US1923241A - Table construction - Google Patents

Description

W. TODD TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 29,

Aug. 22. 1933.

Patented Aug. 22, 1933 UNITED srArEs' PATENT OFFICE TABLE CONSTRUCTION William Todd, Lcominster, Mass. Application February 29, 1932. Serial No. 595,904 llClaims. (01. 45-116) The present invention relates generally to ta? bles. I

The object of this invention is the provision of an article of furniture which is self-contined and may be converted to provide a stand having a top surface ofsmall area, such as is commonly found in so-called stands, or to provide a top surface of large area to serve the purposes of a table.

6 Another object of the invention is the provision of a structure of the above stated character which is novel, lending itself to a plurality of useful purposes, simple in construction and relatively economical to manufacture.

5 With the above and other objects in view, some of which are stated and other obvious, the inven tion resides in sundry details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims. I

In drawing, which illustrates one embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of table construct:

ed in accordance with the present invention and in extended position;

row; i

Figure 3 is a sectional fragmentary view similar to Figure 1 with the top in its non-extended position; if

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view similar to Figure 1 but showing in detail the cooperating parts;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 4; anda Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantiall on line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring in detail to the drawing, S denotes a supporting structure for a table top T. The supporting structure S may be of any desirable shape or construction which will serve its purpose, as for instance, itmay comprise legsor a pedestal or merely horizontal supporting rails. In any event the supporting structure should include a pair of spaced, horizontal, sills 10.. For the purpose of the present disclosurethe sills 10 are connected at their respective ends to uprights 11, which are shown in the-form of side walls supported on basesl2 of such shape or configuration to perform an ornamental pedestal.

The table top T of the present invention is composed of two sections, a and b. Each top section is L-shaped, comprising an extension 13 of relatively greater area than, the right angle Figure 2 is an end view of the table shown in Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arextension 14 thereof. The dimensions of the extensions 13 and 14 may be such as to suit the needs or desires for any given case and to conform with the proportionate dimensions of the particular article of furniture. As shown in Fig- 0 ure 3, the extensions 1-1 are of such length as their combined length will be at least that of the distance between the two sills 10 and may be slightly longer to provide an extending ledge protruding slightly beyond the sil1;or it may be 5 of any other suitable dimensions.

' These table top sections a and b are designed to cooperate to form halves of the table top area and are so'mounted on the supporting structure S that the extension 13 thereof may be moved to a vertical position, as shown in Figure 3, to lie side by side between the sills 18, thereby bringing the extensions 14 in cooperating, horizontal position and resting upon the sills 10 to form a table top, shelf or the like of smaller area.

To this end and for the purposes of the present disclosure, each of the sections a and b is provided with a pair of laterallyprojecting studs or trunnions 15 adjacent to the free ends of the extensions 13 thereof. These trunnions are mounted in guideways 16 provided for each of said trunnions. Each of the guideways is sub stantially L-shaped, having a horizontal portion 0 and a vertical portion at extending downwardly from the horizontal portion at a medial point bev tween the silis 10. In the structure shown, where the pedestal is of the Width of the table top, these guideways are preferably formed by grooving the side walls 11 and facingthe edges thereof with Wear strips 17, which may be of metal or other 90. suitable material, secured in piace by screws 17" or any other desirable manner; and the trunnions may laterally project from the side wall of the extensions 13. 7

Thus it will be observed that the guideways 16 for both top sections a and b are in substantially T-shape on each side wall 11 of the pedestals S.

With the parts of the table in the position shown in Figure 3, should it be desired to increase the top area of the table, it is only necessary to lift the sections a and b verticaliy, causing the trunnions 15 to slide upwardly in the portions d of their respective guideways l6 and, when they have reached their uppermost position, to pivot the table top section so that it will 1 move to a substantially horizontal position; then draw the table top horizontally so that the trunnions 15 thereof will travel in the horizontal portion 0 of its guideways. When both sections have been moved to this position they ments of the user.

may then be slid toward each other to bring the free end a: of the extensions 13 in abutting relation. These free end portions may be interlocked in any suitable manner, such as by male and female interengaging parts 18, commonly used in table leaves. The top sections a and b will be maintained in position by reason of the extensions 13 thereof resting on the sills 10 and their respective trunnions 13 engaging the walls of the horizontal portions 0 of the guideways and the interengagement of the parts l8.

