JPS62114506A - Extensible table - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to tables having foldable wings, and more particularly to an improved hinge mechanism for pivotally connecting the wings to a table top.

[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Tables with foldable wings have been known for some time. Such tables are commonly used in hotels.
In this case, the table is used with its wings folded in one, two or three positions. These wings should be horizontal and flush with the table top when in use, and the wings can be rotated to either a downward or upward position when moving the table through a hotel corridor or when storing the table. It would be good if you could do that. A table with wings that rotate into a vertical position on the table dog, the wings acting to keep the plates, utensils and food being carried on the table top while the table is being transported through the hotel aisles. It is hoped that In addition to having rotatable wings, this type of table also has
A table top is usually provided which pivots on the support between a flat horizontal position and a 90° displaced vertical position. Such a tilting feature on the support is preferred to accommodate the table when not in use.

An example of such a prior art table is U.S. Pat.
It is disclosed in No. 6.

Although tables such as those described in the aforementioned US patents have been of great industrial utility, it has been discovered that such tables have certain drawbacks under certain circumstances. As disclosed in the aforementioned patents, the wings are connected to the table by a plurality of pins having stationary pivot members secured to the table and sliding members secured to the wings. The slide member is slidably movable relative to the pivot member, but the two members are biased together by an interconnected spring. When the wing is to be moved from a position flush with the table top, the wing must be pulled away from the table top a predetermined stroke and rotated to either a lower position or an upper position.

In either case, the hinge is exposed when the wings are pulled away from the table top. This has the undesirable result that such tables are usually provided with a white tablecloth when in use. If the wings were to be pulled apart to expose the hinge, the tablecloth would migrate into the hinge area and become soiled. Also, when the table wings are returned to the horizontal position,
The tablecloth will be tucked in. Another problem with such prior art table tops is that when the wings of the table are to be moved from an upward position to a coplanar position, the wings must be moved against the biasing force of the springs. Must be.

This creates an awkward operation of the table when attempting to move the wings to a position flush with the table top. Normally, this work would be done in a hotel room, and the room service table would be set up in front of the hotel guests. At times like this,
From the hotel's point of view, it is highly desirable that table tops be handled smoothly and elegantly in order to avoid causing discomfort to hotel guests under any circumstances. Yet another problem with prior art devices is that when the table wings are moved to a lower position, the table wings extend substantially further from the table dog, requiring additional space for transporting or storing the table. That is to say.

[Failure to solve the problem]

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a table comprising a support and a table top connected to the support, the wings being hinged to the table top. A hinge connects the wing to the table top for moving the wing from a first position in which the wing is aligned with the table top to a second position in which the wing is substantially perpendicular to the table top. The hinge has a first hinge member secured to the wing and a second hinge member connected to the table top. The first member and the second member are pivotally connected, and the second member is slidably connected to the table top.

A more distinctive feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention is that a pair of wings are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the table top by a plurality of hinges. The plurality of hinges includes a first hinge member connected to the wing and a second hinge member slidably connected to the table dog. Opposing sliding hinge members on the table top are slidably received within channels and are spring connected to each other. The sliding hinge member and the associated first hinge member are connected by a pivot pin received within the elongated slot of the first hinge member. Close to the pivot pin 1. and a stop is secured to the second hinge member spaced apart from the pin by a distance to permit rotation of the wing when the first hinge member is positioned at the first end of the slot proximate the pin. It will be established. The stop is arranged such that the first hinge member is in a second position in the slot adjacent to the pin.
Stop the rotational movement when positioned at the end.

〔Example〕

As shown in FIG. 1, the table 20 consists of a support 22 and a table trunnion f24 rotatably fixed to the support 22, and these components will be described in detail later. The pair of extension wings 26, 26' are hinges 30.30a, 30'.
, 30a' at both ends 28 of the table top 20.
, 28'. The support device 22 has pace members 32 , 32 which are spaced apart with their longitudinal directions parallel to each other.
', and this pace member 32, 32' has casters 3
4.34m.

34', 34a' are provided so that the pace members 32, 32' are placed in a common horizontal plane on the horizontal surface 36. Supports 22 extend vertically upwardly from pace members 32 and 32', respectively.
38'. The struts 38, 38' are interconnected by horizontal cross members 40.

The back surface 24a of the table trough f24 is provided with a pair of groove-shaped members 42.42' disposed close to and parallel to the edge portions 28, 28' and spaced apart from each other. The spacing between the two channel members 42, 42' is greater than the spacing between the two struts 38, 38'. Fourth
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two channels are identical, and the description of channel 42 based on FIGS. 4 and 6 also applies to the description of channel 42'. Channel member 4
2 comprises an extension portion having a U-shaped groove portion 44.

A vertical spacer portion 46 connects the groove portion 44 to the horizontally disposed seven runs 48, which are secured to the backside surface 24a by suitable means, such as a plurality of screws. Channel members 42.42' have their respective channel portions 44.4
4' facing each other and fixed to the back surface 24a.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, rods 52 are secured to the tops of struts 38 and 38'.

The rod 52 has its free end 54° 54' connected to the column 38.
．． 38' and is sized to extend into said groove portion 44,44'. the free end 54,
54' each has a glass slide 56.56
', and these slides 56, 56' are of such a size that they can be accommodated and slid inside the groove portions 44, 44'. A pair of support arms 58.58' are pivotally connected to the channel 42.42' at positions 60°61' and to the struts 38 at positions 62.62'.
38'.

A latch 64 is secured to channel 42 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIGS. The latch 64 has a full surface 66 that generally contacts the outer surface of the channel 42 . The segment (segment) 66a that protrudes outward is the entire surface 66.
is connected to a handle portion 68 spaced from the outer surface of the channel. A bolt 67 passing through the channel member 42 allows the latch 64 to be rotatably attached to the channel member 42.
The port 67 receives a ring 69 surrounding itself between the channel 42 and the locking nut 65. The hook is the groove portion 44 facing the entire surface 66.
A portion is broken to provide an opening 70 extending through the groove portion 44 . When the table is rotated to the horizontal position shown in FIG.
An opening 70 is positioned over the groove portion 44 to allow communication with the plastic slide 56 and expose the plastic slide 56. The entire hook surface 66 is provided with an entire hook element 72 which passes through the hole 70 and the hook of the plastic slide 56 is sized to engage all end edges 74. It is made. When the handle portion 66 is engaged and biased toward the channel 42, the handle slides out of engagement with the entire end edge 74. At the same time, it rotates at the port 67 position.

When unlatched, the cheap tiger f24 can be tilted to a vertical storage position.

The extension wings 26, 26' include a plurality of hinges 30, 30a.

Attached by 30' and 308'. Each of the plurality of hinges is identical, and the description of hinge 30 will apply to the description of the other hinges.

Like parts of each of the plurality of hinges are numbered the same except that the letter raJ or "l" is added to identify the combination with a particular hinge. Fifth
As best shown in Figures 8-10, hinge 30 (or hinge 30' in Figures 8-10)
has a first hinge member 80 having a mounting plate 82 that is to be secured to the backside surface of the wing. A tongue 84 extends vertically from the mounting plate 82 and extends longitudinally beyond the mounting plate 82 to a rounded free end 86 . An elongated slot 88 is provided extending through tongue 84 and having a longitudinal direction parallel to mounting plate 82 . The first end 87 of the slot 88 at the furthest distance from the mounting plate 82 is aligned with the center of a circle containing the circumferential contour of the free end 86 .

Back surface 24 of table top 24 (as described above)
A second hinge member 90 for connection is provided at m. The second hinge member 90 is an elongated rectangular rond sized to be slidably received within a groove portion having dimensions similar to the dimensions of groove portion 44'. The second hinge member 90 has a pivot end 92 that includes:
generally parallel to the edge 28 of the table top and a first
A hole is punched out to receive a pivot pin 96 having an axis perpendicular to the tongue 84 of the hinge member 80. A pivot pin 96 extends through the aperture and an elongated slot 88 that pivotally joins the first hinge member 80 and the second hinge member 90.

The pin is secured in place by a nut and washer 98. A stop comprising a steel par 100 is secured to the second hinge member 90 on the side of the pivot pin 96 opposite the pivot end 92. This stop is the second hinge member 9
0 is fixed to the table top as described above,
The second hinge member 9o has a vertical stop surface 102.
Aligned above. The stop light surface is spaced from the pivot pin 96 by a distance slightly greater than the radius of the rounded free end 86 of the first hinge member 80. The distance from pivot pin 96 to stop surface 102 is less than the radial distance from second end 89 of elongate slot 88 to end 85 of tongue 84 .

A pair of spaced apart parallel channels 104, 104' are provided extending generally perpendicular to the edges 28, 28'. The channel members 104, 104' are connected to the table top 2.
It extends over almost the entire length of the back surface of 4. Hinge 3
The two hinges are attached to the wing section 26 and the wing section 2 such that the first hinge member 8o and the first hinge member 80a fixed to the wing section 26 are respectively provided at the wing section 0 and the hinge 30a.
Aligned on 6'. Similarly, hinges 30', 3
0a' are attached to respective first hinge members 80', 80a' which are secured to the extension wing 26'. The second hinge member 90 is the second hinge member 90. Each hinge is secured to a respective wing so as to be aligned opposite hinge member 90'. Similarly, the second hinge member 90a
They are arranged in a straight line opposite the hinge member 90a'.

The groove-shaped members 104, 104' have the same structure as the groove-shaped member 42.
, each channel 104, 104' having a respective channel portion 106, 106'. Second hinge member 9
0 , 9 ()' are slidably received in opposite ends of the groove portion 106 of the channel member 104 .
0, 90 m, 90' and 90a' are sized to be slidably received within the groove portions of channels 104, 104'. Similarly, the second hinge member 90a,
90a' is slidably received at opposite ends of channel portion 106' of channel member 104'. Second hinge member 90
At the opposite ends of t 90 a , 90 ′ and 901 L/ are peg members 108 , 108 a , 108 ′, respectively.
and 108a' are provided. Spring 110,1
10' are provided to connect the stake members 108 and 108', respectively, and to connect the stake members 108a and 108a', and the second hinge members attached thereto are attached to each other toward the other side. It is strong.

As better shown in FIG. 9, when the two wings are in a horizontal position on the same plane as the table top, the two wings are arranged in a straight line and in contact with one edge of the table top. The groove portions 106, 106' are spaced from the back surface of the table top by the same distance that the elongated slots 88 of the hinge member 80 are spaced from the back surface of the extended wings. . Also, as is apparent from the drawings, the opposing edges of the table top and wings are rounded and inwardly sloped at the upper surfaces of the wings and table top.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a pair of wing support members 1
12, 112' are provided to support each of the wings 26, 26' at the location of the extension wing extending in line from the table top 24. Each wing support member 1
12 and 112' are the same, and the description of the wing support member 112 also applies to the description of the wing support member 112'.

The wing support member 112 includes a groove-shaped member 114 having the same cross section as the groove-shaped member 42 .

Channel member 114 is oriented generally transversely to opposite edges of wing 26 and table.

Wing support member 112 has a rod 118 that is slidably received within channel 114 and sized to extend through an opening 112 formed in channel 42 . A handle 122 is attached to the free end of the support rod 118.
is provided, and the handle 122 is bent inwardly from the support rod 118 at a suitable angle, such as about 90° or any other suitable angle. The support rod 118 is attached to the wing section 2
6 is slidable within the channel 114 with the handle 122 in a first position below the table dog 24 and in a second position below the wings 26. It is extendable with the handle 122 to. Precise extendable positioning of the support rod 118 is provided by a stop 124 secured to the inner end of the support rod 118, which stops the channel member 114 when the support rod 118 is withdrawn to the desired maximum stroke. comes into contact with. In the fully extended position, handle 1
22 is a square 126 fixed to the back surface of the wing section 26.
are aligned facing each other. On the surface, the spacer is the wing part 2.
6 has a surface facing the handle 122 that is spaced from the wings 26 a sufficient distance to support the 6 on the handle 122 flush with the table top 24.

The spacer 126 is provided with a surface 128 that slopes toward the channel 42. Each of the wings 26.26' has a handle 130.13 that can be handled by the user.
0' is provided, and this handle 130.130'
are respectively fixed to the surface of the central portion of the rear edge of the extension wings 26, 26'.

