This invention relates to furniture that is easily assembled and disassembled, i.e., knockdown furniture, such as typewriter stands, desks, files, cabinets and the like. These types of furniture have parts which can be shipped disassembled or in a collapsed state so as to fit in a relatively flat container. Upon reaching their destination the furniture is put together.
Some knockdown furniture is in the form of parts which are hinged to each other. This type of furniture is easy to assemble and the designs shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,445,566 of Stoll and U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,744 of Nalcano are representative of this hinged furniture. The problem with hinged furniture is that it does not form a small package.
Another type of knockdown furniture is in the form of separate parts which must be connected to each other after shipment. U.S. Pat. No. 2,615,771 of Curtis, U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,902 of Tenani, U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,098 of Alexander and British Pat. No. 1,477,631 of Harvey et al. are representative. The problem with this type of furniture is that it requires fasteners and tools for assembly.
In the past, efforts have been made to provide furniture which can be purchased by the consumer in its disassembled state and then assembled without tools or fasteners. One example of this is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,416 of Baum et al. in which screw heads on one furniture part are received in raised slotted openings in mating furniture parts.
Although the concept of knockdown furniture is old in the art, more often than not, it is difficult to assemble with or without tools and fasteners. This is because the parts are either too complex and intricate to assemble easily, or because deciphering the instructions may require an inordinate amount of time. Furthermore, fabricated furniture assembled without tools or fasteners is often unsatisfactory because it generally lacks the strength and rigidity required for every day use.
It would be advantageous to have knockdown furniture which is sufficiently stable for everyday use, can be assembled without tools and fasteners, and can be disassembled and shipped in a flat package.