Improvements in Extension Tables.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Extension Tables.
I, FREDERICK PAGE COBHAM, of Warren in the County of Warren State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Inventor, 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:-
My invention is an improvement in extension tables and consists in the novel
features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form in which I have
contemplated embodying my invention, and I have fully disclosed said invention in
the following description and claims.
Referring to said drawings:
Figure I represents a longitudinal vertical section of a table embodying my
invention showing one extension frame, extended.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing one frame extended and the leaf carried
thereby raised into the plane of the table top.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of one of the extension frames.
Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of one of the leaves and the parts connected
thereto.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a part of the table, slightly enlarged.
In the drawings; A represents the table top provided with suitable supporting
legs a a.
The table top is provided on its under side adjacent to either edge with
a longitudinal guide rail at which projects laterally the whole length of the top and
is in this instance of the same length as said top. These rails each engage a
groove 6x in one of the side pieces of each of the sliding extension frames, so that
the rails a¹ will guide the extension frames when they are moved in and out with
respect to the table top. Each of the sliding extension frames, is constructed to
carry one or more supplemental leaves, and as the construction and operation of
both frames is the same it is only necessary to particularly describe one.
The frame consists of the side pieces b, end piece b¹ and the inner bar 63 which
are securely fastened together and form a rectangular frame. Across the bottom
of the frame, are placed two cross bars which extend longitudinally of the
table, and to these bars are secured the supports B B, for the frame. C represents
the auxiliary leaf which is carried by the frame, said leaf being preferably provided
with cleats cc' as shown in Fig. 4. While idle this leaf C is supported in the fratne
by the supporting blocks D D arranged conveniently in the corners of the frame as
shown in Fig. 3, and it is guided in its movements into and out of the plane of the
table top by a series of projecting plates or lugs which engage grooves or
recesses in the sides of the frame, as shown in Fig. 3.
To the underside of the leaf C are hinged two or more wings, (two being shown)
which I term the risers C¹ C', the said risers being preferably connected for joint
movement by a connecting bar C2 which is also conveniently hinged to both of the
risers. This construction is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. When the leaf is in
position in the frame one edge of each of the risers rests upon the cross bars 6', and
I prefer to provide curved smooth bearing surfaces c³ on said risers to engage the
said bars 63, as shown in Fig. 4.
The leaf C lies normally in its lowest position resting upon the supporting
blocks D D which limit its downward movement, and when the leaf is in this
position the frame may be pushed beneath the table top, as shown at the right in
Figs. 1 and 2. When it is desired to extend one end of the table, the frame at
that end is drawn out into the position shown at the left in Fig. 1. The inner
bar 62 of the frame is provided at one or both ends with a hook E which is capable

page_text: of being turned upon its stem. When the table is in operative condition the hook E
is turned up so as to engage a stop pin a² on the guide rail a' of the table top (see
Figs. 1, 2 and 5) and limit the outward movement of the frame.
When, however,
it is desired to remove one of the frames entirely from the table, the hook or
hooks E are turned down as indicated in dotted lines Fig. 5, when the frame may
be drawn entirely out.
After the frame has been drawn out far enough to be stopped by the hooks E
and pins a², the operator will reach beneath the frame, and seizing the nearest
riser C will draw it toward him. The risers, being connected, move together into
vertical positions as shown in Fig. 2, the bearing surfaces c³, sliding on the cross
bars 63, and raising the leaf into the plane of the table top, the leaf being guided by
the projecting plates c³ and grooves and the connecting piece C being free to
move with the risers. The grooves terminate at their upper ends in shoulders 65
(see Fig. 5), which are engaged by the plates c² when the leaf has been raised into
the plane of the top A and limit the upward movement of the leaf.
When it is desired to shorten the table the risers CC¹ are pushed toward the
center of the table when the leaf will fall of its own weight until it rests upon the
supporting blocks D D.
The frame may then be pushed beneath the table top.
It is obvious that I might provide a single frame with two or more leaves each
having a pair of risers, and raise said leaves successively into the plane of the table
top, according to the distance the frame is drawn out.
I do not desire to be limited to my exact constructions as variations may be made
therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.
Having now fully 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 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. In an extension table, the combination with the main table top, of the sliding
extension frames, carrying supplemental leaves, said frames and leaves being
arranged to slide beneath said top, and to be drawn out to extend the table, and
the risers pivotally secured to the leaves for elevating the same into the plane of
the top after they have reached their outermost positions, said risers having a
sliding engagement with a portion of said frame, substantially as described.
2. In an extension table, the combination with the main top, of the sliding
frames, carrying supplemental leaves supported below the plane of the said top, the
supporting bars secured to said frames and a pair of risers pivotally secured to each
leaf, and having a sliding engagement with said bars, for elevating said leaf into
the plane of said top after said leaf has reached its outermost position, substantially
as described.
3. In an extension table, the combination with the main top, of the sliding
extension frames carrying the supplemental leaves supported below the plane of the
table top, the supporting bars secured to the frames, a pair of risers for elevating
each leaf into the plane of the table top after it has reached its outermost position,
said risers being pivotally secured to said leaf, and having a sliding engagement
with said supporting bars, and a connecting bar for connecting the risers of each
leaf for simultaneous movement, substantially as described.
4. In an extension table, the combination with the main top, of an extension
frame carrying a supplemental leaf supported below the plane of said top, the
supporting bars secured to said frame, the risers pivotally secured at one edge to
the leaf, and having their opposite edges provided with bearing surfaces to engage
said supporting bars, and the connecting bars connecting the risers of each leaf for
joint movement, pivotally secured to said risers substantially as described.
5. In an extension table, the combination with the main top, of a sliding
extension frame carrying a supplemental leaf supported below the plane of the
table top, the risers for elevating said leaf into the plane of said top after it has
reached its outermost position, said frame being provided with guiding grooves and
shoulders, and parts secured to and projecting from said leaf for engaging the

page_text: grooves and shoulders of the frame for guiding said leaf and limiting its vertical
movement, substantially as described.
6. In an extension table, the combination with the main top and its supports, of
an extension frame carrying a supplemental leaf, the supporting bars secured to
said frame and extending longitudinally of said table, supports for said frame
secured to said bars, the risers pivotally secured to said leaf and having a sliding
engagement with said bars, substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of April 1893.
FREDERICK PAGE COBHAM,
By G. F. Redfern & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents.