US2751269A - Extension table and extension arm therefor - Google Patents

Description

June 19, 1956 F. HAFEKOST 2,751,269

EXTENSION TABLE AND EXTENSION ARM THEREFOR Filed April 11, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. fiEDER/c/(HA FEKosr ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1956 F. HAFEKOST EXTENSION TABLE AND EXTENSION ARM THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 11, 1955 INVENTOR.

J W w K m m A n H J MM H .L M M "W June 19, 1956 F. HAFEKOST EXTENSION TABLE AND EXTENSION ARM THEREFOR Filed April 11, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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EXTENSHGN TABLE AND EXTENSION ARM: THEREFOR Frederick Hafekost, Hopatcong, N. 3., assignor to Steal Slides, Inc., New Rochelle, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 11, 1955, Serial No. 509,477

7 Claims. (Cl. 311--75) This invention relates to tables, and more particularly to extension tables having separable top portionswhich can be separated from one another for the purpose of introducing additional table leaves. The invention also relates to extension arms for mounting such separable table top portions.

The invention in one aspect thereof is constituted by a table having a center pedestal or support and which mounts a pair of extension arms which are in normally full telescoped relationship when the separable table top portions (e. g. table top half elements) are adjacent one another in engaging relation, the slide elements of the two extension arms being in substantially extended relationship thereby separating such halves of the table top when it is desired to insert additional leaves to the table. The table top half elements are concurrently movable in opposite directions by virtue of the special construction of such two extension arms in such a manner that the moving of one of the half elements of the table causes a corresponding and opposite movement of the other half element of the table top. Each of the extension armsincludes in combination three nesting slide elements. Each of such slide elements comprises an integral folded strip of metal and includes a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, there being a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel portions formed along opposite outer edges of respective of said primary flanges,- and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectively connectedalong their outer edges to respective of the aforementioned subchannel portions, each inwardly directed flange being spaced from its respective subchannel portion thereby to define a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portions formed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such slide-element. In order to effect the aforementioned movement of the table top halves concurrently in opposite directions, the two outer slide elements of each extension arm are operatively associated with the middle slide element therebetween in such a Way that movement of one of the outer slide elements causes equal and opposite movement of the other slide element. Thus a pair of sprocket Wheels is secured to the middle slide element of each extension arm over which it passes for supporting a sprocket chain therebetween, there being thus two sprocket chains and two pairs of such sprocket wheels. Each of the outer slide elements of each extension arm is connected to opposite runs of its respective sprocket chain. One of the outer slide elements of each extension arm is connected to' the adjacent sprocket chain near one extremity of such slide element, and the other of the outer slide element is connected to the other run of the sprocket chain but near the opposite extremity of such slide element. One of the separable table top elements is secured to and rests upon a pair of corresponding outer'slide' elements of such pair of extension arms, the other table top portion resting upon and'bein'gsecured to the other pair of outer slide elements of the pair of extension arms; Thus saidtable top portions are reciprocably movable Patented June 19, 1956 2 concurrently in opposite directions in a substantially common plane.

One of the objectsof the present invention is to provide a novel table construction having separable table top portions which can be' spread for the insertion of extra tableleaves'with great ease and by one person.

A further object is to provide a table construction of this general type which. is of substantially lower cost as compared'to extension tables of the prior art.

Another object is to provide anextension table, the separable table top portions of which canbe easily separated without jamming or sticking, the extension mechanism thereof not being, subjectto'swellingas caused by humid ity.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to' be expressly understood that the drawings are for' purposes of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being bad to'the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of table embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of'the' table shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of one of the three elements of the extension arms employed in the table shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the extension arm shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. Sis an invertedplan or bottom view of the extension arm shown in Fig. 4 with the three slide elements thereof in telescoping relationship;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the aforementionedextension arm shown in Fig. 5 but on a somewhat reduced scale ascompared thereto and showingtheextension arm with the elements thereof in a relatively extended condition; and

Fig. 7 isabottomview of the extensionarm of Fig; 6 with the parts thereof in substantially fully telesccped relationship.

