US2887348A - Folding table with hinged top - Google Patents

Description

May 19, 1959 Filed April 50, 1958 FIG.

CQSADOWSKY FOLDING TABLE WITH HINGED TOP I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR C #42155 :400W540 BY 20% "AM ATTORNEYS May 19, 1959 c. SADOWSKY 2,887,348

' FOLDING TABLE .WITH HINGED TOP Filed April so, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR C/MRLE S SIDdWJKy BY 2mm KIM ATTORNEYS United States Patent ,[Sales Corporation, Brooklyn, N.Y a corporation of I New York Application April 30, 1958, Serial No. 732,103 Claims. 01. 311-80) This invention relates generally to collapsible tables or stands. Y

. While the instant invention has been primarily developedand employed as a relatively small portable table or stand, as for eating while watching television, and will bewillustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the subject structure is capable of many, varied applications, all of which are. intended to be comprehended herein.

*It is one object of the present inventionto provide a collapsible table construction which is extremely easy to open and close, staunch and sturdy in its open or set-up condition, and relatively compact and easyto handle in itslclosedor collapsed condition. r r 1 Itis another object of the present invention to provide acollapsible table of the type described which is extreme- 1y) simplein construction and durable in use, which is relatively light in weight, requiring a minimum of materials,. andwhich is capable of being economically manufactured and sold.

,It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible table havingthe advantageous characteristics; mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which ineludes. novel means cooperating to facilitate opening or setting-up of the table, and which releasably but firmly maintains the tablein its open or set-up condition.

,aiQA, more. particularobject of the present invention resides'in the provision of a collapsible table of the type described which is adapted to receive therebeneath the legsof a user, for greater comfort and enjoyment in use. ,1; Otherobjects of the present, invention will become ap-. parent upon reading the following specification andreferring to the accompanying drawings, which form a materialpart of this disclosure. T-he, invention accordingly consists in the features of constructiomcombinations of elements, and arrangements of xparts,,which willbe exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the framework of a table constructed in accordance with the present inyention, the framework being partially opened or set-up, and wherein the table top has been removed for clarity of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view showinga table construction of the present invention in its collapsed or folded condition; r

;Fig. 31 is a bottom plan view showing a table of the present invention in its set up condition and partly broken away: to expose certain structural features, one element being illustrated in dot-and-dash outline in its closed or collapsed condition; r 11 Fig.4 is a sideielevational table in its collapsed condition; -Fig. 5 is a side elevational view showing the instant table construction in its set-up or opened condition; and

view showing the instant Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2..

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Fig. 1 thereof, there is illustrated therein a framework including parallel spaced, generally horizontal upper and lower frame members 10 and 11, and a pair of generally rectangular, open frame members or legs 12 pivotally connected to respective ends of the horizontal frame members for rotation relative to the latter about generally vertical axes. A table top, which may be a generally rectangular, flat board or plate, is designated 13 in Figures 2-5, and hingedly connected to the upper horizontal member 10, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the upper and lower horizontal frame members 10 and 11 are preferably of substantially equal length, being arranged in vertical alignment with each other, and may be fabricated of tubular material, as illustrated, for relatively high strength and minimum weight. A pair of stiff or substantially rigid brackets or straps 15 are secured to the upper horizontal frame member 10, at spaced locations thereon, and extend generally horizontally from the upper side of the upper horizontal frame member generally laterally or on to one side of the latter. More specifically, the brackets 15 are each located adjacent to and spaced inward from a respective end of the upper horizontal frame member 10 and project in a substantially horizontal plane approximately normal to the upper frame member from one side thereof. Fixedly secured on the upper surface of each bracket 15, at the distal or projecting end thereof, is one plate of a hinge 16, so that the other plate. of each hinge is rotatable about its horizontal pintle 18 relative to the adjacent bracket. Further, the hinges 16 are arranged with their pivotal axes or pintles 18 in substantially horizontal alignment and parallelism with the frame members 10 and 11; and, the aligned hinge pintles or pivots and the hinge knuckles 17, are spaced laterally on one side of the horizontal frame members 10 and 11.

The vertical frame members or legs 21 may each be of a generally rectangular, open construction, including a pair of parallel spaced, generally vertical elements 20 and 21, an upper horizontal element 22 extending between the upper ends of the vertical elements, and a lower horizontal element 23 extending between the vertical elements adjacent to and spaced upward from the lower ends thereof. In practice, the vertical elements 20 and 21, and the upper horizontal element 22 of each vertical frame member may be fabricated of a single tubular piece in the form of an inverted, U; and, the lower element 23 may have its opposite ends fixedly secured, by any suitable means, to the vertical elements, to define a generally rectangular, open structure. The upper horizontal elements 22 extend horizontally, substantially coplanar with the upper horizontal frame member 10, while the lower horizontal elements 23 are substantially coplanar with the lower horizontal frame member 11.

