Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6634460
-
Patent Number
6,634,460
-
Date Filed
Friday, August 10, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 21, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Walsh; Donald P.
- Beauchaine; Mark J.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 186 52
- 186 59
- 186 38
- 074 469
- 074 49015
- 312 114
- 312 1381
- 312 139
- 312 1391
- 312 1392
- 312 140
- 312 1404
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The invention relates to a counter (10) for presenting and/or selling goods. The aim of the invention is to provide a means of displacing a module consisting of a system of joint mechanisms (22) which are associated with a glass pane (21) by means of fixing elements (23) between a closed position (20) in which the inside of the counter (13) is covered and an open position (20′) in which it is exposed. Said joint mechanisms (22) are mounted on the supports (15) of the counter (10) in such a way that they can pivot about a horizontal pin (18). In order to ensure that the modular unit is secure in the open position (20′) the joint mechanism (22) is provided with an extended arm (24) which has the swivel bearing (18) on its lower arm section. During the transition from the closed position (20) to the open position (20′), the center of gravity (27) of the module in relation to the swivel pin (18) moves to the opposite side (27′). In the closed position (20), the pane (21) is subjected to a torque which acts in the closing direction. In the open position (20′), a torque acts on the pane (21) in the opening direction. The pane (2) can no longer fall back out of the open position (20′) into the closed position (20) uncontrollably.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a counter. The body of the counter has a support surface on which goods are displayed which, on the side facing the customer, are usually covered by a glass pane. Within the body of the counter the lower ends of supports are fastened. Above the body of the counter, a glass pane is provided which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis between a closed position covering the goods on the support surface of the body of the counter, on the one hand, and an open position allowing access to the goods, on the other hand. Joint members are connected by means of a pivot bearing with the support and project at the support end where they have securing means for a glass pane. The joint members with the glass pane fastened on its securing means form a modular unit which is pivotable about a horizontal axis defined by the pivot bearings between a closed position covering the goods on the support surface and an open position allowing access to the goods. The joint member has an extension arm which—viewed in the closed position—extends in the longitudinal direction of the support. Upon pivoting of the modular unit from its closed position into its open position, the center of gravity of the modular unit is moved from an initial position located on one side relative to the pivot axis into an end position located on the oppositely positioned side of the pivot axis. A parallelogram linkage is provided between the glass pane and the body of the counter and is comprised of a pivot arm and a guide member. The first ends of the pivot arm and of the guide member, at a spacing to one another, are connected to the glass pane and are movable together with the glass pane. The second ends of the pivot arm and of the guide member, also at a spacing to one another, are connected stationarily on the support of the body of the counter in a pivotal way.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Counters are known (DE 35 03 340 A1) in which the glass pane is pivotably supported by means of a swivel head at the upper end portion of the support. From the closed position, the glass pane can be pivoted into an open position as far as permitted by the support. In the open position, the center of gravity of the modular unit is still positioned on the same side relative to the pivot bearing. Moreover, provisions are to be made in order to secure the open position of the modular unit and to prevent an accidental closing of the modular unit. The course of the pivot movement of the modular unit can be controlled by control members. A rod-shaped force storage device, such as a gas spring, arranged in the interior of the hollow profile is used as a control member, wherein the upper rod end of the gas spring is connected to the swivel head and the lower rod end is stationarily connected in the interior of the hollow profile of the support.
In the known counter (DE 41 10 942 A1), between the glass pane and the body of the counter a parallelogram linkage is arranged which is comprised of a pivot arm and a guide member. The respective ends of the pivot arm and of the guide member, spaced at a distance by to one another, are connected, on the one hand, to the glass pane and, on the other hand, stationarily on the support in a pivotable way. By means of this parallelogram linkage the center of gravity of the pivotable parts in the open position can be moved to such an extent that, relative to the initial position in the open position, it is located on the opposite side of the pivot axis. Accordingly, a torque acts in the opening direction on the glass pane. Accordingly, constructively an uncontrolled closing of the pivotable parts is prevented. The movement of the center of gravity during opening and closing of the glass pane requires a considerable force expenditure, in particular, during acceleration at the beginning of the pivot movement as well as during braking at the end of the pivot movement. This acceleration and braking work is provided manually by the user. This work, in particular, for large glass panes which are very heavy, is very great. Control members for the course of the pivot movement have not been provided. To provide them in the form of gas springs would be difficult in the case of the known parallelogram linkages. They would be space-consuming and would impair the pleasant appearance of the counter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has the object to develop an attractive counter of the aforementioned kind such that its handling during opening and closing of the glass pane is easily carried out. This is achieved according to the invention in that the course of the pivot movement of the glass pane is determined by control members which are comprised of a force-loaded push member and are guided along the support, in that between the pivot arm and the push member a linkage is arranged which converts the pivot movement of the linkage arm into a longitudinal movement of the push member, and in that the push member is loaded by two independent forces, wherein one force load acts in the closed position of the glass pane and the other acts in its open position onto the push member.
Because the joint member is extended by an arm, having arranged at its lower arm area the pivot bearing, the center of gravity of the modular unit during pivoting into the open position can be displaced so far that, relative to the initial position in the closed position of the modular unit, it reaches a position on the opposite side of the pivot axis. Accordingly, a torque acts on the glass pane in the opening direction. This means that already by means of this constructive measure an uncontrolled closing of the modular unit from the open position is prevented. There is no risk of injury. According to the invention, mounting and manipulation of space-requiring measures for securing the open position are no longer needed.
Inasmuch as, the pivotable modular unit is a structure that is rigid within itself, according to the invention a substantially greater pivot angle between the open position and the closed position is also obtained as a result of the arm extending the joint member. In the open position, the free end of the glass pane is pivoted away to such an extent that the support surface of the body of the counter is entirely exposed and especially easily accessible.
