US2836476A - Collapsible and extensible table - Google Patents

Description

y 1953 ca. CARTER ET AL 2,836,476

COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENSIBLE TABLE Filed March 6, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /7 I r:.- l 29 x I 7 fli I g9 /7 3W 5 jg /\9 g i ew .5

//4 F; 6 MVEMOR: 62 0/5 51 634872 50 A9 Les i'er J. C/l/Pfffi? ATTORNEY May 1958 G. CARTER EI'AL 2,836,476

COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENSI BL E TABLE Filed. March 6, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ATTORNEY y 1958 G. CARTER El'AL 2,836,476

COLLAPSIBLEZ AND EXTENSIBLE TABLE iled March 6, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 TIT... E

26 30 27 Q/o x 41 INVENTORS 11 650865 CARR-e...

a" ATTORNEY United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE AND EXTENSIBLE TABLE George Carter and Lester J. Carter, Plains, Mont.

Application March 6, 1957, Serial No. 644,304

1 Claim. ((11. 311-84) The present invention relates to a collapsible and extensible table and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a foldable and extensible table which consists of a horizontally extending frame provided with a longitudinally extending vertical recess adjacent each side thereof in which recesses pairs of legs are adapted to rest when the table is in folded condition and from which the legs extend when the table is in operative condition. Novel means is provided for mounting the pairs of legs to the frame and novel means is provided for latching the legs in their extended positions. The

legs are of novel shape whereby to be wholly receivable in the aforesaid recesses. A novel table top is slidably mountable upon the frame and a novel extension piece is provided when it is desired to extend the usable space atop the same.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and yet effective and efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character set forth, novel latching means for pairs of legs forming a part of the invention.

Still another object of the invention is to provide legs of novel contour which may be wholly receivable in recesses forming parts of the invention when the table is in inoperative or folded condition.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character set forth, novel mounting for pairs of legs forming part of the invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character set forth, a novel extension piece for a table top forming a part of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the device, certain portions being shown in section, and illustrating certain latch mechanisms in retracted positions,

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of Fig. 6,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 2,

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing certain latch mechanisms in retracted position,

2,836,476 Patented May 27, 1958 ice Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 2, and

Figure 11 is a reduced perspective view of an insert or extension member forming a part of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown therein a device of the character set forth comprising a frame having a pair of horizontally extending vertical side members 10 each of which has inwardly spaced therefrom by means of blocks 11 identical housing members 12 each of which forms with its adjacent side member 10 the horizontally extending vertical pocket 13. lnwardly spaced from the housing members 12 and likewise spaced from each other is a pair of horizontally extending vertical brace members 14. A pair of top cross bars 15 is afiixed adjacent either end of the frame to the members 10, 12 and 14 and a like pair of lower cross bars 16 is aflixed, adjacent each end of the frame, to the sides of the members 10, 12 and 14, both pairs of cross bars 15 and 16 being inset into the members to which they are attached to provide a greater rigidity.

An axle 17 is rotatably mounted in a transverse direction adjacent each end of the frame and each of the axles has its opposed ends terminating in one of the pockets 13. A supporting leg 18 is affixed to each end portion of each of the axles 17 and each leg 18 is therefore mounted for movement into and out of its associated pocket 13. Each axle 17 has centrally provided with an operating handle 19 which extends radially therefrom and in the general direction of the legs associated therewith.

Each leg 18 is provided with a vertical outer edge 20 and an inner edge 21 which extends downwardly and outwardly with respect to the table when the legs are in extended or vertical condition as shown, for example, in Figure 1 but which slanting inner edges 21 abut one another in each case when the legs are in retracted position as shown, for example, in Figure 7.

Immediately below each of the axles 17 is located a pair of latch members each generally designated at 22, such latch members 22 each being shown in detail in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive.

