US1644133A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 4,1927.

H. HowE fix- 11-7- y lax/WMM v3 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

UNITED sTATEs HAROLD HOWE, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

FOLDING TABLE.

Appncauon mea october 1e, 1924. serm m. 7,411,864.

The present invention relates to folding tables and is more particularly directed to an improved card table. It is to be understood, however, that the invention ma be 5 otherwise applied, as for example, to anquet tables, swinging tables or the like. j

Tables of the type to which the present 1nvention particularly# relates are generally provided with a rectangular wooden frame which supports the table top and'from which the folding legs are carried. As lightness of weight and compactness of folding are de-v sirable features in this type of table it 1s important that they be constructed of small but substantial parts. According to the usual construction the legs of such tables are pivoted directly to a wood top, pieces of wood attached to top, or to the wooden frame. This arrangement results ina comparatively Weak table which is likely to loosen in use and become unsteady. Such tables must be handled very carefully, kfor they are easily broken. t i

rlhe present invention on the other hand contemplates a table wherein the strains are practically all taken up by metal parts and wherein the wooden parts are attached to the metal parts in a secure manner to reduce and I practically eliminatethe liability of breakage or loosening of the parts.

The present invention also contemplates the provision of all metal units which may be assembled together independently of the wooden parts of the tableand then attached in the corners of the table frame to carry the legs so that they may be folded underneath the table or moved to a position to support the table.

Another object of. the invention is to'pro- 40 vide all metal units of the type above referred to which may be interchangeably attached in the various corners and yet stagger or olf-set the legs so that they will fold alongside one another, or along the sides of the table.

Another object of the present invention is to provide atable leg and support with bracing means so disposed that the entire strain taken up by the bracing` means is assumed by metal parts, irrespective of whether the brace is under tensionv or compression, thereby relieving the wooden arts of excessive strains. Another object o the present-invention is to provide a folding table wherein the heavy strains are assumed by metal parts so that lighter and less expensive wooden frame part-s may be employed. t

In the accompanyingdrawings several of the many possible embodiments of the present invention are shown for pur oses of 1llustration, it beingunderstood t at the in vention may be embodied in various forms.

In these drawings: l

Fig. 1 is an .inverted plan view of a folding table made in accordance with the present invention and showing two of the legs folded and two of the legs opened;

Fig. 2 is a section Vtaken on vline 2--2 of Fig. 1 in the directionof the arrows, and showing the legs folded;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 looking` in the direction of the arrows and showing the legs opened;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, showing a sli htly modled form of attaching device for t e leg; i

Fig. 5 is an inverted plan view of a modied form of folding made in accordance with the present invention, and showing two of the '.egs folded and two of the legs opened;

Fig 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the .legs opened;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7`7 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the legs folded;

Figs. 8 and 9 are sections on the lines 8-9 respectively, fof Fig. 5, taken in the direction of the arrows and showing the le opened;

Fig. 10 is a view simi-lar to Flg. 6 illustrating` a modified form of brace; and

Fig. 11 is an inverted plan view of another modified form of construction.

Referring to' the form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2and 3 it will a pear that the tabletop 10 which'may 'be o any suitable material, for example, multiple-ply veneer covered with cloth, if desired,is attached to a rectangular under-frame 11 composed, as here vshown of four wooden strips 100 12, 13, 14 .and 15. Metal corner members 16, 17, 18 and 19 are attached in the corners of the wooden under-frame and each 'of these members pivotally supports a. leg of metal or wood. These legs are arranged in As here shown these corner members are each made vout of a metal strip bent to U- shaped form, with one side 20 referably longer kthan the other side 211 e sides 20-21 and the bottom 22 of the U are provided with pairs' of boltv holes 23 and 24 adapted to receive pairs of bolts 25 and 26. The bolts pass through the twd adjacent strips of the under-frame which go to make up the corner into which the corner member mounted. The spacing of` the pair of holes in the three parts of the U-shaped corner member is preferably th'e same so that the corner member may be mounted with either .the shorter or the longer side adjacent the wooden under-frame as will appear from the method in which. the pairs 16-17 and 18-19 respectively of the corner members are mounted in the corners of the under-frame- Hence these members may be mounted in any desired position in the under-frame. By making these corner members so that they are interchangeable in this manner the manufacturing expense'isdecreased materially. These corner members not only reinforce and hold together the under-frame but, according to the present invention, provide pivotal mountings for the swinging legs.

