WO2006101279A1

WO2006101279A1 - Adjustable height device for the leg of a table

Info

Publication number: WO2006101279A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwan-Young Jung
Original assignee: Duoback Korea Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-03-19
Filing date: 2005-03-19
Publication date: 2006-09-28
Also published as: JP2008531176A; JP4335284B2; CN101141900A; CN100566630C

Abstract

Disclosed is a table in which the height of a top surface of a table can be controlled in accordance with the physical figure of a user in order to enhance the user's convenience. The improved table comprises a first leg connected to a top surface of a table, and a second leg for supporting the top surface to be horizontally maintained, the second leg being connected to the first leg and longitudinally extendable and contractable. A locking portion is provided at either the first leg or the second leg to lock and release the leg portion by means of an operational lever. With this structure, the improved table can be used for various physical figures of users at home, in offices or in schools.

Description

Description ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT DEVICE FOR THE LEG OF A TABLE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an adjustable height table, and more particularly to the table which can easily adjust the height of a table top no matter how heavy load is being carried by the table top in order to fit a user s body shape, and which can adjust the height of a footrest provided to pedestals, so that the user can conveniently use the table which fits his body shape. Background Art

[2] Modern offices or industrial environments provide work stations having various types of functional furniture components. These furniture components include work surfaces and table tops utilized for various purposes, from drafting to clerical and word processing functions. These surfaces therefore must be able to support a variety of equipment such as typewriters and computer terminals, while at the same time be able to be vertically adjusted to accommodate a variety of tasks and a variety of users easily and effortlessly. The height of a footrest, which is provided with a support of the table, must be also able to be adjusted to accommodate various users needs.

[3] Especially, it is a serious situation in elementary schools, middle and high schools or colleges. Though, physical condition of each individual is quite different from one another even among the same classmates, the schools still use tables which are standardized considering the average physical conditions of a plurality of students. Thus, it is quite inconvenient for students to use the table which is not suitable for their body shapes.

[4] USP No. 5,289,782, which was published by John J. Rizzi, et al. on March 1, 1994, discloses an example of an adjustable height table, which is shown in Fig. 5 of the present application showing an example of the conventional adjustable height table. As shown in Fig. 5 of the present invention, the conventional table 10 comprises: a table top 12; telescoping legs 14 having first legs 14a connected to the table top 10, and second legs 14b which are telescoped into the first legs 14a such that the first legs 14a can ascend and descend; a counterbalance mechanism 16 comprising weight means (not illustrated), disposed between and attached to said pair of telescoping legs; and a pair of pedestals 18 provided to the lower portion of the second legs 14b of the legs 14.

[5] However, this table uses the conterbalance mechanism having weight means comprising a rack, a pinion, a chain and so on for adjusting the height of the table top. Thus, the productivity becomes lower and the mass production is difficult due to its complex structure. In addition, since it is impossible to adjust the height of the footrest 19 in the pedestals of the table, it is inconvenient for users having various body shapes. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, in order to resolve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable height table, which can easily lock and unlock the telescoping legs with a simple operation of an operating lever so that the user can conveniently adjust the height according to the user s body shape. Technical Solution

[7] In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention comprises:

[8] a table top;

[9] a leg having a first leg connected to the table top, a second leg for supporting the table top to be flat, which is fitted into the first leg or to which the first leg is fitted so as to contract and extend in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of fixing rods which are projected from one of ends of the first and the second legs to be located inside of the other end, wherein an adjusting hole is provided to one of the first leg and the second leg correspondingly disposed to the fixing groove, and a plurality of adjusting grooves are successively provided to an outer circumferential surface of each fixing rod; and

[10] a locking member comprising: a locking body providing an installation hole vertically so as to pass through one of the first leg and the second leg, providing an operation space to a place adjacent to the insulation hole, and providing a second guiding hole to a partition between the installation hole and the operation space; a fixing device wherein some portions thereof is slidably fixed to the second guiding hole of the locking body; and a locking member having an operation lever installed rotatably in both walls of the operation space of the locking body to push or stop the fixing body;

[11] wherein if the operation lever is rotated in one direction to adjust the height of the table top, the fixing device can move back from the fixing groove of the fixing rod, thereby freely varying the length of the leg, and if the operation lever is rotated in the other direction, the fixing device is immovably fixed into the fixing groove of the fixing rod, thereby not varying the length of the leg.

