Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 8/5/2004

Question
A friend has a collapsable table that has a yard measurement along the top, long side.  On the bottom it has "Hill Bros. Mfg. Company"   "Prize Medal"  and something like Belding, MI (if I remember correctly).  The "hinges" that drop the legs down are patented in 1883 or 1889.  Each leg has a wooden roller.  Do you know anything about this kind of table?  Is is some kind of sewing table?

Answer
Hello Holly.  Yes, your friend has a sewing table.  The patent info is most probably for the metal folding mechanism itself and not the the table as a whole.  Patents can be researched on line.  And you might be surprised to find information on the Hills Bros Mfg Co and Belding (they made thread at one time).  Good luck with your search.  Barb