Joints and connections – Side slide: elongated co-linear members
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-03
2001-02-27
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Side slide: elongated co-linear members
C403S333000, C403S398000, C403S399000, C248S219400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193436
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to locking systems for supporting elements employed to support a structure in an elevated position. More specifically, the invention is directed to a locking system formed from a plurality of cooperating components which can readily be assembled into an operational position, and disassembled into the individual components without employing any special tools.
Trays, tables, and displays having removable supporting legs are known to the art. It is generally necessary to employ tools for mounting or dismounting the supporting legs to the structure being supported and elevated above the floor. For example, supporting legs are mountable to a supporting structure by mounting screws, requiring the use of screws and a screwdriver to both assemble and disassemble the overall structure.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a locking system for supporting legs to support a structure, such as a tray, table or display, in an elevated operational position, without requiring the use of a tool for assembling and disassembling the overall unit. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following discussion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a locking system is provided for assembling and disassembling supporting elements, such as supporting legs or poles, to a structure to be supported in an elevated position, as for example, a tray, a table top, or a display. The locking system includes cooperating elements on a supporting leg and clip, by which the clip is removably mountable to the supporting leg. Such cooperating structure includes a pin extending from the clip and receivable in an opening defined in the supporting leg, or the reverse structure in which a pin extends from the supporting leg and is receivable in an opening defined in the clip. The combined removably connected clip and supporting leg is itself removably retained, as a unit, in retaining means associated with the structure (such as a tray) to be supported by the supporting leg. The retaining means includes a bracket defining a channel which is adapted to slideably receive portions of the clip for retaining the clip and the supporting leg, as a unit, in the channel. The clip and supporting leg may be retained in the channel by friction fit engagement between a portion of the clip received in the channel, and the adjacent surfaces defined by the channel. The friction fit engagement can be enhanced by tapering the channel or by tapering the portion of the clip received in the channel. In the alternative, at least one stop element can be provided on a portion of the clip received in the channel, in a portion of the channel, or both, to removably retain the clip and the supporting leg, as a unit, in a predetermined desired position within the channel.
The locking system in accordance with the present invention enables supporting legs to be mounted to a supporting structure such as a tray for elevating the supporting structure, without the use of any separate tools. Similarly, the assembled unit can be disassembed into its individual components for storage or transport without the use of any tools.
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patent: 5666713 (1997-09-01), Kubota
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patent: 5924255 (1999-07-01), Vagedes
patent: 5954305 (1999-09-01), Calabro
patent: 5961248 (1999-10-01), Tourtellotte
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Rand Display, Inc.
Stone Mark P.
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