Referring tothe drawings, the novel table 'is generally designated by the numeral 10* and is constituted by a central pedestal or support member 11 having legs 12 which rest upon suitable feet 13'.

The table" 10 is providedwith separable top portions which, in the form shown, are table top halves i4" and 15 which rest uponextension arms 16' and 17 which in turn are supported by the aforementioned pedestal 11. Each table top-half restsupon' corresponding outer slide elements of the extension arms-16-and17, that is, the table top half l i'rests upon slide elements 18and 19and the top half element 15 rests upon slide elements 20 and'21.

The slide elements 18 and 20 constitute the outer of such elements of the extension arm 16; there being one additional of such elements 22 comprising the relatively stationary one which iszrigidlysecured by suitable brackets 23 and ZSato the pedestal 1-1 Such brackets-are secured to oppositeextremities of the slide element 222 Similarly, the slide elements 19 and- 21 comprise the outer of such elementS o'fthe-extension arm 17, the mid dleor center elementZ i ofWhich-is also suitably secured to the pedestal ll-by its respective brackets 25" and- 25a, which are similarly seouredt'o opposite extremities of the slide'element 24-, asis shown in Figs; 3-7.

There will now be described'one of the-aforementioned extension arms, for example,.arm.17', referencebeing had particularly to Figs, 3-7

Each of the extension. arms, such as 17, is composed of exactly three slide elements and' each such slide element is well shown in cross-section in Fig. 3. One of such slide elements 19 will now be described, it being understood that the other slide elements of such extension arm are duplicates thereof, as are the slide elements of the extension arm 16.

The slide element 19 is constituted by a main or center channel portion 26 having opposite channel sides 26a and 26b. The main channel portion 26 in transverse cross-section, as in Fig. 3, is formed with a bottom (or base) portion 27 of relatively restricted transverse outer dimension, and a flared portion 28 having a transverse inner dimension which is substantially equal to but slightly greater than the aforementioned transverse outer dimension of the bottom channel part 27. The flared portion 28 is adapted for engaging in nested relation with a bottom channel part of a next adjacent slide element.

The slide element 19 is an integral strip of folded sheet metal. A pair of oppositely extending primary flanges 29 and 30 are integral with and extend along the upper opposite edges of the main channel 26.

The primary flanges 29 and 30 are respectively provided with primary lips 31 and 32 which also comprise folds which herein are sometimes designated as flange folds which respectively secure to the slide element the slide elements sides 33 and 34 (also sometimes referred to double groove or channel portion). The slide element sides 33 and 34 are respectively (as viewed in Fig. 3) in transverse cross-section in the shape substantially of an S and a reverse 8 thereby forming a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannels 35 and 36 next adjacent the respective of said opposite primary flanges 29 and 30. Said slide element sides also form a pair of interiorly accessible and oppositely disposed subchannels 37 and 38 which are positioned for receiving the respective primary flanges of the next adjacent slide element. The transverse distance between the opposite edges of the primary flanges is less than the transverse distance between the opposite floors of the two oppositely disposed interiorly accessible channels 37 and 38.

The outer edges of the flanges 29 and 30, as aforementioned, are also referred to as primary lips or flange folds. The center portions 33:: and 34a of said 8 and reverse 8 are some times referred to as secondary flanges and the base portions 33b, 34b of said 8 and reverse 8 are sometimes referred to as tertiary flanges or inwardly directed flanges.

Peak folds 39 and 40 of the S and the reverse 8 33 and 34 and secondary lips or base folds 41 and 42 are formed as portions of the interiorly accessible subchannels.

Referring again to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the extension arm 17 is secured to the center pedestal 11 by the brackets 25 and 25a, the former bracket being secured, for example, by rivets 43, 44, to the bottom 44a of the slide element 24, and the latter bracket 25:: being conformed to reach into the main or center channel by means of the portion 2519 by which it is secured, for example, by rivets to the inner floor portion of the main channel of such slide element.

