Patent ID: 6814010
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: A47B

Abstract:
A modular, knockdown furniture item adapted to be disposed upon a generally flat or horizontal supporting surface, the furniture item comprising:a generally planar top adapted to be supported vertically above said supporting surface; a plurality of generally planar, radially spaced apart legs, each leg comprising: a junction region; an integral, lower foot extending generally horizontally away from said junction region for contacting said supporting surface; an integral, upper arm extending angularly outwardly and upwardly from said junction region, the arm comprising upper hooks for grasping said top and ledges for supporting said top in a flat orientation, an integral, upright protrusion extending vertically upwardly away from said junction region, the protrusion comprising a top, an elongated, inner edge adapted to contact the similar elongated edge of an adjoining leg protrusion upon assembly, and an inclined edge forming a ramp opposite said inner edge; a locking recess disposed between each arm and protrusion, the locking recess comprising a flat lower ledge; wherein each arm comprises a lower vertical edge portion adjacent said locking recess that is generally perpendicular to said flat lower ledge, and each protrusion comprises a lower, straight edge formed beneath said ramp that is generally perpendicular to said flat lower ledge and spaced apart from and parallel with said arm lower vertical edge portion; a lock adapted to be substantially horizontally deployed above said surface and beneath and parallel to said top for captivating the legs and compressing them together in fixed, radially spaced-apart alignment, the lock comprising a periphery surrounding intersecting, internal slots that are penetrated by the protrusions when the lock is press fitted into engagement into the locking recess, the lock comprising planar portions flatly resting upon the lower ledge portions of said locking recesses; and, wherein when the lock seats against and within said locking recesses, the legs are compressively captivated together in fixed, radially spaced apart alignment with said protrusion elongated inner edges being compressively locked together in mutually abutting relation, said hooks are drawn inwardly into engagement with said top, and the periphery of said lock abuts the lower vertical edge portions of said arms.