权利要求：
CLAIMS
1. An item of furniture, comprising:
a first leg having a first floor-contacting end and a first upper end, the first leg comprising (a) a first lower portion extending between the first floor-contacting end and a first interface between the first floor-contacting end and the first upper end, the first lower portion having a first lower-portion outer perimeter at the first interface, and (b) a first upper portion extending between the first interface and the first upper end, the first upper portion having a first upper-portion outer perimeter at the first interface, the first upper-portion outer perimeter being smaller than the first lower-portion outer perimeter;
a second leg having a second floor-contacting end and a second upper end, the second leg comprising (c) a second lower portion extending between the second floor-contacting end and a second interface between the second floor-contacting end and the second upper end, the second lower portion having a second lower-portion outer perimeter at the second interface, and (d) a second upper portion extending between the second interface and the second upper end, the second upper portion having a second upper-portion outer perimeter at the second interface, the second upper-portion outer perimeter being smaller than the second lower-portion outer perimeter; and
a working portion comprising (i) a first overhang, (ii) a second overhang, and (iii) a top having an upper surface and a lower surface, the top comprising a first hole and a second hole, each of the first and second holes extending between the lower surface and the upper surface,
wherein:
a perimeter of the first hole at the lower surface is smaller than the first lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the first upper-portion outer perimeter,
the first leg extends through the first hole,
the first lower portion contacts the lower surface at the first interface,
the first upper end is coupled to the first overhang,
a perimeter of the second hole at the lower surface is smaller than the second lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the second upper-portion outer perimeter,
the second leg extends through the second hole,
the second lower portion contacts the lower surface at the second interface, and
the second upper end is coupled to the second overhang.
2. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein a part of the first upper portion adjacent to the first interface substantially fills the first hole, and a part of the second upper portion adjacent to the second interface substantially fills the second hole.
3. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein a size of the first hole substantially prevents the first upper portion from moving relative to the first hole, and a size of the second hole substantially prevents the second upper portion from moving relative to the second hole.
4. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the first overhang comprises a negative space, and the first upper end extends into the negative space.
5. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the first overhang comprises a threaded hole, the first upper portion comprises a thread proximate to the first upper end, and the thread is mated to the threaded hole.
6. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the first upper end is coupled to the first overhang by an adhesive.
7. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the first upper portion and the first hole are substantially cylindrical.
8. The item of furniture recited in claim 7, wherein the first lower portion is substantially cylindrical.
9. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the first leg is a unitary piece.
10. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the working portion is a unitary piece.
11. The item of furniture recited in claim 10, wherein the unitary piece has a C-shape.
12. The item of furniture recited in claim 10, wherein the unitary piece comprises at least two sheets of wood veneer.
13. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the working portion, the first leg, or the second leg comprises wood.
14. The item of furniture recited in claim 13, wherein the wood is ash, cherry, teak, oak, maple, birch, or walnut.
15. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the working portion, the first leg, or the second leg comprises plastic.
16. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the working portion, the first leg, or the second leg comprises metal.
17. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the item of furniture is a chair, and further comprising a back portion coupled to the first and second legs.
18. The item of furniture recited in claim 17, wherein the back portion is attached to the first and second legs by a mortise and tenon joint.
19. The item of furniture recited in claim 18, wherein the back portion comprises first and second tenon tongues, the first leg comprises a first mortise hole in which the first tenon tongue is seated, and the second leg comprises a second mortise hole in which the second tenon tongue is seated.
20. The item of furniture recited in claim 19, wherein the first mortise hole is in the first upper portion and the second mortise hole is in the second upper portion.
21. The item of furniture recited in claim 18, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the back portion comprise wood.
22. The item of furniture recited in claim 21, wherein the wood is ash, maple, birch, rosewood, fir, oak, cherry, teak, or walnut.
23. The item of furniture recited in claim 17, wherein the back portion comprises a third hole and a fourth hole, and wherein the third hole is between the top and the first overhang, the first upper portion extends through the third hole, the fourth hole is between the top and the second overhang, and the second upper portion extends through the fourth hole.
24. The item of furniture recited in claim 23, wherein an interior volume of the third hole and an interior volume of the fourth hole substantially prevent the back portion from moving relative to the first and second legs.
25. The item of furniture recited in claim 17, wherein the back portion comprises at least two sheets of wood veneer.
26. The item of furniture recited in claim 17, wherein the back portion comprises wood.
27. The item of furniture recited in claim 17, wherein the back portion comprises plastic, metal, or a composite material.
