US2902325A

US2902325A - Folding support base for table top

Info

Publication number: US2902325A
Application number: US530229A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick D Knoblock; Albert C Koett
Original assignee: AUTO GLASS Manufacturing CO
Current assignee: AUTO GLASS Manufacturing CO
Priority date: 1955-08-24
Filing date: 1955-08-24
Publication date: 1959-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-01

Description

Sept. 1, 1959 F. D. KIND-BLOCK ET V 2,902,325

FOLDING SUPPORT BASE FOR TABLE TOP Filed Aug. 24, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS v Fesosemz D. KNOBLQCK & Awe-er C K0517 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 1, 1959 F. D. KNOBLOCK EI' 2,

FOLDING SUPPORT BASE FOR TABLE TOP I Filed Aug. 24, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla. /0

INVENTORS Fesose/cx D. Kvoeaock 3 ALBERT C. KoE-r-r A TTOPNEYS Sept. 1, 1959 F. D. KNOBLOCK T 2,902,325

FOLDING, SUPPORT BASE FOR TABLE TOP Filed Aug. 24. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS FQEoER/cK 0 Kvoawcz & ALBERT C. (our I ATmRNEYJ.

"used in multiple for gaming purposes.

Patented Sept. 1, 1959 FOLDING SUPPORT BASE FOR TABLE TOP Frederick D. 'Knoblock, Bloomfield Hills, and Albert C. Koett, Birmingham, Micl1., assignors to Auto Glass Manufacturing Co., Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application August 24, 1955, Serial No. 530,229 6 Claims. (Cl. 311-37) This invention relates to a folding table structure which can be folded into flat compact form, for storage or when otherwise not in use, and which can be unfolded or erected with ease and facility.

The object of the invention is to provide a folding table structure of highutility and one which embodies a minimum number of relatively movable parts. In accordance with the invention the table frame is preferably of metal, and conveniently metal tubing, so constructed and arranged that the side portions thereof are pivotally movable with respect to a relatively fixed portion. The table of this invention is arranged and designed so that it may 'be put to many uses'such, for example, as a table for supporting foodstuffs, when one is, for example, viewing television; as a support for a reading lamp, as an end table, as a Wriitng table, as a bedstand; it is particularly adaptable for use out of doors on a lawn, porch or patio.

The table top is preferably a separate unit and is preferably made of glass, plastic or metal and may be used as a tray. The top is so constructed and provided with a rim or molding so that a plurality of table tops may be "conveniently stacked.

In accordance with the invention the structure of the table is such that it is relatively of openconstruction in that there are no interfering supports or legs at two of the corners. With this construction the table may be pulled up very close to a chair so that the table top overlies a portion of the chair and the legs of the occupant.

This makes the table particularly convenient as a writing table or for supporting food snacks. The tables may be Its structure is suchthat it fits intothe decoration of'a household whet her H thesame'be modern or period.

The-invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an erected table illustratingthe few parts thereof, thetop not'bein'g shown.

Fig. 2. is an elevational view'ofa corner looking in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a view of another corner looking in the direction of the arrow 3'0fFig. 1. V

Fig. 4 is a detailed view illustrating ahinge'struct-ure.

Fig; 5 is across sectional view takenonline55'of 'Fi'g. l'illustrating a supportstructure.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the folded position ofa supporting strut member.

'Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the table frame in folded condition.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the table illustrating one manner of use and showingthe table top applied thereto.

table.

Fig. 14 is a view illustrating part of the frame structure of the form shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on line 1515 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detailed view in section taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 13. v v

The table structure shown in Fig. 1 comprises basically three elements. One element may be termed the relatively fixed element and it is formed of a single length of material, preferably metal tube. It has a leg 1 and a leg 2 which stand vertically when the table is erected. This member is generally of inverted U shape having a bight portion or cross piece 4 connected to the legs 1 and 2 by

bends

5 and 6. The lower ends of the legs '1 and .2 which are to engage the floor or other support are preferably fashioned to extend outwardly at an angle as indicated at 8 and 9.

