EP2792272B1 - Foldable frame for bench or table - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a bench or a table with a folding frame with the preamble features of claim 1.

Such a folding frame for a folding table is from DE 10 2006 019 640 known. Here, two foldable feet are provided, which are arranged pivotably under a table top and are locked in a set-up position. The disadvantage here is that in the storage and / or transport position the feet come to lie one on top of the other, that is to say an approximately 50% higher storage space is required compared to the beer table sets that are still known. This is also due to the fact that there is no diagonal support. In addition, the folding frame has a spring-loaded bolt in which a drop bolt designed as a bolt engages under the action of gravity. A large number of components are thus required. Furthermore, the latch bolt can easily tilt or become stiff over time due to dirt or rust, so that a secure locking is not guaranteed in the long term.

In the well-known beer tables or benches, the folding frame in the storage position or when not in use is approximately the same height as the table top. However, unlocking in the storage position (stacking position) and locking the folding frame in the use position (and vice versa) is relatively complicated, since at least one latch, usually two difficult-to-access drawbars, have to be pulled back manually against spring force. As a result, the construction or dismantling of such sets is relatively time-consuming. Furthermore, the bolt used there also tends to jam.

A folding frame for a bench or a table is from the publication WO 00/35315 A1 known that can be locked in an extended position by a rocker. The pamphlet GB 2,382,984 A discloses a folding frame for a bench or a table, in which the underside of the table or the bench is able to guide a curved rod of the folding frame. A folding frame with a locking mechanism caused by gravity is from the document FR 2 639 408 A1 known.
The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a bench or a table with a folding frame that has a simple structure and offers secure locking and particularly simple unlocking for storage or locking when setting up.

This object is achieved by a bench or a table with a folding frame with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

The claimed subject matter is characterized by a small number of components, as a result of which the manufacturing costs are significantly reduced. In addition, the folding frame enables a flat design, so that compact storage can be achieved. In addition, that will

Folding frame after turning it over
the table or bench top is practically "automatically" locked and held securely by "folding it down" (without manual intervention), so that it cannot be folded in unintentionally.

The folding frame for benches or tables is usually provided twice at the right and left end areas of the bench or table top, with pivot bearings for bench or table legs being arranged on the underside of the bench or table, generally screwed. Support struts are hinged to the legs and extend diagonally to the underside of the plate in the erected position, but are aligned approximately parallel to the underside of the plate in the folded stacked position. The legs are locked in the set-up position with a locking element which, according to the invention, is designed as a pivot lever mounted on one side, which locks at least one leg by means of gravity. The pivotable design of the locking element reliably prevents tilting or jamming, so that secure locking is reliably guaranteed over a long period of time.

The support strut can be displaced with its middle end in a guide element, the locking element, here the pivot lever, being mounted in a console. The free end of the locking element is in particular curved so that the pivot lever can "fall" unhindered into the locking position. The locking element can also be designed as a hook in order to increase the stability of the folding frame as a whole, since this allows the locking element to be subjected to pressure and also to tension. The supporting force is introduced directly into the bearing point via the locking element, so that the guide element can be designed very filigree.

The guide element is advantageously designed as a guide rail, in particular with a hat-shaped cross section, in which the locking element is also inserted. For space-saving stacking it is of independent, inventive importance that the pivot bearings are arranged in the plane of the bench or table top and that the legs are designed as an angular profile so that they encompass the bench or table top in the stacking position on the outer circumference or on the edge. For the same purpose, the guide element can be partially embedded in the bench or table top, preferably as a guide rail in a continuous groove.

For the secure support and locking of the folding frame, the center of the bearing of the locking element is preferably arranged on or near the line of action of the force of the support strut. In addition, a hook element can be provided which holds the support strut in the stacking position and / or resiliently positions the locking element for holding the support strut in the erected position. A type of spring nose can also act on and hold the locking element for the support strut in the erected position. For the same function, the swivel lever can have a lever-like extension as a blocking element, which can act as an "additional weight" to the relatively heavy blocking element, and can also be spring-loaded if necessary. However, unlike conventional drawbars, this extension is easy to use.