Another possibility of special inventive importance resides in that the modular unit is comprised of two partial modular groups which are movable relative to one another. In this connection, it is recommended to provide a horizontal rotary axis between the two partial modular groups as well as a guide member which upon pivoting of the modular unit generates a rotation of the glass pane which is superimposed on the pivot movement. The goal is a defined open position of the glass pane where the free edge of the glass pane has a position according to certain requirements.
Such a requirement can be, in particular, to transfer the free edge of a curved glass pane, which is referred to as a “panoramic pane”, in the open position into a position where it extending shortly above the supports and is substantially horizontal. In this connection, the edge of the glass pane is also a so-called “spit protection” for the goods that are present on the support surface of the body of the counter. This is, in particular, suitable when employing the counter for self-service by customers where the customers themselves can remove the goods from the counter. The edge of the glass pane then acts as a roof which partially covers the support surface of the counter. In the open position the counter according to the invention has an especially pleasing appearance; it has an elegant appearance in comparison to counters with a rigid modular unit frame. As a result of the rotary axis between the two partial modular units the glass pane can rotate back upon pivoting.in the counter direction. The free end of the glass pane in this open position does not reach extremely high positions. Accordingly, the rooms where such a counter according to the invention is positioned does not require a high ceiling. Moreover, gripping the free edge of the glass pane, positioned in the open position, of the counter according to the invention is comfortably possible for the purpose of moving the modular unit back into the closed position.
In order to facilitate the course of the pivot movement of the modular unit during the transition from the closed position to the open position, force-loaded control members are used. They can be realized in three simple ways.
Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, the subsequent description, and the drawings. In the drawings the prior art as well as several embodiments of the invention are illustrated. It is shown in:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the subsequent description, and the drawings. It is shown in:
FIG. 1
a schematic side view of a counter according to the prior art, in the closed position as well as in the open position of a modular unit comprising the glass pane;
FIG. 2
in a representation corresponding to
FIG. 1
, the closed position as well as the open position of the modular unit of the counter according to the invention, wherein the modular unit is embodied as a modular unit which is rigid in itself;
FIG. 3
the upper partial portion of a first embodiment of the counter according to the invention in the closed position, where the profiled wall facing the viewer is partially broken away from the hollow profile of the support;
FIGS.
4
+
5
show cross-sections of the support shown in
FIG. 3
along the section lines IV—IV, V—V;
FIG. 6
in a representation corresponding to
FIG. 3
the open position of the modular unit of this counter;
FIG. 7
a central partial portion of the support of a further embodiment of the counter according to the invention where the wall facing the viewer is broken away from the hollow profile of the support and the modular unit in this case is also embodied as a modular unit rigid in itself and is in its closed position;
FIG. 8
in a position corresponding to
FIG. 7
the same counter according to the invention when the modular unit is in transition from its closed position into its open position;
FIG. 9
the same conditions for this counter when the open position of the modular unit has been reached;
FIG. 10
a schematic side view corresponding to
FIG. 2
of a third embodiment of the counter according to the invention where the closed position as well as the special open position of the modular unit are illustrated, which modular unit is comprised of two oppositely movable partial modular groups;
FIG. 11
a partial portion of the third embodiment of the counter shown in
FIG. 10
, the modular unit being in the closed position, wherein the profiled wall of the support facing the viewer is broken away;
FIGS.
12
+
13
show intermediate positions of the modular units during pivoting in the direction of the fully open position of the modular unit of the third embodiment of the counter according to the invention;
FIG. 14
shows the fully open position of the modular unit of the third embodiment of the counter according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In
FIG. 1
a counter
10
′ according to the prior art is illustrated, while
FIG. 2
, on the one hand, and
FIG. 10
, on the other hand, in a similar illustration, show the inventive counters
10
. Both the known and the inventive counters
10
,
10
′ have, in principle, the following identical configuration. They have a body
11
of the counter which, toward the side
12
facing the customer, has a support surface
13
for goods, not illustrated in detail. This support surface
13
is normally covered by a glass pane
21
. This glass pane
21
is part of a modular unit
20
which in the prior art comprises a joint member provided in the form of a swivel head
22
′ which engages by means of a securing means
23
the upper edge of the glass pane
21
. According to the invention, the joint member
22
is of a more complex configuration which will be explained in more detail.
The identical configuration of the two counters
10
′,
10
of
FIG. 1
, on the one hand, and FIG.
2
. as well as
10
, on the other hand, resides moreover in that in the body of the counter
11
the lower ends
14
of supports
15
are fastened which have, for example, a hollow profile
17
as illustrated in FIG.
4
. The hollow profile
17
in the present case has a rectangular shape. When the glass pane
21
is positioned in the first position illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2
as well as
10
, the joint members
22
or
22
′ with their holding means
23
project from the upper end
16
of the support in both cases. The joint members
22
or
22
′ are supported by pivot bearings
18
or
18
′ on the support. These pivot bearings
18
and
18
′ determine a horizontal pivot axis for a modular unit
20
comprised of the glass pane
21
, the respective joint member
22
and
22
′, and the securing means
23
. Accordingly, the modular unit can be pivoted about a pivot angle
19
′ and
19
from its aforementioned closed position
20
, in which it covers the support surface
13
, into its open position
20
′ of FIGS.
1
and
FIG. 2
as well as
10
in which the support surface
13
is exposed to a greater or lesser degree.
Firstly, the first and second embodiments of the invention according to FIG.
2
through
FIG. 9
are to be compared with the prior art according to FIG.
