US2651557A - Knockdown cabinet-type display table - Google Patents

Description

J. B. KELLY, JR

KNOCKDOWN CABINET-TYPE DISPLAY TABLE Sept 8, 1953 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed March 50, 1948 INVENTOR. JAMES 8. Aiezmgde p 1953 J. B. KELLY, JR 2,651,557

KNOCKDOWN CABINET-TYPE DISPLAY TABLE Filed March 50,, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 his , a V n I]. 14 5?.

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Patented Sept. 8, 1953 KNOCKDOWN CABINET-TYPE DISPLAY TABLE James B. Kelly, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Flanncry and Associates, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 30, 1948, Serial No. 18,050

This invention relates to knockdown tables and, in particular, to knockdown cabinet-type tables for displaying merchandise. 7

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a table which can be quickly and easily knocked down and assembled, which, when knocked down, can be stored or transported in a minimum of space, and which, when assembled is unusually rigid and sturdy and appears as an attractive, integral structure.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled table minus its doors and interior shelf; Fig. 2 a perspective exploded upside-down view illustrating principally the mode of assembly; Figs. 3, 4 and 5 sections along lines IIL-III, IV-IV, and V-V of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 a vertical section through the table bottom; Figs. 7 and 8 views of the tables right and left-hand doors; and Fig. 9 a partially broken away view of the table shelf.

Referring to the drawings, the table is made up of a top 1, bottom, or base 2, end panels 3 and 4, rear panel 5, doorframe 6, doors 1 and 8 (Figs. 7 and 8) and shelf 9 (Fig. 9), all of these parts, preferably, being fabricated from light, sheet metal. The marginal edges of top I are boxed and, recessed between them is a flat article-supporting plate [2. The boxed edges are formed of a flange which is extended upwardly from plate 12, then outwardly of the table center, downwardly and back inwardly toward the table center, the last projection providing around the table an inwardly extending horizontal flange M (Fig. 2). On the under surface of flange I4 there are formed, or secured, corner lugs 16 and central lugs 20, all of which have a later-described function in holding the table together. Also, provided centrally on the underside of the top is a strengthening rib 11. Preferably, all corners of the top, as well as the base and end panels are rounded so as to present a pleasing, finished appearance to the assembled table.

Base 2 is somewhat similar in shape to the table top, except that its flat article-supporting plate I8 is elevated from the floor by an integral platform [9. Thus, from surface l8, the marginal edges are bent upwardly, outwardly, downwardly and inwardly to meet platform l9. The

.outward bend forms a ledge 2|, upon which, as

will be explained, other table members rest when assembled. At each corner of surface I8 is provided a locking member receiving opening 22, also to be described. 7.

End panels 3 and 4 play an important part in 5 Claims. (01. 312-257) holding the assembled table members sturdily together and, to do this, their marginal edges have certain configurations which flt into or receive variously shaped elements of other members. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact shapes to be described, and that other functionally similar shapes may be substituted.

For appearance, as well as for the purpose of providing interconnecting flanges, the end panels have front and rear side marginal portions 23 and 24 bent inwardly, it being seen that, with such a bend, the end panels provide attractively rounded vertical table corners. Front marginal portions 23 then are bent again at right angles inwardly to provide flanges 26 in which are cut out key-hole slots 21, for purposes later explained. At the bottoms of end panel portions 23 and 24 are formed, or welded, spacing elements 28 (Figs. 2 and 3) which project downwardly and then curve inwardly, the inward flange of these elements being provided with openings 29, which align with openings 22 in the table base corners to receive locking members to be described.

The free edges of rear side-marginal portions 24 are bent into channels 32 (Fig. 3) which face outwardly with respect to the table center, the flanges of these channels, as seen in Fig. 3, being designatedchannel'bottom 33 and side flange 34. At the top end of each channel 32 is provided an outwardly extending horizontal piece 33 (Figs. 2

and 4) which has an inwardly extending slot 37 adapted to receive previously described corner lugs 16 formed on the underside of the table top. Also, spaced approximately centrally on the inside surface of channels 32 are welded, or bolted, shelf-receiving hooks 38.

The top and bottom marginal edges of the end panels are formed into inwardly extending horizontal flanges 39 and 4|, these flanges being cut off short at their ends to allow space for the side pieces 36. Flanges 39 at the tops of the end panels have their free ends turned upwardly back upon themselves to form looped back flanges 42. When assembled, flanges 42 fit around horizontal flange [4 at the ends of the table top and prevent lateral spreading of the end panels.

Rear panel 5, also is specially formed to add to the appearance and rigidity of the table structure. Its top and bottom horizontal edges are bent inwardly into horizontal flanges 43 and 44, top flange 43 being provided centrally with an opening (not shown) into which flts one of the previously-mentioned central lugs 20 located on the under side of the table top. The purpose of 3 in-turned bottom flange 44 is to rest on ledge 2! of the table base and also to avoid sharp meeting corners.

The vertical side edges of rear panel are specially formed to interconnect with the end panels channels 32 and, generally, are formed into inwardlyfacing loops 45 (Fig; ,3) which fit around side flange 34 of channels 32. Each of the loops is formed by bending the side edge forwardly toward the table front,,outwardly from the table center and then bending th'e free'end back upon itself into the loop. The forwardly The door frame a of the table fits between and is detachably secured. to flanges 26 ofthe end panels inwardly turned. side marginal-portions. The frame is. .rectangular inshape and is constructedof inwardlyfacing, channel members. 'Iheoutside surfaces of the frame end members each bear headed .lugs .41, which. look into previously-mentioned key-hole slots 2! of flanges 26.

Doors 1 and 8, the construction of which is clearly shown in Figs. Trand 8, fit'into the top and bottom channels of the frame and slide'sidewise therein in the obvious'manner. The channels of the. door-frame are sufiiciently wide so that the left and righthand doors can slide by eachother.

It is also desirable. to provide. one or more shelves 9,v both :for. supporting merchandise and rendering the. .table. more; rigid. Theshelf is supported on. hooks38 .of end panels Sand 4 and its construction is shownin Fig. ,9.

Fig. 2 is primarily for the purpose ofillustrating assembly of the various parts. The first step is to place tabletop l withits face downwardly on a floor and fit end panels-3 and 4-to it. In so doing, each of these panels is placed on horizontal flange M of the top in such a pQsition thatslots 31 of end panelipiecesv 36 are inward of the tops corner lugs 1.6 .1 The flat ot the hand then may be used to gently pound each end panel outwardly, making sure that the slots catch the lugs and, also,,that -looped-back flanges 42 of the end panels fit around the end portions of the table topsinturned flange l4. l

When this engagement is made the end panels will stand erect by themselves ;and rear. panel 5 may be connected to-them. As has been suggested, this connectionis made by telescopically sliding loop 45 at the. rear panel side edges around side flange 34 of end panel chann e1s'32. The resulting inter-connection is shown in Fig. 3. It should be noted that the rear. panel is so formed and sized that, when this connection is made, the end and rear panels are drawn tightly together so as to assist in excluding moisture or dirt from the tables interior and to improve the neat appearance of the table'. The connection of the rear and end panels is centered when center lug of the top fits into the center opening in the rear panels tophorizontal flange.

Door frame 6 now is attached between flanges 26 at the front of the end panels by inserting its.

headed lugs 41 in keyhole slots 21' of these flanges. This is possible because, until base 2 is secured, end panels 3. and 4 are capableof being spread apart a sufdcient. amount to permit the placing of frame. 6 between their flanges 26.-

Base 2 is next to be secured. It is inverted and laid down upon the end panels so that its openings 22 align with openings 29 in spacers 28 of the end panels. With thi alignment the base then is secured to the end panels by means of fastener elements 5| (Fig. 2) Although any fastening meansmay be-employed, it is desirable to use a type which can be inserted and tightened from the under side of the base. Such an element is shown in Fig, 2 and generally consists of a slotted head 52, a shaft 53 and helical prongs 54securedta-tlie shaft. The openings 22 and 29 for receiving the shaft are oval in shape and the fastener can be inserted only through the length ofthe'ovalv The-helix of the prongs is such that when thefastenerais turned a quarter turn, the base and end panels are drawn tightly together and the" fastener locked. This is a well known type. offastener that is readily available.

