AU773493B2

AU773493B2 - Table

Info

Publication number: AU773493B2
Application number: AU16965/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Heinrich Iglseder; Christian Muller-Tomfelde; Burkhard Remmers; Andreas Storiko; Norbert Streitz; Jurgen Thode
Original assignee: HEINRICH IGLSEDER ING
Current assignee: Iglseder Ing Heinrich Dr-
Priority date: 1999-10-25
Filing date: 2000-10-16
Publication date: 2004-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-16
Also published as: DE50002013D1; CN1399521A; DE19951308A1; JP2003512115A; CN1191035C; EP1223831A1; EP1223831B1; ATE238719T1; WO2001030199A1; AU1696501A

Abstract

The invention relates to a table, comprising a table top (1), at least one display screen built in to the table top and a table frame (3), whereby said screen may be optionally adjusted between at least a first and a second operating position relative to the table frame.

Description

EP0010174 Table The invention relates to a table with a table top, at least one display screen integrated into the table top and also a table frame.

Nowadays it is no longer possible to imagine life without computers in the business and private sectors. In order to work with a computer, the appertaining monitor is usually set up on a table. Due to its design this monitor takes up a relatively large amount of space there, and also in particular this space is not available when the monitor is not being used.

Therefore for certain applications it is already been proposed to integrate the monitor or display screen into the table or the table top. However, display screens which are installed and fixed in this way are less suitable for longer periods of work on the screen.

Known from DE-A-195 33 494 is a table with an integrated display screen.

EP-A-O 378 889 discloses a table with two table top sections, with one of the table tops having the integrated display screen capable of being tilted upwards to assume different working positions.

The object of the invention is, starting from the prior art described above, to provide a table according to the preamble to Claim I which is more versatile in use.

According to the invention this object is achieved by the features of Claim 1.

Further embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the subordinate claims.

According to the invention the table has a table top, at least one display screen integrated into the table top and also a table frame. The table top comprises two table top sections and the display screen is firmly connected to at least one of the two table top sections and optionally adjustable relative to the table frame between at least a first and a second position of use. The table is constructed as a folding table and the display screen extends across the two table top sections.

EP0010174 In this way the table or the monitor respectively can be used in at least two different positions of use, so that in particular a co-operative work environment can be created.

According to a particular embodiment of this folding table, in the first position of use the two table top sections form a horizontally oriented table top and are folded together in the second position of use. In the second position of use the two table top sections are preferably oriented substantially vertically.

According to a first variant of this folding table, the display screen is firmly connected to one of the two table tops and comes into releasable engagement with the other table top section in the first position of use, During pivoting of the two table top sections the display screen is entrained by the table top section which is firmly connected to it and is oriented substantially vertically in the second position of use.

According to a second variant a display screen is integrated into each of the two table top sections, and this display screen can then be pivoted with the respective appertaining table top section into the second position of use.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the table has a table top, at least one display screen integrated into the table top and also a table frame, and the display screen can be pivoted about at least one axis relative to the table frame as required between at least a first and a second position of use.

The display screen which can be used for the various variants is preferably formed by a flat display screen, in particular a sensitive interactive flat display screen.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail with reference to the description of three embodiments and the drawings.

The drawings show as follows: Figure 1 a side view of a table according to a first and second embodiment, EP0010174 Figure 2 a plan view of the table according to the first embodiment in the first position of use, Figure 3 a side view of the table according to the first embodiment in the second position of use, Figure 4 the table according to the first embodiment in the second position of use, Figure 5 a plan view of the table according to the second embodiment in the first position of use, Figure 6 a side view of the table according to the second embodiment in the second position of use, Figure 7 a front view of the table according to the second embodiment in the second position of use, and Figure 8 a side view of a table according to a third embodiment.

A table according to a first embodiment according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4. It consists essentially of a table top 1, a display screen 2 integrated into the table top and also a table frame 3.

The table is constructed as a folding table, whereby the table top 1 consists of a first table top section 1. 1 and a second table top section 1.2 which are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

The display screen 2 is set into the table top 1 and its surface is flush with the surface of the table. As can be seen in particular from Figure 2, the display screen 2 extends over both table top sections 1.1 and 1.2.

The display screen 2 is set into the table top in such a way that a peripheral edge remains which is sufficient in order to support itself or to place other utensils adjacent to the actual work surface (display screen).

In the first position of use shown in Figures 1 and 2 the table top 1 and the display screen 2 are oriented horizontally relative to the base. The table frame has a folding mechanism by which the display screen 2 can be brought into a second position of use according to Figures 3 and 4.

EP0001174 As can be seen in particular from Figures 1 arid 3, the two table top sections 1.1 arid 1.2 are connected to one another in an articulated manner in the region of their abutting narrow sides. A hinge pin 3.1 is located below the table top sections 1.1 and 1.2 which are in the extended position when the table is in the horizontal position of use according to Figure 1. The hinge pin 3.1 is positioned low enough so that the two table top sections 1.1, 1.2, when folded together according to the folded position shown in Figure 3, are spaced from one another and allow room for the folding mechanism.

Spaced from the free narrow sides extending parallel to the hinge pin 3.1 pairs of table legs 3.2 3.3 are articulated via hinges 3.4 and 3.5 on the underside of the table top sections 1.1 and 1.2. The end portions of the table legs 3.2 arid 3.3 are inclined outwards away from the hinge pins 3.4 and and are provided with castors 3.6 3.7.

The folding mechanism also has link rods 3.8 and 3.9 which are each connected with one end to a table leg 3.2 or 3.3 respectively and with the other end to a respective table top section 1.1 and 1,2. In this case the link rods are each fixed to the table top section on which the table leg connected to the link rod is not articulated. Accordingly the link rod 3.8 is articulated with one end on the table leg 3.2 and with the other end on the table top section 1.2, and the link rod 3.9 is articulated with one end on the table leg 3.3 and with the other end on the table top section 1.1, A detailed description of the folding mechanism may be seen from DE-A-43 34 276 to which reference is hereby made.

The display screen is set firmly into the table top section 1.2 and is in releasable engagement with the table top section 1.1. During the folding movement the display screen is released from its contact with the table top section 1.1 and with this region projects vertically upwards out of the table top section 1,2 in the folded position according to Figures 3 and 4.

The display screen 2 is advantageously formed by a flat screen which is preferably constructed as a sensitive interactive flat screen. Such flat screens are known for example as touch-sensitive screens. In this case the sensitive surface can for example be pressure-sensitive, heat-sensitive, motion-sensitive, locally-resolving or also resistance-sensitive.

EP0010174 The table also has means for coupling the display screen 2 to a computer which according to choice is fixed on the table, for example on the underside of one table top section or is set up at a location remote from the table. So long as the computer is provided on the table, it should advantageously operate noiselessly. In the case of a computer set up at a location remote from the table, the coupling means between display screen and computer have suitable transmitting and receiving means. A computer provided on the table is indicated by hatching in Figure 1 with the reference numeral 4. The table also has a transmitter andlor receiver unit for the transfer or reception of data. These units are for example provided in the computer and facilitate the connection to an existing network.

The communication with the computer advantageously takes place directly via the sensitive interactive display screen so that additional input means, such as for example a keyboard, are not necessary.

However, for certain applications means provided outside the display screen for communication with the computer may be sensible or necessary. In Figures 2 and 4 such communication means are indicated and provided with the reference numerals 5.1 and 5.2. These communication means 5.1 and 5.2 can be provided, for example, for identification of the user who, for example, brings an appropriately coded authorisation card onto or into the vicinity of the communication means 5.1, 5.2.

However, the communication means 5.1 and 5.2 could also be formed by weighing machines by which the weight of an object placed on the weighing machine can be associated with the data and/or information on the display screen. As a result the user can store data files or information in a simple manner and can then access them again in a corresponding manner at a different workplace by placing the corresponding object (for example a key ring on the weighing machine located there. However, this presupposes that the various workplaces are networked to one another. Naturally, in this connection the possibility could also exist of assigning the data or information to the aforementioned authorisation card. In this way it would be possible for example to distinguish between data to be stored in the longer term via the authorisation card and data to be stored in the short term via the weighing machine.

