WO2007113869A1

WO2007113869A1 - Table with overturning top

Info

Publication number: WO2007113869A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio Livi
Original assignee: Fiam Italia S.P.A.
Priority date: 2006-04-03
Filing date: 2006-04-03
Publication date: 2007-10-11

Abstract

Table (10) with overturning top (21), comprising a framing (11) and a top (21) supported by the framing (11), wherein the top (21) is rotatably coupled to the framing (11) around a horizontal pivoting axis (X), fixed with respect to the framing (11).

Description

Table with overturning top

Description

The present invention regards a table whose top can be overturned.

Tables with moveable tops are known, in particular with tops which can be tilted in various modes, so as to permit arranging the top with the tilt most adapted for specific uses. One example is given by US 3,605,650, which describes a table wherein a first one of the faces of the top is turned upwards when the top is in horizontal position, while the other face is turned upward when the top is in tilted position.

Tables are also known with partially overturning tops. One example is given by GB 2111827 A, which describes a table wherein a central position of the top can be both removed and positioned with one or the other face upward.

In both cases, the overturning of the top is relatively arduous, and even incomplete in the first case. Moreover, manoeuvre errors are possible which can lead to leaving the top in an instable position which is not immediately perceptible, with the risk of falling or overturning of the top as soon as an object is placed thereon.

There exists the problem of perfecting the manufacture of a table with overturning top so as to make its use simpler and more secure.

The present invention regards a table according to claim 1; preferred characteristics are set forth in the dependent claims.

More in particular, the invention regards a table with overturning top comprising a framing and a top supported by the framing, wherein the top is rotatably coupled to the framing around a horizontal pivoting axis, fixed with respect to the framing.

The overturning of the top of such a table is truly quite simple.

Preferably, the top is free to rotate around the pivoting axis for at least 180°, thus permitting a complete overturning of the top.

Preferably, the pivoting axis corresponds with a symmetry axis of the top; in this manner, manufacturing of the table is simplified since the top always occupies the same position.

Preferably, the table comprises removable connection means of the top to the framing; the connection means are adapted to lock the top in each of two horizontal positions which are overturned 180° with respect to each other.

The pivoting between the framing and the table top can be implemented in various modes. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the framing comprises legs and a frame and the table comprises two horizontal pins aligned along the pivoting axis between the frame and the top. According to another preferred embodiment, the framing comprises legs and a frame and the table comprises a single horizontal pin extended along the pivoting axis between the frame and the top. In both cases, the frame and the top can assume different forms, in particular, square, rectangular, circular and oval.

According to another preferred embodiment, the framing comprises two pairs of legs, two crossbars each structurally connected to the legs of each pair, and a horizontal pin extended along the pivoting axis, structurally connected to the two crossbars. This embodiment can be suitable for square or rectangular tables.

The removable connection between the top and the framing can be made in various modes. According to a particularly simple and therefore affordable embodiment, the connection means comprise at least one locking bar mounted on either the top or framing and in removable engagement on the other of these.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall be clearer from the following detailed description of several of its preferred embodiments, made with reference to the attached drawings. In such drawings,

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a table according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the top in a first use position;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the table of figure 1 , with the top in an intermediate position between two use positions; - Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the table of figure 1 , with the top in a second use position;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the framing of the table of figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a section view of the table of figure 1, with the top in a use position; Figure 6 is a section view of the table of figure 1, with the top shown in different intermediate positions;

Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a table according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 8 is an axonometric view of the framing of a table according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The table 10 is a rectangular table and comprises a framing 11, with a frame 12 formed by two transverse crossbars 13 and two longitudinal crossbars 14 and with four legs 15, fixed at the four corners of the frame 12 with the aid of supports 16.

The table 10 then comprises a top 21 , with two opposing faces 22 and 23; the face 23 is highlighted by lines in figures 2 and 3, in order to better distinguish it from the face 22.

The top 21 is rotatably coupled to the framing 11 along a pivoting axis X by means of two pins 25, aligned with the axis X and mounted between the crossbars 13 of the framing 11 and the top 21. Thanks to such pins 25, the top 21 is free to rotate 360° around the axis X, in both directions of rotation. The pivoting axis X coincides with a symmetry axis of the top 21.

The table 10 then comprises removable connection means of the top 21 to the framing 11 , to permit locking the top 21 in each of the two horizontal use positions shown in figures 1 and 3, respectively, overturned 180° with respect to each other. Such connection means comprise, for example, four locking bars 27, mounted on the longitudinal crossbars 14 and in removable engagement in seats 28 formed in the top 21.

The surfaces of the top 21 on the two faces 22 and 23 can be the same or different, depending on the purpose of the table 10. With two equal surfaces, the possibility of overturning may simply serve to double the lifetime of the table 10; typically, however, the two surfaces will be different, each intended for a specific use of the table.

Other embodiments of the table according to the invention are possible. Examples are shown in figures 7 and 8. It should be noted that the elements of these tables which are equal to the corresponding elements of table 10 of the figures 1-6 are indicated with the same reference numbers. - A -

In figure 7, a framing 111 is shown which comprises a single pin 125, extended along the axis X between the crossbars 13 and fixed thereto. This configuration provides a greater structural stiffness to the table.

In figure 8, a framing 211 is shown which comprises a single pin 225, extended along the axis X between the crossbars 13 and fixed thereto, while longitudinal crossbars are not provided. The greater stiffness conferred by the pin 225 permits the elimination of the longitudinal crossbars without causing structural problems to the table.

The table, in all of its embodiments, could also naturally have forms which are different from rectangular; in particular it could have square, circular, oval, elliptical forms etc. While the embodiments of figures 1-7 are equally adapted for any form, the embodiment of figure 8 appears most suitable to square or rectangular forms.

Claims

1. Table with overturning top, comprising a framing (11 ; 111; 211) and a top (21) supported by the framing (11 ; 111 ; 211), wherein the top (21) is rotatably coupled to the framing (11; 111; 211) around a horizontal pivoting axis (X).

2. Table according to claim 1, wherein the top (21) is free to rotate around the pivoting axis (X) for at least 180°.

3. Table according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting axis (X) corresponds to a symmetry axis of the top (21).

4. Table according to claim 1 , comprising removable connection means (27, 28) of the top (21) to the framing (11 ; 111 ; 211), which connection means are adapted to lock the top (21) in each of two horizontal positions which are overturned 180° with respect to each other.

5. Table according to claim 1, wherein the framing (11) comprises legs (15) and a frame (12) and wherein the table comprises two horizontal pins (25) aligned along the pivoting axis (X) between the frame (12) and the top (21).

6. Table according to claim 1 , wherein the framing (111) comprises legs (15) and a frame (12) and wherein the table comprises a single horizontal pin (125) extended along the pivoting axis (X) between the frame (12) and the top (21).

7. Table according to claim 1 , wherein the framing (111; 211) comprises two pairs of legs (15), two crossbars (13) which are each structurally connected to the two legs (15) of each pair, and a horizontal pin (125; 225) extended along the pivoting axis (X), structurally connected to the two crossbars (13).

8. Table according to claim 4, wherein the connection means comprise at least one locking bar (27) mounted on either the top (21) or the framing (11 ; 111 ; 211) and in removable engagement on the other of these.