Knockdown furniture assembly and method for making same

Abstract

A knockdown furniture assembly includes a frame releasably connected to two arm pieces. Each arm piece has a bottom rail having two carriage bolts extending outward therefrom for positioning in the frame. The bolts are held in place on the arm pieces and the frame by washer and nut assemblies. The washer and nut assemblies are countersunk in the rails to allow for a flush connection between the rails and the frame. The arm pieces can be easily disassembled from the frame by disengaging the washer and nut assemblies and removing the frame from off of the bolts.

1 . A knockdown furniture assembly comprising: 
 (a) a first arm piece having at least one connecting member extending outward therefrom; and    (b) a frame defining at least one aperture therein for receiving said connecting member, said connecting member adapted for releasable engagement in the frame aperture whereby said arm piece is releasably connected to said frame.    
   
   
       2 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said arm piece includes a rail defining at least one opening for positioning said connecting member therethrough.  
   
   
       3 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said connecting member comprises a carriage bolt inserted through the opening in said rail and held in place on said rail by frictional engagement with a first releasable fastening assembly.  
   
   
       4 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said first fastening assembly comprises a flat washer, a lock washer and a nut for positioning on said connecting member.  
   
   
       5 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said rail includes a side facing said frame having a countersunk area adjacent the opening for positioning said first fastening assembly therein, whereby said rail is positionable in flush engagement with said frame.  
   
   
       6 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said carriage bolt is positioned within the aperture of said frame and held in place within said frame by frictional engagement with a second releasable fastening assembly, whereby said arm piece is releasably connected to said frame.  
   
   
       7 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein said arm piece can be disconnected from said frame by disengaging said second fastening assembly and withdrawing said carriage bolt from the aperture in said frame.  
   
   
       8 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second arm piece releasably connected to said frame.  
   
   
       9 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said frame is rectangular, and said first arm piece and said second arm piece are connected at opposite sides of said frame.  
   
   
       10 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a seating support mounted on said frame.  
   
   
       11 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a back support mounted on said frame.  
   
   
       12 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said first arm piece includes two connecting members extending outward therefrom.  
   
   
       13 . A furniture assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said furniture assembly comprises a sofa, futon or chair, and further wherein said arm piece comprises an armrest.  
   
   
       14 . A method for making a knockdown furniture assembly comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an arm piece defining an least one opening formed therein;    (b) inserting a connecting member through the arm piece opening and fastening the connecting member to the arm piece by frictionally engaging the connecting member with a first releasable fastening assembly;    (c) providing a frame defining an aperture for receiving the connecting member; and    (d) inserting said connecting member through the frame aperture and fastening the connecting member to the frame by frictionally engaging the connecting member with a second releasable fastening assembly whereby said arm piece and said frame are releasably connected.    
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of mounting a seating segment on the frame.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of upholstering the arm piece so as to leave the opening and the connecting member exposed.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of upholstering the frame so as to leave the aperture exposed.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of upholstering the arm piece and the frame such that areas of the arm piece and the frame that contact each other are left exposed.  
   
   
       19 . A method for making a furniture assembly comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing an arm piece having a rail defining a first opening and a second opening formed therein;    (b) inserting a first carriage bolt through the first arm piece opening and inserting a second carriage bolt through the second arm piece opening;    (c) fastening each of the first and second carriage bolts to the arm piece by frictionally engaging the first and second carriage bolts with a first and second washer and nut assemblies;    (d) providing a frame defining a first aperture and a second aperture for receiving the first carriage bolt and the second carriage bolt; and    (e) inserting the first carriage bolt through the first frame aperture and the second carriage bolt through the second frame aperture and fastening the first and second carriage bolts to the frame by frictionally engaging the first carriage bolt with a third washer and nut assembly and frictionally engaging the second carriage bolt with a fourth washer and nut assembly, whereby the arm piece is releasably connected to the frame.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , further comprising the step of upholstering the arm piece such that the first and second carriage bolts remain exposed.