WO2007126604A2

WO2007126604A2 - Fungible furniture glide

Info

Publication number: WO2007126604A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/006638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Vorrpahl
Original assignee: Steven Vorrpahl
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: WO2007126604A9; US20070234507A1; WO2007126604A3

Abstract

A glide assembly for furniture legs or bases which allows for multiple combinatqions of attachment devices and base styles. The glide assembly will adapt to the aattachment means required by the furniture being fitted which may include bolts, screws, nails, or split or solid stems. Base style choices for different flooring requirements can be interchanged and replaced as needed. This invention permits easy seeparation of the base from the mounting assembly by mere finger pressure or alternatively by using a pry tool. One version of the new glide consists of a three part swivel assembly and another consists of a two part non-swivel assembly. The hard base option is of a unique design to allow for easier sliding on soft carpets or rugs. The soft base option can be fitted with a felt for easy sliding or rubber for non-skid use on hard flooring materials.

Description

FUNGIBLE FURNITURE OLU)E Steven A. VoipaW - US Citizen

BACKGROUND OF THE INVHMTfON

(OOOl) This invention is aa improvement in (he art of furniture glides, which are used to assist in movement of furniture or other fixtures on carpet or other flooring materials. The soαi of ftimitujc gfidei is to reduce friction to facilitate movement and to minimize damage, to the flooring or the furniture. Many glides lave provided these functions but choices were limited in combining the correct means of attachment with a suitable base material for the flooring on which the furniture was to be used. This invention allows far multiple combinations and flexibility of use. [0002] The industry of furniture glides which is the putting of levdeπs, carpet protection and anti-mar floor leg attachments with «wivel motion was started by D.Young, H. Graf and C Shuppert (U S .P*tJ766.210-1904). Qrton C. Little (US Pat #822^63-1906) developed an enclosed device attached to the foot of the fuπήture leg and had the properties of swivding and sliding when furniture was moved. Hachmann (U.S.Pat.tf l,208.S46-l9t6)was the first to devise a replaceable furniture tip for his glide. In 1930, JLAJohnson wa» issued U.S.Pat #1,341,133 for a Sliding Shoe for Furniture. Hc deported from Little by adapting the furniture shoe to attach with a solid pintle stem. In 1928, Oscar Lβrscnwts issued U.S.Patcnt #1,659,540 for s Furniture C'ltder Shoe. Larsen attached his furniture shoe by screws into the furniture leg. This shoe was rigid and did not swivel. G. W. Surton was issued U.S.Patcnt * 1.734.058 (Mov. 5, 1929) for his Sliding Furniture Shoe which provided for load distribution more evenly and for cushioning of the sliding shoe. the glide and match it with the correct base materiel/style for the circumstance. Styles include a swivel/εelP-levding option to adapt to uneven flooring surfaces and a norv swivd glide where swiveliβg is nor necessary. The non-swivel glide of my invention also offers a lower prattle than is available with the swivel glide option. [0007] This invention is the first to offer the above choices including the option to easily replace/interchange bases in accordance with use or wear without replacing the mounting components which remain on the piece of Fαπo tare.

[0008] This invention also offers a hard base, having ait advanced concave design, reducing friction and damage to the floor ing and the ftimituΛj bang moved. (0009] This invention provides β highly adaptable, functional, stylish and reasonably priced furniture glide for all styles and quality of furniture. The πxtcxcb-tngeability torture allows for the easy removal of bases: simple finger pressure on the three part swivel design; and, the two part non-swivel design has a removal slot requiring a removal tool such as a small screwdriver or similar pry tool

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMBERS

9 .ft 9A outer locking rim widest diameter

10 assembled view of 3 component swivel glide

11 top hole in outer locking rim

12 circumferential indent in outer locking rim

13 hem ispherical inner angle of outer locking ran

14 top surface of inner attachment s wi vd hub

15 concave weight bearing hub wall surface of inner attachment swivel hub 16 countersink recess in inner attachment swivel hob

17 vertical flat clearance recess on inner attachment swivel hub 13 (σp hole in inner attachment swivel hub

19 mating groove with circumferential snap ring (ia both bases)

20 Outer locking lira

21 swivel channel in both bases

22 convex weight bearing surface αf both baies

23 clearance spαoe in both bases

24 concave bottom surface of bard base

25 flat bottom surface of *oft base

26 bottom surface material for soft base

27 vertical flat clearance recess on noa-twivej outer locking rim

28 countersink rpccss of non-swivel outer locking rim

29 top hole in non-swivel outer locking rim

30 inner attachment swivel hub

31 circumferential indent in non-swjvd outer locking rim

32 removal slot m outer locking rim (swivel and non-swivel)

