WO2025090903A1

WO2025090903A1 - Table

Info

Publication number: WO2025090903A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/053014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tyler G. FINSES; Peter James KEYZER
Original assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
Current assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
Priority date: 2023-10-27
Filing date: 2024-10-25
Publication date: 2025-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-27

Abstract

A table includes a worksurface and a plurality of height adjustable legs extending from the worksurface to support the worksurface above a ground surface. Each height adjustable leg includes an actuator operable to adjust a length of the height adjustable leg. The device also includes a user interface electrically coupled to the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs. The user interface includes a controller operable to change the lengths of a subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs relative to a remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs to position and maintain the worksurface at a tilt angle relative to the ground surface.

Description

TABLE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/593,829, filed October 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates generally to tables and, in particular, to height adjustable tables.

SUMMARY

[0003] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a table including a worksurface; a plurality of height adjustable legs extending from the worksurface to support the worksurface above a ground surface, each height adjustable leg including an actuator operable to adjust a length of the height adjustable leg; and a user interface electrically coupled to the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs, the user interface including a controller operable to change the lengths of a subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs relative to a remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs to position and maintain the worksurface at a tilt angle relative to the ground surface.

[0004] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a table including a worksurface having a front edge configured to be adjacent a user and a rear edge opposite the front edge; a front leg coupled to the worksurface adjacent the front edge, the front leg including a front actuator to adjust a length of the front leg; a rear leg coupled to the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, the rear leg including a rear actuator to adjust a length of the rear leg; and a user interface electrically coupled to the front actuator and the rear actuator, the user interface including a controller operable to change the length of the rear leg independent of the length of the front leg.

[0005] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of tilting a table, the table including a worksurface, a plurality of height adjustable legs extending from the worksurface to support the worksurface above a ground surface, and a user interface having a controller, each height adjustable leg including an actuator operable to adjust a length of the height adjustable leg, the user interface electrically coupled to the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs, the method including activating, by the controller, the actuators of a subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs relative to a remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs to position the worksurface at a tilt angle relative to the ground surface; and maintaining the worksurface at the tilt angle relative to the ground surface.

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of identifying leg locations of a table, the table including a worksurface, a plurality of height adjustable legs extending from the worksurface to support the worksurface above a ground surface, a user interface having a controller, and a sensor coupled to the worksurface, each height adjustable leg including an actuator operable to adjust a length of the height adjustable leg, the user interface electrically coupled to the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs, the method including activating, by the controller, the actuator of a first leg of the plurality of height adjustable legs to change a height of the first leg; sensing, by the sensor, a tilt of the worksurface as the height of the first leg changes; determining, by the controller, a location of the first leg relative to the worksurface based on the tilt sensed by the sensor; and tilting the worksurface to a desired tilt angle relative to the ground surface based on the determined location of the first leg.

[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a table.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the table of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a leg of the table of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 A is a detailed view of a portion of the leg of FIG. 3. [0012] FIG. 3B is a detailed view of a portion of the leg of FIG. 3 according to another embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user interface for the table of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG 4A is a schematic view of the table of FIG. 1 in an inclined positioned.

[0015] FIG. 4B is a schematic view of the table of FIG. 1 in a declined position.

[0016] FIG. 4C is another schematic view of the table of FIG. 1 in the inclined position.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a user interface for the table of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a control system for use with the table of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a control system for use with the table of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting a method of identifying leg locations of the table of

FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting a method of tilting the table of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting another method of tilting the table of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting a method of leveling the table of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting a method of raising the table of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting a method of lowering the table of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0027] To avoid crowding the drawings with reference numbers for different ends, sides, etc. of parts of the table, it will be presumed that one of ordinary skill will read this disclosure with the ordinary meaning of directional and positional terms in mind. Throughout this disclosure, for example, the terms “left,” “right,” “rear,” “front,” “forward,” and “rearward” are used from the perspective of an occupant or user at the table. Terms such as “top” and “bottom” are used with respect to the intended ordinary condition of the table. The term “above” means that one component is positioned higher than another without necessarily being in the same vertical plane. The term “vertically above” means that one component is higher than another thing and in the same vertical plane. “Below” means a component is lower than another component, whereas “vertically below” means that the component is lower and also within the same vertical plane as the other component.

