US20120240355A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20120240355A1
Application number: US13/233,404
Authority: US
Inventors: John Chase
Original assignee: Hiwatt Products LLC
Current assignee: Hiwatt Products LLC
Priority date: 2007-04-06
Filing date: 2011-09-15
Publication date: 2012-09-27
Also published as: US20080244870A1; US8037574B2

Abstract

A glide assembly is adapted to be mounted about an existing foot attached to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture that is adapted to be supported upon a surface. The glide assembly includes a body defining an exterior surface and a bore extending partially through the body to define a hollow interior, an interior surface, a top, open end of the body, and a bottom, closed end of the body disposed opposite the open end. A cap is designed to be replaceably attached to the closed end of the body and adapted to engage the surface upon which the leg is supported.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application and claims benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/106,555 filed Apr. 21, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part application of and claims benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/784,257 filed Apr. 6, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,346 issued Jul. 20, 2010, and entitled “Furniture-Glide Assembly.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates, in general, to a glide attachable to a leg of a piece of furniture and, in particular, to a glide assembly mountable about an existing foot attached to the free end of a leg of a chair or desk.

2. Background

The free end of each leg of a piece of furniture often includes a cap, foot, glide, or the like. In many institutionalized settings, such as in a school or other educational facility, the feet disposed on the corresponding free ends of the respective legs of a piece of furniture are designed to allow easy sliding of a chair or desk, for instance, upon a surface such as a floor. More specifically, the feet are designed to increase the amount of surface-area contact, but reduce the amount of frictional contact, between the legs and the floor.

One type of foot commonly employed in the related art generally includes an attachment portion and a gliding portion. The attachment portion is adapted to be attached to the free end of a leg, and the gliding portion is pivotally connected to an end of the attachment portion located opposite the leg. The gliding portion defines a relatively broad, flat bottom surface adapted to be in operative contact with the floor. This type of foot is made typically of a hard, durable material, such as metal, nylon, or steel. The bottom surface of a conventional foot is sometimes made of metal or plastic.

However, this type of foot suffers from many disadvantages. The bottom surface of the conventional foot is relatively large, which increases the amount of frictional contact with the floor and causes scraping, scratching, or marring of relatively more surface area of the floor. And, use of this type of foot generally facilitates a sliding motion across the floor and, therefore, increases incidence of floor scraping, scratching, or marring and attendant noise. This relatively greater amount of scraping, scratching, or marring, in turn, increases not only costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing the floor and other labor and material costs associated with maintaining the floor, but also the number of airborne particulates and, thus, pollutants in the room in which the corresponding chair or desk is used. Furthermore, the bottom surface defines relatively more area upon which dirt, dust, sand, and other debris can gather, thus making this type of foot relatively more difficult, time-consuming, and, thus, expensive to clean and keep sanitary. This debris can even be imbedded into the bottom surface of the foot such that the texture of the bottom surface becomes like sandpaper and, thus, scrapes, scratches, or mars the floor even more than it does otherwise.

In addition, when the chair or desk is moved along the floor, the frictional contact between this type of foot and the floor produces a perceptible, often irritating, noise. In a classroom setting, especially in an elementary school where there are a substantial number of relatively young students moving or “scooting” their respective chairs and desks at any one time, this noise can be multiplied to a very significant level. Moreover, the floor upon which the corresponding chair or desk is supported can be mopped weekly, even daily. In such an especially wet environment, this type of foot—being made mostly or even entirely of metal—can rust and, hence, have a relatively shorter life, produce rust marks on the floor when the chair or desk is moved along the floor, and cause the legs of the chair or desk to be aesthetically displeasing.