33 flat weigh! bearing surface on nonrswivel outer Uy 40 hard glide base

50 soft gJiβc base

60 soft gHde base material

70 non-βwivel outer locking rim π - π Location of cross sections of Figs. 2,3 A5,6,7,8&9

4 LfSTOF RGURES fig I . Overall view of the 3 put swivel forroture gl idc (Assembly 10) Fig 2 Cross section of the outer locking rim fo* swivel furniture glide. Fig. 3 Crass section of ihe inner attachment swivel hub. Fig. 4 Cross section of the hard glide base- Fig. 5 Cross section of the soft glide base. Fig. 6 Ctoss section of bottom surftce materiel for $oft b*sc Fig. 7 Cross section of assembled 3 pan swivel furniture glide (Assembly 10A) Fig. 8 Cross section of outer locking rim for 2 pott non-swivel furniture gl ϊde Fig. 9 Cross section of assembled 2 part non-swivel ftirnitυrc glide (Assembly 10B) Fig.10 Top view wfli vertical cross section through center Kne IM Fig. 1 1 OvCTS(I view of the 3 pert swivel furniture glide installed in a furniture leg

BRIEF DESCRIPTK)N OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THB DRA WINGS [001 OJ Pig. 1 is a side view of the glide Assembly 10 according to the embodiment of the invention. It consists of an outer locking rim 20 (tig. 2\ an inner attachment swivel hub 30 (Fig.3). and optional base 40 (Fig. 4).

[001 IJ In Fig. 2 the outer locking rim 20 i* a shallow round hemisnheric outer shell which becomes a top shell for the base 40 or 50 (Fig.4&5) invention. li msy be nude of plastic selected from a variety (hard) or polyethylene (soft). The outer locking rim 20 may also be made of metal, generally bias*, but other metals, such, a* Lron, steel of aluminum may be used for aesthetic purposes. The diameter 9 and 9a (Fig. 2) of the outer locking rim is

5 intentionally designed to be larger than (he diameter of (he opposing base style to facilitate removal/replacement of bases by finger pressure alone without the need fin- tools or any special equipment. Removal slot 32 in the bottom outer edge of the outer locking rim 20 (Fig. 2) assists in removal of the base with a small screwdriver or similar pry loo! for those lacking (he finger dexterity to remove the base by hand. Alternatively, the removal slot 32 may be in each of (he sever*^} base choices. The outer locking rim 20 (Fig. 2) has on its internal distal surfaces circumferential indent 12 wbich will mate with base 40 or 50 at matrag groove with circumferential snap ring 19 (Fig. 4 & Fϊg. S)89 & prøsfcn«p-fU coτιnectton. The outer locking rim 20 has an interna) angle 13 (Fig. 2) making the outer shell hemispherical and allowing for clearance for the outside surface 14 of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (Fig 3). The outer locking rim 20 has* center hole t l ofsuch srac to allow swivel ability to the inner attachment swivel hub from scero to fifteen degrees from center. [00121 Tb« inner atβ4^ιniem swrv*l hub 30 (Fi^ 3) is fitted betweCT the outer (Fig. 2) and base 40 or 50 (Fig. 4£5) and serves as a means for attachment to the turaitαne leg generally by a screw, bolt, nail or split or solid pin through its center hole 18. The side opposing top angle 14 is concave weight bearing hub wall 15 (Fig. 3) which mates with convex weight bearing surface 22 in base ^■*" ^~ *^Λ "*^'- * ^•- ^■*^■•- *^» Swivel channel 21 of base 40 or 50 (Fig, 4&5) provides fin on the direction of movement of the swivel action of the rra

(Fig. 3). A central bole 18 in the inner attachment swivel hub 30 (Fig. 3} has an angled side 16 which farms a countersunk support for means of attachment, for example, a screw, bolt, nail and solid or split stem. Vertical flat 17 forms * dcsmncc recess for the

6 head of a screw, boll, nail or solid or sjdit stem.

(0013] Ba^ 40 or 50 (Fig, 4<t5) has its ttφ surface maUablc wilh the inner attachment swivel bub 30 (Fig. 3) ami the locking rim 20 (Fi&2). In base 40 or SO (Fig. 4&5) there is a clearance space 23 to accommodate a variety of attachment means such as screws or bolts with large heads.

