Ready to assemble modular furniture

Abstract

A ready to assemble modular article of furniture includes a plurality of panels adapted to be assembled without the use of tools. A plurality of fittings are adapted for securing the plurality of panels in assembled relationship, each of the fittings including a first component and a second component. At least a first one of the panels having a surface supporting at least one of the first components. At least a second one of the panels having a surface supporting at least one of the second components. The first and second panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with the first and second components in alignment with each other, whereby manipulation of the first component without the use of tools causes the first component to engage the second component thereby securing the first and second panels together in transverse relationship.

1 . A ready to assemble modular article of furniture comprising:
 a plurality of panels adapted to be assembled;   at least one first fitting adapted for securing said plurality of panels in assembled relationship, said first fitting comprising a first component including a rotatable catch and a second component, said first component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of a first one of said panels and said second component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of a second one of said panels;   wherein said first and second panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with said first and second components in adjacent relationship, whereby rotation of said catch of said first component without the use of tools causes said catch to engage said second component thereby securing said first and second panels together in transverse relationship.   
     
     
         2 . The article of furniture of  claim 1 , wherein said catch includes a hook shaped end and said second component includes a hook shaped end, whereby rotation of said catch causes said hook shaped ends of said catch and said second component to engage each other thereby securing said first and second panels together. 
     
     
         3 . The article of furniture of  claim 2 , wherein said hook shaped ends each have a cam profile. 
     
     
         4 . The article of furniture of  claim 2 , wherein said catch includes a handle for manipulation without the use of a tool to cause rotation of said catch. 
     
     
         5 . The article of furniture of  claim 2 , wherein each of said hook shaped ends provide a U-shaped opening. 
     
     
         6 . The article of furniture of  claim 1 , further including a third panel arrangeable adjacent to a fourth panel. 
     
     
         7 . The article of furniture of  claim 6 , further including at least one second fitting adapted for securing said third panel to said fourth panel, said second fitting comprising a third component including a rotatable catch and a fourth component, said third component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of said third panel and said fourth component fixedly secured to an exposed surface of said fourth panel. 
     
     
         8 . The article of furniture of  claim 7 , wherein said third and fourth panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with said third and fourth components in adjacent relationship, whereby rotation of said catch of said third component without the use of tools causes said catch to engage said fourth component thereby securing said third and fourth panels together in transverse relationship. 
     
     
         9 . The article of furniture of  claim 8 , wherein said catch of said third component includes a hook shaped end and said fourth component includes a hook shaped end, whereby rotation of said catch causes said hook shaped ends of said catch and said fourth component to engage each other thereby securing said third and fourth panels together. 
     
     
         10 . The article of furniture of  claim 9 , wherein said hook shaped ends each have a cam profile. 
     
     
         11 . The article of furniture of  claim 9 , wherein said catch of said third component includes a handle for manipulation without the use of a tool to cause rotation of said catch. 
     
     
         12 . The article of furniture of  claim 7 , further including a plurality of second fittings adapted for securing said third and fourth panels together. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of first fittings adapted for securing said first and second panels together. 
     
     
         14 . A ready to assemble modular article of furniture comprising:
 a plurality of panels adapted to be assembled, said plurality of panels including at least a first panel arrangeable transverse to a second panel;   at least one fitting having a first component secured to a surface of said first panel and a second component secured to a surface of said second panel;   said first component adapted to be manipulated without the use of a tool for engaging said second component for securing said first and second panels together in transverse arrangement.   
     
     
         15 . The article of furniture of  claim 14 , wherein said first component includes a rotatable catch. 
     
     
         16 . The article of furniture of  claim 15 , wherein said first and second components each include a hook shaped end engageable with each other upon rotation of said catch for securing said first and second panels together in transverse arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The article of furniture of  claim 14 , further including a plurality of said fittings adapted for securing said first and second panels together in transverse arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The article of furniture of  claim 14 , further including a third panel and a fourth panel arrangeable in transverse arrangement, and at least another fitting adapted for securing said third and fourth panels together in transverse arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . A ready to assemble modular article of furniture comprising:
 a plurality of planar panels adapted to be assembled;   a plurality of fittings adapted for securing said plurality of panels in assembled relationship, each of said fittings comprising a first component including a rotatable catch having a handle and a second component;   at least a first one of said panels having a planar surface fixedly supporting at least one of said first components;   at least a second one of said panels having a planar surface fixedly supporting at least one of said second components;   wherein said first and second panels are arrangeable in transverse relationship with said first and second components in alignment with each other, whereby manipulation of said first component without the use of tools causes said first component to engage said second component thereby securing said first and second panels together in transverse relationship,   wherein said first component includes a hook shaped end and said second component includes a hook shaped end, whereby rotation of said catch of said first component by said handle causes the hook shaped ends of the first and second components to engage each other thereby securing the first and second panels together, and   a plurality of dowels interconnecting at least a pair of said plurality of panels together without the use of said fittings.   
     
     
         20 . The article of furniture of  claim 19 , wherein said hook shaped ends have a cam profile. 
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 19 , wherein said planar surface of said first and second panels are exposed.