US2700585A

US2700585A - Retractable cabinet mounting

Info

Publication number: US2700585A
Application number: US289840A
Authority: US
Inventors: Strocco Gene
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-05-24
Filing date: 1952-05-24
Publication date: 1955-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1972-01-25

Description

Jan. 25, 1955 G. sTRocco RETRACTABLI: CABINET MOUNTING 4 She'ets-Sheet l Filed May 24, 1952 INI/ENTOR. GENE STROCCO. @2f

ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1955 G. sTRocco RETRACTABLE CABINET MOUNTING 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24, 1 952 JNI/ENTOR GENE STROCCQ /1' TTORNE Y Jam-'25, 1955 RETRACTABLE CABINET MOUNTING Filed May 24, 1952 G. STROCCO 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INI/EN TOR.

GENE STROCCO.

Jan. 25, 1955 G. sTRocco RETRACTABLE CABINET MOUNTING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 24, 1952 INI/EN TOR GENE STROCCO.

ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent() 2,700,585 RETRACTABLE CABINET MOUNTING Gene Strocco, Whitestone, N. Y. Application May 24, 1952, Serial No. 289,840 26 Claims. (Cl. S12-30) This invention relates to 4retractable cabinet mountings, more particularly to special sewing machine mountings for use with drop cabinets.

IIn conventional sewing machine cabinets where the machine head is movable between a storage position withlin the cabinet well and an operative position on the cabinet table, considerable effort must generally be expended both in lifting and lowering the head; and since most sewling machine operators are women, the physical effort required in such operations frequently results in considerable and at times harmful strains. With all such conventional devices, it is extremely diiicult, and with many operators impossible, to lift the machine head from its storage position while the operator is in her seated position; and in lowering the machine head into the cabinet, considerable cauti-on is required to prevent damage to the machine by an inadvertent `dropping thereof. It is pri- :marily within the contemplation of my invention to provide a retractable mounting, particularly although not limited to sewing machine cabinets, whereby the aforesaid diculties are obviated. And in this aspect of my invention it is an important object to eifect an automatic release of a previously stored sewing machine head, without any lifting eiiort on the part of the operator. And it is another important object of my invention to enable the machine t-o be manually lowered to its storage position with a minimum of effort.

'In the accomplishment of the above-mentioned objective, I employ a novel form of spring-loaded linkage, -as part of my retractable mounting, which includes a special form of iloating fulcrum providing a high mechanical advantage, whereby relatively small and spaceeconomical springs may be employed to effect the automatic lifting operation. And in this aspect of my invention it is an object to enable the spring elements of the mounting to be readily adjust-able for different tensions, to meet the specific requirements of each installation. And lit is a further object, in connection with this phase of my invention, to provide an optimum lifting arrangement in which there is a substantial initial lifting effort at the instant the automatic release is set into operation. In connection with the cushioning mechanism of my invention, I employ a novel combination of two springs, whereby, upon a manual lowering of the machine into the well, the springs are successively loaded, the combinative loading of the springs at the end of the storing movement preventing any damaging shocks to the machine head in the event it is inadvertently dropped.

`It is also an important object of my invention to provide a unitary retractable mounting with such ture that it may be separately an independent unit, and readily installed by simple fas- It is further within my contemplation to provide a retractable cabinet mounting of the class above described which will occupy a minimum of space, so that it is adaptable for use with the relatively small cabinets that are now widely employed. In the accomplishment of this Iin its horizontal operative position,

most effectively and economically employ the space of the cabinets well. To further effectuate space economy, a double spring arrangement is employed, whereby the springs are successively set into operation, thereby obviating the use of a long spring which could not be accommodated within the conventional small cabinet well. The. construction is such that, despite its contractibi'lity for storage purposes, the mounting is automatically expanded upon a lifting of the device to a form in which it can firmly and securely support the sewing machine head in its operative position. f

=It is still another object of my invention to enable it to be employed with sewing machine cabinets having conventional front and side laps, of the type more specifically hereinafter described. My novel form of mounting yis so constructed that, when it is automatically released from its locked storage position, the machine head portions of the cabinet to into the well. In this aspect of my invention it is an important object to hold the machine head securely in its said lifted position, whereby the said front ap can be operatively raised, so as to enable the subsequent lowering of the machine without danger of injury to the hands of the operator.

My mounting also contains a novel form ofcam and link support capable of firmly holding the machine head even if not supported by the front flap which normally is intended to provide a Vsupport therefor. The device is also provided with means the conventional wherebythe machine can be lowered from its raised position above zontal operative level to the said raised level, upon the application of a very slight upward pressure.

ln eiecting the automatic release of the machine from its locked storage position, I employ an easily operated release member which extends above the table only when the machine is in its said storage position.

level. IIt is my objective to provide a device of relatively simple construction and easy manufacture capable of performing the functions and attaining the objectives above mentioned.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through a fully retracted storage position.

igu're 2 is a View like Fig. 1, but showing the mounting and machine tions, the front ap ofthe cabinet being shown in a raised position by dot-dash lines. v Figure 3 is a view substantially like Fig. 2, but show- Iing the mounting supporting the leigl upon4the czbinet table top.

igure is a ragmentary section of Fi 1 taken alon line 4-4. g g Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the cabinet and mountingmechanism in the condition shown in Fig. 3, the machine head and a fragment of its base being removed for clarity. Figure 6 is a plan view, partly in section, ing of my invention shown in sition illustrated in Fig. 1.

'Figure 7 is a part fragmentary plan and part sectional v iew of Fig. 6, the section being taken substantially along line 7 7, certain parts being 8 is a view substantially like Fig. 7, cylinder being shown partly in section, the position of the parts being shown of the mountthe contracted storage pomachine in its operative.

when the device is inthe expanded con-- appear, the mounting dition of the mounting, such as are illustrated in Figures 2 and 10.

Figure 9 is a section of Fig. 5 taken along line 9-9 substantially at the level of the side nap.

Figure 10 is a true fragmentary plan view of the mountingand extensible support Iin the extended position illustrated lin Fig. 5.

'Figure l1 is a side view of Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is an venlarged fragmentary plan view of the right side of the cabinet mounting illustrated in Fig. 5, but showing a'fragment of the sewing machine and base inthe elevated position of Fig. 2.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary section of Fig. 1-2 taken along yline 13-13.

Figure 14 is a rear View of the cabinet of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of 14-14, showing the storage positionr of the mounting and its cylinder, and also :showing by Adot-dash lines two other positions of said cylinder, the upper position being that of Fig. 3, and the other position being that of an lintermediate position.

jF-igure 15 is a fragmentary vertical section of a machine cabinet containing a'modiiied form of mounting for y'the machine head, the latter being shown in full lines in litsjoperative position, the dot-dash lines representing thestorageposition of the machine head base and support therefor.

VFigure 16 is a perspective port jfor the machine head illustrated in Fig. 15, and

'Figure 17 is a fragmentary elevational view of Fig. 15, looking in the direction of line 174-17, the table being removed. a

The Adrawings illustrate an application of my invention to a sewing vmachine cabinet 20 housing my novel formof ymounting for `the sewing 'machine head 21 and its base'or bedplate 22. The cabinet comprises the respective front and

rear walls

23 and 24,

side walls

25 and 26, and table top 27 having a marginal portion 28, a frdntjilap 29 pivotally, mounted vat hinges 30 to the front marginal portion of the table, and a side flap 31 pivotally mounted at 'hinge 32 to the underside of the rear marginal portion of the table. The said base 22 is pivotally connected by hinges 33 to the rear marginal portion of the table, and is proportioned to cover the openingy 3`4 ofthe table leading in to the recess or well 35 lfor receiving the said vmachine head 21 when operatively retracted to its storage position, as illustrated in Fig. l, In'the construction shown, the front ap 29 has a lip 36 adapted to receive the forward portion 37 of the base '22 'and thereby serve as aseat therefor when the machine head is inits operativeposition on the table.

The said side ap 31 is yieldably urged upwardly vby the spring 38, 'said spring beingin engagement with the n'd'ersideof the ap 31 as illustrated'in Fig. 13, the s top 39 extending laterally inwardly from v underlie the base -22. The arrangement is suchthat the said side flap 31 will reach a position substantially level with thetable 27 when the stop v39 is'i'nengagement with view of the adjustable supthe underside `of base 22'at the latt'ersv operativehorizontal position. The function lof the side flap 31 -is to engage'a'nd actuate the mounting for Vthe machine,in a

"r'n'anner tobe hereinafter set forth.

Themachine base 22 1s suppor tive positions by my novel extensible floating mounting 40 to the'forward end 41v of which is pivotally connected Yto the bracket `42attached to the underside of the base 2'2, and the "rear end '43 of the mounting being pivotally connected to the hinge bracket 44 attached to the rear vi'all"24J of the` cabinet. As will more clearly-hereinafter 40 includes a variable length support 4S comprising an arrangement of pivotally interconnected' arms'which are in extendedV positions when the machine head 21 is disposed above the table 27, as is indicated in Figures 2 and `13, and in contracted positions when the machine head is in' its storage or retracted position, as indicated in Fig. 1. The said extensible support 45is associated with a spring-loaded member 46 which cushions the operation of lowering the machine into the well, which is releasably locked when the machine headis in its said retractedposition, and which, when released,;automatically projects the machine -head upwardly into a position above the table. -The mounting is also provided with a lever arrangement -t'oprovide a predetermined mechanical advantage during theV operative retraction and :projectionof thef machine head, whereby ted in its various pera- 'operate the device 'are the movements of the parts and the forces required to best suited for "safe, "e'as'y "and effective manipulation.

