TELEVISION TABLE ASSEMBLY WHICH CAN BE ASSEMBLED AND DISASSEMBLED WITHOUT TOOLS

Abstract

A television table which can be assembled and disassembled without tools is provided. The television table unities a first connecting body and a second connecting body mounted between a tabletop and a pedestal. The first connecting body includes at least one fixing pillar extending therefrom. The second connecting body includes at least one slot. The slot has a proximal edge for allowing the head section to be inserted therethrough and a clamping edge for tight-fitting the fixing pillar. Also, a fixing pin passes through fixing holes of the tabletop and the two pedestals to avoid the tabletop sliding laterally respective to the pedestals and make a connection of the tabletop and the two pedestals firmly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,754, filed on Sep. 25, 2009, which 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. 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 connecting body and a second connecting 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 connecting body includes a body member, a first side mounted on the pedestal and a second side including at least one fixing pillar extending therefrom. The fixing pillar includes a neck section and a head section, with the neck section having a proximal end connected to the second side and a distal end connected to the head section. The second connecting body includes a body member having a first side mounted on the tabletop and a second side. The second connecting body further includes at least one slot extending therethrough. The number of slots corresponds to the number of fixing pillars. The slot includes a proximal edge and a clamping edge, with the proximal edge having a first internal diameter large enough for the head section of the fixing pillar to go through, and with the clamping edge having a second internal diameter which is too small to allow the head section of the fixing pillar 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 connecting 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 connecting 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 fixing pillar

It is an objective of the present invention to provide each of the first and second sides of the first connecting body with a cross section substantially larger than a cross section of the fixing pillar 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 neck section of the fixing pillar being moveable to mutually contacts with and tight-fits in the clamping edge of the slot, and the head section of the fixing pillar being moveable to mutually contacts with and tight-fits in an end of the groove, for secure engagement therebetween.

When utilized in a television table, the television table includes a tabletop, two pedestals, and at least one fixing pin. The tabletop includes at least two first connecting bodies located at near two edges of the tabletop. Each first connecting body includes a fixing pillar extending therefrom, and the fixing pillar includes a neck section and a connected head section with an outer diameter of the head section greater than a diameter of the neck section. Each pedestal includes a second connecting body located at a top surface thereon. The second connecting body includes a slot and a clamping edge extended from the slot, and a diameter of the slot being greater than a width of the clamping edge and the diameter of the slot being large enough for the head section of the fixing pillar to go through. The clamping edge has a second internal diameter which is too small to allow the head section of the fixing pillar to go through, so that the fixing pillar is inserted into the second connecting body through the slot and slid laterally to the clamping edge for holding the neck section and connecting the tabletop and the two pedestals. The fixing pin passes through fixing holes of the tabletop and the two pedestals to avoid the tabletop sliding laterally respective to the pedestals and make a connection of the tabletop and the two pedestals firmly.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

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.

FIG. 10 is a respective view of a television table in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a explosive view of the television table in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are respective views of the television table in accordance with the present invention, which shows the pedestals assembly to the drawer.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are sectional views of the television table in accordance with the present invention, which shows the pedestals assembly to the drawer.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are respective views of the television table in accordance with the present invention, which shows the tabletop assembly to the pedestals.

FIG. 16 is sectional view of the television table in accordance with the present invention, which shows the tabletop assembly to the pedestals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description refers to the same or the like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, a tabletop attachment system includes a first connecting body 10 and a second connecting body 20 releasably engagable with each other. Preferably, the first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20 are made of metal. The first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20 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 connecting 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 connecting body 10 may be mounted by a plurality of fasteners 30 or other fixing means. In this embodiment, the first connecting body 10 includes a plurality of holes 11 extending from the first side to the second side, and the fasteners 30 extend through the holes 11 respectively and into the first edge of the pedestal 91. Likewise, the second connecting 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 connecting body 20 may be mounted by a plurality of fasteners 31 or other fixing means. In this embodiment, the second connecting body 20 includes a plurality of holes 21 extending from the first side to the second side, and the fasteners 31 extend through the plurality of holes 21 respectively and into the surface of the tabletop 92. Additionally, the second sides of the first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20 mutually contact with each other when the first connecting body 10 is in engagement with the second connecting body 20.

In addition, the second side of the first connecting body 10 includes at least one fixing pillar 12 extending therefrom. In the embodiment, two fixing pillars 12 are provided. Each fixing pillar 12 has a neck section 13 and a head section 14, and the neck section 13 has a proximal end connected to the second side of the first connecting body 10 and a distal end connected to the head section 14. Additionally, the width of the body member is substantially larger than a diametrical length of each fixing pillar 12. Further, an outer diameter of the head section 14 is greater than a diameter of the neck section 13.

