Abstract:
The invention relates to a table comprising a table top and at least one bow foot which is swingable between a transportation position in which it is swung in so as to rest against a surface of the table top, and a swung out utilization position, said bow foot having a base limb and at least one table leg, the bow foot experiencing an offset between its transportation position and its utilization position axially to its base limb, which offset is controlled by a control tenon guided in a control track, wherein the control track is formed on the circumference of the base limb and the control tenon is firmly attached to the table top.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a table comprising a table top and at least one bow foot which is swingable between a transportation position in which it is swung in so as to rest against a surface of the table top, and a swung out utilization position, said bow foot having a base limb and at least one table leg, the bow foot experiencing an offset between its transportation position and its utilization position axially to its base limb, which offset is controlled by a control tenon guided in a control track. 
         [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    A table of this kind is e.g. known from WO 03/068020 A 1 and comprises a rectangular table top, which is fitted on its underside with two swingable U-shaped bow feet, each comprising a base limb for resting on the table top and two table legs. The bow feet are each swingable from a transportation position abutting against the underside of the table top into an utilization position in which the table legs have an essentially right-angle orientation relative to the table top. When they are swung between their utilization position and their transportation position, the bow feet each experience an offset in an axial direction relative to their base limbs. The offset is controlled by a control track, which is part of a housing mounted on the underside of the table top and in which there is guided a tenon, which is firmly attached to the bow foot. The control track comprises a tenon receptacle into which the tenon, which is firmly attached to the bow foot, snaps self-actingly when the relevant bow foot is in the swung-out condition owing to the effect of a spring device. To swing the bow feet into the transportation position they have to be pushed against the spring force of the spring device in the axial direction of the relevant base limb. This may involve a high expenditure of force. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to create a table of the aforementioned kind having at least one swingable bow foot which may be offset in the lateral direction of the table and which is movable with little expenditure of force between a swung-in transportation position and swung-out utilization position and vice versa. 
         [0006]    According to the present invention, this object is achieved by the table comprising a table top and at least one bow foot which is swingable between a transportation position in which it is swung in so as to rest against a surface of the table top, and a swung out utilization position, said bow foot having a base limb and at least one table leg, the bow foot experiencing an offset between its transportation position and its utilization position axially to its base limb, which offset is controlled by a control tenon guided in a control track, wherein the control track is formed on the circumference of the base limb and the control tenon is firmly attached to the table top. 
         [0007]    According to the invention it is therefore proposed that the control track be formed on the circumference of the base limb and the control tenon be firmly attached to the table top. Through this arrangement of the control track and the control tenon, the bow foot may be swung with little expenditure of force and at the same time experience an offset in the axial direction of the base limb such that opposing table legs, which are aligned with each other in the utilization position, can be laid down on the underside of the table top without colliding with each other. The design of the control track preferably defines the end positions of the relevant bow foot by having the control tenon, which is firmly attached to the table top, moving against a stop formed by the end-side edge of the control track. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment of the table according to the invention, the control track is formed in a control shell fixedly attached to the base limb. The control shell can especially be designed as a diecast part made of zinc or aluminium and in this way withstand high stresses which may act as a result of the acting leverage forces of the relevant bow foot. 
         [0009]    To make a rotationally fixed connection with the base limb of the bow foot, the control shell may comprise a fastening tenon that reaches through the base limb. The base limb is then equipped with corresponding openings. 
         [0010]    To secure the transportation position and the utilization position of the bow foot, the control shell may comprise at least two bar elements, which are aligned radially relative to the axis of the base limb, which cooperate with a locking device, and of which one defines the transportation position and the other the utilization position of the bow foot. In a simplified embodiment the control shell may also comprise only one such bar element which secures the bow foot in its utilization position. In the transportation position the bow foot is then unsecured and thus swingable or secured by alternative measures. 
         [0011]    In a special embodiment of the table according to the invention, the fastening tenon forms, on its free front face end, one of the bar elements. The fastening tenon thus has the dual function of preventing the control shell from rotating relative to the base limb and securing one of the bow foot positions. 
         [0012]    The locking device is, for example, formed by a swingable bar arm, preferably of a plate-like design, which comprises in its end section facing away from its swing axis a recess or pocket for one of the bar elements to engage with. Depending on the swing position of the bar foot, either the one or the other of the two bar elements formed on the control shell then engages with said recess. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment the bar arm is pre-tensioned by means of a spring device in the blocking direction. When the bar arm is released, the relevant bar element thus self-actingly engages with the corresponding recess of the bar arm. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment realized with little construction space, the spring device is formed by an elastomer body, which acts on a tongue or the like of the deployment arm. 
         [0015]    The pre-tension of the spring device is preferably adjustable. 
         [0016]    To be able to swing the locking device in a simple manner manually into the release position or the blocking position, there is preferably envisaged an actuation element for the locking device. 
         [0017]    The actuation element can in particular be an actuation lever with a handle that is aligned parallel to the swing axis of the actuation lever. 
         [0018]    To be able to swing the bar arm in an easy manner into the release position, the actuation lever preferably comprises in the area of its swing axis a cam element, by means of which the locking device is swingable between a release position and a blocking position. Here, the cam element can actively guide the movement of the locking device or of the bar arm or only release the swinging of the locking device, which is performed by the spring element. 
         [0019]    Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are disclosed in the description, the drawings and the claims. 
         [0020]    Two embodiments of a table according to the invention are schematically shown in the drawings and are explained below in more detail. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a table according to the invention with folded out table legs; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 1 , but with the table legs folded in; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a section through the table according to  FIG. 1  in the area of an actuation mechanism along the line in  FIG. 1 , which actuation mechanism is in the blocking position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 3 , but in the release position of the actuation mechanism with folded out table legs; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 4 , but with the table legs folded in; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 5  in the blocking position of the actuation mechanism; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an explosion view of a bow foot and of the actuation mechanism; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a first perspective view of the bow foot with the control shell; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a second view of the bow foot with the control shell; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a first view of the control shell on its own; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a second view of the control shell; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a bar plate of the actuation mechanism; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  a top view of the inner side of the bar plate; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an actuation lever of the actuation mechanism; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a perspective sectional view of a second embodiment of an actuation mechanism for a bow foot in a blocking position; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 15 , but in the release position of the actuation mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0037]    In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  there is shown a table  10 , which comprises a rectangular table top  12 , on the underside of which there is arranged alongside the short edges in each case an essentially U-shaped bow foot  14 A or  14 B. 
         [0038]    The bow feet  14 A and  14 B are each swingable between the utilization position shown in  FIG. 1  and the transportation position shown in  FIG. 2  and each comprise two table legs  141 A and  142 A or  141 B and  142 B, which are connected with each other via a base limb or  143 B, respectively. The base limbs  143 A and  143 B are aligned parallel to the plane of the table top  12 , regardless of the swing position of the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B. In the transportation position shown in  FIG. 2  the table legs  141 A,  142 A,  141 B,  142 B essentially abut on the underside of the table top  12 . In the utilization position of the bow feet  14 A and  14 B they are aligned essentially perpendicular to the plane of the table top  12 . 
         [0039]    As can be seen from the comparison between  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the bow feet  14 A and  14 B experience an offset in opposite directions laterally from the direction of the table, i.e. parallel to the axis of the base limbs  143 A and  143 B as they are swung between the utilization position and the transportation position. Because of the offset, table legs  142 A and  141 B on the one hand and  141 A and  142 B on the other hand come to lie next to each other, so that a favourable stackability of the table  10  is ensured. The offset of the bow feet  14 A and  14 B in the lateral direction of the table while being swung is in each case controlled by an actuation device  16 A or  16 B, which is described below in more detail on the basis of  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0040]    The actuation devices  16 A and  16 B each comprise a housing  18 , which is formed by a lower shell  20  and an upper shell  24  screwed thereto via screws  22 . The lower shell  20  has a plate-like form and abuts with its outer side against the underside of the table top  12 , being fixed to the table top  12  via fixing screws  26 . The dimensions of the lower shell  20  in the lateral direction of the table are a little larger than those of the upper shell so that the relevant actuation device  16 A or  16 B can be screwed to the table top  12  with the housing  18  assembled. 
         [0041]    In the lateral direction of the table the housing  18  is pierced by the relevant base limb  143 A or  143 B of the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B, there being provided two bearing bushes  27 , which are each made of two half-shells and which are arranged on bearing saddles  28  formed by the lower shell  20 , for bearing the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B. 
         [0042]    On the base element  143 A or  143 B of the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B there is formed a control shell  30 , which is screwed to the relevant base limb  143 A or  143 B via screw holes  32  and which is concentrically arranged relative to the axis of the relevant base limb  143 A or  143 B. 
         [0043]    The control shell  30  comprises a control or sliding track  34 , which has a spiral-shaped course relative to the axis of the relevant base limb  143 A or  143 B and cooperates with a control tenon  36  formed on the inside of the lower shell  20  of the housing  18  so as to be fixedly attached to the table top. Through the cooperation of the control track  34  and the control tenon  36  there is caused during the swinging of the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B an offset of the same in the lateral direction of the table. 
         [0044]    The control shell  30  also comprises a fastening tenon  38 , which reaches through the relevant base limb  143 A or  143 B, so that the relevant control shell  30  is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the table foot  14 A or  14 B. To this end the base limbs  143 A and  143 B are provided with essentially rectangular openings  40 , the dimensions of which correspond to those of the fastening tenon  38 . 
         [0045]    The control shell  30  comprises two bar elements  42 A and  42 B, one of which protrudes in a radial direction on the circumference of section  44 , which abuts with its surface against the relevant base element  143 A or  143 B, and the other of which is formed by a front end section of the fastening tenon  38  and also protrudes in a radial direction relative to the relevant base limb  143 A or  143 B. The bar elements  42 A and  42 B each have an essentially rectangular cross-section, which is tapered in the direction of the respective free front end so that a taper is formed in each case. 
         [0046]    The control shell  30  cooperates with a bar plate  46 , which in the area of a swing axis  48  is swingably mounted in the housing  18  on bearing half-shells  50  of the lower shell  20  and bearing half-shells, not shown in greater detail, of the upper shell  24 . In the end section facing away from the swing axis  48  the bar plate comprises on its inner side facing the table top  12  a pocket-like recess  52 , the dimensions of which correspond with those of the bar elements  42 A and  42 B so that when the relevant bar element  42 A or  42 B is engaged, the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B is locked and cannot be swung. 
         [0047]    The bar plate  46  has on its inside an essentially L-shaped tongue  54 , the base limb of which abuts against a active surface of a spring element  56  made of an elastomer, by means of which spring element the bar plate  46  is pre-tensioned in the blocking position shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 . The spring element  56  rests on a bearing  58 , which is adjustably supported at a right angle to the plane of the table top  12  on the lower shell  20  of the housing  18  and into which engages an adjustment screw  60  that reaches through the spring element  56 , and through the actuation of which the pretension of the spring element  56  is adjustable. 
         [0048]    The actuation devices  16 A and  16 B also each comprise an actuation lever  62 , which is provided with a handle  64  extending in the lateral direction of the table and which is swingably supported on bearing half-shells  66  of the lower shell  20  of the housing  18  and bearing half-shells  68  of the upper shell  24  if the housing  18 . 
         [0049]    In the area of its swing axis the actuation lever  62  is provided with a cam  70  which cooperates with a shoulder  72  and the position of which determines the blocking position and the release position of the bearing plate  46 . In the blocking position shown in  FIG. 3  the bearing plate  46  is pulled into the blocking position by the effect of the spring element  56  so that the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B cannot be swung. In the release position shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  the actuation lever  62  is swung such that the cam  70 , which has rotated around the swing axis of the actuation lever has swung the bar plate  46  against the pre-tension of the spring element  56  and the relevant bar element  42 A or  42 B is released for swinging the relevant bow foot  14 A or  14 B. 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16  show a second embodiment of an actuation device  16 ′ for a bow foot  14 ′ of a table of the kind shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The actuation device  16 ′ essentially corresponds to that according to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 14 , but is different therefrom in that the swing movement of the bar plate  46  from the release position shown in  FIG. 16  into the blocking position shown in  FIG. 15  is not performed by a spring element but by swinging the actuation lever  62  or the cam element  70 ′ mounted in the area of its swing axis, through the rotation of which the bar plate  46  is swung. The cam element  70 ′ is arranged between a bracket  80 , which is spring-mounted via plate springs  82  on the inside of the bar plate  46 , and a base  72 . The plate springs  82  serve to accommodate tolerances, the pre-tension of the plate springs  82  being changeable though an adjustment screw  84 . 
         [0051]    In all other respects the actuation device  16 ′ corresponds to the actuation device described on the basis of  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 14 .