US1808305A - Folding device for tables and the like - Google Patents

Description

June A2, 1931-.. H, HowE FOLDING DEV-ICE FOR TABLES AND'` THE LIKE Fil'ed DeC. ll, 1929 Patented June 2, 1931 f UNITED STATES PATENT VOFFICE A HAROLD Howie, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIeNoR To Hows FOLDING FURNITURE, TNC,

' on NEW YORK, N. Y. i

FLDNG- DEVICE FR TABLES AND THE LIKE Application led December 11, 1929. Serial No. 413,231.

My invention relates generally to folding devices for tables and the like and particularly to serving tables such as'are used in hotels for room service and likewise usedrin clubs, churches or the home. f The ordinary type of, roundserving table with drop leaves in common use today is a non-folding table requiring a large amount of storage space when not in use and is diflicult to transport from the storage space to the room or other point where it is to be used, and whichis generally difficult and awkward to handle. It is thel primary purpose of my invention to provide a simple, inexpensive folding table for this purpose, which occu-f pies but a fraction vof the. storage space re-k quired for the non-folding typey of table, which is easily and conveniently portable,

which may be set up for yuse with a minimumv amount of effort, which when unfolded for use provides a substantial table of relatively large size and which when it has served its purpose can be easily and quickly folded and disposed of out of the way, either in the room where it is used or in the usual storage place provided in the hotels, clubs, etc.

Another object of my invention is to provide a design for a table of this character which Amakes it economical to manufacture, sturdy of construction, easily operated and free of extraneous attachments, locking devices, etc.v

One of the principal featuresof my invention is a folding means by means lof which an operator may with the greatest easefold or unfold a table to operativeor inoperative` position, and which when so folded or un.

folded remains in such position for use or transportation. l f More specifically, my invention contemplates the provision of a ksystem of pivoted links or braces, which permitsready folding or unfolding of a table or other foldabledevice to which my invention may be applied by manipulation of the table top at either end or either side, and with an ease which permits ready operation thereof'by a woman. g Another object `lies in the provision of synchronized folding means whereby the table may be folded by lifting on either side thereof. l

. Still another object lies in theprovision of novel means for utilizing drop leaves for the table and supporting them in Vextended/or unfolded position; f. Y

A further object llies in the provision ofa wheel support for the table, which 'provides a substantial and rigid supporting means for the table in unfolded or ready to use condition, and which provides a ready and easy: means of transportation or portability with the table inits folded position. l f

Still another object of my invention lies in the provision as a 4xnodifiedform, of Va, table provided with a central top piece which serves as a support in either the folded ork unfolded position of the table. lj

Other ob'ects and advantages yin details of construction and operation will be` apparent as thel description proceeds, vreference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a table constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof, certain parts being shown in section. 1

Figure 3 is an end Y 'ew of the table in itsl folded or collapsed position. .f

'Figure 4 is a detail viewof one end of a table constructed in al slightly .modified manner. r f

'The table structure consists essentiallyin a pair of spaced side frames, these frames each consisting of the upright supports l connected ,togetherA at their upper ends by means of the longitudinal bar or strip 2, and further connected and held in spaced relation by asecond cross bar or strip 3, spaced slightly below the upper bar v2. Each of the longitudinal bars 2 hashinged thereto at its upper and outer edge as atl, one of the sections`5, forming the table top. These 'sections 5 arehinged together at their innerends and lthe table top collapsible u ward when the side frames-,rcornprising te upright l and on their underside as at' 6, therebi')7 .rendering ienv CII

3K5* ment with the cross bar 3 'where it is: auto;

the cross bars 2 and 3, are moved toward each other, as is shown clearly in Figure 3. Likewise when the side fra-mes are moved outwardly away from each other to the posit-ion shown in Figure 2, the sections 5 forming the table top,` hinge downwardly and rest upon' the upper'surfacesof the cross bars 2. SuchcrossJ bars therefore forming a substantialV supportfor the-outeredges of the table top and likewise serving to align these sections 5 of the top in order to provide a smooth level surface. y i

As is clear from Figures 2 and the sections 5 forming the table top extendslightly Y beyond the cross bars A2 and hinged to the outer loweredges of the sections 5,-Las'fa't 7 are the drop leaves 8. Secured to the under#k sideV ofthe di'ropleaves 8 is a bracket 9 formin'ga'bearing= for 'a' pintlell@ v(see Figure 1) upon' whichisp-ivoted at one end a bra-ce rod 11 adapted to engage at itsfr'eeend in`= anotchor groove 12 provided centrally in the crossl piece3;pwhenvthe drop leaf is raised' toa positioiirflush and levelly with the sections '5f-forming"V thetable topi, asis clearly shown in Figures V1 and 24J A coil spring 13 eneircles each' of the pintles` 10and engages the' sup porting rod l1L in such a Inan'ner 1sV tov nor Inally urge the same upwardly intoY engagema-tically disposed out of the way when ther tablel lis -collapsed or folded-3' as shown clearlyl inFigure 3. Y

` The uprigh-tsl at' onex end of 'thel table are provided' at' their lower ends 'withfswiveled casters 14 whereby thatV end' ofthe table may be readily turned-and guidedin transportation or disposition for-use. The uprights 1 at the opposite' end of the' table are supported at their lower ends by wheels? 15- whereby the; table as a unit when in either' foldedhor ugnfol'd'edposition may be readily transportedby wheeling it from one placey to' another.

