US2256996A - Knockdown furniture - Google Patents

Description

SePt- 23, l941- J. E. BALEs A2,256,996

KNOCKDOWN FURNITURE Filed Oct.. 22, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l sept. 23, 1941. .VL E. BALES xNookDowNiFURNITURE Filed oct. 22, 19:58 .2 sheets-fsheet 2 ATTORNEYS,

Patented Sept. 1941 KNOCKDOWN FURNITURE James E. Bales, Aurora, Ill., assignorto Lyon Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application October 22, 1938, Serial No. 236,495

(c1. 2li- 126) 17 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to Y furniture and has more particular reference to knock-down or collapsible furniture.

An important object of the invention is to prov Y vide collapsible equipment that may be rapidly and readily assembled to form a rugged, rigid and rm article of furniture, and which may be so made as to be readily reducible to its constituent parts in order to collapse or knock down the article to facilitate shipment or storage. Previously known structures of the present class have y in general necessitated the use of special fasteners to join parts subjected to considerable structural stress. This is particularly true, for example, in the case of collapsible structures having legs separable from the remainder of the device. Devices of this class in particular must be rmly interconnected to preventswaying or instability of the assembled structure.

It is, therefore, an important object to provide knock-down furniture, as above, comprising a plurality of individual support members or legs and a body member arranged to anchor directly on the legs in rm, rigid fashion, whereby to brace and maintain the legs in spaced-apart relationship and to constitute an article of furniture. i

Another important object is to provideA a table, including a preferably sheet-,metal table top element and individual legs adapted to be detachably connected on the top element in such a way that the element cooperates with each of the legs in order to brace the same rigidly upon the top element, whereby to provide a strong and rigid article of furniture when the parts are assembled; a further object being to form the -top element and legs of metal and to provide cooperating means on the top element and legs for latching the parts securely in assembled position.

'Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a table, stand, or similar furniture structure having an interconnecting means for rigidly attaching legs to the body portion of the furniture whereby the legs, when attached, are each braced and grasped at a plurality of bearing points upon the element to which thelegs are attached, the bearing points being so arranged and located as to coact to resist undesired relative movement of the parts.

An additional object ofthe present invention is to provide an improved, simplied, readily disassemblable, supporting means for supporting a tray above an article of furniture such as a. table. Yet a further important object of the present invention is to provide a tray-supporting structure, as above, comprising legs rigidly interconnectible with the tray and with a suitable supporting surface or frame in which the legs or supporting members may be formed of simple bar stock or the like, free from special fasteners, and may be caused to interlock and interengage the parts 'for supporting the tray in elevated position merely by resilient coaction with the said parts.

-' Among other `important objects of the present invention is to provide a plurality of individual parts adapted to be interconnected by substantially any unskilled person to provide a unitary,

rigid table or table structure, which parts are so arranged and configurated as in their collective the table top, whereby to eliminate the neces.-

sity for handling and shipping a bulky assembled structure; and to provide such a structure, as hereinbefore stated, whereinthe substitution of certain parts onlymay provide for the production of a wide Avariety of final structures.

Numerous other objects and', advantages will more fully appear during the course and progress of the following specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a. table or display device constructed in accordance with the present invention; l

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of a lower portion of the leg of the structure -shown in Figure 1 taken on the line 3--3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 4--4 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of a modified form of the present invention, being taken in a portion corresponding to the left-hand part of Figure 2 and showing an alternative type of locking tane: t Y

Figures 6 and '7 are perspective views of the riser tray structures, pairs of the supporting legs being shown in- Figure 6 in un-assembled relationship for the purpose of showing the manner of interconnection;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional View taken vertically and substantially centrally through a pair 4 of riser trays such as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and indicating the manner of resiliently yieldable interconnection;

Figure 9 is a, perspective view of a modified form of the present invention having the substantially identical supporting leg structure previously embodied;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view taken on the line I0-I0 inFigure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective detail view of one corner of the top or upper tray member shown in Figure 9, the adjacent leg having been removed to illustrate the corner formation more in detail.

Referring to the drawings wherein the present invention is disclosed more in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 a display or merchandising table comprising legs 10, table top or body por- .tion I2, a lower shelf I4'. and upper supporting trays to be hereinafter described more in detail. The table top I2 in the present instance is of rectangular configuration withv upstanding walls on all sides so that the top in reality possesses a tray-like configuration to retain articles placed upon the table for display. To this end the table top or body portion I2 comprises a horizontal supporting wall or platform I6 of rectangular configuration and flanged downwardly along its four side edges as at I8, see Figure 2. The upstanding side walls or retaining walls of the table top are formed by upstanding sheet members 20 beaded over at their upper edges as at 22. Attention is directed particularly to the fact that the lower upstanding walls 20 adjacent the lower portions extend in flatwise relationship against the downwardly projecting flanges I8 and then are bent upwardly as at 24 to clampingly engage the flanges I8 for retaining the various portions of the table top together as aA unitary assembly. It will be understood that the lower portions of the walls 20 may be additionally fastened to the flange I8- as by welding, riveting or the like. It is furthermore of importance to note that the beaded over portion of the upper edge of the upstanding wall portions 20 provides spaced portions. I'hat is to say, in bending overlthe upper edge, the bent portion is spaced from the wall proper, providing a recess for a purpose which will hereinafter appear morein detail. The side walls 20, as mentioned before, extend completely around the edges of the table top to form a continuous length of sheet material.

The four legs I of the assembly are formed of sheet material configurated throughout their length to an angular cross section and, accordingly, comprising angularly arranged side walls 26 which, as clearly shown in Figures 1 to 3, are tapered toward the lower end. A supporting or foot portion is provided to present the necessary bearing surface for supporting the end of the leg adjacent the floor and comprises a member 28, see Figure 3, having a horizontal lower wall 30 with upwardly extending, triangular flanges 32 on the two side edges corresponding to the sides 26 of the leg. The side edges provide for rigid securement of themembers 28 upon the bottom of each leg as, for example, by welding, as at 34, while the bottom wall 30 is displaced bodily downwardly as at 36 to provide a preferably circular floor contacting portion.

The legs are joined to the table top l2 at its four corners by means more clearly disclosed in Figures 1 and 2. More particularly, this construction comprises struck-out clips or tangs 38 which are formed integral with the adjacent side walls 26 of the leg members l0 but project irwardly and upwardly. In other words,'the tangs or clips 38 provide retaining' recesses or shoulders which, as clearly shown in Figure 2, are adapted to receive the lower downwardly extending flange portion of the table top for not only supporting the top butiretaining it in rigid interengagement with the respective legs. In the embodiment disclosed, there is one integral clip or struck-out member 28 in each of the walls 26, although it will be understood that these members may be increased in number as well as in size and configuration within wide limits in accordance with the spirit of th'e present invention. Attention is further directed to the fact that the extreme upper edges of the legs I0 engage within the folded over or beaded portion 22 which provides the upper extremities of the side or retaining walls 20 on the table top. As a result of this construction the table top is not only firmly and rigidly supported directly upon the clips 38 while being frictionally grasped by the clip members, but is at the same time rigidly held and positioned at a spaced point by the resiliently extending iiange portion 22.

The present invention further provides for the interlocking of the parts against Withdrawal by means of a detent 40 engaging in a corresponding aperture 42 when the parts are in the aforementioned relative position. "In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the detent 40 comprises an inwardly offset, relatively small section of one of the side walls 26. It should be noted that the wall section is offset inwardly and is severed from its side wall 26 to provide a lower edge 44, being integral therewith along its remaining edges and forming an inwardly extending projection having angularly arranged side walls projecting progressively inwardly as they extend in a downward direction. It will be obvious from this disclosure that the lower edge 44 of the detent, and particularly the central portion of this edge, .provides a shoulder for engaging behind the lower edge of the aperture 42. In assembling the table top with respect to the legs, the table top is forced downwardly so that its lower hanged portions seat within the clips 38, while at the same time the upper extremities are being slid to position interiorly of the beaded portions 22. In the meantime, the detent or boss 40 approaches a position opposite the aperture 42, whereupon the detent 40 springs into the aperture 42 to lock the parts together against withdrawal.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that in the embodiment employing the specific construction shown in Figure 2 the legs will be more or less positively locked together. That is to say, by configurating the detent 40 of Figure 2 with a portion which will engage positively behind the loweredge of the aperture 42 the lower edge 44 will so engage the adjacent edge of the aperture 42 as to prevent disengagement of the parts by the application of forces opposite to the forces applied during assembly. So also it will be obvious from this disclosure that the parts may be locked together with varying degrees of positiveness by varying the configuration of the detent in the manner known to those skilled in the art.

In constructions, however, where it is desired to retain the parts of the assembly relatively engaged against accidental displacement while at the same time providing a structure which may be collapsed and reassembled at any time, a configuration such as shown in Figure 5 may be employed. In accordance with the illustrated modification, the aperture 42 is formed in the side wall 26 of the leg members and receives a detent provided by inwardly deforming a portion of the retaining wall 20 of the table top as at 46. Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the inwardly deformed or offset portion 46 provides upwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces which it projects into the aperture 42 so that. as opposed to positive interlocking. it will be evident that the parts are more or less resiliently joined. 'Ihat is to say, when it is e desired to collapse the assembly, the body may be removed fromv the llegs by drawing the body upwardly from the position shown in Figure with suillcient force to withdraw the detent 46 from the aperture 42.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that in accordance with the present invention the structure of the detent may be and preferably is such that it engages or heels" against one or more edges of the. aperture 42 to create la reactionary, stress to interconnect the parts with increased rigidity. Thus, referring to` Figure 2, it will be apparent that when the locking tang or detent 40 has-.sprung into the aperture 42 after the parts have been driven together,

downwardly along its four sides as at and termlnatinl in a nat bead 5 4 adapted'to-beengaged firmly by the tangs. as illustrated in detail in Figure 3. The shelf additionally interconnects the legs III in a firm, unitary structure.

The present invention further contemplates the provision of a plurality of superposed trays at elevated points above the table top for display, storage, or merchandising purposes. To this end there is shown in Figure 1 a pair of trays 66 and 6l of progressively decreasing area in a lvertical direction, the lowerof the trays I6 being preferably relatively small as com-y pared with the area of the table top I2 and thus permitting increased freedom of access 'to the table upwardly extending anges 6I which provide retaining walls lat their side edges and are finished its lower edge will preferably bear against the adjacent edge oi the aperture 42, thus forcing the table top assembly downwardly into firm seating engagement with the tang 36. Improved firmness and rigidity may further be4 attained in accordance with the present invention by forming the struck-out-tangs 38 so that the portions of the table top received thereby are rigidly held between the tangs and the adjacent portions of the leg members. In the same manner, the upper reversely extending portion 22 of the wall 2li may be`and preferably is congurated so that the upper edges of the leg are rigidly positioned in the recess provided thereby. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that 'the legs are rigidly grasped by the table top at a multiplicity of spaced points to prevent relative angular displacement of the 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, and in the embodiment shown parts. This is of great importance, since the legs, in effect being cantilevers, tend to transmit greatly multiplied stresses to their points of interconnection with the main body Aof'the table. While rmly interconnecting the parts in the manner described above, the present structure,`moreover, lends itself to ready assembly as well as dis-memberment when desired.

