US3101062A

US3101062A - Folding table and bench constructions

Info

Publication number: US3101062A
Application number: US138750A
Authority: US
Inventors: Claude G Kanzelberger
Original assignee: Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1961-09-18
Filing date: 1961-09-18
Publication date: 1963-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1980-08-20

Description

' Aug. 20, 1963 Filed Sept s 18, 1961 C. G. KANZELBERGER FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .L l 3 w L 5 gg w) c) a) INVENTOR.

Aug. 20, 1963 c. G. KANZELBERGER 3,101,052

' FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 COT Aug. 20, 1963 c. s. KANZELBERGER FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTIONS Filed Sept. 18, 19s;

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

a v H. i I1 na 5*. M M/ WI! 0 1 g w w m H a E a 5? z p/W 55 j k w Aug. 20, 1963 c. cs. KANZELBERGER 3,101,062

FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTIONS Filed Sept. 18, 19 61 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. aim/e mzn wa e/L Aug. 20, 1963 c. G. KANZELBERGER 3,101,052

7 Y FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH CONSTRUCTIONS FiledSept. 18, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .g gq I .133

.151 9 .17. %Q )/2J2 g 211 INVENTOR.

fan eel/W0 BY means for the table structure? United States Patent 3,ltil,tl62 FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH CGNSTRUCTIONS Claude G. Kauzelberger, Two Rivers, Wis, assignor to Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers, Win, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Sept. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 138,750 12 Claims. (tCl. 108-47) This invention relates generally to folding table and bench constructions, and more particularly to a trans versely folding table and bench construction which is stored in a Wall pocket or cabinet.

The primary object of the present invention is to pro vide a novel table assembly which includes a table, benches and wall pocket and which will permit compact storage of the table and benches in the wall pocket or cabinet.

It is a further object to provide an assembly of the foregoing character in which the table and benches may be easily and conveniently moved to a horizontal open position or to the closed position for storage within the pocket.

Still another object is to provide in such assembly novel locking or retaining means for positively retaining or locking the table and benches within the wallpocket or cabinet. p

A more specific object is to provide a novel table and bench assembly including a wall pocket, in which the table and benches are foldable transversely thereof and movableinto a vertical position within the wall pocket or cabinet, with means for securing the table and benches, both at the bottom and top thereof, within the wall pocket.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the table stricture of anassembly embodying the features of the invention and showing the table structure in open position;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational View of the right-hand end oi the table structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational View of the portion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the underside of the table structure of FIG. 1 and taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 1 and with the portion shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 removed;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

PEG. 8 is a cross'sectionalview taken substantially along the line 8-8of FIG. 6; l

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 8 but showopen position; i p I FIG. 11 is a View of the underside of the bench structure of FIG. 10 and taken substantiallyalong the line.

11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is .an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in "FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational'view of the portion shown FIG. 14 is an enlarged elevational view' of locking FIG. 15 is a side elevational view ofthe locking means shown in FIGQ14; Q

3,101,062 Patented Aug. ,20, 1963 :FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevational view of locking means for the bench structure; and

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the locking means shown in FIG. 16.

Generally, an assembly embodying the present invention comprises four basic parts, a table structure, two

identical bench structures, and a Wall pocket or cabinet center, where the'top members are pivotally connected,

by a center leg structure.

One end of the table structure is provided with means *for pivotally securing said end in the wall pocket or cabinet. The leg structures are pivotally connected to the top members and are adapted to fold against and between the top members when the assembly is closed. The end leg structure at the end opposite that provided with the pivotal securing means is arranged to support the table "structure when in the closed position in the wall pocket,

and said opposite end of the table structure is provided with means for locking it to the first mentioned end when closed. To firmly hold the table structure in the Wall pocket, the hinge connecting the top members is locked in the wall pocket in the upper part thereof. Thus, the top-members are held in the wall pocket both at their upper and lower ends when the assembly is closed.

