Tabletop Attachment System

Abstract

A tabletop attachment system includes a first body and a second body mounted between a wooden tabletop and a wooden pedestal. The first body includes a first body member having a first side for mounting on the pedestal and a second side including at least one detent extending therefrom. The second body includes a second body member having a first side for mounting on the tabletop and a second side, and at least one slot extends therethrough. The slot has a proximal edge for allowing the second detent section to be inserted therethrough and a distal edge for tight-fitting the detent. The tabletop has a groove for allowing the second detent section to mutually contact with and tight-fit in an end of the groove.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/672,345, filed on Feb. 7, 2007, of which the entire disclosure is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tabletop attachment system which is adapted to connect a wooden tabletop to at least one wooden pedestal in a manner that the tabletop and the pedestal are connected easily, quickly and firmly.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,838 shows a desktop supported by two legs. Each leg includes two screws connected thereto. Each screw includes a shank and a head, the shank has an end connected to the leg, and the head is connected to another end of the shank. Further, the shank and head have cross sections different from each other, and with the head having larger cross section. Additionally, the head of each screw is engaged in a slot defined in the desktop. The slot has a cross section, however, defines an open end with a smaller cross section. The open end defines a shape including an end having a cross section larger than the head for allowing the head to insert into the slot, and another end having a cross-section smaller than the head for retaining the head in the slot, thus accomplishing engagement between the desktop and leg.

As should be appreciated, when the screws are moved in a retaining direction to retain the screws in the slots a further push in the retaining direction would break the slots. It is even worse if the slots are defined in a desktop which is made of wood. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the screws are liable to get broken at the ends connected to the legs and damage the legs, because the cross sectional areas of the shanks are relatively small, thus these ends are subject to substantial pressures. It is even worse if the legs are made of wood.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tabletop attachment system embodying the present invention includes a first body and a second body, and with the first and second bodies being releasably engagable with each other. The first and second bodies are adapted to be mounted on a wooden pedestal and a wooden tabletop, respectively. The first body includes a body member, a first side mounted on the pedestal and a second side including at least one detent extending therefrom. The detent includes a first detent section and a second detent section, with the first detent section having a proximal end connected to the second side and a distal end connected to the second detent section. The second body includes a body member having a first side mounted on the tabletop and a second side. The second body further includes at least one slot extending therethrough. The number of slots corresponds to the number of detents. The slot includes a proximal edge and a distal edge, with the proximal edge having a first internal diameter large enough for the second detent section of the detent to go through, and with the distal edge having a second internal diameter which is too small to allow the second detent section of the detent to go through. Further, at least one groove is defined in the tabletop and corresponds to the slot.

Preferably, the pedestal has a first edge and a second edge being opposite to each other, with the body member of the first body mounted on the first edge, with the second edge for standing on a supporting surface, and with the pedestal having a height defined by a perpendicular distance between the first and second edges.

Preferably, the first body member is dimensioned to have a width which is not larger than the width of the pedestal and which is substantially larger than a diametrical length of the detent

It is an objective of the present invention to provide each of the first and second sides of the first body with a cross section substantially larger than a cross section of the detent in order to prevent substantial pressures applied on one of the pedestal and the tabletop.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide the first detent section of the detent being moveable to mutually contacts with and tight-fits in the distal edge of the slot, and the second detent section of the detent being moveable to mutually contacts with and tight-fits in an end of the groove, for secure engagement therebetween.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tabletop attachment system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tabletop attachment system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the tabletop attachment system in accordance with the present invention used within a desk.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the assembly of the desk.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is another side view illustrating the assembly of the desk.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled desk.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, a tabletop attachment system includes a first body 10 and a second body 20 releasably engagable with each other. Preferably, the first 10 and second 20 bodies are made of metal. The first 10 and second 20 bodies are adapted to be mounted on a pedestal 91 and a tabletop 92, respectively. Preferably, the pedestal 91 and tabletop 92 are made of wood. Preferably, the pedestal 91 includes a first edge and a second edge being opposite to each other, and with the second edge for standing on a supporting surface, i.e. a ground, a floor, etc. Preferably, the pedestal 91 has a height (H) defined by a perpendicular distance between the first and the second edges. Preferably, the first and second edges are parallel to each other. Preferably, the pedestal 91 includes third and fourth edges extending from the first and second edges and has a width (W) defined by a perpendicular distance between the third and fourth edges. Preferably, the height (H) has a size at least 10 times larger than a size of the width (W). Preferably, the third and fourth edges are parallel to each other.

