US3877765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Furniture structure
Assignee: MPC CORP
•
Filing: 1972-08-14
•
Granted: 1975-04-15
•
Expires: 1992-08-14
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a frame structure for a modular cabinet and other furniture pieces such as desks, hutches, bookcases, file cabinets, vanities and doors and a method for making. The structure has preformed tubular channel-like interlocking parts including corners, styles, couplers, connecting tees, connecting crosses, corner posts, center posts and moldings that are fitted together to form the frame. Extruded plastic panels cut to proper sizes are fastened preferably by ultrasonic welding to rabbeted edges in the frame to form the sides and together with doors or drawers attached to the front of the structure they present a complete furniture piece.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J Hassing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:21
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B47/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure comprising injection molded channel-like corner members in each corner of the structure, said corner members coNnected with injection molded channel-like rail members extending between said corner members, means for interlocking said corner members with the ends of said rail members to secure and ridgidly close said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure comprising injection molded channel-like corner members in each corner of the structure, said corner members coNnected with injection molded channel-like rail members extending between said corner members, means for interlocking said corner members with the ends of said rail members to secure and ridgidly close said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said corner members and said rail members are tubular, channel-like construction and said means for interlocking said corner members with said rail members includes a projection from one member for inserting in snug relationship within the other connecting member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said projection is a rectangular shaped tenon for inserting in a matching rectangular groove in the connecting member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure comprising injection molded channel-like corner members in each corner of the structure, said corner members connected with injection molded channel-like rail members extending between said corner members, coupler members for connecting with said rail members to enlarge the distance between said corner members, means for interlocking said corner members with the ends of each said rail member to rigidly secure and close said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure comprising injection molded channel-like corner members in each corner of the structure, said corner members connected with injection molded channel-like rail members extending between said corner members, coupler members for connecting with said rail members to enlarge the distance between said corner members, means for interlocking said corner members with the ends of each said rail member to rigidly secure and close said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said corner members, rail members and coupler members are of tubular, channel-like construction and said means for interlocking said corner members with said rail members includes a projection from one member for inserting in snug relationship within the adjacent connecting member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said corner members, rail members and coupler members are of injection molded plastic construction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said coupler members are ''''T'''' shaped for connecting with said rail members intermediate said corner members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said projection is a rectangular shaped tenon for inserting in a matching rectangular groove in the connecting member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said coupler members are cross shaped for connecting with said rail members intermediate said corner members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A furniture construction having a frame structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said projection is a rectangular shaped tenon for inserting in a matching rectangular groove in the connecting member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
A furniture construction comprising a frame, said frame having injection molded channel-like corner members in each corner injection molded channel-like rail members connected to said corner members, means for interlocking said corner members with the ends of each said rail member to secure and rigidly form a closed rectangular box-like frame, a door connected to the front side of said frame, and a plurality of planar panel members connected to the remaining sides of said frame to form an enclosure and said corner members and rail members are of injection molded plastic construction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A furniture construction comprising a frame, said frame having injection molded channel-like corner members in each corner injection molded channel-like rail members connected to said corner members, means for interlocking said corner members with the ends of each said rail member to secure and rigidly form a closed rectangular box-like frame, a door connected to the front side of said frame, and a plurality of planar panel members connected to the remaining sides of said frame to form an enclosure and said corner members and rail members are of injection molded plastic construction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A furniture construction as defined in claim 11 wherein said corner members and said rail members are tubular channel-like construction and said means for interlocking said corner members with said rail members includes a projection from one member for inserting in snug relationship within the other member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A furniture construction as defined in claim 12 wherein said projection is a rectangular shaped tenon for inserting in a matching rectangular groove in the connecting member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A furniture construction as defined in claim 13 wherein said interlocked frame members are permanently fixed and said frame members are permanently fixed to said panel members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A furniture construction as defined in claim 14 wherein said frame members and panels are permanently fixed together by weld joints.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3044656A
Cited
US3360320A
Cited
US3353888A
Cited
US3606506A
Cited
US3661434A
Cited
US3736035A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |