US1876010A - Folding leg for card tables and the like - Google Patents

Description

Sept; 6, l932.- F. KUSTERLE.

FOLDING LEG FOR CARD TABLES AND THE LIKE Filed March 17, 1930 .illlTlll.

F kliuflzmfi' ran Kusfer/e. I

Patented I Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT- OFFICE FRANK KUSTERLE, OF KEN'OS HA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO SIMMONS COMPANY, OF

4 NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE' FOLDING LEG FOR CARD TABLES AND THE LIKE I Application filed. March 17, 1930. Serial No. 436,290.

This invention relates to folding table structures and more particularly to such structures usually referred to as folding card tables.

The main object of the invention are to provide a folding leg arrangement which is easy to manipulate, i. e. to fold and unfold; to provide folding legs and a mounting therefor in a card or like table which will be effective to rigidly support the table top; to provide an arrangement in which the legs will be eflectively' locked in both their extended and folded positions; and in general, it is the object of my invention to provide a simple, durable, and generally improved structure of the kind referred to.

Other objects and advantages will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing in which I have illustrated one corner portion of a folding card table structure including 'afolding leg embodying a preferred form of my invention.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a bottom plan. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective of a modified form of my mounting bracket, and

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan showing the modified form of bracket in operative position.-

Referring now to the drawing, my improved card table construction comprises a table top which, in the present instance, includes a top board 5 having a suitable surface covering indicated at 6 and adepending side rail or side frame 7. The side frame 7 is desirably formed of metal tubing which is 001- lapsed to form the I-beam structure illus trated. The top part 5 may conveniently be secured to the side frame 7 by means of clips 8 which are secured to theunder side of the to the upper edge of the said side frame. It

will be understood that the side frame 7 is generally rectangular in plan and extendsaround the entire periphery of the table top so as to form a rigid support for the said top.

For supporting the table, I provide a folding leg structure at each corner of the top capable of being swung from operative or extended position to folded position adjacent the under side of the top part 5 and inside of the side frame 7. For so mounting the leg, I provide a one piece, inverted, substantially U-shaped bracket 11 which includes leg or side portions 12 and 13 and a connecting web 14.

- The U-shaped bracket 11 is further pro vided with Wing portions 15 and 16 which are formed integral with and extend from the legs or sides 12 and 13 respectivel of the U-shaped bracket. The wing 15 is cut intermediate its length at substantially right angles to form a leg portion 17 which is disposed against the inside of one side art of the frame 7 and secured thereto, pre erably by spot welding as indicated at 18. The other wing 16 is'more or less rebent with respect to the bracket side 13 from which it extends and is disposed against the inside of the adjacent part of the side frame 7 as clearly shown in Fig. 1 and secured thereto b suitable means such asspot welding as ind!- cated at 19.

The leg 10 is mountedbetween the sides 12 and 13 of the bracket for pivotal move.

ment and for limited longitudinal moveelongated openings 21-21 provided in op posite sides of the leg 10.- It will be seen that the leg may swin around the pivot pin 20 and also be moved ongitudinally relative to the sides of the bracket by reason of the elongated slots'21 in the leg.

Means for locking the leg in both extended and v folded position is provided in tive ends of the locking pin 22 to resist unthis instance includes a cross pin or bar 22 which extends through the leg 10 and which has end portions 23 23 projecting laterally from the opposite sides of the'leg'.

provided with recesses such as indicated at 2424 for receiving the projecting end portions of the cross pin 22 when the le is in extended position, the leg being thereby locked against swinging movement. The pin 22 is desirably anchored in place in the leg 10, one means for anchoring the leg being by welding as indicated at 25. A tension spring 26 extending between the pivot pin 20 and locking pin 22 serves to yieldingly maintain the leg in locked position as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. For locking the leg in folded position adjacent the under side of the top as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2, the sides 12 and 13.0f the bracket are provided with a recessed portion 27 which forms a shoulder 28 adapted to engage the respecfolding movement of the leg as clearly indicated in Fig. 2.

v The above described leg mounting has been found to be exceptionally satisfactory in that it is cheap to manufacture while pro-- viding a stable or rigid connection between the leg and table top. Rigidity is due partly to the arrangement of the leg mountin bracket. It will be noted that the sides 0 the bracket are rigidly connected by the integral connection 14 and also that the sides 12 and 13 are rigidly supported by the attaching wings 15 and 16 which are secured to the side frame. The angular relation of the wings and their respective sides forms, in effect, angle iron side portions for the bracket, and such angle iron structure is exceptionally stilf and rigid.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I have illustrated a modified bracket structure which includes sides 30 and 31 and an integral connecting portion 32 forming an inverted substantially U-shaped element. The folding leg indicated at 33 is pivotally and longitudinally [movably mounted between the sides of the bracket in substantially the same manner as above described in connection with Figs. 1

to 3 inclusive.

