EP0332096A2 - Table with a connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A support member (14, 15) is provided on the table leg (13) of the table (10) below the table top (11). Said support member can be swivelled about the vertical axis of the table leg (13). When the support member (14, 15) has been swivelled out, it can serve as a support for a table top (21); it is constructed correspondingly. The table top (21) has on its underside an elongate engagement member (24) which, in the connection, engages positively in a corresponding elongate recess (23) of the support member (14, 15). A table connection, thus formed, is very stable and allows the table arrangement, thus formed, to be displaced virtually like a rigid unit. It is also possible for a single person to couple a table (10) to an adjacent table top (21) using this connecting device without additional aid. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a table with a connecting device for connecting the table to an adjacent table top, a hanging plate or the like.

A table of this type is known from European laid-open specification 0 264 589. There, in the area of the table edge, there is provided a pivoting mounting lever. A corresponding opening and a securing element are installed on the table provided for the connection. Such a device is complicated and only allows connections between adjacent tables in precisely predetermined directions.

A table with a connecting device is also known from German utility model 87 12 124. There, a truncated cone-shaped connecting part is fastened on the upper end of a table leg and supports the table top. This part protrudes slightly over the side of the table top, so that an adjacent table top can be placed there. However, as long as the adjacent table top has not been placed on this part, it is aesthetically disruptive.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a table with a connecting device that is practical, practical and aesthetically pleasing, that is to say it finds the necessary acceptance by the customer.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a table with a connecting device for connecting the table to an adjacent table top, hanging plate or the like, which is characterized in that in the area of a table leg and below the table top or the frame a pivotable about an approximately vertical axis Support member is provided, the top of which is designed to support a table top, hanging plate, table frame or the like and which, in a pivoted-out position, serves as a support for an adjacent table top, hanging plate, frame or the like. You get a practical arrangement that is also appealing to the eye, which - which is very practical is important - operation by a single person allowed, ie the attachment of hanging plates requires only a single operator in the invention. In practice, this has proven to be very important, because often a caretaker in a congress building, for example, has to constantly change the tables according to the wishes of the tenants and change their size and configuration.

• Fig. 1 eine raumbildliche Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungs­beispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Tisches und einer mit ihm zu verbindenden Einhängeplatte,
• Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht der Anordnung nach Fig. 1, wobei die Einhängeplatte mit dem Tisch verbunden ist,
• Fig. 3 eine Darstellung eines Tisches mit einer Verbindungsein­richtung im eingeklappten Zustand,
• Fig. 4 eine Draufsicht, gesehen längs der Linie lV - lV der Fig. 2,
• Fig. 5 eine Darstellung der Verbindung von drei Stütztischen mit zwei Einhängeplatten,
• Fig. 6 eine Seitenansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels, wobei die eine Verbindungseinrichtung in einer ausge­klappten Stellung strichpunktiert dargestellt ist,
• Fig. 7 eine raumbildliche Darstellung der bei dem Tisch nach Fig. 6 verwendeten Verbindungseinrichtungen, Fig. 8 einen Schnitt, gesehen längs der Linie VIII - VIII der Fig. 9,
• Fig. 9 einen Schnitt, gesehen längs der Linie IX - IX der Fig. 8,
• Fig. 10 eine Seitenansicht eines Verbindungsglieds, gesehen längs der Pfeile X der Fig. 11
• Fig. 11 eine Seitenansicht, gesehen längs der Pfeile XI der Fig. 10,
• Fig. 12 eine Draufsicht von oben, gesehen längs der Pfeile XII der Fig. 10,
• Fig. 13 eine Seitenansicht, gesehen längs der Pfeile XIII der Fig. 14,
• Fig. 14 eine Seitenansicht, gesehen längs der Pfeile XIV der Fig. 13,
• Fig. 15 eine Draufsicht, gesehen längs der Pfeile XV der Fig. 13,
• Fig. 16 eine Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Eingriffsgliedes, gesehen in Richtung des Pfeiles XVI der Fig. 17,
• Fig. 17 eine Seitenansicht des Eingriffsglieds der Fig. 16, teil­weise im Schnitt,
• Fig. 18 eine Darstellung des Eingriffsglieds der Fig. 16 und 17, gesehen in Richtung des Pfeiles XVIII der Fig. 17,
• Fig. 19 eine Seitenansicht des Eingriffsglieds der Fig. 16 bis 18, gesehen in Richtung des Pfeiles XIX der Fig. 17, und
• Fig. 20 und 21 schematische Darstellungen des Eingriffs eines er­findungsgemäßen Eingriffsgliedes, wobei die Darstellung nach Fig. 20 den vorläufigen und diejenige nach Fig. 21 den vollendeten Eingriff zeigt.

