U.S. patent application number 12/566754 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for tabletop attachment system.
Invention is credited to Jack Liu.
Application Number | 20100012001 12/566754 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39675084 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100012001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Jack |
January 21, 2010 |
Tabletop Attachment System
Abstract
A tabletop attachment system includes a first body and a second
body mounted between a wooden tabletop and a wooden pedestal. The
first body includes a first body member having a first side for
mounting on the pedestal and a second side including at least one
detent extending therefrom. The second body includes a second body
member having a first side for mounting on the tabletop and a
second side, and at least one slot extends therethrough. The slot
has a proximal edge for allowing the second detent section to be
inserted therethrough and a distal edge for tight-fitting the
detent. The tabletop has a groove for allowing the second detent
section to mutually contact with and tight-fit in an end of the
groove.
Inventors: |
Liu; Jack; (Taichung City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAMRATH & ASSOCIATES P.A.
4825 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 245
GOLDEN VALLEY
MN
55422
US
|
Family ID: |
39675084 |
Appl. No.: |
12/566754 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11672345 |
Feb 7, 2007 |
|
|
|
12566754 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/157.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 13/003 20130101;
A47B 2230/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/157.16 |
International
Class: |
A47B 13/00 20060101
A47B013/00 |
Claims
1. A tabletop attachment system comprising: a pedestal made of
wood, having a height and a width, with the height defined by a
first perpendicular distance between a first edge and a second edge
thereof, with the first and second edges being opposite to each
other, with the second edge for standing on a supporting surface,
with the width defined by a second perpendicular distance between a
third edge and a fourth edge thereof, with the third and fourth
edges being opposite to each other, and with the third and fourth
edges extending between the first and second edges; a tabletop made
of wood; a first body having a first body member including a first
side and a second side being opposite to the first side, with the
first side releasably connected to the first edge of the pedestal,
with the second side including a detent extending therefrom, with
the detent including a first detent section and a second detent
section, with the first detent section having a proximal end
connected to the second side and a distal end connected to the
second detent section, and with the first body member dimensioned
to have a width which is not larger than the width of the pedestal
and which is substantially larger than a diametrical length of the
detent; and a second body being releasably engagable with the first
body and having a second body member including a third side and a
fourth side being opposite to the third side, a slot extending from
the third side to the fourth side, with the third side connected to
a surface of the tabletop, with the fourth side of the second body
contacted with the second side of the first body as the first body
is in engagement with the second body, with the slot including a
proximal edge and a distal edge, with the proximal edge having a
first internal diameter large enough for the second detent section
of the detent to go through, with the distal edge having a second
internal diameter which is too small to allow the second detent
section of the detent to go through, a groove defined in the
surface of the tabletop and corresponding to the slot; wherein the
first detent section is moveable to mutually contact with and
tight-fit in the distal edge of the slot, while the second detent
section is moveable to mutually contact with and tight-fit in an
end of the groove.
2. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first body includes a plurality of first holes extending from the
first side to the second side, and a plurality of first fasteners
extending through the plurality of first holes respectively and
into the first edge of the pedestal.
3. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
second body includes a plurality of second holes extending from the
third side to the fourth side, and a plurality of second fasteners
extending through the plurality of second holes respectively and
into the surface of the tabletop.
4. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first detent section has a cross section smaller than a cross
section of the second detent section.
5. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
slot has an internal diameter which reduces progressively from the
proximal edge to a distal edge.
6. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
slot has a depth marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of
the first detent section.
7. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
groove has a depth marginally larger than a longitudinal length of
the second detent section.
8. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first and second bodies are made of metal.
9. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
groove has a longitudinal length larger than a distance between the
proximal and distal edges of the slot.
10. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the height of the pedestal has a first size and the width has a
second size, and with the first size being at least 10 times of the
second size.
11. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the first and second edges are parallel to each other, and the
third and fourth edges are parallel to each other.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/672,345, filed
on Feb. 7, 2007, of which the entire disclosure is incorporated
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a tabletop attachment
system which is adapted to connect a wooden tabletop to at least
one wooden pedestal in a manner that the tabletop and the pedestal
are connected easily, quickly and firmly.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,838 shows a desktop supported by two
legs. Each leg includes two screws connected thereto. Each screw
includes a shank and a head, the shank has an end connected to the
leg, and the head is connected to another end of the shank.
Further, the shank and head have cross sections different from each
other, and with the head having larger cross section. Additionally,
the head of each screw is engaged in a slot defined in the desktop.
The slot has a cross section, however, defines an open end with a
smaller cross section. The open end defines a shape including an
end having a cross section larger than the head for allowing the
head to insert into the slot, and another end having a
cross-section smaller than the head for retaining the head in the
slot, thus accomplishing engagement between the desktop and
leg.
[0006] As should be appreciated, when the screws are moved in a
retaining direction to retain the screws in the slots a further
push in the retaining direction would break the slots. It is even
worse if the slots are defined in a desktop which is made of wood.
Additionally, it should be appreciated that the screws are liable
to get broken at the ends connected to the legs and damage the
legs, because the cross sectional areas of the shanks are
relatively small, thus these ends are subject to substantial
pressures. It is even worse if the legs are made of wood.
[0007] The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or
at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A tabletop attachment system embodying the present invention
includes a first body and a second body, and with the first and
second bodies being releasably engagable with each other. The first
and second bodies are adapted to be mounted on a wooden pedestal
and a wooden tabletop, respectively. The first body includes a body
member, a first side mounted on the pedestal and a second side
including at least one detent extending therefrom. The detent
includes a first detent section and a second detent section, with
the first detent section having a proximal end connected to the
second side and a distal end connected to the second detent
section. The second body includes a body member having a first side
mounted on the tabletop and a second side. The second body further
includes at least one slot extending therethrough. The number of
slots corresponds to the number of detents. The slot includes a
proximal edge and a distal edge, with the proximal edge having a
first internal diameter large enough for the second detent section
of the detent to go through, and with the distal edge having a
second internal diameter which is too small to allow the second
detent section of the detent to go through. Further, at least one
groove is defined in the tabletop and corresponds to the slot.
[0009] Preferably, the pedestal has a first edge and a second edge
being opposite to each other, with the body member of the first
body mounted on the first edge, with the second edge for standing
on a supporting surface, and with the pedestal having a height
defined by a perpendicular distance between the first and second
edges.
[0010] Preferably, the first body member is dimensioned to have a
width which is not larger than the width of the pedestal and which
is substantially larger than a diametrical length of the detent
[0011] It is an objective of the present invention to provide each
of the first and second sides of the first body with a cross
section substantially larger than a cross section of the detent in
order to prevent substantial pressures applied on one of the
pedestal and the tabletop.
[0012] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide the first detent section of the detent being moveable to
mutually contacts with and tight-fits in the distal edge of the
slot, and the second detent section of the detent being moveable to
mutually contacts with and tight-fits in an end of the groove, for
secure engagement therebetween.
[0013] Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tabletop attachment system
in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tabletop
attachment system.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the tabletop attachment
system in accordance with the present invention used within a
desk.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the assembly of the
desk.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is another side view illustrating the assembly of the
desk.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 6.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled desk.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring to the drawings, a tabletop attachment system
includes a first body 10 and a second body 20 releasably engagable
with each other. Preferably, the first 10 and second 20 bodies are
made of metal. The first 10 and second 20 bodies are adapted to be
mounted on a pedestal 91 and a tabletop 92, respectively.
Preferably, the pedestal 91 and tabletop 92 are made of wood.
Preferably, the pedestal 91 includes a first edge and a second edge
being opposite to each other, and with the second edge for standing
on a supporting surface, i.e. a ground, a floor, etc. Preferably,
the pedestal 91 has a height (H) defined by a perpendicular
distance between the first and the second edges. Preferably, the
first and second edges are parallel to each other. Preferably, the
pedestal 91 includes third and fourth edges extending from the
first and second edges and has a width (W) defined by a
perpendicular distance between the third and fourth edges.
Preferably, the height (H) has a size at least 10 times larger than
a size of the width (W). Preferably, the third and fourth edges are
parallel to each other.
[0024] The first body 10 includes a body member having a first side
mounted on the first edge of the pedestal 91 and a second side
opposite to the first side. The body member is dimensioned to have
a width which is not larger than the width of the pedestal 91. The
first body 10 may be mounted via a plurality of fasteners 30 or
other fixing means. In the embodiment, the first body 10 includes a
plurality of holes 11 extending from the first side to the second
side, and the plurality of fasteners 30 can extend through the
plurality of holes 11 respectively and into the first edge of the
pedestal 91. Likewise, the second body 20 includes body member
having a first side mounted on a surface of the tabletop 92 and a
second side opposite to the first side. The second body 20 may be
mounted via a plurality of fasteners 31 or other fixing means. In
the embodiment, the second body 20 includes a plurality of holes 21
extending from the first side to the second side, and the plurality
of fasteners 31 can extend through the plurality of holes 21
respectively and into the surface of the tabletop 92. Additionally,
the second sides of the first 10 and second 20 bodies mutually
contact with each other when the first body 10 is in engagement
with the second body 20.
[0025] In addition, the second side of the first body 10 includes
at least one detent 12 extending therefrom. In the embodiment, two
detents 12 are provided. Each detent 12 has a first detent section
13 and a second detent section 14, and the first detent section 13
has a proximal end connected to the second side of the first body
10 and a distal end connected to the second detent section 14.
Additionally, the width of the body member is substantially larger
than a diametrical length of each detent 12. Further, the first
detent section 13 has a cross section smaller than a cross section
of the second detent section 14. Moreover, the first 13 and second
14 detent sections have the same shape.
[0026] Further, the second body 20 includes two slots 22 extending
from the first side to the second side. Each slot 22 has an
internal diameter which reduces progressively from a proximal edge
23 to a distal edge 24 thereof, so the slot 22 is similar to the
shape of a teardrop. Additionally, the proximal edge 23 of each
slot 22 has an internal diameter large enough for the second detent
section 14 of each detent 12 to go through as the first 10 and
second 20 bodies are moved to engage with each other. However, the
distal edge 24 of each slot 22 has an internal diameter which is
too small to allow the second detent section 14 of each detent 12
to go through. Moreover, each slot 22 has a depth, i.e. a distance
between the first and second sides of the second body 20,
marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of the first detent
section 13 of each detent 12.
[0027] Further, the tabletop 92 includes two grooves 93 inset
therein and corresponding to two slots 22 of the second body 20.
Each groove 93 is defined in and extends from the surface to which
the second body 20 mounts. Further, each groove 93 has a depth
marginally larger than a longitudinal length of the second detent
section 14 of each detent 12. Additionally, each groove 93 has a
longitudinal length larger than a longitudinal length, i.e. a
distance between the proximal 23 and distal 24 edges, of each slot
22 of the second body 20.
[0028] Further, the two detents 12 of the first body 10 are
moveable in the two slots 22 of the second body 20, from the
proximal edges 23 to the distal edges 24. Additionally, the first
detent sections 13 of the two detents 12 have substantial
peripheral edges which can mutually contact with and tight-fit in
the distal edges 24 of the two slots 22, respectively; while the
second detent sections 14 of the two detents 12 have substantial
peripheral edges which can mutually contact with and tight-fit in
an end of the two grooves 93.
[0029] In order to connect the pedestal 91 to the tabletop 92, the
two detents 12 of the first body 10 are inserted through the two
slots 22 of the second body 20, respectively, i.e. from the related
proximal edges 23. The second detent sections 14 of the two detents
12 are then inserted in the two grooves 93, respectively. The
pedestal 91 and tabletop 92 are then moved relative to each other
to cause the first detent sections 13 of the two detents 12 to move
to tight-fit in the distal edges 24 of the two slots 22 and the
second detent sections 14 of the two detents 12 to move to
tight-fit in ends of the two grooves 93.
[0030] In addition, the tabletop 92 can be disassembled from the
pedestal 91 by reversing the direction to engage the tabletop 92 to
the pedestal 91.
[0031] In view of forgoing, the tabletop assembly system according
to the present invention exhibits the following advantages.
[0032] The structure is simple.
[0033] The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 can be connected with
each other easily, and quickly.
[0034] The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 can be connected with
each other firmly and the slots 22 in the wooden tabletop 92 can be
prevented from damage by the detents 12, as the detents 12 are made
of metal, and as the first detent sections 13 of the two detents 12
can mutually contact with and tight-fit in the distal edges 24 of
the two slots 22, respectively; while the second detent sections 14
of the two detents 12 can mutually contact with and tight-fit in an
end of the two grooves 93.
[0035] The first body 10 may have at least one detent 12 and the
second body has a corresponding number of slots 22 and the tabletop
92 has a corresponding number of grooves 93.
[0036] The body member of the first body 10 has a cross section
substantially larger than each detent 12, thus preventing
substantial pressures applied on the first edge of the wooden
pedestal 91, as described in the Description of the Related
Art.
[0037] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope
of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying
claims.
* * * * *