It will be noted that the said extensible support 45 1s variable in length in the directions indicated by the arrows A-A (Figures 5, 6 and 10), the forward transverse bracket bar 47 being movable towards the rear transverse bracket bar 48 as the support 45 is compressed (upon a movement of the machine head and its base into the well 35) from the positions shown in Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 1, the connecting

linkage maintaining bars

47 and 48 in parallel relation, so as to permit a swingable movement of base 22 about its pivot 33 the axis of which is parallel to the said

bars

47 and 48. Bar 47 carries the forward mounting bracket 49 which has two perforated arms 50a and 5017 through which extends the pin 51 upon which are pivotally mounted the toggle links 52, the latter being pivotally mounted on the pin 53 carried by the arm 54 of the base bracket 42 which is attached to the underside of the front portion of base 22.

The arrangement is such that when base 22 is operatively elevated to its uppermost limiting position above the table (see Figures 2 and 13) the pin 51 will be disposed to the right of pin 53, that'is, between the axis of base bracket 42 and that of the rear hinge bracket 44, and when base 22 is operatively lowered from its said uppermost position to its horizontal operative level (see Figures 3 and 15), the pin 51 will be to the left of pin 53, whereby the said axis of base bracket 42 is intermediate the axes of pin 51 and said hinge bracket 44. This is, in effect, a toggle linkage formed by the links 52, the arms 50a and 50b of support bracket 49 and the mopnting support 45, connecting the three axes mentioned. The arm 54 of base bracket 42 has frontand rear

arcuate seats

55 and 56, respectively, front seat 55 being adapted to receive the periphery of one of the arms of bracket 49 (arm 50b) when the base 22 is in its said horizontal position, and rear seat 56 being adapted to receive the peripheral portion of arm 50b when the base is in its said uppermost position (Fig. 13). The spring 57 is anchored to pin 51 on bracket 49 and to the stud 57a at the rear underside portion of base 22, whereby a rearward pull is constantly being exerted on links 52.

The arrangement is hence such that when the machine head and its base are operatively released from their storage positions (in a manner to be hereinafter explained) for movement to the uppermost level illustrated in Figures 2 and 13 the rearward pull of spring 57 will hold the toggle links 52 in their rearwardly extending positions with the peripheral portion of arm 5011 in engagement with seat 56, whereby the base 22 is maintained in said position. But when a downward force in thedirection of arrow B (Fig. 13) is applied to the supporting linkage 45 (in a manner to be explained)to bring the base 22 down to its horizontal position, the links are rotated forwardly in a clockwise directionuntil they assume the dot-dash position shown in Fig. 13, the peripheral portion of arm 50h resting against seat 55, whereby thebase -22 is iirmly and securely maintained in said horizontalposition. Indeed, even if the front a'p 29` were not supporting the base, the latter would still be 'neld'against downward movement into the well bythe support'provided by the bracket 49 whose arm 50h is maintained in supporting engagement with seat S5 by spring-loaded mounting mechanism to be hereinafter described. y

it will be noted that the lateral terminal portion 58 of the forward bracket'bar 47 underlies the side ap 31 (Fig. 12). It is hence apparent that when the ap 31 is manually depressed against the action'of spring 38 to the dot-dash positionshown in Fig. 13, said lateral portion 58 will be engaged by the flap, whereby the support 45 will be brought to its lower dot-dash position illustrated in Fig. 13, to bring the base 22 to its said horizontal position. Upon a release of side flap 31, the spring 38 will return it to its horizontal position, in the manner aforesaid.

The extensible support 45 for the spring-loaded mounting 40 contains the

links

59 and 60 extending rearwardly in crossing relation from their respective pivotal connections '61 and 62 at opposite ends'of front bracket bar 47, and the links 63l and 64 'extending forwardly' in crossing relation from their respective pivotal connections 65'au'd 66 at opposite ends of rear bracket bar 48. The for-A ward end of link 63 and the rear end of link 60`;arel pivotally connected at pivot 68 to the pivot block 69 mounted over the spring shaft 70 slidably extending through the aperture 71 of the block; andthe forward end of link 64 and the rear end of link 59 are pivotally connected at pivot 72 to the pivot block 73 having the aperture 74 through w 'ch the terminal portion 75 of shaft 70 extends.

