US2692175A

US2692175A - Folding table with hinged top

Info

Publication number: US2692175A
Application number: US398343A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stanley A Jacques
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-12-15
Filing date: 1953-12-15
Publication date: 1954-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1971-10-19

Description

1954 s. A. JACQUES FOLDING TABLE WITH HINGED TOP 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1953 INVENTOR. STANLEY A. JACQUES Oct. 19, 1954 s. A. JACQUES FOLDING TABLE WITH HINGED TOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15. 1953 INVEVTOR. STANLEY A. JACQUES "1%, ATTORNEY i 'atented Get. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE FOLDING TABLE WITH HINGED TOP Stanley A. Jacques, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 15, 1953, Serial No. 398,343

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to folding tables of light and compact form, typically suited to support of refreshments.

A primary object of the invention is to provide such a table of novel form, providing the desirable characteristics of complete portability, sturdiness, and convenient compactness while in either folded or unfolded condition, and also, while unfolded, providing convenience in the sense of minimum interference with movements of the user and adaquate stability both during intentional moving and against accidental overturning.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a preferred form of the table, illustrating the manner of its use.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, showing an intermediate stage in the folding or unfolding of the table.

Figs. 4 and 5 respectively are end and side elevations of the table fully folded.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 7-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 8--8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Describing the drawings in detail, the table comprises two main parts, a table top 10, and a supporting frame N (Fig. 1). The frame includes a pair of side supports l2, l3, each having a top member [4, a bottom member I5, and a standard-providing or intermediate portion IS. The top and bottom members have relatively oppositely disposed, outer surfaces I8, is (Figs. 3 to 5) preferably parallel, that respectively provide for underlying support of the table top and supporting surfaces for resting on a floor.

Advantageously, supports l2, l3 are in the form shown, substantially U-shaped, with straight top and bottom-members l4, 15 right angularly disposed relative to straight intermediate portions [6, and of cylindrical tubing bent to form. The top and bottom members project from the standard-providing portions H in such relative angular disposition that at the same time that the bottom members l5 provide stable support for the frame H, the top members 14 are suitably positioned to underlie the table top H].

The side supports l2, 13 are joined together by a cross member 20 that is pivotally attached to them to permit them to swing between positions wherein the bottom members l5 provide stable support, and the top members M are suitably positioned to underlie table top Iii, and wherein the frame is folded, with the members of therespective supports extending generally toward each other, as seen in Fig. 5. Conveniently, and as shown, with the supports of elongate cylindrical material, the cross member 213 may have attached to it adjacent each of its ends one or more collars 2i that surround the cylindrical intermediate portions l6, which may be fixed against axial movement by pins 22. Furthermore, cross member 20 may be in the illustrated form, generally U-shaped with its arms 23 parallel and alongside portions of the side supports.

Cross member 20 is so located relative to top support members i4 that the latter may swing past it, it being preferable that clearance between their more adjacent surfaces be narrow. Table top iii is pivotally attached, preferably adjacent its rear edge, the edge that is more adjacent the support portions [6 while the table is erected, by means that so space the table top from member 26] as to permit it to rest on top members 14, and as required by the spacing of member 20 inward of members [4 to provide clearance when the latter are swung to folded condition. Conveniently, and as shown, with the cross member made of bent, elongate, cylindrical stock, the pivotal attachment of top Iii to member 25 may be by collars 24 surrounding the latter end attached to the former by spacers 25.

The manner of use and operation of the table now will be apparent. The folded condition is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein top It hangs from cross member 20, alongside supports I2, is, which are folded with their members M, [4 and i5, i5 extended generally toward and partially alongside each other. To erect the table, top it is swung upward until, as suggested by Fig. 3, the top members hi can be swung under it. The supports [2, l3 thereupon are swung from their folded relationship, Figs. 4 and 5, to the relationship shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and thereafter the top is lowered upon members I l.

To look the member against unintentional outward swinging from beneath the table top, the latter may be supplied with stops, conveniently grooves 26 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, in which members hi engage. Additionally, supports l2, I3 may be provided with extension feet 21 to prevent tipping of the table.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that many modifications of the specific embodiment herein disclosed, within the principles and pur- 3 poses of the inventions therein embodied, and consequently it will be understood that the breadth of that invention and scope of protection to which it is entitled, are to be determined solely from the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A folding table comprising a frame including a pair of supports, each having an intermediate portion and bottomand top members extended laterally of said portion in substantially parallel relation, and a cross member extended between said intermediate portions and relatively positioning them with said bottom and top members respectively disposed to serve as feet and table top supports, and a table top pivoted, to said frame for swinging between a table-providing position overlying and supported by said top them here and a folded position alongside said intermediate portions.

2 A folding table according to claim 1, wherein said cross member is pivo'tall'y attached to said intermediate side member portions to permit swinging of said supports between positions wherein said top members provide support for said table top, and positions wherein they permit downward swingingof said table top 3 A folding table acce'rding to claii'n 2, wherein each of said supports comprises a substantially U-shaped member, and wherein the median axes of the top and bottom members of each said support lie substantially in the same plane.

4. A folding table comprising a frame including a pair of side supports, each having a standard'- providing portion and bottom and top members provided with relatively opposite outer surfaces that are substantially parallel, and a cross member pivotally attached to said standard providing portions to permit said supports to swing, and the difierent members of the respective supports said table top is pivoted to said cross member closely adjacent an edge of said top.

6'; A folding table according to claim 5, wherein each of said supports is substantially U-shaped, and the top and bottom members of each support are straight and have their longitudinal axes disposed substantially in a single plane.

'7. A; folding table according to claim 4, wherein said cross member is spaced inward from the inner surfaces of said top members, to permit the iatter to swing past ityi-hl illidl'hg means ivoting said table top to said cross'ifiemb'er and spacing it therefrom at a distance permitting it to overlie said top members;

References Cited in the file of this patent sw ms- PATENTS