1
. In this case, the modular unit
20
is a structure which is rigid in itself and in which all elements carry out the same angular travel between the closed position
20
and the open position
20
′ upon being pivoted. This rigid structure in the following is referred to as “modular unit” in order to distinguish it from the movable modular unit of the third embodiment of the invention as illustrated in
FIGS. 10 through 14
. In the third embodiment, two partial modular units carry out a rotational movement relative to one another during pivoting, which will be described in the following.
Firstly, the rigid modular unit according to
FIG. 1
of the prior art and
FIGS. 2 through 9
of the two first embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail. In the closed position
20
of the modular unit the free end
26
of the glass pane which is provided with suitable sealing means is, as much as possible, in contact with the end of the support surface
13
at
29
. In the open position
20
′ of the modular unit in both cases, as can be seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the end of the glass pane is in an elevated position
26
′ which, however, is very different in both cases. The same holds true for the center of gravity of the modular unit which in the closed position is identified by
27
in both FIGS. and reaches the position
27
′ in the elevated position
20
′.
In the known counter
10
′ of
FIG. 1
the joint member formed by the swivel head
22
allows only a limited pivot angle
19
′. In the open position
20
′ of
FIG. 1
, the end
26
′ of the glass pane, viewed in a vertical projection, is still positioned above the forward area of the support surface
13
facing the customer side
12
. In the direction of extension of the width of the counter of
FIG. 1
, the free end
26
of the glass pane has been moved from its initial position in the closed position
20
of the modular unit, viewed from the forward edge
29
of the counter, only by a relatively small horizontal travel distance
28
′ to its end position
26
′ in the open position. When self-service is provided and a customer in this case wants to have access to the goods on the support surface
13
, his degree of freedom of movement is very limited. The center of gravity
27
′ of the modular unit in the open position
20
′ is located on the side facing the forward edge
29
of the counter. Because the center of gravity
27
′ has a tendency to attempt to reach its lowest possible position, measures must be taken in regard to the known counter
10
′ so that the glass pane
21
will not itself accidentally return from its open position
20
′ into the closed position
20
and thereby cause injury to the customer leaning over the support surface
13
. This danger no longer exists for the counter
10
according to the invention, as can be seen with the aid of FIG.
2
.
The basic configuration of the counter
10
according to the invention can be explained best in connection with FIG.
3
. The joint member
22
according to the invention is fixedly provided.with an extension arm
24
which extends in the direction of length of the support
15
when the closed position of the modular unit
20
illustrated in
FIG. 3
is present. In the closed position
20
the joint member
22
projects from the upper support end
16
wherein a support nose
33
on the joint member
22
comes to rest against the upper end face
34
of the support
15
. The support
15
is arc-shaped in the case of FIG.
3
. The aforementioned pivot bearing
18
of the support member
22
is arranged at the lower arm area
25
of the extension arm
24
and displaced relative to the upper support end
16
. The pivot bearing
18
in this case is positioned approximately in the central area of the available support length. As can be seen best in the illustrated open position
20
′ of the modular unit of
FIG. 6
, the rear wall
35
of the hollow profile
17
facing away from the goods support surface
13
is provided with a cutout
36
which extends at least across the end portion
3
.
7
of the support
15
located above the pivot bearing
18
. This cutout
36
is however covered in the closed position
20
of the modular unit illustrated in
FIG. 3
by the extension arm
24
. The extension arm
24
completes the hollow profile in the closed form shown in FIG.
5
.
When pivoting into the open position, according to
FIG. 6
, the extension arm
24
moves through the profile cutout
36
outwardly until the joint.member
22
comes to rest against a support surface
38
of the body
11
of the counter or even against the outer surface
39
of the rearward profile wall
39
of the support
15
which is without cutout. A very large pivot angle
19
is present according to
FIG. 6
or FIG.
2
. When comparing the conditions of
FIG. 2
with the afore described conditions of
FIG. 1
, the following important difference can be seen. In the counter
10
according to the invention, the center of gravity
27
′ in the open position
20
′ of the modular unit is located on the side which is positioned opposite the forward edge
29
of the counter relative to the horizontal pivot axis
18
. In the open position, a torque in the direction of opening is thus generated in the modular unit
20
′ of the counter
10
according to the invention so that an accidental closing of the glass pane
21
is prevented. The already mentioned support surface
38
, according to
FIG. 2
, thus also receives this further opening moment of the open modular unit
20
′. Viewed in a vertical projection, the center of gravity
27
′ of the counter
10
is located at the rearward end of the support surface
13
or even at a location beyond the support surface. Relative to the initial position
26
in
FIG. 2
, the free end of the glass pane of the counter
10
has moved by a very large horizontal travel distance
28
up to its end position
26
′ in the open position
20
′. When viewed from the customer side
12
, a comfortable access to the goods on the support surface
13
of the counter
10
is possible.
Different control members can be used for the counter
10
which control the course of the pivot movement
19
. In the first counter
10
according to the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 3
to
6
, there is provided a rod-shaped, length-adjustable dampening device
30
of a configuration known in the art. In the closed position
20
of
FIG. 3
, the dampening device
30
is positioned adjacent to the extension arm
24
and extends in its longitudinal direction. This is also illustrated in the sectional view of FIG.
5
. The upper rod end
31
is stationarily connected within the interior
40
of the hollow profile of the support
15
. The lower rod end
32
, on the other hand, is pivotably secured in the lower arm area
25
of the extension arm
24
so as to be entrained and therefore can be moved out of the cutout
36
during pivoting according to FIG.
6
. The extension arm
24
is formed, relative to its pivot bearing
18
, as a two-arm lever which, according to
FIG. 3
, covers in the closed position
20
with its end piece
41
the portion of the profile cutout
36
, shown in
FIG. 6
, positioned underneath the pivot bearing
28
.
In the open position
201
the end piece
41
pivots, as illustrated in
FIG. 6
, into the interior
40
of the hollow profile. The connecting location of the lower rod end
32
which can be entrained is, connected at the step-shaped shoulder,
32
at the lower arm area
25
, as illustrated in FIG.
3
. This step
42
makes possible the space-saving arrangement of the dampening device
30
closely adjacent to the extension arm
24
in the closed position
20
of FIG.
3
.
In
FIGS. 7 through 9
a slightly modified second embodiment of the counter
10
according to the invention is illustrated in three positions, particularly, only with the aid of those components which have been modified in comparison to the first embodiment of the invention of
FIGS. 2 through 6
. The components which are analog to the previous embodiments are identified with the same reference numerals so that in this respect the preceding description applies. Therefore, only the differences must be explained.
In
FIG. 7
, the closed position
20
of the modular unit is illustrated. In this case two rod-shaped control members
51
,
52
are provided which are formed as force storage devices in the form of gas springs. They extend approximately as an extension of the extension arm
24
of FIG.
7
. One of the force storage devices
51
serves in this connection as an opening aid in the direction of the opening movement arrow
48
of
FIG. 7
, while the other force storage device
52
supports the opposite movement for closing illustrated by the movement arrow
49
in FIG.
9
. In the present case, the force storage device
51
acting as an opening aid is connected directly at
43
in the lower area
25
of the extension arm
24
. The corresponding point of attack
53
in this arm area
25
of the force storage device
52
functioning as the closing aid, on the other hand, is realized indirectly, by means of a linkage, which is comprised of a simple lever
55
. This lever
55
is connected at
53
, and the other end of the arm is connected by a sliding block guide
50
to the force storage device
52
. This sliding block guide
15
is comprised of a slotted hole
57
within the lever
55
which is engaged by a bearing pin
56
of the upper end of the force storage device
52
. The lower end of the force storage device
52
is stationarily connected at
54
within the interior
40
of the profile.
The force storage device
51
acting in the opening direction has a stationary point of attack
44
which is formed in a special way within the interior
40
of the hollow profile of the support
15
. In the closed position in
FIG. 7
the force storage device
51
has a minimal insertion length
58
wherein it is imparted with a minimal spring force that is illustrated by the force arrow
61
. The force storage device
51
has a push rod
54
which penetrates in a longitudinally slidable way, as illustrated in
FIG. 9
, a penetration in the correlated point of attack
44
but is supported in the closed position
20
by a strip-shaped shoulder
47
at the support location. The spring force
61
is thus utilized in the aforementioned opening movement
48
of the modular unit; lifting of the center of gravity
27
illustrated in
FIG. 2
is thus facilitated. In the closed position
20
of
FIG. 7
, the other force storage device
52
has its maximum extension length illustrated at
59
in FIG.
7
. Even though a spring force
62
in the extension direction is active also for the force storage device
52
, it cannot result in a further extension of the extension length
57
because of the inner stops.
In
FIG. 8
, an intermediate position
20
″ of the modular unit is illustrated. The force storage device
51
has a greater extension length
58
″. During the movement
63
the aforementioned point of attack of the lever
55
belonging to the other force storage device
52
has moved farther into the intermediate position
53
″ wherein a change of the corresponding maximum extension length
59
of this force storage device
52
must not yet have taken place. In this case, the spring force
62
stored within the force storage device
52
has not yet become active up to the intermediate position
20
″ of FIG.
3
. This is so because of the sliding block guide
50
between the lever
55
and the force storage device
52
. The aforementioned bearing pin
56
has moved into the lower area of the slotted hole
57
. In this intermediate position the center of gravity
27
explained in connection with
FIG. 2
has reached approximately the apex of the opening pivot movement aligned with the pivot bearing
18
.
During the course of the further movement of the modular unit illustrated in
FIG. 8
by an arrow extension
63
′, the apex is lowered increasingly. Accordingly braking of the further opening pivot movement of the modular unit is desirable. This is realized in that the lever
55
in the sliding block guide
50
impacts with the upper end of its slotted hole
57
on the bearing pin
56
and thus tensions the force storage device
52
. This is realized along the travel from the intermediate position
20
′ of
FIG. 8
into the fully open position
20
′ of the modular unit of FIG.
9
. Now the upper connecting location of the lever
55
has reached the end position
53
′ illustrated in FIG.
9
.
Now the force storage device
52
has reached its minimal insertion length
59
′ which, relative to the intermediate position
58
″ illustrated in
FIG. 8
, may have grown still but in the last phase of the further movement
63
′ of
FIG. 8
substantially has no longer been effective. Now the aforementioned longitudinal movement
46
of the shoulder
47
of the push rod
45
belonging to the first force storage device
51
is moved away from the point of attack
44
in the support
15
. There is a free spacing
60
between the cooperating support locations
44
,
47
. The aforementioned spring force
61
is no longer effective by means of the stops within the force storage device
51
in the last opening movement of the modular unit. The torque acting on the modular unit is used instead for tensioning the other force storage device
52
whose spring force
62
thus increases.
The tensioned force storage
52
of
FIG. 9
can act as a closing aid during the closing movement
49
of the modular unit, which has been mentioned already and is illustrated in FIG.
9
. The increased spring force
62
of the force storage device
52
is effective during lifting of the center of gravity
27
illustrated in
FIG. 2
up to the apex of its circular movement. The second force storage device
52
which in FIG.
