US3416468A - Table construction - Google Patents

Description

1 w. J. PETERSON ET AL TABLE CONSTRUCTION I v 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 2, 1967 ANN? Jmesfif onf'a zlne I 59053? W4 Dec. 17, 1968 w PETERSON ETAL TABLE CONSTRUCT ION Filed June 2) 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet z WNN w. J. PETERSON ET AL 3,416,468

Dec. 17, 1968 TABLE CONSTRUCTION Fil ed June 2, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet .3

0' 1 llll'l'llllll! o I 2 l 5 Dec. 17, 1968 W. J. PETERSON ET TABLE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 2, l967 United States Patent Office 3,416,468 Patented Dec. 17, 1968 3,416,468 TABLE CONSTRUCTION Warren J. Peterson, Two Rivers, James L. Fontaine,

Manitowoc, and Joseph E. Wachtel, Two Rivers, Wis.,

assignors, by mesne assignments, to Hamilton Manufactoring Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 2, 1967, Ser. No. 643,126 10 Claims. (Cl. 108-131) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure deals with a folding table construction including a table top and a pair of spaced apart leg assemblies for supporting the top. The leg assemblies are pivotally connected to the top and may be swung between extended positions where they support the top and retracted positions where they lie flat against the underside of the top. The leg assemblies are connected to the table top by a support channel which holds the legs in assembled relation with each other and with the table top, the support channel being connected to the top, and manually operable latch mechanisms are provided to lock the leg assemblies in their extended positions.

Tables of the folding type have been provided in a large variety of styles, and it is an object of this invention to provide such a table which is sturdily built but never-theless may be inexpensively manufactured and easily assembled on a production basis.

In accordance With the present invention, a folding table is provided, comprising a table top, a pair of elongated support members, and a pair of leg assemblies, the leg assemblies being pivotally held by the support members for swinging movements between extended and retracted positions. The support members, or at least portions thereof, extend in spaced parallel relation with each other, and means is provided for securing said members together. Said means holds said members in engagement with the ends of the leg assemblies to hold them in place, and said means may also secure said members to the table top, or the table top may be secured to said members by other means. The table further includes a center support for the table top extending in parallel relation to'and between said members, and latch mechanisms connected to the center support and the leg assemblies for locking the leg assemblies in their extended positions.

Objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a table in accordance with the invention, showing the leg assemblies of the table in their extended positions;

FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational view of the table, showing the leg assemblies in their retracted positions;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the table showing the leg assemblies in their extended positions;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom elevational view showing portions of the table;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an exploded bottom perspective view showing an alternate form of the table;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary end elevational view generally similar to FIG. 3, but showing the alternate form of table;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view generally similar to FIG. 4 but showing -a portion of the alternate form of table;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1414 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary bottom elevational view generally similar to FIG. 5 but showing the alternate form of table; and

FIGS. 16 to 20 are fragmentary sectional views similar to FIG. 14 but showing other alternate forms of the table.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a table in accordance with the invention comprises a flat table top 20, a pair of elongated support members 21 and 22 secured to the table top 20 and extending adjacent the periphery of the table top at the underside thereof, and two longitudinally separated leg assemblies 23 and 24. The leg assemblies 23 and 24 are pivotally connected to the members 21 and 22 adjacent the ends of the table for swinging movements between extended positions, shown in FIG. 1, where the leg assemblies extend substantially perpendicular to the table top 20 in order to support the table top 20 on a floor 26, and retracted positions shown in FIG. 2 where the leg assemblies 23 and 24 are folded against the underside of the table top 20 for storage of the table.

While the table top 20 may have any configuration, in the present instance it is generally rectangular and has rounded corners, as shown in FIG. 2 The table top 20 may be made of any material but preferably includes a relatively thick stiff particle board 27 (FIG. 6), a formica top sheet 28 and a plastic backing sheet 29, the sheets 28 and 29 being secured to the board 27 as by gluing. The top 20 preferably further includes a resilient cushion 31 (see FIG. 6) at its edges, such as a vinyl bullnose. The cushion 31 may be secured to the particle board 27 as by forming a groove 32 in the edge of the board 27 entirely around the periphery thereof, and inserting a tongue 33 formed on the inner side of the cushion 31, into the groove 32. The-tongue 33 is secured in the groove 32 as by a plurality of nails 34 which are driven through the backing sheet 29, into the board 27 from the underside thereof, and through the tongue 33.

