US3391660A - Knockdown pedestal table for camper and trailer vehicles - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. F. STEWART KNOCKDOWN PEDESTAL TABLE FOR CAMPER AND TRAILER VEHICLES July 9, 1968 Filed May 5, 1967 INVENTOR.

ANTHONY/T frame? W4 M firvaq/vens' July 9, 1968 A. F. STEWART 3,391,660

KNOCKDOWN PEDESTAL TABLE FOR CAMPER AND TRAILER VEHICLES Filed May .3, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. \-3Z ANTHONY I. J'rswmer s Hm; y jpf &%

Afro/Quays United States Patent 3,391,660 KNOCKDOWN PEDESTAL TABLE FOR CAMPER AND TRAILER VEHICLES Anthony F. Stewart, 12991 Nieta Drive, Garden Grove, Calif. 92640 Filed May 5, 1967, Ser. No. 636,454 17 Claims. (Cl. 108--153) ABSTRACT UF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure relates to a pedestal table having a hollow leg which is removably secured, by wedging connections, to a male or female mounting element on the floor and also on the underside of the tabletop. A manually-operated mechanism is provided to break the wedging connections between the leg and the asso ciated mounting elements, so that the table may be readily disassembled.

Background of the invention Field of the invention.-The field of art to which the invention pertains is that of pedestal tables which must be repeatedly assembled and disassembled by the user. Pedestal tables of the indicated type should, in order to be relatively rigid and free from wobble, incorporate wedging means providing rigid and non-wobbling connections between the leg and the tabletop as well as the floor. The present invention provides, in a pedestal table of the indicated wedging type, mechanical means for breaking the wedging connections regardless of the amount of force employed during or subsequent to assembly of the table.

Description of the prior art.-The only prior art of which applicant is presently aware comprises pedestal tables having wedging connections between the leg and the associated floor and tabletop, but wherein no means were provided to break the wedging connections when disassembly was desired. It frequently occurred that the pressure exerted longitudinally of the table leg, either during or subsequent to assembly, was so great that disassembly of the table was a distinct problem. It is pointed out that, where disassembly was effected merely by pulling upwardly on a tabletop, the arms of the operator were necessarily spread apart a substantial distance in order that opposite edge portions of the tabletop could be grasped. It was awkward to pull upwardly when the arms were thus spread. Furthermore, when release finally did occur it happened suddenly and in suchmanner that injury could result.

The indicated problem has resulted from the facts that: (a) in order to be rigid and non-wobbling, a knockdown pedestal table should incorporate wedging connections between the leg and the associated floor and tabletop, and (b) surprisingly large and repeated pressures are frequently exerted downwardly against the top of the table. Relative to (b), above, the occupants of the confined areas in which the tables are employed frequently lean, sit or (in the case of children) play on the tabletop, thus creating very firm and tight wedging relationship.

the present invention, by proviidng, substantially entirely within a hollow pedestal leg, a release mechanism readily Patented July 9, 1968 ice manually operable by anyone and which creates a mechanical advantage suflicient to break the wedging connection at each end of the leg. This is accomplished without greatly increasing the cost of the table, and without detracting from the appearance of the table in any material way. The mechanism includes an elongated element which is mounted longitudinally within the hollow leg of the table and is longitudinally movable by a crank or other device which not only creates a mechanical advantage but also produces a reaction between the leg and the connected element or mounting therefor. By this means, a surprisingly small force will break a very tight connection and permit the table to be disassembled without effort. The release mechanism is such that it does not interfere with subsequent re-assembly of the table.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a knockdown pedestal table incorporating manually-operated disassembly means for creating, with a mechanical advantage, a reaction between the table leg and the tabletop, and also between the table leg and the fioor, so that disassembly can be effected without difiiculty.

A further highly important object is to achieve such result with a mechanism which does not interfere with re-assembly of the table, which is simple and economical, and which is substantially concealed from view.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings mounting means for connecting the leg to the tabletop and also to the floor, the parts being shown when the table is in condition for use, and before the disassembly operation has been initiated;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view coresponding to FIG- URE 2 but illustrating the positions of the parts during breaking of the Wedging connection at the top of the table leg;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a view corresponding generally to the upper portion of FIGURE 2, but illustrating a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the wedging connection is between the leg and a female or socket element;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view corresponding generally to FIGURE 6, but illustrating a third embodiment, wherein the reaction takes place between the leg and the female element instead of between the leg and the underside of the tabletop;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 8-8 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the release means mounted longitudinally in the hollow leg is not a single bar but instead is two bars associated in toggle relationship.

Description of the first embodiment, FIGURES 1-5 Proceeding to a description of the first embodiment,

0,6 3 FIGURES 1-5 inclusive, a pedestal table of the indicated type is shown in FIGURE 1 as comprising a leg which supports a tabletop 11 in spaced-parallel relationship above the underlying floor 12. The leg 10 is shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3 as being an elongated hollow cylinder or tube, being normally formed of steel which is exteriorly chrome plated for decorative purposes. Upper and lower annular beads 13 and 14 are formed in leg 10 in spaced relationship from the extreme ends thereof, such beads extending inwardly and forming parts of wedging connections to be described below. The beads 13 and 14, together with the extreme ends of the legs, form female leg and regions which are interiorly tapered for wedging associa tion with male elements next to be described.

Upper and lower male elements 16 and 17, respectively, are associated with opposite ends of the tubular leg 10 in wedging relationship. As shown at the upper regions of FIGURES 2 and 3, the upper male element 16 comprises a generally disc-shaped base plate 18 which is secured by screws 19 to the central portion of the undersurface of tabletop 11. Provided at the central portion of each base plate 18 is a depressed annular section 21 which defines therearound a seat for a frustoconical element 22.

Element 22 may be hollow or cup shaped, as illustrated, having an open upper end (rim) which seats closely around depressed base portion 21. The exterior surface of element 22 is a surface of revolution about the axis thereof, being a downwardly-convergent frustoconical surface 24 with a relatively gradual taper. For example, the taper of surface 24 may be on the order of about five degrees from the vertical. Surface 24 converges in a direction away from the tabletop.

A bolt 26 extends, axially of the leg, upwardly through a central opening in the closed lower end 23 of element 22. The bolt also passes upwardly through a correspond ing central opening in the depressed portion 21 of base plate 18, there being a nut 27 provided on the upper threaded end of the bolt in order to seat the frustoconical element 22 firmly around the depressed portion 21.

The head 28 at the lower end of bolt 26 serves additionally as an actuated member which is employed during breaking of the wedging joint by the releasing mechanism of the invention.

The inner diameter of the leg 10 is so sized, particularly at the bead 13 and adjacent the extreme upper end of the leg, that a close-fitting or wedging relationship will result when male element 22 is extended downwardly into the leg as illustrated. Stated otherwise, the inner surface of the leg 10 at bead 13 is so sized as to be in close-fitting relationship with frustoconical surface 24 at the same time that the extreme upper end of the leg is in closefitting relationship to such frustoconical surface. Thus, the surface 24 and the tapered leg end are complementary.

Preferably, the extreme upper end of the leg 10 never engages the undersurface of base plate 18, since if such engagement were to occur there might be wobbling (caused by absence of the requisite wedging relationship) between the tubular leg and the male mounting therefor. Thus, a clearance gap is present even when the table is fully assembled (FIGURE 2). It is emphasized that wobble is undesirable in any pedestal table, but is particularly undesirable in a table employed in a moving vehicle such as a camper, trailer, etc.

The lower male mounting element 17 is identical to upper element 16 described in detail above, and coopcrates in identical manner with the leg 10 at the lower head 14 and also at the lower end of the leg. The only difference is that the lower element 17 is anchored to floor 12, extending upwardly therefrom in inverted relationship relative to upper element 16. Therefore, the assembly 17 and its cooperation with the leg It will not be redescribed.

rocceding next to a description of the releasing means of the invention, this comprises an actuating element mounted longitudinally within the tubular leg 10 and movable, with considerable mechanical advantage, to provide ultimate releasing reactions between the tabletop 11 and the leg 10, and/or between the floor 12 and leg 10.

Stated more definitely, the releasing mechanism is illustrated in FIGURES 25 to comprise an elongated actuator 30 adapted to be moved upwardly to engage the bolt head 28 associated with the tabletop 11, and downwardly to engage the bolt head 28 associated with the floor 12. Because of the relationships (described below) between the actuator 34? and the operating means therefor, these movements provide, respectively, reactions which break the wedging connections between such leg and the mounting elements 16 and 17.

The illustrated actuator 30 is an elongated rigid metal tube 31 having end portions 32 which are pinched or flattened. Mounted at the ends of the tube are upper and lower actuating discs 33 and 34, respectively. More specifically, each of the discs 33 and 34 has an car 36 which is pierced from the body of the disc and bent at right angles thereto for insertion into an associated pinched tube end 32. Such tube ends 32 are punched and flattened to thus firmly pinch the ears 36 and retain the discs in position.

The upper disc 33 has diametrically-opposed bent-over edge regions 33a (see FIGURE 5) to increase the clearance relative to the interior surface of leg 10. This insures against binding during operation of the releasing mechanism as will be described below.

A rod 38, preferably having a cylindrical shape and formed of metal, is inserted through corresponding hearing openings 39 in leg 10. The rod also extends through corresponding openings in the upper pinched tube end 32 and in the car 36 therein.

The journal portions of rod 38, which are received rotatably within openings 33, have diameters only slightly smaller than the diameters of such openings, so that there will not be a great deal of play (in directions longitudinally of leg 10) between the rod 38 and the leg. Such journal portions, and the openings 39, preferably are directly opposite each other and lie along a horizontal axis which is one diameter of the leg 19.

A portion of rod 38 midway between openings 39 is bent a substantial distance away from the indicated horizontal axis, as best shown in FIGURE 3, and therefore forms a crank section 41. It is this crank section or portion which is inserted through the upper tube end 32 and in the ear 36 therein. The openings in these elements are also only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod at the crank portion 41 thereof, to thus minimize the amount of play.

One end of the rod 38, shown at the left in FIGURES 2 and 3, has mounted thereon a suitable push nut 42. The other end of the rod is bent at substantially a right angle relative to the indicated horizontal axis, and forms a handle or operating portion 43 which extends for a very substantial distance away from the axis. Thus, in the illustration, the handle extends away from the common axis of openings 39 for a distance greater than the diameter of leg 10. Because the handle portion 43 extends much farther from the indicated axis than does the crank portion 41, it will be understood that a large mechanical advantage is created when handle 43 is manually engaged and employed to rotate crank portion 41 about the axis of openings 39. It is pointed out that handle 43 is also a crank but is substantially longer (extending farther from the axis) than is the crank portion 41.

To dissassociate the upper mounting element 16 from table leg 10, so that the tabletop 11 may be easily lifted off the leg, it is merely necessary for an operator to manually rotate handle crank 43 ninety degrees, that is to say from the FIGURE 2 position to the FIGURE 3 position. (rank portion 41 then reacts against the tube end 32 to lift actuating disc 33 into contact wtih the bolt head 28 of the upper mounting assembly 16. This creates a re leasing reaction between the bolt head and the leg 10. Stated more definitely, the force exerted by the upper disc 33 against the upper bolt head 28 is counteracted by a force exerted between rod 38 and the portions of leg defining the lower regions of openings 39. The stated reaction is sufiicient to break the tight wedging relationship between frustoconical surface 24 and the leg 10, permitting the tabletop to be lifted with substantially no effort.

To break the lower wedging connection, with male assembly 17, it is merely necessary for the operator to rotate handle portion 43 one hundred eighty degrees away from the position shown in FIGURE 3. The crank portion 41 then extends downwardly and operates through tube 31 to force the lower actuating disc 34 downwardly against the bolt head 28 of the lower mounting assembly 17. This force is counteracted by a force between rod 38 and the portions of leg 10 defining the upper regions of opposed openings 39. The resulting axial or longitudinal shifting of leg 10 relative to the lower frustoconical element 22 breaks the wedging relationship and permits the leg 10 to be readily lifted off of the lower mounting 17 therefor.

