Universal Support Bases for Supporting Modular and Varied Articles of Furniture

Abstract

A convertible article of furniture. The convertible article of furniture may include a support base ( 100 ), wherein the support base ( 100 ) may be configured to interchangeably support one of a first modular furniture piece ( 120 ) or a second modular furniture piece ( 130 ) securely thereon in a non-permanent manner. Further, method of converting an article of furniture may include providing a first article of furniture. The first article of furniture may include a support base ( 100 ); and a first modular furniture piece ( 120 ) secured thereto in a non-permanent manner; and wherein the support base ( 100 ) may be configured to interchangeably support various modular furniture pieces ( 120, 130, 140 ).

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A convertible article of furniture, comprising a support base, wherein the support base is configured to interchangeably support one of a first modular furniture piece or a second modular furniture piece securely thereon in a non-permanent manner. 
     
     
         2 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the first modular furniture piece comprises a bassinet basket. 
     
     
         3 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the second modular furniture piece comprises any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, or a desk top. 
     
     
         4 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the support base comprises a rocking style frame. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the support base includes one or more support members, wherein the one or more support members are configured to support either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece. 
     
     
         6 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 5  wherein the one or more support members span at least a portion of one or both of a width and length of a top portion of the support base. 
     
     
         7 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 5  wherein the one or more support members are positioned flush with an uppermost edge of the support base. 
     
     
         8 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 5  wherein the one or more support members are disposed a distance below an uppermost edge of the support base. 
     
     
         9 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 5  wherein the one or more support members comprise a lip that extends around an inner periphery of the support base. 
     
     
         10 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 9  wherein the lip extending around the inner periphery of the support base is flush with an uppermost edge of the support base. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 9  wherein the lip extending around the inner periphery of the support base is disposed a distance below an uppermost edge of the support base. 
     
     
         12 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 5  wherein the one or more support members comprise a top frame portion of the support base. 
     
     
         13 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  further comprising one or more spacers. 
     
     
         14 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 13  wherein the one or more spacers are configured and sized to position the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, such that when installed atop the one or more support members, a top surface of the second or third structure is at a height substantially equal to or greater than an uppermost edge of the support base. 
     
     
         15 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 14  wherein the spacer is disposed between one or more of the one or more support members and a bottom surface of either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece. 
     
     
         16 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  further comprising one or more pieces of a material disposed between one or more of the one or more support members and a bottom surface of either of the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, wherein the one or more pieces of material are configured to provide one of an adhesive and non-slip property. 
     
     
         17 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, when installed on the support base, are secured to the support base by gravity. 
     
     
         18 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the first modular furniture piece or second modular furniture piece, when installed on the support base, are secured to the support base by a securing mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the support base comprises a non-foldable/non-collapsible structure. 
     
     
         20 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the support base comprises a continuous rim or edge about its uppermost periphery. 
     
     
         21 . The convertible article of furniture of  claim 1  wherein the support base is configured to interchangeably support one of the first modular furniture piece or the second modular furniture piece without modification to the structure of the support base, the first modular furniture piece, or the second modular furniture piece. 
     
     
         22 . A convertible bassinet, comprising:
 a. a support base; and   b. a bassinet basket configured to be received by the support base in a secure but non-permanent manner thereby creating a first article of furniture; and
 wherein the support base is further configured to interchangeably receive a modular furniture piece, wherein replacing the bassinet basket with the modular furniture piece converts the first article of furniture to a second article of furniture. 
   
     
     
         23 . The convertible bassinet of  claim 22  wherein the modular furniture piece comprises any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, or a desk top. 
     
     
         24 . A method of converting an article of furniture, the method comprising:
 a. providing a first article of furniture, comprising:
 i. a support base; and 
 ii. a first modular furniture piece secured thereto in a non-permanent manner; and 
 wherein the support base is configured to interchangeably support various modular furniture pieces; 
   b. providing a second modular furniture piece;   c. removing the first modular furniture piece from the support base; and   d. installing the second modular furniture piece on the support base in a secure and non-permanent manner.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the first modular furniture piece comprises a bassinet basket and the second modular furniture piece comprises any one of a tabletop, bench top, stool top, a pouf, a seat portion, a chair, or a desk top.