US1227102A - Extension-table. - Google Patents

Description

H.'AMSEL & B. REICHARD.

EXTENSION TABLE.

APPLICATION man APR. I5. 1915.

Patented May 22, 1917.

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HENRY AMSEL AND BENJAMIN REIGI-IARD, OF NEW YORK, 1 T. Y.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

Specification of Letters atent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed April 15, 1916. Serial No. 91,293.

Bronx, in the county of Bronx, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension- Tables,-of which thefollowing-is a specifi cation.

This invention involves the a novel extension table of the type wherein the extension leaves are contained within the table. Moreparticularly the invention aims to provide an auxiliary structure which a may be easily and quickly interposed, ifdesire-d, between the table-top ends and the extension bars usually directly supporting the table-top ends of an ordinary'table for merly used as such. One object of themvention is to provide an exceedingly simple,

compact, inexpensive and conveniently operable structure and. one of the non-auto-v matic type. As incorporated in tlie'table, the auxiliary structure will be concealed and neither take away from the attractiveness with the advantages inherent, will be 'understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, tion which constitutes the preferred embodi ment' of. the invention.

In this drawing,lFigure 1 is a perspective view of an ordinary table equipped with an embodiment of the invention, the table-topi ends being extended and a half-length exc tension leaf being shown in position and the hinged wall 14 being swung down; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a table with the tabletop ends closed, showing six half-length extension leaves, that is, three complete leaves disconnected, nested intheir hidden storage compartment.

Referring now solely to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the following elements of an ordinary extension table are present. There isf? the usual center legor supporting column 3.

There is also the flat base-member 4, arranged in the familiar way and secured by screws to the top of theleg 3. A pair of parallel rail-bars 6-are spaced as illustrated to lie at right angles to the length of the basemember 4. Each rail-bar has the customary provision of showing the construe-- extension-bars 7 and 8, the extension bars 7 and 8 being locked to the rail-bars (i, but so that each extension-bar may be slid length-- wise, relatively to the length of the rail-bars 6, to which such extension-bar is attached.

Duplicate table-top ends 9, each of a semicircular form asshown, are provided. Each of these table-top ends 9 carries a depending,

curved side-rail'lO, so'that when the tabletop ends arebrought together to close the table, the ends of the side-rails 10 are brought together. Then, with the table-top circular,.the side rail will be continuous and present a pleasant appearance.

The table as described inthe two paragraphs immediately preceding, includes all the well known parts of the ordinary circular extension table supported on a center leg. Of course, in such an ordinary table, theilefthand table-top end 9, is secured directly upon the left hand ends of extensionbars 7 and the right hand table-top end 9, is secured directly upon the right hand ends of the extension bars 8. i

According to the present invention, however, the table-top ends 9, are not thus directly attached to the extension-bars 7 and 8.

And this is true whether a table in accordance with the invention is built up completely as a new article, or whether an ordinary table formerly in use has been first taken apart merely to the extent of separating the table-top ends 9 from the extension bars7 and '8. Let usassume, that the table 1 is so much assembled that in the case of an ordinary table, the only thingleft to be done tov complete the table is to attach the tabletop ends 9 .to the extension-bars 7 andS.

In'such a case, four upstanding elements or wooden spacing-blocks 11, are inserted between the ends of the extension-bars 7 and '8 and the table-top ends9 as illustrated, and secured in place. As so reconstructed, the'table may still be opened and closed by drawing apart the table-top ends 9, and by drawing them together; the rail-bars 6 and extension-bars 7 and 8 doing the same work as usual. But it will be seen that the insertion of the blocks 11, permits us to store several extension leaves on top of the railbars 6, with the extension leaves extending at right angles to the rail bars, and yet the table can be closed easily and without disturbing these stored extension leaves. When the table isclosed, as shown clearly in Fig.

2, the tabletop ends 9 come together and form a roof over the stored extension leaves 12.

If we use single extension leaves, that is, extension leaves just twice as long as the half-length extension leaves 12 and try to store the full length extension leaves on the rail-bars 6, the table may not be closed unless we omit or cut away parts of the side rails 10, and even then, a person standing at one side of the table could see the ends of the stored extension leaves, and the table when closed would be very unattractive.

