U.S. patent number 3,788,696 [Application Number 05/273,389] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-29 for foldable table and bench assembly.
Invention is credited to Jacob L. Loewen.
United States Patent |
3,788,696 |
Loewen |
January 29, 1974 |
FOLDABLE TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A pair of leg frames are pivoted between the ends to present an
"X" formation when open and support a table top. A bench is erected
upon each side of the table and includes horizontal tension arms,
substantially vertical compression legs and a bench seat. As the
horizontal arms are moved from the folded position to the
horizontal position, the vertical legs are unfolded and support the
bench surface which moves to the horizontal position. The benches
are first folded down and then the cross frames are folded together
with the table top lying substantially vertically against the
folded structure, when the assembly is in the folded or stored
position.
Inventors: |
Loewen; Jacob L. (Altona,
Manitoba, CA) |
Family
ID: |
23043723 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/273,389 |
Filed: |
July 20, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/158.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
3/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
3/00 (20060101); A47B 3/14 (20060101); A47b
039/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/157,159 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mitchell; James C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ade; Stanley G.
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. A table and bench assembly comprising in combination a pair of
substantially rectangular leg frame components, each component
including an upper bar member and a lower bar member and a pair of
side bar members extending between the ends of the upper and lower
bar members, said frames being pivotally connected between the ends
of the side bar members to form an "X" construction when viewed in
side elevation, a table top pivotally connected adjacent one edge
thereof to the upper bar member of one of said leg frame members
and resting on the upper bar member of the other leg frame member
when in the erected position, means cooperating between said leg
frame component to restrict the downward movement of the upper bar
member when said leg components are erected, and a bench component
on each side of said assembly, each of said bench components being
pivotally supported on said lower bar members and further support
means extending between said assembly and the points of pivotal
connection of said leg frame members whereby said bench component
can be folded to lie contiguous with said leg frame component or
folded outwardly to the erected position.
2. The assembly according to claim 1 in which each of said bench
components includes a pair of compression members pivotally mounted
by the lower ends thereof to the lower bar member of said leg frame
component, a cross bar pivoted between the other ends of said
compression members, at least one tension member pivotally secured
by the inner ends thereof to the points of pivotal connection of
said leg frame components, means mounting said cross bar for
sliding movement along said tension members, and a bench member
secured to said last mentioned means and spanning said tension
members.
3. The assembly according to claim 1 in which said means
cooperating between said leg frame components comprises flexible
linkage secured between said upper bar members.
4. The assembly according to claim 2 in which said means
cooperating between said leg frame components comprises flexible
linkage secured between said upper bar members.
5. The assembly according to claim 1 which include compression
members which pass over center when moved from the folded position
to the extended position and vice versa.
6. The assembly according to claim 2 in which compression members
pass over center when moved from the folded position to the
extended position and vice versa, and stop means on the outer ends
of said tension members limiting the sliding movement of said means
mounting said cross bar to said tension members.
7. The assembly according to claim 3 which include compression
members which pass over center when moved from the folded position
to the extended position and vice versa.
8. The assembly according to claim 4 in which compression members
pass over center when moved from the folded position to the
extended position and vice versa, and stop means on the outer ends
of said tension members limiting the sliding movement of said means
mounting said cross bar to said tension members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
So-called picnic tables usually consist of a table top and a fixed
bench, one upon each side thereof. While these are most efficient
in use, nevertheless storage and transportation is a problem due to
the sheer bulk of these assemblies.
Attempts have been made to provide folding assemblies but these
usually require tools and include parts to be dismantled prior to
the folding and unfolding action.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in
table and bench combinations inasmuch as the entire assembly can be
folded and unfolded without the use of tools or without connecting
or disconnecting any of the parts.
An object of the invention is therefore to provide a picnic table
type assembly which can be folded relatively flat for storage and
transportation purposes yet which can readily be unfolded for use
to provide a stable and firm table and bench assembly.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the
character herewithin described in which the bench components pass
over center when being unfolded so that there is no danger of
collapse when in use.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of
the character herewithin described which is simple in construction,
economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose
for which it is designed.
With the considerations and inventive objects herein set forth in
view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel
features as may become apparent from consideration of this
disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the
inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced, or
included in the method, process, construction, compostion,
arrangement or combination of parts, or new use of any of the
foregoing, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments
of such concept.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an end view of the assembly in the erected position but
with one bench component partially folded.
FIG. 2 is a section substantially along the line 2--2 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the assembly in the erected position
with the table top shown in phantom for clarity.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the assembly in the folded position but
shown slightly unfolded for clarity.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing part of the mounting
of the bench to the supporting structure.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation showing the mounting of the table
top to one of the leg assemblies.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference
should be made to the drawings in which reference characters 10 and
10A illustrate leg frame components. Each of these components
includes an upper bar member 11, a lower bar member 12, and a pair
of side bar members 13 which extend between the ends of the upper
and lower bar members 11 and 12 thus forming a substantially
rectangular component. Similar reference characters have been given
to the components of the leg frame member 10A except that the
letter "A" has been added.
The two leg components 10 and 10A are pivotally connected together
intermediate the ends of the side bar members 13 and 13A, by means
of a transverse pivot pin 14 and in this connection it will be
observed that the leg frame component 10A is slightly narrower than
the leg component 10 so that one can fit within the other as
clearly shown in FIG. 3. When pivotally connected together, they
form a "X" configuration when viewed in end elevation as clearly
shown in FIG. 1 and can be folded upwardly to the closed position
shown in FIG. 4 or can be folded downwardly to the extended or
erected position shown in FIG. 1. In the latter position, the
downward movement of the upper bar members 11 and 11A is restricted
by means of flexible linkage 15 extending between the upper bar
members intermediate the ends thereof.
A table top 16 consists of a planar panel which rests upon the
upper bar members 11 and 11A when in the erected position. The
table top is secured to one of the upper bar members 11 by means of
brackets 17 extending around the upper bar and member 11 and being
secured to the underside of the table top panel 16 by means of
screws, rivets or similar fastening means indicated by reference
character 18. This enables the table top to pivot on the bar member
11 and to rest on the bar member 11A when in the erected position
shown in FIG. 1.
A bench component collectively designated 19 is situated upon the
assembly each side of the table top 16 and each component consists
of an elongated bench panel 20, substantially vertical leg or
compression members 21 and substantially horizontal or tension
members 22.
The members 22 are pivotally secured by the inner ends thereof to
the transverse pivot 14 and extend outwardly in spaced and parallel
relationship two upon each side. Stop means 23 are provided on the
outer ends of these members and bearing sleeves 24 engage around
these members and can slide inwardly and outwardly therealong,
being restricted in the outer movement by means of these stop means
23.
A cross bar 25 extends between the sleeves 24 and the bench panel
20 is secured to sleeves 24 by means of clamps 26 extending
therearound and being secured to the bench panel 20 by means of
rivets, bolts or similar fastening means 27.
An elongated sleeve 28 surrounds the lower bar members 12 and 12A
and the aforementioned compression legs 21 are secured to these
elongated sleeves 28 by means of welding or the like and extend
upwardly in spaced and parallel relationship one with the other, it
being understood that these are two compression members 21 for each
bench assembly 19. Bearing sleeves 29 are provided upon the upper
ends of the compression members 21 and these bearing sleeves engage
around the aforementioned cross bars 25.
The pivotal action of the compression members 21 and the pivotal
action of the tension members 22, in conjunction with the sliding
relationship of sleeves 24 upon tension members 22, means that the
bench assemblies can be folded inwardly to lie contiguous with the
leg frame components 10 and 10A as shown on the left hand side of
FIG. 1 or can be folded outwardly to the erected position as shown
upon the right hand side of FIG. 1. When moving from the folded to
the erected position and vice versa, the compression members 21
pass over the vertical center thus preventing any possibility of
the bench assemblies 19 collapsing when in the erected
position.
When it is desired to fold the assembly to the closed or stored
position, each bench assembly is folded inwardly contiguous with
its leg frame component as shown on the left hand side of FIG. 1,
the table top is raised clear of the upper cross bar 11A whereupon
the two leg frame components can be folded upwardly towards one
another so that the structure takes the form shown in FIG. 4.
Further movement of the leg frame components together, permits the
table top panel 16 to lie substantially vertically upon the leg
frame component 10 thus making a relatively compact package which
is easily stored or transported.
To erect the assembly, the table top is raised thus allowing the
leg frame components to be opened to the fullest extent restricted
by means of the flexible linkage 15 whereupon the table top rests
upon the other upper bar member 11A. Each bench assembly is then
folded outwardly in the direction of arrow 30 to take upon the
position shown at the right hand side of FIG. 1 thus making a
stable and firm table and bench assembly.
In FIG. 4, arrow 31 indicates the further closing of the leg frame
components 10 and 10A and arrow 32, the downward pivotal movement
of the table top panel 16 after the leg frame components have been
fully closed one against the other.
Reference should be made to the members 22 upon which the benches
slide. In order to provide easy access, the preferred embodiment
employs just one of these members situated centrally along the
length of the bench and shown in phantom by reference character
22A.
Also in the preferred embodiment, a hinged strap assembly 15A is
used instead of the chains 15. This strap assembly extends between
the leg components 10 and 10A and below the pivot pin 14. The
extended position of the strap assembly is shown in FIG. 1 while
FIG. 4 shows the assembly in the folded position.
Various modifications may be constructed or performed within the
scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Therefore what has been
set forth is intended to illustrate such concept and is not for the
purpose of limiting protection to any herein particularly described
embodiment thereof.
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