Thus, if it be assumed that the table -topl I2= were separated from the legs, it will be apparent from the above disclosure that yassembly may be accomplished as follows: a leg member III is placed under the table top at the corner, the` table top is forced downwardly thereinto so that the lower anges I8 and'24 are directed into the recess provided by the struck-out tangs 38, and at the same time the upper edges of the leg may slide into the recess formed by the bead 22 at the upper edges of the side walls 20.:

Meanwhile, the detent or locking tang 40 slides along the wall 20 until it comes opposite thel aperture 42, at which time it springs into locking engagement therewith. Taking the table apart, particularly in the case of an. embodi ment such as disclosed in Figure 5, for the pur-v pose of collapsing the structure may be accomplished by reversing the actuating parts. The

are formed from elongated bar stock, being bent in U-shaped configuration to provide upstanding legs 12 joined adjacent their bottom byva transversely extending arm 14. The upper ends of the legs 12 terminate in relatively short portions 16 extendingnormally to the plane of the legs 12 and transversely extending arm 14. The short interlocking of the parts against the knock.-`

down operation in this manner may be accomplished, for example, by merely forcing the bottom edge 44 from the detent 4I! so that it resides flatwse against the at lower edge of the aperture 42.

The shelf I4 is secured in position on the legs, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, by means of tangs or struck-out lugs 48 substantially identical in construction with the struck-out members 38 hereinbefore described. The shelf I4 is formed of a rectangular sheet of material 50 flanged projecting extremities 16 are spaced a distance equal to the distance of the spacing of the stiifening members 64, and it is particularly important to note that the recess or enclosure" formed by the central U-shaped portion 66 of these stiffeners has a configuration corresponding to the sectional shape of the projections. Accordingly,

the supporting leg unit 16, when forced into the open end of the stiffeners 64, is engaged thereby, as shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7. The lower ends of the supporting unit 10 are mounted upon the lower supporting surface by means of rod clips 18 which comprise a at flange portion 60 residing flatwise against the adjacent supporting surface and being welded thereto as at 82, Figure 2. the left-hand extremity of the flange 8D, as viewed in Figure 2, being integral with an upwardly extending ange 84 of semi-cylindrical, sectional coniiguration. It should be noted that the clips 18 extend transversely across the upper surfaces of the trays 56 and the table top, being of the same longitudinal extent as the transversely extending arms 14 of the tray-supporting legs. It is further-important to note thatthe semi-cylindrical portions 84 of the clips face inwardly toward the transverse median line of the surface upon which they are mounted.

In the structure disclosed, the upstanding portions of the clips 'I6 engage about the transversely extending portions 14 of the tray-supporting leg assemblies and support and secure the trays in the position shown in Figure 1. On the other hand, the natural resiliency of the legs or supporting risers 12 permits the lower portions thereof to be sprung inwardly. as indicated by top. Both of the trays 66 and 66 have described in detail. It will, therefore, be underin g these members from the adjacent rod clips. Accordingly, to remove the tray structure it is merely necessary to disengage the arm I4 from' the clips 18, as viewed in Figure 8, to separate the trays. as shown in Figures 6 and 7, at which time the tray-supporting structures may be freely separated from the tray by merely withdrawing the extremities 'I6 from the recess provided by the stieners 64. Conversely, the parts may be readily reassembled by inserting the supporting legs in position with respect to the trays and then interlocking the lower transversely extending arms 14 into the retaining clips 18. It should furthermore be noted that when the leg structures are engaged by the retaining clips 18 as aforementioned, their extremities I8 are positively held within the engaging recesses. That is to say, that in spite of the fact that the device is freely and immediately collapsible at all times, nevertheless when assembled as shown is characterized by great structural strength and rigidity and provides a perfectly safe and reliable structure.

