Transportable sofa

A method for providing a sofa with a large footprint in small packaging, the method comprising:

• attaching a back to a base with a first set of hinges and a second set of hinges to form a seating unit, wherein:
• the base defines a front edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a rear edge;
• the back defines a bottom edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a top edge;
• the first set of hinges define a longitudinal axis and connect the rear edge of the base to the bottom edge of the back along the longitudinal axis such that:
• in a folded position the back lies in a substantially flat position wherein the top edge of the back rests atop the base;
• and
• the back unfolds to an unfolded position by swinging the top edge of the back upward and pivoting the back about the longitudinal axis into a substantially upright position;
• and
• the second set of hinges comprise a left side hinge and a right side hinge, wherein:
• the left side hinge comprises a first arm portion that is connected to the left edge of the back and a second arm portion that is connected to the left edge of the base, and the first arm portion of the left side hinge is connected to the second arm portion of the left side hinge at a pivot point;
• the right side hinge comprises a first arm portion that is connected to the right edge of the back and a second arm portion that is connected to the right edge of the base, and the first arm portion of the right side hinge is connected to the second arm portion of the right side hinge at a pivot point;
• and
• the left side hinge and the right side hinge:
• fold at the pivot points when the back is in the folded position;
• unfold at the pivot points when the back is in the unfolded position;
• and
• when the back is in the unfolded position, the left side hinge and the right side hinge secure the back in the substantially upright position and prevent the back from pivoting further backwards about the longitudinal axis;
• folding the back into the folded position;
• placing the folded seating unit in a box with maximum dimensions of 51″×23″×14″;
• placing in the box a right armrest unit and a left armrest unit, wherein:
• the right armrest unit is attachable to the right edge of the base;
• and
• the left armrest unit is attachable to the left edge of the base;
• placing in the box a plurality of legs, wherein:
• each leg comprises a threaded rod extending from a top of the leg;
• the right armrest unit and the left armrest unit include a plurality of pre-drilled sockets that are configured to accept the threaded rods;
• and
• the plurality of legs are configured to be installed in the sofa, independently of any fasteners aside from the threaded rods, via the threaded rods screwing into the pre-drilled sockets;
• and
• placing in the box a plurality of cushions, the plurality of cushions comprising a set of bottom cushions and a set of back cushions, wherein:
• the set of bottom cushions are configured to be installed in a flat position atop the base when the back is in the unfolded position;
• and
• the set of back cushions are configured to be installed in an upright position against the back when the back is in the unfolded position.

A kit for assembling a sofa, the kit comprising:

• a seating unit that comprises:
• a base that defines a front edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a rear edge;
• a back that defines a bottom edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a top edge;
• a first set of hinges that define a longitudinal axis and connect the rear edge of the base to the bottom edge of the back along the longitudinal axis such that:
• in a folded position the back lies in a substantially flat position wherein the top edge of the back rests atop the base;
• and
• the back unfolds to an unfolded position by swinging the top edge of the back upward and pivoting the back about the longitudinal axis into a substantially upright position;
• and
• a second set of hinges comprising a left side hinge and a right side hinge, wherein:
• the left side hinge comprises a first arm portion that is connected to the left edge of the back and a second arm portion that is connected to the left edge of the base, and the first arm portion of the left side hinge is connected to the second arm portion of the left side hinge at a pivot point;
• the right side hinge comprises a first arm portion that is connected to the right edge of the back and a second arm portion that is connected to the right edge of the base, and the first arm portion of the right side hinge is connected to the second arm portion of the right side hinge at a pivot point;
• and
• the left side hinge and the right side hinge:
• fold at the pivot points when the back is in the folded position;
• unfold at the pivot points when the back is in the unfolded position;
• and
• when the back is in the unfolded position, the left side hinge and the right side hinge secure the back in the substantially upright position and prevent the back from pivoting further backwards about the longitudinal axis;
• a right armrest unit and a left armrest unit, wherein the right armrest unit is attachable to the right edge of the base and the left armrest unit is attachable to the left edge of the base;
• a plurality of legs, wherein:
• each leg comprises a threaded rod extending from a top of the leg;
• the right armrest unit and the left armrest unit include a plurality of pre-drilled sockets that are configured to accept the threaded rods;
• and
• the plurality of legs are configured to be installed in the sofa, independently of any fasteners aside from the threaded rods, via the threaded rods screwing into the pre-drilled sockets;
• and
• a plurality of cushions, the plurality of cushions comprising a set of bottom cushions and a set of back cushions, wherein:
• the set of bottom cushions are configured to be installed in a flat position atop the base when the back is in the unfolded position;
• and
• the set of back cushions are configured to be installed in an upright position against the back when the back is in the unfolded position;
• wherein:
• in an assembled form, the sofa has dimensions of 23″ D×57.5″ W×30.5″ H, wherein, in the assembled form, the back is in the unfolded position, the right and left armrest units are attached to the base, and the cushions and legs are installed;
• in a disassembled form, the sofa fits in a single box that has dimensions of 51″×23″×14″, wherein, in the disassembled form, the back is in the folded position, the right and left armrest units are unattached to the base, and the cushions and legs are uninstalled;
• and
• the sofa is provided to a customer in a disassembled form and completing assembly of the sofa comprises:
• unfolding the back from the folded position to the unfolded position;
• attaching the right and left armrest units to the base;
• installing the cushions;
• and
• installing the legs by screwing the threaded rods into the pre-drilled sockets.

A transportable sofa, the sofa comprising:

• a base;
• a back that folds down;
• a right armrest unit;
• a left armrest unit;
• a left side strap comprising a first end that is connected to a left edge of the back and a second end that is connected to a left edge of the base;
• a right side strap comprising a first end that is connected to a right edge of the back and a second end that is connected to a right edge of the base;
• wherein the left side strap and the right side strap:
• fold when the back is in a folded position;
• unfold when the back is in an unfolded position;
• and
• when the back is in the unfolded position, the left side strap and the right side strap secure the back in an upright position and prevent the back from pivoting further backwards about a longitudinal axis;
• a plurality of legs that are configured to be attached at a bottom of the sofa;
• and
• a plurality of cushions that are configured to cover the base and/or the back;
• wherein:
• in an assembled form, the sofa has dimensions that include a depth of at least 20″, a width of at least 50″, and a height of at least 25″;
• and
• in a disassembled form, the sofa fits in a single box, wherein:
• a length of the box is less than 108″;
• and
• two times a width of the box plus two times a height of the box plus the length of the box, is less than 165″.