US2249287A - Table for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

July 15, 1941.

,1. A. GEARHART EIAL TABLE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Jan. 15, 1940 ATTOR N EY5 Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TABLE FOR AUTOMOBILES Joseph A. Gearhart and Vlilliam M. Gearhart, Sr., Brackenridge, Pa. i

Application January 15, 1940, Serial No. 313,994 Claims. (Cl. 31l21) The invention relates to a table for automobiles and more especially to a disappearing table for use in pleasure automobiles or in any enclosure where the space within is limited.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a table of this character wherein the shelf constituting the table proper is swingable in a vertical direction and is supported when in a substantially horizontal plane so that it may be used for service purposes or as a writing shelf, support or the like and when not in use is concealed within a space created by a housing or casing countersunk in the rear of the front seat of the motor vehicle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a table of this character wherein the same when folded lies flush with a supporting wall and thus being out of the way to avoid constituting a barrier between the front and rear seats thereof when entering or leaving a motor vehicle and also giving a neat finished appear-- ance without altering the normal appearance of the vehicle and particularly the seat supporting said table.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a table of this character wherein it can be readily released or swung to a serving position and adjustably latched in the latter position, the table in its entirety being of novel construction and unique in assembly.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a table of this character, which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and efiicient inoperation, readily and easily ma' nipulated and when folded disappears from view, being strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred and modified forms of embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the front seat back of a motor vehicle showing the table in an unfolded position constructed in accordance with the invention in association therewith.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the table folded.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 looking in' the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-45 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line l'l of Figure2 looking in the direction of the arrows. V

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a portion of the structure in Figure 7 in side elevation.

Figure 9 is a side elevation partly broken away showing a slight modification of the invention.

Figure 10 is an elevation thereof partly in section. a

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view taken on the line H-i| of Figure 9. V

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional View showing in detail one of the keeper notches employed in the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 9.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing. 7

Referring to the drawing in detail, particularly Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, of the group, A designates generally the table constituting the present invention while B denotes a portion of the front seat, that is, the back thereof, for a motor vehicle, being of conventional construction eX-, cepting that it has countersunk in the rearmost wall thereof at the proper locationa housing or casing l G preferably made from metal and dished to provide an open sided compartment for a purpose presently described. This housing or casing I Q is made fast in its countersimk relation to the back B in any suitable manner.

Associated with a housing or casing I6 is a vertically swingable shelf constituting a table top H, being flanged at I2 at its four sides and those flanges at opposite ends of the said shelf or top 5 l are provided with clearances for pivot screws l3 engaged in opposite ends of the housing or casing in and in this manner the said shelf or top H is swingable vertically for the folding. or unfolding thereof. On folding of the shelf or top II it constitutes a door or closure for'the.

compartment I 4 created therein and for a purpose presently described. I

Pivoted at IE to the outermost flanged edge of the shelf or top I l close to opposite corners thereof are turnable hangers or double ear brackets Hi to which are pivoted at I! props or braces l8. The props or braces [8 at the latching ends i9 thereof have therein spaced latching notches 20 selectively receiving a supporting rod 2! which is disposed crosswise or transversely within the compartment I4 and made fast by nuts 22 in the ends of the housing or casing [0. These props I8 are swingable laterally and in a vertical direction so that they may be folded to the position as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing to be confined or concealed within the compartment l4 when the shelf or top H has been folded, this position being exhibited in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing or such props l8 can be adjustably engaged with the rod 2| for sustaining the shelf or top H in an adjusted position when unfolded as exhibited in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. Pinched or otherwise formed from the rod 2| are stop nibs or lugs 23 which prevent the inward lateral swinging of the props I8 when engaged with said rod 2| and while holding the shelf or top H in an unfolding serving position.

Attached to the inner face of the shelf or top I l are friction clips 24, these being twin jawed and are separably engageable with the rod 2| for the latching of the shelf or top II when folded and in closing position to the housing or casing It]. At the outer side of the shelf or top H is a hand or finger knob 25 convenient for the unfolding or bringing of the said shelf or top to a serving position.