The first body 10 includes a body member having a first side mounted on the first edge of the pedestal 91 and a second side opposite to the first side. The body member is dimensioned to have a width which is not larger than the width of the pedestal 91. The first body 10 may be mounted via a plurality of fasteners 30 or other fixing means. In the embodiment, the first body 10 includes a plurality of holes 11 extending from the first side to the second side, and the plurality of fasteners 30 can extend through the plurality of holes 11 respectively and into the first edge of the pedestal 91. Likewise, the second body 20 includes body member having a first side mounted on a surface of the tabletop 92 and a second side opposite to the first side. The second body 20 may be mounted via a plurality of fasteners 31 or other fixing means. In the embodiment, the second body 20 includes a plurality of holes 21 extending from the first side to the second side, and the plurality of fasteners 31 can extend through the plurality of holes 21 respectively and into the surface of the tabletop 92. Additionally, the second sides of the first 10 and second 20 bodies mutually contact with each other when the first body 10 is in engagement with the second body 20.

In addition, the second side of the first body 10 includes at least one detent 12 extending therefrom. In the embodiment, two detents 12 are provided. Each detent 12 has a first detent section 13 and a second detent section 14, and the first detent section 13 has a proximal end connected to the second side of the first body 10 and a distal end connected to the second detent section 14. Additionally, the width of the body member is substantially larger than a diametrical length of each detent 12. Further, the first detent section 13 has a cross section smaller than a cross section of the second detent section 14. Moreover, the first 13 and second 14 detent sections have the same shape.

Further, the second body 20 includes two slots 22 extending from the first side to the second side. Each slot 22 has an internal diameter which reduces progressively from a proximal edge 23 to a distal edge 24 thereof, so the slot 22 is similar to the shape of a teardrop. Additionally, the proximal edge 23 of each slot 22 has an internal diameter large enough for the second detent section 14 of each detent 12 to go through as the first 10 and second 20 bodies are moved to engage with each other. However, the distal edge 24 of each slot 22 has an internal diameter which is too small to allow the second detent section 14 of each detent 12 to go through. Moreover, each slot 22 has a depth, i.e. a distance between the first and second sides of the second body 20, marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of the first detent section 13 of each detent 12.

Further, the tabletop 92 includes two grooves 93 inset therein and corresponding to two slots 22 of the second body 20. Each groove 93 is defined in and extends from the surface to which the second body 20 mounts. Further, each groove 93 has a depth marginally larger than a longitudinal length of the second detent section 14 of each detent 12. Additionally, each groove 93 has a longitudinal length larger than a longitudinal length, i.e. a distance between the proximal 23 and distal 24 edges, of each slot 22 of the second body 20.

Further, the two detents 12 of the first body 10 are moveable in the two slots 22 of the second body 20, from the proximal edges 23 to the distal edges 24. Additionally, the first detent sections 13 of the two detents 12 have substantial peripheral edges which can mutually contact with and tight-fit in the distal edges 24 of the two slots 22, respectively; while the second detent sections 14 of the two detents 12 have substantial peripheral edges which can mutually contact with and tight-fit in an end of the two grooves 93.