[12] Preferably, a guiding projection having a guiding space is projected to the operation space so that the fixing device around the second guiding hole of the partition is slidably fixed to the guiding space.

[13] Preferably, a fixing flange is provided to an end of the fixing device to prevent further forward movements of the fixing device from the guiding space of the guiding projection in the direction of the installation hole. [14] Preferably, an installation groove is provided to an end of the fixing device, a compression spring for providing elasticity is provided to the installation groove, and a pressing device fixed to the entrance of the installation groove to press the compression spring and to be pressed by the operation lever is provided to a place adjacent to the compression spring.

[15] Preferably, the pressing device comprising: a pressing rod fixed to the installation groove; and a pressing plate formed integrally on an end of the pressing rod.

[16] Preferably, a shaft for guiding the fixing device, which passes through the installation groove of the fixing device to guide the movement of the fixing device, is further provided between the installation hole of the locking body and the pressing rod of the pressing device.

Advantageous Effects

[17] As mentioned above, the adjustable height table according to the preferable embodiments of the present invention provides the fixing device which can move forward or backward by the operation lever and the rotation of the lever to the first leg or the second leg. Accordingly, if the height of the table top is adjusted, the contractible and extendable leg is locked and unlocked with a simple rotation of the operation lever, to thereby easily adjust the length of the leg effortlessly. Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] The aforesaid objects and advantages of the present invention become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[19] Fig. 1 is a whole perspective view of an adjustable height table according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[20] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the leg and the locking member of the adjustable height table of Fig. 1 ;

[21] Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are expanded partial cross-sectional views, wherein Fig. 3 shows the locking state of the first leg, Fig. 4 shows the unlocking state of the first leg, and Fig. 5 shows the contractable and extendible state of the leg;

[22] Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are vertical longitudinal sectional views overlooking the table in

Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 6 shows the locking state of the first leg, Fig. 7 is the unlocking state of the first leg, and Fig. 8 shows the contractable and extendible state of the leg;

[23] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the conventional adjustable height table. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[24] Hereinafter, an adjustable height table according to the preferred embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. [25] Fig. 1 shows the whole adjustable height table according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the leg and the locking member of the adjustable height table of Fig. 1.

[26] By referring to Fig. 1, an adjustable height table 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a table top 102; a leg maintaining the table top 102 horizontal and varying the length of the leg contractably and extendibly; and a locking member for controlling the length of the leg contractibly and extendibly.

[27] The leg comprises: a first leg 112 connected to the table top 102; a second leg 114 which is fixed to the first leg 112 or to which the first leg is fixed to be contracted or extended in a longitudinal direction for supporting the table top so that it maintains horizontal; and a plurality of fixing rods projected to one of the ends of the first leg 112 and the second leg 114 to be located inside of the other end, wherein a plurality of fixing groove 116a are successively provided to an outer circumferential surface of each fixing rod, and a first guiding hole 112a is provided to one of the first leg 112 and the second leg 114, which is correspondingly positioned in the fixing groove 116a. For more information, Figs. 1 and 2 show the structure that the second leg 114 is fixed to the first leg 114. Preferably, the first leg 112 and the second leg 114 have a form of a hollow tube, but they are not limited to the above form. Preferably, the fixing rod 116 has the form of a filled-up rod, but it is not limited to the above form. The fixing groove 116a is preferably formed along the outer circumferential surface of the fixing rod 116.

[28] The locking member 120 of a fixing device comprises: a locking device body 122 providing an installation hole 122a vertically so as to pass through one of the first leg 112 and the second leg 114 and to be fixed, providing an operation space wherein at least one surface is opened at the position adjacent to the installation hole 122a, and providing a second guiding hole 124a to a partition 124 between the installation hole 122a and the operation space 122b; a fixing device 126, wherein some parts of the fixing device 126 being slidably fixed to the second guiding hole 124a of the locking device body 122; and an operation lever 128 installed rotatably as a rotational shaft at both walls of the operation space 122b of the locking device body 122 for pushing or stopping the fixing device 126.

