GB2589680A

GB2589680A - Reconfigurable furniture unit

Info

Publication number: GB2589680A
Application number: GB2012835.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: De Graaf Marc; Joosten Alexander
Original assignee: Tutti Bambini Xiamen Trade Co Ltd; Tutti Frutti Direct Ltd
Current assignee: Tutti Bambini Xiamen Trade Co Ltd; Tutti Frutti Direct Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-16
Filing date: 2020-08-17
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-17
Also published as: GB202012835D0; GB2589680B

Abstract

A reconfigurable furniture unit 100 comprises first and second leg assemblies at opposing ends of the unit 100. A frame 150 for supporting upholstery is attached to the leg assemblies in a first configuration the and is configured to be extendable in a first direction extending between the leg assemblies and the second direction different to the first direction. The frame 150 may comprise telescoping or lengthening portions for expanding it in the first and/or second directions. The furniture 100 may include at least two redirecting portions each with two angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the support 150 such that a portion of the frame 150 is vertically offset from the rest of the frame 150 and angularly offset from its position in the first configuration. Also disclosed is a furniture unit 100 with these redirecting portions but not necessarily with an extendable frame.

Description

RECONFIGURABLE FURNITURE UNIT

FIELD

This invention relates to a reconfigurable furniture unit, particularly for use with young children.

BACKGROUND

The end of the useful lifetime of furniture for children is often dictated by when the child outgrows the furniture. A growing child may require several different sizes of baskets, cots and beds as they grow. Using standard, statically sized furniture might require several separate items of furniture to be individually bought, used, and then disposed of. This is evidently expensive and inconvenient for parents and guardians. Whether an item of furniture at the end of its useful lifetime is sold on, stored, thrown away (for recycling or otherwise), or manually modified and repurposed, some degree of physical and mental effort will be required on the part of a parent or guardian.

Such furniture often only serves a single purpose, e.g. being a place to sleep. Multiple items of single-purpose furniture necessarily take up space in a household where it is a limited and often scarce commodity.

Conventional children's furniture often lacks portability. Baby cribs are often required to be transported to locations outside of a home, in which cases they are disassembled, stowed, and reassembled at a destination. Conventional children's furniture often suffers from complicated disassembly and reassembly, and an insufficiently compact stowed form.

Furthermore, children's furniture that is able to disassembled and reassembled often comprise moving parts and joints that can present a danger to both a parent or guardian and the child. These parts may present a risk of injury during the disassembling and reassembling process, as well as in normal use An example of known portable baby crib is given by GB 2566859. This crib may collapsed allowing it to be stowed and transported but it is restricted to its intended uses as a standalone or bedside crib.

There is a need for improved children's furniture that addresses one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a reconfigurable furniture unit (100) comprising a first leg assembly at one end of the furniture unit (100), a second leg assembly at another end of the furniture unit (100); and a frame (150) for supporting upholstery, in a first configuration the frame being attached to the first and second leg assemblies and configured to be extendable in a first and a second direction, the first direction extending between the first and second leg assemblies and the second direction being different to the first direction.

The frame (150) may comprise a first telescoping portion configured to telescopically extend the frame (150) in the first direction. The frame (150) may comprise a second telescoping portion configured to telescopically extend the frame (150) in the second direction The frame (150) may further comprise a first lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the frame (150); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the frame (150), the frame (150) is extended in the first direction.

The frame (150) may further comprise a second lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the frame (150); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the frame (150), the frame (150) is extended in the second direction.

The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may further comprise a first (372) and a second redirecting portion (374), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150); wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a first portion (376) of the frame (150) is vertically offset from the remainder of the frame (150) and angularly offset from its position in the first configuration.

The frame (150) may be configured such that the vertical offset of the first portion (376) is adjustable.

The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may further comprise a second (472) and a third redirecting portion (474), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150); wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a second portion (476) of the frame (150) is vertically offset from the remainder of the frame (150) and angularly offset from its position in the first configuration.

The frame (150) may be configured such that the vertical offset of the second portion (476) is adjustable.

The first and second leg assemblies may each comprise a detachable leg (106, 126).

The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may further comprise a support structure attached to each of the detachable legs (106, 126), wherein the support structure may be configured to be extendable in the first direction.

