US2397528A - Seat table - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1946. P. RANDWEN SEAT TABLE Filed Oct. 7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO R N EY April 2, 1946. P. BRANDWEN SEAT TABLEv 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 7, 1942 m mi www@ W O mT/m R BWM,

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P. BRANDWEN 2,397,528

SEAT TABLE Filed oct. 7, 1942 s sheets-sheet sA Aprile, 1946.

Patented Apr. 2, -1946 UNITED ,STATES PATENT" oFFicE sns'r TABLE Paul Brandwen, Scranton, Pa. Application october 7, 1942, serial No. 461,133

t 5 Claims. This' invention relates generally to combination table and chair constructions and more particufor the child within which it is safely' supported.-

A still further object herein lies in the provision table. taken similarly to Figure l, but showing the same in a collapsed condition thereof.

vFigure 3 is a fragmentary vvertical sectional view taken similarly to Figure 1 showing the position taken by the chair parts when the movable panel of the table working surface is moved to the forward or open position thereof,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical ysectional view taken similarly to Figure 1 but showing the.

position taken by the chair parts when the weight of an occupant (not shown) is placed thereon.

Figure ii is a plan view of the chair table,

. slightly reduced in scale, with the movable panel of a novel seat-table in which the child if it so desires may cause the seat to swing.

Another object herein lies in the provision oi seat-table structure in which the table portion affords ample play and eating space for the child and in which the play space may be amplified with a sxooth unbroken plane surface when the shud is able to stand and to play at the table.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the working surface of the table is surrounded by an elevated edge which prevents the childs toys and other objects from falling off said working surface.

Anotherobject herein lies in the provision of structure which facilitates the placing into and removal of the child from the seat in the seattable.

Another object herein is the provision of structure having the aforementioned characteristics and which is simple in construction and efdcient Figure l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a chair table kembodying the invention.

In this figure the chair table is shown in an erected condition and thechair parts are shown in the position taken thereby when the movable panel of the table working surface is in the rear or closed position thereof.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the chair in the forward, open, or second position thereof. Figure 6 is a, bottom plan view of the chair table with the movable parts shown in the positions they would occupy if seen as in Figure 4.

\ In accordance with the invention, the chair or seat table, generally indicated by numeral I0, is

comprised by the table Il and the chair or seat The table il includes a table top I3 and a plurality of legs Il. ,The legs are preferably four in number and are secured'at the corners of thel table frame I5 in foldable relation thereto by any suitable means i6, as known inthe art to which this invention relates. Such means are well known by reason of their use in connection with folding bridge tables; and they permit the 'legs I4 to be locked either in a vertical position as` shown in Figure 1 or in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 2. The lower terminals of the legs Il are preferably provided with casters i1 which permit the seat table lli to be wheeled about when in use.

The table frame Il is preferably composed of wood or other similar material and includes a front frame member I9, left side frame member 20, right side frame .member 2i and a pair of spaced and parallel reenforcing members 22. The ends ofthe frame membersv I-ZI inclusive are suitably joined as for example by means of screws which penetrate orifices in the side frame members and engage the ends of the front and rear frame members. The reenforcing members have the ends thereof secured to the inner opposed surfaces of the front and rear frame members IB, and I9, Each of the frame members |8-2I These grooves are located upon the inner surfaces of the frame members in which they are disposedy and the groove 2l in the front frame member leads into an elongated slot 28 in said frame member.'Y ,The height of the slot 2l is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of the Ais provided with a groove24,21 respectively.

movable panel 29, and-the width of said slot is also preferably greater than the lpanel 29.

The movable panel is flanked on both sides by stationary panels 38 and 3l. The panels 29-3| inclusive form the working surface 32 and may lbe superposed by an auxiliary working surface 33 (Figure 1), more fully described hereinbelow.

