US2878086A - Collapsible table with folded top - Google Patents

Description

A. VOLOSHIN COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH FOLDED TOP March 17, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 j Filed Oct. 12. 1956 INVENTOR 1 LBERT K2 oslmv A rmRA/EY I March 17, 1959 A. VOLOSHIN v 2,

'COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH FOLDED TOP Filed 001:. 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Al. ERT V01. asl-l/N B A T TORNEY March 17, 1959 A. VOLOSHIN COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH FOLDED TOP Filed Oct. 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 v INVENTOR.

A T TOP/VE Y March 17, 1959 A. ,VOLOSHIN COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH FOLDED TOP 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 12. 1956 llvmamz u I INVENTOR A BERT Vuosunv A TTOENEY 2,878,086 COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH FOLDED TOP 5 Albert Voloshin, New York, N. Y.

Application October 12, 1956, Serial No. 615,547

8 Claims. (Cl. 311-78) This invention relates to tables for household or similar uses and is particularly directed to tables, the legs of which may be folded against the top thereof, the entire table being so constructed that it may readily be folded into a small compact unit which may be carried or transported with a minimum of overall space requirements.

A primary feature of the construction is that when the table is knocked down and folded, it forms a relatively small compact package, which may readily be carried by means of straps or a compact case, yet when it is opened into its normal usable position it is relatively sturdy, with a uniformly flat top so as to present a minimum of interference when in use.

A' major object of the invention is to provide a table which may be folded or knocked down into its carrying position by the ordinary person, without special skills, experience or tools, and can readily be opened into its normal usable position in a relatively short time interval without requiring specialtools or skills.

Another feature of the construction is that when the top of the table is folded into its carrying position, it forms a substantially uniform rectangular package which may readily be fitted to a carton or carrying case, the sides and the operating mechanism being protected by the outer surfaces of the sections of the top so that the table will withstand storage or shipment on common carriers without damage.

and the frame supporting the top are folded into a small compact area adjacent one edge section of the top so that when the sections of the top are folded around one another, the exposed sections of the top protect the legs and frame sections from accidental damage.

Another feature of the construction. is that when the table is opened into its normal operating position, the hinged legs and the hinged sections of the frame are latched in place to prevent accidental tipping or tilting of the table when in use.

Another feature of the construction is that it may readily be adapted to tables of square contour, rectangular contour, or other suitable top contour, the method of supporting the legs and the frame structure, aswell as the method of folding the sections of the top remaining substantially the same. I

Another feature of the construction is the reduction of weight to a minimum, and the provision of self-operating rigid latches at all pivot and junction points in the normal erected position so as to enable the table to withstand normal usage and loads, without falling or acci dental tilting.

The accompanying drawings, illustrative of one embodiment of my invention, and several modifications thereof, together with the description of their construction and the method of operation, folding and utilization thereof, will serve to clarify further objects and advantages of my invention.

United States Patent 2,878,086 Patented Mar. 17, 1959 In the drawings: A I K Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the assembled table in its normal extended position with the legs extended and the sections of the top in their normal flat 5 position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table in its folded position with the sections of the top folded around the collapsed legs and frame.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the folded table shown in Fig. 2, showing the sections of the top folded around the frame and the legs in their knocked down position.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the top of the table shown in Fig. 1, with the pivoted legs folded against the inner surface of the sections of the top, and the hinged sections of the front and rear frame members in their extended position.

Fig. 5 is, a bottom plan view of one wide edge section of the top of the table shown in Fig. 4, with the hinged sections of the front and rear frame members bent inward between the pairs of legs, and the folded legs moved toward one edge of the top section preparatory to folding the top around the legs and frame structure.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the top of the table shown in Fig. 1, showing the folding sections of the top in place, with a portion of the folding sections of the top removed to show the hinged sections of the front and rear frame and the leg support corner brackets, or frame members.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of one end of the table shown in Fig. l, in its normal position with one of the legs extended, showing the method of latching the leg to the frame and the method of locating one of the edge sections of the top relative to the frame side members.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one leg support member of the frame of the table, with one of the legs extended in the relation shown in Figs. 1 and 7, showing the pivoted latch employed for retaining the leg in its extended position, also for releasing the pivoted leg so it can be moved into the folded position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in addition showing the latch moved into its outer released position in dot-dash lines, so the leg can be moved angularly relative to the top into its folded posi- Another feature of the construction is that the legs tion, with the leg and the latch attached thereto moved into an angular relation relative to the top, preparatory to folding the leg into the position shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a section through the leg, shown in Figs. 7

. and 8, and the latch provided to retain the leg in its extended position, as well as the spring pressing against the latch control mechanism, taken on the line 9-9, Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a cross-section through the leg and the latch pivot shown in Figs. 8 and 9, taken on the line 10-10,

Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a cross-section through the sections of the table top, shown in Figs. 1 and 6, intheir normal open flat position, showing the relative positions of the hinged sections of the top, taken on the line 11-11, Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged section through the hinged ends of one pair of top sections shown in Fig. 11, taken in the same relative position as Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is cross-section through a portion of the side frame and a latch attached thereto, showing the method of latching the end flange of one edge section of the top to the frame side member, when the top is in the open position, taken on the line 13-13, Fig. 6.

Fig. 14 is a cross-section through one of the hinged channel sections of the front and rear portions of the in Fig. 11, with the sections of the top rotated into their folded position shown in dot-dash lines.

Fig. 16 is a section through a modification of one corner of the upper portion of the frame shown in Fig. 4, showing a modified method of attaching one wide edge section of the top to a modification of the corner bracket, which supports the frame sections and one of the legs.

Fig. 17 represents a section similar to Fig. 16 through another modification of a corner of the upper portion of the frame, showing another modification of the method of attaching one wide edge section of the top to a modification of the corner bracket of the frame.

Fig. 18 represents a vertical section, similar to Fig. 9, through a modification of the tubular leg shown in Figs. 8 and 9, showing the spring provided to press the latch control mechanism against the open slot, shown in Fig. 8, to retain the leg in its open position.

It will be understood that the following description of the construction and the method of folding and utilization of the collapsible table with folded top is intended as explanatory of the invention and not restrictive thereof.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the various views, except where otherwise indicated.

One embodiment of the table construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, comprises a top of square or rectangular outer contour which is formed of a plurality of wide sections 14, 14a, a hinged edge section 15, located at one edge of the top, right-hand Figs. 1 and 6, a series of narrow connecting or end sections 16, 16a, and one outer end section 17, which is wider than the others and located adjacent the outer edge wide section 18, lefthand, Figs. 1 and 6, which is located at one edge of the table in the open position shown in Fig. 1, and foldedagainst one of the wide sections 14 in the folded position shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In the open position shown in Fig. 1, the top, which is flat, is supported by four pivotally mounted tubular legs 21 20a, and 21, 21a, which are supported by a frame structure in a manner hereinafter described in greater detail.

The frame structure, which pivotally supports the legs 29, 21 on which the various sections of the top rest, and to which they are attached in the open or normal operating position shown in Fig. 1, comprises a pair of side members 22, 22a, of L-shaped or other suitable cross-section, with two pairs of corner brackets 23, 23a, and 24, 24a fixedly attached to the ends of the frame side members, one pair of corner brackets 23, 23a, which are located diagonally opposite one another having a relatively wide forward or rear face 23b respectively, as shown in Fig. 4, to enable each of the narrow brackets 24, 24a, to pivotally support one of the legs, the-other diagonally opposite pair of corner brackets 24, 24a, each having a relatively narrow forward or rear face 24b respectively, to enable the wide brackets to pivotally support the two inner legs 2% and 21a, which in the folded position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, are located substantially parallel to the two outer legs 20 and 21a, which are located adjacent the frame side members 22 and 22a.

The forward and rear portions of the frame, which are pivotally attached to the inner ends of the forward and rear faces 23b and 2412 respectively of the corner brackets 23 and 24 in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each consists of a pair of pivoted channel sections 28 and 29, 28a, 29a, the outer end of each of which is pivotally attached to the forward or rear face of the adjacent corner bracket by a pivot pin or bolt 30, the central junction of each pair of front and rear hinged frame sections being pivotally connected by a hinge pin 31, 31a, which fits through the looped ends 32, 32a of a pair of binge plates attached to the front or rear hinged frame sections, or the loops 32, 32a may be formed integral with the inner end of each of the hinged frame sections.

