US2691559A

US2691559A - Adjustable table top

Info

Publication number: US2691559A
Application number: US299267A
Authority: US
Inventors: Geoffrey M Harry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-07-16
Filing date: 1952-07-16
Publication date: 1954-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1971-10-12

Description

Oct. 12, 1954 G. M. HARRY ADJUSTABLE TABLE TOP 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 16, 1952 INVENTOR. I Mh@ Ceoffr .el LA7 G. M. HARRY 2,691,559

ADJUSTABLE TABLE TOP oct. 12, 1954 Filed July 16, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

my. Ggf y @ffy .eM/L" im +77.

Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to improvements in tables and more particularly to a novel adjustable table capable -of a wide Variety of uses.

Adjustable tables in which the table member or Ileaf can be arranged at varying horizontal and angular positions are quite convenient and find a wide variety of different uses, e. g. as a reading desk, a lectern, an occasional table, a bedside table, a music etc. However, tables of this general character as heretofore known have not been entirely satisfactory in that they have4 often had ordy limited adjustability, have not always been siiiciently stable when the leaf is in horizontal position, and have not been ycapable of being compactly folded with the leaf in vertical position for completely concealing the adjusting mechanism from normal view. Consequently, they have enjoyed little or no commercial acceptance.

Accordingly, a primary object of my invention is toprovide a novel adjustable table having substantial advantages over the tables of this general type heretofore proposed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel pedestal-supported table having a table leaf capable of being adjusted to any desired position between horizontal and vertical and' which is markedly stable in all or" its adjusted positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel adjustable table having a wide degree of angular adjustability and which is also capable of being disposed at varying elevations.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel table construction of the adjustable leaf type in which the leaf can be readily folded into compact vertical position for storage and in which position the leaf effectively conceals the adjusting mechanism from normal View.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable table having a novel locking mechanism for releasably securing the table leaf in any desired adjusted position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a table constituting one specic embodiment of my invention and showing the table leaf in horizontal position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a, fragmentary side elevational View similar to Fig. 1 but showing the device in compact folded relation for storage;

12 Claims. (C1. 311-38) Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the table leaf in one vof its adjusted anguiar positions;`

Fig. 5 is' a fragmentary cross-sectional view as taken along Vthe line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig.. 6 is a 'fragmentary elevational viewsimi-lar to Fig. 4 but showing a different and higher ad'- justed position'of the device;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary 'front yelevational View on an enlarged scale of the upper portion of the device and showing vthe locking mechanism in normal locked position.;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the locking mechanism in released position; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view talren substantially along ythe line 9 9. of Fig.. 7.

Referring to the drawings, the table comprises a foot or base portion II having a, pair of oppositely extendingv side. legs l2 (Fig. 2) and a forwardly extend-ing leg I3- which is of greater length than the side legs =I2. Extending upwardly from the base I I` is an upright post or pedestal I4 which may be suitably formed to provide any desired decorative appearance. A. triangular brace f6 is provided between the post I4 and the base ll'. The upper endof the post IIl is 'formed with a generally rectangular blocky portion IT having fiat sides, and a knob I'S having a iiatten'edupper end is disposed above the block Il'.

An elongated pivoted support, indicated generally` at I9, extends forwardly from the upper end of the' pedestal I4 for mounting the table member or leaf of the device. In this instance the. support 'I9 comprises a. pair of paralleli arms 2'I each having an outwardly extending straight portion 22' and an offset' or curved end portion 2.3. The short curve-d ends 23' of the arms 2il lare pivotally secured on opposite fiat sides of the block I by means of a pivot pin 2`4 extending throughthe arms and the block adjacent the top of the pedestal I4.

An adjustable fl-at table member or leaf '2"6- is pivotally attached to the outer end ofl the support I'9- by means of an attaching portion 2l secured to the underside of the leaf y26 Vand fitted between the outer' extremities of the arms 2l. A pivot pin 2t- (Fi'g. 5') passes through the arms 2"I and' the attachineportion 2'1", andl a clamp nut 29 is' threaded to one end of the pin 28' for retaining the leaf member 26' in lixed relation to the support I9 when desired. A ledge or support -3I` is secured' adjacent the outermost edge of thek table leaf 26 for supporting a book or the like thereon when in tilted position.

