Modular furniture subassembly, component therefor and method of assembling a modular furniture subassembly

Abstract

A modular furniture component that includes a first end provided with an integral connector and an opposite second end adapted to engage a second modular furniture component at and with an integral connector of the second modular furniture component that is identical to the first mentioned connector to thereby, in use, connect the modular furniture component to the second mentioned modular furniture component, to define at least part of a furniture assembly.

1 . A modular furniture component that includes a first end provided with an integral connector and an opposite second end adapted to engage a second modular furniture component at and with an integral connector of said second modular furniture component that is identical to said first mentioned connector to thereby, in use, connect said modular furniture component to said second mentioned modular furniture component, to define at least part of a furniture assembly.  
   
   
       2 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, said component is a panel.  
   
   
       3 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said component defines said first and second ends at two parallel edges thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The modular furniture component as claimed in any one of  claim 1  wherein said connector includes releasable locking means to interact with a said second mentioned component in a manner to releasably lock said components together.  
   
   
       5 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 4  wherein, said releasable locking means is selected from one of (a) a resiliently flexible tab that includes a barb to releasably snap-fit with a barb receiver provided at the second end of a second mentioned component, to thereby lock said first and second mentioned components together, wherein the second end of said first mentioned component includes a barb receiver identical to said first mentioned barb receiver and (b) a barb receiver to be releasably engaged in a snap-fit manner by a barb of a resiliently flexible tab at a second end of a said second mentioned component to thereby lock said first and second mentioned components together, wherein said second end of said first mentioned component includes a resiliently flexible tab that includes a barb, identical to said first mentioned resiliently flexible tab.  
   
   
       6 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said connector includes one part of a two part male and female connection and the second end of said connector includes the other part of said two part male and female connection.  
   
   
       7 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said connector includes one part of a two part mortise and tenon connection and said second end includes the other part of said two part mortise and tenon connection.  
   
   
       8 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the mortise and tenon connection is a dovetail connection.  
   
   
       9 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second ends are defined by straight sides of said component that have been bevelled to, in one view of said component, define a trapezoidal outline shape, said bevelled edges so bevelled to abut like bevelled edges of second mentioned component once said first and second mentioned components are engaged together.  
   
   
       10 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said component includes at least one aperture therethrough for securing said component, by way of a penetrate fastener, to an identical component placed contiguous therewith.  
   
   
       11 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said component is a flat panel of a quadrilateral plan shape and includes a first pair of opposed sides that define said first and second ends that are each to engage with a second and third like component respectively and a second pair of opposed sides that extend at 90 degrees to and between the first pair of opposed sides, said panel including an outer face side that, in use, will be positioned to face outwardly to said assembly and an inner face side that, in use, will be positioned to face inwardly to said assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said panel includes, adjacent and parallel to each second pair of opposed edges, a channel located at the inner face side of said panel, said channel capable of receiving and locating an edge of a base panel that may optionally engage with said assembly, said base panel including an inner face side and an outer face side, wherein when engaged with said component, a normal of each inner and outer face side of said base panel extends in a plane parallel to a plane passing through a normal of the inner and outer face sides of said component and the normal of each inner and outer face sides of said base panel extends perpendicular to the normal of the inner and outer face sides of said component.  
   
   
       13 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said channel extends between said first pair of opposed edges.  
   
   
       14 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 12  wherein a channel cap is provided that may removably engage the component to provide and overcap to said channel.  
   
   
       15 . The plurality of modular furniture components as claimed in  claim 1  wherein all said components are identical.  
   
   
       16 . The item of furniture comprising a plurality of modular furniture components as claimed in  claim 1  wherein all said components are identical and wherein said components are connected to each other by said connectors.  
   
   
       17 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein, when assembled, said components define an endless perimeter.  
   
   
       18 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said components are flat panels that, when connected, each have the normal to their plane lying parallel each other.  
   
   
       19 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said plurality of modular furniture components define an endless perimeter about a component defined cavity that has, at the most, two major openings each opening bounded in part by all said components.  
   
