U.S. patent application number 12/487836 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-23 for fastener for constructing posts for furniture.
Invention is credited to Stephen Vestergaard-Jensen.
Application Number | 20100322740 12/487836 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43354543 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100322740 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vestergaard-Jensen;
Stephen |
December 23, 2010 |
FASTENER FOR CONSTRUCTING POSTS FOR FURNITURE
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a fastening device with a stem which
is engaged on a first end by a cross-dowel with a transverse
threaded aperture and on a second end by a cylinder with a
set-screw. The second end of the stem includes an aperture
surrounded by an oval-shaped longitudinally elongated countersunk
region. This aperture can capture the set-screw within a small
range of longitudinal positions, thereby allowing for fine
adjustments to be made to align the sidewalls of adjacent post
segments joined by the fastening device.
Inventors: |
Vestergaard-Jensen; Stephen;
(Bridgeport, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAY PITNEY LLP
7 TIMES SQUARE
NEW YORK
NY
10036-7311
US
|
Family ID: |
43354543 |
Appl. No.: |
12/487836 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
411/321 ;
411/349; 411/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 12/54 20130101;
Y10T 29/49947 20150115; Y10T 403/46 20150115; Y10T 29/49948
20150115; F16B 12/18 20130101; Y10T 29/49963 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
411/321 ;
411/349; 411/383 |
International
Class: |
F16B 39/06 20060101
F16B039/06; F16B 21/00 20060101 F16B021/00; F16B 35/06 20060101
F16B035/06 |
Claims
1. A fastener, including: a stem with a first end and a second end;
a first device for rotationally engaging said first end; and a
second device for engaging said second end along a range of
positions.
2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein said first end includes an
externally threaded portion and wherein said first device includes
an internally threaded passageway for rotationally engaging said
externally threaded portion.
3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein said first device is
cylindrically shaped and wherein said internally threaded
passageway is transversely oriented within said first device.
4. The fastener of claim 3 wherein said second end includes an
aperture and wherein said second device includes a securing element
for insertion into said aperture.
5. The fastener of claim 4 wherein said second device is
cylindrically shaped with an unthreaded passageway which is
transversely oriented within said second device.
6. The fastener of claim 5 wherein said second device includes a
longitudinally oriented internally threaded passageway.
7. The fastener of claim 6 wherein said second device further
includes a set-screw with external threads, threaded into said
longitudinally oriented internally threaded passageway, and wherein
said securing element comprises an end of said set-screw.
8. The fastener of claim 7 wherein said end of said set-screw
terminates in a pointed tip, wherein said pointed tip can engage
said aperture of said second end along a range of longitudinal
positions of said stem, said range being at least equal to a pitch
distance of said externally threaded portion of said first end of
said stem.
9. The fastener of claim 8 wherein said aperture in said second end
of said stem is surrounded by a first counter-sunk region.
10. The fastener of claim 9 wherein said first counter-sunk region
is oval-shaped, longitudinally elongated along said stem.
11. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said first device includes a
first tool-engaging slot for rotating said first device.
12. The fastener of claim 11 wherein said second device includes a
second tool-engaging slot for rotating said second device.
13. The fastener of claim 12 wherein said first tool-engaging slot
indicates a rotational position of said internally threaded
passageway.
14. The fastener of claim 13 wherein said second tool-engaging slot
indicates a rotational position of said unthreaded passageway.
15. The fastener of claim 14 wherein said set-screw includes a
tool-receiving aperture.
16. The fastener of claim 15 wherein an opening of said internally
threaded passageway is surrounded by a second counter-sunk
region.
17. The fastener of claim 16 wherein an opening of said unthreaded
passageway is surrounded by a third counter-sunk region.
18. The fastener of claim 1 wherein said stem, said first device
and said second device are made from stainless steel.
19. A fastener for assembly of furniture posts, comprising: a stem
having a first end and a second end, said first end being threaded,
and said second end defining a hole therethrough, said second end
further defining a counter-sunk region adjacent to an entry of said
hole; a first cylinder for insertion into a first post, said first
cylinder having a threaded hole therethrough; said threaded hole
for receiving said threaded first end of said stem; said first
cylinder further having a slot for alignment of said cylinder to
said first end; a set screw having external threads and a pointed
end, said set screw further having a second end having a tightening
aperture; a second cylinder for insertion into a second post, said
second cylinder having an unthreaded hole therethrough and a
threaded hole on a top portion of said second cylinder; said top
portion having a slot for alignment of said second cylinder to said
second end; said unthreaded hole for engaging said second end of
said stem; said threaded hole on said top portion for receiving
said set screw that locks said second cylinder when said set screw
is rotated by said tightening aperture.