(0014] The bottom surface 24 of base 40 (FIg. 4) is s! tghtly concave to distribute the weight of the furniture to the outer edges of the bottom surface 24. This uneven concave surfaoc will slide on a carpet easier than a flat surface, especially, when used in combination wilh the swivcliπg and leveling action of the glide. In Fig. 5. the base has a bottom surface 25, which is flat, to accommodate -the attachment of a cushion 60 (Fig. 6) which generally is a base material 26 such as felt for a sliding function of A soft rubber for non-skid fuiKtJoα [00151 Fig.? shows a cross section of Assembly I0A of the three part swiveting version of the invention including a screw, in phantom, used as the method of attachment, the meeting of the weight bearing surfaces 15 (Fig. 3) and 22 (Fig. 4&5) and the outer locking rim 20 (Fig. 2) mating with optional base 40 (Fig.4).

(0016) Fig. 8 shows an optioτiaJ rκm-swivcling outer locldng iiin 70 foτ a lower profile furniture glide where leveling is not required. Flat surface 33 forms the weight bearing suHiifcCe fin the maleabte surface 22 un llw auaβlied Vertical Oat 27 forms a clearance recess for the head of the attachment means to the furniture leg corresponding to vertical flat 17 (Fig. 3). Countersink rcccs attachment means such as screws, bolt*, nails solid or split furniture leg corresponding to countersink recess 16 (Fig, 3_Λ . __P ,_w,, -., »_™._wr,_{TO w} .„,„ 18 (Fig 3). Circumferential indent 31 relates to circumferential indent 12 (Fig 2). Removal slot 32 (Fig. 1 ,2,8,Λ ! 1) provides a method of separating the base from the mounting

7 assembly with a small screwdriver or similar pry tool.

[0017] Fig. 9 shows R cross section of Assembly I OB of the 2 port ram-s wivcl gtfdc oorapriscd of the outer locking rim 70 (Fig. 8) and tbc optional base 40 (Fig. 4) including a screw, in phantom, used as the method of attachment and lhc meeting of the weight bearing surfaces 33 (Fig. 8) and 22 (fig- 4StS).

[0018] Fig.10 shows & top view of the 3 pert swivdiπg version of the glide designating the vertical cross sections (U - Cl) shown in Assemblies I OA and IOB (Fig.7 & Fig. 9) and vertical cross section shown in components 20,30,40,50,60,70 (Figs. 2,3.4.5,6 & 8).

[0019} Fig^ 11 ihows a «o^ vicwofthe 3 p^ swiveh^ veiBion ofthe ^ide βtta£Aθd toa furniture leg depicting the degree of $wivel and the removal dot 32 for tbc piy tool.

DETAlUED DESCRIPTION OT THE INVENTION

[0020] Pig.1 shows the assembled side view 10 of one version of my invention. This version is a three component swivel glide.

[0021 ) Ie Figure I, a swivel ing furniture glide is assembled from three components: an inner attachment swivel hub 30, an outer locking rim 20 and optional hard baie 40. This new furniture glide is designed to facilitate the movement of furniture over different flooring materials without damage to the flooring or the furniture. The choice of base styles is dependent on the flooring material c furniture is to rest. Base style 40 is a hard base aiding m m< over soft carpels or rugs. Base style 50 has flat bottom surfa softer material 26 such as felt, rubber or plastic which is attached to it to reduce damage and to assist or resist movement when used on hard flooring (wood,tU£,Mnoteum, etc.). All base styles arc completely interchangeable, which is pen of my new concept.

8 The outer locking rim 20 has on its internal distal surface a circumferential indent 12 which will mate with bases 40 or 50 (Fig. 4&5) at the mating groove with circumferential snap ring 19 (Fig. 4 & S) as a preti/snap-fit connection. The outer locking rim 20 has an internal angle ] 3 making the outer shell hemispherical and allows for the swivel clearance of the outside surface 14 of Ae inner attachment swivel hub 30 (Fig.3). The diameter 9 and 9a of the outer locking rim 20 is intentionfttiy larger than the diameter of the maieable base 40 or 50 to allow for easy release of the base to allow for removal/replacement of bases 40 or 50 by finger pressure alone without the need for tools or special equipment Removal slot 32 m the bottom outer edge of the outer locking rim 20 (Fig. 2) assists in removal of the base with a small screwdriver or similar pry tool for those lacking the fuiger dexterity to remove the base by hand. Alternatively, the removal slot 32 may be in each of the several base choices. [0024} Fig. 3 represents a cross section of the inner attachment swivel hub 30 which connects directly to the article of furniture and supports the outer locking rim. The inner attachment swivel hub 30 is fitted between the outer locking rim 20 (Fig. 2} and base 40 or 50 {Ptg. 4&S) and serves as a means for attachment to the article of furniture generally by a screw, bolt, nail or split or solid stem through it's center hole 18. Opposite angle 14 of the top surface ofthe mner attachment swivel hob 30 is the concave weight bearing inner hub wall 15 which mates with convex weight bearing surface 22 (Fig, 4&5) of cither base 40 or 50. Swivel channel 21 in base 40 or 50 (Fig.4&5) provides functional control in alt directions of movement of the swivel action of the inner αtt range from vertical to 15 degrees from center. A ocπtml ho swivel hub 30 has an angled side 16 which forms a counter! attachments such as screws, bolts, nails or split or solid stems. Vertical flat 17 forms a clearance recess for the head of the attachment means. [0025] Fig. 4 represents a cross section of the hard base style 40 of which the bottom

