US2883248A

US2883248A - High-low extension table construction

Info

Publication number: US2883248A
Application number: US529994A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hoppe Boris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-08-23
Filing date: 1955-08-23
Publication date: 1959-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1976-04-21

Description

April 21, 1959 BFHOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 23, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. BOP/.5 Hop/ 5 ,M, firm,

15L ATTOK/VEKS. .7

"IIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIII/IIIIIIA 7 April 21, 1959 B. HOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 25, 1955 V n 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Bee/s flop/ 5 A ril 21', 1959 By HQPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 25, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet s r .i Z. 66 a 6" A /fl///IV AV )7 /////V/// /l /7/T1 LU LL g r 8;. I 4 F 3: I l 1$ M I N V EN TOR. 502/5 HOP/ E A; nfrok/vivs.

A ril 21, 1959 B. HQPP'E 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTE-NSION 'TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug 25, 1955 a Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR.

Bolas fla /=5 BY ,1\.u.0 WWIOM 2 4 ArroR/Mrs.

April 21, 1959 B. HOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 25, 1955 8 SheetsESheet 5 INVENTOR. BOR/S Ho /=5 BY Wm ,M, MW ,owfkmw 4.; ATTORNEKS.

April 21, 1959 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 B. HOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR;

Hop/ 5 BY WM ,MIWMJOW L;

ATTO/QA/EKI. I

April 21, 1959 B. HOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION F iled Aug. 25, 1955 a Sheets-Sheet 7 44 v IN V EN TOR.

BOR/S HOP/ 1:-

, BY WM,M,MM, 4/ OMMMQWW #4. ATTORNEYS.

B. HOPPE HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 April 21, 1959 INVENTOR. 5oR/s HGPPE W Wm M, AM 21m A). A TmR/vErs.

United States Patent HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Boris Hoppe, Kew Gardens, NY.

Application Augustf23, 1955, Serial No. 529,994

r 7 Claims. (Cl. 311--39) This invention relates to tables, and more particularly to extension. tables. The invention also relates to extension tables of the high-low type, that is, of the type which by manipulation of the legs can be raised or lowered.

The invention, in one aspect thereof, includes a table having a table top which can be contracted or expanded in area, for example, by separating the top halves thereof and inserting leaves between such separated halves. Such table top area has a major axis in a selected direction prior to being so extended (or prior to bringing up into coplanar relation therewith drop leaves which are hinged thereto) and after such table top has been extended, the major axis thereof is perpendicular to the one aforementioned. The major axis of the rectangle defined by the feet of the table legs, referred to as the axis of stability, preferably should be parallel to the major axis of the table top. Accordingly the present construction provides for changing. the attitude of the legs for this purpose to permit such axis of stability to be shifted 90 When desired.

This is accomplished by mounting the table top upon a pantograph device having a plurality of crossed and hinged arms which is capable of extension in a horizontal direction, the .axes of the hinges of which are all substantially parallel and to. the four outermost arm extremities thereof are secured the four legs of the. table. The movement of the pantograph to a contracted condition places the axis of, stability in one direction, and the moving of the pantograph to. an extended condition shifts by 90 such axis of stability thereby giving stability to the table in the needed direction, for example, in response to the raising of dropleaves. Such pantograph device is operatively associated in a novel manner with the aforementioned separable portions of the tabletop whereby extension of the pantograph causes separation of such table top portions. Alternatively, non-separable table top portions can be employed of the so-called flip-over variety. The latter type of table top comprises two hinged leaves which are capable of folding one upon the other in face-to-face relation. After the extension of the pantograph device the leaves can be moved into coplanar relation, thatis, the top hinged leaf is angularly shifted 180.

