WO1993014673A1

WO1993014673A1 - Table top

Info

Publication number: WO1993014673A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/000089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claus Ebert
Original assignee: Claus Ebert
Priority date: 1992-01-22
Filing date: 1993-01-15
Publication date: 1993-08-05
Also published as: DE4201556A1; EP0587828A1

Abstract

A table top made of plastics is designed as an extruded profiled piece made of integral skin foam and cut into lengths, and has at least one longitudinal profiled marginal flange (20) formed in a single piece. In addition, several longitudinal ribs (22) are formed on the same side which delimit, in the same way as the marginal flanges (20), cavities (24, 28) with an open cross-section. The particular form of the table top makes it possible to obtain a table top with a very reduced thickness and very low weight, depending on the material of which it is composed. Metallic sections may be inserted in the cavities for reinforcement purposes, and are also useful for mounting table legs, frontal sealing flanges and other parts of a worktable. Thanks to the design of the profiled marginal edges in a single piece, the complicated state-of-the-art postforming manufacture process can be dispensed with.

Description

Table top

The invention relates to a table top made of plastic.

Usually, table tops are still made of wood or wood-like materials such. B. chipboard, manufactured. They are usually very heavy, with only one-sided coating they tend to warp due to different moisture absorption, and rounded or differently profiled edge edges have to be produced in a very complex, so-called post-forming process. The connection of the table top with other parts of the table also requires a relatively complicated, time-consuming assembly, which therefore usually already takes place at the manufacturer. This applies above all to work tables such as B. Desks and computer tables, kitchen tables and laboratory tables. After all, storing cables in the tables also requires extensive and expensive measures.

The disadvantages mentioned above apply in the same way to tabletops made of integral foam that have been used up to now, because only the usual panels made of wood-based materials have been used. Table tops made of rigid PVC integral foam must be relatively thick and correspondingly heavy in order to be able to absorb the normal loads of a work table without undue deflection. It is also known that the table tops for z. B. to produce garden tables by structural foam molding with a desired profiling, but this is a very expensive production process. The less expensive extrusion process for the production of profiles from integral foam, e.g. B. by the so-called. Celuka process, so far known, only for the production of such profiled parts, such as strips, rails, window sills and building boards uses that are either relatively narrow or with a larger width, as z. B. is required for a table top, have a simple, relatively thick plate shape.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a table top made of plastic which, despite its low weight, is highly resilient and which can be produced very efficiently with a rounded or otherwise profiled edge and means for assembly.

The above object is achieved in that the table top is a cut, extruded profile piece made of integral foam with at least one longitudinally extending, integrally molded, profiled edge flange and with a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on the same side, which delimit cavities with an open cross section.

The externally visible thickness of the table top depends on the height of the edge flange and can e.g. B. 48 mm. In contrast, the actual plate thickness with z. B. 8 mm only a fraction of the externally visible thickness. It has surprisingly been found that even such a relatively small plate thickness can be sufficient for absorbing the loads on a work table if the proposed ribs and edge flanges are added. Above all, the invention offers the possibility of metallic reinforcement profiles, e.g. B. round or square tubes in the cavities, which are limited by the ribs and edge flanges. The metal profiles in turn not only bring about considerable stiffening of the table top, so that warping due to uneven moisture absorption over the top and bottom of the plate is also avoided, but also decisively improve the connection of other parts of a work table to the table top. Particularly advantageous is the fact that with the new table top, edge edges that are rounded from the outset or profiled in another way are obtained without having to be produced in the expensive postforming process. Only the end edges that arise during cutting must still be covered if two table tops are not to be connected directly to one another. On the other hand, this increases the adaptability to different purposes. The end strips at the end edges of the table top can, for. B. take on additional functions. In this context, mention should be made of the function of a cable duct or the covering of connecting elements between the table top and side walls or legs of the work table. In addition, plug-in sockets can also be molded into the end strips, which match electrical plugs of a specific system.

The abovementioned end strips can be attached in a simple manner by screwing them in with screws which are to be screwed into the end faces of the ribs. In this case it is advisable to design the ribs and also the edge flanges with the same wall thickness, e.g. B. 8 mm, like the main part of the plate. The height of the ribs, like that of the edge flanges, is 48 mm in a preferred embodiment.

An approximately 180 "inward rounded edge flange is well suited to accommodate a steel tube in the cavity delimited by it, which can be fixed radially by an adjacent rib. The steel tube gives the required rigidity in the edge area and can also be used as a The articulated part or support member of such a serve if the table top is to be pivotable about an axis located on the front or rear edge. To ensure stiffening in the central area as well, the longitudinal Provide centerline ribs z. B. can have a substantially L-shaped cross-section and thus limit a cavity extending along the underside of the table top, into which a suitable metallic square tube can be inserted. It goes without saying that the ribs can also have other cross-sectional shapes in order to limit those cavities into which reinforcement profiles can be inserted, and that, depending on the load and other functions, a larger number of ribs can also be provided. In a preferred embodiment, apart from the two ribs mentioned in the central region of the table top, two further ribs are sufficient in addition to a front and a rear edge flange, the ribs and the edge flanges having the same height and, for reasons of simplification, the three pairs interacting ribs limit cavities of the same cross section.

All the cavities formed by edge flanges and ribs have an opening slot extending in the longitudinal direction of the table top and represent undercut grooves. This allows stiffening profiles and other objects with a larger cross section than the opening slot to be inserted into the cavities, but also also narrower ones Objects such as B. cables, at any point through the opening slot in the cavity and close this by means of an end plate. By appropriately designing the free ends of the edge flanges and the ribs, end plates can also be attached to opening slots delimited by the edge flanges or to the ribs on the side opposite the free leg mentioned, for. B. be attached by snapping.

If one forms an edge flange on the rear edge of a table top with one or more undercut grooves, then lamp holders, support arms for telephones or Attach computer screens and other objects at any point so that they do not take up any space on the table surface.

The proposed table top is preferably made of polycarbonate or a mixed polymer made of polycarbonate and ABS, such as. B. is commercially available under the name Bayblend. However, the invention is not limited to these materials, since, depending on the application, other, such as. B. PVC, may come into question. A further possibility of influencing the properties of the table top is to coat the surface. This can e.g. B. happen by painting, veneer or by lamination with resistant foils or laminates, such as are available for example under the trademark "tacon".

The new table top has an advantageous effect on very different table constructions. Z is very simple. B. the connection with side cheeks, especially if they rest on a similar construction as the table top, ie also consist of a relatively thin plate made of integral foam with edge flanges and ribs, which delimit cavities. In this case, namely angular connecting elements, eg. B. made of steel, on the one hand engage in the cavities of the table top and on the other hand in the cavities of the side cheeks and ensure a firm connection of these parts. In addition, cables can be laid over the cavities in the side panels to the cavities in the table top. The cavities of the side cheeks can be closed by an end plate in the same way as the cavities of the table top. Finally, cables can be led up or down to an electrical device at any point along the table top through holes in the same or in the cover plate of a cavity. In principle, the same applies to narrower table legs as for Sidewalls, because table legs can also be produced in the same way with cavities that can be used either for stiffening or fastening purposes and optionally as cable channels.

The cavities of the table top, side panels or table legs, which are open via longitudinal slots, are also outstandingly suitable for fastening further parts, for example for attaching desk boxes or drawer systems. Even with great weight, these can be easily and reliably attached to metal profiles in the cavities that are accessible from the outside.

Since the assembly of such a table is essentially limited to a plug-in assembly and the screwing in of a few screws, and these handles can also be carried out by a non-specialist, an essential advantage of the invention is that the tables are flat collapsed condition for shipping and sale. The necessary connecting elements are located in the space between the ribs.

