EP3903624A1 - Locking system for the rotating foot of a mast, in particular for a free arm screen - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case of a locking system for the swivel base (22) of a mast (1), in particular a mast for a free-arm standing umbrella, the mast can be rotated about an axis of rotation (A) defined by the swivel base and has an enclosed mast area (2). The locking system (4) comprises an operating lever (8) arranged on the mast at a comfort height (H) of 0.5 to 1.5 m above the swivel base for releasing or locking the swivel base, the operating lever being movable between an unfolded position and a folded-down position and thereby interacts via a lifting rod (12) with stationary latching elements (34) of the swivel base, and wherein the lifting rod is raised in the release position and lowered in the locking position. To improve operability and operational safety, the lifting rod (12) is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation (A) outside the enclosed mast area (2).

Description

Technical area

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

State of the art

In numerous situations it is desirable to be able to rotate a free-arm standing umbrella around its mast axis if necessary, but otherwise to block this rotatability. Examples of this are an adaptation of the screen orientation to the changing position of the sun, but also certain manipulations, for example turning away to allow a vehicle to pass by or a bulky object to pass through. In principle, several solutions have already been proposed for this, but all of them are associated with certain disadvantages or restrictions. However, there are always situations where turning the mast is unnecessary or undesirable, such as in a street cafe with a row arrangement of several umbrellas. In this way, it is decided in the sales pitch whether the umbrella is needed with or without a swivel base.

the U.S. 5,499,644 describes a rotatable cantilever umbrella in which two mutually rotatable mast parts are locked with perforated disks and separate locking bolts. It lacks the convenience of an operating lever with a power-saving projection, and the open locking holes harbor the risk of soiling.

the CN 109892768 A also relates to a rotatable free-arm standing umbrella. In this proposal, the latching is proposed via a two-part mast with toothed coupling sleeves at a raised operating height. The disadvantage is the small radius of the locking circle and the limitation of the number of locking positions. The wind stability of this type of mast is also problematic. Subsequent installation is very complex.

the US 8,807,513 B2 relates to a swivel base for a free-arm standing umbrella. An exposed, U-shaped operating handle acts via a mast-piercing axis via a push rod in the center of rotation of the mast on the axis-near, inner ends of two rocker arms, at the outer ends of which there are latching cams, which with the help of compression springs between the teeth of a toothed ring intervention. The piercing of the mast means a weakening of the same, and the multi-part sequence of lever, push rod, rocker arm, springs and ring gear harbors the risk of malfunctions such as in particular uncontrolled jamming and improper engagement. The open, short operating handle requires a lot of effort to operate with large umbrellas and when there is a lot of wind and entices guests in the restaurant to uncontrolled changes in the rotary position of the mast.

the CN 202955435 U relates to a swivel base for a beach umbrella and suggests a large locking radius for finely graduated rotary steps. The operating device consists of a locking bolt with spring support, which can be lifted out of the locked position by turning the handle over a circumferentially rising support surface. No device is provided which brings the operating handle to a comfortable operating height. Since no ball bearings and only a short lever length are provided, a great deal of force is required to turn the mast. Another disadvantage is the risk of tripping due to the exposed, protruding handle close to the floor.

the CN 205658488 U relates, among other things, to a free-arm standing umbrella with a rotatable mast and a long, pivotable operating lever 418, which in the rest position is arranged parallel to the mast. In the interior of the mast there is a raised counter bearing 414 on support 412, which is fixed to the mast profile connected by rivets 416. A disadvantage is the protruding end of the operating rod, on which one can get stuck with clothes when passing and unauthorized persons are offered to uncontrolled manipulation in the semi-public space. Trading with optional, optional equipment of the umbrella with a swivel base is made difficult by the required machining of the mast.

the DE 102007012223 A1 relates to a mast stand with a mast base and an associated mast mount for a standing mast, the mast base being equipped with a detachable weight body for stabilization.

the US 2001/0040208 A1 relates to a standing umbrella that can be rotated with respect to a stand, the rotatability being lockable or releasable.

the CN 209473820 U relates to a standing umbrella with a swivel base, the rotatability being actuatable via a foot pedal.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to propose an improved locking system for the swivel base of a mast, in particular a mast for a free-arm standing umbrella, which is able to overcome the weak points of the prior art.

The object of the invention is achieved by a locking system according to claim 1.

In the inventive locking system for the swivel base of a mast, in particular a mast for a cantilever umbrella, the mast can be rotated about an axis of rotation A defined by the swivel base and has an enclosed mast area. The locking system has one on the mast at a comfort height H of 0.5 to 1.5 m above the location level arranged operating lever for releasing or locking the swivel base, the operating lever being movable between an unfolded position and a downwardly folded position and interacting with stationary latching elements of the swivel base via a lifting rod. The lifting rod is raised in the release position and lowered in the locking position.

• Bedienungshebel, der bei Nichtgebrauch diskret in die Mastnut eingeklappt werden kann
• klare Kontrolle über Einrast- bzw. Drehposition
• hohe Funktionssicherheit und präzise Drehpositionen durch Einteiligkeit von Hubstange und Verriegelungsraste sowie flexible Verbindung zum Bedienhebel, auch einklappbar, bevor Verrastung erfolgt ist
• Ausführung mit kleinen Drehverstellschritten von beispielsweise 15° möglich
• sauberes Design des Mastes ohne Durchbrüche im Mastprofil
• keine in Ruhestellung vom Mast abstehende Teile
• problemloser Einbau als Option bei der Bestellung beim Händler als auch nachträglich beim Kunden
• auf verschiedenen Verankerungs-Varianten montierbar.

The fact that the lifting rod is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation outside the enclosed mast area results in the following advantages, among others:

• Operating lever that can be discreetly folded into the mast slot when not in use
• clear control over locking or rotating position
• high functional reliability and precise rotary positions thanks to the one-piece construction of the lifting rod and locking notch as well as flexible connection to the operating lever, which can also be folded in before it is locked
• Execution with small rotary adjustment steps of, for example, 15 ° possible
• clean design of the mast without openings in the mast profile
• no parts protruding from the mast in the rest position
• Problem-free installation as an option when ordering from the dealer as well as subsequently from the customer
• Can be mounted on different anchoring variants.

In the present context, the terms “rotatable” and “stationary” are used, with “stationary” referring to any components that basically remain in a fixed rotational relationship to the environment, in particular to the ground. In contrast, “rotatable” refers to components which, if required, ie when the rotary base is released, can describe a rotary movement about the axis of rotation A defined by the rotary base. The terms "below" or "lowered" refer to the situation when the locking system is installed in cooperation with a ready-to-use swivel base and are therefore synonymous with "pointing towards the ground" or "pointing in the direction of the ground".

The term "comfort height" is to be understood in connection with the operation of the locking system by an operator. On the one hand, the point of intervention, which is at the bottom when the operating lever is folded in, should be at least 0.5 m above the level of the swivel base. On the other hand, the unfolded control lever should not be more than 1.5 m above the site level. Accordingly, the operating lever should be in the folded position as a whole, i.e. over its entire length, in a height range of 0.5 to 1.5 m from the location level.

In principle, the locking system according to the invention can be used for swivel feet of a wide variety of mast-supported devices.

Advantageous configurations are defined in the dependent claims.

In an ergonomically as well as aesthetically advantageous embodiment (claim 2), the operating lever is received in its folded position in a lateral mast groove. In particular, undesired protruding parts of the operating lever are avoided as a result.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment (claim 3), the operating lever and the lifting rod are coupled via a connecting joint, which is equipped with a tolerance bar, by means of which the lifting rod remains displaceable between a partially lowered and a fully lowered position when the operating lever is folded in, with spring means being provided to force the lift rod to the fully lowered position. The term "tolerance web" is generally to be understood as a length compensation element, which can be implemented in particular as a web with a longitudinal slot. These measures prevent the operating lever from being folded into the mast groove allows even if the current rotary position does not yet allow lowering into a snap-in element of the swivel base. The spring means ensure that the desired locking occurs when the mast is subsequently rotated.

It is advantageous (claim 4) if the spring means comprise a compression spring which is arranged between a guide bracket for the lifting rod and a support part of the lifting rod located below it. The support part is attached to the lifting rod.

Basically, it must be ensured that the lifting rod is guided in such a way that undesired tilting is avoided. According to one embodiment (claim 5), which is particularly advantageous for simple assembly of the locking system on the mast, there are guide brackets for the lifting rod, which can be inserted into the mast groove with a force fit by means of clamping screws. It goes without saying that the external dimensions of such guide brackets are to be selected according to the internal dimensions of the mast groove.

