US3612289A

US3612289A - Furniture constructions

Info

Publication number: US3612289A
Application number: US835488A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard N Zink
Original assignee: LINE PRODUCTS Inc
Current assignee: LINE PRODUCTS Inc
Priority date: 1969-06-23
Filing date: 1969-06-23
Publication date: 1971-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-12

Abstract

Furniture constructions, such as desks, credenzas, record racks, room dividers, bookcases, and the like, have a pair of spacedapart vertical endpieces and one or more horizontal shelves, each endpiece having notches entering both side edges at each shelf level. A groove in the inner face of each endpiece connects each pair of notches at each shelf level. Each shelf consists of three, substantially flat, longitudinal sections; namely, a center section and a pair of outer sections which are mirror duplicates. The longitudinal ends of the center section are received within the grooves in the inner faces of the endpieces. Each end of each outer section extends beyond the corresponding end of the center section and is formed with an inwardly opening recess which defines a neck and an inturn tab. In assembled condition the necks are fitted in corresponding notches in the endpieces, and the tabs overlie the outer faces of corresponding endpieces.

Description

Unite Leonard N. Zinllr l [72] Inventor Philadelphia, Pa. 211 App]. No. 835,488 [22] Filed June 23, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee Line Products, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pa.

[54] FURNITURE CONSTRUCTIONS 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] ILLS. C1 211/148, 108/111, 287/2092 T [51] Int. Cl A471 5/00 [50] Field of Search 211/148, 177, 42-43; 312/257; 108/1 1 1, 153; 287/2092 T, 20.92 G, 20.92 D; 52/593, 585

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,763,748 6/1930 Best 287/2092 D 2,366,677 1/1945 Rosenthal 211/148 3,141,423 7/1964 Christensen... 108/111 3,379,483 4/1968 Oldford 312/257 X FOREIGN PATENTS 17,521 9/1901 Great Britain 211/148 174,485 4/1935 Switzerland 211/148 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Attorney-Martin L. Faigus ABSTRACT: Furniture constructions, such as desks, credenzas, record racks, room dividers, bookcases, and the like, have a pair of spaced-apart vertical endpieces and one or more horizontal shelves, each endpiece having notches entering both side edges at each shelf level. A groove in the inner face of each endpiece connects each pair of notches at each shelf level. Each shelf consists of three, substantially flat, longitudinal sections; namely, a center section and a pair of outer sections which are mirror duplicates. The longitudinal ends of the center section are received within the grooves in the inner faces of the endpieces. Each end of each outer section extends beyond the corresponding end of the center section and is formed with an inwardly opening recess which defines a neck and an inturn tab. In assembled condition the necks are fitted in corresponding notches in the endpieces, and the tabs overlie the outer faces of corresponding endpieces.

PATENTEU "m *1 2 SHEET 10F 2 INVENT OR.

ATTORN EY.

PATENTED umzlsn 3512.289

SHEEF 2 OF 2 58B INVEN'IFOR LEONARD N. 2mm

ATTORNEY.

s iatsu runnrrnurr cousrnucrrons BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in furniture constructions, and more specifically to knockdown-type fumiture constructions comprised of substantially fiat elements that can be easily assembled without the use of fastening means such as screws, bolts, glue, and the like.

Furniture constructions of the knockdown type which can be assembled without the use of separate fastening means are known; however, many of these units do not have the structural stability to withstand continuous usage without damage or loss of stability. in furniture constructions of the type having horizontal shelf members fixed to vertical endpieces, the shelves must be sufficiently supported to withstand the load of articles, such as books, lamps, trophies, and the like, placed thereon, and the vertical endpieces must be sufficiently supported to prevent them from wabbling, or otherwise moving.

