US2554135A - Convertible machine carrying case and workstand - Google Patents
Convertible machine carrying case and workstand Download PDFInfo
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- US2554135A US2554135A US106370A US10637049A US2554135A US 2554135 A US2554135 A US 2554135A US 106370 A US106370 A US 106370A US 10637049 A US10637049 A US 10637049A US 2554135 A US2554135 A US 2554135A
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- housing
- machine
- support
- strut
- stand
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D05—SEWING; EMBROIDERING; TUFTING
- D05B—SEWING
- D05B77/00—Covers, or portable enclosures, for sewing machines
Definitions
- This invention relates to portable machine cases and particularly such cases designed to be convertible to work stands for supporting machines in operative position in such a way that an operator may sit before the stand and operate the machine in a comfortable, practical and conv-enient manner.
- ticular utility in connection with sewing machines and the invention is consequently illustrated and described with relation to ,a sewing machine.
- console a permanent article of furniture or work stand
- portable -machine which must be placed on some
- the console structure is solid and firm, of convenient height, provides a smooth working surface, and is generally satisfactory during operation, but is bulky, requires excessive storage room when not in use, is particularly inconvenient in small apartments, and cannot be moved readily for use at various places.
- the portable machines are readily stowed when not in use, can Vbe moved about freely from place to place, but :are not suf-- ciently convenient during operation to suit the needs of a person who makes 'frequent use of such equipment.
- Figure l is a front elevation of the cabinet of the invention showing the same expanded to form a work stand.
- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary left end elevation of the device of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3 is a right end elevation of the device of Fig. 1, but showing the machine in lowered position and the work leaf folded.
- Fig. 4. is a fragmentary front elevation, partially in section, of the cabinet of the invention with the work leaf folded and with one support member extended and the -other swung to stowed position, the support members being also shown in an intermediate partially swung vposition by broken lines.
- Fig. 5 is a front elevation, partially in section of the device of Fig. 4 after swinging of the support members to stowed positions has been completed.
- Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the device in entirely folded condition ready for stowage or transportation and with the housing resting on its back in carrying position.
- Fig. '7 is a front elevation to a reduced scale of a modification of the device of the invention.
- the machine cabinet of this invention comprises an open bottom housing iii having a front wall I l, back wall l2, and side walls I3 and lli.
- a suitably apertured top wall lIi is provided with means such as hinges and latch devices of Aknown construction for holding a sewing machine .lf3 either in operating position extending above the top wall ⁇ I6 as shown in Fig. l or for permitting the machine to be swung down Within the housing lli to stowed position with its bottom surface adjacent the back Wall kl2 thereof as shown in Fig. 3.
- a Iwork leaf 22 Attached to the top I6 at one end thereof by hinges 2Q is a Iwork leaf 22 which is congruent with the top I6 land which may be opened out ush with the top I6 to provide .a large convenient work space, or folded over the top I6 to overlie the same, cover the mounting means for the machine I8 and close any Vopening in the top wall i6 left by the machine when it is moved to the stowed positionshown in Fig. 3. Up to this point, except for the open Abottom of housing l0, the parts mentioned conform generally to the usual structure employed in sewing machine stands of the console type, and further description is consequently unnecessary.
- a tensioning fastener 24 preferably of the toggle loop or trunk catch variety, is provided for lashing the leaf 22 firmly in place against the top I6 and preventing any shifting or rattling thereof during carrying of the device.
- legs 32 and 34 Connected to the bottom edge of wall I3 by hinges 3b are legs 32 and 34 which are united to form a single support member 35 for one end of the housing i@ by a yrung 36 connected to said legs near their free ends.
- a brace plate 38 of substantial height firmly fixed to the inner sides of the legs 32 and 34 near the top hinged 'ends thereof.
- a panel 42 Connected to the bottom edge of end wall I4 by hinges 40 is a panel 42 forming a support member for the other end of the housing I0.
- the panel 42 preferably includes spaced feet 44 for a reason to be hereinafter explained.
- the support members 35 and 42 are swingable towards each other.
- the leg 32 lies just inside the front wall II with its outer surface flush with the bottom edge thereof and the leg 34 is in similar relation to the back wall I2.
- the panel 42 is designed so as to Swing to a position lying between the legs 32 and 34, to fill the area between them, and to be flush with their outer surfaces and with the lower edges of the walls I I and I 2.
- the support elements when in stowed condition form a smooth closure for the bottom opening of the housing I 0.
- I prefer to provide the end of the panel 42 with a spring clip 46 which engages a projection 48 in the housing I0.
- the panel By overlying the rung 36 and other parts connected thereto, the panel also retains the legs 32 and 34 in place.
- a finger notch 50 is preferably provided at the end of the panel 42 so that the same may be firmly gripped to withdraw the spring catch 46 from the projection 48 in setting up the stand.
- the length of the housing cannot be reduced excessively without adding additional height to the housing which will in turn make the folded device thicker and more unwieldy for carrying.
- a certain advantage can be gained by adding the thickness of an end wall to each of the support elements, feet 44 in the case of panel 42, and notching the corresponding end walls as indicated by reference characters I3 and I4 to permit the supports to travel into ush position. In this way a slight shortening of the housing I0 is permitted without the necessity for an equal and undesired increase in housing height.
