US1915046A - Merchandising table - Google Patents

Description

June 20, 1933. J. E. BALI-:s

MERCHANDISING TABLE Filed May 7, 1950 lill' Patented .lune 20, 1933 UllD STATE,

reisen rer orrirca JAMES E. BALES, OF' AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 LYON METAL PRGDU'CIS,V INCORPORATED, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS MERCHANDISING TABLE Application led May 7, 1930. Serial No. 450,358.

rlhis invention relates to tables in general and particularly to merchandising tables for displaying various articles of merchandise.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a new and novel metal table which is provided with a rim extending about the outer periphery thereof.

Another object is to provide a merchandising table of improved construction which has a metal rim arranged about its sides to prevent articles of merchandise displayed on the table from falling or being pushed od of the table top.

A further object is to provide a sheet metal rim for merchandising tables which is stamped from sheet metal, which can be quickly and easily applied to the table, and which can be readily and economically manufactured.

A still further object is to provide a mern chandising table which has an exterior rim connected thereto and which is provided with novel corner brackets for connecting the side eta..y 'ular construction whereby a second similar shape and construction can tened thereto to make a single merchanable of the various shapes. 3U Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent 't iroughout the progress of t'ie following specification.

The invention comprises in general a table `ch, in the particular instance, is made raped comprising two sections which are oL ratively connected together. The table is preferably made of sheet metal and has a sheet ietal top supported by rails which are mou ted on legs. The two sections are connectvd together as shown. A rim is arranged about the outer periphery of the table and this rim is stamped from sheet metal. The inside of the rim is straight and the outside conforms to any desired shape. The rim is hollow and brackets are provided at the corners. rflies-e brackets have reduced legs which fit inside of the rim. The rim com prises a sheet metal body portion which is fastened to tle table top by means of screws or bolts. rllhe corner bracket members are 25. Still another object is to provide a table of fastened to the body portion by means of screws or bolts having their heads recessed. An outer ornamental molding is snapped over the body portion to cover up all the screws and to present a neat and ornamental appearance.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective View of the 60 improved merchandising table.

Fig. 2 is a detail plan section of the inner corner.

F ig. 3 is a detail sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. l. B5

Fig. l is a detail plan section of an outer corner. i

Fig. 5 is a. detail sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4l.

Referring to the drawing, l indicates generally a table comprising the two sections 2 and 3. rlhese two sections are arranged in juxtaposition so that when fastened together, make an L-shaped structure as shown in Fig. l. However, each section may be arranged relative to its cooperating section, or a number of sections may be connected together, to make a merchandising` table of any desired shape. v l

The present table comprises legs l to which rails or panels 5 are operatively connected. These rails may extend down substantially close to the floor giving a panel effect, or they may be considerably shortened to provide a. rail of relatively narrow dimensions as is customary in tables of conventional design. The upper part of the rails or panels 5, Fig. 5, may have an inwardly extending flange 6 provided thereonand this flange 6 may be bent downwardly to provide the downturned lip 7.

A top 8 is preferably made of sheet metal and is supported by the rails or panels 5. The top is bent over at 9, Fig. 5, to provide the edge l0. The edge l() is bent inwardly to provide a leg 1l which rests upon the top of the panel or rail flange 6. The leg 11 is turned downwardly as shown in Fig. 5 to provide a downturned lip 12 which engages the lip 7 on the rails of panels. This construction permits the top to interfitti'ngly engage the panels or rails 5 and to have nesting relation therewith.

A rim 13 extends about the outer periphery of the table and comprises an inner or body portion 14, Fig. 5. This body portion is in the shape of a Z-bar having a vertical leg or web 15 to which upper and lower legs 16 and 17 are integrally connected. The leg 17 extends inwardly and engages the bottom projecting edge 18 of the table top 8. The web 15 extends upwardly from the top of the table and bears against the outside of the table edge 10. The upper leg 16 is turned outwardly and is provided with indentations 19 near the end thereof. lThe vertical body portion 14 is crimped at 20 to provide an offset portion 21 and form a recess 22.

An outer portion or molding 23 forms the other part of the rim 13 and this body por tion is made substantially channel-shape having upper and lower inwardly extending legs 24 and 25 which are integrally connected to its main body portion or'web 26. The body portion or web 26 may be bent to the configuration shown in Fig. 5 to give it an ornamental appearance.

The vertical body portion 14 of the rim 13 may be fastened to the side 10 of the table top 8 by means of metal screws or other` fastening means 27. After the body portion 14 is attached in the manner just described, the molding 23 is interfittingly connected therewith. The leg 24 of the molding has a downwardly extending lip 28 which fits in the recess 24 and engages the offset portion 21. After engagement of the upper part of the molding is made with the body 14, the lower end of the molding is pushed inwardly until the elongated leg 25 on the molding extends over and engages the underside of the leg 17 on the body 14. The leg 25 of the molding, and the leg 17 on the body 14, are fastened to the underside of the table by means of fastening means 29 such as a bolt and nut. The molding thus covers up all screw and bolt connect-ions and gives a neat and ornamental appearance to the rim, the body portion of the rim being fixed at two points to the table, and the molding interlocking with the body portion and rigidly connected with the table by means of the same bolts 29 which fasten the body portion 14 to the table.

