US2716582A

US2716582A - Portable folding table having nesting top and frame

Info

Publication number: US2716582A
Application number: US353480A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rosenfeld Nathan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-05-07
Filing date: 1953-05-07
Publication date: 1955-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 1972-08-30

Description

Aug. 30, 1955 N. ROSENFELD 2,716,582

PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE HAVING NESTING TOP AND FRAME Filed May 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR:

Z Warm hm wd 1955 N. ROSENFELD 2,716,582

PORTABLE FOLDING TABLE HAVING NESTING TOP AND FRAME Filed May 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR:

United States PatentO PIERTABLE FQLDING TABLE HAVING NESTING TO? AND FRAME Nathan Rosenfeld, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 7, 1953, Serial No. 353,480

5 Claims. (Cl. 31183) This invention relates to tables of general utility and particularly to a table of the folding type adapted to the unfolded for use as a desk, drafting table, display table, a dinner table or like support for various articles, and to be folded into a compact form for storing or transporting.

Various forms of folding tables are currently in use, such tables usually having a table top and legs foldable against the bottom surface of the table top to reduce the into alignment with the other leg, after which both legs are folded against the under side of the table top. While such a crossing leg table is more practical for heavier duty, it occupies considerable space when in folded condition, the width or thickness of the folded table being the combined thickness of the folded legs and the table top.

it is an important object of my invention to provide an improved folding table which, in addition to being a highly practical table for heavy duty use, may be folded into a very compact package or unit, the folded thickness of which is substantially equal to the thickness of a single leg, the relatively pivoted legs at each end assuming a coplanar relation when in folded position and these folded pairs of legs being coplanar with the corresponding folded legs at the opposite end.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding table of the type having crossing legs at its ends, the upper ends of the legs being unconnected and providing sloping posts for supporting a table top which rests upon said legs.

A related object is to provide locating and retaining means at the upper free ends of the legs, said means being preferably in the nature of upwardly directed locating pins or dowels adapted to be received in holes or recesses formed in the table top when the latter is placed upon the legs,

the table top thus being readily removable by simply lifting it from the leg structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding table, of the class referred to, in which the leg structure, when in folded condition, provides a centrally disposed rectangular recess or pocket, the ends of which are defined by the innermost legs at the ends of the table, the width of the rectangular pocket being equal to the thickness of a leg and equal to twice the thickness of the table top.

Another object is to provide a table of the type indicated in which the table top is composed of two sections hinged at their adjoining edges to adapt them to be folded, one against the other for the purpose of reducing the size of the table top to one-half its extended length. In accordance with another important object of my invention, the

2,716,582 Patented Aug. 30, 195-5 'ice folded: tabletop of reduced i size is insertable downwardly into the recess or pocket' mentionedabove to adapt'it'to be enclosed within andprotected by the folded legs. 'In order to provi'deasupport for the inserted, folded table top, the innermost legs at each end are equipped with channel-shaped brackets. or: rests for receiving the *lower corner portionsof the folded top sections. Another object is. to: provide a :table'of the'typespecified havingmeans for releasably locking the upper endsof the folded legs in closed relation and-for retaining the folded table top within the leg strueture,"this means preferably consisting of: a" flexible strap extending over the upper edges ofthe-folde'd top sections; with its ends 'detachably connected to cross-bars extending between 'the'two 'upstanding inne'r legs at one side-of the folded sections and between the two upstanding outer legs at the other side of the top sections." 1 i A further object'of the invention 'is to provide a folding table of the class designated-which includes handle means at the free ends of the foldable top sections, these handle means projecting upwardly from the folded'tableunit; to

'be grasped inahand of -a pers0n sothat the 'folded unit can be readilycarried in *themanner ofa suitcase Furtherobj'ects willappea-r from thefollowing description and frornrthe-drawing which is'intended for thepurpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is-a perspective 'viewof the improved folding tabl'e, thepa-rtsi being' shown in their operative, unfolded condition; f p v Fig. 2 is a front='elevational view,-showing -the table in its unfolded condition; 7 Fig. 3 isa side elevational view "of the unfolded table; Fig-4 is a -view simi'larto Fig. 2, showing the parts of the table in folded relationf a Fig. 5 is a verticalsectional view, taken" on line 5\5 nected; inthe manner to be later "explainedfto adapt them to be foldedtogether in inoperative positiornor unfolded tofapply thetable to use; p