The two bench structures are positioned on the respective sides of the table structure when open and are stored one on each side of the table structure in the wall pocket. The bench structures are substantially identical to each other and are similar in constructon to the table structure.

In detail, the table structure comprises two top members 10 and 11 (see FIGURES l and 5).

Thetop members

10 and 11 are substantially rectangular and equal in size. Each of the top members '10 and '11 has secured tothe underst-ide thereof in laterally spaced relation a

pair oftaprons

12 and 13. Each of the aprons 12. and 13 is in the torm of an inverted channel with the edges of the flanges turned inwardly. The top members '10 and 11 are pivotally'interconnected in an endsto-end relationship by a center leg structure indicated generally at 16. The center leg structure 16 comprises .a pair of vertical legs 21 secured together as a unit by a \crosspiece 17 (see FIG- URE 1). Each leg 21 is pivotally connected by a pin 24 to a pair of channel shaped brackets 19 'and 20. The brackets 19 "and 20 are secured tothe underside of the top members 10 andll inwardly of the

aprons

12 and 13 as shown in FIGURE 5. Orief en-d portion of the flanges of each ofichannel bracket 20' is offset inwardly and inserted between the flanges of the adjacent end of one channel bracket 19., and the pivot pin 24 extends through the interleaved flanges :of the'channel

brackets

19 and 20 to pivotally interconnect, the channel brackets as well as .the leg 21. To equalize the folding movement of the top members 10 and '11 relative to the center leg structure 16,

a pair of links 22 are pivotally connected, as at 26, to oppositesid'es of a collar 25 slidable on the leg 21. The other end of each link 22 is pivotally connected to a filbriacket 27 by a pin 28, and each of the brackets 27 is secured, as-by welding, tonne of the channel brackets .19 nazo shown inFIGURE 5. The lower endot eachlegzl is provided with' a floorcap30 The table structure also includes .a pair of end leg structures indicated generally as: and 40. Theend leg structure 32 comprises a pair of vcr-ticallegs 35 connected ing iand'unfolding movement of the .top members.

by a crosspiece 33. The legs 35 are provided with casters 36 at their lower ends. The upper ends of the legs 35 are secured to the underside of the top member by channel brackets 34 positioned inwardly of the

aprons

12 and 13, as shown in FIGURES. The upper end of each leg 35 is pivotally connected Within the channel bracket 34 by a pin 38. The distance from the axis of pins 38 to the bottom of the caster-s 36 is greater than the distance from the axis of pins 38 to the outer end of the table top section 10. With this arrangement, the casters 36 engage the floor" throughout the folding movement of the assembly.

The end leg structure 4th for the top member 11 comprises a pair of vertical legs '43 secured together as a unit by acrosspiece 41 and having casters 44 at their lower ends. Each leg43at its upper end is pivotally connected bya pin 46 to a channel bracket 42, and the latter is secured to the underside of the [top member 11 and are positioned inwardly of the

aprons

12 and 13 and inwardly of shown in FIGURE 5, so that the end leg structures 32 "and '40 do not interfere with each other in the folded the channel brackets 34 of the end leg structure 32, as

To control the movement of the

end leg structures

32 and 40 during folding and unfolding, the assembly further includes a pair of stretcher bars 50. One end of each stretcher bar 50 is pivotally connected to a bracket 51 by a pin 52, and one of the brackets '51 is secured to the upper side of the crosspiece 33 of the leg structure 32 and the other bracket 51 is secured to the upper side of the crosspiece 41 of the leg structure 40. The other end of each stretcher bar 50 is pivotally connected to a bracket 55 by a pin 56, and the brackets 55 are secured to the underside of the

top members

10 and 11 adjacent the center thereof and adjacent the pivotally connected ends thereof. The stretcher bar 50 which is connected through brackets 51 'to the end leg structure 32 is connected at the other end thereof through brackets 55 to top member 11, and the other stretcher bar 50 is pivotally connected to top member 10. and to the end ieg structure 40. The stretcher bars 50 maintain the

end leg structures

32 and 40 substantially upright in the openposition of the table, and cause the

end leg structures

32 and 40 to be folded substantially parallel to the

top members

11 and 11 in the closed position of the assembly.

