US2757893A - Bracket for supporting table tops and the like - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 7, 1956 G. MERZ BRACKET FOR SUPPORTING TABLE TOPS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. '20, 1953' INVENTOR. @[Offif 4/7582 WZMM United States Patent BRACKET FOR SUPPORTING TABLE TOPS AND THE LIKE George L. Merz, Hamilton, Ohio Application February 20, 1953, Serial No. 337,961

1 Claim. (Cl. 248-225) This invention relates to improvements in tables which are constructed and adapted for ready attachment to parts of an automobile body.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a table structure having a special bracket adapted to be connected to the grillwork of modern automobile constructions, to the end, that a table top can be supported thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive table structure which can be detachably connected to the outside of an automobile, so that means can be served thereon, or the same used for card games and other purposes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automobile attachable table, the parts of which can be readily separated and placed in a small space in the usual automobile luggage compartment.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the table, shown attached to the grillwork of an automobile, with the grillwork broken away and in sections.

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1 with a portion of the table top broken away to show one of the brackets in full lines.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing one of the brackets attached to the grille of the automobile and showing the table top in broken lines.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the brackets.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified form.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on line 88 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen, that numeral 10 generally refers to the hood portion of a modernly designed automobile. Many of these models have a grille structure generally referred to by numeral 11 and these grilles are generally made up of two or more transversely disposed and channelled bars, there being two represented in the drawings and noted by numerals 12, 13. These bars are spaced from each other and the lower edges are generally provided with inturned flange portions 14.

Numeral 15 generally refers to one of the two brackets employed to support a table top denoted by numeral 16. The table top may be of any desired length that can be sturdily supported on the spaced brackets 15 and may be simply a piece of a ply board.

Each bracket 15 consists of an upright and this upright is constructed of a single piece of strap material bent upon itself to provide, for the purpose of reinforcement a pair of sides, 17, 18. These sides or legs 17, 18 are pressed together and may be welded together if desired, the upper end of the leg 18 having a rear- 2 wardly and forwardly bent channeled member defining a hook 19.

The bracket 15 further includes an arm 20 having an end portion 21. The legs 17, 18 are formed with registering openings to receive the end portion 21, whereby the arm 20 is held rigidly and horizontally with respect to the vertically disposed legs 17, 18. The free end of the portion is preferably welded to the leg 18, as at 22.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, the end 21 is bifurcated, forming a pair of feet which project through two openings in the leg 17a, and through two openings in the other leg 18a, to hold leg 17 and leg 18 firmly together.

Figures 7 and 8 show another form of the invention wherein the legs 17c and are welded together as at 18d and the arm 200 is welded to the leg 17c as at 20d.

The use and operation of this structure above described takes into consideration that the brackets set forth in the above description and illustrated in Figures 4 and 6 may be slightly modified to accommodate different grille constructions.

The bracket 15 is easily applied. There will be two of these brackets for each table and of course the table top 16 is simply laid across the bracket arms 20 when the table is to be used.

The brackets 15 are individually applied. The brackets are simply tilted upwardly so that the hooks 19 can be placed under the flange 14, this in respect to the grille bar 12 and then the bracket is pulled forwardly so that the hook will engage over the flange 14. Thereupon the bracket is lowered so that the leg 18 of the vertical portion of the bracket will come to rest against the underlying grille bar 13. Thus the bracket is positioned firmly in place and when two of these brackets have been thus positioned, the board or table top 16 can be placed in position bridging these brackets as to the extent shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this manner a table for eating purposes or for playing cards, etc., can be quickly provided when outdoor Weather conditions permit.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new 1s:

A bracket comprising an upright of fiat material, a forwardly extending hook formed integrally with the upper end of said upright, and a horizontal arm aflixed to said upright and extending forwardly therefrom, said upright comprising a U-shaped member having legs welded to each other and each provided with a pair of vertically spaced horizontally registering openings, and said arm being bifurcated at its rearward end to form a pair of vertically spaced feet each receivable in an opening in each of the legs and welded to the U-shaped member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 22,644 Stroben May 22, 1945 1,723,238 Hoot Aug. 16, 1929 1,836,511 Steverns Dec. 15, 1931 1,903,900 Martin Apr. 18, 1933 2,229,516 Metzger Ian. 21, 1941 2,297,883 Glover Oct. 6, 1942 2,323,425 Seiler July 6, 1943 2,492,230 Lighten Dec. 27, 1949 2,501,065 Longeway Mar. 21, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 122,089 Sweden of 1948 Patented Aug. 7, 1956'

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