US20090301361A1

US20090301361A1 - Foldable furniture device

Info

Publication number: US20090301361A1
Application number: US12/133,202
Authority: US
Inventors: Duan-Cheng Hsieh
Original assignee: Habitex Corp
Current assignee: Habitex Corp
Priority date: 2008-06-04
Filing date: 2008-06-04
Publication date: 2009-12-10

Abstract

A foldable furniture device includes a support frame having first and second frame bodies opposite to each other in a first direction, and two foldable third frame members opposite to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and interconnecting pivotally the first and second frame bodies. The support frame is operable between a folded state, where the third frame members are folded toward each other so that the first and second frame bodies are close to each other, and an unfolded state, where the third frame members are unfolded. A top member covers detachably a top side of the support frame when the support frame is in the unfolded state.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a furniture device, more particularly to a foldable furniture device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional foldable furniture device, such as a foldable table, generally has a foldable leg frame. However, such a conventional foldable furniture device cannot provide an inner accommodating space therein when in an unfolded state. Accordingly, it is desired to design a foldable furniture device that has a relatively small size when in a folded state, and is further provided with an inner accommodating space therein when in an unfolded state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a foldable furniture device that facilitates storage and transport and that can provide an inner storage space therein.
According to the present invention, a foldable furniture device comprises:
a support frame having first and second frame bodies opposite to each other in a first direction, and two foldable third frame members opposite to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and interconnecting pivotally the first and second frame bodies, the support frame being operable between a folded state, where the third frame members are folded toward each other so that the first and second frame bodies are close to each other, and an unfolded state, where the third frame members are unfolded; and
a top member for covering detachably a top side of the support frame when the support frame is in the unfolded state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be come apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to the present invention, wherein a support frame is in a semi-folded state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment when the support frame is in an unfolded state;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment when the support frame is in a fully folded state;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the second preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the third preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the fourth preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the fifth preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the fifth preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to the present invention is shown to include a support frame 2, and a top member 4.
The support frame 2 has first and second frame bodies 21, 22 opposite to each other in a first direction (X), and two foldable third frame members 23 opposite to each other in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X) and interconnecting pivotally the first and second frame bodies 21, 22. Each of the first and second frame bodies 21, 22 is in the form of a vertical plate body that has opposite lateral lower leg portions 211, 221. In this embodiment, each of the first and second frame bodies 21, 22 has opposite lateral sides 212, 222 each having an inclined edge surface 213, 223. Each third frame member 23 includes two vertical plate bodies 231, each of which has opposite inner and outer sides 2310, 2312, and a lower leg portion 2311 disposed adjacent to the outer side 2312, a first connecting member 232 interconnecting pivotally the inner sides 2310 of the plate bodies 231, and two second connecting members 233 each interconnecting pivotally a corresponding one of the outer sides 2312 of the plate bodies 231, and a corresponding one of the first and second frame bodies 21, 22. In this embodiment, each of the first and second connecting members 232, 233 is a flexible adhesive belt. Alternatively, each of the first and second connecting members 232, 233 can be a vertical hinge. The outer side 2312 of each plate body 231 of each third frame member 23 has an inclined edge surface 2313.
In such a configuration, the support frame 2 is operable between a folded state, where the third frame members 23 are folded toward each other so that the first and second frame bodies 21, 22 are close to each other, as shown in FIG. 1, and an unfolded state, wherein the third frame members are unfolded. When the support frame 2 is in the unfolded state, each of the inclined edge surfaces 213, 223 of the first and second frame bodies 21, 22 abuts against the inclined edge surface 2313 of a corresponding one of the plate bodies 231 of a corresponding one of the third frame members 23. The support frame 2 has a smallest size when in a fully folded state, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby facilitating storage and transport.
The top member 4 covers detachably a top side 24 of the support frame 2 when the support frame 2 is in the unfolded state, as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the top member 4 includes a horizontal plate body 42, and a looped wall 41 extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the plate body 42 and inserted into the top side 24 of the support frame 2. The plate body 42 is square, and has a top surface 421 formed with a shallow recess 40. Therefore, the foldable furniture device of this embodiment can serve as a foldable table suitable for playing mah-jong.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show two modified examples of the foldable furniture device. In the modified example shown in FIG. 4, the top member 4 is rectangular such that the foldable furniture device of the modified example can serve as a foldable tea table. In the modified example shown in FIG. 5, the top member 4 has a flat top surface 421.
FIG. 6 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. Unlike the previous embodiment, the top member (4 a) is in the form of a sofa.
FIG. 7 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the support frame (2 a) further has two upright plates 27 extending integrally and respectively from tops of the first and second frame bodies 21, 22 and disposed adjacent to one of the third frame members 23, and a flexible connecting belt 28 having two ends connected fixedly and respectively to upper ends of the upright plates 27. The flexible connecting belt 28 is disposed directly above said one of the third frame members 23, and is perpendicular to the plate body 42 of the top member 4. As such, the foldable furniture device of this embodiment can serve as a foldable chair.
FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the foldable furniture device further includes a bottom plate 5 disposed detachably in the support frame (2 b) and under the top member 4 such that the support frame (2 b) cooperates with the top member 4 and the bottom plate 5 to define an inner accommodating space 1 thereamong.
Each of the first and second frame bodies 21, 22 of the support frame (2 b) is formed with an opening 210 in spatial communication with the inner accommodating space 1. The support frame (2 b) further has a plurality of positioning rods 25 each connected fixedly to a corresponding one of the third frame members 23 and extending into the inner accommodating space 1 for supporting the bottom plate 5 thereon and between the third frame members 23. The top surface 421 of the plate body 42 of the top member 4 is further formed with a decorative groove 422. As such, the foldable furniture device of this embodiment can serve as a television cabinet.
FIG. 9 illustrates the fifth preferred embodiment of a foldable furniture device according to this invention, which is a modification of the fourth preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the foldable furniture device further includes a partition plate 6 disposed detachably in the support frame (2 c) and between the top member 4 and the bottom plate 5 such that the inner accommodating space 1 is divided by the partition plate 6 into two space portions 10.
The support frame (2 c) further has a plurality of positioning rods 26 each connected fixedly to a corresponding one of the third frame members 23 and extending into the inner accommodating space 1 for supporting the partition plate 6 thereon and between the third frame members 23.
As such, the foldable furniture device of this embodiment can serve as a bookcase. FIG. 10 illustrates a modified example of the fifth preferred embodiment, wherein the foldable furniture device has a large size and can thus serve as a storage cabinet.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A foldable furniture device comprising:

