Year: 1888

page_text: I, ARMAND CAMILLE FRANÇOIS BALNY of 40 Faubourg Saint Antoine, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Furniture Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a new system of leaves or sections superposed and combined
to form a multiple folding table top; it has principally for its object to so arrange
these leaves or sections that they may be capable of extending in every direction
and present a surface larger in proportion to the number of leaves or sections
employed.
These leaves or sections are more generally made with covering of cloth surrounded
with a border of wood, or entirely of wood; they are in forun, square, rectangular, and
convoluted or not on the edges, according to the developed form of the table of which
they represent a part of the surface.
When the table is square and the leaves or sections are four in number they present,
when superposed, the form of a square or of a rectangular triangle, the hypothenuse of
which represents one side of the table.
If the table is round the superposed leaves or sections will present on their edges
the form of a quarter of a circle, or of a quarter of an ellipse when the extended table
is of elliptical form, or of other contour according to the styles employed in furnishing,
In all cases it will be understood that the figures will vary with the greater or smaller
number of leaves or sections which will be folded one on the other or according to the
geometric forins of the extended table.
And in order that my invention may be more clearly understood 1 have represented
in the accompanying drawings one example of the manner in which 1 carry my
invention into effect.
Figure 1 represents a rectangular table folded in four leaves or sections. Figure 2
represents a part of the surface of this same table extended and the cloth cover torn
away in order to enable the iron work to be seen.
Figure 3 shows a part of this table folded in two parts only in the direction of its
length

page_text: Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement of sliding hinge which I employ in my system
of leaves or sections.
Figure 5 represents, in the closed position, another arrangement of binge or joint
of two adjacent leaves or sections.
Figure 6 represents this saine hinge open.
Figures 7 and 7 show the special mounting and arrangement of hinge which
enables me, by giving to the back of the hinge a greater or less height, to realize my
invention by superposing any number of leaves or sections, the extension of which
will constitute the surface of the table top.
Figures 8 and 8b show these hinges opened out by the turning down of the leaves
or sections.
Figure 9 represents an arrangement of leaves or sections of a table of my
invention having a square form, and the leaves or sections of which have a triangular
form.
Figure 10 represents this table of which only two leaves or sections are extended.
Figure 11 shows a table extending only in one direction but having only three
superposed leaves or sections.
It is evident that the number of leaves or sections thus arranged can be multiplied
without departing from my invention.
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 show the details of the arrangement of the iron
work of my invention the application, of which enables me to construct table tops with
multiple foldings, whilst it has not been able to multiply, the number of these
leaves or sections in the present manufacture.
The different parts of the leaves or sections are united by hinges A provided with
two motions, having between the two knuckles or hacks a distance equal to the total
thickness of the interior leaves or sections and the borders of the exterior leaves or
sections. The two borders and leaves or sections of the middle are rounded according
to a curve the radius of which starts from the axis of the two movements of the
hinges A see Figures 1, 2, 7, 7 bls, 8, 8bis, and 9.
a,
To permit the closing of the table, the two leaves or sections of the middle b.
Figure 1 are shorter by one part equal to the height of the hinge A in order to permit
the movement of this hinge in the folding of the leaves or sections.
In order to cover the space left after the opening of the table, I have arranged
these two leaves or sections by uniting them by special hinges C having a sliding
movement as shown in plan at Figure 2 and in section at Figure 4.
As represented in Figures 2 and 4 this hinge has a double movement and is covered
by a plate F under which it can slide owing to the hollows or grooves d. d in which
screws or pins g work joining the plate F to the corresponding leaf or section to allow
the table to be opened; in the other direction the two upper leaves or sections a, c
and those underneath b, d, see Figure 1 are joined together by hinges I and H having
two motions the play of which is shown in the drawing, closed and open respectively
in Figures 5 to 8%. One of the hinges H is placed at the border and the other I
upon the leaves or sections themselves.
When it is desired to use the top of the table the two top leaves or sections are
raised so that the stop e comes against the other stop e and the stop fagainst f1,
but at the same time, the hinge C sliding upon the plates F remain held by the
pins g, g.
In cases where the top of the folded table instead of consisting of two leaves or
sections would require a greater number of them, the hinges H, I, would be replaced
by hinges like those marked A of which the thickness of the back or separation of the
knuckles, would be equal to the thickness of the leaves or sections superposed
between these binges and the distance between the actual hinges A would be equally
increased.
If the top of the table is made up of a series of leaves or sections extending in a
single direction and one from the other, these successive extentions are obtained
simply by the combination of the hinges A and H above described and clearly repre-
sented in figure 11.

page_text: In the table top represented at Figure 9 the application and arrangement of
my system of leaves or sections and hinges is also clearly seen in the extended
position.
To make the tops of tables smooth without covering material and with superposed
leaves or sections hinges like those marked A are dispensed with and replaced
by irons having two motions see Figures 12 and 13, placed at the edge of the
two leaves or sections, so that the small bar U may be outside of these leaves or
sections, or else it can be replaced by the iron shown in Figures 14 and 15.
In this case the interior leaves or sections are cut away or are narrower to allow tho
small bar U to pass.
The interior leaves which are joined by the hinge C and the plates F in the fops
furnished with cloth are then dispensed with. The leaves or sections can be rounded
upon their edges like the borders ff, Figure 1 and they are held together by irons
like those marked J Figures 10, 16 and 17 which increase its solidity.
In certain cases and especially for table tops of small dimensions, the ironwork J,
arranged as shown at Figures 16 and 17 may replace completely the hinge C. Then
the free tongue of the ironwork is furnished with a pin working in a groove m
pierced in the plate k.
D
1 L
141
1000

page_text: I, ARMAND CAMILLE FRANÇOIS BALNY of 40 Faubourg Saint Antoine, Paris, in the
Republic of France, 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 :-
My invention consists of a new system of leaves or sections superposed and com-
bined to form a multiple folding table top; it has principally for its object to so
arrange these leaves or sections that they may be capable of extending in every
direction, and present a surface larger in proportion to the number of leaves or
sections employed.
These leaves or sections are more generally made with covering of cloth, surrounded
with a border of wood, or entirely of wood; they are, in form, square, rectangular,
and convoluted, or not, on the edges, according to the developed form of the table of
which they represent a part of the surface.
When the table is square, and the leaves or sections are four in number, they
present, when superposed, the form of a square, or of a rectangular triangle, the
hypothenuse of which represents one side of the table.
If the table is round, the superposed leaves or sections will present, on their edges,
the form of a quarter of a circle, or of a quarter of an ellipse when the extended table
is of elliptical form, or of other contour, according to the styles employed in furnish-
ing. In all cases it will be understood that the figures will vary with the greater or
smaller number of leaves or sections, which will be folded one on the other, or
according to the geometric forms of the extended tahle.
And in order that my invention may be more clearly understood, I have repre-
sented, in the drawing accompanying my provisional specification, one example of the
manner, in which I carry my invention into effect, and, in the drawing accompanying
my present specification, another example is shown.
Figure 1 represents a rectangular table folded in four leaves or sections. Figure 2
represents a part of the surface of this same table extended and the cloth cover torn
away in order to enable the iron work to be seen.
Figure 3 shows a part of this table folded in two parts only, in the direction of its
length.
Figure illustrates an arrangement of sliding hinge, which I employ in my system
of leaves or sections.
Figure 5 represents, in the closed position, another arrangement of hinge or joint
of two adjacent leaves or sections, and Figure 5s a cross section through such hinge.
Figure 6 represents this same hinge, open.
Figures 7 and 7b show the special mounting and arrangement of hinge which
enables me, by giving to the back of the hinge a greater or less height, to realize my

page_text: invention, by superposing any number of leaves or sections, the extension of which
will constitute the surface of the table top.
Figures 8 and 8 show these hinges opened out by the turning down of the leaves
or sections.
Figure 9 represents an arrangement of leaves or sections of a table of my invention
having a square form, and the leaves or sections of which have a triangular form.
Figure 10 represents this table, of which only two leaves or sections are extended.
Figure 11 shows a table extending only in one direction, but having only three
superposed leaves or sections.
It is evident that the number of leaves or sections thus arranged can be multiplied
without departing from my invention.
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 shows the details of the arrangement of the
ironwork of my invention, the application of which enables me to construct table tops
with multiple foldings, whilst it has not been able to multiply the number of these
leaves or sections in the present manufacture.
The different parts of the leaves or sections are united by hinges A provided with two
motions, having between the two knuckles or backs, a distance equal to the total
thickness of the interior leaves or sections, and the borders of the exterior leaves.or
sections. The two borders and leaves or sections of the middle are rounded according
to a curve, the radius of which starts from the axis of the two movements of the
hinges A, see Figures 1, 2, 7, 7, 8, 8b, and 9.
To permit the closing of the table, the two leaves or sections of the middle, a. l.
Figure 1, are shorter by one part equal to the height of the hinge A, in order to
permit the movement of this hinge in the folding of the leaves or sections.
In order to cover the space left after the opening of the table, I have arranged these
two leaves or sections by uniting them by special hinges C, having a sliding move-
ment, as shown in plan at figure 2, and in section at figure 4.
As represented in figures 2 and 4, this hinge has a double movement, and is covered
by a plate F, under which it can slide owing to the hollows or grooves d. d, in which
screws or pins work, joining the plate F to the corresponding leaf or section to allow
the table to be opened; in the other direction, the two upper leaves or sections a. c,
and those underneath b. d, see figure 1, are joined together by hinges I and H, having
two motions, the play of which is shown in the drawing, closed and open respectively
in figures 5 to 8. One of the binges H is placed at the border, and the other I upon
the leaves or sections themselves.
The hinge H consists of two leaves h. h, formed with projections h¹¹, which are
connected together by a link, pinjointed to each of such projections h. This
link, as shown more clearly at Figure 5, is formed at each end with two angular
faces h³h, to act in combination with the inclined sides 6, of the spaces in the
projections, and thereby ensure the correct action of the hinge.
When it is desired to use the top of the table, the two top leaves or sections are
raised, so that the stop e comnes against the other stop e¹, and the stop against f',
but, at the same time, the hinge C, sliding upon the plates F, remains held by the
pins y. y.
In cases where the top of the folded table, instead of consisting of two leaves or
sections, would require a greater number of them, the hinges H. I, would be replaced
by hinges like those marked A of which the thickness of the back, or separation of the
knuckles, would be equal to the thickness of the leaves or sections superposed between
these hinges, and the distance between the actual binges A would be equally
increased.
If the top of the table is made up of a series of leaves or sections extending in a
single direction and one from the other, these successive extensions are obtained
simply by the combination of the hinges A and H above described and clearly
represented in figure 11.
In the table top represented at figure 9, the application and arrangement of my
system of leaves or sections and hinges, is also clearly seen in the extended position.

page_text: To make the tops of tables smooth without covering material, and with superposed
leaves or sections, hinges, like those marked A, are dispensed with and replaced by
irons having two motions, see figures 12 and 13, placed at the edge of the two
leaves or sections, so that the small bar U may be outside of these leaves or
sections, or else it can be replaced by the iron shown in Figures 14 and 15.
In this case the interior leaves or sections are cut away, or are narrower,
allow the small bar U to pass.
to
The interior leaves which are joined by the hinge C and the plates F in the tops
furnished with cloth are then dispensed with. The leaves or sections can be rounded
upon their edges like the borders f. f, figure 1, and they are held together by irons,
like those marked J, figures 10, 16 and 17, which increase their solidity.
In certain cases, and especially for table tops of small dimensions, the ironwork J,
arranged as shown at Figures 16 and 17, may replace completely the hinge C. Then
the free tongue of the ironwork is furnished with a pin working in a groove m
pierced in the plate h.
I have above indicated the application of special hinges (designated by the
letter C) sliding in grooves, enabling them to extend at the time of the opening out or
developement of the panels of the table top.
As will be readily understood by the drawings, these special hinges permit of a
double articulation, that is to say, they are formed with two knuckles.
I can also construct the hinges in question in such manner as to render them more
simple, and more economic of manufacture, and which permits of suppressing one of
the irons.
I have represented this modification of my invention in the accompanying drawing,
in which Figure 18 shows the underside view of the developed leaves of my system of
folding table top.
Figure 19 is a top view of the same, the cloth covering being supposed to be
removed.
Figure 20 shows, full size, my system of improved hinge, with the parts extended.
Figure 21 represents the same after closing up.
Figure 22 shows a detail of a hinge.
In these figures the same letters of reference indicate like parts.
a is the slide hinge performing the part above described, by means of its guides b,
within each of which travels a guide screw c.
It should be remarked that the hinge a has only one knuckle d formed upon a
square elbow piece, in place of being in the same plane as the two leaves of this hinge,
as in the first described form. The simplification which results from this suppression
will therefore be seen; further, the two elbow parts, being applied the one against
the other along the entire length of the hinge, constitute a bearing surface when the
table top is extended, so that I add, by this means, stability to the system.
A plate covers each side of the hinge a, and, further, at the position of each guide b
is fixed a plate e, see Figure 22, so as to establish a metallic bearing, which facilitates
and smooths the working of the hinges.
In applying the form of hinge a which I have just described, I can dispense with
the employment of the iron referred to in the figures of the drawing filed with my
provisional specification by the letter J.
•
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. The arrangement of table top capable of being folded in any required number o
superposed leaves or sections, by preference two and two, by means of a combination
of binges and irons specially arranged for this purpose, this table top being capable o
taking any form consequently provided with legs and folding in a certain numbe
of leaves or sections, varying in outline according to the geometric form of the
extended table substantially as herein shown and described.

page_text: 2. The arrangement of table top capable of being folded in any required number
of superposed leaves or sections, by preference two and two, by means of an arrange-
ment of elbowed hinges a, applied the one against the other, when the leaves or
sections are folded, and the required play of which is obtained by means of guides b
formed in these hinges, as represented at, Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21, this table top
being capable of taking any form and consequently provided with legs and folding
in a certain number of leaves or sections varying in outline according to the
geometric form of the extended table substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 15th day of November 1888.
ARMAND C. F. BALNY.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings,
Agents.