The middle slide element 24 thus provides a rigid support for the sliding and nesting engagement of the other two slide elements.

The table top halves 14 and 15 are secured respectively to the slide elements 19 and 21 by any suitable interconnection. For example, the table top half 14 in the form shown is secured to such slide element 19 by means of brackets 45 and 46, the relative position of which is well shown in transverse cross-section in Fig. 3.

The table top half 15, on the other hand, is secured to the slide eelment 21 by means of brackets 47 and 48, the latter of which is also well shown in Fig. 3.

Analogously, the opposite side of the table top half 14 on the opposite side thereof is secured to the slide element 18 by means of the brackets 48 and 49 and the opposite side of the table top half element 15 is secured to slide element 20 by brackets 50 and 51.

The three slide elements of each extension arm are so operatively associated, by means to be now described, that the two separable portions 14 and 15 of the table top can be easily separated merely by moving one of the halves toward or away from the longitudinal center line of the pedestal or support 11. Equal and opposite movement concurrently occurs by the other table top half element.

The means for operatively associating the three slide elements of each arm in this manner are well shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Such means for arm 17 will now be described, it being understood that similar means are provided for arm 16.

Such means comprise an endless band, such as an endless sprocket chain 53, which is mounted for movement about relatively stationary axes 54, 55 situated at opposite ends thereof, the two outer slide elements 19 and 21 being respectively connected to opposite runs 53a and 53b of the chain 53 by connecting fingers 56 and 57, for movement therewith as is well shown in Fig. 5. The axes 54 and 55 comrpise the center lines of sprocket wheels 58, 59 respectively which in turn are mounted for rotation upon shafts 6t 61, respectively. Such shafts 6t), 61, preferably but not necessarily, are secured rigidly to the lowermost secondary lip or base fold 62 (Figs. 3 and 5) of the middle slide element 24. However, in those forms of the invention where such middle slide element is fixedly secured to a relatively stationary support, such as pedestal 11, it is within the purview of the invention to mount the sprocket wheels 58, 59 upon such support in lieu of such base fold 62.

The sprocket wheels 58, 59 may be held upon their respective shafts by means of cotter pins 63, 64.

It will be observed that the finger 56, interconnecting element 19 to chain 53, is secured substantially at the righthand extremity of arm 19, as viewed in Fig. 5, and that finger 57 is secured substantially at the lefthand extremity of the other outer element 21. Thus a maximum degree of extension of the three elements can be obtained.

Suitable limit-stops are provided to prevent excessive extension of the arms, it being desirable to maintain an adequate overlap of the elements when fully extended, in order to avoid straining same or the arm as a whole beyond its strength limits. Such limit-stops may comprise, for example, cooperating lugs or car portions struck from or formed in the floor of the main channel portions of the slide elements whereby maximum extension can be limited to the degree, shown, for example, in Fig. 1.

If desired, a hand-operated crank (not shown) can be operatively connected to the chain 53 or to one of the wheels 58, 59 for the purpose of manually cranking the table open as in Fig. l or shut as in Fig. 2.

What is claimed is:

1. An extension arm comprising in combination: three nesting slide elements, each slide element including a channel portion having a base part formed with a uniform transverse outer dimension, said channel portion also having a flared part having an inner transverse dimension substantially equal to but slightly greater than the aforementioned outer transverse dimension whereby such flared part of one of said channel portions is nestable upon the bottom part of another channel portion (said flared part having a selected depth) a pair of primary flanges secured respectively along the parallel outer edges of said flared part of the channel portion, a pair of double subchannel portions secured respectively along the outer edges of said primary flanges, said double subchannel portions being in transverse cross-section substantially S- and reverse S-shapcd respectively, each being secured to its respective flange by a flange fold and each having a peak fold and a base fold, said folds extending longitudinally of the slide element and being parallel with one another thereby forming a pair of opposed inturned flanges along the bases respectively of said double subchannel portions, which latter flanges, together with a respective mid-part of each of such subchannel portions,

