TECHNICAL FIELD
The subject matter described herein relates to a flat-pack table that is configured to be manually assembled without tools.
BACKGROUND
Flat-pack furniture refers to furniture that can be reduced to components that store flat in, for example, a cardboard box. Flat-pack design may be used for example to reduce the end-user cost of furniture by reducing a piece of furniture's shipping volume and therefore its shipping and storage costs. However, flat-pack furniture is generally expected to be assembled by the end-user, and assembly steps and instructions can be complex and time consuming, requiring tools as well as significant time and space to complete. It is therefore to be appreciated that commonly used flat-pack furniture has numerous drawbacks, including complexity, cost, assembly time, and otherwise. Accordingly, long-felt needs exist for improved flat-pack furniture that addresses one or more concerns of the prior art.
The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded as subject matter by which the scope of the disclosure is to be bound.
SUMMARY
Disclosed is a flat-pack table that is assemblable from flat-pack components, without tools.
One general aspect includes a furniture piece. The furniture piece includes a first furniture subassembly; a first fitting on the first furniture subassembly; a second furniture subassembly; a second fitting on the second furniture subassembly, the second fitting being selectively attachable to the first fitting to secure the first furniture subassembly to the second furniture subassembly. One of the first fitting and the second fitting is a sliding interference slot with an open end and a blind end, and the other of the first fitting and the second fitting is a sliding tongue slidably introducible in the open end of the interference slot.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the sliding interference slot is one of T-shaped, L-shaped, and dovetail-shaped. In some embodiments, the first fitting and the second fitting snap into place. In some embodiments, the first fitting may include one of a protrusion and a detent and the second fitting may include the other of the protrusion and the detent. In some embodiments, the second fitting is attached to the second furniture subassembly. In some embodiments, the first furniture subassembly may include a first frame having multiple, spaced first fittings thereon, and where the second furniture subassembly may include a second frame having multiple, spaced second fittings spaced thereon to simultaneously secure to the multiple, spaced first fittings. In some embodiments, the sliding interference slot includes: a lengthwise opening extending from the open end toward the blind end, a lengthwise recess accessible through the lengthwise opening, the lengthwise opening having a first width and the lengthwise recess having a second width greater than the first width. In some embodiments, the sliding interference slot includes: a lengthwise opening extending from the open end toward the blind end, a lengthwise recess accessible through the lengthwise opening, the lengthwise opening having a first width and the lengthwise recess having a second width equal to the first width. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware or a method or process.
One general aspect includes a table furniture piece. The table furniture piece includes a tabletop subassembly. The piece also includes a first fitting on the tabletop subassembly. The piece also includes a support. The piece also includes a second fitting on the support, the second fitting being selectively attachable to the first fitting to secure the support to the tabletop subassembly. One of the first fitting and the second fitting is a first sliding interference slot with a first open end and a first blind end, and the other of the first fitting and the second fitting is a first sliding tongue slidably introducible in the open end of the first interference slot. The piece also includes a third fitting on the support. The piece also includes a leg subassembly. The piece also includes a fourth fitting on the leg subassembly, the fourth fitting being selectively attachable to the third fitting to secure the leg subassembly to the support. One of the third fitting and the fourth fitting is a second sliding interference slot with a second open end and a second blind end, and the other of the third fitting and the fourth fitting is a second sliding tongue slidably introducible in the open end of the second interference slot.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the first sliding interference slot or the second sliding interference slot is one of T-shaped, L-shaped, and dovetail-shaped. In some embodiments, the first fitting and the second fitting snap into place, or the third fitting and the fourth fitting snap into place. In some embodiments, the first fitting may include one of a protrusion and a detent and the second fitting may include the other of the protrusion and the detent. In some embodiments, the third fitting may include one of a protrusion and a detent and the fourth fitting may include the other of the protrusion and the detent. In some embodiments, the leg subassembly may include a frame having multiple, spaced first fittings thereon, and where the support has multiple, spaced second fittings spaced thereon to simultaneously secure to the multiple, spaced first fittings. In some embodiments, the first sliding interference slot or the second sliding interference slot includes: a lengthwise opening extending from the open end toward the blind end, a lengthwise recess accessible through the lengthwise opening, the lengthwise opening having a first width and the lengthwise recess having a second width greater than the first width. In some embodiments, the first sliding interference slot or the second sliding interference slot includes: a lengthwise opening extending from the open end toward the blind end, a lengthwise recess accessible through the lengthwise opening, the lengthwise opening having a first width and the lengthwise recess having a second width equal to the first width.
