Joint assembly

• US 6,413,007 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sauder Woodworking Company
• Original Assignee: Sauder Woodworking Company
• Inventors: Lambright, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malcolm, Tomlyne A
• Application Number:
  US09/562,335
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 403/345, 403/360, 403/353, 403/380, 403/381, 403/383, 403/375
• US Class Current: 403/353
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/003 Connecting table tops to underframes connecting furniture tubing to non-tubular parts F16B12/42
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/04 of wood A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/125 using mortise and tenon joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/30 Dovetail-like connections

Abstract

A joint assembly for furniture members including a first member having a tongue including a first side extending outwardly from a first edge at a first predetermined angle with respect to the first edge and a second side extending outwardly from the first edge at a second predetermined angle with respect to the first edge. The tongue includes a projection positioned adjacent to the second side. The second member includes a groove having first and second walls and at least one cavity for receiving the tongue of the first member.

Claims

1. A joint assembly comprising:

a first member having a first edge, said first member including a tongue having a first side and a second side, said first side extending outwardly and continuously from said first edge at a first predetermined obtuse angle with respect to said first edge, said second side extending outwardly from said first edge at a second predetermined generally right angle with respect to said first edge, said tongue including a projection positioned adjacent to said second side, said projection including a first projection surface extending outwardly from said second side at a third predetermined obtuse angle with respect to said second side, said projection including a second projection surface adjacent to said first projection surface, said second projection surface being substantially parallel to said second side of said tongue; and

a second member having a second edge engaging said first edge, said second member including a groove having a first wall and a second wall, said first and second walls extending inwardly from said second edge in spaced relationship to one another, at least one of said first and second walls including a cavity having a cavity surface engaging said second projection surface of said projection when said tongue is positioned in said groove to form said joint assembly.

2. The joint assembly of claim 1, wherein said first edge includes a major portion and a minor portion, said major portion being positioned adjacent to said first side of said tongue and said minor portion being positioned adjacent to said second side of said tongue.

3. The joint assembly of claim 1, wherein said first predetermined obtuse angle is in the range from about 95°

to about 110°

.

4. The joint assembly of claim 1, wherein said second predetermined generally right angle is in the range from about 85°

to about 95°

.

5. The joint assembly of claim 1, wherein said third predetermined obtuse angle is in the range from about 125°

to about 145°

.

6. The joint assembly of claim 1, wherein said first wall is generally parallel to said second wall.

7. The joint assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second walls is adapted for engagement with said second side of said tongue.