The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. It shows:

1 shows a perspective representation of three different tables, the essential parts of which are profile pieces made of extruded integral foam;

2 shows a perspective view of various connecting elements between one Table top and a side cheek or table leg;

Figure 3 is a side view of a table top without an end bar.

Fig. 4 is an end view of a table leg.

The tables shown in Fig. 1 each have a table top 10, which consists of an elongated profile piece made of extruded integral foam. In the table shown on the right in FIG. 1, the table top 10 has the cross section shown in FIG. 3. It rests on side walls 12, which are also profile sections of the same integral foam profile as the table top 10. To show this, the table is shown in FIG. 1 in the partially assembled state, with a gap between the table top 10 and the side walls 12 be¬, which reveals the view of the profile of the side cheek located in the foreground. There are also no end plates on the inner sides of the side cheeks 12. However, the end edges of the table tops 10 resulting from the cutting are already covered by end strips 14.

The table top 10 of the middle table shown in FIG. 1 is supported on four table legs 16, each of which has the cross section shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the table top 10 in this table has a slightly modified cross section compared to FIG. 3, which will be discussed later. The same applies to the table shown on the left in FIG. 1, the table top 10 of which rests on only two table legs 16 with feet 18. FIG. 2 shows various connecting elements by means of which the table tops 10 can be connected to the side cheeks or table legs shown in FIG. 1 or else with other types of substructures by simple plug-in assembly. Before that, however, some details of the table top shown in FIG. 3 and the table leg shown in FIG. 4 will be discussed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the table top 10 has a plate thickness of only 8 mm. A semicircular edge flange 20 is integrally formed on both long sides. Its outer radius of curvature is 24 mm and, since the wall thickness of the edge flange 20 is also 8 mm, there is an inner radius of curvature of 16 mm.

Furthermore, three pairs of ribs 22 are integrally formed on the underside of the table top 10, which also have a wall thickness of 8 mm. The paired ribs of essentially L-shaped cross-section face each other with their free legs and delimit a cavity 24 extending over the length of the table top with a lower opening slot 26 extending over its length the ribs of each pair the same distance, so that the inner cavities each have a width of z. B. 60 mm and a height of 30 mm. The opening slot 26 has a width of 45 mm, for example.

The distance of each rib 22 closest to an edge flange 20 from the center of curvature of the edge flange is chosen to be just as large as 16 mm as is the radius of curvature of the inner wall of the edge flange 20. This ensures that a cavity delimited by the edge flange 20 and the closest rib 22 28 inserted round tube 30 is fixed radially. In the same way, suitable square tubes can be inserted into the cavities 24 between the paired ribs 22 can be inserted from one end of the table top. In the example according to FIG. 3, the table top profile could thus be stiffened by a total of two round tubes and three square tubes. Because of the opening slots 26 between associated ribs 22 and the opening slots between the edge flanges 20 and the nearest ribs 22, the metallic tubes used are accessible from the outside at any point along their length, so that they can withstand high loads Fasteners, such as. B. screws can attack.

It goes without saying that it is not absolutely necessary to give the edge flanges 20 exactly the shape of an arc reaching over 180 '. This could also extend over a larger or smaller circumference, and the opening slot between the free end of the edge flange 20 and the closest rib 22 would be correspondingly smaller or larger.

The inwardly curved shape of the edge flanges 20 and the mutually facing L-shaped ribs 22 form undercut grooves or cavities 28 and 30 which, if not occupied by metal pipes, are suitable for the installation of electrical lines. As a result of the very good insulation properties of the plastics in question here, there is no danger for the users of such tables. After cables have been inserted into the cavities 24, 28, because of the undercut mentioned, closing plates can also be inserted axially or locked in the transverse direction in order to close the cable ducts. To make it easier to engage, the mutually facing end faces of the ribs 22 can be shaped with locking lugs, as can be seen in FIG. 4. In addition, latching lugs (not shown) can also be formed on the ribs on the side opposite the free leg, which latches also offer the possibility of also joining between adjacent pairs of ribs 22. to delimit end plates cavities which, for. B. can accommodate additional cables, ventilation lines or other installations.

