EDVARDSSON, Stefan (Prästbordet 203, Bredbyn, S-895 30, SE)
Claims
1. Table system comprised of at least three table units whose table unit consists of a tabletop (5) with an upper side (6) and a lower side (7) as well as at least one edge (8) provided with at least one groove (11) with an essentially square or rectangular cross- section, whose table unit via the groove (11) and the spring (12) are designed to be joined with at least two other table units at essentially an equal level with the tabletop' s upper side (6) characterized by a combination of the following distinctive features:
- each respective table unit is designed to be temporarily locked to at least two other table units with at least two locking devices (10) consisting of eccentric locking shafts, whose eccentric locking shaft consists of an eccentric rod (14), which is flexibly linked to a first hook (15) and a second hook (16) which are placed so that they can be moved and steered by a guide rail (17),
- each respective table unit consists of at least one storage space (18) where the locking devices (10) can be stored when not in use,
- each respective table unit is designed to be provided with at least one hanging-down tablecloth .
2. Table system according to claim 1 characterized by that the locking devices (10) are linked with an unlocking unit with which all the locking devices (10) can be simultaneously released in a crisis situation.
3. Table system according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by that at least one table unit is provided with folding legs (20, 21).
4. Table system according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by that the table system consists of a table unit which allows for the non-incremental adjustment of the angle between table units. |
TABLE SYSTEM
Technical field
This invention consists of a table system comprised of at least three table units that are so designed that they can be combined with each other in a variety of ways to form one larger table surface. More specifically, the invention comprises a table system with at least three table units in accordance with the claims.
Technical background
In restaurants, at different kinds of events, in offices and schools and in other circumstances, there often is a need for putting several tables together to create one table surface adapted to specific requirements and the particular premises. However, when putting together several tables, a number of problems arise: The tables might drift apart, and there might be level differences between the table surfaces. These problems can give a less than professional impression and make it uncomfortable to sit at the tables.
Because tables that are placed together have a tendency to drift apart, they are also difficult to move or align. The problem is that they cannot be moved or aligned as one unit but must be moved one by one, in a time-consuming way. If the tables are connected to each other, they can be pulled and moved in one piece, thus facilitating the handling of tables and making it more efficient.
However, intercomiected tables can interfere with the emergency evacuation of a restaurant or other premises in the case of fire or other incidents necessitating fast and orderly evacuation. Applicable rules and regulations as well as common sense require restaurants or other premises to be able to be evacuated swiftly and safely in the case of fire or other life- threatening incidents. Thus, if tables connected to each other form a barrier of some sort, it would be advantageous if all these connections could be released quickly and easily in case of danger so as to open up several exit ways. It would be very time consuming if every connected table had to be unlocked at every connection in order to separate the different sections from one another. In emergency situations, every second saved is of great value for
saving human life and minimizing the risk of physical and mental harm. By utilizing a mechanism that allows for the unlocking of all table sections simultaneously this problem would be eliminated.
Prior Art
In order to come to terms with the above-mentioned problems, a number of designs have been developed. Thus, the Swedish patent document SE417236 describes a clamping device intended to prevent tabletops from drifting apart. This device solves the problem with the holding together of table units but does not make possible a flexible interconnection of several table units. Also, the interconnected table units cannot be taken apart swiftly to facilitate an emergency evacuation. Therefore, the device described in the above-mentioned patent specification differs substantially from the invention presented herein.
Patent document US6382109 describes a module system for the flexible shaping of a table surface. The module system comprises a number of table units of different shapes which can be connected to each other. A distinct feature of this design is a hexagonal rod-shaped unit (a so-called tongue) for aligning the tabletops so as to eliminate virtually all differences in height. The design also includes a clamping device for locking the table sections together. The design implies that the clamping device will be carrying the load of the table, not the tongue. This design differs substantially from the invention presented herein, in that the table units cannot be taken apart swiftly to facilitate an emergency evacuation of the premises where the table is located. Also, the table does not incorporate a space where the locking device can be stored when not in use. One more problem of the design, according to the patent document, is that the design cannot be assembled as easily by one person as the invention presented herein.
Patent document US6158358 describes a table system comprising, in essence, table units with pentagonal table surfaces. The document details the use of an eccentric clamping unit for locking together the table sections included in the table system. The design does not include a function for the automatic vertical alignment of the tabletops, which means that the floor must be level to ensure that the interconnected tabletops will be level. This design also differs substantially from the invention presented herein, in that the table units cannot be taken apart
swiftly. Also, the table does not incorporate a space where the locking device can be stored when not in use.
Brief description of the purpose behind the invention
The principal purpose of the invention presented herein is to achieve a substantial improvement of the above-mentioned inconveniences. This is obtained by means of a device consisting of the components specified in the claims.