EP0010174 If the communication means 5.1 and 5.2 are constructed at least as a weighing machine, the weighing machine should be mounted on the table top 1 in such a way that it is capable of functioning in both positions of use. In the illustrated embodiment the two weighing machines are pivotably mounted in openings 1.1.1 and 1.2.1 in the corresponding table top sections 1.1 and 1.2, so that during the folding movement of the table into the second position of use according to Figure 3 the weighing machines pivot relative to their table top sections and project out of their respective openings in the position shown in Figure 3.

In Figures 5 to 7 a second embodiment Is illustrated which corresponds to the first embodiment in the side view according to Figure 1. Therefore the same reference numerals have been used for the same parts.

This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the display screen is formed by two display screens 2.1 and 2.2 which are each firmly mounted in a respective table top section 1.1 or 1.2. In this case the display screens are disposed in the table top in such a way that in the horizontal position of the table top according to Figures 1 and 5 they abut one another in the region of the connecting edges of the two table top sections. In this way a complete display screen can be formed in this table position.

When the table is folded together, the two display screens 2.1 and 2.2 with their respective appertaining table top sections 1.1 and 1.2 are folded together, so that in each case the rear faces of the table top sections or of the display screens lie opposite one another. In the folded position according to Figure 7 the display screen is then oriented substantially vertically. However, it would also be quite conceivable for the two display screens 2.1 and 2.2 not to be disposed parallel behind one another but to be disposed at a certain angle to one another.

Finally, Figure 8 shows a third embodiment which differs from the preceding embodiments in that the table is constructed not as a folding table but as a fixed table. However, here too a display screen 2 is integrated into the table top 1 and can be moved from a first position of use into a second position of use. In this case the display screen 2 is disposed so that it is pivotable about 7 EP0010174 at least one pin and as a result can be brought from for example a horizontal arrangement in the table top into a vertical arrangement illustrated in Figure 8.

The layout of the display screen and any means for communication with the computer can be provided for all three embodiments in the manner described s for the first embodiment, Due to the at least two different positions of use of the display screen this can be adapted to different working conditions. Thus the horizontal position is appropriate for an individual user or for a group distributed around the table, whilst the vertical position of use is suitable above all for a demonstration in a larger group.

Claims

1. Table with a table top, at least one display screen integrated into the table top and also a table frame, wherein the table top comprises two table top sections, and wherein the display screen is firmly connected to at least one of the two table top sections and is optionally movable relative to the table frame between at least a first and a second position of use, characterised in that the table is constructed as a folding table and that the display screen extends across the two table top sections.

2. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen is firmly connected to one of the two table top sections and in releasable engagement with the other table top section.

3. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen is in contact with both table top sections in the first position of use and is in contact only with one of the two table top sections in the second position of use. S.

4. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the two table 20 top sections are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

5. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen is constructed from a first and a second integrated display screen, wherein the first table top section has the first integrated display screen and the second table top section has the second integrated display screen.

6. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the two table top sections form a horizontally oriented table top in the first position of use and are folded together in the second position of use.

7. Table as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that in the second position of use the two table top sections are oriented substantially vertically. 9

8. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the table frame has a folding mechanism for pivoting of the table top sections.

9. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen is constructed as a flat screen, preferably as a touch-sensitive flat screen.

Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen is constructed as a sensitive interactive display screen.

11. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen is mounted so that it can be pivoted about at least one axis.

12. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that means are provided for coupling the display screen to a computer.

13. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that a noiselessly operating computer is fixed on the table. 20

14. Tables as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen is connected to a computer and furthermore means are provided on the table for communication with the computer.

Table as claimed in Claim 14, characterised in that means have a weighing machine by which the weight of an object placed on the weighing machine can be associated with the data and/or information on the display *oo. screen.

16. Table as claimed in Claim 15, characterised in that the weighing machine is mounted in the table top in such a way that it is capable of functioning in both positions of use of the display screen.

Table as claimed in Claim 14, characterised in that the communication means are provided for identification of the user and are formed at least in part by hardware.

18. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the table also has a transmitter unit for the transfer of data.

19. Table as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the table also has a receiver unit for the reception of data. Dated this 2 nd Day of April 2004 JOrgen Thode and Heinrich Iglseder By their Patent Attorney CULLEN CO. 0 0 0* o* Oo.. 5 o