How is this unique? All of my grandmother's furniture is like this.

Tha'ts not to say that this isn't an awesome idea! You have no idea how helpful that sort of thing is until you have to move ridiculously heavy 100 year old furniture up many a flight of stairs!

nice - reminds me of church pews!

Wait a second, they've filed a patent on traditional joinery?

Seems like it is just a simple mortise and tenon joint. Maybe like a double through style. I'm willing to be this is old news in the wood working world.

Table Goes Together Without Fasteners

"They have invented a unique (and patent-pending) fastener system so that their furniture can be easily assembled and dissasembled with only a mallet."

I really love the design of these tables, but the thought that they might attempt to patent a table design lifted from the medieval period is ludicrous. Their tables are note for note reproductions of common furniture dating back over a thousand years ago!

It will be interesting to see if they can get a patent on this ancient technology. It's a great idea, though - the simplest, least complicated methods are often the best.

Patent-pending? On a system used for centuries? Maybe their patent attorney should explain prior art to them.

...and anyway there is nothing green about patents or any IP. hoarding up ideas and attaching all kinds of economic baggage is doing an amazing job keeping the status quo cheap and dirty.

green design is free.

Its called a mortis and tennon joint. It looks like they even made it more complicated.

No offense

Why people (especially from developed country) like to patent product designed by other culture.

Like this one..

Many culture in Asia has developed similar design like this. They have build many thing from house, furniture, ladder etc without single nail/metal fastener.

Ok, you guys remind the modern culture about this. Thats good
But at least, don't claim this as your invention.

I don't understand how this is a new amazing thing, as 'saintchuck' sais, hasen't this been around for years?

This is a little more complicated than a mortis & tenon joint. This would be much easier to fabricate than mortis & tenon, looks much stronger, doesn't require glue or nails, and pops together and apart very easily.

Why argue semantics? this furniture is being produced without metals or adhesives in a manner that is easy to assemble and can be flatpacked. this is a good thing. you people like to bitch too much.

It's sad to see that something so old in idea and design is being dubbed as "NEW", it's a bit like my 13 year old niece telling me that some boy band she listens to has this cool new song, then she makes me listen to it and I realise that it's a 1960's rip off of Bill Withers Ain't No Sunshine.

The good bit about this furniture is that it is promoting a better production method than "modern" designs. No nails, no hassles, no coming loose or rusting.

Promoting good ideas, and green ideas should be free for everyone. When someone is out to patent an idea like this....

1. I find it hard to understand how an ancient woodworking joint can be patented.

2. What are the motives of the designer who uses these ideas and methods and wants to horde them for themselves rather than let the idea out, let humanity re-learn these methods or production and everyone can benefit from it. Whether it's for being greener, being more successful, or just helping with areas were people don't like to assemble furniture. This will make them enjoy the simplicity.

SteveC

and what do you think people back in the day did when they first made furniture? old idea new spin on it.