U.S. patent application number 11/603532 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for student desk with book box.
Invention is credited to Lewis Dorsey Cox, Matthew Murphy Lafleur, Jeffrey Stout, Mack Daniel Westbrook.
Application Number | 20080136296 11/603532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39468461 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080136296 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Westbrook; Mack Daniel ; et
al. |
June 12, 2008 |
Student desk with book box
Abstract
The present invention is related to a desk structure. The desk
structure comprises a writing surface, and a book box which is
secured to the writing surface. A plurality of receiver sleeves are
integrally molded with the book box. Each receiver sleeve has an
outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall of the receiver sleeve
has a slot and a plurality of radially spaced ribs. The inner wall
defines an opening. The desk structure further comprises a
plurality of legs. Each leg has an upper leg portion. The upper leg
portion of each leg is received by the inner wall opening of a
corresponding receiver sleeve. Additionally, each upper leg portion
includes a detent. The detent is adapted to engage a corresponding
inner wall slot when the upper leg portion is received by the inner
wall opening of the corresponding receiver sleeve. Thus, the detent
both secures the leg to the book box and positions the upper leg
portion within the opening.
Inventors: |
Westbrook; Mack Daniel;
(Temple, TX) ; Lafleur; Matthew Murphy; (Salado,
TX) ; Cox; Lewis Dorsey; (Leeds, AL) ; Stout;
Jeffrey; (Smyrna, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY LLP
227 WEST MONROE STREET, SUITE 4400
CHICAGO
IL
60606-5096
US
|
Family ID: |
39468461 |
Appl. No.: |
11/603532 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 41/00 20130101;
Y10T 403/32475 20150115; F16B 12/52 20130101; A47B 9/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/194 |
International
Class: |
A47B 41/00 20060101
A47B041/00 |
Claims
1. A desk structure comprising: a writing surface; a book box
secured to the writing surface; a plurality of receiver sleeves
integrally molded with the book box, each receiver sleeve having an
outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall having a slot and a
plurality of radially spaced ribs, the inner wall defining an
opening; a plurality of legs, each leg having an upper leg portion,
wherein the upper leg portion of each leg is received by the inner
wall opening of a corresponding receiver sleeve; each upper leg
portion including a detent adapted to engage a corresponding inner
wall slot when the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall
opening of the corresponding receiver sleeve.
2. The desk structure of claim 1, wherein the detent is a
protrusion that extends outward from and perpendicular to the upper
leg portion, positioning the upper leg portion within the
opening.
3. The desk structure of claim 2, wherein the detent partially
retracts into the upper leg portion as the upper leg portion is
received by the inner wall opening, the detent returning to the
extended outward position and engaging the slot once the upper leg
portion is fully received by the opening.
4. The desk structure of claim 3, wherein the detent is a snap
button comprising two prongs and a button head.
5. The desk structure of claim 1, wherein once the detent engages
the slot, movement of the upper leg portion is substantially
prevented.
6. The desk structure of claim 1, wherein the ribs of the receiver
sleeve inner wall form a press fit with the upper leg portion to
secure the upper leg portion within the opening.
7. The desk structure of claim 1, wherein each leg includes a lower
leg portion and a leg extension member, the leg extension member
being telescopically received by the lower leg portion.
8. The desk structure of claim 7, wherein each extension member
includes a plurality of vertically aligned holes.
9. The desk structure of claim 8, wherein each lower leg portion
includes a plurality of vertically aligned holes, the holes of the
lower leg portion corresponding to the holes of the extension
member.
10. The desk structure of claim 9, wherein a fastener passes
through the corresponding holes of the extension member and the
lower leg portion and secures the extension member to the lower leg
portion.
11. The desk structure of claim 1, wherein the book box comprises a
back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall.
12. A desk structure comprising: a writing surface; a book box
secured to the writing surface; a plurality of receiver sleeves
integrally molded with the book box, each receiver sleeve having an
outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall having a slot and a
plurality of radially spaced ribs, the inner wall defining an
opening; a plurality of legs, each leg having an upper leg portion,
wherein the upper leg portion of each leg is received by the inner
wall opening of a corresponding receiver sleeve; each upper leg
portion including a detent adapted to engage a corresponding inner
wall slot when the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall
opening of the corresponding receiver sleeve, wherein once the
detent engages the slot, movement of the upper leg portion is
substantially prevented.