So we employ the extension leaves 12. Of

course, it will be understood that two extension leaves 12 will be placed end to end, and thus make a built up single extension leaf, which will extend entirely across the table. One of these half-length extension leaves 12, is shown in place in Fig. 1. A portion of this extension leaf 12 of Fig. 1 is broken away to show parts which will be described below and which help to support the leaf in place.

lVhen the table is closed, it is desirable to have the extension leaves 12 stored in a compartment closed at its top, bottom, sides and ends; and the compartment should be concealed, if possible. It has been explained that the rail-bars 6 make a slatted floor on which the extension leaves 12 rest. It has also been explained that when the table is closed, the table-top ends 9 make a roof or top which extends over the extension leaves. Now the blocks 11 keep the extension leaves 12 from falling out of the storage compartment at the compartments sides. The storage compartment will be completely concealed and closed at its top, bottom, sides and ends, therefore, if we provide a way of closing the ends of the compartment. Of course, the ends of the compartment are closed by the side-rails 10 when the table is closed, but even then, only to a more or less satisfactory extent. At such times as it is not desired to withdraw an extension leaf 12 from the storage compartment, it is important that the ends of the compartment be directly closed at all times, even when the table is open. Very simple means to accomplish this are shown. These means are merely the duplicate walls 13 and 14.

lVall 13 is permanently'fixed in place and its bottom is anchored'to one end of the base-member 4. The top of the wall 13 is fiat and smooth, and is at such a height that when the outer end of the extension leaf 12 of Fig. 1 is laid on the top of wall 13, the upper surface of the extension leaf 12 will be flush with the upper surface of the table.

An important thing about the wall 13 is that it forms one of the ends of the compartment for storing the several extension leaves 12 when the leaves are not in use.

Therefore, as so far described such compartment will be closed at its bottom, top, sides and one of its ends. As the wall 14 is shown in Fig. 1, it is swung down to lie fiat with the top of the table. But the wall 14 when swung up to lie as shown in Fig. 2, that is, parallel with wall 13, closes the other end of the compartment and so the compartment may be completely and entirely closed and the extension leaves 12 trapped or pocketed in the compartment when the tabletop ends 9 are brought together. These table-top ends 9 can be brought together thus to pocket the extension leaves 12, because when the half-length extension-leaves 12, have been stored in the compartment and the table is to be closed, the wall 14 may be swung up so that it is parallel with the wall 13. The tops of the two walls may be arranged a slight fraction of an inch below the under surfaces of the table-top ends 9; but preferably the tops of these two walls 13 and 14 are flush with the under surfaces of the table-top ends 9 and both walls are slightly beveled or rounded at the opposite ends of the top edges, as indicated at 14 in the case of wall 14. The wall 14 is swung down as shown in Fig. 1 after the table has been opened, so that as many extension leaves as are desired to be used may be withdrawn from the storage compartment, and laid say on one of the table-top ends 9 ready for use to increase the size of the table as will be described. It will thus be seen that when the two walls 13 and 14 are parallel and arranged vertically, a great number of extension leaves 12 may be stored directly on top of the railbars 6, and that these extension leaves will be entirely and completely pocketed.

In order that the wall 14 may be swung up or down as explained, hinges 15 are provided as shown in Fig. 2, one leaf of each hinge being screwed to an end-edge of basemember 4 and the other leaf of each hinge being secured to the outer surface at the bottom of wall 14; As shown also in Fig. 2, a stud 16 is driven into the wall 14, and a hook 17 is pivotally.mounted below the stud on the base-member 4. Of course, when the wall 14 is to be swung down to be disposed as shown in Fig. 1, the hook is disengaged from the stud, and when the door 14 has been swung up to be disposed as shown in Fig. 2, the hook is engaged with the stud. The reason why the wall 14 is mounted on the hinges 15 and not fixed permanently in place like the wall 13, is so that the wall 14 may be swung down when it is desired to move extension leaves 12 from their storage compartment and use them to increase the size of the table after the tabletop ends 9 have been separated.

Like the top of the wall 13, the top of the Wall 14, when the wall 14 is swung up,

is flat and smooth and is at such a height that when the outer end of a second extension leaf 12is placed lengthwisely in line with the extension 12 of Fig. 1, the upper 18', in such a way that when the table is opened and closed the coupling-bar slides lengthwisely through the guides 18. The result is that whenever the table-top ends 9 are separated to'any extent, the space between the table-top ends will be spanned by a continuous length ofthe coupling-bar 18. On this exposed length of the couplingbar 18 the inner ends of the half length extension leaves 12 are supported.

Much stress has been laid upon the importance of the walls 13 and 14 in establishing a completely inclosed and concealed storage compartment. But these walls, in addition, perform a much more valuable function. Let us say that an old tablehas been partially taken apart and then reconstructed, so that the walls 13 and 14 are mounted on a base-member 4 and the blocks 11 are interposed between the extension leaves 7 and-8 and the table-top ends 9. In the case ofsuch construction, which is the one so far described, there must be some means to aid the blocks 11 irf supportin g the table-top ends. It is clear that while these tabletop ends in the ordinary table are supported directly on practically the entire lengths of the extension rails 7 and 8, the use of the blocks 11 brings about a situation where, of course, only the'extreme outer terminal portions of the extension rails 7 and 8 support the table-top ends 9. Now the walls 13 and 14, in addition to theircreation of a completely closed compartment, are so shaped that their upper edges, whether the table be closed or opened, support not only the extensionleaves 12, but also the table-top ends themselves just where the latter would otherwise most lack support due to the presence of the blocks 11 which help to build up the storage compartment. These walls 13 and 14 themselves resemble an inverted truncated triangle, so that a long upper base and a comparatively short lower base will be the characteristic of each wall. Thereby, the upper bases of the two walls 13 and 14 afford maximum supporting-surfaces, and the lower bases at the same time make it easy to mount the walls on the base-memher 4, and also permit the side-rail 10 to hide completely the wallsl3 and 14, when the table is closed. o g

It is apparent that the extension-rails 7 and 8 may be so long in a table which is ,being reconstructed in accordance with the invention, or made so long in a table which is being thus constructed, that when the table is opened to its limit, gaps will exist between the upper ends of the walls 13 and 14 and theystraight edges of the tablertop ends 9. Even with the walls 13 and 14 acting to cooperate with the blocks 11 to support the table-top ends 9 when the table is opened to less than said limit, which will be the most usual situation, these gaps may be large enough to prevent the upper edges of the walls 13 and 14 from properly supporting some of the half-length extension leaves 12. There are therefore disclosed supplementary supports for the outer ends of such of the half-length extension leaves 12 as will thus be improperly supported when the table is opened to its limit. It is obvious in this connection that these supplementary supports may be supportedv by the table-top ends 9, since these table-top ends themselves are as just described firmly supported by the cooperation of the walls 13 and 14 with the blocks ,11. Thus, the left hand table-top end 9 has fixed to its underside,a pair of projecting. support-bars 19, and the right hand table-top end has fixed to its underside, a pair ofprojecting'support-bars 20. The support- bars 19 and 20 are out of line, so that when the table is closed, each pair of support- bars 19 and 20 will overlap each other by passing alongside of eachother, and when the wall 14- has been swung up as shown in Fig. 2 the free or outer ends of the support-bars l9 and 20 are held up by brackets 21 on the walls 13 and 14. These brackets are simply L-shaped, stamped pieces of strip metal, and are exceedingly cheap to make. Even so, it very likely will not be necessary to furnish the brackets at all, since the support- bars 19 and 20, like all other parts of the auxiliary structure forming the present invention,-except the hinges 15, the

stud 16, and the hook 17 and such stock wood-screws as are used,are constructed of stout wooden pieces.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided a novel and valuable auxiliary structure for, interposition between the familiar extension bars and the familiar tabletop ends of an ordinary table, even one constructed and used in the time-honored way during a considerable period in the past. The auxiliary structure may be incorporated by a carpenter of much less than cabinetmaking skill. Every part of the auxiliary structure. itself is formed of'wood except such wood-screws as are used, and the hinges 15, stud 16, hook 17, and brackets 21. The

