FR2561725A1 - Assembly system with articulation and application for producing folding tables or shelves - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly system with articulation, allowing two elements to be solidly fixed on one another with the capability of giving them at least two different relative positions. This system comprises an external rigid support 1 having two facing flanges 2 and 3, an internal rigid support 5 having two flanges 6 and 7 in contact with the two flanges 2 and 3 of the external support, an articulation pin 10 allowing the two supports to pivot with respect to one another, a movable locking member 11 stressed by elastic means 16 and able to project or be retracted with respect to one of the flanges 6 of the internal support 5, and at least two slots 19 made in the corresponding flange of the external support in order to accommodate the locking member in at least two relative positions of the internal and external supports.

Description

JOINT ASSEMBLY SYSTEM
AND APPLICATION FOR MAKING FOLDABLE TABLES OR SHELVES
The invention relates to an ace system.
articulation, allowing to subjugate two elements
one on the other with the ability to give them at least two
different relative positions. It applies in particular
bind to make folding furniture such as foldable tables
foldable shelves or shelves.

To make the legs of a table re
foldable in the absence of bolts, screws or members of this type,
compass systems with
movable rods, which can either be folded against one another
be for the folded position of the foot, or deploy in the
extension of each other for the unfolded position; a
locking is produced in this last position by a
suitable body or by slightly overshooting the biellet
your relative to their aligned positions.

However, these compass systems pos
many faults arise. First, they are relati
dangerous and entail risks of pinching and
injury to fingers during use. In addition, these
systems quickly deform and acquire, after a
some time, a game detrimental to the stability of the table
in the unfolded position. In addition, these systems have a
noticeable space: they are unattractive and provide
discomfort for people sitting near the feet.

The present invention proposes to
remedy the above-mentioned faults in existing systems. She
aims for a hinge assembly system capable of equi
for tables, but can also be used in a way
more general when any two elements are assem
bling each other, with the ability to rotate to take
different relative positions (especially two posi
one said folded, the other said unfolded
An object of the invention is in par
particular to provide a harmless system that does not
leads to no risk for users when maneuvering
vres.

 Another objective is to provide a system which gives the two assembled elements precise, very stable relative positions, without the risk of the appearance of defects over time.

 Another objective is to provide a space-saving, discreet system which does not detract from the aesthetics of the elements on which they are mounted and does not cause any discomfort for the users.

 Another objective is to provide a very safe system, which makes it possible both to promote the stability of a position (unfolded position for a table), and to obtain a position (or more) from which (or which) the unfolding maneuver is very rapid (folded position).

 Another objective of the invention is to provide a robust system and of reduced cost.

To this end, the articulation assembly system according to the invention making it possible to secure two elements with the option of giving them at least two different relative positions (one called folded, the other called unfolded), essentially comprises
- a first rigid support, called external support, adapted to be fixed on the first element and having two flanges arranged opposite in parallel planes,
a second rigid support, said internal support, adapted to carry the second element and having two flanges arranged opposite one another in contact with the two flanges of the external support, so as to be able to slide against said flanges,
a hinge pin connecting the flanges of the two supports and arranged perpendicular to said flanges so as to allow the two supports to pivot relative to each other between at least two positions corresponding to the folded and unfolded positions of the elements,
- A movable locking member, carried by the internal support and provided with a head capable of projecting relative to one of the flanges of said internal support through a light thereof, or retracting into said light,
elastic means urging the locking member towards its projecting position,
- At least two openings, formed in one of the flanges of the external support, one facing the head of the locking member for the unfolded position of the elements, the other facing said head for the folded position, said lights being adapted to receive this head under the stress of the elastic means.

 (I1 it should be noted that by "internal support" is meant a support of which at least one of the flanges is located inside the other support, called external (against the corresponding flange of said external support); generally, the two flanges of the internal support will be located inside the external support, against the two flanges of the latter).

 Such an assembly system is very compact, since it reduces to the volume of the external support, it is not very visible and does not cause any discomfort for users. In addition, as will be better understood later, its use is safe and does not lead to any risk of injury.

Furthermore, according to other characteristics of the invention
the head of the locking member has a substantially cylindrical portion,
the lumen of the external support corresponding to the unfolded position is of substantially cylindrical shape combined with said portion,
- A movable pusher is disposed outside the external support opposite the aforementioned light, in order to allow the head to be released from said light.

 Thus, when the cylindrical portion of the head is engaged in the combined cylindrical lumen of the external support, the two supports are locked relative to each other, in the so-called unfolded position, without risk of release and accidental displacement; the system thus guarantees a very secure stability of the elements in this position. To fold the elements, it is necessary that the user presses on the movable pusher in order to release the locking member.

In addition, according to other preferred features of the invention
the head of the locking member has a conical end extending its cylindrical portion,
- The lumen of the external support corresponding to the folded position is of substantially conical shape combined with the conical end of the head, in order to be able to receive this end without penetration of the cylindrical portion.

 The stability of the unfolded position is thus favored over that of the folded position; indeed, to rotate the supports from the unfolded position, an external action is necessary on the pusher mentioned above. On the other hand, the elements secured to the supports can be made to pivot one relative to the other from the folded position by a simple force applied to them, since the locking in this position is achieved by inclined surfaces able to disengage from themselves.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the external support is constituted by a profile section with a U-shaped section, while the internal support is itself constituted by a rectangular profile section or with a U-shaped section, suitable for be housed in the external support.

 The invention extends to a folding table equipped with four articulation assembly systems as defined above; each system connects one leg of the table to the top of the table.

 The invention also relates to a folding shelf, comprising a shelf equipped with at least two articulated assembly systems, in order to allow its fixing with a possibility of folding.

The invention described above in its general form will be better understood on reading the following description and on examining the appended drawings, which present by way of nonlimiting examples an embodiment and applications; on these drawings which form an integral part of the present description
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly system according to the invention, in the so-called unfolded position,
FIG. 2 is a section through a plane A, in this same unfolded position,
FIG. 3 is a perpendicular section thereof along a broken line BCD, in this same unfolded position,
FIG. 4 is a detailed view in section of the locking member in the unfolded position,
- Figures 5 and 6 are sections of the system in the folded position, respectively by a plane
E and by a plane F,
FIG. 7 is a detailed view in section of the locking member in this folded position,
FIG. 8 is an overall schematic view showing a folding table equipped with four systems,
- Figures 9 and 10 are partial sections of said table, respectively by planes G and
H (unfolded position),
- Figure ll is a section of the table in the folded position,
FIG. 12 is an overall schematic view showing a folding shelf fitted with two systems,
FIG. 13 is a partial section through a plane s of said shelf in the unfolded position,
FIG. 14 is a section through a plane K thereof,
- Figure 15 is a section similar to that of Figure 13, in the folded position
The articulation assembly system shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 7 is intended to ensure the connection between two elements and allows them to be assigned two different relative positions, angularly distant from 900 (one position being said to be unfolded: FIGS. 1 to 4; the other folded: Figures 5 to 7) .One of the elements, called the first element, can in particular be constituted by the fixed frame of a table or by a fixed wall or vertical wall, the second element being constituted by a movable table leg or by a leg for fixing a shelf.

 The assembly system comprises a first support 1, called external support, constituted by a section of steel profile, with a U-shaped section comprising two wings 2 and 3 which form flanges situated in parallel planes, and a wall of link 4 located in a perpendicular plane. In the example, the flange 2 is longer than the flange 3.

 The first element to be assembled is called to be secured to this external support 1.

 The system comprises a second support 5, called internal support, constituted by a section of steel profile, with a U-shaped section, comprising in the example two wings 6 and 7 which form flanges situated in parallel planes, a wall of connection 8 and two short returns such as 9. This internal support 5 can, as a variant, have a rectangular section (the returns 9 meet to form a second connecting wall between the flanges 6 and 7).

 The second element to be assembled is called to be fixed on this internal support 5.

 The dimensions of this internal support 5 are such that it is housed inside the external support 1, as shown in the figures: the flanges 6 and 7 of the internal support are positioned parallel to the flanges 2 and 3 of the external support in contact with them, with the ability to move against them.

 The two supports 1 and 5 are articulated one on the other by a hinge pin 10 which is orthogonal to the flanges 2, 3, 6 and 7 and connects them so as to allow relative pivoting of the two supports l 'relative to each other around said axis.

 This axis 1Q crosses the flanges 6 and 7 of the internal support in the vicinity of an end edge Sa thereof and is crimped in the flanges 2 and 3 of the external support, by its ends.

 The internal support 5 is arranged in the external support 1 so that the two connecting walls 4 and 8 of said supports are located close to each other in the unfolded position, with a slight clearance to allow their release during rotation, as shown in Figure 2.

 The system further comprises a locking member 11, which is carried by the internal support 5 in the vicinity of the other end edge 5b of said support.

 This member 11 is formed by a rod 12 located in the internal support 5, by a flange 13 at one end of said rod and by a head 14 located in the extension of the rod 12 opposite the latter relative to the collar 13.

 The flange 6 of the internal support has a lumen 15 of diameter adapted to allow the passage of the flange 13 of the locking member. A spring 16 is arranged around the rod 14 of this member; this spring bears by one of its ends against the flange 13, while its other end is guided at the level of the opposite flange 7 of the internal support. In the example, this flange 7 is pierced with a slot 17 in which the end of the spring engages, the latter coming to bear inside the flange 3 of the external support.

