US2594516A - Prefabricated counter sections and assemblies thereof - Google Patents

Description

A ril 29, 1952 1-. H. SWISHER PREFABRICATED COUNTER SECTIONS AND ASSEMBLIES THEREOF 2 SHEETS SHEET '1 Filed NOV. 4, 1948 INVENTOR Thomas H. Swisher M, Oe/w vis April '29, 1952 T. H. SWISHER 2,594,516

PREFABRICATED COUNTER SECTIONS AND-ASSEMBLIESTHEREOF Filed NOV. 4, 1948 2 SI-lEETS-Sl-IEET 2 I 32 6 GM 7 "TI 60 VII/MW v GIG I43 Q 51 FIG. 4 2 6le 6lh 62 en 64 em 61 64 I 22 1-2 1: vv fiiah fiix um 3m fi 4: INVENTOR. 105 '3 g 3' Thomas H. Swisher 02a ion \0! Hon \Olu BY I ma M, 060% M Patented Apr. 29, 1952 PREFABRIQATED GOUNTER SECTIONS: AND ASSEMBLIES THEREOF Thomas Hr Swisher,. Elmhurst, Ill.,. assignor to Hotpoint. Inc., a. corporation at New York Application November 4, 1948, Serial No. 58,286

into Patent No. 2,586,112: ofE-ebruary 1.9, 1952.

It is a. general object of the present invention to provide a manufactured standard counter section and a number of cooperating manufactured standard counter fixtures so that a counter assembly of the required configuration to fit a particular kitchen may be. readily fashioned on the site from the manufactured standard, elements mentioned utilizing ordinary carpenter tools.

Another object of the invention is to. provide a counter section of improved construction and arrangement and including an integral plastic sheet having an. outer surface. provided with a smooth, harm, continuous, moisture-resistant fi-nish..

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement or theelements. of the kitchen counter-assembly and, to the constructional details of the elements, whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The; invention, both as. to its: organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference: to the following specifica tion taken in connection with the accompanyin drawings, in which Figure 1V is a. perspective view of two kitchen cabinet. sections and; a. corner mullion provided with a counter assembly embodying the present invention; Fig.. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the counter; assembly shown in. Fig 1; Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the counter assem: bly taken in the direction of the. arrows along the line 3-4 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the counter assemblytaken in the direction of the arrows along the line 4--4 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is: a greatly enlarged fragmentary plan view of the counter assembly shown in Fig. 1 taken at-the joint between the rightshand counter section and the corner counter section; Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical, sectional view of the counter assembly taken at the joint between the right-hand counter section and the. corner coun ter section in the. direction of the arrows alon enlarged fragmentary end view of the joining sv Claims. .(01. 312-1403) trim; incorporated in the Joint between the righthand-counterscction. and the cornercounter section as shown in Fig, 5.

Referring; now to Fig, 1 of the drawing. there are illustrated two.- kitchen cabinet sections 2| and. 3| and a. corner mullion 41- provided with a counterassembly H, embodying; the features of the present invention. More particularly, the corner mull-ionlsl is: adapted to be arranged in the corner of a. kitchen and the cabinet sections 2| and 3|: are adapted to be arranged on either side thereof: along the. walls of the kitchen, the cabinet 21 comprising the left-hand; section and the cabinet. 3|: comprising the right-hand seco ecifically; the abinet, section 21. m y be formed of sheet. metal and comprises an upstanding body defining a. storage; cabinet having an open front closed by two hinged doors 22... The top of: the cabinet section 2|: supports the lefthand section oi? the. counter assembly and the lower front portion thereof is rearwardly' off-set, as indicated at. 23, to provide a foot-receivin recess permitting a person to work close to the front edge or apron of the left-hand counter section. Similarly the cabinet section 3| may be formed of sheet metal and comprises an upstanding body defining a storage cabinet having an open front closed by two hinged doors 32. The top of the cabinet section 3| supports the right-hand section of the: counter assembly H; and the lower front portion thereof is rearwardly off-set, as; indicated at. 33, to. provide a foot-receiving recess permitting a. person to work close to the front edge or apron of, the right-hand countersection. Also. the corner mullion 4| may be formedv of sheet metal. The top: of they corner mullion, 4| supports the corner section of the counter assembly' H; and. the lower front portion thereof is rearwardly off-set, as indicated atv 43 to provide a. foot-receiving recess permitting a person to work close. to the front edge or apron of the corner counter section.

