US3806090A - Means for manipulating modular furniture system components - Google Patents

Abstract

A pre-fabricated system comprising a plurality of modular cabinet components or sub-assemblies arrangeable in various selectable combinations to furnish a living area, such as a kitchen, is provided with means for rapidly installing the modular components in side-to-side relationship and fastening them together to form a self-supporting integrated structure.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Sasnett et al.

[451 Apr. 23, 1974 MEANS FOR MANIPULATING MODULAR FURNITURE SYSTEM COMPONENTS Inventors: Russell M. Sasnett, Louisville, Ky.; James E. Stiner, New Albany, lnd.

Assignee: General Electric Company,

Louisville, Ky.

Filed: July 27, 1972 App]. No.: 275,728

' Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 158,849, July 1,1971.

us. c1. 254 10- R, 254/104, 254/131, 248/1882 Int. Cl. 1. B60p 1/00, F16m 11/24 Field of Search 254/10 R, 10 B, 10 C, 8 R, 254/8 B, 8 C, 2 R, 2 B, 2 C, 104, 131; 248/1882; 214/512 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,994,443 8/1961 Gordon 254/2 R 3,306,579 2/1967 Campbell 254/10 R 865,987 9/1907 Barlow 254/10 C 167,151 8/1875 Baltzly 254/10 C Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Assistant ExaminerRobert C. Watson Attorney, Agent, or FirmFrancis l-l. Boos, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A pre-fabricated system comprising a plurality of modular cabinet components or sub-assemblies arrangeable in various selectable combinations to furnish a living area, such as a kitchen, is provided with means for rapidly installing the modular components in side-to-side relationship and fastening them together to form a self-supporting integrated structure.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures MEANS FOR MANIPULATING MODULAR FURNITURE SYSTEM COMPONENTS This is a divisional of copending application Ser. No. 158,849 filed July l, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION disclosed for furnishing a living area such as a kitchen that includes the provision of self-supporting modular components or sub-assemblies that are adapted to be joined in a variety of different combinations to form an integral free-standing unit. The system disclosed is adapted to'be compatible for use in any of a number of areas of different sizes by selecting and arranging the available subassemblies of the system in a particular combination. In. particular, structure is disclosed for rapidly joining adjacent sub-assemblies of the system'at the installation site. Use of the disclosed system concept makes it possible for a two-man installation team to accomplish in an hours time what would have normally required days or even weeks by more conventional installation methods. Sub-assemblies of the sys- ,tem are handled and transported individually to the living area to 'be furnished, whereupon they are quickly positioned'and connected in the planned disposition. The area is thereby rendered available'for occupancy and use in a relatively short time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes the advantages disclosed in the aforementioned application and is an improvement' thereon to the extent that certain special features, characteristics, and new apparatus are disclosed that enable rapid manipulation and proper positioning of the sub-assemblies such that they can be more easily fastened together to form the integrated structure.

More specifically, the invention comprehends, in a furniture system having at least two structurallyseparate free-standing sub-assemblies adapted to be arranged in contiguous side-by-side registration to form an integrated structure, means for aligning and positioning one of the sub-assemblies to an adjacent one, preferably including a recess extending from the front side rearwardly along the bottom edge of the side wall of each of the sub-assemblies. When the sub-assemblies are in side-by-side abutment, a tunnel area adjacent the floor surface thereunder is defined bythe registered recesses of the adjoining sub-assemblies.

Positioning apparatus in the form of a special tool is provided for use within the tunnel area and is adapted to extend rearwardly toward the back corner area of the sub-assemblies from the front side thereof. The tool is adapted to be operated from the front side of the subassemblies and is used to apply a raising force against the rear and front corners sequentially, of either or' both of the sub-assemblies to thereby adjust their position relative to each other. Thereafter, stabilizing means-are used to hold the sub-assemblies in the attained position so that connecting means provided on the abutting side surfaces of the sub-assemblies may be then used to holdthe adjacent sub-assemblies in firm abutment. v v

A feature of the tool is that it may carry the stabilizing means, which may be a removably mounted member, such as a wedge. The wedge is utilized for supporting corners of one or more of the adjacent cabinets whereby they are firmly stabilized against the floor surface as well as to each other. This is accomplished by providing the tool with means for forceably depositing the wedge in combination with control means for oper-' ating the tool from a position at the front side of the sub-assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description when read with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pair of subassemblies, prior to being connected together, .and showing a presently preferred from of certain portions of the sub-assemblies, connecting means, and positioning apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an integral structure forfumishing a kitchen area that is formed by arranging and joining together a plurality of separate subassemblies;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical cross-section of the positioning apparatus or tool first shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is the positioning apparatus shown in FIG. 3 but with parts thereof disposed in accordance with the positioning operation thereof;