One type of knockdown furniture construction comprised of substantially flat members that can be assembled without the use of additional fastening means is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,606. The shelf member disclosed in this patent is supported within horizontal slots provided in longitudinally spaced vertical supports; however, the vertical supports are not rigidly supported against movement. in fact, the vertical supports are designed so as to be adjustable along the length of the shelf member to firmly engage and support books which are placed thereon. in addition, since the vertical endpieces are not supported along their inner and outer surfaces, they are free to rotate, or cant, about their vertical axes; thereby rendering the structure somewhat unstable. in addition the unit disclosed in the above patent is not designed to permit the stacking of like units, one upon the other, to construct a book case, or a room divider unit having a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally disposed shelves.

A second example of a knockdown-type furniture construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,069,216. in this construction, a plurality of shelves are connected to a pair of vertical panels by an interlocking slot arrangement. When these shelves are loaded with objects, the entire vertical load must be sustained by the neck portions of the shelf defined between the base of each slot and the outer surface of the shelf. Excessive loading will create a moment that could cause the neck portions of the shelf to crack or break. in addition, the structural interconnection between the vertical endpieces and the shelves does not provide a rigid support for the endpieces adjacent both longitudinal end surfaces of each endpiece.

A further example of a knockdown furniture construction comprising substantially flat members is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,366,677. The shelving construction disclosed in this patent provides transverse support for the vertical supporting members only adjacent one longitudinal end which has a blind groove formed therein. Since there is no lateral support at the opposite longitudinal end of the vertical member, transverse loads consistently applied against the unsupported transverse end may cause the assembled joints to weaken thereby rendering the structure unstable.

Within the purview of applicants knowledge, the above discussed patents are representative of prior art knockdown furniture constructions which are comprised of substantially flat members, and which can be assembled without the use of separate fastening means, such as screws, bolts, glue, or the like.

SUMMARY Applicants invention resides in furniture units embodying unique interlocking features which render such units extremely rugged and stable, and which are capable of withstanding continuous usage without weakening.

in one embodiment of applicants invention a bookcase unit is comprised of a pair of longitudinally spaced, vertical endpieces and one or more horizontal shelves, each endpiece having notches entering into both side edges at each shelf level,

said notches at each shelf level terminating in a base and being interconnected by a groove disposed in the inner face of each endpiece. Each shelf consists of three longitudinal sections; namely, a center section and a pair of outer sections which are mirror duplicates. The ends of the center section are received within the grooves disposed in the inner faces of the endpieces and are vertically supported by an upwardly facing shoulder defining a portion of such groove. Each end of each outer section extends beyond the corresponding end of the center section and is formed with an inwardly opening recess which defines a neck and an inturn tab. The necks are received and supported within corresponding notches in the endpieces. Each recess is defined by a base and a pair of spaced facing surfaces, and in assembled position one of said facing surfaces of each recess is in engagement with the outer surface of each endpiece, and the other of said facing surfaces is received within the groove disposed in the inner face of each endpiece and is vertically supported by the upwardly facing shoulder defining a portion of said groove. This arrangement of parts provides rigid transverse support for the vertical endpieces and also provides vertical support for the sections of each shelf so as to render the shelves capable of withstanding loading. The bookcase unit can be made as a single unit comprised of any number of shelves, or can be made modular. For example, each module could comprise three shelves, and the modules stacked upon each other to provide a unit having the desired number of shelves.

By way of brief description, a second embodiment of the in vention is in the form of cubes, opened at one end, and capable of being stacked in any desired arrangement. Each cube comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced vertical endpieces, u bnckplate, and upper and lower closures. The upper and lower closures each comprise three sections which are identical with the three sections comprising the shelves of the previously described embodiment of the invention, with the exception that the sections of the closures have different dimensions than the sections of the shelves. The upper and lower closures are assembled with the endpieces in the same manner as the shelves described in the first embodiment of this invention are assembled with its endpieces, and therefore, each endpiece of the open cube is provided with the same notch and groove ar rangement as the endpieces in the first embodiment. Each endpiece is additionally provided with a vertically disposed groove adjacent one of its side edges, said vertical groove being in communication with the horizontal grooves receiving end portions of the upper and lower closures. The backplate is positioned with its side edges disposed in the vertical grooves, and its upper and lower surfaces in engagement with the upper and lower closures, respectively.

By way of brief description, a third embodiment of the invention is in the form of single-shelf units capable of being utilized individually, or capable of being stacked, one upon the other, to provide a unit having any desired number of shelves. Each unit is comprised of a pair of longitudinally spaced endpieces and a horizontal shelf attached to the endpieces adjacent the lower surface thereof. The shelf is comprised of three sections identical with the sections utilized in constructing the shelves disclosed in the first embodiment of this invention. Accordingly, each endpiece adjacent its lower surface, is provided with notches entering each side surface, and a groove disposed in the inner surface interconnecting said notches, and the shelf is connected to the endpieces in the same manner as the shelves disclosed. in the first embodiment of this invention are connected with its endpieces. in addition, each endpiece is provided with a notch extending downwardly from its upper surface adjacent one of its side surfaces, said notch terminating in a base. A groove disposed in the inner face of each endpiece extends vertically from said notch and is in communication with the horizontally disposed groove which receives end portions of the shelf sections. The backplate in this embodiment of the invention consists of two longitudinally extending sections. The first longitudinally extending section is positioned with its end surfaces disposed in the vertical grooves and its bottom surface in engagement with a portion of the horizontal shelf, and the upper section is comprised of substantially the same structure as the outer sections of the horizontal shelf, and is assembled with the endpieces with the same notch and groove interconnection as the outer sections of the shelf. In assembled position the lower surface of the second section of the backplate is in engagement with the upper surface of the first section of such endplate to pro vide a continuous backplate structure. This unit can be utilized by itself, or can be stacked with similar units to provide a shelf construction of any desired number of shelves.

It is to be understood that the above disclosures relate to three preferred embodiments of this invention, and that the features of this invention can be utilized in the construction of other units such as desks, credenzas, and record racks.

The unique interlocking arrangement of substantially flat elements in furniture units made according to this invention are extremely rugged and stable. In addition the members are easily assembled to provide a finished furniture unit without utilizing nuts, bolts, or other similar fastening means, with the one exception that a dowel or other fastening arrangement may be utilized to firmly retain individual units in proper position when they are stacked upon each other.

For a better understanding of the invention, and also other objects and advantages thereof, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing in which like designations indicate like parts, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the unit shown in FIG. 1 with the parts assembled;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the second embodiment of this invention with the parts assembled;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the third embodiment of this invention with the parts assembled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a first preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in the form of a bookcase or room divider unit 10. It is understood that the bookcase can be made as a single unit comprising any number of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced shelves, or that the unit can be constructed in modular form, with each module comprising any number of horizontal shelves, such modules being stackable upon each other to provide a unit having the desired number of shelves.

FIGS. 1 and 1A show a bookcase or room divider unit having three vertically spaced shelf levels, since the shelves are of identical construction, only one is shown in FIG. 1, and the members comprising the bookcase unit 10 are shown in exploded perspective view for purposes of clarity.

The unit 10 comprises two longitudinally spaced, identical endpieces 20. Each endpiece comprises an inner face 22, an outer face 24, an upper surface 26, a lower surface 28, and side surfaces and 32. Each endpiece has a pair of notches extending inwardly from opposite longitudinally side surfaces 30, 32, at each shelf level. (e.g. 36-36; 38-38; 40-40). Each notch extends through inner face 22 and outer face 24 and is defined by a base 42, a flat upwardly facing surface 44, and a flat downwardly facing surface 46. Each pair of notches at each shelf level is interconnected by a groove 47 formed in the inner face 22 of the flat endpiece 20. Each groove 47 is defined by a base 50, an upwardly facing surface 52, and a downwardly facing surface 54.

