US2723172A - Folding leaf extensible leg table - Google Patents

Description

N 8, 1955 L. CONSTANTACOPOULOS 2,723,172

FOLDING LEAF EXTENSIBLE LEG TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1953 J 24 l8 l6 IN VEN TOR.

Z EON/0,45 (O/Y5 I l/V771 COPOUZOI A RNEX N v- 8, 1955 1.. CONSTANTACOPOULOS 2,723,172

FOLDING LEAF EXTENSIBLE LEG TABLE Filed Dec. 29, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vlullllllllllun IIIIIIAFIIIIIIIII VIIIIIIIIIIIII'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII"IIIII'IIIIIIIIIIII I I 5 I g i I I I I I I 4 IN VEN TOR. L EON/0A5 CO/VfTA/VMC'OPOUL OS United States Patent Ofiice FOLDING LEAF EXTENSIBLE LEG TABLE Leonidas Constantacopoulos, Buenos Aires, Argentina Application December 29, 1953, Serial No. 400,895

1 Claim. (Cl. 311-67) This invention is directed to an expansible table, and more particularly, to an expansible table having retractable table legs.

With the high premium placed on floor space in modern dwellings such as apartments, small homes and the like, it has proven most desirable to provide a table which normally occupies a relatively small area, but which can, if necessary, be enlarged. Moreover, it has proven desirable to provide a multi-purpose table, that is, a table which can perform a variety of functions.

This invention has as an object the provision of an expansible table.

This invention has as a further object the provision of a multi-purpose table, capable of performing a plurality of functions including use as a sewing table, work table, card table, desk and the like.

This invention has as a difierent object the provision of a sewing table in which the sewing machine may be stored when not in use.

These and other objects are accomplished by the table of my invention which comprises a pair of fixed support legs fixedly positioned in respect tothe table tops, and I retractable legs pivotally positioned at the opposite side of the table. The retractable legs when in retracted position are positioned at their closest proximity to the fixed legs. In their extended position the retractable legs are pivoted outwardly away from the fixed table legs.

The table comprises a plural-leaf table top with the leaf portions thereof overlapped when the table legs are in retracted position. When the retracted legs are pivoted to their extended position the upper leaf portion can be rested upon the extended legs.

In a preferred embodiment of the table of my invention, the bottom section is provided with removable compartment covers, which covers when removed, expose compartments adapted to receive articles, equipment or the like.

In one preferred embodiment, one of the compartments of the bottom section is large enough to receive a sewing machine when the sewing machine is placed sidewise. This preferred embodiment also includes a compartment cover generally formed in a configuration somewhat larger than that of the sewing machine base whereby the sewing machine can be inserted through said cover and rested upon the floor of the table well therebeneath.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts:

Figure l is a perspective view of a table constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the table legs being in retracted position.

Fatented Nov. 8, 1955 Figure2 is a front elevational view of the table of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the table, viewed from above, with the table top removed (the removed table top appearing in expanded position in dotted line) for a better appraisal of the contents of the table well.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the bottom table top leaf portion with the removable compartment covers shown in position.

Figure 5 is a plan view from above of another embodiment of the table of the present invention with the table top removed (the removed table top appearing in expanded position in dotted line).

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the table embodiment of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of another modified embodiment of the table of the present invention, with the table top removed (such removed table top appearing in expanded position in dotted line).

Referring initially to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 4, 10 designates the improved table construction of the present invention. Table 10 comprises a pair of stationary legs 12 fixedly positioned to their respective corners of table well 14. The opposite legs 16 of table 10 are retractable and are pivotally hinged to a fixed centrally-positioned depending stay 18 by means of hinges 20 through respective vertical hinge-carrying members 22 and horizontal connecting battens 24.

Each of retractable legs 16 is also joined to its vertical hinge-carrying member 22 by an upper horizontal batten 26 whichhas a width similar to the depth of table well 14 so that when retractable legs 16 are in their retracted position shown in Figures 1 and 2, with such legs positioned at the corners of the table, upper horizontal batten 26 obscures table well 14 and gives the appearance of being a continuation of table well 14 (see Figure 2).

As shown in the dotted line portion of Figure 3 retractable legs 16 are pivotal about hinges 20 and in their extended position are considerably removed from stationary legs 12. The function of retractable legs 16 in their extended position will-be explained below.

Table 10 is provided with a leafed table top designated 28 which includes bottom stationary table top leaf 30 and pivotally movable upper table top leaf 32. Bottom table top leaf 39 and upper table top leaf 32 are hinged together by means of hinges 34 positioned on the retractable leg side of table 10. When upper table top leaf 32 is swung in an arc of it assumes the position shown in dotted line in Figure 3, wherein it is supported in such iextericed position upon the uppermost surface of extended egs When upper table top leaf 32 is not in extended position but is surmounting or overlapping bottom stationary table top leaf 30, the retractable legs 16 are in their retracted position and the table is usable as a small table, such as an eating table.

