DE9011059U1 - Height adjustable table - Google Patents

Description

Walter Waibel M:GUO15OB

8312 Dingolfing

Height adjustable table

The invention relates to a height-adjustable table, in particular a desk, office or laboratory table, according to the preamble of claim 1.

It has long been known to provide height-adjustable tables in which the height of the table top relative to the floor or a table base standing on it is changeable. For example, it is known to mount the table top opposite the table base with a scissor mechanism, whereby the scissor mechanism is operated via a spindle, which in turn is rotated by means of a hand crank from one narrow side of the table in such a way that Rotation is possible so that the scissor linkage, which is operated via the adjusting spindle, moves the table top up or down.

The disadvantage here is that a person sitting at such a table has to repeatedly get up, operate the crank mechanism and sit down at the table again until the table top is at a height suitable for the respective conditions. In addition, the hand crank protruding from the front of the table base is aesthetically unsightly, especially if the table is in a representative area, such as an office. If several tables of this type are lined up at the front, the cranks for adjusting the height of the table top are difficult or impossible to access. If the table top is supported against the table base, the cranks for adjusting the height of the table top are difficult or impossible to access.

When the table frame is adjusted using a scissor linkage, the support points of the scissor linkage on the side of the base frame and also the support points of the scissor linkage on the side of the table top come closer and closer together the higher the table top is adjusted, so that the support of the table top suffers at the fully adjusted height.

DE-OS 39 33 237 shows a table with a table frame and table top as well as an adjusting device for changing the height and inclination of the table top. Changing the height and inclination of the table top with an adjusting device and a table frame without telescopic guides is made possible by the fact that the adjusting device has two support devices which are hinged to the table frame in the upper area of the transverse center of the table frame about pivot axes running in the transverse direction. The support devices are supported on the underside of the table top about pivot axes running in the transverse direction on the table top, but are adjustable in the depth of the table top. The adjusting device can swing the support devices up towards the table top, or lower them towards the table frame, individually or together, with the pivot axes of the support devices on the table top side moving towards or away from each other. If the support devices are individually swiveled up or lowered, the table top is swiveled out of the horizontal position and if the support devices are swiveled up or lowered together, the table top is adjusted in its height in the respective horizontal or tilted position. The adjusting ^devices are adjusting spindles which move the swivel axes of the support devices on the table top side towards each other or away from each other and thus move the table top. The adjusting spindles are preferably driven by a motor, in particular by an electric motor, so that the table top in this known table is virtually on

Height and inclination can be adjusted at the touch of a button.

The disadvantage of the table according to DE-OS 39 33 237 is that the table top and table frame are connected to one another via a movable support device, whereby the position of the support device changes depending on the height of the table top relative to the frame. This also presents the problem or disadvantage that when the table top is adjusted to its maximum height, the support of the table top relative to the table base frame may no longer be sufficiently stable due to the reduced projection of the support device, especially if the table top is subjected to heavy loads on one side.

In contrast, the object of the present invention is to design a height-adjustable table according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the table top is sufficiently supported against tipping at any height of the table top relative to the floor, whereby the table itself should have an attractive appearance and the actual height adjustment process should be easy to carry out.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1.

According to the invention, the table top or a base frame supporting the table top is adjusted relative to a floor-mounted base frame by means of an adjustment device, whereby the adjustment device is attached to the base frame in the manner of a cable pull and runs closed between two deflection points on the base frame, whereby two stop points on the base frame are provided on the circulation path. By changing the position of the stop point on the base frame compared to the stop points on the base frame, the relative length or the

Distance between the attachment point on the underframe side and the attachment points on the foot frame side, which in turn forces a change in the relative position of the underframe to the foot frame.
5

Because the height of the table top is not changed in relation to the base frame, but the base frame and the table top resting on it remain in contact with each other even when the height of the table top is adjusted, because the entire base frame is moved in height, the structurally optimal support of the table top by the base frame is not affected during the height adjustment of the table top, so that the table top itself remains stable in any selected relative height.

Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

If, according to claim 2, a steel cable or a steel wire strand is provided as the traction means for the adjustment device, a traction means is available which can be purchased inexpensively in any required length, is stable even over a longer period of time and hardly exhibits any longitudinal elongation.
25

If, according to claim 3, a toothed belt is used as a traction means for the adjustment device, high forces can be transmitted, whereby slipping movements between the toothed belt and the parts actuated by it, such as drives or the like, do not occur due to the tooth configuration.

