U.S. patent application number 11/784356 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for furniture-glide assembly.
Invention is credited to John Chase.
Application Number | 20070204430 11/784356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46327681 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070204430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chase; John |
September 6, 2007 |
Furniture-glide assembly
Abstract
A glide assembly is adapted to be securely fastened to the free
end of a leg of a piece of furniture. The assembly includes a body
defining a bore extending partially through the body to define an
interior surface, an open end, and a closed end of the body. The
free end of the leg is adapted to be inserted within the bore. A
post extends from the closed end at least partially toward the open
end of the body and is adapted to be received through an opening of
and within the free end of the leg with the free end of the leg
being adapted to be matingly received between the post and body. A
clip is supported upon the post and adapted to be in abutting
contact with an interior surface of the free end of the leg to
securely fasten the body about the free end of the leg.
Inventors: |
Chase; John; (Rochester,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLISS MCGLYNN, P.C.
2075 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD
SUITE 600
TROY
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
46327681 |
Appl. No.: |
11/784356 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10941162 |
Sep 15, 2004 |
7234200 |
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|
11784356 |
Apr 6, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/42R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 91/06 20130101;
Y10T 16/209 20150115; A47C 7/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/042.00R |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/06 20060101
A47B091/06 |
Claims
1. A glide assembly adapted to be securely fastened to the free end
of a leg of a piece of furniture, said glide assembly comprising: a
body defining a bore extending partially through said body to
define an interior surface, an open end, and a closed end of said
body, the free end of the leg adapted to be inserted within said
bore; a post extending from said closed end at least partially
toward said open end of said body and adapted to be received
through an opening of and within the free end of the leg with the
free end of the leg being adapted to be matingly received between
said post and said body; and a clip supported upon said post and
adapted to be in abutting contact with an interior surface of the
free end of the leg to securely fasten said body about the free end
of the leg.
2. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said post
defines a support shoulder thereof that tapers toward said open end
of said body and said clip is supported upon said support shoulder
and extends outward and slightly downward therefrom into space
defined between said post and said body.
3. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said post
defines an axial hole extending longitudinally therethrough to
define an open end of said post, said clip defines an opening that
is aligned with said hole when said clip is supported upon said
post, and a fastener is adapted to be received through said opening
of said clip and said open end of said post and within said hole of
said post to secure said clip to said post.
4. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said clip
defines an outside diameter thereof slightly greater than an inside
diameter defined by the free end of the leg and said clip is
resiliently deformable such that as the free end of the leg is
inserted within said bore of said body, the free end of the leg
engages said clip and deforms said clip inward toward the smaller
inside diameter of the free end of the leg.
5. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said clip
defines a spring force that biases said clip outward to
frictionally engage the interior surface of the free end of the leg
to, thereby, securely fasten said glide assembly to the free end of
the leg.
6. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said clip
defines a clip hub and at least one clip arm extending outward and
slightly downward from said clip hub into said space defined
between said post and said body.
7. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said clip
defines a plurality of clip arms such that a substantially
semi-circular space is defined between adjacent ones of said
plurality of clip arms.
8. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said clip hub
is supported upon said post such that said at least one clip arm is
supported upon said support shoulder of said post.
9. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least
one clip arm defines said outside diameter of said clip slightly
greater than the inside diameter of the free end of the leg and
said at least one clip arm is resiliently deformable such that as
the free end of the leg is inserted within said bore of said body,
the free end of the leg engages said at least one clip arm and
deforms said at least one clip arm inward toward the smaller inside
diameter of the free end of the leg.
10. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least
one clip arm defines said spring force that biases said at least
one clip arm outward to frictionally engage the interior surface of
the free end of the leg to, thereby, securely fasten said glide
assembly to the free end of the leg.
11. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said post
includes a substantially hollow support structure and a support
column extending upward from said closed end of said body within
said support structure and adapted to support said clip upon said
support column.
12. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said support
structure defines said support shoulder of said post.
13. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said clip
defines a clip hub and at least one clip arm extending outward and
slightly downward from said clip hub into said space defined
between said post and said body and said clip hub is supported upon
said support column such that said clip arms are supported upon
said support shoulder of said support structure.
14. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein a space is
defined about said support column between said support structure
and said support column and said post further includes at least one
rib extending from said support structure to said support column to
provide structural integrity to said post.
15. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said support
column defines an axial hole extending longitudinally therethrough
to define an open end of said support column, said clip defines an
opening that is aligned with said hole of said support column when
said clip is supported upon said support column, and a fastener is
adapted to be received through said opening of said clip and said
open end of said support column and within said hole of said
support column to secure said clip to said support column.
16. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clip is
substantially disk-shaped.
17. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clip is
formed from a resilient metal.
18. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body is
made of a soft PVC material.
19. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body
defines an exterior surface including a plurality of raised
surfaces adapted to facilitate smooth frictional contact between
said glide assembly and a surface upon which said glide assembly is
supported.
20. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body is
substantially spherical such that substantially the same amount of
surface area of said glide assembly contacts the floor independent
of the angle at which the free end of the leg is engaged relative
to the floor.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of and claims
benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/941,162 filed Sep.
15, 2004 and entitled "Furniture Glide Assembly."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates, generally, to a glide
mountable to a leg of a piece of furniture and, in particular, to a
glide assembly fixedly securable about the free end of a leg of a
chair or desk.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The free end of each leg of a piece of furniture often
includes a cap, foot, glide, or the like. In many institutionalized
settings, such as in a school or other educational facility, the
feet disposed on the free end of the legs of a piece of furniture
are designed to allow easy sliding of a chair or desk, for
instance, upon a surface such as a floor. More specifically, the
feet are designed to increase the amount of surface-area contact,
but reduce the amount of frictional contact, between the legs and
the floor.
[0006] One type of foot commonly employed in the related art
generally includes an attachment portion and a gliding portion. The
attachment portion is adapted to be attached to the free end of a
leg, and the gliding portion is pivotally connected to an end of
the attachment portion located opposite the leg. The gliding
portion defines a relatively broad, flat bottom surface adapted to
be in operative contact with the floor. This type of foot is made
typically of a hard, durable material, such as metal, nylon, or
steel. The bottom surface of a conventional foot is sometimes made
of metal or plastic.
[0007] However, this type of foot suffers from many disadvantages.
The bottom surface of the conventional foot is relatively large,
which increases the amount of frictional contact with the floor and
causes scraping and scratching of relatively more surface area of
the floor. And, use of this type of foot generally facilitates a
sliding motion across the floor and, therefore, increases the
incidence of floor scraping and scratching and attendant noise.
This relatively greater amount of scraping and scratching, in turn,
increases not only costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing the
floor and other labor and material costs associated with
maintaining the floor, but also the number of airborne particulates
and, thus, pollutants in the room in which the corresponding chair
or desk is used. Furthermore, the bottom surface defines relatively
more area upon which dirt, dust, sand, and other debris can gather,
thus making this type of foot relatively more difficult,
time-consuming, and, thus, expensive to clean and keep sanitary.
This debris can even be imbedded into the bottom surface of the
foot such that the texture of the bottom surface becomes like
sandpaper and, thus, scrapes and scratches the floor even more than
it does otherwise.
[0008] In addition, when the chair or desk is moved along the
floor, the frictional contact between this type of foot and the
floor produces a perceptible often irritating noise. In a classroom
setting, especially in an elementary school where there are a
substantial number of relatively young students moving or
"scooting" their respective chairs and desks at any one time, this
noise can be multiplied to a very significant level. Moreover, the
floor upon which the corresponding chair or desk is supported can
be mopped weekly, even daily. In such an especially wet
environment, this type of foot--being made mostly or even entirely
of metal--can rust and, hence, have a relatively shorter life,
produce rust marks on the floor when the chair or desk is moved
along the floor, and cause the legs of the chair or desk to be
aesthetically displeasing.
[0009] Thus, there remains a need in the related art for a glide
that can be fixedly secured to the free end of a leg of a chair or
desk such that it can be retained to the leg when the chair or desk
is moved along a floor while maintaining sufficient contact with
the floor. Similarly, there remains a need in the related art for
such a glide that cannot be manually removed from the leg by
relatively young students in a classroom setting, especially in an
elementary school. More specifically, there remains a need in the
related art for such a glide that is designed to withstand a
greater amount of external force being applied to it before it is
pulled off the free end of a furniture leg.
[0010] There also remains a need in the related art for a glide
that is effectively independent of the angle at which the free end
of the leg is engaged relative to the floor; can be used on a
greater number of furniture legs; contacts the floor at only a
point or relatively small area; can be used on practically any type
of floor; is non-absorbent and impervious to dirt, dust, sand, and
other debris; reduces the incidence of scraping and scratching and
attendant noise; is durable, more aesthetically pleasing, and
easier and faster to clean and keep sanitary; is more
"green-friendly" and does not rust; and can be employed with
existing feet of various size and manufactured more easily and,
thus, less expensively. There also remains a need in the related
art for a glide wherein frictional contact between it and the floor
does not produce a perceptible noise when the chair or desk is
moved along the floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art
in a glide assembly adapted to be securely fastened to the free end
of a leg of a piece of furniture. The assembly includes a body
defining a bore extending partially through the body to define an
interior surface, an open end, and a closed end of the body. The
free end of the leg is adapted to be inserted within the bore. A
post extends from the closed end at least partially toward the open
end of the body and is adapted to be received through an opening of
and within the free end of the leg with the free end of the leg
being adapted to be matingly received between the post and body. A
clip is supported upon the post and adapted to be in abutting
contact with an interior surface of the free end of the leg to
securely fasten the body about the free end of the leg.
