DE2448400A1 - Multi purpose table with tabletop of adjustable incline - has detachable fastening means for locking top relative to end side panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The table or writing desk is provided with side panels (12) mounted at each end of the table top (10) so that the latter can be fastened to the end panels by detachable fasten-means mounted on the table top and each panel. These detachable fastening means have at least two interacting positions so that in the first the table top is horizontal and in the second it is inclined. The fastening means comprise an insert (170) which detachably fits in an opening (161) in the end plates (12) and has an eccentric hole (171) through which a connecting element (152) is guided which connects the end of the table top to the end panels. The insert and opening (161) are mounted so that the hole in the insert lies flush with the detachable connecting element in the two different positions of the table top and the rear edge of the latter lies generally in the same position relative to the end panels when both in the horizontal and inclined positions.

Description

i'tm ·, 8000 some 40,

Frelllgrathstrasse 19 _{n ,,, D uw} - U "Elsenacher Strasse 17

Poet compartment 140 Uipi.-Infl. Π. Π. The. Pat. Betzier

P «t.-Anw. Harrmann-Trentepohl DlDl-PhVS Ed ü 3 id ΒβιΖίβΓ Telephone: 36 3011

Dipl.-Ing. W. Herrmann-Trentepohl ^ ³⁰¹³

Telegrammanechrlft: Telegram address:

Bahrpatente Herno PATENTANWÄLTE Babetzpat Munich

Telex 08 229853 Telex5215360

f Π bank accounts:

Bayerische Vereinsbank Munich 952 287

· "> / / O / Cl Λ Bayerische Vereinsbank Munich E

£ 1+ [^ Q / j, Q (j Dresdner Bank AQ Herne 7-520 499

Postal check account Dortmund 558 68-467

L -1

Ref .: MO 4928 B / St Please state in the answer

Please send a letter to:

Munich

4th October 1974

Steelcase Inc.,

1120 36th Street, SE ^1st

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Table, in particular a desk or the like, with a tiltable one

Tabletop

The invention relates to a table, in particular a desk or the like with a tiltable table top. Sell normal prices the manufacturers such tables with a horizontal or generally horizontal tabletop. It's also a limited one Number of desks or the like available where the table top is inclined.

Furthermore, drawing tables are known in which the table top either can be tilted or tilted horizontally or into a variety of different positions. However, such tabletop tilting devices have become not yet built into office desks, presumably because they are too complicated and are too expensive. For this reason, until now, desks with a table top have apparently never been offered by the user either horizontally or below a certain

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- 2 angles of inclination can be set.

The present invention relates to a table, in particular a desk or the like. With a table top which can be adjusted either horizontally or at an angle of inclination. The table top is between end panels and a releasable fastening device mounted on the table top and the end plates cooperate so that the table top is attached to the end plates. The releasable fastening devices have at least two cooperating Positions on, a first in which the table top is oriented generally horizontally, and a second, in which the table top is placed at an angle of inclination.

A very important feature of the present invention is that the user has the correct alignment of the rear edge of the table top with the rear upper edge of the end panels. This is done through institutions to change the pivot point of the table top. A fastening device connects the table top with the end plates at the end of the table top at a point that is close, but still at a distance from the rear edge of the table top. An opening in the end plate removably receives an insert which is provided with an eccentrically located hole is through which the fastening device passes. The insert and the opening are designed so that that the insert can be adjusted in the first or in the second position, so that then the hole in a first or second position. The hole is arranged in the insert so that the orientation of the upper rear edge of the table top remains the same with respect to the edge of the end panels regardless of whether the Table top is horizontal or inclined.

e 0 9817 / om ~ ³ ~

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

2440400

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be reproduced below with reference to those shown in the drawings Embodiments are explained in more detail.

The drawings show in

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of an end plate of the table according to Fig. 1 after removing a cover, the upper right corner of the end plate pulled out and enlarged is drawn;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insert to be mounted in the corner of the end plate of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end view of the table top;

5 shows a perspective view of the fastening bracket for the table top;

6 is a partial perspective view of the corner of the table with the insert inserted in a first position;

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the corner of the table with the insert in a second position;

8 shows a partial section along the plane VIII-VIII of the FIG. With the cover of the end plate removed and removed Foot part of the table;

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

FIG. 9 shows an interior view of the cover for the end plate according to FIG. 2;

10 shows a broken cross-section through the end plate with the cover attached;

11 is a partial perspective view of devices providing access to the release device for the endplate cover enable; and in

