Convertible furniture system comprised of modular convertible box frames and methods of forming various furniture configurations therefrom

Abstract

Modular convertible furniture systems include a pair of similar open-ended box frame assemblies which are nestable one within the other. A pair of slotted support rails are attached pivotally at respective opposing corners of one of the box frame assemblies so as to be movable between raised and lowered positions. When in a raised position, the rails provide a support for a solid board plank thereby becoming a seat back (e.g., for a chair, love seat, or sofa-type arrangement). When the rails are in a lowered position substantially parallel to the ground, the two box frame assemblies may be oriented back-to-back so as to provide a support for a mattress thereby converting the structure into a bed arrangement, for example. The box frame assemblies can be positioned on different sides and ends thereby allowing formation of tables and/or shelving as may be desired.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A method of making a convertible furniture system comprising: 
 (a) providing a pair of nestable box frame assemblies; and    (b) attaching support rails to one of said box frame assemblies for pivotal movement between an upright position, wherein said support rails are capable of being fixed to said one box frame so as to extend upwardly therefrom, and a lowered position wherein said support rails are capable of being fixed to the other of said box frames so as to join said pair of box frames one to the other.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising forming each of said box frame assemblies as a generally a U-shaped structure comprised of an opposed pair of lateral support frames, and spanning a planking board between said opposed lateral box frames.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising forming said lateral box frames of at least the other box frame assembly by attaching an opposed pair of lateral support boards to an opposed pair of cross-support boards.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming a series of opposed notches in said opposed pair of lateral support boards, and inserting a shelving plank into at least one respective pair of said opposed notches.  
   
   
       16 . The method of system of  claim 13 , wherein said lateral box frames of each of said box frame assemblies comprise an opposed pair of lateral support boards and an opposed pair of cross-support boards.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising forming at least one hole in said support rails and a hold in the other of said box frame assemblies, wherein said at least one hole of said support rails is adapted to be aligned with said hole formed in the other of said box frame assemblies when said support rails are in said lowered position thereof, and fixing said support rails to the other of said box frame assemblies by means of a bolt and nut assembly which is received within the aligned holes.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising forming multiple said holes in said support rails.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising removeably attaching a plank board to and between said support rails.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising providing lengthwise channels in said support rails and mounting brackets on the plank board, and slidably inserting the brackets in the channel to allow the plank board to be removeably attached to and between said support rails.  
   
   
       21 . A method of reconfiguring a convertible furniture system comprised of a pair of nestable box frame assemblies, and support rails pivotally attached to one of said box frame assemblies, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) reorienting the support rails between a fixed upright position wherein the support rails form a back-rest support for said one box frame assembly and a fixed lowered position wherein the support rails are substantially horizontally positioned; and    (b) fixedly attaching the support rails while in said lowered position to the other of the box frame assemblies.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein prior to step (a) there is practiced the step of repositioning the other of the box frame assembly so as to lay on its side and in back-to-back relationship to said one box frame assembly.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising removing shelving planks from the other box frame assembly.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , comprising attaching the support rails to the other box frame assembly through one of a multiple number of holes formed therein so as to achieve a desired lengthwise dimension of the one and other box frames when attached to each other.