Improvement in Convertible Table and Kit Cases.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1897--Accepted, 23rd Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Convertible Table and Kit Cases.
I, WILLIAM EDWARDS BAXTER, of Main Street, Frankfort, in the County of
Franklin, and State of Kentucky, United States of America, Dental Surgeon, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of
reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification:
:-
This invention is a convertible table and kit case or box, and has for an object
to provide a simple and inexpensive structure which can be folded into form to
serve as a box or case for the papers or books of an army officer or to inclose the
utensils comprising a kit and the table legs and braces, or into form to serve as a
flat or grass table or an elevated table as may be desired, and the invention con-
sists in certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will
be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.
And in order that my invention may be thoroughly understood I now proceed
to describe the accompanying drawings thereof, reference being had to letters
and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1, is a perspective view showing the box closed and fastened;
Figure 2, is a perspective view showing the table erected;
Figure 3, is a perspective view of the box, the lid being raised to show the
contents;
Figure 4, is an inverted perspective view of the table;
Figure 5, is a detail section of Figure 2;
Figure 6, is a detail section of Figure 5;
Figure 7, is a detail view showing one of the sections of the support folded in
full lines and open in dotted lines;
Figure 8, is a detail view illustrating the detachable connection of the top braco
of one support section with the adjacent section;
Figure 9, is a detail view illustrating the detachable connection of the strut
brace of one section with the adjacent section, and
Figure 10, is a perspective view of the table provided with the desk attachment.
The box or case is composed of the sections A, B, C, and D, hinged together at
their side edges, and which may for convenience of reference be referred to as
the top A, bottom C, front side D, and rear side B, and the ends E.
The top is hinged to the upper edge of the rear side B, such side B is hinged
at its lower edge to the rear edge of the bottom C, and the front edge of the
bottom C is hinged to the lower edge of the front D. The edge of the top A laps
over the upper edge of the front D, and forms a square joint, but as the hinge
connections are arranged at the inner corners of the joints between parts A, and B,
B, and C, C, and D, in order that such parts may be folded out flat to form a table
top as presently more fully described.
It will be noticed that at such joints there are left rectangular recesses F when
the parts are adjusted to serve as a box. To fill these recesses and thus protect

page_text: the edges of the parts A to D from being bruised or marred I provide filling
strips G, which fit snugly in the recesses and are provided at their ends with
spring brackets which bind along the ends of the front and back pieces and tend
to hold the strips to place. They also together with pieces 1 form metallic corner
pieces for the box. These strips G are thus conveniently removable. The ends E
are preferably connected with the front by hinges E¹ so they may be turned
to the position shown in Figure 1, to co-operate in forming the box in which
position the ends E are secured removably by means of hooks e thereon engaging
Hush or counter-sunk bearings el en the sections B, and D, such ends also having
dowel-pins fitting in sockets in the sides and the top and bottom A and C.
These ends E may also be turned outward as shown in Figures 2, and 4, to form
shelf-like extensions in which they will be held by the turnbutton and braces E
which are preferably pivoted to the ends E so they may be turned to lap the joint
between said ends and the front D as is best shown in Figure 4. Manifestly one
or both of these ends may be turned to form an extension of the end D.
While the ends E are preferably hinged to the front 1), it is manifest that they
may be connected with the side top or bottom sections if preferred.
"
When the parts A to D are adjusted as shown in Figure 3, it is held in form by
the hooks which unite the ends to the front and rear sides. In this form the box
composed of parts of the table serves to encase the so-called "duffle or kit. When
the lid is closed it is fastened by fastening pieces 1, projecting from the ends of
said lid and perforated at 2, to engage pins or studs 3 at the ends of the box.
These fastening pieces are right angular or double-winged strips, one wing
being secured upon and extending for a short distance along the lid, and the other
strip depending along the edge of the lid, and projecting along down alongside
the end of the box and engaging the studs 3.
In storing the articles in the box I usually put in the supports or legs first, dis-
posing the parts in such manner as to afford the greatest space for the bucket,
coffee-pot and other articles not necessary to mention and forming part of a well-
equipped camp kit.
When the lid is lowered and secured by the fastenings described or other suitable
fastenings, a shaw strap may be applied so it can be conveniently carried as will
be understood from Figure 1.
When it is desired to convert the box into a table its contents may be taken out,
the ends and filling strips removed and the sections A to D turned into a common
flat plane.
In the underside of the table top I form in their proper relative positions
shallow sockets J for the upper ends of the legs K such upper ends constituting
upward projections above the support composed of such legs and the top and strut
braces.
This support is composed of four sections each consisting of a leg or upright K,
a top brace L, and a strut brace M.
The legs K are provided about midway between their
opening seat formed preferably by providing a mortise
a spring plate 13 at one end to the leg below the mortise
and above the mortise, the upper end of the spring plate
its upper end the leg has a seat K¹ similar to the seat
opens downwardly.
ends with an upwardly
in the leg and securing
and extending it over
being flared at k³.
except that the seat Ki
Near
The top brace L is pivoted at one end to the leg a short distance below the upper
end of such leg. The portion of the leg projecting above the top brace fits in the
socket J of the table top. At its free end the top brace has a tongue L' fitting in
the seat K' from below, provided at its end with a stop flange L³ to prevent longi-
tudinal displacement of the tongue when in said seat. This top brace is secured
upon its seat by the spring metal K₁ pressing it into the mortise on leg K,
The hook N near the free end of such brace engaging the eye or bearing n of
the table top, such eye or bearing n being flush or countersunk avoiding any pro-
jection on the underside of the table top or inside of the box, holds the table top

page_text: firmly to the legs, and at the same time helps to brace the legs, and braces the
sectional table top, and holds the top brace in its seat K.
The strut brace M is pivoted at one end near the lower end of the leg and has
at its free end a tongue m fitting down in the seat K and having an end flange m¹
locking such strut brace from endwise movement. These tongues and seats form
interlocking devices by which to secure the strut and top brace of one section of
the support with the next adjacent section forming a support which may be easily
erected and as easily put down, will be firm and secure in application and will
occupy but a small space when folded into the box.
The free ends of the braces butt squarely against the legs, this with the interlock-
ing devices aiding in securing a strong brace.
In Figure 4, I show a brace which supports the center of the table, but is
especially intended to brace the top when used as a flat table upon the grass. This
brace consists of crossed members which lap the joints of the sectional top, one
of the members having slots fitting over staples on the underside of the top, and
being provided with hooks engaging such staples, and forming fastenings as will
be readily understood.
In Figure 10, I show a desk attachment consisting of a case O of pigeon holes
having a lid I provided with a lock Q, the whole being adapted to be locked and
stored in the box when travelling, and to be placed on the table and the lid un-
locked and lowered when in camp for forming a convenient receptacle for writing
paper, books and materials rendering the improvement especially desirable for an
officer,
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. A convertible table and kit case having a sectional top and an elevating sup-
port having legs and top braces secured at one end to one of the legs, interlocked
with the adjacent leg and forming underbraces for the sectional top and fastening
by which to secure the table top to the support, substantially as set forth.
2. A support for the table top comprising the legs having near their upper ends
downwardly facing seats, and the braces jointed at one end to one of the legs and
provided at their free end with tongues or portions engaging the downwardly
facing seats of the next leg, substantially as set forth.
3. A support substantially as described consisting of the several sections each
composed of a leg, a strut brace jointed at one end of the leg, and the top brace
jointed at one end to the leg and interlocking parts between the ends of the brace
of one leg and the adjacent leg including vertically opening seats on the leg for
engagement by the interlocking parts of the braces, substantially as described
and shown.
4. A support substantially as described, composed of the legs having near their
apper ends downwardly opening seats and near their middles upwardly opening
seats the top braces jointed to the legs and provided with tongues or portions
engaging the downwardly opening seats and the strut braces joined to the legs
and engaging the upwardly opening seats, substantially as set forth.
5. In an apparatus substantially as described, the support having legs provided
with mortises and with spring plates overlapping such mortises, and forming there-
with seats and the braces jointed at one end to the legs and engaging the seats of
an adjacent leg, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with the top, of the support comprising legs the top braces
jointed near one end and to one of the legs and interlocking with an adjacent leg
and fastenings by which to secure the said brace to the top, and the strut braces
extending between the adjacent legs, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with the top having sockets in its underside, the support
having the legs fitted at their upper ends to said sockets and provided near said
ends with downwardly opening seats, the top braces engaging in such seats and

page_text: fastenings by which to secure such braces to the table top, substantially as set
forth.
8. A support substantially as described composed of sections each consisting
of a leg, the top brace jointed to said leg near one end thereof and the strut brace
jointed to said leg near the opposite end thereof, such braces being foldable longi-
tudinally alongside the leg, substantially as set forth.
9. A table top combined with a support having legs and top braces, the top braces
being interlocked with the legs and movable upwardly into such interlocking
engagement and fastenings securing the braces directly to the table top whereby
to secure the same in interlocked engagement and thus hold the support to the table
top, substantially as set forth.
10. The combinations of the sections hinged together at the inner sides of their
meeting edges whereby they may be adjusted flat to form a table top or at angles
to each other to form a box and forming corner recesses in the latter adjustment,
and strips fitted movable in said corner recesses, substantially as and for the pur-
poses set forth.
11. A convertible table and box or case comprising the jointed sections, the
filling strips fitting between the jointed edges of said sections, the metal spring
pieces secured to the end of said strips and forming clamps for binding such strips
in place, substantially as set forth.
12. In a convertible table and box the combination with the sections forming
the top of the removable filling strips having metallic ends forming corner and
spring fastening pieces for the box, substantially as set forth.
13. In an apparatus substantially as described, the combination of the upright
leg having a vertically opening side seat, and the strut brace having its end formed
to fit flat against said leg and provided with tongue or portions engaging the seat
of and interlocking with the leg, substantially as set forth.
14. A table having a top formed in sections, a brace having crossed sections
and fastenings by which such brace may be secured flat against the top sections
and lapping the joints thereof, substantially as set forth.
15. The combination substantially as described of the top, bottom and side
sections jointed together the end pieces fitted between said sides and bottom and
top sections and movable as described and fastenings for said end pieces, substan-
tially as set forth.
16. In a convertible table and box the combination with the sections forming
the top of the removable filling strips having metallic ends forming corner pieces
for the box, substantially as set forth.
17. A convertible table and box comprising the sections jointed together and
adapted to form the table top the top brace having cross sections, fastenings secur-
ing each brace flat against the underside of the table top and the legs, substantially
as set forth.
18. A convertible box and table comprising the sections forming the top, bottom
and sides of the box, the hinges connecting such sections, the top brace having
crossed sections and fastenings by which such brace is secured flat against the
sections and lapping the joints thereof when such sections are adjusted for use
as a table top, substantially as set forth.
19. A convertible table and box or casing comprising the jointed sections, the
filling strips fitting beween the jointed edges of said sections, the metal pieces
secured to the ends of said strips and forming metal corner pieces for the box,
and clamps for binding such strips in place substantially as set forth.
20. A convertible table and box or case comprising the jointed sections, the ends
hinged to one of said sections and adapted to be adjusted to form extensions
thereof and braces for said ends when extended, substantially as set forth.
21. In a convertible box and table the combination with the sections forming
the sides, top and bottom of the box and hinged together, the box ends movably
connected with the other box sections and the legs provided with devices whereby

page_text: to secure and support such sections and ends when the apparatus is adjusted for
use as a table, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 9th day of September 1897.
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, London, W., Agent for Applicant.