US3250582A - Structure for furniture, enclosures and the like - Google Patents

Description

S. KASSIMIR STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE, ENCLOSURES AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 10, 1966 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 INVENTOR. A AAss/M/R RNEY May 10, 1966 S KASSIMIR STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE, ENCLOSURES AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 6'5 INVENTOR SEYMQL/I? A nss/mm y 66 s. KASSIMIR 3,250,582

STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE, ENCLOSURES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 14, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VEN TOR. SEYMm/R KASS/M/P y 1966 s. KASSIMIR 3,250,582

STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE, ENCLOSURES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 14, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

5/ INVENTOR 6 Sea Mam Anssuw/e S. KASSIMIR May 10, 1966 STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE, ENCLOSURES AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 14, 1962 INVENTOR. SEYMUW? KdSS/M/F United States Patent 3,250,582 STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE, ENCLQSURES AND THE LIKE Seymour Kassimir, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Petermark Industries, Inc., Mount Vernon, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 216,850

' 13 Claims. '(Cl. 312-408) This invention relates to furniture, enclosures and similar structures and more specifically a new and improved construction and arrangement of structural members such as legs, braces, guides and connecting means and the like for fabrication of furniture, boxes and enclosures of all sizes and configurations.

While this invention is particularly useful in connection with the fabrication of furniture, as the individual elements forming a selected article of furniture can be prefabricated and finished at the point of manufacture, and then quickly and easily assembled by the user, it will become apparent that the invention is also useful in many other applications, as for instance in the fabrication of boxes and closures of all sizes. In the case of boxes, the improved arrangement and combination of elements in accordance with the invention permits the structural elements forming a box to be shipped to the user and then quickly and easily assembled for reception of merchandise to be shipped- Upon arrival at its destination the box may be readily dismantled and the elements returned to the shipper.

In connection with furniture, the invention enables the design and arrangement of elements to form specific pieces of furniture, or selected structural elements can be provided to enable the fabrication of any desired combinations of cabinets, shelves and the like to meet individual requirements. Inasmuch as all of the components, whether for the construction of a selected article of furniture, or for a custom arrangement of cabinets, shelves and the like to fit a predetermined area, all of the individual components are completely finished so that the ultimate user need only assemble the elements to produce a finished article.

Another advantage of the invention resides in the provision of an improved arrangement and design of pre fabricated structural elements which permits the components to be completely finished by automatic facilities, and enables the assembly of these finished components so that the fastening means utilized to assemble the components are completely hidden from view when the assembly has been completed. The invention also enables the utilization of a wide variety of materials such as woods, metals and plastic for the individual structural elements and the various materials may be combined to get any desired ornamental effects.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of new and improved structural members for use in the manufacture of furniture and enclosures of all sizes which provide a durable and secure coupling for angularly intersecting members such as vertical and horizontal elements which form the basic framework for the specific article being assembled. While in most cases the horizontal and vertical elements meet at 90 degree angles to form a rectangular structure, the invention is useful in the assembly of structures utilizing angles other than right angles.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of novel and improved structural members for the erection of frameworks which may be used to perform a variety of functions as for instance support of horizontal and vertical walls, sliding doors and the like.

A further object of this invention entails the provision of members which form a sturdy frame and also constitute the confining means for associated components of which any given cabinet or shelf structure may be composed.

A still further object of this invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved corner construction including elements which cooperate with framing members to hold them in fixed relationship one relative to the others.

Another objective of this invention entails the provision of prefabricated parts for furniture, enclosures and other articles which enable faster, more efiicient manufacture of furniture wherein the individual elements may be finished so that the user, upon assembly of the components, has an article that is ready for use. Through the improved design, and arrangement of the components, the fastening means holding the components together are completely hidden from view and the article may be disassembled for storage or shipment.

