US20030020318A1

US20030020318A1 - Loading plane for tables and chairs

Info

Publication number: US20030020318A1
Application number: US09/915,303
Authority: US
Inventors: Lausan Liu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-27
Filing date: 2001-07-27
Publication date: 2003-01-30

Abstract

An improved loading plane for tables and chairs comprises at least one loading element, one connecting element and one bordering element. A plurality of the connecting elements and a plurality of the loading elements are engaged to form a loading plane which may be wound in a roll or folded. After the loading elements and the connecting elements are engaged and assembled, the bordering elements may be bonded to the edges of the loading elements to provide ornamental effect to the loading elements and to protect people from injuring by the edges of the loading elements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved loading plane for tables and chairs and particularly a loading plane consisting of connecting loading elements to support loading of human body and goods.

Many known leisured chairs now available on the market have loading planes (seat pads or backrests) made of metal tubes or wooden beams coupling with fabrics or leather. During fabrication, the fabrics or leather are cut to the sizes of desired loading planes. The cut fabrics and leather are stitched on the rims to form coupling sections. Then metal tubes or wooden beams of selected sizes and lengths are disposed into the coupling sections to form loading planes for supporting people. There are some other types which have stitched binding rims formed on the fabrics or leather. Then a plurality of apertures are formed on the binding rims to engage with spring hooks which are in turn fastened to metal tubes or wooden beams.

The leisured chairs set forth above require a lot of processes and time in production and assembly. They are also difficult to fabricate. After using for a period of time, the stitching of the fabrics or leather could be frayed or ruptured, or the springs connecting the fabrics (or leather) and metal tubes or wooden beams could have material fatigue, or the metal tubes or wooden beams will result in deformation. All this could cause undesirable using conditions or even hazards.

In order to remedy aforesaid problems, there are other loading planes for leisured tables and chairs being developed and introduced. One of the examples is to form a frame made of metal tubes (or bars) to support the loading plane, then fasten a plurality of loading elements (plate forms) made of metal or wood to the frame. While such a construction is stronger and more durable for supporting human weight or goods, it takes more work and time in production and assembly. The fastenings between the loading elements and frame could get loose after using for a period of time, and could cause injury to users. Moreover, the fastenings must be done in a fixed and tight manner. The finished tables and chairs are difficult to carry, transport and store when not in use. Hence they are not convenient to use.

