US1942603A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9, 1934- K. G. JOHANSON 1,942,603

' FOLDING TABLE Filed June 20, 1932 Patented Jan. 9, 1934 STTES ArsNr oFFlcE Y 2 Claims.

This invention relates to folding tables of the cross-legged type, and it aims to improve tables of this character with a view to adapting them for use as high or low screens, as well as for the purposes of a table or stand, while at the same time providing an exceptionally sturdy and rigid construction.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a table embodying my invention and folded into a position to serve as a high screen;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the table folded to serve as a low screen, the lower ends of the legs being broken off;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the table as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the table with the top supported in a tilted or inclined position; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the table used in the normal or ordinary manner.

The table shown comprises a top 11, preferably equipped with two parallel cleats 4.4 secured to the lower side of said top. For the purpose of supporting the table top two pairs ofcrossedlegs 7 are provided. One member of each pair of legs is pivoted at l to the table, the two pivotal points being located in the same axis. The other members of the two pairs of legs are not connected directly to the table but are pivoted on the ends of bent arms or links 55 at the opposite ends of a tie rod or rock shaft 3 which is supported partly in one of thecleats 4 and partly in a clip 19, Fig. 2, so that it can rock about an axis parallel to the axis of the pivots 1l. The axis of the tie rod or rock shaft is spaced from the axis of said pivots by a distance equal to the lengths of the links 55 so that the pivot points of the four upper ends of the legs can all be brought into the same straight axial line. When the legs have been folded to position their upper ends in this manner, the table top can then be swung into either the position shown in Fig. l or that illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Due to the fact that the axis on which the table swings is located much closer to one edge of the table top than to the other, it can be made to serve either as a high screen or a low screen, as desired.

When the legs are spread apart, as shown in Fig. 5, the links swing into positions approximately parallel with the table top, and the top then is supported in a horizontal position, as shown in said figure, where it serves the purposes v of the ordinary table or stand. A spring actuated lock 19 may be provided to cooperate with one of the links to secure the table in this position.

In order to add stability and rigidity to the entire assembly, as well as for simplicity in manufacture, the two pairs of legs are pivoted on opposite ends of a pivot rod orshaft 17, and two diagonal braces 1l14 are secured to the opposite ends of this shaft just inside the legs. Each brace runs diagonally to the upper end of the inner leg opposite to the end of the shaft on which it is secured. Consequently, this bracing arrangement does not interfere in any way with the folding of the table, but the braces serve to give lateral stability to the table in all positions, whether folded or open. This arrangement thus provides an exceedingly sturdy table of the folding type while at the same time facilitating the manufacturing operations.

By pivoting ahook 12 to one of the pair of legs at one side of the table, and providing suitably spacedholes 16, Fig. 4, in the other leg to receive the end of the hook, the spread of the legs may be so adjusted as to hold the table top in an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 4. I

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. A folding table comprising a table top, two pairs of crossed legs for supporting said top, means for pivotally connecting the upper end of one member of each pair of legs to said table, two links pivoted to the upper ends of the other members, respectively, of each pair of legs and connecting them to the table at points lying in a common axis but spaced from the first mentioned pivotal connections by such a distance that both pairs of said legs can be folded to bring all of said pivotal connections into line in a com mon axis, with two of said legs disposed between the other two legs, a pivot rod common to both pairs of legs, and two braces extending diagonally from the opposite ends of said pivot rod to the opposite upper ends of the inner members of said pairs of legs.

2. A folding table comprising a table top, two pairs of crossed legs for supporting said top, means for pivotally connecting the upper end of one member of each pair of legs to said table, two links pivoted to the upper ends of the other members, respectively, of each pair of legs and connecting them to the table at points lying in the other inner leg at a point adjacent to the end of said pivot rod, and a second diagonal brace crossing the other brace and connected to the upper end of the latter leg adjacent to its point of connection with one of said links and running to the opposite inner leg at a point adjacent to the pivotal connection of the latter leg with said pivot rod. I

KARL G. JOHANSON.

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