- this portion is a door or panel I Ia mounted on hinges I Ib to swing outwardly to one side, the panel preferably being provided with any desired sewing accessory equipment such as pin cushions, spool holders,
- the support members 35 and 42 when swung to supporting position as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, are firmly held against any further swinging by a diagonal brace and a separating strut 'I0 (Figs. 1 and 2).
- the diagonal brace 60 is foldable and preferably consists of two rigid links 6I and 62 pivotally connected at one end of each by a hinge 63.
- the other end of link 6I is connected to the inside of end wall I4 by a hinge 64, while the other end of link 62 is pivoted on the rung 36.
- the link 6I is longer than the link 62 by enough to compensate for the spacing of the axes of rung 36 and hinge 64 when the parts are in stowed or portable position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
- the foldable brace 60 After being swung to unfolded position, the foldable brace 60 is made rigid by the hook 65 which may be swung across the hinge joint between the links and is clamped in place preferably by a hand nut 66.
- the support 35 is thus braced and made a rm and rigid part of the structure.
- the strut 'I0 is also preferably foldable and consists of links 1I and 'I2 of about equal length pivotally connected at one end of each by a hinge 13.
- the other end of link 'II is pivoted to the inner surface of panel 42 near the free end thereof by a hinge "I4, while the free end of link 'I2 is equipped with means for releasably engaging the rung 36.
- this means is a downwardly opening hook 75 of a size to snugly engage the rung 36. If desired any suitable means may also be used for closing the mouth of the hook after the same is in place t0 prevent inadvertent dislodgement.
- a hook 'I6 and hand nut TI similar to members 65 and 66 described above, are provided for locking the links 'II and 12 in position to form a rigid strut. When the strut 'I6 is extended and made rigid, and the hook 'I5 snugly tted over the rung 36, the support 42 is also made a firm and relatively immovable part of the structure.
- I also preferably provide a projection on one part of the strut 70, for eX- ample as indicated by numeral 'I8 in Figs. 1 and 2, for engagement with a spring catch 'I9 on panel 42.
- the strut 'I6 is made foldable primarily so as to nest with the support 35 by fitting between the lower edge of the brace plate 36 and the rung 36 thereof when the parts are in stowed position as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5.
- the diagonal brace 6I! and strut 'I6 are located near a vertical median plane between the front and back surfaces of the stand.
- This relationship of parts is significant in that the central positioning of the strut and brace elements provides adequate stiffness for the support elements 35 and 42 whether the stresses are applied near the front surface or the rear surface thereof, with consequent lack of any tendency for the working surface I6, 22 to swing or twist in a horizontal plane with relation to the position of the feet of the stand.
- the central positioning of parts E@ and 'I6 provides adequate room for the feet and legs of an operator so that she may sit close enough to the machine I8 for comfortable operation.
- the attachment points of the brace 66 and strut 'I6 should never be removed from either corner of the stand by more than about two-thirds of the front-to-back dimension ci the stand, fandneither 'shouId-'project forward- 1y of a vertical plane setback about one-'third' of .said dimension from th'etront 'or "the standhandle' 801 isT provided in the middle 'of the front wall Il of the housing l0 for carrying the device when in folded condition. This position is chosen. forA the handleorder that the machine 'IWI-nay'be stowed and carried in the erect position which is preferred trom.
- Toot pedal (not shown) for 'controlling the speed and operation of the machine' will be connected thereto by'an electric conductor in awell known manner and will be-'pro'jected'lfrom the open bottoni "of the housing AI''to a suitable place on the door when. themachine I8 is in use, and .placed inside the casing' forstorage purposes enclosing the housing asi'sfcustoniary'withportable sewing nialhiiies".
- Figa 1 may be readily folded to portable size ⁇ by first operating the conventional machine 'supporting means to release the machine and allow the' same to ⁇ svring down into the positionof Fig". 3.
- the leaf 22 is then swung over 'the' topof thehousing and securely lashed by'meansof catch 2li. Then., 'by grasping the handl'efs'la',I stand'A anais readily tipped on its back so that 'the housing rests on feet 8i.
- AIn Fig. 7Visf-i-l5lustrated1a' modified ⁇ Tof invention in which the foldable diagonal brace E@ is replacedby a pair of fold'able diagonal braces 69a and '6021.
- the 'foldalble braces Ella are lengths fof any suitable flexible .material ksuch as chain or wire rope, thecnain form'being'sho'wn inthe drawing'.
- the chain fa is connected 'to rung 36 at one "end and lanchc'ued' 'on the side wall if! of ycasing [0 4at its other end.
- the chain i301) is connected to "the panel 42 near the tree end ⁇ thereof and ⁇ has' its 'other Vend anchored 'on the side wall t3 of Vthe housing lll.
- Any ⁇ sutable Aconventional means such as adjustable anchers-o1l turnbuc'kles (not shown) may be pro vided for properly adjusting the lengths oi chains 6ta and 60o.
- Athe strut '-i-U will be freund to remain very slightly bent, at hinge 13 when under the in'uence of tl'iey fr-'eo ⁇ lengths of the'. chains and with.
- Fig. 7 is ,preferably the saine thel device of Figs. 1v to '6, most -of theV de'- tails having been omitted Ain this view for 'purposes of clarity.
