Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Structurally defined web or sheet – Fold at edge
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-08
2001-01-16
Watkins, III, William P. (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Structurally defined web or sheet
Fold at edge
C428S131000, C428S119000, C428S083000, C428S358000, C297S118000, C297S129000, C297S016100, C297S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174585
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to slats arranged to co-operate with substantially similar slats for the construction of furniture.
INTRODUCTION
An item of furniture constructed from an arrangement of slats is described in United Kingdom Patent 2 243 543, granted to the present Applicant. The slats may be moved to a plurality of positions, thereby allowing the item of furniture to take on many configurations, including that of a chair, a table and a sun lounger etc.
A problem with the known arrangement is that the fabrication of each slat requires a plurality of moulding processes to be effected, primarily to ensure that mutually co-operating engaging devices, in the form of radial teeth, are provided on each co-operating surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slat arranged to co-operate with substantially similar slats for the construction of furniture, in which each slat defines a substantially C-shaped cross section comprising a central element, a first longitudinal element and a second longitudinal element; wherein said central element defines an internal surface adjacent to said longitudinal elements; said central elements defines an external surface; locking means extend from said external surface so as to engage locking means of a co-operating slat; and a plurality of reinforcing webs are positioned within said C-shaped cross section defining substantially diamond-shaped arrangements.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking means comprises co-operating teeth and said teeth may extend radially from a circular hole. Preferably, the circular hole is arranged to receive a restraining spindle and said spindle may be arranged to hold a plurality of interdigitated slats.
An advantage of the invention is that the moulding of each individual slat may be exercised as a single operation. Although the number of co-operating devices has been reduced over the system known in the prior art, it has been found that the structure is still firmly held in position. In addition the C-shaped cross section also facilitates the addition of structural cross members, so as to enhance the torsional rigidity of the strut.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4608796 (1986-09-01), Shea, Jr.
patent: 5190803 (1993-03-01), Goldbach et al.
patent: 5406760 (1995-04-01), Edwards
patent: 0 123 078 A2 (1984-03-01), None
patent: 2 243 543 (1991-11-01), None
Creighton Wray James
Narasimhan Meera P.
Watkins III William P.
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