US1727048A - Folding shelf - Google Patents

Description

Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,727,048 eArsNroFFlcE.

MABEL H. CADY, OF DIROIT, MICHIGAN.

'FOLDING SHELF.

Application filed December rlhis invention relates to folding shelves or stands adapted for use in kitchens or apartment houses where space is valuable, and the principle involved in this invention may be embodied in a tea table, household cart or movable structure.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a structure embodying a plurality of superposed shelves or trays that may be main tained in a useful horizontal position or swung into overlapped closely assembled relation so as to occupy a comparatively small space when not in use. rllhe shelves or trays may be made of light and durable metal linished to present a. neat and attractive appearance and said shelves are adapted to be supported by legs or uprights that may be provided with wheels so that the shelving affords a movable table or support for various kinds of articles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple, durable and inexpensive fold able shelf structure wherein shelves articulate legs or uprights and said legs or uprights have pivotal connection with the shelves for collapsing purposes. Means may be employed `for lining the shelves in either of the two positions in which they may be placed so that there is a rigid, easily handled structure in either instance.

My invention, which constitutes a new article of manufacture, will be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed, and reference will now be had to the drawing wherein Figure l is a perspective view of the foldable shelves in a useful position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the same showing the shelves folded in full lines and extended in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of one of the shelves, and

F ig. 4f is a detail sectional view of a shelf connection with a leg or upright.

Considering my new article of manufacture 5, 1925. Serial No. 73,358.

mounted in the legs against rotation or may be loose therein, as will hereinafter appear. The rods of the set of legs l are opposed to the rods of the set of legs 2 and connecting said rods are shelves 6 spaced a suitable distance apart to permit of easy access being had to the lowermost shelves. Each shelf may be made of sheet metal or other light and durable material enameled or otherwise finished to harmonize with the legs l and 2 and present a neat and attractive appearance, besides being sanitary for kitchen purposes.

rIhe longitudinal edges of each shelf are rolled or otherwise formed to provide barrels 7 for two purposes. First, that of einbracing the rods 5 to support the shelves and in some instances establish a pivot or hinge connection between the shelves and the rods, particularly when the rods are fixed relative to the legs l and 2. If the ends of the rods are loose in the legs the barrels 7 of the shelves may be clamped on the rods 5 or suitably attached thereto.

The second purpose of the barrels 7 is to form a longitudinal ledge 8 outside of each shelf and these ledges will prevent accidental displacement of articles placed on the shelf. Obviously the end edges of the shelves may be upturned for a similar purpose. So far this is a simple form of folding shelves and by reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that one set of legs may be raised and placed substantially in parallelism and in close proximity to the other set of legs, so that the shelves are shifted into a close arrangement, angular relative to the legs, thus providing a compact form of shelving that may be set aside or stored to occupy a comparatively small space when not in use and yet at all times be convenient for general or emergency use.

, When the ends of the rods 5 are pivoted in the legs 1 and 2 and the shelves 6 fixed relative to said rods, the legs l and 2 may have openings 9 for easy rotation of the rods 5 in said legs. Between the ends of the shelf barrels and the side walls of the legs may be placed washers l0 and on the eXtreme ends of the rods may be placed screw caps or ornamentations 11. It is by virtue of the screw caps that the legs may be clamped against the washers l0 and said washers against the ends of the shelf barrels, thus providing means for securing the foldable shelving in either an extended or collapsed position. It will not be necessary to tighten all of the screw caps for clamping purposes, as a set of said caps in connection with each set of legs will accomplish the desired result.

lt is thought that the utility of niy invention will loe apparent without further description, and while in the drawing there are illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to he understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such variations and inodications as fall Within the scope oli' the appended claims.

l/Vhat I claim is l. As a new article of manufacture, two sets of legs, cross rods connecting each set independent of the other set, shelves supported on said cross rods, rounded barrels on the ends of said shelves, said rounded barrels being adapted to partly surround said rods and pivotally connect the two sets of legs, and ineens whereby said legs may he clamped against said shelves to prevent swivelling or folding.

2. As a new article of manufacture, two sets of legs, cross rods connecting each set independent of the other set, shelves supported on said cross rods, rounded barrels on the ends of said'shelves, said rounded barrels being adapted to partly surround said rods and pivotally connect the two sets of legs, clamping'nuts adapted to he screwed on said connecting rods and adapted to clamp saidlegs tightl against said shelves to hold the article in the open or folded position.

ln testimony whereof I aiiiX my signatur MABEL H. GABY.

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