- a combined portable 4ina-chine'case' and folding work stand comprising an open-bottom hous ing; means ion said housing for mounting a ma- -chine for vmovement between operative position extending above "the top of the' 'housing and stowed position 'within the housing; and two sup'- port members hinged adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other, said ⁇ support members being of complementary shape, and being so ntt'ed to said housing that when swung against the Aopen bottom of said housing they mesh to form a substantially continuous closure therefor.
- a combined portable machine case andfolding work stand comprising V'an open-bottom housing; means on said housingl for mounting a maching 'for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within th'e housing/l; and -two support members hinged adjacent the open bottom on 'opposite sides 0is'aid housing to swing towards each other to form a closure for said open bottom, the lower edge of the front portion of said housing consisting of a wall element which is readily displaceable to provide space for the knee of the operator when a machine mounted on the stand is in use.
- a combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising an open-bottom housing; means on said housing for mounting a machine for hinging movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing, and stowed position swung down within the housing and with its bottom surface adjacent the inside of the back of said housing; two support members hinged adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other to form a closure for said open bottom; a work leaf hinged to said housing for movement into a position overlying the top thereof; a releasable tensioning fastener for holding said leaf in said overlying position; and a carrying handle mounted on the front of said housing, the lower edge of the front portion of said housing below said handle consisting of a wall element which is readily displaceable to provide space for the knee of the operator when a machine mounted on the stand isin use.
- a combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; two support members hinged at their ends adjacent the bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other; at least one foldable brace element connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and at its other end to the side of said housing opposite to that on which said one support member is hinged; and a support-separating strut connected to one of said support members near the free end thereof and releasably engageable with the outer support member near the free end thereof.
- a combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; two support members hinged at their ends adjacent the bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other, each of said support members being substantially7 as wide as the front-to-back dimension of said housing and each having a front edge and a back edge; at least one foldable brace element connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and at its other end to the side of said housing opposite to that on which said one support member is hinged; and a support-separating strut connected to one of said support members near the free end thereof and releasably engageable ⁇ with the other support member near: the free end thereof, said brace element and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than two-thirds of said dimension from either the front edge or back edge of either support member, and so that none of said brace element and strut extends
- a combined portable machine case and foldl is in use; vtwo support members hinged at their ends adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other to form a closure for said open bottom, each of said support members being substantially as wide as l the front-to-back dimension of said housing and each having a front edge ⁇ and a ba-ck edge; at least one foldable brace element connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and at its other end to the side of said housing opposite to that on which said one support member is hinged; and a support-separating strut connected to one of said support members near the free end thereof and releasably engageable with the other support member near the free end thereof, said brace element and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than twothirds of said dimension from either the front edge or back edge of either support member, and so that none of said brace element and strut extends forwardly of a vertical plane generally parallel to said front edges and spaced rearwardly
- a ⁇ combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising an' open-bottom housing having a front and back wall and two side walls; means on said housing for mounting 40 a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; spaced support members hinged to one side wall and swingable to a non-support position such that their outer surfaces lie flush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls; and support means hinged to the other side wall and so dimensioned and positioned that when the same is swung to non-support position it occupies substantially all of the bottom area not occupied by said support members and its outer surface lies flush with the outer surfaces of said members and the bottom edges of said front and back walls.
- a combined portable machine case and folding work stand rcomprising an open-bottom housing having front and back walls and two side walls; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and G0 stowed position within the housing; spaced legs hinged to one side wall and swingable to a nonsupport position such that one is contiguous with the front wall and the other contiguous with the back wall, and their outer surfaces lie flush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls;
- a combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising an open-bottom housing having front and back walls and two side walls; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending ⁇ above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; spaced legs hinged to one side wall and swingable to a nonsupport position such that one is contiguous with the front wall and the other contiguous with the back wall, and their outer surfaces lie ush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls; and a support panel hinged to the other side wall and so dimensioned and positioned that when said panel is swung to non-support position it ts between said legs and occupies substantially all of the bottom area not occupied by said legs and its outer surface lies flush with the outer surfaces of said legs and the bottom edges of said front and back walls, the free ends of said legs when in non-support position being flush with the outer surface of said other side wall, the same being notched at its bottom edge to receive said leg ends, said panel having at its free end floorengaging means the bottom
- a combined portable sewing machine case and folding work Stand comprising an open-bottom housing having front and back walls and two side walls; means on said housing for mountingr a sewing machine for hinging movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position swung down within the housing and with its bottom surface adjacent the inside of the back of said housing; spaced legs hinged to one side wall and swingable to a non-support position such that one is contiguous with the front wall and the other contigous with the back wall, and their outer surfaces lie iiush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls; a support panel hinged to said other side wall and.
