US3342148A

US3342148A - Convertible support structure

Info

Publication number: US3342148A
Application number: US570050A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fritsch Konrad
Original assignee: HASLOCHER AUSZIEHTISCH und MOE
Current assignee: HASLOCHER AUSZIEHTISCH und MOE; HASLOCHER AUSZIEHTISCH- und MOEBELFABRIK A HAINKE GmbH
Priority date: 1965-08-09
Filing date: 1966-08-03
Publication date: 1967-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-19
Also published as: AT264056B

Description

sept. 19, 1967 K. FRITSCH 3,342,148v

CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT'OR BYW ATTORNEY Sept. 19, 1967 K, FRlTsCH 3,342,148

CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Shee L Filed Aug. 5, 1966 i F/6`.4 y /f 7 l INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,342,148 CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE Konrad Fritsch, Kreuzwertheim, Germany, assignor to Haslocher Auszielltisch-und Moebelfabrik A. Hainke G.m.b.H., Hasloch am Main, Germany Filed Aug. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 570,050 Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 9, 1965, H 56,867 4 Claims. (Cl. 10S-102) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A table provided with a base having a pair o-f spaced opposite sides. A two-section panel member supported on the base, the two sections being pivotally connected to `one another at one side 4of the base. Cooperating guide means provided on the base and on the sections for compelling mirror-symmetrical movement of the sections relative to one another and to the base so that the point of connection of the two sections moves in a straight line across `the base and the sections simultaneously pivot with reference to one -another in their common plane.

The present invention relates to a convertible support structure and more specifically to a convertible table.

In` the, construction of housing there has for some years now been a trend toward smaller houses and apartments. Certain special-purpose rooms, such as dining rooms, are frequently eliminated entirely and other rooms are assigned multiple functions to compensate las much as possible for the elimination of such special-purpose rooms. ,v A result of these` developments has been the everincreasing popularity of convertible furniture, and particularly of convertible tables. There is :frequently simply notenough floor space to accommodate both 'a couch or cocktail table and 'a dining table. Because of their different congurations neither of them can, however, properly fulll the functions of the other unless provisions are made for certain changes leading to a conversion from one function to another.

In` consequence, various different types of tables have been developed which are convertible in order to be usable for differing functions. All of these constructions, including the one which is perhaps best known and in which two halves of the top may be separated from one -another so as to provide a center space inwhich an additional leaf is accommodated, `are relatively complicated and therefore expensive. Furthermore, these constructions are not easy to convert since they require several and frequently cumbersome manipulations.

Industry has therefore long sought a convertible table which is relatively simple in its construction and can therefore be manufactured at economical prices, and

Whose conversion from one state to another can be act complished with c-onsiderably more ease than is known from the prior art in order to overcome the objections often voiced by consumers to the effect that prior-art constructions are so difficult to convert that they frequently forego such conversion and consequently do not make full use of the potential of their tables.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a converti-ble support structure, and particularly a convertible table, which is not possessed of the disadvantages of known prior-art constructions.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a convertible table which can be converted from one state to another with great ease and by persons possessing neithenmechanical skill nor signilicant strength.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a convertible table which is simple to construct, and which is therefore inexpensive both as to its manufacturing cost and its possible retail price.

In accordance with one important feature of the invention my convertible support structure, which may in particular be a table but could also be a structure for other purposes, for instance a support for the cushions of a couch or daybed, comprises a -base on which a panel member is supported. This panel member includes two sections which are disposed in a common plane and which each have a lirst and a second edge face mutually inclined with reference to one another. These sections are movable in their common plane between one position in which their respective first edge faces abut one another, and another position in which it is the respective second edge faces which abut. I further provide guide means on these section-s as well as on the base, and such guide means cooperate with one another and serve to guide the sections during their movement from one to the other of the aforementioned positions.

When, as I contemplate in an important embodiment of my invention, the sections are of rectangular configuration, so that they each have two long edge faces and two shorter edge faces, it will be clear that the table top will be shorter but Wider when one long edge face of one section abuts a similar edge face of the other section, whereas turning of the sections to a position in which two respective shorter edge faces abut one another will produce a table top which is longer but narrower than in the position first described.