The stationary panel 30 is of oblong shape and has the forward edge thereof engaged within the groove 24, the rear edge thereof engaged within the groove 25, andthezouter side edge thereof engaged within thegroove 26. The inner side edge 34 of the panel 30 Vrests upon the upper surface 35 of the reenforcing member 22. The stationary panel 3l is' of oblong shape and has the forward edge thereof engaged within the groove 24, the rear edge thereof ,engaged within the groove 25, and the outer side edge thereof engaged within the groove 21. The inner side edge 36 o f the panel 3l rests upon the upper surface 31 of the reenforcing member 23. The stationary side panels `30 and 3l are preferably secured in place by the clamping action thereupon of the table frame members l8-2I inclusive by making the said stationary panels a tight t therewith. Since the edge of the panels 39 and 3l is enclosed within the bordering grooves on three edges thereof, the

edges 34 and 36 may be positively secured to the reenforcing members 22 and 23 respectively by any suitable means suchl as screws or brads not shown.

I'he inner opposed edges 34 and 36 of the stationary panels and 3| together with the' exposed portions of the upper surfaces and 31 form guideways for the horizontal reciprocation of the panel 29. The panel 29 has amxed to the lower surface thereof, a transverse reenforcement `rear edge 45 of the panel 29 and also to' prevent vertical movement of said panel by reason of the engagement of its terminals 4l and 42 in the ways 43 and 44. Vertical movement of the forward portion and front edge 46 of the panel 29 is prevented by the portion of the front frame member I8 overlying the slot 28. Rearward movement of the panel 29 is limited by the terminals ascuas frame members, on one hand, and the side frame members on the other hand.

'I'he chair or seat I2 comprises a back rest 55, a seat portion 56, a leg rest 51 and a foot rest 58. The back rest 55 is pivotally connected at its lower edge 59 to the rear edge 69 by any suitable means such as 'the hinges 6|. The upper edge 62 of the leg rest 51 is pivotally connected to the undersurface 63 of the seat 56 adjacent thev forward edge 64 of said seat by any suitable means such as the hinges 65. The foot-rest 58 is prosuspending means generally indicated by numeral 1i which is preferably in the form of' opposed pairs of hangers 12, 13,' 14, and 15. The said hangers are preferably elongated strips which are pivotally connected attheir upper ends to the inner surfaces 39 and 40 of the reenforcing mem bers 22 and 23. The lower ends of said hangers are pivotally connected to the side edges 16 and 11 of the seat portion 56, the hangers on each 4I and 42 meeting the rear ends 41 of the ways 43 and 44, while forward movement of the panel 29 is limited by said terminals meeting the forward ends 48 of the ways. The forward movement of panel 29, when the latter is in the rear or closed position thereof is controlled by a, turn vbutton latch 49. The rear edge of the panel 29 is preferably curved at the outer ends thereof to more nearly conform to the shape of the occupants body at that level, The lower surface of the reenforcement 38 is provided with first connector anchoring means 94 which may take the pairs of inner surfaces pn the front and rear side of the said portion being preferably parallel to each other so that in any vertically altered position the seat 56 will remain at all times Parallel to the working surface 32. 'I 'he seat portion 56 thus has a pendulum action and a child seated thereon may swing the seat forward and backward 4for its amusement or comfort. The lower ends of the hangers 12-15 may be pivotally connected directly to the side edges 16 and 11 of the seat portion 56 or by means of brackets 94-81 as shown.

, The leg rest at the upper portion thereof is connected to the reenforcing members 22 and 23 by means of a. pair of long links 19 and 19. The said links are preferably composed of rigid material and pivotally connected at the upper ends thereof to the outer surfaces '89 and 8| of the reenforcing members 22 and 23. These pivotal points of connection are preferably coaxial with the points of connection of the upper ends of therear hangers 13 and 15. 'I'he lower ends of the links 18 and 19 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the flange members 61. In order to permit free movement of the links they are preferably maintained parallel to each other by means of spacers 82.