If the adjustment of the base frame stop point is motorized, no physical effort is required and the height-adjustable table can

be designed to be attractive and functional.

If, according to claim 5, the adjustment of the stop point on the base frame is carried out via an electric motor-driven spindle on which a self-locking adjusting nut runs, which is connected to the stop point on the base frame, it is advantageously ensured that, thanks to the adjusting spindle, high forces can be applied even with a relatively small electric motor, whereby, thanks to the self-locking of the adjusting nut on the spindle, the table top is automatically locked at any desired height.

If, according to claim 6, a reduction lever rod is arranged between the stop point on the underframe side and the adjusting nut, a further power amplification takes place between the electric motor or adjusting spindle and the stop point on the underframe side, with a simultaneous improvement in the adjustment accuracy.

According to claim 7, the adjustment path of the adjusting nut on the adjusting spindle can be limited by two limit switches. This improves the safety of the entire adjustment device.

If, according to claim 8, the adjustment of the undercarriage relative to the foot frame is spring-supported in one direction, the traction mechanism and also the motor are relieved in one direction due to the spring support.

Advantageously, according to claim 9, the adjustment of the base frame relative to the foot frame upwards is spring-supported, since the electric motor and the actuators have to apply the highest forces, since

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the adjustment of the underframe relative to the foot frame downwards is supported by gravity.

According to claim 10 or 11, the spring support can be provided either by a compression spring or by a tension spring. In any case, this advantageously ensures that the adjustment of the base frame can be spring-supported regardless of the design of the height-adjustable table. It is therefore possible to use a tension spring in a table design in which a compression spring would be visible from the outside, and vice versa.

The feature of claim 12 advantageously

This ensures that any changes in length in the

The tensioning means of the adjustment device can be compensated or balanced.

The feature according to claim 13, according to which the adjustment device is arranged in a horizontal cross member or a frame of the base frame, improves the design of the entire table, since the moving parts of the adjustment device are not visible from the outside. Furthermore, this improves safety, since no moving parts are accessible from the outside.

Further details, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawing.

It shows:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective side view of a height-adjustable table according to the present invention in a highly schematically simplified manner; 35

Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of an embodiment of a || part of an adjustment device according to the invention; ff,

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Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of another part of an adjusting device according to the invention. }

According to Fig. 1, a height-adjustable table according to the invention, which is provided in its entirety with the reference symbol 2, has a table top 4 indicated in Fig. 1 by the dashed line and a frame 6 supporting the table top 4. The frame 6 here essentially consists of a base frame 8 supporting the table top 4 and a foot frame 10 which is supported on the floor and supports the base frame 8.

In the embodiment shown, the base frame 8 has two vertical lateral legs 12 and 14, which are connected at their upper free ends by a horizontal cross member or a frame 16. The legs 12 and 14 are adjustable in the vertical direction relative to the base frame 10. For this purpose, the base frame 10 has two support areas 18 and 20, which are trapezoidal in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. It goes without saying, however, that the shape of the support areas 18 and 20 can be adapted as desired to the respective overall design of the table 2. Each of the support areas 18 and 20 has a vertically extending receiving area 22 or 24, wherein each receiving area 22 and 24 serves to receive a support leg 12 or 14 of the base frame 8 in such a way that the support leg 12 is mounted vertically displaceably in the receiving area 22 of the support area 18 and the support leg 14 is mounted in the receiving area 24 of the support area 20.

The standing areas 18 and 20 can be connected to one another by a horizontally running privacy screen 26 or the like.

The guide of the supporting legs 12 and 14 in the support areas T and 24 is such that the supporting leg 12 can only be moved up and down in the vertical direction by a certain amount in the receiving area 22 and the supporting leg 14 can also only move up or down within a certain range in the receiving area 24. The supporting legs 12 and 14 are prestressed upwards by spring force in Fig. 1, which is illustrated in Fig. 1 by the springs 28 and 30.

According to the invention, an adjustment device 32 is provided, by means of which the height of the table top 4 relative to the base frame 10 or the floor can be adjusted. The adjustment device 32, which is only shown schematically in Fig. 1, consists essentially of a flexible traction means 34 of of essentially constant length, for example a steel wire strand, a chain or a toothed belt, which runs closed like an endless belt. The traction means 34 runs from a stop point 36 on the underframe side essentially horizontally and parallel. IeI to the top of the cross member 16 in the direction of an edge 38/ at which the cross member 16 merges into the vertical support leg 12. The traction means 34 is guided and deflected at the edge 38 via a roller 40 or the like and then runs essentially vertically and parallel to the outer surface of the support leg 12 downwards in the direction of the support area 18. As can be seen from Fig. 1, a deflection roller 42 or 44 is arranged in the area of the lower free end of both the support leg 12 and the support leg 14. Furthermore, the receiving area 22 in the support area area 18 is bridged by a cross member 46 and the receiving area 24 of the support leg 14 is also

Cross beam 48 is bridged. The traction device 34 - coming from the roller 40 - is connected to the cross beam 46 at a point 50 by means of a cable lock or the like. From the attachment point 50 on the base frame side, the traction device 34 runs around the deflection roller 42 and in Fig. 1 again upwards in the direction of the edge 38, where it is deflected again in a horizontal direction by another roller 52. The traction device 34 now runs as a further strand next to a strand with the attachment point 36 from the edge 38.

'0 essentially horizontal and parallel to the top of the cross member 16 to the outer edge 54, which lies opposite the edge 36, is deflected downwards by a roller 56 and runs in the direction of the axle !{^steering roller 44 at the lower free end area of the support leg 14. the traction means 34 is attached to the cross member 48 of the support leg 14 at a stop point 58 on the base frame side. Starting from the point 58, the traction means 34 is then guided around the deflection roller 44 and runs upwards again in Fig. 1 in the direction of the edge 54, where it is around a roller 60 and runs back to the attachment part 36 on the underframe side, so that starting from the attachment point 36 on the underframe side, the traction means 34 runs in the form of an endless belt between the deflection rollers 42 and 44 and in this case on the base frame side at the points 50 and 58 and is attached underneath at position 36.

Fig. 2 shows one possible design of the underside support point 36 and Fig. 3 shows a possible design of the support leg 12 with the rollers 40 and 52, parts of the support area 18, the cross member 46, the spring 28 and the deflection roller 42.

According to Fig. 2, the traction means 34 is designed as a steel wire strand.

and the two free ends 62 and 64 of the closed rotating traction means 34 are provided with rope clamps or the like.

on a web 66. The web 66 is connected to a drive 70 via a lever mechanism 68. More precisely, the lever mechanism 68 in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 consists of a scissor linkage 72 of known type, which is connected in the area 74 to the web 66, in an area 76 to the top of the cross member 16 or to the reinforcement part 78 there and in an area 80 to the drive 70.

In the embodiment shown, the drive 70 consists of an adjusting spindle 82 on which an adjusting nut 84 can be moved in a linear direction, whereby the adjusting nut 84 is connected to the scissor linkage 72 via the area 80. The adjusting spindle 82 is driven by a flanged electric motor 86, whereby a gear is possibly connected between the adjusting spindle 82 and the motor 86. The maximum travel of the adjusting nut 84 on the adjusting spindle 82 is limited by two limit switches 88 and 90.

A movement of the adjusting nut 84 on the adjusting spindle 82 in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 2 causes a movement of the web 66 in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 2 and vice versa via the scissor linkage 72. Since with such a movement of the web 66 or the area 74 while simultaneously taking along the traction means 34 relative to the adjusting nut 84 or the area 80, the two areas 74 and 80 move away from each other, the lever mechanism 68 is designed in the form of the guide linkage 72, since with a linear movement of the adjusting nut 84 relative to the web 66, the resulting increase in length in the distance between the areas 74 and 80 can be compensated accordingly by the scissor linkage 72.

Fig. 3 shows the view of the vertical support legs 12 in the area of the deflection roller 42. The flexible traction means 34 in the form of the steel wire strand runs from the roller as shown in Fig. 3