- brace means connected between said legs near the hinged ends thereof; a spacer 2 element connected between said legs near the free ends thereof; a diagonal brace member comprising hingedly connected rigid links connected at one end to said spacer element and at the other end to said other side wall; a separating strut 1 hinged at one end to .said panel near the free end thereof and releasably engageable at its other end with said spacer element, said strut being receivable between said legs when the legs and panel are in non-supporting bottom-closing position; a work leaf congruent with the top of said housing and hinged at one edge thereof for movement into a position overlying said top; a releasable tensioning fastener for holding said leaf in said
- a combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing, the front of said housing defining the front plane of said stand, andftheback4 of said housing the back plane of said stand; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; and two support members hinged adjacent the bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other and against said bottom; a diagonal brace comprising two hingedly connected links pivotally connected at one end near the free end of one of said support members and at its other end to said housing; and a separating' strut comprising two hingedly connected links pivotally connected at one end to said other support member near its free end, and releasablg,r engageable at its other end with said one support member near its free end, said brace and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than twothirds of the front-to-bacl dimension of said housing from either of said planes, and so that none of said brace and
- a combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing', the front of said housing defining the front plane of said stand and the back of said housing the back plane of said stand; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; and two support members hinged adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other and against said bottom; a pair of flexible diagonal brace members each connected at one end to a side of said housing and at the other end near the free end of that support member hinged to the opposite side of said housing; and a separating strut comprising two hingedly connected links pivotally connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and releasably engageable at its other end with the other of said support members near its free end, said flexible brace members and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than two-thirds of the front-to-back dimension of said housing from either of said planes, and so that none
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Description
May 22, 1951 P. AYOTTE 2,554,135
CONVERTIBLE MACHINEA CARRYING CASE AND WORKSTAND Filed July 23, 1949 Imventqr stand or article of furniture for use.
Patented May 22, 1951 Ulrso STAT? AThNT GFFICE Philip Ayotte, Bridgeport, Conn.
Application July 23, 1949, Serial No. 106,370
This invention relates to portable machine cases and particularly such cases designed to be convertible to work stands for supporting machines in operative position in such a way that an operator may sit before the stand and operate the machine in a comfortable, practical and conv-enient manner. ticular utility in connection with sewing machines and the invention is consequently illustrated and described with relation to ,a sewing machine.
Conventional practice in the mounting of sewing machines has been leither to attach the machine to a permanent article of furniture or work stand, known as a console, or to provide a portable -machine which must be placed on some The console structure is solid and firm, of convenient height, provides a smooth working surface, and is generally satisfactory during operation, but is bulky, requires excessive storage room when not in use, is particularly inconvenient in small apartments, and cannot be moved readily for use at various places. The portable machines are readily stowed when not in use, can Vbe moved about freely from place to place, but :are not suf-- ciently convenient during operation to suit the needs of a person who makes 'frequent use of such equipment. For example, most supports or tables found in the home which are sufficiently sturdy and at the same time provide knee room, raise the portable machine too high for comfortable operation. The portable machine must also have a base of substantial thickness to house the shuttle and operating mechanism, and which projects above the table or other supporting surface so that the working surface is made awkwardly irregular thereby.
It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide `a portable machine case of such character that it will house the machine for stowage in a small space and can be carried readily from place to place, but which also includes structure such that it can be opened up to form a work stand of unusual solidity which not only provides knee room for a seated operator, but which also holds the machine at the proper level for convenient and comfortable operation and exposes a large smooth work surface uncomplicated by a machine base.
Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.
In the drawing:
Figure l is a front elevation of the cabinet of the invention showing the same expanded to form a work stand.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary left end elevation of the device of Fig. 1.
Cases of this type have par- Fig. 3 is a right end elevation of the device of Fig. 1, but showing the machine in lowered position and the work leaf folded.
Fig. 4. is a fragmentary front elevation, partially in section, of the cabinet of the invention with the work leaf folded and with one support member extended and the -other swung to stowed position, the support members being also shown in an intermediate partially swung vposition by broken lines.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation, partially in section of the device of Fig. 4 after swinging of the support members to stowed positions has been completed.
Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the device in entirely folded condition ready for stowage or transportation and with the housing resting on its back in carrying position.
Fig. '7 is a front elevation to a reduced scale of a modification of the device of the invention.
The machine cabinet of this invention comprises an open bottom housing iii having a front wall I l, back wall l2, and side walls I3 and lli. A suitably apertured top wall lIi is provided with means such as hinges and latch devices of Aknown construction for holding a sewing machine .lf3 either in operating position extending above the top wall `I6 as shown in Fig. l or for permitting the machine to be swung down Within the housing lli to stowed position with its bottom surface adjacent the back Wall kl2 thereof as shown in Fig. 3. Attached to the top I6 at one end thereof by hinges 2Q is a Iwork leaf 22 which is congruent with the top I6 land which may be opened out ush with the top I6 to provide .a large convenient work space, or folded over the top I6 to overlie the same, cover the mounting means for the machine I8 and close any Vopening in the top wall i6 left by the machine when it is moved to the stowed positionshown in Fig. 3. Up to this point, except for the open Abottom of housing l0, the parts mentioned conform generally to the usual structure employed in sewing machine stands of the console type, and further description is consequently unnecessary.
Since the casing t0 is portable and will be carried and placed in various positions, a tensioning fastener 24, preferably of the toggle loop or trunk catch variety, is provided for lashing the leaf 22 firmly in place against the top I6 and preventing any shifting or rattling thereof during carrying of the device.
Connected to the bottom edge of wall I3 by hinges 3b are legs 32 and 34 which are united to form a single support member 35 for one end of the housing i@ by a yrung 36 connected to said legs near their free ends. To brace said legs and 'thus steady the left-hand end of the stand against forward and backward shifting, there iS provided a brace plate 38 of substantial height firmly fixed to the inner sides of the legs 32 and 34 near the top hinged 'ends thereof.
