Improvements in Extensible Tables.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Extensible Tables.
I, WILLIAM HENRY PICKETT, of Warren, in the County of Warren,
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 extensible tables having two flexible sections of
novel construction at opposite ends of a stationary central panel connected
respectively to two leg frames which can be simultaneously moved to and fro
by mechanism such as screws or racks connected with both leg frames. Also the
crank employed to operate the gearing is so arranged that it is concealed from view
when not in use.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing is a perspective view of an extensible table
constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section on the line - of Fig. 3 which is a plan
looking from below.
Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line y-y of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of part of the flexible section.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the end leg-frames.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the working shaft, showing its winch handle in
position for use.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view partly in section showing the winch concealed within
the shaft.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lower side of a slat.
Fig. 10, is a transverse section of one of the slats and part of one of the cables,
and Figs. 11 and 12, are respectively a longitudinal section and a plan showing
modified mechanism for simultaneously moving the two leg frames towards and from
each other.
Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates the stationary central panel or leaf having
fixed on its underside two bars 2 to which the middle leg frame 3 is fixed, also a pair
of brackets 4 forming bearings for a transverse shaft 5.
Near the middle of the table this shaft has on it a bevil wheel 6 which engages a
similar wheel 7, fixed on a right and left hand screw shaft 8 having bearings in
brackets 8.
At each end of the table is a moveable leg frame 9 as shown in Fig. 6 having
parallel bars 10 guided by brackets 12 secured to the underside of the middle panel,
so that the two leg frames 9 can move rectilineally towards and from each other.
The bars 10 are fixed on both the cross rails 10° and 18 and extend beyond the latter
under the stationary middle panel or leaf 1.
On each side of the leg frame 9 is fixed a side piece 13 having a semicircular
outer end 14 containing a rotary disc or wheel 15.
On each of the side pieces 13 and round its rounded end is fixed a strip
of metal 16 which as shewn in Fig. 4 projects inwardly to constitute a guide
flange for the end portion of the slats which constitute the flexible table top
section.
The leg frame 9 is so made that it is practically a rigid structure. In each cross
rail 18 is fixed a nut 19 for the screw 8.
The shaft 5 can be rotated by a winch handle at one side of the table, thus

page_text: turning the screw 8 and moving the end leg frames simultaneously towards to or
from each other according to the direction in which the winch is turned.
The shaft 5 as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is tubular and has at its outer end a
socket 20 with a central, square or polygonal hole 21 to receive the stem of a jointed
winch handle which can be moved into and out of the tubular shaft. For this
purpose the winch handle is composed of two parts 22 and 23 jointed together at 24
and the other end of the part 23 has a handle 25 jointed to it at 26. When the
parts 22 and 23 and the handle 25 are brought into line, they can all be moved
lengthwise into and out of the tubular shaft. When they are drawn out the
part 23 is turned at right angles to 22 and the handle 25 is turned at right angles
to 23 as shown in Fig. 7, in which condition the winch handle can be worked
for transmitting rotary motion to the screw 8 and so simultaneously moving
the end leg frames 9 to or from each other. The part 23 and the handle 25
are made with slots 27, so that when they are turned at right angles and then
moved lengthwise on the pivot pins 24 and 26 the winch handle becomes
practically rigid.
When the winch handle is not in use the parts 22 and 23 and the handle 25 are
brought into line as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7, and are moved lengthwise
into the tubular shaft, so that only the ornamental head of the handle 25 is exposed
at the side of the table.
To prevent complete withdrawal of the part 22 its inner end is made with an
enlarged head 28, and there may be a spring catch 29 to spring behind or upon the
head 28 to steady the winch in its working position, while permitting it to be moved
into the shaft with slight pressure.
The right and left hand screw 8, besides effecting simultaneous movement of both
leg frames by means of a single working shaft 5, and thus causing the flexible table
top sections to be extended and retracted in unison, has also the advantage that it
rigidly holds both leg sections steadily in position relatively to each other without
requiring any extraneous locking devices.
Each flexible table top section is composed of a number of transverse slats 30
with edges 31 and 32 respectively convex and concave to the same radius so
that the slats when connected by flexible cords 33 passed through them are so.
jointed together that each can turn on the next as on a centre or pivot. Thus the
continuity of the surface formed by the series of connected slats is practically
unbroken, whilst the flexible sections as a whole can move freely round the rounded
ends of the side pieces 13.
The hole 34 of each slat through which the cord passes is so shaped that there
is a middle bearing point- 35 like a knife edge, and the other side of the hole
being concave, the edges 36 bear closely upon the cord 33 when the flexible
section forms a flat table top, the slat being thus prevented from rocking and
oscillating on the cord and yet being free to move round the rounded ends of the
pieces 13, as shown in Fig. 5, without shewing any open spaces between the edges
of contiguous slats.
The cord 33 is fastened to the outermost slat at 38, and its inner end is attached
to the eye of a bolt 39 which passes through a bracket 40 on the under side of the
middle panel 1 and is held by a nut 41 between which and the bracket 40 is
interposed a spring 42.
By screwing up the nut 41 the cord 33 is tightened whilst the spring 42 permits
"a certain amount of elastic yielding.
Each slat is of such length that it extends beyond the outer edge of the side
¡ pieces 13 and in its under sides near each end there is an under cut groove 43, with
a projecting tongue 44, which as shewn in Fig. 4, engages with the flange 16 on the
side piece 13..
The slats are thus prevented from rising off. from the pieces 13 on which they
move and rest, the faces 46 sliding thereon.
The pair of horizontal bars 10 attached to and projecting from each end leg-

page_text: frame, constitute as it were, a back bone for the table and sustain the slats, rendering
unnecessary any other slides with tongues working in grooves such as are required
for many extensible tables.
When the table is lifted, or loaded with a weight, these supporting bars 10
sufficiently strengthen the table and sustain its flexible sections. The length of the
bars 10 is such that those of one leg-frame extend past those of the other leg-frame
even when the table is fully extended, and consequently these bars form continuous
stiffeners for the table in its extended as well as in its retracted position, rendering
it strong and substantial.
The engagements of the grooves 43 of the slats with the flanges 16 prevents any
of them from being raised above the outer edges of the side rails, so that the
flexible sections are always retained in proper position without in any way
detracting from the handsome appearance of the table.
In the modification shewn in Figs. 11 and 12 the table, except in respect of the
gear is constructed as before described with its parts marked by corresponding
reference numerals, but the end leg frames 9 are simultaneously moved towards
and from each other by means of rack and pinion mechanism as follows.
On the bars 2, are fixed two bearings 47, for a short and a long shaft 48
and 49, carrying respectively pinions 50 and 51, gearing with one another, and
cach with a rack bar 52 attached to the end frame 9; on applying a winch to
the end 53 of the shaft 49 and turning it, the two leg frames are simultaneously
moved towards or from each other according to the direction in which the shaft is
rotated.
I am aware that independently or separately adjustable leg-frames have been
arranged to extend and retract flexible table top sections, but my invention differs
from the prior constructions in that I simultaneously extend and retract the flexible
top sections through the medium of gear mechanism connected with and simul-
taneously moving both of the end leg-frames.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An extensible table having two flexible table top sections at the opposite ends
of a middle panel, simultaneously extended or retracted by moving a pair of leg-
frames in unison by gear mechanism, as hereinbefore explained.
2. An extensible table having two flexible table top sections at the opposite ends
of a middle panel, simultaneously extended or retracted by a pair of leg-frames
moved in unison by a right and left hand screw, substantially as described.
3. At each end of an extensible table a flexible table top section and a moveable
leg-frame, made with inner and outer cross rails with side pieces engaged with the
flexible section and with supporting bars attached to the outer cross rail and
extending beyond the inner cross rail, substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
4. An extensible table having moveable leg-frames and gearing for moving
them and its tubular shaft with a jointed winch handle moveable lengthwise so as
to be housed or concealed when not in use, substantially as described.
5. An extensible table having a flexible table top section consisting of slats
strung upon flexible cords and having their edges formed to act as knuckle joints,
as and for the purpose specified.
6. An extensible table consisting of a middle panel, simultaneously moving end
leg-frames having curved outer ends, flexible table top sections composed of
flexibly connected slats having knuckle jointed edges so as to remain in close
contact while the slats traverse the curved outer ends of the leg frames, and means
for moving the leg frames in unison and thereby simultaneously extending and
retracting the flexible table top sections, substantially as described.
7. A Hexible table top section composed of flexibly connected slats having

page_text: convex and concave edges concentric to each other throughout the thickness of thic
slats and kept in close contact to turn on each other like knuckles, substantially as
described.
1
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1001
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.