The support structure may comprise a first crossbar (110) and a second crossbar (112) and a foldable brace (114) attached to the first and second crossbars (110, 112).

The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may further comprise upholstery (160) configured to be extendable in the first and second directions.

The upholstery (160) may comprise a first folding portion configured to extend the upholstery (160) in the first direction.

The upholstery (160) may comprise a second folding portion configured to extend the upholstery (160) in the second direction.

The upholstery (160) may further comprise a first lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the upholstery (160); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the upholstery (160), the upholstery (150) is extended in the first direction.

The upholstery (160) may further comprise a second lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the upholstery (160); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the upholstery (160), the upholstery (150) is extended in the second direction.

There is also provided a second reconfigurable furniture unit (100) comprising a first leg assembly at one end of the furniture unit (100), a second leg assembly at another end of the furniture unit (100), a frame (150) for supporting upholstery, attached to the first and second leg assemblies, a first (372) and a second redirecting portion (374), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150), wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a first portion (376) of the frame (150) is vertically and angularly offset from the remainder of the frame (150).

The frame (150) of the second reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may be configured such that the vertical offset of the first portion (376) is adjustable.

The second reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may further comprise a second (472) and a third redirecting portion (474), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150), wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a second portion (476) of the frame (150) is vertically and angularly offset from the remainder of the frame (150).

The frame (150) of the second reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may be configured such that the vertical offset of the second portion (476) is adjustable.

The first and second leg assemblies of the second reconfigurable furniture unit (100) 5 may each comprise a detachable leg (106, 126).

The second reconfigurable furniture unit (100) may further comprise a support structure attached to each of the detachable legs (106, 126), wherein the support structure may be configured to be extendable in the first direction.

There is also provided a third furniture unit (100) configured to be user-adaptable to adopt each of the following configurations: a first crib configuration, comprising a first leg assembly at one end of the furniture unit (100), a second leg assembly at another end of the furniture unit (100), and a frame (150) for supporting upholstery (160), the frame (150) forming an upper rim of the unit (100); a second crib configuration (200), in which the frame (150) is extended in a first and a second direction, the first direction extending between the first and second leg assemblies and the second direction being different to the first direction; a sofa configuration (300), in which a portion (376) of the frame (150) is detached from the from the remainder of frame (150) and reattached to the unit (100) such that it is vertically and angularly offset from its position in the first crib configuration; a bed configuration (400), in which two portions (376, 476) of the frame (150) are detached from the remainder of the frame (150) and reattached to the unit (100) such that each portion is vertically and angularly offset from their respective positions in the first crib configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figures 1A-1E show schematic views of an exemplary furniture unit 100 in a first configuration.

Figures 2A-2C show schematic views of an exemplary furniture unit 100 in a second, or extended configuration 200.

Figures 3A-3D show schematic views of an exemplary furniture unit 100 in a third, or sofa configuration 300.

Figures 4A-4D show schematic views of an exemplary furniture unit 100 in a fourth, or bed configuration 400.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a particular application. Various possible modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Figures 1A-1E illustrate an exemplary furniture unit 100 in a first configuration, also referred to as a crib configuration. The furniture unit 100 comprises two leg assemblies on opposing ends of the unit 100. In this example, one leg assembly comprises a first 106 and a second leg 108 and the other leg assembly comprises a third 126 and a fourth leg 128. In the examples shown, each pair of legs splays outwards (in other words, the separation between the legs is smaller at the higher parts of the unit 100 and larger at the lower parts of the unit 100). In other examples, the legs simply extend vertically downwards. Alternatively, or in addition, each leg assembly may comprise one or more legs in the shape of an inverted capital letter T. One or more of the legs may be hingeably attached to a leg assembly.

The legs may support at least part of the weight of the unit 100. The legs may be sized and coupled to the remainder of the unit so that the remainder of the unit can be supported by the legs over a ground plane on which the distal ends of the legs are engaged. Herein the leg assembly comprising at least one of the first and second legs 106, 108 will be referred to as the first leg assembly and the leg assembly comprising the at least one of second and third legs 128, 128 will be referred to as the second leg assembly.

One or both of the leg assemblies may comprise a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanisms may each comprise a lower part 102, 122 and an upper part 104, 124. The height adjustment mechanism associated with one leg assembly comprises lower part 102 and upper part 104. The height adjustment mechanism associated with the other leg assembly comprises lower part 122 and upper part 124. In the examples shown, each lower part 102, 122 sheathes a respective upper part 104, 124 in a telescopic fashion. One can envision that alternatively the upper part 104, 124 may sheath the lower part 102, 122 in a telescopic fashion. Each lower part 102, 122 may be mounted adjacent to the respective lower part 104, 124 such that each is able to slide relative to and adjacent to the other. The height adjustment mechanism may require a button 118 to be depressed. Depressing button 118 enables relative movement between the lower part 102 and upper part 104. The upper and lower parts may be configured to have a plurality of pre-set height settings. One of the lower and upper parts may comprise one or more protrusions and the other of the lower and upper parts may comprise a plurality of recesses. The spacing of the recesses provide the pre-set heights. One or more protrusions on one of the lower and upper parts may engage with the recesses. Additionally or alternatively, a latch or clip may selectively inhibit the operation of the height adjustment mechanism. Thus, each height adjustment mechanism is attached at one of its ends to the or each leg at one end or side of the article of furniture and at the other of its ends to an attachment structure for a body of the article of furniture, and the height adjustment mechanism is capable of being adjusted in length so that when the legs of that end/side are resting on a plane the height of the body of the article of furniture above that plane can be altered. Conveniently the height adjustment mechanism can be latched, positively or frictionally, at each of a range of lengths.

The furniture unit 100 comprises a frame 150. In the first configuration, frame 150 may form an upper rim of the unit 100. In the examples shown in Figures 1A-1D, the frame 150 is of a rounded rectangular shape and possesses a substantially ellipsoidal cross section. The corners of frame 150 may be filleted to a greater or lesser degree than shown and additionally or alternatively the corners may be chamfered. The cross section of the frame 150 may, for example, be circular, square, rectangular, or the cross section may be irregular and differ at different locations around the frame. The frame 150 may comprise a flat sheet that extends around and defines the upper perimeter of the unit 100. The flat sheet may form a side wall of the unit 100. A front portion of the frame 150 may be configured to be releasably attached to the remainder of the frame 150. This front portion may further be configured to be attached to the unit 100 in a lowered position. This front portion may operate in the same manner as known detachable rail portions, such as that described in the aforementioned publication GB 2566859. The frame may have a generally perimetric form. It may comprise one or more elongate and substantially rigid members (e.g. bars, rods or plates) which define a rim. There may be a hole defined through the rim. The upper surface of the frame may be generally planar. The mean width of the frame parallel to that plane may be less than 10% of the mean width of the hole through the frame in the same plane.

The frame 150 is attached to each of the leg assemblies. The leg assemblies are attached to opposing ends of the unit 100. The leg assemblies may be attached to opposing ends of the frame 150. One or both of the leg assemblies may be hingeably attached to the frame 150. As shown in Figure 13, hinged attachments 120, 140 may allow the leg assemblies to rotate. This rotation is illustrated by the dashed arrows centred on hinged attachments 120, 140. The hinged attachments 120, 140 allow portions of the leg assemblies to be rotated such that they lie in substantially the same plane as the frame 150.

The unit 100 may further comprise a support structure. The support structure comprises a first crossbar 110 and may comprises a second crossbar 112. The support structure may be attached to each of the legs 106, 108, 128, 126. As shown in the examples of Figures 1A-1E, crossbar 110 may be attached to leg 106 and leg 126. Crossbar 112 may be attached to leg 108 and leg 128. In other words, the crossbars 110, 112 may extend from the first leg assembly to the second leg assembly.

The unit 100 may further comprises a tray, wherein the support structure is configured to support the tray. The tray may be used to hold various items, such as bottles, nappies etc. The tray be rigid or may be composed of a flexible fabric.

Crossbars 110 and 112 may be joined by one or more braces. Figure 1A shows a first brace 114 and a second brace 134. The first brace 114 may be positioned proximal to the first 106 and second legs 108. The second brace 134 may be positioned proximal to the third 126 and fourth legs 128. One or more of the braces may comprise a hinge configured to permit opposing ends of the brace to be brought together. The hinge may be selectively lockable such that the relative positions of opposing ends of the brace are fixed. Additionally or alternatively, the braces may comprises a telescoping portion configured to telescopically extend.

