US1497379A - Combination table - Google Patents

Description

June10,-1924. 1,497,379

- F. w. MORSE COMBINATION TABLE Filed March 15, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F ra/pi W Morse.

June 10 1924.

F. W. MORSE COMBINATION TABLE Filed- March 15 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I j fi *1 INVENTOR 2 i Fm): W'Morse. \\\\\\\\wl fig ED! v 5 ATTORNEYS June 10 1 924,

\ F. W. MORSE COMBINATION TABLE Filed March 15. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR I'm/M772 Mama.

BY m1, V6) ATTORNEYS ?etented June 1.0, 1924:,

FRANK ItTLQRSE, OF SAN EERNANDO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB *IO SAN 'EERNANDO MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION, SAN @ERNZQNIDO, GALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION TABL Application filed March 15,

To all whom it may concern,

Be it known that l, FRANK W. Monsn, a

citizenof the United States, residing at San Fernando, county of Los Angeles, and State of California, have invented a new and Improved Combination Table, of which the following is a specification. Primarily, my invention has, for its purpose to provide an improved construction of table, in which the parts are coopera tively combined and arranged whereby they may be conveniently and expeditiously adjusted so that thetab-le may be utilized for such various uses for which tables of this character are generally adapted, that can be manufactured at a relatively small cost with the parts compactly assembled for the purpose of conserving space in small rooms and compartments, and in which the said parts may be changed from one type of table to another by any one, with practically no waste of time.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of combination table that is especially well adapted for use by r mechanical engineers for home work, whose top or writing table portion is designed for use as a drafting board and equipped with parts that serve as receptacles for drawing instruments, when used for drafting pur poses, or for holding other desired articles when used as a toilet table.

Another and important object of my invention is the provision of an improved constructionof table, of the general character stated, having the individual parts so designed and connected. whereby, when used as an ordinary table, the container spaces or receptacles for books, instruments and the like, are closed down under the table top, the complete table also including a slidable extension that serves as a shelf upon which books, a work lamp and other articles may be readily and safely placed when the table top is used for ordinary purposes.

With other obj ects in View that will beincidentally vreferred to, as the detailed description of the construction and the adjustability of my improved combination table is considered, my invention comprehends a table of the character stated in which is embodied certain peculiar features of construction and cooperative arrangement of parts, fully explained in the following detailed description, specifically 1922. Serial No. 5 43,,85l5.

ated i lleappiende claim and i lus rate n the accompanyi g clra ings, i which :r I i igu e l i a pe sp tive View o my innaf on able, th pa b g adjusted a an ordinary ,flat top table, the horizontally slidable section being shown drawn out to provide an auxiliary table or shelf.

Figure 2 is a similar view thereof, the hinged or main tabletop being shown swung back, the sub-desk or writing tabletop, with the mirror attachment, being also shown swung baclr and held in such position by engagement with the main hinge top.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the complete table with the parts adjusted as in Figure 1, the section being taken substantially on the line 3-3 on the said Figure 1 see arrow 00, the sub or. writing table ,being shown forced down against the tension of the lifting springs hereinafter specifically mentioned.

Figure 4; is a longitudinal section of the table with the parts adjusted as in Figure 2, see line H on FigureflQ.

Figure 5 is a transverse section of the table taken {on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detailplan view of one corner of the table, parts being dotted. i

- Figure 7 is a detail section of one of the detachable leg connections, hereinafter de: scribed. i

'In the practical development of my improved construction of combination table, the same embodies a main table body or frame comprising opposite sides 1-l, and opposite ends 2'2, "the adjacent ends of which are joined, in any suitable manner, with corner portions that constitute parts of the table legs, the latter to provide for the compact packing of the parts, of I which the complete table is formed, and for readily disconnecting the lower or legs '3 proper, for the purpose of shipping the stacked parts are detachably connected to the corner pieces 30, by a screw bolt and nut connection, shown in Figure 7. By reference to said Figure 7, it will be seen the corner piece 30 has a vertical socket 31 in the bottom thereof, the socket being non circular in cross section, into which is wedged a nut 4: adapted for receiving the upper threaded end of a bolt 5 whose lower end terminates in a wood screw for being screwed into the top of the leg member 3,

it being obvious that when inserted into the upper end of the leg member 8, the upper threaded end 50 of the bolt 5 may be readily worked through the threaded aperture 40 in the nut 4, the said corner portion 30 having an upwardly extended socket portion 32 to receive the upper threaded end of the bolt 5 when the leg member 3 is screwed up tightly against the fixedly held corner mem ber 30, as shown.

6 designates what is hereinafter termed the main table top and the said top 6 is joined to the upper, outer edge of the rear end member of the table frame or body by flat hinges 70, so connected to the table frame and the top member 6, that the latter can be readily folded down, flatwise, over the upper edges of the sides and ends of the table body, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 or swung up and back to the position shown in Figures 2 and at, as desired,

To secure the table top 6 to the dropped or flat position, the said top is provided with a lock bolt keeper 61 that cooperates with the bolt of the key actuated lock 62 mounted in the front end of the table frame in the usual way and as indicated in the drawings.

My construction of combination table includes what is hereinafter termed a sub frame, and the said frame, when the main table top 6 is swung to the upright position shown in Figures 2 and 1, constitutes a writing desk top 12 r 77 designates a pair of oppositely disposed cleats and they constitute the supports for the writingor sub-desk top 12, when the latter is positioned as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4, and the said cleats 77, when the said desk top 12 is forced down to the position shown in Figure 5, as will be presently explained, rest on a pair of oppositely disposed cleats 88 which are fixedly attached to the lower edges of the main frame sides 1--1, as is clearly shown in the aforesaid Figure 5 of the drawing. a

Cooperative with each cleat 7 is a link member 9 and each of such members 9 is mounted at the rear end of their respective table sides 1 and are joined to such sides 1 by pivot studs 10 that journal in the said sides 1, as is clearly shown in Figures 3 and ff- The two link members 99 are joined by cross strip 11 to which the writing desk top 12 is connected by flat hinges 13 which are arranged in such manner that, when desired, the said desk top can be readily swung up to the position shown in full lines, Figure 4:, to bring to View a mirror 15, when the table is utilized as a toilet table, it being understood by referring to Figure 4, that when the said table top '12 is swung up as shown, particularly in Figure 2, the said top 12 can he held to its raised position by engagement thereof with the rack 20 upon the main top 6, as shown in full lines in Figure 2 or as shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 4.

Each link member 9 is sufficiently curved at the outer edge to permit the said members to swing down to the position shown in Figure 3, when the main table top is closed down, as will be presently further explained, and the said link members 99 are offset at their upper sides to receive the opposite ends of a sheet metal trough-like cross strip which serves as a suitable rack for the reception of pens, pencils and the like, and one or both ends of the said strip 90 is socketed for the reception of an ink--well 99 which is secured within the said socket in any suitable way.

As before noted, the top 12 when at the down or writin desk position, indicated in dotted lines on' igure 4, is supported upon two cleats 77 with a smooth finish of the front edge of the said desk top being provided by a fixed cross cleat 16, and to provide for forcing the writing desk or subframe, including the cleats 77, in downward direction when the main top 6 is closed down, the inner ends of the cleats 7 are connected to their respective links or extension k members 9 by flat hinges 14-, it being apparent, by referring to Figures 3 and 4, that the hinge connections 13 and 14 provide for the desired buckling of the members 7 and 9 to permit the desk top 12 and the cleats 7 to lower in the horizontal plane, as before stated, as the said link members 9-9 swing downwardly on their pivot 10, as indicated.

The sub-desk top 12 that moves up and down with the cleats 7 is of such width and length that it substantially closes the opening between the sides and ends of the main table frame, the trough-like strip 90 consti tuting the top closure for the rear part of the said main table opening when the top 12 is in position for use as a writing desk,

shown in dotted lines in Figure 4.

The sub-frame, consisting of the writing desk top 12, the cleats 7 and the members 9, when the main top 6 is swung up, is automatically shifted to the upper or operative position (see dotted lines Figure 4) by suitable spring devices that are interposed between the bottom of the cleats 7-7 and the bottom 19 of the desk, and it will be seen by reference to the said figure that, when the cleats 77 are so swung up, the cross cleat 16 forms a stop for the outer ends thereof.

In the drawings I have illustrated bowed springs 18 and they constantly force the sub-frame upwardly to shift the desk top 12 to the operative position shown in Figure 4, and in the drawings the said springs 18 are shown with one end secured in a member 19 lll) that constitutes a bottom closure for the main table frame, the other end of the said springs 18 being secured to the under side of the cleats 7, as shown.

While the form of spring devices shown tends to constantly force the sub-frame upwardly, it is obvious that coil springs or other cushioning means may be interposed between the cleats 7-7 and the bottom member 19.

20 designates a rack on the under side of the main table top 6 for the reception of books, drawing instruments and other articles adapted for being readily placed therein and" supported on the said top when the latter is at either the upright or closed position. 21 indicates a shallow article holding rack which. extends lengthwise of and is secured to the rear end of the main table top 6, the said rack 21 being so disposed along the inner side of the top 6 that when the latter is closed down the opposite ends of the said rack fit over the channeled pors tions of the link members 9, as is shown in Figure 3.

Although I have illustrated my improved construction of combination table as of rectangular form, suitable for use in small apartments and rooming houses, and particularly designed as a work, writing or toilet table, the design of the said table may be readily modified. to adapt my invention for use, with equal advanages, in offices of mechanical engineers, architects and for other like purposes.

25 designates a sliding shelf or supplementaltable which moves through a horizontal slot 26 along the lower edge of one of the side members 1 of the main table frame, and the said member 25 has movement and is guided along by the lower edge of one of the side cleats 8 and the table bottom 19. A suitable guide 28 is also provide. l for one. side of the shelf 25. The said shelf 25 has a cleat 27 at its outer edge which constitutes a filler for fitting flush with that side edge of the table frame (see Figure 5) and also to serve as a convenient finger grip for pulling the shelf 25 out, as desired.

lVhen the table top 6 is down, as in Figures 1., 3 and 5, the rack portion 20 onthe under side thereof, engages the writing desk top 12, and since the latter is hinged to the members 9, and the latter are pivotally hung on the opposite sides of'the main table frame, the said writing desk top 12 and the cleats 7-7, that constitute the sub-frame, before mentioned, will be forced down to the position shown in Figures 3 and 5, the writing desk top 12 and the cleats 7-7 being moved downwardly, retaining their horizontal relation as the members 9 swing downwardly and open from the adjacent edges of the cleats 7 7. The springs-18 -18 are compressed as force is applied when swinging down the top 6, the latter being held down to the lowered position by the lock devices 61-62,, before mentioned, it being obvious that by channeling the trough members 90, as shown and described, the cleat 21 on the top 6 will clearly fit over the said members -90.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the complete construction, the advantages and the ease in which the adjustments of the parts may be made to adapt the table for the various uses stated, will be readily apparent to those familiar with the manufacture of, and the use of tables of that kind to which my invention relates.

lVhat I claim is: v i

1. A table that includes a main frame and a main hinged top, a sub-frame within the main frame which includes a hinged top, means tending to normally advance the subframe with its hinged top in the horizontal plane of the top supporting edges of the main frame when the main top is swung to the vertical position, a receptacle on the un der side of the main top for holding books and other articles, the said sub-frame being downwardly movable by, contact therewith of parts of said receptacle when the latter is closed flatwise down onto the main table frame, and means tending to normally ad-' vance the sub-frame comprising springs in terposed between the sub-frame and main frame that force the sub-frame to'its uppermost or operative position.

2. A table that includes a main frame and a main hinged top, a sub-frame within the main frame which includes a hinged top,

means tendingto normally advance the subframe with its hinged top in the horizontal plane of the top supporting edges of the main frame when the main top is swung to the vertical position, a receiver on the under side of the main top for holding books and other articles, the said sub-frame being downwardly movable by contact therewith of parts of the main table top when the latter is closed fiatwise down onto themain table frame, the hinged top of the sub frame forming a stay:for engaging; and holding the main top to its partly elevated position. V

3, A table of the character stated com prising a main frame, a main top hinged to the said frame, a sub-frame withinthe main frame. the said sub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link section hinged to one end of each of said cleats, the saidlink sections being each pivotally hinged on their adjacent sides of the main table frame and a supplemental top mem ber mounted upon and movable with the said oppositely disposed cleats, and means tending to normally force the saidsubs frame upwardly.

lUO

4. A table of the character stated comprising a main frame, a main top hinged to the said frame, a subframe within the main frame, the said sub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link section hinged to one end of each of said cleats, the said link sections being each pivotally hinged on their adjacent sides of the main table frame, a supplemental top member mounted upon and movable with the said oppositely disposed cleats, means tending to normally force the said sub-frame upwardly, a cross member that connects the swingable ends of the opposite link sections, the said supplemental top member being hinged to the said cross member, means on the main table top for engaging the sub-frame top and forcing the said sub-fra1ne and top down within the main table frame when the main table top is swung down onto the said main table frame and means for holding the said main table top to the lowered position to secure the said main table top and the sub frame locked against the tension of the subframe lifting means.

5. A table of the character stated coinprising a main frame, a main top hinged to the said frame, a sub-frame within the main frame, the said sub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link section hinged to one end of each of said cleats, the said link sections being each pivotally hinged on their adjacent sides of the main table frame, a supplemental top member mounted upon and movable with the said oppositely disposed cleats, means tending to normally force the said sub-frame upwardly, a cross member that connects the swingable ends of the opposite link sections, the said supplemental top member be ing hinged to the said cross member, a rack on the main table top adapted to engage the sub-frame top and forcing the said subframe and top down within the main table frame when the main table top is swung down onto the said main table frame, means for holding the said main table top to the lowered position to secure the said main table top and the sub-frame locked againstthe tension of the sub-frame lifting means, the said sub-frame top being hinged to the sub-frame to swing upwardly.

6. In a combination table of the character stated. the combination with a main open top table frame, a top board hinged at one end of the table frame to close fiatwise, onto the said frame, a subframe vertically mounted within the main frame, the said sub-frame including a top which constitutes a closure for the opening in the main table frame when the said sub-frame is at the limit of its raised adjustment,

upper edge of the main table frame, the top of the sub-frame being hinged to swing up against the main table top when the latter is at its upright position.

7. In a combination table of the character stated, the combination with a main open top a closed bottom table frame, a top board hinged at one end of the table frame to close fiatwise onto the said frame, a sub-frame vertically mounted within the main frame, the said sub-frame including a top-which constitutes closure for the opening in the main table frame when the said sub-frame is at the limit of its raised adjustment, spring devices mounted on the main frame that normally tend to raise the said subl'rame to bring its top in the plane of the upper edge of the main table frame, the top of the Sllb-xfltllll being hinged to swing up against the main table top when the latter is at its upright position, means within the main table frame that constitutes stops that limit the dowmvard adjustment of the sub-frame to less than the depth-of the main frame whereby to leave a storage space below the sub-frame top.

8. In a combination table of the character described, a main open top table frame, a main table top hinged to said frame to close down fiatwise over the opening in the top of the main frame, the said main top having projecting portions on the under side, a subframe vertically movable within the main table frame, said sub-frame including a top which constitutes a closure for the opening in the top of the main table frame when the said sub-frame is at its uppermost position, spring devices interposed between the said sub-frame and a bottom member of the main table frame, the said spring devices tending to normally expand and force the sub-frame with its top to the uppermost position, the said sub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link member hinged to one end of each of the said cleats, the oppositely disposed link members being pirotally connected to their respective sides of the main table frame, said link members being offset at their upper edge, a trough-like member whose opposite ends engage the said opposite link members, and cross cleats whose opposite ends connect with the said opposite link members, the sub-frame top being hinged to the said cross cleat to swing up the projecting portions on the under side of the main table top being arranged for engaging and bracing the sub frame with its hinged top and the link members down within the main table frame. and a lock device for holding the main table top to its lowered position, and against the tension of the sub-frame elevating spring devices.

9. A table that includes a main frame and a main table top hinged to said main frame,

said main frame having a bottom and constituting a receptacle, a sub-frame mounted within said receptacle and adapted to assume two positions, said sub-frame including a hinged top, a spring for raising said sub-1"'ran1e to brim its hinged top in the plane of the top edge of the main frame to cause said sub-frame to assume one of its positions, means limiting the action of the spring, said main hinged top including provisions which, when said top is in the closed position, will press down said sub-frame and its hinged top against the action of the spring and thereby cause said sub-frame to assume, its second position within the said receptacle.

10. A table that includes a main frame and a main table top hinged to said main frame, said main frame having a bottom and constituting a receptacle, a sub-frame mounted within said receptacle and adapted to assume two positions, said sub-frame including a hinged top, a spring for raising said sub-frame to bring its hinged top in the plane of the top edge of the main frame to cause said sub-frame to assume one of its positions, means limiting the action of the spring, said main hinged top including provisions which, when said top is in the closed position, will press down said sub-frame and its hinged top against the action of the spring and thereby cause said sub-frame to assume its second position within the said receptacle, said sub-frame including articulated members hinged to said main frame.

FRANK W. MORSE.

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