The counter assembly comprises a left-hand straight section 5.0-, a right-hand straight. section 60', a corner section 1-0, a leftiehand end; trim 80, a right-hand end trim. 90.. and two joining trim 100. The. Straight. counter sections and 60, are

of identical construction; while the corner countorsection. [0 is of the. same fundamental construction as the. straight. counter sections 50 and 60. The end trims B0 and {9,0 are of the. same general construction,v respectfl t ly left-hand and right-hand;; while the-joining:t1'ims I00 are of the 1ine-6.--6 in Fig. 5; and Fig 7' is a greatly identicalconstructionl Each of the counter s'ections 50, B0 and 10 comprises a body sheet that includes a, substantially horizontal work platform section terminating in a downwardly extending front apron and a substantially vertical rear backsplasher section terminating in a rearwardly directed ledge, the front apron being substantially vertically disposed and the rear ledge being substantially horizontally disposed. Accordingly, the right-hand end of the left counter section 50 matches the left-hand end of the corner counter section 10 and the lefthand end of the right counter section 60 matches the right-hand end of the corner counter section 10.

Specifically, the right counter section 60 comprises the body sheet 6| providing the substantially horizontally disposed work platform section 6|a terminating in the vertically disposed front apron section 6|b, and the substantially vertically disposed backsplasher section 6| terminating in the substantially horizontally disposed ledge section 6|d. The front of the work platform section 6la is joined to the top of the apron section 6 b by arounded transition section 6|e; the rear of the work platform section 6|a is joined to the bottom of the backsplasher section 6|c by a rounded transition section 6| 1; and the top of the backsplasher section 6|c is joined to the front of the ledge section 6|d by a rounded transition section 6| g. The front of the platform section '6la is preferably upwardly inclined slightly, as indicated at 6'|h',"i'n order to prevent water, or the like, spilled upon the work platform section 6|a from running over the transition section 6|e and thence down the front of the apron section 6|b onto the floor of the kitchen.

Also, each of the counter sections 50,"60-and 10 comprises a first re-enforcing' member disposed below the front portion of the work platform section; a second re-enforcing member disposed below the ledge section; and three spacedapart stringers disposed below the work platform section; which re-enforcing members and stringers are embedded in the body sheet of the counter section.

Specifically, the right'counter section 60 comprises the first re -enforcing member 62, the second re-enforcing member 63 and the three stringers 64 embedded in the body sheet 6|. More particularly, the first re-enforcing member 62 extends longitudinally with the'body sheet 6| and is substantially L-shaped in cross section, being disposed below the' fro nt of the work platform section Bla and behind .the apron section BIZ and under the transition; section 6|e. The second're-enforcing member 63 extends longitudinally with the body sheet 6| and is disposed below the ledge section 6 Id and'under the transition section My behind the top of the backsplas'her section 6lc. Finally, the stringers 64 extend longitudinally with the body sheet 6| and are arranged in laterally spaced-apart relation below the work platform section 6|a and distributed between the first re enforcing member 62 and the backsplasher section 6 lo.

Preferably, the left and right counter sections 50 and 60 are cut from a straight previously manufactured length" of counter section, .while the corner counter sectionl0'is expressly manufactured in its final form. The standard lengths of counter section from which the left and right counter sections'50 and 6B are cut may be manu-' factured in standard sections such, for example, as from 4 to 10 feet long, and fromthese standard lengths -':the left and right counter' sections 50 and 60 are cut on the site to'fit theparticular 4 cabinets 2| and 3|, and then assembled with the corner counter section 10 to provide the counter assembly II for the particular kitchen, as explained more fully hereinafter.

