US2903222A

US2903222A - Collapsible leg assembly for television sets and the like

Info

Publication number: US2903222A
Application number: US689869A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans L Levi
Original assignee: Murphy Door Bed Co Inc
Current assignee: Murphy Door Bed Co Inc
Priority date: 1957-10-14
Filing date: 1957-10-14
Publication date: 1959-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-08

Description

Sept. 8, 1959 I H. L. LEVI 2,903,222

COLLAPSIBLE LEG ASSEMBLY FOR TELEVISION SETS AND THE LIKE Fil ed Oct. 14, 1957 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 194; Z. 464/;

ATTOAP/YGYS Sept. 8, 1959 H. L. LEVI I 2,903,222

' COLLAPSIBLE LEG ASSEMBLY FOR TELEVISION SETS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 14; 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ti E.

bl 59 A 40 an 31 34 36 as 55 14 \l g v m 1 E- S- INVENTOR.

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United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE LEG ASSEMBLY FOR TELEVISION SETS AND THE LIKE Hans L. Levi, Chappaqua, N.Y., assignor to Murphy Door Bed Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application October '14, 1957, Serial No. 689,869

16 Claims. (Cl. 248-169) This invention relates to a folding supporting structure for furniture and the like, and more particularly to a collapsible leg assembly especially adapted for television sets and other portable and movable devices of a similar nature.

Heretofore various types of folding leg assemblies have been employed in furniture design and other related fields, but until the advent of the present invention, all such assemblies were cumbersome in operation and required involved manipulation of parts either to erect the assembly for use or to fold it up for storage or moving. Furthermore, no device was available in the art having the optimum combination of features whereby simplicity of manipulation, strength, and minimum storage dimensions all were provided.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible leg assembly in which the respective leg means can be operated, either to erect them for use or to fold them up for storage, by the manipulation of only one of the leg means.

It is another object to provide a collapsible leg assembly in which the leg means fold toward one another and lie flat against one another in an overlapped relation such that minimum storage dimensions are required for the assembly.

A further object is to provide a collapsible leg assembly having positive lock down in its folded position and positive lock up in its erect position, and the locking means in both positions being operable by movement of the leg means controlling the folding and erecting motion of the assembly.

An additional object is to provide a collapsible leg assembly having particular adaptability for disposition in a bottom recess on a television set or the like, so that it may readily be erected or opened for use in supporting the set above the floor or other foundation, or closed against the set and within such recess when it is desired to rest the set on a table or similar device.

Another object is to provide a collapsible leg assembly having generally universal and diverse applicability and utility in furniture and appliance design.

Still another object is to provide a collapsible leg assembly having the above described properties and which also is sturdy, lightweight, and relatively cheap and simple to manufacture.

Briefly, the collapsible leg assembly of the present invention is comprised of a flat supporting base adapted to be secured by screws or other means against the bottom of the television set or other device to be supported.

The supporting base has a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of a second end portion thereof. A slide member is slidably disposed between the guide flanges on the underside of the base and is movable longitudinally of the supporting base between first and second limiting positions. A first leg means is pivotally aflixed at one of its ends to the slide member and consists of a single leg member having two longitudinally adjustable parts for varying its length and has means for maintaining such parts in any preselected longitudinal position relative to one another. The other end of the first leg means has a bifurcated foot portion for providing greater stability.

A first pair of brace members, each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of the base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of the first leg means, provide a movable fulcrum for the first leg means, whereby movement of the first leg means swings the same about such fulcrum and causes the slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions.

A second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members are pivotally mounted in a laterally spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of the base and adjacent respective of the aforesaid lateral shoulders of the base, and a second pair of brace members are each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at the other end to said slide member.

Stop means is aflixed to the underside of said base adjacent the ends of said guide flanges near said first limiting position to prevent separation of the slide member from said flanges. In addition, a ball and spring detent means is disposed on the slide member for releasably engaging respective holes in the base member at said limiting positions to releasably hold said slide member at either of said positions.

Both of said leg means are movable by the manual adjustment of the first leg means from an open position, at which said ball and spring detent means engages the hole at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position the ball and spring detent means of the slide member engages the hole at said second limiting position, and said first and second leg means lie fiat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation, the second leg means being sandwiched between said base and said first leg means, and the depth of the closed assembly being less than A catch means is disposed on the underside of said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position, and resilient means are provided on the outer or bottom end of each leg member for providing a contacting surface for said assembly with respect to a supporting foundation in both the open and closed positions of the assembly.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent in the following description and appended claims, and in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention, showing a television set in phantom, and the leg members in the open position;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view similar to Fig. 1, showing the leg assembly in the closed position;

Fig. 3 is a partial section view taken along lines 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial section taken along lines 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section taken along lines 55 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. '6 is a section taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly Fig. 1, one embodiment of the invention is shown and designated by the reference numeral 10. It consists of a flat elongated supporting base 11 afiixed to the bottom or underside 12 of a television set 13, and disposed within a recess 14 therein, by any conventional means such as screws 15 or the like (see also Figs. 3 and 4). The supporting base 11 has an enlarged portion 16 at one end 17 which consists of a pair of oppositely extending

lateral shoulders

18, 19. The other end portion 26 of the base 11 has a pair of depending

guide flanges

21, 22 disposed along its

respective side edges

23, 24 to provide oppositely disposed respective slide grooves 25, 26 along the underside 27 of the aforesaid base 11. (See also Figs. and 6.)

Slide member 28, having lateral extensions 29, 30 slidably disposed in an interfitting relationship with the respective slide grooves 25, 26, is movable along said

guide flanges

21, 22, longitudinally of said base 11, between first and second limiting positions as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

A first leg means 31, consisting of a single leg member 32 is pivotally aifixed at its upper end 33, as viewed in Fig. 3, to slide member 28 by a conventional pin 34 or the like which extends through said

flanges

35, 36 on said leg member 32. and has suitably enlarged

outer ends

37, 38 to maintain the pivotal connection. The leg member 32 consists of two slidable interfitting longitudinally

adjustable parts

39, 40, for varying the overall length of leg member 32, and any preselected relative longitudinal position of the

aforesaid parts

39, 40 is maintained by a screw means 41 which extends through adjustment slot 42 in part 39 and threadably engages part 40. The bottom or lower end 43 of first leg means 31, as viewed in Fig. 1, has a bifurcated foot portion 44 to enhance stability thereof in use.

Brace

members

45 and 46 are each pivotally connected at their respective

adjacent ends

47, 49 to an intermediate portion 51 of

corresponding side flanges

35, 36 of first leg means 31, and at their respective other adjacent ends 48, to corresponding opposite edges 52, 53 of central portion 54 of the base member 11. By conventional bolts or rivets 55

such brace members

45, 46 provide a movable fulcrum constituted by

ends

47, 49 of

brace members

45, 46 about which pivotal movement of the first leg means 31 causes slide member 28 to move longitudinally of said base 11 along

guide flanges

21, 22 between first and second limiting positions A and B respectively. Ball and spring detent means 56, disposed within said slide member 28, detent means is releasably engageable with holes 57, 53 in base 11 at respective limiting positions A and B. Transversely disposed stop means 59, consisting of a depending flange or the like is afiixed to the underside 27 of base 11 adjacent ends 61 of

guide flanges

21, 22 near first limiting position A to prevent slide member 28 from moving out of or separating from said

flanges

21, 22, in the event that slide member 28 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 3 beyond the first limiting position A.

Second leg means 62, consisting of a pair of interconnected

leg members

63, 64 are pivotally mounted in a lateral spaced relation to one another at end 17 of base 11 by conventional pivot pin 65.

Such legs

63, 64 are disposed adjacent respective

lateral shoulders

18, 19, and have a pair of brace members 66 (only one shown) each pivotally connected at adjacent ends 68, by pin means 69 to an intermediate portion 70 of respective side flanges 71 at the outer edge 72 of each

leg member

63, 64 and the other adjacent ends 73 of brace members 66 are pivotally aifixed to slide member 28 for swinging movement of said second leg means 62 about pin in response to sliding movement of slide member 28.

Side flanges

35, 36 of the first leg means 31 are provided with outwardly bent portions 74-, 75 as shown in Fig. 6, near the

lower ends

76, 77 of said flanges and are releasably engageable with complementary shaped portions 78, 79 on respective depending side flanges 80, 81 on the central portion 54 of base member 11, in a manner to be described.

Rubber pads 82, or other resilient means are afiixed to each of the feet 83 of the

leg members

32, 63, 64. Such pads 82 have a pair of right angle faces 84, 85 which provide contacting surfaces for the assembly with respect to a supporting foundation 86 in both the open and closed positions of the assembly. The pads 82 are connected to the respective feet 83 by any suitable means such as glue, screws 87, friction, etc.

In use, the leg assembly 10 may be adjusted for an erect or extended supporting position as shown in Fig. l, or a collapsed or closed position as shown in Fig. 2, depending upon whether it is desired, for example, to support the television set 13 or other object at an elevated position above a supporting foundation 86, or to have the set 13 rest on such foundation 86.

With the leg assembly in the collapsed position as shown in Fig. 2, the first leg means 31 and second leg means 62 lie flat against the underside 27 of base 11, and within recess 14 in the bottom 12 of the television set 13, the second leg means 62 being sandwiched between the base 11 and the first leg means 31 as shown. In such position the outwardly

bent portions

74, 75 of first leg means 31 releasably engage the complimentary portions 78, '79 on base 11, thereby providing catch means for releasably holding the first leg means 31, and consequently the second leg means 62, in said closed position. In addition, ball and spring detent means 56 releesably engages hole 58 in base 11 at the second limiting position B to further assist in maintaining the closed position of the assembly.

In the aforementioned closed position surfaces 84 of the rubber pads 82 provide resilient contacting surfaces for the assembly with respect to the supporting foundation 86, and prevent scratching or otherwise damaging of such foundation 36, as well as providing suflicient friction to prevent the television set 13 from slippage with respect to the foundation 86.

By virtue of the fact that the respective leg means 31 and 64 are folded toward one another in the overlapped relation as shown in Fig. 2, and, in addition, by virtue of the fact that the entire assembly is of such reduced thickness, minimum dimensions are required for the recess 14, and the depth of the closed assembly can be less than /1 of an inch. Thus use of this assembly does not require change in the overall dimensions of the object or device with which it is to be used.

When it is desired to manipulate the assembly to an open position as shown in Fig. 3, by grasping the first leg means 31 at, for example, its bifurcated foot portion 44, and pulling the same outwardly and downwardly from the base 11 as viewed in Fig. 1, said first leg means 31 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction about ends 48, 5b of

respective brace members

45, 46, and slide member 28 is moved inwardly or to the left, thereby disengaging ball and spring detent means 56 from hole 58. Continued motion of the leg means 31 as above will cause said slide member 28 to move until the ball and spring detent means 56 is engaged with the hole 57 at the first limiting position A. The above movement of slide member 28 simultaneously causes clockwise movement of the second leg means 62, as viewed in Fig. 1, so that when the first limiting position A is reached as described, the first and second leg means 31, 62, extend outwardly and downwardly from base 11 in an erect or elevated supporting position. In this erect position, the other side surfaces 85 of the rubber pads 82 provide contacting surfaces with respect to the supporting foundation 86 in much the same manner as previously described for the other surfaces 84 thereof.

By adjustment of screw means 41 and the

interfitting parts

39 and 40 of the first leg means 31, the base 11 can be adjusted for any desired angular position with respect to the horizontal within limits provided by slot 40, so that the television screen 88 will have the desired angle for the viewer.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel structure fulfilling the objects previously mentioned, above. Th s device may be constructed of relatively thin gauge metal, or may be formed from a suitable plastic or other material.

Furthermore, the collapsible assembly may be integrally formed with the particular television set or other object with which it is to be used. On the other hand, it may be separately constructed and have suitable clamps or other means for afiixation to one of any number of various devices with which it may be used from time to time.

This invention has shown particular utility for supplying television sets, but it is equally adaptable for use in connection with other devices such as record players, salesmens table stands, portable sewing machines, tables, chairs, luggage, refrigerators, kits, cabinets, etc. One of its great virtues resides in the fact that it displaces any type of permanent table or supporting structure which might be undesirable in small apartments and the like where space considerations are highly important, and things are preferably stored when not in use.

While one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described above, it is to be understood that certain changes and additions will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.

1 claim:

1. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a supporting base, a sliding pivot means disposed on said base and movable thereon between first and second limiting positions, a fixed pivot means afiixed to said base at a spaced position from said first limiting position, first leg means pivotally attached to said sliding pivot means, first linkage means interconnected between said first leg means and said fixed pivot means for establishing a movable fulcrum for said first leg means, whereby movement of said first leg means will swing the same about said fulcrum and cause said sliding pivot means to move toward one of said limiting positions, second leg means pivotally attached to said base on the opposite side of said fixed pivot means from said first leg means, second linkage means interconnected between said sliding pivot means and said second leg means for causing swinging of the latter in response to movement of said sliding pivot means, all of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said sliding pivot means is at said first limiting position, and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said sliding pivot means is at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against said base in overlapped relation.

2. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a supporting base, guide means disposed on the underside of said base, a slide member slidably disposed on said guide means, and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally affixed to said slide member, first pivotal brace means interconnecting said base and said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means pivotally mounted to said base, second brace means interconnecting said second leg means and said slide member; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said slide member is at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said slide member is at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation.

3. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a supporting base, guide means disposed on the underside of said base, a slide member slidably disposed on said guide means and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally afiixed to said slide member, first pivotal brace means interconnecting said base and said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means pivotally mounted to said base, second brace means interconnecting said second leg means and said slide member; stop means afiixed to said base adjacent the end of said guide means near said first limiting position to prevent said slide member from disengaging said guide means; first detent means on said slide member and complementary second detent means on said guide means at each of said limiting positions for engagement with said first detent means to releasably hold said slide member at either of said limiting positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation.

4. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a supporting base, guide means disposed on the underside of said base, a slide member slidably disposed on said guide means and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally affixed to said slide member, first pivotal brace means interconnecting said base and said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means pivotally mounted to said base, second brace means interconnecting said second leg means and said slide member; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said slide member is at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said slide member is at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; and catch means disposed on said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position.

5. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a supporting base, guide means disposed on the underside of said base, a slide member slidably disposed on said guide means and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally alfixed to said slide member, first pivotal brace means interconnecting said base and said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means pivotally mounted to said base, second brace means interconnecting said second leg means and said slide member; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said slide member is at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said slide member is at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the depth of the closed assembly being less than A.

6. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising an elongated supporting base and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of an end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally affixed at one end to said slide member, first pivotal brace means interconnecting said base and said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means pivotally mounted to said base, second brace means interconnecting said second leg means and said slide member; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said slide member is at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said slide member is at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation.

7. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising an elongated supporting base and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of an end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally aflixed at one end to said slide member, first pivotal brace means interconnecting said base and said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrtnn is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means pivotally mounted to said base, second brace means interconnecting said second leg means and said slide member; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said slide member is at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said slide member is at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the second leg means being sandwiched between said base and said first leg means and catch means disposed on said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position.

8. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising an elongated supporting base and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of an end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally affixed at one end to said slide member, first pivotal brace means interconnecting said base and said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means pivotally mounted to said base, second brace means interconnecting said second leg means and said slide member; first detent means on said slide member and complementary second detent means on said supporting base at each of said limiting positions for engagement with said first detent means to releasably hold said slide member at either of said limiting positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said first limit-ing position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation.

9. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising an elongated supporting base and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of an end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally aflixed at one end to said slide member; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of in terconnected leg members pivotally mounted to said base, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; first detent means on said slide member and complementary second detent means on said supporting base at each of said limiting positions for engagement with said first detent means to releasably hold said slide member at either of said limiting positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation.

10. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a flat supporting base having a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of a second end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally afiixed at one end to said slide member; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members pivotally mounted in a spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of said base and adjacent respective of said lateral shoulders thereof, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of Said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; first detent means on said slide member and complementary second detent means on said Supporting base at each of said limiting positions for engagement with said first detent means to' releasably hold Said slide member at either of said limiting positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said first detent means is in engagmeent with said second detent means at said second limiting position and said first and seocnd leg means lie fiat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation.

11. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a fiat supporting base having a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of a second end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally aifixed at one end to said slide member; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members pivotally mounted in a spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of said base and adjacent respective of said lateral shoulders thereof, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected to one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; first detent means on said slide member and complementary second detent means on said supporting base at each of said limiting positions for engagement with said first detent means to releasably hold said slide member at either of said limiting positions; both of said leg means movable by the manualadjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to, a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the second leg means being sandwiched between said base and, said first leg means, and catch means disposed on said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position.

12. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a flat supporting base having a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges dis: posed along the side edges of a second end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally afiixed at one end to said slide member, means for adjusting said first leg means to a preselected length; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate position of said first leg means, whereit m v ble fulcrum is. provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members pivotally mounted in a spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of said base and adjacent respective of said lateral shoulders thereof, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; first detent means on said slide member and complementary second detent means on said supporting base at each of said limiting positions for engagement with said first detent means to releasably hold said slide member at either of said limiting positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie fiat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the second leg means being sandwiched between said base and said first leg means; and catch means disposed on said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position.

13. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a flat supporting base having a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of a second end portion of said base, a slide member slidalbly disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally aflixed at one end to said slide member, said first leg means consisting of a single leg member having two longitudinally adjustable parts for varying the length thereof, means for maintaining said parts in any preselected position relative to one another; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members pivotally mounted in a spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of said base and adjacent respective of said lateral shoulders thereof, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; first detent means on said slide member and complementary second detent means on said supporting base at each of said limiting positions for engagement with said first detent means to releasably hold said slide member at either of said limitin positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position said first detent means is in engagement with said second detent means at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie fiat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the second leg means being sandwiched between said base and said first leg means; and catch means disposed on said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position.

14. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a flat supporting base having a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of a second end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally aflixed at one end to said slide member, said first leg means consisting of a single leg member having two longitudinally adjustable parts for varying the length thereof, means for maintaining said parts in any preselected position relative to one another, and the other end of said first leg means having a bifurcated foot portion; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members pivotally mounted in a spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of said base and adjacent respective of said lateral shoulders thereof, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; stop means aflixed to said base adjacent the ends of said guide flanges near said first limiting position to prevent separation of said slide member from said flanges; ball and spring detent means disposed on said slide member for releasably engaging respective holes in said base member at said limiting positions to releasably hold said slide memher at either of said positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said ball and spring detent means engages the hold at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position the ball and spring detent means of said slide member engages the hole at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the second leg means being sandwiched between said base and said first leg means; and catch means disposed on said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position.

15. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a flat supporting base having a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of a second end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally afiixed at one end to said slide member, said first leg means consisting of a single leg member having two longitudinally adjustable parts for varying the length thereof, means for maintaining said parts in any preselected position relative to one another, and the other end of said first leg means having a bifurcated foot portion; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first leg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members pivotally mounted in a spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of said base and adjacent respective of said lateral shoulders thereof, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; stop means aflixed to said base adjacent the ends of said guide flanges near said first limiting position to prevent separation of said slide member from said flanges; ball and spring detent means disposed on said slide member for releasably engaging re spective holes in said base member at said limiting positions to releasably hold said slide member at either of said positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said ball and spririg detent means engages the hold at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and second leg means toward one another, at which closed position the ball and spring detent means of said slide member engages the hole at said second limiting position and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the second leg means being sandwiched between said base and said first leg means; and catch means disposed on said base for releasably holding said first leg means in said closed position; and resilient means on the outer end of each leg member for providing a contacting surface for said assembly with respect to a supporting foundation in both the open and closed position of said assembly.

16. A collapsible leg assembly for furniture and the like comprising a fiat supporting base having a pair of oppositely extending lateral shoulders at a first end portion thereof, and a pair of depending guide flanges disposed along the side edges of a second end portion of said base, a slide member slidably disposed between said guide flanges on the underside of said base and being movable between first and second limiting positions; a first leg means pivotally alfixed at one end to said slide member, said first leg means consisting of a single leg member having two longitudinally adjustable parts for varying the length thereof, means for maintaining said parts in any preselected position relative to one another, and the other end of said first leg means having a bifurcated foot portion; a first pair of brace members each pivotally connected at its respective ends to an opposite edge of the central portion of said base and a corresponding edge of an intermediate portion of said first leg means, whereby a movable fulcrum is provided for said first lcg means and movement of said first leg means swings the same about said fulcrum and causes said slide member to move toward one of said limiting positions, a second leg means consisting of a pair of interconnected leg members pivotally mounted in a spaced relation to one another at said first end portion of said base and adjacent respective of said lateral shoulders thereof, a second pair of brace members each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate portion of the outer edge of a respective one of said interconnected leg members and at its other end to said slide member; stop means affixed to said base adjacent the ends of said guide flanges near said first limiting position to prevent separation of said slide member from said flanges; ball and spring detent means disposed on said slide member for releasably engaging respective holes in said base member at said limiting posi tions to releasably hold said slide member at either of said positions; both of said leg means movable by the manual adjustment of said first leg means from an open position, at which said ball and spring detent means engages the hole at said first limiting position and said first and second leg means extend outwardly from said base, to a closed position, by folding movement of said first and 13 14 second leg means toward one another, at Which closed member for providing a contacting surface for said asposition the ball and spring detent means of said slide sembly with respect to a supporting foundation in both member engages the hole at said second limiting position the p n d Closed POSit OH of s id assembly.

and said first and second leg means lie flat against the underside of said base in overlapped relation; the second 5 References Cited in the file of this Patent leg means being sandwiched between said base and said UNITED STATES PATENTS first leg means, the depth of the closed assembly being 1,520,539 M tko i D 23, 1924 less than A", and catch means disposed on said base for 1,988,811 Salomon J an. 22, 1935 releasably holding said first leg means in said closed posi- 2,656,232 Raphael Oct. 20, 1953 tion; and resilient means on the outer end of each leg 10 2,828,098 Lehmann Mar. 25, 1958