US2965236A

US2965236A - Combined tray table rack and serving table

Info

Publication number: US2965236A
Application number: US40047A
Authority: US
Inventors: Klein Edward
Original assignee: QUAKER STRETCHER Co
Current assignee: QUAKER STRETCHER Co; QUAKER-STRETCHER Co
Priority date: 1960-06-30
Filing date: 1960-06-30
Publication date: 1960-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1977-12-20

Description

Dec. 20, 1960 E. KLEIN COMBINED TRAY TABLE RACK AND SERVING TABLE Filed June 30, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 20, 1960 E. KLEIN 2,965,236

COMBINED TRAY TABLE RACK AND SERVING TABLE Filed June 30, 1960 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 20, 1960 E. KLEIN COMBINED TRAY TABLE. RACK AND SERVING TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 30, 1960 Z vi for storage or handling purposes.

COMBINED TRAY TABLE RACK AND SERVING TABLE Edward Klein, Wilmette, 11]., assignor to Quaker- Stretcher Company, Kenosha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed June 30, 1960, Ser. N0. 40,047

14 Claims. '(Cl. 211-2) The present invention relates to foldable table structures and to a novel foldable structure selectively usable as a table and as a storage rack for one or more additional foldable tables.

As will be understood, there are numerous tray tables now on the market, which tray tables usually comprise a pair of pivotally connected inverted 'U-shaped frame or leg structures and a tray detachably connected with the frame or leg structures in a manner such that the leg structures and tray may be folded or collapsed from a set-up" condition to a substantially flattened condition Such tray tables are frequently sold in sets of four or more and with a rack on which the tray tables may be stored when they are in a collapsed condition. It has heretofore been suggested that such a rack could be formed so that it could also be used in combination with a tray to provide another tray table in the set. While such atray table and rack set has met with wide commercial acceptance, it is an important object of the presentinventionto provide a novel folding or collapsible table set including a novel and improved structure which may be selectively used as a storage rack for folded tray tables and the like and as a table.

More specifically, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel combined storage rack and table structure which may be manipulated between a relatively spread-out condition in which it is used as a table and a relatively collapsedor compact conditionin which it is used as a rack whereby the amount of storage space required by the structure is minimized.

Another important object of the presentinvention is to provide a novel structure which may selectively be used as a table or as a storage rack for tray "tables and the like, which structure maybe manipulated so as to increase the overall height thereof when it is to be used as a storage rack so that an uppermost part thereof is presented at a height which facilitates manual handling of the structure and moving of the structure from place to place.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel structure which may be selectively used as a table and as a storage rack for foldable tray tables and the like, which structure maybe manipulated so as to provide a relatively low table which may serve as a coffee table and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel combined rack and table structure of the above described type which is provided with wheels so that it may be easily moved both when it is-functioning as a table and when it is functioning as a storage rack.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel combined'storage rack and foldable table of the above described type which may be quickly and easily manipulated between the arrangements in which it will function as a table and as a storagerack.

A more specific object 'of the presentinvention is to United States Patent provide a 'novel set including :a plurality of foldable tray tables and the like and a combined table and rack structure, which set is constructed so that when the tray tables are in a folded condition and are assembled on the rack, the rack may be alternatively tilted in opposite directions and pulled or rolled to any desired location without danger of the tray tables falling from the rack.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a set incorporating features of the present invention; I

Fig. 2 is another perspective view showing the bac side of the set of Fig. 1';

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a combined table and rack structure incorporating features of the present invention with the foldable tray tables which are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 removed therefrom;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an-elevational view taken generally along line '5-5 in Fig. 4-with the folded tray tables removed from the combined rack and table structure;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the combined rack and table structure manipulated so as to function as a table;

Fig. 7 shows the combined rack and table structure in solid lines in condition to function as a storage rack and further shows in broken lines an intermediate condition which occurs when the structure is manipulated from the rack condition toward the table condition;

Fig. 8 shows the structure in broken lines in a further intermediate condition and shows the structure in solid lines in the final table arrangement; and

Fig.9 is a perspective view showing one of the tables of the set in a set-up condition.

Referring now more specifically to-the drawingswherein like parts are designated by thesame numerals throughout the various figures, a set 10 incorporating features of the present invention includes one or more foldable tray tables 12 and a unit 14 which is adapted alternately and selectively to 'be used as a storage rack for the-tray tables '12, and as a table. 'In the embodiment shown, four tray tables '12 are provided, but it will be understood that the number of tray tables may be varied as desired.

Each tray table 12 includes inverted U-shaped

frames

16 and 18 and a tray 20. The frame or leg structure 1-6 comprises opposite sidev or

leg portions

22 and 24 which are integrally joined at their upper ends by a transverse or bight portion 26. The frame or leg structure 18 is substantially identical to the structure 16 in that-itincludes opposite side or

leg portions

28 and 30 having their upper ends integrally joined by a bight portion 32. However the'bight.portion.32 is slightly'longer than the bight portion 26 so "that the leg portions 28 and'30 are adapted to extend along the outer sides of or, in other words, to embrace the

leg portions

22 and 24.

The

leg portions

22 and 28 are connected intermediate their ends by suitable pivot means 34 and the

leg portions

24 and 30 are similarly connected-by pivot-me'ans'36. The pivotal connections are such that the frame or l-leg structures '16 and 18 may be manipulated or :pivoted betweenthe opened and crossed positionsshown'in Fig. 9 and the closed and-substantially.parallelpositionsshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. a I

Pairs ofclip elements

38 and 40 and 42 and 44 are riveted orotherwise suitably'secured to the under .surface of the tabletop or tray 20. 'Theclip-elementsfis and 40 are adapted to be connected 'to thebight portion 26 and-the clip elements'42 and 44 are'adapted tozbe connected to the bight portion. 32-.when theztray table. iszin the set-up condition: shown inxFig.;9. 3.'I.'he:quick;release or snap-on c1ip elements38iand .40. are. also: adapted =zto be detached from the bight portion 26 so as to enable the frame or

leg structures

16 and 18 to be folded from the open and crossed positions shown in Fig. 9 to the collapsed positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The

clip elements

42 and 44 are such that the tray or tabletop 20 may be pivoted around the bight portion 32 so that the tray will lie substantially flat against the folded or collapsed leg structures as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. In addition, the

clip elements

42 and 44 may be identical to the

elements

38 and 40 as is contemplated in the present disclosure so that the tray may be entirely removed from the leg structures if desired.

As indicated hereinabove, the unit 14 is constructed in accordance with an important feature of the present invention so that it may selectively be used as a relatively compact and upright storage rack for the tray tables 12 and as a table. The unit 14 comprises a first generally U-shaped frame or leg structure 46 having relatively long opposite side or

leg portions

48 and 50. Upper ends of the

leg portions

48 and 50 are joined by a transverse or bight portion 52. In the embodiment shown the

leg portions

48 and 50 are substantially straight and are disposed ina common plane while the bight portion 52 is inclined forwardly with respect to the plane of the

leg portions

48 and 50, for a purpose discussed below.

The unit 14 also includes a second inverted generally U-shaped frame or leg structure 54 having opposite side or

leg portions

56 and 58 having their upper ends joined by a transverse or bight portion 60. It will be noted that the width of the bight portion 60 is less than the width of the bight portion 52 so that the

leg portions

56 and 58 extend within the

leg portions

48 and 50. Intermediate sections of the

leg portions

56 and 58 are respectively pivotally connected to the

leg portions

48 and 50 by suitable pin means 62 and 64 in a manner such that they are adapted to lie substantially in the common plane of the

leg portions

48 and 50 when the unit 46 is in a condition to serve as a storage rack for the tray tables, as shown in Figs. 1-5. As shown best in Fig. 4, this plane is inclined at a substantial acute angle from the vertical.

Lower end sections

66 and 68 of the

leg portions

56 and 58 are bent so that they extend rearwardly and ate relatively sharp angle from the common plane of the

leg portions

48 and 50 so that the lower terminal ends of the

sections

66 and 68 spaced substantially from the lower terminal ends of the

leg portions

48 and 50.

Upper end sections

70 and 72 of the

leg portions

56 and 58 extend from the intermediate sections forwardly and at a relatively sharp angle from the common plane of the

leg portions

48 and 50 for the purpose described more in detail below. Preferably a transverse frame member 74 is positioned between and is securedto the

lower end sections

66 and 68 of the

leg portions

56 and 58.

The unit 14 is provided with a tabletop member or tray 76.

Angle brackets

78 and 80 are secured to the under side of the tabletop or tray 76 adjacent opposite side edges and one end thereof, as shown best inFigs. 3 and 5, which brackets are also respectively pivotally connected to

leg portions

48 and 50 by suitable pivot 7 pin means 82 and 84. With this arrangement the tabletop member or tray 76 has one end portion permanently and pivotally connected to the

leg portions

48 and 50 of the frame structure 46 so that the tabletop may be swung from the collapsed position shown in Figs. 1-5 to the open position shown in Fig. 6.

A transverse frame member 86 extends between and is secured to the

leg portions

48 and 50 at a location slightly above the point at which the

lower end sections

66 and 68 of the

leg portions

56 and 58 are bent rearwardly. This location is also adjacent to but spaced upwardly from the lower end edge of the tabletop or tray'member 76 when the tray member is in the collapsed position. Clip members 88 and '90 are riveted or otherwise secured to the tabletop member or tray 76 at a location so that they are adapted to engage the transverse frame member 86. These resilient snap-on type clip members are similar or identical to the clip members of the folding tray tables 12 and they are adapted to be snapped around the transverse frame member 86 for releasably holding the tabletop member 76 in the folded or collapsed position substantially parallel to the

leg portions

48 and 50, as shown best in Fig. 4. In certain modified structures an additional transverse frame member and clips similar to the member 86 and clips I 88 and 90 may be used in place of the

brackets

78 and 80. However, the brackets are preferred since they provide clearance in a simple and economical manner for enabling the

leg structures

46 and 54 to be manipulated to and from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

It will be noted that the transverse frame member 86 which in the embodiment shown is tubular, has opposite flattened

end portions

92 and 94 secured to the back sides of the

leg portions

48 and 50 so as to provide sufiicient clearance for the intermediate sections of the

leg portions

56 and 58 to enable such intermediate sections to be positioned substantially parallel to the

leg portions

48 and 50. It will also be noted that these flattened end portions of the transverse frame member provide stops for limiting pivotal movement of the frame or

leg structures

46 and 54 relative to each other and about the common axis of pivot pins 62 and 64 when the leg or frame structures are in the collapsed and upstanding storage rack providing positions shown in Figs. 1-5.

Referring particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, the manner in which the frame or leg structures '46 and 54 of the unit 14 may be manipulated between the collapsed and upstanding rack providing positions and the opened table providing positions will now be described. Assuming that theparts are in the fully collapsed and upstanding position shown in the solid lines in Fig. 7, an operator may initiate the manipulation of the structure toward the open condition by grasping the

bight portions

52 and 60 and relatively pivoting the frame or

leg structures

46 and 54 about the pivot pins 62 and 64 and in the direction of the arrows. In other words, the frame structure 46 will be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7 and the frame structure 54 will be pivoted in a clockwise direction. Continued movement of the frame structures will cause them to pass through the relative positions shown in broken lines in Fig. 7 and in broken lines in Fig. 8 to the full line opened position shown in solid lines in Fig. 8. When the frame structures have been shifted to the full line opened position, it is merely necessary to snap the

clip members

88 and 90 onto the bight portion 60 in order to complete the assembly of the table. It will be noted that the overall width of the unit 14 in the table providing arrangement shown in solid lines in Fig. 8 is substantially more than twice the overall width of the unit in the fully collapsed and upstanding condition shown in solid lines in Fig. 7. In other words, it is clear that the unit 14 in its collapsed condition is relatively compact and requires less than one-half of the floor space for storage purposes and the like than would be the case if it were necessary to store the unit in its fully opened condition.

It will be observed that in order to enable the tabletop member or'tray 76 to be folded to a collapsed position substantially parallel to the

leg portions

40 and 50 as shown best in Fig. 7, at least the lower end portion of the tabletop or tray 76 is provided with a width less than the distance between the

lower end sections

66 and 68 of the

leg portions

56 and 58 so that the end of the table may project between the leg sections as shown in Figs. 1-5 and 7. However, in order to facilitate opening of the unit into a table, the top member or tray 76 may be provided with

marginal portions

96 and 98 which extend laterally outwardly at least sutficiently to overlie the

leg portions

56 and 58. As a result, when'the frame or leg structures seat-mes 46' and 54 are pivoted from the fully collapsed positioh shown in solid lines in Fig. 7, the

leg portions

56 and 58 push against the

marginal portions

96 and 98 of the tray 76'as shown in broken lines in Fig. 7 sufficiently to cause the spring clips 88 and 90 to be disconnected automatically from the transverse frame member 86. Further movement of the frame structures automatically swings the tabletop or tray member 76 toward the desired hori- Zontal position as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. It will be noted that the height of the tabletop member or tray 76 as shown in solid lines in Fig. 8 is substantially less than the overall height of the unit 14 in its collapsed and upright condition shown in solid lines in Fig. 7. In fact, in the embodiment shown, the height of the tabletop 76 is substantially less than the height of the tray tables 12, so that the table provided by the unit 14 may function as a relatively low coffee or serving table or the like.

When it is desired to store the set comprising the tray tables 12 and the unit 14, the tray tables are folded or collapsed from the condition shown in Fig. 9 to the con- Idition shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, and the unit 14 is collapsed from the condition shown in Fig. 6 and in solid lines in Fig. 8 to the condition shown in Figs. 1-5 and in the solid lines in Fig. 7. While it is possible to disconnect the trays of the tray tables from either of their associated

bight portions

26 or 32, the trays are preferably disconnected from their associated bight portions 26. Thus, when the tray tables are folded, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the bight portions 26 of the generally U- shaped frame or leg structure 16 will be located at the lower ends of the folded table structures and the free ends of the

leg portions

28 and 30 of the generally U- shaped frame or leg means 18 will project downwardly. In association with this preferred arrangement of the collapsed tray tables, it is to be noted that the width of the generally U-shaped frame or leg structure 16 is substantially identical to the width of the frame or leg structure 46 of the unit 14 so that the

leg portions

22 and 24 of the generally U-shaped structure 16 are adapted to overlie directly the

leg portions

48 and 50 and to be either directly or indirectly supported thereby. At the same time it is to be noted that the widthof the inverted U-shaped frame or leg structures 18 is slightly greater than the width of the frame or leg structure 46. As a result, when the tray tables are stacked on the rack in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, at least the lower end portions of the

legs

28 and 30 of the lowermost tray table will extend along the outer side surfaces of and embrace the

leg portions

48 and 50 so that the lowermost tray table is effectively locked against twisting or turning relative to the rack. In addition, the lower end portions of the

legs

28 and 30 of each succeeding tray table embrace the frame structure 16 of the next immediately adjacent and lower tray table against which it rests so that all of the tray tables are effectively interlocked against turning and twisting with respect to each other and the rack.

As will be understood, after the tray tables 12 are folded, it is merely necessary to position them so that the lower edges of their trays overlie the

upper end portions

70 and 72 of the frame or leg structure 54 of the rack in order to assemble the tray tables with the rack. The first tray table will slide down the leg sections or

portions

70 and 72 until it rests firmly against and is supported by the generally upstanding but substantially rearwardly

inclined legs

48 and 50 as well as the

leg sections

70 and 72. The remaining tray tables will, of course, be similarly supported by the

leg sections

70 and 72 and indirectly supported by the

leg portions

48 and 50 through the preceding tray tables.

As indicated above, the bight portion 52 of the inverted generally U-shaped frame or leg structure 46 is inclined forwardly with respect to the

leg portions

48 and 50.

is-such that it presents an intermediate handle section 100 6 at a convenient height and location above the upper edge of the upper most tray table and also generallycentrally between front and back sides of the assembly provided by the tray tables and the rack. Withthis arrangement the rack may be easily grasped by the handle section and picked up, tilted rearwardly or even tilted forwardly in order to accomplish transportation of the assembly from one location to another. It is obvious that the folded tray tables'are supported by the legportions 48 and 50 in a manner which precludes any possibility of the tray tables falling from the rack when the rack is tilted rearwardly for movement from one place to another. It is also to be noted that the tray tables are adequately supported so that they will not fall from the rack when the rack is tilted forwardly a reasonable amountduring transportation from one place to another. In this connection it will be noted that the

leg sections

70 and 72 are normally inclined upwardly from the horizontal at a substantial angle so as to prevent the tray tables from sliding forwardly even though the rack is tipped forwardly, and the above described interengagement between the bight portions 26 and

leg portions

22 and 24 with each other and with the rack and the interlocking engagement of the lower end portions of the legs28 and 30 with the rack and the adjacent tray tables prevents the tray tables from tilting or pivoting around the lower edges of their trays.

In order further to facilitate movement of the rack from place to place and also to enable the unit 14 to be used as a mobile serving table,

wheels

102 and 104 are respectively connected with the lower ends of the

leg portions

48 and 50 and

similar wheels

106 and 108 are connected with lower end portions of leg sections '66 and 68. It will be noted that the

wheels

102 and 104 are rotatably mounted on pins or

axles

110 and 112 which are fixed to the lower ends of the

leg portions

48 and 50 and extend laterally outwardly therefrom so that these wheels are disposed outwardly of their associated leg portions. The

wheels

106 and 108 on their other hand, are disposed laterally inwardly of their associated leg portions and they are rotatably mounted on pins or

shafts

114 and 116 respectively. Thus the wheels are disposed so as to avoid interference with each other during manipulation of the leg or

frame structures

46 and 54 to and from the collapsed rack and open table arrangements. It will be noted that when the unit 14 is set up as a table, the bight portion 52 extends laterally and downwardly to position the handle section so that it may be easily used for manipulating the table without obstructing access to the tabletop.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A structure selectively for use as a table and as a rack for supporting an article such as a folded tray table,'c0mprising first and second frame means each including opposite side frame members pivotally connected together intermediate their ends for manual relative pivotal movement between a first crossed and relatively upright and collapsed position and a second crossed and relatively inclined and opened position, means for maintaining said frame means in said first position until the frame means are manually pivoted toward said second position, said frame means presenting portions for receiving and supporting said article when said frame means are in said first position, and tabletop means carried by one of said frame means in a generally upright position when said frame means are in said first position andextending generally horizontally between and connected to both of said frame means when said frame 'means are in said second position, said tabletop means being detachably connectable with at least one of said frame means.

porting said article when said frame means are in said first position; said first and second frame means respectively having lower end portions disposed at opposite sides of a vertical plane containing the pivotal connection between said frame means when said frame means are in said first position, the locations of said lower end portions with respect to said plane being reversed when said frame means are in said second position, and tabletop means extending generally horizontally between and connected to both of said frame means when said frame means are in said second position, said tabletop means being detachably connectable with at least one of said frame means. i

3. A structure, as defined in'claim 2, wherein said tabletop means is pivotally associated with one of said frame means for enabling said tabletop means to be I folded to a generally upright position when said frame means are in said first position.

4. A structure selectively for use as a table and as a rack for supporting an article such as a folded tray table. comprising first and second frame means each including opposite side frame members connected together for relative adjustment between a first relatively upright and laterally collapsed position and a second relatively inclined and laterally opened position, said first and second frame means respectively having upper and lower end portions, the lower end portions of said first and second frame means and said upper end portions of said first and second frame means being spread farther apart when said frame means are in said second position than when said frame means are in said first position, said frame means presenting portions thereof for receiving and supporting said article when said frame means are in said first position, and tabletop means extending generally horizontally between and connected to said upper end portions of said frame means when said frame means are in said second position.

5. A structure selectively for use as a table and as a rack for supporting an article such as a folded tray table, comprising first frame means including opposite side frame members and second frame means including opposite side frame members respectively pivotally connected to said first mentioned side frame members, said first and second frame means being manually relatively pivotal between a first position in which said side frame members are relatively upright and a second position in which said side frame members are relatively inclined from the upright, said first mentioned side frame members and said second mentioned side frame members having upper portions which diverge from each other when said side frame members are in said relatively upright position for receiving and retaining therebetween said article, said first side frame members and said second side frame members having lower end portions spaced apart a relatively short distance to provide a relatively narrow base for said structure when said side frame members are in said relatively upright position, said lower end portions being relatively widely spaced apart when said side frame members are in said relatively inclined position to provide a broader base for said structure, and tabletop means extending generally horizontally between and connected to said upper end portions when said side frame members are in said relatively inclined position.

6. A structure selectively for use as a table and as a rack for supporting an article such as a folded tray table, comprising first and second frame means each including opposite side frame members pivotally connected together intermediate their ends for manual relative pivotal movement between a first crossed and relatively upright and laterally collapsed position and a second crossed and relatively inclined and laterally opened position, said first frame means including a first pair of opposite side frame members and said second frame means including a second pair of opposite side frame members, the pivotal connection between said first and second frame means being accomplished between said pairs of side frame members said first and second pair of side frame members having lower end portions disposed at opposite sides of a substantially vertical plane containing said pivot means, positions of the end portions of the first side frame members and the end portions of the second side frame members being reversed with respect to said plane when said frame means are moved between said first and second position, said first and second pairs of side frame members including upper portions extending above said pivotal connection for receiving and retaining said article, tabletop means extending generally horizontally between and connected to said upper end portions when said frame means are in said second position, said tabletop means being detachably connectable with the upper end portion of at least one of said frame means, and wheels respectively connected with each of and projecting beneath said lower end portions.

7. A structure, as defined in claim 6, wherein said first pair of side frame members is embraced by said second pair of side frame members, the wheels which are secured to the lower end portions of said first side frame members being disposed along opposing and inwardly facing surfaces of said last mentioned lower end portions, and the Wheels connected with the lower end portions of said second side frame members being disposed along laterally outwardly facing surfaces of said last mentioned lower end portions.

8. A structure selectively for use as a table and as a rack for supporting an article such as a folded tray table, comprising first and second frame means each including opposite side frame members pivotally connected together intermediate their ends for manual relative pivotal movement between a first crossed and relatively upright and collapsed position and a second crossed and relatively inclined and opened position, means maintaining said frame means in said first position until they are manually pivoted toward said second position, said frame means presenting portions for receiving and supporting said article when said frame means are in said first position, a tabletop member pivotally connected to one of said frame means for enabling the tabletop memher to extend in a generally upright position when said frame means are in said first position and to extend generally horizontally between said. frame means when said frame means are in said second position, and clip means secured to said tabletop member for releasably securing said tabletop member to a part of said one frame means when the tabletop member is in said generally upright position and for releasably securing said tabletop member to a part of the other of said frame means when said tabletop member is in said generally horizontal position.

9. A structure, as defined in claim 8, wherein said tabletop member and said other frame means include interengageable portions for automatically swinging the tabletop member from said upright position to said generally horizontal position when said first and second frame means are pivoted from said first position to said second position.

10. A structure selectively for use as a table and as a rack for supporting an article such as a folded tray table, and comprising first inverted generally U-shaped frame means including a pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, second inverted generally U-shaped frame means including a second pair of leg portions joined by a bight portion, said first pair of leg portions being spaced apart a predetermined distance and said second leg portions being spaced apart a slightly greater distance and being disposed in embracing relationship with respect to said first leg portions, said first and second frame means being pivotally connected together intermediate opposite ends of their leg portions for manual relative pivotal movement between a first crossed and relatively upright and collapsed position and a second crossed and relatively inclined and opened position, means for maintaining said frame means in said first position until they are manually pivoted toward said second position, said first leg portions including upper end sections extending a relatively short distance above the pivotal connection between said frame means when said frame means are in said first position for receiving and supporting said article, said second leg portions including upper end sections extending upwardly from said pivotal connection and above said first mentioned leg portions when said frame means are in said first position for aiding in supporting the article, and tabletop means carried by one of said frame means in a generally upright position when said frame means are in said first position and extending generally horizontally between and connected to both of said frame means when said frame means are in said second position, said tabletop means being detachably connectable with at least one of said frame means.

11. A structure, as defined in claim 10, wherein said second mentioned leg portions are substantially straight and are disposed substantially in a common plane inclined rearwardly from the vertical when said second leg portions are in said first position, said upper end sections of said first leg portions extending forwardly of said plane when said frame means are in said first position and said first leg portions including lower end sections extending rearwardly of said plane when said frame means are in said first position.

12. A structure, as defined in claim 10, which includes wheel means connected with the lower ends of each of said leg portions, said bight portion of said second frame means including a handle section disposed in a vertical plane located generally centrally between opposite sides of the structure for facilitating manual gripping of the handle section selectively from opposite sides of the structure.

13. A set including a structure as defined in claim 10, and a foldable tray table removably disposed on said structure and supported by said upper end sections of said leg portions, said foldable tray table comprising first and second inverted generally U-shaped members respectivly including first and second pairs of elements joined by first and second bight portions, the first pair of leg elements being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing of said second mentioned pair of leg portions of said structure so that said first pair of leg members may be disposed in embracing relationship with respect to said first pair of leg portions of said structure and substantially against said second pair of leg portions of said structure when the tray table is disposed on said structure, said second pair of leg members being spaced apart a distance greater than the spacing of said first pair of leg members, said second pair of leg members embracing said first pair of leg members and being adapted to embrace said second pair of leg portions of said structure when the tray table is disposed on said structure, and a tray table connected to said second tray table bight portion and detachably connectable to said first tray table bight portion, said U-shaped frame members and said tray being folded into generally parallel relationship with respect to each other with said first tray table bight portion disconnected from the tray when the tray table is disposed on said structure.

14. In a structure selectively usable as a rack for supporting an article such as a folded tray table and adaptable for use as a table, and comprising first and second frame means each including opposite side frame members pivotally connected together intermediate their ends for manual relative pivotal movement between a first crossed and relatively upright collapsed position and a second crossed and relatively inclined and opened position, means for maintaining said frame means in said first position until they are manually pivoted toward said second position, said frame means presenting portions for receiving and supporting said article when said frame means are in said first position, first and second connection means respectively on said first and second frame means adapted to receive a table top member when said frame means are in said second position, said first and second frame means respectively having lower end portions disposed at opposite sides of a vertical plane containing the pivotal connection between said frame means when the frame means are in said first position, and the locations of said lower end portions with respect to said plane being reversed when said first frame means are in said second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,676,709 Walsh Apr. 27, 1954 2,851,166 Block Sept. 9, 1958 2,919,809 Dunbar Jan. 5, 1960 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,965,236 De 2 1960 Edward Klein It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent ieqzziring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 39, for "their" read the eolumn 10, lines 1 and 2, for "respectivly'f read respectively same column 10, line 2, after "of" insert leg Signed and sealed this 6th day of June 1961.

( SEA L) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L LADD Coissioner of Patents