U.S. patent application number 15/914233 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-13 for banquet table.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dorel Home Furnishings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Zachary J. WALKER.
Application Number | 20180255918 15/914233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63446683 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180255918 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WALKER; Zachary J. |
September 13, 2018 |
BANQUET TABLE
Abstract
A foldable table includes a table top and two leg units. Each
leg unit is movable relative to the table top during folding and
unfolding of the foldable table.
Inventors: |
WALKER; Zachary J.;
(Columbus, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dorel Home Furnishings, Inc. |
Wright City |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63446683 |
Appl. No.: |
15/914233 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62468570 |
Mar 8, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 3/0818 20130101;
A47B 3/002 20130101; A47B 2003/0821 20130101; A47B 3/02 20130101;
A47B 2003/025 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 3/02 20060101
A47B003/02; A47B 3/08 20060101 A47B003/08 |
Claims
1. A foldable table comprising a table top, a movable first
table-top elevator including a first pair of table legs mounted on
an underside of the table top for pivotable movement about a first
elevator pivot axis between a collapsed storage position alongside
the underside of the table top and an expanded use position
oriented to lie at an acute angle to the underside of the table
top, and a movable second table-top elevator including a second
pair of table legs mounted on the first pair of table legs for
pivotable movement about a second elevator pivot axis between a
collapsed storage position alongside the underside of the table top
and an expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle
relative to the undersides of the table top, wherein the second
elevator pivot axis is oriented to remain in spaced-apart parallel
relation to the first elevator pivot axis during pivotable movement
of the second pair of table legs about the second elevator
axis.
2. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the second pair of table
legs is arranged to lie in a leg-receiving space provided between
the table legs included in the first pair of table legs when the
first and second pairs of table legs are arranged to lie in the
collapsed storage positions alongside the underside of the table
top.
3. The foldable table of claim 2, wherein the movable first
table-top elevator further includes a rotatable pivot rod arranged
to extend along the first elevator pivot axis, the first pair of
table legs includes a first leg coupled to a first end of the
rotatable pivot rod and a second leg coupled to an opposite second
end of the rotatable pivot rod and arranged to lie in laterally
spaced-apart relation to the first leg to define the leg-receiving
space therebetween, and the movable second table-top elevator
further includes a free-motion anchor rod that is arranged to lie
in spaced-apart to the second elevator pivot axis and oriented to
lie alongside the underside of the table top and in side-by-side
relation to the rotatable pivot rod inside the leg-receiving space
when the movable first and second table-top elevators occupy their
collapsed storage positions and to lie in laterally spaced apart
relation to the pivotable pivot rod outside the leg-receiving space
when the movable first and second table-top elevators occupy their
expanded use positions.
4. The foldable table of claim 3, further comprising a releasable
elevator retainer mounted on the underside of the table top and
configured to mate with the free-motion anchor rod of the movable
second table-top elevator to retain the movable first and second
table-top elevators in their expanded use positions upon arrival of
the movable second table-top elevator at its expanded use
position.
5. The foldable table of claim 4, whenever the second pair of legs
include a first leg coupled to a first end of the free-motion
anchor rod and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of
the free-motion anchor bar and the releasable elevator retainer is
arranged to lie in a space provided between the first and second
legs of the second pair of legs when the movable first and second
table-top elevators occupy their collapsed storage positions.
6. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the second pair of legs
include a first leg coupled to a first end of the free-motion
anchor rod and a second leg coupled to an opposite second end of
the free-motion anchor rod and arranged to lie in laterally
spaced-apart relation to the first leg of the second pair of legs,
the first leg of the second pair of legs is pivotably mounted on
the first leg of the first pair of legs for pivotable movement
about the second elevator pivot axis, and the second leg of the
second pair of legs is pivotably mounted on the second leg of the
second pair of legs for pivotable movement about the second
elevator pivot axis.