A further object of this invention embraces-the article of furniture and its manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will become more ap parent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination of cabinets wherein the structural braces of this invention are used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cabinet in accordance with the invention, with portions cut away.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a corner construction in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of leg attaching means in acordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view of a suggested leg or corner member showing sections of a wooden veneer on both outer surfaces thereon.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the assembled angular corner brace installed in the corner of a piece of furniture with the leg secured thereto by means of the structure shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along the line 7-7 thereof.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of upper and lower frame members used in the construction of cabinets, showing adaptor elements for double sliding doors.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of cooperating horizontal members shown in FIG. 8 with doors slidably engaged therein.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the bottom member showing sections of an outer wall set therein and a portion of the bottom of the cabinet secured thereto.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of substantially the same member shown in FIG. 10, but used as an upper frame member showing a section of an outer wall of a piece of furniture set therein, and a section of the cabinet top secured thereto.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a modified version of the angular corner construction shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 taken along the line 1313 thereof.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a modified version of a frame member in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a cabinet corner at the point where a door is hingably secured to a side wall of a cabinet or a similar piece of furniture.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a drawer slidably engaged in improved tracks secured to a cabinet.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer within the cabinet as shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the drawer track secured to the wall of the cabinet and the rear of the drawer slidably engaged therein.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the track and drawer.

FIGS. 20 and 2011 are plan and sectional views respechand the construction of furniture such as cabinets,-

shelves, closets, chests of drawers and the like, and on the other hand, to enhance the appearance of such furniture by providing it with a neat, attractive and modern finish with a minimum expenditure of time, cost and materials in the manufacture thereof.

In another aspect, this invention contemplates the provision of means for the construction of wooden as well as metal furniture wherein the main supporting structure is rugged, durable and of lasting quality. Furthermore, the provision of the prefabricated structural members and the means for assembling them eliminates expensive and involved methods of assembly which are normally required in 'dovetailing, tongue and" groove and doweling operations in furniture of comparable quality, durability and appearance and the need for finishing the structure after assembly. In addition, these conventional operations normally require the application of glues and adhesives which might separate or crack-under certain unfavorable conditions. These and other disadvantages are overcome by the inclusion of the structural design inherent in this invention.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a'perspective view of a possible combination of pieces of furniture, generally denoted by numeral 25, wherein the prefabricated structural members of this invention find a variety of applications. Cabinet 26 utilizes for example double sliding doors 27 in front of the cabinet, an adjacent cabinet 28 comprises a lower section carrying drawers 29 and 30,

a display shelf 31, and a cabinet section having double doors 32, designed to swing open on hinges. Still another variation of a piece of furniture is shown at the right of the illustration, and includes open shelves 33 and a storage cabinet 34 with double sliding doors 35 in the front.

In this perspective drawing it is evident that the different pieces of furniture illustrated are marked by very clean and attractive lines, which lend themselves readily for combined placement. In addition, the assembled units may be readily taken apart for storage or for reassembly in a different form.

One of the prefabricated structural members effectively used in the manufacture of the different pieces is an attractively shaped corner member 36 simultaneously serving the function of a vertical support or leg for the unit. This leg member 36 is not only useful in the construction of enclosed pieces of furniture, but may be used just as readily in the construction of open furniture carry,- ing bookshelves or display shelves, as may be observed in the cabinets 25 and 28. Horizontally disposed frame members 37 cooperate with these vertically placed corner members 36 and may be secured in any desired position by corner brackets. Outer Walls, doors, tops, shelves and guides for drawers may be included'in these structures.

A more detailed understanding of an article constructed with structural members in accordance with this invention is afforded by FIG. 2, wherein the different prefabricated members are illustrated and sections of the cabinet have been cut away to permit a clear view of the constructional details.

The horizontal members 37, previously discussed, are shown in this drawing joined together to form an upper frame 38 and a lower frame 39. The members 37 used in the construction of these frames are identical to each other and differ only in that they are placed in inverted positions, one relative to the other. In this manner, channel 40 of the frame 39 and channel 41 of the frame 38 face one toward the other and retain the side walls 42 and 43 and back wall 44. These horizontal members carry a flanged extension on one side as may be observed at point 45 in the lower frame and at 46 in the upper frame. The bottom of the cabinet 47 rests within the recess provided by these extensions 45 within the lower frame 39 and may be readily secured therein by screws, adhesives or any other suitable means of attachment. The top 48 is seated flush on top of the frame 38 and may be similarly secured to the flanged extension 46.