For cost-effective production of the folding frame, the guide element is preferably designed as a one-piece plastic injection-molded part. The guide rail is flexible enough that it is not damaged when stepping on it (e.g. when stacking it). Likewise, the guide element can be designed as a simple, partially flexible strip or belt, whereby the guide element can be adapted to different lengths without great effort, e.g. on beer benches on the one hand and beer tables on the other. This is of independent, inventive importance, since so far such guides on beer benches or tables have been shaped as massive and therefore heavy metal rails. In order to improve the fixation of the folding frame, the contact surface between the pivot bearing and the table or bench top can have a profiled or roughened surface that is pressed into the wooden or plastic plate when the folding frame is screwed.

• Fig. 1 eine Perspektivansicht eines Klappgestells für eine Bank in Stapelstellung,
• Fig. 2 eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Klappgestells nach Fig. 1 . jedoch in Aufstellposition,
• Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht des Klappgestells mit verriegeltem Sperrelement und ausgeklappten Tischbeinen,
• Fig. 4 eine Seitenansicht analog zu Fig. 3, wobei das Sperrelement eine Hakenform aufweist,
• Fig. 5 eine Perspektivansicht ähnlich zu Fig. 1,
• Fig. 6 eine vergrößerte Perspektive mit einem Hakenelement,
• Fig. 7 eine bevorzugte Ausbildung des Führungselements in Perspektivansicht,
• Fig. 8 das Führungselement nach Fig. 7 in Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 9 eine zusätzliche Ausführung des Sperrelements;
• Fig. 10 das Sperrelement nach Fig. 9, kurz vor Überführung in die Stapelposition,
• Fig. 11 eine Perspektivansicht eines Tisches mit zwei Klappgestellen, f
• Fig. 12 den Klapptisch nach Fig. 11 in Stapelstellung,
• Fig. 13 eine Unteransicht des Klapptisches nach Fig. 11 und 12,
• Fig. 14 den Klapptisch in umgedrehter Position, kurz vor Abklappen der Klappgestelle, und
• Fig 15 eine Schnittdarstellung eines nicht erfindungsgemäßen Tisches.

Further advantages can be seen from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawing. Here shows:

• Fig. 1 a perspective view of a folding frame for a bank in a stacking position,
• Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the folding frame according to Fig. 1 . but in the set-up position,
• Fig. 3 a side view of the folding frame with locked locking element and unfolded table legs,
• Fig. 4 a side view analogous to Fig. 3 , wherein the locking element has a hook shape,
• Fig. 5 a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 6 an enlarged perspective with a hook element,
• Fig. 7 a preferred embodiment of the guide element in perspective view,
• Fig. 8 the guide element after Fig. 7 in side view,
• Fig. 9 an additional version of the locking element;
• Fig. 10 the locking element after Fig. 9 , shortly before transfer to the stacking position,
• Fig. 11 a perspective view of a table with two folding frames, f
• Fig. 12 the folding table Fig. 11 in stacking position,
• Fig. 13 a bottom view of the folding table after Figures 11 and 12 ,
• Fig. 14 the folding table in the upside down position, just before folding down the folding frames, and
• Fig 15 a sectional view of a table not according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 a folding frame 1 is shown, which has two interconnected legs 2 and is attached to the underside of a bench or table top 1a. The stacked or non-use position is shown here. The folding frame 1 can, however, also have only one (central) leg 2 on which a transversely extending upright is arranged.

This folding frame 1 for benches or tables (cf. Fig. 11 ) has swivel bearings 1b for the legs 2 near the underside of the bench or table, which are articulated to support struts 3, which in the set-up position extend diagonally to the underside of the bench or table (cf. Figs. 3 and 4 ). In the stacking position, the legs 2 are aligned approximately parallel to the underside of the bench or table.

In the set-up position, the legs 2 are locked directly or via the central ends of the support struts 3, preferably via a transverse bolt 3 ', with a locking element 5, which is designed as a pivot lever mounted on one side which "locks" in place under gravity. To change between the stacking position and the set-up position (or vice versa), the support struts 3, which are preferably provided here, can be displaced with the transverse bolt 3 ′ in a guide element 4, which according to FIG Figures 1 to 6 Is formed bow-shaped. The locking element 5 is mounted in a bracket 6, which continues towards the guide element 4. The bracket 6 has a ramp 6a for easy insertion of the transverse bolt 3 '.

As can be seen in particular from the representation in Fig. 3 It can be seen, in which the pivot lever is located as a locking element 5 in the locking position, the free end of the locking element 5 has a curved shape so that it easily falls into its locking position under the action of gravity. The radius of this "concentric" curvature preferably corresponds to the distance from the center of the bearing axis of the locking element 5. This also applies to the design of the locking element 5 according to FIG Fig. 4 , wherein the pivot lever is designed as a hook that engages around the cross bolt 3 'of the support struts 3. In both versions according to Figs. 3 and 4 it can be seen that the bearing center point of the locking element 5 (here on the left) is preferably on or near the line of action L of the support strut 3 in order to form an over-center locking. The two lines drawn here (through the respective bearing point of the locking element 5 and the support strut 3 to the contact point between the cross bolt 3 'and the locking element 5) assume an angle of, for example, 183 ° (viewed from the top). If the table or the bench is rotated about its longitudinal axis by 180 °, the locking element 5 can "fall out" of the dead center lock due to gravity.

In Fig. 5 is a folding frame 1 similar to in Fig. 1 shown, with a hook element 6 'is provided at the right here end of the guide element 4 or the bracket 6, which additionally holds the support strut 3 in the stacking position. The hook element 6 ′ can be snapped into the already assembled guide element 4. Likewise, the locking element 5 for holding the support strut 3 can be resiliently positioned in the erected position. In Fig. 6 the hook element 6 'is shown enlarged from the opposite side, wherein a type of leaf spring under the pivot lever as a locking element 5 or spring nose can support the holding of the support strut 3 in the set-up position. The guide element 4 can be designed as a one-piece injection-molded part, wherein the contact surface between the pivot bearing 1 b and the table or bench top 1 a can have a profiled or roughened surface, preferably in the form of points or claws. In Fig. 4 is in the area of the cross bolt 3 'on the rail-like guide element 4, a locking lug 4 "is shown, which the support strut 3 when Holds the dismantling process initially or for a short time in the installation position. This is useful from a safety point of view in order to avoid pinching your fingers.

In Fig. 7 the guide element 4 is designed as a strip, which can thus be partially flexible from a simple textile strip or belt or as a rope. This reduces the weight and the manufacturing costs. Such a strip can be clamped in the vicinity of the console 6 or fixed by a barb. The end of the strap or belt can be folded over and sewn together in order to securely anchor the barb. In Fig. 8 the blocking position is also shown in the corresponding side view, the insertion ramp 6a for the transverse bolt 3 ′ becoming particularly clear, as is the slim design of the guide element 4.

Fig. 9 shows a similar embodiment, with components with the same effect bearing the corresponding reference numerals. In addition, an extension 5 'of the locking element 5 is shown here, so that the unlocking or locking can be additionally supported, in particular when a spring loading similar to that in FIG Fig. 6 is provided. In Fig. 10 the beer bench is shown in the inverted position (overhead) just before the folding frame 1 is folded towards the bench surface. For this purpose, the extension 5 'can be pressed down in the simplest way for unlocking, provided that the locking element 5 has not already "fallen out" of its locking position due to gravitation.

In Figures 11-14 a table not according to the invention, each with two folding frames 1, is shown. Here, the guide element 4 is designed as a guide rail 4 ', preferably with a hat profile cross-section, the support struts 3 being movable in the lower half in the set-up position and the locking element 5 being arranged in the upper half (towards the table surface). Like in particular from Fig. 14 As can be seen, the pivot bearings 1b are arranged in the plane of the bench or table top 1a and the legs 2 have an angular profile so that the bench or table top 1a in the stacking position - cf. Fig. 12 - be gripped around the outer circumference or the edge. For this purpose, an impact protection profile 8 can be attached to the table side, which is short here, so that the edge is well protected from damage even if handled roughly when restacking or transporting.

The guide rail 4 'is preferably inserted completely recessed into the bench or table top 1 a, in particular in a continuous groove or a slot which is already present between two table slats or adjacent table top parts. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly low stacking height, as shown in FIG Fig. 12 is recognizable. In Fig. 15 a sectional view through the longitudinal center plane of a table not according to the invention is shown similar to the above statements. The impact protection profile 8 (cf. Fig. 12 ) formed on the short side of the table as an angle profile that reinforces the mounting of the pivot bearing 1b and also the table top 1a against bending. In addition, the short side of the table can be easily gripped for carrying or moving due to the radius at the bend of the impact protection profile 8. The locking element 5 in turn has an extension 5 ', which is also easy to grasp and together with the guide element 4 in a central slot (between two plate parts) of the table top 1 a at least is partially used. The other components correspond to the elements described above.

Claims (12)

1. Table or bench with a top, legs and a collapsible stand (1) which is fastened to the underside of the top (1a), with pivot bearings (1b) for the legs (2) which are arranged on the underside of the top (1a), with support struts (3) which engage in an articulated manner on the legs (2) and which, in the set-up position, extend diagonally with respect to the underside of the top (1a), wherein, in the stacking position, the legs (2) and the support struts extend approximately parallel to the underside of the top (1a), and wherein, in the set-up position, the legs (2) are locked with a locking element (5) of the collapsible stand (1), which locking element (5) is configured as a pivot lever mounted at one end which locks at least one leg (2) in a gravity-actuated manner, and the locking element (5) is supported and mounted in a bracket (6) on the underside of the top (1a), characterized in that the bracket (6) has an insertion ramp (6a) for a transverse bolt (3') at the free end of the support struts (3'), wherein the support struts (2) are displaceable with a free end, namely with the transverse bolt (3'), in a guide element (4) of the collapsible stand (1), wherein the guide element (4) is formed in the shape of a bow so that the bolt (3') is guided between the underside of the top (1a) and the guide element (4).
2. Table or bench according to claim 1, characterized in that the free end of the locking element (5) is curved, in particular concentrically to its bearing axis.
3. Table or bench according to one of the claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the guide element (4) is configured as a guide rail (4'), in particular with a hat-shaped cross section, wherein the end of the support struts (3) is movable in the lower half in the set-up position and the locking element (5) is arranged in the half which is the upper half in the set-up position.
4. Table or bench according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pivot bearings (1b) are arranged in the plane of the bench or table top (1a) and the legs (2) have an angular profile which embraces the bench or table top (1a) in stacking position at the outer circumference.
5. Table or bench according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide element (4) is at least partially recessed into the bench or table top (1a), in particular completely into a slot between top parts.
6. Table or bench according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking element (5) is configured as a hook.
7. Table or bench according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bearing center of the locking element (5) is preferably located on or near the force exertion line (L) of the support strut (3), in particular in the manner of an over-the-dead-center locking system.
8. Table or bench according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a hook element (6') is provided on the bracket (6), which holds the support strut (3) and/or an associated transverse bar serving as its bearing axis in stacking position and/or resiliently positions the locking element (5) for holding the support strut (3) in set-up position.
9. Table or bench according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the set-up position a spring nose (7) urges the locking element (5) towards the support strut (3).
10. Table or bench according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide element (4) and/or the bracket (6) has a latching lug (4") for positionally stabilizing the support strut (3) during the assembly or disassembly process.
11. Table or bench according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the guide element (4) is designed to be at least partially flexible, in particular in the form of a metal or textile strip or belt or rope.
12. Table or bench according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bracket (6) and/or the pivot bearing (1 b) has a profiled or roughened surface towards the table or bench top (1a), preferably in the form of points or claws.

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