US4496125A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Support leg assembly
Assignee: CR/PL LLC
•
Filing: 1982-08-26
•
Granted: 1985-01-29
•
Expires: 2002-08-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved supporting leg assembly for laundry tubs, tables and the like. A leg coupler having a tapered, substantially cylindrical socket containing a key therein is placed at each corner on the underside of the tub. A V-shaped leg, bearing a cylindrical tube affixed thereto on the inside of the V-leg at the end which contacts the tub, is placed at each corner of the tub with the tube engaging the socket. Each tube has a slot formed therein at the end which fits into the tubular socket, and the slot and key mate with each other when the leg is set in place. When assembled together, the tub and coupler are in load bearing contact with the top of each section of the V-leg and the top of the cylindrical tube, respectively. The V-legs may be tapered if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Walsh
- 👤 Robert Bachman
- 👤 Ronald Aderhold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:56
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F1/00; D06F1/02; A; A47; A47B; A47B91/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/46; Y10T403/4602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being constructed to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a longitudinally extending, elongated leg member having at least two longitudinal leg sections joined together with an angle therebetween, each of said sections defining a respective end surface extending across a portion of the width of the leg; a tube attached to said leg member at one end thereof adjacent the end surfaces and defining a tube end surface extending across the width of the tube; said tube sized and shaped to fit into said socket when said supporting leg is engaged with said leg coupler such that load bearing contact is made by said leg end surfaces against the lower surface of said object to be supported and load bearing contact is made by the tube end surface against an abutting surface of said socket; wherein each leg section is formed with a slot adjacent the respective leg end surface cut from the angle therebetween to a point along the width of the leg member sufficiently far from the angle to permit the slot to fit over the leg coupler and to allow said load bearing contacts to be made.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being constructed to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a longitudinally extending, elongated leg member having at least two longitudinal leg sections joined together with an angle therebetween, each of said sections defining a respective end surface extending across a portion of the width of the leg; a tube attached to said leg member at one end thereof adjacent the end surfaces and defining a tube end surface extending across the width of the tube; said tube sized and shaped to fit into said socket when said supporting leg is engaged with said leg coupler such that load bearing contact is made by said leg end surfaces against the lower surface of said object to be supported and load bearing contact is made by the tube end surface against an abutting surface of said socket; wherein each leg section is formed with a slot adjacent the respective leg end surface cut from the angle therebetween to a point along the width of the leg member sufficiently far from the angle to permit the slot to fit over the leg coupler and to allow said load bearing contacts to be made.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein: said socket is tapered such that the open end is greater in area than the closed end, the tapered socket providing force-fit contact with said tube when engaged therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein: said leg member and tube are formed from rigid materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein: said leg member is formed with a downward taper therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
171 words
An object-supporting apparatus for use with a container, table, or the like comprising: a pair of leg sections, each comprising a flat length of rigid material, the leg sections being joined together at a vertex line to form a V-angle leg having a V-shaped cross section perpendicular to the length of the leg; a tube affixed to the top of said leg inside the V-angle of the leg, said tube also being fabricated of a rigid material; and leg coupling means attached to a lower surface of an object to be supported and defining a socket therein, said socket adapted to receive the tube when said leg is set in place such that a first load bearing contact is made by the base of said socket against an upper edge of said tube and additional load bearing contacts are made by the lower surface of the supported object with upper edges of said V-angle leg, such that said first and said additional load bearing contacts are disposed in a common plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
171 words
An object-supporting apparatus for use with a container, table, or the like comprising: a pair of leg sections, each comprising a flat length of rigid material, the leg sections being joined together at a vertex line to form a V-angle leg having a V-shaped cross section perpendicular to the length of the leg; a tube affixed to the top of said leg inside the V-angle of the leg, said tube also being fabricated of a rigid material; and leg coupling means attached to a lower surface of an object to be supported and defining a socket therein, said socket adapted to receive the tube when said leg is set in place such that a first load bearing contact is made by the base of said socket against an upper edge of said tube and additional load bearing contacts are made by the lower surface of the supported object with upper edges of said V-angle leg, such that said first and said additional load bearing contacts are disposed in a common plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein: said tube is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof and said socket is formed with a key therein, said key being positioned to fit into the tube slot in order to prevent said tube from twisting in said socket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