will be readily apparent from the structural relationship thus far described, the support I9 may be angularly positioned relative to the post I4 and suitable locking means, hereinafter described in detail, is provided for retaining the support I9 in any desired adjusted position. Similarly, the leaf 26 is pivotally adjustable relative to the support I9 in order to provide a wide range of adjustability in the angular position of the table leaf 26 for varying elevations thereof as determined by the position of the pivoted support I9. For rigidly retaining the table leaf 26 in desired angular position relative to the support I9, I provide a toothed rack 32 which is secured to the underside of the table leaf 26 and a swingable retainer or pawl 33 which is pivotally mounted between the arms 2| by means of a suitable pin 34. As will be evident from Figs. 41 to 6, the pawl 33 may be engaged with any desired portion of the rack 32 in order to provide a firm support for the leaf member 26. Another pin 36 is provided between the arms 2l rearwardly of the pin 34 for supporting the free end of the pawl 33 when the latter is not in use. For example, in Fig. 1 with the support I9 in horizontal position, it will be seen that the table leaf 26 is firmly supported in horizontal position by engagement with the upper edges of the arms 2l and also by flatwise engagement adjacent its free edge with the flattened knob I8. In this position of the device the rack and pawl mechanism is inactive and the pawl 33 is supported adjacent its free end by the pin 36 and is thus completely retracted within the connes of the arms 2 I.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9 in particular, the preferred form of locking mechanism for releasably retaining the pivoted support I9 in any desired position will now be described. The locking mechanism is mounted on a generally PU- shaped bracket or support, indicated at 31, having a lat base portion 38 and a pair of oppositely disposed flanges or side portions 39. The bracket 31 is secured to the upright post I4 by means of a plurality of screws extending through the base portion 38 into the rectangular block I1, the base of the bracket being received in a suitable recess 42 (Fig. 9) which is provided in the front face of the block portion I1. The bracket sides 39 are each provided with a pair of inwardly extending upper and lower apertured bosses 43 and 44 respectively. The bosses 43 are in axial alignment for slidably supporting a shiftable locking pin 46, and the bosses 44 are likewise arranged to receive a companion locking pin 41.

The inner curved or oiset end portion 23 of each of the arms 2l is provided with a circular recess 48 (Fig. 7), and a circular plate 49 is fastened in the recess by means of a plurality of screws I (Fig. 9), the recess 48 being of the same depth as the thickness of the plate 49 so that the inner surface of the plate 49 is flush with the inside surface of the arm 2I. In addition, the oset portion 23 of each arm 2I has a circular end contour so that the circular plates 49 are disposed concentrically and in alignment with the end portions 23 of the arms 2I. Each of the plates 49 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged apertures 52 in alignment with a plurality of complementary bores 53 in the end portions 23` of the arms 2 I, the recesses 52-53 thus defined being arranged at the same radial distance from the pivot 24 as the

pins

46 and 41. Each of the plates 49 is also provided with a central aperture 54 through which theopposite ends of the pivot pin 24 extend into the arms 2 I.

The

slidable pins

46 and 41 haveA a predetermined length such that they can be selectively positioned to project from the bracket sides 39 into the aligned

openings

52 and 53 for retaining the arms 2| in any desired angular position relative to the upright post I4, or the

pins

46 and 41 can be retracted (Fig. 8) so that they are within the confines of the bracket 31 in order to permit pivotal adjustment of the arms 2|. For manipulating the

pins

46 and 41, I provide a pair of parallel pivot plates or levers 56 which are supported for rocking movement abo-ut a central pivot or stud 51 which is in turn rigidly secured in a boss or socket 58 (Fig. 9) extending forwardly from the base portion 38 of the bracket. The upper'and lower end portions of the parallel plates 55 are thus disposed on opposite sides of the locking pins 45 and 41 and are operatively secured to the latter by means of a pair of transverse thrust pins 59 which extend through the locking pins and have their opposite ends received in suitably elongated slots 6I in the plates 56. A helical spring 62 surrounds the pin 41 and is interposed intermediate the lower portion of the plates 56 and the lefthand boss 44, as viewed in Figs. '1 and 8, for normally urging the pivot plates 56 in a counterclockwise direction. As will be seen in Fig. 7, the spring 62 thus causes the lower pin 41 to project outwardly to the right into a selected socket 52-53 in the right-hand arm 2 I, and in similar fashion the pin 46 is caused to extend into a corresponding socket in the left-hand arm 2l thereby rigidly retaining the entire pivot support I9 in desired angular position relative to the post I4. A stop collar 63 is adjustably secured on the pin 46 for coaction with the left-hand boss 43 in order to limit the extent to which the

locking pins

46 and 41 project into the arms 2 I.

For releasing the locking mechanism, I provide a depending operating handle 64 which is pivotally attached at its upper end to a pin 65 eX- tending through the plates 56 in eccentric relation to the central pivot 51 of the plates 56. As will be evident from Fig. 8, when the handle 64 is pulled downwardly, the plates 56 are rocked in a clockwise direction thereby retracting both of the locking pins 46 and 41 within the confines of the bracket 31 so that the arms 2l are thereby rendered rotatably adjustable on the post I4. During the releasing action, the spring 62 is of course compressed and upon releasing the handle 64 the spring 62 automatically causes the shiftable pins 46 and `41 to return to locking position. It will be understood that the elongated slots 6I in the pivot plates 56 provide the necessary clearance to accommodate the slight relative shifting of the thrust pins 59 during rotation of the plates 56. By providing the recesses 52-53 in a continuous circular arrangement, it will be seen that my device permits of a Wide variation in angular relation between the arms 2I and the post I4.