The support 22 is provided with a pair of shelves 140, 140' positioned on opposite sides of the posts 38, 38'.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, shelves 140, 140' are identical, and the description of one shelf applies to the other shelf. The shelf 140 has spaced parallel side walls 142, 144 which are connected to the base member 32, 32' by pivot pins 146, 148.
is rotatably mounted on the As shown, pivot pins 146 and 148 are housed within elongated slots 150 and 152 in side walls 142 and 144, respectively.
and the side walls 142, 14 when the respective pins engage the first ends 151, 153 of the elongated slots 150, 152.
4 is spaced from vertical struts 38, 38' by a sufficient distance to allow free rotation about pins 146, 148. When the pivot pins 146, 148 engage the second ends 155, 157 of the elongated slots 150, 152, the side walls 142, 144 contact the vertical struts 38, 38', thereby preventing rotational movement of the side walls. be done. The side walls are interconnected by a cross member 149 and a second cross member 158, the second cross member 158 having a recess 160 in its center. A horizontal flange 162 with casters provides support for the side walls 142, 144 when the shelf is rotated to the lower position.

Various advantages of the invention will become apparent from a description of the operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

When the table is in its position for use in a hotel room, the table wings 26,26' are fully extended and flush with the table top 24. Shelf member 140
, 140' can be tilted to either the upper or lower position as desired, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. When rotating the shelf member from the upper position to the lower position,
A pivot pin 146 is attached to the first end 1 of the slot 150, 152.
The cross member 158 is grasped and raised until it engages the 51° 153, at which point the shelf is rotated to a downward position so that the side wall 142 engages the flange 162. Upon movement of the table, the recess 160 in the ledge will provide adequate clearance for the operator's feet pushing the table through the hole path in the lower position.

The tongue 84 of the first hinge member 80 extends in a horizontal plane generally coincident with the second hinge member 90 when the table is in the room-use position. In this position, the spring 120 biases the opposing second hinge member 90 along with the pivot pin 96 located below the table top 24. Opposing rounded edges of the table top and wings contact each other. A handle portion 122 of the support rod 118 engages the wing 126 to support the wing in proper alignment with the table top. The table top is also rotated to its horizontal position so that the latch 64 engages the entire element 72 and the plastic slide 56 engages the remaining edge 74 in fixed engagement. FIG. 9 shows the wing section 26
' shows hinge 30a' in the extended position and flush with table top 24.

From the previously described position, the wings may be moved to either an upper position or a lower position. For example, the wing portion 26' is
As shown in FIG.
Push the support rod 118' into a position where the handle is below the table top 24.

Gravity forces the now unsupported wing 26' into the pin 96'.
, 96a', the wings 26' are moved to a generally vertical position and the edges of the wings are aligned with the edges of the table top since the pivot point is below the table top. It is arranged below the section 28'. In this position, the sliding hinge members 90', 90a' are connected to the stops 100', 100
Groove member 1 such that a' touches the outer surface of the groove member.
04,104'.

When the wing is moved to a substantially vertical position above the table top (as shown in FIG. 8, where the wing 26' is approaching vertical), the operator can move the recessed handle 1
30' and rotate the wing about pivot pins 96, 96a'. When the wings 26' approach a substantially horizontal position, the wing edges are aligned with the opposite rounded edges 2 of the table top.
8', and continue rotating while rolling against each other with their rounded edges facing each other. In this way, the edges of the wings and the edges of the table dog become part of the hinge mechanism. As the table wings FjS 26' continue to move to a substantially vertical position, the wings 26 pivot on their opposite edges and the tongues 8
4', 84a' are sliding hinge members 90', 90a
' is pulled outward from the channels 104, 104'. The sliding movement of the hinge members 90', 90a' is controlled by the spring 110.
．． 110'. When the wings are vertical, the sliding hinge members 90', 90a' are in the fully extended position, and the tongues 84', 84a' are elongated.
8', 88a' are vertical. FIG. 5 shows hinge 30 in a fully vertical position on table top 24. FIG. In this position, pin 9 is shown in FIG.
6.96 m abuts the second end 89 of the slot 88 and the edge of the wing 26 is now positioned lower than the opposite edge of the table top 24 . Fall in the direction. In this position, the stopper 100, 100a
engages a tongue that prevents further rotational movement of the hinge member. To return the wing 26 to the horizontal position, the operator touches the wing handle and presses the first slot 88.88a.
Raise the entire wing until the tongue moves so that the end engages the pin 96.96m, at which point the spacing between the pivot pin and the stop 100° 100a is such that the rounded end of the tongue be sufficient to allow rotation. When the rotor rotates the wings back toward the horizontal position, the opposing edges of the wings and table roll against each other and the sliding members 90, 90a of the hinge are rotated by the springs 110,
110' forces the channels 104° 104' back into the channels.