The cabinet shown in FIG. 2 is equipped with double sliding doors 49 which are seatedon a special adaptor 50 retained in the lower front portion of frame 37 and are held in place by adaptor 51 in the front portion of the upper frame. These adaptors 50 and 51 .can be readily placed within any'of the horizontal members used throughout construction of this cabinet.

One of the advantages of this invention resides in the combination of these structural members with the improved corner construction wherein practical and sturdy flanged angular corner braces 52 cooperate with the vertically disposed leg members 36 as well as the end sections of the horizontal members 37.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10 and 11 showing cross-sectional views of the horizontal lower and upper members 37. It will be observed that both members are substantially identical. In FIG. 10 a cross-section of the horizontal member is shown as used in connection with the lower frame and wherein a section of the wall 43 is tightly seated in the channel 40. A section of the bottom 47 of the cabinet is illustrated resting on the flanged extension 45 of the horizontal member and attached thereto by screws 45'.

The same horizontal member utilized in connection with an upper frame is depicted in FIG. 11 and is inverted, relative to the position of the same member shown in FIG. 10. Again, a section of the side wall 43 is shown tightly seated in the channel 41 and the top of the cabinet 48 rests flush on the flanged extension 46, protruding toward the inside of the cabinet. The top is fastened by screws 45', though adhesives or other fastening means may be employed. The recess 55 and connecting bridge 56 of the horizontal member are of functional importance in the angular joining of two end sections by means of an improved corner brace arrangement, an exploded view of which is shown in FIG. 3. The ends 57 and 58 of two horizontal frame elements used in the construction of the top frame 38 are positioned at 90 preparatory to receiving the flanged angular plates 59 and 60. These plates form part of the corner arrangement 52, a plan view of which is shown in FIG. 6. The ends 57 and S8 of the horizontal frame elements are precut at an angle smaller than 45 and spaced one from the other to accommodate suitable fastening means to be described. In assembling these horizontal members to form the upper or lower frame, the flanged angular plate 59 is seated tightly in the recess 55 of each frame element and aligns the two horizontal frame elements at an angle of 90. The cooperating lower plate 6t) is placed against the underside of the elements whereupon both end sections of the horizontal members and the cooperating flanged plates 59 and 60 may be secured together by rivets 61 which extend through holes 62 provided for this purpose in both flanged plates as well as the frame elements. It is evident, .of course, that other suitable fastening means could be utilized.

A cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7. The flanged angular plates 59 and 60 are provided with linear depresisons 63 which provide a tubular channel 54 for the reception of bolt 64, designed for use in connection with corner member 65 as shown in FIG. 4 for the attachment of the leg member 36.

The leg members 36 are secured to the frames 38 and 39 by means of corner members 65 which slidably engage the angular channel 69 within the leg member 36. Bolt 64 extending through hole 66 of the corner member 65 is inserted into the channel 54 formed by the angular flanged plates, secured to the corner of the horizontal frame and may be tightened by means of nut. 68 and washer 67 threadably engaging the threaded portion of bolt 64 which extends beyond said channel 54. It is evident, however, that the corner members 65 may have threaded openings to receive the bolt or cap screw 64 after being inserted through the channel 54.

The head 70 of the bolt 64 is countersunk in a special recess 71 within the corner member 65 provided for this purpose so as to not protrude from the surface of corner member 65, blocking the entrance into the hollow portion 69 of the leg member 36. The nuts 68 may, after assembly of all members concerned, be tightened to form a sturdy connection between the horizontal frames of any piece of furniture and the leg members.

