DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention relates to a disk jockey table comprising a work surface and a two side shoulders for supporting the work surface at a predetermined height from the ground.

The present invention also relates to a method for assembling and disassembling a disk jockey table of the aforementioned type.

Prior art It is known that a disk jockey table is formed by a work surface for housing the working instruments of the disk jockey and a framework intended to support the work surface at a predetermined distance from the ground.

It is also known that the aforementioned tables are able to be disassembled since they must be frequently transported to work locations, such as concert stages, music halls, theatres, etc. The work surface and the framework in fact are usually fixed by means of a system of screws and bolts which can be applied and removed by means of known tools, such as spanners, screwdrivers, etc. In view of the frequency of disassembly and assembly of the table (a disk jockey may have to change work location even every day) a particularly pressing need in this technical sector is that of being able to speed up the disassembly and assembly operations. At the same time, however, it is particularly important that the work surface should be stable so that the inetramentation is not disturbed by the vibrations of the _¾ work surface; consequently, simplification of assembly/disassembly must not influence in any way the quality of the table, which would have an effect on the quality of the disk jockey's work. In this connection, the optimum working conditions may also vary depending, for example, on the stage or the public, since they may require adjustment of the height or inclination of the work surface or small displacements of the table at the location, thus allowing the disk jockey to operate in the preferred position, for example standing while being able to view the instrumentation but also see the public, so as to avoid frequent movements of the head, also known as the "ping-pong ¹¹ effect.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of devising a disk jockey table which is able to solve all the aforementioned problems and in particular which may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled and equally easily transported, together with other equipment, in particular with other tables, but which is also solid and provided with a work surface which is perfectly stable and adjustable, substantially overcoming all the drawbacks which hitherto affect the disk jockey tables of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

The proposed idea forming the basis of the present invention is that of fixing the shoulders of a disk jockey table to a work surface of the table by means of removable locking means, in particular lock pins, which can be inserted inside holes situated in the shoulders and in the work surface in predetermined positions and are able to adjust the height and/or the inclination of the table relative to the ground.

Advantageously, the work surface has an anti-vibration system which reduces the vibrations, substantially eliminating them, thus ensuring that operation of the disk jockey's equipment is not disturbed at all.

Still in accordance with the proposed solution described above, the removable locking means are also intended to a fix a system of roller wheels to the work table, this system of roller wheels being able to allow the table to be moved during use by the disk jockey, but also during transportation of the table, when the work surface and the shoulders are disassembled and stacked on a transportation surface to which the roller wheels may be attached, by means of said lock pins.

According to the proposed solution indicated above, the technical problem is solved by the disk jockey table according to claim 1.

Further advantages and characteristic features of the disk jockey table according to the present invention are described in the dependent claims and will emerge more clearly from the description, below of a number of embodiments thereof, provided with reference to the attached drawings solely by way of a non-limiting example.

Brief description of the drawings Figure la is a perspective view, from above, of a disk jockey table according to the present invention.

Figure lb shows the disk jockey table according to Figure 1 in a perspective view, from above, from a different angle.

Figure lc shows the disk jockey table according to Figure 1 in a perspective view from below.

Figure Id shows the disk jockey table according to Figure 1 in a perspective view, from below, from a different angle.

Figure 2 is a detail of the disk jockey table according to Figure 1, relating to the work surface and the shoulder. Figure 3a is a perspective view, from below, of the work surface of the table according to Figure 2.

Figure 3b is a perspective view, from above, of the work surface of the table according to Figure 2. .:,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the table according to Figure 1, relating to the removable locking means.

Figure 5a is a perspective view of a detail of the table according to Figure 1, relating to the work surface and the bushes. Figure 5b is a perspective view of a detail of the table according to Figure 1, relating to the work surface, the bushes and the shoulder.

Figure 6a is a side view of the table according to Figure 1, with roller wheels. Figure 6b is another side view of the table according to Figure 1, with roller wheels.

Figure 7a is a top plan view of the table according to Figure 6a.

Figure 7b is a bottom plan view of the table according to Figure 6a.

Figure 7c is a side view of the table according to Figure 1, with the work surface inclined.

Figures 8a, 8b are a perspective view and a side view of the table, disassembled for transportation.

Figures 9a and 9b, 9c show, respectively, an incorrect position and two correct working positions of the disk jockey. Figures 10a, 10b show perspective views of rollers wheels of the table according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is perspective view of anti-vibration means for a work surface of the ^' table according to the present invention,

Figures 12, 12b are perspective views, from below and from above, of a cement slab of the work surface of the table according to the present invention.

Figures 13a, 13b are two variations of embodiment of the table according to the present invention.

Figure 14 shows four perspective views of a further variation of embodiment of the table according to the present invention.

