FR2847133A1 - Hospital furniture, has sliding bolt locking tilting part to vertical column when tilting part occupies position, where part is positioned at right angle to upper unit of vertical column - Google Patents

Abstract

The furniture has male units for locking a plate (3) to a vertical column (2) and female units for locking an upper unit (21) of the vertical column to an immediate lower unit (20). A sliding bolt locks a tilting part (24) to the vertical column, when the tilting part occupies the position, in which the tilting part is positioned at right angle to the upper unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a hospital furniture.

  By the term "hospitable" means that the furniture provided to equip a room in which is received a person to whom it delivers care, whether medical or comfort. It is therefore likely to equip a hospital room, retirement home or rest, etc. This hospital furniture comprises a vertical column with telescopic elements with articulated on the upper element about a horizontal axis, a rocking piece likely to occupy a first position in which it is located in the extension of said upper element, and a second position in which it is positioned at right angles to said upper member protruding laterally with respect to said column, a tray acting as a table top being slidably mounted on said tilting piece, so that when it occupies said first position, it is likely to slide relative to it to come to be positioned vertically against the column in the storage position, while when the tilting piece is in said

  second position, it rests on it, erected horizontal position.

  Such a piece of furniture generally gives satisfaction, in particular because

  that the tray, in storage position, always remains attached to the furniture.

  But it presents however some inconveniences, that one meets

  essentially when moving such a piece of furniture.

  In period of non-use, it is common that the furniture has its tray in storage position and the column, which has at least two sliding elements, are in its retracted position as low as possible, this

  to occupy the minimum of space.

  Such a piece of furniture is generally equipped with wheels intended for

facilitate movement.

  In addition, the column most often contains a jack, intended to facilitate the sliding operation of the upper female element, compared to

the lower male element.

  During a movement maneuver of such a piece of furniture, and as long as one has to raise it from the ground to cross a threshold of door or a small step, the column tends to rise, following the effort applied by the operator. There is also a movement up the plateau in vertical position by

report to the column.

  In the event that the operator is not accustomed to this kind of material, the movements of the column and the plateau can cause a surprise effect which will cause him to let go momentarily

risk of seeing the furniture fall.

  Another unpleasant situation occurs when the tray is in a horizontal erect position and overhangs a bed occupied by a patient. In such a position, the patient can use the tray to put his meal, a book, etc. The bed that he occupies is generally at variable height and this patient has most often at his disposal means, of the remote control type, which him

  allow to vary the height of the bed itself.

  If the maneuver that he operates is to raise the level of the bed, we can quickly be in a situation in which his body comes into contact with the tray, which starts to rotate with the tilting piece

  associated, around the aforementioned horizontal axis.

  The objects on the tray may then slide and

to fall to the ground.

  The present invention aims to solve these difficulties. In other words, its purpose is to propose a piece of furniture of the type mentioned above, whose moving parts relative to each other are moved only when that

  is really desired by the operator or the patient.

  As a reminder, this is a piece of furniture that comprises a vertical column with telescopic elements with articulated on the upper element about a horizontal axis, a rocking piece likely to occupy a first position in which it is located in the extension of said upper member, and a second position in which it is positioned at right angles to said upper member protruding laterally with respect to said column, a table top plate being slidably mounted on said rocker, so that when the latter occupies said first position, it is slidable relative to it to be positioned vertically against the column in the storage position, whereas when the rocker part is in said second position, it is based on this ci, in horizontal position

erected.

  This furniture is characterized essentially by the fact that it comprises at least one of the following locking means: a) locking means of the tray in the storage position, said column; b) locking means of the upper element of said column, to the immediately lower element; c) means for locking the rocker part to said column,

  when this piece occupies said second position.

  Thus, to release the moving parts relative to each other, it will be necessary to voluntarily actuate the means in the direction of unlocking. In the absence of such operations, the corresponding parts remain locked. According to other advantageous but non-limiting characteristics - it comprises at least two of said locking means; it comprises the three locking means; said means a) and / or b) are of complementary male and female elements, their engagement / disengagement being of the hard point type; said male elements are carried by said column; said means c) are of the type with sliding latch against a spring; said plate is provided with at least one control member of said means; - This member consists of a lever connected to a control cable of said latch; - It consists of a table called "to eat and / or read", said column resting on a base; - It consists of a bedside cabinet with at least one storage box, and said column rests on the base of it, the tray extending, in

  storage position, opposite said housing.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent

  reading the following description. This description is made with reference to

  attached drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dining table and / or read to tilting tray, the latter being presented in erected position, horizontal; - Figures 2 and 3 are also perspective views of the table of Figure 1, the plate being respectively shown in intermediate and folded positions, vertically; - Figure 4 is a side view of the table, the tray being folded vertically; FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the zone of FIG. 4 delimited in phantom; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a dining table and / or reading removable tray, the latter being presented in erected position, horizontal; FIG. 7 is a side view of the table of FIG. 6, together with an enlarged and partial view thereof, represented in a circle in phantom; - Figure 8 is a side view of the table of Figure 6, the plate being shown in vertical storage position, suspended from a column; FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the portion of FIG. 8 delimited by a circle in phantom; - Figure 10 is a perspective view of the same table, in a position identical to that of Figure 8; - Figure 11 is a view, also in perspective of a dining table and / or read sliding tray parallel to the column, in the storage position; - Figure 12 is a view of the same table, the plate being shown in a position intermediate that of Figure 11 and the erected position in which it is in a horizontal position; FIGS. 13 and 14 are extremely simplified diagrams of the table of FIGS. 11 and 12, intended to explain the general structure and operation thereof; FIGS. 15a and 15b are diagrams of the table in the position of FIG. 14, intended to illustrate first locking means which equip it; FIGS. 16a and 16b are diagrams of the column elements of the table of FIGS. 11 to 14, intended to illustrate second locking means which equip them; FIGS. 17a and 17b are diagrams of the upper part of this same table, the plate being shown in the deployed position, intended to illustrate third means which equip it; - Figure 18 is a perspective view of a bedside cabinet said "combined", the table top is in the deployed position; - Figures 19 and 20 are side and front views of the bedside cabinet of Figure 18, the tray here occupying a storage position; FIGS. 21 and 22 are exploded and perspective views of certain elements of this piece of furniture, intended to show more particularly locking means, as well as means limiting the vertical position of the tray in the storage position; FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective views of said means for

locking.

  The piece of furniture represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 annexed is a table called

to eat and / or to read.

  It essentially comprises a base 1, a column 2 and

tray 3 forming a table top.

  Seen from the side, the base, the column and the plateau constitute a kind of "C", so that it is possible to approach such a table closer to a bed, so that the plateau is located in the immediate vicinity of the patient, so that he can use it for example to eat or read. The base 1 extends in a horizontal plane. In the embodiment presented here, it has, seen from above, the shape of a "T". At its three ends

  wheels are provided to facilitate movement.

  At this base is fixed column 2. It extends vertically in the junction zone of the middle branch and the crossbar of the "T". This is a known type column with telescopic elements. The first lower male element 20 is integral with the base, while the second upper female element 21 is slidably mounted on the first. If necessary, a non-visible jack, housed in the column, assists the relative sliding movement of the two elements. The upper element 21 is surmounted by a piece 22 forming a cap, to

  which it is secured by fastening means such as screws.

  The cap 22 is a hollow piece which extends in the vertical direction,

  in the extension of the element 21.

  It has a stirrup shape, whose parallel flanges 220 extend parallel, in a vertical plane, on the side of the median leg of the base. Each wing is pierced with two circular holes. The first 221 is located, as shown in Figure 5, slightly set back from the free end of the wing. The second 222 is located in the same horizontal plane as the first, but

  even further away from the free end.

  The plate 3 is substantially in a rectangle. Two spars are attached to its underside. They extend parallel to the long sides

of said rectangle.

  Their mutual distance is such that they are able to come into contact

  play close, with the faces opposite the wings 220 of said caliper.

  The ends of the profiles, located on the side of column 2, are

  pierced with circular holes identical to those worn by the stirrup.

  The first 300 is largely set back from said end, while

that the second 301 adjoins it.

  However, the mutual spacing between the orifices 221 and 222 is the

  same as that between the orifices 300 and 301.

  Each pair of ports 221/300 receives a tubular part forming

horizontal axis of rotation X-X '.

  It is therefore understood that by rotational movement, that is to say of tilting around this axis X-X ', the plate 3 can be brought from a horizontal so-called service position as illustrated in FIG. substantially vertical position, called storage, in which it extends along said column,

  as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

  The table also comprises removable locking means of the

tray 3 in horizontal position.

  These are intended to cooperate with the second series of orifices 301 and 222. As a result of the rotational movement of the plate 3 to bring it into position.

  horizontal position, the orifices 301 are placed opposite the orifices 222.

