Abstract:
The invention relates to a counter ( 10 ) for presenting and/or selling goods. The aim of the invention is to provide a means of displacing a module consisting of a system of joint mechanisms ( 22 ) which are associated with a glass pane ( 21 ) by means of fixing elements ( 23 ) between a closed position ( 20 ) in which the inside of the counter ( 13 ) is covered and an open position ( 20 ′) in which it is exposed. Said joint mechanisms (22) are mounted on the supports ( 15 ) of the counter ( 10 ) in such a way that they can pivot about a horizontal pin ( 18 ). In order to ensure that the modular unit is secure in the open position ( 20 ′) the joint mechanism ( 22 ) is provided with an extended arm ( 24 ) which has the swivel bearing ( 18 ) on its lower arm section. During the transition from the closed position ( 20 ) to the open position ( 20 ′), the center of gravity ( 27 ) of the module in relation to the swivel pin ( 18 ) moves to the opposite side ( 27 ′). In the closed position ( 20 ), the pane ( 21 ) is subjected to a torque which acts in the closing direction. In the open position ( 20 ′), a torque acts on the pane ( 21 ) in the opening direction. The pane ( 2 ) can no longer fall back out of the open position ( 20 ′) into the closed position ( 20 ) uncontrollably.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a counter. The body of the counter has a support surface on which goods are displayed which, on the side facing the customer, are usually covered by a glass pane. Within the body of the counter the lower ends of supports are fastened. Above the body of the counter, a glass pane is provided which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis between a closed position covering the goods on the support surface of the body of the counter, on the one hand, and an open position allowing access to the goods, on the other hand. Joint members are connected by means of a pivot bearing with the support and project at the support end where they have securing means for a glass pane. The joint members with the glass pane fastened on its securing means form a modular unit which is pivotable about a horizontal axis defined by the pivot bearings between a closed position covering the goods on the support surface and an open position allowing access to the goods. The joint member has an extension arm which—viewed in the closed position—extends in the longitudinal direction of the support. Upon pivoting of the modular unit from its closed position into its open position, the center of gravity of the modular unit is moved from an initial position located on one side relative to the pivot axis into an end position located on the oppositely positioned side of the pivot axis. A parallelogram linkage is provided between the glass pane and the body of the counter and is comprised of a pivot arm and a guide member. The first ends of the pivot arm and of the guide member, at a spacing to one another, are connected to the glass pane and are movable together with the glass pane. The second ends of the pivot arm and of the guide member, also at a spacing to one another, are connected stationarily on the support of the body of the counter in a pivotal way. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     Counters are known (DE 35 03 340 A1) in which the glass pane is pivotably supported by means of a swivel head at the upper end portion of the support. From the closed position, the glass pane can be pivoted into an open position as far as permitted by the support. In the open position, the center of gravity of the modular unit is still positioned on the same side relative to the pivot bearing. Moreover, provisions are to be made in order to secure the open position of the modular unit and to prevent an accidental closing of the modular unit. The course of the pivot movement of the modular unit can be controlled by control members. A rod-shaped force storage device, such as a gas spring, arranged in the interior of the hollow profile is used as a control member, wherein the upper rod end of the gas spring is connected to the swivel head and the lower rod end is stationarily connected in the interior of the hollow profile of the support. 
     In the known counter (DE 41 10 942 A1), between the glass pane and the body of the counter a parallelogram linkage is arranged which is comprised of a pivot arm and a guide member. The respective ends of the pivot arm and of the guide member, spaced at a distance by to one another, are connected, on the one hand, to the glass pane and, on the other hand, stationarily on the support in a pivotable way. By means of this parallelogram linkage the center of gravity of the pivotable parts in the open position can be moved to such an extent that, relative to the initial position in the open position, it is located on the opposite side of the pivot axis. Accordingly, a torque acts in the opening direction on the glass pane. Accordingly, constructively an uncontrolled closing of the pivotable parts is prevented. The movement of the center of gravity during opening and closing of the glass pane requires a considerable force expenditure, in particular, during acceleration at the beginning of the pivot movement as well as during braking at the end of the pivot movement. This acceleration and braking work is provided manually by the user. This work, in particular, for large glass panes which are very heavy, is very great. Control members for the course of the pivot movement have not been provided. To provide them in the form of gas springs would be difficult in the case of the known parallelogram linkages. They would be space-consuming and would impair the pleasant appearance of the counter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention has the object to develop an attractive counter of the aforementioned kind such that its handling during opening and closing of the glass pane is easily carried out. This is achieved according to the invention in that the course of the pivot movement of the glass pane is determined by control members which are comprised of a force-loaded push member and are guided along the support, in that between the pivot arm and the push member a linkage is arranged which converts the pivot movement of the linkage arm into a longitudinal movement of the push member, and in that the push member is loaded by two independent forces, wherein one force load acts in the closed position of the glass pane and the other acts in its open position onto the push member. 
     Because the joint member is extended by an arm, having arranged at its lower arm area the pivot bearing, the center of gravity of the modular unit during pivoting into the open position can be displaced so far that, relative to the initial position in the closed position of the modular unit, it reaches a position on the opposite side of the pivot axis. Accordingly, a torque acts on the glass pane in the opening direction. This means that already by means of this constructive measure an uncontrolled closing of the modular unit from the open position is prevented. There is no risk of injury. According to the invention, mounting and manipulation of space-requiring measures for securing the open position are no longer needed. 
     Inasmuch as, the pivotable modular unit is a structure that is rigid within itself, according to the invention a substantially greater pivot angle between the open position and the closed position is also obtained as a result of the arm extending the joint member. In the open position, the free end of the glass pane is pivoted away to such an extent that the support surface of the body of the counter is entirely exposed and especially easily accessible. 
     Another possibility of special inventive importance resides in that the modular unit is comprised of two partial modular groups which are movable relative to one another. In this connection, it is recommended to provide a horizontal rotary axis between the two partial modular groups as well as a guide member which upon pivoting of the modular unit generates a rotation of the glass pane which is superimposed on the pivot movement. The goal is a defined open position of the glass pane where the free edge of the glass pane has a position according to certain requirements. 
     Such a requirement can be, in particular, to transfer the free edge of a curved glass pane, which is referred to as a “panoramic pane”, in the open position into a position where it extending shortly above the supports and is substantially horizontal. In this connection, the edge of the glass pane is also a so-called “spit protection” for the goods that are present on the support surface of the body of the counter. This is, in particular, suitable when employing the counter for self-service by customers where the customers themselves can remove the goods from the counter. The edge of the glass pane then acts as a roof which partially covers the support surface of the counter. In the open position the counter according to the invention has an especially pleasing appearance; it has an elegant appearance in comparison to counters with a rigid modular unit frame. As a result of the rotary axis between the two partial modular units the glass pane can rotate back upon pivoting.in the counter direction. The free end of the glass pane in this open position does not reach extremely high positions. Accordingly, the rooms where such a counter according to the invention is positioned does not require a high ceiling. Moreover, gripping the free edge of the glass pane, positioned in the open position, of the counter according to the invention is comfortably possible for the purpose of moving the modular unit back into the closed position. 
     In order to facilitate the course of the pivot movement of the modular unit during the transition from the closed position to the open position, force-loaded control members are used. They can be realized in three simple ways. 
    
    
     Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, the subsequent description, and the drawings. In the drawings the prior art as well as several embodiments of the invention are illustrated. It is shown in: 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the subsequent description, and the drawings. It is shown in: 
     FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a counter according to the prior art, in the closed position as well as in the open position of a modular unit comprising the glass pane; 
     FIG. 2 in a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, the closed position as well as the open position of the modular unit of the counter according to the invention, wherein the modular unit is embodied as a modular unit which is rigid in itself; 
     FIG. 3 the upper partial portion of a first embodiment of the counter according to the invention in the closed position, where the profiled wall facing the viewer is partially broken away from the hollow profile of the support; 
     FIGS.  4 + 5  show cross-sections of the support shown in FIG. 3 along the section lines IV—IV, V—V; 
     FIG. 6 in a representation corresponding to FIG. 3 the open position of the modular unit of this counter; 
     FIG. 7 a central partial portion of the support of a further embodiment of the counter according to the invention where the wall facing the viewer is broken away from the hollow profile of the support and the modular unit in this case is also embodied as a modular unit rigid in itself and is in its closed position; 
     FIG. 8 in a position corresponding to FIG. 7 the same counter according to the invention when the modular unit is in transition from its closed position into its open position; 
     FIG. 9 the same conditions for this counter when the open position of the modular unit has been reached; 
     FIG. 10 a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a third embodiment of the counter according to the invention where the closed position as well as the special open position of the modular unit are illustrated, which modular unit is comprised of two oppositely movable partial modular groups; 
     FIG. 11 a partial portion of the third embodiment of the counter shown in FIG. 10, the modular unit being in the closed position, wherein the profiled wall of the support facing the viewer is broken away; 
     FIGS.  12 + 13  show intermediate positions of the modular units during pivoting in the direction of the fully open position of the modular unit of the third embodiment of the counter according to the invention; 
     FIG. 14 shows the fully open position of the modular unit of the third embodiment of the counter according to the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIG. 1 a counter  10 ′ according to the prior art is illustrated, while FIG. 2, on the one hand, and FIG. 10, on the other hand, in a similar illustration, show the inventive counters  10 . Both the known and the inventive counters  10 ,  10 ′ have, in principle, the following identical configuration. They have a body  11  of the counter which, toward the side  12  facing the customer, has a support surface  13  for goods, not illustrated in detail. This support surface  13  is normally covered by a glass pane  21 . This glass pane  21  is part of a modular unit  20  which in the prior art comprises a joint member provided in the form of a swivel head  22 ′ which engages by means of a securing means  23  the upper edge of the glass pane  21 . According to the invention, the joint member  22  is of a more complex configuration which will be explained in more detail. 
     The identical configuration of the two counters  10 ′,  10  of FIG. 1, on the one hand, and FIG.  2 . as well as  10 , on the other hand, resides moreover in that in the body of the counter  11  the lower ends  14  of supports  15  are fastened which have, for example, a hollow profile  17  as illustrated in FIG.  4 . The hollow profile  17  in the present case has a rectangular shape. When the glass pane  21  is positioned in the first position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as  10 , the joint members  22  or  22 ′ with their holding means  23  project from the upper end  16  of the support in both cases. The joint members  22  or  22 ′ are supported by pivot bearings  18  or  18 ′ on the support. These pivot bearings  18  and  18 ′ determine a horizontal pivot axis for a modular unit  20  comprised of the glass pane  21 , the respective joint member  22  and  22 ′, and the securing means  23 . Accordingly, the modular unit can be pivoted about a pivot angle  19 ′ and  19  from its aforementioned closed position  20 , in which it covers the support surface  13 , into its open position  20 ′ of FIGS.  1  and FIG. 2 as well as  10  in which the support surface  13  is exposed to a greater or lesser degree. 
     Firstly, the first and second embodiments of the invention according to FIG.  2  through FIG. 9 are to be compared with the prior art according to FIG.  1 . In this case, the modular unit  20  is a structure which is rigid in itself and in which all elements carry out the same angular travel between the closed position  20  and the open position  20 ′ upon being pivoted. This rigid structure in the following is referred to as “modular unit” in order to distinguish it from the movable modular unit of the third embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 14. In the third embodiment, two partial modular units carry out a rotational movement relative to one another during pivoting, which will be described in the following. 
     Firstly, the rigid modular unit according to FIG. 1 of the prior art and FIGS. 2 through 9 of the two first embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail. In the closed position  20  of the modular unit the free end  26  of the glass pane which is provided with suitable sealing means is, as much as possible, in contact with the end of the support surface  13  at  29 . In the open position  20 ′ of the modular unit in both cases, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end of the glass pane is in an elevated position  26 ′ which, however, is very different in both cases. The same holds true for the center of gravity of the modular unit which in the closed position is identified by  27  in both FIGS. and reaches the position  27 ′ in the elevated position  20 ′. 