Because of these disadvantages, it is often desired to replace the existing feet. As it turns out, however, the existing feet, which are initially employed with the respective chairs or desks, are not designed to be removed, so it is often a relatively difficult and, thus, expensive chore to remove all of them. Furthermore, the legs of the corresponding chairs or desks on which the respective conventional feet are used are often disposed at different angles relative to the floor. A replacement foot of the type known in the related art has suffered from the disadvantage that it is not adapted to interface between the free end of the corresponding leg and the floor at an appropriate angle. This has resulted in uneven contact of the foot with the floor and, thus, increased scraping, scratching, or marring of the floor by the foot and generation of more noise by the chair or desk as it is moved relative to the floor. A replacement foot of the type known in the related art has also suffered from the disadvantage that the portion of it that operatively contacts the floor inevitably becomes worn to the point that the replacement foot is no longer adequately effective for its intended purpose. Yet, this portion is not replaceable by itself such that even though the remainder of the replacement foot may have much more useful life, the entire replacement foot must be replaced. Of course, this results in wasted material and, thus, money. A replacement foot of the type known in the related art has also suffered from the disadvantage that it has hinges, locking prongs, and/or seams exposed that would allow dirt, dust, sand, and other debris to collect therein. These difficulties have presented a barrier to use of improved caps, feet, glides, and such.

Thus, there is a need in the related art for a relatively efficient way of replacing an existing foot from a leg of a chair or desk with a glide. More specifically, there is a need in the related art for a relatively easy and, thus, inexpensive way of mounting an aftermarket replacement glide to the free end of a leg of a chair or desk. In particular, there is a need in the related art for a glide that is adapted to accommodate an existing foot at an appropriate angle relative to a floor while reducing incidence of floor scraping, scratching, or marring and generation of noise, in addition, there is a need in the related art for such a glide that does not rust or otherwise mark the floor. Moreover, there is a need in the related art for such a glide the portion of which operatively contacts the floor is replaceable by itself (without replacing the entire glide). There is a need in the related art for such a glide that does not have hinges, locking prongs, and/or seams exposed that would allow dirt, dust, sand, and other debris to collect therein as well.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the related art in a glide assembly adapted to be mounted about an existing foot attached to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture that is adapted to be supported upon a surface. The glide assembly includes a body defining an exterior surface and a bore extending partially through the body to define a hollow interior, an interior surface, a top, open end of the body, and a bottom, closed end of the body disposed opposite the open end. A cap is designed to be replaceably attached to the closed end of the body and adapted to engage the surface upon which the leg is supported.

One advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it provides a relatively efficient way of replacing the existing foot from the free end of the leg of the furniture piece.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it provides a relatively easy and, thus, inexpensive way of mounting an aftermarket replacement glide to the free end of the leg of the furniture piece.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is substantially spherical, and, thereby, substantially the same amount of surface area of the glide assembly contacts the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported independent of the angle at which the free end of the leg is engaged relative to the surface.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that the surface area of the “footprint” of the glide assembly on the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported is substantially less than that of the existing foot.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it contacts the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported at only a point or relatively small area, which, in turn, reduces the area of the surface that can be scraped, scratched, or marred.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is operatively effectively independent of the angle at which the free end of the leg is engaged relative to the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be used on a leg of the furniture piece that is engaged with respect to the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported at any angle within a greater range of angles such that the glide assembly can be used on a greater number of furniture-piece legs.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that the body thereof is designed to distribute load applied thereto substantially evenly throughout the body.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it causes the furniture piece to be more stable and, thereby, safer for a user of the furniture piece.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be used on practically any type of surface upon which the furniture piece is supported without risk of scraping, scratching, or marring the surface.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that the cap is easily removable and replaceable by itself (without replacing the entire glide assembly) and, thereby, saves material and, thus, money.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it does not have hinges, locking prongs, and/or seams exposed that would allow dirt, dust, sand, and other debris to collect therein.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that flattening, distortion, and/or separation (e.g., sheering or peeling off) of the cap is prevented when the leg slides across the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported with a heavy load weighing down upon the cap.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that the exterior surface is non-absorbent, water-resistant, and impervious to dirt, dust, sand, and other debris and most floor chemicals.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that use thereof generally requires that the furniture piece be picked-up when its movement relative to the surface upon which it is supported is desired and, therefore, reduces incidence of surface scraping, scratching, or marring and attendant noise.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that frictional contact between it and the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported does not produce a perceptible noise when the furniture piece is moved along the surface.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it facilitates reduction in costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported and other labor and material costs associated with maintaining the surface.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is easier and faster to clean and keep sanitary.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is durable.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it is more “green-friendly” in that it increases quality of air of a room in which it is used by reducing the amount of contact between the furniture piece and the surface upon which it is supported and, thus, number of airborne particulates.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it does not rust and, hence, has a longer life, does not produce rust marks on the surface upon which the furniture piece is supported when it is moved along the surface, and keeps the legs of the furniture piece more aesthetically pleasing.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be employed with existing feet of various size.