FIG. 5 is the positioning apparatus shown in FIG. 4 but showing parts thereof disposed in accordance with a second operation thereof;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the positioning apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing portions of the positioning apparatus'in an exploded" arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stabilizing wedge and a means .for mounting' it onthe positioning apparatus configuration for a stabilizing wedge with the wedge in its operative position, and an alternative means for removably mounting the wedge to the ratus of the invention.

. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 a pair of free-standing cabinet modules or system sub-assemblies l0 and 11 are illustrated. The sub-assemblies are adapted to be positioned in side-toside registration and joined to each other by a connecting means 12. Positioning apparatus in the form of a special tool 13 is provided for use by an installer to manipulate and align the sub-assemblies 10 and 11 relative to each other prior to the jointure operation. The subassemblies 10 and 11 are representative of subassemblies that join together to form an integral structure, such as the assembly 14 shown in FIG. 2, that is formed by joining sub-assemblies 10, 11, and 15.

FIG. 2 also shows that each sub-assembly preferably includes upper and lower portions, such as base cabinet 16 and upper cabinet 17 of sub-assembly 10. The base cabinet 16 has a generally rectilinear configuration formed by vertically oriented side walls 18, front and positioning appa-- surface 20. At the back of the top surface 20, a ledge or elevated shelf area a may be provided. The front 7 wall 19 of the base cabinet may include drawer front panels 23 and/or hinged door panels 24, depending on the specific purpose of the sub-assembly. The upper cabinet of the sub-assembly may also be provided with hinged outwardly opening door panels 24a. Means are provided for supporting the upper portion 17 in spaced relation to the base portion 16 including a rigid back panel 25 which may be a downward extension of the back wall of the upper portion 17. The supporting means between'upper and lower portions 16 and 17 may also include one or more rigid members or supportive spacer panels 26 disposed at an angle to the back panel 25.

As shown in FIG. 1-, each sub-assembly 10 and 11 haslower end supporting structure including front risers 27 disposed in a set-back relation to the front side wall 19 thereabove to provide a front toe-kick area 28. The lower end supporting structure of each sub-assembly also includes, along the side thereof, a riser 29 set back from the side wall 18 thereabove to provide a side recess 30 adjacent the supporting floor surface. The recess.30 extends rearwardly from the front of the subassembly and terminates against a panel projection adjacent the rear corner of the sub-assembly. The panel projection may be an outwardly extending corner of thebase cabinet back panel 19.

A feature of the present invention is that subassemblies thereof, such as sub-assemblies 10 and 11 shown in FIG. 1, after being manipulated generally into position for joining, can be properlyaligned with their side surfaces 18 in registration and in corner-to-corner alignment, and then firmly connected by the effort of one man. To add stability to the completed integral structure, means are provided for leveling and stabilizing the front and back corners of the sub-assemblies 10 and 11 separately. These operations may be accomplished from the front side of the sub-assemblies by an installer standing in a generally erect position.

Installation of the sub-assemblies begins by placing the selected sub-assemblies generally in theorie ntation in which they will be permanently located in relation to each other. If the completed integral structure is to be contiguous to. a back wall surface of a room, then the sub-assemblies are oriented with their back sides abutting such back wall. If the completed integral structure is to establish an island in the room whereby the unitary back surface of the structure will be visible and serve as a room partition, then it is only necessary that the sub-assemblies be roughly aligned in a predetermined general orientation. in the desired location.

Placing the sub-assemblies l0 and 1 1 in close side-toside relationship to each other causes a front-to-back tunnel area 32 to be formed by the registration of the recesses 30 with each other. The tunnel area 32 is of a size to accommodate the tool 13 which is moved across the floor surface and into the tunnel area from the front side of the sub-assemblies. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and

I 7, the tool 13 is generally elongated and adapted to have a control end and an opposite functioning end.

The function end may also be described as the insertion.

end of the tool since it is the functioning end that is inserted into the tunnel area 32. The .tool 13 includes a rigid elongated lifting member 34 disposed generally on the top side of the tool. The lifting member 34 hasthe 4 configuration in cross-section of an inverted U whereby it has downward extending spaced-apart sides 34a. The tool further includes a rigid elongated member 35 disposed generally beneath the lifting member 34. The member 35 is preferably constructed with rigid spacedapart vertical side portions 35a interconnected by horizontal upper and lower cross-plate portions 35b extending therebetween. The cross-place portions are welded to the side portions 35a to form the member 35.

