Folding Table And Seat Support Structure

Abstract

A folding table has a support structure including inner end frames and outer end frames pivotally secured near the inner and outer ends of a pair of table tops hinged together at their respective inner ends. The inner end frames are suspended above the floor, while the outer end frames carry casters for engaging the floor during folding and while folded, and both sets of frames include elbows or end portions which extend laterally outwardly from both sides of the table tops. Seating structures are pivotally mounted on each side of each table top on the lateral end portions of the inner end outer frames on corresponding sides of the table tops. Each seating structure includes a unitary member which provides longitudinal seating strength and has means for pivotally receiving the respective end portions at the inner end and outer end of the table tops. The unitary members preferably engage the floor only when the table is in the operative position, providing a total supporting function, but lift off the floor when the table is moved toward the folded position when the casters engage the floor and provide the total supporting function.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding tables of the type which include two table top sections hinged together in end-to-end relation are well known in the art. Such tables are foldable from horizontal operative positions to vertical folded positions in which they occupy very little floor space and are well suited for school lunchrooms and the like. It has also been recognized that folding seating assemblies may be pivotally attached to the table to eliminate the necessity of storing chairs and the like separately from the table. The first such table and seating assemblies were supported by a center leg or support structure and by outer end legs. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,878,859 of 1959; 2,992,043 of 1961; 3,034,842 of 1962; 3,079,197 of 1963 and 3,112,954 of 1963. The seating surfaces in all of these patents were benches.

A folding table with individual seating elements is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,705 of 1962. Further tables using individual seating elements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,075,809 of 1963; 3,099,481 of 1963; 3,337,262 of 1967; and 3,511,532 of 1970.

The support structures of the above prior art devices are generally relatively complex and require a considerable number of parts, or are designed for a special purpose. The seating structure in U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,705, for example, supports individual seats on individual legs, and the legs are especially adapted to remain in their vertical positions as the table is folded. Because the individual legs are attached to individual connecting members at positions laterally spaced from the table top, the legs in this construction are apt to become misaligned through use and, accordingly, the overall strength of this construction is not as rigid as is desirable. The seating structures in the other patents all require a center leg or post for stability, and this feature adds unnecessary parts and contributes to the complexity of the table construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a folding table and seat combination having an improved support structure for the seats. The structure has the desired properties of being strong, consisting of a minimum of parts, and having rigidity by virtue of the seating elements being linked together, and at the same time having stability without the necessity of a center leg or post.

In general, the support structure includes inner end frames and outer end frames pivotally secured near the respective inner and outer ends of a pair of table tops which are hinged together at their respective inner ends. The inner end frames are suspended on the table top above the floor, while the outer end frames carry casters for engaging the floor, and both sets of frames include elbows or end portions which extend laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the table tops. Rigid interconnecting seating structures are pivotally mounted on each side of each table top on the lateral end portions of the inner and outer end frames on corresponding sides of the table tops. Each seating structure includes a unitary member which provides longitudinal seating strength and has means for pivotally receiving the respective end portions at the inner and outer ends of the table tops.

The unitary member is preferably a U-shaped tube which has a horizontal portion and which defines vertical legs, one or more vertical intermediate legs may also be formed on the tube. The spaced end portions of the inner and outer end frames are pivotally connected to the end legs of the tube. The legs of the unitary members are adapted to receive individual seats, half benches or full benches, whichever is desired. The horizontal seating of the table engages the floor when the table is in its horizontal open position to provide a total seat and table supporting function when the table is in this position.

The outer end frames carry casters which are preferably supported a short distance above the floor when the table is in its operative position, but which engage the floor as the table is moved toward the folded position. As this folding movement occurs, the unitary members and accompanying seating structure lift from the floor, and the casters and outer end frames assume a total supporting function.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved folding table with attached seat structure which is readily adapted for individual seats, half benches, or full benches.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a folding table and seat structure, as outlined above, of simplified construction and reliable operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a folding table with the support structure of the present invention shown in operative position;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the folding table shown in FIG. 1, with one side thereof partially broken away;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the folding table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner end frames and cross-bars with the table tops removed and some parts being broken away;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer end frame, with the table top and some of the cross-members being exploded and partially broken away;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the folding of FIG. 1 shown in folded position;

FIG. 7 is a side view partially broken away, of a second seating structure; and

FIG. 8 is a side view, partially broken away, of a third seating structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a folding table 10, as for example a folding table with a seating structure includes a pair of flat rectangular table tops 11 and 12 each of which is mounted on a pair of longitudinally extending reinforcing members 13 and 14. The table tops 11 and 12 may be made of wood or pressed fiber, such as fiberglass, or any other suitable table top material, and are supported or interconnected and pivotable supporting structure 15.

The table tops are connected at their adjacent inner ends by a hinge structure which includes cross bars 16 and 17 (FIG. 4) which are rigidly attached to the reinforcing members 13 and 14 through end plates 18 welded to the ends of the bars and located within opposing channels 19 in the members 13 and 14. The table tops are hinged together by two pairs of hinge links 20 and 21 which are welded to the bars 16 and 17 and are pivoted on horizontally aligned pivot pins 22. The hinges defined by the hinge links 20 and 21 and the pins 22 enable the table tops to be folded between the horizontal extended position shown in FIG. 1 and the vertical closed position shown in FIG. 6, by pivotal movement on the axis of the pins 22.

In accordance with the present invention, the supporting structure 15 for the tops 11 and 12 comprises (FIG. 2) a pair of inner end frames 25 which depend from the respective table tops and are suspended above the floor, and a corresponding pair of outer end frames 26 which depend from the table tops and are adapted to engage the floor during folding and while in the folded position. Each inner end frame 25 comprises a pair of spaced apart metal tubes 27 (FIG. 4) having vertical sections 28 and laterally outwardly extending, generally S-shaped inner sections or elbows 30. The vertical sections 28 are braced by horizontal brace members 31, and are connected at their upper ends to inner hinge members 32 pivotally connected at each end to brackets 33 located in opposing channels 19 in the reinforcing members 13 and 14. The S-shaped sections or elbows 30 terminate in horizontal, generally laterally extending swivel end portions 34.

Each outer end frame 26 has a C-shaped base member 35 (FIG. 5) which lies generally in a horizontal plane and has outwardly extending leg portions 36 and floor engageable means comprising a pair of casters 37 at the ends thereof. The base members 35 support a pair of transversely spaced apart L-shaped metal tubes 38 (FIG. 3) having vertical sections 40 and horizontal sections 42. The vertical sections 40, like those of the inner end frames, are braced by horizontal brace members 44 and are connected at their upper ends to outer hinge members 46, also pivotally connected at each end to brackets 58 also located in the channels 19 formed by the reinforcing members 13 and 14. The horizontal sections 42 are welded or otherwise fixed along the upper surface of base member 36.

The outer end frames 26 further include a pair of generally L-shaped outer elbows 50. The elbows 50 have vertical portions 52 attached to the upper surface of the base member 35 and horizontal, generally laterally outwardly extending swivel portions 54. The swivel portions 54 of the outer end frames 26 cooperate with the swivel end portions 34 of the inner end frames 25 to receive unitary rigid seating structures on each side of each table top. The seating structures may take various forms, depending on the type of seating desired, and several embodiments are described hereinafter.

To facilitate folding movement of the respective table tops 11 and 12, torsion bar assemblies 55 (FIGS. 4 and 5) are connected between the reinforcing members 13 and 14 in proximate relation with both the inner and outer hinge members 32 and 46. Such assemblies 55 are essentially the same as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,080,834, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and include a torsion bar 56 of hexagonal cross-section fitted within a torsion tube 57. One end of the torsion bar 56 is secured in a hexagonal opening (not shown) in one end of the torsion tube 57, and the other end of the torsion bar 56 is secured in a hexagonal opening (not shown) in the bracket 58 located in one of the channels of reinforcing members, shown in FIG. 5 as member 14. The end of the torsion bar 56 secured within the bracket 58 is therefore held against rotation with respect to the reinforcing member 14, and the end secured within the hexagonal opening in the torsion tube 57 is held against rotation with respect to the torsion tubes.

The torsion tubes 57 are connected to the hinge members 32 and 46 through pairs of linkages 59. The linkages 59 are pivotally connected to downwardly extending levers 60 and 62 rigidly connected to the torsion tubes 57 and hinge members 32 and 46 respectively. A bend 63 is provided in each linkage member 59 to accommodate the hinge members 32 and 46 when the table is folded in its closed position.

