US893031A - Combined table and couch. - Google Patents

Description

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATBNQMJDI JULY 14, 190s.'

, N.B.sT0NE. 1 COMBINED TABLE AND GOUGH. 'APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 12. 1906.

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V COMBINED TABLE AND (l0-UGH.

PATENTBD JULY 14, 1908.

' 2. o MLIMTIQN FILED JAN 1 19 s 4 SHBETS SHEET 3.

PATENTED JULY 14, 1908.

N. B. STONE.'-

4 SHEBTS-SHEET 4.

NATHNIEL B. STONE, OF OUTLOOK, WASHINGTON.

COMBINED TABLE AND COUCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1908.

Application filed January 12,' 1905. Serial No. 240,746.

T all 'whom it may concerm' Be it known that l, NATHANIEL B. STONE, a `citizen of the United States, residing at Outlook, in the county of Yakima and State of Washington, have` invented a new and useful Combined Table and Couch, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates particularly to improvements in articles of furniture of that type which may be employed either 'as operating tables or couches, though undoubtedly useful for other purposes vof an Vanalogous nature.

couch or sofa, and which will constitute an.

immovable support when said article is converted into an operating table.

There are two embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accom anying drawings', and described in the fo lowing specification.

ln the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of thepreferred form of structure,

showing the same as a table. Fig. 2 is a perspective view when the article of furniture is converted into a couch or sofa. Fig. 3 is a top plan .view of the structurewith the upholstered to or seat removed. Fig. 4 is a longitudina sectional view through the structure when arranged as a table. Fig. 5 is a similar view when arranged as a couch. Fig. is a cross sectional view taken on the line w of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detail sec-- tional view on an enlarged scaletaken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view through the actuating crank. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a slightly modified form of structure, the top or seat being removed. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough.

' Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-8, inclusive, a base member land a top member are employed, respectively designated as a whole by the reference numerals 11 and 12 The base member 11 consists, preferably, of a metallic frame, comprising longitudinal side bars 13, joined by spider bracing 14 and transverse brace rods 15, said side bars 13 carrying at their ends, legs or feet 16. These legs, as shown in Fig. 5, are rigidly attached to the side bars 13 by means of depending terminal portions 17, secured to the inner sides thereof and are provided with inwardly extending end portions la. The top member 12 preferably consists of a frame comprising side and end rails 18, constituting, 'in eect, a boxing the cover of which is formed by an u holstered cushion topv or seat 19, detachably fitted within said rails.

The top member is adapted to be elevated above and lowered upon the base member, and for this purpose the following mechanism is preferably provided. Standards are employed at the different corners of the structure, each standard comprising a lower section 20, and an upper section 21, the sections being hinged together, as shown at 22. The lower section is pivoted at its lower end to the inner side and contiguous to the lower end of one of the legs or feet 16, the pivot, shown at 23, preferably passing through the downturned brace terminal 17 of the side bar 13. The lower sections 20 at each end of the structure are preferably connected by tie rods 24 and said sections swing to upright position against the inwardly extending portion 16a of the legs, said portions therebyconstituting abutments. he upper sections 21 are considerablyV shorter than the lower sections and constitute, in effect, arms rigidly secured to shafts 25, journaled in the ends of the top member 12 and transversely thereof. lt will therefore be clear that, when the shafts 25 are rotated in onel direction, the sections of the standards will be brought into alinement and the top member elevated, as shown in Fig. 1, and, on the other hand, when said shafts are revolved in an opposite direction, the sections will fold together and because of the shorter sections or arms 21, when so folded, said sections will assume an upright relation, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. ln this latter position the top member is seated upon the base member and a couch or sofa is formed, as shown in Fig. 2. When elevated, the structure is converted into a table, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

For the purpose of revolving the shafts i by means of these connections, the shafts must, of necessity, revolve together and in opposite directions, and, in order to prevent lost motion, the cables are provided with turn buckles 28, whereby the proper tautness may at all times be maintained. One of the shafts, Jfurthermore, is provided with a gear wheel 29, and meshing therewith is a pinion 30, carried by a stub shaft 31, that projects through one of the side rails 18 of the top member and has feathered thereon an actuating crank 32, said crank being slidable upon said shaft. The free end of the actuating crank is provided with a handle 33, slidable transversely of said crank for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

From the above it will be seen that, when the handle crank is revolved, the shafts will be rotated, and thus the sections of the standards swung to effect the raising and lowering of the top member, the actuating means being all carried by the top member. For the purpose of securing the vertical movement only of the top member and preventing the swaying of said top member longitudinally during its raising and lowering movement, compensating braces are employed, comprising yokes 34, the terminals of which arepivoted upon the cross braces 15 of the base member, these yokes having connected to their intermediate portions links 35, which links are, in turn, journaled on crank pins 36, carried by the pulleys 26, said pulleys therefore constituting crank elements. rThe connections between the links 35 and yokes 34 are adjustable, as shown at 37, in order that proper tension may be placed upon the braces. Assuming the parts in the position shown in Fig. 4, it will be seen that crossed braces are thus provided between the base and top members which rigidly hold the "same, and, as the shafts rotate during the lowering of the table, the crank pins 36 will be turned, so that the proper strain will at all times be maintained upon these braces, and the top member will thus be held against swaying and can have only a vertical or upright path of movement.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that an easily movable couch or sofa is advantageous, b ut that an o erating table must have a firm immovabe foundation. Therefore, one of the important features of as an operating table, the

the invention relates to means for effecting these changes when the article of furniture is converted into either. In the present embodiment upright plungers 38 are employed, which are slidable in the feet or legs 16 of the base member. The lower ends of these plungers carry rollers or casters 39, adapted to be seated in recesses 40 in the lower ends oil.'Y said feet or legs so that the latter may rest lirmly upon the floor. When in such relation, the upper ends of the plungers 38 project above the base member and are adapted to be borne against by blocks 41, carried b y the side rails 18 of the top member'. Now it will be apparent that, when the top member is elevated from the base member and the article of furniture is converted into a table, the plungers 38 will slide freely through the feet or legs 16, the casters will seat themselves in the recesses 40, and consequently, said feet or legs will rest firmly upon the floor or surface su pporting the device. When, however, the top member is lowered, it will rest upon said plungers, and the doubling of the standards will draw the base member upwardly, so that the casters will rest upon the floor and. the sofa can be readily moved.

Under ordinary conditions the structure will, of course, be in the form of a sofa, and, as shown in Fig. 2, the crank arm 32 is moved inwardly and the handle 33 is moved in a similar direction, an opening being provided in the adjacent side rail to receive said handle. This is the only element of the mechanism that is exposed, and it will be apparent that the same may be placed toward the wall so that it will not be seen. When it is desired to employ the structure patient is placed upon the sofa, and the crank and handle drawn outwardly and revolved. The result is that the sections of the standards are swung into alinement, and consequently the top member is elevated. The parts are so arranged that the crank will assume a position which will permit the handle 33 being passed behind the adjacent standard, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and thus the mechanism is positively locked against movement. 'Ihe employment of short arms or sections on the shafts is important, as a more direct bearing is secured between the connections at the ends of the standards, a greater power is obtained, and, as the shorter sections revolve through nearly a half circle, a comparatiwly great elevation of the to i member can be secured with comparatively short standards and great ower.

A slight y different embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. ln

view'of the fact that the base and top members, together with the standards, shafts and braces are exactly the same as those already described, the same reference i'nlmerals have been employed in connection therewith, as

ber and abutte it is thought to-be unnecessary to practically duplicate the description already given. The difference resides in the means for actuating and effecting the simultaneous movement of the shafts 25. In this instance, the compensating brace links 35 are connected to crank elements 42, in the form of wheels ri idly attached to the shafts 25. These whee s are in the nature of worm gears, being provided with worm teeth 43. shaft 44 extends longitudinally through the top member and is provided with opposite worms 45, respectively intermeshing with the wheels 42. One end of the shaft 44 projects through the adjacent end rail of the top member and has a crank arm 46, provided with a handle 47. It will be seen that, when this crank arm is rotated in one direction or the other, the wheels 42 will be turned in opposite directions, thereby effecting the same raising or lowering movement of the top member as has been already described.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein described invention will be a parent to those skilled in the art, without 'urther description'.

Having'thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: i

1. In a convertible couch and table structure, the combination with a base member, of a top member movably associated there'- with, a standard comprising hingedly connected sections pivoted respectively to the members and movable to substantially alined upright positions to elevate the top member, a stop Cportion carried by one memagainst by one side of the standard when the sections are alined, and

means for swinging the sections into and out of alinement.

2. In a convertible couch and table strucl ture, the-combination with a base member having legs provided with inwardly extending stops or abutment portions, of a top member movably associated with the base member, standards connecting the base and top member and comprising hingedly connected sections, the lower of said sections bein pivoted at their lower ends to the inner si es of the legs and swinging against the inwardly extending abutment portions thereof, the u per sections being pivoted to the to mem er, and means carried by and movab e upon the top member for swinging the sections.

3. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, `of means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including rotatable shafts journaled on one member, and standards consisting of hing- An actuating brace Ashafts and to the other member, a crank ele-` ment carried by one of the shafts, and a brace link connected to said other member and to the crank element.

4. In an article of the class described, the

combination with base and top members, of

means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including rotatable shafts journaled on one member, one of said shafts having a crank element, a yoke having its ends connected to the opposite side portions of the other member, and a .link connecting said yoke and the crank element.

5. In an article of the class described, the combination with a base member, of a top member, a shaft journaled on one of the members, spaced standards comprisinghingedly connected sections, each of said standards having one of its sections hinged to the shaft, and the other hinged to the other member, shaft and swinging the standards, and a ivoted to the crank element and to said ot er member.

6. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means for elevating and lowering the latter, said means including swinging connections between the members, separate shafts mounted on one of the members for swinging said connections, separate crossed connections between the shafts for effecting their simultaneous movements, and means for operating the shafts.

7. In an article of the class described, the

combination with base and top members, of

means for elevating and lowering the latter, said means including swinging connections between the members, separate shafts mounted on one of the members and attached to said connections for swinging the same, separate crossed connections between the shafts for effecting their simultaneous movements, and actuating means connected to one of the shafts.

8. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means vfor elevating and lowering the latter, said means including swinging connections between the members, separate shafts mounted on one of the members for swinging said a crank element mounted on the.

connections, crossed cables connecting the shafts and extending around opposite sides thereof, Jfor simultaneously rotating them in opposite directions, and actuating means separate from the cables and connected to one of the shafts.

9. In an article of the class described, the combination with base 'and top members, of means -for elevating and lowering the latter, said means ,including shaf-ts journaled on one Yof the members, oppositely swinging connecedly connectedr sections connected to the l tions between the shafts and the other member, pulleys carried by the shafts, crossed cales connecting the pulleys, and an actuating device geared to one of the shafts.

10. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means for elevating and lowering the latter, said means including spaced shafts journaled on the top member, oppositely swinging jointed sections connected to the shafts and to the base member, pulleys secured to the shafts, crossed cables connecting the ulleys, a gear wheel secured to one of the shalfgts, and an actuating crank having a gear connection with said gear wheel.

11. In an article ofthe class described, the combination with base and top members, of means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, crossed braces connected to one member, and connections between the raising and lowering means and the braces for maintaining the latter taut when the top member is in different positions.

12. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including actuating mechanism located at the ends of one member, crossed braces connected to the ends of the other member, and connections between the actuating mechanism and the braces for maintaining the latter taut when the top member is in different positions.

13. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including rotatable actuating devices located at the ends ofone member, and braces, each connected at one end to one end portion of the other member and having a crank connection with the actuating device located at he opposite end of the first mentioned mem- 14. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including rotatable shafts journaled on one member and having crank elements, and brace links connected to the other member and to the crank elements.

15. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including rotatable shafts ournaled on one member and having crank elements, yokes having their ends connected to the opposite side portions of the other member contiguous to its ends, and links secured to said yokes and to the crank elements.

16. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of

means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including a shaft ournaled on one member and having a wheel, and a brace connected to the other member and having a crank connection with the wheel.

17. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means connecting the members for raising and lowering the top member, said means including a shaft ljournaled on one member, arms rigidly secured to the shaft, swinging connections between the said arms and the other member, a crank element carried by the shaft, and a brace pivoted to said other member and connected to the crank element.

1S. In an article of the class described, the combination with a base member, of a top member, shafts journaled on the top member, standards, each comprising sections hinged together, certain of said sections being pivoted to the base member, the others being rigidly affixed to the shafts, connections between the shafts including crank elements, and crossed braces pivoted to the base member and having connections with the crank elements.

1Q. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means for elevating and lowering the top member including folding stamlards connecting the members and comprising swinging hingedlyT connected sections, and means for moving the standards including an aetnating device that interlocks with one of the swinging sections of said standards .for holding the said moving means and top member against movement.

20. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means movable with respect to both members for elevating and lowering the top meim ber, said means including an actuating crank arm, and a handle slidably mounted on the arm and constituting with said arm a lock that engages the said movable elevating and lowering means for holding said means against movement.

21. In anl article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means for elevating the top member, said means including" a shaft journaled on one member, standards comprising hingedly eonnected sections, certain of the sections being connected to the shaft, the other sections being pivoted to the other member, means for rotating the shaft, and abrace havinga crank connection with the shaft and a pivotal connection with the said other member.

22. In an article of the class described, the combination with base and top members, of means for elevating the top member, said means including a shaft journaled on one end of one member, standards comprising hingedly connected sections,- certain of the ssaosi sections being connected to the shaft,the other sections being pivoted Ato the corresponding end of the other member, means for rotating the shaft, and a brace having acrank connection with the shaft between the standards and a pivotal connection with the other end of said other member.

23. In an article of the class described, the combination with relatively movable base and'top members, of casters carried by the base member and movable thereon into projecting relation with respect to said memer, and means operated by the other member for effecting the projection of said casters.

24. In an article of the class described, the combination with a base member, of a top member movable to aposition u on the same, casters carried by the base mem er and movable thereon into projecting relation with respect to said member, and means associated with the casters, operated by the top member, and movable upon'the base memberfor effecting the projection of said casters.

25. In an article of the class described, the combination with a base member, of a top member movable to a osition upon the same, casters carried by the ase member and movable to positions below the bottom of said member, and plungers movable on the' base member and carrying the casters, said top member being arranged to operate upon the plungers and thereby effect the projection of the casters.

26. In an article of the class described, the combination with a base member having legs, of plungers slidably mounted in the legs and projecting above the base member, casters carried bythe lower ends of the plungers and movable to positions above the lower ends of the legs, and a top member movable to a position upon the basemember, said top member being arranged to engage the upper ends of the plungers and effecting the relative movement of the base member and plungers to project the casters.`

27. In an article ofthe class described, the combination with relatively movable members, of casters carried by one member and movable thereon into projecting relation with respect to said member, means operated by the other member upon the relative movement of said members toward each other for eHecting the projectionof1 said casters, and means connecting the members for relatively moving the members towards each other and thereby effecting the projection of the casters.

28. In an article ofthe class described, the combination with a base member, of a top member movable to a position upon the base member, casters carried by the base member and movable thereon into projecting relation with respect to said member, means associated with the casters and operated by the top member when placed upon the base member for effecting the projection of such casters, and means for elevating the top member above and lowering it upon the base member, said means also effecting the relative movement ofthe members to effect the projection of the casters.

29. In an article of the class described, the combination with a base member having legs, of upright plungers slidably mounted in the legs and projecting above the base member, casters carried by the lower ends of' the plungers, a top member arranged to rest upon the base member and engage the upper ends of the plungers, and means connecting the members for elevating the top member, said means also effecting the movement of said members towards each other to effect the projection of the casters. l

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

NATHANIEL B. STONE.

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