28. The item of furniture recited in claim 17, wherein the back portion comprises a frame and a netting coupled to the frame.
29. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the item of furniture is a table.
30. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, wherein the item of furniture is a desk.
31. The item of furniture recited in claim 1 , wherein the item of furniture is a chair.
32. The item of furniture recited in claim 31, further comprising a seat cushion having a first edge indentation and a second edge indentation, wherein the seat cushion covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the top, the first leg resides within a negative space created by the first edge indentation, and the second leg resides within a negative space created by the second edge indentation.
33. The item of furniture recited in claim 31, further comprising a seat cushion on top of at least a portion of the upper surface of the top, wherein the seat cushion is held in place by the first and second legs.
34. The item of furniture recited in claim 31, further comprising a seat cushion having a first hole and a second hole, wherein the seat cushion covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the top, the first leg extends through the first hole, and the second leg extends through the second hole.
35. The item of furniture recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a third leg having a third floor-contacting end and a third upper end, the third leg comprising (e) a third lower portion extending between the third floor-contacting end and a third interface between the third floor-contacting end and the third upper end, the third lower portion having a third lower- portion outer perimeter at the third interface, and (f) a third upper portion extending between the third interface and the third upper end, the third upper portion having a third upper-portion outer perimeter at the third interface, the third upper-portion outer perimeter being smaller than the third lower-portion outer perimeter; and
a fourth leg having a fourth floor-contacting end and a fourth upper end, the fourth leg comprising (g) a fourth lower portion extending between the fourth floor-contacting end and a fourth interface between the fourth floor-contacting end and the fourth upper end, the fourth lower portion having a fourth lower-portion outer perimeter at the fourth interface, and (h) a fourth upper portion extending between the fourth interface and the fourth upper end, the fourth upper portion having a fourth upper- portion outer perimeter at the fourth interface, the fourth upper-portion outer perimeter being smaller than the fourth lower-portion outer perimeter;
wherein:
the top further comprises a third hole and a fourth hole, each of the third and fourth holes extending between the lower surface and the upper surface,
a perimeter of the third hole is smaller than the third lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the third upper-portion outer perimeter,
the third leg extends through the third hole,
the third lower portion contacts the lower surface at the third interface,
the third upper end is coupled to the first overhang,
a perimeter of the fourth hole is smaller than the fourth lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the fourth upper-portion outer perimeter,
the fourth leg extends through the fourth hole,
the fourth lower portion contacts the lower surface at the fourth interface, and
the fourth upper end is coupled to the fourth overhang.
36. The item of furniture recited in claim 35, wherein the item of furniture is a chair.
37. The item of furniture recited in claim 35, wherein the item of furniture is a table.
38. The item of furniture recited in claim 35, wherein the item of furniture is a desk.
39. A method, comprising:
fabricating a first leg for an item of furniture, the first leg having (a) a first floor-contacting end, (b) a first upper end, (c) a first lower portion extending between the first floor-contacting end and a first interface between the first floor-contacting end and the first upper end, the first lower portion having a first lower-portion outer perimeter at the first interface, and (d) a first upper portion extending between the first interface and the first upper end, the first upper portion having a first upper-portion outer perimeter at the first interface, the first upper-portion outer perimeter being smaller than the first lower-portion outer perimeter;
fabricating a second leg for the item of furniture, the second leg having (e) a second floor-contacting end, (f) a second upper end, (g) a second lower portion extending between the second floor contacting end and a second interface between the second floor-contacting end and the second upper end, the second lower portion having a second lower-portion outer perimeter at the second interface, and (h) a second upper portion extending between the second interface and the second upper end, the
second upper portion having a second upper-portion outer perimeter at the second interface, the second upper-portion outer perimeter being smaller than the second lower-portion outer perimeter; and
fabricating a working portion for the item of furniture, the working portion having (i) a top, (ii) a first overhang, and (iii) a second overhang, wherein the top comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least two holes, each of the at least two holes extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, wherein a perimeter of a first hole of the at least two holes is smaller than the first lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the first upper-portion outer perimeter, and a perimeter of a second hole of the at least two holes is smaller than the second lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the second upper-portion outer perimeter.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first leg comprises wood, and wherein at least a portion of the first leg is cylindrical, and wherein fabricating the first leg comprises rotating a piece of wood about an axis, and while the piece of wood is being rotated, removing a portion of the piece of wood.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein the first leg comprises wood, and wherein fabricating the first leg comprises machining a piece of wood.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein the first leg comprises wood, wherein fabricating the first leg comprises creating a mortise hole in the wood.
43. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the first leg comprises heating a material, and placing the heated material in a mold.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the material comprises plastic.
45. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the first leg comprises milling, turning, threading, sanding, plating, anodizing, staining, applying urethane, oxidizing, grinding, filing, welding, die casting, or brazing.
46. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the first leg comprises creating a thread on at least a portion of the first upper portion.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein creating the thread comprises cutting, milling, molding, casting, rolling, grinding, lapping, or using an additive manufacturing technique.
48. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the first leg comprises joining the first lower portion to the first upper portion.
49. The method of claim 39, wherein the first leg comprises a metal rod, and wherein fabricating the first leg comprises inserting the metal rod through a hole in a washer, and welding the washer to the metal rod.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the metal rod is substantially cylindrical.
51. The method of claim 49, wherein the washer is substantially cylindrical.
52. The method of claim 49, wherein an outer perimeter of the washer is substantially circular.
53. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the working portion comprises heating a material.
54. The method of claim 53, further comprising: placing the heated material in a mold or cast.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein the material comprises plastic.
56. The method of claim 53, wherein the material comprises metal.
57. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the working portion comprises: bending a material.
58. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the working portion comprises fabricating the top; fabricating the first and second overhangs; and attaching the first and second overhangs to the top directly or through one or more intervening components.
59. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the working portion comprises: preparing a layered structure comprising at least a first sheet, a second sheet, and adhesive between the first and second sheets; placing the layered structure in contact with a mold; applying pressure to cause the layered structure to conform to a shape of the mold; and removing the mold from the layered structure.
60. The method of claim 59, wherein each of the first and second sheets comprises wood.
61. The method of claim 59, wherein each of the first and second sheets comprises a composite material.
62. The method of claim 59, wherein applying pressure comprises creating a vacuum.
63. The method of claim 59, further comprising placing the layered structure and the mold in a vacuum bag, and wherein applying pressure comprises removing air from the vacuum bag.
64. The method of claim 59, wherein the adhesive is an epoxy, and wherein fabricating the working portion is performed under conditions whereby the epoxy does not harden until after the layered structure has conformed to the shape of the mold.
65. The method of claim 59, wherein the adhesive is a wood glue.
66. The method of claim 59, wherein the mold has a narrower side and a wider side, and wherein removing the mold from the layered structure comprises applying pressure to the narrower side of the mold to dislodge the mold from the layered structure.
67. The method of claim 59, further comprising machining the working portion to create the first and second holes.
68. The method of claim 59, further comprising removing edge material from the working portion.
69. The method of claim 59, wherein a wood type of the first sheet of wood veneer differs from a wood type of the second sheet of wood veneer.
70. The method of claim 69, wherein the wood type of the first sheet of wood veneer is birch and the wood type of the second sheet of wood veneer is ash.
71. The method of claim 39, wherein fabricating the working portion comprises: placing a sheet of material in contact with a mold; applying pressure to cause the sheet of material to conform to a shape of the mold; and removing the mold from the sheet of material.
72. The method of claim 39, further comprising staining at least one of the working portion, the first leg, or the second leg.
73. The method of claim 39, wherein the item of furniture is a chair, and further comprising fabricating a back portion.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein fabricating the back portion comprises: preparing a layered structure comprising at least a first sheet of wood veneer, a second sheet of wood veneer, and adhesive between the first and second sheets of wood veneer; placing the layered structure in contact with a mold; applying pressure to cause the layered structure to conform to the shape of the mold; and removing the mold from the layered structure.
75. The method of claim 74, wherein applying pressure comprises creating a vacuum.
76. The method of claim 74, further comprising placing the layered structure and the mold in a vacuum bag, and wherein applying pressure comprises removing air from the vacuum bag.
77. The method of claim 74, wherein the adhesive is an epoxy, and wherein fabricating the back portion is performed under conditions whereby the epoxy does not harden until after the layered structure has conformed to the shape of the mold.
78. The method of claim 74, wherein the adhesive is a wood glue.
79. The method of claim 74, wherein the mold has a narrower side and a wider side, and wherein removing the mold from the layered structure comprises applying pressure to the narrower side of the mold to dislodge the mold from the layered structure.
80. The method of claim 74, further comprising removing edge material from the back portion.
81. The method of claim 39, further comprising: inserting, from a direction from the lower surface to the upper surface, the first upper portion through the first hole; fastening the first upper end to the first overhang; inserting, from the direction from the lower surface to the upper surface, the second upper portion through the second hole; and fastening the second upper end to the second overhang.
