US20080017079A1 - Slope setting device for items of furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

A slope setting device for an item of furniture comprises a furniture part able to be set at a slant about a horizontal pivot axis, more particularly for worktables (1) with a workboard (2) able to be set at a slant, to bear the furniture part at the respective slant, a guide part (7) having an elongated configuration and to be attached to the carcass (5) of the furniture, a support part (8) projecting from the guide part (7), said support part (8) running telescopically in the guide part (7) and serving for supporting the said furniture part, a brake means (27) adapted to be ineffective or substantially so during withdrawal of the support part (8), and to brake movement of the support part (8) during opposite insertion into the guide part (7). The brake means (27) is able to be worked a user operated actuating means (17). The braking action of the brake means (27) is furthermore adjustable.

Description

• The invention relates to a slope setting device for an item of furniture comprising a furniture part able to be set at a slant about a horizontal pivot axis, more particularly for worktables with a workboard able to be set at a slant, to bear the furniture part at the respective slant, a guide part having an elongated configuration and to be attached to the carcass of the furniture, a support part projecting from the guide part, said support part having an elongated configuration running telescopically in the guide part and serving for supporting the said furniture part able to be slanted, a brake means adapted to be ineffective or substantially so during withdrawal of the support part, and to brake movement of the support part during opposite insertion into the guide part and an actuating means to be actuated by the user for actuating the brake means.
• Such a slope setting device is for example disclosed in the German patent application 102 29 617.0. The brake means renders possible a conveniently braked lowering of the furniture part, for example in the form of an obliquely set workboard. It is not necessary to hold the workboard with the hand during lowering. However the braking action of the brake means may vary in its effect, for example owing to having workboards with different weights or owing to objects resting on the workboard, and owing to manufacturing inaccuracies, for example in the case of the support part and/or the brake means or the like.
• Accordingly it is one aim of the invention to design a slope setting device of the type initially mentioned with a braking action optimized for different applications.
• This object is to be achieved in the case of a slope setting device of the type initially mentioned by making the braking acting of the brake means adjustable.
• The braking action of the brake means, which is preferably a friction brake, can be adapted to the respective application so that for example the workboard may always be lowered at essentially the same rate. In the case of adjustment of the brake means it is possible, for example, to compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies in components of the slope setting device and/or for different weights of workboard or of other furniture parts.
• Further advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims and in the description.
• The brake means comprises at least one brake body, on which the actuating means the acts on actuation thereof directly or indirectly so that so that it is thrust against the support part. The brake body or brake bodies form, as it were, brake jaws. Preferably two or more brake bodies are present arranged on opposite sides of the support part. The brake body or bodies are preferably bearinged in a recess, extending right through as far as the support part, of the guide part.
• The brake body or bodies are preferably arranged on the side of the guide part. The actuating means has bridge or rib parts which extend to the side of the brake bodies past the guide part. Ramp face arrangements on the link parts act, on use of the actuating means, indirectly or directly on the brake body and thrust it against the support part. A preferred design in accordance with the invention contemplates a indirect action, i. e. by way of roller bodies, and/or on the brake body or bodies. Instead of the roller bodies it is possible to provide balls or the like. This design is more especially advantageous in connection with an actuating means supported for linear motion.
• The adjustment of the braking action may take place in different manners:
• Preferably the distance between the rib parts and the guide part is adjustable.
• It is an advantage for two rib parts, extending past the guide part, to be present, of which at least one acts on the at least one brake body. The rib parts for example constitute the arms of a fork or mutually opposite sections of a frame, which fit or, respectively, fits around the guide part with play permitting the actuating motion of the actuating means. To reset the braking action it is possible, for example, for the distance apart of the rib parts to be altered, for which purpose a screw or some other adjustment means is an advantage. The screw may for example connect the free ends of the two rib parts with one another.
