EP0859118B1 - Faltbare Struktur - Google Patents

Faltbare Struktur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0859118B1
EP0859118B1 EP97202561A EP97202561A EP0859118B1 EP 0859118 B1 EP0859118 B1 EP 0859118B1 EP 97202561 A EP97202561 A EP 97202561A EP 97202561 A EP97202561 A EP 97202561A EP 0859118 B1 EP0859118 B1 EP 0859118B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lateral supports
plateau
folded
out position
lateral
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97202561A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0859118A1 (de
Inventor
Joost Van Berne
Vitaliano Mangini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke DSM NV
Original Assignee
DSM NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by DSM NV filed Critical DSM NV
Priority to DK97202561T priority Critical patent/DK0859118T3/da
Priority to EP97202561A priority patent/EP0859118B1/de
Publication of EP0859118A1 publication Critical patent/EP0859118A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0859118B1 publication Critical patent/EP0859118B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06C—LADDERS
    • E06C1/00—Ladders in general
    • E06C1/02—Ladders in general with rigid longitudinal member or members
    • E06C1/38—Special constructions of ladders, e.g. ladders with more or less than two longitudinal members, ladders with movable rungs or other treads, longitudinally-foldable ladders
    • E06C1/39—Ladders having platforms; Ladders changeable into platforms
    • E06C1/393—Ladders having platforms foldable with the ladder

