US1739449A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

INVENTOR ,ATTO R N EY Dec. 10, 1929. c s

FOLDING TABLE Filed Nov. 7. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet Dec. 10, 1929. c s 1,739,449

FOLDING TABLE Filed. Nov. 7. 1927 I 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 flaw/I7 17 07298 Q lNVENTOR ATTo'R N EY Patented Dec. 10, 1929 PATENT OFFICE MAX H. 'ECKES, F KIEL, WISCONSIN FOLDING TABLE Application filed November 7, 1927. Serial No. 231,660.

My present invention has reference to a foldable table of a construction and arrangement to permit of the same being folded into compact form and carried on automobiles or other vehicles for campers use, and likewise foldable into a. small package for storage in a home after the table has been employed as a card table. 7

An object is the provision of a table that shall comprisetwo flanged sections which are hingedly associated and which carry foldable legs that are snugly housed in the sections when the table is folded and that are set up in a rigid manner when the table is in use, there being a supporting bar slidably associated with the inner flange of one of the table sections, and movable transversely through alining openings in both sections, for supporting the said sections in proper alinement when the table is set up.

A further object is the provision of novel means for hingedly connecting the legs of the table sections, means for bracing the said legs when 1n table supporting position and means for locking the bracing means.

For a full and comprehensive understanding of the improvement and the advantages thereof, reference is to be had to the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification and wherein there is illustrated one, satisfactory embodiment of the improvement. W

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement in folded condition and presenting a carrying casing.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view showing the table sections in spread condition. 0

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the improvement inset up condii Figure 7 is a fragmentary edge view of one pair of the pivoted brace straps, with a slidable lock therefor in section.

As disclosed by the drawings, the improvement, when in folded condition provides a carrying case. The improvement contemplates the employment of two substantially rectangular members 1 and 2, respectively, and each of these members is provided with a continuous flange 3. On the edges of-the end flanges 3 of the sections 1 and 2 there are secured metal straps 4 that have interengaging butts or barrels at their confronting ends for the reception of the pivots. The hinge straps 4 are let in the flanges 3 and the, base of the barrel portion of the hinge is also let in'the longitudinal flanges of the said sections. This effects a neat but simple and strong hinge connection between the table sections.

On the outer flanges of the sections 1 and '2, there are co-engaging latching elements 5 and in one of the said flanges there is swingably supported a substantially U-shaped handle 6. By this arrangement it will be seen that when the sections are folded against of the flanged sections 1 and 2 there are secured blocks 6, and pivotally secured to each of these blocks there is a leg member 7. On the end or side flanges of the said sections 1 and 2, adjacent to the diagonal corners of the said sections opposite that on which the blocks '6 are secured, there are fixed plates 8. Each of the plates 8 has its ends ofl'set, as at 9, and 10, respectively. The plates thus provide substantially U-shaped brackets'and to the inner flanges 10 of each of the brackets 8 there is pivoted a leg member 11 similar to the leg members 7. To the outer flanges 9 of the brackets 8 there are pivoted the ofiset end of angularly disposed brace members 12 and these brace members are likewise pivoted to the leg members 11. Substantially L- shaped brackets 13 are secured to the inner faces of the opposite end flanges of the sections 1 and 2, and to the outstanding element of each of these flanges there is pivoted the offset end of angle brace members 14 which in turn are pivoted to the leg members 7.

To the side flanges of the sections 1 and 2, at a suitable distance away from the blocks 6, there are pivoted the inner links 15 of strap braees for the legs 7, the outer straps 16 beii g pivoted to the said 'legs 7. The brace straps 15 and 16 have lapping ends which are pivoted, as at 17. The brace members 15, at a suitable distance from the pivot 17, have outstanding lugs 18 that are received in notches 19 in the brace straps 16. Slidable on the brace strap 16 there are the cross sectionally U-shaped locking elements 19 for the jointed ends of the brace straps 15 and 16. Each of the locking members 19 has an inwardly directed flange or lug 20 designed to rest on the lug 18 of the end of the brace strap 15 on which the lug is formed. The locks 19 are freely slidable upon the straps 16, so it will be apparent that when the legs are swung to set up position these locks will gravitate on the straps 16 until the flange 20 contacts with the lugs 18 and the outer ends of the straps 15. As the U-shaped locks fully cover the joint between the brace straps these brace members are thus automatically locked in longitudinal alinement. By simply sliding the locks off of the joint the brace straps may be folded when the legs are to be swung into the table sections.

Similar brace means is provided forv the inner leg members 14, but in this instance, the inner brace straps are pivotally supported on upstanding brackets 21 on the inner face of the sections 1 and 2, these straps for distinction being indicated by the numeral 22 and the cooperating straps which are pivoted to the legs 11 by the numeral 23. The slidable lock is indicated by the numeral 24. As the construction and operation is similar to that previously described, a detail description in connection with these braces is not believed central notch or opening 25 therein.

necessary. 7

The inner side flanges of the table sections 1 and 2, which are in contacting engagement with each other when the sections are swung into alinement with each other have each a On the inner face of one of these flanges there is fixed a plate 26 having a T-shaped end 27 which is offset or arranged angular with respect to the plate. The T-shaped end or head 27 of the plate 26 is received in the groove 28 in one face of a supporting bar 29. The groove 28 is partly closed by plates 30 that are secured on the face or edge of the bar 29, and these plates are received in the notches or grooves provided between the plate 26 and its T- shaped head 27. By this arrangement it'will 0 be seen that the bar 29 may be moved and guided in its movement through the openings 25 so that the same will cont-act with the under faces of both the sections 1 and 2 and also by this arragement it will be noted that the bar will be moved through the openings and thereafter swung upon the T-head of the plate 26 to arrange the same against the inner face of one of the side flanges of one of the table sections, as disclosed by the dotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawings. Also by this arrangement it will be seen that the supporting bar is at all times retained in the device and is sustained in a position for immediate use when employed as a brace or support for the table sections. It is to be noted that the plates 30 cover only part of the groove 28 in the bar 9, and that by bending or arranging the T-shaped head 27 at an angle with respect to the said plate that the edges of the walls provided by notches or passages between the head and plate are so arranged with respect to each other that the plates 30 will find a comparative free passage through these slots or notches when the bar 29 is moved through the openings 25 in the contacting flanges of the table sections, that when the said bar is moved to inactive position, or to the dotted .line position in Figure 5 the walls providedhold the bar 29 firmly against the inner.

flanges of one of the table sections. This is an important feature of the invention inasmuch as the frictional engagement exerted between the T-head of the plate 26 and the plates 30 will hold the bar 29 from free longitudinal movement when in inactive position. In the section 1 there is fixed a socket member 31 that receives one end of the bar therein when the bar is in supporting position and on the other section 2 there is fixed an angle keeper 32 for the opposite end of the said bar when in supporting position.

My improvement isof a simple construction and may be cheaply manufactured and commercialized. The improvement when not in use provides a carrying case which, as previously stated, is light so that the same can be conveniently carried. When in such condition the improvement may be readily' stored in a small space in an automobile or in a dwelling. The improvement may be easily and quickly set up to provide a table and the sections constituting the top of the table are effectively supported by the bar 29 and set up in a sturdy manner by the rigidly braced legs. The locking means for the legs is automaticin action inasmuch as the same gravitate over the brace straps which are connected to the table sections and 'over the joint of these straps with the straps that are pivotally connected with the leg members. I have herein set forth a satisfactory embodiment of my improvement as it now appears to me but obviously I do not wish to be restricted to the precise details of such construction and,

therefore, hold myself entitled to make such changes therefrom as fairlyfall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, I claim In combination with a foldable table which comprises two hingedly connected flanged sections that have pivotally supported therein foldable legs andbraces for said legs, said sections at their confronting and hinged edges having their flanges provided with aligning openings, of a plate on one of said flanges having a T-shaped end which is arranged angularly with respect to the plate. and disposed opposite the openings, :1 grooved bar, plates partially closing the groove in the bar, fixed to said bar and slidable in the notches between the T-head and the body. plates therefor and designed, when moved through the openings to find a free passagethrough said notches, a keeper and socket for engaging the bar when so moved,

and said bar, when moved through the openings and brought against the flange of one of the sections designed to be frictionally engaged by the opposed walls of said notches and thereby sustained from accidental longitudinal movement. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' MAX H. ECKES

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