Segmented frame furniture system

Abstract

A furniture assembly and its associated method of use. The assembly includes a plurality of lateral elements. Each of the lateral elements is held in parallel and forms the primary surfaces of the furniture. The lateral elements are held together in parallel by interconnected rigid linkage elements. Each rigid linkage element engages two adjacent elongated elements. The rigid linkage elements can fold into two configurations. In a first configuration, the rigid linkage elements lock together and form a first piece of furniture. In a second configuration, the rigid linkage elements either enable the assembly to be folded for storage or lock together to form a second piece of furniture.

1 . A furniture assembly, comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated lateral elements, each of said lateral elements having a first end and a second end;    a plurality of rigid linkage elements arranged in parallel rows, each of said rigid linkage elements in each row engaging and supporting two of said plurality of elongated elements, thereby interlinking all of said lateral elements, wherein each of said rigid linkage elements in each row has a shape that contacts and inhibits an adjacent rigid linkage element in that same row when said rigid linkage elements are in a first configuration that forms a piece of furniture.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid linkage elements are selectively positionable between said first configuration, where said rigid linkage elements form a piece of furniture, and a second stowed configuration that occupies a smaller volume of space than said piece of furniture.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid linkage elements are selectively positionable between said first configuration, where said rigid linkage elements form a first piece of furniture, and a second configuration that forms a second piece of furniture.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said piece of furniture is selected from a group consisting of chairs and tables.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said lateral elements have circular cross-section, and wherein said rigid linkage elements engage said lateral elements but are free to rotate around said lateral elements.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a plurality of soft linkage elements, wherein said lateral elements extend through at least some of said soft linkage elements.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said piece of furniture is a chair having a base, a seat that is supported a predetermined height above said base, and a backrest that extends upwardly from said seat.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein both said first end and said second end of said lateral elements engage rigid linkage elements, whereby each lateral element is supported between separate rigid linkage elements.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein all of said lateral elements are supported in a parallel configuration by said rigid linkage elements.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said lateral elements are selected from a group consisting of solid bars, semi-solid bars and hollow tubes.  
     
     
         11 . A chair assembly, comprising: 
 a plurality of lateral elements;    a plurality of rigid linkage elements interconnecting said plurality of lateral elements in a parallel configuration, wherein said rigid linkage elements are arranged in parallel rows, wherein said rigid linkage elements in each of said parallel rows are shaped to lock against adjacent rigid linkage elements in that same row, causing said lateral elements to form a chair having a base, a seat supported a predetermined distance above said base and a backrest extending upwardly from said seat.    
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said rigid linkage elements enable said lateral elements to be collapsed into a storable configuration smaller than said chair.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said rigid linkage elements enable said lateral elements to be selectively altered from said chair into another piece of furniture.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein each of said lateral elements have circular cross-section, and wherein said rigid linkage elements engage said lateral elements but are free to rotate around said lateral elements.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , further including a plurality of soft linkage elements, wherein each of said lateral elements pass through at least some of said plurality of soft linkage elements.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein each of said lateral elements has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end and said second end of said lateral elements engage rigid linkage elements, whereby each lateral element is supported between separate rigid linkage elements.  
     
     
         17 - 18 . (Cancelled)