This corner assembly for furniture utilizing the members provided by this invention may be easily applied to all corners of closed pieces of furniture, boxes, or other enclosures, as well as sets of shelves as shown in FIG. 1. In open cabinets as shown in FIG. 1 carrying a number of shelves, the horizontal members 37 may be used only at the very bottom of the cabinet to hold the bottom plate, and at the very top, supporting the top surface of the cabinet, thereby providing a rigid connection on each of the eight corners. The shelves themselves are then secured in position by brackets 36' fastened to the underside of the shelves as shown in FIG. 20. The brackets 36 have openings to receive bolts 64' threadably engaging the opening 66 in the L-shaped member 65'. In this way the shelves may be adjusted to any desired position, further increasing the versatility of the leg members 36.

As pointed out above, the horizontal frame members may be arranged to slidably receive and hold doors in the case of closed cabinets. For this purpose the members 37 are provided with narrow ridges 72 as may be readily observed in FIG. 9. These ridges extend into the channel 53 of horizontal members 37 and are designed to slidably retain special adaptors 50 and 51 providing dual tracks for double hung sliding doors 49. The adaptor member 51 describes in its cross section a general configuration of a T, having a central downwardly extending member 73 forming a separator for the doors 49 while the adaptor member 50 has flanged lower edges 74 which engage the ridges 72 of the horizontal lower member, and a bridge 75 provides a sliding surface for the doors. An upwardly extending short rib 76 on adaptor 50 separates the lower edges of the doors. Dual channels 77 created within the channel 53 of the horizontal member 37 by means of the downwardly extending central member 73 are deep enough to permit the sliding doors 49 to be lifted into their respective channels for placement on the lower track.

A sectional perspective view of the combination of adaptors 50 and 51 with horizontal members 37 for acceptance of sliding doors is clearly shown in FIG. 8.

A modified form of horizontal members, serving substantially the same function as the members 37 described previously is shown in FIG. 14. In this particular version, however, the ridges extending into the channel 53 of the member are omitted, and the sides of the inner surface of the channel 53 are sculptured in the form of slightly raised edges 78 designed to create a tighter fit for the edge of wall sections set therein. This type of horizontal member also has a flanged extension, denoted by the numeral 45 for attachment of the top and bottom surfaces of cabinets as previously described.

A modified angular assembly is also provided as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 which is substantially the same as the angular assembly shown in FIG. 6. In this form of the invention, the upper plate 79 is perfectly flat and the lower plate 80 has a linear diagonal depression 81 which is deep enough to receive the same bolt 64 utilized in connection with the assembly 52. In this particular assembly, rivets 61 may likewise be used for securing the flanged plates to the bridge 82 of the end sections of the modified horizontal members. Once seated securely in the recesses 53 and 55, the horizontal members are automatically aligned at the proper angle and 5 locked in place. The bolt 64 in cooperation with the corner member 65 securely holds leg member 36 to the horizontal members 37. In this particular corner assembly, an additional wedge-like member 83 serves as a filler block and provides a flat surface of contact for washer 67 and nut 68.

The assembly just described provides an uninterrupted peripheral recess 55 which is advantageous in the construction of furniture since the top may include elements adapted to seat in the recess, as may be the case with hollow, veneered-top surfaces.

To further demonstrate the usefulness of this type of a structural design in a large variety of furniture, an arrangement of additional track and guiding members is shown in combination with furniture carrying drawers. In this connection, FIG. 16 illustrates a drawer 84 installed for the framework of furniture built inaccordance with the invention. Sections of the side and top of the cabinet have been cut away to show the improved track configuration and its placement as well as the new drawer side panel 89 cooperating with the track,

The track 85 is secured to the inner surface of the side wall 42 by means of wood screws as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and has a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration with the lower leg 86 extending below the drawer and supporting the rollers 87 on the rear of the drawer, while the upper leg 88 is deflected upwardly and outwardly to provide an additional tracking means for the upper edge of the wheel 87 and the drawer side panel 89. A prefabricated side element 89 constitutes the complete side panel of the drawer and carries the wheel 87 secured thereto by means of a screw 90.

