US2024431A - Card table - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17,1935. G. F. CORDUAN 2,024,431

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Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 17 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tables, and more especially to improvements in the type of small folding table particularly adapted for use as a card table, although the table may be used for other purposes.

Briefly described, the table comprises a suitable top and a metallic supporting frame comprising legs which are pivoted to the frame to swing inwardly diagonally of the table, so as to lie in superposed relation closely adjacent the under side of the table top. Improved means are provided whereby when any one of the legs is swung inwardly to folded position the other legs will be automatically folded inwardly in a similar manner. The same means functions so that when any one of the legs is swung outwardly to its normal table-supporting position, the other legs will be automatically swung outwardly and all of the legs are simultaneously locked in this normal position by a single automatically engaging latch. Improved means are provided for properly timing the swinging movements of the respective legs so that they will fold over one another to form a compact assembly without mutually interfering with one another.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved folding table of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow.

Another object is to provide a folding table, composed mostly of metallic parts, that is strong and rigid, of light weight, easy to operate, and economical to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a table which is for the most part symmetrical about its own center, and composed of a plurality of duplicate or interchangeable parts, whereby the number of patterns is reduced and the cost of manufacture is minimized.

Another object is to provide improved means for causing simultaneous and similar movements of all of the legs whenever any one leg is moved from folded to unfolded position or vice versa.

Another object is to provide improved means for simultaneously locking all of the legs in normal extended or unfolded position.

Another object is to provide an improved form of channeled guides for the leg-moving mechanism, said guides also serving as bracing beams for giving rigidity to the top-supporting frame and assisting in supporting the table top.

Another object is to provide improved means for causing the legs to fold or unfold in properly timed relation so that the movements of the respective legs will not interfere with one another and the legs will form a compact assembly when folded.

Another object is to provide improved means for giving lateral support to the legs when in unfolded or extended position.

Another object is to provide improved means for securing the table top to the supporting frame work.

Another object is to provide an improved supporting frame assembly. I

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved construction of-table built according to the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the table when in position for use with the legs extended or unfolded.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table with 20 the legs folded. Fig. 3 is a similar bottom plan view of the table with the legs unfolded as in Fig. I, the legs being shown in horizontal section.

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing 5 two successive positions, of the legs in the process of being folded to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section, on a larger scale, taken substantially on the line 6-45 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a similar vertical detail section taken substantially on the line 'l'! of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line 89 of Fig.3.

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 3.

The table comprises in general a top A, a topsupporting frame including downwardly extending side frame members B and similar corner frame members 0, which support the edge portions of the table top, and corner pieces D which underlie and support the corner portions of the top, channeled guide beams E which connect the corner pieces D with a fixed center plate F, a plurality of foldable legs G, and a mechanism indicated generally at H for simultaneously moving the legs to or from folded position, and for locking the legs in extended or unfolded position. All of the parts, with the exception of the top A, are preferably made of metallic stampings or castings, or are pressed from sheet metal. It might be well to state at this pointv that each of the legs G is rigid throughout its length, but 5s is pivotally attached at its upper end to the supporting frame for the table top so that it may be swung inwardly to a position substantially parallel with and closely adjacent to the under face of the table top. In the description which follows, this will be referred to as the folded position of the legs, whereas the legs will be referred to as unfolded when they are extended to normal supporting position at right angles to the table top.

The top A is of generally rectangular form with rounded corners, and may be formed of any suitable materials. As here shown, the top comprises a substantially rigid supporting plate I, a superposed layer of padding material 2, and a sheet 3 of suitable ornamental fabric or other flexible material which forms the exposed upper surface of the table top. The edge portions of the sheet 3 are folded under and glued or otherwise secured to the under surface of the plate I so as to hold the assembly together. In the form here shown, the plate I is formed of a thin sheet of wood, but metal, fibre board or other materials could be used, the lighter materials being desirable in order to reduce the weight of the table. 1

The side frame members B and corner frame members C have the same general vertical cross section throughout the greater portion of their length (except as hereinafter specified), this cross section being best shown in Fig. 9. Each of these frame members comprises an inwardly extending horizontal flange 4 which underlies and supports the edge portion of the top A, an outwardly and upwardly extending rib 5 which protects the edge of the table top, a downwardly extending vertical flange portion 6, and a bottom partially cylindrical hollow rib portion I. The rounded rib 1 provides a protecting surface to avoid injury to the hands or other portions of the body, and the ribs 5 and I strengthen and stiffen the frame members in an obvious manner. It will be understood that this cross-sectional configuration of the frame members could be varied considerably for ornamental purposes without changing the operating principles of the table. The depth of these frame members will be sufficient to provide the requisite strength, and also will preferably be sufficient to house the legs and other members when folded beneath the table, and protect these parts when the table is stacked with similar tables or with other objects. The side frame members B are straight throughout their length, whereas the corner members C are curved to fit the rounded corners of the table.

The corner pieces D are metal plates of generally triangular form with the outer corner rounded to conform to the shape of the table top and corner frames C. The plates D are preferably stamped with corrugations, as indicated generally at 8, to increase their strength and rigidity, and the two inner corner portions are flanged or rolled over, as indicated at 9, for the same purpose. The portions of the horizontal flanges 4 of the frame members B and C which overlie the corner pieces D are spot-welded or otherwise secured thereto, and the corner pieces provided with downwardly extending vertical tongues I B to which the abutting end portions of the frame members B and C are spot welded. Preferably one of the tongues III is formed with an extension I I which fits into a notch I2 formed in rib I of the corner frame member C, thus providing a means for properly centering the 'members C on the corner pieces D when the frame work is assembled. With the corner frames C properly positioned on the corner pieces D, the side frames B can be assembled in abutting end relation to the corner frames C and then welded to the corner pieces D and tongues E9.

The channeled guide beams E extend diagonally inward from the respective corners of the table toward the center thereof. These guide beams are all alike and a description of one will suifice for all. The outer end portion of the beam E is of open channel form comprising a horizontal top portion I3 which is spot-welded to the lower surface of corner piece D, and downwardly extending parallel flanges I 4 between which the upper end of the leg G is pivoted, as hereinafter described. The center-plate F comprises a central upwardly extending cylindrical sleeve or flange I5 (which is centered substantially be-- neath the-center of the table top), and an outwardly extending horizontal annular portion having flat portions I6 which are secured to the beams E. Between the flat portions IS the annular portion of the plate F may be depressed or corrugated in any desired manner to stiffen the plate, as indicated at IT.

The intermediate portion of the beam E is formed into a partially closed channel to confine and form a slideway for the slide I9, hereinafter described. The side flanges I4 of the channel are bent inwardly toward one another, as indicated at 20 (Fig. 8) so as to confine the slide I9 and engage the lower surface of the side flanges thereof. The intermediate portion of the top plate I3 of the guide beam is formed with a downwardly extending longitudinal rib 2|, this ribi engaging the upper surface of the slide I9 with substantially a line contact. This decreases the frictional resistance to the sliding movement of the slide member. Also when paint is applied within the slide-way, the slide might be caused to stick or bind if the guide-way was so formed as to engage closely about all portions of the slide. The free spaces permitted at the two sides of the rib 2| give increased freedom to the slide and tend to prevent binding. Furthermore, the rib 2| increases the strength and stiffness of the beam E. Adjacent the inner end of beam E the rib 2| is widened and extended downwardly at I8 to form a flat portion which is welded to the flat surface I6 on center plate F.

The parts B, C, D, E and F, as thus far described, constitute a rigid metallic supporting frame to which the top A is attached in any suitable manner. As here shown, split rivets 22 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 9) extend downwardly through the plate I of the table top and through suitable openings formed in the flanges 4 of the side frames B and C, and. through the corner pieces D and beams E. The beams E serve not only as slide-ways for the leg-controlling mechanism, as hereinafter described, but also serve as cross braces for stiffening the top-supporting frame, and also serve as support for the central portion of the table top.

Each leg is formed of sheet metal, the upper portion of the leg being in the form of an inwardly opening channel consisting of an outwardly facing web 24 and inwardly extending parallel side flanges 25. The upper end of this channeled portion is hinged by means of pintlepin 26 between the side flanges I4 of the outer channeled portion of beam E. The open channeled portion of the leg extends downwardly a sufilcient distance to permit the struts 21 to be tially in line with the edge of the table.

hinged, between the side flanges 25, and. below this pivotal'connection for the struts. the side flanges are folded inwardly into abutting engagement,

as indicated at 25 (Fig. 4) so as. to form ahollow tubular leg. A sheet metal foot or cap member 28 is secured to the lower end of the leg. The outer surface of the leg may be stamped or corrugated, as indicated at 29, to give any desired ornamental configuration thereto. The upper end portion of the leg is curved inwardly and upwardly, as best shown in Fig. 7, so that the pivotal attachment 2% for the upper end of the. leg may be positioned inwardly considerably from the edge of the table, whereas the main lower portion of the leg extends vertically downward substan- By giving the leg this curved form, it will overlie the leg-operating mechanism, hereinafter described, when in the folded position shown in Fig. 2, and will form a compact assembly.

