Ready to assemble structural system

Abstract

A ready to assemble structural system comprises support members with slots, and bases with grooves. The slots allow various support members to be interconnected in rigid alignment. The grooves in the bases receive the upper or lower edges of the support members, providing further structural rigidity. Embodiments allow for the construction of real or toy chairs, tables, bookshelves, chests, houses, and other structures with internal storage capacity or the ability to support a person or objects. Particular embodiments can be vertically stacked or laterally joined to form extended structures.

1 . A structural system comprising:
 (a) a first member having an upper edge, spaced apart lateral edges and first slots formed proximate each of said lateral edges;   (b) second and third members configured to be connected to said first member, each of said second and third members having an upper edge, a lower edge, spaced apart lateral edges and second connector slots formed proximate each of said lateral edges, said second connector slots being constructed and arranged to mateably engage said first connector slots of said first member to join together said first, second and third members to form a first precursor structure; and   (c) a fourth member connected to said upper edges of said second and third members to form a second precursor structure.   
   
   
       2 . The structural system as defined in  claim 1 , in which said second precursor comprises a toe protector structure. 
   
   
       3 . The structural system as defined in  claim 1 , in which said second precursor is a desk structure. 
   
   
       4 . The structural system as defined in  claim 1 , in which said first, second and third members are generally “U” shaped. 
   
   
       5 . The structural system as defined in  claim 1 , further including a fifth member connected to said second and third members, a top member connected to said first, second, third and fourth members, a bottom member connected to said second and third members and an eight member connected to the lower edges of said first, second, third and fifth members to form a chest structure. 
   
   
       6 . The structural system as defined in  claim 1 , further including a back member connected to said second and third members and a top member connected to said first, second, third and fourth members to form a table structure. 
   
   
       7 . The structural system as defined in  claim 6 , further including a back member connected to said table structure to form a chair structure. 
   
   
       8 . A structural furniture system comprising:
 (a) a first generally planar, substantially rectangular member having an upper edge, spaced apart lateral edges and first slots formed proximate each of said lateral edges;   (b) second and third generally planar rectangular members connected to said first member, each of said second and third members having an upper edge, a lower edge, spaced apart lateral edges and second connector slots formed proximate each of said lateral edges, said second connector slots being constructed and arranged to mateably engage said first connector slots of said first member to join together said first, second and third members to form a first precursor structure; and   (c) a top member connected to said upper edges of said second and third members to form a second precursor structure.   
   
   
       9 . The structural furniture system as defined in  claim 8  in which said top member is substantially rectangular and is provided with grooves constructed and arranged to mateably engage said second and third members. 
   
   
       10 . The structural furniture system as defined in  claim 8  further including a back member connected to said second and third members and a bottom member connected to the lower edges of said first, second, third and back members to form a chest structure. 
   
   
       11 . The structural furniture system as defined in  claim 8  in which said bottom member is substantially rectangular and is provided with grooves constructed and arranged to mateably engage first, second, third and back members. 
   
   
       12 . A structural furniture system comprising:
 (a) a first generally planar, “U” shaped member having an upper edge, spaced apart lateral edges and first slots formed proximate each of said lateral edges;   (b) second and third generally planar, “U” shaped members connected to said first member, each of said second and third members having an upper edge, a lower edge, spaced apart lateral edges and second connector slots formed proximate each of said lateral edges, said second connector slots being constructed and arranged to mateably engage said first connector slots of said first member to join together said first, second and third members to form a first precursor structure;   (c) a fourth “U” shaped member connected to said first and second members to form a second precursor structure; and   (d) a top member connected to said first, second, third and fourth members to form a table structure.   
   
   
       13 . The structural system as defined in  claim 12 , further including a back member connected to said table structure to form a chair structure. 
   
   
       14 . The structural system as defined in  claim 13  in which said top member comprises a generally planar, substantially rectangular member having a plurality of grooves constructed and arranged to receive said first, second, third and fourth members. 
   
   
       15 . The structural system as defined in  claim 14 , further including a pair of side arm members connected to said top member. 
   
   
       16 . The structural system as defined in  claim 15 , in which said back member is rectangular shaped. 
   
   
       17 . The structural system as defined in  claim 15 , in which said pair of side arm members are received within selected grooves of said plurality of grooves formed in said top member. 
   
   
       18 . A structural system comprising:
 (a) a first floor member having a plurality of spaced apart grooves;   (b) first and second spaced apart side members connected to said first floor member, said first and second side members each having an upper edge and a lower edge, said lower edges being received within selected ones of said plurality of spaced apart grooves of said first floor member;   (c) a ceiling member connected to said first and second spaced apart side members, said ceiling member having a plurality of spaced apart grooves, said upper edges of said side members being receivable within selected ones of said grooves formed in said ceiling members; and   (d) a roof structure connected to said ceiling member, said roof structure having edges receivable within selected ones of said grooves formed in said ceiling member.   
   
   
       19 . The structural system as defined in  claim 18  further including a second floor member and third and fourth side members, said side members being connected to and disposed between said first and second floor members.