Each of the hinged frame sections is of deep channel cross-section, the outer wall 33 of each of the channels being in substantial alignment with the front and rear edges of the top sections respectively in the open position shown in Fig. l, as indicated in Fig. 4.

Each of the top sections 14, 16 and 17 has a pair of flanges 34, 34a, 35, 35a, or 36, 36a, integral with and depending from the flat upper portion thereof, the flanges being angularly positioned relative to the fiat upper portion of each section, so that adjoining flanges of adjacent top sections abut one another, near the fiat portion of the top, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, so that there is no visible gap between the adjoining sections of the top when the table is in the open position shown in Fig. l.

A looped end 37, 38 is formed integral with the lower end of each of the flanges 34, 35, 36, a portion of the looped ends of adjoining flanges being cut out to form a series of relatively short hinge loops 37a, 38a, the hinge loops of adjoining top sections being dovetailed into one another to provide a hinge structure, as shown in Figs. 4, 11 and 12.

A long cyiindrical hinge rod 40, 40a is fitted through the looped ends of adjoining hinged top sections to pivotally support adjacent top sections as shown in Figs. 4, 11 and 12.

The hinges enable the sections of the table top to be folded around the pivoted legs and the knocked down frame sections in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and hereinafter described in greater detail.

Each of the legs 20 and 21a which is located adjacent the side member of the frame in the partially folded position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is pivotally supported by a U-shaped bracket 41, fixedly attached to the narrow corner bracket 24, 24a by a pivot pin or screw 42, as shown in Fig. 8, to enable the outer legs to be rotated from the open position shown in Fig. 1, to the partially folded position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which the legs are located adjacent the inner face of the adjacent top sections.

The other pair of legs 20a and 21 which fold into a position adjacent the outer legs 20 and 21a, as shown in Fig. 4, are each similarly supported by U-shaped bracket 43, each of which is fixedly attached to a flange 44, integral with the wide corner bracket 23, 23a and substantially parallel to the frame side member, the two side arms of the U-shaped bracket being connected to the flange 44 of the wide corner bracket 23 by a pivot pin or screw 45. The U-shaped bracket 43 may also be fixedly attached to the corner bracket by screws or other suitable attaching means in the same manner as the U-shaped brackets 41.

As shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, a latch is pivotally attached to each of the legs, the latch comprising a relatively flat flap or central section 47, the outer end 47a of which is curved slightly upward to clear the tubular leg 20, 21, each latch having two integral side flanges 48, 4811, which straddle the leg, and form a substantially U- shaped latch section with the flat central section thereof.

The side flanges of each of the latches are pivotally attached to the tubular leg by a cylindrical pin 49, as shown in Fig. 10, the pin enabling the latch to be rocked relative to the leg to enable each leg to be angularly moved from the open position shown in Fig. 1, to the folding position adjacent the inner surface of the top section, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

An elongated slot 50 is cut through the walls of the upper section of each tubular leg in alignment with the pivot pin 49 to enable the latch to be moved from the locking position shown in Fig. 8 to the open position shown by dot-dash lines, Fig. 8.

Each of the side walls of the U-shaped bracket 41 or 43 supporting each of the legs has an open slot 51 cut into i the arcuate forward end thereof, the slot 51 which folshown in Figs. 1, 7, and 8, when the table is in its normal operating position.

Each of the legs 20, 21 may be formed in two tubular sections as shown in Fig. 9, the upper section 20b, which is of a slightly larger diameter than the lower section 52, being operative to receive and retain the-lower section, the two leg sections being fixedly attached to one another to form a complete leg 20 or 21.

A plug 54 having a head integral therewith, is pressed into or otherwise fitted to the upper end of the lower section of each leg, as shown in Fig. 9, the plug serving as a stop for one end of a coiled compression spring 55 fitted to the interior of the upper section of each leg, the opposite end of each of the compression springs being pressed against the latch pivot pin 49 to retain the pivot pin within the open slot 51 in the arcuate forward end of the latch flanges, thereby firmly retaining the leg in the open position, shown in Figs. 1 and 7.