13. The desk structure of claim 12, wherein the detent is a
protrusion that extends outward from and perpendicular to the upper
leg portion, the detent partially retracting into the upper leg
portion as the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall
opening, the detent returning to the extended outward position and
engaging the slot once the upper leg portion is fully received by
the opening, the detent positioning the upper leg within the
opening.
14. The desk structure of claim 12, wherein the ribs of the
receiver sleeve inner wall form a press fit with the upper leg
portion to secure the upper leg portion within the opening.
15. The desk structure of claim 12, wherein each leg includes a
lower leg portion and a leg extension member, the leg extension
member being telescopically received by the lower leg portion.
16. The desk structure of claim 15, wherein the lower leg portion
includes a plurality of vertically aligned holes that correspond to
a plurality of vertically aligned holes on the extension
member.
17. The desk structure of claim 12, wherein the book box comprises
a back wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall.
18. The desk structure of claim 17, wherein the receiver sleeve is
adjacent to one side wall and the bottom wall.
19. A desk structure comprising: a writing surface; a book box
secured to the writing surface; a plurality of receiver sleeves
integrally molded with the book box, each receiver sleeve having an
outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall having a slot and a
plurality of radially spaced ribs, the inner wall defining an
opening; a plurality of legs, each leg having an upper leg portion,
wherein the upper leg portion of each leg is received by the inner
wall opening of a corresponding receiver sleeve; each upper leg
portion including a detent adapted to engage a corresponding inner
wall slot when the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall
opening of the corresponding receiver sleeve, wherein once the
detent engages the slot, movement of the upper leg is substantially
prevented, the ribs of the receiver sleeve inner wall forming a
press fit and further securing the upper leg portion within the
opening.
20. The desk structure of claim 19, wherein the detent is a
protrusion that extends outward from and perpendicular to the upper
leg portion, the detent retracting into the upper leg portion as
the upper leg portion is received by the inner wall opening, the
detent returning to the extended outward position and engaging the
slot once the upper leg portion is fully received by the opening,
the detent positioning the upper leg within the opening.
21. The desk structure of claim 19, wherein each leg includes a
lower leg portion and a leg extension member, the leg extension
member being telescopically received by the lower leg portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to desks, and more
specifically, to a student desk structure having a book box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Student desks are commonly used in classrooms for storing
books and other educational materials. Many structural
configurations for desks use a book box in connection with a frame
and legs. Known student desks use a welded metal frame. The metal
frame both supports the book box and receives the legs, attaching
them to the book box.
[0003] Although book boxes have been constructed of plastic in the
past, they have not provided any structural support for the
accompanying legs and desktop. A metal frame has been used with
these plastic book boxes in order to provide the necessary support
for the desk box and to connect the legs to the book box. The
difficulty in using a welded metal frame is that while it provides
the proper support and connection, it is very bulky. The metal
frame takes up valuable cargo space in a truck or container, making
it difficult and costly to transport the desks.
[0004] Further, if a desk structure is shipped without the metal
frame attached, assembly generally requires the use of tools and
takes a number of steps. Thus, attempts to solve the shipping
problem by shipping the desk structure, disassembled from the
welded metal frame and legs have not been adequate.
[0005] Additionally, known student desks can be easily
disassembled. This creates a potential hazard in the classroom.
Students may be able to take apart the individual metal pieces of
their desk structures, and use the metal pieces as weapons.
Therefore, a desk structure that is not easily disassembled is
needed.
[0006] The present invention is provided to solve the above and
other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not
previously provided. A full discussion of the features and
advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following
detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The desk structure of the present invention comprises a
writing surface, secured to a book box. A plurality of receiver
sleeves are integrally molded with the book box. Each receiver
sleeve has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall has a
slot and a plurality of radially spaced ribs. The inner wall
defines an opening. The desk structure further comprises a
plurality of legs, each with an upper leg portion. The upper leg
portion of each leg is received by the inner wall opening of a
corresponding receiver sleeve. Each upper leg portion includes a
detent adapted to engage a corresponding inner wall slot when the
upper leg portion is received by the inner wall opening of the
corresponding receiver sleeve.
[0008] In one embodiment, the detent is a protrusion that extends
outward from and perpendicular to the upper leg portion. The detent
partially retracts into the upper leg portion as the upper leg
portion is received by the inner wall opening. The detent returns
to the extended outward position and engages the slot once the
upper leg portion is fully received by the opening, positioning the
upper leg portion within the opening.
