May 7, 1957
G. c. ATWILL
2,791,476
FOLDING TABLE FOR AUTOMOBILES
Filed June 4, 1956
I
INVENTORK
G'I/berf C. Afw/l/
United States Patent
1
C6
q
2,791,476
Fi'atentecl May 7, 1957
1
. thumb screw 24, as will be obvious.
A rubber foot 25
’ is provided on the lower end of the tubular leg 23. A
U-shaped spring clamp 26 is suitably secured to the
undersurface of the table half 15 and is adapted to re
2,791,476
FOLDING TABLE FOR AUTOMOBILES
Gilbert C. Atwill, Artesia, Calif.
Application June 4, 1956, Serial No. 589,232
2 Claims. (Cl. 311-21)
siliently retain therewithin the tubular leg 23 when the
rod 21 is telescoped entirely within the tubular leg and
rotated upwardly onto the undersurface of the tabular
portion 15.
Assembly is completed by the provision of a bracket 27
10 pivotally mounted on the undersurface of the table half
13 by means of the pin 28, the free end of the bracket 27
being integrally formed with the L-shaped portion 28'
This invention relates to tables for vehicles or the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
folding table for automobiles which may be used to sup
port refreshments or the like when seated ‘111 the car.
‘It is another object of the present invention to pro
adapted to enclose the table half 15 when the latter is
rotated against the table half 13, as shown in Fig. 3,
whereby to retain the table in the collapsed position.
Thus, the device, as shown in Fig. 1, may be used to
support refreshments or the like for the occupants when
seated in the car. To collapse the table and to move
the same to an inoperative position out of sight, it is
vide a folding table of the above type which may be
20 only necessary to loosen the thumb screw 24, and to move
folded up and out of the way under the dashboard when
the tubular member 23 upwardly onto the rod 21, where
not in use and completely out of sight, while at the same
upon the thumb screw can again be tightened. The brace
time being handy and ready to use at all times.
17 is then rotated outwardly to release the outer table
Other objects of the invention are to provide a fold
half 15 and to permit the upward rotation of the same
ing table bearing the above objects in mind which is of 25 towards the table half 13. The latter is then rotated
simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is
downwardly to the undersurface of the instrument board
inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in use.
.
11, whereupon the table half 15 is rotated upwardly
For other objects and for a better understanding of
against the table half 13 (Fig. 2), with the tubular mem
the invention, reference may ‘be had to the following de
ber 23 then being snapped into the spring clamp 26, the
tailed description taken in connection with the accom 30 hinges 14 will be of the friction type to retain the tabular
an in drawin in which:
_
portion 13 in the position shown in phantom on Fig. 2.
p Figuge 1 is agperspective view of apreferred embodi
merit of the present invention shown in operative use in
an automobile;
Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken along
the line 2—2 of Fig. l and illustrating in phantom the
inoperative position of the table; and
.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the table
While various changes may ‘be made in the detail con
struction, it shall be understood that such changes shall
be within the spirit and scope of the present invention
as de?ned by the ‘appended claims.
What I claim as new and‘ desire to protect by Letters
Patent of the United States is:
1. A folding table for automobiles comprising a ?rst
when folded together and not in use.
‘
_
table half, means hingeably mounting said ?rst table half
Referring now more in detail to the drawing, 10 ‘in 40 along one end to the undersurface of the automobile
dicates generally the interior of an automobile including
instrument board, a second table half pivotally con
the usual instrument board 11 and ?oor 12, substantially
nected to the adjacent edge of said second table half,
as illustrated.
‘
?rst brace means for releasably holding said second table
In the practice of my invention, a table half 13 is
half in the same plane as said ?rst table half comprising
hingeably mounted at one end on the undersurface of the
an elongated bar pivotally mounted at one end of the
instrument board 11 by means of the hinge elements 14,
undersurface of said ?rst table half at one side thereof,
the hinges 14 being adapted to permit the folding of the
said bar at the free end thereof being integrally formed
undersurface of the table half 13 ?ush against the under
with a \U-shaped portion adapted to engage the edge of
surface of the instrument board 11, as shown in outline
said second table half at the upper surface thereof with
50 the said bar engaging the undersurface of said second
in Fig. 2.
_
A complementary table half 15 is hingeably connected
table half whereby to retain the second table half in the
to the adjacent edge of the table half 13 by means of
same plane as said ?rst table half, collapsible leg means
the hinges 16, the latter being adapted to permit the ro
for supporting said second table half when in the oper
tation of the table half 15 upwardly onto the table half
ative position comprising a rod, means pivotally mount
55 ing the upper end of said rod on the undersurface ‘of said
13, as shown in Fig. 3.
_
The table half 15 is retained in operative position rela
second table half, a tubular member telescopically receiv
tive to the table half 13 by means of the brace 17 having
ing therewithin the lower end of said rod, thumb screw
one end thereof pivotally connected to the undersurface
means for locking the position of said rod within said
of the table half 13 at one side by means of the pin 18.
tubular member and resilient foot means on the lower
The free end of the brace 17 is integrally formed with 60 end of said tubular rod, a spring clamp secured to the
the L-shaped portion 19 adapted to engage the adjacent
undersurface of said second table half adapted to re
edge and upper surface of the table half 15 with the
siliently retain said tubular member therewithin when
undersurface of the table half 15 resting on the brace
said rod and tubular member are collapsed onto the
17, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby to retain the half 15 in
undersurface of the second table half, and second brace
the operative position. Further support is provided for 65 means for releasably retaining said second table half
the table half 15 by the provision on the undersurface
when folded against said ?rst table half.
thereof of a U-shaped bracket 20 which pivotally mounts
2. A folding table according to claim 1, said second
the upper end of the rod 21 by means of the pin 22.
brace means comprising an elongated bar pivotally
The lower end of the rod 21 is telescopically received
mounted on the undersurface of said ?rst table half at
within the tubular leg 23, the position of the rod 21 rela 70 the other side thereof, said bar at the free end thereof
tive to the tubular leg 23 being locked by means of the
being integrally formed with an L-shaped portion adapted
2,791,476
3
r
to embrace the edge ‘and undersurface of the second tab
half when rotated against said ?rst table half.
.References Cited in the ?le of this patent
UNITED STATES PATENTS
1,549,957‘
Belden ______________ __ Aug. 18, 1925
1,900,325
2,125,476
2,533,147
2,592,032
2,721,777
2,749,655
4
Bayman et a1. _________ __ Mar. 7, 1933
Westrope et a1 _________ __ Aug. 2, 1938
Sparks ______________ __
Henderson ___________ __
Willis _______________ __
Ashton ______________ __
Dec. 5,
Apr. 8,
Oct. 25,
June 12,
1950
1952
1955
1956