The invention in another form thereof is substantially similar to the one described above, with the exception that the pantograph device is constructed and arranged in. such a way that concurrently with the change in the attitude of the table legs to change the direction of such axis of stability, such legs concurrently are changed in angle or attitude relative to thetable top thereby to raise or lower the table top. This is accomplished by making the table legs in effect part of the pantograph device, that is, extensions of the arms of thepantograph device and by constructing certain of the hinges of such pantograph device in such a way that their axes converge in a particular-relationship. Thus a primary pair of table legs is joined by a hinge at a point intermediate the extremities thereof whereby such legs can be spread or closed in response torelative movement about the axis of such hinge. A secondary pair of table legs is similarly joined by a hinge, and the primary and secondary pairs of hinged table legs are operatively connected together to form such pantograph device through the intermediary of at least one pair of intermediate crossed pantograph arms which are pivotally associated intermediate the ends thereof. Such table legs, of course, are conformed to extend downwardly from such pantograph device, the table top being supported by the latter. One pair of outer extremities of such intermediate pantograph arms is connected respectively by a pair of hinges with the upper extremities of said primary pair of hinged table legs. Similarly, another pair of outer extremities of such intermediate pantograph arms respectively are connected by a pair of hinges with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair of hinged table legs. The shifting of the pantograph from a contracted to an extended condition causes such axis of stability to shift as. aforementioned and concurrently to change the angle of the legs of the table top thereby lifting the latter by virtue of such special relationship of the hinge axes. That is, the axis of the hinge of each pair of hinged table legs converge at a common point with the axes of the hinges at the upper extremities of such pair of hinged table legs, such common point being beneath the pantograph device. Thus two such points of convergence occur, which points will be spaced apart where there is more than one pair of such intermediate pantograph arms. A line drawn through such two spaced points should be horizontal. However, such two points of convergence may in turn coincide where only a single pair of intermediate pantograph arms are employed. The degree to. which the level of the table can change in response to the movement of the pantograph device between its extremes of motion is a function of the vertical distance of such points of convergence from the table top.

The invention in still another form is constituted by a table top having a pantograph device associated therewith which is extendable in a vertical instead of a horizontal direction and which is adapted for mounting the table legs and also achieving the aforementioned angular change of the axis of stability. Such pantograph device includes a primary pair of pantograph arms and a secondary pair which are held in substantially parallel spaced relationship with one another by rigidly interconnected spacer pins one of which is a pantograph hinge. The lowermost extremities of corresponding of said primary and secondary pantograph arms are rigidly interconnected by bowed cross-connectors to which are pivotally connected by cross-connector hinges to two pairs of additional hingedly joined pantographs arms, one pair near the primary pantograph arms and onenear the secondary pair. Such additional arms comprise the table legs. The hinge axis of each of said additional arms due to the bowing of said cross-connectors converges at a selected point on its respective side of the pantograph with the axes of its respective pairs of cross-connector hinges.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the description herebelow when considered in connection with the ac companying drawings although it is expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and do not define the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had to the appended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from below of a table construction embodying one form of the present invention and showing the table legs thereof in a relatively contracted condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table construction of Fig. 1 showing such table legs in a relatively spread condition;

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of a table embodying a second form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the table shown in Fig. 3, the table top being in its low position with the legs thereof in one attitude relative to the table top;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section and with parts broken away of the table construction shown in Fig. 4 but with the table legs at a diiferent attitude relative to the table top, the table top being in its high position;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the table shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an inverted plan view of the table of Fig, 3 but in an extended condition;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view from below (partly in section) of a table embodying a third form of the invention, the table top being in a low position;

Fig. 9 is an end view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of the table end shown in Fig. 8, the table top being in a high position;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section and with parts broken away, of the table shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary View on an enlarged scale of a detent device employed for controlling the legs of the table of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view from above of the table construction shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail with particular reference to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the novel extension table construction comprises a table top 20 which is mounted upon a frame element 21, the latter in turn being mounted upon a pantograph element 22 having table legs secured thereto as will appear below.

The table in the form shown is of the drop leaf variety including drop leaves 20a and 201; which are joined by hinges, one pair of which is shown as at 23 and 24, to a central table top portion consisting of

separable portions

20c and 20d which are divided by a line 25 indicating the demarcation therebetween when

portions

20c and 20d are closed.

The drop leaves of the table may be raised and held in a horizontal attitude by any suitable means, such as fingers 26 and 27, which are pivotally connected to the undersurface of the table top portions 280 and 20d, respectively.