   
       20 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said cavity includes only one opening, said cavity bounded by said components and also by a base panel that extends between all said components.  
   
   
       21 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said components are flat panels that, when connected, each have the normal to their plane lying parallel each other and wherein said cavity includes only one opening, said cavity bounded by said components and also by a base panel that extends between all said components, the normal of said base panel extending perpendicular to the normal of each said components.  
   
   
       22 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each said component is a flat panel of a quadrilateral plan shape and includes a first pair of opposed sides that define said first and second ends that are each to engage with a like component respectively  
   
   
       23 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 22  wherein each said component includes a second pair of opposed sides that extend at 90 degrees to and between the first pair of opposed sides, said panel including an outer face side that, in use, will be positioned to face outwardly to said assembly and an inner face side that, in use, will be positioned to face inwardly to said assembly.  
   
   
       24 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 23  wherein said panel includes, adjacent and parallel to each second pair of opposed edges, a channel located at the inner face side of said panel, each said channel of each panel capable of receiving and/or locating an edge of a base panel, said base panel including an inner face side and an outer face side, wherein when engaged with each said channel, a normal of each inner and outer face side of said base panel extends in a plane parallel to a plane passing through a normal of the inner and outer face sides of said each said panel and the normal of each inner and outer face sides of said base panel extends perpendicular to the normal of the inner and outer face sides of each said panel.  
   
   
       25 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 24  wherein a channel cap is provided that may removably engage a said component to provide and overcap to one of its said channels.  
   
   
       26 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 18  wherein four components are connected to each other, a first pair of parallel-upper and lower components and a second pair of parallel side components.  
   
   
       27 . The item of furniture as claimed is  claim 26  wherein one of said cavity openings is selectively closable by a door that is hinged from said first pair of upper and lower components.  
   
   
       28 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said door is hinged by a hinge located with each of said upper and lower components adjacent one of said side components to define a hinge axis parallel to the plane of a said side components.  
   
   
       29 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said door includes a latch that interacts with at least one of said upper component and lower component and side component to hold said door in a condition closing said one of said cavity openings.  
   
   
       30 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said latch establishes and interference fit with at least one of said upper component and lower component and side component to hold said door in a condition closing said one of said cavity openings in a resiliently resistive manner.  
   
   
       31 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said hinge is defined by two hinge pins that each can locate within an aperture defined in said upper and lower components.  
   
   
       32 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said hinge is defined by two hinge pins that each can locate within an aperture defined in said upper and lower components, each said aperture extending into a respective upper and lower component from a side of said upper and lower component that face each other to allow the each aperture to capture a said hinge pin upon the bringing together of said upper and lower component for assembly of the item of furniture.  
   
   
       33 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 26  wherein each said component includes a shelf mount located intermediate of said first and second ends of said component and by which a shelf can be supported wherein, when assembled, two opposed components of the item of furniture hold said shelf in a manner parallel to the other two opposed components.  
   
   
       34 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein a wine rack is secured within said cavity.  
   
   
       35 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein a fastening aperture is provided through each said component, said fastening aperture capable of receiving at least one of: 
 a) a castor to engage at said fastening aperture of said component to allow said item of furniture to be conveniently mobile; and    b) a penetrative fastener that can extend through said fastening aperture and a fastening aperture of a contiguously placed identical component to said component of said item of furniture, to releasably connect said component of said item of furniture with said contiguously placed component.    
   
   
       36 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 35  wherein said castor includes a mounting shaft that can penetrate said fastening aperture to engage a said component.  
   
   
       37 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 35  wherein said penetrative fastener includes a shaft with a shaft head and a free end that can be engaged by a head, said head and said shaft head being of a shape to prevent their passing through said fastening aperture to thereby capture said component to said contiguously placed identical component.  
   
