Year: 1888

page_text: I, JOHN ELFORD ALDEN of Lake George, State of New York, United States of
America Furniture 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 a combined sofa and table, and has for its object to pro-
vide an inexpensive and self contained structure of this class, which may be easily
and quickly set up to serve either of its intended purposes.
The Invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations
of parts of the table and sofa; all as hereinafter described and claimed.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all
the figures.
Figure 1 is a plan view of my combined sofa and table, adjusted as a table.
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional side elevation thereof, taken on the line x-x
figure 1, with the sofa fixtures and other parts removed, and parts broken away,
and with one of the sofa legs in the raised or unfolded position.
Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the table in inverted position, with the unfolded
legs partly broken away, and the sofa fixtures packed away in the body or frame of
the table.
Figure 4 is an end view of the table, with its legs broken away, and with a
portion of its top forming one of the sofa legs, in raised position and also broken
away, and with the end of the table also broken away and partly in section.
Figure 5 is a plan view of one end of the table, with the end leaf forming one
sofa leg shown in raised position, and with parts broken away.
Figure 6 is a side view of the piece of furniture adjusted as a sofa, and partly
broken away and in section, and drawn to a smaller scale.
Figure 7 is a detail plan view of head parts of the sofa, and their angle iron
fastening.
Figure 8 is a detail end view of parts of the table, and their spring catch.
The table top A, is formed of a main or central portion a, which is fixed to the
opposite sides bb, of the table frame B, and two opposite end parts a¹ a¹, which have

page_text: lugs a², fitting into notches or recesses in the ends 11, of the frame. Pins a³, passed
through the sides 6, into the ends b', and through the lugs a², form pivots on which
the ends a¹, of the table top may be swung up at right angles with the table frame
to form legs for the sofa, as hereinafter more fully described. I prefer to shape
the meeting edges of the parts a a¹ of the table top on an elliptical curve at their
central parts, as shown in Figure 1, of the drawings, but said edges may be shaped
as indicated by the dotted lines in said Figure, if found desirable.
The two legs CC of the table, at each end of it are connected rigidly to a cross
bar D, and these legs and cross bar are pivotally connected to the table frame B, by
a shaft E, which passes loosely through the legs C, C, and fits loosely or so as to turn
freely, in hearings at opposite sides &b of the frame. The shaft is preferably fitted
closely in a semi-circular groove made along the outside of the cross bar D. To each
end of the shaft E, is fixed an arm F, to the free end of which is pivoted at 9, the
inner end of a latch bar G, the extremity of which is adapted to lock into a notch h,
made in the inner end of a brace H, which is pivoted at to the sofa leg a¹. The
parts F, G, H, are preferably made of metal and quite thin to adapt them to recesses
or pockets I, which are formed in the opposite sides bb, of the table frame, and these
pockets are provided with covering plates J, which conceal them and the parts working
therein.
To the shaft E, at each end of the table is fixed an arm or lever K, which projects
downward between the end b' of the table frame and the cross bar D, and a spring L,
arranged between the parts K, 61, acts normally to press the lever inward and turn
the shaft E, and swing the arms F, and latches G, upward to automatically engage
the latches with the notches h of the leg braces H, whenever the leg a¹ is raised;
and by pressing the lever K, outward against the tension of the spring L, the
latches will be withdrawn from the braces to allow the leg a', to be folded down
within the table frame. The end of the lever K, next the shaft is fitted in a recess k,
made in the cross bar D.
The devices for locking the end table legs C, C, in the extended or unfolded
positions shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, of the drawings are alike at each end of the table,
and consist of a lever or plate M, which is pivoted at m, to the board or cross bar D,
and is connected at opposite ends to the inner ends of two bars or bolts N, N, the
outer ends of which extend through guide holes c, in the legs C, C, and are adapted
to enter holes n n, made in the opposite sides bb of the table frame B. A spring O,
held at one end to the cross bar D, acts by its other end on the lever M, to
normally project the bolts N, N, into their frame recesses nn, as the pair of legs is
fully unfolded. The legs C, C, at each end of the table will thus be securely locked
to give the table quite as firm support as if the legs were made fast to the frame.
To unlock the legs, prior to folding them down within the inverted table frame B, it
is only necessary to press the lever M, against the tension of the spring O, which will
withdraw the bolts N, N, from the holes n n in the table frame.
The opposite sides 6, of the table frame are provided with grooves or notches p,
into which cross bars P, may be slipped at their ends to give support within the
table frame to the folded bottom and head piece and the folded back of the sofa, when
the piece of furniture is in use as a table.
The sofa bottom and head piece consists of a board or plate R, preferably
upholstered at, a board or plate S, preferably upholstered at s, and hinged at s¹ to
one end of the board R, and a head piece board or plate T, preferably upholstered
at t, and which is hinged at t' to the other end of the board R. The back of the
sofa consists of two boards of plates U, V, which are preferably upholstered at u, v,
and are hinged together at the upper edge at u, so as to fold over edgewise upon
each other and into nearly rectangular form, as indicated by the full and dotted
lines in Figure 6, of the drawings, and to be of proper size to fit upon the folded
part R, 7, of the sofa bottom within the table frame to allow the cross bars P, P, to be
passed across the entire folded sofa fixtures to hold them in the table frame B, as
shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The sofa back boards U, V, are each provided
with a series of dowel pins v¹, which enter holes ², made for them in the edge of

page_text: one side of the table frame B, when the piece of furniture is adjusted as a sofa.
To lock the sofa back to its head piece T, t, I employ a metal catch plate W, made
in angular form and provided at one end with a pin or stud w, which enters the
board U of the sofa back, and provided at its other end with a pin or stud w¹, which
locks into the board T, of the sofa head piece, and whereby the head piece will be
securely held in the inclined position shown in Figure 6, to make a pillow or head
rest for the person lying on the sofa. The pins and the corner lock iron W,
prevent endwise shifting of the entire sofa top on its supporting table frame.
Portions of the ends of the table frame B, are hinged to said ends to allow
them to be folded down and outward to let the bottom boards R, S, of the sofa rest
on the ends ', and between the opposite sides bb of the table frame B, and prevent
lateral motion of the sofa top. To prevent any tendency of the portions 62 of the
ends to swing outward when the piece of furniture is used as a table, I employ
the device illustrated in Figure 8, of the drawings. This device consists of a
spring catch 3, secured by screws, or in any other proper manner, to the inner
face of the end b', having its outer end bent approximately at a right angle to its
body and adapted to slip over a stop 4, fixed in the portion 62, or, enter a suitable
socket in said portion, the body of the spring when the parts b12 are swung inward,
bearing on a suitable stop 6, fixed in the part b' near its hinge. If found desirable,
the part may be provided with one or more recesses 66, to receive the fingers of
the operator, and facilitate the disengagement of the parts b₁ b³.
To give support to the boards R, S, near their hinge joint s¹, when adjusted as
above described, I employ a couple of elastic plates or catches X, which are fixed
at one end to the opposite sides of the frame B, and at recesses made in the
frame, so as to allow the angularly or outwardly bent free ends of the catches to be
pressed into the recesses if necessary, when placing the sofa fixtures into the inverted
table frame, these ends of the catches normally springing out from the frame sides b
to support the sofa bottom, as shown in Figure 6, of the drawings.
When the piece of furniture is adjusted as a table, the sofa fixtures will be
packed within the table frame and will be held therein by the bars P, as shown in
Figure 3, of the drawings, and the table legs C, will be locked upright and rigidly
to the table frame B, by the bars or bolts N, engaging said frame as above
described, and the end parts a¹ of the table top will be folded down flat onto the
frame, or level with the main portion a, of the top, as shown in Figure 1, of
the drawings.
When the piece of furniture is to be adjusted as a sofa, the end parts a¹ a¹ of the
table top will first be raised, and the latches G, will automatically engage the notches h,
of the brace bars H, to lock the legs a in these positions. The table will then be
inverted and stood on the sofa legs a¹, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, of the drawings,
and the bars P, will be removed to allow the sofa top and back to be taken out of the
table frame, and after the table legs C are unlocked and folded down within the
frame, the hinged portions 22, of the frame ends bb, are turned downward and
the unfolded sofa bottom and head piece R, S, T, and unfolded back U, V, will then
be adjusted to the table frame and to each other, and the angle iron locking device W,
will be applied to the parts T, U, all as shown in Figures 6 and 7, of the drawings,
and the sofa is ready for use, and the entire structure is firm and steady, so it may
be used as confidently and comfortably as any ordinary sofa.
It is obvious that this piece of furniture can be transformed easily and quickly from
table to sofa and from sofa to table, by persons of ordinary intelligence, and in either
adjustment it is a strong and serviceable structure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is
1. The combination, in a table and sofa, of a frame, table legs pivoted thereto and
adapted to fold within said frame, a top having hinged end parts which when unfolded
form logs to the table frame when inverted, and a sofa top comprising hinged sections

page_text: adapted for application to the inverted table frame to form a sofa and to be stowed
away within the frame, substantially as described, for the purposes set forth.
2. In a combined table and sofa, the table made with a frame B, legs C, hinged to
and adapted to fold within the frame, and a top A, comprising a part a, fixed to tho
frame, and two hinged end parts a¹ a', which when unfolded form legs on the inverted
table frame for the sofa, substantially as shown and described.
3. In a combined table and sofa, the table made with a frame B, legs C C, pivoted
at each end of the frame, and said legs connected by a cross bar D, in combination
with a lever M, fulcrumed on the cross bar, and locking bars N N, attached to opposite
ends of the lever and adapted to enter holes in the table frame, substantially as
described, for the purposes set forth.
4. The combination, in a table adapted when inverted to support a sofa top, of a
frame B, legs C, pivoted thereto and adapted to fold within said frame, a top A,
having hinged parts a' a', which when unfolded form legs to the inverted table frame,
and locking devices for said hinged parts 6 l, consisting of braces H, connected to
said hinged parts and provided with notches h, arms F, pivoted to the table frame, and
latches G, pivoted to the arms F, and adapted to the brace notches, substantially as
herein set forth.
5. The combination, in a sofa and table, of a frame B, table legs C, pivoted thereto
and adapted to fold within said frame, a top A, having hinged parts a' a', which when
unfolded form legs to the inverted table frame, a sofa top adapted for support on the
inverted table frame, and locking devices for the hinged parts a¹ a¹, consisting of
braces H, connected to said hinged parts and provided with notches h, arms F,
pivoted to the table frame, and latches G, pivoted to the arms F, and adapted to the
brace notches, substantially as herein set forth.
6. The combination, of the table frame B, a top A, thereon having hinged parts a¹ a',
which when unfolded form legs to the inverted table frame, a shaft E, journalled to
the frame B, legs C C, connected by a cross bar D, and pivoted on the shaft D,
braces H, pivoted to the parts a' at h¹, and provided with notches h, arms F, fixed to
the shaft E, and latches G, held to the arms and adapted to the brace notches,
substantially as herein set forth.
7. The combination, of the table frame B, a top A, thereon having hinged parts a¹a¹,
which when unfolded form legs to the inverted table frame, a shaft E, journaled to
the frame B, legs CC, connected by a cross har D, and pivoted on the shaft E,
braces H, pivoted to the parts a¹ at 1, and provided with notches h, arms F, fixed to
the shaft E, latches G, held to the arms and adapted to the notches, and a spring L,
operating to automatically engage the latches with the brace notches, substantially
as herein set forth.
8. In a combined table and sofa, the table frame provided with notches, P combined
with a sectional sofa top fitting within the frame, and removable cross bars P, adapted
to the frame notches, for retaining the sofa top in the frame, substantially as herein
set forth.
9. In a combined table and sofa, the table frame made with sides b, and with
ends, narrower than the sides, in combination with a removable sofa formed with a
bottom which rests on the ends 64, and between the sides b, substantially as described,
for the purposes set forth.
10. In a combined table and sofa, the table frame made with sldes b, and ends 6',
narrower than the sides, and provided with hinged blocks or parts 62, combined with
a removable sofa formed with a bottom which rests on the ends b¹, and between the
sides b, when the blocks 62, are unfolded, substantially as described, for the purpose
set forth.
11. In a combined table and sofa, the table frame B, formed with sides b, wider
than its ends 6', and with legs C, adapted to fold within the frame, combined with a
removable sofa formed with hinged bottom parts R, S, which rest on the ends b¹,
between the sides b, and supports X, fixed to the sides near the joint between the
parts R, S, substantially as described, for the purposes set forth.
12. In a combined table and sofa, the table frame provided with holes v², in the

page_text: lower edge of one side, and having hinged legs C, adapted to fold within the frame,
in combination with a removable sofa made with hinged bottom sections R, S, and
head piece T, bottom rests X, and a hinged back section formed of parts U, V, hinged
to fold edgewise, and having dowels ¹, adapted to the frame holes v², and a latch
device holding the parts T, U, together, substantially as described, for the purposes
set forth.
13. In a combined table and sofa, the combination, with the section U, of the
removable sofa, and its head piece T, of a catch plate W, made in angular form and
provided with studs w w³, locking into the parts U, T, substantially as shown and
described.
14. In a combined table and sofa, the removable sofa formed of bottom sections RS,
hinged together, a head piece T hinged to the part R, a back formed of sections U V
hinged edgwise at ' and provided with dowels ¹ and a latch device W holding the
parts T, U together, substantially as described.
15. A combined table and sofa constructed substantially as herein shewn and
described, and comprising a frame B, legs C pivoted thereto in end pairs, a lever M
and bolts N N arranged to lock the pairs of logs in extended positions, a table top A
formed of a part a fixed to the frame B and two hinged end parts a¹ a' which when
unfolded form legs to the table frame when inverted, bars H pivoted to the parts a¹
and having notches h, arms F pivoted to the table frame, latches G pivoted to the
arms F and adapted to the brace notches, and sofa fixtures comprising the parts U V
having dowel pins adapted to holes in the table frame supports X for the sofa
bottom on the frame B, and a locking device W holding the parts T U to each other,
said sofa fixtures adapted for folding and stowage in the table frame, all substantially
as described for the purposes set forth.