US8023A - Fastening down table-leaves - Google Patents

Description

VLQJ. MASON.

TABLE.

Patented Apr. 8,1851.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS J. MASON, OF FRANKLINVILLE, NEVVYORK.

FASTENING DOWN TABLE-LEAVES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 8,023, dated April 8, 1851.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS J. MASON, of Franklinville, in the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of Constructing Table, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, which forms part of this specification, and in Which Figure 1 represents a View in perspective of one of my improved tables. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same and Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one of the rails of the frame.

My improvements relate to the manner in which the frame of the table is put together and to the method of securing a table top to its frame in such manner that while it isfirmly attached to the frame it can readily be removed therefrom to allow other table tops of different size and construction to be substituted in its place, thus making a single frame answer for table tops of different sizes.

My table frame as represented in the accompanying drawing is formed of four legs a a a a and as many rails 12, b, b, b, by means of which the legs are connected. These rails have each two dowel pins 0. 0 formed upon each of their extremities as shown at Fig. 3, and corresponding dowel holes are made in the adjacent faces of the legs a The inner face of each rail has a groove plowed in it to admit a long bolt cl which is passed through corresponding holes made in the legs. The head of this bolt is round as'shown at e and the hole in the leg through which it is introduced is countersunk to a sufiicient depth to receive the head. The corresponding hole in the opposite leg is also countersunk to admit the nutf of the bolt.

When the table frame isto be put-together the dowel pins of the rails are entered in their respective dowel holes in the legs; the bolts are then inserted and their screw cut extremities are entered by turning in their. respective nuts, the several bolts are then screwed up by turning their heads, by

which operation the rails and legs are drawn 5 together and secured in a manner which is. both simple and firm, and which at the. same time admits of their being readily taken apart (by unscrewing the bolts) for the purpose of more conveniently removing the table from place to place.

In the manufacture of the finer qualities of tables I intend to make the heads and nuts of the bolts of such form that they shall constitute an ornamental appendage to the table.

In order to enhance the value and convenience of tables I construct a set of tops of difierent forms and dimensions for each table frame so that the user, by changing the tops can vary his table to suit any particular purpose. In order to have a ready means of securing these diiferent table tops to the same frame I secure to the side rails of the latter a pair of rings 9, g, which proj ect toward each other from the inner sides of the opposite rails. A corresponding pair of elbow shaped bolts k are secured to the inner side of each table top in such manner that when any one top is placed upon the frame and is moved into its proper positions these bolts shall enter the corresponding rings of the frame as shown at Fig. 2, and hold the top down upon the frame. These fastenings also prevent the top from moving sidewise and from moving endwise in one direction. In order to. prevent it from moving endwise in the opposite direction and at the same time to prevent it from twisting upon the frame a spring catch it is secured to one of the end rails b of the frame and a socket i is made in the under table top on the frame is moved into its proper position the spring catch engages in its appropriate hole and locks the table top firmly in its place. M

-When one top is to be removed either for the purpose of carrying the table about or to make room for a top of different size or form the spring catch is detached from the socket and the top is moved far enough on the frame to withdraw the bolts from their respective rings g and the table top being thus disengaged from the frame, can be removed; Another one of the set can then be substituted for it and secured in place in the same manner as the first one.-

This method of constructing tables is extremely convenient particularly when applied to dining tables, as a table top of suitable size to dine a given number of persons can be readily substituted for the one generally in use bythe family.

What I claim as my invention and desire In testimony whereof I have hereunto subto secure by Letters fzfatent isb f scribed my name.

The combination 0 devices y means 0 which table tops of different forms and LEWIS MASON 5 dimensions can be readily secured to and Witnesses:

disconnected from the same frame as herein I. S. SMITH, set forth. P. H. WVATsoN.

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