     In the known counter  10 ′ of FIG. 1 the joint member formed by the swivel head  22  allows only a limited pivot angle  19 ′. In the open position  20 ′ of FIG. 1, the end  26 ′ of the glass pane, viewed in a vertical projection, is still positioned above the forward area of the support surface  13  facing the customer side  12 . In the direction of extension of the width of the counter of FIG. 1, the free end  26  of the glass pane has been moved from its initial position in the closed position  20  of the modular unit, viewed from the forward edge  29  of the counter, only by a relatively small horizontal travel distance  28 ′ to its end position  26 ′ in the open position. When self-service is provided and a customer in this case wants to have access to the goods on the support surface  13 , his degree of freedom of movement is very limited. The center of gravity  27 ′ of the modular unit in the open position  20 ′ is located on the side facing the forward edge  29  of the counter. Because the center of gravity  27 ′ has a tendency to attempt to reach its lowest possible position, measures must be taken in regard to the known counter  10 ′ so that the glass pane  21  will not itself accidentally return from its open position  20 ′ into the closed position  20  and thereby cause injury to the customer leaning over the support surface  13 . This danger no longer exists for the counter  10  according to the invention, as can be seen with the aid of FIG.  2 . 
     The basic configuration of the counter  10  according to the invention can be explained best in connection with FIG.  3 . The joint member  22  according to the invention is fixedly provided.with an extension arm  24  which extends in the direction of length of the support  15  when the closed position of the modular unit  20  illustrated in FIG. 3 is present. In the closed position  20  the joint member  22  projects from the upper support end  16  wherein a support nose  33  on the joint member  22  comes to rest against the upper end face  34  of the support  15 . The support  15  is arc-shaped in the case of FIG.  3 . The aforementioned pivot bearing  18  of the support member  22  is arranged at the lower arm area  25  of the extension arm  24  and displaced relative to the upper support end  16 . The pivot bearing  18  in this case is positioned approximately in the central area of the available support length. As can be seen best in the illustrated open position  20 ′ of the modular unit of FIG. 6, the rear wall  35  of the hollow profile  17  facing away from the goods support surface  13  is provided with a cutout  36  which extends at least across the end portion  3 . 7  of the support  15  located above the pivot bearing  18 . This cutout  36  is however covered in the closed position  20  of the modular unit illustrated in FIG. 3 by the extension arm  24 . The extension arm  24  completes the hollow profile in the closed form shown in FIG.  5 . 
     When pivoting into the open position, according to FIG. 6, the extension arm  24  moves through the profile cutout  36  outwardly until the joint.member  22  comes to rest against a support surface  38  of the body  11  of the counter or even against the outer surface  39  of the rearward profile wall  39  of the support  15  which is without cutout. A very large pivot angle  19  is present according to FIG. 6 or FIG.  2 . When comparing the conditions of FIG. 2 with the afore described conditions of FIG. 1, the following important difference can be seen. In the counter  10  according to the invention, the center of gravity  27 ′ in the open position  20 ′ of the modular unit is located on the side which is positioned opposite the forward edge  29  of the counter relative to the horizontal pivot axis  18 . In the open position, a torque in the direction of opening is thus generated in the modular unit  20 ′ of the counter  10  according to the invention so that an accidental closing of the glass pane  21  is prevented. The already mentioned support surface  38 , according to FIG. 2, thus also receives this further opening moment of the open modular unit  20 ′. Viewed in a vertical projection, the center of gravity  27 ′ of the counter  10  is located at the rearward end of the support surface  13  or even at a location beyond the support surface. Relative to the initial position  26  in FIG. 2, the free end of the glass pane of the counter  10  has moved by a very large horizontal travel distance  28  up to its end position  26 ′ in the open position  20 ′. When viewed from the customer side  12 , a comfortable access to the goods on the support surface  13  of the counter  10  is possible. 
     Different control members can be used for the counter  10  which control the course of the pivot movement  19 . In the first counter  10  according to the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 to  6 , there is provided a rod-shaped, length-adjustable dampening device  30  of a configuration known in the art. In the closed position  20  of FIG. 3, the dampening device  30  is positioned adjacent to the extension arm  24  and extends in its longitudinal direction. This is also illustrated in the sectional view of FIG.  5 . The upper rod end  31  is stationarily connected within the interior  40  of the hollow profile of the support  15 . The lower rod end  32 , on the other hand, is pivotably secured in the lower arm area  25  of the extension arm  24  so as to be entrained and therefore can be moved out of the cutout  36  during pivoting according to FIG.  6 . The extension arm  24  is formed, relative to its pivot bearing  18 , as a two-arm lever which, according to FIG. 3, covers in the closed position  20  with its end piece  41  the portion of the profile cutout  36 , shown in FIG. 6, positioned underneath the pivot bearing  28 . 
     In the open position  201  the end piece  41  pivots, as illustrated in FIG. 6, into the interior  40  of the hollow profile. The connecting location of the lower rod end  32  which can be entrained is, connected at the step-shaped shoulder, 32  at the lower arm area  25 , as illustrated in FIG.  3 . This step  42  makes possible the space-saving arrangement of the dampening device  30  closely adjacent to the extension arm  24  in the closed position  20  of FIG.  3 . 
     In FIGS. 7 through 9 a slightly modified second embodiment of the counter  10  according to the invention is illustrated in three positions, particularly, only with the aid of those components which have been modified in comparison to the first embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 2 through 6. The components which are analog to the previous embodiments are identified with the same reference numerals so that in this respect the preceding description applies. Therefore, only the differences must be explained. 