   
       38 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 20  wherein a fastening aperture is provided through each said component, said fastening aperture capable of receiving at least one of: 
 c) a castor to engage at said fastening aperture of said component to allow said item of furniture to be conveniently mobile; and    d) a penetrative fastener that can extend through said fastening aperture and a fastening aperture of both of (i) a contiguously placed identical component to said component of said item of furniture, to releasably connect said component of said item of furniture with said contiguously placed identical component and (ii) a contiguously placed said base panel that includes fastening aperture.    e)    
   
   
       39 . Two of said item as claimed in  claim 16  and at least one penetrative fastener wherein each said component includes at least one fastening aperture therethrough, the two items releasably engaged together by said penetrate fastener when a component of one item is placed contiguous a component of another of said items.  
   
   
       40 . Two of said item as claimed in  claim 20  and at least one penetrative fastener wherein each said component includes at least one fastening aperture there through, and said base panel includes at least one fastening aperture there through, said items releasably engaged together by said penetrate fastener when a base panel of one item is placed contiguous a component of another of said items.  
   
   
       41 . A modular furniture component that includes a first end including a connector and an opposite second end adapted to engage a said connector of a second said modular furniture component to thereby, in use, connect said modular furniture component to said second mentioned modular furniture component, wherein said connector includes one part of a two part mortise and tenon connection, and a barbed locking tab to releasably lock said component and said second mentioned component together.  
   
   
       42 . The modular furniture assembly, constructed from a plurality of modular furniture components as claimed in  claim 1  that are connected to each other by each said connector.  
   
   
       43 . The modular furniture assembly as claimed in  claim 42  wherein four modular furniture components are connected to each other, each said modular furniture component connected by its connector, each said component connected to two other said modular furniture components, said assembly defining a cavity therebetween, wherein an angle between each said modular furniture component and any modular furniture component to which it is directly connected is substantially 90°.  
   
   
       44 . The modular furniture assembly constructed of a plurality of components as claimed in  claim 1  and connected to each other by each said connector.  
   
   
       45 . The modular furniture assembly including a plurality of substantially identical modular furniture components as claimed in  claim 1  that are interconnected exclusively by said connector that are integral to said modular furniture components.  
   
   
       46 . An item of furniture comprising; 
 four modular furniture components as claimed in  claim 1  that are engaged together by their connectors and whereby a cavity is defined that at least in part contains at least one of;    (a) a drawer,    (b) a wine rack    (c) a pigeon hole rack    (d) a shelf, and    (e) a door.    
   
   
       47 . The item of furniture as claimed in  claim 46  wherein said four modular furniture components are flat panels and extending between all modular furniture components there is a flat base panel whose plane is substantially parallel to the normal of the planes of the modular furniture components.  
   
   
       48 . The furniture assembly defining a storage bin, said assembly consisting of at least three and preferably four or more modular furniture components as claimed in  claim 1 , engaged together and having extending therebetween a base panel, wherein the base panel extends substantially horizontally and transverse the modular furniture components that extend substantially vertically and wherein an upper opening is provided through which the assembly can receive or dispense items via the upper opening.  
   
   
       49 . The component as claimed in  claim 1  wherein it includes a cladding panel receiving region to receive a cladding panel to be selectively engaged to the modular furniture component, the cladding panel providing an exterior finish to assembly.  
   
   
       50 . The component as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the cladding panel can be selectively engaged to a modular furniture component.  
   
   
       51 . The component as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the cladding panel is contiguous said component.  
   
   
       52 . The method of assembling a modular furniture assembly from a plurality of components as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising; 
 engaging a connecting means provided at a first end of a first modular furniture component with a second substantially identical modular furniture component and repeating with at least one further identical modular furniture component.    
   
   
       53 . An item of modular furniture comprising 
 at least two modular furniture assemblies each constructed from a plurality of modular furniture component that includes a first end provided with an integral connector and an opposite second end adapted to engage a second modular furniture component at and with an integral connector of said second modular furniture component that is identical to said first mentioned connector to thereby, in use, connect said modular furniture component to said second mentioned modular furniture component, to define at least part of a furniture assembly.    
   