hinges, stud and hook are stock articles of hardware. The'brackets 21, if used, will be of negligible expense even if they must be manufactured to order. All other parts of theauxiliary structure, that is, the blocks 11, the walls 13 and 14, the coupling-bar 18, and the support- bars 19 and 20, may all be cut off of straight lengths of stock sizes of timber absolutely without waste. A table as reconstructed or a new table built up in accordance with the invention, will not include any complicated and jointed stay-bars to co operate with any special devices carried by the extension leaves. There is no mechanism of any sort such as is incorporated in the various types of tables well known in the art and which are designed to automatically insert the extension leaf as the result merely of separating the table-top ends. The outer ends of the half-length extension leaves 12 do not rest upon movable sections of the siderails 10; but these outer ends of the extension leaves do rest, solidly and squarely, upon the top-edges of the walls 13 and 14, when the extension leaves are used to in crease the size of the table-top. These very same side walls, one of which is always anchored in a vertical position and the other of which is quickly moved to a vertical position, may be entirely inclosed by the side rails 10 when the table is closed, and then the side-rails serve to completely pocket the extension leaves 12 in a special storage compartment of their own. More than this, the side walls 13 and 14 cooperate with the blocks 11 so that the table-top ends 9 themselves are always at least as firmly supported as if they were supported in the usual way, by almost the entire lengths of the extensionrails 7 and 8.

Of course the benefit of the doctrine of equivalents is expected throughout. But in this connection special mention should be made of one point. While for cheapness of construction wooden pieces, as shown, are desirable for constituting the walls 13 and 14:, and while for better establishing the storage compartment these walls, irrespective of their material and whether solid or of frame-work construction, are desirably conformed at least according to the outline illustrated, it is obvious that walls otherwise constructed will come within the scope of the invention, provided the walls or their substitutes are peculiar in this, that they are arranged or adapted to be arranged so that each will have a topcdge of considerable length, or a plurality of support-surfaces all.

arranged in a single horizontal plane at some distance above the tops of the rails 6, 7, and S or their equivalents.

We claim:

1. In an extension table which includes a leg-structure upon which is fixed an elongated base-member and which includes also rail-bars fixed laterally on the base-member, extensionbars slidably connected with the rail-bars and table-top ends rigidly connected with the extension-bars; upstanding elements connecting the table-top ends and the extension-bars and spacing the table-top ends above the extension-bars to establish a compartment for containing a plurality of extension leaves with said leaves resting upon the extension-bars and extending laterally thereof, a plurality of extension leaves independent of eachother, and a plurality of upstanding walls permanently connected to the base-member at its opposite ends with the top edges of the walls substantially flush with the undersurfaces of the tabletop ends.

2. In an extension table which includes a leg-structure upon which is fixed an elongated base-member and which includes also rail-bars fixed laterally on the base-member, extension-bars slidably connected with the rail-bars and table-top ends rigidly connected with the extension-bars; upstanding elements connecting the table-top ends and the extension-bars and spacing the table-top ends above the extension bars to establish a compartment for containing a plurality of extension leaves with said leaves resting upon the extension bars and extending laterally thereof, a plurality of extension leaves independent of each other, and a plurality of upstanding walls permanently connected to the base-member at its opposite ends with the top edges of the walls substantially flush with the undersurfaces of the table-top ends, each of the walls in side elevation defining an inverted truncated triangle.

3. In anextension table which includes a leg-structure upon which is fixed an elongated base-member and which includes also rail bars fixed laterally on the base-mem ber, extension-bars slidably connected with the rail-bars and table-top ends rigidly con nected with the extension-bars; upstanding elements connecting the table-top ends and the extension-bars and spacing the tabletop ends above the extension-bars to establish a compartment for containing a plurality of extension leaves with said leaves resting upon the extension-bars and extending laterally thereof, a plurality of extension leaves independent of each other, and a plurality of upstanding walls permanently connected to the base-member at its opposite ends with the top edges of the walls substantially flush with the undersurfaces of the table-top ends, one of the walls being pivotally connected to the base-member so that said wall may be swung downwardly and away from the table-top when the tabletop ends are separated.

4:. In an extension table which includes a leg-structure upon which is fixed an elongated base-member and which includes also rail-bars fixed laterally on the base-member, extension-bars slidably connected with the rail-bars and'table-top ends rigidly connected with the extension 'bars; upstanding elements connecting the table-top ends and the extension bars and spacing the tabletop ends above the extensionbars to establish a compartment for containing a plurality of extension leaves with said leaves resting upon the extension-bars and extending laterally thereof, a plurality of extension leavesindependent of eachother, a plurality of upstanding walls permanently connected to the base-member at its opposite ends with the top edges of the walls substantially flush with the undersurface of the table-top,-and a bar one end of which is fixedly carried by the underside of one of the table-top ends and the other end of which with the table closed projects below the other table-top end.