'I'he present invention provides a merchandising structure which is not only capable of being assembled from a plurality of parts to provide a firm, secure article of furniture but which at the same time involves relatively simple and inexpensive manufacturing steps andcomprises relatively simplified assembly parts. The device, in accordance with the present invention, may be transported in the' form of its individual component parts and may be assembled by substantially any unskilled person at its destination. Thus, for example, in the case of the illustrative embodiment disclosed in Figure 1 the legs IIJ and the lower shelf I4 and table top I2 may be supplied as separate elements, together with the trays 56 and 58 and the four supporting leg assemblies. At their destination they may be interconnected as hereinbefore described to provide the finished table shown in Figure 1. The tables of .the present broad class, particularly when formed of metal and/or constructed for the support of relatively heavy articles, are of considerable bulk, which renders transportation and movement thereof costly and difficult. It will be obvious from the above disclosure, however, that the component parts of the structures provided in accordance with the present invention may occupy a relatively small space. Thus, for example, it will be obvious that the parts of the table illustrated in Figure 1 may, after being taken apart, be so arranged as to occupy a space not substantially greater than that occupied by the main body portion of the table and its lower shelf I4.

The present invention further renders possible the provision of a wide variety of final structures, using interchangeable parts. This will be apparent from a consideration of the preferred alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 11, wherein the table top previously described has been replaced by a display trough 86. This display trough 86 has a bottom or article-supporting surface comprising cpposltely downwardly inclined walls 88 integrally joined along the central vlongitudinal medi-an line of the assembly 86v which terminate iii-upwardly extending retaining flanges 90 adjacent the side portions thereof. The flanges 90 in turn join the vertically downwardly extending walls 92 apertured at 42 to receive the detents 48 on the leg members hereinbefore described in detail. The structure of the legs I8 has been hereinbefore stood that the detent members 48 coact with the struck-out tangs 48 to interlock the legs in supporting relationship. In the present embodiment the lower edges of, the upstanding walls 92 of the tray terminate in inwardly extending flanges 94 lwhich rigidify the structure. In order to permit l equivalent supporting or display members which will occur at once to those skilled in the art.

yIt should be noted that the present embodiment provides a downwardly facing recess adjacent the upper portions of the side walls 82, said recess being provided by the outer leg 98 of a U-shaped member |00. The outer leg 98 is spaced from the upper outer surface of the side wall ange 92 a sumcient distancel to securely accommodate the thickness of the side walls and the leg umts at the corner. The U-shaped member or clip may be rigidly secured in place by any convenient means. In the embodiment shown, the inner leg or angc of the U-shaped member resides flatwise against the inclined Wall 98 of the table top and is welded as at |82. Similar clips or channel members are preferably applied along the top edges of the end walls 96 or else the upper edges of these walls may be merely formed over as at |84, Figures 9 and 11, for the .same purpose.

The present invention further contemplates the use of the immediately aforementioned articlesupporting table top unit as a substitute for the lower shelf I4. Thus, by merely omitting the longitudinally extending U-shaped member I00, the table top shown in I0 may be operatively positioned on the lower leg clips 48 and in such relationship may be employed in combination, for example, with the table top and shelf shown in Figure 1. It will be seen, therefore, that the present invention lends itself to the provision of a wide variety of useful structures.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention, provided said changes are within the scope of the appended claims.-

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A merchandising or display device comprising a plurality .of supporting legs, a platform adapted to be supported by said legs adjacent the corners thereof, means for`joining said legs and platform in supporting relationship and comprising downwardly extending flange means formed about the periphery of said platform, and supporting means permanently on each leg and providing an upwardly facing recess adapted to receive said flange means for supporting said flange and retaining the flange in xed, lateral positlon'with respect to the legs, said platform being provided with a downwardly facing recess at a point substantially above said supporting means, and said leg member having an edge portion spaced above said supporting means and when said supporting meanaengages the flange means, whereby to interlock Vsaidmnieans at spaced points. i i

2. A sheet metal leg unit for use in a merchandising device of the class described, comprising angularly arranged sheet metal side walls, said side walls being provided, at a point spaced substantially from their upper ends, with inwardly extending, struck-out integral tang portions, said tang portions extending in a. direction normal to said adjacent walls and then in a directionv substantially parallel therewith to provide upstanding recesses, integral struck-out, laterally deformable detent means associated with each of said walls at points above said struck-out supporting members, and a support having a vertical portion overlapping said side walls and formed with a pocket opening downwardly `to receive the upper edge of said side walls, the bottom edge of said support being supported therein.

3. A merchandising device of the class described, comprising a platform carrying upstanding peripheral retaining walls, said platform having downwardly projecting peripheral flange portions overlapping said side Walls, said side walls being formed with formed-over portions providing downwardly facing recesses, and supporting members for said platform, each having an upper edge lying within the downwardly facing recesses and each supporting member having an upwardly facing recess receiving the platform depending flange. K

4. For a display table ofthe classdescribed, a polygonal table top having downwardly projecting flanges and upwardly projecting retaining walls formed adjacent its side edges, said retaining walls being formed adjacent their upper extremities with formed-over members providing a downwardly-facing recess, and supporting leg members having a struck out portion extending laterally and upwardly to engage about said' r 2,2m, adapted to extend within` esta lastname-armes ward direction only,rsald leg comprising a struck struck out portion being freely separablefrom said reenforced member in a relatively downward direction only.

6. A display and merchandising table of the class described comprising a table top having a central platform adapted to be arranged in a horizontal plane and defined by peripheral, marginal flanges extending vertically downwardly, upstanding side wall members disposed about said peripheral margin and extending upwardly therefrom to provide marginal retaining walls for said platform, said side wall members extending downwardly adjacent said flanges and being embraced about the lower extremities thereof to join said walls and said platform in a unitary structure and providing a marginal, downwardly projecting reenforced member rigid with said platform, and a supporting leg member vextending vertically and inter-engaged with the table top, said engaging means comprising a reversely extending fiange at the upper margin of said wall, said ilangeproviding an outer portion spaced in parallel relationship with respect to said wall and defining a recess opening downwardly, said leg comprising a portion disposed in parallel juxtaposition to the outer surface of said wall and terminating in an upper portion complementary to said downwardly facing recess and received therein for separationin a relative downward direction only, said leg comprising a struck out portion substantially spaced from said recess and having a laterally inwardly extending section receiving said reenforced downwardly extending member, and an upwardly extending portion spaced from the wall of the leg and contacting the inner surface of said reenforced portion to embrace the reenforcement therebetween, said struck out portion being freely separable from said reenforced member in a relatively downward leg at a point intermediate of said flange and said generally horizontal plane and defined by peripheral, marginal flanges extending vertically downwardly, upstanding side wall members disposed about said peripheral margin and extending upwardly therefrom to provide marginal retaining walls for said platform, said side wall ,members extending downwardly adjacent said flanges and being embraced about the lower extremities thereof to join said walls and said platform in a unitary structure and providing a marginal, downwardly projecting reenforced member rigid with said platform, and a supporting leg member extending vertically and inter-engaged with the table top, said engaging means comprising a reversely extending flange lat the upper margin of said wall, said flange providing an outer portion spaced in parallel relationship with respect to said wall and defining a recess opening downwardly, said leg comprising a portion disposed in parallel juxtaposition tothe outer surface of said wall and terminating in an upper portion complementary to said downwardly facing recess and received therein for separation in a relative down- 'upper portion and yieldably received within the recess in said marginal wall for positively preventing separation of the parts in said relative direction.