Figures 15a, 15b show perspective views of two carriages for the transportation of material. Detailed description

With reference to the attached figures, these show in schematic form, indicated by the reference number 1, a disk jockey table according to the present invention and in particular a work table which can be disassembled and is able to be easily transported to work locations, such as concert stages, theatres, conceit halls, and the like,

The table 1 comprises a work surface 2 and two side shoulders 4 for supporting the work surface 2 at a predetermined distance and inclination relative to the ground. The work surface 2 preferably comprises at Least one frame 10, for example at least one aluminium tubular frame; also the shoulders 4 may be formed by a frame, which may also be tubular and/ or made of aluminium, having attached thereto a square panel made of metal or other material, forming the aide surface of the shoulders 4. Other materials may also be used or also, for example, the metal square panel may be formed as one piece with the framework of the shoulders 4. As can be seen from the attached Figures la to Id, two quadrangular, for example rectangular, tubular frames, may be arranged alongside each other along a greater side, and each of the two shoulders 4 may be attached along the short aligned aides of the two frames.

A side edge of the frame of each shoulder 4, designed to rest on the ground, is preferably provided with feet and/or may be attached to a system of roller wheels, in accordance with that described in greater detail in the description below. An opposite side edge of the frame of each shoulder is directed towards the work surface 2, and fixing of the shoulders 4 to the work surface 2 is performed as described below.

The side shoulders 4 and the work surface 2 arc provided with a plurality of holes 41, 21, in predefined positions on the surface and the shoulders. Each side shoulder 4 is fixed to the work surface 2 by means of at least two removable locking means 7, each comprising

- a rod 71, inserted through a hole 41 in the shoulder 4 and a hole 21 in the work surface 2,

- engaging means 72 radially projecting from the rod 71 along a section of the rod 71 which protrudes from said holes 41, 21, and

- releasing means 73 for retracting the engaging means 72 inside the rod 71 and allowing extraction of the rod 71 from the holes 41, 21, for disassembly of the work surface.

The distance from the ground and/or an inclination of the work surface 2 with respect to the ground is determined by means of engagement of said at least two locking means 7 with two respective holes 41, 42 in the shoulders 4 and with two corresponding holes 21, 22 in the work surface 2.

The holes 21 in the work surface are preferably formed in flanges 14 perpendicular to the tubular structure of the surface, on the opposite sides of the tubular structure. The tubular elements have, for example, a square or rectangular cross-section. A surface of the tubular element comprises holes 50 at a predetermined distance, designed to receive anti-vibration means 9 intended to rest on the opposite surface of the tubular element, inside it. Said opposite surface of the tubular element is provided with smaller-diameter threaded holes 52 which are situated opposite the holes 50 in the first surface of the tubular element and inside which the anti-vibration means 9 are screwed.

In particular, according to one aspect of the present invention, the removable locking means 7 are lock pins, of the type shown in Figure 4. As can be seen from Figure 4, the engaging means 72 comprise a retractable ball, preferably two balls, associated with resilient means, preferably springs. The resilient means are designed to push the ball (or balls) into a position radially projecting from the rod 71, during extension (as shown in Figure 4), or to allow retraction of the ball inside the rod 71, during compression performed by the releasing means 73, preferably via a pushbutton which can be accessed on one side of the shoulder 4. The balls in the projecting position prevent the locking means 7 from being extracted from the holes 21, 41, since the distance between the balls in the projecting position is greater than a diameter of the holes.

In this connection, with reference to Figure 1a, two pairs of lock pins 7 are schematically shown on the sides of a shoulder 4 and fix the work surface via four holes 41, 42, in the shoulder 4, corresponding to respective holes 21, 22 in the work surface 2, partially visible in Fig. lb. Preferably, the table comprises bushes 15, for example hollow cylinders, which are associated with the holes in the work surface and with the holes in the shoulders and inside which a section of the rod 71 of the removable locking means 7, i.e. lock pins, is inserted. The bushes 15 are provided with a thread for initial positioning relative to the work surface and/ or to the square panel of the shoulders, which are threaded inside the holes; during construction, following initial positioning, the bushes are welded to the work surface or the shoulders, thus becoming substantially integral with the work surface or the shoulders. The bushes are schematically shown in Figures 5a and Sb.

In Figure la, the holes 41, 42 inside which the removable locking means 7 are engaged are all aligned and, consequently, the work surface 2 is parallel to the ground- By means of a different combination of the holes 41 , 42 in the shoulders 4 and the holes in the work surface 2 it is possible to provide a table with different inclinations or heights of the work surface, as shown in Figures 6a, 6b. In particular, Figure 6a shows three different groups of holes indicated by three broken-line rectangles identified by the letters A, B and C. By fixing the work surface to the holes belonging to a same group of holes and situated along a line LI (or L2 or L3) parallel to the ground, an inclination of the horizontal surface may be obtained; the different height is obtained by using the holes of another line L2 or L3.