The principal purpose of the invention can be divided into subpurposes, one of these being the creation of a system of tables consisting of a number of versions of standardized units which can be interconnected in a flexible and temporary way; another subpurpose being the creation of a table system consisting of several table units that can be temporarily locked to each other in a way that makes it possible to quickly take the table sections apart so as to substantially improve the safety of emergency evacuations; yet another subpurpose being the creation of a table system where the table sections can be assembled in such a way that there will be no differences in height between the table surfaces; and finally, the invention presented herein also has the purpose of creating a table system that can be placed into a space-saving stand.
Description of the invention
The invention presented herein will be further described below, complete with references to the enclosed sketches exemplifying the design of the invention in its preferably presented form.
Fig. 1 shows a table system in the invention's initial design.
Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of two tables being connected to each other. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of two interconnected tables.
Fig. 4 shows a locking device in the form of an eccentric shaft.
Fig. 5 and 6 show examples of spaces for storing the locking devices.
Fig. 7 shows a table unit fitted with folding legs.
Fig. 8 shows a table unit with a hanging-down tablecloth. Fig. 9 through 12 show alternative examples of interconnected table systems in accordance with the invention presented herein.
The table system according to the invention presented herein comprises at least two, but preferably at least three table units.
Fig. 1 shows a table system 1 comprised of three table units: 2, 3 and 4. The table units consist essentially of tabletop 5 with an upper side 6 and a lower side 7 as well as a number of edges 8. The tabletops in Fig. 1 have a rectangular shape. Within the scope of this invention, the tabletops can come in a wide range of shapes. They can, thus, be triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal or have any other shape as long as it enables the interconnection of the tabletops.
The table units 2 and 4 are each fitted with at least one leg 9 mounted to the underside of the tabletop. The legs can be screwed into the tabletop' s underside or fastened by using a different already existing method known to any expert in this field for attaching legs to tables. Table unit 3' differs from table units 2 and 4 principally in that table unit 3 has no legs. Table unit 3, thus, consists essentially of a tabletop.
To be able to hold them together and temporarily attach them to each other, the table units are interconnected by using at least one locking device 10. The locking device should preferably be some kind of eccentric locking shaft. As an alternative, different kinds of already known locking devices suitable for this purpose can be used.
Fig. 2 and 3 show the shape of the tabletop edges 8 as well as the interconnection of two tabletops in greater detail. The edges on the tabletops have essentially a 90-degree angle in relation to the upper side of the tabletop. At least one edge of the tabletop is provided with at least one groove 11. Preferably, all edges of the table should have at least one groove. The groove should preferably have a principally square or principally rectangular cross-section area, but can conceivably also have quite a different form. When joining the table units together, at least one connecting part 12, below called "tongue", will be placed into the groove on the first table as per Fig. 2. The tongue should be made of a polymer material, wood or other material suitable for this purpose. The second table is connected to the first one via the tongue 12. Thereafter, the table units are pressed together and aligned so that the table segments' edges will meet as shown in Fig. 3.
The tongue ensures that the interconnected tabletops' upper sides (surfaces) will essentially have the same height. The tongue has essentially a shape that coincides with the shape of the space formed by the grooves between two interconnected tables. The tongue is preferably
chamfered 13 so that it can easily be inserted into the groove. Its length is to be adapted to the depth of the groove so that the table edges can be pressed together without the tongue digging into the bottom of the groove. On the other hand, the tongue must be long enough to make the connection of the table units as efficient as possible.
Fig. 4 shows a preferred design of the locking device in the form of an eccentric shaft. This eccentric shaft consists primarily of an eccentric rod 14 flexibly linked to a first hook 15 and a second hook 16. The first and second hooks are placed so that they can be axially moved on the guide rail 17. The second hook and the guide rail are preferably made of one and the same piece of material. The guide rail is designed to keep the first and second hooks together so that they cannot twist in relation to each other, thus facilitating the handling and installation of the eccentric shaft. When operating the eccentric locking device, the eccentric shaft makes the first and second hooks move towards or away from each other. By operating the eccentric shaft, a force that pushes the table units together is generated via the first and second hooks.
The table units can be equipped with at least one storage space or holder for the eccentric shaft when this is not in use. Fig. 5 shows examples of storage facilities for eccentric shafts when these are not being used. The storage space 18 can be incorporated in the underside of the tabletop or, alternatively, the eccentric shaft (locking device) can be locked to the underside of the table, with or without some kind of reinforcement 19. Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a recessed storage space for the locking device consisting of an eccentric shaft. The eccentric shaft has been locked into a protruding device inside the recessed storage space. Thanks to this design, the storage of the locking device does not add any thickness to the tabletop. Thus, the eccentric shaft will not get caught on other table units or items when the table units are being handled, so that the units, when not used as an interconnected table system, are easy to handle and easy to store in a stand or the like. When storing the table units vertically in a stand, the groove 11 functions technically in such a way that its bottom is utilized as a sliding surface towards a vertically mounted groove. The length of the groove ensures that the edges will not come into direct contact with the bottom of the stand but only with the groove. The stand will be provided with a number of grooves at suitable intervals to prevent the sides of each table unit from coming into contact with the sides of other table units.