The shelves of unit 10 are of identical construction, and interlock with each endpiece 20 in the same fashion; therefore, the description which follows will be limited to a discussion of the structural elements comprising one shelf, and the manner in which such shelf is interlocked with a single endpiece 20. Each shelf comprises a pair of longitudinally extending outer sections 58 defined by end surfaces 60, an inner side surface 62, and outer side surface 64, an upper surface 66, and a lower surface 68. Each outer section 58 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced, inwardly directed recesses 70 which extend through inner side surface 62 to define a neck 72 and an intumed tab 74, said intumed tab terminating in a tab end surface 76. Each recess 70 is defined by a base 82 and spaced facing

surfaces

78, 80, respectively. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each tab end surface 76, lies in the same plane as inner side surface 62, and is actually an extension of such side surface which is interrupted by the inwardly directed recesses 70. It is understood that the tab can be constructed with its tab end surface either terminating short of the inner side surface 62, or extending beyond said side surface, but for ease of manufacture, the outer sections 58 are constructed by merely recessing a substantially rectangular member. Each shelf further comprises a substantially flat center section 84 defined by end surfaces 86, side surfaces 88, and upper and

lower surfaces

90, 92, respectively.

In assembled condition, the sections of each shelf engage each endpiece 20 in the manner now to be described. For simplicity of description, the discussion which follows will be limited to the manner in which the sections of one shelf are connected to one of the endpieces 20, it being understood that said shelf is interconnected with the other endpiece 20 in an identical fashion, and that all shelves comprising the bookcase are assembled in the same manner. A neck 72 of each outer section 58 is inserted into opposed notches 36-36 to a position wherein the base 82 of the recess 70 in each outer section 58 engages the base 42 of the notches 36-36. In this position, the outer side surface 64 of each outer section 58 is in substantially the same plane as the corresponding side surface 32 of the endpiece 20. One of the spaced facing surfaces 78 of each outer section 58 engages the outer face 24 of the endpiece 20, and the other spaced facing surface 80 of each outer section 58 is disposed within the groove 47 formed in the inner face 22 of the endpiece, and the lower surface 68 of each outer section 58 adjacent said other facing surface 80 is thereby supported by upwardly facing surface 52 which defines a portion of the groove 47. The neck 72 of each outer section is vertically supported by the flat upwardly facing surface 44 that defines a portion of the notches 36-36. In addition, the interlocking arrangement between the notches 36- 36' in the endpiece and the recesses 70 in the outer sections 58 of the shelf provide transverse support for such endpiece adjacent each side surface thereof.

The longitudinal distance between end surfaces 86 of the center section 84 is substantially the same as the longitudinal distance between the spaced facing surfaces 80 of each outer section 58. Each end surface 86 of the center section being disposed within the groove 47 provided in each endpiece, and the lower surface 92 of said center section adjacent each end surface 86 being supported by upwardly facing surface 52 defining a portion of each groove 47. In assembled condition, the spaced facing

surfaces

78 and 80 of each outer section 58 will frictionally engage the outer face 24 of each endpiece 20 and the base 50 of each groove 47, respectively, to provide a rigidly mounted construction.

If desired, the center section 84 of each shelf can be eliminated, and the transverse dimension between the outer and inner surfaces 64, 62 of each outer section 58 can be extended in the region between spaced endpieces 20 to permit abutting of the inner side surfaces 62.

Also, to provide additional frictional retention between outer sections 58 and endpieces 20, the upper and lower surfaces of each outer section can be tapered in their neck regions 72, and the upper and

lower surfaces

44, 46, respectively, of each notch can be tapered, whereby a wedge interconnection is created between the necks '72, and corresponding recesses in the endpieces 20.