[29] It is preferable to form the inside diameter of the installation hole 122a to correspond to or become bigger than the outer diameter of the first leg 112 or the second leg 114. It is preferable to fix the locking device body 122 to the first leg 112 or the second let 114 by an engaging means such as screw. It is preferable to form the leading end of the fixing device 126 as a form of streamline. This is to more easily fix the fixing device to the first guiding hole 112a of the first leg 112 and to the second guiding hole 125a of the locking device body 122. [30] A guiding projection 124b is projected to the operation space 122b in the circumferential part of the second guiding hole 124a of the partition 124, said guiding projection part 124b having a guiding chamber 124c so that a fixing device 126 is slidably fixed.

[31] A fixing flange 126a is provided to one end of the fixing device 126, to prevent further forward movement of the fixing device 126 from the guiding chamber 124c of the guiding projection 124b in the direction of the installation hole 122a.

[32] An installation groove 126b is provided to one end of the fixing device; a compression spring 130 for providing an elasticity is provided to the installation groove 126b; and a pressing device 132 fixed to the entrance of the installation groove 126b to press the compression sprig 130 and pressed by the operation lever is provided to the place adjacent to the compression spring 130. The pressing device 132 comprises: a pressing rod 132a fixed to the installation groove 126b; and a pressing plate 132b formed at one end of the pressing rod 132a integrally. At least one or more pressing projections 128a are formed at the back wall of the operation lever 128. The pressing projection 128a contacts the pressing plate 132b of the pressing device 132. For more information, the elasticity of the compression spring is designed to bear the load of the table top 102.

[33] A fixing device guiding shaft 134 may be further comprised between the installation hole 122a of the fixing device body 122 and the pressing rod 132a of the pressing device 132 in order to pass through the installation groove 126b of the fixing device 126, to thereby guide the procedure of the fixing device 126. One end of the fixing device guiding shaft 134 is axially combined with one surface of the operation lever 128 rotatably. For this combination, a rotation ring 134a can be integrally formed at one end of the fixing guide shaft 134. The rotation ring 134a is axially combined with the rotation shaft 122c integrally. For the combination, it is preferable to form the rotation ring 134a as a shape of ring, but the ring is not limited to this shape.

[34] At least one or more gap maintaining projections 124a are formed at the inside wall of the operation space 122b. The gap maintaining projection 124a minimizes the portion of the operation lever 128 contacting the inside wall of the operation space 122b, thereby enhancing the rotation of the operation lever 128.

[35] If the operation lever 128 is rotated in one direction to control the height of the table top 102 of the adjustable height table according to the present invention, the fixing device 126 becomes capable of moving back from the fixing groove 116a of the fixing rod 116, thereby freely varying the length of the leg 110, and if the operation lever 128 is rotated in the other direction, the fixing device 126 is fixed to the fixing groove 116a of the fixing rod 116 to prevent moving, thereby making the length of the leg invariable. [36] The operation of the adjustable height table as mentioned above is explained as follows by referring to the attached Figs. 3-8.

[37] By referring to Figs. 3 and 6, a fixing rod 116 in an upper end of the second leg is projected towards the upper portion, and some parts of the lower end of the second leg 114 are fixed to the upper end of the second leg 114. Also, the locking device body 122 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the first leg 112 and fixed by engagement means such as screw.

[38] In particular, the operation lever 128 is vertically located in the operation space

122b of the locking device body 122. At this time, the back end of the upper portion of the operation lever 128 presses the pressing plate 132b of the pressing device 132. Then, the pressing rod 132a of the pressing device 132 compresses the compression spring by pressing it while pushing the pressing device. Thereafter, the streamline end of the pressing device 132 is fixed and adhered to the fixing groove 116a of the fixing rod 116. By the above process, the first leg 112 and the second leg 114 are fixed to prevent moving.

[39] By referring to Figs. 4 and 7, in order to adjust the height of the table top 102, the operator grabs the lower end of the operation lever 128 to rotate it in counter-clock wise direction. At this time, the pressing projection 128a of the operation lever 128 moves back from the pressing device. Accordingly,. The pressing device 132 also moves back in the direction of the pressing projection 128a by elasticity of the compression spring 130. At this moment, since the elasticity of the compression spring 130 overcomes the load of the table top 102, it cannot be descended automatically.

