Improvements in Tables.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th May, 1897-Accepted, 12th June, 1897
Improvements in Tables.
I, SUMNER EMERSON PAINE of Orwell, County of Ashtabula, Ohio, U.S.A.,.
Furniture Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as-
follows:-
In the table of this invention the side pieces or rails which are attached to the
table top by screws or other suitable means take into recesses in the upper part of
the table legs by angular extensions, and behind each leg is a diagonal piece
abutting against aud behind the ends of each pair of rails. Through each of these
diagonal pieces is passed a screw or bolt which extends into the corresponding leg
and when screwed up draws the angular extensions of the side rails into the recesses
of the leg so as to securely hold the side rails, diagonal piece and leg firmly
together. The object of this construction is to prevent the table top from warping
and to facilitate the disconnection of the table legs for transport purposes.
Dated this 11th day of August 1896.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant..
J, SUMNER EMERSON PAINE, of Orwell, County of Ashtabula, Ohio, U.S.A.,
Furniture Dealer, 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 :-
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view looking up at the corner of a table embodying this
invention, a leg being removed and placed to one side.
Fig. 2 a view from inside a corner with the leg removed.
Fig. 3 a part sectional elevation of one corner with the parts assembled.
Fig. 4 a view illustrating a defect incident to detachable corners as hitherto
constructed.
A is the table top to one side of which there are attached by screws or otherwise
the usual side pieces or rails B, and at the corner or in proximity thereto there is
arranged a diagonal corner piece C, preferably, though not necessarily, of the same
width as the side pieces and secured thereto by screws or dovetailing. With such
a construction great difficulty has been experienced in maintaining the shape of
the top, which has a tendency to warp as in Fig. 4. In tables of ordinary
construction the side pieces do not meet each other but abut directly against the
leg at the corner and form, as it were, a right angle socket in which the leg is held
by a screw, bolt, or other fastening, passing through the corner piece C, and by
this invention it is designed to overcome the difficulties before mentioned by

page_text: uniting the side pieces with the leg in such manner that neither of said side pieces
can be moved vertically, and consequently as the side pieces are secured rigidly to
the table top, this will be held down to its place at all times.
In the preferred arrangement the side pieces are provided with extensions E at
a point some distance below their upper edges, which extensions fit into
corresponding recesses f in the inner side of the leg. These extensions E are
usually formed by simply cutting the ends of the side pieces diagonally through
their lower portions, and at a right angle through their upper portions, as shewn in
Fig. 1, and in forming the recesses in the leg itself, the top and bottom portions of
the upper end of this latter and the intermediate portions corresponding in width
to the width of the projections, are cut in to form an obtuse angle, the result of
which arrangement is, that the leg is caused to centre accurately at the corner, and
in tightening the fastening screw there is no tendency to distort the corner; but
what is of greater importance, the parts may be put together with great facility
without leaving any loose cracks or joints as would be the case were the extensions
simply right angle projections on the side pieces and the recesses simply right angle
sockets for the reception of the same. With this preferred arrangement the top
and side pieces may be assembled in the ordinary manner, and when the table is set
up, the legs are placed in position and will find their proper places without any
adjustment being required. When in position the legs are practically solid with
the side pieces or rails and form therewith a rectangular frame which cannot be
distorted by any warpage in the top.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The combination with a table top having the side pieces or rails secured
thereto, with their ends separated and having projections below their upper edges
and forming a seat for the leg, the corner piece bridging the space between the
side pieces, of the leg having the solid top portion and recesses below said portion
for the reception of the projections on the side pieces, and a fastening device
passing through the corner piece and into the leg for holding the same to its seat,
substantially as described and shewn.
2. In a table such as described, the combination with the top, the side pieces
secured thereto and having their ends below their upper edges cut diagonally to
form projections E and the corner piece bridging the space between the side
pieces within the corner, of the leg having the squared upper end with recesses
corresponding to the projections E formed by cutting away the inner side of
the leg at an obtuse angle, and a fastening device passing through the corner
piece into the leg for holding the parts in adjusted position, substantially as
described and shewn.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.