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Furniture connectorFurniture connector description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060284469, Furniture connector. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates generally to furniture and, more particularly, to furniture connectors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Large furniture items, such as tables, typically must be shipped in an unassembled configuration in order to reduce shipping volume and thereby costs. The assembly is typically performed by retailers and customers, and a sheet of instructions is provided to assist the customer in assembling the merchandise. The assembly frequently requires securing the legs to the table top and securing a support to the legs. Screws and bolts are most often used for this purpose. Particularly with light weight metal furniture, such as lawn and patio furniture, the incorrect assembly by the customer can result in an undesirable product. The customer sometimes over-tightens screws or nuts and strips the threads. The metal can be bent from over-tightening. Alternatively, a customer can under-tighten and the resulting connection is not secure. In any case, the result is often an unstable construction in which pieces do not securely engage one another. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] A system for assembling furniture components to each other includes a first attachment member having a mating surface with a plurality of spaced apart protrusions. A second attachment member has a mating surface with a plurality of depressions. The first attachment member is adapted to mate with the second attachment member with the protrusions positioned in the depressions and the mating surfaces in contact. Engagement structure is provided for securing the first attachment member to the second attachment member. The first attachment member is provided on a first furniture piece and the second attachment member is provided on a second furniture piece. The first attachment member is mated with the second attachment member to properly position the first furniture piece relative to the second furniture piece and to insure correct positioning and correct accurate assembly. The engagement member engages the first attachment member to the second attachment member to secure the first furniture piece to the second furniture piece. [0006] The protrusions can comprise elongated bearing surfaces and have a long axis. The long axis of all the protrusions intersect at an intersection. The depressions can comprise a plurality of elongated grooves. The grooves have a long axis. The long axis of the grooves intersects at an intersection. The elongated protrusions mate with the elongated grooves to align and secure the joint together. The protrusions and grooves can be substantially in an X shape, and mated to properly align the furniture pieces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] There is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first attachment member and a second attachment member according to the invention. [0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first attachment member mated to the second attachment member. [0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. [0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2. [0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first attachment member and a second attachment member according to an alternative embodiment. [0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first attachment member mated to the second attachment member. [0014] FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. [0015] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a table with attachment members according to the invention. [0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] There is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a first attachment member 10 and a second attachment member 14 according to the invention. First attachment member 10 has a mating surface 18 with elongated protrusions 22. The elongated protrusions 22 have a long axis which intersects at an intersection 30. The second attachment member 14 has a mating surface 34 and a number of elongated grooves 38. The elongated grooves 38 have a long axis that intersects at an intersection 42. Protrusions 22 have elongated bearing surfaces 46 which cooperate with bearing surfaces 50 of grooves 38. Any number of cooperating protrusions 22 and grooves 38 are possible. The elongated protrusions 22 and grooves 38 can have a substantially X shape, although other shapes and configurations are possible. Continue reading about Furniture connector... Full patent description for Furniture connector Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Furniture connector patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Furniture connector or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Automobile headrest Next Patent Application: Seat Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Furniture connector patent info. 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