[0009] Once the detent engages the slot, movement of the upper leg
portion is substantially prevented. The ribs of the receiver sleeve
inner wall form a press fit with the upper leg portion to further
secure the upper leg portion within the opening.
[0010] In another embodiment, the leg of the desk structure
includes a lower leg portion and a leg extension member. The
extension member is telescopically received by the lower leg
portion. Each extension member includes a plurality of vertically
aligned holes. Each lower leg portion includes a plurality of
vertically aligned holes, which correspond to the holds of the
extension member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A better understanding of the present invention can be
obtained by considering the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an example of a desk
structure in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective front view of an example
of a desk structure in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an example of a receiver sleeve
in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top hidden-line view of an example of a receiver
sleeve and detent in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a receiver
sleeve in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a detent and
upper leg portion in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of a detent in an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a lower leg
portion telescopically receiving an extension member in an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of an example of
fasteners securing the writing surface to the book box in an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] While the present invention is susceptible of many different
embodiments, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective front view of an example of
a desk structure 10. The desk structure 10 comprises a writing
surface 12 secured to a book box 14. The writing surface 12 may be
secured using fasteners, preferably screws. However, other
fasteners may be used, such as pins or bolts. Other methods of
attachment are possible as well, including hingeably attaching the
writing surface 12 to the book box 14. The writing surface 12 lays
substantially flat on the book box 14 so that students may easily
write on it or place other objects upon it. Placement of the
writing surface 12 on the book box 14 completes the intended volume
of the book box 14 for holding learning materials. The writing
surface 12 may be constructed of a single molded material, a
lamination of wood products and melamine laminates, or a variety of
other materials.
[0023] The desk structure 10 further includes a plurality of
receiver sleeves 16 located about the exterior of the book box 12.
Preferably, the receiver sleeves 16 are each integrally molded with
the book box 14 at each of the four corners of the book box 14.
However, the receiver sleeves 16 may be located at other locations
of the book box 14. In one embodiment, the receiver sleeves are
cylindrically tapered; however, the receiver sleeves 16 may be
formed with other internal and external geometries. While the book
box 14 and receiver sleeves 16 are preferably made out of molded
plastic, other suitable materials may be used.
[0024] As shown by FIGS. 3-5, each receiver sleeve 16 has an outer
wall 18 and an inner wall 20. The inner wall 20 defines an opening
22. The inner wall 20 has a slot 24 and a plurality of radially
spaced ribs 26. The slot 24 and ribs 26 are integrally molded with
the receiver sleeve 16. In addition, the inner wall 20 may include
a guiding notch 28, which is also integrally molded with the
receiver sleeve 16. The notch 28 extends along the full length of
the receiver sleeve 16, and its depth varies due to the tapered
shape of the receiver sleeve 16. The notch is positioned so that it
is aligned with the slot 24, as shown by FIG. 5. In a preferred
embodiment, the slot 24 and ribs 26 are located near the top of the
receiver sleeve inner wall 20. However, the slot 24 and ribs 26 may
be located at alternative positions of the inner wall 20.
[0025] As shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, the desk structure 10 further
comprises a plurality of legs 30. Each leg 30 includes an upper leg
portion 32. The upper leg portion 32 of each leg 30 is received by
the inner wall opening 22 of a corresponding receiver sleeve 16.
The receiver sleeves 16 act to secure the legs 30 to the book box
14. Thus, because the receiver sleeves 16 are integrally molded
with the book box 14, the plastic book box 14 both provides
structural support for the desk structure 10 and connects the legs
30 to the book box 14. This eliminates the need for a bulky metal
frame.
[0026] As shown by FIG. 6, each upper leg portion 32 includes a
detent 36. The detent 36 is adapted to engage a corresponding inner
wall slot 24 when the upper leg portion 32 is received by the inner
wall opening 22 of the corresponding receiver sleeve 16, as shown
by FIG. 4. Thus, the detent 36 secures the leg 30 to the receiver
sleeve 16 of the book box 14. In one embodiment, the detent 36 is a
protrusion that extends outward from and perpendicular to the upper
leg portion 32. By engaging the slot 24, the detent 36 positions
the upper leg portion 32 within the opening 22.
[0027] In one embodiment, the detent 36 may be a snap button.