Further details and advantageous developments of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments described below and shown in the drawing, which are in no way to be understood as a restriction of the invention, and from the subclaims. It shows:

• 1 is a spatial representation of a first embodiment of a table according to the invention and a hanging plate to be connected to it,
• 2 shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 1, the suspension plate being connected to the table,
• 3 shows a table with a connecting device in the folded state,
• 4 is a plan view, seen along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2,
• 5 is an illustration of the connection of three support tables with two hanging plates,
• 6 shows a side view of a second exemplary embodiment, the one connecting device being shown in dash-dot lines in an unfolded position,
• 7 shows a spatial representation of the connecting devices used in the table according to FIG. 6, FIG. 8 shows a section, seen along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 9,
• 9 shows a section, seen along the line IX - IX of FIG. 8,
• FIG. 10 is a side view of a connecting link, seen along the arrows X of FIG. 11
• 11 is a side view, seen along the arrows XI of FIG. 10,
• 12 is a plan view from above, seen along the arrows XII of FIG. 10,
• 13 is a side view seen along the arrows XIII of FIG. 14,
• 14 is a side view seen along the arrows XIV of FIG. 13,
• 15 is a plan view, seen along the arrows XV of FIG. 13,
• 16 shows an illustration of a preferred embodiment of an engagement member according to the invention, viewed in the direction of arrow XVI of FIG. 17,
• 17 is a side view of the engagement member of FIG. 16, partly in section,
• 18 is an illustration of the engagement member of FIGS. 16 and 17, viewed in the direction of arrow XVIII of FIG. 17,
• 19 is a side view of the engaging member of FIGS. 16 to 18, viewed in the direction of arrow XIX of FIG. 17, and
• 20 and 21 are schematic representations of the engagement of an engagement member according to the invention, the representation according to FIG. 20 showing the provisional and that according to FIG. 21 the completed engagement.

Fig. 1 shows a table 10 with a table top 11, a frame 12, 12 'and a table leg 13, which is designed in the form of a circular cylindrical tube and extends at least partially vertically when the table - as usual - is on a horizontal surface.

On this table leg 13, two support members 14, 15 are rotatably supported and e.g. supported by a support ring 16 which is fixed on the tube 13. Both support members 14, 15 can be pivoted through 360 ° around the tubular table leg 13, which forms a vertical axis of rotation. Both support members have in this embodiment in the side view the shape of an approximately isosceles triangle, one leg for the viewer against the table leg 13 and the other leg forms the top 18, which either against the frame 12, 12 'of your own table 10th is present, as is shown for the support part 14, or can be folded out, as is shown in FIG. 1 for the support part 15, and then forms a support for an adjacent suspension plate 21 or its frame 22. In the unfolded position, the support members 14, 15 form an organic unit with the table and are therefore not noticeable.

For connection to the suspension plate 21, an elongated hole 23 is provided in the support 18, and an engagement member 24 made of relatively hard rubber, plastic or the like, which is approximately complementary to the elongated hole 23, is fastened to the frame 22 of the suspension plate 21 can engage in the elongated hole 23. Its preferred embodiment is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21.

Expediently, the engagement member 24 can be widened somewhat at its free end so that it engages in the elongated hole 23, or it can expand upwards so that it is jammed in the elongated hole 23. A locking of the engaging member 24 in the elongated hole 23 is naturally also possible, and instead of an elongated hole, for example, a round hole could also be provided, and a corresponding round engaging member, but the elongated shape offers significant advantages.

As shown in FIG. 1, the support member 14 has a tubular section 26 which surrounds the tubular table leg 13, and above this section 26 there is a tubular section 27 of the support member 15 which also encloses the tubular table leg 13. The sections 26 and 27 serve to support the support members 14, 15 on the table leg 13. The support members 14, 15 are expediently as die-cast parts, for. B. made of aluminum. A closing part 28 is applied above the section 27 on the tube 13 and forms an optical connection to the frames 12, 12 '.

Fig. 2 shows the attachment of the suspension plate 21 or its frame 22 on the support member 15, wherein the engagement member 24 engages in the elongated hole 23 and forms a releasable connection therewith.

Fig. 3 shows the table 10 seen from the side of the table top 21, wherein the support member 15 is folded and is below the frame 12 '.

Fig. 4 shows with solid lines the support members 14, 15 in their rest positions, in which they are under the frames 12, 12 '. Furthermore, two possible positions 15 'and 15' of the support member 15 are shown with dashed lines. In these positions, the support member 15 engages, also in its rest position. Further rest positions are possible, e.g. for trapezoidal tables, one of which is shown in FIG. 5. Any known locking device can be used for locking, e.g. a spring-loaded ball that engages in a corresponding counter groove.

Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of two hanging tables 21, 21 '. 30 is a trapezoidal table, and between this and a square table 10, the hanging table 21 is arranged. Furthermore, the hanging table 21 'between the square table 10 and a second square table 10' is arranged. In this way, there are various options for assembling tables as required. It is particularly favorable in the invention that two persons are not required for the assembly of such table groups, as is usually the case, but that an individual can carry out the required operations alone, since the support the hanging tables 21, 21 'on the pivoted support members 14 or 15 can be carried out by an individual without difficulty.

This also applies to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 15. This embodiment is suitable in principle for all table shapes, but especially for hanging tables 34, the frame 35 of which has a triangular cross-section according to FIG. 9. As shown, this is an isosceles, rectangular triangle, one leg 36 of the right angle forming the support for the table top 37, the other leg 38 facing the inside of the table, and the base 39 of the triangle as shown runs diagonally from the top outside to the bottom inside. Such a frame shape is sometimes preferred for visual reasons, since it gives the table or the hanging plate a pleasing appearance. 8, this frame 35 is welded in the area of a corner of the suspension plate 34 via a weld 43 with a frame 35 'adjoining it at right angles, so that the frames 35 and 35' together form a rectangular inner corner 44.

Naturally, this inner corner 44 could also be formed by any other fitting, for. B. a corresponding piece of wood screwed onto the underside of the plate 37, e.g. can also have an inclined outer surface 39.

The support members 45 and 46, as shown in FIG. 8 in plan view and in FIG. 7, are adapted to this special shape of the inclined surface 39 and for this purpose each have an inclined support surface 47 and 48, which, how 9, bears against the inclined surface 39 and supports it. Naturally, instead of an inclined support surface, a few support points would also suffice for the inclined surface 39, as is readily apparent to the person skilled in the art.

A horizontal section 49 and 50, respectively, adjoins the inclined support surfaces 47, 48 below. In the event that a suspension table 34 is mounted, FIG. 9 shows, for example, that the frame 35 rests with its lower edge 53 on the horizontal section 50 of the support member 46.

A vertical part 54 is also used for positive fastening. As an alternative, this can be fastened to the horizontal section 50 and project upwards away from it. It is then in the assembled state against the inner leg 38 of the frame 35 and also against the inner leg of the frame 35 ', cf. Fig. 8. As another alternative, this part can be attached to the underside of the suspension plate 34, as indicated in Fig. 9 with dash-dotted lines 54 ', and then it engages with its free end in the recess 53 provided for this purpose. This second alternative is preferred.

As shown in Fig. 8, the inclined support surface 48 in connection with the horizontal section 50 and the part 54 results in a secure, positive engagement between the frame 35, 35 'and the support member 46, especially if the part 54' on the Hanging plate 34 is attached and protrudes into the recess 53.

In the same way as in the first exemplary embodiment, in the second exemplary embodiment the two support members 45 and 46 are pivotally attached to a table leg 60 of a table 61 and engage in different rotational positions. The table leg 60 has a lower tube 62 in which, e.g. by means of a cross pin 64, a tube 63 of smaller diameter is fastened, on which the support members 45 and 46 are rotatably arranged. As shown in Fig. 8, the table 61 also has frames 66, 66 'with a triangular cross section, which are perpendicular to each other and are welded together at their joint via a weld seam 67 and via a weld seam 68 with the inner tube 63. The table 61 has a table top 69.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 7 and in FIGS. 13 to 15, the support member 46 has a tubular section 70 which is rotatably mounted on the inner tube 63 (FIGS. 6 and 8) and is axially supported on the outer tube 62 (FIG. 6) is. From this section 70, in the manner clearly and uniquely illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, which forms part of the disclosure, a triangular part 71 extends, which at its upper, horizontal end merges with the inclined support surface 48 on the one hand, and in FIG the horizontal section 50 with the opening 53 provided therein for the pin 54 '.

7 and 10 to 12 show the support member 45 with all details. This also has a tubular section 75 which is rotatably mounted on the inner tube 63 (FIGS. 6 and 8) and is axially supported on the tubular section 70. From this section 75, in the manner clearly and uniquely illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, which forms part of the disclosure, a triangular part 76 extends, which, as is apparent from FIG. 7, lies symmetrically with respect to the triangular part 71 and therefore protrudes downward over the annular part 70. At its upper, horizontal end, the triangular part 76 merges, on the one hand, into the inclined support surface 47 and, on the other hand, into the horizontal section 49 (FIG. 8), to which an upwardly projecting part can also be fastened, analogous to part 54.