IO positioning of the inner attachment hub 30 (Fig.3) with the attachment means, in phantom. and the outer locking rim 20 (Fig. 2) mating with optional base 40 (Fϊg.4).

(0029} Fig.8 represent* a cross section of the non-swrveling outer locking rim 70. This modification is used when xwivςling is not necessary and provides for a lower profile glide attachment. Horizontal flat 33 serves as a weight bearing surface to mate with convex weight bearing Burfecc 22 of optional bases 40 and 50 (Fig.4&5). Vertical flat 27 relate* to vertical flat 17 (Fig.3) for additional clearance for the selected attachment means.

Central hole 29 relate*, to central hole 18 (Fi gJ) and has an angled side 28 which relates to countersink reoess K (Fig.3) to accept numerous styles of screws, bolts, nails or various stem styles, Indent 31 is. identical to indent 12 (Fig-2) to mate with bases 44) or SO (Fig 4&S).

Removal slot 32 (Fig. 1.2.8 &11) is required to release all base styles with the assist of* small screwdriver or similar prying tool.

{0030] Fig. 9 shows • vertical cross section or Assembly I OB of the 2 part πom-swiveling furniture glide. This cross section shows the joining of optional base 40 (Fig.4) with the noo- swiveKng outer locking rim 70 (Fig. S) at circumferential indent 31 (FIg₁S) with mating - groove with circumferential snap ring 19 (Fig.4&5) in optional base 40 (Pig. 4). the weight bearing surface 33 (Fig. 8) abutting convex weight bearing iurface 22 (Fig.4 & 5\ and the attachment means in phantom.

100311 Fig.10 shows a toj> view of the furniture glide with the vertical cross sectiomltocation* indicated by TF - IT.

[0032] Fig.11 is an overall view of the furniture glide atiac swϊvding ability of 0 to^* 15 degrees, from top center and the for the pry tool.

(0033) Those skilled in the ait will recognize that certain variations van be made to the illustrated embodiments, Tl is the intention of the applicant to cover all such

12 moA'Scαtio∞siriλlteπst-vαnmay-^wit^^ means ot the typwdod dWHtt_*

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Claims

T claim:

1. A three part swtveliπg furniture glide or sliding shoe comprising: on outer locking rim, said outer locking rim being a hemispherical shell having a centra] hole al the top, at the expanded thicker bottom an inner circumferential soap indent, and at a single point on the bottom circumference a rectangular slot; an inner attachment swivel hub, said inner attachment swivel bub being a hemispherical shell with a central uφ note, an inside oounterøink recess, an adjacent vertical flat recess, an expanded thicker bottom with «n adjacent concave swivel surface, these parts being the mounting assembly; a glide base, said glide base having a bottom with a central concave portion, an outer side convex portion, s top having an outer circumferential meting groove and snap ring, an adjacent fiat portion being adjacent to a convex portion being adjacent to a central flat clearance space.

2. The glide of claim 1 wherein said glide base bottom is flat

3. The glide of claim 2 wherein said glide base bottom removably adheres to a suitable base pad material such asa plastic, robber or felt.

4. A two pan non^svΛveliiig flirnjture glide or sliding shoe comprising: an outer locking rim, said outer locking rim being a hemispherical shell having a central hole at the top, at the expanded thicker bottom an inner circumferential soap indent adjacent tt> a bottom flat portion adjacent to a vertical portion adjacent to a countersunk recess; at a single point <vn the bottom circumference, a rectangular removal slot; a glide base, said glide base being the glide base of claim I, claim 2 and claim 3.

5. The glide ofOaimlwterdn the morøtting assembly is a press/jnap-fit design for separation by finger pressure.

6. The glide of Claim 4 wherein the mounting assembly is « prcss/sπap-fit design suitable for separation by means of a pry tool in & removal slot m th

7. The glide of Claim 4 wherein the mounting assembly : for separation by means of a pry tool in a removal slot in th

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