Theframe rnember 10, hereinafter referred to as i the inner. framefinember, comprises a' pair of spaced uprightlegelementsTZ and '13 which are connected at their upper and lower ends-by horizontal cross-strips .14-and 15; -It is to be noted that the

strips

14 and 15 are secured to th'e elements Hand 13 at their respecti-ve rearward and] forward s'ides'j The upper and lower ends of the-leg elements 12 and"13-preferably are .beveled to causethem to assume a 'horizontal'plane whenthe frame-member is in its inclined, open position as shown sin: Figs." l-"an'd 3. Secured 'to' and project- .ingslightly'above the upper beveled ends of the

lle elements

12 and 13 are dowels16 and 16A. I

A front 'di'agonalbrace 17 has' itslower end secured against "the front face of'the left-hand leg element 12 adjacent the lowervend thereof, and its upper end fastened against the ffrontnfa cei of the right-hand leg element 13 [adjacent.the-upperend thereof: A second," rear, diagonal brace:18 :has:its'lower .end attached to the'rear face of -the rig'ht-hand leg element ,13adjacent its lower end, thewupper end of this strut being joined to thefrear faceuof. theleft handlleg.element 12 adjacent the upper end thereof. p t 1 The table structure. also includes the second, outer frame membercll, this member'also having spaced up- .right leg elements 12A and. 13A, corresponding to the leg elementss ll andlifi of therframe' rnemberltll The member 11 also has

horizontal cross-strips

14A and 15A corresponding to the

strips

14 and 15 of the member 10, the strip 14A being disposed at the rearward faces of the

leg elements

12A and 13A while the strip 15A is located against the front faces of the

leg elements

12A and 13A. The upper and lower ends of the

leg elements

12A and 13A also have beveled faces and dowels 16A are provided at the upper bevel faces.

Secured against the front face of the left-hand leg element 12A, adjacent the lower end thereof, is a front, inclined brace 20, the other end of this brace being attached to the front face of the right-hand leg element 13A at a location slightly below the mid point thereof. A second, rear, inclined brace 21 has its lower end fastened to the rear face of the right-hand leg element 13A at a location slightly above the mid point thereof, the other end of this brace being secured against the rear face of the left-hand leg element 12A adjacent the upper end thereof.

It is to be noted that the

strips

14A and 15A of the rectangular frame 11 are somewhat longer than the

corresponding strips

14 and 15 of the frame 10. Consequently, the frame 19 is adapted to fit within the confines of the frame 11 with its

leg elements

12 and 13 disposed slightly inwardly of the

corresponding leg elements

12A and 13A of the frame 11, and in parallel planes with respect thereto. Extending through aligned holes in the

leg elements

12, 12A and 13, 13A, at points midway of the length thereof, are pivot studs 25 by which the frame members 10 and 11 are pivotally connected, spacer discs or washers 26 being interposed between the adjacent leg elements to maintain them in slightly spaced relation. Nuts 27 screwed onto the inner, reduced ends of the studs 25 retain the parts connected.

By the specific structure described above, the frame members 10 and 11 are adapted to assume the open, operative relation illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, that is, with their leg elements crossing. The frame members 10 and 11 may, however, be folded to the closed, inoperative relation shown in Figs. 4 and when it is desired to transport or store the table. Such folding of the table structure is made possible through the particular arrangement of the various cross-strips and diagonal braces described above. To be more specific, the

cross-strips

14, 15, 14A and 15A, being disposed at the appropriate front and rear faces of the respective leg elements, straddle the sides of the leg elements when the structure is in folded condition (Fig. 5).

In like manner, the

various braces

17, 18, 20 and 21 are positioned against the forward faces of those portions of the

leg elements

12, 13, 12A and 13A which fold rearwardly and against the rearward faces of those portions of the leg elements which fold forwardly when the structure is folded into its compact closed relation. It is also to be observed that the left-hand end of the brace 17 of the frame member is located above the corresponding end of the brace 20 of the frame member 11 and that the left-hand end of the brace 18 is located below the corresponding end of the brace 21. By this provision, the various braces of the structure are free from interference with one another as the table is folded.

It is important to note at this point that by the particular arrangement of the cross-strips and braces, the

leg elements

12, 13, 12A and 13A are disposed in exact alignment or coplanar when the structure is in its fully folded or contracted condition, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The folded structure thus has an unobstructed central compartment or vertical passageway, the sides of which are defined by the various cross-strips and braces, and the ends of which are defined by the

leg elements

12 and 13 of the inner frame member 10, this space being utilized for the purpose to be presently explained.

Opening or unfolding of the frame members 10 and 11 is limited by action of a pair of two-part foldable latches or locks 30, the parts of each latch being pivotally connected together as indicated at 31 with their outer ends pivotally connected to the leg elements as at 32. Detent means 33 is provided for limiting the unfolding or extending of the parts of the latches. When the latches are released by breaking their parts upwardly at 31, the frame members 19 and 11 can be folded together. After the structure has been folded, it may be retained in this condition by any suitable means, for example by the strap 35 which has eyelets or grommets 36 at its ends adapted to snap over detent lugs 37 projecting from the outer sides of the

upper cross-strips

14 and 14A, the strap then extending across the upper edges of these crossstrips to maintain the table structure closed.

My improved, folding table structure also includes a flat table top it? which, as illustrated, is composed of two

sections

41 and 42 connected at their adjoining transverse edges by hinges 3. The table top it) preferably is of larger area than that bounded by the upper portion of the unfolded table frame structure and is adapted to rest upon the

cross-strips

14 and 14A, and upon the upper beveled ends of the

leg elements

12, 12A, 13 and 13A. The table top 40 is provided with small recesses or openings in its lower surface for receiving the upstanding dowels or locating lugs 16 so as to locate the table top centrally of the frame structure and prevent lateral displacement, while permitting removal of the table top from said structure. At the free ends of the table

top sections

41 and 42 are pivoted handles 45 which may be of any suitable type, for example U-shaped wire elements having their ends pivoted in eyebolts 46 screwed into the edges of the sections.

In accordance with this invention, the table top 40 is adapted to be placed within the frame structure after the latter has been folded to the closed condition illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. To effect such nesting of the table top within the folded frame structure, the end of one of the top sections, for example the section 41, is lifted to free it from the

dowels

16, 16A, after which this section is folded over upon the other section 42, this action bringing the handles 45 of the two sections adjacent. The two folded

sections

41 and 42 are then lifted from the framework, after which the frame members it) and 11 are folded together as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

Holding the folded table top 4! by the handles 45, the

operator now lowers the table top into the narrow, vertical space existing between the folded frame members 10 and 11 and previously mentioned. The folded table top 40 is lowered into channel-shaped supports or rests 5t fastened to the inner sides of the

leg elements

12 and 13 of the inner frame member if), the upper edges of the

top sections

41 and 42 then being flush with the upper edges of the cross-strips 14 and 14A. The retainer strap 35 then is passed through the handles 45 and its ends are detachably snapped over the pins or lugs 37.

With the table top thus disposed Within the folded frame structure 10, 11, a portable table unit is provided. As will be seen, this unit may be easily carried by means of the handles 45 and, due to its very compact folded size, it may conveniently be placed in a closet, against a wall or even in a drawer for storage purposes. Due to its compactness and light weight, the folding table unit may be used for numerous purposes. For example, the unit may be readily placed in an automobile and transported to a location where it is to be used as a drafting table or display counter, and quickly set up for use without requiring assembling of parts and without requiring tightening of screws, etc. Due to its flat nature, the folded table unit can be placed in flat type cartons for shipment from the manufacturer to the retailer, thus conserving space in the truck or other carrier. The folding table has many uses in the home and in industry and due to its simplicity of manufacture it may be sold at a relatively low price. Because of the diagonal bracing, the table is especially strong and durable and can stand considerable abuse without damage. The table is, therefore, suitable for use in multipurpose school rooms where it is desirable to remove the tables to make the room available for various activities.

The folding table is herein illustrated as having leg elements of solid, square cross-sectional shape but it will be apparent that these components may be of other crosssectional shapes and may be made from aluminum or other metal tubing.

In order to retain the frames 10 and 11 in folded relation during the placing of the folded table top therebetween, I employ a locking latch 52 at each end of the table structure. As shown, each latch consists of a bar having an end pivoted on a screw 53 screwed into the forward face of the upright or

leg element

12 or 13 of the frame 10. The other end of each latch 52 has a slot 54 adapted to engage behind the head of a screw 55 screwed into the

leg element

12A or 13A of the outer frame 11. Each latching bar 52 has an upper, laterally extending flange 56 providing a finger-piece for facilitating pivoting the latch from its operative position (Fig. 4) in which it engages the screw 55 to lock the frames 10 and 11 in folded relation, to its inoperative position (Figs. 1 and 2) in which the latch is disengaged from the screw 55 to allow unfolding of the table.

While the improved folding table has been herein shown as embodied in a preferred form of construction, by way of example, it will be understood that various modifications might be made in the structure without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, I do not wish to be limited in this respect but to be afforded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A folding table structure, comprising: a pair of rectangular frame members, each having spaced upright leg elements and cross-strips extending between their upper ends and between their lower ends, one of said frame members being narrower than the other frame member and disposed therein with the corresponding leg elements in juxtaposition and in crossing relation; means pivotally connecting the adjacent leg elements of said frame members for pivotal movement from an open, crossing relation to a closed, coplanar relation, all of the cross-strips of said frame members being disposed at the outer sides of their leg elements, the upper ends of the leg elements of the narrower frame member abutting the upper cross-strip of the other frame member when said frame members are in folded relation; a pair of diagonal braces extending between the leg elements of each frame member, said braces of each pair being secured against opposite sides of the leg elements so as to be disposed laterally at opposite sides of the common plane of the several leg elements when the latter are in folded relation, the leg elements of said narrower frame member defining the ends and the several cross-strips and the braces defining the sides of a vertical space of a width equal to the thickness of the leg elements between the folded frame members; a table top remova-bly supported upon the upper ends of said leg elements of said frame members; interengaging means on said leg elements and said table top for locating and retaining said table top laterally with respect to said frame members; and releasable means extending between the upper cross-strips of said frame mem bers and operative to retain the members in folded relation.

2. A folding table structure as defined in claim 1 in which said table top consists of two sections hingedly connected to adapt them for folding from an extended,

coplanar relation to a side-by-side relation, the width of the table top being slightly less than the longitudinal length of said space and the combined thickness of the folded sections being slightly less than the width of said space so that the folded table top sections are insertable downwardly in said space.

3. A folding table structure as defined in claim 2, including supporting bracket means mounted on the inner facing sides of said narrower frame member, the lower end of the folded table top inserted into said space resting upon said bracket means.

4. A folding table structure as defined in claim 3, including handle means on at least one of said table top sections and accessible at the top of the folded table structure. v

5. A folding table structure as defined in claim 4 in which said handle means consists of a loop-like element projectible above the top of the folded table structure, said releasable retaining means consisting of a strap for extending through said loop-like element and across the upper end of the inserted folded table top to retain the latter in said space.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 362,825 Eulass May 10, 1887 369,856 Hulet Sept. 13, 1887 1,270,730 Haydon June 25, 1918 1,460,216 Smith June 26, 1923 1,559,426 Hekrdle Oct. 27, 1925 1,582,756 Jennings Apr. 27, 1926 1,946,610 Bucholz Feb. 13, 1934 1,949,662 Schenck Mar. 6, 1934