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a folding structure comprising at least two supporting elements that are connected to one another by means of a hinge joint allowing movement between a folded position and a folded-out position, which supporting elements each comprise two parallel lateral supports that are connected to one another by at least one transverse support and also a plateau, which is rotably connected to each pair of lateral supports with the aid of means of rotation and which, in the folded-out position, is horizontally supported inside and between the lateral supports.
  • US-A-1 517 676 shows another folding structure in the form of a step ladder where the plateau rests on supporting surfaces on top of the lateral supports, thus partially off-loading the means of rotation.
  • the former known structure involves the drawback that when the steps are used, the full load caused by the weight of a person standing on the plateau must be borne by the hinge structure.
  • the hinge pins are then inevitably exposed to considerable transverse forces and moments of force. As a result, the pins may bend, which will have a negative influence on the actual hinge function, and they may even snap, causing the structure to collapse, unless the hinge is designed to be considerably heavier than is required for the actual hinge function.
  • the aim of the invention is to provide a folding structure that does not possess this drawback, or that possesses it to a lesser extent.
  • the structure according to the invention may be for example steps or a step-stool, but also a piece of furniture, for example a folding table or chair, with the tabletop or the seat, respectively, constituting the plateau and the legs two by two serving as the lateral supports of the supporting elements.
  • the structure according to the invention may furthermore also be embodied in for example a folding washing rack and in a general sense in any folding structure which in folded-out condition has a horizontal part that is subjected to a vertical load.
  • the structure according to the invention can be folded and has a folded and a folded-out position.
  • the structure In the folded-out position the structure is in the form suitable for the function of use.
  • the structure In the folded position the structure is generally a flat package that takes up the smallest possible volume.
  • the supporting elements In the folded position the supporting elements are practically parallel to one another, with the other elements incorporated between them, projecting as little as possible beyond the supporting elements.
  • Each supporting element comprises two lateral supports that run parallel to one another.
  • 'Parallel' is here also understood to mean 'at a small angle relative to one another in the plane defined by the lateral supports', for example up to 10 -15°. Setting the lateral supports at a certain angle, so that the ends of the lateral supports which rest on the ground when the structure is used are further removed from one another than the other ends, enlarges the supporting area on the ground delimited by the lateral supports, which has a favourable effect on the structure's stability.
  • the lateral supports may to this end also include a bend or curvature.
  • the lateral supports are connected to one another by at least one transverse support.
  • transverse support contributes to the structure's sturdiness and prevents the lateral supports being forced apart on the ground when they are loaded, which could cause the structure to collapse.
  • steps the individual steps will usually serve as the transverse supports.
  • the transverse support may be of a relatively light design because the vertical load to which it is exposed will generally be lower than with steps, a stool or a chair.
  • the supporting elements are connected to one another, usually via the lateral supports, by means of hinges so that they can move relative to one another.
  • These hinges may be in the vicinity of the ends of the lateral supports, as a result of which the structure will in folded-out condition have the shape of a V with its opening facing downwards, or more in the direction of the middle of one or both of the lateral supports, as a result of which the folded-out structure will have the shape of an X or the shape of the Greek letter ⁇ .
  • the hinges may be attached to a shaft connecting the lateral supports of each of the supporting elements, which shaft then runs parallel to the direction of the transverse support.
  • the hinges may also be incorporated in the lateral supports without being connected to one another. If, in the structure's folded-out position, the hinge points are at a short distance above the position of the plateau, the latter embodiment is preferable.
  • the plateau in a folding structure is usually fitted between the lateral supports, parallel to the transverse support. In the folded-out condition the plateau assumes a horizontal position, hence constituting a sitting, standing or bearing surface.
  • 'Horizontal' is here also understood to mean 'at a small angle relative to horizontal'.
  • 'At a small angle' is here understood to be an angle of at most 10 - 15°.
  • a plateau that is as horizontal as possible is desirable so as to prevent the user slipping from the plateau.
  • the tabletop of a folding table is preferably horizontal. If the folding structure is a chair, a slightly backwards-sloping position of the plateau, in this case the sitting element, will have a considerable favourable effect on the sitting comfort.
  • the plateau is rotably connected to the two lateral supports of each of the supporting elements. Often the plateau is only rotably connected to the two lateral supports of one of the supporting elements, hereinafter to be referred to as the first supporting element, and is connected to the lateral supports of the other supporting element, hereinafter to be referred to as the second supporting element, in a fashion that allows both rotation and vertical movement.