7. The foldable table of claim 6, wherein the first legs of the
first and second pairs of legs are arranged to lie in side-by-side
relation along the underside of the table top when the first and
second table-top elevators occupy their collapsed storage positions
and in crossed relation to one another to establish an X-shaped
pattern of the first legs of the first and second pairs of legs
when the movable first and second table-top elevators occupy their
expanded use positions.
8. The foldable table of claim 7, wherein the movable first
table-top elevator further includes a rigidifying cross-member
strut coupled to distal ends of the first legs to extend between
the first legs and lie in spaced apart relation to the rotatable
pivot rod to locate the second elevator pivot axis
therebetween.
9. The foldable table of claim 1, wherein the movable second
table-top elevator is free to pivot relative to the movable first
table-top elevator about the second elevator pivot axis and to move
relative to the table top while the movable first table-top
elevator pivots about the first elevator pivot axis during
operator-controlled movement of the movable first and second
table-top elevators relative to the table top between their
expanded use and collapsed storage positions and wherein the first
and second pivot elevator axes are oriented to remain in
substantially parallel relation to one another during folding and
unfolding of the foldable table.
10. The foldable table of claim 9, further comprising a releasable
elevator retainer that is coupled to the underside of the table top
and arranged to engage the movable second table-top elevator when
the table is unfolded so that the movable first and second
table-top elevators are retained in their expanded use positions
under the table top.
11. The foldable table of claim 1, further comprising releasable
elevator retainer means for releasably retaining the movable second
table-top elevator in its expanded use position after the movable
first table-top elevator pivots relative to the table top about the
first elevator pivot axis and the movable second table-top elevator
pivots relative to the movable first table-top elevator about the
second elevator pivot axis to cause the first table-top elevator to
remain in its expanded use position so that companion legs in each
of the movable first and second table-top elevators remain in
stationary positions at acute angles to the underside of the table
top when the table is unfolded and readied to be used.
12. The foldable table of claim 11, wherein the movable second
table-top elevator includes a free-motion anchor rod that is
arranged to lie and remain in substantially parallel relation to
the first elevator pivot axis during movement of the movable second
table-top elevator between the collapsed storage position and the
expanded use position and the free-motion anchor rod is arranged to
be gripped by the releasable elevator retainer means upon arrival
of the movable second table-top elevator at the expanded use
position.
13. The foldable table of claim 12, wherein the second table-top
elevator further includes a first leg pivotably coupled to the
movable first table-top elevator and coupled to a first end of the
free-motion anchor rod and a second leg pivotably coupled to the
movable first table-top elevator and arranged to lie in laterally
spaced-apart relation to the first leg during pivotable movement of
the movable second table-top elevator about the second elevator
pivot axis.
14. The foldable table of claim 13, wherein the movable second
table-top elevator further includes a rigidifying cross-member
strut arranged to lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to the
free-motion anchor rod and to interconnect distal portions of the
first and second legs and cooperate with the first and second legs
and the free-motion anchor rod to form a rectangular frame and the
rigidifying cross-member strut is arranged to lie in and remain in
laterally spaced-apart parallel relation to the first elevator
pivot axis during folding and unfolding of the table.
15. The foldable table of claim 13, wherein the movable first
table-top elevator includes a rotatable pivot rod mounted for
pivotable movement about the first elevator pivot axis on the
underside of the table top, a first leg coupled to a first end of
the rotatable pivot rod and pivotably coupled to the first leg of
the movable table-top elevator, and a second leg coupled to an
opposite second end of the rotatable pivot rod and pivotably
coupled to the second leg of the movable second table-top
elevator.
16. The foldable table of claim 15, wherein the rotatable pivot rod
and the free-motion anchor rod are arranged to remain in parallel
relation to one another during movement of the movable first and
second table top elevators between the collapsed storage positions
and the expanded use positions.
17. The foldable table of claim 12, wherein the releasable elevator
retainer means includes a rod-motion blocker that is located in a
stationary position on the underside of the table top and arranged
to engage and stop motion of the free-motion anchor rod relative to
the table top as the movable second table-top elevator is being
moved relative to the table top to its expanded use position during
unfolding of the table and a spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl
mounted on the underside of the table top for movement between a
rod-retaining position and a rod-releasing position.
18. The foldable table of claim 17, wherein the spring-loaded
anchor-rod lock pawl is configured to provide means for
automatically mating with a portion of the free-motion anchor rod
and assuming the rod-retaining position to retain the movable
second-table-top elevator and thus the movable first table-top
elevator in its expanded use position on the underside of the table
top.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/468,570, file Mar. 8,
2017, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a table, and particularly
to a tabletop support unit. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to a banquet table having a tabletop support
unit including foldable leg units.
SUMMARY
[0003] A foldable table in accordance with the present disclosure
includes a table top and movable first and second table-top
elevators. The table-top elevators are moved relative to the table
top from collapsed storage positions to expanded use positions when
the table is unfolded to support the table top in an elevated
position above a floor underlying the table top.
[0004] In illustrative embodiments, the first table-top elevator
includes a first pair of table legs and is mounted on the underside
of the table top for pivotable movement about a first elevator
pivot axis between a collapsed storage position alongside the
underside of the table top and an expanded use position oriented to
lie at an acute angle to the underside of the table top. The second
table-top elevator includes a second pair of table legs and is
mounted on the movable first table top elevator for pivotable
movement about a second elevator pivot axis between a collapsed
storage position alongside the underside of the table top and an
expanded use position oriented to lie at an acute angle to the
underside of the table top.
[0005] In illustrative embodiments, the movable first table-top
elevator includes a rotatable pivot rod arranged to extend along
the first elevator pivot axis, a first leg coupled to a first end
of the rotatable pivot rod, and a second leg coupled to an opposite
second end of the rotatable pivot rod and arranged to lie in
laterally spaced-apart relation to the companion first leg during
pivotable movement of the movable first table-top elevator about
the first elevator pivot axis. The movable first table-top elevator
also includes a rigidifying cross-member strut arranged to
interconnect distal portions of the first and second legs and lie
in spaced-apart parallel relation to the rotatable pivot rod.
[0006] In illustrative embodiments, the movable second table-top
elevator is free to pivot relative to the movable first table-top
elevator about the movable second elevator pivot axis and to move
relative to the table top while the movable first table-top
elevator is being pivoted about the movable first elevator pivot
axis during operator-controlled movement of the movable first and
second table-top elevators relative to the table top between their
expanded use positions and their collapsed storage positions.
During unfolding and folding of the table, the movable first
table-top elevator pivots relative to the table top about the first
elevator pivot axis and the movable second table-top elevator
pivots relative to the movable first table-top elevator about the
second elevator pivot axis. The first and second elevator pivot
axes are oriented to remain in substantially parallel relation to
one another during unfolding and folding of the table.
[0007] In illustrative embodiments, the table also includes a
releasable elevator retainer that is coupled to the underside of
the table top and arranged to engage the second table-top elevator
when the table is unfolded so that the first and second table-top
elevators are retained in their expanded use positions under the
table top. The releasable elevator retainer is configured to
provide means for releasably retaining the movable second table-top
elevator in its expanded use position to cause the movable first
table-top elevator to remain in its expanded use position so that
the legs of the first and second table-top elevators remain in
stationary positions at acute angles to the underside of the table
top when the table is unfolded and readied to be used.
[0008] In illustrative embodiments, the movable second table-top
elevator includes a free-motion anchor rod arranged to lie in
substantially parallel relation to the rotatable pivot rod of the
first table-top elevator, a first leg coupled to a first end of the
free-motion anchor rod, and a second leg coupled to an opposite
second end of the free-motion anchor rod and arranged to lie in
laterally spaced-apart parallel relation to the companion first leg
during pivotable movement of the second table-top elevator about
the second elevator pivot axis. The second table-top elevator also
includes a rigidifying cross-member strut arranged to interconnect
distal portions of the companion first and second legs and lie in
spaced-apart parallel relation to the free-motion anchor rod.
[0009] In illustrative embodiments, the releasable elevator
retainer that is mounted on the underside of the table top clamps
onto or otherwise engages a portion of the free-motion anchor rod
of the second table-top elevator when both of the first and second
table-top elevators are moved to assume their expanded use
positions and the table is unfolded. The releasable elevator
retainer includes a rod-motion blocker that is located in a
stationary position on the underside of the table top and arranged
to engage and stop movement of the free-motion anchor rod relative
to the table top as the second table-top elevator is being moved
relative to the table top to its expanded use position during
unfolding of the table. The releasable elevator retainer also
includes a spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl mounted on the
underside of the table top for movement between a rod-retaining
position and a rod-releasing position.
[0010] In use, in illustrative embodiments, the free-motion anchor
rod is moved to engage the anchor-rod lock pawl as soon as the
first and second table-top elevators arrive at their expanded use
positions on the underside of table top. Then the spring-loaded
anchor-rod lock pawl is moved automatically to mate with a portion
of the free-motion anchor rod and assume the rod-retaining position
to retain the second table-top elevator (and thus also the first
table-top elevator) in the expanded use position on the underside
of the table top.
[0011] Additional features of the present disclosure will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out
the disclosure as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a foldable table
including a table top supported in an elevated position above an
underlying floor by first and second table-top elevators that each
have two legs and have been moved by a user to assume expanded use
positions during unfolding of the table;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view during unfolding of the
table of the foldable table of FIG. 1 showing that the first
table-top elevator has a rotatable pivot rod mounted on the
underside of the table top to rotate about a first elevator pivot
axis and the second table-top elevator is mounted on first and
second legs included in the first table-top elevator for pivotable
movement relative to the first table-top elevator about a second
elevator pivot axis and showing that a free-motion anchor rod
included in the second table-top elevator engages a releasable
elevator retainer included in the table and mounted on the
underside of the table top to retain the first and second table-top
elevators in their expanded use positions when the table is
unfolded;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 (but from a different
orientation) during an initial stage of a table-folding process
showing partial controlled collapse of the first and second
table-top elevators after a user has actuated the releasable
elevator retainer to free the free-motion anchor rod of the second
table-top elevator to be moved relative to the table top so that
the table may be folded;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the final stage
of the table-folding process in which the first and second
table-top elevators have been moved by the user to assume their
collapsed storage positions during the table folding process;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing mating
engagement of the releasable elevator retainer with a center
portion of the free-motion anchor rod of the second table-top
elevator when the first and second table-top elevators occupy their
expanded use positions and the table is unfolded as shown in FIG.
2;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along
line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIGS. 7-10 show a table-unfolding sequence in which the
table is unfolded by moving the first and second table-top
elevators relative to the table top from the collapsed storage
positions shown in FIG. 7 to be the expanded use positions shown in
FIG. 10; and
[0020] FIGS. 11-15 show an anchor rod retaining sequence in which
the free-motion anchor rod of the second table-top elevator is
engaged by the releasable elevator retainer mounted on the
underside of the table top to retain the first and second table-top
elevators in their expanded use positions to provide a rigid base
under the table top when the table is unfolded as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] A foldable table 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure can be unfolded for use as shown in FIG. 1 or folded for
storage in an illustrative sequence shown in FIGS. 2-4. Table 10
includes a table-top 12, a first table-top elevator 14, and a
second table-top elevator 16 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and
2. To unfold table 10 for use, the second table-stop elevator 16
can be unlocked by operating a releasable elevator retainer 18 also
included in foldable table 10 and then moved by a user relative to
table top 12 in accordance with the present disclosure to cause
first table-top elevator 14 to pivot about a first elevator pivot
axis 14A and move along with second table-top elevator 14 in an
illustrative sequence shown in FIGS. 7-10 to their expanded use
positions under table top 12 as shown I FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0022] First table-top elevator 14 comprises a pivot rod 140, a
first leg 141 coupled to one end of a pivot rod 140, a second leg
142 coupled to an opposite end of a pivot rod 140 and arranged to
lie in spaced-apart parallel relation to first leg 142 in
illustrative embodiments and a cross-member strut 143 arranged to
extend between and interconnect lower portions of first and second
legs 141, 142 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2-4. Pivot rod 140 is
mounted on the underside 120 of table top 12 for rotation about
first elevator pivot axis 14A so that first table-top elevator 14
can be pivoted about first elevator pivot axis 14A by a user from
an expanded use position shown in FIG. 2 to a collapsed storage
position shown in FIG. 4 during folding of table 10.
[0023] Second table-top elevator 16 comprises a free-motion anchor
rod 160, a first leg 161 coupled to one end of free-motion anchor
rod 160, and a second leg 162 coupled to an opposite end of
free-motion anchor rod 160 and arranged to lie in spaced-apart
parallel relation to first leg 161 in illustrative embodiments, and
a cross-member strut 163 arranged to extend between and
interconnect lower portions of first and second legs 161, 162 as
shown, for example, in FIGS. 2-4. First leg 161 of elevator 16 is
pivotably mounted on first leg 141 of elevator 14 for pivotable
movement about a second elevator pivot axis 16A as suggested in
FIGS. 2-4. Similarly, second leg 161 of elevator 16 is pivotably
mounted on second leg 141 of elevator 14 for pivotable movement
about second elevator pivot axis 16A as also suggested in FIGS.
2-4. Accordingly, free-motion anchor rod 140 is free to move
relative to table top 12 during pivoting movement of first
table-top elevator 14 about first elevator pivot axis 14A relative
to table top 12 and simultaneous pivoting movement of second
table-top elevator 16 about second elevator pivot axis 16A relative
to first table-top elevator 14 as suggested in FIGS. 2-4.
[0024] Table-top elevators 14, 16 are moved relative to table top
12 from collapsed storage positions shown in FIG. 4 to expanded use
positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when the table 10 is unfolded to
support the table top 12 in an elevated position above a floor
underlying the table top 12.
[0025] First table-top elevator 14 includes a first pair of table
legs 141, 142 and is mounted on the underside of table top 12 for
pivotable movement about a first elevator pivot axis 14A between a
collapsed storage position alongside the underside of table top 12
as shown in FIG. 4 and an expanded use position oriented to lie at
an acute angle to the underside of table top 12 as shown in FIG. 2.
Second table-top elevator 16 includes a second pair of table legs
161, 162 and is mounted on the movable first table top elevator 14
for pivotable movement about a second elevator pivot axis 16A
between a collapsed storage position alongside the underside of
table top 12 as shown in FIG. 4 and an expanded use position
oriented to lie at an acute angle to the underside of table top 12
as shown in FIG. 2.
[0026] The movable first table-top elevator 14 includes a rotatable
pivot rod 140 arranged to extend along the first elevator pivot
axis 14A, a first leg 141 coupled to a first end of the rotatable
pivot rod 140, and a second leg 142 coupled to an opposite second
end of the rotatable pivot rod 140 and arranged to lie in laterally
spaced-apart relation to the companion first leg 141 during
pivotable movement of the movable first table-top elevator 14 about
the first elevator pivot axis 14A as suggested in FIGS. 2-4. The
movable first table-top elevator 14 also includes a rigidifying
cross-member strut 143 arranged to interconnect distal portions of
the first and second legs 141, 142 and lie in spaced-apart parallel
relation to the rotatable pivot rod 140.
[0027] The movable second table-top elevator 16 is free to pivot
relative to the movable first table-top elevator 14 about the
movable second elevator pivot axis 16A and to move relative to
table top 12 while the movable first table-top elevator 14 is being
pivoted about the movable first elevator pivot axis 14A during
operator-controlled movement of the movable first and second
table-top elevators 14, 16 relative to table top 12 between their
expanded use positions and their collapsed storage positions as
suggested in FIGS. 2-4. During unfolding and folding of table 10,
the movable first table-top elevator 14 pivots relative to table
top 12 about the first elevator pivot axis 14A and the movable
second table-top elevator 16 pivots relative to the movable first
table-top elevator 14 about the second elevator pivot axis 16A. The
first and second elevator pivot axes 14A, 16A are oriented to
remain in substantially parallel relation to one another during
unfolding and folding of table 10 as suggested in FIGS. 2-4.
[0028] Table 10 also includes a releasable elevator retainer 18
that is coupled to the underside of table top 12 and arranged to
engage the second table-top elevator 16 when table 10 is unfolded
so that the first and second table-top elevators 14, 16 are
retained in their expanded use positions under table top 12. The
releasable elevator retainer 18 is configured to provide means for
releasably retaining the movable second table-top elevator 16 in
its expanded use position to cause the movable first table-top
elevator 14 to remain in its expanded use position so that the legs
141, 142 and 161, 162 of the first and second table-top elevators
14, 16 remain in stationary positions at acute angles to the
underside of table top 12 when table 10 is unfolded and readied to
be used as suggested in FIG. 2.
[0029] The movable second table-top elevator 16 includes a
free-motion anchor rod 160 arranged to lie in substantially
parallel relation to the rotatable pivot rod 140 of the first
table-top elevator 14, a first leg 161 coupled to a first end of
the free-motion anchor rod 160, and a second leg 162 coupled to an
opposite second end of the free-motion anchor rod 160 and arranged
to lie in laterally spaced-apart parallel relation to the companion
first leg 161 during pivotable movement of the second table-top
elevator 16 about the second elevator pivot axis 16A as suggested
in FIGS. 2-4. The second table-top elevator 16 also includes a
rigidifying cross-member strut 163 arranged to interconnect distal
portions of the companion first and second legs 161, 162 and lie in
spaced-apart parallel relation to the free-motion anchor rod
160.
[0030] The releasable elevator retainer 18 that is mounted on the
underside of table top 12 clamps onto or otherwise engages a
portion of the free-motion anchor rod 160 of the second table-top
elevator 16 when both of the first and second table-top elevators
14, 16 are moved to assume their expanded use positions and table
10 is unfolded. The releasable elevator retainer 18 includes a
rod-motion blocker 181 that is located in a stationary position on
the underside of table top 10 and arranged to engage and stop
movement of the free-motion anchor rod 160 relative to table top 12
as the second table-top elevator 16 is being moved relative to
table top 12 to its expanded use position during unfolding of table
10. The releasable elevator retainer 18 also includes a
spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl 182 mounted on the underside of
table top 10 for movement between a rod-retaining position shown in
FIGS. 5, 6, and 15 and a rod-releasing position shown in FIG.
14.
[0031] In use, in illustrative embodiments, the free-motion anchor
rod 160 of second table-top elevator 16 is moved to engage the
anchor-rod lock pawl 182 as soon as the first and second table-top
elevators 14, 16 arrive at their expanded use positions on the
underside of table top 12 as suggested in FIG. 13. Then the
spring-loaded anchor-rod lock pawl 182 is moved automatically as
suggested in FIGS. 14 and 15 to mate with a portion of the
free-motion anchor rod 160 and assume the rod-retaining position to
retain the second table-top elevator 16 (and thus also the first
table-top elevator 14) in the expanded use position on the
underside of the table top 12 as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 15. As
suggested in FIGS. 2 and 5, three laterally spaced-apart rod-stops
191, 192, 193 are mounted on the underside of table top 12 and
arranged to engage and block further motion of the free-motion
anchor rod 160 relative to table top 12 as second table-top
elevator 16 arrives at its expanded use position. Rod stop 192 is
associated and aligned with anchor-rod lock pawl 182 as shown, for
example, in FIG. 5.
* * * * *