U.S. patent number 3,857,343 [Application Number 05/356,439] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-31 for folding table.
Invention is credited to Seymour Greenberg.
United States Patent |
3,857,343 |
Greenberg |
December 31, 1974 |
FOLDING TABLE
Abstract
A folding table comprising a table top, a plurality of pivotally
mounted leg assemblies, spring toggle means for holding the leg
assemblies alternatively in generally vertical operative position
and generally horizontal inoperative position, and
finger-engageable means to move the leg assemblies into either of
such positions while the table top is held between the hands in
upright position.
Inventors: |
Greenberg; Seymour (Lakewood,
NJ) |
Family
ID: |
23401434 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/356,439 |
Filed: |
May 10, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/133; 16/72;
108/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
23/001 (20130101); Y10T 16/593 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
23/00 (20060101); A47b 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/133,132,131
;16/72 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Frazier; Roy D.
Assistant Examiner: Aschenbrenner; Peter A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stoll and Stoll
Claims
I claim:
1. A folding table, comprising:
a. a table top,
b. a pair of leg assemblies pivotally connected to said table
top,
c. said leg assemblies being swingable about their respective
pivotal axes between a generally vertical operative position and a
generally horizontal inoperative position, and
d. spring toggle means for holding said leg assemblies in either of
said positions,
e. said spring toggle means comprising a coiled tension spring,
f. said tension spring being connected at one end to the table
top,
g. said tension spring being connected at its opposite end to its
associated leg assembly below the pivotal axis thereof,
h. whereby the tension spring moves across said pivotal axis when
the leg assembly is pivoted between its said vertical and
horizontal positions,
i. each leg assembly comprising a pair of legs and cross-bracing
between them,
j. whereby said pair of legs and said cross-bracing constitute an
integral unit, integrally movable about a common axis extending
through both legs,
k. there being a single spring toggle means connected to said
integral unit,
l. the cross-bracing of each leg assembly including a cross-bar
which is secured to the upper ends of the two legs of said leg
assembly, above its pivotal axis,
m. said cross-bar, pivotal axis and spring connection with the leg
assembly defining a three-point isosceles triangle pattern, wherein
the pivotal axis represents the apex and the cross-bar and spring
connection represent the base angles,
n. said cross-bar being situated adjacent the table top and end
members provided adjacent said table top with hand grip cutouts
allowing said cross-bar to be engageable by the fingers of one hand
when the table top is held by the palm of the same hand,
o. whereby each leg assembly can be manually swung into operative
or inoperative position while the table top is held in horizontal
position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
Folding tables of the type generally used as cocktail tables,
serving tables and the like. The invention is also applicable to
other kinds of folding tables, regardless of the nature and purpose
of their use.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
The closest prior art known to applicant consists of conventional
folding tables wherein the legs or leg assemblies are held in their
respective operative positions by means of latching or locking
means. It is necessary, in moving the legs of folding tables from
operative to inoperative position, to disengage a latch or unlock a
locking mechanism. Illustrative of such prior art is Ritter U.S.
Pat. No. 1,944,757, issued on Jan. 23, 1934. Another pertinent
prior art patent is Benedict U.S. Pat. No. 310,245, which issued on
Jan. 6, 1885. In this patent the folding legs are held in operative
position by means of a locking detent, and a spring is employed to
maintain the legs in locked position with respect to the detent.
Still another pertinent prior art patent known to applicant is
Wigell U.S. Pat. No. 2,684,883, issued July 27, 1954.
None of the prior art folding tables known to applicant is provided
with folding legs which are biased in operative or inoperative
position, as the case may be, by the use of spring toggle
means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a folding table consisting of a
table top and a plurality of pivotally mounted leg assemblies and
spring toggle means for biasing and holding the leg assemblies in
either generally vertical operative position or generally
horizontal inoperative position. In the preferred form of this
invention, each folding table is provided with a pair of oppositely
disposed leg assemblies, each leg assembly consisting of a pair of
legs supported in fixed positions relative to each other by means
of cross-bracing. In such case, only a single spring toggle means
is needed for each leg assembly, that is, only two spring toggle
means for four legs. The invention is equally applicable to folding
tables with four separately operable legs, each of which is
pivotally secured to the table top and each of which is provided
with its own individual spring toggle means. In such case the table
would, of course, have four separate spring toggle means for its
four separate legs.
The basic advantage in the present invention over conventional and
prior folding tables resides in the fact that there is no need for
latching or locking means in a folding table made in accordance
with the present invention and, consequently, there is no need to
unlatch or unlock the legs or leg assemblies when swinging them
from operative to inoperative position, or vice versa. Combined
with this feature is the speed and ease with which the legs can be
swung from operative to inoperative position or vice versa by use
of finger pressure while holding the table between the palms of the
hands.
In the operation of a folding table made in accordance with this
invention, all that need be done is to manually overcome the spring
tension which holds the legs or leg assemblies in their respective
operative or inoperative positions. This is a quick, simple and
easy operation which may be performed whether the table legs are
projected in operative position or retracted in inoperative
position. Stated differently, this arrangement makes it possible to
swing the legs into either position while holding the table top
between one's hands. It is not necessary to support the table by
other means while latching or locking means are actuated. Thus it
is entirely feasible to carry and use the table, with its legs
retracted, as a serving tray or the like, and, when desired, it is
equally feasible to lower the legs into supportive positions in
order to convert the tray into a cocktail table or the like. This
would be done by holding the ends of the table top between the
palms of the hands while using the fingers to engage crossbars on
the leg assemblies and to cause said leg assemblies to swing into
operative or inoperative position, as the case may be, against the
spring toggle action.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding table made in accordance
with the present invention, said table being shown in folded
condition.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of said folded table.
FIG. 3 is an end view thereof, when extended to operative
position.
FIG. 4 is a side view of said table when extended in operative
position.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section on the line 5--5 of FIG.
2, showing the leg assemblies of the folding table in retracted
position.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the left-hand end of the
folding table, as viewed in FIG. 5, but showing the leg assembly of
that end extended to operative position.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 7--7 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing how the folding table is held
between the hands in order to retract or extend the legs.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein
folding table 10 made in accordance with the principles of this
invention comprises a table top 12, a pair of leg assemblies 14 and
15, respectively, and a pair of spring toggle means 18 and 20,
respectively. It will be observed that the table top comprises a
horizontal board 22 or the like, a pair of end members 22a and 22b,
respectively, and a pair of side rails 22c and 22d, respectively.
The precise configuration of these end members and side rails is
not significant in relation to the present invention, and what is
shown in the drawing should be understood as being merely
illustrative.
Leg assembly 14 comprises a pair of generally parallel legs 14a and
14b and a pair of cross-braces 14c and 14d between them. By the
same token, leg assembly 16 comprises a pair of generally parallel
legs 16a and 16b and cross-braces 16c and 16d between them. It will
be seen that cross-braces 14c, 14d, 16c and 16d perform two
functions: They serve as connecting members between the legs so
that each pair of legs may function and move as a single assembly;
and they serve as handles by which the leg assemblies may be
actuated to swing them into either operative or inoperative
position.
Each leg is pivotally fastened by means of a pivot pin 30 to one of
the side rails 22c, 22d of the table top. Pins 30 of each pair of
legs constituting a single assembly are, of course, axially
aligned, so that each said leg assembly pivots about a common axis.
It will also be noted that spring 18 is secured by means of
fastening element 18a to end member 22a, and the opposite end of
the spring is secured by means of fastening element 18b to one of
the legs 14a, 14b. The precise locations of fastening elements 18a
and 18b on end member 22a and leg 14a or 14b are determined by the
necessities of a toggle action. That is, when the leg assembly 14
is in its generally vertical operative position, spring 18 is
disposed on one side of adjacent pivot pin 30. When the leg
assembly is swung upwardly to generally horizontal position,
substantially parallel to the table top, spring 18 is moved to the
opposite side of said pivot pin. Stated differently, spring 18
moves across the pivotal axis of the leg assembly when said leg
assembly is swung from projected to retracted position or vice
versa. In either position of the leg assembly, pivot pin 30 and the
two points (fastening elements 18a and 18b) at which the spring is
secured to the table top (end member 22a) and the leg assembly (leg
14a or 14b) define the three points of a generally isosceles
triangle, the pivot pin 30 constituting its apical angle and the
two fastening points of the spring constitute the base angles.
It will, of course, be understood that a truly geometrical
isosceles triangle is not required in this invention. It may be
that a stronger tension force would be desired for holding the leg
assemblies in projected operative positions than in holding them in
retracted inoperative positions. It may also be found desirable to
lessen the effect needed to swing the leg assemblies from their
retracted to their projected positions. These and other
requirements may necessitate a different placement of the ends of
the spring from the base angles of an isosceles triangle. Where the
spring forces are balanced equally, as between the projected and
retracted positions of the leg assemblies, the spring will move
equal distances on opposite sides of the pivot pin. What has
specifically been said regarding spring 18 and leg assembly 14 also
applies to spring 20 and leg assembly 16.
It will be noted that the legs are tapered on one side along their
respective lengths, such that when the leg assemblies are folded
over into retracted positions one upon the other, the tapered sides
of the legs will juxtapose. The non-tapered sides of the legs will
thereby assume generally parallel positions. This tapered
configuration of the legs makes for a more compact arrangement when
the legs are folded over into their respective retracted
positions.
The foregoing is illustrative of a preferred form of this
invention, and it will be understood that variations thereof are
fully contemplated within the broad scope of the appended
claims.
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