If it is desired to rotate the table top from a horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, the operator may touch the handle portion 68 of the latch 64 to rotate the handle portion 68 into the channel 42.
energize towards. For the pivoting attachment of the latch, the latch bar element 72 is biased out of the hole 7o, thereby causing the groove portion 4
4 and the plastic slide 56 are freely movable relative to each other.

The present invention provides many advantages over the prior art. 1st
In order to move the wings from a vertical position above the table top to a position flush with the table top, the operator only needs to lift against the weight of the table top, which is not necessary in conventional equipment. There is no need to lift it against the additional force exerted by the spring as in The structure of the table of the present invention allows relatively easy and smooth operation of the extendable wings in the cabin,
To enable an elegant and uniform membrane tube for a room service table. Additionally, the table top and the opposing edges of the wing provide a pivot point for the pivoting motion, so that during this operation the wing moves from a vertical position on the table top to a coplanar horizontal position. The hinge mechanism is not exposed to the public. This avoids the possibility of staining the tablecloth and avoids the need to expose unsightly hinge arrangements to hotel guests. Also, when turned to the lower position, the wings are more compact than in the prior art, which facilitates movement through narrow and busy hotel corridors and for storing tables. Reduce the space required. Finally, the device according to the invention can be made economically, since all channels are made by cutting the same extruded member.

From the foregoing description it can be seen how the present invention provides advantages not hitherto available by the prior art.

The foregoing description of the fK of the present invention has been based on preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is therefore clear that the invention is not limited to the specifications of the preferred embodiment, and it is obvious that modifications and equivalent constructions may be readily devised by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a room service table according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the room service table with a button of the present invention with the table top tilted to the storage position, and FIG. 3 is a view of the room service table in the use position. FIG. 4 is a front view of a room service table according to the invention with the table top rotated to the top; FIG. 5 is a side view, FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge mechanism, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the channel with a hook projecting through the channel, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a rotation/fixing mechanism for a table shelf-like member;
9 and 10 are side views sequentially illustrating the movement of the wings from a vertical position above the table top to a vertical position below the table top. 20...Table, 22...Support, 24...Table top, 26.26'...Wing part, 30, 30a
. 30', 30a'...hinge, 42,42'...channel member, 80.80', 80a, 80a'-first hinge member, 90.90', 90'a, 90a'... Second Hinzo member. Margin below

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A support; a table top; means for connecting the table top to the support; wings for the table top; a first hinge member fixed to the wings and connected to the table top; a second hinge member for hinged said wing to said table top for moving said wing from a first position aligned with said table top to a second position; The first hinge member is connected to the second hinge member.
A table comprising: pivoting means for pivotally coupling to a hinge member; means for slidably coupling said second hinge member to said table top; and means for locking said wing in said second position. 2. the table top and the wings have opposite edges connected by the hinge means, the edges comprising:
2. The table of claim 1, wherein said wings have opposed surfaces that engage in rolling contact when said wings are moved from said first position to said second position. 3. means for locking the wing in the second position, on a side of the pivoting means remote from the first hinge member, locking the wing in the second position;
a stop secured on the hinge member; the pivot means having a pin carried by the second means; a tongue carried by the first hinge member extending from the first end to the second an elongated slot extending to an end, the tongue being spaced from the stop a sufficient distance to pivot when the pin engages the first end of the slot; and 2. The table of claim 1, wherein the pin is spaced from the stop by a distance less than a sufficient distance to pivot when engaged in the second end of the slot. 4. The table is provided with two wings on either side of the table top, and the two wings are attached to the table by hinge means having a second hinge member slidably connected to the table top. a second hinge member of the first wing in a plane coincident with the sliding movement of the spring means connecting the two opposed sliding members and the second hinge member; 4. The table of claim 3, wherein the table is aligned with the second hinge member of the second wing.