In making sharp bends or corners it is impractical to attempt to bend the rim. Therefore, outer corner members 30 and inner corner members 31 are provided to conneet the rims on the sides. The corner members 30 and 31 each comprise a main body portion 32 which is made to conform with the outside configuration of the rim. These corner members have legs 33 which are reducedat 34 to make them smaller in size so as to render them capable of extending into the inside of the rim 13. The outer con`' figuration of these legs conforms substantially with the configuration of the inside of the rim. Straps or fastening bars 35 are formed integral with the corner members 30 "f and 31 to permit the corner members to be fastened to the table. These corner members are fastened to the table by the same fastening means 27 which hold the body portion 14 of the rim in position. Where the corner members are applied, the fastening means 27 pass through the bars 35, the body portion 14 of the rim, and the side edges 10 of the table.

Reinforcing members 36 may be arranged inside of the rim to strengthen it, F ig. 1. These reinforcing members are preferably made of channel-shaped material having two legs which conform with the inner configuration of the rim. The flat body portion of these reinforcing members are fastened to the table edge, the bolts 27 passing through the body, the member 14, and the edge 10 of the table top. lThe outer edges of the legs are cut to proper shape conforming with the molding 23. These members 36 may be spaced at intervals to brace the rim. Plates 37, Fig. 3, are fastened to the underside of the top of each section by means of fastening means 38 for holding the two sections together.

The tops of the corner members are provided with indentations 39, Fig. 5, which aline with the indentations 19 in the legs 16. Fastening means 40 extend through the legs 16 and threadedly engage the upper part of the corner members.

In assembling the rim to the table, the inner or body portion 14 of the rim 13 is held in place with the web 15 against the outer rim 10 of the table and the leg 17 against the underside of the table top. The corner members 30 are then placed in position and the fastening members 27 tightened. The screws or fastening members 40 are then fastened in place, passing through the upper leg 16 and engaging the brackets or corner members. The corner members and inner portion of the rim are thus held securely in place. The outer portion or molding 23 is then snapped over the body portion 14 and the legs on the corner members. The downturned lip on the upper leg of the molding is received inthe recess 22 making a smooth and flush surface. The bottom leg 25 on the `molding is fastened in place by the fastening members 29 passing through the leg 25, the leg 17 and engaging the underside of the table. All fastening means are not seen as the molding 23 covers all the fasteners except those under the table ledge. yThose under the ledge cannot be seen due to their hidden position.

The reinforcing members 36 may be spaced at intervals to reinforce the rim, being fixed in place before the molding 23 is finally positioned. he rim is made in standard lengths and wherever possible is made continuous, extending from end to end. However, it is not necessary that the rim be made from a single continuous piece of material and the case is not limited in this respect.

The invention provides a table made in sections which ma I be rioidl connected tolocks with the body portion of the rim covering up any fastening means which would otherwise be exposed, and is fastened to the underside of the table ledge by the same means which hold the body portion of the rim to the table. The corner members have interfitting engagement with the sides of the rim, and fastening means for holding these corner members in place also act to hold the bony portion of the rim to the table. The table and rim are rigid in construction and may be readily and economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the various parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall Within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows l. A merchandising table made up of a plurality of independent sections, means for fastening one section to an adjacent section, rails for said sections, said rails being continuous and extending entirely about the table and fastened to the sections, and interfitting means on said rails and sections.

2. A merchandising table made up of a plurality of independent sections, means for fastening the sections together, rails for said sections, interfitting means on said rails and ser-tions, a rim member detachably connected about the periphery of said table and moulding interlocking with said rim member.

3. A table comprising a top having an integral inwardly extending portion and forming a bottom surface, a flange bent downwardly from said bottom surface, a rail, a top surface bent inwardly from said rail, a flange bent downwardly from said top surface, said bottom surface of the top resting on the top surface of the rail and a side of the flange on the bottom surface engaging a side of the flange on the top surface for interfitting or interlocking the top with the rail.

l. A table comprising a top having a bottom surface, a downturned flange on said bottom surface, a rail, a top surface on said rail and a downturned flange on said top surface, said bottom surface resting on said top surface and the flange on the bottom surface engaging the flange on the top surface for interfitting or ,interlocking the top with the rail, a member detachably connected to said table, and a moulding interlocking with the last named member and providing a rim about the periphery of the table.