To facilitate conversion of the table from one state into another, which is an important consideration of the invention, I construct the guide means in such a manner that movement of one of the sections will advantageously compel the other section to perform a mirror-symmetrical movement so that the conversion can in effect `be accomplished with one hand and without requiring the user to change his position relative to the structure during the conversion, as is usually necessary with prior-art constructions.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a top-plan view of a novel table in accordance with the present invention and in one state of conversion;

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1, butshowing the table in `another state of conversion;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line III-III of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an viewsimilar to FIG. l, but showing another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the embodiment of FIG. 4 in another state of conversion.

Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that the novel convertible table shown there comprises a base, namely a frame 1 which is in theusual manner provided with legs 2t. It might be pointed out here that the provision of the four legs 2 is by no means necessary; the fra-me could for instance also be of the pedestal type.

Carried on the frame 1 as a panel in form of a table top comprising the two sections 3 and 4 which are, but need not be, identical. To facilitate illustration of the various components and movements thereof, the sections 3 and 4 are in the drawing assumed to consist of glass or another transparent material so that the components in question are clearly visible therethrough. Naturally, this is not to imply any limitation of materials to glass since the table top can obviously be made of an almost unending variety of materials.

Each of the sections 3 and 4 is provided on its underside with a pin 6 which projects downwardly away from the underside, and these pins 6 are respectively guided in elongated slots of a guide member 16 which extends intermediate the opposite sides of the frame 1 and parallel to both of these opposite sides. The slots 5, as is evident, similarly extend parallel to these sides.

In the drawing the sections 3 and 4 are shown as being of identical size and of rectangular configuration. This is a preferredembodiment but it should be understood that other shapes are also possible, for instance sections in form of a quarter of a circle. However, in all embodiments the sections must each have a rst and a second edge face which are mutually inclined and intersect one another. A hinge 7 connects the sections 3 and 4 at their respective points of intersection in such a manner that they can pivot about the hinge pin in their common plane.

It will be clear that pivoting of the sections 3 and 4 in the directions indicated by the arrows 6 will result in separation of the shorter edge faces which are shown to be in abutment in FIG. 1, and in abutting of the longer edge faces so that the table top assumes the outline shown in FIG. 2. Naturally, this can be again reversed simply by once more tilting the sections 3 and 4, but this time in directions of the arrows 6 which are shown in FIG. 2 and one will then again have the table top shown in FIG. 1. During such movements the pins 6 slide in the slots 5 and thus reliably guide the sections 3 and 4 with reference to the frame 1.

To further improve this guidance and to facilitate the ease of conversion of the table top, a double-armed lever 10 can be provided which is secured to the member 16 so that it can pivot relative thereto about the pivot point 10.

Rods

8 and 9 are each pivotally secured to one arm of the lever 10 and are further connected with the respective pins 6, and it will be clear that with this arrangement turning of either one of the sections 3, 4 will automatically result in mirror-symmetrical movement of the other section which is compelled thereto by the motion transmitted through the above linkage. Not only does this arrangement make the novel structure still more easily Convertible, but the provision of the lever also reduces the amount of strength required for turning of the sections. Thus, conversion from one to the other state can generally be accomplished with one hand and is possible also to the young and to the infirm.

The arrangement of the linkage and details of the manner in which it cooperates with the frame and the sections is most clearly seen in FIG. 3 which will not require a separate description since it merely is another view of what has already been shown and described before.

A conventional locking arrangement 11 of any wellknown type is used to secure the sections 3 and 4 together in their respective positions of conversion, so that they cannot accidentally move apart.

Coming now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the arrangement is basically the same as in FIGS. 1-3. In fact, like elements have in the drawing been given like reference numerals.

The difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 as opposed to that shown in FIGS. 1-3 lies in the guide means for the sections 3 and 4. The pins 6, received in slots 5 of the member 16, are provided in this second embodiment also. However, the linkage arrangement of FIGS. 1-3 is replaced by a different guiding arrangement.

Specifically, and as will be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cross-member 12 is provided on the frame 1 and this member 12 extends from one to the other side of the frame, transversely of the member 16. Slidably connected to the member 12 in direction intermediate the sides of frame 1 is a carriage 13 and the construction of this carriage, as well as details concerning its slidable Connection to the member 12, do not form part of this invention and are already well known inthe art.

