BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are depicted in the drawing.
Shown are:
FIG. 1 A perspective view of a stand-alone table according to the invention from above;
FIG. 2 A perspective view of a stand-alone table according to the invention from below;
FIG. 3 A plan view of a stand-alone table according to the invention from below;
FIG. 4 A perspective view of a table system according to the invention with two linked tables from above, wherein a part of the tabletop plates is not shown in the midsection;
FIG. 5 A plan view of a table system according to the invention with two linked tables from below;
FIG. 6 A side view of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 A sectional view through the tabletop plate in the region of the interlocking and bracing mechanism (closed state);
FIG. 8 A sectional view through the tabletop plate in the region of the interlocking and bracing mechanism (half-opened state);
FIG. 9 A sectional view through the tabletop plate in the region of the interlocking and bracing mechanism (opened state);
FIG. 10 An enlarged representation of FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 An enlarged representation of FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 A perspective view of a table system in an “L” shape (corner linkage) from above, wherein only half of the tabletop plates are shown for the purpose of clarity and
FIG. 13 A plan view of the solution according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 12 from below.
Only those elements essential for understanding the invention are shown. Identical elements are provided with identical reference numbers.
EXECUTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is explained in further detail below on the basis of several exemplary embodiments and FIGS. 1 through 13.
A first exemplary embodiment is represented in FIGS. 1 through 3.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a stand-alone table according to the invention from above, FIG. 2 shows this stand-alone table from below, and FIG. 3 shows the plan view from above. According to the invention, the stand-alone table comprises two distinct modules. The primary module is formed by the tabletop plate 1 and two crossbars 3 interspaced with respect to each other and securely arranged on the underside of the table. The crossbars 3 are securely attached to the underside of the table (FIG. 2, FIG. 3) by means of bolts 9. The secondary module comprises the table leg 2 with interlocking and bracing mechanisms 11. Two secondary modules are present in this exemplary embodiment. Four interlocking and bracing mechanisms 11 are present per table leg 2, wherein two of these engage in each case into one of the crossbars 3 of the primary module. The handle 4 and the clamping piece 5 of the mechanisms 11 can be clearly recognized in FIG. 3. Each table leg 2 is designed as a central-crossbar T-base, on the upper end of which is arranged a horizontal plate 8 into which the interlocking and bracing mechanisms 11 are integrated. The plate 8 extends from one crossbar 3 to the other crossbar 3. According to the invention, the interlocking and bracing mechanism 11 operates according to the knuckle joint principle, which is described below.
A second exemplary embodiment of the table system according to the invention is represented in FIGS. 4 through 6. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a table system according to the invention with two linked tables from above, wherein a part of the tabletop plates is not shown in the midsection. FIG. 5 shows a plan view and FIG. 6 a side view of FIG. 4. Here, it is clearly recognizable that only three secondary components (table legs) are required for this table system comprising two linked tables. One table leg 2 is always positioned centrally between two adjacent tabletop plates 1. It is generally valid that for the purpose of forming a table system linked in series or in a corner-linkage configuration, n primary modules and (n+1) secondary modules are interconnected, wherein n≧2 and n are whole numbers, and that (n−1) of the secondary modules are arranged centrally in each case between adjacent primary modules.
The connection between the tabletop plate 1 and the table leg 2 is achieved with a precisely fitted—but simple and insusceptible to malfunction—interlocking and bracing mechanism, for which FIGS. 7 through 11 are intended to provide further elucidation.
FIG. 7 shows a sectional view through the tabletop plate 1 in the region of the interlocking and bracing mechanism 11 in the closed state, whereas FIG. 8 shows a corresponding sectional view in the half-opened state, and FIG. 9 shows this sectional view in the completely open state. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cutout of FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cutout of FIG. 9.
The interlocking and bracing mechanisms 11 are integrated into the plate 8 of the table leg 2. Each of these mechanisms 11 features a comparatively long pivoted handle 4, which is articulated with a smaller clamping piece 5 exhibiting a detent lug by means of a connecting piece 10 attached on two sides. In the closed state (FIG. 7, FIG. 10), the handle 4 is arranged horizontally in the plate 8 and thereby forms a plane with the underside of the plate 8. The clamping piece 5 is anchored in the profile of the crossbar 3. In the open state (FIG. 9, FIG. 11), the handle 4 is arranged perpendicularly to the plate 8, and the clamping piece 5 is latched with the detent lug 7 in a recess 6 provided for this purpose on the upper part of the plate 8.
With a large motional action—the pivoting of the handle 4—a small motional action is generated in the clamping piece 5. The long motional action when operating the handle 4 can be clearly perceived by the user, and he therefore knows that he is moving the mechanism. The distinctly smaller motion of the clamping piece 5 has a positive effect on the required overall height, i.e., it can be kept low, given that the crossbar 3 and the plate 8 of the table leg 2 need only exhibit a low height.
The form of the crossbar 3 can be very simple; only a “U” shape is necessary. The mechanism 11 is completely integrated into the plate 8 of the table leg 2 and forms a closed plane with the plate 8, which can be a flange plate, for example.
Operation of the closure at the handle 4 requires only a small expenditure of force, but at the same time, a very large force is generated at the clamping piece 5. This strong closing force and the fact that an autonomous opening of the mechanism is 100% precluded make this system secure and user-friendly. The latching of the clamping piece 5 into the recess 6 of the plate 8 (see FIG. 11) when the mechanism 11 is opened ensures that an autonomous, unintentional closing does not occur. With the proposed design, the interlocking is concentrated from the outside toward the inside onto a table-leg platform. The T-base can be manufactured economically in a plastic version.
An additional exemplary embodiment is represented in FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 shows a perspective representation of a table system in an “L” shape (corner linkage) from above, wherein for the purpose of clarity, only half of the tabletop plates are shown, and FIG. 13 shows a corresponding plan view from below. Only one 90° segment plate with crossbars 3 secured on the underside is required to produce this corner linkage.
Network solutions and communication technologies can be integrated without difficulty into the tabletop plates 1 by means of the crossbars 3.
Of course, the invention is not restricted to the described exemplary embodiments. For example, circular crossbars 3 are also conceivable or the plates 8 can also be intended for use as adapter plates for a stand-alone table leg 2. Additional adapter pieces can establish the connection to variously shaped crossbars 3.
REFERENCE NUMBER LIST
1 Tabletop plate
2 Table leg
3 Crossbar
4 Handle
5 Clamping piece
6 Recess
7 Detent lug
8 Plate
9 Bolt
10 Connecting piece
11 Interlocking and bracing unit
12 90° segment plate
Patent Application
20070261614
