Patent ID: 7066553

Claim:
A furniture structure formed of components that snap-fit together to provide a rigid assembled structure, said furniture structure comprising: a pair of support members, a plurality of interconnected slats forming a single integrally formed rigid unit having at least opposing side edges comprising end projections that provide a load carrying surface between said support members and means connecting said end projections of said slats to said support members for snap-fit inter-engagement therewith and simultaneously rigidifying the assembled structure, said connecting means comprising a cavity in each of said support members and a finger projecting from opposite ends of at least one of each said slats and opposed edge of a group of interconnected slats, said cavities each having a rib extending across an entry there into providing a restricted throat entry area into the cavity associated therewith and wherein each said finger comprises a first section corresponding in depth to the throat opening and a U-shape resiliently deformable section projecting from said first section, said U-shape section having a depth greater than the restricted throat entry whereby upon insertion of the finger into the cavity a terminal free outer end of the finger, as it passes the rib, snaps to lockably engage such rib, said first area being in close fit engagement with said restricted throat opening and thereby rigidifying the assemble structure.