US2857228A - Portable table with pivotally mounted frame - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 21, 1958 c, KOETT 2,857,228

PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAME Filed Nov. 29, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l i ,arromvevs Oct. 21, 1958 A. c. KOETT 2,857,228

PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAME Filed Nov. 29, 1957 ELIE-=5 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 144 85?? C Kosrr 6 0/75 jHEk/DA/V A. C. KOETT Oct. 21, 1958 PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAME Filed NOV. 29, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet'S LIE-.5

w 1 RT M m 0; H 1 N0 WK F. P. m6 m M 757 z m A u U A 0 m Mn a United States Patent 2,857,228 PORTABLE TABLE WITH PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FRAME Albert C. Koett, Birmingham, Mich. Application November 29, 1957, Serial No. 699,694 3 Claims. (Cl. 311-80) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in portable light-weight tables and more particularly to a light-weight table which is collapsible or foldable.

Conventional television tables, or snack tables as they are more commonly known, for the most part provide a suitable place on which to place beverages, candy or the like, for use and consumption during parties or other occasions. However, the purpose for which these tables were designed is not fully met since the X leg construction does not permit anyone using such a table to sit comfortably unless he sits on the edge of his chair.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is the provision of a portable, light-weight table which can be readily and quickly set up from its folded or collapsed position. A person using the table of the present invention can readily move it to any desired comfortable position and sit relaxed, since the table when erected is of a C-shaped design and can be brought within close proximity of the user. This eliminates the necessity of sitting on the forward edge of a chair in a cramped or awkward position with the resultant possibility of turning the table over.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a high quality, collapsible table which can be readily manufactured by modern mass production methods and sold at a reasonable price to the customer.

Another object of the present invention is the provi -si-on of a compact, portable, light-weight collapsible table which is rigid in construction, and which can be easily folded or stored.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a portable, light-weight table, which has an adjustable top surface. This construction provides an inexpensive angled desk top surface on which children may work or play. 1

The foregoing and related objects are accomplished by the provision of a portable, light-weight foldable table construction, having a fiat top portion; a pivotal structure secured parallel to the forward edge of the top portion; swivel leg members mounted to said pivotal structure; a positioning means between said swivel leg members and said top portion for holding and locking said portable light-weight table in the open position.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable light-weight table showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing the table in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational View showing the table in the folded position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3 showing the folded position, and also showing a phantom view of the erected position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view, partially broken away, of the pivotal structure and swivel construction contained within the encircled portion of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the positioning means, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the table top spring positioning member.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of a table using another em bodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the table shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another embodiment of a bracket which pivotally secures the table top to the frame.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another embodiment of a bracket which pivotally secures the table top to the frame.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a modified table rim member.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be under-stood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable, light-weight table construction according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The unit assembly 10, has a flat top portion 12, surrounded by a rim member 14, which not only has utility, but provides a decorative ornamentation. The rim member 14 further provides a locking channel portion 16 for positioning and rigidly securing the flat table top portion 12, while a track portion 18, integral with the channel member 16, acts as a guide for one end 38 of each of the table top spring positioning members 20.

An inverted U-shaped tubular member 24 is pivotally secured to the underside of the forward edge of the table top portion 12 by means of a pair of pivotal bracket members 26. Each pivotal bracket member 26 has a head portion 26A and a shank portion 268 (Fig. 5), and is pressed into an opening 29 in the radial bend of the U-shaped member 24. The threaded end 26T of each pivotal bracket member 26 is held in engagement with the track member 18 by a threaded screw 28. A screw 28 is inserted through an opening 27 in the track member 18 and threadedly engages the threaded shank portion 26T. The open ends 24A and 24B of the U-shaped tubular member 24 are of an enlarged diameter, the inside of which forms a bearing surface in which the L- shaped leg members 30 and 32 are swivel mounted. Drilled or stamped openings 35 are located in the enlarged open ends 24A and 24B of the U-shaped member 24 to receive one end 34 of each of the table top spring positioning members 20 (Fig. 7). A double slot 36 is machined or stamped into the end of each leg member 30 and 32, and when the leg members 30 and 32 are assembled, the formed ends 34 of the table top spring positioning members 20 are inserted into the openings 35 in the enlarged I end portions 24A and 24B, and intersect the double slot portions 36. This construction provides an assembly locking means to prevent the legs 30 and 32 from accidental removal, and also forms a stop means to prevent excessive rotational movement of the leg members 30 and 32 while the table is being set up or folded.

Fastening means such as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings can be used in place of the bracket 26 and screw 28. The fastening means in Fig. 10 comprises a pin 129 which is substantially square in cross-section. Such cross-section prevents rotation of the pin 129 with respect to the U-shaped member 124. A rounded boss 128 extends from the pin 129 through an opening in the track member 118.

The fastening means shown in Fig. 11 comprises a pin and is made from round stock, which is flattened on one end and has a reduced diameter on the other. The flattened end 140 is formed to lit the contour of the tube 138 and is spot welded in position as shown at 142. The round section 144 of the pin has a reduced diameter 146 which extends through the opening 148 in the rim member 150, to provide a pivot.

The formed portion 38 of the spring table top positioning member 20 rides in the track portion 18 of the rim member 14 until the end 39 of the positioning member 20 engages one of several positioning openings 22 in the track 18. These openings 22 position the table top relafive to the base leg or foot members 42 and 44. The I swivel leg members 30 and 32 have angular forward bends 31 and 33 respectively, below the swivel points. Complementary reverse direction radial bends 31a and 33a are of somewhat less than 90 angle. The second or complementary .bend forms an L-shaped base leg or foot member.