Pivotally connected to link 60 at fulcrum point 76 and block 73 is the front fulcrum arm 77; and pivotally connected to link 64 at fulcrum point 78 and block 69 is the 79.

Points

76 and 78 are selected to provide a predetermined mechanical advantage for the springloaded mechanism, the lever arms from said fulcrum points to said blocks being considerably greater thanvthe arms from the fulcrum points to the ends of

brackets

47 and 48. For example, the arms of

links

60 and 64 from their respective fulcrum points 76 yand 78 to their respective block pivots 68 and 72 may be three times as great as the arms of said links from the respective fulcrum points to the

pivots

62 and 66, thereby providing a mechanical advantage for the action of the springs of the mounting 40, as will more clearly hereinafter appear.

The said shaft 70 slidably extends through the aperture 80 of the end wall 81 of air vent cylinder 82 having the air vent opening 83 therein. Mounted on the outer end of shaft 70 is the piston 84, the spring 85 being mounted over the shaft between the piston 84 and the end wall 81. Another spring 86, of greater spring strength than spring 85, is mounted over the cylindrical shaft housing 87 disposed over the inner portion of the shaft 70, the inner terminal portion 88 of the housing being in threaded engagement with the internally threaded portion 89 of block 73. The said housing contains diametrically opposite longitudinal slots 90 for slidably accommodating the spring stop pin 91 extending through the shaft 70. The said spring 86 is in abutment with pin 91 and the nut 92 mounted over and in threaded engagement with the housing 87, the operative rotation of said nut being eiectve to adjust the tension within spring 86. The outer terminal edge 93 of housing 87 is abuttable with the adjustable bushing 94, in threaded engagement with stop 69, to adjustably determine the position of nut 92 relative to block 69, whereby the tension in spring 86 can be correspondingly controlled.

The arrangement is such that when the mounting is in its extended condition as illustrated in Figures 5, 8 and 10, the

springs

85 and 86 are under a predetermined minimum amount of stress. Upon a downward operative movement of the machine head 21 and its base 22 into the well 35, there is a rearward component of the operating force in the direction of arrow C (Figures 2 and 3), said force being transmitted through the bar 47, the

links

59, 60, 63 and 64, with ithe aid of

arms

77 and 79, to cause a pivotal rotation of said links and arms and a separating movement of said block pivots 68 and 72 and their

respective blocks

69 and 73. Since housing 87 is secured at portion 88 thereof to block 73, the movement of block 73 will cause a corresponding movement of housing 87 slidably along shaft 70, thereby causing a compression of spring 86, the slots 90 permitting such movement past the pin 91 affixed to the shaft 70. At the same time, the opposite outward movement of the block 69, which is in engagement with end wall 81 of the cylinder 82, causes The mechanism is maintained in this spring-loaded condition by the action of the hook catch 95 pivotally mounted at 96 to the catch bracket 97 on the rear bar 48. This catch, engaged by spring 98 mounted on the pin 99 of bracket 97, normally urges the hook downwardly with the recessed portion 100 of the hook facing downwardly and the sloping cam surface 101 facing the cylindrical housing 87. As the

blocks

69 and 73 separate in the manner aforesaid, both the bar 47 and entire cylinder-shaftspring assembly move towards the rear bar 48, until the shaft 70 reaches the hook catch 95, engaging the vcam wall 101 and rotating it upwardly against the action of spring 98, the catch riding over the shaft until the recessed or hooked portion 100 embraces the shaft, whereupon,

due to the action of spring 98, the catch holds the shaft, together with the entire mounting mechanism 40, in the fully retracted position, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. lt will be noted that the catch 95 is pivotally connected at 102 to the internally threaded titting 103 attached to the rod 104 which is connected to pusn rod 105 through the pivotally supported bar 106 and lever 107, the latter being supported at 108 by the bracket 109 attached to the table top 28 (see Fig. 4). The push rod extends upwardly through aperture 110 in the table top, and is maintained in its uppermost position by the spring 111 anchored to bracket 109 and attached to lever 107. The elements of this mechanism are so arranged and proportioned that the push rod 105 will extend above the vtable top when the machine is in the storage position shown in Figure 1, and completely below the surface of ther table when the machine head is in any of its raised positions. n

vHence, when it is desired to release the mechanism from its storage or retracted position, all that need be done is to pusn the push rod 105 downwardly, whereby 1 04 and 103 will be raised, to cause ak corspring 85, acting on the the cylinder, also causes within the cylinder, the vent hole 83 cushioning and retarding the action. This action draws the pivot blocks 69 and 73 together, and causes a corresponding expanding movement of

tne links

59, 60, 63 and 64, whereby the entire cylinder-shaft assembly and the bar 47 are moved forwardly and upwardly, the rear hinge 44 permitting a swingable upward movement of the entire mounting as it forces the pivotally In the compressing operation,

compress spring 86, the applied force will then cause both springs to compress, as indicated by Figure 6.