Connected to the bottom edge of end wall I4 by hinges 40 is a panel 42 forming a support member for the other end of the housing I0. The panel 42 preferably includes spaced feet 44 for a reason to be hereinafter explained.
As shown in Figs. 4 to 6 particularly, the support members 35 and 42 are swingable towards each other. When in stowed position the leg 32 lies just inside the front wall II with its outer surface flush with the bottom edge thereof and the leg 34 is in similar relation to the back wall I2. The panel 42 is designed so as to Swing to a position lying between the legs 32 and 34, to fill the area between them, and to be flush with their outer surfaces and with the lower edges of the walls I I and I 2. In this way the support elements when in stowed condition form a smooth closure for the bottom opening of the housing I 0. To retain the supports in the stowed position of Figs. 5 and 6 I prefer to provide the end of the panel 42 with a spring clip 46 which engages a projection 48 in the housing I0. By overlying the rung 36 and other parts connected thereto, the panel also retains the legs 32 and 34 in place. A finger notch 50 is preferably provided at the end of the panel 42 so that the same may be firmly gripped to withdraw the spring catch 46 from the projection 48 in setting up the stand.
In order that the portability and convenience of the stand may be kept at a maximum, its overall dimensions when folded as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 must be held to a minimum. With reference to the size of a standard sewing machine, the covering of the machine itself, while it must be first considered, is not the critical factor in the housing dimensions and may be largely disregarded. The length or side-to-side dimension of the housing IIJ is first maintained as short as possible. The practical limit on shortening this dimension is fixed by the fact that the length of the housing determines the length of the supports 35 and 42. In order to maintain a convenient working surface height of about 30 inches which represents the sum of the length of support 35 and the height of the housing I0, the length of the housing cannot be reduced excessively without adding additional height to the housing which will in turn make the folded device thicker and more unwieldy for carrying. A certain advantage can be gained by adding the thickness of an end wall to each of the support elements, feet 44 in the case of panel 42, and notching the corresponding end walls as indicated by reference characters I3 and I4 to permit the supports to travel into ush position. In this way a slight shortening of the housing I0 is permitted without the necessity for an equal and undesired increase in housing height. Even when the optimum proportions for the housing have been achieved, it will be found that the knee of an operator seated before the stand will not ordinarily be able to pass below the lower edge of the front wall II of the housing I6. For this reason I provide said Wall with a displaceable wall portion which can be moved aside when the machine is in use to provide such knee room. In the form shown in the drawing this portion is a door or panel I Ia mounted on hinges I Ib to swing outwardly to one side, the panel preferably being provided with any desired sewing accessory equipment such as pin cushions, spool holders,
scissors holders, or the like on its inner surface, and being held in closed position by any suitable snap catch (not shown).
The support members 35 and 42, when swung to supporting position as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, are firmly held against any further swinging by a diagonal brace and a separating strut 'I0 (Figs. 1 and 2). The diagonal brace 60 is foldable and preferably consists of two rigid links 6I and 62 pivotally connected at one end of each by a hinge 63. The other end of link 6I is connected to the inside of end wall I4 by a hinge 64, while the other end of link 62 is pivoted on the rung 36. The link 6I is longer than the link 62 by enough to compensate for the spacing of the axes of rung 36 and hinge 64 when the parts are in stowed or portable position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. After being swung to unfolded position, the foldable brace 60 is made rigid by the hook 65 which may be swung across the hinge joint between the links and is clamped in place preferably by a hand nut 66. The support 35 is thus braced and made a rm and rigid part of the structure. The strut 'I0 is also preferably foldable and consists of links 1I and 'I2 of about equal length pivotally connected at one end of each by a hinge 13. The other end of link 'II is pivoted to the inner surface of panel 42 near the free end thereof by a hinge "I4, while the free end of link 'I2 is equipped with means for releasably engaging the rung 36. In the form shown this means is a downwardly opening hook 75 of a size to snugly engage the rung 36. If desired any suitable means may also be used for closing the mouth of the hook after the same is in place t0 prevent inadvertent dislodgement. A hook 'I6 and hand nut TI, similar to members 65 and 66 described above, are provided for locking the links 'II and 12 in position to form a rigid strut. When the strut 'I6 is extended and made rigid, and the hook 'I5 snugly tted over the rung 36, the support 42 is also made a firm and relatively immovable part of the structure. I also preferably provide a projection on one part of the strut 70, for eX- ample as indicated by numeral 'I8 in Figs. 1 and 2, for engagement with a spring catch 'I9 on panel 42. Thus when the strut is folded the catch 'I9 will hold the same compactly against the panel until ready for use. The strut 'I6 is made foldable primarily so as to nest with the support 35 by fitting between the lower edge of the brace plate 36 and the rung 36 thereof when the parts are in stowed position as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5.
