FR2482434A1 - TABLE WITH PIVOTING EXTENSIONS AND ARTICULATION AND LATCHING MECHANISM - Google Patents

Abstract

THE SUBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IS A TABLE INCLUDING A SUPPORT ON WHEELS, A TABLE TOP AND AT LEAST AN EXTENSION ASSOCIATED WITH THE TABLE TOP. IT IS CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT INCLUDES ARTICULATION MEANS 17 FOR ARTICULATING THE SAID EXTENSION 13 AND 14 ON THE TABLE TOP 11, WHICH ARE ARRANGED IN A MANNER TO ALLOW THE SAID EXTENSION TO BE MOVED BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION, IN WHICH THE EXTENSION IS ALIGNED WITH THE TABLE TOP, AND A SECOND POSITION AND A THIRD MUTUALLY OPPOSED POSITION, IN WHICH THE EXTENSION IS ORTHOGONAL TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE, THE SAID HINGE MEANS INCLUDING LOCKING MEANS FOR LOCKING THE SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, RESPECTIVELY. THE INVENTION APPLIES TO ROLLING AND FOLDING TABLES, IN PARTICULAR TO TABLES FOR ROOM SERVICE IN HOTELS.

Description

TABLE WITH PIVOTING EXTENSIONS.

  The subject of the present invention is a table with pivoting or folding extensions, and more particularly it aims at an articulation mechanism

  perfected to be used in combination with a table of this kind.

  There are various types of tables or sets of tables having pivoting or folding extensions. The most known system comprises a table associated with at least one pivoting extension that can be brought to a horizontal or raised position in which the extension is in the plane of the surface of the table itself, so as to define a surface useful table of a suitable width. When the table is not in use, the extender can be lowered or folded to a vertical position on the interested side of the table, which then allows it to be stored in a substantially reduced space. US Pat. No. 3,437,058 (BUE) discloses a sliding bar mechanism for maintaining in their horizontal position

  extensions of a table of the kind considered above.

  Tables with pivoting extensions are used in particular in the hotel-

  lerie, where a table of this kind, mounted on wheels, is very

  geuse for room service. These tables are used to transport previously prepared meals from kitchens to the room of the interested customer, where they are then used as a dining table. Swivel extensions allow

  sufficiently reduce the width of the service table so that it can

  Feel smoothly through the hotel's doors, lobbies, hallways and elevators, while providing the guest with a large enough area when dining. The US patent cited above describes a table

  of this kind in a detailed manner.

  The present invention aims to improve the tables with extensions

  swiveling known by creating such a table which comprises means of

  culation of. extenders arranged in such a way that the latter can be moved in a vertical (or perpendicular) position raised with respect to the swuface of the table, in order to define side walls adjacent to

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  the upper surface of the table, which help to hold in place the objects disposed on said surface. In the case of a table used for the

  room service of a hotel, where said table is mobile, extensions

  tents arranged in the manner indicated above help to prevent prepared foods from escaping by falling sideways

  table while being rolled along the corridors, etc., of the hotel.

  Furthermore, it is provided that a table according to the present invention comprises guard means arranged below the extensions and arranged in such a way

  as they protect the walls and corners of hotel corridors from any damage

  when accidentally brushed by the table while

  extensions are in the position described above.

  The present invention is directed to a table comprising a support with wheels, a table top, at least one extension of the table top and means of articulation of the extension on the table top arranged to allow said extension to move angularly between a first position in which is aligned on the table top, a second position and a third position, in which the extension is orthogonal

  relative to the table top and oriented in opposite directions

  and maintaining means to maintain the extension

  selectively in said first and second positions.

  The present invention also relates to a hinge and locking mechanism allowing a table extension to execute pivoting movements between a first position in which the extension is aligned on the top of the table, and a second position and a third opposed position, orthogonal to said table top, and for locking the extension in said first and second positions, respectively. The hinge and lock mechanism includes, in combination, a pivot member defining a mounting surface to be attached below the table top proximate an edge thereof such that pivoting extends, in part, beyond this edge, a sliding element defining a mounting surface to be fixed below the extension to be articulated on the table top along said edge, so as to said sliding element extends beyond an edge of the extension, in the direction of the pivoting element, elastic means urging said sliding element towards said pivoting element, the latter comprising a pivot whose axis shall be aligned with the edge of the tabletop, below the mounting surface concerned, and the walls

  spaced apart in planes transverse to the mounting surface as

  and a transverse wall disposed between the aforesaid walls so as to define an orthogonal guide with respect to said mounting surface, while said sliding element comprises an all-nailed tongue called to be slidably engaged in said guide and provided

  a slot to be traversed by said pivot.

  Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from

  reading of the following description and accompanying figures given as

illustrative but not limiting.

  Figure 1 shows, in perspective, a floor service table according to

the present invention.

  Figure 2 shows, in elevation, the table of Figure 1.

  Figure 3 shows, in elevation, the same table, seen from right to left.

  2 with the storage position being shown in solid lines, while the service or use position is

indicated in dashes.

  Figure 4 is a detail view taken substantially along the line 4-

  of Figure 3, the table top being brought into the service position.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of certain organs of the

  articulation and locking mechanism according to the invention.

  Figure 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2, at

  larger scale, showing the different organs in a first posi-

  tion. Figure 7 is a bottom view of the structure shown on the

Figure 6.

  Figures 8 and 9 are representations similar to that of the

  Figure 6, showing the organs in different positions.

  The table according to the invention, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a roller support 10, a table top 11 pivotally mounted on the support 10 by means of a suitable mechanism, and two pivoting extensions 13 , 14 mounted on two opposite edges 15 and 16 of the table top 11 by means of articulation and locking mechanisms 17, 17A, 17B and 17C. The support 10, which is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3, comprises two uprights 100, 101 interconnected by a crosspiece 102. Two longitudinal rails 103 and 104 are fixed under the table top 11 by any suitable means A pivot mechanism of the kind described in U.S. Patent No. 3,437,058 (BUE) makes it possible to

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  move the tabletop between a horizontal service position (or

  of use) and a vertical position of storage (or rest).

  The rails 103 and 104 comprise elongated profiled slots 105.

  A rod 106 is fixed on the upper ends of the uprights 100 and 101 and extend laterally so as to protrude from these uprights and engage in the slots 105. Arms 107 and 108 are hinged to the rails 103 and 104 in 112 and 112, respectively, and on the amounts 100 and 101, at 101 and 114, respectively. The distance between the pivots 111 and 113 is greater than the distance between the pivot 113 and the upper end of the slot 105, as shown in FIG. 3, so that when the table top is angularly displaced in the direction of the arrow 114, the slots 105 move relative to the rod 106 until the latter finally engages in a notch 116 formed at the end of

slot.

  In the position of rest or storage organs, as indicated in solid lines in Figure 3, the first ends of the slots 105 bear on the rod 106. When the described members are angularly displaced in the direction of the arrow 116 , the slots slide on the rod 106 until it finally bears in the notches 116 formed at the second ends of said slots. Thanks to the arrangement

  geometry of the mechanism, the table is then prevented from moving further

  from the horizontal service position shown in dashed lines in Figure 3. When it is desired to return the table to its storage position, the tabletop is slightly raised to allow the

  rod 106 to disengage from the notches 116.

  The extensions 13 and 14 are connected above table Il by four

  identical mechanisms of articulation and locking 17, 17A, 17B, 17C.

  Figures 5 to 7 show the hinge mechanism 17 in detail. This articulation mechanism 17 comprises a pivoting element

  20, a sliding element 21, a pivot 22 and a tension spring 23.

  The pivoting member 20 includes a plate 24 defining a planar mounting surface 25. The outer edge 26 of the pivot member 20 is deformed with respect to the mounting surface 25, so as to form a surface.

oblique lip 27.

  Two walls 30 and 31 spaced laterally from each other extend transversely to the mounting plate 24, from there, and are connected to each other by a transverse wall 32 spaced from the mounting plate. The walls 30 and 31 extend longitudinally beyond

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  the lip 27 and have apertures 33, 34 aligned with one another and intended to receive the hinge pin 22. The plate 24, the spaced walls 30 and 31, and the transverse wall 32 define a guide

  longitudinal 35 of well-defined transverse dimensions, which extends

  parallel to the mounting surface and is orthogonal to the mounting surface.

  The sliding element 21 comprises a mounting plate 40 defined

  A tongue 43 extends transversely from the mounting plate 40 and protrudes longitudinally from the plate 40. The tongue 43 has working edges 44 and 45 and an abutment shoulder. 46, as well as a longitudinal slot 47 extending between

  the closed ends 50 and 51 of the slot 47 and called to receive trans-

  The other pivot 52 is fixed on the tongue 43 at a location spaced from the slot 47, while the spring 23 is mounted at its ends on the pivots 22 and 52 so as to tend to bring it closer. one another the elements 20 and 21, this assembly being secured by

pins or keys 53, 54.

  Hinge mechanisms 17 such as that shown in detail in Figures 5 to 8 are spaced apart at each edge of the table, the pivots 22 being parallel to the concerned edge and the passages 35 being perpendicular to the concerned edge. The mounting plate 24 is fixed under the table top, by means of fixing elements 55, so that

  such that the surface 25 and the lip 27 protrude edges 15 and 16.

  The sliding element 21 is fixed under the extension by means of fastening elements 56 so that, when the table top and the extension piece are placed end to end, the tongue 43 is engaged in the guide 35,

  however, the abutment shoulder 46 comes into contact with the transom wall.

  32 and that the pivot 22 passes through the opening 33, the slot 47 and the

  34. When the table top and the extender has the same thickness, the surfaces 25 and 41 are coplanar. The spring 23 is attached to the ends of the pivots 22 and 52, and the pins or keys 53 and 54

are put in place.

  As shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2, a protective rail 57 is mounted on the underside of each extension by means of fasteners 60 so as to extend above the respective pair of

  articulation mechanisms 17, 17A and 17B, 17C associated with each extension.

  These protective rails, which may consist of steel strips or strips of other protective material, provide protection for the hinge mechanisms and walls or the like which may be

  affected by the table while traveling.

  The table described above operates as follows: In the arrangement of the various members shown in the Figures

  6 and 7 and on the right side of Figure 2, the extension is requested

  23, to a position in which it is placed end to end against the table top 11, while any pivoting movement of the extension around the pivots 22 is prevented by the contact between the edges 45 of the tongues and the plates 24 and the contact between the

  edges 44 of the tongues and the transverse walls 32.

  When it is desired to fold down the extension 13, it pulls it to the right (FIG. 2) thus lengthening the spring 23, until the pivot 22 comes into contact with the end 50 of the slot 47. The surfaces 44 and 45

  of the tongue are then disengaged from the guide 35 and the extension can pivot

  bend down to the position shown in Fig.9.

  It is not necessary that the springs 23 are strong enough to support the weight of the extension, it can simply be suspended from the pivots 22. To return the extension to its operating position, simply rotate it to the top until the tabs 43 can enter the passages 35, the operation then being completed with the aid of the springs 23, the extension being then guided to the desired position by virtue of the contact between the lips 27 and the surface bottom of the extension.

  When it is desired to bring the extender 13 into its position of "side cheek"

  the guardrail "shown in FIG. 8, the extension is first drawn outwardly, as indicated above, so as to disengage the tongues 43 from the guides 35, it is then pivoted upwards until that it is in the desired position, and it is finally allowed to set up until its edge comes into contact with the protruding parts of the plates 24. In this position, the springs 23 maintain the extension in contact with the plate 24. The ends 50 of the slots 47 formed in the tongues 43 are then placed at a lower level than the plates 24 and the transverse walls 32, so that the edges 44 of the tongues prevent the extension-to move angularly around the pivots 22 in one direction or the other This position of the extension 14 is shown on the left-hand part of Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 4, the two extensions are shown in this same position. shows eg the extension 13, in phantom, in its raised position. It will be understood that the protective rails 57 constitute the extreme lateral parts of the table and prevent any contact between the articulation mechanisms 17 and the walls,

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  door frames and other surfaces along which the table is moved.

  In order to move the extension from this raised position, it is

  raises slightly until the surface 44 emerges from the transom wall.

  Versale 32, after which, it can bring the extension to any other desired position. It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to any

  table surface or the like associated with pivoting extensions.

  The invention is particularly advantageous when applied to room service tables as used in hotels for

  bring food or the like to the hotel rooms.

  With regard to the room service tables, the following are required

  that they occupy a minimum space while they are not actually

  used. To this end, the table according to the invention is arranged such that the table top 11 can be brought, by a pivoting movement, to a vertical storage position. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, table top 11 can be rotated

  towards this storage position, regardless of the position of the

  lanyards 13 and 14; however, the position shown in Figure 3 is the one that requires the least amount of storage space

  Table. Furthermore, in the case of a floor service table, the pos-

  The ability to retrieve pivot extensions, as shown in Figure 3, is of considerable interest when it comes to keeping dishes on the table when it is moved quickly on its wheels along the corridors of the hotel. The protective rails 57 help protect the walls of the corridor from any significant damage that could occur in the absence of these rails sri the articulation mechanisms scrape or

  scratch the wall while moving the table down the hall.

  Numerous features and advantages of the present invention, as well as details of the structure and function of the target table, have been set forth above. However, it is understood that the invention is not

  limited to the content of this description, nor to the appended figures; she is

  susceptible of numerous modifications and variants accessible to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined

in the appended claims.

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Claims (10)

