US2536366A - Folding extension table sectional top - Google Patents

Description

1951 G. H. HARRIS E TAL 2,536,365

FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE SECTIONAL TOP Filed May 28, 1946 4 Sheets-Shet i FIGJ.

G. H. HARRIS ET AL FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE SECTIONAL TOP Jan. 2, 1951 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1946 ||I r v II I. III 1 I 1 l HMHHHHH .H

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Jan. 2, 1951 G. H. HARRI S ET AL 2,536,366

FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE SECTIONAL TOP Filed May 28, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 G- H. HARRIS ET AL FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE SECTIONAL TOP Jan. 2, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 28, 1946 I Patented Jan. 2, 1951 FOLDING EXTENSION TABLE SECTIO NAL TOP George Henry Harris and Cyril Ronald Riley, Walsall, England, assignors, by mesne assign ments, to Makmoroom Limited, Walsall, England Application May 28, 1946, Serial No. 672,836 In Great Britain June 22, 1945 Q CIairns. 1

This invention has reference to tables, and, more particularly, to tables for use in caravans and other temporary or permanent living quar ters where space is restricted.

The principal object of the invention is to pro vide a table which, when not in use, is capable ofb ing collapsed and stowed away in a minimum of space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table which may be colapsed easily and quickly from its extended or in-use position to a col lapsed or out-of-use position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table top which may be swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that, when not in use, it occupies a minimum of floorspace.

A further object of this invention is to provide a table top which may be stowed away in a box or container when in its out-of-use position.

These and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings.

In the said drawings:

Figure l is a front elevation of the box in which the table top is stowed.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the table top in its horizontal position projecting through the front of the box.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, the panels of the box having been removed to expose the stowed table top.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, similar to Figure 4, the box having been removed.

Figure 7 is a side elevation showing the table top fully extended, the side panel of the box having been removed.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the extended table top showing the inner faces of one of two cantilever and telescopic top-supporting arms.

Figure 9 is a perspective view, on a still larger scale, and partly broken away, to show the construction of the telescopic cantilever arms.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are enlarged scale sections through one of the telescopic cantilever arms along the lines AA, BB and C-C, Figure 8, respectively.

Figure 13 is a detailed perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the upper ends of one of the slotted uprights.

Figure 14 is an enlarged scale plan of a porall is located wholly below the intermediate leaf 7 3 when the table top is folded or collapsed. To permit the folding or collapsing operation, the rear edge of the intermediate leaf 3 is hingedly connected to the forward upper edge of the rear leaf 2 and means, as hereinafter described, may

\ be provided below the tabie top for raising the forward edge of the said intermediate leaf 3mechanically.

When it is not desired to use the table, it may be folded or collapsed as above described and then tilted upwardly about its rear end and lowered into, and enclosed within, a box or cupboard i. i The said box or cupboard 4 is anchored rigidly position so that it is adapted to support the table top in cantilever fashion, even when the said top is fully extended. Preferably, the box is anchored against a vertical wall or similar surface or in a recess or a cove in a vertical wall. The box 4 comprises a framework built up from vertical members 5 arranged one at each of its four corners, front horizontal members 6, rear horizontal members i and side horizontal members 23, the said members preferably being composed of channel section metal strip. This frameworkis covered or clothed by two front panels 5 and if}, side panels H, top panels 52 and i3, and, if desired, by a back panel Ii and bottom panel l5.

To enabie the folded or collapsed table top to be tilted and lowered and raised easily into and out of the box, the forward top panel 2 is hingedly connected to the rear top panel it and the upper front panel 9 is hingedly connected to the lower front panel It) so that the said panels 52 and 9 can be swung to the positions shown in chaindotted lines in Figure 2. When the table top is in use. or is ready for use, the panel 52, is pro?- erably closed, whereas the panel 5! remains in its open position, as shown in Figure 3.

The table top is anchored to and above a pair of telescopic cantilever arms [6, each of which is provided laterally with a track roller l1 rotatably mounted upon a horizontal pin l3 fixed to the outside of this complementary arm l3 adjacent the rear end of the latter. These rollers I? engage in vertical slots l3 formed in uprights 23 fixed inside the box 4 in opposite corners of the front of the said box. Each slot l9 terminates at its upper end in a bayonet slot 2| and at its lower end in a bayonet slot 22 for securing and retaining the complementary rollers ll and retaining or looking the table top in its raised or lowered position, respectively.

A cam plate 23 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured near opposite ends of the uppermost front horizontal member 3 and in the same vertical planes as the cantilever arms l3 to assist the disengagement of the rollers ll from the bayonet slots 2| and 22 at the commencement of the operations of lowering and raising the table top into and out of the box 4. The said raising operation is further assisted by two coiled tension springs 24, which are anchored between an angle section bracing bar 25, connected to and extending transversely between the rear ends of the cantilever arms l3 and vertical channelled brackets 26 fixed to and extending between the horizontal front members 3 of the framework.