The straight lengths of counter section from which the left and right counter sections and are cut comprise an integrally molded or formed body sheet made, for example, of paper base. phenolic resin laminate, or the like, and

provided "with an outer surface finish made of melamine resin, urea resin, etc. and embedding the two re-enforcing members and the three stringers. Specifically, with reference to the right counter section 60, the integral body sheet 6| may comprise a core formed of about 35 per cent phenolic resin impregnated paper of about five-mil thickness, cross-laminated for even pull. The outer surface of the core may be provided with a melamine resin impregnated barrier sheet of about eight-mil thickness, incorporating any desired color and decorative pattern. The outer surface of the barrier sheet may be provided with a melamine resin impregnated bond over-sheet of about five-mil thickness in order to protect the barrier sheet. The two re-enforcing members 62 and 63 and the three stringers 64 directly engage the lower surface of the core, and a lower layer is provided that envelops the two re' enforcing members 62' and 63 and the three stringers 64 and is united with the intermediate portions of the core; which lower layer is also formed of about 35 per cent phenolic resin impregnated paper of about five-mil thickness. Finally, the lower surface of the lower layer may be provided with a melamine resin impregnated cover sheet of about eight-mil thickness for the purpose of balancing the body sheet 6| against subsequent warpage.

Preferably, the composite body sheet 6| with the two re-enforcing members 62 and 63 and the three stringers 64 are formed as a composite articl'e in a suitable heated die in which the core, the barrier sheet, the over-sheet, the lower layer and the lower cover sheet'are cured and united under heat and pressure. The over-all thickness of the composite body'sheet 6| at the backsplasher section 610 and at the portions of the work platform section 6 la disposed between the stringers 64 and the re-enforcing member 62 may be about inch in thickness so that it is sufilciently strong'to be shape-retaining and so that any square'foot' of the work platform section 6m is capable of: withstanding a load of-approximately pounds; The finished exterior surface of the body sheet 6| is continuous, smooth, hard and of any desired color to carry out a color scheme in a kitchen. Also, the finished exterior surface of the body sheet 6| is capable of resisting moisture, mild'food acids, alkaline cleaning compounds and other materials normally encoun' tered ina'kitchen; The finished exterior surface of the 'body sheet 6| does not feel cold to a persons hands and, being impervious to moisture, is sanitary. Further, the finished exterior surface resists abrasion, is not easily cut during normal kitchen use, is'he'at resistant and is not discolored or deteriorated in any way by ordinary hot objects such, for example, as cooking vessels, orthe like, havinga temperature up to approxim ately'300-F. Further, the body sheet 6|" is free of objectionable metallic rings or other sounds, and is capable of being perforated, cut and fitted without-fracture, chipping or. other deformation; utiliz'ing"ordinary carpenter tools. Finally, the bod-y' sheet 6| is substantially free tion I0 may be manufactured in several different standard sizes; however, in one size of kitchen counter assembly II and with particular reference to the right counter section 00, the dimensions may be as indicated below. The distance between the front of the apron section GI!) and the rear edge of the ledge section 61d may be inches; the distance between the lower edge of the apron section Glb and the top of the front of the work platform section Bla may be 1 /2 inches; the front edge of the work platform section E-la may be disposed above the remainder thereof at the transition section file a distance of A; inch; the distance between the top of the work platform section 6I1a and the top of the ledge section em may be 6 inches; and the distance between the front of the backsplasher section Sic and the rear edge of the ledge section 6H2 may be 3 inches.

