Joints and connections – Three or more members connected at single locus – Mutually contacting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-23
2001-03-27
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Three or more members connected at single locus
Mutually contacting
C403S170000, C403S306000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206605
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a wooden piece of furniture to be connected. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wooden piece of furniture having at least one corner of three rod-like elements to be connected to each other in rectangular configuration to form the corner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wooden piece of furniture is an object which normally has a number of corners. A corner is to be understood as the place in which three rod-like elements are connected with their end portions. The rod-like elements are arranged perpendicularly to each other. Two of the three rod-like elements each are positioned in a configuration so to enclose an angle of 90°. This configuration corresponds to the three directions in a three-dimensional room. For example, corners of the mentioned type are used in connection with frames for tables, frames of beds, chairs, stools, stands, and other pieces of furniture. The corner is a certain kind of junction point. Normally, the corner is connected in fixed manner, ie. undetachable. Often, glue is used for this purpose. But the composition can be performed without glue to create a mobile piece of furniture which is easily mountable, and easily detachable, also. In this case, the three rod-like elements are connected with their end portions to penetrate each other.
A wooden piece of furniture is known from the German Gebrauchsmuster DE-GM 87 11 543. Rod-like elements are used to meet each other when forming a corner. The shape of the end portions of the three rod-like elements is important. The end portion have a length corresponding to the length in which the rod-Eke elements penetrate each other in the connected configuration. All of the three rod-like element have the same shape as far as the end portions are concerned. The cross section of the rod-like elements is rectangular having a ratio of their edges of 2:3. Thus, there are shorter edges and longer edges. Each rod-like element has a slit with a depth and a width arranged in the end portion. The slit is arranged in the middle between and parallel to the shorter edges. The depth of the slit is equal to the longer edge. The width of said slit corresponds to a third of the longer edge. Furthermore, each of the rod-like elements has a cutout with a depth and a width arranged parallel to the longer edges to form two extending times. The depth of said cutout is equal with the shorter edge. The width of the cutout is half the length of the shorter edge. The cutout is eccentrically arranged with respect to a middle plane. The cutout begins at the outer surface along the longer edge and ends in the middle plane, i.e. between the surfaces defined by the longer edges. The end portions of the rod-like elements are identically shaped. Thus, it is easy to produce such rod-like elements in series. The edges of the cross section of the rod-like elements should have the ratio of 2:3 at least in the end portion, while outside the end portion the rod-like elements may have such a ratio or a different one. A square cross section can be used outside the end portion. A circular cross section is applicable also outside the end portion. The shaping of the end portions of the rod-like elements makes it possible to connect the first two rod-like elements perpendicular to each other in a common plane. Subsequently, the third rod-like element is put into the end regions of the two connected rod-like elements. Having done this, stability appears in all of the three directions in a room system Putting is done by moving the rod-like elements in the directions of their extensions. Thus, a stable corner is formed by the three rod-like elements. This configuration holds the three rectangular angles. The configuration is easily detachable if used without glue. Using glue makes the piece of furniture fixly mounted. In addition, the connected corner offers a decorative look. A cube-Eke hollow space appears on the outside of the corner after connecting the three rod-like elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention comprises a wooden piece of furniture having at least one corner. Three rod-like elements are provided having end portions of an identical rectangular cross section with a ratio of 2:3 formed by shorter edges and longer edges. The three rod-like elements are connectable in rectangular configuration to each other to form the corner. Each rod-like element has a slit with a certain depth and a certain width. The slit is arranged in the end portion. The slit is positioned in the middle between and parallel to the surfaces defined by the shorter edges. The depth of said slit is equal to the longer edge. The width of said slit corresponds to a third of the longer edge. Each rod-like element has a cutout with a certain depth and a certain width. The cutout is arranged parallel to the longer edges to form two extending tines. The depth of said cutout is equal to the shorter edge. The width of said cutout is half the length of the shorter edge. A common bore is provided in the three rod-like elements. The bore is positioned in a common angle with respect to the rectangular configuration of the three rod-like elements. The bore intersects the tines of the three rod-like elements. A plug having a shaft is to be inserted into the bore to secure said connected rectangular configuration of the three rod-like elements.
The present invention starts from the idea to provide the rod-like elements with a common bore. Preferably, the bore is drilled after composing the three rod-like elements. The bore has to be drilled in an inclined angle in a manner so to intersect each of the three rod-like elements. A plug is inserted into the bore. The diameter of the plug corresponds to the diameter of the bore. Preferably an interference fit is attained The plug cannot fall out of the bore. The plug is a kind of security element preventing the detachment of the piece of furniture as long as the plug is inserted. The plug can have the shape of a cylinder, especially made from wood, plastics or the like. If the piece of furniture has to be dismounted, the plug is removed from the bore by pulling or driving out. If the bore is a pocket hole the plug must be pulled out. Subsequently, the three rod-like elements may be detached by pulling or moving one rod-like element after the other in the direction contrary to the composing direction. If the connection is used to form a piece of furniture which is not to be detached any more, there is the possibility of inserting the plug adding glue or adhesive. The surfaces in the end regions of the rod-like elements contacting each other can be coated with glue also. It is not necessary that the bore runs completely through the corner formed by the three rod-like elements. But of course, such a bore is advantageous in handling. But it is possible also to use a pocket hole as a bore, the bore to be drilled starting from the inside or from the outside of the corner.
The plug may have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore. But the plug does not have to have a cylindrical shape. Instead, it may have a conical design also widening up the bore between the rod-like elements during insertion. Thus, pre-stressing occurs stabilizing the corner.
The piece of furniture includes a hollow cube-like space of the connected rectangular configuration of the three rod-like elements. A head is arranged on the plug to fill said cube-like space. A head is a thickening compared to a shaft of the plug. The thickening or head may have different shape. Especially, the head may have a cube-like shape having the dimensions of the hollow cube-like space on the peak of the corner. In this case, the hollow space is filled with the head of the plug. The hollow space is hidden and cannot be seen any more. Thus, not only a decorative look is attained, but a security function, also.
It is also possible to design the head differently and/or to position the head on the inside of the corner. The inside of the corner normally is a place which cannot be
Browne Lynne H.
Doring Joseph
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
Walsh John B.
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