Improvements in Dining and other Tables Capable of Extension by Sliding Leaves.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dining and other Tables Capable of Extension by
Sliding Leaves.
I, HENRY LAW of Oak Terrace, Berry Brow, Clayton Bridge Manchester in
the County of Lancaster, Joiner and Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is applicable mainly to the class of tables known as dining tables
and which are capable of extension by means of extending leaves arranged to slide
out when required from underneath the centre part of the table top. According
to the usual method of constructing such tables the slides which are secured to the
under side of the leaves, and which serve as bearers when the 'leaves are extended,
are made parallel on the underside and a step is formed in them at the point of the
slide just cleared by the table frame when the leaf reaches its innermost position.
The result of this is that the table top-which in such tables is not secured to the
frame-must be lifted the height of the said step at that end at which it is desired
to extend a leaf before such leaf can be drawn out.
The first part of my invention consists of abolishing this step and forming the
underside of the slides with an inclined plane so that the act of drawing out
the leaf shall of itself raise the table top through the intermediary of the leaf.
The second part of my invention consists of forming a stop upon the underside
of the slides beyond the inclined plane and so situated as to come into contact with
the inside of the frame when the leaf is sufficiently extended to allow the edge of
the table top to fall into position clear of the inner edge of the extended leaf and
thus prevent the leaf from being drawn clear away from the table. In the case of
tables having moulded edges I prefer to form the inner edge of the leaf with an
upper lip so as to fill up the hollow of the said moulding which is accomplished by
pushing back the leaf the depth of the moulding after the table top has fallen clear
of the inner edge of the extended leaf, as before described.
The third part of my invention consists of blocks or snugs attached to the inside
of the table frame in such positions that the inner ends of the leaf slides or bearers
pass onto the top of them when the leaves are closed in. They thus provide an
abutment preventing the said ends from descending in case an attempt be made to
lift the table by placing the hands under the outer edges of the leaves. In such
case the table all lifts together even though the centre top be not fastened down,
as the slide bearers pass in the usual manner under the usual centre fixed rib and
over the blocks described.
The fourth part of my invention consists of forming or attaching a rounded or
other moulding or rib along the under edge of the sides of the table and forming
the upper outer edge of the leaves to correspond, thus completing the moulding
along both sides and ends of the table when not extended and causing it to have the
66 screw diners."
appearance of the class of table known as
The fifth part of my invention consists of substituting centre-bolts with plate
nuts for the usual pins and plates. The plates with tapped holes are secured to the
under side of the centre of each side of the table top immediately above the usual
cross-rib and a washer plate is preferably secured to the under side of it. The
bolt being screwed from below into the nut-plate, sufficient play is allowed between
the bolt-head and the washer to allow of the necessary lift or rise of the table top
when the leaves are being extended or closed in. The said bolt-head however
prevents the table top from being lifted clear away from the frame when it is
desired to lift the table by placing the hands under the sides of the top.

page_text: The sixth part of my invention consists of a rubber, steel or other spring placed
between the before-described bolt-head and the washer plate, which I use in some
cases to prevent the table top from rising too easily and to ensure its prompt falling
into position when the leaves are extended.
My invention is equally applicable to tables with only one extending leaf or with
one at each end.
In cases in which it is. desired to prevent the leaves from being too easily
drawn out I arrange to lock them when closed, by a latch or pin or other suitable
device.
Dated this 7th day of January 1899
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS,
Agent to the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dining and other Tables Capable of Extension by
Sliding Leaves.
I, HENRY LAW of Oak Terrace, Berry Brow, Clayton Bridge, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Joiner and Cabinet Maker, 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:-
My invention is applicable mainly to the class of tables known as dining tables
and which are capable of extension by means of extending leaves arranged to slide
out when required from underneath the centre part of the table top.
According to the usual method of constructing such tables the slides or bearers
which are secured to the under side of the leaves, and which serve as bearers when
the leaves are extended are made parallel on the under-side and a step is formed in
them at the point of the slide just cleared by the table frame. when the leaf reaches
its innermost position. The result of this is that the table top-which in such
tables is not secured to the frame-must be lifted the height of the said step at
that end at which it is desired to extend a leaf before such leaf can be drawn out.
In the accompanying drawings
"
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a table constructed in accordance with my
invention and having one leaf extended and one not extended.
Fig. 2. is a part cross section of such a table taken through dotted line X. Y.
Fig. 3. is a plan view with the table top removed.
In all views similar reference letters denote the same parts.
A is the usual frame of the table B the legs and C the top which in such tables
is not fastened to the frame. DD are the leaves and EE the sliding bearers.
F is the usual cross rib fixed to the frame A.
The first part of my invention consists of abolishing the "step" or drop usually
formed on the underside of the bearers near their outer end and constructing the
bearer with an inclined plane as shewn at e, e, Fig. 1.
The second part of my invention consists of forming a
underside of the bearers or slides about the middle of
inclined plane as shewn at e', e', Fig. 1.
step" or "stop" on the
their length beyond the
The third part of my invention consists of blocks or snugs attached to the inside
of the table frame as shewn at G G in such position that the ends of the bearers E E
pass onto the top of them when the leaves are closed in.
The fourth part of my invention consists of forming or attaching a rounded
or other moulding or rib along the under edge of the sides of the table top
as shewn at H, and forming the upper outer edge of the leaves to correspond as
shewn at I I.
The fifth part of my invention consists in centre bolts K with plate nuts k-in
place of the usual centre pin--and washer piates k. The bolts are screwed into
the uut plates from below as shewn. The nut plates are secured one to each side of

page_text: the table top in the centre as shewn. The washer plates are secured to the under-
side of the cross rib F as shewn.
The sixth part of my invention consists of rubber, steel, or other springs M
placed between the bolt heads and the washer plates k¹.
The functions of the before described parts are as follows:-
When it is desired to extend a leaf it is grasped with the hand by the recess N
or by a handle and drawn outwards. The incline E E riding upon the edge a of.a
slot formed to receive it in the frame A raises the table top C through the inter-
mediary of the leaf D the said rising of the top being allowed for by the
compression of the springs M. As soon as the inner edge d of the leaf clears the
edge of the table top the latter drops into its former position and the leaf is
then pushed back to form a joint with the top as shewn on the left in Fig. 1.
The right hand leaf in Fig. 1 is shewn not extended in this fig, and also in
Fig. 3. The step el is so placed as to come into contact with the inner edge of
the frame A just after the point d has cleared the point c and so prevents the leaf
being withdrawn altogether.
goes
:
To return the leaf to its former position it is first drawn out till stopped by the
step e; then the top C is grasped and raised at that end only whose leaf is being
returned. The leaf is then pushed in by the body or otherwise the top can be
released as soon as d has entered under c. The position of the top C is then as
shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The leaf D is then pushed right in descending as
it and being kept horizontal by the contact of the upper inclined planes e³
with the underside of the rib F. When coming to rest the nose e rides and rests
upon the block G which holds the leaf in position and prevents it rising at the
edge in case the table be lifted by being grasped at that point the upper edge of
the bearers E being in contact with the underside of the fixed crossbar F. If the
table be grasped at the sides and lifted the top is prevented from coming off by
means of the head of the centre bolts K. The moulded rib H attached to the sides
of the top C gives the table the appearance of the class of table known as screw-
diners" and the rounded edge I of the leaves complete this appearance at the ends
when they are closed in.
I prefer to secure the ribs H by means of screws passing through elongated
holes to allow of shrinkage of the top and in order to strengthen them I in
some cases insert a strip of iron or steel as shewn at O and secure it to the ribs by
screws.
My invention is equally applicable to tables with only one extending leaf or with
one at each end.
In cases in which it is desired to prevent the leaves from being easily drawn out
I arrange to lock them when closed by attaching a pin, spring latch or other
suitable device.
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
claim is :
1. In extendable tables the slide bearers of the leaves having inclined upper and
under surfaces for the purposes herein-before described and substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The stop or step on the underside of the slide bearers to limit the outward
traverse of the leaves substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. The blocks or snugs attached to the inside of the frame and forming a
support for the slide bearer ends to retain the leaves in position when not
extended substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
4. The moulding attached to the sides of the table top to match the outer edges
of the leaves substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.

page_text: 5. The centre-bolts and plate nuts having clearance to allow the table top to
rise but preventing it from lifting entirely away substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. The springs used in conjunction with the centre-bolts substantially as and
for the purposes herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 12th day of September 1892.
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS,
Agent to the Applicant.