When the leaves of the table are dropped and the only horizontal areas are the horizontal upper surfaces of the portions 200 and 2001, it will be seen that such surfaces, when unseparated as in Fig. 1, are of substantially rectangular shape, the major axis thereof comprising the line 25 separating same. Consequently it is desirable for the feet of the legs of the table to define a rectangle having a major axis which is parallel to the line 25 thereby providing a desired stability to the table.

However, when such drop leaves are raised to the horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, it is desired for the major axis of the rectangle defined by the feet of the table to be perpendicular to the first-mentioned major axis thereby to provide such desired stability to the table.

Novel means are provided for accomplishing this result which, in the form shown, comprises the aforementioned pantograph element 22 having four

extremities

28, 29 and 30, 31 to which are respectively secured the

table legs

32, 33 and 34, 35.

Such pantograph element includes at least two pairs of

arms

36, 37 and 38, 39, the arms of each pair being interconnected by a hinge. That is,

arms

36 and 37 intermediate their extremities are joined by a hinge 40 and the arms 38, 39 also intermediate their extremities are joined by a hinge 41. Both of said hinges are preferably substantially vertical when the table is in normal operating position.

The adjacent inner extremities of the two pairs of arms are in turn joined by

hinges

42 and 43, suchhinges 4 42 and 43 being referred to as end hinges whereas hinges 40 and 41 are referred to as intermediate or center hinges.

The table top 20, as aforementioned, rests upon the frame member 21 which in turn is supported by the upper surfaces of the pantograph element 22.

Although many operative interconnections may be employed between the table top 20 and said pantograph element, the particular form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises one wherein the separable portions of the table top may be spread apart to make room for the insertion of additional table leaves thereby to increase the area of the table top.

Accordingly, such frame member 21 includes a center cross-support member 44 which is slidably connected to the pantograph construction near such end hinges (Fig. 2), for example, by means of a pair of pins, one of which is shown at 45 which is secured to the upper surface of the arm 37 at the region 37a and which passes through a vertical slot 46 formed in the cross-support member 44. Suitable retaining means, such as a washer or screw head, is at the upper extremity of the pin 45 for holding the cross-piece 44 to the arm 37 while at the same time permitting sliding engagement therebetween. The slot 46 is transversely disposed to the axis of extension of the pantograph element 22. A similar slot and pin arrangement (not shown) is employed in connection with the arm 36 and the cross-support member 44 at the other end of the latter.

A pair of outermost

cross-support members

47 and 48 are slidably secured to the opposite outermost arms of said pantograph element on opposite sides of said centcr cross-support member 44 and are adapted for moving away from and toward such center cross-support member 44 in response to extension and contraction of such pantograph element.

Thus the outermost portions of the

arms

36 and 37 are slidably connected with the cross-support member 47 by pin and slot means, one of which is well shown in Fig. 2, including a pin 49 secured to the upper portion of the outer extremity of the arm 36 and which pin extends through a vertical slot 50 formed in the cross-support member 47. A suitable head on the pin 49 holds the crosssupport member 47 to the arm 36. A similar pin and slot arrangement is employed for interconnecting the outer extremity of the arm 37 with the cross-support member 47. The slot thereof is shown at 51 in Fig. 2.

The

slots

50 and 51, in the form shown, are not perpendicular to the axis of extension of the pantograph but rather are canted toward the center of the pantograph as shown, thereby to facilitate the opening and closing of such pantograph element.

The arms 38 and 39 are analogously connected with the cross-support member 48.

The table top 20 is connected to the several cross-support members by means of a pair of parallel extension arms 52 and 53, each of which consists of a plurality of slide elements. A pair of corresponding slide elements, one in each of such extension arms, is respectively secured parallel to one another and to opposite extremities of said center cross-support member 44. One slide element of such pair is shown at 54 (Fig. 2). Another pair of slide elements, one in each of such extension arms, is secured to opposite extremities of one of the outer cross-support members, such as 48, and, illustratively, such pair includes

slide elements

55 and 56, each of the latter being slidably associated with its slide element secured to the center cross-support member 44. For example, the slide. element 55 is associated with the slide element 54.

The table top portion 20d in turn is secured to a pair of

slide elements

57 and 58 which are respectively slidably associated with the

slide elements

55 and 56.

Referring to Fig. l, the pantograph element is in a contracted condition and the feet of the legs 32-35 define a rectangle 59 having a major axis 60 which is substantially parallel to the line 25. However, in Fig. 2, the

pantograph element 22 has been moved to an extended condition and such feet of the legs define a rectangle 61 having a major axis 62, the latter being perpendicular to the axis 60 and of substantially greater length thereby providing greater stability in a desired direction to the table when the latter is extended, as shown in Fig. 2. The axis 62 is parallel to the major axis of the top surface of the table top, as shown in Fig.

Referring now to Figs. 3-6, a further form of the invention will now be described which has features somewhat similar to the form of Figs. 1 and 2 in that the major axis of the rectangle defined by the feet of the table legs can be shifted 90 in response to the expansion or contraction of a pantograph element. However, an additional feature is provided in the embodiment of Figs. 3-6, in that the level of the table is changed in response to the expansion or contraction of such pantograph element. Thus a relatively small table, such as a cocktail table, may be provided by this form of the invention which is relatively low in height. Such cocktail table can be converted to one having a relatively much larger table top surface at a higher level (such as a dining table) by the extension of such pantograph element. Suitable table top means are provided which are adapted for being increased in area, as will appear hereinafter.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 36 includes a primary pair of

table legs

63 and 64 which are joined by a hinge 65 at a point intermediate the extremities but near the tops thereof whereby such legs can be spread or closed in response to relative movement about the axis of such hinge 65. A secondary pair of

table legs

66 and 67 are similarly joined by a hinge 68. Such primary and secondary pairs of hinged table legs are operatively connected together to form a pantograph element by means of at least one pair of

intermediate pantograph arms

69 and 70 which are hingedly joined intermediate the ends thereof by means of a hinge 71. i r

The outer extremities of said intermediate pantograph arms are hingedly connected to the respective inner and upper extremities of the

aforementioned table legs

63, 64 and 66, 67. Thus one pair of

outer extremities

69a, 70a of said

intermediate arms

69, 70 are respectively joined by

hinges

72 and 73 with the inner upper extremities of the primary pair of

legs

63, 64. The other pair of outer extremities 69b and 70b of such intermediate arms are joined by

hinges

74 and 75 to the respective inner and upper extremities of the secondary pair of hinged

table legs

66, 67. i

As is well shown in Fig. 4, the tablelegs, such as 66 and 67, are generally angularly disposed with respect to a table top 76 of the table 77 of Figs. 3-6 andextend downwardly from the undersurface from the central region therebeneath occupied by the pantograph; above described.

The ability of the aforementioned leg and pantograph construction to raise and lower the table top 76 and concurrently to change the direction of the major axis of the rectangle defined by the feet, as aforementioned, is dependent upon a particular dispostion of the hinges of the pantographof this embodiment. The axis of the hinge of each pair of hinged legs converges at a common point with the axes of the hinges at the upper extremities of such pair of hinged legs, the table being in normal operaing position, namely on its feet, as showninFig. 4. Thus, as is well shown in such Fig. 4, the axis 78 of the hinge 68 converges at a point 79 (when the table is low) with the axes 80 and 81 respectively of the

hinges

74 and 75. A similar relation exists between the axes of the

hinges

65, 72 and 73, as is well shown inFig. 6, wherein such axes all converge upon' a common point 82 (when the table is high), although the invention is not limited to all of such axes so converging at a common point inasmuch as the pantograph element of this form of the invention may include more than onepair of intermediate pantograph arms whereupon the point of convergence (as at 82a) of the

axes

78, and 81 would be spaced from the point of convergence (as at 82b) of the axes of the

hinges

67, 74 and 75. A line pressing through such spaced points of convergence must be horizontal. The point 82 is somewhat lower than point 79. The change in level of the table top responsive to movements of the pantograph is a function of the vertical distance to the table top from a point midway between points 79 and 82.