The table structure also includes cushioning-means for cushioning movement of the table structure to its open position-and for assisting in moving the table structure to its closed position. In the present instance, the cushioning means is shown as comprising a hydraulic cylinder as-,

sembly 60 comprising 'a cylinder having a piston rod extending cfrom one end thereof. The hydraulic cylinder 7 assembly further includes a spring and certain internal porting (not shown) fonyieldihgly resisting the movernent of the piston rod intojthe cylinder portion thereof and thereby cushion the opening movementofthe table structure. On movement toward closed position, the

' piston rod is spring-biased outwardly of the cylinder portion thereof to :assist in the closing movement. The lower block '61 secured thereto, and the upper end of the piston "rod, is also provided with a bearing block 62secured thereto The bearing blocks 61 wand 62 are connected to end ot-the cylinder portion is'provided with a bearing the topmembers 10 and 11 in amanner to PTlOdllOe relativemoveinent gofthe cylinder portion and piston on fold- To this end, ,two' channel brackets 65' and are provided.

' As shown in FIGURES,

channel brackets

65 and 66 are the offset portion to be positioned between the flanges at one end of the channel bracket 66 and the interleaved ends of the channel brackets 65 and '66 are 'pivotally connected by a pin 68. The pin 68 also extends through the bearing block 62 with the bearing block 62 located between the flanges of the channel brackets as shown in FIGURE 3. A pair of rollers 7 0 are also journalled one on each end of the pin 63. Snap rings 71, one at each end of the pin 68 maintain the described assembly together as a unit.

To actuate the cylinder portion 0f the hydraulic cylinder assembly 60, a pair ot links 73 and a pair of links 74 are also provided. One link 73 and one link 74 are pivotally interconnected at one end of the bearing block 61 by a pin 75, while the other link 73 and the other link 74 are pivotally interconnected at the other end of t bearing block 61 by the pin 75. The other ends of the links 73 are pivotally carried on the ends of a pin 77 which is mounted in the flanges of the channel bracket 65 intermediate the ends thereof, and the other ends of the,

6, 7, 8 and 9 and in the present instance comprises a tablepocket, indicated generally at 100, and two bench pockets indicated generally at 101 and 102. The table pocket 100 comprises a pair of spaced apart side Walls 103 and 104, a back wall 105, a bottom wall 106 and a top wall 107. The distance between the side walls 103 is slightly greater than the width of the

top members

10 and 11 and the height of the opening in the wall pocket 100 is somewhat greater than the length of each

top member

10 and 11.

One end of the top member 11 is arranged to be pivotally connected to the wall pocket and to this end vertically extending sltots d2 are formed in the side walls 103 and 104 as shown in FIGURE 8. The slots 33 at the outer side of the side walls 103 and 104 are closed by channel members 109. Pivotal connecting means 82 is provided on one end of the top member 11 for securing said end to the wall pocket 100, the connecting means 32 cooperating with the slots 83 of the wall pocket. The connecting means 82, in the present instance, comprises a pair-of rods 84 slidably, mounted in the

aprons

12 and 13 and adapted to be fiorced outwardly into the slots 83 in the wall pocket. For forcing the rods 84 outwardly, a cam' member 85 is provided. The cam member'85 which is generally elliptical in shape and has a handle portion 85a extending from one side thereof is rotatably supported 'by a pin 89 mounted in a bracket 90. The bracket 90 is U-shaped, having a central plate portion which is secured to the underside of the table top section 11 adjacent the extending marginal edge thereof, and an upstanding flange tion of the cam member 85, the rods will be forced outwardly forengagement in the, slots 83 in the wall pocket .100. The rods 84 are spring urged inwardly to hold them against the cam member '85. Thus, eac'hiof the rods 84 is provided witha cross pin 92 and a coil spring 86 is positioned on the rod between the pin 92 and ia'flange of the

aprons

12 or 13. The upper ends of the slots 83, as

shown in FIGURE 8, 'arepositioned ata point at least as high'as the spacing of the rods S4ffrom the floor in open secured to the underside oi

top memberjs

10 and 11 sub- 1 stantiallyhttliecenter thereof. The flanges of channel bracket 65 at oneend ne er-are ofiset inwardly to permit position of the'table. It is :thus apparent thatthe'cam member may be. manually rotated to move the outer ends of the rods 84 outwardly into'the slots-83 to pivotally connect the end of the top member 11 to the wall pocket.

When the end of the top member 11 is pivotally connected to the wall pocket 1th), the pivotally connected ends of the top members and 11 are raised and moved toward the wall pocket. During such movement, the rods 84 move downwardly in the slots 83 until theyrest on door.

7 During the folding movement, the casters 36 of the end leg structure 32 remain in contact with the floor, since the length of the end leg structure 32 is greater than the distance from its pivotal connection with the top member 10 to the end of the top member. However, the length of the end leg structure 32 is such that, during the final part of the movement of the table structure into the wall pocket, the top member 10 is lifted. Since the top members 1b and 11 are pivotally connected, the top member 1-1 is likewise raised, moving the rods 84 upwardly a short distance in the slots 33.

Such lifting movement of the

top members

10 and 11 is utilized to elfect a locking engagement of the top members with the wall pocket 1% at the upper end thereof. However, it is desirable that the lockin means provided for this purpose avoid contacting the

top members

10 and 11 to prevent marring of the top members. To this end, the locking means provided cooperates with the hinge connection between the

top members

10 and 11. Thus, looking means in the form of a locking plate 11% is mounted on the underside of the top wall 107 of the wall pocket. The locking plate 116 is preferably mounted at the center of the wall pocket to cooperate with the rollers 71% provided at the hinge connection of the cushioning means on with the

top members

16 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 9, the locking plate 110 is secured to the top wall 107 of the wall pocket and projects downwardly therefrom. On its lower face, the locking plate 110 is \provided with an arcuate opening 11Gb ofa diam eter to receive the rollers 78 and two guide surfaces 11% diverging downwardly therefrom. As the top members 10 and v11 are lifted by the action of the end leg structure -32 during the final part of the closing movement, the

rollers 70 engage one of the guide surfaces 119a and are guided into the arcuate opening 11%. Thus, the locking plate 110 retainsthe rollers 79 in the arcuate opening and secures the upper end of the table structure to the wall pocket.

Latching means is also provided for locking the top member 1% to the top member 11 in the closed position Such latching means comprises a latch of the assembly. assembly, indicated generally at 13%, and a strike indicated at 131 in FIGURES 5, l4 and 15. Theila-tch assembly 130 comprises a base 132, a handle'133, a latch member '134, and a spring The base 132 is secured to the underside of the toprnember 1t} adjacent the end thereof opposite to the end connected to top member 10 and sublatch. member 134, the handle 133 is inclined away from the underside of the top member 10 and toward the end thereof.

The strike 131 is secured to the underside of the top member :11 adjacent the end opposite the end pivotally connected to the top member 10, so that, when the table is in the closed position, the strike 131 is engaged in the latch member 134. The strike 131 is generally U-shaped and has an extending end 131a spaced from the underside of the top member 11 and engageable by the latchmember 134. The latch member 134 is further provided with a camming surface 1340 which engages the extending portion 131a of the strike 131, upon closing of the table, to

automatically permit the hook portion 134a of the latch member to engage the extending portion 13 1a of the strike to lock the two top members 1% and 11 together. When locked, the latch member 134 may be readily [released by reaching under the lower edged the top member 10 and drawing the handle 133 toward the top member 16.

The engagement of the latch member 134 with the strike 131 securely holds the table structure within the wall pocket Thus, the rollers 70 of the hinged connection of me

top members

19 and 11 can only be released from the locking plate 116 by downward movement of the top members 149 and 11, and such downwardmovement can occur only when the lower end of the top member 10 moves outwardly from the wall pocket.

stantially at the transverse center of top member 10 as stop portion 134b against the base 132 andwith the hook portion 134:: positioned outwardly of thebasel 132.". The latch member 134 thus normally extends away from the underside of the top member 10, In this position of the shown in FIGURE 5. The base 132 is provided with an As heretofore mentioned, the assembly includes two bench structures located at the respective sides of the table structure and adapted to be folded into the benchpockets to}; and 1432. of the wall pocket or cabinet. Since the two bench structures are substantially identical, only one need be described. The bench structure, which is shown in detail in FIGURES 10 through 13, is generally similar to tie table structure but differs primarily from the table construction in that the bench structure is of course lower and, is not provided with a hydraulic cylinder assembly at the center thereof. The bench structure comprises two seat sections or

top members

156 and 151. The top members 15d and 151 are substantially rectangular and equal in size and further are of a length substantially equal to the length of the table

top members

10 and 11. Each of the top members 1511 and 151 is provided with

aprons

152 and 153. Each of the

aprons

152 and 153 is an inverted channel injcross-section with edges of the flanges of the channel bent inwardly. The

aprons

152 and 153 are secured to the underside of and at the side edges of the top members 15d and 15-1. e

The seat sections and 15-1 are pivotally interconnected, in an end-to-endrelationship when open, bya pair of center leg structures indicated generally at 155. Each center'leg structure comprises a channel bracket156, a channel bracket 157, a leg 153, and a pair of links 159. Each channel bracket 156 is secured to the underside of the top member 15d and within the aprons 152. or 153 as shown in FIGURE 11. The channel brackets 157 are correspondingly secured to the underside of the top member 157.. One end portion of each channel bracket 157 is disposed between the flanges of. one channel bracket 15d, and the upperend of theleg 153 is positionedbelea-ved ends of the

channel brackets

156 and 157 and the upper endo-f thelegs 158 pivotally interconnect those threeimembers Each of the center'leg structures further includes a=roller 163 The'two' rollers'163 are "journald on theinner ends of the pivot pins 162 and are retainedthereon by snap rings 164.",

The links d59 equalize the movement of the .top memv bers 15b and 151 relative to the center legstr'uctures 155.

One end of-the links 159' are pivotally connected, as-at .166, to the opposite sides of a collar 167 slidable on the upp r portion of each leg 158. The other ends of the I links 159 are pivotally connectedto brackets 170 by a pin which extends through the sidedwalls of the Wall 124 is provided with a locking plate 118. locking plates 118 are substantially similar in configuration to the locking plate 110 *of the table wall pocket 100.

7

channel brackets

156 and 157, the brackets 170 being secured in the

channel brackets

156 and 157. The axis of pins 162 is positioned below the-axes of pins 171 in the open position of the bench, so that in the closed position of the bench, similar to the closed position of the table shown in FIG. 9, there is space between the top members 150 and 151'for the leg stnuctures. The lower end of each leg 158 may be provided with a floor cap 173.

Anend leg structure for top member 150, indicated generally at' l75, is provided. The end leg structure 175 comprises a pair of legs 178 interconnected as a unit by a crosspiece 176, the legs having casters 180. The end leg structure 175 also includes a pair of channel brackets 177. Each channelbracket 177 is secured to the underside of 'the seat section 150 and against the

aprons

152 and 153.

The upper end of each leg 178 is pivotally connected within a channel bracket 177 by a pin 181. The distance from the axis of pins 181 to the bottom of the casters 180 is greater than the distance from the axis of pins 181 to the outer or extending end'of the top member 150. This :arrangement provides that, in the closed position of the bench, the casters 180' will engage the floor with the end of the top member 150 positioned slightly above the floor.

