US2191168A - Table structure and method of producing the same - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1940. w LE 2,191,168

TABLE STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME Filed June 4, 1938 Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,191,168 I a a TABLE STRUCTURE AND METHOD or PRODUCING THE :SAMEP William Hanley, East Orange, N. J., assignor to Ferguson Brothers Manufacturing Company,

,Hoboken, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 4, 1938, Serial No. 211,723

3 Claims. (01. an- 106) This invention relates to a table structure and method of producing the same with especial reference to the top thereof, and is particularly adaptable to relatively light folding tablessuited for games, such as cards, as well as general utility. l An object of the invention is to provide a top w structure which is of comparatively elegant and massive appearance while being, at the same time, extremely light, simple, and economical in structure.

Another object is to provide a top which is composed of a single piece of very thin material, such as wood, and yet is adapted to receive to a suitable depth the tucked in. edges of a flexible cover in order to firmly and neatly hold the latter in position.

Another object consists in providing such a thin top that is suitably braced against warping, undue deflection or breakage. 1

Another object consists in providing an improved folding leg structure, with particular reference to its union with the top frame, whereby strength and rigidity are enhanced.

A further object consists in providing further improvements in the material, form, construction and arrangement of the several partswhereby the above named and other objects may effectively. be obtained.

A practical embodiment'of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawing, in which i Fig. 1 represents a top plan view of a able with the legs in folded position; i

Fig. 2 represents an enlarged detail section, taken substantially in the plane of the line II-II of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, but with a leg shown in unfolded position;

Fig. 3 represents a detail sideelevation, on the same scale as Fig. 2, partly in section, to show the means of attaching the legs to the top frame;

and v i Fig. 4 represents a detail bottom plan view, partly in section, of the portion of the table shown in Fig. 3. r

As illustrated, the table top frame is square, and is composed of four side members I, 2, 3, 4 that are of conventional form and suitably united at the corners in any approved manner. In order to provide a handsome appearance, these side frames are relatively deep and ornamented on their outer surfaces.

The table top proper consists of a very thin slab or sheet 5 that is preferably composed of the cover is set forth in U. S. Patent No. 1,544,289 issued June 30, 1925, upon the application of the top 5 and into the subframe members.

, the upper edges of the frame members I, 2, 3, 4,

although it may be composed of imitation wood, varius types of fiber board, or other available material according to the preference of the manufacturer or the dictates of his trade.

The top 5 has a suitable flexible cover 6, com- 5 posed of any suitable material, such as imitation leather, stretched tightly thereon, with its edges adhesively secured in grooves, as indicated at in Fig. 2. This method of securing the edges of Andrew Wagner, so that it is not deemed necessary to explain the same other than to state that the grooves or kerfs for'receiving the edges of a the cover may be supplied with a suitable adhesive, such as glue, and the cover edges then tucked therein until the cover itself is drawn tight.

In this method of fastening the cover edges, it is necessary that the grooves or kerfs be of"20 sumcient depth to exert a firm gripping action upon the cover and, in view of the very thin character of the top 5, I have solved this problem by securing to the under side of the said top a subframe which is composed of four parts erranged in square formation, two opposite parts being marked 8 and the other two 9. These frame membersare preferably composed of light strips of suitable wood and are adhesively sethat the top proper 5 is first provided in suitable size. The subframe parts or members are next placed in position and secured, as by glue, to the under side of the top 5. The kerfs or grooves I are thereafter out completely through The flexible cover 6 isthen placed in position and its edges secured in the said kerfs or grooves. Thereafter the top, thus constructed, is fastened to for which purpose I also prefer to use an adhesive in order to eliminate any unsightly mechanical fastening devices. However, nails, screws, etc., may be used if desired, and may have their heads covered in any approved manner, or ornamental nails may be employed should occasion demand.

It will be observed that the margin of the top 5 exterior to the flexible cover 6 is comparatively wide, and this, together with the substantial. 55

height of the frame members I, 2, 3, 4, imparts a handsome and somewhat massive appearance to the table, in spite of the fact that the top and frame members are, in reality, very light so that the table may be easily handled.

Four foldable legs are secured to the top frame members and, as the said legs are identical, it will be sufficient to describe a single one which may be denoted bylll. The leg l0 itself is of any well known or approved form and size and may suitably be composed of wood. Its inner end is concaved, as indicated at H in Fig. 3, to receive a cylindrical crosshead l2 that is secured to the leg by a screw IS. The crosshead has a trunnion M at one end thereof which'is received in a complementary recess formed in frame member l, and the other end of the crosshead is held in position by a screw l5 that passes through a small angle iron support l6, fastened to frame member I by a screw IT. The trunnion l4 and screw l5 serve as pivots for the crosshead [2 in order to permit the usual swinging motion of the leg during unfolding and folding.

A reinforcing strut l8, preferably composed of metal, has one end located between angle member l6 and crosshead l2; where it is held in po--.

sition by screw 15 passing therethrough; and its other end fixed to the side of leg ID by a screw l9. This strut serves to 'reinforc'e'thc leg 10 against side sway from the'position shown in Fig. 2, and it also assists the union of theleg and crosshead l2. A locking brace 2e, for holding the leg in open position, is also preferably composed of metal and 1 has one end pivoted to the frame member 4 by a screw or the like 2 I, this pivotpoint being located a short distance from the pivot point of crosshead H2 in the'direction of the swing of the leg..

The other end of brace 20 is slidable'ina yoke 22 that is pivoted to the side of leg Ill by a screw The yoke carries a leaf spring 24 that has ends channeled to bear upon an edge of the brace 20 and urge it into contact with pivot screw 23.

A The edge of the brace 20 that slides in contact with the said pivot screw has a notch 25 formed therein which engages the said screw when the leg is in unfolded operative-position so that the brace thus serves to hold the leg in said position' against accidental folding. A stop 26 formed on brace 20 limits the sliding movement ofthe'brace in the yoke 22 during the; opening or unfolding compression against spring 24, and then. swing the leg to its folded position within the table tends to prevent undue wear or marking.

When folded, the legs lie within the boundaries of the table frame, and the particular structure whereby the legs are secured and braced lends itself admirably to this type of table.

It will be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the material, form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not intend to be limited to the details herein shown and described exceptas they may be included in the claims.

What I claim is: v

1. .A method of producing a table top comprising, providing a :top frame, providing a thin top therefor, securing a reinforcing frame to the underside of said top, cutting through the top and into the reinforcing frame to form a peripheral groove, laying aflexible cover on the top, securing the edges of the cover in said groove in the reinforcing frame, and securing the completed top to the top frame.

2. A table top comprising, a relatively thin slab,

-a relatively thick reinforcing frame secured to the under side of the slab within and substantially parallel to its edges, a groove formed through the slab and into the said frame, and a flexible covering laid upon the slab with itsedges passing through the groove in the slab and entering and being secured in the groove in the said frame.

3. A table top comprising, a relatively thin slab of'relatively heavy material, a relatively thick reinforcing frame of relatively light material secured to the under side of the slab within and substantially parallel to its edges, a grooveformed through the slab and extending in a straight line into the said frame, and a flexible covering laid upon the slab with its edges passing through the groove in the slab and entering and being secured in that part of the groove which extends into,

the said frame, whereby the'covering is held by and exerts its tension upon the said frame rather than upon the slab, andthe table top has a heavy and massive appearance while actually being light in weight. g

. WILLIAM

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