The two support members 21 and 22 respectively include at least portions which extend parallel to each other and adjacent the longitudinally extending edges of the table top 20. In the present instance, each of the support members is U-shaped, the member 21 including a central portion 41 and two arms 41a and 41b and the member 22 including a central portion 42 and two arms 42a and 42b. The central portions 41 and 42 comprise the previously mentioned parallel portions of the two members 21 and 22. Each of the support members 21 and 22 is, in the present instance, channel shaped in cross section and includes two flanges 46 and 47 and a web 48, the flange 47 being wider than the flange 46 and the flange 47 being positioned against the backing sheet 29 at the underside of the table top 20. The arms 41a and 41b are respectively secured to the arms 42a and 42b by splice plates 43 and 44. The splice plates 43 and 44 are also preferably channel-shaped in cross section with the widths of the flanges of each splice plate being slightly less than the width of the flange 46 as shown in (FIG. 6) and the width of the web of each splice plate being slightly less than the web 48 of each support member 21 and 22. Thus, the splice plates 43 and 44 are nested within the members 21 and 22 with a relatively snug fit, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

As previously stated, the splice plates 43 and 44 rigidly secure the two members 21 and 22. together. During assembly of the table, the ends of the arms 41a and 41b of the member 21 and the ends of the arms 42a and 42b of the member 22 are moved into end-to-end abutting relation as shown in FIG. 2, and the splice plates 44 and 43 are nested within the members 21 land 22 at locations where they overlap the adjoining ends of the arms of the members 21 and 22, and then the splice plates 43 and 44 are secured to the members 21 and 22 as by rivets 49 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6). Thus, the rivets 49 rigidly secure the members 21 and 22 together and the snug fit nesting relation between the splice plates and the members tends to prevent play or looseness at the connections between the two mem bers 21 land 22.

The two members 21 and 22 are also secured to the top 20 as by screws 51 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6) which are positioned in holes formed in the arm 47 of each of the two members 21 and 22 and are screwed into the table top 20 from the underside thereof. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the members 21 and 22 are positioned against the backing sheet 29 on the underside of the top 20 and adjacent the edges thereof. As previously stated, the corners of the top 20 are preferably rounded, and the corners of the members 21 and 22 are preferably similarly rounded and follow the configuration of the table top 20.

Each of the two leg assemblies 23 and 24 comprises a pair of leg members 56 and 57 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a cross brace 58, the members 56 to 58 of each of the leg assemblies preferably being made of tubular metal. At their lower ends, each of the legs 56 and 57 has fastened thereto suitable glides or leg cups 59, and at their upper ends the legs 56 and 57 of each leg assembly are rigidly secured as by welding to the associated cross brace 58. As best shown in FIG. 3, the legs 56 and 57 of each leg assembly are secured to the associated cross brace 58 such that, when the legs are extended, they angle downwardly and toward the adjacent longitudinally extending side of the tabl in order to increase the stability of the table.

As shown in FIG. 2, the center portions of the two U- shaped members 21 and 22 which are adjacent the longitudinally extending edges of the table top 20, are spaced apart and are generally parallel with each other, and when the center portions 41 and 42 are in this position the leg assemblies 23 and 24 are pivotally secured to the remainder of the table. The ends of the cross bar 58 of each leg assembly are pivotally connected to the foregoing center portions of the members 21 and 22 merely by being seated over circular bushings 61 (FIGS. 7 and which are secured to the webs 48 of the members 21 and 22. Each of the bushings 61 is secured to the associated member as by a rivet 62 which is positioned in a hole formed in the web 48 and in a hole 63 formed in the bushing 61, the ends of the rivet 62 when flattened holding the bushing 61 assembled with the member. A washer 64 may also be provided between each bushing 61 and the inner end of the associated rivet 62. The outer diameter of each bushing 61 is slightly less than the internal diameter of the cross braces 58, so that the bushing 61 may be inserted into the ends of the cross braces 58.

While other type of coupling between the leg assemblies and the support members may be used, it should be one which may be engaged simply by bringing the U-shaped members together with the leg assemblies between them, and held engaged by the means for securing the members together. In the present coupling, each bushing telescopes into a cross brace and thus these two parts include engaging surfaces which are held in engagement by the means for securing the two members together.

