US2821447A

US2821447A - Leg construction for picnic table

Info

Publication number: US2821447A
Application number: US608479A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank W Beller; Ray M Beller
Original assignee: Belson Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Belson Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1956-09-07
Filing date: 1956-09-07
Publication date: 1958-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1975-01-28

Description

Jan. 28, 1958 F. w. BELLER ET AL 2,821,447

LEG CONSTRUCTION FOR PICNIC TABLE Filed Sept. 7, 1956 a Z III. I. 1 I 1 I I I l I l I 6 w j M m. m M m m J Q E Fri M United States Patent LEG CONSTRUCTION FOR PICNIC TABLE.

Frank W. Beller and Ray M. Beller, Aurora, 11]., assignors to Belson Manufacturing Company, North Aurora, Ill., a partnership Application September 7, 1956, Serial No. 608,479 3 Claims. (Cl. 311- 109) This invention relates to leg construction for picnic table and aimsto provide an improved and simplified construction with enhanced strength and minimized cost of manufacture.

An important object of the present invention is the provision in an article of manufacture of a leg construction more particularly of channel form provided with a novel foot formation and cooperating with a bar connecting the leg in spaced apart inclined relationship, a tension member of goose neck end formation connecting the bar and leg spaced from their point of intersection, such point of intersection being maintained by an easily appliable bolt and nut fitting, whereby the table may be readily put together by the user from unassembled parts for use say in the summertime, and may be readily disassembled for storage purposes in the winter.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawing, showingan illustrative embodiment of the invention, and in which drawings-- Figure 1 is an end view, of a picnic table or the like construction embodying the present invention, it being understood that the other end thereof would be substantially the same;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the novel leg and integral foot construction of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a somewhat reduced development view of the leg and integral foot; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the illustrative construction shown in the drawings, the table in which the present invention is embodied is shown generally by the numeral 11 having the usual top made from say a plurality, in this instance three, aligned abutting planks 12, which are suitably secured by removable screws 13,tO an end piece 14 conveniently of angle formation, the end piece 14 being secured by the removable nuts and bolts 15 to the legs 16 at each end of the table respectively.

In accordance with the present invention, the legs 16 are of channel rather than angle construction, the channel including a bottom wall 17 and

side walls

18 and 19, the first side wall 18 being relatively short and the parallel second wall 19 being relatively long and both extending at right angles from the bottom wall 17.

Integral with the leg 16 and in this instance specifically integral with the second side wall 19 is an enlarged plate portion 20 that is bent on the line 21 from the side Wall 19 angularly thereto, and in this instance substantially acutely angularly, and into juxtaposition with the bottom wall 17 and first side wall 18, and in position to abut the ends 22 and 23, respectively of the bottom wall 17 and the side wall 18.

The table 11 thus when in use rests directly upon the feet 20, the weight of the table and any contents and people sitting thereat being transmitted through the leg 16 to the foot 20 and the latter being prevented from being bent 2,821,447 Patented Jan. 28, 1958 out of shape on the line 21 by the right angular contact provided by the ends 22 and 23 abuttable with the foot 20. The foot 20 is desirably rounded on its edges 24 and 25 to enhance its stability and to prevent sharp corners.

As best shown in Fig. 3, a leg 17 including its channeled portion and its integral foot 20 is advantageously formed initially in the flat and in coplanar arrangement, the

channel walls

17, 18 and 19 being formed in the flat by the

portions

26, 27 and 28, and the foot 20 being provided in the flat by the portion 29. In the development of the structure, between the flat foot portion 29 and the remainder of the leg parts is provided a V-shaped notch 30 that facilitates the bending of the foot 20 to its right angular position along the line '21 and to further facilitate this bending the notch 30 is desirably slighfly enlarged at its inner end as at 31.

Connecting the legs 16 in spaced apart relation but with their upper ends inclined toward each other is the cross bar 32 which is also desirably of channel formation having the channel wall 33, the relatively short side wall 34 and a second relatively longer side wall 35. In the side walls 35 are provided apertures registering with similar apertures in the leg 16 to receive the nut and bolt appliances 36 which hold the cross bar 32 to the leg 16.

The channel-shape cross bars 32 extend outwardly at their ends beyond the legs as at 37 to support planks 38 to provide seats for the people sitting at the table in the usual manner of a picnic table. These planks may be secured as by screws 39 to the ends 37 of the cross bar 32. Suitable holes are provided in the cross bar 32 for the screws 39.

The screws 13 and 39 may if desired be as shown of the so-called carriage bolt type having flat or wafer-like heads 40 that are perceptible on the upper sides of the

boards

12 and 38 and that provide an ornamental appearance therefor.

Further in accordance with the present invention, for stabilizing the structure including the leg 16 and the cross bar 32 there is desirably provided a tension member between each leg and the cross bar represented by the numeral 41. As best seen in Fig. 4, the tension member 41 is desirably of round rod stock that has a gooseneck termination 42 at each end providing an angular portion 43 thereof, one of which ends is hooked into a hole 44 in the crosspiece end 37 and the other end into a hole 45 in the leg below the connection 36 of the leg and cross bar. The tension members 41 are thus easily applied without the need for nuts, bolts or screws and provide tension members which present rotative movement of the legs and cross bar relatively at the connections 36.

A stabilizing brace 46 of oblique arrangement, is shown bolted as at 47 to the cross bar 32 centrally of the latter and, at its other end, spaced inwardly from the leg construction 11, is bolted to the center one of the planks 12 forming the table top, in any suitable manner.

So constructed and arranged, a strong and readily assembled picnic table is provided which can seat a relatively large number of people along each side thereof without danger of collapse and at the same time is readily dismountable for storage purposes when not in use.

It is to be understood that the term picnic table is intended to include tables and benches for a like or similar use.

It is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to all of the details of construction shown for purposes of exemplification and furthermore, it may not be essential at all times to use all features of the invention conjointly since various combinations or subcombinations may at times be advantageously employed. Such changes may be made as fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the invention.

What is here claimed is:

1. In leg construction for picnic table, a sheet metal leg of channel form having a bottom wall, a first side wall relatively short, and a second side wall parallel to said first wall relatively long, said second side wall having an enlarged plate portion integral therewith and bent acutely angularly to said second side wall into juxtaposition with said bottom wall and said first side wall, said plate portion providing an integral foot for the leg, the end of the said bottom wall to which the plate portion is juxtaposed being also acutely angular to said second side wall.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the leg and integral foot are formed initially in the flat in coplanar arrangement and a V-n'otch is formed between the leg portion and the foot portion, the inner end of the notch being slightly enlarged.

3. In leg construction for picnic table, a pair of sheet metal legs, each leg having a bottom wall and a side wall, said side wall having an enlarged plate portionintegral therewith and bent acutely angularly to said side wall 4 into juxtaposition with said bottom wall, said plate portion providing an integral foot for the leg, means connecting the legs spaced apart but inclined toward each other at their tops, the plate portions being directed toward each other to lie flat upon a flat support for the table with the legs acutely angular thereto, the bottom wall reinforcing the plate portions respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 777,515 Keil Dec. 13, 1904 1,272,187 Basford July 9, 1918 1,313,182 Hallowell Aug. 12, 1919 1,520,589 Matkovie Dec. 23, 1924 1,784,726 Hallowell Dec. 9, 1930 1,967,886 Johnson July 24, 1934 2,448,377 Lindner Aug. 31, 1948 2,717,028

Villemure Sept. 6, 1955