Patent US3820477A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3820477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Table aligning and locking device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-30
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1993-05-30
Abstract
Abstract An alignment and locking device for a table having separable sections including a male member attached to one of the opposed sections adjacent its abutting edge and a female member attached to the other of the opposed sections adjacent its abutting edge in alignment with the male member so that as the sections are moved toward each other the male and female members interact to align the table sections. A locking member interconnects the male and female members to force them together and force the edges into abutting engagement.
Inventors
- 👤 G Griffin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B12/00; F16B12/10; F16B12/12; F16B12/14; A; A47; A47B; A47B1/00; A47B1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An alignment and locking system for interconnecting the separable sections of a table together across their abutting edges including a mechanism comprising: a male member attached to the underside of one of the separable sections at one of the abutting edges, and including a tongue projecting out from the one of the abutting edges under the opposite abutting edge parallel to the plane of the separable section and a first locking bracket projecting below the separable section; a female member attached to the underside of the other of the separable sections at the opposite abutting edge and including a receptable portion spaced from the underside of the separable section to define an alignment space opening toward said tongue and in alignment therewith and a second locking bracket projecting below the other separable section in substantial alignment with said first locking bracket; and, tensioning means interconnecting said first and second locking brackets to force the abutting edges together and said tongue into said abutting edges in horizontal alignment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An alignment and locking system for interconnecting the separable sections of a table together across their abutting edges including a mechanism comprising: a male member attached to the underside of one of the separable sections at one of the abutting edges, and including a tongue projecting out from the one of the abutting edges under the opposite abutting edge parallel to the plane of the separable section and a first locking bracket projecting below the separable section; a female member attached to the underside of the other of the separable sections at the opposite abutting edge and including a receptable portion spaced from the underside of the separable section to define an alignment space opening toward said tongue and in alignment therewith and a second locking bracket projecting below the other separable section in substantial alignment with said first locking bracket; and, tensioning means interconnecting said first and second locking brackets to force the abutting edges together and said tongue into said abutting edges in horizontal alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said receptable portion of said female member projects over the abutting edge associated therewith a prescribed distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said male member includes a first main body attached to the one of the separable sections and having a first general shape and wherein said female member includes a second main body attached to the other of the separable sections and having a second general shape different from said first general shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 including a plurality of said mechanisms attached to the table at spaced points along the abutting edges of the separable sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the separable sections include a pair of main sections connected by a slide assembly for movement toward and away from each other along a prescribed path so that their opposed edges can abut, and at least one leaf section removably positioned between the opposed edges of the main section and having opposite edges to abut the opposed edges and wherein said plurality of mechanisms operatively connect the main sections to the leaf section, each of said mechanisms connecting one of the main sections with the leaf section aligned with one of said mechanisms connecting the other of said main sections with the leaf section along a secondary path substantially parallel to said prescribed path, said aligned mechanisms ordered in arrangement so that when the leaf section is removed and the opposed edges of the main sections abut, said male and female members on the main sections operatively interconnect so that said tensioning means can be used to clamp the opposed edges together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said tensioning means is a threaded member rotatably carried by said male member and threadedly engaging said female member to force said male member toward said female member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |