Improvements in Extending Tables.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1893-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Extending Tables.
We, JULIUS SAMUEL GRAAFF, Attorney-at-Law, and IDAH MAY HARBAUGH,
Inventor, both of 203, Morrison Street, Portland, in the County of Multnomah,
and State of Oregon, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention has for its object to provide an extending table which may be
conveniently expanded and contracted and in which there are no loose leaves as
in such tables at present in use.
•
The ends of the top of the table are of substantially the usual character being
solid with the legs and having the usual braces at the top. These rigid sections
of the table top are connected by a series of narrow hinged leaves corresponding
in length to the width of the table and connected on the underside by hinged plates
which preferably extend entirely across the leaves so as to form continuous hinges
although it is not essential that the continuous hinges be used as any other suitable
hinge may be employed or the several narrow leaves may be held together by
rubber bands, springs, etc. The leaves are adapted to double down in the centre
of the table and to enter a box which is of rectangular shape and open at the top,
the box corresponding in width and height to the width and height of the table.
The box is bevelled off slightly on its inner sides and at the top, so that the leaves
may easily enter and leave it, and the box is provided with vertical recesses to
receive the hinges, comprising the plates and their knuckles, and also with anti-
friction rollers which are arranged on the opposite sides and near the ends of the
box at points just below the bevelled surfaces. Secured to opposite sides of the
box near the top and near the ends are angle braces, the upper arms of which
extend beneath the table top and at right angles to the box, these arms being
sufficiently long to support all the leaves when the table is fully extended.
arms are slotted longitudinally and provided with thumb screws held to turn in
fixed nuts which are secured to the under side of the rigid end portions of the table.
When the table is extended or closed the screws are tightened so as to hold it in a
fixed position and when the table is to be adjusted the screws are first loosened
so that the leaves may slide easily upon the arms.
The
The space between the opposite leaves when they dip down into the box, is closed
by a cover which has inclined recesses on its under side adapted to fit over the
tilting upper leaves in the box. To extend the table, the thumb screws are loosened
and the opposite end portions of the table are simply pulled apart, thus raising
and drawing out the leaves from the box and the leaves will assume a horizontal
position and render the table top perfectly flat. The cover is then adjusted so as
to close the space above the box and the thumb screws also tightened so as to hold
the parts in place. When the table is to be collapsed the thumb screws are
loosened, the cover removed, and the end portions of the table pushed towards each
other, thus doubling down the leaves in the middle and causing them to slide face
to face down into the box. The leaves may be arranged in independent series, the
two series not being hinged together, so that one end of the table may be drawn
out without disturbing the other end.
When the table is to be used where space is limited, practically one half of the
table is used, the box being fixed permanently to the wall of the room, one solid
end portion of the table being connected with the box in the manner already
described. As there is but one end to the table, means are provided to limit the
outward movement of the leaves. When this form of table is used it is only
necessary to pull out the table to prepare it for use and when it is pushed inward

page_text: and collapsed the leaves drop down into the box and the rigid part occupies but
little space and is very convenient for use as a desk, shelf, or the like.
Dated this 21st day of February 1893.
J. S. GRAAFF,
I. M. HARBAUGH,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Extending Tables.
We, JULIUS SAMUEL GRAAFF, Attorney-at-Law, and IDAH MAY HARBAUgh,
Inventor, both of 203, Morrison Street, Portland, in the County of Multnomah
and State of Oregon, United States of America, 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 :—
Our invention relates to improvements in extending tables and the objects of our
invention are to produce a cheap, strong, light, durable, and convenient table which
may be extended to great length, which may be made to occupy but little space
and which, as preferably constructed, may be conveniently carried about.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section, on line 1-1 Figure 2, of a table
embodying our invention, shewing it partially extended.
Figure 2 is an inverted sectional plan, on line 2-2 Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of a modified form of table which is
adapted to be used where space is limited.
Figure 4 is an inverted plan of the box cover or removable leaf.
Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of another slightly modified form of the
.table.
Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
The end portions 10 of the table top are fixed to legs 11 with the usual braces 12.
These rigid sections 10 of the table top are connected by a series of narrow
leaves 13 corresponding in length to the width of the table and hinged together at
the under side by plates 14 having knuckles 15 forming a continuous chain of
hinges which greatly strengthen the table top. It is not essential, however, that
continuous hinges be used, as any other suitable hinge may be employed or
the several narrow leaves may be held together by rubber bands, springs, or
in any convenient and suitable manner. The middle leaf of the series is made
in halves hinged together at the upper side so as to be adapted to double
downwards or with their upper faces together and to enter a box 16 of
rectangular shape and open at the top and corresponding in width and height
to the width and height of the table. The inner sides of the box are grooved
vertically at 18 to receive the hinges and are bevelled off slightly, as shewn
at 17, so that the leaves 13 may easily pass from the horizontal to the vertical
position, and vice versa, and with the same object anti-friction rollers 19 are provided
on the opposite sides just below the bevelled surfaces 17. This construction enables
the box to be made very narrow and it also enables the leaves to be very easily
moved in and out of the box. Angle braces 20 are secured to the outer sides of
the box near the ends, the horizontal arms 21 of which extend longitudinally
beneath the table top, they being sufficiently long to support all the leaves 13 when
the table is fully extended. The arms 21 have longitudinal slots 22 to receive
thumb screws 23 having large bearing portions 24 to clamp the arms, the screws
being screwed into nuts 25 fixed to the under side of the rigid end portions 10 of
the table. The screws 23 should have coarse threads with steep tips so that they

page_text: may be quickly operated. The gap between the horizontal leaves 13 when the
middle ones dip into the box 16 is closed by a cover 26 which has recesses 27 on
its under side to fit over the tilting upper leaves in the box, as shewn clearly in
Figure 1. To extend the table the thumb screws are loosened and the end portions
of the table are pulled apart, thus raising and drawing out the leaves from the box
and the leaves will assume a horizontal position and render the table top perfectly
flat. The cover 26 is then adjusted so as to close the space above the box and the
thumb screws are tightened so as to hold the parts in place. As shewn in Figure 5,
the leaves 13 are in two independent series not hinged together, as in Figure 1, 80
that one end of the table may be drawn out without disturbing the other end. It
will be understood that by providing a sufficient number of leaf holding boxes 16
the table may be made of any desired length.
When the table is to be used where space is limited the form shewn in Figure 3
is preferred. This is practically half the table shewn in Figures 1 and 2. As
shewn in Figure 3, a box 16 substantially like the box 16 described above is fixed
permanently to the wall 27" of the room and one end portion 10 of the table is
connected with the box in the manner already described but as there is but one end
to the table a stop 28 or its equivalent is provided to limit the outward movement
of the leaves 13 a stop being secured to the last leaf and adapted to engage a lug 29
on the wall. When this form of table is used it is only necessary to pull out the
table to prepare it for use and when it is pushed inward and collapsed the leaves 13
drop down into the box 16* and the rigid part 10 occupies but little space and is
very convenient for use as a desk, shelf, or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An extending table comprising a central box open at its upper end and
forming a central support, the end portions movable towards and from the box and
having supporting legs, a series of flexibly connected leaves secured to said end
portions and adapted to depend within the said box or to be extended horizontally,
and braces projecting horizontally from opposite sides of the box under the said
end portions to support them and the folding leaves, substantially as described.
2. In an extending table, the combination of the open topped box, the rigid
portion of the table having supporting legs, the hinged leaves arranged to slide in
and out of the box and having a hinge connection with the rigid part of the table,
the slotted braces secured to the box and extending beneath the leaves, and screws
for fastening the table top to the braces, substantially as described.
3. An extending table comprising the two rigid top portions, a series of flexibly
connected leaves hinged at its ends to and capable of being extended horizontally
between the said two top portions, an intermediate box in which the series of leaves
can be received, and angled braces at opposite sides of the box the horizontal
members of which project under the two rigid top portions and are adjustably
connected therewith, substantially as set forth.
4. An extending table having its parts constructed and arranged substantially
as shewn in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing
Specification.
יי
A
1000
LONDO
J. S. GRAAFF,
J. M. HARBAUGH,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.