[0012] One advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present
invention is that it can be fixedly secured to the free end of the
leg of the piece of furniture such that the glide assembly can be
retained to the leg when the piece of furniture is moved along a
floor while maintaining sufficient contact with the floor.
[0013] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it cannot be easily manually removed from
the leg by untrained personnel.
[0014] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it is designed to withstand a greater
amount of external force being applied to it before it is pulled
off the free end of the leg.
[0015] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it is substantially spherical, and,
thereby, substantially the same amount of surface area of the glide
assembly contacts the floor independent of the angle at which the
free end of the leg is engaged relative to the floor.
[0016] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it can be used on a greater number of
furniture legs.
[0017] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it causes the piece of furniture to be
more stable.
[0018] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that the surface area of the "footprint" of
the glide assembly on the floor is substantially less than that of
conventional feet.
[0019] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it contacts the floor at only a point or
relatively small area, which, in turn, reduces the surface area of
the floor that can be scraped.
[0020] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it can be used on practically any type of
floor without risk of scratching, marring or damaging the
floor.
[0021] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that its exterior surface is non-absorbent and
impervious to dirt, dust, sand, and other debris.
[0022] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it generally requires that the piece of
furniture be picked-up when its movement relative to the floor is
desired and, therefore, reduces the incidence of scraping and
scratching and attendant noise.
[0023] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it facilitates reduction in costs of
stripping, waxing, and buffing the floor and other labor and
material costs associated with maintaining the floor.
[0024] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it is easier and faster to clean and keep
sanitary.
[0025] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it is durable.
[0026] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it is more "green-friendly" in that it
increases the quality of the air of the room in which it is used by
reducing the amount of scraping between it and the floor and, thus,
number of airborne particulates.
[0027] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it does not rust and, hence, has a longer
life, does not produce rust marks on the floor when the piece of
furniture is moved along the floor, and keeps the legs of the piece
of furniture more aesthetically pleasing.
[0028] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that frictional contact between it and the
floor does not produce a perceptible noise when the piece of
furniture is moved along the floor.
[0029] Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention is that it can be manufactured easily and
inexpensively.
[0030] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better
understood while reading the subsequent description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a chair showing the
furniture-glide assembly of the present invention fixedly secured
about the free end of each of four legs of the chair;
[0032] FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of the
furniture-glide assembly of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of
the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated
in FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a top view of the insert of the embodiment of the
furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in
FIG. 2;
[0035] FIG. 5 is an environmental perspective view of a
representative example of a chair-desk combination supported upon a
floor showing the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention
fixedly secured about the free end of each of two legs of a chair
and two legs of a desk;
[0036] FIG. 6 is an exploded partial-environmental perspective view
of another embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a top view of the body of the furniture-glide
assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a partial-environmental cross-sectional side
assembly view of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of
the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a partial-environmental cross-sectional side view
of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present
invention illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0040] FIG. 10A is a partial-environmental perspective view of the
leg of the chair illustrated in FIG. 5 supported upon the floor at
a particular angle with respect to the floor showing the embodiment
of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 6 securely fastened to the free end of the leg;
and
[0041] FIG. 10B is a partial-environmental perspective view of the
leg of the desk illustrated in FIG. 5 supported upon the floor at a
particular angle with respect to the floor different than that at
which the chair leg is engaged with respect to the floor in FIG.
10A and showing the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of
the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6 securely fastened to
the free end of the leg.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0042] A furniture-glide assembly according to the present
invention is generally indicated at 10, 110 in FIGS. 1 through 10B,
where like numerals are used to designate like structure throughout
the various embodiments of the glide assembly 10, 110 disclosed
herein. The glide assembly 10, 110 is adapted to be removably
mounted about the free end 16 of each leg, generally indicated at
14, of a piece of furniture, generally indicated at 12 in FIGS. 1
and 5. The piece of furniture 12, in general, and the legs 14, in
particular, are adapted to be supported by a surface, such as a
floor 18.
[0043] The assembly 10, 110 is described below and shown in FIG. 1
used in connection with a chair 12 and in FIG. 5 used in connection
with a chair-desk combination. However, it should be appreciated by
those having ordinary skill in the related art that the assembly
10, 110 can be used in connection with any suitable piece of
furniture. It should also be appreciated that the assembly 10, 110
can find special application when used in connection with chairs
and desks of a classroom. The details of each assembly 10, 110 are
described below with reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 5-10B,
respectively.