FIG. 18 is a cross-section of the rear portion of the track and drawer arrangement while FIG. 19 shows the same track 85 carrying friction plate 91 secured to the upper flanged leg 88, and the friction plate 92, secured to the lower extending leg 86 'of the track 85 by means of screws 93 and 94 respectively. These friction plates may be of a plastic, such as nylon, or any other suitable material offering a minimum of friction in front, while the rear of the drawer is supported by wheels 87.

A plan View of a cabinet with the drawer84 seated therein is shown in FIG. 17, wherein the track is shown attached to the right-hand side, by means of wood screws 95' and the attachment of the drawer side panel 89 against the front and rear panels of the drawer on the left-hand side of that same figure. The wheels 87 are shown in their position on the drawer and seated in the tracks 85 secured to the rear of the side panels 42. This new improved combination of tracks and side panels for drawers saves considerable time and materials in the construction of the drawers themselves and at the same time, their rigidity and durability is enhanced. Furthermore, the assembly permits the drawers to be fabricated and shipped for assembly by the user along with the remainder of the article.

In pieces of furniture requiring front or side doors which swing out, a special hinge 96 is'shown in FIG. 15 which can be readily attached by means of wood screws 97 to the inner surface of the side panel 42 and which is slightly bent away from the wall at the point of hinging action 98 in order to avoid interference with the leg 36. The corresponding part 99 of the hinge 96 is then easily secured by means of screws 97 to the edge of the door 190. This type of a hinging arrangement allows the door to swing open without interfering or striking against the side of the leg member 36, while an easy alignment of the door with the rest of the cabinet members is effected. If desired, adjustable pin-type hinges may also be used for the doors.

From the foregoing description of the characteristics and functional advantages of these prefabricated structural members, it can be readily observed that construction of furniture utilizing these structural members is considerably facilitated while-the quality, durability and appearance of the resultant furniture is substantially improved and production at a lower cost is made possible. The article, whether it be a piece of furniture, shipping box or an enclosure of any size, may be fabricated at a relatively low cost, shipped in an unassembled condition, and may be assembled and disassembled readily and without special tools. In the case of furniture, it is particularly useful for modular construction.

While only certain embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in the application, it is apparent that alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An article comprising a horizontal frame includ-' ing interconnected channel members each having a pair of parallel walls perpendicular to the plane of said frame, and a transverse wall connecting said parallel walls and lying substantially in the plane of said frame, a pair of plates at each corner of said frame securing said channel members together to form a rigid structure, at least one plate of each pair forming in conjunction with its associated plate a passageway between said plates with the axis thereof bisecting the angle between adjoining channel members, vertically disposed leg members secured to the corners of said frame, each of said leg members being of hollow configuration with angularly disposed inner surfaces, a bracket member slidably engaging each leg member, and means cooperating with said bracket member and extending through said passageway and engaging the associated leg bracket to secure said leg member to said-frame.

2. An article according to claim 1 wherein the transverse wall of each of said channel members is positioned between the upper and lower edges of said parallel walls and each of said parallel walls incudes an inwardy extending ridge spaced below and parallel to said transverse wall, said ridges defining coplanar surfaces in said channel members and in spaced relationship 'to said corner plates to support a T-shaped adaptor member by positioning the latter between said ridges and said transverse wall.

3. An article according to claim 2 wherein the upper edge of one of said parallel walls of each channel member includes a horizontally disposed flange, said flanges being coplanar and adapted to receive in fixed engagement therewith an overlying sheet of rigid material.

4. An article of furniture comprising a pair of vertically spaced horizontal frames of rectangular configuration, each frame including four channel members each having parallel walls perpendicular to the plane of said frame and a transverse wall of each channel member lying substantially in the plane of said frame, a pair of plates at each corner of said frame securing said channel members together to form a rigid structure, at least one plate of each pair forming in conjunction with its associated plate a passageway between said plates with the longitudinal axis thereof bisecting the angle between the adjoining channel members, vertically disposed leg members secured to the corners of said frames and holding said frames in spaced relationship with correspondirig walls of said channel members in confronting relationship, said channel members receiving and holding wall portions of the article of furniture therebetween, each of said leg members being of hollow configuration, and bracket members slidably engaging said leg members and means cooperating with each of said bracket members and extending through each said passageway for securing said legs to corresponding corners of said frames.