At opposite ends of the upper horizontal frame member 10 are fixedly secured, as by spot welding or the like, a pair of brackets 25; and, a similar pair of brackets 26 are respectively fixed by any suitable means. to opposite ends of the lower horizontal frame member' 11. Each of the brackets 25 may be fabricated of a rigid strap or plate bent approximately about the adjacent end portion of the horizontal frame member 10, being fixedly secured to the latter, and a pair of generally horizontal, vertically spaced plate-like end. portions 27 extending laterally from the horizontal frame member on one side thereof and projecting longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the horizontal frame member. Stated otherwise, the horizontal plate portions 27 of each bracket 25 are disposed spaced superposed relation with respect to each other, and extend from the adjacent end portion of the horizontal frame member 10 laterally and longitudinally beyond the latter. As best seen in Fig. 2, the plate portions 27 extend laterally from the horizontal frame member 14) 'on the same side of the latter-as the brackets '15 and hinges 16, but terminateshort of the hinge knuckles 17.

Thebrackets 26 may be substantially identical to the brackets 25, so as to include a pair of horizontal, vertically spaced plate portions 28 extending laterally from the lower horizontal frame member 11 on the same side as the plate portions 27, and also outward beyond the adjacent end of the lower horizontal frame member. An intermediate region of each upper horizontal leg element 22 is received between the bracket plate portions 27, and an intermediate region of each lower horizontal leg element 23 is received between each pair of bracket plate portions 28. The thus received intermediate portions of horizontal elements 22 and 23 are preferably located adjacent to the vertical element 21. A vertical pivot or pin30 extends through each pair of plates 27 and the received portion of upper horizontal element 22 to pivotally connect the legs 21 to the upper frame member 10. It is to be noted that each of the pivot pins 30 is offset laterally from the frame member 10, and offset longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the frame member. For rigidity and increased strength, a bearing tube or bushing 31, see Fig. 6, may be passed vertically through each upper leg element 22 and rotatably receive arespective pin 30.

In vertical alignment with each pivot pin 30, a pivot pin 32 extends vertically through each pair of lower bracket plate portions 28 and its received portion of lower leg element 23. A suitable bushing, corresponding to bushing '31, may be provided in each lower leg element 23 for receiving a respective pivot pin 32. Thus, each ofthe vertical'frame members or legs 21 is mounted for swinging movement relative to the frame members 10 and 11 about a vertical axis defined by the respective vertically aligned pins 34 and 32. Further, the vertical axis of each aligned pair of pins 30 and 32 is offset laterally on one side of the frame members 10 and 11, and longitudinally beyond the adjacent ends of the frame members, being spaced laterally from the frame members approximately one-half the thickness of the leg members 22 and :23, and spaced beyond the adjacent ends of the frame members also approximately one-half the thickness of the horizontal leg elements. Hence, each vertical frame .member or leg 21 is pivotally connected for swingable movement relative to the horizontal frame members 10 and 11 between the collapsed position of Fig. 2, wherein the legs are in adjacent, substantial. parallelism with the horizontal frame members, and the erected or set-up condition of Fig. 3, wherein the legs extend transversely of or normal to the horizontal frame members in the horizontal direction. In the set-up or outwardlyswung position of legs 21, as may be seen in Fig. 3 and the right hand leg of Fig. 1, the upper horizontal leg element 22 is in limiting abutting engagement with the adjacent end surface of the upper horizontal frame member 10, and the lower horizontal leg element 23 is in limiting abutting engagement with the adjacent end of the lower horizontal frame member.

The generally flat plate or table top 13 has its undersurface secured to the swingable plates of hinges 16, as by fasteners 35, see Fig. 3. As the pivot pins 18 of hinges '16 are substantially horizontal and in axial alignment with each other, it is understood that the table top 13 is swingable or rotatable about the aligned hinged axes. 1 As best .seenin Fig. -4, the hinge axes 18 extend parallel to and spaced from the upper horizontal frame member .10, being located just on the opposite side'of the collapsed legs 21 as the upper horizontal frame memher, and is approximately level with the upper surfaces ofthe upper horizontal frame member and the legs.

Hence, the table top .13 is swingable about. the upper horizontal frame member 10 between its set-up position in generally horizontal overlying relation with respect to the upper frame member, and a collapsed position disposed generally vertically on the opposite side of the collapsed legs 21 as the upper horizontal frame member, as seen in Figs. and 4, respectively. It will now be understood that the table top 13,.whenco1lapsed, serves to partially enclose and retain the legs 21 in their col; lapsed condition, preventing swinging movement of ':the legs away from the frame members and'llout ofitlieir collapsed condition. Further, as the table top 13 is arranged ofi? center with respect to thehinge axis- 18, having its center of gravity outward of the hinge axis on the opposite side of the collapsed legs 21 as the frame member 10, the table top gravitationally retains itself in its collapsed vertical position.

On'theupper ends of the legs 21, and "specifically'ton the upper sides of the upper leg elements '22, adjacent to the verticalleg elements 20, are fixedly secured freleasable holdingzor detent-elements 38. An additional pair of releasable holding or detent elements 39 arezfixed on the under. surfaceiof the table top .13.-and.:located for'respective interengagement with the elements-13.8 when the legs 21 are in their open or set-up conditionrandithe top 13 is generally horizontal extending over the frame member 10 and the legs. 'Of course, this releasableinterengagement of the detent elements :38 and 439 which elements may be of the snap-socket type, etfectivelyrprevent inadvertent collapse of the set-up table.

Further, the underside 'of the table top-.13 is provided with a pair of spaced wedge elements 40 located to engage with the upper elements 22 ofrespectivedeg's 21 when the latter approach and are in their 'fu lly'open or set-up'condition. As best seen in Fig. 5, the releagable holding elements 38 and 39 are located on one :sidel'o'fthe I pintle axis 18, when the table is set-upj-and the elements 40 are located on the other side of' th'efpiiitle axis. 'In the setting-up operation, the wedge elements cooperate with the respective, preferably tubular-upper leg elements 22 by engagement therewith, to *swing the table top 13 slightly counterclockwise as seen inFigJ 5 in properly timed relation to cause interengagementbf the holding elements 38 and 39. Also, when thelegs=21 are'swung to their limit-ing open position abutting' the ends of frame members 10 and 11, the coacting wedge members 40 and upper leg elements 22 serve toffir'riily but releasably hold the detent elements 38 and in their interengaging'relation. Thus, mere outward swing ing movement of the legs 21 from their collapsed cIon dition effects automatic setting up of the table-and re leasa'ble securement of the same inits set-up condition.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the presentinven tion provides a collapsible table which fully'accomplis'h'e's its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use. I

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and examplefor purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understoodfthat certain changes and modifications may be'made the spirit of the invention and scope oftheappericled claims. i l

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible table construction comprising a gen': erally horizontal frame member, a table top hingedly connected to said horizontal frame member for limited swinging movement between a generally horizontal -set up position overlying said frame member and a generally vertical collapsed position in spaced parallelism withis aid horizontal frame member, a pair of generallYwentical legs having their upper ends. substantially horizontal with respect to the upper side of said horizontal frame memher and each connected to said horizontal frame member adjacent to respective ends thereof .for rotation about n vertical axis between a set-up position extending transenemas versely of said horizontal frame member for supporting engagement with said table top and a collapsed position disposed in the space between said horizontal frame member and collapsed tabletop, and abutment means engageable with said legs in their set-up position to prevent swinging movement of said legs beyond their set-up position.

2. A collapsible table construction according to claim 1, said abutment means comprising the end surface of said horizontal frame member.

3. A collapsible table construction comprising a generally horizontal frame member, a table top hingedly connected to said horizontal frame member for limited swinging movement between a generally horizontal setup position overlying said frame member and a generally vertical collapsed position in spaced parallelism with said horizontal frame member, a pair of generally vertical legs having their upper ends substantially horizontal with respect to the upper side of said horizontal frame member and each connected to said horizontal frame member adjacent to respective ends thereof for rotation about a vertical axis between a set-up position extending transversely of said horizontal frame member for supporting engagement with said table top and a collapsed position disposed in the space between said horizontal frame member and collapsed table top, and interengageable holding means on the upper ends of said legs and the underside of said table top for releasably holding said legs in their set-up condition.

4. A collapsible table construction according to claim 3, in combination with abutment means engageable with said legs in their set-up position to prevent swinging movement of said legs beyond their set-up position.

5. A collapsible table construction comprising a generally horizontal frame member, a table top hingedly connected to said horizontal frame member for limited swinging movement between a generally horizontal setup position overlying said frame member and a generally vertical collapsed position in spaced parallelism with said horizontal frame member, a pair of generally vertical legs having their upper ends substantially horizontal with respect to the upper side of said horizontal frame member and each connected to said horizontal frame member adjacent to respective ends thereof for rotation about a generally vertical axis between a set-up position extending transversely of said horizontal frame member for supporting engagement with said table top and a collapsed position disposed in the space between said horizontal frame member and collapsed table top, interengageable detent elements on the under side of said table top and the upper ends of said legs and located on one side of the axis of swinging movement of said table top about said horizontal frame member, interengageable wedge means on the underside of said table top and the upper ends of said legs on the other side of said axis to urge said table top about said axis for retaining said detent elements in interengagement, and abutment means engageable with said legs to limit their rotation to the set-up position with said detent elements in interengagement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 489,369 Case Ian. 3, 1893 899,383 Ganniff Sept. 22, 1908 2,055,007 Erpelding Sept. 22, 1936 2,079,639 Swensson May 11, 1937 it 2,692,175 Jacques Oct. 19, 1954 2,762,669 Watson Sept. 11, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 181,496 Switzerland Mar. 2, 1936 430,505 Great Britain June 20, 1935 811,027 France Apr. 5, 1937

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