- The form of leg-mountin shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive includes T- thaped leg straps 27 and 28 which extend for a substantial distance along the inner sides of legs 16 and 17. The legs and leg straps are attached together b bolts or screws 29. The free ends 30 an 31 of the T-shaped leg straps are bent at right angles, as shown in r the lower -part of Flg. 1, and are litted in between the sides 20 and 21 of the corner 'members A rod 32 is passed through "the holes in the sides 20 and 21 and the bentI ends 30 and 31 so that the leg strap may` pivot relative to the corner member. The ends of the rod 32 may be upset slightly to prevent the rod from sliding out of place, or the rod may be heldin the corner by any other convenient means. The le may ivot on the'rod, or the rod wit strap attac ed may. turn inthe corner member. The rtions of the leg straps which are attached to the legs are preferably oppositel off-centered relative to the sides of the US-l shape corner member, so that the legs of the pair, when folded, may lie alongside one another as illustrated in the upperpart of Fig; 1. l

he lower ends of the leg straps, where the are attached to the legs are here shown as ing provided with lateral extensions 33 l and 34 for cooperation with diagonal curved braces 35 and 36. These lateral extensions are preferably substantiallyalike, being merel left and right, so that the legs 16 and 1 may lie close together when" folded. This is shown in the upper part of Fig., 1. The braces 35 and 36 are pivotally mounted on the longer sides 20 of the corner members 16 and 17 respectively. These braces are preferably of curved outline somewhat as -loosen t e top of the frame.

strap autres.

shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and are arranged to pass through slotsl 37 in the 'lateral extensions of the leg straps, the ends 38 and v39 of these slots vare adapted to engage-the edges of the braces so that the braces are swung from the position show n in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3 when the legs are unfolded, the ends 38 and 39 of the slot locking the brace just as pin 41 enters opening 42. The end 38 of the slot is adapted to rest inside thebend 38 in the brace as shown in Fig. 2 and to forcei the brace to the position indicated. The lateral extensions are bent over to provide a Wall 40 which is spaced a short distance from the side of the leg and this wall is provided with an upv wardly directed pin 41 to cooperate with an aperture 42 in the brace. If desired, the

'slot 3 7 .may be given such-a configuration that the brace is forced over the pin, or one may rely on the resiliency of the brace. The portion 43 of the brace may be pressed by frame so that there is no tendency to twist` the stri s of the under-frame olf the top or The construction also provides for attaching the legs of 'the metal leg straps in such a manner thatthe Wooden members do not assume the stresses rnear the pivots. The strap and* corner `member together provide a rigid corner and distribute theload in such a manner that comparatively small stresses are placed upon the wooden parts. Since the diagonal brace operates solel between-the metal corthe legs through the metal parts and attaching means, instead of directly through wooden connections `las is 'customar as the point of attachment of the metal eg strap 1s spaced from the upper end of the leg, there isa minimum tendency to split or injure the leg, furthermore, there is no likelihood ofwarpingof the wooden parts intertering with the'operation of the table, or

unit made up of the corner member, vthe leg strap and the brace. These corner units may be to a large extent identical, the only difference ashere shown being in the right and left arrangement ofthe leg strap. They. may be made up in factories adaptedfor metal working, assembled complete and linished readyfor attaching to the table and legs. This operationcould be carried out in a Wood working 'factory .where the table would be assembled and finished. The way in which the present table may be made provides atable which is much more Ari id than those heretofore available, and at t e same time without prohibitive increase in manufacturing cost. Tables which may ,be injured in transit, or otherwise,may be easily repaired.

In the modificationshown in Fig. 4 the leg 44 is provided witha saw-cut or slit at the upper end to accommodate `the leg strap 45. The leg-strapand leg are bolted tof gether in any convenientmanner,` and the 'brace is arranged to cooperate with the extension of the leg strap in the manner above Y described. l

The constructionfshown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive is similar to that shown in Figs.. `1 to 3'. According to this form of the invention the U-shaped corner membersl are arranged in pai'rs 50-51. They may be made out of bent strap metal if desired. As here shown, the longer side v52 is fastened by bolts '52. to one side of a member 53 of the underframe'of the table, while the bottom 54 of the U is fastened by bolts 54 to vthe adjacent side member 55 of the underframe..

