US2805707A - Portable and collapsible table and chair set - Google Patents

Description

p 0, 1957 K. P. SCHOEPPNER 2,805,707

PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE TABLE AND CHAIR SET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 17, 1955 INVENTOR KARL P. SCHOEPPNER a0 3 7 z m 2 7 2 Z w 6 4 l7, 7 0M 0 0 4 2 3 Mr 4 7/A v ATTORNEYS Sept 10, 1957 K. P. SCHOEPPNER 2,805,707

PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE TABLE AND CHAIR SET Filed June 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR KARL P. SCHOEPPNER ATTORNEYS p 0, 1957 K. P. SCHOEPPNER 2,805,707

PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE TABLE AND CHAIR SET Filed June 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F INENTOR I W. KARL RSCHOEPPNER Z7 Z0 26 BY W 4 fit Li L20 ATTORNEYS p 0, 1957 K. P. SCHOEPPNER 2,805,707

PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE TABLE AND CHAIR SET Filed June 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR a KARL R SCHOEPPNER AT TCRNEYS- nited rates aten PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE TABLE AND CHAIR SET Karl P. Schoeppner, Milwaukee, Wis. Application June 17, 1955, Serial No. 516,115

2 Claims. (Cl. 155-424) This invention appertains to furniture, and more particularly to new and useful improvements in a portable table and chair set.

There has long been a need for some sort of portable apparatus which could be easily and quickly converted into a table and chair set to be used in areas outdoors, particularly at picnics and the like. This would alleviate the necessity of camping on the ground and spreading blankets and such over rough surfaces. While this problem has been recognized in the past, attempts to provide such portable devices have usually proven to be too complicated, cumbersome and hard to set up and assemble. Also, much difliculty has been had in providing a compact device that may be easily stored in a car trunk and the like.

Therefore, a primary object of my present invention is -to provide a table and chair set which is incorporated in a compact carrying case but which may be easily and quickly unpacked and assembled to form a table and to provide chairs for the same.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a table and chair set in which the table top is utilized as the carrying case for the seats and other supporting structure.

A further object of my present invention is to provide a novel handle and locking means which is utilized to hold the case in a locked position and to facilitate the easy carrying of the case.

Still another object of my present invention is to provide a pivoted latching means to quickly lock the case and table top in an opened position when the same is to be utilized as a table top.

-A salient feature of my invention resides in the fact that the supporting and bracing structures includes a pair of mating blocks and a plurality of hollow tubes pivotally mounted in each block, one block being utilized for the leg and seat supporting assembly and one block being utilized for the table top bracing and supporting assembly.

A still further object of my invention is to provide the legend seat supporting assembly with upright vertically extendinghollow tubes to pivotally mount the seats thereto, two of said seats having pintles fitted into the tube ends and two of said seats having enlarged rings to telescopically receive the tube ends, the pintles also being received in said rings when the seats are fitted together for storage in the case.

Another object of my present invention resides in the fact that the chair seats may be mounted on the leg and seat supporting assembly in a number of positions and may be set up along the curb of a street for viewing parades and the like.

A very important object of my present invention resides in the fact that my assembly when set up as a table and chair unit may be easily provided with an umbrella by simply forming an opening centrally through the table top and mating blocks to receive and firmly hold the butt end of the umbrella.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple, practical and'reliable construction that is economical to manufacture, easy to assemble and positive in its operation.