To further insure the stability of the table top, when the parts have been moved to the positions last referred to, lock members are provided on the under side'of these extensions 13 adjacent to their free ends which will cooperate with a member provided on the supporting pedestal S. This is accomplished by providing on itsunderside of each extension 13, preferably at the side edge of its inner end portions a depending flange 19 having a horizontally extending V-shaped notch 20 therein to cooperate with an inwardly projecting stud 21 which will engage in said notch, when the extensions 13 are slid inwardly toward each other and after having been lowered or swung to a horizontal position. When the studs are in the crotches of the notches, the inward movement of the sections is limited and the sections firmly held in position. The studs are preferably formed with base plates 22 having openings therein through which screws or other fastening means may extend.

Now with the parts in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, should it be desired to have the table top of smaller area, as shown in Figure 3, one of the sections a or b will be separatedfrom the other by sliding it outwardly, while in a horizontal position, so as to disengage the interengaging members 18 and to bring the cleat member 19 into a position disengaging its stud; then said table top section may be swung upwardlyto a substantially vertical position and then moved again inwardly to cause the trunnions thereof to move in the horizontal portions 0 of its guideways toward the vertical portion thereof. When the trunnions have reached the vertical portion :1 of its guideways, the table section will descend with the extensions 13 thereof ina vertical position and the 1 extension 14 resting upon theradjacent sill 10.

Then the other table top'section a or b may be similarly operated bringing the partsinto the position shown in Figure 3.

The present invention lends itself to various designs or shapes to meet the desires or require- In the construction shown in the drawing, the pedestal or supporting structure Smay be provided with a plurality of shelves 23 on opposite sides of the vertical guideways (1, said shelves being useful for any desirable purpose, such assupport of books, magazines, brica-brac or the like.

While the present invention has been shown as applicable to individual tables it is susceptible of being incorporated in other furniture structures, such as counters, display tables, and the like; and it is also within the purview of the present invention to have the table top consist of one or two sections a and b as may be desired.

In the specification and the annexed drawing, the invention is disclosed inthe'form in which it is considered to be the best, but the invention is not limited to such form because it iscapable of being embodied in other forms; and it is to be i understood that in and by the claims following the description herein it is intended to cover the invention in whatever form it may be embodiedwithin the scope thereof.

Having thus described the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed, what is claimed as new and upon which patent is desired is:

1. In a table or like structure, a main table top including two sections, each having at one end thereof a lateral extending portion, supporting structure for said table top, and means between said table top and said support permitting said sections to be moved, independently of the other, to a vertical position within the supporting means with said lateral extending portions thereof in a horizontal plane forming a table top of different dimensions but in substantially the same plane previously occupied by the main table top.

2. In a table or like structure, a main table top comprising two complemental sections, each having at its outer end'a downwardly extending projection, supporting structure for said table top, and pivotal and slidable connecting means between each table top section and said support per mitting said sections to be moved, independently, to a vertical side by side position within thesupporting means with said downwardly extending projections thereof in a horizontal plane forming a table top of different dimensions but in substantially the same plane previously occupied by the said main table top. I

3. In a table and like structure, thetable top and the supporting means therefor, said top including two complemental sections lying in the same horizontal plane and contiguous with respect to each other, and trunnions on each of said sections and mounted in guideways on said supporting means, said sections being pivotal on said trunnions to a side by side vertical position, and said guideways comprising a vertical portion having oppositely extending lateral portions at its upper end to permit horizontal sliding movement of the sections and the vertically positioned sections to move downwardly within said supporting means. I

4. In a table and'like structure, the table top and the supporting means therefor, said top in- "cluding two complemental sections lying in the same horizontal plane and contiguous with respect to each other, lateral extending portions on a the outer end of said sections, trunnions on each of said sections near their inner ends and mount ed in guideways on said supporting means, said sections being pivotal on said trunnions to a side by side vertical position, said guideways having said trunnions slidably mounted therein and each comprising a parallel vertical portion having an outwardly extending; lateral portion at its upper endfor permitting horizontal sliding movement of the sections and the vertically positioned I sections to move downwardly within said supporting means, whereby said laterally extending portions on said section will be brought into a horizontal plane and contiguous to each other.

