Abstract:
A worktable, in particular a dental laboratory workbench which includes a work block arranged at front side of the table, and a vacuuming device forming a unitary structure with the work block for vacuumable material or waste which is obtained during the processing or finishing of workpieces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a worktable, in particular a dental laboratory workbench which includes a work block arranged at front side of the table, and a vacuuming device forming a unitary structure with the work block for vacuumable material or waste which is obtained during the processing or finishing of workpieces. 
     The vacuuming device serves for the suctioning of filings, polishing dust or other vacuumable material which is encountered in the area of the table plate, or of the work block which is also designated as a filing vice, particularly, as the result of the finishing of dental or dental technical workpieces. 
     A worktable of this type has become known from the disclosure of German Petty Patent No. 74 13 941. In this known prior art worktable, the vacuuming device incorporates vacuuming apertures which are only associated with the immovably positioned work block whereby, for the finishing of a workpiece which is carried out in the area of the table plate, there is not effected any or only a partial suctionable material vacuuming. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention eliminates or ameliorates the above-mentioned disadvantages encountered in the prior art through the provision of a worktable of the above-mentioned type in which, during the finishing of workpieces in the are of the block as well as in the area of the table plate there is assured, in both instances an adequate and effective vacuuming of vacuumable waste material. 
     The advantages which are achieved through the present invention may be essentially ascertained in that every one of the working positions which are formed at different heights; for instance, even when the finishing or processing area is at a higher working position of the work block, as well as when the finishing area is in a lower working position of the table plate, will the suctionable waste material be vacuumed without encountering any problems. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Advantageous modifications and features of the invention may now be ascertained the following detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments thereof, invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vertically adjustable structural unit which is constituted of a work block and a vacuuming device arranged at the front side of a worktable, for example, a dental or dental laboratory workbench serving in a lower working position; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the opposite side of the unit of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unit of FIG. 1 with a special work repository in a higher working location; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the unit of FIG. 3 from the opposite side thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the unit of FIG. 3 in a lower working position; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the unit of FIG. 5 viewed from the opposite side thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the unit of FIG. 3 with a vacuuming drawer, shown on an enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the unit of FIG. 4 shown on an enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the unit of FIG. 3, shown in part section and on an enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the unit of FIG. 1, shown in part section and on an enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the unit of FIG. 10 in a modified embodiment; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates the unit of FIG. 11 in a stored or inoperative position; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a unit in a modified embodiment in a higher working position in a side elevational view and partly in section; and 
     FIG. 14 illustrates the unit of FIG. 13 in a lower working position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The worktable 1 is provided at its front side 1 with a work block 3 and a vacuuming device 5 for suctionable waste material obtained during the finishing of workpieces, which device forms a structural unit 4 with the work block. The workblock-vacuuming device unit 4 is arranged on the table 1 so as to be adjustable in height to a plurality of positions A, B, A1; whereby the vacuuming device 5 includes at least one vacuuming opening 8; 8A, 8B of which at least one is operative in the work position A associated with the work block 3 as a finishing area in the region of the work block, and in another position 36 of the workblock 3 as work position A1 associated as a finishing area, or in a work position B associated with the table plate 6 as a finishing area in the region of the other position 36 or of the table top or plate 6. 
     From FIGS. 1 through 12 there can be ascertained that the oblong shaped unit 4 is movable from an upper work position A, which is associated with the work block 3 as a finishing area, into a lower work position B which is associated with the table top or plate 6 as a finishing or work processing area, whereby the suctioning opening 8 of the vacuuming device 5 of the unit 4 is located in both work position A, B above the surface 7 of the table plate 6 which, for the remainder, is also valid for any given set intermediate positions of the unit 4. 
     As can be ascertained, the suctioning opening 8 of the vacuuming device 5 is oriented in a direction extending away from a person seated ahead of the front side 2 of the table towards the table plate 6. 
     In accordance with FIGS. 11 and 12, the unit 4 is movable into a stored position C located below the surface 7 of the table plate 6, for which purposes there is provided in either the table plate, or as illustrated below the table plate 6, a storage niche 9 in the worktable 1 for the receipt of the unit 4 in the stored position thereof. 
     The unit 4 can basically be locked in all work positions A, B, A1 and/or also in the stored position C, and also in any given set intermediate positions between A and B or between B and C. A special embodiment with regard to the locking of the unit 4 in the upper work position A is detailed further on hereinbelow in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. For effecting locking the of the unit there are provided special latching means. 
     In the embodiments pursuant to FIGS. 1 to 12, the unit 4 is connected with the table 1 through the intermediary of a parallelogram linkage arrangement 10, wherein the parallelogram linkage arrangement 10 consists of two parallelogram arms 11. The pivot points of the parallelogram arm 11 are identified by reference numerals 11a. 
     The unit 4 in the embodiments pursuant to FIGS. 1 through 12 is provided with a work repository 12 which, in the work positions A, B extends towards the suctioning opening 8, and which forms the work block 3 or a portion thereof, which forms the workpiece finishing area of the work block 3 and, additionally, can also serve as an intake guide for the vacuumable waste material into the vacuuming opening 8. For example, when the unit 4 is moved from the upper work position A into the lower work position B or into the stored position C, it is purposeful when, pursuant to FIGS. 9 and 10, the work repository 12 is movable into the unit 4 or, as illustrated, pivotable about a horizontal axis 13 into the unit 4. In the inoperative position B of the work repository 12 in which it pivoted into the unit 4, as well as in the work position E in which it is moved out of the unit, the work repository 12 can be locked in place with the aid of latching means, as is described in further detail hereinbelow. 
     The unit 4 consists of a housing 14 with a front side 15 which is open towards the table plate 6, and which is of such an opening height and width so that the working repository 12 is movable through the open front side into the housing. 
     Especially, when in accordance with FIGS. 11 and 12, the unit 4 is movable into a stored position C, in order to provide for space-savings, it is purposeful when the ends of the parallelogram linkage arrangement 10 facing towards the table 1 are linked with a pivot lever 17 which, in the work position A, B of the unit 4, has it supper end supported so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis 16 of the table 1, whereby the horizontal axis 16 and, consequently also the pivot lever 17, is supported so as to horizontally within elongated slots 18 in the table 1. 
     In accordance with FIGS. 9 and 10 the latching means which are provided for the locking of the unit 4 in the upper work position A, consists of a lever-like clamping element 19 which is movable from an inoperative position into a clamping position, and in the last-mentioned position will lock the parallelogram linkage arrangement 10 in its position relative to the unit 4; in effect will position and block. Thereby, the clamping element 19 is movable, in response to the action of a resetting element 20 which is constructed as a tension spring, into the clamping position which is associated with the upper work position A of the unit 4. In particular, for effecting the movement of the clamping element 19 into a non-clamping position in which the upper arm 11 of the parallelogram linkage arrangement 10 is released and which affords the movement of the unit 4 into the lower work position B, the clamping element 19 is provided with a handle 21 which is formed pin-like and which projects outwardly from the unit 4 through an arcuately extending slot 22 provided in one side wall of the housing 14. 
     As can be further ascertained, in particular from FIGS. 9 and 10, the latching means which are provided for the locking of the work repository 12 in the work position E in which it is pivoted out of the unit 4, incorporate a pivot lever 24 which is pivotable about a horizontal axis 23, which at its free end is provided with a pin-shaped engaging element 25 in the type of a sidewise projection for the locking and blocking engagement into a complementary engaging element 26 shaped as a type of detent for the work repository 12 in its work position E. Thereby, the pivot lever 24 has a resetting element 27 in the form of a tension spring associated therewith and which will retain it in the engaging position of its engaging element 26. For effecting the movement of its engaging element into the non-engaging position, the pivot lever 24 possess a handle 28 which is formed as a type of pin and projects outwardly from the unit 4 through a arcuately extending slot 29 which is provided in one side wall of the housing 14. 