9
. still has its minimal insertion length
59
′ slowly is transferred to the maximum extension length
29
, already described and illustrated in
FIG. 8
, and lifts thus by means of the pivot pin
56
of its lever
55
the extension arm
24
of the joint member of the modular unit. The force storage device
52
acts now as a closing aid in the initial phase of the closing movement
49
. The other force storage device
51
does not impair this because in the initial position the aforementioned free spacing
60
between its support locations
44
,
47
is present. This changes only when approximately the situation of FIG.
8
and primarily of
FIG. 7
occurs. Then the length of this first force storage device
51
across
58
″ up to the above described minimal insertion length
58
is shortened. Therefore, again a braking movement occurs in the last phase of the closing movement
49
. The center of gravity
27
which is lowered in the direction toward the closed position
20
of
FIG. 2
produces a closing torque which, at least in the last phase of its closing movement
49
of
FIG. 9
, is consumed by a renewed tensioning of the force storage device
51
.
Accordingly, the invention not only is characterized by a comfortable opening and closing of the modular unit but also by a corresponding braking of these movements
48
,
49
. Accordingly, the force storage devices
51
,
52
according to the invention have a double function. With a suitable linkage configuration between the extension arm
24
of the joint member
52
according to the invention and the support
40
, the force storage devices
51
,
52
automatically become active in the desired direction of action.
In the third embodiment according to
FIGS. 10 through 14
two independent measures are important with regard to the invention. The first measure is comprised of an especially simple space-saving configuration of the control members, which will be explained first. The other feature concerns the special configuration of the modular unit comprised of two partial compounds that are movable relative to one another, which will be explained in more detail with the aid of FIG.
13
. Despite their deviating configuration of the corresponding modular units, the same reference numerals will be used for corresponding components as in the previous embodiment, according to
FIGS. 2 through 9
. In this respect, the above description applies. It is sufficient to only point out the differences of the third embodiment.
The control member of the third embodiment is comprised of a push member
70
which is longitudinally movable in the sense of double arrow
75
. The push member
70
is longitudinally guided in a partial profile
65
of the support
15
and is force-loaded according to the force arrows
76
,
77
illustrated in
FIGS. 11 and 14
. This is realized by two independent forces of which one force load
76
acts in the direction of the closed position
20
and the other
77
in the direction of the open position
20
′ of the respective modular unit. The two forces
76
,
77
act in opposite directions onto the push member
70
.
These forces
76
,
77
generate two force storage device
78
,
79
which are comprised of two coil-shaped pressure springs in this configuration. The push member
70
is divided into two sections
71
,
72
, i.e., a rod part
71
and a toothed rack support
72
. The rod part
71
penetrates the interior of the coil of the two pressure springs
78
,
79
. The push member
70
has two stops
73
,
74
which can be entrained and between which the two force storage devices
78
,
79
are arranged. These movable stops are comprised of an end disc
73
at the upper rod end and an end flange
74
at the lower rod end. These movable stops
73
,
74
have correlated therewith stationary stops
83
,
84
arranged within the support
15
which in the present situation belong to a guide member
82
. The guide member
82
is comprised of a penetration
81
which is penetrated by the rod portion
71
of the push member
70
. The stationary stops
83
,
84
are formed by two oppositely positioned end faces of the guide member
82
.
As already mentioned above, in the closed position
20
of the modular unit of
FIG. 11
the force load
76
generated by the upper pressure springs
78
is effective; the lower pressure springs
79
is completely relaxed. In the closed position
20
the upper pressure spring
78
is compressed between the movable stop
73
and the stationary stop
83
. In
FIG. 11
, the effective length
69
of the lower pressure spring
79
in the relaxed state is smaller than the spacing
67
of the stops
74
,
84
correlated with this spring
79
. Therefore, a free stroke
86
for the lower spring
79
remains in the closed position
20
. Upon pivoting
48
of the modular unit into the first intermediate position illustrated in
FIG. 12
, the force
76
exerted by the upper spring
28
is reduced because the push member
70
is lifted by means of a linkage
72
,
64
. This linkage is comprised of a linkage part in the form of a tooth segment
64
provided on the lower arm area
25
which engages the tooth rack support
72
of the push member
70
. The lower spring
79
is still relaxed even though the remaining rest of the free stroke
86
has already been reduced. In the angle area of the pivoting movement
48
between
FIGS. 11 and 12
, the force load
76
acts as an opening aid for the glass pane
21
wherein the force storage device
78
is increasingly released. This changes only during the course of the further opening pivot movement
48
up to the further intermediate position of the modular unit illustrated in FIG.
13
.
In
FIG. 13
the spacing
66
between the movable and the fixed stops
73
,
83
has already increased by an amount corresponding to the effective length
68
of the upper spring
78
in the relaxed state. There is no upper force load. In the case of the lower pressure spring
79
, there may be present a borderline situation where the corresponding spacing
67
between the two stops
74
,
84
corresponds approximately to the already described effective length,
69
of this lower spring
79
in the relaxed state. Accordingly, the lower force load is not yet active. In this phase of the pivot movement
48
, the center of gravity of the modular unit may be moved substantially at the same level so that, in this pivot movement phase a manual force application for moving the glass pane
31
is not required. This changes only upon transition into the fully open position
20
′ of the modular unit.
In
FIG. 14
the arm
24
is in its fully pivoted open position relative to the support
15
. Via the linkage
64
,
72
, the push member
70
has been moved into its axial end position where the stops
73
,
83
correlated with the upper pressure spring
78
have their maximum spacing
66
. Accordingly, in analogy to
FIG. 11
, a large free travel stroke
87
remains before the effective length
68
of this spring
78
in the relaxed position. The lower spring
79
is however compressed between its two stops
74
,
84
and exerts a great force load
79
onto the push member
70
. The residual pivot movement of the pivot movement
48
between FIG.
