Expandable table for a vehicle

Abstract

Expandable table (1) for a vehicle which has at least one guide rail (3) on the floor (2), wherein the table (1) has at least one table leg (4) which can be detachably fixed in the guide rail (3) by means of a fastening device (5), characterized in that • a ring-shaped elastic element (6), in particular a rubber ring, is arranged on a lower end section (4a) of the table leg (4), • a clamping device (7) in the form of a screw extends axially through the ring-shaped elastic element (6), which fastens the rubber ring (6) to the table leg (4), • and by tightening the clamping device (7) the ring-shaped elastic element (6) is expanded in a radial direction, making it possible to secure it in the guide rail (3) by means of a form-fit and / or force-fit.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an expandable table for a vehicle according to the features of claim 1.

[0002] The present invention relates to a removable table for a vehicle that has at least one guide rail on the floor. Tables are known from the prior art that are either firmly bolted to the vehicle floor or rely on complex fastening systems. Disadvantages of these known solutions include the high assembly effort, the often inflexible positioning, and the laborious disassembly when not in use.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing an expandable table with a simplified mounting concept that can be easily and securely anchored in a guide rail provided in the vehicle floor and just as easily removed. A robust clamping effect is to be achieved without the need for expensive or complicated metal structures.

[0004] This object is achieved by an expandable table according to the features of claim 1. According to the invention, an elastic annular element, preferably a rubber ring, is attached to a lower end portion of the table leg. A clamping means in the form of a screw extends axially through the annular elastic element, thereby securing the elastic element to the table leg. When this screw is tightened, the annular element expands radially and is thereby clamped in the guide rail in a force-fitting and / or positive-fitting manner.

[0005] One possible embodiment involves placing a pressure washer between the screw head and the rubber ring to evenly distribute the clamping force and reduce wear on the rubber ring. This also prevents excessive compression at one point of the elastic element.

[0006] This solution creates an extremely compact, easy-to-use, yet stable attachment. The invention also allows the table to be positioned or moved as desired. This can be achieved by simply loosening or tightening the screw. Alternatively, the expansion of the ring-shaped elastic element can be adjusted once by tightening the screw. The table can then be inserted into the guide rail, removed as needed, and reinserted at a different location along the guide rail. This largely eliminates the need for costly and fixed structures, such as those previously required for folding or sliding tables in many vehicles.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, the clamping device is mounted in the lower end section of the table leg so that it can rotate but is axially immovable, allowing the radial expansion of the rubber ring to be easily adjusted by turning the clamping device. The clamping device is secured in the table leg, for example, via a threaded insert that allows rotation but prevents it from slipping along the leg axis. When the screw is turned, the rubber ring expands without the screw itself moving axially. This ensures particularly user-friendly handling and a precise locking in the guide rail.

[0008] In further advantageous embodiments, the guide rail can have a U- or C-shaped cross-section. Many vehicles are equipped with standardized rails, such as C-profiles. The rubber ring can be easily inserted and removed when the table needs to be removed. Furthermore, several table legs, each with their own fastening devices, can be used, for example, to secure the table to different rail sections or to securely support larger tables.

[0009] According to a further variant, the rubber ring can be designed to be interchangeable, allowing different degrees of hardness or diameters to be adapted to different rail geometries. This makes the invention universally applicable in different vehicle types with varying guide rails. For lighter clamping on more delicate rails, an elastic element with a smaller diameter or lower Shore hardness can be used, while a stronger elastic element is selected for more robust rails.

[0010] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a figure. The figure shows a table leg of a table according to the invention with a device for attaching the table leg to a guide rail.

[0011] The attached figure shows a schematic side view of a section of a removable table 1, which is mounted on a floor 2 of a vehicle (not shown). A guide rail 3 is embedded in the floor 2 and extends essentially in the longitudinal direction. The guide rail 3 has a U- or C-shaped cross-section, into which a table leg 4 can engage with its lower end section 4a.

[0012] A fastening device 5 for releasably securing the table leg in the guide rail 3 is arranged at the lower end section 4a of the table leg 4. This fastening device 5 comprises an annular elastic element 6, for example in the form of a rubber ring. The annular elastic element 6 is arranged at the lower end section 4a of the table leg 4. When the table leg 4 is inserted into the guide rail 3, the elastic element 6 rests against the wall surfaces 3a of the guide rail 3.

[0013] A clamping device 7, e.g., a screw, extends axially through the annular elastic element 6. A screw head 7a of the clamping device 7 rests against the side of the annular elastic element 6 facing away from the lower end section 4a. A thrust washer 8 is provided between the screw head 7a and the elastic element 6, which serves as a pressure-transmitting intermediate piece when the clamping device 7 is tightened.

[0014] By tightening or loosening the clamping device 7, the annular elastic element 6 is expanded or relaxed in the radial direction. In the expanded state, the elastic element 6 fills the inner cross-section of the guide rail 3 with a positive and / or non-positive fit, whereby the table leg 4 is securely fixed in the guide rail 3. The elastic element 6 is pressed against the opposing surfaces 3a of the guide rail 3. When the clamping device 7 is released, the elastic element 6 contracts again, so that the table leg 4 can be easily removed from the guide rail 3 or moved to another position.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, only a single table leg 4 is shown as an example. However, multiple table legs 4 can be provided, each equipped with a corresponding fastening device 5 to secure the table 1 in different positions in one or more guide rails 3 as needed. Furthermore, the annular elastic element 6 is designed to be interchangeable to allow adaptation to different rail geometries or clamping forces.

Claims

[1] Expandable table (1) for a vehicle, which has at least one guide rail (3) on the floor (2), wherein the table (1) has at least one table leg (4) which can be releasably fixed in the guide rail (3) by means of a fastening device (5), characterized by , that • an annular elastic element (6), in particular a rubber ring, is arranged on a lower end section (4a) of the table leg (4), • a clamping means (7) in the form of a screw extends axially through the annular elastic element (6), which fixes the rubber ring (6) to the table leg (4), • and by tightening the clamping means (7) the annular elastic element (6) is expanded in the radial direction, whereby it can be fixed in the guide rail (3) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. [2] Table (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat a pressure washer (8) is arranged between a screw head (7a) and the annular elastic element (6). [3] Table (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamping means (7) is mounted in the lower end section (4a) of the table leg (4) so as to be rotatable but axially immovable, so that an adjustment of the radial expansion of the annular elastic element (6) is possible by tightening or loosening the clamping means (7). [4] Table (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide rail (3) has a substantially U- or C-shaped cross-section and the annular elastic element (6) can be inserted into this cross-section. [5] Table (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat several table legs (4) are provided, each of which is equipped with a fastening device (5) according to claim 1 and can be releasably fixed in corresponding guide rails (3) or sections thereof. [6] Table (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the annular elastic element (6) is designed to be interchangeable in order to allow adaptation to different rail geometries or different clamping forces.

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