Referring particularly to Figure 4, it can be seen that bottom table top leaf 30 is subdivided into a plurality (in the embodiment shown in the drawings, four) of removable compartment covers 36, 42, 52 and 56 and a fixed portion designated 37.

Compartment cover 36 is mounted on flange 38 extending inwardly on the bottom side of table top leaf 30. Compartment cover 36 is provided with a finger-grip portion 40 to facilitate the withdrawal of compartment cover 36.

Compartment cover 42 is removably joined to the fixed portion of table top leaf 30 along its borders 44 and 46 and is supported by a bottom table top flange 48 extending along its border 50.

Compartment cover 52 abuts compartment cover 42 along the latters border 54 and is removably joined to 3 the fixed portion of leaf 30 along its border 53. Compartment cover 52 is shaped to a configuration somewhat larger than the base of a standard electrical sewing machine (or other object to be mounted on the table 10).

The remaining compartment cover 56 abuts compartment cover 52. Compartment cover 56 is removably joined to the fixed portion of table top leaf 30 along its borders 53 and 60. The border 61 of cover 56 comprises the free edge of leaf 30.

Compartment cover 52 is provided with a project-ion 62 which is received in a recess 6 of compartment cover 42 and with a projection 66 received in a recess 68 of compartment cover .56.. Projections 62 and 66 serve to align compartment cover 52 and to secure it in position in respect to compartment covers 42 and 56.

A compartment 70 is provided beneath compartment cover 36 to receive accessories, tools, and the like related to the sewing machine. A major portion of the remainder of table well 14 is divided into three separate compartments 72, 7-4 and '76. The largest of these is compartment 72 which is adapted to receive a sewing machine 78 (shown diagrammatically in Figure 3) when the latter is laid sidewise as shown in Figure 3. Compartment 74 is a large trough-like compartment adjoining compartment '72 and is adapted to receive spools, scissors and other items used with sewing machine "78.

Compartment 76 is positioned below compartment cover 52 and is of .a sufiicient depth to receive the base of sewing machine 78 when table top leaf 32 is pivoted to its open position (Figure 3) and compartment cover 52 is removed. When sewing machine 78 is mounted in compartment 76, its working portion .is substantially flush with the level of table top leaf 3t) and a large amount of the table top area .is available for receiving goods, working space, etc. (the remaining compartment covers 36, 42 and '56 having been replaced).

Table well 14 can be provided with an aperture for an electrical outlet (not shown) for sewing machine 78 and compartment 72 can be provided with support projections for holding sewing machine 78 in position when sewing machine 78 is not in use. The bottom of compartment 76 may be provided with means for retaining sewing machine 78 in position when in use.

In the embodiment of Figures and 6 the table is identical with that shown in Figures 1 through 4 except that in place of the arrangement of retractable legs 16 and depending stay 18., the arrangement of retractable legs 80 is provided.

Each of retractable legs 80 is connected by a .pair of horizontal battens 82 to pivotable hinged members 84 which are hinged by hinges 86 to corner braces 88 of table well 14. Both in the extended position of legs which is seen in dotted line in Figure 5 and in the retracted position seen in solid line in Figure 5, the horizontal battens are non-engagedly criss-crossed.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 the table 10 is again identical to that shown in Figures 14 except that the retractable legs 90 are connected by horizontal battens 92 to corner pivotable members 94 which are hinged by hinges 96 to the side of table well 14. The construction shown in Figure 7 permits appreciably shorter horizontal battens to be used than the construction of Figures 5 and 6.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illus trative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claim rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

An expansible table including a substantially rectangular well surmounted by a fixed lower leaf and having a leg fixed at each end of its front edge, 2. depending stay shorter than said legs fixed at substantially the center of the rear edge of the well, an upper leaf hinged to the rear edge of the lower leaf, and a pair of movable leg structures each hinged to one side of said depending stay and each comprising an outer leg of the same length as each fixed leg and a relatively short inner hinge-carrying member, each of said members being hinged to an opposite side of said stay, whereby the leg structures may be retracted to position their outer legs adjacent to the rear edge of the well and maybe extended angularly from said stay to support said upper leaf when swung about its hinge into extended position in horizontal alignment with said fixed lower leaf.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 140,929 Loth July 15, 1873 144,769 Kade Nov. 18, 1873 1,516,323 Bilton Nov. 13, 1924 1,559,794 Sherrod Nov. 3, 1925 1,595,379 Childs Aug. 10., .1926 2,420,698 .Best May 20, 1947 2,555,957 Clingman June 5,, 1951 2,563,891 Wallance Aug. 14, 1951 2,565,456 Peets Aug. 21, 1951. 2,607,651 Preuss Aug. 19, 1952 2,673,776 Bannhart Mar. 30, 1954

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