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40 extends vertically downwards essentially parallel to the supporting leg 12 and is connected to the cross member 46 at point 50 via a cable lock or the like, the cross member 46 being fixed to the frame, ie it is connected to the standing area 18 of the base frame 10. Starting from the cross member 46, the traction means 34 runs further downwards and is wrapped around the deflection roller 42 at the lower end area of the supporting leg 12 and then runs back up to the roller 52. According to Fig. 3, the deflection roller 42 is mounted on a carriage 92, the carriage 92 being attached to the supporting leg 12 by means of screws guided in elongated holes. By means of an adjusting screw 94, when the screws in the elongated holes of the slide 92 are loosened or loosened, the slide 92 itself can be moved up or down relative to the support leg 12 in Fig. 3, so that the traction means 34 can be tensioned by adjusting the slide 92, and thus, for example, longitudinal expansion of the traction means 34 that occurs over time can be compensated.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 with the reference number 28 as an example

invention according to Fig. 3 between an upper area of the support leg 12 in the area of the edge 38 and the cross member 46. In a preferred embodiment, the spring 28 is a gas pressure spring and by the articulation of the spring 28 between the cross member 46 and the support leg 12, the support leg 12 in Fig. 3 is prestressed upwards against gravity and against the weight of the table top 4 and the base frame 8. It is understood that a spring 30 can also be or is provided in an analogous manner in the area of the support leg 14.

According to Fig. 3, the support leg 12 can be adjusted in height linearly in the receiving area 22. For this purpose, the support area 18 in the receiving area 22 has lateral elongated slot-shaped recesses, whereby in areas 96 and 96'

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corresponding projections on the support leg 12 engage in the recesses, so that, for example, a dovetail guide, a longitudinal guide in the manner of a tongue and groove connection or the like of the support leg 12 is created in the receiving area 22 and the support leg 12 is movable up and down relative to | the support area 18, but is protected against tipping or the like by the guide in the areas 96 $

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In a particularly preferred embodiment of the areas 96 and 96', the support legs 12 and 14 are guided in the receiving areas 22 and 24 by arranging vertically extending rods or rails on corresponding brackets in the receiving areas 22 and 24. These rods or rails are surrounded by tabs which are formed on the support legs 12 and 14, so that the support legs 12 and 14 can be moved vertically in height along the rods or rails. f

The functionality of the described and illustrated embodiment is explained below - still with reference to the drawing.

It is assumed that the motor 86 causes the adjusting spindle 82 in Fig. 2 to rotate in such a way that the adjusting nut 84 and thus the articulation area 80 of the scissor rod 72 are moved in the direction of arrow A. This movement in the direction of arrow A causes a movement of the web 66 in Fig. 2 in the direction of arrow B due to the deflection and reduction via the scissor rod 72, whereby due to the reduction by the scissor rod 72 the movement in the direction of arrow B has a smaller amount than the movement in the direction of arrow A, but an increase in force occurs due to the reduction by the scissor rod 72. The movement of the web 66 in the direction of arrow B is also shown in Fig. 1 by arrow B.

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As can be seen directly from Fig. 1, a movement of the web 66 in the direction of arrow B, which corresponds to a movement of the area 74 on the underframe side or the attachment point 36 on the underframe side, causes a relative shortening of the length of the traction means 34 between the attachment point 36 and the deflection roller 44 on the support leg 14 and since the traction means 34 is connected to the cross member 48 at the point 58 after it has been deflected around the deflection roller 44, the underframe 8 in Fig. 1 is moved upwards via the traction means 34 and the deflection roller 44 in the manner of a pulley. This upward movement of the base frame 8 causes a tensile force in the direction of arrow C in the other strand of the traction device 34, since the upward movement of the base frame 8 also causes the traction device 34 between the roller 56 and the stop point 58 to experience a relative shortening in length. As a result, the support leg 12 in Fig. 1 is also pulled upwards in a pulley-like manner via the other strand of the traction device 34 via the deflection roller 42 and the stop point 50, so that the entire base frame 8 and the table top 4 lying on it are raised upwards evenly and without tilting. The springs 28 and 30 support this movement directed against gravity, so that the entire adjustment device 32 is relieved during the lifting process of the base frame with the table top 4 lying on it.

A movement of the adjusting nut 84 in Fig. 2 directed against the direction of arrow A causes a similar movement of the web 66 directed against the direction of arrow B, so that the base frame-side stop point 36 in Fig. 1 is moved in the direction of arrow B'. This movement in the direction of arrow E' causes a relative shortening of the traction means 34 between the base frame-side stop point 36 and the base frame-side stop point 50 on the cross member 46, so that the support leg 12 is moved against the

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The force of the spring 28 pulls the support leg 12 into the receiving area 22 of the standing area 18. This downward movement of the support leg 12 causes a relative movement of the traction device 34 in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 1 via the base frame-side stop point 50 and the deflection roller 42, so that the other support leg 14 is also moved downwards via the base frame-side stop point 58 against the force of the spring 30 via the other strand of the traction device 34 and the relative movement taking place therein in the direction of arrow C, so that the entire base frame 8, together with the table top 4 resting on it, is moved downwards relative to the base frame 10 evenly and without tilting.

