US1239096A - Folding furniture. - Google Patents

Description

A; H. GAREISS.

TOLDING FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. as. 1915.

Patentefi Sept, 4, 191?.

2 snzars-snm 2.

WITNESS INVENTOR Attorney ADAM H. GAREISS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING FURNITURE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sqgpt 4 1911? Application filed April 15, 1916. Serial No. 91,268.

To all whom it may come 1%:

Be it known that I, ADAM H. GAREIss, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the borough of the Bronx, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Furniture, of which the following is a specification.

The subject of this invention is particularly designed to furnish a table and associated seats which may be folded for con venience in transportation and in storage, and which, when opened out for use, is strong and substantial and of neat appearance. One form of the invention is particularly adapted for use in small rooms or apartments, and furnishes a table with a complement of chairs which fold into the table leg structure in such a manner that when not in use they do not interfere with the ordinary use of thetable. The table is also useful in connection with roof gardens, whereby the table and necessary chairs can be folded together and stored and brought out and placed in position as occasion may require and the required number of chairs opened out. If, for instance, the table has an equipment of four chairs and it is to be used for a party of two, the idle chairs remain in their folded position out of the way, and the table presents the appearance of a table equipped for two guests. If, however, these two are joined by a third or fourth person, the other chairs are immediately available. Not only does the invention relate to the particular form and arrangement of table and chair, but the chair in itself constitutes a part of the invention and is capable of independent use.

In the drawings accompanying this specification,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showing the legs in their open position and the chairs opened, the chairs being shown in various positions.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on a plane at about the line 22 of Fig. 1, look ing in the direction of the arrow. 0

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the structure 1n its folded position.

Fig. 4: is an underside view showing three. of the four leg structures 1n the open pos1- tion and one of the leg structures folded against the underside of the table.

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the leg structures open and the chairs folded into such leg structures in their idle position, the lefthand end of the figure being shown in section to illustrate the chair construction, and

Fig. 6 is a detail showing a fastener for holding chairs open.

For the purpose of explaining the invention I have selected as an illustrative example a four-sided table having a plain oblong top 7 and four leg structures and four folding chairs. The manner of building up the leg structures of course differs with the style of furniture and its intended use and surroundings. The present illustration is of a strong, durable pattern of the mission type. The legs are pivotally connected to the table top and adapted to fold together upon the underside thereof. The pivotal connection is preferably inwardly of the edge of the table. This is not only to follow the conventional table construction, but also for a use explained later in this description. For convenience the legs or leg structures are designated alphabetically. The pivotal connec: tions illustrated are ordinary hinges. The leg A is shown connected directly by its hinge 8 to the table top. The leg B has a strip Z) corresponding to the ordinary valance of a table to which its hinge 8 is secured. In folding up this piece of furniture the leg structure A, which is shown pivoted directly to the underside of the table top 7, folds flat upon the underside of such top and the valance b is of sufficient height to permit the leg structure B to fold flat upon the folded leg structure A. The leg structures 0 and D are respectively hinged to valances 0, (Z of sufiicient height to permit these legs to fold flat upon the folded leg B. The table top illustrated is longer than it is wide, and the point of connection of these legs with the top is farther apart than the connections of A and B, and the parts are so proportioned that the two structures C, D fold into substantially the same plane.

The various leg structures are so proportioned that when all are open the ends of each abut the ends of two others, thus making in one aspect a complete closure under the table. Each of these legs or leg structures is shown comprising a plurality of up rights. For convenience the detailed construction of the leg A will be described, the structure of the others in the illustration be ing substantially similar. Four uprights 10, 11, 12 and 18 are illustrated. The uprights 10 and 11 are shown-connected at their top by a framing member 1 1 carrying the hinge 8, and at their lower portion by a brace 15. The uprights 12 and 13 are similarly connected by a hinge carrylng framing member 16, and at their lower portions by a connecting cross brace 17. For assuring cent leg structures when the legs are open,

and suitable interconnecting or fastening means, as, for lnstance', hooks 19 are employed'for holding the parts in their proper open position.

Folding chairs are shown connected to the leg in such manner that each leg is adapted to carry its connected chair when the latter is] folded with it upon being folded and unfolded. The improved chair shown in the dr'a'wlng as an illustrative example is, when folded, a flat structure, the leg structure also being illustrated flat. The chair is shown pivoted at the portion which constitutes its front edge when in use, to the upper edge of the'sup'port or front framing member 20, the pivotal connection illustrated being afforded by ordinary hinges 23.

For convenience terms of direction are e'inpl'oyed herein and generally refer to the table in its normal position, that is, with the legs open, the bottoms of these resting upon the floor, and the uppersurface of the tabletop in a substantially horizontal plane. With these points of direction in mind it is proper to say that the leg members are pivotally connected to the table top each on a horizontal axis, that the folding chair" is connected to the leg on a vertical axis, and that the seat of the chair is connected to the connecting or supporting member on a hori- /iontal axis. In addition to this the support for the rearof the chair seat, namely, the back legs 24 and the back 25, are pivotally connected to the chair seaton a horizontal axis or an axis parallel with thepivotal connection between the seat and the supporting member. The legs 24 and back 25 are shown connected by the same pivotal bar 26 to suitablestandards or brackets 27 carried by the rear of the chair seat, and are adaptedto fold upon the top of such seat, and when such seat is movedo'n its pivots or hinges'23 and the chair folded in the leg structure, to be securely hoi'ised withinth leg inclosure and under the table. The

chair back 25 is shown provided with a bail or brace 28. adapted to engage suitable notches or books 29 in the chair legs 24. By this-means the parts are properly held in position when the chair is open. The ball folds into the structure and is carried into position with the back and legs.

In'scine constrh'ctions the pivotal connection between the chair andthe leg structure is sufficiently strong to stpport the chair and the weight of the person sitting there on. In other constructions it is found desirable to provide a leg at the front of the chair at the side opposite the hinge 21. In the present illustration the chair may be assumed toimerour legs, the illustrated form of rear support comprising two legs. and the leg 3'0 and the lower portion 12 of the table legg structure upright constituting the front legs. Suitable rollers may be provided on the legs of the chair, particularly on the leg 80, a roller 31 being. illustrated.

Assuming the entire structure to'b'eope'ned and ready for use, and a person desires to be seated at the table, if the chair is in the positionillustrated at the front of Fig. 1 it is moved to the position shown at either the seat of the chair is inwardly ofth'e o'uter edge of the table sothatthe person when seated on the chair will find himself in proper relation to the table. W'hen'jit desired to use the table without enipl'oyingthe chairs, 'oronly some of these, the chairs are folded into the leg structure inthe manner illustrated in Fig. 5, whereby the outer part of the chair is substantially or practically flash with the Hat outersu'rfajce of the leg structure. If d'esirech knobs may be provided for ease in folding and unfolding the chairs. lVith all the chairs folded in position the article of furniture presentsa neat land compact appearance and is capable of use as an ordinarytable. From this position one or more of the chairs may be unfolded a srequ'ireme'nts demand.

\Vhe'n it is desired to fold the table for storage or transportation the chairs are preferably first folded into the leg structure in the manner described, the'back 25 first being folded down (see the arrows in Fig. 2).

Then the legs are moved over in the same left of Fig. 5. .Then the table is preferably turned upsidedown onthe floor, and the'leg 1 structure A folded flat upointh'e underside of the table top, then the leg structure B folded upon the leg A, and then the legs C and D are folded upon the leg B.

When it is desired to open the table the legs C and D will be swung on their hinges 8 8 respectively in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 3. Then the chair will be opened by moving in a reverse direction of the closing direction (see the arrows in Fig. 5) and the chair moved to position by mov ing it in the direction of the arrow at the right of Fig. 4.

A combined handle for opening the chairs and fastening the legs and back in the open position is illustrated in the form of a hook 33 carried by the outer face of the seat 22, and is adapted to hook over the bail 28 and hold this securely in the notch 29, thereby holding the back 25 and legs 24 in positions for use. It is apparent that this hook is in position to be used as a handle in shifting the chair into and out of closed position.

Of course, it is to be understood that the illustrative example of my invention shown in the drawings and particularly described herein is capable of many changes in detail and features of construction within the terms of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. In combination, a table top, a plurality of legs each independently pivotally connected thereto, said legs being adapted to fold together upon the under side of the said table top, and folding chairs connected to the said legs, each leg being adapted upon being folded and unfolded, to carry with it its connected chair when the latter is folded.

2. In combination, a table top, leg struc tures pivotally connected thereto and adapted to fold together at the underside of the said table top, each said leg structure being so located and proportioned that when all are opened the ends of each abut the ends of two others, securing means between said abutting ends, and folding chairs supported by the leg structures, each such chair being adapted to fold into the general plane of its supporting leg structure when the same is in its opened position.

3. In combination, a table top, leg structures pivotally connected thereto and adapted to fold together at the underside of the said table top, each said leg structure being so located and proportioned that when all are opened the ends of each abut the ends of two others, securing means between said abutting ends, and folding chairs supported by the leg structures, each such chair being adapted to fold into the general plane of its supporting leg structure when the same is in its folded position.

4;. In combination, a table top, leg structures pivotally connected thereto and adapted to fold together at the underside of the said table top, each said leg structure being so located and-proportioned that when all are opened the ends of each abut the ends of two others, securing means between said abutting ends, and folding chairs supported by the leg structures, each such chair being adapted to fold into the general plane of its supporting leg structure when the same is in its open and folded positions.

5. In combination, a table provided with legs and a folding chair embodying a front framing member having a hinged connection with one of the said legs, a seat pivoted to said framing member and adapted. to be elevated into substantially a vertical plane, a back and a support for the rear of the seat pivoted to the said seat and adapted to fold upon the top of the seat, the folded chair being adapted to swing on its said hinged connection and inclose the said back and support under the table.

6. In combination, a table provided with legs and a folding chair embodying a support pivoted at one side to one of the said legs on a vertically disposed axis, a seat pivoted at its front to said support on a horizontally disposed axis, a leg carried by the other side of said support, and a back and rear support for the seat pivoted to the rear of the said seat on a horizontally disposed axis.

7. In combination, a table provided with legs and a folding chair embodying a support pivoted at one side to one of the said legs on a vertically disposed axis, a seat pivoted at its front to said support on a horizontally disposed axis, a leg carried by the other side of said support, a back and rear support for the seat pivoted to the rear of the said seat on the same horizontally disposed axis, and a fastener for holding the back and legs in open position.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

ADAM H. GAREISS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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