EP3586674B1 - Tabletop unit with folding insert of an extendable table - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a table top unit for an extendable table with a folding insert held in a frame and an extendable table with such a table top unit.

STATE OF THE ART

Extendable tables are available in a wide variety of designs and shapes. Extendable tables are particularly popular with dining tables because, in terms of the size of the table surface, they can be flexibly adapted to the number of guests and / or the intended use.

In the case of extendable tables, an additional table top is usually arranged below the main table top, which can be pulled out if necessary in order to expand the table and enlarge the table surface. It is desirable and also provided with many extendable tables that the additional table top is raised to the level of the main table top when it is pulled out or afterwards by means of a mechanism provided for this purpose. In this way, in the extended state of the table, the main table top and the additional table top can be used to form an overall flat table surface.

In order to enable the additional table top to be stowed between the table legs, the additional table top often has two part-plates connected to one another in an articulated manner, which in the When folded, it can be stowed not only below the main table top, but also between the table legs. After pulling out, the two part-panels are unfolded so that in the unfolded state they jointly have the width (or, depending on the length) of the main tabletop and, if possible, can extend this laterally flush. In order not only to ensure that the two sub-panels are unfolded in a guided manner, but also to simultaneously raise the additional tabletop to the level of the main tabletop, a combined folding and lifting mechanism is usually provided.

For example, the DE 20 2013 002 333 U1 an extendable table with a hinged additional plate, which is arranged in the middle between two table-top halves that can be pulled apart. The additional plate is connected to lateral pull-out rails by means of a swivel mechanism in such a way that it is not only opened in a guided movement, but the additional plate is raised at the same time.

the DE 10 2012 000 492 A1 shows a table in which two articulated part panels of a hinged additional table top are held in a frame which is formed by a table top subframe. The partial plate, which is arranged at the top in the collapsed state, is connected to the frame in an articulated manner by means of a U-shaped connecting element. In addition, a pivot axis is provided in the area where the two sub-plates are connected to one another, which is guided and displaceable in a link guide formed on the frame. The U-shaped connecting element holds the additional table top together with the pivot axis guided in the link guide in the frame and causes a guided opening movement of the two part plates. By providing a run-on slope, the additional table flap is raised during opening.

A similar opening mechanism as in the DE 10 2012 000 492 A1 is in the DE 10 2011 018 212 A1 disclosed.

Special challenges arise when the legs of the extendable table are not arranged in the corners of the table top or on its edge, but instead the table is, for example, a cheek table or a table with a centered one arranged foot acts.

An extendable cheek table with an additional table top that can be opened is, for example, in the DE 20 2010 004 804 U1 shown.

With all of the extendable tables explained above, the problem arises that the additional table top often has a relatively high weight and the unfolding or collapsing therefore requires a considerable amount of force for the user. The sub-panels of the additional tabletop can crack on top of one another when they are folded up a little carelessly or on the underframe or frame when they are opened. In extreme cases, this can even damage the table.

In the EP 2 742 824 A1 an extension table is disclosed in which two part panels can be brought to the level of the main table top via a guided lifting movement without one of the two part panels being folded over. The movement is supported by an energy storage mechanism on the side. Another generic table top unit is already from the DE 90 06 624 U1 known.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a table top unit for an extendable table that is easy to manufacture and in which an additional table top can be opened and closed in a controlled manner with little effort. To solve this problem, a table top unit as specified in claim 1 is proposed. In addition, an extendable table with such a table top unit is specified in claim 12. Advantageous refinements of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

• eine Klappeinlage mit einer ersten Teilplatte und einer zweiten Teilplatte, welche gelenkig miteinander verbunden sowie zwischen einer zusammengeklappten Bereitschaftsstellung und einer aufgeklappten Gebrauchsstellung verschwenkbar sind;
• einen Rahmen, in welchem die Klappeinlage gehalten ist;
• ein mit der ersten Teilplatte sowie mit dem Rahmen jeweils gelenkig verbundenes Verbindungselement; sowie
• ein an der Klappeinlage angebrachtes Führungselement, welches verschiebbar am Rahmen geführt ist.

