US2004896A - Folding furniture - Google Patents

Description

June 11, 1935. e. A. KNOTT FOLDING FURNITURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1935 l I I I G. A. KNOTT 2,004,896

FOLDING FURNITURE Filed March 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 him/Mp deafyefl fizoit,

June 11, 1935.

Patented June 11, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING FURNITURE George Albert Knott, Washington, D. 0.

Application March 25, 1933, Serial No. 662,796

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in folding furniture and is more particularly concerned with an article which, when folded, resembles a normal high desk or cabinet, and which, when unfolded or open, presents a table top with accompanying benches.

One of the features of the present invention is the provision of a fully connected structure, in which no parts are loose.

Another feature of the present invention is the connection of the benches and table supports whereby a mutual bracing is effected.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a bench assembly-comprising two individual benches of standard height and which each contain folding structure and which together interfold with respect to the rest of the article, whereby the benches are brought into telescoped position with respect to one another.

These and other features of the invention will appear in the course of the following specification, which describes an illustrative example of practicing the invention, as shown on the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upright longitudinal sectional view through the article of furniture, with the table in open or unfolded position.

Figure 2 is a similar view, with the structures folded.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a preferred table-stiffening member.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the opened table in plan, with one bench in opened position and the other bench in folded position.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the article of furniture, with the benches both in opened position.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the benches in nested position.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a top and panel brace and drawer support.

In the drawings, the stationary portion of the article of furniture, which houses and encloses the foldable portions thereof, is shown in the drawings to comprise the end walls i0, "la, the back wall I i, a counter-shelf l2, and an upper structure extending above. the counter-shelf and having shelves such as l3 whereby this space may be employed for the storage of dishes, etc., and to which access may be gained through front doors II. The counter-space between the counter-shelf l2 and the lowermost closet shelf i3 is accessible through a door l5 which is connected by a horizontal hinge l6 so that it may be opened similarly to the folding shelf of a desk and thus used (when the other parts of the structure are folded) as a desk, and may have for such use a folding link brace l5a.

In the lower portion of the stationary structure thus provided is a bottom shelf l1 and a top shelf l8 which are spaced rearwardly from the plane of the front vertical edges l9 sufficiently for the reception of the panel support for the free end of the table, as will be described hereinafter. A forwardly and upwardly inclined partition member connects these two lower shelves I1 and I8 and provides a pocket between itself and the rear wall ll of the article of fumiture into which the end section of the table may move during folding. The shelf l8 extends from the side wall M to the side wall Illa, while the shelf l'i terminates short of these side walls, for the reception of the legs of the benches as will be seen from Fig. 5, and bracket end pieces 2i connect the shelf I! and the partition 20 to stiffen the shelf I1 and hold it in its predetermined position. Guide rails 22 are fixed to the side walls i0, Illa and extend arcuately in extension of the rear surface of partition 20 to a point below the front edge of the counter-shelf l2 (Figs. 1 and 2), and are provided thereat with inwardly turned ends 22a to form table stops.

The table top proper is comprised of three sections a, 30b, 300, which are joined together by hinges 3| having their axes substantially in the plane of the bottom of the table top when unfolded or opened. Thus, in the absence of any obstruction, the operation of pushing the table sections toward the right in Fig. 1 will cause the end section 30c to slide over the upper surfaces of the rails 22, and if bending does not occur by reason of the weight of the sections, the free end of the end section 300 will encounter a breakdown wedge piece 32 which causes the sections to fold with respect to one another and thus move finally into the position of Figure 2, in which the sections are located wholly within the stationary structure.

In order to support the sections when opened, cross-ties 33 are provided for extending across the hinge joints between the sections and preventing a sinking of the sections under the load of dishes, etc., on the table top. Such a crosstie is illustrated in Fig. 4 as comprising an arm portion for fitting against the lower surfaces of the corresponding sections, and provided with a stiffening rib 33d extending away from such surfaces, as well as an eye 33b for receiving a screw 34 about which the cross-tie may swing and which itself is secured in a table top section. Each of these ties may be moved until it is substantially parallel to the hinge lines between-the sections and lies wholly beneath a single section: and in such position it does not interfere with the free folding of the structure, as described above. At the free end of the arm is provided a notch 33c which receives the thin stem 35a of a screw member 35 having an enlarged head 35b, when in cross-tying position, as shown in Fig. 1, with the table unfolded. A tight compression coil spring 33d may be located around the screw 34 to hold the brace tight against the section, under friction, so that it does not swing during the folding of the table top sections.

The left-hand edge of the table top, as shown in Fig. 1, is supported by a frame structure which is illustrated in Fig. 6 as having the vertical legs 38, 38a at the corners, with cross-connecting pieces 39, 39a, 39b, and as a whole joined rigidly to the table top section 30a. by the employment of angle braces 40 (Figs. 1 and 2). The

cross-piece 39a. is preferably located opposite the intermediate shelf l8 and a down-folding door 4m permits access through this front panel (when the table is closed) to the space above shelf l8 which may be shut off at the back, if desired, by a partition wall as shown by dotted lines I80. in Fig. 2.

The upper cross-piece 39 is provided with an aperture for the reception of a drawer 4| which is supported by guides 40a joined to the crosspiece 39 and to the table top section 30a (Figs. 1 and 2). A guide 40a and an angle brace 40 may be formed as a composite structure (Fig. 8).

In the illustrated form, the invention is shown as employable as a breakfast table and bench assembly. Two benches A and B are provided for this purpose, each being capable of arrangement along one side of the table. Each of these benches is foldable beneath the table, as a first step, and then into the stationary cabinet structure as a second step. For this purpose, each bench comprises end leg structures 45, 45a. In the illustrated form, the leg structures 45 are located at the ends of the top or seat boards, while the leg structures 45a are spaced therefrom by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the leg structure 45 of the other bench. The leg structures 45 are joined at one vertical edge by hinges 45 to the adjacent vertical edge of the front leg structures 38, 38a of the front panel.

Each bench also includes a top or seat board section 41 which is fixedly connected to the leg structures, and a movable top or seat board section 48 which is connected with the fixed seat board section 41 by hinge means 49 which preferably are located wholly below the seat surfaces when the benches are unfolded. It will be noted that the movable board 48 in each bench may be folded over flat upon the fixed board 41 thereof, and thereafter the two benches may be folded together into the "nested position shown in Fig. 7. The leg sections 45, 45a of the two benches are of the same height, and by reason of the individual folding of the seat boards of the benches, the fixed boards 41 come to lie in a common plane, while the movable boards 48 also lie in a common plane. If desired, reinforcing members 50 may be used' to connect the legs 45, 45a of the individual benches; each member 50 being connected to the legs adjacent the fixed board 41 thereof, to

.avoid interference with the nesting.

When the benches are folded together and the .front panel pushed back into its closed position,

pies very little space in extension away from the wall of the room.

When it is desired to unfold or open the table, the upper portions of the front panel, as shown in Fig. 6, may be pulled out, as by employing hand grips 3871. and drawing the table top sections in succession from the space within the cabinet or stationary portion of the article of furniture. This causes a separation of the front panel from the stationary structure, and the benches are carried therewith while still occupying the position shown in dotted lines for the bench A in Fig. 5. Ultimately the stop pins 52 on the last table section 300 engage with the stop ends 22a of the guide rail 22 and limit the table top in its move ment, and prevent an entire separation from the stationary portion of the article of furniture. The attendant can now swing the cross-ties 33 across the lines of separation of the successive table top sections and secure these cross-ties on the screws 35. The bench B can then be opened by swing-' ing it in a clockwise direction about its vertical axis (as seen in Fig. 5), and the movable seat board thereof swung around, so that ultimately the bench B is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5. Similarly, the bench A may likewise be swung, by a corresponding counterclockwise movement, about its hinges 45 and its seat board swung to the final opened position.

If desired, casters may be provided beneath the panel and bench legs to facilitate the sliding and swinging of these parts.

The structure is light, occupies little space when folded, and is stiif when in position for service. In particular, it will be noted that the panel forming the support for the left-hand end of the table top, in Fig. 1, is itself stifiened and supported by the bench structures at each side, and that these bench structures are similarly braced and supported by the aforesaid end panel. The entire table and bench assembly is located below the counter-shelf l2, so that the assembly is adapted for incorporation in articles of furniture of various'types and designs; and it is unnecese sary to disturb objects located on the shelf I! while opening or closing the table.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited solely to the form of construction shown, but that it may be modified in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

' Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An article of furniture. including astationary support and casing structure having a front opening, a sectional table top collapsible into said structure upon a substantially horizontal movement of the free edge, supporting means rigidly secured to the free edge of the table top, a bench, and a vertical pivot connecting said bench to said supporting means for movement of the bench from and to a position beneath said top when the top is in extended position, said table and bench being movable into said opening, said supporting means including a panel for closing said opening and concealing said bench when the table top is collapsed.

2. An article of furniture including a stationary support and easing structure having an open front, a sectional table top collapsible into said structure, supporting means for the free edge of the table top and constituting when said top is within the structure a front panel for said structure, and a bench pivoted to said supporting means for movement to and from a position beneath said top when the top is in extended position.

3. An article of furniture including a stationary support and casing structure having an open front, a sectional table top collapsible into said structure, supporting means for the free edge of the table top, and a pair of benches having independent horizontally spaced pivot connections to said supporting means for movement to and from a nested position beneath said top.

4. An article of furniture including a stationary support and casing structure having an open front, a table top comprising a plurality of hingedly connected sections, guides in said structure supporting said top whereby the top may be collapsed through said open front into said structure by folding about the hinge connections, a front panel rigidly secured to the free edge of the table top for movement with the table top during its collapsing and extension, cross-tying devices for connecting and reinforcing said sections when the top is in open position, and a bench having spaced legs and movably connected to said panel for stiffening the same and movable therewith as the table top is collapsed and extended, said panel being eifective when the top is collapsed for closing the open front and concealing said devices, guides and bench.