Intermediate the lifting member 34 and the member 35 is a bar 36. The bar 36 has a configuration similar to that of the lifting member 34 but is relatively smaller whereby it is carried-within the legs or sides of the lifting member 34 as shown in FIG. 6. Adjacent the insertion end of the tool 13 is a pin 37 that extends between the sides of the lifting member 34 and through the bar 36 whereby the end of the bar 36 is pivotally mounted to the lifting member 34. The bar 36 is provided with a slot 38 through the body thereof throughwhich extends a rigid arm 39. A roller 38a may be provided at an edge of the slot 38 to reduce friction of the arm 39 against the bar-36 during operation of the tool 13. The arm 39 is pivotally mounted at one of its ends to the lifting member 34 by means of a horizontally extending pin 40.

The entire tool v13 is adapted to be slidably moved over a floor surface by the provision, at the insertion end thereof, of means such as rollers 41 and, adjacent the opposite control end thereof, of rollers 42. The rollers 42 are carried on an axle or pin 43 extending through the opposite sides 34a of the lifting member 34. The rollers 41 are carried on an axle or pin 44 extending through a pair of oppositely disposed slots 45 in the side portions 35a. The lower end of the arm 39 is pivotally mounted to the axle pin 44. The end of the member 35, adjacent the control end of the tool 13, has

a horizontally extending pin 47 therethrough to which the lower end of an operating lever 48 is pivotally.

mounted. The operating lever 48 is also pivotally joined at an intermediate point therealong, to the lifting member 34, by a horizontally extending pin 49. The operating lever 48 extends upwardly through a slot 50 provided in the bar 36 and a slot 51 provided in the lifting member 34.

The bar 36 has an end or pedal portion 52 extending outwardly at the control end of the tool whereby foot pressure may be applied downwardly thereagainst by the operator to pivot the bar 36 towardthe position shwon in FIG. 4. As theend of the bar 36 at the pedal portion 52 is pushed downwardly, the portion of the bar 36 at the periphery of the slot 38 therethrough contacts the outer surface of the arm 39 and exerts a force downwardly thereagainst. This action causes the bar 39 to pivot on pin 40 whereby its roller supported lower end moves away from the'tools insertion end and toward the control end as shown in FIG. 4. At the same time, the levering force of the bar 36 against the arm 39 is translated through the bar 36 to the pin 37 whereby a generally upward force is exerted against the pin 37. This upward force moves the end of the lifting member 34 adjacent the insertion end, generally upwardly. The operator of the tool is thus able, by application of foot pressure to the portion 52 of the bar 36, to move the lifting member 34 from the disposition shown in FIG. 3 toward that shown in FIG. 4.

operator the operator rolls it into position by pushing the functioning or insertion end into the tunnel area 32 until the tool stops against the panel projections 31 at the rear of the tunnel area. In this position the top surface of the lifting member 34 of the tool 13 underlies the ledges 33 defining the top side of the tunnel area 32. Then, to compensate for any sloping or unevenness in the floor surface which may prevent tight registration of the adjacent side surface of the sub-assemblies l0 and 11, the installer may exert foot pressure downwardly on the portion 52 whereby force is exerted upwardly by the lifting member 34 against the ledges 33 at a point adjacent the rear corner of one of the subassemblies and 11, or both. Thus, if one rear corner of a sub-assembly tends to be slightly lower relative to the rear corner of the adjacent sub-assembly, the lifting action applied against the ledges 33 by the tool 13 will tend to raise the lowermost sub-assembly rear corner into alignment with the othersub-assembly whereby means may then be used to stabilize the rear corners of the sub-assemblies in the aligned position.

It is considered desirable to provide means to assure initial alignment of the adjacent sub-assemblies to be joined. The preferred means for doing this is a tongue and groove mating arrangement between the modules, such as shown in FIG. 1 by a horizontally extending groove 53 provided near the upper edge along the side of the sub-assembly 11 and a bead or tongue 54 similar disposed on sub-assembly 10. The installer can be sure,

by mating the tongue 54 into the groove 53, that the connecting means 12 will be properly aligned so that the wedging and connecting procedures or steps may be accomplished without vertical shifting of one subassembly relative to its adjacent sub-assembly.

Means for stabilizing the sub-assemblies may comprise a support such as a wedge 55 removably carried on the insertion end of the tool 13 shown in FIG. 1. The Y wedge is deposited beneath the back corners of the sub-assemblies by means of an operation performed by the installer handling the tool 13 at the front side of the sub-assemblies. The stabilizing wedge 55, may be removably mounted at the insertion end of the tool. The member 35 of the tool 13 is adapted to be extendable for the purpose of forcibly depositing the wedge in its stabilizing position. At the insertion end of the tool, the extendable member 35 may be provided with means for removably holding the wedge 55 thereon. Such means may comprise a magnet 56 fixedly attached to the extendable member 35. The wedge may be inexpensively formed from a block of hard wood to the general configuration shown and have magnetically attractable portion 550 such as a stell staple affixed thereto whereby the magnet 56 mounted on the tools extendable member'35 will tend to hold the wedge thereon until a comparatively greater force effects its removal therefrom.

In accordance with thepreferred form of the present invention, the wedge 55 has a width no greater than the width of the extendable member 35 on which it is carried so that it will move freely through the tunnel area 32. The lower edge of the panel projection 31 at the rear of the tunnel area 32 is provided with an inclined surface 57 to complement and accommodate the incline of the upper surface of the wedge therebeneath. Once the operator has utilized the upward movement of the lifting member 34 to align the. rear corners of the sub-assemblies l0 and 11 relative to each other, he can then draw the upper end of the control member 48 of the tool 13 in a pivotal action toward himself which will cause the extendable member 35 to extend forwardly from the tool 13 and jam the wedge 55 beneath the adjacent panel projections 31 whereby the upper surface of the wedge is in firm contact with the inclined surfaces 57. Having thus stabilized the rear corners of the sub-assemblies 10 and 11, the installer may'then pull the tool 13 outwardly through the tunnel area. The weight of a sub-assembly corner on the wedge will cause the wedge to separate from the tool. Assuming now, with the back corners of the adjacent sub-assemblies l0 and 11 stabilized as heretofore described, that the front corners are in vertical misalignment due to unevenness of the floor surface, the tool 13 may then be utilized to alignand stabilize the subassemblies front corners.

In installing the sub-assemblies and connecting them to form a unitized structure, it is an objective to orient the sub-assemblies such that their respective top surfaces 20 are substantially level. Means, such as a carpenters spirit level 58 (FIG. 1), is preferably employed during the installation to assure that the integrated structure has a continuous top surface that is substantially level after sub-assembly adjustment, wedging, and connecting is completed.

For this purpose, a comparatively wider wedge 60, as shown in FIG. 8, is provided. It will be noted that the risers 29 at the front corners thereof are cut away to provide an inclined surface 61 for engaging the wedge 60. With the tool 13 withdrawn from the tunnel area 32, the installer places the wedge in position at the end of the extendable member 35 of the tool 13 and then re-inserts the insertion end of the tool a short distance into the opening of the tunnel'area '32 whereby the upwardly moving lifting member 34 will move against outer corners of the sub-assemblies 10 and 11.

F IG. 8 shows an alternative resilient means of mounting either of the wedges 55 or 60 to the end of the extendable member 35. In this alternative arrangement the wedge is provided with oppositely-disposed side de-' pressions or recesses 62. Oppositely-disposed openings or slots 63 may be provided in the side portions of the member 35 whereby inwardly directed arcuate portions 64 of spring members 65 protrude inwardly therethrough. The wedge-60 is removably mounted in position in the end of the extendable member 35 by inserting the wedges back end between the ends of vertical sides 35a of member 35 so that the spring arcuate portions 64 snap into respective depressions 62 and thereby hold the wedge 60.

Adjustment and alignment of the front corners of the sub-assemblies 10 and 11 is accomplished by moving only a portion of the insertion end of tool 13 to the tunnel area whereby upward movement of the lifting member 34 will raise the front corner of the lowermost of the two sub-assemblies into proper alignment with the front corner of the other. The wedge insertion operation can then be performed by the installer pulling back on the operating lever to forcibly insert the wedge 60 7 Y into position beneath the oppositely-disposed inclined surfaces 61 of the risers 29. With both back and front corners of the adjacent cabinets stabilized relative to each other as heretofore described, the final module connecting operation can be performed by the installer, as described later herein.

Having heretofore described the purpose and operation of the tool 13, details of its preferred structure can now be considered. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the lifting member 34 of the tool 13 is generally parallel to the floor surface when the. tool 13 is slid into its operative position within the tunnel area 32 (FIG.