The table top is most readily manipulated during the raising, lowering, tilting, extending and collapsing operations either by a transverse rodlike handle 2? and/or a transverse bracing board 28 which are fixed to and extends transversely of the forward ends of the cantilever arms l6. Preferably, the board 23 is also connected to the underside of the front table-top leaf To enable the said front leaf to be moved automatically into the same horizontal plane as the intermediate leaf 3, when the table top is extended, and into a horizontal position below the said intermediate leaf 3 when the table top is folded or collapsed, the cantilever arms l6 are inclined upwardly and forwardly at a small angle relatively to the plane of the table top.

When the table top is moved to its horizontal position, it is held firmly inposition by virtue of the track rollers l'i seating upon the lower edges of the bayonet slots 2| and by transverse bracing bar 25 abutting against stop plates 29 fixed to the underside of the ends of one of the rear horizontal frame members '5 (see Figures 6 and 8).

Each cantilever arm l comprises three telescopic units, namely, an outermost or fixed unit 30, an intermediate unit 3| and an innermost unit 32 (see Figures '7 and 8), and attachment brackets 33 and 49.

The fixed unit 33, which is of the greatest crosssectional dimensions, seats upon the lower flange of the attachment bracket 33, which is Z-shaped in cross section, and is welded, rivetted or otherwise permanently and rigidly secured to the inner upright face of the said-bracket 33. The rear table-top leaf 2 extends transversely above and is fixed to the upper flange of the attachment bracket 33. The said leaf 2 is at least twice the thickness of the intermediate table top leaf 3 which is hingedly connected to the upper edge of the leaf 2 so as to provide suflicient space between the upper flanges of the two brackets 33 and the underside of the intermediate leaf 3 of the table top, to receive the front leaf An angle section bracing 53 extends across the back of the box 4 to close the space between the rear edge and the leaf 2 and the stop plates 29 when the table is ready for use.

The fixed unit 33 is composed of sheet metal 4 and is somewhat C-shaped in cross-section, its back being secured to the attachment bracket 33 and its open side being arranged to face inwardly of the table top and to provide a longitudinal slot 34 (Figure into which a projection 35 (see Fig. 9) from the rear edge of the intermediate unit 3| extends.

the projection 35 so as to limit the extent to which the intermediate unit 3| can be withdrawn from the fixed unit 30.

Each of the roller-carrying pins 8 is rigidly secured to the outer face of, and. at right angles to,

a cantilever plate 33 which plate is welded to the outside of the upright portions of the attachment bracket 33.

The intermediate unit 3| is of the same shape as, but of smaller dimensions in cross-section than, the fixed unit 30, and is also arranged so that its open side faces inwardly of the table top to provide a longitudinal slot 31 which registers with the slot 34.

Rollers 38 are provided in apertures 39 (see Figures 14 and 15) in the crown and base of the intermediate unit at each end and between the ends of the said unit so as to permit of easy relative movement of the units 33, 3| and 32 during the expansion and collapsing of the table top. Each of these rollers 38 is journalled upon a pin 6-3 which extends into opposed pockets 4| in the sides of the complementary aperture 39 and is located in the plane of the said aperture by plates c2 and 43 fixed, respectively, inside and outside the intermediate unit 3| and formed with apertures'which register with the said aperture 39. The plates 3| are recessed transversely at 44 and the ends of the pin 40 are trapped between the recesses and thereby retained in position.

Theinnermost unit 32 of each cantilever arm is also of C-shape in cross section, but is disposed with its mouth located outwardly of the table,

top, that is, with its openside or slot 46 against the back of the intermediate unit 3| (see Figure 12). The forward movement of the innermost unit 32 relatively to the intermediate unit 3|, is limited by a strap 45, extending across the rearward end of the slot 46 in its open side, abutting against a stop plate 47 which is fixed 0n the inner face of the back of the intermediate unit and enters the said slot 46.

A spacing block 38 is fixed to the back of theinnermost unit 32 and extends from the forward end of said unit to a position just short of the rearward end of the said unit. The said block 48 projects through the slot 37 and is fixed to an angle-section attachment bracket 49 which extends along the entire length of the block 48. The flange of the attachment bracket 49 is located parallel to, and is screwed or otherwise fixed to, the underside of the front table top leaf I so that the latter is rigidly assembled to the innermost units 32 of the two telescopic cantilever arms I6. The bracket 49 extends a short distance rearwardly of the front leaf I so as to provide a support for the forward edge of the intermediate table top leaf 3 when the said topis extended fully (see Figure 8). I,

The stops 33 and 4'! are located at a distance rearwardly of the forward ends of their respective units 30 and 3| so that when the top is fully extended, the units 30, 3| and 32 remain socketed within one another over a substantial portion of their lengths and are thereby adapted to hold the top rigid; i i r Alternative constructions of the mechanical "means for tilting :the intermediate table top leaf 3, :so as to.:raise its forward edge above the level of the front leaf when the tableis fully excranked-end 55 is disposed horizontally below the leaf 3. *Thus, as the board 28 is grasped preparatory to sliding'the leaf I rearwardly, the end 54 'can'be turned easily to tilt the leaf 3, as shown.

The-construction shown in Figure 17 is adapted to be operated in a similar manner. The construction consists of a plate 56 which is hinged tothe lower edgeof the board 28 and is connected to an :arm Slofabell-crank lever which is journalled below the leaf 3, by a link 58. The other arm "5 d of the be'll-crank lever is disposed horizontally until such time as the plate 5% is gripped simultaneously with the gripping of the board 28 preparatory to sliding the leaf rearwardly. The plate is swung against the rear face of the said board 28 and the bell-crank lever is turned so that its arm 59 impacts and raises the forward end of the leaf 3. When the plate 56 and board 28 are released, the lever 51, 59, is automatically returned to its initial position by the weight of the saidleaf 3.

To raise the table top from the box or cupboard 4, the panels 5 and !2 are opened and the handle 27 is vpulledupwardly. This causes the undersides of the two cantilever arms 16 to pivot about the deeper lower endsof the cam plates 23 and automatically removes the rollers H from the lower bayonet slots 22, whereupon the springs 24 contract and raise the table top. The spring-driven movement, with manual assistance given by the operator by lifting the handle, enables the table top to be raised easily until the rollers l I register with the upper bayonet slots 2 l. The said table top is then pivoted a little further about the deeper ends of the cam plates 23 to take the said rollers l1 into the said slots 2! with very little effort on the part of the operator. When once the rollers are in the bayonet slots, the table top is tilted to such a degree out of the horizontal that it swings, automatically under is own weight, about the rollers I! until the bracing bar 25 seats upon the stop-plates 29. The table top is then in V the position shown in Figure 6.

The table top is then extended easily and simply by pulling .on the board 28, whereupon the front .leaf 2 slides forwardly and the telescopic units 30, 31 and 32 of the cantilever arms I6 extend and assume the position shown in Figures 7 and 8.

To stow the extended table back into the box or cupboard 4, the intermediate leaf 3 is til Led upwardly about the upper edge of the rear leaf 2 and the front leaf is slid rearwardly below the said intermediate leaf as the cantilever arms l6 are telescoped.

The handle 27 (and/or board 28) is then gripped and raised to swing the table top upwardly about the rollers I1. As the said top approaches its vertical position, the undersides of #the cantilever arms "I 6 :impact and lie ial'ong 'Lthe "ca-m plates Zii, :and the .top is swung about ithe deep ends of the said =plates to remove the rollers ll from the bayonet slots 2! and move the table top into a vertical or substantially vertioa'l position. Ihe table top is then depressed against the action of the springs 2t until the rollers ll register with the mouths of the bayonet slots 22, when a slight rearward push :swi-ngs :thetop about the cam plates .23 to move the rollers it] into the said slots 22, whereby the table :top' is retained in its lowered position. The box or cupboard 4 may then be .closedby swinging the front panel 9 upwardly about the lower panel l0.

Hav ing described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent vvis:

1. A table comprising a multileaf extensible top, parallel telescopic arms located below and in inclined relationship to the said top, the op- *posite ends of each of thesaid arms being Ifixed to different leaves of the top, a lateraliy extending stud oneach arm, the said stud being located at a distance from one end of the arm and the said arm end being arranged to project beyond the table edge, a rigid upright complementary to each arm and having a vertical slot which terminates at both ends in a bayonet slot and which is engaged by the laterally extending stud of the complementary arm, rigid abutment'means located beyond the table edge for limiting the upwards movement of the projecting arm ends when the 'top is horizontal, and a cam on each rigid .upright, the said cams being so disposed in the planes of the said telescopic arms that when the top is swung towards a vertical position, the arms impinge the cams to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the studs in and from the upper bayonet slots and, after the top has been lowered between the uprights, the engagement and disengagement of the said studs in and from the lower bayonet slots.

2. A table comprising a multileaf extensible top, parallel telescopic arms located below and in inclined relationship to the said top, each arm comprising a plurality of co-axial units which slidably engage one within the other, the outermost unit being secured to one side of a bracket fixed to the underside of one leaf of the top and having a laterally extending stud on its opposite side, and the innermost unit being secured to a bracket fixed to the underside of another leaf to the top, a rigid upright complementary to each arm and having a vertical slot therein into which the said stud projects and which terminates at each end in a bayonet slot for receiving and locating the said stud, the said stud being located at a distance from one end of the outermost unit which projects beyond the table edge, and abitment means located beyond the table edge for limiting the upwards movement of the projecting arm ends when the top is horizontal.

3. A table comprising a multileaf extensible top, parallel telescopic arms located below and in inclined relationship to the said top, each arm comprising a plurality of co-axial units which slidably engage one within the other, a bracket fixed to the underside of one leaf of the top and projecting beyond the edge of the said leaf, the outermost unit being secured to one side of the said bracket, a laterally projecting stud on the other side of the said bracket, a rigid upright, complementary to each arm, having a vertical slot which terminates at each end in a bayonet slot and into which the stud projects, rigid abutment means located beyond the table edge for limiting the projecting ends of the said bracket, and a second bracket, fixed to the underside of another leaf of the table top, to which the innermost unit of each of said telescopic arms is secured.

4. A table comprising a multileaf extensible top, parallel telescopic arms located be.ow and in inclined relationship to the said top, the opposite ends of each of the said arms being fixed to difierent leaves of the top, alateraily extending stud on each arm, the said stud being located at a distance from one end of the arm and the said end being arranged to project beyond the table edge, a skeleton framework for receiving the table top, a rigid upright, complementary to each arm, located within the said framework, each upright having a vertical slot therein which terminates at each end in a bayonet slot, each vertical slot being engaged by the stud of the complementary arm, a cross member in the said framework adapted to serve as an abutment for limiting the upwards movement of the projecting arm ends when the studs are located in the upper bayonet slots and the top is disposed horizontally, and cam plates mounted on said uprights in the planes of the said arms, for facilitating the engagement and disengagement of the said studs in and from the said bayonet slots.

5. A table comprising a multileaf extensible top, parallel telescopic arms located below and in inclined relationship to the said top, the opposite ends of the said arms being fixed to diferent leaves of the top, a laterally extending stud on each arm, the said stud being located at a distance from one end of the arm and the said end being arranged to project beyond the table edge, a skeleton framework for receiving the table top, a rigid upright, complementary to each arm, located within the said framework, each having a vertical slot therein which terminates at each end in a bayonet slot, each vertical slot being engaged by the stud of the complementary arm, a transverse member between the said projecting arm ends, a cross member in the said framework against the underside of which the said transverse member abuts when the top is horizontally disposed, and springs connected between the said transverse member and the said framework.

6. A table comprising a multileaf extensible top, parallel telescopic arms located below and in inclined relationship to the said top, each arm comprising three co-axial units, which slidably engage one within the other, the outermost unit being secured to one side of a bracket which is fixed to the underside of one leaf of the top, which projects beyond the edge of the said leaf and to the opposite side of which a cantilever plate is secured, a laterally projecting stud being provided on the said plate, the innermost unit being secured to a second bracket which is fixed to the underside of another leaf of the top, the intermediate unit being provided with rollers which abut the inside of the outermost unit and the outside of the innermost unit, means embodied in the arms for limiting the relative endwise movement of the said units, a rigid upright complementary to each arm having a vertical slot therein which terminates at both ends in a bayonet slot, the said stud being arranged to pro.- ject into the said vertical slot, and rigid abutment means so arranged that the said projecting bracket ends impinge the underside thereof when the top is horizontally disposed.

'7. A table as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the said co-axial units is of C-shape in crosssection and has a slot extending lengthwise of one wall, the slotted walls of the outermost and intermediate units being arranged in face to face contact with the slots in register and the slotted wall of the intermediate unit being arranged in face to face contact with an unslotted wall of the innermost unit, and the means for securing the said innermost unit to its supporting bracket projecting through the slots in the outermost and innermost units.

3. A table as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the said co-axial units is of C-shape in crosssection and has a slot extending lengthwise of one wall, the slotted walls of the outermost and intermediate units being arranged in face-to-face contact with the slots in register, a tongue of the intermediate unit projecting through the said registering slots and stops on the exterior of the said outermost member in the path of the said tongue for limiting the endwise movement of the intermediate unit relatively to the outermost unit.

9. A table as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the said co-axial units is or C-shape in crosssection and has a slot extending lengthwise of one wall, the slotted walls of the outermost and intermediate units being arranged in face to face contact with the slots in register, the slotted wall of the innermost units being arranged in faceto-face contact with that wall of the intermediate unit which is opposed to the slotted wall of the latter unit, a strap being provided across the slot in the innermost unit and a projection from the intermediate unit extending into the said slot in the path of the said strap for limiting the endwise movement of the innermost unit relatively to the intermediate unit.

GEORGE HENRY HARRIS. CYRIL RONALD RILEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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