Furniture-glide assembly

Abstract

A glide assembly is adapted to be securely fastened to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture. The assembly includes a body defining a bore extending partially through the body to define an interior surface, an open end, and a closed end of the body. The free end of the leg is adapted to be inserted within the bore. A post extends from the closed end at least partially toward the open end of the body and is adapted to be received through an opening of and within the free end of the leg with the free end of the leg being adapted to be matingly received between the post and body. A clip is supported upon the post and adapted to be in abutting contact with an interior surface of the free end of the leg to securely fasten the body about the free end of the leg.

Description

This is a continuation-in-part application of and claims benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/941,162 filed Sep. 15, 2004 and entitled “Furniture Glide Assembly.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to a glide mountable to a leg of a piece of furniture and, in particular, to a glide assembly fixedly securable about the free end of a leg of a chair or desk.

2. Description of the Related Art

The free end of each leg of a piece of furniture often includes a cap, foot, glide, or the like. In many institutionalized settings, such as in a school or other educational facility, the feet disposed on the free end of the legs of a piece of furniture are designed to allow easy sliding of a chair or desk, for instance, upon a surface such as a floor. More specifically, the feet are designed to increase the amount of surface-area contact, but reduce the amount of frictional contact, between the legs and the floor.

One type of foot commonly employed in the related art generally includes an attachment portion and a gliding portion. The attachment portion is adapted to be attached to the free end of a leg, and the gliding portion is pivotally connected to an end of the attachment portion located opposite the leg. The gliding portion defines a relatively broad, flat bottom surface adapted to be in operative contact with the floor. This type of foot is made typically of a hard, durable material, such as metal, nylon, or steel. The bottom surface of a conventional foot is sometimes made of metal or plastic.

However, this type of foot suffers from many disadvantages. The bottom surface of the conventional foot is relatively large, which increases the amount of frictional contact with the floor and causes scraping and scratching of relatively more surface area of the floor. And, use of this type of foot generally facilitates a sliding motion across the floor and, therefore, increases the incidence of floor scraping and scratching and attendant noise. This relatively greater amount of scraping and scratching, in turn, increases not only costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing the floor and other labor and material costs associated with maintaining the floor, but also the number of airborne particulates and, thus, pollutants in the room in which the corresponding chair or desk is used. Furthermore, the bottom surface defines relatively more area upon which dirt, dust, sand, and other debris can gather, thus making this type of foot relatively more difficult, time-consuming, and, thus, expensive to clean and keep sanitary. This debris can even be imbedded into the bottom surface of the foot such that the texture of the bottom surface becomes like sandpaper and, thus, scrapes and scratches the floor even more than it does otherwise.

In addition, when the chair or desk is moved along the floor, the frictional contact between this type of foot and the floor produces a perceptible often irritating noise. In a classroom setting, especially in an elementary school where there are a substantial number of relatively young students moving or “scooting” their respective chairs and desks at any one time, this noise can be multiplied to a very significant level. Moreover, the floor upon which the corresponding chair or desk is supported can be mopped weekly, even daily. In such an especially wet environment, this type of foot—being made mostly or even entirely of metal—can rust and, hence, have a relatively shorter life, produce rust marks on the floor when the chair or desk is moved along the floor, and cause the legs of the chair or desk to be aesthetically displeasing.

Thus, there remains a need in the related art for a glide that can be fixedly secured to the free end of a leg of a chair or desk such that it can be retained to the leg when the chair or desk is moved along a floor while maintaining sufficient contact with the floor. Similarly, there remains a need in the related art for such a glide that cannot be manually removed from the leg by relatively young students in a classroom setting, especially in an elementary school. More specifically, there remains a need in the related art for such a glide that is designed to withstand a greater amount of external force being applied to it before it is pulled off the free end of a furniture leg.

