KR910002485B1 - Extensible table - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

Folding table

1 is a perspective view of a folding room service table according to the present invention.

2 is a front view of the folding room service table according to the present invention in which the table top surface is inclined to the storage position.

3 is a front view of the folding room service table according to the present invention in which the table top surface is inclined to the use position.

4 is a side view of the table end with the table top in use and the table extension in a vertical position above the table top.

5 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge mechanism.

6 is a perspective view of a channel having a clasp member protruding through the channel.

7 is a perspective view of a pivoting and locking mechanism for a table shelf.

8 to 10 are side views showing the extension moving continuously from the vertical position on the table top to the vertical position below the table top.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

22: support member 26,26 ': extension part

28,28 ': Edge 30,30a, 30', 30a ': Base member

34,34a, 34 ', 34a': wheel 38,38 ': vertical column

42,42'104,114: Channel 44: U type channel section

52,118: Connecting rod 56,56 ': Plastic slide

58,58 ': Support arm 64: Shackle

80: first hinge member 84: tongue

89: second end 90: second hinge member

96,146,148: Pivot Pin 110,110 ': Spring

122, 130, 130 ': handle 126: spacer

140,140 ': Shelf 150,152: Long Slot

151,153: first end of the slot 160: groove

162: horizontal flange

The present invention relates to an improved hinge mechanism for pivotally connecting an extension to a table, particularly a table top, having a fold.

Tables with folds in the prior art are well known. Such tables are commonly used in the hotel industry using tables having extensions that take one in two or three positions. The extension may be horizontal and planar with the entertainment table top or pivoted up or down for transport or storage of the table through the hotel corridor. A table having an extension pivoting in a vertical position on the table top is preferred for transporting the table through the hotel corridor, where the table extension serves to place the tableware, dishes and food on the table top. Such a table not only has a pivotable extension but is also provided with a table top that pivots about the support member between a flat horizontal position and a vertical position that switches to 90 °. Such tilting on the support member is preferred for storage of the table when not in use. An example of such a prior art table is described in US Pat. No. 4,446,796 to May 8, 1984 to Wilson et al.

While such tables described in the aforementioned US patents have been very usefully improved in the industry, such tables have found some disadvantages under some circumstances. According to the above-described patent, the table extension is connected to the table top by a plurality of hinges including a stationary pivot member fixed to the table and a slide member fixed to the extension. The sliding member moves slidably relative to the pivot member but the two members are pulled together by the interconnecting springs. When the table extension portion is moved from a planar position such as the table top surface, the extension portion is pulled from the table upper surface in a predetermined stroke so that the extension portion is pivoted to an upward position or a downward position. If the extension is pulled from the top of the table, the hinge is exposed. This can have undesirable consequences during use, such that a white tablecloth is usually provided on such table tops. When the extension is pulled off and the hinge is exposed, the tablecloth moves into the hinge area and becomes dirty. In addition, the tablecloth is caught between the table extension when it returns to the horizontal position. Another problem associated with such a prior art table top is that when the table is moved from the extension upward position to the planar position, the extension must be moved against the pulling of the spring. This cumbersome operation of the table when attempting to move the extension to the same flat position as the table top. Usually this happens when the room service table is installed in front of the hotel guest in the hotel reception room. It is then advisable for the hotel to operate on the table as smoothly and gracefully as possible without any inconvenience to the hotel guests. Another problem with the mechanism of the prior art is that when the table extension is moved to the downward position, the table extension extends quite far from the table top, which requires additional space for transporting or storing the table.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a table comprising a support member and a table top surface connected to the support member. The extension is provided on a table top having a hinge connecting the extension to the table top for moving the extension from a first position aligned with the top of the table to a second position where the extension is normally aligned perpendicular to the table top. The hinge includes a first member fixed to the extension and a second member connected to the table top surface. The first and second members are pivotally connected and the second hinge member is slidably connected to the upper surface of the table.