[0044] Still referring to FIG. 1, the free end 16 of each leg 14 is
substantially cylindrical and relatively narrow and defines a
longitudinal central axis and a substantially circular horizontal
cross-section. However, it should be appreciated by those having
ordinary skill in the related art that the free end 16 of the leg
14 can have any suitable size and shape, such as defining a
substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section. It should also
be appreciated that the free end 16 of the leg 14 can have any
suitable structure.
[0045] In general, the assembly 10, 110 is adapted to be mounted to
the free end 16 of the leg 14. To this end, the assembly 10, 110
includes a body, generally indicated at 20, 120, defining a bore
22, 122 extending partially through the body 20, 120 to define an
interior surface 24, 124 and an open end 26, 126 of the body 20,
120.
[0046] More specifically, the body 20, 120 is substantially
spherical and defines a central axis "A" and an exterior surface,
generally indicated at 30, 130, adapted to be disposed in contact
with the floor 18. The bore 22, 122 is substantially cylindrical
and extends through nearly the entire body 20, 120 such that the
bore 22, 122 defines a closed end 32, 132 of the body 20, 120. The
central longitudinal axis of the bore 22, 122 defines the axis "A"
of the body 20, 120. The bore 22, 122 defines a substantially
circular horizontal cross-section and is adapted to be coaxial with
the free end 16 of the leg 14.
[0047] However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary
skill in the related art that the body 20, 120 can have any
suitable size and structure. It should also be appreciated that the
bore 22, 122 can extend any suitable distance through the body 20,
120 and have any suitable structural relationship with respect to
the axis "A" of the body 20, 120. Similarly, the bore 22, 122 can
have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with
respect to the free end 16 of the leg 14 so as to fixedly secure
the body 20, 120 about the free end 16 of the leg 14.
[0048] The exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120 may be
textured. In particular, the exterior surface 30, 130 of one
embodiment of the glide assembly 10, 110 includes a plurality of
slightly raised surfaces 31, 131 adapted to facilitate smooth
frictional contact between the glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor
18 upon which the glide assembly 10, 110 is supported. In the
embodiments shown, the raised surfaces 31, 131 are substantially
non-uniformly shaped and non-contacting with respect to each other,
substantially smooth, and raised a substantially equal height above
the exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120, which is only a
slight amount relative to the radius of the body 20, 120.
[0049] The bore 22, 122 and exterior surface 30, 130 of the body
20, 120 define a substantially uniform circular and planar rim 34,
134 that completely encircles the open end 26, 126 of the body 20,
120 and an uppermost volume of the bore 22, 122. The rim 34, 134
defines a substantially circular horizontal cross-section and a
substantially trapezoidal vertical cross-section.
[0050] However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary
skill in the related art that the exterior surface 30, 130 of the
body 20, 120 can include any suitable number of raised surfaces 31,
131. In turn, the raised surfaces 31, 131 can have any suitable
shape, size, and texture and structural relationship with respect
to each other and the remainder of the body 20, 120. For instance,
the raised surfaces 31, 131 can be substantially uniformly shaped
and contacting with respect to each other, substantially rough, and
raised a substantially unequal height above the exterior surface
30, 130 of the body 20, 120. Alternatively, the exterior surface
30, 130 of the body 20, 120 can include no raised surfaces 31, 131
and be substantially smooth. It should also be appreciated that the
rim 34, 134 of the exterior surface 30, 130 can have any suitable
size, shape, and structure and structural relationship with the
remainder of the exterior surface 30, 130. Alternatively, the
exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120 can define no rim and
be completely spherical.
[0051] The spherical nature of the body 20, 120 creates numerous
advantages of the glide assembly 10, 110 over caps, feet, and other
glides of the related art. More specifically and as shown in FIGS.
10A and 10B, substantially the same amount of surface area of the
glide assembly 10, 110 contacts the floor 18 independent of the
angle at which the free end 16 of the leg 14 is engaged relative to
the floor 18. In fact, the glide assembly 10, 110 can be used on a
leg 14 of the chair or desk 12 that is engaged with respect to the
floor 18 at any angle within a greater range of angles such that a
sufficient amount of the glide assembly 10, 110 always operatively
engages the floor 18. In this way, the glide assembly 10, 110
causes the chair or desk 12 to be more stable and, thereby, safer
for a user of the chair or desk 12 and can be used on a greater
number of furniture legs 14. For instance, in FIG. 10A, the free
end 16 of the leg 14 of the chair 12 is disposed at angle ".alpha."
with respect to the floor 18, and in FIG. 10B, the free end 16 of
the leg 14 of the desk 12 is disposed at angle ".beta." with
respect to the floor 18, wherein angle "P" is greater than angle
".alpha.." Thus, the glide assembly 10, 110 is effectively
independent of the angle at which the free end 16 of the leg 14 is
engaged relative to the floor 18.
[0052] As can be easily seen, because of the spherical nature of
the glide assembly 10, 110, the surface area of the "footprint" of
the glide assembly 10, 110 on the floor 18 is substantially equal
in both cases and substantially less--about 80% less--than that of
the furniture foot of the related art. The glide assembly 10, 110
contacts the floor 18 at only a point or relatively small area,
which, in turn, reduces the surface area of the floor 18 that can
be scraped. The glide assembly 10, 110 is more aesthetically
pleasing and defines relatively much less surface area upon which
dirt, dust, sand, and other debris can gather, thus making the
glide assembly 10, 110 easier and faster to clean and keep
sanitary. The glide assembly 10, 110 is durable and more
"green-friendly" in that it increases the quality of the air of the
room in which it is used by reducing the amount of scraping between
the glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 and, thus, number of
airborne particulates. The glide assembly 10 is designed to
distribute load applied thereto substantially evenly throughout the
body 36.
[0053] Preferably, the body 20, 120 is made of a soft PVC material
such that frictional contact between the glide assembly 10, 110 and
the floor 18 does not produce a perceptible noise or rust marks
when the chair or desk 12 is moved along the floor 18. However, it
should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related
art that the body 20, 120 can be made of any suitable soft material
such that it does not mar the floor 18. In the same manner, the
exterior surface 30, 130 of the glide assembly 10, 110 can have any
suitable texture such that frictional contact between the glide
assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 does not produce a perceptible
noise and rust marks on the floor 18 when the chair or desk 12 is
moved along the floor 18. Likewise, the exterior surface 30, 130 of
the glide assembly 10, 110 can be any suitable color and have any
suitable color combination so as to have a desired aesthetic
appeal.
[0054] The soft nature of the body 20, 120 adds numerous advantages
of the glide assembly 10, 110 over caps, feet, and other glides of
the related art. More specifically, the glide assembly 10, 110 can
be used on practically any type of floor, including, but not
limited to, carpeted, marble, Terrazo, tile, VCT, and wood floors.
The exterior surface 30, 130 is non-absorbent and impervious to
dirt, dust, sand, and other debris. Frictional contact between the
glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 does not produce a
perceptible noise when the chair or desk 12 is moved along the
floor 18. Use of the glide assembly 10, 110 generally requires that
the chair or desk 12 be picked-up when its movement relative to the
floor 18 is desired and, therefore, reduces the incidence of
scraping and scratching and attendant noise. In this way, the
present invention facilitates reduction in costs of stripping,
waxing, and buffing the floor 18 and other labor and material costs
associated with maintaining the floor 18. The glide assembly 10,
110 does not rust and, hence, has a longer life, does not produce
rust marks on the floor 18 when the chair or desk 12 is moved along
the floor 18, and keeps the free end 16 of the legs 14 of the chair
or desk 12 more aesthetically pleasing.
[0055] Thus, while there are two different embodiments of the
assembly 10, 110 disclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in
the related art should appreciate that, within the scope of the
appended claims, other means of providing the mounting of the
assembly 10, 110 to the free end 16 of the leg 14 may be possible
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, the various embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in the figures will be described in greater detail
below.
[0056] More specifically and referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4,
the structure of the assembly 10 will be addressed. In this
embodiment, an insert, generally indicated at 28, is mountable
about the free end 16 of the leg 14 and disposed within the bore 22
so as to fixedly secure the body 20 about the free end 16 of the
leg 14. The bore 22 can have any suitable shape and size such that
the insert 28 can be disposed within the bore 22. The insert 28 is
substantially cylindrical. The insert 28 defines an exterior
surface, generally indicated at 40, and a passageway 42 extending
at least partially through the insert 28 to define a hollow
interior 42 and at least one open end 46 of the insert 28. In the
embodiment shown, the insert 28 defines a single open end 46. The
free end 16 of the leg 14 is adapted to be matingly received
through the open end 46 and within the hollow interior 42 of the
insert 28 to removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of
the leg 14. Also in the embodiment shown, the top of the insert 28
is disposed substantially flush with the top of the body 20.
