Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This inyention relates to an article of furniture ! and
more particularly, but not exclusively ! relates to an article of
furniture formed from a plurality of panels.
Presently, a popular and inexpensive form of
construction for furniture uses wood panels. Commonly, these
panels are formed from particle board or the like, and are
provided with facing sheets, which can be wood or a plastic
material. Chests of drawers, tables and other articles of
fuxniture can be readily formed from a number of such panels.
O Further, for this type of furniture construction, the furniture
is frequently supplied in so called "knock down" form. In
knock down form, the customer purchases a pack of panels,
with appropriate hardware, such as screws, handles etc, and then
assembles the article of furniture himself. This greatly
reduces the space required to store the furniture, as the panels
can readily be stacked horizontally on top of one another.
Further, such disassembled articles of furniture are much less
prone to damage, whilst in storage or transit.
The present invention is also concerned with a modular
O furniture system, in which a variety of different units are
available, and these units can be stacked on top of one another.
For example, a unit having open shelves can be placed on top of
a unit provided with drawers. As each unit is provided
individually, a customer can select each unit individually, with
regard to size number of drawers or shelves, etc, the only
limitation being that the two units should be compatible with
one another. Whilst it is knownto stack furniture in this
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fashion, most arrangements simply rely on placing one
article on a flat top surface of the other. This has the
disadvantage that there is no positive location between two
such stacked units. Consequently, the top unit is frequently
not properly aligned, which mars the appearance of the
furniture. Also, it is relatively easy for the top unit to
be displaced relative to the bottom unit.
Accordingly to the present invention, there is
provided one article of furniture adapted for stacking with
another article of furniture, said one article of furniture
including a -top panel having a top surface, and two upright
members having top edge surfaces, each of which is located
adjacent on edge of the top surface and is downwardly spaced
therefrom to define a respective small step, for, in use,
engaging a downwardly extending member of another article of
furniture to limit horizon-tal movement thereof.
Preferably, the top surface of the panel is
generally horizontal, and the upright members comprise
generally vertical side panels.
Preferably, the invention is applied to articles of
furniture, that are made solely from rectangular panels, and
in which, in known manner the panels are perpendicular to
one another. Then, preferably the top panel protrudes
slightly above the top edges of surrounding side or front
and back panels, when present (for some designs the front
panel is omitted)O The other article of furniture, for
stacking on it, is then preferably provided with two side
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panels which extend down further than the rest of the article,
by an amount corresponding to the depth of the small steps
formed around the top member or panel of the bottom article of
furniture. This enables just these two side panels of the top
article to engage the bottom article, and consequently to
provide lateral location for the top article of furniture. In
general, the problem of location of the top article of furniture
in the front-back direction is not so great as the problem of
location sideways. However, if desired, the two articles can be
so formed, that, when stacked, no horizontal movement in any
direction can occur between them.
Preferably, an article of furniture according to the
present invention, formed to accept another article stacked on
top of it, is itself formed at its bottom, to correspond to its
top, so that it can similarly be stacked on top of an article of
furniture. This will enable articles of furniture according to
the present invention, to be stacked three or more units high.
~lthough the present invention can be applied to any
articles of furniture that are stacked, or adapted for stacking,
~0 it is expected to prove particularly suitable for articles such
as cabinets, closets, cupboards and chests of drawers, for
domestic use, industrial use, and office use. A preferred
embodiment of the invention is described which includes a chest
of drawers and a closet, but it is to be appreciated that the
invention is not limited to this application.
By way-of example, the thickness o the panels used
could be 5/8" or 3/4", 5/8" being preferred.
