US2061622A - Extensible top table - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1936. D. F. FERNEY EXTENSIBLE TOP TABLE Filed Feb. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 00/7/26/ i iii/W67 6% ATTORNEYS Nov. 24, 1936. FERNEY 2,061,622

EXTENSIBLE TOP TABLE Filed Feb. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 24, 1936 uNrrEo stares PATENT @FFEQE 17 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved occasional table having an extensible top associated therewith by means of which the area can be doubled to serve as a bridge, tea, cocktail, or other service table.

Second, to provide means in a table of the foregoing character for positively elevating the top sections and holding them in elevated position.

Third, to provide resilient lost motion means in the operating handle acting to urge the handle upwardly to concealed inoperative position and facilitating the manipulation thereof.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an occasional table embodying features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the table, the legs thereof being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on a line corresponding to line i4 of Figs. 1 and 3 and showing the table top sections in elevated position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line 5--5 of Figs. 3 and l, the table top sections being shown in extended or open position.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the table the top sections.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the parts in one corner of the top compartment without the top sections. 7

Referring to the drawings, I is an occasional table having legs 2 and a frame or bed with an upwardly opening compartment 3. A pair of top sections 4 and 5 hinged together at B are adapted to be received by the top compartment when folded in overlapping relation as shown by Figs. 1 and 2. The top section 4 has a peripheral flange 7 engageable with the upper edge of the side and end walls or frame pieces 8 and 9 of the top to limit the downward movement of the sections within the compartment and to provide an attractive finish or appearance.

Within the ends of the top compartment 3, I mount transverse brackets it of substantially U shape, the upright arms I! of the brackets being provided with vertical slots l2. Disposed bewithout tween the upright arms H are way members l3 having end keys or tongues l4 coacting with the slots I! to guide and limit the vertical movement of the way members relative to the brackets. Under the top section 5, I secure slides 55 for coaction with the way members l3, the latter having inturned flanges l6 overlapping recesses E! in the slides to hold the parts in assembled relation. Thus, the table top sections may be slid transversely of the top compartment when in elevated position, as shown by Fig. 4. When so elevated, the top section 4 may be swung to inverted position toprovide an enlarged top as shown by Fig. 5.

To positively elevate the top sections out of the top compartment and for positively supporting them in elevated position, I provide spaced cams l8 pivotally connected to the brackets it] under the way members 13, the cams being pivoted at E8! between the upright arms 19 of U-shaped clips 20 the webs of which are arranged under and. secured to the webs of the brackets it as shown. The webs of the clips and brackets are preferably welded together at 21! the brackets being secured to the bottom 22 of the top compartment by means of bolts 23.

The cams l8 associated with each bracket are connected by means of links 24 having lateral pins 25 receiving the end slots 26 of the crank arms 21 fixed to a rockshaft 28 pivotally mounted under the bottom 22 of the top compartment by means of bearing brackets 29. The rockshaft eX- tends longitudinally of the table and substantially centrally thereof and is provided with a central operating handle 30. For the passage of the cranks 21, the brackets it] and compartment bottom 22' are provided with transverse slots 3! and 32.

With the parts arranged in this manner, the operating handle so may be manipulated to positively elevate the top sections 6 and 5. When in actuated position, the cams iii are adapted to form uprights or posts for positively supporting the top sections in elevated position, as shown by Figs. 3 and 5. With the cams in actuated upright position, the ends 33 of thelinks 3 3 engage the upright arms H at one end of the brackets in to limit further movement of the parts. The operating handle 30 is swung downwardly until the ends 33 engage the arms II to complete the elevating manipulation. It will be noted that in actuated position the pivots I82 swing past the vertical planes of the pivots 88! so that there is no tendency for the supports to collapse, and in fact the load on the top tends to prevent collapsing or to make it more difficult.

The collapsed position of the operating handle Si] is against the bottom 22 of the top compartment as shown by Fig. 2. The handle is urged to such position by a compression spring 3% in an arm 35 fixed to the rockshaft 28, the inner end of the handle being pivoted to the arm 35 at 36. This arrangement provides a lost motion connection so that the handle may be easily grasped and moved to the position indicated by the dotted line 3? of Fig. 2 before it is necessary to apply any substantial force thereto for lifting the top. This arrangement prevents injury to the fingers and is very desirable and convenient in connection with my improvements and adds greatly to the convenience and ease of operation.