The present invention thus provides a table top unit for an extendable table, comprising

• a folding insert with a first partial plate and a second partial plate, which are hingedly connected to one another and can be pivoted between a folded ready position and an unfolded use position;
• a frame in which the folding insert is held;
• a connecting element articulated in each case with the first partial plate and with the frame; as
• a guide element attached to the folding insert, which is slidably guided on the frame.

The table top unit also has a spring and / or damping element which is arranged to the side of the folding insert and is connected to the connecting element and the frame.

Due to the spring and / or damping element, the folding insert can be opened and closed with less effort. Towards the end of the opening and closing process, one or even both of the sub-panels usually have to be moved downward in the direction of gravity. Without the presence of the spring and / or damping element, this movement would generally have to be braked with the aid of the muscular strength of the user in order to avoid an uncontrolled falling movement. According to the invention, however, there is a spring and / or damping element which connects the connecting element to the frame and thereby advantageously dampens, in particular, the downward movement of one or both sub-plates in the direction of gravity, that is, brakes and / or cushions. As a result, the user can open and close the folding insert with less effort. Depending on the embodiment, the spring energy absorbed by one or both sub-panels in the spring and / or damping element when lowering can also be used to support the lifting of the sub-panel (s) during the subsequent closing or opening.

The arrangement of the spring and / or damping element between the connecting element and the frame is achieved in that the spring and / or damping element is arranged laterally to the folding insert. The spring and / or damping element is preferably arranged on one side of the folding insert which extends perpendicular to a hinge axis of the folding insert which is defined on the basis of a hinge-like connection of the two partial plates. The spring and / or damping element is advantageously arranged and designed in such a way that it has a damping and / or resilient effect both when unfolding and when folding, and in particular at least in the final phase of the unfolding and folding process.

An extendable table is understood to mean a table whose tabletop surface can be enlarged as required. For this purpose, the table has, in addition to a main table top, an additional table top, which by the folding insert and in particular by the first and the second sub-plate is formed. The first and the second partial plate are connected to one another by means of a hinge-like joint, so that they can be pivoted relative to one another and the folding insert can thereby be opened and closed. The hinge-like joint defines a joint axis of the folding insert.

In its collapsed state, the folding insert is in the ready position and in the unfolded state in the use position. The first partial panel is rotated through 180 ° between the ready position and the position of use, so that in the ready position the rear side of the first partial panel is directed upwards and in the position of use the visible side. The second partial plate, on the other hand, is preferably not rotated between the ready position and the position of use, so that the same side of the second partial plate, the visible side, is always directed upwards. In the standby position, the first partial plate is thus preferably arranged at the top relative to the direction of gravity and the second partial plate is arranged at the bottom.

Advantageously, the entire folding insert is raised during the transition from the standby position to the position of use and lowered during the transition from the position of use to the standby position. In the standby position, it is advantageously lowered so far that it can be moved horizontally under the main table top for stowing. In the position of use, the folding insert is preferably at a height such that the upwardly facing surfaces of the first and second sub-panels come to lie flush with the surface of the main tabletop.

The first and second sub-panels are preferably dimensioned essentially the same size, so that the hinge-like connection between the two sub-panels comes to lie in the middle of the additional table top formed by the two sub-panels in the use position.

The frame is advantageously rectangular as a whole and is used to hold the folding insert. In the standby position, the folding insert is advantageously arranged in the frame in such a way that it neither protrudes above nor below the frame or only protrudes slightly, for example by less than half its thickness. In certain Embodiments, which are particularly advantageous, for example, for cheek tables or tables with a centrally arranged foot, the folding insert can be held in the frame in such a way that it does not or only slightly in the standby position, in the position of use and in all possible intermediate positions, such as by less than half its thickness, protruding towards the bottom.

The connecting element is articulated to the first partial plate and the frame, so that the connection point of the connecting element to the first partial plate defines a pivot axis about which the first partial plate can be pivoted. The connection point of the connection element with the frame also defines an axis of rotation around which the connection element and, with it, the pivot axis can be pivoted. The connecting element is advantageously arranged in the area of an outside of the frame, so that the space inside the frame can be optimally used by the folding insert.

The guide element advantageously protrudes on both sides with respect to the folding insert and is guided there in a displaceable manner on the frame. The guide element defines a guide axis which is displaceable relative to the frame and around which at least one of the sub-plates is preferably pivotable.