5. An article of furniture according to claim 4 wherein the transverse wall of each of said channel members is positioned between the upper and lower edges of said parallel walls, and each of said parallel walls in cludes an inwardly extending wall portion engaging ridge spaced below and parallel to said transverse wall.

6. An article of furniture according to claim 5 wherein the upper edge of one of said parallel walls of each 8. channel member includes a horizontally extending flange, for receiving and holding a sheet of rigid material overlying said flanges.

7. In an article of furniture, a pair of horizontally disposed angularly spaced channel members each having a pair of parallel side walls and a horizontally disposed -the axis of said passageway bisecting the angle between said channel members, a vertical member of hollow L- shaped configuration, and an L-shaped bracket member slidably engaging said vertical member and means engaging said L-shaped bracket member and extending through said passageway to secure the horizontal and vertical members in fixed relationship one to the other.

8. In an article of furniture, at least two vertically spaced parallel channel members in facing relationship, each channel member having a pair of parallel side walls and a transverse wall joining said parallel side walls, an inwardly extending ridge carried by each of said side walls in spaced parallel relationship to the associated transverse wall, an elongated T-shaped element carried by the upper channel member with the upper section of said T-shaped member being secured within said upper channel member and between said ridges and the transverse wall of said channel member to form a pair of spaced parallel tracks, means carried by said lower channel member and having upper and lower portions, said lower portion being disposed between said ridges and said transverse wall of the lower channel member and the upper portion thereof forming a track for slidably receiving vertically disposed doors, said upper portion having a central ridge extending upwardly therefrom to define a pair of parallel tracks, the tracks formed in said lower channel member being shallower than the tracks formed in said upper channel member.

h. An article of furniture comprising a horizontal frame of generally rectangular configuration, said frame including four channel members each having a pair of parallel walls perpendicular to the plane of said frame, and a transverse wall connecting said parallel walls and lying substantially in the plane of said frame, a pair of. plates at each corner of said frame securing said channel members together to form a rigid structure, at

least one plate of each pair forming in conjunction with its associated plate a passageway between said plates with the axis thereof bisecting the angle between adjoining channel 'rnembers, vertically disposed leg members secured to the corners of said frame, each of said legs being of hollow L-shapcd configuration, an L-shaped bracket member slidably engaging said leg, and means cooperating with said bracket member and extending through said passageway for securing said leg to a corner of said frame, said legs further including elongated undercut ridges on the surface thereof adapted to receive and secure therebetween elongated slats of ornamental material.

10. In an article of furniture having a top and side panels, a top panel supporting frame, including a pair of horizontally disposed members including a first channel, having a horizontal transverse portion and two side walls extending downwardly from the edges of said transverse portion, said channel retaining the top edge of a vertically disposed side panel, a second channel in said member of less depth than said first channel and having two side walls extending upwardly from said transverse portion, the meeting ends of said members being angularly cut to form confronting surfaces, upper and lower angular flanged plates engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the meeting ends of said transverse portions, means securing said plates and members one to the others to form a rigid structure, and a linear surface extending at a 90 angle from the edge of the inner side wall of said second channel and means securing said top to the frame.

11. A horizontally displaced member according to claim wherein said first channel carries at least one ridge on the inner surface of each of the channel-defining walls, said ridges being equally spaced from said transverse portion and aligned one with the other, "and an adaptor member carried therein having the general crosssectional configuration of a T slidably engaging said channel and interlocked between the transverse portion of said channel and said inwardly extending ridge, with the vertical extension of said T-shaped adaptor member extending downwardly and dividing said channel into two parallel channels of equal width for guidance of double sliding doors.

12. In an article of furniture, means for connecting two channel-shaped horizontal frame elements at a 90 angle with a cooperating hollow leg member comprising a set of at least two L-shaped plates being aligned one with the other and with said horizontal elements disposed therebetween, means securing said horizontal elements and said L-shaped plates one to the others to maintain fixedly said frame elements one to the' others, said L-shaped plates having linear depressions bisecting the apex of said angle and said depressions creating a channel in said cooperating L-shaped plates, the hollow leg member of angular cross section and a corner member slidably interlocked within said hollow leg, a both countersunk in said corner member and extending therefrom normal to the longitudinal axis bisecting the apex of said corner member and extending through said channel between said cooperating L-shaped plates, and a washer engaging said bolt and resting against the inside of said L-shaped plates and a nut threadably engaging said bolt and tightly securing said leg member to the joined channel shaped horizontal elements.

13. An article comprising a horizontal frame including interconnected channel members each having a pair of parallel walls perpendicular to the plane of said frame, and a transverse wall connecting said parallel walls and lying substantially in the plane of said frame, a pair of plates at each corner of said frame securing said channel members together to form a rigid structure, said plates forming in conjunction one with the other a passage therebetween, the joined ends of said channel members at each corner being spaced one from the other and means extending between the ends of the channel members and through said passage at each corner for attachment of a leg thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 261,919 8/1882 Gibbons 312-140 X 534,052 2/1895 Ruhe 312-140 X 754,233 3/1904 Partheymueller 312-140 917,324 4/1909 Loving 312-140 X 934,696 9/1909 'Rhoads 312-140 X 1,386,143 8/1921 Ulrich 312-341 1,525,143 2/1925 Murn-ane 189-78.2 1,573,254 2/1926 Lachaine 312-108 1,706,028 3/ 1929 Johnson 220- X 1,714,909 5/1929 Illmer 312-108 1,789,102 1/1931 Jorgensen 189-36 1,796,024 3/ 1931 Hohler 220-80 X 1,846,485 2/1932 Hart 312-114 1,916,894 7/1933 Rix 312- 2,344,161 3/1944 Michaels 312-140 2,580,029 12/1951 Krauss 312-140 2,654,579 10/ 1953 Cremens 287-54 X 2,764,314 9/ 1956 Mautner 20-92 X 2,822,232 2/1958 Lhota 312-241 2,918,153 12/1959 Hammitt 189-36 2,939,589 6/1960 Handler 108-144 2,996,159 8/ 1962 Casebolt 287-54 X 3,085,841 4/1963 Snyder 312-140 3,120,201 2/1964 Kates 108-144 FOREIGN PATENTS 895,462 5 1962 Great Britain. 923,964 3/ 1960 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK B. SHERRY, CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS,

Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. 4. AN ARTICLE OF FURNITURE COMPRISING A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED HORIZONTAL FRAMES OF RECTANGULAR CONFIGURATION, EACH FRAME INCLUDING FORU CHANNEL MEMBERS EACH HAVING PARALLEL WALLS PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAID FRAME AND A TRANVERSE WALL OF EACH CHANNEL MEMBER LYING SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLANE OF SAID FRAME, A PAIR OF PLATES AT EACH CORNER OF SAID FRAME SECURING SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS TOGETHER TO FORM A RIGID STRUCTURE, AT LEAST ONE PLATE OF EAHC PAIR FORMING IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITS ASSOCIATED PLATE A PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN SAID PLATES WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF BISECTING THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE ADJOINING CHANNEL MEMBERS, VERTICALLY DISPOSING LEG MEMBERS SECURED TO THE CORNERS OF SAID FRAMES AND HOLDING SAID FRAMES IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITH CORRESONDING WALLS OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS IN CONFRONTING RELATIONSHIP, SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS RECEIVING AND HOLDING WALL PORTIONS OF THE ARTICLE OF FURNITURE THEREBETWEEN, EACH OF SAID LEG MEMBERS BEING OF HOLOOW CONFIGURATION, AND BRACKET MEMBERS SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID LEG MEMBERS AND MEANS COOPERATING WITH EACH OF SAID BRACKET MEMBERS AND EXTENDING THROUGH EACH SAID PASSAGEWAY FOR SECURING SAID LEGS TO CORRESPONDING CORNERS OF SAID FRAMES.

Images