As can be seen from the drawing, the table top could also be provided with an upper depression or a trench extending over its length without any change in principle.

The table leg 16 shown in cross section in FIG. 4 has, in contrast to a z. B. 80 or 100 cm wide table top only a width of 156 mm. Therefore, in addition to the edge flanges 20, only two cooperating ribs 22 are provided, which correspond in shape and function to the edge flanges and ribs of the table top 10.

In the simplest case, angle pieces 32 are used to connect the table tops 10 to the side cheeks 12 or table legs 16 and are inserted with their one leg directly into a cavity 24 or 28 of the table top 10 or into metal tubes sitting therein, while the other leg is engaged in the same way with a side cheek 12 or a table leg 16. In the engaged position, either by screw connections between on the one hand the table top 10 or the metal tube inserted therein and the angular connecting element 32 and on the other hand between the side cheek 12 or the table leg 16 and the connecting element 32 or by suitable quick fasteners or bolts which intervene in the parts mentioned, make sure that the parts do not come off unintentionally. It goes without saying that the angular connecting elements 32 have a rectangular cross-section when they engage in cavities 24 between ribs 22 or in square tubes 34 seated therein, as shown in FIG. 2, and have a round cross-section when the engagement into the through the flanges 20 limited cavities 28 of the table top 10 and the side cheeks 12 or the table legs 16 takes place. This last-mentioned variant is shown in FIG. 1, in the case of the middle and left table the table tops, in deviation from FIG. 3, have a profile which has several pairs of rounded ribs which are located at the places where Connecting elements 32 with a round cross-section must engage, which engage with their other legs in the cavities 28 of the table legs 16 with the cross-section shown in FIG. 4.

Two table tops 10 can also be connected in alignment with one another by means of connecting elements 36 of the type shown in FIG. 2 with two aligned horizontal legs and one vertical leg and can be supported by the type of side cheek 12 by a supporting wall under the joint.

Finally, Fig. 2 shows a very simple way to articulate the table top 10. If a round tube is seated in the cavity 28 delimited by the edge flange 20 or bearing bushes are inserted at the two axial ends of this cavity (not shown in FIG. 2), a bearing pin 38 can engage in it on each side, which has a fastening piece 40 is connected to a substructure carrying the table top, which in turn, like the side cheeks 12 shown, can consist of profiled plates.

There is also the further possibility, not shown, of slidably mounting one or more table tops 10 on long rods or tubes which extend through the square or round cavities 24 and 28, respectively.

The end strips 14 already mentioned cover both the respective end surfaces of the table top 10 and the otherwise also visible end faces of the side walls 12 or table legs 16. With the same profile of the table top 10, different cross-sections of the end strips 14 can be used, so that optically different tables can be offered. The end strips 14 are fastened either by engagement of pegs formed on the end strips into the cavities 24 and / or 28 of the table top and / or the side cheeks 12 or table legs 16 or by screwing them tightly against the end face of one of the profiled plates . It is advisable to screw the screws into the end faces of the ribs 22.

The end strips 14 can also cover the angular connecting elements 32 and act as a connection between the cable channels in the side walls or table legs and the table top 10. At the same time, they can also be shaped and designed as a socket strip. They are preferably produced as a hollow body in the TSG injection molding process.

If only a few cables are to be laid, these can be pulled through the cavities 24 and 28. The space between two ribs 22 which are far apart and which belong to different pairs of ribs is also available, and this too can be covered to the outside by an end plate which can be snapped onto the ribs 22. Finally, there is the possibility of using an end plate which extends essentially over the entire width of the table top, the side cheek or a table leg.