There also remains a need in the related art for a glide that is effectively independent of the angle at which the free end of the leg is engaged relative to the floor; can be used on a greater number of furniture legs; contacts the floor at only a point or relatively small area; can be used on practically any type of floor; is non-absorbent and impervious to dirt, dust, sand, and other debris; reduces the incidence of scraping and scratching and attendant noise; is durable, more aesthetically pleasing, and easier and faster to clean and keep sanitary; is more “green-friendly” and does not rust; and can be employed with existing feet of various size and manufactured more easily and, thus, less expensively. There also remains a need in the related art for a glide wherein frictional contact between it and the floor does not produce a perceptible noise when the chair or desk is moved along the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art in a glide assembly adapted to be securely fastened to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture. The assembly includes a body defining a bore extending partially through the body to define an interior surface, an open end, and a closed end of the body. The free end of the leg is adapted to be inserted within the bore. A post extends from the closed end at least partially toward the open end of the body and is adapted to be received through an opening of and within the free end of the leg with the free end of the leg being adapted to be matingly received between the post and body. A clip is supported upon the post and adapted to be in abutting contact with an interior surface of the free end of the leg to securely fasten the body about the free end of the leg.

One advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be fixedly secured to the free end of the leg of the piece of furniture such that the glide assembly can be retained to the leg when the piece of furniture is moved along a floor while maintaining sufficient contact with the floor.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it cannot be easily manually removed from the leg by untrained personnel.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is designed to withstand a greater amount of external force being applied to it before it is pulled off the free end of the leg.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is substantially spherical, and, thereby, substantially the same amount of surface area of the glide assembly contacts the floor independent of the angle at which the free end of the leg is engaged relative to the floor.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be used on a greater number of furniture legs.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it causes the piece of furniture to be more stable.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that the surface area of the “footprint” of the glide assembly on the floor is substantially less than that of conventional feet.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it contacts the floor at only a point or relatively small area, which, in turn, reduces the surface area of the floor that can be scraped.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be used on practically any type of floor without risk of scratching, marring or damaging the floor.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that its exterior surface is non-absorbent and impervious to dirt, dust, sand, and other debris.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it generally requires that the piece of furniture be picked-up when its movement relative to the floor is desired and, therefore, reduces the incidence of scraping and scratching and attendant noise.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it facilitates reduction in costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing the floor and other labor and material costs associated with maintaining the floor.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is easier and faster to clean and keep sanitary.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is durable.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is more “green-friendly” in that it increases the quality of the air of the room in which it is used by reducing the amount of scraping between it and the floor and, thus, number of airborne particulates.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it does not rust and, hence, has a longer life, does not produce rust marks on the floor when the piece of furniture is moved along the floor, and keeps the legs of the piece of furniture more aesthetically pleasing.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that frictional contact between it and the floor does not produce a perceptible noise when the piece of furniture is moved along the floor.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood while reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a chair showing the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention fixedly secured about the free end of each of four legs of the chair;

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the insert of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an environmental perspective view of a representative example of a chair-desk combination supported upon a floor showing the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention fixedly secured about the free end of each of two legs of a chair and two legs of a desk;

FIG. 6 is an exploded partial-environmental perspective view of another embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the body of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial-environmental cross-sectional side assembly view of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a partial-environmental cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10A is a partial-environmental perspective view of the leg of the chair illustrated in FIG. 5 supported upon the floor at a particular angle with respect to the floor showing the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6 securely fastened to the free end of the leg; and

FIG. 10B is a partial-environmental perspective view of the leg of the desk illustrated in FIG. 5 supported upon the floor at a particular angle with respect to the floor different than that at which the chair leg is engaged with respect to the floor in FIG. 10A and showing the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6 securely fastened to the free end of the leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A furniture-glide assembly according to the present invention is generally indicated at 10, 110 in FIGS. 1 through 10B, where like numerals are used to designate like structure throughout the various embodiments of the glide assembly 10, 110 disclosed herein. The glide assembly 10, 110 is adapted to be removably mounted about the free end 16 of each leg, generally indicated at 14, of a piece of furniture, generally indicated at 12 in FIGS. 1 and 5. The piece of furniture 12, in general, and the legs 14, in particular, are adapted to be supported by a surface, such as a floor 18.

The assembly 10, 110 is described below and shown in FIG. 1 used in connection with a chair 12 and in FIG. 5 used in connection with a chair-desk combination. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the assembly 10, 110 can be used in connection with any suitable piece of furniture. It should also be appreciated that the assembly 10, 110 can find special application when used in connection with chairs and desks of a classroom. The details of each assembly 10, 110 are described below with reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 5-10B, respectively.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the free end 16 of each leg 14 is substantially cylindrical and relatively narrow and defines a longitudinal central axis and a substantially circular horizontal cross-section. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the free end 16 of the leg 14 can have any suitable size and shape, such as defining a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section. It should also be appreciated that the free end 16 of the leg 14 can have any suitable structure.

In general, the assembly 10, 110 is adapted to be mounted to the free end 16 of the leg 14. To this end, the assembly 10, 110 includes a body, generally indicated at 20, 120, defining a bore 22, 122 extending partially through the body 20, 120 to define an interior surface 24, 124 and an open end 26, 126 of the body 20, 120.

More specifically, the body 20, 120 is substantially spherical and defines a central axis “A” and an exterior surface, generally indicated at 30, 130, adapted to be disposed in contact with the floor 18. The bore 22, 122 is substantially cylindrical and extends through nearly the entire body 20, 120 such that the bore 22, 122 defines a closed end 32, 132 of the body 20, 120. The central longitudinal axis of the bore 22, 122 defines the axis “A” of the body 20, 120. The bore 22, 122 defines a substantially circular horizontal cross-section and is adapted to be coaxial with the free end 16 of the leg 14.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the body 20, 120 can have any suitable size and structure. It should also be appreciated that the bore 22, 122 can extend any suitable distance through the body 20, 120 and have any suitable structural relationship with respect to the axis “A” of the body 20, 120. Similarly, the bore 22, 122 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to the free end 16 of the leg 14 so as to fixedly secure the body 20, 120 about the free end 16 of the leg 14.

The exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120 may be textured. In particular, the exterior surface 30, 130 of one embodiment of the glide assembly 10, 110 includes a plurality of slightly raised surfaces 31, 131 adapted to facilitate smooth frictional contact between the glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 upon which the glide assembly 10, 110 is supported. In the embodiments shown, the raised surfaces 31, 131 are substantially non-uniformly shaped and non-contacting with respect to each other, substantially smooth, and raised a substantially equal height above the exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120, which is only a slight amount relative to the radius of the body 20, 120.

The bore 22, 122 and exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120 define a substantially uniform circular and planar rim 34, 134 that completely encircles the open end 26, 126 of the body 20, 120 and an uppermost volume of the bore 22, 122. The rim 34, 134 defines a substantially circular horizontal cross-section and a substantially trapezoidal vertical cross-section.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120 can include any suitable number of raised surfaces 31, 131. In turn, the raised surfaces 31, 131 can have any suitable shape, size, and texture and structural relationship with respect to each other and the remainder of the body 20, 120. For instance, the raised surfaces 31, 131 can be substantially uniformly shaped and contacting with respect to each other, substantially rough, and raised a substantially unequal height above the exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120. Alternatively, the exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120 can include no raised surfaces 31, 131 and be substantially smooth. It should also be appreciated that the rim 34, 134 of the exterior surface 30, 130 can have any suitable size, shape, and structure and structural relationship with the remainder of the exterior surface 30, 130. Alternatively, the exterior surface 30, 130 of the body 20, 120 can define no rim and be completely spherical.

The spherical nature of the body 20, 120 creates numerous advantages of the glide assembly 10, 110 over caps, feet, and other glides of the related art. More specifically and as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, substantially the same amount of surface area of the glide assembly 10, 110 contacts the floor 18 independent of the angle at which the free end 16 of the leg 14 is engaged relative to the floor 18. In fact, the glide assembly 10, 110 can be used on a leg 14 of the chair or desk 12 that is engaged with respect to the floor 18 at any angle within a greater range of angles such that a sufficient amount of the glide assembly 10, 110 always operatively engages the floor 18. In this way, the glide assembly 10, 110 causes the chair or desk 12 to be more stable and, thereby, safer for a user of the chair or desk 12 and can be used on a greater number of furniture legs 14. For instance, in FIG. 10A, the free end 16 of the leg 14 of the chair 12 is disposed at angle “α” with respect to the floor 18, and in FIG. 10B, the free end 16 of the leg 14 of the desk 12 is disposed at angle “β” with respect to the floor 18, wherein angle “P” is greater than angle “α.” Thus, the glide assembly 10, 110 is effectively independent of the angle at which the free end 16 of the leg 14 is engaged relative to the floor 18.

