DE10118496A1 - Folding table for installation on back of seat in road vehicle or aircraft incorporates top or bottom surface forming monitor for computer display system - Google Patents

Abstract

One surface (7) of the table (5) forms the monitor screen (27). The monitor screen may form the top or the bottom surface when the table is placed in its horizontal in-use position. One edge, typically a long edge, of the rectangular screen is hinged to a mounting on the back of the seat and the table, with the screen in the bottom surface, may be swung up from the horizontal to just past the vertical position.

Description

The invention relates to a folding table with a Table top and a monitor according to the preamble of Claim 1.

Folding tables of the type mentioned here are knows, for example from the motor vehicle area or aircraft-related. at the design of the folding table as a screen In many cases, the job has been an expense result in structure.

The object of the invention is therefore a folding to create table of the type mentioned, the through a simple and space-saving construction distinguished.

To solve this task, a folding table is in front struck the Merkma mentioned in claim 1 le and includes a table top. He draws is characterized by the fact that one of the surfaces of the Tabletop forms the monitor. So it is possible Lich, a very space-saving construction to reali that are easily stowed and therefore also in Sitting of vehicles can be accommodated.

Further configurations result from the rest against subclaims.

The invention is based on the drawing nations explained in more detail. Show it:

Figure 1 shows a folding table in the unfolded state as a work surface.

Fig. 2 is a folding table in the unfolded state in monitor mode;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the Klappti cal in the expanded state;

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view from FIG. 3;

Fig. 5 and 6 show further detailed views and

Fig. 7 the folding table in the closed state.

Fig. 1 shows a folding table 1 , which is in a first functional position and forms a working surface. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the folding table 1 is integrated into the backrest 3 of a vehicle - here a motor vehicle.

The folding table 1 comprises a table top 5 with egg ner in the working position shown here upward-facing first surface 7 , which serves as a work surface. The folding table 1 comprises, in addition to the one base body 9 , to which the table top 7 is attached and which is mounted in the backrest 3 so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis 11 . The first pivot axis 11 is indicated here by a dash-dotted line.

From the view in Fig. 1 it can be seen that the table top 5 of the illustrated working position and pivoted down in egg ne recess 13 is introduced, the backrest into Rue is introduced 3 and receives the table top 5. Preferably, the inner contour of the recess 13 is adapted to the outer contour of the table top 7 so that between the table top 5 and the backrest 3 in the folded-down state, a small gap becomes visible.

The base body 9 protrudes, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, here as an extension of the table top 5 into the backrest 3 .

Fig. 2 shows the folding table 1 in a second functional position. The same parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that reference is made to the description of FIG. 1.

It can be seen from this illustration that the table top 5 is connected to the base body 9 via a holding device 15 . This comprises two bars 17 and 17 'connected to the base body 9 , which are provided on their end facing away from the base body 9 with an articulation device 19 and 19', respectively, which pivot the table top 5 relative to the bars 17 and 17 'and thus opposite the base body 9 allowed. FIG. 2 shows that the table top 5 can be pivoted clockwise relative to the bars 17 , 17 ', as indicated by an arrow 21 . Thus, the table top 5 finally rests with the surface 7 hidden here on the back 23 of the backrest 3 .

The now facing the viewer second upper surface 25 of the table top 5 comprises a monitor 27 , which essentially makes up the entire area of the second surface 25 of the table top 5 .

The monitor 27 can be designed as an LCD (liquid crystal display) and / or as a TFT (thin film transistor) display area. It is therefore possible to combine different display areas with one another or to configure the entire monitor 27 in one of the two techniques. Finally, it is possible to design the monitor 27 as a touch screen.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the folding table 1 in side view. The same parts are again provided with the same reference numerals, so that in this respect reference is made to the explanations relating to FIGS . 1 and 2.

With solid lines, the folding table 1 or be given its table top 5 in its first functional position shown in FIG. 1 again. So here the first surface 7 serves as a work surface. Dashed in the interior of the table top 5, the holding device 15 can be seen , which comprises a rod 17 facing the viewer here, which extends from the base body 9 and comprises an articulation device 19 at its end facing away from the base body 9 . A holding rod 29 running inside the table top 5 is provided on the hinge device 19 . Correspondingly, a further holding rod of this type is provided on the joint 19 ′ on the side facing away from the viewer, which is covered here in FIG. 3. The holding rod 29 serves to hold the table top 5 securely on the base body 9 and to anchor it in a rotationally fixed manner. The rotationally fixed mounting of the table top 5 results from the fact that, in the first functional position, the rod 17 as well as the articulation device 19 and the holding rod 29 are arranged inside the table top 5 . A pivoting movement of the holding rod 29 relative to the rod 17 in the area of the Ge steering device 19 is therefore not possible.

The holding device 15 forms with the table top 5 of the folding table 1, a slide bearing 31 by the rod 17 , the hinge device 19 and the Hal testab 29 are accommodated in a hole bored into the table top 5 . It is therefore possible to shift the table top 5 in the direction of the rods 17 , 17 'or the holding rods 29 relative to the base body 9 , which is indicated by an arrow 33 . The table top 5 may be displaced from the base body 9 to the right, then, until finally the joint device 19 is exposed, and the holding rod 19 is pivotally bar relative to the rod 17, which is indicated by the arrow 21st The table top 5 can, after it has been shifted to the right, which is shown in dashed lines, here pivoted counterclockwise upwards until it rests against the back 23 of the backrest 3 . The finally given Ar beit position of the table top 5 is shown here in dash-dotted lines in Fig. 3. Dashed lines indicate that the table top 5 can be secured in this position by a holder 35 on the backrest 3 , for example by providing magnetic areas in the backrest 3 and in the table top 5 . However, it is also conceivable to provide a lock in the area of the articulation device 19 in order to hold the table top 5 in the second working position, which is also shown in FIG. 2.

The pivoted in the second working position table top 5 can be further in the direction of the Haltestä, of which here the holding rod 29 is visible, are shifted. This results in a simple adjustment of the height of the table top 5 or of the monitor 27 facing a viewer in the second working position.

The locking of the table top 5 on the Haltestä ben can be realized in a suitable manner, for example by provided on the support rods ne recesses and elevations, which cooperate with a corresponding engaging means. By designing one of the elevations or indentations as an end stop, the maximum path by which the table top 5 is displaceable in the slide bearing 31 can also be determined. That is, an accidental or improper removal of the table top 5 , so that the table top 5 would be completely separated from the holding device 15 , is thus effectively avoided. It is also conceivable to provide a stepped bore with two diameters in the slide bearing 31 , where the larger bore diameter is to be provided on the side facing away from the backrest 3 . An engagement means located on at least one holding rod 29 realizes the end stop at the step between the smaller drilling diameter and the larger drilling diameter. It is evident after all that the table top 5 can cooperate with an arbitrarily designed end stop. But it is also possible in the bores in which the holding rods 29 slide, spring elements einbring gene, apply the frictional forces to keep the table top 5 and the monitor 27 in the desired height. Finally, it is also conceivable to fix the table top 5 at a desired height by means of the magnetic regions of the holder 35 .

From Fig. 3 it can be seen that the folding table 1 comprises a locking device 37 which cooperates with the base body 9 here. It has for example a here in the vertical direction, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the extension of the backrest 3 movable locking body 39 , which on the left, the table top 5 facing away from the base body 9 exerts a force indicated by an arrow 41 and holds in their working position shown here with solid lines, which is also shown in Fig. 1. In order to ensure a maximum lever arm for the locking forces, the axis of rotation 11 extending through a stub shaft 43 is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the base body 9 . Here it is shifted from the center of the base body 9 to the right, al in the direction of the table top 5 .

It is readily apparent that the first working position of the table top 5 can be varied in that the locking body 39 is moved more or less in the direction of the arrow 41 . So if the locking body 39 is shifted downward, the table top 5 is pivoted GE counterclockwise 21 upwards or be held in a pivoted position relative to the horizontal position shown here. This adjustability of the locking device 37 is particularly advantageous when the backrest 3 is pivoted from the position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 more or less, so that the Ar beit position of the table top 5 changes. A user is thus able to set an optimal working position of the table top 5 , even if the backrest 3 is pivoted by a user of the seat.

Furthermore, further configurations of the locking device 37 are possible, which for example comprises at least one bolt which engages on the base body 9 in bores provided therefor. The at least one bolt can engage on the side of the base body 9 facing away from the table top 5 , or on one of its side surfaces. Finally, a number of such Bol zen fen on several sides of the base body 9 .

Fig. 4 shows a greatly enlarged section of Fig. 3. The same parts are assigned the same reference numerals, so that reference is made to the description of Fig. 3 Be.

The deviation with respect to FIG. 3 consists in that the base body 9 is thinner here as the table plate 5. It is therefore possible to partially arrange the basic body within the table top 5 in a slot S, the inner dimensions of which are adapted accordingly to the outer dimensions of the basic body 9 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the rod 17 is then possibly just as thick as the base body 9 . The dimensions of the parts of the folding table 1 are more or less freely selectable. It is generally possible in this way to make the rod 17 thinner than the base body 9 .

The attachment of the rod 17 to the base body 9 is otherwise possible in any way in all the exemplary embodiments. It is therefore conceivable to weld the rod 17 , as well as the rod 17 ', which is shown in FIG. 2, to the base body 9 , to screw it on, or to produce the base body 9 and the rods 17 , 17 ' in one piece.

Fig. 5 shows a part of the folding table 1, namely the base body 9 in the expanded condition. It is clear here that the right rod 17 'of the holding device 15 is attached to the side of the base body facing the viewer, which securely anchors the table top 5 , which is not shown here for reasons of clarity, to the base body 9 .

On the right outer surface 45 of the base body 9 there is an axle stub 43 ′ which is opposite the axle stub 43 mentioned in FIG. 3 and together with this forms the pivot axis 11 of the folding table 1 or of the base body 9 .

It is also conceivable to provide a locking device on one or both axle stubs, which comprises locking lugs provided on the axle stub, which interact with a corresponding engagement means. The first working position can be freely selected according to the number of locking lugs seen before. The locking lugs and the interventional tel can be configured such that a pivoting of the table top 5 upwards over the last locking lug displaces the engagement means such that a pivoting back of the table top 5 over the locking lugs is possible. When the table top 5 is pivoted up again, the engaging means engages again in the latching lugs and thus ensures that the table top 5 is locked in the first working position again.

At the free end of at least one of the stub axles, a drive device (not shown here) can be provided which pivots the base body when a user wants it, or which at least supports a pivotal movement caused by a user. The drive device can act directly on the stub axle. However, it is also possible to provide a gear there that interacts with another gear operated by the drive or with a gear that is acted upon by the drive with a driving force. Depending on the drive or gear design, in particular when using a servo motor and / or a worm gear, there is the possibility of dispensing with the locking device 37 described here. The nimble holding forces, or moments that hold the folding table 1 in the first working position, are then applied directly by the engine and / or transmission and transmitted via the stub axle 43 . It is particularly advantageous that the first working position of the folding table 1 can be adjusted practically continuously within wide limits without any additional effort.

At the free end of the rod 17 ′, that is to say at its end facing away from the base body 9 , the rod 17 ′ is specially designed in order to implement a joint device 19 . Here the rod 17 'is worn to the right and left, so that a hinge plate 47 is formed, which here has vertical limiting surfaces and which is penetrated by a horizontally extending hole 49 , the central axis of which coincides with a second horizontal swivel axis 51 .

The rod 17 explained in FIGS. 2 and 3, which originates from the base body 9 on the left side thereof, is designed accordingly. Through the right and left provided link plates on the rods 17 'and 17 , the above-mentioned Ge steering device 19 is realized, on the rods 17 and 17 ' holding rods 29 (see Fig. 3) and 29 '(see Fig. 6) are articulated.

In Fig. 5, the locking body 39 of the locking device 37 is shown, which acts on the base body 9, namely on the side facing away from the rod 17 'of the base body 9 or on the side of the base body 9 , the rod 17 ' with respect to the first Pivot axis 11 is arranged opposite one another.