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For a better understanding of the present invention,
and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect,
reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a chest of drawers,
with the drawers removed;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the chest of
drawers of figure 1, above a cupboard, with a part of a side
wall of the cupboard shown removed;
Figure 3 shows a side view of the chest of drawers and
cupboard o~ Figure 2, with parts of their side walls shown
removed;
Figure 4 shows a front view of the chest of drawers
~ and cupboard of Figures 2 and 3,with parts thereof shown removed;
Figures 5a and Sb show details of a front panel
arrangement for the drawers of the chest of drawers;
Figure 6 shows, on a enlarged scale and in vertical
section, details of a mounting device Eor the chest of drawers
and the cupboard of the other Figures;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fastening member,
for fastening together two articles of furniture; and
Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the fastening
member of Figure 7 and adjacent parts of two articles of furniture.
Reference will first be made to Figure 1, which shows
a chest of drawers, generally indicated by the reference 1.
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This chest of drawers comprises a body 2, and two individual
drawers indicated by the reerences 4, 6. The body 2 of the
chest of drawers comprises two symmetrical side panels 8, lO,
and bottom and top panels 12, 14 which extend between the side
panels 8, lO.
The bottom and top panels 12, 1~ are secured to the
side panels 8, 10 by mounting devices 80, shown in Figure 6.
This type of mounting device 80 is discussed in detail below,
in relation to Figure 6. Here, it is sufficient to note that
each mounting device 80 includes a mounting screw 82, and a
mounting body 84, as shown .in Figure 6. The screws 82 can engage pre-
inserted nylon sleeves, to enable a user to fit the screws 82. Although
not shown in Figure l, for each of the bottom and top panels 12, 14, tw~
mounting screws are provided in one side panel 8 and two
mounting screws are provided in the other side panel 10. Fach
of the panels 12, 1~ is then provided with four of the mounting
bodies 84, in locations corresponding to that of the mounting
screws 82. This enables the body of the chest of drawers 1 to
be quickly assembled and disassembled.
As shown in Figure 1, the bottom panel 1~ is raised
above bottom edge surfaces of the side panels 8, 10. Similarly,
the top panel 14 is raised above top edge surfaces 18, 20 of
the side panels 8, lO by an amount corresponding to the spacing
of the bottom panel 12 from the bottom edge surfaces of the
side panels 8,
In this embodiment, the panels are 5/8" thick and are
formed from particle board with a plastic sheet or laminate
covering. The top panel 14, is 1/16 of an inch above the side
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panels 8, lO. The bottom panel 12 is about l/8" above bottom of
side panels 8, lO.
The body 2 of the chest of drawers 1 additionally
includes a back panel 22. Similarly to the panels 12, 14, this
panel 22 is secured to the side panels 8, 10, by mounting screws
82 located in the side panels 8, 10 and mounting screws 82
located in the back panel 22 (these mounting devices again not
being shown). A top edge 24 of the back panel 22 is similarly
spaced from the top of the panel 14, by an amount of 1/16 of an
inch, to be flush with the top edge surfaces 18, 20. Side edge
surfaces 26 of the back panel 22 are also set in from the outer
surfaces of the panels 8, 10 by an amount of 1/16 of an inch,
this allows one article to be freely moved between other
articles of furniture. A bottom edge surface (not visible in
Figure 1) of the back panel 22 is spaced about 1/32 of an inch
below the bottom panel 12, and about 1/8 of an inch above bottom
surfaces of the side panels 8, 10.
Mounted to inner surfaces of the side panels 8, 10 are
four guide rails 30, for the drawers 4, 6. The drawers 4, 6 are
provided with similar mounting rails 32, for engagement with the
guide rails 30. The rails 30, 32 are of known design, for
example the European 32 hole system, which will not be discussed
in detail.
The drawers 4, 6 are generally similar, except for a
different arrangement of their front panels. The front panels
are indicated a-t 34, and Figures Sa and 5b show details of the
connection of the front panels 34. Each of the drawers 4, 6, has
two side panel members 36, 38, to which the respective mounting
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rails 32 are secured. Extending between the side panel members 36,
38, at the back of each drawer is a back panel member 40. Although
not shown in Figure 1, at the front of each drawer, there is a
similar front panel member 42, indicated in Figures 5a and 5b.
5 Extending acrosss the bottom of each drawer, and secured to panel
members 36, 38, 40, and 42, is a bottom panel 44. Again, each of
the panels or panel members 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 is preferably
formed from particle board of 5/8" thickness, laminated with a
plastic or other material, and each panel is attached to the other
10 by means of the mounting devices 80. It should be noted that all
these panels need not be the same thickness; in particular, the
bottom panel 44 could be formed from relatively thin material.
As shown in Figure 5a and b, the front panel 42 is formed
with two mounting holes, which are positioned with respect to the
15 intended position of the facing panel 34 for both the top and
bottom drawers 4, 6. For the top drawer 6, the facing panel 34
extends upwards, in order to cover the major part of a front edge
of the top panel 14 of the body 2. As shown most clearly in Figure
3, the top surface of this facing panel 34 is so positioned, as to
20 be flush with the top edge surfaces 18, 20.
On the other hand, the facing panel 34 of the bottom
drawer 4, extends down below the bottom of the drawer 4, by an
amount sufficient to cover the front edge surface of the bottom
panel 12 of the body 2. One common type of facing panel 34 is
25 provided for both drawers 4, 6 and the holes in the front panel 42
of the drawer are so positioned, that in one orientation, shown
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in Figure 5a, the facing panel 34 is correct for the bottom
drawer 4. In an alternative configuration, shown in Figure 5b,
the facing panel 34 is correctly located, for the top drawer 6.
The facing panel 34 is thus effectively rotated through 180
between the configurations shown in Figure 5a and b.
With reference to Figure 2, the chest of drawers 1 is
shown above a cupboard 50. The cupboard or closet 50 has a body,
which is similarly constructed to the body 2 of the chest of
drawers 1. It has two side panels 52, secured to a bottom panel
54 and a top panel 56. A back panel 58 is secured to these
panels 52, 54 and 56. Again, like the body 2, the top panel
56 is so located, as to be slightly above top edge surfaces 60
of the side panels 52 and the rear panel 58. Similarly, the
side edge surfaces 62 of the rear panel 58 are set inward from
the outer faces of the side panels 52, by a corresponding amount.
The bottom panel 54 is above the bottom edges of the side panels
52. All the panels are secured together by means of the mounting devices 80.
Within the cupboard 50, there is a shelf 64, although i
it is to be appreciated that two or more shelves can be provided,
as desired. The shelf 64 is supported on four individual
supporting members, one of which is shown, through the removed
portion of a side panel 52, at 66. For each supporting member
66, a row of mGunting holes 68, one of which is shown, is
provided. Thus, by moving the supports 66 in their rows of holes
68, the vertical position of the shelf 64 can be altered.
Preferably, the rows of holes 68 correspond to the European
32 System, but the holes are moved vertically upwards,
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corresponding to the relative vertical displacement of the top and bottom
panels 54!56. This system permits interchange eg. two drawers can be exchanged
for a ~rawer and shelf.
At the front of the cupboard 50, in known manner, there
are provided two doors 70, secured to the side panels 52 by
hinges 72. Top edge surfaces 74 of the doors 70 are flush with
the top edge surfaces 60 of the side panels 52. Similarly,
the bottom edge surfaces (not visible in Figure 2) of the doors
70 are V32'' below the bottom surface of the bottom panel 54.
Reference will now be made to Figures 3 and 4 which
show the relative spacing of some of the panels of the
described embodiment. As shown in these figures, the chest of
drawers l is supported on the cupboard 50, by means of its side
panelsIo. Bottom edge surfaces 16 of these side panels 8 abut
the top edge surfaces 60 of the side panels 52 of the cupboard
50. The back panel 22 of the chest of drawers 1 is spaced above
the top edge surface 60 of the back panel, as shown on the right-
hand side of Figure 3. As shown on the left-hand side of
Figure 3, when stacked, the facing panel 34 of the bottom drawer
4 is spaced above the top edge surface 74 of the doors 70, and
a space is provided between the two facing panels 34 of the
drawers. Further, both the bottom edge surfaces of the back
panel 58 and the doors 70 are spaced above the bottom edge
surfaces of the side panels 52, so that cupboard 50 rests on its
side panels 52. This aspect of the construction of the cupboard
.. 50, corresponds to the chest of drawers l, so that, if desired,
the cupboard 50 could be stacked similarly on top of yet another
article of furniture. Thus, one can stack as many units of
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furniture on top of one another, as required. Figure 4 shows
further details of the relative spacing of the various panels,
and in the partial section on the left-hand side of Figure 4,
the support of the chest of drawers 1 on the cupboard 50 via
their respective side panels is shown.
With reference to Figure 5a, there is shown the front
panel 42, and facing panel 34 of the top drawer 6. The front
panel 42 is provided with holes for two screws 46. The facing
panel 34 is also provided with corresponding holes, which do not
extend through it for the screws 46, these holes being slightly
below its centre line, as viewed in Figure 5. Figure 5, liXe
Figure 5b, shows the view of the panels 34, 42, from behind.
To assemble these panels 34, 42, for the bottom drawer 4, the
facing panel 34 is simply rotated through 180, so that the
holes for the screws 46 now lie above its centre line. This
configuration is shown in Figure 5b. This arrangement permits
the different facing panel con~igurations required for the two
draws 4, 6 to be provided.
With reEerence to Figure 6, there will now be given a
description of one of the mounting devices 80, although these
mounting devices are of known construction. Each mounting
device 80 comprises two principal components, namely a mounting
screw 82 and a mounting body 84. Additionally, within the
mounting body 84, there is a locking screw 86. The mounting
screw 82 comprises a threaded portion 88, adapted to be screwed
into a corresponding bore in one of the side walls. An annular
shoulder 90 is provided, so that when the screw 82 is fully
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screwed into position, the shoulder 90 abuts an inside face of
the respective side panel. The screw S2 has a head 92, and
between the head 92 and the shoulder 90 a shaft portion 94.
During manufacture nylon or plastic sleeves for the screws are mounted in side
panels, at required locations. Alternatively,the sleeves are
inserted by the end user. Thus, only the portion of each
screw 82 above the shoulder 90 protrudes from the surface. The
body 84 is moulde~ in plastic, in two halves, which fit together
to form a generally cylindrical body. The section of Figure 6
is taken along the joint plane between the two halves of the
mounting body 84. As indicated at 96, one half body is provided
with recesses and the other half body is provided with
corresponding projections, to align them with respect to one
another. Between the two body halves, there is the locking
screw 86. It comprises a driving head 98, and a cup-shaped
body portion 100. The body portion lO0 is provided with an
internal surface 102, which is spiral, so as to form a cam
surface. The two body halves define a bore for the lockin~
screw 86, and include an annular groove 104, into which extends
a projection 106 of the locking screw 86. The groove 104
does not extend a complete circle, so that the angle of rotation
of the locking screw 86 is limited.
The locking screw 86 is additionally provided with an
opening 108, to permit it to engage the head 92 of the screw 82.
The mounting body 84 is provided with projecting ribc
or the like llO, to enable it to be secured in posltion. To
fit each mounting device 80 in position, a blind hole is drilled
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in a respectiye panel, adjacent an edge thereof. The hole is
so drilled, that it actually breaks through the edge of the
panel slightly. Then, an~unting device 80 is pressed and glued into
position, unt.il a flange 112 of the mounting device 80 is flush
with the surface of the panel, the ribs 110 serving to secure
the device 80 in position. The mounting device 80 is positioned
so that a space between the two halves of the body 84 is located
opening onto the edge of the panel, to permit a mounting screw
82 to be inserted. The screws 82 are not fitted during
manufacture, to enable easier and safer storage of the furniture.
