US1625294A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

April 19,1927. 1.65394 4 W. L. WHITESIDES FOLDING TABLE Filed March 23, 1925 Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

UNITE STATES WALTER LUNSFRED WHITESIDES, OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed March 23, 1925. Serial up. 17,739.

My invention aims to provide an exceptionally simple and inexpensive folding table which is designed primarily as a toy, but may if desired be constructed in larger sizes for other uses.

lVith the foregoing in View, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table extended for use.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the table may be folded.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of a por tion of the table top or the shelf beneath the same.

In the drawing above briefiydescribed, the numerals 1 designate a pair of duplicate end frames, each comprising two vertical legs 2, and upper and lower bars 3 and 4 connecting them. In the preferred form of construction, each frame 1 is stamped from a sheet metal plate, giving the legs and the connecting bars 3 and 4: the desired contour, and upon the connecting lines between said legs and bars, the metal plate is bent so that the legs are positioned in planes at right angles to the plane in which the bars 3 and 4 are disposed.

Extending between the end frames 1 and contacting with the straight lower edges of the bars 3 and 1 respectively, are a table top 5 and a. shelf 6, each of which is formed of two sections 7 and 8 hing-ed together in a novel manner hereinafter described. The end portions of the top and shelf 5 and 6 are pivoted to the legs 2 on transverse horizontal axes, this being preferably effected by providing said top and said shelf with integral laterally extending studs 9 which are received in openings 10 in the legs.

The sections 7 and 8 are preferably formed of sheet metal plates and the inner ends of these plates are formed with alternate, projecting finger portions or tongues 11, and

with hinge knuckles 12 at the inner ends of said finger portions or tongues. These knuckles are disposed at the lower sides of the plates 7 and 8, and they receive a pintle 13. The tongues or finger portions 11 overlap the upper sides of the sections 7 and 8, and said sections preferably have downwardly stamped portions providing shallow recesses 1 1 which receive said tongues or finger portions so that they will be flush with the upper sides of the top 5 and shelf 6.

By providing the novel construction shown and described, the table will be rigid when it is extended for use as shown in Fig. 1, the projecting tongues or finger portions 11 then preventing the central portions of the top 5 and shelf 6 from sagging. Moreover, as the pivots 9 are inwardly spaced from the bars 3 and 4: and the latter abut the upper sides of the sections 7 and 8, this association also assists in holding the top 5 and shelf 6 against sagging, as well as generally bracing the entire structure.

The device is exceptionally simple and inexpensive and may be formed entirely of sheet metal. The two end frames 1 are duplicates so that one set of dies will suflice for the construction of any required number of such frames. Similarly, the top 5 and the shelf 6 are of duplicate construction with the same advantages.

As excellent results are obtainable from the details disclosed, they are by preference followed. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, modifications may of course be made.

I claim 1. In a foldable table; two legs at each end of the table, an upper transverse bar and a lower transverse bar connecting the legs at each end of the table, said bars having straight lower edges, two hingedly connected top sections and two hingedly connected shelf sections having their outer ends passed between the legs at the ends of the table, said top sections and shelf sections passing under said upper and lower bars respectively and contacting with said straight lower edges thereof, said bars then forming cheeks at the end portions of the table top and shelf to retain articles thereon, and means inwardly spaced from the ends of said top sections and said shelf sections and pivoting them to said legs on horizontal transverse axes which are inwardly spaced horizontally from the inner opposed sides of said upper and lower bars, tendency of said sections to tilt downwardly about their pivots being resisted by contact of said sections with said straight lower edges of said bars on lines outwardly spaced from the pivotal axes of the sections.

2. In a foldable table; a sheet metal plate having a central tongue projecting longitudinally from one of its ends and having said end rolled downwardly and inwardly at the longitudinal edges ol the tongue to provide hinge knuckles which extend trans versely from the tongue to the longitudinal edges of the plate, a complementary sheet metal plate having a central notch in one end of a Width at least equal to the width of the tongue the metal at the inner end of said notch being rolled downwardly and inwardly to provide a third transverse hinge knuckle and a pintle passing through the three hinge knuckles to hingedly connect the two plates, the portion or portions ol. each plate projecting inu'ardh beyond the hinge knuckles, resting upon the top of" the other plate at the inner end portion of the. latter, each of said tops having a shallow depression or depressions pressed therein to receive said portion or portions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto attixed my signature.

WALTER LUNSFRED WHITESIDES.

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