In the opening operation of this device, it is irst advisable to lift the front iiap 29 to the dot-dash position shown in Fig. 2, and then to press the push rod 105. This raises catch 95, permitting the extensible support 45 to expand forwardly in the manner above described, spring 85 causing an upward pivotal movement of the mounting, to carry the machine head to the uppermost position illustrated in action of spring 57, the toggle links 52 are their rearwardly extending position as illustrated in the drawing. In th' positionshown in Fig. 13. Inasmuch as the said side flap 31 overlies the lateral terminal portion 58 of the extensible bracket 45 (see Figures 12 and 13), the said downward depressed to the dot-dash 7 'It will benotedthatgwhen the base-'22 isiinits operative horizontal position, thefforwardfportion thereof 'is in engagement'with the klip"36fot the front'flap 29,"the latter supporti'ngth'e basein its'` said position. -It is-tobe further'obse'rved, however, that even if the front ap 29 were not Ain -its horizontal "supporting position, the 'machine h'ead would still be supported -`and held against downward movement. Thislisnotonly due to the action ofthefs'prings 85fand86in'the mounting, but alsoto the factt'hat'th'e arm 50hI of bracket'49 is nowin engagement with the'fo'rwardseat 'SS'of bracket v42, whereby a'steady s'pp'o'rt fo'r'the machine'head' is' provided. i When itisdesired/to retract the machine head into the well, a Islight upward pull uponthe machine head'or base -2`2 willtcause the togglelinks '52"toswing counterelockwisefabout'their axis 53,'under-the action of spring 57, ithereby bringing the machine 'hea'dinto the uppermost position shown in Fig. 13. After this step, the front flap y29 isswung upwardly; and thereafter theentire machine head is forced downwardly 'into the well against the/action ofthe 'said lspringsSS and 86,'this actionbeing a'id'edby 'the weight of the machine. "Whenthe machine l iinal `storage position, asp-illustrated -in Fig. '1,'th'e'latch95" engages shaft 70, in themanner'aforesaid, to vl.maintain the ldevice in said retracted position.

-In the event it is desiredtotrcmove the entire extensible mounting 401fromthe base 22, all thatneed be done-is to disengage the pin 51,1(Figures V2. A'and 10) and-detach the spring 57 `from one of its'supports, whereupon said pin can be withdrawn'from the'ar'ms 50a andS'tib of bracket 49'and from the toggle links 52, and theibase 22 swung up `from ytheopening of the well 35. This will permit ready access't'obe had to-theunderside o'fthe machine, as ywell as to said mounting 40 and all the 'components thereof. Y

In the modification of Figures to l-7, the forward part-ofthe-bas'e 112 ofthe machine head 113-ismounte'd upon the angle-bar `support 114, the said bracket 42 being attached'to the underside thereof. The leg 115 of the angle-bar support is pivotally connected at hinge 116 to the adjustable slotted bar 117the rear end 118 of which is pivotally'connected to hinge 119 attached to the table top l120. 'Bar117 contains two components, the upper slotted member 121 containing the slots122 and 123, and the low'er'member 124 carrying two headed lslide pins 125 and -126extendingupwardly through'said Aslots -122 and 123,:respectively. The arrangement is such that upon lan operative raising and`lowering'of the'rnachine 113, member 121 `will slide lalong member '124, due to the said slottedconstr'uction, the lengthof bar V117 being varied to adjust `itself to -the various positions 4'of the machine head. In this construction, a-C-clamp underside -of flange 128 lof bracket 42 and the upper portion of themachine'base 112,'the set screw v129 lextending through upper' arm 130 of the clamp to releasably hold the base to said bracket 42. The arrangement is hence fsuch that upon an operative detachment-of said C-clfamp 127, the mounting assembly'40 can readily be detached from the machine 113.

vInlboth'forrns of my inventionit is apparent that the novelfmounting not only servesits intended function as abovedescribed, but italso constitutes va unitary device which'can be'readily'prefabricated, shipped and installed in conventional sewing machine cabinets.