One general aspect includes a table. The table includes a first leg subassembly. The table also includes a first support attachable to the first leg subassembly. The table also includes a first tabletop subassembly attachable to the first support. The table also includes a second leg subassembly. The table also includes a second support attachable to the second leg subassembly. The table also includes a second tabletop subassembly attachable to the first support and the second support. The table also includes the first leg subassembly, the first support, the first tabletop subassembly, the second leg subassembly, the second support, and the second tabletop subassembly fitting within a package having a total volume within a range of about 0.6-105 cubic feet, and being assemblable without the use of a tool.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the first leg subassembly is attachable to the first support, the second leg subassembly is attachable to the second support, the first tabletop subassembly and the second tabletop subassembly are each attachable to both the first support and the second support, and the first leg subassembly and second leg subassembly are each configured to abut but not attach to the first tabletop subassembly and second tabletop subassembly. In some embodiments, the first leg subassembly is attachable to the first support by snapping into place, and the second leg subassembly is attachable to the second support by snapping into place.
One general aspect includes a furniture piece assembleable without the use of tools. The furniture piece includes a first furniture subassembly having a first fitting thereon; and a second furniture subassembly having a second fitting thereon, the second fitting being shaped and sized to be selectively attachable to the first fitting to secure the first furniture subassembly to the second furniture subassembly.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, one of the first fitting and the second fitting is a sliding interference slot with an open end and a blind end, and the other of the first fitting and the second fitting is a sliding tongue slidably introducible in the open end of the interference slot. Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware or a method or process.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the flat-pack table, as defined in the claims, is provided in the following written description of various embodiments of the disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a top side perspective view of an example flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a bottom side perspective view of an example flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a top side perspective exploded view of an example flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a bottom side perspective exploded view of an example flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a top side perspective view of an example flat-pack table in its flat-pack, unassembled configuration, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting and a male slide-and-snap fitting, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting and a male slide-and-snap fitting, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting and a male slide-and-snap fitting in a partially interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting and a male slide-and-snap fitting in a partially interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting and a male slide-and-snap fitting in a fully interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting and a male slide-and-snap fitting in a fully interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting and a male slide-and-snap fitting in a fully interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13A is a schematic, diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a tongue-and-groove structure for the male slide-and-snap fitting and the female slide-and-snap fitting, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13B is a schematic, diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a tongue-and-groove structure for the male slide-and-snap fitting and the female slide-and-snap fitting, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13C is a schematic, diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a tongue-and-groove structure for the male slide-and-snap fitting and the female slide-and-snap fitting, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 15 is a top side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 16 is a bottom side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly with two slide-in supports, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 18A is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly with two slide-in supports, one of which is attached to a leg subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 18B is a is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly with two slide-in supports, each of which is attached to a leg subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 19A is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 19B is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 19C is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 19D is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 22 is an end perspective view of an example slide-in support, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a leg subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 24 is a bottom side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 25 is a top side perspective view of a partially assembled flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 26 is a top side perspective view of a fully assembled flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 27 is a bottom side perspective view of a fully assembled flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of an example fuel can, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 29 is a bottom side perspective view of a leg subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 30 is a bottom side perspective view or a partially assembled flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 31 is a bottom side perspective view or a partially assembled flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure
FIG. 32 is a bottom side perspective view of an example slide-in support and leg subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 33 is a side perspective view of an example slide-in support connected to a tabletop subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 34A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which two tabletop subassemblies are assembled together on their backs as described above, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 34B is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which two leg subassemblies are clicked into place on the tabletop subassemblies as described above, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 34C is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which the assembled tabletop subassemblies and leg subassemblies are flipped over, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 34D is a side top perspective view of an assembled table subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 35A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which a removable center piece is placed into the central aperture of the assembled table subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 35B is a side top perspective view of a fully assembled table, which includes the removable center piece, the two tabletop subassemblies and the two leg subassemblies, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 36A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which a retention plate, gel fuel can holder, and glass panels are placed into the central aperture of the assembled table subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 36B is a side top perspective view of a fully assembled table, which includes the glass panels, the two tabletop subassemblies, and the two leg subassemblies, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 37A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which a retention plate, Bio-E canister holder, canister cover, and glass panels are placed into the central aperture of the assembled table subassembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 37B is a side top perspective view of a fully assembled table, which includes the glass panels, the two tabletop subassemblies, and the two leg subassemblies, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 38A is a front perspective view of a male snap fitting, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 38B is a rear side perspective view of the male snap fitting of FIG. 38A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 39A is a front perspective view of a female snap fitting, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 39B is a side perspective view of the female snap fitting of FIG. 39A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a flat-pack table is provided which is assemblable from 3-7 flat-pack components, in minimal time and without the need for tools or user-manipulable fasteners. In an example, the flat-pack table includes two tabletop subassemblies that are reversibly attached to one another via a friction fit provided by two tongue-in-groove slide-in supports. The flat-pack table also includes two leg subassemblies that slide-and-snap into place onto the slide-in supports via slide-and-snap fittings. This novel and simple arrangement advantageously allows assembly of the table in just 2-6 tool-free steps, including by novices with no prior experience with furniture assembly.
These descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes only, and should not be considered to limit the scope of the flat-pack table. Certain features may be added, removed, or modified without departing from the spirit of the claimed subject matter.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, systems, and methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated and included within the present disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, however, the numerous iterations of these combinations will not be described separately.
FIG. 1 is a top side perspective view of an example flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the flat-pack table 100 includes two tabletop subassemblies 110, two leg subassemblies 120, and two slide-in supports (now shown). These six components can be snapped together without tools, in a five-step assembly process described below. The flat-pack table 100 shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary; other flat-pack tables may have different components, different numbers of components, and/or different numbers of assembly steps.
Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.
FIG. 2 is a bottom side perspective view of an example flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the two tabletop subassemblies 110 and the two leg subassemblies 120. Also visible are two slide-in supports 310 that support the leg subassemblies 120 and that reversibly connect the leg subassemblies 120 to the tabletop subassemblies 110, as well as reversibly connecting the tabletop subassemblies 110 to one another.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, each leg subassembly includes two legs 122, a bottom horizontal leg support 124, and a top horizontal leg support 126 that attaches to one of the two slide-in supports 310 via snap and lock fittings as described below. Each tabletop subassembly 110 includes a tabletop section 112 and a horizontal tabletop support 114. The horizontal tabletop supports 114 form a friction fit against the legs 122 of the leg subassemblies 120.
In an example, tabletop subassemblies 110 leg subassemblies 120, and slide-in supports 310 are made of any suitable material. In some implementations, the subassemblies are formed of a rigid polymeric material such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic that provides weather resistance and is lightweight, although other materials may be used instead or in addition, including but not limited to wood, metal, ceramics, composites, other polymers, or combinations thereof. Depending on the implementation, legs 122, bottom horizontal leg support 124, and top horizontal leg support 126 of a leg subassembly 120 may be attached together (e.g., with adhesive, fasteners, or otherwise), or may be formed as a single piece (e.g., by injection molding, 3D printing, etc.). Similarly, the tabletop section 112 and horizontal tabletop support of a tabletop subassembly 110 may be attached together (e.g., with adhesive, fasteners, or otherwise), or may be formed as a single piece.
FIG. 3 is a top side perspective exploded view of an example flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop subassemblies 110, leg subassemblies 120, and slide-in supports 310. Although each subassembly may be formed of multiple components, these multiple components are fixed together in a manner that results in subassemblies described herein. That is, they are shipped and provided to consumers in subassembly forms for simple assembly together to form the table 100 without the use of tools.
In the example shown, the leg subassemblies 120 each include three male snap fittings 350 that form a slide-and-snap fit with three female snap fittings 360 located on the slide-in supports 310, as shown.