[0057] However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary
skill in the related art that the insert 28 can have any suitable
shape and size so as to be receivable through the open end 26 and
within the bore 22 of the body 20. For instance, the top of the
insert 28 can be disposed any suitable distance above or below the
top of the body 20. It should also be appreciated that the
passageway 42 can extend any suitable distance through the insert
28, such as entirely through the insert 28 to define two opposed
open ends 46 of the insert 28. Similarly, the passageway 42 can
have any suitable structural relationship with respect to the
insert 28. The passageway 42 can have any suitable shape and size
and structural relationship with respect to the free end 16 of the
leg 14 so as to receive the free end 16 of the leg 14.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the hollow interior surface 24 of the
body 20 includes at least one groove 50, and the exterior surface
40 of the insert 28 includes at least one rib 52 adapted to
cooperate with the at least one groove 50 to fixedly secure the
body 20 about the insert 28. In the embodiment shown, the hollow
interior surface 24 includes four grooves 50, and the exterior
surface 40 of the insert 28 includes four ribs 52 adapted to
correspondingly cooperate with the four grooves 50 to fixedly
secure the body 20 about the insert 28. The four grooves 50 are
substantially equidistantly spaced and disposed substantially
parallel with respect to each other and perpendicular to the free
end 16 of the leg 14. Also, each groove 50 is disposed
substantially entirely about the bore 22 of the body 20, and the
corresponding rib 52 is disposed substantially entirely about the
exterior surface 40 of the insert 28.
[0059] However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary
skill in the related art that the hollow interior surface 24 of the
body 20 can include any suitable number of grooves 50 and the
exterior surface 40 of the insert 28 can include any suitable
number of ribs 52 adapted to cooperate with the groove(s) 50 to
fixedly secure the body 20 about the insert 28. It should also be
appreciated that each groove 50 can have any suitable shape and
size and structural relationship with respect to each of any of the
other grooves 50, the free end 16 of the leg 14, and the bore 22 of
the body 20. In turn, it should also be appreciated that each rib
52 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship
with respect to each of any of the other ribs 52 so as to cooperate
with the groove(s) 50 to fixedly secure the body 20 about the
insert 28.
[0060] For the case in which the free end 16 of the leg 14 is
hollow and open-ended to define an interior surface of the free end
16 of the leg 14 and as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the hollow
interior 42 of the insert 28 defines a hollow interior surface 44
of the insert 28. The passageway 42 of the insert 28 includes a
closed end 48 located opposite the open end 46 of the insert 28.
The insert 28 may also include a post, generally indicated at 54,
extending from the closed end 48 toward the open end 46 of the
insert 28. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a volume 56 of the passageway
42 is defined about the post 54. The post 54 is adapted to be
received through the opening of and within the free end 16 of the
leg 14 with the outer surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14
being adapted to be matingly received in the volume 56 between the
post 54 and the hollow interior surface 44 of the insert 28 to
removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of the leg
14.
[0061] In the embodiment shown, the post 54 is substantially
cylindrical and coaxial with respect to the passageway 42 such that
the volume 56 of the passageway 42 defined about the post 54 is
substantially uniform. The post 54 also extends only partially from
the closed end 48 toward the open end 46 of the insert 28. However,
it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the
related art that the post 54 can have any suitable shape and size
and structural relationship with respect to the passageway 42. It
should also be appreciated that the post 54 can extend any suitable
distance from the closed end 48 toward the open end 46 of the
insert 28 such that the outer surface of the free end 16 of the leg
14 is matingly received in the volume 56 between the post 54 and
the hollow interior surface 44 of the insert 28 to removably mount
the insert 28 about the free end 16 of the leg 14.
[0062] To this end and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the post 54
defines a plurality of ribs 60 extending axially along the post 54.
The ribs 60 are adapted to be in frictional contact with the
interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 so as to create
an interference fit between the ribs 60 and such interior surface
and, thus, removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of
the leg 14. In the embodiment shown, the ribs 60 are substantially
equidistantly spaced about substantially the entire post 54. The
ribs 60 are also disposed substantially parallel with respect to
each other and the free end 16 of the leg 14 and perpendicular to
the ribs 60 of the exterior surface 40 of the insert 28. Also, each
rib 60 is disposed substantially entirely along the post 54.
[0063] It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in
the related art that the post 54 can define any suitable plural
number of ribs 60. It should also be appreciated that each rib 60
can extend in any suitable direction with respect to the post 54 so
as to be in frictional contact with the interior surface of the
free end 16 of the leg 14. The ribs 60 can have any suitable shape
and size and structural relationship with respect to each other and
the post 54. On the other hand, where the free end 16 of the leg 14
is closed, the insert 28 does not include the post 54.
[0064] Preferably, the insert 28 is made of plastic, in general,
and either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or nylon, in
particular. In one preferred embodiment, the insert 28 is made of
DuPont.RTM. Zytel.RTM. lubricated or unlubricated nylon resin.
However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in
the related art that the insert 28 can be made of any suitable
material. In any event, the glide assembly 10 is preferably a
multi-material device with typically the insert 28 made of a hard
plastic material and the body 20 made of a softer plastic material.