In Figures 9 to 12, inclusive, of the drawing there is shown a modification of the invention wherein the end flanges 26 of the top or shelf 21, which is similarly constructed to the said top or shelf I I, are provided with substantially L- shaped latching notches 28 and 29, respectively. The notches 28 are adapted for separable engagement with a pivot or pintle rod 30 built transversely in the angle iron 3|, which protrudes from the rear wall of the seat back B, and is devoid of an uppermost longitudinal edge flange, the flange 32 is part of the angle iron 3|. The notches 29 are engageable with a supporting rod 33 identical to the rod 2| and so mounted. In this manner the shelf or top 21 can be conveniently latched in a folded or closing position and also it can be completely detached or separated from the housing or casing 3| in that the props I8 are separably connectable with the said rods 33.

The top or shelf II is not countersunk in the seat back B but protrudes slightly therefrom at the flanged sides and ends of the same, being fastened in place in any suitable manner. These notches 28 and 29 when employed enable dispensing with the clips 24 hereinbefore described.

The props IS in association with the shelf or top 21 are conveniently concealed within the r angle iron 3| similarly to the concealment of the props 8 in the housing or casing III.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner of operation of the preferred and modified forms of the invention will be clearly understood and therefore a more extended explanation has been omitted.

What is claimed is:

1. A table for a motor seat back comprising an open sided housing, a table top for closing the open side of said housing and swingable on a horizontal axis, props having universal connection with a table top and swingable laterally and in a vertical direction, the props when swung laterally being accommodated within the housing and concealed therein by the top when closing the open side of said housing, means within the housing and engaged by the props when the top is swung to a position for opening the housing and sustaining said top in a supporting position, and means associated with the top and engageable with the first-named means to hold said top in a position for closing the housing.

2. A table for a motor seat back comprising an open sided housing, a table top for closing the open side of said housing and swingable on a horizontal axis, props having universal connection with a table top and swingable laterally and in a vertical direction, the props when swung laterally being accommodated within the housing and concealed therein by the top when closing the open side of said housing, means within the housing and engaged by the props when the top is swung to a position for opening the housing and sustaining said top in a supporting position, means associated with the top and engageable with the first-named means to hold said top in a position for closing the housing, and means on the first-named means to prevent the prop from lateral displacement when engaged therewith.

3. A table for a motor seat back comprising an open sided housing, a table top for closing the open side of said housing and removably swinging on a horizontal axis, props having universal .connection with a table top and swingable laterally and in a vertical direction, the props when swung laterally being accommodated Within the housing and concealed therein by the top when closing the open side of said housing, means within the housing and engaged by the props when the top is swung to a position for opening the housing and sustaining said top in a supporting position, means associated with the top and engageable with the first-named means to hold said top in a position for closing the housing, and means on the first-named means to prevent the prop from lateral displacement when engaged therewith, the said props being constructed for selective adjustment when engaged with the first-named means.

4. A table for a motor seat back comprising an open sided housing, a table top for closing the open side of said housing and swingable on a horizontal axis, props having universal connection with a table top and swingable laterally and in a vertical direction, the props when swung laterally being accommodated within the housing and concealed therein by the top when closing the open side of said housing, means Within the housing and engaged by the props when the top is swung to a position for opening the housing and sustaining said top in a supporting position, means. associated with the top and engageable with the first-named means to hold said top in a position for closing the housing, means on the first-named means to prevent the prop from lateral displacement when engaged therewith, the said props being constructed for selective adjustment when engaged with the first-named means, and brackets pivotally connected with the top and the said props for universal movement of the latter.

5. A table for a motor seat back, comprising an open sided housing, a table top for closing the open side of said housing and swingable on a horizontal axis, props having universal connection with the outer free end of the top and adapted to swing in a vertical plane, a transverse rod within the lower end ofthe housing and engaged by the props when the top is swung upwardly, and spring means carried by the lower face of the table top for locking the top in closed position by engagement with the said rod.

JOSEPH A. GEARI-IART. WILLIAM M. GEARHART, SR.

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