The two tabletop subassemblies 110 may for example be identical and interchangeable (e.g., one is a rotation of the other about the vertical axis 320). The two leg subassemblies 120 may similarly be identical and interchangeable (e.g., one is a rotation of the other about the vertical axis 320). It is understood that, depending on the implementation, the male snap fittings 350 may be located on the slide-in supports 310 and the female snap fittings 360 may be located on the leg subassemblies 120, or some male snap fittings 350 may be located on the leg subassembly 120 and some on the slide-in support 310, and some female snap fittings 360 may be located on the leg subassembly 120 and some on the slide-in support 310, as would occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Other numbers of snap fitting pairs 350, 360, may be used instead or in addition, including but not limited to one pair, two pairs, four pairs, or five pairs.
In some instances, each slide-in support 310 may be referred to as a support subassembly.
FIG. 4 is a bottom side perspective exploded view of an example flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop subassemblies 110, tabletop sections 112, horizontal tabletop supports 114, leg subassemblies 120, legs 122, bottom horizontal leg supports 124, top horizontal leg supports 126, slide-in supports 310, male slide-and-snap fittings 350, and female slide-and-snap fittings 360.
FIG. 5 is a top side perspective view of an example flat-pack table 100 in its flat-pack, unassembled configuration 500, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop subassemblies 110 and leg subassemblies 120. Also visible are recesses 510 in the top horizontal support 126 of each leg subassembly 120, into which the male slide-and-snap fittings 350 can be attached such that they are flush with the surface of the top horizontal support 126. Similarly sized and shaped recesses 510 can be found in the slide-in supports 310 (not shown). The slide-and-snap fittings 350, 260 may be attached to the recesses 510 by fasteners, adhesives, or other methods known in the art. In some embodiments, the recesses 510 do not exist, and the male slide-and-snap fittings 350 are co-formed as part of the top horizontal support, while the female slide-and-snap fittings 360 are co-formed as part of the slide-in supports 310. In other implementations, the slide and snap fittings 350, 360 are adhered or fastened to the outer surfaces of the corresponding structures without the recesses 510.
The flat-pack, unassembled configuration 500 may for example be stored and shipped in a cardboard box. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the flat-pack, unassembled configuration 500 has a length L that can range between 12 inches and 96 inches, a width W that can range between 12 inches and 96 inches, and a height H that can vary between 4 inches and 72 inches. Thus, the flat-pack configuration can have a total volume of 0.6-105 cubic feet, whereas the fully assembled table can have a much larger volume of 2.14-375 cubic feet. This illustrates the advantage of flat-pack storage and shipping, where the volume required to ship the flat-pack table 100 is less than 30% of the assembled volume of the flat-pack table 100.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 includes a lengthwise trapezoidal recess 610 with an open end 612 and a blind end 614. Other shapes are possible and may be used instead or in addition. The recess 610 is supported by a body or lateral flanges 615 that extend about three sides of the recess 610, as well as a number of through holes 620 formed through the flanges 615 for attaching the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 to a slide-in support with fasteners. The male slide-and-snap fitting 350 includes a trapezoidal tongue 630 supported by a body or lateral flanges 631 that extend about three sides of the tongue 630, and a number of countersunk through holes 650 formed through the flanges 631, and a pair of snap protuberances 640. In some embodiments, the through holes 620, 650 may not be present, and the slide-and-snap fittings 350, 360 may be formed as part of the leg subassemblies and slide-in supports, respectively.
The shape of the trapezoidal recess 610 and trapezoidal tongue 630 means they are wider at the open end 612, such that a novice user can line up the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 onto the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 more easily than if the recess 610 and tongue 630 were rectangular in shape. This aids the user in assembling the leg subassemblies onto the slide-in supports. This is also helpful when, as in the example shown in FIG. 3, there are multiple slide-and-snap fitting 360 that all must align together to enable the subassemblies to be snapped in place.
