US2086463A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

July 6,1937. A. BRAM FOLDING TABLE Filed Jan. 9, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 flndrew Bra 271 July 6, 1937. BRAM 2,086,463

FOLDING TABLE Filed Jan. 9, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 4/4144 ////444 4//////////////|L/////////////////// u l I ////4 (I1 in...

flzdre w Bra 777/ Patented July 6, 1937 ATENT OFFICE FOLDING TABLE Andrew Bram, Hancock, Mich.

Application January 9, 1936, Serial No. 58,382

2 Claims.

-'I'his invention relates to improvements in folding tables, and the primary object of the presentinvention is to provide a table of this kindxwhich will present a relatively large top as required for general use when the table is fully unfolded or set up, and which may be set up in partially unfolded condition to present a relativdy smaller. top suitable for use in playing cards,=:etc.

.qA more particular object of the present inventio'n;-'-isfito provide a folding table of the above character wherein certain of the table legs are providediwith extensible feet members for use in leveling the operative table top section when thetable is set up in partially unfolded condililOIL. 1'

-iA-nother object of the present invention is to provide a folding table of the above character which issi-mple in construction, easy to use, and

capable of being compactly folded for ready storage or transportation:

..:Further objects will become apparent from the following "description when considered in connection vwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

; Figure 1:-is a side elevational view of a table constructed in accordance with the present inventicn as. it appears when nearly set up for use in completely unfolded condition.

Figure. 2 is a top plan view of the table shown in Figure l, with the legs and foldable braces in collapsed or folded position.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the table in completely collapsed condition.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure l of the table shown in the latter figure, set up for use in partially unfolded condition.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing one of the extensible feet members employed on the legs at one end of the table; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the extensible feet members, detached.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the present table includes a flat elongated rectangular top provided on its under side with a marginal rim 5, and composed of similar half sections 6 and 6a hingedly connected at their adjacent inner ends, as at l to swing from the completely folded parallel back to back position of Figure 3 to the completely unfolded alined end to end abutting relation of Figures 1 and 2, or vice versa. A suitable hasp or like fastener 8 may be provided for releasably connecting the outer ends of the top sections 6 and 6a to retain the table in completely folded position as shown in Figure 3.

A pair of rigidly connected legs 9 is hinged at Ill to the under side of each top section of the table near the outer end of the latter, so that said pairs of legs may be swung to folded position against the under sides of the top sections within the rim 5 as shown in Figure 2, or to unfolded depending and downwardly diverging relation as shown in Figure 1. In order to releasably maintain the pairs of legs 9 in their unfolded position wherein they are disposed in downwardly diverging relation, I provide folding braces ll between the intermediate portions of each top section and the legs hinged thereto. As shown, the braces l l are loosely pivoted to the under side of the table top as at l2, and are provided at corresponding ends with hoolr portions l3 adapted for releasable engagement with headed pins Hi provided on the inner sides of the legs 9. Also, each brace ii preferably consists of two sections having adjacent ends overlapped and pivotally joined as at l5, while a locking ring !6 is slidably disposed on each brace above the pivot joint [5 so that it may be disposed over the adjacent overlapped ends of the brace members for releasably holding them in unfolded alined relation.

It will be seen from Figure 1 that when the table is set up in completely unfolded condition, the same will provide a relatively large top such as is required or desired for many ordinary uses. However, for certain uses, such as card playing or the like, a smaller table or the use of a smaller top member is either desired or necessary. In the latter event, the present table may be set up in partially unfolded condition as shown in Figure 1, wherein the legs are disposedin unfolded position and the top sections 6 and 6a are disposed at right angles to each other. Assuming that the top section 6a is the one to be used in a horizontal elevated position under these conditions, the top section 6 will be vertically disposed soas to rest at its outer end upon the floor or ground. Due to the diverging relation of the legs 9 when in unfolded condition, the legs carried by the top section 6 will engage the floor or ground at their free ends so as to prevent outward and upward swinging movement of top section 6 as long as the top section 6a is not raised. Further, in order to support the top section 6a in a level or true horizontal position at this time, the legs 9 of top section 6a are provided with extensible feet members I! which contemplated such as fall fairly within the scope may be adjusted to a predetermined lowered position into contact with the floor or ground as shown in Figure 4. In this way, the partially unfolded table will rest solidly on the floor or ground without danger of readily upsetting or shifting from the partially unfolded condition.

It is to be understood that the adjustable feet members ll may be of any suitable well known or preferred construction,such as used for other purposes as extensible feet for ladders, etc. However, I have illustrated a particular form of adjustable foot member which is especially efiicient and simple in construction. Each adjustable foot member shown consists of a piece of channel iron slidably fitted on the lower end of the associated leg 9 and provided in its intermediate portion with a longitudinal elongated slot through which passes a fastening screw l9 that is threaded into the adjacent legs. The intermediate portion of the foot member l! is provided at its upper end with an inwardly directed flange 20, while the associated leg 9 is provided with a pair of notches 2| adapted to selectively receive the flange 20 so as a to securely maintain the adjacent foot I! in either its retracted or extended position, upon tightening the fastening screw I9. Obviously, by loosening the screw I9, the foot member I may be shifted to disengage 25 from either notch 2|, thereby permitting the foot to be shifted longitudinally of the leg to the desired position of adjustment.

With the table fully collapsed as shown in Figure 3, the fastener 8 may be unhooked to allow the top sections to be unfolded partially as in Figure 4: or entirely as in Figure 1. The braces I! may then be unfolded and hooked into engagement with the headed pins l4 carried by the legs 9, the locking rings I6 being used to maintain the members of the braces in unfolded co-extensive relation. The table will then be readily positioned for use as in Figure 1, or it may be disposed for use as in Figure 4 upon extending the feet members ll.

From theforegoing description, it is believed that the construction and manner of use, as well as the advantages of the present invention, will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. Minor changes in the details of construction illustrated and described, are

of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

l. A folding table comprising an elongated rectangular top composed of similar half sections pivotally connected at the adjacent inner ends thereof to fold in parallel back to back relation or to unfold in alined end to end abutting re1a tion, a pair of rigidly connected legs hinged to the under side of each top section a short distance inwardly of the outer end of the latter to fold against the under side of the associated top section or to assume an unfolded depending position relative to the same, folding braces connecting the intermediate portion of each top section with the intermediate portions of the legs carried by the latter, said folding braces acting to hold the legs in downwardly diverging relation when unfolded, whereby the legs of one section may engage the floor at their free ends when that section is vertically disposed with its outer end resting upon the floor, and extensible feet carried by the legs on the other top section to support the latter in a level horizontal position at right angles to the first-named top section when said firstnamed top section is so vertically disposed.

2. A folding table of the character described adapted to be set up in completely unfolded position to provide a relatively large top or its partially unfolded position to provide a relatively smaller top, and comprising similar top sections hingedly connected at adjacent ends to assume right angular relations to each other or to assume alined relation when completely unfolded or to assume a completely folded parallel back to back relation, legs hinged to each top section a short distance inwardly of the outer end of the latter and foldable against the under side thereof, folding braces for releasably maintaining the legs in unfolded condition, and extensible feet on the lower'ends of the legs carried by one top section for maintaining the latter in a level horizontal position when the other top section is disposed at right angles thereto with its outer end resting upon the floor, said braces acting to hold the legs in an outwardly and downwardly inclined position when unfolded, whereby the free ends of the legs of said vertically disposed table section will engage the floor.

ANDREW BEAM.

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