PROVISIONAL DI DUITIVATION Improvements in and relating to the Folding Legs of Tables and similar Articles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
'
PROVISIONAL DI DUITIVATION
Improvements in and relating to the Folding Legs of Tables and
similar Articles.
I, RICHARD PREEN of 89 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester in the
County of Lancaster, Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows
This invention relates to the folding legs of tables and similar articles, and its
objects are to construct them in a simple strong and efficient manner and so that
when not in use the legs may be folded completely out of the way.
The legs of a table constructed to embody my improvements are hinged to the
table at or near its ends or other suitable or convenient place, and are capable of
being folded up flat against the underside of the table. The legs at each end of
the table are preferably secured together so that they move simultaneously. At
or near to the bottom of each leg or each pair of legs is secured one end of a stay
or strut the other end of which is hinged or pivoted to the underside of the table
top. This stay or strut is divided and the two halves are pivoted together in such
a manner that their motion is limited in one direction when the two halves are in
line. A convenient method of accomplishing this is to form one of the halves of
the strut of two parallel pieces of wood or metal between which the other half is
pivoted. The ends of the parallel parts project beyond the pivot and are joined
across by a pin or bar of metal which bears against the second part of the strut
when the two halves are in line.
When the table legs are extended and are supporting the table the struts are
straight and transmit any strain or weight from the table top directly to the lower
parts of the legs.
In order to close the legs the struts are bent upwards and the legs are then free
to move up against the underside of the table top.
To guard against any risk of the various hinges or parts being distorted through
any one accidentally trying to unfold the legs by pulling the pivoted strut instead
of the legs, a hasp staple or other device is secured to the table in such a manner
as to engage with the strut when it is folded up and to prevent its movement
except when it is withdrawn by the legs being unfolded.
It is preferred to provide the strut with a suitable turnbutton latch or other
equivalent device by means of which the two halves may be kept straight when
the table is in use.
Dated this 17th day of November A.D, 1893.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Folding Legs of Tables and
similar Articles.
I, RICHARD PREEN of 89 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer, 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:-
This invention relates to the folding legs of tables and of similar articles and its
objects are to enable the legs to be constructed in a simple strong and efficient
ID 037

page_text: manner and so that when not in use they may be folded completely out of
the way.
I will describe my said invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
which represent my improvements as applied to one end of a table.
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation shewing the legs open.
Figure 2 is a similar view shewing the legs partly folded.
Figure 3 is an inverted plan shewing the legs folded up under the table.
Figure 4 is a sectional end elevation shewing the legs open.
In each of the figures similar parts are denoted by similar letters of reference.
The legs A of a table constructed to embody my improvements are hinged to
the underside of the table top B, at or near its ends or in such other positions as
may be suitable and convenient, and are capable of being folded flat against the
underside of the table. The two legs at the same end of the table are preferably
secured together rigidly by a cross piece such as C. At or near to the bottom of
each leg or to the cross piece C, there is secured by a hinge or the like D, an
articulated strut E, the other end of which is hinged or similarly jointed to the
underside of the table top at F. The two halves of the articulated stray or strut
are hinged or pivoted together in such a manner that their motion is limited to one
direction when the strut is opened out as in Figure 1. The construction of the
strut represented by the drawings is that which I prefer to employ. In this
construction the upper half of the strut is formed of two parallel strips e e, having
the lower half consisting of a single strip e pivoted between them at H. The
ends of the two parallel strips e e extend below the joint H and are connected by
the back plate I which comes against the part e¹ when the strut is opened, and
prevents its further movement as shewn by Figures 1 and 4.
When the table legs are extended or opened out as in Figures 1 and 4, the struts
are straight and transmit any weight or strain from the table top directly to the
lower part of the legs.
To close the legs, the struts are bent upwards towards the table top when the
legs may be folded flat against the table.
In order to prevent any risk of injury to the legs or struts by an attempt to
unfold them by pulling the struts instead of the legs, I may fix a bridge or
staple K, on the underside of the table in such a position that the prolonged end L
of the lower part e¹ of the strut may be engaged and held by the bridge when the
legs are folded, as shewn by Figure 3. In Figure 2 the end L is just about to
enter under and be engaged by the bridge. This bridge also prevents any motion
of the folded legs except when they are purposely lifted or dropped.
It is preferred also as a further precaution, to provide the strut with the turn-
bottoms M or equivalent devices. The turnbottom M, near where the strut is
hinged to the table top, prevents the legs being lifted dropped or unfolded when it
is in the position shewn by Figure 3, and M' arranged near the articulation of the
strut, prevents its folding or closing when in the position shewn by Figure 4.
Although I have described my improvements as applied to a table only, it will be
understood that they may be similarly applied to other similar articles, such for
example as forms and other seats.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
Folding legs and struts for tables and the like, constructed and arranged
substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 21st day of A nanst A D 1991