In order` thatthef table may be foldedV and unfoldedjin the easiest possiblemanner, and alsoK in order to provide a bracelfor the table when in unfolded'position, have provided a; novel `lin`jkf folding' lmeans a't` each end l'of' the table which will now be described.-

Adjacent each end of the table, the sectionsi 5* forming'the' table top'a'li'fe provided on their uflrcl'ersides with-,ears or; brackets 16 to which are'pivoted one end of 'each ofthe links 17 ofg equal lengthand the Vopposite; ends of which links are pivoted to a common pivot cientrall-yy disposed beneath the# tablef topi and indicated at i8. Also pivoted-attheir inner end to thiscommon pintle 18,ar`ea second pair of links 19,A ofequfal lengthandhavingl their oppositeends pivoted each to one of the uprightsupports 1 asiat 20'.` Ity willlbe understood of @ourse-thatthe links; 17a-nd 19l and' their'pi'votal' arrangementare duplicated atl'eacjhf end ofthe table; It will'be obvious therefore;` that with this arrangement' of links pivoted at their inner ends to a common pivot 18 disposed centrally of the table and an equal distance from the upright supports 1, merely lifting upwardly on either ofthe sections 5 comprising the table top, will serve to foldthe-*table to upwardly as shown in Figure 3 and at the same time by virtue of the links 19, draw the side frames toward each. other whereby the table, may assume the folded position VVshown inFigure 3. If it is desired to unfold the table and place it in condition for use, it is merely necessaryto spread the side frame members consistingiof the uprights 1 and the cross bars 2 and43, whereupon through the links 17 and 1'9 the-top sec-tions '5 `'willi belowered to level abutting or'coplanar position y andf ati-'sub` `stantia'llyrightangles tothe frame legs.l rllhey novelflinkV arrangement'ma-kes it possible forf the user of the table' in unfolding the same foruse to merelylift one side thereofslightlyl ther spreading'o'f the side frame and-serve`= to4 support and brace the table in unfold-ed'v position. It will be' noted also thatl a brace; isprovidedin the form of'twobars 19a and,`

19M-'hinged together at their inner endsf'asj at '20u51 a coil spring 21a; being' provided` aroun'dthe hinge and so positioned as to nor-- mally'urge the lba'r's'upwardly to longitudinal alignment. The outer endsV ofzthe bars are` hiiiged asfatV 22a to the crossibars 3. When lli/O theftable is folded asshownrin Figure 3, the Y bars 19a and 19?) fold upwardly.Vv The weight which may be placeduponthe top ofthe'table 'e r is equally distributed through the links 17 and '19' and the bars 19a and 19h-'to the side framesofthe'tabldwhereby to provide a very.y

rigid and solid construction for regular tablev use. Ifj desi'redg'of coursethedropleavesSl j:

may bei raised to thefposition-shown in full lines in Figure'l, and are held in such porsi-v ti'on by brace armsl 111 engaging withinv lthe notches in: the cross ba'r3'. It will also; bei:

the top sections 5 are' brought to"` coplanar' relation they are disposed? and braced atlsubstantially right angles to both the leg surfaces forming the table frame.

It will be noted with reference to Figure 3 particularly that when the table is folded or collapsed it occupies but relatively little space and is supported upon the wheels and casters 15 and 14 respectively, whereby it may be readily wheeled or transported from place to place instead of having to be carried as is the case with the rigid type of serving table. The frame portions of the table and the top sections, as well as the drop leaves may of course be made of any suitable material, but are preferably of wood of any desired finish and strength, thus providing an attractive table, light in weight, but durable and substantial. The system of connections between the folding parts is such that there is little or no likelihood of breakage or parts getting out of order and requiring repair. The entire construction is of but few parts which in production may be standardized, whereby rendering the table economical to manufacture and easy of assembly.

In Figure Il is shown a slightly modified type, but embodying all of the features and principles shown and described in connection with the other figures. The upright members la correspond to the uprights l in Figures l, 2 and 3, and are provided attheir upper ends with the top sections 5a, the outer extending ends of which have hinged thereto the drop leaves 8a. These drop leaves are likewise provided with the supporting brace rods lla, corresponding to the rods l1 of the other figures. Y

rlfhe links 17a and 19a correspond to the links 17 and 19 of the other figures.