It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the diagonal brace 6I! and strut 'I6 are located near a vertical median plane between the front and back surfaces of the stand. This relationship of parts is significant in that the central positioning of the strut and brace elements provides adequate stiffness for the support elements 35 and 42 whether the stresses are applied near the front surface or the rear surface thereof, with consequent lack of any tendency for the working surface I6, 22 to swing or twist in a horizontal plane with relation to the position of the feet of the stand. At the same time the central positioning of parts E@ and 'I6 provides adequate room for the feet and legs of an operator so that she may sit close enough to the machine I8 for comfortable operation. 'Io achieve both of these advantages to the fullest extent the attachment points of the brace 66 and strut 'I6 should never be removed from either corner of the stand by more than about two-thirds of the front-to-back dimension ci the stand, fandneither 'shouId-'project forward- 1y of a vertical plane setback about one-'third' of .said dimension from th'etront 'or "the standhandle' 801 isT provided in the middle 'of the front wall Il of the housing l0 for carrying the device when in folded condition. This position is chosen. forA the handleorder that the machine 'IWI-nay'be stowed and carried in the erect position which is preferred trom. the standpoint ofpreserving 'proper lubrication. The rear surn face' of the housing liu' is `provided with reet el to prevent marring the rear .surface of the housing IU by contact' with theV supporting surface on which it' rests. An electrical receptacle mounted in the lend "wa-li! M maybe electrical-ly connected with. the driving motor (not shown) for machine I8 in the usual manner, `and :provdeslmeans 4by which an extension corri from the usual domestic elect supply' outlet' may be connected with the mac .i ke |78. The usual Toot pedal (not shown) for 'controlling the speed and operation of the machine' will be connected thereto by'an electric conductor in awell known manner and will be-'pro'jected'lfrom the open bottoni "of the housing AI''to a suitable place on the door when. themachine I8 is in use, and .placed inside the casing' forstorage purposes enclosing the housing asi'sfcustoniary'withportable sewing nialhiiies".
'The device as shown' in Figa 1 may be readily folded to portable size `by first operating the conventional machine 'supporting means to release the machine and allow the' same to `svring down into the positionof Fig". 3. The leaf 22 is then swung over 'the' topof thehousing and securely lashed by'meansof catch 2li. Then., 'by grasping the handl'efs'la',I stand'A anais readily tipped on its back so that 'the housing rests on feet 8i. 'The nuts 65 and 'IT and hooks 165 and 1E .are then released, hook 15 Sis removed from run'g 3'6, `'and the strut 1B visfolded 'against the panelv l2 and held there by engagement Vof projection T8 with spring catch 19. The diagonal brace 6G is folded, simultaneously "ol'ra-wirigthe support `member 35 into place against the vbot tom of the housing Il)V (Fig. 4) with the end of legs v3?Y 'and -321 seated notches |54. Swinging the panel l"152' into position between the legs 32 and 3E nests the folded A.strut 1B and closes :the housing Ill'. As the panel 'ft2 is vforced home' the clip 46 engages projection 48 to hold all the parts in Afolded position, the panelV 42 resting against the link G2 and thereby positioning 'the 'ru/ngV 36 which holds' the legs 32 'and 3'4 firmly seated in the notches I". Unfolding the device of Figs'. and 6 to provide the 'stand of Figs. 1 to 3 vis 'ac'- complish'ed by merely reversing the foregoing series of steps.
AIn Fig. 7Visf-i-l5lustrated1a' modified `Tof invention in which the foldable diagonal brace E@ is replacedby a pair of fold'able diagonal braces 69a and '6021. The 'foldalble braces Ella and are lengths fof any suitable flexible .material ksuch as chain or wire rope, thecnain form'being'sho'wn inthe drawing'. The chain fa is connected 'to rung 36 at one "end and lanchc'ued' 'on the side wall if! of ycasing [0 4at its other end. The chain i301) is connected to "the panel 42 near the tree end `thereof and `has' its 'other Vend anchored 'on the side wall t3 of Vthe housing lll. Any `sutable Aconventional means such as adjustable anchers-o1l turnbuc'kles (not shown) may be pro vided for properly adjusting the lengths oi chains 6ta and 60o. When the chains are fset lat the proper length, Athe strut '-i-U will be freund to remain very slightly bent, at hinge 13 when under the in'uence of tl'iey fr-'eo `lengths of the'. chains and with. its end hookedover rung V3b; LBy apiplying a slight-downward force to the strut 1e, it may be made to serve as a toggle, and when the same is straightened :and locked with hook 7B the chains' 6ta and b will 'be under slight tension. The 'whole undercarriiage of.` thenstand will then Vbe found to f's'et' up into fa rm and' rigid support for the" housing 'mand' machineV i8. The ioldab'leV4 braces Gtia and Stb occupy a vertical plane or planes-situated similarly to the location of. the plane of thelfoldable brace 6B of Fig. 2 or planes which correspond lin all respects to the principles for`v placing `the bracing and strut *elements discussed at length above. In all vother respects the stand of Fig. 7 is ,preferably the saine thel device of Figs. 1v to '6, most -of theV de'- tails having been omitted Ain this view for 'purposes of clarity.
In the interests of clearness vand brevity, the foregoing description employs 4such terms y'as front, bachiy bottom, top, "side, height and the like toA designate certain parts of the ycasing IU or directions relative' thereto. `Such des ignations areY made on theV basis of thefdevice set up as shown in Figs. l to 3 but 'will be understood 'as applying to the same parts of the device and relative vdirections regardless of their orientation with respect `to the true: horizontal or vertical, and such terms are consistently so used throughout this speci-cation and' the 'subjoined claims.
Variations and modifications vmay be made within the scope Vof the 4claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.
kI'claim:
1. A combined portable 4ina-chine'case' and folding work stand comprising an open-bottom hous ing; means ion said housing for mounting a ma- -chine for vmovement between operative position extending above "the top of the' 'housing and stowed position 'within the housing; and two sup'- port members hinged adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other, said `support members being of complementary shape, and being so ntt'ed to said housing that when swung against the Aopen bottom of said housing they mesh to form a substantially continuous closure therefor.
