DE102012217989A1 - Foldable plate for mobile structure e.g. exhibition booth used in building industry, has joint portions that are partially overlapped between adjacent plate elements such that plate elements are foldable in different folding directions - Google Patents

Abstract

The foldable plate (1) has three-foldably-connected plate elements (3a,3b) that are provided with a plate core (1.1) of a shear-resistant material. An upper duration movable layer (1.2) is permanently formed on the upper side of the plate, and a lower duration movable layer (1.3) on the lower side of the plate. The joint portions (2) are partially overlapped between adjacent plate elements such that the plate elements are foldable in different folding directions (R). An independent claim is included for a method for manufacturing foldable plate.

Description

The invention relates to a foldable plate with at least three foldably connected plate elements with a plate core made of a shear-resistant material and a method for producing such a plate.

Folding techniques for flat materials are mainly known from the further processing of paper and cardboard. Movable folds can be done alternately in opposite folding directions due to the low material thickness and the great softness of paper and paperboard. Above all, packaging and cardboard furniture are manufactured and have a small footprint and transport costs in the unfolded state and a comparatively good stability in the folded state. With plastics, foldable lampshades can be produced in this way.

The principle of folding is also known in construction. As a rigid construction, folding units achieve very high load capacities with low material thicknesses. Such constructions can be realized with great effort, but never completely unfoldable.

Also known in the furniture industry folding plates of plate elements made of wood materials with one side full-surface applied films, the folding direction is one-sided.

EP 1 354 536 A1 describes a folding plate, in particular a furniture rear wall, in which separated by a groove plate parts by means of an applied foil, which acts as a hinge in the region of the groove, are held together.

DE 10 2007 035 780 B4 describes a foldable plate in which at least two pieces of wood-based panel are joined to top, bottom and side edges at two adjacent side edges, at least two panel parts being connected by at least one glue thread.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved foldable plate and a method for producing such an improved foldable plate.

With regard to the improved foldable plate, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. With regard to the method for producing such a plate, the object is achieved by the features specified in claims 10 and 12.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a foldable plate having at least three foldably connected plate elements with a plate core made of a shear-resistant material, an upper permanent-moving layer is applied to an upper side of the plate and a lower permanent-moving layer is permanently applied to a lower plate-side layer at least partially on the outside such that joints between adjacent plate elements are at least are partially covered so that the plate elements are foldable in different folding directions.

A plate core of shear-resistant material is characterized in the sense of the invention in that higher forces can be absorbed by the plate core in the plate plane than perpendicular to the plate plane.

A joint is a separation of a plate core and a first permanent-moving layer applied on a first plate side to the plate core in a longitudinal direction, which is covered on the second plate side by a second permanent-moving layer applied to the plate core. In this case, the at least one first joint, the permanently movable layer is separated on the upper side of the plate and separated at least a second joint, the permanently movable layer on the lower side of the plate.

In an advantageous manner, this makes it possible to store and transport a foldable plate designed according to the invention, but in particular a plurality of such plates, in a space-saving manner, while spatial arrangements, also referred to below as folding constructions, can be formed by folding and fixing the individual plate elements which have a high rigidity in at least one loading direction.

In a foldable panel, at least a first lower joint on the upper panel side is covered with the upper permanent movable layer and open on the lower panel side and at least a second upper joint on the upper panel side and covered on the lower panel side with the lower permanent movable layer.

As a result, a foldability of the plate in a first, upper folding direction along the upper joint and in a second, lower folding direction along the lower joint is made possible. Due to the foldability of the plate in different folding directions a variety of statically particularly advantageous spatial Faltkonstruktionen is possible, which are not accessible with conventional, movable only in a folding direction foldable plates.

In a further embodiment, such a foldable plate is designed such that at least two plate elements are foldable flat along at least one of the plate cores of the plate elements completely rectilinear gap, the plate elements lie flat on one another either on the top or on the bottom. The plate elements are connected to each other on the fold side by a bendable permanently movable layer. As a result, a particularly space-saving folding of the plate is possible, which is advantageous for the storage or transport of the plate.

In a further embodiment of a foldable plate, the joints are arranged so that a spatial arrangement of plate elements can be produced by folding the plate and optionally by fixing the folded plate elements, which is suitable in at least one direction for power transmission.

For example, it is possible to form spatial arrangements that could previously only be produced for thin, double-sided foldable material such as paper or cardboard. Due to the shear-resistant material folding structures are possible that withstand a relatively high static load, such as stools, tables, columns or walls. Advantageously, such Faltkonstruktionen can be created from easily transportable, easily stowable foldable plates. This is particularly advantageous for mobile structures, such as exhibition stands or rented furniture.

