US2917108A

US2917108A - Combination table and bench construction

Info

Publication number: US2917108A
Application number: US770354A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald B Moritz
Original assignee: WACO Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: WACO Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1958-10-29
Filing date: 1958-10-29
Publication date: 1959-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1976-12-15

Description

Dec. 15,1959 D. B. MORi TZ 2,917,108

COMBINATION TABLE AND BENCH CONSTREICTION Filed Oct. 29. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' TB f UM W11 Win. mm 1 I V v 6 M. WM In. wi

- a I Ha. .2

ATTORNEYS 5, 1 -.D. B. MORITZ 2,917,108

COMBINATION TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTION Filed on. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrok. .Domw b. Mon/.1:

' l MW ATTQRNEYS United States Patent COMBINATION TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTION Donald B. Moritz, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Waco Manufacturing Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a cor- My invention relates to construction of bench-equipped tables, commonly referred to as picnic tables.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a picnic table including a generally rectangular table top and a pair of elongated bench tops each disposed generally parallel to but below the plane of an opposite longitudinal edge of the table top together with novel substructure for supporting said table top and bench tops, which sub-structure may be mass produced at a minimum of cost, but which will rigidly support the table top against sway both longitudinally and transversely thereof.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class immediately above described in which the sub-structure for supporting the table top and bench tops comprises a plurality of supporting units spaced longitudinally of the table top and bench tops, each of said units comprising a pair of substantially identical but oppositely facing supporting elements which may be readily secured together and to the table top and bench tops with a minimum of skill and instructions, thereby making it possible to inexpensively produce such a picnic table and to ship same in a knocked down condition for subsequent assembly by the purchaser.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class above described which is simpler, cheaper and yet more 'rugged in construction than any comparable picnic table heretofore produced.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of my novel table;

Fig. 2 is a view in bottom plan, on an enlarged scale, some parts being broken away and some parts shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on the scale of Fig. 2, as seen from below the plane of the table top;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation; and

Fig. 5 is a view in end elevation, some parts being broken away and some parts shown in section.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates an elongated generally rectangular table top, the numeral 2 identifying conventional elongated bench tops, one each disposed generally parallel to but below the plane of an opposite longitudinal edge 3 of thetable top 1.

Sub-structure for supporting the table top 1 and bench tops 2 comprises a plurality of supporting units 4 spaced longitudinally of the table top 1 and bench tops 2 and each comprising a pair of substantially identical but oppositely facing supporting elements 5, preferably and as shown formed from conventional metal pipe stock. The supporting elements 5 each comprise an elongated foot portion 6 extending transversely of the table and bench tops 1, 2, and each underlying the table top 1 and an opposite one of the bench tops 2. As shown, the inner ends 7 of the foot portions 6 are in overlapping side by side relationship below the table top 1 and are rigidly secured together as at 8. As shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 5, the extreme inner ends of the foot portions 6 extend in opposite directions beyond a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the table top 1 and intersecting the transverse center thereof, said inner ends 7 being then upturned to provide table top supporting legs 9 onopposite sides of said plane.

As shown particularly in Fig. 4, the supporting legs 9 diverge upwardly and outwardly in opposite directions from a vertical plane parallel to the foot portions 6 and passing between the joined overlapping inner ends 7 thereof. At their upper ends the supporting legs 9 are bent at right angles in opposite directions to provide elongated substantially parallel arms 10 which, as shown, extend transversely of the table top 1 in longitudinally spaced relationship. It will be noted that the arms 10, which are suitably secured to the table top by nutequipped bolts or the like 11, have longitudinal dimensions greater than one-half the transverse dimensions of the table top 1. This novel arrangement, in the absence of any longitudinally extending brace members, imparts to the table top 1 great rigidity and stability, both transversely and longitudinally thereof.

In a conventional manner, the outer ends 12 of the foot portions 6, laterally outwardly of the adjacent side edges 3 of the top 1 are upturned as at 13 and then reversely turned as at 14, in overlying relationship to the outer ends 12 of the foot portions 6, whereby to support the bench tops 2, suitable anchoring means such as nutequipped bolts 15 being utilized for the purpose of securing said bench tops 2 thereto.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects and while I have disclosed a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that same may be capable of modification without departure from the scopeand spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a combination table and bench structure, an elongated generally rectangular table top, a pair of elongated bench tops each disposed generally parallel to but below the plane of an opposite longitudinal edge of the table top, and sub-structure for supporting said table top and bench tops, said sub-structure comprising a plurality of supporting units spaced longitudinally of the table top and bench tops, each said unit comprising a pair of substantially identical but oppositely facing supporting elements, each said supporting element comprising an elongated foot portion extending transversely of the table and bench tops and each underlying the table top and an opposite one of the bench tops and having their inner ends below the table top disposed in and rigidly secured Patented Dec. 15, 1959 I together in-overlapping-side'by side relationship, said supporting-elements at the extremeinnerends-of said-foot portions extending in opposite directions beyond a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the table top and intersecting the transverse center thereof and being up- 5 turned at their inner ends to provide upwardly directed table top engaging legs lying on opposite sides of said plane and anchored to the table top at their upper ends, the outer ends of said foot portions being upturned and anchored each to an opposite one of said bench tops to 10 whereby said table and' b'ench structure is re derea in: 15 2,533,313

heren-tly rigidagainst sway in"a dire'ct ion' longitudinally of the table and bench-tops.

4 2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the anchored-upper ends of said legs define elongated sub stantially parallel arms which project transversely of said table top in opposite directions, said arms having longitudinal dimensions greater than one-half the transverse dimension of said table top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 168,941 Kuehne Mar. 3, 1953 D. 172,195 Richardson May 11, 1954 1,074,012 Pollard Sept. 23, 1913 2,162,560 Larsen June 13, 1939 Flicker r Dec. 12, 1950 2,811,197 Nimmo Oct. 29, 1957