2). With the tool 13 placed properly in the tunnel area,

pressure downwardly on the pedal portion 52 of the bar 36 causes the bar 36 to pivot to the position shown in FIG. 4. By this action the portion of the bar 36 at the periphery of the slot 38 contacts the outer surface of the arm 39 and exerts a force downwardly thereagainst. This downward force causes the arm 39 to move from the disposition shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 4 whereby the lower end thereof slides rearwardly through the slot 45 of the extendable member 35. This same action causes an upward force to be exerted against pivot pin 37 whereby the end of the lifting member 34 toward the insertion end moves generally upwardly to provide a liftingforce against sub-assembly structure thereabove. Then, while the installer maintains foot pressure against the portion 52 of the bar 36 and retains the bar in the disposition shown in FIG. 4, manual force may be exerted against the upper end of the operating lever 48. This causes the lever to pivot on the pin 49 and thus push the extendable" member 35 in adirection away from the installer such that the insertion member 35 moves outwardly from the position shown'in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 5. By this action the wedge is forced into position to stabilize the rear corners of the sub-assemblies l and 11. Returning the operating lever 48 to its erect position and removing the foot from the pedal portion 52 of the bar 36 restores the tool to the disposition shown in FIG. 3 whereby it can be withdrawn from the tunnel area 32 between the lower ends of the sub-assemblies l0 and By reference to FlG. 3 it will be seen that the lifting member 34, throughthe bar 39, bears against the floor surface beneath the tool 13 during its operation. The bar 36 provides a manually operable control means that is operatively linked to the lifting member 34 whereby it can be actuated to move generally upwardly as desired from a position at one end of the tool. The extendable member 35, which is adapted to be selectively extended from the end of the tool opposite the tools control end of the tool. Thus, one installer is able to perform several functions from the same position at the front side of the sub-assemblies to be joined, without requiring the assistance of others in manipulating the sub-assemblies.

Once the adjacent sub-assemblies havebeen manipulated into position and stabilized as heretofore described, the connection of one to the other can be completed. As shown'in FIG. 1, the connecting means preferably includes the provision of a groove 67 at each' side of the sub-assembly. The groove 67 can extend part or all of the distance from the front to back of the sub-assembly. A rigid bar or channel member 68 having a flat body portion 68a and oppositely-disposed side portion 68b, extending generally perpendicular to the body portion 68a, is pushed intothe registered grooves 67 of the adjacent sub-assemblies. The bar 68 functions cooperatively with a plurality of spaced-apart erect studs 69 in each groove 67 of the sub-assemblies to pull the sub-assemblies firmly together and hold them in that position. Each stud 69 projects across the area of the groove 67 with clearance at its distal end to permit the body portion of the bar 68 to slide thereover. Each stud 69 is spaced outwardly from the inner surface or back wall of the groove 67 .to permit a leg 68b of the bar 68 to-slide along the studs inward side. The studs 69 on each sub-assembly are each located to align with a stud of the adjacent sub-assembly whereby force against the studs 69 by the bar 68 driven into the registered grooves 67 will be firmly applied in a direction transverse to the side walls of the joined subassemblies. The bar 68 is of a length such that when it is pushed or driven into the groove 67 to join adjacent sub-assemblies together, it will be contained within the groove with its outer end disposed inwardly adjacent the front wall ofthe. joined sub-assemblies.

Once a jointure between adjacent sub-assemblies has been made by means of the connection means 12, the presence of any part of the connecting means is hard to discern from the front side of the structure, particularly since it is preferably located near the top side of the base cabinet whereby a pre-cut unitary countertop placed the'reacross will tend to slightly'overhang the area. A drawer .or door panel on the front side of each sub-assembly, depending on the particular characteristics of the sub-assembly, will serve to fully conceal the area of the connecting means 12. Since only the outer end of the channel member 68 is normally visible once the connecting procedure is completed, installation of a drawer, or a hinged door that covers a storage area within the sub-assembly, will be sufficient to conceal the connecting means completely from view. The peripheral contiguous edges of drawers or doors on adjacent sub-assemblies will meet at the vertical line of connection between the sub-assemblies and thereby completely overlay the area of the connecting means.

As shown in FIG. 2, provision may be made for concealing the tunnel area 32 that accommodates the tool 13. Concealment means for this purpose may comprise a substantially thin appearance panel 70 that has a finished outer surface to blend with the general toe-kick area. The appearance panel 70 may be firmly attached in place by screws or other fastening means capable of holding it permanently in the desired position.

