Improvements in Extension Tables.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 28th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Extension Tables.
I, CHARLES POUPON, Fruit Grower, of Eagle Lake, in the County of Polk and
State of Florida, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of my
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 extension tables, particularly those which
are circular in form, and has for its object to enable the table to be adjusted to any
diameter within its capacity, by simply turning a crank or adjusting wheel. This
table has its top formed of a large number of sectors, which are so connected and
guided that they may be moved on radial lines inward and outward. The central
portion of the table, or the surface of the table when adjusted to its smallest size, is
formed of a thin metal plate which covers the sectors, and from beneath which they
project when the table is extended.
My invention also comprises in connection with these sectors, adjustable rails or
rings which support. the outer ends of the sectors, and to which are attached the
adjusting means and legs for supporting the outer ends of the sectors. These sectors
are also provided with springs to separate them when they are extended, and also with
a flexible connector by which undue separation thereof is avoided. The arms or bars
which are attached to these rings and to the legs lie in a substantially radial direction.
The bars are toothed and engage with a central pinion, by which all of the bars are
forced outward or inward at the same time and at the same rate.
The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same,
as will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the appended claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the views.
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a table, showing a portion of the table cloth and of
the central metal plate broken away;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional elevation taken upon the line 2-2 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a partial bottom plan view taken upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a sectional plan view of the lower portion of the table, taken upon the
line 4-4 of Figure 2;
Figures 5 and 6 are an elevation and plan view of the disk which supports the
central shaft ;
Figure 7 is a detail elevation showing one of the pivoted legs and the connection
of the adjusting arm or bar to the supporting rings and to the sectors;
Figure 8 is a cross section of one of the adjustable rings; and
Figure 9 is a detail plan view of a small section of the table top.
The central frame of the table consists of the four legs L, which are connected
near their lower ends, see Figures 2 and 4, by the ring A³, and at their upper ends
by a frame which, as shown in the drawings, particularly in Figures 2 and 3, consists
of the four bars A. To the upper part of this latter frame is fixed a circular top A¹,

page_text: which should be nearly the size of the smallest dimensions of the table. On the
upper side of the top A¹ and in the centre thereof, is placed a hub A2, which should
be of a thickness corresponding with the depth of the ribs C.
The sectors B are made very narrow, so that when the table is expanded, the space
between any two of the sectors will be comparatively small, and when the table is
covered with a thick tablecloth the space will not be noticed. The sectors B are
drawn to a sharp edge at their inner ends, and when in their innermost position
are close to or in contact with the central hub A². In this position the sides of
the sectors are in contact, and the sectors are also mostly if not wholly beneath the
thin metal plate A, which lies.immediately above them.
This plate A is secured by the screw m to the hub A². The outer portions of
the plate are also secured to the outer portion A¹ of the table top by means of pins or
bolts 65, see Figure 9, passing through the plate and between the sectors. Upon the
top A are also secured a series of radial plates C, held in position by the screws or
bolts 65. These plates C also lie between sectors and serve as guides to secure radial
movement of the sectors, but several sectors are located between adjacent plates.
The sectors on either side of the plates C are made slightly wider than the others,
and are cut away a little more so as to accommodate the plates C. These plates C
also support the top plate A+.
•
The inner ends of the sectors B are provided with hinges B2, which consist of thin
metal plates attached at their ends to the sides of the sectors. The object in hinging
the sectors is two-fold; to support and brace them, and to prevent thein from falling
off at the edge when fully extended, by means of a pin inserted between the
sectors and near the edge of the supporting table top, as will hereinafter appear.
The plates B2 are bent so as to act as springs to separate adjacent sectors, and are
pivoted to each other at their free or inner ends. The sectors are also provided with
springs B³ which are similar in construction to the plates B2, but are not hinged.
The sides of the sectors are recessed, as shown at b, to provide room for these
springs, those sectors between which the plates or ribs C are placed being recessed
more than the others for the purpose previously mentioned. This is clearly shown
in Figure 9. Too great an extension of the sectors is prevented by the pins 64,
which connect the plate A' and the table top A¹. The joint of the hinges will engage
the pins b when the sectors have reached their full extension and prevent further
movement of the sectors.
The outer ends of the sectors B are fastened by means of wire staples or loops 6¹ to
the adjustable rings D and D', which rings are shown in cross section in Figure 8,
and in bottom plan in Figure 3. Each ring is divided into sections; one section
consists of two bars D, which are separated a short distance from each other so as
to form a recess or cavity between them. As shown in Figure 8, that is accom-
plished by placing a wire D2 of proper thickness between the two plates near
each edge. The other section of the ring consists of a single bar or plate D³,
which has its end entering the space in the other section. Each of these sections
should preferably not be larger than a quarter of a circle, thus forming four
sections for a ring, two of which are hollow and the other two solid. The ends
of the solid sections enter the hollow or tubular section, so that the ring may
be expanded or contracted, the single bar entering the hollow between the double
bars.
The sectors are attached to the double section by means of the loops or staples b¹.
The ends of these loops or staples pass through the sector and are bent down at
their upper ends, as shown at 62 in Figure 9. Their lower ends may also be
provided with rings 6, made by twisting the loops or staples. The rings 63 may
be used for receiving hooks placed in the edge of the tablecloth, whereby the edge
of the tablecloth will be supported, and prevented from dropping as far as it would
otherwise do when the table is contracted. As previously stated, two of these
adjustable rings D D are provided, and are arranged so that the double section of
one corresponds with the single section of the other. The upper surface of the

page_text: single section
section.
will not be quite as high as the upper surface of the double
The use of two rings D D¹ and the arrangement of their sections as described,
makes a continuous ring of the double sections or those having their edges highest,
and the sectors are supported upon these sections. The staples 61 also should be
upon this section, as if they were upon the single section they would engage the end
of the double section when the ring was contracted.
The upper portion of the frame of the table is provided with a number of tubes a,
which form guides for the movable arms a¹. In the drawings I have shown eight
of these arms arranged evenly about the circle. The arms a do not pass exactly
through the centre of the table, but a little to one side so as to be tangent to the
adjacent pinion G³, the arins within the guides a being toothed upon their inner
portion and engaging the teeth of the pinion G². The two guides a extending
parallel and in opposite directions, are placed in the same plane, but each set of
guides is, however, placed in a different plane. This results in there being four
sets placed in different planes, all engaging the toothed wheel G². The wheel G2 is
mounted upon a shaft G, supported at its lower end by an adjusting screw H¹, and
a cap H which is bolted to the frame of the table. The bolt H¹ is threaded and may
be raised or lowered to adjust the position of the shaft G.
At its lower end the shaft G is provided with a pinion G³ of the same size as the
pinion G2, and meshing with two sets of arms a², which at their outer ends are
attached to the lower ends of the legs L'. These arms a² are toothed upon their
inner ends and slide in the guides a³. The shaft G is also provided with a bevel
gear G', which meshes with a bevel pinion F2, mounted upon a horizontal shaft F.
The outer end of this shaft extends to a point where it is accessible, and has a hand-
adjusting wheel F¹, or is otherwise arranged so that it may be engaged by a crank
to turn the same. By revolving the shaft F, it is clear that the arms a¹ and a²
will all be forced outwardly or inwardly and at the same rate. The outer ends of
each alternate one of the arms a¹ are rigidly connected by means of the plates D³
with the centre of the hollow sections D of the adjustable rings. The ends of these
sections are slidably connected, as shown in Figure 7, with the upper portion of the
movable table legs adjacent thereto on each side by means of the rollers D³, which
are pivoted in an enclosing frame fixed to the end of the bar a¹. These rollers lie on
each side of the hollow sections D of the adjustable rings and permit free endwise
movement therebetween. As the legs and arms are forced outward, the sectors Bare
carried along therewith.
The springs B2 and B³ between the sectors B force them apart, and the expansion
due to the increased diameter of the table is taken up a little between the sectors.
The outer ends of the sectors are joined to each other by means of a chain J, or other
flexible connector, which attached to each sector by means of the screws J¹.
construction limits the space which may occur between adjacent sectors and prevents
too large an opening at any point.
This
At the bottom of the sectors near their outer ends are placed small plates I, which
lie between the sectors and the rings D. These plates take up the wear due to the
slight sliding movement of the sectors upon the rings. Four of the outer set of legs
are pivoted to the outer ends of the arms a' and to the rings D, as shown clearly in
Figures 2 and 7. Plates a are fixed to the arms a¹ and also to the rings D. The
upper ends of the legs L² are slotted to receive these plates and are pivoted thereto
by a pin L. The plates as are locked in upright position by means of pins LA, which
may be placed in horizontal holes located just inside the edges of the plates a³ and
above the pivot points of the legs L². By removing the pins L the leg L2 may be
swung to the horizontal position. The parts are so proportioned, that when this is
done the holes through which the pins L are inserted will then be just outside the
outer edges of the plates A5, and if the pins be inserted, the legs will be held in a
horizontal position. The pins I are secured to the legs L2 by means of short
chains L', so that the pins cannot become lost. The elevated position of the legs 1,2
is shown in Figure 7 by dotted lines. The object of pivoting the plates and legs is

page_text: to permit the legs to be drawn nearer to the centre than would otherwise be
possible; as without this arrangement the legs would engage the lower ring A³ before
they reached their innermost position. This, however, may be avoided by otherwise
designing the frame of the table.
In using the table herein shown and described, it should be provided with a cloth E
having considerable thickness or body, and thus bridge the gaps caused by the
expansion of the sectors and cause the spaces between the sectors to be concealed.
Moreover, the portion of the cloth lying outside of the plates A' should be thicker
than that portion upon the plate and in this way the ledge which would otherwise be
formed at the edge of the plate will be obliterated. This is secured by adding an
extra layer or layers E¹ of material beneath the body of the cloth outside the cover
plate A4. The thickening of the tablecloth comes upon that portion which is upon
the sectors and increases the thickness of the cloth where it is needed to bridge the
spaces between the sectors. The cloth is preferably secured to the table at its centre
The outer edge of the cloth may be
by any convenient means, as by the screw m.
provided with hooks to engage the eyes 63 upon the lower ends of the staples b¹.
Preferably, however, the outer overhanging edge of the cloth will be provided with
weights E2, which will hold the same down. As the table is contracted the edge of
the cloth will drop lower, while when it is expanded the cloth will be raised. The
same cloth will therefore answer for the table in either adjustment.
I have herein shown my device as applied solely to a circular table; I do not,
however, wish to be limited to its application to a circular table only, as it may be
applied to tables which are of other forms.
The use of the term "sectors" berein is not intended to imply that the part
so designated is a mathematically correct sector, but that its general outline
resembles a sector or triangle two of the sides of which correspond substantially
with radii of a circle. These sides are recessed to receive the springs and guiding
ribs, but they nevertheless resemble a sector in their general outline.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and a series of
sectors retractible beneath the cover plate, said sectors all lying and moving in
the same plane, means for uniformly moving them outward on radial lines, and
fixed radial ribs forming guides controlling the position of said sectors and
supporting the cover plate.
2. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising
sectors flexibly connected to each other, and means for synchronously moving
them in a radial direction.
3. A table having a top comprising sectors flexibly connected to each other,
means for synchronously moving them outward in a radial direction, and a central
cover plate adapted to cover said sectors when in their retracted position.
4. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
movable on radial lines and flexible connection between their outer ends limiting
their separation.
5. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
movable on radial lines and springs between the sectors pressing the same apart.
6. A table having a central fixed structure and extension members comprising
sectors hinged to each other at their inner ends, and all occupying the same
plane.
7. A table having its central cover plate and sectors movable on radial lines, and
springs between the sectors pressing the same apart, substantially as described.
8. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and sectors hinged to
each other at their inner ends, substantially as described.
9. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and sectors hinged to

page_text: each other at their inner ends, and means for synchronously moving the sectors
outward or inward, substantially as described.
10. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and sectors hinged to
each other at their inner ends, fixed guides for the sectors, and means for
synchronously moving the sectors outward or inward, substantially as described.
11. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and sectors, and
spring hinges connecting the inner ends of the sectors, substantially as described.
12. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and sectors, spring
hinges connecting the inner ends of the sectors, and means for synchronously moving
the sectors in a radial direction, substantially as described.
13. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and sectors having
shallow recesses on their sides, and flat springs within said recesses and forcing the
sectors apart, substantially as described.
14. A table having its top composed of a central cover plate and sectors movable
on radial lines, and connections between the outer ends of the sectors and defining
their maximum spread, substantially as described.
15. A table having its top formned of a central cover plate and sectors movable
on radial lines, and a chain attached to the outer ends of the sectors and defining
their maximum spread, substantially as described.
16. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
hinged to each other at their inner ends, and a chain attached to the outer ends of
the sectors and defining their maximum spread, substantially as described.
17. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
hinged to each other at their inner ends, means for synchronously moving the sectors
outward and inward, and a chain attached to the outer ends of the sectors, and
defining their maximum spread, substantially as described.
18. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
hinged to each other at their inner ends, fixed guides for the sectors, means for
synchronously moving the sectors inward and outward, and a chain attached to
the outer ends of the sectors and defining their maximum spread, substantially as
described.
19. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
novable on radial lines, springs between the sectors and pressing the same apart, and
a chain attached to the outer ends of the sectors and defining their maximum spread,
substantially as described.
20. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
movable on radial lines, springs between the sectors and pressing the same apart,
and means for synchronously moving the sectors outward or inward, substantially as
described.
21. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors
movable on radial lines, springs between the sectors and pressing the same apart,
fixed guides for the sectors, and means for synchronously moving the sectors out-
ward or inward, substantially as described.
22. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising
sectors movable on radial lines, springs between the sectors and pressing the same
apart, means for synchronously moving the sectors outward or inward, and a chain
attached to the outer ends of the sectors and defining their maximum spread,
substantially as described.
23. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
means for synchronously moving the sectors outward or inward, guiding ribs lying
between sectors, and a thin plate above the sectors and upon the guiding ribs, and
secured to the table at its centre, substantially as described.
24. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
guiding ribs between the sectors, means for simultaneously moving the sectors
outward or inward, a central hub having its upper surface level with the tops of the
ribs, and a thin plate covering the sectors and ribs and fixed to the central
hub, substantially as described.

page_text: 25. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising
sectors, guiding ribs between the sectors, means for simultaneously moving the
sectors outward or inward, a central hub having its upper surface level with the tops
of the ribs, and a thin plate covering the sectors and ribs, and fixed to the central
hub and at its outer edge to the table by pins passing through between the sectors,
substantially as described.
26. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
an expansible ring connected to said sectors, and means for expanding and
contracting said rings, substantially as described.
27. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
an expansible ring connected to said sectors, radial rods engaging said ring at
intervals, and means for moving the rods inward or outward at will, substantially as
described.
28. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising
sectors, an expansible ring connected to said sectors, toothed rods extending from the
centre outward and engaging said ring at intervals, a central pinion engaging said
rods, and means for turning the pinion, substantially as described.
29. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising
sectors, an expansible ring, staples upon the sectors embracing said ring, and means
for expanding and contracting said ring, substantially as described.
30. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising
sectors, an expansible ring consisting of overlapping bars sliding upon each other,
staples upon the sectors and embracing said ring, and means for expanding and
contracting the ring, substantially as described.
31. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
an expansible ring consisting of outer and inner parts which telescope, staples upon
the sectors embracing said ring, and means for expanding and contracting the ring,
substantially as described.
32. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
two expansible rings, one within the other, each ring being composed of sections
which telescope, the inner section of one ring being located adjacent to the tubular or
outer section of the other ring, and staples attached to the sectors and embracing the
outer or tubular sections of the rings, substantially as described.
33. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
an expansible ring, staples upon the sectors embracing the said ring, arms extending
from the centre outward and engaging said ring, and means for operating said arms
simultaneously, substantially as described.
34. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
two expansible rings one within the other, each ring being composed of sections
which telescope, the inner section of one ring being located adjacent to the tubular
or outer section of the other ring, staples attached to the sectors and embracing the
outer or tubular sections of the rings, arms extending from the centre outward and
engaging said rings, and means for extending or withdrawing said arms simul-
taneously, substantially as described.
35. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
two expansible rings one within the other, each ring being composed of sections
which telescope, the inner section of one ring being located adjacent to the tubular
or outer section of the other ring, staples attached to the sectors and embracing the
outer or tubular sections of the ring, toothed arms extending from the centre out-
ward and engaging said rings, a central pinion engaging said arms, and means for
turning said pinion, substantially as described.
36. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
two expansible rings one within the other, each ring being composed of sections
which telescope, the inner section of one ring being located adjacent to the tubular
or outer section of the other ring, staples attached to the sectors and embracing the
outer or tubular sections of the rings, toothed arms extending from the centre out-
ward and engaging said rings, a central shaft carrying a spur pinion engaging said

page_text: arms, a bevel pinion, a horizontal shaft having a bevel pinion engaging the first
named bevel pinion, and means for turning the shaft, substantially as described.
37. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
an expansible ring connected to said sectors, toothed arms extending from the centre
outward and engaging said rings, a central shaft carrying a spur pinion engaging said
arms, a bevel pinion, a horizontal shaft having a bevel pinion engaging the first named
bevel pinion, and means for turning said shaft, substantially as described.
38. A table having a central fixed structure, extension ineinbers comprising sectors,
an expansible ring connected to said sectors, arms extending from the centre outward
and connected to said ring, neans for extending and withdrawing said arms, and legs
connected to said arms, substantially as described.
39. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
an expansible ring connected to said sectors, toothed arms extending from the centre
outward and connected to said ring, a central pinion engaging said arms, means for
turning said pinion, and legs connected to the outer ends of said arms, substantially
as described.
40. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
two expansible rings one within the other, each ring being composed of sections
which telescope, the inner section of one ring being located adjacent to the tubular
or outer section of the other ring, loops attached to the sectors and embracing the
outer or tubular sections of the rings, arms extending from the centre outward and
connected to said rings, means for extending and withdrawing said arms,
and legs
connected to the outer ends of the arms, substantially as described.
41. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
two expansible rings one within the other, each ring being composed of sections
which telescope, the inner section of one ring being located adjacent to the tubular
or outer section of the other ring, loops attached to the sectors and embracing the
outer or tubular sections of the rings, toothed arms extending from the centre
outward and engaging said rings, a central shaft carrying a spur pinion engaging
said arins, a bevel pinion, a horizontal shaft having a bevel pinion engaging the
first named bevel pinion, means for turning said horizontal shaft, and legs connected
to the said arms and rings, substantially as described.
42. A table having a central fixed structure, extension members comprising sectors,
expansible rings connected to said sectors, arms extending from the centre outwardly,
means for extending and withdrawing said arms, and rollers connected to the outer
ends of said arms and embracing the rings, substantially as described.
43. A table having an expansible top, legs supporting the expansible outer sections
of the said top, toothed arms extending from the centre outward and connected to
said legs at top and bottom, central pinions engaging said toothed arms, and means
for turning said pinions, substantially as described.
44. A table having an expansible top, legs supporting the expansible outer
sections of said top, toothed arms extending from the centre outward and connected
to said legs at top and bottom, central pinions engaging said toothed arms,
a common shaft for said pinions, a horizontal shaft provided at its outer end
with means by which it may be turned, and bevel gears connecting the two shafts,
substantially as described.
45. A table having an expansible outer section, legs pivoted thereto, and means by
which the pivoted legs may be locked in a horizontal or vertical position, substantially
as described.
46. A table having an expansible outer section, arms extending from the centre
outward and connected to the expansible outer section to operate it, means for
moving said arms synchronously, legs pivoted to the outer ends of said arms,
and means for locking the arms in either a horizontal or vertical position,
substantially as described.
47. A table having an expansible top section, composed of sectors, means for

page_text: moving said sectors inward or outward, and peripherally expansible supporting
rails extending about the table beneath said sectors, substantially as described.
48. A table having an expansible top section composed of sectors, means for
moving said sectors inward or outward, expansible supporting rails extending
about the table beneath said sectors, and shoes attached to the under side of the
sectors, and engaging said rails, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of April 1898
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.