13
and
FIG. 14
has charged the force storage device
79
. The last phase of the pivot movement
48
has thus been dampened.
When, based on the open position
20
′ of the modular unit in
FIG. 14
, the glass pane
21
is manually moved back, the closing movement, illustrated in
FIG. 14
by the arrow
49
, occurs via the intermediate positions of
FIGS. 13 and 12
and the closed position
20
of
FIG. 11
is reached. In the first phase of this closing movement
49
the force storage device
79
is relaxed so that a closing aid results for the manual movement of the glass pane
21
. During the longitudinal movement
75
not only the afore described guide member
82
is effective as a guide but also the inner surfaces
85
of the aforementioned partial profiled section
65
of the support
15
. Areas of the circumferential surfaces of the toothed rack support
72
of the push member
70
glide on these inner surfaces
85
.
As already mentioned above, a special feature of the invention, explained in regard to the third embodiment of
FIGS. 10 through 14
, is that the corresponding modular unit is comprised of two oppositely movable partial modular units
91
,
92
which will be explained with the aid of FIG.
13
. The two partial modular units
91
,
92
are connected to one another by a horizontal rotary axis
90
wherein the degree of its rotation is determined by a guide member
80
. This guide member
80
controls the rotation of the one partial modular unit
91
illustrated by the rotary angle
93
in
FIG. 13
relative to the other
92
as a function of the respective pivot position of this second partial modular unit
92
relative to the support
15
. This pivot position can be described with the aid of the pivot angle
94
illustrated in
FIG. 13
of the arm
24
of the joint member belonging to this second partial modular unit
92
. Therefore, a force control of the glass pane
21
determined by the arm
24
and the guide member
80
is provided. The effect of this measure can be seen in FIG.
10
.
In the open position
20
′ of
FIG. 10
, the glass pane
21
is arranged with its free edge zone
95
closely above the upper support end
16
. In the present case, the glass pane
21
is a so-called “panoramic glass pane” which, as illustrated by the dash-dotted line of
FIG. 10
, in the closed position
20
has an arc-shaped transition between a horizontal glass pane area and a slanted, substantially planar front area of the glass pane. This front area includes the aforementioned free edge zone
95
. In the open position
20
of
FIG. 10
, with a suitable configuration of the guide member
80
to be described in the following in more detail, the edge area
95
can approximately extend horizontally and can cover partially, like a roof, the support surface
13
of the body
11
of the counter. In the open position
20
′ the free glass pane edge has reached an end position
26
′ which can be determined substantially by the upper support end
16
. In this embodiment, the counter has a very pleasing, elegant appearance even in the open position wherein the edge area
95
can provide the aforementioned spit protection. This effect can be achieved by the following configuration of the modular unit
91
,
92
.
As illustrated in
FIG. 13
, the first partial modular unit
91
includes, in addition to the glass pane
21
and the securing means
23
for the glass pane, also a head piece
96
of the joint member
22
. These components
21
,
23
,
96
are fixedly connected with one another within the partial modular unit
91
. This first partial modular unit
91
will be referred to in the following as “partial modular unit on the glass pane side”. The glass pane-side partial modular unit
91
is movably connected with the second partial modular unit
92
by means of a horizontal rotary axis
90
. The second partial modular unit
92
includes the arm
24
of the joint member
22
which at its lower arm area has the already mentioned pivot axis
18
for the entire modular unit. This second partial modular unit
92
in the following is referred to as the “axis-side partial modular unit”. The modular units
91
,
92
of this third embodiment differ from the modular unit of the afore described two embodiments of the invention in that the joint member
22
is divided by the rotary axis
90
into two partial members
96
,
24
which are movable relative to one another: they comprise the head piece
96
belonging to the glass pane-side partial modular unit
91
and the arm
24
which belongs to the axis-side partial modular unit
92
.
The guide member
80
which is used for the force control of the angle of rotation
93
is comprised in the present situation of a connecting rod whose one end at
88
is connected to the head piece
96
of the glass pane-side partial modular unit
91
connected to the glass pane while the other end of the rod is connected stationarily by means of a joint
89
with the counter
11
for which purpose in the present situation this connecting location
89
is located on the support
15
. The connecting rod
80
is moreover angled in the present case and divides the rod into two legs
98
,
99
. The connecting rod
80
, on the one hand, and the arm
24
, on the other hand, form together with their connecting locations
98
,
99
or axes
90
,
18
a parallelogram linkage between the glass pane
21
and the body
11
of the counter, respectively, its support
15
. Accordingly, in any phase of the pivot movement
48
a defined rotary angle
93
results between the two partial modular units
91
,
92
.
In the closed position
20
of the modular unit according to
FIG. 11
a maximum rotary angle
93
between the head member
96
and the arm
24
of the joint member
22
is present. The arm
24
extends substantially parallel to the support
15
and engages in this connection a profiled cutout
96
of the support
15
which can be seen better in FIG.
12
. The pivot angle of the arm
24
relative to the support is at a minimum, i.e., it is zero. The outer leg portion
98
of the angled connecting rod
80
extends parallel to the head piece
96
while the inner rod leg
99
is positioned parallel to the arm
24
. Between.the modular units
96
,
98
, on the one hand, and the modular units
24
,
99
, on the other hand, contact is therefore possible. The cutout
97
in the support
15
is dimensioned such that in the closed position
20
of
FIG. 11
the inner rod leg
99
and the arm
24
are positioned flush within the cross-section of the support
15
.