The profiled plates described above can also be used for the production of drawer containers for work tables. These containers can either be used as roll containers, containers standing firmly on the floor next to a side wall or at a distance from the floor on the table top. hanged containers. In all cases, the groove-like cavities 24 and / or 28 of the profiled plates will preferably be used in order to connect the container to the table top and / or a side cheek or to attach rollers under the container. Because of the possibility of inserting metal tubes into the groove-shaped cavities 24 and 28, these metal tubes then still being accessible through the opening slots in order to connect other parts very firmly and reliably therewith, the table tops described are also suitable for cupboard walls, where appropriate connections can be used on the upper and lower edges, as in the described tables between the table top and the side walls.

Claims

1. Table top made of plastic, characterized in that it has a cut-to-length, extruded profile piece made of integral foam with at least one longitudinally extending, integrally molded, profiled edge flange (20) and with a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on the same side (22), which delimit cavities (24, 28) with an open cross section.

2. Table top according to claim 1, characterized in that the total outer height of the profiled edge flange (20) is five to eight times, preferably six times as large as the thickness of the plate (10).

3. Table top according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the wall thickness of the edge flange (20) and the ribs (22) is equal to the thickness of the plate (10).

4. Table top according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized ge indicates that the edge flange (20) is curved in a circular arc over about 180 '.

5. Table top according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized ge indicates that the edge flange (20) together with an adjacent rib (22) delimits an open undercut cavity (28) and the rib (22) together with an second rib (22) delimits another undercut cavity (24) which is open in cross section.

6. Table top according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge flange (20) adjacent rib (22) in the transverse cut the circle determined by the inside of the edge flange (20) tangent.

7. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two ribs (22) with an L-shaped cross section, the free leg ends of which are directed towards one another, delimit an essentially rectangular, open cavity (24).

8. Table top according to claim 7, characterized in that the free leg ends of the ribs (22) are formed with projections or undercuts for engaging a final plate te.

9. Table top according to claim 7 or 8, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that at least two adjacent ribs (22) on the opposite side of the free leg in cross section have a projection or recess for engaging a further end plate.

10. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that along its center there is a cavity delimited by two ribs (22).

11. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its main surface opposite the ribs (22) is formed with at least one depression extending in the longitudinal direction.

12. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that a profiled edge flange (20) is formed with at least one externally open, undercut groove.

13. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the integral foam consists of polycarbonate or a copolymer of polycarbonate and ABS.

14. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that at least the opposite surface of the ribs (22) is coated.

15. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that at least one of the end edges formed by cutting to length is covered by a cover strip (14) attached to it.

16. Table top according to claim 15, characterized in that the end strip (14) is formed with an inner cavity, which in the assembled state connects to at least one cavity delimited by a rib and / or an edge flange (24, 28) has.

17. Table top according to claim 15 or 16, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the end strip (14) is shaped with matching sockets for electrical plugs.

18. Table top according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the end strip (14) is fastened by screws which are screwed into ribs (22) and / or edge flanges (20).

19. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the ribs (22) ends at a distance from an end edge formed by the cutting or is interrupted on certain sections.

20. Table top according to one of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that in the cavities (24, 28) Me¬ tallprofile (30, 34) sit.

21. Table with a table top according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the table top (10) is pivotally mounted by means of a joint (38), des¬ sen table-side joint parts (30) in a through an edge flange (20) and / or at least one rib (22) delimited cavity (24, 28) are attached.

22. Table with a table top according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it rests on the same, plate-shaped side cheeks (12) or table legs (16) and is connected to them by angular connecting elements (32, 36) which engage in cavities (24, 28) delimited by ribs (22) and / or at least one edge flange (20) on the one hand of the table top (10) and on the other hand a side cheek (12) or a table leg (16) and preferably by an end lead ste (14) are covered.

23. Table with a table top according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that a desk container on ribs (11) or on support members (30, 34) which in cavities (24, 28) delimited by ribs (22) the table top (10) and / or a side cheek (12) or a table leg (16) are inserted.

24. Table, characterized in that it has a plurality of table tops (10) according to one of claims 1 to 20, which at their end edges by connecting elements (36) which are in by ribs (22) and / or at least one edge flange (20) formed cavities (24, 28) engage, are connected.