7. A display and merchandising table of the class described comprising a table top having a central platform adapted to be arranged is a horizontal plane and dened by peripheral, marginal flanges extending vertically downwardly, upstanding side wall members disposed about said peripheral margin and extending upwardly therefrom to provide marginal retaining walls for said platform, said side wall members extending downwardly adjacent said flanges and being embraced about the lower extremities thereof to join said walls and said platform in a unitary structure and providing a marginal, downwardly projecting reenforced member rigid with said platform, and a supporting leg member extending vertically and inter-engaged with the table top, said engaging means comprising a reversely extending flange at the upper margin of said wall, said flange providing an outer portion spaced in parallel relationship with respect to said wall and defining a recess opening downwardly, said leg comprising a portion disposed in parallel juxtaposition to the outer surface of said wall and terminating in an upper portion complementary to said downwardly facing recess and received therein for separation in a relative downward direction only, said leg comprising a struck out portion substantially spaced from said recess and having a laterally inwardly extending section receiving said reenforced downwardly extending member, and an' upwardly extending portion spaced from the wall of the leg and contacting the inner surface of said reenforced portion to embrace the reenforcement therebetween. said struck out portion being freely separable from said reenforced member in a relatively downward direction only. and means laterally projecting from `one of said relatively separable members and engageable in a recess in the opposite member for -positively preventing separation of the parts in said relative direction, said means being yieldably separable from said recess for selectively permitting dis-memberment of the table.

8. A display and merchandising table of the class 'described comprising a table top having a' central platform adapted to be arranged in a horizontal plane and defined by peripheral, marginal fianges extending vertically downwardly, upstanding side wall members disposed about said peripheral margin and extending upwardly therefrom to provide marginal retaining walls for said platform, said side wall members extending downwardly adjacent said flanges and being embraced about the lower extremities thereof to join said walls and said platform in a unitary structure and providing a marginal, downwardly projecting reenforced member rigid with said platform, and a supporting leg member extending vertically and inter-engaged with the table top, said engaging means comprising a reversely extending flange at the upper margin of said wall, said flange providing an outer prtion spaced in parallel relationship with respect to said wall and defining a recess opening downwardly, said leg comprising a portion disposed in parallel juxtaposition to the outer surface of said wall and terminating in an upper portion complementary to said downwardly facing recess and received therein for separation in a relative downward direction only, said leg comprising a permanent and rigid member mounted on the inner surface thereof at a point longitudinally spaced a substantial distance from said recess and comprising a laterally inwardly extending supporting section receiving the reenforced, downwardly extending member thereon and terminating in an upwardly extending portion spaced from the inner surface of the leg and residing against the inner surface of said reenforced portion for laterally embracing said reenforced portion and restraining it against the leg.

9. A display and merchandising table of the class described comprising a table top having a central platform adapted to be arranged in a horizontal plane and defined by peripheral, marginal flanges extending vertically downwardly, upstanding side wall members disposed about said peripheral margin and extending upwardly therefrom to provide marginal retaining walls for said platform, said side wall members extending downwardly adjacent said anges and being embraced about the lower extremities thereof to join said walls and said platform in a unitary structure and providing a marginal, downwardly projecting reenforced member rigid with said platform, and a supporting leg member extending vertically and inter-engaged with the table top, said engaging means comprising a downwardly facing recess adjacent the upper portion of the saidl wall and a complementary portion on the leg receivable freely within said recess in a vertical direction and restrained therein in all other directions, and means on said leg disposed substantially below said recess for embracing said downwardly projecting reenforced member for complementarily embracing it, said last-named means laterally holding said reenforced member in both lateral directions and providing a support for the lower extremity thereof, said inter-engaging means being freely separable from the table top by movement in a relative downward direction.

10. A display and merchandising table of the class described comprising a table top having a central platform adapted to be arranged in a horizontal plane and defined by peripheral, marginal flanges extending vertically downwardly, upstanding side wall members disposed'about said peripheral margin and extending upwardly therefrom to provide marginal retaining walls for said platform, said side wall members extending downwardlyv adjacent said iianges and being embraced about the lower extremities thereof to join said walls and said platform in a unitary structure and providing a marginal, downwardly projecting reenforced member rigid with said platform, and a supporting leg member extending vertically and inter-engaged with the table top, said engaging means comprising means permanently rigidly mounted on the leg providing an upwardly opening recess being defined by horizontally spaced walls joined by a transverse lower wall and complementarily receiving said downwardly projecting reenforced member for rigid restraint thereof in lateral downward directions, but being freely removable therefrom when the leg is moved relatively downwardly.