The modified form of bracket, is rovided with a wing or leg 34' extending rom the side 30, bent at substantiall thereto and secured to an ad j the side frame 35. The side 31 isprovided right angles acent part of with wings or legs 36 and 37 extending from opposite ends thereof and each bent at an angle thereto as shown. The wing 36 corresponds to the wing 16 of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive and the wing 37 is an additional wing. Both wings are secured to adjacent portions of the side frame 35 and serve to rigidly support the side 31 against flexing under ordinary The respective sides 12 and 13 of the bracket arev I frame.

strains. The additional wing 37 imparts considerable additional rigidity to the bracket so that the'table structure is more ri idly supported by the legs.

n the modified structure just described, the leg is held in extended position by means of notches '38 and 39 in the sides 30 and 31 respectively of the bracket which receives the ends of a cross pin 40. The leg is maintained in folded position by a shoulder 41 on the side 30 which coacts with one end of the said cross pin. The attaching Wing 37 being preferably provided of full width as shown, causes the side 31 to be narrowed slightly so that it is inconvenient to provide a shoulder thereon to help support the leg in folded position. However, inasmuchas the leg is not subjected to great strains when in folded position, the omission of one of the locking shoulders is not objectionable.

It will be noted that the leg mounting and its locking means is practically concealed by reason of its being located substantially in its entirety within the width of the side It is, of course, noted that in the present illustration, 'a lower mai'ginal portion of the sides of the bracket depend slightly below the bottom of the side frame, but t is is practically unno'ticeable inasmuch as the parts are comparatively small and set back fromthe outer surface of the side frame. The lengths of the sides may, of course, be shortened somewhat but it is desirable to maintain such leligth as will provide sufiicient distance between the ivot pin and locking pin to afford a rigid lock against pivotal movement of the leg. Also, it will be noted that the leg is a snug fit between the sides of the bracket whereby shifting or wabbling of the leg cross-wise of the bracket is efiectively resisted.

v I am aware that changes may be made in the structure above described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim as my invention: j 1. In a folding table of the class described, the combination of a table top including a depending side frame, a leg for supporting said top, means connecting said leg and top, said leg being movable aboutsaid supporting means from extended position to folded position adjacent the under side of the top, said means including a one piece, substantially U-shaped bracket fixed to said top and having the web of said U-substantially paral-' J 3. 6pm

and means for locking said leg position.

2. In a substantially square top member and a frame dependingfrom said member around its periphery, a leg for su porting said table top, means connecting sai leg and table top, said leg being movableaboutsaid supporting means fromextendedposition to folded position adjacent the under side of saidjtopj member, saidmeans including aone piece,-

substantially U-shaped bracket fixed to said top and having the webiof said U substaI iporting said table top, means connecting said leg to said table top, said leg being movable about sa d supporting means from extended position to folded position adjacent the;

tially parallel with the; table top and wing portions extending laterally from the depending legs of said U, said wings being disposed in angular relation relative to each other and being 'espectively secured t'o'-adja-. cent sides of saidframein' i -corner thereof, said leg being pivotally mounted between the legs of said U, and'means'for locking said leg in extended position.

3. In afolding table of theiclassdescribed, the conibinationof a table top, a legf'or supunder side of the top, said means includingaone piece, substantially U-shapedbracgiet fixed to said top and having the web of said U substantially parallel with the table top and wing portions extending laterallyfrom. the depending legs thereof-and secured. to:

said top, sa d" leg being mounted between the sides of said bracket for pivotal movement and for limited longitudinalmovement, and means engageable as an incident to saidlongitudinal leg 'move'inent 'for locking the leg in extended position.

4. In a folding'table'of the class described, the comibna'tion of a table top, aileg for supporting said table top, means connectingsaid leg to said table top,sai d leg beinginovable about said supporting means from extended position to folded position adjacent "the un-j der side of the top,'said means including a one I piece,- substantially U-shaped bracket-fixedto said top and having theyveb of saidU sub- "stantially parallel 'with'fthe; table top" and wing portions extendin latera1ly fromf.tlie depending legs of said l j aiid secured to said top, said leg being mo'u'nted betweenthe sides of said bracket for pivotalmoveinent and for limitedlongitudi'nal movement, interlocking means carried by one ,o'fi'said bracket sides i and said legfor lockingi'the legextended position, said interlocking means 1 being en gageable as, an incident to; said longitudinal le movement, and spring means for urging said leg into locked .POSltlOIl.

