EP1915923A2 - Removable table leg - Google Patents

Abstract

The detachable furniture leg has an adapter device (30) , and an adapter element (20) at furniture side. The individual clamping element (65) lies close as part of a sliding wedge gear (60) in a rear bearing point (25) of the adapter element by a spring element (69). The adapter device and the adapter element are supported form- and force fit opposite to the supporting elements (23,44).

Description

The invention relates to a detachable furniture leg with an adapter device and at least one furniture-side adapter element, wherein the device connected to the furniture leg adapter device engages at least two clamping elements together in an adapter element of a piece of furniture or in an adapter element of two furniture and wherein the single clamping element via at least one transmission is coupled to at least one actuating element.

From the DE 101 46 373 C1 is such a furniture leg with adapter device known. The integrated in a table top adapter element is a plate with two rectangular recesses. The adapter device comprises two threaded spindles which can each be rotated via a gearwheel transmission, each having a trapezoidal engagement element. To attach the furniture leg, the rear grip elements are inserted through the recesses of the adapter element, twisted over the screw pin for engaging behind the adapter element and screwed to clamp the furniture leg against the adapter element. The quality of the attachment of the furniture leg is dependent on the transmitted by muscle power on the pinion gear on the screw tightening torque. Also, the operator must turn the gears located under the table top each in the correct direction to achieve a clamping action. This succeeds usually only after a long exercise. Also, the operator can recognize only with a lot of routine or technical expertise, whether the screw with the rear grip element in his - for the leg assembly - required starting position.

The present invention is based on the problem to develop a detachable furniture leg, which is also safe to use and maintenance-free on a single table or two tables in addition as a table connector in a simple manner.

This problem is solved with the features of claim 1. For this purpose, the individual clamping element is located as part of a sliding wedge gear at a rear contact point of the adapter element under the action of at least one spring element wedging. The single actuator moves over at least one transmission, the single clamping element against the action of the spring element - the clamping releasing - back. The adapter device and the adapter element support each other via support elements positively or non-positively.

With the invention, a detachable furniture leg is created, which can be easily and safely in handling, for example, manually clamped to a recessed in the furniture adapter element. For locking the clamping or locking mechanism provides a spring element, which may possibly consist of a system of individual springs.

If the furniture leg is combined with a table, the table tops can be stacked extremely space-saving without the table legs, provided that the adapter element is integrated space-saving in the table top. Furthermore, it is possible to group with the legs two or more tables in a row or side by side. At e.g. two tables standing next to each other at the four corners of the table group four table legs in regular arrangement, while in the area of - resulting from the assembly of the tables - assembly joint, both tables are mechanically connected to each other and on the other hand, the legs have a supporting function ,

The adapter device has e.g. two separate actuators. When grouping two tables, they can first be used to set up and set up a table with four legs. The two furniture legs, which are intended to bridge the assembly joint to the second table, have only been fixed in each case via an actuating element. At the second table, two table legs are regularly mounted. Then the second table is placed next to the first, with the table top of the second table resting on the now middle legs of the table group. By adjusting the previously not actuated there actuators these legs are also locked to the second table.

Figur 1:

Teilschnitt durch die festgeklemmte Adaptervorrichtung;

Figur 2:

wie Figur 1 jedoch gelöst;

Figur 3:

Perspektivische Unteransicht des Möbelbeins;

Figur 4:

Dimetrische Ansicht des Exzenterhebels;

Figur 5:

Dimetrische Ansicht des Exzenterhebels;

Figur 6:

Schnitt durch die Adaptervorrichtung und den Exzenterhebel;

Figur 7:

Schnitt durch die Adaptervorrichtung und die Hebelwelle;

Figur 8:

Draufsicht auf ein Adapterelement mit darunter sitzendem Möbelbein;

Figur 9:

wie Figur 8, jedoch zwei Adapterelemente.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of a schematically illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1:

Partial section through the clamped adapter device;

FIG. 2:

as Figure 1 but solved;

FIG. 3:

Perspective bottom view of the furniture leg;

FIG. 4:

Dimetric view of the eccentric lever;

FIG. 5:

Dimetric view of the eccentric lever;

FIG. 6:

Section through the adapter device and the eccentric lever;

FIG. 7:

Section through the adapter device and the lever shaft;

FIG. 8:

Top view of an adapter element with underlying furniture leg;

FIG. 9:

like Figure 8, but two adapter elements.

FIG. 1 shows an adapter device (30) equipped with a table leg (5), which is clamped to a table top (10). The adapter device (30) comprises an eccentric gear (70) and a sliding wedge gear (60). The eccentric gear (70) consists of a hand-operated lever (73) with molded eccentric disc (81). The eccentric disc (81) displaces, for releasing the table leg (5), a sliding carriage (71) carrying a clamping element (65) against the action of a spring element (69).

The sectional profile for the illustration according to FIG. 1 can be seen from the section line (8) from FIG.

In the table top (10) there is a large-area recess (12) for receiving a plate-shaped adapter element (20), for example. The individual adapter element (20) according to Figures 8 and 9 in principle has the shape of an isosceles, right-angled triangle whose corners are cut off. The orthogonal legs of the triangle are parallel to the table edges shown in dashed lines in Figure 8 (14, 15). The bisector between the two mutually perpendicular legs is a line of symmetry (29).

Each adapter element (20, 27) has i.a. four e.g. rectangular clamping recesses (21, 22) through which the clamping elements (65) pass. According to Figure 8, the centers of the middle two clamping recesses (21) have e.g. 54.5 mm distance to the symmetry line (29). From a fictitious table corner (11) they are 167.7 millimeters away. The centers of the two outer clamping recesses (22) are at a distance of 54 millimeters from the respective nearest table edge (14) or (15), while they are at a distance of 158 from the other illustrated table edge (15) or (14) of the same table (10) Have 5 mm.

In each case in the release direction of the clamping elements (65) is located in front of each clamping recess (21, 22) has a supporting recess (23, 24). The spacing of the centers of a pair of recesses (21, 23, 22, 24) is e.g. 61.5 millimeters. The example rectangular support recesses (23, 24) serve to receive support elements (44).

The middle recess pairs (21, 23) serve the regular attachment of the furniture leg (5). The furniture legs (5) sit here on the e.g. four corners of a table (10), cf. FIG. 8. The two outer pairs of recesses (22, 24), cf. FIG. 9, i.a. used to connect two tables (10, 17).

Furthermore, the adapter element (20, 27) has a plurality of fastening bores (26) for fixing the adapter element (20, 27) to the respective table top (10, 17).

In the case of the table top (10, 17), further, deeper recesses (13) are arranged within the area of the large recess (12), cf. Figures 1 and 2, in the table top (10, 17) behind the clamping recesses (21, 22) of the adapter element (20, 27) lie. In this clamping recesses (21, 22) engage the clamping elements (65) of the adapter device (30) - without contact with the table top - into it.

Instead of a large adapter element (20, 27), which provides all necessary recesses for different furniture leg assemblies, recess pairs (21, 23, 22, 24) may be housed in separate smaller adapter elements. Also, the adapter elements do not require a plate-like shape.

The adapter device has a e.g. injection-molded, flat aluminum housing (31), the height of Figure 1 may be smaller than the thickness of a standard tabletop (10). The one-piece housing (31) comprises a housing bottom (32) and five housing walls. The latter include an angle of 10 to 30 degrees with the vertical. In this case, the horizontal housing cross sections to the table top (10) increase. The housing bottom (32) extends by about 2 degrees inclined relative to the horizontal. In this case, the housing (31) to the furniture leg (5) is higher.

The housing (31), which receives two clamping mechanisms and their drives, is at least partially closed with respect to the table top (10) with an inner cover (51). Between the lateral housing walls (33, 34) and the housing bottom (32) there are a plurality of stiffening ribs (43) on which inter alia the lid (51) is supported, or on which the cover (51) is screwed.

According to FIG. 3, two stiffening ribs (43) each form a guide channel (41) for respectively receiving a sliding carriage (61) and a helical compression spring (69), cf. Also Figure 1. In the front guide channel (41) missing the spring element (69) to show the local spring support webs (42).

The sliding carriage (61) consists here of a cuboid guide body (62) and a hook-shaped clamping element (65). In the vertical direction, that is transversely to the linear direction of carriage movement, the sliding carriage (61) between the cover (51) and a sliding insert (55) is optionally lubricated with play. The sliding insert (55) rests on the housing bottom (32). Towards the furniture leg (5), it stands e.g. at a stop.

The clamping hook (65) formed here on the guide body (62) has, towards the guide body (62), an e.g. flat wedge surface (66). For example, it includes an angle of 17.5 degrees with the carriage movement direction. The wedge surface (66) intersects a horizontal plane parallel to the pivot axis (89) of the eccentric disc (81).

Possibly. For example, the sliding carriage and the guide channel may be curved, e.g. be designed circular arc, so that the direction of movement is not linear.

Between the rear end face (64) of the sliding carriage (61) and the housing wall (35), the helical compression spring (69) is arranged. In the region of the rear spring end, an eg rectangular support pin (44) is integrally formed on the housing (31). According to FIG. 1, it protrudes into the support recesses (23, 24).

Before the front end face (63) of the sliding carriage (61), the eccentric disc (81) is positioned. Its pivot axis (89) extends transversely to the carriage movement direction and parallel to the furniture footprint (1), see. also FIG. 2.

The in cross section e.g. Egg-shaped eccentric disc (81) has a Exzenterüberhöhung - ie a maximum eccentric or Nockenhub - of seven millimeters. The smallest radius of curvature of the eccentric curve is approximately 4.5 millimeters. When clamped furniture leg (5) is the highest point of the eccentric disc (81) spatially exactly above the pivot axis (89). The pivot axis (89) and the highest point are connected by a fictitious Exzenterhebelarm (82) with each other, see. Figure 5. The length of the eccentric lever arm (82) is e.g. 15 millimeters.

Compared to the sliding zone (84) of the eccentric disc (81), the latter has a plurality of notches (85) to avoid a large mass accumulation in the plastic injection-molded part, cf. FIGS. 3 and 4.

In Figures 4 and 5, the eccentric disc (81) is part of a - e.g. manufactured in one piece - eccentric lever (71). The latter additionally consists of a lever (73) and a lever shaft (72). The lever shaft (72) is each side of the eccentric disc (81) and the side of the lever (73) for the formation of bearings on. According to Figure 3, all three bearings are supported by stiffening ribs (43).

The lever (73) is a flat, rod-shaped made of an elastic plastic body which is partially sunk according to the figures 1 and 6 in a housing groove (47). He is about 80 to 100 millimeters long and about the housing wall (35) about 14 millimeters over, see. FIGS. 1 and 6.

In order to be lockable in the illustrated horizontal position, e.g. on the lever (73) integrally formed an angled latching hook (76). According to FIG. 6, the latching hook (76) has a latching nose (77) which rests resiliently latched on a housing projection (48) which is integrally formed on the housing (31).

The bearing of the lever shaft (72) has here an unusual design, see. Figures 7 and 3. In the casting-technically shaped housing (31) are formed on the housing bottom (32) shaped, lower bearing shells (36). Separate plastic blocks (91) form the upper bearing shells. They sit in at least approximately vertically aligned grooves (39), which have a trapezoidal cross section for a positive fit. The plastic blocks (91) are fixed between the shaft ends of the lever shaft (72) and the cover (51) with play.

FIG. 2 also shows a region-wise central longitudinal section. It relates to the attachment of the furniture leg (5) on the housing (31). The housing (31) has a tubular extension (37) with, for example, a non-cylindrical cross section. The projection (37) is surrounded by the inner wall of the hollow furniture leg (5) after assembly. The wall of the furniture leg (5) encloses closed the approach (37). The assembly joint between the projection (37) and the furniture leg (5) is at least partially filled with adhesive. In the central region of the projection (37) are two holes (38), which are congruent to - integrated in not shown leg rests - recesses (6) are oriented. About the holes (38), the housing (31) with self-tapping Tapping screws (7) fixed in the recesses (6) of the furniture leg (5).

For mounting the furniture leg (5) on a table top (10) or for mounting the furniture leg (5) to two on this furniture leg (5) to be joined table tops (10, 17) the furniture leg (5) or the adapter device (30) if necessary be brought into a mounting starting position. For this purpose, the actuating element (71), ie the eccentric lever, is pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 6 into the position shown in FIG. 2 with manual force. The pivoting movement takes place in the illustrations shown in the clockwise direction. The swivel angle is at least approximately 90 degrees.

During this pivoting movement, the eccentric disc (81), which with its sliding zone (84) slidingly contacts the end face (63) of the sliding carriage (61), pushes the sliding carriage (61) against the action of the helical compression spring (69) in the guide channel (41) of the housing (31) to the right. At the end of the movement, the highest point of the eccentric disc (81) stably bears against the end face (63), cf. Figure 2. The lever (73) is vertically down.

According to Figure 2, the furniture leg (5) is brought up vertically to the table top (10). As soon as the corresponding support pins (44) are inserted into the respective support recesses (23) or (24) and the housing (31) rests with its uprights (45) on the adapter element (20), the lever (73) is raised counterclockwise worked. In this case follows the sliding carriage (61) by means of spring force of the wegschwenkenden eccentric disc (81). The sliding movement of the sliding carriage (61) is completed when, on the one hand, the wedge surface (66) of the clamping hook (65) at the contact point (25) of the clamping recess (21, 22) of the adapter element (20) rests, cf. Figure 1, and on the other hand, the support pin (44) at the right, lower edge of the respective support recess (23, 24) is present.

The wedge surface (66) is under the pressure of the helical compression spring (69) as part of a sliding wedge gear (60) permanently pressed with a defined spring force against the flat bearing point here (25). The clamping of the furniture leg (5) on the table top (10) is finished. The lever (73) can now be locked by swiveling into the housing groove (47) by means of the latching hook (76) on the housing projection (48).

If the table (10) is replaced by its use or e.g. is adjusted by aligning or pulling over the floor in vibration, the clamping connection is further improved because in the lying between the adapter element (20) and the parts (51, 61, 31) of the adapter device assembly and movement joints, the settlement amounts, or residual games, are used up under the action of the spring element. Finally, the end face (63) of the sliding carriage (61) does not rest on the eccentric disc (81). There is a game (9), cf. FIG. 1

The contact point (25) may alternatively be designed as a narrow edge, as a cylindrical surface or spherically curved. Possibly. It may also be a sliding or roller bearing roller. The design of the adapter element-side contact point (25) can also be transferred to the wedge surface (66) of the clamping hook (65).

To remove the furniture leg (5) of the clamping hook (65) on the actuating lever (71) is relieved and the clamping hook (65) from the clamping recess (21, 22) taken out.

Of course, the furniture leg (5) can also be adapted to a table top (10) lying on its back or placed on a table edge. It is also conceivable to fix furniture legs protruding obliquely or even horizontally from the furniture via the adapter device (30). In this case, the support surface of the adapter device (30) relative to the furniture footprint (1) take any skew.

An alternative to the previously described device consists in an engine of the release or clamping operation. For this purpose, the eccentric disc (81) can be moved via an actuating element, which consists of a geared motor instead of a lever.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Furniture footprint

5

Table base, furniture leg, table leg

6

Recesses, holes

7

Tapping screws, self-tapping

8th

intersection

9

game

10

Table top, first; Furniture, first

11

Table corner, fictional

12

Recess for plate

13

Recess for hooks

14, 15

table edges

17

Table top, second; Furniture, second

20

Adapter element, first; adapter plate

21

Clamping recess for clamping hooks, inside, center

22

Clamping recess for clamping hooks, outside

23

Support recess for support pin, inside, center

24

Support recess for support pin, outside

25

Investment site, investment area

26

mounting holes

27

Adapter element, second; adapter plate

29

line of symmetry

30

adapter device

31

Housing, aluminum housing

32

caseback

33, 34

Walls, lateral

35

Wall, facing away from the furniture leg

36

Bearing half shells, bottom side

37

Neck, tubular

38

drilling

39

Grooves for (91)

41

guide channel

42

Spring supporting webs

43

stiffening

44

Support pin, support element

45

Riot surveys

47

housing groove

48

Housing projection, inside

51

cover

52

Recess for clamping hooks

53

Recess for eccentric

55

A sliding

60

Spline gear

61

sliding table

62

guide body

63

Face, front, eccentric side

64

Face, rear, spring side

65

Clamping element, clamping hook

66

wedge surface

69

Spring element, helical compression spring

70

Eccentric gear, toggle mechanism

71

Actuating element, eccentric lever,

72

lever shaft

73

lever

74

lever arm

75

stop pin

76

latch hook

77

locking lug

81

Eccentric disc, cam disc

82

Exzenterhebelarm

84

Sliding zone, shown in dashed lines

85

notch

89

swivel axis

91

Bearing shells, cover side, plastic blocks

Claims (9)

Removable furniture leg with an adapter device (30) and at least one furniture-side adapter element (20) - wherein the with the furniture leg (5) connected to the adapter device (30) via at least two clamping elements (65) together in an adapter element (20) of a piece of furniture (10) or in each case an adapter element (20) of two furniture (10, 17) engages wherein the individual clamping element (65) is coupled to at least one actuating element (71) via at least one transmission (60, 70), characterized, - that the individual clamping element (65) wedges as part of a sliding wedge gear (60) at a rear contact point (25) of the adapter element (20) under the action of at least one spring element (69), - That the individual actuating element (71) via at least one gear (70), the individual clamping element (65) against the action of the spring element (71) - the clamping releasing - moved back and - That the adapter device (30) and the adapter element (20) mutually support by means of support elements (44; 23, 24) positively or non-positively. Furniture leg according to claim 1, characterized in that each clamping element (65) has its own drive (60, 70, 71). Furniture leg according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding wedge gear (60) on a sliding carriage (61) arranged clamping element (65) with a wedge surface (66) and the rear contact point (25) on the adapter element (20). Furniture leg according to claim 3, characterized in that the included between the carriage movement direction and the wedge surface (66) of the clamping element (65) angle measures 15 to 25 degrees. Furniture leg according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the transmission (70) between the individual clamping element (65) carrying sliding carriage (61) and the individual actuating element (71) is an eccentric or toggle mechanism. Furniture leg according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (71) is a lever (73) with an eccentric disc (81). Furniture leg according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivot axis (89) of the lever (71) and the eccentric disc (81) is oriented parallel to the furniture contact surface (1). Furniture leg according to claim 5, characterized in that the length of the lever (73) is 7 to 9 times longer than the lever length of the eccentric disc (81). Furniture leg according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring rate of the individual spring element (69) is between 12 and 16 N / mm.

Images