Reconfigurable modular furniture assembly with connector leg assembly

Abstract

A modular furniture assembly includes: a first base having a first frame assembly having a top face and an opposing bottom face; a first upright member removably mounted to the first base so that the first upright member upstands from the first base; and a connector leg assembly being removably coupled to the first frame assembly. The connector leg assembly includes: a plate having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; a leg outwardly projecting from the bottom surface of the plate; and a plurality of spaced apart protruding members outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate and each terminating at a terminal end face. Each of the protruding members further includes: a threaded hole recessed into the terminal end face; and an encircling side surface, at least a portion of the encircling side surface radially inwardly tapering at it extends toward the terminal end face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector leg assembly for use in modular furniture, the connector leg assembly comprising:
 a plate having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface;   a leg outwardly projecting from the bottom surface of the plate;   a plurality of spaced apart protruding members outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate and each terminating at a terminal end face, each of the protruding members further comprising:
 a threaded hole recessed into the terminal end face; and 
 an encircling side surface, at least a portion of the encircling side surface radially inwardly tapering at it extends toward the terminal end face. 
   
     
     
         2 . The connector leg assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart protruding members comprises at least two spaced apart protruding members outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate. 
     
     
         3 . The connector leg assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart protruding members comprises at least four spaced apart protruding members outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The connector leg assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the encircling side surface has a frustoconical configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A modular furniture assembly comprising:
 a first base comprising a first frame assembly having a top face and an opposing bottom face;   a first upright member removably mounted to the first base so that the first upright member upstands from the first base; and   the connector leg assembly as recited in  claim 1 , the connector leg assembly being removably coupled to the first frame assembly of the first base.   
     
     
         6 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 the plurality of spaced apart protruding members comprising a first protruding member outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate and a spaced apart second protruding member outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate;   the first frame assembly having a first hole passing therethrough between the top face and the opposing bottom face, the first protruding member being received within the first hole at the bottom face of the first frame assembly; and   the first upright member having a second hole formed thereon, the second protruding member being received within the second hole at a lower end thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a coupling plate extend between the first hole of the first frame assembly at the top face and an upper end of the second hole of the first upright member;   a first fastener passing through the coupling plate and the first hole and coupling with the first protruding member; and   a second fastener passing through the coupling plate and the second hole and coupling with the second protruding member.   
     
     
         8 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a reinforcing plate disposed on the bottom face of the first frame assembly, the reinforcing plate having a opening extending therethrough that is aligned with the first hole passing through the first frame assembly, the first protruding member being received within the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing plate comprises:
 a plate body disposed on the bottom face of the first frame assembly;   a tubular stem projecting from the plate body and being at least partially disposed within the first hole of the frame assembly, the opening passing through the tubular stem.   
     
     
         10 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the tubular stem has an interior surface having a diameter that outwardly tapers along a length of the tubular stem. 
     
     
         11 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 the plurality of spaced apart protruding members comprising a third protruding member outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate; and   a second base comprising a second frame assembly having a top face and an opposing bottom face, the second frame assembly having a third hole passing therethrough between a top face and an opposing bottom face thereof, the third protruding member being received within the third hole at the bottom face of the second frame assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a coupling plate extend between the first hole of the first frame assembly at the top face thereof and the third hole of the second frame assembly at the top face thereof;   a first fastener passing through the coupling plate and the first hole and coupling with the first protruding member; and   a second fastener passing through the coupling plate and the third hole and coupling with the third protruding member.   
     
     
         13 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart protruding members comprises at least four spaced apart protruding members outwardly projecting from the top surface of the plate. 
     
     
         14 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of the encircling side surface of each of the protruding members has a frustoconical configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of the encircling side surface of each protruding member tapers at an angle between 8 degrees and 22 degrees relative to a central longitudinal axis passing through each protruding member. 
     
     
         16 . The modular furniture assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein an angling of the tapering of the encircling side surface of the protruding members is based on a height of the leg.