Up to this point in the assembly, the parts have all been fitted together in an upside-down position. At this point, the table canbe turned right side up, in readiness for the fitting of the, shelf and doors. The shelf is fitted in through the door frame and caught in the obvious manner on hooks;

It is preferable to fit the doors in the following manner. The right-'haifdf door. (Fig. 7} 'i' s'fii'st urged upwardly, with its flanges facing. an wardly, into the top" channe -or the, do'oir' frame and then dropped into its bdttom" channel. These channels, of course, must be deep enough to permit this. The left-hand door (Fig. 8) then is inserted in the same manner, except that its flanges face inwardly toward'the center ofthe. table. The right-hand door is movedto 'the'rearof the channels and-the left-hand door to'the front, so that, in sliding back and forth, the right-hand travels behind. the left-hand door. With this arrangement, the'doors slide easily and smoothly, since each has only a line contact with the smooth face of the other door, and there 'islittle frictionalresistance to the sliding. e

The completely assembled table then is ready for use. Actually the time 'requir'edfo'r its' 'assernblyor disassembly is much less'than ittakes to describe it. Theresulting' structure is unusually rigid and may be roughlfhandled without losing this sturdiness. Further, its appearance is very neat and attractive due to the fact thatallof the inter-connections are hidden in its inside. A great advantage or such'tables is that a number may be keptl'o'ri ha'nd' and quickly set up or taken down as suits the'need. When taken down, they may be stored in a minimum space until next use. Also, their transporting is greatly facilitated by the knoclt dbwn' features.

According to the provisions o'f'the patent statutes, I have explainedthe' principle of my invention and have illustrated ahddies'cribed wliat I now consider to represent its best em'bodirne'nt.

'However, I desire to have it understood that,

within the scope of the appended claims, the-invention may be practiced'otherwise than asspecifically illustrated and described.

1. Aknockdown cabinet-type table comprising a pair of end panels, a rear panel, a ton-a base, said end'pa'nels having their vertical marginal portions bent inwardly to form the vertica l table corners, said rear panel having eacli'of-i-tsvertical marginal portions bent interiorly toward the table center and then-outwardly from th'ta-ble center and rearwardly back upon itself; to'form connecting loops, said inwardly 'b'ent portions-at the back of said end panelseach having 'air extension flangei bent interiorlytoward the table center and then outwardly towardits adjacent table corner, said rear panels connecting loops telescopically engaging said outwardly turned flanges of said end panels, andsaid telescopic engagement pulling said interiorly bent flanges of both the end panels and the rear panels into tight engagement, each of said end panels also having its upper marginal portions bent horizontally inwardly then upwardly back upon itself into looped flanges which terminate short of the table corners, said table top having its marginal edges bent upwardly, outwardly, and downwardly and terminating in an inwardly extending horizontal flange disposed below the plane of the table top surface, each of said end panels looped flanges fitting around the portion of said table top horizontal flange at the ends of the table and restraining lateral spreading of'the end panels, a downwardly extending lug carried near each corner portion of said table top horizontal flange, and horizontal slotted members carried by said end panels between the ends "of their looped flanges and their inwardly bent marginal portions, the slots of said members receiving said lugs, and said end panels resting on and being detachably secured to said table base.

2. A knock-down cabinet-type table comprising a pair of end panels, a rear panel, a top, a base, a door frame and doors, said end panels having their vertical marginal portions bent inwardly to form the vertical table corners, said rear panel having each of its vertical margina portions bent interiorly toward the table center and then outwardly from the table center and rearwardly back upon itself to form connecting loops, said inwardly bent portions at the back of said end panels each having an extension flange bent interiorly toward the table center and then outwardly toward its adjacent table corner, said rear panels connecting loops telescopically engaging said outwardly turned flanges of said end panels, and said telescopic engagement pulling said interiorly bent flanges of both the end panels and the rear panels into tight engagement, each of said end panels also having its upper marginal portions bent horizontally inwardly then upwardly back upon itself into looped flanges which terminate short of the table corners, said table top having its marginal edges bent upwardly, outwardly, downwardly and terminating in an inwardly extending horizontal flange disposed below the plane of the table top surface, each of said end panels looped flanges fitting around the portion of said table top horizontal flange at the ends of the table and restraining lateral spreading of the end panels, a downwardly extending lug carried near each corner portion of said table top horizontal flange, horizontal slotted members carried by said end panels between the ends of their looped flanges and their inwardly bent marginal portions, the slots of said members receiving said lugs, said end panels resting on and being detachably secured to said table base, said door frame being detachably secured between the inwardly bent front marginal portions of the end panels, and said doors being mounted in the door frame.

3. A knockdown cabinet-type table comprising a pair of end panels, a rear panel, a top, a base, a door frame and doors, said end panels having their vertical marginal portions bent inwardly to form the vertical table corners, said rear panel having each of its vertical marginal portions bent interiorly toward the table center and then out wardly from the table center and rearwardly back upon itself to form connecting loops, said inwardlybent portions at the back of said end panels each having an extension flange bent interiorly toward the'table center and then outwardly toward its adjacent table corner, said rear panels connecting loops telescopically engaging said outwardly turned flanges of said end panels, and said telescopic engagement pulling said interiorly bent flanges of both the end panels and the rear panels into tight engagement, each of said end panels also having'its upper marginal portions bent horizontallyinwardlythen upwardly back upon itselfinto looped flanges, said table top having its marginal edges bent upwardly, outwardly, downwardly and terminating in an inwardly extending horizontal flange disposed below the plane of the table top surface, each of said end panels looped flanges fitting around the portion of said table top horizontal flange at the ends of the table and restraining lateral spreading of the end panels,said .en'd panels each having its lower marginal portion bent horizontally inwardly and restin-gon said table base, said base and said end panelbeing provided at each table corner with aligned openings, base fastening means inserted in said aligned openings and tightened from the underside of said base, said door frame being detachably secured between the inwardly bent front marginal portions of the end panels, and said doors being mounted in the door frame.

4. A knockdown cabinet-type table comprising a pair of end panels, a rear panel, a top, a base, a door frame and doors, said end panels having their vertical marginal portions bent inwardly to form the vertical table corners, said rear panel having each of its vertical marginal portions bent interiorly toward the table center and then outwardly from the table center and. rearwardly back upon itself to form connecting loops, said inwardly bent portions at the back of said end panels each having an extension flange bent interiorly toward the table center and then outwardly toward its adjacent table corner, said rear panels connecting loops telescopically engaging said outwardly turned flanges of said end panels, and said telescopic engagement pulling said interiorly bent flanges of both the end panels and the rear panels into tight engagement, each of said end panels also having its upper marginal portions bent horizontally inwardly then upwardly back upon itself into looped flanges which terminate short of the table corners, said table top having its marginal edges bent upwardly, outwardly, downwardly and terminating in an in-v wardly extending horizontal flange disposed below the plane of the table top surface, each of said end panels looped flanges fitting around the portion of said table top horizontal flange at the ends of the table and restraining lateral spreading of the end panels, a downwardly extending lug carried near each corner portion of said table top horizontal flange, horizontal slotted members carried by said end panels between the ends of their looped flanges and their inwardly bent marginal portions, the slots of said members receiving said lugs, said end panels each having its lower marginal portion bent horizontally inwardly and resting on said table base, said base and said end panel being provided at each table corner with aligned openings, base fastening means inserted in said aligned openings and tightened from the underside of said base, said door frame being detachably secured between the inwardly bent front marginal portions of the end 2" panels and said .doorsheingimauniedm theme:- iii'amei 5a A knockdown cabinet-type tabievcomprislng end 1 panels having their M vertical marginal .portions bent L inwardlyatol form vertical tabieicona new, a rear .panel; interconnectedrW-ifih; said vex:- tical marginal portions at.- the' back.- of-L :sai'd end panels, the .marginal pontionsaof. saidaendiaand rear panels having telescopieally engagedfianges forming 7 said linterconneotinn, a; base, interlocking means detachablyvseeuring the; basetnto the bottom-(edges 10f saiden'd'. panel's, aetop having. an inwardly extending horizontal: flange 1 formed atoun'd it, said end Ipanels each having an out. wardly facing looped flange formed along its -.up:- per horizontal. :edge, saidelooped flanges termi-L- nating short of. said 1 tab1e:,-comersz. and fitting around said top panel horizontal. flanges for are straining lateralmovement of; the. end. panels, a downwardly extending .lugoamzied. near each corner. portion of said. top panel horizontal-flan e, horizontal-slotted members loarried byzzsaid send panels between the ends. oi their looped flanges anditheir inwardly bent: marginalpertions, L the slots of said members receiving said lugs: for-.se- 25 Rpfgrenqes- Gited; in the file of this patent v UNITED STATES Y PATENTS Num er N me.v Date.

1,238,215 'lIerrelI V V wv Aug-. ,28,- 1917 1,419,481, Williams. June- 13,, 1922 1,57i,501 Richards Feb.. 2, 1926 1,573,254 Lochaine Feb.- 16, 1926 1329, 275 Brainard et a1. i l Sept. 24,,1929 1,762,605, Anderson v June. 10', 1930 1,934,644. Rand Nov. 7), 1933 1,9(14394 Bales el', all Jan. 23,1934 2,072,383 Rottman Mar. 2;, I937 2338,1{1'8 Barler Man, 23, 1948 2,438,257 Ste ensQnet ,aI. ,M'ar.. 23 I948

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