An end leg structure indicated generally at 135 for the seat section 151 is provided. The end leg structure 185 comprises a pair of legs 188 having casters .190 at their lower endsand secured together as a unit by a crosspiece 186. The end leg structure 185 includes a pair of channel brackets 187 secured to the underside of the seat section 151 against the

aprons

152 and 153 as shown in FIG. 1'1. The upper end of each leg 138 is pivotally connected within the channelbrackets 187 by pins 191. The distance between the axis of the pins 191 and the bottom of the casters 190 is less than the distance from the axis of the pins 191 to the outer or extending end of the top member 151, so that, in the closed position of the bench, the casters 190 are disposed above the lower edge of the top member 151.

The bench structure further includes a pair of stretcher bars 193. One of the stretcher bars 193 is pivotally connectedas at 1194 to the upper side of the crosspiece 176 of the end leg structure 175, while one end of the other stretcher bar 193 is pivotally connected as at 195 to the upperside of the crosspiece 186 of the end leg structure 185. The other end of each stretcher bar 193 is pivotally connected to a bracket 196 by a .pin 197, and

each of the brackets '196'is secured to the underside of one of the

top members

150 and 151 between the

aprons

152 and 153. The stretcher bar 193 which is connected to end leg structure 175 isconnected at the other end thereof by bracket 196 to the top member 151, and the other stretcher bar 193 is connectedbetweenthe top member 150 and the end leg structure 185. The stretcher bars 193 maintain the end leg structures 17 5 and 185 substantially upright in the open position of the bench and cause them to be folded substantially parallel to the

top members

150 and 151 in the closed position of the bench structure. 1

As heretofore described, the wall pocket includes bench pockets 101 and 102 at the respective sides of the table pocket 100. The bench pockets 101 and 102 are substantially similar in construction to the table wall pocket 100. Bench-wall pocket 101 comprises a pair of spaced apart

side walls

112 and 113, a back wall 114, a bottom wall :115 and a top wall 116. The

side walls

112 and 113 are'providedwith vertical slots 117 and the underside of the top wall 116 isprovided with a locking plate .118.

'7 1 Wall pocket 102 comprises 'a pair of spaced apart side walls 120 and 121, a back wall 122, a bottom wall 123 .and a top wall 124. The side walls 120 and 121 are provided with slots 117 and the underside of the top The The 'bench further includes pivotal connecting means,

pivotal connecting means 200 is provided for locking one end of the bench structure in the slot 117 of the

wall pocket

101 or 102. The pivotal connecting means 200 comprises a pair of rods 201, a cam member 202, and a pair of coiled springs 203. The cam member 202 is rotatably connected to a U-shaped plate 204 which is secured to the underside of the top member 151 adjacent the extending end thereof remote from the hinged end. The upstanding flange portions at each side of the bracket 204 are provided with holes in which one end of the rods 203 are slidably supported. The other end of the rods are slidably supported in holes in the flanges of the

aprons

152 and 153. The coiled springs .203 are carried about the rods 201 and one end of each of the coiled springs 203 engages a pin carried by one of the rods 201 and the other end of each coiled spring 203 engages one of the,

aprons

152 and 153 to bias the rods 201 toward the cam member 202. When the long dimension of the cam member 202is positioned between the cooperating ends of the rods 201,,the other ends of the rods 201 extend outwardl of the side edges of the section 151 and when the cam member 202 is rotated about its axis to place the short dimension thereof between the ends of the rods 201, the rods 201 are retracted by the springs 203. The upper ends of the slots 117 as shown in FIG. 7 are positioned at a point at least as high as the spacing of the axis of the rods 201 from the floor in the open position ofthe bench. ,Thus, the end of the bench structure may be moved into the

bench pocket

101 or 102 and the rods 201 extending into the slots 117 to pivotally connect the top member 151 to the wall pocket.