1l. In a supporting device of the class described, elongated supporting legs, a platform adapted to be supported by said legs, said platform including reversely disposed upstanding and depending fianges providing a free locking edge extending in one direction and a remotely spaced recess opening in the same direction in which the free locking edge extends, said legs having a recessed portion opening in a direction opposite to the disposition of the first mentioned recess and adapted to receive said first mentioned free locking edge.

12. In a supporting device of the class described, elongated supporting legs, a platform adapted to be supported by said legs, said platform including reversely disposed upstanding and depending fianges providing a free locking edge extending in one direction and a remotely spaced recess opening in the same direction in which the free locking edge extends, said legs havlng a recessed portion opening in a direction opposite to the disposition of the first mentioned recess and adapted to receive said first mentioned free locking edge, and means detchably holding said legs and flanges from relative movement.

13. In a supporting device of the class described, sheet metal supporting legs provided with struck-out portions forming pockets opening upwardly, a sheet metal platform having a depending skirt having portions adapted to seat in said pockets, a separate sheet metal flange overlymgly surrounding said skirt and upstanding from the surface of said platform at the periphery thereof, said ange having portions extending downwardly and likewise lying in said pockets, upper portions of said ange being bent over to form a pocket to receive upper portions of said legs, and means to lock said legs, said platform, and said flange in such assembled relation.

14. In a supporting device of the class described, sheet metal legs having lateral struckout upwardly extending lugs, a sheet metal platform having depending projections forming free edges adapted to seat in said struck-out lugs of said legs, said platform including an upstanding portion having 'an overfold facing downwardly to provide a recess to receive upper free edge portions of said supporting legs whereby said legs, said upper recess, and said ange portions of said platform interlock in opposed directions, and means holding said legs and said platform from relative movement when so engaged.

15. In a supporting device of the class described, supporting legs and a platform, said legs and platform having vertically disposed wall portions arranged in parallel, overlapping contact, one of said portions having downwardly facing pockets adapted to receive an edge member of the other portion to limit the upward movement therebetween in one direction, said other portion having a reversely facing pocket receiving an oppositely disposed edge member of said rst portion, and said two portions having interlocking means adapted to hold said portions from relative sliding movement.

16. A sheet metal display stand comprising sheet metal legs each having vertically disposed, elongated, angularly arranged wall portions provided with laterally extending struck-outs forming upwardly extending recesses, and each pro' vided with integral, laterally deformable struckout locking tongues, a sheet metal platform having a display portion and an associated vertical wall, the lower edge of which is adapted to rest in the recesses formed on the leg portions for supporting said platform, said vertical wall having struck-out openings adapted to receive laterally deformable struck-out locking tongues of the leg portions to interlock with the latter, said platform having means overlying and receiving the upper edge of said leg portion, whereby to hold the upper portion of said leg and said vertical wall in contacting position and to provide a pocket or a recess into which the upper edge of said leg portion is adapted firmly to seat.

17. A display stand in combination with four sheet metal legs having angularly disposed. integral side wall members, each said wall member being provided with struck-out upstanding tangs provided with upwardly facing seats, and each leg having above said tangs a plurality of laterally deformable integral tongues providing locking means, a display top of sheet metal including oppositely inclined portions terminating in upwardly inclined flange portions and vertically disposed peripheral walls, the lower free edge of said vertical walls lying in the seats formed by said struck-out tangs. and said vertical walls being formed with recesses to receive said laterally deformable tongues, there being a plurality of recess forming members united to the upper junction of said inclined walls and said vertical iianges and overlying and receiving the free edges of said leg portions.

JAMES E. BALES.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,256,996. september 25, 19m.

JAMES E. mms.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification v ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 56, claim?, for'the kword "is" read in; page 6, second column, line 66, c1aim'12, for "detchably" read -detachably; and 'diet the said Letters Patent should be read with thisvcorrection therein 'that the same may confonn to the record of the' case in the' Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of December, A. D. 19141.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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