US3099480A

US3099480A - Hinge means for folding table and seat structure

Info

Publication number: US3099480A
Application number: US100839A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kermit H Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-04-05
Filing date: 1961-04-05
Publication date: 1963-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-30

Description

K. H. WILSON July l30, 1963 HINGE MEANS FOR FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE Filed April 5, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 30, 1963 K. H. wlLsoN 3,099,480

HINGE MEANS FOR FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE INVEN TOR. KEHMl-r H. VWLsoN AT TORNEYS K, H. WILSON July 30, 1963 HINGE MEANS FOR FOLDING TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 5, 1961 FIG. 5

INVEN TOR. KERMIT HWLso/v BY W M AT TORNEYS nite States My invention relates generally to ltable and seat structures, and more particularly to improvements in the construction of folding table -an'd seat structures.

More specifically, my present invention is in the nature of an improvement on table and seat structures generally of the type disclosed in my United States I etters Patents 2,702,585, issued February 22, 1955, and 2,721,778, issued October 25, 1955.

In large multi-purpose rooms which are utilized at various times as dining rooms, meeting halls, dancing areas and the like, it is desirable that multi-purpose furniture be used. Such furniture normally include-s tables, chairs, benches and the like, or table and seat combinations. Such furniture is preferably of the folding type, so :as to be stored in Va minimum of space. In instances where, in a given room, floor space must be conserved, table and bench combinations are most desirable inasmuch as they utilize the available space most eiciently, such as vfor dining purposes or the like. However, when the same room is to -be occupied by a relatively small group of people, it is sometimes desired that the tables be equipped with chairs having backs thereon, for greater seating comfort.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a table and seat structure in which the seat structure is secured to the table structure for folding movements relative to the table structure, and having novel means whereby the seat structure may be quickly and easily removed completely from the table structure `and as quickly and easily secured thereto.

Another object `of my invention is the provision of novel means for releasably locking a seat element to a table structure, kand which permits free movement of the seat element between an operative position at one side of the table structure and `an inoperative folded posi-tion laterally inwardly disposed with respect to said operative position of the seat element.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a hinge mounting and locking means for releasably and foldably mounting a seat structure to a table structure, which means is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce, which is highly efficient in operation, and which is rugged in construction and durable in use.

The above, and still further highly important objects and advantages of my invention Will 'become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and :attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the inven1 tion, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. l is a view in plan of a folding table and seat structure, made in accordance with my invention, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 2, but showing the table `and seat structure in a folded position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an' enlarged transverse section taken substantially on the line 5`-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a still further enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

Patented July 30, i963 FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of one of the hinge elements of my invention.

Referring with greater detail to the drawings, table top means is shown' :as comprising a pair of normally horizontally disposed top sections 1 and 2 in substantially end-to-end relationship, the top sections each comprising flat top elements 3` and 4 respectively ard underlying generally

rectangular frames

5 and 6 respectively. The frames 5 and y6 are preferably made from cross sectionally channel shaped metallic members bent into generally U-shape to provide

side rails

7 and 8 and outer end rail portions 9. The inner ends of the

frames

5 and 6 comprise tubular members 10l that extend transversely of their overlying top elements 3 fand 4, and which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured at their opposite ends to the adjacent ends of their respective

side rail portions

7 and 8. 'Ihe top sections 1 and 2 are pivotally secured together at their inner end portions by hinges 11 that are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the tubular members 10, for swinging movements of the top sections 1 and 2 between their horizontally disposed operative position of FIG. 2 and ltheir generally vertically disposed folded positions of FIG. 3. The

top elements

3 and 4 are rigidly l`ecured to their

respective frames

5 and 6, by any suitable vneans not shown.

