EP3206530B1

EP3206530B1 - Foldable table with means for preventing inadvertent tilting of the table top

Info

Publication number: EP3206530B1
Application number: EP15801235.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raffaello GALIOTTO; Giampietro Nardi
Original assignee: Nardi SpA
Current assignee: Nardi SpA
Priority date: 2014-10-14
Filing date: 2015-10-12
Publication date: 2018-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-12
Also published as: ES2693228T3; WO2016059534A1; PT3206530T; MA41165B1; TR201815923T4; MA41165A; EP3206530A1

Description

The invention concerns a table with a collapsible table top, which is hinged to a supporting structure and provided with a safety device designed so as to prevent the accidental overturning of the table top when in its horizontal operative position.
As it is known, tables are available on the market wherein the table top is hinged to a supporting structure and can be arranged in the horizontal operative position where it is kept stable through hooking means.
When, on the other hand, the table is not used, the table top is arranged in a basically vertical position and it is aligned beside the supporting structure, after the hooking means have been manually released.
Tables of this kind are particularly useful since they occupy a limited space when they are not in use and they can be stored in places which usually remain unused.
Said tables present, however, the known inconvenience that, when the table top is arranged in its horizontal operative position, it can be suddenly overturned, if, for instance, it is stressed by a thrust acting in the sense of its rotation, which causes the opening of the hooking means.
This happens, for instance, when a person leans heavily against the edge of the table top on the side where it rotates, when it is arranged in its vertical position.
It is easy to understand how this event can cause some even serious damages, both to people and to objects.
Tables with a collapsible table top are known, for instance the tables described in the patent documents FR 774 904 A and FR 2 866 792 A1 , each of which is provided with two hooking elements which intervene to keep the table top stable in the horizontal operative position when they come into contact with their respective counter-hooks.
As for the table described in the patent document FR 774 904 A in particular, the hooking elements consist of adjustable screws and the respective counter-hooks consist of incisions and, in order to secure the table top in its stable horizontal position, it is necessary to tighten the screws into the corresponding incisions.
Therefore, the tables of the type described above present the inconvenience that their stability in the horizontal position is guaranteed only by the degree of tightening of the screws and is, therefore, entrusted to the ability and the precision with which the user tightens said screws.
On the other hand, concerning the table described in the patent document FR 2 866 792 A1 , the hooking elements consist of two tooth-shaped elements arranged opposite to each other and associated with elastic means which hook into corresponding seats when the table top is arranged in its horizontal operative position.
In both patent documents, therefore, the problem of guaranteeing the stability safety of the table top when it is in its horizontal operative position is neither posed nor solved.
In fact, the inconvenience presented by both the described tables consists in the fact that they are not equipped with safety means designed to become operative when the table top is arranged in its horizontal operative position with the hooking means being active and, vice versa, so as to intervene in case that accidental causes may provoke the separation of one or both said hooking means.
The present invention has the purpose of eliminating said eventuality.
It is, therefore, the purpose of the invention to create a table of the type with a collapsible table top, that is provided with hooking means designed so as to prevent the accidental and fortuitous overturning of the table top, when it is arranged in the horizontal operative position.
The purpose is reached by a table the characteristics of which are described in the main claim to which reference is made.
Other characteristics of the table of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
Advantageously, the table of the invention preserves all the characteristics of convenience and simplicity of use, which are typical of the tables with a collapsible table top of the known art, with the addition of presenting a higher degree of safety while it is being used, when the table top is arranged in its horizontal position.
The purpose and the listed advantages together with others will be better specified in the description of some preferred embodiments of the table of the invention, which are given hereafter by way of non-limiting examples, and which refer to the enclosed tables of drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 represents an isometric view of the table of the invention arranged in its operative position;
Fig. 2 represents the table of Fig. 1 arranged in its resting position;
Fig. 3 represents an enlarged isometric view of an exploded detail of Fig. 1;
Figs. from 4 to 7 represent isometric views of the detail of Fig. 3, assembled and in different operative positions;
Figs. from 4a to 7a represent enlarged details of the corresponding Figs. from 4 to 7;
Figs. from 8 to 13 represent different longitudinal cross-sections of the table of the invention in different operative positions;
Figs. from 8a to 13a represent enlarged details of the corresponding Figs. from 8 to 13;
Figs. 14 and 15 represent two isometric views of a variant embodiment of the invention in two different operative positions;
Figs. 16 and 17 represent cross-section views of enlarged details of Figs. 14 and 15.

The table of the invention, indicated as a whole with 1, is represented in two different embodiments in Figs. 1 and 2.
It can be observed that it includes a table top 2 combined with a shaped frame 3 and a supporting structure 4 to which the shaped frame 3 is connected through pivoting means 5.
The pivoting means 5 define a rotation axis X of the table top 2 which can, therefore, be rotated from a horizontal operative position A, visible in Fig. 1, to a substantially vertical resting position B, visible in Fig. 2, and vice versa. As far as the table top 2 is concerned, it can be made of any material, in any shape and of any dimension and can be connected with the shaped frame 3 through fixing means of any kind, such as screws, for instance.
As far as the supporting frame 4 is concerned, it includes a pair of column struts 4a, complete with supporting feet 4b and it, too, can be made in any shape different from the one described and illustrated.
As can be observed in Figs. from 3 to 7 and in their details, a hooking tooth 7 is associated with the supporting frame 4 and, as can be observed in the same figures, a hooking surface 8 is associated with the shaped frame 3, said hooking surface being configured to cooperate with the hooking tooth 7.
The hooking tooth 7 and the hooking surface 8 are also visible in the enlarged cross-sections shown in Figs. 8a, 10a and 11a, which represent different operative configurations of the hooking tooth 7 and of the corresponding hooking surface 8, represented in a cross-section according to the section plane Y, shown in Figs. 4a and 5a, which represent them in isometric views.
In particular, when the hooking tooth 7 and the hooking surface 8 are arranged in contact with each other as in the configuration which can be observed in the isometry of Fig. 4a and in the cross-section of Fig. 8a, they hold the table top 2 stable in its horizontal position, which can be observed in Fig. 8 and also in Fig. 1.
According to the invention the table includes also a safety tooth 11 belonging to the supporting structure 4 and a safety surface 12 belonging to the shaped frame 3, wherein the safety surface 12 is configured to cooperate with the safety tooth 11 when an incipient rotation of the table top 2 around the pivoting means 5, starting from the horizontal operative position A, separates the hooking tooth 7 from the hooking surface 8.
The safety tooth 11 and the safety surface 12 are also visible in the isometric figures from 3 to 7 and in the enlarged cross-sections shown in Figs. 9a, 12a and 13a, which represent different operative positions of the safety tooth 11 and of the corresponding safety surface 12, represented in a cross-section according to the section plane Z indicated in the same Figs. 4a and 5a which represent them in isometric views.
The embodiment of the table of the invention being described, as can be observed in the exploded isometric representation of Fig. 3, involves the presence of two hooking teeth 7 with two corresponding hooking surfaces 8 and of two safety teeth 11 with two corresponding safety surfaces 12 which are arranged symmetrically in relation to each other, respectively in the shaped frame 3 and in the supporting structure 4.
It will be pointed out that the hooking teeth and surfaces respectively 7 and 8, as well as the safety teeth and surfaces respectively 11 and 12 can vary in number and this number will be chosen by the manufacturer depending on the dimensions and on the shape of the shaped frame 3 and of the supporting structure 4.
In any case, the presence of a single hooking tooth 7 with a single corresponding hooking surface 8 and of a single safety tooth 11 with a single corresponding safety surface 12 is sufficient to guarantee the stability of the table top 2 in its horizontal operative position A so that, embodiments providing the presence of a different number of teeth and surfaces are only variant preferred embodiments of the same idea of solution being the object of the invention.
Moreover, it will be pointed out that each hooking tooth 7 and each safety tooth 11 can belong to the shaped frame 3 rather than to the supporting structure 4 and, as a consequence, each hooking surface 8 and each safety surface 12 will belong to the supporting structure 4 rather than to the shaped frame 3.
With reference to Figs. 8a, 10a and 11a, it can be observed that the hooking surface 8 defines a direction 9 which is arranged inclined with respect to the table top 2 and it is incident on said table top 2 according to the direction 9a along said direction 9 towards a reference plane γ orthogonal to the table top 2 and passing through the rotation axis X.
In a similar way, with reference to Figs. 9a, 12a and 13a, it can be observed that the safety surface 12 defines a direction 13 which is also inclined with respect to the table top 2, but it is incident on said table top 2 according to the direction 13a along said direction 13 away from the same reference plane γ orthogonal to the table top 2 and passing through the rotation axis X.
The construction shape of the teeth and of their corresponding surfaces is such that, when the hooking tooth 7 engages its corresponding hooking surface 8, as can be observed in Fig. 8a, the safety tooth 11 is separated and removed above the safety surface 12, as can be observed in Fig. 9a.
It will also be noted, with special reference to Fig. 3, that the hooking teeth 7 and the safety teeth 11 belong to a single hooking body 20, associated with the supporting structure 4 through a rotation pivot 21 which defines a rotation direction X1 parallel to the rotation axis X of the table top 2.
In particular, two hooking cores 22, separated from each other, are identified in the hooking body 20, in each of which a hooking tooth 7 and a safety hook 11 are obtained, wherein said teeth are arranged side by side.
Moreover, the presence of an elastic body 23 can be observed, which in the specific case consists of a spring, which is placed between the supporting structure 4 and the hooking body 20.