As shown in Fig. 8, the support members 45 and 46 can be pivoted in the unused state, so that they abut with their inclined support surfaces against the inclined surfaces of the frames 66 and 66 '.

For use, the required support link, e.g. in Fig. 8 the support member 46 is pivoted out, e.g. in one of its rest positions. It is now ready to put on the hanging plate 34, this hanging plate 34 naturally being placed on a total of four supporting parts, cf. Fig. 5.

6 to 8, a ring segment 81 is used for the optical closure in the upper region, which is pushed or clipped onto the inner tube 63 above the tubular section 75.

16 to 21 show an engagement member 24 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such an embodiment can of course also be used for the engaging member 54 '. - The engagement member 24 has the shape of an elongated oval with two mutually parallel side edges 130, 131, which define the greatest width of the engagement member 24 in plan.

The engagement member 24 has a base surface 132 for resting on the frame 22, and from this base surface 132 two spread bare pin 133, 134 away, each having a longitudinal slot 133 ', 134' and are penetrated by a longitudinal bore 133˝, 134˝. If a screw (not shown) is screwed into the bores 1 33˝, 134˝, it expands the expansion pins 133 and 134 and thereby anchors them in the frame 22, cf. 20 and 21.

As is particularly well shown in FIG. 19, starting from the base surface 132, the cross section of the engaging member 24 increases up to the side edges 130, 131, forming two inclined surfaces 135, 136, and then increases again to the free end 137 of the engagement member 24, two inclined surfaces 138, 139 being formed. Figures 16 to 19 show this in great detail. As shown, the decrease takes place at an angle alpha, which is preferably of the order of 10 °.

Furthermore, two recesses 141, 142 are provided in the region of the two longitudinal ends of the engagement member 24 and in the region of the bores 133˝, 134˝, which extend from the free end 137 to approximately the height of the side edges 130, 131, as is particularly the case in FIG. 17 shows. These recesses 141, 142 facilitate the insertion of screws into the bores 133˝, 134˝, as can be easily seen.

Furthermore, a longitudinal groove 143 is provided in the region of the longitudinal axis of the engagement member 24, which extends in the longitudinal direction from the recess 141 to the recess 142 and which extends in depth from the free end 137 to approximately the height of the side edges 130, 131.

Furthermore, the engagement member 24 in the area of both recesses 141, 142 each has a lateral bevel 144 or 145, which extends obliquely from the free end 137 to approximately the height of the side edges 130, 131, as clearly shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

Way of working

As shown in FIG. 20, the engagement member 24 attached to the frame 22 is first inserted into the recess 23 of the support member 15 by the operator, whereby it is self-centering through its inclined surfaces 138, 139, 144, 145. This is important because it eliminates the need for precise fitting work. Since the width of the recess 23 is slightly smaller than the distance between the side edges 130, 131, the engaging member 24 with these side edges 130, 131 initially rests on the support member 15 without latching, as shown in FIG. 20. For example, the recess 23 can have a width of 10 mm, while the distance between the two side edges 130, 131 can be 10.5 mm.

21, e.g. by a punch on the hanging plate 21, the engaging member 24 is brought into the recess 23 for engagement. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the side edges 130, 131 come to lie below the recess 23 of the support member 15. The longitudinal groove 143 allows a certain deflection of the two legs of the engagement member 24, designated 149 and 150 in FIG. made of a polyamide, hard rubber or the like.

The procedure for disassembling the hanging plate 21 is reversed: First, e.g. by a punch from below, the engaging member 24 is brought into the disengaged position shown in FIG. 20, in which it still rests on the support member 15. After this has been done at all corners of the suspension plate 21, this can then be carried away by an individual. This enables one-man operation both during assembly and disassembly.

It is particularly advantageous that after assembly, the adjacent table elements (e.g. 28, 21 and 10 in Fig. 5) form a fixed unit with each other and e.g. then do not laterally move the table element 21 relative to the table elements 10 or 28. The connected table elements behave practically as if they were rigidly connected to each other. This is achieved by the position and shape of the engaging member 24, in particular in that the longitudinal axis of the engaging member 24 extends approximately parallel to the table frame 22 to which it is attached and which is a longitudinal frame of the table, cf. Fig. 1.