Y:In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of'example and in -preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. itis to be understood, therefore, that the invention is'not limitedrto any specific'form or manner of practicing same, Vexcept insofar as such limitations are' specied inthe appendedv claims.

v1.-In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal `table and lateral walls 'dening an internal well, 'an aperture'in the table communicating with said well, a sewing machine head, a'base supporting said head, -said base being pivotally mounted on the cabinet and being movable between a retracted storage position in said well'andan upperlimiting position 'above s'aidtable, said base being inclined upwardly from its pivot when inesaid upper limiting position to form an acute angle between' thebase and the table,a pivotal mounting supporting said base fbetween its said storage and upper limiting positions, said vhase being movable to va 'substantially horizontal positionat Awhich theimachine head is 127 embrace-s'the' 8 in its/operative 'ppsitiom 'releasable means, "respectively, forholding thesaid"ba'se"an`dihead at said'storag'e, operative andupper lirnitingp'ositions, and yieldablemeans normallyurging ysaid 'base' upwardly,'fsaid Lyielda'bl'el rneans exerting a forceof a magnitude sufticientto lift thebas'e and the memberssupported thereby upwardly to'th'esaid upper limiting position vsaid vyieldable means being'disposed on v saidfmoi'inting, ksaid'releasable means having a retractable latch in engagement with saidm'ounting when in itslsai'd storag'eposition,y a manually operable rodmovable between 4an upper position above the level'of :said table and a lowe'rposition 'no higher than the'level ofthe t'able, andconnecting'latch-actuating means between said od and'said latch, the 'ro'd b'eing in'said upper/position only wheny the latch is'in engagement withsaid mounting.

'2. vIna 4sewing machine drop cabinet construction, ya substantially =horizontal table and lateral walls defining an internal well, an aperture'in-thetable communicating with said well, a sewing machine head, "a basesupporting said lhead, said base being ipivotally mounted on the cabinet and being movable between a vretracted `storage positionfin saidwell and an upperlirniting position above said "table, said base being inclined upwardly n'from its pivot .when Vin 'said upper limiting Lposition v-to form 'an acute angle between the baseand the table, an extendable mounting having its rear-portion pivotally attached to-one of said walls of the cabinet and having its Vforward-portion in supporting engagement'with the said-base, said mounting beingextendable within 'the plane of its longitudinal extent,`togg'le link means connecting said forward portion of the mounting and the said base, said mounting vsupporting said base between its said storage and r-upper limiting positions, 'yieldable means normally urging saidbase to its said upper limiting position, said base being'movable to a substantially horizontal position at 4which the 'machine head is in'its operative position, and releasable means, respectively, for holding the said base and head-atsaid storage,operative and upper limiting positions.

3. in a sewing lmachine drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal table land lateral walls defining an internal well, an aperture in the Atable communicating with said well, a sewingtmachinehead, a bas'e supporting saidhead, said base vbeingpivotally mounted on the cabinet and "being mova 'le between a retracted storage position in said well and anupper'li'miting position above saidtable, saidbase being inclinedupwardly'from its pivot when 'in lsaid upper limiting position, an extendable mounting having its rear portion pivotally l'attached to the inner surface of one'of said wallstat apoint substantially below said table and havingits forward portion in-supporting engagement with said'base, Vsaid mounting'being'extendable within the ,plane of vits longitudinal extent, toggle link `means'connecting said forward portionfof the-mounting and the said base, said mounting Vbetween itssaidstorage and Lupper limiting positions, said extendable mounting beingV inclined upwardly lfrom its saidwpivotal connection when operatively supporting the said base vin an upper position, said base being movable to a substantially horizontal position at'which the machine head is in its voperative position, yieldable 'means normally urging said base upwardly from its storage position, and releasable means, respectively, for holding the said base and head at said storage, operative and upper limiting positions.

A4. in a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, said toggle link means comprising a mounting bracket attached to the said forward portion of the mounting, a base bracket attached to the said base, a mounting bracketpivot, a base bracket pivot, and a link mounted on said pivots and connecting said brackets, said link beingmovable'between two limiting positions when said base is operatively moved between saidupper and said operative positions, and spring means urging said link towards one of said positions.

5. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, and air vent means comprising `an air vent cylinder and piston operable by said extendable mounting.

l6. In asewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according 'to claim 3, and air ventmea'ns comprisingan air vent cylinder and piston operable by one end of's'aid 'cylinder being theother'end being free oatsaidfexte'ndable mounting, attached tofsaid mounting, ing.

7. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, and air ventmeans comprising an air vent cylinder and piston operable by said extendable mounting, one end of said cylinder being attached to said mounting, the other end being free iioating, said mounting being expandable from a contracted position when the said base is in its said storage position to an extended position when the base is in its said upper limiting position, said cylinder beng disposed parallel to the table and movable from a lowermost position when the base is in said storage position to an uppermost position when the base is in said uppermost limiting position.

8. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, and air vent means comprising an air vent cylinder and piston, a piston rod connecting said piston to said extendable mounting, and a cylinder spring disposed over said rod and urging it in a direction to cause an operative expansion of said extendable mounting.

9. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, and air vent means comprising an air vent cylinder and piston, a piston rod connecting said piston to said extendable cylinder spring disposed over said rod within 10. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, and air vent means comprising an air vent cylinder and piston, a piston rod connecting said piston to said extendable mounting, a cylinder spring disposed over said rod within the cylinder, a second spring disposed over another portion of said rod exteriorly of the cylinder, both springs urging the rod in a direction to cause an operative expansion of said extendable mounting, and a retractable latch in engagement with said rod when the mounting is in the said storage position.

In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, said extendable link structure having a plurality of pivotally connected crossing links supporting front and rear parallel transverse bars, the said rear transverse bar being pivotally connected to the said inner surface, and the said front transverse bar being in supporting engagement with said base.

12. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 3, said extendable mounting comprising a foldable link structure having a plurality of pivotally connected crossing links supporting front and rear parallel transverse bars, the said rear transverse being pivotally connected to the and the said front transverse bar being in supporting engagement with said base, said foldable link structure havlg tlvo opposite pivotal connections each carrying a pivot l3. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the comblnation according to claim 3, said extendable mountblock, spring means urging said pivot blocks towards each other, to cause an expanding movement of said foldable link structure, said link structure comprising two pairs of of said links at a fulcrum point intermediate its ends.

14. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal table and lateral walls defining an internal well, an aperture in the table communicating with said well, a sewing machine head, a base supporting said head, said base being pivotally mounted on the cabinet and being movable between a retracted storage position in said well and an upper limiting position above said table, said base being inclined upwardly from its pivot when in said upper limiting position, an extendable mounting having its rear portion pivotally attached to the inner surface of a rear one of said lateral walls at a point substantially below said table and having its forward portion in supporting engagement with said base, toggle link means connecting said forward portion of the mounting and the said base, said mounting supporting said base between its said storage and upper limiting positions, said extendable mounting being inclined upwardly and forwardly when operatively supporting the said base in an upper position, said base being movable to a substantially horizontal position at which the machine head is in its operative position, yieldable means normally urging said base upwardly from its storage position, and releasable means, respectively, for holding the said base and head at said storage, operative and upper limiting positions, said toggle link means comprising a mounting bracket attached to the said forward portion of the mounting, a base bracket attached to the forward portion of said base, a mounting bracket pivot, a base bracket pivot, and a link mounted on said pivots and connecting said brackets, said link being movable between a forward limiting position when said base i's in its operative position and a rearward limiting position when the base is in its said upper limiting position, and spring means urging said link towards its said rearward limiting position.

l5. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 14, said spring means being attached to said bracket pivot and said base.

6. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 14, said base bracket having a rear seat thereon, said mounting bracket being in engagement with said rear seat when the base is in said upper limiting position.

17. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, the combination according to claim 14, said base bracket having a front seat thereon, said mounting bracket being in engagement with said front seat when the base is in said operative position.

18. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal table and lateral walls defining an internal well,

net and being movable between tion in said well and an upper said table, said base being inclined upwardly from its pivot when in said upper limiting position, a pivotally tively, storage, operative and upper limiting positions, said mounting having a portion thereof underlying the side flap when the base is in said upper limiting position, whereby upon an operative downward movement of said flap it will engage said mounting and actuate it and the base and machine head supported thereby downwardly.

-l In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal table and lateral walls defining an internal well,

an upper limiting position above said table, said base being inclined upwardly from its pivot when in said upper limiting position, a supporting member underlying the forward portion of said base, an extensible bar the front of which is pivotally connected to said member and the rear of which is pivotally attached to the table top, an extendable mounting having its rear portion pivotally attached to one of said walls of the cabinet and having its forward portion in detachable engagement with said supporting member, said mounting supporting said base between its said storage and upper limiting positions, yieldable means normally urging said base to its said upper limiting position, said base being movable to a substantially horizontal position at which the machine head is in its operative position, and releasable means, respectively, for holding the said base and head at said storage, operative and upper limiting positions.

