Abstract:
Coupling assemblies ( 2 ) are utilized to assemble a storage cube ( 1 ) having a top member ( 10 ), right member ( 12 ), bottom member ( 14 ) and left member ( 16 ). Adjacent members are coupled together through the use of T-tongues ( 20, 40, 44, 48 ) received within corresponding ones of T-slots ( 18, 38, 42, 46 ). The T-tongues and T-slots terminate certain distances ( 24, 36 ) from edges of the members ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) thereby providing for blind configurations allowing for edges of members ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) to be profiled, finished or otherwise decorated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/386,286 filed on Apr. 16, 2009, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/051,502 filed on May 8, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention is directed to a coupling assembly for joining together two or more furniture members and, more particularly, to a coupling assembly utilizing a tongue and groove configuration. 
         [0006]    2. Background Art 
         [0007]    A number of different types of commercial products available to consumers utilize multiple structural members, and means for securing together such structural members. Such consumer products may include structures sold to consumers in what could be characterized as an “unassembled” state. Where consumers are expected to assemble structures from component pieces, it is particularly advantageous to provide the consumers with connecting means which facilitate the ease of connecting together those component pieces requiring relatively secure connections. 
         [0008]    A need for providing structures which facilitate assembly of products by consumers (which are purchased in an unassembled condition) has particular application in “ready-to-assemble” furniture. Ready-to-assemble or “RTA” furniture typically consists of manufactured furniture components that are sold to consumers in an unassembled condition. The consumer assembles the components to construct a particular furniture item, which can include such things as bookcases, storage cubes, desks, tables, stands and the like. There is a need for quick, easy assembly, without a requirement for tools or hardware. In particular, the aesthetic design elements of the components or members of a furniture item are essential to the appeal of the furniture item. 
         [0009]    An advance in the technical field of coupling assemblies for furniture components was achieved and is disclosed in Short, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,886, issued Mar. 19, 1996. The Short, et. al. patent discloses a coupling assembly for joining together two furniture members, with a first member having an outwardly projecting tongue. The tongue includes a central portion adjacent to the first member, and an enlarged terminal portion spaced from the first member. The terminal portion consists of a series of walls forming a geometric configuration. The two furniture members also include a second member which, in part, defines a groove. The groove has a configuration corresponding to the central portion and the terminal portion of the tongue. The groove receives the tongue portions so as to join together the first member and the second member. 
         [0010]    To date, coupling assemblies employing a tongue and groove configuration with an enlarged terminal portion have been limited to assemblies where it would be acceptable for the tongue and groove to show on both ends of the assembly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with the invention, a tongue and groove assembly can be provided in which the tongue and groove are terminated at a point such that neither exits the end of the respective furniture component member to which the tongue or groove is associated. Accordingly, the edges of the furniture members may be profiled, with the tongue and groove assembly essentially “hidden” from view. Proper member alignment may also be achieved. In this regard, and in accordance with certain aspects of the invention, proper registration of the furniture members is provided by limiting the travel of the tongue within the groove slot. The terminal point of the tongue may engage the terminal point of the groove, with such registration aiding in the proper assembly by consumer, and so as to ensure an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the overall furniture item. 
         [0012]    Still further, coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention provide for the use of tongue and groove coupling configurations to be utilized in a myriad of joining applications, since the joint termination is not visible. In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the member edges may be profiled using methods such as soft-forming, foiling or other decorative embodiments. 
         [0013]    In accordance with one embodiment of a coupling assembly in accordance with the invention, the assembly is utilized for purposes of joining furniture members, with a first member having an outwardly projecting T-shaped tongue along an edge of the first member. The subject tongue terminates at a point a measured distance from one edge of the member. A second one of the furniture members includes a corresponding inward projecting T-shaped slot in the face of the second member. The subject slot begins on one edge of the member, and terminates at a point a measured distance from a second edge. The first member slides into the second member to a point up to where either the edges of the members align, or the terminal points of the T-shaped slot and the T-shaped tongue coincide. 
         [0014]    Further in accordance with the invention, it is an object of the invention to hide the coupling assembly. In view of the T-shaped slot and T-shaped tongue terminating at a measured distance from the front edge of the members, the coupling assembly is not seen from the front of the assembly. Accordingly, the coupling assembly can be characterized as being “blind.” 
         [0015]    In addition, a further object of the present invention is to allow the front edges of the members to be profiled, finished, or otherwise decorated. Another object of the invention is to provide a coupling method which maintains proper alignment between the members of a furniture assembly. 
         [0016]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the drawings and the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage cube showing four furniture members joined together by coupling assemblies in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective and exploded view of the storage cube illustrated in  FIG. 1  and showing various views of the four furniture members which utilize the present invention to assemble the storage cube; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the storage cube of  FIG. 1 , shown in a partially assembled state and further showing various views of the four furniture members utilizing the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a further perspective view, rotated relative to the perspective view of  FIG. 3  of the storage cube of  FIG. 1  in a partially assembled state and showing various views of the four furniture members utilizing the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective and partial view illustrating a portion of two of the furniture members of the storage cube to be interlocked, and further showing a T-tongue and a T-slot utilized by the present invention to interlock the two furniture members; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective and partial view of one corner of one of the furniture members utilized as part of the storage cube, and illustrating the relative positioning of the blind T-tongue on the furniture member; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective and partial view of one of the furniture members utilized in the storage cube, and illustrating the relative positioning of the blind T-slot groove of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The principles of the present invention will now be described with respect to a storage cube assembly  1 , utilizing coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 . As will be apparent from the subsequent disclosure, the storage cube assembly  1  utilizes coupling assemblies having tongue and groove configurations which terminate at points such that neither the tongue nor the groove exit an end of the respective furniture component members to which the tongue or groove is associated. Advantageously, this feature permits profiling of the edges of the furniture members, in that the tongue and groove configurations are essentially “hidden” from view. Further, the coupling assembly configurations in accordance with the invention still permit proper member alignment. 
         [0025]    Turning to the drawings, and first with respect to  FIG. 1 , coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention will be illustrated and described with respect to the illustrative embodiment comprising the storage cube assembly  1 , shown in an assembled state. The storage cube  1  is a furniture assembly consisting of four separate components. These components include what are characterized herein as a top member  10 , right member  12 , bottom member  14  and left member  16 . The directional references to these members (top, right, and the like) are for purposes of description and do not represent any particular configuration or directional environment in which the storage cube assembly  1  must be utilized. Instead, the directional references represent conventional references if the storage cube assembly  1  is viewed inwardly from outside of the opening shown in  FIG. 1 . The four members  10 ,  12 ,  14  and  16  can be constructed of various types of materials. As an example, these four members can be made of natural or synthetic particles or fibers that have been pressed or otherwise formed into composite furniture components. Examples of natural particles can include wood and various grasses such as straw. Examples of synthetic particles and/or fibers can include plastic and fiberglass. A thin laminate, paint, stain, varnish or other surface coating can be applied to the surfaces of the furniture members. It should be understood that the present invention is applicable to furniture components that can be comprised of a wide variety of shapes and purposes. The storage cube assembly  1  described and illustrated herein is only one exemplary embodiment of a furniture component utilizing the present invention. That is, the principal novel concepts of the invention are not limited to the embodiment described herein. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  7 , the top member  10  and bottom member  14  will now be described, along with the portions of the coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention which are associated therewith. The top member  10  and bottom member  14  can each have a square or rectangular configuration, and are preferably identical. The bottom member  14  includes what is characterized as a left T-slot  38  and a right T-slot  18 . It should be noted that  FIG. 2  illustrates both of the T-slots  18 ,  38  while  FIGS. 5 and 7  illustrate only the T-slot  18 . The left T-slot  38  and the right T-slot  18  are substantially identical. With reference to each of the drawing  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  7 , the right T-slot  18  commences at a rear edge  30  of the member  14 . The right T-slot  18  continues in a configuration which is maintained substantially parallel to a side  31  toward the front of the member  14 . The right T-slot  18  terminates within the member  14  at a location which is illustrated as terminal point  22  in  FIGS. 2 and 7 . 
         [0027]    As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the terminal point  22  of the right T-slot  18  can be characterized as being a measured distance  36  from a front edge  32  of the bottom member  14 . In view of the right T-slot  18  terminating at the terminal point  22 , and not continuing through to the front edge  32 , the right T-slot  18  can be characterized as being “blind” to the front edge  32  of the member  14 . This blind configuration allows for the front edge  32  of the member  14  to be profiled, finished or otherwise decorated. In this regard, the measured distance  36  can be any value which may be considered suitable to the design of the particular embodiment within which coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention are being utilized. 
         [0028]    With reference primarily to  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 , the right member  12  and the left member  16  will now be described, along with the portions of the coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention which are associated therewith. The right member  12  and the left member  16  can each have a square or rectangular configuration (or other configuration, if desired), and are preferably identical. The right member  12  includes what is characterized as a top T-tongue  20  ( FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 ) and a bottom T-tongue  40  (primarily shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 ). The top T-tongue  20  and bottom T-tongue  40  are preferably identical. Correspondingly, the left member  16  includes what is characterized as a top T-tongue  48  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 ) and a bottom T-tongue  44  (primarily shown in  FIG. 4 ). The top T-tongue  48  is preferably identical to the bottom T-tongue  44 . Further, the top T-tongue  48  and top T-tongue  20  are also preferably identical. In addition, bottom T-tongue  44  is substantially identical to bottom T-tongue  40 . In view of all the foregoing, the T-tongues associated with the right member  12  and left member  16  will now be described primarily with respect to the top T-tongue  20  of right member  12 , keeping in mind that the left member  16  and the other T-tongues have substantially identical configurations. With reference again to each of the drawing  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 , the top T-tongue  20  commences at a rear edge  28  of the member  12 . The top T-tongue  20  continues in a configuration substantially parallel to a side  29 , toward the front of the member  12 . The top T-tongue  20  terminates on the member  12  at a location which is illustrated as terminal point  26  in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 . 