A pair of inwardly projecting fingers 30 are provided on the lower portion of each frame member C so as to engage about the sides of the legs when unfolded or extended, as shown in Fig. '7, thus providing lateral supports for the leg at a point considerably below its pivotal connection 26. This tends to stifien the leg and prevents side-play thereof. It will be apparent that the leg swings into the notch between these fingers 39 when moved to unfolded or normal tablesupporting position.

The slide I9 is in the form of a small generally oblong plate shaped to fit slidably between the inturned flanges 29 and the rib 2i of the guide E. A downwardly extending ear 3! is formed on the outer end of the slide, and the two struts 2'! are pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite sides of ear Si by means of a rivet or pin 32. The struts 2'1 diverge downwardly and outwardly and are respectively pivoted at their lowerends to the side flanges 25 of the leg G by rivets or pins 33. It will be apparent that as the leg G is folded inwardly, the struts 2'! will cause the slide iii to move along the slide-way E toward the center of the table. Conversely, if the slide is is forced outwardly the struts 2'! will swing the leg G to its unfolded position. The outer end of a link 34 is pivotally secured by rivet 35 to the slide member 19, the member is being stamped outwardly at 35 to provide room for the upper head of the pivot pin or rivet 55.

A plate 31 for causing simultaneous operation of the several legs is rotatably mounted on the fixed center plate F. This plate 37 has a central upwardly projecting cylindrical sleeve 38 which fits rotatably within the sleeve H of plate F and is formed at its upper end with a plurality of out-turned fingers 39 which engage over the upper edge of sleeve I? to hold the plate 3? to the fixed plate F without interfering with the rotary movement of plate 37. The main, substantially horizontal, outwardly flaring portion of plate 3? is stiffened by a plurality of suitable corrugations, as indicated at 3?. Suitable flat portions 3?" are provided to facilitate the pivotal connection of the links 36 thereto. The links 34 are all of substantially the sat. e length (in the form here shown), and the inner ends of two of the diametrically opposed links are directly pivoted to the plate 3'! at the points it so that the links will be positioned at a small angle to the beams E (and the vertical plane of swinging movement of the legs (3,) these angles both being substantially equal and both measured in a counterclockwise direction from the beams E, as seen inv Fig. 3. The other diametrically Opposed pair of links 34 extendv at similar angles to the beams E with which they are associated, but instead of being pivoted directly to the plate 3?, they are pivotally connected at 4! to short link extensions 42. which are intermediately pivoted at 43 on plate 3?. Obviously the pivotal connections 63 are positioned closer to the central pivotal, axis of the plate 31 than the pivotal connection of the first mentioned pair of links 34. When the table is in erected position with the legs unfolded, as shown in Fig. 3, the link extensions d2 extend substantially in line with the links 34 to which they are attached, so as to practically form continuations of these links. Suitable steps 44 are punched out or otherwise formed in the plate 3i to limit the swinging movement of link extension 42.

It is, of course, desirable that the legs G fold into as compact an assembly as possible, and that the movements of any one leg shall not interfere with the movements of the other legs. For this reason, the legs of each diametrically opposite pair fold down alongside one another, as indicated in Fig. 2. In order to best accomplish this the guide beams E extending from diagonally opposite corners are not positioned directly in line with one another, but each extends from its corner piece D to the center plate F at a small angle to the diagonal of the table so as to directly underlie the folded position of the corresponding leg'G. Since the upper end of the leg G is pivoted directly between the flanges of the beam E, it will automatically swing down in the proper direction, and there will be no binding of the slide mechanism. Of course the outer ends of the beams E might be made shorter and the legs G might be pivoted to the supporting frame by other means, but by pivoting each leg directly between the side flanges of the corresponding channel beam E, a proper alignment of these parts is automatically provided. It will further be noted that one pair of legs must swing down slightly in advance of the other pair of legs which are folded thereover and at right angles thereto, as shown in Fig. 2. As the plate 3'! is rotated, the pivotal connections 40 for one pair of opposed links 36 swing through a longer arc than the pivotal connections 43 of the other pair of legs so that the pair or" legs will swing down slightly in advance of the second pair and be positioned underneath the second pair. In order that the second pair of legs may swing completely down to folded position, the

