U.S. patent application number 12/072738 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for table top connector unit.
Invention is credited to Gary Dewaard.
Application Number | 20080210142 12/072738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39732197 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080210142 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dewaard; Gary |
September 4, 2008 |
Table top connector unit
Abstract
A new table top connector unit designed to efficiently stack
table tops, prevent damage and increase safety of table. The table
top connector unit has a generally flat top, bottom and sides with
radius corners between the bottom and sides, with a central opening
to accept a support leg and having radially spaced holes to accept
fasteners to mount the table top connector unit to the underside of
a table top.
Inventors: |
Dewaard; Gary; (Forest City,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gary Lee Dewaard
303 Knollwood Ct
Forest City
IA
50436
US
|
Family ID: |
39732197 |
Appl. No.: |
12/072738 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60892145 |
Feb 28, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 13/021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/64 |
International
Class: |
A47B 13/00 20060101
A47B013/00 |
Claims
1. A table connector mountable on the underside of a table top
which accepts a support leg:
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in a radial shape comprising two
generally flat surfaces, with the top and bottom surface connected
by a side surface, the connecting edges of the bottom and side
surface having radius corners
3. The apparatus of claim 1 having a central opening to accept a
support leg;
4. The apparatus of claim 1 having radially spaced fastener
holes;
5. The apparatus of claim 1, being hollow; and
6. The apparatus of claim 1 having internal support ribs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/892,145, filed Feb. 28, 2007.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention related generally to tables, and more
specifically to connecting supports of tables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed toward a table top
connector unit mountable to the underside of a table top, accepts a
support post and allows for easy assembly and disassembly from said
support post, allowing tables to be, along with this invention to
be efficiently assembled, dis-assembled, safely and efficiently
stored, reducing or eliminating damage to other table tops.
[0006] Mountable table top connector units are particularly useful
at supporting table tops and chair bottoms, connecting the table
top to support posts and structure without the need for extensive
support structure such as arms to support the table top.
[0007] Inventor has found that existing table top connector units
have been constructed in a inverted cone shaped manner with the
larger end of the cone connecting to the table and the smaller end
of the cone extending downward upon the support post. If the table
owners leave the table top connector units assembled to the table
top, Inventor has found that existing table top connector units
have been constructed in such a way as to hinder easy stacking and
storage of disassembled table tops. Inventor has found that
existing table top connector units are made of materials that cause
other tables to become scratched when stacked. Thus, Inventor has
found that owners of tables will often remove the table top
connector units in order to efficiently stack the table and then
reinstall the table top connector unit prior to reusing the
table.
[0008] Inventor has found that existing table top connector units
have been constructed in a manner that is small to remain
inconspicuous. This leads to the use of materials which can bear
and transfer significant loads to the table post when applied on
the table top. However, due to the small cone shaped size, the load
is concentrated into a small section centrally located on the table
top, leading to damage of the table top, or alternatively, tipping
of the table when in use, creating a safety issue for the table
patron.
[0009] Problem P1--Unstackable Table Tops
[0010] Lightweight tables that quickly assemble and disassemble are
useful in the conference and banquet industry. Inventor has found
that existing tables have table top connector units that prevent
efficient stacking of table tops when the tables are not in use.
Existing table top connector units are designed to support heavy
forces and are shaped in a cone shape with the larger end connected
to the table with fasteners. Because existing table top connector
units are relationally much smaller compared to the size of the
table, the cone shaped table top connector unit prevents easy
stacking when the tables are disassembled from the table support
leg(s); thus, the table top connector unit must be removed to
prevent stacked tables from tipping over.
[0011] Problem P2--Cosmetic Damage to Table Top
[0012] Table top connector units connect the table top to the table
support leg and distribute the forces of the weight of the table
plus any forces applied to the top of the table onto the support
leg. Often the tables must bear over 300 pounds of force. Because
of this re-distribution onto the support leg, the smaller table top
connector units are made of metallic materials. Metallic materials
can cause damage to table tops. To prevent damage to stacked table
tops, the table owner must either remove the table top connector
unit or place a buffer, such as a blanket, between the stacked
tables. Inventor has found that owners of tables will remove the
table top connector units in order to prevent damage to other
tables when storing for future use.
