Electrical control panel preferably for height adjustable tables

Abstract

An electrical operating panel, in particular for height-adjustable tables equipped with actuators or lifting columns driven by an electric motor. The panel has a first part ( 1 ) intended for fixed mounting of the panel and a second part ( 2 ) with operating keys ( 19 ) for activating electrical switches. The two parts are hinged together, and the hinge is formed with a rotary shaft ( 10 ) on the no part and a bearing with a cylindrical face ( 13 ) on the other part and formed with interengaging projections ( 16 ) and depressions ( 15 ) such that the second part may assume various angular positions relative to the first part, the force between projections and depressions bearing greater than the necessary operative pressure on the operating keys, but smaller than the force necessary to manually move the second part between the various angular positions. The panel is of simple structure and easy to mount and use. The users may easily set the keyboard part in the desired angular position. Furthermore, the panel yields so that it is not damaged in case of collision with an object.

1 . An electrical operating panel, in particular for adjustable articles of furniture, such as height-adjustable tables equipped with actuators or lifting columns driven by an electric motor, said panel comprising a mounting part ( 1 ) intended for fixed mounting of the panel and a keyboard part ( 2 ) having operating keys ( 23 ) for activating electrical switches ( 23 ), said two parts being hinged together, characterized in that the hinge is formed with a rotary shaft ( 10 ) on one part and bearing a cylindrical face ( 13 ) on the other part, said hinge being formed with retaining means such that the keyboard part ( 2 ) may assume various angular positions relative to the mounting part ( 1 ), said retaining means exerting a retaining force in the hinge which is greater than the necessary operative pressure on the operating keys ( 19 ), but smaller than the force necessary to manually move the keyboard part ( 2 ) between the various angular positions.  
   
   
       2 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one end, preferably both ends ( 29 ), of the keyboard part ( 2 ) is inclined or curve-shaped inwards toward the centre of the free edge ( 30 ) of the keyboard part ( 2 ).  
   
   
       3 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the retaining means are formed as interengaging projections ( 16 ) and depressions ( 15 ) on the rotary shaft ( 10 ) and the cylindrical face ( 13 ), respectively, in the bearing for the shaft.  
   
   
       4 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the retaining means are formed by one or more O-rings ( 27 ) of rubber or a corresponding material disposed between the rotary shaft ( 10 ) and the cylindrical face ( 13 ) in the bearing for the shaft.  
   
   
       5 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the rotary shaft is formed by two stub shafts ( 10 ).  
   
   
       6 . An operating panel according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the depressions ( 15 ) are formed in the bearing, and that the projection(s) ( 16 ) is(are) formed in the rotary shaft ( 10 ).  
   
   
       7 . An operating panel according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the depressions are groove-shaped, and that the projections are strip-shaped.  
   
   
       8 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the mounting part ( 1 ) consists of a flat box ( 3 ), which may preferably be closed by a cover ( 4 ), and that a recess ( 6 ) is provided in three sides for selective guidance of a cable.  
   
   
       9 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one screw hole ( 7 ) extends through the box and terminates, on the lower side of the box as well on the upper side of the cover, in a countersink ( 8 ) for a screw head.  
   
   
       10 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the keyboard part ( 2 ) comprises a housing ( 11 ) which, in outline, essentially appears as an isosceles trapezium, with the longest side facing inwards toward the mounting part ( 1 ).  
   
   
       11 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the bearing ( 12 ) for the rotary shaft ( 10 ) has an opening sufficiently large for the shaft ( 10 ) to be pressed inwards through it in a snap-like manner.  
   
   
       12 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the part ( 2 ) has a curved flap ( 17 ) which acts against a flap ( 18 ) on the part ( 1 ) for additional fixing of the rotary shaft.  
   
   
       13 . An operating panel according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the part ( 2 ) moreover has two arms ( 25 ) which, through notches, protrude inwards over the entry opening(s) to the bearing to secure the rotary shaft additionally.  
   
   
       14 . An operating panel according to  claim 8 , characterized in that a tensile relief ( 26 ) for the cable is provided at the bottom of the mounting part, preferably in the centre of it.