The range of motion of the folding insert is thus preferably defined in particular by the pivot axis which can be pivoted about the axis of rotation and the guide axis which can be displaced relative to the frame. The rotation, pivot and guide axes advantageously all extend essentially parallel to one another. A further limitation of the movement space of the hinged insert is preferably given in the downward direction by the fact that the hinged insert and in particular the second partial plate rest on the frame and / or on an element fixedly attached to the frame.

The spring and / or damping element is preferably a gas pressure spring. Alternatively, however, it can also be a spiral spring, a torsion spring or a hydraulic spring, for example. The spring and / or damping element can be arranged and designed in such a way that its loading takes place mainly on compression or mainly on tension. Preferred are two spring and / or damping elements are present, which are advantageously arranged on both sides of the folding insert.

The articulated connection between the connecting element and the frame is preferably made in a pivot point about which the connecting element can be rotated. The connecting element preferably has a first section which connects this pivot point to the first partial plate, and a second section which connects the pivot point to the spring and / or damping element. The first section and the second section extend from the pivot point advantageously in different radial directions. As a result, the freedom of movement of the spring and / or damping element can be optimally adapted and set during opening and closing. The pivot point is then arranged between the connection points of the connecting element with the first partial plate and the spring and / or damping element. In principle, however, it is also possible for the spring and / or damping element to be connected to the connecting element, for example, between the pivot point and the connecting point of the connecting element to the first partial plate. The two radial directions in which the first and second sections extend from the pivot point preferably differ by an angle in a range from 100 ° to 170 °, in particular from 120 ° to 150 °. It has been shown that at such angles the range of motion of the spring and / or damping element can be specified particularly optimally and in particular in such a way that the spring and / or damping element cannot protrude up or down the frame in any position of the folding insert.

According to the invention, the frame has a link guide for guiding the guide element. Due to the link guide, an exact definition of the range of motion of the folding insert when opening and closing is possible. The link guide also enables the folding insert to move when it is closed and unfolded in such a way that the lowest point of the folding unit does not move at all or only slightly downwards in relation to the standby position. As a result, the table top unit can be used relatively easily, for example, for cheek tables or for tables with a central foot arrangement. The link guide can be designed as a recess or a recess, ie a continuous opening, on the frame and is preferred arranged on one or both sides of the frame, which extend perpendicular to said hinge axis. A particularly ergonomic sequence of movements of the folding insert when it is closed and opened results for the user when the link guide describes an arc of a circle as a whole. The arc of a circle is advantageously turned downwards in the direction of gravity. In the standby position, the pivot axis is particularly advantageously arranged in the area within this circular arc.

A structurally particularly simple embodiment is achieved when the already mentioned pivot axis in the ready position of the folding insert is arranged at the same height as the guide element and the pivot point in which the articulated connection between the connecting element and the frame takes place.

The frame preferably has an upwardly open recess within which the pivot axis comes to lie in the standby position and / or in the use position of the folding insert, which arises due to the articulated connection between the first partial plate and the connecting element. This allows in particular a simple construction of an embodiment in which the connecting element is arranged in the area of an outside of the frame. The element which is used to attach the connecting element to the first partial plate, such as a swivel rod, can then be received in the recess in the standby position and / or in the use position, but preferably both in the standby position and in the use position .

The guide element and the connecting element are preferably attached to the folding insert in such a way that the folding insert can be displaced in the position of use relative to the frame and in particular parallel to the hinge axis. After the table top unit has been pulled out and the folding insert has been opened, it can then advantageously be shifted slightly to the side beyond the frame, so that the frame can then be pushed back a little below the main table top. In this way, in the position of use, the frame can advantageously be stowed completely and largely invisible to the viewer under the folding insert and the main table top.

Preferably, the table top unit also has an inclined element attached to the frame, which serves to lift the second part of the plate when the folding insert is brought from the standby position into the use position. The second sub-plate is preferably displaced over the inclined element during the unfolding process and is thereby raised by it counter to the direction of gravity.