 These provisions reduce the cost of manufacturing and mounting the locking member. The mounting of this member can be easily ensured, by pivoting the internal support 5 so that its lumen 15 comes to be located outside of the flange 2 of the external support 1, then by introducing the locking member in the internal support. through said lumen 15, compressing its spring and rotating the internal support 5 in the opposite direction relative to the external support 1.

 The flange 2 of the external support is pierced with two slots 18 and 19, one 18 arranged to be located opposite the locking head 14 for the unfolded position (that is to say when the profiles constituting the sup ports 1 and 5 have substantially parallel axes), the other ~ lS arranged to be pierced opposite said head @@ for the folded position (angular position distant from the previous one of 900).

 As illustrated in detail figure 4, the locking head 14 has a sens.bly c> -lindrique portion 14a, extended by a conical end 14b.

 The lumen 15 of the external support (corresponding to the unfolded position) is of an elindic shape of diameter adapted to receive with a slight eu the cylindrical portion 14a of the head 14 (FIG. 4) On the other hand, the lutiere 19 (corresponding in the folded position) is of substantially conical drilled conjugate from the conical end 14b of the head, in order to receive this end without penetration into this lumen of the cylindrical portion (Figure 7).

 (Of course, the lights 18 and 19 have diameters smaller than that of the light 15 of the internal support, so as to prevent the passage of the flange 13 through them).

 Thus, under the action of the spring 16, the head 14 has tended to protrude relative to the flange 6 of the internal support. When it is located opposite the light 18, this head engages in the latter, up to the base of the collar 13 which bears internally against the flange 2 of the external support. In this position, the head 14 can no longer disengage from the lumen 18 whatever the force exerted on the supports: an external action on the locking member is necessary.

 On the contrary, when it is opposite the light 19, the head 14 engages in it only by its conical end 14b and the locking is ensured by inclined surfaces which can be released from a some effort on the supports.

 (It should be noted that, by the term "conic", one understands surfaces whose generatrices can be other than linear).

 Thus, in the unfolded position, the supports are locked in an extremely stable manner without risk of accidental pivoting; a mobile pusher 20 is provided in each application, outside the external support 1, facing the light 18 in order to allow the end of the head 14 to be pushed back until the cylindrical portion 14a of said light 18 is released .

 It should be noted that, for certain applications, it is possible to practice several lights of type 18 or of type 19, so as to obtain several positions of the supports 1 and 5, either positions of great stability without risk of unlocking, or positions allowing rapid unlocking without external action on the unlocking member.

 In Figures 1 to 4, the system is shown in the so-called unfolded position, the locking member cooperating with the light 18. In Figures 5 to 7, the system is shown in the folded position after rotation of 900 of the internal support , the locking member cooperating with the light 19.

 The articulated assembly member according to the invention can be applied for the production of a folding table, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11.

 Each leg of the table as 21 is connected to the fixed frame thereof and in particular to its upper plate 22, by means of an assembly system of the type described above.

 The external support 1 of each system is fixed to the frame by any known means (gussets, brackets, etc.), while each leg is engaged by one of its ends in the internal support 5 of the corresponding system.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, this support 5 is constituted by a profile of rectangular section and the foot is locked in the latter by one or more screws such as 23.

 It should be noted that the end of the foot is pierced right through at the level of the hinge pin 10 and the locking member 12.

 The table has at the periphery of its plate 22 a frame 24 which is applied against the flanges 2 of the assembly systems; opposite each light 18 of these flanges, this frame is provided with a housing 25 in which is arranged the pusher 20 enabling the locking member to be released (FIG. 10).

 As illustrated in FIG. 11 which shows in section the table in the folded position, the assembly members relating to two legs which fold down in the same plane are offset in height to allow these legs to overlap in the folded position.

 Thus, the table can be conveniently transported or stored in this folded position. Unfolding is easily obtained, simply by causing the feet to pivot until locked at 90. In this latter position, the feet are locked in an extremely stable manner, the folding of the table requiring pressure on the pushers 20, at the same time as a push on the feet to cause them to pivot.

 The assembly member according to the invention can also be applied for the production of folding shelves, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15.

 Two articulation assembly systems (or more) are fixed by any known means against a fixed vertical wall, by their external support 1. A shelf 26 is secured to the internal supports 5 of these systems by means of legs such as 27 Each leg 27 has one end which is engaged in the internal support of a system.

 Next to its lumen 18, each system comprises a small hollow body 28 which is fixed to the flange 2 of the external support and which contains the pusher 20 for releasing the locking member. In the example, a spring biases this pusher towards the outside of its housing.

 In the unfolded position (Figures 12 to 14), the shelf is stably locked and cannot be folded down accidentally.

 In the folded position (Figure 15), it is retracted towards the fixed rear wall, parallel to it; it is easy to put in place by a simple upward rotation.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the terms of the above description, but includes all variants thereof.

