Folding table

• US 8,171,862 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
• Original Assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
• Inventors: Muirhead, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US12/397,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20090223417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 108/45, 108/46, 108/42, 108/49, 108/50.01, 108/152, 108/44, 297/145, 297/161, 248/918, 312/223.2, 312/223.3
• US Class Current: 108/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/002 of trays
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00 Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00153 Monitors mounted on or in the seat other than the seat back
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders

Abstract

A table for attaching to the wall of an aircraft. The table has a table top comprising at least two table top segments which are moveable relative to each other. At least one table top segment has a screen on one side. Two table top segments are pivotable or rotatable in relation to each other about at least two axes. The first axis runs parallel to an edge of a table top segment. The second axis runs substantially perpendicularly to the first axis in the plane of a table top segment.

Claims

1. A table for attaching to a wall, comprising:

a table top comprising first and second table top segments which are moveable relative to each other about at least two axes and a connecting device between the first and second table top segments,

wherein the first and second table top segments are pivotable by the connecting device in relation to each other about a first axis running parallel to an edge of one of the first and second table top segments,

wherein the first and second table top segments are rotatable by the connecting device in relation to each other about a second axis running substantially perpendicularly to the first axis in a plane of one of the first and second table top segments,

wherein the second table top segment has a screen on one side;

wherein in a first use position the first and second table top segments are aligned in one plane with the screen in the second table top segment facing downward for jointly using the entire surface of the first and second table top segments as a table,

wherein in a second use position the first and second table top segments are aligned in one plane with the screen in the second table top segment facing upwards, and

wherein in a third use position the first and second table top segments are folded onto each other with only the screen side of the second table top segment facing upward.

2. The table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first table top segment is fastened moveably to the wall and the second table top segment is connected moveably to the first table top segment.

3. The table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first table top segment is pivotable in relation to the wall about a first axis which runs parallel to that edge of the first table top segment which faces the wall.

4. The table as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first table top segment is additionally rotatable in relation to the wall about a second axis which runs substantially perpendicularly to the first axis in the plane of the first table top segment.

5. The table as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first table top segment is fixable relative to the wall in one or more defined use positions.

6. The table as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second table top segment is fixable relative to the first table top segment in one or more defined use positions.

7. The table as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second table top segment has a table surface on one side and a screen on the opposite side.

8. The table as claimed in claim 7, wherein the screen takes up at least 50%, of an entire surface of the opposite side of the second table top segment.

9. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the screen has touch-sensitive control elements.

10. The table as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an orientation sensor that permits automatic adaptation of the alignment of on-screen displays as a function of the orientation of the screen in space.

11. An arrangement comprising a wall and a table as claimed in claim 1 fastened to the wall.

12. The arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the table is arranged substantially parallel to a wall surface.

13. The arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in the stowed position, the table is arranged in a depression in the wall.

14. The arrangement as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the table top segments of the table are folded onto each other in the stowed position and are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

15. The arrangement as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein, in the stowed position, the screen faces away from the wall.

16. The table as claimed in claim 7, wherein the screen takes up at least 60% of an entire surface of the opposite side of the second table top segment.

17. The table as claimed in claim 7, wherein the screen takes up at least 70% of an entire surface of the opposite side of the second table top segment.

18. The table as claimed in claim 7, wherein the screen takes up at least 80% of an entire surface of the opposite side of the second table top segment.

19. The table as claimed in claim 7, wherein the screen takes up at least 90% of an entire surface of the opposite side of the second table top segment.

20. The table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting device comprises a joint.

21. The table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting device comprises a hinge.