The difference between this table and that shown in the other figures, lies in the fact that the top sections 5a are spaced apart centrally and are hinged at their inner ends as at 2l to the underside of the center piece 22 extendino` longitudinally of the table. It will be clear from this construction that when this table is folded to the position of that shown in Figure 3, this center section 22 will remain horizontal because of the synchronized action of the links, and provide a supporting means for anything which it may be desired to set on the table during non-use of the table in unfolded position. Thus, the table may remain in a room as a permanent piece of furniture and serve as a support for books, vases or the like during non-use.- Vhen it is desired to use the table, however, for serving, it may be unfolded whereupon the sections 22 and 5a provide a flat smooth table top as shown in Figure 4.

Although I have shown and described a construction in which the links of each pair, above and below the common pivot, are of equal length, it will be understood that, de-

= pending upon the hinge point, the links may l. A folding table comprising parallel sideA framesI constituting `supporting legs, a' top section hinged to the upper -edge of each frame and hinged together between` and parallelwithsaid frames, a link pivotedat one end to each frame and ea'ch'top section, and

a common pivotvfor the opposite end o f ally of said links.

Q A folding table ycomprising parallel side frames constituting supporting legs, a top sectionV hinged to the upper, edge of each frame and hinged together between and parallel with said frames, a'link pivoted atone end to eacn frame and each top section, and

a common pivot for the opposite -endfof-all of said links, said common pivot'beingV disposed centrally betweensaid frames and free to swing upwardly and downwardlyy during folding and unfolding of the table.

3. A folding table comprising parallel sidey frames* constituting supporting legs, a top section hinged toth'e upperedge of each frame and hinged together between and parallel withv said frames, a link vpivoted at one end to each frame and each top sectionfand acommo'n pivot for the opposite end of all of said links, Lsaid common pivot being disposed centrally between said frames andr free to swing upwardlyand downwardly during folding and unfolding of the'table, said links being disposed at each end ofsaid table.

4.' A folding table comprising parallel side frames constituting supportinglegs, a topl section hinged to the upper edge of each frame and hingedtogether between and par-Y allel iwith said frame, a'link pivoted at one end to the underside of each top'se'ction', said links being f of thesamev length and havingtheir opposite ends pivoted to a common pivot, anda link pivoted at one end to each of said side frames, said links being of equal length and having their opposite ends pivoted to said common pivot.

5. A folding table comprising parallel side frames constituting supporting legs, a top section hinged to upper edge of each frame and hinged together between and parallel with said frames, a link pivoted at one end to'each of said top sections and to each of said frames and a common pivot for the opposite ends of all of said links, said links and common pivotbeing so disposed that said links cooperate to provide a rigid brace for the table in unfolded position.

6. A folding table comprising parallel side frames constituting supporting legs, a top ico izo

section hingedfto 4the lippen edge of, each frame; and hinged' together between andA pfalgallel; with said frames, a, link givoted at one end' toy eaeh of said topr sections7 and, te.l each, Qi said framesanda cemmonpivotbelow said top :and between; said frames for Itheoppositeendsy of, all' of said linl s, said, links andE come' mon pivot being so disposedthat said top... sections and said frames always maintain a 19,. defini-te predetermined1 ,relationV to each. other imfolded:andunfoldedposition.,v 7... Af, folding table comprising parallel sidet ira-mesZ constituting supporting: legsV a top, section hinged to the upperedge'oz each: l5, traine, aV center'topsectionthe,inn`er edges, ofYsa-id Vfirst namedtopsections being hinged: to said center top section, and links;pivoted` at one:encLto-saidiirstnamed. topsections and said trames and at their opposite ends to, a; 20. common pivot, whereby said table, may be. oldedand' unfolded, said:` links maintaining a c leiinitejj predetermined relation between said. topsections andsaidside frames.

8. A folding table comprising` frames hav- 25 ingeross bars,a foldable, top for said` table, drop leaves, hinged tosaid top, andv support..-

ingg-means for; said drop` leaves cooperable with said., crossi barsy forl preventing. folding movement of said frames and top when said 3Q drop leaves arein supported position.

9.. Ai folding,mechanism` forv three pivotally connected members, comprising three links,- two oi saidv members` being foldable. to, coplanar relation. at substantially right an 35 gles-to said thirdV member, each of saidmem-A bers having one ofsaid links pivetally attached thereto, and all oi said links-,havinga reecommon pivot.

10. A folding` mechanism for our pivot'-V Y,40 ally connected members, comprising four links,- two of said members being foldable; to coplanar relation at substantially rightI angles to said other two members, each of said members having one of said links. pivotally- 4v 45 attached thereto, and all of said;` links having a Jf1-ee common pivot.4 l .In testimony whereof, II a-i-X mysi'gnfature.

HAROLD,

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