US1836668A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 15, 1931. A KEHRER 1,836,668

FOLDING TABLE Dec; 15, 1931. KEHRER 1,836,668

FOLDING TABLE Filed July 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F 1 j L\\/\1 JAjflLm/r Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES JOSEPH A. KEHBER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO FOLDING TABLE Application filed July 24, 1929. Serial No. 380,668.

This invention relates to folding tables and has for one of its objects to provide a table of this character with simple and novel means in connection with the leg structure thereof which means may be manipulated to extend the legs and support the table in an elevated osition with relation to the floor and to colapse in order that the table may be stored away in a comparatively small space when not in use or when transporting the table from one place to another.

With this object in view the table is formed to comprise legs connected in pairs and which are hingedly or pivotally connected to the under side of the table top, there being means provided for holding the legs in an extended position with relation to the top of the table when desired to support the table in an elevated position. Said means may also be actuated whereby the legs may be folded fiat against the under side of the table.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a table as specified, which is simple in its construction, strong, durable, compact when folded, conveniently set up when desired and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination of elements and arran ement of parts hereinafter to be fully descri d and pointed out in the subjoined claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the table formed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the table showing more in detail means for holding the legs in an extended or collapsed position,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 5 is a view looking towards the under side of the table with the legs in a folded position,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is a detail view showing a slightly modified form of the table construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the top of the table which may be of any desired form or contour but for an illustration has been shown square in formation. Mounted on the under side of the table top 1 is a pair of spaced longitudinally extending bars 2 which are arranged to extend substantially the full length of the table top 1 and positioned near the longitudinal edges thereof.

Connected in pairs by means of braces 3 are leg members 4 which are pivotally connected as at 5 to the side bars 2 of the table. The brace members 3 are connected to the extreme upper ends of the leg members 4 and arranged exteriorly thereof so that when the legs are in their extended positions they act as stops and together with the bars 2 serve to brace the top 1 both longitudinally and transversely thereof and as the brace members 3 andthe bars 2 are of the same depth a rectangular frame is produced which gives the table a substantial and finished appearance. As the upper ends of the leg members 4 are flush against the under side of the table top 1 and in order that the legs may be pivoted inwardly, the upper corner edge is mounted as at 6 thus permitting the inner surface of the legs 4 to lie flush against the under surface of the top 1 when in a folded position.

Pivotally connected near the upper ends of the leg members 4 and arranged between the same is a strap member 7 in the form of a U and having its outer ends pivoted as at 9 to the opposite surfaces 10 of the leg members. Arranged centrally of the under side of the table top and extending transversely thereof is a strip 11 fastened to the 190 top in any suitable manner and carrying brackets 12 at its outer end. These brackets are formed to provide depending ears 13 to which the inner ends of a pair of links 14 are pivotally connected. The links 14 extend in opposite directions with respect to each other, and each has its outer end bent upwardly to form an angular portion 15 pivotally united as at 16 to the inner portion of the arm 8 of the strap member 7. Over 1 lying the outer ends of the links 14 is a transtially U-shaped strap member arranged beverse section 17 of the strap member 7, which thus forms a stop and prevents the hinge joint between the strap 7 and the links M from breaking in a downward direction, but will permit the same to break upwardly to eifect the collapse of the leg member To prevent accidental collapse of the leg member 10 the construction of the links A- and the strap 7 is such that by springing the same the pivots 16, when the leg members are in their extended positions, will be positioned slightly below the pivots located at the outer ends of the links 15 and the strap 7, should a line be drawn through said pivots as indicated by the lines A and B in Figure 3. Thus it will be seen the leg members will be held rigid in their ext-ended positions and notcollapsed merely by an inward force upon the legs, and l'IlOfuOVQl', due to the fact that each 01" the table legs has a link connected adjacent thereto joined by transverse members undue side movement or buckling of the links is prevented should the table legs be subjected to side or inward strain.

When it is desired to fold or collapse the leg members, it is merely necessary for the operator to exert an upwardforce on the transverse section 17, causing the links 15 on the strap 7 to fold up upon each other and to swing the leg members inwardly under the top of the table.

In order that the legs of a high table can be folded so that the same will overlap one another and yet lie parallel with the under side of the table as disclosed in Figures 5 and 6,.one set of legs may be positioned in a plane below that of the other set. This offset relation of pivots is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. 7

In a modified form of the invention disclosed in Figure 7 wherein the table is of considerable length, separate strips may be provided on the under side of the table for carrying the brackets to which the inner ends of the links l l are connected.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that a folding table has been provided which is of an extremely simple and durable construction, reliable in its operation and one which can be readily and quickly erected and collapsed when desired to such ize that the same can be stored away in a comparatively small space when not in use.

Although I have shown and described the preferred form and arrangement of parts, yet it will be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had from time to time which will fairly fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is A folding table comprising a top, two pairs of end legs hinged to said top, substantween the legs comprising a pair and having its free ends hinged thereto near the upper ends thereof, a pair of links pivoted at their inner ends to the under side of said top and the outer ends pivotally connected to said strap, the outer ends of said links being bent upwardly and arranged within said. strap member so that the cation of the U-shaped strapwhich connects the ends thereof will overlie the links when the legs are in their extended poistion and prevent the connection between said strap and links from breaking in a downwarc direction, the arrangement of the pivots between the strap and the links being such as to permit the strap and the links to spring to positions holding the legs in their zztended' positions as well as in their position of collapse. i

in testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOSEPH A. KEHRER.

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