Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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In many instances, tables utilized in restaurants are disposed in
edge-to-edge abutting relation in order to provide a larger table for larger
groups of customers. However, persons seated in large groups about a large
table can sometimes become more excited and active than usual resulting in
the smaller tables placed in side-by-side relation to define a larger table
shifting away from each other. In addition, some restaurant tables are of
the center pedestal-type and may be tipped with little effort. In such
instances when a glass of liquid is disposed on that portion of the tablecloth
bridging adjacent side edges of adjacent tables, the tipping of one table
relative to another may cause the glass of liquid to be upset. Still further,
some restaurants utilizing pedestal tables equipped with vertically adjustable
feet invariably have the vertically adjustable feet of different tables
adjusted differently with the result that if the two tables are disposed in
side-by-side relation the upper surface of one table will be disposed on an
elevation different from the upper surface of the other table. Accordingly,
a need exists for some means to secure smaller restaurant tables together
against separation, against relative tipping and in position with their upper
surfaces substantially co-planar.
Examples of clamps and other structures including some of the
basic structural and operational features of the instant invention are dis-
closed in U.S. patent Nos. 881,209, 1,293,414, 1,467,057, 2,031,398, 2,694,614
and 3,915,100.
The main object of this invention is to provide a clamp which will
be operable to removably clamp adjacent marginal edges of tabletops together
against separation, against tipping relative to each other and with the upper
surfaces of the tabletops substantially co-planar.
Another object of this invention is to provide a leveling clamp in
accordance with the preceding object and which may be readily applied to side-
by-side tabletops without the use of tools.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a leveling
clamp which may be utilized in conjunction with a pair of tabletops of
different thicknesses.
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A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated
herein is to provide a leveling clamp in accordance with the preceding objects
. and whi.ch will. conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple
construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economic-
ally feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.
The present invention provides a leveling clamp for clamping a pair
of panel members together in edge-to-edge relation and with correspondin~ side
faces of the panel members in substantially co-planar relation, the leveling
clamp including a first plate, a second plate disposed generally normal and
secured to the first plate centrally intermediate opposite marginal portions of
the first plate with the second plate projecting outwardly from one side of the
first plate and also disposed normal to a path extending between the opposite
marginal portions, an elongated abutment member including opposite end
portions and an intermediate portion extending between the opposite end
; portion6, the end portions being offset to one side of the intermediate
portion, the intermediate portion having a central opening formed therethrough,
the second plate including an elongated endwise outwardly projecting mounting
portion on its outer end remote from the first plate, the abutment member
being mounted on the mounting portion with the latter loosely received
through the opening and the one side of the intermediate portion opposing
- the one side of the first plate for movement of the abutment member on
the mounting portion toward and away from the first plate and limited
angular displacement of the abutment member relative to the mounting portion
about an axis generally paralleling the plates, and adjustable displacement
means operatively connected ~etween the mounting portion and the abutment
member intermediate portion for adjustable displacement of the abutment
member along the mounting portion toward the first plate.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the mounting portion
including a narrow plate-like base end portion and a threaded shank outer end
portion, the opening comprising a slot extending transversely of the intermediate
portion through which the base end portion is slidably received, the adjustable
displacement means including a thrust nut threaded on the threaded shank outer
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end portion, the adjustable displacement means also includes a sleeve slidably
mounted on the mounting portion outwardly of the a~utment member and inwardly
of the thrust nut.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first
plate includes a pair of opposite side transversely aligned and outwardly
opening recesses formed in its opposite side marginal portions, the upper
marginal edge of the second plate including a central upwardly opening
recess formed therein defining a pair of upwardly projecting lugs at the
opposite ends of the upper marginal edge, the lugs being snugly received in
- 10 the opposite side recesses and the portion of the first plate extending between
the opposite side recesses being received in the central upwardly opening recess.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the leveling clamp of the instant
invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pair of tabletops
having closely juxtaposed marginal edge portions and with the leveling clamp
: of the instant invention operatively associated with the tabletops;
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken
substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substan-
: 20 tially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5 i8 a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon
the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 3; and
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the slidable abutment member
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portion of the leveling clamp.
With reference now more specifically to the drawings, the leveling
clamp of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference
numeral 10 and includes a generally T-shaped body referred to in general
by the reference numeral 12. The body 12 includes a first upper horizontal
plate 14 and a second vertical plate 16 having its upper marginal edge portion
secured to the first plate 14 centrally intermediate its opposite ends. The
plate 16 i9 disposed at substantially right angles to the plate 14 and the
lower end portion of the plate 16 defines a narrow extension 18 of the plate
16. The lower end of the extension 18 has the bifurcated upper end 20 of a
threaded shank 21 secured thereto as by a through pin 22.
The upper plate 14 includes a pair of transversely aligned outwardly
opening slots 24 formed vertically through the central portions of the opposite
side marginal edges thereof and the upper marginal edge of the plate 16
includes a central recess 26 defining a pair of opposite side lugs 28 on oppo-
site sides of the recess 26. The portion of the upper plate 14 extending
between the inner ends of the slots or notches 24 is snugly received in the
recess 26 and the lugs 28 are snugly received in the slots or notches 24. The
plates, thus interengaged, are secured together by welding.
An arcuate abutment member 36 has a central opening 38 formed there-
through and the abutment member 36 is defined by a pair of opposite end por-
tions 40 between which an intermediate portion 42 extends. The opposite end
portions 40 are also arcuate, but they are reversely arcuate relative to the
curvature of the intermediate portion 42 in which the opening 38 is formed.
The opening 38 is defined by an elongated slot 44 extending transversely of
the intermediate portion 42 and including a widened central portion 46. The
abutment member 36 is slidably mounted on the extension 18 with the latter
received through the slot 44 and the shank or shank member 20 received
through the widened portion 46. The extension 18 is loosely received through
the slot 44 whereby the abutment member 36 may be angularly displaced relative
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to the extension 18 about an axis paralleling the plates 14 and 16. The
abutment member 36 is mounted on the extension 18 with the concave side of
the intermediate portion 42 opposing the underside of the plate 14 from
which the plate 16 depends and a sleeve 48 including a hollow interior of
a cross-sectional shape to slidingly receive the extension 18 and the shank 20
therethrough is slidably mounted on the extension 18 and includes an outer end
wall 50 apertured as at 52 remote from the plate 14. The threaded shank 20
extends through the aperture 52 and has a thumb nut 54 threadedly engaged
thereon.
In operation, when a pair of different thickness tabletops 56 and 58
are positioned in edge-to-edge opposing relation, the clamp 10, or a pair of
clamps 10, may be engaged with the tabletops 56 and 58 in a manner which i8
believed to be obvious from Figure 3 of the drawings in order that the table-
tops 56 and 58 may be clamped together against displacement away from each
other, against relative tipping and with the upper surfaces 60 and 62 of the
tabletopR 56 and 58 substantially co-planar.
The abutment member 36 is constructed of stiff but somewhat resilient
material whereby a yieldable clamping action on the tabletops 56 and 58 may be
provided. Further, it is proposed that the clamp 10 will be constructed of
metal, with the possible exception of the thrust nut 54 and the sleeve 48 and
that a non-corrosive type of metal will be utilized in its construction.
