Stackable, interlockable furniture modules

Abstract

Interlocking, stackable articles of furniture are disclosed. The individual components may be used separately, interlocked end to end, stacked in various orientations to create shelving structures, or stacked vertically as a single upstanding unit.

1 . Furniture modules capable of being interlocked, each module comprising:
 an edged surface;   at least three legs attached to the surface and extending downward from the surface;   at least one first leg extending from one surface edge and having a predetermined distance between the outermost opposed leg surfaces;   a group of at least two legs extending from an opposite surface edge and having a distance between the innermost leg surfaces of the innermost legs equal to or greater than the predetermined distance between the first leg outermost opposed surfaces;   and each furniture module being substantially identical in size and shape to at least one other module.   
   
   
       2 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said modules are composed of wood. 
   
   
       3 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said modules are composed of plastic. 
   
   
       4 . The inter locking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said modules are composed of metal. 
   
   
       5 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said modules are of preformed, unitary construction. 
   
   
       6 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said edged surface is substantially square. 
   
   
       7 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said legs are perpendicular to said edged surface. 
   
   
       8 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said modules vary in color. 
   
   
       9 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 1 , wherein said modules include a design pattern. 
   
   
       10 . Furniture modules capable of being interlocked, each module comprising:
 an edged surface;   at least three legs attached to the surface and extending downward from the surface;   at least one first leg extending from one surface edge and having a predetermined distance between the outermost opposed leg surfaces;   a group of at least two legs extending from an opposite surface edge and having a distance between the innermost leg surfaces of the innermost legs equal to or greater than the predetermined distance between the first leg outermost opposed surfaces;   and the first leg of a first module interlocking with the two legs of a second module, the first leg of the second module interlocking with the two legs of a third module.   
   
   
       11 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 10 , wherein said modules are composed of wood. 
   
   
       12 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 10 , wherein said modules are composed of plastic. 
   
   
       13 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 10 , wherein said modules are of preformed, unitary construction. 
   
   
       14 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 10 , wherein said edged surface is square. 
   
   
       15 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 10 , wherein said legs are perpendicular to said edged surface. 
   
   
       16 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 10 , wherein said modules vary in color. 
   
   
       17 . The interlocking furniture modules of  claim 10 , wherein said modules include a design pattern. 
   
   
       18 . Interlocking, stackable furniture modules, each module comprising:
 an edged surface;   at least three legs attached to the surface and extending downward from the surface;   a first leg or group of legs being offset from one surface edge and having a predetermined distance between the outermost leg surfaces;   a second group of at least two legs being offset from an opposite surface edge and having a distance between the innermost leg surfaces of the innermost legs equal to or greater than the predetermined distance;   and the space between the first leg or group of legs and the second group of at least two legs having a length equal to or greater than the maximum width of the surface.   
   
   
       19 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said edged surface is substantially identical in size and shape to the edged surface of every other module. 
   
   
       20 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein the stacking of four said modules creates a stacking unit. 
   
   
       21 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said stacking unit includes:
 a first module;   a second module rotated 180 degrees with respect to the first module and stacked atop the first module;   a third module rotated 90 degrees with respect to the second module and stacked atop the second module;   and a fourth module rotated 180 degrees with respect to the third module and stacked atop the third module.   
   
   
       22 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said modules are composed of wood. 
   
   
       23 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said modules are composed of plastic. 
   
   
       24 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said modules are of preformed, unitary construction. 
   
   
       25 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein each of said modules is the same height. 
   
   
       26 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein each of said modules is the same shape. 
   
   
       27 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said edged surface is square. 
   
   
       28 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said legs are perpendicular to said edged surface. 
   
   
       29 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said modules vary in color. 
   
   
       30 . The interlocking, stackable furniture modules of  claim 18 , wherein said modules include a design pattern. 
   
   
       31 . Interlocking, stackable shelving units, each shelving unit comprising:
 a first shelf module and a second shelf module having identical shape and size;   the shelf modules having a side surface;   at least one top leg extending perpendicularly to one surface edge from a position offset from the side surface, and having a predetermined width between the outermost opposed leg surfaces;   at least two bottom legs extending perpendicularly to an opposite surface edge and having a distance between the innermost leg surfaces of the innermost legs greater than or equal to the predetermined width of the first leg outermost opposed surfaces;   the shelf modules being configured so that the top leg of the first shelf module meets the top leg of the second shelf module and the bottom legs of the first shelf module meet the bottom legs of the second shelf module.