Modular furniture assembly

• US 4,765,253 A
• Filed: 09/23/1985
• Issued: 08/23/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Schappach
• Original Assignee: Richard Schappach
• Inventors: Schappach, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Zugel, Francis K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US06/778,860
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 108/153, 108/111, 108/155, 108/156, 108/157, 108/101, 248/916, 248/188, 248/188.91, 403/381, 403/252, 403/254, 403/353, 403/348, 211/192, 297/157
• US Class Current: 108/158.12
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/04 of wood A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/12 Transparent tops , e.g. with lighting means under the table top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2230/0085 Mutually slotted furniture joints
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/06 with separable parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/20 Connections with hook-like parts gripping behind a blind side of an element to be connected

Abstract

A modular furniture assembly includes a top member having a plurality of keyways disposed therein. A plurality of legs are provided to support the top member. Each of the legs includes at least one key bolt member sized and shaped for sliding engagement within one of the keyways to attach the leg to the top member. Stabilizing rails are disposed opposite each other and interconnect paired members of the legs to provide support and stability to the legs. The rails are keyed to interlock with notched portions disposed in the legs. Finally, a cross member interconnects the oppositely disposed stabilizing rails to provide fixed support for the legs. The end portions of the cross member are keyed to interlock with the stabilizing rails.

Claims

1. A modular furniture assembly having quickly attachable and detachable parts comprising:

a top member having an upper surface and a plurality of keyways;

a plurality of legs to support said top member, each said leg including at least one key bolt member sized and shaped for sliding engagement within one said keyway to attach said leg to said top member;

stabilizing rails disposed opposite each other and interconnecting paired members of said legs to provide support and stability to said legs, said rails being keyed to interlock with notched portions disposed in said legs; and

a cross member interconnecting said oppositely disposed stabilizing rails to provide fixed support for said legs, the end portions of said cross member being keyed to interlock with said stabilizing rails;

each said stabilizing rail including an apertured portion for receiving and engaging the associated cross member end portion, said apertured portion including an elongated through slot centrally disposed in said stabilizing rail, each said cross member end portion extending through said elongated slot of the associated stabilizing rail and each said cross member end portion including a narrowed neck for firm interlocking engagement within said slot;

wherein each said key bolt comprises a shaft portion and a key tab projecting radially outwardly from the end of said shaft portion, and wherein each said keyway comprises a central opening extending vertically upwardly into said top member and sized for receiving said key bolt and a shelf portion extending radially outwardly from the upper end of said opening sized and shaped to receive said key tab, each said key bolt being attached at an upper end surface of an associated leg member, said key bolt and said keyway being sized and shaped so that said top member is firmly sandwiched between said key tab and the upper end surface of said leg when said key bolt is fully engaged within said keyway.

2. The furniture assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said keyway passes entirely through said top member with said shelf portion being disposed along said upper surface of said top member and wherein said furniture assembly further includes a plurality of peg means, each adapted for insertion into one said keyway opening to further tighten and stabilize said key bolt within said keyway.

3. The furniture assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said peg means includes a top portion substantially covering said keyway when inserted into said keyway opening.

4. A portable modular table assembly having quickly attachable and detachable parts comprising:

a table top having an upper surface and a plurality of paired keyways and a central opening with a ledge support portion disposed about the interior perimeter of said central opening;

a plurality of elongated legs for supporting said table top, each said leg having at least one key bolt member axially projecting from the top end thereof and sized and shaped for sliding engagement within one said keyway to fasten said key bolt within said keyway;

oppositely disposed stabilizing rails interconnecting paired members of said legs below said table top to provide support and stability thereto, said rails being keyed to interlock with notched portions disposed in said legs; and

a cross member interconnecting said oppositely disposed stabilizing rails to provide fixed support for said legs, the end portions of said cross members being keyed to interlock within apertured portions of said stabilizing rails, each said apertured portion of each stabilizing rail including an elongated through slot centrally disposed on said stabilizing rail and aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of said rail for receiving and engaging the associated cross member end portion, each said cross member end portion extending through said elongated slot of the associated stabilizing rail, each cross member end portion including a narrowed neck dimensioned for firm interlocking engagement within said slot by rotation of said cross member after insertion of said cross member end portions into said slots;

wherein each said keyway includes a central aperture and an adjacent shelf portion, and wherein each said key bolt includes a shaft and a tab projecting radially outwardly from the end of said shaft and adapted for engagement within said shelf.

5. The table assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said keyway is recessed within said table top to prevent visibility of said keyway from said upper surface of said table top.

6. The table assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said keyway passes entirely through said table top, said shelf portion of each keyway being disposed along said upper surface of said table top.