2'. A combined portable-'machine case and folding work stand'cornprising `an open-bottom hous ing; means onsaid housing for mounting a machine 'for movement between operative position extending above the top :of the housing and stowed position within the housing; and two support members hinged adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other, said support members being of complementary shape, and being `so fntted to said housing that when swung against the open bottom of said housing kthey mesh to ferm a sub'- stantially continuous closure therefor, said support members when swung against said bottom ylying mainly within the `side walls of. said housing and forming "a surface flush with the bottom edges thereof.
3. A combined portable machine case andfolding work stand comprising V'an open-bottom housing; means on said housingl for mounting a maching 'for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within th'e housing/l; and -two support members hinged adjacent the open bottom on 'opposite sides 0is'aid housing to swing towards each other to form a closure for said open bottom, the lower edge of the front portion of said housing consisting of a wall element which is readily displaceable to provide space for the knee of the operator when a machine mounted on the stand is in use.
4. A combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising an open-bottom housing; means on said housing for mounting a machine for hinging movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing, and stowed position swung down within the housing and with its bottom surface adjacent the inside of the back of said housing; two support members hinged adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other to form a closure for said open bottom; a work leaf hinged to said housing for movement into a position overlying the top thereof; a releasable tensioning fastener for holding said leaf in said overlying position; and a carrying handle mounted on the front of said housing, the lower edge of the front portion of said housing below said handle consisting of a wall element which is readily displaceable to provide space for the knee of the operator when a machine mounted on the stand isin use.
5. A combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; two support members hinged at their ends adjacent the bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other; at least one foldable brace element connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and at its other end to the side of said housing opposite to that on which said one support member is hinged; and a support-separating strut connected to one of said support members near the free end thereof and releasably engageable with the outer support member near the free end thereof.
6. A combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; two support members hinged at their ends adjacent the bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other, each of said support members being substantially7 as wide as the front-to-back dimension of said housing and each having a front edge and a back edge; at least one foldable brace element connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and at its other end to the side of said housing opposite to that on which said one support member is hinged; and a support-separating strut connected to one of said support members near the free end thereof and releasably engageable` with the other support member near: the free end thereof, said brace element and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than two-thirds of said dimension from either the front edge or back edge of either support member, and so that none of said brace element and strut extends forwardly of a vertical plane generally parallel to said front edges and spaced rearwardly thereof a distance equal to one-third of said dimension, when said support members are in housing supporting position.
'7. A combined portable machine case and foldl is in use; vtwo support members hinged at their ends adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other to form a closure for said open bottom, each of said support members being substantially as wide as l the front-to-back dimension of said housing and each having a front edge `and a ba-ck edge; at least one foldable brace element connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and at its other end to the side of said housing opposite to that on which said one support member is hinged; and a support-separating strut connected to one of said support members near the free end thereof and releasably engageable with the other support member near the free end thereof, said brace element and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than twothirds of said dimension from either the front edge or back edge of either support member, and so that none of said brace element and strut extends forwardly of a vertical plane generally parallel to said front edges and spaced rearwardly thereof a distance equal to one-third of said dimension, when said support members are in housing-supporting position.
8. A `combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising an' open-bottom housing having a front and back wall and two side walls; means on said housing for mounting 40 a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; spaced support members hinged to one side wall and swingable to a non-support position such that their outer surfaces lie flush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls; and support means hinged to the other side wall and so dimensioned and positioned that when the same is swung to non-support position it occupies substantially all of the bottom area not occupied by said support members and its outer surface lies flush with the outer surfaces of said members and the bottom edges of said front and back walls.
9. A combined portable machine case and folding work stand rcomprising an open-bottom housing having front and back walls and two side walls; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and G0 stowed position within the housing; spaced legs hinged to one side wall and swingable to a nonsupport position such that one is contiguous with the front wall and the other contiguous with the back wall, and their outer surfaces lie flush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls;
and a support panel hinged to the other side wall and so dimensioned and positioned that when said panel is swung to non-support position it fits between said legs and occupies substantially all of the bottom area not occupied by said legs and its outer surface lies fiush with the outer surfaces of said legs and the bottom edges of said front and back walls.
l0. A combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising an open-bottom housing having front and back walls and two side walls; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending `above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; spaced legs hinged to one side wall and swingable to a nonsupport position such that one is contiguous with the front wall and the other contiguous with the back wall, and their outer surfaces lie ush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls; anda support panel hinged to the other side wall and so dimensioned and positioned that when said panel is swung to non-support position it ts between said legs and occupies substantially all of the bottom area not occupied by said legs and its outer surface lies flush with the outer surfaces of said legs and the bottom edges of said front and back walls, the free ends of said legs when in non-support position being flush with the outer surface of said other side wall, the same being notched at its bottom edge to receive said leg ends, said panel having at its free end floorengaging means the bottom of which is flush with the outer surface of said one side wall when said panel is in non-support position, said one end wall being notched at its bottom edge to receive said means.