Also preferably, in a one-piece design of the glide assembly 10,
the insert 28 is molded and cured, and then the body 20 is molded
about the insert 28 in a double-mold process.
[0065] To mount the assembly 10 to the free end 16 of a leg 14 of
the chair 12, the free end 16 of the leg 14 is situated such that
it is matingly received through the open end 46 and within the
passageway 42 of the insert 28 to removably mount the insert 28
about the free end 16 of the leg 14. For the case in which the free
end 16 of the leg 14 is hollow and open-ended to define an interior
surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14, the post 54 is received
through the opening of and within the free end 16 of the leg 14
with the free end 16 of the leg 14 being matingly received within
the volume 56 defined between the post 54 and the interior surface
44 of the insert 28. Then, in the case of the two-piece design of
the assembly 10, the bore 22 of the body 20 receives the insert 28
such that each rib 52 of the insert 28 correspondingly cooperates
with each groove 50 of the body 20 to fixedly secure the body 20
about the insert 28 and, thus, free end 16 of the leg 14. The
process can then be repeated for each of the remaining legs 14 of
the chair 12. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary
skill in the related art that the assembly 10, in general, and the
body 20 and insert 28, in particular, can be designed to
cooperatively receive a free end 16 of a leg 14 of any suitable
size, shape, and structure.
[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 10B, the structure of the
assembly 110 will be addressed. Parts of the assembly 110
corresponding to those of the assembly 10 have like reference
numerals with respect to the assembly 10, but increased by one
hundred (100). In this embodiment, a post, generally indicated at
154, extends from the closed end 132 at least partially toward the
open end 126 of the body 120 and is adapted to be received through
the open end of and within the free end 16 of the leg 14 with the
free end 16 of the leg 14 being adapted to be matingly received
between the post 154 and body 120. A clip, generally indicated at
162, is supported upon the post 154 and adapted to be in abutting
contact with the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14
to securely fasten the body 120 about the free end 16 of the leg
14.
[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 9, the post 154 includes a
substantially cylindrical support structure, generally indicated at
164, and a substantially cylindrical support column, generally
indicated at 166, integrally extending upward only partially from
the closed end 132 of the body 120. More specifically, the support
structure 164 defines a substantially flat, washer-shaped support
shoulder 168 that tapers slightly toward the open end 126 of the
body 120 and adapted to support a portion of the clip 162
thereupon, as described in detail below. The support column 166 is
disposed within and extends above the support structure 164 and
defines a substantially flat, washer-shaped support shoulder 170
adapted to support a portion of the clip 162 thereupon, as
described in detail below. The support column 166 also defines an
axial hole 172 extending at least partially longitudinally
therethrough to define an open end 174 of the support column 166.
The bore 122 can have any suitable shape and size such that the
post 154 can be disposed within the bore 122.
[0068] A space 176 of the bore 122 is defined about the support
column 166 between the support structure 164 and the support column
166. The post 154 further includes at least one rib 160 integrally
extending from the support structure 164 to the support column 166
to provide structural integrity to the post 154 and support a
portion of the clip 162 thereupon, as described in detail below.
Preferably, the post 154 includes a plurality of ribs 160 disposed
substantially equidistantly with respect to each other about the
support column 166 and substantially flush with the support
structure 164 and slightly beneath the support column 166. The
embodiment of the glide assembly 110 shown includes four such ribs
160.
[0069] A volume 178 of the bore 122 is defined about the support
structure 164. The free end 16 of the leg 14 is adapted to be
matingly received in the volume 178, between the post 154 and the
interior surface 124 of the body 120, to mount the body 120 about
the free end 16 of the leg 14. The support structure 164, support
column 166, space, 176, and volume 178 are all concentric with
respect to each other and coaxial with respect to the axis "A" such
that each of the space 176 and volume 178 is substantially
uniform.
[0070] It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in
the related art that each of the support structure 164, support
column 166, and ribs 160 can have any suitable shape, size, and
structure and structural relationship with respect to each other
and each of the body 120, clip 162, space 176, and volume 178. It
should also be so appreciated that each of the space 176 and volume
178 can have any suitable shape and size and structural
relationship with respect to each other and each of the body 120
and clip 162. It should also be so appreciated that each of the
support structure 164 and support column 166 can extend any
suitable distance from the closed end 132 toward the open end 126
of the body 120 such that the free end 16 of the leg 14 is matingly
received in the volume 178 to mount the body 120 about the free end
16 of the leg 14.