By rapidly spinning handle 43 through at least two hundred seventy degrees from the FIGURE 2 position, both the upper and the lower wedging connections are broken in a small fraction of a second. The action is nevertheless sequential, not simultaneous, so that a minimum of force is required.

It is emphasized that, when the table is in use, the Wedging connections may be very tight, so that the table does not wobble at all. Even such tight wedging connections are broken with no substantial effort.

The diameter of the upper actuating disc 33 is sufliciently large (in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of rod 38) that the associated pinched tube end 32 cannot shift horizontally off of the crank portion 41. On the other hand, the diameter of such upper actuating disc 33 is sufficiently small, in a direction perpendicular to such axis of rotation, that there will (as stated above) be no binding relative to the interior wall of the leg 10. There is no such binding relative to the lower actuating disc 34, despite the fact that the edges thereof need not be bent, because of pivoting in inclination of the actuator within the leg as the rod 38 rotates.

The apparatus of the invention is readily and economically assembled. The ears 36 are inserted into the pinched tube ends 32, following which a hole-punching operation is eifected relative to each tube end and the ear inserted therein. This hole-punching operation, which forms at one end of the tube 31 the hole for crank portion 41, further pinches the tube ends and locks the ears therein. The actuator 30 is then introduced into one end of the leg 10, following which the rod 38 is inserted through an opening 39 as well as through the opening in the pinched upper tube end 32. It is then merely necessary to mount the push nut 42 and thus complete the operation.

The degree of clearance or play provided at each opening, the distance of the crank portion 41 away from its axis of rotation, and the spacing between the actuator discs and the bolt heads 28, are caused to be such that ninety-degree rotation of the rod 38 in either direction away from the intermediate position shown in FIGURE 2 will break one or the other of the wedging connections.

The handle portion 43 lies in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plane of crank portion 41. Furthermore, the weight of the handle portion 43 is caused to be sufficient (together with the mechanical advantage of the handle crank 43 over the crank portion 41) that the weight of the actuator 30 is overcome. Therefore, and since the rod 38 rotates freely in openings 39, the handle 43 normally depends (by gravity) from the associated opening as shown in FIGURE 2 (being thus normally substantially parallel to leg 10). The crank portion 41 is then in a horizontal plane, so that the actuator 30 is midway between its extreme upper and extreme lower positions. Therefore, neither of the bolt heads 28 is engaged. This means that the leg 10, and the contained release mechanism, are normally (by gravity) in condition to be re-assembled with elements 16 and 17 after disassembly has occurred. Accordingly, the release mechanism never interferes with assembly of the table.

As shown in the drawings, the rod 38 (and its handle portion 43) are preferably located at the upper end of leg 10, since the handle 43 is then hidden from view. Thus, the releasing device does not detract in any manner from the appearance of the table assembly. The locating of handle 43 at a high elevation also makes it extremely unlikely that it will be kicked or otherwise operated accidentally.

Embodiment of FIGURE 6 In the embodiment of FIGURE 6, the above-described elongated tubular table leg 10 is replaced by a leg 10a which does not have the beads 13 and 14 but which does have tapered or frustoconical end portions 46. Such portions 46 lit, in wedging relationship, into female or socket elements 47 which are mounted, as by screws 48, on the tabletop 11 and floor 12.

Stated more definitely, socket elements: 47 have interior frustoconical portions 49 which are tapered correspondingly to ends 46 and are adapted to receive such ends in complementary, close-fitting relationship. In addition to portions 49, socket elements 47 include exterior or mounting portions 51 having an annular base or flange 52 through which the screws 48 extend. Mounting portions 51 converge in a direction opposite to the direction of convergence of frustoconical portions 49. Thus, in the case of the socket element 47 provided on the tabletop 11, the mounting portion 51 converges downwardly whereas the frustoconical portion 49 (and the tapered end 46 received therein) converges upwardly. It is pointed out that all of the frustoconical elements: 46 and 49 converge away from the center of the table leg 1011.

Just as the extreme ends of leg 16' of the first embodiment should not engage base plates 18 and thus interfere with the wedging relationship, the tapered leg ends 46 of the second embodiment should not engage the tabletop 11 or floor 12. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 6, the smaller-diameter end of frustoconical portion 49 is shown as being spaced a sufiicient distance from the tabletop 11 that the end of leg 10a will not contact the tabletop.

The actuator 30a of the embodiment of FIGURE 6 is identical to the one described relative to FIGURES l-5, except that each pinched or flattened end 32a of tube 31a is sufficiently long that the disc 33 or 34 associated therewith will engage either the tabletop 11 (as illustrated) or the underlying floor 12, Thus, for example, in the case of the end illustrated in FIGURE 6, rotation of crank handle 43 ninety degrees away from the illustrated position, and in such direction as to move the crank portion 41 upwardly, will cause disc 33 to engage the undersurface of tabletop 11 and thereby break the wedlging connection between frustoconical elements 46 and 49.

The end of leg 10a not shown in FIGURE 6, and the socket in which such leg is disposed, are identical to those shown in FIGURE 6 except that the leg end extends downwardly into an upwardly-opening fioor-mounted socket (inverted relative to the showing of FIGURE 6). As in the case of the first embodiment (FIGURES l-5), there is only one rod 38 and handle crank 43, which are preferably disposed at the upper end of leg 10:: so that the handle will not be visible except when the user deliberately looks beneath the tabletop 11.

Embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8 The embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8 is identical to that of FIGURE 6 except that each pinched tube end 3217 is adapted to react against a socket or mounting element 47 instead of directly against the tabletop or the floor.

This is accomplished by mounting a crossbar or T-bar S perpendicularly of each pinched tube end 3211 and causing the ends of such bar to project through vertically elongated slots 56 in the leg 1%. Such slots are provided in the vicinity of a radial lip surface 57 of each element 47 (such surface 57 extending between adjacent smalldiameter end portions of elements 49 and 51).

Preferably, the crossbar 55 is pivotally associated with pinched tube end 32b, as by a pivot pin 58 which extends through the center of the crossbar and also through the flat side portions of the pinched tube end. The ends of the pivot pin are suitably maintained in place as by a head 59 and cotter pin 61 (FIGURE 7). The pivotal relationship causes an equalization of the pressure exerted by the crossbar, so that diametrically-opposite regions of the surface 57 are engaged with equal pressure by the end regions of the crossbar.

In the operation of the embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8, pivoting of the crank handle 43 in the appropriate direction causes edge regions of the ends of crossbar 55 to engage surface 57 at diametrically-opposite regions, as indicated. The resulting reaction causes the leg 1% to move downwardly (in the case of the illustrated upper leg end) and break the wedging connection between elements 46 and 49.

As is true of all embodiments, each end of the leg, and each associated socket element, are preferably identical to each other. It is to be understood, however, that it is possible to employ one form of mechanism at one end of the device and another form at the other end thereof, so long as the teachings of the present specification are followed.

Suitable means may be provided, relative to the crossbar 55 (not shown) mounted at the lower end of actuator b, to prevent such end from shifting horizontally through an excessive distance. Such suitable means may comprise, for example, a pair of stop pins mounted perpendicularly to the plane of the crossbar and positioned to prevent horizontal shifting of either end of the crossbar through a substantial distance into or out of a slot 56.

Embodiment of FIGURE 9 Referring next to FIGURE 9, an embodiment is illustrated wherein the actuator 300 is not a single rigid tube or the like but instead is jointed, in the manner of a toggle. The showing of FIGURE 9 represents the intermediate region of leg 10c, substantially half-way between the tabletop and the floor. Toggle elements 62 and 63 are each pivotally related to the crank portion 41 of the above-described rod 38, so that rotation of the handle crank 43 of such rod 38 causes the rod to rotate in the openings 39 therefor and thus create a toggle action (as well as raising and lowering the elements 62 and 63).