In a further embodiment, the shear-resistant material is designed as a polymethyl methacrylate and / or the permanently movable layer as a movable plastic film. This increases the variety of design options, for example by using transparent or colored plate elements. The use of polymethyl methacrylate offers the advantage of easy processing, for example for the production of joints between plate elements by means of laser. However, other shear resistant materials such as wood, engineered wood, aluminum, aluminum sandwich panels or other metallic materials are suitable. Furthermore, it is possible to produce the permanent moving layer of textile materials or of metal mesh.

In another embodiment, the joints are arranged so that folding of the plate and fixation of the folded plate elements along opposite edges of the plate along a longitudinal extent closed spatial arrangement of plate elements can be produced. Such a closed spatial arrangement in the manner of an elongated profile has a particularly high stability in the longitudinal direction and is therefore particularly suitable for the production of mobile structures.

In a further embodiment, the plate elements have different and / or non-uniform thicknesses and / or openings. As a result, an economical use of material material is made possible, wherein statically not or slightly stressed partial surfaces of plate elements are made thinner or provided with openings than those partial areas that absorb comparatively high forces in intended folding structures. But it is also possible to provide different thicknesses and / or openings in order to achieve a specific design purpose.

The plate elements may be formed in a further embodiment of the invention as a rigid frame. As a result, it is possible to produce particularly lightweight folding constructions with virtually the same loading capacity, which is advantageous in particular for transportable superstructures.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a foldable plate at least two joints are not arranged in parallel. As a result, folding constructions in the form of structures are possible, which have a comparatively high mechanical strength and rigidity with a relatively small number of plate elements.

In a method for producing a foldable plate from at least three foldably connected plate elements of a shear-resistant material, a plate on the upper and the lower side is permanently connected to a permanently movable layer. It is possible to connect an example trained as a plastic film permanently movable layer by means of adhesive with one side of the plate. However, it is also possible to connect a trained example as a metal braid permanently movable layer by means of joining methods, such as soldering, brazing or welding, each with one side of a formed of a metallic material plate.

Then joints are made by which the plate cores of individual plate elements are at least partially separated from each other. To produce a joint, the plate coated with the permanently movable layers is separated from a first side, for example the upper side, beginning. The separation of the coated plate takes place incompletely along the joint in the depth, so that at least the permanently movable layer on the opposite second side, for example on the lower side, at least partially retained.

The plate cores separated by the joint are connected to one another via the obtained permanently movable layer and can be folded in such a way that the lower sides of the plate elements which carry the obtained permanently movable layer are approximated or superimposed.

By introducing joints into a first sheet as a whole on both sides coated with a permanent moving layer plate folding constructions can be made easily and with at most low material loss. Since an adjustment and / or fixation of individual plate elements is not necessary, the method is also accurate and manufacturing technology low feasible.

In a further embodiment of such a production method, the permanently movable layer applied to a first, for example top, side is separated to produce a joint. The underlying shear-resistant plate material is partially separated and then the plate along the partial separation in the direction of the second, for example, bottom, plate side kinked. Here, the plate material breaks along the partial separation into two plate elements, which acts as a predetermined breaking point, without causing the applied on the second side of the plate permanently movable layer is separated or destroyed, so that both plate elements remain foldable interconnected.

In this embodiment of the manufacturing method, unintentional separation or damage of the second permanent-moving layer, which mediates the foldable connection between the plate elements, can be avoided in a particularly simple and effective manner.

In a further embodiment of a manufacturing method for a foldable plate, individual plate elements are arranged according to the intended joint geometry. At least two adjacent plate members are permanently joined together by adhering a permanently movable layer on a first, for example, upper, plate side of the adjacent plate members. Further, at least two adjacent plate members are permanently bonded together by adhering a permanent movable layer on a second, for example, lower, plate side of the adjacent plate members. The abutting plate elements are foldable so that the first, for example, top, side can be brought together or folded.