The table preferably further includes a center support 71 (FIGS. 2, 7 and 8) which extends longitudinally of the table between the cross braces 58 of the leg assemblies, at

approximately the longitudinally extending center line of the table. As shown in FIG. 9, the center support 71 is generally Z-shaped in cross section and includes a relatively wide flange 72, a relatively narrow flange 73, and a web 74. The wider flange 72 is positioned flat against the underside of the table top 20, and the length of the web 74 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cross braces 58 of the leg assemblies.

The center support 71 is supported by the two cross braces 58 of the two leg assemblies 23 and 24 and is secured to the cross braces 58 by a pair of plates 76 (FIGS. 2, 7 and 8). As shown in FIG. 8, adjacent each end of the center support 71 is formed a notch 77 having a width substantially equal to the outer diameter of the cross brace 58, the cut-out extending entirely through the flange 73 and substantially entirely through the web '74 of the center support 71, thereby leaving only the wider flange 72 at each notch '77. The flange 72 of the center support 71 is positioned over the upper sides of the cross braces 58, with the notches 77 receiving the cross braces 58, and the plates 76 are positioned across the undersides of the cross braces 58 and are secured to the web 74 of the center support 71 as by rivets 78. As shown in FIG. 7, the plates 7 6 are positioned flat against the same side of the web 74, from which the narrower flange 73 extends. The plates 76 also have arcuate notches 79 formed therein, which conform to the configuration of the cross braces 58, so that the plates 76 fit against the undersides of the cross braces 58 and hold them assembled with the cross braces 58.

If desired, the center support 71 may also be secured to the underside of the table top 20 as by a plurality of screws 81 (FIGS. 2, 7, 8 and 9) which are positioned in holes formed in the wider flange 72 of the center support 71 and are threaded in the table top 20 from the underside thereof fl hus, the center support 71 serves to render the table rigid by being secured to the leg assemblies 23 and 24 and to the table top 20 and it supports the center area of the table top.

The center support 71 is also connected to a pair of leg braces 88 and 89 for each leg assembly, and it also has two latch mechanisms 86 and 87 (FIGS. 2, 7 and 8) attached thereto. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, each leg brace 88 and 89 preferably comprises a rod like member which is flattened at both ends 91, the flattened ends 91 being bent to extend at angles relative to the remainder of the leg braces so as to form an elongated S shape, as shown in FIG. 7. The outer end of each leg brace 88 and 82 is pivotally connected to the adjacent leg by an elongated rivet 92 (FIGS. 2 and 7) which extends laterally of the table through the leg and through a hole formed in the adjacent end 91 of the leg brace. The laterally inner and outer sides of the legs 56 and 57 adjacent the connections with the leg braces 88 and 89 are flattened as indicated at 93 in FIG. 7, the flattened portions 93 of the legs extending generally vertically when the leg assemblies are in their extended positions. At their inner ends, the leg braces 88 and 89 of each pair are connected to each other and are slidably connected to the center support 71. The web 74 of the center support 71 has a longitudinally elongated slot 96 (FIG. 8) formed therein adjacent each pair of the leg braces 88 and 89, and the inner ends of each pair of leg braces 88 and 89 are slidablyconnected to the center support 71 by a rivet 97 which extends through holes formed in the inner ends of the cross braces 88 and 89 and through the adjacent slot 96. The connection between each pair of the leg braces 88 and 89 and the center support 71 also includes a tubular bushing 98 which is positioned around the rivet 97 and between the adjacent ends of the leg braces 88 and 89. At a point midway between the ends of the bushing 98, an annular groove 99 is formed in the outer periphery of the bushing 98. The width of each slot 96 formed in the center suport 71 is slightly greater than the diameter of the bushing 98 at the groove 99 but less than the diameter of the bushing on each side of the groove 99, so that the grooved portion of each bushing 98 may be received within the slot 96 of the center support 71 and slid along the length of the slot 98 without substantial lateral movernent of the bushing 98 and the inner ends of the leg braces 88 and 89. To permit assembly of the bushing 98 with the center support 71 the end of each slot 96, which is adjacent the center of the table, is enlarged as at 101 (FIG. 8) sufliciently to permit end portions of the bushings to be inserted into the slots 96. Thus, to assemble a pair of the leg braces 88 and 89 with the center support 71, the bushing 98 is positioned in the enlargement 101 of the slot 96 and the groove 99 of the bushing 98 is slid into the main portion of the slot 96. The rivet 91 is then inserted through the holes in the leg braces 88 and 89 and through the bushing 98, and then peened to secure the parts together.

