Extension table

April 4, 1939.

T. E. McFALL . EXTENSION TABLE Filed April 20, 1938

2,153,262

Sheets-Sheet 1

<img file="US2153262A_D0001.tif" />

April 4, 1939.

2,153,262

T. E. McFALL

EXTENSION TABLE

Filed April 20, 1938

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2153262A_D0002.tif" />

April 4, 1939.

Τ. E. Μ o FALL

EXTENSION TABLE

Filed April 20, 1938

2,153,262

Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US2153262A_D0003.tif" />

Patented Apr. 4,1939

2,153,262

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,153,262 EXTENSION TABLE

Thurlow E. McFall, Sparta, Mich., assignor to Michigan Artcraft Company, Sparta, Mich., a corporation of Michigan

Application April 20, 1938, Serial No. 203,088

Claims. (CL 311—67)

This invention relates to extension tables and is concerned with a novel structure whereby a table is produced which in its collapsed condition occupies but little space, but which can be ex5 tended to any desired distance within reasonable limits for use as a dining room table, and when collapsed occupying no more than substantially one-half of the space which it occupies when in its smallest extended position.

The invention consists of novel structure by means of which the table can be extended and when extended is stably supported. At the same time the table structure is strong and durable.

An understanding of the invention may be had 15 from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the table in its smallest or collapsed condition.

Fig. 2 is a similar elevation illustrating the 20 first step of movement in extending the table.

Fig. 3 is a like view illustrating the next succeeding step.

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the table extended.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the table at substantially the position in Fig. 2, or during the first step of its extension.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken substantially on the plane of line 6—6 of Hg. 5, looking 30 in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section showing a modified detail of structure slightly different from the equivalent structure shown in Fig. 6. ,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified detail of structure, and

Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the structure as in the position shown in Fig. 2 and of a modified form from that which is illustrated in said 40 Figs. 2 and 5.

like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

In the construction of the table a top member I is permanently secured to a table frame 45 member having spaced apart sides 2 with an end member 3 extending between them adjacent their front edges, the adjacent edges of the frame members 2 and 3 having connection to vertical front supporting legs 4. In conjunction with the 50 front part of the table thus described, is a rear part which has a bottom 6 connected to the lower edges of two side members 6 and to a rear end frame member 7, the adjacent edges of the frame members 6 and 7 being connected to rear 55 vertical legs 8 in the same manner that the parts and 3 are connected to the front legs 4. The side frame members 6 are located so as to move within the side frame members 2 of the first described section of the table. Extension slides are disposed between the two sections of the table 5 consisting of fixed bars 9 and 10, one at each side of the table and secured respectively, the bars 9 to the bottom 5 and in contact with the end members 6, and with the bars 10 secured to the under side of the top member i of the first de- 10 scribed section. The intermediate slides 11 are slidably connected with respect to each other so as to separate the two sections of the table as shown in Fig. 5. The detail of the slides is not described as such slides are common and well- 15 known.

A narrow top member 12 in the collapsed position of the table, as in Fig. 1, lies over the rear end frame member 7 and over the upper ends of the rear legs 8 and is free of connection thereto 20 and also free of connection of the frame members 6. At its rear edge a third top member 13 is hingedly connected thereto by concealed hinges as at 14. The width of the top member 13 is equal to the combined width of the two top 25 members I and 12, so that in the collapsed condition of the table, shown'in Fig. 1, the top member i3 extends over both top members 9 and ¢2 and completely covers them as shown.

A slide IS is permanently secured at one end 30 to the upper side of the bottom 5. It is slidably connected with guides which consist of two side bars 16 and a cover 17 (Fig. 6). This guide structure is secured at its rear portion to the Under side of the narrow top member 12. A locking 35 catch IS similar to that which is used with sliding windows passes through one of the side ' guides 16 and at its inner end may enter a recess in the side of the bar 15 (Fig. 5) to normally hold the top member 12 in a fixed position, such as shown 40 in Figs. 1 and 2, with respect to the rear section of the table comprised of thebottom 5, sides 6 and ends 7; but by withdrawing the catch 18, the top member 12, with the attached guides (6, I7 may be moved to a forward position, as in Fig. 3 or 4. 45

With a table as thus constructed and in the position where it occupies the smallest space, as in Fig. 1, to extend the table the upper top member 13 is lifted at its free forward edge and thereupon the forward section of the table is moved 50 by extending the slides I I, as in Fig. 2, the top member 12 remaining at its rear position by reason of the lock provided by the locking catch 18. After the front section of the table has been moved forwardly a desired distance, the catch 65

9,168,963 at 18 is withdrawn, and then the upper table top member 13, with the narrow member 12 hinged thereto is moved forward as illustrated in Fig. 3, the guides 16, IT moving forward on the bar 15. B The.final step is to swing the upper top member 13 over to horizontal position as in Fig. 4 and close any gaps which may exist between the front top member I and the narrow intermediate member 12. It will be evident that if desired the table 10 may be further extended, the narrow top member 12 spaced from the rear edge of the front top section I, and within such space ordinary table leaves may be inserted so as to make a still greater extension of the table. The rear top 15 member 13, in Fig. 4, will extend a distance beyond the rear supporting legs 8, but the center of gravity of the table as a whole will be in front of the rear legs 8 so that the table is stable and will not readily tip.

In order to support the central portion of the table when it is extended, and particularly when it is extended by the use of additional, table leaves, a cross bar 19, Figs. 5 and 6, is connected at its ends to the lower sides of one of the exten25 sion slide members I i, at each side of the table, as best shown in Fig. 5. Foldable legs 20 are pivotally connected at their upper ends at 21 by suitable brackets to the under side of the bar 19 and may be dropped down to vertical position, as 30 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6, to give additional support to the central part of the table.

In Fig. 8 instead of the narrow top member 12 being connected to a movable guide member 16, IT, it is secured by suitable fastenings shown at 35 22, to the rear ends of intermediate slides 11 of the table slide construction. This structure is an equivalent generally of the guiding structure 15, 16 and IT shown in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 7 such slidable guide structure 15, 18 40 and IT of Fig. 6 is replaced by tlie slidable guides 15α and 16α the former within the latter. The guide members 15α and 16α are of identical structure, being merely reversed in position, the Inner members 15α being secured to the bottom mem45 ber 5 and the outer guide members 16α at their end portions to the narrow top member 12.

In Fig. 9 instead of the narrow table top member 12 being connected to a movable slide such as shown at 16, IT in Fig. 6, it is connected plv50 otally to one end of parallel links 23, the other ends having pivotal connection by means of a plate 24 to’the upper side of the bottom member 5. In this case, the movement of the narrow top member 12 instead of being a straight forward 55 movement, as in moving from the position in Fig. 2 to that in Fig. 3, is an arcuate movement controlled by the parallel links 23 as they are swung about their lower pivots to the left.

The construction described permits the extension of a table which in its collapsed condition occupies relatively small space, in fact not over half of what the table has when it is at its minimum extended position as in Fig. 4; and of course _M the table can be still further extended beyond what is shown in Mg. 4 by the use of additional table leaves. The stability of the table and the strength of construction which can be attained when made as described, with the ability to 70 occupy small space, make this table very practical and serviceable. It has particular utility in those cases where room in a house or apartment is at a premium. For the table needs to occupy its extended position only during the few short in75 tervals of the day at meal times, and all of the other times occupy a minimum of space as shown in Fig. 1.

The invention is defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within their scope. 5