DE20010748U1 - In a surface, in particular a table top, in a cutout which can be swiveled around fastening points and is at least partially folded out - Google Patents

Description

Spiegels GmbH & Co. KG, Thalweg 4, 41334 Nettetal

A plate arranged in a surface, in particular a table top, in a cutout that can be pivoted around fastening points and can be folded out at least in part

The invention relates to a plate which is arranged in a surface, in particular a table top, in a cutout so as to be pivotable about fastening points and which can be folded out at least in some areas.

Such fold-out panels are known from practice, which have joints attached to the side as pivot points of the fold-out panel. In the closed state, the panel is usually held by a hook grid, which releases the panel when sufficient pressure is applied and allows the panel to be lifted.

The disadvantage here is that if the plate is pressed in a decentralized manner, it can become jammed and, due to the narrow gaps between the plate on the one hand and the cutout in the surface on the other hand, a sliding contact hinders or completely blocks the movement.

Furthermore, fold-out panels are known that are only provided with hinges at the ends and have a handle for opening and folding up. When closed, they rest on small projections

DR. STARK & PARTNER .ÖATEWTANMtfk. * MÖGF?S^R^TRASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

or edges, and springs may be provided to hold the panel in its closed position and prevent accidental opening.

The disadvantage here is that these folding panels require a visually unattractive handle to open the panel, which disrupts the uniformity of the surface or table top.

Although the aforementioned embodiment avoids such a handle or the like, perfect function is not guaranteed, particularly due to tilting in the case of decentralized actuation pressure.

The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a fold-out plate of the type mentioned at the beginning, which on the one hand does not affect the appearance of the surface and on the other hand can be easily operated and reliably ensures trouble-free function.

This object is achieved by a plate that is arranged in a surface, in particular a table top, in a cutout that can be pivoted about fastening points, at least in some areas, wherein the fastening points are designed as a continuous axis of rotation. This prevents the plate from tilting in the cutout in the surface assigned to it, even when the plate is pressed in a decentralized manner, since a line offset of the fastening points is not possible due to the continuous axis of rotation. In particular, the continuous axis of rotation can be guided in the plate or on the plate over its entire length corresponding to the plate, so that no bending of the axis of rotation is possible at all.

DR. STARK & PARTNER 'PATENTANWaLTB'" MOeRVER*STRASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

Preferably, at least one automatic spring snap closure or the like can be provided for holding the plate in the lowered state and for slightly raising the plate by spring pressure after light pressure, so that the plate in the lowered position is in a plane with the surrounding surface and after light pressure is raised by a certain distance, e.g. 20 mm, by the spring force of the automatic spring snap closure released thereby.

According to the invention, at least one gas pressure spring or the like can be provided for completely lifting the plate after a slight lifting, in particular by at least one automatic spring snap closure, so that after the opening has been initiated, the plate automatically opens further and completely.

Advantageously, at least one variable and/or positionally adjustable balancing weight can be provided to balance the flap weight, so that when the plate is equipped with different components, e.g. with a wide variety of connection terminals and sockets or the like, the total weight of the plate or the moment counteracting the opening force is balanced due to the plate's own weight and a definitive opening behavior, in particular a uniform opening speed, is ensured regardless of the gas pressure spring used and the weight of the plate.

The balancing weight can be arranged on the underside of the flap or the container in a movable manner and its position can be locked, so that with a uniform weight by adjusting the lever arm relative to the

DR. STARK & PARTNER

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The opening behavior can be adjusted via the rotation axis.

According to the invention, sockets and connection options, in particular for communication devices, can be provided on the underside of the plate or in the container.

For this purpose, the plate can have a material thickness sufficient for the attachment of fastening means, such as screws, nails or the like, in particular at least 14 to 16 mm, so that on the one hand communication connections or the like can also be mounted without an attached container and on the other hand increased plate stability is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotation axis 11 can be arranged in the plane of the table top, so that there are no or hardly any protruding parts with which the legs of people sitting at the table could come into contact.

In the following, embodiments of the invention shown in the drawing are explained. They show:

Fig. 1 a first embodiment in a top view with a closed plate,

Fig.2

the object according to Fig. 1 with an opened plate,

Fig.3

the object according to Fig. 1 in a bottom view with closed plate,

DR. STARK & PARTNER .0Af SNTANMCTt · * MOGftebR'STRASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

Fig. 4 another embodiment in a top view with opened plate and

Fig. 5 the object according to Fig. 4 in a bottom view with closed plate.

In all figures, identical reference symbols are used for identical or similar components.

Fig. 1 shows a surface designed as a table top 1 with a cutout 2 in which a fold-out plate 3 is arranged.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the plate 3 has on its underside a container 6 formed from side walls 4 and a base 5, in which a socket 6a is arranged as a mains power connection.

As shown in Fig. 3, the container 6 is slightly set back laterally from the plate 3 and the locking part 7 of an automatic spring snap lock 8, not otherwise shown in this figure, is arranged under the projection caused by this. Correspondingly, the catch 9 of the automatic spring snap lock 8 is arranged below the table top 1 with a roller 10 that fits the locking part 7.

The plate 3 is attached by means of an axis 11 to angles 12 arranged on the underside of the table top 1, wherein the axis 11 is mounted over the entire width of the plate 3 within the plate.

Furthermore, a gas pressure spring 13 is provided, which is attached on the one hand to the table top 1 and on the other hand

DR. STARK & PARTNER JJAfBWtANMCTt.' MÖÖ&fcR ^TRASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

is articulated in the base 5 of the container 6. If the plate 3 is now pressed into the plane of the table top 1 by light pressure, it pivots about the axis 11 and the locking part 7 is pressed a little into the plane of the table top 1. This presses the roller 10 of the catch 9 in the same direction, whereupon the automatic spring snap lock 8 pivots in the direction of the table top 1 after the light pressing has ended and pushes the plate 3 a little (approx. 2 0 mm) out of the plane of the table top 1. Due to the gas pressure spring 13 which is attached to the plate 3 or the container 6 by means of a suitable eccentric lever arm, after overcoming this small initial travel, the spring force of the gas pressure spring 13 continues to push the plate 3 out of the plane of the table top 1; either up to a stop or up to the end area of the gas pressure spring 13.

Depending on the weight of both the plate 3 and the container 6 and other objects located thereon, a balancing weight 14 is arranged on the underside of the base 5 of the container 6. The balancing weight 14 is guided in rails 15 aligned transversely to the axis 11 and can be fixed in any position in the embodiment shown by adjusting the contact pressure on the rails 15 by rotating the balancing weight 14.

Figures 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of the invention, wherein Fig. 4 shows an open fold-out plate 3 in a top view and Fig. 5 shows the object according to Fig. 4 in a closed state in a bottom view.

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As can be seen from Fig. 4, in the second embodiment the container 6 does not spring back relative to the plate 3, but rather ends exactly flush with it at the side. For this reason, a groove-shaped recess is arranged in the side wall 4, in which the locking part 7 of an automatic spring snap fastener (not otherwise shown in the figure) is arranged. Correspondingly, below the table top 1 the snap 9 of the automatic spring snap fastener 8 is arranged with a roller 10 matching the locking part 7 on a small wooden block (Fig. 5). The angles 12 are arranged in such a way that they extend into the cutout 2 of the table top 1, as a result of which the axis 11 lies in the plane of the table top 1.

A cutout is also provided on the underside of the table top 1 for the gas pressure spring 13 and the angles 12 can also be recessed in a respective cutout. In this respect, the underside of the table top 1 is approximately flat and level, at least when the fold-out plate 3 is unfolded, and there are no or hardly any protruding parts which could come into contact with the legs of people sitting at the table, for example if the table is low.

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Claims (8)

1. In a surface, in particular a table top ( 1 ), in a cutout ( 2 ) arranged pivotably about fastening points, at least partially foldable plate ( 3 ), in particular with an attached container ( 6 ), characterized in that the fastening points are designed as a continuous axis of rotation ( 11 ). 2. Plate ( 3 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one automatic spring snap closure ( 8 ) or the like is provided for holding the plate ( 3 ) in the recessed state and for slightly lifting the plate ( 3 ) by spring pressure after light pressing. 3. Plate ( 3 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one gas pressure spring ( 13 ) or the like is provided for completely lifting the plate ( 3 ) after slight lifting, in particular by at least one automatic spring snap closure ( 8 ). 4. Plate ( 3 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one variable and/or positionally adjustable balancing weight ( 14 ) is provided for balancing the flap weight. 5. Plate ( 3 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the balancing weight ( 14 ) is arranged on the underside of the flap or the container ( 6 ) so that it can be moved and its position can be locked. 6. Plate ( 3 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that sockets ( 6a ) and connection options, in particular for communication devices, are provided on the underside of the plate ( 3 ) or in the container ( 6 ). 7. Plate ( 3 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate ( 3 ) has a material thickness sufficient for the attachment of fastening means, such as screws, nails or the like, in particular at least 14 to 16 mm. 8. Plate ( 3 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the axis of rotation (11) is arranged within the plane of the table top (1) .