[0013] Problem P3--Structural Damage to the Table Top
[0014] Table top connector units connect the table top to the table
support leg, and distribute the forces of the weight of the table
plus any forces applied to the top of the table, onto the table
support leg. Often the table assembly must bear over 300 pounds of
force. Because existing table top connector units have a smaller
surface area, the downward forces are concentrated into a smaller
area of the table top. This concentration leads to fatigue, damage
and ultimately failure of the table top. As a consequence the life
of a table top is reduced.
[0015] Problem P4--Table Safety
[0016] Table top connector units connect the table top to the table
support leg, and distribute the forces of the weight of the table
plus any forces applied to the top of the table, onto the table
support leg. Often the table assembly must bear over 300 pounds of
force. Because existing table top connector units have a smaller
surface area, the downward forces are concentrated into a smaller
area of the table top. As a consequence, table safety is
compromised because the surface area of the existing table top
connector units create a focal point causing the entire table to
tip.
[0017] Inventor has sold, set-up and stored tables for banquets,
conventions and conferences for a number of years. The invention
disclosed herein arises from the need to improve the current design
of existing table top connector units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] This invention described herein is directed to a new and
more useful table top connector unit. The invention disclosed
herein saves a table owner assembly time, prevents damage to the
table and is safer to use.
[0019] The table top connector unit attaches to a table top and is
constructed with generous radial surfaces and in a shorter and
wider manner. The table top connector unit has a central opening
which allows for the insertion of a post that the table top or
chair bottom sits atop. The table top connector unit allows for
easy stacking because it has a larger surface area than existing
table top connector units. The table top connector unit's width
allows the use of materials that are not as conducive to damaging
other tables when stacked upon each other. The table top connector
unit has generous radial surfaces, which prevents scratching of the
tables when stacked.
[0020] The size and shape of the table top connector unit can be
changed to accommodate any table; although the Inventor has found
that the most preferable shape is circular, Inventor envisions
rectangular, triangular or any possible shape as a smaller subset
of the table it attaches too.
[0021] Although directed toward table tops, the Inventor envisions
that the table top connector unit can be adapted for anything that
can be stabilized using a post, such as but not limited to stools,
chairs and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0022] The preferred embodiments, certain objects, advantages and
novel features of the invention will be more readily appreciated
from the following detailed description when read in conjunction
with the following drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the present invention
attached onto the underside of a table top; and
[0024] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, presenting a radial apparatus with a bottom and
top which is flat, with large surface area and generous radius
corners on the side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a table top
connector unit 10 attached to the underside of a table top 20 with
a support leg 30 inserted into the table top connector unit 10
coming to rest on the underside of the table top 20.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2 the table top connector unit is in a
radial shape. The table top connector unit 10 has a central opening
40 to accommodate a table leg. The table top connector unit 10 has
multiple concentric fasteners holes 50 to allow attachment to the
underside of a table.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3 the table top connector unit 70 is wider
and has more surface area than existing traditional table top
connector units in the industry. The top surface 60 of the table
top connector unit 70 is generally flat to allow the table top
connector unit 70 to attach flush to the underside of a table top.
The sides 60 have corner radiuses 90 interfacing with the bottom
surface 80.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the table top connector unit 10 is of
sufficient size to distribute the loads from the table tops and any
extraneous forces applied during use.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, the size and shape of the table top
connector unit 10 can be sized to accommodate multiple table sizes
and shapes; although the Inventor has found that the most
preferable shape is circular, Inventor envisions rectangular,
triangular or a multitude of possible shapes.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the inventor has found that the best
materials to practice the invention are of a composite nature, such
as plastic, the table top connector unit 10 can be manufactured of
using most other materials, such as wood, and metal alloys.
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