Further, the second connecting 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 clamping edge 24, i.e. a diameter of the slot 22 (the proximal edge 23) is greater than a width of the clamping edge 24. Therefore, the slot 22 may be similar to the shape of a teardrop. Additionally, the proximal edge 23 of each slot 22 has an internal diameter large enough for the head section 14 of each fixing pillar 12 to go through. However, the clamping edge 24 of each slot 22 has an internal diameter which is too small to allow the head section 14 of each fixing pillar 12 to go through. Moreover, each slot 22 has a depth, i.e. a distance between the first and second sides of the second connecting body 20, marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of the neck section 13 of each fixing pillar 12.

Further, the tabletop 92 includes two grooves 93 inset therein and corresponding to two slots 22 of the second connecting body 20. Each groove 93 is defined in and extends from the surface to which the second connecting body 20 mounts. Further, each groove 93 has a depth marginally larger than a longitudinal length of the head section 14 of each fixing pillar 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 connecting body 20.

Further, the two fixing pillars 12 of the first connecting body 10 are moveable in the two slots 22 of the second connecting body 20, from the proximal edges 23 to the clamping edges 24. Additionally, the neck sections 13 of the two fixing pillars 12 have substantial peripheral edges which can mutually contact with and tight-fit in the clamping edges 24 of the two slots 22, respectively; while the head sections 14 of the two fixing pillars 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 fixing pillars 12 of the first connecting body 10 are inserted through the two slots 22 of the second connecting body 20, respectively, i.e. from the related proximal edges 23. The head sections 14 of the two fixing pillars 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 neck sections 13 of the two fixing pillars 12 to move to tight-fit in the clamping edges 24 of the two slots 22 and the head sections 14 of the two fixing pillars 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 could be connected with each other easily, and quickly.

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

The first connecting body 10 may have at least one fixing pillar 12 and the second connecting 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 connecting body 10 has a cross section substantially larger than each fixing pillar 12, thus preventing substantial pressures applied on the first edge of the wooden pedestal 91, as described in the Description of the Related Art.

When utilized in a television table, please refer to FIG. 10 to FIG. 16. The television table 100 includes a tabletop 92, two pedestals 91, a drawer 95 and at least one fixing pin 40. The tabletop 92 includes at least two first connecting bodies 10 located at near two opposite edges of the tabletop 92. Each pedestal 91 includes at lease two second connecting bodies 20 located at a top surface 911 and an intermediate portion 912 respectively. The drawer 95 has two first connecting bodies 10 located at two opposite sides.

The first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20 are with the same structure as above described, and the repeat description thereof will be omitted.

The drawer 95 is connected to the two pedestals 91 in perpendicular by the first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20, please refer to FIGS. 12A to 13B.

The tabletop 92 is connected to the two pedestals 91, please see FIGS. 14 and 15. The fixing pillar 12 is inserted into the second connecting body 20 through the slot 22 and slid laterally to the clamping edge 23 for holding the neck section 13. Therefore, the tabletop 92 and the two pedestals 91 only can be disassembled by reverse sliding.

Please refer to FIG. 16, the fixing pin 40 passes through fixing holes 921, 913 of the tabletop 92 and the two pedestals 91 to avoid the tabletop 92 sliding laterally respective to the pedestals 91 and make a connection of the tabletop 92 and the two pedestals 91 firmly. Furthermore, the fixing pin 40 is made of plastic and tight-fit in the fixing holes 921, 913 of the tabletop 92 and the pedestals 91.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those proficient in the relevant fields. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A television table comprising:

a tabletop, including at least two first connecting bodies located at near two edges of the tabletop, each first connecting body including a fixing pillar extending therefrom, the fixing pillar including a neck section and a connected head section with an outer diameter of the head section greater than a diameter of the neck section;

two pedestals, each including a second connecting body located at a top surface thereon, the second connecting body including a slot and a clamping edge extended from the slot, a diameter of the slot being greater than a width of the clamping edge and the diameter of the slot being large enough for the head section of the fixing pillar to go through, the clamping edge having a second internal diameter which is too small to allow the head section of the fixing pillar to go through, so that the fixing pillar is inserted into the second connecting body through the slot and slid laterally to the clamping edge for holding the neck section, connecting the tabletop and the two pedestals; and

at least one fixing pin, passing through fixing holes of the tabletop and the two pedestals to avoid the tabletop sliding laterally respective to the pedestals and make a connection of the tabletop and the two pedestals firmly.

2. The television table of claim 1, wherein the slot has a depth marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of the neck section.

3. The television table of claim 1, wherein each pedestal has a groove placed at the top surface corresponding to the slot.

4. The television table of claim 3, wherein the groove has a depth marginally larger than a longitudinal length of the head section.

5. The television table of claim 1, further comprises a drawer connected between the two pedestals near intermediate portions thereof.

6. The television table of claim 5, wherein the drawer has two first connecting bodies located at two opposite sides and the pedestals has a second connecting body located at the intermediate portions.

7. The television table of claim 1, wherein the tabletop and the pedestals are made of wood.

8. The television table of claim 1, wherein the fixing pin is made of plastic.

9. The television table of claim 8, wherein the fixing pin tight-fit in the fixing holes of the tabletop and the pedestals.