As can be easily seen, because of the spherical nature of the glide assembly 10, 110, the surface area of the “footprint” of the glide assembly 10, 110 on the floor 18 is substantially equal in both cases and substantially less—about 80% less—than that of the furniture foot of the related art. The glide assembly 10, 110 contacts the floor 18 at only a point or relatively small area, which, in turn, reduces the surface area of the floor 18 that can be scraped. The glide assembly 10, 110 is more aesthetically pleasing and defines relatively much less surface area upon which dirt, dust, sand, and other debris can gather, thus making the glide assembly 10, 110 easier and faster to clean and keep sanitary. The glide assembly 10, 110 is durable and more “green-friendly” in that it increases the quality of the air of the room in which it is used by reducing the amount of scraping between the glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 and, thus, number of airborne particulates. The glide assembly 10 is designed to distribute load applied thereto substantially evenly throughout the body 36.

Preferably, the body 20, 120 is made of a soft PVC material such that frictional contact between the glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 does not produce a perceptible noise or rust marks when the chair or desk 12 is moved along the floor 18. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the body 20, 120 can be made of any suitable soft material such that it does not mar the floor 18. In the same manner, the exterior surface 30, 130 of the glide assembly 10, 110 can have any suitable texture such that frictional contact between the glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 does not produce a perceptible noise and rust marks on the floor 18 when the chair or desk 12 is moved along the floor 18. Likewise, the exterior surface 30, 130 of the glide assembly 10, 110 can be any suitable color and have any suitable color combination so as to have a desired aesthetic appeal.

The soft nature of the body 20, 120 adds numerous advantages of the glide assembly 10, 110 over caps, feet, and other glides of the related art. More specifically, the glide assembly 10, 110 can be used on practically any type of floor, including, but not limited to, carpeted, marble, Terrazo, tile, VCT, and wood floors. The exterior surface 30, 130 is non-absorbent and impervious to dirt, dust, sand, and other debris. Frictional contact between the glide assembly 10, 110 and the floor 18 does not produce a perceptible noise when the chair or desk 12 is moved along the floor 18. Use of the glide assembly 10, 110 generally requires that the chair or desk 12 be picked-up when its movement relative to the floor 18 is desired and, therefore, reduces the incidence of scraping and scratching and attendant noise. In this way, the present invention facilitates reduction in costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing the floor 18 and other labor and material costs associated with maintaining the floor 18. The glide assembly 10, 110 does not rust and, hence, has a longer life, does not produce rust marks on the floor 18 when the chair or desk 12 is moved along the floor 18, and keeps the free end 16 of the legs 14 of the chair or desk 12 more aesthetically pleasing.

Thus, while there are two different embodiments of the assembly 10, 110 disclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the related art should appreciate that, within the scope of the appended claims, other means of providing the mounting of the assembly 10, 110 to the free end 16 of the leg 14 may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the figures will be described in greater detail below.