Another advantage of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention is that it can be manufactured easily and inexpensively.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood while reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a representative example of a chair-desk combination supported upon a floor showing a typical furniture foot of the related art fixedly secured about the free end of each of two legs of a chair and two legs of a desk;

FIG. 2 is a partial-environmental exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial-environmental perspective assembly view of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 2 showing the insert assembly mounted about a foot of the chair or desk and, thus, the free end of the corresponding leg;

FIG. 4 is a partial-environmental perspective view of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 2 showing the body mounted about the insert assembly and, in turn, the glide assembly mounted about the foot of the chair or desk and, thus, the free end of the corresponding leg;

FIG. 5A is a partial-environmental perspective view of the leg of the chair illustrated inFIG. 1 supported upon the floor at a particular angle with respect to the floor showing the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention mounted to the free end of the leg;

FIG. 5B is a partial-environmental perspective view of the leg of the desk illustrated inFIG. 1 supported upon the floor at a particular angle with respect to the floor different than that at which the chair leg is engaged with respect to the floor inFIG. 5A and showing the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention mounted to the free end of the leg;

FIG. 6 is a partial-environmental exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial-environmental perspective view of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 6 showing the body mounted about the insert assembly and, in turn, the glide assembly mounted about the foot of the chair or desk and, thus, the free end of the corresponding leg; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective assembly view of the annular rim of the body designed to replaceably receive the cap of the embodiment of the furniture-glide assembly of the present invention illustrated inFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, where like numerals are used to designate like structure, four embodiments of a furniture-glide assembly of the present invention are generally indicated at10 and110. Theglide assembly10 and110 is adapted to be mounted about an existing foot, generally indicated at12 inFIGS. 1,2,6,12, and16, that is attached to the free end of aleg14 of a piece of furniture.

Thefoot12 is described below and shown in the figures specifically attached about the free end of theleg14. Also, theglide assembly10 and110 is described below and shown in the figures used in connection with a chair-desk combination, generally indicated at16 inFIG. 1. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that theglide assembly10 and110 can be used in connection with a chair and a desk that are not combined with each other and are, thus, free-standing. It should also be so appreciated that thefoot12 and, thus, glideassembly10 and110 can be used in connection with any suitable piece of furniture. It should also be so appreciated that theglide assembly10 and110 can find special application when it is used in connection with chairs and desks of the type colmnonly employed in institutions, such as schools. However, it should also be so appreciated that theglide assembly10 and110 is in no way limited to use in this fashion.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,2, and6, thefoot12 is substantially cylindrical and includes generally an upper portion, generally indicated at18, and a lower portion, generally indicated at20. More specifically, the upper portion is a substantially cylindricalhollow attachment portion18, and the lower portion is a substantially disk-shapedgliding portion20. Theattachment portion18 defines a bottom wall orclosed end22, anopen end24, and aside wall26 extending therebetween of theattachment portion18. Theopen end24 is adapted to receive the free end of theleg14 such that the free end of theleg14 is securely attached within theattachment portion18. Those having ordinary skill in the related art should appreciate that the free end of theleg14 can be securely attached within theattachment portion18 by any suitable means.

