US3140674A

US3140674A - Folding table and storage pocket construction

Info

Publication number: US3140674A
Application number: US173752A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earl J Cisler
Original assignee: Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1962-02-16
Filing date: 1962-02-16
Publication date: 1964-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 1981-07-14

Description

E. J. CISLER July 14, 1964 FOLDING TABLE AND STORAGE POCKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. EQTLJCL'SZen BY E. J. CISLER FOLDING TABLE AND STORAGE POCKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FOLDING TABLE AND STORAGE POCKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 16. 1962 E. J. CISLER July 14, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 U R n 2 w t 7 w w w m m W 5 r w n 3 WM 1 m M 5 g 1 3 5 8 9 7 a ,5 W L Q w 6J1 I 3/ J 3 a- 4 4 ym 3 w v a a Q. lilli 2 4m IHHHUNI ..I-L g 3- fl. 7 w 7 w United States Patent 3,140,674 FOLDING -TABLE AND STORAGE POCKET CONSTRUCTION Earl J. Cisler, Two-Rivers, Wis., assignor to Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Feb. 16, 1962, Set. No. 173,752 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-413) folding table and storagepocket assembly wherein the storage pocket is equipped'to accommodate articles useful in a science classroom, in addition to'the table when folded. It is still another object of the invention to'provide a folding table having a mechanism which both locks and adds rigidity to'the table when in the open position.

Further objects and advantages of thepresent invention'will become'apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view'partially in section of the folding table and pocket assembly showing the folding table in the open position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view'partially in section of the assembly showing the table intermediate the open and foldedpositions;

FIG. 3 is a side elevationalview partially in section of the assembly showing the table folded into the'storage pocket;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged "view in side elevation of the table;

'FIG. 5 'isa bottom planviewof the table with some parts broken away to showun'derlyingparts;

FIG. 6 is asectional view taken along theline 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is anenlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken-along the lineS-S'of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of aportion of the structure shown in FIG. 7 and taken on theline 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG/10 is a side elevational-view of the portion shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the storage pocket of the assembly;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13' is. a sectional viewtaken substantially along the line 13-13 of FIG. 11;. and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a locking mechanism for the table.

Generally, an assembly embodying the invention comprises a folding table and a storage pocket, the pocket being adapted to store various articles and the table when folded. The folding table is of the general type described support when the table is in the open position.

air-nit Patented July 14, 1964 ice in the copending US. patent application in the name of Claude G. Kanzelberger, Serial No. 138,750, filed September 18, 1961, now Patent No. 3,101,062. The table comprises two table top sections positioned in end-to-end horizontal alignment when the table is open, the adjacent ends of the two top sections being hinged together. The two top sections are supported at their outer ends by two end leg supports and at their adjacent ends by a center leg support. The center leg support and the adjacent ends of the top sections are movable upwardly to place the top sections in substantially vertical and parallel relation when the table is folded.

The table may also include stretcher bars which interconnect the table top sections and the end leg supports, equalizing means to maintain the center leg support substantially vertical throughout movement betweenthe open and folded positions, counterbalancing means to counterbalance the weight of the table as it ismoved to the open position and to assist in movement to the folded position, and a plurality of side aprons.

The'table further has a novel open position locking mechanism which includes a pair of lock bars. Each lock bar has one end pivotally connected to the underside of a; table top section, and means are provided to releasably'clip the other end of each lock bar to the center leg These lock bars maintain the table in the open position when clipped to the'center leg support and, in addition, render thetable extremely rigid when in such open position.

One end of the folding table is provided with means for releasably connecting'the folding table to the storage pocket,so that the table when opened may be moved away from the pocket, and when connected the table is adapted'to be'folded and locked into the storage pocket. The storage pocket is further provided with means to store equipment, supplies, etc., access to which is prevented when the table is folded and locked in the pocket.

Indetail, the folding table, indicated generally at-20, is shown coupled to the storage pocket, indicated generally at 21, in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 shows the table in the open position, FIG. 2 shows the table partially folded, and FIG. 3 shows the table completely folded and locked in'the storage pocket. The table '20, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 to 6, comprises two table

top sections

22 and 23 supported by two end leg supports '24 andZS and a center leg support 24a. Since the table is primarily intended for use in a science classroom, the

top sections

22 and 23 are preferably a reagent-resistant, hollow core type with a black finished top. Each of the end leg supports 24 and 25 includes two legs 26 that are pivotally connected at their upper ends to channel shaped brackets 27 whichin turn are secured as by screws to the undersides of the

table top sections

22 and 23. The bottom ends of the four legs 26 receive casters '28, and a cross brace 29 interconnects the two legs 26 of each end leg support. The legs'26 of the end leg support 25 are positioned closer together than the legs 26 of the end leg support24 by positioning its associated brackets 27 closer together andshortening its cross brace 29. Further, the end leg support 24 is positioned a greater longitudinal distance away from the center leg support 25a than the end leg support 25. The purpose of this unbalanced construction will be explained hereinafter.

The center leg support 25a comprises two legs 30 which are secured together by a cross brace 31. The lower end of each leg receives a cup 32, preferably made of plastic, and the upper end of each leg 30 is pivotally fastened to a bracket 33. The cups 32 are desirable because they frictionally engage the floor when the table is open and resist any tendency of the casters 28 to roll along the floor. Of course, when the table is partially or completely folded the cups 32 are out of engagement with the floor and permit easy movement of the table. Each bracket 33 comprises two channel-

shaped sections

34 and 35 hinged to each other and secured to the underside of the table

top sections

22 and 23, respectively, the inner ends of the sections having arms and the arms of the sections 34 at the inner ends being closer together than and positioned between the arms of the sections 35. Washers 37, FIG. 7, are positioned between the legs 30 and the arms of the sections 34, and pins 36 pivotally connect the

sections

34 and 35, the washers 37, and the legs 30.

Equalizing means is also provided to maintain the legs 30 of the center leg support 25a substantially vertical as the table is moved between open and folded positions. This means comprises a sleeve 38 slidably mounted on each leg 30 and a pair of links 39 for each sleeve. The lower ends of the links 39 are pivotally connected to the sleeves 38 by pins 40, FIG. 7, and the upper ends of the links are pivotally connected to the brackets 33 by pins 41. The upper ends of the links 39 are maintained substantially at the center of the brackets 33 by U-shaped members 42 rigid with the brackets 33.

A third bracket 43, FIGS. 5 and 7, having two pivotally connected channel shaped

sections

44 and 45 fastened to the underside of the two table

top sections

22 and 23,

respectively, is also provided at substantially the center of the table. A counterbalancing means is mounted on this bracket 43 to counterbalance the weight of the table when moving to the open position and to assist in movement of the table to the closed position, and comprises a hydraulic cylinder 46 and four links 47. The links 47 are angularly inclined from the vertical and extend longitudinally of the table, and are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the vertical flanges of the channel shaped

sections

44 and 45 by pins 48. The lower ends of the links 47 are pivotally connected to a pin 49 secured to the bottom of the cylinder 46. The cylinder 46 is positioned substantially vertical and has a piston rod 50 pivotally connected to a pin 51 that also pivotally connects the two

sections

44 and 45 of the bracket 43.

The hydraulic cylinder 46 contains a compression spring (not shown) positioned between the bottom of the cylinder and its piston, and internal air porting (not shown). The construction is such that movement of the piston toward the bottom of the cylinder is yieldingly resisted and movement of the piston toward the top of the cylinder is assisted by the spring. The connections between the

table top sections

22 and 23 and the cylinder 46 are such that the piston moves toward the bottom of the cylinder upon opening movement of the table and the piston moves toward the top of the cylinder upon folding movement. Therefore, movement of the table to the open position is resisted by the spring, thereby counterbalancing the weight of the table, and movement to the folded position is assisted by the spring, thereby assisting this movement.

Two longitudinally extending stretcher bars 52 and 53, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 to 6 also connect the end leg supports 24 and 25 to the

table top sections

22 and 23. The ends of the stretcher bars 52 and 53 at the outer ends of the table are pivotally connected by pins 54 to U-shaped members 55 rigidly secured to the upper side of the two cross braces 29 of the respective end leg supports. The stretcher bars are offset from each other laterally of the table and cross each other at the center of the table. The inner ends of the stretcher bars 52 and 53 are pivotally fastened to the

table top sections

23 and 22, respectively, by channel shaped members 56 and pins 57. Both stretcher bars 52 and 53 are curved adjacent their inner ends at approximately the center of the table as shown in FIG. 2 so that the inner ends are fiat against the under side of the table top sections when the table is open. The cross brace 31 of the center leg support 26 is flattened at two sections 58 and 59 (FIG. 7) to provide clearance for the two

stretcher bars

52 and 53 when the table is moved to its folded position.

The table further includes a mechanism, shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, for releasably locking the two

table top sections

22 and 23 together when the table is in the folded position. This mechanism comprises a latch assembly 60 fixed to the underside of the table top sections 22 and a strike 61 fixed to the underside of the table top section 23. The latch assembly 60 comprises a latch member 62, a base 63, a handle 64, a torsion spring 65 and an angle member 66. The base 63 is fixed to the table top section 22 and has an upstanding portion 67 forming a hole that pivotally receives the handle 64. One end of the handle 64 is rigidly fixed to the latch member 62 and the other end of the handle 64 extends through an elongated opening 68 formed in the member 66. The spring 65 is wound around the handle 64 and engages the latch member 62 and the base 63 in such a manner as to urge the latch member 62 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 14, the latch member 62 engaging the base 63 to limit such movement and hold the latch member in position to engage the strike 61. A hook portion 67 is formed on the latch member 62 which is adapted to engage the strike 61 fixed to the table top section 23. When the table is to be locked in the folded position, the

table top sections

22 and 23 are pushed together causing the hook portion 69 to engage the strike 61 and lock the table top sections together. To unlock the table for movement to the open position, the handle 64 is manually swung in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 14 until the hook portion 69 disengages the strike 61.

Since the table and pocket assembly is primarily intended for use in a science classroom or laboratory, it is important that the table be extremely rigid when in the open position. This is necessary to prevent materials, such as experimental apparatus, placed on the table from being disturbed. Therefore, the folding table is further provided with a novel mechanism for locking and adding rigidity to the table when in the open position. This mechanism comprises two lock bars 70, FIG. 8, pivotally fastened to two channel shaped members 71 by pins 72. The members 71 are fixed to the underside of the two

table top sections

22 and 23 along substantially the longitudinal center line of the table. The lower end of each lock bar 70 is equipped with a plastic plug 73. The overall length of each lock bar 70 is such that, when the table is open and they are pivoted toward the center leg support 25a, the lower surface of each plug 73 is adapted to bear against the surface of the cross brace 31.

Apparatus for holding the lock bars 70 against the cross brace 31 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 8 to 10. It comprises two brackets 74 welded to the cross brace 31. Each bracket 74 is fastened to a clip 75 by a bolt and nut assembly 76. Each clip has two spring-like sections which can be forced apart to receive the lower ends of the lock bars 70, and the sections are curved to partially encircle and hold the bars 70. The lock bars 70 can be disengaged from the clips 75 simply by applying enough downward force on the bars 70 to cause the spring-like sections to spread apart and release the lock bars. It is apparent that, when the table is in the open position and the lower ends of the lock bars 70 bear against the cross brace 31, upward movement of the center leg support 2511 of the table is prevented. Further, the lock bars 70 provide support for the center of each of the

table top sections

22 and 23, thereby making the table more sturdy and rigid.

Two pairs of aprons 77 are fastened as by screws along the longitudinal sides of the two

table top sections

22 and 23 in horizontal end-to-end relation. In addition to adding rigidity to the table top sections, the pair of aprons for formed in one end ofonepairofthe aprons 77. The inner ends of the rods-78-extend-through holes formed in a U-shapedmember-79 andabut opposed sides of a cam member 80. The-U-member 7 9 is fixed to the underside of the table topsection--2-3-and the cam member 80"is rotatably mounted by-a-pin-81 on the member 79 and has ahandle 82. A'compression-spring 83 is disposed around each rod 78 'between-a-sideofthe associated apron 77 and a pin '84'fixed-to-each rod '78. The compression springs 83 urge the rods 78 inwardly against the cam member 80. This cam member is shaped as an ellipse, and is mounted so that either its major axis or its minor axis can be placed in line with the rods 78. When the major axis is in line with the rods, they are forced outwardly and extend beyond the sides of the table. When the cam member 80 is rotated 90 its minor axis is in line with the rods 78 and the springs 83 cause the rods 78 to retract toward the cam member.

The storage pocket 21 comprises a top 85, a bottom 86, a back 87 and two sides 88 and 89 (FIGS. 11 to 13) which may be secured together by any desired means. The pocket 21 has an open front, indicated generally by the numeral 90. The width of the open front 90 is slightly greater than the width of the

table top sections

22 and 23, and its height is slightly greater than the length of each table top section. The storage pocket 21 is made suitable for a science laboratory by providing a plurality of slots 92 in the two

sides

88 and 89 which may support shelves 93, and a cabinet 94 having two working

surfaces

95 and 96. The shelves 93 and surfaces 95 and 96 provide storage space for reagents, laboratory apparatus, reference books, etc. and the cabinet 94 is pro vided with a plurality of openings 98 which may receive gas, electrical and air outlets. A front panel 97 of the cabinet 94 is made removable to permit access to the air and gas lines, etc., and also to permit the interior of the cabinet 94 to be used for storage space if desired.

The pocket 21 also includes two vertically extending slots 99 formed in the

respective sides

88 and 89 adjacent the open front 90 for the purpose of coupling the table 20 to the pocket 21. The slots 99 are adapted to receive the outer ends of the rods 78 retractably mounted on the table 20, and the upper ends of the slots 99 are at least as high as the height of the rods 78 when the table is open. The table 20 may be coupled to the storage pocket 21 by retracting the rods 78, inserting the outer end of the table top section 23 into the open front 90 of the pocket and turning the cam member 80 to force the rods 78 outwardly into the slots 99.

To fold the table 20 into the storage pocket, the table is first coupled to the pocket as explained and the lock bars 70 are disengaged from the clips 75. .The center leg support 25a of the table 20 is then raised which causes the end leg support 24 to move toward the storage pocket. The two end leg supports 24 and 25 and the center leg support 25a are maintained in substantially vertical positions throughout folding movement by the stretcher bars 52 and 53 and the links 50 of the equalizing means. The outer ends of the rods 78 of the coupling mechanism slide downwardly in the slots 99 as the

table top sections

22 and 23 approach vertical positions. The lower ends 100 of the slots 99 formed in the pocket terminate a short distance above the bottom 86 of the housing. When the folding movement of the table causes the rods 78 to reach these lower ends 100, their downward movement stops and the casters 28 of the end leg support 25 rise off the floor. The distance between the end leg support 25 and the outer end of the table top section 23 is greater than the overall length of the end leg support 25, while the distance between the end leg support 24 and the outer end of the table top section 22 is less than the length of "the end leg support 24. Therefore, when the table is nearly folded the castersi28 ofthe end leg support 24 are spaced downwardlyfrorn the lower end of the table top section 22 and rest on the floor,'while the casters 28 of the end leg support 25 are'spaced upwardly from the lower end of the table top section 23.

The finalmovement of the table 20 as it is folded into the. pocket 21 causes the center of the bracket 43 of the 'table'to'slide upwardly intothe opening of an inverted "U-shaped clip 102 secured at the toplof the housing as shown in FIG. 3. Tworesilient bumpers v103: mounted on the sides 88'and 89 of the pocket 21 abut the table 'top section 23 and preventfurther inward'movement.

In the folded condition, the table top sections 22and 23 are substantially vertical and the section 22 closes the open front 90 of the pocket 21 and prevents access to any materials stored in the housing. Since the legs 26 of the end leg support 25 are closer together than the legs 26 of the end leg support 24, the two end leg supports do not interfere with each other when the table is folded, thereby permitting the

top sections

22 and 23 to be positioned relatively close together.

The table 20 may be locked in the pocket 21 when folded by a locking mechanism that locks the lower end of the housing to one of the aprons 77 fastened to the table top section 22. This locking mechanism includes a pin 104, FIGS. 11 and 13, rotatably mounted on the side 89 of the pocket. This pin 104 can be rotated through an angle of at least 90 by inserting a key (not shown) into a keyway 105 formed in the pin 104. A tongue 106 is formed on the pin 104 perpendicular to the axis of the pin 104, and an opening 107, FIG. 11, is formed on the inside of the wall 89, which permits the tongue 106 to project into the interior of the pocket a short distance when the pin 104 is rotated. Another slot 108, FIG. 4, is formed in the side of the apron 77 that is adjacent the pin 104 when the table is folded, and the tongue 106 has sufficient length to project into the apron slot 108 and effectively lock the lower end of the table 20 to the pocket. With the table top section 22 closing the open front 90 and locked to the pocket, unauthorized access to and tampering with materials in the pocket is prevented.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that a novel and useful folding table and storage pocket assembly has been provided for use in a science laboratory or classroom. The table when in the open position may be used either in coupled relation to the storage pocket or it may be completely detached so that the table and the pocket may be used separately. The table, in addition, has novel means for locking it in the open position, the locking means also acting to add strength and rigidity to the table so that scientific apparatus on the table is not easily tipped over or otherwise disturbed. The pocket has important advantages in that it can store scientific equipment and supplies in addition to the table. When the table is in the open position the equipment and supplies are readily available for use and when the table is folded into the pocket and locked, the table prevents access to them.

I claim:

1. A folding table convertible between open and folded positions, comprising a pair of end leg supports and a center leg support, a pair of table top sections pivotally mounted on said end and center leg supports, said supports being operable to position said top sections in endto-end horizontal relation when said table is in said open position and in substantially vertical and parallel relation when said table is in said folded position, a lock bar having one end pivotally connected to the underside of each of said table top sections between said center leg support and said end leg supports, a cross brace for said center leg support, each of said lock bars being pivotable longitudinally of said table toward said center leg support and having a length such that the unconnected end of each of said lock bars is operable to bear against said cross brace when said table is in said open position,

.cross brace, each of said clips being adapted to partially encircle one of said lock bars.

3. A folding table as in claim 1, wherein said lock bars are connected to said table top sections on substantially the longitudinal center line of said table, whereby said lock bars provide support for the central portions of said table top sections when said table is in said open position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Vanek et a1. Aug. 18, Bolles Oct. 18, Bennett Jan. 19, Schieber Sept. 27, Schieber June 4, Mugler Aug. 25, Schieber Jan. 15, Blink Sept. 24, James Oct. 29, Foote et a1. Sept. 4,

Claims

1. A FOLDING TABLE CONVERTIBLE BETWEEN OPEN AND FOLDED POSITIONS, COMPRISING A PAIR OF END LEG SUPPORTS AND A CENTER LEG SUPPORT, A PAIR OF TABLE TOP SECTIONS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID END AND CENTER LEG SUPPORTS, SAID SUPPORTS BEING OPERABLE TO POSITION SAID TOP SECTIONS IN ENDTO-END HORIZONTAL RELATION WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID OPEN POSITION AND IN SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL AND PARALLEL RELATION WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID FOLDED POSITION, A LOCK BAR HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF EACH OF SAID TABLE TOP SECTIONS BETWEEN SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT AND SAID END LEG SUPPORTS, A CROSS BRACE FOR SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT, EACH OF SAID LOCK BARS BEING PIVOTABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID TABLE TOWARD SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT AND HAVING A LENGTH SUCH THAT THE UNCONNECTED END OF EACH OF SAID LOCK BARS IS OPERABLE TO BEAR AGAINST SAID CROSS BRACE WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID OPEN POSITION, AND CLIP MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CROSS BRACE FOR RELEASABLY ENGAGING AND HOLDING SAID LOCK BARS.