5. In a table and like structure, the table top able members for locking said sections against pivotal movement, when in a horizontal position.

6. In a table or like structure, a table top and the supporting means therefor, said supporting means including a pair of spaced sills upon which said table top rests, said table top including two sections having their abutting edges disposed be tween the sills, trunnions mounted on the side edges of each of said top sections adjacentto abutting edges thereof, guideways for the trunnions of each of said sections, each guideway comprising a substantially inverted L-shaped groove, one arm of each groove extending vertically and the other arm thereof extending sub: stantially horizontally from said vertical portion toward the sill upon which its respective section rests, whereby the top sections may be pivoted on said trunnions to a vertical position and moved to a side by side position within said supporting means.

'7. In a table or like structure, a table top and the supporting means therefor, said supporting means including a pair of spaced sills upon which said table top rests, said table top including two sections having their inner edges abutting and disposed between the sills, and having downwardly projecting portions on their outer edges, trunnions mounted on the side edges of each of said top sections adjacent to abutting edges thereof, guideways for the trunnions of each of said sections, each guideway including a substantially inverted L-shaped groove, one arm of each groove extending vertically and the other arm thereof extending horizontally from said vertical portion toward the sill upon which its respective section rests, whereby the top sections may be pivoted on said trunnions to a vertical position and moved to a side by side position within said supporting means with said downwardly projecting portions brought into the same horizontal plane and resting on said sills respectively.

8. In a table or like structure, a table top and the supporting means therefor, said supporting means including a pair of spaced sills upon which said table top rests, said table top including two sections having their abutting edges disposed between the sills, trunnions mounted on the side edges of each of said top sections adjacent to abutting edges thereof, guideways for the trunnions of each of said sections, each guideway comprising a substantially inverted L-shaped groove, one arm of each groove extending vertically and the other arm thereof extending substantially horizontally from its vertical portion toward the sill upon which its respective section rests, whereby the top sections may be slid horizontally on said trunnions toward each other into abutting relations, and conversely, a depending flange on the underface of each top section adjacent the abutting edges of said sections and formed with a notch, and a laterally extending projection on said supporting means positioned to be received in said notch, when said top sections are moved toward each other in a horizontal position, whereby to limit the inward movement of said sections and to prevent pivotal movement on said trunnions.

9. In a table or like structure, a table top and the supporting means therefor, said table top including two complemental sections adapted to have adjacent edges abut, means by which the top sections are mounted on said supporting means to slide toward and away from each other, a member on each of said top section adjacent the abutting edges of said sections and formed with a notch, a laterally extending projection on said supporting means positioned to be received in said notch, when said top sections are moved toward each other in a horizontal position, whereby to limit the inward movement of said sections and to prevent lateral or tilting movement of said sections. 7

10. In a table or like structure, a table top and a supporting pedestal therefor, said table top including two complemental sections adapted to have adjacent edges abut and each pivotally mounted on said pedestal, means by Whichsaid top sections are mounted to slide on said supporting means toward and away from each other, means independently of said last mentioned means and said pivot for limiting the inward movement of said sections toward each other and for locking said sections in said positions against pivotal movement.

11. In a table or like structure, a tabletop and 115 a supporting pedestal therefor, said table top including two complemental sections adapted to have adjacent edges abut and each pivotally mounted on said pedestal, means by which said top sections are mounted to slide horizontally on said supporting means toward and away from each other and to permit the table top section to be moved vertically into said pedestal, and a downwardly lateral extension on the outer ends of said sections, means independently of said last mentioned means and said pivot for limiting the inward movement of said sections toward each other and for locking said sections in said positions against pivotal movement. 130

WILLIAM TODD.

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