  • the connections with the lateral supports of the first supporting element are then for example formed by round pins which are, optionally with bearings, rotably incorporated in holes or cavities made in the sides facing one another of that supporting element's two lateral supports.
  • the connection between the plateau and the second supporting element may be designed in several manners known per se.
  • An example of a suitable embodiment is known from EP-A-457,703.
  • a bar on both sides of the plateau one end of which is rotably connected to one of the lateral supports of the second supporting element, the other end being rotably connected to one side of the plateau.
  • the plateau In folded-out condition the plateau is then on one side, parallel to the transverse support, supported by the connections with the lateral support of one supporting element, in particular by the hinge pins, and on the opposite side the plateau rests on parts of the hinge structure projecting beyond the lateral supports at the bars' connections.
  • the plateau When the structure is folded, the plateau is pressed upwards by the bars, which are connected to the lateral supports of the second supporting element, and rotates around the axis through the plateau's connections with the lateral supports of the first supporting element until the plateau is ultimately, in the folded position, practically vertical between the lateral supports.
  • Another known embodiment for the connection of the plateau with the lateral supports of the second supporting element is the one with a groove in the sides facing one another of the lateral supports of the second supporting element, in which groove a pin present on each of the sides of the plateau is incorporated in a manner allowing a sliding movement and rotation.
  • the pins In the folded-out position the pins rest on the lowest part of the grooves' wall.
  • the pins slide through the grooves in the direction of the top end of those grooves, the plateau again rotating around the axis through the connections with the lateral supports of the first supporting element.
  • the plateau rises from the horizontal position until it is ultimately, in the folded condition, practically vertical between the lateral supports.
  • the plateau rests directly or indirectly, which is understood to mean via parts that are connected to the hinge pins so that forces exerted on these parts are transmitted to the hinge pins, on the hinge pins, which must bear the load.
  • these hinge pins are unloaded in the folded-out position because the load is directly borne by the lateral supports and is not transmitted to the hinge structure.
  • the plateau hence rests directly on the lateral supports and not on hinge pins or on parts that are connected to them so that the plateau's load is transmitted via the hinge pins after all.
  • the plateau in the structure according to the invention may for example rest on projections of the lateral supports, which are then dimensioned so that when the structure is folded out the plateau comes into contact with the projections and comes to rest on them before the hinge pins can be loaded. It is then advantageous if the pins fit into the holes or cavities in which they rotate with a certain amount of spare room. A suitable difference in diameter between the pin and the hole or cavity will depend on the structure's overall size and will lie between 0.05 and 1 mm.
  • the plateau rests on provisions that are integrated in the lateral supports.
  • a suitable example of this are lateral supports of which one part, hereinafter to be referred to as the bottom part, is thicker than a part lying higher up, hereinafter to be referred to as the top part.
  • the bottom part projects relative to the top part, preferably on the inside, the projecting part then constituting a supporting surface.
  • Integrated supporting surfaces present the advantage of greater strength over projections and hence the risk of the projections snapping is avoided.
  • the plateau therefore rests on supporting surfaces integrated in the lateral supports.
  • the projecting part is bordered by a raised edge such that a groove is formed in which a downwardly projecting part of a side surface of the plateau can engage.
  • the plateau is supported by the supporting surface forming the bottom of the groove as well as secured against lateral movements by the upper part of lateral support and the raised edge.
  • Suitable materials for a structure according to the invention are the metals and plastics known for folding steps and step-stools, one skilled in the art being able to choose the dimensions in relation to the material properties and the expected load to which the structure will be subjected.
  • Fig. 1 is one of the lateral supports of the supporting element referred to as 'first' above, which furthermore consists of transverse support 2 and a complementary, second lateral support, not represented in this figure and designed in mirror image relative to lateral support 1, parallel to lateral support 1, to which it is connected by transverse support 2.
  • the other supporting element referred to as 'second' above, consists of lateral support 3 and a second lateral support, designed in mirror image relative to lateral support 3, not represented in the figure, which is connected to the first lateral support 3 by transverse support 4.
  • Lateral supports 1 and 3 are connected to one another via a hinge structure at the top 5.
  • the hinge structure at the top 5 does not form part of the invention and can be for example a simple tenon and mortise structure.
  • 6 stands for the step-stool's plateau. This is horizontal and is connected to the lateral supports 1 and 3 and the not represented complementary lateral supports as further elucidated in the following figures.
  • Transverse support 2 is of a different shape than transverse support 4.
  • Transverse support 4 is solely intended to serve as a connection between the lateral supports of the supporting element in question to thus grant the structure sturdiness, while transverse support 2 has a flat top side and serves as an intermediate step in stepping onto the stool.
