TABLE FRAME FOR A TABLE

Abstract

Proposed is a table frame for a table comprising a tabletop (1), wherein at least one support device (7) for supporting the tabletop (1) is provided, wherein the support device (7) comprises at least one support element (7) having a longitudinal axis (14), wherein at least one pivoting unit (13), having at least one pivot axis (11), for pivoting the support device (7) is provided such that the support device (7) is pivotable between a first, substantially horizontally arranged table position and a second, raised table position, wherein a base frame (2), comprising at least one crossmember element (9) oriented substantially parallel to the pivot axis (11), for supporting the pivotable support device (7) is provided, wherein at least one first fixing unit (13) for fixing the support device (7) in the first, substantially horizontally arranged table position is provided, wherein at least one second fixing unit (33) for fixing the support device (7) in the second, raised table position is provided, wherein at least the first fixing unit (13) comprises at least one first fixing element (12) that is adjustable relative to a second fixing element (16), wherein at least one actuating unit (12, 17, 31), adjustable substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14) of the support element (7), for actuating the first fixing element (12) of the first fixing unit (13) is provided, said table frame meeting requirements in terms of stability, cost-effectiveness and convenience to a high degree and having in particular a long lifetime. This is achieved according to the invention in that the second fixing element (16) is arranged, as a second fixing element (16) formed separately from the base frame (2), so as to be fixedly connectable to the base frame (2).

Claims

1. A table frame comprising at least one support device to support a tabletop wherein the at least one support device has at least one support element (7) with a longitudinal axis (14) and at least one pivoting unit with at least one pivot axis (11), for pivoting the at least one support element (7) to enable the at least one support element (7) to be pivotable between a first, substantially horizontally arranged table position and a second, raised table position, and a base frame (2), having at least one crossmember element (9) oriented substantially parallel to the at least one pivot axis (11), to pivot the at least one support element (7) and at least one first fixing unit (13) for fixing the at least one support element (7) in the first, substantially horizontally arranged table position and at least one second fixing unit (33) for fixing the at least one support device (7) in a second, raised table position wherein the at least one first fixing unit (13) has at least one first fixing element that is adjustable relative to at least one second fixing element and at least one actuating unit, adjustable substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one support element (7), to actuate the at least one first fixing element (12) of the at least one first fixing unit (13) wherein the at least one second fixing element (16) is formed separately from the base frame (2), so as to be fixedly connectable to the base frame (2) and the at least one second or the at least one first fixing element (12, 16) of the at least one first fixing unit (13) have at least one first fixing surface and at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25), and wherein an obtuse angle is provided between the at least one first fixing surface and the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25).

2. (canceled)

3. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one first or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis (14) of the at least one support element (7) such that the at least one first fixing surface or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is a clamping surface.

4. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein a first angle between the at least one first fixing surface (20, 24) and the longitudinal axis (14) of the at least one support element (7) is greater than 5, and a second angle between the at least one second fixing surface (21, 25) and the longitudinal axis (14) of the at least one support element (7) is less than 5.

5. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein in a first fixing position of the at least one first fixing unit (13), the at least one first fixing surface (20) of the at least one first fixing element (12) is in contact with the at least one first fixing surface (24) of the at least one second fixing element (16), and wherein a spacing (34) is provided between the at least one second fixing surface (21) of the at least one first fixing element (12) and the at least one first or at least one second fixing surface (24, 25) of the at least one second fixing element (16).

6. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein the position of the at least one first fixing unit (13), the at least one second fixing surface (21) of the at least one first fixing element (12) is in contact with the first fixing surface or the at least one second fixing surface (24, 25) of the at least one second fixing element (16).

7. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one second fixing element (16) of the at least one first fixing unit (13) has at least one recess (15) for receiving the at least one first fixing element (12), and the at least one first fixing element (12) of the first at least one fixing unit (13) is a latch element for releasably locking/fixing the at least one first fixing unit (13).

8. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one first fixing surface (20, 24) has a first length or the at least one second fixing surface (21, 25) has a second length, which is oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis (14) to the at least one support element (7).

9. The table frame according to claim 8 wherein the first length or the second length of the at least one first fixing surface or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is greater than a first wall width (26) of a first wall of the crossmember element (9) of the base frame (2), or the first length or the second length of the at least one first fixing surface or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is greater than a second wall width (27) of a second wall of the at least one support element (7) of the support device.

10. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one actuating unit is configured to jointly actuate the at least one first and the at least one second fixing unit (13, 33).

11. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one actuating unit (12, 17) has at least one spacing element (12), oriented substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14), for spacing apart the at least one first and/or the at least one second fixing unit (13, 33) from the at least one actuating unit (17), such that the at least one spacing element (12) is arranged between the at least one actuating unit (17) and the at least one first fixing unit or the at least one second fixing unit (13, 33).

12. The table frame according to claim 1 wherein the table has a tabletop (1) connected to the table frame (2).

13. A table frame comprising at least one support device to support a tabletop wherein the at least one support device has at least one support element (7) with a longitudinal axis (14) and at least one pivoting unit with at least one pivot axis (11), for pivoting the at least one support element (7) to enable the at least one support element (7) to be pivotable between a first, substantially horizontally arranged table position and a second, raised table position, and a base frame (2), having at least one crossmember element (9) oriented substantially parallel to the at least one pivot axis (11), to pivot the at least one support element (7) and at least one first fixing unit (13) for fixing the at least one support element (7) in the first, substantially horizontally arranged table position and at least one second fixing unit (33) for fixing the at least one support device (7) in a second, raised table position wherein the at least one first fixing unit (13) has at least one first fixing element that is adjustable relative to at least one second fixing element and at least one actuating unit adjustable substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one support element (7), to actuate the at least one first fixing element (12) of the at least one first fixing unit (13) wherein the at least one second fixing element (16) is formed separately from the base frame (2), wherein the at least one actuating unit has at least one spacing element, oriented substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14), for spacing apart the at least one first fixing unit or the at least one second fixing unit (13, 33) from the at least one actuating unit (17), so that the at least one spacing element is arranged between the at least one actuating unit (17) and the at least one first fixing unit or the at least one second fixing unit (13, 33).

14. The table frame according to claim 13 wherein the at least one first or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis (14) of the at least one support element (7) such that the at least one first fixing surface or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is a clamping surface.

15. The table frame according to claim 13 wherein the position of the at least one first fixing unit (13), the at least one second fixing surface (21) of the at least one first fixing element (12) is in contact with the first fixing surface or the at least one second fixing surface (24, 25) of the at least one second fixing element (16).

16. The table frame according to claim 13 wherein the at least one second fixing element (16) of the at least one first fixing unit (13) has at least one recess (15) for receiving the at least one first fixing element (12), and the at least one first fixing element (12) of the first at least one fixing unit (13) and as a latch element for releasably locking/fixing the at least one first fixing unit (13).

17. A table frame apparatus comprising at least one support device to support a tabletop having at least one support element (7) with a longitudinal axis (14) and at least one pivoting unit with a pivot axis (11) to pivot the at least one support element (7) between a first, substantially horizontally arranged table position and a second, raised table position, and a base frame (2) with a crossmember element (9) oriented substantially parallel to the pivot axis (11) and at least one first fixing unit (13) having a first fixing surface and a second fixing surface with an obtuse angle provided between the first fixing surface and second fixing surface and at least one actuating unit adjustable substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14) of the support element (7) with at least one spacing element disposed between the actuating unit and the at least one fixing unit.

18. The table frame apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least one first fixing surface or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis (14) of the at least one support element (7) such that the at least one first or the at least one second fixing surface (20, 21, 24, 25) is a clamping surface.

19. The table frame apparatus according to claim 17 wherein in a first fixing position of the fixing unit (13), the second fixing surface (21) is in contact with the first fixing surface or the second fixing surface of the at least one fixing unit.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0028] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following text with reference to figures.

Specifically:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a table according to the invention in a horizontal position,

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic, perspective view of a table according to FIG. 1 obliquely from below,

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a schematic, perspective view of a table according to FIG. 1 in a pivoted-up position,

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a schematic, perspective view of a support arm with a pivoting mechanism according to the invention in a horizontal position,

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a schematic section through a support arm according to FIG. 4 with a crossmember, in the locked state,

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a schematic, enlarged detail from FIG. 5,

[0035] FIG. 7 shows a schematic section through a support arm according to FIG. 4 without a crossmember, and

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a schematic section through a support arm with a pivoting mechanism, in a pivoted-up position according to FIG. 3 and in the locked state.

