US2655387A

US2655387A - Table with retractable casters

Info

Publication number: US2655387A
Application number: US181848A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy A Cramer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-08-28
Filing date: 1950-08-28
Publication date: 1953-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 1970-10-13

Description

Oct. 13, 1953 R. A. CRAMER 2,655,337

TABLE WITH RETRACTABLE CASTERS Filed Aug. 28, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

F0 A from BY ATTO/FAIEYJ' Oct. 13, 1953 R. A. CRAMER TABLE WITH RETRACTABLE CASTERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. Pay 4. Kramer BY Z Oct. 13, 1953 R. A. CRAMER 2,555,337

TABLE WITH RETRACTABLE CASTERS 7 Filed Aug. 28, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. fly /7. Kramer 5W MW ATZUIMEYS Oct. 13, 1953 R. A. CRAMER TABLE WITH RETRACTABLE CASTERS,

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. AOQ/U A 00/778/ mam ATWF/VEKS Patented Oct. 13, 1953 TABLE WITH RETRACTABLE CASTERS RoyA. Cramer, Kansas City, Mo.

Application August 28, 1950, Serial No. 181,848

Claims.

This invention relates to stands or tables and is particularly adaptable for use in ofiices for supporting typewriters, adding machines or other ofiice equipment as well as other uses.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a table having legs equipped with bell-shaped bases and casters operable within the bell-shaped bases, and lever means for lowering the table from its support on the casters and supporting the same upon the bell-shaped bases for preventing moving on the floor when in use and raising the bases to support the table on the casters for movement as desired.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a table or stand having a framework structure made from hollow tubing; to provide rods connected to the casters extending vertically through said tubular legs; to provide means for retaining the rods in the legs; to provide an adjustable base on one of the legs to accommodate for unevenness in floors; to provide lever arms underneath the table top having their free ends engageable with the top of the caster rods; to provide a handle having connection with the lever arms provided with cam means for raising or lowering the caster rods in the tubular legs; to provide an operating handle underneath the table top conveniently located for easy operation; to provide the underside of the table top with ribs forming channel ways for the lever arms; to provide ears on said ribs for pivotally mounting the lever arms in said channelways; and to provide a device of this character simple, economical to manufacture and eificient in operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table showing the parts in disassembled relation.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the underneath side of the table top.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view partly in crosssection illustrating the caster in lowered position.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view partly in crosssection showing the caster in raised position.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the handle showing the cam member for raising and lowering the lever arm. v

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on a line g- 5 Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on a line 8-8. Fig. 5.

, engage in said openings in the threaded bores oi.-

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an adjustable base on one of the legs. V Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view through the base and leg illustrating the adjustable feature.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on th line ll-H, Fig. 10.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a table or stand embodying the features of my invention comprising a top 2 supported by a plurality of legs 3 having upper cross arms 4 and lower cross arms 5 connected by a brace G. The legs are preferably made of tubular material and the cross arms 4 and 5 are welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The ends of the cross arm 6 are provided with brackets I having openings to accommodate set, screws or the like 8 for securing the respective ends to the cross arms 5.

Pressed into the lower end of the tubular leg 3 are shanks 9 of bell-shaped hollow bases ID for accommodating casters II. The lower edges l2 of the bell-shaped bases are adapted to engage in a groove l3 of non-skid members I 4 such as rubber, plastic or the like.

Welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper ends of the legs 3 and extending inwardly therefrom are brackets I5 having out-turned flanges IS on the respective sides provided with openings IT. The top 2 is adapted to rest on and be secured to the brackets Hi. The top has a depending flange 18 around the outer periphery thereof. The top is preferably cast in one piece and has a plurality of spaced ribs Iii-I9 and 20-2l extending from near the respective corners of the top to near the center of the underneath side of the table. The inner portion of the ribs [9 and 20 are spaced apart as best illustrated in Fig. 3, and the ribs I9 and 2| are also spaced apart at the center thereof and are connected by a rib 22 provided with a depending arm 23:

for a purpose later described.

The ribs [9 and 2| have connecting ribs 2t substantially toward the center of the top and 32 and 33 are provided on the ribs 211 and 28.

The threaded depending

bosses

30, 3|, 32 and 33 are so located to mate and align with the opening I! in the brackets l5 and threaded bolts 34,

3 the depending bosses to hold the top to the supporting base or legs.

The ribs form a support for the top to make a more rigid structure and also to form substantially V-shaped channelways 36 and 31 extending from the respective corners of the top to near the center thereof, and spaced from the rib 22. Adapted .to engage in the channelways 36 and 31 are substantially V-

shaped arms

38 and 39 having their free ends 40 and 4| extending to substantially near the corners of the table top. The channelways 36 and 31 are provided at substantially midway of the arms with deepndi-ng spaced

ears

42 and 43 to which each leg of the arms is pivoted by pins 44 and 45. The legs of the

arms

38 and 39 are connected by arms and 41 and said arms are provided with inwardly facing flanges 48 and 49 extending around the V-shaped portion of the arm as best illustrated in Fig. 3. A handle lever 50 is provided having spaced ears provided with an opening 52 adapted to receive a bolt 53 for engaging in the opening 54 of the arm 23 depending from substantially the center of the table top. The ears 5| provide cams adapted to engage the flanges 48 and 49 of the V-

shaped arms

38 and 39 for a purpose later described. The outer end of the handle 50 is provided with a finger portion 5 5. The handle is of a length so that the finger por tion will extend slightly outside of the side 5% of the table top as indicated at '57, Fig. 1, so that it will be readily accessible 'to the operator of the table. The corners of the top are provided with depending bosses 58 having a slot 98 through which the ends 4.0 and 41, respectively, of the arms '38 and 39 extend.

The casters are provided with upstanding rods 59 which engage in the tubular shank 9 of the base member in and extend upwardly to near the top of the table as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.. Adapted to fit in the upper end of the tubular legs are guide sleeves 60 having an outwardly extending flange SI for retaining the sleeves within the legs. The guide sleeves are slotted as indicated at 62,, Fig. 2, and the upper end of the tubular legs are also slotted as indicated at 63, Fig. 4. The upper ends of the rods 59 are provided with transverse threaded openings 64 adapted to receive the threaded shank 65 of pins 66 which extend through the

slots

63 and 52, respectively, of the upper ends of the legs and the guide sleeves thus preventing the casters from falling out of the legs if the table is raised from the floor or other supporting structure.

In operation of .a table constructed and assembled as described, it will .be noted the bosses 51 are in substantial alignment with the tops of the tubular legs 3, and the free ends All and H of the arms 38 and .39 extend through the slots 63 and .62, respectively, of the legs 3 and the guide sleeve .60. With the lever 50 extended downwardly as .indicated in Figs. .5 and 6, the cams on the ears 5| will be out of contact with the surface of the flanges 48 and Y49, respectively, .of the

arms

46 and 41 of the V-shaped members 38 and 29,, thus allowing the weight of the table to push the casters II upwardly and allow the "bell-shaped bases to contact the floor or other supporting structure, the non-skid devices 14 preventing sliding of the table over the floor.

When it is desired to move the table, raising of the lever 50 upwardly towards the top of the table will cause a cam action of the lever on the flanges to pivot the V-shaped

arms

38 and 39 to cause the outer free ends to move downwardly pushing the caster rods 59 down and raising the table so that the casters will engage the floor and roll thereover. The cam surface of the ears 5| will lock the

lever arms

38 and 39 to hold the casters by means of a rod 59, extended until it is desired to again lower the bell-shaped bases to the floor by movment of the lever arm 50 downwardly as above described.

vIn Fig. 9, I have shown the leg of'the table I that is provided with an adjustable base for accommodating unevenness in floors upon which the table is used. The lower end of one of the hollow legs out slightly shorter than the remaining legs as indicated at 68 (Fig. 10). A hollow sleeve 69 is pressed into the lower end of hollow leg forms a bearing for the rod 59 attached to the caster II. The lower end of the hollow sleeve 69 extends below the end 69 of the leg 3 and is provided with threads 10 adapted to receive internal threads H of a hub or stem 12 extending upwardly from the bellshaped base 13 forming a housing for the caster l I. The upper end of the threads 10 is flattened and the lower end of the leg 3 rests thereon. The hub or stem 52 is provided with radial grooves 14 around its periphery as best illustrated in 11. A bracket 15 is secured to the lower end of the leg 3 by set screws or the like 16, and if desired, may be threaded into the threaded bores i! in the sleeve 69 to assist in holding the sleeve 69 in the leg. The bracket 15 is preferably made of spring steel and has an inwardly turned flange 18 adapted to engage in the radial groove 14 of the stem 12 to hold the base 73 in position after it has been adjusted to the floor.

While I have here shown the adjustable base on only one leg, it may be placed on as many legs as desired without departing from the spirit of my invention, and may be easily adjusted by turning the base with respect to the leg to the desired place to engage the floor.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that 'I have provided an improved table or stand having lever mechanism underneath the table top connecting with rods attached to casters for easy retraction and extension of the casters as desired. and an adjustable base for accommodating unevenness in floors.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A table of the character described comprising, a top, tubular legs supporting said top, said legs having bell-shaped bottoms forming hollow bases for said legs, casters having rods secured thereto extending upwardly through said tubular legs and to near "the top thereof, guide sleeves in the top of said less, said sleeves and the top of said legs having slots therein, said rods having threaded openings .near the upper ends thereof, a pin extending through said slots and into said threaded Openings for limiting sliding movement of said rods in said legs, substantially v-shaped arms pivotally mounted to the underneath side of said top, said arms having free ends engaging the top of said caster rods, and a lever engaging said arms for pivoting same to move the caster .rods and extend the casters from said bases to raise the bases from I a supporting structure.

way thereof, said one of the ribs separating said channelways having a depending arm, arms pivotally mounted to the ears in said channelways and having portions parallel with and adjacent said separating rib in said channelways, tubular legs supporting said top, said legs having hollow bases on the lower ends thereof, casters having rods secured thereto extended upwardly through the tubular legs, and a lever having cam surfaces pivotally mounted on said depending arm for engaging the pivoted arms and moving same in response to operation of said lever, said pivoted arms having free ends engaging the top of said rods whereby the weight of the table causes the bases to engage a support and movement of said lever will cause the cam surfaces thereof to engage said arms to pivot said arms in the channelways and move said rods in said legs to extend said casters from the bases and raise same from the support.

3. A table of the character described comprising, a top having ribs forming channelways separated by one of the ribs into substantially V-shaped channelways, said V-shaped channelways having depending ears substantially mid way thereof, said one of the ribs separating said channelways having a depending arm, arms pivotally mounted to the ears in said channelways and having portions parallel with and adjacent said separating rib in said channelways, said arms having facing flanges adjacent said depending arm, tuBular legs supporting said top, said legs having hollow bases on the lower ends thereof, casters having rods secured thereto extended upwardly through the tubular legs, and a lever having cam surfaces pivotally mounted on said depending arm for engaging said facing flanges on said arms and pivoting said arms in response to operation of said lever, said pivoted arms having free ends engaging the top of said rods whereby the weight of the table causes the bases to engage a floor and movement of said lever will cause the cam surfaces thereof to engage said facing flanges and pivot said arms and move said rods in said legs to extend said casters from the bases and raise same from the floor.

4. A table of the character described comprising, a top having ribs forming channelways separated by one of the ribs into substantially V-shaped channelways, said V-shaped channelways having depending ears substantially midway thereof, said one of the ribs separating said channelways having a depending arm, substantially V-shaped arms pivotally mounted to the ears in said channelways and having portions parallel with and adjacent said separating rib in said channelways, said arms having facing flanges adjacent said depending arm, tubular legs having inwardly extending brackets supporting said top, said legs having hollow bases on the lower ends thereof. casters having rods secured thereto extended upwardly through the tubular legs, a lever having cam surfaces pivotally mounted on said depending arm for engaging said facing flanges on said V-shaped arms and pivoting said V-shaped arms in response to operation of said lever, and means slidably retaining the rods in said legs, said V-shaped arms having free ends engaging the top of said rods whereby the Weight of the table causes the bases to engage a floor and movement of said lever will cause the cam surfaces thereof to engage said facing flanges of said arms to pivot said arms to extend said casters in said bases and raise the bases from the floor.

5. A table of the character described comprising, a top having ribs forming channelways separated by one of the ribs into substantially V-shaped channelways, said V-shaped channelways having depending ears substantially midway thereof, a said one of the ribs separating said channelways having a depending arm, substantially V-shaped arms pivotally mounted to the ears in said channelways and having portions parallel with and adjacent said separating rib in said channelways, said arms having facing flanges adjacent said depending arm, tubular legs having inwardly extending brackets supporting said top, said legs having hollow bases on the lower ends thereof, casters having rods secured thereto extended upwardly through the tubular legs, a lever having cam surfaces pivotally mounted on said depending arm for engaging said facing flanges on said V-shaped arms and pivoting said V-shaped arms in response to operation of said lever, guide sleeves in the upper ends of said legs, and means slidably retaining the rods in said legs, said V-shaped arms having free ends engaging the top of said rods whereby the weight of the table causes the bases to engage a floor and movement of said lever will cause the cam surfaces thereof to engage said facing flanges of said arms to pivot said arms to extend said casters in said bases and raise the bases from the floor.

ROY A. CRAMER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 901,636 McIntire Oct. 20, 1908 1,016,745 Henrikson Feb. 6, 1912 1,092,220 Koch et al. Apr. 7, 1914 1,626,819 Hazlett May 3, 1927 1,749,751 Bergsten Mar. 11, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 390 Great Britain of 1901 17,096 Great Britain of 1908 147,638 Germany Jan. 22, 1904 234,265 Germany Mar. 5, 1911