Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ergonomically adapted working place for computer use and particularly to a piece of furniture for such a use.

Background of the Invention

The background of the invention is to be able to contain above all a display panel and a keyboard but also a computer and a printer in a closable piece of furniture that easily can be opened in order to constitute an ergonomically adapted computer workstation.

An ergonomic working place for a sitting user at a computer workstation comprises mutual geometrical conditions foremost between sitting height, eye- level, eye-distance to display panel, elbow height as well as forearm support. Additional factors that influence the ergonomics of such a working place are the dimensions of the equipment such as the height and depth of the display panel and also the depth of the keyboard. Furthermore, the need of a suitably located and screened working place illumination is of great importance.

In an open conventional computer workstation of the desktop type, it is essentially simpler to meet these geometrical conditions than when the same is included in, e.g., a bookcase with a bureau or escritoire function, i.e., having a raiseable and lowerable working leaf intended to entirely cover the opening of the case.

The problems that arise in this connection are that the raiseable and lowerable working leaf should be able to cover a larger surface than the functional depth of the leaf in the lowered position so that the eye-distances to the display panel should not exceed the recommended greatest distance. Furthermore, the effective height of said opening varies due to differently large display panel types, storage needs of different kinds of equipment such as a computer, a printer etc.

An additional problem that arises in large raiseable and lowerable working leafs is the great load in the horizontal plane of the hinge mechanism.

A previously known piece of furniture for the installation of a computer workstation is seen in US patent specification 4,861 ,121 , which publication discloses a piece of furniture the working surface of which can be folded out to carry a keyboard. Furthermore, the publication discloses a second foldable leaf intended to carry manuscript as well as a third upwardly foldable leaf to, together with the second leaf, make a monitor visible. This solution of a computer workstation is complicated and takes long time to get ready and put aside.

Furthermore, by DE utility model 29517831 , it is previously known to accommodate, e.g., computer equipment in a bureau-like piece of furniture having a downwardly foldable leaf and an upwardly raiseable and insertable leaf. This publication illustrates the problem where the lower leaf in the folded-out position makes that the seat becomes positioned too far from a display panel that is located inside the piece of furniture if the leaf should cover the entire opening.

The Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is to combine geometrically conditioned relationships of an ergonomic working place with space-saving functions.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a piece of storage furniture that easily and quickly can be altered from an inactive position into an active position.

Additional objects of the invention are that the piece of furniture according to the invention can be arranged in a modular system with simultaneous manoeuvring of several modules.

Summary of the Invention

By the present invention, as this is set forth in the independent claim, the above-mentioned objects are met wherein the mentioned disadvantages have been eliminated. Suitable embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention comprises, among other things, that a foldable working leaf of a piece of furniture is combined with an upper top leaf hinged in the upper edge and arranged to be folded in and out in the opposite direction in relation to the working leaf. The relationship between the height of the working leaf and the height of the top leaf in raised positions can be selected arbitrarily to achieve a desirable eye-distance to the display panel. Preferably, however, a greater working leaf in combination with a smaller top leaf is selected. The invention comprises furthermore an integration by means of a mechanical forced motion between the working leaf and the top leaf in the form of a link in order to eliminate a manual manoeuvring and locking of the top leaf in the end positions thereof.

The invention comprises furthermore a screened source of light located on the inside of the top leaf to obtain a working illumination for the movable lowerable working leaf as well as for the fixed leaf inside the piece of furniture.

In addition, the invention comprises a possibility of providing the link between the working leaf and top leaf with a bearing mounting adjustable in the vertical plane in order to arbitrarily be able to vary the range of motion of the top leaf as, for example, to change the direction of said source of light independently of the position of the working leaf.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a possibility of supplementing said working leaf with an additional mechanical link to guide, for example, a printer or other suitable peripheral equipment by force between the respective end positions.

According to the invention, said working leaf and/or said top leaf can be provided with side pieces the function of which is to connect said mechanical links as well as to constitute a mechanical stop for the folded-out position of the leaf/leaves to relieve the hinge mechanism in the horizontal plane.

The invention also comprises an embodiment that provides at least one of said two links with a suitable component to relieve the actuating force and speed of the motion guided by force, preferably a gas spring.

The invention concerns a piece of furniture for computer-related work. The piece of furniture is provided with side walls, which are connected with an upper connecting device, as well as with a relieving plate, an opening in the piece of furniture being formed between the side walls, the top and the relieving plate. Two doors are furthermore mounted at the opening, arranged to co-operate from the front to entirely close said opening. In addition, one of said two doors is a lower door, which is pivotably mounted around an essentially horizontal first spindle adjacent to the front edge of the relieving plate for motion outward of the upper edge of the lower door, and in addition an upper door is pivotably mounted around an essentially horizontal second spindle adjacent to the front edge of the upper connecting device for motion outward of the lower edge of the upper door. In this connection, the two doors are interconnected with motion transfer means so that the pivotal motions upon manoeuvring of the doors are arranged to occur simultaneously between a closed folded-in position, in which the doors lie in the same plane, and an open folded-out position.

One embodiment of the invention shows that said doors in the folded-out position are essentially parallel to each other, which gives the piece of furniture an advantageous plane front side with a minimal space requirement in the folded-in position.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that said motion transfer means consists of a rigid link lever located at the end of and connected to the lower door as well as to the upper door. This design shows the simplest one of transfer means, which may be straight, curved or angled.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that said motion transfer means consists of a gas spring located at the end of and connected to the lower door as well as to the upper door. These embodiments provide an advantageous smooth closing and opening of the doors as well as self-closing and self-opening, respectively, depending on the location of the fulcrums of the gas spring.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that said motion transfer means in addition, in combination with the gas spring, can consist of a rigid link lever located at the opposite respective end of the doors in relation to the gas spring and connected to the lower door as well as to the upper door. These embodiments provide a distinct motion by the rigid link lever as well as a softness of the motions by the gas spring.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that the fulcrums of said motion transfer means are located at a distance from the respective doors. The distance contributes to obtain suitable moment arms for the motions from a force- point of view as well as with regard to how the motions should take place.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that the lower and/or the upper door is provided with end wall portions perpendicularly located at the end of the respective door on which end wall portion a bearing mounting for said motion transfer means is located. These very end wall portions provide a wide possibility of placing the bearing mountings for an optimal function.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that the lower door covers more than half of the front opening while the upper door covers the rest of the front opening when the two doors are in the folded-in position. The matter of fact that the upper door is smaller than the lower door contributes to the ergonomics of the working place by the fact that the working leaf should not be so large that the operator becomes placed too far from the display panel and neither so small that the operator is obstructed in the work by the upper door. It is also desirable to be able to have a relatively large display panel located in the piece of furniture, which implies even greater doors with increasing problems unless the doors are divided according to the invention.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that the inside of said upper door is provided with a working illumination, which further improves the

ergonomics.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that a vertically adjustable bearing mounting is connected to said upper door and arranged to, independently of said motion transfer means, adjust the range of motion of the door for setting the direction of said working illumination. Also these embodiments contribute to an improved ergonomics.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that an upper case having at least one upper case door is located adjacent to said upper connecting device, second motion transfer means being arranged to open and close, respectively, said at least one upper case door when said lower door is manoeuvred. By this attachment part of the piece of furniture, additional stowage is provided to which access is given at the same time as to the main module of the piece of furniture.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that said second motion transfer means consists of a second rigid link lever, which provides a simple upgrade of the main module.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that a lower case having at least one lower case door is located adjacent to said relieving plate, third motion transfer means being arranged to open and close, respectively, said at least one lower case door when said lower door is manoeuvred. Analogously to the upper case module, this lower case module is manoeuvrable by means of the same manoeuvre, which in the corresponding way increases the simplicity of an upgrade of the main module.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that said third motion transfer means comprise a wheel intended to roll off on the inside of the lower case door to open the same. This design provides a smooth opening/closing of the door and gives in addition a great force by a long moment arm.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that said third motion transfer means comprise a displacement lever intended to actuate an extendable storage surface upon manoeuvring of the lower door. These embodiments provide a possibility of, e.g., a direct access of a printer in one and the same opening manoeuvre.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that the wheel and the displacement lever are located on a lower link means tumable around a link bearing in the lower case. This design provides a very compact and reliable mechanism since the link means handles both functions.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that a docking station for a laptop computer is coupled to the motion transfer means via a cam curve and a cam follower so that the docking station is angled in relation to the relieving plate when said lower door is manoeuvred. Also these embodiments of the invention are easily provided by the same opening manoeuvre.

Additional embodiments of the invention show that a container, e.g., a waste-paper basket, is coupled to the motion transfer means via a toggle joint mechanism so that the container is angled outward in relation to the piece of furniture when said lower door is manoeuvred. Also this supplementary module can easily be coupled to the main module of the piece of furniture as an option.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention show that one end of the motion transfer means is provided with a through slot in which a bearing spindle provided at one of the doors, preferably the lower door, for the motion transfer means is displaceably mounted. Such a slot contributes to delay the opening of one door, preferably the upper one, and to alter the length and angle of action of the motion transfer means.

