Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Plural related horizontal surfaces – Laterally connected individual units
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-02
2001-02-06
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Plural related horizontal surfaces
Laterally connected individual units
C403S381000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182580
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a connector for mobile furniture and to a method of connecting pieces of furniture.
Mobile furniture, as tables, audio/visual carts, divider panels and the like are widely used in seminars, workshops and training classes. The furniture is typically arranged in a particular configuration for one class or purpose and rearranged for the next. The connector disclosed herein interconnects the furniture in a desired configuration and accommodates many different furniture arrangements. The connector provides for easy and rapid connection and disconnection of furniture pieces.
It is known to interconnect modular furniture. However, the range of connected positions is limited and some connectors require tools and are semi-permanent in nature. Representative connectors are shown in:
Sapp, U.S. Pat. No. 2,836,475—Key 10, 12, 13, loaded by spring 11 is received in aperture 7 of bracket 6, FIGS. 1 and 2;
Heine et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,888—Coupling member 5 engages bars 8;
Frascaroli et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,049—Work surfaces are supported on interconnected beams 1;
Newhouse et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,513—Brackets (not shown) between desk top 16 and top 300, FIG. 21, col. 17, lines 6-35; tables are joined by wedge-shaped linking elements 309, FIGS. 23-25; and
Diffrient U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,657—Connector 120 engages latching strips 118, FIGS. 20-24.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The connector comprises two connector elements, one for affixation to each of two pieces of furniture. One connector element has an arcuate surface with a plurality of laterally spaced connection points and the other connector element has a connection point to mate with a selected connection point of the one connector element. More particularly, the connection points form a dovetail joint with mating male and female dovetail configurations with the points having rounded edges for ease in engaging the connection points. Preferably, the connector elements are rings with alternate male and female connection points on the ring periphery and are rotatable about the ring axis. These features enable connection of two pieces of furniture with a selected and adjustable orientation.
Another feature of the connector is that one of the connector elements is affixed to a piece of furniture for vertical movement to engage the other connector element.
A further feature is that the connector elements are affixed to a piece of furniture substantially at the periphery thereof.
Still another feature of the connector element is a stop surface adjacent female connector points to position a complimentary male connection point for engagement with the female connection point.
Yet another feature is the method of connecting two pieces of furniture in which the connector elements are affixed to each piece of furniture and engaging a selected connection point of one connector element with a connection point of the other connection element. More particularly, each connector element is a ring rotatable in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis and having alternate mating male and female dovetail connection points on the periphery thereof. A male connection point of one connector element ring is engaged with a female connection point of the other connector element ring by vertical movement of one of the connector element rings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2836475 (1958-05-01), Sapp
patent: 4639049 (1987-01-01), Frascaroli et al.
patent: 4884513 (1989-12-01), Newhouse et al.
patent: 5144888 (1992-09-01), Heine et al.
patent: 5337657 (1994-08-01), Diffrient
patent: 5570971 (1996-11-01), Rixen et al.
patent: 348378 (1931-05-01), None
Barrett Shawn O.
Bond Paul
Niver Michael A.
Bretford Manufacturing Inc.
Wilkens Janet M.
Wood Phillips VanSanten Clark & Mortimer
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