As shown by Fig. 6, the top compartment 3 is provided with cells 38 for decks of cards and scoring implements (neither of which is illustrated) for card games. These cells are uncovered when the top sections are initially moved to one side of the top compartment before turning the section l upside down.

From the foregoing description of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the top sections may be readily and positively lifted out of the top compartment of the table by manipulating the operating handle. With the top sections in such position, they are positively supported and will carry as much weight as in collapsed position. This is a very desirable feature inasmuch as it increases the usefulness of the table. The resilient lost motion means provided in the operating handle urges the latter to concealed position and facilitates the grasping of the handle for lifting the top section.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Although I have shown and described a certain specific embodiment of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention is therefore not to be restricted except in so far as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

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

1. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, a pair of top sections connected by a hinge and adapted to be received by said top compartment when folded in overlapping relation, transverse brackets of substantially U shape mounted in the ends of said compartment and having vertical slots in the upright arms thereof, way members having end keys coacting with said slots, slides mounted under one of said top sections and coacting with said way members, and means for positively elevating said top sections out of said top compartment and supporting them in elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivotally connected to said brackets below said way members, links connecting the cams associated with each bracket, a rockshaft mounted on the bottom of said compartment and having a central operating handle, and cranks fixed to said rockshaft and having pin and slot connections to said links, the operating handle being provided with resilient lost motion means acting to urge the handle upwardly into engagement with the bottom of said compartment.

2. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, top sections adapted to be received by said top compartment when folded in overlapping relation, transverse brackets of substantially U shape mounted in the ends of said compartment and having vertical slots in the upright arms thereof, way members having end keys coacting with said slots, slides mounted under one of said top sections and coacting with said way members, and means for positively elevating said top sections out of said top compartment and supporting them in elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivotally connected to said brackets below said way members, links connecting the cams associated with each bracket, a rockshaft mounted on the bottom of said compartment and having an operating handle, and cranks fixed to said rockshaft and having connections to said links, the operating handle being provided with resilient lost motion means acting to urge the handle upwardly into engagement with the bottom of said compartment.

3. A table having an upwardly opening compart ment in the top thereof, top sections adapted to be 1 a received by said top compartment when folded in. overlapping relation, transverse brackets of sub-. stantially U shape mounted in the ends of said compartment and having vertical slots in the up,- right arms thereof, way members having end keys coacting with said slots, slides mounted under one of said top sections and coacting with said Way members, and means for positively elevating said top sections out of said top compartment;

and supporting them in elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivotally connected to said brackets below said way members, links connecting the cams associated with each bracket, a, rockshait mounted on the bottom. of said com-.

partment and having an operating handle, and cranks fixed to said rockshaft and having connections to said links.

4. A table having an upwardly opening compart-- ment in the top thereof, hinged top sections adapted to be received by said top compartment when folded in overlapping relation, transverse way members mounted for vertical movement in the ends of said compartment, slides mounted undersaid top sections and coacting with said way members, and means for positively elevating said topsections out of said top compartment and sup.-

porting them in elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivoted under said way members, links connecting the cams associated with each.

ment in the top thereof, hinged top sections adapted to be received by said top compartment when folded in overlapping relation, transverse way members mounted for vertical movement in the ends of said compartment, slides mounted under said top sections and coacting With said way members, and means for positively elevating said top sections out of said top compartment and supporting them in elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivoted under said way members, links connecting the cams associated with each bracket, a rockshaft mounted below said compartment and having an operating handle, cranks fixed to said rockshaft and connected to said links, and resilient lost motion means acting to urge the handle upwardly into engagement with the bottom of said compartment.

6. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, hinged top sections adapted to be received by said top compartment when folded in overlapping relation, and means for positively elevating said top sections out of said top compartment and supporting them in elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivoted thereunder, links connecting the cams associated with each bracket, a rockshaft mounted below said compartment and having an operating handle, cranks fixed to said rockshaft and connected to said links, and resilient lost motion means acting to urge the handle upwardly into engagement with the bottom of said compartment.

