Abstract:
Free-standing table device wherein the table top ( 1 ) arranged in the horizontal plane, is double-hingedly connected to a frame ( 4 ) which is arranged to stand, possibly on wheels ( 5 ), on an underlying base.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application is the U.S. national stage application of International Application PCT/NO01/0000269, filed Jun. 25, 2001, which international application was published on Jan. 24, 2002 as International Publication WO 02/05683, The International Application claims priority of Norwegian Patent Application 20003338, filed June 27, 2000. 

   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention concerns a table revolvably arranged about two or more vertical axes. 
   Revolving tables, the purpose of which is to move the table top between several different positions relative to the table base, are not known in the art. Wall mounted and double-hinged shelves, particularly those employed as holders for computer monitors and television sets, are, however, known in the art. Within a relevant area of application, e.g. the use of computer equipment, wheeled tables and wheeled racks are used besides stationary tables. One disadvantage of wheeled tables consists in the table top not being easily swung out and over, for example, an armchair, this being due to the base frame of the table colliding with the base of the chair. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The objective of the invention is to remedy the negative sides of prior art. 
   In accordance with the invention, the objective is achieved by means of the features disclosed in the following description and in the subsequent patent claims. 
   A table top is connected to a base via a telescopic and revolvable foot. The base is revolvably attached to an underlying frame/wheel frame which may be provided with castors of the type used in, for example, office chairs. The foot is attached to the table top proximate one table top edge, and eccentrically to the base relative to the pivot axis of the base. Relative to the anchoring point of the foot, a balance weight is placed on the diametrically opposite side of the base. 
   The table design comprising a possible wheel-independent revolvable base, a foot-positioning proximate to the edge of the base and the table top, and also comprising a revolveable foot, allows for easy and substantially liberal swinging of the table top between any position within its reach, whether being centred over the base or extending out and over, for example, an armchair. An air spring as known per se being mounted between the table top and the base, is arranged to lock the telescopic function of the foot and to balance out any table load during the lifting and lowering of the table top. 
   The main parts of the table comprising a table top, a foot and a base, may be provided with openings for the feed-through of, for example, an electrical equipment cable. A locking device which limits the rotation angle of the table, prevents a potential cable from twisting. Advantageously, potential table wheels may be provided with brakes, thus rendering the table stable on the floor during movement of the table components. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following, a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment of the invention is described, which embodiment is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  displays in perspective the table in a pulled-in position; 
       FIG. 2  displays in perspective the table in a pulled-out position; and 
       FIG. 3  displays a vertical section through the table. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   On the drawings, the reference numeral  1  denotes a table top which proximate its one end portion is connected to a base  2  via a telescopic foot  3 . In a preferred embodiment, the base  2  is circular, but it may also exhibit a different external geometry. The telescopic foot  3  comprises an outer tube  31 , an inner telescopic tube  32 , a telescopic bearing  33  and a lever-controlled air spring  34  as known per se. The outer tube  31 , which is fixedly connected to the support frame  21  of the base  2 , is in its upper end portion fixedly connected to the telescopic bearing  33 , while the telescopic tube  32 , which is fixedly connected to the table top  1 , is movably arranged within the telescopic bearing  33 . The air spring is concentrically placed relative to the foot  3 , and its respective end portions are connected to the table top  1  and the support frame  21 . The bottom side of a wheel frame  4  is furnished with brake-provided castors  5  and the top side with ball housings  41 , both as known per se. The balls  42  of the ball housings  41  are placed in a circular groove  22  of the support frame  21  and form, together with the support frame  21 , a slew ring bearing. A flange-resembling ring  23  attached to the bottom side of the support frame  21  extends downward and partially underneath the wheel frame  4  and is arranged to prevent the groove  22  of the support frame  21  from being lifted up from the balls  42  during, for example, table transport. On the diametrically opposite side of the foot  3 , relative to the centre of rotation  24  of the base  2 , a plate-like balance weight  25  is placed within the base  2 . In this context, the balance weight  25  may consist of many components, and the mass is adapted to a predetermined maximum weight that the table top  1  can be loaded with while in the pulled-out position, see FIG.  2 . Also, aesthetic considerations dictate that the base  2  be provided with a cover plate  26  concealing the balance weight  25  and the support frame  21 . Furthermore, the base has dimensions greater than the wheel frame so that the base covers the wheel frame in all rotary positions of the base. A non-displayed cable may be fed from the bottom side of the base  2  to its top side through two openings  27 ,  28 , and to the top side of the table top  1  through an opening  36 , the void of the telescopic tube  32  and an opening  11 . 
   The table is wheeled into the desired position on the castors  5 . When regulating the height of the table top  1 , a lever  35  is operated which, in a conventional manner, releases the air spring  34 , such that the telescopic tube  32  may be moved within the telescopic bearing  33 . The table top  1  can revolve about the centre axis of the foot  3  and about the axis  24  of the base  2 , thus being arranged to assume within its reach, any position in the horizontal plane. Upon applying loads within allowable limits, the balance weight  25  prevents the table from tilting while being in a pulled-out position, see FIG.  2 .