Article of furniture with modular construction

• US 9,936,808 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2014
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Iacovoni, Joseph, Rheault, Alan, Kapka, Mark, Mead, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US14/584,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20150145389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 297257, 297232, 2971571, 297163, 297174 R, 297135, 29745218
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/021 Fastening devices of the feet or legs A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 13/005 Modular seating chairs connectible into a row A47C1/124

Abstract

An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a base frame assembly configured to support an attached seating unit. Other modules or components may also be attached to the base frame assembly. The article of furniture may also comprise a supplemental frame assembly attached to the base frame assembly to extend the size of the article of furniture and to support an additional or larger module or component. The other modules or components may comprise one or more of a casegood unit, a backrest, an armrest, a privacy panel, a console, an outlet (for power and/or data), etc. Electronic devices may be incorporated. A set of articles of furniture is also disclosed; the articles of furniture have a modular construction and can be assembled on the base frame assembly by combinations of modules and components.

Claims

1. An article of furniture having a modular constriction comprising:

a base comprising a unitary frame structure;

a seating component comprising a backrest, the seating component supported on the base; and

a casegood component providing for storage of items and comprising a back side, the casegood component supported on the base;

wherein the seating component is mounted to the base in a first orientation and the casegood component is mounted to the base in a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is transverse to the second orientation; and

wherein the seating component backrest abuts a midpoint of the casegood component back side.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the casegood component comprises at least one of a storage unit, a cabinet, a shelving unit.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a supplemental frame attachable to the frame structure and wherein the supplemental frame is configured to support at least one modular component.

4. The article of claim 1 further comprising at least one trim member configured for attachment to the unitary frame structure and to secure at least one component to the base.

5. The article of claim 2, wherein a vertical height of the casegood component is greater than a vertical height of the backrest.

6. The article of claim 5 further comprising at least one trim member configured for attachment to the unitary frame structure and to secure at least one component to the base.

7. The article of claim 3 wherein the casegood component comprises at least one of a storage unit, a cabinet, a shelving unit.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein a vertical height the casegood component is greater than a vertical height of the backrest.

9. An article of furniture having a modular construction comprising:

a base comprising a unitary frame structure;

a first seating component comprising a first seat cushion supported on the base;

a second seating component comprising a second seat cushion supported on the base; and

a casegood component providing for storage of items and comprising a back side, the casegood component supported on the base;

wherein the first and second seating components share a backrest; and

wherein the first seat cushion is mounted to the base in a first orientation, the second seat cushion is mounted to the base in a second orientation and the casegood component is mounted to the base in a third orientation, wherein the first and second orientations are transverse to the third orientation.

10. The article of claim 9 wherein the backrest abuts the casegood component back side.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the first orientation is opposite the second orientation.

12. The article of claim 10 wherein the casegood component comprises at least one of a storage unit, a cabinet, a shelving unit.

13. The article of claim 12 wherein the base further comprises a supplemental frame attachable to the frame structure and wherein the supplemental frame is configured to support at least one modular component.

14. The article of claim 9, wherein a vertical height of the casegood component is greater than a vertical height of the backrest.

15. The article of claim 14 wherein the backrest abuts a midpoint of the casegood component back side.

16. An article of furniture having a modular construction comprising:

a base comprising a unitary frame structure;

a first seating component comprising a first seat cushion supported on the base;

a second seating component comprising a second seat cushion supported on the base; and

a casegood component comprising a backside and comprising at least one of a storage unit, a cabinet, a shelving unit, the casegood component supported on the base;

wherein the first and second seating components share a backrest;

wherein the backrest abuts the casegood component back side;

wherein a vertical height of the casegood component is greater than a vertical height of the backrest; and

wherein the first seat cushion is mounted to the base in a first orientation, the second seat cushion is mounted to the base in a second orientation and the casegood component is mounted to the base in a third orientation, wherein the first and second orientations are transverse to the third orientation.

17. The article of claim 16 wherein the base further comprises a supplemental frame attachable to the flame structure and wherein the supplemental frame is configured to support at least one modular component.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein the first orientation is opposite the second orientation.

19. The article of claim 18 further comprising at least one trim member configured for attachment to the unitary frame structure and to secure at least one component to the base.