Claims (12)

 - at least two slots (18, 19), formed in one of the flanges (2) of the external support (1), one (18) facing the head (14) of the locking member for the unfolded position elements, the other (19) facing said head for the folded position, said slots (18, 19) being adapted to receive this head (14) under the stress of the elastic means (16).  - elastic means (16) urging the locking member (11) towards its projecting position,  - a movable locking member (11), carried by the internal support (5) and provided with a head (14) capable of projecting relative to one of the flanges (6) of said internal support through a lumen ( 15) thereof, or to retract into said lumen (15),  - a hinge pin (10), connecting the flanges of the two supports (1, 5) and arranged perpendicular to said flanges so as to allow the two supports to pivot relative to each other between at least two corresponding positions in the folded and unfolded positions of the elements,  - a second rigid support (5), said internal support, suitable for carrying the second element and having two flanges (6, 7) arranged opposite one another in contact with the two flanges (2, 3) of the support external (1), so as to be able to slide against said flanges,  a first rigid support (1), said external support, adapted to be fixed to the first element and having two flanges (2, 3) arranged opposite in parallel planes,  li - Hinged assembly system, allowing two elements to be secured to each other with the option of giving them at least two different relative positions, one called folded, the other called unfolded, said system being characterized in that it comprises  - A movable pusher (20) is arranged outside the external support (1) opposite the light (18) above, in order to allow to release the head (14) from said light (18).  the lumen (18) of the external support (1) corresponding to the unfolded position is of substantially cylindrical shape combined with said portion (14a),  the head (14) of the locking device (11) comprises a substantially cylindrical portion (14au,  2 / - articulation assembly system according to claim 1, characterized in that  3 / - Hinge assembly system according to claim 2, characterized in that  the head (14) of the locking member (11) has a conical end (14b) extending its cylindrical portion (14a),  - the lumen (19) of the external support (1) corresponding to the folded position is of substantially conical shape combined with the conical end (14b) of the head, in order to be able to receive this end without penetration of the portion cylindrical (14a),  - The mobile pusher (20) is arranged opposite the light (18) corresponding to the unfolded position so as to be able to push the end (14b) of the head back until the cylindrical portion (14a) is released from it. of said light (18).  - The elastic means comprise a spring (16) disposed around the rod (12) of the locking member and coming to bear at one end against the flange (13), the other end of said spring being guided at the level of the flange (7) of the internal support (1).  the locking member (11) is formed by a rod (12) located in the internal support (5), said rod being separated from the above-mentioned head (14) by a flange (13),  4 / - Hinge assembly system according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that  - The lights (18, 19) of the external support (1) have smaller diameters preventing the passage of said collar.  the lumen (15) of the internal support (5) has a diameter suitable for authorizing the passage of the flange (13) of the locking member,  5 / - Assembly system according to claim 4, characterized in that  6 / - Assembly system according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that:  the external support (1) consists of a profile section with a U-shaped section, comprising two parallel wings which form the abovementioned flanges (2, 3), and a connecting wall (4) between them,  the internal support (5) consists of a profile section with a U-shaped or rectangular section, adapted to be housed in the external support (1) and comprising two parallel wings which form the abovementioned flanges (6, 7), and at least one connecting wall (18) therebetween.  7 / - Assembly system according to claim 6, characterized in that:  the hinge pin (10) passes through the internal support (5) in the vicinity of an end edge (5a) thereof,  the locking member (11) is located in the vicinity of the other end edge (5b) of said internal support (5),  - said internal support (5) is arranged in the external support (1) so that two connecting walls (4, 8) of said supports are located close to each other in the unfolded position, with a slight clearance to authorize their release during rotation.  8 / - Assembly system according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the hinge pin (10) passes through the flanges (6, 7) of the support internal (5) and is crimped by its ends in the flanges (2, 3) of the external support (1).  9 / - Foldable table comprising an upper plate (22) and four feet (21), each connected to said plate by a hinge assembly system according to one of claims 1 to 8, the plate being secured to the external supports of said systems, while each leg is engaged by one of its ends in the internal support of a system.  10 / - Table according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises, at the periphery of its plate (22), a frame (24) which is applied against the flanges of the external supports of the assembly systems, Cre! said frame comprising facing / cTaque light (18) of each of said flanges, a housing (25) in which is disposed a pusher (20) for releasing the corresponding locking member.  11 / - Foldable shelf, comprising a shelf (26) equipped with at least two articulation assembly systems according to one of claims 1 to 8 in order to allow its fixing with possibility of folding, said shelf being secured to the internal supports of said systems by means of at least two legs (27), each engaged by one end in the / according to claim 11 /  12 / - Foldable shelf /, characterized in that each assembly system comprises, opposite its light (18), a hollow body (28) fixed on the corresponding flange of the external support (1) and containing a pusher (20 ) release of its locking member.