US974340A - Extension-shelf for writing-tables. - Google Patents

Description

J. F. BEBB.

EXTENSION SHELF FOR WRITING TABLES.

APPLICATION-FILED our. 1a, 1909.

' 974,340. Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

Ar" y W W a A? UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 1

JOHN F. BEIBB, OF NEVADA, IOWA.

EXTENSION-SHELF FOR WRITING-TABLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 18, 1909.

Patented Nov. 1, 1910. Serial No. 523,128.

vada, in the county of Story and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Extension-Shelf for Writing-Tables, of which the following is a s ccification.

My invention is especia ly adapted for use in connection with writing tables of the kind used in hotels and public places such as are ordinarily used by the traveling public who must. frequently have ready access to suit cases, grips and the like when using the writing desk.

The object of my invention is to provide an extension shelf of simple, durable and inexpensive construction that, when in its folded position, will not project beyond the side of the table nor will it restrict the space under the table for the users legs, and also to provide an extension shelf that may be readily and easily moved to extended position, and when in said position will support a suit case or gri in position where the contents thereof wi 1 be readily accessible to a person seated at the desk, and also to provide a shelf of this kind that will be normally retained in its folded position without the use of latches or fastening devices.

My invention consists in certain details, in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a desk having two of my improved extension shelves applied thereto, one being in folded position and the other being in an extended position, and Fig. 2 shows a vertical, central, longitudinal, sectional view of a table provided with two of my improved shelves, one being shown extended and the other folded.

Referrin to the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate a table top of the kind ordinarily used in writing tables and provided with a transverse upright partition 11 at its central portion to divide the table into two parts for use by two persons seated at opposite ends of the table. At the corners of the table are the supporting le s 12, and at the central portion of the table at the sides thereof are the downwardly extending shelf supporting members 13 fixed to the table top. At the sides of the table below the top are the longitudinal strips 14 which are set in slightly from the adjacent edge of the table top.

Each of the extension shelves comprises two main side pieces 15 connected by means of the cross slats 16. These side pieces 15 are pivotally connected to one of the adjacent legs 12 and the support 13 by means of a rod 17. At the free ends of the side pieces 15 are the extensions 18 which are of approximately half the thickness of the side pieces proper. The parts are so arranged in proportion that when the side pieces 15 are in their folded positions, the said extensions 18 will engage and rest against the adjacent strip 14 and the said upper ends of the side pieces 15 will incline inwardly a slight distance toward the longitudinal center of the table to thereby hold the shelf in its folded position by gravity.

Attached to the free ends of the side pieces 15 is a rod 19 havin a handle 20 whereby it may be readily an easily grasped by an operator for the purpose of moving the side pieces 15 to their extended ositions. The said side ieces 15 also exten a considerable distance elow the pivotin rod 17, and I have provided means whereby the side pieces 15 will be rigidly held in a horizontal position as follows: Secured to the leg 12 and the support 13 are two blocks 21 in position to be engaged by the lower ends of the side pieces 15 when said side pieces are in a horizontal position to thereby limit the downward movement of the outer ends of said side pieces.

It is desirable that the extension shelf, when in position for use, will be only a comparatively short distance below the table to hence in order to provide a shelf of su cient width, it is necessary that this shelf of itself be capable of folding so that it may be contained, when folded in the space between its pivotal point, on the top of the table. For this purpose I have provided two extension side pieces 22, each having its inner end at 23 shaped to fit against the extension 18 and hinges 24 which are rovided to connect the parts 23 with the si e pieces 15. By this arrangement it is obvious that the side pieces 22 will be supported not only by the lnngcs 24 but by the extensions 18 so that when in a horizontal position the side pieces 22 will be firmly held against downward movement at their outer ends. These side pieces are connected by means of the cross slats 25 which are uniform in size and shape with the cross slats 16. The said side pieces are of such a length that the operator may first grasp the cross pieces 25 and fold the side pieces 22 back over the slats 16 and then the side pieces 15 may be folded upwardly so that the extensions 18 thereof will engage the strip 1 1.

In practical operation, it is obvious that my improvement may be readily, quickly and easily applied to an ordinary writing table by simply securing to it the rods 17 and the stop blocks 21. When the extension shelf is in its folded position, it is obvious that it does not project beyond the side of the table nor does it extend inwardly beyond the legs of the table so that when in its folded position it will not interfere or be in the road of the legs of the person using the table. By having the shelf made of two parts, one of which folds over the other, the pivotal point of the shelf may be quite close to the top of the table so that the articles placed thereon will be readily accessible to the person seated at the table. Obviously the device may be extended for use by simply grasping the handle, 20 and pulling it outwardly, and then unfolding the outer portion of the shelf to the position shown at the left in Fig. 1, and the shelf may be folded up by first doubling the outer part of it over the inner part and then swinging the inner part upwardly to position past a dead center where the extensions 18 will engage the side strip 1 1 of the table; hence, no latches or other fastening devices are neces sary for supporting the extension shelf in either position, and no part of the shelf extends downwardly toward the floor where it might interfere with sweeping the floor.

I claim as my invention 1. A device of the class described, comprising a table, an extension shelf comprising two arms pivotally supported below the table top and capable of swinging upwardly to a vertical position below the table top, said arms each havingan extension at the position overlapping the first mentioned arms and of folding under the table top, and

means for limiting the downward movementof the first mentioned arms when in their extended positions, for the purposes stated.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a table having a strip extending longitudinally thereof at one side below the table top and spaced apart from the edge of the table top, a supporting piece fixed to the table top and extended downwardly at a point midway between the ends of the legs, two extension shelves, each comprising two arms, one pivoted to one of the legs of the table and the other pivoted to said support, stop blocks secured to said leg in said support to be engaged by said arm to hold them in horizontal position, the outer ends of said arms beingprovided with projecting portions so arranged as to engage the side strip of the table top when the said arms are swung upwardly pasta dead center, two auxiliary arms having extensions at the inner ends of the aforesaid arms, hinges arranged at the ends of said extensions on the auxiliary arms and connected to the first mentioned arms, cross slats connecting said auxiliary arms, and a rod connected to the first mentioned arms, and provided with a handle, substantially as, and for the purposes stated.

Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 9, 1909.

JOHN F. BEBB.

l/Vitnesses:

E. F. BRIGGS, J. A. MILLs.

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