• For the adjustment of the action of the brake means it would be feasible as well for example for the angle of inclination of the ramp face device can be adjustable. For this purpose it is possible for instance to provide adjustment means acting on the side externally on the rib parts, as for example guide means for the rib parts on a housing of the slope setting device. This design is also for example possible when only one brake body and one rib part are present.
• In the following one working embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the figures.
• FIG. 1 shows a worktable in accordance with the invention having an adjustable brake means and a slope setting device incorporating an actuating means in cross section.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective elevation in detail of an adjustable actuating element in the actuating means in accordance withFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 shows the slope setting device according toFIG. 1 in a diagrammatic, partial oblique view, one of the halves of a device housing being omitted and the actuating means not being operated so that the support part is secured to prevent insertion into the guide part and the brake means not being operated.
• FIG. 4 shows the slope setting device in accordance withFIG. 1 but with the actuating means operated so that the support part may be pushed into the guide part while braked by the brake means.
• FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the slope setting device according toFIG. 3 taken on the line of section III-III ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view, corresponding toFIG. 5, of the slope setting device but with the actuating means operated.
• In the case of a worktable1 diagrammatically illustrated inFIG. 1, for example a desk intended for children or youngsters, and desk board orworkboard2 is able to be changed in inclination by moving from a horizontal initial position indicated in chained lines into one or more oblique positions, in which, as seen by the user, it slants upward away from him. InFIG. 1 such an oblique setting of theworkboard2 is depicted in full lines. Theworkboard2 is able to be pivoted about apivot axis3, which extends in a horizontal direction in the longitudinal direction of the table at the front side of the table adjacent to the user, and is accordingly able to be changed in inclination. Farther to the rear a slope setting device4 engages the bottom side of theworkboard2 and holds theworkboard2 in the respectively set oblique position. In its horizontal starting position theworkboard2 may rest against anabutment6 provided on thetable carcass5.
• The slope setting device4 possesses aguide part7, which has an elongated configuration, and atelescoping support part8, also having an elongated shape, which together constitute a telescopic arrangement. This telescopic arrangement is arranged standing up, it being able, as indicated, to be at slope. This telescopic arrangement has itsguide part7, for example aguide part end9 opposite to thesupport part8, attached to thetable carcass5 and by means of itssupport part8, protruding at the top from theguide part7, bears theworkboard2. Aslide element12, which is attached to theworkboard2 and is only diagrammatically indicated, is provided for asupport part end10, supporting theworkboard2, of thesupport part8 and onsuch slide element12 thesupport part8 may be shifted in thedepth direction13 of theworkboard2, that is to say normally to thepivot axis3.
• Thesupport part8 runs on theguide part7 while being prevented from turning. For instance alongitudinal recess11 accommodating thesupport part8 and receiving same, in theguide part7 has a rectangular or square cross section. The lengths of thesupport part8 and of theguide part7 are so selected that thesupport part8 fits sufficiently far into theguide part7 at the maximum angle of inclination of theworkboard2 for there to be a reliable connection. The maximum extension of thesupport part8 from theguide part7 may be limited by an abutment arrangement, not illustrated in the drawing.
• On slanting theworkboard2 thesupport part8 is drawn out of theguide part7 or pushed into theguide part7. To ensure that thesupport part8 holds theworkboard2 in the longitudinal setting corresponding to the respectively desired slanting position of the workboard2 apawl clamp14 is provided adapted to clamp thesupport part8 and theguide part7 together in the oblique position of theworkboard2. The manner of functioning of thepawl clamp part14 will be described below in detail. On inwardly pushing in thesupport part8 into theguide part7 the pawl clamping effect occurs in any case automatically, whereas in the reverse direction thesupport part8 entrains thepawl clamp part14 so that accordingly the clamping effect is terminated.
• By actuation of an actuating means17 against a spring force exerted by a spring means19 the user may tilt theworkboard2 downward. When the desired new inclination has been set he will release the actuating means. The spring means19 then shifts the actuating means17 into its inactive position, thepawl clamp part14 and thesupport part8 then automatically locking with a self-skewing action.
• The lowering of theworkboard2 is braked by a brake means27, which brake the motion of thesupport part8. On operation of the actuating means17 thesupport part8 is released from thepawl clamp part14 so that if the brake means27 is not operated theworkboard2 must be held by hand during lowering. The brake means27 remains inactive during retraction of thesupport part8 from theguide part7 and during oppositely directed pushing in of thesupport part8 into theguide part7 takes effect. The actuating means17 advantageously operates the brake means27 simultaneously with thepawl clamp part14 so that it comes into action.