The leg braces 88 and 89 serve to steady the legs 56 and 57 when the leg assemblies are in their extended positions. As the leg assemblies are folded to their retracted positions shown in FIG. 2, the bushings 98 slide in the slots 96 longitudinally of the table toward each other, and as the leg assemblies are moved to their extended positions, the bushings 98 move toward the ends of the table. The length of the slots 96 is such that the bushings 98 are adjacent but do not reach the enlarged portions 101 of the slots 96, as shown in full lines in FIG. 8, when the leg assemblies are retracted. When the leg assemblies 23 and 24 are in their extended positions shown in FIG. 1, the bushings 98 are at the opposite ends of the slots 96 and the legs 56 and 57 of each leg assembly 23 and 24 angle downwardly and toward the adjacent end of the table in order to improve the stability of the table.

The latch mechanisms 86 and 87 are designed to hold the bushings 98 at the longitudinally outer ends of the slots 96 in order to lock the leg assemblies in their extended positions. As shown in FIG. 8 adjacent the longitudinally outer end 102 of each slot 96 is formed with an offset or hook-shaped portion 102a which curves downwardly from the table top 20 and then toward the center of the table. When manually moving a leg assembly to the extended position by swinging the legs 56 and 57 downwardly about the axis of the cross brace 58, the bushing 98 slides to the end 102 of the slot 96. The swinging force on the leg assembly is then released and the braces 88 and 89 are pressed downwardly, causing the bushing 98 to slide into the offset portion 102a of the slot 96.

To hold the bushings 98 in the offset portions 102a of the slot 96, each latch mechanism 86 and 87 includes a manually shiftable sliding latch 103 (FIGS. 7 and 8) which is slidably connected to the web 74 of the center support 71 adjacent the oflset portion 102a of the slot 96, the latch being slidable longitudinally of the table between an unlocked position shown in full lines in FIGS. 7 and 8 and a locked position shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 7 and 8. Each latch 103 includes a longitudinally extending plate portion 104 and a laterally extending handle portion 105. The plate portion 104 of each latch 103 is positioned flat against the web 74 of the center support 71, and includes a slanted edge 107 on the longitudinally inner end at the lower side thereof.

Each latch member 103 is slidably connected to the center support 71 by a shouldered rivet 111 which extends through a hole formed in the latch 103 and through a hole 112 formed in the web 74 of the center support 71 (FIG. 8). While either the hole in the latch or the hole 112 in the web 74 may be enlongated to permit movement of the latch 103, in the present instance the hole 112 is elongated to form a slot. The width of the slot 112 is greater than the size of the hole formed in the latch 103, and the larger diameter portion of the rivet 111 is located within the slot 112 whereas the smaller diameter portion of the rivet is located within the opening in latch 103. Between the head of the rivet 111 and the web 74 of the center support 71 are positioned a fiat washer 113 and a wave spring washer 114, the spring washer 114 maintaining tension on the latch 103 and thereby holding it at an adjusted position relative to the center support 71. As shown in FIG. 8, the edge of the plate portion 104, which is adjacent the table top fits closely against the flange 72 of the center support 71, and the latch 103 is thus prevented from turning about the axis of the rivet 111. The rivet 111 slides from one end of the slot 112 to the other end as the latch 103 is moved between the locked and unlocked positions.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the latch 103 is in the unlocked position shown in full lines in FIG. 8, the slanted edge 107 is clear of the slot 96, and, consequently, the bushing 98 may be freely moved relative to the center support 71 into and out of the offset portion 102a. However, once the bushing 98 has been moved into the offset portion 102a of the slot 96 and the latch 103 has been manually shifted to the locked position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 8, the slanted edge 107 of the latch 103 bears against the bushing 98 and prevents the bushing 98 from moving out of the offset portion 102a. Further, the edge 107 makes a relatively small angle relative to the direction of movement of the latch 103, and consequently a force on a leg assembly tending to pull the bushing 98 out of the offset portion 102a of the slot 96 could not easily force the latch 103 longitudinally toward the adjacent end of the table to the unlocked position.