The benches are folded into the wall pockets 101 and 102 in a manner similar to that for the table. In other words, the center of the bench is raised and the extending end of the bench top member is pushed toward the wall pocket. The bench will rollon the

casters

180 and 190 as the bench is being folded, and the extending ends of the bench

top members

150 and 151 will approach the floor, the rods 201 moving downwardly in.

the slots 117. When the rods 201 reach the lower end of the slots 117, further folding movement of the bench will cause the casters 190 to be raised upwardly from the'fioor. The lower end of each slot 117 is at a height above the

bottom walls

115 and 123 which will permit the rollers 163 of the center leg assemblies to move below the lowest depending portion of the locking plate 118. As the casters 180 of the end leg structure 1 are moved into the wall pockets 101 and 102, the entire table, comprises latch structure indicated generally at 207 x and a strike indicatedrgenerally at 203 in FIGS. 11, 16

and 17. The latch structure 207 comprises a base 210, a latch member 211 and a spring 212. The base 210 is secured to the underside of the top member 150 and against the apron 152 adjacent the extending end thereof.

- The'base 210 is provided with an upstanding bearing por- "rtion which pivotally carries a shaft secured to the latch member 21l1. The latch member 211 comprises a handle portion 2114 which may be engaged by a persons hand, a hook portion 211b, a stop portion 211a and a carnming surface 211d. The spring 212 is coiled about a portion of theyshaft'of the latch member 211 and at one end thereof engages the base 210 and at the other-end thereof engages the latch member 210 to bias the latch member 211 with the hook portion 211k positioned outwardly of the base member 210. In this position of the latch member 211, the handle portion 211a is manually movable toward the top member 150 to pivot the hook portion 2211b toward the extending end of the seat section 150.

The strike 208, which preferably is somewhat U-shaped, is secured to the underside of the top member 151 and against the apron 153 thereof at a position spaced from the extending end of the seat section 151 so that, when the bench is in the closed position, the latch member 211 engages the strike 208 as shown in FIG. 16. The cam surface 211!) of the latch member 211 engages the strike 20 8, when the bench is moved to the closed position, to automatically swing the latch member 211 past the strike 20 and permit the spring 212 to swing the latch member into locking position with the strike 208.

As with the table structure, the bench structure is held firmly in the wall pocket when the latch member 211 is in locking engagement with the strike 208. Thus, such locking engagement prevents outward movement of the lower end of the top member 150 and consequently the end leg structure 175 maintains the bench structure in its raised position with the rollers 163 engaged in the arcuate opening of the locking plate 118 at the top of the wall pocket. At the lower end of the bench structure, the top member 151 is held in the wall pocket by the rods 201 and the top member 150 is secured to the top member 151 by the latch member 211. Thus, the entire bench structure is securely retained in the Wall pocket. The bench structure may be released by reaching under the lower edge of the top member 150 and manually moving the handle portion 211a toward the top member 150 to release the latch member 211 from the strike 203. I

I claim:

1. A foldable table-top assembly comprising two top members, hinge means pivotally interconnecting one end of each of said top members for holding said members in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is open and in vertical parallel relation when the assembly is closed, a wall pocket to receive said top members when the assembly is closed, means carried at the other 'end of one of said top members for pivotally connecting said other end in said wall pocket, means for raising said top members a certain distance upwardly attendant to the folding thereof into said wall pocket, and locking means mounted in said wall pocket .in the upper part thereof and positioned to receive said hinge means when said top members are raised said distance and thereby retain said top members in the closed position in said wall pocket.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which said hinge means extends beyond the adjacent ends of said top members when the assembly is in closed position to project into said locking means.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hinge means includes rollers positioned to engage said locking means in rolling contact therewith upon reception by said locking means of said hinge means.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, in which said hinge means includes a hinge pin, and said rollers are rotatably mounted on the ends of said hinge pin.