5. In an extension table which includes a leg-structure upon which is 'fixed anelongated base-member and which includes also rail-bars fixed laterally on the base-member, extension-bars slidably connected with the rail-bars and table-top ends rigidly connected with the extension-bars; upstanding elements connecting the table-top ends and the extension-bars and spacing the tabletop ends above the extension-bars to establish a compartment for containing a plurality of extension leaves with said leaves resting upon the extension bars and extending laterally thereof, a plurality of extension leaves independent of each other, a plurality of upstanding walls permanently connected to the base-member at its opposite ends with the top edges of the walls substantially flush with the undersurface of the table-top, and a pair of rods extending parallel with the upstanding walls and each located adjacent to one of the walls and both fixed to the underside of one of the table top ends and projecting below the other table-top end when the table is closed.

6. In an extension table which includes a leg-structure uporiwhich is fixed an elongated base-member and which includes also rail-bars fixed laterally on the base-member,

extension-bars slidably connected with the.

rail-bars and table-top ends rigidly connected with the extension-bars; upstandin elements connecting the table-top ends an the extension-bars and spacing the tabletop ends above the extension-bars to establish a compartment for containin a plurality of extension leaves with sai leaves resting upon the extension-bars and extending laterally thereof, a plurality of extension leaves independent ofeach other, a plurality of upstanding walls permanently connected to the base-member at its opposite ends with the top edges of the walls substantially flush with the undersurfa'ce of the table-top, and a pair of non-alined rods extending parallel with and adjacent to the inner-side of each of the upstanding walls,

one of the rods of each pair being fixed to the underside of one of, the table-top ends and the other rod of each pair being .fixed to' the underside of the other tabletop end and portions of the rods projecting toward the center of the table when the table-top ends are separated.

7. In an extension table, in combination, a base-member, extension-rails attached to but slidable on the base-member, spacing blocks on the. ends of the rails, table-top ends supported on the blocks thereby to establish a storage" compartment between the rails and the table-top ends when the table is closed, a half-length extension leaf adapted to be stored in the compartment, and a plurality of vertical walls arranged substantially parallel with the extension leaves for cooperating with the blocks in establishing the compartment, for cooperating with the blocks in supporting the table-top ends both when the table is closed and open, and for supporting the extension leaf when the table is open.

8. In an extension table having extension rails and upstanding blocks at the ends thereof, a fixed vertical wall at one side parallel with said rails, and a movably mounted wall at the opposite side adapted to be moved into vertical or horizontal position, said walls constituting portions of a closed compartment and cooperating with said blocks and adapted to support the table top ends and extension leaves whether the table be opened or closed.

9. In an extension table having extension rails and upstanding blocks at the ends with said rails and fixed in a vertical plane,

a movablymounted wall at the opposite side adapted to be moved into vertical or horizontal position, said walls constituting portions of a closed compartment and adapted to support the table top ends and extension leaves whether the table be opened or closed, said side walls being in the form of inverted truncated triangles, extension leaves each consisting of a pair of half-length leaves, and a central longitudinally disposed coupling bar having its ends slidably engaged with the under sides of the table top ends.

11. In an extension table having extension rails and upstanding blocks at the ends thereof, a vertical wall at one side parallel with said rails and fixed in a vertical plane, a movably mounted wall at the opposite side adapted to be moved into Vertical or horizontal position, said walls constituting portions of a closed compartment and adapted to support the table top ends and extension leaves whether the table be opened or closed, said side walls being in the form of inverted truncated triangles, extension leaves each consisting of a pair of halflength leaves, a central longitudinally disposed coupling bar having its ends slidably engaged with the under sides of the table top ends, support bars fixed to the under sides of the table top ends, and brackets on the said side Walls for cooperation with said support bars.

Signed by me the said HENRY AMSEL, at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 12th day of April, A. D. 1916.

HENRY AMSEL.

Witnesses:

A. M. HENRY, CHAS. M. HIEsIGnR.

Signed by me, the said BENJAMIN REIGHARD, at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 27th day of March, A. D. 1916.

BENJAMIN REIOHARD.

Witnesses:

CHAS. M. HIESIGER, H. REIGHARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

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