US524056A - cummings - Google Patents

Description

(No'ModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- W. R. CUMMINGS. v

' SELF WAITING TABLE.

No. 524,056. Patented Aug. 7, 1894.

m: NORRIS vzrzas co., word-mum. msumbron, o c.

.. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WOODSON R. CUMMINGS, OF CRITZ, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO WILLIAM K. VIA,

OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 524,056, dated August 7, 1894.

Application filed January 30, 1894. Serial No. 498,502- (NO model.)

To col] whom it may concern.-

Be It known that I, WOODSON R. CUMMINGS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Critz, in the county of Patrick and State of Virglnla, haveinvented a new and usefulSelfwherein a center-piece revolves above an ordinary stationary table.

7 The objects of my invention are to provide sucha table, which by reason of its construction is capable of serving, in addition to its usual function, that of a safe or storage place for dishes, food, &;c., when said table is not in use, and thus save the necessity of carrymg dlshes and food to and from cupboards or other storage places, and have them accessible at the table. Furthermore, to provide for a convenient and safe support of a lamp; and for a brushing off of flies from the articles of food supported by the table.

With these objects in view the invention conslsts in certain features of construction hereinafter specified and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a self-waiting table embodylng my invention, the curved doors of the compartment being swung open. vertical transverse sectional view of the table. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the swiveling post.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the practice of my invention I arrange upon suitable supporting legs 1 a preferably circular table-top 2, the same-being stationary, and I connect the legs 1 by side pieces 3 and angularly disposed cross pieces 4. These cross pieces 4, together with the top 2, are provided with a central circular perforation 5, and the lower cross-piece has a nut 6 let into its upper side. Threaded in the nut 6 is an adj usting-screw '7, which may be operated by hand or by a suitable crank mechanism, as desired, This screw is provided in its upper end with a conical cavity 8.

9 designates a cylin drieal shaft which takes Fig. 2 is a into the perforation 5 of the table-top 2, and at its lower end is provided with a bearingpoint 10, which takes in the cavity of the ad- 3' l sting-screw. Above the cylindrical portion the shaft 9 is provided with a flange l1, and

above said flange is successively reduced to form rectangular portions 13, 14 and 15. Cleats 16 are secured to the opposite sides of the flange lland support a circular disk-section 17, which is provided with a central rectangular opening 18 that fits the lower rectangular portion 15 of the shaft9.

A portion of the periphery of ,the disk-section 17 is removed, forming semi-annular recesses 19, at diametrically opposite sides of which the periphery is left intact, as shown. l-linged to the opposite ends of the recesses 19 and of greater width than the recesses are curved doors 20 which are provided at intervals with knobs 21, whose shanks project through the doors and are adapted to engage removably with sockets 22 formed in the bottoms of the recesses 19.- Turn-buttons 23 are pivoted to that portion of the periphery of the disk-section left intact and are. adapted to engage overthe free ends of the doors 2O and thus lock the same against opening. The

disk-section 17 is of less diameter than the stationary table-top 2, so that a space remains upon the latter uncovered by the former and serves to support the plates and other table furnishings or articles that are located before the guests. By raising and lowering the disksection 17, which may be accomplished through the medium of the adj usting-screw 7, it will be seen that this section 17 may be made stationary and in any event the combining of the section 17 with the top 2 produces an intermediate compartment, access to which is had through the doors 21. The doors being opened the dishes and other table furnishings that are necessarily employed may be conveniently stored in the compart- -ment, so that it is unnecessary to carry them back and forth between the table and the cupboard, or other usual receptacle, whereby I save time and labor in setting the table or returning the furnishings to their places.

The rectangular portion l t of the shaft 9 is received by a corresponding opening 24 formed in a disk-section 25 which is of less diameter than the section 17 and consequently exposes sufficient surface of the latter to recelaivg the edibles with which the table is supp re The upper rectangular end 13 of the shaft 9 fits in a socket 26, which is formed in the under side of a polygonal section 27, whose diameter is less than the disk-section 25, and the several sides of this polygonal section are preferably provided with mirrors 28, by which the edibles contained on the section 25 are.

reflected, as are also the table-articles, thus improving the general effect of the table. The polygonal section 27 is preferably surmounted by a cap or crown-piece 29, from diametrically opposite sides of which there project vertical posts 30, the lower tenoned ends of which are mortised, at 3 1, in the said cap or crown-piece. Horizontal arms 32 extend in reverse directions from the upper ends of the posts and support fly-brushes 33, so that as the table revolves bringing various edibles into position the fly-brushes serve to clear the table of flies.

A series of inverted L-shaped spring prongs 34 are located upon the cap or crown-section 29, and are designed to embrace the base or bowl of a lamp, so as to secure the same against being accidentally upset and for supporting the lamp in a position where it will shed its light on all parts of the table.

As before stated the usual fixtures, such as the plates, knives, cups, saucers, &c., are designed to be supported by the table-top 2, which is stationary, while the edibles, such as meats, vegetables, &c., are supported by the rotatable sections 17 and 25, and other dishes,

' be obvious that I have provided a very handvolving being accomplished preferably by the knobs with which the doors are at intervals supplied and wherein a compartment 1s formed for the placing of the table furnishings or articles, and also such edibles as may be left over or are to be reused at the next meal. I

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a self-waiting table, the combination with the circular base and its support, of a superimposed revoluble section, the same combining with the base to produce an intermediate compartment, and a door for closing the compartment, substantially as specified.

2. In a self-waiting table, the combination with a fixed table-top and its support, of 3. revoluble section arranged above the same and combining therewith to produce an intermediate compartment, doors for the compartment, and means for raising and lowering the section, substantially as specified.

3. In a self-waiting table, the combination with a fixed table-top and its support, of a superimposed revoluble disk-section having the lower portion of its periphery removed at opposite sides of opposite diametrical points, and the remaining portions left intact, the curved doors hinged to one of those portions left intact, and fastening devices carried bythe opposite portion, substantially as specified.

4. In a self-waiting table, the combination with a fixed table-top and its support, of a superimposed revoluble disk section having the lower portion'of its periphery removed at opposite sides of opposite diametrical points, and the remaining portions left intact, the curved doors hinged to one of those portions left intact, turn-buttonsarranged on the remaining portion left intact, and the knobs arranged at intervals upon the doors and having shanks extending through the same and removably engaging sockets formed in the bottoms of the recesses in the periphery of the disk, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WOODSON. R. CUMMINGS.

Witnesses:

KING VIA, A. M. SCALES.

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