IP Library Granted Patent US 8,147,162
Granted Patent B1
US 8,147,162 · App. 12/833,056 · Granted Apr 3, 2012

Coupling

Assignee: Sauder Woodworking Co.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,147,162
App. No.
12/833,056
Granted
Apr 3, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

A coupling for joining together furniture members that has a center portion including a center portion geometric configuration, a first portion including a first portion geometric configuration, a second portion including a second portion geometric configuration, a first end and a second end.

Claims (11)

1. A furniture coupling assembly comprising:

a coupling extending longitudinally between first and second ends and having a generally I-shaped cross-sectional configuration formed by generally parallel first and second plates and a center plate extending between the first and second plates, the first and second plates being tapered in the longitudinal direction at the first end of the coupling, the center plate having opposed first and second walls, the center plate having a plurality of spaced openings extending transversely between the first and second walls, the center plate having a plurality of ribs extending outwardly from the first and second walls, each of the ribs extending longitudinally between the first and second plates, one of the plurality of ribs being positioned on the first and second walls in each of the spaces between adjacent openings of the plurality of openings, the center plate having a directional indicator positioned adjacent to the first end of the coupling;

a first furniture member having a first member groove having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of one of the first and second plates of the coupling; and

a second furniture member having a second member groove having a cross sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the other of the first and second plates of the coupling, the coupling being insertable in the first and second furniture member grooves in the direction indicated by the directional indicator to engage the first and second furniture member grooves to join together the first and second furniture members.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second end has a projection positioned on one of the first or second walls.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupling is fully inserted in the first and second member grooves.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupling extends from the first and second member grooves.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupling is inserted in the first and second member grooves and a portion of the first and second member grooves is open.

6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein an attachment device is inserted in the open portion of the first and second member grooves.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second furniture members are substantially rectangular and when joined together form a substantially square furniture component.

8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second furniture members are substantially semi-circular and when joined together form a substantially round furniture component.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL 052159, FRAME 0208 Recorded Sep 13, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SAUDER WOODWORKING CO.; SAUDER MANUFACTURING CO.
Reel/Frame 068967/0728 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2024
From: SAUDER WOODWORKING CO.; SAUDER MANUFACTURING CO.
To: WHITE OAK COMMERCIAL FINANCE, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068565/0887 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 12, 2020
From: SAUDER WOODWORKING CO.; SAUDER MANUFACTURING CO.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 052159/0208 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2012
From: BURNETT, MARVIN K.; ARMEY, TERRY W.; FRITCH, BRIAN D.
To: SAUDER WOODWORKING CO.
Reel/Frame 027755/0668 →
Continuity (1)
Division 11903232 · Sep 21, 2007