form a subchannel into which the opposite primary flanges extend of the next adjacent nesting slide element; a'pair of sprocket wheels secured in spaced relationship to one of the base folds of the middle one of said three duplicate slide elements; an endless sprocket chain passing over said sprocket wheels at the opposite extremities of the runs thereof and held under tension by virtue of the spaced relationship of said sprocket Wheels; means for interconnecting one of the outer of said slide elements near one extremity thereof with one run of said sprocket chain, and means for interconnecting the other of said outer slide elements to an opposite run of said chain and near an extremity thereof which is longitudinally opposite to the first-mentioned extremity of the first-mentioned outer slide element.

2. An extension arm having in combination three nesting slide elements, each slide element comprising an integral folded sheet metal member having in combination: a center channel portion having a-flared outer part conformed to nest upon a restricted'base part of the center channel of the next adjacent ,nesting slide element, the transverse inner dimension of said flared part of one channel portion being substantiallyequal to but slightly greater than the transverse outer dimension of the base part of the next adjacent channel portion, a pair of opposed subchannel portions extending longitudinally of said slide element each forming a subchannel which is substantially perpendicular to said center channel portion, the mouths of such subchannel portions openingoutwardly with respect to said center channel portion, each of said subchannel portions having a primary lip comprising a longitudinal outer edge thereof, there being a selected distance between the opposed primary lips of said subchannel portions, each of the latter also having a secondary lip extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of inwardly extending flanges secured respectively to said secondary lips and in spaced relation thereto thereby to form with respective of said subchannel portions another pair of subchannel portions having opposed mouths in face-to-face relationship opening inwardly toward said center channel portion, such other subchannel portions being constructed and arranged to receive the opposed primary lips of the next adjacent nesting duplicate slide element, the transverse dimension between such primary lips being less than the transverse dimension between the bottoms of such other subchannel portions; means for operatively interconnecting said three nesting slide elements, including endless band means, a pair of spaced supports for said endless band means secured in spaced relationship along one edge of the middle of such three nesting slide elements; such band means being movable over such supports; and means for interconnecting each of the outer nesting slide elements with such endless band means.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including in combination therewith a second extension arm as set forth in such claim, thereby forming a pair of such arms; a center support for mounting said two extension arms in parallel relation, the middle one of the slide elements of each such arm being secured to such center support; and a pair of table top half-elements, one being secured to and resting upon a pair of corresponding outer slide elements of such pair of parallel extension arms, the other table top half-element resting upon and being secured to the other pair of corresponding outer slide elements of such pair of parallel extension arms, whereby said halfelements are reciprocably movable concurrently in opposite directions in substantially a common plane.

4. Apparatus including in combination a pair of the extension arms set forth in claim 2; a support; means for securing the middle slide element of each of said pair of extension arms to said support, said arms being so secured in parallel relation; and a pair of members, said extension arms mounting said members, outer slide elements of such pair of parallel extension arms mounting one of said members, another pair of outer slide elements of such slide elements mounting the other member, whereby said members are brought to a selected minimum degree of separation in response to telescoping of said elements to a determined degree, and are brought to a selected maximum degree of separation in response to extension to a determined degree of saidelements of said arms.

