The present disclosure relates to a folding table for use in a motor vehicle.
A folding table may have an unfolded state and a folded state and comprises a plurality of segments which are movable relative to each other. The segments each form a flat upper side. In the unfolded state of the folding table, the upper sides of the segments together form a substantially planar storage surface for depositing items such as beverage containers. In the unfolded state, the upper sides of the segments extend between two outer lateral edges, e.g. from two outer segments. The two outer lateral edges include an angle between them, which in the unfolded state is greater than in the folded state of the folding table.
One or more objects of the present disclosure may be to provide a folding table as stable as possible and compact in the folded state.
According to one or more embodiments, it is provided that in the folded state some or all segments lie one on top of the other such that at least the upper sides of two, such as adjacent segments face each other and/or that at least the undersides (each opposite the upper sides) of two, such as adjacent segments face each other.
It thereby is possible to fold up the folding table to a compact form. Nevertheless, the folding table may have a very high stability due to the suspension of the upper sides between the lateral edges. It also is possible to pivotally connect the segments to each other, which further improves the stability. In the folded state, the largest spatial axis of the space occupied by the folding table is (substantially) smaller than in the unfolded state. In the folded state, for example the upper sides of the segments are arranged in parallel planes offset from each other (in the direction of the normal).
In the unfolded state of the folding table, at least one point on one of the two outer lateral edges may have a larger distance to at least one point on the other one of the two outer lateral edges than in the folded state.
The folding table may include two, three or more segments, e.g. four, six or eight segments. An even number of segments may provide symmetrical folding.
The segments each may form at least one lateral edge. The segments may be pivotally connected to each other at adjoining lateral edges, e.g. by means of a hinge and/or by interposition of an intermediate piece. It may be provided that in the unfolded state of the folding table the segments and/or the upper sides of the segments are arranged around a common point and together form the storage surface.
In the folded state, as compared to the unfolded state, the segments may be pivoted or folded relative to each other in alternating directions. Expressed in other words, the folding table may be configured such that on folding up from the unfolded state into the folded state the segments pivot relative to each other in alternating directions. In the folded state, the upper sides of at least two segments may face each other and the undersides of at least two segments may face each other.
In the folded state, the segments may be folded up according to a zigzag folding. This may provide for a compact folded state. From the zigzag folding, the folding table may be unfolded relatively easily.
The arrangement around a common, such as a concentric point provides for the fact that the folding table may be folded and unfolded according to the principle of a fan (such as according to the principle of a folding fan). This permits a central and stable bearing of the folding table and may provide a relatively simple mechanism for folding and unfolding the folding table. In the unfolded state, the upper sides and/or the lateral edges of the segments may be arranged in the form of a fan.
The unfolded storage surface and/or the upper side of one or more, such as of all segments each e.g. have the shape of a circular sector or a triangle.
As an example, it may be provided that the storage surface of the unfolded folding table is substantially semicircular in shape. As an alternative to a semicircle, the segments and/or their upper sides in the unfolded state may be arranged according to a quarter circle, a three-quarter circle, a full circle or another circular sector around the circle center (of the corresponding full circle) as a common point.
The segments may include pivotal connections at adjacent lateral edges (such as in the unfolded state). For example, the segments therefor are positively connected to each other at their lateral edges, e.g. by means of a hinge. There may also be provided a film hinge between adjacent segments. Alternatively or in addition, a textile may connect two adjacent lateral edges.
At least one segment, such as two segments, may be pivotally articulated to a base. The base for example serves for easily mounting the folding table to the motor vehicle.
In a development a shifting element shiftable with respect to the base is provided, to which at least one connecting member is pivotally articulated, such as two connecting members are pivotally articulated. Each connecting member may be pivotally connected to a segment articulated to the base, such as at a point spaced apart from the base. In this way, a simple opening mechanism may be provided. The storage surface extends between two outer segments. One connecting member each may be pivotally connected to one of the two outer segments. A change of the angle between the two arms effects (in a particularly simple and comfortable way) folding up or unfolding of the folding table.
The folding table may include a drive unit by means of which the folding table may be comfortably transferred from the folded state into the unfolded state, and vice versa. For this purpose, an electric motor may be used for example. The drive unit for example effects a displacement of the shifting member with respect to the base.
Several or all segments may have the same shape and/or size. The segments thereby may be folded up to save space.
In one embodiment, at least one of the segments may include a textile which provides at least one portion of the upper side of the segment. This may reduce the weight of the folding table.
