Improvements in Expanding Tables.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Expanding Tables.
We THOMAS JAMES NORMAN of the firm of Johnstone Norman & Co. of
67 New Bond Street in the County of London Cabinet Manufacturers and
WILLIAM HENRY WINDEATT of 2 Clydesdale Road Bayswater in the County
of London Cabinet Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to expanding tables which are capable of being extended
in a lateral direction as well as longitudinally and are rendered very firm and rigid
when expanded. Tables constructed according to this invention may be either
rectangular circular or of any other desired shape when not expanded, and the top
is preferably composed of four parts or divisions the division lines being at right
angles to each other and meeting at a point in the centre of the table. Each part
or division of the table top is capable of being moved outward and inward, at an
angle of 45° to the division lines in suitable guides such as slots provided at this
angle in the frame of the table in which projections provided on the underside of
the divisions slide. Each projection is provided on each of its opposite sides with
a lateral tongue or projection fitted to slide in grooves formed in the opposite sides
of the aforesaid slots which tongues and grooves prevent the divisions from rocking
when they are drawn outwards or extended and in order to still further ensure
firmness and rigidity there is fixed to the underside of each division angular clips
which engage in grooves formed in the frame of the table preferably on the
outersides of the bars containing the slot and groove in which the projection from.
the underside of the division slides.
By sliding outwards in the angularly disposed slots the divisions of the table, top
and filling the spaces thus produced between the divisions with flaps or leaves"
provided for the purpose, a firm and rigid table is produced of the required
increased size. The framing of the table may also be made telescopic so as to be
capable of being further extended in a longitudinal direction the opposite sliding
ends of the said frame carrying two of the divisions of the table top arranged to
slide in the angular slots as herein before described.
Dated this 28th day of November 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Expanding Tables.
We, THOMAS JAMES NORMAN of the firm of Johnstone Norman & Co. of
67 New Bond Street in the County of London, Cabinet Manufacturers and
WILLIAM HENRY WINDEATT of 2 Clydesdale Road, Bayswater in the County
of London, 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 :—
The object of this invention is to provide tables which are capable of being
extended in a lateral direction as well as longitudinally and which are rendered
very firm and rigid when expanded. Tables constructed according to this, inven-
tion may be either rectangular circular or of any other desired shape when not
expanded and the top is preferably composed of four parts or divisions the division
lines being at right angles to each other and meeting at a point in the centre of the
D..
07

page_text: table. Each part or division of the table top is capable of being moved outward
and inward at an angle (preferably of 45°) to the division lines in suitable guides
provided with slots and projections which prevent the divisions from rocking when
they are drawn outwards or extended.
By sliding the divisions of the table top outwards in the angular direction and
filling the spaces thus produced between the divisions, with flaps or "leaves" a
firm and rigid table is produced of the required increased size. The framing of
the table may also be made telescopic so as to render the table capable of being
further extended in a longitudinal direction.
And in order that our said invention may be fully understood we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 represents in plan a round table constructed according to our invention
the table-top being shewn in its normal or unexpanded condition by strong dotted
lines.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same table shewing by strong dotted lines the parts
forming the table-top in the positions they occupy when drawn out or expanded.
Figure 4 is a transverse section (drawn to an enlarged scale) through the guide
and sliding portion of one of the divisions of the table-top.
Figure 5 is a plan shewing by strong dotted lines the divisions of the table-top
expanded and in full lines the frame of the table also extended in a longitudinal
direction.
The table-top is divided into four parts A. A3, B B2, the division lines being at
right angles one to another and meeting in a point in the centre of the table as
shewn in Figure 1. Each part or division is provided on its underside with a rib
or projection C arranged at an angle of about 45° to the division lines, and fitted
to slide in slots or guides between bars E forming part of the frame of the table.
On the two opposite sides of each of the ribs C are tongues or projections a fitted
to slide in grooves b in the bars E at the sides of the slot D in which the rib C
slides, similar grooves c being provided in the sides of the ribs C in which fit
tongues or projections d on the bars E at the sides of the slots D. These grooves
and tongues give rigidity to the divisions when moved outwards or extended and
in order to still further ensure the rigidity and firmness of the table angular metal
tongues as shewn at e may be screwed to the underside of the divisions which
tongues engage in grooves fin the outer sides of the bars E. If desired, when
the tongues e and grooves are provided, the tongues a and d and grooves b and e
may be dispensed with. The extent to which the divisions A A2, B B2, can be
moved out or extended is governed by blocks g on the divisions coming into contact
with the bars h of the frame of the table. The divisions may be drawn out to any
distance required within the limit of the stops or blocks g the spaces between the
divisions being then filled in with loose leaves as shewn for example by light dotted
lines in Figure 3 to complete the enlarged table. If a table be required that will
expand only in an angular direction as described, the framing may be made
inseparable but if in addition to the extension by the drawing out of the
divisions A A, B B2, the table be required to be capable of further extension in a
longitudinal direction, the framing is made in two parts G G each part carrying
.two of the divisions A A and B B the two parts G G2 being connected together
by extension bars F after the manner of ordinary extending tables as shewn in the
drawings the space between the divisions A. A and B B when extended being
filled with leaves provided for the purpose. To the top and bottom edges of each
of the bars F are secured, metal tongues i which engage in slots k provided in the
adjacent bars F whereby the bars are held in contact and jamming thereof, one
with another, is prevented. The tongues i may also serve as stops to govern the
distance to which the bars are permitted to slide over or against one another.
To facilitate placing the divisions A A, B B, in position on, and removal

page_text: thereof from, the framing of the table, openings 7 leading to the groovese are
provided in the ribs C, and in the bars E are openings m and n leading respectively
to the grooves and f. These openings are suitably positioned and are of such
size that by removing the stops g the divisions may be moved into position to bring
the openings in the ribs C opposite the tongues d'on the bars E and the tongues u
and e respectively opposite the openings m and in the bars E. When the
divisions are in this position they may be easily raised out of engagement with the
bars E and replaced when desired.
Tables constructed according to this invention are capable of being made to
assume various sizes and shapes to suit requirements. For example the four
divisions A A B B may be all drawn out so as to increase the size of the table in
all directions as shewn in Figure 3 or the framing G G2 may be separated or
extended so as to separate the divisions A. A² from the divisions B B and the
space between them be filled with loose leaves or flaps. Or as shewn in Figure 4
the table may be extended longitudinally and also laterally.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1st. An expanding table having a top made in parts capable of being moved in
guides at an angle to the division lines of the parts forming the top of the table,
tongues and
grooves being arranged substantially as herein set forth for the
purpose of maintaining the divisions or parts of the table top rigid when in their
expanded position substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
2nd. An expanding table having a top divided into four parts and a frame
divided into two parts, the two parts of the frame being connected together by bars
capable of sliding one over or against another longitudinally each part of the frame
carrying two of the parts or divisions of the table top and each part or division of the
table top being capable of moving in guides in the frame of the table at an angle
to the division lines so that the table may be extended in a lateral direction and to
any desired extent in a longitudinal direction substantially as herein before
described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In an expanding table having a top divided into four parts capable of being
inoved outwards from the centre of the table at an angle to the division lines as set
forth the combination with each part or division of a rib or projection C fitted to
slide in a guide or slot D in the frame of the table, tongues a on the rib C sliding
in grooves on the sides of the slots D and tongues d on the sides of the slot D
sliding in grooves in the sides of the rib C for the purposes of giving firmness and
rigidity to the divisions of the table top when extended substantially as herein-
before described and shewn clearly in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4th. In an expanding table having a top divided into four parts capable of being
moved or expanded in the direction herein set forth the combination with each
part or division, of a rib or projection C fitted to slide in a slot or guide D
between bars E forming part of the frame of the table, grooves fin the bars E and
metal tongues e secured to the division of the table top and entering the grooves f
for the purpose of imparting rigidity to the table when the divisions are drawn out
or extended substantially as hereinbefore described and clearly illustrated in
Figure 4 of the drawings."
5th. In an expanding table having a top composed of several parts or divisions
capable of being moved outwards at an angle one to another from the centre of the
table, the combination with each division or part of the table top of a rib or pro-
jection C fitted to slide in a guide or slot D in the frame of the table, grooves b in
the sides of the slot D, tongues a to slide in the grooves b, tongues d on the sides of
the slot D to slide in grooves c in the rib C, and tongues e fast to the underside of
each division or part of the table top to slide in grooves in the outer sides of the
bars E for the purpose of ensuring rigidity and firmness to the table when extended

page_text: substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
6th. The combination and arrangement of parts as a whole constituting an
expanding table capable of being extended in a lateral direction as well as in a
longitudinal direction and assuming a variety of sizes and shapes substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of January 1892.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.