US2639523A

US2639523A - Collapsible hinged table

Info

Publication number: US2639523A
Application number: US288152A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Beiger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-05-16
Filing date: 1952-05-16
Publication date: 1953-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-26

Description

May 26, 953 J. w. BEIGER 2,639,523

COLLAPSIBLE HINGED TABLE Filed May 16, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l 52 IV 24 m n15 I; J 5 INVENTOR.

Jo/ N W 55/6/52.

7 ATTORNEY May 26, 1953 J. w. BEIGER COLLAPSIBLE HINGED TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1952 INVENTOR. Jon/v W BE'IGEZ.

M W ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE HINGED TABLE John W. Beiger, South Bend, Ind.

ApplicationMay 16, 1952, Serial N 0. 288,152

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible tables, and more particularly to that type of table which is used in hand ironing and is commonly known as an ironing board.

The primar object of this invention is to provide a novel and simple construction of table having a top formed of two separate panels adapted to .be abutted when the table is erected, and having a novel leg and bracing structure for supporting the table panels in operative relation, said table being collapsiblev with said panels disposed in registering and confronting substan tially parallel relation. and said legs and supporting structure being located alongside and substantially parallel to one of said panels, whereby the entire structure is encompassed within a small space so that it may be conveniently and inexpensively packaged, handled and stored.

A further object is to provide a table of the character having at least two panels adapted for edge abutment when the table is erected. and a collapsible leg structure for supporting th tam top which has associated therewith a novel latch for holding all parts of th structure in opera.- tive erected position and in rigid relation to one another.

A further object is to provide a table for use as an ironing board having two panels which are disposed in end abutment and at a slight angle to each other, which are provided with a flexible covering connected at the outer ends of said panel and drawn taut so that the intermediate portion thereof is normally spaced above the central end portions of said top panels to provid .an air space between the cover and said panel.

A further object is to provide a table in the nature of an ironing board having a top formed of two parts disposed at a slight. angle to one another and each covered with a heat reflective metal foil material and overlaid by a flexible fabric cover connected to the opposite ends of said top structure and drawn taut so that the intermediate portion thereof is spaced above said heat reflecting material.

A further object is to provide a table in the nature of an ironing board, having a top formed of a pair of rigid panels and covered by a fabric connected at the opposite outer ends of said panels and free from the central portions of said panels so that said cover will fold to accommodate. relative movement of said top panels between erected and collapsed positions without requiring release or disconnection of said coverin irom said table top, and wherein the operation of extending said table top to the operation position will automatically extend and tighten said cover.

other objects will be apparent from t llowing specification.

In the drawin s:

Fig, 1 is a side view of the table top in erected position.

Fi is a fra mentary side v w il ust at g initial manipulation of the a le ward collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is another fragmentary side View of the table illustrating further movement thereof toward collapsed position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged bottom lace view of the table in completely collapsed position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the table in completely collapsed position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged. transverse sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Fig, 2, and illustrating the latch mechanism of the device.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 8-3 oi lEig.v 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 9 9 of 1 and illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, the numeral It designates one top panel and I2 designates a second top panel. The numeral 14 designates a front leg, and the numeral [6 designates a pair of rear legs.

The top panel I0 is preferably substantially rectangular and is of a length approximately equal to or slightly greater than the height at which the said panel is supported above floor level by the legs l4 and It. The legs 16 are pivotally connected to the panel 10 adjacent one end thereof by means of brackets, as best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8. The brackets are preferably U-shaped, having a web portion 1% bearing flat against the bottom surface of the table and secured fixedly thereto by securing members 2i]. Leg portions or flanges 22 project substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of the web l8 depending therefrom and apertured to receive a hinge pin .24. The brackets and the hinge pin 24 are positioned as best illustrated in Fig, 4 spaced from one end of the panel It, equally spaced from the longitudinal center line from the panel H1, and preferably equia-ngularly related to the said cen er li d djac nt and surface with their inner end portions closer to the end edge of the anel than from their outer ends, The brackets are preferably spaced inwardly from the outer longitudinal edges of the panel I0. Each leg member I6 has a beveled end surface 26 and has a bore extending through the end portion thereof with its axis substantially perpendicular to the bevel face 26, and receives the hinge pin or bar 24. The angle of the bevel 26 is correlated to the angular disposition of the mounting bracket so that the legs I6 will lie substantially parallel to each other and to the longitudinal edges of the panel I when said legs are in the collapsed position illustrated in Fig. 5. The same bevel arrangement causes the legs I6 to assume positions inclining downwardly and outwardly when the table is erected in the Fig. 1 position, the bevel in this instance being sufficient to space the free or lower ends of the legs I6 a distance greater than the width of the panel I0 and thus afford lateral stability to the table when erected.

The legs I6 preferably abut the outermost depending leg or flange 22 of the mounting bracket, and a bevel block or spacer 28 bears against the outer surface of each said leg. The blocks 28 are apertured and the hinge pin 24 extends through the aperture thereof and terminates in an enlarged head 30 hearing against the outer surface of said bevel block. A diagonal brace 32 is anchored at 34 to each leg I6 intermediate the length thereof and extends in upwardly diverging relation with respect thereto for face abutment with the innermost flange or depending leg 22 of each bracket. The pin 24 extends through an angularly bent end portion 36 of each brace 32 and has an enlarged head 38 bearing against the inner face of the brace portion 36.

A pair of laterally spaced brackets, secured to the panel I0 at the end thereof opposite that at which the legs I6 are mounted, serve to mount the front leg I4. Each of these brackets has a base plate 40 bearing in face engagement with the bottom surface of the panel I0 and positioned to project forwardly of the front edge 42 of the panel I0 so as to define a stop 44. Depending flanges 46 extend perpendicularly from the plates 40 in substantially parallel relation to one another spaced apart to receive the front leg I4 therebetween, said front leg being pivoted at 48 to the flanges 46. The pivot axis lies parallel to the abutting panel edge 42 and perpendicular to the longitudinal side edges of the panel, and the leg I4 is positioned substantially centrally between the longitudinal side edges of the panel I0 so that the leg I4 will lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal side edges of the panel I0 when collapsed as illustrated in Fig. 4, and will swing to an erected or operative position projecting longitudinally forwardly and downwardly as illustrated in Fig. l.

The panel I2 has rigid brackets or arms 50 secured at 52 to the rear portions of the opposite side edges thereof. These rigid arms are elongated and project rearwardly beyond the abutting edge 54 of the front panel to define similarly curved portions 56 which extend downwardly and rearwardly when the table is in erected position as illustrated in Fig. 1. The parts 56 preferably lie in parallel planes spaced apart a dimension slightly greater than the width of the panel I0. Each of these parts 56 has an aperture 58 formed therein for purposes to be described. Plates 60 bear against the bottom surface of the panel I2 at the rear portions of opposite side margins thereof and terminate'in portions 62 which project rearwardly beyond the rear edge 54 of the panel I2.

A pair of rigid brace members 64 are pivotally connected at 66 to the front leg I4 intermediate the length of that leg. The braces 64 extend divergently and angularly from the opposite sides of the leg I4 and each thereof is pivotally connected at 68 to the free end portion of a curved arm 56. A folding brace is pivotally connected at one end at 68 to each of the curved arms 56, and each thereof extends rearwardly to the adjacent rear leg and. is pivotally connected to the adjacent rear leg at I0 intermediate the length of the rear leg. Each folding brace comprises a rigid portion I2 pivoted at 68 and pivotall connected at I4 to the end of a second rigid brace part I6. Each brace part "I6 carries a stop I8 engageable with the adjacent leg I6, as illusstrated in Fig. 3, to limit the pivotal movement of the part I6 in one direction so that the part I6 will lie substantially parallel to the leg I6 when the stop I8 abuts said leg, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Each brace part I6 has a portion thereof projecting beyond the pivot connection I4 of the brace parts I2 and I6, and the part 80 mounts a laterally projecting pin 82 which is adapted to underlie and engage the other brace part I2 when said brace parts are extended in operative position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. An elongated spring 84 is fixedly anchored at 86 at one end portion thereof to the brace parts I2 spaced from the brace pivot "I4 and extends into engagement with the pin 82 and acts upon said pin in a direction to resist collapsing of the foldable brace from its extended or operative position illustrated in Fig. 1.

The various parts of the device, particularly the two table top panels and the legs, are interconnected by the structure heretofore described, but in a flexible manner which freely accommodates movement of the parts of the device from fully erected position illustrated in Fig. 1, to a fully collapsed position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Means are required in addition for the purpose of holding the table in its erected position illustrated in Fig. 1 with the table top parts in firmly supported end abutting engagement and with the legs locked in position to support the table top firmly at the desired level.

One form of releasable latching mechanism for holding the various parts of the table in erect position is illustrated in Figs. 4 to I, inclusive. As here illustrated this latching mechanism comprises a plate 90 which is fixedly securedto the panel I0 substantially centrally between the sides of that panel and adjacent to the brackets 40 to which the leg I4 is pivoted, said plate being secured by one or more screws or other securing members 92. The plate is apertured adjacent one end, as adjacent the left end as 'shown in Figs. 4 and '7, and a communicating aperture may be formed in the panel I 0. These apertures form a journal to rotatably receive a pin 94 carried by a block or plate 96, preferably of rectangular shape in cross-section, and which has projecting therefrom a handle part 98 by means of which the block 96 may be rotated or turned about the pin 94 as a pintle.

A pair of brackets, preferably of U-shape and each having a base plate I00 secured fixedly to the panel I0, are located at opposite sides of the plate 90 preferably adjacent the side edges of the panel I0. Each of these brackets has depending flange portions I02 which are apertured to slidably receive a latching bar or shaft I04. The brackets and their apertures are so oriented that the bars I04 extend laterally at a slight angle to the side edges of the panel I0, said bars I04 being substantially parallel and their terminal portions I06 being located at substantially the same distance from the front edge 42 of the panel I0. Laterally projecting parts I08 are carried. by the bars Ill l and each bears against one face of the member 96. The parts Hi8 are preferably apertured to slidably receive the opposite bar. This, arrangement is best illustrated in Fig. 4 in which it will be seen that the lateral projectin part Hi8 of the upper bar I04 bears. against the lower surface of the member 96v as viewed in said figure, and that the lateral projection I08 of the lower bar I04. bears against the uppersurface of they part 96 as viewed in said figure. Spring means are employed to hold the parts I08 in engagement with the part 95 and to urge the parts Hi8 toward each other. As here illustrated, said spring means may constitute a substantially U-shaped wire spring IIU; looped atits central part or bight and anchored by the screw I02 and having side runs bearing against the outer surfaces of projecting parts I08. The arrangement is such that when the parts are located as illustrated in Fig. l, the terminal ends I06 of the latching bars IM will be projecting laterally be yond the side edges of the panel Ill. The handle 98 may be gripped to rotate the part s6 and therebyto spread the projections I08 on the bars N34 to the extent required to retract the terminal portions Hit of the bars to a posiion substantially flush or within the over-all outline of the panel ill. The terminal portions I06 of the locking bars are adapted to seat in the apertures 58 of the arms 56 carried by the front panel portion I2 when the panels Ill and I2 are in edge abutment and in proper orientation so that the structure assumes the position illustrated in Fig. l.

The top surface of each of the panels ill and I2 preferably has adhered or otherwise secured thereto a sheet II2 of metal foil, such as aluminum foil, having high heat reflective properties. A flexible cover II-ll spans the .top of the panels It. and I2, being fixedly secured at I IE to the rear or outer end of the panel I9. and fixedly secured at IIS. tothe front or outer end of the panel I2.

feature ofthe invention, it may be incorporated ina table or ironing board in which the two angularly disposed panels are fixedly secured together at the desired angle, and this feature of the invention is therefore not limited to tables of the character in which the sections of the tabletop are movable relative to each other upon collapse of the table. The cover II4 may be formed ofany material found suitable and of the char-- acter well known in the art. Preferably it will consist of at least two webs, one a soft and compressible cushioning web which is positioned lowermost, and the other a fabric or cloth upper layer. Both layers will have sufficient flexibility and extensibility to permit them to be stretched to conform to the surface contour or angular disposition of the table top panels. Where a cushioning pad: is, used, it will: preferably be anehoredto the rear marginal portion of the panel I2, as by lacing or any other suitable means (not shown), in addition to. its anchorage at, H6 and H8. The outer or uppermost layer or sheet will be entirely free from the panels adjacent to the joint between panels. and will be anchored to the panels only at their ends H6 and IIS although the longitudinal or side edges of the cover may be secured to the side margins of. the panels for a short distance from each outer end thereof, if desired, for the purpose of assisting in holding the cover II4 flat. The longitudinal securement must be very short in any instance, however, so as not to interfere with the full collapse of the table to the position illustrated in Fig. 5 in which. the panel I2 overlies a substantial part of the panel I0.

Assuming that the table is erected in the Fig. 1 position, it may be collapsed as follows: Thev table. will preferably be supported on end, that is, at the end I I6 .thereof, with the table top extending substantially vertically. Thereupon the handle portion 98 for the cam member 96 is swung to rotate the cam member and separate the lateral projections I08 of the locking bars I04 to withdraw the terminal portions Hi5 of said bars from the apertures 58 of the rearwardly projecting rigid arms or brackets 56 carried by the panel I2. This releases the part I2 so that it may swing clear of the part II), as illustrated in Fig. 2. The folding braces I2, I6 for the rear legs ill will, preferably be partially folded before or immediately after manipulation of the latch, and the parts are thereafter free to move in such a manner that the part I2 moves along the upper or top surface of the panel I0 through theposition illustrated in Fig. 3 to a position as illustrated in Fig. 5. The legs pivot incident to this movement with the front leg I l pivoting rearwardly and the rear legs I8 pivoting forwardly. In the fully collapsed. position the front panel I2 will bear fiat upon and be positioned substantially centrally of the panel I0 and parallel thereto. The legs I l and I6 will lie in a substantially common plane substantially parallel to one another, as viewed in Fig. 4, and substantially parallel to the planes of the panels I0 and I2 as illustrated in Fig. 5. This results in a reduction of the overall dimensions of the table to a length and width substantially equal to the length and width of the panel Ill and to a depth or thickness only slightly greater than the combined thicknesses of the panels It and I2 and the legs I l and I6, which thickness is determined principally by the dimensions of the bracket portions 22 on which the legs I6 are pivoted and the bracket portion 46 to which the leg It is pivoted. This small and compact arrangement permits storage ofthe table in a small space, reduces the dimensions of a package for encasing the table for shipment, and facilitates handling of the collapsed table.

Erection of the table involves a sequence of operations or steps the reverse of those described above and as required for collapsing the table. In this connection, it is interesting to observe that the final movements of the parts to erect the table include acts of abutting the edges 32 and 5d of the two panels at a substantial angle to one another, as illustrated in Fig 2, followed by swinging of the panel I2 toward alignment with the panel It. This entails a swinging of the brackets as about the abutting panel edges to bring the apertures 58 thereof into alignment with the terminal ends I08 of the locking bars The armsffi adjacent to the apertures 58 will preferably be beveled todefine cams (not shown) which will facilitate movement of the parts as required to deflect or retract the spring pressed bars I04 when the same are engaged and until the apertures 58 are brought into register with the terminal bar portions I00. Thereupon the terminal ends I06 of the lockin bars I04 snap into the apertures 58.

The panels I and I2 are held in desired rela tion and against displacement by the fact that the plates 40 of the front leg pivoting brackets which are carried by the panel II] project beyond the front edge 42 of the panel I0 and underlie and engage the rear margin of the panel I2. Similarly, the parts 62 of the plates 60, fixedly carried by and in face engagement with the bottom of the panel I2 at opposite sides thereof, underlie and engage the front margin of the panel I0. Consequently, when the panel ends 42 and 54 are brought into engagement as shown in Fig. 2, these parts form guides which assist in pivoting of the panels toward the operative erected position, and furthermore, when the table has been erected in the Fig. 1 position, said stops, together with the locking engagement of the arms 56 with the looking bars I04 at points rearwardly and downwardly relative to the abutting edges of the panels, serve as means to effectively hold the parts in operative relation. In this connection, of course, the braces 84 and 72-16 for the legs also cooperate toward the accomplishment of the maintenance of the operative erected position of the parts. The action of all the parts to achieve the mutual purpose of reinforcing, supporting and rigidifyin the structure, is automatic with the exception of the requirement for manual manipulation of the folding braces 72, 15. The extension of these braces to position the rear legs operatively will preferably be performed after the interlock of the bar ends I06 in the brace apertures 58 has been accomplished.

In the erected position of the parts the cooperation of the various parts to maintain the erected position may be readily analyzed. Thus it will be apparent that, by reason of the abutment of the panel edges 42 and 44 and the provision of the

plates

40 and 62 upon said parts, each engaging the other panel part, lateral displacement or tilting of one of the panels relative to the other is prohibited. Longitudinal displacement of the panels is likewise prohibited 7 by the cooperation of the aforementioned parts together with the interlock of the locking bars I04 with the apertures 58 of the arms 56. The latching of the brackets 56, together with the abutment of the panels, serves to position the pivot 68 fixedly, and, consequently, the front leg I4 will automatically be positioned in operative and desired relaton when the interlock is effected at 8I06, because the braces 64 extending to the front leg and pivoted at the point 63 are rigid. The same condition will apply with reference to the positioning of the rear legs as soon as the rear folding braces are extended to the Fig. 1 position so as to become rigid, because these braces IE-"I0 are likewise pivoted at the fixed point 68. As soon, however, as the braces 'I2-'I6 are folded and the interlock 58-406 is released, then all of the parts are free to move and to swing to collapsed position.

While I have illustrated and described a construction in which the panels I0 and I2 are positioned at an angle to one another when erected, this is not necessary. In some tables, and even in some iron boards, it may be desired to have the two panels lie in a common plane. Thus in 36 per cent.

an ironing board, if a perforated top construction, as distinguished from an imperforate top construction, is used, then the need for angular disposition to provide the air space I20 is overcome and a perfectly flat composite table top is fully operative.

The angular position of the panels I0, I2 01. the table top in an ironing board construction, so that the flexible cover I I4 anchored to the opposite ends of that table top will be spaced above the intermediate portion of the table top at the space I20, is of considerable importance and advantage in ironing. The reason for this advantage is that the air space I20 serves as a ventilation and speeds the operation of ironing.

I have made comparative tests and have found that a breathing action exists in ironing on a structure of this character. In other words, as the iron is moved along in this construction, the part of the cover which is contacted by the iron is depressed into contact with the top surface of the panel I0. Then a subsequent stroke of the iron toward one of the other ends of the ironing board or table top permits the .cover to again move out of contact with the table top and thus again opens the space I20. This draws air into that space and creates an air circulation which, combined with the heat of the iron, tends rapidly to absorb moisture.

One test has been made by weighing a number of pieces of cloth of different sizes and material at whatever moisture content they had determined by ambient conditions, that is, by the temperature and relative humidity in the room. The pieces were then sprayed with water and rolled up tightly and were again weighed. The pieces were then ironed upon a board constructed as here illustrated and possessing the air space I20 and metal foil II 2 and having a cushioning pad beneath the cloth top cover sheet, until the moisture content was reduced and the pieces had the initial weight. Thereupon another test was made using an ordinary ironing board having the padding cover drawn tightly over the surface of the board, all other conditions remaining the same. The pieces having the same moisture content as determined by sprayed weight were then ironed with the same iron for the same period of time as in the test made with the ironing board of the present invention. When weighed, the result showed that ironing on the standard board removed only 66% of the moisture as compared with the removal of moisture in the same period of time by the use of applicants invention. A second test was made with conditions the same as the first test, but in this instance ironing upon the ordinary board was continued until all the moisture was removed. The total time required for the ironing operation with the standard board, to remove totally the moisture content, greatly exceeded that required with this new construction. The saving in time amounted to In other words, the amount of ironing that could be done in one hour upon an ordinary board could have been done at the same rate in approximately 38 minutes with this new construction.

One reason for the advantage of time-saving above mentioned is that the present construction, with its ventilating characteristics, reduces the moisture transfer from the work piece to the cushioning pad I I3. The cushioning nature of the pad ordinarily results from the porosity of the pad material so that substantial moisture transfer to the pad through the porous cloth top sheet H occurs where the sheet and pad are in continuous contact. The presence of the ventilating space I20 in this construction, particularly in cases where the pad H3 is held out of normal contact with the sheet H5 by securement of the pad to the front panel i2, limits contact of pad and sheet to the time and extent that the iron. bears against thereon. Thus as soon as the iron is removed from the cover H5, moisture transfer to the pad terminates in this construction. The result is that the pad remains substantially dry at all times in this construction, whereas the pad in a conventional ironing board will become moistened after usage for a short time. Such moistening increases progressively and, as it increases, the time required for ironing increases proportionally.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 9. In this construction the pad I I3, and the foil sheet H2 if used, is secured to the panel [2 for substantially its full extent, but said pad is anchored to the panel in only at the end H6 thereof. The cloth cover sheet H5 is secured at ends Hi5 and H8 to the panels It! and i2 and is extended taut longitudinally when the table is erected, so as to provide the space [20. In order to provide tautness of the cover sheet H5 laterally, stretching means may be applied to said sheet, preferably at its center and, if desired, at additional points along its length. Such stretching means may constitute a member formed of wire or other substantially rigid or resilient material having end portions iZZ extending longitudinally of the sheet H5 and anchored thereto at a portion of said sheet whose width is greater than the adjacent part of the top panel, as by a longitudinal pocket formed in the cover sheet by the infolded and stitched marginal sheet portion I24. From the end portions I22, the wire is bent downwardly to provide runs I26 of a height greater than the normal spacing between sheet H5 and the bottom surface of the adjacent top panel. A central transverse run I28 interconnects the runs I26 and completes the stretching means.

This arrangement avoids interference with the folding of the table and holds the cover sheet taut laterally so it will not wrinkle in use. The stretching means does not interfere with the ironing operation, since the stretching means is positioned solely by the cover sheet H5 which supports it and will assume a lowered position compared to that shown whenever the cover sheet is depressed during the ironing operation.

Coating of the top of the board with aluminum foil to reflect the heat from the iron back into the pad and the cover is advantageous to speed the operation of ironing. This pad cover, being flexible, will fold to accommodate collapsing of the board. Its size and dimension will be such that it will automatically be tensioned and drawn taut when the board or table top is erected. The tensioning of the cover eliminates wrinkles and makes for easy ironing.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted for edge abutment when erected, a pair of legs pivoted to one panel adjacent one end thereof, a third leg pivoted to said one panel at the other end thereof, a bracket extension carried by the other panel, a brace interconnecting and pivoted to said third leg and said bracket extension, folding braces interconnecting and pivoted to said first legs and said bracket extension, and a latch carried by said one panel and releasably engaging said bracket extension adjacent to the pivot connections'of said first brace and said folding braces therewith.

2. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted for edge abutment when erected, supporting means pivoted to said one panel adjacent one end thereof, a leg pivoted to said one panel at the other end thereof, a stop carried by said one panel adjacent to said leg, a bracket projecting from the other panel, a brace interconnecting and pivoted to said leg and said bracket, and a latch carried by said one panel, said latch releasably interlocking with said bracket when said panels are in operative edge abutting relation with said other panel engaging said stop.

3. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted for edge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from one end of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one end thereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other end thereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlocking with said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pair with said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said third leg and said bracket.

4. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted for edge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from one end of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one end thereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other end thereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlocking with said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pair with said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said third leg and said bracket, said folding brace and last named brace being pivoted to said bracket on a common axis adjacent to the interlock between said bracket and latch.

5. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted for edge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from one end of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one end thereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other end thereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlocking with said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pair with said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said third leg and said bracket, said bracket including a pair of rigid arms projecting longitudinally from one end of one panel at opposite sides thereof, each of said arms being pivotally connected to a folding brace and to a brace connected to said third leg.

'6. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted for edge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from one end of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one end thereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other end thereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlocking with said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pair with said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said third leg and said bracket, said panels having stops 1 1 each engageable with the other panel to orient said panels in end abutment when erected.

7. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted for edge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from one end of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one end thereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other end thereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlocking with said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pair with said bracket, a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said third leg operable to release said latch.

JOHN W. BEIGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,200,737 Laurent Oct. 10, 1916 2,214,824 Smith et a1 Sept. 17, 1940 2,432,932 Peters Dec. 16, 1947