The other two members of the structure are similar to each other. One member is formed of a single length of material, preferably metal tubing, and is generally of U shape having a lower arm 11 positioned horizontally when the table is erected for resting upon the floor, and an upper arm 12. The arm 11 is preferably longer than the arm 12 to lend stability. The arms 11 and 12 are connected to a cross piece or bightportion 14 by

bends

15 and 16. The

bends

15 and 16 are preferably through 90 or close thereto, so that when erected, the bight portion 14 is vertical and the arms 11 and '12 are horizontal. Similarly the

bends

5 and 6 are through substantially 90. The opposite side member, as stated above, is of similar construction or even identical, and so the same reference characters are applied to like parts with the addition of the letter a to each-reference character.

The veritcal legs 1 and 2 are hinged respectively to the

portions

14 and 14a of the side elements. As shown in Fig. 4 the hinges may be of simpleconstruction. One member thereof, as shown at 21, is of angular form and is secured to the part 14 while the other element 22 is secured to the member 1. Their projecting parts 24and 25 overlap and are pivotally connected as by means of a rivet or hinge pin 23.

The position of the hinge pin 23 is such that when in folded position, as shown in Fig. 3, the arm 12 lies substantially flush against the cross piece 4, the arm 11 in alignment therewith and the vertical bight 14 in close proximity to the vertical leg 1, as shown in Fig. 3. The hinges between the parts 2 and 14:: are essentially the same except that the projecting parts 24a and 251; are longer, thus positioning the pivot pin 23 at a distance from the vertical leg 2 (Fig. 2). Thus in open'position, as shown in Fig. 2, the arm 14a lies substantially against the leg'2, while in folded position the arm 12a is spaced Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken'on line 9 9 of Fig. I

from the cross piece 4. This spacing is such as to'accommodate the arm .12 so that the entire structure folds flat as shown in Fig. 7.

To hold the side elements spaced apart and the table frameerecte'd a simple sing'le'stmt 36 is provided. This may be a tube which may be inserted in apertures 31 and 32'of'thearms 12 and 12a (Fig. 5) and this may be accomplished by slightly springing the arms apart so'that when released'the strut 30 is under compression. One arm, such as the arm 12a, may have

apertures

33 and 34 and the strut may have an enlarged portion 35. To fold the frame the strut is removed by 'flexing the

arms

12 and 12a apart and then the strut may simply be dropped through'the apertures '33 and 34"so that it-hangs freely within the boundary of'the frame asindicat'ediin' 3 Figs. 6 and 7, as portion 35 cannot pass through

holes

33 and 34.

The table structure may be employed for holding relatively heavy objects such as a table'model radio-or a table model television receiving set with or without the use of table top. It may also be used to support any one or more of other objects, such as plants, decorative objects, books or the like. To lend additional strength to the structure when it is to be so used, supporting struts 65 (Fig. 12) may be employed to support the

arms

12 and 12a. For this purpose, the lower arms 11a are provided with apertures 66 through the upper-wall thereof and the

upper arms

12 and 12a are provided with similar apertures 57 in their lower wall. The strut members 65 may be positioned by slightly flexing the upper and lower arms apart and inserting the ends of the strut members through the apertures as and 67. These strut members may be and preferably are of metal tubing. The strut members obviously may be employed at the option of the user at any time and for any purpose.

The table top is preferably a planar body of material such as glass, plastic or metal as shown at 40. As indicated in Fig. 9 the top may be of safety glass which comprises two glass sheets with an intervening layer of bonding plastic. The top is preferably of rectangular form such as to nicely fit upon the supporting frame and it has an edging or molding preferably of suitable plastic or metal material. This molding, as shown in Fig. 9, is of general U shape having spaced parts 41 and 42 for receiving the edge of the panel, a depending flange 43, and an upstanding flange 44. When the top is in place upon the frame the flange 43 embraces the side of the frame member 4, sides of the

arms

12 and 12a, as well also as the ends of the

legs

12 and 12a, thus holding the top in position. A plurality of tops may be stacked as shown in Fig. 11. The flange 44 lends some depth to the surface of the table top and being positioned inwardly from the extreme edge of the molding locates the flange 43 of the next above table top when in stacked relation. The top is also a tray, and snacks can be placed thereon and carried to a table for receiving the tray.

Preferably means for gripping the tops is provided by the simple expedient of discontinuing or interrupting the molding at opposite sides or ends as indicated at 45 thus leaving the exposed edges of the glass or plastic panel. Accordingly, the exposed edge can be gripped with the thumb and fingers with facility or lifted from or placed upon the frame. Also when the tops are stacked as shown in Fig. 11 one or more may be lifted from the stack by inserting the fingers in the space at the discontinuance of the flange 43.

One of the many uses is illustrated in Fig. 8, where it will be seen that the table can be drawn up close to a chair, which is indicated at 50, with the table top overlapping the seat portion of the chair and also overlapping the legs of an occupant of a chair. This is because there are no legs on the frame at two of the corners which may be visualized as the two corners opposite the corners provided by the vertical frame elements 1-14 and 214a. The arms 11 and 11a may be positioned to project under the chair. In fact, the table top is supported cantilever fashion by the

arms

12 and 12a, and the vertical part or supporting legs of the table lies substantially in a single plane extending downwardly from one edge of the table top. As stated above, the arms 11 and 11a which engage the floor, or other support, are preferably longer than the

arms

12 and 12a to add to the stability. The angular

floor engaging parts

8 and 9 extend from the said single plane in a direction opposite the extent of the arms ll and He thus providing stability to keep the table from tipping in a direction which would be away from the chair as Fig. 8 is viewed.

It will be apparent how convenient such a table is for various purposes, such as holding food snacks or the like,

or for writing. Considering that the front of the table is near the chair as shown in Fig. 8, and that the back of the table is in the plane of the vertical supporting elements, it will be appreciated how two tables may be placed back to back. Several groups of pairs of tables, each pair being placed back to back, may be located side by side to increase the overall dimensions of the tops for playing games or the like. The table may be brought into close proximity or into overlapping proximity to other articles of furniture, such as a bed or a davenport where the table is used for such purposes.

A modified form is shown in Fig. 13. This is a small table which may be used, for example, by a child or may be used as a support for food or the like for a person confined to a bed. The frame is made of two generally U-shaped members. One has an arm 51 and an arm 52 connected by a bight portion 53. The other member has an arm 51a and an arm 52a connected by a bight portion 53a. The structure, as shown in Fig. 13, is not collapsible and the two frame members may be permanently connected by

cross elements

55 and 56. The cross elements may be of tubular form received in apertures 57 of the

arms

52 and 52a (Fig. 15), and secured by a screw 58 or the like. To further lend stability to the structure, angular struts 60 may be connected, one to each bight portion 53, at 61 as by means of welding or the like. These struts may be of sheet metal preferably of arcuate form in cross section, as shown in Fig. 15, and each provided with a formed foot 62. The same table top may be used with this supporting structure and it is indicated in dotted lines in both Figs. 12 and 14.

In the claims appended hereto terms are used in describing the elements such as, horizontal or horizontally, vertical and vertically, upper and lower. These are used as words of description to make clear the elements referred to and are not to be construed as words of limitation.

We claim:

1. A folding table structure adapted to receive and hold a table top comprising, a main frame member having two substantially vertical leg portions and a connecting cross portion at the top thereof, two side, members, each side member having a lower arm for resting horizontally on a floor, an upper arm substantially parallel to the lower arm and substantially in the plane of the cross portion of the main frame member, the arms of each side member being connected by vertically extending portions, said vertically extending portions being disposed respectively in close proximity to and parallel to the two legs of the main frame member, means pivotally connecting said vertical portions of the side members respectively to the two legs of the main frame member, and struts adapted to be detachably interposed between the upper arm and the lower arm of each side member adjacent the outer ends of the arms to support the upper arms.

2. A folding table structure adapted to receive a table top comprising, a main frame member comprised of a single length of material of inverted U shape with the legs of the U constituting legs of the table and with the bight portion of the U constituting a cross member, two side members each comprised of a length of material of U shape positioned horizontally so that one arm of each is a floor engaging member, the other arm of each is a top member, the bight portion of each side member being positioned adjacent and parallel to one of the legs of the frame member, and means pivotally connecting the respective legs of the frame member to respective bight portions of the side members so that the side members may be folded into overlapping relationship with respect to each other and to the main frame member and may be unfolded to a position so that the arms thereof extend laterally from the main frame member, and struts adapted to be detachably positioned to extend between the upper and lower arms of each side member near the ends of the arms to support the upper arms.

3. A table structure comprising, two side members each of a single length of elongated tubing and each of U shape, each member being positioned horizontally so that the lower arm is adapted to rest upon a floor or the like, and the upper arm is adapted to support an object thereon, said members being spaced apart with their bight portions extending upwardly, means connecting the two side members, each upper am having an aperture in the under side of its wall near its free end, each lower arm having an aperture in the upper side of its wall near its free end, and a strut for each side member adapted to have its end portions positioned in the apertures of the upper and lower arms of each side member to support the upper arms.

4. A folding support base adapted to receive and support a table top comprisnig a main support frame of inverted U-shape having a pair of upright legs connected at their upper ends by a substantially straight cross member, a pair of secondary U-shaped frames each having a pair of generally straight legs connected by a gen erally straight cross member, the cross members of the secondary frames extending generally vertically alongside the upright legs of the main frame and pivotally connected thereto, the legs of each secondary frame being disposed one above the other and generally perpendicular to the cross member of the secondary frame, the upper legs of the secondary frames and the cross member of the main frame lying in a common horizontal plane, the lower legs of the secondary frames and the lower ends of the upright legs of the main frame also lying in a common horizontal plane and adapted to rest upon a supporting floor whereby when the secondary frames are pivoted into parallel planes perpendicular to the plane of the main frame, a table top may be solidly supported on the upper legs of the secondary frames and the cross member of the main frame and the load imposed upon said table top is supported in part by the secondary frames and in part by the floor engaging lower ends of the upright legs of the main frame and the cross member of the main frame.

5. A folding support base as called for in claim 4 including hinge members pivotally connecting each secondary frame with one upright leg of the main frame, the pintles of the hinge members for one of the secondary frames being spaced from the axis of the upright leg on which they are mounted such that said one frame is adapted to be folded fiat against one face of the main frame and the pintles of the hinges on the other secondary frame being spaced more remotely from the axis of the upright leg to which they are connected to permit the last mentioned frame to be folded fiat against the face of the other folded secondary frame whereby to provide a compact folded structure.

6. A folding support base as called for in claim 5 wherein the lower ends of the upright legs of the main frame are curved outwardly in a direction opposite to the direction in which the lower legs of the secondary frames extend in the operative position of said support base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 724,492 Palmer Apr. 7, 1903 995,114 Clark et al. June 13, 1911 1,544,935 Preston July 7, 1925 1,870,174 Calton Aug. 2, 1932. 1,963,594 Schwabe June 19, 1934 1,976,031 Lowenberg Oct. 9, 1934 2,001,438 Stuck May 14, 1935 2,229,411 Hughes Jan. 21, 1941 2,299,909 Linderme Oct. 27, 1942 2,500,542 Greene Mar. 14, 1950 2,591,797 Exline et al. Apr. 8, 1952 2,597,166 Murray May 20, 1952 2,643,927 Molla June 30, 1953 2,666,681 Adler Jan. 19, 1954 2,692,175 Jacques Oct. 19, 1954 2,762,669 Watson Sept. 11, 1956