In an example, the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and male slide-and-snap fitting 350 are made from a plastic such as Nylon, although other materials may be used instead or in addition, including but not limited to wood, metals, ceramics, composites, other polymers, or combinations thereof.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the trapezoidal recess 610, trapezoidal tongue 630, and through-holes 620, 650. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the trapezoidal recess 610 of the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 includes a dovetail-shaped interference groove 710, and the trapezoidal tongue 630 of the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 includes a dovetail-shaped ridge 720 configured to interlock with the dovetail-shaped interference groove 710, such that the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 is retained by friction when slid into the female slide-and-snap fitting 360. In addition, the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 includes a pair of detents or snap recesses 740 configured to interlock with the snap protuberances 640 of the male slide-and-snap fitting, such that the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 is retained firmly by the snap protuberances 640 when slid into the female slide-and-snap fitting 360. Thus, when the leg subassembly is attached to the slide-in support subassembly, the subassemblies are retained together by the slide-and-snap fittings 350, 360.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350 in a partially interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the dovetail-shaped ridge 720 (not visible) is interlocked with the dovetail-shaped interference groove 710 (not visible), such that the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350 can slide with respect to one another along a slide axis 910, but cannot move with respect to one another in any other direction. One of the snap protuberances 640 of the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 is visible.
In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and male slide-and-snap fitting 350 are oriented such that any weight on the slide-in support presses the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and male slide-and-snap fitting 350 together rather than apart along the slide axis 910, thus providing a sturdy weight-bearing structure.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350 in a partially interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. One of the snap protuberances 640 of the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 is visible.
It is noted that in some embodiments, a similar snap arrangement of one or more protuberances and one or more detents may be used to retain the slide-in fittings within the tabletop subassemblies.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350 in a fully interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the dovetail-shaped ridge 720 is interlocked with the dovetail-shaped interference groove 710, and the snap protuberances 640 (not visible) of the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 are interlocked with the detents or snap recesses 740 (not visible) of the female slide-and-snap fitting 360, such that the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 and the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 can no longer move with respect to one another in any direction, and thus form a sturdy weight-bearing connection (e.g., between a slide-in support and a leg subassembly).
In an example, the load-bearing capacity of six sets of male and female slide-and-snap fittings, and thus of the flat-pack table as a whole, is in a range of about 10-1200 pounds.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350 in a fully interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a female slide-and-snap fitting 360 and a male slide-and-snap fitting 350 in a fully interlocked state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
In some the implementation of FIG. 3, the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 is disposed on the leg subassembly and the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 is disposed on the slide-in support. In some implementations, both the leg subassembly and the slide-in support include cutouts that receive the female slide-and-snap fitting 360 or the male slide-and-snap fitting 350. These cutouts may be recesses having a depth that is about the same depth as the flanges 615, 631 of the respective slide-and-snap fittings 350, 360. As such, the surfaces of the flanges on the slide-and-snap fittings may be about flush with the surfaces of the respective subassembly. In this manner, even when assembled, any gap between sides of the leg subassembly and slide-in support may be minimized.
FIG. 13A is a schematic, diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a tongue-and-groove structures for the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 and the female slide-and-snap fitting 360, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In a first embodiment, the ridge 720 and interference groove 710 are dovetail-shaped as described above. However, other possible configurations may be used instead or in addition.
FIG. 13B is a schematic, diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a tongue-and-groove structures for the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 and the female slide-and-snap fitting 360, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In a second embodiment, the tongue 1220 and groove 1210 are both T-shaped.
FIG. 13C is a schematic, diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a tongue-and-groove structures for the male slide-and-snap fitting 350 and the female slide-and-snap fitting 360, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In a third embodiment, the tongue 1320 and groove 1310 are both L-shaped. Other cross-sectional shapes are also possible and fall explicitly within the scope of the present disclosure.
It is noted that the cross-sectional shapes of the groove 116 and tongue 315 (see FIGS. 16-17) may also be dovetail-shaped, T-shaped, L-shaped, or otherwise.
FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop section 112 and tabletop horizontal support 114. Also visible are two dovetail-shaped grooves 116, which facilitate attachment of the slide-in supports 310, as described below.
FIG. 15 is a top side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop section 112, tabletop horizontal support 114, and a dovetail-shaped interference groove 116. The groove 116 is configured to receive a dovetail-shaped tongue formed along the top edge of the slide-in support 310.
