Improvements relating to Metal Folding Tables or like Pieces of Furniture.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1894-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Metal Folding Tables or like Pieces of
Furniture.
I, ALBERT EPSTEIN, of 31 Ackerstrasse, Berlin, Germany, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
Folding tables and like furniture, as at present made, are, generally, clumsy,
heavy, complicated and in many cases inconvenient for transport, whilst they
cannot be readily set up and taken down; moreover they are usually very
expensive.
This invention has for its object to remedy these defects.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon,
Fig. 1 shows a metal table in longitudinal section.
Fig. 2 is an underside view, to a reduced scale, of the table.
Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of an oval table.
Figs. 4 to 8 and 10 and 11 are detail views.
Fig. 9 shows a table to a reduced scale, as it appears when collapsed or
folded up.
Referring to the drawings
The table G is made of sheet steel and is formed in two halves or parts which
are connected together or jointed at the middle of the table. The table is provided,
on its underside, at suitable places, with spring clips or holders such as b, c (Figs. 2
and 3). The shape and construction of the spring clips 6 is shown more particu-
larly at Fig. 8, and of the clips c at Figs. 10 and 11. The clips which are intended
to hold the legs F, could be made adjustable if so desired.
The legs F of the table, which are likewise made of sheet steel, are provided
at their lower ends with a ferrule or bottom flanged piece and at their upper
ends are secured to the table top B by means of slotted cylindrical flanged-
holders K (see Fig. 4) rivetted to said top. These flanged holders have sufficient
spring or elasticity in them to firmly grip or hold the legs in position when
they are pushed telescopewise over them. Instead of securing the legs in this
manner they may be fixed to the holders K by means of pins K¹ formed on or
fitted in the holders and which are caused to enter bayonet slots K³ (see dotted
lines Fig. 5) cut in the legs. In this case the legs are secured by merely fitting
them in place and then turning them round so as to cause the pins to enter the
horizontal part of the slots K².
The rivetting is so arranged as to be counter sunk in the top of the flanges of
the cast metal holders K which are previously drilled for the purpose.
The
perforations for the reception of the rivets, in top plate B, are of such a size
as to only allow the shank of each rivet to pass. When rivetting, the plate B
is previously pressed by a stamp into the drilled opening of the cast metal
bolder K, for the purpose of preventing, especially in the case of thin plates,
the tearing through of the rivet head. When the legs are symmetrically arranged
the holders K engage together after the manner of clews as soon as the top plate B
is folded.
When it is desired to transport the table the legs are pulled off and are laid in
their holders or clips 6 (Figs. 2, 3 and 8) and both parts of the table top B are
closed. To prevent these parts opening I use a locking staple (Fig. 6) having two

page_text: spring arms which fit telescope wise in tubes y fixed in the front of each half or
part of the table top, as shown.
The locking staple is provided with a handle i which moves stiffly on account of
its own resiliency.
.
The locking staple is also used to lock the joint B¹ between the parts of the
top B, when the table is set up, as shown at Fig. 7. As will be seen in order
to lock the joint the spring arms f are pushed into corresponding holes made
in a plate p rivetted to the table top just at the back of the hinge joint.
When so inserted the staple effectually locks the hinge joint and prevents either
part of the table top shifting or turning.
The parts or halves of the table top are each made out of one piece of sheet
metal and they are provided, for convenience in handling, with a stiffening piece
such as m or n (Figs. 4 and 5). The sides consist of a closed frame the neigh-
bouring or adjoining walls of which form a hinge connected by a brass pin.
If desired the rivets could be replaced by screws.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that, what I
consider novel and desire to claim is :-
1. A metal folding table or the like having a top formed in two halves or
parts which are hinged together and which are provided with spring clips (such
as
c) and holders K to receive and secure the removable legs, substantially as
herein before described with reference to the drawings annexed.
2. In a folding table or the like, as claimed above, a locking staple f, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a folding table or the like, as set forth in Claim 1, the method of securing
the cast metal holder K to the table top, by first drilling countersunk holes in
the holder, then pressing the metal of the table top into said holes, and finally
rivetting the holder in place, substantially as herein before described with reference
to the drawings annexed.
Dated this 5th day of June 1894.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.