Due to the fact that the engaging member 24 widens away from the free end according to FIGS. 16 to 21, it can easily be threaded and aligned in the associated elongated recess 23 of the relevant support member without already fully engaging. It is only after aligning that - thanks to its resilient design - it is completely pushed into its final position by pressure from above brought, in which it firmly connects the table top with the adjacent table or the like. The connection is then very stable and allows the table arrangement thus formed to be moved practically like a rigid unit. Conversely, when disassembling, the engagement member can first be released from its locked position, but it still lies on the support member of the adjacent table. Only when all the engaging members of the table top in question are disengaged, is the table top then removed and carried away. In this way, both the insertion and the removal of a table top can be carried out by an individual, that is, the invention enables a one-man operation. In view of the personnel savings in such work, this is of great practical value.

Naturally, numerous modifications and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the engaging member 24 - as a kinematic reversal - can be provided on the upper side of the support member 15, while the elongate recess is in the frame 22. However, the solution shown is preferred because of the lighter and particularly sensible assembly. - Claims 11 to 18 also have independent meaning for themselves.

Claims (17)

1. Table with a connecting device for connecting the table (10) to an adjacent table top, a hanging plate or the like (21; 37), characterized in that in the region of a table leg (13; 60) and below the table top (11; 69) or the frame (12; 47) is provided with a support member (14, 15; 45, 46) which can be pivoted about an at least almost vertical axis, the upper side (18; 50) of which for supporting a table top (21; 37), hanging plate, table frame or The like is formed and that in a pivoted position (15 ', 15˝) serves as a support for an adjacent table top, hanging plate, frame or the like. 2. Table according to claim 1, characterized in that two pivotable support members (14, 15; 45, 46) are provided in the region of a table leg (13; 60), which are pivotable about the same axis and whose tops (18; 50) are preferably lie at the same height. 3. Table according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support member (14, 15; 45, 46) in at least one rotational position (15 ', 15˝) can be latched. 4. Table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the table leg (13; 60) at least in regions has a tube (13; 62, 63) with a circular cylindrical cross section, and that the at least one support member (14, 15; 45 , 46) is rotatably arranged on this tube. 5. Table according to claim 4, characterized in that on the tube (13) a support ring (16) for supporting at least one support member (14) is provided. 6. Table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support member (46) is provided with a particularly releasable, upwardly projecting part (54) for engagement in a corresponding recess (44) of the table top, suspension plate or frame to be coupled , or that there is a recess for receiving such a part (54 ') fastened to the element to be coupled (21; 37). 7. Table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support member (14, 15; 45, 46) in side view has approximately the shape of a triangle (71, 76), one leg of this triangle the top ( 18; 50) forms. 8. Table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotable support member (45, 46) for lateral guidance of the table top to be coupled, hanging plate or the like (34) with a from the support surface (50) upwardly projecting guide section (47 , 48) is provided, which, in particular, extends obliquely outwards from the support surface (50) and is preferably approximately complementary to a counterpart of the tabletop, suspension plate or the like to be coupled against it and, in particular, its frame (35). 9. Table according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top (18) of the support member (14, 15) with a recess (23; 53) for receiving an approximately complementary to this recess (23) on the table top (21) or its frame (22) provided engaging member (24; 54 ') is provided. 10. Table according to claim 9, characterized in that the engaging member (24; 54 ') seen in cross-section (Fig. 19), at least in a vertical sectional plane with respect to its position of use from its free end (137) initially up to a point (130, 131) having the largest cross section (angle alpha) and then decreasing in cross section again (surfaces 135, 136), and that it is elastically flexible in this cross-sectional plane. 11. Table according to claim 10, characterized in that the point (130, 131) having the largest cross-section has an extension which is greater than the extension of the complementary position of the recess for receiving the engagement member (24; 54 ') provided (23rd ; 53). 12. Table according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the engagement member (24; 54 ') is made of an elastic plastic, in particular a polyamide. 13. Table according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the engagement member (24; 54 ') is provided with a recess, in particular a longitudinal groove (143) to increase its elasticity. 14. Table according to claim 13, characterized in that the recess (143) extends from the free end (137) of the elongated engaging member (24) to approximately the height of the point (130, 131) largest cross-section. 15. Table according to one or more of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the elongated engagement member (24) in the region of its longitudinal ends to facilitate insertion into a corresponding elongated recess (23) each has a bevel (144, 145). 16. Table according to one or more of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the engagement member (24; 54 ') for attachment to a table top, hanging plate (21), table top frame (22) or the like with at least one expandable pin (133, 134) and a recess (133˝, 134˝) associated therewith for introducing an expansion member into this pin (133, 134). 17. Table according to one or more of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the elongated engagement member (24) extends at an angle and preferably approximately a right angle to the table edge adjacent to the adjacent table element (10) during assembly .

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