Therefore, the hooking body 20 can rotate elastically in the clockwise direction around the rotation pivot 21 which defines the rotation direction X1, when it is pushed by a force F, as can be observed in Figs. 5 and 7.
With reference to the same Fig. 3 it can also be observed that the hooking surfaces 8 and the safety surfaces 12 are arranged in two shaped areas 32 of the shaped frame 3 separated from each other, in each of which a hooking surface 8 and a safety surface 12 are present, said surfaces being arranged side by side.
Moreover, the presence of a handle 33 belonging to the shaped frame 3 and placed between the shaped areas 32 can be noticed, this handle being useful for transporting table 1, when the table top 2 is in its resting position, parallel to the supporting structure 4, as can be observed in Fig. 2.
Operatively, in order to set up table 1 in its operative position which is observed in Fig. 1 starting from its resting position which is observed in Fig. 2, it is necessary for the operator to rotate the table top 2 around the rotation axis X until the hooking teeth 7 are positioned into contact with the hooking surfaces 8 in the configuration which can be observed in Fig. 4a and in Figs. 8 and 8a.
In said configuration the stability of the table top 2 in its horizontal position is guaranteed by the contact of the hooking teeth 7 with their corresponding hooking surfaces 8 because of the thrust that the elastic body 23 exerts against the hooking body 20 in the position observed in Fig. 8a.
In fact, as can be noticed when observing said figure, the thrust S exerted by the elastic body 23 has the tendency of causing the hooking body 20 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction V1 around the rotation pivot 21, which defines the rotation direction X1, so as to force each hooking tooth 7 against its corresponding hooking surface 8.
When the hooking teeth 7 are arranged in the configuration represented in Fig. 8a, the safety teeth 11, as has already been said, are arranged separated from their corresponding safety surfaces 12, as can be observed in Fig. 9a. When the table is being used, if a person, as in the example represented in Fig. 10, leans heavily against the edge of the table top 2 thereby exerting a force F2, which tends to cause it to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction V1 around the axis X, at the level of each corresponding hooking surface 8 a thrusting horizontal component F3 facing each hooking tooth 7 will be generated and will stimulate the hooking body 20, as can be observed in Fig. 10a, since the hooking surface 8 is inclined, as has previously been explained.
If said thrust F3 exceeds the thrust S exerted by the elastic body 23, the hooking body 20 rotates in the clockwise direction V2 around the rotation axis X1 until it disengages itself from the hooking surface 8, as can be observed in Fig. 11a.
In this situation the table top 2, no longer secured, begins an incipient rotation in the anti-clockwise direction V1 around the pivoting means 5 according to the rotation axis X, as can be observed in Fig. 11a, and it is blocked in the position which can be observed in Fig. 12a, because of the interference of the safety tooth 11 against its corresponding safety surface 12.
In such a configuration the table top 2 remains firmly secured by the interference of each safety tooth 11 against its corresponding safety surface 12.
Since the safety surface 12, as has previously been said, converges toward the table top 2 in the direction of its removal from axis X of rotation of the table top 2 itself, even if force F2 were to increase in value, no thrusting component tending to cause the hooking body 20 to rotate in the clockwise direction V2 and to separate each safety tooth 11 from its corresponding safety surface 12 is generated on the safety tooth 11.
Therefore, the table top 2 remains firmly secured in the position it has reached and thus the possibility of its overturning is prevented.
Therefore, the purpose of the invention is achieved.
If the user intends to collapse again the table top 2 from this position to the vertical position, as can be observed in Fig. 2, it is sufficient for him to manually apply a thrust F4 on the hooking body 20, as can be observed in Fig. 13a, so as to separate the safety tooth 11 from the safety surface 12, so as to cause the table top 2 to rotate into the vertical position represented in Fig. 2.
A different embodiment of the table of the invention, indicated as a whole with 100, is represented in Figs. from 14 to 17 and it differs from the already described embodiment only because it includes a single hooking tooth 70 and a single safety tooth 110, both belonging to a single hooking body 200, which is associated with the supporting structure 40 through a rotation pivot 210 whose safety tooth 110 belongs to the hooking tooth 70 and is arranged projecting above the hooking tooth 70 itself.
Moreover, the presence of a single hooking surface 80 and of a single safety surface 120 can be observed, both belonging to the shaped frame 30 supporting the table top 102, where the safety surface 120 is indented in the hooking surface 80, which it belongs to, so that it is arranged at a lower level than the surface 80a of the hooking surface 80 itself.
In this embodiment of the invention, too, as can be observed in Fig. 16, when the hooking tooth 70 interferes with the hooking surface 80, the safety tooth 110 will be separated from its corresponding safety surface 120 with which it will interfere if, as can be observed in Fig. 17, an incipient rotation of the table top 102 disengages the hooking tooth 70 from the hooking surface 80.
On the basis of what has been described it is then easy to understand that the table of the invention, in both the described embodiments, achieves the purpose of preventing the unintentional, accidental overturning of the table top, when this is arranged in the horizontal operative position of the table. Therefore, this makes it possible to obtain also the advantage of an increased safety of use, together with the other characteristics of practicality and simplicity of use intrinsic in the tables with a collapsible table top of the known art.

Claims

A table (1; 100) including:
- a table top (2; 102) associated with a shaped frame (3; 30), said shaped frame being connected with a supporting structure (4; 40) through pivoting means (5) which define an axis of rotation (X) configured so as to rotate said table top (2; 102) from a horizontal operative position (A) to a vertical resting position (B), and vice versa;

- at least one hooking tooth (7; 70) belonging to said supporting structure (4; 40) or to said shaped frame (3; 30) and at least one hooking surface (8; 80) belonging to said shaped frame (3; 30) or to said supporting structure (4; 40) and configured so as to cooperate with said hooking tooth (7; 70) in order to secure said table top (2; 102) in said horizontal operative position (A),
characterized in that it includes:
- at least one safety tooth (11; 110) belonging to said supporting structure (4; 40) or to said shaped frame (3; 30) and at least one safety surface (12; 120) belonging to said shaped frame (3; 30) or to said supporting structure (4; 40) and configured to cooperate with said safety tooth (11; 110) when an incipient rotation of said table top (2; 102) around said pivoting means (5), starting from said horizontal operative position (A), separates said hooking tooth (7; 70) from said hooking surface (8; 80), said at least one hooking tooth (7; 70) and said at least one safety tooth (11; 110) both belonging to a single hooking body (20; 200) associated with said supporting structure (4; 40) through a rotation pivot (21; 210), said at least one hooking tooth (7; 70) being hooked on its corresponding hooking surface (8; 80) and said at least one safety tooth (11; 110) being separated and removed from above said safety surface (12; 120), when said table top (2; 102) is arranged in said horizontal operative position (A).
A table (1; 100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one hooking tooth (7; 70) and said at least one safety tooth (11; 110) both belong to said supporting structure (4; 40) and said hooking surface (8; 80) and said safety surface (12; 120) both belong to said shaped frame (3; 30).
A table (1; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hooking tooth (7; 70) engages said hooking surface (8; 80) when said safety tooth (11; 110) is separated from said safety surface (12; 120).
A table (1; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said hooking surface (8; 80) a direction (9) is defined, which is inclined and incident on said table top (2; 102) according to the direction (9a) towards the reference plane (γ) orthogonal to said table top (2; 102) and passing through said rotation axis (X) and in that in said safety surface (12; 120) a direction (13) is defined, which is inclined and incident on said table top (2; 102) according to the direction (13a) away from the reference plane (γ) orthogonal to said table top (2; 102) and passing through said rotation axis (X).
A table (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes two hooking teeth (7) and two safety teeth (11) belonging to a single hooking body (20) associated with said supporting structure (4) through at least one rotation pivot (21), said hooking body (20) including two hooking cores (22) separated from each other, one of said hooking teeth (7) and one of said safety teeth (11) being present in each one of said hooking cores (22), said teeth (7, 11) being arranged side by side.
A table (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes two hooking surfaces (8) and two safety surfaces (12) belonging to said shaped frame (3) and arranged in two shaped areas (32) of said shaped frame (3) separated from each other, in each one of said shaped areas (32) one of said hooking surfaces (8) and one of said safety surfaces (12) being present, said surfaces (8, 12) being arranged side by side.
A table (100) according to any of the claims from 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes a single hooking tooth (70) and a single safety tooth (110), both belonging to a single hooking body (200) associated with said supporting structure (40) through at least one rotation pivot (210), said safety tooth (110) belonging to said hooking tooth (70) and being arranged projecting above said hooking tooth (70).
A table (100) according to any of the claims from 1 to 4 and 7, characterized in that it includes a single hooking surface (80) and a single safety surface (120), both belonging to said shaped frame (30), said safety surface (120) being placed at a lower level in relation to the surface (80a) of said hooking surface (80).
A table (1; 100) according to any of the claims from 5 to 8, characterized in that it includes at least one elastic body (23) arranged between said supporting structure (4; 40) and said hooking body (20; 200).
A table (1; 100) according to any of the claims from 5 to 9, characterized in that it includes at least one handle (33) belonging to said shaped frame (3; 30).