FIG. 16 is a bottom side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop section 112, tabletop horizontal support 114, and a dovetail-shaped groove 116. The groove 116 has an open end 1610 and a closed end 1620. In some embodiments, rather than dovetail-shaped, the groove 116 may be T-shaped, L-shaped, or other shapes as would occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 110 with two slide-in supports 310, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 17, a dovetail-shaped tongue 315 along the top edge of each slide-in support 310 has been slid into a respective dovetail-shaped interference groove 116 (see FIGS. 14-16) within the tabletop section 112 until it abuts the tabletop horizontal support 114 and/or the blind end 1620 of the groove 116. In some embodiments, rather than dovetail-shaped, the tongue 315 may be T-shaped, L-shaped, or other shapes, in order to complement and fit inside of the shape of the groove 116. Collectively, the tongue 315 and the groove 116 may be referred to as a tongue-in-groove fitting, and/or the groove 115 may be referred to as a female tongue-in-groove fitting and the tongue 315 may be referred to as a male tongue-in-groove fitting. In some instances, the groove 116 may also be referred to as an interference slot.
FIG. 18A is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 110 with two slide-in supports 310, one of which is attached to a leg subassembly 120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop section 112, slide-in supports 310, dovetail-shaped tongues 315, top horizontal leg support 126, legs 122, and bottom horizontal leg support 124. The configuration shown in FIG. 18 is for visual representation purposes only.
FIG. 18B is a is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 110 with two slide-in supports 310, each of which is attached to a leg subassembly 120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop section 112, slide-in supports 310, dovetail-shaped tongues 315, top horizontal leg supports 126, legs 122, and bottom horizontal leg support 124. The configuration shown in FIG. 18 is for visual representation purposes only.
FIG. 19A is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
An example assembly process for the flat-pack table 100 includes:
- 1) Install one slide-in support 310 into one tabletop subassembly 110.
- 2) Install a second slide-in support 310 into the tabletop subassembly 110.
FIG. 19B is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
An example assembly process for the flat-pack table 100 includes:
- 3) Install the other tabletop subassembly 110 onto the slide-in supports 310 until it abuts the first tabletop subassembly 110.
FIG. 19C is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
An example assembly process for the flat-pack table 100 includes:
- 4) Install the first leg subassembly 120 onto one of the slide-in supports 310.
FIG. 19D is a top side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
An example assembly process for the flat-pack table 100 includes:
- 5) Install the second leg subassembly 120 onto the other slide-in support 310.
Another example assembly process for the flat pack table includes:
- 1) Install one leg subassembly 120 onto a slide-in support 310.
- 2) Install the other leg subassembly 120 onto the other slide-in support 310.
- 3) Install one slide-in support 310 into one tabletop subassembly 110.
- 4) Install the other slide-in support 310 into the tabletop subassembly 110.
- 5) Install the other tabletop subassembly 110 onto the slide-in supports 310 until it abuts the first tabletop subassembly 110.
Other assembly processes are possible and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 2110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this alternative embodiment, the tabletop subassembly 2110 includes a tabletop section 2112, a tabletop horizontal support 2114, and a tabletop horizontal brace 2118. The tabletop subassembly 2110 also includes two dovetail-shaped (or other-shaped) slots 2116, into which slide-in supports can be inserted.
FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of an example tabletop subassembly 2110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop section 2112, horizontal tabletop support 2114, horizontal tabletop brace 2118, and one of the two dovetail-shaped grooves 2116.
FIG. 22 is an end perspective view of an example slide-in support 2310, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible is the dovetail-shaped tongue 2315, which is sized and shaped to slide snugly into the dovetail-shaped groove 2116 (see FIG. 21).
FIG. 23 shows an example leg subassembly 2120. The leg subassembly includes two legs 2122 and a cross bar 2124. One of the male slide-and-snap fittings 350 or the female slide-and-snap fittings 360 (see FIGS. 6-12) is disposed at an end of the legs 2122. The male slide-and-snap fittings 350, and female slide-and-snap fittings 360 are configured to lockably engage with corresponding male or female slide-and-snap fittings 350, 360 disposed on the slide-in supports 2310, as shown in FIG. 24. These may be configured, consistent with the description described herein, as integral components or as separate components attached to the leg subassemblies 2120 and the slide-in supports 2310.
FIG. 24 is a bottom side perspective view of an example assembly process for a flat-pack table, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 26, two tabletop subassemblies are placed near one another, and one slide-in support 2310 is inserted into each of them. Then, the slide-in supports 2310 are inserted into the opposite tabletop subassembly 2110, and the two tabletop subassemblies are pushed together. Afterward, leg subassemblies 2120 are snapped into place on each of the slide-in supports 2310. Assembly is then complete.
