US2936820A - Carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblages - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1960 P. BLINK ETA!- 2 CARRIAGE MOUNTED FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH Assmmmcss Filed Nov. 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS May 17, 1960 P. BLINK L CARRIAGE MOUNTED FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLAGES Filed NOV. 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTORS 777m A z'rm/vzys CARRIAGE MOUNTED FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLAGES Peter Blink, Milwaukee, and Frederick C. Holz, Wau-' watosa, Wis., assignors to Mitchell Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation "of WIS- consin Application November '4, 1958, Serial No. 771,833

I 2 Claims. (Cl. 155124) This invention relates to improvements in carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblages.

For use in schools, assembly rooms and other large meeting places there have heretofore been provided foldable table and bench assemblages arranged, when not in use, to be folded into a Wall cabinet or other enclosure. There is a need, however, for a folding table and bench assemblage which is not associated with a wall storage cabinet or the like, but which, when in its folded condition, is portable and may be rolled from a suitable storage room into another room for use and vice versa. It is, of course, essential that the table, when folded vertically, be susceptible of passing through a standard doorway while afiording maximum table and bench length when extended horizontally for use.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a carriage mounted table and bench assemblage characterized by a caster or roller equipped central carriage which is mounted under the adjacent abutting ends of the table top and bench sections and is so associated with the same that each table top and its pair of associated bench sections may be folded vertically relative to the floor engaging carriage, with each pair of bench sections being projected vertically substan tially adjacent the plane of its table top section whereby the assemblage may be conveniently rolled to any desired position and stored inits vertically folded condition, or extended horizontally for usage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblage wherein each table top section with its associated pair of benches may be folded relative to the intermediate common carriage independently of the other table top section and its associated benches.

A further object of the inventionis to provide a carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblage which is extremelyeasy to manipulate from its folded to its extended condition and in which the inner ends of the table top sections and benches are not hingedly connected together but are hingedly associated with the supporting arms of the intermediate carriage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'carend leg structure designated generally by the numeral 2,936,820 Patented May 17, 9

scribed having a spring-loaded telescopic brace, automatically operated means when the table and bench, assemblage is in operative, unfolded condition for limiting the telescopic movement of the brace and fordeterring overbalance and tipping of said table section.

A further objecct of the invention is to provide a carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblage which is of very simple construction, which is strong and durable and rigid, which embodies a minimum number of legs and braces, which is easy to collapse and roll away. for storage purposes, and which is well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the improved carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblage, and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

'In the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

. proved carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblage in its unfolded extended condition for use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective View of the table with one top section and its adjoining benches folded to vertical position and the other top section and adjoining benches in a partially folded position;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the carriage mounted folding table and bench assemblage in its folded condition with the table and bench sections projected vertically relative to the carriage on which the same are mounted;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, with parts broken away and in section of the spring-loaded telescopic brace between an end leg structure and the inner end of a table top section; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on. line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

The folding table which forms a part of the improved assemblage includes a pair of similar elongated table top sections 10 and 10, only one of which will be described in detail. When the table is unfolded for use the table top sections 10 and 10 are endwise alined. The undersurface of each table top section has secured thereto a pair of longitudinally extending channel-like rails 11 between which are secured portions of the various sup-' porting legs, braces, etc.

Shiftably associated with eachlongitudinal side of a table is a bench structure designated generally by the numeral 12. The outer end of each table top section and the corresponding ends of its pair of associated benches are, in operative unfolded position, supported by an outer 13. As will appear particularly from Figs. 1 and 2, a

riage mounted folding table and bench assemblage which, i

when in its vertically folded condition, disposes the top surfaces of the table top sections and benches inwardly and adjacent one another for protection of such surfaces, with the leg and the brace mechanisms being on the exterior of the folded assemblage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding table and bench assemblage of the character described wherein each table section and its associated benches, and the outer end foldable leg structure therefor, has operatively associated therewith an elongated spring loaded, telescopic brace which facilitates manual movement of the table sections and associated benches to and from their folded vertical positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a folding table and bench assemblage of the character deleg structure 13 includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart bench supporting legs 14 joined near their outer ends by a rigid transverse bar 15. The inner end of each bench supporting leg 14 is integral with a T-head bar 16 whose end portions are journaled for rotation in brackets 17 (see Fig. 2) which are mounted on the underside of the bench structure seats 18 adjacent spaced longitudinal rails on the undersides of the seats 18 adjacent their margins. Similarly thevunder-surface of a table top section 10 or 10' adjacent its outer end has journaled in supporting brackets 20 the opposite ends of a transverse bar 21 which has afi'ixed thereto the inner ends of outwardly projecting arms 22. The pair of arms 22 for each table.

top section have pivotally attached thereto, as at'23, the

upper ends of legstructure braces 24 whose lower ends 22 and their pivotal connections with the inner ends of the leg braces 24 the bench seats, 18 are restricted against projection above the upper ends of the vertically positioned table tops and align with the same, and the seat portions of the bench structures fold substantially into the planes of the table tops.

One of the characteristic features of the present folding table and bench assemblage is that a centrally located carriage, designated generally by the numeral 25, is articulated with the inner end portions of the pair of table tops and pairs of associated bench structures and forms a means for supporting the inner ends of said elements both in the outstretched or operative condition of the folding table and bench assemblage and in the folded upright condition of the assemol ge. carriage structure 25 which carries floor-engaging wheels or casters 26 may be rolled to a remote point for storage.

As will e seen from the drawings, the carriage structure 2,5 underlies and extends transversely below the adjoining inner ends of the table top sections and 14) and the bench structures 12. The carriage structure 25 is formed at each end by a U-shaped member 27 and the transversely space-apart U-shapedmembers 27 are joined by a framework, the essential elements of which will be enumerated hereinafter. At this point, however, it should be observed that the upper end portion of each side arm of each U-shaped member 27 is pivotally connected, as at 23, with the lower end portion of a stub rod 29 which is rigidly amxed to and depends from the under surface of the end portion of the adjacent bench seat 18, providing means whereby the bench seats may swing in a vertical plane on the carriage members 27 form horizontal to vertical, and vice versa.

Rigidly affixed to and extending downwardly from the side arms of the U-shaped members 27 are caster carrying supporting legs 3%. Transverse horizontal struts 31 join the lower portions of the legs 30 of one carriage U- shaped member 27 with the other member 27 and the lower framework is completed by short struts 32 between the caster legs 3% and the corresponding arms of the U- members 27 carrying the same. Extending upwardly from intermediate portions of the carriage base struts 31 are posts 33, and the upper ends of a pair of posts on each carriage strut 31 are joined by a top bar 34 on whose outer ends the closed lower ends of yokes 35 arepivotally mounted, as at 36.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the-transversely spacedapart pair of yokes 35 supported from the left hand-strut 1 of the carriage 25 underlie spaced apart inner' end portions of the table top section 10 while the transversely spaced apart yokes 35 supported from the carriage strut 31 toward the right, relative to Fig. l, underlie and support spaced-apart portions of the table top section 10. The inner end portions of the under surfaces of the table top sections it? and 1% carry spaced apart transverse bars 37 and 37 to which the upper ends of the arms of the yokes are rigidly affixed. v

'From the description thus far, it will be evident that In the latter condition the a elongated longitudinally directed bar 38 pivotally connected at its ends with the adjacent strut 32 and leg 14, as at 39 and 4%, respectively. Through these pivotally connected bars 33 it will be obvious that when the inner end of a table section and its associated benches are swung from horizontal toward vertical on the carriage 25, the bars 28 will cause the end leg structure 13 to which they are connected, to fold against the under-surfaces of their table top section and benches, as in Figs. 2 and 3, and when the table is reversely moved from collapsed vertical position to outstretched horizontal position,

the braces 33 will project the end leg structures 13 to their vertical supporting positions. 1 I

Each table top section lb and 16 has associated with the underside of its inner end portion and its outer end leg structure 13, a spring-loaded telescopic locking brace indicated generally by the numeral 41. As is shown in detail in Fig. 4, a spring-loaded locking brace 41 includes a pair of telescopically associated tube sections 42 and 43, with the outer end of a tube section 42 being pivotally connected, as at 44, with a foot depending from an intermediate lower portion of the leg structure 13. The outer end of the tube 43 is pivotally connected, as at 45, with an undcrsurface portion of the table top section it) or ill adjacent its inner end. Within the telescopic brace 41 is a coiled spring 46 which is anchored at opposite' ends within the outer extremities of the'tubes 42 and 43, respectively.

Reciprocatably straddling the'lower or outer end portion of the telescopic brace 41 is a stirrup 47 to which is rigidly secured the outer end portion of a channel-shaped lever 48 which is intermediately fulcrumed on an upstanding lug on the top surface of the tube 42, as at 49. The free end portion of the channel-shaped lever 48 carries a depending fixed pin 5% whicn, in the position of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 4, projects through a local slot 51 in the tube and abuts the inner end of the tube 43 to limit the telescoping movement thereof.

