AUTOMATICALLY DOWNFOLDING SLAB |
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| 申请号 | EP96902563.4 | 申请日 | 1996-02-05 | 公开(公告)号 | EP0818967B1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2004-09-01 |
| 申请人 | Bredberg, Ingrid; | 发明人 | Bredberg, Ingrid; | ||||
| 摘要 | The invention refers to an object's device with a mainly horizontal top or slab (1), e.g. a bench or something similar. The slab is mounted in such a way that it pivots from a slight, horizontal axis of rotation (2). The centre of gravity of the slab differs from the axis of rotation so that the slab, when not in use, takes on a mainly vertical position with the top of the slab facing outward, and is in such a position that it is protected from dirt, water, sun, etc. The device consists of an attachment (4) which, whenever the slab is used, supports the slab (1) in its horizontal position. | ||||||
| 权利要求 | |||||||
| 说明书全文 | Outdoor wooden surfaces e.g. benches that are exposed to rain, dirt, temperature variations, exposure to sun, etc. are rapidly damaged if their maintenance is neglected. Small and big cracks, a weathered surface makes algae, dirt and moisture stay in the wood. The bench looses its quality as a seat or workbench. In Scandinavia there has been a tradition of using wood for the construction of benches and other outdoor furniture. It would therefore be a pity if metal-net-constructions would take over. As far as I know, no solution has yet been found where the bench automatically takes on a position that protects it from exposure, when it is not used. The document US-A-3 850 476 discloses a slab having the features of the preamble of claim 1. But the top surface of this slab is strait vertical, when the slab is not in use, and rotates in a different direction. A slab e.g. a wooden bench with fittings which, when the bench is not in use, allows it to fold down into a mainly vertical position, with its top surface slightly pointing downwards, so that it is sheltered from rain, dirt, etc. Such a slab is defined by the features of the characterising portion of claim 1. Figures 1 and 2 The slab (1) is made of heavier material in front of the pivoting point (2). As a consequence the slab folds down into a vertical position when there is not pressure on it, its top surface slightly pointing downwards so as to be protected from rain, dirt etc. The fittings on the slab (3) and on the side supports (4) pivot on a peg, up to a stabilising point, on which the slab rests, when the slab is used. Using the slab: Turn it up into its horizontal position - sit on it or place a burden on the slab so that it rests against the stabilising point. Because the slab folds forwards and downwards, and because there is no need for any support for the back to stop a sitting person from falling backwards, the construction differs from earlier patents DE-C 475 842, Ch-C-124 724, FR-A 676559, US-A-3 850 476. The fittings (3 and 4) are shaped to fit different kinds of side supports (6), made of e.g. wood, iron, concrete, stone or tree logs, and with an arrangement for the adjustment of distance and angle. Another use besides sitting, e.g. for tables in picnic areas where you do not want the slab to return automatically to the vertical position, the fittings or side supports can be supplemented with a bar to temporarily secure the horizontal position. |
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