More specifically and referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, the structure of the assembly 10 will be addressed. In this embodiment, an insert, generally indicated at 28, is mountable about the free end 16 of the leg 14 and disposed within the bore 22 so as to fixedly secure the body 20 about the free end 16 of the leg 14. The bore 22 can have any suitable shape and size such that the insert 28 can be disposed within the bore 22. The insert 28 is substantially cylindrical. The insert 28 defines an exterior surface, generally indicated at 40, and a passageway 42 extending at least partially through the insert 28 to define a hollow interior 42 and at least one open end 46 of the insert 28. In the embodiment shown, the insert 28 defines a single open end 46. The free end 16 of the leg 14 is adapted to be matingly received through the open end 46 and within the hollow interior 42 of the insert 28 to removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of the leg 14. Also in the embodiment shown, the top of the insert 28 is disposed substantially flush with the top of the body 20.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the insert 28 can have any suitable shape and size so as to be receivable through the open end 26 and within the bore 22 of the body 20. For instance, the top of the insert 28 can be disposed any suitable distance above or below the top of the body 20. It should also be appreciated that the passageway 42 can extend any suitable distance through the insert 28, such as entirely through the insert 28 to define two opposed open ends 46 of the insert 28. Similarly, the passageway 42 can have any suitable structural relationship with respect to the insert 28. The passageway 42 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to the free end 16 of the leg 14 so as to receive the free end 16 of the leg 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hollow interior surface 24 of the body 20 includes at least one groove 50, and the exterior surface 40 of the insert 28 includes at least one rib 52 adapted to cooperate with the at least one groove 50 to fixedly secure the body 20 about the insert 28. In the embodiment shown, the hollow interior surface 24 includes four grooves 50, and the exterior surface 40 of the insert 28 includes four ribs 52 adapted to correspondingly cooperate with the four grooves 50 to fixedly secure the body 20 about the insert 28. The four grooves 50 are substantially equidistantly spaced and disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other and perpendicular to the free end 16 of the leg 14. Also, each groove 50 is disposed substantially entirely about the bore 22 of the body 20, and the corresponding rib 52 is disposed substantially entirely about the exterior surface 40 of the insert 28.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the hollow interior surface 24 of the body 20 can include any suitable number of grooves 50 and the exterior surface 40 of the insert 28 can include any suitable number of ribs 52 adapted to cooperate with the groove(s) 50 to fixedly secure the body 20 about the insert 28. It should also be appreciated that each groove 50 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to each of any of the other grooves 50, the free end 16 of the leg 14, and the bore 22 of the body 20. In turn, it should also be appreciated that each rib 52 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to each of any of the other ribs 52 so as to cooperate with the groove(s) 50 to fixedly secure the body 20 about the insert 28.

For the case in which the free end 16 of the leg 14 is hollow and open-ended to define an interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 and as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the hollow interior 42 of the insert 28 defines a hollow interior surface 44 of the insert 28. The passageway 42 of the insert 28 includes a closed end 48 located opposite the open end 46 of the insert 28. The insert 28 may also include a post, generally indicated at 54, extending from the closed end 48 toward the open end 46 of the insert 28. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a volume 56 of the passageway 42 is defined about the post 54. The post 54 is adapted to be received through the opening of and within the free end 16 of the leg 14 with the outer surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 being adapted to be matingly received in the volume 56 between the post 54 and the hollow interior surface 44 of the insert 28 to removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of the leg 14.

In the embodiment shown, the post 54 is substantially cylindrical and coaxial with respect to the passageway 42 such that the volume 56 of the passageway 42 defined about the post 54 is substantially uniform. The post 54 also extends only partially from the closed end 48 toward the open end 46 of the insert 28. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the post 54 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to the passageway 42. It should also be appreciated that the post 54 can extend any suitable distance from the closed end 48 toward the open end 46 of the insert 28 such that the outer surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 is matingly received in the volume 56 between the post 54 and the hollow interior surface 44 of the insert 28 to removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of the leg 14.

To this end and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the post 54 defines a plurality of ribs 60 extending axially along the post 54. The ribs 60 are adapted to be in frictional contact with the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 so as to create an interference fit between the ribs 60 and such interior surface and, thus, removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of the leg 14. In the embodiment shown, the ribs 60 are substantially equidistantly spaced about substantially the entire post 54. The ribs 60 are also disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other and the free end 16 of the leg 14 and perpendicular to the ribs 60 of the exterior surface 40 of the insert 28. Also, each rib 60 is disposed substantially entirely along the post 54.

It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the post 54 can define any suitable plural number of ribs 60. It should also be appreciated that each rib 60 can extend in any suitable direction with respect to the post 54 so as to be in frictional contact with the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14. The ribs 60 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to each other and the post 54. On the other hand, where the free end 16 of the leg 14 is closed, the insert 28 does not include the post 54.