  The locking means here consist of a cylindrical rod T whose diameter and length are provided so that it can engage in both

pairs of orifices 222 and 301.

  This ensures the stability of the tray horizontal service position. When the tray is in the storage position, you can engage the

  rod in one of the pairs of orifices 222 or 301, so as not to lose it.

  In this storage position, the tray remains secured to the column. So there is no risk of losing it. In addition, this table occupies a small footprint. The base can be slipped under a cabinet or

  bed, which further reduces the footprint.

  Although the embodiment here is a table, it is clear that this

  technical solution can adapt to another piece of furniture.

  This is especially the case of bedside cabinets with at least

  a storage box. In this case, said column 2 rests on the base thereof, and the plate 3 extends, in the storage position, opposite said box.

  The table shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 presents, to some variants

  near, the same structure as that of Figures 1 to 5.

  Column 2 is here devoid of cap 22. However, at the top the upper element 21 extend vertically two parallel legs 211, at the base of which are pierced openings 212. They extend horizontally,

look at each other.

  The element 21 is also provided on its wall facing the middle branch of the base, a tab 210, which will be explained later.

  function. The leg here has the shape of a hook.

  In the extension of the longitudinal members 30 of the plate 3 extends a hollow part 23 in the form of a sleeve. It is generally directed

  perpendicular to the plane in which the tray is contained.

  The sleeve has dimensions such that it is able to come to cap the top of the upper element 21 of the column. Two faces next to

  this sleeve has an orifice 230 similar to those 212 of the tabs 211.

  Once the sleeve 23 engaged on the column 2, we can make them integral with each other by engaging in said holes a rod T shape and

adequate dimensions.

  In the wall of the sleeve 23 is provided a reservation 231, in

the occurrence a dwelling.

  It is located in the area of the wall that directly overlooks

  the tab 210, when considering Figure 7.

  When the plate 3 is removed from the column, by extraction of the sleeve 23, it can however be suspended at the latter, by cooperating the tab 210 with the reservation. The tray is then in storage position

  vertical, suspended in column 2.

  As in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, in this storage position, the plate remains somewhat integral with the column. So there is no risk of losing it. The table then occupies a small footprint. The base can also be slid under a cabinet or a bed, which

  further reduces the footprint.

  This technical solution can also be adapted to another piece of furniture such

than a bedside cabinet.

  In this case, said column 2 also rests on the base thereof, and the plate 3 extends, in the storage position, opposite said box. The table of FIGS. 1 and 12 comprises a plate 3 acting as a table top which is slidable so as to be positioned vertically against the column 2 in the storage position (position of FIG. 11), and to be placed at the top from it, in an erected horizontal position. The

  position of Figure 12 is intermediate between these two last.

  Reference is made particularly to FIGS. 13 and 14 for

  describe the means that lead to this technical solution.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the column 2 rests on the base 1 via its lower male element 20. On this one is engaged to

  sliding a female upper element 21.

  In the lower element is housed the body of a non-visible cylinder, whose rod is attached to the upper element. In this way, the extraction maneuver

  partial of the female element 21 is assisted and, consequently, facilitated.

  At the top of the female upper member 21 is articulated a rocker part 24. The connecting rod which materializes the horizontal axis of articulation YY 'of these two parts is referenced 240. Their shapes and dimensions are adapted in such a way that the tilting piece 24 is likely to occupy a first position in which it lies in the extension of said upper member 21 (position of Figure 14), and a second position in which it is positioned at right angles to said upper member 21 in projecting laterally

  relative to said column 2. This is the position of FIG. 13.

  The tilting piece carries two fingers 241 which extend horizontally and transversely, opposite and in the extension of one another. The plate 3 is associated with an inverted "U" -shaped profile 31 (considering the position of FIG. 13). It is set at the level of the

  intermediate "branch" 32 of this "U".

  Each of the parallel wings 33 of the profile 31 is provided with a

  longitudinal light, which extends substantially over the entire length of this profile.

  In each of these lights 34 is engaged a finger 241 of the rocker. Thanks to this structure and in that the piece 24 occupies said first position in which it is located in the extension of the column, it is possible to slide the plate 3 relative to the column. In doing so, the lights 34 are moved relative to the fingers 241. The tray is then moved vertically downward, on the side of the column, as shown by the arrow v of

Figure 14.

  The lowest position that the plateau is likely to reach is

  the storage position of Figure 1l.

  To move from this position to the erected position in which the plate extends horizontally (position of Figure 13), simply pull vertically and upward said tray. In doing so, it slides relative to the fingers of the piece 24. When it reaches the stop, it causes the tilting of the piece 34 at right angles downwards (arrow w of FIG. 14) to make it rest on the top

of column 2.

  This piece of furniture, in this case this table, comprises at least one of the following locking means: a) locking means of the plate 3 in the storage position, to said column 2; b) locking means of the upper member 21 of said column, to the lower member 20; c) locking means of the tilting piece 24 to said column 2, when this piece occupies the second horizontal position shown in Figure 13. These means will be described successively and in more detail in

  reference to Figures 15a and 15b, 16a and 16b, 17a and 17b.

  These figures have been represented in the most symbolic way, only the organs of the table necessary for understanding the

  structure and operation of said locking means.

  The means referenced a) above here consist of complementary male and female elements, their engagement / disengagement being of the hard point type. By this last expression it is understood that these elements are separable from each other, so far as they are opposed to a force superior to that which keeps them together. For the operator, the gesture to be implemented results in a sensitive perception of an additional level of effort to provide to separate the elements. As shown more particularly in Figure 15a, the male element 242 is carried by the tilting piece 24, while the female element 35 is integral with the plate 3. It is complementary shape elements, likely to to be

  engaged one into the other by snap elastic.

  In the aforementioned figures, elements 242 and 35 have been represented in the most schematic manner and are implanted on the column and the tray in a purely symbolic manner. The skilled person will know how to adapt their shape and their

  position according to the characteristics of the furniture he wants to equip.

  With these elements, a vertical upward movement of the plate 3, for example in order to position it in upright erect position, is implemented only if it is really desired, since it is necessary to overcome the

  resistance of elements 242 and 35.

  The locking means b) are visible in FIGS. 16a and 16b.

  They equip the male 20 and female 21 elements of the column 2.

  The means above also consist of complementary male and female elements, their engagement / disengagement also being of the type

to hard point crossing.

  As shown particularly in Figure 16a, it is the top of the male column member 20 which is provided with two male locking elements 200. The complementary female elements 213 are located at

  the inside of the element 21 of the column 2, against its bottom wall.

  Two pairs of elements have been represented here. However, a number

  different can of course be considered.

  Due to their presence, the elevation of the column is achieved only if it is really desired. Thus, it is possible to move the tray 3 from its vertical storage position to its erected horizontal position, without the column

does not unfold.

  Of course, to do this, the elements 242 and 35 of the means a) will have to offer a resistance to their separation less than that of the elements 200 and

213 means b).

  The interest of the simultaneous presence of the means a) and b) on the furniture is particularly appreciated when one moves the table and / or one wishes to make him cross the threshold of a room (small step). Indeed, their presence helps keep the column in its initial retracted position, the plateau also remaining

  in the storage position previously allocated to it.

  The locking means c) equip on the one hand the rocking piece

24 and the tray 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 17a and 17b, the part 24 is provided with

  a housing 243 which opens on its side facing the column 2.

  Similarly, the upper element 21 of the column also has a similar housing 214. It is arranged so that when the part is in the tilted position of Figures 17a and 17b, it is located exactly

  in the extension of housing 243.

  They are shaped to receive a latch V sliding against a spring R. To this latch is connected a cable C whose free end is secured to a control member in the form of a lever 36. this is mounted at the level of the

under the plateau.

  Thus, by moving the lever 36 in the direction of the arrow m, or in the opposite direction, the latch V is engaged or disengaged in the housing 214 of the column 2. As a result, the plate 3 is secured or disengaged. of the column. In doing so, when it is desired that the tray remains in its erected position, it is locked to the piece 24. In this way, the tray remains horizontal, whatever the circumstances. The risks of falling objects are thus reduced. When the lever 36 is moved to extract the lock from the housing 214, then the tray can be tilted about the Y-Y axis, as shown

  the double arrow n of Figure 17b.

  Again, although the above figures illustrate a dining table and / or reading, it is clear that the technical solutions that have just been

  described may apply to another piece of furniture, such as a bedside table.

  The piece of furniture represented in FIGS. 18 to 20 is a "combined" bedside cabinet. It comprises essentially a storage box 4, associated with a vertical column 2 at the top of which is provided a plate 3 acting as a

table top.

  Box 4 has a generally parallelepipedal shape. It rests on a solid base 43 of substantially elongated rectangular shape, of

  so that this base extends laterally on one side of the box.

