U.S. patent application number 12/820135 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-14 for television table assembly which can be assembled and disassembled without tools.
Invention is credited to Jack Liu.
Application Number | 20100258039 12/820135 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42933306 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100258039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Jack |
October 14, 2010 |
TELEVISION TABLE ASSEMBLY WHICH CAN BE ASSEMBLED AND DISASSEMBLED
WITHOUT TOOLS
Abstract
A television table which can be assembled and disassembled
without tools is provided. The television table unities a first
connecting body and a second connecting body mounted between a
tabletop and a pedestal. The first connecting body includes at
least one fixing pillar extending therefrom. The second connecting
body includes at least one slot. The slot has a proximal edge for
allowing the head section to be inserted therethrough and a
clamping edge for tight-fitting the fixing pillar. Also, a fixing
pin passes through fixing holes of the tabletop and the two
pedestals to avoid the tabletop sliding laterally respective to the
pedestals and make a connection of the tabletop and the two
pedestals firmly.
Inventors: |
Liu; Jack; (Taichung City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dr. BANGER SHIA;Patent Office of Bang Shia
102 Lindencrest Ct
Sugar Land
TX
77479-5201
US
|
Family ID: |
42933306 |
Appl. No.: |
12/820135 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12566754 |
Sep 25, 2009 |
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12820135 |
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11672345 |
Feb 7, 2007 |
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12566754 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/25 ;
108/157.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2230/0081 20130101;
A47B 13/003 20130101; F16B 12/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/25 ;
108/157.16 |
International
Class: |
A47B 37/00 20060101
A47B037/00; A47B 13/02 20060101 A47B013/02; A47B 13/08 20060101
A47B013/08; A47B 13/04 20060101 A47B013/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 22, 2010 |
CN |
201020175784.9 |
Claims
1. A television table comprising: a tabletop, including at least
two first connecting bodies located at near two edges of the
tabletop, each first connecting body including a fixing pillar
extending therefrom, the fixing pillar including a neck section and
a connected head section with an outer diameter of the head section
greater than a diameter of the neck section; two pedestals, each
including a second connecting body located at a top surface
thereon, the second connecting body including a slot and a clamping
edge extended from the slot, a diameter of the slot being greater
than a width of the clamping edge and the diameter of the slot
being large enough for the head section of the fixing pillar to go
through, the clamping edge having a second internal diameter which
is too small to allow the head section of the fixing pillar to go
through, so that the fixing pillar is inserted into the second
connecting body through the slot and slid laterally to the clamping
edge for holding the neck section, connecting the tabletop and the
two pedestals; and at least one fixing pin, passing through fixing
holes of the tabletop and the two pedestals to avoid the tabletop
sliding laterally respective to the pedestals and make a connection
of the tabletop and the two pedestals firmly.
2. The television table of claim 1, wherein the slot has a depth
marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of the neck
section.
3. The television table of claim 1, wherein each pedestal has a
groove placed at the top surface corresponding to the slot.
4. The television table of claim 3, wherein the groove has a depth
marginally larger than a longitudinal length of the head
section.
5. The television table of claim 1, further comprises a drawer
connected between the two pedestals near intermediate portions
thereof.
6. The television table of claim 5, wherein the drawer has two
first connecting bodies located at two opposite sides and the
pedestals has a second connecting body located at the intermediate
portions.
7. The television table of claim 1, wherein the tabletop and the
pedestals are made of wood.
8. The television table of claim 1, wherein the fixing pin is made
of plastic.
9. The television table of claim 8, wherein the fixing pin
tight-fit in the fixing holes of the tabletop and the pedestals.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,754, filed
on Sep. 25, 2009, which 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. 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 connecting body and a second connecting 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
connecting body includes a body member, a first side mounted on the
pedestal and a second side including at least one fixing pillar
extending therefrom. The fixing pillar includes a neck section and
a head section, with the neck section having a proximal end
connected to the second side and a distal end connected to the head
section. The second connecting body includes a body member having a
first side mounted on the tabletop and a second side. The second
connecting body further includes at least one slot extending
therethrough. The number of slots corresponds to the number of
fixing pillars. The slot includes a proximal edge and a clamping
edge, with the proximal edge having a first internal diameter large
enough for the head section of the fixing pillar to go through, and
with the clamping edge having a second internal diameter which is
too small to allow the head section of the fixing pillar 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
connecting 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 connecting 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
fixing pillar
[0011] It is an objective of the present invention to provide each
of the first and second sides of the first connecting body with a
cross section substantially larger than a cross section of the
fixing pillar 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 neck section of the fixing pillar being moveable to
mutually contacts with and tight-fits in the clamping edge of the
slot, and the head section of the fixing pillar being moveable to
mutually contacts with and tight-fits in an end of the groove, for
secure engagement therebetween.
[0013] When utilized in a television table, the television table
includes a tabletop, two pedestals, and at least one fixing pin.
The tabletop includes at least two first connecting bodies located
at near two edges of the tabletop. Each first connecting body
includes a fixing pillar extending therefrom, and the fixing pillar
includes a neck section and a connected head section with an outer
diameter of the head section greater than a diameter of the neck
section. Each pedestal includes a second connecting body located at
a top surface thereon. The second connecting body includes a slot
and a clamping edge extended from the slot, and a diameter of the
slot being greater than a width of the clamping edge and the
diameter of the slot being large enough for the head section of the
fixing pillar to go through. The clamping edge has a second
internal diameter which is too small to allow the head section of
the fixing pillar to go through, so that the fixing pillar is
inserted into the second connecting body through the slot and slid
laterally to the clamping edge for holding the neck section and
connecting the tabletop and the two pedestals. The fixing pin
passes through fixing holes of the tabletop and the two pedestals
to avoid the tabletop sliding laterally respective to the pedestals
and make a connection of the tabletop and the two pedestals
firmly.
[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. It is to be
understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are examples, and are intended to
provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given herein below for illustration only,
and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tabletop attachment system
in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tabletop
attachment system.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the tabletop attachment
system in accordance with the present invention used within a
desk.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the assembly of the
desk.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 is another side view illustrating the assembly of the
desk.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled desk.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a respective view of a television table in
accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a explosive view of the television table in
accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 12A and 12B are respective views of the television
table in accordance with the present invention, which shows the
pedestals assembly to the drawer.
[0028] FIGS. 13A and 13B are sectional views of the television
table in accordance with the present invention, which shows the
pedestals assembly to the drawer.
[0029] FIGS. 14 and 15 are respective views of the television table
in accordance with the present invention, which shows the tabletop
assembly to the pedestals.
[0030] FIG. 16 is sectional view of the television table in
accordance with the present invention, which shows the tabletop
assembly to the pedestals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description
refers to the same or the like parts.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, a tabletop attachment system
includes a first connecting body 10 and a second connecting body 20
releasably engagable with each other. Preferably, the first
connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20 are made of
metal. The first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body
20 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.
[0033] The first connecting 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 connecting body 10 may be mounted by a
plurality of fasteners 30 or other fixing means. In this
embodiment, the first connecting body 10 includes a plurality of
holes 11 extending from the first side to the second side, and the
fasteners 30 extend through the holes 11 respectively and into the
first edge of the pedestal 91. Likewise, the second connecting 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 connecting body 20 may be mounted by a plurality of
fasteners 31 or other fixing means. In this embodiment, the second
connecting body 20 includes a plurality of holes 21 extending from
the first side to the second side, and the fasteners 31 extend
through the plurality of holes 21 respectively and into the surface
of the tabletop 92. Additionally, the second sides of the first
connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20 mutually
contact with each other when the first connecting body 10 is in
engagement with the second connecting body 20.
[0034] In addition, the second side of the first connecting body 10
includes at least one fixing pillar 12 extending therefrom. In the
embodiment, two fixing pillars 12 are provided. Each fixing pillar
12 has a neck section 13 and a head section 14, and the neck
section 13 has a proximal end connected to the second side of the
first connecting body 10 and a distal end connected to the head
section 14. Additionally, the width of the body member is
substantially larger than a diametrical length of each fixing
pillar 12. Further, an outer diameter of the head section 14 is
greater than a diameter of the neck section 13.
[0035] Further, the second connecting 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 clamping edge 24, i.e. a diameter of the slot 22 (the
proximal edge 23) is greater than a width of the clamping edge 24.
Therefore, the slot 22 may be similar to the shape of a teardrop.
