IMPROVEMENTS IN TABLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James John Broadbridge, of No. 266, Walworth Road, in
the County of Surrey, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TABLES."
Sealed the 21st November 1879, and dated the 22nd May 1879.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said James John Broadbridge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd May 1879.
JAMES JOHN BROADBRIDGE, of No. 266, Walworth Road, in the County of Surrey,
Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TABLES."
The chief object of my said improvements in tables is to render them capable of
being packed conveniently in small space when not in use. My Invention consists
of two parts, a folding frame and a movable top, and is applicable to square, oblong,
or round tables, which may be made of wood, iron, or other suitable material. In
making square or oblong tables the frame is constructed with two sides made by
joining the two legs supporting the sides of the table with a fixed immovable rail;
these two sides are joined at each end by rails divided in the middle and connected by
a hinge folding inwards. The divided rails are connected at either end to the sides of
the frame by hinges, also folding inwards. The top of the table is fitted on the under
surface at each end with two hedgers or cross bars, one at either end, within the
space to be enclosed by the frame, parallel to the divided rails, and fitting accurately
along said divided rails to the sides of the frame inside when the same is extended,
and with four ledges arranged along the sides and ends, and forming a frame which
grips the under frame when extended at each of its four corners.
A shot or groove
is cut along the inner side of each of the fixed rails and to the inner surface of the
table top, and within the space enclosed by the frame two or more buttons are
attached which work into the slots or grooves cut as aforesaid. When in use the
frame of the table is extended and the top laid on the frame, so that the two leagers
or iron cross bars above mentioned enter the frame and keep the sides extended.
The frame is gripped at the four corners by the ledges fixed along the sides and
ends as above described, and when the buttons aforesaid are turned into the grooves
cut along the sides of the rails the whole is kept rigid and immovable.
In making round tables I use three legs instead of four, and a frame of a triangular
form with equal sides, in which two of the legs are joined by an immovable rail, and
the third is joined to one of the said two legs by a rail divided in the middle, the
parts of which are joined by a hinge folding inwards and attached at either end by

page_text: a hinge folding inwards as in the frame above described, and the other leg by a rail
not divided in the middle fixed in the third leg, but connected with the other leg
by a binge folding inwards, so as to permit the frame to fold together. On the
under surface of the top of a round table I attach two bars parallel to the divided
A. slot or groove is
folding rail, and with the ends fitting accurately to the frame.
cut round the inside of each of the two undivided rails, and two or more buttons are
attached to the under surface of the table within the space enclosed by the frame,
which work into the slots or grooves so made.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate my Invention described above. Fig. 1
shews in plan view the under surface of a square (or oblong) table top. A, A, are
the two leagers or cross bars parallel to the dividends of the frame, and fitting
inside the frame when extended. B, B, B, B, are the buttons working into the
grooves or slots on the inside of the fixed rails. C, C, C, C, are the ledges, laid so
as to grip the outside of the frame, when extended, at each corner.
Fig. 2 represents the frame of a square table extended. A, A, are the two
immoveable rails. b, b, are the two ends divided in the middle. C, C, C, C, are the
hinges folding inwards. e, e, are the hinges folding inwards connecting the two
parts of the divided end rails.
Fig. 3 shews the inside of the fixed rail, with its shot or groove.
Fig. 4 shews the end formed by the divided rail.
Fig. 5 represents the frame of a square table folded. Fig. 6 represents the frame
of a round table extended; A is the immovable rail joining the two legs; B is the
divided rail; C is the hinge folding inwards in the middle of B; D. D, D, are the
hinges by which the sides B and E are connected with A. Fig. 7 represents the
frame of a round table folded. Fig. 8 represents a plan view of the under surface
of a round table; A. is a cross bar or ledger parallel to the divided base of the
triangular groove shewn in Fig. 6; B, B, are buttons working into slots or grooves
in the sides A and E, shewn in Fig. 6; C is a triangular slab fitting into the apex
of the frame when extended; D, D, D, are ledges laid so as to grip the outside of
the groove where extended. The above description and illustrations apply more
especially to tables of small size, but when tables of larger size are required I
provide the tops with flaps, as can be easily understood.
The advantages gained by the employment of my said Invention are, that when
not in use the top can be removed, the frame folded up, and the whole easily and
conveniently packed in small space for the purpose of storage, removal, or carriage
by land or sea.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention is the combination and
arrangement of the parts which constitute the table herein before described, made
either square, oblong, or round; and I wish it to be understood that I do not clain
as my Invention all or any of the separate parts of the table aforesaid, but only the
combination and arrangement aforesaid.
In witness whereof, I; the said Janes John Broadbridge, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty second day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
IICTA נתיב יA מזח
J.J. BROADBRIDGE. (L.S.)