     The work repository 12 has a shape of a bar which, at one end thereof, includes a bent portion 30 essentially upwardly pivoted at right angle in the work position E, and of which the free end is pivotable about the horizontal axis 13. Hereby, the complementary engaging element 26 is of the work repository 12 is located on the bottom side thereof at about the juncture with the bent portion 30. 
     In the embodiment pursuant to FIGS. 13 and 14 the unit 4 is movable from a work position A which is associated with a direct finishing area above the work block 3 into a lower work position A1 associated with the work block 3 as a direct workpiece finishing area; however with another surface thereof, whereby the vacuuming device 5 evidences two suctioning openings 8A, 8B which are settable to, respectively, one of the two work positions A, A1. The unit 4, or the housing 14 thereof, has an oblong shape. 
     From FIGS. 13 and 14 there can be further ascertained that the unit 4 is pivotable about a horizontal axle 31 provided on the table 1 from the one into another of the work positions A or A1. The unit 4 can be locked in at least in one of the two work positions A or A1. 
     The unit 4 possesses a housing 14 with a front side 15 which opens towards the table plate 6, and with an oppositely located open rear side 32 whereby, in the housing 14 there is supported a vacuuming funnel 33 which incorporates the two suctioning openings 8A, 8B so as to be pivotable in such a manner about a horizontal axis 34, that in the upper work position A the one of the two suctioning openings on the front side 15 of the unit 4 will be operative in the lower work position A1 and the other of the two suctioning openings operative at the rear side 32 of the unit 4. The vacuuming funnel 33, for the assumption of its two end pivoting positions associated with the work positions A, A1 of the unit 4; is pivotable with the respective suctioning opening 8A or 8B from out of the front side 15 or, respectively, out of the rear side 32 of the unit. 
     FIGS. 13 and 14, further illustrate that the oblong shaped unit 4 in its upper work position A will essentially extend upwardly, whereby the upper side 35 of the unit forms the workpiece finishing area, whereas the unit 4 in its lower work position A1 extends beyond the table top or plate 6, and with the edge of the open front side 15 is located on the surface 7 of the table plate, wherein an unopened portion 36 of the rear side of the unit forms the finishing area. In order to intensify the vacuum effect of the suctioning opening 8B in the lower work position A1 of the unit 4, the edge of the open front side 15 is provided with a sealing lip 37 which extends complete about the opening and which comes into contact with the surface 7 of the table plate. Hereby, the vacuuming funnel 33, in response to the action of a resetting element 38 which is constructed as a coil tension spring, can be pivoted out with its one suctioning opening 8B from the open front side 15 of the unit 4. The unit 4 can be locked in the positions A and A1 and, when required, in any intermediate positions, for example, by means of locking means. In the same manner can the vacuuming funnel 33 be locked in its two positions, as can be ascertained from FIGS. 13 and 14. 
     In order to render easier the movement of the unit 4, the suctioning opening 8 or 8A, 8B of the vacuuming device 5 can be connected with a, for example, telescopically constructed vacuum conduit or hose. It is more suitable when, as illustrated in the drawing, the suctioning opening 8 or 8A, 8B of the vacuuming device 5 for the unit 4 is connected with a flexible vacuum conduit 39 which, in turn, is connected to a vacuum connector 40 on the table 1. Hereby, the vacuum hose conduit 39 is constructed in the type of a bellows. 
     The vacuum connector 40 is connected with a source of vacuum, in the illustrated case with a suction motor 41 which is arranged on the table 1. 
     In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the vacuum connector 40 provided on a vacuum drawer 42 which is arranged in the table 1, which drawer, in turn, is provided with a suction motor. 
     The unit 4 can be detachably connected with the table 1; for example, by means of a socket plug connection.