Foldable display table

Abstract

The invention is directed to a foldable table arrangement comprising a foldable table top having a rear side and a substantially flat front side. The table top is supported by at least one base member and at least one foldable table top support member. The foldable table top support member is pivotally secured to the base member and the table top for pivoting the table top relative to the base member, so as to keep the front side of the table top continuously visible in at least one viewing direction during the pivotal movement. The front side of the pivotable table top is provided with at least one durable work surface, which work surface is provided with at least one durable and substantially transparent surface layer. There is at least one display unit visibly arranged behind said durable and substantially transparent surface layer for presenting moving images.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates in general to a table arrangement and particularly to a foldable table arrangement. Even more particularly, the invention relates to table arrangement with a foldable table top. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is well known that different tables or similar are frequently used as work surfaces or similar in many different environments, e.g. as a support for different objects and / or activities. It is also well known that various tables or similar have a foldable table top. Such tables are typically designed to occupy a negligible floor area when they are folded and unused, and to occupy a larger floor area when they are unfolded and used. [0003] A foldable table that occupies a negligible floor area when it is unused is particularly advantageous in small spaces, e.g. in small compartments in vehicles, trains or aeroplanes and other means of conveyance, but also in small booths, cubicles and rooms or similar within various build...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The touch screen device may be any suitable touch screen device with a durable and substantially transparent surface layer, preferably a capacitive sensing touch screen or a surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch screen. Optical touch screens may also be preferred in some embodiments, e.g. a touch screen based on IR techniques, laser emitting devices and / or based on cameras in combination with image processing techniques etc. Resistive touch screens and force sensing touch screen based on strain gauges or similar may be alternatives, provided that they provide a durable and substantially transparent surface.

[0016] It is moreover preferred that a blocking device is arranged to fixate said pivoting table top in substantially any pivoting direction within a range from a substantially horizontal direction to a substantially vertical direction. This gives ergonomic advantages, e.g. enabling a user to lean his forearms on a substantially horizontal table top when touching the touch screen (e.g. typing on a keyboard function or playing games provided by a game function etc), while the direction of the table top can be adjusted between a substantially vertical direction (90°) and a substantially horizontal direction (0°) to achieve the best viewing position when watching movies or similar.

[0019] An embodiment of the table arrangement comprises a substantially transparent surface layer that is arranged so as to extend a distance in at least one horizontal direction when the table top is unfolded, which distance is long enough to receive at least two chairs facing the table top and being arranged side by side. This provides for a foldable table arrangement that enables a plurality of user to sit down and simultaneously use the table.

[0021] The invention is moreover disclosing a seat provided with a foldable table arrangement, which i.a. articulates the advantages of having a combined display unit and a table in small spaces.

Problems solved by technology

However, even if a foldable table occupies a negligible horizontal floor area in a folded position it may nevertheless occupy a considerable vertical wall area or similar vertical surface.

The folded table top will then cover a part of the wall surface or area, which implies that the use of this surface or area for hanging or otherwise arranging objects or functions that should be more or less continuously visible and / or accessible is considerably impaired.

This is particularly disadvantageous if the folded table top covers a display unit or similar that is mounted on a vertical wall area or similar, or prevents a display unit or similar from being mounted on the vertical wall area, e.g. a wall mounted television apparatus or similar, since this excludes or at least reduces the possibility of observing the images displayed on the display unit.

Moreover, a vertically folded table top would typically not provide any surface for supporting a display unit (e.g. a television apparatus or a computer monitor or similar), a computer, a telephone and similar, even though modern environments frequently demand such functional units.

This is a clear disadvantage in small spaces as mentioned above.

This is also a clear disadvantage in connection with larger rooms or similar, since a separate table will decrease the flexibility of the furnishing etc.

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