In one or more embodiments, a vehicle interior lining may include a folding table according to any of the embodiments described herein. Such a vehicle interior lining for example forms part of a dashboard, a center console, a door panel, a lateral area of a trunk, a vehicle seat or the like. Due to the compact folded state of the folding table, only little space is required for the vehicle table at or in the vehicle interior lining. Thus, the folding table can be arranged on parts or points of the vehicle interior lining at which a table has not been possible so far or possible only with corresponding adaptations of the vehicle interior lining.
As an example, the vehicle interior lining may include a receptacle that may be configured to accommodate the folding table in the folded state. When the folding table is not needed, it may thus be stowed in the receptacle and does not take up any room in the vehicle interior space.
According to one or more embodiments, a motor vehicle including the folding table and/or a vehicle interior lining according to any of the embodiments described herein, is provided. The motor vehicle thus can provide a particularly space-efficient interior space.
The idea underlying the invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the Figures, in which:
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
DE 696 03 063 T2 relates to a tabletop comprising a plurality of segments in the form of oblong elements having longitudinal side faces articulated to each other, whose upper sides are arranged around a common point in a position of use. The tabletop is shiftable between a retracted position in a vehicle door and the extended position of use outside the vehicle door, wherein the segments are pushed downwards from the horizontal around a curve. A comparatively large tabletop thereby can be stowed in the flat vehicle door. The necessary installation space for stowing the tabletop in the retracted state, however, is too large for many applications and installation sites in the motor vehicle, in particular extends over too large an area.
DE 35 23 393 A1 describes a travel table for a motor vehicle, which includes at least three parts at least partly overlapping each other and movable against each other approximately in the same plane. In the retracted state the parts serving as segments lie on top of each other and can be stowed in a compact installation space. In the extended state the segments form a common storage surface, and two outer lateral edges, between which the storage surface extends, are arranged at a larger angle to each other than in the retracted state. To extend the travel table, the segments are telescopically shifted in a plane parallel to the storage surface. However, as the segments are shiftable relative to each other, an unstable construction is obtained, which on extension and retraction also tends to canting. Furthermore, overlapping surfaces are necessary, which lead to an increased material requirement.
In particular in the automotive sector it is decisive to reduce the weight and the necessary installation space as far as possible. Especially due to the movements in the vehicle it also is important to provide a construction as stable as possible.
The folding table 1 may include a plurality of segments 10A-10F as folding elements, in the present example six segments 10A-10F. The segments 10A-10F are fabricated from a rigid material, e.g. from a plastic material, metal sheet, or from wood.
The segments 10A-10F each have an at least chiefly planar upper side 101 and an underside 104 opposite the upper side 101. The segments 10A-10F are flat. The upper side 101 and the underside 104 form the two largest surfaces of each of the (such as plate-shaped) segments 10A-10F. The upper side 101 and the underside 104 extend parallel to each other. In the unfolded state, the upper sides 101 of the segments 10A-10F are aligned in the same plane and form the storage surface AF.
The upper sides 101 (and/or the undersides 104) of the segments 10A-10F each are triangular, wherein other shapes, e.g. the shape of a circular sector, also are conceivable. The segments 10A-10F hence can be configured e.g. as a prism with a triangular base area or in the form of a piece of cake or pizza.
In the unfolded state, the segments 10A-10F are arranged around a concentric point Z. A tip of the triangular surfaces 101 points in the direction of the concentric point Z. In the unfolded state, the segments 10A-10F are arranged such that the storage surface AF jointly formed by their surfaces 101 substantially is semicircular or can be described by a semicircle. A first segment 10A and a last segment 10F each form the beginning and the end of the semicircle in a direction extending around the concentric point. The first and the last segment 10A, 10F represent the outer segments of the folding table 1.
In the unfolded state, the storage surface AF extends between two outer lateral edges 105. The storage surface AF extends from the one outer lateral edge 105 to the second outer lateral edge 105. The storage surface AF is defined by the outer lateral edges 105 and by outer edges 100 of the segments 10A-10F which connect the outer lateral edges 105 to each other. In the unfolded state, the lateral edges 105 are (substantially) aligned towards a concentric point Z. Adjacent to the concentric point Z, the two outer lateral edges 105 adjoin each other. In the present case, the outer lateral edges 105 are (substantially) rectilinear. In the unfolded state (see
To unfold the folded folding table 1, the outer lateral edges 105 are pivotable relative to each other. The corresponding pivot axis extends e.g. through the concentric point Z and/or extends perpendicularly to the storage surface AF in the unfolded state.
