US2602442A

US2602442A - Split top cover shelf support mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2602442A
Application number: US112553A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Clarence R Graham
Original assignee: JAMES GRAHAM Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: JAMES GRAHAM Manufacturing CO
Priority date: 1949-08-26
Filing date: 1949-08-26
Publication date: 1952-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1969-07-08

Description

C. R. GRAHAM, JR

SPLIT TOP COVER SHELF SUPPORT MECHANISM July 8, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 26, 1949 mmvraze. Clam/var A Gem/AM (Jfal y 8, 1952 c. R. GRAHAM, JR 2,602,442

SPLIT TOP COVER SHELF SUPPORT MECHANISM Filed Aug. 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 HVVENTUR. 6240mm; A Gen/aw J2.

BY aw$ y 8, 1952 c. R. GRAHAM, JR 2,602,442

SPLIT TOP COVER SHELF SUPPORT MECHANISM Filed Aug. 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V EN TOR. 62 4054/05 1Q Gwyn/1J0.

Patented July 8, 1952 SPLIT Tor COVER SHELF SUPPORT MECHANISM Clarence R. Graham, Jr., Newark, Calif., assignor to James Graham Manufacturing 00., Newark, Calii'., a corporation of California Application August 26, 1949, Serial No. 112,553

The present invention relates to folding or drop shelves such as used on cooking ranges and particularly those having a sectional hinged top cover foldableon its longitudinal median line to stand the sections on edge against the back guard rail of the stove, the outer section being suppor table as a horizontal utility shelf if desired.

.In constructions making use of a section of the top cover of a cooking range as a shelf, and

with drop shelves generally, some form of support or prop to support the shelf in horizontal position must necessarily be included. It is important that the form of prop provided be such as to give dependable support when in use and be so located with respect to the working top of the range as not to interfere with free use of the working spaces on and adjacent each side of the range.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a construction which so combines the'prop with the range and its shelf as fully to meet the requirements above stated through use of novel features which serve to locate the props awayfrom the range surface when supporting the shelf and to prevent accidental dislodgement of the props .and consequent fall of the shelf. Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which will enable the props to be folded away under the shelf and securely held there when not in use but easily manipulated to bring them into either active or idle position.

The foregoing, as well as other advantages, have been achieved through employment of the simple and inexpensive structures and arrangements of parts hereinafter specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

where: a

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the upperhalf portion of a cooking range having a sectional cover shown in raised position with the props in shelf supporting position.

Figure 2 is a similar end elevation of the range, etc., seen in Figure 1. I Y

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional end view of the shelf and adjacent back section of therange seen in Figure 2 with surface metal cut away to disclose underlying parts.

Figure 4 is a similar front view of the structure seen in Figure 3 as viewed on section line 4-4 of that figure.

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view-of the shelf corner seen in Figures 3 and 4 viewed from above, with surface metal cut away to disclose underlying parts.

Figures 6 and 7 are sectional detail views simi- 6 Claims. (Cl. 126-214) ,lar to Figures and 5v but showing a modifiedv form of the invention, and v t Figure 8 is a sectional detail view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

The novel features characterizing the present invention are herein disclosed in'connection with a conventional cooking'grang comprising "the rectangular body It and back 'railll'i'. The top cooking units or burners l2, andithe working top ofthe range generally, areTshown'as provided with a known form, of. sectional cover composed of twin sections [3 hingedly connected together at M and with the inner one of the twin cover sections hinged to the range top at 15. Such arrangement provides a cover which can lie'on the range top in the position shown in' broken lines on Figure 2'or can be folded to stand vertically against the back rail H with the outer section either, closed, .as indicated in broken lines, ,or supported in horizontal position above the range to form a utility shelf. An improved form of support for the outer orshelf section of such a cover, as well as for single drop shelves, forms the subject matter of the present invention. 7

The hinged cover sections (3 are pan'shaped, to close over the elevated burner units'l2, and therefore have a circumferential depending flange I6. For the purposes of thepresent invention the flange I6 on the shelf forming outer section of the cover is formed or provided on the ends and outer side with a re-entrant flange l! lying parallel to and spaced from the under side of the cover section, At each forward corner of this section the upper surfaceof flange I! has fixed thereto a corner piece l8 which serves to carry one of the two props used to support the shelf section at its opposite ends. As the two props and associated parts are identical in ar-' rangement at each end, mere reversal being involved, only one end will be specifically described. The corner piece It above mentioned is angularinform' to fit within'the corner of the shelf section (Figure 5)fand is riveted or otherwise fixed on the inner side of flange H. The corner piece I8 is formed with opposite upright ears I9. A bracket comprising a wingjplate 20 is located between the ears l9 and has complemental' ears 2| adjacent one edge contacting ears I!) and pivoted thereto onpivot pins 22 so that it may rock on an axis transverse to the length of shelf section [3. The body of wing plate 20' projects outwardly from its pivot and the wing thus provided forms the bracket or carrier for the prop 23 the right angles to the axis on which the wing plate is pivoted. The prop 23 i thus pivoted to the under side of shelf section l3 by a gimbal-like joint which permits the prop to swing towards and fromthe back railof the range as well as longitudinally towards and from the under side of shelf section 13. When the outer shelf section is not in use as such, the prop-23 is provided with means (Figure 5) for retaining or housing it on the under side of the shelf section within the confines of the marginal flanges l6, H, with the free end of the prop resting on the re-'en.-;

23 is formed with a nose cam 25 on its pivot end which is adapted to ride over an end roll 26a formed on a leaf spring 26 secured to an ear 28 on wing plate by a bolt and nut 29. With this arrangement, moving the free end of prop 23 onto flange I! after the prop ha been swung to the under side of the shelf section will cause the nose cam to ride over roll 26a against spring resistance and releasably hold the prop in the position seen in Figure 5.

Each of the foldable props 23 is arranged to have its free end swing into position for lodgment in the end portions of back rail I 1 near the upper edge thereof where a slot 21 is provided in the face of the back rail to receive it. As the slot .lies clear of the position occupied by the end of the sectional cover when folded against the back rail, the prophas a, straight end 23 offset from its pivoted upper end sufliciently to bring it on the vertical plane coinciding with the longitudinal middle line .of the slot. Inc dental- ,ly, the offset in the prop also serves to force the end 23 into frictional contact with flange I! when the prop is folded away and eliminate any loose play. The slot 21 admits the end of the prop to a downwardly inclined guide channel 30, Figure '3, formed on the upper end of a vertical plate 3| mounted on a second plate 32 which is secured to a standard 33, forming one of theback rail supports, by bolts 34 which engage a perpendicular flange 35 on the rear edge of the plate. The plate 3| carryingthe guidev channel is preferably connected to the second plate 32 for angular adjustment about a pivot at 33 through provision of a slot and bolt connection at 31. This provides for adjustment of guide channel 3|] to the angle required to support the shelf section in exact horizontal position when the prop is lodged in the channel with its end abutting the standard 33. As shownin Figures 3 and 5, the free end of prop 23 is given a gooseneck shape terminating in a downward facing hook 38. This hookis adapted to engage, under certain conditions, in an aperture 39 formedin a flange 40 onthe forward edgeof plate 32. With the structure just described the prop 23 can not be unintentionally withdrawn from the slot 21, as hook .38 will engage the aperture 39 when the end of the prop reaches the slot if the prop is riding its lower edge of its own weight. However, if disconnection is desired, lifting the props, so that they ride the upper edge of the slot, willlift the shelf while causing the hooks 38 to clear the lower edge of the slot, due tothe gooseneck conformation of the prop ends, whereupon the props can be folded against the underside of the shelf section, as before described, and the shelf or cover, lowered. Thereforerelease of the shelf can be effected onlyby grasping and manipulating the props and accidental dropping of the shelf and cover with the props swinging free, as could occur if mere lifting of the shelf were required for release, is eliminated.

The species of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 of the drawings represents a modified form of construction in which the provisions against accidental release of the props, above described, are not included. This species is disclosed in combination with a conventional cooking range comprising the working top 49 and back rail 50 together with a folding top cover composed of twin sections 5! hinged together at 52 and hinged to the range top at 53. This provides a cover for the range top which can be either folded against the back rail or used with the outersection forming a utility shelf, as previously described. The outer or shelf forming section of the cover is of the same construction as heretofore described, having the circumferential depending flange 54 which is formed on the outer side of the shelf forming section with a re-entrant flange 55. The dependent flange 54 at 'each end of this section in this species has the prop support secured to its inner side and as the propattachments and related parts are'the same at each end of the shelf section only one will be described in detail. f V

In this species the prop is directly oonnected'to the inner side of flange 54 by means of spaced ears 56 on which the wing bracket 5'! is pivoted by pivot pins 58. The wing bracket is shown as triangular in form with theprop 59 pivoted to the projecting apex of the bracket at 60, thus forming a gimbal-like joint between the prop and shelf section. This allows the prop to be folded under the top of the shelf section longitudinally thereof with its end portion resting on flange 55, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the shelf section is not in use, or to engage in the back rail when functioning as a shelf support.

Provision for lodgement of the prop end on the back rail consists of the slot 61 in the upper portion of the rail, adjacent the position occupied bythe end of the vertical section of the folded cover, and an inclined guide piece 62 secured toone wing 63 of an angle iron standard constituting one of the back rail supports the other wing '64 of which serves as the'abutment for the end of the prop. To facilitate introduction of the props in slots 6| and avoid binding at the slot when as the props are being withdrawn as the shelf is lifted, the ends are beveled on the lower edge as at 65. As the pivot mounting for the props is on the end flange 54 in this species of the invention, little or no ofiset of the prop ends is needed to align them with slots 6|.

As the safety catch is omitted in this species, the props can either be manipulatedas described in connection with the species of Figures 1 to 5 or they can be withdrawn from the back rail by simply lifting the shelf and then folded beneath the shelf section and. onto the supporting flange 55. 7

It will be noted that the invention disclosed provides a fold away shelf support for cooking ranges, or the like which iswell away from the range top when the shelf is in use and in which the prop ends have comparatively deep lodgement in theback rail as'a primary provision against accidental release. Mere jarring of the shelf can not withdraw the props from the back rail. The invention is, of course, applicable to metal drop shelves generally and has been illustrated in connection with a folding range top as butone possible form. Modifications in details ofconstruction obviously could be made without departure from the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a drop shelf structure for a range, or the like, having a cooking top, a back rail, and a cover hingedly supported on the range above the top and foldable towards and away from the back rail, with the forward section of the cover being adapted to serve as a drop shelf; a prop pivotally connected to the underside of the shelf adjacent the forward edge thereof to swing towards and from the back rail, and complemental means on the back rail and free end of the prop for lodging the free end of the prop and preventing its unintentional withdrawal, comprising a vertical slot formed in the face of the back rail, an abutment in the back rail spaced rearwardly from the slot, a guide member extending rearwardlyat a downward inclination from the upper end of the slot towards the abutment and fixed in the back rail, a depending terminal hook on the free end of the prop and means adjacent the lower end of the slot and lying in the path of said hook for engagement thereby when the prop end rides the lower edge of the slot on outward travel.

2. In a drop shelf structure for a range, or the like, having a cooking top, a back rail, and a cover hingedly supported on the range above the top and foldable towards and away from the back rail, with the forward section of the cover being adapted to serve as a drop shelf; a prop pivotally connected to the underside of the shelf adjacent the forward edge thereof to swing towards and from the back rail, and means on the back rail for lodging the free end of the prop comprising a vertical slot formed in the face of the back rail, an abutment in the back rail spaced rearwardly from said slot, and a guide member extending rearwardly at a downward inclination from the upper end of said slot towards said abutment and fixed in the back rail.

3. In a, drop shelf structure for a range, or the like, having a cooking top, a back rail, and a cover hingedly supported on the range above the top and foldable towards and away from the back rail, with the forward section of the cover being adapted to serve as a drop shelf; a supporting prop connected to the underside of the shelf adjacent a forward corner thereof by a double pivot support having axes disposed at right angles, means on the back rail for receiving the free end of the prop, and said shelf being formed with a depending marginal flange on its forward edge having an inturned lower edge forming a re-entrant flange spaced from the underside of the shelf, whereby the prop may be folded under the shelf and its end swung onto the upper side of the re-entrant flange when idle, or swung towards the back rail to engage said receiving means for supporting the shelf.

4. In a drop shelf structure for a range, or the like, having a cooking top, a back rail, and a cover hingedly supported on the range above the top and foldable towards and away from the back' rail, with the forward section of the cover being adapted to serve as a drop shelf; a prop connected to the underside of the shelf adjacent the forward edge thereof by a support having pivotal connections with the shelf and prop the respective axes of which are at right angles, and means on the back railfor receiving the free end of the prop, whereby the prop may be folded under the shelf when idle, or swung to engage said means on the back rail to support the shelf.

5. The combination of a hingedly supported shelf, a prop connection at an end of the shelf comprising a bracket pivoted on the underside of the shelf to swing longitudinally thereof, a prop for the shelf pivotally connected to the bracket on an axis at right angles to the pivot axis of the bracket, prop supporting means on the underside of the shelf adapted to receive and support the free end of the prop upon movement of the prop on its pivotal connection to the bracket after the bracket and prop have been swung to the underside of the shelf, andv means carried by the bracket for yieldably retaining the prop on said prop supporting means.

6. The combination of a hingedly supported shelf, a prop connection at an end of the shelf comprising a bracket pivoted on the underside of the shelf to swing longitudinally thereof, a prop for the shelf pivotally connected to the bracket on an axis at right angles to the pivot axis of the bracket, and prop supporting means on the underside of the shelf adapted to receive and support the free end of the prop upon movement of the prop on its pivotal connection to the bracket after the bracket and propv have been swung to the underside of the shelf.

CLARENCE R. GRAHAM, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: