US2362567A - Knockdown picnic table - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1944. J, C, LA RUE 2,362,567

KNOGKDOWN PICNIC TABLE Filed May 6, 1941 lNvEN-ron John 0. .La/ue ,EE BY ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 14, 1944 `.mlm c. Le nue, Bamm-idee; ohioy Application May s, 1941i Seminarraum '1 claims.

This invention relates to the art of collapsible tab1es and the like, especially "picnic tables.

*The object of this invention is to devisean efrficient and dependable supporting structure for 4'the table and seat members, all of which can be conveniently collapsed and -packed into substan- 'tially iia't yform and readily set up for use.

Another object is to devise such a structure thatcan 'also be arranged for use as a bed, `by

virtue of the reversibility of parts.

A 'further object is to provide a convenient :canopy-supporting means in connection with the .structure when employed either as a picnic table lor as a bed.

More speciiically, the object is to devise strong structure that comprises a minimumnurnvber ofparts or unitary form,`comp`rising tubular elements, and that are not apt to getout of order orbecome broken and that can be collapsed into `substantially'iiat condition'for storage or transfistru'cture when employed as a picnic table `with -a canopy-supporting structure embodied therein;

I2 is a perspective view of the same `struc- 'ture when employed `as a bed, the canopy-sup- ."p'orting frame 'being `here omitted:

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail viewl of one of the `-`I'c'onnectlons at, the end of the transverse tubular members, when employed either as a table or bed without the canopy-supportinglframe; and

.fFigL- 4 is: a viewcorrespcnding with the showiiigxof Fig. 3 except' that here the canopy-supporting frame is included.

` 'It is -to be understood that the present formof disclosure is" merely `for the purpose of illustration' and that there might be devised various `i'nodiifi'cations thereof withoutdeparting from the fspirit of the present invention as herein set forth Vand claimed. l

VIn the present form or construction, the entire "iframe consists Vof metal tubing of comparatively U-shaped tubular, portion 2 which is located atvlo 'about mid-length `of the member I. This `invert- 1ed U-shaped member is :intended to support the members' '9 there are 4p'ern'lanently attached the vtable member 3 which' may be ofwood;l andthe :side 'portions of the member I, at the `two sides totithe'table,"are intended'rto supportthe seat 'The inverted U-shapedportion Zwill, ofcourse, 4aiord @properhel'evation forthe table with respect Atothe elevationofthe seats.

At each end ofleach member' I there is permanently attached a 'T-connector vmember '5 with the duplicate-screw-'threaded portions 5a and 5b frame is employed'for supporting a table `and seats, as in-Fig. 1, the lower projections ofthe T- connectors are adaptedto receive the screwvthreaded ends of the inverted T-shaped legs 6.

When the table is set up, as -shown in Fig. l, the legs 6 -are rotatably adjusted so that their feet `6a occupy positions extending lengthwise of the table; and when the-table isknocked down, the legs may be rotatably adjusted fso that 'the feet Bavwillvoc'cupy positions in thesame plane as the inverted'-U-shapedportionlz which in 'turn lis inthe same plane "as the upwardly and downwardly-extending portions of the T-connectors 5.

As -afmeans -of :holding the seat .members` 4 in position, each one is providedwith-a'hole '1 near the outer end corner thereof `s'o-asto nt over the "projection of the T-connector `5, and a flanged /screw-threadedmembe'r 8 is engaged in the T- connectorv projection,V the flange' thereof having effectiveholding engagement with the .adjacent portion of uthefseatmenibeig in each case, as indicated 'in "Figf 3. I Any` suitable means may be employed-for securing4 the -table member orimembers in place, if deemed necessary or advisable.

`It is, lo! course, more. essential that a securing 'meansbeiprovidetl for holding the seat members infplace. It is to be understood that the table itself may'lcomprise .Japlurality ofrboards instead `of a single-s table member, if so desired.

`have screw-threaded engagement' with the T- connector at each lcorneras a part of the' supporting means fora canopy C, the screw-threaded `washer t'vserving to hold the `seat members in place in this assembly. `Attne upper endsof the removably secured I*by yscrew-threaded engageseats. `The canopy' C, tis-indicated, extends `over the toprofthe superstructure justdescriliedl and may be `v`reitvziils'V removed therefrom; iin fact the entire canopy-supporting structure may be readily taken down and collapsed into compact form dicated in Fig. 2, upon which there may then be placed the table and seat members 3 and 4 side by side and in the same plane for use asa bed or the like.' If so desired, the canopy-supporting structure may be added thereto by applying the uprights 9 to the upwardly projecting portions of the T-connectors, in the same manneras indicated in Fig. l.

If so desired, the table and seat members may be formed of foldable hinged sections and any suitable means may be employed for f holding them in rigid extended condition during their ,use upon the supporting structure.

It is to be understood, also, that in addition to the table and seat supporting units at the two ends there may be employed an intermediate duplicate unit or units, if deemed necessary or'advisable.

As compared with the many prior collapsible` or knockdown tables and seats, my present structure is reduced to a comparatively few unitary parts which are also of comparatively small bulk but which at the same time are su'iciently strong and dependable by-virtue of. the structural na- -ture and form; and my structure possesses also the further advantage-of-being collapsible very f readily into a comparatively small space, since 4al1 of the parts may occupysubstantially flat condition. The reversibility of parts, permitting. use of the supporting frame as a bed or the like, constitutes another important Yfeature of my invention.

what I daim is: 1. A knockdown table and seat comprising aplurality of duplicate seat-supporting members,

1a? table-supporting inverted U-shaped member attached to each of said seat-supporting-members at .about mid-length thereof, an inverted T-shaped leg having rotatably adjustable con-- nection with each end of'eachseat-supporting members so that the T-head may occupy posi- .tionvat ninety degrees to the seat-supporting member for supporting the same or be turned to dispose the T-head into the plane of the' table and seat-supporting members so as to lie in substantially the same plane with said inverted U.-shaped members, whereby said members may -be stacked in substantially at condition when the tableand seat members are removed,- at

seat and table members therefor, and means lfor removably securing said seat members in position at opposite sides of the table.

2. A knockdown table'and seatcomprising a plurality of duplicate straight seat-supporting members of tubular form, a table-supporting inverted U-shaped member-attached tov each yof said seat-supporting members at about midlength thereof, a T-connector member attached to each end of each of said seat-supporting members and having upwardly and downwardly extending screw-threaded portions, an inverted T-shaped leg having screw-threaded connection with each of said vdownwardly extending por- -tions so that the T-head may occupy position at ninety degrees to the seat-supporting member for supporting the same or be turned to dispose the T-head in the plane of the table and seat supporting members so as 'to lie in substantially the same plane with said inverted U-shaped member, whereby said members may be stacked in substantially at condition when the table and seat members are removed, flat seat and table members therefor, said seat members having apertures to engage oversaid upwardly extending portions, and screw-threaded means for engagement with said upwardly extending portions for securing said seat members in place.

3. A knockdown table and seat comprising a lplurality of duplicate straight seat-supporting members, table-supporting members, means attaching a table-supporting member in parallel arrangement above each of said seat-supporting members, a T-connector member attached to each end of eachA of said seat-supporting members and havingv upwardly and downwardly extending duplicate screW-threaded portions, an inverted T-shaped leg adapted for screw-threaded yengagement with either of said portions of said T-connector member, flat seat and table members, and means for removably attaching said seat members to the other of said portions in each instance, said seat and table members being of an aggregate width corresponding with the extent of said seat-supporting member, whereby a table may be arranged in a diierent plane from that of said seat members, with the supporting members in oneY position, or the table and seat members may be arranged together in the same plane so as to provide a bed or the like, with the supporting members in inverted position.

4. A knockdown table and seat comprisingla plurality of duplicate straight unitary seat-supporting members of tubular form, a table-sup- Aa hole at each end for engagement over said extending portions of said T-connector members when in upwardly extended position, screwthreaded means for removably securing said seat members to the upwardly extending portions, said seat and table members being of an aggregate width corresponding with the extent of said seat-supporting member, whereby a table may be arranged in an elevated plane from that of the seat members, when the supporting mem- -bers occupy one position, or the table and seat members may be arranged together in the same plane so as to providea bed or the'like, when the supporting members occupy inverted position, and whereby said legs may be turned 'to occupy position entirely in the same plane-as the supporting members so as -todispose each entire supporting structure in substantially flat and compact condition.

5. In a device of the class described, a pair of duplicate supporting members, a substantially Ainverted T-shapedl leg having rotatably adjustable connection with each end ofeach of said supporting members so that each T-head may 'occupy position at ninety degrees to its supporting member for supporting the same or be turned to dispose each T-headin the plane of its supporting member for convenience in stacking into substantially at condition, and a removable flat member adapted to be supported upon said supporting members.

6. A knockdown table and seat comprising a plurality of duplicate ustraight seat-supporting members, table-supporting members, means attaching said table-supporting members in parallel arrangement above said seat-supporting members, a substantially inverted T-shaped leg having rotatably adjustable connection with each end of each of `saicl seat-supporting members so that the T-head may occupy position at 90 degrees to the seat-supporting member for supporting the same or be turned to dispose the T-head in the plane of the table and seat supporting members for convenience in stacking into substantially fiat condition when the table and seat members are removed, and removable flat seat and table members.

7. In a knockdown structure of the class described, a plurality of duplicate straight seatsupporting members of tubular form, a T-connector member attached to each end of each of said seat-supporting members and having upwardly and downwardly extending screwthreaded portions, an inverted T-shaped leg having screw-threaded connection with each of said downwardly extending portions so that the T-head may occupy position at 90 degrees to the seat-supporting members for supporting the same or be turned to dispose the T-head in the plane of the seat-supporting members so as to lie in substantially the same plane with said seat-supporting members, whereby said members may be stacked lin substantially flat condition when the seat members are removed, flat seat members, said seat members having apertures to engage over said upwardly extending portions, and canopy-supporting means having screw-threaded engagement with said upwardly extending portions and having means for removably securing said seat members in place.

i JOHN C. LA RUE.

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