FIG. 25 is a top side perspective view of a partially assembled flat-pack table 2100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the tabletop assemblies 2110 have been attached together, and the leg subassemblies 2120 have been attached to the slide-in supports 2310. Also visible is a central aperture 2410 that is configured to receive a fuel can holder or dual fuel burner, or other accessories including but not limited to a plug, an ice chest, or a smores tray.
FIG. 26 is a top side perspective view of a fully assembled flat-pack table 2100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the tabletop assemblies 2110 have been attached together, the leg subassemblies 2120 have been attached to the slide-in supports 2310, and a fuel can holder or dual-burner drop-in insert 2510 has been inserted into the central aperture 2410 (see FIG. 25). The fuel can holder includes 2510 three circular apertures 2520, each sized and shaped to receive a fuel can such as a can of jellied alcohol chafing fuel, bioethanol, etc. The fuel can holder may for example be made of a heat-resistant, low-thermal-conductivity material such as stainless steel, although other materials may be used instead or in addition. In some implementations, the fuel can holder may be sized and shaped to snap or friction-fit into place when inserted into the central aperture 2410.
Depending on the implementation, instead of the fuel can holder 2510, the central aperture 2410 may receive a plug, an ice chest, a smores tray, or other drop-in accessory.
FIG. 27 is a bottom side perspective view of a fully assembled flat-pack table 2100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the tabletop subassemblies 2110, leg subassemblies 2120, and fuel can holder 2510. The fuel can holder 2510 includes two sidewalls 2610 and a bottom 2620, each of which may for example be made of a heat-resistant, low-thermal-conductivity material such as stainless steel, although other materials may be used instead or in addition. In some implementations, the fuel can holder 2510 may be formed as a single piece (e.g., by stamping a flat blank of sheet metal).
FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of an example fuel can 2700, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The fuel can may for example be made of a heat-resistant, low-thermal-conductivity material such as stainless steel, although other materials may be used instead or in addition. The fuel can may contain a combustible fuel such as jellied alcohol chafing fuel, and may be designed such that the fuel can be ignited while still in the can, producing a vertical flame that emits light and heat, without significant risk of runaway combustion or combustion of nearby flammable materials.
FIG. 29 is a bottom side perspective view of a leg subassembly 2120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are a bottom horizontal support 2124, top horizontal support 2126, and two legs 2122. Two male slide-and-snap fittings 350 are attached to the top horizontal support with fasteners 2910 such as screws.
FIG. 30 is a bottom side perspective view or a partially assembled flat-pack table 2100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are two leg subassemblies 2120, two slide-in supports 2310, two tabletop subassemblies 2110, and a central aperture 2410. Male slide-and-snap fittings 350 are attached to the leg subassemblies 2120. Female slide-and-snap fittings 360 are attached to the slide-in supports 2310.
FIG. 31 is a bottom side perspective view or a partially assembled flat-pack table 2100, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are two leg subassemblies 2120, two slide-in supports 2310, two tabletop subassemblies 2110, and a central aperture 2410. Male slide-and-snap fittings 350 are attached to the leg subassemblies 2120. Female slide-and-snap fittings 360 are attached to the slide-in supports 2310.
FIG. 32 is a bottom side perspective view of an example slide-in support 2310 and leg subassembly 2120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Male slide-and-snap fittings 350 are attached to the leg subassemblies 2120. Female slide-and-snap fittings 360 are attached to the slide-in supports 2310. Also visible is the dovetail-shaped tongue 3215 of the slide-in support 2310.
FIG. 33 is a side perspective view of an example slide-in support 2310 connected to a tabletop subassembly 2110, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are two female slide-and-snap fittings 360 and the dovetail-shaped tongue 3215.
FIG. 34A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which two tabletop subassemblies 2110 are assembled together on their backs as described above, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Also visible is the central aperture 2410.
FIG. 34B is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which two leg subassemblies 2120 are clicked into place on the tabletop subassemblies as described above, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Also visible is the central aperture 2410.
FIG. 34C is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which the assembled tabletop subassemblies 2110 and leg subassemblies 2120 are flipped over, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Also visible is the central aperture 2410.