It is an advantage of this embodiment of a manufacturing method that it can also be applied to plate elements which are not suitable for separation methods, for example for materials with very large thickness or highly flammable materials.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Show:

1 a schematic cross section through a two-sided coated plate of shear-resistant material,

2 a schematic cross section along a joint between two plate elements,

3a . 3b schematically the production of joints on a two-sided coated plate of shear-resistant material,

4a . 4b schematically the arrangement of plate elements in a foldable plate,

5a . 5b . 5c schematically folding structures made of foldable panels and

6 schematically usable as furniture arrangements of Faltkonstruktionen.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic cross section through a plate 1 consisting of a shear-resistant material, such as plastic, wood, wood material or light metal, in the core plate 1.1 with a plate core thickness D. The plate core 1.1 is on an upper side with an upper permanent moving layer 1.2 permanently connected. On an opposite lower side is the disk core 1.1 with a lower permanent moving layer 1.3 permanently connected. The connection of the permanent moving layers 1.2 . 1.3 with the plate core 1.1 is preferably done by gluing.

In a method for producing foldable plate elements 3 becomes a coated plate 1 as in 2 shown separated. By a separating method, for example cutting by means of a laser beam or an electron beam, a joint is formed 2 between a first plate element 3a and a second plate member 3b generated. It is also possible to use other separation techniques to make the joint 2 For example, chemical etching, plasma etching, water jet cutting or EDM.

Along the fugue 2 becomes the upper permanent moving layer 1.2 completely severed. The plate core 1.1 gets along the fugue 2 at least partially severed. The lower permanent moving layer 1.3 stays along the gap 2 receive.

In the illustrated, particularly preferred embodiment, the gap separates 2 the disk core 1.1 initially only incomplete to a removal depth A, so that the plate core 1.1 between the plate elements 3a . 3b over a bridge immediately above the lower permanent moving layer 1.3 remains connected. By bending the plate elements 3a . 3b along the folding direction R become the plate elements 3a . 3b along the fugue 2 , which acts in the manner of a predetermined breaking point, completely separated. The permanent moving layer 1.3 remains here and connects the plate elements 3a . 3b so that a folding along the folding direction R is possible.

An embodiment of a method for producing foldable plates 1 is in 3a shown. A plate 1 , consisting of a plate core 1.1 , on its upper and lower side an upper and lower permanent moving layer 1.2 . 1.3 is applied, by means of a Abtragslasers 4 separated. The wearer of the ablation laser 4 emitted laser beam material to a removal depth A starting from the upper side of the plate 1 from. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is the Abtragslaser 4 arranged so that the emitted laser beam perpendicular to the upper permanent moving layer 1.2 the plate 1 along a Z direction. It is also possible to use the ablation laser 4 to arrange and align so that the emitted laser beam at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the direction Z, so obliquely to the upper permanent movable layer 1.2 , hits.

For making an upper joint 2a becomes the ablation laser 4 relative to the plate 1 in a horizontal direction X and / or in a horizontal direction Y moves. It is possible the plate 1 to fix on a movable along the horizontal directions X, Y table. It is also possible, the Abtragslaser 4 via a movable holding device in the direction X and / or in the direction Y above the plate 1 to move. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the movement of the plate 1 and / or the Abtragslasers 4 Optionally, the emitted laser power is controlled via an electronic control device, not shown, so that any geometric arrangements of upper joints 2a can be produced.

The removal depth A can be controlled, for example, via the emitted laser power and / or the travel speeds in the directions X, Y. The removal depth A becomes, as in 2 shown, chosen so that along an upper joint 2a the upper permanent moving layer 1.2 complete and the lower permanent moving layer 1.3 is not separated. The plate core 1.1 gets along the upper joint 2a partially separated. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the emitted laser power and / or the travel speeds in the directions X, Y are selected such that the disk core 1.1 along the upper fugue 2a is separated to a depth of about 90 percent of the Plattenkerndicke D.

By turning the plate 1 180 degrees about the axis of rotation S points in a next, in 3b The manufacturing step shown, the lower permanent moving layer 1.3 to the erosion laser 4 , Thus, lower joints 2 B be prepared, which are characterized in that along a lower joint 2 B the lower permanent moving layer 1.3 completely separated, the plate core 1.1 partially separated and the upper permanent moving layer 1.2 preserved.

In alternative embodiments, it is possible, instead of rotation of the plate 1 about the axis of rotation S the Abtragslaser 4 reposition it so that it opposes the direction Z towards the lower permanent moving layer 1.3 has. It is also possible to lower and upper joints 2a . 2 B successively or at the same time by processing with at least one each above and below the plate 1 arranged Abtragslaser 4 manufacture.

As a result of in 3b illustrated manufacturing step are upper and lower joints 2a . 2 B arranged so that inside the plate 1 several plate elements 3 over the preserved lower or upper permanent moving layer 1.3 . 1.2 foldable interconnected. Upper joints 2a allow the folding of adjacent plate elements 3 in a lower folding direction Ru, in other words towards the lower plate side. Lower joints 2 B allow the folding of adjacent plate elements 3 in an upper folding direction Ro, in other words, toward the upper plate side.

