Connector and hub having locking element

• US 20030215375A1
• Filed: 03/04/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald B. Peddicord
• Original Assignee: Donald B. Peddicord
• Inventors: Peddicord, Donald B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,086,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/275
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/02 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0486 forming an abutting connection of at least one tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 422/902 Sodium chloride and potassium chloride dissolver

Abstract

A structure (10, 44, 50) can be formed by using a plurality of hubs (12), connectors (14) and elongate members (16). The hubs (12) have a series of locking slots (18) formed at regular intervals about the outer circumference. A T-shaped portion (32) of a connector (14) is slid into a selected locking slot (18) until a flexible catch (34) on the connector (14) engages a locking bar (20) on the hub (12) to securely attach the connector (14) to the hub (12). Both the hubs (12) and connectors (14) can frictionally receive elongate members (16), allowing the construction of various types of structure, such as furniture. The structures can be assembled without tools, and can be readily be disassembled if desired.

Claims

1. A furniture structure, comprising:

at least one hub, said hub having at least one locking element; and

at least one connector, said connector having a locking element engaging the locking element of the hub.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said hub is provided with a plurality of locking elements formed by locking slots about the outer circumference thereof.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the locking element in the hub includes a T-shaped slot and the locking element in the connector includes a T-shaped portion received in the T-shaped slot.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the plurality of T-shaped slots are distributed about the circumference at 30 degree angles to adjacent T-shaped slots.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein the hub further includes a locking bar at an end of said T-shaped slot.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein the connector has a flexible catch which is locked to the locking bar when the connector engages the hub.

7. The structure of claim 1 forming an article of furniture.

8. The structure of claim 7 forming a table.

9. The structure of claim 7 forming a chair.

10. The structure of claim 1 further comprising at least one elongate member frictionally engaging one of said hub and connector.

11. The structure of claim 1 wherein the hub and connector are formed of plastic.

12. The structure of claim 10 where in the elongate member is formed a PVC plastic.

13. The structure of claim 10 wherein the hub has a opening with a cruciform to receive the elongate member.

14. The structure of claim 10 wherein the connector has a holder with an opening having a cruciform to receive the elongate member.

15. A method of assembling a furniture structure comprising the steps of:

inserting a connector into a hub to lock the connector in the hub.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein inserting a connector into a hub includes the step of sliding a T-shaped portion on the connector into a locking slot on the hub until a flexible catch on the connector engages a locking bar on the hub.

17. The method of claim 15 further including the step of frictionally attaching an elongate member to one of said hub and connector.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of inserting a plurality of connectors into a plurality of hubs to form a structure.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of forming a table.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of forming a chair.