Joints and connections – Articulated members – Including limit means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-15
2001-01-16
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Including limit means
C403S113000, C403S164000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174101
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a rotating joint—a knuckle joint—for a profiled crossbeam with inner cable duct. The joint consists of an upper part and a lower part, which are screwed together and have mounting flanges on opposite front faces.
Rotating joints of this type are used to link frames for constructing office furniture such as desks, conference tables, etc. The frames in this case accommodate brackets to which tabletops are attached by means of a support frame for the top. It is possible to create a plurality of desk configurations and conference table configurations by linking the frames with the aid of the rotating joints and subsequently mounting the adapted tabletops.
The frames consist of vertical supports with skids at the ends facing the ground and are designed to provide a high stability. At the ends facing away from the ground, the supports are screwed to the horizontally arranged profiled crossbeams. The profiled crossbeams have an open cable duct on the side facing away from the ground, which is used to run the electrical lines for lighting and computers, as well as the telephone lines. Once the tables are assembled, the cables inside the ducts are not visible because the tabletops are arranged on the profiled crossbeams. The use of profiled crossbeams with different lengths makes it possible to create optional size tables. The rotating joints, which are arranged between the front faces of neighboring profiled crossbeams, if necessary, permit the adjustment of angles between the profiled crossbeams, thus making it possible to create asymmetrical configurations that deviate from the linear linking.
Known rotating joints have at least one screw in the center region around the rotational center of the joint. As a result of the central screw connection, the free passage through the cable duct is no longer ensured. If the cable duct holds several lines, in particular, this leads to a bunching up of lines in the central rotating range because of the screw arranged therein. In the extreme case, this can result in damage to the lines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is intended to correct the above-described problems. An object of the invention is to create a rotating joint through which the cable duct can extend unimpeded. In accordance with the invention, this object is solved in that the upper part and the lower part are designed to be screwless in their central rotating range, particularly in the center of rotation.
According to the invention, a rotating joint is created, which comprises a central, open cable duct that is not narrowed down owing to a screw connection in the central rotating range joint of the rotating joint.
One modification of the invention provides that the joint can be rotated continuously over a range of 0° to 53° and another modification provides that it can be rotated over a range of 10° to 63°. Owing to the fact that the joint can be rotated continuously, optional table configurations can be produced within the rotating range.
In addition and in a further improvement of the invention, the upper part contains elongated holes and the lower part threaded bores, which are respectively arranged on a circular arc with identical diameter. The secure connection of upper part and lower part is ensured through screws inserted into the elongated holes in the upper part and screwed into the threaded bores in the lower part of the rotating joint. Furthermore, the screwing together of upper part and lower part ensures that the joint is secured in the desired angle position. According to the invention, the central rotational region contains no screws.
It is advantageous if the joint in the assembled state has the form of a spherical segment between the mounting flanges. Owing to the rounded form of the joint on the side facing the ground, the danger of injury during the assembly of the desk or the working table is reduced.
The mounting flanges preferably contain receptacles at the free ends. A secure fastening of the joint to the adjacent crossbeams with SWT pins is ensured with the aid of the receptacles at the free ends of the mounting flanges.
Finally, it is advantageous if the upper part and the lower part are cast parts, e.g. produced in the sand-casting method, the chill-casting method or the pressure-casting method.
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Jennings Leo J.
Kelemen Gabor J.
Kim Harry C.
Venable
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