Fig. 7 shows a table unit fitted with legs designed to be folded out and in toward the tabletop. This design makes the table foldable. The table comprises a first leg 20 and a second leg 21 which, via at least one joint 22 per leg, are so designed that they can be twisted in relation to the tabletop. Between the lower table surface and the leg, there is an jointed rod 23 for propping up the table unit. The legs are preferably made in one piece by, for instance, pressing. The legs are shaped in such a way that their thickness in a folded position will be as limited as possible. This can be obtained by designing the legs so that they overlap.
The grooves in the table units can be utilized for the application of different types of items. Fig. 8 shows a table unit equipped with a hanging-down tablecloth 24 mounted into the grooves along the tabletop edges. The hanging-down tablecloth can be used to cover up the space under the table units. As an alternative, it can be used primarily for esthetic reasons. The hanging-down "cloth" can consist of fabric or a wooden panel or other material suitable for this purpose. If used as a tablecloth, this will substantially reduce the amount of laundry.
To facilitate a fast evacuation of the premises that the table system is being used in, the table system is fitted with an unlocking unit (not shown in the figures) which enables fast separation of all the table sections from each other. This function is obtained by a release device that enables all of the eccentric shafts to open up and loosen. It would be very time consuming if every connected table unit had to be unlocked at every connection in order to separate the different sections from each other. The simultaneous separation of all connected table units would be of great advantage in a crisis situation where immediate evacuation is necessary. A quick separation of table units will provide more time for the actual evacuation by opening up new paths for movement and thus reduce panic and injuries due to crowding in existing passageways.
This release device can, as an example shown in Fig. 9, consist of a wire or the like running from eccentric shaft to eccentric shaft. By pulling the wire, the locking devices open up so that the tables are set free from each other. The unlocking unit can comprise a function through which the wire or other will automatically be detached from the eccentric shafts (locking devices) after the eccentric shafts (locking devices) have opened up. When the eccentric shafts have released the tables, these can easily be pushed apart. As an alternative, a different technical solution suitable for this purpose can be applied, which enables the simultaneous release of the table sections from each other.
Fig- 9-12 show examples of differently shaped versions of table systems in accordance with the invention presented herein. Fig. 9 shows a table system which in essence can be assembled at infinitely variable angles by using a table unit that essentially consists of a circular tabletop 25. This circular segment is to be combined with a connecting section 26 designed to be connected (using tongue and groove) essentially freely along the radius of the circular segment. The connecting section features an inner radius on one of its long sides so that its shape is partly concave.
Fig. 10 shows interconnected table units fitted with edge segments. Edge segments are just like the table units connected via at least one groove, tongue and locking device. Fig. 10 shows three versions of edge segments. Two of these are rectangular, where only the lengths of the segments differ. One end of the table is fitted with a semicircular edge segment. The shape of the edge segments can vary considerably within the scope of this invention.
Fig. 11 shows a table system which exemplifies how the table units can be combined to form a table suitable to be used as a conference table or the like. The table consists of, besides earlier mentioned table units, further versions of differently shaped table units comprised by this invention. For example, table units are shown whose plane table surface (upper side) has the shape of a truncated cone, while the short sides are composed of pentagonal table units.
Fig. 12 shows another version of a table system, which once again illustrates the system's flexibility. This table system comprises, besides earlier mentioned versions of table units such as rectangular ones, also table units whose plane tabletops have the shape of a truncated cone with or without one side featuring a radius.
There are a number of advantages achieved by the invention presented herein. The invention makes possible a table system consisting of table units which, in the most flexible ways, can be combined to obtain table surfaces adapted to each individual need. With a table system according to this invention, no differences in the height of the tabletops' upper surfaces arise when the tables are interconnected.
The rectangular shape of the grooves 11 has the technical effect that the table can easily be assembled by one person. In addition, the rectangular shape of the grooves 11 combined with the shape of the tongues facilitates easy separation of the table units from each other when required. Also, the tongue-and-groove design implies that the table units that do not have legs
won't fall down to the floor as soon as the table sections are being released from each other via the unlocking unit (the tongues keeping the table units without legs in place). The release system also ensures that the tables can quickly be disconnected from each other in a situation that necessitates fast evacuation of the premises the table system is located in.
In the embodied example, the invention presented herein is being used as a table. Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that further applications will become apparent for experts in the field, all of which are included in this patent application. The present table system can be used in any other context requiring a surface which essentially has a different height from the floor or other surface the table system is standing on.
Even if certain preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications within the scope of this invention will be evident to experts in this field, which all are deemed to come under the claims specified below.