US3159114A - Mechanism for controlling movements of multiple section tables - Google Patents

Description

Dec l, 1964 D. A. HAUNos'r 3,159,114

MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING MovEMENTs oF MULTIPLE sEc'rIoN TABLES JMU@ fueZ a@ Hal/amaai y @M am *7% 7% Filed Feb. l5, 1965 Dec. 1, 1964 D. A. HAUNosT 3,159,114

MECEANTSM EOE coNTRoLLTNG MovEMENTs 0E MULTIPLE sEcTIoN TABLES lli United States Patent O 3,159,114 MECHANISM FR CONTRQLLING MOVEMENTS F MULTIPLE SECTION TABLES Daniel A. Haunost, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Midwest Folding Products Mfg. Corp., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 15, 1963, Ser. No. 258,859

v 6 Claims. 4(Cl. 10S-38) This invention is concerned with an improved folding table arrangement of the type adapted for storage within a recess provided in a Wall mounted cabinet. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a folding table having facilities engageable in vertical tracks provided at opposite sides of its mounting recess to control folding movement of the table from a coplanar, generally horizontal extended relation to a vertically overlapping side-by-side folded relation.

Tables of this general type are well known and serve an important function in multiple purpose rooms but in most instances the mechanism required for controlling table folding movement is complicated and bulky, thus making the table unduly heavy, diflicult to handle, and also making the table expensive to manufacture.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a simplified mechanism for controlling folding movement of a multiple section folding table.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simplified low-cost mechanism providing a positive mechanical connection between foldable table sections to acheive equiangular swinging movement of each section and concurrently to maintain its foldable legs oriented vertically at all positions of the table folding movement.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a light-weight positive-acting folding table arrangement that is easily movable between its folded and unfolded positions.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a folding table associated with a cabinet providing a Vertical storage recess, with the table being shown in coplanar horizontally extended unfolded position; j

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 with the table shown in elevation and with the cabinet shown recessed within a wall and sectioned to illustrate its relationship to the table;

FIG. 3 is a side view like that of FIG. 2 and illustrating the table at an intermediate position during its folding movement FIG. 4 is another side view corresponding to that of FIG. 2 and illustrating the table in fully folded nested relation within the storage recess of its mounting cabinet;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of a novel hingement structure for pivotally connecting adjacent ends of the folding table sections when the table sections are disposed in coplanar extended position; j

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to that of FIG. 5 and shows the hingement structure when the table sections are in vertically overlapping sideeby-side relation; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan View partially in section and is taken as indicated on the line 7 7 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a folding table is designated generally at 10 and is shown associated with a cabinet 11 providing a vertical storage recess 11R for receiving the table when it is in folded position. The cabinet 11 preferably is recessed within a vertical wall W of a building and it has vertical side walls providing 3,159,114 Patented Dec. l, 1964 p ICC opposed generally vertical guide tracks T for regulating the folding movement of the table 10.

The foldable table 10 includes a pair of table top sections 13 and 14 arranged for folding movement from generally horizontal coplanar extended relation as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to vertically overlapping side-by-side relation as shown in FIG. 4. A hingement designated generally at 15 pivotally connects adjacent ends of the table sections and` has direct positive engagement with a center leg structure 16 to maintain the center leg vertially and in equiangular relation with respect to both table sections during all positions of folding movement thereof.

The inner table section 13 has a support leg structure 13L pivotally mounted thereto for swinging movement about a transverse axis adjacent but spaced from the inner end thereof. The outer table section 14 correspondingly has a leg structure 14L pivotally mounted thereto for rotation about a transverse axis 14A adjacent but spaced from its outer end. A brace 13 pivotally connects from the center leg structure 16 to the leg structure 13L of the inner table section 13 and a brace 19 pivotally connects from the center leg structure 16 to the leg structure 14L of the outer table section 14.

Latching facilities are designated generally at 20 in FIG. l and are located underneath the inner end of the inner table section 13 to establish sliding engagement with the vertical tracks T provided along the sides of the cabinet 11. As is usual, a lock type actuator is provided iiush with the table surface and controls the latching facilities 20 either to project them outwardly into guided engagement with the tracks T or to retract themwhen the table l@ is to be disconnected from its cabinet 11 and moved to another location.

The lower end of each track T serves as a rest pivot for the corresponding projecting end 20E of the latching facilities Ztl. In the intermediate folded position of FIG. 3, the latch ends 20E have engaged the rest pivots and enabled the inner lap to be lifted off the ground.

In accordance with this invention, simplified hingement mechanism 15 is provided for affording positive control over the relative angular positionsiof the table sections 13 and 14 with respect to the center leg structure 16. The center leg structure 16 is at all times maintained vertically oriented and located along a line that bisects the total angle defined by the table sections 13 and 14. For this purpose the center leg structure 16 includes 4a pair of transversely spaced uprights 16U each equipped with a double hingement mechanism 15. In the preferred form, the hingement mechanisms 15 are located along the lengthwise extending marginal edges of the table. Each hingement includes a stationary bracket 21 affixed to the upper end of the corresponding upright and rotatably engaging cooperating gear segments 24 and 27. The bracket 21 as shown herein is in the form of a generally triangular plate structure having apertured corner portions projecting in opposite lengthwise directions to provide horizontal openings 22 and 23 offset lengthwise from the center line of the table. The inner table section 13 Vhas a gear segment 24 rigidly mounted at each of its outer end corner regions and provided with an opening 25 vfor alignment with the corresponding opening 22 of the bracket to receive a pivot bolt 26 Vthat connects the parts for relative swinging movement about a transverse axis defined by the bolt. Correspondingly, the outer table section 14 has a gear segment 27 rigid with each of its inner end corners and provided with an opening 2S for registery with the corresponding opening 23 of Vthe bracket, with a vpivot` bolt 29 connecting these parts for relative pivoting movement about a transverse axis defined by the bolt 29. Y

Each segment 24 on the inner table section has a set of gear teeth 24T arranged on a sector having a E circular periphery that curves about the pivot axis of the bolt 26 as its center. Correspondingly, each segment 27 on the outer table section 14- has gear teeth 27T arranged on a sector having a circular periphery curving about the pivot axis of bolt 29 as a center. The

pitch radius for the gear teeth of each segment is substantially equal and corresponds to approximately onehalf of the vdistance between the pivot axes of the bolts 26 and 29. Gear segments are not identical as the teeth 24T on the gear segment for the inner table section 13 are off-set approximately one-half the circular pitch relative to the gear teeth 27T on the cooperating gear segment of the outer table section. Y

Thus the teeth of the ysegments 24 and 27 mesh in positive engagement and interact through the bracket 21 for positively controlling folding movement of each table section relative kto the center leg structure 16 so as to maintain equal angles between each table section and the center leg structure.V

When the table sections 13 and 14 are disposed in horizontally extended relation, the center leg structure, being a bisectoris disposed vertically. The leg structures 1.3L and ML are also Vertical at this time and the braces 18 and 19 act to hold these structures parallel with thev center leg structure 16 so that all of the legs remain vertical at all positions of folding movement of the table. This affords a stable support for the table at all positions of movement and prevents the weight of the table from at any time acting to collapse the legs that support it. f i

In the tab-le arrangement disclosed herein, the adjacent ends of the table sections are spaced suiiiciently to provide a clearance space for preventing any possible damage to the fingers of persons handling the table.

The table sections 13 and 14 are of equal length to promote eflicient use of storage space and yet the leg strucyture 13L supporting the inner table section 13 is enabled to lift above the ground during folding movement of the table as provided by locating the leg structure 13L at a greater distance from the free or inner end of its table section than the distance provided between the leg structureML for the outer'table section and the free or outer end of the outer table section. Slight elevation of the leg structure 1.3L for the inner section facilitates entry of the table into its recess and assures establishing a square relationship' of the folded table within its recess. Positive mechanical support of the latch endsV E on the lower ends of the tracksT removes the weight load of the Vtable from the leg mounted wheels W which are usually of rubber and thus distort so as to impair the desired squareness of the table relative to the recess.v f

Finally, when the table is folded into fully recessed krelation within its storing cabinet, as illustrated in FIG.

4, a bolt 3i) is projected upwardly into a keeper recess' 31 provided in the roof of the cabinet 11 for retaining the table against accidental release. An operating mechanism for the bolt is designatedv generally at 32 in FIG.

l and may be controlled by a lock structure 3.3 located in flush relation with the table surface of the outer table section 14.

It shouldbe understood that the description of the preferred form of the invention is for the purpose of complying with Section 112, Title 35, of the U.S. Code and that the` appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

What is claimed is:

l. In a folding table that includes aV pair of top sections; pivot means connecting said sections for folding movement from coplanar extended relation toVside-byside overlapping relation, a first legstructure pivoted )to one ofrsaid sections in lengthwise spaced relation to said pivotrmeans, a 'second leg structure pivoted to the other section in lengthwise spaced relation to said pivot .meanaa-Ycenter leg structure connected Vto said pivot sections and mounted vtofrotate about a transverse axis through the said portion adjacentthereto, said rst segment having gear teeth along a circular periphery curving about said axis as a center and adjacent to and facing the other table section, a second segment anchored to the other table section and mounted to rotate about a transverse axis through the said portion adjacent thereto, said second segment having gear teeth along a circular periphery curving about the last-named axis as a center and adjacent to and meshing with the first-named gear teeth to maintain said table sections at equal relative angles to said center leg structure during folding movement thereof.

2. In a folding table that includes a pair of top sections; pivot means connecting said sections for folding movement from coplanar extended relation to side-byside overlapping relation, a first leg structure pivoted to one of said sections in lengthwise spaced relation to said pivot means, a second leg structure pivoted to the other section in lengthwise spaced relation to said pivot `means, a center leg structure connected to said pivot means, a first brace pivotally connected between said rst leg structure and said center leg structure, and a second brace pivotally connected between said second leg structure and said center leg structure, the improvement wherein said pivot means comprises a separate double hingement at each side of the table and each including plate structure rigid with said center leg structure and having lengthwise spaced portions underlying adjacent corner edges of said table'sections, a first segment anchored to one of said sections and mounted to rotate about a first common transverse axis through the said portion adjacent thereto, said first segment having gear teeth along a circular periphery curving about said vaxis as a center and adjacent to and facing the other table section, a second segment anchored to the other table section and mounted to rotate about a second common transverse axis through the said portion adjacent thereto, said second segment having gear teeth along a circular periphery curving about the last-named axis as a center and adjacent to and meshing with the firstnamedv gear teeth to maintain said table sections at equal relative angles to said center leg structure during folding movement thereof.

3. In a folding table transversely divided substantially midway between its ends to provide outer and inner table sections, said sections beinghinged together for folding into an inverted if-shape4 and said table including in unfoldedr position downwardly extending, pivotally connected, outer, center, and inner leg structures, the combination comprising: a lirst brace pivotally connected between said outer leg structure and said center leg structure, asecond brace pivotally connected between said lnner leg structure and said Ycenter leg structure, a plate structure rigid with said center leg structure and having lengthwise spaced portions underlying adjacent edges of said table sect-ions, a firstsegment anchored to the inner table section and mounted on said plate structure for rotation about a transverse axis through the Ysaid portion adjacent thereto, Vand a second segment anchored to the outer table section and mounted on said plate structure for rotation about a transverse axis through the said portion adjacent thereto, each segment having gearteeth on a portion of the periphery thereof that curves about the transverseaxis thereof as a center, with said gear teeth intermeshin'g to positively control folding movement of said table sections about said axes and maintain said Vcenter leg structure at equal angles relative to each table section and, by the action of said braces, to maintain said outer leg structure and said inner leg structure generally parallel to said center leg structure. Y

4. In a folding table transversely divided substantially midway between its ends to provide outer and inner table sections, said sections being hinged together` for folding into an inverted Vshape and said table including in unfolded position downwardly extending, pivotally connected, outer, center, and inner leg structures, the combination'comprising: a first brace pivotally connected between said outer leg structure and said center leg structure, a second brace pivotally connected between said inner leg structure and said center leg structure, transe versely spaced plate structures each rigid with said center leg structure and having lengthwise spaced portions underlying adjacent corner edges of said table sections, a pair of first segments each anchored to a separate lengthwiserextending marginal edge of the inner table section and mounted on the corresponding plate structure for rotation about a common transverse axis through the said plate structure portions adjacent thereto, and a pair of second segments each anchored to a separate lengthwise extending marginal edge of the outer table section and mounted on the corresponding plate structure for rotation about a common transverse axis through the said plate structure portions adjacent thereto, said segments each having gear teeth on a portion of the periphery thereof, with said gear teeth of each first segment in-y termeshing with the gear teeth of a second segment to positively control folding movement of said table sections about said axes and maintain said center leg structure at equal angles relative to each table section and, by the action of said braces, to maintain said outer leg structure and said inner leg structure generally parallel t0 said center leg structure.

5. In the combination of a folding table and a wall mounting recess having a pair of spaced, opposing, generally vertical tracks; said folding table including a pair of top sections, pivot means connecting said sections for folding movement from coplanar extended relation to side-bysside overlapping relation, a first leg structure pivoted to one of said sections in lengthwise spaced relation to saidrpivot means, a second leg structure pivoted to the other section .in lengthwise spaced relation to said pivot means, a center leg structure connected to said pivot means, a first brace pivotally connected between said irst leg structure and said center leg structure, and a second brace pivotally connected between said second leg structure and said center leg structure, the improvement wherein said pivot means comprises plate structure rigid with said center leg structure andV having lengthwise spaced portions underlying adjacent edges of said table sections, a first segment anchored to one of said sections and mounted to rotate about a transverse axis through the said portion adjacent thereto, said iirst segment having gear teeth along a circular periphery curving about said axis as a center and adjacent to and facing the other table section, a second segment anchored to the other table section and mounted to rotate about a transverse axis through the said portion adjacent thereto, said second segment having gear teeth along a circular periphery curving about the last-named axis as a center and adjacent to and facing the first-named gear teeth to mesh therewith and maintain said table sections at equal relative angles to said center leg structure during folding movement thereof, and means on one of said sections for slidable engagement with said tracks.

6. 1n the combination of a folding table and a wall mounting recess havinga pair of spaced, opposing, generally vertical tracks; said folding table including ra pair of top sections, pivoted means connecting said sections for folding vmovement from coplanar extended relation to side-by-side overlapping relation, a rst leg structure pivoted to one of said sections in lengthwise spaced relation to said pivot means, a second leg structure pivoted to the other section in lengthwise spaced relation to said pivot means, a center leg structure connected to said pivot eans, a rst brace pivotallyV connected between said first leg structure and said center leg structure, and a second brace pivotaliy connected between said second leg structure and said center leg structure, the improvement wherein said pivot means comprises a separate double hingement at each side of the table and each including plate structure rigid with said center leg structure and having lengthwise spaced portions underlying adjacent corner edges of said table section, a rst segment anchored to one of said sections and mounted to rotate about a first common transverse axis through the said portion adjacent'l thereto, said first segment having l gear teeth along a circular periphery curving about said axis as a center and adjacent to and facing the other table section, a second segment anchored to the other table section and mounted to rotate about a second common transverse axis through the said portion adjacent thereto, said second segment havinggear teeth along a circular periphery curving about the lastenamed axis as a center and adjacent to and facing the first-named gear teeth to mesh therewith and maintain said table sections at equal relative angles to said center leg structure during folding movement thereof, and means on one end of said sections for engagement with said tracks.

References Ctedrhy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 291,952 l/84 Stevens 297-*132 X 653,992 7/00 Fleck 312-l40.1 2,203,394 6/ 40 Schieber 10d-38 2,650,146 8/53 Mugler 108-38 2,699,978 1/'55 Mugler 10S-113 2,739,860 3/56 Wilson 108-113 2,777,742 1/57 Schieber 108-113 2,807,512 9/57 Blink 10S-38 2,811,400 10/57 lamer 108-38 2,831,740 4/58 Schieber 10S-113 2,909,399 10/59 Wasson et al 108-37 3,101,062 8/63 Kanzelberger 108-37 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A FOLDING TABLE THAT INCLUDES A PAIR OF TOP SECTIONS; PIVOT MEANS CONNECTING SAID SECTIONS FOR FOLDING MOVEMENT FROM COPLANAR EXTENDED RELATION TO SIDE-BYSIDE OVERLAPPING RELATION, A FIRST LEG STRUCTURE PIVOTED TO ONE OF SAID SECTIONS IN LENGTHWISE SPACED RELATION TO SAID PIVOT MEANS, A SECOND LEG STRUCTURE PIVOTED TO THE OTHER SECTION IN LENGTHWISE SPACED REALTION TO SAID PIVOT MEANS, A CENTER LEG STRUCTURE CONNECTED TO SAID PIVOT MEANS, A FIRST BRACE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID PIVOT FIRST LEG STRUCTURE AND SAID CENTER LEG STRUCTURE, AND A SECOND BRACE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID SECOND LEG STRUCTURE AND SAID CENTER LEG STRUCTURE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID PIVOT MEANS COMPRISES PLATE STRUCTURE RIGID WITH SAID CENTER LEG STRUCTURE AND HAVING LENGTHWISE SPACED PORTIONS UNDERLYING ADJACENT EDGES OF SAID TABLE SECTIONS, A FIRST SEGMENT ANCHORED TO ONE OF SAID

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