The glidingportion20 is typically pivotally connected to and extends from theclosed end22 of theattachment portion18 away from theleg14. More specifically, the glidingportion20 often defines a substantially circular,flat bottom surface28 located opposite theattachment portion18 and adapted to pivot with respect to theattachment portion18 such that thebottom surface28 can be in operative contact with afloor29, for example. The glidingportion20 also includes a side wall and defines asubstantial equator30 that divides the side wall into an upper sideexterior surface32 and a lowerside exterior surface34. The upper sideexterior surface32 is substantially planar and tapers from theequator30 to a central area of theclosed end22 of theattachment portion18. The lowerside exterior surface34 is substantially planar and tapers from theequator30 to the circumference of thebottom surface28 of the glidingportion20. The amount of surface area of the upper sideexterior surface32 is greater than that of the lowerside exterior surface34 such that the circumference of theequator30 is greater than that of thebottom surface28 of the glidingportion20. The glidingportion20 is broader than theattachment portion18.

It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that thefoot12, in general, and each of theattachment portion18 and glidingportion20, in particular, can have any suitable shape, size, and structure. It should also be so appreciated that each of theattachment portion18 and glidingportion20 can have any suitable structural relationship with the other, the free end of theleg14, and thefloor29. It should also be so appreciated that theattachment portion18 and glidingportion20 form no part of the present invention.

Thus, while there are two different embodiments of theglide assembly10 and110 disclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the related art should appreciate that, within the scope of the appended claims, other means of providing the mounting of theglide assembly10 and110 to thefoot12 may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the figures are described in greater detail below.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 through 5B, the structure of theglide assembly10 is addressed. Theglide assembly10 is adapted to be mounted about thefoot12, which, in turn, is adapted to be supported upon thefloor29. To this end, theglide assembly10 includes a body, generally indicated at36, defining an exterior surface, generally indicated at48, and abore44 extending partially through thebody36 to define ahollow interior38, an interior surface, generally indicated at46, and anopen end50 of thebody36. An insert assembly, generally indicated at37, is mountable about thefoot12 and adapted to be received through theopen end50 and fixedly secured within thehollow interior38 of thebody36 so as to mount thebody36 about thefoot12.

More specifically, thebody36 is substantially spherical and defines a central axis “A.” Theexterior surface48 is adapted to be disposed in contact with thefloor29. Thebore44 is substantially cylindrical and extends through nearly theentire body36 such that thebore44 defines aclosed end39 of thebody36. The central longitudinal axis of thebore44 defines the axis “A” of thebody36. Thebore44 is adapted to be coaxial with the free end of theleg14.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that thebody36 can have any suitable size and structure, such as being hollow. It should also be so appreciated that thebore44 can extend any suitable distance through thebody36 and have any suitable structural relationship with the axis “A” of thebody36. Similarly, thebore44 can have any suitable shape and size such that theinsert assembly37 can be disposed within thebore44 and structural relationship with the free end of theleg14 so as to mount thebody36 about thefoot12.

Theexterior surface48 of thebody36 may be textured. In particular, theexterior surface48 includes a plurality of slightly raisedsurfaces41 adapted to facilitate smooth frictional contact between theglide assembly10 and thefloor29. In the embodiment shown, the raised surfaces41 are substantially non-uniformly shaped and non-contacting with respect to each other, substantially smooth, and raised a substantially equal height with respect to each other above theexterior surface48 of thebody36, which is only a slight amount relative to the radius of thebody36. Theexterior surface48 also defines a substantially uniform circular andplanar rim43 completely encircling theopen end50 of thebody36.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that theexterior surface48 of thebody36 can include any suitable number of raised surfaces41. In turn, the raised surfaces41 can have any suitable shape, size, and texture and structural relationship with each other and the remainder of thebody36. For instance, the raised surfaces41 can be substantially uniformly shaped and contacting with respect to each other, substantially rough, and raised a substantially unequal height with respect to each other above theexterior surface48 of thebody36. Alternatively, theexterior surface48 of thebody36 can include no raisedsurfaces41 and be substantially smooth. It should also be so appreciated that therim4314 of theexterior surface48 can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with the remainder of theexterior surface48. Alternatively, theexterior surface48 of thebody36 can define norim43 and be completely arcuate.