Referring to FIG. l, the upper portion of a second bookshelf unit WA is shown with cylindrical openings dd extending inwardly from its upper surface. These openings receive the lower portion of dowels, or pins, M, and the upper portion of the dowels, or pins, are received within corresponding cylindrical openings formed in the lower surface of the endpieces 2d of unit ill to provide a convenient and rigid mounting construction for stacking bookshelf units upon each other. Additionally, other suitable mounting constructions may be utilized. For example, adjacent upper and lower surfaces of units which are to be stacked upon each other can be provided with elongated slots for receiving opposite ends of a flat or corrugated, elongated metal connector. A completely assembled bookshelf unit consisting of three shelves is clearly shown in lFlG. 11A.

A second preferred embodiment of this invention, in the form of an open cube illfl, is shown in FIGS. it and 2A. Each open cube lllllll is comprised of endpieces ZlIlA which are held in spaced parallel relationship by upper and lower closures MM, ms, respectively. Each closure is comprised of a pair of outer sections 58A and a center section hdA having the same construction as the outer sections 5ft and center section dd which comprise each shelf disclosed in the first embodiment of this invention, with the exception that the sections forming the upper and lower closures of the open cube are smaller because of the reduced size of the open cube construction. Also, the endpieces A are provided with the same notch and groove arrangement as the endpieces 2 h, and are assembled with the upper and lower closure in the same manner as the shelves are assembled with the endpieces 20' in the first embodiment of this invention. Each endpiece NA is provided additionally with a vertically extending groove till disposed in the inner face 22A, and adjacent one side surface ZitlA thereof. For ease of manufacture, each groove Th2 extends the length of its respective endpiece through upper and lower surfaces MA, MA, respectively, and is of the same depth as the horizontal grooves receiving portions of the upper and lower closures. A back unit lllltl is defined by spaced side surfaces lllltl which are received within the vertically extending grooves lllllll. A lower surface illld of the back unit. rests on the upper surface bbA of one of the outer sections EifiA comprising the lower closure ms, and an upper surface M2 is in engagement with the lower surface 68A of the outer section 58A of the upper closure llfll.

The open cube may be assembled in the manner now described. The sections constituting the upper closure TM are firmly attached to endpieces 20A. The back unit lltld is inserted through the lower surface 23A of the endpieces ZtlA into the vertically disposed grooves MP2 to a position wherein the upper surface N2 of the back unit llld engages the lower surface dtlA of one of the outer section Still. of the upper closure lllllll. in this position, the lower surface lid of the back unit is in substantially the same plane as the downwardly facing surface MA defining a portion of the lower groove MA that receives a side portion of the lower closure Iltlti. The sections of the lower closure are then assembled with the endpieces Jill/t to firmly retain all elements, rigidly in an open cube arrangement. Alternatively, the sections constituting the lower closure Mid may first be attached to endpieces 20A and the back unit lltlti inserted into groove 1W2 through the upper surface ZtiA.

lFlG. 2A is exemplary of one design arrangement for stacking individual cubes of the second embodiment of this invention, and shows an interlocking arrangement for firmly retaining the cubes that are assembled to each other. The interlocking arrangement may comprise a dowel, or pin, assembled within con'esponding openings in adjacent upper and lower surfaces of the endpieces Ell/t which are stacked upon each other, it being understood that any suitable fastening means may be utilized to rigidly support the open cubes when they are mounted together, such as the flat, or corrugated metal connector described with respect to the first embodiment of this invention.

A third preferred embodiment of this invention is disclosed in H65. 3 and 3A, and comprises a single-shelf unit Ztltl which may be utilized by itself, or stacked with other single-shelf units to provide a book shelf arrangement having any desired number of shelves. The unit 20ft has a lower shelf 206 comprising outer sections EihlB and a center section MB which are identical in construction to the outer sections 5% and the center section fld comprising the shelves disclosed in the first embodiment of this invention. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the outer sections 5&8 and the center section Wild have exactly the same dimensions as the outer sections 58 and center section M, wherein identical sections can be utilized to manufacture either the bookcase arrangement disclosed in H6. 11 or the single-shelf construction disclosed in FlG. 3, it being understood that the dimensions of the outer sections and center section can be varied to construct units of various sizes. Endpieces 22MB of the single-shelf unit are provided adjacent its lower surfaces ZblB with a notch and groove arrangement identical to the notch and groove arrangement provided in endpieces 2t), and the shelf MM is assembled with the endpieces 205 in the same manner as the shelves 56 are assembled with endpieces 20 of the bookcase unit disclosed in the first embodiment of this invention.