82. The method of claim 81, wherein the first overhang comprises a negative space, and wherein fastening the first upper end to the first overhang comprises inserting the first upper end into the negative space.
83. The method of claim 81, wherein the first overhang comprises a threaded hole, and the first upper portion comprises a thread proximate to the first upper end, and wherein fastening the first upper end to the first overhang comprises mating the thread to the threaded hole.
84. The method of claim 81, wherein fastening the first upper end to the first overhang comprises applying adhesive to at least one of the first overhang, the second overhang, the first upper end, or the second upper end.
85. The method of claim 81, wherein fabricating the working portion comprises coupling a leg receptacle to the first overhang, and wherein fastening the first upper end to the first overhang comprises attaching the first upper end to the leg receptacle.
86. The method of claim 81, wherein the item of furniture is a chair, and further comprising attaching a back portion to the first and second legs.
87. The method of claim 86, wherein attaching the back portion to the first and second legs comprises inserting a tenon tongue into a mortise hole.
88. The method of claim 87, further comprising: machining the back portion to create the tenon tongue; and removing material from the first or second leg to create the mortise hole.
89. The method of claim 86, wherein the back portion comprises third and fourth holes, and wherein attaching the back portion to the first and second legs comprises positioning the back portion relative to the working portion so that the third hole is aligned with the first hole, the third hole is between the first hole and the first overhang, the fourth hole is aligned with the second hole, and the fourth hole is between the second hole and the second overhang; inserting the first leg through the third hole before fastening the first upper end to the first overhang; and inserting the second leg through the fourth hole before fastening the second upper end to the second overhang.
90. An unassembled item of furniture, comprising:
a first leg having a first floor-contacting end and a first upper end, the first leg comprising: (a) a first lower portion extending between the first floor-contacting end and a first interface between the first floor-contacting end and the first upper end, the first lower portion having a first lower-portion outer perimeter at the first interface, and (b) a first upper portion extending between the first interface and the first upper end, the first upper portion having a first upper-portion outer perimeter at the first interface, the first upper-portion outer perimeter being smaller than the first lower-portion outer perimeter;
a second leg having a second floor-contacting end and a second upper end, the second leg comprising: (c) a second lower portion extending between the second floor-contacting end and a second interface between the second floor-contacting end and the second upper end, the second lower portion having a second lower-portion outer perimeter at the second interface, and (d) a second upper portion extending between the second interface and the second upper end, the second upper portion having a second upper-portion outer perimeter at the second interface, the second upper- portion outer perimeter being smaller than the second lower-portion outer perimeter; and
a working portion comprising: (i) a top having a upper surface and a lower surface, the top comprising a first hole and a second hole, each of the first and second holes extending between the lower surface and the upper surface, (ii) a first overhang, and (iii) a second overhang,
wherein a perimeter of the first hole is smaller than the first lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the first upper-portion outer perimeter, and a perimeter of the second hole is smaller than the second lower-portion outer perimeter and larger than the second upper-portion outer perimeter.
91. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the first upper-portion outer perimeter is configured to substantially fill the first hole when the item of furniture is assembled, and the second upper-portion outer perimeter is configured to substantially fill the second hole when the item of furniture is assembled.
92. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein a size of the perimeter of the first hole is configured to substantially prevent the first upper portion from moving relative to the first hole when the item of furniture is assembled, and a size of the perimeter of the second hole is configured to substantially prevent the second upper portion from moving relative to the second hole when the item of furniture is assembled.
93. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the first overhang comprises a negative space configured to accept the first upper end.
94. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the first overhang comprises a threaded hole, and the first upper portion comprises a thread proximate to the first upper end, wherein the thread is configured to mate to the threaded hole.
95. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the first upper portion and the first hole are substantially cylindrical.
96. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 95, wherein the first lower portion is substantially cylindrical.
97. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the first leg is a unitary piece.
98. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the working portion is a unitary piece.
99. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 98, wherein the unitary piece has a C-shape.
100. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the top, the first overhang, and the second overhang are separate pieces.
101. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein at least one of the working portion, the first leg, or the second leg comprises wood.
102. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 101, wherein the wood is ash, maple, birch, or walnut.
103. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein at least one of the working portion, the first leg, or the second leg comprises plastic.
104. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein at least one of the working portion, the first leg, or the second leg comprises metal.
105. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, further comprising a back portion configured to be coupled to the first and second legs.
106. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 105, wherein the back portion comprises a tenon tongue, and the first leg comprises a mortise hole.
107. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 90, wherein the back portion comprises first and second tenon tongues, the first leg comprises a first mortise hole configured to accept the first tenon tongue, and the second leg comprises a second mortise hole configured to accept the second tenon tongue.
108. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 107, wherein the first mortise hole is in the first upper portion and the second mortise hole is in the second upper portion.
109. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 106, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the back portion comprise wood.
110. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 109, wherein the wood is ash, maple, birch, or walnut.
111. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 105, wherein the back portion comprises a third hole and a fourth hole, and wherein the third hole is configured to reside between the top and the first overhang, the first upper portion is configured to extend through the third hole, the fourth hole is configured to reside between the top and the second overhang, and the second upper portion is configured to extend through the fourth hole.
112. The unassembled item of furniture recited in claim 111, wherein a size of a perimeter of the third hole and a size of a perimeter of the fourth hole are configured to substantially prevent the back portion from moving relative to the first and second legs.
113. A method of packaging an unassembled item of furniture comprising a working portion, a back portion, a first leg, and a second leg, the method comprising (a) placing the back portion in a packaging insert, an outer portion of the packaging insert having a shape configured to fit snugly within an interior of the working portion; (b) placing the first leg in the packaging insert; (c) placing the second leg in the packaging insert; and (d) placing the packaging insert within the interior of the working portion, wherein after completing steps (a), (b), and (c), neither the first leg nor the second leg touches the back portion, and after completing steps (a), (b), (c), and (d), neither the back portion nor the first or second leg touches the working portion.
114. The method recited in claim 113, wherein the packaging insert comprises cardboard.
115. The method recited in claim 113, wherein the packaging insert comprises Styrofoam.
116. The method recited in claim 113, wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) are performed before step (d).
117. The method recited in claim 113, wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed before step (a).
118. The method recited in claim 113, wherein step (d) is performed before at least one of steps (a), (b), or (c).
119. The method recited in claim 113, wherein the working portion has a C-shape.
120. The method recited in claim 113, wherein the item of furniture is a chair.
121. The method recited in claim 113, wherein placing the back portion in the packaging insert comprises sliding the back portion through a slot in the packaging insert.
122. The method recited in claim 121, wherein placing the first leg in the packaging insert comprises sliding the first leg through a hole in the packaging insert.
123. The method recited in claim 121, wherein the packaging insert comprises a cardboard panel.
124. The method recited in claim 121, wherein the packaging insert comprises a Styrofoam panel.
125. The method recited in claim 113, wherein placing the back portion in the packaging insert comprises sandwiching the back portion between a first portion of the packaging insert and a second portion of the packaging insert.
126. The method recited in claim 125, wherein placing the first leg in the packaging insert comprises sliding the first leg through a hole in the first or second portion of the packaging insert.
127. The method recited in claim 125, wherein the first portion of the packaging insert comprises a first piece and a second piece, and wherein placing the first leg in the packaging insert comprises sandwiching the first leg between the first and second pieces.
128. The method recited in claim 113, wherein the packaging insert comprises:
a first portion with first, second, and third holes, wherein the first hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the back portion at a first position along the back portion, the second hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the first leg at a first position along the first leg, and the third hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the second leg at a first position along the second leg; and
a second portion with fourth, fifth, and sixth holes, wherein the fourth hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the back portion at a second position along the back portion, the fifth hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the first leg at a second position along the first leg, and the sixth hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the second leg at a second position along the second leg; and wherein:
(i) placing the back portion in the packaging insert comprises sliding the back portion through the first hole and through the fourth hole; (ii) placing the first leg in the packaging insert comprises sliding the first leg through the second hole and through the fifth hole; (iii) placing the second leg in the packaging insert comprises sliding the second leg through the third hole and through the sixth hole; and placing the packaging insert within the interior of the working portion comprises, after completing steps (i), (ii), and (iii) in any order, sliding a unit comprising the packaging insert, the back portion, the first leg, and the second leg into the interior of the working portion.
129. The method recited in claim 128, wherein the first and second portions are panels.
130. The method recited in claim 128, wherein the first and second portions are cardboard panels.
131. The method recited in claim 113, wherein the packaging insert comprises:
a first portion with first and second holes, wherein the first hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the first leg at a first position along the first leg, and the second hole has a size selected to substantially match a perimeter of the second leg at a first position along the second leg; and
a second portion, and wherein:
(i) placing the back portion in the packaging insert comprises sandwiching the back portion between the first and second portions; (ii) placing the first leg in the packaging insert comprises sliding the
first leg through the first hole; (iii)