Improvements in Extensible Tables.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1895
Improvements in Extensible Tables.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM MUNZ, of 38 Foundry Street, in the City of Detroit,
Michigan, 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
The invention relates to the construction of extension tables in which the leaves
for extending the tables are stored in a compartment beneath the top, and the
invention consists in the peculiar construction of the top of the table to form the
receptacle, whereby the top and the extensible portions are provided with
complementary sides for the receptacle, and whereby the leaves may be of
substantially the same length as the top and yet be stored within the same.
The invention further consists in the construction of the support for the leaves
in the receptacle when closed and when extended, and further, in the construction,
airangement and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereafter
described and shown.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved table, showing the extensions at
both ends drawn out and part of the top broken away.
Fig. 2 18 a bottom plan vion thereof
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the table, showing the leaves stored in
the receptacle
Fig. 4 is a similar section showing the leaves extended.
Fig 5 is a cross section on line Fig. 5.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one corner of the table, showing one of the
extensions partly drawn out.
Fig 7 a perspective view of a portion of the meeting edges of two adjoining
leaves, showing the construction of the interlocking members
I have shown my table provided with a man o stationary section and two
movable or extension sections, oue at each end of the stationary section. While
I deem this desirable it is evident that but one extension may be used for tables of
shorter length.
A represents the top of the stationary section. On its edge it is provided with
the depending side piece A' of thm material, such as sheet metal, which I deem
most desuable. This is secured to the top preferably by engaging a laterally
extending flange a in a saw keif oi groove in the edge of the top, as plainly shown
iu Fig. 5, the lower edge of the side piece boing provided with a similar flange b
engaging a similar kerf or groove in the longitudinal bar B, which forms the side
bar of the frame of the stationary section of the table. These side bars are
connected together by the cross bars C, to which the central or stationary legs C¹
are secured and on the top of the cross bars are secured the stationary slides G.
This forms a table with an open ended receptacle below the top in which the leaves
may be stored.
The side pieces are arranged a short distance from the edge of the top and side
bars B to leave the guide grooves c between the side pieces and the top and side
bais, in which the thin side pieces d of the extensions engage and are guided.
These side pieces being preferably of sheet metal These side pieces are connected
at their outer euds to the ends of the cross bars E of the extension sections, w which
ue of such a width as to fit beneath the table top in the closed position of the

page_text: table, so that any shrinkage of the table top will not make an opening at the edge,
as would be the case if the cross bar simply contacted the edge of the top. An
additional advantage in forming the cross bar with its upper edge on a plane below
the fixed top is that in adjusting the end leaves hereinafter referred to, or placing
the cross bar below the fixed top, a rigid support is formed therefor entirely
across the same, thereby preventing sagging of the top or leaf, again the cross
hat forms a fum est for the outer leaf when the latter is in its inised position.
The cross bars E are connected to the stationary section by the slides G, and these
slides are preferably connected together near their onter ends on the under side, by
the cross bais H, to which the legs H¹ of the extension sections are secmed.
Thus it will be seen, that when the extension sections are drawn out from the
stationary section, the side pieces d will form complementat v extensions of the sule
pieces of the stationary section
I have shown the leaves I stored in two superimposed tiers, one set connected to
each of the end extensions It is evident, without illustration, that in a shorte
table, the leaves could be stored on the same plane, their inner ends approaching
or abutting, in the closed position of the extensions. The leaves are provided
on then under side with strips I' which serve to prevent them from warping, and
also, have the halved extensions at the edges of the leaves, which serve the
function of the usual dowel connection between the leaves.
Jaie hoks, pivoted at their lower ends to the slides G and at their upper ends to
the strips 1. The lower series of leaves may all be supported by such links, but
such of the upper series of leaves as rest, when in the recaptacle, over the lower
series, require a different support, and I prefer such as 18 shown in Fig. 3. This
comprises the links J at the outer end of the leaf, and the posts K pivoted to the
slides G at the ner end of the leat, the links J of this leaf and the post, being
centially connected by the connecting rod I The links of the various leaves are
of different length gradually increasing or decreasing in length from one end to the
other, so that when in their lowered position on the slides they will be separated to
prevent striking of the projecting ends of the extensions.
On the outer end of the stationary section of the slides and on top thereof are
the incline blocks M.
The paits being thus constructed and arranged, they are intended to be used as
follows. The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 3, that is the closed position
of the table, the upper series of leaves rest on top of the lower series, preferably
running on the strips on the unde sides of the leaves, which may be covered with
felt to prevent scratching the surface of the lower leaves
The operator drawing upon the left end of the table, will draw out the extension
section at that end, until one or both of the leaves are beyond the end of the
stationary section and may then turn them upon the links, until they are in a plane
with the stationary section of the top, the outer edge of the outer leaf resting on
the top of the cross bai E, and supported by the links.
The outer edge of the inner leaf will be supported by its links and its inner edge
will be supported by the posts K, which will be drawn into its vertical position,
shown in Fig. 4, by the connecting rod L, the edges of the leaves will be supported
by the halved extensions e.
The extension section at the opposite end may now be drawn out, as shown in
Fig 1. It will be observed that the side pieces on the extensions form compleniental y
sides of the receptacle with the side pieces A', so that when the extensions are
drawn out, the leaves, if any are still in the receptacle. are hidden, and the sides of
the table always have a symmetrical appearance, which is not the case if such
extension sections do not have such complementary sides.
In closing the table, the operator simply disengages the interlocking extensions,
moves the table leaves upon their links down upon the slides, and then pushes
the end extensions. When the inner edge of the upper leaves stuke the
ochne blocks. they will be lifted up, and ride upon the top of the lower section
of leaves.

page_text: The metal sides may be finished in any desired manner in perfect imitation of the
wood of which the table is made, or to contrast therewith, and thus may be made
an ornamental feature of the table.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
on and in what mannor the same is to be per formed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In an
extension table, the combination with a stationary section having
a fixed top, of an extensible section having an end cross-bar, with its upper edge
In line with the lower face of the stationary section, and serving to support the
edge thereof when the extension 19 forced in, and movable leaves carried by the
extension ai ranged to have the outer edge of the outer leaf supported on the said
cross-bar, and interlocking means for the meeting edges of the leaves and the
stationary section for the table below the bottom face of the lea vos, as and for the
purpose described
2 In an extension table, the combination with the stationary section and the
movable section, the leaves adapted to be supported tiers beneath the top of
the stationary section, the links J on the outer end of the inner leaf of the upper
tier, the post K pivoted to the slides, and the connecting rods L centially connecting
the links J and post K, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In an extension table the combination with a stationary section having a fixed
top, of an adjustable end section comprising sides and a connecting end bai
having its upper edgo nirauged on a plane with the underside of the stationary
top, a series of vertically movable leaves, the outer leaves adapted to be moved
over the end bar, and an interlocking halved extension e comprising interlocking
tongues ai ranged below the underside of the top and loaves and secured on the
under face of the stationary top and leaves, substantially as described.
4. In an extension table, the combination with a fixed and extensible section, of
a plurality of leaves on the movable section normally arranged on the same plane
below the top, and a plurality of links for each leaf, the links of each leat being of
different lengths than those of the other leaves, whereby the leaves are held apart
when stored.
Datel O
1007
CHARLES WILLIAM MUNZ.
Ilaseltine, Lake & Co.,
46 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.