12 is a perspective partial view of the release and locking device for the end plate cover.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the desk 1 contains a table top 10 which is mounted between two end plates 12. The cover 20 for the end plates 12 are each removable so that two holes 52 and an insert 170 mounted in an opening 161 are visible (FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7). The insert 170 has a hole 171 that is eccentrically located and extends completely through the insert. Screws 152 are guided through the holes 52 and the hole 171 and screwed into threaded holes 151 in brackets 150 which are fastened to the ends of the table top 10 (FIGS. 4 and 8). In each bracket 150 there are three holes 151 arranged vertically one above the other at a distance. By using different holes 151, the height of the table top 10 can be changed or the table top 10 can be tilted. Tilting is achieved by using the bottom hole 151 in the right bracket 150, the middle hole 151 in the middle bracket 150, and the top hole in the left bracket 150 (Fig. 4). When the table top is inclined, the position of the insert 170 changes from that according to FIG. 6

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

changed to that of Fig. 7, whereby the rear edge of the table tops 10 correctly with the upper rear edge of the End plate 12 is aligned.

The table top 10 is made of wood, metal or the like. The brackets 150 are screwed into the ends of the table top and consist of bent pieces of metal (see Fig. 5). Each bracket 150 has a pair of mounting flanges 153, which are connected to the side flanges of an upwardly projecting U-profile 154. In the jetty of the U-profile 154 are three threaded holes at a vertical distance 151 drilled in. The threaded bores 151 are spaced apart such that when they are inclined of the table top 10, the inclination is approximately 4 °. It has been found that a slope of 4 ° is particularly important is favorable because it creates a particularly comfortable writing surface, with six-sided pencils and the like Objects cannot easily roll off the plate. The flanges 153 have holes 155, are guided by the screws 156, with the aid of which the bracket 150 is attached to the end of the table top 10. the Construction of the end plate 12 is in the German patent application P 24 24 486.7 of May 20, 1974.

It is important, however, that the end plate 12 has two holes in its upper part, of which one closer to the left side (see. Fig. 2) and the other in the middle is arranged. Near the right hand side, a generally Z-shaped opening 161 extends through the end plate 12. The opening 161 is generally square in shape with the exception of a detent 162 on the upper right Corner and one in the lower left corner so that

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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the opening is given a Z-shape. In the opening 161, the insert 170 is mounted, with the notches 162 serving for forced locking, as will be explained in more detail later shall be.

By using the insert 170 in the opening 161 in place of another hole 52, a correct alignment of the corner of the table top 10 with the corner of the end plate 12 is ensured. A right Alignment could be done by inserting a mounting screw 152 on the top rightmost Reach the corner of the end plate 12 (Fig. 2) and insert it into a threaded hole in the table top, the is arranged so that the position of the corner of the table top 10 remains constant when the table top 10 is inclined. Such an arrangement may be acceptable in certain circumstances. However, it has been found to be desirable proven to be able not only to tilt the table top 10, but also to adjust it in different heights to be able to. This requires the use of a bracket 150 which has three threaded holes at different heights has, two of which are completely below the level of the table tops 10. Besides, it must top hole at a distance from the rear edge of the table top 10, so that when the table top is tilted 10 the bottom of the bracket does not bulge the back of the desk. If the bet were not 170 present, then a tilting of the table top about any pivot given by the holes 151 cause the rear edge and corners of the table top to position relative to the end panels 12 change. This is particularly undesirable when the back of the table top is on top of the end panels

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12 is because a change in position would result in the rear edge of the table top over the Height of the end plates 12 protrudes.

The insert 170 is a small casting of powdered metal or the like (Fig. 3). It contains an eccentric located hole 171 which passes completely through the insert. The hole 171 takes in particular the Place a hole 52 in an end plate 12. The insert 170 includes a center plate 172 and a shoe-shaped protrusion 173 on each side and is so named because it has a tongue 174 that extends from protrudes from one side. Hole 171 runs completely through each shoe 173 and center plate 172.

The opening 161 in the end plate 12 is shaped the same as the shoe 173, except that it is also a detent 162 protruding from each side at opposite corners (Figs. 2, 6 and 7). Each notch 162 corresponds in their shape of tongue 174. The insert can be inserted into opening 161, with the tongue 174 engages either the upper right notch 162 (FIG. 6) or the lower left notch 162 (FIG. 7). In the former In this case, the hole 171 sits in the upper left corner of the opening 161, in the latter case in the lower one right corner. The insert 170 thus serves to move the pivot point of the table top when it is inclined. If the table top is to be leveled, then the insert 170 is adjusted according to FIG. 6. Is the Table top 10 inclined, then the insert 170 is oriented according to FIG. 7. The insert 170 makes sbh easy take out and reorient. Its center plate is larger than opening 161 so that the insert does not .may fall through the opening.

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ORIGINAL

The holes 52 and the insert 170 are completely hidden from view by the lid 20, which is releasable on each End plate 12 is attached (Fig. 10). The end plate 12 includes an outwardly protruding central portion 34 with a plurality of slots 60 near the top edge (Figures 2 and 10). Furthermore, a variety of Slots 64 are provided along the lower part. These slots work with suitable fasteners on the lid 20 to facilitate the releasable securing of the lid 20 on the end plate 12.

The cover 20 for the end plate 12 is described in detail in German patent application P 24 24 486.6. However, the manner in which the lid 20 is attached to the end plate 12 will now be explained is to cover the means by which the table top 10 is mounted on the end plate 12.

The cover 20 is made of sheet metal with height and width dimensions corresponding to the opening in the end plates 12 (Figs. 9 and 10). A holding rail 67 is on the inside of the lid namely welded to the lower part of the same and contains a plurality of retaining lugs 78 extending from the inside of the lid near the lower edge portion 70 extend outward. The retaining lugs 78 are Arranged over the length of the support rails and are used to engage in slots 64 (Fig. 10) in the End plates 12.

The means for releasably securing the lid to the end plates are generally identified by the reference numeral 80 and sit near the top edge of the lid (Fig. 9). The detachable fastening device

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

holds a plurality of latches 82 which engage in receiving slots 60 in the central portion of the end plate. According to Fig. 12, the bolt 82 are provided with a rear wall 84, for example by welding to a slidably mounted locking slide 86 are attached. The back wall extends up and out and goes into an upwardly directed front flange 89 in which a pair of bias spring receiving openings 90 is provided. Each latch 82 also extends downwardly and outwardly from the rear wall 84 perpendicular to the Rear wall, so that a means for engaging the slots in the single-plate is created. The engaging part of each Latch 82 is generally bearded or triangular in shape and has a leading edge 82 and outwardly sloping side edges 94 which merge into shoulders 96 and 98.

In addition, a pair of release devices 100 is provided on the locking slide between the bolts 82. Any trip device includes an outwardly molded, upwardly extending upper portion 102 which it at Installation in the lid allows one or the other latch through the access opening 42 in the upper part of the To make end plates accessible. According to Fig. 9, the locking slide 86 with the latches 82 and the release devices 100 mounted in a gate valve bracket 102A. The gate valve bracket is a general one flat elongated strip with a U-profile in the central part, which receives the locking slide 86. the Bracket 102A is attached to the inner surface of lid 20, for example by welding. Lfjngs of Bracket 102A openings 104 are provided through which

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the latches 82 extend after assembly. Similar openings 106 are for the release devices 100 intended. In the raised central portion of the bracket 102A, lugs 108 are provided at each end on which a biasing spring 110 is attached, which is fixed at the other end in the opening 90 in the flange 88 on the latch 82.

The openings 104 in the bracket 102A are wider than the rear wall 84 of the latches 82 are. The openings 106 are also somewhat wider than the release device 100. This allows a limited movement of the locking slide 86 and latch 82 across the width of the lid. The bias spring 110 continuously pushes the device 80 into their locking position by moving the locking slide 86 to the right according to FIG. 9.

The trip devices 100 are accessed through an access opening 42 in the top edge of each end plate 12 (Fig. 11) possible. The access opening 42 is normally closed by a cap 46. The cap 46 is held in the opening 42 by having a hole 48 in its lower surface releasably over an upstanding Pin 50 grabs. The pin 50 is attached to the side of the end plates 12 by means of a lug 51.

Normally, the starting position of the table top with the lids 20 removed from the end panels 12 is the first set. If the table top is to be level and align with the upper edges of the end plates 12, then the Screws 152 screwed into the lowermost openings 151 in the bracket 150. The table top 10 can be in a middle Position by choosing the middle holes 151 or in a lower position by choosing the upper openings can be set in the bracket 150. Regardless of

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the height of the table top 10, if it is to be oriented generally horizontally, becomes the insert 170 oriented so that hole 171 sits in the upper left corner of opening 161 (Fig. 6).

If the table top is to be oriented at an incline, the screws 152 are inserted into the lowest hole 151 in the left bracket 150 (FIG. 4), into the middle opening 151 in the middle bracket 150 and into the uppermost opening 151 screwed into the left bracket 150. In this case, the insert 170 is oriented so that the hole 171 in the bottom right corner of the opening 161 sits (Fig. 7. In fact, the pivot point for the table top changed if it should be oriented at a tilt angle. Resetting the insert 170 provides ensure that the rear edge of the table top 10 does not protrude above or below the rear edge of each end plate 12.

