Wall-mounted folding table

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding table (10) comprising a tabletop (12) that can pivot between a vertical stowed orientation and a horizontal use orientation, and a supporting device (20) designed to support the tabletop (12) in the use orientation.

Description

[0001] WALL FOLDING TABLE

[0002] The invention relates to a folding table with a table top and a support device, wherein the table top is pivotable between an upright storage orientation and a horizontal usage orientation and the support device is designed to support the table top in the usage orientation.

[0003] Folding tables are typically used to temporarily provide additional work space in places with limited space. Folding tables can be used in kitchens, living rooms, offices, or utility rooms, for example.

[0004] For example, DE 202018 106 050 U1 discloses a folding table in which the support mechanism supporting the tabletop in the intended orientation has a vertically guided guide element. To implement a linear vertical guide, this folding table uses racks that mesh with a gear of a rotary damper.

[0005] In practice, it has been shown that vertical guidance via rack and pinion systems poses significant limitations in the implementation of damping concepts. The use of a rotary damper dampens the movement of the tabletop during both the downward and upward movements. While this allows for controlled unfolding of the folding table, the rotary damper also makes it more difficult to fold the tabletop up when it needs to be moved from the usable position back to the storage position. The object underlying the invention is therefore to increase the ease of handling of a folding table.

[0006] The problem is solved by a folding table of the type mentioned above, wherein the support device comprises a linear guide by means of which a sliding support of the support device is guided linearly such that the sliding support executes a guided linear movement in the vertical direction when the tabletop is pivoted between the storage orientation and the use orientation. By implementing a sliding guide, different damping concepts can be implemented on the folding table. The linearly guided sliding support allows for comfortable operation of the folding table. The support device preferably comprises a linear plain bearing by means of which the sliding support is guided during a linear vertical movement.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the folding table according to the invention, the support device comprises a hydraulic linear damper. The hydraulic linear damper is preferably configured to brake the tabletop when pivoting from the storage orientation to the use orientation and / or to brake the sliding support when pivoting the tabletop from the storage orientation to the use orientation. The hydraulic linear damper can brake the tabletop when folding down, i.e., when moving from the storage orientation to the use orientation, so that the tabletop pivots at a controlled speed under the influence of gravity. The use of the hydraulic linear damper effectively prevents uncontrolled pivoting and excessive pivoting speed.The ability to fold down in a controlled manner significantly reduces the risk of damage and injury when using the folding table.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment of the folding table according to the invention, the hydraulic linear damper has a retractable and extendable piston rod, wherein the piston rod is attached to the sliding support. The hydraulic linear damper can further comprise a cylinder, wherein, as an alternative to the piston rod, the cylinder can also be attached to the sliding support. The damping properties or damping behavior of the hydraulic linear damper can be adjustable. Damping by the hydraulic linear damper can occur when the piston rod is retracted in compression and / or when the piston rod is extended in tension.

[0009] Furthermore, a folding table according to the invention is advantageous in which the hydraulic linear damper is designed as an oil damper. Oil dampers are comparatively inexpensive and require a relatively small installation space. Thus, the use of an oil damper allows for the creation of a visually appealing and cost-effective folding table that features motion damping for the tabletop, increasing handling comfort.

[0010] The folding table according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the hydraulic linear damper has a damping behavior under tensile load which differs from the damping behavior of the hydraulic linear damper under compressive load. Preferably, the damping effect emanating from the hydraulic linear damper is greater when the table top is folded down than when the table top is folded up. When folding down, the table top is moved from the storage orientation to the use orientation. When folding up, the table top is moved from the use orientation to the storage orientation. Preferably, the damping effect emanating from the linear damper is greater when the table top is folded down from the storage orientation to the use orientation than when the table top is folded up from the use orientation to the storage orientation. When folding down, the linear damper is preferably subjected to a tensile load.When folded up, the linear damper is preferably subjected to compression. The damping effect of the linear damper is preferably greater under tensile load than under compressive load.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the folding table according to the invention, the linear guide has one or more rod receptacles and one or more sliding rods, wherein the sliding rods are located in the rod receptacles and the rod receptacles are designed to move along the sliding rods during a pivoting movement of the table top. Alternatively, the sliding rods can be designed to move along the rod receptacles during a pivoting movement of the table top. The rod receptacles are preferably plastic bodies, which can be designed as sliding blocks. The sliding rods are preferably struts. If the linear guide has a plurality of rod receptacles, these are preferably aligned in alignment with one another. If the linear guide has a plurality of sliding rods, these are preferably aligned parallel to one another.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the folding table according to the invention, at least two slide rods are spaced apart from each other horizontally. Alternatively or additionally, at least two rod receptacles are spaced apart vertically. The hydraulic linear damper is preferably arranged between the two slide rods. The use of two slide rods spaced apart horizontally prevents rotation of the slide support about a vertical axis. The use of two rod receptacles spaced apart vertically creates a stable and robust linear guide.

[0013] Furthermore, a folding table according to the invention is advantageous in which the one or more sliding rods are components of a pre-assembled mounting assembly of the support device intended for stationary attachment to an assembly object, in particular a wall, a shelf, a furniture body, or a front wall panel. In addition to the mounting assembly intended for stationary attachment to an assembly object, the support device has a table-side strut assembly which can be connected to the mounting assembly after the mounting assembly has been attached to the assembly object. As an alternative to a wall or a front wall panel, the assembly object can also be a shelf or a cupboard, so that the folding table can be attached not necessarily to a wall, but also to a piece of furniture.Furthermore, a folding table according to the invention is advantageous in which the sliding support has a support panel, wherein the one or more sliding receptacles are fixed on an inner side of the support panel. The support panel can be a plastic panel or a sheet metal panel, to which the one or more sliding receptacles are fastened. The one or more sliding receptacles are preferably fastened to the support panel in a force-fitting and / or material-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. Threaded rods can, for example, be welded onto the inside of the support panel, wherein the sliding receptacles are fastened to the support panel via the welded-in threaded rods. Alternatively, the sliding receptacles can also be glued into the support panel.

[0014] Furthermore, a folding table according to the invention with a locking device is advantageous, by means of which the tabletop can be locked in the storage orientation. The locking device preferably has two locking elements that can be engaged with one another, wherein one locking element is fastened to the tabletop and the other locking element can be fastened to a mounting object, in particular a wall or a front wall panel. Alternatively, the other locking element can also be fastened to a shelf or a furniture body, so that the tabletop is secured to the shelf or the furniture body in the storage orientation.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the folding table according to the invention, the locking device has a latching mechanism which is designed to automatically establish a latching connection that secures the table top in the storage orientation when the table top is moved into the storage orientation. When the table top assumes the storage orientation, the locking device therefore automatically latches, so that the table top is secured in the storage orientation. After releasing the latching mechanism with one hand, the table top can be folded down into the usable orientation, in particular with dampening by the linear damper. The latching mechanism can have a pivoting latch, which ensures that the upwardly pivoted table top is automatically and securely locked upon reaching the storage orientation, so that the folding table is fixed in its end position.This locking mechanism can be released with one hand to allow the folding table to move downwards in a cushioned manner, thus achieving its intended use.

[0016] Furthermore, a folding table according to the invention with a mounting hinge fixed to a rear end face of the tabletop is advantageous. The mounting hinge is preferably designed to be attached to a mounting object, in particular a wall or front wall panel. The mounting hinge allows the tabletop to be pivoted about a substantially horizontal transverse axis, so that the tabletop can be pivoted between the upright storage orientation and the substantially horizontal use orientation.

[0017] The folding table according to the invention is further advantageously developed in that the mounting hinge comprises a support beam that extends transversely along at least 75% of the rear end face of the table top. The rear end face of the table top is preferably attached to the support beam at several spaced-apart mounting points. Therefore, no complex milling is required on the table top to accommodate the mounting hinge. The table top can be screwed to the support beam at the mounting points.

[0018] A folding table according to the invention is also advantageous in which the support device comprises a connecting strut which is articulated on a first side to the sliding support and on a second side to a strut receptacle on the tabletop. The connecting strut is preferably articulated in such a way that it executes a pivoting movement and a lifting movement when the tabletop pivots. In the storage orientation of the tabletop, the connecting strut preferably has a substantially vertical orientation. When the tabletop is pivoted from the storage orientation to the use orientation, the connecting strut executes a downward lifting movement and a forward pivoting movement. When the tabletop is pivoted from the use orientation to the storage orientation, the connecting strut executes an upward lifting movement and a backward pivoting movement.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the folding table according to the invention, the connecting strut is articulated to the sliding support and the strut receptacle such that the connecting strut executes a pivoting movement of less than 45°, in particular a pivoting movement of less than 40°, when the table top is pivoted between the storage orientation and the use orientation. Preferably, the connecting strut is articulated to the sliding support and the strut receptacle such that the connecting strut executes a pivoting movement of at least 20°, in particular a pivoting movement of at least 25°, when the table top is pivoted between the storage orientation and the use orientation. Due to the comparatively small pivoting movement, the connecting strut is relatively upright in the use orientation of the table top, so that a large amount of free space is available beneath the table top for use by the user of the folding table.