20. In a mounting for supporting a member with a 11 base betweenfa predetermined storage position'in acabin'et'in which position the base is in a substatniallyvertical position 'and an operative position in which lthe base Vis in a substantially horizontal position, an extensible springloaded support comprising two pairs of oppo'sitely extending crossing links, one pair extending in a predetermined forwardly direction and the other pair in the opposite rearwardly direction, said pairs being Joined together at two opposite pivotal points, whereby a foldable link structure is formed, pivot blocks at eachof said points, hinge members attached to the respective rearmost and foremost portions of said rearwardly and forwardly extending pairs of links, a-rear'fulcrum arm pivotally connected to one'of said rearwardly extending'links at a fulcrum point intermediate its ends and to the pivotall point at which the other of said rearwardly extending links is connected, a front fulcrum arm pivotally connected toone of said forwardly extending links at a fulcrum point intermediate its ends and to the pivotal point at which the other of said forwardly extending links is connected, apertures in both of said pivot blocks, a spring shaft slidably extending throughboth of said apertures, andspring means on said shaft urging the said blocks in opposite directions, to cause an expanding movement of the links of said foldable link structure. l

21. ln a mounting of the class described, the combination according to claim 20, said spring means comprising two separate springs mounted on said shaft, one of'said springs being of greater spring tension than the other.

22. In a mounting of the class described, the combination according to claim 20, and an air vent cushioning member comprising an air vent cylinder and a piston therein, said spring shaft extending through said cylinder and being connected to said piston, said spring means including a spring mounted over said shaft and disposed within said cylinder between the said piston and an end of the cylinder.

23. ln a machine-supporting drop cabinet construction, a `substantially horizontal table and lateral walls defining an internal well, an aperture in the table communicating with said Well, a machine-supporting base pivotally mounted on the cabinet and being movable between a retracted storage position in said well and an upper limiting position above said table, said base being .inclined upwardly from its pivot when in said upper limiting position to form an acute angle between the base and the table, a mounting pivotally connected to the cabinet and supporting and connected to said base and proportioned to limit the operative movement of said base between the latters said storage and upper limiting positions, said base being movable to a substantially horizontal operative position, releasable means, respectively, for holding the said base at said storage, operative and upper limiting positions, and yieldable means urging said base upwardly.

V24. In a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal table and lateral walls deining a'n internal well, an aperture in the table communicating with said well, a sewing machine head, a base supporting said head, said base being pivotally mounted on the cabinet and being movable between a retracted storage position in said well and an upper limiting position above said table, said base being inclined upwardly from its pivot when in said upper limiting position to form an acute angle between the base and the table, an extendable mounting pivotally connected to the cabinet and supporting and connected to said base, said mounting being extendable from an operative contracted position to an operative extended position, the mounting when in its said'c'ontr'a'cted position supporting s'aidba'se in its said storage position,ysaid mounting being proportionedwhe'n in its :said extended position operativelyto'support said base in its saidupper limiting position, saidb'ase being movable to asubstantally horizontal position 'at which the machine head is in its opertaive position, releasable means, respectively, for holding the said base Iand head at said storage, operative and upper limiting positions, and yieldable meansurging said base upwardly.

25. ln a sewing machine drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal table and lateral Walls defining an internal well, an aperture in the table communicating with said well, a sewing machine head, a base supporting said head, vsaid base being pivotally mounted on the cabinet andibeing movable between a'retracted storageposition in Vsaid well and an upper position in which said sewing machine head is above said well, an extendable mounting pivotally connected to the cabinet and supporting and connected to said base, said mounting being extendable from an operative contracted position to `an operative extended position, the mounting when in its said contracted position supporting said base in its said storage position, said mounting being proportioned when in its said extended position operatively to support said base iny its said upper position, yieldable means urging said extendable mounting to its said extended position, whereby said baseand head are urged by said mounting to their said upper position, said base being movable to a substantially horizontal operative position, and releasable means, respectively, for holding the said base at said storage, operative and'upper limiting positions.

26. In a machine-supporting drop cabinet construction, a substantially horizontal table and lateral walls denning an internal well, an aperture in the table communicating with said well, a machine-supporting base pivotally mounted on the cabinet for movement through said aperture between a retracted storage positionin said well and anupper limiting position above said table in which the base is inclined upwardly to form an acute angle with'the table; longitudinally extendable linkage means supporting said base, said linkage means being supported by said cabinet, said linkage means being extendable within the plane of'its longitudinalextent and having an extended position supporting said base in its said upper-limiting position and a contracted position when said base is in its storage position; resilient means operatively associated with said linkage means and urging the latter to its extended position; said base being movable from its upper limiting position to an operative horizontal-position and to its said storage position against the action of said resilient means; and releasable latch means, respectively, for holding said base in said upper, horizontal and retracted storage positions.

References Cited in the le Vof this patent UNITED `STATES PATENTS