To overcome the foregoing drawbacks of fixedly fastening the loading elements to the frame and incurring difficulty in transportation and storing, some producers try to drill a plurality of apertures on the loading elements, then thread ropes through the apertures to connect the loading elements to form a loading plane. The tied loading plane may be wound in a roll to facilitate transportation and storing. However fastening by ropes tends to produce uneven surface of the loading plane. The ropes may also become rotten or broken after using for a period of time and result in falling apart of the loading elements. Users have to redo the threading of the ropes to fasten the loading elements for using products again. It is a cumbersome chore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to resolve the foregoing disadvantages. The invention aims to provide a fastening means to connect a plurality of loading elements to form a loading plane for use on tables or chairs to support human weight and goods.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastening means to connect a plurality of loading elements to form a loading plane so that users may be able to complete assembly of the loading planes for tables and chairs with least possible processes and time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loading plane that is capable of winding in rolls or folding to facilitate transportation and storing.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention. [0010]
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the invention. [0011]
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the invention taking along line [0012] 3-3 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the invention taking along line [0013] 4-4 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention. [0014]
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention.[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the loading plane for tables and chairs of the invention consists of a [0016] loading element 1, a connecting element 2 for connecting the loading element 1 with another loading element (not shown in the drawing), and a bordering element 3 located on a side edge of the loading element 1 for preventing the connecting element 2 from separating from the loading element 1.
The [0017] loading element 1 is made of, but not limited to, wood, metal (such as steel, aluminum) or plastics, and has a hollow first coupling trough 11 and two second coupling troughs 12 and 12′ symmetrically formed at two sides of the first coupling trough 11. The second coupling troughs 12 and 12′ have respectively a slot 13 and 13′ formed on a lateral side thereof. Each slot 13, 13′ has a stopper 14 located therein at a selected position.
The [0018] connecting element 2 is made of rubber or the like that is flexible, tough or elastic, and has a bridge section 21 which has two free ends connecting respectively a coupling element 22 and 22′. The connecting element 2 can connect a plurality of loading elements 1 to form a loading plane.
The bordering [0019] element 3 may be made of metal, rubber or plastics, and has a side wall 33, and a first plug element 31 engageable with the first coupling trough 11 and two second plug elements 32 and 32′ engageable with the second coupling troughs 12 and 12′. After the connecting element 2 is engaged with the loading element 1, the bordering elements 3 are bonded to two sides of the loading element 1 to form appealing rims. Patterns, model numbers or company logos or trade marks may be disposed on the side wall 33 separately or integrally through injection forming or molding processes for commercial or promotional purpose.
Referring to FIG. 3, when the [0020] loading element 1 and the connecting element 2 are connected, the coupling element 22 is slid into the second coupling troughs 12 until reaching the stopper 14. The bridge section 21 is extended through the slot 13 with another coupling element 22′ exposed to engage another loading element (not shown in the drawing). The bridge section 21 keeps the two connecting loading elements 1 spacing from each other for a suitable distance to facilitate winding or folding.
Referring to FIG. 4, after the [0021] loading element 1 and the connecting element 2 are connected, fasten the bordering element 3 to the side edge of the loading element 1 such that the first plug element 31 and the second plug elements 32 and 32′ of the bordering element 3 are engaged respectively with the first coupling trough 11 and the second coupling troughs 12 and 12′ of the loading element 1, thereby urge the connecting element 2 against the stopper 14 to prevent the connecting element 2 from falling out. Moreover, the bordering element 3 may provide ornamental effect to the loading element 1 to enhance the appealing after assembly. It may also have smooth rims encasing the loading element 1 to protect people from hurting or injuring by the edges of the loading element 1.
Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of connecting [0022] elements 2 may be used to connect a plurality of loading elements 1 to form a loading plane 4 which then may be used on tables or chairs to support human weight or goods.
Referring to FIG. 6, when a plurality of connecting [0023] elements 2 are connect to a plurality of loading elements 1 to form the loading plane 4, the loading elements 1 are spaced from one another for a selected distance. In addition, the connecting elements 2 are flexible, tough or elastic. Hence the loading plane 4 may be wound in a roll or be folded to a smaller size to make carry or transportation or storing easier.
Furthermore, the [0024] loading element 1, connecting element 2 and bordering element 3 may be made according to pre-set specifications. As a result, assembly may be done quickly with less works and efforts.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An improved loading plane for tables and chairs comprising a plurality of loading elements to form a loading plane, each of the loading elements having a first coupling trough and two second coupling troughs symmetrically formed at two sides of the first coupling trough, the second coupling troughs having respectively a slot formed on a lateral side thereof.

2. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 1, wherein the loading elements are selectively made of wood, metal or plastics.

3. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 1, wherein the slot has a stopper located therein at a selected position.

4. An improved loading plane for tables and chairs, comprising:

at least one loading element having a first coupling trough and two second coupling troughs symmetrically formed at two sides of the first coupling trough, the second coupling troughs having respectively a slot formed on a lateral side thereof; and

at least one connecting element for engaging with the second coupling troughs;

wherein a plurality of the connecting elements and a plurality of the loading elements are engaged to form a loading plane for supporting human weight and goods.

5. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 4, wherein the connecting element is selectively made of rubber or plastics which has flexibility, toughness or elasticity.

6. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 4, wherein the connecting element has a bridge section and two coupling elements located at two sides of the bridge section.

7. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 6, wherein the engaged loading elements are spaced from each other for a selected distance by the bridge section.

8. An improved loading plane for tables and chairs, comprising:

at least one loading element having a first coupling trough and two second coupling troughs symmetrically formed at two sides of the first coupling trough, the second coupling troughs having respectively a slot formed on a lateral side thereof;

at least one connecting element for engaging with the second coupling troughs; and

at least one bordering element bonded to one edge of the loading element;

wherein a plurality of the connecting elements and a plurality of the loading elements are engaged to form a loading plane for supporting human weight and goods, the bordering element being bonded to the edge of the loading elements to provide ornamental effect to the loading elements and to protect people from injuring by the edges of the loading elements.

9. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 8, wherein the bordering element is selectively made of metal, plastics or rubber.

10. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 8, wherein the bordering element has a side wall and a first plug element and two second plug elements located on the side wall.

11. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 10, wherein the side wall of the bordering element has patterns, models number or company logos or trademarks disposed thereon.

12. The improved loading plane for tables and chairs of claim 11, wherein the patterns, models number or company logos or trademarks are integrally formed with the bordering element.