EP1834544B1 - Locking mechanism for table tennis tables with pivotable table top leaves - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for pivoting the two halves of a table tennis table comprises an automatic locking unit for holding the table halves. Preferred Features: The locking unit has a catch (14) on one of the moving parts (10, 11) and a guiding bushing (21) for interacting with the catch and having a triggering pin (15) adjustable in the longitudinal direction. The pin and the bushing interact with each other via a spring for securing the locking unit.

Description

The invention relates to a device for automatically effective, deactivatable locking two plate halves of a table tennis table in at least one disc position.

From the FR 2 729 302 A1 is a table tennis table with pivoting plate halves and a locking mechanism for this known. For locking the plate halves in a play or transport position guide rails are provided with end holes arranged, in which a slidably guided in a sleeve bolt can engage snap.

From the DE 34 39 915 C2 is a device for pivoting the plate halves of table tennis tables from the horizontal playing position in an approximately vertical rest or transport position and described vice versa.

From the DE 28 35 395 A1 a device is known in which a pivoting frame is associated with this cooperating support arm between a main beam and the plate half such that it intersects with the pivoting frame and its lower pivot point lies in a horizontal plane to the lower hinge point of the pivoting frame. In this known device, the two plate halves are independently pivotable, which engages by their special construction, the center edge of a plate half during the pivoting action beyond the central center line, so that when a synchronous pivoting of the two plate halves collide and damage each other.

In order to avoid this and in addition to achieve a synchronous pivoting of the plate halves, is in the DE 32 40 772 A1 a device proposed with a transmission connection, wherein between the pivot levers, the transmission connection is arranged such that the hinge points have substantially the same distance from the pivot points of the pivot lever. The plate halves are pivotally connected at their underside near the middle edges with at least one hinge plate. On the hinge plate extending parallel to the plate halves pivoting lever are mounted with folding leg stands and connected to the hinged to the plate halves legs to Gelenkparallelogrammen. Between the two plate halves associated Gelenkparallelogrammen a non-linear gear connection is provided, which also causes pivoting of the other plate half during pivoting of a plate half, but because of the non-linearity of this compound a lead of a plate half over the other ensures and thus a mutual damage of the plate halves with Safety prevented.

If the respective positions of the plate half in the play or in the resting or transport position not sufficiently secured, it may unwanted changes in the position and, as a result, damage to the plate halves come.

The invention is based on the object to achieve a not readily switchable or surmountable locking the plates both in the park or transport position and in the game position.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

The locking device according to the invention can be integrated into a device for pivoting the plate halves of table tennis tables from the horizontal playing position in an approximately vertical rest or transport position and vice versa with arranged under the plate halves and articulated with them pivoting levers for automatically positioning the legs when panning the plate halves.

• Fig. 1a bis 1c eine in Park- bzw. Transportstellung befindliche und in diesem Zustand verriegelte Tischtennisplatte,
• Fig. 2 eine in Spielstellung befmdliche Tischtennisplatte, wobei zur allgemeinen Orientierung eine Plattenhälfte in gestrichelten Linien zusätzlich in der Park- bzw. Transportstellung dargestellt ist,
• Fig. 3a und 3b eine erste Version eines Verriegelungsverschlusses in zwei Ansichten,
• Fig. 4a und 4b eine spezielle Gestaltung des Endbereichs des U-förmigen Verriegelungsprofils gemäß Fig. 3 zur Erleichterung der Montage,
• Fig. 5a bis 5c einen Verriegelungsmechanismus entsprechend Fig. 3 mit schräg verlaufenden Kontaktprofilen,
• Fig. 6a und 6b die entsprechende zugehörige Gestaltung für den Endbereich,
• Fig. 7a und 7b einen Verriegelungsmechanismus mit zwei in Längsrichtung hintereinander angeordneten U-förmigen Verriegelungsprofilen, wobei in den seitlichen Schenkeln des U in Längsrichtung schräg verlaufende Langlöcher sowie Federn zur Rückstellung in die Ausgangsstellung vorgesehen sind,
• Fig. 8a und 8b eine Detaildarstellung der Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 7,
• Fig. 9a und 9b eine weitere Detaildarstellung der Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 7,
• Fig. 10a und 10b eine Variante, bei der ein gesondertes U-förmiges Verriegelungsprofil entbehrlich ist,
• Fig. 11a und 11b eine Variante der Verriegelung gemäss Figur 10 mit schräg verlaufenden Kontaktprofilen,
• Fig. 12a bis 12c eine weitere Variante der Verriegelungsvorrichtung gemäss Figur 10 mit beidseitig des Führungsschlitzes des Aufnahmekörpers angeordneten Bremsflächen,
• Fig. 13a bis 13c einen Tischtennis-Tisch mit einem Fahrgestell mit Laufrollen an verschwenkbaren Armen
  sowie
• Fig. 14a und 14b eine Detaildarstellung der verschwenkbaren Arme eines Tischtennis-Tisches gemäss Fig. 13

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing figures. Show it:

• Fig. 1a to 1c a table tennis table located in park or transport position and locked in this state,
• Fig. 2 a ping-pong table which is in play position, wherein a plate half is additionally shown in dashed lines in the park or transport position for general orientation,
• Fig. 3a and 3b a first version of a latch closure in two views,
• Fig. 4a and 4b a special design of the end portion of the U-shaped locking profile according to Fig. 3 to facilitate assembly,
• Fig. 5a to 5c a locking mechanism accordingly Fig. 3 with sloping contact profiles,
• Fig. 6a and 6b the corresponding associated design for the end area,
• Fig. 7a and 7b a locking mechanism with two longitudinally successively arranged U-shaped locking profiles, wherein in the lateral limbs the U are provided in the longitudinal direction obliquely extending slots and springs for returning to the starting position,
• Fig. 8a and 8b a detailed representation of the device according to Fig. 7 .
• Fig. 9a and 9b a further detail of the device according to Fig. 7 .
• 10a and 10b a variant in which a separate U-shaped locking profile is dispensable,
• Fig. 11a and 11b a variant of the lock according to FIG. 10 with sloping contact profiles,
• Fig. 12a to 12c a further variant of the locking device according to FIG. 10 Brake surfaces arranged on both sides of the guide slot of the receiving body,
• Fig. 13a to 13c a table tennis table with a chassis with casters on swiveling arms
  such as
• Figs. 14a and 14b a detailed representation of the pivotable arms of a table tennis table according Fig. 13

In FIG. 1a a longitudinally U-shaped locking profile 10 is shown, which is arranged transversely movable in a rectangular cross-section hollow profile of a receiving body 11. The U-shaped locking profile 10 has noses 14, 14a serving at selected points of the lock, with which a locking in the longitudinal direction of the receiving body 11 is possible in operative connection with the guide bush 21 and in a subsequently explained in detail interaction with a release pin 15 a repeal the lock. In the longitudinal direction, a plurality of such lugs 14 may be provided, so that a lock in several different positions is possible. The trigger pin 15 can be moved in different ways in a lock enabling and in a release of the lock enabling position (and vice versa). For table tennis tables, it is expedient to provide on the underside of the table tennis table a lever 17 which is movable about a pivot point 16 and which can be actuated via a handle bar 18 in operative connection with the lever 17. So far, it has been customary nerauszuzienen a locking pin against a spring force from the locked position.

In FIG. 2 is a two-piece table tennis 19 shown in game position. For orientation only, a half 19a of such a table tennis table 19 is also shown in dashed lines in the park / rest or transport position.

Details of the actuator will be apparent from the FIG. 3 , In the longitudinally extending, rectangular hollow profile of the receiving body 11 is the U-shaped locking profile 10. Through a slot 13 of the receiving body 11 occurs in a guide 21 of the release pin 15 through the profile of the receiving body 11 through and hits in the interior of the U-shaped locking profile 10. If a lever 17 is now moved clockwise via a handle bar 18, the trigger pin 15 pushes into the receiving profile 11 and thus triggers against the action of a spring force a corresponding sideways movement of the locking profile 10. With the U-shaped locking profile 10 and the nose 14 is moved accordingly in the transverse direction and is then no longer on the guide 21 at. Thus, a relative displacement between the receiving profile 11 and the guide bushing 21 is possible. In this position, the guide bushing 21 within the slot 13 of the guide profile 11 on the nose 14 and, if necessary. Also slide over other lugs 14 a. Such further lugs 14a basically allow the locking of the table tennis table except in the park / transport or play position in numerous intermediate positions, as they may be desired by the table tennis players for a so-called "play-back" game in training mode.

In FIG. 4 is the end portion of the elongated hole 13 is shown, in which there is an extended passage opening 22 for the introduction of the guide bush 21 during assembly of the table tennis table. This passage 22 facilitates the assembly quite considerably, since at this point the guide bushing 21 can be easily passed through the enlarged opening 22. If the guide bush 21 is then moved within the slot 13, it gets to noses 14b, which are designed so that they are effective direction-dependent and after their exceeding a return of the socket 21 via these same lugs 14b is not readily possible, but only after Actuating the release pin 15. This ensures that during assembly a return and thus accidental emergence of the guide bushing 21 is prevented from the slot 13.

In FIG. 5 have the locking profile 10 opposite bottom 23 of the guide bush 21 and the lugs 14c slopes 31 as effective contact surfaces. The locking profile 10 is pressed by a running in the longitudinal direction of the locking profile 10 spring element, such as a leaf spring 32 against the inside of the locking profile 10 and thus against the guide 21 and the trigger pin 15. Due to the bevels 31, it is possible, however, to overcome the lock even without actuation of the release pin 15 and use a smaller or larger force to move the locking profile 10 in the transverse direction relative to the receiving profile 11. The guide bushing 21 slides over the lugs 14, 14a due to the bevels 31 with the release pin 15. The forces required for such sliding over are dependent on the helix angle, the contact pressure and the lubricity of the contact profiles.

Such an arrangement has the advantage that damage to the locking mechanism can be avoided even when operated by inexperienced persons who set the lock either not at all or insufficiently inoperative. The lock is namely in such a case after exceeding a just tolerable for the entire mechanics, predetermined force application despite the lock can be overcome. Deformation or damage due to excessive force is thus prevented.

Also, a tilting of the parking position or in an intermediate position -. in the "play-back" position - located table when adjusting can be avoided.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement accordingly FIG. 5 with a detailed representation of the end region of the slot 13 and a special passage opening 22 for the guide bush 21 during assembly of the table tennis table.

In FIG. 7 a U-shaped locking profile 10 is provided which is divided into two parts in the longitudinal direction and which has in the legs of the U substantially obliquely upward oblong holes 33 projecting into the guide pins 34 in such a way that, at a greater deflection of the locking profile 10 relative to the receiving profile 11 in the longitudinal direction, the locking profile 10 must move against the force of a spring 35 inevitably also relative to the receiving profile 11 in the transverse direction. It is thereby achieved that after overcoming a predetermined, determined by the springs 32, 35 and the oblique position of the slot 33 counteracting the effect of the locking mechanism by a relative movement of the locking profile and receiving profile 11 is lifted transversely to the longitudinal direction.

A corresponding detail representation results from the FIGS. 7 . 8th and 9 , In the Fig. 8 the voltage applied to the locking profile 10 end of the sleeve 21 is provided with a circumferential groove 36, wherein the relatively small groove diameter of the width of the elongated hole 13 of the receiving profile 11 corresponds. After insertion of the sleeve 21 in the extended receiving opening of the slot 13 during assembly, the bush 21 is guided captive in the slot 13 via the groove 36.

Fig. 9 shows a detailed representation of the lower half 10b according to Fig. 7 ,

In the Fig. 10 a further type of possible locking is shown in which the release pin 15 similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 8 in its lower region has a first enlarged diameter 37 with which it engages in a slot 13. At its end, it has a further enlarged diameter 38, which is greater than the width of the slot 13 and thus this engages behind in each positioning. In the positions provided as a locking position, the slot 13 on recesses 39, through which although the first enlarged diameter 37 of the trigger pin 15 can pass, but not the even larger diameter 38 of the tail. In this way, certain locking positions can be fixed, namely, at the points of the slot 13 at which the corresponding bulges 39 are provided, through which although the first enlarged diameter 37, but not the once more expanded diameter 38 can pass.

In the execution according to FIG. 11 According to this figure, the corresponding contact surfaces of the diameter 37 and the wall of the receiving profile 11a are provided with a corresponding helix angle, so that quite according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 when certain forces are exceeded, an adjustment is possible even without actuation of the release pin 15. The forces required in this case depend inter alia on the helix angle, which is to be dimensioned so that, taking into account also the spring forces and the sliding properties of the contact profiles, the maximum forces below the limit remain, can occur in the destruction of the mechanics. The border region of the maximum forces can also be set so that tilting when adjusting the located in the parking position or in the "play-back" position table is reliably avoided.

Finally, in FIG. 12 a further variant shown in which the release pin 15 passes through a slot within the receiving profile 11a and the contact surface 40 of the sleeve 21 on one side and the enlarged diameter 41 of the Aus-lösestiftes 15 on the other side are provided with brake pads, so that under the action of the force of a spring 42, a corresponding braking action is exerted on the receiving profile 11a. Again, a shift in the longitudinal direction without actuation of the trigger pin 15 is possible when a certain predetermined force is exceeded. In this case, certain sections on both sides of the slot 13 may be provided with coverings 43 such that a previously definable, different braking effect over the total length of the slot 13 results, which is adapted to the specifics of each individual case present.

In one of the arrangements described above can be ensured by appropriate locking positions that the hinged clasps 19a of the table tennis table in the parking position do not rest on the chassis 50. This results in additional possibilities for the design of the chassis 50th In Fig. 13 a table tennis table in transport or parking position is shown with a chassis 50. The rollers 55 are attached to transverse profiles 51, which are formed as pivotable arms 51 a and 51 b and are mounted rotatably about arranged in the chassis 50, vertical axes 52.

The pivotable arms 51a and 51b are designed so that practically touch their ends in their one end position and they are so in alignment. In this case, the mutually facing ends 53a and 53b of the pivotable arms 51a and 51b may be either flat or even in the vertical or horizontal direction with matched gradations 53a and 53b or slopes touch. The thus aligned alignment arms 51a and 51b may then be reliably and securely interconnected either via stiffening plates 54 or through pins passing through the mating shades 53a and 53b.

Claims (14)

1. Device for automatic, deactivatable locking of two table top halves of a table tennis table in at least one table top position, the device comprising

   a. a locking profile (10) comprising at least one nose (14, 14a, 14b, 14c);

   b. a guide bushing (21) which comes to bear against the at least one nose (14, 14a, 14b, 14c) for locking a table top half (19, 19a); and

   c. a release pin (15) for unlocking which is arranged in the guide bushing (21) and is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the guide bushing (21).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that release pin (15) and guide bushing (21) are actively connected to each other by means of a spring which secures the locked position.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the guide bushing (21) is guided in a long hole (13) of a receiving body (11) in which is arranged the locking profile (10) that is movable relative thereto.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the locking profile (10) comprising noses (14, 14a) abuts the guide bushing (21) under the influence of a spring element (32).
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a contact member (23) of the guide bushing (21) abutting the locking profile (10) and the nose (14c) comprise oblique contact profiles.
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the receiving body (11) and the locking profile (10) located therein are displaceable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction against the pressure of a spring (35), and that obliquely upwardly extending long holes (33) are provided in the legs of the U of the locking profile (10), with a guide pin (34) protruding into said long holes (33).
7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that guide bushing (21) and release pin (15) are longitudinally movable relative to each other against the force of a spring (35) and that the free end of the release pin (15) comprises in its lower region a first expanded diameter (37) engaging into a long hole (13) in the receiving body (11), which first expanded diameter (37) is adjoined by a second diameter (38) which is expanded even more, with the first expanded diameter (37) engaging into projections (39) in the long hole (13) so as to establish a locking connection.
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the first expanded diameter (37) and the expansions (39) are provided with chamfers in the contact profile.
9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the end (40) of the guide bushing (21) abutting the receiving body (11, 11a) and an expansion of the release pin (15) abutting the receiving body (11, 11a) on the inside thereof are provided with braking surfaces and with a spring (42) for generating the necessary contact pressure, the spring (42) being actively connected to release pin (15) and guide bushing (21).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the associated surfaces of the receiving body (11, 11a) are provided with additional braking surfaces (43) in particular regions.
11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that transverse profiles (51) of the undercarriage (50) carry track rollers (55) and are pivotally arranged about perpendicular axles (52) arranged in the undercarriage (50).
12. Device according to claim 11, characterised in that the facing ends of the transverse beam (51) are provided with step profiles (53a, 53b) in the horizontal or vertical direction, the step profiles (53a, 53b) being adapted to each other.
13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that the pivotable halves (51 a, 51 b) comprise through-holes in the region of the step profiles (53a, 53b) for receiving retaining pins passing through the pivotable halves (51a, 51b).
14. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that in the assembled state, the halves (51a, 51b) comprise stiffening reinforcement plates (54) on the lateral surfaces.

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