When the leg latches are released, the legs are individually angularly moved from the open position shown in Fig. 1, to the folding position shown in Fig. 4, about the pivot pin 42 or 45, the legs abutting the inner surface of the adjacent top section, the two outer legs 20 and 21 being located adjacent the opposite frame side members 22 and 2212, the other two legs 20a and 21 being located adjacent the two outer legs, as shown in Fig. 4 14a.

The pivoted hinge sections 28 and 29, 28a, 29a of the front and rear frame members are rotated aboutthe outer pivots 30 attached to the corner brackets, until they assume the folded position shown in Fig. 5, the hinged front and rear frame sections being located between the two pairs of pivoted legs so that the entire frame structure and the legs are located adjacent the inner surface of the hinged wide edge section 15 of the top located at one edge thereof, left-hand, Fig. 4, the right-hand side member of the frame being located adjacent the inner surface of the right-hand flange of the hinged edge section of the top in this position.

In this position, the legs and the entire frame structure are located between the left-hand edge and the right-hand flange of the hinged edge section 15 of the top, all of the other sections 14, 16, 17 and 18 of the top being free to enable them to be folded around the frame structure and the pivoted legs from the flat position shown in Fig. 4 to the folded position shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The sections of the top in which the wide sections 14 and 14a, 15 alternate with the narrow end sections 16, 1611 located between them and hingedly attached to the adjoining wide sections, are progressively folded around the folded legs and the collapsed frame sections, the outer end section 17, which is wider than the end sections 16 and 16a of the top being located beyond the outer edge ofthe adjoining end section 16, so that the various sections of the top are folded completely around the folded legs and frame structure to form a small compact package of substantially rectangular cross-section, as shown in Figs.

2and3.

The outer or right-hand flange of the wide right-hand edge section 15, of the top, Fig. l, is hingedly attached to the looped ends 57 formed integral With the horizontal leg of a right angle member 58, which is attached to the upper edge of the right-hand frame member 22, Fig. 1,

the looped ends being alternately slotted as shown in Fig. 4, so that they fit into one another, a hinge pin 59 being fitted through adjoining looped ends in the same -manner as the hinge pins connecting intermediate flanges of the top sections.

leg of the angle member supports the hinged edge' section of the top in the open position shown in Fig. l.

Another right angle member 61, 61a is attachedto or formed integral with each of the hinged front and rear channel sections 28 and 29 of the frame, the vertical leg of each angle section extending upward substantially parallel to the outer face 33 of each channel member.

The extreme front and rear ends of the flanges 34, 35 and 36 supporting the sections 14, 15, 17 and 18 of the top are cut away for a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the vertical leg of the angle member 61, to enable the vertical leg of the angle to engage and support the inner surfaces of the folding sections of the top, thus maintaining the top in the relatively flat position shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 13, a pair of clips 62 is attached to the upper end of the left-hand frame side member 22a, Fig. 6, each of the clips having a looped upper end 62a, which engages the arcuate section of the outer flange 63 of the left-hand outer wide section 18 of the top, Fig. 6, which is curved slightly inward to engage the inner edge of the loop 62a of the clip 62 as shown in Fig. 13.

A substantially L-shaped handle 64 is located at the outer left-hand edge of the top, the vertical leg of the handle being attached to the outer surface of the end flange of the left-hand edge section 18 of the top, Fig. 4, the horizontal leg of the handle projecting outward as shown in Fig. 3, to enable the top to be lifted and to release the grip of the clips 62 shown in Fig. 13, against the outer flange 63 thereof.

The center of the hinged front and rear sections 28 and 29 of the frame, adjacent the central pivot pin 31 are retained in the open or operative position by a latch 65, pivotally supported by a pin 66 attached to one of the hinged channel members 28, 29, a cut-out formed in the free end of the latch engaging a pin attached to the opposite hinged section, thereby retaining the two hinged sections in their open position, substantially parallel to the adjacent edge of the top. In order to retain the latch in engagement with the latch pin, a spring 67 formed of wire engages the under surface of the projecting arm of the latch, thereby retaining the latch in engagement with the latch pin and retaining the two hinged sections in the flat, or open position, shown in Fig. l.