• The actuating means17 comprises anactuating rod20, on whose end portion, nearest to the brake means27, an actuatingelement21 is arranged, which is ineffective when the actuatingrod20 is not actuated and on actuation of the actuatingrod20 activates the brake means27. The actuatingrod20 can be taken hold of by the user. In the working example the actuatingrod20 extends from near the brake means27 underneath theworkboard2 to the front side, facing the user, of the table2. The actuatingrod20 is preferably guided for linear motion, i. e. in its longitudinal direction so that the user must shift it in the longitudinal direction.
• The linear guidance for the actuating means17 is ensured in the interior of adevice housing24, which surrounds the brake means27, thepawl clamp part14, the adjacent end part of theguide part7 together with the portion, projecting from it, of thesupport part8 and the portion, facing thepawl clamp part14, of the actuating means17. InFIGS. 3 through 6 one of the two halves of thedevice housing24 has been removed in order to make clear the parts comprised in it. At one or both side walls of thedevice housing24 there areguide grooves25, into which aguide part26 of theactuating element21 fits.
• The spring means19 has the actuatingrod20 extending through it and bears against thedevice housing24 and also theactuating element21.
• The brake means27 is preferably a friction brake and in the working example possesses twobrake bodies28 and29 which are opposite to each other in relation to thesupport part8, such bodies being movably supported in arecess30, respectively extending through theguide part7 from the outside as far as thesupport part8, of theguide part7. On actuation of the actuating means17 same not only engages thepawl clamp part14 but also thrust thebrake bodies28 and29 against thesupport part8 so that there is a frictional force at the latter. Thebrake bodies28 and29 may for example consist of a rubber-like frictional material or the like. It will be evident that only onebrake body28 or29 would be sufficient or that more than two brake bodies could be provided.
• In principle thebrake bodies28 and29 could admittedly be directly worked by the actuating means17. However it is preferable for the actuating means17 to be operated by way ofroller bodies31 on thebrake bodies28 and29, such roller bodies also being bearinged in therespective recess30 and protruding somewhat from it.
• Theactuating element21 fits around theguide part7 with a play permitting the actuating movement of the actuating means. It is for example in the form of aframe35 surrounding theguide part7. For the operation of the twobrake bodies28 and29 theactuating element21 possessesrib parts32 and33 extending past the sides of eachbrake body28 and29, and on the rib parts in each case aramp face arrangement34, acting on theroller bodies31, is formed. If the actuatingrod20 is shifted and with it theactuating element21 during an actuation stroke39 (to the left in the drawing), the ramp faces37 simultaneously reach theroller bodies31 and then later theactuating face38 of the tworamp face arrangements34 reach them so that same are thrust inward toward thesupport part8. The ramp faces37 extending at a slant to each other in the direction of the actuating path then essentially perform the stroke necessary for thrusting the ramp faces37 inward. The actuating faces38 which are essentially parallel to each other and in the working example are also parallel to theguide part7, hold theroller bodies31 thrust inward with an essentially constant thrust force. While the actuating faces38 are in engagement with theroller bodies31 the thrust on thebrake bodies28 and29 is constant essentially independently of the level of theactuating stroke39.
• When the actuating means17 is not operated theramp face arrangements34 are arranged at a distance from theroller bodies31 so that they are not loaded and accordingly thebrake bodies28 and29 do not press inward.
• Theroller bodies31 roll on theramp face arrangements34. Theroller bodies31 preferably have anti-frictional surfaces.
• The braking action of thebrake bodies28 and29 depends on, inter alia, the respective thrust pressure with which they are forced against thesupport part8. The thrust force can vary, for example owing to manufacturing inaccuracies in the case of thesupport part8 or in the case of thebrake bodies28 and29 or the like. Furthermore the braking action of the brake means27 may be too low in the case of aheavy workboard2 and/or owing to objects lying on theworkboard2. Accordingly the braking action of the brake means27 is able to be adjusted in accordance with the invention by means of an adjustment means40. The adjustment means40, which is illustrated in detail inFIG. 2, and more generally inFIGS. 3 through 6, diagrammatically, comprises for example ascrew arrangement41 using which the distance apart of therib parts32 and33 may be set. Accordingly the thrust force, which is exerted by therib parts32 and33 on thebrake bodies28 and29, and accordingly also of the braking action of the brake means27, is adjustable.
• Ascrew42 of thescrew arrangement41 extends throughpassage openings43 on the free ends, remote from the actuatingrod20, of therib parts32 and33. On the screw42 anut44 is screwed. Thenut44 is preferably at least partially ribbed for easier manual adjustment thereof. Ahead45 of thescrew42 bears in a manner preventing rotation against anabutment46 at the free end of therib part32. By tightening or loosening thenut44 the distance apart of therib parts32 and33 may be adjusted and accordingly the braking action of the brake means27.
• In thedevice housing24 an opening, not illustrated in the drawings, may be provided, through which thenut44 extends to the outside where it may be turned. This opening may for example be a slot, which for example is provided instead of the front portion of theguide groove25.
• Owing to the connection with thescrew arrangement41 theactuating element21 forms a sort offrame35. In principle however no surrounding frame must be present. Therib parts32 and33 could for example also constitute arms of a U-shaped bridge.
• Failing ascrew arrangement41 the distance apart of the rib parts could, for adjustment of the brake effect of the brake means27, be for example also changed by alteration of the distance apart of theguide grooves25. For this purpose for instance the halves of thedevice housing24 could be mounted with a larger or smaller relative distance apart.
• The clamping of thesupport part8 with thepawl clamp part14 is as follows: thepawl clamp part14, preferably manufactured of sheet metal, is seated on thetop end side18 of theguide part7, at which thesupport part8 emerges, and has thesupport part8 extending through it at apassage opening15. Thepassage opening15 is in cross section somewhat larger than thesupport part8 so that thepawl clamp part14 may is seated on thesupport part8 with a freedom to run skew and be tilted to and fro through certain pivot angle. On pushing thesupport part8 into theguide part7 the support part however tilt-locks thesupport part8 in thepassage opening15 in thepawl clamp part14 which then bears against a point16 on theguide part7 and is pivoted downward around the point16 of engagement so that orientated obliquely in relation to the longitudinal direction of thetelescoping arrangement7 and8. Accordingly thesupport part8 and, via it, theworkboard2 is held at the respective level.
• Theend side18 is made oblique from the support point16 toward the actuating means17, i. e. away from theend10, supporting theworkboard2, of thesupport part8 so that as seen in a side elevation there is a wedge-like intermediate spaces between thepawl clamp part14 and theend side18 of the guide part. Thepawl clamp part14 bears on one side of thesupport part8 at16 against theguide part7. The actuating means17 engages thepawl clamp part14 on the other side of thesupport part14.
• In order to be able to shift thesupport part8 and accordingly alter the slant of theworkboard2 the skew setting between thepawl clamping part14 and thesupport part8 must be overcome. This is performed automatically if thesupport part8 is pulled out of theguide part7 on upwardly pivoting theworkboard2. Even with a small entrainment of thepawl clamping part14 in the retraction direction, when it is pivoted about the support point16 upward, the projection of thepassage opening15 as seen in the longitudinal direction of thesupport part8 will be so large that thesupport part8 can be shifted practically free of hindrance. If thesupport part8, on the contrary, is to be pushed into theguide part7, the skew setting is overcome by the user operating the actuating means17, with which thepawl clamping part14 is tilted about the support point16. In this case theactuating element21, which was so far ineffective with the actuatingrod20 not in action, engages thepawl clamping part14 and rocks same to override the skew setting.
• Using the actuating means17 it is possible for thepawl clamping part14 to be shifted clear by movement away from theguide part7. In the working embodiment the actuatingrod20 must be drawn away from thepawl clamping part14 so that the skew setting is overcome. The linear motion of the actuatingrod20 is converted into a pivotal movement of the actuating means14 with the aid of anactuating part36 of theactuating element21 having, for example, aramp face22. The ramp face22 fits under anoblique slanting part23 of thepawl clamping part14. Theramp face22 and theoblique part23 extend obliquely slanting in relation to the longitudinal direction of the actuatingrod20. Theramp face22 engages the3part22 on pulling on theactuating rod20 and tilts thepawl clamping part14. Accordingly the skew setting in relation to thesupport part8 is discontinued.
• In lieu of a linear shifting actuating rod operation could also be with the aid of a pivoting lever or the like. Moreover, a bowden cable could for example be employed instead of the actuating rod.
• For arresting thesupport part8 other arresting means could serve as thepawl clamping part14. Instead of the pawl clamping part14 a pin or stud, able slide in relation to theguide part7, could be used, which fits into recesses or openings in thesupport part8.
• It will be clear that for adjustment of the braking action of the brake means27 a stepped ramp face arrangement could be provided having a plurality of steps. The steps could for instance have pairs of essentially mutually parallel actuating faces similar to the actuating faces38, the distance between the respective actuating faces from one pair thereof to another pair thereof becoming smaller and smaller during an actuating stroke. The transition from one pair of actuating faces to the next one could be in a form similar to the ramp faces37.