When pivoting open (
48
) the modular unit
91
,
92
, the rotary angle
93
between the partial modular units
91
,
92
decreases with increasing pivot angle
94
. The free end
26
of the class pane moves therefore not on such a large circular arc as in the previous two embodiments of
FIG. 2
but moves on a more flat curved path until finally the already described positioned
26
′ of
FIG. 10
is reached in the fully opened position
20
′ of the modular unit. This open position
20
′ is illustrated in, FIG.
14
. Accordingly, a maximum pivot angle
94
is provided while the rotary angle
93
between the two partial modular unit
91
,
92
has reached the smallest value. In the closed position
20
of
FIG. 11
the rotary angle
93
may be approximately 120° while in the open position
20
′ of
FIG. 14
it is only approximately 65°. Accordingly, the pivot movement
48
of the entire module unit
91
,
92
is superimposed by a return rotation of the free end of the glass pane from the position
26
into the position
26
′ of FIG.
10
. This return rotation is the difference between the original rotational angle
93
of
FIG. 11
, on the one hand, and the final rotary angle of
FIG. 14
, on the other hand.
The guide member
80
could also be embodied in a different way. It could be comprised of at least one pair of telescopic members which make it thus longitudinally movable. These telescopic members can be force-loaded in the insertion direction or in the extension direction. This force load can be additive to the afore described force load
76
,
77
of the slide
70
or can replace it completely or partially. The free ends of the members of such guide member are connected analogously, on the one hand, to the partial modular unit
91
of the glass pane and, on the other hand, on the body
11
of the counter or on its supports
15
and are moveably supported thereat as in the second embodiment at
44
,
77
.
|
List of Reference Numerals
|
|
|
10
counter according to the invention
|
10′
counter according to the prior art
|
11
body of counter of 10 or 10′
|
12
customer side of 10, 10′
|
13
support surface of 10, 10′
|
14
lower end of 15
|
15
support
|
16
upper end of support 15
|
17
hollow profile of 15; rectangular profile
|
18, 18′
pivot bearing of 22 or 22′, horizontal pivot axis
|
19, 19′
pivot angle of 22 or 22′
|
20
modular unit (in closed position); or rigid modular unit
|
(FIGS. 1 through 9)
|
20′
open position of 20
|
20″
intermediate position of 20
|
21
glass pane of 20
|
22
joint member of 10
|
22′
joint member of 10, swivel head
|
23
securing means for 21 on 22 or 22′
|
24
extension arm of 22, arm of 22
|
25
lower arm area of 24, area of the lower arm end
|
26
free end of the glass pane of 20 (initial position)
|
26′
end position of 26 in 20′ (
FIGS. 1
, 2, 10)
|
27, 27′
center of gravity of 20 or 20′
|
28, 28′
travel distance between 26, 26′ at 10, 10′
|
29
front edge of counter of 11
|
30
rod-shaped dampening device (FIG. 3)
|
31
stationary upper rod end of 30
|
32
movable lower rod end of 30
|
33
support nose on 22
|
34
upper end face of 15
|
35
rear profile wall of 15
|
36
cutout in 15 at 35
|
37
end portion of 15
|
38
support surface for 22 (
FIGS. 2
, 6)
|
39
outer surface of 35 (FIG. 6)
|
40
hollow profile interior of 15
|
41
end piece of 24
|
42
step-shaped shoulder of 24 (FIG. 3)
|
43
connecting location of 51 for 25 (FIG. 7)
|
44
stationary point of attack of 51 in 15 (FIG. 7)
|
45
push rod of 51 (FIG. 7)
|
46
longitudinal movement of 45 relative to 44 (FIG. 9)
|
47
shoulder on 45 for 44 (FIG. 7)
|
48
arrow of opening movement (FIG. 7)
|
49
arrow of closing movement (FIG. 9)
|
50
sliding block guide between 55, 52 (FIG. 7)
|
51
rod-shaped control member, force storage device, opening aid
|
52
rod-shaped control member, force storage device, closing aid
|
53
point of attack of 52 on 25 (the initial position)
|
53′
end position of 53 (FIG. 9)
|
53″
intermediate position of 53 (FIG. 8)
|
54
stationary lower connecting location of 52 in 15 (FIG. 7)
|
55
linkage between 25, 52, lever (FIG. 7)
|
56
pivot pin of 50
|
57
slotted hole of 50
|
58
minimal insertion length of 51 (FIG. 7)
|
58′
maximum extension length of 51 (FIG. 9)
|
58″
intermediate length of 51 (FIG. 8)
|
59
maximum extension length of 52 (FIG. 7)
|
59′
minimum insertion length of 52 (FIG. 9)
|
60
free spacing between 44, 57 at 20″ (FIG. 8)
|
61
force arrow of 51, spring force
|
62
force arrow of 52, spring force
|
63
arrow of initial movement of 43 (FIG. 8)
|
64
second linkage part, tooth segment of 24 (FIG. 11)
|
65
partial profile 15 (FIG. 11)
|
66
spacing between 73, 83 (FIG. 14)
|
67
spacing between 74, 84 (FIG. 11)
|
68
effective length of 78 in the relaxed state (FIG. 14)
|
69
effective length of 79 in the relaxed state (FIG. 11)
|
70
push rod, rod
|
71
first section of 70, rod part
|
72
second portion of 70, toothed rack support, second
|
linkage part
|
73
movable stop on 70, end disc
|
74
movable stop on 70, end flange
|
75
double arrow of longitudinal movement of 70
|
76
arrow of force load of 78
|
77
arrow of force load of 79
|
78
upper force storage device, pressure spring
|
79
lower force storage device, pressure spring
|
80
guide member, connecting rod (FIGS. 11 through 14)
|
81
penetration in 82
|
82
guide member for 70
|
83
stationary stop on 15, upper surface of 82
|
84
stationary stop on 15, lower surface of 82
|
85
guiding-active inner surfaces of 65 for 70 (FIG. 14)
|
86
free stroke for 79 at 20 (FIG. 11)
|
87
free stroke for 78 at 20′ (FIG. 14)
|
88
upper entrained connecting location of 80
|
89
lower stationery connecting location of 80
|
90
horizontal rotary axis between 91, 92 (FIGS. 11 through 14)
|
91
partial modular unit (
FIG. 13
) at the glass pane side
|
92
partial modular unit (
FIG. 13
) at the axis
|
93
rotary angle between 91, 92 (FIG. 13)
