Foldable articles of furniture and methods of assembling foldable articles of furniture

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising a first panel comprising a plurality of foldable portions; a plurality of plates attachable to the plurality of foldable portions of the first panel, wherein the first panel and the plurality of plates are configured to form a first sub-assembly of an article of furniture; and a second sub-assembly configured to attach to or interface with the first sub-assembly to form the article of furniture, wherein the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly correspond to different portions, components, or sub-assemblies of the article of furniture.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first panel comprising a plurality of foldable portions;   a plurality of plates attachable to the plurality of foldable portions of the first panel, wherein the first panel and the plurality of plates are configured to form a first sub-assembly of an article of furniture; and   a second sub-assembly configured to attach to or interface with the first sub-assembly to form the article of furniture, wherein the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly correspond to different portions, components, or sub-assemblies of the article of furniture.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first sub-assembly comprises a cabinet, a dresser, a desk, or a shelf. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second sub-assembly comprises a drawer or a door. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second-sub assembly comprises:
 a second panel comprising a plurality of foldable portions; and   one or more additional plates attachable to at least one foldable portion of the plurality of foldable portions of the second panel, wherein the second panel and the one or more additional plates are configured to form the second sub-assembly of the article of furniture.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second sub-assembly is insertable into and/or removable from the first sub-assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of foldable portions of the first panel correspond to one or more sections or peripheral edges of the first panel. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel comprises a sheet material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sheet material comprises a metallic material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of plates are configured to form one or more walls, sides, or surfaces of the first sub-assembly when (i) the plurality of plates are attached to the plurality of foldable portions of the first panel and (ii) the plurality of foldable portions of the first panel are folded relative to one or more other portions of the first panel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more additional plates are configured to form one or more walls, sides, or surfaces of the second sub-assembly when (i) the one or more additional plates are attached to the at least one foldable portion of the plurality of foldable portions of the second panel and (ii) the at least one foldable portion of the second panel is folded relative to one or more other portions of the second panel. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more fasteners for attaching the plurality of plates to the plurality of foldable portions of the first panel. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more rails integrated with or attached to at least one of the plurality of plates, wherein the second sub-assembly is configured to slide along the one or more rails to permit extension or a retraction of the second sub-assembly relative to the first sub-assembly. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of plates are attachable to the first panel when the first panel is provided in a flat, unfolded configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more additional plates are attachable to the second panel after at least one foldable portion of the second panel is folded relative to one or more other portions of the second panel. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 (a) attaching a plurality of plates to a plurality of foldable portions of a first panel, wherein the first panel and the plurality of plates are configured to form a first sub-assembly of an article of furniture when the plurality of plates are folded relative to the first panel; and   (b) attaching a second sub-assembly of the article of furniture to the first sub-assembly to form the article of furniture, wherein the first sub-assembly and the second sub-assembly correspond to different portions, components, or sub-assemblies of the article of furniture.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising, prior to (b), forming the second sub-assembly of the article of furniture by attaching one or more additional plates to at least one foldable portion of a plurality of foldable portions of a second panel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the second panel and the one or more additional plates are configured to form the second sub-assembly of the article of furniture when the at least one foldable portion of the second panel is folded relative to one or more other portions of the second panel. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of foldable portions of the first panel correspond to one or more sections or peripheral edges of the first panel. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of plates are attachable to the first panel when the first panel is provided in a flat, unfolded configuration. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first sub-assembly comprises a cabinet and the second sub-assembly comprises one or more drawers.