The carriage 13 is provided with an elongated slot 14 which, as is clear from the drawing, is elongated in the direction of movement of carriage 13. The hinge 7, which connects the sections 3 and 4 with one another, in this embodiment is provided with a downwardly extending projection 15 whose free end is slidably received in the slot 14 of carriage 13. Thus, when the sections 3 and 4 are moved in the direction of the respective arrows 6, the projection 15 will initially slide in the slot 14 from one to the other end thereof. When it reaches the end of the slot 14, projection 15 exerts pressure on the carriage 13 and compels the same to move in a straight line from one side of the frame 1 across to the other, so that it assumes the position shown in FIG. 5. When this movement is completed, the conversion from one state-or, putting this differently, from one configuration of the table top to anotheris completed.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of a convertible table differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in convertible support structures, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A convertible support structure, particularly a table, comprising, in combination, a base having a pair of spaced opposite sides; a panel member supported on said base and comprising two sections disposed in a common plane, each of said sections having first and second edge faces intersecting one another at a right angle; hinge means pivotally connecting said sections to one another at the points of intersection of the respective first and second edge faces and cooperating guide means provided on said sections and said base and arranged to compel simultaneous mirror-symmetrical movement of said sections, in response to movement of either section, between one position in which said points of intersection are located adjacent one another at one of said sides while the respective first edge faces abut, and another portion in which said points of intersection a-re displaced in a straight line across said base from said one t-o the other side thereof and in which the respective second edge faces abut.

2. A convertible support structure, particularly a table, comprising a base having a pair of spaced opposite sides; a panel imember supported on said base and comprising two sections of substantially rectangular outline movably disposed in a common plane and each having a first and a second edge face intersecting one another at a right angle, the respective first edge faces being of a length which differs from that of the respective second edge faces; hinge means pivotably connecting such sections to one another at the point of intersection of the respective first and second edge faces; and cooperating guide means on said base and said section guiding the latter for movement between one position in which said points of intersection are located adjacent one another at one of said sides while the respective first edge faces abut, and another position in which said points of intersection are displaced tudinal direction of the same, and motion-transmitting means arranged to compel simultaneous mirror-symmetrical movement of said sections in response to movement of one :of said sections between said positions.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said motion-transmitting means comprises a double-armed lever pivotally secured to said base and a pair of connecting rods respectively pivotally secured with opposite ends thereof t-o the free end of each arm of said lever and to one of said pins.

4. A structure as delined in claim 2, wherein said motion-transmitting means comprises an elongated carriage connected to said base for axial movement from said one t-o said other side of the fbase, said carriage being slotted in axial direction thereof and said hinge means comprising a projection extending into the slot of said carriage, said projection being normally located at one of two opposite ends of said slot and being longitudinally movable in the latter so that, when said sections are moved from one to lthe other of said positions, said projection will travel from the one to the other end of said lcarriage and will thereupon compel the carriage to move axially toward the respective other side of said base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 270,273 1/'1883 Yount 297-233 332,360 12/1885 Penny 10S- 140 819,305 5/1906 McLeWee 5-12 1,055,109 3/1913 Whitaker 5-2 '1,994,398 3/1935 Miller 10S-87 2,018,430 10/1935 Wolcosin 10S-87 2,118,620 5/1938 Orsenigo 108--103 2,472,903 6/ 1949 Kamholtz 10S-140 2, 610,099 9/ 1952 McNamara 10S-140 3,110,909 11/1963 Bendell 5-12 3,224,391 12/1965 Cooper 10S-140 FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A CONVERTIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY A TABLE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A BASE HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED OPPOSITE SIDES; A PANEL MEMBER SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE AND COMPRISING TWO SECTIONS DISPOSED IN A COMMON PLANE, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND EDGE FACES INTERSECTING ONE ANOTHER AT A RIGHT ANGLE; HINGE MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID SECTIONS TO ONE ANOTHER AT THE POINTS OF INTERSECTION OF THE RESPECTIVE FIRST AND SECOND EDGE FACES AND COOPERATING GUIDE MEANS PROVIDED ON SAID SECTIONS AND SAID BASE AND ARRANGED TO COMPEL SIMULTANEOUS MIRROR-SYMMETRICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SECTIONS, IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF EITHER SECTION, BETWEEN ONE POSITION IN WHICH SAID POINTS OF INTERSECTIONS ARE LOCATED ADJACENT ONE ANOTHER AT ONE OF SAID SIDES WHILE THE RESPECTIVE FIRST EDGE FACES ABUT, AND ANOTHER PORTION IN WHICH SAID POINTS OF INTERSECTION ARE DISPLACED IN A STRAIGHT LINE ACROSS SAID BASE FORM SAID ONE TO THE ANOTHER SIDE THEREOF AND IN WHICH THE RESPECTIVE SECOND EDGE FACES ABUT.