In particular, in accordance with a suitable embodiment of the present invention a pair of table extensions are pivotally connected to opposite edges of the table top surface by a number of hinges. The hinge includes a first hinge member connected to the extension and a second hinge member slidably connected to the upper surface of the table. Opposite slide hinge members on the table top are slidably received in the channel and connected to each other by springs. The sliding hinge member and its associated first hinge member are connected by a pivot pin received in an elongate slot of the first hinge member. A detent is provided which is secured to a second hinge member adjacent to the pivot pin and spaced apart by a distance such that the extension pivots when the first hinge member is positioned in the first recess of the slot adjacent to the pivot pin. The detent prevents the first hinge member from pivoting when positioned at the second end of the slot adjacent to the pivot pin.

Referring to the drawings, there will be shown a table 20 including a support member 22 and a table top surface 24 pivotably fixed to the support member 22, as will be described in detail below. The pair of extensions 26, 26 'is fixed to the opposite edges 28, 28' by hinges 30, 30a, 30 ', 30a'.

The support member 22 is a pair of base members spaced in parallel in the longitudinal direction provided with the wheels 34, 34a, 34 ', 34a' for placing the base members 32, 32 'on the horizontal bottom 36 in a generally horizontal plane. The support member 22 also includes a pair of vertical pillars 38, 38 'fixed to each base member 32, 32' and extending vertically upward. The vertical pillars 38, 38 ′ are interconnected by horizontal connecting members 40.

The bottom 24a of the table top 24 is provided with a pair of parallel spaced channels 42, 42 'adjacent parallel to the edges 28, 28', respectively. Channels 42 and 42 'are spaced at a distance slightly larger than the spacing of vertical columns 38 and 38'. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the channels 42, 42 'are identical and the description of the channel 42' is merely described by describing the channel 42 (shown in FIGS. 4-6). Will be enough. Channel 42 includes a protrusion having a U-shaped channel portion 44. The vertical spacing 46 connects the channel section 44 to the horizontal mounting flange 48 which is fixed to the bottom 24a by any suitable method such as a number of screws. Channels 42 and 42 'are fixed to the bottom 24a with respective channel portions 44 and 44' facing each other.

The connecting rods 52 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 are fixed to the upper ends of the vertical columns 38, 38 '. The connecting rods 52 are such that their free ends 54, 54 'are both extended beyond the pillars 38 and into the channel portions 44, 44', respectively. The free ends 54 and 54 'are provided with plastic slides 56 and 56', respectively, which are sized to be slidably accommodated in the channel sections 44 and 44 ', respectively. A pair of support arms 58, 58 'is pivotally connected to channels 42 and 42' at holes 60 and 60 'and also pivotally to columns 38 and 38' at holes 62 and 62 '. .

Clasp 64 is secured to channel 42 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Clasp 64 generally includes clasp surface 66 adjacent to an outer surface of channel 42. Outwardly projecting portion 66a connects clasp surface 66 to handle portion 68 away from the channel outer surface. The clasp 64 pivots into the channel 42 by a bolt 67 that passes through the channel 42 and receives a spring 69 that surrounds the bolt 67 between the channel 42 and the retaining nut 65. Connected. One portion of the channel portion 44 that is opposed to the clasp surface 66 is cut out to provide an opening 70 extending through the channel portion 44. The opening 70 is located in the channel portion 44 so that when the table is pivoted horizontally as shown in FIG. 5, the opening 70 is connected through the channel 42 and exposes the plastic slide 56. . Clasp surface 66 is provided with clasp element 72 that is sized to pass through aperture 70 and engage clasp edge 74 of plastic slide 56. When the handle portion 66 engages toward the channel 42, the handle pivots on the bolt element 67 and the latch element 72 that slides due to the latch engagement with the latch edge 74. When the handle part is released, the table top surface 20 may be inclined to the vertical storage position.

Extensions 26, 26 ′ are attached by hinges 30, 30a, 30 ′, 30a ′ and each hinge is the same and the description of the other hinges will be sufficient just to describe hinge 30. Similar parts of each hinge have the same number except for the additional letter "a" or the additional point (') for identification in connection with the special hinge. Hinge 30 (or 30 'in FIGS. 8-10) has a mounting plate 82 that can be secured to the underside of the extension, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8-10. One hinge member 80 is included. The tongue 84 extends vertically from the mounting plate 82 and extends beyond the mounting plate 82 to the free end 86 rounded in the longitudinal direction. An elongated slot 88 is provided that extends through 84 and has a longitudinal direction parallel to the mounting plate 82. The first end 87 of the slot 88 furthest from the mounting plate 82 is provided coincident with the center point of the track which will be contoured around the free end 86.

The second hinge member 90 is provided to be connected to the bottom 24a of the table top surface 24 (to be described in detail later). The second hinge member 90 is a long rectangular joint rod of a size that can be slidably accommodated in a channel having the same size as that of the channel portion 44 '. The second hinge member 90 has a hole formed to receive the pivot pin 96 having an axis generally parallel to the edge 28 of the table top and perpendicular to the tongue 84 of the first hinge member 86. It has a pivot end 92. The pivot pin 96 extends through an elongate slot 88 which pivotally connects the hole, the first hinge member 80 and the second hinge member 90. The pivot pin is secured by nuts and washers 98. The detent, which is the steel bar 100, is fixed to the second hinge member 90 on the side of the pivot pin 96 opposite the pivot end 92. The detent is aligned in line with the second hinge member 90 to have a vertical detent surface 102 once the second hinge member 90 is secured to the table top as described later. The detent surface is separated from the pivot pin 96 by a distance slightly larger than the radius of the round free end 86 of the first hinge member 80. The distance from the pivot pin 96 to the detent surface 102 is slightly smaller than the radial distance from the second end 89 of the long slot 88 to the end 85 of the tongue 84.

A pair of parallel spaced channels 104, 104 'are generally provided extending perpendicular to the edges 28, 28'. Channels 104 and 104 'extend over the entire length of the bottom of the table top 24. The hinges are in line with the extensions 26, 26 'so that the hinges 30, 30a are provided on the first hinge members 80, 80a fixed to the extensions 26. Similarly, hinges 30 'and 30a' are provided on each of the first hinge members 80 'and 80a' fixed to the extension 26 '. The hinge is fixed to each extension so that the second hinge member 90 is opposite to the second hinge member 90 'and is straight. Similarly, the second hinge member 90a is opposite to the second hinge member 90 'and becomes straight.

Channels 104 and 104 'are identical in structure to channel 42 and provided with channel portions 106 and 106', respectively. Since the second hinge members 90, 90a, 90 ', 90a' are slidably accommodated in the channel portions of the channels 104, 104 ', the second hinge members 90, 90' are made of the channel 104. It is slidably received at opposite ends of the channel portion 106. Similarly, the second hinge members 90a and 90a 'are slidably received at opposite ends of the channel portion 106' of the channel 104 '. Opposite ends of the second hinge members 90, 90a, 90 ', 90a' are provided with respective posts 108, 108a, 108 ', 108a'. Springs 110 and 110 'are provided to connect posts 108 and 108' and posts 108a and 108a ', respectively, so that the spring-attached second hinge members are pulled together.

As shown in FIG. 9, the channel portions 106 and 106 'are spaced apart from the bottom of the table top by a distance such that the long slot 88 of the first hinge member 80 is spaced apart from the bottom of the extension. When in the same horizontal plane as the table top, the table top and the opposite edge of the extension are straight and adjacent. In addition, the opposite edges of the upper surface and the extension of the table are rounded and obliquely inclined inward from the drawing.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a pair of extension support members 112, 112 'are provided to support the respective extensions 26, 26', respectively, in a straight line with the table top 24. As shown in FIG. Each extension support member is identical and the description of the extension support member 112 will be sufficient to describe the extension support member 12.

The extension support member 112 includes a channel member 114 which is the same protrusion in cross section with the channel 42. The channel 114 is usually aligned with the channel portion extending transversely to the extension 26 and the opposite edge of the table top. The extension support member 112 includes a connecting rod 118 that is sized to be slidably accommodated in the channel 114 and extends through the opening 120 formed through the channel 42. The free end of the support splice 118 is provided with a handle 122 at which the support splice 118 is rotated inward at about 90 ° C. or other appropriate angle. The support splice 118 may slide between the first state with the handle 122 under the table top 24 to allow pivotal movement of the extension 26 within the channel 114. The support joint rod 118 may extend in a second state with the handle 122 disposed below the extension 26. The exact expandable position of the support splice 118 is provided by a detent 124 fixed to the inner end of the support splice 118 adjacent to the channel 114 when the support splice 118 has been extracted with the required sufficient stroke. In a fully extended state, the handle 122 is aligned across the spacer 126 fixed to the bottom of the extension 26. The spacer has a surface opposing the handle 122 spaced apart from the extension 26 by a sufficient distance for the spacer to support the extension with the handle 122 in the plane of the table top 24. The spacer 126 is provided with an inclined surface 128 opposite the channel 42. Each extension 26, 26 ′ is provided with a handle 130, 130 ′ that can be manipulated by an operator fixed to the bottom of the extension centered at the bottom outer edge of the extension 26, 26 ′.