Acceptable types of snap buttons 36 include those manufactured out
of 1050 Spring Steel by Valco.RTM./Valley Tool and Die, Inc., 10020
York Theta Drive, North Royalton, Ohio 44133. As shown in FIG. 7,
the snap button 36 may be generally V-shaped, having two prongs 38,
wherein one prong 38 includes a button head 40. Other types of snap
buttons may also be used. The snap button 36 is spring-loaded. To
position the snap button 36 within the upper leg portion 32, the
prongs 38 are compressed, and the button snap 36 is placed in the
upper leg portion 32. As shown by FIG. 6, the snap button 36 may be
positioned such that the prong 38 with the button head 40 is
generally parallel to the upper leg portion 32. The spring-loaded
force creates a press fit between the prongs 38 and the upper leg
portion 32. This secures the snap button 36 within the upper leg
portion 32. The snap button 36 is further positioned so that the
button head 40 of the snap button 36 extends outward from and
perpendicular to the upper leg portion 32 through an aperture 42,
as shown in FIG. 6. While a V-shaped Valco snap button 36 is
preferred, other snap buttons may be used as well. Furthermore,
other types of detents 36, other than snap buttons, may also be
used to position and secure the upper leg portion 32 within the
opening 22.
[0028] When the upper leg portion 32 is inserted into opening 22,
the upper leg portion is initially oriented so that the button head
40 of the snap button 36 is aligned with the notch 28. The notch 28
guides the upper leg portion 32 so that the snap button 36 will
properly engage the slot 24 of the inner wall 20. Once the upper
leg portion 32 is properly aligned, force is applied to slide the
upper leg portion 32 into the opening 22. This force causes the
button head 40 of the snap button 36 to partially retract back into
the upper leg portion 32 as the upper leg portion 32 is received by
the inner wall opening 22. The press fit between the prongs 38 of
the snap button 36 and the upper leg portion 32 prevents the snap
button 36 from substantially moving as the button head 40 retracts
through the aperture 42. Further, because the button head 40 slides
up the notch 28, it does not need to fully retract into the upper
leg portion 32 as the upper leg portion 32 is received by the
opening 22. The snap button 36 will return to the extended outward
position and engage the slot 24 once the upper leg portion 32 is
fully received by the opening 22. As mentioned above, other snap
buttons 36 may be used. For example, the snap button 36 may include
a button head 40 that extends out from the upper leg portion 32 in
a different direction. Further, while a snap button is preferred,
other suitable detents 36 may also be used.
[0029] The leg 30 may also be connected to the book box 14 by
inserting the leg 30 into the receiver sleeve 16 through the top
portion of the receiver sleeve 16, opposite the opening 22. The leg
30 is inserted into the receiver sleeve 16 until the upper leg
portion 32 is received by the inner wall 20 of the receiver sleeve
16. Because the detent 36 is located at the upper leg portion 32,
the detent 36 can essentially be dropped into the slot 24, as
opposed to retracting and then extending into the slot 24. The
detent 36 can be aligned with the slot 24 after insertion of the
leg 30 has begun by simply rotating the leg 30. Thus, there is no
need to perform the initial alignment with the notch 28. However,
the leg 30 can only be inserted into the top portion of the
receiver sleeve 16 if the writing surface 12 is not yet secured to
the book box 14.
[0030] Once the detent 36 engages the slot 24, movement of the
upper leg portion 32 is substantially prevented. The detent 36
cannot be easily accessed once it has engaged the slot 24 and the
writing surface 12 has been secured to the book box 14. As shown by
FIG. 4, the slot 24 does not extend past the outer wall 18 of the
receiver sleeve 16. Thus, the detent 36 is essentially enclosed by
the receiver sleeve 16 when the detent 36 is engaged with the slot
24. Additionally, the detent 36 is covered by the writing surface
12. Therefore, once the writing surface 12 is secured to the book
box 14 and the upper leg portion 32 is received by the opening 22,
the detent 36 is essentially tamper proof. It is not accessible
without disassembling the desk structure 10 by removing the writing
surface 12. This ensures that students will not be able to
disassemble the desk structure 10 and potentially injure
themselves, thereby creating for a safer classroom environment.
[0031] Once the upper leg portion 32 is received by the opening 22
of the inner wall 20, the ribs 26 of the receiver sleeve inner wall
20 form a press fit with the upper leg portion 32. This further
secures the upper leg portion 32 within the opening 22, creating
stability for the desk structure 10. The ribs 26 may be used in
conjunction with the detent 36, or the ribs 26 alone may be used to
ensure that the upper leg portion 32 is secured within the opening
22.