The change in height of the table which occurs in response to extending the pantograph 22 is well shown by a comparison of Figs. 4 and 5, both being side elevations.

The means for associating the table top 76 with the pantograph will now be described. Such table top 76 comprises a central rectangular portion 83 which, by means of a pin 84, is secured to a pair of cross-support arms 85 and 86 (Fig. 3). The latter

cross-support arms

85 and 86 are crossed and held in pivotal engagement by suitable means including said pin 84, the latter being of sufiicient length to engage a slotted guide member 87 which is secured to the undersurface of the center table portion 83 and is perpendicular to the axis of extension of the pantograph element (Fig. 3). Such slotted member 87 may be connected to the undersurface of the table top portion 83 by means of

bolts

88 and 89 which hold such slotted guide member in the attitude aforementioned but which permit said guide member 87 to shift toward and away from the undersurface of the table top portion 83 and thereby provide some freedom of move ment in a vertical direction for the table top portion 83 with respect to the pantograph element. Such guide element 87 is provided with a slot 874: which guides a pin 90, the latter being pivotally connected to a pair of pantograph guide

arms

91 and 92. Such pantograph guide arms are in the form shown respectively secured to the top surfaces of the

cross-support arms

85, 86 and respectively are in alignment with the upper portions of the

table legs

67 and 64 for the purpose of insuring that the central table top portion 83 remains perpendicular to the axis of extension of the pantograph element.

The table top 76 also includes a pair of table top side portions 93 and 94 (Fig. 6) which are respectively operatively connected to

extremities

85a, 86a (Fig. 3) of the

arms

85, 86, respectively, and to the extremities 86b, 85b also of such arms.

The table

top side portions

93, 94 can be brought together into substantially adjacent coplanar relationship but with the inner side edges thereof separated by the dimension 95 (Fig. 3) comprising substantially the width of the slotted guide arm 87. Such table

top side portions

93, 94, in the relative position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, are beneath the table top central portion 83 which, as in Fig. 4, has been shifted upwardly to permit the sliding therebeneath of

such portions

93, 94. However, in Fig. 6 such table

top side portions

93 and 94 are spread to their full extent and are held in such spread condition by the center table top portion 83 which thus acts as a spacer element therebetween and holds the table top in steady condition.

The

extremities

85a, 86a of the

arms

85, 86, by means of

pins

96 and 97, engage

slots

98 and 99, respectively, which are formed in the undersurface of the table top side portion 93. Such slots are canted in such a way to facilitate the spreading and contraction of the pantograph element. Analogously the extremities 85b and 86b of such arms are operatively associated with side element 94 by means of

pins

100 and 101 which engage

slots

102 and 103 respectively formed in the undersurface of side element 94.

Thus extension of the pantograph from its contracted condition of Fig. 3 causes the table

top side portions

93, 94 to spread apart and eventually to be spaced sufliciently to permit the central table top portion 83 to drop therebetween thereby holding same in spaced relationship until such portion 83 is suitably lifted to permit the bringing together or contraction of the side portions 93, :94 in response to the contractionofthe pantograph element.

The

extremities

85a, 86a preferably are resiliently urged together by means of a spring 104. Similarly the extremities 85b, 86b of

arms

85, 36 are resiliently urged together by 'a spring 105.

Alternative table top means can be employed of the so-called flip-over variety in lieu of that above described wherein one half portion of a table top element is associated with the pantograph element and the other one half portion is hingedly connected to such first half portion and adapted to be moved into face-to-face relation therewith, or flipped over coplanar with the first half portion thereby doubling the area of the table top when the pantograph element is suitably extended for supporting 1 the flipped-over portion.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 8-12 will now be described which is similar to the form of Figs. 37 in that the axis of stability of the legs can be shifted 90- concurrently with raising or lowering the table and 1 also such axis of stability can be made longer in response to the raising of the table.

Such form of the invention shown in Figs. 8l2 includes a table top which is constructed and arranged to present a small or relatively contracted top surface in a of a. pantograph mechanism which is vertically expansible and which, when contracted, permits the table top to be at a low level but when expanded raises the table top substantially. Such table top is indicated at 110 and includes separable portions 111 and 112 having .a line of demarcation 113 therebetween when closed (Fig. 8).

Novel means are provided for operatively interconnecting said legs 106-1119 to said table top 110 whereby in a first position of the legs the table top is at a low level and the axis of stability is in a given direction parallel and beneath the aforementioned line 113, the table in such low position being designed for use with the table top portions 111 and 112 pressed together along a side edge as shown in Fig. 8. In a second position of such legs, the table top 110 is at a higher level and said feet of the legs are changed in attitude to define an axis of stability which is perpendicular to that first mentioned and thus is substantially parallel to and beneath the major axis of the table top, the latter being in an expanded condition.

The expansion of the table top surface in this form of i the invention (Figs. 8-12), however, does not occur in response to the extending of the pantograph mechanism as is the case in the embodiment of Figs. 3-7 although it is possible operatively to interconnect the pantograph I mechanism of such embodiment of Figs. 8-12 to the table top surface to produce such expansion of the latter surface.

The means for operatively associating the table top 110 with the legs 1061t 9 includes the following: A base frame member 114 is provided having two pairs of spaced

slots

115, 116 and 117, 118 formed therein. The slots of each pair, such as 115 and 116, are in alignment with one another and are parallel to and spaced from the slots of the other pair 117, 118. A primary pantograph element 119 (Fig. 9) is provided which includes two

subelements

120 and 121 connected by a first hinge 122 to one another for relative angular movement along a horizontal ends (when the table is on its feet), such axis being intermediate the extremities thereof. The upper extremities of each of such subelements is provided with a pair of coaxial fingers at opposite corners thereof for engaging two corresponding slots of said pairs of

slots

115, 116 and 117, 118. That is,

fingers

123 and 124 are provided for engaging the

slots

115 and 117, and "the fingers 125 and 126 are provided for engaging the 8 slots 116 and 118. Such slots areahorizontally disposed. By virtue of such finger and slot engagements aforementioned, the two upper extremities of the subelements can be spread apart or relatively closed without tipping the table top.

A secondary Jpantograph element 127 is provided including two subelements 128 and 129 which are joined by a second hinge 130 to one another intermediate their extremities. The upper extremities of said secondary subelements are hingedly connected to the lower extremities of corresponding of said primary subelements 1'20 and 121, respectively, by third and

fourth hinges

131 and 132. The axesof said second, third and fourth hinges 130, 1-31 and 1-32 converge to a common point 133 situated below said table top and at one side of said primary pantograph element.

A tertiary pantogra'ph element 134 is provided spaced from and on the other side of the primary pantograph element and includes twos'ubelements 135 and 136 which also are hingedly interconnected by a fifth hinge 137 intermediate the extremities thereof. The upper extremities of saidsecondary subelements 135 and 136 are hingedly connected to thelower extremities of corresponding of said primary subelements :120 and 121, respectively, by sixth and

seventh hinges

137 and 133, respectively.

The axes of said fith, sixth and seventh hinges converge at a common point 139 below the table top but on the opposite side thereof with respect to the point 133.

Because of the special attitude of the hinges aforementioned, wherein the axes thereof converge at the points 133 and Y139, the aforementioned shifting of the axis of stability of the legs 106--109 occurs in response to the moving of the above-described pantograph mechanism to an extended or contracted condition, such axis of stability 'being greater when the table is raised than when the table is lowered.

A detent mechanism for holding the pantograph mechanism in its extended condition will now be described, reference being had to Fig. 11 wherein a manually controllablesdetent 140 is shown mounted upon the frame member 114 for resilient Imovement about its longitudinal axis by virtue of springs 141 and 142 which coact respectively with mounting

screws

143 and 144. The detent member 1-40 is provided with slots 140a and 14011 for engaging and holding rods 120a and 12111 in their closestposition. The

rods

120a and 121a are, illustratively, respectively coaxial with the pairs of

fingers

123, 124 and 125, 126.

Thus when the pantogi'aph mechanism of Fig. 8 is fully extended and the

rods

120a and 121a are close together, the detent 140 will hold same in such condition thereby making the table top steady. When it is desired to lower the table, the detent is shifted angularly along its longitudinal axis thereby releasing the

rods

120a, 121a from such slots and permitting the rods to spread to the relative positions shown in Fig. 8 wherein the pair of

fingers

123, 124 and 125, 126 move to the outermost extremities 'of their respective horizontal slots in which condition the table top is in its lowermost position.

Suitableextension arms 145 and 146 (Fig. 12) are operatively connected with the table top portions 111, 112

for enabling the spreadingthereof in a well known manner. Each of such extension arms, in the form shown, comprises threeelements, one of which is rigidly secured to the frame member 114. Corresponding pairs of slide 'elements'of each extensionarmare respectively connected to the table top portions 111, 112.

What-is claimed is: 1..In a high-low extension table oonstructiom'a :pri-

'mary pair of table legs joined by ahinge at "a point intermediate the extremities thereof whereby said legs can be spread or closed in response to relative movement about the axis-cf Isaid hinge, a secondary pair of table legs similarly "joined by 'a hinge ,-said primary and secondary pairs of hinged table legs being-operatively connected together to form a pantograph element through the intermediary of at least one pair of intermediate pantograph arms pivotally associated intermediate the ends thereof, one pair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by a pair of hinges withthe upper extremities of said primary pair of hinged legs, and the other pair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by a pair of hinges with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair of hinged table legs, the axis of the hinge of each pair of hinged legs converging at a common point with the axes of the hinges at the upper extremities of such pair of hinged legs, the table being in operating position, whereby in response to the moving of said pantograph element to a contracted condition the height of the top surface thereof is at a primary level and the feet of said legs form a rectangle the major axis of which extends in a selected direction, and in response to moving said pantograph element to an extended condition the height of the latter is raised to a secondary level above said primary level and said legs are reoriented whereby the feet thereof form a rectangle, the major axis of which is substantially perpendicular to said first-mentioned major axis; and table top means connected to said pantograph element, said table top means including a pair of table top side subelements respectively slidably connected to said pantograph on opposite sides of the center thereof and in a horizontal attitude and thereby adapted to be spread apart in response to the expanding of said pantograph element, said table top means also including a central table top subelement connected to said pantograph element and held substantially in a central horizontal position relative thereto by connecting means which permits relative vertical movement with respect thereto whereby in response to the spreading of said side subelements to a selected degree equal at least to the width of said central table top element, the latter is movable from a superposed position above said side subelements into a position between said side subelements thereby to restrain the latter from movement toward the center of the pantograph element.

2. A primary pair of legs joined by a hinge at a point intermediate the extremities but near the tops thereof whereby said legs can be spread or closed in response to relative movement about the axis of said hinge, a secondary pair of legs similarly joined by a hinge, said primary and secondary pairs of hinged legs being operatively connected together to form a pantograph element by means of at least one pair of intermediate pantograph arms hingedly connected intermediate the ends thereof, one pair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by a pair of hinges with the upper extremities of said primary pair of legs, and the other pair of outer extremities of such intermediate arms being connected by a hinge with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair of hinged legs, the axis of the hinge of each pair of hinged legs converging substantially at a common point with the axes of such hinges at such upper extremities of such pair of hinged legs, whereby in response to the moving of said pantograph element to a contracted condition the height thereof is at a primary level and the feet of said legs form a quadrangle, and in response to moving said pantograph element to an extended condition the height of the latter is raised to a secondary level above said primary level and said legs are repositioned whereby the feet thereof form another quadrangle one of said quadrangles being a rectangle.

3. In a table, a primary pair of table legs hingedly connected at a point intermediate the extremities but near the tops thereof to permit said legs to be spread or closed in response to relative movement about the axis of said hinge, a secondary pair of table legs similarly connected to one another, said primary and secondary pairs of hinged table legs being operatively connected together '10 to form a pantograph element through the intermediary of at least one pair of intermediate crossed pantograph arms hingedly connected intermediate the ends thereof, one pair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms being hingedly connected with the upper extremities of said primary pair of table legs, and the other pair of outer extremities of such intermediate arms being hingedly connected with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair of hinged table legs, the axis of said hinges substantially converging at a common point beneath said table, the height of the top surface of said table being at a selected level and the feet of said legs form a rectangle the major axis of which extend in a selected direction in response to contraction of said pantograph element, and in response to extending said pantograph element, the height of the latter is raised to a level above said firstmentioned level and said legs are reoriented the feet thereof forming a rectangle, the major axis of which is substantially perpendicular to said first-mentioned major axis; and table top means connected to said pantograph element. 4. In a highlow table, a table top, four table legs, and means for mounting said legs and interconnecting same to said table top comprising: a pantograph having a plurality of hingedly connected arms including a center pair of arms hingedly connected 'by hinge means intermediate their extremities and also including two pairs of outermost arms, the arms of each latter pair being hingedly connected intermediate their extremities, the two pairs of outer ends of said center pair of arms being hingedly connected to respective inner ends of said two pairs of outermost arms, said four legs being respectively connected to said outermost arms and comprising downwardly protruding extensions thereof, the axes of the hinges at the inner ends of each pair of such outermost arms substantially converging at a common point with the axis of said hinge means interconnecting such center pair of arms.

5. In a high-low table, a table top, four table legs, a pantograph element, means for connecting said pantograph element beneath said table top to permit lengthening and shortening of said element along a primary path which is parallel to said table top, said pantograph element being constructed and arranged for expanding and contracting along a secondary path perpendicular to said primary path in response to extension and contraction of said pantograph element along said primary path thereby to raise and lower the table top, said pantograph element having a plurality of pairs of hinged arms in pantograph-like interconnection, the two arms of each such pair being connected by a main hinge means intermediate the extremities thereof, the adjacent extremities of successive pairs of arms being interconnected by a pair of end hinge means, said four legs of said table comprising extensions of the two outermost pairs of arms of such pantograph element, the construction and arrangement of said pantograph element to accomplish such raising and lowering of said table top comprising the following: the hinge axis of the main hinge means of each such outermost pair of arms substantially converges with the axes of its two end hinge means at a region beneath said table top.

6. In an extension table, a primary pair of table legs connected by a hinge at a point intermediate the extremities thereof to permit said legs to be spread or closed in response to relative movement about the axis of said hinge, a secondary pair of table legs similarly connected by a hinge, said primary and secondary pairs of hinged table legs being operatively connected together to form a pantograph element through the intermediary of at least one pair of intermediate pantograph arms hingedly associated between the ends thereof, one pair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by a hinge with the upper extremities of said primary pair of legs, and the other pair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by a hinge with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair of hinged table legs, the axes of .said hinges substantially converging at a commonpoint beneathsaid table, the height of the top surface of said table being at a primary level and the feet of said legs form a quadrangle, in response to the movement of said pantograph element to a contracted condition, and in response to movement of said pantograph element to .an extended condition, the height of the latter is changed to a secondary level and said legs are reoriented whereby the feet thereof form another quadrangle one of said quadrangles being a rectangle.

7. In a table construction, a primary pair of table legs hingedly connected at a point intermediate the extremities thereof to permit said legs .to be spread or closed in response to relative movement about the axis of said .hinge, a secondary pair of table legs similarly connected with one another, said primary and secondary pairs .of hinged table legs being operatively connected together to form a pantograph element through the intermediary of 'a ,pair of central pantograph arms hingedly connected near the centers thereof, one pair of outer extremities of said vcentralarms being .hingedly connected with the upper extremities of said primary pair oflegs, and the other outer extremities of said central arms being hingedly connected with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair of hinged table legs, the axis of said hinges converging at a common point beneath said pantograph element when the table legs vare in operating position, the height of the top surface of said pantograph element being 12 at,a primary level and the feet of said legs form a rectangle in responseto the contracting of said pantograph .element, the major axis of which rectangle extends in a selected direction, and in response to extending said pantograph element, the height of the latter is raised to a secondary level above said primary level and said legs are reoriented, the feet thereof forming a rectangle the major axis of which is substantially perpendicular to said first-mentioned major axis and table top means mounted on said pantograph element.

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