'7. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, hinged top sections adapted tobe received by said top compartment when folded in overlapping relation, and means for positively elevating said top sections out of said top compartment and supporting them in, elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivoted thereunder, links connecting the cams associated with each bracket, a rockshaft mounted below said compartment and having an operating handle, and cranks fixed to said rockshaft and connected to said links. 7

8. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, atop section adapted to be received by said top compartment, transverse brackets of substantially U shape mounted in the ends of said compartment and having vertical slots in the upright arms thereof, way members having end keys coacting with said slots, slides mounted under said top section and coacting with said Way members, and means for positively elevating said top section out of said top compartment and supporting it in elevated position, comprising spaced cams pivotally connected to said brackets under said way members, links connecting the cams, a rockshaft mounted on the bottom of said compartment, cranks fixed to said rockshaft and connected to said links, an operating handle provided with a lost motion connection to said rockshaft, and resilient means acting to urge the handle upwardly into engagement with the bottom of said compartment when said top section is received within said compartment, the lost motion connection permitting the handle to be grasped before the application of force for elevating the top section.

9. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, a top section adapted to be received by said top compartment, and means for positively elevating said top section out of said top compartment and supporting it in elevated position, comprising spaced cams, links connecting the cams, a rockshaft mounted on the bottom of said compartment, cranks fixed to said rockshaft and connected to said links, an operating handle provided with a lost motion connection to said rockshaft, and resilient means acting to urge the handle upwardly into engagement with the bottom of said compartment when said top section is received within said compartment,

the lost motion connection permitting the handle to be grasped before the application of force for elevating the top section.

10. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, a top section adapted to be received by said top compartment, and means for positively elevating said top section out of said top compartment and supporting it in elevated position, comprising spaced cams, links connecting the cams, a rockshaft mounted on the bottom of said compartment, cranks fixed to said rockshaft and connected to said links, and operating handle provided with a lost motion connection to said rockshaft.

11. A table having an upwardly opening compartment in the top thereof, a top section adapted to be received by said top compartment, and means for positively elevating said top section out of said top compartment and supporting it in elevated position, comprising spaced cams, means pivoting said cams to said table for movement in a vertical plane, links connecting the cams, a rockshaft mounted on the bottom of said compartment, cranks fixed to said rockshaft and connected to said links, and means limiting the pivotal movement of said cams, said cams in elevated position standing on one side of a vertical line through their pivot points, whereby loads on the table oppose collapse of the cams.

12. A table having a top compartment, a top member adapted for vertical movement into and out of said compartment, cam means disposed in said compartment and under said top member for elevating the same, and manually controlled means for actuating said cam means, the cam means constituting supports for said top member in elevated position, said manually controlled means including a handle disposed under the bottom of said compartment, the handle being urged into engagement with said bottom in normal posi-' tion and having a certain amount of initial free movement relative thereto. a

13. A table'having a top compartment, a top member adapted for vertical movement into and out of said compartment, cam means disposed in said compartment and under said top member for elevating the same, manually controlled means for actuating said cam means, and a lost motion connection between the cam means and said manually controlled means whereby an initial free movement of the manually controlled means is afforded prior to actuation of the cam means by the manually controlled means, the cam means constituting sup-ports for said top member in elevated position.

, 14:. A table having a top compartment, a top member adapted for vertical movement into and out of said compartment, cam means for elevating the top member, means for actuating said cam means, and a lost motion connection between the cam means and said manually controlled means whereby an initial free movement of the manually controlled means is afforded prior to actuation of the cam means by the manually controlled means, the cam means constituting self-locking supports for said top member in elevated position.

15. A table having a top compartment, a top member adapted for vertical movement into and out of said compartment, means for elevating the top member, means for actuating said elevating means, and a lost motion connection between the elevating means and the actuating means whereby an initial free movement of the actuating means is afforded prior to actuation of the elevating means by the actuating means.

16. A table having a top compartment, a top comprising hinged sections adapted to collapse into said compartment when folded, the section which is at the bottom when the sections are folded having slides, coacting slide ways mounted for vertical movement within said compartment, at each end thereof, cam means engaging said slideways for raising and supporting them in raised position, and a common operating means for said cam means disposed below said compartment and comprising a rockshaft provided with a hand piece and having connection at its ends to said cam means for positively operating the same.

17. A table having a top compartment, a top comprising hinged sections adapted to collapse into said compartment when folded, the section Which is at the bottom when the sections are folded having slides, coacting slide ways mounted for vertical movement within said compartment, means for raising and supporting said slide ways in raised position comprising pivoted members coacting with said slide ways and arranged so that when in erected position a downward thrust on the table top acts to prevent collapsing thereof, and a common operating means for said first named means disposed below the compartment and positively connected with said means for raising and supporting said slide ways in raised position.

DANIEL F. FERNEY.

Images