  • 7 and 8 are the top parts of the insides, by which are meant the sides facing the other supporting element, of lateral supports 1 and 3, respectively. They adjoin one another, lying in a single plane, at the top 5.
  • the bottom parts of these insides are referred to by 9 and 10, respectively.
  • the stepped transition or projection constitutes a supporting surface at right angles to the insides of lateral supports 1 and 3.
  • top part 7 there is a round pin 13, which can be rotably incorporated in an opening in the side of the plateau, as will be elucidated with reference to Fig. 4.
  • a round pin 13 On the top part 8 of lateral support 3 is an uninterrupted raised wall 14 that borders a groove 15 with a top and bottom end 16 and 17, respectively.
  • a pin present on the side of plateau 6, as will become evident from the explanation of Fig. 4, can be incorporated in this groove in a manner allowing movement.
  • Fig. 4 6 is a plateau that can be incorporated in a manner allowing rotation and movement in the assembly of which half is represented in Fig. 1.
  • the plateau consists of a top surface 18, a front surface 19 and a rear surface 20, not visible in the figure, and two side surfaces 21 and 22 (the latter not visible in the figure).
  • pin 25 is incorporated in groove 15 of lateral support 3, while pin 13 of lateral support 1 is incorporated in cavity 26.
  • the difference in diameter between pin 13 and cavity 26 is 0.2 mm, the difference in diameter between pin 25 and groove 15 is 0.5 mm.
  • Elevation 23 has a flat part 27 at the bottom side and elevation 24 has a flat part 28.
  • flat part 27 rests on supporting surface 12 of lateral support 3, while pin 25 is, as a result of the aforementioned 0.5 mm difference in diameter, not in contact with the base of the groove at the groove's bottom end 17.
  • the directions of the flat parts 27 and 28 relative to the plane of the top side of the plateau have been chosen to be such that, in the stool's folded-out position, these directions coincide with the directions of supporting surfaces 12 and 11, respectively, and the top side of the plateau assumes the desired position, generally the horizontal one.
  • the connection between side 22 of the plateau and the other pair of lateral supports connected to one another is analogous but designed in mirror image.
  • 207 and 208 are the top parts of the insides, by which are meant the sides facing the other supporting element, of lateral supports 201 and 203, respectively. They adjoin one another, lying in a single plane, at the top 205.
  • the bottom parts of these insides are referred to by 209 and 210, respectively.
  • the stepped transition 211 there is a groove 240 with bottom part 242, the rear wall of which is formed by an extension of part 207.
  • the width of the groove is about half the thickness of the stepped transition.
  • the groove 240 extends across approximately 60-70% of the width of lateral support 201.
  • part 209 slopes to the outside of lateral support 201.
  • a round pin 213 which can be rotably incorporated in an opening in the side of the plateau, as will be elucidated with reference to Fig. 6.
  • the top part of inside 208 across approximately 40% of the width of lateral support 203 changes into the thicker bottom part 210 with a stepped transition 212.
  • the stepped transition 212 there is a groove 250 with bottom 252, the rear wall of which is formed by an extension of part 208.
  • the width of the groove is approximately half the thickness of the stepped transition and is, depending on the size of the step-stools, for instance between 2 and 10 mm.
  • a groove 215 which is bordered by a side wall 214, the remainder of part 208 and a top end 216 and bottom end 217.
  • the outside of side wall 214 is in plane 230 and its top side is in a plane with top part 208.
  • the bottom of bottom end 217 forms a stepped transition which ends in the plane of bottom part 210.
  • the part that is closest to outside 230 gradually changes into the transition to that outside 230, so that 210 slopes on that side.
  • a pin present on the side of the plateau working together with the lateral supports, as will become evident from the explanation of Fig. 6, can be incorporated in groove 215 in a manner allowing movement.
  • 206 is a plateau that can be incorporated in a manner allowing rotation and movement in the assembly of which half is represented in Fig. 1.
  • the plateau consists of a top surface 218, a front surface 219 and a rear surface 220, not visible in the figure, and two side surfaces 221 and 222 (the latter not visible in the figure).
  • side surface 221 is extended with elevations 223 and 224.
  • the difference in diameter between pin 213 and cavity 226 is 0.2 -0.7 mm, just like the difference in diameter between pin 225 and groove 215.
  • Elevation 223 has a flat part 227 at the bottom side and elevation 224 has a flat part 228.
  • the distance between pin 213 and bottom 242, measured in the longitudinal direction of lateral support 201, has been chosen to be such, in relation to the distance between cavity 226 and flat part 228, that in the folded-out position of the stool flat part 228 rests on the bottom 242 of groove 240, while the bottom side of pin 213 is free from the bottom part of the wall of cavity 226, use having been made of the aforementioned difference in diameter.
  • this flat part 227 rests on the bottom 252 of groove 250 in lateral support 203, while pin 225 is not in contact with the base of the groove at the bottom end 217 of groove 215.
  • the directions of the flat parts 227 and 228 relative to the plane of the top side of the plateau have been chosen to be such that, in the stool's folded-out position, these directions coincide with the directions of bottoms 252 and 242, respectively, and the top side of the plateau assumes the desired position, generally the horizontal one.
  • the connection between side 222 of the plateau and the other pair of lateral supports connected to one another is analogous but designed in mirror image.

