Folding table for a seat in a means of transportation

[0001] The invention relates to a folding table on the rear side of the backrest of a passenger seat in an aircraft, land vehicle or watercraft. It is possible for the folding table to be adjusted between an inoperative position, in which it is folded up against the backrest, and a folded-down use position. Its side which is visible in the inoperative position is designed as an advertisement-carrying surface for an exchangeable advertisement carrier.

[0002] Folding tables of this type are described in DE 43 40 189 A1, DE 297 01 389 U1 and DE 299 07 135 U1.

[0003] The folding table according to DE 299 07 135 U1 has a table top with a lower side containing a cutout in which a plate-like insert is removably mounted such that it can be removed, and which has an insertion compartment for holding an information carrier in the form of a sheet. The insertion compartment is covered toward the visible surface of the insert by a transparent window. The insert is designed as a frame, with the insertion compartment being open toward the opposite surface of the cutout of the table top. The insert is mounted in the cutout of the table top, in the vertical inoperative position thereof, in a manner such that it can be pulled out upward. A respective pivot pin, which engages in a respective lateral displacement groove of the cutout of the table top, protrudes in the lower region of the insert from both sides. In the upper region of the insert, a respective latching projection, which engages in the displacement groove, protrudes from both sides. The insert can be blocked in the cutout of the table top by at least one fixing element.

[0004] This folding table is of multi-part and complicated construction and does not provide sufficient security against unauthorized opening by removal of the insert from the cutout of the table top. The complicated construction also means that this folding table is relatively heavy, which is disadvantageous when it is used on an aircraft passenger seat.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a folding table which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art, is of simple construction, has a low weight and provides security against unauthorized manipulation of the advertisement-carrying surface.

[0006] For a folding table of the type mentioned above, it is proposed according to the invention, that side of the folding table which is designed as an advertisement-carrying surface has a depression with undercuts or grooves arranged at least in some regions. An insert which holds the advertisement carrier and is adapted to the depression, or a frame which engages around the insert and over it in the edge region, may be clipped into the depression by projections which grip behind the undercut or engage in the groove.

[0007] The undercut or the groove can be made in the depression while the folding table is being produced, while the insert or the frame either has a plurality of latching lugs on its circumference, which lugs grip behind the undercut or groove, in which case a plurality of undercut sections or groove sections corresponding to the latching lugs can be arranged on the circumference of the depression, or else there is an encircling, groove-like depression into which an elastic shaped ring is placed, wherein the ring forms the projection which grips behind the encircling undercut or engages in the encircling groove.

[0008] When the frame is clipped into the depression in the described manner, it can only be removed from the depression using a special tool which is not available to the passenger.

[0009] Since the frame does not have any guides, projections sliding in the guides, and the like, it can be designed to be very narrow and with a low weight. The elastic shaped ring can preferably comprise a round seal which is placed into the encircling, groove-like depression of the insert and is held therein on account of its elasticity. This round seal can be deformed to a sufficient extent in order to ensure that the frame is clipped into the depression and that the frame is subsequently secured in the encircling undercut of the depression. At the same time, a sealing effect with respect to cleaning agents is produced.

[0010] The insert may be provided with a transparent visible surface behind which the advertisement carrier may be arranged. The advertisement-carrying surface can also be designed as a viewing screen which can then show not only advertising messages, but also feature films and news.

[0011] A bottle or cup holder which can be folded down can be arranged next to the advertisement-carrying surface. As a result, drinks can be held ready while viewing the advertising message or a feature film.

[0012] The folding table is preferably designed as a film-encased foam or honeycomb body having receiving rails placed in and fixed on the lateral edges. This results in a light and nevertheless stable construction which has an impact-protecting function.

[0013] It is similarly possible to clip together the folding table, which comprises two injection-molded plastic half shells, to form a unit.

[0014] Other objects and features of the invention are explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

[0021] A folding table 1 according to the invention is arranged on the rear side of the backrest of a passenger seat in an aircraft, land vehicle or watercraft. The table can be adjusted between an inoperative position, in which it is folded up against the backrest, and a folded-down use position. The table is illustrated in FIG. 1 with its visible side 2 in the inoperative position. The side 2 is provided with a first, undercut depression 3, including an encircling undercut 4 seen in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0022] An insert 5, which is adapted to the shape of the depression 3, is provided with an encircling, groove-like depression 7. An elastic shaped ring, for example in the form of a sealing tube, can be placed in the groove 7. The shaped ring forms an encircling projection 6. It grips behind the encircling undercut 4 when the insert is in the clipped-in position illustrated. The insert 5 has a transparent visible surface 8 which defines the advertisement-carrying surface. The region of the hatching shows a structure which cannot be looked through and covers the edge of an advertisement carrier 9, and the fastening region is placed on or integrated with that structure. The advertisement carrier 9 comprises a printed film or other material arranged behind the visible surface 8. A foam underlayer 10 keeps the advertisement carrier 9 securely pressed against the rear side of the visible surface 8 in the clipped-in state.

[0023] A further depression 12, into which a bottle or cup holder 11 can be folded, is arranged next to the depression 3 in the visible side 2 of the folding table 1.

[0024] The folding table 1 comprises a foam body 14 which is foamed into a film 13, which consists of two structural shells and is bonded to supporting material.

[0025] Stiffening rails 15, preferably comprised of aluminum, are foamed in along the lateral edges of the folding table 1, and the fastening elements for the folding table 1, for fastening it to the backrest of the passenger seat, are fitted on said rails.

[0026] The frame 5 together with the advertisement carrier 9 and the foam underlayer 10 can be clipped into the depression 3. The shaped ring 6 is initially deformed and is then expanded in such a manner that it grips behind the encircling undercut 4 and secures the entire arrangement in a rattle-free manner. The foam underlayer 10 and the design of the folding table 1 as a foam body 14 provide increased accident protection on account of the shock-absorbing properties of the folding table 1.

[0027] The component comprising the frame 5, the visible surface 8, the advertisement carrier 9 placed in it and the foam underlayer 10 cannot be removed from the depression 3 without a special tool, since no handle is provided for this purpose. On the other hand, a flat lever, if appropriate a screwdriver, can be introduced into the gap between the frame 5 and the encircling undercut 4, and the frame 5 can therefore be levered out in a simple manner.

[0028] Two positions which each define an optimum lever arm with respect to the axis of rotation which arises are selected for the introduction of the tool. The engagement points are designed in such a manner that the groove for receiving the sealing and fixing profile makes the clearance possible by pushing said profile away into the expanded groove.

[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the folding table 1 comprises two plastic half shells 16, 17 which are clipped together. The upper plastic half shell 16 has a recess which, in conjunction with supporting ribs 19 on the lower plastic half shell, forms the depression 18 for holding the advertisement carrier. In the present case, a foam underlayer 22 is first placed onto the supporting ribs 19, a picture 21 used as the advertisement carrier is placed onto it and is covered in turn by a pane of glass 20 placed on it. The entire arrangement of the pane of glass 20, the picture 21 and the foam underlayer 22 is held in the depression 18 by an encircling frame 23. The frame 23 grasps the pane of glass 20 by engaging around it and, in the edge region, over it, and secures the pane by latching lugs 25 which project into the depression 18 and engage in groove sections 24.

[0030] This arrangement can also only be removed from the folding table by a special tool which can consist of the already mentioned, flat lever or of a suction head acting on the pane of glass 20.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.