5. In a folding table of the class described, the combination of a table top including a depending side frame, a legfor supporting said folding table of the class described, the combination of a table top including a top, saidleg being I porting means from extended positionfto ing side frame, said le ng said leg in ing said leg locked table top,

table top, means connecting said leg and said {table top, saidleg beingmovable about said support-mg means from extended position to I folded position adjacent the under side of the top,

said means including a one-piece, inverted, substantiall lU-shaped bracket fixed tos'aid top andhaving wing portions extendinglaterally from,cthe"sides thereof and secured to 'said'dependingfside frame, said legbeing mounted'betwe'en said bracket sides for pivotal. movement, andf for limited longitudi nal movement relative to the bracket, and ing terlocking means carried by one of said bracket sides and said leg for locking the leg in extended position,: said means being an gageable and disengageable as an incident to' )said limited longitudinal leg movement 1 6. In a folding table of the class described,

said table top, means connecting said-leg and movable about sa d sup} ziov the combination of-a table top including a depending side frame, a; leg for supporting folded )osition adjacent the under side of a a part projecting laterally from the leg,-one

' of said bracket sides being provided with a recess for receiving said projecting part when the leg is in extended position, said locking means being engageable and disengageableas an incident'to'said limited lon itudinal leg movement, and yielding means or maintaijn in extended position.

In a folding tableof the class described,

i the combination of a table top including a'd'epend ing'side'frame,aleg for supportingsaid' means connecting said legand .t'op,

said leg be ng extended position comprising iie movable about said supporting 7 cans from extended position tO fOldQClQPOSif tion adjacent the under side. of said tabletop, v

' said means includinga; one-piece, inverted; .substantiallyU shaped a I topian'd having vingp'ortions extend ng laterally from the dQPQn ing legs ofsaid and secured to saidd'e ending side frame,said leg bein mounted etween', the sides off said longitudinal movement relative to-' -'the bracket, means fo'r l'ocking said legin extend" ed position comprising a locking 'pin'extend- ,-in'g transverselythiou'gh said leg and ihav'in'g an end portion projecting laterally from-the V v, 156 bracket for pivotal movement and for limited leg on one side thereof, one fsaidbracket sides being provided'with a recess fonifec'eiw ing said projecting end portion when;'th e leg I is n extended position, and yielding means for maintaining said parts in locked position.

'8. In a folding table of the class described, the combination of a tabletop including a depending side frame, a leg for supporting said table top, means connecting said leg and top, said leg being movable about said supporting means from extended position to folded position adjacent the under side of said table top, said means including a one-piece,

inverted, substantially U-shaped bracket fixed to said top and having wing portions extending laterally from the depending legs of said U and secured to said depending side frame, said leg being mounted between the sides of said bracket for pivotal movement and for limited longitudinal movement relative to the bracket, means for locking said leg in extended position comprising a locking pin extending transversely through said leg and having an end portion projecting laterally from the leg on one side thereof, one of said bracket sides being provided with a pair of recesses for respectively receiving said projecting end portion when the leg is in extended and folded positions, and yielding means for effecting lon itudinal movement of said leg'to cause sai projecting end portion to enter said'recesses.

9. In a folding table of the class described, the combination of a table top including a depending side frame, a leg for supporting said top, means connecting said leg and. top, said leg being movable about-said su porting means from extended position to fol ed position adjacent the under side of the top, said means including a one piece, inverted, subative to said bracket, a pin projecting laterally from said leg and engageable with the recesses of said bracket, and resilient means urging said pin into engagement withthe adjacent edge of said bracket.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a table top having a depending marginal flange, a tubular supporting leg, means connecting said leg and top, said leg being movable about said connecting means from extended position to folded position adjacent the underside of said top, said means consisting of a unitary U-shaped bracket having the web thereof fixed to said table top and having its legs depending there from and having offset portions extending laterally from the legs of said bracket and secured to said marginal flange, the legs of said bracket having recesses in the lower edge and one side edge thereof for lockin said supporting leg in extended and foldefpositions respectively, a pintle pivotally connecting said leg to said bracket, said leg being longitudinally slotted to permit movement thereof relative to said bracket, a transverse pin extending through said leg at a point spaced from said pintle and projecting lat: erally from said leg, a projecting portion of said pin being engageable with the recesses of said bracket, and a helical spring having its ends secured to said pintle and said pin, respectively, for urging the projecting portion of said pin into engagement with the adjacent edge of said bracket.

. FRAN K KUSTERLE.

' stantially U-shaped bracket fixed to said top and having a wing portion extending laterally from one of the sides of said bracket and secured to said frame, a pair of wing portions extending angularly in opposite directions respectively from the opposite ends of the other side of said bracket and secured to said frame, said le bein pivotally mounted between said 'brac et i es, and means for lockin said leg in extended position.

10. n a device of the class described, the combination of a table top having a depending marginal flange, a supporting leg, means connecting said 1e and top, said leg being movable about sai connecting means from extended position to folded position adjacent the underside of said top, said means consisting of a unitary 'U-shaped bracket havin the web thereof fixed to said table top and having its legsdepending therefrom and havingofi'set portions extending laterally from the legs of said bracketvand secured to said marginal flange, the legs of said bracket having recesses in the lower edge and one side edge thereof for locking said supporting leg in extended and.fol' ed position respectively, a pintlepivotally connecting said leg to said bracket, said leg being longitudinally slotted to permit movement thereof rel-

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