IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WALL-ANCHORED TABLES

Abstract: Improvements in the wall-anchored tables,wherein each table 1 is provided with at least three legs 2,3, two of them 2, being arranged on a side and one 3, at least on the opposed side, said legs being housed within sheaths or guides 6 embodies or not within the thickness of the tables and ending with hooking means 4 to an anchoring device 15 pre-arranged on a wall, each leg being formed as a single body or being longitudinally divided into two portions mutually slidable and fixable. The terminal portion of the leg towards the sheat 6 is provided, directly or indirec­ tly, with a slot or link-block 4 apted to receive a pin 10 carried by a slider 9 housed within the sheath, said pin 10 being able to slide in the link-block 11 or slot which permits when the leg is disengaged from the sheath, to incline angu­ larly the leg and allows to the leg a movement upwards, thus preventing a further undesired rotation of the leg itself.

Description: The ever present request of available room in housing premises is known, this being particularly true for caravans, campers, boats and similar, wherein the available room must be apted to, be utilized in the most intense possible way. In said premises or ambients, the space occupied by a table is very often to be allotted to other uses in relation with the different hours of the day, through the disappearance of the table itself or for its utilization at different levels from the floor. For instance, in the room allotted to living-room in vehicles of the aforesaid type, the table may be made to disappear when the ambient is destined to living-room, must be arranged at a certain height between the divans when it is utilized as a dinner-table or a gaming table and must be arranged at the height of the divans for its utilization as a tea-table or as the base for a bed. The table is, on the other hand, tied by one of its sides to the wall of the room in which it is installed, and is orientated in a direction parallel to the wall itself or orthogonally to the wall itself according to its type of employment. Such an arrangement, however, limits the longitudinal dimension of the table since its tying-point to the wall, when the table is vertically arranged, determines the maximum length of the table itself. Another drawback presented by the presently employed tables is that they must remain bound to the wall arid they cannot be utilized in different ambients, for instance in the open. The U.S. Patent no. 1.675.953 has endeavoured to solve this and other problems by means of a table which is particularly suitable for small rooms, which may be fixed to the wall and then folded against the wall , so as not to take up any space when not being used. Furthermore, the U.S.A. Patent no. 1.675.953 also provides for the necessary means to fix the table and put it in working condition. The fixing means for the table have been described in the French no. 2.175.301 and British no. 1.409.543 patents. The object of the present invention is represented by improvements in the tables anchored-to-wall, which are mainly based upon the tying systems for the table to the wall and upon the application of orientatable legs, built and arranged in such a way that the legs themselves may be made to disappear within or under the table and/or orientated both in a vertical or in horizontal direction, and also able to be varied in their lengths. According to the improvements which are the object of the present invention, each table is provided with at least three legs, two of them being arranged on a side and one leg at least on the opposed side, the legs being housed in embodied/or not, guides , within the thickness of the table and ending by hooking means for a pre-arranged anchorage situated on a wall, each leg being formed as a single body or being divided longitudinally into two portions which are mutually slidable and fixable. The terminal portion of the leg towards the guide is provided, directly or indirectly, with a slot or link-block apted to receive a pin carried by a slider housed within the guide, said pin being able to slide within the slot which permits, when the leg is disengaged from the sheath to dispose angularly the leg itself and to displace the leg upwards, preventing a further undesired rotation of the leg. The anchorage means are formed by a terminal member with a corresponding hooking support fixed to the free end of each leg, and carryng at its free end two pins whose axis are distanced to each other by a distance equal to the thickness of the hook serving to be connected to the wall, the hook houses within its cavity one of the said pins, whereas the other pin, once the hooking has been effected, rests against the lower surface of the hook itself. The anchoring hook fixed to the wall is preferably slidable on a guide so that it will permit the table to effect transversal movements with respect