Additionally, the proximal edge 23 of each slot 22 has an internal
diameter large enough for the head section 14 of each fixing pillar
12 to go through. However, the clamping edge 24 of each slot 22 has
an internal diameter which is too small to allow the head section
14 of each fixing pillar 12 to go through. Moreover, each slot 22
has a depth, i.e. a distance between the first and second sides of
the second connecting body 20, marginally smaller than a
longitudinal length of the neck section 13 of each fixing pillar
12.
[0036] Further, the tabletop 92 includes two grooves 93 inset
therein and corresponding to two slots 22 of the second connecting
body 20. Each groove 93 is defined in and extends from the surface
to which the second connecting body 20 mounts. Further, each groove
93 has a depth marginally larger than a longitudinal length of the
head section 14 of each fixing pillar 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 connecting body 20.
[0037] Further, the two fixing pillars 12 of the first connecting
body 10 are moveable in the two slots 22 of the second connecting
body 20, from the proximal edges 23 to the clamping edges 24.
Additionally, the neck sections 13 of the two fixing pillars 12
have substantial peripheral edges which can mutually contact with
and tight-fit in the clamping edges 24 of the two slots 22,
respectively; while the head sections 14 of the two fixing pillars
12 have substantial peripheral edges which can mutually contact
with and tight-fit in an end of the two grooves 93.
[0038] In order to connect the pedestal 91 to the tabletop 92, the
two fixing pillars 12 of the first connecting body 10 are inserted
through the two slots 22 of the second connecting body 20,
respectively, i.e. from the related proximal edges 23. The head
sections 14 of the two fixing pillars 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 neck sections 13 of
the two fixing pillars 12 to move to tight-fit in the clamping
edges 24 of the two slots 22 and the head sections 14 of the two
fixing pillars 12 to move to tight-fit in ends of the two grooves
93.
[0039] 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.
[0040] In view of forgoing, the tabletop assembly system according
to the present invention exhibits the following advantages.
[0041] The structure is simple.
[0042] The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 could be connected with
each other easily, and quickly.
[0043] The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 could be connected with
each other firmly and the slots 22 in the wooden tabletop 92 can be
prevented from damage by the fixing pillars 12, as the fixing
pillars 12 are made of metal, and as the neck sections 13 of the
two fixing pillars 12 can mutually contact with and tight-fit in
the clamping edges 24 of the two slots 22, respectively; while the
head sections 14 of the two fixing pillars 12 can mutually contact
with and tight-fit in an end of the two grooves 93.
[0044] The first connecting body 10 may have at least one fixing
pillar 12 and the second connecting body has a corresponding number
of slots 22 and the tabletop 92 has a corresponding number of
grooves 93.
[0045] The body member of the first connecting body 10 has a cross
section substantially larger than each fixing pillar 12, thus
preventing substantial pressures applied on the first edge of the
wooden pedestal 91, as described in the Description of the Related
Art.
[0046] When utilized in a television table, please refer to FIG. 10
to FIG. 16. The television table 100 includes a tabletop 92, two
pedestals 91, a drawer 95 and at least one fixing pin 40. The
tabletop 92 includes at least two first connecting bodies 10
located at near two opposite edges of the tabletop 92. Each
pedestal 91 includes at lease two second connecting bodies 20
located at a top surface 911 and an intermediate portion 912
respectively. The drawer 95 has two first connecting bodies 10
located at two opposite sides.
[0047] The first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body
20 are with the same structure as above described, and the repeat
description thereof will be omitted.
[0048] The drawer 95 is connected to the two pedestals 91 in
perpendicular by the first connecting body 10 and the second
connecting body 20, please refer to FIGS. 12A to 13B.
[0049] The tabletop 92 is connected to the two pedestals 91, please
see FIGS. 14 and 15. The fixing pillar 12 is inserted into the
second connecting body 20 through the slot 22 and slid laterally to
the clamping edge 23 for holding the neck section 13. Therefore,
the tabletop 92 and the two pedestals 91 only can be disassembled
by reverse sliding.
[0050] Please refer to FIG. 16, the fixing pin 40 passes through
fixing holes 921, 913 of the tabletop 92 and the two pedestals 91
to avoid the tabletop 92 sliding laterally respective to the
pedestals 91 and make a connection of the tabletop 92 and the two
pedestals 91 firmly. Furthermore, the fixing pin 40 is made of
plastic and tight-fit in the fixing holes 921, 913 of the tabletop
92 and the pedestals 91.
[0051] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those proficient in the relevant fields. The invention in its
broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details
and representative embodiments shown and described herein.
Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as
defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *