Furniture article with concealed storage and removable panels

Abstract

A modular furniture system composed from reconfigurable interlocking panels using corresponding slot and tab elements is disclosed. The ready-to-assemble furniture system includes a complementary arrangement of non-interlocking interior panels that become secured into position through the means of interlocking exterior side and end panels. The configuration of interlocking and non-interlocking panels hides the joinery formed by the slot and tab elements, and further utilizes selectively movable and/or detachable panels to conceal the contents of storage compartments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular furniture system assembled from exterior and interior panels having slot and tab joinery comprising:
 a first exterior assembly composed of four interlocking panels; and   a second interior assembly composed of at least three non-interlocking panels;   wherein the first exterior assembly consists of at least two symmetrical end panels that each have projecting interlocking tab elements, and at least two side panels that each have corresponding slots to interlock with the tab elements;   wherein the second interior assembly consist of at least two support panels that extend vertically and in parallel relation with at least two opposing side panels of the first exterior assembly, the support panels having non-interlocking tab elements that protrude orthogonally through the slots of at least two adjacent end panels of the first exterior assembly;   wherein the second interior assembly further includes at least one horizontal panel having non-interlocking tab elements that correspond with horizontal slots formed within each support panel; and   wherein the second interior assembly additionally includes at least one horizontal panel having tab elements that do not entirely extend through the horizontal slots formed within each support panel.   
     
     
         2 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein the side panels of the first exterior assembly hide the joinery formed from the slot and tab elements of the second interior assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein an enclosable storage compartment is formed by two opposing end panels of the first exterior assembly, two opposing support panels of the second interior assembly, and one horizontal panel of the second interior assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The modular furniture system of  claim 3 , wherein the enclosable storage compartment is concealed with at least one detachable panel. 
     
     
         5 . The modular furniture system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one detachable panel may engage the protruding tab elements of the two opposing support panels of the second interior assembly, the tab elements of which extend orthogonally beyond the end panels of the first exterior assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking tab elements of the end panels of the first exterior assembly are L-shaped, the tab elements having a raised undercut to form an interference fit when fully inserted into a corresponding slot of an adjacent exterior side panel. 
     
     
         7 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein the tab and slot elements of the first exterior assembly are interlocked together so as to form a right angle. 
     
     
         8 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein the four panels of the first exterior assembly are of uniform thickness. 
     
     
         9 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two panels of the first exterior assembly are of uniform thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein the three panels of the second interior assembly are equivalent in thickness to the panels of the first exterior assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two panels of the second interior assembly are of uniform thickness. 
     
     
         12 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior or interior panels are fabricated from natural or manmade materials selected from the group consisting of: solid hardwoods, solid softwoods, plywood, particle board, MDF board, acrylic, plastic, glass, and metal sheet stock. 
     
     
         13 . The modular furniture system of  claim 13 , wherein the exterior or interior panels are fabricated from birch plywood. 
     
     
         14 . The modular furniture system of  claim 13 , wherein the panels are finished differently on opposing sides.