  1. Table comprising a support on wheels, a tabletop and at least one extension associated with said tabletop, characterized in that it comprises hinge means (17) for articulating said extension (13, 14) on said table top (11), which are arranged to allow said extension to be moved between a first position, wherein the extension is aligned with the table top, and a mutually opposed second position and a third position, in which the extension is orthogonal with respect to the table top, said articulation means   comprising locking means for locking the extension cord in the   say first and second positions, respectively.   2. Table according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulation and locking means comprise a pivoting element (20) comprising a pivot (22) and a guide (35) orthogonal to said pivot, and a sliding element (21) comprising a tongue (43)   slidable in said guide and provided with a slot (47) in the   which said pivot is called to move.   3. Table according to claim 2, characterized in that said lan-   gette (43) has an abutment shoulder (46) for engaging one end of said guide (35), and working surfaces (44,45) for engaging said pivot member (20) for   prevent any pivotal movement of said extension (13, 14) around -   said pivot (22) in predetermined relative positions from above table (11) and extension.   4. Table according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises protective means (57) disposed on the lower surface of said extension (13, 14) and called to prevent any contact between said articulation means (17) and a wall or the like that said table would be susceptible to touch.   5. Table according to claim 4, characterized in that said protective means comprise a rail (57) protector extending over said articulation means (17).   6. Table according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized   in that said table top (11) is angularly movable relative to   said support (10) between a horizontal position and a vertical position.   7. Table according to claim 6, characterized in that said articulation and locking means (17) are arranged to allow the angular displacement of said tabletop (11), regardless of the position of said extension ( 13, 14) compared to above table,   8.- Mechanism of articulation and locking allowing a general   table swivel lanyard (13, 14) to perform pivotal movements from above (11) of the table between a first position in which the extension is aligned with the table top and a second and a third position with each other opposites in which the extension   is orthogonal to said tabletop, and   rusting said extension in said first and second positions, respectively, characterized in that it comprises, in combination: - a pivoting element (20) defining a mounting surface (25) to be fixed under the tabletop (11) ) near one of the edges thereof, such that said pivoting member extends partially beyond said edge; a sliding element (21) defining a mounting surface (41) to be fixed under the extension to be articulated on said tabletop (11) along said edge, so that said sliding element extends partially beyond one of the edges of the extension, towards said pivoting element, and - elastic means (23) urging said sliding element towards said pivoting element, said pivoting element comprising a pivot (22) of which the axis is to be aligned with said table top edge below the desired mounting surface and walls (30,31) spaced transverse to said mounting surface and a transverse wall (32) disposed between said spaced apart walls to define a guide (35) orthogonal to said mounting surface, - said sliding member includes an elongated tongue (43), engaged to slide in said guide and   provided with an elongate slot (47) to be traversed by said pivot (22).   9.- articulation and locking mechanism, characterized in that it comprises a pivot element (20) defining a first mounting surface (25), and a sliding element (21) defininga second mounting surface ( 41), that said pivoting member has two spaced apart walls (309 31) laterally of each other and extending 2482434 - 2482434   transversely from said first mounting surface, and a transverse wall (32) connecting said spaced apart walls in a region spaced apart from   said surface so as to define a guide (35) of trans-   predetermined versales which extends parallel to said surface and is orthogonal thereto, said walls extending longitudinally beyond said surface and supporting a transverse pivot (22) whose axis is parallel to said surface; and orthogonal with respect to the median axis of said guide, in that said sliding element comprises a   an elongated tongue (43) extending transversely from said other   x mounting surface (41) and longitudinally beyond this surface,   said tongue being dimensioned so as to be able to slide longitudinally   in said guide (35) and being provided with an elongated slot (47) parallel to said surface, said slot having a closed first end (50) and a closed second end (51) and extending from a near an end of said surface, while said pivot of the aforementioned pivot element passes through said slot, the arrangement   being such that when said pivot is near the first former   tremity (50) of the slot, the sliding element is free to pivot from a first position in which said first and second   mounting surfaces are aligned, to a second position and a third   second position in which said second mounting surface (41) is   perpendicular to said first mounting surface (25), in   respective oppositions, and in that said tongue (43) can   smoothly in said guide (35) when said elements of   and sliding are in the said first position, however   as this tongue comes into contact with said transverse wall (32) when said two elements are in said second position, so as to prevent any angular movement of said sliding element   to the position in which said two mounting surfaces are - aligned with each other.   10.- articulation and locking mechanism, characterized in that   it comprises a pivoting element (20) defining a first override   mounting face (25), a sliding element (21) defining a second mounting surface (41), and resilient means (23) disposed between and acting upon the two aforesaid elements,   in that said pivoting element comprises two walls (30, 31) spaced   laterally extending from said first mounting surface, and a transverse wall (32) interconnecting said spaced apart walls in a region spaced from said surface, so as to define a guide (35) of predetermined transverse dimensions which extends parallel to said surface and is orthogonal thereto, said walls extending longitudinally beyond said surface and supporting a transverse pivot (22) whose axis is pa-   to said surface and orthogonal to the median axis of said   (35), in that said sliding element (21) comprises a tongue   elongate member (43) extending transversely from said second sur-   mounting face (41) and longitudinally beyond this surface, this tongue being dimensioned so as to be able to slide longitudinally in said guide (35) and being provided with an elongate slot (47) extending parallel to said surface between a first closed end (50) and a second closed end (51), from a location near one end of said surface, said slot being traversed by said pivot, the arrangement being such that when the pivot (22) ) is in proximity to said first end (50) of the slot (47), the slide member (21) is freely pivotable about said pivot (22) from a first position in which said two mounting surfaces are aligned one   on the other to a second position and a third position in the-   which said second mounting surface (41) extends perpendicular to said first mounting surface (25), in respective opposite directions, and in that said tongue (43) is freely slidable in said guide (35) when said two elements are in said first position, while this tongue comes into contact with said transverse wall (32) when said two elements are in the second position, so as to prevent any angular movement   said sliding member to the position in which said   mounting faces are aligned with each other.