US2673596A - Knockdown table and seat structure - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1954 A. VON HAASE 2,673,596

KNOCKDOWN TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 5l, 1949 2 Sheets-Sham l FNVENTOR Amfhmu van Hamme:

arch 3U, i954 A. vom HAASE 2,673,59

KNOCKDOWN TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 3l, 1949 2 Sheecs--Sheetl 2 /mi'hom von Haase ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE 2,673,596 KNocinoWN 'TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE Anthony von Haase, Parma Heights, Ohio Application- Decemher 31, 1949, Serial N o. 136,319 18 Claims. (Cl. 155-124) vThis invention relates to furniture construction and more particularly to knockdown furnitu're that can be quickly and easily taken apart for storage or transit and readily assembled for use as desired. Furniture that can be thus disassembled' for transit and storage is of considrable utility, particularly for camping and picnicking.

The present invention seeks to provide knockdown furniture of the' character mentioned that is extremely simple and inexpensive in design and construction so' that' it can be sold at a low price and thus be made available to large numbers of people. One of the principal objects is, therefore, to provide an improved construction for use in knockdown furniture which utilizes readily available components and structural shapes so as to' be capable of manufacture principally by simple straight cutting and drilling operations without large expenditures for special tools', dies, littings, and the like.

Another and more specic object of the invention is to provide a combined table and bench structure having' a minimum number of relatively lightweight parts that can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. This aspect of the invention is especially concerned with the provision of a table and bench structure having components and parts' that cante assembled into a compact package for transportation and storage. One phase of thisV aspect of the invention concerns the provision of ai table and bench package which facilitates partial assembly of the table and bench structure while the components thereof remain partially assembled as a transit package.

A further object is to provide a compact package easily' stored and transported comprising componentsv capable ofy being readily assembled` and connected together to form a number of alternative structures such as a bench or a combined'table and bench.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved structural arrangements of simple character which serve to retain the parts and components of knockolowV furniture connected togetherin assembled relation during ncrmal use without employing" hooks, latches, or threaded' connectors'.

therv objects and advantages pertaining to certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts which providefurnitnre structurev simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture are set forth in me renewing detailed" description and will become apparent; 'rire invention is described in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification. Throughout the several views, like parts are indicated by the same numerals of reference.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a knockdown table and bench assembly;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the table and bench assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the` cross support members for supporting the table planks;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line indicated at 4-4 of Fig. 2 and enlarged with respect toy that Figure.

Fig. 5 is an elevational detail with parts broken away and removed, this view being taken substantially along the line indicated at 5 54 of Fig. 2 and enlarged with respect to that gure;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in section-and with parts broken away and removed, to show the relation of one of the locking elements and the leg rods, this view being taken substantially along the line 6 5 of Fig. 2 and enlarged with respect to that ligure;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a bench assembled from certain of the components shown in the preceding figures;

Figs. 8, 9, and 10, are perspectives showing successive steps in the assembly of the components of the combined table and bench structure into a transit package; and

Fig. 1l is a sectional View of the transit package, partly diagrammatic, taken substantially along the line indicated at l I-II of Fig. 10 and enlarged with respect to that ligure.

The combined table and bench of the present invention comprises a pair of main cross or frame members l and 2 disposed in spaced, generally parallel relation. Each of the frame members is supported at its ends by a pair of divergent legs 3 and the lower ends of which are suitably enlarged to provide sufcient coverage or area of contact to prevent objectionable sinking intov soft earth. Desirably the legs are formed of straight metal tubes or rods sixteen to eighteen inches (16 to 18) long and the foot enlargements are in the form of washers or metal discs` 5 welded or brazed. on the lower ends of the legs. Rubber tips may be cemented or otherwise secured to or over` the feet 5V for use indoors. For a table capable of seating about six average people, three on each side, (such being the structiire illustrated herein)` it hasbeenfound satisfactory to form the legs. 3 andd ci" cold rolled` steel rods of half-inch diameter round section or equivalent. The upper ends of the rod legs 3 and 4 are received and seated in drilled sockets 'I and 8 spaced inwardly from the ends of the frame members i and 2, and oblique to all faces and axes of the latter. These frame members, which may be of yellow pine, hickory, or other structural wood, are about forty-eight inches (48") long, have a rectangular cross section of about 1% by about 2 or equivalent, and are drilled so that the sockets 1 and 8 are spaced from one another along the length of the frame member. Although the axes of the oblique sockets are angularly disposed with respect to one another, as shown in Fig. 5, they are located in parallel planes (see Fig. 2).

The leg rods in corresponding yends of the frame members I and 2 are disposed in a common pair of parallel planes, these planes, at each side of the structure, being oblique to the horizontal and intersecting in a line well above the entire structure and parallel to the table top so that the lower ends of the leg rods carrying the footing elements 5 are disposed outwardly beyond the projection of the frame members I and 2. Thus the feet of the leg rods at opposite ends of each frame member are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of such frame member. Besides being oblique or inclined to vertical planes normal to the longitudinal axes of the frame members I and 2, the leg rods are also oblique to vertical planes containing such longitudinal axes. The oblique positions of the leg rods provide the desired lateral and longitudinal stablity in the table structure and since each of the frame members is supported by four of the leg rods, the frame members can e individually set up in assembly of the table.

To retain the leg rods in the sockets 'l and 2 conventional threaded or friction iittings may be employed. As a. particular feature of the present invention, however, and one which provides considerable economy in manufacture, the leg rods are retained by bent locking rods or elements I l! formed of resilient metal. These locking elements are L-shapedy having short arm portions received in drilled sockets in the cross members I and 2 and long arm portions extending into the angle between the leg rods. These locking elements in the table structure illustrated and described, may be formed of cold rolled round section steel bars of approximately one-quarter inch (ly') in dia-meter. In forcing the short arm portions of the locking elements into their sockets, pressure is manually applied along the axes of the short arm portions, this pressure resulting in a slight springing of the locking ele ments as the outer ends of the long arm portions seat in the angles between the legs. The ends of the long arm portions are thus tightly wedged in the acute angle between the supporting legs 3 and 4 as shown in Fig. 5. The springing of the locking elements also has the effect of frictionally retaining the short arm portions thereof in the sockets II while the table structure is in use.

For disassembly, the locking elements I9 are manually withdrawn from the sockets II. A screwdriver or other implement may be inserted between the element and the bottom of the frame member adjacent the bend in the element to loosen the latter should the element become tightly wedged in place. The lateral pressure exerted against the leg rods 3 and 4 by the ends of the long arm portions of the locking elements forces the leg rods against the sidewalls of the sockets 'I and 8 for frictional retention of the leg rods in such sockets. These socketsl extend through the greater part of the depth of the frame members to provide for a large area of contact between the leg rods and the socket walls. Longitudinal spacing of the leg rods 3 and 4 along the length of the long arm portions of the locking elements I, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, causes a lateral springing of the locking elements which increases the frictional gripping of the leg rods and the locking elements by the cylindrical walls of the drilled sockets of the frame members.

Table planks I4, I5, and IS are disposed in side by side relation on angle section cross supports I'I and I8 carried on the top of uprights I9. These uprights, formed of metal tubes or rods, have lower ends socketed in drill holes 20 formed in the cross members I and 2 inwardly of the ends of the latter. In the table structure described the uprights i9 are of resilient cold rolled steel bars of round section having a length of about fourteen to about sixteen inches (MW-16") and a diameter of approximately three-eighths inch The cross supports I'I and I8 are of cold rolled steel angle sections having one inch and five-eighths inch flanges. One of the ilanges of each of the cross supports is formed with spaced apertures 2| which are received over the upper ends of the uprights I9. Rings or washers 22, embracing and welded in place on the uprights I9 below the upper ends of the latter, engage and carry the cross supports I'I and I8, portions 23 of the upper ends of the rods or uprights I9 which project above the cross supports being received in sockets or drill holes 24 in the table planks to locate the latter on the cross supports. Pins or studs 25 are welded or otherwise secured to the cross supports I'I and I8 intermediate the apertures 2|, the pins 25 being received in drill holes or sockets formed in the center plank I5 to locate the latter on the cross supports.

The sockets 2G drilled in the main cross members I and 2 to receive the lower ends of the table supporting uprights I9 are of considerable depth, extending nearly through the cross members, so as to give the uprights and the table the desired lateral stability. As shown in Fig. 2 the sockets 29 in each of the main cross members are spaced apart a distance greater than are the apertures 2l in the cross supports I'I and I8 or are otherwise located or angled so that the upper ends of the metal rod uprights I9 must be sprung apart or together in assembly as from approximately the broken line to the full line positions showin. This springing of the table support uprights binds the lower ends of the uprights in the sockets 20 and the upper ends in the apertures 2I to hold the parts together and to increase the rigidity of the structure.

Seat planks 3l and 52, which may be substantially the same as the table planks, are placed across the ends of the main cross members I and 2 in parallel relation to one another and to the table planks. The seat planks have drill holes or sockets 33 corresponding to the sockets 2li in the table planks to receive locating pins 34 carried by and projecting upwardly from the tops of the cross members. The table and seat planks are conveniently formed of laminated wood of rive or seven plies having a total thick ness of about three-fourths inch Each plank in the table structure described is approximately forty-eight inches (48") long and about eight inches (8") wide, the planks being interchangeable in assembly so that the seat planks may be substituted for the table planks and vice-versa, different numerals having been applied to the parts merelyfor convenience in description.

The particular dimensions and materials set forth are, of course, subject to such variation as may appear desirable to suit the needs of. a particular user, the example having been found satisfactory for general picnic use.

One of the planks, such as the center table plank I5, carries ller blocks or end members 36 and 31 which are disposed between the ends of the main cross members I and 2 and have the same height as the latter to form therewith the ends and sides of a transit box when the table structure is knocked down and reassembled as a transit package. Another of the planks, such as the seat plank 3l, carries a pair of flexible straps 38; These straps may, of course, be separate from the planks but are preferably attached to prevent loss.

In assembling the transit packagel from the components of the knockdown table, the plank carrying the straps 38 is placed on the iioor or groundk with the straps underneath, as shown in Fig. 8. The plank carrying the end blocks 3S and 37 is superimposed on the strap plank with theblocks uppermost. Thereafter the cross frame members I and 2 are positioned along the edges of the block carrying plank i5 to form a hollow box as shown in Fig. 9. The pins 34 carried by the cross members I and 2 and used in the table structure to locate the seat planks 3i and 32 are received in drill holes or sockets 39 formed in the block carrying plank I5 to locate the cross members on such plank and to retain the parts in assembled relation. Within the hollow box formed by thecross members I and 2 and the filler blocks 36 and 3l are disposed the leg rods 3 and 1l, the locking elements I, the table supporting cross elements I 'I and I8, and the uprights I9. The remaining planks are then superimposed one on top of another over the open box structure and the straps 38 tightened thereabout. The resulting bundle is shown in Figs. and 1l. A carrying handle 42 may be secured to one of the main cross or frame members of convenience in handling the transit package.

In re-assembling the table and bench structure from the transit package, a reverse procedure is followed, the design and intertting arrangements of the present structure simplifying the operation. After releasing the straps 38 and removing the three cover planks, the leg rods or tubes 3 and 4 are placed and bottomed in the sockets and 8 while the maincross members I and 2 remain assembled to the plank I 5, the cross members being positioned as shown in Fig. 9 with the openings of the leg sockets directed upwardly. The resilient locking elements I0 are likewise positioned in their sockets I6 to bind the legs s and Il in their sockets. The main cross members I and 2 can then be removed. from the plank I5 and set upright at the proper spacing for completion of the table and bench assembling operation. For use as a bench, however, the plank I5 carrying the leg rods 3 and d as assembled therewith from a transit package, can be utilized as shown in Fig. 7 as a seat or bench.

In` accordance with thev patent statutes the principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the structure and package shown in the drawings and described above and the particular assembling and disassembling method set forth are given merely for purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claims to the specic details disclosed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. table comprising a pair of spaced bars, legs depending angularly from the ends of the bars for supporting the bars in parallel relation, a plurality of upright rods having bottom ends eoeketed in the bars, stringers extending between upper portions of the rods and supported thereby above and in generallj,7 parallel relation to the bars, the upper ends of the rods projecting through the stringers, planks supported across the ends of the bars to provide seats, and planks supported across the stringers in side by side-vrelation to provide a table, of the planks having sockets to receive projecting ends of the rods.

2. In combination in a table structure, a pair of spaced bars disposed in parallel relation, legs depending from the ends of the bars for supporting the latter horizontally., a plurality ofupright rods socketed in the bars and extending upwardly therefrom in generally parallel relation, spaced stringers extending between and supported on upper portions of the rods above and in generally parallel relation to the bars, the stringers being apertured to receive the rod ends and the upper ends of the rods being projected through the stringer apertures, seat planksextending between the ends oi the bars and supported thereon, and table planks extending between and supported on the stringers in side by side relation, the table planks having sockets for receiving the projecting upper ends of the rods.

3. In combination in a table and seat structure, a pair of spaced bars disposed in parallel relation, legs depending from the ends of the bars for supporting the latter horizontally, each of the bars having a pair of spaced sockets formed therein and opening through the upper face of the bar, upright resilient rods normally substantially straight supported in the bar sockets, stringers extending between the upper ends of the rods and having spaced apertures to receive the rod ends, the rod ends being received in the apertures of the stringers and the bar sockets being so located and oriented as to position the rod ends when the rods are supported in unstressed condition at a spacing dierent than the spacing between the Stringer apertures torequire deformation or the rods in assembly, and planks extending between and supported on the spaced bars and stringers.

4. In combination in a table and seat structure, a pair of spaced bars disposed in parallel relation, legs depending from the ends of the bars for supporting the latter horizontally, each of the bars having a pair of spaced sockets formed therein and opening through the upper face of the bar, upright rods supported in the bar sockets, stringers having spaced apertures extending between and supported on upper portions of the rods above and in generally parallel relation to the bars, the rod ends being received through the Stringer apertures so as to project above the stringers. seat planks on the bara. and planks extendingl between andsupported on the stringers, the planks on the stringers having sockets to receive the projecting ends of the rods.

5. In combination in a table structure, a pair of spaced bars disposed in parallel relation, legs depending from the ends of the bars for supporting the latter horizontally, a plurality of upright rods socketed in the bars and extending upwardly therefrom in generally parallel relation, spaced stringers extending between and supported on upper portions of the rods above and in generally parallel relation to the bars, the stringere being apertured to receive the rod ends and the upper ends of the rods being projected through the stringer apertures, seat planks extending between the ends of the bars and supported thereon, pegs carried by the bars, sockets in the seat planks for receiving the bar pegs, and table planks extending between and supported on the stringers in side by side relation, the table planks having sockets for receiving the projecting upper ends of the rods.

6. In combination in a table and seat structure, a pair of spaced parallel bars, legs depending from the bars for supporting the latter horizontally, a pair of spaced sockets in each of the bars and opening through the upper face thereof, rods in the bar sockets and supported thereby in spaced, upright relation, stringers extending between the upper portions of the rods, the string ers being apertured to receive the rod ends and the rods being received in the Stringer apertures, stop means on the rods engageable with the stringers for supporting the latter, seat planks on the bars, table planks extending between the stringers and supported thereon in side by side relation, and the table planks having sockets received over the rod ends thereby restraining the table planks against lateral movement on the stringers.

'7. In combination in a table structure having a bar and planks mounted thereon, a pair of dvergent sockets formed in the bar adjacent one end thereof and opening through the underside of the bar, a pair of leg rods bottomed in the sockets and depending from the bar to support the latter, and means carried by the bar and receivable in the angle between the rods for frictionally engaging the latter and retaining the rods in the sockets.

8. In combination in a table structure having a bar and planks supported thereon, a pair of divergent supporting rods extending downwardly from the bar and socketed therein, and an l.- shaped clamp member carried by the bar for holding the rods in the sockets, one leg of the clamp being received between the rods and the other leg of the clamp being socketed in and frictionally retained by the bar.

9. A package of knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of planks disposed face to face, elongated bars paralleling the planks and disposed removably between and spacing two of the latter, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use in the combination as transverse supports for both table and seat planks, said bars having an aggregate width less than the spaced planks and being .separated from one another to provide, between the bars and between the two spaced planks, a pocket for receiving legs and table supports, legs and table supports disposed in said pocket, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for intertting connection of the legs and supports with the bars, the legs when so intertted with the bars being adapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting of seat planks on the bars, the table supports when so intertted with the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at an elevation above the latter, members disposed between the ends of the separated bars in the package to confine the legs and table supports in the pocket, and means holding the planks and bars together to form a unitary portable package.

1G. A package o knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of planks disposed face to face, elongated bars disposed removably in spaced parallel relation to one another and between and spacing two of the planks for retaining the planks in spaced relation with respect to one another to provide between such two planks a pocket for receiving legs and table supports, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use in the combination as transverse supports for both table `and seat planks, means interiitting between at least one of the bars and at least one of the planks to locate the bar or bars and plank or planks in predetermined relative position in the package, spaced members disposed between the ends cf the spaced bars and substantially closing the ends of the pocket, legs and table supports disposed in said pocket, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for intertting connection, the legs when so intertted with the bars being adapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting of seat planks on the bars, the table supports when s0 intertted with the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at an elevation above the latter, and means holding the planks and bars together to form a unitary portable package.

ll. .A package of knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of similar planks disposed face to face, elongated bars of approximately the same length as the planks disposed removably in relatively spaced parallel relation to one another between and spacing two of the planks, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use in the combination as transverse supports for both table and seat planks, said bars having an aggregate width materially less than the spaced planks, members disposed between the ends of and substantially closing the spaces between the ends of the spaced bars to provide an elongated pocket etween said two spaced planks for legs and table supports, legs and table supports disposed in said pocket, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for intertting connection, the legs when so interntted with the bars being adapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting of seat planks on the bars, the table supports when so intertted with the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at an elevation above the latter, and means holding the planks and bars together to form a unitary portable package.

l2. A package of knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of substantially identical planks disposed face to face, elongated bars disposedinr'elatvely spaced parallel relation between and space accepte' ing two of the planks, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use in the combination as transverse supports .for both table and seat planks, said bars having an aggregate width materially less than the spaced planks and being spaced apart to provide therebetween a pocket for legs and table supports, legs and table supports disposed in said pocket, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for interiitting connection, the legs when so interiitted with the bars being adapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting ci seat planks on the bars, the table supports when so intertted with the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at an elevation above the latter, members disposed between the spaced bars at each end of the package to closethe pocket ends, said pocket end closure members each'being secured to one or the other of the said two spaced planks, and means holding the planks and bars together to form a unitary portable package.

13. A. package of knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of planks disposed face to face, elon gated bars interposed in spaced parallel relation to one another between and spacing a pair of the planks, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use in the combination as transverse supports for both table and seat planks, the bars and the space therebetween having an aggregate width approximately equal to the width of the planks, means interntting between at least one of the bars and at least one or the planks or" said spaced pair to retain the bars in said spaced relation and to provide a pocket between the spaced bars and between the spaced planks for receiving legs and table supports, members disposed between the spaced bars at the ends or the latter to close the ends of the pocket, said closure members each being secured to and carried by one of the spaced planks, legs and table supports in the pocket and confined between the confronting faces of the planks of said pair, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for intertting connection, the legs when so interiitted with the bars being adapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting of seat planks on the bars, the table supports when so interntted with the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at an elevation above the latter, and means holding the planks and bars together' to form a unitary portable package,

14. A package of knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of planks disposed face to face, elongated bars disposed between and paralleling a confronting pair of the planks, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use as transverse supports for both table and seat planks in the assembly of the table, pegs extending between and connecting each of the bars to one of the planks of said pair to locate the bars in predetermined spaced relation and to thereby provide a pocket between the bars and between the planks of said pair for receiving legs and table supports, members disposed between the ends of the spaced and located bars to close the ends of the pocket, legs and table supports in the pocket, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for interntting connection, the legs when so intertted lwitl'i the bars being adapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting of seat planks on'the bars, the table supports when so intertteol with the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support `the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at `an elevation above the latter, and means holding the planks and bars together to rc1-m a unitary portable package.

l5. A package lof knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of planks disposed face to face, elongated bars disposed between and spacing a confronting pair of the planks, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use as transverse supports for both' table and seat planks in the assembly ofthe table, intertting means between the bars and'one of the planks of said pair locating the bars in relatively spaced relation along the edges of the one plank and for facile removal in assembling the table, the spaced barszand the spacedplanks providing a pocket for receiving legs and table supports, members disposed between the ends of the spaced bars and secured to the one plank of the pair for closing the ends of the pocket whereby, in assembling the package, the one plank is adapted to function as the bottom and the located bars and the closure members as the side and ends, respectively, of a box for receiving legs and table supports, legs and table supports disposed in said pocket, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for nterntting connection of the legs and supports with the bars, the legs when so interiitted with the bars beingadapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting of seat planks on the bars, the table supports when so interrltted with `the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at an elevation above the latter, and means holding the planks and bars together to form a unitary portable package.

16. A package of knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of planks disposed face to face, elongated bars disposed between and spacing a pair of the planks, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use in the combination as transverse supports for both table and seat planks, the bars having an aggregate width materially less than the spaced planks, pegs intertting between at least one of the bars and at least one oi' the planks of said pair and locating the bars in predetermined spaced relation with respect to one another to provide a pocket between the bars and between the pair of confronting planks for receiving legs and table supports, and table supports disposed in said pocket, the bars and the legs and supports being formed for interfltting connection of legs and supports with the bars, the legs when so interiitted with the bars being adapted to support the bars in parallel relation above the ground for mounting of seat planks on the bars, the table supports when so intertted with the bars being adapted to receive table planks and support the latter parallel to the mounted seat planks at an elevation above the latter. the plank of the pair which has the pegs being formed with through apertures to receive the interfltting pegs, and another of the planks being disposed iiatwise against the one plank of the pair to cover the peg apertures and limit endwise movement of the pegs, members disposed between theends of the spaced bars to close the pocket ends, and means for holding the planks and bars together to form a portable package.

. 17. A package of knockdown components formed and adapted to be assembled into a table and seat combination, said package comprising a plurality of planks disposed face to face, elongated bars disposed between and spacing a pair of the planks, said bars being readily separable from the planks for use in the combination as transverse supports for both table and seat planks, the bars having an aggregate width materially less than the planks, pegs intertting between at least one of the bars and at least one of the planks of said pair to locate the bars in spaced relation with respect to one another to provide a pocket between the spaced bars and between the pair of confronting planks for receiving legs and table supports, the one plank of the pair being formed with through apertures to receive the intertting pegs and another of the planks being disposed fiatwise against the one plank of the pair to cover the peg apertures and limit endwise movement of the pegs, legs and table supports enclosed in said pocket, the bars, legs and table supports being formed for intertting engagement of each of the legs and supports with the bars in assembly and when so interfitted the legs being arranged and adapted to support the bars horizontally for receiving on the bars some of said planks to serve as seat planks and the table supports being arranged and adapted to extend above the bars for receiving and supporting others of said planks to serve as table planks of the assembled table and seat combination, members disposed between the ends of the spaced bars to close the pocket ends, said closure members each being secured to one of the planks of said 12 pair and being in abutment with the bars to serve as locators engageable with the bars to locate the latter in assembling the package, and means for holding the planks and bars together to form a portable package.

18. A table and seat structure comprising in combination table and seat planks and supporting means therefor, said supporting means including a supporting bar having spaced sockets therein, legs having connection with the bar for supporting the latter horizontally above the ground, a pair of resilient metal rods having their lower ends received in the bar sockets and extending upwardly therefrom in spaced relation, a Stringer connecting the upper ends of the spaced rods and having spaced sockets for receiving the rod ends, the upper ends of the rods being received in the Stringer sockets, the bar sockets being so located and oriented as to position said upper ends of the rods when the rods are unstressed at a spacing different than the spacing of the Stringer sockets to require springing of the rods in assembly, the seat planks being supported directly on the bar, and the table planks being supported directly on the Stringer.

ANTHONY voN HAASE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 494,358 Weeks Mar. 28, 1893 495,492 Jones Apr. 18, 1893 1,487,569 Huddle Mar. 18, 1924 1,792,406 Tomlinson Feb. 10, 1931 1,936,969 Osterberg Nov. 28, 1933 1,952,737 Vaghi Mar. 27, 1934 2,282,665 McCasln May 12, 1942 2,522,774 Bower Sept. 19, 1950 2,565,032 La Rue Aug. 21, 1951

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