[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8 through 9, the clip 162 is
substantially disk-shaped and defines a clip hub 180 and at least
one clip arm 182 extending integrally outward and slightly downward
from the clip hub 180 into the volume 178 defined between the post
154 and the body 120. The outermost edge of each clip arm 182 is
concave with respect to the clip hub 180, and each side of each
clip arm 182 is concave with respect to the immediate exterior of
the corresponding side. Preferably, the clip 162 defines a
plurality of clip arms 182 such that a substantially semi-circular
space 184 is defined between adjacent clip arms 182. The embodiment
of the glide assembly 110 shown includes six such clip arms
182.
[0072] The clip hub 180 is supported upon the support shoulder 170
of the support column 166 such that the clip arms 182 are supported
upon the support shoulder 168 of the support structure 164. The
clip arms 182 define an outside diameter of the clip 162 slightly
greater than the inside diameter of the free end 16 of the leg 14.
However, the clip arms 182 extend substantially close to the
interior surface 124 of the body 120 such that a substantially
small space is defined between each clip arm 182 and the interior
surface 124 of the body 120. The clip arms 182 are resiliently
deformable such that, as shown in FIG. 8, as the free end 16 of the
leg 14 is inserted within the bore 122 of the body 120, as shown in
FIG. 9, the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14
engages the clip arms 182 and deforms them inward toward the floor
18. The clip arms 182 define a spring force that biases the clip
arms 182 outward to frictionally engage the interior surface of the
free end 16 of the leg 14 to, thereby, securely fasten the glide
assembly 110 to the free end 16 of the leg 14.
[0073] The clip hub 180 defines an opening 186 that is aligned with
the open end 174 and hole 172 of the support column 166 when the
clip 162 is supported upon the post 154. A fastener, such as a
screw 188, is adapted to be received through the opening 186 of the
clip 162 and the open end 174 of the post 154 and within the hole
172 of the post 154 to secure the clip 162 to the post 154.
[0074] It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in
the related art that each of the clip hub 180 and clip arms 182 can
have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural
relationship with respect to each other and each of the body 120
and post 154. It should also be so appreciated that each of the
spaces 184 and opening 186 defined by the clip 162 can have any
suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to
the remainder of the clip 162. It should also be so appreciated
that the fastener 188 can be any suitable fastener, such as a bolt
or rivet, adapted to secure the clip 162 to the post 154.
[0075] Preferably, the post 154 is made of plastic, in general, and
either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or nylon, in particular. In
one preferred embodiment, the post 154 is made of DuPont.RTM.
Zytel.RTM. lubricated or unlubricated nylon resin. The clip 162 is
formed from a resilient metal. However, it should be appreciated by
those having ordinary skill in the related art that the post 154
and clip 162 can be made of any suitable material. In any event,
the glide assembly 110 is preferably a multi-material device with
typically the post 154 made of a hard plastic material, the body
120 made of a softer plastic material, and the clip 162 made of a
resilient material. Also preferably, in a one-piece design of the
glide assembly 110, the post 154 is molded and cured, and then the
body 120 is molded about the post 154 in a double-mold process.
[0076] To securely fasten the glide assembly 110 to the free end 16
of a leg 14 of the chair or desk 12, the free end 16 of the leg 14
is matingly received through the open end 126 and within the bore
122 of the body 120. The post 154 is received through the opening
of and within the free end 16 of the leg 14 with the free end 16 of
the leg 14 being matingly received within the volume 178 defined
between the post 154 and the interior surface 124 of the body 120.
In this way, the clip arms 182 resiliently deform such that the
interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 engages the clip
arms 182 and deforms them inward toward the floor 18. The spring
force of the clip arms 182 biases the clip arms 182 outward to
frictionally engage the interior surface of the free end 16 of the
leg 14 to securely fasten the glide assembly 110 to the free end 16
of the leg 14. The process can then be repeated for each of the
remaining legs 14 of the chair and desk 12. It should be
appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that
the glide assembly 110 in general, and the body 120, in particular,
can be designed to cooperatively receive a free end 16 of a leg 14
of any suitable size, shape, and structure.
[0077] The glide assembly 10, 110 can be fixedly secured to the
free end 16 of the leg 14 of the chair or desk 12 such that the
glide assembly 10, 110 can be retained to the leg 14 when the chair
or desk 12 is moved along the floor 18 while maintaining sufficient
contact with the floor 18. Also, the glide assembly 10, 110 cannot
be manually removed from the leg 14 by relatively young students in
a classroom setting, especially in an elementary school.
Furthermore, the glide assembly 10, 110 is designed to withstand a
greater amount of external force being applied to it before it is
pulled off the free end 16 of the leg 14. In addition, the glide
assembly 10, 110 can be manufactured more easily and, thus, less
expensively.
[0078] The present invention has been described in an illustrative
manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been
used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather
than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.
Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present
invention may be practiced other than as specifically
described.
* * * * *