By reason of the double pivoted arrangement through which the support I9 can be adjusted relative to the post I4 and the table leaf 26 can be adjusted relative to the support I9, the device is capable of a wide variety of uses. For example, in Fig. 4, the table leaf 26 is arranged at an incline and the arms 2l are adjusted in downwardly extending angular position so that this arrangement is well suited for use as a reading rack or desk while seated in a chair. In Fig. 6, the table leaf 26 is likewise at an incline but the arms 2I are adjusted to an upwardly extending angular position so that the table leaf 26 is at a higher elevation. This arrangement would aca ,1,559

be suitable for use asa music rack orfotln-ir like,

purposes. In Fig. `1, the table .leaf .26 is shownv in horizontal v.position so. that device maybe used for general living room purposes or as a beds-ide table. It will be notedthat in the Fig. 1 position, the table leaf .2E is firmly supported by `reasonof the engagement of the leaf 28 with the .supper edges of the arms 2I and also by Areason of the fact that the rear edge of the table leaf $26 rests on ythe at knob I8 at the top ofthe upright post I4. In addition, in any ofthe various positions of the table it will be seen that Ythe device .is quitey stable even though .the table leaf 2G extends outwardly to` a considerable distance beyond the axis lof the post 1:4. The high degreeof stability is accounted for bythe fact that vthe center leg t3 of .the base ll is made somewhat longer than the side Alegs I2 so that the center of gravity of the device is always within the confines of vthe legs I.2 and I3.

Another advantage of the device resides in the fact that it can be compactly folded for storage purposes, as best seen in Fig. 3. lThe curved or oiset conformation of the arms 2l is very important in this respect since it permits the arms 2l to be disposed in a vertical position closely adjacent and parallel to the post I4. In addition, the table leaf 26 can be folded into parallel position against the arms 2I. When the article is thus arranged for storage, the nut 29 may be tightened as required in `order-to hold the leaf 2S in the desired vertical position. It will also `loe seen from Fig. 3 that when thus folded the vertical height of the leaf 26- is such that when the device is viewed from the front in the usual manner, all of the adjusting mechanism is completely concealed from normal view thereby providing an attractive article of furniture even when .the table is not being used. In addition, the Ycurved or offset shape of the arms 2l oontributes substantially to the range of available height or elevation to which the leaf 25 can be adjusted.

Although the invention hasbeen described in connection with a specific structural embodiment thereof it will be understood that various modifications and equivalent structures may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable table comprising an upright post, a pair of parallel arms pivotally secured at opposite sides of the post, a table leaf pivotally mounted adjacent one edge thereof at the outer ends of said arms, releasable locking means coacting between said post and said arms for retaining the latter in desired angular position relative to said post, a pawl swingably supported between said arms, and rack means secured to said table leaf for cooperation with said pawl whereby to retain the table leaf in desired angular position relative to said arms.

2. An adjustable table comprising an upright post, a pair of parallel arms pivotally secured at opposite sides of the post, a table leaf pivotally mounted adjacent one edge thereof at the outer ends of said arms, releasable locking means coacting between said post and said arms for retaining the latter in desired angular position relative to said post, and an elongated retainer pivotally carried between said arms and adapted to be swung outwardly from said arms into retaining engagement with said table leaf for holding the latter in desired angular position relative to the arms, said retainer being retractable 6 into. inactive position substantiallyywithin the confines of said arms when said table 4leaf is in substantially parallel relation .to said arms.

3. An adjustable table comprising an .upright post, a pair of parallel .arm .pivotally .secured at opposite sides of the post., a table leaf pivotally mounted adjacent one edge thereof at the outer ends of said arms, and releasable looking ,means mounted on said post intermediate said arms and. adapted to coact with the arms for retain-v ing the latter in predetermined angular position relative to said post.

4. An adjustable table comprising an uprightA post, a pair of parallel arms each pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof at opposite sides of the post, a table leaf pivotally attached adjacent one edge thereof to the outer end portions of said arms, releasable locking means. mounted on said post intermediate said arms and coacting with said one end of each of said arms for retaining the latter in .desired angular position relative tov said post, and elongated retainer means swingably mounted between said arms intermediate the ends of the latter, said retainer; means being swingable outwardly from said arms for coaction with said table leaf for holding the table leaf in desired angular position relative to the arms and said retainer means.v being retractable into inactive position substantially within the connes of said arms when said table leaf is in substantially parallel rela-v tion to said arms.

