US2988232A - Adjustable folding shelf - Google Patents

Description

June 13, 1961 c KQETT 2,988,232

ADJUSTABLE FOLDING SHELF Filed Aug. 19, 1958 VIII/12'7 35 36 IELE=4 if /NVENTO/? m4 3 ALBERT C. K0577 K0 Us? 5HER/0/M/ ATTORN'VS United States Patent 2,988,232 ADJUSTABLE FOLDING SHELF Albert C. Koett, Birmingham, Mich.

(2112 Glenside Ave., Norwood 12, Ohio) Filed Aug. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 755,936 1 Claim. (Cl. 211-93) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding devices and more particularly to a folding shelf or table that is adapted to be mounted on a wall, which shelf or table is foldable to lie in generally parallel relationship thereto.

To date, no practical folding shelf or table has been developed for use in places where limited space is a problem and where shelf space is needed intermittently. This condition is particularly true in the case of a boat, where space as well as angular side walls present a real problem. The present invention solves this problem. The lack of suificient work surface is also a problem in industrial plants. Shipping clerks frequently require a work surface on which to write, while checking the incoming and outgoing shipments, etc. The shipping clerk must also use and have available the space which the work surface displaces when in the open position, so as to be able to move with ease, all of the aforementioned incoming and outgoing shipments. Gas stations and service organizations using wall phones are frequently found with a similar problem, the need of having a work surface on which to write when taking orders, In apartments, restaurants and oflices, similar work surface deficiencies exist. A folding table or shelf embodying the present invention is the inexpensive and eflicient answer to these work surface problems.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rigid, legless table or shelf having a flat work surface, which can be quickly and conveniently opened for use, or closed for storage.

Another object of this invention is a provision of a folding table or shelf, which is of high quality and capable of being manufactured by modern mass production methods.

Another object of the present invention is a provision of a readily mountable shelf with a decoration thereon, which enhances the appointments and overall utility of the room in which it is mounted.

Still another object of the present invention is a provision of a folding flat work surface, which is adjustable and can be mounted on an angular wall surface in the same manner as on a vertical wall while remaining functional, decorative and operable.

The foregoing and related objects can be accomplished by the provision of a pivotally mounted adjustable table or shelf assembly having a flat shelf top; a flanged rim around the perimeter of the table top or shelf; a pivotal member secured to the flanged rim on the rear edge thereof; a pair of downwardly depending arcuate extensions on said pivotal member; brackets positioned on said extensions; a slot in each of said brackets and said extensions; means positioned in said slot for adjustably positioning said brackets in relationship to said extensions; and means interposed between said brackets and said rim on said shelf or flat table top work surface for positioning said device.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a table embodying the present invention.

FIG. 1a is a front perspective view of a single bracket assembly used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the table illustrated in FIG. 1, phantom lines showing table top in folded position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially broken away of the rim flange and pocket.

FIG. 4 is a cross section through the rim flange with the positioning rod in elevation.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view on line 55 of FIG. 4, the work surface partially broken away.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a folding table or shelf assembly 10 embodying the present invention. The invention comprises a table top or flat shelf top 30 and a bracket support means 60, pivotally aflixed thereto by hinge pin 16.

The perimeter 32 of the flat shelf top 30 is surrounded by flanged rim member 22, the ends of which are joined by any suitable means. Located on two opposite sides 18 and 20 of the flanged rim 22, are cam pockets 34, which are formed on the vertical wall 24 of the flange. Above the vertical wall is a horizontal U-shaped section 26 which is adapted to hold the flat table top or work surface 30 in position. The upper and lower edges 28 and 38 which are parallel therewith are integrally connected by a wall 42 which is parallel to the vertical side wall 24. A lower, inwardly extending flange 44 is provided and is parallel to edges 28 and 38 the function of which will be described later.

In addition to and mounted on the under surface of flange 44 is a hinge member 14. One hinge member 14 being mounted on each of sides 18 and 20 on the rear edge 12 thereof. Hinge members 14 are connected to the mounting bracket assembly 60 by a hinge pin 16 which extends therethrough.

Immediately below the rear edge surface 12 of the table top assembly 10, is a U-shaped, longitudinal pivot member 62. An opening 64 is provided in each of the right angled ends 56 thereof for receiving hinge pins 16.

Two bracket extension members 66 and 68 are secured at right angles .to and square with the lower edge 70 of pivot member 62 at points 72 and 74. Openings 76 and 78 are provided in bracket extension 66, while openings 86 and 88 are provided in bracket extension 68 for securing the bracket support assembly 60 to a wall. A slot in bracket extension 66 and a similar slot 90 in bracket extension 68 is provided so as to permit movement of bracket assembly 100, for table top adjustment.

Each of the movable bracket assemblies are composed of two parts, namely a Z shaped resilient rod member 102 and a formed bracket member 124. The upper end 104 of the resilient rod 102 is adapted to be received in an embossed wedge shaped cam pocket 34 when the table is in use (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5), while the opposite end 106 of rod 102 is received. between two flanges 128 on bracket member 124. The bracket construction is best illustrated in FIG. la of the drawings. As can be readily noted, the formed right angle section of rod 106 extends through openings 114 and 116 in the flanges 128 of bracket 124. The outer end section 106 of resilient rod 102 is swaged or riveted at 108 to prevent its accidental removal therefrom.

When bracket assembly 100 is secured to the first bracket assembly 60 by fasteners 120, ad ustment is made so as to level the table in the open position. After this point has been determined the fasteners 120 are tightened. The resilient rod 102 then acts as a spring and the outer 'end 104 of the rod is caused to engage the inner surface of the wedge shaped cam pocket 34. Any weight on the table will cause the rod portion 104 to engage and remain engaged with the inside surface 46 of cam pocket 34. However, when it is desired to fold the table, an upward lift of table top 30 causes the rod end 104 to ride out of the wedge shaped pocket 34 on surface 48 and onto the flat inner surface 50 thereof. Both .positions of rod end 104 are shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing. At this point, a downward force is placed on the table to cause the formed end 104 to engage the bottom surface 36 of the table top. Continued downward movement of the top will cause the table to assume the folded position (FIG. 2). Should it be desired to mount the above described table in a cruiser, where an angular wall is involved, it is only necessary to lower the position of bracket assembly 100 by adjusting fasteners 120.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the above described invention is simple, compact and ornamental. The table may be raised or lowered at will with a minimum amount of effort and may be mounted on any wall surface, vertical or inclined, while remaining operable and functional.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a pivotally mounted adjustable shelf, the combination of a flat shelf top; a flanged rim around the perimeter of said flat shelf top; a pivotal member secured to the flanged rim on the rear edge of said flat shelf top; a pair 'of downwardly depending extensions on said pivotal member; brackets positioned on said extension; a slot in said brackets and said extensions; means positioned in said slots for 'adjustably positioning said brackets in relationship to said extensions and said flat shelf top; 2 shaped resilient rods pivotal'ly secured to said brackets and slidably mounted on two edges of said rim flange for positioning said shelf member; pressed out stops located on the lower edge portion of said rim flange for engaging the ends of the Z rods, upward movement of said flat work surface from the fixed position moves said Z shaped resilient rod out of engagement with said pressed out stops, the ends of said 2 shaped rods engaging the underside of said shelf top to assume the folded position upon downward movement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,874 Whealen a July 10, 1917 1,267,046 Beaird U-. May 21', 1918 1,325,107 Olson 5 Dec. 16, 1919 1,554,137 Slifkin Sept. 15, 1925 1,596,346 Gibson Y Aug. 17, 1926 2,251,592 Lowe Aug. 5, 1941 2,566,765 Graham Sept. 4, 1951 2,674,990 Bury Apr. 13, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 246,633 Switzerland Jan. 31, 1947

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