Preferably, the group of holes A allows the work surface to be fixed at a height of 94 cm, the group of holes B allows the work surface to be fixed at a height of 80 cm, and the group of holes C allows the work surface to be fixed at a height of 66 cm. If necessary, by attaching the system of roller wheels the heights may be further varied.

Figure 6b shows instead in schematic form how the inclination of the surface may be adjusted: the work surface is fixed to the holes belonging to a same group of holes, but situated along a line L4 (or L5) with a predefined inclination relative to the ground, for example 7° or 14*, respectively.

Figure 6b also shows other lines L6, L7 since, again according to the present invention, the work surface may be formed by several modules, situated in one or more rows.

In particular, the work surface 2 comprises the frame 10, anti-vibration means 9 fixed to the frame 10 and at least one cement slab 8 resting on top of the anti-vibration means 9, so as to form a work surface of the table. The cement slab preferably also comprises a glass fibre and/ or natural pigments for colouring thereof, for example with a grey colour. Other cavities, preferably four cavities with a diameter of 42 mm and depth of 20 mm, visible in Figure 12b at the four corners of the slab, are formed in each slab, for receiving the anti-vibration means 9; in particular, the slab 8 bears naturally (without further fixing means) and rests on the anti-vibration means 9 which instead protrude from the holes 50 of the tubular structure and are fixed to the threaded holes 51 of this tubular structure.

Another cavity 84 of the cement slab forms means for gripping the slab, i.e. a kind of handle which does not pass through the thickness of the slab. Bach slab is distinguished by a trademark or logo 83, which is preferably in low relief.

The work surface 1 of the table according to the present invention may be formed by a plurality of cement slabs aligned in at least one row. With reference to Figure la, two rows of 4 cement slabs each form the work surface; the slabs along the two rows are coplanar. However, as can be seen from Figure 6b, the cement slabs of one row may have an inclination different from the cement slabs of another row, since the holes in the shoulders may be combined along lines L4, L7 having a different inclination.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each cement slab comprises a raised element on one side which during use faces the disk jockey. The raised element prevents the instrumentation or other objects resting on the slab from slipping.

Figures 13a, 13b show variations of embodiment of the table according to the present invention in which, respectively, a single row of four cement slabs forms the work surface and a single row of three slabs forme the work surface. In the embodiment shown in the four perspective views of Figure 14, the table is formed by a single cement slab, which is fixed to a tubular frame, substantially having the same size as the slab, with the arrangement of an anti-vibration means 9 in between.

In all the embodiments _* the anti-vibration means 9 comprise preferably a cylindrical body 11, as shown in Figure 11. The cylindrical body has one end fixed to the frame 10 of the work surface and an opposite end inserted inside one of the four cavities of the cement slab 8 along a predetermined section.

The cylindrical body is of the anti-vibration type, It is formed by two aluminium disks, preferably with a thickness of 2 cm and diameter of 40 mm, which incorporate the two ends. An anti-vibration cylinder, preferably made of Sorbothane, even more preferably a composition of an additive material and Sorbothane, is provided between the disks, and the two disks are glued to opposite sides of the Sorbothane cylinder. The cylindrical body 11 this formed intercepts the frequencies higher than 5.06 Hz. In one embodiment, the table also comprises a roller wheel system. For example, with reference to Figures 10a, 10b, two rollers wheels are mounted on a suitable frame which is attached underneath the shoulder 4, as shown in Figure 6a, by means of removable locking means 7. Advantageously, in this way, the roller wheels may be easily and quickly removed from the shoulders.

A front panel 5 is mounted between the two shoulders 4, as can be clearly seen in Figure la.

As is clear from the description provided above, the table may be rapidly disassembled by means of removal of the said removable locking means (lock pins) from the frame of the roller wheels 12 (if provided), from the shoulders 4 and from the work surface 2. Advantageously, after disassembly of the table, the frame of the roller wheels 12 can be attached to the front panel 6 by means of the removable means 7, so as to form a transportation surface for the disassembled table. In this connection, the front panel is provided with holes (for example visible on the sides of the panel in Figure la) able to receive the rod of the lock pins.

Once the transportation surface has been formed, the shoulders 4 rest next to each other thereon, and the work surface 2 is in turn mounted on top of the shoulders 4, with the flanges 14 of the work surface which form a retaining side for the shoulders. The side edge of the front panel (Fig. 7c) is also provided with holes which are aligned with the holes on the flanges of the work surface, for receiving the removable locking means. In this way the removable locking means are used also to lock the work surface on the front panel, during transportation of the disassembled table. The rollers wheels or castors underneath the front panel allow the table to be displaced without effort, even when disassembled. Moreover, other tables, which have been previously disassembled, may be stacked on top of the work surface of one table, as shown in Figure 8c.