a support frame having first and second frame bodies opposite to each other in a first direction, and two foldable third frame members opposite to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and interconnecting pivotally said first and second frame bodies, said support frame being operable between a folded state, where said third frame members are folded toward each other so that said first and second frame bodies are close to each other, and an unfolded state, where said third frame members are unfolded; and

a top member for covering detachably a top side of said support frame when said support frame is in the unfolded state.

2. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second frame bodies and said third frame members of said support frame has opposite lateral lower leg portions.

3. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said third frame members of said support frame includes two vertical plate bodies each having opposite inner and outer sides, a first connecting member interconnecting pivotally said inner sides of said plate bodies, and two second connecting members each interconnecting pivotally a corresponding one of said outer sides of said plate bodies, and a corresponding one of said first and second frame bodies of said support frame.

4. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first and second connecting members includes a vertical hinge.

5. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first and second connecting members includes a flexible adhesive belt.

6. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top member includes a horizontal plate body.

7. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plate body of said top member has a top surface formed with a recess.

8. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a bottom plated is posed detachably in said support frame and under said top member such that said support frame cooperates with said top member and said bottom plate to define an inner accommodating space thereamong, at least one of said first and second frame bodies being formed with an opening in spatial communication with said inner accommodating space.

9. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said support frame further has a plurality of positioning rods each connected fixedly to a corresponding one of said third frame members and extending into said inner accommodating space for supporting said bottom plate thereon and between the third frame members.

10. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a partition plate disposed detachably in said support frame and between said top member and said bottom plate such that said inner accommodating space is divided by said partition plate into two space portions.

11. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said support frame further has a plurality of positioning rods each connected fixedly to a corresponding one of said third frame members and extending into said inner accommodating space for supporting said partition plate thereon and between said third frame members.

12. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said support frame further has two upright plates extending integrally and respectively from tops of said first and second frame bodies and disposed adjacent to one of said third frame members, and a flexible connecting belt having two ends connected fixedly and respectively to upper ends of said upright plates.

13. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said flexible connecting belt is disposed directly above said one of said third frame members, and is perpendicular to said plate body of said top member.

14. The foldable furniture device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top member is in the form of a sofa.