According to a further development of the invention, a guide rod and a pivot rod are provided, which are attached to the folding insert parallel to one another, the guide rod forming the guide element and the pivot rod being used for the articulated connection of the first partial plate to the connecting element. The guide rod and the swivel rod are advantageously attached to the rear, that is to say to the side of the first partial plate which is at the top in the standby position. However, it is also conceivable that in particular the guide rod is attached to the second partial plate or to the first and second partial plates. The folding insert is advantageously displaceable, in particular displaceable parallel to the joint axis, attached to the guide rod and to the pivot rod.

The present invention also relates to an extendable table with such a table top unit. According to a further development of the invention, the table is a cheek table. However, the table can also be a table with table legs arranged on the side or in the middle. The table top unit can in particular be attached to the table in such a way that, when in use, it can be pulled out laterally from below the main table top. However, it can also be attached in the middle of the table, for example, in such a way that it becomes accessible by pulling two sub-panels of the main table top apart in order to be able to enlarge the table-top surface in the area between these two sub-panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ausziehbaren Tisches mit einer Tischplatteneinheit gemäss einer erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform, mit Klappeinlage in zusammengeklappter Bereitschaftsstellung;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in aufgeklappter Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 3a

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tischplatteneinheit des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in zusammengeklappter Bereitschaftsstellung;

Fig. 3b

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 3a mit einer gestrichelten Linie umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 3c

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 3a mit einer strichpunktierten Line umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 4a

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tischplatteneinheit des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in einer ersten Zwischenstellung zwischen zusammengeklappter Bereitschaftsstellung und aufgeklappter Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 4b

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 4a mit einer gestrichelten Linie umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 4c

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 4a mit einer strichpunktierten Line umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 5a

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tischplatteneinheit des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in einer zweiten Zwischenstellung zwischen zusammengeklappter Bereitschaftsstellung und aufgeklappter Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 5b

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 5a mit einer gestrichelten Linie umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 6a

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tischplatteneinheit des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in einer dritten Zwischenstellung zwischen zusammengeklappter Bereitschaftsstellung und aufgeklappter Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 6b

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 6a mit einer gestrichelten Linie umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 7a

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tischplatteneinheit des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in einer vierten Zwischenstellung zwischen zusammengeklappter Bereitschaftsstellung und aufgeklappter Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 7b

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 7a mit einer gestrichelten Linie umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 8a

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tischplatteneinheit des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in einer fünften Zwischenstellung zwischen zusammengeklappter Bereitschaftsstellung und aufgeklappter Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 8b

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 8a mit einer gestrichelten Linie umrandeten Bereiches;

Fig. 9a

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Tischplatteneinheit des Tisches der Fig. 1, mit der Klappeinlage in aufgeklappter Gebrauchsstellung; sowie

Fig. 9b

eine Detailansicht des in der Fig. 9a mit einer gestrichelten Linie umrandeten Bereiches.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are only used for explanatory purposes and are not restrictive are to be interpreted. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an extendable table with a table top unit according to an embodiment according to the invention, with a folding insert in the folded ready position;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in the open position of use;

Fig. 3a

a perspective view of the table top unit of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in the folded ready position;

Figure 3b

a detailed view of the in the Fig. 3a with a dashed line bordered area;

Figure 3c

a detailed view of the in the Fig. 3a with a dash-dotted line bordered area;

Figure 4a

a perspective view of the table top unit of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in a first intermediate position between the folded ready position and the unfolded use position;

Figure 4b

a detailed view of the in the Figure 4a with a dashed line bordered area;

Figure 4c

a detailed view of the in the Figure 4a with a dash-dotted line bordered area;

Figure 5a

a perspective view of the table top unit of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in a second intermediate position between the folded ready position and the unfolded use position;

Figure 5b

a detailed view of the in the Figure 5a with a dashed line bordered area;

Figure 6a

a perspective view of the table top unit of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in a third intermediate position between the folded ready position and the unfolded use position;

Figure 6b

a detailed view of the in the Figure 6a with a dashed line bordered area;

Figure 7a

a perspective view of the table top unit of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in a fourth intermediate position between the folded ready position and the unfolded use position;

Figure 7b

a detailed view of the in the Figure 7a with a dashed line bordered area;

Figure 8a

a perspective view of the table top unit of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in a fifth intermediate position between the folded ready position and the unfolded use position;

