Abstract: An automatic folding headboard for a folding wallbed functions, when the bed is in its horizontal use position, to cover the recess in the wall or cabinet into which the bed folds. The headboard automatically folds to a storage position in response to movement of the bed to its vertical storage position, without the need for separate mechanical actuators or manual operations by the operator. The headboard assembly is selectively releasable to provide access to the hinge mechanism for the bed.

Abstract: A table is disclosed having extension leaves secured to opposite edges of the table top by hinges. The hinges include a first hinge member which is secured to the leaf and a second hinge member which is connected to the table top and is slidable relative to the table top. The first and second hinge members are pivotally connected to one another by a pivot pin carried by the slidable second hinge member and received within an elongated slot of the first hinge member. A rigid stop is secured to the second hinge member and spaced away from the pivot pin a distance less than a radius from the first end of the slot to the terminal end and a distance less than a radial distance from the second end of the slot to the terminal end.

Abstract: A bed frame includes special structures for supporting and holding the bed slats in the required spacing. The side frame members of the bed frame each have elongate flange members which project from the side frame member inwardly of the bed and extend substantially the length of the bed and support the ends of the bed slats. A spacer strip having alternate tab and space portions fits across the slats with its space portions receiving the slats and its tab portions fitting between adjacent slats to secure them in the desired spaced relation.

Abstract: A folding ironing board including a mounting mechanism for mounting the ironing board to a wall or other support. The mounting mechanism includes pivotally connected support and control members for permitting folding movement of the ironing board between a generally horizontal use position and a generally vertical storage position adjacent the wall. Height control arms pivotally connect from the wall to the control arms and can be pivoted by releasing latch members to move the ironing board between two separate working heights, with the support members pivoting accordingly. A turntable or other pivot mounts the ironing board to the mounting mechanism to permit adjustment of angular orientation in the use position.

Abstract: A drive coupling for a power operated folding support structure which is pivoted between a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position by an electric drive mechanism. A drive coupling operatively couples the arm of the electric drive motor to the pivoting support frame. The drive coupling includes a friction plate which is held between a pair of friction members secured by clamping members. The frictional drive coupling transmits force from the drive motor to pivot the frame, but allows slippage in the event that an obstacle or excessive force is encountered while pivoting the frame.

Abstract: A table and improved hinge mechanism therefor. A table top (11) having extension leaves (13, 14) secured to opposite edges (15, 16) of top (11) by hinges (17, 17A, 17B, and 17C). Hinge (17) including a pivot member (20), a slide member (21), a pivot pin (22) and an extension spring (23) operate to permit extension leaves (13, 14) to be oriented in three positions, horizontal and even with the table top (11), vertically upward, and vertically downward. When in the horizontal orientation, tongue (43) is engaged within channel (35). To reorient the extension leaves, tongue (43) is withdrawn from channel (35) against the spring (23) and may be pivoted on the pin (22).

Abstract: An illuminated, portable floor comprising a plurality of releasably, lockable panels having an array of illuminable members disposed in a desired design pattern in the upper surface of each panel, male and female mechanical coupling members disposed around the periphery of each panel for mechanically locking the panels in a side-by-side contiguous relationship, electrical male and female connectors mounted within selected locations along said mechanical coupling members of particular panels for electrically connecting the illuminable members of selected adjacent panels, a low voltage electrical power source, and an electrical circuit network connecting the power supply, the electrical connectors, and the illuminable members together. As the floor is assembled, the joinder of side-by-side panel edges effects both mechanical and electrical coupling simultaneously.

Abstract: A support structure (10), preferably a rotatable bed, pivotable between a generally horizontal use position and a generally vertical storage position is disclosed. A counterbalancing mechanism (20) which reduces the amount of force needed to rotate the support structure (10) is operatively connected to the support structure (10). A drive arm (70) driven by a motor mechanism (64) in a linear direction is also operatively connected to the support structure (10). The drive arm (70) is connected to the support structure (10) through a linkage apparatus. The linkage apparatus has linkage plates (82) pivotably connected to drive arm (70) and connecting plates (92) extending from the support structure (10). A T-shaped rod mechanism (102) is engaged by latch (116), rotatably connected to the linkage plates (82), and extends through a hole in frame member (14) of support structure (10) where a coil spring (124) is received about the rod mechanism (102).

Abstract: A mobile folding stage having a pair of stage surface members (10, 11), main support legs interconnected to form a base frame (12), and outer support legs (14, 15). Casters (70-73) are connected to caster beams (60-63) which are pivotally mounted to a caster frame (45) secured to the main support legs. Actuator links (86, 87) connect from the caster beams to the stage surface members to cause extension of the casters when the stage is brought to its horizontal, operable position, and to retract the casters when the stage is folded to its storage position. Outer leg control links (120) are positioned with respect to the outer leg to provide an over center resistance force which holds the stage surface members in their folded position. In the preferred embodiment, elevational adjustment is achieved through auxiliary support legs (130, 131), and the caster beams (60, 61) are shaped and positioned, together with stop members (141, 142) to position and secure the auxiliary legs in their fully extended position.