In a modification of the table top construction, shown in Fig. 15, the top consists of a plurality of wide sections 68, 68a, with a series of narrow end sections 69, located between each pair of wide sections and hingedly attached thereto. A wider end section 70 is located between the extreme left-hand edge section 71, and the adjacent wide section as shown in Fig. 15. Each of the top sections has a pair of flanges 72, 72a, 73, 73a, integral therewith and depending from the top thereof, the flanges being substantially perpendicular to the top of the section. One side flange of each of the top sections has a substantially circular inner loop 74 integral With the lower end thereof, the loops in most of the top sections being directed inward toward the opposite flange. The adjacent flange 75 of the adjoining top section has a segment of a circular outer loop 76 integral with the lower end thereof, the loop being fitted around the small inner loop 74 of the adjacent flange. Each of the outer loops is cut back angularly to the position substantially as shown in Fig. 15, to enable the sections of the top to be folded around one another from the open position shown in Fig. 15 to the folded position shown in dot-dash lines, Fig. 15.

The outer surfaces of the flanges 75 and 73a of adjacent sections 68 and 69 of the top abut one another in the .open position, shown in Fig. 15, thereby retaining the 7 the inner surface of the flange 73a of the adjacent top section, therebylimiting the angular movement of the top sections in the folded position shown by dot-dash lines, Fig. 15.

In sections of the top, such as the wide edge section 71 shown in Fig. 15, the inner loop 77 of one flange 72 faces toward the opposite flange of the top section 70, the outer loop 78 formed at the lower end of the flange 79 of the outer edge section 71 which is fitted around the inner loop 77 facing in a direction opposite the flat substantially perpendicular left-hand flange 80 of the section 70.

In the modified loop construction shown in Fig. 15, the left-hand flange 72 of the wide end section 70 and the adjacent outer edge section 71 of the top has a small loop 77 of circular cross-section formed integral with the lower end thereof, the loop facing toward the opposite flange 720. An outer loop of a somewhat larger diameter is formed at the lower end of the adjacent flange 79 of the outer edge section 71 of the top. The outer loop 78 of this flange is of substantially circular segmental crosssection, the open radial edge of the outer loop being cut back as shown in Fig. 15 to clear the inner surface of the flange 72 of the adjacent end section 70. When the outer edge section 71 of the top is rotated into the folded position, shown by dot-dash lines, Fig. 15, the open radial edge of the outer loop 78, approaches or abuts the inner surface of the adjacent flange 72, thereby limiting the angular movement of the outer edge section 71 of the top.

In this position, the open lower edge of the perpendicular flange 80 of the outer edge section engages the outer surface of the flat portion of one wide section of the top, thus determining the limiting position of the left-hand outer edge section of the top in the folded position shown by dot-dash lines, Fig. 15.

In another modification of the construction shown in Fig. 16, one wide edge section 82 of the top is pivotally attached to a corner bracket 83 which forms one end of the frame structure. The edge section of the top has an inner loop 84 of substantially circular cross-section integral with the lower end of a flange which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the top section. The left-hand Wall 85 of the corner bracket 83, which is of rectangular channel cross section as shown in Fig. 16, has an outer loop 86 integral therewith, the outer loop 86 which is of circular segmental cross section being fitted around the inner loop 84 of the top section, to enable the top section to be rotated from the open position shown in Fig. 16,. to a point at which the top section is angularly positioned relative to the corner bracket, to facilitate folding the top sections.

The right-hand wall of the corner bracket has a loop 87 of substantially circular cross-section integral with .the upper end thereof, the loop 87 engaging the bottom surface of the edge top section 82 in order to retain the top section in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 17 shows a modification of the corner construction shown in Fig. 16. In this construction, the inner loop 89, formed at the left-hand end of the wide edge section 90 of the top is of circular cross section, substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 16. The bottom flange 91 of the top section, which is integral with the inner loop is angularly positioned relative to the top surface of the outer edge section of the top.

