US1801637A - Attachment for fastening trays or the like to supporting structures - Google Patents

Description

April 21, 1931. y M, c oLs 1,801,637

ATTACHMENT FOR FASTENING TRAYS OR THE LIKE TO, SUPPORTING STRUCTURES Filed Oct. 2 1928 INVENTOR Jar-m MACDONALD N IHOL5.

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN MACDONALD NICHOLS, OF HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK ATTACHMENT FOR FASTENING TRAYS OR THE LIKE TO SUPPORTING STRUCTURES Application filed October 26, 1928.

My invention relates to devices or attachments for fastening a tray or the like to a table, desk, chair or other supporting structure.

An object of the invention is to provide, in

an attachment of the above character, an adjustable clamp by means of which it (the attachment) may be removably tho firmly fastened in place. i

A further object of the invention is to so mount that part or portion of the attachment constituting a support for the tray or receptacle as to admit of its free swinging movement from an extended position out from under the table top (when fastened to a table) to a retracted position or a position of nonuse either partlally or wholly therebeneath. A still further object of the invention is to provide, as a means for fastening said tray support to said clamp, a socket fitting; said fitting being carried by and rotatably adjustable in its relation to said clamp, and said support being detachable from and adapted to engage within the socket of said fitting.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like or corresponding parts,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the 39 attachment fastened to the edge of a card table and supporting an ash tray extended for use;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing the attachment fastened as in Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the socket fitting and a portion of the forked end arm adapted to engage therewith.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, a collapsible card table is designated in its entirety as 10. Preferably the attachment 11 is fastened to said table beneath the covering 12 therefor. Said covering, usually fabric, is freely removable and may or may not overhang the edges of the table top. I )0 As illustrated in Fig. 2 the attachment as Serial N'o. 315,156.

herein shown is designed to receive and support a removable ash tray or receptacle 13. By merely enlarging and differently shaping that part or portion of the attachment providing the tray support, any other form or character of receptacle or container may be substituted for the tray. The attachment, in its preferred embodiment, comprises a clamp designated as 14, a fitting designated as 15, and a support designated as 16. The clamp 14, and in fact the entire attachment, is pref erably constructed of metal. Said clamp 14 comprises a vertically extending body portion 17, and at the opposite ends thereof, inwardly extending top and bottom portions 18 and 19 respectively. To better grip the table top or other structure to which the attachment is fastened, said top portion 18 is bent to extend off from said body portion 17 at an angle less than 90. The bottom portion 19, unlike said top portion, is bent to extend off from said body portion at substantially a right angle, and intermediatcly of its ends is provided with an upstanding boss 20 thru which a vertically adjustable exteriorly threaded clamping screw 21 is carried. Said screw 21, at its upper end is rounded off, and at its opposite end, beneath'the bottom portion 19 of the clamp, is provided with an operating finger nut 22. By means of said nut the clamping screw 21 is vertically or axially adjusted to engage and disengage the structure to which the clamp 14 is fastened.

Threaded on that part or portion of the clamping screw 21 between the nut 22 and the bottom portion 19 of the clamp is the fitting 15. Said fitting (see Fig. 5) is shaped to provide an elongated socket 23. Within said socket 28 an interiorly threaded boss 24 is formed. This boss 24 offers suflicient threaded length to receive the clamping screw 21. and by such threaded engagement, hold the fitting 15 in its adjusted position. In forming the socket fitting, flat metal stock, having its edges rolled or turned inwardly as indicated, may be used. Being threaded on said clamping screw the socket fitting, by rotation, may be vertically adjusted as well as turned to any angular position desired.

The support 16 for the tray or other containeris detachably fastened to said socket fitting. Said support comprises intersecting fiat metal strips 25-26 fastened together at said point of intersection and provided, each at its opposite ends with upstanding end portions 27-28 which engage with and hold the tray 13 or other container in place. One of said strips, i. e., the strip 25, at one end, is carried or extended away from the tray to provide a supporting arm 29. This arm 29 is bifurcated or forked at its free end as at 30 and is so dimensioned both in thickness and in width as to snuglyengage, without binding, in the socket 23 of the fitting. Thus positioned, said arm 29 (and hence the support 16) is freely removable from its engagement in said socket, and during insertion, by its engagement with the boss 24, is to a certain extent guided in its sliding movement. If desired, and where the attachment is used as an ash tray support, a holder 31 for a match book 32 may be fastened to the body portion 17 of the clamp.

An attachment characterized as above set forth, if and when used as indicated, is advantageous in that the tray or container 13 can be swung beneath the table top or extended for use as desired. When fastened adjacent to one corner of the table top it can be swung from one to the other side of the table at will. Once fastened, the tray or container and its support 16, can be removed by merely withdrawing the arm 29 from its fitting engagement in the socket 23. Tables or other supporting structures having tops of different thickness may be equipped with the attachments thru the wide range of adjustment accorded the clamp 14. The attachment, furthermore, is inconspicuous, neat, and

simple. For the major part it is adapted to engage beneath the table covering, and where said covering overhangs the table edge, said overhanging portion of the covering can be dropped behind the match book 32 as shown. Moreover, the adjusting or clamping screw 21 not only serves as a fastening means for clamping the attachment to the table top, but it serves also as a support for the socket fitting 15 and hence the tray support 16, both of which said attachment parts are freely rotatable and vertically adjustable by and as a result of the threaded engagement of said fitting with said screw.

While I have described my invention in detail in its present preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to'those skilled in the art after understanding my invention, that various changes and modifications may be made there in without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. I aim in the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes.

What I claim is:

1 In an attachment of the character described, a support for a container, a clamp mcludmg an axially adjustable clamping screw, and a socket fitting threaded on and rotatably adjustable lengthwise said screw, said fitting comprising a fitting plate having inturned edges beneath which and by means of which said support is frictionally tho removably held.

2. In an attachment of t.-e character described, a detachable support for a container, a forked end arm extending off from said support, a clamp including an axially adjustable clamping screw, a socket fitting carried by and adjustable in its relation to said screw, said fitting comprising a relatively flat fitting plate having mturned edges spaced therefrom and between which and said plate the forked end arm is adapted to frictionally engage, and an internally threaded boss formed integrally with said plate and thru which said clamping screw extends, said boss being extended off from said plate to occupy the space between the forked extensions of said arm.

3. In an attachment of the character described, a clamp including a substantially vertical axis clamping screw, a freely rotatable socket fitting threaded on and vertically adjustable lengthwise said screw, and a horizontally extending detachable support for a container frictionally held within the socket of said fitting.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOHN MACDONALD NICHOLS.

Images