Modular furniture

Abstract

A module of furniture is provided for use in a modular furniture system or as a free standing piece of furniture, comprising, a frame construction with two end assemblies each having a base and a front and rear upright. A flange and upper support beam connect the upper ends of the uprights and support a shelf. A mid-support beam connects the rear uprights and provides an accessory attachment lip as well as a wire management trough. A screen is disposed between the rear uprights for additional privacy. Various accessories including speaker shelves, a monitor mount, and a book shelf are included as a kit with the module for added desktop organization. Each accessory has a clasp, which may be integrally formed, for attaching to one of the support beams.

1 . A furniture module, comprising, a frame assembly including a first and second side assembly interconnected by a rear assembly in a predetermined configuration, said rear assembly including an upper cross member and a spaced apart intermediate cross member, at least said intermediate cross member including a channel adapted to receive one or more wires depending from an appliance depending from said intermediate cross member. 
   
   
       2 . The module as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shelf member disposed on an upper end of said first and second side assembly and supported by said upper cross member. 
   
   
       3 . The module as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second shelf disposed below said at least one shelf member and between said first and second side assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate cross member comprises a central web, an flange extending from an upper edge of said central web at an angle there to, and said channel defining a lower edge of said central web. 
   
   
       5 . The module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said rear assembly further includes a privacy panel disposed intermediate said first and second side assemblies. 
   
   
       6 . The module as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one mounting bracket member suspended from one of said cross members. 
   
   
       7 . The module as defined in  claim 1 , for providing the function of supporting at least one of a computer display, a television display, a monitor display, a video player display, a digital video disk display, an entertainment system screen, a gaming display, a static display from one of said cross members. 
   
   
       8 . The module as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said intermediate cross member comprises a central web, a flange extending from an upper edge of said central web substantially at a an angle there to and a channel member defined along a lower edge of said central web. 
   
   
       9 . The module as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said rear assembly further includes a light transmitting panel disposed intermediate said end assemblies. 
   
   
       10 . A piece of modular furniture providing one of multiple functions selected by an end user, including one of an organizer for a desk or dresser, a support for lofting one end of a bed frame, a free-standing unit, and a support for at least one appliance, comprising a frame assembly including a first and a second end assembly, each having an upper end and a lower end, said first and second end assemblies interconnected at said upper ends by a top assembly and by a rear assembly intermediate said upper and lower ends, said rear assembly including at least one cross bar member receiving at least one bracket for mounting an appliance; and a privacy panel intermediate said first and second end assemblies. 
   
   
       11 . The piece of modular furniture as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one cross bar member comprises a central web having a channel member for receiving at least one wire extending from the appliance dependent on said at least one cross bar member. 
   
   
       12 . The piece of modular furniture as defined in  claim 10  and mounted on an upper surface of one of a desk and dresser for use as one of an organizer, a book shelf, an entertainment center, and a display case. 
   
   
       13 . The piece of modular furniture as defined in  claim 10  free standing on a floor for use as one of an organizer, a book shelf, an entertainment center, and a display case. 
   
   
       14 . The piece of modular furniture as defined in  claim 10  for use in lofting one end of a bed frame. 
   
   
       15 . The piece of modular furniture as defined in  claim 10  for hanging at least one bracket from said at least one cross bar member. 
   
   
       16 . A multifunctional furniture module comprising, first and second end members; a top member interconnected to an upper end of each of said first and second end members; at least one cross member interconnecting said first and second end members and keeping said end members generally parallel to one another in spaced apart relationship, said at least one cross member including at least one channel member for managing wires extending from apparatus mounted to or disposed proximate said at least one cross member; and a screen disposed intermediate said first and second end members and below said at least one cross member. 
   
   
       17 . The multifunctional furniture module as defined in  claim 16  for resting on one of a floor, a desk, and a dresser. 
   
   
       18 . The multifunctional furniture module as defined in  claim 16  for lofting one end of a bed frame above a predetermined reference surface. 
   
   
       19 . The multifunctional furniture module as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising at least one bracket for hanging from said at least one cross bar member. 
   
   
       20 . A multifunctional support for a viewable display including a pair of vertically disposed end members substantially parallel to one another in spaced apart relationship; an upper end of said pair of vertically disposed end members interconnected by an upper shelf member; an intermediate portion of said pair of vertically disposed end members interconnected by a cross bar member having a wire management path thereon and adapted to have the viewable display interconnected thereto, wherein the multifunctional support serves as one of a desktop organizer, a free standing framework, a support frame for a bed, and a frame for resting on a separate piece of furniture. 
   
   
       21 . A modular item of furniture providing one of multiple selective functions including a support for use in lofting a bed frame, an organizer for a desktop or dresser, a free-standing bookshelf, and an entertainment center supporting a display, comprising a frame having first and second sides; a rear assembly interconnecting said first and second sides, said rear assembly including at least one structural cross member interconnecting said first and second sides and providing a means for hanging at least one bracket thereon including the display, said structural cross member further including at least one channel for managing and concealing one or more wires attached to the display and other objects supported by said at least one bracket; and a shelf at an upper end of the modular item of furniture.