An Improved Portable Folding Table.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Portable Folding Table.
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 an improved portable folding table and more
particularly to a portable table which is designed for the use of travellers and
others and the said table is adapted to be folded into a small compass so that it
may readily and easily be transported from one place to another, it will also be
found useful as a tea table for picnics, and for a variety of other purposes-it may
be readily stowed away and its lightness renders it easy to carry the same about.
In carrying my invention into practice, I form the top of the said table in two
portions which are hinged together in any suitable manner. To the underside of
the said table top are hinged the legs which are adapted to be folded upon the
said top and which are retained in their extended position by means of diagonal
struts or stays which fold and are hinged at or about their central point.
A sliding locking bolt is fitted in a socket upon the underside of the table top,
the said bolt rendering the table top rigid, and also serving to form a handle for
carrying the table when folded for transport.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood reference should be
made to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1. shews the underside of a table constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Fig. 2. is a side elevation of the table.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation and
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the table folded up for carrying showing the
handle.
My improved table as illustrated in the said figures consists of a wooden or
To the
other top A which is made in two sections hinged together as shewn at a.
underside of the said table top A are attached sockets B for the attachment
thereto of the legs C. The said legs C are preferably formed as shown in the
drawings so as to spring into the sockets B so as to be readily inserted therein.
As will be seen by reference to Fig. 3, the legs are formed so that the table
may be readily retained upon the knees of the two persons using the same the
extremities of the table legs extend downwardly upon either side and the cross
rod of the table legs rests upon the knees of the users.
the
Diagonal stays D which are hingel at convenient positions to or upor
underside of the table, are provided so as to retain the legs in position, when the
table is extended for use as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the said stays being hinged
to the legs and at a point in their length so as to be adapted to fold up and occupy
a small space when the legs lie close up to the table top and the table is
folded.
For the purpose of imparting the necessary rigidity and stiffness to the top
when the table is required for use I provide a locking device E which is shaped so
as to form a handle for carrying the table when folded as clearly shown in Fig. 3.
The said locking device preferably consists of two bolts e sliding in suitable
sockets upon the underside of the table top the said bolts being connected to each
other by a transverse bar e¹.
In order to lower the table when required I provide sockets B' parallel to the
sockets B before mentioned and alter the position of the legs which may be readily
done by springing the ends out of the sockets B and inserting the said ends in the

page_text: sockets B' which materially decreases the height without affecting the strength or
stiffness of the table.
As will be seen by reference to Fig. 4 the two portions of the top are hinged in
such a manner to allow sufficient space when the table is folded between the
said portions for the legs of the table which are folded so as to lie between the
flaps.
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 :-
A portable table having a folding top, legs upon the underside of the said top,
sockets for the insertion of the legs, hinged struts or stays for retaining the legs
in their extended position, and a locking device adapted to form a handle for
carrying the table when folded; the said table being constructed so as to fold up
when not required for use the whole substantially as described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of December 1891
HORN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.