In principle, it is possible to distribute a plurality of locking bodies 39 over the length of the base body 9 in order to build up sufficient holding forces.

From the detailed view according to Fig. 6 is a retaining bar 29 'can be seen, which, as the rod 17' is part of the holding device 15, via which the table top is not shown here 5 is connected to the via Grundkör. 9 The holding rod 29 'has at its end facing the rod 17 ' a vertically extending slot 53 , in which the articulated plate 47 can engage. The wall areas delimiting the slot 53 on the right and left are penetrated by holes 55 and 57 , the central axis of which coincide with the second horizontal pivot axis 51 . From the combination of FIGS. 4 and 5 it is clear that the rod 17 'with the holding rod 29', the hinge means 19 'forms by the joint plate 47 is thus in the slot 53 is introduced that through the holes 49, 55 and 57, a hinge pin, not shown here, can be inserted, so that the rod 17 'can be connected in an articulated manner to the holding rod 29 '. It is readily apparent that the configuration of the rod ends forming the articulated device 19 can also be selected in mirror image, that is to say the holding rod 29 'can be provided with an articulated tab and the rod 17 ' can be provided with a slot. Finally, it is also possible to provide other articulated connections in the area of the articulation device 19 , for example several slots and articulated brackets or the like, in order to ensure a pivoting movement of the table top 5 relative to the rod 17 '.

In Fig. 7, finally, a last functi onsstellung of the folding table 1 is shown, namely that in which the table top 5 is folded down completely, so that it is completely taken from the recess 13 and flat in the rear side 23 of the Backrest 3 is arranged. The first surface 7 facing the viewer covers the recess 13 and protects the monitor 27 .

An essential aspect is that the folding table 1 or its table top 5 can be a series part in which the monitor 27 and the holding device 15 can be integrated very easily. In the folded down state of the folding table 1 shown in FIG. 7, it can no longer be seen that there is a deviation from the standard version.

The folding table 1 can be integrated into an attachment that is attached to an existing seat. It is therefore not absolutely necessary to change the seat itself or its backrest 3 in order to integrate the folding table 1 .

It is also clear that the folding table 1 described here can be combined with any type of seat. For example, there are further possible uses in ships, trains, planes, coaches or the like. It is also conceivable to use the folding table 1 in seating in rooms such as lecture halls or conference rooms. In no case is a restriction to motor vehicle seats as described and illustrated here. Ultimately, it is also possible to mount the folding table 1 on a wall and to sink it in an existing recess if the table or the monitor is not needed.

Claims (14)

1. folding table with a table top and with a monitor, characterized in that one of the surfaces ( 7 ) of the table top ( 5 ) forms the monitor ( 27 ). 2. Folding table according to claim 1, characterized in that the monitor ( 27 ) makes up practically the entire first surface ( 7 ) of the table top ( 5 ). 3. Folding table according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the monitor ( 27 ) has an LCD and / or TFT display area. 4. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding table ( 1 ) on the rear ( 23 ) of the backrest ( 3 ) of a seat, in particular a car seat - preferably in a recess ( 13 ) - is stowable. 5. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding table ( 1 ) is a modified series part. 6. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modifications are designed in such a way that when the folding table ( 1 ) is folded down, these are covered. 7. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding table ( 1 ) has a pivotably mounted base body ( 9 ). 8. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body ( 9 ) has at least one of its ends a first horizontal rotation / pivot axis ( 11 ) realizing stub axle ( 43 ). 9. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one stub shaft ( 43 ) interacts with a drive. 10. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body ( 9 ) has at least one contact surface which interacts with at least one locking device ( 37 ). 11. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device ( 37 ) is steplessly lockable. 12. Folding table according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that a holding device ( 15 ) can be attached to the base body ( 9 ). 13. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device ( 15 ) and the table top ( 5 ) form a slide bearing ( 31 ). 14. Folding table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device ( 15 ) has a second horizontal pivot axis ( 51 ) realizing joint device ( 19 ).