Preferably, the insert 28 is made of plastic, in general, and either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or nylon, in particular. In one preferred embodiment, the insert 28 is made of DuPont® Zytel® lubricated or unlubricated nylon resin. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the insert 28 can be made of any suitable material. In any event, the glide assembly 10 is preferably a multi-material device with typically the insert 28 made of a hard plastic material and the body 20 made of a softer plastic material. Also preferably, in a one-piece design of the glide assembly 10, the insert 28 is molded and cured, and then the body 20 is molded about the insert 28 in a double-mold process.

To mount the assembly 10 to the free end 16 of a leg 14 of the chair 12, the free end 16 of the leg 14 is situated such that it is matingly received through the open end 46 and within the passageway 42 of the insert 28 to removably mount the insert 28 about the free end 16 of the leg 14. For the case in which the free end 16 of the leg 14 is hollow and open-ended to define an interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14, the post 54 is received through the opening of and within the free end 16 of the leg 14 with the free end 16 of the leg 14 being matingly received within the volume 56 defined between the post 54 and the interior surface 44 of the insert 28. Then, in the case of the two-piece design of the assembly 10, the bore 22 of the body 20 receives the insert 28 such that each rib 52 of the insert 28 correspondingly cooperates with each groove 50 of the body 20 to fixedly secure the body 20 about the insert 28 and, thus, free end 16 of the leg 14. The process can then be repeated for each of the remaining legs 14 of the chair 12. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the assembly 10, in general, and the body 20 and insert 28, in particular, can be designed to cooperatively receive a free end 16 of a leg 14 of any suitable size, shape, and structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 10B, the structure of the assembly 110 will be addressed. Parts of the assembly 110 corresponding to those of the assembly 10 have like reference numerals with respect to the assembly 10, but increased by one hundred (100). In this embodiment, a post, generally indicated at 154, extends from the closed end 132 at least partially toward the open end 126 of the body 120 and is adapted to be received through the open end of and within the free end 16 of the leg 14 with the free end 16 of the leg 14 being adapted to be matingly received between the post 154 and body 120. A clip, generally indicated at 162, is supported upon the post 154 and adapted to be in abutting contact with the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 to securely fasten the body 120 about the free end 16 of the leg 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 9, the post 154 includes a substantially cylindrical support structure, generally indicated at 164, and a substantially cylindrical support column, generally indicated at 166, integrally extending upward only partially from the closed end 132 of the body 120. More specifically, the support structure 164 defines a substantially flat, washer-shaped support shoulder 168 that tapers slightly toward the open end 126 of the body 120 and adapted to support a portion of the clip 162 thereupon, as described in detail below. The support column 166 is disposed within and extends above the support structure 164 and defines a substantially flat, washer-shaped support shoulder 170 adapted to support a portion of the clip 162 thereupon, as described in detail below. The support column 166 also defines an axial hole 172 extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough to define an open end 174 of the support column 166. The bore 122 can have any suitable shape and size such that the post 154 can be disposed within the bore 122.

A space 176 of the bore 122 is defined about the support column 166 between the support structure 164 and the support column 166. The post 154 further includes at least one rib 160 integrally extending from the support structure 164 to the support column 166 to provide structural integrity to the post 154 and support a portion of the clip 162 thereupon, as described in detail below. Preferably, the post 154 includes a plurality of ribs 160 disposed substantially equidistantly with respect to each other about the support column 166 and substantially flush with the support structure 164 and slightly beneath the support column 166. The embodiment of the glide assembly 110 shown includes four such ribs 160.

A volume 178 of the bore 122 is defined about the support structure 164. The free end 16 of the leg 14 is adapted to be matingly received in the volume 178, between the post 154 and the interior surface 124 of the body 120, to mount the body 120 about the free end 16 of the leg 14. The support structure 164, support column 166, space, 176, and volume 178 are all concentric with respect to each other and coaxial with respect to the axis “A” such that each of the space 176 and volume 178 is substantially uniform.