Each endpiece I/lillti is provided with an inwardly directed notch 2.012 extending downwardly through upper surface 268 adjacent side surface 308. The notch in each endpiece terminates in a base 42B, and a vertically extending groove 204 extends from said base 412E parallel to side surface 308 through the lower surface 288 of each endpiece 2MB. The ver tically extending groove 204i is extended through the lower surface 2818 because the manufacturing of such groove is facilitated thereby; however, it is understood that the groove EM could terminate upwardly facing surface 5213 which defines a portion of horizontal groove Q1713. The single-shelf unit disclosed in FIG. 3 has a back unit 20% comprised of a first substantially flat longitudinally extending section 207 and a second flat longitudinally extending section 21b. in assembled condition, opposite end surfaces of the first section 207 are received within vertically disposed grooves 20 3 provided in the inner faces of endpieces Elli with lower surface 2M of the section 2m resting on the upper surface 66E of one of the outer sections 588 of the shelf me. The second section 2W of the back unit is constructed substantially the same as the outer sections 5818 of the shelf iltlb, and interlocks with the verti cally disposed notch and groove arrangement in the same manner as said outer sections 5353 interlock with endpieces Zllh. When assembled the lower surface 212 of the second section of the back unit Zllfl is in engagement with the upper surface of the first section Ell! of the back unit 208. Upper surface did of the second section 2M) lies substantially in the same plane as the upper surfaces 26B of endpieces 20B.

flG. 33A discloses a single-shelf unit completely assembled, and shows, in exploded form, how individual single-shelf units may be mounted upon each other to provide a shelving construction having any desired number of shelves. As described with respect to the first and second embodiments of this invention, any suitable fastening means may be utilized to firmly retain the units in stacked relationship. in the embodiment disclosed, upper and lower surfaces of units to be stacked may be provided with cylindrical openings for receiving a dowel, or pin, to interconnect the units together. in addition a top member Ellltl (H6. 3) may be provided for enclosing the uppermost shelf unit, and a similar pin and opening arrangement may be utilized to connect the top member to the upper surface of the endpieces ZhB. As described with respect to the other embodiments of the invention, other suitable fastening means may be employed.

The units constructed according to this invention can be manufactured from any suitable material such as soft wood, hard wood, plywood, flake board, or a suitable metal or plastic cdinposition. In addition the units can be provided with any finish which is desired.

The units described herein represent the preferred embodimerits of the invention; however, it is understood that the varioifs features of this invention, as claimed hereinafter, may be utilized to manufacture other constructions.

' I claim:

1. A furniture construction comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced endpieces having outer surfaces and facing inner surfaces, each endpiece having opposed side surfaces; a set of notches comprising a notch disposed in each side surface of each endpiece at a desired level, a groove disposed in the inner surface of each endpiece interconnecting corresponding notches; an interconnecting unit attached to said endpieces, said interconnecting unit comprising two, substantially flat, longitudinally extending outer sections, each of said outer sections having a longitudinally extending inner side surface with longitudinally spaced recesses provided therein, each recess defining a neck and an inturned tab, each of said recesses being defined by a base and spaced facing surfaces, each outer section being connected to both endpieces with its necks disposed within corresponding notches in said endpieces, one of said spaced facing surfaces defining each recess overlying the outer surfaces of said endpieces, and the other of said spaced facing surfaces of each recess being disposed within the grooves in the inner surfaces of said endpieces.

