US283119A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

" (ModeL) G. S. KNAPP. FOLDING TABLE.

BIO/283,119. Patented Aug. 14, 1883.

- WITNESSES Attar I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE s. KNAPP, or oHIoAGo, ILLINoIs.

FOLDING: TABLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent'No. 283,119, dated August 14, 1883.

Application filed July 15, 1832. (Modem To aZL whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. KNAPP, of

Chicago, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification. I

The object of this invention is to produce a light and strong table which may be quickly.

folded intoa ,very compact form for transportation or storage. I

To this end it consists in the peculiar construction and combination, as hereinafter detailed, of pairs of crossed and pivoted legs, perforated angle-plates connecting them, and a flexible slatted top. having'studs seated in the angle-plates.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my table in position for use. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the top in its extended condition. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 00 :0, Fig. 1, illustrating the manner in which the top and legs are conlegs attached.

nectedwith each other. Fig. 5 is a perspec- .tive view of one of the corner-pieces with the A represents the frame of the table, made of rectangular skeleton form, consisting of four duplicate pairs of legs, a and 6, arranged in planesbounding the sides of a square. Each pair, consists of two duplicate legs connected centrally by a pivot, c. The legs of each pair are connected at their upper and lower ends, by angular corner-plates d, to the-corresponding ends of the two adjacent pair of legs, it being of course understood that each pair stands in a plane at right angles to the two other pairs. 7 I

The corner-plates by which the legs are connected are clearly represented in Fig. 5. Each consists of two vertical ears or plates at right angles to each other to receive connecting-pivots, and of a horizontal connectingrweb at the top, the latter provided with a vertical hole or opening, e. The severalpairs of legs, connected by means of these plates and of the horizontal pivots f, may be extended in the manner shown in Fig. 1, to form a largerect- .plates of the frame.

means of transverse cords z, woven back and forth between them, or by any other equiva lent flexible connection which will admit of folded together, parallel or substantially parthe series beingspread. into a flat form and of their being rolled into a compact shape at will.

For the purpose of holding the top in a flat extended position, I apply to its under side, at or near the opposite ends, two cross-bars, k, each bar being pivoted. at Znear one edge of the top, and having its opposite end beveled and arranged to engage within a hooked armor plate, m, secured to the opposite edge of the top. When the top is extended, the bars are swung into position transversely of the slats, in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, and in so doing their inclined or beveled ends are forced tightly within the plates m,'and thereby caused to hold the top firmly in its extended condition, give it asolid support from beneath, and prevent it from being folded or closed together. Each of the transverse" barsk is provided on the under side, near its opposite ends, with two depend ing studs, a, so constructed and arranged that when the top is extended they may be inserted into the openings 6 in the respective corner When thus applied, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the studs retain the top in position from the frame, and also serve I as a means of preventing the frame from spreading or extending under the weight to which it is subjected, the frame and the top thus serving to give a mutual support.

The tendency of the legs to spread or open at the top under the weight is of. great service in this construction, inasmuch as it tends to spread or move the cross-bars 7c from each other, whereby their beveled ends are crowded firmly against the bearings m, and thereby caused to maintain the parts rigidly in position. I

As regards the construction of the cornerpieces or angle-irons, the essential requisite is that they shall possess the flanges or plates at right angles to each other for connection with the legs, and an openingin the top for the relIOO ception of the studs upon the table-top, and

they may be varied in form, as described, provided these characteristics are retained. The plates are designed merely as a means of connection between the parts. Those at the foot of the legs may be made with or without the perforated web or cross-plate, as preferred. As the presence of the cross-plate, however, gives additional strength and stiffness to the device, it is preferred to employ the same on the lower corner-pieces as well as on the upper. It will be notedthat the frame is supported by its legs or cross-bars resting directly upon the floor or ground, and that the cornerpieces at the base do not in any sense serve as li;eet or supports to carry the weight of the ars. I a When the table is to be folded for storage or transportation, the top is disconnected by removing the projection 01. from the cornerpieces and the frame closed compactly together, with the legs parallel or substantially parallel with each other. After this the crossbars 70 are turned to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, parallel with the strips composing the top. The top may then be rolled into an exceedingly compact form and placed around or against the legs.

I hereby disclaim in this patent any and all features or combinations of features which are described or shown in my application for patent for a folding chair filed July 15, 1882, N0.

The present invention is restricted to those matters and things which are hereinafter claimed, and as to all matters which may be described or shown, but which are not claimed,

the right is reserved to make the same the subject of a separate application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a folding table, the combination of four pairs of crossed legs, each pair united by a central pivot, the perforated angle-plates connected to the respective pairs of legs, and the flexible table -top composed of parallel wooden strips united by transverse flexible connections, substantially as described, and provided with depending studs seated in the angle-plates, as described and shown.

2. In combination with the folding legs, substantially as shown, the perforated angle plates at their upper ends, the flexible slatted top, the cross-bars, and the studs adapted 'to engage with the angle-plates, substantially as described and shown.

3. In a folding table, the flexible top composed of parallel slats, the lips m, attached thereto, the pivoted cross-bars k, having their free ends arranged to engage with lips m, and the series of crossed and pivoted legs, as shownv and described, detachably connected at their upper ends with the cross-bows, substantially as shown, whereby the legs are caused to hold the bars and the bars caused to sustain the top and hold the same in an extended condi tion.

GEORGE S. KNAPP.

Witnesses:

THOMAS KANE, FRANK R. RIDELL.

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