Modular furniture piece having interchangeable arms

Abstract

A modular furniture piece providing one or more seating surfaces comprises in one embodiment a first base member having a first side panel and a second side panel, a first back member releasably secured to the base member, and a first and second arm member releasably secured to the base member. The first and second arm members include an exterior finished panel and an interior engagement panel, wherein the interior engagement panel is capable of releasably engaging either the first side panel or the second side panel of the modular base member.

1 . A modular furniture piece, comprising: 
 a modular base member having a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel; and    a first modular arm member having opposing side panels, said opposing side panels consisting essentially of an exterior finished panel and an interior engagement panel;    wherein said interior engagement panel of said first modular arm member is capable of releasably engaging either said first side panel or said second side panel of said modular base member, whereby said exterior finished panel of said first modular arm member defines a first exterior side surface of said modular furniture piece.    
     
     
         2 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 1 , wherein said modular base member is substantially trapezoidal.  
     
     
         3 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 1 , wherein said modular base member is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         4 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 1 , wherein said modular base member includes a corresponding back member, said corresponding back member releasably securable to said modular base member.  
     
     
         5 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 4 , wherein said corresponding back member is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         6 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 4 , wherein said modular base member and said corresponding back member define substantially perpendicular planes.  
     
     
         7 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 1 , wherein said first modular arm member is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         8 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 1 , wherein said modular base member and said first modular arm member define substantially perpendicular planes.  
     
     
         9 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second modular arm member having opposing side panels, said opposing side panels consisting essentially of an exterior finished panel and an interior engagement panel; 
 wherein said interior engagement panel of said second modular arm member is capable of releasably engaging either said first side panel or said second side panel of said modular base member, whereby said exterior finished panel of said second modular arm member defines a second exterior side surface of said modular furniture piece.    
     
     
         10 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 9 , wherein said first and second modular arm members define substantially parallel planes.  
     
     
         11 . A modular furniture piece, comprising: 
 a plurality of adjacent modular base members releasably secured to one another to form a seating bench, said seating bench defining a first outer side panel and a second outer side panel; and    a first modular arm member having opposing side panels, said opposing side panels consisting essentially of an exterior finished panel and an interior engagement panel;    wherein said interior engagement panel of said first modular arm member is capable of releasably engaging either said first outer side panel or said second outer side panel of said seating bench.    
     
     
         12 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 11 , wherein one or more of said modular base members are substantially trapezoidal.  
     
     
         13 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 11 , wherein one or more of said modular base members are substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         14 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of modular base members form a substantially rectangular seating bench.  
     
     
         15 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of modular base members form an arcuate seating bench.  
     
     
         16 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said plurality of modular base members includes a corresponding back member, said corresponding back member releasably securable to at least one of said plurality of modular base members.  
     
     
         17 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 16 , wherein said corresponding back member is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         18 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 16 , wherein said seating bench and said corresponding back member define substantially perpendicular planes.  
     
     
         19 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 11 , wherein each modular base member includes a corresponding back member, said corresponding back members releasably securable to each modular base member.  
     
     
         20 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 11 , further comprising a second modular arm member having opposing side panels, said opposing side panels consisting essentially of an exterior finished panel and an interior engagement panel; 
 wherein said interior engagement panel of said second modular arm member is capable of releasably engaging either said first outer side panel or said second outer side panel of said seating bench.    
     
     
         21 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 20 , wherein said first and second modular arm members define substantially parallel planes.  
     
     
         22 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 20 , wherein said first and second modular arm members are substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         23 . A modular furniture piece providing at least one seating surface, said furniture piece comprising: 
 a first base member having a front panel, rear panel, first side panel, and second side panel, said base member having a plurality of fasteners;    a first back member having a plurality of fasteners, said back member fasteners capable of correspondingly engaging said base member fasteners such that said back member is releasably securable to said base member; and    a first and second arm member having a plurality of fasteners, said first and second arm member fasteners capable of correspondingly engaging said base member fasteners such that said arm members are releasably securable to said base member;    wherein said first and second arm members are interchangeable with respect to one another such that said first and second arm members are capable of correspondingly engaging said first side panel or said second side panel of said base member, respectively.    
     
     
         24 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said first base member, said first back member, and said first and second arm members are upholstered.  
     
     
         25 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said first and second arm members are reversible with respect to the orientation of a front face and a rear face of each of said arm members, such that said first and second arm members are capable of correspondingly engaging said first side panel or said second side panel of said first base member, respectively.  
     
     
         26 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of base member fasteners and said plurality of back member fasteners include a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to one of said first or second side panels of said first base member and to a lower portion of said back member adjacent to said first base member.  
     
     
         27 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of base member fasteners and said plurality of back member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to an edge said back member adjacent to said first base member; and    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to an edge of said first back member opposite the edge to which one of said first pair of corresponding fasteners is secured.    
     
     
         28 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said first base member, said first back member, and said first and second arm members are substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         29 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said first base member and said first back member define substantially perpendicular planes.  
     
     
         30 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of base member fasteners and said plurality of arm member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member and to a side of said first arm member; and    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member and to a side of said second arm member.    
     
     
         31 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of base member fasteners and said plurality of arm member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said first arm member;    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said second arm member;    a third pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said first arm member; and    a fourth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said second arm member;    wherein said first and third pairs of fasteners are spaced apart from one another; and    wherein said second and fourth pairs of fasteners are spaced apart from one another.    
     
     
         32 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 23 , wherein said first and second arm members define substantially parallel planes.  
     