         [0029]    As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the terminal point  26  of the top T-tongue  20  can be characterized as being a measured distance  24  from a front edge  34  of the member  12 . In view of the top T-tongue  20  terminating at the terminal point  26 , and not continuing to the front edge  34 , the top T-tongue  20  can be characterized as being “blind” to the front edge  34  of the member  12 . This blind configuration allows for the front edge  34  of the member  12  to be profiled, finished or otherwise decorated. In this regard, the measured distance  24  can be any value which may be considered suitable to the design of the particular embodiment within which coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention are being utilized. It should be noted that the measured distance  24  and the previously described measured distance  36  can be equal, so as to align the front edge  32  of top member  10  or bottom member  14  with the front edge  34  of right member  12  or left member  14 , as the case may be. Alternatively, the measured distances  24  and  36  can be unequal, dependent upon the particular design characteristics desired by the designer. 
         [0030]    The assembly of the storage cube  1  in accordance with the invention will now be described, particularly with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . With reference thereto, the illustrative embodiment of the invention comprising the storage cube  1  can be assembled in two steps. The first step can be accomplished by first engaging the top T-tongue  20  of the right member  12  with the right T-slot  42  of the top member  10 . Correspondingly, the bottom T-tongue  40  of the right member  12  can be positioned so as to engage the right T-slot  18  of the bottom member  14 . The right member  12  can then be slid along the T-slot  42  and the T-slot  18 , until there is a full engagement of the tongues and slots, or the front edge surfaces are otherwise aligned. 
         [0031]    Following this first step, a second step is initiated by engaging the top T-tongue  48  of the left member  16  with the left T-slot  46  of the top member  10 . Correspondingly, the left T-slot  38  of the bottom member  14  can be received and engage the bottom T-tongue  44  of the left member  16 . The left member  16  can then be slid along the T-slot  46  and the T-slot  38 , until full engagement of the tongues and slots is accomplished, or the front edge surfaces are otherwise aligned. In the particular embodiment of the storage cube assembly  1  described and illustrated herein, the measured distance  24  and the measured distance  36  are shown as being equal, and provide for the alignment of the front edge surfaces and the full engagement of the T-tongues and T-slots to occur simultaneously. However, as previously mentioned, this concept of the measured distances being equal is not a requirement for other embodiments utilizing coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention. 
         [0032]    For purposes of description, reference has been made throughout the prior description to “coupling assemblies.” For purposes of reference in the claims and the abstract, these coupling assemblies are identified as coupling assemblies  2  in  FIG. 1 . The reference number  2  essentially identifies the positions of the components which are being characterized as coupling assemblies  2 . Specifically, each of the coupling assemblies  2  can be characterized as comprising one of the T-slots on one of the members of the storage cube  1 , in combination with one of the T-tongues associated with an adjacent member of the storage cube  1 . 
         [0033]    It should be noted that various types of coupling assemblies may be utilized in accordance with the invention, which may be somewhat independent of the specific type of tongue and groove configuration utilized with the example embodiment of the storage cube  1 . That is, configurations other than the specific T-slots and T-tongues described herein may be utilized, without departing from some of the principal concepts of the invention. 
         [0034]    For purposes of a full disclosure, it is believed that the concept of tongue and groove configurations utilizing T-slots and T-tongues is known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. An example embodiment of the use of tongue and groove configurations employing T-shaped configurations is disclosed in the previously identified Short, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,886 issued Mar. 19, 1996. To more fully describe the particular embodiment of the tongue and groove configuration utilized herein, reference is first made to  FIG. 6  and the top T-tongue  20  partially shown therein. The top T-tongue  20  includes a top wall  50  extending longitudinally along the entire length of the T-tongue  20 . A T-portion  56  of the T-tongue  20  is formed with the top wall  50 , side walls  58  and underside walls  52 . Integral with the T-portion  56  is a central portion  54 . The central portion  54  is formed on the member with side walls  60 . A corresponding T-slot, such as the right T-slot  18 , has a configuration illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 7 . With reference thereto, the T-slot  18  includes a bottom wall  62  longitudinally extending along the length of the slot  18 . The slot  18  is further formed through side walls  64  which form an opening  68  outwardly from the slot  18 . Positioned a predetermined distance from the opening  68  along the side wall  64  are a pair of lateral T-slot walls  66  extending laterally outwardly from each of the side walls  64 . Each of the T-tongues and T-slots should be sized and configured so that the T-tongues may be snugly but releasably received within corresponding T-slots. The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes can be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0035]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that other embodiments of coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention can be designed. That is, the principles of coupling assemblies in accordance with the invention are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and other variations of the above-described illustrative embodiment of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.