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a folding table according to the invention in a perspective view, wherein the table top is in the storage orientation;

[0022] Fig. 2 shows the folding table shown in Fig. 1 during the pivoting of the table top from the storage orientation into the use orientation in a perspective view;

[0023] Fig. 3 shows the folding table shown in Fig. 1 in a perspective view, with the table top in the usable orientation;

[0024] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the assembly of the folding table shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows the linear guide of the folding table shown in Fig. 1, with the tabletop in the storage position;

[0025] Fig. 6 shows the sliding support of the folding table shown in Fig. 1 in a perspective view;

[0026] Fig. 7 shows the sliding support of the folding table shown in Fig. 1 in a further perspective view;

[0027] Fig. 8 shows a rod holder of the sliding support shown in Figs. 6 & 7 in a perspective view;

[0028] Fig. 9 shows the locking device of the folding table shown in Fig. 1 in a perspective view;

[0029] Fig. 10 shows the linear guide of the folding table shown in Fig. 1 during the pivoting of the table top from the storage orientation to the use orientation;

[0030] Fig. 11 shows the mounting hinge of the folding table shown in Fig. 1 in a perspective view; and

[0031] Fig. 12 the linear guide of the folding table shown in Fig. 1, during which the table top is in the usable orientation;

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a folding table 10 with a tabletop 12. The tabletop 12 is in an upright storage orientation, in which the folding table 10 requires a comparatively small installation space. The tabletop 12 can be pivoted from the storage orientation shown in Fig. 1 about a substantially horizontal pivot axis into a substantially horizontal usable orientation (see Figs. 2 & 3).

[0033] For pivoting the table top 12, the folding table 10 has a mounting hinge 14. The mounting hinge 14 is attached to the wall located behind the folding table 10 via fastening elements 16. The fastening elements 16 can be screw-dowel combinations. The folding table 10 further comprises a support device 20, by means of which the table top 12 is supported in the use orientation relative to the floor B. The support device 20 further comprises a mechanism for braking the table top movement when pivoting the table top from the storage orientation to the use orientation.

[0034] A strut mount 22 of the support device 20 is attached to the underside 18 of the table top 12. The strut mount 22 is connected to a connecting strut 26 of the support device 20 via a joint 24. The connecting strut 26 is connected to a sliding support 30 of the support device 20 via a joint 28. The joint 24 between the strut mount 22 and the connecting strut 26 is arranged relatively close to the mounting hinge 14, so that the connecting strut 26 protrudes only slightly into the space below the table top 12 when the table top 12 is in use.

[0035] The sliding support 30 is guided linearly via a linear guide 32 such that the sliding support 30 executes a guided linear movement in the vertical direction when the table top 12 is pivoted between the storage orientation and the use orientation.

[0036] The folding table 10 further comprises a locking device 34 by means of which the table top 12 can be locked in the storage orientation.

[0037] Figure 2 shows how the table top 12 is pivoted from the upright storage orientation to the horizontal usable orientation after the locking device 34 is released. During the pivoting process, the sliding support 30 moves vertically downward toward the floor B. Due to the articulation of the connecting strut 26 to the strut holder 22 and the sliding support 30, the connecting strut 26 performs a pivoting movement and a lifting movement during the folding down of the table top 12.

[0038] In the state of the folding table 10 shown in Fig. 3, the table top 12 is in the horizontal orientation. In this state, the sliding support 30 is in contact with the floor B, so that the table top 12 is supported via the support device 20. In the orientation of the table top 12, the underside 18 of the table top 12 faces downward, and the top side 38 of the table top 12 faces upward.

[0039] The table top 12 has a locking member 36a on the front end, which serves to lock the table top 12 in the storage orientation.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a mounting assembly 40 of the support device 20. The mounting assembly 40 is intended to remain stationary on the front wall panel V. Alternatively, the mounting assembly 40 can also be attached to another mounting object, for example a shelf or a cabinet. The mounting assembly 40 comprises an upper bracket 42a and a lower bracket 42b, wherein the brackets 42a, 42b are attached to the front wall panel V. Two vertical and spaced-apart slide rods 52a, 52b of the linear guide 32 extend between the brackets 42a, 42b. The mounting assembly 40 further comprises a bracket 44 attached to the front wall panel V. A hydraulic linear damper 46 is attached to the brackets 42b, 44. The hydraulic linear damper 46 serves to brake the table top 12 when pivoting the table top 12 from the storage orientation into the usable orientation.Furthermore, the hydraulic linear damper 46 serves to decelerate the sliding support 30 when pivoting the table top 12 from the storage orientation to the usable orientation. The hydraulic linear damper 46 is designed as an oil damper and comprises a retractable and extendable piston rod 50 and a cylinder 48. The piston rod 50 is attached to the sliding support 30, which is hidden in Fig. 4.

[0041] Fig. 5 shows the rod receptacles 54a to 54c of the linear guide 32. The sliding rods 52a, 52b of the linear guide 32 are located in the rod receptacles 54a to 54c, whereby the rod receptacles 54a to 54c move along the sliding rods 52a, 52b during a pivoting movement of the table top 12. The rod receptacles 54a to 54c and the connecting piece 56 connected to the piston rod 50 of the linear damper 46 are fastened to a support cover 58 of a concealed sliding support 30. Figs. 6 and 7 show the sliding support 30. The rod receptacles 54a to 54c and the connecting piece 56 are fixed on the inner side 60 of the support cover 58. The rod holders 54a to 54c and the connecting piece 56 can be secured, for example, by means of nuts on threaded rods which are welded to the support cover 58.

[0042] The sliding support 30 further includes a leveling screw 62, which can be screwed out of the support cover 58 and into the support cover 58. The angular orientation of the table top 12 in the usable orientation can be adjusted using the leveling screw 62.

[0043] Fig. 8 shows the rod holder 54a. The rod holder 54a is constructed identically to the rod holders 54b, 54c.

[0044] Rod holder 54a comprises a U-shaped plastic base body. The outer legs of the base body 54 have insertion openings 66a, 66b on the end faces, through which the sliding rods 52a, 52b can be inserted into the sliding recesses 68a, 68b of the base body 64.

[0045] Fig. 9 shows the locking device 34 of the folding table 10. The locking device comprises a tabletop-side locking element 36a and a wall-side locking element 36b. The tabletop-side locking element 36a is fastened to a front face 84 of the tabletop 12. The wall-side locking element 36b can be fastened to a wall via fastening elements 72. Alternatively, the locking element 36b can also be fastened to a shelf or to a furniture body, so that the tabletop 12 is secured to the shelf or the furniture body in the storage orientation. The locking device 34 has a latching mechanism which automatically establishes a latching connection that secures the tabletop 12 in the storage orientation when the tabletop 12 is moved into the storage orientation. When the table top 12 assumes the storage orientation, the locking device 34 automatically engages so that the table top 12 is secured in the storage orientation.After releasing the locking mechanism with one hand, the table top 12 can be folded down into the usable orientation under damping by the linear damper 46. Fig. 10 shows the linear guide 32 during the pivoting of the table top 12 from the storage orientation to the usable orientation. The pivoting movement of the table top 12 moves the rod receptacles 54a to 54c and the connecting piece 56 of the sliding support 30 downward. The sliding support 30 is guided during the vertical movement via the connection between the rod receptacles 54a to 54c and the sliding rods 52a, 52b. The piston rod 50 is moved out of the cylinder 48 of the linear damper 46 via the connecting piece 56. When the table top 12 is folded down, i.e. when the table top 12 is moved from the storage orientation to the usable orientation, the linear damper 46 is subjected to tensile stress.When the table top 12 is folded up, i.e., when the table top 12 is moved from the usable orientation to the storage orientation, the linear damper 46 would be subjected to compressive stress. The hydraulic linear damper 46 exhibits different damping behaviors under tensile stress and compressive stress. The damping under tensile stress, i.e., when the table top 12 is folded down, is significantly more pronounced than the damping when the table top 12 is folded up. The linear damper 46 can also be designed so that no damping is provided by the linear damper 46 when the table top 12 is folded up.

[0046] Fig. 11 shows the mounting hinge 14 of the table top 10 during the pivoting movement of the table top 12 from the storage orientation to the use orientation. The mounting hinge 14 is fixed to a rear end surface 70 of the table top 12. The outer hinge members 80a, 80b can be fastened to a mounting object, for example a wall, a shelf, or a furniture body, via fastening members 78. The hinge members 80a, 80b are connected to a support beam 74. The support beam 74 extends in the transverse direction of the table top 12 along at least 75% of the rear end surface 70 of the table top 12. The rear end surface 70 of the table top 12 is fastened to the support beam 74 at several spaced-apart mounting points 76a to 76e. At the mounting points 76a to 76e, fastening elements 82a to 82e are inserted into the table top 12 and fixed to the support beam 74. Fig.Figure 12 shows the linear guide 32 while the table top 12 is in the horizontal working orientation. Compared to the state shown in Figure 10, the rod receptacles 54a to 54c are located further down, and the piston rod 50 of the linear damper 46 is further extended. When pivoting the table top 12 between the storage orientation and the working orientation, the connecting strut 26 has performed a pivoting movement of less than 40°, so that the angle between the front wall plate V and the connecting strut 26 is less than 40°.