The resulting motion of elements 62 and 63 is employed (for example, in the manner described in detail relative to FIGURES 1-5, FIGURE 6 or FIGURES 7 8) to effect a reaction relative to the tabletop or the floor and thus release the wedging connections. For example, the regions of toggle bars 2 and d3 remote from the illustrated portion may be constructed identically to the end regions of actuator 3t; shown in FIG RES 1-5, being associated with suitable discs 33 and 34 (not shown). These react against mounting elements 16 and 17, as described in detail above, to break the wedging connec tions.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A knockdown pedestal table for trailers, campers and the like, which comprises:

a tabletop,

a hollow table leg adapted to support said tabletop in horizontal position and spaced above a lloor,

means to create wedging connections between said leg and said tabletop and floor,

whereby said tabletop is prevented from wobbling when supported by said leg above said door, and manually-operated means to release said wedging connections and thus separate said leg from said tabletop and from said floor,

said manually-operated means comprising actuating means disposed supstantially entirely within said leg and movable therein to create releasing reactions between said tabletop and said leg, and between said fioor and said leg, said manually-operated means further comprising operator-responsive means connected to said actuating means to effect said movement thereof and consequent releasing of said wedging connections,

said operator-responsive means being mounted exteriorly of said leg or engagement by an operator desiring to disassemble the table.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said manually-operated means includes means to create a large mechanical advantage effecting said releasing reactions in response to a minimum of force exerted at said operator-responsive means.

3. A knockdown pedestal table for campers, trailers and the like, which comprises:

a tabletop,

an elongated tubular metal table leg adapted to support said tabletop in horizontal relationship and spaced above a floor,

mounting means fixedly provided on said tabletop and on said floor,

said mounting means and the end portions of said leg being shaped in complementary manner and forming tapered, wedging, male-female joints which connect said leg to said tabletop and to said floor and prevent wobbling of said tablep,

elongated actuating means mounted longitudinally with in said tubular leg and adapted to shift therein to create releasing reactions between said tabletop and said leg, and between said floor and said leg, thereby breaking said wedging joints and permitting disassembly of said leg from said tabletop and from said floor,

rotatable means mounted on said leg for rotation about an axis which is transverse to said leg,

crank means mounted exteriorly of said leg and connected to said rotatable means to rotate the same about said axis, and

means to associate said rotatable means with said actuating means to cause, in response to said rotation of said rotatable means by said crank means, said shifting of said actuating means to break said joints,

said crank means extending suificiently for from said axis to create a large mechanical advantage permitting said rotation of said rotatable means with a minimum of effort.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which said means to associate said rotatable means with said actuating means comprises a second crank provided on said rotatable means, and in which said second crank extends a much smaller distance from said axis than does said first-mentioned crank means, said second crank being connected to said actuating means for shifting thereof in response to rotation of said first-mentioned crank means by an operator.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 4-, in which only one rotatable means and crank means are provided, in which said actuating means extends for substantially the full length of said tubular leg, and. in which said means to asso .:iate said rotatable means with said actuating means effects release of the joint between said leg and said tabletop when said rotatable means and crank means are in a first rotated position, and effects release of the joint between said leg and said floor when said rotatable means and said crank means are in a second and different rotated position, whereby the force which must be exerted on said crank means by the operator for breaking of said joints is minimized.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which said means to associate said rotatable means with said actuating means is a second crank provided on said rotatable means and connected to said actuating means, and in which said second crank extends a much smaller distance from said axis of rotation than does said firstmentioned crank nieans.

7. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which at least one of said mounting means and the associated end portion of said leg comprises a frustoconical surface which converges in a direction away from the center of said leg.

8. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which each of said joints includes a clearance gap axially adjacent the extreme end of said leg and insuring that increased downward pressure against the table will increase the degree of wedge-locking.

9. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which each of said mounting means comprises a male element having a frustoconical surface which converges in a direction away from the tabletop or floor member to which it is connected, and in which each end of said tubular leg has formed therein an internal annular bead dimensioned to closely engage a portion of said frustoconical surface when the extreme end of said leg engages another portion of said frus-toconical surface, said extreme end being spaced from the associated tabletop or floor to provide a clearance gap insuring that a wedging connection will result.

10. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which each of said mounting means comprises a female member mounted on the associated tabletop or floor and having an interior frustoconical surface which converges toward the member on which said female member is mounted, and in which each end of said tubular leg comprises a frustoconical surface corresponding to said interior fnustoconical surface for wedging mounting therein, the end of said leg being spaced axially way from the associated tabletop or floor to insure formation of a wedging connection between said leg and said mounting means.

11. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which said crank means is adapted by gravity, to maintain said rotatable means in a predetermined rotated position during intervals between actuation by an operation, and in which said predetermined rotated position is such that said actuating means is then in a position intermediate those assumed during breaking of said Wedging joints, whereby said actuating means and rotatable means do not interfere with assembly of the table.

12. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which said means to associate said rotatable means with said actuating means is a scond crank which is pivotally associated with said actuating means, in which said actuating means extends for substantially the full length of said table leg and effects releasing of both of said joints, in which only a single rotatable means is provided, and in which said first-mentioned crank means is an elongated crank arm which extends a substantial distance away from said axis and is sufliciently heavy to maintain said rotatable means in a predetermined rotated position, said second crank being disposed in a plane offset substantially ninety degress from that of said crank arm whereby said second crank remains in an intermediate position when set crank arm depends downwardly in response to the force of gravity, said actuating means being thus normally maintained in a predetermined position intermediate the ones assumed during breaking of said joints to thereby prevent interference with assembly of the table.

13. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which said table leg has an internal annular bead formed therein in spaced relationship from each end thereof, in which each of said mounting means comprises a male mounting element having a frustoconical surface and adapted to extend into said table leg for wedging engagement with the end of said table leg and with said bead, in which said elongated actuating means is a single elongated tube having flattened ends adapted to receive therein ear portions of actuating end elements, in which said rotatable means is a rod journaled in openings in said table leg relatively adjacent one end thereof, in which said crank means is a crank located exteriorly of said leg and extending a sub stantial distance from said rod in a direction away from the axis of rotation thereof, in which said means to associate said rotatable means with said actuating means is a second crank formed on said rod within said table leg and extending rotatably through one end of said elongated tube, said actuating end elements being disposed sufliciently close to the end portions of said male mounting elements that rotation of said crank causes a reaction first against the male mounting element at one end of the leg and then against the male mounting element at the other end of the leg to thereby break both of the wedging connections.

14. The invention as claimed in claim 13, in which said actuating end elements are generally disc shaped and are sufficiently large in diameter to prevent shifting of said elongated tube laterally off said second crank, and sufficiently small in diameter to prevent binding relative to the interior wall of the tubular leg.

15. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which each end of said leg is generally frustoconical in shape and converges in a direction away from the central region of said leg, in which said mounting means for each end of the leg comprises a female socket element having a frustoconical interior mounting portion adapted to receive said leg end in wedging relationship, and in which the extreme ends of said elongated actuating means react directly against the tabletop and the floor in a region within said fustoconical portion of said female socket element.

16. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which each end of said leg is generally frustoconical in shape and converges in a direction away from the central region of said leg, in which said mounting means for each end of the leg comprises a female socket element having a frustoconical interior mounting portion adapted to receive said leg end in wedging relationship, in which each end of said leg is provided with diametrically-opposed slots extending parallel to the axis of said leg and located in the vicinity of the region of said socket element remote from the door or tabletop to which the socket element is mounted and in which a crossbar is extended transversely of said leg through said slots for engagement with said socket element, said crossbar being connected to said actuating means whereby shifting of said actuating means creates a reaction against said socket element to thus break the wedging connections.

17. A knockdown pedestal table for trailers, campers and the like, which comprises:

a tabletop,

a hollow table leg adapted to support said table in horizontal position and spaced above a floor, means to create wedging connnections between said leg and said tabletop and door,

whereby said tabletop is prevented from wobbling when supported by said leg above said floor, and manually-operated means to release said wedging connections and thus separate said leg from said tabletop and from said floor,

1 1 12 said manually-operated means comprising elon- References Cited gated elements diSpOSed Within said leg and COn- UNITED STATES PATENTS nected to each other in toggle relationship, and 128 958 5/1873 Thoroughgood means to move the toggle-connected regions of 56 1/1913 Palmoren said elongated elements to thereby extend said 5 1:O92070 3/1914 Merlizs said elements and create releasing reactions be- 2514109 7/1959 Walsh 108-15O tween said tabletop and said leg and also between said floor and said leg. JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

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