It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that each of the support structure 164, support column 166, and ribs 160 can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with respect to each other and each of the body 120, clip 162, space 176, and volume 178. It should also be so appreciated that each of the space 176 and volume 178 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to each other and each of the body 120 and clip 162. It should also be so appreciated that each of the support structure 164 and support column 166 can extend any suitable distance from the closed end 132 toward the open end 126 of the body 120 such that the free end 16 of the leg 14 is matingly received in the volume 178 to mount the body 120 about the free end 16 of the leg 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8 through 9, the clip 162 is substantially disk-shaped and defines a clip hub 180 and at least one clip arm 182 extending integrally outward and slightly downward from the clip hub 180 into the volume 178 defined between the post 154 and the body 120. The outermost edge of each clip arm 182 is concave with respect to the clip hub 180, and each side of each clip arm 182 is concave with respect to the immediate exterior of the corresponding side. Preferably, the clip 162 defines a plurality of clip arms 182 such that a substantially semi-circular space 184 is defined between adjacent clip arms 182. The embodiment of the glide assembly 110 shown includes six such clip arms 182.

The clip hub 180 is supported upon the support shoulder 170 of the support column 166 such that the clip arms 182 are supported upon the support shoulder 168 of the support structure 164. The clip arms 182 define an outside diameter of the clip 162 slightly greater than the inside diameter of the free end 16 of the leg 14. However, the clip arms 182 extend substantially close to the interior surface 124 of the body 120 such that a substantially small space is defined between each clip arm 182 and the interior surface 124 of the body 120. The clip arms 182 are resiliently deformable such that, as shown in FIG. 8, as the free end 16 of the leg 14 is inserted within the bore 122 of the body 120, as shown in FIG. 9, the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 engages the clip arms 182 and deforms them inward toward the floor 18. The clip arms 182 define a spring force that biases the clip arms 182 outward to frictionally engage the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 to, thereby, securely fasten the glide assembly 110 to the free end 16 of the leg 14.

The clip hub 180 defines an opening 186 that is aligned with the open end 174 and hole 172 of the support column 166 when the clip 162 is supported upon the post 154. A fastener, such as a screw 188, is adapted to be received through the opening 186 of the clip 162 and the open end 174 of the post 154 and within the hole 172 of the post 154 to secure the clip 162 to the post 154.

It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that each of the clip hub 180 and clip arms 182 can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with respect to each other and each of the body 120 and post 154. It should also be so appreciated that each of the spaces 184 and opening 186 defined by the clip 162 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with respect to the remainder of the clip 162. It should also be so appreciated that the fastener 188 can be any suitable fastener, such as a bolt or rivet, adapted to secure the clip 162 to the post 154.

Preferably, the post 154 is made of plastic, in general, and either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or nylon, in particular. In one preferred embodiment, the post 154 is made of DuPont® Zytel® lubricated or unlubricated nylon resin. The clip 162 is formed from a resilient metal. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the post 154 and clip 162 can be made of any suitable material. In any event, the glide assembly 110 is preferably a multi-material device with typically the post 154 made of a hard plastic material, the body 120 made of a softer plastic material, and the clip 162 made of a resilient material. Also preferably, in a one-piece design of the glide assembly 110, the post 154 is molded and cured, and then the body 120 is molded about the post 154 in a double-mold process.

To securely fasten the glide assembly 110 to the free end 16 of a leg 14 of the chair or desk 12, the free end 16 of the leg 14 is matingly received through the open end 126 and within the bore 122 of the body 120. The post 154 is received through the opening of and within the free end 16 of the leg 14 with the free end 16 of the leg 14 being matingly received within the volume 178 defined between the post 154 and the interior surface 124 of the body 120. In this way, the clip arms 182 resiliently deform such that the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 engages the clip arms 182 and deforms them inward toward the floor 18. The spring force of the clip arms 182 biases the clip arms 182 outward to frictionally engage the interior surface of the free end 16 of the leg 14 to securely fasten the glide assembly 110 to the free end 16 of the leg 14. The process can then be repeated for each of the remaining legs 14 of the chair and desk 12. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that the glide assembly 110 in general, and the body 120, in particular, can be designed to cooperatively receive a free end 16 of a leg 14 of any suitable size, shape, and structure.

