Folding Tables.
Year: 1888

page_text: Folding Tables.
I, JOHN THOMAS Box, of the City of Syracuse, in the County of Onondaga
and State of New York, United States of America, 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 relates to improvements in the class of Tables terined Folding Tables,
and it consists essentially in a table having its legs provided with links or pivots,
and connected to the top so as to permit the legs to be folded compactly when it
it is desired to knock the table down for packing or shipment, thereby providing
a merchantable article of furniture, which is capable of being closely packed for
shipment, and at the same time form a strong and desirable table for use when the
same is set up in its operative position. It consists also in the detail construction and
arrangement of the paris, all as hereinafter more particularly described and pointed
out in the claims.
In specifying my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming
a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all
the views.
Figure 1 a side elevation of my improved folding table.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same.
Figure 3 is a detail side view of one of the folding legs with a portion thereof
broken away to more clearly illustrate the manner of securing the rotating rod
thereto.
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view showing the legs folded up against the under side
of the table.
Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section of a modified construction of my improved
table.
Figure illustrates a further modification shown in a vertical transverse section.
Figure 7 is an enlarged detached isometric view of the metallic socket by
which the leg is detachably secured to the table top in the modification illustrated in
figure 6.
Figure S is an isometric view of one of the legs, which is secured in the leg socket
illustrated in figure 7, and
Figure 9 is a detached plan view of the legs made according to the modification
illustrated in figure 6 in their folded position.
In the accompanying drawings the letter-A-denotes the top of the table, to
which in any suitable manner the legs which support the table in its upright
C

page_text: position are secured, the said legs being connected together by suitable pivots or
links, and to the table by various forms of mechanism, which will be fully explained
hereafter.
In the preferred example of my invention, which is illustrated in figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4, I secure to the under side of the top of the table, and near the ends thereof
cross-pieces B,-to the inner sides of which are hinged the legs-D.-two at each end
of the table fop. To the outer edges of the upper portion of these legs, I secure two
boards E-which project with their upper edges beyond the upper ends of the legs.
When the table is in use, these boards bear with their upper edges against the under side
of the table-top and bear with their inner edges or faces against the outer sides or faces
of the cross-pieces-B-the object of which will be presently set forth. Each set of
the legs are formed near their upper ends with deep recesses or sockets-F,-(shown
more clearly in figure 3 of the drawings,) and in which are secured the ends of the
connecting-rods-G-by means of the screws-H-entering the said sockets from the
opposite sides of the legs and screwing into the ends of the rods, thus enabling the same
to rotate in their bearings.
Rigidly secured to the intermediate portions of these rods are braces-1,-formed at
their free ends with longitudinal closed slots-J.
K-denotes a bracket secured to the under side of the table-top, and through which
is formed a transverse aperture-L,-which registers with the slots in the ends of the
braces, which are at each side of the bracket. Through the aperture of the
bracket and the slots of the braces, a boli-M-passes, and upon its threaded
end, I screw a wing or tightening nut-N-for clamping the parts together. A
washer-0 is placed upon the bolt at that end having the tightening-nut, and
prevents the said nut from working directly against the brace, which of course
would mar it.
When the legs are swung out to assume a vertical position, the upper edges and
'the inner sides of the boards E-contact, respectively, with the under side of the table-
top and with the outer sides of the cross-pieces-B, thus preventing the legs being
swung too far out, and also preventing undue strain upon the hinges. The tightening-
nut is now screwed home, thus clamping the slotted ends of the braces firmly to the
bracket. While in this position it will be seen that the legs are firmly held in place
by the braces. Now, when it is desired to fold the legs beneath the table, as shown in
figure, the tightening-nut is loosened and the legs swung under, causing the rods to
rotate in the sockets or recesses of the legs, and the slotted ends of the braces to slide
upon the boli. After the legs have been folded beneath the under side of the table-
top, they are securely clamped and held in place by tightening the wing-nut, as
above described and it will be seen that while in this position it will occupy but a
small space, and will consequently be out of the way when placed against the wall or
in a corner of a room. It will also be observed that in addition to the small space,
the table may be caused to occupy by folding it in the manner described when used
in a small room, the table is compactly folded and "knocked down," so to speak, for
packing for storage or shipment, and a great advantage accrues from the compact
space in which the table may be stored in the saving of expense in transportation, hence
my improved table possesses commercial features of advantage in connection with the
ease with which it may be set up for use that makes it exceedingly desirable, as an
article to manufacture as well as useful in dwellings, in which but small space is
obtainable for living rooms.
The operation of this, the preferred example of my invention will be readily
understood from the foregoing description as well as upon reference to the drawings,
which show the table set up in its operative position as well as "knocked down" and
folded to pack for shipment.
At figure 51 bave illustrated a modified construction of the table, wherein the
legs D are secured at-D to the table-top-A-by pivoting the same thereto
either by screws or by a rod extending through lengthwise of the table, and pivoting
the legs together centrally on a screw bolt or pivot-1.-In this form of the
invention in order to lock the table in its upright or operative position, I provide

page_text: For to
rachet bar A-secured to the under side of the top of the table-A,-
plate carrying the same, and provide a latch or hook-h,-which is secured to
he rod passing through the head of the leg-D-and tension the said latch with
spring, which tends to throw the latch normally into engagement with the
ratchet bar-A-li will be observed that in this construction the legs-D-
re hinged to the table-top at--and when the latch-h-is released from its
engagement with the rachet, the legs may be folded compactly, and on the central
pivot or rod-1,-and then folded underneath the top in compact form as in the
preferred example of my invention. The engagement of the latch--with the
rachet bar locks the legs to the table, and renders the structure firm and secure in its
upright position.
The modified construction illustrated in figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 provides the folding
table with the legs detachably secured to bars or bed-pieces-a-depending from the
table-top by means of the metallic leg socket--,-figure 7, and when it is desired
to knock the table down for shipment, it is necessary to detach the legs from the
top-A-by releasing the same from the metallic socket and then folding the legs on
their central pivot, and securing the legs in their folded position to the top when the
structure may be as compactly packed as in the preferred example and modification
above described. In this latter case the metallic socket is preferably made in two
pieces----being secured to the bed-piece-a,-as best shown in figure 7,
and the piece--being provided with a clamping screw-,-which turns on a
threaded bolt--passed through the two parts of the metallic socket.
parts of the metallic socket are provided with projecting tongues---which
enter the slotted head--of the legs, and serves to hold the legs securely from
turning, and adds to the security and strength of the leg support for the table.
My improved table is simple in construction, strong and durable.
The two
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 herein described table having its legs provided with links or pivots and
connected to the top so as to fold compactly when "knocked down" for packing or
rhipment, substantially as described.
2-In a folding table, the combination, with the top provided with the apertured
bracket
upper end its under side, and with the two sets of hinged legs formed near their
with transverse recesses or sockets, and rotating rods journaled in said
recesses or sockets, of braces rigidly secured at their outer ends to the said rods and
formed at their opposite ends with longitudinal closed slots, which register with
the aperture of the bracket, a threaded bolt inserted through the slots of the braces
and the aperture of the bracket, and a tightening-nut all arranged to operate in the
manner set forth.
3—1n a folding table, the combination, with the top having the cross-pieces secured
to its under side near its ends, legs hinged to the inner sides of these cross-pieces and
provided near their upper ends with boards, the upper portions of which project above
the ends of said legs and contact with the under side of the top of the table, and with
the outer sides of the cross-pieces, of rotating rods journaled in said legs, and braces
rigidly secured to said rods at their outer ends and adjustably secured at their inner
ends to the under side of the table-top, substantially as set forth.
1030
LAN 274h day of August 1988.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.,
Agents for the Applicant.