Claims (19)

1. A slope setting device for an item of furniture comprising a furniture part able to be set at a slant about a horizontal pivot axis, more particularly for worktables (1) with a workboard (2) able to be set at a slant, to bear the furniture part at the respective slant, a guide part (7) having an elongated configuration and to be attached to the carcass (5) of the furniture, a support part (8) projecting from the guide part (7), said support part (8) having an elongated configuration and running telescopically in the guide part (7) and serving for supporting the said furniture part able to be slanted, a brake means (27) adapted to be ineffective or substantially so during withdrawal of the support part (8), and to brake movement of the support part (8) during opposite insertion into the guide part (7) and an actuating means to be actuated by the user for actuating the brake means (27), characterized in that the braking action of the brake means (27) is adjustable.

2. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 1, characterized in that the brake means (27) is a friction brake.

3. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 1, characterized in that the brake means (27) comprises at least one brake body (28 and29) to be acted upon by the brake means (17) directly or indirectly on being operated so that it is thrust against the support part (8).

4. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 4, characterized in that the at least one brake body (28 and29) is bearinged in a through recess (30), extending as far as the support part (8), of the guide part (7).

5. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 3, characterized in that the at least one brake body (28 and29) is arranged laterally on the guide part (7) and the actuating means (17) includes at least one rib part (32 and33), extending past the side of the at least one brake body (28 and29) on the guide part (7), such rib part having a ramp face arrangement (34) acting directly or indirectly on the brake body (28 and29), such arrangement thrusting the at least one brake body (28 and29) against the support part (8) on operation of the actuating means.

6. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 3, characterized in that the actuating means (17) acts on the at least one brake body (28 and29) by the intermediary of a roller body.

7. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 6, characterized in that to set the braking action of the brake means (27) the distance of the at least one rib part (32 and33) from the guide part (7) may be adjusted.

8. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 6, characterized in that to set the braking action of the brake means (27) the angle of slope of the ramp face arrangement (34) is able to be adjusted.

9. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 6, characterized in that the actuating means (17) constitutes two rib parts (32 and33) running past the guide part (7), of which at least one acts on the at least one brake body (28 and29) and that for adjustment of the braking action (27) the distance apart of the rib parts (32 and33) is able to be set.

10. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 9, characterized in that the of the rib parts (32 and33) is able to be set by a screw (42) connecting the two rib parts (32 and33) with one another.

11. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 9, characterized in that the actuating means (17) surrounds the guide part (7) with play, allowing the actuating motion of the actuating means (17), like a fork or a frame (35), the rib parts (32 and33) constituting the arms of a fork or, respectively, opposite sections of such frame.

12. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 1, characterized in that the actuating means (17) includes an actuating rod (20), on whose end part nearer the brake means (27) an actuating element (21) is arranged, which is inactive absent actuation of the actuating rod and on actuation of the actuating rod activates the brake means (27).

13. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 12, characterized in that the actuating rod is guided for motion in a linear direction and on operation performs a linear movement, in the case of which the ramp face arrangement (34) shifts the position of at least one brake body (28 and29) toward the support part (8).

14. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 12, characterized in that the actuating element (21) runs in a device housing (24) linearly, same surrounding the brake means (27), the nearer end portion of the guide part (7) and the actuating element (21).

15. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 1, characterized in that the actuating means (17) is able to be actuated against a spring force.

16. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 1, characterized by arresting means for arresting the support part (8) on the guide part.

17. The slope setting device in accordance with anyclaim 16, characterized in that the arresting means comprise a pawl clamping part (14) for pawl clamping the support part (8) on the guide part (7), same automatically releasing the support part (8) on upward movement thereof in relation to the guide part (7) and clamping the support part (8) on downward motion thereof in relation to guide part (7) and that the actuating means (27) acts, simultaneously with the actuation of the brake means (27), on the pawl clamping part (14) to override its clamping action.

18. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 17, characterized in that the pawl clamping part (14) extends through the support part (8) with play for running skew and bears against the guide part (7) and is able to be pivoted dependent on the degree of play for skew positioning so that the support part (8) is able to be withdrawn from the guide part (7) with automatic cessation of the skew setting with the pawl clamping part (14) and in the opposite direction is secured by automatic skew positioning with the pawl clamping part (14) bearing against the guide part (7).

19. The slope setting device in accordance withclaim 16, characterized in that the end side of the guide part (7), from which the support part (8) extends, is made oblique to extend away from the point of engagement toward the actuating means (17) and away from the end, supporting the obliquely settable furniture part, of the support part (8).

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