The top sections 1 and 2 are supported adjacent their outer ends by

outer leg structures

12 and 13 respectively, iand adjacent their inner ends by common inner leg structure, indicated generally by the numeral 14. The outer leg structures 12 `and 13 each comprise laterally spaced gener-ally vertically disposed upper leg sections 15 disposed laterally inwardly of the vertical planes of the longitudinal side edges of their respective

top elements

3 and 4, transversely extending horizontally disposed sections 16, tand vertically disposed lower leg sections 17 positioned laterally outwardly with respect to the vertical planes of the longitudinal side edges of their respective top elements 3 `and 4, see particularly FIG. 5. The upper leg sections 1S are joined intermediate their ends by upper cross bars 18, and the lhorizontally disposed portions 16 and lower leg sections 17 of each

leg structure

12 and 13 are joined by horizontally disposed lower cross bzars or the like 19, the

cross bars

18 and 19 being rigidly connected to their respective leg sections and portions by suitable means, such as welding or the like. 'Ilhe lower ends of the lower leg sections 17 are provided with ground or floor engaging caster wheels 20, the upper ends of said leg sections 17 -being provided with rubber-like caps or tips 21 for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

The upper ends of the upper leg sections 15 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to tubular housings 22 that extend transversely of and are journalled at their opposite end portions in the side rail portions 7 and `3 of the

iframes

5 and 6. Each of the housings 22 has axially extending therethrough a torsion bar 23, see FIG. 4, that is pinned, as indicated at 24, or otherwise rigidly secured to an end cap 25 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the adjacent end of the tubular housing 22. The opposite end of the tubular housing 22 is journalled in a bearing 26 that is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured Ito the adjacent side rail portion of a respective one of the Iframes S and `6, the adjacent end of the torsion bar 23 being anchored to the bearing 26 by a pin or the like 27.

The inner leg structure 14 comprises an inverted generally U-shaped member including a transverse horizontal portion 2S and depending leg portions 29 which lterminate at their lower ends in iioor engaging tips or the like 30. A pair of axially aligned tubular cross bars 31 are welded or othenwise rigidly secured to the horizontal portion 28 and are joined by a shaft 32 on which are journalled a pair of axially spaced tubular fend members 36 and a third tubular end member 34 intermediate the `end members l33. A pair of laterally spaced upper leg sections 35 have their lower ends each welded or otherwise rigidly secured, one to the tubular end member 34 and the other to one of the cross members 31, and extend angularly upwardly :and longitudinally outwardly therefrom, the upper ends of the upper leg sections 35 being rigidly secured to the intermediate portion of a tubular housing 536 that is identical to the tubular housings 22. The tubular end members 33 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the lower ends of a pair of laterally spaced parallel upper leg sections 37 which extend angularly upwardly in diverging relationship to the upper lieg sections 35, and which are rigidly secured at their upper ends to a second tubular housing 38. With reference particularly to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the tubular housing 36 is journalled in the side rail portions '7 and 8 of the frame 5 'adjacent its inner ends, and that the tubular housing 38 is journalled in the

side rail portions

7 and 8 of the frame 6 adjacent its inner end. Like the tubular housings 22, the housings 36 and 3S are provided with torsion bars 23, end caps 25, and bearings 26.

The torsion bars 23 associated with the top section 1 are disposed to yieldingly urge the outer leg structure y1-2 'and the upper leg sections 35 of the inner leg structure 14 in a clockwise direct-ion o-f pivotal movement with respect to FIG. i2, Iwhile the torsion bars 23 associated with the top section 2 are disposed to yieldingly urge the outer leg structure 13 and upper leg sections 3-7 of the inner leg structure 14 in a counterclockwise direction of rotation with respect lto FIG. 2, whereby to yieldin'gly urge the top sections 1 and 2 in a direction of swinging movement relative to the leg structure toward their folded positions of FIG, 3. For the purpose of maintaining the outer leg structures l12 and '13 in a substantially vertical position during all positions of movement of the top sections 1 and 2 between their horizontal and vertical positions, I provide

rigid control links

39 and 40, the Iformer of which is pivotally connected to a pair of tears 41 attached to the upper cross bar 18 of the leg structure 12, and as indicated at 42, and at its other end to a cross shaft 43 extending transversely between the leg sections 35, see FIGS. 1 and 2. The control linli 40 is likewise pivotally connected at one end between a pair of ears 44 rigidly connected to the upper leg sections of the leg structure 13, and as indicated at I45, and at its other end =to a cross shaft 46 extending Itransversely between the leg sections 37. With this arrangement, the top sect-ions 1 and 2 together with their respective

upper leg sections

15, 35 and 37, and their

respective control links

39 and 40, provide a parallelogram arrangement which maintains the outer leg structures l2 and 13 vertically disposed when the top sections `1 and 2 are vertically positioned -as shown in FIG. 3, as well as when the same are horizontally positioned as shown in lPIG. 2.