5. An assembly according to elaim 1, in which said locking means comprises a plate bent to provide a hingereceiving portion and guide surfaces diverging downwardly therefrom.

6. An assembly according to claim 3, in which said arcuate portion to guide said rollers into said-arcuate portion on upward movement of said top members.

7. An assembly according to claim 4, in which cushioning means is provided for cushioning the movement of the assembly to open position, said hinge means includes a pair of brackets secured to the respective top members,

, and said hinge pin connects said brackets and supports said cushioning means.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, in which said brackets comprise inverted channels with said hinge pin ext-ending through the flanges thereof, said cushioning means extending within said channels and said rollers being mounted on said hinge pin outside of said flanges.

'9. An assembly according to claim 6, in which said means for raising said top members comprises an end leg structure pivotally secured to the other of said top members at a point spaced from the other end of said other top member, the length of said leg structure being greater than the spacing of said point from said other end of said other top member, said other top member folding against said leg structure on movement toward the closed position and said leg structure thereby raising said top members and moving said rollers into engagement with one of said guide surfaces and finally into said arcuate portion on completion of the movement to closing position.

10. A foldable table-type assembly comprising two top members, hinge means pivotally interconnecting one end of each of said top members for holding said members in horizontal end-to-end relation when the assembly is open and in vertical parallel relation when the assembly is closed, a wall pocket to receive said top members when the assembly is closed, means carried at the other end of one of said top members for pivotally connecting said other end in said wall pocket, locking means mounted in the upper part of said wall pocket for receiving and retaining said hinge means when the assembly is in closed position, and latching means mounted on the under-sides of said top members adjacent the other ends thereof and engageable on movement of the assembly to closed position for securing said other top member to said one top member.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, in which said latching means comprises a strike carried on the underside of said one top member, and a latch carried on the underside of said other top member, said latch being springbiased to automatically engage said strike in a locking relation-ship when the assembly is moved to the closed position.

12. An assembly according to claim 11, in which said latch has a handle portion extending parallel to the top member on which it is mounted and adjacent the lower end of said top member, whereby said latch may be readily released by reaching under said lower end and drawing said handle portion toward said top member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,650,146 Mugler Aug. 25, 1953 2,699,978 Mugler Jan. 18, 1955 2,723,890 Erickson Nov. 15, 1955 2,730,418 Blink Jan. 10, 1956 2,764,460 Nelson Sept. 25, 1956 2,777,742 Schieber Jan. 15, 1957 2,811,400 James Oct. 29, 1957 2,831,740 Schieber Apr. 22, 1958 2,831,741 Wilson Apr. 22, 1958 2,879,120 Howe et al Mar. 24, 1959 2,909,399 Wasson et a1. Oct. 20, 1959

Claims

1. A FOLDABLE TABLE-TOP ASSEMBLY COMPRISING TWO TOP MEMBERS, HINGE MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING ONE END OF EACH OF SAID TOP MEMBERS FOR HOLDING SAID MEMBERS IN HORIZONTAL END-TO-END RELATION WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS OPEN AND IN VERTICAL PARALLEL RELATION WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS CLOSED, A WALL POCKET TO RECEIVE SAID TOP MEMBERS WHEN THE ASSEMBLY IS CLOSED, MEANS CARRIED AT THE OTHER END OF ONE OF SAID TOP MEMBERS FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID OTHER END IN SAID WALL POCKET, MEANS FOR RAISING SAID TOP MEMBERS A CERTAIN DISTANCE UPWARDLY ATTENDANT TO THE FOLDING THEREOF INTO SAID WALL POCKET, AND LOCKING MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID WALL POCKET IN THE UPPER PART THEREOF AND POSITIONED TO RECEIVE SAID HINGE MEANS WHEN SAID TOP MEMBERS ARE RAISED SAID DISTANCE AND THEREBY RETAIN SAID TOP MEMBERS IN THE CLOSED POSITION IN SAID WALL POCKET.