EP1369057B1

EP1369057B1 - Combination frame structure for furniture

Info

Publication number: EP1369057B1
Application number: EP02012561A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wen-Tsan Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-05
Filing date: 2002-06-05
Publication date: 2007-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-05
Also published as: EP1369057A1; DE60217832D1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to furniture and, more specifically, to a detachable combination frame structure for furniture that can easily quickly be set up without the use of external fastening means.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of combination storage means are commercially available. Conventional combination storage means are commonly comprised of a fixed frame structure and a collapsible fabric container body hung in the fixed frame structure for keeping clothes, books, etc. The fixed frame structure is comprised of a plurality of frame bars fastened to one another with fastening elements, for example, screws or nails. The fixed frame structure is not detachable when fixed
A known frame structure is illustrated in document EP 0 153 426. This frame structure has corner support posts and crossways frame members, which are held together by upwardly and downwardly facing notches. The frame members are cladded with metal plates for extra strength. The frame supports a floor on a cut-out shelf recess at the top of the inner corner of each of the corner posts.
Document DE - U 92 03 015 U shows a corner joint for furniture in which one transverse member has a downward slot and the other transverse member at right angles to it has an upward facing slot. These nest in each other and both nest in a cross-shaped groove in the top of an upright corner member. The entire structure supports a table top.
Document US - A-1,654,336 shows a table with side members that also form the legs. These have an upwardly facing slot, which engages downwardly facing slots in cross members. The cross members also have an upwardly facing recess into which fit support bars for the table top. These notches are however centrally aligned with the coupling notches in the lower surface of the cross bars.
None of the documents show arrangements for hanging baskets in a convenient manner.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a combination frame structure for furniture, which is detachable. It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination frame structure for furniture, which can easily conveniently be set up by the user without special techniques or external fastening means. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the invention provides a combination frame structure as set out in the appended claim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a combination frame structure according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but showing the first transverse top bars and the second transverse top bars connected together.
FIG. 3 illustrates the combination frame structure assembled for use as stand means for a collapsible container according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 but showing the collapsible container installed in the combination frame structure.
FIG. 5 is another applied view of the present invention, showing a table board supported on the combination frame structure.
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate form of the combination frame structure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. from 1 through 3, a combination frame structure for furniture is shown comprising two first transverse top bars 1, two second transverse top bars 1A, and four legs 2. The first transverse top bars 1 and the second transverse top bars 1A each have two coupling notches. 11 respectively extended in transverse direction from the periphery to a predetermined depth near the respective two distal ends. The coupling notches 11 of the first transverse top bars 1 and the coupling notches 11 of the second transverse top bars 1A extend in reversed directions, i.e., the coupling notches 11 of the first transverse top bars 1 extend vertically upwards; the coupling notches 11 of the second transverse top bars 1A extend vertically downwards. By means of coupling the coupling notches 11 of the first transverse top bars 1 to the coupling notches 11 of the second transverse top bars 1A, the top bars 1;1A are connected to one another at four sides. The legs 2 each have a crossed positioning slot 21 in the respective expanded top end. After connection of the first transverse top bars 1 and the second transverse top bars 1A, the crossed connection portions in the four corners of the rectangular top open frame, namely, the assembly of the first transverse top bars 1 and the second transverse top bars 1A are respectively engaged into the crossed positioning slots 21 of the legs 2.
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIGS. from 1 through 3 again, the two first transverse top bars 1 each further comprise two recessed portions 12 disposed at the top side near the respective two distal ends and adapted for hanging a collapsible container 3. The collapsible container 3 has two hanging bars 31 disposed in parallel at the top. By means of supporting the hanging bars 31 in the recessed portions 12 of the first transverse top bars 1, the collapsible container 3 is suspended from the combination frame structure for keeping things.
Referring to FIG. 5, the combination frame structure of the present invention can be used as a table stand to support a table board 4. The table board 4 can be a wooden board or glass board.
FIG. 6 shows an alternate form of the combination frame structure according to the present invention. According to this alternate form, the first transverse top bars 1 are relatively longer than the second transverse top bars 1A, having a plurality of top recessed portions 12 for hanging two collapsible containers 3.
A prototype of combination frame structure has been constructed with the features of the annexed drawings of FIGS. 1 through 6. The combination frame structure functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention a defined by the appended claim. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claim.

Claims

A combination frame structure comprising:
four legs (4) vertically disposed in four corners, said legs (4) each having a top end and a crossed positioning slot (21) in said top end; and

a rectangular open frame (1,1A) supported on said legs (4) and engaged into the crossed positioning slots (21) of said legs (4), said rectangular open frame (1,1A) comprising two first transverse bars (1) arranged in parallel, and two second transverse bars (1A) connected in parallel between said first transverse bars (1), said first transverse bars (1) each having two coupling notches (11) downwardly extended near two distal ends thereof, said second transverse bars (1A) each having two coupling notches (11) upwardly extended near two distal ends thereof and respectively coupled to the coupling notches (11) of said first transverse bars (1) and respectively positioned with the coupling notches (11) of said first transverse bar (1) in the crossed positioning slots of said legs (2), characterized in that
said first transverse bars (1) each have a plurality of recessed portions (12) disposed at a top side, inwardly of the coupling notches (11) and suitable for supporting the hanging bars of a collapsable container (3) for carrying things to be hung within said rectangular open frame.