The inner and outer end frames 25 and 26 of each table are also interconnected with the opposite table top to insure that the outer frames 26 maintain their relative positions to each other during folding and unfolding movement. Referring to the drawings, longitudinally extending operator links 64 are connected between the inner brace members 31 and the outer brace members 44 by levers 65 and 66 respectively. Each of the levers 65 and 66 is rigidly connected to a brace member at one end, and is pivotally connected to the corresponding link 64 at the other end. Downwardly extending levers 68 FIG. 4 are rigidly connected at their upper ends to the cross bars 16 and 17 and are pivotally connected to connecting links 70 at their lower ends. The connecting links 70 extend diagonally downwardly and are pivotally connected to the inner end levers 65 of the opposite table top, and pivotally maintain the respective inner and outer end frames 25 and 26 in predetermined relation as the table tops are moved.

The arrangement described above enables the relative pivotal movement of the hinge members 32 with respect to the table tops to be transmitted to the torsion tube 57 by means of the linkages 59. The same is true of hinge members 46. Thus, when the table is unfolded, the torsion tubes 57 are pivoted by the movement of the table top 11, causing energy to be stored in the torsion bars as the end of the torsion bars secured within the torsion tubes are twisted with respect to the other ends secured within the reinforcing members 13 and 14. This stored energy exerts a counter torque on the torsion tubes 57 which, when the center of the table is lifted from the position shown in FIG. 1, is transmitted through the linkages 59 to the hinge members 32 and 46 through frames 25 and 26, levers 65 and 66, links 64 and 70, levers 68, tubes 16 and 17 and brackets 18 to the reinforcing members 13 and 14 attached to the opposite table top to exert a force tending to assist folding of the table to the closed position.

A unitary seating structure is mounted on each side of each table top 11 and 12. A first preferred embodiment 72 is shown in FIGS. 1-5 and includes a U-shaped tube 73 having a horizontal portion 74 adapted to run longitudinally along the floor when the table is in its horizontal open position and two vertical extensions or end-posts 75. A third post 76 is attached to the top of the horizontal portion 74 midway between the end-posts 75. Flat metal plates 77 are welded to the tops of the posts 75 and 76 and each forms an individual pedestal and supports and individual seat 78 thereon. Leveling glides 79 are attached to the bottom edge of the tube 73 below the respective seats 78, and are adapted to engage the floor.

A second preferred embodiment 80 is shown in FIG. 7 and includes an inverted U-shaped tube 81 having a horizontal portion 82 and a pair of vertical legs 83 provided with leveling glides 84 for engaging the floor. A bench 85 extends substantially the full length of the table top and is secured to two flat metal plates 86, and the plates 86 are secured to the top surface of the horizontal portion 82 by welding at points 87.

A third seating structure 88 is shown in FIG. 8 and includes a U-shaped tube 90 having a horizontal portion 91 which runs along the floor and two vertical extensions or end-posts 92. Two additional posts 93 are intermediately spaced between the end-posts 92 and are attached to the top surface of the horizontal portion 91. As in the first seating structure 72, flat metal plates 94 are welded to the tops of the posts 92 and 93 in the same horizontal plane. Here, however, half-benches 95 are mounted on the plates 94 of each post 92 and its cooperating intermediate post 93. Also, as in the other structures, leveling glides 96 for engaging the floor are connected to the bottom edge of the horizontal portion 91.

Each of the seating structures 72, 80 and 88 also includes a pair of horizontal and laterally extending swivel cylinders 98 and 100 welded to the bottom surfaces of the metal plates adjacent the inner and outer end frames 25 and 26 respectively. The swivel cylinders 98 and 100 receive and retain the swivel end portions 34 and 54, respectively, and provide for pivotal movement of the seating structures as the table is moved between its open and closed positions.

The seating structures 72, 80 and 88 are preferably adapted to support the entire load, including the weight of the table and the weight of persons sitting on the seats, bench, or half-benches, when the table 10 is in its operative open position. When in the open position shown in FIG. 1, the bottoms of the casters 37 are above the bottoms of the leveling glides 79 a short vertical distance, on the order of one-eighth to three-sixteenths inch, and the casters are out of contact with the floor. The casters 37 do not provide a supporting function, and the weight of the table 10 and any materials resting on the table tops 11 and 12 is transmitted to the seating structures through the inner and outer end frames 25 and 26.

The casters 37 engage the floor only after the center of the table is moved upwardly as the table is being moved to its closed position. As the table tops 11 and 12 continue to move toward their fully closed position (FIG. 6), the seating structures pivot on the swivel portions 34 and 54 and the leveling glides lift out of contact with the floor. Then and only then, the outer end frames 26 assume a supporting function, and the spring pressure exerted by the torsion bar assemblies 55 urges the table tops and support structure toward and with manual assistance the table reaches its fully closed position.

Since the table 10 is adapted to fold into the compact form shown in FIG. 6, the end-posts 75 and the center-posts 76 of the seating structures 72 (FIG. 2) are displaced laterally with respect to the flat plates 77. The displacement, shown as laterally forwardly (with respect to FIG. 1) on the left side of the table 10 and laterally rearwardly on the right side of the table 10, is sufficient to enable the posts to interleave as shown in FIG. 6, the leveling glides 79 of the structure on the left side of the table 10 nearly touch the bottom surfaces of the metal plates 77, thereby enabling interleaving to be accomplished to a considerable degree.

The pivotal arrangement of the inner and outer end frames 25 and 26 with respect to their respective table tops 11 or 12, and the pivotal relation of these end frames with the seating structure comprises, in effect, a parallelogram for the reason that the longitudinal spacing between the pivots defined by the cylinders 98 and 100 is the same as that defined between the hinge members 32 and 46. Accordingly, in folding, the individual seats 78 remain parallel with their respective tops but move to positions in which the seats are elevated above the tops when folded, as shown in FIG. 6, while the U-shaped frame members 73 defining the legs interleave alongside of each other, thus forming a highly compact folded arrangement. Further, the base members 35 which exclusively support the table in the folded position are formed with laterally outwardly extending leg portions 36, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which provide stability for the table in the folded position on the casters 37.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it is apparent that the present invention provides improved features and advantages.

The table of the present invention is characterized by the fact that it is a highly versatile construction. As mentioned above, the basic structure is readily adapted for the attachment of varying types of seats as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. For example, the structure of FIG. 8 may readily be modified by the use of a continuous bench 85 in lieu of the split bench 95. Further, the individual posts 92 and 93 may be readily provided with support plates 77 and individual stools or seats 78, as desired. Accordingly, the structure of FIG. 8 thus defines a seating arrangement in which 16 individual seats may be provided at the folded table, and the structure may be readily modified on order for either bench, split bench, or individual seats, as desired.

A further advantage of the construction of the present invention resides in the fact that when the table is in use, the weight of the person seated at the table and that of the table itself is transmitted to the floor exclusively by the rigid unitary seating structure 72, and not primarily by the folding leg structure.

The centers of the table tops are supported, not by a center leg or post, but by the seating structures which receive the load as it is transmitted through the end portions of the inner and outer frames. Accordingly, this construction permits a design which has an economy of function and parts and yet one which is sturdy and reliable in operation.

The end portions are suspended above the floor and are received within swivel cylinders rigidly secured to the unitary member of the seating structure. This provides longitudinal seating strength, and conveniently enables the seating structures to be interleaved to a considerable degree when folded.

The outer end frames are also preferably adapted to engage the floor only after the table is moved to its folded condition. This enables the seating structures to provide a total supporting function when the table is in its operative position, thereby improving the stability of the table and taking the heavy loads away from the outer end frames.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a table of the type which includes a pair of longitudinal table tops hinged together at their respective inner ends and adapted to be moved between a horizontal extended position and a vertical folded position, an improved support structure for said table comprising:

a pair of vertical inner end frames having upper ends and lower ends, each pivotally connected at its upper end to the inner end of a different table top and including a pair of opposite elbows at its lower end suspended laterally outwardly of the table and above the floor,

a pair of vertical outer end frames having upper ends and lower ends, each pivotally connected at its upper end to the outer end of a different table top and having a pair of floor engageable means at its lower end spaced a short distance from the floor when said table is in its extended position, each said outer frame also including a pair of opposite elbows attached to its lower end and suspended laterally outwardly of the table and above the floor,

unitary seating structures for each side of each table top, each having inner and outer ends and spaced a short lateral distance from its table top, and

means pivotally mounting said seating structures at their inner and outer ends on said suspended inner and outer elbows,

said seating structures having floor engageable means for engaging the floor when said table is in its extended position and providing a total supporting function when in such position so that said floor engageable means on said outer end frames engage the floor and provide a total supporting function only after said table is moved from its extended position toward said folded position.