When the table section in question is in its outstretched horizontal condition as in Figs. 1 and 4, the bottom surface of the stirrup 47 will contact the floor and fulcrum the lever 48 slightly in a clockwise direction to contact the free end portion of the lever 48 with the surface of the tube 42 and project the pin 5t) through the slot 51 into limiting engagementwith theend of the telescoping tube 41. This, of course, keeps the tubes 42 and 43 from further telescoping and the engagement of the stirrup 47 with the floor or base gives added rigidity to the outer the outer end portion of each table top section and its end of the table section and stabilizes it against any tipping tendencies due to pressures which might be applied to other portions 'of the assemblage. However, when the table section and associated bench structures to which the spring-loaded telescopic locking brace is applied are to be folded from horizontal to vertical, the initial movement of the outer end of the leg structure 13 upwardly will remove the stirrup 47 from contact with the floor and due to the fact that the stirrup 47 is weighted, it willtend to gravitate downwardly onto the tube 42 and swing the channeled lever 48 in a counter-clockwise direction relative to Fig. 4, lifting the free end of the lever 48 upwardly away from the tube 42 and removing the pin 50 from limiting contact with the inner end of the tube 41. Hence, the force of the spring will then cause further telescoping of the brace tubes 42 and 43 and the power of the spring will assist the manual movement of the table and associated bench sections. The same is likewise true when the table section is swung from vertical position toward horizontal until the locking stirrup contacts the floor to manipulate the lever 48 and lockingly engage the pin 50 with the projected inner end of the tube 43.

As shown in Fig. l, a pair of table sections and their companion bench structures 12 may provide a continuous table and bench assemblage of considerable length when the table top sections and bench structures are in grasped and the unit lifted upwardly, and the parts pivot including a pair of endwise adjacent table sections with marginally disposed bench structures, an outer end leg structure foldably connected to the outer end portion of 7 each table section and its bench structures, a carriage underlying the adjacent ends of the table sections and having hingedly connected thereto the inner ends of the table sections and their bench structures, in a manner so that each table section and its associated benches may be extended horizontally from the carriage or folded vertically relative to the carriage, a spring loaded, telescopic brace underlying each table section and pivotally connected at its opposite ends to an outer end leg structure about their connections with the carriage structure 25.

The telescopic locking brace 41 forsaid section can, under the power of its confined spring, telescope and transmit inward folding movement to the outer end leg structure 13 to which it is connected. Ultimately the section in question with its associated benches will assume the position shown in Fig. ,2 with the bench seats 18 being substantially in the plane of the associated tabletop section 10. Due to the arms 22 the upper ends of the bench structure seats 18 will coincide 'With the upper end of the table top section 10. This folding of one of the is accomplished independently of the folding of the other unit. The latter may then be folded on the carriage 25' to the final vertical position of Fig. 3, passing through the intermediate position of Fig. 2.

In vertical storage position the folded units are very stable because of the fact that they are projected upwardly from the intermediate wheel-mounted carriage 25. The folded assemblage is compact and may be easily rolled away to a suitable storage location. When the table is to be used the reverse operation is performed after the table is wheeled out to the position of use.

From the foregoing description it will appear that the improved carriageenounted folding table and bench assemblage has the companion table and bench sections foldably associated with an intermediatecarriage. Each table top sectiomand its associated pair of benches may be folded relative to the intermediate common carriage independently of the other table top section and its associated benches. The outer end leg structures for each section have associated therewith novel spring-loaded telescopic braces which automatically lock when the table and bench sections are unfolded and aid in maintaining stability of the outstretched assemblage. The carriagemounted folding table and bench assemblage is easy to manipulate and move, is strong and durable, and is well adapted for the purposes set forth.

a What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In a portable folding table and bench assemblage and to the inner end portion of the table section respectively, a brace locking member movably mounted on the brace, the inner end portion of the brace locking member carrying a stop engageable, in one moved position of the locking member, with the telescopic portions of the brace to limit telescopic movement of the brace portions, and a floor engaging member fast on theouter end of the locking member which, when engaged with the floor,

holds the locking member in a position to cause its stop to engage the telescopic portions of the brace.

2. In a folding table and bench assemblage including a pair of endwise adjacent table sections with bench structures in articulated association with each table section, a framelike carriage extending transversely of the adjacent ends of the table sections for hingedly supporting the adjacent ends of the table sections and their bench structures in a manner so that each table section and its associated benches may be extended horizontally from the carriage or folded vertically relative to the carriage, said carriage including end U-shaped members and intermediate upright posts, yokes intermediately pivotally mounted on the upper ends of said posts, the ends of each yoke being secured to the under-surface of an inner end portion of a table section, the upper end portion of each arm of each U-shaped member of the carriage having pivotally connected thereto an end portion of a stud red, the other end portion of each stub rod being secured to the under surface of an inner end portion of a bench structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 743,142 Brown Nov. 3, 1903 801,658 Fuller Oct. 10, 1905 1,655,516 Simpson Jan. 10, 1928 2 ,685,487 Weller Aug. 3, 1954 2,708,961 Mugler May 24, 1955 Nimmo' Oct. 29, 1957

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