FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an extendable table of the type provided with at least two main tops and an extension top, mobile between a lowered position in which it is under the main tops, and a raised position in which it is at the level of the main tops and interposed between them. In general, the embodiments described here can be applied to any furnishing element provided with two main resting tops and at least one extractable extension top. The present invention also concerns a method for opening and closing the extendable table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different types of extendable tables are known, in which there are two main tops and at least one mobile extension top which is positioned hidden under the main tops and which can be extracted with respect to the main tops and disposed coplanar and interposed therewith.

One disadvantage of known extendable tables is that the extension top is extracted manually, which is awkward, complicated, and requires physical effort and precision by the user.

These tables use mechanisms to clamp and unclamp the extension top with respect to the main tops, which are generally expensive to produce and complex to use.

Such mechanisms typically have at least one lever on which the user has to act in order to drive them and accompany the movement of the extension top to open and close the table correctly.

There is therefore a need to perfect an extendable table and a corresponding method which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an extendable table in which movement is simple and does not require complicated clamping/unclamping mechanisms.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to perfect a method for opening/closing an extendable table which can be easily performed by any user without requiring excessive effort on his/her part. The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an extendable table according to the present invention comprises a fixed structure, a first movement slider and a second movement slider which are mobile from opposite sides with respect to the fixed structure, in a synchronized manner, in a substantially horizontal direction of movement. The table also comprises a first main top positioned on the first slider, a second main top positioned on the second slider and an extension top supported by a support member configured to allow the rotation and simultaneous raising of the extension top from a lowered retractable position in which it is located under the main tops to a raised extended position in which it is coplanar with the main tops and interposed between them. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the table comprises a raising device configured to cooperate with the support member in order to rotate and move the extension top vertically, simultaneously and automatically, when the main tops are moved in the direction of movement.

Doing so achieves at least the advantage of being able to lengthen the table in a simple and automatic manner, without requiring an excessive physical effort by the user and without the manual drive of levers or clamping or unclamping mechanisms.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the support member comprises a guide element which defines a terminally predetermined raising path for the extension top, and a guide pin configured to cooperate with the guide element and travel the raising path.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the support member comprises a fixed support fixed to the fixed structure and a mobile support rotatable with respect to the fixed support and on which the extension top is disposed, wherein one of either the fixed support or the mobile support comprises the guide element and the other comprises the guide pin.

The raising device also comprises an attachment pin integral with the extension top and an attachment head integral with one of the sliders and configured to cooperate with the attachment pin in order to take the extension top from the lowered retractable position to the raised extended position, and vice versa, when the sliders are moved in the direction of movement.

The attachment pin can be connected to the mobile support and the attachment head is configured to cooperate with the attachment pin in order to make the mobile support rotate with respect to the fixed support when the sliders are moved in the direction of movement.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the attachment head comprises a central seating configured to thrust the attachment pin at least in a direction parallel to the direction of movement, and at least one lateral seating configured to pull the attachment pin at least in a direction parallel to the direction of movement.

Moreover, the table comprises a movement device configured to move the sliders simultaneously and in opposite senses in the direction of movement and in a manner symmetrical with respect to the fixed structure.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the table comprises a clamping device configured to hold, alternatively and by elastic return, the extension top in the lowered retractable position, in which it is located under the main tops and in which these are side by side and in contact with each other, or in the raised extended position, in which the extension top is coplanar with the main tops, interposed between them and in contact with them.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for opening or closing a table according to the present invention provides to move the sliders in the direction of movement simultaneously, from opposite sides with respect to the fixed structure, in such a way that the extension device cooperates with the extension top making the latter rotate and simultaneously moving it in a vertical direction in order to pass from the lowered retractable position to the raised extended position, and vice versa. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - figs, from 1 to 9 are bottom views of a table according to an embodiment of the present invention, in various opening and closing steps, in which some parts have been omitted for a clearer description;

- fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a detail of the table of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 11 is an enlarged lateral section of the table of fig. 1 ; - fig. 12 is a section of a part of a table according to possible embodiments.

We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to the attached drawings, an extendable table 10 according to the present invention comprises two main tops 19, 20 and an extension top 26.

The table 10 is configured to pass from a closed condition (fig. 9), in which the two main tops 19, 20 are coplanar and side by side with each other and the extension top 26 is disposed under them, to an open condition (fig. 5), in which the extension top 26 is coplanar with the two main tops 19, 20 and interposed between them in contact with a respective side of each main top 19, 20.

With reference to fig. 1, the table 10 comprises a frame 11 having a fixed structure 12 (figs. 11, 12) which comprises a leg 13 on which at least one cross member 14, or fixing plate, is fixed, which in turn supports two longitudinal members 15 (fig. 1).

We must clarify that, for ease of description, the leg 13 and the cross member 14 have not been shown in figs, from 1 to 9. The frame 11 also comprises a first movement slider 16 and a second movement slider 17 mounted sliding with respect to the longitudinal members 15 in a substantially horizontal direction of movement X. In this case, the longitudinal members 15 act as guide tracks for the sliders 16, 17. The first main top 19 is disposed on the first slider 16 and the second main top 20 is disposed on the second slider 17.

The table 10 also comprises a movement device 21 configured to move the sliders 16, 17 simultaneously, in synchrony and in opposite senses in the direction of movement X. Preferably, the movement device 21 is configured to move the sliders 16, 17 simultaneously and in opposite senses, symmetrically with respect to a central axis of symmetry P (fig. 11, 12) of the table 10.

In the example given here, the movement device 21 comprises a central rod 22 pivoted, in correspondence with its central part, or fulcrum C, to the fixed structure 12 and two transmission rods 23, 24. A first transmission rod 23 is connected to a first end of the central rod 22 and a second transmission rod 24 is connected to a second end of the central rod 22, opposite to the first end.

The first transmission rod 23 is also pivoted to the first slider 16 and the second transmission rod 24 is connected to the second slider 17. Therefore, the traction of the first slider 16 causes the traction of the first transmission rod 23 and consequently the rotation of the central rod 22 around the fulcrum C to which it is pivoted. The rotation of the central rod 22 thrusts the second transmission rod 24 and consequently also the second slider 17 in a direction opposite to that in which the first slider 16 is pulled. A person of skill in the art can easily understand that the same effect can also be achieved through the traction of the second slider 17.

In a similar manner, the thrust of the first slider 16 causes the thrust of the first transmission rod 23 and consequently the rotation of the central rod 22 around the fulcrum C to which it is pivoted. The rotation of the central rod 22 pulls the second transmission rod 24 and consequently also the second slider 17 in a direction opposite to that in which the first slider 16 is thrust. Also in this case, a person of skill in the art can easily understand that the same effect can also be achieved through the thrust of the second slider 17.

We must clarify that the movement device 21 can also be conformed differently from what has been described, for example it can be a horizontal sliding mechanism, for example of the double track/guide, counterweight, pulley, cable or spring, or rod type, or a combination of the above.

In other embodiments, which can be combined with the previous ones, the movement device 21 can be driven by a drive member, for example of the electric type, in order to move the sliders 16, 17.

The table 10 also comprises an extension top 26 connected to the fixed structure 12 by means of a support member 27 configured to allow the rotation and simultaneous raising of the extension top 26.

In the present case, the extension top 26 is connected to a cross member 14 of the fixed structure 12.

In particular, the support member 27 allows the extension top 26 to pass from a lowered retractable position (fig. 9) to a raised extended position (fig. 5).

In the example given here, in the lowered retractable position the extension top 26 is disposed under the main tops 19, 20, while in the raised extended position it is at the same level as the main tops 19, 20 and interposed between them. Furthermore, in the raised extended position, the extension top 26 is in contact with a respective side of each of the main tops 19, 20.

Preferably, in passing from the lowered retractable position to the raised extended position, the extension top 26 performs a rotation of about 90° with respect to a vertical axis of rotation Z.

In the example given here, the support member 27 comprises a fixed support 29 fixed to the fixed structure 12, for example to the upper portion of the leg 13, or to a cross member 14, and a mobile support 30 on which the extension top 26 is fixed and which cooperates with the fixed support 29.

The mobile support 30 is mounted rotatable with respect to the fixed support 29 and, moreover, one of either the mobile support 30 or the fixed support 29 comprises a guide element 31 (fig. 11, 12) which defines a raising path for the extension top 26, and the other comprises a guide pin 32 suitable to cooperate with the guide element 31 and travel the raising path.

In the present case, the guide element 31 comprises a slot 31a created on the fixed support 29 having a first end 35 corresponding to the lowered position of the extension top 26 and a second end 36 corresponding to the raised position of the extension top 26.

The first end 35 and the second end 36 of the slot are disposed at different heights, in particular the first end 35 is disposed at a lower height than the second end 36, and furthermore they are disposed angularly offset with respect to each other by approximately 90° with respect to the axis of rotation Z.

The guide pin 32 is fixed to the mobile support 30 and is inserted inside the guide element 31, whereby a rotation of the mobile support 30 with respect to the fixed support 29 corresponds to the sliding of the guide pin 32 in the guide element 31 which, following the raising path, simultaneously raises and rotates the extension top 26 from the lowered position to the raised position.

Optionally, with reference to fig. 12, between the fixed support 29 and the mobile support 30 there are disposed an axial bearing 39, to facilitate the rotation of the mobile support 30 with respect to the fixed support, and a spring 40, to facilitate the raising of the mobile support 30 and of the extension top 26. The axial bearing 39 is advantageously disposed in contact with the fixed support 29 and is inside a first cylindrical element 37 fixed to the latter. The spring 40 is advantageously disposed between the mobile support 30 and the axial bearing 39 and is contained in a second cylindrical element 38, fixed to the mobile support 30, and in turn partly contained in the first cylindrical element 37. This considerably reduces the physical effort required from the user to take the extension top 26 from the lowered position to the raised position and guides the rotation between the mobile support 30 and the fixed support 29.

The table 10 can also comprise a raising device 42 configured to simultaneously rotate and raise the extension top 26 while the main tops 19, 20 are moved in the direction of movement X.

Specifically, the raising device 42 is configured to cooperate with the support member 27, in particular to make the mobile support 30 rotate with respect to the fixed support 29 while the main tops 19, 20 are moved in the direction of movement X away from the fixed structure 12, to trigger the movement of the guide pin 32 along the raising path from the first end 35 to the second end 36 of the guide element 31 and raise the extension top 26. Moreover, the raising device 42 is configured to make the mobile support 30 rotate with respect to the fixed support 29 while the main tops 19, 20 are moved in the direction of movement X toward the fixed structure 12, to trigger the movement of the guide pin 32 along the raising path from the second end 36 to the first end 35 of the guide element 31 and lower the extension top 26.

In the example given here, the raising device 42 comprises an attachment member 43, or pilot arm, fixed to the second slider 17 and an attachment pin 44 fixed to the mobile support 30. The attachment member 43 is fixed to the second slider 17 on the opposite side to the second main top 20 with respect to the fixed structure 12 and comprises a main body 45 pivoted to the second slider 17 and provided with an attachment head 46. Moreover, the attachment pin 44 is fixed to the mobile support 30 and is aligned with the attachment member 43 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement X.

When the second slider 17 is moved away from the fixed structure 12, the attachment member 43 moves toward the attachment pin 44, while when the second slider 17 is moved toward the fixed structure 12, the attachment member 43 moves away from the attachment pin 44.

The attachment member 43 is oscillating with respect to the second slider 17 and also comprises a retention element 47 configured to retain the attachment head 46 by elastic return in a determinate neutral position with respect to the attachment pin 44 and to the second slider 17. On the attachment head 46 there are three seatings 50, 51, 52 (fig. 10) each of which is configured to cooperate with the attachment pin 44 in order to correctly move the extension top 26 in coordination with the movement of the sliders 16, 17 in the direction of movement X.

In particular, the attachment head 46 comprises a central seating 50, a first lateral seating 51 disposed on one side with respect to the central seating 50 and a second lateral seating 52 disposed on the other side with respect to the central seating 50.

In the example given here, the attachment head 46 lies in a horizontal plane and the attachment pin 44 is vertical, so that the first lateral seating 51 is side by side with the central seating 50 toward the inside of the table 10 and the second lateral seating 52 is disposed side by side with the central seating 50, in a more advanced position with respect to the latter, toward the fixed structure 12.

However, a person of skill in the art will understand that in other possible embodiments the attachment head 46 can lie in a vertical plane and the attachment pin 44 can be horizontal. In this case, one of the lateral seatings 51, 52 would be above the central seating 50 and the other of the lateral seatings 51, 52 would be below the central seating 50. The central seating 50 has a shape which at least partly follows, negatively, the external shape of the attachment pin 44 and faces the latter. The first lateral seating 51 has a C-shaped internal shape suitable to surround part of the attachment pin 44 in order to retain the latter inside it, and it has an external portion, facing the attachment pin 44, which defines an inclined plane directed from the inside toward the outside of the table 10. Moreover, the second lateral seating 52 has a C-shaped internal shape suitable to surround part of the attachment pin 44 in order to retain the latter inside it, and an external portion, facing the attachment pin 44, which defines an inclined plane directed from the outside toward the inside of the table 10. The central seating 50 is configured to cooperate with the attachment pin 44 during the opening of the table 10, that is, for the passage of the extension top 26 from the lowered retractable position to the raised extended position (figs. 2, 3 and 4). During this passage, the central seating 50 is compressed by the attachment pin 44. The first lateral seating 51 is configured to cooperate with the attachment pin 44 during the closing of the table 10 for the lowering of the extension top 26 (fig. 6). During this passage, the first lateral seating 51 is put in traction by the attachment pin 44.

The second lateral seating 52 is configured to cooperate with the attachment pin 44 during the closing of the table 10 to correctly reposition the extension top 26 under the main tops 19, 20, as will be explained in detail below (figs. 7 and 8). During this passage, the second lateral seating 52 is put in traction by the attachment pin 44.

The raising device 42 also comprises positioning means 53 configured to release the attachment head 46 from the attachment pin 44.

The positioning means 53 comprise a shaped element 55 and a contrast element 56 configured to contact the shaped element 55 and consequently move the attachment head 46. In the example given here, the shaped element 55 is integral with the attachment head 46 while the contrast element 56 is integral with the first slider 16.

In other embodiments, not shown in the attached drawings, the shaped element 55 can be integral with the first slider 16 while the contrast element 56 can be integral with the attachment head 46.

In other embodiments, not shown in the drawings, one of either the shaped element 55 or the contrast element 56 can be fixed to the fixed structure 12 and the other one of either the shaped element 55 or the contrast element 56 can be integral with the attachment head 46. Specifically, the positioning means 53 are configured to move the attachment head 46 in a direction transverse with respect to the direction of movement X when the second slider 17 is moved toward the fixed structure 12 to disengage the attachment pin 44 from the second lateral seating 52 the moment when the extension top 26 completely reaches the lowered retractable position (figs, from 8 to 9).

In possible variants, not shown in the drawings, the raising device 42 can be without the attachment member 43 and can comprise a cam element configured to cooperate with the attachment pin 44 in order to determine the movement of the extension top 26. The cam element can be of the closed cam type, and it can be fixed to the fixed structure 12 or to the second slider 17. Optionally, the table 10 comprises a clamping device 60, shown only in figs. 5 and 9, configured to stably hold the tops 19, 20, 26 in the lowered position or in the raised extended position.

In particular, the clamping device 60 is configured to hold the extension top 26, alternately and by elastic return, in the lowered retractable position in which it is located under the main tops 19, 20 and in which the latter are side by side and in contact with each other, or in the raised extended position in which the extension top 26 is coplanar with the main tops 19, 20, interposed between them and in contact with them. The clamping device 60 comprises a retention member 61 configured to alternately retain a first abutment element 62 when the table 10 is in the lowered retractable position, or a second abutment element 63 when the table 10 is in the raised extended position. The retention member 61 is fixed to the first slider 16 and comprises two wheels 65, 66 having an axis of rotation parallel to each other and pressed against each other by elastic means (not shown).

The first abutment element 62 is fixed to the second slider 17 and has an elongated shape with a wedge-shaped tip 67 suitable to be inserted between the wheels 65, 66 of the retention member 61. Furthermore, the wedge-shaped tip 67 also comprises a groove 69 configured to cooperate with one of the wheels 65, 66.

The second abutment element 63 is fixed to the mobile support 30 and also has a wedge-shaped tip 70 suitable to be inserted between the wheels 65, 66 of the retention member 61. Furthermore, the wedge-shaped tip 70 also comprises a groove 71 configured to cooperate with one of the wheels 65, 66.

When the table 10 is in the lowered retractable position (fig. 9) the wedge- shaped tip 67 of the first abutment element 62 is inserted between the wheels 65, 66 of the retention member 61, and one of the wheels 65, 66 is inside the groove 69. The wheel 65 inside the groove 69 is thrust against the other wheel 66 by the elastic means so that the wedge-shaped tip 67 is retained between the wheels 65, 66 which provide a slight resistance to the movement of the sliders 16, 17.

When the table 10 is in the raised extended position (fig. 5) the wedge-shaped tip 70 of the second abutment element 63 is inserted between the wheels 65, 66 of the retention member 61 , and one of the wheels 65, 66 is inside the groove 69. The wheel 65 inside the groove 71 is thrust against the other wheel 66 by the elastic means so that the wedge-shaped tip 67 is retained between the wheels 65, 66 which, also in this case, provide a slight resistance to the movement of the sliders 16, 17.

Please note that the clamping device 60 described here on the one hand prevents unwanted movements of the sliders 16, 17 and holds them in a stable position, and on the other hand allows to release the movement of the sliders 16, 17 only by means of a traction thereof, without the use of levers or other complicated clamping mechanisms.

The operation of the extendable table 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

In order to pass from the closed configuration (fig. 9) to the open configuration (fig. 5) of the table 10, the movement device 21 moves at least one of either the first slider 16 or the second slider 17 away from the fixed structure 12.

The movement device 21 can be driven manually by a user by pulling one of the two sliders 16, 17.

Or, optionally, the movement device 21 can be driven by means of an electric drive member.

Then, the attachment pin 44 is inserted into the central seating 50 moving forward and is thrust by the latter, making the mobile support 30 complete a rotation of about 90° with respect to the fixed support 29, triggering the movement of the guide pin 32 along the raising path defined by the guide element 31 (figs, from 2 to 4).

The central seating 50 accompanies the attachment pin 44 throughout the entire rotation of the mobile support 30, until the guide pin 32 reaches the second end 36 of the guide element 31. When the guide pin 32 reaches the second end 36, the extension top 26 is positioned rotated by 90° with respect to its lowered position and at the level of the main tops 19, 20. In fact, in this step the guide pin 32 travels the raising path, thus raising the extension top 26.

Please note that during said rotation the attachment pin 44 moves along a circumference arc and it can be followed by the attachment head 46 thanks to the fact that the main body 45 is pivoted and can rotate slightly with respect to the second slider 17.

We must clarify that during the raising/lowering of the mobile support 30, the pin 44 is free to slide in the vertical direction inside one of the seatings 50, 51, 52. For example, during the raising of the mobile support 30, the pin 44 slides upward inside the central seating 50. Moreover, during the lowering of the mobile support 30, the pin 44 slides downward inside the first lateral seating 51.

When the extension top 26 is in the raised position, at the same level as the main tops 19, 20, the sliders 16, 17 are moved toward the fixed structure 12 until the main tops 19, 20 contact a respective side of the extension top 26 (fig. 5). In this step, the retention element 47 returns the attachment head 46 to its neutral position so that the attachment pin 44 is freed from the central seating 50.

Subsequently, in order to pass from the open condition to the closed condition of the table 10, the two sliders 16, 17 are moved away from the fixed structure 12.

In this step, the attachment head 46 moves integrally with the second slider 17 until it abuts against the attachment pin 44 which is aligned with the internal seating 51. In this way, the attachment pin 44 goes past the inclined external portion of the first lateral seating 51 until it is inserted therein (fig. 6).

When the attachment pin 44 is inside the first lateral seating 51 , the two sliders 16, 17 are moved toward the fixed structure 12. During this step, the attachment head 46 moves backward away from the fixed structure 12 and drags with it the attachment pin 44 which is inserted in the internal seating 51.

This triggers the rotation of the mobile support 30 with respect to the fixed support 29, and consequently also the sliding of the guide pin 32 in the guide element 31.

During this step, the attachment pin 44 travels a circular trajectory so that it also moves transversely with respect to the direction of movement X. The trajectory of the attachment pin 44 and the geometry of the attachment head 46 are such that the attachment pin 44 comes out of the first lateral seating 51 and is inserted into the second lateral seating 52 (figs. 7 and 8).

Subsequently, the attachment pin 44 is inserted in the second lateral seating 52 which continues to drag with it the attachment pin 44 away from the fixed structure 12 until the guide pin 32 reaches the first end 35 of the guide element 31.

When the guide pin 32 has reached the first end 35 of the guide element 31, the extension top 26 is again located in the lowered retractable position.

At this point, the movement of the sliders 16, 17 toward the fixed structure 12 also triggers the positioning means 53, which displace the attachment head 46 transversely with respect to the direction of movement X, disengaging the attachment pin 44 from the second lateral seating 52 (figs, from 8 to 9).

Then, the sliders 16, 17 can be moved toward the fixed structure 12 until the table 10 is in the closed configuration, with the main tops 19, 20 once again side by side and in contact with each other (fig. 9).

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the extendable table 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of extendable table, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the same claims.