   
       54 . A modular furniture system comprising; 
 a plurality of modular furniture components sufficient to define at least two modular furniture assemblies, wherein each component is a flat panel that includes a first end provided with an integral connector and an opposite second end adapted to engage a second modular furniture component at and with an integral connector of said second modular furniture component that is identical to said first mentioned connector to thereby, in use, at least connect a first modular furniture component to a said second modular furniture component and said second modular furniture component to a further modular furniture component of said plurality of modular furniture components, to define one of said two modular furniture assemblies having an endless perimeter and wherein all-component have the normal to their major plane lying parallel each other, each component including at least one fastening aperture therethrough    a penetrative fastener capable of penetrating two of said fastening apertures, one of each of two modular furniture assemblies when two of said modular furniture assemblies are placed adjacent each other in a manner so that a said component of each said assemblies are contiguous each other, said penetrative fastener releasably securing said two assemblies together.    
   
   
       55 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 54  that also includes cladding panels, each said cladding panel capable of being selectively engaged to a modular furniture component, the cladding panel providing an exterior finish to assembly.  
   
   
       56 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the cladding panel can be selectively engaged to a modular furniture component.  
   
   
       57 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the cladding panel is to be engaged, contiguous a said component.  
   
   
       58 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the cladding panel includes on one major surface thereof a penetrative fastener to is to be engaged with said fastening aperture to thereby engage said cladding panel to a said component.  
   
   
       59 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 54  that also includes at least one base panels, said base panel to engage and extend between all said components of an assembly to define an assembly with a cavity bounded by said base panel and said components and having one major opening to said cavity.  
   
   
       60 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 59  wherein said base panel is to extend between all said components of an assembly in a manner so that the normal of said base panel extends perpendicular to the normal of each said components.  
   
   
       61 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 59  wherein said base panel includes a fastening aperture there through wherein said penetrative fastener is capable of penetrating two of said fastening apertures of two base panels, one of each of two modular furniture assemblies when two of said modular furniture assemblies are placed adjacent each other in a manner so that a said base panel of each said assemblies are contiguous each other, said penetrative fastener releasably securing said two assemblies together.  
   
   
       62 . The modular furniture system as claimed in  claim 59  wherein said base panel includes a fastening aperture there through wherein said penetrative fastener is capable of penetrating said fastening apertures of said base panels and said fastening aperture of a said component, each being one fastening aperture of each of two modular furniture assemblies when two of said modular furniture assemblies are placed adjacent each other in a manner so that a said base panel of one said assembly and a component of an adjacent said assembly are contiguous each other, said penetrative fastener releasably securing said two assemblies together.  
   
   
       63 . A storage box that includes; 
 four identical side walls of a quadrilateral shape each side wall including; 
 two parallel and opposed fastening edges, a first of said fastening edges having one part of a two part mortise and tenon joint and a second of said fastening edges having the other part of said two part mortise and tenon joint engaged whereby the fastening edges of each said side wall are releasably engaged together by virtue of said mortise and tenon joint, and  
 two parallel and opposed free edges  
   a base panel that is engaged to each of said four side walls at one of said two parallel and opposed free edges to define a cavity with one major opening bounded in part by each of the other of said two parallel and opposed free edges.    
   
   
       64 . The modular furniture assembly as claimed in  claim 16  as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
   
   
       65 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 1  as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
   
   
       66 . A modular furniture assembly comprising 
 at least three panels that are identical to each other, each panel including a first and second opposed major surface sides and each including two parallel fastening edges wherein at each said fastening edge there is provided at the first major surface side at least one fastening aperture    a fastening clip that includes two regions, each region including a fastening protrusion to locate into a respective fastening aperture of a first and a second said panels when such panels are positioned with their fastening edges contiguous each other clip said two panels reliably together.    
   
   
       67 . The modular furniture assembly as claimed in  claim 66  wherein said fastening clip includes a live hinge separating each region.  
   
   
       68 . The modular furniture component as claimed in  claim 66  wherein all said fastening edges are of an identical configuration.