A pair of elongated seat or bench elements 47 are normally horizontally disposed adjacent opposite longitudinal side edges of the top element 3 and below the level thereof, and :a second pair of longitudinally extending normally horizontally disposed seat or bench elements 4S are disposed each adjacent an opposite longitudinal side edge of the Itop element 4 and at a common level with the seat or bench elements 47. The outer end portions of the seat elements 47 and 48 'are adapted to rest npon the cushion tips 21 of the leg structure 12 and 13y respectively, the inner end portions of the seat elements -47 and 48 being adapted to rest upon similar cushions or tips 49 mounted on opposite ends of a pair of U-shaped supporting members 50 that yare welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer ends of the cross members 31. The

seat elements

47 and 48 are each pivotally connected to the table by a pair of hinges, said hinges being designated in their entireties by the numeral 51, yeach of the hinges 51 comprising

cooperating hinge elements

52 and 53 pivotally connected together as indicated at 54. Each of the hinge elements 52 includes an extension portion 55 which underlies an end portion of an adjacent seat element A47 or 48 and which is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured thereto. With reference particularly to FIGS. l and 2, it will be seen that some of the hinges 51 are disposed adjacent the inner rends of the top sections l and 2, -the hinge elements 53 thereof having extension portions 56 that are axially slidably movable into the open end portions of the `adjacent tubular members lll. Adjacent their outer ends, the

Iframes

5 and 6 of the top sections 1 and 2 are provided with relatively short tubular members 57 which define recesses =for axial sliding reception of the extension portions 56 of adjacent hinge elements 53, see particularly FIGS. l and 6. With reference to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the hinges 51 mount the

seat elements

47 and 48 for swinging movements of said seat elements between operative positions at opposite side of and below the level of the

top elements

3 and 4, wherein the seat elements rest upon the tips or cushions 2l `and `49, and inoperative folded positions wherein the

seat elements

47 and 48 are disposed in overlying face to `face relation with their respective

top elements

3 and 4, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 5.

For lthe purpose of releasably locking the hinge elements 53 against removal of ltheir extension portions 56 from the tubular members 10v and 57, I provide a plurality of latch members 58, preferably made from flexible resilient material such as spring steel yor the like, each of the latch meinbens 58 :being secured at their inner ends tol one of the tubular meni'bers '10 and 57 lby means of rivets or the like 59 extending diametrically through the members 10l and 57. As shown in FIG. 6i, the latch members 58 extend longitudinally alongside their respective tubular members and outwardly through openings 610 in the adjacent side rail portions of the

frames

5 and 6, the latch members 5.8 being provided at their outer end portions with hook or detent portions 61 that are received in strike forming annular grooves 62 in the extended portions 56 of the hinge element 53. 'llhe extension portions 56 are formed tot provide diametrically opposed axially outwardly opening slots y63 which receive the rivets 59 of their adjacent tubular members lil amd 57 whereby to limit inward movement of the extension por-tions 56 into the Irecesses defined by lthe tubular members 10 and 577, and to prevent rotary movement of the hinge elements 53 relative to the top sections 1 and 2 associated therewith. The ends of the latch elements 58 adjacent the latch hook or detent portions 61 are out-turned, as indi-cated at 64, to facilitate grasping thereof to release the latch hook or detent portion `61 from the strike torming groove 62.

In instances where it tis desirable that the above described table be used witliout the

seat elements

47 and 48, such as when it is desired that individual backrest equipped chairs be used in connection with the table, it is `a simple matter to remove the

seat elements

47 and 48, with their respective hinges S1 from t-he table. The latch elements 58 are merely rbent outwardly to disengage the detent or latch hook portions 61 tro-n1 the strike forming grooves or channels 62, `and fthe hinge elements 63 are pulled axially outwardly from engagement with their respective

tubular members

10 and 57. The

seat elements

47 and 48 may then .be moved to a suitable place for storage, leaving the table free toi 4be used with chairs or in any desired manner.

From the a'bove, it will tbe lseen that 'I have provided a 'table and seat combination fully capable of accomplishing the objectives set forth; and, while I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of table and seat structure, it will be understood that the same is capable of modification 'without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, :as dened in the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a table and seat structure, normally horizontally disposed table top means, comprising a flat top element .and an underlying supporting frame secured to said top element, leg .structure secured to said fname and normally depending therefrom, a normally horizontally disposed seat element, a mounting device mounting said seat element -to said frame for swinging movements of said seat element on a horizontal axis Iand between a horizontal disposed operative position at one side ci and rbellow the level yocE said top element and an inverted inoperative storage position in face-to-face engagement with Ithe top surface orf said ltop element, :said mounting device comprising a pair of cooperating hinge elements one of which is `secured to said seat element, said frame delining a socket immediately Ibelow the bottom surface of said top element and inwardly spaced from fche adjacent edge of said top element, the 'other of said hinge elements having an extended portion receivable i-n said socket, and means for releasably locking said extended portion in said socket.

2. In la table and -seat structure, normally horizontally disposed table top means including a frame and a iliat top element having its bottom surface resting on and secured to said frame, supporting leg stnucture for said top means attached to said frame, a normally horizontally disposed seat element, a mounting device mounting said seat element to said top means for swinging movements of said seat element Ibetween a normally horizontally disposed operative position at one side of and below the level of said top means and :an inoperative storage position in laterally inwardly spaced relation to said operative posi- |tion mhereof, said mounting device comprising a pair of cooperating hinge elements lone of which is secured to said seat element, said top means and the other of said hinge elements having interengaging portions disposed immediately fbelow the .bottom sunface of said nop ele- :ment and laterally inwardly spaced from the adjacent edge of said .top element, and locking mechanism re- Ileasably (locking said inter-engaging portions against disengagement thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 11,203,783 Reichmann Nov. 7, 1916 `1,871,667 Dal-ton Aug. 16, 1932 2,707,987 Gibson May 10, 1955 2,754,889 Lovelace July 17, 1956 2,771,937 Wilson Nov. 27, 1956 2,921,825 Spiegel Jan. 19, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 944,502 France Nov. 2, 1948

Claims

1. IN A TABLE AND SEAT STRUCTURE, NORMALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED TABLE TOP MEANS, COMPRISING A FLAT TOP ELEMENT AND AN UNDERLYING SUPPORTING FRAME SECURED TO SAID TOP ELEMENT, LEG STRUCTURE SECURED TO SAID FRAME AND NORMALLY DEPENDING THEREFROM, A NORMALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SEAT ELEMENT, A MOUNTING DEVICE MOUNTING SAID SEAT ELEMENT TO SAID FRAME FOR SWINGING MOVEMENTS OF SAID SEAT ELEMENT ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND BETWEEN A HORIZONTAL DISPOSED OPERATIVE POSITION AT ONE SIDE OF AND BELOW THE LEVEL OF SAID TOP ELEMENT AND AN INVERTED INOPERATIVE STORAGE POSITION OF FACE-TO-FACE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID TOP ELEMENT, SAID MOUNTING DEVICE COMPRISING A PAIR OF COOPERATING HINGE ELEMENTS ONE OF WHICH IS SECURED TO SAID SEAT ELEMENT, SAID FRAME DEFINING A SOCKET IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID TOP ELEMENT AND INWARDLY SPACED FROM THE ADJACENT EDGE OF SAID TOP ELEMENT, THE OTHER OF SAID HINGE ELEMENTS HAVING AN EXTENDED PORTION RECEIVABLE IN SAID SOCKET, AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID EXTENDED PORTION IN SAID SOCKET.