The construction of the corner counter section I0 generally conforms to that of the standard lengths of counter section from which the left and right counter sections 50 and 60 are cut; however, the construction is slightly modified to fit the corner of the counter assembly II. Specifically, the body sheet II of the corner counter section I0 comprises a front apron section Ilb that is curved between the end portions thereof, a backsplasher section I I c that is curved between the straight end portions thereof, and a ledge section 'IId provided with angularly disposed straight portions. Also, the body sheet II comprises a work platform section Ho and has imbedded in the lower surface thereof first and second re-enfo'rcing members I2 andI3 and three stringers I4. In this case the first re-enforcing member I2 is curved and is disposed below the front of the work platform section I In and behind the apron section Ilb. The second re-enforcing member I3 comprises two angularly disposed portions mitered at the joint therebetween and disposed below the ledge section I Id, and behind the backsplasher section IIc. Finally, each of the three stringers I4 comprises two angularly disposed portions mitered at the jointtherebetween and disposed below the work platform section I I a,

Further, the counter assembly comprises a plurality of transversely extending sills III, 2, H3, H4 and I5 formed of kiln-dried poplar, or other suitable wood, and secured to the first reenforcing members and to the stringers of the various counter sections 50, 60 and I0 by wood screws IZI. Specifically, the sill II I is arranged below the left-hand end of the left counter section 50 and secured to the first r'e-en-forcing member 52 and the stringers 54' thereofby the wood screws I'2I; while the sill H5 is arranged below the right-hand end of the right counter section 60 and secured to the first re-enforcing member 62 and the stringers 34 thereof by the wood screws I2I. The sill H2 is arranged below the joint between the right-hand end of the left counter section 50 and the left-handend'of the corner counter section I0 and is secured to the first re-enforcing members 52 and I2 and to the stringers 54 and I4 by the wood screws I2l; the sill I I I is arranged below the joint between the left-hand end of the right counter section 60 and the right-hand end of the corner counter section I0 and is secured to the first re-enforcing members 62' and I2 by the wood screws I2I. Finally, the sill H3 is arranged below the central portion of the corner counter section I0 and is secured to the first re-enforcing member I2 and the stringers I4 by the wood screws I2 I.

Each of the joining trims I00 may be formed of extruded aluminum, or the like, and comprises a laterally extending work platform section I0! terminating in a downwardly extending front apron section I02, and an upwardly extending bac-ksplasher section I03 terminating in a rearwardly extending ledge section I04; the sections IOI and I02 being joined by acurved transition section I05, the sections WI and H13 being joined by a curved transition section I06, and the sections I03 and I94 being joined by a curved transition section I0I. The dimensions of the various sections IOI, etc, are properly correlated with respect to the dimensions of the corresponding sections Bla, etc, of the counter sections 69, etc, as explained more fully below. The upper edge of the joining trim I00 comprises a trim element I08 that projects outwardly on either side thereof and includes a substantially horizontally disposed work platform trim section I00a, a substantially vertically disposed front apron trim section I081), a substantially vertically disposed backsplasher trim section I 080, a substantially horizontally disposed rear ledge trim section W801, and transition trim sections I08e, I08) and IBM. Also, a number of spaced-apart openings I0 Ia are provided in the section IOI, a hole Him is pro' vided in the section I02, and a hole IMa is provided in the section I04; which openings and holes are utilized for purposes more fully explained below.

Each of the joining trims I00 carries a number of spaced-apart securing clips I3! arranged in the openings I0 Ia and supporting the work platform sections of the adjacent body sheets. For example, the joining trim I00 arranged in the joint between the counter sections 60 and I0 carries the securing clips I3! in the openings Mia and respectively engaging the adjacent work platform sections Ma and I Id of the body sheets BI and II Specifically, each of the securing clips I3I is formed of spring steel, or the like, and comprises a centrally disposed saddle I32 engaging the section I M of the finishing trim I00 in one of the openings Ho, and upwardly and outwardly extending curved ends I33 and I34 respectively engaging the underneath portions of the work platform sections Bid and lid of the counter sections 00 and I0, whereby the work platform sections Ma and Ha are drawn upwardly into snug engagement with the overlying work platform trim section I08a of the joining trim I00. Accordingly, the finishing trim I00 provides a finished, watertight joint between the countersections 60 and I0.

Also, the counter assembly II comprises a plurality of upstanding brackets MI supporting the backsplasher sections Sic, etc., and the ledge sections GI-d, etc., of the counter sections 60, etc.

Preferably, one of the brackets MI is arranged at each end of eachj of'ythe counter sections 50, 60 and I0 and at the center of the corner counter section '70, whereby several of the brackets I II are incorporated in the counter assembly The brackets |4| may be identical; and, as best shown in Fig. 4, the bracket |4| that is arranged at the left-hand end of the right counter section 60 adjacent to the associated finishing trim I is formed of sheet metal and comprises an upstanding body |42 having an opening I43 formed therein to accommodate wiring, or the like. Also, the bracket |4I comprises an upper end flange I44, a lower end flange I45 and a front flange I46. This bracket MI is arranged between the rear end of the sill II 4 and the second re-enforcing member I33 and is secured in place by upper wood screws I41 and lower wood screws I48. More particularly, the screws I41 extend through openings provided in the upper end flange I44 and are threaded into the lower surface of the second re-enforcing member 63 while the screws I48 extend through openings provided in the lower end flange I 45 and are threaded into the upper surface of the sill II4. When the bracket MI is thus secured in place between the second re-enforcing member 63 and the sill II4, the front flange I46 thereof engages the rear suface of the body sheet 6| behind the backsplasher section G Ic, whereby both the ledge section 6|d and the backsplasher section 6Ic are supported.

The left end trim 80 may be formed of sheet aluminum, or the like, and comprises a dished body 8| of substantially L-shaped configuration. The body 8| comprises an inwardly turned lower flange 82 secured to the sill II I by a plurality of wood screws 83 and an inwardly turned upper trimming flange 84 conforming to the configuration of the body sheet of the left counter section 50. Likewise, the right end trim 90 may be formed of sheet aluminum, or the like, and comprises a dished body 9| of substantially L-shaped configuration. The body 9| comprises an inwardly turned lower flange 92 secured to the sill I I5 by a plurality of wood screws 93 and an inwardly turned upper trimming flange 94 conforming to the configuration of the body sheet 6| of the right counter section 60.

In order to produce the counter assembly I I in the kitchen, the corner mullion 4| is first placed in the corner of the kitchen and the left and right cabinet sections 2| and 3| are placed closely adjacent thereto along the left-hand and the right-hand Walls of the kitchen. The previously manufactured corner counter section '10 is provided and the two joining trims I00 are secured to the opposite ends thereof utilizing Wood screws, or the like, extending through the holes |02a and "Ma. Next, the left counter section 50 and the right counter section 60 are cut from the previously manufactured straight length of counter section utilizing an ordinary carpenters wood saw. The counter sections 50 and 60 are then assembled to the counter section III, all in an inverted position on the floor of the kitchen. At this time the clips I3I are positioned in the openings IDIa formed in the joining trims I III in order to support the work platform sections of the body sheets of the three counter sections 59, 60 and III. The sills III, H2, H3, H4 and 5 are then brought into proper position and secured in place by the wood screws I2I. At this time the sill I I2 securely joins the counter section 50 to the counter section III; and the sill I I4 securely joins the counter section 69 to the counter section III. Next, the seven brackets |4| are brought into position between the rear ends of the respective sills III, etc., and the respective second re-enforcing members 53, etc., and secured in place utilizing the wood screws I41, I48, etc. At this time the assembled counter sections 50, 60 and III are placed upon the corner mullion 4| and the cabinet sections 2| and 3| in the corner of the kitchen. Any inaccuracy in the walls of the kitchen may be accounted for by appropriately trimming the rear edges of the adjacent ledge sections 6|d, etc., so that the ledge sections 5|d, BId and H11 nicely fit the walls in the corner of the kitchen. At this time wood screws, I I4a, etc., are inserted from the interior of the cabinets 3| and 2| through openings provided in inturned flanges arranged at the top of the cabinets 3| and 2| and threaded into the sills I I4 and I I2 in order securely to retain the counter sections 50, 60 and 10 in place and to retain the cabinet sections 2| and 3| and the corner mullion 4| securely in position. The left end trim is then positioned on the left-hand end of the counter section 50 and the right end trim is positioned on the right-hand end of the counter section 60 and secured in place utilizing wood screws. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the right end trim 99 is secured in place by the Wood screws 93 extending through th flange 92. Also, the screws 93 extend through openings provided in the inturned flange 3Ia arranged at the top of the right cabinet section 3| in order securely to retain in position the righthand end of the counter assembly 60, the right end trim 90 and the right-hand end of the right cabinet section 3|.