     In FIG. 7, the closed position  20  of the modular unit is illustrated. In this case two rod-shaped control members  51 ,  52  are provided which are formed as force storage devices in the form of gas springs. They extend approximately as an extension of the extension arm  24  of FIG.  7 . One of the force storage devices  51  serves in this connection as an opening aid in the direction of the opening movement arrow  48  of FIG. 7, while the other force storage device  52  supports the opposite movement for closing illustrated by the movement arrow  49  in FIG.  9 . In the present case, the force storage device  51  acting as an opening aid is connected directly at  43  in the lower area  25  of the extension arm  24 . The corresponding point of attack  53  in this arm area  25  of the force storage device  52  functioning as the closing aid, on the other hand, is realized indirectly, by means of a linkage, which is comprised of a simple lever  55 . This lever  55  is connected at  53 , and the other end of the arm is connected by a sliding block guide  50  to the force storage device  52 . This sliding block guide  15  is comprised of a slotted hole  57 within the lever  55  which is engaged by a bearing pin  56  of the upper end of the force storage device  52 . The lower end of the force storage device  52  is stationarily connected at  54  within the interior  40  of the profile. 
     The force storage device  51  acting in the opening direction has a stationary point of attack  44  which is formed in a special way within the interior  40  of the hollow profile of the support  15 . In the closed position in FIG. 7 the force storage device  51  has a minimal insertion length  58  wherein it is imparted with a minimal spring force that is illustrated by the force arrow  61 . The force storage device  51  has a push rod  54  which penetrates in a longitudinally slidable way, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a penetration in the correlated point of attack  44  but is supported in the closed position  20  by a strip-shaped shoulder  47  at the support location. The spring force  61  is thus utilized in the aforementioned opening movement  48  of the modular unit; lifting of the center of gravity  27  illustrated in FIG. 2 is thus facilitated. In the closed position  20  of FIG. 7, the other force storage device  52  has its maximum extension length illustrated at  59  in FIG.  7 . Even though a spring force  62  in the extension direction is active also for the force storage device  52 , it cannot result in a further extension of the extension length  57  because of the inner stops. 
     In FIG. 8, an intermediate position  20 ″ of the modular unit is illustrated. The force storage device  51  has a greater extension length  58 ″. During the movement  63  the aforementioned point of attack of the lever  55  belonging to the other force storage device  52  has moved farther into the intermediate position  53 ″ wherein a change of the corresponding maximum extension length  59  of this force storage device  52  must not yet have taken place. In this case, the spring force  62  stored within the force storage device  52  has not yet become active up to the intermediate position  20 ″ of FIG.  3 . This is so because of the sliding block guide  50  between the lever  55  and the force storage device  52 . The aforementioned bearing pin  56  has moved into the lower area of the slotted hole  57 . In this intermediate position the center of gravity  27  explained in connection with FIG. 2 has reached approximately the apex of the opening pivot movement aligned with the pivot bearing  18 . 
     During the course of the further movement of the modular unit illustrated in FIG. 8 by an arrow extension  63 ′, the apex is lowered increasingly. Accordingly braking of the further opening pivot movement of the modular unit is desirable. This is realized in that the lever  55  in the sliding block guide  50  impacts with the upper end of its slotted hole  57  on the bearing pin  56  and thus tensions the force storage device  52 . This is realized along the travel from the intermediate position  20 ′ of FIG. 8 into the fully open position  20 ′ of the modular unit of FIG.  9 . Now the upper connecting location of the lever  55  has reached the end position  53 ′ illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     Now the force storage device  52  has reached its minimal insertion length  59 ′ which, relative to the intermediate position  58 ″ illustrated in FIG. 8, may have grown still but in the last phase of the further movement  63 ′ of FIG. 8 substantially has no longer been effective. Now the aforementioned longitudinal movement  46  of the shoulder  47  of the push rod  45  belonging to the first force storage device  51  is moved away from the point of attack  44  in the support  15 . There is a free spacing  60  between the cooperating support locations  44 ,  47 . The aforementioned spring force  61  is no longer effective by means of the stops within the force storage device  51  in the last opening movement of the modular unit. The torque acting on the modular unit is used instead for tensioning the other force storage device  52  whose spring force  62  thus increases. 
     The tensioned force storage  52  of FIG. 9 can act as a closing aid during the closing movement  49  of the modular unit, which has been mentioned already and is illustrated in FIG.  9 . The increased spring force  62  of the force storage device  52  is effective during lifting of the center of gravity  27  illustrated in FIG. 2 up to the apex of its circular movement. The second force storage device  52  which in FIG.  9 . still has its minimal insertion length  59 ′ slowly is transferred to the maximum extension length  29 , already described and illustrated in FIG. 8, and lifts thus by means of the pivot pin  56  of its lever  55  the extension arm  24  of the joint member of the modular unit. The force storage device  52  acts now as a closing aid in the initial phase of the closing movement  49 . The other force storage device  51  does not impair this because in the initial position the aforementioned free spacing  60  between its support locations  44 ,  47  is present. This changes only when approximately the situation of FIG.  8  and primarily of FIG. 7 occurs. Then the length of this first force storage device  51  across  58 ″ up to the above described minimal insertion length  58  is shortened. Therefore, again a braking movement occurs in the last phase of the closing movement  49 . The center of gravity  27  which is lowered in the direction toward the closed position  20  of FIG. 2 produces a closing torque which, at least in the last phase of its closing movement  49  of FIG. 9, is consumed by a renewed tensioning of the force storage device  51 . 
     Accordingly, the invention not only is characterized by a comfortable opening and closing of the modular unit but also by a corresponding braking of these movements  48 ,  49 . Accordingly, the force storage devices  51 ,  52  according to the invention have a double function. With a suitable linkage configuration between the extension arm  24  of the joint member  52  according to the invention and the support  40 , the force storage devices  51 ,  52  automatically become active in the desired direction of action. 
     In the third embodiment according to FIGS. 10 through 14 two independent measures are important with regard to the invention. The first measure is comprised of an especially simple space-saving configuration of the control members, which will be explained first. The other feature concerns the special configuration of the modular unit comprised of two partial compounds that are movable relative to one another, which will be explained in more detail with the aid of FIG.  13 . Despite their deviating configuration of the corresponding modular units, the same reference numerals will be used for corresponding components as in the previous embodiment, according to FIGS. 2 through 9. In this respect, the above description applies. It is sufficient to only point out the differences of the third embodiment. 
     The control member of the third embodiment is comprised of a push member  70  which is longitudinally movable in the sense of double arrow  75 . The push member  70  is longitudinally guided in a partial profile  65  of the support  15  and is force-loaded according to the force arrows  76 ,  77  illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14. This is realized by two independent forces of which one force load  76  acts in the direction of the closed position  20  and the other  77  in the direction of the open position  20 ′ of the respective modular unit. The two forces  76 ,  77  act in opposite directions onto the push member  70 . 
     These forces  76 ,  77  generate two force storage device  78 ,  79  which are comprised of two coil-shaped pressure springs in this configuration. The push member  70  is divided into two sections  71 ,  72 , i.e., a rod part  71  and a toothed rack support  72 . The rod part  71  penetrates the interior of the coil of the two pressure springs  78 ,  79 . The push member  70  has two stops  73 ,  74  which can be entrained and between which the two force storage devices  78 ,  79  are arranged. These movable stops are comprised of an end disc  73  at the upper rod end and an end flange  74  at the lower rod end. These movable stops  73 ,  74  have correlated therewith stationary stops  83 ,  84  arranged within the support  15  which in the present situation belong to a guide member  82 . The guide member  82  is comprised of a penetration  81  which is penetrated by the rod portion  71  of the push member  70 . The stationary stops  83 ,  84  are formed by two oppositely positioned end faces of the guide member  82 . 
     As already mentioned above, in the closed position  20  of the modular unit of FIG. 11 the force load  76  generated by the upper pressure springs  78  is effective; the lower pressure springs  79  is completely relaxed. In the closed position  20  the upper pressure spring  78  is compressed between the movable stop  73  and the stationary stop  83 . In FIG. 11, the effective length  69  of the lower pressure spring  79  in the relaxed state is smaller than the spacing  67  of the stops  74 ,  84  correlated with this spring  79 . Therefore, a free stroke  86  for the lower spring  79  remains in the closed position  20 . Upon pivoting  48  of the modular unit into the first intermediate position illustrated in FIG. 12, the force  76  exerted by the upper spring  28  is reduced because the push member  70  is lifted by means of a linkage  72 ,  64 . This linkage is comprised of a linkage part in the form of a tooth segment  64  provided on the lower arm area  25  which engages the tooth rack support  72  of the push member  70 . The lower spring  79  is still relaxed even though the remaining rest of the free stroke  86  has already been reduced. In the angle area of the pivoting movement  48  between FIGS. 11 and 12, the force load  76  acts as an opening aid for the glass pane  21  wherein the force storage device  78  is increasingly released. This changes only during the course of the further opening pivot movement  48  up to the further intermediate position of the modular unit illustrated in FIG.  13 . 
     In FIG. 13 the spacing  66  between the movable and the fixed stops  73 ,  83  has already increased by an amount corresponding to the effective length  68  of the upper spring  78  in the relaxed state. There is no upper force load. In the case of the lower pressure spring  79 , there may be present a borderline situation where the corresponding spacing  67  between the two stops  74 ,  84  corresponds approximately to the already described effective length,  69  of this lower spring  79  in the relaxed state. Accordingly, the lower force load is not yet active. In this phase of the pivot movement  48 , the center of gravity of the modular unit may be moved substantially at the same level so that, in this pivot movement phase a manual force application for moving the glass pane  31  is not required. This changes only upon transition into the fully open position  20 ′ of the modular unit. 
     In FIG. 14 the arm  24  is in its fully pivoted open position relative to the support  15 . Via the linkage  64 ,  72 , the push member  70  has been moved into its axial end position where the stops  73 ,  83  correlated with the upper pressure spring  78  have their maximum spacing  66 . Accordingly, in analogy to FIG. 11, a large free travel stroke  87  remains before the effective length  68  of this spring  78  in the relaxed position. The lower spring  79  is however compressed between its two stops  74 ,  84  and exerts a great force load  79  onto the push member  70 . The residual pivot movement of the pivot movement  48  between FIG.  13  and FIG. 14 has charged the force storage device  79 . The last phase of the pivot movement  48  has thus been dampened. 
     When, based on the open position  20 ′ of the modular unit in FIG. 14, the glass pane  21  is manually moved back, the closing movement, illustrated in FIG. 14 by the arrow  49 , occurs via the intermediate positions of FIGS. 13 and 12 and the closed position  20  of FIG. 11 is reached. In the first phase of this closing movement  49  the force storage device  79  is relaxed so that a closing aid results for the manual movement of the glass pane  21 . During the longitudinal movement  75  not only the afore described guide member  82  is effective as a guide but also the inner surfaces  85  of the aforementioned partial profiled section  65  of the support  15 . Areas of the circumferential surfaces of the toothed rack support  72  of the push member  70  glide on these inner surfaces  85 . 
     As already mentioned above, a special feature of the invention, explained in regard to the third embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 14, is that the corresponding modular unit is comprised of two oppositely movable partial modular units  91 ,  92  which will be explained with the aid of FIG.  13 . The two partial modular units  91 ,  92  are connected to one another by a horizontal rotary axis  90  wherein the degree of its rotation is determined by a guide member  80 . This guide member  80  controls the rotation of the one partial modular unit  91  illustrated by the rotary angle  93  in FIG. 13 relative to the other  92  as a function of the respective pivot position of this second partial modular unit  92  relative to the support  15 . This pivot position can be described with the aid of the pivot angle  94  illustrated in FIG. 13 of the arm  24  of the joint member belonging to this second partial modular unit  92 . Therefore, a force control of the glass pane  21  determined by the arm  24  and the guide member  80  is provided. The effect of this measure can be seen in FIG.  10 . 
     In the open position  20 ′ of FIG. 10, the glass pane  21  is arranged with its free edge zone  95  closely above the upper support end  16 . In the present case, the glass pane  21  is a so-called “panoramic glass pane” which, as illustrated by the dash-dotted line of FIG. 10, in the closed position  20  has an arc-shaped transition between a horizontal glass pane area and a slanted, substantially planar front area of the glass pane. This front area includes the aforementioned free edge zone  95 . In the open position  20  of FIG. 10, with a suitable configuration of the guide member  80  to be described in the following in more detail, the edge area  95  can approximately extend horizontally and can cover partially, like a roof, the support surface  13  of the body  11  of the counter. In the open position  20 ′ the free glass pane edge has reached an end position  26 ′ which can be determined substantially by the upper support end  16 . In this embodiment, the counter has a very pleasing, elegant appearance even in the open position wherein the edge area  95  can provide the aforementioned spit protection. This effect can be achieved by the following configuration of the modular unit  91 ,  92 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 13, the first partial modular unit  91  includes, in addition to the glass pane  21  and the securing means  23  for the glass pane, also a head piece  96  of the joint member  22 . These components  21 ,  23 ,  96  are fixedly connected with one another within the partial modular unit  91 . This first partial modular unit  91  will be referred to in the following as “partial modular unit on the glass pane side”. The glass pane-side partial modular unit  91  is movably connected with the second partial modular unit  92  by means of a horizontal rotary axis  90 . The second partial modular unit  92  includes the arm  24  of the joint member  22  which at its lower arm area has the already mentioned pivot axis  18  for the entire modular unit. This second partial modular unit  92  in the following is referred to as the “axis-side partial modular unit”. The modular units  91 ,  92  of this third embodiment differ from the modular unit of the afore described two embodiments of the invention in that the joint member  22  is divided by the rotary axis  90  into two partial members  96 ,  24  which are movable relative to one another: they comprise the head piece  96  belonging to the glass pane-side partial modular unit  91  and the arm  24  which belongs to the axis-side partial modular unit  92 . 
     The guide member  80  which is used for the force control of the angle of rotation  93  is comprised in the present situation of a connecting rod whose one end at  88  is connected to the head piece  96  of the glass pane-side partial modular unit  91  connected to the glass pane while the other end of the rod is connected stationarily by means of a joint  89  with the counter  11  for which purpose in the present situation this connecting location  89  is located on the support  15 . The connecting rod  80  is moreover angled in the present case and divides the rod into two legs  98 ,  99 . The connecting rod  80 , on the one hand, and the arm  24 , on the other hand, form together with their connecting locations  98 ,  99  or axes  90 ,  18  a parallelogram linkage between the glass pane  21  and the body  11  of the counter, respectively, its support  15 . Accordingly, in any phase of the pivot movement  48  a defined rotary angle  93  results between the two partial modular units  91 ,  92 . 
     In the closed position  20  of the modular unit according to FIG. 11 a maximum rotary angle  93  between the head member  96  and the arm  24  of the joint member  22  is present. The arm  24  extends substantially parallel to the support  15  and engages in this connection a profiled cutout  96  of the support  15  which can be seen better in FIG.  12 . The pivot angle of the arm  24  relative to the support is at a minimum, i.e., it is zero. The outer leg portion  98  of the angled connecting rod  80  extends parallel to the head piece  96  while the inner rod leg  99  is positioned parallel to the arm  24 . Between.the modular units  96 ,  98 , on the one hand, and the modular units  24 ,  99 , on the other hand, contact is therefore possible. The cutout  97  in the support  15  is dimensioned such that in the closed position  20  of FIG. 11 the inner rod leg  99  and the arm  24  are positioned flush within the cross-section of the support  15 . 
     When pivoting open ( 48 ) the modular unit  91 ,  92 , the rotary angle  93  between the partial modular units  91 ,  92  decreases with increasing pivot angle  94 . The free end  26  of the class pane moves therefore not on such a large circular arc as in the previous two embodiments of FIG. 2 but moves on a more flat curved path until finally the already described positioned  26 ′ of FIG. 10 is reached in the fully opened position  20 ′ of the modular unit. This open position  20 ′ is illustrated in, FIG.  14 . Accordingly, a maximum pivot angle  94  is provided while the rotary angle  93  between the two partial modular unit  91 ,  92  has reached the smallest value. In the closed position  20  of FIG. 11 the rotary angle  93  may be approximately 120° while in the open position  20 ′ of FIG. 14 it is only approximately 65°. Accordingly, the pivot movement  48  of the entire module unit  91 ,  92  is superimposed by a return rotation of the free end of the glass pane from the position  26  into the position  26 ′ of FIG.  10 . This return rotation is the difference between the original rotational angle  93  of FIG. 11, on the one hand, and the final rotary angle of FIG. 14, on the other hand. 
     The guide member  80  could also be embodied in a different way. It could be comprised of at least one pair of telescopic members which make it thus longitudinally movable. These telescopic members can be force-loaded in the insertion direction or in the extension direction. This force load can be additive to the afore described force load  76 ,  77  of the slide  70  or can replace it completely or partially. The free ends of the members of such guide member are connected analogously, on the one hand, to the partial modular unit  91  of the glass pane and, on the other hand, on the body  11  of the counter or on its supports  15  and are moveably supported thereat as in the second embodiment at  44 ,  77 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 List of Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 counter according to the invention 
               
               
                 10′ 
                 counter according to the prior art 
               
               
                 11 
                 body of counter of 10 or 10′ 
               
               
                 12 
                 customer side of 10, 10′ 
               
               
                 13 
                 support surface of 10, 10′ 
               
               
                 14 
                 lower end of 15 
               
               
                 15 
                 support 
               
               
                 16 
                 upper end of support 15 
               
               
                 17 
                 hollow profile of 15; rectangular profile 
               
               
                 18, 18′ 
                 pivot bearing of 22 or 22′, horizontal pivot axis 
               
               
                 19, 19′ 
                 pivot angle of 22 or 22′ 
               
               
                 20 
                 modular unit (in closed position); or rigid modular unit 
               
               
                   
                 (FIGS. 1 through 9) 
               
               
                 20′ 
                 open position of 20 
               
               
                 20″ 
                 intermediate position of 20 
               
               
                 21 
                 glass pane of 20 
               
               
                 22 
                 joint member of 10 
               
               
                 22′ 
                 joint member of 10, swivel head 
               
               
                 23 
                 securing means for 21 on 22 or 22′ 
               
               
                 24 
                 extension arm of 22, arm of 22 
               
               
                 25 
                 lower arm area of 24, area of the lower arm end 
               
               
                 26 
                 free end of the glass pane of 20 (initial position) 
               
               
                 26′ 
                 end position of 26 in 20′ (FIGS. 1, 2, 10) 
               
               
                 27, 27′ 
                 center of gravity of 20 or 20′ 
               
               
                 28, 28′ 
                 travel distance between 26, 26′ at 10, 10′ 
               
               
                 29 
                 front edge of counter of 11 
               
               
                 30 
                 rod-shaped dampening device (FIG. 3) 
               
               
                 31 
                 stationary upper rod end of 30 
               
               
                 32 
                 movable lower rod end of 30 
               
               
                 33 
                 support nose on 22 
               
               
                 34 
                 upper end face of 15 
               
               
                 35 
                 rear profile wall of 15 
               
               
                 36 
                 cutout in 15 at 35 
               
               
                 37 
                 end portion of 15 
               
               
                 38 
                 support surface for 22 (FIGS. 2, 6) 
               
               
                 39 
                 outer surface of 35 (FIG. 6) 
               
               
                 40 
                 hollow profile interior of 15 
               
               
                 41 
                 end piece of 24 
               
               
                 42 
                 step-shaped shoulder of 24 (FIG. 3) 
               
               
                 43 
                 connecting location of 51 for 25 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 44 
                 stationary point of attack of 51 in 15 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 45 
                 push rod of 51 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 46 
                 longitudinal movement of 45 relative to 44 (FIG. 9) 
               
               
                 47 
                 shoulder on 45 for 44 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 48 
                 arrow of opening movement (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 49 
                 arrow of closing movement (FIG. 9) 
               
               
                 50 
                 sliding block guide between 55, 52 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 51 
                 rod-shaped control member, force storage device, opening aid 
               
               
                 52 
                 rod-shaped control member, force storage device, closing aid 
               
               
                 53 
                 point of attack of 52 on 25 (the initial position) 
               
               
                 53′ 
                 end position of 53 (FIG. 9) 
               
               
                 53″ 
                 intermediate position of 53 (FIG. 8) 
               
               
                 54 
                 stationary lower connecting location of 52 in 15 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 55 
                 linkage between 25, 52, lever (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 56 
                 pivot pin of 50 
               
               
                 57 
                 slotted hole of 50 
               
               
                 58 
                 minimal insertion length of 51 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 58′ 
                 maximum extension length of 51 (FIG. 9) 
               
               
                 58″ 
                 intermediate length of 51 (FIG. 8) 
               
               
                 59 
                 maximum extension length of 52 (FIG. 7) 
               
               
                 59′ 
                 minimum insertion length of 52 (FIG. 9) 
               
               
                 60 
                 free spacing between 44, 57 at 20″ (FIG. 8) 
               
               
                 61 
                 force arrow of 51, spring force 
               
               
                 62 
                 force arrow of 52, spring force 
               
               
                 63 
                 arrow of initial movement of 43 (FIG. 8) 
               
               
                 64 
                 second linkage part, tooth segment of 24 (FIG. 11) 
               
               
                 65 
                 partial profile 15 (FIG. 11) 
               
               
                 66 
                 spacing between 73, 83 (FIG. 14) 
               
               
                 67 
                 spacing between 74, 84 (FIG. 11) 
               
               
                 68 
                 effective length of 78 in the relaxed state (FIG. 14) 
               
               
                 69 
                 effective length of 79 in the relaxed state (FIG. 11) 
               
               
                 70 
                 push rod, rod 
               
               
                 71 
                 first section of 70, rod part 
               
               
                 72 
                 second portion of 70, toothed rack support, second 
               
               
                   
                 linkage part 
               
               
                 73 
                 movable stop on 70, end disc 
               
               
                 74 
                 movable stop on 70, end flange 
               
               
                 75 
                 double arrow of longitudinal movement of 70 
               
               
                 76 
                 arrow of force load of 78 
               
               
                 77 
                 arrow of force load of 79 
               
               
                 78 
                 upper force storage device, pressure spring 
               
               
                 79 
                 lower force storage device, pressure spring 
               
               
                 80 
                 guide member, connecting rod (FIGS. 11 through 14) 
               
               
                 81 
                 penetration in 82 
               
               
                 82 
                 guide member for 70 
               
               
                 83 
                 stationary stop on 15, upper surface of 82 
               
               
                 84 
                 stationary stop on 15, lower surface of 82 
               
               
                 85 
                 guiding-active inner surfaces of 65 for 70 (FIG. 14) 
               
               
                 86 
                 free stroke for 79 at 20 (FIG. 11) 
               
               
                 87 
                 free stroke for 78 at 20′ (FIG. 14) 
               
               
                 88 
                 upper entrained connecting location of 80 
               
               
                 89 
                 lower stationery connecting location of 80 
               
               
                 90 
                 horizontal rotary axis between 91, 92 (FIGS. 11 through 14) 
               
               
                 91 
                 partial modular unit (FIG. 13) at the glass pane side 
               
               
                 92 
                 partial modular unit (FIG. 13) at the axis 
               
               
                 93 
                 rotary angle between 91, 92 (FIG. 13) 
               
               
                 94 
                 pivot angle between 24, 15 (FIG. 13) 
               
               
                 95 
                 free edge zone of 21 (FIG. 2) 
               
               
                 96 
                 head piece of 22 at 91 (FIG. 13) 
               
               
                 97 
                 recess of 15 for 24, 99 (FIG. 12 and 11) 
               
               
                 98 
                 outer rod leg of 80 
               
               
                 99 
                 inner rod leg of 80