4a shows an arrangement of an upper joint 2a and a lower joint 2 B on a plate 1 with rectangular floor plan. Here is the bottom joint 2 B parallel to the transverse direction over the entire width of the plate 1 arranged. The upper joint 2a runs diagonally from a vertex of the plate 1 to the intersection of the lower joint 2 B with this corner opposite longitudinal side of the plate 1 , By this arrangement of the joints 2a . 2 B arise three plate elements 3a . 3b . 3c , By folding the plate elements 3a . 3b in a lower folding direction Ru and by folding the plate elements 3b . 3c in a top folding direction Ro, a three-dimensional folding structure K is formed.

In 4b are further geometrical arrangements of joints 2 on a plate 1 shown. The arrangement of the joints 2 done so that by folding the plate elements 3 in a folding direction R, a three-dimensional folding construction K can be formed. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the joints 2 arranged so that a three-dimensional folding construction can be formed, which is suitable in at least one direction for power transmission. For example, the joints 2 arranged so that the folding construction carries at least its own weight when placing on a flat surface.

From the art of paper folding various arrangements of break lines on a flat sheet of paper are known which yield a three-dimensional geometry when folded. Such arrangements of break lines can be used as a template for the arrangement of joints 2 on a plate 1 be used. Depending on the folding direction of the break line is the corresponding joint 2 as upper joint 2a or as the bottom joint 2 B perform. Advantageously, provides the use of a rigid material for the plate core 1.1 the ability to produce folding constructions K with much greater static load capacity than geometrically identical folding constructions K made of paper or cardboard.

In a conventional rotatable connection of plate elements 3 By means of hinges, it is necessary above a certain thickness to arrange the axis of rotation of the hinge in the plane of the surface facing in the direction of rotation. The invention has the advantage over this solution that at a folding of 180 degrees adjacent plate elements 3 plan to lie on top of each other, allowing transport and storage of folded sheets 1 take place in a particularly space-saving manner.

5a schematically shows the folding of a three-dimensional folding construction K of a foldable plate 1 made up of several, about joints 2 foldably connected panel elements 3 consists. When constructing the folding structure K, the folding of the plate elements takes place 3 in the direction of R.

5b shows schematically the result of the folding. The created folding construction K is made by several plate elements 3 formed, with each other both above upper joints 2a as well as over lower joints 2 B foldable connected. To produce the folding structure K, it is necessary to have both upper and lower joints 2a . 2 B in the plate 1 contribute.

5c shows a further embodiment of a folding construction K with the same geometry, wherein the plate elements 3 are designed as rigid frame structures. With this embodiment, the weight and / or the material costs of the folding structure K or the foldable plate can be 1 reduce in an advantageous manner.

Due to different dimensions of the foldable plate 1 and / or by various geometric arrangements of joints 2 Foldable constructions K of different sizes and / or mechanical load capacities can be produced. Further, it is possible by folding a plate 1 form a folding module M, as in 6 shown. Such a folding module M has at least two mutually compatible surfaces. In this way it is possible, by arranging at least two folding modules M to produce folding constructions K in various geometrical arrangements and constructional dimensions.

• – ein als Behälter verwendbares Faltmodul M mit einer Höhe von etwa 250 mm,
• – eine als Sitz verwendbare Faltkonstruktion Ka aus zwei übereinander gestapelten Modulgruppen mit einer Höhe von etwa 500 mm,
• – eine als Tisch verwendbare Faltkonstruktion Kb aus drei übereinander gestapelten Modulgruppen mit einer Höhe von etwa 750 mm,
• – eine als Theke verwendbare Faltkonstruktion Kc aus vier übereinander gestapelten Modulgruppen mit einer Höhe von etwa 1000 mm,
• – eine als Wand verwendbare Faltkonstruktion Kd aus neun übereinander gestapelten Modulgruppen mit einer Höhe von etwa 2250 mm und
• – eine als Turm verwendbare Faltkonstruktion Ke aus zwölf übereinander gestapelten Modulgruppen mit einer Höhe von etwa 3000 mm.