The forward edge 64 of the seat 56 has preferably vpermanently attached theretoaflexible connector 88 which may take the form of a strap made of leather or webbing. 'I'he rear end 89 of the connector 8-8 may, for example, be secured to the undersurface of the seat 56 -by means of rivets 90. The forward or normally upper end 9| of the connector 88 is provided with means 92 to detachably attach said end to the rear portion of the movable panel 29. I have found a practical construction to involve the use of an ordinary harness typesnap hook 93 and first anchoring means in the form of a screw eye 94, the

' latter being threadedly engaged through the surface 59 of the transverse reenforcement 38. 'Ihe inner or rear surface of the front frame member I8 is provided with second anchoring means 96 which may be engaged by the .means 92,-

terminals of which are secured in the frame member I8 Operation Assuming the device toire in the condition shown in Figure 2 the erecting of the chair table l to its normally operating'condition is a relatively simple matter. Each of the legs Il is in turn pulled out to its vertical position at which it will normally become locked. The table may then be stood upon the four casters., The chair or seat generally indicated by numeral 'l2 will still be in the position show n in Figure 2 although the legs I4 of the table I0 will appear as seen in Figure 1. (One of the legs in Figure 2 is .omitted for clarity.) Next the snap hook 62 an undesirable space between said edge and his body is not produced through which food and toys may -be dropped. The panel 29 in its rear position is secured by a rotation of the latch 49 tothe position thereof seen best in Figure 1.

4--'I'he connector 2l also prevents the child from lfalling forwardly vbetween the forward edge 64 ofthe seat 66 and the rear edge 46 'of the panel 2|, `because the child straddles the connector I9.

is unhooked from the transverse rod 9`|` and the weight of the seat l56 as well as the leg rest 61 and the foot rest 58.will cause these parts to take the position shown in Figure 1. (The foot rest 58 must be manually lowered to the extended position shown in Figure l.) The back rest 55 will however be in a horizontal position superposing the upper surface of the seat 56. Next the back rest 55 is rotated upwardly about the hinges 6| until it takes the position shown in Figure 1 with the rear surface of said back position shown in Figures 3 and 5 in-full'lines' and in Figure 1 in dot-dash lines. It will be noted that in this position the foot and leg rests are pulled rearwardly out vof the way by theV action of the links 18 and 19; also the back rest 55 is placed ln a more inclined position and the seat 56 is elevated and moved forwardly. With the panel 29 in its forward position as best seen in Figure 5, two convenient openings or passages Illll are provided on either side of the flexible connector 88 through which the childs i feet may be easily inserted. In the case of young children whose intelligence is not far advanced and who do not assist in their'placement in the device I0, this featuretis of great value since even if the child squirms, his placement upon the seat 55 may be quickly and conveniently accomplished.

It may .be mentioned at this point that in devices of the class to which the present inven-` tion relates, it is well known touse auxiliary padding which covers the seat 56 and the back rest 55 as well aslthe hangers'12-15, and for that reason as well as to aid in the clarity of the drawings such padding has not been illustrated therein. It is also common to use a form of harness composed of light webbing to prevent the child from removing himself from the device l0. This harness is also not illustrated for the same reason.

After the child is properly seated, the panel 29 is moved to' its rear position causing the rear edge 45'to take the position shown in Figure 4 so that it is quite close `to the childs body and After the'child is properly seated upon the seat 56, the panel 29 is moved to its rear position at `which time the devicef I6 will have its parts positioned substantially as shown in Figures 4 rest 61. i

In Iorder togcollapse the devicev i6, it becomes necessary only to remove the child-harness andpadding; fold the foot rest against the leg rest; unhook the hook 96 from the screw eye 94 and to pull the hook forwardly and hook it upon the transverse rod 91 of the second anchoring means 96. 'I'his will return the parts to the position shown in Figure 2. Unlocking and folding the legs Il, completes the collapsing of the device I0.

While the movement of the panel 29' to its forward position has been described as facilitating the placing of the child in the chair table I0.'

i facilitate the withdrawal of the child.