The table may be easily manufactured and quickly assembled by securing together the parts of the two leg assemblies 23 and 24, fastening the latches 86 and 87 to the center support 71, and securing the bushings 61 to the two members 21 and 22. The top 20 is placed on the floor with the bottom side thereof facing upwardly, the center support 71 is positioned on the table top, the cross braces 58 of the two leg assemblies 23 and 24 are positioned in the notches 77 formed in the center support 71, the plates 76 are secured to the support 71 over the cross braces 58, and the leg braces are connected to the support 71. The two U-shaped members 21 and 22 of the support channel 22 are then brought together and the bushings 61 are inserted into the ends of the cross braces 58, and the splice plates 43 and 44 are rigidly secured tothe arms of the members 21 and 22. Thus, the two members 21 and 22 are held in rigid assembled relation with each other and with the leg assemblies 23 and 24 by the splice plates, the connection between the leg assemblies and the members 21 and 22 of course being sufficiently loose to permit pivotal movement of the leg assemblies. Thereafter, the members 21 and 22 and the center support 71 are secured to the table top 20 as by screws.

The foregoing order of assembly of the parts may be varied, of course, although the leg assemblies 23 and 24 are always connected to the members 21 and 22 by bringing the two members 21 and 22 together and securing them by the splice plates.

FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate a generally similar but alternate form of the table. The table illustrated in these figures comprises a rectangular top 120, a pair of identical U-shaped elongated support members 122 and 123, two splice plates 124 and 125, two leg assemblies 127 and 128, a center support 129, two latch mechanisms 131 for releasably holding the leg assemblies 127 and 128 in extended positions, and bushings 142. The leg assemblies 127 and 128, the center support 129, the splice plates 124 and 125, the bushings 142, and the latch mechanisms 131 may be identical with the corresponding parts of the table shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, and, consequently, these parts will not be described in further detail.

With reference to FIG. 14, the table top comprises, for example, a sheet of hard wood although of course other types of material could be used. Each of the two U-shaped members 122 and 123 of the support channel includes a relatively short flange 136 similar to the flange 46 of the members 21 and 22 and a web 137 similar to the web 48, but instead of a relatively long flange extending flat against the underside of the table top 120, each of the members 122 and 123 includes an offset flange 138, which forms a rectangular recess 139. The dimensions of the recess 139 are preferably such that the edges of the table top are snugly received within the recess 139. As shown in FIG. 14, the offset flange 138 of each member 122 and 123 includes a portion 138a which extends fiat against the underside of the top 120 adjacent its edge in order to support it, a portion 138b which extends across the vertical edge of the table top 120, and a portion 138C which overlies the edge portion of the table top 120.

When assembling the table shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the latches 131 are assembled with the center support 129 as previously explained and the parts of the two leg assemblies 127 and 128 are assembled. The table top 120 is placed flat on the floor as shown in FIG. 11 with the underside thereof facing upwardly, and the two leg assemblies 127 and 128 are positioned against the underside of the table top 120. The two U-shaped members 122 and 123 are then brought together with the bushings 142 located in the ends of the cross braces of the two leg assemblies 127 and 128, and, simultaneously, the recesses 139 formed in the two U-shaped members 122 and 123 are positioned over the edges of the table top 120. When the U-shaped members 122 and 123 are in end-to-end abutment, they are rigidly secured together by the splice plates 124 and 125 and the rivets 141 as previously explained.

It will be apparent that as the two U-shaped members 122 and 123 are secured together, they also become pivotally connected to the two leg assemblies 127 and 128, and, in addition they become connected to the table top 120. Thus, simply by securing the two members 122 and 123 together, the table top 120, the members 122 and 123 and the leg assemblies 127 and 128 are assembled. While screws may be used to fasten the center support 129 to the underside of the table top 120 as in the form of the table shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, these screws are preferably omitted in this form of the table.

FIGS. 16 to 20 show alternate table top and support member constructions and alternate means for connecting the support members to the table top. All other parts of the tables of FIG. 16 to 20 may be identical with the other forms of the table. In FIG. 16, a relatively thick table top 151 is provided, the top 151 having a rabbet 152 formed in its upper surface and a rabbet 156 formed in its under surface, entirely around the table top 151 at the edges thereof. A pair of support members 153 is again provided, each support member 153 including a flange 154 which extends into the rabbet 152, the upper surface of the flange 154 preferably being flush with the upper surface of the table top 151. In addition, the support member 153 includes an offset flange 157 which forms a recess 158, the flange 157 extending into the rabbet 156 and thus following the configuration of the edge of the table top 151. The rabbet 156 and the rabbet 152 of the table top 151 forms a tongue 159 which extends into the recess 158 with a snug fit, thereby tightly connecting the support member 153 to the table top 151.

In the table construction shown in FIG. 17, a table top 161 is provided having approximately the same thickness as the table top 151 and having a horizontal groove 162 formed in its outer edge, the groove 162 extending horizontally inwardly toward the center of the table a short distance and having a width substantially equal to the thickness of the material from which a support member 163 is formed. The support member 163 is bent to substantially the same configuration as the channel 153 and includes an offset flange having a portion 164 which extends into the groove 162, and another portion 166 which underlies the table top 161 at the outer edge thereof. Again, the offset flange of the support member 163 forms a recess 167 and the portion of the table top between the underside thereof and the groove 162 forms a tongue 168 which is snugly received within the recess 167. The tongue 168 is preferably shorter than the remainder of the top by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the material from which the support member 163 is formed, so that the laterally outer surface of the support channel 163 is substantially flush with the laterally outer surface of the table top 161 above the support member 163.

The construction shown in FIG. 18 includes a relatively thin table top 171 having a rabbet 172 formed in the lower outside corner thereof, to form a tongue 173 which extends into a recess 174 formed in a support member 176. While the tongue 173 is preferably received within the recess 174 in a snug fit relation, to further rigidify the table and prevent the channel 176 from pulling away from the table top 171, a series of nails 177 are driven through the support member 176 and into the tongue 173 from the underside thereof. One means for driving the nails 177 into the member 176 and the table top 171, comprises a base or support 178 which is positioned against the support member 176 and the table top at the upper outside corners thereof and a hammer 179 for driving the nails 177.

FIG. 19 shows a table top 181 and a support member 182 which are similar to the top 171 and member 176 shown in FIG. 18. Instead of nails 177 to rigidly secure the member 182 to the edges of the top 181, dimples are formed in the member 182 using a dimpling tool 183. The support member 182 is deformed or dimpled into the underside of the table top 181 at spaced locations, indicated at 184. The dimpling tool 183 includes a small blunt projection 186 which is forced against the member 182 at spaced locations, and a base or support 187 is positioned on the upper side of the support member 182, opposite the dimpling tool 183, to support the member 182, and the table top 181 during the dimpling operation.

The table top 191 and the member 192 shown in FIG. 20 are similar to the top 181 and member 182 shown in FIG. 19 and to the table top 171 and member 176 shown in FIG. 18. Instead of nails or dimples to secure the support member 192 to the table top 191, a lancing tool 193 is provided to lance the member at spaced locations as at 194, the lances 194 extending into the underside of the table top 191 adjacent the outer periphery thereof. Again, a base or support 196 is preferably provided opposite the lancing tool 193 to support the member 192 and the table top 191 during the lancing operation. The lancing tool 193 has a relatively sharp knife edge 195 which forms a lance 194 when the tool 193 is forced against the member 192 and the table top 191.

Sti l other means, not shown, for securing the support member to the underside of the table top may be utilized, including a rolling or crimping tool which rolls along the support member and deforms a portion of the support member into the table top. The support member may also be secured to the table top by gluing, if desired. A table somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 16 could be provided wherein the flange 154 is positioned in a groove substantially midway between the upper and lower edges of the table top.

We claim:

1. A folding table comprising a generally flat table top, two generally U-shaped support members, each of said members including an intermediate portion and two end portions, at least two leg assemblies, each of said leg assemblies including a cross brace extending laterally of the table adjacent said table top, said support members being fastened to said table top with said intermediate portions in spaced apart generally parallel relation and said end portions extending toward each other, said intermediate portions having means thereon engaged with the opposite ends of said cross braces for pivotally mounting said leg assemblies, said pivotal mounting means being engaged with said cross braces by moving said intermediate portions toward each other and means for securing said end portions of said two members together and thereby holding the opposite ends of the cross braces of said leg assemblies pivotally engaged with said intermediate portions.

2. A folding table as in claim 1, wherein said two support members form a rectangle when assembled with their end portions in end-to-end relation, and said means for securing said members together comprises splice plates, said splice plates extending along said end portions of said members and being secured thereto.

3. A folding table comprising a generally fiat table top, at least two longitudinally spaced leg assemblies positioned adjacent opposite ends of said table top at the underside thereof, means connecting said leg assemblies to said table top for pivotal movements between extended and retracted positions, a center support extending longitudinally of the table between and supported by said leg assemblies, each of said leg assemblies including a cross brace extending laterally of the table adjacent said table top and said center support, said center support having a notch formed in the underside thereof adjacent each of said cross braces, and said cross braces extending through said notches, means engaging each of said cross braces and said center support adjacent each of said notches for holding said cross braces within said notches, said center support engaging said underside of said table top and providing support therefor, and latch means connected between said center support and each of said leg assemblies for releasably locking each of said leg assemblies in said extended position.

4. A folding table comprising a generally flat table top, at least two longitudinally spaced leg assemblies positioned adjacent opposite ends of said table top at the underside thereof, means connecting said leg assemblies to said table top for pivotal movements between extended and retracted positions, a center support extending longitudinally of the table between and supported by said leg assemblies, said center support engaging said underside of said table top and providing support therefor, latch means connected between said center support and each of said leg assemblies for releasably locking each of said leg assemblies in said extended position, and at least one leg brace having a pivotal connection with each of said leg assemblies and a sliding connection with said center support, each of said sliding connections moving longitudinally of the table as the associated leg assembly is moved between said extended and retracted positions, and each of said latch means including means mounted on said center support for releasably holding said sliding connection at a location where said leg as sembly is in said extended position.

5. A folding table as in claim 4, wherein said sliding connection comprises a longitudinally extending slot formed in said center support, pin means secured to said leg brace and extending into said slot, said slot including an offset portion at said location and said pin means being moved into said offset portion when said sliding connection is moved to said location, and said latch means includes a manually adjustable latch for engaging said pin means and holding said pin means in said offset portion of said slot.

6. A folding table comprising a generally fiat table top, a pair of support members, at least two leg assemblies, said leg assemblies each including a cross brace extending laterally of the table adjacent said table top and having the opposite ends thereof pivotally connected to said two members, each of said members having a recess formed therein opening inwardly of the table, and the edges of said table top including an edge portion extending into said recess, and means for securing said two members together and thereby holding said edge portion in said recess to support said table top and holding said members and said cross braces in assembled relation.

7. A folding table as in claim 6, and further including means for rigidly securing said support members to said edge portion of said table top.

8. A folding table comprising a generally fiat table top, two support members, at least two leg assemblies, each of said leg assemblies including a cross brace extending laterally on the table adjacent said table top, said support members including two spaced apart generally parallel portions, said parallel portions having means thereon engageable with the opposite ends of said cross braces for pivotally mounting said leg assemblies, said pivotal mounting means being engaged with said cross braces by moving said parallel portions toward each other, each of said parallel portions having a recess formed therein opening inwardly of the table, and said table top including an edge portion extending into said recesses, said leg assemblies and said support members being assembled to said table top by moving said parallel support members toward each other until said pivotal mounting means carried by said support members are engaged with the opposite ends of said cross braces and the edge portion of said table top is received in said recesses, and means for securing said two members together and thereby holding said leg assemblies pivotally engaged with said parallel portions and holding said edge portion in said recesses to support said table top.

9. A folding table comprising a generally flat table top, two support members, at least two leg assemblies, said support members including two spaced apart generally parallel portions, said leg assemblies extending between and being pivotally engaged with said parallel portions, each of said parallel portions having a recess formed therein opening inwardly of the table, and said table top including an edge portion extending into said recesses, and means for securing said two members together and thereby holding said leg assemblies pivotally engaged with said parallel portions and holding said edge portion in said recesses to support said table top, said support members being U-shaped and forming a rectangle when assembled with the arms of one member in end-to-end relation with the arms of the other member, the intermediate portions of said two members comprising said spaced apart parallel portions, said means for securing said members together comprising splice plates which extend across the end portions of said arms and secure said members together, said recess being formed in said members and receiving said edge portion of said table top around the entire periphery of said table.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said table further includes a center support extending between and connected with said leg assemblies and engaging the underside of said table top, said center support being held in engagement with said table top due to said leg assemblies being held in position by said members and said splice plates.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,765,766 6/1930 Lyon 108-131 1,860,875 5/1932 Tyler et al. 108132 1,875,269 8/ 1942 Silverman 108130 1,913,418 6/1933 Willinder 108-131 2,131,594 9/1938 Miller 108-131 2,223,618 12/1940 Kalisz 108-132 2,474,450 6/ 1949 Woodruff 108--132 2,572,474 10/1951 Hamilton 108-132 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

GLENN FINCH, Assistant Examiner.

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