Improvements in Tables, Forms, Chairs, and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tables, Forms, Chairs, and the like.
1, JAMES MACKENZIE CALTON, of 38, Forth Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow,
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:-
This invention relates to tables, forms, chairs, and the like and it has for its object
to enable the legs of such articles to be easily folded up, and when opened up, to be
retained vertically in a firm and rigid manner:
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have
hereunto appended an explanatory sheet of drawings showing by way of example a
table with my invention applied thereto.
Fig. 1 is a side clevation of a table broken in half.
Fig. 2 is an end view.
Fig. 3 is a part view from the underside showing the legs of the table folded up.
Fig. 4 is a detail view.
Referring to the drawings whereon the same reference letters wherever repeated
indicate like parts.
A is the top of the table which is supported on the legs B. Each pair of legs B
has a preferably cast metal bridge C connecting them together. Each bridge C
has a projection or piece D cast on or fitted to it at the upper ends. These pro-
jections pass freely through holes E in brackets or smugs F so that the brackets and
projections form freely working joints or hinges. Fitted to the underside of the
table or other article is a spring lever G for each pair of legs. The spring levers
are cach pivotted or hinged to the underside of the table or other article by
brackets H, H. On the drawings the hinge is formed by cach lever G having at
its upper end two arms a, b. The arm a has a hole in it, at c, through which passes
a projection or pin d (shown dotted Fig. 2) on the bracket H. The arm has a
"tee" shaped projection e on it, one end of the head of the tee passing freely through
a hole in the bracket H' whilst the other end passes up the centre of the spiral
spring I and keeps it in place. The spring I is made to bear on the lever Ġ in
such a manner that it will normally press against the underside of the table or other
article. At the opposite end from the spring the lever G is forked or branched
out, the forks or branches J. J, having, as shown, more particularly at Fig. 4, each
a recessed part K which forms a claw for gripping the lower edge C of the bridge C.
The lower edge C' of the bridge is thickened so as to form a good catch for the
claws.
With this arrangement, when it is desired to fold up the legs of the table or other
article the levers G are pulled downwards and released from the bridge C when the
legs can be easily folded up under the article. The levers C are then allowed to
press, by the action of the springs I, on the back of the bridge and so keep the legs
in the folded up position as at Fig. 3. When the legs are to be unfolded they are
merely drawn to the vertical position against the action of the springs and when the
bridge over rides the part K the spring will immediately cause the claw to grip or
bite the bridge and thus hold the legs firmly in position as at Fig. 1.
The bridges and levers may be made partially or wholly of wood if desired.
Although I have shown a table with my invention applied thereto it is to
be understood that the invention is equally applicable to forms, chairs, and other
like articles.
Parts of the apparatus may be slightly altered if desired without departing from
the invention.
The improved folding arrangement is both simple and efficient.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
-
1. The hereinbefore described apparatus for enabling the legs of articles to be
easily folded up and opened out and also to be held securely in the opened out
position substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. In a table, form or other like article the combination with the bridge, C,
connecting each pair of legs of the forked spring lever G having claws for gripping
said bridge, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to drawings
annexed.
Dated this 9th day of March 1891.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, and of London, Agent.