     
         33 . A modular furniture piece providing at least two seating surfaces, said furniture piece comprising: 
 first and second adjacent base members each having a front panel, rear panel, first side panel, and second side panel, each of said base members having a plurality of fasteners;    first and second back members each having a plurality of fasteners, said back member fasteners capable of correspondingly engaging said base member fasteners such that either one of said first or second back members is releasably securable to either one of said first or second base members; and    first and second arm members each having a plurality of fasteners, said arm member fasteners capable of correspondingly engaging said base member fasteners such that said arm members are releasably securable to said base members;    wherein said first and second arm members are interchangeable with respect to one another such that each one of said first and second arm members is capable of correspondingly engaging either said first side panel of said first base member or said second side panel of said second base member, respectively.    
     
     
         34 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said first and second base members, said first and second back members, and said first and second arm members are upholstered.  
     
     
         35 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said first and second arm members are reversible with respect to the orientation of a front face and a rear face of each of said arm members, such that each one of said first and second arm members is capable of correspondingly engaging either said first side panel of said first base member or said second side panel of said second base member, respectively.  
     
     
         36 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of first and second base member fasteners includes a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to one of said first or second side panels of said first base member, and to one of said first or second side panels of said second base member.  
     
     
         37 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of first and second base member fasteners includes: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to said first side panel of said second base member; and    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to said first side panel of said second base member;    wherein said first and second pair of corresponding fasteners are spaced apart from one another.    
     
     
         38 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of first and second base member fasteners and said plurality of first and second back member fasteners include a first pair of fasteners secured respectively to one of said first or second side panels of said first or second base members, and to a lower portion of one of said first or second back members adjacent to said first or second base members.  
     
     
         39 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of first and second base member fasteners and said plurality of first and second back member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to an edge of said first back member adjacent to said first base member;    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to an edge of said first back member opposite the edge to which one of said first pair of corresponding fasteners is secured;    a third pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said second base member, and to an edge of said second back member adjacent to said second base member; and    a fourth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said second base member, and to an edge of said second back member opposite the edge to which one of said third pair of corresponding fasteners is secured.    
     
     
         40 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of base member fasteners and said plurality of arm member fasteners include a first pair of fasteners secured respectively to one of said first or second side panels of said first or second base members, and to a side of said first or second arm members.  
     
     
         41 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of base member fasteners and said plurality of arm member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said first arm member; and    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said second base member, and to a side of said second arm member.    
     
     
         42 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said plurality of base member fasteners and said plurality of arm member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said first arm member;    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said second base member, and to a side of said second arm member;    a third pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said first arm member; and    a fourth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said second base member, and to a side of said second arm member;    wherein said first and third pair of corresponding fasteners are spaced apart from one another; and    wherein said second and fourth pair of corresponding fasteners are spaced apart from one another.    
     
     
         43 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said first and second base members, said first and second back members, and said first and second arm members are substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         44 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said first and second base members, and said first and second back members, define substantially perpendicular planes, respectively.  
     
     
         45 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 33 , wherein said first and second arm members define substantially parallel planes.  
     
     
         46 . A modular furniture piece providing at least three seating surfaces, said furniture piece comprising: 
 first, second, and third engaged base members each having a front panel, rear panel, first side panel, and second side panel, each of said base members having a plurality of fasteners;    first, second, and third back members each having a plurality of fasteners correspondingly engaging said first, second, and third base members, respectively; and    first and second arm members each having a plurality of fasteners;    wherein said first and second arm members are interchangeable with respect to one another such each one of said first and second arm members is capable of correspondingly engaging either said first side panel of said first base member or said second side panel of said third base member, respectively.    
     
     
         47 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 46 , wherein each of said base members, each of said back members, and each of said arm members are upholstered.  
     
     
         48 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 46 , wherein said plurality of first, second, and third base member fasteners includes: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to said first side panel of said second base member;    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said second base member, and to said first side panel of said third base member;    a third pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to said first side panel of said second base member; and    a fourth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said second base member, and to said first side panel of said third base member;    wherein said first and third pair of corresponding fasteners are spaced apart from one another; and    wherein said second and fourth pair of corresponding fasteners are spaced apart from one another.    
     
     
         49 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 46 , wherein said plurality of first, second, and third base member fasteners and said plurality of first, second, and third back member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to an edge of said first back member adjacent to said first base member;    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said first base member, and to an edge of said first back member opposite the edge to which one of said first pair of corresponding fasteners is secured;    a third pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said second base member, and to an edge of said second back member adjacent to said second base member;    a fourth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said second base member, and to an edge of said second back member opposite the edge to which one of said third pair of corresponding fasteners is secured;    a fifth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said third base member, and to an edge of said third back member adjacent to said third base member; and    a sixth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said third base member, and to an edge of said third back member opposite the edge to which one of said fifth pair of corresponding fasteners is secured.    
     
     
         50 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 46 , wherein said plurality of said first, second, and third base member fasteners and said plurality of said first and second arm member fasteners include: 
 a first pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said first arm member;    a second pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said third base member, and to a side of said second arm member;    a third pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said first side panel of said first base member, and to a side of said first arm member; and    a fourth pair of corresponding fasteners secured respectively to said second side panel of said third base member, and to a side of said second arm member;    wherein said first and third pair of corresponding fasteners are spaced apart from one another; and    wherein said second and fourth pair of corresponding fasteners are spaced apart from one another.    
     
     
         51 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 46 , wherein said first, second, and third base members, said first, second, and third back members, and said first and second arm members are substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         52 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 46 , wherein said first, second, and third base members, and said first, second, and third back members define substantially perpendicular planes, respectively.  
     
     
         53 . A modular furniture piece according to  claim 46 , wherein said first and second arm members define substantially parallel planes.