.With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

One preferred and practical embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective showing the outer case and table top in its portable and carrying position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view with the outer case and table top partially open to illustrate how the supporting and bracing structures, as well as the chair seats, are assembled and packed therein;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the handle and locking means showing the case in its closed position and locked against opening, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the leg and seat supporting assembly showing the same set up in position to view a parade or the like;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the leg and seat supporting assembly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings partly in section, the section being represented by the line 55 of Figure 4 of the drawings and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the table and chair set in its operative assembled position, certain parts being broken away to illustrate details in construction;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the table and chair set shown in Figure 6, the table top being in section and the section being taken on the line 7--7 of Figure 6 of the drawings and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the open table top as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the view being partly in section and the section being represented by the line 88 of Figure 7 of the drawings and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the latching and locking means for the table top, the section being represented by the line 9-9 of Figure 9 of the drawings and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 101il of Figure 9 of the drawings and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical'section taken through the mating blocks, the section being represented by the line 1111 of Figure 6 of the drawings and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the chair seats in their assembled position for packing in the case as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, certain parts being in section to illustrate details of construction; and,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary View in section illustrating one way in which an umbrella staif or the like may be supported by the open table top.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several'vicws, the letter C generally indicates one type of my improved portable table and chair set, and referring more particularly to Figure 2 of the drawings, it can be seen that the same includes, broadly, the combination outer case and table top 29, the leg and seat supporting assembly 21, the table bracing and supporting assembly 22, and the chair seats 23. i

While the table top may be made square or any other desired shape, in the. preferred form of my invention the outer case and table top is made circular or round in its open position and "is pivoted centrally by means of the hinges 24 and 25 so that it may be closed to form the outer case as illustrated more particularly in Figure 1 of the drawings. It is to be noted that the outer case and table top 20 is composed of two identical flat sections 26 and 27, and that both sections are provided with inwardly directed peripheral flanges 28 and 29 respectively. The flanges 28 and 29 not only provide space when the two sections are folded together as shown in Figure 1 to hold the supporting and bracing structures 5 within the table top and case 20 in the position shown more clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings, but they also serve to strengthen and give a finished appearance to the table top and case 20 when the same is opened to provide the table and chair set as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings.

Each section 26 and 27 is also provided with a transversely extending flange 3i) and 31, respectively, which joinsthe respective inner ends of the peripheral flanges 28 and 29. The flanges 3t and31 act as a bottom support for the case and table top 20 when in its closed position and also cooperate with the latching means 32 to lock the table top in its open position when used in the assembled table and chair arrangement.

This latching means 32 is shown more clearly in Figures 7, 9 and 10 and the same includes a pair of aligned apertures or slots 33 formed in the flanges and 31 respectively. A latch member 34 is pivotally mounted to the under surface of the section 26 and is provided with a handle portion 35 and a latch or hook end 36. The opening at the hook end 36 is approximately the width of the combined thicknesses of the flanges 30 and 31 respectively, and when the sections 26 and 27 are to be locked in their open position the latch 34 is pivoted from its dotted line position to its full line position in Figure 10 so that the hook end 36 moves through the aligned slots 35 and engages the flanges 30 and 31. To unlock the device, the handle 35 is grasped and moved in the direction of the arrow in Figure 10 to its inoperative dotted line position. The table top and outer case 20 may then be folded to form the carrying case as shown.

A salient feature of my invention resides in the novel carrying and locking means for the outer case and table top 20 when it is to be carried in its closed portable position, and this includes, broadly, a pair of handles 37 and 38 respectively. Handle38 is made slightly longer than handle 37 so that the handle 38 may move over handle 37. Both handles are pivotally carried by the respective peripheral flanges 2S and 29 by means of the straps 39 and 40, and strap 39 is provided with a loop 41 which extends slightly above the loop 42 of strap and the inner edge of the loop 41 is rounded to receive the handle 33 in a locked or latched position shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. Handle 37 is then used as a carrying handle and the handle 38 holds the two sections firmly latched together. To open the case it is merely necessary to pivot the handle 38 in the direction of the arrow (Figure 3) from its full line position to its dotted line position. It should also be noted that the under surface of flange 28 is provided with a spring keeper 43 which resiliently receives the bead ends 44 and 45 of the respective flanges. This novel arrangement allows the case to be closed and firmly held in its closed position without movement and undue strain on the hinges 24 and 25.

As previously stated, the leg and seat supporting assembly 21 may also be utilized and set along the curb of a street to provide seats for viewing a parade or the like as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. In any event, this assembly includes a central block 46 to which is pivoted a number of seat supporting tubes 47. In the preferred form of the invention, I utilize four such tubes and each tube is pivoted at one end within the block 46, but itshould be noted that any number of seat supporting tubes may be used as desired. In the preferred ar rangement of my invention, the block 46 is formed from wood and is made in three sections. Two identical outer sections 48 and an enlarged inner section or block 49 and suitable grooves are bored in the respective blocks to receive the flanged inner ends 50 of the tubes 47. The blocks are held together by an elongated bolt 51 which extends transversely through all three blocks and which is secured by means of the nut 52. In the block 46, the central section 49 terminates well below the upper surfaces of the outer blocks 48 to form a longitudinal groove or slot 64 therein, the purpose of which will be readily apparent as the description proceeds. The tubes 47 extend downwardly at an angle from .the block 46 and thence are extended upwardly in a vertical direction to form the seat supporting members 53. The angular portion of the tubes 47 is formed with flat supporting brackets 54 which are welded or otherwise secured as better shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.

It should also be noted that, while the tubes 47 are preferably formed identical as to size and length, if de sired two lengths may be made slightly longer than the two opposed lengths. However, this is not necessary because the ,tubes may be folded for assembly in the case and they will overlap and nest in the position as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. In any event, the leg and seat supporting assembly 21 may be removed from the case and set up in the position shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, and the seats 23 are then placed on the upper ends of the upright vertical members 53.

Two of the seats 57 are provided with small pintles 59 which are received within the upright tube members 53 and the other pair of seats 58 are each provided with an enlarged ring which fits over the outer end terminals of the vertical upright members 53. If desired, an additional seat may be provided and a central aperture may be bored in the section 49 of the block 46 to receive this seat or any other appliance such as an umbrella or the like.

It should be noted that the seats may be folded neatly in the case 20 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and that when so positioned the pintle 59 of one of the seats 57 fits within the ring 60 of one of the seats 58, and the two pairs of seats are positioned as illustrated in Figure 12 and then placed centrally within the section 27 of the outer case and table top 20.

In order to provide a complete table and chair arrangement or set as illustrated more particularly in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, I provide a table bracing and supporting assembly 22 upon which the table top is placed in its open position. This table bracing and supporting assembly 22 includes a block 61 which is of the same size and configuration as block 46 and is made to mate with block 46. For this purpose the block is made of three sections, a central section 62 and two identical side pieces 63. However, in block 61 the central section is extended beyond the surfaces of the outer section 63 to the exact depth of the slot 64 in block 46, and these three sections of block 61 are also held together by means of a bolt 66 and nut 67. Block 61 also receives four hollow bracing tube members 68, and these pieces may be of identical lengths and angular relation, and it is to be noted that each bracing member 68 includes a vertical extending section 71, an angularly extending portion 72 and a horizontally extending portion 73. Also the vertically extending sections 71 are provided with flanged ends and are pivot ally mounted in block 61 similar to the manner in which members 47 are pivotally mounted in block 46.

The under surface of the flat sections 26 and 27 are provided with spring clips or fingers 74, the open ends of which face each other so that the fiat horizontal portions 73 of the bracing members may be easily moved into the proper position. While it is obvious that either of the blocks 46 or 61 may be formed with the groove of the extension, the preferred arrangement is as shown and I also provide the lower block 46 with a pivoted hook 75 which is received in the eye 76 formed on the side of the block 61. I provide a hook and eye structure on each end of the blocks 46 and 61 so that the two may be firmly locked together to form the complete assembly shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings.

It is readily apparent from the above that I have provided a table and chair set C which may be easily and quickly set up as shown in Figures 6 and 7, and just as easily disassembled and placed in the case as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. When the two blocks 46 and 61 are locked together and the seats 23 placed on the upright members 53, my outer case and table top 20 is opened and the latch 32 moved to its locked position in Figure 7. The table top is then placed on the horizontal portion 73 of the bracing members 68 and the ends 73 are moved under the spring fingers 74.

It should be further noted that a vertical central aperture 20' may be formed in the outer case and table top 20 and in both of the blocks 46 and 61 to receive the stafi? of an umbrella or the like (Figure 13) which may be incorporated with the attachment and utilized when shade is desired.

When it is desired to assemble my novel table and chair set C to its operative position, the table top and case 20 is opened from the position illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings to the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. This is accomplished by pivoting the handle 38 out of locking engagement with the strap 39 and loop 41 so that the two sections 26 and 27 may be pivoted to expose the supporting structures and the chair seats.

It is to be noted that the leg and seat supporting assembly 21 is laid in the case with the lengths 55 of the hollow tubes 47 lying parallel with the rear flanges 30 and 31 and the seat supporting tubes 53 extend angularly toward the forward portion of the case. The table bracing and supporting assembly 22 is laid close to and conforms somewhat to the peripheral flanges 28 and 29 respectively. The seats 23 on the other hand are folded in the position illustrated by Figure 12 of the drawings and are placed centrally within the case as shown. With the case in the position illustrated, the leg and seat supporting assembly 21 is first removed and set up and the seats 57 and 58 are placed as desired on the vertical sections 53, and preferably, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. Next, the table bracing and supporting assembly 22 is placed in position so that the blocks 46 and 61 are interlocked with the hook 75 secured in the eye 76. The hollow tubes 69 are positioned as illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings and the outer case and table top 20 is then fully opened and locked in place by means of the locking and latching assembly 32.

The table top is then placed on the upper portion of the extending leg 73 and rotated until the spring clip 74 engages the horizontally extending sections 73. 'In this position my table and chair seat is set up and operative as best shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. To disassemble the set it is merely necessary to remove the table top 20 and place it in the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings and then place the various supporting members and the seats 23 as previously described.

From the foregoing it is believed that the features and advantages of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will, of course, be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction can be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a portable table and chair seat, a collapsible seat assembly including a central block, supporting legs pivotally mounted in said block for movement toward one another in a collapsible position and away from one another to a set up open position, said central block having a longitudinal slot formed in its upper surface, removable chair seats carried by said supporting legs, a table bracing and supporting assembly including a second central block, table supporting legs pivotally mounted in said second block for movement toward one another in a collapsible position and away from one another to a set up open position, said second central block having a longitudinally extending tongue on its lower surface adapted to be received in said slot of said first central block, means for locking said central blocks together in said set up open position, and a hollow carrying case including like pivoted sections forming a flat table top in their open position adapted to be supported by said table bracing and supporting assembly and a closed case in their folded position for securing the said assembly when said assembly is in its collapsed condition.

2. In a portable table and chair seat, a collapsible seat assembly including a central block, supporting legs pivotally mounted in said block for movement toward one another in a collapsible position and away from one another to a set up open position, removable chair seats carried by said supporting legs, said central block having a longitudinal slot formed in its upper surface, a table bracing and supporting assembly including a second central block, table supporting legs pivotally mounted in said second block for movement toward one another in a collapsible position and away from one another to a set up open position, said second central block having a longitudinally extending tongue on its lower surface adapted to be received in said slot of said first central block, means for locking said central'blocks together in said set up open position, said second block forming a support for the case when'the case is in its open table top forming position, and a hollow carrying case including like pivoted sections forming a flat-table top in their open position adapted to be supported by said table bracing and supporting assembly and a closed case in their folded position for securing the said assembly when said assembly is in its collapsed condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,716,612 Ewing June 11, 1929 1,936,428 Friesner Nov. 21, 1933 2,039,805 Knight May 5, 1936 2,190,222 Strasser Feb. 13, 1940 2,613,728 Loibl Oct. 14, 1952 2,661,792 Lysaght Dec. 8, 1953

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