to the point at which the hook is fixed to the wall, a plurality of hooks being couplable at a fixed distance on a single slide. These and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clear from the reading of the detailed description of preferred embodiments which are listed in the following with reference to the exemplary enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a table applied to the wall and vertically arranged; Fig. 2 shows the same table horizontally arranged and slightly distanced from the wall to which it is connected; Fig. 3 shows the table in employment-position, hooked to the anchorage, slidable on a guide, fixed to the wall; Fig. 4 shows the table in an employment-position, hooked to two fixed anchorages which are fixed to the wall; Fig. 5 shows the table in an employment-position, disengaged from the wall and, therefore, situated far from the wall itself; Fig. 6 shows the table in an employment position as a base for a bed; Figures 7 to 12 show views similar to the previous ones, but with a table having a surface which is the double of that of the previous table; Figures 13 and 14 show the double table in its position of use (and in its rest position according to two possible solutions); Fig. 15 shows the single table in its position of use and rest; Fig. 16 shows a leg of the table arranged within its guide, for an application external to the table; Figures 17 and 18 show a leg of the table extracted from the guide and in a position of use, respectively in the extensible type and in the type foreseeing a fixed length; Fig. 19 show a leg of the table partially extracted from the guide; Figures 20 and 21 show respectively a wall-support of the single-type table, fixed with an extension member, and double, of the slidable type, with extension members; Fig. 22 shows the back support of the table to be applied as shown in the Figures 3 and 4 in the absence of the second and third leg; Figures 23 to 32 show some views which are similar to the preceding ones but which are foreseen for applications internal to the table; Fig. 33 shows a cross-section of the table effected through two opposed legs, internal to to the table, in a position of use of the table; Fig. 34 is a cross-section of the leg for an application internal to the table; Fig. 35 shows a cross-section of the table through two opposed legs external to the table itself, in a position of use of the table; Figures 36 and 37 show respectively in section the wall-table arranged vertically on the support with slidable guide and fixed support with the corresponding rotating safety device, and therefore tying device arranged on the end of each leg of the table; Fig. 38 shows a cross-section of the table through two opposing legs, during the operation of arranging the table in a rest, vertical position, hanging from the wall-support of the single fixed type with an extension member; Fig. 39 shows in section a detail of the table in an overhanging position, with the rotating safety device and, therefore, tying device in an inserted position (arranged at the end of each leg of the table); Fig. 40 shows in section the double support of the slidable type with extension members. With reference to said drawings and in particular to the Figures 1 to 6, let consider initially the table 1 with its legs 2, 3 which are retractable and orientatable. As one can see from the drawing, the table 1 is provided with three legs, of which two (2) are arranged on a side, preferably the side of the anchorage to the wall, and one leg, the leg 3, on the opposed side. The legs 2 and 3, as it will be better explained in the following, are formed by telescopic elements provided with terminal members 4 with corresponding hooking supports apted to be anchored to the suspension hook (Figures 20, 27) or to the connecting hooks to the wall (Figures 21, 27, 28). The feasibility of hooking, or not, the table to the wall and the presence of the legs 2 and 3, makes possible the utilization of the table 1 both tied to, or disengaged from, the wall, thus remarkably increasing its versatility. On the other hand, the table 1 can be easily doubled since more tables can be juxtaposed each to the other or can also be hinged at 5 between each other. In this case, as shown schematically in the Figures 8 to 15, the various planes 1 are, in the rest condition, folded each upon the the other, while the legs are made to disappear within their housings, as it will be more detailedly described in the following. It has been said that the legs 2 and 3 are retractable and orientatable. To this purpose, each leg 2, 3 (Figures 16 to 19 and 23 to 26) is formed by two parts, i.e. an external container, guide, 6 and a proper leg 7. As shown in the Figures 17, 18, 24, 25, the leg 7 can be longitudinally divided into two parts, slidable with respect to each other and fixable in the established position (Figures 17 and 24) in such way to achieve the desired length, or can