One or more of the legs 106, 108, 126, 128 may be detachably attached to the respective leg assemblies. The legs may be detachably attached to the lower parts 102 or 122, as shown by the dotted lines in Figures 1B and 1C. The legs may be detached from the unit by the application a force. The force may be in a downward direction, i.e. towards to the lower end of the unit 100. An example of the direction of the applied force is shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 1C. One or more of the legs or the leg assemblies may comprise a button, latch or clip. The button may be configured such that, when depressed by a user, a leg is released from the respective leg assembly. If the unit 100 comprises a support structure, the support structure may also be configured to be releasable from the leg assemblies. The support structure may be configured to be releasable from the leg assemblies by way of being attached to one or more of legs 106, 108, 126, 128.

Figure 1E shows the furniture unit 100 in a disassembled state. In this example, legs 106, 108, 126, 128 and the support structure have been detached from the leg assemblies and the leg assemblies have been rotated to lie substantially in the plane of the frame 150. The detachable legs 106, 108, 126, 128 allow the unit 100 to be compactly stowed. Furthermore, if the unit 100 comprises a support structure attached to the legs, said support structure reduces the number of loose parts (e.g. loose detached legs), allowing the disassembling and assembling of the unit 100 to faster and easier for a user.

The frame 150 is suitable for supporting upholstery. Figure 1D shows frame 150 supporting crib upholstery 160. Upholstery 160 may be primarily composed of textiles but may comprise rigid elements configured to provide structural reinforcement. Example of rigid elements include plates, boards and bars. For example, in the first configuration shown in Figure 1 D, crib upholstery 160 may comprises a rigid base. A rigid base is advantageous for supporting a child. Upholstery 160 may be attached to the frame. It may be attached permanently (e.g. by sewing) or semi-permanently (e.g. by press-studs or hook-and-loop fastenings which can be detached by a user).

The frame 150 is configured to be extendable in a first and a second direction, the second direction being different to the first. The first direction is defined as extending between the leg assemblies. In other words, the first direction is defined as being the direction from a point on the first leg assembly (e.g. first upper part 104) to substantially the same point on the second leg assembly (e.g. second upper part 124). In the examples shown in Figures 1A-1D, the first direction could be referred to as being along the length of the unit 100. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second directions may be substantially horizontal. In this context, a component being extendable should be understood to mean that the component is able to be lengthened in such a way as to be structurally sound (e.g. capable of bearing some load) in both the extended and non-extended state. Furthermore, a component being extendable or adaptable should be understood to mean that the component is user-extendable or user-adaptable respectively. A user-extendable or user-adaptable component may be respectively extended or adapted without specialist tools. A user-extendable or user-adaptable component may be respectively extended or adapted by hand respectively. Being extendable in two directions allows the unit 100 to be adapted to suit children at different stages of development.

The frame 150 may be extendable by one or more of a variety of means. For example, the frame 150 may comprise first telescoping portion 152 that is configured to extend the frame in the first direction. In examples where the frame 150 surrounds the unit 100, the first telescoping portion comprises telescoping parts on each of the long sides of the unit at 152 and 154. Similarly, the frame 150 may comprise second telescoping portion 156 that is configured to extend the frame in the second direction. In examples where the frame 150 surrounds the unit 100, the second telescoping portion 156 comprises telescoping parts on each of the short sides of the unit at 156 and 158. The second telescoping portion 156 may comprise two telescoping parts on each end of the unit wherein the two telescoping parts are on either side of a respective leg assembly.

Another way in which the frame 150 may be extendable is by the addition of an extra piece of frame, referred to herein as an lengthening portion. The lengthening portions may be elongate. A lengthening portion comprises two fixing points on opposing ends of the lengthening portion. The fixing points are configured to engage with the frame 150. The fixing points may comprise latches or clips. The fixing points may comprise a socket shaped to receive a complementary protrusion, latch or clip on frame 150. Similarly, the fixing points may comprise a protrusion configured to fit a complementary socket on frame 150. In examples where the frame 150 surrounds the unit 100, a lengthening portion on each side of the frame may be necessary. For example, at least one lengthening portion may be added to each of the two long side and the two short sides of the frame 150.

As previously mentioned, more than one of these means may be implemented on the same furniture unit 100. For example, a given frame 150 may comprise one or more telescoping portions and one or more lengthening portions.

If the furniture unit comprises a support structure, the support structure may be 30 extendable. One or both of the crossbars 110, 122 may be configured to be extendable in the first direction. One or both of the crossbars 110, 112 may comprise one or more of a telescoping portion and an lengthening portion.

Figures 2A-2C show examples of the furniture unit 100 in a second configuration. This second configuration may be referred to as an extended crib configuration 200. The extended crib configuration 200 is the expanded version of furniture unit 100 that has been extended by way of the extending means discussed above.

The extended crib configuration 200 may require the upholstery 160 of unit 100 to be replaced with larger upholstery. Alternatively, the unit 100 may comprise upholstery 160 configured to be extendable in the first and second directions. The upholstery 160 may comprise sufficient fabric to substantially enclose the unit 100 its extended and non-extended forms. Upholstery 160 may comprise one or more folded portions configured to be unfoldable to allow the upholstery 160 to extend in one or both of the first and second directions. The folded portions may comprise pleated or bunched fabric. The upholstery 160 may comprises one or more lengthening portions. The lengthening portions may comprise the same features as the lengthening portions described above with reference to frame 150, though the fixing portions are configured to engage with the upholstery 160 instead of the frame 150 to extend the upholstery 160.

By being physically extendable, the useful lifetime of the furniture unit 100 is elongated, as the unit 100 can be adapted to suit the needs of a user. In particular, the extendable frame allows the unit 100 to be expanded to meet the needs of a growing child.

Figures 3A-3D show examples of the furniture unit 100 in a third configuration. This second configuration may be referred to as a sofa configuration 300. In the sofa configuration 300, the furniture unit 100 comprises a first redirecting portion 372 and a second redirecting portion 374. The redirecting portions each comprise two fixing points that are angularly offset from one another. The fixing points may be angularly offset by substantially 90 degrees. The fixing points are configured to engage with the frame 150 such that a portion 376 of the frame 150 is vertically offset from the remainder of the frame 150. In other words, the addition of redirecting portions 372, 374 with angularly offset fixing portions results in one part 376 of the frame 150 being lower than the rest of the frame 150. The angular offset of the fixing points may result in the vertically offset portion 376 also being angularly offset from the remainder of the frame 150. The vertically offset portion 376 may be angularly offset by substantially the same angular offset between fixing points.

In the examples of Figures 3A-3D, the redirecting portions 372, 374 comprise fixing points offset by 90 degrees. In these examples, the redirecting portions may comprise a corner. In the sofa configuration 300, the vertically offset portion 376 of the frame 150 may provide part of a seat or may support a seat 380. The unit may further comprise a seat 380. An example of the sofa configuration 300 including a seat 380 is shown in Figure 3D. The seat 380 may be rigid and may additionally or alternatively be cushioned. If the unit 100 comprises a support structure, the support structure may support the seat 380. More specifically, one or more of the crossbars 110, 112 may support the seat 380. The seat 380 may be supported by the vertically offset portion 376 and the support structure. The remainder of the frame 150 may provide a backrest and one or more armrests.

Figures 4A-4D show examples of the furniture unit 100 in a fourth configuration. This fourth configuration may be referred to as a bed configuration 400. In the bed configuration 400, in addition to the first and second redirecting portions 372, 374, the furniture unit 100 comprises a third redirecting portion 472 and a fourth redirecting 474.

As with the first and second redirecting portions 372, 374, the third and fourth redirecting portions 472, 474 each comprise two fixing points that are angularly offset from one another. The fixing points may be angularly offset by substantially 90 degrees. The fixing points are configured to engage with the frame 150 such that a portion 476 of the frame 150 is vertically offset from the remainder of the frame 150 and angularly offset from its position in the first (crib) configuration. For convenience, the vertically and angularly offset portion 476 will herein be referred to as the vertically offset portion 476. In other words, the addition of redirecting portions 472, 474 with angularly offset fixing portions results in one part 476 of the frame 150 being lower than the rest of the frame 150. The angular offset of the fixing points may result in the vertically offset portion 476 also being angularly offset from the remainder of the frame 150. The vertically offset portion 476 may be angularly offset by substantially the same angular offset between fixing points.

In the examples of Figures 4A-4D, the redirecting portions 472, 474 comprise fixing points offset by 90 degrees. In these examples, the redirecting portions may comprise a corner. In the bed configuration 400, one or both of the vertically offset portions 376, 476 of the frame 150 may provide part of a sleeping surface or may support a sleeping surface 480. The sleeping surface 480 may be the same component as seat 380, or may be a separate component. The unit may further comprise a sleeping surface 480. An example of the bed configuration 400 including a sleeping surface 480 is shown in Figure 4D. The sleeping surface 480 may be rigid and may additionally or alternatively be cushioned. If the unit 100 comprises a support structure, the support structure may support the sleeping surface 480. More specifically, one or more of the crossbars 110, 112 may support the sleeping surface 480. The sleeping surface may be supported by the vertically offset portions 376, 476 and the support structure. The remainder of the frame 150 may form a headboard and a footboard. The first and third redirecting portions 372, 472 may form a footboard and the second and fourth redirecting portions 374, 474 may form a headboard, or vice versa.

One or both of the vertically offset portions 376, 476 may be configured to provide a bed guard. For example, if a sleeping surface 480 is supported by the support structure, vertically offset portions 376, 476 may provide bed guards on each side of the bed 400. Alternatively, if a sleeping surface 480 is supported by vertically offset portion 376 then vertically offset portion 476 may be configured to provide a bed guard. The vertical offset of one or more of the vertically offset portions 376, 476 may be adjustable. More specifically, frame 150 may be configured to be extendable in a third direction such that the vertical offset of one or both of the vertically offset portions 376, 476 may be adjusted. The third direction may be perpendicular to one or both of the first and second directions. The third direction may be referred to as the vertical direction. One or more of the redirecting portions 372, 472, 374, 474 may be extendable in the third direction by way of comprising a telescoping portion or a lengthening portion, as described above in reference to frame 150. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the vertically offset portions 376, 476 may be extendable in the third direction by way of comprising a telescoping portion or a lengthening portion, as described above in reference to frame 150.

The two vertically offset portions 376, 476 may be offset by the same amount, resulting in a symmetrical bed. Alternatively, the two vertically offset portions 376, 476 may be offset by different amounts, resulting in an asymmetrical bed. The asymmetric bed may comprise one or more bed guards which may be provided by one of the vertically offset portions 376, 476.

The sofa configuration 300 and the bed configuration 400 may require the upholstery 160 of unit 100 to be replaced with larger and/or specifically shaped upholstery. As previously mentioned, the unit 100 may comprise upholstery 160 configured to be extendable in the first and second directions. Additionally or alternatively, the upholstery 160 may be configured to be extendable in the third direction. The upholstery 160 may comprise sufficient fabric to substantially enclose the unit 100 in the sofa and bed configurations 300, 400. Upholstery 160 may be configured to be bunched or folded such that portions of the upholstery 160 can be stowed away. For example, the upholstery 160 shown in Figure 1D may comprise slits to allow a portion of the upholstery to be folded and stowed. Upholstery 160 configured as such can allow the same upholstery 160 to be used in each of the configurations discussed. In order to accommodate the sofa and/or bed configurations 400, the upholstery 160 may further comprise one or more lengthening portions. The lengthening portions may comprise the same features as the lengthening portions described above with reference to frame 150, though the fixing portions are configured to engage with the upholstery 160 instead of the frame 150 to extend the upholstery 160.