211 words
An object-supporting apparatus for use with a container, table, or the like comprising: a pair of leg sections, each comprising a flat length of rigid material, the leg sections being joined together at a vertex line to form a V-angle leg having a V-shaped cross section perpendicular to the length of the leg; a tube affixed to the top of said leg inside the V-angle of the leg, said tube also being fabricated of a rigid material; and leg coupling means attached to a lower surface of an object to be supported and defining a socket therein, said socket adapted to receive the tube when said leg is set in place such that load bearing contact is made by the base of said socket against an upper edge of said tube and load bearing contacts are made by the lower surface of the supported object with upper edges of said V-angle leg; wherein each of said leg sections is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof cut from the vertex line of the V-angle to a point along the upper edge sufficiently far from the vertex line to permit the slot to fit over the leg coupling means in order to allow said load bearing contacts to be made.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
211 words
An object-supporting apparatus for use with a container, table, or the like comprising: a pair of leg sections, each comprising a flat length of rigid material, the leg sections being joined together at a vertex line to form a V-angle leg having a V-shaped cross section perpendicular to the length of the leg; a tube affixed to the top of said leg inside the V-angle of the leg, said tube also being fabricated of a rigid material; and leg coupling means attached to a lower surface of an object to be supported and defining a socket therein, said socket adapted to receive the tube when said leg is set in place such that load bearing contact is made by the base of said socket against an upper edge of said tube and load bearing contacts are made by the lower surface of the supported object with upper edges of said V-angle leg; wherein each of said leg sections is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof cut from the vertex line of the V-angle to a point along the upper edge sufficiently far from the vertex line to permit the slot to fit over the leg coupling means in order to allow said load bearing contacts to be made.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein: said socket is tapered such that the open end of the socket is greater in area than the closed end; the tapered socket providing force-fit contact with said tube when engaged therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein: said leg, tube, and leg coupling means are fabricated from a metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein: said leg, tube, and leg coupling means are fabricated from a rigid plastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein: said V-angle leg is formed with a downward taper therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein: said socket is tapered such that the open end of the socket is greater in area than the closed end, the tapered socket providing force-fit contact with said tube when engaged therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein: the amount of said socket taper is about 3 to 4 degrees.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 7, wherein: said tube is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof and said socket is formed with a key therein, said key being positioned to fit into the tube slot in order to prevent said tube from twisting in said socket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
134 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being adapted to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a leg member having a V-shaped cross section; and a cylindrical tube fixedly attached to the leg member at one end thereof, said tube constructed to fit into said socket, the dimensions of said tube and its location with respect to the nearby ends of said leg member being calculated to provide, when said leg member is set into place coplanar load bearing contacts between an upper edge of said tube and an abutting surface adjacent the socket, and between the upper edges of said leg member and the lower surface of said object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being adapted to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a leg member having a V-shaped cross section; and a cylindrical tube fixedly attached to the leg member at one end thereof, said tube constructed to fit into said socket, the dimensions of said tube and its location with respect to the nearby ends of said leg member being calculated to provide, when said leg member is set into place coplanar load bearing contacts between an upper edge of said tube and an abutting surface adjacent the socket, and between the upper edges of said leg member and the lower surface of said object.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein: said tube is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof and said socket is formed with a key therein, said slot being shaped to receive the key to prevent said tube from twisting when engaged with said socket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
209 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being adapted to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a leg member having a V-shaped cross section; and a cylindrical tube fixedly attached to the leg member at one end thereof, said tube constructed to fit into said socket, the dimensions of said tube and its location with respect to the nearby ends of said leg member being calculated to provide, when said leg member is set into place, load bearing contacts between an upper edge of said tube and an abutting surface adjacent the socket, and between the upper edges of said leg member and the lower surface of said object; wherein the leg member is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof cut from the vertex line of the V-shaped cross section to a point along the upper edge sufficiently far from the vertex line to permit the slot to fit over the base of the leg coupler in order to allow said load bearing contacts to be made between the upper edges of the leg member and the lower surface of said object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