5. An adjustable table comprising a base with, an upright post thereon, a pair of parallel elongated .arms each having an offset attaching portion at one end thereof, pivot means securing the attaching portions of said arms at opposite sides of said post whereby the pivot for said arms is in offset relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arms, a table leafrpivotallysecured adjacent one edge thereof to the outer ends of said arms, and releasable locking meanscoactingbetween said post and said armsv for retaining the latter in desired angular position relative to said post, the offset pivotal connection of Said arms to said post permitting the arms to be readily disposed in depending position parallelI to said post and closely adjacent thereto for compact folded arrangement of the device and also increasing the range of height adjustability of the leaf when the latter is in elevated position.

6. The device of claim 5 further characterized in that said table leaf is adapted to be pivoted into parallel relation to said arms whereby the entire device can be folded compactly with the table leaf and arms in upright parallel side-byside relation with said post.

7. An adjustable table comprising a base with an upright post thereon, a pair of parallel elongated arms each having an outwardly curved end portion disposed at opposite sides of said post, pivot means extending through said post and the curved end portions of said arms whereby said arms are mounted on a pivot axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the arms, a table leaf pivotally attached adjacent one edge thereof to the outer end portions of said arms, and releasable locking means carried on said post intermediate said arms and coacting with the curved end portions of the arms for retaining the latter in desired angular position relative to said post.

8. An adjustable table comprising a base having an upright post thereon, elongated arm means pivotally attached at one end thereof to the post adjacent the top of the latter, a table leaf pivotally attached adjacent one edge thereof to the opposite end of said arm means, and releasable locking means for retaining said arm means in desired angular position relative` to said post, said table leaf being adapted to be disposed in supporting contact with said arm means when the arm means and the table leaf are in horizontal position and the top of said post being engageable in supporting relation with the table leaf adjacent the opposite free edge thereof.

9. An adjustable table comprising a base including an upright post, a pair of elongated parallel arms pivotally secured to the post at opposite sides thereof, a table leaf pivotally mounted adjacent one edge thereof at the outer ends of said arms, and releasable locking means adapted to retain said arms in desired angular position relative to said post, said locking means comprising retractable pin means mounted on said post and adapted to coact with said arms.

10. An adjustable table comprising a base including an upright post, a pair of elongated parallel arms pivotally secured to the post at opposite sides thereof, a table leaf pivotally mounted adjacent one edge thereof at the outer ends of said arms, and releasable locking means adapted to retain said arms in desired angular position re1- ative to said post, said locking means comprising a plurality of pins shiftably mounted on said post intermediate said arms, said arms being provided with a plurality of openings for receiving the ends of the pins in locking relation, spring means normally urging said pins into locking position in said openings, and manually operable means for retracting said pins from said openings to permit pivotal adjustment of said arms relative to the post.

11. An adjustable table comprising a base including an upright post, a pair of elongated parallel arms pivotally secured to the post at opposite sides thereof, a table leaf pivotally mounted adjacent one edge thereof at the outer ends of said arms, and releasable locking means adapted to retain said arms in desired angular position relative to said post, said locking means comprising a bracket rigidly afxed to said post intermediate said arms, a pair of locking pins slidably mounted on said bracket and disposed transversely between said arms, spring-pressed lever means pivotally mounted between said locking pins and operative- 1y connected to the latter for urging the pins in opposite directions whereby the outer end portions of the pins are normally extended beyond said bracket, said arms each being provided with a plurality of openings for receiving the projecting end portions of one of said pins in locking relation therewith, and manually operable means connected to said lever means for retracting said pins whereby to permit angular adjustment of the arms relative to said post.

12. An adjustable table compri-sing a b-ase including an upright post, a pair of elongated parallel arms each having an offset portion at one end and disposed on opposite sides of said post, a pivot extending through said post and the offset portions of said arms for svvingably securing the arms to the post, a table leaf pivotally mounted adjacent one edge thereof at the outer ends of said arms, the offset portions of said arms being provided with a plurality of openings arranged circumferentially on a predetermined radius with respect to said pivot, and releasable locking means adapted to retain said arms in desired angular position relative to said post, said locking means including a pair of transverse slidable pins operatively supported on said post intermediate said arms at the same radial distance from said pivot as said openings whereby said pins are adapted to extend outwardly from the post into selected openings in said arms for retaining the latter in said desired angular position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 363,339 Kidder et al. May 17, 1887 '706,228 Fleming Aug. 5, 1902 1,404,448 Kroupa Jan. 24, 1922 1,529,022 Fraser Mar. 10, 1925 1,925,087 Andren Sept. 5, 1933 1,956,546 Froelich Apr. 24, 1934 2,471,646 Norwood May 31, 1949 2,628,142 Dubach Feb. 10, 1953