|
94
pivot angle between 24, 15 (FIG. 13)
|
95
free edge zone of 21 (FIG. 2)
|
96
head piece of 22 at 91 (FIG. 13)
|
97
recess of 15 for 24, 99 (FIG. 12 and 11)
|
98
outer rod leg of 80
|
99
inner rod leg of 80
|
|
Claims
- 1. Counter (10) for presenting and/or selling goods, comprising a body (11) of the counter which has a support surface (13) for the goods,with several (17) supports (15) which with their lower end (14) are fastened on the body (11) of the counter, with at least one joint member (22) on each support (15) connected by means of a pivot bearing (18) with the support (15), projecting at the support end (16) and having securing means (23) for a glass pane (21) having correlated therewith several supports (15), wherein the joint members (22) with the glass pane (21) fastened on its securing means (23) form a modular unit which is pivotable about a horizontal axis defined by the pivot bearings (18) between a closed position (20) covering the goods on the support surface (13), on the one end, and an open position (20′) allowing access to the goods, on the other hand, wherein the joint member (22) has an extension arm (24) which—viewed in the closed position—extends in the longitudinal direction of the support (15), wherein upon pivoting of the modular unit from its closed position (20) into its open position (20′) the center of gravity of the modular unit is moved from an initial position (27) located on one side relative to the pivot axis (18) into an end position located on the oppositely positioned side of the pivot axis (18), and with a parallelogram linkage (80, 24) between the glass pane (21) and the body (11) of the counter which is comprised of a pivot arm (24) and a guide member (80), wherein the one end of the pivot arm (24) and of the guide member (80), at a spacing to one another, are connected (88, 90) to the glass pane (21) and are movable together with the glass pane (21), and the other end of the pivot arm (28) and of the guide member (80), also at a spacing to one another, are connected stationarily on the support (15) of the body (11) of the counter in a pivotal way (18, 89), wherein the course of the pivot movement (48, 49) of the glass pane (21) is determined by control members which are comprised of a force-loaded push member (70) and are guided along the support (15), that between the pivot arm (24) and the push member (70) a linkage (64, 72) is arranged which converts the pivot movement (48, 49) of the linkage arm (24) into a longitudinal movement (75) of the push member (70), and that the push member (70) is loaded by two independent forces (76, 79), wherein one force load (76) acts in the closed position (20) of the glass pane (21) and the other (77) acts in its open position (20′) onto the push member (70).
- 2. Counter according to claim 1, wherein the two forces (76, 77) act in opposite direction and—during pivoting (48, 49) of the glass pane (21)—phase-displaced relative to one another onto the push member (70).
- 3. Counter according to claim 1, wherein the push member (70) has two force storage devices (78, 79) correlated therewith,that the push member (70) for engagement of the two force storage devices (78, 79) has two movable stops (73, 74) which, upon longitudinal movement (75) of the push member (70), are moved therewith, and that for engagement of the two force storage devices (78, 79) on the support (15) two stationary stops (83,84) are provided.
- 4. Counter according to claim 3, wherein the two force storage devices (78, 79) are arranged in the support (15) above the pivot bearing (18) of the pivot arm (24).
- 5. Counter according to claim 3, wherein the two force storage devices (78, 79) in the relaxed state have an effective length (68, 69) which—in the open or closed position (20; 20′)—is smaller than the spacing (66, 67) between the corresponding movable and stationary stops (73, 83; 74, 84), respectively.
- 6. Counter according to claim 3, wherein the two force storage devices are comprised of two coil-shaped pressure springs (78, 79) and that the push member is comprised of a rod (70, 71), wherein the rod (71) penetrates the interior of the coil of the two pressure springs (78, 79),that the two stationary stops (83, 84) are arranged between the two pressure springs (78, 79), and that the two movable stops (73, 74) enclose the two pressure springs (78, 79) therebetween and are located on the upper or lower end of the rod (70).
- 7. Counter according to claim 3, wherein the stationary stops are formed by the two oppositely positioned surfaces (83, 84) of a guide member (82),and that the guide member (82) has a penetration (81) penetrated by the rod (71).
- 8. Counter according to claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces (85) of the profile of the support (15) themselves and/or guide members (82) provided thereat serve for longitudinal guiding (75) of the push member (70) or the rod (71).
- 9. Counter according to claim 1, wherein the linkage, on the one hand, is comprised of a tooth rack portion (72) on the push member (70) and, on the other hand, of a tooth segment (64) in the area of the lower arm end (25) of the joint member (22).
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
199 06 395 |
Feb 1999 |
DE |
|
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/EP00/01210 |
|
WO |
00 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO00/49200 |
8/24/2000 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (6)
Foreign Referenced Citations (8)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2603425 |
Aug 1977 |
DE |
33 13 914 |
Oct 1984 |
DE |
3503340 |
Aug 1986 |
DE |
36 39 214 |
May 1988 |
DE |
36 39 215 |
May 1988 |
DE |
3901831 |
Jul 1990 |
DE |
42 34 945 |
Apr 1994 |
DE |
2245155 |
Jan 1992 |
GB |