5. In a table construction, the combination including: a pair of extension arms; a support member for mounting said extension arms in substantially-parallel relationship; each of such extension arms including three nesting slide elements, each slide element including a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel portions positioned along respective of said primary flanges, and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectively connected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementioned subchannel portions and each inwardly directed flange being spaced from such subchannel portion to define in conjunction with a part of such subchannel portion a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portions conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such member; means for securing the middle one of the three slide elements of each of such pair of extension arms to the aforementioned support thereby to mount said extension arms in suchparallel relationship;

two pairs of sprocket wheels, each pair of such Wheels being fixedly secured in spaced relationship along a line extending in the direction of and adjacent its respective extension arm; a pair of endless sprocket chains, each chain being mounted by its respective pair of sprocket wheels and held thereupon with the opposite was thereof in substantially taut and straight condition; means for interconnecting one of the outer of said slide elements of each extension arm near one extremity thereof with one run of said sprocket chain, and means for interconnecting the other of said outer slide elements of each of such extension arms to an opposite run of said chain and near an extremity thereof longitudinally opposite to the first-mentioned extremity of the first-mentioned outer slide element; a pair of table top half elements resting upon said extension arms, one of such half elements resting upon and being secured to one pair of corresponding outer slide elements of such pair of extension arms, the other half element being secured to the other pair of outer slide elements of such extension arms, whereby said half elements are movable concurrently in opposite directions in response to a component of force acting upon one of such half elements in a direction parallel to said extension arms.

6. In a furniture construction, the combination including: a pair of extension arms; a support member for mounting said extension arms in substantially parallel relationship; each of such extension arms including three nesting slide elements, each slide element including a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel portions positioned along respective of said primary flanges, and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectively connected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementioned subchannel por tions and each inwardly directed flange being spaced from such subchannel portion to define in conjunction with a part of such subchannel portion a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portions conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such member; means for securing the middle one of the three slide elements of each of such pair of extension arms to the aforementioned support thereby to mount said extension arms in such parallel relationship; two pairs of sprocket wheels, each pair of such wheels being secured in spaced relationship and along a line parallel to the aforementioned middle slide element of respective of said extension arms; a pair of endless sprocket chains, each chain being mounted by its respective pair of sprocket wheels and held thereupon with the opposite runs thereof in substantially taut and straight condition; means for interconnecting one of the outer of said slide elements of each extension arm near one extremity thereof with one run of said sprocket chain, and means for interconnecting the other of said outer slide elements of each of such extension arms to an opposite run of said chain and near an extremity thereof longitudinally opposite to the first-mentioned extremity of the first-mentioned outer slide element.

7. In a table construction, the combination including: a pair of extension arms; a support member for mounting said extension arms in substantially parallel relationship; each of such extension arms including three nesting slide elements, each slide element including a pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorly accessible subchannel portions positioned along respective of said primary flanges, and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectively connected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementioned subchannel portions and each inwardly directed flange being spaced from such subchannel portion to define in conjunction with a part of such subchannel portion a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portions conformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respective primary flanges of another such member; means for securing the middle one of the three slide elements of each of such pair of extension arms to the aforementioned support thereby to mount said extension arms in such parallel relationship; two pairs of wheels, each pair of such wheels being secured in spaced relationship and along the aforementioned middle slide element of respective of said extension arms; a pair of endless bands, each band being mounted by its respective pair of wheels and held thereupon with the opposite runs thereof in substantially taut and straight condition; means for interconnecting one of the outer of said slide elements of each extension arm near one extremity thereof with one run of said band, and means for interconnecting the other of said outer slide elements of each of such extension arms to an opposite run of said band and near an extremity thereof longitudinally opposite to the first-mentioned extremity of the first-mentioned outer slide element; a pair of table top half elements resting upon said extension arms, one of such half elements resting upon and being secured to one pair of corresponding outer slide elements of such pair of extension arms, the other half element being secured to the other pair of outer slide elements of such extension arms, whereby said half elements are movable concurrently in opposite directions in response to a coniponent of force acting upon one of such half elements in a direction parallel to said extension arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 889,284 Welterlin June 2, 1908 937,731 Wiedeman Oct. 10, 1909 978,730 Gaut Dec. 13, 1910 1,180,201 Steingruber Apr. 18, 1916 1,228,233 Northall May 20, 1917 1,299,687 Dabney Apr. 8, 1919 1,526,506 Schilling Feb. 17, 1925 2,712,972 Manson July 12, 1955

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