The support member 22 is provided with a pair of shelves 140, 140 ′ disposed on both sides of the pillars 38, 38 ′. As best shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, each shelf 140, 140 ′ is identical and the description of the shelf 140 suffices will be sufficient only with the description of the shelf 140. Shelf 140 includes a pair of parallel spaced sidewalls 142 and 144 pivotally secured to base members 32 and 32 ′ with pivot pins 146 and 148. As shown, the pivot pins 146, 148 are sufficient to allow the sidewalls 142, 144 to pivot freely with respect to the pivot pins 146, 148 when the pivot pins engage the first ends 151, 153 of the elongated slots 150, 152. Spaced apart from the vertical pillars 38, 38 '. It is received in the elongated slots 150, 152 of each of the side walls 9142, 144. The pivot pins 9146 and 148 engage the second ends 155 and 157 of the elongated slots 150 and 152 of the pivot pins 146 and 148 so that the side walls 142 and 144 are adjacent to the vertical pillars 38 and 38 'to prevent pivotal movement of the side walls. do. The side wall is connected by a second cross member 158 having a recess 160 disposed at the center of the cross member 149 and the second cross member 158. The life flange of the wheel 162 provides support for the side walls 142 and 144 that the extension makes when the extension is rotated to the down position.

Advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of suitable embodiments of the operation of the instrument.

When the table is in a position that can be used in a hotel room, the table extensions 26, 26 'are fully extended to be flush with the table top 24. The shelves 140, 140 'may be tilted to an appropriately up or down position as indicated by the arrows in FIG. When the shelf rotates from the up position to the down position, the transverse member 158 is lifted and engaged until the pivot pin 146 engages with the first end 151 of the slots 150, 152, at which point the shelf has a sidewall ( 142 is pivoted down to engage the flange 162. The shelf during the transport of the table is preferably kept in a downward position with grooves 160 which provide adequate clearance for the angle and feet of the carrier pushing the table through the corridor.

When the table is in a position that can be used in the room, the extension is planar with the table top and the tongue 84 of the first hinge member 80 usually extends in a horizontal plane coinciding with the second hinge member 90. In this position the spring 120 pulls the opposing hinge member 90 together with the pivot pin 96 disposed below the table top surface 24. The rounded opposite edges of the table top and the extensions are adjacent to each other. The handle portion 122 of the support joint rod 118 is engaged with the spacer 126, which is properly aligned with the table top surface and holds the extension portion. The table top is also inclined in a horizontal position with the clasp element 72 of the clasp 64 to align the clasp edge 74 of the plastic slide 56 upon locking engagement. 9 shows the hinge 30a 'when the extension 26' is in a planar position extending with the table top 24. As shown in FIG.

From the above position, the extension may be moved to an up position or a down position. Engage the handle 103 'of the extension with one hand to manipulate it as shown in FIG. 10 to move the extension 26' to the downward position and the handle 122 'to the position below the table top 24 with the other hand. The handle 122 'of the support member 112' is engaged while pushing the support connecting rod 118 '. Since the pivot point is below the table top, gravity is not supported by the pins 96 'in the extension, which is now moved to a normal position with an pivot 26' that is not supported by the pivot edge placed below the edge 28 'of the table top. 96a '). In such a position the sliding hanji members 90 ', 90a' are completely received in the channels 104, 104 'such that the detents 100', 100a 'are adjacent to the outer surface of the channel.

