EP2255693B1 - Locking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism has a locking and releasing device comprising a locking and releasing lever (145) and acting together with a locking and retaining device in a locking condition, such that a table plate is held in its operating position. The locking and releasing device is pivotable around a pivoting axis (144) opposite to the retaining device, such that the plate is pivotable from the operating position to a stowage position, where the plate is pivotable only around a limited angle range in an intermediate condition between the locking condition and a releasing condition of the mechanism.

Description

The invention relates to a locking mechanism according to the preamble of claim 1.

For example, from the EP 0 572 770 B1 as well as the EP 1 159 887 B1 In each case, a folding table has become known which comprises frontally arranged T-shaped feet, via which a work or table top is held. This table top is usually aligned horizontally in a working and use position.

This work or table top can be pivoted between its usual, more horizontal working and use position in a more vertical storage position.

For this purpose, a locking mechanism is provided which fixes the worktop in their usual, more horizontal position of use. In contrast, if the worktop is to be pivoted into a space-saving storage position, the locking mechanism is actuated, so that the plate can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis into its rather horizontal stowed position.

Object of the present invention is to provide a comparison with the known solution improved locking mechanism.

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

Usually, a locking mechanism is used, which comprises, for example, an actuating device with a locking and releasing device, which cooperates with a relative thereto pivotable locking device, generally a locking and holding device. In other words, the locking and releasing device can be pivoted with, for example, the table top or a support carrying the table top, if, for example, the locking device on the stand device of the table, so the feet with the table top is not co-rotating. It would also be possible in the sense of a kinematic reversal that the locking and holding device partially referred to as locking device at least indirectly attached to the table and is pivotable with this, whereas the locking and releasing device is held on the base device relative to the table top non-rotatable.

While in the solutions of the prior art, the table top is held firmly and then suddenly the locking mechanism stops acting upon actuation of the locking and releasing device, with the result that the table top now completely by about 90 ° in their Stowed position can be pivoted, in contrast, proposes the invention to a different function. According to the invention it is provided that after the beginning of the solution process of the locking and releasing device and before reaching the full release position of the locking and releasing device an intermediate position is reached, in which the table top can be pivoted limited stop, for example, only a few degrees. This offers unimagined advantages over the previous solution. For if someone had forgotten to completely rid the table top of objects located thereon (possibly from cups, glasses, etc.), this would mean that after release of the locking device, the table top is freely pivotable about its horizontal axis, So immediately starts the rotation and fall down all objects on it. In the present invention, it is now ensured that after reaching an intermediate position, the corresponding table top can be adjusted stop limited only by a few degrees, so that at this time still located on the table top objects can not immediately slide down or fall.

The solution according to the invention is that the locking and releasing device reaches an intermediate position during its operation during the solution process from the locking position, in which a limited game is effective, which is correspondingly structurally preselected and the pivoting of the table only by a few degrees allowed.

It would also be possible not to let this game take effect suddenly after reaching a certain intermediate position, but to make the locking and releasing device so that between the complete locking position and the full release position on the release path, the set game continuously and not in one step becomes. With increasing unlocking of the locking and releasing device, the table top can then be adjusted stroke limited by an increasingly larger angular range until the locking mechanism is fully released.

Finally, combinations of the above-mentioned variants are possible in which, when an intermediate position is reached, a stop-limited intermediate position remains unchanged over a longer release path or, initially, the relevant game slowly increases and then remains unchanged.

Figur 1a:

eine Stirnseitenansicht eines erfin- dungsgemäßen Klapptisches;

Figur 1b:

eine ausschnittsweise Längsseiten-An- sicht auf den erfindungsgemäßen Klapp- tisch mit der am rechten Stirnende des Tisches liegenden Tragsäulenanordnung;

Figur 2:

eine Stirnseitenansicht des erfindungs- gemäßen Tisches vergleichbar Figur 1, bei welcher die Tischplatte nach rechts in ihre Verstaustellung verschwenkt ist;

Figur 3a:

eine Stirnseitenansicht vergleichbar Figur 3a, bei der jedoch die Tischplat- te in gegenüberliegender Verstaupositi- on verschwenkt ist;

Figur 3b:

eine auszugsweise rückwärtige Ansicht auf den in Figur 4a gezeigten Klapp- tisch mit in Verstaustellung umgelegter Arbeitsplatte;