As the child grows older, it will be desirable to use the present device as a play table next to' which the child may, stand. The table may be uused with the chair parts in the position shown in Figure 2 but with the legs M vertically extended, of course. When so' used the working surface 32 will have a relatively. large orifice bordered by the inner side edges 34. 86, the rear edge l5, and the rear frame member i9. There will also be cracks between the side edges of the panel 29 and side edgesl 34 and 36. These hiati in the surface 92 are overcome by the use of the auxiliary working surface 33 which is placed upon the surface 82 and within the confines of the inner surfaces of Athe frame members y l8-2I. During the period when the child desires to both slt upon the seat 56 and to use the device as a play table, the auxiliary working surface 33 may be used by merely dropping the back rest 55 about the hinges 6i. The childs .interests in` the device as almeans for amusement, entertainment, and education may be heightened by suitably decorating the upper and lower surface/of the auxiliary working surface 38 with games.

blackboards, or slates, and similar accessories.

1 When the chair parts are in the position shown in Figure 2, an opening IM is presented which is bordered by the reenforcing members 22 and 22, the rear frame member i9 and the lower edge 59 of the backrest 55, within which, depending upon the size of the parts,l a child may stand and support himself by leaning against the 'parts bordering said opening. Thus with the legs Il extended in vertical position the casters i1 permit the child to push the device l0 about, at the same time using it as a support. The device lli vshown and described, for obvious modification will occur to a person skilled in the art.

i I claim: Y

1. A collapsible combination chair table andy walker lfor use by a child, comprising: a table having a working surface with an opening therein sufficiently large for the child to stand erect therein when said working surface is in a horizontal position; a plurality of foldable legs connected to said table, said legs in the erected vposition thereof being located outwardly of the border of said opening to provide an unobstructed space therebeneath avoiding interference with the legs of the standing child; a foldable chair movabiy connected to said table and adapted in a rst position thereof to lie below said opening to support'l the child in a seated condition and in a second position thereof` to be laterally displaced with respect to said opening to provide an unobstructed space beneath the opening avoiding the interference with the legs of the standing child; and means to detachably secure -said chair in the second position thereof.

Y 2. A'combination chair table, for use by a child, comprising: a table having xed working surface means with an opening therein, and a movable panel supported on said means; a chair movably mounted on said table below'said opening and adapted to have a lower positionl and an upper position, the said upper position being closer to the working surface; and means connect.

ing the chair with the panel for movement of the chair in correlation to movement of the panel, whereby movement of theI movable panel in a direction to enlarge the eilectlve size of said opening automatically shifts the chair from the lower be disposed closer to said working surface; first anchoring means connected to the working surface of the table; second anchoring means connected to the table at a point more distant from said opening than the. nrst anchoring means; and a detachable connector adapted in a iirst position thereof to -interconnectsaid chair and `position thereof adapted to interconnect' said chair and said second anchoring means, said connector then acting to maintain said'chair in the said folded position thereof.

4. A combination collapsible chair and table for use'by a child, comprising: a table having a working surface with an opening therein: a chair movably mounted on said table below the opening; a leg rest pivotally connected to said chair; and a link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said table and at the other end thereof to said leg rest at a point on said leg rest spaced from said point of pivotal interconnection.

5. A combination chair table for use by a child, comprising: a. table having fixed working surface means with an orifice therein, and a movable panel supported on said means; la chair having a seat portion, said chair being movably mounted on said table below said orifice; a leg rest movf ably mounted on said seat portion; said chair being adapted to have a lower position Aand an upper position, the said upper position being closer to the Working surface; means connecting said I leg rest and said table whereby when the chair is in the upper position thereof the'leg rest is retracted to al position below said seat portion; and second means connecting said movable panel and said seat portion whereby movement of the movable panel in` a. direction lto enlarge the effective size"v of said orifice automatically shifts the chair from the lower position to the upper position thereof, the increased size of the orifice, 4

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