2. The furniture construction of claim 1 wherein said 1ongitudinally extending inner side surfaces disposed between said endpieces abut each other.

3. The furniture construction of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting unit comprises a third, longitudinally extending, substantially flat section defined by end surfaces disposed within the grooves in the inner surfaces of said endpieces, said third section being disposed between said two outer sections.

4. The furniture construction of claim 3 wherein said third section has a transverse dimension defined by side surfaces, said side surfaces abutting adjacent inner side surfaces of said two outer sections.

5. The furniture construction of claim 4 wherein the outer sections and third section of said interconnecting unit lie in substantially a common plane.

6. The furniture construction of claim 1 wherein each of said outer sections of said interconnecting unit have outer longitudinally extending side surfaces, the depth of the neck between the base of each recess and the longitudinally extending side surface being substantially equal to the depth of corresponding notches.

7. The furniture construction of claim 5 further comprising a second interconnecting unit spaced from the other interconnecting unit, said second interconnecting unit comprising a pair of substantially flat, longitudinally extending outer sections and a substantially flat third section, said outer sections and third section of said second interconnecting unit having the same construction as the outer sections and third section, respectively, of said other interconnecting unit; said endpieces having a second set of notches at a second desired level comprising a notch disposed in each side surface, the notches of said second set in each endpiece being interconnected by a groove disposed in the inner surface thereof, each outer section of said second interconnecting unit being attached to said endpieces with its necks 'disposed within corresponding notches of said second set of notches, one of the spaced facing surfaces defining each recess overlying the outer surfaces of the endpieces, and the other facing surface defining each recess being disposed within the grooves in the inner surfaces of said endpieces which interconnect the notches of said second set, the end surfaces of the third section of said second interconnecting unit being disposed within the latter mentioned grooves, said third section of the second interconnecting unit being disposed between the two outer sections of the second interconnecting unit and having side surfaces abutting adjacent inner side surfaces of said outer sections, said outer sections and said third section of said second interconnecting unit lying in substantially a common plane.

8. The furniture construction of claim 7 wherein each endpiece has a third groove in the inner surface thereof adjacent one side surface thereof and extending substantially perpendicular to, and interconnecting the grooves which interconnect the notches of said first and second set of notches, a substantially flat back member having longitudinally spaced side surfaces disposed within the third groove of each endpiece, said back member having opposed end surfaces engaging said first and second interconnecting units.

9. The furniture construction of claim 5 wherein each endpiece is defined in part by spaced end surfaces, each of said end surfaces interconnecting opposed side surfaces, said interconnecting unit being positioned adjacent one end surface of each of said endpieces, each endpiece having a notch extending inwardly for a short distance through the other end surface adjacent to one side surface, each notch extending through the outer and inner surfaces of each endpiece and terminating in a base, a groove extending inwardly from the base of each notch into communication with the groove that intersects notches of said set of notches, a back unit comprising first and second sections; said first section having side surfaces received within said inwardly directed grooves in said endpieces, a first end surface abutting said interconnecting unit, and a second end surface positioned short of said other end surface of each endpiece, said second section of said back unit comprising an inner side surface with inwardly directed, longitudinally spaced recesses disposed therein to define a neck, each of said recesses of said second section being defined by spaced facing surfaces, said second section being connected to said endpieces with the necks positioned within the notches disposed in said other end surface of each endpiece, one facing surface defining each recess disposed within an inwardly directed groove, and the other facing surface defining each recess overlying the outer surface of each endpiece, said inner side surface of the second section of the back unit abutting said second side surface of the first section of said back unit.