Figure 8b

a detailed view of the in the Figure 8a with a dashed line bordered area;

Figure 9a

a perspective view of the table top unit of the table of FIG Fig. 1 , with the folding insert in the open position of use; as

Figure 9b

a detailed view of the in the Figure 9a with a dashed line bordered area.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

the Figures 1 and 2 show a table with a main table top 1 and table legs 2, which is an extendable table. For this purpose, a table-top unit 5, which is held in a pull-out frame 4, is arranged below the main table top 1. The pull-out frame 4 is slidably attached in the longitudinal direction of the main table top 1 to pull-out rails 3, which in turn are slidably mounted in the same direction on rails which are fixed to the underside of the main table top 1. The entire table top unit 5 can thereby be stowed completely below the main table top 1 and, if necessary, as in the Figures 1 and 2 shown to be pulled out.

The table top unit 5 has a folding insert 50 which has two sub-panels 501 and 502 of largely identical dimensions. After the table top unit 5 held in the pull-out frame 4 has been pulled out, the folding insert 50 is, as in FIG Figure 1 shown, initially in a folded ready position. When the folding insert 50 is in this ready position, the table top unit can be stowed under the main table top 1. In the completely pulled out state of the table top unit 5, however, the folding insert 50, as in FIG Figure 2 can be seen, to be unfolded to form an additional table top with its sub-panels 501 and 502. The additional table top formed by the part plates 501 and 502 has a width which corresponds to that of the main table top 1. In addition, the additional table top comes in its unfolded position of use according to the Figure 2 to lie at the same height as the main table top 1 and thereby forms a table surface that is flat overall.

In the folded ready position, the upper part of the plate 501 lies, as in FIG Figure 1 shown, with its visible side, on the lower partial plate 502. When unfolding the upper part plate 501 is rotated 180 °, so that in the position of use according to FIG Figure 2 the visible side of the upper partial plate 501 faces upwards. In order to make it easier to unfold, the upper part plate 501 has a gripping element 505 on its rear side.

After opening the folding insert 50, the pull-out frame 4 together with the table top unit 5 held therein can be pushed back a little to the main table top 1 in order to close any gap between the main table top 1 and the sub-panels 501, 502. Since the folding insert 50, as will be explained further below, is held in a frame 51 such that it can be moved along the pull-out direction, the pull-out frame 4, together with this frame 51, can advantageously even be pushed back completely below the sub-panels 501, 502 in the direction of the main table top 1 will. The pull-out frame 4 is thus hidden from the user or users when the table is in the extended state.

In the Figures 3a to 9b only the table top unit 5 is shown in each case, with the folding insert 50 in different positions from the folded ready position ( Figures 3a to 3c ) to the opened position of use ( Figures 9a and 9b ) takes.

the Figures 3a to 3c show the table top unit 5 with the folding insert 50 in the folded ready position, as it is also in FIG Figure 1 is shown. The overall rectangular design of the frame 51, which advantageously extends all the way around the folding insert 50, can be clearly seen. In the present exemplary embodiment, the frame 51 has two longitudinal sides which extend parallel to one another. The two long sides of the frame 51 also extend parallel to a hinge axis G (see also Figure 6a ), which is defined by the hinge-like connection of the two partial plates 501 and 502 of the folding insert 50. The two long sides of the frame 51 are connected to one another at their ends by broad sides which are attached perpendicularly to them and which extend parallel to one another. In other embodiments, the hinge axis G of the folding insert 50 can of course also extend parallel to the broad sides of the frame 51, so that the opening direction runs along the pull-out direction of the table.

Like in the Figure 3a As can be clearly seen, a first and a second fastening block 503 and 504 are attached to the side of the upper partial plate 501 which faces upwards in the folded ready position. The fastening blocks 503, 504 extend in the vicinity of the hinge-like connection of the two partial plates 501, 502 in each case perpendicular to the joint axis G and parallel to one another at a certain distance. The two integrally formed fastening blocks 503 and 504 each have a first and a second through opening, which extend at a distance from one another through the fastening block 503 and 504, respectively.

A guide rod 54 is passed through the respective first through opening of the fastening blocks 503 and 504, which is arranged close to the hinge-like connection of the folding insert 50. A pivot rod 53 is passed through the respective second through-opening of the fastening blocks 503 and 504, which compared to the first through-opening is arranged at a greater distance from the hinge-like connection of the folding insert 50. The guide rod 54 and the pivot rod 53 extend parallel to one another from one broad side of the frame 51 to the other together with the hinged insert 50 attached to it, they are not only rotatable relative to the guide rod 54 and the pivot rod 53, but can also be displaced along their longitudinal directions.

A link guide 511 is provided on the insides of the two broad sides of the frame 51. The guide rod 54 engages with one end in each of these two link guides 511, so that the guide rod 54 is attached to the frame 51 so that it can be displaced within the link guides 511. The two slide guides 511 arranged opposite one another each form a depression which, overall, describes the shape of a circular arc. The two ends of the circular arc are each arranged at the same height. In between, the circular arc describes a continuous, downward-facing curve.

The two ends of the pivot rod 53 are in the in Figures 3a and 3b The standby position shown is each received in a recess 512 which is open at the top and which is formed in the frame 51. The swivel rod 53 is thereby arranged in the standby position at the same height as the guide rod 54, so that the upper part plate 501 assumes an overall horizontal position. The recesses 512 are each arranged centrally with respect to the link guides 511, the circular arc-shaped recess each reaching its lowest point directly below the recess 512.

A connecting element 52 is attached to each end of the pivot rod 53, which as a whole is arranged completely to the side of the folding insert 50 and preferably, as in this exemplary embodiment, on the outside of the frame 51. The connecting elements 52 are articulated to the upper partial plate 501 via the pivot rod 53 and the fastening blocks 503 and 504. The connecting elements 52 are therefore pivotable relative to the upper partial plate 501 due to the rotatability of the pivot rod 53 in the fastening blocks 503, 504. As an alternative or in addition, this pivotability could also be given due to a non-rotationally fixed fastening of the connecting elements 52 at the respective ends of the pivot rod 53. Towards the frame 51, the connecting element 52 is connected to the frame in an articulated manner at a pivot point 514.

The connecting element 52, which is advantageously designed in one piece overall, has a first section 521 which extends from the pivot point 514 to the end of the pivot rod 53 and serves to connect the frame 51 and the pivot rod 53. This first section 521 extends in the ready position of the folding insert 50 essentially in the horizontal direction. In addition, the connecting element 52 has a second section 522 which, in the standby position, extends from the pivot point 514 in a direction away from the pivot rod 53 obliquely downwards to slightly above the lower edge of the frame 51. The two radial directions along which the first section 521 and the second section 522 extend from the pivot point 514 differ by approximately 120-140 °.

At the free end of the second section 522 of the connecting element 52, a piston 552 of a gas pressure spring 55 is pivotably attached. The gas pressure springs 55 arranged on both sides on the outer side of the frame 51 also each have a cylinder 551 in which the piston 552 can be displaced. The cylinders 551 of the two gas pressure springs 55 are each pivotably attached to the frame 51, the connection to the frame 51 being in the vicinity of its lower edge. In the in the Figures 3a and 3b In the standby position shown, the gas pressure springs 55 each extend along their longitudinal center axes essentially in the horizontal direction with a slight upward inclination towards the connecting element 52.

Due to the displaceability of the guide rod 54 within the link guides 511, a guide axis F coinciding with the guide rod 54 is defined. The folding insert 50 is guided by this guide axis F and can be displaced within the frame 51 in a direction perpendicular thereto. Due to its longitudinal extension, the pivot rod 53 defines a pivot axis S, around which the upper partial plate 501 can pivot. In addition, the rotatability of the connecting elements 52 around the pivot points 514 defines an axis of rotation D which extends through the two pivot points 514. The guide axis F, the pivot axis S and the axis of rotation D all extend parallel to one another (see also Figure 4a ) as well as parallel to the joint axis G.

Corresponding to the limited freedom of movement of the pistons 552 within the cylinder 551, the two connecting elements 52 each have a limited amount of freedom to rotate about the axis of rotation D. As a result, the pivot rod 53 and thus the upper partial plate 501 can only be pivoted about the axis of rotation D over a limited angular range . The pivotability of the upper partial plate 501 about the pivot axis S is limited due to the engagement of the guide rod 54 attached to the upper partial plate 501 in the link guides 511. For the same reason, the displaceability of the folding insert 50 guided by the guide axis F relative to the frame 51 is also limited.

