US1891986A - Cabinet and extensible top therefor - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 27, 1932. s B HUTTON 1,891,986

CABINET AND EXTENSIBLE TOP THEREFOR Filed Jan. 26, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l /i I 2 f TL TL men or W SBHwzfaz I I I B Z kg M y Dec. 27, 1932. 5 B, HUTTON 1,891,986

CABINET AND EXTENISIBLE TOP THEREFOR Filed Jan. 26, 1932 3 Sheets-5heet 2 Dec. 27, 1932. s. B. HUTTOILJ 1,891,986

CABINET AND EXTENSIBLE TOP THEREFOR Filed Jan. 26, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 i I Invenlor i a 5 356702%) Q m m flllorney Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITE STATES PATENT FFl -Q'E SAM B. BUTTON, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR- TO EASTERN CABINET COMI- PANY, F TRENTGN, NEW JERSEY CABINET AND EXTENSIBLE TOP THEREFOR Application filed January 26, 1932.

This invention relates broadly to furniture, having particular reference to a cabinet and more particularly to an extensible top for the cabinet whereby the latter may also be used conveniently as a table.

Further, in accordance with the present invention an extensible top is provided for use with cabinets, tables, and similar articles of furniture.

The invention together with its numerous objects and advantages will be best under stood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a cabinet and top therefor embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof two positions of the table top being suggested.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the cabinet with the top removed.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, except that the table top is shown extended.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 77 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of one leaf of the table top.

Figure 9 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a guide cleat.

lVith reference more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that 10 designates generally a cabinet, the same being substantially of conventional construction and being provided with suitable drawers and compartments as suggested, and is preferably of the shape and construction shown generally in the drawings.

In carrying out the present invention the cabinet 10 is characterized by a top frame 11 the front and side members of which are connected by relatively spaced transverse bars 12 to the outer sides of which are secured longitudinally extending guide rails 13.

Serial No. 588,998.

My improved top, designated generally by the reference character 1 f comprises two substantial y identicallv shaped section or leaves 15, 16 and each of these leaves has an edge configuration conformin substantially to the configuration of the cabinet 10 in cross section, and each leaf is also of suitable dimension so that either may serve singly as a top for the cabinet.

In the present instance one of the leaves, for example the leaf is provided on the under side thereof with a pair of opposed angle rail engaging cleats 17 secured to said leaf or section 15 through the medium of countersunk screws or other fastening elements 18.

The leaves or sections 15, 16, at corresponding edges thereof are hingedly connected together as at 19, and it will be seen that through the medium of the cleats 17 engaging the rails 13 the leaf'15 is constrained to slide transversely of the cabinet 10, and is secured against displacement longitudinally relative to the cabinet and also in a plane perpendicular to the cabinet.

From a study of Figure 4 it willbe noted that the rail engaging cleats 17 are secured to the table top section 15 adjacent the hinged edge thereof, and that these cleats 17 are slightly less in length than one half the length of the rails 13 whereby the table top section 15 is free to slide transversely of the cabinet. Normally, the table top section 15 is arranged on the frame 11 so as to serve of itself, as a top for the cabinet. When-s0 serving this function, the table top section 15 is in the position suggested in Figure 5, and the table top section 16 depends downwardly therefrom adjacent to and in parals lelism with the rear Wall of the cabinet as is also shown in Figure 5.

To increase the size of the top of the cabinet the section 15' is slid forwardly from the left to the right in Figure 5 whereupon section 16 slides over the upper edge of the rear member'of the frame 11 to rest on the frame coplanar with the section 15'a-s shown in Figure 6. v

The table top section 15 adjacent its transverse center line has anchored thereto as at 20 a spring latch 21 provided adjacent its free end with an abutment shoulder 22 and continuing forwardly fro-m the shoulder to provide a cam end 28. For accommodating the shouldered end portion of the latch 21, the table section 15 on its under side is provided with a slot or recess 24 elongated longitudinally and having its top wall inclined as shown in Figure 7. Adjacent the deepest end of the slot 24 and slightly spaced forwardly thereof the table top section 15 is pro- 'vided with a second notch or recess 25 for {accommodating the terminal of the spring latch 21.

Adjacent its transverse center line the front member of frame 11 is slightly notched as at 26, and thus it will be seen that as the table section or leaf 15 is pulled forwardly, the cam surface 23 rides over the bottom surface of the notch 26 forcing the shoulder portion of the latch 21 up into therecess 2 1 and the terminal of the catch up into the recess 25.

When the table section 15 has been pulled forward a sufficient distance so that the cam portion 23 of the latch has passed entirely through the notch 26 the latch member 21 because of its inherent resiliency will spring downwardly so that the shoulder 22 will engage the front side of the frame 11 as shown in Figure 7.

When the shoulder 22 is thus engaged with the front side of the frame 11 the forward end of the angle cleats 17 will be in engagement with the rear side of the front member of frame 11 as suggested in Figure 6 whereupon the table top 1% in its extended position will be securely held against displacement relative to the frame 11 in any and all directions.

WV hen it is desired to decrease the size of the table top that is to move the sections back to the position shown in Figure 5 with the sec tion 16 paralleling the rear wall of the cabinet 10, it is necessary only to first force the shoulder end 22 and also cam terminal 23 of the shank 21 upwardly into the recesses 24, 25 and the section 15 may then he slid rearwardly or from the right to the left in Figure 6 to assume the position shown in Figure 5.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that the same has been herein illustrated and described somewhat in detail only for the purpose of illustrating a practical embodiment of the invention, and accordingly it is to be understood that I claim all such forms of the invention to which I am entitled, in view of the requirements of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In combination, a frame including a pair of relatively spaced transverse rails, a table top comprising a pair of hingedly connected sections, L-shaped cleats secured to the under side of one of the table top sections and engaging said rails, said cleats being in length substantially half the length of said rails and having abutting engagement with portions of the frame for restricting transverse movement of said one table top section relative to said frame, a spring latch member secured to the under side of said one table top section and adapted to engage said frame 2. In combination a supporting frame, a

table top supported thereby, interengaging means on the frame and on the table top for securing the table top on the frame for sliding movement relative thereto, a latch member formed of spring metal anchored atone end to the under face of said table top and provided adjacent its free end with a frame engaging shoulder, and a ca m portion in advance of said shoulder, said table top on its under side being also provided with a pocket for accommodating the shoulder equipped end of said latch and in advance of said pocket with a recess for substantially receiving said cam; said cam being engageable with the frame upon movement of the table top in one direction relative to the frame for causing said shoulder equipped portion of thelatch into the first named pocket until said cam has passed beyond the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SAM B. HUTTON.

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