By way of the features described herein, the furniture unit 100 is advantageously extendable and reconfigurable. Specifically, the components described as being extendable allow the unit 100 to be extended from a smaller initial configuration to a larger configuration. Both by means of the extendable components and the redirecting portions the initial crib configuration of the unit 100 may be adapted to take on one of the later configurations discussed, such as the extended crib configuration 200, the sofa configuration 300, and the bed configuration 400. Both the extendibility and the reconfigurability of the unit 100 provide the benefit of extending the useful lifetime of the unit 100 by providing adaptability. Hence, the present invention safely solves the aforementioned problems of expense and inconvenience to users posed by known designs, as well as reducing the amount of furniture required in a household, therefore saving space.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A reconfigurable furniture unit (100) comprising: a first leg assembly at one end of the furniture unit (100); a second leg assembly at another end of the furniture unit (100); and a frame (150) for supporting upholstery, in a first configuration the frame being attached to the first and second leg assemblies and configured to be extendable in a first and a second direction, the first direction extending between the first and second leg assemblies and the second direction being different to the first direction.
2. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame (150) comprises a first telescoping portion configured to telescopically extend the frame (150) in the first direction.
3. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the frame (150) comprises a second telescoping portion configured to telescopically extend the frame (150) in the second direction.
4. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame (150) further comprises: a first lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the frame (150); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the frame (150), the frame (150) is extended in the first direction.
5. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame (150) further comprises: a second lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the frame (150); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the frame (150), the frame (150) is extended in the second direction.
6. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: a first (372) and a second redirecting portion (374), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150); wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a first portion (376) of the frame (150) is vertically offset from the remainder of the frame (150) and angularly offset from its position in the first configuration.
7. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the frame (150) is configured such that the vertical offset of the first portion (376) is adjustable.
8. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: a second (472) and a third redirecting portion (474), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150); wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a second portion (476) of the frame (150) is vertically offset from the remainder of the frame (150) and angularly offset from its position in the first configuration.
9. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the frame (150) is configured such that the vertical offset of the second portion (476) isadjustable.
10. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second leg assemblies each comprise a detachable leg (106, 126).
11. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a support structure attached to each of the detachable legs (106, 126), wherein the support structure is configured to be extendable in the first direction.
12. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises a first crossbar (110) and a second crossbar (112) and a foldable brace (114) attached to the first and second crossbars (110, 112).
13. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising upholstery (160) configured to be extendable in the first and second directions
14. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the upholstery (160) comprises a first folding portion configured to extend the upholstery (160) in the first direction.
15. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, 10 wherein the upholstery (160) comprises a second folding portion configured to extend the upholstery (160) in the second direction.
16. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the upholstery (160) further comprises: a first lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the upholstery (160); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the upholstery (160), the upholstery (150) is extended in the first direction.
17. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the upholstery (160) further comprises: a second lengthening portion comprising two opposing fixing portions configured to engage with the upholstery (160); and wherein, when the two opposing fixing portions engage with the upholstery (160), the upholstery (150) is extended in the second direction.
18 A reconfigurable furniture unit (100) comprising: a first leg assembly at one end of the furniture unit (100); a second leg assembly at another end of the furniture unit (100); a frame (150) for supporting upholstery, attached to the first and second leg assemblies; and a first (372) and a second redirecting portion (374), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150); wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a first portion (376) of the frame (150) is vertically and angularly offset from the remainder of the frame (150).
19. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the frame (150) is configured such that the vertical offset of the first portion (376) is adjustable.
20. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, further comprising: a second (472) and a third redirecting portion (474), each comprising two relatively angularly offset fixing points configured to engage with the frame (150); wherein, when the angularly offset fixing points are engaged with the frame (150), a second portion (476) of the frame (150) is vertically and angularly offset from the remainder of the frame (150).
21. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the frame (150) is configured such that the vertical offset of the second portion (476) is adjustable.
22. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the first and second leg assemblies each comprise a detachable leg (106, 126).
23. The reconfigurable furniture unit (100) as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a support structure attached to each of the detachable legs (106, 126), wherein the support structure is configured to be extendable in the first direction.
24. A furniture unit (100) configured to be user-adaptable to adopt each of the following configurations: a first crib configuration, comprising a first leg assembly at one end of the furniture unit (100), a second leg assembly at another end of the furniture unit (100), and a frame (150) for supporting upholstery (160), the frame (150) forming an upper rim of the unit (100); a second crib configuration (200), in which the frame (150) is extended in a first and a second direction, the first direction extending between the first and second leg assemblies and the second direction being different to the first direction; a sofa configuration (300), in which a portion (376) of the frame (150) is detached from the from the remainder of frame (150) and reattached to the unit (100) such that it is vertically and angularly offset from its position in the first crib configuration; and a bed configuration (400), in which two portions (376, 476) of the frame (150) are detached from the remainder of the frame (150) and reattached to the unit (100) such that each portion is vertically and angularly offset from their respective positions in the first crib configuration.