[0047] Reference symbol

[0048] 10 folding table

[0049] 12 Table top

[0050] 14 Mounting hinge

[0051] 16 fastening links

[0052] 18 Bottom

[0053] 20 support device

[0054] 22 strut mount

[0055] 24 joint

[0056] 26 Connecting strut

[0057] 28 joint

[0058] 30 sliding support

[0059] 32 linear guide

[0060] 34 locking device

[0061] 36a, 36b locking elements

[0062] 38 Top

[0063] 40 Assembly assembly

[0064] 42a, 42b brackets

[0065] 44 Bracket

[0066] 46 linear dampers

[0067] 48 cylinders

[0068] 50 piston rod

[0069] 52a, 52b sliding rods

[0070] 54a-54c Rod holders

[0071] 56 connecting piece

[0072] 58 Column cover

[0073] 60 Inside

[0074] 62 Leveling screw

[0075] 64 basic bodies

[0076] 66a, 66b insertion openings

[0077] 68a, 68b sliding recesses

[0078] 70 End face 72 Fastening links 74 Support beam 76a-76e Mounting points 78 Fastening links 80a, 80b Hinge links

[0079] 82a-82e Fastening links 84 front face

[0080] B Floor V Front wall panel

Claims

Claims 1. Folding table (10), with a table top (12) which is pivotable between an upright storage orientation and a horizontal usage orientation; and a support device (20) which is designed to support the table top (12) in the usage orientation, characterized in that the support device (20) comprises a linear guide (32) by means of which a sliding support (30) of the support device (20) is guided linearly such that the sliding support (30) executes a guided linear movement in the vertical direction when the table top (12) is pivoted between the storage orientation and the usage orientation.

2. Folding table (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support device (20) has a hydraulic linear damper (46) which is designed to brake the table top (12) when pivoting from the storage orientation into the use orientation and / or the sliding support (30) when pivoting the table top (12) from the storage orientation into the use orientation.

3. Folding table (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the hydraulic linear damper (46) has a retractable and extendable piston rod (50), wherein the piston rod (50) is fastened to the sliding support (30).

4. Folding table (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the hydraulic linear damper (46) is designed as an oil damper.

5. Folding table (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the hydraulic linear damper (46) exhibits a damping behavior under tensile load that differs from the damping behavior of the hydraulic linear damper (46) under compressive load. Folding table (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear guide (32) has one or more rod receptacles (54a-54c) and one or more sliding rods (52a, 52b), wherein the sliding rods (52a, 52b) are located in the rod receptacles (54a-54c) and the rod receptacles (54a-54c) are configured to move along the sliding rods (52a, 52b) during a pivoting movement of the table top (12). Folding table (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least two sliding rods (52a, 52b) are spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction; and / or at least two rod receptacles (54a-54c) are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.Folding table (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the one or more sliding rods (52a, 52b) are components of a pre-assembled mounting assembly (40) of the support device (20) intended to remain stationary on an assembly object, in particular a wall, a shelf, a furniture body, or a front wall panel (V). Folding table (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sliding support (30) has a support panel (58), wherein the one or more sliding receptacles are fixed on an inner side (60) of the support panel (58). Folding table (10) according to one of the preceding claims. characterized by a locking device (34) by means of which the table top (12) can be locked in the storage orientation.

11. Folding table (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking device (34) has a locking mechanism which is designed to automatically establish a locking connection securing the table top in the storage orientation when the table top is brought into the storage orientation.

12. Folding table (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a mounting hinge (14) fixed to a rear end face (70) of the table top (12), which is designed to be fastened to a mounting object, in particular a wall or front wall panel (V).

13. Folding table (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the mounting hinge (14) comprises a support beam (74) which extends in the transverse direction of the table top (12) along at least 75% of the rear end face (70) of the table top (12), wherein the rear end face (70) of the table top (12) is fastened to the support beam (74) at a plurality of spaced-apart mounting points (76a-76e).

14. Folding table (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (20) comprises a connecting strut (26) which is articulated on a first side to the sliding support (30) and articulated on a second side to a strut receptacle (22) on the table top side.

15. Folding table (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that the connecting strut (26) is attached in an articulated manner to the sliding support (30) and the strut holder (22) in such a way that the connecting strut (26) can be pivoted between the storage orientation and the use orientation perform a pivoting movement of less than 45 degrees, in particular a pivoting movement of less than 40 degrees.

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