Each of the latch members 22 consists of a rod 23 having a handle 24 at its inner end and extending outwardly and laterally of the frame and each rod 23 extends slidably through its associated members 14 and 12 and, when the legs 18 are in extended position, through an opening 24 provided in each of the legs 18 and is receivable in a socket 25 formed in the inner face of the associated member 10. A collar 26 is aifixed to the rod 23 between its associated members 12 and 14 and normally lies adjacent the inner face of the member 12 when the latch member 22 is in latched position. A collar 27 is slidably mounted upon the rod 23 and is adapted to abut against the outer face of the member 14. A compression spring 28 surrounds the rod 23 and bears against the collars 26 and 27.

A table top is provided in two complementary sections 29 each of which has a trackway 30 affixed to the underside of each of its side edge portions and which trackways are slidable upon tracks 31 aflixed to the upper outer face of each of the members 10. Each complementary part of the table top is provided at its outer end with a dependent skirt 32.

A hook 33 is attached to the underside of the inner end of the trackways 30 carried by one of the parts 29 while an eye 34 is carried in a corresponding position upon each of the other two trackways 30.

To complete the invention there is provided a transversely extending extension member 35 each of whose end portions is provided with a dependent skirt 36.

In the operation of the invention, it will be apparent that When the table is in its folded condition as shown,

for example, in Figures 6 and 7, that the angular faces 21 of the legs 18 will be in abutting relation to each other thus making it possible for all of the legs 18 to lie whollywithin their pockets 13. ,At thistime the inner ends 'ofeach*of therods 23 will beargagain'st the inner face of its associated leg 18 thus frictionally'maintaining the legs in such foldedcondition Within their pockets 13. jln'suchcondition, the table willoccupy a minimum of space so that it may be stored with the two portions 29 of the top in positionupon the frame while at the same time the extension member 35 may be positioned within the frame conveniently between the two members 14;

'When; however, it operative position, it isonly necessary to grasp two of the opposed handles 24 and to force them toward each other, as indicated in Figure 9 to thus free the inner ends of the rods 23 from frictional engagement with the associated legs 18 whereupon by manipulating the handle 19 of the associated axle 17, thepair of legs may be extended to vertical position as shown, for example, in

a Figure 1. This will bring the openings 24a of the associated' legs 18into registry with the ends of the rods 23 whereupon,- by releasing the handles 24, the rods 23 will be forced by means of their'associated springs 28 through the openings 24a into engagement with the recesses 25. This operation may be repeated at the opposite end of the table utilizing the two remaininghandles 24 and their associated mechanisms. 7 p

Ordinarily, the two portions 29 of the table top are interlocked by means of thehooks 33 and eyes 34. When it is desired to'extend the operating surface 'of the table, it is ony necessary to disengage the books 33 from their eyes '34 and to place the extension member 35 between the innerends of the top portions 29 first, naturally, removing the portions 29 away from each other so that such extension ma y be received therebetween and afterwards moving the portions 29 toward each other to abut the extension 35, it being apparent that the skirt members 36 will overlie theouter faces of the side members 10. 40

Thus it will be seen that there is provided a device is desired to place the table in 1 which may be folded into an extremely compact condition yet one which, when extended, will provide a sturdy,

useful and extendable table:

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is: 1 j

A device of the character described comprising a horizontally extending frame having a horizontally extending vertical pocket formed adjacent each side thereof, a pair of transversely extending rotatable axles each mounted in said frame adjacent each end thereof, a table leg afiixed to each end of each of said axles within said pockets, and latch means for maintaining said legs in vertical relation to said frame, said means including a pair of opposed spring pressed rods foreach pair of legs, said legseach having openings forreceivin'g one of said rods when said leg is in vertical relation'to the frame, said-springs nor-1 mally urging said rods to latched position, and said frame having sockets for receiving said rods when thellatter are extended through said legs, each of said rods :being provided at its inne'r end with a handle, and each of-said axles being provided with a centrally disposed radially extending operating handle. n

7 References Cited in the file of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France 'lan.' 14, 1930

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