Convertible loft furniture

• US 6,880,185 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Denise Lori Mcadams
• Original Assignee: Denise Lori Mcadams
• Inventors: McAdams, Dennis K.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
• Application Number:
  US10/120,311
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 5/21, 511/01
• US Class Current: 5/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 85/00 Furniture convertible into other kinds of furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/22 Combinations of bedsteads with other furniture or with accessories, e.g. with bedside cabinets bed-tables A47B23/00 ; bedside cabinets A47B79/00

Abstract

A versatile furniture unit that is easily changed, or modified to meet different living settings. The furniture unit is constructed as a frame that can be hung from the joists or rafters in a loft ceiling. The frame comprises various furniture elements that can be added on, folded up, or folded down to provide a different living appearance depending on the time of day. The furniture unit easily converts from a living room or playroom setting during the day to a bedroom setting for nighttime.

Claims

1. An easily reconfigurable furniture unit, comprising:

a) a single frame comprising a plurality of unitary, substantially vertical upright columns each having a proximal end for placement on a floor surface, and a distal end optionally adapted to receive a stringer for attachment to a structural support located above said single frame, and an upper horizontal planar surface disposed substantially perpendicular to each of said plurality of upright columns proximate said distal ends thereof, said single frame being adapted to receive and support at least two furniture elements disposed along a major axis thereof; and

b) at least two furniture elements removably and reconfigurably affixed to said frame, at least one of said furniture elements comprising a folding component.

2. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said at least two furniture elements comprises one from the group:

couch, bed, desk, bench, table, shelf, lounge chair, cabinet, storage cubbyhole, chest, bench, beverage bar and ladder.

3. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 2 wherein at least one of said furniture elements may be converted from a first one of said group of furniture elements to a second one of said group of furniture elements.

4. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

c) means for reconfiguring comprising at least one of;

means for rotating, means for sliding, and means for folding, said means for reconfiguring being operatively connected to at least one of;

said frame, and at least one of said at least two furniture elements, said means for reconfiguring facilitating said conversion from a first one of said group of furniture elements to a second one of said group of furniture elements.

5. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for folding comprises at least one of:

means for folding up, and means for folding down.

6. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

c) means for attaching associated with each of said furniture elements to facilitate said removable and reconfigurable attachment thereof.

7. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for attaching comprises a plurality of peg holes disposed in at least one of said substantially vertical columns.

8. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

c) means for connecting said frame to an element in an environment surrounding said reconfigurable furniture unit.

9. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 8, wherein said element in an environment comprises at least one of:

wall, ceiling, joist, and rafter.

10. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

c) at least one furniture element reconfigurably attached to said frame outside a space having a perimeter defined by said plurality of unitary, substantially vertical columns.

11. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 10, wherein said at least one furniture element outside said space is attached to said frame with at least one decorative rod.

12. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 3, wherein said at least one of said furniture elements comprises a library unit comprising shelves, said shelves being disposed at a modifiable spacing apart from one another.

13. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 3, wherein said platform is movable in a vertical direction with respect to said plurality of unitary, substantially vertical columns.

20. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 3, wherein said platform is movable in a vertical direction with respect to said at least one unitary, substantially vertical post.

14. An easily reconfigurable furniture unit, comprising:

a) a single frame comprising at least one unitary, substantially vertical post having a proximal end for placement on a floor surface, and a distal end optionally adapted to receive a stringer for attachment to a structural support located above said single frame, and an upper horizontal planar surface disposed substantially perpendicular thereto proximate said distal end thereof; and

b) at least two furniture elements removably and reconfigurably affixed to said frame, at least one of said at least two furniture elements comprising a folding component.

15. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 14, further comprising means for attaching said distal end of said at least one post to an overhead support structure.

16. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 14 wherein each of said at least two furniture elements comprises one from the group:

couch, bed, desk, bench, table, shelf, lounge chair, cabinet, storage cubbyhole, chest, bench, beverage bar and ladder.

17. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 16 wherein at least one of said furniture elements may be converted from a first one of said group of furniture elements to a second one of said group of furniture elements.

18. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

c) means for reconfiguring comprising at least one of;

means for rotating, means for sliding, and means for folding, said means for reconfiguring being operatively connected to at least one of;

said frame, and at least one of said furniture elements, said means for reconfiguring facilitating said conversion from a first one of said group of furniture elements to a second one of said group of furniture elements.

19. The easily reconfigurable furniture unit as recited in claim 16, wherein at least one of said furniture elements comprises a library unit comprising shelves, said shelves being disposed at a modifiable spacing apart from one another.