[0037] The figures illustrate a table having a tabletop 1 and a table frame 2. The variant according to FIGS. 1 to 3 additionally shows optionally usable table connectors 4, cable ducts 5, casters 6 and screens 3. The screens 3 are advantageously mounted in a rotatable manner such that they are always oriented vertically, on account of the force of gravity, in a horizontal position of the tabletop 1 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2) and also in a raised or vertical position of the tabletop 1 (cf. FIG. 3). This is advantageous for example for conference tables and the space-saving storage thereof. The table connectors 4 allow for example tool-free linking of the tables into rows or even U shapes and L shapes.

[0038] The table frame 2 comprises substantially two similar support arms 7 which are oriented parallel to one another, are each connected via a pivoting unit 8 to a crossmember 9 oriented substantially perpendicularly or orthogonally to the support arms, and jointly support the tabletop 1.

[0039] Fixed to the crossmember 9 are two table legs 10, which are freely configurable and independent of the pivoting mechanism. In principle, within the meaning of the invention, the pivoting unit 8 could also be fixed to a table leg 10, although this would limit the free configurability of the table legs 10 or tables.

[0040] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the support arm 7, or the tabletop 1, is in a first, horizontal position, i.e. the plane of the tabletop 1 is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the casters 8 or table legs 10, such that in normal situations with a horizontal underlying surface/floor, the tabletop 1 is accordingly likewise oriented horizontally.

[0041] According to the preferred variant illustrated in the figures, the pivoting units 8 are fixed/welded to the crossmember 9. The pivoting units 8 comprise a pivot axis 11 such that the support arm 7 is pivotable about the pivot axis 11 relative to the crossmember 9 and the table legs 10. In FIG. 3, the support arm, or the tabletop 1, is in a second, raised, in particular virtually vertical or inclined/acute-angled position, i.e. the plane of the tabletop 1 is substantially vertical or at least at an acute angle, for example about 70 to about 90, to the plane defined by the casters 8 or table legs 10. If a plurality of pivoted-up tables are pushed together, rubber elements and spacers protect the following tabletop 1.

[0042] The fixing or locking according to the invention in the first, horizontal position is illustrated especially by means of FIGS. 5 and 6. What is known as a first fixing element 12 of a first fixing unit 13 is configured as a latch 12 that is adjustable along a longitudinal axis 14 of the support arm 7 (cf. double arrow 14). This latch 12 engages in a recess 15 in what is known as a second fixing element 16.

[0043] In the present case, the latch 12 is advantageously configured at the same time, or integrally, as an actuating element or spacing element 12. As a result, a handle 17 for actuating the locking means or for actuating the fixing unit 13 arranged in the middle/central region can be arranged in a peripheral region of the tabletop 1. The spacing element 12 or latch 12 is configured as a push-pull element 1 such that, by means of a pulling force by the user, the fixing is released and the latch 12 is unlatched. An advantageous spring 18, in particular equipped with a vibration damper 19 for noise reduction, ensures reliable locking and a rest position of the latch 12 in the locking or fixing position thereof, i.e. without force action on the part of the user.

[0044] According to the invention, the second fixing element 16 is configured separately from the crossmember 9 and the base frame 2 and the table legs 10. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second fixing element 16 is configured as a built-in part 16 and screwed/fastened to the crossmember 9. Thus, particularly stable and play-free fixing or durable locking is realizable. Preferably, the second fixing element 16 or built-in part 16 is realized as a cast metal part 16, in particular made of steel or aluminum or the like.

[0045] The second fixing element 16 and/or the first fixing element 12, or the latch 12, advantageously each have two contact surfaces that are oriented at an angle to one another. Thus, it is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6 that, for example, the latch 12 comprises a first region 20, or a first contact surface 20, and a second region 21, or a second contact surface 21, oriented at an angle thereto.

[0046] The first region 20, or the first contact surface 20, is oriented at an angle of greater than 5 with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 and/or to the orthogonal line 14 with regard to the force action/direction 22 generated by the pivotability 23 in the locked/fixed position. This means that the angle between the surface 20 with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 or perpendicularly to the direction 22 is an angle greater than 5, preferably 9 according to FIG. 6. By contrast, the angle between the surface 21 with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 or perpendicularly to the direction 22 is an angle less than 5, preferably 3 according to FIG. 6.

[0047] Accordingly, the corresponding surfaces 24 and 25 of the second fixing element 16, or built-in part 16, are oriented in a corresponding manner, or arranged at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 14, the one at an angle of 9 and the other at an angle of 3.

[0048] It is also clear from the figures that the lengths of the surfaces 20, 21, 24, 25, as seen in the longitudinal direction 14, are much greater than wall thickness 26 or 27, respectively, of the crossmember 9 or of the support arm 7. In the present case, they are approximately twice to four times as great/long as the wall thicknesses 26, 27 of the rectangular profile tubes, or crossmember 9 or support arms 7. Correspondingly stable and durably long-lasting is the first fixing unit 13, or the fixing of the tabletop 1 in the first, horizontal position.

[0049] As is clear especially from FIG. 6, a spacing 34, or an air gap 34, is present between the two surfaces 21 and 25, or between the latch 12 and the built-in part 16. In the illustrated first stage of the fixing, the slope of the surfaces 20, 24 ensures play-free clamping or fixing of the support arms 7 and tabletop 1. The two surfaces 21 and 25 are provided such that, in the case of a considerable or unusually heavy load on the support arms 7 or tabletop 11 in the direction 22, for example one or more persons sitting/standing on the tabletop 1, the second stage of the fixing becomes active. Thus, specifically, the latch 12 is released or adjusted somewhat/slightly with respect to the built-in part 16 (person sitting on tabletop 1 in the region of the screen 3) until the two (flat) surfaces 21, 25 come into contact or butt against one another.

[0050] As a result of the very small inclination (less than 5 with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 or with respect to the line orthogonal to the force action) of these surfaces 21, 25 and the abutment, a particularly large retaining force is also realized. This means that the tabletop 1 cannot tip. On account of the large contact surfaces and the great wall thicknesses of the second fixing element 16 and of the latch 12, no wear to or bending of these fixing elements 12, 16 is brought about, either, such that a long lifetime of the play-free fixing is realized. This means that, with the two-stage fixing or locking, a high safety requirement and a long service life are complied with, even in the event of overload.

[0051] As a result of the slope of the surfaces 20, 24 (greater than 5, preferably 9), the locking by means of the handle 17 is very smooth, i.e. is realizable without a great deal of effort needing to be applied by the user.

[0052] The advantageous locking of the tabletop 1 and support arms 7 in the raised position, i.e. the function/operation of what is known as a second fixing unit 27, or locking unit, is apparent especially from FIGS. 7 and 8. This locking prevents any unintentional pivoting down or dropping of the tabletop 1, thereby increasing safety, in particular with regard to injuries such as trapping fingers, etc. In this case, a second latch 28 is provided, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation 29 and is positioned in a rest position or locking position by means of a spring 30. Releasing takes place in turn by means of the actuating unit, or the handle 17, and an unlocking element 31 having a recess 32. In this case, the latch 31 engages, in the fixed position, in the recess 32 and, during adjustment, is pushed in the longitudinal direction 14 from a (rear) lateral/stop surface, such that the latching of the latch 31 with the support arm 7, or the profile tube thereof, is released and the support arms 7 and the tabletop 1 can be pivoted downward into the horizontal position.

[0053] The depicted tilting table is constructed such that the tabletop 1 can be tipped downward and one or more tables can be stowed in a space-saving manner. When the table is folded/raised, the second locking mechanism 27 should also be present and always released manually for safety reasons. As a result, the tabletop 1 cannot snap downward and there is no risk of injury. Likewise, the safety means should be deliberately released when the table is intended to be flapped up.

[0054] Advantageously, one or more noise damping elements, or plastics elements, are provided such that as far as possible no or only very quiet noises arise during actuation and locking or unlocking. As a result, high requirements for low-noise operation of the table are met.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0055] 1 Tabletop [0056] 2 Frame [0057] 3 Screen [0058] 4 Table connector [0059] 5 Cable duct [0060] 6 Caster [0061] 7 Support arm [0062] 8 Pivoting unit [0063] 9 Crossmember [0064] 10 Table leg [0065] 11 Pivot axis [0066] 12 Latch [0067] 13 Fixing unit [0068] 14 Longitudinal direction [0069] 15 Recess [0070] 16 Fixing element [0071] 17 Handle [0072] 18 Spring [0073] 19 Damper [0074] 20 Surface [0075] 21 Surface [0076] 22 Direction [0077] 23 Pivoting [0078] 24 Surface [0079] 25 Surface [0080] 26 Wall thickness [0081] 27 Wall thickness [0082] 28 Latch [0083] 29 Axis of rotation [0084] 30 Spring [0085] 31 Actuating element [0086] 32 Recess [0087] 33 Fixing unit [0088] 34 Spacing