In conjunction with the manufacture of the corner counter section 10 at the factory, it is pointed out that the sills H2, H3 and H4 and the brackets I4| may be incorporated therein in order to lend rigidity thereto. Likewise, in the manufacture of the straight counter sections at the factory from which the left and right counter sections 50 and 69 are cut, it is pointed out that the sills III, ||5, etc., and the brackets |4| may be incorporated therein in order to lend rigidity thereto. Specifically, each of these straight counter sections may comprise a sill at each end thereof and one or more intermediate sills, each provided with a bracket I4I Accordingly, at the site the sills and brackets incorporated in the manufactured corner counter section 'III and in the straight counter section from which the left and right counter sections 50 and 60 are out may be removed and again utilized in the final counter assembly II, in the manner explained above.

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided improved manufactured standard counter sections and a counter assembly that may be fashioned at the site from the counter sections and other manufactured standard elements in a simple and expedient manner. Also it is apparent that the skeleton construction of the counter assembly provides maximum strength and. rigidity with a minimum amount of material and at a low cost.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a unitary counter section including a longitudinally extending plastic body sheet having a contiuous smooth moisture-resistant outer surface, said body sheet being form-retaining and providing a substantially horizontal work platform and an upstanding backsplasher, a first longitudinally extending re-enforcing member for-med ofgwood and disposed below and adjacent to the front of said work platform and embedded in said body sheet, a second longitudinally extending re-enforcing member formed of wood and disposed behind and adjacentlto the top of said backsplasher and embedded in said body sheet,

' and a plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart stringers each formed of wood and disposed below said work platform and embedded in said body sheet.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a unitary counter section including a longitudinally extending plastic body sheet having a continuous smooth n1oisture-resistant outer surface, said body sheet being form-retaining and providing a substantially horizontal work platform terminating in a downwardly directed front apron and an upstanding backsplasher terminating in a rearwardly directed ledge, a first longitudinally extending re-enforcing member formed of wood and disposed mutually below said work platform and behind said front apron and embedded in said body sheet, a second longitudinally extending re-enforcing member formed of wood and disposed mutually behind said backsplasher and below said ledge and embedded in said body sheet, and a plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart stringers each formed of wood and disposed below said work platform and embedded in said body sheet.

3. A counter section comprising a longitudinally extending plastic body sheet having a continuous smooth moisture-resistant outer surface, said body sheet being form-retaining and pro viding a substantially horizontal work platform terminating in a downwardly directed front apron and an upstanding backsplasher terminating in a rearwardly directed ledge, a first longitudinally extending re-enforcing member formed of wood and disposed under said body sheet mutually below said work platform and behind said front apron and embedded in said body sheet, a second longitudinally extending reenforcing member formed of wood and disposed under said body sheet mutually behind said backsplasher and below said ledge and embedded in said body sheet, a plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart stringers each formed of wood and disposed under said body sheet below said work platform and embedded in said body sheet, a plurality of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart sills each formed of wood and disposed below and secured to said first re-enforcing member and said stringers, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart upstanding metal brackets disposed between and secured to said second re-enforcing member and said sills.

4. A counter assembly comprising a support; two counter sections carried by said support and having ends disposed adjacent to each other; each of said counter sections including a plastic body sheet having a continuous smooth moistureresistant outer surface, said body sheet being form-retaining and providing a substantially horizontal work platform and an upstanding backsplasher, a first re-enforcing member secured to the under portion of said body sheet below and adjacent to the front of said work platform, a second re-enforcing member secured to the under portion of said body sheet behind and adjacent to the top of said backsplasher,

and a plurality of spaced-apart stringers secured to the under portion of said body sheet .below said work platform; 'a sill positioned between said support and the adjacent ends of said counter sections and secured to said'support and said first re-enforcing members andsaid stringers; upstanding brackets positioned between said sill and the adjacent ends of said counter sections and secured to said sill and the adjacent ends of said second re-enforcing members; and a joining trim positioned in the joint between the adjacent ends of said counter sections and secured thereto, said joining trim conforming to and overlying the adjacent end portions of said work platforms and said backsplashers.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a unitary counter assembly corner section including a plastic body sheethaving a continuous smooth moisture-resistant outer surface, said body sheet being form-retaining and providing a substantially horizontal work platform terminating in a downwardly directed front apron and an upstanding backsplasher terminating in a rearwardly directed ledge, said front apron and said backsplasher and said ledge each being curved between the two angularly disposed end portions thereof, a first re-enforcing member formed of wood and provided with angularly disposed portions and disposed under said body sheet mutually below said work platform and behind said front apron and embedded in said body sheet, a second re-enforcing member formed of wood and provided with angularly disposed portions and disposed under said body sheet mutually behind said backsplasher and below said ledge and embedded in said body sheet, and a plurality of stringers each formed of wood and each provided with angularly disposed portions and disposed in spaced-apart relation under said body sheet below said work platform and embedded in said body sheet.

6. An assembly comprising two supports having ends disposed adjacent to each other; a sill positioned over the adjacent ends of said supports at the joint therebetween and secured thereto in order to retain said supports in fixed relation with respect to each other; two counter sections respectively carried by said supports and having ends disposed adjacent to each other and positioned on said sill; each of said counter sections including a plastic body sheet having a continuous smooth moisture-resistant outer surface, said body sheet being form-retaining and providing a substantially horizontal work platform and an upstanding backsplasher, a first re-enforcing member secured to the under portion of said body sheet below and adjacent to the front of said work platform, a second reenforcing member secured to the under portion of said body sheet behind and adjacent to the top of said backsplasher, and a plurality of spaced-apart stringers secured to the under portion of said body sheet below said work platform; means for securing said sill to the adjacent ends of said first re-enforcing members and the adjacent ends of said stringers; two spaced-apart brackets respectively positioned between said sill and the adjacent ends of said counter sections; and means for securing each of said brackets to said sill and the adjacent one of said second re-enforcing members.

7. The counter section set forth in claim 3, wherein said brackets also engage and support the adjacent rear portions of said backsplasher.

8. The counter assembly set forth in claim 4;

11 and further comprising a plurality of spring fasteners carried by said joining trim and engaging the adjacent under portions of said body sheets below said work platforms in order to provide a finished joint between the adjacent ends of said counter sections.

THOMAS H. SWISHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Otte et a1. July 4, 1933 Brey Apr. 28, 1936 Brey Apr. 28, 1936 Connaty et a1. Nov. 19, 1907 1 Number Number 21,328/35 Name Date Dalton Sept. 1, 1936 Madsen May 16, 1939 Rosenberg July 18, 1939 Oster Jan, 2, 1940 Madsen Apr. 21, 1942 Rosenberg Aug. 24, 1943 Sandberg Aug. 29, 1944 Geimer June 19, 1945 Stanitz Apr. 6, 1948 Mosher et a1. Ju1y'19, 1949 Gilbert et a1. Oct. 11, 1949 Norquist Jan. 30, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Australia Feb. 13, 1935

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