20. A method of fastening furniture posts, comprising: inserting a
first cylinder into a first post; said first post having a first
aperture; inserting a stem into said first aperture; said stem
having an indicator mark to confirm said mark is flush with an end
of said first post; inserting a set-screw into said first cylinder;
inserting a second cylinder into a second post; said second post
having a second aperture; inserting an end of said stem that is
protruding from said first post into said second cylinder that is
within said second post; rotating at least one of said posts to
thread said stem into said second cylinder; and tightening said
set-screw at said first cylinder to an extent sufficient to prevent
free rotation of said stem.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fastener for the use in
constructing posts for furniture, or similar structures. In
particular, the present invention provides the strength of a
longitudinally-oriented threaded fastener while allowing for
adjustment to align the lateral sides of the posts.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] In the prior art, it is well known to pack and transport
furniture in a disassembled state in order to reduce the packaging
volume and to reduce transportation expense. However, this requires
the consumer to assemble the furniture, or to incur added expense
to have the furniture assembled after purchase. This requires the
assembly procedure to be straightforward and simple for a broad
range of consumers. More important, however, in the assembly of
some furniture, particularly bunkbeds which are designed to hold
sleeping children several feet above the floor, it is important
that the resulting assembly be fool-proof. While
longitudinally-oriented threaded fasteners can provide very
reliable strong connections between adjacent portions forming a
post for such furniture as a bunkbed, such fasteners may not allow
for the satisfactory alignment of the lateral sides of the posts.
In other words, when portions of a post of rectangular cross
section are connected end-on-end to form a post, it is
aesthetically important for the lateral sides to align without
sacrificing the strength of the resulting post.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a strong reliable fastener for securing adjoining post
segments together so as to form a post, such as may be used for
furniture and similar structures.
[0006] It is therefore a further object of the present invention to
provide a fastener for securing adjoining post segments together so
as to form a post, which is relatively simple and straightforward
for the consumer to assemble.
[0007] It is therefore a final object of the present invention to
provide a fastener for securing adjoining post segments together,
wherein the lateral sides of adjoining post segments may be aligned
with each other.
[0008] These and other objects are attained by providing a fastener
which comprises a longitudinal stem with a first half which is
threaded and a second half which includes a cross-aperture with a
somewhat longitudinally elongated oval-shaped counter-sunk region;
a cross-dowel which is inserted laterally into a first post segment
and which presents a threaded aperture to the threaded portion of
the longitudinal stem; and a cylinder which is inserted laterally
into a second post segment and presents an unthreaded aperture for
receiving the second half of the longitudinal stem, thereby
aligning cross-aperture and the oval-shaped counter-sunk region
within the center of the cylinder for receiving a set screw which
screws into the cylinder.
[0009] The resulting structure presents a very intuitive device
which can be easily assembled by the user, resulting in a very
strong fastened connection. Further, as will be described herein,
the ability of the set screw to engage the longitudinal stem
throughout a relatively small longitudinal range (at least equal to
the pitch of the threads of the first half of the longitudinal
stem) allows an adjustment to be made to align the lateral sides of
adjoining post segments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description and from the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment the
fastener of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a longitudinal stem of an
embodiment of the fastener of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cross-dowel of an
embodiment of the fastener of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cylinder and set-screw of
an embodiment of the fastener of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in phantom, of an
embodiment of the fastener of the present invention, fastening two
post segments together.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially exploded, of an
embodiment of the fastener of the present invention being used to
assemble a child's bed.
[0017] FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views illustrating the details
of the final assembly steps using the fastener of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present fastener invention and method of using the same
has the ability, among other things, to not only lock a leg
extension or post onto another bed leg or post, but also has the
ability to generate extreme compression between the two connecting
legs or posts that will make the combined legs or posts rock solid
as if the combined legs or posts were one solid piece of wood.
[0019] Many prior art devices use pins to place beds on top of each
other. The resulting compression between these bed posts, if any,
is due to the weight of the bed and gravity. These posts can easily
be moved or disconnected by shaking or moving the beds. None of
these prior art bed posts allow for such a hard direct compression
like the fastener of the present invention.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, one
sees an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of fastener 10
in FIG. 1. Fastener 10 includes longitudinal stem 12, cross-dowel
14, cylinder 16, and set-screw 18. All elements of fastener 10 are
typically made from stainless steel, although one skilled in the
art will recognize a range of equivalents after review of the
disclosure.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, longitudinal stem 12 includes a
first end 20 and a second end 22. First end 20 includes external
threads 24 while second end 22 includes cross-aperture 26 which
further includes counter-sunk region 28 which is typically slightly
oval-shaped and elongated in the longitudinal direction.
Additionally, the middle of the longitudinal stem 12 typically
includes a ring-shaped groove or indicator mark 30.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, cross-dowel 14 is cylindrically
shaped with a transverse internally threaded aperture 40 for
receiving external threads 24 of first end 20 of longitudinal stem
12. Counter-sunk region 42 is formed on the surface of cross-dowel
14 around at least one opening of transverse internally threaded
aperture 40 in order to initially capture first end 20 of
longitudinal stem 12 throughout a range of deviating angles.
Additionally, an end of cross-dowel 14 includes slot 44, resembling
that of a flat-head screw, rotationally aligned and positioned with
respect to the transverse internally threaded aperture 40, thereby
allowing the user to use a conventional flat-head screwdriver to
rotate cross-dowel 14 to the desired rotational orientation of
internally threaded aperture 40 for capture of external threads 24
of first end 20 of longitudinal stem 12.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, cylinder 16 is hollow with
internally threaded longitudinal aperture 50. Cylinder 16 further
includes transverse passageway 52 with an opening surrounded by
oval-shaped countersunk region 54. The edge of cylinder 16 includes
slots 56, 58 which are radially aligned with each other thereby
forming a detent with which the user can use a flat-head
screwdriver to rotate cylinder 16 so that transverse passageway 52
can be rotationally aligned to receive second end 22 of
longitudinal stem 12. Similarly, slots 56, 58 are rotationally
aligned and positioned so as to indicate the orientation of
transverse passageway 52. FIGS. 1 and 4 likewise illustrate
set-screw 18 which includes external threads 60 which are
complementary to the external threads of aperture 50. Set-screw 18
further includes pointed tip 62 and hex-tool receiving aperture 64
for receiving a hex-tool 400 such as that illustrated in FIGS. 7A
and 7C.
[0024] The installation process of fastener 10 with respect to post
segments 100, 200 can be explained by reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and
7A-7C. As shown in FIG. 6, post segment 100 can extend from the
frame of bed 300 while post segment 200 provides the length of the
leg or post of bed 300. The user first inserts cylinder 16 into
transverse blind aperture 102 of post segment 100. Transverse blind
aperture 102 is dimensioned so that cylinder 16 can be fully
inserted or seated within transverse blind aperture 102. The user
then uses a flat-head screwdriver or similar tool to rotate
cylinder 16 so that transverse passageway 52 is aligned with
longitudinal blind aperture 104 of post segment 100. The user then
inserts second end 22 of longitudinal stem 12 into longitudinal
blind aperture 104, typically to the depth that ring-shaped groove
or indicator mark 30 is flush with the end 106 of post segment 100.
The user then inserts set-screw 18 into internally threaded
longitudinal aperture 50 and uses a hex-tool to screw set-screw 18
therein. The user may have to rotate longitudinal stem 12
appropriately so that pointed tip 62 of set-screw 18 is captured
within counter-sunk region 28 and cross-aperture 26 of longitudinal
stem 12. The user assures that set-screw 18 is inserted
sufficiently to insure that stem 12 is securely engaged both
rotationally and longitudinally. The user then inserts cross-dowel
14 into transverse blind aperture 202 of post segment 200.
Transverse blind aperture 202 is dimensioned so that cross-dowel 14
can be fully inserted or seated within transverse blind aperture
202. The user then uses a flat-head screwdriver or similar tool to
rotate cross-dowel 14 so that transverse internally threaded
aperture 40 is aligned with longitudinal blind aperture 204 of post
segment 200. The user then inserts the first end 20 of longitudinal
stem 12, which is protruding from longitudinal aperture 104 of post
segment 100, into longitudinal aperture 204 of post segment 200 so
that external threads 24 of longitudinal stem 12 are captured
within transverse internally threaded aperture 40 of cross-dowel
14. The user then rotates at least one of post segments 100, 200 to
thread longitudinal stem 12 into cross-dowel 14 until the ends 106,
206 of respective post segments 100, 200 abut each other. However,
in the very likely event that the lateral sides of post segments
100, 200 are not satisfactorily aligned with each other as
illustrated in FIG. 7A, the user partially unscrews or "backs out"
the set-screw 18 using hex-tool 400 as shown in FIG. 7A to allow a
small degree of longitudinal movement of longitudinal stem 12.
Typically, the amount of longitudinal freedom of movement required
for longitudinal stem 12 is typically no greater than about one
pitch distance of the external threads 24. Additionally, set-screw
18 remains inserted to an extent sufficient to prevent free
rotation of longitudinal stem 12. The user then can rotate at least
one of post segments 100, 200 so that the ends 106, 206 abut each
other and the sides of post segments 100, 200 are properly aligned
as shown in FIG. 7B. This causes post segment 200 to torque and
compress against post segment 100 thereby causing a very tight
compression between the post segments 100, 200. The user then
re-tightens set-screw 18. As the counter-sunk region 28 and
cross-aperture 26 of longitudinal stem 12 can be engaged by
set-screw 18 through a range of longitudinal positions (the range
equal to at least the pitch distance of external threads 24) by
turning the hex-tool 400 as illustrated in FIG. 7C, possibly
followed by additional torquing of post segment 100 for compression
of the posts. This compression of posts results in a very strong
and aesthetic engagement of post segments 100, 200 into a post
structure suitable for many uses, including, but not limited to,
bunkbeds and other kinds of furniture.
[0025] Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are
most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the
invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it
should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited
thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *