Foldable cardboard beach table

June 1, 1954 h. d. frum 2,680,047

FOLDABLE CARDBOARD BEACH TABLE

Filed June 1, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1

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INVENTOR HERBERT D. FROM ^BY

ATTORNEY

June 1, 1954 h. d. frum 2,680,047

FOLDABLE CARDBOARD BEACH TABLE

Filed June 1, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2680047A_D0002.tif" />

Patented June 1, 1954

2,680,047

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,680,047 FOLDABLE CARDBOARD BEACH TABLE Herbert D. Frum, Yonkers, N. Y. Application June 1,1951, Serial No. 229,403

Fig. 4 is an end view looking in the direction of the line 4—4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the side flange and end extension thereof opened up and flattened out.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line 6—6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 7—7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a beach table constructed in accordance wth a modified form of this invention, this view illustrating but one corner of the table, the other corners being identical in construction.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the table shown in Fig. 8, but illus20 trated with the legs removed and with the prongs shown in open positions.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of Fig. 11 but illustrated with the prongs in folded positions.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of 25 the top portion of one of the corner legs of the table.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 14—ί 4 of Fig. 8.

The beach table, in accordance with this invention, includes a table top 10 of rectangular ³⁰ shape formed of cardboard and having side flanges 11 on opposite sides extending downwards at right angles to the table top iS. End extensions 12 are formed upon the ends of the side flanges I i and in the assembled position of the ³⁵ table extend at right angles to the side flanges

I i and engage beneath the ends of said table top 10. Prongs 13 are formed on the tops of said end extensions 12 and normally engage through slots 14 formed in the table top !8.

⁴⁰ Corner legs 15 of angle shape formed of cardboard have their top ends mating and engaging in the right angles of said side flanges i S and end extensions 12. These legs i5 are formed from flat strips of cardboard bent along their ⁴⁵ longitudinal centers. The legs !5 are releasably attached to the side flanges 11 and end extensions 12 with pieces of adhesive tape 16. The adhesive tape 16 may be pulled off or torn to release the legs 15. The prongs 13 have tapered sides, see Fig. 4, in order to be larger at their top ends. These top ends are slightly larger than the slots 14 so that it is necessary to force the prongs 13 through the slots !4, when the table is assembled. This forced fit serves to hold

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in inexpensive disposable tables intended particularly for use at beaches. However, these tables may also be used at picnics and other jjIslccs d

An important object of this invention resides in the construction of a beach table of cardboard, corrugated board, etc., which, when not in use may be opened flat and which may be easily and quickly folded and assembled into the table form, io Hereafter in the specification and claims the term “cardboard” will be used to denote the various materials from which the table may be formed.

It is proposed to so construct the new table that when assembled it is very strong and may support jugs of liquid, dishes and foods.

It is proposed to provide the new beach table with legs supporting the ends or corners of the table top of the table, and if needed, additional legs may be used for supporting central areas of the table top.

The new construction embodied in this invention resides in forming the table top with angular portions cut out and folded or bent downwards of said table top for receiving legs of angle shape for supporting said table top. It is proposed to construct said legs of cardboard. Said legs have their top ends mating and engaging in said angle portions. Adhesive tape or other types of tape, or other fastening means may be used for releasably attaching the legs to the angle portions.

Additional objects of this invention reside in providing the table top with side flanges for stiffening purposes. The legs may be provided with integral prongs by which they may be secured firmly in position and connected wtih said table top.

Another object of this invention is the construction of a foldable cardboard beach table wherein the folded and attached parts are locked in place by tongue-in-slot connections.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a beach table constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of one of the corners of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of Fig. 2.

2,680,047 the parts from coming apart. The prongs 13 are also formed with slits 17 dividing them into side sections 18 which may be bent right and left, as clearly shown on the drawing, so as to further insure a firm connection between the prongs 13 and the table top 10.

One or more central legs 20 are provided for supporting the central area of the table top 10. As shown in Fig. 1, two such legs 20 are used. Each of these legs 20 is formed from a strip of cardboard bent along its longitudinal center line to produce the angle effect. The top end of each leg 20 is provided with a pair of prongs 21 located at the sides of the arms thereof. These prongs 21 are adapted to engage through slots 22 formed in the table top 10. The prongs 21 have tapered sides and are slightly larger than the openings 22 so that it is necessary to force them through the openings 22 when assembling the table. The prongs 2&lt;; are also formed with a central split 23 so that side sections 24 thereof may be bent right and left.

The operation and use of the beach table may be understood from the following:

In Fig. 1 the table is shown completely assembled. It should be recognized that the side flanges 11 reinforce and stiffen the table top 19. Preferably, these side flanges 11 are formed along the long sides of the table top 10. The side flanges 11 and the side extensions 12 form angle portions into which the top portions of the angle shaped legs 15 mate and engage. The top portions of the legs 15 are attached to the side flanges 11 and side extensions 12 with adhesive tape 16, or similar tape, so as to securely hold the legs 15 in position. The central legs 20 support the central area of the table top 10 to prevent sagging and make it possible for the table to support relatively heavy objects such as jugs of liquid, and dishes with food.

The beach table may be used once aiid then discarded, or if desired, the legs 15 and 20 may be removed from their connection with the table top 10 and the table may be stored or carted away and used a number of times. The legs 15 and 20 are flattened out and the table top 10 is also flattened out by opening the side flanges II and extensions 12. This makes it easy to store the parts of the table.

In Figs. 8-14 inclusive another beach table is illustrated constructed in accordance with another form of this invention. This beach table includes a table top 26 of rectangular shape formed of cardboard and having side flanges 27 along its sides and ends extending downwards at right angles to the table top 26. The side flanges 27 at each corner of the table top 26 are constructed as follows: One of the side flanges 27 is provided with an end extension 28' which has prongs 29 engaging through slots 30 formed in the other of said adjacent side flanges 27 for securing said adjacent side flanges 27 together at right angles to each other. Each prong 29 has a central section 31, a top section 32, and a bottom section 33. Each slot 33 has a vertical central section 34, a horizontal top section 35, and a horizontal bottom section 36.

The prong 29 is engaged in the slot 38 in the following manner: The central section 31 of the prong 29 is first bent at right angles to the end extension 28 and then the top section 32 and the bottom section 33 are bent at right angles to the central section 31, as illustrated in Fig. 12. Now, the various said sections, of the prong 2S are aligned with the various sections of the slot

30, as follows: Section 32 is aligned with section 35, section 31 is aligned with section 34, and section 33 is aligned with section 36. The end extension 28 may now be pressed against the ad⁵ jacent side flange 27 to force the prong 29 through the slot 30. The prong 29 is next opened up fiat against the inner face of the adjacent side flange 27, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10. To do this the prong 29 must first be bent around ¹ so that it extends outwards of the slot 30 in relation to the end extension 28 and then the sections 32 and 33 are moved fiat against the side flange 27.

Each corner of the table top 26 is provided ⁰ with a leg 40 of angle shape formed of cardboard. These legs 48 have their top ends mating and engaging in the right angles between each pair of adjacent side flanges 27. Means is provided on ^ior. ^attaching said legs to said side flanges 27. This means includes a prong 38 cut out from the material of each flange 27 and cooperative with slots 39 cut in the top portion of each leg 40. Each prong 38 has a central portion 41 ,. which is integral with the material of the side flange 27. Each prong 38 also has a top section 42 and a bottom section 43 which may be bent at right angles to the central section 41. The central section 41 must be bent inwards at right angles to the side flange 27 in order to ° engage through the cooperative slot 39 of leg 48. Each slot 39 has a central section 44, a top section 45, and a bottom section 46 to be engaged by the corresponding sections of the prong 38. After the prong 38 has been passed through * ·’ the slot 39 it is bent outwards in relation to the corner of the table top 26 and is then opened up, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 10.

Central portions of the table top 28 are supported by additional central legs 47. Each of these legs 47 is of angle shape and formed of cardboard. Each leg 47 is provided with a top prong 43 which are laced through slots 49 and 58, see Fig. 14, formed in the table top 26. The prongs 48 serve to connect the legs 47 with the 43 table top 26.

In Figs. 3-10 inclusive one corner of the table has been illustrated as it would appear in its operating condition. This table may be folded as follows: The leg 47 is removed by unlacing the 50 prongs 48. The leg 43 may be removed by bending the sections 42 and 43 of the prongs 38 to positions at right angles to the central sections 41, and then pivoting the bent prongs 33 towards the corner of the table top 26 to align same with 55 the slots 39. The prongs 33 may now be forced through the slots 33 as the leg 48 is pushed away from the adjacent faces of the side flanges 27. The leg 49 may now be removed.

The prong 29 may now be passed through the 00 slot 30 by first bending the sections 32 and 33 at right angles to the central section 31, and then bending the central section 31 at right angles to the side extension 23 so that the folded prong 29 is aligned with the slot 30. The prong 28 may C5 now be slipped through the slot 30 and then the side flanges 27 are disconnected and may be bent upwards into the plane of the table top 26.

The table is assembled by first connecting the side flanges 27, and then mounting the legs 40 70 and 47 into position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the 7a right is reserved to all changes and modifications

8,680,047 side edges of the table top, said end pieces being foldably joined to the ends of said side flanges, the yokes of the U-shaped keys being foldably joined to said end pieces, the arms of said Ushaped keys being foldably joined to said yokes, the U-shaped additional keys being struck out of the side flanges, the yokes of said U-shaped additional keys being foldably joined to said side flanges, and the arms of said U-shaped additional keys being foldably joined to said last mentioned yokes.

3. A beach table in accordance with claim 1, wherein each leg is die-cut from a single sheet of cardboard, each said leg having a longitu15 dinally extending folding line bisecting the same and forming two side wall portions on opposite sides of said folding line, said side wall portions being disposed at an angle of 90 degrees relative to each other, each said leg being provided with 20 one U-shaped slot die-cut into one of its side wall portions and a second U-shaped slot die-cut into the other of its side wall portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent 25

UNITED STATES PATENTS coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.