In the Figures 4a to 4c a first position of the folding insert 50 is shown during the unfolding process. The gripping element 505 was gripped and the upper sub-plate 501 was thus slightly raised. As a result, the pivot rod 53 was lifted out of the recesses 512. The connecting elements 52 were rotated slightly around the axis of rotation D and the piston 552 of the gas pressure spring 55 was thereby pulled slightly out of the cylinder 551. The guide rod 54 is essentially still in its starting position, that is to say is arranged in a first end region of the link guides 511.

With a further lifting and in particular pivoting of the upper partial plate 501 about the hinge axis G, the guide rod 53, as in FIG Figures 5a and 5b recognizable, moved along the link guides 511 present on both sides towards the center of the frame 51. As a result, the lower partial plate 502 is also displaced, which in the process rests on an inclined surface 513 attached to the frame 51 (see FIG Figure 4a ) and is lifted by this during the further unfolding process. When the folding insert 50 is unfolded, the lower table top 502, and with it the entire folding insert 50, is thus raised to a higher level.

During this first phase of opening the folding insert 50, the pistons 551 of the gas pressure springs 55 present on both sides are continuously pulled out of the respective cylinders 552 until they are approximately in the position which is in the Figures 6a and 6b shown are pulled out of the cylinders 552 to the maximum extent. The location of the Gas pressure springs 55 has hardly changed compared to their position in the standby position. They are only slightly less inclined upwards along their longitudinal center axes. In this position, the guide rod 54 also reaches approximately the lowest point of the link guides 511, ie the point directly below the recesses 512. While the upper part plate 501 together with the pivot rod 53 and the connecting element 52 were pivoted upwards in the first phase of opening, as you continue opening, they move down again.

During the further unfolding process, the pistons 551 are then, as from the Figures 7a and 7b as well as 8a and 8b can be seen, pushed back into the cylinder 551. However, due to the gas pressure prevailing in the cylinders 551, this pushing in is cushioned and / or dampened. Accordingly, the movement of the upper partial plate 501 is also cushioned and / or damped. Since the upper part plate 501 is moved or pivoted downwards in this phase of the unfolding process, less effort is required for the user, and the upper part plate 501 is prevented from moving downwards in an uncontrolled manner and thus unsettled on the frame 501 can hit.

In the in the Figures 9a and 9b shown fully opened position of use of the folding insert 50 is the pivot rod 53 again, just as in the in Figures 3a to 3c standby position shown, in the recesses 512. The guide rod 54 has reached a second end region of the link guides 511, and the piston 552 has again been pushed essentially maximally into the cylinder 551. Due to the displaceability of the fastening blocks 503, 504 relative to the pivot rod 53 and the guide rod 54, the folding insert 50 can now be displaced at least a little along the hinge axis G with respect to the frame 51.

The above invention is of course not limited to the present embodiment, and a variety of modifications are possible. For example, the link guides 511 as well as the connecting elements 52 and the gas pressure springs 55 do not necessarily all have to be available in duplicate. It would be entirely possible to use these elements only on one side Folding insert 50 to be provided. Instead of the guide rod 54, for example, outwardly protruding pins could also simply be attached to the edge of the upper partial plate 501, which pins engage in the link guides 511. Such pins, but also the guide rod, could alternatively just as well be attached to the lower part-plate 502. In addition, the link guides 511 do not necessarily have to describe an arc, but can be designed differently as desired, for example depending on the weight distribution of the folding insert and / or the desired sequence of movements when opening and closing. The pivot rod 53 could also be omitted, and the connecting elements 52 could, for example, be rotatably attached directly to the edge or the side surface of the upper partial plate 501. Furthermore, the connecting elements 52 and the gas pressure springs 55 could each be arranged on the inside of the frame 51, that is to say between the frame 51 and the folding insert 50, instead of on the outside. In addition, the gas pressure springs 55 could just as well be rotated by 180 ° and arranged directly below the first section 521 of the respective connecting element 52, for example. In this case, the gas pressure springs 55 would be subjected to tension instead of compression in the second phase of unfolding, that is to say when lowering the upper partial plate 501. A cushioning and / or damping of the movement would also be possible. Instead of gas pressure springs, any other spring and / or damping elements, such as simple spiral springs or torsion springs, could also be used. A large number of other modifications are possible. REFERENCE LIST 1 Main tabletop 2 Table leg 52 Connecting element 3 Pull-out rail 521 first section 4th Pull-out frame 522 second part 5 Table top unit 53 Swivel rod 50 Folding insert 501 Upper part plate 54 Guide rod 502 Lower part plate 503 First mounting block 55 Gas spring 504 Second mounting block 551 cylinder 505 Gripping element 552 Pistons 51 frame S. Swivel axis 511 Scenery tour F. Guide axis 512 Recess D. Axis of rotation 513 Sloping surface G Joint axis 514 pivot point

Claims (13)

1. A table top unit (5) for an extendable table, comprising

   a folding insert (50) with a first partial plate (501) and a second partial plate (502), which are hinged to one another by means of a hinge-like joint and can be pivoted between a folded ready position and an unfolded position of use in such a way that the first partial plate (501) is rotated through 180° between the ready position and the position of use, so that, in the ready position, a rear side of the first partial plate (501) is directed upwardly and, in the position of use, a visible side;

   a frame (51) in which the folding insert (50) is held;

   a connecting element (52) hinged to the first partial plate (501) and to the frame (51) respectively; and a spring and/or damping element (55) which is arranged laterally with respect to the folding insert (50) and is connected to the connecting element (52) and to the frame (51),

   characterized in that

   the table-top unit (5) additionally comprises a guide element (54) which is attached to the folding insert (50) and is guided displaceably on the frame (51), and in that the frame (51) comprises a slotted guide (511) for guiding the guide element (54).
2. The table top unit (5) according to claim 1, wherein the spring and/or damping element is a gas pressure spring (55).
3. The table top unit (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinged connection between the connecting element (52) and the frame (51) takes place in a pivot point (514) about which the connecting element (52) is rotatable, wherein the connecting element (52) comprises a first portion (521), which connects the pivot point (514) to the first partial plate (501), and comprises a second portion (522) which connects the pivot point (514) to the spring and/or damping element (55), and wherein the first portion (521) and the second portion (522) extend in different radial directions from the pivot point (514).
4. The table top unit (5) according to claim 3, wherein the two radial directions in which the first and second portions (521, 522) extend from the pivot point (514) differ by an angle in a range from 100° to 170°, in particular from 120° to 150°.
5. The table top unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the slotted guide (511) describes an arc of a circle as a whole.
6. The table top unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, due to the hinged connection between the first partial plate (501) and the connecting element (52), a pivot axis (S) is defined which, in the ready position of the folding insert (50), is arranged at the same height as the guide element (54), as well as a pivot point (514) in which the hinged connection between the connecting element (52) and the frame (51) takes place.
7. The table top unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (51) comprises an upwardly open recess (512), within which in the ready position and/or in the position of use of the folding insert (50) a pivot axis (S) comes to lie, which arises due to the hinged connection between the first partial plate (501) and the connecting element (52).
8. The table top unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (54) and the connecting element (52) are attached to the folding insert (50) in such a way that the folding insert (50) is displaceable relative to the frame (51) in the position of use.
9. The table top unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein both the first and the second partial plate (501, 502) of the folding insert (50) are arranged at a higher level in the position of use than in the ready position.
10. The table top unit (5) according to claim 9, additionally comprising an inclined element (513) attached to the frame (51), which serves to raise the second partial plate (502) when the folding insert (50) is brought from the ready position to the position of use.
11. The table top unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a guide rod (54) and a pivot rod (53), which are mounted parallel to each other on the folding insert (50), wherein the guide rod (54) forms the guide element and the pivot rod (53) serves for the hinged connection of the first partial (501) to the connecting element (52).
12. An extendable table comprising a table top unit (5) according to any one of the preceding claims.
13. The table according to claim 12, wherein it is a "Wangentisch" (i.e. a table in which each pair of two table legs is formed by a common plate-like element).

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