[0032] Additionally, the tapered shape of the receiver sleeves 16
increases the stability of the legs 30. The narrower and more
tapered bottom of the receiver sleeve 16 decreases the amount of
excess room between the receiver sleeve inner wall 20 and the upper
leg portion 32. Thus, there is less "wobble room" for the legs
30.
[0033] No tools are required to connect the legs 30 to the book box
14, as the detent 36 and the ribs 26 secure the upper leg portion
32 within the opening 22. This reduces the time and cost associated
with assembly. Further, transportation of the desk structure 10
without the legs 30 attached allows for easier storage and
shipment. The individual components of the desk structure 10 can
easily be stacked into a more compact formation. This is in stark
contrast to current desks which have bulky metal frames and are
difficult to economically ship. The ease of assembly provided by
the present invention reduces the need to assemble the desk
structure 10 prior to shipping. Thus, a greater number of desk
structures 10 may be shipped in each shipment. The end result is a
much more cost-effective method of shipping the desk structures
10.
[0034] In another embodiment, as shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg 30
includes a lower leg portion 34 and a leg extension member 44. Each
extension member 44 is telescopically received by the lower leg
portion 34. Thus, the extension member 44 should be sized to be
receivable by the lower leg portion 34. Each extension member 44
includes a plurality of vertically aligned holes 46. Additionally,
each lower leg portion 34 may include a plurality of vertically
aligned holes 48. The holes 48 of the lower leg portion 34 allow
for a range of different assembly heights.
[0035] As shown by FIG. 8, the lower leg holes 48 are designed to
correspond to the extension member holes 46. Thus, when the
extension member 44 is received by the lower leg portion 34, the
holes 46 of the extension member 44 and the holes 48 of the lower
leg portion 34 can be lined up such that a range of heights can be
achieved. For example, the lower leg portion 34 may receive nearly
the entire length of the extension member 44 in order to provide
for a shorter desk structure 10. Alternatively, the extension
member 44 may be extended to its maximum height, in which case a
minimum amount of the extension member 44 is received by the lower
leg portion 34. In either scenario, the extension member 44 will
provide enough support to ensure the stability of the desk
structure 10.
[0036] One or more fasteners 50 pass through aligned holes 46 of
the extension member and holes 48 of the lower leg portion.
Preferably, the fasteners 50 are screws. However, other fasteners
such as pins or bolts may also be used to secure the extension
member 44 to the lower leg portion 34. When the preferred screws
are used, the holes 46 of the extension member 44 are formed,
punched, and tapped. The fasteners 50 secure the extension member
44 to the lower leg portion 34 at the desired height, ensuring that
movement of the extension member 44 will be substantially
prevented. Preferably two or more fasteners 50 are used to secure
the extension member 44; however, it is contemplated that only one
fastener 50 may secure the extension member 44 to the lower leg
portion 34. Alternatively, the desk structure 10 may be tall enough
without attachment of the extension members 44, wherein the legs 30
alone may provide the book box 14 with sufficient stability and
height.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the book box 14 may comprise a back wall
52, two side walls 54, and a bottom wall 56. As mentioned above,
the walls are preferably formed from molded plastic. The two side
walls 54 are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the back
wall 52. The bottom wall 56 is perpendicular to the back wall 52
and substantially parallel to the writing surface 12. The walls 52,
54, and 56 of the book box 14 are integrally molded with one
another. Thus, the book box 14 is enclosed on five sides. In one
embodiment, the front of the book box 14 is open for easy access to
books and other educational materials. However, it is also
contemplated that the book box 14 may comprise a closed volume, in
which all six sides of the box are closed. Additionally, the walls
52, 54, and 56 of the book box may form other geometries. As shown
in FIG. 2, the receiver sleeves 16 are located adjacent to the side
wall 54 and bottom wall 56. This configuration, with the receiver
sleeves 16 located at the four corners of the book box 14, allows
for maximum utilization of the storage volume provided by the book
box 14.
[0038] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a fastener 58
secures the writing surface 12 to the book box 14. The side and
back walls 54, 52 include flanges at multiple peripheral locations
for securing the writing surface 12 to the book box 14. A fastener
58, preferably a screw, passes through the underside of the flanges
and secures the bottom of the writing surface 12 to the book box
14. Other fasteners such as pins or bolts may also be used. This
configuration positions the fasteners 58 so that they are not
protruding from the desk structure 10 in an unseemly fashion.
Alternatively, as mentioned above, the writing surface 12 may be
hingeably attached such that it can open and close, while staying
connected to the book box 14.
[0039] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying Claims.
* * * * *