FIG. 34D is a side top perspective view of an assembled table subassembly 3410, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the two tabletop subassemblies 2110, the two leg subassemblies 2120, and the central aperture 2410.
FIG. 35A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which a removable center piece 3510 is placed into the central aperture 2410 of the assembled table subassembly 3410, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Also visible are the two tabletop subassemblies 2110 and the two leg subassemblies 2120.
FIG. 35B is a side top perspective view of a fully assembled table 3510, which includes the removable center piece 3510, the two tabletop subassemblies 2110 and the two leg subassemblies 2120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 36A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which a retention plate 3610, gel fuel can holder 3620, and glass panels 3630 are placed into the central aperture 2410 of the assembled table subassembly 3410, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Also visible are the two tabletop subassemblies 2110 and the two leg subassemblies 2120.
FIG. 36B is a side top perspective view of a fully assembled table 3610, which includes the glass panels 3630, the two tabletop subassemblies 2110 and the two leg subassemblies 2120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Present but not visible are the retention plate 3610 and gel fuel can holder 3620.
FIG. 37A is a side top perspective view of an assembly step, in which a retention plate 3610, Bio-E canister holder 3620, canister cover 3740, and glass panels 3630 are placed into the central aperture 2410 of the assembled table subassembly 3410, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Also visible are the two tabletop subassemblies 2110 and the two leg subassemblies 2120.
FIG. 37B is a side top perspective view of a fully assembled table 3710, which includes the glass panels 3630, the two tabletop subassemblies 2110 and the two leg subassemblies 2120, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Present but not visible are the retention plate 3610 Bio-E canister holder 3620, and canister cover 3740.
FIG. 38A is a front perspective view of a male snap fitting 350, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the trapezoidal tongue 630, flanges 631, snap protuberances 640, and through holes 650.
FIG. 38B is a rear side perspective view of the male snap fitting 350 of FIG. 38A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible in this view are a plurality of stiffening features 3810 formed into the male snap fitting 350.
FIG. 39A is a front perspective view of a female snap fitting 360, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible are the trapezoidal recess 610, blind end 614, lateral flanges 615, through holes 620, and detents or snap recesses 740.
FIG. 39B is a side perspective view of the female snap fitting 360 of FIG. 39A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Visible in this view are a plurality of stiffening features 3910 formed into the female snap fitting 360.
All dimensions and configurations shown in the present disclosure are exemplary. Other dimensions and configurations are possible that fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Still other configurations are possible and fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the technology described herein may be applied to other furniture pieces or other types of furniture, including but not limited to chairs, stools and benches.
As will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein, the flat-pack table of the present disclosure advantageously provides a sturdy weight-bearing structure that consists of only four flat-packable subassemblies that can be assembled together in only three steps, without the need for tools or complex instructions. When packed for shipping, these subassemblies can take up a volume of only 0.6-105 cubic feet, whereas the fully assembled table can occupy a much larger volume of 2.14-375 cubic feet cubic feet. Accordingly, it can be seen that the flat-pack table fills a long-standing need in the art, by reducing the time and skill level required to assemble as compared with flat-pack furniture of comparable size and weight-bearing capacity.
A number of variations are possible on the examples and embodiments described above. For example, the flat-pack table may be made of different materials than described herein, may be of different dimensions, may have a greater or smaller load bearing capacity, may have different numbers of legs, slats, or supports, and may have a different shape (e.g., Adirondack table, deck table, lounge table, etc.), while still conforming to the principles described herein.
Accordingly, the logical operations making up the embodiments of the technology described herein are referred to variously as operations, steps, objects, elements, components, or modules. Furthermore, it should be understood that these may occur or be performed or arranged in any order, unless explicitly claimed otherwise or a specific order is inherently necessitated by the claim language.
All directional references e.g., upper, lower, inner, outer, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise, proximal, and distal are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the claimed subject matter, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the flat-pack table. Connection references, e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, or “in communication with” are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The term “or” shall be interpreted to mean “and/or” rather than “exclusive or.” The word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Unless otherwise noted in the claims, stated values shall be interpreted as illustrative only and shall not be taken to be limiting.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the flat-pack table as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed subject matter have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed subject matter.
Still other embodiments are contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the subject matter as defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20250143448