be formed of a single piece (Figures 18 and 25). Through the first solution, it is made feasible the objective of reducing the lenght of the external container, guide, 6, whereas through the second solution one achieves, apart from a fixed height of the table from the ground, a relative larger length of the external container 6. The true and proper leg 7 ends by a terminal portion with hooking support 4, at its end external to the guide 6 (see Figures 33 to 35) , whereas its opposed end is tied to a slider 9, which will described in the following in a more detailed way. The leg 7 is, therefore, in condition to slide and be received within the guide 6 which, as already said, may be housed within the thickness of the table or be applied externally to it. The slider 9 has the double purpose of guiding and locking the leg 7 within the guide 6, and of constituting an articulated joint so that the leg 7 will be in condition to be orientated on the same axis as the guide 6 or orthogonally to it. To this end, the slider 9 is formed by two elements 9, 9' of which the portion 9 received within the guide 6 ends with a pin 10, whereas the portion 9', fixed to the leg 7 or integral with it, ends by a slot 11. Around the pin 10, furthermore, a block latch, shaped as a small lever, may rotate, which prevents, if not operated, the mutual displacement of the two portions 9, 9'. Supposing the leg 7 housed within the guide 6, by exerting a traction upon the terminal 4, the leg is extracted from the guide 6 until the end of the portion 9' of the slider will be able to rotate about the pin 10, permitting the rotation of the leg 7 from the position in axis with the guide to a position orthogonal to it. By the effect of the pin-slot engagement, the pin, while the leg is in traction, rests upon the end of the slot which is looking towards the terminal of the leg, but, after the leg has been rotated, i.s. when the table 1 rests upon the leg itself, it will be in contact with the opposed end of the slot. Said slot has such length that, following said displacement, the upper end of the portion 9' will displace itself upwards in such a way that the side of said portion 9' will rest against the rim of the table 1, preventing any undesired rotation of the leg. Furthermore, the external surfaces of the fork-shaped portion of the element 9' carrying the pin 10 are truncated-cone-shaped, so that , when the leg 7 is in working position, they will be blocked with the correspondingly shaped sides of the sleeve 12'. Only by having the pin 10 to slide again within the slot 11, it will be possible to vary again the angular position of the leg with respect to the table. Suitably, the guide 6 ends externally by a sleeve 12' which constitutes the abutment for the portion 9' of the sleeve, and in the same time causes the stopping in the direction of the extraction of the sleeve 9. It is to be pointed out that the extraction of the leg 7 from the guide can be limited and this permits, for instance, to distance the table from the wall (see Figures 2 and 8). Naturally, the maximum distancing corresponds to almost the entire length of the leg 7. It has been said that the leg, at the free end, ends with a hooking support 4, at whose terminal end, as it is better seen from the Figures 33 to 39, two pins 12 and 14 are foreseen, which are parallel to each other and have their axes suitably distanced. Between them the hook 15 is intended to be housed to which the table must be anchored or hooked, this hook being tied to the wall and, as it may be seen from the Figures 33, 35, 36, 37, 38 , remaining imprisoned between the upper pin 12 and the lower pin 13. The table 1, therefore, is unable to effect any oscillation in a vertical direction, but it can be disengaged from the hook 13 only by a rotation of it around the axis of the upper pin 12. The external side walls of the support of the pins 12, 13 are shaped in such a way to tie themselves, when the leg 7 is housed within the table, within the sleev 12', thus preventing its exiting. A suitable rotation of the whole about the axis of the pin 12 is needed in order to achieve the disengagement of the leg 7. The shape of the terminal 4 permits also to overhang vertically the table 1. Indeed, by hooking the pin 12, or 13, of the legs 2, or respectively 3, to the wall-hooks 15, both lower and upper, as it can seen from the Figures 38 and 39, the table remains safely tied in a horizontal position, from which it can be removed only through a movement of rotation and raising which permits to hook the upper pin 12 or 13 of the hook 15. Naturally, the pins 12 of the legs 2 will look downwards or upwards according to the fact that the table is orientated upwards, or respectively downwards. We have spoken about the wall-hooks 15 intended to tie the table 1 to the wall both in a horizontal or in a vertical position. Let now make reference to the Figures 20, 21, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 