In order to connect the pedestal 91 to the tabletop 92, the two detents 12 of the first body 10 are inserted through the two slots 22 of the second body 20, respectively, i.e. from the related proximal edges 23. The second detent sections 14 of the two detents 12 are then inserted in the two grooves 93, respectively. The pedestal 91 and tabletop 92 are then moved relative to each other to cause the first detent sections 13 of the two detents 12 to move to tight-fit in the distal edges 24 of the two slots 22 and the second detent sections 14 of the two detents 12 to move to tight-fit in ends of the two grooves 93.

In addition, the tabletop 92 can be disassembled from the pedestal 91 by reversing the direction to engage the tabletop 92 to the pedestal 91.

In view of forgoing, the tabletop assembly system according to the present invention exhibits the following advantages.

The structure is simple.

The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 can be connected with each other easily, and quickly.

The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 can be connected with each other firmly and the slots 22 in the wooden tabletop 92 can be prevented from damage by the detents 12, as the detents 12 are made of metal, and as the first detent sections 13 of the two detents 12 can mutually contact with and tight-fit in the distal edges 24 of the two slots 22, respectively; while the second detent sections 14 of the two detents 12 can mutually contact with and tight-fit in an end of the two grooves 93.

The first body 10 may have at least one detent 12 and the second body has a corresponding number of slots 22 and the tabletop 92 has a corresponding number of grooves 93.

The body member of the first body 10 has a cross section substantially larger than each detent 12, thus preventing substantial pressures applied on the first edge of the wooden pedestal 91, as described in the Description of the Related Art.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A tabletop attachment system comprising:

a pedestal made of wood, having a height and a width, with the height defined by a first perpendicular distance between a first edge and a second edge thereof, with the first and second edges being opposite to each other, with the second edge for standing on a supporting surface, with the width defined by a second perpendicular distance between a third edge and a fourth edge thereof, with the third and fourth edges being opposite to each other, and with the third and fourth edges extending between the first and second edges;

a tabletop made of wood;

a first body having a first body member including a first side and a second side being opposite to the first side, with the first side releasably connected to the first edge of the pedestal, with the second side including a detent extending therefrom, with the detent including a first detent section and a second detent section, with the first detent section having a proximal end connected to the second side and a distal end connected to the second detent section, and with the first body member dimensioned to have a width which is not larger than the width of the pedestal and which is substantially larger than a diametrical length of the detent; and

a second body being releasably engagable with the first body and having a second body member including a third side and a fourth side being opposite to the third side, a slot extending from the third side to the fourth side, with the third side connected to a surface of the tabletop, with the fourth side of the second body contacted with the second side of the first body as the first body is in engagement with the second body, with the slot including a proximal edge and a distal edge, with the proximal edge having a first internal diameter large enough for the second detent section of the detent to go through, with the distal edge having a second internal diameter which is too small to allow the second detent section of the detent to go through,

a groove defined in the surface of the tabletop and corresponding to the slot;

wherein the first detent section is moveable to mutually contact with and tight-fit in the distal edge of the slot, while the second detent section is moveable to mutually contact with and tight-fit in an end of the groove.

2. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first body includes a plurality of first holes extending from the first side to the second side, and a plurality of first fasteners extending through the plurality of first holes respectively and into the first edge of the pedestal.

3. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second body includes a plurality of second holes extending from the third side to the fourth side, and a plurality of second fasteners extending through the plurality of second holes respectively and into the surface of the tabletop.

4. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first detent section has a cross section smaller than a cross section of the second detent section.

5. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot has an internal diameter which reduces progressively from the proximal edge to a distal edge.

6. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot has a depth marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of the first detent section.

7. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the groove has a depth marginally larger than a longitudinal length of the second detent section.

8. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second bodies are made of metal.

9. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the groove has a longitudinal length larger than a distance between the proximal and distal edges of the slot.

10. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height of the pedestal has a first size and the width has a second size, and with the first size being at least 10 times of the second size.

11. The tabletop attachment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second edges are parallel to each other, and the third and fourth edges are parallel to each other.