EP1177746A1

EP1177746A1 - Extensible table with movable panels

Info

Publication number: EP1177746A1
Application number: EP01118421A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luigi Mascheroni
Original assignee: MWH Metallwerk Helmstadt GmbH
Current assignee: MWH Metallwerk Helmstadt GmbH
Priority date: 2000-08-01
Filing date: 2001-07-31
Publication date: 2002-02-06
Also published as: ITMI20001791A0; IT1318307B1; ITMI20001791A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extensible table provided with movable panels comprising a supporting framework for supporting a pair of side sliding panels and an extension central panel.

The main features of the invention is that the extensible table comprises moreover intercoupling means for allowing a simultaneous sliding of said side panels and raising and driving means for raising and driving the central panel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the laying plane of said central panel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an extensible table provided with movable panel.
Several extensible tables are already commercially available which are generally constituted by a pair of sliding panels which, at a withdrawn or shortened position of the table, are arranged in a mutually adjoining relationship.
Said panels can be slidably driven to allow a central panel to be arranged therebetween, which central panel is conventionally housed in the table supporting framework and which is withdrawn so as to arrange said central panel at a level or flush relationship with the two side panels.
The extensible tables of the above mentioned type are constructionally very complex, and, moreover, require a lot of tedious operations, for properly arranging or removing the central panel.
A further drawback is that a series of complex mechanisms must be provided, which mechanisms are, as stated, constructionally complicated and of scarcely reliable operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing an extensible table with movable panels allowing to extend the table and to bring again the table to each minimum length condition, without the need of performing very tedious or complex operations.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such an extensible table the panels of which can be easily handled without the need of providing great efforts and without using separated operating tools.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an extensible table which, owing to its specifically designed constructional features, is very reliable and safe in operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an extensible table which can be easily made starting from easily commercially available elements and materials.
The above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an extensible table with movable panels, comprising a supporting framework for supporting a pair of slidable side panels and an extension central panel, characterized in that said extensible table comprises moreover intercoupling means for allowing said side panels to be simultaneously slidably driven and raising and driving means for raising and driving said central panel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the laying plane of said central panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of an extensible table with movable panels, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:
Figure 1 is an elevation view illustrating the extensible table in a withdrawn condition thereof;
Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating the extensible table in a withdrawn condition thereof;
Figure 3 is a further elevation view illustrating that same extensible table in an extended condition thereof;
Figure 4 is a top plan view illustrating the extensible table in an extended condition thereof;
Figure 5 schematically illustrates the extensible table in a shortened or withdrawn position thereof, and clearly shows the main component elements of the extensible table;
Figure 6 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, the extensible table in a withdrawn condition thereof;
Figure 7 illustrates the extensible table in an extended condition thereof, the central panel being arranged at a recessed position;
Figure 8 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, the extensible table in an extended condition thereof with the central panel arranged in a recessed or lowered condition;
Figure 9 illustrates the extensible table in an extended condition thereof, and clearly shows the main component elements of said extensible table;
Figure 10 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, the extensible table in an extended condition thereof;
and
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the extensible table and clearly showing the raising means for raising the central panel of said extensible table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the extensible table with movable panels, according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a bearing framework 2, which is advantageously made of a pair of bridge sidewalls 3 which are coupled to one another by cross-members 4.
On said framework 2 are provided a pair of side slidable panels, both indicated by the reference number 5, and an extension central panel 6 which can be selectively arranged in a recessed or lowered condition, in which said central panel is arranged inside the framework with the table in a withdrawn or shortened condition thereof; said central panel being also suitable to be arranged in a level or flush relationship with the side panels 5, with the extensible table in an extended condition thereof.
The side panel 5 are supported by supporting brackets 10 having a ridged outer portion 11, in which are provided coupling blocks 12 for coupling said side panels 5.
The ridged or projecting portion 11 is designed for coupling to a recessed portion 14, including a plurality of sliding wheels 15, which can slide in sliding tracks 16 defined on the top portion of each said bridge sidewall 3.
Moreover, further intercoupling means are provided for allowing said side panels to be simultaneously slidably driven, in opposite directions, said intercoupling means including a plurality of pulleys 17, which are advantageously coaxially arranged with respect to the pins of the wheels 15, on which pulleys is entrained a closed loop rope 18 which, at its upper portion or length, is coupled at a fixed point 20 to one of said brackets whereas, at the lower portion or length thereof is coupled at a fixed point 21 with the other side panel supporting bracket 10.
The above disclosed intercoupling causes, as one of the panels 5 is slidably driven, the other panel to be simultaneously slidably driven, in the same direction, but in an opposite relationship.
More specifically, the central panel 6 is driven by raising-driving means, which raising-driving means comprise a first slide 30 and a second slide 32, each including opposite racks 33, meshing with a pinion 34 arranged on a hexagonal shaft 35 coupling the two sidewalls of the table framework.
In particular, said slides 30 and 32 comprise a slanted plane portion 37 engaging with slanted small blocks 38 coupled to said central panel 6.
Thus, as the slides 30 and 32 are slidably driven, in opposite directions, the blocks 38 and central plane 6 will be also slidably driven for coupling with a slanted plane relationship.
In oder to operate as limit elements, said blocks 38 comprise a latching element 39, engaging in an abutment tooth element 40, defined in a recess 41 formed on said slides.
In particular, said pinions 34 are driven through a handle 50 which is telescopically coupled to the shaft 35 and is arranged in a central portion of the longitudinal extension of the table.
Owing to the above disclosed device, the subject table can be extended or withdrawn again in a very simple and quick manner.
In fact, in order to extend the table, it will be sufficient to cause the panels 5 to be outwardly slidably driven.
This operation can be carried out by affecting exclusively one panel, since the intercoupling means will automatically cause a sliding movement of the other panel in an opposite direction.
Upon having extended the panels, it will be sufficient to further operate the handle element 50 to cause, through the coupling of the pinion 34 and racks 33, a sliding displacement of the sliders 30 and 32 and a consequent raising displacement of the central panel 6 so as to arrange it in a flush relationship with the side panels 5.
In order to bring again the extensible table to its withdrawn or minimum length condition, it will be sufficient to perform the above mentioned operations in a reverse order.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that an extensible table has been provided which comprises very simple mechanisms for extending and withdrawing again the table.
The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will be included in the scope of the invention.
Moreover, all the constructional details can be replaced by other technical equivalent elements.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

An extensible table with movable panels, comprising a supporting framework for supporting a pair of slidable side panels and an extension central panel, characterized in that said extensible table comprises moreover intercoupling means for allowing said side panels to be simultaneously slidably driven and raising and driving means for raising and driving said central panel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the laying plane of said central panel.
An extensible table, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said supporting framework comprises a pair of bridge sidewalls, coupled to one another by cross-members.
An extensible table, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said extensible table comprises coupling brackets for coupling said side panels and that said coupling brackets have raised portion, coupled to said side panels, and a lowered portion, provided with sliding wheels which can slide in sliding tracks formed on said bridge sidewalls.
An extensible table, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intercoupling means comprise a rope which extends in a closed loop relationship on pulleys rotatably supported by said brackets, and that said rope has a top length thereof coupled to a fixed point on a bracket rigid with one of said panel, and a lower length thereof coupled to a fixed point of the bracket of the other side panel.
An extensible table, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said raising means comprise a pair of opposite slides having opposite rack portions engaging with a pinion keyed on a driving shaft.
An extensible table, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said extensible table comprises a withdrawable handle element coupled to said driving shaft.
An extensible table, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slides have slanted portions engageable with slanted surface blocks coupled to said central panel for driving said central panel as said slides are slidably driven.
An extensible table, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said extensible table comprises latch means coupled to said blocks, and engageable with abutment tooth elements defined on the slanted portion of said slides in order to operate as a limit switch.
An extensible table, according to the preceding claims, and as broadly disclosed and illustrated for the intended aim and objects.