US2560821A - Vertically adjustable drop-leaf table - Google Patents

Description

July 17 1951 H. H. Rn-:MAN Erm. 2,560,821

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE DROP-LEAF TABLE Filed June 16, 1948 Y JNVENTORS ZZ? Halma Ejieman BY veel] (fray TTORNEY Patented July 17, 1951 PAT ENT OFFICE VERTICAIJLY ADJUSTABLE DROP-LEAF- TABLE The present invention relates to. adjustable tables4 andI more particularlyto= avtable-rwhich; is adjustable to different heights;

Various types ofradjustablefor foldablatables have been devised.- Manyv of themarer relatively complicatedY or are'ftoo"impracticablefor commercial manufactures and: use;` A` highly desirable featureofan adjustabletablefisf that itbe readily andfeasily adjustabletofdifferent heights; itis necessary to .Y assemble or interi-lt various partsorv to disassemble-parts inforder to raise vor lower a table, the particular table is not-readily saleable and thereis anunderstandableaversion toiits use.- In additionfto thefforegoing draw,- backs, previous adjustable tables; have generally embodieda supporting;` surface oft limited-V area and have notY provided an. enlarged supporting area for certain conditionsv of I usage.

The, present invention aims to overcome the above, and other. diftlculties or.. disadvantages by providing aE new azod-V improved table.- which, may normally be-used as a lowcoffeetablaand which isgreadily` and easily: adjustable to. a height-suit'.- able for userasfaldining table -orjthe like. The rin'- vention further 4contemplates 4the provision of a table` havinglan enlarged supporting surface when inelevated' position.

An objectofthepresent invention is-to provide'a new andv improved adjustabletable.

Another object of theV invention isto -providea newand improved adjustable table adaptedv to serve either as afrelatively` lovv-A coffeefztable or as a higher.; diningftable;`

Another object of. the invention. isV to provide ainew'andimproved adjustable table having; an enlargedfsupporting surf ace`-when Xin raised 1posi= tion: y

Anotherfobject ofI-the invention istoprovide an adjustable table lwhich may.u be more readily and-easily raised or lowered-todiierenteleva tions:

Still another objectoffthe invention islto provide an adjustable table having asupporting surface, the area of which automaticallyvvaries irl-moving from a lowfto a high position, or. vice versa.

A still further object.V of the invention is to provide improved meansfor raisingI or lowering an adjustable table.

Other `and further-objects .of theinvention will be obvious upon an understanding of theillus trative embodiment about to Abe. described,- or will be indicated in the appended claims, andvarious advantagesv notreferredto herein Willoccur to one skilledin the art uponemploymentof the inventionin practice.

Apreferred. embodiment ofthe invention has been chosenfor purposesof illustrationv and description. The preferred. embodiment illustrated is notintended to lbe .exhaustivenor to limit the invention to the. precise form disclosed.` It is chosen.. and described in order. to best-explain the principlesfofthe. invention andtheir application in.practicalusetothereby enable others skilled in theart to best utilizetthe inventionin various. embodiments and, modicatons.v as. are best. adaptedto the-particular use. contemplated.

In .the accompanying drawings,

Fig. Vl.is..an end `View showing the presenttable in. lowered position;

Fig. .2 is anend view,.p ar.t1y` insectionfshowingthe` present table..-in, elevated position; and

Fig..3 isla bottom plan'vieW of. the table-illustrateldlinrlig. 21.

Referring again tothe drawings,.there isshown a. tab1e,-.comprisingamain upper surface or top member Isupported away. froma floorby'pairs ofspaced legs..2.fand 3,.eachpair.of legs comprising spaced' individual legs 2a2b.and 3a, 3b, respectively.

The upper. portions ofitwo ofthe legs (pair 2) are. .movably attached by. suitable brackets.. 5 and p insorpivots I to thefunderside ofthe topmembenl` adjacent onefedge thereofsothat the pair offlegs2..may move freely about the axesof the pins, as-Will behereinafter more fully brought out. Eachflegcomprising.theother pair of legs 3. is shown movably` or pivotally` connectedintermediate its ends with the legs 2.a. and 2b of the, flrstpair of legs 2 by across bar I0. Adjacent legsofeacnpair of legs maybe maintained at correctlyv spaced intervals. by spacer Washers II and a sleeve orihollow member I2.v Tl'ie` particular cross bar I Il, sleeve. I2 and .spacer washers Il are shown merely as one. form of construction which may be used. The legs 2a-3a and 2b-3b may be connected together in any suitable manner; for example; it is notessential that the cross bar I!!v and. sleeve IZ'extend" across the entire length .of table;

If desired, the lower ends of the supporting legs may be connected' by cross .braces I5 and I8 to provide a stronger and morerigid construction;

The Lipper ends ofthe pivotally connected legs 3a and 3b are shown in contact with an underneath surface. of the top Amember I at locations spaced fromthe` upper attached ends of the first p air of legsZf This spaced relationship of the upper. ends of the supporting legs serves to support theV topY member I at appropriate spaced locations.; Movement of` the lower and upper ends of the pairs of legs 2 and 3 toward or away from each other varies their intermediate angles and their effective lengths, and is thus eective to move the top member I away from or toward the fioor against which rest the lower ends of the supporting legs. When the ends of the legs are moved toward each other, they are in effect lengthened and the table top I moves upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that illustrated in Fig. 2. When the ends of the pairs of legs are allowed to separate from each other, they are in effect shortened and the table top I moves from the elevated position illustrated in Fig. 2 toward the lower position illustrated in Fig. 1.

When in the low position for use of a coffee table (Fig. 1), the slidable upper ends of the pair of legs 3 rest against stop members or blocks I3, which serve to limit the extent of their outward movement and hence to limit the extent of downward movement of the table top member I toward the floor. Any other means for limiting the extent of movement of the upper ends of the pair of legs 2 may be used. In instances where the stop members I3 are placed closely adjacent the edge I4 of the top member I, the table may be moved to a lowermost position; if it is desired to limit the amount of downward movement of the top member I to some position which is not quite so close to the floor, the stop members I3 may be positioned an appropriate disligance inwardly from the edge I4 of the top mem- During use as a low coffee table, a large supporting surface is generally not desired and leaf members I6 and I1, shown securedto opposite edges of the top member I by hinges I9 and 20. may hang downwardly along opposite edges of the top member I. In such position the leaf members I6 and I1 tend to conceal the supporting legs and thus provide a coffee table of very pleasing appearance.

Ready and easy raising of the table from the low position shown in Fig. 1 to the elevated position shown in Fig. 2 is achieved by operatively connecting the leaf member I6 with the movable or slidable upper portions of the pair of supporting legs 3. As shown, the leaf member I6 is pivotally connected at its underside with one end of a link member 2I by brackets 22 and a connecting pin 23. The opposite end of the link member 2| is operatively connected with the upper portion of the slidable pair of legs 3 through a cross bar 25, which serves to join the upperA pairs of the spaced legs 3a and 3b. The lattermentioned connected end of the link member 2| may be maintained in desired position on the cross bar 25 by suitable spacing members 26; the spacing members 26 also serve to maintain the upper ends of the supporting legs 3af and 3b in correctly spaced position.

By the above-described construction the leaf member I6 is so interconnected with the supporting pairs of legs that movement of the leaf member I6 is effective to shift the upper ends of the pair of movable legs 3 along the underside of the top member I. Since the other pair of legs 2 is movably connected adjacent its upper end with the underside of the top member I and intermediate its ends with the pair of legs 3, this other pair of legs 2 moves about the retaining pins or pivots 6 in response to movements imparted thereto by the leaf I6 through the link member 2 I, cross bar 25 and pair of legs 3. When it is desired to raise the table from the pOSition illustrated in Fig. 1 to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, a user may place one foot against a lower end 4 of the cross brace I5 or the supporting legs 3 and then lift upwardly and outwardly on the leaf member I6; as the free end of vthe leaf member I6 moves upwardly and outwardly the link member 2| serves to pull the upper ends of the spaced legs 3 toward the movably mounted but xedly positioned upper ends of the opposite pair of legs 2. As the legs move toward each other, their effective lengths increase and the table top I raises upwardly toward the position illustrated in Fig. 2.

When the leaf I6 has been fully rotated about its hinges I9 to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, its upper surface will be substantially iiush with the upper surface of the top member I and the connecting link member 2I holds the upper ends of the pair of legs 3 in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. In this relationship an extension brace 28 may be pulled outwardly beneath the underside of the leaf I8 to retain it in the flush position illustrated in Fig. 2. The extension brace 28 may be normally held to the underside of the top member I and guided therealong by retaining and guiding brackets 29. A wedging member 30 may be utilized to assist in retaining the leaf members I6 firmly in its flush position. A stop block or member 3I may be provided for limiting the extent of inward movement of the extension brace 28.

The oppositely disposed foldable leaf I1 may be maintained in a flush position by a similar extension brace retained at the underside of the top member I by supporting and guiding brackets similar to those used with the extension brace shown at the opposite side of the table. It will be noted that the opposite leaf member I'I is not connected with the pairs of supporting legs 2 and 3. The leaf member I'I is merely lifted upwardly without affecting in any way the height of the table or the relative positions of the supporting legs. In addition to providing an enlarged supporting surface when the table is elevated and utilized as a dining table, the leaf member I'I may be used to provide a lower coffee table of temporarily enlarged area. When in the low position the leaf II may be lifted upwardly to enlarge the coffee table area without in any way disturbing the supporting legs and without changing the height of the table.

The top member I and leaf members I6 and I1 may be of any appropriate sizes. The pairs of supporting legs 2 and 3 may be of any suitable lengths. The invention is not limited to the exact proportions, dimensions or the like illustrated in the drawings. While the table has been referred to herein chiefly for use as a coffee table when in low position and as a dining table when in elevated position, it will be clear that the table may be utilized for various other purposes when in either the low or high positions.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved adjustable height table which may be used in low position as a coffee table and which may be readily, easily and conveniently elevated for use as a dining table or the like. The table is simple and sturdy in construction and provides a highly useful article of furniture which serves a dual function. The table may be raised by the simple operation of putting ones foot against a lower portion of the supporting legs and thereafter lifting upwardly on the drop-leaf to pull upwardly on a connecting link in a manner tending to speciaal straighten the supporting legsan'dthus raise the table?ftopztovan.v elevatedlfposition;4 Ani extension brace serves to retain the tableirrelevated1-posi= tion. Whenait-isf, desired; tov-lower the table, an extension brace may be moved inwardly to release the supported `dropleaf; the weightoff'the ltable-te1^lds tol spreadV apart thejinterconnected supporting' legs and'the 'tabletop may," descend to `provide'a low coffee table orthe like.A

` As variousgchanges'maybemade in the form, construction; and arrangement of the; parts herein vwithoutY departing from the spirit. and scope of 'the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, itis tofbev understoodthat all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. In an adjustable height table of the character described, the combination of a rst leg member rotatably connected with the table adjacent an upper end of the leg and a second leg member having an upper end movable toward and away from the u-pper end of said first leg member in accordance with the height of the table, a leaf member hingedly connected with the table and movable in the same general direction as said leg members, means rotatably connecting said first leg member with one of said other members, and means including a link member rotatably connected adjacent one end thereof with said leaf member and adjacent an opposite end thereof with said second leg, movement of the leaf about its hinge connection being eective to move said link generally longitudinally and to move said leg members to thereby change the height of the table.

2. In an adjustable table of the character described, the combination of a top structure having opposite side and end edges, a support leg movably connected adjacent its upper end with said top structure adjacent a side edge of said top structure, a second support leg rotatably connected with said rst leg and having an upper portion movable beneath said top structure, a leaf member extending along a side edge of the top structure and foldably connected with said top structure adjacent said side edge, and means movable in a plane generally parallel to said end edges of the top structure connecting said leaf member with one of said support legs so that movement of the leaf moves said support leg and thereby varies the height of said top structure.

3. In an adjustable table of the character described, the combination of a top structure,` a rst support leg rotatably connected adjacent its upper end with said top structure, a second support leg rotatably connected with said rst leg and having an upper portion movable toward and away from the upper end of said first leg, means for limiting the extent of separation of the upper portions of said rst and second legs, a leaf member movably connected With said top structure and movable in the same general direction as said support legs, and means connecting said leaf member with said Second support leg adjacent the upper part thereof for moving said legs and varying the effective lengths thereof simultaneously with movement of said leaf member.

4. In an adjustable table of the character described, the combination of a top member, a support leg rotatably connected adjacent its upper end with said top member, a second support leg rotatably connected intermediate its ends with said rst leg intermediate the ends thereof and 6 havingfan upperF portion f slidableS along anunderside of saidV topv member toward and away from the upper end=of saidfirst-mentioned sup-- port leg, aleaftmember foldably connectediwith said top: member along-a-joint generally parallel with vthe axis ofi rotation of said i first-mentioned supporti leg, andy means connectingy said leaf mem-berw-ith one of said vlegs forA movement thereofa' 5. Arr adjustabletable of 1 the character described,` comprising the combination of a top structure; a first pair of spaced legsf rotatably connected` adjacent` theirupper ends with said top structure; al second p'airofi-spaced legs rotata-bly connected Aintermediate their endswith said first p air of legs and having their upper-1 portions movableetoward and away from upper portions of saidfr'stpair ofulegs,r a leaf member foldably connected with said top structure, and movable in the same general direction as said pairs of spaced legs, means including a link member connecting said leaf member with upper portions of said second pair of legs, and stop means for limiting the extent of separating movement of the upper portions of said legs.

6. An adjustable table of the character described comprising the combination of a top structure, a first pair of spaced legs movably connected adjacent their upper ends with said top structure, a second pair of spaced legs rotatably connected intermediate their ends With said first pair of legs and having their upper ends movable toward and away from the upper ends of said rst pair of legs, a cross bar interconnecting upper portions of said second pair of legs, a leaf member foldably connected with said top structure along a fold line generally parallel with said cross bar, a link member connecting said leaf member with said interconnecting cross bar so that movement of the leaf member is effective to move said cross bar and said second pair of legs, and stop means for limiting the extent of movement of the upper ends of said second pair of legs away from the upper ends of said first pair of legs.

7. In an adjustable height table of the character described, the combination of a top member, a pair of crossed leg members supporting said top member at spaced locations, means rotatably interconnecting said leg members, additional means rotatably connecting one of said leg members with the top member, an upper end of the other leg member being movable to and fro beneath the top member, a leaf member hingedly connected with said top member adjacent said additional means for rotation about an axis generally parallel With the axis about which said leg members rotate, and a movable link rotatably connected adjacent one end thereof with said leaf member and rotatably connected adjacent an opposite end thereof with said other leg member, movement of said leaf moving said link generally longitudinally and varying the spacing between said leg members and the effective height of said leg members and of the top member supported thereby.

8. In an adjustable height table of the character described, the combination of a top member, leg members supporting said top member, means rotatably connecting at least one of said leg members with the top member, another of said leg members being free of rotatable connection with the top member, means pivotally interconnecting said other leg member and said rotatably connected leg member, a leaf, hinge means connecting said leaf with said top member for rotation about an axis generally parallel with the axis about which said leg members ber to thereby change the effective height of the `15 top member.

I-IYLMA H. RIEMAN. CECIL L. GRAY.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS .Number Name Date 136,836 Jefts Mar. 18, 1873 867,816 Garret Oct. 8, 1907 907,900 Shacklock Dec. 29, 1908 10 1,353,866 Vondree Sept. 28, 1920 1,865,254 Howe June 28, 1932 1,982,205 Doman Nov. 27, 1934 2,035,718 Perl Mar. 31, 1936 2,158,950 Swett May 16, 1939

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