209 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being adapted to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a leg member having a V-shaped cross section; and a cylindrical tube fixedly attached to the leg member at one end thereof, said tube constructed to fit into said socket, the dimensions of said tube and its location with respect to the nearby ends of said leg member being calculated to provide, when said leg member is set into place, load bearing contacts between an upper edge of said tube and an abutting surface adjacent the socket, and between the upper edges of said leg member and the lower surface of said object; wherein the leg member is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof cut from the vertex line of the V-shaped cross section to a point along the upper edge sufficiently far from the vertex line to permit the slot to fit over the base of the leg coupler in order to allow said load bearing contacts to be made between the upper edges of the leg member and the lower surface of said object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein: said leg member is formed with a downward taper therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein: said leg member and tube are fabricated from a metal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein: said leg member and tube are fabricated from a rigid plastic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein: said socket is tapered such that its open end is greater in area than its closed end, said tapered socket providing force-fit contact with said tube when engaged therewith.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 21, wherein: the amount of said socket taper is in the range of about 3 to 4 degrees.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 17, wherein: said leg member is formed with a downward taper therein.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein: said socket is tapered such that its open end is greater in area than its closed end, said tapered socket providing force-fit contact with said tube when engaged therewith.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 24, wherein: the amount of said socket taper is in the range of about 3 to about 4 degrees.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein: said leg member is formed with a downward taper therein.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 17, wherein: said tube is formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof and said socket is formed with a key therein, said slot being shaped to receive the key to prevent said tube from twisting when engaged with said socket.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
224 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being constructed to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a longitudinally extending, elongated leg member having at least two longitudinal leg sections joined together at a vertex line with a V-angle therebetween, each of said sections defining a respective end surface extending across a portion of the width of the leg, each of said leg sections formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof cut from the vertex line of the V-angle to a point along the upper edge to permit the slot to fit over the leg coupler such that the end surfaces abut the lower surface of the object to be supported; a tube attached to said leg member at one end thereof adjacent the end surfaces and defining a tube end surface extending across the width of the tube; said tube sized and shaped to fit into said socket when said supporting leg is engaged with said leg coupler such that load bearing contact is made by said leg end surfaces against the lower surface of said object to be supported and load bearing contact is made by the tube end surface against an abutting surface of said socket.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
224 words
A supporting leg for use with a leg coupler which defines a socket within a base located at a lower surface of an object to be supported, the socket being constructed to receive a tubular element, said supporting leg comprising: a longitudinally extending, elongated leg member having at least two longitudinal leg sections joined together at a vertex line with a V-angle therebetween, each of said sections defining a respective end surface extending across a portion of the width of the leg, each of said leg sections formed with a slot at the upper edge thereof cut from the vertex line of the V-angle to a point along the upper edge to permit the slot to fit over the leg coupler such that the end surfaces abut the lower surface of the object to be supported; a tube attached to said leg member at one end thereof adjacent the end surfaces and defining a tube end surface extending across the width of the tube; said tube sized and shaped to fit into said socket when said supporting leg is engaged with said leg coupler such that load bearing contact is made by said leg end surfaces against the lower surface of said object to be supported and load bearing contact is made by the tube end surface against an abutting surface of said socket.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 28 wherein: said tube is formed with a slot therein adjacent the tube end surface and said socket is formed with a key therein, said key being located so as to fit into said slot such that a single key and slot interlock will be effective to prevent said tube from twisting in said socket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-29 | 1988-07-30 | 1989-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-29 | 1992-07-30 | 1993-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-29 | 1996-07-30 | 1997-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |