US3566816A

US3566816A - Sewing table

Info

Publication number: US3566816A
Application number: US822457A
Authority: US
Inventors: George L Zilg; Henry J Milan
Original assignee: Singer Co
Current assignee: SSMC Inc
Priority date: 1969-05-07
Filing date: 1969-05-07
Publication date: 1971-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-02
Also published as: DE7016632U; GB1265591A

Abstract

A table, preferably of plastic, having a storage well formed therein for receiving a sewing machine and including a table top insert for covering the storage well when the machine is stored therein and for covering a portion of the opening only when the machine is placed in its normal sewing position.

Description

United States Patent Inventors George L. Zilg Dunellen; Henry J. Milan, Clark, NJ. Appl. No. 822,457 Filed May 7, 1969 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 Assignee The Singer Company New York, N.Y.

SEWING TABLE 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 1l2/2l7.l, 108/14, 312/208 Int. Cl. D05b 75/00, D05b 77/00 Field of Search 108/11, 12,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,227,384 5/1917 Ca 108/13X 2,247,380 7/1941 Hohmann..... 112/217.1 2,882,111 4/1959 Jackson 3 12/2 1X Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Assistant Examiner-George l-l. Krizmanich AttorneysMarshall J. Breen, Chester A. Williams, Jr. and F.

Donald Paris ABSTRACT: A table, preferably of plastic, having a storage well formed therein for receiving a sewing machine and including a table top insert for covering the storage well when the machine is stored therein and for covering a portion of the opening only when the machine is placed in its normal sewing position.

PATENTEU'MAR znsn slseslels sum 1 OF 2 =JIIIII INVENTORS George L. Zilg BY Henry J. Milan 121M bfiM ATTORNEY SEWING TABLE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tables adapted for use with sewing machines and more particularly to a novel and improved construction for a sewing machine table for storing a sewing machine and for supporting the-machine in its normal sewing position.

The present invention provides a table, preferably made of plastic, having a machine storage well formed therein and having operably associated therewith a removable L-shaped insert adapted for placement in a selected one of two positions. When the sewing machine is stored in the storage well it is desirable to provide a cover therefor and to accomplish this end the long side of the insert is placed over the storage well. When the machine is placed inits upright normal sewing position it is desirable to having a working surface disposed rearwardly of the machine and toward this end the insert is disposed so that its short side covers the open portion of the machine storage well directly in back of the sewing machine. In either position of the insert the side thereof not being used is located within the storage well adjacent its rear wall so as to be hidden from the view of the operator.

Accordingly, it is a primary objectof this invention to provide a novel and improved table construction for use with a sewing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sewing table with a novel and improved construction which performs a desired function both when the machine is stored and in its normal sewing position. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sewing table having a machine storage well with a two-position removable insert adapted to completely cover the storage well in one position and to cover the rear portion of the storage well only when in a second position.

Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide for a plastic sewing table having a machine storage well, a unique construction for an insert for providing a cover for the storage well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having in mind the above and other objects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the invention comprises the combinations and arrangements of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiments of the invention which is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art readily to understand the functions, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a disassembled front perspective view of a sewing table having a machine storage well and a removable table top insert therefor constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 illustrating a sewing machine in its stored position and the table top insert arranged to provide a cover for the complete storage well;

FIG. 3 is like FIG. 2 illustrating the sewing machine in its normal sewing position and the table top insert arranged to cover the portion of the storage well located rearwardly of the machine only; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the table of FIG. 1 showing the machine storage well.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, the preferred form of the present invention is herein disclosed is embodied in a table 11, all of whose parts preferably are molded from a suitable plastic, having four supporting plastic legs 12 secured to the inside corners of the table in a conventional manner by means of nuts and bolts generally referred to by the reference numeral 13 and a table top insert generally designated 14, the details of which will be described subsequent hereto. The table 11 is formed with a storage well 15 for receiving and storing a sewing machine 16 of the type disclosed in the U.S. Pat. applications Ser. No. 631,271 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,420,198 and Ser. No. 631,339 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,041 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, when" the machine is not being used. The storage well 15 is formed by a front wall 17, a rear wall 18, a pair of similar sidewalls 19-19, and a lower machine supporting shelf or shield 20'illustrated as being integral with the front wall 17 and the sidewalls 19-19 and extending rearwardly from the front wall tenninating at a fixed distance from the rear wall 18 thereby to define an elongated opening 21. As best. illustrated in'FIG. 2 the shield 20 slopes downwardly relative to the horizontal ina rearward direction to provide suffrcient space to accommodate the sewing machine 16 in its stored position between the shield 20 and the table top insert 14. On each sidewall 19 located proximate to the rear wall 1 8' there is provided a vertical rib 22 spaced from the rear wall 18 thus defining a pair of opposing grooves 23-23 which receive the laterally spaced edges of the insert 14. The uppermost surface of the rib 22 is located a short distance below the top surface of the table 11. A second pair of opposing grooves or channels 24-24 forwardly spaced fromthe grooves 23-23 are provided on the sidewalls 19-19, each groove 24 being formed by a pair of spaced ribs 25-25, which are similar in construction to the ribs 22. These grooves 24-24 are designed to receive a rim 26 disposed about the bed of the sewing machine 16 and thus, hold the machine securely in place within the storage well 15. With the machine stored in the well 15 the upper portion of the machine bed is supported by an upturned lip 27 which terminates the free end of the shield 20, while the lower portion of the machine bed overlies the opening 21. Near the top of the storage well 15 along the front portion of each sidewall 19 and also along the adjacent portion of the front wall 17 there is provided a shelf or ledge generally designated 28 comprising a raised portion 29 at either extremity thereof on the sidewalls 19-19 and the front wall 17, and an intermediate lower portion 30 disposed on each sidewall 19. As shown in the drawings the shelf portion 29 is disposed at the same vertical level as are the top surfaces of the ribs 22 and 25-25 for supporting the insert 14 so that the latter is substantially flush in either selected one of its positions with the top surface of the table 11.

The table top insert 14, as shown in FIG. 2, provides a closure for covering the machine storage well 15 completely when the machine 16 is stored therein and as shown in FIG. 3, when the machine is placed in its normal upright sewing position the insert 14 covers that portion of the storage well 15 located between the machine 16 and the rear wall 18 thus providing a work supporting surface for the material being worked upon. The insert 14 has an L-shaped configuration and comprises a short side 31 and a long side 32, the former being utilized during normal sewing operation (see FIG. 3) and the latter when the machine is stored (see FIG. 2). On the inner surface extending between the free ends of the insert 14 adjacent each of its lateral edges there is provided a pair of laterally spaced ribs 33-33 one of whose functions is to increase the rigidity of the insert and to prevent any undesired flexing thereof. Each rib 33 is spaced inwardly from the adjacent outer edge to define a continuous supporting surface 34 for mounting the table top insert in its desired position. As shown in FIG. 2, with the machine 16 stored in the well 15 the short side 31 of the insert 14 is vertically disposed with its corresponding opposing edge surfaces 34 being located in the opposing grooves 23, respectively, located adjacent the rear wall 18 of the storage well 15. The corresponding opposing edge surfaces 34 of the long side 32 of the insert 14 are disposed in supporting contact with the top surfaces of the ribs 22, 25-25 and the raised shelf portions 29, and overlies the entire storage well 15 with its upper surface being flush with the table top surface. Manipulation of the insert is facilitated by providing in the table top a front and a rear recess 35-35 and a side recess 36 formed adjacent the intermediate shelf portion 30. To perform a sewing operation, the insert 14 manually is removed and the machine 16 is placed in its upright sewing position, as shown in FIG. 3, with its rim 26 being supported on the raised shelf portions 29. The recess 36 also assists the operator in manipulating the machine into its upright sewing position. The insert 14 then is oriented so that its long side 32 is vertically disposed with its corresponding edge surfaces 34 being aligned with the grooves 23. Upon lowering the long side 32 into the grooves 23 the short side 31 of the insert is dimensioned to fill the opening located behind the machine with the corresponding edge surfaces 34 of the short side being supported by the top surfaces of the ribs 22, 25-25, and the raised shelf portions 29 located on the sidewalls 19-19. This arrangement is best illustrated in FIG. 3. To place the machine in its stored position the reverse procedure is followed and the insert 14 is oriented so that its long side 32 covers the storage well completely with the short side 31 being vertically disposed between the opposing grooves 23-23.

Various alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of our invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention or which may be equivalents thereof are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

I. A table having a top including a well formed therein for receiving and storing a sewing machine, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from said top defining said well, a shelf extending from the bottom of at least one of said walls and terminating a fixed distance from a second of said walls forming a free end for supporting said sewing machine when it is stored within said well and defining a lower opening with the latter of said walls, a removable unitary insert for insertion into said lower opening in said well in a selected one of two positions comprising a short side and a long side disposed substantially perpendicular to one another, the long side being shaped to provide an uninterrupted closure for said well, the short side being shaped to provide a partial closure for said well, the short side in a first position corresponding to the stored position of said sewing machine being vertically oriented relative to said table top whereby said insert provides a substantially complete closure for said well and said short side in a second position being horizontally disposed relative to said table top whereby said insert provides a closure for a predetermined portion of said well only, and means in said table for removably supporting said insert substantially flush with said table top in either of its two positions.

2. A table according to claim 1 wherein said opposing sidewalls are provided with a pair of opposing grooves located directly above said lower opening adjacent said rear wall, said opposing grooves being constructed and arranged for receiving corresponding edge surfaces of said insert in its two positions thereby to properly locate said insert relative to said opening.

3. A table according to claim 1 including opposing grooves provided on said opposing sidewalls and being spaced from said rear wall at a location adjacent said free end of said shelf, said opposing grooves being 3 and arranged so as to receive and operably hold said sewing machine in its stored position. sewing stored 4. A table according to claim 3 wherein the free end of said opposing shelf includes an upturned lip, said grooves being disposed on said sidewalls in a plane located between said upturned lip and said rear wall, whereby said lip provides support for said sewing machine in its stored osition S. A table according to claim wherein the means for removably supporting said insert is located on each of said sidewalls and extends for a portion of said front wall adjacent each of said sidewalls, the supporting means including a shelf located relative to the top surface of said table so as to locate said insert in a position substantially flush with the top surface of said table.

6. A table according to claim 1 including two pairs of opposing vertically extending grooves formed in said sidewalls, rib means on each of said sidewalls defining each groove, a first of said groove pairs being located directly adjacent said rear wall and being adapted to slidably receive said insert, a second of said groove pairs being spaced inwardly of said first groove pair and located in a plane adjacent said free end of said shelf, said second pair being adapted for receiving and holding said sewing machine in its stored position.

7. A table according to claim 1 wherein said table and said insert are made of plastic.

8. A plastic sewing table having a storage well formed therein adapted to receive a sewing machine having a bed provided with a rim extending about the periphery of said bed, said table comprising front, rear and a pair of sidewalls defining said storage well and a supporting shelf formed integral with at least one of said walls, said shelf extending between opposing walls and terminating in a free end formed with an upturned lip spaced from said one of said opposing walls thereby to define a bottom opening, a plurality of ribs disposed on each side all defining first and second vertically extending grooves on each sidewall, said first groove being located adjacent said rear wall, said second groove being located in a plane adjacent said free end, a ledge provided adjacent the top of said storage well on at least two of said walls and being capable of supporting said machine in an upright position adjacent said front wall, a removable inset having a long side and a short side and being adapted to be supported in a selected one of two positions by said ledge wherein when said sewing machine is stored with said rim in register with said second grooves said long side is disposed to cover said storage well completely with said short side extending downwardly in said first grooves, and when said sewing machine is disposed in its upright position supported by said ledge said short side is adapted to cover the open portion of said storage well located between said rear wall and said sewing machine.

9. A table as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for removably supporting said insert includes a ledge formed on at least one of said walls below said table top adjacent that portion of the well not closed in the second position by said insert, said ledge thereby supporting said insert when said insert is in its first position and adapted to support said sewing machine in an upright operable sewing position when said insert is disposed in its second position.

10. A table according to claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality of projections formed on each of said opposing sidewalls, each said projection having a plane surface disposed below said table top, said insert including a pair of laterally spaced ribs formed on the inner surface of each said long side and each said short side and extending for substantially the entire length thereof, said ribs being spaced inwardly from adjacent edges thereby to define a surface for supporting said insert on said plane surfaces in said first and second positions.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,566,816 Dated March 2, 1971 lnyentofls) George L. Zilg and Henry J. Milan It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 65 (claim 3) delete "3" and insert constructed delete line 67.

Column 4, line 39 (claim 8) change "inset" to insert Signed and sealed this 2nd day of November 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.F1'.|ETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Acting Commissioner of Pete Attesting Officer

Claims

1. A table having a top including a well formed therein for receiving and storing a sewing machine, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from said top defining said well, a shelf extending from the bottom of at least one of said walls and terminating a fixed distance from a second of said walls forming a free end for supporting said sewing machine when it is stored within said well and defining a lower opening with the latter of said walls, a removable unitary insert for insertion into said lower opening in said well in a selected one of two positions comprising a short side and a long side disposed substantially perpendicular to one another, the long side being shaped to provide an uninterrupted closure for said well, the short side being shaped to provide a partial closure for said well, the short side in a first position corresponding to the stored position of said sewing machine being vertically oriented relative to said table top whereby said insert provides a substantially complete closure for said well and said short side in a second position beinG horizontally disposed relative to said table top whereby said insert provides a closure for a predetermined portion of said well only, and means in said table for removably supporting said insert substantially flush with said table top in either of its two positions.

3. A table according to claim 1 including opposing grooves provided on said opposing sidewalls and being spaced from said rear wall at a location adjacent said free end of said shelf, said opposing grooves being 3 and arranged so as to receive and operably hold said sewing machine in its stored position. sewing stored

4. A table according to claim 3 wherein the free end of said opposing shelf includes an upturned lip, said grooves being disposed on said sidewalls in a plane located between said upturned lip and said rear wall, whereby said lip provides support for said sewing machine in its stored position.

5. A table according to claim 1 wherein the means for removably supporting said insert is located on each of said sidewalls and extends for a portion of said front wall adjacent each of said sidewalls, the supporting means including a shelf located relative to the top surface of said table so as to locate said insert in a position substantially flush with the top surface of said table.