US1964571A - Folding table - Google Patents

Description

June 1934- I J. A. GRANSTRAND El AL 1,964,571

FOLDING TABLE Filed June 30, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE 1 w,

Patented June 26, 1934 UNITED STATES FOLDING TABLE John A. Granstrand and Lloyd A. Granstrand, Seattle, Wash.

Application June 30, 1933, Serial No. 678,366

3 Claims.

This invention relates to folding tables and has as one of its objects to provide a table adapted for use as a card or similar table where the legs may be folded against the top for com- 5 pactness when not in use, or for a camp table or the like requiring a portable table that will fold into a small space for transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide rigidity in such a table by utilizing a folding frame having substantial corners and providing to fold the legs against the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding table adapted for integral construction, or whose top may be separable from the frame and legs, and when integral having no extra or, detached parts susceptible of loss.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table that is simple to fold and unfold; that is relatively cheap to manufacture; that is substantial when in use; and that is light in weight for cheap and convenient transportation.

With these and other objects in view reference is..now had to. the accompanying drawings in w i h Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the folding table shown in the erect position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the table from below;

Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2 showing one step in the folding operation;

Fig. 4 is a similar View to Fig. 2 showing a fragment of the table and illustrating the second step in the folding operation;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof showing the third step in the folding operation;

' Fig. dshows the legs and frame completely folded;

Fig 7 is an end view of the completely folded table;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fragment of two side rails ofthe frame and a universal hinge in the open position and joining these two menubers;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the universal hinge in the folded position; and i Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a hinge adapted for movement in a horizontal plane and showing a leg socket formed integral therewith.

Having reference to the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views four separate side rails 5 that when joined to gether at their ends will provide an open rectangular structure of the usual form for the purpose.

The side rails 5 are hingedly attached together that the frame may be folded into a relatively small bundle, and in a peculiar manner to be explained, and to assistin providing for rigidity when in the open position two, or one pair, of diagonally opposite corners of the frame, areimitered, as at 6, to prevent the frame folding in but one direction.

For this purpose each side rail is mitered at one endand to form a mitered joint '7 two com.- plemental mitered ends are joined together by a hinge 8 that will permit of movement in a horizontal plane only, while the opposite or remain-. ing ends are joined with universal hinges 9 positioned at diagonally opposite corners and. constructed to permit movement both in a hori-. zontal plane to operate in. conjunction with the first mentioned hinges,.and in a vertical plane, both of, which hinges will be presently explained.

The side rails 5 are of substantially equallength and fold so that the bundle 10, formed by the side rails when folded, is equal in length to one of the side rails.

The hinges 8, applicable to the mitered cor-. ners of the frame, consist substantially of a strap hinge whose leaves 11 are adapted to be secured rigidly to the complemental ends of the side rails, and to one of the leaves adepending portion lZ is provided that when formed as shown in Fig. 10 will provide a leg socket 13 which willLrest against the under side of the side rail for added strength. Additional bracing may obviously be obtained by making the outer portion of the socket double width as shown in Fig. 8.

This leg socket 13' is designed to receive a leg 3 pivotally mounted therein through the medium of a pin representedas at 14 in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, whereby the leg may be foldedto a position parallel with and contiguous to its complemental side rail 5.

At the remaining corners there is provided a universal hinge 9, for each corner, which, consists of a substantially rectangular blank (not shown) that when formed as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 will provide a pair of oppositely positioned side plates 15 adapted to be secured to the remaining end of one of the side rails by a rivet or other substantial securing means, represented as at 16 in Fig. 8.

The side plates 15 are continued downward to provide a second leg socket 1'7 corresponding with the leg socket 13 of the strap hinge 8 above described and a portion of the body 18 of the blank is bent inward between the side plates and provides a seat 19 upon which rests the secured side rail for added strength and firmness.

Attached to or formed from the said body is a yoke socket 20 which when separate and adapted to be attached to the body will be of U shape and extended perpendicular therefrom, and when formed integral with the body will be extended downward from the leg socket and formed to a like shape therewith and then the body portion will be bent back upon itself thus to extend this socket perpendicular therefrom as before.

A separate yoke 21 is now provided for engagement within the yoke socket and a pin 22 unites these two members to provide a hinge adapted for movement in a vertical plane, and a pivotal pin 23 is secured perpendicular to the cross bar 24 of this yoke, and upon this pin is rotatably and pivotally mounted the remaining end of the adjacent side rail for the folding movement in a horizontal plane thus providing for universal action, this side rail previously having its corner rounded adjacent the end of the complemental member, as at 25, for the purpose of horizontal movement.

It is now obvious that with strap hinges 8 at two diagonally opposite corners of the frame and with universal hinges at the remaining diagonally oppositely positioned corners that the frame 2, when in the open position, will be as shown in Fig. 2; that the first movement in/the operation of closing or folding the frame will be in a horizontal plane and will form a diamond shape as shown in Fig. 3; that the second movement, also in a horizontal plane will close the frame by bringing the two pairs of side rails parallel and together as shown in Fig. Land that the dotted line representing the side rail in Fig. 8 shows this straightened position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 4; that taking a position perpendicular to the view in Fig. 4 the third movement will be in a vertical plane which is shown in part in Fig. 5, with the final movement completely closing the frame to form the bundle 10 as shown in Fig. 6.

When the frame 2 is in the open position the mitered corners (joint) '7 maintain the rectangular form of the frame without preventing its closing, and to prevent untoward movement in the closing direction'a corner brace 26 is provided and is positioned at one corner of the frame as shown where it is attached and secured in the usual manner of such braces and where it is positioned to be enclosed between two side rails when the frame is folded.

The usual legs 3 are provided to support the table and are disposed at one end of each side rail where they are hingedly mounted in the leg sockets of the respective hinges in a manner to fold in a vertical plane against the respective side rails and are afforded the usual braces 27 (shown only in Fig. 1), to brace the legs when the table is in the erect position.

In Figs. 2, 3 and 4 the legs 3 are assumed to be in a vertical position with respect to the plane of the drawings and this is done only to prevent confusion in the views, it being the intent to fold the legs to place before the side rails are manipulated for folding, although the method shown of folding the side rails may obviously be utilized if desired.

The foldable sectional top 4 is provided to cover the frame and this top is formed of joined strips 28, preferably of wood or other light material, and each section or strip has a width that when the top is collapsed about the folded frame and legs that it will wrap around the bundle 10.

For the purpose of wrapping the sections are secured together by a pair of supporting bands 29 rigidly attached to the underside of each section whereby to provide a hinge joint between each strip whence folding may be accomplished by starting with the narrowest strip (which strip is attached to the folded bundle) in the following manner:

In wrapping the folded frame is moved with a semblance of rolling when the strips of different widths will accommodate themselves to the height and breadth of the bundle and successively to the first wrapped sections and continuing until all the strips are wrapped into a convenient completed bundle.

The supporting bands 29 are provided on their ends 30 with snap fasteners 31 and extend beyond the edge of the top to provide a length sufficient to enable the end to be brought around and under the side rail, as shown in Fig. 2, to be secured to a snap button 32 provided there to receive the snap fastener.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 3 that only one end of the bands is extended, it is obvious however that by extending both ends of the bands that the top may be made detachable for securement to the frame as the side rail resting over and adjacent the loose ends of the bands is notched, as shown dotted at 33 in Fig. 3, and that a long button 341 (shown in Fig. 2) is provided and is secured pivotally to the top and arranged for its ends to engage a slot 35 (shown in a curved dotted line in Figs. 2, 3 and 4) in the opposite side rails will secure thetop against the frame and prevent transverse movement respeotively.

With the table folded, or wrapped, obviously the ends 30 of the bands are free and these free ends are utilized to secure the bundle in the wrapped position by other snap buttons 36 secured to the table top at the level of the top surface thereof and they are so placed that at the completion of the wrapping process the snap fasteners 31 will be in a position to register with these buttons 36 to secure the table when in the bundle form.

In use, with the top rigidly attached to the side rail, and with the table folded or wrapped, the snap fasteners 31 are released from the complemental snap buttons 36 when the table may be unwrapped as before mentioned.

After the top is unwrapped and in a flat position the side rails are unfolded in a reverse manner to that above described when the mitered joints will form a stop that will automatically and securely register the frame with the perimeter of the top.

The bands are now secured about the side rails by the snap fasteners when the long button is also secured, the corner brace being then positioned to finally lock the frame into a rectangle or in corresponding shape with the table top.

The legs are next unfolded and their braces properly arranged when the table is ready for use by inverting it upon its legs.

To fold up the table for transportation the reverse operation will wrap it into a small and secured bundle.

It is now apparent that a very desirable table is provided, more particularly from the fact that when made integral there are no extra pieces to become lost to render the table unfit for use; there are no projecting parts to catch the clothes; the compact bundle can be readily taken into the car rather than tied on the running board; its

compactness further permitting its storage on shelves rather than against the wall on their edges as when used by lodges or large gatherings; where many bundles can be carried by one person on the arm; where it may be placed in position for subsequent unfolding by placement on its squared ends temporarily; and, by its simplicity in folding and unfolding.

Having thus described our invention we claim 1. A folding table comprising an open rectangular frame consisting of four side rails, each side rail having one end mitered, hinges disposed to unite the complemental mitered ends of each pair of side rails at diagonally opposite points of the frame, for foldable movement in a horizontal plane, universal hinges disposed to unite the remaining pairs of ends complementally for foldable movement in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, means to secure the frame in the open position, legs attached to and foldable against their respective side rails, and a sectional top securable to the side rails and adapted to wrap about said side rails and legs when folded.

2. A folding table comprising an open rectangular frame consisting of four side rails, each side rail having one end mitered, hinges disposed to unite the complemental mitered ends of each pair of side rails at diagonally opposite points of the frame, for foldable movement in a horizontal plane, universal hinges disposed to unite the remaining ends of pairs of said side rails and consisting of side plates securable to the remaining end of a side rail and extended to provide a leg socket, a yoke socket attached to said leg socket and provided with a yoke pivotally mounted therein and adapted for movement in a vertical plane, and a pivotal pin attached perpendicular to the shoulder of said yoke and means to pivotally mount the complemental end on said pin, for movement in a horizontal plane, legs hingedly mounted in said hinges, and a sectional top mounted on bands securable to said frame.

3. A folding table comprising an open frame consisting of a plurality of side rails hingedly attached together to form a rectangle when opened, and having one pair of diagonally oppositely positioned corners mitered to prevent folding but in one direction, and providing a hinge therefor foldable in a horizontal plane, said hinge being provided with a leg socket, and providing a universal hinge for each remaining corner, foldable in two planes, a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, and provided with a leg socket, legs hingedly mounted in each socket and foldable against its respective side rail, and a sectional top securable to one side rail and provided with supporting bands securable to the opposite side rail, and adapted to wrap about said side rail and legs when folded and be securely wrapped by said bands.

JOHN A. GRANSTRAND. LLOYD A. GRANSTRAND.

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