Landscapes

  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
  • Agricultural Machines (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
  • Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Faltbare Struktur mit zumindest zwei Stützelementen, die mittels einer Gelenkverbindung (5) miteinander verbunden sind, welche Gelenkverbindung (5) eine Bewegung zwischen einer gefalteten Position und einer entfalteten Position zuläßt, wobei die Stützelemente jeweils zwei zueinander parallele seitliche Abstützungen (1, 3; 201, 203), die miteinander über zumindest eine transversale Abstützung (2, 4) verbunden sind, sowie eine Platte (6; 206) aufweist, welche drehbar an jedem Paar der seitlichen Abstützungen (1, 3; 201, 203) über Verschwenkeinrichtungen (13, 26, 25, 17; 213, 226, 225, 217) angeschlossen ist und welche in der entfalteten Position innerhalb und zwischen den seitlichen Abstützungen (1, 3; 201, 203) horizontal abgestützt ist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    daß in der entfalteten Position die Platte (6, 206) direkt auf Stützoberflächen (11, 12; 242, 252) ausschließlich der Verschwenkeinrichtungen (13, 26, 25, 17; 213, 226, 225, 217) aufliegen und an den seitlichen Abstützungen (1, 3; 201, 203) angeordnet sind.
  2. Struktur nach Anspruch 1, in welcher die Stützoberflächen (11, 12; 242, 252) in den seitlichen Abstützungen (1, 3; 201, 203) integriert sind.
  3. Struktur nach Anspruch 2, in welcher die Stützoberflächen (11, 12; 242, 252) zwischen einem Bodenteil (9, 10; 209, 210) und einem oberen Teil (7, 8; 207, 208) der seitlichen Abstützungen (1, 3; 201, 203) einen abgestuften Übergang bilden, die bezüglich zueinander unterschiedliche Stärken aufweisen.
  4. Struktur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, in welcher die Platte (6) Erhebungen (23, 24) aufweist, die sich in Richtung der seitlichen Abstützung (1, 3) erstrecken, einen flachen Teil (27, 28) enthält, von denen jeder sich in der entfalteten Position der Struktur in Kontakt mit den Stützoberflächen (11, 12) derart befindet, daß keine Kräfte auf die Verschwenkeinrichtungen (13, 25) ausgeübt werden.
  5. Struktur nach Anspruch 4, in welcher Teile (25, 26) der Verschwenkeinrichtungen auf den vorspringenden Erhebungen (23, 24) vorhanden sind.
  6. Struktur nach Anspruch 3, in welcher jede der Stützoberflächen durch eine Rille (240, 250) gebildet ist, die in jedem der abgestuften Übergänge (211, 212) vorhanden ist und die auf einer Seite von einem Boden (242, 252) begrenzt ist.
  7. Struktur nach Anspruch 6, in welcher Seitenwandungen (221, 222) von der Platte (206) mittels Erhebungen (223, 224) verlängert sind, wobei von jeder ein flacher Teil (227, 228) sich in der entfalteten Position der Struktur in Kontakt mit dem Boden (252, 242) von einer der Rillen (250, 240) derart in Kontakt befindet, daß keine Kräfte auf die Verschwenkeinrichtungen (213, 223) ausgeübt werden.
EP97202561A 1997-02-13 1997-08-21 Faltbare Struktur Expired - Lifetime EP0859118B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK97202561T DK0859118T3 (da) 1997-02-13 1997-08-21 Foldestruktur
EP97202561A EP0859118B1 (de) 1997-02-13 1997-08-21 Faltbare Struktur

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97200450A EP0775801A3 (de) 1997-02-13 1997-02-13 Faltbare Struktur
EP97200450 1997-02-13
EP97202561A EP0859118B1 (de) 1997-02-13 1997-08-21 Faltbare Struktur

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0859118A1 EP0859118A1 (de) 1998-08-19
EP0859118B1 true EP0859118B1 (de) 1999-05-19

Family

ID=8228020

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97200450A Withdrawn EP0775801A3 (de) 1997-02-13 1997-02-13 Faltbare Struktur
EP97202561A Expired - Lifetime EP0859118B1 (de) 1997-02-13 1997-08-21 Faltbare Struktur

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97200450A Withdrawn EP0775801A3 (de) 1997-02-13 1997-02-13 Faltbare Struktur

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0775801A3 (de)
AT (1) ATE180312T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69700227T2 (de)
DK (1) DK0859118T3 (de)
ES (1) ES2135282T3 (de)

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1517676A (en) * 1923-01-09 1924-12-02 James G Haugh Stepladder
US1537221A (en) * 1924-04-17 1925-05-12 George H Bugenhagen Ladder stool

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0775801A3 (de) 1997-09-10
EP0775801A2 (de) 1997-05-28
EP0859118A1 (de) 1998-08-19
DE69700227D1 (de) 1999-06-24
DE69700227T2 (de) 1999-11-11
DK0859118T3 (da) 1999-11-22
ES2135282T3 (es) 1999-10-16
ATE180312T1 (de) 1999-06-15

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