The stability of the portable, light-weight table is maintained by a pin extension 46, located on each of the reverse direction complementary radial bends 31a-and 33a in the base leg or foot member 42 and 44.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. This modification includes a metal strap 248 which is afiixed by a pin at 250 to the top of the U-shaped member 224. The end portions of the strap 248 are affixed by pins 252 and 254. It will .be noted in this embodiment that these pins are positioned where the ends 34 of the table top positioning members 20 are positioned in the first embodiment. The strap adds strength to the device.

The table top positioning members 220 are engaged with the L-shaped leg members 230 and 232 below the forward bend in each leg. In addition, two support rods 256 are positioned one on each L-shaped leg 230 and 232 between the bottom portion and the upright portion. The addition of the strap 248 and the rods 256 provides such strength that the table may even be used for a heavy duty application such as a typewriter stand.

Since the table described is sometimes used for heavy duty applications, provision must be made to accommodate a heavy and more rigid top surface. This is accomplished by the provision of a modified rim member 180 which will accommodate table tops of two thicknesses. The different thickness being illustrated at A and B in the drawings (Fig. 12). When the table top used is of the thickness shown at A, the outer peripheral edge of the table top must engage the inside periphery of the top section 182 of rim 180. Should a heavy duty table top be used, it will be necessary for the table top to be cut in such a manner as to engage the bent edge 184 of the rim 180. It will then be readily seen that the single rim construction proposed will accommodate table tops of two thicknesses.

To securely join the ends of the rim member 180, a deformed tongue member 186 is provided which enters the slotted opening 188 in the opposite end of the rim when the table is assembled. The tongue is then bent over fiat to fasten both ends securely, thus providing a very inexpensive construction and simple assembly method.

From the description above, it is readily apparent that the light-weight portable table herein described is simple in structure and rigid in construction. It may be quickly and easily set up or folded. The table of the present invention, when set up, is of a C-shaped design and can be brought within close proximity of the user, permitting the user to draw the table near and sit comfortably in a chair without undue fear of turning the table over.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a portable, light weight folding table, the combination of a fiat table top; a rim around said table top which forms a locating strip at each side of said table top, said locating strips having openings therein; a tubular,

substantially U-shaped pivotal structure secured to the underside of said table top by a pair of pivot extensions which engage said rim, said U-shaped pivotal structure having a pair of diametrically opposed holes near each end thereof; a pair of tubular legs are rotatably mounted in each end of said U-shaped pivotal structure, each of said legs having a pair of diametrically opposed, relatively narrow cam slots therein; means for supporting the table top in the operative position; and a pin-type member extending through the opposed leg holes and the opposed cam slots near each end of said U-shaped pivotal structure to limit the rotational movement of said legs with respect to said U-shaped pivotal structure.

2. In a portable, light weight folding table, the combination of a flat table top; a rim around said table top forming a track having openings therein; a tubular substantially U-shaped pivotal structure secured to said table top by a pair of pivot members which engage said track intermediate the longitudinal edges of said table top, said U-shaped pivotal structure having a pair of diametrically opposed holes near each end thereof which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of said table top; a pair of tubular legs one rotatably mounted in each end of said U-shaped tubular pivotal structure, each of said legs having a pair of diametrically opposed relatively narrow cam slots near the upper end thereof; a pair of resilient positioning rods cooperable with said legs and said track; a first bent portion on one end of each of said positioning rods extending through the slots in said legs and the holes in said U-shaped pivotal member to lock said legs and said U-shaped pivotal member in engagement; and a second bent portion on the other end of each of said positioning rods adapted to extend into an opening in said track to hold and lock said table top in the open position, each of said cam slots cooperating with the adjacent first bent portion in one of said positioning rods to limit the rotational movement of said legs.

3. In a portable, light weight folding table, the combination of a fiat table top; a rim around said table top forming a track having openings therein; a tubular substantially U-shaped pivotal structure secured to said table top by a pair of pivot members which engage said track intermediate the longitudinal edges of said table top; expanded portions on the ends of said tubular U-shaped pivotal structure to receive a leg member of similar diameter, each of said expanded portions having a pair of diametrically opposed holes therein which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges of said top; a pair of tubular substantially L-shaped legs rotatably positioned within the expanded ends of said U-shaped tubular pivotal structure, each of said legs having a pair of diametrically opposed, relatively narrow cam slots a short distance from the upper end thereof; a pair of resilient positioning rods cooperable with said legs and said track structure; a first bent portion on one end of each of said rods extending through the holes in said U-shaped pivotal member and the slots in said legs to lock said legs and said U-shaped pivotal member in engagement; and a second bent portion on the other end of each of said resilient rods adapted to extend into an opening in said track to hold and lock said table in the open position; each of said cam slots cooperating with the first bent portion on each of said resilient rods to limit the rotational movement of said legs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I 2,079,639 Swensson May 11, 1937 2,299,909 Linderme Oct. 27, 1942 2,299,910 Linderme Oct. 27, 1942 2,632,496 Willis et al Mar. 24, 1953 2,686,094 Terry Aug. 10, 1954 2,692,175 Jacques Oct. 19, 1954 2,726,125 Martin Dec. 6, 1955

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