The outer loop which is integral with the upper end of the corner bracket 92, is constructed in a somewhat different form from that of the outer loop shown in Fig. 16. In this construction, a portion of the outer :loop is of circular segmental cross section, the upper wall 93 which forms part of the outer loop being substantially parallel to the bottom flange 91, which is integral with the lower left-hand end of the top section '90. An extension wall 94 of the outer loop which is integral with the upper wall 93 thereof, is located substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall 91 of the outer edge section 90 of the top, the bottom edge of the extension wall 94 engaging the inner edge of the sloping bottom flange 91 of the looped end of the top section in order to limit the angular movement of the outer edge top section 90, when it is in its open position, as shown in Fig. 17. The right-hand wall 95 of the corner bracket has a loop 96 of substantially circular cross-section integral therewith, the upper edge of the loop engaging the bottom surface of the horizontal portion of the edge section of the top in .a horizontal position, thereby supporting the edge section of the top in the open or horizontal position substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

In a modification of the leg construction shown in Fig. 18, the tubular leg is formed of a single piece of tubing 97, in place of the two-piece construction shown in Fig. 9. A substantially cylindrical plug 98 is fitted to the interior of the tube 97, the plug serving as a stop for the coiled compression spring 55, the upper end of which presses against the pin 49, in the same manner as that shown in Fig. 9.

The pivot support 42 for the leg and the latch 47 are substantially the same as those shown in Fig. 9, the leg being supported by the U-shaped bracket 41 or 43 in the manner shown in Fig. 4, and retained in the open position by the open slot 51 cut in the walls of the U- shaped bracket in the same manner as the leg 20, shown in Fig. 8.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my present invention is not limited to the specific details described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications are possible in carrying out the features of the invention and the operation, and the method of folding, compacting and utilization thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A foldable table comprising a substantially flat top formed of a plurality of sections of varying width and substantially uniform length, each of said top sections being hingedly attached to the adjoining section to enable the top sections to be folded around one another, a frame operative to support the top sections in the flat position, said frame comprising a pair of side members located at opposite sides of the top when the table is in its open position, means hingedly attaching one of the frame side members to the adjacent section of the top, a set of four legs pivotally supported by the frame, said legs being located adjacent the corners of the top, a pair of front frame members hingedly supported by one end of the frame side members, a pair of rear frame members hingedly supported by the opposite end of the frame side members, means hingedly connecting the central junction of each pair of hinged front and rear frame members, one pair of the legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of one edge top section located adjacent one frame side member, said legs being folded against the inner surface of the top section adjacent the opposite sides thereof, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the top section between the first pair of legs, the front and rear frame members being operative to fold between the second pair of legs adjacent the inner surface of the edge top section, the top sections attached to the hinged edge top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around the folded legs and the frame members when the legs and frame members are folded against the inner surface of the edge top section.

2. A foldable table comprising a substantially flat top formed of a plurality of sections of varying width and substantially uniform length, each of said top sections being hingedly attached to the adjoining section, a frame opera tive to support the top sections in the flat position, said frame comprising a pair of side members located at opposite sides of the top, when the table is in its open position,

means hingedly attaching one of the frame side members to the adjacent section of the top, a pair of front frame members hingedly supported by one end of the frame side members, a pair of rear frame members hingedly supported by the opposite end of the frame side members, means hingedly connecting the central junction of each pair of hinged front and rear frame members, a bracket attached to the inner surface of each end of each frame side member adjacent the hinged front and rear members, pivot means attached to each of said brackets,

a leg pivotally supported by each of said pivot means, each of said legs being substantially parallel to the adjacent frame side member in the folded position, latching means attached to each of said legs operative to coact with the adjacent side members bracket to retain each leg in a position substantially perpendicular to the top, one pair of the legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of one top section located adjacent one frame side member, said legs being located adjacent opposite sides of the top section, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the top section between the first pair of legs, the front and rear frame members being operative to fold between the second pair of legs adjacent the inner surface of the top section, the top sections attached to the hinged edge top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around the folded legs and frame members, when the legs and frame members are folded against the inner surface of one top section.

3. A foldable table comprising a substantially flat top formed of a plurality of sections of relatively uniform length, the side sections and alternate sections therebetween being relatively wide, the intermediate top sections located between each pair of wide sections being relatively narrow, means hingedly connecting adjoining top sections to enable the top sections to be progressively the frame side members, means pivotally connecting the central junction of each pair of hinged front and rear frame members, one pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the edge top section hingedly attached to one frame side member, adjacent opposite sides of the hinged topsection, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the hinged top section between the first pairoflegs, the front and rearframe members being operative to fold between the second pair of legs against the inner surface of the hinged edge top section, the top sections attached to the hinged edge top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around thefolded legs and the frame members when thelegs and frame members are folded against the inner surface of the edge top section.

4. A foldable table comprising a substantially fiat top formed of a plurality of sections of relatively uniform length, the side sections of the top and alternate sections therebetween being relatively wide, the intermediate sections located between each pair of wide sections being relatively narrow, means hingedly connecting adjoining top sections to enable the top sections to be progressively folded around one another, a frame operative to support the top sections in the flat position, said frame comprising a pair of side members located at opposite sides of the top when the table is in its open position, a pair of legs pivotally supported by the front and rear end of each of the frame side members, said legs being foldable into a position substantially parallel to the adjacent frame side members, a pair of front frame members hingedly supported by the front end of the frame side members, a pair of rear frame members hingedly supported by the rear end of the frame side members, means hingedly connecting the central junction of each pair of hinged front and rear frame members, one pair of the legs beingoperative to fold against the inner surface of one edge top section located adjacent one frame side member, adjacent opposite sides of the top section, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the top section between the first pair of legs, the front and rear hinged frame members being operative to fold between the second pair of legs adjacent the inner surface of the top section, the top sections attached to the edge hinged top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around the folded legs and frame members, when the legs and frame members are folded against the inner surface of the edge top section.

5. A foldable table comprising a plurality of sections of varying width and substantially uniform length, each of said top sections being hingedly attached to the adjoining sections, a frame operative to support the top sections in the open position, said frame comprising a pair of side members located at opposite sides of the top when the table is in the open position, means hingedly attaching one of the frame side members to the adjacent edge section of the top, a pair of front frame members hingedly supported by one end of the frame side members, a pair of rear frame members hingedly supported by the opposite end of the frame side members, means hingedly connecting the central junction of each pair of hinged front and rear frame members, a substantially U-shaped bracket attached to the inner surface of one end of each of the frame side members adjacent the hinged front and rear members, a pivot member supported by each of said U-shaped brackets, a substantially tubular leg supported by each of said pivot members, a second pivot member fitted through each of said legs, a latching member pivotally supported by each of the second pivot members, means formed in each of said U-shaped brackets operative to receive the second pivot member to retain the adjacent leg and the latch member fitted thereto in a position substantially perpendicular to the top sections, means fitted to each of said legs operative to retain the second pivot means in engagement with the bracket retaining means, one pair of the legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of one edge top section located adjacent one frame side member, adjacent opposite sides thereof, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the edge top section between the first pair of legs, the front and rear hinged frame members being operative to fold between the second pair of legs adjacent the inner surface of the edge top section, the top sections attached to the hinged edge top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around the folded legs and frame members when the legs and frame members are folded against the inner surface of the edge top section.

6. A foldable table comprising a substantially flat top formed of a plurality of sections of relatively uniform length, the side sections and alternate sections therebetween being relatively wide, the intermediate sections located between each pair of wide top sections being relatively narrow, means hingedly connecting adjoining top sections, a frame operative to support the top sections in the flat position, said frame comprising a pair of side members, means hingedly attaching one of the frame side members to the adjacent edge section of the top, a pair of front frame members hingedly supported by the forward end of the frame side members, a pair of rear frame members hingedly supported by the rear end of the frame side members, means pivotally connecting the central junction of each pair of front and rear hinged frame members, a substantially U-shaped bracke attached to the inner surface of each of the frame side members adjacent the hinged front and rear members, a pivot pin supported by each of said brackets, a substantially tubular leg pivotally supported by each of said pivot pins, the outer walls of each of said legs adjacent the U-shaped bracket having an elongated slot therethrough, a second pivot member fitted through the slots in each of said legs, a substantially U-shaped latching member fitted to each leg pivotally supported by the second pivot member, each of said U-shaped brackets having a pair of open slots therein, said open slots being operative to receive the second pivot member to retain the adjacent leg in a position substantially perpendicular to the top, spring means fitted to each of said legs operative to retain the second pivot member in engagement with the bracket, one pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the edge top section hingedly attached to one frame side member, adjacent opposite sides of the hinged top section, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the hinged top section between the first pair of legs, the front and rear frame members beingoperative to fold between the second pair of legs against the inner surface of the hinged top section, the top sections attached to the hinged edge top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around the folded legs and the frame members, when the legs and frame members are folded against the surface of the hinged top section.

