US2808305A - Portable bar or buffet - Google Patents

Description

1957 G. w. JACKSON 2,808,305

r PORTABLE BAR 0R BUFFET Filed July 7, 1955 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ale-01 M514. J a/rso/v BY %1 A TTORNEY Oct. 1, 1957 G. w. JACKSON PORTABLE BAR OR BUFFET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7, 1955 nlU.

Flu

INVENTOR.

GEORGE W. JA OKSOIV ATTORNEY United This invention relates to an article of furniture, and, more particularly, to a portable bar or buffet, or similar article.

One object of the invention is to provide a unit which can be used as a portable buffet or bar at outdoor barbecues or indoor buffet suppers and other indoor or outdoor types of entertainment.

Another object is to provide a portable buffet, which, when not in use, can be stored away in a relatively small space. When the bar of the present invention is folded, it takes up less than half the space it occupies when opened. When folded, it can be fitted into a small portion of a closet or other storage space; when opened, the bar provides a counter surface for serving or preparing food or drinks, and a shelf and channel to hold bottles and other supplies.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable bar that will be rigid and stable when opened and can still be readily folded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable bar or buffet whose Weight is well distributed about the carrying grip when the device is in its folded position.

Another object is to provide a portable buffet or bar which is locked in its open position and rigidified by cammed latches and by a novel arrangement of hooks and eyes, one hook being used with two different eyes, depending on whether the device is in its opened or folded position.

Briefly, my portable bar or buffet comprises a three- 'sided vertical frame with hinged side extensions that are foldable inwardly to reduce the volume of the whole to less than half of the space consumed when this article is open. A removable counter is provided that nests in the folded unit or covers the top surface of the opened buffet. The counters lower surface is grooved so as to lock with the top edges of the opened vertical frame. The buffet also has a novel pivoted shelf that swings up into place when the unit is opened and folds to a vertical position. 7

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a portable buffet or bar embodying the principles of this invention. The buffet is shown in its fully assembled position, as seen from the front.

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the device of Fig. 1, as seen from the rear.

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 but with the counter top taken off and turned up to show the groove which'locks it to the base frame and to show the structure whichis'obscured by the counter in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the buffet in its completely folded position with the table top nested in place. A portion of one of the side-supporting members has been partly broken away and shown in phantom in order to disclose some parts which it would otherwise obscure.

, Fig. 5 is a view in elevation and in section taken along the line 55 in Fig. 4.'

2,808,305 Patented Oct. 1, 1957 Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the device in its folded position, looking from the top of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 5 but with the device in its fully opened position.

Fig. 8 is a view in plan and in section taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig; 9 is an enlarged view in section of the latching mechanism, shown in its locked position.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective showing the latching member on the vertical support.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of the latching member on the swinging shelf.

The portable buffet or bar 15 is preferably made from wood, such as plywood, and comprises a base or frame assembly 16 which the other parts are hinged to,'nestd in, or supported by. The base or frame assembly 16 comprises a solid front vertical panel 20 at the ends of which'are rigidly secured side support members 21 and 22. Bracing is provided by a pair of horizontal members 23 and 24, the upper brace 23 forming part of some shelf space in the assembled'unit and performing other functions, described later on, both in its collapsed and in its opened positions, while the lower brace 24 provides a support for a counter top 25 when the top 25 is nested in the folded unit. When the unit 15 is in its assembled position, the brace 24 acts solely as a brace.

Side extension members 26 and 27 are hinged to the respective end frame members 21 and 22 by means of hinges 28, 29, 30 and 31. The rear portion 32 of the bottom edge of the side members 21 and 22 may be recessed and similar cut-out portions 33 may be provided in the extension members 26 and 27, so that when the unit is in its assembled position, four support legs 34, 35, 36, and 37 are provided, thereby accommodating surface irregularities of the floor or patio.

Hooks 40 and 41 are provided on the extension members 26 and 27, adjacent the hinges 28 and 30, and eyes 42 and 43 are provided on the members'Zl and 22 on the opposite side of the hinges 28 and 30, so thatwhen the extension members 26, 27 are in their folded position (at right angles to the side members 21, 22) the hooks 40 and 41 can be locked into the eyes 42 and 43, thereby giving rigidity to the folded structure and preventing undesirable movement of the side extensions 26 and 27. i

The counter top 25 is a generally rectangular member preferably provided with a recessed rear edge 45 permitting better access during use. Its lower surface is provided with a groove 46 parallel to its front edge '47 and opening into grooves 48 and 49 parallel to its side edges 50 and 51. The grooves 46, 48 and 49 are made substantially the thickness of the front panel member 20 and the side members 21 and 22,and the grooves are of substantial depth, so that when the side extension members 26 and 27 are open, the counter top 25 can be placed over them with the upper edges of all the members of the frame 16 fitting into the grooves 46, 48 and 49. The rear side edges 52 of the counter top 25 are then substantially flushwith the rearedges 53 and 54 of the extension members 26 and 27, while the frontand side edges 47, 50 and 51 overhangbeyond the frame. Eyes 55 and 56 are provided in thelower surface of the counter top 25 for engagement by the hoolgs40and 4f1 when the counter 25 is installed. g A

The upper brace 23 is provided with a pair of hinges 60 and 61 which support a shelf member 62 formovement between, a vertical position and a horizontal position. When horizontal, the shelf 62 is onthe same level as the brace 23 and cooperates with it to provide, asubstantially continuous, uniform surface extending from the front panel 2010, the rear edges. 53. and 54,91. the ex tension members 26 and 27 and substantially flush with them, when the shelf 62 is brought up into its assembled position. Extending rearwardly from the shelf 62 in this position is a stepdown rack or channel63 which may be used to support bottles or other containersfor ready access and protect them from being knocked over.

Rigidity for the shelf assembly is provided by two pairs of latches, one pair, 64, 65 being mounted on side flanges 66, 67 at the opposite ends of -the shelf 62, while the other pair 68, 69 is mountedon the inside faces of the extension members 26 and 27. These latches 64, 65, 68, 69 are cammed so-that when the shelf 62 is swung up and lifted higher than the level it will assume ultimately, the lower end of the latches 64, 65will pass the end ofthe latches 68,69. Then when theshelf'62 is dropped to-its normal position, the latches 64, 65 drop inside the latches 68, 69 instead of back outside them and act as stops for the correct shelf height. Thus complete rigidity is assured. For release, the shelf 62 is lifted and the side extension members, 26, '27 are-spread slightly beyond their normal position; then'the'latchesare free, and the shelf 62 can be dropped to its'folded position.

The brace 23 is provided with a hand-hold recess 70 along its inner edge, toact as a'hand-hold member. Therefore, when the unit is-in its collapsed position it can be easily carried -about,-particularly since the height of the brace 23 is a convenient location for the handcarrying hold '70.

The brace 23 is also provided with a cut-out opening 71 through which the counter top 25 can be inserted when the device. is being disassembled. The cut out 71 is provided with an inset portion 72 adapted to permit passage of one of the eyes 56, and when the counter top 25 has been properly inserted, its lower edge will rest on the lower brace 24, thereby assuring proper nesting without danger of scratching any surfaces even when the device is moved. 7

As stated earlier, when the device is folded, it can be kept in a relatively small-storage space. When it is to be used, it is brought out'from storage and carried, still folded, to the desired location, the engagement of the hooks 40, 41 in the eyes 42, 43 assuring rigidity during carrying. The hand-hold 70 provides an easy means for carrying the folded table with the properdistribution of weight.

Upon reaching the spot where the portable buffet or bar is to be used, the books 40, 41 are unlatched from the eyes 42, 43, and then the side extension members 26 and 27 are swung out upon their hinges 28, 29, '30 and 31. Next, the shelf 62 is swung up on its hinges 60, 61,

the cammed latches 64, 65 on the sides of the shelf 62 passing the latches 68, 69 of the side extension members 26, 27, and then catching in them when the shelf 62 is lowered a small amount. Then the counter top 25 is lifted out of its nested position and placed on top, its grooves 46, 48 and 4-9 engaging the upper edges of the supportingframe 16 so that it fits smoothly thereon. The device is now ready to be used, and foods, drinks and materials therefor can be placed on the shelf 62 or on the bottle rack 63 or on the bar counter 25.

Disassembly and folding are accomplished in substantially the reverse order of the assembly.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely difiering embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

1. A portable bar-buffet unit including in combination a three-sided rigidly assembled vertical base frame, having a front panel and two side panels; a pair of narrow brace shelves each secured along their front and end edges to all three panels, one of said brace shelves being spaced above the lower edge of the panels and the other of which being 4 spaced a substantial amount below the upper edge thereof, the upper said brace shelf having a cut-out storage opening adjacent the front panel and another cut out handle portion in its rear edge; a pair of vertical side extension members hinged to the rear edges of said side panels and adapted to be locked for storage at thereto and to be swung out therefrom to serve as extensions of said side panels; a shelf member hinged to the rear edge of the upper brace shelf and adapted to be latched to the side extension members after they have been swung out into their extension position; and a unitary, completely detachable, unhinged counter top adapted to be nested in said out out storage opening and to rest on the lower brace shelf, when in disassembled position and having on its lower surface a groove adapted, when in assembled position, to receive the upper edges of the panels and the extension members, when the latter are in their extension position and to overhang them at the front and sides.

2. The unit of claim 1 in which a hook is mounted movably on each of said extension members in which eyes are provided on each side panel, for locking said hook therein when said unit is in its folded position, and in which eyes are also provided on the lower surface of said counter top for locking the same said hooks therein when said unit is in open position.

3. The unit of claim 1 in which said counter top has a recessed portion along its rear edge.

4. The unit of claim 1 in which said shelf member is provided at its rear edge with a depending channel member adapted to accommodate bottles and other articles rearwardly of said extension members.

5. The unit of claim 1 in which a-pair of latch-stop members, one at each side of said shelf, is adapted to en-, gage a substantially identical inverted latch-stop member on said extension members in erected position.

6. The unit of claim 5 in which one pair of said latches each comprise an L-shaped'member extending out from said extension member with its vertical portion parallel thereto, and in which the cooperating latches each comprise an inverted version of the preceding latch, said latches being cammed to provide passage past each other when the shelf is being swung up, the shelf latch then dropping into the extension latch.

7. A portable bar-buffet unit including in combination a three-sided rigidly assembled vertical base frame, having a front panel and two side panels; a pair of narrow horizontal brace shelves each secured to all three panels, one of which is spaced above the lower edge and the other of which is spaced a substantial amount below the upper edge, the upper said brace shelf having a cut out storage opening adjacent the front panel and another cut out handle portion in its rear edge; a pair of vertical side extension members hinged to the rear edges of said side panels and adapted to be locked for storage at 90 thereto and to be swung out therefrom to serve as an extension of said side panels; and a completely detachable, rigid, flat counter top adapted to be nested in said cut out storage opening and rest on the lower said brace shelf when detached and having on its lower surface a groove adapted to receive the upper edges of the panels and the extension members, when the latter are in their extension position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 168,879 Colbert Oct. 19, 1875 451,597 Magnussan May 5, 1891 728,673 Clay May 19, 1903 1,839,070 Wiener Dec. 29, 1931 1,891,157 Heuer Dec. 13, 1932 1,913,387 Hayward June 13, 1933 1,986,077 Spang Jan. 1, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,550 Switzerland Jan. 14,1895

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