Abstract: A protective barrier (14, 15) for removable installation at the edge of a stage surface member (12) supported on legs (13) and having a framing flange (13, 101), including a guard rail (20, 60), a member (24, 64, 103) for supporting the rail on the stage surface, apparatus including a plurality of hook members (25, 65, 104) for cooperating with the flange to prevent outward movement of the guard rail with respect to the surface member, and an arrangement including a locking member (40, 80), pivotable into an operative position in which it cooperates with the legs 11 to prevent outward tilting of the guard rail.

Abstract: An audience control barrier for use with an elevated stage, for maintaining physical separation for performers on the stage from an audience on the other side of the barrier. The barrier is modular in form, each module including a rigid panel and brackets for supporting the panel in vertical orientation. Interconnection means on the panels permit edge to edge interconnection of modules to form a stage barrier of the desired width. According to a preferred feature, the brackets which support the panels include a top bracket having an angled flange which may be driven into wedging engagement with the top edge of the panel to hold it in place. Means are provided for interconnecting the brackets which support the panels to the legs of the stage. In a preferred form, the interconnection means comprises a hook plate configured to fit around more than half of the periphery of the stage leg, and a flipper or gate which may be moved to locking position to secure the barrier to the stage legs.

Abstract: A table surface member is movable between a vertical storage position against a wall and a usable positioned horizontally extending from the wall. The table member connects to the wall by means of a hinge assembly which permits folding of the table such that the upper edge of the table in the storage position is the edge adjacent the wall in the usable position. In a preferred embodiment latch means are provided for latching the edge of the table to the wall or wall mounting bracket in the usuable position, so that no supporting legs for the outer end of the table are required. Alternatively, another disclosed embodiment uses folding legs to support the outer edge of the table in the usuable position. A preferred hinge assembly includes upper and lower hinge arms pivotally connecting to the wall and the table. The pivotal axis of the lower arm or arms to the table is spaced below a plane passing through the pivot axis of the upper arm to the table and parallel with the table surface.

Abstract: An improved lockable hinge for a folding table of the type having table surface members which fold to a vertical storage position and to a horizontal usable position. The table is locked at an intermediate position when moving towards the usable position from the storage position by a pivoting lock bar which swings by gravity into a recess formed in a hinge plate on one half of the table and is jammed between the recess and a tab formed in the mating hinge plate on the other half of the table. A handle provided for the locking bar is bent away from the adjacent edges of the two table surface members and can be pivoted to withdraw the bar from the recess and around the tab as the table moves to the usable position. Release of the handle allows the locking bar to fall back into the recess engaging the other side of the tab to lock the table in the down position. A preferred embodiment allows the same hinge plate design to be used in both table halves.

Abstract: A table surface member is movable between a vertical storage position against a wall and a usable position horizontally extending from the wall. The table member connects to the wall by means of a hinge assembly including upper and lower hinge arms which are pivotally connected to the wall and the table. The pivotal connections of the upper and lower arms to the table are offset so that the pivot axis of the lower arm to the table is spaced below a plane passing through the pivot axis of the upper arm to the table and parallel with the table surface. This offset plus intentional length mismatching of the arms provides an overcenter resistance force to the movement of the table as it passes through an intermediate position near the vertical storage position, thereby eliminating the need for a separate latch or counterbalance to hold the table in its storage position.

Abstract: The stage section comprises a pair of planar stage surface members hinged together for movement between a compact folded position, and an operative position. Pairs of main support legs are pivotally attached to each stage surface member so as to remain substantially vertical to support the stage in both the operative and folded positions. Castor wheel assemblies are mounted near the bottoms of the support legs, and a manually actuated mechanism is provided for controlling the retraction or extension of the wheels into ground engaging position, independently of the unfolding of the stage, so that the stage can first be unfolded, then moved precisely into the desired position before retracting the wheels to transfer the stage load to the support legs.

Abstract: An elevationally adjustable mobile folding stage includes two independent stage members pivotally connected for movement between an operational position and a folded storage position. Support legs are pivotally mounted to the two stage members and are pivotally connected to cross brace linkage means which interconnect the support legs and the stage members for automatically folding the legs when the stage members are pivoted to their folded position. The legs of the stage are elevationally adjustable and include roller wheels for mobility of the stage when in its folded position. A counter balance spring system is provided to assist in folding the stage.

Abstract: An improved counterbalance hinge assembly has a bias spring and uniquely shaped cam for counterbalancing inherently nonlinear forces represented by pivoting loads such as fold up wall type beds, desks, and the like. A cable attached to the spring wraps progressively around the cam surface as the bed or other load is pulled out from the wall, thereby compressing the spring. The effective radius of the cam at a given point is designed in conjunction with the peripheral extent of the cam surface up to that point, to give the desired counterbalancing force as a function of the angular position of the load. In the preferred embodiment, the effective radius is thus smaller with the bed in its horizontal position than with the bed in its vertical position. Additionally, a small offset angle may be provided in the counterbalancing mechanism near the vertical position, to aid in moving the load to and from its stored position.