EP2238862B1 - Folding table - Google Patents

Abstract

The table has a locking mechanism for locking a table top (5) in a work or use position and storage position. A disengagement unit (15) is located under the table top, and comprises a hand-actuatable disengagement portion (15a). A foot-actuatable disengagement portion (15b) or a shoe actuatable disengagement portion is provided on underside of the table on a table half that is lower than a pivot axis of the table and/or is lower than the hand-actuatable disengagement portion when the table top is pivoted in the storage position.

Description

The invention relates to a folding table according to the preamble of claim 1.

A folding table is for example from the EP 1 308 109 known. This folding table has a support frame, which is mounted on the front side in vertical support columns. The folding table is lockable in a horizontal working position. To be able to clear away the table space, the table top can be brought into a stowed position in which the worktop is more or less folded in the vertical direction.

Both in the horizontal working position as well as in the vertical storage position, the worktop is locked by means of a locking device. In order to pivot the table top from one to the other position, a handle is provided in each case on the underside of the tabletop relative to the longitudinal edge to the center of the table slightly offset, which is in communication with a locking mechanism. By putting on the handle in the direction of the longitudinal edge of the table, the locking mechanism is released, so that the worktop can be rotated, for example, from its horizontal or at least approximately horizontal working position in its vertical or approximately vertical Verschwenklage. If the table top is pivoted back into the horizontal position of use, the respective top and located on the underside of the tabletop handle is taken, attracted to the top (whereby the release is actuated) and the table top pivoted in the horizontal direction.

Object of the present invention is to provide a contrast unlocking device for a folding table.

The object is achieved according to the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In the context of the present invention, a clear improvement for handling a corresponding folding table is created by simple means.

For in the conventional solution, it was indeed possible to pivot the table top of the folding table, for example in the one or in the opposite direction, starting from its horizontal working position in a more or less vertical stowed position. To release the lock but had to be tightened on the underside of the table top a corresponding handle to initiate the unlocking process. That was equally true even if the worktop was in its at least approximately vertical storage position. Here too, the release handle located slightly below the upper longitudinal edge of the table had to be grasped and tightened towards the upper edge of the table, in order to initiate the unlocking operation and in turn pivot the table top into horizontal working position.

The solution according to the invention, in contrast, is that now a triggerable by the foot release section is provided to initiate the unlocking process in the latter case. In other words, therefore, located in a vertical stowing position tabletop, for example, taken in the region of its upper longitudinal edge and the table held and secured against rolling, which can simultaneously press down with the shoe positioned adjacent to the underlying table edge actuating portion of the unlocking to pivot the tabletop from its more vertical orientation in the stowed position to its more horizontal orientation in the usual operating position. This proves to be much simpler and more natural in practice than attracting an overhead handle upwards.

If the table can be pivoted in both directions about its horizontal axis, corresponding unlocking handles or sections are provided immediately adjacent to both opposite longitudinal edges on the table top. Therefore, it could basically be thought of in a vertical stowage table top not to put on the overhead handle, but the underlying, actually intended for the manual unlocking handle with the foot, that is to operate with the shoe. However, this is to avoid for reasons of hygiene, since the unlocking would then be triggered once with the foot and the other time would be taken by hand, namely, if the relevant table top is in its horizontal locking position in which the unlocking always triggered by hand or would be operated.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention are therefore provided on each table half on the underside of the table top two offset in the transverse direction of the table lying to each other operating sections, namely a manual, ie manually operable unlocking or triggering device and an operable with the foot unlocking or triggering device. Whenever the table top is in its rather vertical stowed position, the unlocking can be actuated via the foot button located on the underside of the table adjacent to the lower longitudinal edge of the table. In other words, the corresponding unlocking mechanism is adjusted against the force of a spring device by placing it with the shoe on the triggering section provided for this purpose. This unlocking process is much easier to carry out, compared to the previous situation, when located in a vertical stowage position tabletop located adjacent to the overhead longitudinal edge of the table manual unlocking should be tightened up to the unlocking process to perform the force of a spring device.

A further improvement results from the fact that the triggering section of the unlocking device to be actuated with the foot is dimensioned larger, above all protruding further from the underside of the table, than the corresponding actuating section for manual release. As a result, it can be reliably avoided that, in particular with the running surface of the shoe, only the foot release button of the unlocking device is always reached and actuated, and the sections of the actuating device to be triggered by hand can not be contaminated.

This latter variant is preferred, although in principle also in the longitudinal direction of the table spatially separated release devices for actuation with the foot on the one hand and for the operation with the hand to the other could be provided.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Stirnansicht eines um eine Horizontalachse in beiden Richtungen verschwenkbaren Klapptisches mit auf der Tischunterseite vorgesehenen erfindungs- gemäßen Entriegelungsvorrichtung;

Figur 2a:

eine schematische Stirnseitenansicht des Klapptisches in einer Position, in welcher sich die Tischplatte in ihrer nach rechts verschwenkten und zumindest näherungswei- sen vertikal verlaufenden Verstaustellung verschwenkt ist;

Figur 2b:

eine Seitenansicht auf den in Figur 2a gezeigten Tisch mit seiner in Verstauposi- tion befindlichen Arbeitsplatte;

Figur 3a:

eine Stirnseitenansicht vergleichbar mit Figur 2a, bei der die Tischplatte in ge- genüberliegender Verstauposition ver- schwenkt ist;

Figur 3b:

eine auszugsweise rückwärtige Ansicht auf den in Figur 3a gezeigten Klapptisch mit in Verstaustellung umgelegter Arbeitsplat- te;

Figur 4:

eine schematisch auszugsweise vergrößerte Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Betätigungs- und Auslöseeinrichtung;

Figur 5:

eine Darstellung vergleichbar oder ähnlich zur Figur 3b, allerdings für einen Tisch, der nur in einer Richtung, das heißt nur auf eine Seite in seine vertikale Verstau- position verschwenkbar ist, und

Figur 6:

eine zur Figur 3b dargestellte alternative Ausführungsform, bei der mittels Fuß be- tätigbare Auslöseeinrichtungen und manuell betätigbare Auslöseeinrichtungen in Längs- richtung des Tisches räumlich versetzt zueinander angeordnet sind.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. In detail:

FIG. 1:

a schematic end view of a pivotable about a horizontal axis in both directions folding table with provided on the table underside inventive unlocking;

FIG. 2a:

a schematic end view of the folding table in a position in which the table top in its pivoted to the right and at least approximately vertical stowage position is pivoted;

FIG. 2b:

a side view on the in FIG. 2a shown table with his worktop in stowage position;

FIG. 3a:

an end view similar to FIG. 2a in which the table top is pivoted in the opposite stowage position;

FIG. 3b:

an excerpted back view of the in FIG. 3a shown folding table with folded in stowed Arbeitsplat- te;

FIG. 4:

a schematic partial enlarged view of an actuating and triggering device according to the invention;

FIG. 5:

a representation comparable or similar to FIG. 3b , but for a table which is pivotable in one direction only, ie only one side in its vertical stowage position, and

FIG. 6:

one to FIG. 3b illustrated alternative embodiment, are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the table spatially offset from each other by means of foot actuable release devices and manually actuated release devices.

In FIG. 1 For example, the right end face 1a of a folding table 1 is shown. From this figure and the other figures it can be seen that the folding table 1 comprises an overhead table top 5, located in FIG. 1a is in their usually horizontally oriented working and use position. Possibly also other slightly oblique or desk-like adjustable working positions are possible in which the table top may be adjustable in a small angle relative to the horizontal plane and locked in this position.

In each case, the support means 3 is provided on the two opposite end faces 1a, which in the embodiment shown in each case comprises a support column 7, which merges into a support foot 9 at the bottom, which comprises support leg sections 9a and 9b projecting on both sides of the support column 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the two Tragfußabschnitte 9a and 9b each extend radially from the support column, so that there is a continuous, straight, formed from the two sections 9a and 9b support foot. However, the Tragfußabschnitte 9a, 9b may also be aligned at an angle to each other, or have a deviating from the straight shape.

At the opposite ends of the support feet 9 each have a roller assembly 11 is provided, which is usually provided with a locking or release mechanism. As a result, the folding table can be easily pushed to any location or to a storage location. In the respective desired working position can then be ensured by pressing the integrated locking elements in the rollers 11 that the table is not moved unintentionally.

In FIG. 2a is the in FIG. 1 shown shown right end face 1a of the table, in which the table top is brought to the right, vertically extending stowed position. In FIG. 2b is to see the table from the side, so with its top 5a of the tabletop 5 facing the viewer.

In FIG. 3a is different from FIG. 2a the table top 5 has been brought into the opposite pivoting position, wherein in FIG. 3b in extracts, a bottom view of the bottom 5b of the folded in stowage position table top 5 according to the arrow III in FIG. 3a you can see. From the figures it can be seen that in working position, the support feet 9 are preferably parallel to the end face 5c of the table top, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the table, whereas when folded in the stowed table top (in which this runs more or less vertically), the support feet 9 to an angular range around the axis of rotation formed by the support column 7 has been rotated, such that the support feet 9a on the side to which the top 5a of the table top 5 assigns to run towards each other, whereas the Tragfußabschnitte 9b on the side on the the underside 5b of the tabletop 5 indicates, run apart, so are more distant to each other. This has the advantage that a person grasping the table top from one longitudinal side can easily pivot the panel away from himself into the vertical pivoting position, thereby pivoting the support leg sections 9a and 9b away from each other on the side where the person stands be swiveled towards each other on the opposite side, whereby the handling is additionally facilitated. Preferably, the horizontal pivot axis or pivoting of the table top 5 is coupled with the bottom of the pillars 7 transversely projecting foot device so that when pivoting the table top and a corresponding pivoting of Tragfußabschnitte 9a and 9b is preferably coupled. In this respect, reference is made to the known solution. Regardless of a constructive solution or implementation of the imaginary horizontal pivot axis 90 is shown in the figures. The pivot axis 90 extends in the embodiment shown in the longitudinal direction of the table top 5, whereby a first table top half 60a and a lying on the other side of the pivot axis 90 second table top half 60b is formed.

Only for general completion is still referring to FIG. 3b noted that the table top 5 can be supported for example by a substructure, which offset in the longitudinal direction of the table top in the vicinity of the end faces of the table top 5 in each case two counter-rotating cross member 17 opens, on which the table top rests. About the common support structure then the table top can be pivoted relative to a support or support head 18 about a horizontal axis 90, for example, between the usual horizontally oriented working position (or slightly angled relative to the horizontal preselectable working position) and in FIG. 3b shown a stowage. It is in FIG. 3b also to see a running in the longitudinal direction of the table top on the table top underside cable channel 22.

The table top 5 is at least in its one working position, Usually in horizontal position, to lock by means of a locking mechanism so that pivoting is reliably prevented. On the type of locking mechanism will be discussed later. In this case, measures may be provided that the table top can be placed in a predetermined slightly angled or in several slightly angled positions with respect to the horizontal plane in a locked working position.

In order to move the worktop 5 from each longitudinal side 1b of the folding table 1 into a stowed position, a triggering and / or actuating mechanism 15 is provided on both opposite longitudinal sides 1a of the folding table on the underside 5b of the tabletop 5. If this triggering or actuating mechanism 15 is attracted, for example, to the adjacent longitudinal edge 5d of the table top 5, a locking mechanism is loosened over it so that a table top in working position then slides into its stowed position, for example 90 ° or vice versa from its storage position into its at least approximately horizontal working - or use position can be pivoted.

For this purpose, the triggering and / or actuating mechanism 15 has in each case at least one first manually actuable triggering section 15a and at least one second triggerable section 15b which can be actuated by the foot or shoe, as a result of which the mechanism according to the arrow illustration 15 'shown generally counteracts the force, for example a spring device not shown in detail can be moved.

As can be seen in particular from the enlarged detail according to FIG. 4 results, the triggering and / or actuating mechanism 15 has a base body 51, on which the mentioned first trigger portion 15a and thereafter at a distance D (ie transverse to the table longitudinal direction or transverse to the horizontal pivot axis 90), the second trigger portion 15b is formed ,

FIG. 4 but also shows that the main body 51 is rather plate-shaped or can be, in its main orientation parallel to the table top. In front of this basic body, the two trigger sections 15a and 15b project transversely and preferably perpendicularly to the tabletop plane. If the table top is rotated in a more or less vertical stowed position, the trigger sections 15a and 15b are thus more or less horizontal and can be optimally reached and triggered due to their table top plane transversely, ie more or less vertically aligned actuating surfaces.

As can also be seen from the embodiment, the second actuatable via the foot trigger section 15b rib-shaped or web-shaped and has a survey H "on, which is significantly larger than the survey H 'of the first manually actuable trigger section 15a, the otherwise also This triggerable section 15b, which can be actuated by the foot, is closer to the horizontal swiveling axis 90, and thus from the adjacent, inward pivoting axis 90 FIG. 4 below lying longitudinal edge 5d of the table top 5 more remote than the manually operable trigger portion 15a.

This offers the possibility as based on FIG. 3b to It is seen that, for example, for pivoting located in the stowed position and more or less vertically oriented worktop 5, for example, the upper longitudinal edge 5d taken the table and the shoe sole of the trigger bar 15b in triggering 15 'against the force of a spring means not shown in detail can be operated. As a result, the generally held at the upper end of the vertical columns 7 rotatable horizontal axis of the table top 5 is unlocked by, for example, a pin can be pushed against an integrated spring device from a detent opening. After the beginning of the rotation of the table, the actuating device can then be relieved again, which is moved back to the starting position via the mentioned spring device.

The table is in its horizontal position, for example, the manually operable trigger 15a engaged behind and the triggering and / or Betätigungseinreichtung 15 are displaced in the direction of the adjacent edge of the table 5d against the force of the spring device, not shown, to lift in this position, the lock and the Then table top again in the FIG. 3a and 3b tilted rather vertically extending stowage position.

This "double-handle" construction automatically and intuitively properly operated a manual release portion 15a and provided via the foot trip portion 15b created, the operating via the foot trigger portion 15b when viewed vertically aligned the table top in the direction of actuation always protective before the manual Trigger section 15a is located. With the Shoe sole so the otherwise manually actuated release portion 15a can not be polluted.

Notwithstanding the embodiment, the total length L of the triggering and / or actuating device or at least the intended for foot release trigger section 15b may be longer than the trigger and / or actuator 15a for manual release, so that there is no possibility, the manual trigger section 15a laterally with the shoe or the shoe sole to capture.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating or triggering device 15 consists of a one-piece component, which comprises two web portions 15a and 15b with a base body 51, wherein the two more or less perpendicular or transversely rising to the plane of the table top triggering portions 15a and 15b transversely to a base portion 115 of the actuating or triggering device 15 extend, which projects in the embodiment shown on the operating side of the foot-triggering portion 15b over a certain distance. The trigger actuating body 15 thus formed may be guided in a corresponding guide or in a counterpart in order to be able to carry out the adjustment preferably similar to a movable slide only in the triggering direction 15 '. This is only indicated by the guide and / or power transmission device 117. The return movement is carried out by the spring device, not shown, and / or other power storage device in the reverse direction usually automatically.

Based on FIG. 5 is an example similar to the example according to the representation FIG. 3b shown. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5 However, should the table top 5 of a normal operating and working position (usually in horizontal alignment) only in one direction about its horizontal axis 90, for example in the in FIG. 5 be shown more or less vertically aligned stowage position adjustable. In this case, the manual triggering and actuating device 15a is preferably provided only on the table half 60a lying above in pivoting position, preferably adjacent to the upper longitudinal edge 5d of the table top 5, so that this manual triggering and actuating device 15a lies above the horizontal pivot axis 90 in its pivoting position , The over the shoe or the foot triggerable further actuating or triggering device 15b is provided on the opposite second table top half 60b (on the underside of the table), ie on the table half 60b, which is in the pivoting position of the table top 5 below the horizontal pivot axis 90, so so also comes to rest below the manual trigger 15a. Because the Fußauslöse- or actuator 15b is only required to trigger the unlocking process in rather vertical orientation of the table top, the manual release and unlocking 15a is required to unlock the table top, when the table top usually in the horizontal working and Useful position is located.

Reference to a further embodiment according to FIG. 6 is schematically indicated that, for example, in the longitudinal direction of a table one or more manual trigger sections 15a and also one or more actuatable via the foot trigger sections 15b in the longitudinal direction of the Tables offset from each other can be arranged, but here is never ruled out sure that not possibly also provided for the manual adjustment hand-actuable release portion 15a is also moved with the foot in unlocked position, the table top is in a vertical stowed position and should be unlocked , Likewise, it is not excluded that when unlocking a generally rather horizontal orientation of the table top instead of the manually operable trigger portion 15 a per se provided for the foot release triggering device 15 b is taken by hand, which is why the basis of FIGS. 1 to 4 described variants are preferred.

Claims (9)

1. Folding table, comprising a table top (5) which is pivotable between a work or use position and an approximately vertically extending storage position, having the following further features:

   - a locking means is provided, by means of which the table top (5) can be locked in the work or use position thereof and in the storage position thereof,

   - the locking means can be unlocked by means of a disengagement means (15),

   - the disengagement means (15) is located under the table top (5) and comprises a hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a), which can be adjusted at least with a component transverse to the horizontal pivot axis (90) of the table top (5) and/or towards the longitudinal edge (5d) of the table top (5), preferably against the force of a spring means, to unlock the table top (5),

   - the disengagement means (15a) is provided on the table top half (60a) of the table top (5) which lies above the pivot axis (90) when the table top (5) is pivoted into the storage position,

   characterised by the following further features

   - as well as the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a), a further foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) is provided, and

   - the at least one further foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) is provided on the underside of the table on the table half which is lower than the pivot axis of the table (5) and/or is lower than the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a) when the table top (5) is pivoted into the storage position.
2. Folding table according to claim 1, the table top (5) being pivotable in two opposite directions about the horizontal pivot axis thereof into a storage position in each case, characterised in that the foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) and the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a) are arranged behind one another in the disengagement direction (15') at a distance (D), and in that based on the adjacent longitudinal edge (5d) of the table top (5), the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a) is arranged closer to this adjacent longitudinal edge (5d) than the foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) which is further from said edge.
3. Folding table according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the two disengagement means (15a, 15b) are formed on a shared actuation member (51).
4. Folding table according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a) has a height (H') extending transverse to the table top (5), and the foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) has a height (H"), raised transverse to the table top, which is greater than the height (H') of the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a).
5. Folding table according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the length (L) of the foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) is greater than the length of the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a).
6. Folding table according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that as considered in the actuation direction (15'), the foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) is arranged and/or dimensioned in such a way as to cover or conceal the manual disengagement means (15a) located behind it.
7. Folding table according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) and/or the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a) are in the form of webs or are similar to webs and extend in the longitudinal direction thereof or at least over portions in the longitudinal direction of the table top (5) and/or parallel to the pivot axis of the table top (5).
8. Folding table according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the two disengagement means (15a, 15b), which are positioned and/or formed on a shared actuation member (51), are adjustable along a guide in a slide-like manner.
9. Folding table according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the at least one hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a) and the at least one foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) are mutually offset in the longitudinal direction of the table top (5).

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