  The casing 4 comprises a lower storage element 40 in the form of a cupboard, and an upper storage element 41 in the form of a drawer. They are separated from each other by a horizontal partition 42 which protrudes beyond the box to form a substantially triangular extension 420 which

  overhangs the part of the base 43 not occupied by the casing 4.

  The "tip" of the extension, that is to say its opposite end to the box, has a large opening 421 vertical axis, on which we will return

further in the description.

  The column 2 extends laterally and away from the box 4. It projects vertically upward from the base 43, in the aforementioned zone.

occupied by the caisson 4.

  This is a known type column, height adjustable, here constituted by two telescopic elements, namely a lower male element 20 and a

female upper element 21.

  As is particularly visible in Figures 19 and 20, the lower member 20 through the base 43 and is extended by a leg 1 contained in a horizontal plane. This is a three-legged "T" shaped base 10,

  the end of each being provided with a wheel 11.

  Note that the two corners of the base 43 opposite the base 1 are also provided with wheels 44. However, they have a greater diameter than the wheels 11, to ensure a perfect

stability of the whole.

  Column 2 is rotatable about its own longitudinal and vertical axis Z-Z '. To do this, it is in particular provided a bearing of known type at the base of the base. By pivoting, the column is rotated on itself. In doing so, the base 1 also pivots around the Z-Z 'axis, as well as the table top 3.

  It is thus possible, as a result of pivoting on 1800, to have a first storage position, represented in FIGS. 19 and 20, in which the plate 3 at least partially overhangs the casing 4, at a second position

  extreme said extended in which said plate extends opposite the box 4.

  This is the position shown in Figure 18.

  It will be noted that in the first position, the base is completely housed under the base 43, so that the risk of seeing an operator there

  to take the feet is extremely reduced.

  On the other hand, in the second position, the base 1 partially overlaps at one end of the base 43. This is not a problem for the operators, since the branch that protrudes is just below the plateau;

  to say in an area to which they do not have access.

  In addition, in this second position, the position of the base

  contributes to ensuring the stability of the plate 3, when the latter is heavily loaded.

  This piece of furniture comprises locking means of the column 2 in

storage position.

  These features will be described in more detail with reference to

Figures 21 to 24.

  The upper element 21 of the column 2 is equipped with an annular flange 25 which it passes through the central opening 254. This has a shape complementary to the section of the column 2. In this case, it is here generally oval, but it could be circular. However, it is bordered by an area 255 with a generally triangular outline, in order to allow the fitting of the flange along the column, which comprises in the upper part

  a piece 26 of corresponding shape, which will be explained later function.

  The flange is secured to the element 21 of the column.

  The contour 250 of the flange 25 is circular, with the exception of a truncated zone 251, which is generally flat. More precisely, this zone consists of two plane facets 252 arranged in the same plane, which frame a central facet 253, also plane and parallel to the two preceding ones, but shifted towards

the inside of the flange.

  The locking means mentioned above are able to cooperate

with this flask.

  Against the underside of the partition 42 and the box 4 are fixed two pivot bearings 6. They are arranged in the extension of one another, from

both sides of the opening 421.

  Their axis, referenced W-W ', extends horizontally.

  In these bearings are received said locking means.

  This is a metal wire 5, whose portions 50 symmetrically

  opposites are engaged in these bearings 6.

  These portions 50 are each extended by an end portion 55, which acts as an operating handle for locking / unlocking the wire,

as we will see later.

  Between the two portions 50 extend successively, from one towards the other of the sections 51, 52 and 53. The two "internal" sections 53 are joined by a portion 54 forming a central section. This section extends parallel to

the axis W-W 'of the bearings 6.

  Part 54 is reported, in particular by welding, a small

"L" angle 540.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the flange 25 is fixed to the column in such a way that its truncated zone 251 is turned towards the box, and

  therefore to the wire 5, when this column occupies the so-called storage position.

  In this state, it is then possible to actuate the end portions 55 of the wire to make it partially pivot about the axis W-W '. In doing so, the portion 54 of the wire forming a central section is pressed against said truncated area

  251, the angle 540 partially engaging against the facet 253.

  This is the position of FIG. 23. In doing so, any pivoting movement of the column 2 around its own axis Z-Z 'is prevented, since the

presence of thread 5 forbids it.

  To move from this position in which the column is in the storage position to the so-called deployed position, it is necessary to act positively on the

locking means.

  In this way, it avoids any undesired partial pivoting of the plateau

of table.

