Improvements in Folding Tables, applicable also to Luncheon Baskets.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 21st Jan., 1891-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Tables, applicable also to Luncheon
Baskets.
I, GILDEROY SCOTT, of 144, Charing Cross Road, London, W., Art Furniture
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to that class of folding tables which are required to occupy
but a small space when not in use, and which may be readily and firmly fixed when
required.
My improved table is constructed with four legs, those upon opposite sides of the
table being joined and working together. These legs are hinged at their upper ends
to the table in such a manner that they may be folded inwardly upon the under side
thereof. The legs aforenamed, are joined together by means of a horizontal bar
which is free to turn around pivots which pass through the legs. In order to
prevent the legs from folding when the table is in use, I place a straining bar or
board between the said horizontal bars hinged, secured by dowels or otherwise, to
both of the said bars, and also hinged at some point of its length in such a manner
that upon folding the legs in the way before mentioned, the straining bar or board
fold's up and lies between the legs and the under side of the table. In order to
afford additional rigidity to the table, I hinge to the legs and to the under side of
the table, an angular strut, which, when the table is fixed, aids in preventing any
movement of the legs.
In a modified form the side supports or legs of the table, are hinged at their
centre so that the legs fold under the table and upon themselves-a strut across the
angle of the table top and the legs, preventing any accidental motion of the legs
when the table is required for use.
This form of table is especially adapted to be fitted into a luncheon basket, the
lower part of the side supports of the table being fixed to the sides or ends of the
basket and the table folding down within the said basket when not required for use,
leaving ample space for other fittings as desired.
Dated this 20th day of September 1890.
GILDEROY SCOTT.
By his Agents,
Horn & Son.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Tables, applicable also to Luncheon
Baskets.
I, GILDEROY SCOTT, of 144, Charing Cross Road, London, W., Art Furniture
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 :-
This my invention relates to improvements in folding tables applicable also to
luncheon baskets and my improvements are designed with the object of constructing
a table which shall be perfectly rigid and firm when extended for use but which
may be folded into a small space when not required.
"
My improved table is constructed substantially as follows but the details of
construction may be slightly varied without departing from the spirit of my
invention:
The legs of my improved table are hinged at or near to their upper ends to the
го

page_text: underside of the table top and are so arranged that when the table is not required
for use they may be folded under the table so as to lie close thereto and occupy but
a small space.
When the table is required for use the legs are retained at the
required distance apart by means of a straining bar or board and struts across the
angle formed by the table legs and the top makes the said table perfectly rigid.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood reference is made to
the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention in which
Figure 1 shews in perspective a folding table constructed in accordance with my
improvements when extended for use.
Figure 2 shews the same when folded and
Figure 3 shews a modified form of table as applied to a luncheon or picnic
basket.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
The table top A is supported by suitable legs A¹ A2 preferably four in number.
but fewer or more may be employed as desired. The legs A² are hinged at a to the
underside of the table and those marked A¹ at a point a¹ a short distance lower for
a purpose of allowing the said legs A³ to be between them and the table top A
when the table is folded.
The legs A are connected together by means of a horizontal bar B and the
legs A2 by a similar bar B' said horizontal bars B B' being free to rotate upon
pivots 6 passing through the legs A' and A² respectively. In order to retain the
legs A1 and A2 at the desired distance apart when the table is in use, I place
between the said horizontal bars B B₁ a straining board C which is hinged or
rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the said bars B B₁ and also hinged at
some point of its length as shewn at c in such a manner that upon folding the legs
in the way shewn in Figure 2 the said straining board C folds up and lies between
the legs and the underside of the table top A.
When the table is in use the straining board C is prevented from any movement
at the point c by a bolt or other device on the underside of the said board.
In order to retain the legs at right angles to the underside of the table and afford
rigidity to the table when in use I hinge to the underside of the table top and to
the legs A and A2 or to a horizontal bar "D" connecting each pair of legs angular
struts E which when the table is fixed prevent any movement of the legs, said struts
being hinged also at a point of their length e to allow them to fold up when the
table is not in use.
When it is desired to fold the table the before mentioned bolt on the underside of
the board C is loosened and the legs may then be folded in the manner shewn in
Fig. 2.
In the modified form of the table shewn in Fig. 3 the legs A' and A² are provided
with an additional hinge at or about the centre of their length a² so that the legs
fold under the table and upon themselves, struts E. similar to those before
described preventing any accidental motion of the legs when the table is required
for use.
This form of table is especially adapted to be fitted into a luncheon or similar
basket as shewn at F the lower part of the legs being fixed in any suitable manner
to the sides or ends f of the said basket thus rendering the use of the straining
board C unnecessary. The legs being hinged at a suitable point as shewn at a³,
the whole table folds down within the said basket F when not required for use
leaving ample space for other fittings as desired.
As illustrated in the drawings the table top may be made double or multifold as
desired so as to economize space as much as possible.
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 folding table arranged and constructed substantially in the manner described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 2. The combination with a luncheon or other basket of a table adapted to fold
in the said basket substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 21st dar of T1001
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.