[40] In this state, if the operator heightens or lowers the table to fit the user s body shape, the fixing device 126 is separated from the fixing groove 116a of the existing fixing rod 116. Figs. 5 and 8 detailedly show the above process. If the operator forcibly lifts the table top 102, the fixing device 126 overcomes the elasticity of the compression spring 130 and moves back. Then, it escapes from the fixing groove 116a to be located in the outer circumferential surface of the fixing rod 116.

[41] Thereafter, the operator lifts the table top to the required location so that the fixing device 126 is fixed to the fixing groove 116a in the relevant location. The operator grabs the operation lever 128, and rotates in in clockwise direction. Then, the pressing projection 128a of the operation lever 128 presses the pressing plate 132b of the pressing device to compress the compression spring. At the same time, the fixing device 126 is fixed by the pressing device 132 to prevent moving. In this state, the table top 102 is not ascended or descended even with external force. Herein, the fixing device 126 can smoothly move along the fixing device guiding shaft 132 installed in the locking device body 122 without recess. In addition, the gap maintaining projection 124a provided to the inside wall of the operation space 122b of the locking device body 122 makes the both surfaces of the operation lever 128 contact as a line-contact, not a surface contact. Thus, it enhances the rotation can be smoothly performed. Industrial Applicability

[42] If the operation lever 128 is rotated in one direction to control the height of the table top 102, according to the adjustable height table of the present invention, the fixing device 126 becomes capable of moving back from the fixing groove 116a of the fixing rod 116, thereby freely varying the length of the leg 110, and if the operation lever 128 is rotated in the other direction, the fixing device 126 is fixed to the fixing groove 116a of the fixing rod 116 to prevent moving, thereby making the length of the leg invariable.

[43] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

[1] An adjustable height table comprising: a table top; a leg having a first leg connected to the table top, a second leg for supporting the table top to be flat, which is fitted into the first leg or to which the first leg is fitted so as to contract and extend in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of fixing rods which are projected from one of ends of the first and the second legs to be located inside of the other end, wherein an adjusting hole is provided to one of the first leg and the second leg correspondingly disposed to the fixing groove, and a plurality of adjusting grooves are successively provided to an outer circumferential surface of each fixing rod; and a locking member comprising: a locking body providing an installation hole vertically so as to pass through one of the first leg and the second leg, providing an operation space to a place adjacent to the installation hole, and providing a second guiding hole to a partition between the installation hole and the operation space; a fixing device wherein some portions thereof is slidably fixed to the second guiding hole of the locking body; and a locking member having an operation lever installed rotatably in both walls of the operation space of the locking body to push or stop the fixing body; wherein if the operation lever is rotated in one direction to adjust the height of the table top, the fixing device can move back and forth from the fixing groove of the fixing rod, thereby varying the length of the leg, and if the operation lever is rotated in the other direction, the fixing device is immovably fixed into the fixing groove of the fixing rod, thereby not varying the length of the leg.

[2] The adjustable height table according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one or more gap maintaining projections are formed at the inside wall of the operation space.

[3] The adjustable height table according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one or more pressing projection 128a are formed at one surface of the operation lever.

[4] The adjustable height table according to claim 1, characterized in that a guiding projection is projected to the operation space in the circumferential part of the second guiding hole of the partition, said guiding projection part having a guiding chamber so that a fixing device is slidably fixed.

[5] The adjustable height table according to claim 4, characterized in that a fixing flange is provided to an end of the fixing device to prevent further forward movements of the fixing device from the guiding space of the guiding projection in the direction of the installation hole.

[6] The adjustable height table according to claim 4, characterized in that an installation groove is provided to an end of the fixing device, a compression spring for providing elasticity is provided to the installation groove, and a pressing device fixed into the entrance of the installation groove to press the compression spring and to be pressed by the operation lever is provided to a place adjacent to the compression spring.

[7] The adjustable height table according to claim 6, the pressing device comprising: a pressing rod fixed into the installation groove; and a pressing plate formed integrally on an end of the pressing rod.

[8] The adjustable height table according to claim 6, characterized in that a shaft for guiding the fixing device, which passes through the installation groove of the fixing device to guide the movement of the fixing device, is further provided between the installation hole of the locking body and the pressing rod of the pressing device.