the second branch by a pivot channel such that the first branch can pivot relative to the second branch. The second branch can engage a first end of the elongate leg slot. After the second branch engages the elongate leg slot and after the first branch pivots relative to the pivot channel, the first branch can engage a second end of the elongate leg slot. Wherein the storage slot includes a locking rib that can be received between the first and second branches of the leg to secure the leg within the storage slot.

11. The furniture system according to claim 10, wherein, The first branch is coupled to the leg by a hinge.

12. The furniture system according to claim 10, wherein, The first branch includes a first tab located on a first side of the first branch, and wherein the leg base defines a first tab groove that is positioned to receive the first tab when the first branch pivots from a temporary position of the first branch to a permanent position of the first branch.

13. The furniture system according to claim 10, wherein, The leg includes a flexible material.

14. The furniture system according to claim 12, wherein, The second branch includes a second tab located on a first side of the second branch, and wherein the leg base defines a second tab groove that is configured to receive the second tab before the first tab.

15. The furniture system according to claim 14, wherein, The second tab serves as a pivot about which the leg pivots.

16. The furniture system according to claim 10, wherein, The storage slot includes a protrusion that engages the bottom surface of the leg to facilitate securing the leg within the storage slot.

17. The furniture system according to claim 10, wherein, The bottom end of the leg is angled relative to the head end of the leg.

18. The furniture system according to claim 10, further comprising a shelf assembly that can be selectively attached to the tabletop.

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