Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Plural related horizontal surfaces – Foldable component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-27
2001-11-27
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Plural related horizontal surfaces
Foldable component
C108S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321664
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a foldable table-tennis table having means for locking two table tops, i.e. means enabling each of the table tops to be locked in position when in a horizontal position for play, it being necessary to actuate said locking means to move the table top from this horizontal position to a vertical position for storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A table of this type is already known from document FR 2 729 302. In the solution recommended by that document, the locking means for each table top comprise, projecting from the side edge of the table top, a bolt of axis perpendicular to said edge and movable along said axis; in addition, the support of the table presents, facing each side edge, a catch-forming housing for receiving the corresponding bolt. Thus, the locking means are actuated in transverse displacement, i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the side edge of the table top. In a preferred embodiment, the locking bolt is integrated in a guide finger which projects from the side edge of the table top remote from the zone where the user is to be found when seeking to fold the table, and thus seeking to actuate the locking means to release the table top. In a simplified embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 of that document, actuation is obtained by means of a flexible tie connected to the two locking bolts and passing, under the table top, close to the user. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to place deflectors under the table top proper so as to transform the longitudinal displacement imparted by the user when pulling on the tie into transverse displacement suitable for extracting each bolt from its housing. FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment having a handle for actuation by the user, a rod sliding in rings that are rigidly fixed to the table top, said rod being terminated by a sheath through which there passes a tie that extends between the two bolts. Tie deflectors are also provided to transform the longitudinal movement of the handle into transverse movement at the ends of the tie. Whatever the solution adopted, it is necessary to keep systems and in particular deflector systems in position fixed to the underside of the table top and suitable for transforming the traction movement exerted by the user into transverse displacement of the locking bolt.
Also known, from document U.S. Pat. No. 2,913,294, is a foldable table-tennis table of the same type as above, provided with locking means, themselves associated with actuator means accessible to the user. The locking means for each positioning wheel consist in a latch which is secured to the support and which is movable longitudinally relative thereto. When in its normal, inactive position under bias from a spring, the latch prevents the positioning wheel from moving; the actuator means consist in a flexible tie on which the user pulls to displace said part against the force of the spring, thereby releasing the positioning wheel and enabling it to move in the guiding slideway.
That configuration for the locking means presents drawbacks. The tie for actuating the locking latch extends between one end of the table top and the latch which is fixed to the support. When the table top goes from the horizontal position to the vertical position for storage, the tie moves under the same conditions and hangs down along the vertical edge of the table top which can run the risk of jamming when the table top is put back in the horizontal position.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to propose a table which mitigates the above-specified drawback.
The table-tennis table of the invention is a table which is foldable and which comprises, as known from document U.S. Pat. No. 2,913,294, a support and two table tops which are provided with hinged legs and which are movable between a horizontal position for play and a vertical position for storage. It also has positioning wheels, mounted to project from the side edges of the two table tops, substantially vertical guiding slideways for said positioning wheels, which slideways are supported by or integrated in the support, and finally means for locking each table top in the horizontal position for play, associated with actuator means accessible to the user.
In a manner characteristic of the invention, the locking means comprise, for each positioning wheel, two distinct parts, namely:
a) a locking part secured to the support, movable longitudinally relative thereto, and serving in its normal, inactive position, to hold the positioning wheel stationary in position in the corresponding slideway; and
b) an unlocking part secured to the side edge of the table top and to the actuator means. In addition, said actuator means are adapted to cause the unlocking part to pass from its normal, inactive position to an active position in which it pushes back the locking part and releases the positioning wheel.
Thus, the structural relationship between the actuator means and the unlocking part is independent of the position of the table top, i.e. regardless of whether it is horizontal or vertical.
Preferably, the locking part is fitted with return means, in particular a spring, and the unlocking part pushes back the locking part against the force of the return means. Thus, when after unlocking the table top, the user moves it from the horizontal position for play to the vertical position for storage, the locking part returns automatically into its initial position.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking part is a part that pivots angularly about a transverse axis fixed to the support.
By way of example, the locking part is a flat, hook-forming part with a concave indentation, and its pivot axis is fixed firstly to the support vertically in register with the guiding slideway, and secondly to the hook towards the end of its concave indentation. Under the force of the return means, when the hook is in its normal, locking position, it is placed in such a manner as to hold a wheel captive, which wheel is either the positioning wheel itself or else an intermediate wheel mounted between the positioning wheel and the side edge of the table top; in addition, the edge of the hook adjacent to the concave indentation and remote from the pivot axis is disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction of the slideway.
The purpose of the oblique disposition of the edge of the hook is to enable the wheel to be put into its end-of-stroke locking position when going from the vertical position for storage to the horizontal position for play. While this change of position is taking place, the wheel is no longer held captive by the hook but moves longitudinally in the guiding slideway (if it is a positioning wheel) or relative thereto (if it is an intermediate wheel). During this displacement, the wheel presses against the oblique edge of the hook, and because the edge is oblique, it pushes back the hook against the force of the return means, causing it to pivot until the wheel no longer presses against said edge but against the concave indentation of the hook, thereby causing the hook to pivot in the opposite direction, returning it to its normal position, under drive from the return means. The hook then holds the wheel captive in the locking position.
Preferably, the unlocking part is itself a part that pivots angularly about a transverse axis fixed to the side edge of the table top.
When the locking part is a hook as described above, the unlocking part is an arm pivoting about the axis of the wheel, said arm having a bearing face suitable for engaging the edge of the hook.
In a preferred embodiment, the table-tennis table of the invention also includes means for locking the table top when it is in the vertical position for storage, associated with actuator means that can be actuated by the foot of the user. Preferably, these means comprise a hook having the configuration described above. In the above case, the pivot axis of the hook is fixed to the support, vertically in register with the slideway, and above it. In this case, the pivot axis is fixed to the suppor
Damour Philippe
Denizart Christophe
Graciet Christophe
Chen José V.
Decathlon
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
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