Respectively adjacent segments 10A-10F are pivotally mounted to each other. In the unfolded state, the corresponding pivot axes extend parallel to the storage surface AF. Concretely, a hinge 15 each is provided between two adjacent segments 10A-10F, as illustrated for example in
The hinge 15 connects adjacent and mutually parallel lateral edges 102 of the adjacent segments 10A-10F. The hinge 15 for example is a positive, pivotable connection or a film hinge or a piece of textile connected to both adjacent segments 10A-10F. The hinge 15 permits pivoting of the adjacent segments 10A-10F by 180° or by approximately 180°. The lateral edges 102 connected by means of the hinges 15 substantially are aligned towards the concentric point Z. The lateral edges 102 each are connected by an outer edge 100. The outer edges 100 of the segments 10A-10F together with the outer lateral edges 105 of the outer segments 10A, 10F form the edge of the storage surface AF.
On the underside of the folding table 1 a mechanism for folding up and unfolding the folding table 1 is arranged. The mechanism may include a base 11 and a shifting element 12 shiftable with respect to the base. The base 11 is arranged at the concentric point Z or adjacent thereto. The outer segments 10A, 10F of the folding table 1 are pivotally articulated to the base 11, in the present example about two mutually parallel pivot axes S1, S2. Concretely, two arms 103 are pivotally mounted to the base at the two pivot axes S1, S2. The outer segments 10A, 10F each are mounted to the arms 103. In the present case, the arms 103 are oblong and each pivotally connected to the corresponding outer segments 10A, 10F. In the illustrated example, the arms 103 each are pivotally connected to the outer lateral edge 105 of the corresponding outer segments 10A, 10F about their longitudinal axis (or an axis parallel thereto).
A rod 17 (or generally a supporting element) is firmly connected to the base 11. A further rod 16 (or generally a further supporting element) is firmly connected to the shifting element 12. The two oblong rods 16, 17 are aligned parallel to each other. The rods 16, 17 are shiftable relative to each other along their longitudinal axes. In the present case, the rod 16 attached to the shifting element 12 is longitudinally shiftably mounted to the rod 17 attached to the base 11, in the illustrated example by means of a guide 171 (e.g., in the form of a guide rail), which here is arranged on the rod 17 attached to the base 11. By means of the guide 171 the rod 16 attached to the shifting element 17 is guided in the retracting and extending movement.
In the unfolded state, the rod 17 (generally the supporting element) attached to the base 11 supports one or more segments 10C, 10D. In the present case, an optional intermediate piece 18 is provided, which pivotally connects the two middle segments 10C, 10D to each other. In the unfolded state, the intermediate piece 18 rests on the rod 17 of the base 11. Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that one or more segments, for example the middle segments 10C, 10D rest on the rod 17 (the supporting element) of the base 11.
Two connecting members 13 are pivotally articulated to the shifting element 12, in the present example about mutually parallel pivot axes S3, S4. Each of the connecting members 13 is pivotally connected to one of the arms 103, namely at corresponding (and mutually parallel) pivot axes S5, S6. The pivot axes S5, S6 of the connecting members 13 at the arms 103 are spaced apart from the pivot axes S1, S2 of the arms 103 at the base 11. The pivot axes S5, S6 of the connecting members 13 at the arms 103 also are spaced apart from the pivot axes S3, S4 of the connecting members 103 at the shifting element 12.
In the following, the functionality of the folding table 1 on transfer from the unfolded state as shown in
The shifting element 12 is displaced with respect to the base 11 manually or by means of a drive unit, in concrete terms the fixed rod 16 of the shifting element 12 is shifted along its longitudinal axis. The distance of the shifting element 12 to the base 11 thereby is increased. The connecting members 13 thereby pull the arms 103 together (whose angle to each other becomes smaller). The segments 10A-10F pivot with alternating directions so that the segments 10A-10F fold up corresponding to a zigzag folding. For this purpose, the hinges can be pretensioned, e.g. by means of springs. Alternatively, the pivotability of the adjacent segments 10A-10F relative to each other from the unfolded state into the folded state can be blocked in one direction and be enabled only in the other direction, e.g. by means of a protrusion on at least one segment 10A-10F.
The optional intermediate piece 18, which divides the folding table 1 in two halves and in the unfolded state extends along the rod 17 of the base 11, makes folding up easier.
