US2358883A

US2358883A - Picnic outfit

Info

Publication number: US2358883A
Application number: US407370A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rothschild Henry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-08-18
Filing date: 1941-08-18
Publication date: 1944-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1961-09-26

Description

Sept. 26, 1944. H. ROTHSCHILD PICNIC OUTFIT Filed Aug. 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. M

Sept. 26, 1944. RQTHSCHILD 2,358,883

PICNIC OUTFIT Filed Aug. 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 2 (V ,1 v e A u INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 26, 1944 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,358,883 PICNIC op'rn'r Henry Rothschild, New York, N. Y. Application August 18, 1941, Serial No. 407,310

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in picnic outfits, and relates more particularly to a novel, self-contained unit which, when closed, resembles a conventional suitcase or traveling bag in external appearance, and which, when opened, provides a completely equipped picnic table with hinged legs, space being provided within the case for all of the essential articles needed for usual picnic requirements.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a novel container having foldable legs of improved construction, and which, when the case is open, may be quickly moved into operative position, the exterior of the case serving as the table top.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel drawer structure contained in one of the hinged sections comprising the case, the other section having a novel arrangementfor the reception of the other essential articles for a picnic outfit, including foldable chairs.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved hinged leg assembly for picnic tables, card tables, and the like, wherein the several pivoted leg structures are capable of being quickly moved into operative position, and when the case or table is not in use, the leg assembly is readily moved into folded position entirely within the confines .of the case or table.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel locking arrangement for foldable legs employed in connection with tables and the like.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case being fully opened and being in usable position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the case when in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with the hinged legs in folded position.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3, the legs, however, being shown in open position.

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4, but shows the legs in partly folded position.

Fig. 6 is a broken section showing the details of the locking arrangement for the foldable leg assembly- Fig. '7 shows the relation of the parts when the spring lock has been depressed.

The case in closed position is shown in Fig. 2 and is designated by the reference character Ill. The case is generally rectangular in shape, and includes a pair of complemental sections II and I2 which are of substantially the same size and shape, and which are pivotally joined together by means of hinges i3 (Fig. 2). The internal arrangement of section ii is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 wherein one of the end walls or gussets i5 is provided with a substantially rectangular opening i6 through which a drawer i1 passes. cross-sectional dimensions of the drawer are slightly less than the size of opening iii in order to permit free inward and outward movement of the drawer, and the outer end wall or face i8 of the drawer is of such size as to fit relatively snugly within opening l6 when the case is closed, as shown in Fig. 2. The top IQ of the drawer is adiacent to the outer surface of section ii, which serves as half the table top when the case is open, the outer surface of section I2 serving as the other half of the table top, all as shown in Fig. 1. If

desired, these outer side walls may be covered with decorative fabric, as shown at 20.

Drawer i1 is supported for sliding movement by means of transverse supports 2| secured at their opposite ends to the end walls i5 of section II. The lower surface of drawer i1 is further provided with a drawer pull 24 and a spring locking element 25, all as shown in Fig. 3. Dishes and flatware are desirably carried in drawer ii, and conventional straps or other securing meansmay be employed for preventing movement of these articles while the case is being carried.

' Sections l l and ii are each provided with a pair of

leg structures

21 and 28 which are pivoted adiacent to walls 29, which walls 29 are the upper walls of the case when the same is closed, a handle structure 33 being secured to wall 29 on section ii. Each leg is supported in a substantially U shaped bracket 30 secured to end Walls IS, a pivot pin 3| passing through the opposed walls of the bracket and the leg. Bracket 30 is secured below edge 32, as shown in Fig. 4, in order that when the legs are in closed position they will. lie entirely within the confines of the case. The legs are rigidly maintained in open position by means of a lever 35 which is centrally pivoted at 36 in walls 29. A link 38 is pivotally connected at one end thereof by means of a. pivot pin 39 with leg 21, and at its opposite end an angular extension 4| is connected with one end of lever 35 by means of a Pivot pin 42. A link 45 is pivotally connected with leg 28 by means of a pivot pin 46, and at its opposite end an angular extension 41 is secured adiacent the opposite end of lever 35 by means of a The 2 aaeasas is formed with a cut-out portion forming an edge serving as a locking bolt. When the legs are in fully open position, edge I lies substantially in alignment with pivot pins 42 and I8, and when in this position such edge is engaged by a projection 52 on a spring catch I3 secured at its inner end to wall 20 by means of rivets 54. A headed plunger 55 is positioned within an aperture 58 in wall 20, the head engaging the inner suriace of spring catch 53, as shown in Fig. 6. When it is desired to release lever 35, the plunger 55 is moved inwardly, as shown in Fig. '7, thus causing a. projection 52 to leave edge 60 and permit the legs to be folded.

In order to give the several legs additional stability when in open position, a second link 51 is pivotally secured at one end thereof, as at 58, to the leg at a point slightly below pivots 39 "d 46, and at its opposite end link 51 is s .1122 at to an angle bracket 6i which is slightly spaced from each U shaped support 30. In section it a. generally rectangular metal box 53 may be positioned, such section also being adapted to receive two or more folding chairs S5, and a thermos bottle 66 may be positioned at each end of box 64, thus completing the picnic equipment assembly. When the case is in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, the upper meeting edges thereof are secured by means of conventional locking elements 61. The number of chairs which section i2 may carry may be increased by making this section somewhat deeper than section II.

What I claim is:

1. In a picnic outfit having a pair of complemental hinged sections which when closed form a carrying case, and when opened form a table top, the combination of a leg structure at each corner area of the case, said leg structure bein foldable transversely completely into the open case, and means for rigidly securing the legs in open table supporting relation, said means comprising a lever which is centrally pivoted on the position.

inner surface of each end wall of the open case,

a leg at a point spaced from the pivotal mounting of such leg, and means releasably securing such lever against movement.

2. In a table structure having a pair of complemental hinged sections which when closed form a carryin case, and when opened form a table top, the combination of a leg structure at each corner of the open table foldable transversely completely into the open case, and means for rigidly securing the legs in open table supporting position comprising a substantially centrally pivoted hinged lever, links connecting opposite ends of the lever with the legs, and stop means for securing the lever in open HENRY ROTHSCHILD.