Table

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12357085-B2
Application number	US-202318453046-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 21, 2023
Priority date	Jan 9, 2019
Publication date	Jul 15, 2025
Grant date	Jul 15, 2025

Abstract

A molded plastic structure may comprise a tabletop with an upper surface and a lower surface. A lip may extend downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, and the lip may include an outer surface and an inner surface. An inwardly extending portion may extend inwardly from the inner surface of the lip. A frame may be connected to the tabletop and the frame may include a side rail of a frame. The side rail may include a receiving portion that receives the inwardly extending portion. The side rail may also include a portion that supports the lower surface of the tabletop and a portion that supports the lip.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A blow-molded plastic structure constructed using a blow-molding process, the blow-molded plastic structure comprising:
a tabletop including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hollow interior portion disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the tabletop;
a lip extending downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, the lip including an outer surface and an inner surface;
an inwardly extending portion extending inwardly from the inner surface of the lip; and
a frame member comprising:
an outer wall comprising:
a receiving portion disposed in an upper portion of the outer wall that extends inwardly and receives the inwardly extending portion of the lip, and
a lower portion that is disposed at least proximate a lower portion of the inner surface of the lip;

an inner wall spaced inwardly from the outer wall and separated by a distance; and
an upper portion that supports the lower surface of the tabletop, the upper portion at least partially disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall;
wherein the receiving portion of the frame member has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first surface disposed at least proximate a first side of the inwardly receiving portion and a second surface disposed at least proximate a second side of the inwardly receiving portion.

2. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the inwardly extending portion of the lip is enclosed by the receiving portion in the outer wall of the frame member.

3. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein a fastener extends through the outer wall and the inner wall of the frame member and into the inwardly extending portion of the lip to connect the frame member to the tabletop.

4. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the inwardly extending receiving portion in the outer wall is disposed towards the upper portion of the frame member;
wherein a first surface of the receiving portion is disposed generally parallel to the lip; and
wherein the lower portion of the outer wall is disposed generally parallel to the lip.

5. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the frame member supports a lower portion of the tabletop; and
wherein the lower portion of the outer wall of the frame member supports a distal portion of the lip.

6. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein a first wall of the receiving portion of the frame member has a generally planar configuration and is disposed at least proximate a first portion of the inwardly extending portion of the lip; and
wherein a second wall of the receiving portion of the frame member has a generally planar configuration and is disposed at least proximate a second portion of the inwardly extending portion of the lip.

7. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the frame member is disposed in a frame receiving recess in the lower surface of the tabletop;
wherein the receiving portion of the frame member encloses the inwardly extending portion of the lip; and
wherein the lower portion of the frame member is generally aligned with a lower portion of the lip.

8. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , the frame member further comprising a lower portion;
wherein the outer wall, the inner wall, the upper portion, and the lower portion of the frame member form an integral, one-piece structure that forms a boundary about an interior volume of the frame member.

9. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first opening in the inner wall of the frame member;
a second opening in the outer wall of the frame member; and
a fastener extending through the first opening and the second opening and into the inwardly extending portion to facilitate attachment of the frame member to the tabletop.

10. The blow-molded plastic structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper wall of the frame member contacts the lower surface of the tabletop;
wherein a first surface of the receiving portion of the frame member contacts a first surface of the inwardly extending portion of the lip;
wherein a second surface of the receiving portion of the frame member contacts a second surface of the inwardly extending portion of the lip; and
wherein an outer surface of the frame member contacts the inner surface of the lip.

11. A molded plastic structure comprising:
a tabletop including an upper surface and a lower surface;
a lip extending downwardly relative to the lower surface of the tabletop, the lip including an outer surface and an inner surface;
an inwardly extending portion extending inwardly from the inner surface of the lip; and
a frame member including an outer sidewall with an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the outer sidewall including an inwardly extending a receiving portion that receives the inwardly extending portion, the lower portion of the outer sidewall disposed at least proximate an inner surface of the lip; the frame member including an upper portion that supports the lower surface of the tabletop, the frame member including an inner sidewall spaced apart from the outer sidewall by a distance;
wherein the receiving portion of the frame member has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first surface disposed at least proximate a first side of the inwardly receiving portion of the lip and a second surface disposed at least proximate a second side of the inwardly receiving portion of the lip.

12. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , wherein a first portion of the receiving portion contacts a first portion of the inwardly extending portion of the lip; and
wherein a second portion of the receiving portion contacts a second portion of the inwardly extending portion of the lip.

13. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , wherein a fastener extends through the outer sidewall of the frame member, the inner sidewall of the frame member, and into the inwardly extending portion of the lip to connect the frame member to the tabletop.

14. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , wherein a first portion of the inwardly extending portion has a generally planar surface and a second portion of the inwardly extending portion has a generally planar surface.

15. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , wherein the tabletop, the lip, and the inwardly extending portion are integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure during a molding process.

16. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , wherein a height of the inwardly extending portion is less than a height of the lip;
wherein the lower portion of the outer sidewall of the frame member supports a lower portion of the lip; and
wherein a lower surface of the frame member is generally aligned with a lower portion of the lip.

17. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , wherein the upper portion of the frame member is disposed in a frame receiving recess in the lower surface of the tabletop;
wherein the receiving portion of the frame member encloses the inwardly extending portion of the lip; and
wherein a lower portion of the frame member is generally aligned with a lower portion of the lip.

18. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , wherein the outer sidewall, the inner sidewall, the upper portion, and a lower portion of the frame member form an integral, one-piece structure that forms a boundary about an interior volume of the frame member.

19. The molded plastic structure of claim 11 , further comprising:
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Assignees

• Lifetime Prod Inc

Inventors

• Johnson Mitch
• Boydston Kevin

Classifications

• B29C49/42811

  Introducing an auxiliary material not being the content, e.g. foamable material in a hollow wall section · CPC title

• A47B3/00

  Folding or stowable tables (folded and suspended or hinged, or wall tables A47B5/04) · CPC title

• A47B2013/085

  having a mounting web · CPC title

• A47B13/003

  Connecting table tops to underframes (connecting furniture tubing to non-tubular parts F16B12/42) · CPC title

• A47B3/087

  with struts supporting the legs · CPC title