When orienting or reorienting the insert 170, the insert 170 is inserted into the opening 161 from the inside of the End plate 12 used. The shoe 173 fits into the opening 161, with its tongue 174 either in the upper right latch 162 or the lower left latch 162 of opening 161 engages. Since the center plate 172 is larger than is the opening 161, the pin 170 cannot be pushed through the opening 161.

When the table top 10 is attached to the end plate 12, the cover 20 is placed on the end plate 12 to the To conceal fastening devices. The lugs 78 go into the slots 64 and the latches 82 into the slots 60 used, the spring 110 the displacement of the

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ORIGINAL IHSPECTEO

Slide 86 to one side allows so that the
Latch latch 82 into slots 60.

The user can now change the orientation of his desk if necessary. He just removes the cap 46 from the access opening 42, engages the access opening 42 and actuates the device 100, thereby releasing the latches 82 can be shifted to one side. So that he can pull it out of the slot 60, whereby the upper part of the lid 20 is free. The lower part of the lid is then exposed by simply opening the lid pulls upward to pull tabs 78 out of lower slots 64. Now is the end plate like this freely, you can easily loosen the screws 152 and reorient the table top 10 as needed.

The present invention thus provides a convenient device for attaching a table top either in horizontal or inclined position created. In addition, the table top can be mounted at different heights. Proper orientation of the rear edge of the table top relative to the corners of the load bearing end panels will be ensured by a novel insert 170 which is removably inserted in each end plate 12.

Claims - 13 -

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Claims (9)

- 13 claims 1Λ table, in particular a desk, work table or the like, a table top and end plates at each end of the table top, characterized by detachable fastening devices (150, 161, 170 and 52) on the table top (10) and on each end plate (12) Attachment of the table top to the end plates, the releasable fastening means having at least two cooperating positions, in the first of which the table top is oriented generally horizontally and in the second of which the table top is oriented at an angle of inclination and is provided with a connecting element (152) which connects the end of the Table top connects to the end panels; through an opening (161) in the end plates (12) for releasably receiving an insert (170) with an eccentric arranged hole (171) through which the connecting element (.152) is guided, the insert and the opening so are designed or arranged that the hole in use in a first or second position with the first or second position of the releasable connecting element is aligned and the rear edge of the table top both in the horizontal as well as in an inclined position generally occupies the same position with respect to the end plates. 2. Tisdi according to claim 1, characterized in that that the insert has a plate (172) and a projection (173) protruding from the plate, and the Plate is larger than the opening (161) in the end plate (12), but the protrusion is generally the same shape as the opening, so that the projection in the opening can be fitted, but the plate is completely pierced of the insert prevented by the opening. - 14 609817/0111 ORIGINAL INSPECTED 3. Table according to claim 2, characterized in that that the projection rectangular shape with a tongue (174) and the opening (161) the same rectangular shape with two notches (162) at opposite corners, each notch corresponding in shape to the tongue. 4. Table according to claim 3, characterized in that that the projection with the exception of the tongue is square and the opening with the exception of the notches is square having. 5. Table according to claim 3, characterized in that that a projection protrudes from each side of the plate and thus the insert at each end of the table o. Like. Can be used. 6. Table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Lid (20) is releasably attached to the end panels, covering releasable attachment devices and facilities (80) to release from the end plate and thus to provide access to the fastening devices is removable. 7. Table according to claim 6, characterized in that that the releasable fastener has at least two holes (52 and 171) through the end plate and at least two brackets (150) are provided on the table and on the fixture (52), each Bracket has at least two vertically spaced holes (151) through the fastening device these holes in this end plate and one of the holes in the bracket leads to the first cooperating position - 15 - 609817/0111 ORiGSNAL INSPECTED Fixing the fasteners in the upper holes of the bracket, the second cooperating position fixing one of the fasteners in the top hole and fixing the other in the bottom hole includes. 8. Table according to claim 7, characterized in that that the table top has three brackets (150) and the end bracket has three corresponding holes, each Bracket has three vertically spaced holes (151) and thus the table top is generally horizontal can be oriented in three different planes or at an incline, with a fastening device in the lowest hole of a bracket on one side, another fastening device in the middle hole of the middle one The bracket and the other fastening device is seated in the top hole of the bracket on the other side. 9. Table according to claim 8, characterized in that the holes are arranged so that the table in its inclined S ^- zontal is inclined. in its inclined position at approximately 4 ° to the hori 609817/0111 ORIGINAL