US 5,494,246 A · Passive lock for end panel assembly

Abstract

A one-piece non-load bearing passive locking member for releasably securing an end panel assembly to a slotted upright. The locking member includes a base part having an aperture extending therethrough. A spring part is formed in a first end edge of the base part for urging the locking member into locking engagement with a slot of the upright, and a locking tab is formed in a second end edge of the base part opposite the first end edge for lockingly engaging with the slot. A hollow guide part extends transversely from the base part and has a cantilevered arm extending transversely within the hollow guide part from a wall of the guide part, and a planar spring compression limiting part extends at least partially over the spring part from the wall of the guide part. A retaining pin extends longitudinally through the hollow guide part and from a free end of the arm in a direction transverse to the base part. The retaining pin has a free end extending beyond the base part to lockingly retain the locking member within a T-shaped slot of an end panel forming a part of a furniture component.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A one-piece locking member for releasably securing an end panel assembly of a furniture component to a slotted upright, the locking member comprising:

a plate-like rectangular base part;
a spring part formed at a first end edge of said base part;
a locking tab formed at a second end edge of said base part opposite said first end edge, said base part, spring part and locking tab each being oriented in the same plane;
a guide part fixed to and extending transversely from a first side surface of said base part, and an aperture formed in and extending transversely through said base and guide parts;
a cantilevered arm extending transversely into said aperture from a surrounding wall thereof;
a planar spring compression limiting part extending outwardly from said wall of said guide part which at least partially overlaps said spring part;
and
a retaining pin extending outwardly of said aperture from a free end of said arm in a direction transverse to said base part, said retaining pin having a free end thereof extending beyond a second side surface of said base part which is opposite to said first side surface.

5 more elements

An end panel assembly for lockingly supporting a furniture component on a slotted upright of a wall panel in a cantilevered relationship, the end panel assembly comprising:

a planar end panel forming a portion of the furniture component, said end panel having a recess formed therein and a slot formed within the end panel and communicating with the recess;
a support bracket fixedly secured to a rear end edge of said end panel above said recess and having a plurality of rearwardly-projecting downwardly-opening load-supporting hooks engageable with the slotted upright;
and
a one-piece locking member slidably positioned within said recess, said locking member including means for independently retaining said locking member in said recess, said means including a resilient detent which cooperates with said slot to retain said locking member within said recess.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Passive lock for end panel assembly

Life of this patent

Passive lock for end panel assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16