composite links consisting of main links 34 and link extensions .2 will buckle at the pivotal connections M, as these legs approach their completely folded position, as shown in Fig. 5. The free end portions of the link extensions 42 engage certain of the stops as at the proper time to enforce this buckling action.

A locking mechanism, indicated generally at K, is adapted to releasab y lock the rotary plate 3'! to the fixed plate F'when the legs are in unfolded or table-supporting position, as shown in Fig. 3. This locking mechanism is best shown in Fig. 10. The latch member is intermediatelypivoted at 55 to the yoke which is welded or otherwise secured to the rotary plate 37. The

locking projection 38 ion ed on pivotal latch member e5 projects upwardly through an opening 19 in the rotary plate iii and is adapted to engage in a hole or opening iiil formed in the stationary plate F when the legs G have been moved to the unfolded or erected position, as

elf)

shown in Fig. 3. A torsion spring 5|, coiled about the pintle pin 46 and engaged at its respective ends with a portion of latch 45 and the yoke 41, automatically swings the latch to locking position. The latch may be unlocked by simply pressing on the finger piece 52 at the inner or free end of the latch member 45.

Assuming the table to be in the folded position shown in Fig. 2, in order to erect the table, it is merely necessary to take hold of any one of the legs G and swing it outwardly, that is away from the table top A. The movement of this leg will rotate the plate 31 and automatically swing the other three legs to unfolded position. When the legs have reached their fully unfolded or erected position, the locking member K will automatically lock the rotary plate 31 to the fixed plate F, thereby preventing return movement of this mechanism and holding the legs firmly in erected position. At the same time, each of the legs has swung into position between the fingers of the side frames so as to prevent lateral movement of the leg and relieve the side strain on its pivotal connection 26. When the table is to be again folded, it is merely necessary to depress the finger piece 52 of the locking mechanism K and push downwardly (that is toward the table top) on any one of the legs, whereupon all of the legs will swing automatically to closed or folded position, as shown in Fig. 2.

I claim:

1. In a table, a table top, a top-supporting fram'e comprising downwardly extending sideframe members, legs pivotally mounted on the frame, one adjacent each corner of the table, and adapted to fold diagonally inward beneath the table top, a fixed center-plate, channelled guide-beams positioned beneath the top and each secured at its outer end to one of the cornerpieces and secured at its inner end to the centerplate, each guide-beam extending parallel with the folded position of the adjacent leg, a slide member in each guide, struts pivotally connected with the slides and with the adjacent legs at points spaced downwardly from the upper pivoted ends of the legs, a plate mounted rotatably on the fixed center-plate, a plurality of similar links each being pivotally connected at its outer end to one of the slide members and pivotally connected at its inner end to the rotary plate at such locations that each link will extend laterally at an angle to the adjacent guide beam when the legs are in unfolded position, and a locking device adapted to releasably secure the rotary plate in fixed position when the legs are unfolded.

2. In a table, a table top, a top-supporting frame comprising downwardly extending sideframe members, legs pivotally mounted on the frame, one adjacent each corner of the table, and adapted to fold diagonally inward beneath the table top, a fixed center-plate, channelled guidebeams positioned beneath the top and each secured at its outer end to one of the cornerpieces and secured at its inner end to the centerplate, each guide-beam extending parallel with the folded position of the adjacent leg, a slide member in each guide, struts pivotally connected with the slides and with the adjacent legs at points spaced downwardly from the upper pivoted ends of the legs, a plate mounted rotatably on the fixed center-p ate, a plurality of similar links each being pivotally connected at its outer end to one of the slide-members and pivotally connected at its inner end to the rotary plate at such locations that each link will extend laterally at an angle to the adjacent guide beam when the legs are in unfolded position, and a locking device mounted on the rotary plate and adapted to releasably engage the fixed plate when the legs are in unfolded position.

3. In a table, a table top, a top-supporting frame comprising downwardly extending sideframe members, legs pivotally mounted on the frame, one adjacent each corner of the table, and adapted to fold diagonally inward beneath the table top, a fixed center-plate, channelled guidebeams positioned beneath the top and each secured at its outer end to one of the corner-pieces and secured at its inner end to the center-plate, each guide-beam extending parallel with the folded position of the adjacent leg, a slide member in each guide, struts pivotally connected with the slides and with the adjacent legs at points spaced downwardly from the upper pivoted ends of the legs, a plate mounted rotatably on the fixed center-plate, a plurality of similar links each being pivotally connected at its outer end to one of the slide members and pivotally connected at its inner end to the rotary plate at such locations that each link will extend laterally at an angle 1 to the adjacent guide beam when the legs are in unfolded position, a locking device adapted to releasably secure the rotary plate in fixed position when the legs are unfolded, the links for one opposed pair of legs being pivotally connected with the rotary plate at points positioned closer to the pivotal axis of the plate than the connections for the other pair of links whereby the first mentioned legs will swing inward more slowly and will overlie the second pair of legs when folded, said first mentioned pair of links comprising pivotally connected sections whereby these links may buckle when the legs are folded to permit further inward movement of the outer pair of legs.

4. In a table, a table top, a metallic top-supporting frame including downwardly extending side frames supporting the edge portions of the top, corner-pieces connecting the side frame members beneath the corner portions of the top,

channelled guide-beams secured to the cornerpieces and extending diagonally inward beneath the top, a member secured to and connecting the inner ends of the guides, beneath the central portion of the table-top, slides movable in the guides, legs pivotally mounted on the frame, one adjacent each corner of the table, and a strut pivotally connecting each leg with the adjacent slide.

5. In a table, a table top, a metallic top-supporting frame including downwardly extending side frames supporting the edge portions of the top, corner-pieces connecting the side frame members beneath the corner portions of the top,

channelled guide-beams secured to the corner- 6. In a table, a table top, a metallic top-supporting frame including downwardly extending side frames supporting the edge portions of the top, corner-pieces connecting the side frame members beneath the corner portions of the top,

channelled guide-beams secured to the cornerpieces and extending diagonally inward beneath the top, a member secured to and connecting the inner ends of the guides beneath the central portion of the table-top, slides movable in the guides, legs pivotally mounted on the frame, one adjacent each corner of the table, a strut pivotally connecting each leg with the adjacent slide, and means connected with the slides for causing simultaneous movement of all of the legs to or from extended or folded position whenever one of the legs is manually moved.

7. In a table, a table top, a metallic top-supporting frame including downwardly extending side frames supporting the edge portions of the top, corner-pieces connecting the side frame members beneath the corner portions of the top, channeled guide-beams secured to the cornerpieoes and extending diagonally inward beneath the top, a member secured to and connecting the inner ends of the guides beneath the central portion of the table-top, slides movable in the guides, legs pivotally mounted on the frame, one adjacent each corner of the table, a strut pivotally connecting each leg with the adjacent slide, and means connected with the slides for causing simultaneous movement of all of the legs to or from extended or folded position whenever one of the legs is manually moved, and for looking all of the legs in extended position.

8. In a folding table comprising a top and legs pivotally attached thereto, struts pivoted at one end to the legs, slide members pivoted to the other end of the struts, and channelled guide beams for the slide members, a guide beam formed of sheet metal folded to provide an open channel with side flanges extending inwardly at the open side of the channel to confine the slide member within the channel, the back of the channel opposite the open side being formed with a longitudinally extending inwardly projecting rib having sliding contact with the inner face of the slide member.

9. In a folding table, a channelled guide-beam mounted beneath the table-top, a leg pivotally mounted in one end portion of the channel-beam, a slide member movable within the channel, and a strut connecting the slide with an intermediate portion of the leg.

10. In a folding table, a metallic channel beam comprising a back member secured to the lower face of the table-top and downwardly extending side flanges, a leg pivotally mounted between the side flanges adjacent one end of the beam, the side flanges beyond the pivotal connection being folded inwardly to form a slideway with a downwardly opening slot, a slide mounted in the slideway and a strut connecting the slide with an intermediate portion of the leg.

11. In a folding table, a supporting means comprising a center-plate, a plate rotatably mounted on the center-plate, a plurality of channelled beams secured to the center plate and extending toward the respective corners of the table, a plurality of legs one pivotally mounted adjacent the outer end of each channel beam, a slide in each beam, a strut connecting the slide with the leg at the outer end of the beam, and means connecting the slides with the rotatable plate whereby the folding movement of any one leg will cause similar movements of the other legs.

12. In a folding table, a supporting means comprising a center-plate, a plate rotatably mounted on the center-plate, a plurality of channelled beams secured to the center plate and extending toward the respective corners, of the table, a plurality of legs one pivotally mounted adjacent the outer end of each channel beam, a slide in each beam, a strut connecting the slide with the leg at the outer end of the beam, means 5 connecting the slides with the rotatable plate whereby folding movement of any one leg will cause similar movements of the other legs, and means for locking the rotatable plate to the center plate when the legs are in normal unfolded position.

13. In a table, a table top, a metallic frame supporting the edge and corner portions of the top, channeled guide beams extending diagonally inward from the several corner portions of the frame, a member secured to and connecting the inner end portions of the guides beneath the central portion of the table-top, slides movable in the guides, legs pivotally mounted adjacent the outer ends of the beams, and a strut pivotally connecting each leg with the slide movable in. the adjacent beam.

14. In a table, a table top, a metallic frame supporting the edge and corner portions of the top, channeled guide beams extending diagonally inward from the several corner portions of the frame, a member secured to and connecting the inner end portions of the guides beneath the central portion of the table-top, slides movable in the guides, legs pivotally mounted adjacent the outer ends of the beams, a strut pivotally connecting each leg with the slide movable in the adjacent beam, and means cooperating with the slides to lock the legs in downwardly extended positions.

15. In a table, a table top, a metallic topsupporting frame including downwardly extending side and corner frames supporting the edge portions of the top, channeled guide beams each secured at its outer end to a corner portion of the frame and extending diagonally inward, a member secured to and connecting the inner end portions of the beams beneath the central portion of the table-top, each channel beam comprising a back member opposed to the lower sur- 5 face of the table top and downwardly extending side flanges, a leg pivotally mounted between the side flanges adjacent the outer end of each beam, the side flanges beyond the pivotal connection being folded inwardly to form a slideway with a 5 downwardly opening slot, a slide mounted in the slideway, a strut connecting the slide with an intermediate portion of the leg, means cooperating with the slides to lock the legs in downwardly extending position, and inwardly projecting fin- 5 gers carried by the corner portions of the frame to engage about and give lateral support to the legs when in downwardly extended position.

16. In a table, a table top, a top-supporting frame, legs pivotally mounted on the frame adjacent the several corners of the table and each adapted to swing diagonally inward to folded position beneath the top, the legs of each diagonally opposite pair being so pivoted on the frame that they will be positioned alongside one another when folded, and means connecting the legs by which movement of one leg toward folded or unfolded position will cause similar movements of the other legs, said means comprising a plate rotatably mounted beneath the central portion of the frame, and link mechanisms connecting the respective legs with the plate, the pair of link mechanisms for one pair of the diagonally opposed legs being connected with the plate closer to its pivotal axis than the other pair of link mechanisms so that the first mentioned pair of legs will move in more slowly and will fold over the other pair of legs, said first mentioned pair of link mechanisms comprising means for permitting continued movement of the first mentioned pair of legs to completely folded position after the last mentioned pair have been completely folded.

1'7. In .a table, a table top, a top-supporting frame, legs pivotally mounted on the frame adjacent the several corners of the table and each adapted to swing diagonally inward to folded position beneath the top, the legs of each diagonally opposite pair being so pivoted on the frame that they will be positioned alongside one another when folded, and means connecting the legs by which movement of one leg to folded or unfolded position wil cause similar movements of the other legs, said means comprising a plate rotatably mounted beneath the central portion of the frame, link mechanisms connecting the respective legs with the plate, the pair of link mechanisms for one pair of the diagonally opposed legs being connected with the plate closer to its pivotal axis than the other pair of link mechanisms so that the first mentioned pair of legs will move in more slowly and will fold over the other pair of legs, said first mentioned pair of link mechanisms comprising hinged sections which buckle to permit movement of the first mentioned legs to completely folded position.

GUSTAVE F. CORDUAN.

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