The shifting element 12 and the base 11 are shifted relative to each other until the segments 10A-10F lie one on top of the other. Upper sides 101 and undersides 104 of adjacent segments 10A-10F each alternately face each other and optionally are in full-surface contact with each other for a particularly tight packing. The folded state is shown in
To unfold the folding table 1 from the folded state, the shifting element 12 is shifted towards the base 11. The connecting members 13 thereby press against the arms 103, whereby their angle to each other is increased (from about 0° to about 180°). The segments 10A-10F are unfolded like a fan and placed in one plane. Due to the fact that the segments 10A-10F are connected to each other via their lateral edges, the folding table 1 has a particularly high stability. The arms 103 and the rod 17 of the base 11 additionally contribute to the stability. It can be provided that in the unfolded state a force is exerted on the arms 103 by means of the shifting element 12 via the connecting members 13, in order to tension the segments 10A-10F.
On the rods 16, 17 (at their ends) a fixing point each is provided. At the fixing points 160, 170 mutually displaceable parts of a drive unit can be mounted. The displacement of these parts against each other folds or unfolds the folding table 1. The joint displacement of the parts moves the folding table 1, e.g. with respect to the drive unit and/or a receptacle.
In the present case, the vehicle interior lining 2 is a dashboard. In the vehicle interior lining 2 (here on the passenger side) a receptacle 20 is formed. The receptacle 20 can be closed by means of an optional closure 21, here in the form of a sliding door. In the non-illustrated folded and stowed state, the folding table 1 is folded up and accommodated in the receptacle 20. The closure is closed and the folding table 1 is not visible.
When the folding table 1 is to be unfolded, the closure 21 first is opened, e.g. by means of a motor or manually. Thereupon, a drive unit 14 moves the folding table 1 in the folded state out of the receptacle 20. For this purpose, two rods 16, 17 (supporting elements) for example are jointly moved out of the receptacle 20. As soon as the folding table 1 has moved out of the receptacle 20 far enough, the drive unit 14 displaces the shifting element 12 with respect to the base 11 by means of the rods 16, 17. The folding table 1 thereby is unfolded in the way described above so that it provides the storage surface AF for depositing objects (see
The folding table 1 has been described in connection with
According to
By folding back the arms 103 (corresponding to the folding table 1 of
The textile T can be elastic (and be tensioned at least in the unfolded state). Optionally, a 3D textile and/or a knitted spacer fabric is provided on the textile, e.g. to achieve a dampening effect. Cords, wires and/or cables can be incorporated or mounted, for example sewn, into the textile T, e.g. for strength increase.
According to each described embodiment, the outer edges 100 can be designed in the shape of a circular arc, instead of being rectilinear, so that the storage surface represents a circle or (more exactly) a circular segment.
The folding table 1 furthermore can be adjustable in height, e.g. by a height-adjustable bearing of the drive unit 14 and/or the rods 16, 17. Furthermore, a plurality of folding tables can be combined so that a plurality of planes of storage surfaces AF are formed in order to provide a larger storage space. The plurality of folding tables can be operatively connected to the same drive unit 14.
The storage surface AF can be provided with an anti-slip coating, e.g. a rubber coating. Furthermore, it can be provided that in the unfolded state one segment or several segments is/are adjustable with respect to the remaining segments in order to clamp objects, e.g. a mobile phone, in position.
The following is a list of reference numbers shown in the Figures. However, it should be understood that the use of these terms is for illustrative purposes only with respect to one embodiment. And, use of reference numbers correlating a certain term that is both illustrated in the Figures and present in the claims is not intended to limit the claims to only cover the illustrated embodiment.
1 folding table
10A-10J segment
100 outer edge
101 upper side
102 lateral edge
103 arm
104 underside
105 outer lateral edge
106 limiter
107 opening
108 closure
109 cross-beam
11 base
12 shifting element
13 connecting member
14 drive unit
15 hinge
16 rod
160 fixing point
17 rod
170 fixing point
171 guide rail
18 intermediate piece
2 vehicle interior lining
20 receptacle
21 closure
3 motor vehicle
30 steering wheel
AF storage surface
F folding line
G object
S1-S6 pivot axis
Z concentric point
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2017 220 863.5 | Nov 2017 | DE | national |
This application is the U.S. National Phase of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2018/081053 filed on Nov. 13, 2018, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2017 220 863.5, filed on Nov. 22, 2017, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/081053 | 11/13/2018 | WO | 00 |