In a preferred embodiment (claim 6) the lifting rod is designed at its lower end as a locking catch, which is spaced by a swivel radius from the axis of rotation A and can be lowered into a correspondingly shaped fixed latching element located below. It is particularly advantageous (claim 7) if the locking notch of the lifting rod is angled outwards to enlarge the pivoting radius. In this way, among other things, a sufficient distance can be maintained between adjacent snap-in elements or, given the size of the individual snap-in elements, a comparatively smaller angular distance and thus a finer setting of the mast rotation can be provided.

It is also particularly advantageous if the swivel base comprises fixed and rotatable plates stacked one on top of the other, one of which is rotatable Cover plate is rigidly connected directly or indirectly to the mast and has a guide passage for the locking catch.

According to one embodiment (claim 9), the rotatable cover plate is mounted on a stationary latching plate, the cover plate being firmly connected to a counter-plate that is also rotatable and absorbs the tensile and compressive loads emanating from the mast, the stationary latching plate being provided with a large number of latching elements which are arranged in a circle around the axis of rotation A at predetermined angular intervals.

It is also advantageous (claim 10) if the stationary locking plate is encompassed by the rotatable cover plate and the rotatable counter-plate.

It is also advantageous (claim 11) if the stationary locking plate is connected directly or indirectly to a base plate serving as a support. The base plate is either designed as a foot surface, which is provided for ground contact, or it is configured with anchoring elements for mounting on a corresponding connection part of a building, floor or the like.

In order to ensure the smoothest possible, tilt-free and permanent rotatability, it is advantageous (claim 12) if appropriately dimensioned ball bearings are arranged between the rotatable and stationary plates. In particular, these can be designed as ring-shaped bearing rims.

According to a further embodiment (claim 13), the swivel base is equipped with a cover bell to protect movable parts located underneath. This is to avoid excessive soiling and wetting of the bearings, but also clogging of the latching elements.

A completely free rotation, which would allow the execution of several full revolutions, is generally undesirable, for example in the presence of power cables. An overturn protection can basically be implemented in various ways, with a corresponding blocking effect generally being set up between a rotatable and a stationary component of the swivel base. According to an advantageous embodiment (claim 14), the stationary base plate has a stop for a counter-projection in the rotatable counter-plate as an anti-rotation device.

The above-mentioned and the claimed and described in the following exemplary embodiments elements to be used according to the invention are not subject to any special exceptional conditions in terms of their size, shape, material use and technical conception, so that the selection criteria known in the respective area of application can be used without restriction.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine Verriegelungsvorrichtung auf einem Drehfuss und aufgesetztem Mastprofil, mit ausgeklapptem Bedienhebel, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 2

die Verriegelungsvorrichtung der Fig. 1, mit eingeklapptem Bedienhebel, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 3

ein Mastprofil, im Querschnitt;

Fig. 4

einen Ausschnitt eines Mastes mit Verriegelungsvorrichtung, mit ausgeklapptem Bedienhebel, in seitlicher Ansicht;

Fig. 5

einen Ausschnitt des Mastes mit Verriegelungsvorrichtung und Drehfuss, in Freigabestellung, im Längsschnitt; und

Fig. 6

den Drehfuss, in Explosionsdarstellung.

Further details, advantages and features of the subject matter of the present invention emerge from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which the locking system according to the invention is explained with the aid of examples. In the drawings shows:

Fig. 1

a locking device on a swivel base and attached mast profile, with the operating lever folded out, in a perspective view;

Fig. 2

the locking device of the Fig. 1 , with folded operating lever, in perspective view;

Fig. 3

a mast profile, in cross section;

Fig. 4

a section of a mast with locking device, with the operating lever folded out, in a side view;

Fig. 5

a section of the mast with locking device and swivel base, in the release position, in longitudinal section; and

Fig. 6

the swivel base, in an exploded view.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

the Fig. 1 and 2 show a locking system 4 for the swivel base 22 of a mast 1, in particular a mast for a free-arm standing umbrella. For example, such a swivel base with a locking device according to the invention is used for the mast profile of a cantilever umbrella in order to facilitate the guidance of the shadow when the position of the sun changes.

In Fig. 1 the mast 1 is shown somewhat simplified with a rectangular hollow profile and in any case has an enclosed mast area 2 and an area adjoining one side with an outer groove 3. The mast profile used in one embodiment is in Fig. 3 shown.

The swivel base 22 has stationary parts 30 on the one hand and parts 24 rotatable about an axis of rotation A on the other hand. As from the Fig. 1 It can be seen that the mast 1 is placed and fastened on a correspondingly configured mounting tube 6 and is accordingly rotatable about the axis of rotation A together with the mounting tube.

The locking system 4 comprises an operating lever 8 arranged on the mast 1 at a comfortable height above the swivel base 22 for releasing or locking the swivel base. The operating lever 8 is between an unfolded release position, as in FIG Fig. 1 shown, and a downwardly folded locking position movable. The latter is in the Fig. 2 illustrated. The operating lever 8 is via a connecting joint 10 with the upper end of a Lifting rod 12 is connected, the lower end of which cooperates with stationary snap-in elements of the rotary foot 22. Such a latching element 34 is in the Fig. 5 visible.

In the in Fig. 1 The release position shown with the operating lever 8 folded out, the lifting rod 12 is raised. In the in Fig. 2 The locking position shown with the operating lever 8 folded down, the lifting rod 12 is lowered so that its lower end 20, which acts as a locking catch, is also lowered.

Advantageously, the downwardly folded operating lever 8 fits into the mast groove 3 and thus forms a continuation of the outer mast profile, which is continued or completed by a cover strip 9 adjoining below the operating lever 8. Accordingly, the operating lever 8 in its basic position fits into the mast design practically seamlessly. A terminal recess 13 is expediently provided on the operating lever 8, which makes it easier to grasp the operating lever.

As in particular from the Fig. 1 As can be seen, the lifting rod 12 is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation A and can thus be mounted on the mast outside the enclosed mast area 2. For this purpose, guide brackets 14 with clamping screws 15 are expediently used, the guide brackets being designed to match the mast profile in the area of the mast groove 3.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the operating lever 8 and the lifting rod 12 are coupled via a connecting joint 10 which is equipped with a tolerance web 11. As from the Fig. 4 As can be seen, the tolerance web 11 is articulated to the operating lever 8 or to the lifting rod 12. In the latter case, a compensating slot 17 formed in the tolerance web allows longitudinal mobility of the hinge pin 19 of the lifting rod 12 received therein lowered and a fully lowered position. One in the Fig. 1 The compression spring 16 shown between the guide bracket 14 and a support part 18 of the lifting rod exerts a spring force which urges the lifting rod into the completely lowered position. As will be explained below, the measures described enable the operating lever 8 to be folded into the mast groove 3, even if the current rotational position does not yet allow lowering into a latching element of the swivel base.

the Fig. 5 shows the structure of the swivel base 22 with the mast profile 1 attached and parts of the locking device. The mast profile 1 stands on a mounting flange 7 and is fastened to the mounting pipe part 6 by means of mounting bolts 5. The swivel base is made up of fixed and rotatable plates stacked one on top of the other, which run against one another on ball bearings 26. A rotatable cover plate 26 is rigidly connected to the mast profile 1. The cover plate 26 is equipped with a guide passage 35 for the locking catch 20, which provides the necessary access to a latching element 34 located below. The latter is formed in a latching plate 32 arranged below the cover plate 26. As from the Fig. 5 As can be seen, the stationary latching plate 32 is encompassed by the rotatable cover plate 26 and a rotatable counter-plate 28 connected to the latter by means of connecting screws 27. This absorbs the tensile and compressive loads emanating from the mast.

The locking plate 32 lies in the edge area on a spacer ring 36, which in turn rests on the base plate 40 of the swivel base. The base plate 40 is expediently equipped with connecting screws 41 for anchoring to the ground. The spacer ring 36 forms a space for the rotating counter plate 28.

In the embodiment shown, the lifting rod 12 has a bend 21 in the lower area to enlarge the pivoting radius. The guide passage 35 ensures a lateral stabilization of the lifting rod 12 and prevents unwanted shifts or canting. A cover bell 46 placed on the swivel base 22 also provides protection for the movable parts located underneath.

To initiate a mast rotation, the operating lever 8 is folded out upwards, as a result of which the lifting rod 12 is raised via the operating lever joint 10 and the tolerance web 11. As in the Fig. 5 shown, the locking notch 20 lifted out of the latching point 34 of the latching plate 32. The mast profile 1 can now be brought into the desired rotary position with the operating lever 8. The operating lever is then folded back into the mast slot 3. As already in connection with the Fig. 1 mentioned, the lifting rod 12 is held by guide brackets 14, which are clamped in a force-locking manner in the mast groove 3 with clamping screws 15. The compression spring 16 arranged between the guide bracket 14 and the support part 18 ensures that the locking catch 20 engages with the rotating parts 24 and the anchoring parts 30.

As in particular from the Fig. 6 As can be seen, the latching plate 32 is provided with a plurality of latching elements 34 which are arranged in a circle around the axis of rotation A at predetermined angular intervals. A puncture 31 in the cover plate 26 allows the assembly of screw connections 33 of the latching plate 32 with the spacer ring 36.

In addition, in the example shown, the stationary base plate 40 has a stop 42 for a counter-projection 44 in the rotatable counter-plate 28 as an anti-rotation device.

Reference list

1

Mast profile

2

enclosed mast area

3

Mast slot

4th

Locking system

5

Mounting bolts

6th

Assembly pipe part

7th

Mounting flange

8th

Control lever

9

Cover strip

10

Control lever joint

11

Tolerance bar

12th

Lifting rod

13th

end recess of 8 (point of intervention)

14th

Guide bracket

15th

Clamping screw

16

Compression spring

17th

Compensation slot from 11

18th

Support part

19th

Hinge pin from 11

20th

Locking catch

21

Bend

22nd

Swivel base

24

Rotating parts

26th

Cover plate

27

Connecting screw cover plate 26 / counter plate 28

28

Counter plate

29

ball-bearing

30th

Anchoring parts (stationary)

31

Assembly puncture for connecting screws 33

32

Locking plate

33

Connecting screw locking plate 32 / spacer ring 36 / base plate 40

34

Snap-in points for locking notch 20

35

Guided tour

36

Spacer ring

40

Base plate

41

Connection screw base plate / floor anchoring

42

Overturn safety cams

44

Overturn counter screw

46

Cover bell

Claims (14)

Locking system for the swivel base (22) of a mast (1), in particular a mast for a free-arm standing umbrella, the mast being rotatable about an axis of rotation (A) defined by the swivel base and having an enclosed mast area (2), and the locking system (4) has an operating lever (8) arranged on the mast at a comfort height (H) of 0.5 to 1.5 m above the swivel base for releasing or locking the swivel base, the operating lever being movable between an unfolded position and a folded-down position and interacts via a lifting rod (12) with stationary latching elements (34) of the swivel base, the lifting rod being raised in the release position and lowered in the locking position,
characterized,
that the lifting rod (12) is arranged at a distance from the axis of rotation (A) outside the enclosed mast area (2). Locking system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the operating lever (8) in its folded-in position is received in a lateral mast groove (3). Locking system according to Claim 2, characterized in that the operating lever (8) and the lifting rod (12) are coupled via a connecting joint (10) which is equipped with a tolerance web (11) by means of which, when the operating lever is folded in, the lifting rod is between a partially lowered and remains slidable to a fully lowered position, there being spring means to urge the lift rod to the fully lowered position. Locking system according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring means comprise a compression spring (16) which is between a Guide bracket (14) for the lifting rod (12) and a supporting part (18) of the lifting rod located below it is arranged. Locking system according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises guide brackets (14) for the lifting rod (12) which can be inserted into the mast groove (3) in a force-locking manner by means of clamping screws (15). Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lifting rod (12) is designed at its lower end as a locking catch (20) which is spaced by a pivot radius from the axis of rotation (A) and into a correspondingly shaped one located below stationary latching element (34) can be lowered. Locking system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the locking catch (20) of the lifting rod (12) is bent outwards to enlarge the pivoting radius. Locking system according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the swivel base (22) comprises fixed and rotatable plates stacked on top of one another, of which a rotatable cover plate (26) is rigidly connected directly or indirectly to the mast (1) and a guide passage (35) ) for the locking catch (20). Locking system according to Claim 8, characterized in that the rotatable cover plate (26) is mounted on a stationary latching plate (32), the cover plate (26) being firmly connected to a counter-plate (28) and the pulling force emanating from the mast (1) and absorbs compressive loads, and wherein the stationary latching plate (32) is provided with a plurality of latching elements (34) which are arranged circularly around the axis of rotation (A) at predetermined angular intervals. Locking system according to Claim 9, the stationary locking plate (32) being encompassed by the rotatable cover plate (26) and the rotatable counter-plate (28). Locking system according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the stationary latching plate (32) is connected directly or indirectly to a base plate (40) serving as a support. Locking system according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that ball bearings (29) are arranged between the rotatable and stationary plates. Locking system according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the swivel base (22) has a cover bell (46) for protecting movable parts located underneath. Locking system according to one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the stationary base plate (40) has a stop (42) for a counter-projection (44) in the rotatable counter-plate (28) as an anti-rotation device.

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