US3138121A - Extension table - Google Patents

Description

June 23; 1964 J. D. PETRONE 3,138,121

EXTENSION TABLE Filed July 27, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 170351 143. PETPfl/VE BYZM I ATTORNEYS June 23, 1964 Filed July 27, 1961 J. D. PETRONE EXTENSION TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Jbsa wp. P6 7/?0NE BY gimp, M,

Mad/W ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. D. PETRONE EXTENSION TABLE June 23, 1964 Filed July 27, 1961 INVENTOR EPH 1). PE THO/V5 ATTO R N EYS a k w United States Patent 3,138,121 EXTENSION TABLE Joseph D. Petrone, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Progressive Table (10., Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed July 27, 1961, Ser. No. 127,287 11 Claims. (Cl. 10869) This invention relates to extension tables and, more particularly, to a novel and improved extension table which, in the closed position, has the appearance of an ordinary table without any indication that it is an extension table.

There are various forms of extension tables, such as the drop leaf type, the end leaf pull-out type, and the center inserted leaf type. However, the one characteristic common to all of these known extension tables is the appearance thereof, which immediately indicates that the table is an extension table and not an ordinary table. To many purchasers of tables, this particular appearance is disadvantageous from the standpoint of desirability as an article of furniture. While numerous attempts have been made to produce an extension table which, when closed, would have the appearance of an ordinary table, none of the solutions proposed so far have been satisfactory either from the cost or the appearance standpoint.

In accordance with the present invention, an extension table having the appearance, when closed, of an nonextendable table, is provided in a novel manner and includes a top, supported suitably on support legs, and hav ing a pair of substantially U-shaped open frames slidably mounted in opposing relation on the underside thereof for selective extension beyond the ends of the top. These frames, when closed beneath the top, define a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of the top. When the frames are extended, each frame is arranged to support a leaf in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with the main top, each leaf being formed for releasable interengagement with the top and with the respective extended frame. When the leaves are removed from the extended frames, they may be supported in a neat appearing fashion on hangers beneath the table top and carried by the frames, parts on the leaves interlocking with portions of the frames to prevent the frames being extended from the table top untfl the leaves are removed from their supported position.

A feature of the invention is the provision of novel means normally resiliently limiting the extension of each frame to a distance less than necessary to provide for the associated leaf to be moved into interengageable interlocking relation with the frame and the table top, this resilient means permitting further extension of the frames, by compression of the resilient means, for insertion of the leaf, and then biasing the frame into tight engagement with the associated leaf and enhancing the support thereof.

The undersurface of the main table top is provided with a pair of laterally spaced guides and with central guiding means arranged to slidably mount the two frames in opposing relation. The underside of the table is also provided with locking means cooperable with the removed and supported leaves and arranged to interlock the closed frames to maintain the latter snugly assembled with the undersurface of the table to provide the aforementioned continuous and uninterrupted rail effect around the undersurface of the table. Preferably, the leaves are formed with bevelled inner and outer end edges arranged for coaction with mating bevelled surfaces on the responsive frames and on the ends of the main table top. 7

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extension tableembodying the invention, the table being shown in the closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 in the open or extended position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded and inverted perspective view illustrating the several components of the extension table;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the table, the legs being shown in section, with one frame extended and the other frame closed;

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of the table in the extended position;

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view of the table illustrating the latter in the closed condition and with the leaves supported thereon;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8 and 10 are sectional views taken on the correspondingly numbered lines of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the extension table embodying the invention comprises a fiat uniplanar table top 10 which may be substantially rectangular and of any desired thickness. Legs 11 are associated, in any suitable manner, in supporting relation with the table top it), the particular manner in which the legs 11 are connected to the table top being immaterial to the present invention. A pair of U-shaped open frames, generally indicated at 30, are slidably mounted on the undersurface of the table top 10 for movement longitudinally thereof between a closed position, in which the opposed frames cooperate to provide a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of the table top, and an open position in which the frames are projected beyond the ends of the top 10. When in the open position, the frames 34) support leaves 49 in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with the table top 10, these leaves 4% being formed for releasable interengagement with the table top and the respective extended frame 30.

From FIG. 1, it will be observed that, when the table is closed, it has the appearance of an ordinary table rather than that of an extension table; On the other hand, when the table is extended as shown in FIG. 2, the leaves do are supported in flush coplanar upper surface relation with the table top 10, a firm support being provided by the interlocking between the leaves 40 and the table top 10 and the frames 30. While the table, both in the closed and extended position, is generally rectangular in plan, it will be appreciated that the principles of the invention are applicable to tables which, in both the open and extended positions, are shaped, in plan, other than rectangular.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, table top 10 has a pair of relatively elongated guides 15 extending along its undersurface adjacent, but spaced inwardly from, each side surface thereof, the guides 15 being parallel. These guides or tracks, which preferably are wooden members secured by screws 12 to the table top 10, are angular in section to provide outwardly extending lips 16 spaced from the undersurface of table top It). 'Just beyond each vend of each guide 15, a Z-shaped metal clip is secured to the undersurface of table top 10 in such a manner as to, in effect, form a continuation of the guide. The purpose of these clips, and of the guides 15, will be made apparent hereinafter.

Adjacent each end of table top 10, a pair of laterally aligned and spaced stops 17 are secured to the undersurface of the table top by screws 13, the stops 17 being preferably formed of wood and being angular in cross 3,138,121, Patented June 23, 1964 -spaced ribs 33, 34 of each section to form outwardly extending lips 18 which are in vertical alignment with the lips 16 of the side rails 15. The inner ends of the lips 18 are laterally aligned with the outer edges of the metal clips 20. Short center guides 25 are disposed between and inwardly of the end-stops 17 adjacent each end of the table top 10. Each center guide 25 includes a base 26 secured to the undersurface of table top by screws 14, side flanges 27, and lips 28 extending inwardly from the outer edges of each side flange. Lips 28 have essentially the same shape, and are located in essentially vertical alignment with, the lips 16 and 18. The two center guides 25 are longitudinally aligned with each other on the longitudinal center line of the table top 10. For a purpose to be described, the opposite end edges 21 of the table top 10 are bevelled downwardly and inwardly.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 8, each frame 30 includes a pair of side rails 31 interconnected by an end rail 32. The three rails 31, 31, and 32 of each frame 30 are identical in sectional area, each having a generally trapezoidal shape, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, providing a downwardly and inwardly sloping outer surface and an inner surface which is substantially perpendicular to the general plane of top 10. The rails 31, 31 are joined to the rail 32 at mitered or bevelled corner joints. On their inner surfaces, each of the side rails 31, 31 and 32 is formed with a pair of spaced ribs 33 and 34, rib 33 being substantially flush with the upper surface of the rail and rib 34 being disposed substantially midway between the upper and lower edges of the rail. The spaced ribs 33 and 34 of the side rails 31 form a groove receiving the ribs 16 of guides 15, and the lips of clips engage beneath the undersurface of the ribs 33. The of the two end rails 32 form a groove receiving the lips 18 of the guides 17 when the respective frame 30 is closed beneath the table top 10, whereby the frames are rigidly held in fixed relation relative to the table top.

A strip 22, which is rectangular in cross section, extends between the free rear ends of the side rails 31, the outer edge of this strip being flush with the outer ends of the rails 31, and its bottom surface being flush with the undersurfaces of these rails. The upper surface of strip 22 engages the ribs 34 on the side rails 31. A center strip 23 extends from the front rail 32 of each frame 30 and abuts the cross strip 22, this center strip having the same cross sectional area as the cross strip 22 and being flush therewith on both surfaces as well as being engaged underneath the rib 34 of the front rail 32. For a purpose to be described, a block 24 is secured centrally to the cross strip 22 and has a length transversely of the frame 30 substantially equal to the Width of the center strip 23.

A central rail 36 is secured to the upper surface of center strip 23 to extend longitudinally and centrally thereof, center rail 36 having a generally H-shaped cross section and having a snug conforming fit in the center guide or track on the undersurface of the top 10.

Rail 36 extends forwardly from a point spaced somewhat from the front surface of block 24 to a point spaced substantially from the front rail 32, for example about onethird of the distance between the front rail 32 and the rear edge of the cross strip 22. At a preselected point, selected in. accordance with conditions described more fully hereinafter, and somewhat rearwardly of the front to rear midpoint of the frame 30, a block 37 is secured to the undersurface of the center strip 23. A support strip 38, of substantially rectangular cross sectionbut having bevelled side edge portions 39, is secured to the block 37 at its midpoint and projects outwardly therefrom a predetermined distance on each side toward the side rails 31. The purpose of support strips 38 will be described hereinafter. Also for a purpose to be described, a short piece of flexible tubing 35, such as rubber or rubber-like material, is nailed to the inner or front surface of the block 34, the diameter of the tubing 35 being less than the space between block 24 and the inner end of rail 36.

The leaves 40 are best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Each leaf comprises a planar member of preferably the same material as table top 10, having a thickness equal to that of table top 10 so that, when in position, the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves 40 are flush with the corresponding surfaces of the table top 10. Each leaf 40 has an inner edge 41 arranged to mate with the end edge 21 of table top 10 and an outer edge 42 which is parallel to the inner edge 21. The side edges of the leaves form smooth continuations of the side edges of the table top 10. On its under surface, each leaf 40 has a pair of side strips 43 secured thereto and extending parallel to each other and to the side edges of the leaf. The strips 43 are positioned inwardly of the side edges of the leaf an amount sufficient that, when a leaf 40 is placed on a frame 30, the strips 43 will have a snug fit between the edges of the ribs 33 of the side rails 31 of the frame. Furthermore, the strips 43 are so positioned that their outer ends, when the strips are seated on a frame 30, will have a snug fit against the rib 33 of the end rail 32 of the associated frame. The inner edges of strips 43, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, project beyond the inner edges 41 of the lips so as to engage beneath the undersurface of table top 10 when the leaves are in position. Each leaf 40 also has an end strip 44 disposed substantially midway between its opposite side edges and located inwardly from edge 42 so that, when the inner edge 41 of the leaf is abutted against the end edge 41 of table top 10, strip 44 will have a snug fit against the exposed surface of the rib 33 of the end rail 32 of the associated frame. The projecting edges of the strips 43 are preferably rounded or bevelled inwardly and downwardly.

When the table is in the closed condition, the leaves 40 are stored by slipping each leaf over the strips 38 of the two frames 30, one leaf being disposed adjacent each side of the table. The strips 38 have a length such that, when the leaves 40 are disposed thereof, the strips 43 will engage over the outer surfaces of the support strips 38 of the two frames, and thus lock the two frames in the closed condition.

To extend the table, the leaves 40 are withdrawn from the support strips 38, and the frames 30 are pulled outwardly, one at a time. When a frame 30 is extended to the point Where rubber tube 35 abuts the inner end of rail 25 on the undersurface of table top 10, the leaf 40 is tilted so that its strip 43 will have their ends engaged beneath the undersurface of the table top 10 with the outer edges of the strips 43 engaged between the ribs 33 of the side rails 31. The frame 30 is then pulled further outwardly, comprising the rubber tube 35, and the leaf 40 is then engaged within the end rail 32 of the frame 30, that is with its strip 44 arranged to engage or abut the inner edge of the rib 33, and the frame 30 is then released. The tube 35, acting as a spring, will pull the frame 30 inwardly so that the strips 43 and 44 are snugly engaged by the ribs 33 holding the leaf 40 tightly engaged within the frame and fully supported thereby. The same procedure is then repeated at the opposite end of the table.

As best seen in FIG. 3, each leaf 40 has three leveling screws 45 threaded thereinto. Of these screws, each center screw is arranged to engage the rail 36 of a frame 40, and each outer screw is arranged to engage a rail 31. Screws 45 serve to level leaves 40 so that their upper surfaces are flush with that of top 10. Usually, screws 45 are adjusted once at the factory, and need be re-adjusted only in the event of warpage or the like.

To close the table, it is necessary only to pull out each frame 30 a small amount, compressing the respective tubes 35, and then to tilt the leaves 40 upwardly and outwardly of the associated frames. The frames 30 are then closed on each other, after which the leaves 40 are mounted on the support strips 38 as described to lock the frames in the closed position.

The Z-shaped metal clips 20 serve for easy guiding of the respective frames-3t into the side guides 15 of the table top 10, and further act to strengthen the support of the frames 30 on the table top.

As an alternative to the construction shown, the side rails and end rails of the two frames 30 could be extended downwardly so that the leaves 46 are completely concealed in the closed condition of the table. However, in such case, the support strips 38 would have to be made of spring or resilient metal in order to provide sufficient clearance for moving the leaves inwardly beneath the side rails.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of frames slidably mounted in opposing relation on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top, said frames, when closed beneath said stop, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top; a pair of leaves each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; each frame including a transverse member interconnecting the inner ends of its side rails, a longitudinally extending central member interconnecting said transverse member and the end rail of each frame, and support means carried by said longitudinally extending central member for supporting said leaves beneath said table top when said frames are closed; and interengageable means on said leaves and on said support means cooperable to maintain said frames against extension when said leaves are supported on said support means benath said table top.

2. An extensiontable comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of frames slidably mounted in opposing relation on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top, said frames, when closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top; a pair of leaves each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; each frame including a transverse member interconnecting the inner ends of its side rails, a longitudinally extending central member interconnecting said transverse member and the end rail of each frame, and support means carried by said longitudinally extending central member for supporting said leaves beneath said table top when said frames are closed; a pair of longitudinally spaced and aligned centrally disposed guides on the undersurface of said table top; longitudinally extending guide rails on each frame each extending along the associated central member and terminating short of the inner end of the frame, said center rails being engageable in said centrally disposed guides; and stop means carried by said transverse member of each frame and engageable with the inner ends of said centrally disposed guides to limit outward movement of the associated frame.

3. An extension table as claimed in claim 2 including resilient means carried by said stop means and engageable with the respective centrally disposed guides; said resilient means permitting said frame to be drawn outwardly a sufficient amount for said leaves to be mounted in said frames and biasing said frames inwardly to firmly clamp said leaves in assembled position on the respective frames.

4. An extension table as claimed in claim 3 in which said resilient means comprises a piece of resilient tubing mounted on said stop means and extending transversely of the associated frame.

5. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of frames slidably mounted in opposing relation on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top, said frames, when closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top; a pair of leaves each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; each frame including a transverse member interconnecting the inner ends of its side rails, a longitudinally extending central member interconnecting said transverse member and the end rail of each frame, and support means carried by said longitudinally extending central member for supporting said leaves beneath said table top when said frames are closed; and leveling screws adjustably secured in each leaf and engageable with the side and central rails of the associated frame for leveling the leaf with the table top to form a flush coplanar surface therewith.

6. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of relatively elongated guides on the undersurface of saidtop, each extending in inwardly spaced, substantially parallel relation to a side edge of said top, and facing outwardly; a pair of frames each comprising a pair of inwardly fac ing side rails and an inwardly facing outer end rail extending between said side rails, said side rails being slidable engageable With said guides for opposing mounting of said frames on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top; the three rails of said frames, when the frames are closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top and embracing said guides; a,

pair of leaves completely disengageable from said frames and each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for completely releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; and a pair of longitudinally aligned and spaced center guides on the undersurface of said top, each adjacent but inwardly spaced from an end thereof; each frame having a longitudinally extending central rail engageable in one of said central guides.

7. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of relatively elongated guides on the undersurface of said top, each extending in inwardly spaced, substantially parallel relation to a side edge of said top, and facing outwardly; a pair of frames each comprising a pair of inwardly facing side rails and an inwardly facing outer end rail extending between said side rails, said side rails being slidably engageable with said guides for opposing mounting of said frames on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top; the three rails of said frames, when the frames are closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top and embracing said guides; a pair of leaves completely disengageable from said frames and each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for completely releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; each frame including a transverse member interconnecting the inner ends of its side rails; a longitudinally extending central member interconnecting said transverse member and the end rail of each frame; and support means carried by said longitudinally extending central member for supporting said leaves beneath said table top when said frames are closed.

8. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of relatively elongated guides on the undersurface of said top, each extending in inwardly spaced, substantially parallel relation to a side edge of said top, and facing outwardly; a pair of frames each comprising a pair of inwardly facing side rails and an inwardly facing outer end rail extending between said side rails, said side rails being slidably engageable with said guides for opposing mounting of said frames on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top; the three rails of said frames, when the frames are closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top and embracing said guides; a pair of leaves completely disengageable from said frames and each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for completely releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; and metal clips secured to the undersurface of said table top, each in aligned spaced relation with an end of a side guide; said metal clips serving for proper guiding of the rails of the frames onto said side guides during assembly of the frames to the table top.

9. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of relatively elongated guides on the undersurface of said top, each extending in inwardly spaced, substantiallyparallel relation to a side edge of said top, and facing outwardly; a pair of frames each comprising a pair of inwardly facing side rails and an inwardly facing outer end rail extending between said side rails, said side rails being slidably engageable with said guides for opposing mounting of said frames on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top; the three rails of said frames, when the frames are closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top and embracing said guides; a pair of leaves completely disengageable from said frames and each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially cplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for completely releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; and transversely extending guides on the undersurface of said table top cooperable with the end railof each frame in the closed positions of the frames to firmly support the associated frame in fixed relation to the undersurface of said table top.

10. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of relatively elongated guides on the undersurface of said top, each extending in inwardly spaced, substantially parallel relation to a side edge of said top, and facing outwardly; a pair of frames each comprising a pair of inwardly facing side rails and an inwardly facing outer end rail extending between said side rails, said side rails being slidably engageable with said guides for opposing mounting of said frames on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top; the three rails of said frames, when the frames are closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top and embracing said guides; and a pair of leaves completely disengageable from said frames and releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; each of said leaves having side and end members on its undersurface having a snug conforming fit with the inner surfaces of said side and end rails of the associated frame.

11. An extension table comprising, in combination, a table top; legs supporting said top; a pair of relatively elongated guides on the undersurface of said top, each extending in inwardly spaced, substantially parallel relation to a side edge of said top, and facing outwardly; a pair of frames each comprising a pair of inwardly facing side rails and an inwardly facing outer end rail extending between said side rails, said side rails being slidably engageable with said guides for opposing mounting of said frames on the undersurface of said top for selective extension beyond the ends of said top; the three rails of said frames, when the frames are closed beneath said top, defining a continuous uninterrupted rail around the undersurface of said top and embracing said guides; and a pair of leaves completely disengageable from said frames and each arranged for support upon an extended frame in substantially coplanar upper surface relation with said top and formed for completely releasable interengagement with said top and the respective extended frame; each of said leaves having side and end members on its undersurface having a snug conforming fit with the inner surfaces of said side and end rails of the associated frame; the side members on the undersurfaces of each leaf projecting therebeyond for engagement beneath said table top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 658,275 Musser Sept. 18, 1900 1,665,833 Zork Apr. 10, 1928 1,853,009 Walter Apr. 5, 1932 2,108,816 Holland et al Feb. 22, 1938 2,577,724 Weller Dec. 4, 1951 2,868,597 Morrison Jan. 13, 1959

Claims (1)

1. AN EXTENSION TABLE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A TABLE TOP; LEGS SUPPORTING SAID TOP; A PAIR OF FRAMES SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN OPPOSING RELATION ON THE UNDERSURFACE OF SAID TOP FOR SELECTIVE EXTENSION BEYOND THE ENDS OF SAID TOP, SAID FRAMES, WHEN CLOSED BENEATH SAID STOP, DEFINING A CONTINUOUS UNINTERRUPTED RAIL AROUND THE UNDERSURFACE OF SAID TOP; A PAIR OF LEAVES EACH ARRANGED FOR SUPPORT UPON AN EXTENDED FRAME IN SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR UPPER SURFACE RELATION WITH SAID TOP AND FORMED FOR RELEASABLE INTERENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TOP AND THE RESPECTIVE EXTENDED FRAME; EACH FRAME INCLUDING A TRANSVERSE MEMBER INTERCONNECTING THE INNER ENDS OF ITS SIDE RAILS, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CENTRAL MEMBER INTERCONNECTING SAID

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