11. A combined portable sewing machine case and folding work Stand comprising an open-bottom housing having front and back walls and two side walls; means on said housing for mountingr a sewing machine for hinging movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position swung down within the housing and with its bottom surface adjacent the inside of the back of said housing; spaced legs hinged to one side wall and swingable to a non-support position such that one is contiguous with the front wall and the other contigous with the back wall, and their outer surfaces lie iiush with the bottom edges of said front and back walls; a support panel hinged to said other side wall and. so dimensioned and positioned that when said panel is swungto non-support position it nts between said legs and occupies substantially all of the bottom area not filled by said legs and its outer surface lies flush with the outer surface of said legs and the bottom edges of said front and back walls; brace means connected between said legs near the hinged ends thereof; a spacer 2 element connected between said legs near the free ends thereof; a diagonal brace member comprising hingedly connected rigid links connected at one end to said spacer element and at the other end to said other side wall; a separating strut 1 hinged at one end to .said panel near the free end thereof and releasably engageable at its other end with said spacer element, said strut being receivable between said legs when the legs and panel are in non-supporting bottom-closing position; a work leaf congruent with the top of said housing and hinged at one edge thereof for movement into a position overlying said top; a releasable tensioning fastener for holding said leaf in said position; and a carrying handle mounted on the front of said housing, the lower edge of said front wall below said handle being readily displaceable to provide space for the knee of the operator when a sewing machine mounted on the stand is in use.
12. A combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing, the front of said housing defining the front plane of said stand, andftheback4 of said housing the back plane of said stand; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; and two support members hinged adjacent the bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other and against said bottom; a diagonal brace comprising two hingedly connected links pivotally connected at one end near the free end of one of said support members and at its other end to said housing; and a separating' strut comprising two hingedly connected links pivotally connected at one end to said other support member near its free end, and releasablg,r engageable at its other end with said one support member near its free end, said brace and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than twothirds of the front-to-bacl dimension of said housing from either of said planes, and so that none of said brace and strut extends forwardly of a vertical plane generally parallel to said front pla-ne and spaced rearwardly thereof a distance equal to one-third of said dimension when said support members are in housing-supporting position.
13. A combined portable machine case and folding work stand comprising a housing', the front of said housing defining the front plane of said stand and the back of said housing the back plane of said stand; means on said housing for mounting a machine for movement between operative position extending above the top of the housing and stowed position within the housing; and two support members hinged adjacent the open bottom on opposite sides of said housing to swing towards each other and against said bottom; a pair of flexible diagonal brace members each connected at one end to a side of said housing and at the other end near the free end of that support member hinged to the opposite side of said housing; and a separating strut comprising two hingedly connected links pivotally connected at one end to one of said support members near its free end, and releasably engageable at its other end with the other of said support members near its free end, said flexible brace members and strut being so constructed and positioned as to be at their connection points no farther than two-thirds of the front-to-back dimension of said housing from either of said planes, and so that none of said braces and strut extends forwardly of a vertical plane generally parallel to said front plane and spaced rearwardly thereof a distance equal to one-third of said dimension when said support members are in housing-supporting position.
PHILIP AYOTTE.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,565,395 Reddig Dec. 15, 1925 1,661,015 Singley Feb. 28, 1928 1,978,827 Vinding Oct. 30, 1934 2,e83,106 Santley Sept. 27, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 311,301 Italy Sept. 27, 1933
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US106370A US2554135A (en) | 1949-07-23 | 1949-07-23 | Convertible machine carrying case and workstand |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US106370A US2554135A (en) | 1949-07-23 | 1949-07-23 | Convertible machine carrying case and workstand |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2554135A true US2554135A (en) | 1951-05-22 |
Family
ID=22311031
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US106370A Expired - Lifetime US2554135A (en) | 1949-07-23 | 1949-07-23 | Convertible machine carrying case and workstand |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2554135A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3031796A (en) * | 1958-11-27 | 1962-05-01 | Filtecnica Salmoiraghi S P A | Portable sewing machine and case therefor |
| US3286869A (en) * | 1965-09-23 | 1966-11-22 | Singer Co | Combined sewing machine shipping crate and stand |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1565395A (en) * | 1922-11-15 | 1925-12-15 | Western Electric Co | Sewing-machine container |
| US1661015A (en) * | 1926-06-15 | 1928-02-28 | Leslie K Singley | Combined carrying case and tarle |
| US1978827A (en) * | 1933-03-18 | 1934-10-30 | Laura R Vinding | Folding table |
| US2483106A (en) * | 1946-08-06 | 1949-09-27 | Joseph F Santley | Pack-away table for portable sewing machines |
-
1949
- 1949-07-23 US US106370A patent/US2554135A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1565395A (en) * | 1922-11-15 | 1925-12-15 | Western Electric Co | Sewing-machine container |
| US1661015A (en) * | 1926-06-15 | 1928-02-28 | Leslie K Singley | Combined carrying case and tarle |
| US1978827A (en) * | 1933-03-18 | 1934-10-30 | Laura R Vinding | Folding table |
| US2483106A (en) * | 1946-08-06 | 1949-09-27 | Joseph F Santley | Pack-away table for portable sewing machines |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3031796A (en) * | 1958-11-27 | 1962-05-01 | Filtecnica Salmoiraghi S P A | Portable sewing machine and case therefor |
| US3286869A (en) * | 1965-09-23 | 1966-11-22 | Singer Co | Combined sewing machine shipping crate and stand |
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