5. A table comprising a top having a bottom surface, a downturned flange on said bottom surface, a rail, a top surface on said rail and downturned flange on said top surface, said bottom surface resting on said top surface and the flange on the bottom surface engaging the flange on the top surface for interfitting or interlocking the top with the rail, hollow metal rim sections fastened to the outer edges of the table and to said bottom surface, and corner members interiitting with said rim sections and fastened to the table to-p and to said sections.

6. A rim for tables and the like comprising a body portion fastened to the edge of a table, a leg on said body portion and engaging the underside of the top of a table, molding interfittingly engaging said body portion, and fastening means passing through the leg and a part of said molding and engaging said underside.

7. A hollow metal' rim for tables and the like comprising a sheet metal body member, integral upper and lower oppositely turned legs respectively bent from the body, means for fastening a lower leg to an edge of the table, and a detachable molding` strip engaging both legs interlocking with a part of said member and acting as a side of said rim. l

8. A hollow metal rim for tables and the like comprising a sheet metal body member having integral oppositely turned legs, means for fastening said member to an edge of the table, a molding strip interlocking with a part of said member and acting as side of said rim, and corner members having a part extending into the hollow rim and fastened to a part thereof.

9. The combination with a table having a sheet metal top, of a rim for said top and comprising an inner member, corner members fastened to said top and said inner member, an outer member interlocking with the inner member, and means for fastening the inner member to the underside of said top.

10. ln combination a table having a sheet metal top, a rim for said top and comprising a body portion, fastening means passing thiough the body member and an edge of the table, an inturned leg integral with the body portion and engaging the underside of said top, corner members for said table, legs on said corner members and fastened to said top and said body portion, a molding interlocking with said body portion and covering said legs and fastening means, and means for fastening said molding to the underside of said table top.

11. The combination with a table having a sheet metal top, of a rim for said top and comprising an inner member, an inwardly turned flange on said inner member and engaging the underside of said table top, an outwardly turned leg on said inner member, an outer member having an inwardly extending leg engaging said outwardly turned leg, a lip on said inwardly extending leg and engaging an inner face on the inner member, an inwardly extending flange on the bottom of said outer member and overlapping the inwardly extending flange on the inner member, and fastening means passing through both ot said flanges and engaging the underside ot the top.

12. The combination with a table having a sheet metal top, of a rim for said top and comprising an inner member, an inwardly turned flange on said inner member and engaging the underside of said table top, an outwardly turned leg on said inner member, corner members for said table, legs on said corner and engaging the inner member, fastening means passing through said corner legs and said inner member and engaging the top, fastening means passing through said outwardly extending leg and engaging said corner legs, an outer member for concealing said fastening means and said corner legs, an inwardly extending leg on said outer member and engaging the outwardly turned leg on the inner member, a lip on said inwardly extending leg and engaging an'inner face on the inner member, an inwardly extending flange on the bottom of said outer member and overlapping the inwardly extending flange on the inner member, and fastening means passing through both of said flanges and engaging the underside of the top.

13. A table comprising a plurality of sections, one of said sections having one of its sides flush with an end of a second section, the other side of the first named section being offset from the other end of said second section and forming an L-shaped table, a leg at each .exterior corner of the L-shaped table, and an additional leg at the point where the first section is offset from the second section.

14. A table comprising a. plurality of sections, one of said sections having one of its sides flush with an end of a second section, the other side of the first named section being odset from the other end of said second section and forming an L-shaped table, a leg at each exterior corner of the L-shaped table, an additional leg at the point where the first section is offset from the second section, and

a rim extending completely about the periphery of the L-shaped table and extending a predetermined distance above the finished top of the table.

15. A table comprising a plurality of sections, one of said sections having one of its sides flush with an end of a second section, the other side of the first named section being offset from the other end of' said second secr tion and forming an L-shaped table, a leg at each exterior corner of the L-shaped table, an additional leg at the point where the first section is offset from the second section, a rim extending completely about the periphery of the L-shaped table and extending a predetermined distance above the finished top ofthe table, said rim comprising a pair of members, one of said members extending a predetermined distance above the table top, the other of said members having its top interlocking with the first member and its lower end connected thereto.

16. A table comprising a plurality of sections, one of said sections being perpendicular to an adjacent section, the first section having at least one of its sides offset a predetermined distance from an end of an adjacent section, legs supporting said table, there being a leg positioned at each exterior corner of the table, and an additional leg at the side of the section which is offset, said additional leg being connected to the first named section and to the adjacent section.

17. A table comprising a plurality of sections, one ot said sections being perpendicular to an adjacent section, the first section having at least one of its sides offset a predetermined distance from an end of an adjacent section, legs supporting said table, there being a leg positioned at each exterior corner of the table, an additional leg at the side of the section which is offset, said additional leg being connected to the first named section and to the adjacent section, the tops of each section being flush, and a peripheral rim extending completely about the periphery of the table and connected to the sections.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JAMES E. BALES.

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