Lightweight plastic furniture

• US 5,868,081 A
• Filed: 02/12/1997
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Virco Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Virco Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Raab, Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/799,598
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 108/115, 108/129, 108/130, 108/131, 108/132, 108/161, 108/901, 108/27, 52/789.1, 52/783.11, 52/793.11
• US Class Current: 108/161
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/08 Table tops; Rims therefor not restricted to table tops A47B95/04
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/083 Rims for table tops
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/08 with legs pivoted to top or underframe
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/091 with struts supporting the legs in combination with foldable top leaves A47B3/087
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0912 the strut being of two parts foldable relative to one another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 108/901 Synthetic plastic industrial platform, e.g. pallet

Abstract

A lightweight, high-strength support platform for use in furniture construction, which has superior structural integrity and can be used, by way of example, in portable folding tables, in work tables and in modular furniture of the character typically used in modern office complexes. The support platform which may be rectangular or non-rectangular embodies a novel structural reinforcement core of a unique configuration which is both lightweight and exhibits superior strength and durability characteristics. In one form of the invention, the support platform also includes a reinforcement beam which circumscribes the central portion of the reinforcement core and which is generally "I" shaped in cross section. This latter form of support platform can be used in the construction of a circular shaped, lightweight, readily portable folding table which includes two pair of legs that are pivotally connected to the platform for pivotal movement between an extended operational position and a retracted storage and transport position.

Claims

1. A lightweight, high-strength support platform for use in constructing furniture, comprising:

(a) a support member having a generally planar first surface having a peripheral portion and a spaced apart second surface; and

(b) a plastic structural reinforcement core connected to said support member, said core having a central portion and a peripheral flange circumscribing said central portions, said central portion being provided with a multiplicity of generally frustoconically shaped protuberances;

(c) an enclosure panel connected to said peripheral flange of said core, said enclosure panel having a central portion and a curved channel shaped portion circumscribing said central portion; and

(d) a curved reinforcement frame disposed within said curved channel shaped portion of said enclosure panel and between said core and said enclosure panel and circumscribing said central portion of said enclosure panel.

2. A support platform as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of leg assemblies connected to said support platform.

3. A support platform as defined in claim 1 in which said curved reinforcement frame is generally "I" shaped in cross-section.

4. A support platform as defined in claim 3 in which said curved reinforcement frame is generally circular in shape and includes first and second interconnected ends.

5. A lightweight, high-strength support platform for use in constructing plastic furniture, comprising:

(a) a support member having a generally planar first surface having a curved peripheral portion and a spaced apart second surface; and

(b) a plastic structural reinforcement core connected to said support member, said core having a curved central portion and a peripheral flange circumscribing said central portion, said central portion being provided with a multiplicity of specially configured protuberances each comprising;

(i) a base portion;

(ii) a spaced apart closure wall; and

(iii) a tapered connecting wall interconnecting a base portion and said closure wall;

(c) an enclosure panel connected to said peripheral flange of said core, said enclosure panel having a curved channel shaped portion and a central portion; and

(d) a reinforcement frame disposed within said channel shaped portion of said enclosure panel and between said core and said enclosure panel, said reinforcement frame comprising a curved beam circumscribing said central portion of said enclosure panel.

6. A support platform as defined in claim 5 further including a pair of leg assemblies pivotally connected to said support platform for movement between a first extended position and a second retracted position.

7. A support platform as defined in claim 6 in which said reinforcement frame includes a curved channel circumscribing said central portion of said enclosure panel, said curved beam being disposed within said curved channel.

8. A support platform as defined in claim 7 in which said curved beam is substantially "I" shaped in cross section.

9. A support platform as defined in claim 8 in which said curved beam is substantially circular in shape.

10. A lightweight, high-strength, non-rectangular shaped support platform for use in constructing plastic furniture, comprising:

(a) a support member having a generally planar first surface having a peripheral portion and a spaced apart second surface; and

(b) a plastic structural reinforcement core connected to said support member, said core having a central portion and a peripheral flange circumscribing said central portion, said central portion being provided with a multiplicity of specially configured protuberances each comprising;

(i) a base portion;

(ii) a spaced apart closure wall; and

(iii) a tapered connecting wall interconnecting a base portion and said closure wall;

(c) an enclosure panel connected to said peripheral flange of said core, said enclosure panel including a central portion and a curved, channel shaped portion circumscribing said central portion; and

(d) a reinforcement frame disposed within said curved channel shaped portion of said enclosure panel, said reinforcement frame comprising a curved reinforcement beam which is generally "I" shaped in cross section.

11. A platform as defined in claim 10 in which said reinforcement frame includes a serrated surface disposed in engagement with said reinforcement core.

12. A support platform as defined in claim 10 further including a pair of leg assemblies pivotally connected to said support platform.

13. A platform as defined in claim 10 in which said protuberances are substantially frustoconical in shape.

14. A platform as defined in claim 10 in which said reinforcement frame is generally circular in plan and circumscribes said central portion of said reinforcement core.