Then, the respective article of furniture can be readily
assembled and disassembled, as re~uired
. To fit one mounting device 80, to its respective screw
82, the locking screw 86 is rotated to one extreme of its range
of angular movement. This brings the opening 108 into a
position, to permit the head 92 of a screw 82 to enter it, as
shown in Figure 6. The mounting device 80 and the respective
panel are then engaged with a screw 82, by passing the screw
head 92 and shaft portion 9~ through a slot 114 of the
mounting device 80, until the screw head 92 reaches the position
shown in Figure 6. Then, the locking screw 86 is rotated, so
that the inner cam surface 102 engages the head 92 of the locking
screw 82. Rotation of the locking screw 86 then pulls the
mounting device 80 and its respective panel up against the panel
associated with the mounting screw 82. The locking screw 86 can
be tightened as much as neces~ary. The article of furniture can
be readily disassembled, by simply rotating the locking screw 86
in the opposite direction, until the opening 108, permits
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For the back panel of each article of furniture, the
mounting devices 80 are preferably in the side panels, and the
mounting screws 82 are screwed into the back panel, although the
location of the mounting devices and screws 80, 82 could be
reversed if the back panel is set in.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fastening
member 120. It is formed from sheet metal. The fastening member
120 comprises a main portion 122 provided with two holes 124 and
optionally elongate slots 126. At the top of the main portion 122,
there is a horizontal flange portion 128. The flange portion
128 includes a vertical limb 130 for easy removal. In use, the
fastening member 120 is slid between two stacked units of
furniture, as shown in Figure 8. The main portion 122 is slid
between a bottom panel 132 and back panel 134 of an upper unit,
and between the top and back panels 14, 22 of a bottom unit. It
thus prevents relative forward or backward movement between the
stacked units of Eurniture. If desired, screws can be passed
through the back panels 22, 134 and through the holes 124 and/or
elongate slots 126 into the panels 14, 132, to secure the two
units together. The fastening member 120 can be formed from
metal or plastic.
The provision, for each article of furniture, of a top
panel, which is slightly proud of the surrounding side, back
a~d front panels, where applicable, enables another article of
furniture to be simply and securely mounted on top of it. Once
so mounted or stacked, the second article of furniture cannot
be readily displaced sideways, as its downwardly extending panels
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abut the portion of the top panel protruding above the side
panels etc. Preferably, the top panel protrudes by an amount of
1/16 of an inch, although other dimensions can be chosen. This
dimension has the advantage of providing sufficient interlock,
without marring the appearance of the free, unobstructed top of
an article. In prac-tice, it has been found that the slight
raising of the top panel is barely noticeable. The corresponding
arrangement of downwardly extending panels at the bottom of an
article of furniture is not fully visible. The side panels serve
to raise the article from the floor when it is placed by itself.
The invention enables as many articles of furniture as desired to
be stacked on top of one another. The top surface of the top
article is both acceptable in appearance, and can be used like
any other article of furniture. Thus, there is no unattractive or
awkward projections from either the top or bottom surfaces for
the interlocking between them.
Finally, it should be noted that many variations are
possible. For example, when stacking units for use as a room
divider, they can be stacked facing in opposite directions.
Consequently, in each column, the front and backs of the units
will alternate. Also, many different types of knock down fittings
can be used, the mounting devices 80 being only exemplary.
It is expected that standard "cubes" or exteriors will
be sold, together with auxiliary components, so the customer
can fit a unit out as a closet, shelves, etc., as required.
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For aesthetic and functional reasons, the system can
be designed so as to maintain a gap of 1/8" between all adjacent
front and back vertical panels, which do not abut one another.
~lso, the fastening members can be used to locate
units which are side by side, in a similar manner to that shown
for staclced units in Figure 8.