'7. A foldable table comprising a substantially flat top formed of a plurality of sections of relatively uniform length, the side sections of the top and alternate sections therebetween being relatively wide, the intermediate sections located between each pair of wide sections being relatively narrow, means hingedly connecting adjoining top sections, a frame operative to support the top sections in the flat position, said frame comprising a pair of side members located at opposite sides of the top when the I table is in its open position, means hingedly attaching one of the frame side members to the adjacent edge section of the top, the edge top section located at the opposite side of the table top having a flange integral with the outer edge thereof, the flange being of arcuate cross-sectional contour substantially perpendicular to the top of the edge section, a plurality of spring latches attached to the frame side member adjacent the flanged top section, each of said spring latches having a loop at the outer end thereof, the spring latch loop being operative to engage the arcuate flange of the edge top section to retain the top section in its flat position, a pair of legs pivotally supported by the front and rear .end of each of the frame side members, said legs being foldable into a position substantially parallel to the adjacent frame side member, a pair of front frame members hingedly supported by the front end of the frame side members, a pair of rear frame members hingedly supported by the rear end of the frame side members, means hingedly connecting the central junction of each pair of hinged front and rear frame members, one pair of the legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the hinged edge top section located adjacent one frame side member, adjacent the opposite sides of the top section, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the edge top section between the first pair of legs, the front and rear hinged frame members being operative to fold between the second pair of legs adjacent the inner surface of the hinged top section, the top sections attached to the hinged edge top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around the folded legs and frame members, when the legs and frame members are folded against the inner surface of the edge top section.

8. A foldable table comprising a substantially flat top formed of a plurality of sections of relatively uniform length, the side sections and alternate sections therebetween being relatively wide, the intermediate sections located between each pair of wide sections being relatively narrow, means hingedly connecting adjoining top sections, a frame operative to support the top sections in the flat position, said frame comprising a pair of side members, means hingedly attaching one of the frame side members to the adjacent edge section of the top, a pair of front frame members hingedly supported by the forward end of the frame side members, a pair of rear frame members hingedly supported by the rear end of the frame side members, a hinge pivotally connecting the central junction of each pair of hinged front and rear frame members, a latch member pivotally attached to one hinged front and rear frame member of each pair, means mounted on each adjacent front and rear hinged frame member operative to engage each latch to retain the front and rear hinged frame members in the open position, spring means attached to one front and rear hinged frame member of each pair operative to press each latch into engagement with the latch retaining means, a pair of legs pivotally supported by the front and rear end of each of said frame side members, one pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the top section hingedly attached to one frame side member adjacent opposite sides of the hinged top section, the second pair of legs being operative to fold against the inner surface of the hinged edge top section between the first pair of legs, the front and rear frame members being operative to fold between the second pair of legs against the inner surface of the hinged top section, the top sections attached to the hinged edge top section being operative to be progressively folded around one another to form an enclosure around the folded legs and frame members, when the legs and frame members are folded against the inner surface of the hinged top section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,013,912 Weir Ian. 9, 1912 1,416,815 Grafiam May 23, 1922 1,804,171 Lewis May 5, 1931 1,813,018 Brown July 7, 1931 1,877,654 Flink et a1 Sept. 13, 1932. 1,962,126 Anderson June 12, 1934 2,071,928 Golden Feb. 23, 1937 2,198,661 Dubilier Apr. 30, 1940 2,574,592 Schalfer Nov. 13, 1951

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