10. An interconnection unit adapted to be connected to longitudinally spaced-apart endpieces, each endpiece having spaced-apart side surfaces with inwardly directed notches therein terminating in a base and a groove interconnecting said notches, said interconnecting unit comprising two outer sections and a center section, each outer section having a lon-. gitudinally extending inner surface with longitudinally spaced recesses disposed therein, each recess defining a neck and an inturned tab, each recess being defined by a base and spaced facing surfaces, said center section" having a longitudinal dimension defined by spaced end surfaces, one of said spaced facing surfaces defining each recess being receivable within the grooves in said endpieces, the longitudinal dimension of said center section being substantially the same as the longitudinal dimension between said last-mentioned facing surfaces of both outer sections.

M. A shelf construction comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced, substantially flat, vertical endpieces and one or more horizontal shelves, each endpiece comprising a pair of notches entering opposed side edges at each shelf level, a groove in an inner face of each endpiece interconnecting each pair of notches, each shelf comprising a pair of longitudinally extending outer sections which are mirror duplicates, and a longitudinally extending center section, longitudinal ends of said center section being received within the grooves in the inner faces of said endpieces, and longitudinal ends of each outer section extending beyond corresponding longitudinal ends of the center section and having inwardly opening recesses, each recess defining a neck and an inturned tab, said necks being positioned within corresponding recesses with the inturned tabs overlying outer faces of the endpieces.

12. The furniture construction according to claim 1 wherein said set of notches and interconnecting grooves lie in a common plane.

13. The furniture construction according to claim 1 wherein said set of notches and interconnecting grooves all lie at substantially the same level.

Claims

2. The furniture construction of claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending inner side surfaces disposed between said endpieces abut each other.

7. The furniture construction of claim 5 further comprising a second interconnecting unit spaced from the other interconnecting unit, said second interconnecting unit comprising a pair of substantially flat, longitudinally extending outer sections and a substantially flat third section, said outer sections and third section of said second interconnecting unit having the same construction as the outer sections and third section, respectively, of said other interconnecting unit; said endpieces having a second set of notches at a second desired level comprising a notch disposed in each side surface, the notches of said second set in each endpiece being interconnected by a groove disposed in the inner surface thereof, each outer section of said second interconnecting unit being attached to said endpieces with its necks disposed within corresponding notches of said second set of notches, one of the spaced facing surfaces defining each recess overlying the outer surfaces of the endpieces, and the other facing surface defining each recess being disposed within the grooves in the inner surfaces of said endpieces which interconnect the notches of said second set, the end surfaces of the third section of said second interconnecting unit being disposed within the latter mentioned grooves, said third section of the second interconnecting unit being disposed between the two outer sections of the second interconnecting unit and having side surfaces abutting adjacent inner side surfaces of said outer sections, said outer sections and said third section of said second interconnecting unit lying in substantially a common plane.

10. An interconnection unit adapted to be connected to longitudinally spaced-apart endpieces, each endpiece having spaced-apart side surfaces with inwardly directed notches therein terminating in a base and a groove interconnecting said notches, said interconnecting unit comprising two outer sections and a center section, each outer section having a longitudinally extending inner surface with longitudinally spaced recesses disposed therein, each recess defining a neck and an inturned tab, each recess being defined by a base and spaced facing surfaces, said center section having a longitudinal dimension defined by spaced end surfaces, one of said spaced facing surfaces defining each recess being receivable within the grooves in said endpieces, the longitudinal dimension of said center section being substantially the same as the longitudinal dimension between said last-mentioned facing surfaces of both outer sections.

11. A shelf construction comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced, substantially flat, vertical endpieces and one or more horizontal shelves, each endpiece comprising a pair of notches entering opposed side edges at each shelf level, a groove in an inner face of each endpiece interconnecting each pair of notches, each shelf comprising a pair of longitudinally extending outer sections which are mirror duplicates, and a longitudinally extending center section, longitudinal ends of said center section being received within the grooves in the inner faces of said endpieces, and longitudinal ends of each outer section extending beyond corresponding longitudinal ends of the center section and having inwardly opening recesses, each recess defining a neck and an inturned tab, said necks being positioned within corresponding recesses with the inturned tabs overlying outer faces of the endpieces.