In one of these embodiments, the lower door is provided with said bearing spindle.

Additional embodiments show that said slot is orientated parallel to the motion transfer means.

Additional embodiments show that a spring means is mounted between the motion transfer means and the bearing spindle so that the spring means exerts a force on the bearing spindle. The spring means may be formed as a rubber spring, or alternatively as a screw spring, mounted externally or internally in the slot.

Additional embodiments show that the force of the spring means acting on the bearing spindle is directed parallel to the direction of the slot.

Additional embodiments show that the direction of force of the spring means is orientated toward the opposite end of the motion transfer means, i.e., the bearing spindle is actuated by the spring force toward the middle of the motion transfer means.

Additional embodiments show that the direction of force of the spring means to the bearing spindle is orientated essentially perpendicular to the direction of the slot.

Additional embodiments show that the spring means is formed with a retention means for the bearing spindle, which implies that the bearing spindle is held in an intermediate position in the slot until the spring force is overcome and the bearing spindle slides further toward the end position of the slot.

In the embodiments shown in the figures having a motion transfer means including a slot, the same is located at the lower door. It is however feasible that the slot alternatively could be located at the upper door or at both doors.

In the embodiments having a coupled link including a locating groove between the movable working leaf and the door, the respective end positions of the leaf and the door can be exactly determined by the design and location of the link. For a certain design, the door will however open more or less before the leaf and, consequently, conversely close before the leaf. This results in obvious risks of crushing also upon normal handling.

Factors and relations that control this are foremost the depth of the leaf and door, the length and attachment points of the link as well as the angle relation of the link between the attachment of the link in the leaf and the horizontal spindle of the door in the hinges thereof.

This drawback with the risk of crushing and more difficult handling is eliminated by providing the link with a guiding groove/slot in one of or both the attachment points. The length of the guiding groove then determines at which delay the door should be opened and closed, respectively. By mechanically guiding this procedure by force, it is possible to ensure that the door opens and closes as intended also when the case deviates from its vertical line.

One method is, for example, to interconnect the spindle displaceable in relation to the groove and the link by an elastic element, as a suggestion a rubber ring. With the leaf in the closed position, then the rubber ring aims to open the leaf, which then can be easily counteracted by providing the leaf with some form of snap fastener or magnetic lock. The advantage is that the leaf automatically opens by the intended margin in relation to the door, as soon as the end position locking of the leaf ceases.

Another method is to replace said rubber ring by a mechanical spring, the forced closing of which of the door ceases when the leaf is closed, i.e., when the displaceable spindle is moved between the end positions of the groove.

A third method may be to skid the displaceable spindle by a suitable friction element.

An additional method to avoid serious risk of crushing, when the user grips around the upperside and underside of the leaf, is to angle the door past its vertical position, so that the small weight of the door in this position cannot cause crushing. The operating range of the link is then adapted to, with changed design of said spring, pull the door past the vertical line. When the displaceable spindle passes the spring to reach the end position of the guiding groove, the door can fall back into its vertical line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Now, the invention will be described in more detail, reference being made in connection with the accompanying drawing figures. The figures have been drawn in a schematic way to illustrate the invention in the best way.

Figure 1 shows in perspective a piece of furniture according to the

invention.

Figure 2 shows in front view the piece of furniture according to Fig. 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view with a side wall of the main module removed in a closed position according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 3 in a half-open position. Figure 5 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 3 in an entirely open position.

Figure 6 shows a side view with a side wall of the main module removed in a closed position according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 6 in a position where the opening of the lower door has begun. Figure 8 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 6 in a position where the opening of the upper door should begun. Figure 9 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 6 in a position where the opening of the upper door is half open. Figure 10 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 6 in a position where both doors are entirely opened.

Figure 11 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 6 in a position where the closing has begun.

Figure 12 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig. 6 in a position where the closing almost is finished.

Figure 13 shows a side view with a side wall of the main module removed in a position where the opening has begun according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig.

13 in a position where the opening of the lower door is half open.

Figure 15 shows a side view through the main module according to Fig.

13 in a position where both doors are entirely opened.

Figure 16 shows a side view with the side walls of the main module and two supplementary modules removed in a closed position according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 17 shows a side view through the main module and two

supplementary modules according to Fig. 16 in a position where the opening of the lower door is half open.

Figure 18 shows a side view through the main module and two

supplementary modules according to Fig. 16 in a position where all doors are entirely opened. Figure 19 shows a perspective view through the main module with a side and one end wall portion of the respective doors removed in a half-open position according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 20 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 19 in an entirely open position.

Figure 21 shows a perspective view through the main module and a lower module from the back side with parts removed in a closed position according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 22 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 21 in an entirely open position.

Figure 23 shows a seventh embodiment through the main module with a slotted link lever in a view corresponding to the one in Fig. 3. Figure 24 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 23 in a position where the opening has begun or where the closing is about to be finished.

Figure 25 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 23 in a position where the opening has advanced or where the closing has begun. Figure 26 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 23 in a position where the opening has been completed.

Figure 27 shows an eighth embodiment through the main module with a slotted link lever in a view corresponding to the one in Fig. 3. Figure 28 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 27 in a position where the opening has begun or where the closing is about to be finished.

Figure 29 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 27 in a position where the opening has advanced or where the closing has begun. Figure 30 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 27 in a position where the opening has been completed.

Figure 31 shows a ninth embodiment through the main module with a slotted link lever in a view corresponding to the one in Fig. 3. Figure 32 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 31 in a position where the opening has begun or where the closing is about to be finished. Figure 33 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 31 in a position where the opening has advanced or where the closing has begun.

Figure 34 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 31 in a position where the opening has been completed.

Description of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention wherein a piece of furniture 1 is formed with a main module HM and a floor module GM. The main module of the piece of furniture is provided with side walls 2, 3, which are connected with an upper connecting device 4 in the form of a top of the module. Furthermore, a relieving plate 5 is arranged in the module to carry, for instance, a display panel 6. Accordingly, an opening 7 is formed in the main module of the piece of furniture between the side walls, the top and the relieving plate. In order to allow closing of the opening 7, a lower door 8 as well as an upper door 9 is pivotably mounted around an essentially horizontal spindle 10, 11 each. The first spindle 10 is located at the front edge of the relieving plate 5 so that the upper edge of the lower door 8 is turned outward and downward when the door is opened. The second spindle 11 is located at the front edge of the connecting device 4 so that the lower edge of the upper door is turned outward and upward when the door is opened. The lower door 8 and the upper door 9 cover together the opening 7 entirely when the two doors are closed. As is seen in Fig. 1 , the two doors 8, 9 are interconnected with a motion transfer means 12 in the form of a rigid link, one end 13 of which is pivotably mounted in an end wall portion 14 connected to the upper door 9. The other end 15 of the link is pivotably mounted in an end wall portion 16 connected to the lower door 8. Both end wall portions are perpendicularly mounted to the end of the respective door. Also the opposite ends of the doors are provided with the corresponding end wall portions 17, 18. Fig. 1 also shows that the floor module GM is provided with storage spaces, which can be closed by doors 19.

Fig. 2 shows the piece of furniture 1 according to Fig. 1 straight from the front, the display panel 6 that is located on the relieving plate 5 being fully visible through the opening 7 when the doors are entirely folded-out. However, should the piece of furniture lack the essential motion transfer means 12 and the upper door be lowered, the field of vision will be limited, which is illustrated by the horizontal clashed line in the figure. Naturally, the field of vision becomes even more limited if a greater display panel than the one shown in the figure is used. The proportion in size that is shown between the upper and the lower door is selected with regard to the vertical size of the opening 7 as well as to the size of the lower door 8 that should be fixed in size for the best distance to the display panel 6. Should the lower door 8 have a size that covers the entire opening, no upper door would be needed, but this would mean that the distance between a user's eye and the display panel surface becomes too great for the working distance at an

ergonomically optimal working place. Alternatively, the display panel should be moved out toward the operator after opening of the doors, which involves an unnecessary working moment. This is the reason why the closing of the opening 7 is made by two doors. The figure shows furthermore that a working illumination 21 can be located on the inside of the upper door 9. This illumination can be arranged for lighting when the door is opened. By the selection of the motion transfer means 12, the opening angle of the upper door can be selected so that, e.g., the illumination is screened by an upper door not being entirely open when the lower door is entirely open, i.e., when the surface thereof is parallel to the surface of the relieving plate. This illumination is also screened off from the display panel surface. The figure also shows that the motion transfer means 12 is located only on the inside of one of the sides of the main module. Naturally, it is also possible to place a similar motion transfer means on the other side to get symmetry of the force generation upon opening and closing.

Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the invention in an entirely folded-in position. The motion transfer means 12 consists of a rigid link, which in the upper end 13 is journalled in the end wall portion 14 for turning around a first bearing spindle 31. The bearing spindle is located near the inside of the upper door 9 and near the lower edge 32 thereof. In the lower end 15, the link is journalled in the end wall portion 16 of the lower door 8 for turning around a second bearing spindle 33. This second bearing spindle is located further from the inside of the lower door 8 than the location of the distance of the first bearing spindle to the inside of the upper door 9 to provide an optimal opening motion of the upper door when the lower door is opened manually.

