Abstract:
A table ( 1 ) for self-service shops includes a base frame ( 2 ) with four tubular feet ( 3 ), two side frames ( 16 ) arranged parallel and each having a first and a second wall ( 17, 18 ), and a bottom ( 22 ) arranged above the base frame ( 2 ) and surrounded by the walls ( 17, 18 ), wherein each side frame ( 16 ) is provided with two tubular uprights ( 15 ) carrying the walls ( 17, 18 ) and connected to the feet ( 3 ) of the base frame ( 2 ) by connectors so that the opposing cut surfaces ( 9 ) of the feet ( 3 ) and the uprights ( 15 ) are either arranged in a common plane ( 10 ) or are spaced apart in different planes ( 10′ ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation of PCT/DE02/02800, filed on Jul. 31, 2002, and which claims the priority of DE 102 25 989.5, filed in Germany on Jun. 11, 2002. The contents of PCT/DE02/02800 and DE 102 25 989.5 are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a table for self-service shops, comprising a base frame with four tubular feet, two side frames arranged parallel and each having a first and a second wall, and a bottom arranged above the base frame and surrounded by the walls. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Tables of this type are known in various designs. What is common to all these tables is that they can be converted into a space-saving form for the purpose of transportation, for example for delivery. Various solutions are known for this. 
   German utility model specification 299 14 238.8 describes such a table. This table can be converted into a usable form by fitting various individual parts together. For example, connecting parts first have to be inserted into the feet of a base frame before four uprights, which carry the side walls, can then be plugged onto these connecting parts. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
   An object of the invention is to form a table in such a way that the aforementioned plug-in connections can be dispensed with. Nevertheless, the table should be foldable. Furthermore, this table should be formed so that a plurality of folded tables can be stacked on top of one another. 
   The object is achieved in that in one embodiment of the invention each foot is connected to one of the uprights by a hinge and in that the horizontal axis of each hinge is located either in or below the common plane. 
   If, as described hereinbelow, two uprights are rigidly connected to a first wall, and a second wall is mounted on one of the two uprights so as to be pivotable to a limited extent about a vertical axis, the solution found offers the following advantages:
     The side frames with their walls can be moved about the hinges into a space-saving position of non-use. The bottom simply has to be removed and laid on the base frame beforehand.   In the folded-down position, the first and second walls hold the bottom, which is lying on the base frame, firmly in place.   In this position, the table is like a flat stack, with the result that the table can be dispatched and transported in a space-saving manner.   The upwardly visible region of the four feet is exposed when the four uprights are folded down. A second, likewise folded table, etc. can then be placed onto the feet of a first folded table so that a plurality of tables form a type of tower which, when tied appropriately to secure it, can be excellently transported.   To assemble the table into the position of use, the two side frames simply have to be brought into an upright position, each second wall secured to an adjacent upright and the bottom then inserted between the four walls without the need for any additional fixing means.   

   In a first embodiment, the hinge straps are arranged on the outsides of the uprights and the feet. In a further embodiment, the hinge straps are in block form to enable them to be inserted into the uprights and the feet. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be further described with reference to the two embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  shows a table according to one embodiment of the invention in the position of use; 
       FIG. 2  shows the same table at the start of being folded; 
       FIG. 3  shows a detail of the connecting region between a foot and an upright; 
       FIG. 4  shows the same detail with the upright folded down; 
       FIG. 5  shows a foot of a further table on a foot of the table shown here; and 
       FIG. 6  shows two views of an arrangement with an insertable hinge. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The foldable table  1  shown in  FIG. 1  is intended for self-service shops, where it is used for displaying goods. The table  1  has a base frame  2  provided with four feet  3 . The feet  3  are connected by two horizontal longitudinal struts  4 . The two longitudinal struts  4  are in turn connected by two further, horizontally arranged transverse struts  5 , giving the base frame  2  an extremely stable structure. In the example, the feet  3  and the longitudinal and transverse struts  4 ,  5  are formed from square tubing. The same also applies to the four uprights  15 , which extend upwards from the feet  3 . Each upright  15  is connected so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis  13  by means of a hinge  11  arranged on the inner surface  19  of the uprights  15  and the inner surface  7  of the feet  3 . Two uprights  15  on each longitudinal side  14  of the table  1  carry a first wall  17 , thereby forming two side frames  16 . On each side frame  16 , a second wall  18  is articulated on one of the diagonally opposing uprights  15  so that each second wall  18  is pivotable about a vertical axis  20 . Each second wall  18  is detachably secured to the opposing free upright  15  with a known latching mechanism. A bottom  22 , arranged within the walls  17  and  18  and above the base frame  2 , is insertable between the walls  17 ,  18  from above and is downwardly supported on at least two of the walls  17  and/or  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the walls  17 ,  18  include projections  28  for supporting the bottom  22 . 
     FIG. 2  shows the start of the process of folding the table  1  described in  FIG. 1 . The bottom  22  has been removed upwards from the walls  17 ,  18  and lies (not shown) on the base frame  2 . The second walls  18  have been detached from the opposing uprights  15  and are being pivoted in the direction of the arrow towards the inside  21  of the first wall  17  of their side frame  16 . Next, each side frame  16  is successively folded downwards through approximately 90° onto the bottom  22  lying on the base frame  2 ; see arrows. It will easily be understood that the table  1  folded in this manner forms a flat stack. 
     FIG. 3  shows a detail of a foot  3  and an upright  15  articulated on the foot  3 . Part of a transverse strut  5  is visible at the foot  3 . The cut surfaces  9  of the foot  3  and the upright  15  lie on top of one another. They also lie in a common plane  10 . The horizontally arranged axis  13  of the hinge  11  serving as a connecting means also lies in this plane  10  or slightly lower. The upwardly extending hinge strap  12  of the hinge  11  is fixedly connected to the inner surface  19  of the upright  15  and the downwardly extending hinge strap  12 ′ is fixedly connected to the inner surface  7  of the foot  3 . The inner surfaces  7  and  19  of the feet  3  and the uprights  15  of each side frame  16  are arranged opposite one another in mirror-image fashion. The drawing shows the upright  15  when the table  1  is in the position of use. 
     FIG. 4  shows the detail described in  FIG. 3 , but with the upright  15  folded down. It can clearly be seen from the drawing that the upper edge  8  of the foot forms an upper opening of the foot  3  and is accessible from above. Accordingly, each side frame  16  is folded down with the aid of two hinges  11 . 
     FIG. 5  shows a foot  3  of a first table  1  in the position of non-use, on which rests the foot  3  of a second table  1 , also in the position of non-use. In this way, one table  1  after another can be stacked up, the feet  3  of an upper table  1  resting on the feet  3  of a lower table  1 . 
   If one wishes to bring the table  1  out of the position of non-use back into the position of use, a first side frame  16  and then the second side frame  16  must first be pivoted upright. Next, the two second walls  18  have to be pivoted into their position of use and secured to the opposite upright  15 . Lastly, the bottom  22  must be removed from the base frame  2  and inserted between the walls  17 ,  18  from above and supported on at least some of the walls  17 ,  18  in a suitable manner. 
     FIG. 6  shows two views of a foot  3  and an upright  15  connected by means of a hinge  11 , the hinge straps  12 ,  12 ′ of which are arranged inside the foot  3  and the upright  15 , while the horizontal axis  13  of the hinge  11  is arranged outside the foot  3  and the upright  15 . Each hinge strap  12 ,  12 ′ has a cap  23 . The cap  23  of the lower hinge strap  12 ′ is positively inserted into the hollow foot  3  and the cap  23  of the upper hinge strap  12  is positively inserted into the hollow upright  15  and secured against detachment in a suitable manner. Each cap  23  has a stop plate  24 . The stop plate  24  of the lower hinge strap  12 ′ lies on the cut surface  9  of the foot  3  and the stop plate  24  of the upper hinge strap  12  lies against the cut surface  9  of the upright  15 . As the stop plates  24  have a certain thickness, the cut surfaces  9  each lie in a plane  10 ′, the distance between which corresponds to twice the thickness of a stop plate  24 . The horizontal axis  13  of the hinge  11  therefore lies between the two planes  10 ′. The hinge joint, which connects the upper and the lower hinge strap  12 ,  12 ′, is formed in ways known to the person skilled in the art. The hinge straps  12 ,  12 ′ can therefore be connected to one another either by means of a pivot pin or, if made of plastic, preferably also by means of an integral hinge. As a means of additionally securing and centering the arrangement shown, it is recommended to provide an elevation  26 , e.g. in the form of a conical projection, on one of the two stop plates  24  and, exactly opposite (see left-hand drawing), a corresponding recess  27  or a suitable opening in the other stop plate  24  for receiving and securely locating the elevation  26 . When the table  1  is in the position of use, the elevation  26  is located in the recess  27 . It is unimportant on which stop plate  24  the elevation  26  is arranged and in which stop plate  24  the recess  27  is provided. The right-hand drawing shows a foot  3  with the upright  15  folded down. The hinges  11  which have just been described are usable on a table  1  in the same way and to the same effect as described in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   Although only preferred embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               List of parts 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                1 
               Table 
             
             
                 
                2 
               Base frame 
             
             
                 
                3 
               Feet 
             
             
                 
                4 
               Longitudinal struts 
             
             
                 
                5 
               Transverse struts 
             
             
                 
                6 
             
             
                 
                7 
               Inner surface of the foot 
             
             
                 
                8 
               Upper edge/opening of the foot 
             
             
                 
                9 
               Cut surfaces of the foot/upright 
             
             
                 
               10 
               Common plane 
             
             
                 
               10′ 
               Planes 
             
             
                 
               11 
               Hinge 
             
             
                 
               12, 12′ 
               Upper, lower hinge strap 
             
             
                 
               13 
               Horizontal axis of the hinge 
             
             
                 
               14 
               Longitudinal side of the table 
             
             
                 
               15 
               Upright 
             
             
                 
               16 
               Side frame 
             
             
                 
               17 
               First wall 
             
             
                 
               18 
               Second wall 
             
             
                 
               19 
               Inner surface of the upright 
             
             
                 
               20 
               Vertical axis 
             
             
                 
               21 
               Inside of the first wall 
             
             
                 
               22 
               Bottom 
             
             
                 
               23 
               Cap 
             
             
                 
               24 
               Stop plate 
             
             
                 
               25 
               Hinge joint 
             
             
                 
               26 
               Elevation 
             
             
                 
               27 
               Recess