GB493280A - An improved occasional table - Google Patents

Abstract

493,280. Tables. SHARP, W. R. March 2, 1937, Nos. 6223 and 23320. [Class 52 (iii)] A table comprises a top 2 pivoted at one end to an inclined support 1 which at its lower end is pivoted to a base 3 about an axis 5 and stops or abutments 6 interposed between the parts so that the table top may be moved in one direction until the assembly automatically takes up a substantially Z-form, while in the other direction it is freely movable without the necessity of releasing stops or other holding means. As shown in Fig. 1, the top 2 and base 3 are pivoted at 4 and 5 to supports 1 connected by a box 7 so that they may be swung in one direction to fold between the supports, but in the other direction abut against stops 6 on the inner faces of the supports to maintain the parts in the retracted position shown, with the table top horizontal. By pulling forward the top, the parts are moved to the extended position shown in Fig. 2 in which the top rests upon the knees of a seated person. The box 7 provides a container for papers &c. both in the extended and retracted positions of use and when the table is folded and leaned against a wall. Fig. 4 shows a modification in which the stops are replaced by pawls 11, 12 pivoted to the underside of the top and the supports 8 respectively and adapted to engage recesses 10a in the supports and the base. Stops 15 are provided for limiting the angular movement of the pawls so that when the table is unfolded the pawls will drop into the recesses. The hinged ends of the lower frame 10 are tapered so that when the table is folded and placed against a wall the lower frame is pressed against the supports 8. Short legs may be pivoted on the underside of the free edge of the top to rest upon a bed. The top may be shaped to form an ironing table. Fig. 10 shows a dinner wagon, the lower frame comprising a tray 22 on castors and the diagonal supports 24 having a cross-bar 25 forming a handle. A middle tray 26 may be pivoted to the supports 24 and connected by links 27, 29 to the top tray 28 and lower tray 22 so that the trays remain parallel. In this form, one pair of pawls may be dispensed with. The top may be reversible by having grooves along its edges engaging pivot pins projecting from the'support. The supports and the top and bottom frames may be of tubular metal cranked to form the stops or abutments. A pawl pivoted to the free end of the top may engage one of a number of recesses in the support to vary the inclination of the top when it is in the extended position. An abutment on the inclined support may engage the base in both the retracted and extended positions, and to prevent upsetting in the extended position the base may have hinged to it a supplementary frame contacting with the floor.