When the extension is moved to the one shown in FIG. 8 where the extension position (extension 26 '), which is normally vertical on the table top, approaches vertically, the operator engages extension handle 130' and pivot pin 96 ', Swing the extension in relation to 96a). As the extension 26 'is usually close to the horizontal position, the extension edge pivots with the round opposing edge 28', which rotates adjacent to the round opposing edge 28 'of the table top. In this way the extension and the table top edge become part of the hinge mechanism. As the table extension 26 'continues to move in the normal vertical position, the extension 26 is a tongue 84 that pulls the sliding hinge members 90', 90'a outward from the channels 104, 104 '. ', 84'a) and at the opposite edge. The sliding movement of the hinge members 90 ', 90'a is received by the springs 110, 110'. If the extension is vertical, the sliding members 90 ', 90'a are in the fully extended position and the elongated slots 88', 88'a of the tongues 84 ', 84'a are also vertical. 5 shows the complete vertical position on the table top 24. In the sword shown in FIG. 5, the tongue and extension are slotted 88 together with the edge of extension 26 with pivot pins 96 and 96a disposed lower than the opposite edge 29 of table top 24. It descends vertically until it adjoins the 2nd end part 89 of (). In this position detents 100 and 100a engage with the tongue to prevent further pivotal movement of the hinge member. In order to move the back of the extension part 26 to the horizontal position, the operator engages the extension handle 130 so that when the tongue moves to engage the pivot pins 96 and 96a with the first end of the slots 88 and 88a. Raise the entire extension portion 26 until that distance between the pivot pin and the detents 100, 100a is sufficient for the rounded end of the tongue to pivot. As the carrier pivots the back of the extension toward the horizontal position, the opposite edges of the extension and the table rotate relative to each other so that the hinge members 90, 90a of the hinges are springs 110, 110 'with channels 104, 104'. Pull into it.

If it is desired to tilt the table top from the horizontal position to the normal vertical position, the operator engages the handle portion 68 of the clasp 64 and pulls the handle portion 68 toward the channel 42. Because of the pivot attachment of the clasp, clasp element 72 is pulled out of opening 70 such that channel portion 44 and plastic slide 56 can slide freely relative to each other.

It can be seen that the present invention provides many advantages over the prior art. First of all, in order to move from a vertical space on the table to a flat position, such as a table, the operator only needs to lift against the weight of the table top and lifts it against the additional force imposed by the spring as required by the prior art instruments. You don't need one. The fabrication of the table of the present invention is relatively easy and the gentle operation of the extension in the parlor allows for a refined and quiet installation of the room service table. Moreover, the extension can be moved from a vertical position above the table top to a horizontal position with the table top surface and the opposite edge of the extension providing a pivoting pivot point, so that the hinge mechanism is not exposed during its operation so that only the possibility of contamination of the table beam can be achieved. However, it can avoid unpleasantly exposing the hinge mechanism to hotel guests. The extension is also more concise than the prior art which facilitates movement through very narrow and crowded hotel corridors when it is pivoted down and also reduces the space required for table storage. Eventually, this mechanism is economical because all channel members are folded from the same protrusion.

From the foregoing it can be seen how the advantages provided by the prior art of the present invention are provided so far. While the invention described above has been described with reference to suitable embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the properties of the suitable embodiments but that modifications and variations are possible to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is limited within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (4)

A support member, a table upper surface, means for connecting the upper surface to the support member, an extension for the table upper surface, a first hinge member fixed to the extension from a first position in line with the upper surface, and A hinge member for hinged the extension on the upper surface for movement of the extension to a second position including a second hinge member connected to an upper surface of the table, pivot means for pivotally connecting the first and second hinge members; And means for slidably connecting the second hinge member to the upper surface of the table, and means for locking the extension in the second position. 2. The table top and the extension as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table is joined by the hinge means together with opposite edges having opposite surfaces engaged in rolling contact as the extension moves from the first position to the second position. Table with an edge. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for locking said extension in said second position comprises a pawl secured to said second member at one side of said pivot means away from said first member and said pivot means being said second means. A tongue carried by the second member, wherein the tongue carried by the first member has an elongated slot extending from the first end to the second end and when the pin engages the first end of the slot. And the pin is spaced apart from the detent less than the distance sufficient to turn when the pin engages the second end of the slot by a distance sufficient to turn. 4. The table according to claim 3, wherein the table is hinged to the upper surface of the table with hinge means having two members provided on both sides of the upper surface of the table and slidably connected to the upper surface of the table. And the second member is arranged in line with the second member of the second extension in the same plane as the rolling movement of the second member, and the spring means connects the opposing sliding members.

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