The maximum range of height adjustment of the base frame 8 relative to the foot frame 10 is determined by the maximum adjustment path of the adjusting nut 84 on the adjusting spindle 82 or by the two limit switches 88 and 90 serving as safety devices.

The adjusting nut 84 is advantageously self-locking on the adjusting spindle 82, so that the selected height position of the base frame 8 or the table top 4 relative to the base frame 10 is maintained without any securing means.

Within the scope of the present invention, a number of modifications are conceivable, which will be discussed briefly here.

In the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, the springs 28 and 30 are designed as compression springs, in particular as gas pressure springs. With a correspondingly different articulation of the springs 28 and 30, however, tension springs can also be used, which allow the upward movement of the base frame 8 relative to the foot.

frame 10 and thus support the adjusting movement of the adjusting device 32.

The number of springs to support height adjustment is not limited to two; it is also possible to use just one spring or, in the case of large tables with heavy tops, two springs per leg, for a total of four springs.

Furthermore, the flexible traction means 34 has been shown and described as a steel wire strand. However, it is also conceivable to use a chain, in particular a ball chain, or even a toothed belt instead of a steel wire strand. The use of a toothed belt has the advantage that, with a correspondingly complementary tooth surface of the deflection rollers 42 and 44, high weight forces can also be transmitted or absorbed without any slipping movements of the traction means 34 relative to the deflection rollers 42 and 44.

Furthermore, with a corresponding design of motor 86, adjusting spindle 82 and adjusting nuts 84, it is conceivable to attach the traction device 34 directly to the adjusting nut 84 so that the underframe-side attachment point 36 coincides with the area 80 or the adjusting nut 84.

The motor 86 is advantageously controlled via two buttons or the like attached to the underside of the table top, so that the table top 4 can also be conveniently adjusted in height by a seated person.

The entire arrangement of the adjustment device 32, the rollers 40, 52, 56 and 60, the deflection rollers 42 and 44 and the Pedem 26 and 30 is not visible from the outside inside the support legs 12 and 14 and inside the cross member 16, so that no moving parts are visible from the outside and the

the entire adjustment device 32 is protected against contamination or damage.

Claims (13)

Walter Waibel M: GtJO 15 OA Dingolfing protective claims 1. Height-adjustable table, iiisfeespecial writing, office or laboratory table, with a table top (4) supporting base frame (8) and a base frame (§) supporting base frame (10), whereby the position of the table top {<?> relative to the base frame (10) can be changed by means of a Vexsrtstellung? "chtung (32) 2.3t, characterized in that the adjusting device (32) has a flexible traction means (34) of constant length, which is attached to the frame side at one point (36) and runs closed between at least two deflection parts (42, 44) on the base frame side and which is attached to the base frame side at two points (50, 58), the relative positions between the the attachment point (36) on the underframe side and the attachment points (50, 58) on the foot frame side can be changed. 2. Table according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible traction means (34) is a steel cable or a steel wire strand. 3. Table according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible traction means (34) is a toothed belt. 4. Table according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stop point (36) on the base frame is motor-adjustable. 10 5. Table according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjustment is carried out via an electric motor-driven adjusting spindle (82) on which a self-locking adjusting nut (84) runs, which is connected to the stop point (36) on the base frame. 15 20 25 6. Table according to claim 5, characterized in that a reduction lever rod (63) is arranged between the base-side stop point (36) and the adjusting nut (84). 7. Table according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the adjustment path of the adjusting nut (84) can be limited by two limit switches (88, 90). 8. Table according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the adjustment of the base frame (8) relative to the foot frame (10) is spring-supported in one direction. 9. Table according to claim 8, characterized in that the adjustment of the base frame (8) relative to the foot frame (10) upwards is spring-supported. 10. Table according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the spring support is provided by at least one compression spring (28, 30). 11. Table according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the spring support is provided by at least one tension spring. 12. Table according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one of the deflection points (42, 44) on the base frame is adjustable in the vertical direction. 13. Table according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the adjusting device (32) is arranged in a horizontal cross member (16) or a frame of the base frame (8).