The glide assembly 10, 110 can be fixedly secured to the free end 16 of the leg 14 of the chair or desk 12 such that the glide assembly 10, 110 can be retained to the leg 14 when the chair or desk 12 is moved along the floor 18 while maintaining sufficient contact with the floor 18. Also, the glide assembly 10, 110 cannot be manually removed from the leg 14 by relatively young students in a classroom setting, especially in an elementary school. Furthermore, the glide assembly 10, 110 is designed to withstand a greater amount of external force being applied to it before it is pulled off the free end 16 of the leg 14. In addition, the glide assembly 10, 110 can be manufactured more easily and, thus, less expensively.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A glide assembly adapted to be securely fastened to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture, said glide assembly comprising:

a body defining a bore extending partially through said body to define an interior surface, an open end, and a closed end of said body, the free end of the leg adapted to be inserted within said bore;

a post extending from said closed end at least partially toward said open end of said body and adapted to be received through an opening of and within the free end of the leg with the free end of the leg being adapted to be matingly received between said post and said body; and

a clip supported upon said post and adapted to be in abutting contact with an interior surface of the free end of the leg to securely fasten said body about the free end of the leg.

2. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said post defines a support shoulder thereof that tapers toward said open end of said body and said clip is supported upon said support shoulder and extends outward and slightly downward therefrom into space defined between said post and said body.

3. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said post defines an axial hole extending longitudinally therethrough to define an open end of said post, said clip defines an opening that is aligned with said hole when said clip is supported upon said post, and a fastener is adapted to be received through said opening of said clip and said open end of said post and within said hole of said post to secure said clip to said post.

4. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said clip defines an outside diameter thereof slightly greater than an inside diameter defined by the free end of the leg and said clip is resiliently deformable such that as the free end of the leg is inserted within said bore of said body, the free end of the leg engages said clip and deforms said clip inward toward the smaller inside diameter of the free end of the leg.

5. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said clip defines a spring force that biases said clip outward to frictionally engage the interior surface of the free end of the leg to, thereby, securely fasten said glide assembly to the free end of the leg.

6. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said clip defines a clip hub and at least one clip arm extending outward and slightly downward from said clip hub into said space defined between said post and said body.

7. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said clip defines a plurality of clip arms such that a substantially semi-circular space is defined between adjacent ones of said plurality of clip arms.

8. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said clip hub is supported upon said post such that said at least one clip arm is supported upon said support shoulder of said post.

9. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least one clip arm defines said outside diameter of said clip slightly greater than the inside diameter of the free end of the leg and said at least one clip arm is resiliently deformable such that as the free end of the leg is inserted within said bore of said body, the free end of the leg engages said at least one clip arm and deforms said at least one clip arm inward toward the smaller inside diameter of the free end of the leg.

10. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least one clip arm defines said spring force that biases said at least one clip arm outward to frictionally engage the interior surface of the free end of the leg to, thereby, securely fasten said glide assembly to the free end of the leg.

11. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said post includes a substantially hollow support structure and a support column extending upward from said closed end of said body within said support structure and adapted to support said clip upon said support column.

12. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said support structure defines said support shoulder of said post.

13. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said clip defines a clip hub and at least one clip arm extending outward and slightly downward from said clip hub into said space defined between said post and said body and said clip hub is supported upon said support column such that said clip arms are supported upon said support shoulder of said support structure.

14. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein a space is defined about said support column between said support structure and said support column and said post further includes at least one rib extending from said support structure to said support column to provide structural integrity to said post.

15. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said support column defines an axial hole extending longitudinally therethrough to define an open end of said support column, said clip defines an opening that is aligned with said hole of said support column when said clip is supported upon said support column, and a fastener is adapted to be received through said opening of said clip and said open end of said support column and within said hole of said support column to secure said clip to said support column.

16. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clip is substantially disk-shaped.

17. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clip is formed from a resilient metal.

18. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body is made of a soft PVC material.

19. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body defines an exterior surface including a plurality of raised surfaces adapted to facilitate smooth frictional contact between said glide assembly and a surface upon which said glide assembly is supported.

20. A glide assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body is substantially spherical such that substantially the same amount of surface area of said glide assembly contacts the floor independent of the angle at which the free end of the leg is engaged relative to the floor.