For example, it is possible to arrange a plurality of folding modules M in a plane next to one another to form a module group and thus to increase the width and length of a folding structure K. Furthermore, it is possible to stack several module groups of the same width and length one above the other, and thus to increase the height of a folding structure K. It is also possible to stack vertically tilted module groups one above the other, so that the upper side of an upper module group is placed on top of a lower module group. By way of example, it is shown:

• A folding module M which can be used as a container and has a height of about 250 mm,
• A folding structure Ka usable as a seat, consisting of two modular groups stacked one above the other with a height of about 500 mm,
• A folding construction Kb which can be used as a table and consists of three modular groups stacked one above the other with a height of about 750 mm,
• A folding structure Kc usable as a counter, consisting of four modular groups stacked one above the other with a height of about 1000 mm,
• A folding structure Kd which can be used as a wall and consists of nine module groups stacked one above the other with a height of approximately 2250 mm and
• - A usable as a tower folding structure Ke of twelve stacked module groups with a height of about 3000 mm.

By means of such folding constructions, for example, exhibition stands, advertising elements or other, not permanently required furniture can be built. Advantageously, the invention allows the easy transport and space-saving storage of such structures in the folded state at a level sufficient for the usual use of furniture mechanical strength in the built state.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

plate

1.1

board core

1.2

upper permanent mobility layer

1.3

lower permanent moving layer

2

Gap

2a

upper joint

2 B

lower joint

3, 3a, 3b

panel member

4

ablation laser

A

excavation depth

D

Plate core thickness

K, Ka, Kb, Kc, Kd, Ke

Foldable construction

M

folding module

R, Ro, Ru

folding direction

S

axis of rotation

X, Y, Z

direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1354536 A1 [0005]
• DE 102007035780 B4 [0006]

Claims (12)

Foldable plate ( 1 ) with at least three foldably connected plate elements ( 3 ) each with a disk core ( 1.1 ) of a shear-resistant material, characterized in that on an upper side of the plate an upper permanent moving layer ( 1.2 ) and on a lower side of the plate a lower permanent mobility layer ( 1.3 ) are at least partially permanently applied and joints ( 2 ) between adjacent plate elements ( 3 ) cover at least partially so that the plate elements ( 3 ) are foldable in different folding directions (R). Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one upper joint ( 2a ) on the upper side of the plate and on the lower side of the plate with the lower permanent-moving layer ( 1.3 ) is covered and that at least one lower joint ( 2 B ) on the upper side of the plate with the upper permanent-moving layer ( 1.2 ) is covered and open on a lower side of the plate. Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two plate elements ( 3 ) plan along at least one of the plate cores ( 1.1 ) of the plate elements ( 3 ) rectilinearly completely dividing joint ( 2 ) are foldable on each other, wherein the joint ( 2 ) on a plate side with a bendable permanently movable layer ( 1.2 . 1.3 ) is covered. Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joints ( 2 ) are arranged so that by folding the plate ( 1 ) and fixing the folded plate elements ( 3 ) a spatial arrangement of plate elements ( 3 ) can be produced, which is suitable in at least one direction for power transmission. Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that by folding the plate ( 1 ) and fixing the folded plate elements ( 3 ) along opposite edges of the plate ( 1 ) a longitudinal arrangement of a closed spatial arrangement of plate elements ( 3 ) can be produced. Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate elements ( 3 ) have different and / or non-uniform thicknesses (D) and / or openings. Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate elements ( 3 ) are designed as rigid frame. Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shear-resistant material is designed as polymethyl methacrylate, as wood, as wood-based material or as Leichmetallwerkstoff and / or the permanent moving layer as a movable plastic film, as a textile material or as a metal mesh. Foldable plate ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two joints ( 2 ) are not arranged parallel to each other. Method for producing a foldable plate ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a permanently movable layer ( 1.2 . 1.3 ) is permanently connected on each side of a plate-shaped shear-resistant material and for the production of a joint ( 2 ) the plate ( 1 ) is separated starting from a first side of the plate, wherein the permanently movable layer ( 1.2 . 1.3 ) is at least partially preserved on the opposite second side of the plate and two plate elements ( 3 ) with separate disk core ( 1.1 ) connects to each other. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that for the production of a joint ( 2 . 2a . 2 B ) the disk core ( 1.1 ) partially separated and then the plate ( 1 ) is bent along the partial separation in the direction of the second plate side and thereby broken. Method for producing a foldable plate ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least two adjacent plate elements ( 3 ) on an upper side of the plate and at least two adjacent plate elements ( 3 ) on a lower side of the plate by gluing with a permanently movable layer ( 1.2 . 1.3 ) are permanently connected so that the plate elements ( 3 ) are foldable in different folding directions (R).

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