Figur 4:

eine ausschnittsweise räumliche Dar- stellung eines doppelarmigen Platten- trägers mit zugehöriger Hohlwelle und aufgesetztem mit rotierendem Kegelrad, angrenzend zu einem Kabelkanal;

Figur 5:

eine schematische und räumliche Dar- stellung eines Verankerungs- und Halte- kopfes mit zugehörigem Rastrad und feststehender Achse;

Figuren 6a - 6c:

drei Darstellungen in Draufsicht auf den erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungs- mechanismus in arretierter Position, einer Zwischenposition sowie der end- gültigen Freigabeposition;

Figuren 7a - 7c:

eine entsprechende, auszugsweiße sche- matische Darstellung zur Erläuterung des Funktionsprinzips bezüglich der Figuren 7a - 7c;

Figuren 8a - 8c:

ein zur Darstellung gemäß den Figuren 7a - 7c abgewandeltes Ausführungsbei- spiel mit einer anderen Rastzapfenform;

Figur 9:

ein nochmals abgewandeltes Ausführungs- beispiel in schematischer Seitendar- stellung für einen erfindungsgemäßen Rastzapfen; und

Figur 10:

ein nochmaliges abgewandeltes Ausfüh- rungsbeispiel gegenüber Figur 9.

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

FIG. 1a

an end view of a folding table according to the invention;

FIG. 1b

a partial longitudinal side view of the folding table according to the invention with the lying at the right front end of the table support column assembly;

FIG. 2:

an end view of the inventive table comparable FIG. 1 in which the table top to the right is pivoted into her stowage;

FIG. 3a:

a frontal view comparable FIG. 3a in which, however, the tabletop is pivoted in opposite stowage position;

FIG. 3b:

a partial rear view of the folding table shown in Figure 4a with folded in stowage worktop;

FIG. 4:

a partial spatial representation of a two-armed plate carrier with associated hollow shaft and mounted with a rotating bevel gear, adjacent to a cable duct;

FIG. 5:

a schematic and spatial representation of an anchoring and holding head with associated ratchet wheel and fixed axis;

FIGS. 6a-6c:

three views in plan view of the locking mechanism according to the invention in the locked position, an intermediate position and the final release position;

FIGS. 7a-7c:

a corresponding, abstract white schematic representation for explaining the principle of operation with respect to FIGS. 7a-7c ;

FIGS. 8a-8c:

a for illustration according to the FIGS. 7a-7c modified Ausführungsbei- game with a different locking pin shape;

FIG. 9:

a further modified embodiment in a schematic side view for a locking pin according to the invention; and

FIG. 10:

a further modified embodiment opposite FIG. 9 ,

In FIG. 1a is z. B. the right front side 1a of a folding table 1 shown. In FIG. 1b the right part of one longitudinal side 1b of the table 1 is reproduced with the carrying device 3 lying on the right in this illustration.

From the drawings it can be seen that the folding table 1 comprises an overhead table top 5 extending in the FIGS. 1a and 1b is located in their usually horizontally oriented working 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.

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

In FIG. 2 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. 3a is different from FIG. 2 the table top 5 has been brought into the opposite pivoting position, wherein in FIG. 3b in extracts, a rear view of the bottom 5b of folded in stowage position table top 5 according to the arrow III in FIG. 3a you can see.

To the worktop of each longitudinal side 1 b of the folding table 1 from a horizontal pivot axis 90 (FIG. FIG. 3b ) in 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 table top 5 ( FIG. 3b ). If this release or actuating mechanism 15, for example, according to the arrow 15 'to the adjacent longitudinal edge 5d of the tabletop 5 is tightened (namely, by gripping an associated handle portion of the actuator 15), a subsequently explained in more detail below locking mechanism is solved so that a in working position located table top then in its pivoted by 90 ° stowed position or vice versa can be folded. Out FIG. 3b It can be seen, for example, two actuators 15a and 15b are provided, wherein the one actuator adjacent to a longitudinal edge 5d and the other actuator adjacent to the opposite longitudinal edge 5d on the underside of the table top is arranged to have from each side of the possibility a to take appropriate actuator 15 and thereby perform the desired adjustment.

As can be seen from the drawings, a 5-sided, in the embodiment shown parallel to the end face 5c of the table top 5 extending, plate support 17 is provided on the bottom 5b of the table top 5 respectively in the front side area of the end face 5c of the table top 5 inwardly offset, the For example, by means of screws on the bottom 5b of the table top 5 is screwed.

Between the two adjacent to the front edges 5c of the table top 5 arranged double-armed plate support 17 is a trough 19 attached to the underside of the table top, which serves as a cable channel 19 '.

The double-arm plate carrier 17 is - as in particular from the detailed spatial representation according to FIG. 4 results in - in a hollow shaft 17a, which at a predetermined distance 18 below the upper mounting plane 17d ( FIG. 1a ) of the double-arm plate carrier 17 is located, on which the underside of the table top 5 is placed and secured to the plate carrier. The above mentioned distance 18 between the underside of the table top 5 and the centrally through the hollow shaft 17a extending horizontal pivoting or tilting axis 121 is sufficiently dimensioned so that when pivoting the table top 5 in one of the two opposite stowed positions (in which the table top more or less vertically is aligned) is in each case on the support column-shaped stand device, so the support columns 7, passes.

In this hollow shaft 17a engages an axis 21 ( FIG. 5 ), which is firmly anchored in an anchoring head 23, which in turn is indirectly supported on the upper end of the support column 7 at this.

This results in the possibility that the two-armed plate carrier 17 with the table top 5 can be pivoted together about the non-rotating axle 21 from its overhead, rather horizontal working position to its respective opposite two storage positions, in which the worktop more or less in Vertical direction is aligned.

The table top is at least in its one working position, usually in horizontal position, to be locked by means of an already mentioned locking mechanism so that a pivoting is reliably prevented.

The locking mechanism comprises for this purpose a furniture adjusting device 141, in the embodiment shown in the form of a locking and releasing device 143, on the one hand a pivotable locking and / or holding device 151 with a latching pin 147 and on the other hand, a latching device 153 comprises, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment in the form of a locking disk 153 '.

How out FIG. 5 can be seen, the locking disc 153 'circumferentially offset lying at least three locking recesses 155, 156 and 157, wherein the first recess 155 in vertically upwardly located position and the recesses 156, 157 are arranged in a horizontal position diametrically opposite to the horizontally oriented axis 21 ,

In the illustrated embodiment, therefore, the locking disk 153 'is preferably bolted to the anchoring and holding head 23 and thus held axially immobile and above all. The mentioned circumferentially offset recesses 155, 156, 157 may, depending on the detent position of an axial latching pin 147 (FIG. FIG. 4 ), which is part of the actuator 141 or sits on it, are penetrated. The actuating device 141 with the locking and releasing device 143 and the latching pin 147 formed thereon or seated thereon, for example, can be held displaceably and / or pivotably in a recess 17 'of the double-arm plate carrier 17.

In the Figures 6a, 6b and 6c For this purpose, the lock and release device 153 shown in more detail, in a locking position ( FIG. 6a ), an intermediate position between the complete locking position and the full release position ( FIG. 6b ) and in a complete release position ( FIG. 6c ), in which the locking mechanism completely unlocked and the table top in the one or in the opposite other direction can be rotated by about 90 ° in their vertical stowed position.

About that already related to FIG. 3b mentioned actuating mechanism 15, this actuating mechanism can be tightened to pivot the table top, what about a Bowden cable or a wire rope or other transmission device 131 in the FIGS. 6a to 6c shown locking and release lever 145 (the part of the locking and releasing device 143 is) about a vertical pivot axis 144 against the force of a supported spring means 146 from its locking position in FIG. 6a in its complete release position according to FIG. 6c can be pivoted counterclockwise.

As is apparent from the embodiment, the locking and releasing device 143 preferably in the form of a locking and release pin 147 in the axial direction of insertion to the free end 147a of the locking and release pin 147 tapered portion 147b extending from the leading end 147a over a partial length extends through the pin 147 and then passes via a stepped shoulder 147 c in a locking portion 147 d with a larger diameter.

The structure is such that in the absolute locking position according to FIG. 6a the locking portion 147d completely free of play with the boundary 155 'of the first recess 155 cooperates, so it rests against this. The table top is held firmly locked without play and can not be pivoted.

The structure and operation is parallel to the FIGS. 6a to 6c in a schematic function and mode of action also on the basis of FIGS. 7a to 7c shown.

If now the table top to be pivoted into its stowed position, the actuator must be triggered by the aforementioned operating handle 15, d. H. be tightened here, so that via the transmission mechanism 131 of the mentioned locking and release lever 145 is pivoted accordingly. The locking and release pin 147 is slowly moved axially out of the recess 155. When the stepped shoulder 147c reaches the limit 155 'of the detent recess 155, the locking and releasing lever 145 can be pivoted with the play 159 preset thereby by a few degrees in the one or opposite direction, i. be tilted limited stop. The mentioned game 159 is created by the distance between the tapered portion 147b of the locking and release pin 147 and the diameter opening between the opposite boundaries 155 'of the recess 155. Should be at this time still objects on the table, this is the actuator possibly through a short skid, etc. immediately recognizable, so that he can still hold the table top or release the actuator for unlocking again.

If there are no objects on the table, then the actuating device can be further actuated, so that the locking and release lever 145 and thus the latching pin 147 is further pulled out of the first latching recess 155 in the axial direction. Leaves the leading end 147a of the locking and release lever 145 the Detent recess 155, from then on, the table top 5 unrestrained, ie, can be fully pivoted to their more vertical storage position.

In the embodiment shown also a force transmission is provided, to which the locking and adjusting lever 145 cooperates with a power transmission lever 171 which is connected via a vertical tilting axis 173 with the locking and release lever 145. In the embodiment shown, the transmission device 131 engages offset to the tilting axis 173 directly to this power transmission lever 171. Otherwise, the transfer device 131 could preferably attach directly or indirectly at the free end to the locking and release lever 145.

Hereinafter, a slightly modified embodiment with reference to FIGS. 8a to 8c entered, in similar to the FIGS. 7a to 7c the locking mechanism is shown only schematically.

In the variant according to FIG. 8a is the locking and release engagement member 147 in the direction of engagement, that is tapered tapered towards the leading end 147a out (conical or wedge-shaped, generally tapered portion 147b). In the in FIG. 8a shown locking position is a corresponding portion 147a of the outer periphery of this pin 147 at the boundary 155 'of the recess 155 at.

Now, if the actuating device 15 is actuated against the force of the spring means, then arises in accordance with the way in which the pin 147 from the recess 155 has already been pushed out, an increasingly larger game 159. The size of this game 159 defines the maximum possible stop-limited adjustment of the table top. As soon as the end 147a has left the latching recess 155, the table is completely pivotable ( FIG. 8 ).

In the presentation according to FIG. 9 a variant is selected in which the locking pin 147 initially passes over a stepped shoulder 147c in a tapered portion 147b, but then does not have a constant diameter to the leading end 147a, but increasingly tapers to its end 147a. When pivoting while the game 159 is initially increased correspondingly upon reaching the level 147c, with the further release operation of the locking device of this game 159 according to the (conically) tapered portion 157b is still increasing, until the final release position is reached.

In the presentation according to FIG. 10 a combined variant is selected similar to the above-mentioned embodiments, in which the locking pin 147, however, initially tapered in the insertion direction over a certain length of its plug-in (Section 147b) and then merges into a section with constant diameter (Section 147b '). In the solution process, first the clearance 159 is increased until that portion on the peg is reached at which the conically tapered peg portion merges into the constant diameter pintle portion 147e. Also in the further solution process of the locking mechanism then the game 159 is initially not changed until the pin has completely left the recess. Any modifications are possible in this area.

From the described variants according to FIGS. 9 and 10 also shows that the locking pin 147 in the axial direction, ie lying offset in the insertion direction can also have multiple gradation 147c, so that the locking pin 147 may include a plurality of sections with different outer diameter. The sections between the gradations can each have a same outer diameter over their part length. But it is also possible that the sections continuously decrease between the gradations in the direction of the pin end, so that the game changes in this area. Any modifications are possible in this area.

Further, it is noted that the lock mechanism also acts in the vertical storage position of the table top 5 accordingly. There, however, the importance of the possible game during the unlocking process is of lesser importance.

From the descriptions it follows that depending on the size of the gradation 147c on the locking pin 147 or from the over the detent or insertion length of the pin resulting tapering of the journal cross section define and specify the size of the stop limited game. It has been found that the game should be adjusted so that in the intermediate position, a pivoting of the plate of less than +/- 20 °, in particular less than +/- 18 °, +/- 16 °, +/- 14 °, +/- 12 °, +/- 10 °, +/- 8 °, +/- 6 °, +/- 4 ° or, for example, less than +/- 2 ° is possible.

For completeness, it is also mentioned that the locking and release device 143 is preferably biased in the form of the locking and release lever 147 on the mentioned spring means 146 in the closed and thus detent position. If, in other words, the actuating device 15 is released, the actuating device 15 and thus the locking device 143 is pivoted back into its locking position via the corresponding spring device 146 or another alternatively or additionally provided spring device, provided that the locking pin 147 in one of the recesses 155, 156 or 157 can intervene.

Claims (13)

1. Locking mechanism, in particular for locking a table top in the work position thereof and for releasing the table top in order to pivot it for example into an approximately vertically extending storage position, having the following features:

   - the locking mechanism (47) comprises an actuation means (141) having a locking and release means (143),

   - the locking mechanism (47) further comprises a locking and retaining means (151),

   - when locked, the locking and release means (143) cooperates with the locking and retaining means (151) in such a way that the table top (5) is held in the work position thereof without play,

   - when the locking mechanism (47) is released, the locking and release means (143) is adjusted or pivoted relative to the locking and retaining means (151) in such a way that the table top (5) can be pivoted from the work position into the storage position thereof,

   characterised by the following further features:

   - the locking mechanism (47) comprises between the fully locked position and the fully released position at least one intermediate position, in which the table top (5) is pivotable only through a restricted angular range in a manner delimited by stops.
2. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that the actuation means (141) having the locking and release means (143) is connected directly or indirectly to a table top support (17) or to a table top (5), and in that by contrast the locking and retaining means (153) is connected to the stand or base means (7) in a non-pivotable manner.
3. Locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that the actuation means (141) having the locking and release means (143) is connected directly or indirectly to the stand or base means (7), and in that by contrast the locking and retaining means (153) is connected directly or indirectly to the table top support (17) or to the table top (5) and is pivotable together therewith.
4. Locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the locking and release means (143) comprises a locking bolt means or a locking pin (147) which cooperates with a catch recess (155), the size of which is delimited by a delimitation (155').
5. Locking mechanism according to claim 4, characterised in that the catch means or the catch pin (147) comprises a locking portion (147d), which in the locked position cooperates with the delimitation (155') of the catch recess (155) without play, and in that a stepped shoulder (147c) is attached to the locking portion (147d) towards the front end (147a) of this locking portion (147d) in the insertion direction, whereby the locking pin (147) transitions into a tapered portion (147b) of reduced diameter, a play (159) being established by the size of the distance between the tapered portion (147b) and the delimitation (155'), defining the stop-delimited angular range within which the table top (5) can be pivoted.
6. Locking mechanism according to claim 4, characterised in that the catch means or the catch pin (147) comprises a locking portion (147d), which in the locked position cooperates with the delimitation (155') of the catch recess, without play, and in that a tapering portion (147b) is attached to the locking portion (147d) towards the front end (147a) of this locking portion (147d) in the insertion direction, play (159) being established by the size of the distance between the tapered portion (147b) and the delimitation (155'), defining the delimited angular range within which the table top (5) can be pivoted.
7. Locking mechanism according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterised in that after a locking portion (147b), the catch means or the catch pin (147) transitions towards the front end (147a) thereof in the insertion direction, via a stepped shoulder (147c), into a portion (147b) which is formed with a tapered diameter by comparison with the locking portion (147d) and which tapers further, at least over part of the length thereof, towards the free end (147a) of the catch means or the catch pin (147).
8. Locking mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the catch means or the catch pin (147c), proceeding from a locking portion (147b), transitions into a portion (147b) which tapers increasingly towards the front end (147a) of the catch means or of the catch pin (147) and to which a further portion (147b') of a constant diameter is attached.
9. Locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that in the insertion direction, the catch means or the catch pin (147) is divided up into various portions, which comprise one or more steps (147c) and/or one or more portions (147b) which taper towards the end (147a) and/or one or more portions (147b') of a constant external dimension.
10. Locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the catch means or the catch pin (147) is positioned on a pivotable locking and release lever (145) or is part thereof, and can be adjusted about a pivot axis (144) against the force of a spring means (146).
11. Locking mechanism according to claim 10, characterised in that the locking and release lever (143) cooperates with a force transmission lever (171), to which it is connected about a pivot axis (173), a transmission means (131), which can be disengaged via an actuation means (15), being positioned on the force transmission lever (171).
12. Locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the locking and release means (143) is biased into the locked position by a spring means (146).
13. Locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the stop-delimited angular range within which the table top (5) can be pivoted, in a manner delimited by stops, before the final release of the locking and release means (143) is less than ± 20°, in particular less than ± 18°, ± 16', ± 14°, ± 12°, ± 10°, ± 8°, ± 6°, ± 4° or for example less than ± 2°.

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