The spherical nature of thebody36 creates numerous advantages of theglide assembly10 over caps, feet, and other glides of the related art. More specifically and as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, substantially the same amount of surface area of theglide assembly10 contacts thefloor29 independent of the angle at which the free end of theleg14 is engaged relative to thefloor29. In fact, theglide assembly10 can be used on aleg14 of the chair ordesk16 that is engaged with respect to thefloor29 at any angle within a greater range of angles such that a sufficient amount of theglide assembly10 always operatively engages thefloor29. In this way, theglide assembly10 causes the chair ordesk16 to be more stable and, thereby, safer for a user of the chair ordesk16 and can be used on a greater number of furniture-piece legs14. For instance, inFIG. 5A, the free end of theleg14 of thechair16 is disposed at angle “α” with respect to thefloor29, and inFIG. 5B, the free end of theleg14 of thedesk16 is disposed at angle “β” with respect to thefloor29, wherein angle “β” is greater than angle “α.” Thus, theglide assembly10 is operatively effectively independent of the angle at which the free end of theleg14 is engaged relative to thefloor29.

As can be easily seen, because of the spherical nature of theglide assembly10, the surface area of the “footprint” of theglide assembly10 on thefloor29 is substantially equal in both cases and substantially less—about 80% less—than that of the furniture foot of the related art. Theglide assembly10 contacts thefloor29 at only a point or relatively small area, which, in turn, reduces the surface area of thefloor29 that can be scraped, scratched, or marred. Theglide assembly10 is more aesthetically pleasing and defines relatively much less surface area thereof upon which dirt, dust, sand, and other debris can gather, thus making theglide assembly10 easier and faster to clean and keep sanitary. Theglide assembly10 is durable and more “green-friendly” in that it increases quality of air of a room in which it is used by reducing the amount of contact between the chair ordesk16 and thefloor29 and, thus, number of airborne particulates. Theglide assembly10 is designed to distribute load applied thereto substantially evenly throughout thebody36.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that theinsert assembly37 can have any suitable shape, size, and structure so as to be receivable through theopen end50 and within thebore44 of thebody36. For instance, the top of theinsert assembly37 can be disposed any suitable distance above or below therim43 of thebody20. It should also be so appreciated that thepassageway49 can have any suitable structural relationship with theinsert assembly37. Thepassageway49 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with thefoot12 such that thefoot12 is adapted to fit within thehollow interior51 of theinsert assembly37 to mount theinsert assembly37 about thefoot12. It should also be so appreciated that any suitable amount of thefoot12 can fit within thehollow interior51 of theinsert assembly37 to mount theinsert assembly37 about thefoot12.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, theinterior surface46 of thebody36 includes at least onegroove57, and theexterior surface47 of theinsert assembly37 includes at least onerib59 adapted to cooperate with thegroove57 to fixedly secure thebody36 about theinsert assembly37. In the embodiment shown, theinterior surface46 of thebody36 includes a plurality ofgrooves57, and theexterior surface47 of theinsert assembly37 includes a plurality ofribs59 adapted to cooperate with thecorresponding grooves57 to fixedly secure thebody36 about theinsert assembly37. As shown, thegrooves57 are substantially equidistantly spaced and disposed substantially parallel with respect to each other and perpendicular to the free end of theleg14. Also, eachgroove57 is disposed substantially entirely about thebore44 of thebody36, and thecorresponding rib59 is disposed substantially entirely about theexterior surface47 of theinsert assembly37.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that theinterior surface46 of thebody36 can include any suitable number ofgrooves57 and theexterior surface47 of theinsert assembly37 can include any suitable number ofribs59 adapted to cooperate with the groove(s)57 to fixedly secure thebody36 about theinsert assembly37. It should also be so appreciated that eachgroove57 can have any suitable shape and size and structural relationship with each of any of theother grooves57, the correspondingrib59, and thebore44 of thebody36. In turn, it should also be so appreciated that eachrib59 can have any17 suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with each of any of theother ribs59 so as to cooperate with the groove(s)57 to fixedly secure thebody36 about theinsert assembly37.

