US3144182A

US3144182A - Garment folding table

Info

Publication number: US3144182A
Application number: US94024A
Authority: US
Inventors: David A Freeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-03-07
Filing date: 1961-03-07
Publication date: 1964-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-11
Also published as: GB946900A

Description

1964 D. A. FREEMAN 3,144,182

GARMENT FOLDING TABLE Filed March 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 2 64k X 16 11$ Ex l M I m l Mm lwg low Aug. 11, 1964 R E 3,144,182

GARMENT FOLDING TABLE Fil ed March 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll Aug. 11, 1964 D. A. FREEMAN 2 GARMENT FOLDING TABLE Filed March 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 D. A. FREEMAN GARMENT FOLDING TABLE Aug. 11, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 7, 1961 United States Patent M 3,144,182 GARMENT FOLDING TABLE David A. Freeman, 1550 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Ill. Filed Mar. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 94,024 8 Claims. ((Il. 223-37) The present invention relates to a garment folding table and particularly a table used by laundries and garment manufacturers for use in connection with folding shirts and similar garments after they have been pressed.

Garment folding tables in common use in both laundries and manufacturing plants have been of two general types, viz, front-folding tables and side-folding tables. Front-folding tables are short tables on which the operator lays a garment face down before her with the top of the garment extending away from her for folding the garment on the table. Side-folding tables are usually long tables. The operator stands at the side of the table and lays the garment out on the table sideways with respect to her for folding the garment.

The steps followed in the folding operations using these two types of tables vary widely, although the end result, a folded garment, is the same. It will be readily recognized also that for various reasons, some operators prefer to use side-folding tables while others prefer to use front-folding tables. It is, however, significant to note that whatever the reasons for the preferences, both types of tables are in common use.

Most shirt and similar garment finishing operations, such as laundries and garment manufacturers, employ two, three or four operators as a unit or team, of which the folding operator is one member. The duties and procedures of these operators are balanced to keep garments flowing smoothly through the unit, steadily and without a bottleneck in the finishing operation. The teams of operators are usually formed by matching the speed and ability of the operators.

If, as often happens, one operator is absent from work, a substitute must be put into the team. If the substitute happens to be at the folding table, the effect will be particularly noticeable if the substitute was trained at or prefers a type of folding table other than the one in the unit. Not only her output, but the output of all of the other operators of the team will be hampered.

Each individual operator has her own preferences and will produce faster and with better quality of work on one type of table than on another. This may be due to habit, the natural abilities of the operator or, as is usually the case, the type of equipment with which the opera tor was originally trained.

Further, many laundries and garment manufacturing establishments keep one or more extra shirt-folding tables on hand for training new operators and for training operators who had previously been trained on another type of table. Many others keep one or more spare tables of each type on hand so that substitute operators can use the type of table with which they are most efficient. This, of course, is expensive in money and space as well as time for substitution of one table for another by the maintenance crew.

The present invention obviates all of the foregoing difficulties. It permits operators to work at the type of table which best suits their abilities, training and habits. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a shirt-folding table structure which is readily conand the operator can stand alongside the table.

Patented Aug. 11, I964 vertible by simple manipulation of the table structure, from a side-folding table to a front-folding table and vice versa.

In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the table is mounted on a bearing plate assembly which has plane rotatable parts that permit rotation of the table through an angle of at least with respect to the base or pedestal at one side of which the working controls are mounted. Heretofore, such rotation of the table was not practicable since the table surface is preferably disposed at an angle to the horizontal to provide a convenient work angle for the operator.

The table is also provided with a drop leaf so that when it is used as a front-folding table, the operator can stand close to the table and reach over the entire working surface thereof. When the table is used as a sidefolding table the drop leaf may be raised so that the on tire garment can be spread onto the surface of the table In some embodiments of the invention the drop leaf is readily removable.

These and numerous other features and advantages of the present invention and embodiments thereof will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings in which each and every detail shown is fully and com pletely disclosed as a part of this specification, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a shirt folding table forming an illustrative embodiment of this invention and shown in a side-folding position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the table of FIG- URE l but shown in a front-folding position;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the table in a front-folding position;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevational view of the table in a side-folding position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmental sectional view of the table shown in FIGURE 4, viewed substantially along the line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmental sectional view of the table shown in FIGURE 4, viewed substantially along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 6, but taken at 90 with respect to FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmental sectional view of the table section shown in FIGURE 7, but viewed substantially along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the table of FIGURES 1-8 shown in a front-folding position and having parts thereof broken away to show other parts in section and in detail;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmental sectional view similar to FIGURE 6 but taken at 90 with respect to FIGURE 6 and shows another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a garment folding table forming another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the table of FIGURE 11 shown with the drop leaf removed therefrom;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmental sectional view of the table top and hinge portion of the table of FIGURE 11, viewed substantially along the line 13-13 of FIG- URE l1;

araansa FIGURE 14 is a fragmental sectional view of the hinge between the drop leaf and the table top, viewed substantially along the line 1414 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmental exploded view of a portion of the hinge section of the table top and drop leaf;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmental exploded view of a portion of the table top and the portion of the hinge at tached to the table top;

FIGURE 17 is a fragmental sectional view of the drop leaf and supporting brace therefor, viewed substantially along the line 1717 of FIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 18 is a fragmental exploded view of the drop leaf and the support therefor.

Garment folding tables embodying the present invention are of general utility for garment folding. However, as illustrative embodiments of the invention, the folding tables described herein have been described with particular reference to shirt folding as an example of the type of garment which may be folded on such tables. The tables are useful for both laundry operations where the shirt is folded after it has been washed and ironed, and for shirt manufacturing operations for folding the shirt after it has been made and pressed.

The tables are convertible to be used either as sidefolding tables, where the operator stands at the side of the table and the shirt is laid out over the length of the table with the long dimension of the shirt extending laterally of the operator in front of her, or as a frontfolding table, Where the operator stands in front of the table and spreads the shirt on the table in front with the arms of the shirt extending to both sides of her and both sides of the table.

While laundry folding operations differ Widely from shirt manufacturing folding operations, the basic operation of the table is the same in both instances. The shirt is laid face down on the table with the sleeves of the shirt extending over the respective sides of the table and with the collar and neckband overlying a collar forming mechanism within the table housing. The collar forming mechanism is then expanded to form and press the collar and neckband and to hold the collar of the shirt in a set position on the table. The button strip is then straightened and aligned with the center line of the table and the shirt is straightened and smoothed. A folding blade or plate which has an appropriate size and shape for the shirt to be folded about it, is then hingedly moved down, from an upstanding position, onto the shirt to overlie the back of the yoke portion of the shirt and a portion of the back of the shirt.

Cardboard forms are frequently employed to main tain the form of the shirt and prevent wrinkling thereof after the shirt is folded. The general practice is to fold the shirt about the form so that it is contained within the folded, finished shirt. In the folding operation the cardboard form is either placed on the back and yoke of the shirt, as is the general practice among manufacturers, or clipped to either side of the folding blade, as is the general practice among launderers. Thus, when the folding blade is brought into folding position it is superimposed on the cardboard form.

After the folding blade or plate is positioned on the shirt or cardboard form, the cuffs are positioned. One side and sleeve of the shirt are then folded over the blade to a proper position. The other side of the shirt and the other sleeve of the shirt are folded then over the blade. Thereafter, the tail of the shirt is folded over the sides and the sleeves. In shirt manufacturing operations the shirt is usually pinned, whereas in shirt laundering operations a band is usually disposed about the shirt. I

At the conclusion of the folding and pinning or banding operations the collar forming mechanism is contracted to release the neckband of the shirt. The blade or plate, with the shirt thereon, is then lifted and thereafter the shirt is removed from the blade. Bagging of the shirt may be done at any time after the shirt is folded, either before or after it is removed from the shirt folding blade.

A shirt folding table 10 embodying this invention is shown in a side-folding position in FIGURE 1 and in a front-folding position in FIGURE 2. These figures illustrate that the table 10 is convertible from one at which the operator stands at the side of the table to one at which the operator stands at the front of the table.

The table 10 has a base or pedestal 11 on which there is secured an extendable, telescoping, upright post assembly 12. A table surface member 13 covers a table housing or bed 14 which is secured to a pivot mounting and bearing assembly 15 on top of the post assembly 12.

In operation, the operator stands with the table in front of her and works on the table surface member 13. The operator spreads the shirt on the table surface member 13 with the shirt folding mechanism 16 in a raised position exposing the aperture 17 in the table surface member and through which access is provided to a collar forming and molding mechanism 18 in the housing or table bed 14. The collar of the shirt is placed on the collar forming or molding mechanism which is operated by means of mechanical linkage or pneumatic linkage controls coupled to a foot pedal 19 pivotally mounted on the pedestal 11. Pivots 20 provided on the pedestal 11 are connected by pivot bars 21 to the foot pedal 19.

After the collar molding mechanism 18 is expanded within the neckband of the shirt, the shirt folding mechanism 16 is pivoted from its upstanding position shown in FIGURE 1 to a lowered position as hown in FIGURE 2 to fold the shirt about the folding arms 22 and folding blade 23. As stated above, frequently in laundries the shirt is then banded with a paper band to hold the same in a folded condition. For this purpose, a banding well 24 is provided in the table surface member 13, substantially centrally thereof and extending laterally thereacross. The well is sufiiciently wide to accommodate the widest banding papers that might be employed by the laundry and is equipped with wooden filler strips 25 to vary the width of the well so that various widths of banding strips can be accommodated. These filler strips 25 have a thickness such that the upper surface of the strips are flush with the upper surface of the table surface member 13 and are of different widths so that they may be used in various combinations to provide the well with open spaces of different widths. The filler strips are secured in the well by screws 26 or similar fastening means.

When the table is used as a side-folding table, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, a drop-leaf table extension 27 which is hingedly secured to the table surface member 13 as at 28, is supported in its upper position level with the upper surface of the table surface member 13. For this purpose, a cylindrical hinge section or tube 27a is secured, as by welding, to the extension at one end thereof. The tube 27a is pivotally carried on a hinge pin 28a which extends between and is carried by a pair of ears 28b that extend longitudinally of the table top at the sides thereof.

The drop-leaf extension 27 is also supported by a split arm 29 pivotally secured to the underside of the extension 27, at one end of the arm, and to the table bed or housing 14, at the other end of the arm. The arm has two hinged

parts

30 and 31 which are hinged together as at 32 so that the arm may fold up to a position as shown in FIGURE 3 when the drop leaf is in a lowered position as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. A spring plate catch 33 on the part 31 of the arm 29 secured to the underside of the extension 27 is provided to catch the other part 30 of the arm 29 when the extension is lowered so as to hold the extension in a retracted, lowered position with the extreme outer end 34 of the table disposed as closely adjacent to the post assembly 12 as possible so as not to interfere with the operator when the table is used as a front-folding table.

The height of the table structure is adjustable by varying the height or length of the telescoping post assembly 12 which is shown in detail in FIGURES 6-9, inclusive. In FIGURE 8 it will be seen that the post assembly, shown in broken dashed lines, is rectangular in cross section. The precise configuration of the post assembly is not critical; it may have any desired cross-sectional configuration.

The post assembly in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, has an outer post 35 secured to the pedestal or base 11 and which telescopingly receives an inner post 36. The inner post 36 has the same cross sectional configuration as the outer post 35 but has slightly smaller dimensions so that it will slidingly fit into the outer post 35 in surface sliding engagement therewith, with the outer surface of the inner post 36 slidingly engaging the inner surface of the outer post 35. If desired, the posts may be dimensioned so that the fixed post is smaller than the movable post, with the inner surface of the movable post sliding on the outer surface of the fixed post.

The height of the post assembly is adjustable by adjusting the relative positions of the inner and

outer posts

35 and 36. Any relative position therebetween can be maintained and the posts can be clamped in any relative position thereof by a clamp assembly 37 shown in detail in FIGURES 6 and 7. The clamp includes an elongated clamping rod 33 provided with a head 39 at one end thereof and a threaded portion 40 at the other end thereof. The rod has a length greater than the transverse dimension of the outer post 35 and extends through diametrically opposed apertures 41 in the outer post 35 and through elongated vertical slots 42 in opposed side walls of the inner post 36. A hand nut 43 is threaded onto the threaded end 40 of the rod 38 outside of the post and a clamping sleeve 44 having a length substantially the same as the inside transverse dimension of the inner post 36, is disposed about the rod 38.

When the posts are set in any relative telescoping position thereof, the hand nut 43 may be tightened or threaded onto the rod 38 so that it will bear against one outer face of the outer post 35 and the head 39 will bear against the opposite outer face of the outer post 35. At the same time, the end faces of the clamping sleeve 44 will bear against the opposed inner faces of the inner post 36 so that the walls of the two post members will be clamped together. At one side the walls will be clamped between the head 3? on rod 38 and one end of the sleeve 44 while opposed walls of the two posts will be clamped between the hand nut 43 and the other end of the sleeve 4-4. Loosening of the hand nut permits adjustment of the height of the post assembly 12.

For the convenience of the operator who may be folding garments at the table, the structure is so arranged that the table top may be adjustably tilted at slight angles to the horizontal, toward the operator. When the table is in a tilted position, conversion of the table from a sidefolding table to a front-folding table requires more than merely depressing or lowering the drop-leaf extension 27. The table must be rotated so that when it is in front-folding position it will be tilted slightly toward the operator and at an acute angle to the horizontal. Pivoting or rotating the table also facilitates utilization of a single foot pedal 19 for operating the collar molding mechanism 18 within the table bed or housing 14. That is, when the table is in a side-folding position, the foot pedal 19 should be at the side of the table so that it is immediately before the operator. When the table is in a front-folding position, the foot pedal should be at the front of the machine with respect to the operator so that it will be immediately before her in that position of the table also.

Coordination of these two problems, i.e., the tilt of the table and the position of the operating pedal has been solved in accordance with the principles of this invention by the features of the pivot and bearing mechanism 15 which support the table housing 14 on the post assembly 12. The bearing mechanism is shown in detail in FIG- URES 5 to 9, inclueive. In FIGURES 6, 7 and 9 it is seen that the pivot and bearing assembly 15 includes an annular bearing plate 45 having depending flanges or ribs 46 which fit into the inner post 36 and are secured to opposite side walls thereof in a manner hereinafter described in conjunction with means for adjusting the tilt angle of the table. The bearing plate 45 has a smooth upper surface 47 and is shown in plan view in FIGURE 8. A plurality of annularly arranged locating pins 48 are secured to the plate 45 and extend upwardly therefrom symmetrically about the center of the plate 45. These pins are secured by having reduced portions 49 which extend downwardly through appropriate apertures in the plate 45. The ends of the reduced portion 49 are threaded and receive nuts 50.

An annular bearing ring 51 having a circular opening 52 in the center thereof is disposed on the bearing plate 45 coaxially and coextensively therewith. The opening 52 in the center of the ring 51 is of sufiicient size to receive the locating pins 48- and to rotate about the center of the ring and the plate. The locating pins maintain the ring in a proper position with respect to the plate and serve as guides to maintain the plate and ring coaxially arranged.

The table bed or housing 14 is secured to the bearing ring 51 by screws 53 which extend through the apertures in the ring from the underside thereof and other apertures in the bottom wall 54 of the table bed or housing 14. The heads 55 of the screws 53 are countersunk in the plate so as not to obstruct the rotating bearing surface relation of the bearing ring 51 on the bearing plate 45.

With this arrangement the table surface 13 can be rotated to any relative angular position with respect to the base of the table structure. However, it is desired to limit the movement of the table surface member 13 and the drop-leaf extension 27 to about and. provide automatic positioning stops on the table surface member in a front-folding position and in a side-folding position. To this end, the bearing ring is provided with diametrically opposed, 90, arc shaped slots 56 as shown in FIGURE 5. The upper surface of the ring 51 is recessed along the margin of the slots 56 to accommodate the heads 58 of clamp screws 59. The clamp screws 55 extend downwardly through the slots 56 and through clamp screw receiving vertical apertures in the bearing plate 45. The clamping screws are threaded at their lower ends and receive hand clamping nuts 66) which thread thereon and when tightened will clamp the bearing ring 51 to the bearing plate 45 between the head 58 of the clamping screws and the upper surface of the nuts 60. The clamping screws 59 are disposed at diametrically opposed positions on the bearing ring and the bearing plate so that when the nuts are loosened, the bearing ring may be rotated 90 on the bearing plate.

Thus, the bearing ring may be rotated clockwise 90 from the position shown therefor in FIGURE 5. The position for the bearing ring and the bearing plate in FIGURE 5 will set the table in a side-folding position as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4. When the bearing ring is rotated 90 clockwise, the table surface member will be moved 90 so that the table will be in a front-folding position as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 9.

As discussed hereinabove, when the table is in a sidefolding position it will be tilted slightly toward the operator at an acute angle to the horizontal. When the table is rotated from the side-folding position to the frontfolding position by rotating the bearing ring 51 90 with respect to the bearing plate 45, the front of the table will be slightly lower than the rear of the table to again place the table in proper position for front folding as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The tilt angle of the table can be adjusted to accommodate operators desiring slightly different working conditions of the table. To this end, flanges or ribs which depend from the bearing plate 45 are provided with a single aperture 61 at the front end thereof as seen in FIGURES 7 and 9. Rivets or pivot pins 62 extending through these apertures and appropriate apertures in the side walls of the inner post 36 secure the bearing plate 45 to the post. At the rear end of each of the ribs or flanges 46, they are provided with a plurality of apertures 63, only one of which at a time receives a locking pin 64 removably disposed in an aperture in the side walls of the inner post 36.

With this structure the tilt angle of the table may be varied by removing the pin 64 from one of the apertures 63 in each of the ribs or flanges 46, changing the angle of te bearing plate and reinserting the pin in the other of the apertures 63. The bearing plate 45 is shown in FIGURE 7 in the lowest angle position with the pin 64 being in the uppermost of the aperture 63.

In this embodiment of the invention the upper edges of the side walls of the inner post 36 are inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal so that the table surface member mounted thereon will always be tilted slightly with respect to the horizontal. Thus the upper edge of the back wall of the inner post 36 is always slightly higher than the upper edge of the front wall.

FIGURE 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as that described hereinabove in that the clamping structure 37 for the post assembly is the same and the table pivot assembly is substantially the same. Identical reference numerals are used in this embodiment for parts which are identical to the parts described hereinabove. The principal difference between this embodiment of the invention and the embodiment described above lies in the arrangement of the upper edge of the inner post 36' and the flanges or ribs 46. In this embodiment of the invention the upper edge of the side walls of the inner post 36' are horizontal so that the table can be positioned horizontally or at a slight angle with respect to the horizontal, as desired. An aperture 61' in the front edge of the rib or flange 46 receives a pivot pin or rivet 62 to secure the bearing plate 45' to the inner post 36. At the rear end thereof, the ribs or flanges 46 are enlarged to have a greater vertical dimension and the enlarged portion is provided with a plurality of transverse apertures 63 which receive movable pins 64'. The pins 64', being removable, permit tilting of the table to any desired angle between a horizontal position and the maximum angle as determined by the lowermost aperture 63 in the unchanged portion of the ribs or flanges 46.

Either of the above described arrangements may be employed for adjusting and controlling the tilt angle of the table surface member in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 11-18, inclusive, of the drawings. The embodiment of the invention shown in those figures is arranged to permit convenient and safe removal of the drop-leaf extension as well as displacing the same either in a raised position to extend the table surface member for convenient side-folding operation, or in a lowered position to provide for convenient front-folding operation.

The folding table forming this embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as the folding tables of FIGURES 1-10, inclusive, in that it is provided with a pedestal 12 which includes a base 11 and carries the same rotation control ring and plate arrangement 15 for support and movement of the table surface member 13' on the table bed 14' as described above in conjunction with FIGURES 1-10, inclusive. Also, the table surface member 13' carries a folding mechanism 16 having folding arms 22 and a folding blade 23 which overlies an access aperture 17 for a collar molding and shaping mechanism in substantially the same manner as the folding table 10 of FIGURES 1-10, inclusive.

The principal difference between this embodiment of the invention and those described above, lies in the interconnection between the table surface member 13' and the drop-leaf extension 27 In this embodiment of the invention, the front end of the table surface member 13' carries a pivot bracket and cylinder or tube assembly 70 which includes a laterally extending tube or cylinder 71 having a pair of mounting brackets 72 secured to the opposite ends thereof. The length of the tube 71 is such that the brackets can be readily secured, as by welding, to the inner surfaces of the sides of the table surface member as indicated at 73 inFIGURE 13.

The drop-leaf extension 27 is provided with a pair of ears 74 which extend longitudinally of the extension at the sides thereof and are appropriately dimensioned to overlie the exposed portion of the mounting bracket 72 for the hinge tube 71. The exposed ends of the ears 74, however, are rounded so that in any position of the drop leaf extension 27, the edge coincides with the rounded edges of the brackets 72 and the surface of the tube 70.

These parts are joined together in pivotal relation by a pair of pivot screws 75 extending inwardly of the table through apertures 76 in the ears 74 and apertures 77 in the brackets 72. Appropriately threaded nuts 78 are secured, as by welding, to the inner surface of the brackets 72 to receive the pivot screws 75. When both screws '75 are in place, the drop-leaf extension 27' is mounted at the end of the table surface member 13' in hinged relation to move between an upper extended position and a lower folded-away position. The dimensions of the tube 71 are selected so that there is only a minimum edge exposure of the top of the table surface member 13 and the top of the drop-leaf extension 27 when the drop-leaf extension is in a lowered folded-away position. When the drop-leaf extension is in a raised position, the edges abut each other to provide a smooth folding surface.

Removal of the drop-leaf extension is readily facilitated merely by removal of the two pivot screws 75. When the drop-leaf extension is removed, the operator is protected from the edge of the table surface member 13 by relatively large diameter tube 71.

To further support the drop-leaf extension and to hold the same in a raised position, this embodiment of the invention is also provided with a split arm 29 shown in FIGURES 17 and 18. The split arm 29, as described above, includes a pair of

arm sections

30 and 31 which are hingedly connected together as at 32 and hingedly secured to the outer end of the drop-leaf extension 27 and to the lower front end of the table bed 14.

The hinge connection between the arm section 31 and the drop-leaf extension 27 is effected by using a removable pin-type hinge 79 secured to the upper outer end of the arm section 31 and to the inner surface of the front edge of the extension 27' as at 80 and 81, respectively. A similar removable pin-type hinge connection 82 is provided between the lower end of the arm section 30 and the front end of the table bed 14'.

When the drop-leaf extension is removed from the table by removal of the pivot screws 75, the hinge pin for either the hinge 79 or the hinge 82 may be removed to provide a complete disconnection between the table 10 and the drop-leaf extension 27. Replacement of the drop-leaf extension 27' on the surface member 13 to form a part of the folding table 10 may be effected merely by replacing the hinge pin and the pivot screws 75. The table 10 is shown in FIGURE 12 with the drop-leaf extension removed therefrom and in FIGURE 11 with the drop-leaf extension mounted thereon. In FIGURE 11 the drop-leaf extension is shown in raised, extended position in full lines. Broken or dashed lines 83 in FIGURE 11 indicate the position of the drop-leaf extension when it is in a folded-away condition.

It will be readily observed from the foregoing that numerous modifications and variations may be effected in 9 embodiments of the present invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts and principlesof this invention.

I claim:

1. A table structure for use by an operator for folding shirts and similar garments and convertible for use by an operator either at a side of the table or at the front of the table, comprising a base, an upright post secured to said base, a second post telescopingly arranged with the upright post whereby the combined length of said posts is adjustable, means to clamp said posts together in any relative position thereof to form an upright structure of any adjustable height, a bearing plate adjustably angularly secured to said second post at the upper end thereof, a bearing ring mounted on said bearing plate for plane rotation with respect thereto through an angle of about 90, stop means to limit rotation of said ring with respect to said plate to about 90, clamp means to clamp said bearing ring to said bearing plate, a table bed mounted on said bearing ring and secured thereto, a table surface member mounted on said table bed, a collar forming mechanism disposed in said table bed under said table surface member, an aperture in said table surface member to expose said collar forming mechanism, a drop-leaf extension secured to one end of said table surface member, and a hinged lever secured to said dropleaf extension and to said table bed to support said dropleaf extension coplanar with said table surface member and to permit retraction of said drop-leaf extension, means to hold the drop-leaf extension in a retracted position, and a shirt folding mechanism mounted on said table surface member at an end thereof and adjacent to said aperture.

2. A table structure for use by an operator for folding shirts and similar garments and convertible for use by an operator either at a side of the table or at the front of the table, comprising a base, an upright post secured to said base, a second post telescopingly arranged with the upright post whereby the combined length of said posts is adjustable, means to clamp said posts together in any relative position thereof to form an upright structure of any adjustable height, a bearing plate adjustably angularly secured to said second post at the upper end thereof, a bearing ring mounted on said bearing plate for planar rotation with respect thereto through an angle of about 90, clamp means to clamp said bearing ring to said bearing plate, a table bed mounted on said bearing ring and secured thereto, a table surface member mounted on said table bed, a drop-leaf extension secured to one end of said table surface member, and a hinged lever secured to said drop-leaf extension and to said table bed to support said drop-leaf extension coplanar with said table surface member and to permit retraction of said drop-leaf extension, and means to hold the drop-leaf extension in a retracted position.

3. A table structure for use by an operator for folding shirts and similar garments and convertible for use by an operator either at a side of the table or at the front of the table, comprising a base, an upright post secured to said base, a second post telescopingly arranged with the upright post whereby the combined length of said posts is adjustable, means to clamp said posts together in any relative position thereof to form an upright structure of any adjustable height, a bearing plate secured to said second post at the upper end thereof, a bearing ring mounted on said bearing plate for planar rotation With respect thereto, a table surface member mounted on said bearing ring, a drop-leaf extension secured to one end of said table surface member, and a hinged lever secured to said drop-leaf extension and to said table bed to support said drop-leaf extension coplanar With said table surface member and to permit retraction of said drop-leaf extension, and means to hold the drop-leaf extension in a retracted position.

4. A table structure for use by an operator for folding shirts and similar garments and convertible for use by an operator either at a side of the table or at the front of the table, comprising a base, an upright post secured to said base, a second post telescopingly arranged with the upright post whereby the combined length of said posts is adjustable, means to clamp said posts totogether in any relative position thereof to form an upright structure of any adjustable height, a bearing plate secured to said second post at the upper end thereof, a bearing ring mounted on said bearing plate for planar rotation with respect thereto, clamp means to clamp said bearing ring to said bearing plate, means on said bearing ring cooperating with said clamp means to limit rotational movement of said bearing ring relative to said bearing plate, and a table surface member mounted on said bearing ring.

5. A folding table for use in folding and packaging shirts and similar garments, comprising a base and support structure, a table surface member, means connecting said table surface member to said base and support structure, said means including relatively movable parts for planar, substantially horizontal rotational movement of said table surface member with respect to said base and support structure, a garment folding mechanism mounted on said table surface member at one end thereof, a drop-leaf extension pivotally secured to the opposite end of said table surface member, and means for holding said table surface member tilted relative to a horizontal plane with the end on which said garment folding mechanism is mounted higher than the opposite end.

6. A folding table for use in folding and packaging shirts and similar garments, comprising a base and sup port structure, a table surface member, garment folding mechanism mounted on said table surface member, and means connecting said table surface member to said base and support structure, said means including relatively movable parts for planar, substantially horizontal rotational movement of said table surface member with respect to said base and support structure, said base and support structure including telescoping column parts and means to clamp said column parts in any adjusted position thereof to adjustably vary the height of said table surface member and to retain the same in its adjusted position.

7. A folding table for use in folding and packaging shirts and similar garments, comprising a base and sup port structure, a table surface member and means connecting said table surface member to said base and support structure, said means including an annular bearing plate secured to said base and support structure, a bearing ring secured to said table surface member, guide means to permit relative planar rotational movement of said ring and said plate Without other relative displacement thereof, and clamping means to positively hold said ring and said plate against relative rotational movement in any desired relative position thereof.

8. A garment folding table adapted to be used by an operator standing either in front of the table or at the side of the table, comprising a vertical support structure, a table surface member mounted on said support structure, a garment folding mechanism mounted on said table surface member at one end thereof, releasable means connecting said table surface member to said support structure to secure the same together at various rotational angles about the vertical axis of said support structure while maintaining said table surface member in substantially the same vertical angular relationship to the vertical axis of said support structure, and a drop-leaf extension pivotally secured to the opposite end of said table, the pivotal connection for said drop-leaf extension including removable and replaceable pivot connection elements permitting removal of said drop-leaf extension from said table surface member and replacement of the same thereon.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gilfillan June 4, 1895 Marsolais Mar. 4, 1902 Herman Jan. 30, 1923 Kent May 12 1925 Keipp Nov. 11, 1930 Frazier Dec. 16, 1930 12 Keller June 19, 1934 Moes Aug. 12, 1941 Hicks Mar. 16, 1943 Rieck Feb, 13, 1945 Zuzzi May 18, 1954 Di Censo Sept. 14, 1954 Suhajda May 3, 1955 Serto May 20, 1958

Claims

1. A TABLE STRUCTURE FOR USE BY AN OPERATOR FOR FOLDING SHIRTS AND SIMILAR GARMENTS AND CONVERTIBLE FOR USE BY AN OPERATOR EITHER AT A SIDE OF THE TABLE OR AT THE FRONT OF THE TABLE, COMPRISING A BASE, AN UPRIGHT POST SECURED TO SAID BASE, A SECOND POST TELESCOPINGLY ARRANGED WITH THE UPRIGHT POST WHEREBY THE COMBINED LENGTH OF SAID POSTS IS ADJUSTABLE, MEANS TO CLAMP SAID POSTS TOGETHER IN ANY RELATIVE POSITION THEREOF TO FORM AN UPRIGHT STRUCTURE OF ANY ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT, A BEARING PLATE ADJUSTABLY ANGULARLY SECURED TO SAID SECOND POST AT THE UPPER END THEREOF, A BEARING RING MOUNTED ON SAID BEARING PLATE FOR PLANE ROTATION WITH RESPECT THERETO THROUGH AN ANGLE OF ABOUT 90*, STOP MEANS TO LIMIT ROTATION OF SAID RING WITH RESPECT TO SAID PLATE TO ABOUT 90*, CLAMP MEANS TO CLAMP SAID BEARING RING TO SAID BEARING PLATE, A TABLE BED MOUNTED ON SAID BEARING RING AND SECURED THERETO, A TABLE SURFACE MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID TABLE BED, A COLLAR FORMING MECHANISM DISPOSED IN SAID TABLE BED UNDER SAID TABLE SURFACE MEMBER, AN APERTURE IN SAID TABLE SURFACE MEMBER TO EXPOSE SAID COLLAR FORMING MECHANISM, A DROP-LEAF EXTENSION SECURED TO ONE END OF SAID TABLE SURFACE MEMBER, AND A HINGED LEVER SECURED TO SAID DROPLEAF EXTENSION AND TO SAID TABLE BED TO SUPPORT SAID DROPLEAF EXTENSION COPLANAR WITH SAID TABLE SURFACE MEMBER AND TO PERMIT RETRACTION OF SAID DROP-LEAF EXTENSION, MEANS TO HOLD THE DROP-LEAF EXTENSION IN A RETRACTED POSITION, AND A SHIRT FOLDING MECHANISM MOUNTED ON SAID TABLE SURFACE MEMBER AT AN END THEREOF AND ADJACENT TO SAID APERTURE.