US3191991A

US3191991A - Table and bench assembly

Info

Publication number: US3191991A
Application number: US308215A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arne H Anderson; Joseph E Wachtel
Original assignee: Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: HAMILTON INDUSTRIES Inc; Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1963-09-11
Filing date: 1963-09-11
Publication date: 1965-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-29

Description

June 29, 1965 A. H. ANDERSON ETAL 3,191,991

TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 1l, 1965 WVM/MA@ 'INVENTORS Qrnehmersom BY JQv/vlacfel, MfL/W f June 29, 1965 A. H. ANDERSON ETAL 3,191,991

TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l1, 1965 aww Ln ,Q um wm mw w@ Q Nw I -|l-|\ m n uw 1;.- um

1N VENTORS. Qrne/{Qndemom June 29, 1965 A. H. ANDERSON ETAL 3,191,991

TABL AND BENCH ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 11, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VENTRS. (2nde Qrneff United States Patent O Company, Two Rivers, Wis., a corporation ofl Wisconsin Filed Sept. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 308,215 -7 Claims. (Cl. 297-159) This invention relates generally to table and bench assemblies, and more particularly to a table and bench assembly which may be folded. An object of the present invention is to prov-ide a novel folding assembly of a table and bench, which will fold into a relatively compact assembly for easy transport and storage.

' Another object is to provide a table and bench assembly of the foregoing character, which may be readily moved manually between open and closed positions. p

Still another object is to provide a novel transversely folding table and bench assembly wherein, when the assembly is in folded condition, the bench sections are disposed in substantially the same vertical planes as and in substantial horizontal alignment with the corresponding table top sections.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying gures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of a table and bench assembly embodying the invention; Y FIG. 2 is an end elevational View of the assembly shown in FIG. l; A

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 and taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of FIG. l;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with the assembly in the completely folded position;

FIG. 8 is a viewrsimilar to FIG. 7 but with some parts broken away to show underlying parts;

. FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of an open position locking mechanism of the assembly; and

FIG. 10 is another View of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 9, but taken from a different angle. Generally, a table and bench assembly embodying the invention may comprise a unitaryrsupporting structure with a pair of table top sections and two pairs of bench sections removably secured thereto. The unitary supporting structure is arranged to support the table top sections in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position and to support the bench sections in pairs at the respective sides of the table top sections, the bench sections of each pair"also being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relationwhenY the assembly is in open position. When the assembly is in folded or closed position, the table top sections are vertically disposed in parallel planes, and the bench sections are positioned in substantially the same planes with the table top sections and at the same height as the table top sections, the bench sec- Y tions and the table top sections being of substantially ythe ICC 128,034, tiled July 31, 1961, and the U.S. patent application in the name of Roy E. Kanitz, Serial No. 151,305, led November 9, 1961, now Patent No. 3,112,954. It is completely operative in and of itself and does not require the table top sections and the bench sections to secure its parts together in operative relation. Thus, table top and bench sections of different surface linishes or different colors may be readily mounted on the unitary supporting structure, and in case of damage to a table top or bench section, it maybe readily replaced without disturbing the operative parts of the assembly.

' The unitary supporting structure includes a pair of table top supporting means, one for each table top section and each comprising a pair of elongated aprons to which a4 tabletop section is removably secured. The unitary supporting structure also includes` two pairs of bench supporting means, one for each bench section andeach comprising a pair of elongated aprons to which a bench section is removably secured. The pair of table top supporting means Vare positioned in Yhorizontal end-to-end relation and the bench supporting means of each pair are similarly positioned, in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position. i

The unitary supporting structure further includes a pair of end leg supports and a center leg support. Each end leg support is pivotally connected to the outer ends lof one of the bench supporting means of each pair, and the center leg support is pivotally connected to the pair of table top supporting meansY at their adjacent ends. A pair of rails are provided which are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the table top supporting means and to the end leg supports, and a pair of slide means are pivotally connected to the two pairs of bench supporting means at their adjacent ends and are slidably connected to the center leg support. The rails and the slide means are operable to lower the outer ends of the table top sections and to'raise the adjacent ends of the bench sections as the assembly is moved to its closed position, so that the bench sections will be in substantially the same planes and at substantially the same height as the table top sections when the assembly is in folded position. A pair of stretcher bars are located below each pair of bench supporting means in parallel relation thereto and are pivotally connected to the respective end leg supports and to one of said slide means. Equalizing means lis also ,provided for holding the center leg support in a vertical position, counterbalancing means is included to counterbalance the weight of assembly as itis moved toward `open position and to assist in moving the assembly toward closed position, and locking means is provided to lock the assembly in its open position. l

To describe the assembly in detail, the assembly includes a unitary supporting structure comprising twoend leg supportstl and 12 and a center leg support 13. Each end leg support (FIGS. 1 and-2)'comprises a horizontal-cross bar 14, a bench supporting member 16 se- Vcured as by welding to the upper surface'of the cross bar 14, a table supporting member 17, and a pair of bench uprights 18. The ends of each cross bar 14 arebentto extend lengthwise Aof and toward the end of the table. The lowerend of each bench upright 18 is also bent to extend lengthwise of and toward the end of the table and is secured as by welding in lsid-e-by-side relationship to the bent ends of the cross bar 14, each pair ofends receivingcasters 19,so that the casters at one end of the assembly are spaced a substantialdistance from4 those at the otherrend .of the assembly when in closed position to provide'stability. `Each bench supporting member 16 is generally U-shaped and each of it-s arms is bent upwardly and outwardly toward the adjacent corner of the assembly and also toward the upper end of the adjacent bench upright 18. The upper end of each bench upright 18 and the adjacent arm of the bench supporting member 16 are secured as by welding to a tubular bench pivot member 21 which extends laterally of the assembly (FIGS. 2 and 6). The table supporting member 17 of each end leg support is `shaped as an inverted U and the lower end of each of its arms is secured as by welding to the upper surface of the bench supporting member 16.

The center leg support 13 (FIGS. 1 and 3) comprises a pair of laterally spaced table uprights 23, which slant upwardly and inwardly from their lower ends and then are bent to extend vertically upward. A lower cross brace 24 connects the lower ends of the uprights 23 and an upper cross brace 26 connects the vertical portions of the uprights 23. A tubular cap member 28 is slipped over the upper end of each table upright 23 and is secured thereto by a bolt 29. The upper end of each cap member 28 is flattened (FIG. 3), and a longitudinally extending bar 30 is secured as by welding to the outer surface of each cap member 28 at its upper flattened end.

Attached to and upstanding from the outer end of the lower cross brace 24 are a pair of bench uprights 31 of a length substantially equal to the length of the bench uprights 18 of the end leg supports and the casters 19. The lower ends of the bench uprights 31 may be provided with Hoor-engaging rubber or plastic caps 32.

The unitary supporting structure yfurther includes a pair of table top supporting means positioned in end-toend relation when the assembly is in open position. In the present instance each table top supporting means comprises a pair of laterally spaced elongated aprons 36 in the form of angles. The adjacent ends of the aprons 36 are pivotally secured to the opposite ends of the bars 30 of the center leg support 13 by pins 37 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 8). The outer ends of the two pairs of aprons 36 are pivotally connected to the end leg supports 11 and 12 by two rails 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2). 'Each rail 38 comprises a laterally extending channel member 39 which is positioned between a pair of the aprons 36, and an arm 41 secured as by welding to each end of the channel member 39. A hole is formed in each end of each arm 41. and pins 42 pivotally connect one end of each arm 41 to an apron 36 and other pins 43 pivotally connect the other end of each arm 41 to a table supporting member 17. As shown in FIG. 1, the arms 41 lslant upwardly and toward the center of the table from the pins 43 when the assembly is in open position. y

The unitary supporting structure also includes two pairs of bench supporting means, the supporting members of each pair being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in the open position. Each bench supporting means comprises two bench aprons 46 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6) which are pivotally connected to the end leg supports 11 and 12. The pivotal mounting means at each end leg support includes a pivot bracket 47 (FIGS. 4 and 6) secured to each bench apron 46 adjacent the tubular bench pivot members 21, the brackets 47 forming sockets around the ends of each member 21. Pins 48, which may be rivets, extend through holes formed in the aprons 46 and in the brackets 47 and through the tubular pivot members 21, thereby pivotally connecting the bench aprons 46 to the end leg supports 11 and 12.

The inner ends of the bench aprons 46 are slidably connected to the center leg support 13 by means comprising a bracket 51 (FIGS. l, 3 and 4) -that is pivotally secured to the aprons 46 at both ends of the bracket 51 by pins 52. A channel shaped member 53, having a circular hole formed in it is secured to the underside of each bracket 51, and a tubular slide member 54 is positioned within the hole in each member 53 and is secured to the underside of each bracket 51 and to each member 53. Each tubular slide member 54 ts over one of the bench uprights 31 in telescoping relation, and these slide members 54 have a length substantially equal to the length of the bench uprights 18 of the end leg supports, and the bench aprons 46 are horizontal when the slide members 54 and the bench uprights 31 of the center leg support are in fully telescoped relation.

The end leg supports 11 and 12 and the center leg support 13 are further interconnected by two pairs of stretcher bars 56. The inner end of each stretcher bar 56 is pivotally connected as by pins to one end of a pair of straps 58 which are positioned around and are secured as by welding to one of the slide members 54 intermediate its ends. The outer end of each stretcher bar 56 is pivotally connected by a pin 59 to a generally U-shaped hinge bracket 61, one bracket 61 being secured as by welding to each bench upright 18 of the end leg supports, and each stretcher bar 56 extending between the arms of one of the brackets 61.

To maintain the center leg support 13 in a vertical position during opening and closing movements of the assembly, equalizing means in the form of two pairs of links 62 is provided. One end of the links 62 of each pair is pivotally connected to opposite ends of a channel shaped bracket 63 by pins 64 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 7). Each bracket 63 is secured as by welding to the lower cross brace 24 of the center leg support adjacent an end of the crossbrace 24. The brackets 63 are positioned at the underside of the cross brace 24, each bracket 63 having an arcuate cutout to fit the cross brace 24. From the bracket 63, the links 62 slant upwardly and longitudinally toward the adjacent end of the assembly, and the upper end of each link 62 is secured as by Welding to a tubular pivot member 66 (FIGS. l and 4). The members 66 extend laterally of the assembly between the bench aprons 46 of each pair and are pivotally connected thereto by pins 67. Pivot brackets similar to the brackets 47 may be provided at the ends of the pivot members 66.

A latch mechanism 71 (FIGS. 3, 9 and 10) is further provided to hold the assembly in its open position. This mechanism includes a pawl 72 pivotally mounted on one of the slide members 54 adjacent the lower end thereof and a strike 73 secured to one of the bench uprights 31 adjacent the pawl 72 when the uprights 31 are telescoped within the slide members 54. The pawl 72 is pivotally mounted by a pin 76 between .a pair of pivot brackets 74 secured as by welding to the slide members 54, and a torsion spring 77 is wound around the pin 76 and its ends engage the pawl 72 and the brackets 74 in such a manner as to urge the lower end of the pawl 72 inwardly into engagement with the strike 73. As shown in FIG. 9, the pawl 72 is oiset sidewise at 73 just below the brackets 74, the offset being toward the side having the torsion spring 77 to make it easier for the spring 77 to hook onto the pawl 72. In the open position of the assembly in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, the pawl engages the underside of the strike 73 when the assembly is to be locked open and prevents the

telescoping members

31 and 54 from moving relative to each other. To move the assembly to the closed position, the pawl 72 is pivoted out of engagement with the strike 73 which permits the slide members 54 to move upwardly. The outer wall of the strike 73, which is engaged by the pawl 72, is preferably' sloped so that the pawl 72 may slide outwardly on the sloped wall and automati- 'cally engage the strike 73 when the assembly is moved to its open position.

Counterbalancing means in the form of two coiled compression springs 81 (FIGS. 7 and 10) may be also provided. Each compression spring 81 is positioned within one of the tubular bench uprights 31 and slide members 54 of the center leg support 13, with its upper end abutting the bracket 51 secured to the slide member 54 and its lower end abutting the upper surface of a dowel 83. The dowel 83 rests on the end wall 82 of the associated upright 31. Also, the cap 32 on the lower end of each upright 31 may have a center projection 84 which extends upwardly through a hole in the end wall 82 and into a cavity 86 formed in the lower end of each dowel 83. The compression springs 81 assist in moving the assembly to the closed position and they vcounter-balance the weight of the assembly when it moves to the open position.

Since the assembly previously described is a complete unit and is self supporting, independently of the table top and bench sections, the top and bench sections may be provided in Ia variety :of surface finishes and colors and may be easily replaced. The assembly includes a pair of top sections 87 which are mounted on the table aprons 36. The sections 87 may be secured to the aprons 36 by a plurality of screws which extend through holes formed in the aprons 36 and into the underside of the table top sections 87. Two pairs of bench sections 88 are also provided which may be mounted on the bench aprons 46 in a similar fashion. j When the assembly is in the open position, the table top sections S7 are in end-to-end horizontal alignment and their adjacent ends are spaced a short distance apart. As the assembly is moved from the open position sho-wn in FIG. 1 to the closed position shown inFIGS. 7 and 8,V

the slide members 54 of the center leg support move upwardly relative to the bench uprights 31 due to the action of the four links 62. The slide members and the uprights remain vertical and .the brackets 51 remain horizontal as they rise to the level of the brackets 30.

As the assembly is closed, the rails 38 rotate around the pin 43 through an angle of approximately 180, fromV the position shown in FIG. l to the position shown in FIG. 8, which rotation causes the outer ends ofthe table aprons 36 to move downwardly and inwardly. Since the inner ends of the bench aprons 46 move upwardly relative to the adjacent ends of the table aprons 36 and the outer ends of the table aprons 36 move downwardly relative to the adjacent ends of the bench .aprons 46, the table aprons and the bench aprons are at the same level when the assembly is in the closed or folded position (FIG. 7). Conversely, when the assembly is moved to the open position the rails 38 rotate in the other directioncausing the table aprons to rise to a higher level thanthe bench aprons 46.

`An angle-shaped stop 91 (FIGS. l, 4 and 8) is secured to the underside of each of the table aprons 36 adjacent the inner edges of the arms 41 in order to limit the rotational movement of the rails 38 when the assembly is being moved t-o the closed position. The stops 91 are positioned to engage the edges .of the arms 41 and prevent further yrotation of the rails 38 after vertical alignment of the table laprons 36 and the bench apron 46 is attained. Additional stops 92 (FIGS. 1 and 8) are secured to the table aprons 36 adjacent the outer edges of the arms 41 to prevent further rotation of the rails 38 after the assembly has been moved to the open position. Each of the stops 92 has an inwardly projecting leg 93 which engages the outer edge of the adjacent arm 41 when the 41 extends generally upwardly (FIGS. 1 and 2) and the assembly is in the open position.

It desired, the height of the table top sections may be made adjustable. This may be accomplished by providing additional holes in the table supporting members 17 of the end leg supports 11 and 12, and additional holes in the table uprights 23 lof the center leg support 13, these additional holes also being adapted to receive the

pins

29 and 43.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a novel and useful folding table and bench assembly has been provided. The supporting structure for the table top and bench sections is completely self supporting so that damaged sections may be easily replaced. When the assembly is in the open position, the table top-sections are in horizontal alignment and the bench sections are in horizontal alignment and spaced downwardly from the table top sections. The rails 38 at the ends of the assembly have a rugged construction, and when the assembly is open, the arms 41 of the rails 38 slant upwardly and toward the center of the assembly and engage the stops V92. Due to the slant of the arms 41, a downward force on the table top sections 87 holds the assembly in its open position because the axis of the pins 42 is offset inwardly from the axis of the pins 43. When the assembly is inthe closed position, each table top section is in substantially the same vertical plane and at the same height as the adjacent bench sections. A durable and completely enclosed counterbalancing means is also provided to make the assembly easily movable between the open and closed positions, and a latch structure enables the assembly to be locked in the open position. Further, the end and center leg supports and the equalizing means of the assembly are simply and ruggedly constructed.

We claim:

1. A folding table and bench assembly operable between open and closed positions, comprising a pair of table top sections positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position, two pairs of bench sections, the sections of each pair of bench sections being positioned in horizontal end-toend relation below and at one side of said table top sections when the assembly is in operi position, a pair of end leg supports, means pivotally connecting each end leg support to one bench section of each pair, a center leg support, pivotally connected to each of said table top sections at their adjacent ends, means connecting said center leg supportto each of said bench sections and adapted to raise theadjacent ends of said bench sections relative lto the adjacent ends of said table top sections when the Aassembly is moved to its closed position, and a pair of means each connecting one of said end leg supports to one of said table top sections and adapted to lower the remote ends of said table top sections relative to the remote ends of said bench sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position,-said pair of means each comprising a'rail pivotally connected to a table top section and pivotally connected to an end leg support, each of said rails rotating between different positions upon opening and closing movements of said assembly, each of said rails slanting upwardly and towardthe center of the assembly from its associated end leg support when the assembly is in the open position.

2. A folding table and bench assembly operable between open and closed positions, comprising a pair of table top sections positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position, two pairs of bench sections, the sections of each pair of bench sections being positioned Vin horizontal end-to-end relation below and at one side of said table top sections when'the assembly is in open position, a pair of end leg supports, means pivotally connecting each end leg support to one bench section of each pair, a center leg support, said center leg support being pivotally connected to each of table top sections at their adjacent ends, means connecting said center leg support to each of said bench sections and adapted to raise the adjacent ends of said bench sections relative to the adjacent ends of said table top sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position, and a pair of means each connecting one of said end leg supports to one of said table top sections and adapted to lower the remote ends of said table top sections relative to the remote ends of said bench sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position, said pair of means each comprising a rail pivotally connected to a table top section and pivotally connected to an end leg support, each of said rails rotating between diiferent positions upon opening and closing movements of said assembly, the pivotal connection of said each of rails to one of said table top sections being spaced longitudinally of said assembly toward the center of said assembly from the pivotal connection to the adjacent end leg support when the assembly is in the open position.

3.` A folding table and bench assembly operable between open and closed positions, comprising a pair of table top sections positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position, two pairs of bench sections, the sections of each pair of bench sections being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation below and at one side of said table top sections when the assembly is in open position, a pair of end leg supports, means pivotally connecting each end leg support to one bench section of each pair, a center leg support, said center leg support being pivotally connected to each of table top sections at their adjacent ends, means connecting said center leg support to each of said bench sections and adapted to raise the adjacent ends of said bench sections relative to the adjacent ends of said table top sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position, and a pair of means each connecting one of said end leg supports to one of said table top sections and adapted to lower the remote ends of said table top sections relative to the remote ends of said bench sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position, said pair of means each comprising a rail pivotally connected to an end leg support, each of said rails rotating between different positions upon opening and closing movements of said assembly, each of said rails comprising a pair of laterally spaced arms, and a laterally extending member securing said arms together, each of said arms being pivotally connected adjacent one end to an end leg support and pivotally connected adjacent its other end to a table top section.

4. A folding table and bench assembly as in claim 3, wherein said laterally extending members are secured to said arms adjacent .their pivotal connection with said table top sections.

5. A folding table and bench assembly operable between open and closed positions, comprising a pair of table top sections positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is in open position, two pairs oi bench sections, the sections of each pair of bench sections being positioned in horizontal end-to-end relation below and at one side of said table top sections when the assembly is in open position, a pair of end leg supports, means pivotally connecting each end leg support to one bench section of each pair, a center leg support, said center leg support being pivotally connected to each of said table top sections at their adjacent ends, means connecting said center leg support 4to each of said bench sections and adapted to raise the adjacent ends of said bench sections relative to the adjacent ends of said table top sections when the assembly is moved to its closed position, and a pair of means each connecting one of said end leg supports to one of said table top sections and adapted to lower the remote ends of said table top sections relative to the remote ends of said bench sections when the assembly is Amoved to its closed position, said pair of means each comprising a rail pivotally connected to a table top section and pivotally connected to an end leg support, each of said rails rot-ating between different positions upon opening and closing movements of said assembly, each of said end leg supports comprising an inverted generally U-shafped member, each of said rails comprising a pair of laterally spaced arms which are pivotally connected to the associated table top section and to said U-shaped member of the associated end leg support adjacent the top of said member and on the outer sides of said member, and means extending laterally of said assembly and connecting said spaced arms together adjacent said associated table -top section.

6. A folding table and bench assembly as in claim 5, wherein each of said end leg supports further comprises a latenally extending lower member, a laterally extending upper member secured to the upper surface of said l-owcr member, each end of said upper member extending upwardly, a pair of bench uprights each secured at its lower end to one end of said lower member land said means pivotally connecting said end leg supports to said bench sections bein-g connected to the upper ends of said upper member and to the upper ends of said uprights, and said U-shaped member of each end leg support `being secured to and extending upwardly from said upper member.

7. A folding table and bench assembly as in claim 6, wherein the lower ends of said bench uprights and the ends of said lower member are bent to extend longitudinally toward the adjacent end of the assembly in side-by-side relation, and casters a-re secured to the bent ends of said uprights and said lower member.

References CitezI by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,562,046 -7/51 Krantz 108-115 X y2,747,958 `5/56 Wilson 10S-113 l2,878,859 Y3/59 Howe et al 297-159 A2,909,399* l0/59 Wasson et al 108-37 3,034,842 "5/62 Mugler 10S-113 3,055,705 9/ 62 Wilson 297-159 3,101,064 8/63 Kanzel-berger et al 108--113 3,112,954 12/63 Kanitz 297--159 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner.

Claims

1. A FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH ASSEMBLY OPERABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, COMPRISING A PAIR OF TABLE TOP SECTIONS POSITIONED IN HORIZONTAL END-TO-END RELATION WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS IN OPEN POSITION, TWO PAIRS OF BENCH SECTIONS, THE SECTIONS OF EACH PAIR OF BENCH SECTIONS BEING POSITIONED IN HORIZONTAL END-TO-END RELATION BELOW AND AT ONE SIDE OF SAID TABLE TOP SECTIONS WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS IN OPEN POSITION, A PAIR OF END LEG SUPPORTS, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING EACH END LEG SUPPORT TO ONE BENCH SECTION OF EACH PAIR, A CENTER LEG SUPPORT, PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID TABLE TOP SECTIONS AT THEIR ADJACENT ENDS, MEANS CONNECTING SAID CENTER LEG SUPPORT TO EACH OF SAID BENCH SECTIONS AND ADAPTED TO RAISE THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID BENCH SECTIONS RELATIVE TO THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID TABLE TOP SECTIONS WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS MOVED TO ITS CLOSED POSITION, AND A PAIR OF MEANS EACH CONNECTING ONE OF SAID END LEG SUPPORTS TO ONE OF SAID TABLE TOP SECTIONS AND ADAPTED TO LOWER THE REMOTE ENDS OF SAID TABLE TOP SECTIONS RELATIVE TO THE REMOTE ENDS OF SAID BENCH SECTIONS WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS MOVED TO ITS CLOSED POSITION, SAID PAIR OF MEANS EACH COMPRISING A RAIL PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO A TABLE TOP SECTION AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO AN END LEG SUPPORT, EACH OF SAID RAILS ROTATING BETWEEN DIFFERENT POSITIONS UPON OPENING AND CLOSING MOVEMENTS OF SAID ASSEMBLY, EACH OF SAID RAILS SLANTING UPWARDLY AND TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE ASSEMBLY FROM ITS ASSOCIATED END LEG SUPPORT WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS IN THE OPEN POSITION.