As shown inFIGS. 2 through 4, thehollow interior51 of theinsert assembly37 defines an interior surface, generally indicated at61, of theinsert assembly37. The interior surface61 of each insertpart45 is adapted to be nested with a corresponding portion of thefoot12. In particular and referring specifically toFIG. 2, the interior surface61 defines anupper portion63 and a lower portion65 of the interior surface61. The shape of theupper portion63 is adapted to conform to the shape of the outside surface of theattachment portion18 of thefoot12, and the shape of the lower portion65 is adapted to conform to the shape of the outside surface of the glidingportion20 of thefoot12. Theupper portion63 is designed to support theside wall26 of theattachment portion18, and the lower portion65 is designed to taper away from the free end of theleg14 to support the lowerside exterior surface34 of the glidingportion20. In this way, the interior surface61 of aninsert part45 can be firmly nested with a corresponding portion of thefoot12, the interior surface61 of theother insert part45 can be firmly nested with the remainder of thefoot12, and theclosed end39 of thebody36 can operatively support thebottom surface28 of thefoot12.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, theinsert parts45 are adapted to be snappingly engaged to each other to mount theinsert assembly37 about thefoot12. In particular and referring specifically toFIG. 3, each end of oneinsert part45 combines with a corresponding end of theother insert part45 to form a snapping mechanism, generally indicated at67. As shown inFIG. 2, each snappingmechanism67 includes astud69 located on a side edge of aninsert part45 and ahollow flange71 located spaced from and substantially directly beneath the18

stud

69 and extending circumferentially outward from the side edge. Anaperture73 is defined into the opposed side edge of theother insert part45 and adapted to receive thestud69 when theinsert parts45 are brought into contacting relationship with each other. Aboss75 is located spaced from and beneath theaperture73 on theexterior surface47 of theinsert part45 and adapted to be received within thehollow flange71 when theinsert parts45 are brought into contacting relationship with each other. When theinsert parts45 are brought into contacting relationship with each other, they snappingly engage to each other to mount theinsert assembly37 about thefoot12.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that each insertpart45, in general, and interior surface61 thereof, in particular, can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with a corresponding portion of thefoot12 so as to nestingly fit theinsert assembly37 about thefoot12. It should also be so appreciated that theinsert parts45 can be securely attached to each other in any suitable manner to mount theinsert assembly37 about thefoot12.

Preferably, theinsert assembly37 is made of plastic, in general, and either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or nylon, in particular. Theinsert assembly37 is preferably made of DuPont® Zytel® lubricated or unlubricated nylon resin. On the other hand, thebody36 is preferably made of a soft PVC material such that frictional contact between theglide assembly10 and thefloor29 does not produce a perceptible noise and rust marks on thefloor29 when the chair ordesk16 is moved along thefloor29. In any event, theglide assembly10 is preferably a device having a dual durometer with typically theinsert assembly37 made of a hard plastic material and thebody36 made of a softer plastic material.

However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that theinsert assembly37 can be made of any suitable material and thebody36 can be made of any suitable soft material such that it does not scrape, scratch, or mar thefloor29. In the same manner, theexterior surface48 of theglide assembly10 can have any suitable texture such that frictional contact between theglide assembly10 and thefloor29 does not produce a perceptible noise and rust marks on thefloor29 when the chair ordesk16 is moved along thefloor29. Likewise, theexterior surface48 of theglide assembly10 can be any suitable color and have any suitable color combination so as to have a desired aesthetic appeal.