A bolt 56 passes through the short side 57 of the'corner member, the long side 52, and the adjacent piece of the .under-frame. This bolt 56- provides a pivotal mounting for the leg stra 58 which extends down along the side o the leg and s fastened to it in any convenient manner. The bolt 56 and strap 58 may be permanently united as by Welding, rlvets, machine screws, or otherwise, and" in that case the bolt will move back and forth in Ithe metal corner member, or if desired, the strap 58 may hinged on the bolt or the U member. 4 either case, the bearing points are between metal parts.` The leg straps 58 have lateral extensions 59, shown more clearly in Figs. 8 and 9. ese extensions are provided with slots 59 throu h which 'braces 60 are passed. The upper en s of these braces are pivotally supported from the longer side of the corner members. In the case of the corner members 51, shown at the left of Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, the braces are directly pivoted at 6l to the longer side 52 of the corner member. In y thecase -of the corner members shown at the right of Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive and in. 9, the corner members are provided with lateral bridging straps `62 and the braces 60 are pivoted to these straps. These braces are preferably curved or .oifsetted as indicated in the drawings so that when the legs are folded the braces will be moved into the position shown in Fig. 7, without locking in the slot before the legs are parallel with the frame. In this manner the braces are carried inside the underframe of the table andare heldin this position when the table is -folded. The parts are so arranged that some tension is imposed on the brace, by reason of itsbeing bent slightly when the leg is opened1 This flexin'g of the brace causes the lower end 63 ,to snap into place in the slot 59.

The legs are arranged in pairs in the same manner as those shown 1n Fig. 1. vThe mountings for the leg straps are so arranged that they may be folded alongside one another-"as indicated.- The bridging member 62 for the bra-ce is carried above..the leg so as not to interfere with the folding of the table. When the legs are unfolded the brace is `carried through the slot 59, audits lower end 63 drops into the lower part'of the slot in the lateral extension59 on the leg strap and thereb .locks the leg in open position.

Fig. 10 s ows a modified formof the present folding table according to which the brace 70 is pivoted at 71 to the corner member of the table and its lower end is notched as shown at 72 to coo erate with ya pin 73 carried on the legs of t e table. The upper end of the brace extends beyond the pivot and is adapted to engage a projection 74 carried bythe corner member.

The parts are so arranged that the brace is bent slightly 'i lso as to hold the pin in the notch.

Thje modified form of table shown in Fig. 11 may be constructed substantially the same` as shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive. In this form the bolt 80 on which ,the leg strap is mounted, is carriedl directly in the metal corner members instead of assingthrouh the woodentunderframe. he bolt may Ie t 'held in place in any convenient manner.

will, *of course,be understood that the show-` in of a square table is merely forpurposes of illustratlon. The invention is adapted for strap pivotally carried between the sides of the U, the lower end of the leg strap being slotted, and a brace passing through the slot and pivoted t0 one side of the .U-shaped member. l v

2. In a4 folding table, in combination, a

an underframe, a metal member proto vided with a pivotal mounting for a legl strap, a leg attached to the strap, and a brace pivotally mounted on the metal member, said strap extending beyond the side of the leg and being slotted, to receive the free end of the brace.

3. In a folding table, a top, an underframe composed of wooden strips, a plurality of pairs of legs, mounting means for each of the legs bf the pair, said mounting means inber having two spaced slides, a wooden leg,

a second metal member fastened to the upper end of the leg and extending to and contacting with the sides of the corner member and means, for swingingly mounting theextension on the second metal member between the sides of the corner member, the spacing of the sides of the corner member being suby stantially greater than the 'width of the leg whereby the bearingpoints ofthe mounting l means are widely'spaced thereby increasing .the rigiditv of the corner.

5. In a folding table, a top, an underframe composed of wooden strips, a metal corner member fastened to both of the strips of a corner of the underframe, said corner member havlng two spaced sides, a wooden leg,

a second metal member fastened to the upper end of the leo', and means contacting with the spaced sides for swingingly supporting the second metal. member and leg between the sides of the corner member, said second member extending along a substantial length of the leg and being fastened thereto at widely separated points to increase the rigidity of the corner.

6. In a folding' table, a top, ,an undercorner member having two spaced sides and fastened to both of the strips of a corner of the underframe so as to reinforce tlesame, a wooden leg, and a metal anchorage for the wooden leg, said anchorage being pivotally carried in the opposed sides of the corner member and rigidly attached to the wooden leg so that stresses adjacent the pivot are taken by metal parts.

7. In a folding table, a top, an underframe composed of wooden strips, a metal corner member having two s aced sides and fasvtened to'both ofthe strips of a corner of the underframe-,so as to reinforce the same, a wooden leg substantially narrower than the spacing of the `sides of the corner member, means for pivotally mounting the wooden leg in the corner member, said mounting means including a metal anchorage attached to the upper end of the leg and extending a 'substantial distance along the leg and having pivot portions spaced so as to be adjacent the sides of the corner member and pivoted thereto, and a brace cooperative with the other end of the anchorage.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York, andState of New York, this 15th day of October, 1924..

HAROLD Hows.

frame composed of wooden strips, a metal l

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