  The unlocking is obtained by actuating the end portions 55, in the opposite direction of the preceding one, so as to bring back the central portion 54 of the wire, in the position illustrated in FIG. 24, in which it does not interfere with the

truncated area 251 of the flange 25.

  In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the wire is devoid of end portions 55. According to this hypothesis, the unlocking is obtained by passing a hard point. It is then necessary to exert a rotational force of the column on itself sufficient to deindex the flange 25 relative to the wire. A

  return spring is then provided between the bearings 6 and the portions 50 of the wire 5.

  The locking means must therefore be understood as being able to be actuated by a positive action on the wire 5, via

  end portions 55 or by hard point crossing.

  The piece of furniture comprises additional means able to limit the vertical movement of the column in the direction of its shortening, when it occupies the first storage position, so that there always remains a space

  E at least predetermined height h between the top of the box 4 and the plate 3.

  In this way, the lowering of the column is limited when it occupies the storage position, so that objects can be left on the top of the box, without the risk of seeing them crushed by the plate 3 during the movement of

shortening of column 2.

  These additional means consist in particular of a part 26 carried by the column 2 and forming a lateral projection. This is the upper part of

  the element 21 which carries this piece.

  It extends longitudinally and vertically along the element

  21. Viewed from above, it has the shape of an isosceles triangle.

  It is arranged on the column so as to be directed to the opposite

  of the box 4, when it occupies the storage position (see Figures 19 and 20).

  The additional means also consist of a flange

  annular 45 secured to the casing 4.

  More specifically, this flange 45 is attached to the upper face of the partition 42, in its extension 420. It is crossed by an opening 450 which is

  exactly over that 421 of the extension.

  These openings 421 and 450, crossed by column 2, are

  eccentric to the latter.

  This means that when the column 2 occupies the storage position of Figures 19, 20 and 21, and when it is proposed to operate the column in the direction of its shortening, the piece 26 forming lateral projection is

  brought into abutment against the upper face 451 of said flange 45.

  The predetermined height h of the space E is thus guaranteed.

  Of course, this height can be modified using a room

26 of different sizes.

  On the other hand, since the column is pivoted on 1800 to make it occupy the deployed position, the piece 26 is then in the

  eccentric zone of the openings 421 and 450, that it can cross.

  Under these conditions, the position of the plate 3 is adjustable in height

over a wide range of values.

  However, this is the connecting area from column 2 to plateau

* 3 which limits down the position of the latter.

  In the embodiment presented here, column 2 is interdependent

of a base.

  However, in a possible variant, the column may rest on the base 43 of the cabinet, the latter being provided with wheels in the vicinity of each of these angles.

Claims (10)

  1. Hospital furniture, which comprises a vertical column (2) with telescopic elements (20, 21) with articulated on the upper element (2) about a horizontal axis (Y-Y '), a tilting piece (24) ) capable of occupying a first position in which it lies in the extension of said upper member (21), and a second position in which it is positioned at right angles to said upper member (21) projecting laterally with respect to said column (2), a tray (3) acting as a table top being slidably mounted on said tilting piece (24), so that when the latter occupies said first position, it is slidable relative thereto for to be positioned vertically against the column (2) in the storage position, whereas when the tilting piece (24) is in said second position, it rests on it, in the erected horizontal position, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following locking means: a) locking means (35, 242) of the plate (3) in the storage position, to said column (2); b) locking means (200, 213) of the upper member (21) of said column (2), to the element (20) immediately below; c) locking means (V) of the tilting piece (24) to said   column (2), when this piece occupies said second position.   2. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that   comprises at least two of said locking means.   3. Furniture according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that   comprises the three locking means.   4. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the   said means a) and / or b) are of complementary male (242; 200) and female (35,213) elements, their engagement / disengagement being of the pass-through type; hard point.   5. Furniture according to claim 4, characterized in that   said male members (242; 200) are carried by said column (2).   6. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the   said means c) are of the sliding-lock type (V) against a spring (R).   7. Furniture according to claim 6, characterized in that said   tray (3) is provided with at least one member (36) for controlling said means.   8. Furniture according to claim 7, characterized in that   member consists of a lever (36) connected to a cable (C) control.   9. Furniture according to one of claims there 8, characterized by the fact   that it consists of a table called "to eat and / or to read", said column (2) resting on a base (1).   10. Furniture according to one of claims 8 there, characterized by the fact   it consists of a bedside cabinet with at least one storage box, said column (2) rests on the base thereof, the plate extending, in the position of   storage, opposite said box.