The soft nature of thebody36 creates numerous advantages of theglide assembly10 over caps, feet, and other glides of the related art. More specifically, theglide assembly10 can be used on practically any type of floor, including, but not limited to, carpeted, marble, Terrazo, tile, VCT, and wood floors. Theexterior surface48 is non-absorbent, water-resistant, and impervious to dirt, dust, sand, and other debris and most floor chemicals. Frictional contact between theglide assembly10 and thefloor29 does not produce a perceptible noise when the chair ordesk16 is moved along thefloor29. Use of theglide assembly10 generally requires that the chair ordesk16 be picked-up when its movement relative to thefloor29 is desired and, therefore, reduces incidence of scraping, scratching, or marring of thefloor29 and attendant noise. In this way, theglide assembly10 facilitates reduction in costs of stripping, waxing, and buffing thefloor29 and other labor and material costs associated with maintaining thefloor29. Theglide assembly10 does not rust and, hence, has a longer life, does not produce rust marks on thefloor29 when the chair ordesk16 is moved along thefloor29, and keeps the free end of thelegs14 of the chair ordesk16 more aesthetically pleasing.

In operation, the interior surface61 of afirst insert part45 is firmly nested with a corresponding portion of thefoot12 to be replaced, and then the interior surface61 of asecond insert part45 is firmly nested with the remainder of thefoot12 and snappingly engaged to thefirst insert part45 so as to mount theinsert assembly37 about thefoot12. The free end of theleg14 and, thus, thefoot12 and insertassembly37 are then raised off the floor29 a sufficient amount to allow theinsert assembly37 to be received through theopen end50 of thebody36. Theinsert assembly37 is then received through theopen end50 and within thehollow interior38 of thebody36 until theclosed end39 of thebody36 operatively supports thebottom surface28 of thefoot12 such that thebody36 is fixedly secured about theinsert assembly37 and, thus,foot12. The free end of theleg14 and, thus, thefoot12 andglide assembly10 are then lowered to thefloor29 such that theglide assembly10 can be used for frictional contact with thefloor29.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 through 8, another embodiment of the glide assembly is generally indicated at110. Similar or like parts of the glide assembly110 with respect to theglide assembly10 have similar or like reference numerals as those of theglide assembly10 increased by one hundred (100). However, since structure relating to supporting the glide assembly110 upon thefloor29 vis˜t-vis the structure relating to supporting theglide assembly10 upon thefloor29 is the only difference between the glide assembly110 and theglide assembly10, respectively, only this difference is described immediately below.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 8, thebody136 of the glide assembly110 defines the bottom, closed end, generally indicated at139, of thebody136 disposed opposite the top,open end150 of thebody136. A cap, generally indicated at186, is designed to be replaceably attached to theclosed end139 and adapted to engage thefloor29.

More specifically, theclosed end139 of thebody136 defines a convex (as viewed inFIG. 8), cross-sectionallycircular surface184 and anannular rim188 that protrudes about the circumference of theconvex surface184 and downward. Theconvex surface184 andrim188 combine with each other to provide a recessedvolume190 for replaceably and nestingly receiving thecap186.

In turn, thecap186 defines a convex (as viewed inFIG. 8), cross-sectionally circular bottom surface, generally indicated at191, and an annular side wall, generally indicated at194, that protrudes upward from the circumference of thebottom surface191 and defines atop edge196. In the embodiment shown, afelt pad192 is disposed upon the entirebottom surface191 and adapted to engage thefloor29. Thecap186 defines also a concave (as viewed inFIG. 6), cross-sectionallycircular surface198 located interior of and extending from thetop edge196. The space defined directly and immediately above theconcave surface198 provides a recessed volume for replaceably and nestingly receiving theconvex surface184 of theclosed end139.

Thecap186 can be frictionally fitted into the recessedvolume190 such that theconcave surface198 nestingly abuts theconvex surface184 and theside wall194 frictionally abuts therim188. Alternatively or additionally, thecap186 can be bonded with a suitable adhesive (not shown) to theconvex surface184 and/orrim188 such that thecap186 is fitted into the recessedvolume190. For example, glue or tape or any other suitable adhesive can be disposed on theside wall194 and/orconcave surface198 for bonding theside wall194 and/orconcave surface198 to therim188 and/or convex surface, respectively.

Therim188 operatively surrounds at least a portion of theside wall194 of thecap186 and helps to prevent flattening, distortion, and/or separation (e.g., sheering or peeling off) of thecap186 when theleg14 slides across thefloor29 with a heavy load weighing down upon thecap186. Thecap186 extends downward a distance below therim188 so that the feltpad192 rests on thefloor29 without therim188 contacting thefloor29. As shown inFIG. 7, when thecap186 is properly received within the recessedvolume190, thebody136 of the glide assembly110 takes on its substantially spherical nature.

Preferably, thecap186 is made of plastic, and therim188 is made of rubber. Also preferably, thecap186 and feltpad192 are substantially water-resistant and impervious to floor chemicals.

In operation, the feltpad192 may wear down over time so that thecap186, and even therim188, may eventually engage thefloor29. Thecap186 andrim188 are formed of a material that does not scrape, scratch, or marfloor29. However, in the event that the feltpad192 orcap186 wears down to this level so that thecap186 orrim188, respectively, hits thefloor29, thecap186 and, thus, feltpad192 can be easily removed and replaced with anew cap186 and, thus, feltpad192 that protrude down considerably below therim188, thus avoiding continued contact of thecap186 orrim188 on thefloor29.

It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the related art that each of theclosed end139 of thebody136—including each of theconvex surface184,annular rim188, and recessedvolume190—andcap186—including each of thebottom surface191, feltpad192,side wall194, andconcave surface198—can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with each other such that thecap186 is replaceably attachable to theclosed end139 and adapted to engage thefloor29. It should be so appreciated also that thecap186 can be fitted into the recessedvolume190 and/or bonded to theclosed end139 in any suitable manner, it should be so appreciated also that the feltpad192 can have any suitable shape, size, and structure and structural relationship with each of thecap186 andfloor29 and be disposed upon thecap186 in any suitable manner. It should be so appreciated also that thecap186 can extend downward any suitable distance below therim188 so that the feltpad192 rests on thefloor29. It should be so appreciated also that each of theclosed end139 of thebody136 andcap186 can be made of any suitable material.

The curved nature of the surface of thecap186 that contacts thefloor29 means less surface area of the glide assembly110 that contacts thefloor29 relative to glide assemblies of the related art. Also, unlike glide assemblies of the related art, the spherical glide assembly110 does not have any hinges, locking prongs, or seams exposed that would allow dirt, dust, sand, and other debris to collect therein.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A glide assembly assembled to a free end of a leg of a piece of furniture, the glide assembly comprising:

a body defining a bore extending from an open end and partially through the body and a lower surface that is at least partially convex and disposed below the free end when the assembly is assembled to the free end; and

a cap having an upper surface that is at least partially concave, wherein the cap is assembled to the body with the upper surface of the cap abutting the lower surface of the body.

2. The glide assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the body further includes a rim extending about a perimeter of the partially convex surface, and the cap further includes a side wall extending about a perimeter of the concave surface, such that the rim directly engages the side wall when the cap is assembled to the body.

3. The glide assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the cap is removable from the body.

4. The glide assembly ofclaim 2, wherein said rim surrounds at least a portion of the cap.

5. The glide assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the rim protrudes about the lower surface of the body and downward to replaceably and nestingly receive the cap on the lower surface with the rim not contacting the floor.

6. The glide assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the cap is partially spherical such that substantially the same amount of surface area of said cap contacts the floor independent of the angle at which the free end of the leg is engaged relative to the floor.

7. The glide assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said cap is bonded with a suitable adhesive to the convex lower surface of the body.

8. The glide assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the cap is made of plastic.

9. The glide assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the rim is made of rubber.