Fig. 4 shows the corresponding embodiment as in Fig. 3 but where the opening has advanced halfway. The lower door 8 has been folded out in the direction of the arrow whereby the motion transfer means 12 has pressed up the upper door 9 into a half-open position. During this opening motion, stop members 41 located on the lower door have stabilized the motion in the end position thereof by sliding in a guiding groove 42 in the side wall 3 corresponding to the stop member 41 and abutting against the upper end position of the guiding groove.

Fig. 5 shows the embodiment according to Figs. 3 and 4 in the entirely open position, the motion transfer means 12 compulsory having pressed up the upper door 9 into the entirely open position in which the upper door 9 and the lower door 8 have assumed positions that involve that the doors are parallel to each other and also parallel to the connecting device 4 and the relieving plate 5. The stop member 41 acts as a stop for further motion of the lower door 8 by the stop member abutting against the end of the guiding groove 42.

By selecting the length of the motion transfer means 12 and the location of the bearing mountings thereof, the opening angle of the upper door can be determined and thereby a possible screening of a working illumination mounted on the door can be determined.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a motion transfer means 62 according to the invention. For the sake of simplicity, the same numeral

designations are used for the other parts of the module as have been used in Figs. 3-5 in spite of the fact that a second embodiment will now be described. In this embodiment, the motion transfer means 62 is a gas spring, which in the figure is almost entirely compressed, the gas spring acting by a closing torque on both doors 8, 9 by the two lines of action VL1 , VL2 of the gas spring running inside the spindles 10, 11 of the two doors, closing moment arms being formed between the lines of action and the respective spindle 10, 11. Upon opening, this closing torque should accordingly be overcome by an opening force being imparted to the lower door 8. In this embodiment, the end wall portion 16 of the lower door is also provided with an opening driving roller 63 and a closing driving roller 64, the function of which two rollers will be described in more detail under Figs. 8-12.

Fig. 7 shows the second embodiment in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 has begun manually and the gas spring 62 has been

compressed, the line of action VL1 just having passed the spindle 10 of the lower door, whereby the gas spring will expand and open the door without further manual actuation. Still, a closing torque acts on the upper door 9. Fig. 8 shows the second embodiment in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 has advanced further from the position that is shown in Fig. 7 by the opening driving roller 63 having reached up to the gas spring 62 and pressing against the same, an opening torque being applied to the upper door 9. This opening torque is sufficiently great to compress the gas spring back as well as to overcome the closing torque of the gas spring on the upper door. The opening torque can be obtained, e.g., by manually actuating the lower door or by giving the lower door a sufficiently great dead load.

Fig. 9 shows the second embodiment in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 has advanced further from the position that is shown in Fig. 8 and where the upper door has been opened slightly more than halfway. The driving roller 63 has pressed the upper end of the gas spring 62 outward and been compressed but simultaneously opened the upper door 9. In the shown position, the upper door has just obtained an opening moment arm for the gas spring, whereby the same will continue the opening without further external action.

Fig. 10 shows the second embodiment in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 has been completed, the gas spring 62 keeping the two doors 8, 9 open. The stop member 41 of the lower door 8 has impinged on a stop in the guiding groove 42, which defines the end position of the door. Correspondingly, the upper door 9 has impinged on a stop that defines the end position of this door. The latter end position may also be defined by the end position of the gas spring 62.

Fig. 11 shows the second embodiment in a position where the closing of the lower door 8 has begun and the door has been folded manually inward into a position where the gas spring 62 has been compressed and where the closing driving roller 64 begins a displacement of the upper end of the gas spring 62 so that the upper door 9 begins closing.

Fig. 12 shows the second embodiment in a position where the closing of the upper door 9 has advanced halfway, the gas spring 62 having been further compressed and the line of action VL2 thereof passing on the inside of the turning spindle 11 of the upper door 9. In this connection, a closing torque acts both on the upper door 9 and on the lower door 8. In the next position, the doors are entirely closed, which is shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 13 shows a third embodiment of the invention in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 has begun. This third embodiment comprises as motion transfer means a rigid link lever 12 in combination with a gas spring 62. The figure shows, for the sake of lucidity, that said motion transfer means both are mounted across with their lower fulcrums on the same end wall portion and with their upper fulcrums also on the same end wall portion. A more suitable design is however that the gas spring 62 is located at one side of the module while the rigid link 12 is located at the other side of the module. According to the embodiment, the link 12 provides a fixed coupled motion between the doors 8, 9 while the gas spring 62 provides a partly self-closing, a partly self-opening force as well as that it in addition provides a damping motion by it having an inherent inertia in the motions. Taken together, this embodiment provides a smooth opening and closing of the doors as well as the possibility of selecting the ejection speed depending on the selection of gas spring. In the position shown in the figure, the gas spring 62 provides a closing torque on both doors by the fact that the lower line of action VL1 of the gas spring and the line of action VL2 of the gas spring lie inside the turning spindle 10, 11 of the respective door.

Fig. 14 shows the third embodiment in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 has advanced so far that the lines of action VL1 , VL2 of the gas spring 62 just have passed the two axes of rotation 10, 11 , the gas spring 62 exerting an opening torque on the two doors 8, 9. In this connection, the continued opening will be effected only by the accumulated force of the gas spring into the entirely open position of the two doors 8, 9. During the entire opening motion and a subsequent closing motion, the fixed link 12 defines a determined relationship between the doors.

Fig. 15 shows the third embodiment in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 as well as the upper door 9 has been completed and where both doors have assumed a parallel position to both the connecting device 4 and the relieving plate 5.

Fig. 16 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein a main module HM according to the first embodiment according to Figs. 1-5 has been combined with a floor module GM and a top module TM in the form of an upper case. The upper case is provided with an upper flap door 161 and a lower flap door 162, which is connected to a top module link 163 one end of which is pivotably mounted in a link bearing 164 in the lower flap door 162. The link extends through a slot in the connecting device 4 down into the main module HM, the other end of the link being pivotably mounted in an end wall portion bearing 165 in the end wall portion 16 of the lower door 8. By this design, an embodiment according to anyone of the embodiments described above may be supplemented with an upper case the opening/closing of which is manoeuvred simultaneously with the opening/closing of the main module. The figure also shows a floor module GM, which is provided with a pull-out drawer 166 and a raiseable case door 167. The pull-out drawer 166 and the case door 167 are manoeuvred simultaneously via a lower link 168 pivotably mounted around a lever spindle 169 in the end wall portion of the floor module. The lower link 168 is provided with three levers the first lever 171 of which is connected to a connecting link 170, one end of which is pivotably mounted in said first lever and the other end of which is pivotably mounted in the end wall portion 16 of the lower door 8, the connecting link extending through a slot in the relieving plate 5. In doing so, also this lower link is turned upon a manoeuvring of the lower door 8. In its outer end, the second lever 172 of the lower link 168 is provided with a wheel 173, which is intended to roll off against the inside of the case door in order to raise the door when the link 168 is turned. The third lever 174 of the lower link co-operates with a coupling member 175 connected to the pull-out drawer to provide an ejecting motion of the pull-out drawer 166 when the link 168 is turned so that a storage surface 176 in the drawer becomes accessible.

Fig. 17 shows the fourth embodiment of the invention in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 has begun. As is seen in the figure, by the rigid link lever 12, also the upper door 9 in the main module has begun to open according to what has been previously described. Furthermore, by the top module link 163, also the upper and the lower flap door 161 , 162 have begun to open. Simultaneously, by the lever spindle 169 and the lower link 168, both the pull-out drawer 166 and the case door 167 have begun to open. Accordingly, all opening functions of the entire piece of furniture are controlled simultaneously by the lower door 8 according to this embodiment.

Fig. 18 shows the fourth embodiment of the invention in a position where the opening of the lower door 8 and accordingly the upper door 9 has been completed. Also the opening of the upper and the lower flap door 161 , 162 has been completed and also the opening of the pull-out drawer 166 and the case door 167 has been completed. As shown in the figure, all doors or door parts in the entirely open position have assumed parallel positions to each other and also to both the connecting device 4 and the relieving plate 5.

Even if the fourth embodiment shows a main module having doors and motion transfer means of the type that has been described in Figs. 1-5, an alternative main module having motion transfer means according to Figs. 6-12 or according to Figs. 13-15 may be used together with the described top module and/or the described floor module with the motion transfer means thereof according to Figs. 16-18.

Fig. 19 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention wherein a main module HM having a motion transfer mechanism according to the first embodiment according to Figs. 1-5 has been combined with a docking station 190 for a computer 189 of the laptop type. Such a docking station has usually a depth that exceeds the depth of the main module, and therefore the docking station is made with a support part 191 that is arranged to be possible to be angled inside the module when the doors 8, 9 thereof are closed and be angled back into a planar position when the doors are opened. The support part 191 is provided with a cam follower 192 that is provided with a roller and guided in a cam groove 193 located in the end wall portion 16 of the lower door 8. In the position shown in the figure, the support part 191 is on its way to be angled down toward the relieving plate 5 and simultaneously be pulled out a bit from the module.

Fig. 20 shows the fifth embodiment of the invention in a position where the lower door 8 is entirely folded out and where the support part 191 of the docking station has assumed a planar position essentially parallel to the door. The figure also shows that the support part with the computer has been pulled out a bit to allow it to assume a planar position in the module. In the embodiment, the motion transfer mechanism 12 between the upper door 9 and the lower door 8 is a rigid link according to what has been described in Figs. 1-5, but it can also be made according to anyone of the other embodiments shown.

Fig. 21 shows a sixth embodiment of the invention, for the sake of clarity shown from the inside of a main module HM and a floor module GM with the parts unessential for the description dismounted. According to this embodiment, the floor module GM is provided with an outwardly foldable flap door 210 mounted for turning around a folding spindle 211 at the lower edge of the door. On the inside of the door, a container 212, e.g., in the form of a waste-paper basket, is mounted, which accordingly, via the door, can be folded out and in, respectively, by a lower link lever 213 being fixedly connected with the door 210. An upper link lever 214 is with one end thereof pivotably connected to the lower link lever 213, while the other end thereof is pivotably connected to the end wall portion 16 of the lower door 8 of the main module HM.

Fig. 22 shows the sixth embodiment of the invention in an entirely folded- out position, i.e., the lower door 8 has been folded out and thereby the upper link lever 214, which is journalled in the end wall portion 16 of the door, has pulled the lower link lever 213 upward, the flap door 210 with the container 212 having been folded outward and made accessible from the activated working place. The two link levers work accordingly as a toggle joint mechanism.

Also this sixth embodiment shows that the motion transfer mechanism 12 between the upper door 9 and the lower door 8 is formed as a rigid link according to what has been described in Figs. 1-5, but it can also be made according to anyone of the other embodiments shown. The sixth embodiment may also be combined with anyone of the embodiments described above.

The following three shown embodiments show motion transfer means having a link lever that is provided with a slot in which a bearing spindle of one door is mounted to slide.

Fig. 23 schematically shows a seventh embodiment of the invention wherein the upper door 9 is outwardly tumable around the horizontal spindle 11 thereof in relation to the connecting device 4. Adjacent to the lower edge of the door 9, one end of a link lever 120 is connected to a first spindle journal 130. The other end of the link lever is provided with a slot 230 in which a second spindle journal 150, mounted on an end wall portion 160 of the lower door 8, can slide along the entire length of the slot 230 from its shown first end position to its second end position.

Fig. 24 shows a position where the door 8 in Fig. 23 begins to open, the second spindle journal 150 having slid to the second end position of the slot 230, while the link lever 120 still being in its starting position. Accordingly, the lower door 8 begins to open while the upper door 9 still is closed to avoid risks of crushing at the opening. Fig. 25 shows a position where the opening of the door 8 has advanced further, the spindle journal 150 in the second end position of the slot 230 displacing the link lever 120 so that also the upper door 9 begins to open.

Fig. 26 shows the end position of the opening motion where the door 8, i.e., the working leaf, has assumed a position where the upper surface 261 of the relieving plate 5 lies in the same plane as the upper surface 262 of the working leaf 8. In doing so, a stopper 263 on the end wall portion 160 has impinged on a stop 264 on the piece of furniture. As is seen in the figure, the link lever 120 has assumed a vertical position and opened the upper door 9 maximally into a position where its opening angle exceeds the opening angle of the lower door 8. This allows a view into the piece of furniture also for long persons.

The closing of the doors are effected when the lower door is being closed, the motions taking place in the opposite direction. The motions of the link lever can be controlled by the selection of the friction inertia in the slot of the link lever and its bearing mounting in the upper door as well as the bearing mounting of the upper door.

Fig. 27 schematically shows an eighth embodiment of the invention having the corresponding parts as have been shown and described in Fig. 23, i.e., also this embodiment comprises an upper door 9 outwardly tumable around the horizontal spindle 11 thereof in relation to the connecting device 4. Adjacent to the lower edge of the door 9, one end of a link lever 120 is connected to a first spindle journal 130 also in this embodiment. The other end of the link lever is provided with a slot 230 in which a second spindle journal 150, mounted on an end wall portion 160 of the lower door 8, can slide along the entire length of the slot 230 from its shown first end position to its second end position. In this embodiment, a spring means 271 is mounted between a spring pin 272 situated on the link lever 120 and the second spindle journal 150. The spring means is formed as a rubber ring, which provides a force on the spindle journal directed parallel to the slot toward the middle of the link lever. The spring means may also be formed in other ways than the one shown in the figure, e.g., as a spring located inside the slot and having the corresponding force action and direction on the spindle journal 150.

Fig. 28 shows a position where the door 8 in Fig. 27 begins to open, the second spindle journal 150 having slid to the second end position of the slot 230 partly by means of the spring means 271 , while the link lever 120 still being in its starting position. Accordingly, the lower door 8 begins to open while the upper door 9 still is closed to avoid risks of crushing at the opening.

Fig. 29 shows a position where the opening of the door 8 has advanced further, the spindle journal 150 in the second end position of the slot 230 displacing the link lever 120 so that also the upper door 9 begins to open. The spring means 271 acts by a force against the spindle journal 150.

Fig. 30 shows the end position of the opening motion corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 26 where the door 8, i.e., the working leaf, has assumed a position where the upper surface 261 of the relieving plate 5 lies in the same plane as the upper surface 262 of the working leaf 8. The stopper 263 and the stop 264 on the piece of furniture are also shown in the figure. As is seen in the figure, the link lever 120 has assumed a vertical position and opened the upper door 9 maximally into a position where its opening angle exceeds the opening angle of the lower door 8. This allows a view into the piece of furniture also for long persons. Upon the closing of the door 8, the position shown in Fig. 29 is assumed again, the spring means 271 pressing on the spindle journal so that the same is held against one end position of the slot 150. Upon further closing motion, the position in Fig. 28 will be assumed, the spring pin 150 stretching the spring means further and the closing motion being finished with the position in Fig. 27.

Fig. 31 schematically shows a ninth embodiment of the invention having the corresponding parts as have been shown and described in Fig. 23, i.e., also this embodiment comprises an upper door 9 outwardly turnable around the horizontal spindle 11 thereof in relation to the connecting device 4. Adjacent to the lower edge of the door 9, one end of a link lever 120 is connected to a first spindle journal 130 also in this embodiment. The other end of the link lever is provided with a slot 230 in which a second spindle journal 150, mounted on an end wall portion 160 of the lower door 8, can slide along the entire length of the slot 230 from its shown first end position to its second end position. In this embodiment, a spring means 371 is mounted around a spring pin 372 situated on the link lever 120. The spring means is formed as a screw spring, which provides a force on the spindle journal directed perpendicular to the slot. The spring means is formed with a spring tab 310, which is formed to hold the spindle journal 150 in a second end position in the slot 230 as long as the spring force acts on the spindle journal 150. When the spring force is exceeded, the position shown in the figure is assumed. Fig. 32 shows a position where the door 8 in Fig. 31 begins to open, the second spindle journal 150 having slid to the second end position of the slot 230 and been snapped-in under the spring tab 310 in a bending intended therefore, while the link lever 120 still being in its starting position. Accordingly, the lower door 8 begins to open while the upper door 9 still is closed to avoid risks of crushing at the opening.

Fig. 33 shows a position where the opening of the door 8 has advanced further, the spindle journal 150 in the second end position of the slot 230

displacing the link lever 120 so that also the upper door 9 begins to open. The spring means 271 acts by a force against the spindle journal 150, the same being fixed in the end position of the spring tab 310 of the spring means as long as the spring force is capable of this.

Fig. 34 shows the end position of the opening motion corresponding to the positions shown in Figs. 26 and 30 where the door 8, i.e., the working leaf, has assumed a position where the upper surface 261 of the relieving plate 5 lies in the same plane as the upper surface 262 of the working leaf 8. The stopper 263 and the stop 264 on the piece of furniture are also shown in the figure. As is seen in the figure, the link lever 120 has assumed a vertical position and opened the upper door 9 maximally into a position where its opening angle exceeds the opening angle of the lower door 8. This allows a view into the piece of furniture also for long persons. Upon the closing of the door 8, the position shown in Fig. 33 is assumed again, the spring means 371 pressing on the spindle journal so that the same is held against one end position of the slot 150. Upon further closing motion, the position in Fig. 32 will be assumed, the spring pin 150 upon further motion beginning to leave the spring tab of the spring means and the closing motion being finished in the position shown in Fig. 31.

In all shown embodiments, magnetic locks or snap fasteners may hold one or both doors in the closed position thereof. Such locks may also be used to hold one or both doors in the entirely open position.

In the embodiments having spring means, a mechanically forced motion of the mechanism is provided, which implies that it is possible to ensure that the door opens and closes as intended also when the piece of furniture deviates from its vertical line