in order to illustrate more detailedly these hooks 15. Apart from the larger or lesser length of the true and proper hook, depending on the distance frm the application wall at which it must operate, the hook 15 may be hold by a fixed base 16 (Fig.38) or preferably be a movable base (Fig. 40) housed within a container 18 fixed to the wall. In such last case, the hook 15 may be made to slide within the container, and, therefore, also the position of the table 1 along the wall may be varied, as shown by dash lines in the Figures 2,3 and 8, 9. As shown in the Figures 21 and 28, the support may be double, so that it will be in condition to receive the terminals, with hooking support 4, of both legs 2, thus permitting to tie the table 1 to the wall through a single hooking operation. As above exposed, given the presence, in each table, of three legs 2 and 3, and given the feasibility to disengage from the wall the table 1, the lastnamed may be easily transported and employed in a place different from the place wherein it is usually installed. In such a case, a resting base, anchorable snaplike to the terminals 4 of the legs 2, 3, and in particular of the leg 3, confers a better stability to the table. On the other hand, the presence of the three legs permits to double the table 1 by hinging one wing to the other, as shown in the Figures 8 to 12 and in particular in the Figures 13, 14, 15, 30, 31, 32, wherein by dashed lines the presumable overall dimensions have been shown of the table, in the overhanging position, whereas by full lines the table in use position has been shown. The adoption of extensible legs 7 permits both the reduction of the length of the guide 6 and the feasibility of placing the table at such a height from the ground that a multiple use is allowed, as a resting plane for a possible mattress, as a tea-table, and similar. The improvements in the tables anchored to a wall have been described and illustrated only by the way of a non-limitative example. Obviously, one can apply to them, in the frame of the technical equivallences, the constructional variants which will be suggested to the specialists of the art in their realization and which are within the scope of the appended Claims.

Claims: Table anchored to a wall having legs which may be housed within guides (6) which are provided within the thickness of the table or attached to the underside of the table, characterized in that the table is provided with at least three legs, two of which (2) are arranged on one side and the other at least one leg (3) is arranged on the opposite side of the table, in that the guides (6) for the legs (2, 3) ends externally with means for hooking the table to an anchorage prearranged on a wall and in that at least two tables can be hinged together one beside the other the hinges thereby permitting the overturn of one table against the other. Table anchored to a wall according to claim 1, characterised in that each leg (2, 3) is formed by a single body or longitudinally divided into two portions mutually slidable and fixable so that the length of the legs can be varied. Table anchored to a wall according to claim 1 and/or 2, characterised in that the terminal portion of the legs (2, 3) towards the guide (6) is provided, directly or indirectly, with a slot or link-block (11) provided to receive a pin (10) carried by a slider (9) which is housed within the guide (6), said pin (10) being able to slide within the slot (11) and to rest, in the rest position and in the operational position, upon the end of the slot looking towards the leg (2, 3), the slot (11) permitting, when the leg is disengaged from the guide (6), the rotation of the leg upwards until its upper end will be at a level with the upper surface of the table, said pin and slot arrangement also preventing an undesired rotation of the leg. Table anchored to a wall according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said hooking means are formed by a terminal (4) with a corresponding hooking support, a bracket, fixed to the free end of each leg (2, 3), said bracket carrying at its free end two pins (12, 13) whose axes are provided at a distance to each other, said distance being equal to the thickness of the hook (15) for the connection with the anchoring on the wall, said hook (15) receiving within its cavity one of said pins (12), whereas the other pin (13), once the hooking has been affected, abuts against the lower surface of said hook (15). Table anchored to a wall according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said anchorage hook (15) fixed to the wall is preferably slidable on a guide so that the table can be transversally displaced with respect to the point in which the hook is fixed to the wall, and in that more hooks are able to be coupled at a fixed distance upon a single slide.

Inventors: CROCOLI, PIETRO
Applicants: CROCOLI, PIETRO
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A47B5
IPC codes: A47B5