USRE19596E

USRE19596E - table leg construction

Info

Publication number: USRE19596E
Authority: US
Priority date: 1929-08-09
Publication date: 1935-06-04
Also published as: US1917916A

Description

June 4 1935. J BALEs |:r A Re. 19,596

TABLE LEG CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Aug. 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Carb TChfifitefoderu 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J E BALES EI'AL TABLE LEG CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Aug. 9, 1929 Reiuued June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES TABLE LEG CONSTRUCTION 1m E. Bales a Carl '1'. Christensen, Aurora,

111., assignors to Lyon Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Original application August 9, 1929, Serial No. 384,582. Patent No. 1,860,644, dated May 31, 1932. Divided and application June 20, 1930, Serial No. 462,607. Patent No. 1,917,916, dated July 11, 1933.

Almlication for reissue Janua y 9, 1935, Serial No. 1,026

29 Claims.

This invention relates to tables in general and particularly to tables having legs which fold beneath the top of the table. v The present invention is adivision of application Serial No. 384,582, filed August 9, 1929, now PatentNo. 1,860,644, May 31, 1932. I

The primary object of the invention is to provide a table having newand improved folding legs which are automatically locked in position when the legs are extended.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding-leg constructionior a table wherein lockim means is provided for the leg which includes a member shiitable parallel to the longitudinal axis 15 of the leg into locking engagement with the cooperative locking member on the table when the leg is pivotally swung to open position and preferablv including resilient means mounted within the leg for automatically bringing about the lockposition together with manually actuatable means ior forcibly moving the shiitable locking member out of engagement with its cooperative locking member Yet another object of the invention resides in providing a locking construction for a pivotally mounted leg of at table wherein at least the upper portion of the leg is formed hollow or is provided withan opening for housing a. locking member and for housing spring means for automatically shifting the locking member into engagement with the cooperative locking member of the table when the 1% is in unfolded condition whereby the locking manber is hidden and compactly arranged with regard to the leg structure.

Yet another object of the invention resides in providing a leg locking mechanism for a table having a pivoted leg wherein the leg member is formed of two relatively movable members, the outer member forming the housing for the inner member together with suitable latching means carried'by one of said members and normally spring-pressed into locking engagement with the cooperative locking member on the table when the leg is swung to open position, and including means manually actuatabl e to withdraw the shii'table locking means from looking engagement with the cooperative locking means,

50 Yet another object of the invention is to provide a locking construction for a table having a pivoted leg wherein the leg carries a. locking lug adapted to be normally spring pressed into locking engagement with a socket in the table and wherein the shiitable locking means is forcibly ing engagement when the leg is swung to open looking the table legs in extended position and which is provided with means for unlocking the legs when the legs are given a partial turn.

' A further object is to provide a table having a support to which the table legs are pivotally attached, said legs comprising a sleeve portion and a leg portion. Spring means are provided for urging the leg portion in one direction relative to the sleeve portion for locking the leg in extended position. Means are also provided for urging the leg in an opposite direction when the leg portion is given a partial turn.

A further object is to provide the method of making tablelegs which consists in inserting a spring having a free end leading through the spring, providinga hole in a closed end of a member through which the free end of the spring extends, compressing the spring by pulling the free end, passing fastening means through said member to maintain the spring in compression, and finally cutting the free end of the spring and restricting the spring between the fastening meansand the closed end of the member.

The objects and advantages will appear thro hout the progress of the specification.

The invention comprises in general atable having rails which are madefrom a single strip of sheet metal. The rails are bentto provide inwardly extending legs which are perpendicular to the vertical plane of the rails. These legs are arranged below the table top substantially the same distance as the thickness of the top. Corner pieces have reduced ends which fit into the open ends of the rails and are fastened thereto so that the outside of the rails will be flush with the outside of the corner pieces. The comer pieces have parallel flanges provided on their bottoms to which legs are pivotally attached. The legs comprise a sleeve portion and a leg portion received in the sleeve portion. A-spring is concealed inside of the leg portion, and fastening means extending through the flanges on the corprovided in each corner piece to receive this pin when the leg is in extended position. To fold the legs it is first necessary to give the leg portion a partial turn which wfil bring the pin out 11 engagement with the socket.

Further, our invention broadly consists in forming a locking mechanism soc the pivoted leg portion of a folding table wherein the 1128 is arranged to carry a locking umber adapted to be projected automatically and preferably by means of a spring housed within the leg, into locking engagement with a cooperative locking member onthe table, preferably formed as a socket on the underside of the tabie'm" table frame, wherein when the leg is swung to open position, the locking member wiil be automatically projected into locking engagement. In addition, our in vention includes a construction wherein the looking member. whenit moves into locking engagement with the cooperating locking member on the table, shifts parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pivoted leg when the latter is in its open position. I

Our invention further includes a construction "wherein the miftablemember is housed within 9. 'leg structure or a portion of the leg structure whereby the looking mechanism is rendered sub-,

stantiaily In addition, our construction includes manually actuatable means for rorcibl'y retraetingthe shifteble locking mechanism from engagement with its cooperative lockin mechanism and the prei'erred embodiment of such a muddy slnftable mocking contraction includes a provision for a turning 'er rotatlve movement of a portion of the table leg itself in acoomplishmg this.

lected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. l is a detail perspective view of proved table; 1 1

Fig. 2 isa detail sectional view onthe line 2-4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a'detail bottom view? Fig.4 is a detail perspeetwe view of an inside corner as indicated byline l-l'o! Fig. 3;

i'igj is adetail sectional view on the line H Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is'adetall seetiormil view onthe iine 6- 6 of Fig. showing the'leginlccked position; g Fig. 7 isaslmflarvlew showing the coded or mflocked'position.

Fig. 8 "is a detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5. H v s Referring "to the 1U designates gena'tabie rails H, which are fastened leg in re- 4 to corner pieces 12. Legs 18 are plvotally connected-to thecomer pieces 1! and a. top is recessed between lentils and supported by the rails and the comer pieces.

flier-ails H, mg. 8, are made from a single mipofsheetmetal-andbenttom'ovide the'top and bottom and I! and the sides I1 and I8 respectively. fire l'reeedg'es and 20 extend mal vertical plane of the rail. Screws or other fastening means 2| extend through the free edges or legs I! and 20 and engage the top H.

The comm pieces l2, .5. have romiled outer edges 2! and are recessed at 23 to provide the reduced legs or flanges 2|. These reduced legs flt into the end of the rails and are fastened thereto by means of bolts or other fastening means 25. The bolts 25 have an ornamental front faceand ane provided with teeth 25, Fig. 8,

and force the metal of the rails as indicated at.

25" into a corresponding depression formed in the legs-crflangesfl of the corner member. When the nut on the bolt 25 is tightened the sides l1 and :l. m the rails are forced against the face of tlie'leg or flange M causing the outer face of the side llhfthe rails to seat in the reduced portion of the corner piece and be substantially flush the outside thereof. These corner pieceshave an inwardly extendingflange 26, Figs. 6 and '7, which is located beiow the top edge 21 of {the corner pieces a distanoesubstantielly equal to the thickness of the top H. These flanges have their top edges substantially flush with the top of the edges or legs is or the rails 14. The

top H which may be of laminated constructim has a decorative leather-or other similar covering which is arranged between the rails and comer-pieces and by the legs 19 and and thees I6 of the earner 20 of the rails pieces. i

The table top construction and the manner of forming the rails and other construction relating to the table top 'is disclosed and claimed in the afomsaidcopending application and ismerely insorted herein for-"the purpose of describing the manner in which the particularleg construction herein disclosed and claimed may be connectedto thehlr'letop.*

By reference to the drawings it will be seen that the legs 13, Figs. 4 to, each include or are made up of a." hollow, elongated member or sleeve and a leg portion proper II, the upper portion of which telescopes and is housed by the outer sleeve '80. A separate fitting or other member 82, Figs. 5 and 6, is provided with a closed top '33, Fig. '7. Thls fitting 32 is securely Id by any appropriate means to the leg portion II and a eofled expansion spring 3!, Fig. 6. Thesprlng has a straight free end I! which is integral with the bottom coil of the spring and returns upwardly through thecenter of the spring; The spring is locsted'in position by dropping it into the bottom of the leg when the leg is in irrvfertedpositlony The free end 35 extends through a hole 38 provided in the top 33 01' the member :1. The hole 36 maybe countersunk at 31 to facilitate the straight free end 35 of the spring in finding thehole 36. The corner members" hnveintegral spaced arms". Fig. 5, Eformed on the bottom thereof and haveoppositely alined circular holes 39, Fig. 5. The sleeve 30 is also provided with oppositely alined circular holes 40, while the fitting 32 is provided with diagonal slots H. The legs l3 are mounted between the arms 88 and pivoted thereto .by I

- 33 of the fitting 32 and is adapted to engage a corresponding member preferably a thes locket. provided in the flange 26 of the corner members of the table top.

The'spring 34 is confined between the top 33 of the member 82 and the bolt 42 and normally urges the pin 43 into its socket or seat 44. This pin and socket engagement is caused by the spring urging the leg portion upwardly toward the top of the leg, movement of the leg portion being limited bythe length of the diagonal slots 4i. -When the spring is arranged in the upper end of the leg with its free end 35 extending through the hole 16, tension is applied to the spring by pulling the free end '36 to contract the spring. The leg is then arranged'between the arms 38, and the bolt 42 is inserted in place, after which the free projecting end of the spring is cut 03. It is understood, of course, that the legs are pivoted in place and the end of the spring cut oil before the table top is fastened in position. In order to release the pin 43 from its socket 44 the leg portion 8| is given a partial causing the leg portion to move'back into the sleeve due the engagement of the diagonal slots with the bolt 42. when the leg is released ng again causes the leg portion to attain n "position, movement of the leg portion 'being'iimited bythe vertical length of the diagohal slots. The leg is thereby always in position to be readily locked when it is in extended position, and is quickly unlocked by giving the leg portion II a partial tum.

A stop or shoulder 45, Fig. 4, is formed between the arms 38 and engages a part of the leg whenthe leg is in extended position to limit the movement thereof and to provide a bearing sur- "fao'e for steadyins the leg when it is in extended "pos'ltloii. -"The stop is properly spaced with refeior'we to the'pln and socket so that when the pin-is in the socket there will be no chance of the sleeve to swing about its pivot. The pin 43 and the socket 44 may be provided with beveled sides, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and '7, to permit free locking and unlocking engagement. Further, it will be noted that if the leg is swung outwardly to unfolded position without first manually rotating it to withdraw the projection 43 downwardly into the housing 30 against the action of spring 34.- the projection 43 wil be engaged byfiange 28 as it approaches the opening 44 and be'automatically moved downwardly causing leg rotation against the compressing action of the spring until the projection reaches the opening 44, whereupon it will snap upwardly into position. That is, the locking action is automatic, the arrangement of parts 43 and shaping of v flange 24 being such that the flange aids in movthe projection and rotating the leg against a the action of the spring and inthereby guiding it into positon within opening 44.

' It is understood, of course, that the sleeve so may be made polygonal instead of circular, as shown, and that the entire upper end of the leg 'may fit into a corresponding socket instead of usingth'e smaller conical pin 43 engageable with the smalier'socket 44.

The legs are provided with a decorative portion 48, Figs. 1 and 2, such as fluting or knurling,

I to'decorate the legs and make thetable more at- 1 tractivehnd also to increase the firmness of the grip of the operator on the table leg to bring the pin '43 61ft of engagement with its socket.

' The ihventionprovides a table leg which is strohgand durable in construction, which is -'eilieient in operation, and which can be readily and economically manufactured. autostructed of relatively few and simple parts.

Changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts and the various steps in the method may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims. I

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. 'A table comprising a leg, means on said leg engageable with a part of said table, means for normally urging the leg lengthwise, and means for bringing said first named means out of engagement with said part of said table and against the urging action when said leg is manually rotated a predetermined distance about its longitudinal axis.

2. A table comprising a pivoted leg, means including a spring for automatically locking said leg in extended position, and means for unlocking said leg against the tension of the spring upon turning movement of said leg about its longitudinal axis.

3. A table comprising a leg having a member thereon, spring means for normally urging said member outwardly, and means to cause rotative movement of the leg to produce longitudinal movement thereof.

4. A table comprising a socket member, a fold- 8 kg, means on said leg and engageable with said socket member when it is in extended position, means for urging said means toward the socket when the leg is extended, and means act ing against the urging action of said last named means and withdrawing said first named means out of engagement with said socket member when the leg is twisted manually.

5. A table comprising a support, a leg pivoted to said support, spring controlled means for locking said leg in extended position, and means for unlocking said leg during axial-turning movement of said leg.

6. A table comprising a support, a leg connected 7. A table comprising a leg, a spring-pressed part extending from said leg, means engageable with'said part when the leg is in extended position, and means for withdrawing said part out'of engagement with said first named means when said leg is given a part turn axially.

8. A table comprising a frame, a leg support on said frame, a leg pivoted to'said support, interengaging means on said support and leg when said leg is extended, means to limit the extending movement of said leg,'and means for preventing engagement of said interengaging means when said leg is given a part turn axially.

9. In a table, a support, a leg comprising a sleeve portion and a main leg portion, pivot means passing through said leg and sleeve portion, a spring in said leg portion and confined between the top of said leg portion and said pivot means for normally urging said leg portion into saidsleeve, "means for movlnasaid leg portions mdetarmined distance out run mid sleeve portion when said leg poztionisgiven a pasta-urn.

10. In a table, a supprmt. a leg pivoted thereto and comprising a sleeve portion and s les portion, said sleeve portion having round holes and said leg por'don'hsvmg diagonal holesriastenins means through said support and all of said holes, a, spring in said leg portion and engaging the fastening means for normally iurging said leg portion in one direction, said leg being movable vertically by limited rotation thereof. 7

11. A table having a support, a leg pivoted to said support and comprising a sleeve portion and a leg portion telescoping with said sleeve portion, fastening means through said support, leg and sleeve portions, a. socket member, meanstor causing sad leg portion to seat in said socket member when extended, and meansfor unseating saidileg portion from said socket member by turning said leg portion. I

12. The method oifastening a member having a closed end'to a second member andproviding spring tension therebetween which consists in inserting a spring in-the first member, providing a free end on said spring, returning the free end through the coils of said spring, providing a hole in the closed end, extendlm the free end through the hole, compressing said spring by pulling on said free end, passing mtening means through both of said members near the end of said spring away iromsaidclosed end, and finally cutting the free end of said spring and restricting said spring between the fastening means. and :the closed end.

13. The method oi confining springs in a memher having a closed end which consists inproviding a spring having a long returned end, providlng a hole insaid closed end through which the free and extends, compressing said spring by pulling on said free end, then passing means through said member to. restrict said springbotween the closed end and the last and finally cutting oil that part of thespring end which projects beyond ftheclosed end or said member.

14. A table having a support, a sleeve pivoted to said support, a leg operatively connected to said sleeve, and means for urging said leg longitudinally relative to said sleeve.

15. A table having a support, a sleeve pivoted to said support, a leg operatively connected to said sleeve, means for urging said leglengthwise relative to said sleeve, and means cooperating with the sleeve and leg for moving the leg inwardly relative to said sleeve when rotational moveme'nt .is applied to said leg.

16. A table having a support, a sleeve pivoted to said support, a legoperativelyeonnected to said sleeve, means !or urging said leg. lengthwise relative to said sleeve, meam cooperating with the sleeve and leg for moving the leg inwardly relative to said sleeve-when rotational movement is applied to said leg. and complementary means on saidsupport and sleeve and engageable when the leg is in extended'position:

1'1. A table having a supports sleeve, a leg telescoping with saidsleeve, said leg and sleeve having alinedholes, a pivot member passing through said holes in the sleeve and legyand pivotally connectingsaid sleeve and leg to said support, and means for permitting telmcopic action between said sleeveand leg.

'18. A table having asnpport, a sleeve, a leg ing with said sleeuemivot tormentin: said shone Mirifld support. saidleg lidng provided with oppositely so; diagonal slots through whaehdhe pivot member extends, and spring means engaging the pivot member and urging-the leg lengthwise relative to said sleeve whereby rotational movement applied to said leg will telescope the leg within the sleeve.

19. In a table, a support, a sleeve, alined holes in said support and sleeve, a pivot pin extending throughsaid alined holes for pivoting the sleeve to the support, a leg telescoping with said sleeve, said leg being provided with oppositely disposed inclined slots through which the pivot pin extends, and springmeans engaging the leg and the pivot pinand tending tourge the leg from said sleeve whereby rotationalzmovement imparted to said leg will retract the. leg into the sleeve a predetermined distance. p

20. A table comprising a leg, means pivotally, rotatively, and slidingly mounting the legrelative tothe table, and interengaging means hetweenthe table and leg, said interengaging means being disengaged when turning movement is-applied to the leg whereby said leg will be moved longitudinally.

21. A table comprising a leg connected thereto for pivotal and longitudinal rotational movement, means on said leg engageable with a part of said table, means to urge the leg lengthwise of its connection and acting againstsaid last named means, and means to cause said rotational movement to produce longitudinal movement of the leg.

22. A table comprising .a top having a locking mcmber,'sup port means comprising a plurality of substantially co-axially arrangedmembers associated'tor relative longitudinal movement, one of I said members having a locking portion adapted 'toengage the locking member or the table top,

resilient means for normally urging said portion into locking engagement with said cooperative locking member, oneof said members being hollow and forming a housing for said resilient meanaand manually actuated means for shitting said shittable locking portion against the action of said resilient means.

23; A table comprising a top having a locking socket on its underside, means forsupporting the table top including a hollow elongated sheet metal member pivoted to the underside of the table top 5 to swing from a folded position adjacent the underside of the table to an erected position at right angles tothe top, said supporting means including an elongated lockingmember shii'table in a direction longitudinally of and within said elongated sheet metal member into said locking socket to-lock said supporting means inerected position,.-and spring means housed within said hollow elongated sheet metal member for normally urging said locking member along its own longitudinal axis into :locklng position with re- "spect tosaid socket.

and movable longitudinally with respect thereto,

resilient means for so moving the projection into the top locking socket as the support member is moved to said angular position, and stop means for limiting the movement of the locking projection to-the support member.

25. A table comprising a top, a support member movable with respect to the top from a position substantially in the plane oi. the top to a position at a substantial angle with respect thereto, a locking socket in the top, a locking projection carried by the support member and movable axially with respect thereto, resilient means for so moving the projection into the top locking socket as the support member is moved to said angular position, and manually operable cam means for withdrawing the projection from the locking socket against the action 01' the resilient means.

26. A table comprising a top, a support memher movable with respect to the top from a position substantially in the plane of the top to a position at a substantial angle with respect thereto, a locking socket in the top, a locking projection carried by the support member and movable an axially with respect thereto, resilient means for so moving the projection into the top locking socket as the support member is moved to said angular position, and manually operable rotatable cam means for withdrawing the projection from the locking socket against the action of the resilient means. 27. A table comprising a top, an elongated hollow support member movable with respect to the top from a position substantially in the plane 5 3471!! the top to a. position at a substantial angle the projection through the longitudinal end of the support member into the top locking socket as the support member is moved to said angular position.

28. A table comprising a top, an elongated hol- 5 low support member movable with respect to the top from a position substantially in the plane of the top to a position at a substantial angle with respect thereto, a locking socketin the top, a locking projection carried by the support member within the longitudinal limits thereof and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, and an elongated coil compression spring longitudinally mounted within the support member along the line of movement of the locking projection for moving the projection through the longitudinal end of the support member into the top locking socket as the support member is moved to said angular position.

29. A table comprising a top, a support member pivotally movable with respect to the top from a position substantially in the plane of the top to a position at a substantial angle with respect thereto, a locking socket in the top, a locking JAMES E. BALES. CARL T. CHRISTENSEN.