5. An article of furniture including a stationary support and casing structure having an open front, a sectional table top collapsible into said structure, a front panel for said structure connected to said table top for supporting the same, and benches pivoted to said panel for movement to and from nested position when the top is in extended position.

6. An article of furniture including a support member, and a pair of benches connected to said support at spaced vertical pivots, said benches having leg portions of the same height and each having a seat board portion fi'xed to its said legs, and also having a movable seat board portion hinged for swinging movement onto the corresponding fixed seat board portion, whereby the benches may be nested in a space having horizontal dimensions substantially equal to the length and width of the top of one bench when in position for occupancy.

7. An article as in claim 6, including a stationary support and easing structure having a front opening, and a sectional table top movable into and out of said opening near the top thereof, in which the said support member forms a closing panel for said opening and a support for the free edge of the top, so that the movement of said support member into structure-closing position causes a collapsing of the top into said structure, and said nested benches are moved into said front opening.

8. An article of furniture including a stationary tical pivot connecting said bench to said support-= ing means whereby it may be moved from and to a position beneath said table when the table top is extended, a shelf in said structure above the level of said bench and below the level of said table top when extended, means on said structure for guiding the table top during collapsing so.

that the top is moved into the front opening above said shelf and the bench into the opening below the shelf, said panel operating in the collapsed position of the table top to close at least the portion of said front opening above said shelf, and a movable section included in said panel to afford access to the space above the shelf when the table top is in collapsed position.

9. An article of furniture including a stationary support and casing structure having a front opening, a sectional table top collapsible into said opening of said structure, a panel supporting the free edge of the table top and movable therewith in its collapsing and extending movements and closing said opening, a bench, a vertical pivot connecting said bench to said panel whereby it may be moved to and from a position beneath said table when the table top is extended, a shelf in said structure above the level of said bench and below the level of said table top when extended, and means supported by said panel for closing the space above said shelf and permitting access thereto when said table top and panel are in collapsed position.

10. An article of furniture including a stationary support and easing structure having a front opening, a sectional table top collapsible into said opening of said structure upon a substantially horizontal movement of the free edge of said top, supporting means rigidly fixed to the free edge of the table top and movable horizontally therewith in its collapsing and extending movements and including a panel extending downwardly from the top to cover at least a part of the front opening, a bench pivoted to said supporting means for movement from and to a position beneath said top when the top is extended and collapsing with said top into said structure, and a drawer movable into and out of said panel portion, means supporting said drawer fixed to said panel and the adjacent portion of the table top to stiffen the same and movable therewith in the collapsing and extending movements, said drawer being positioned within said structure above said bench when the top is collapsed and accessible at all times whether the top is extended or collapsed.

11. An article of furniture including a stationary support and easing structure having a front opening, a sectional table top comprising a plurality of connected sections collapsible into said opening of said structure upon sliding movement of the free edge of the top substantially in the direction of the plane of the top, supporting means for the free edge of the table top when extended and rigidly secured to said top for movement therewith toward and from said structure and including a panel portion, a bench having a length substantially equal to the length of the free edge of the table top and pivoted to said supporting means for movement of the bench to and from a position substantially at a right angle to said free edge in which it operates to reinforce said supporting means and from and to a position beneath said topand parallel to said free edge when the top is extended, said bench when in said parallel position being'slidable with the supporting means into collapsed position in said front opening in said structure, the panel portion operating to conceal the bench when in said structure.

12. An article of furniture as in claim 11, in which the first said supporting means includes a panel for substantially closing the front opening and operative to conceal the bench when the top is collapsed into the structure.

13. An article of furniture including a stationary support and casing structure having an open front, a sectional table top collapsible into said structure, means providing a panel for said opening connected to said table top and supporting the same when in extended position, and a pair of benches pivoted to said panel for movement from and to nested position when the top is in extended position and occupying in nested position a space having horizontal dimensions substantially equal to the length and width of the top of one bench, when in position for occupancy.

14. An article of furniture including a stationary support and easing structure having a fixed supporting surface and a front opening immediately below said surface, a sectional table top collapsible through said opening into said structure and including a plurality of sections, hinge connections between the sections about which the successivesections fold downwardly while being returned into the structure, means rigidly connected to the said section which presents the free edge of the table top when extended and supporting the same when extended, guides in said structure engaged by and bringing the successive other sections upward and into alignment with the said free edge section while being withdrawn from the structure into extended position, said supporting means including a panel portion for closing said front opening and concealing said other sections when in collapsed position, said fixed surface being accessible whether the table sections are in extended or collapsed condition and stiffening means pivotally, connected to the hinged sections and cooperative therebetween to support the table top when extended.

GEORGE ALBERT KNOTT.

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