The invention and features thereof heretofore described by reference 'to presently preferred embodiments is not meant to be limited to the particular detailsof construction illustrated and described. It is contemplated that various modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art having having had benefit of this disclosure. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A tool for adjusting a furniture module to a desired position relative to a floor, comprising:

a lifting member having means for bearing against the floor and means mounting the lifting member on the bearing means for generally upward movement;

maintaining the module in the desired position in- V dependent of the lifting member; and means releasably connecting the support means to the extendable member. 2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the releasable connecting means comprises means for releasing the support means from the extendable member upon retracting movement of the extendable member away from,

the loading supporting position of the support means.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the support means comprises a wedge-shaped member.

4. The tool of claim 2 wherein the releasable connecting means'comprises at least one resilient member captivating the support means to the extensible member.

5. The tool of claim 2 wherein the releasable connecting means comprises a magnet.

6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the lifting member includes a surface for abutting the module and the extendable member resides between the floor in the abutting surface for placing the support means beneath the module.

, 7. The tool of claim 2 wherein the extendable member mounting means comprises a manually operable lever interconnecting the lifting member and the extendable member for moving the extendable member in the extending direction upon movementof the lever in one direction and for moving the extendable member in the retracting direction upon movement of the lever in the opposite direction.

8. The tool of claim 7 wherein the lifting member mounting means includes a first bar pivotally connected at one end thereof to the lifting member, a second bar pivotally connected to the lifting member adjacent the second end thereof and extending past the first end of the lifting member providing a pedal, and means cooperating between the first and second bars for lifting the second end of the lifting member upon downward movement of the pedal.

9. The tool of claim 8 comprising a lost-motion connection between the other end of the first bar and the extendable member.

10. The tool of claim 1 wherein the extendable member mounting means includes means for extending the extendable member when the lifting member abutting and supporting means is abutting and supporting the module.

11. The tool of claim 1 wherein the lifting member mounting means and the extendable member mounting means together comprise means for moving the lifting member independently of the extendable member.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 9 Dated 2 3 131 Inventor(8) Russell m. Sasnett/Jaxges e. Stine:

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 7, line .3, claim "2" should read claim 6 Signed and sealed this 10th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioneruof Patents Robert W. Fletcher Reg. U0. 25,334

Claims (11)

1. A tool for adjusting a furniture module to a desired position relative to a floor, comprising: a lifting member having means for bearing against the floor and means mounting the lifting member on the bearing means for generally upward movement; control means operatively connected to the lifting member and operative from a first end of the tool for moving the lifting member generally upwardly; an extendable member and means interconnecting the extendable member and the lifting member mounting the extendable member for relative generally horizontal extending and retracting movement respectively away from and toward a second opposite end of the tool; support means for placement in loading supporting position abutting the module and the floor for maintaining the module in the desired position independent of the lifting member; and means releasably connecting the support means to the extendable member.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the releasable connecting means comprises means for releasing the support means from the extendable member upon retracting movement of the extendable member away from the loading supporting position of the support means.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the support means comprises a wedge-shaped member.

4. The tool of claim 2 wherein the releasable connecting means comprises at least one resilient member captivating the support means to the extensible member.

5. The tool of claim 2 wherein the releasable connecting means comprises a magnet.

6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the lifting member includes a surface for abutting the module and the extendable member resides between the floor in the abutting surface for placing the support means beneath the module.

7. The tool of claim 2 wherein the extendable member mounting means comprises a manually operable lever interconnecting the lifting member and the extendable member for moving the extendable member in the extending direction upon movement of the lever in one direction and for moving the extendable member in the retracting direction upon movement of the lever in the opposite direction.

8. The tool of claim 7 wherein the lifting member mounting means includes a first bar pivotally connected at one end thereof to the lifting member, a second bar pivotally connected to the lifting member adjacent the second end thereof and extending past the first end of the lifting member providing a pedal, and means cooperating between the first and second bars for lifting the second end of the lifting member upon downward movement of the pedal.

9. The tool of claim 8 comprising a lost-motion connection between the other end of the first bar and the extendable member.

10. The tool of claim 1 wherein the extendable member mounting means includes means for extending the extendable member when the lifting member abutting and supporting means is abutting and supporting the module.

11. The tool of claim 1 wherein the lifting member mounting means and the extendable member mounting means together comprise means for moving the lifting member independently of the extendable member.

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