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a table 10, or desk, to support, for example, computers, lights, and other accessories. The table 10 includes a worksurface 14, legs 18 extending from the worksurface 14, and wheels or casters 22 coupled to ends of the legs 18 to support the table 10 on a ground surface (e.g., a floor or other surface). The illustrated worksurface 14 is rectangular. In other embodiments, the worksurface 14 may have other configurations (e.g., rounded, circular, trapezoidal, etc.) and/or sizes. The worksurface 14 includes a front edge 14A and a rear edge 14B. The front edge 14A is the edge or side of the worksurface 14 that is closest to a user when the user uses (e.g., sits or stands at) the table 10. The rear edge 14B is the edge or side of the worksurface 14 opposite the front edge 14A.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the table 10 includes four legs 18 (i.e., two front legs 18A and two rear legs 18B). The two front legs 18A are positioned adjacent the front edge 14A of the worksurface 14. That is, the front legs 18A are significantly closer to the front edge 14A than to the rear edge 14B, but do not necessarily need to be at the front edge 14 A. The two rear legs 18B are positioned adjacent the rear edge 14B of the worksurface 14. That is, the rear legs 18B are significantly closer to the rear edge 14B than to the front edge 14A, but do not necessarily need to be at the rear edge 14B. [0030] The illustrated table 10 is a height adjustable table configured to adjust a height of the worksurface 14 relative to the ground surface. The illustrated table 10 is also configured to adjust a tilt angle of the worksurface 14 relative to the ground surface. As such, each of the legs 18 is individually moveable relative to the other legs 18 to adjust the height of the worksurface 14 and/or the tilt angle of the worksurface 14. In some embodiments, the legs 18 may be separately movable as groups (e.g., the two front legs 18A may be moved together as a group and the two rear legs 18B may be moved together as a group). The table 10 also includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs 26 on a bottom side of the worksurface 14. The ribs 26 act as stiffeners for the worksurface 14 to stabilize the table 10 while moving the table 10 or adjusting the height or tilt of the table 10.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 3, each leg 18 is moveable relative to the other legs 18. Each illustrated leg 18 includes a first moveable column 30, a second stationary column 34, and an actuator 38 that is operable to move the first column 30 relative to the second column 34. In other embodiments, the legs 18 may have other configurations, or different legs may have different configurations. The first column 30, the second column 34, and the actuator 38 are positioned within a shell 42 that is coupled to the worksurface 14. The shell 42 conceals the movement of the leg 18 and protects the columns 30, 34 and actuator 38 from outside disturbances. In other embodiments, the height of the worksurface 14 may be moveable in other ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the worksurface 14 may be raised relative to the ground in a range between 24 inches and 50 inches from the ground. In other embodiments, the worksurface 14 can be moved within a different range.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 A, in one embodiment, the casters 22 are coupled to the legs 18. The casters 22 include a post 44 that is received in and coupled to the second columns 34. As shown in FIG. 3B, in another embodiment, glides 46 are coupled to the legs 18. The glides 46 may form an articulating joint. Each glide 46 includes a bolt 50 coupled to the second column 34, a molded head 58, and a deformable pad 60 positioned within the molded head 58. The deformable pad 60 is made with a foam material (e.g., polyurethane) or the like that allows it to deform. Specifically, the deformable pad 60 deforms when the legs 18 are moved relative to the front legs 18A. While the worksurface 14 is titled, some of the legs 18 may need to incline relative to the ground surface to accommodate for the height difference between the front edge 14A and the rear edge 14B of the worksurface 14. The deformable pad 60 will deflect, allowing the first and second columns 30, 34 to incline inside the shell 42 relative to the ground. In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable pad 60 is operable to allow about 10 degrees of tilt, in any direction, relative to the ground. In other embodiments, the deformable pad 60 may allow more than 10 degrees of tilt or less than 10 degrees of tilt. In some embodiments, both the front legs 18A and the rear legs 18B may include the glides 46 with articulating joints to accommodate when the worksurface 14 is tilted at any 3D plane orientation. In further embodiments, each leg 18 may include two articulating joints (i.e., one at the bottom of the leg 18 and one at the top of the leg 18). In even further embodiments, both the casters 22 and the glides 46 are used together on a single table. For example, the front legs 18A may include the casters 22, while the rear legs 18B may include the glides 46. Additionally, in some embodiments, the table 10 may include a ball and socket joint at either the top or the bottom of the legs. For example, the top of the rear legs 18B may include a rounded ball that is received in a socket coupled to the worksurface 14.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 4, the table 10 includes a user interface 62. The illustrated user interface 62 is coupled to and supported by the worksurface 14. In other embodiments, the user interface 62 may be remote or separated from the worksurface 14. The user interface 62 may also be referred to as a switch. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 62 is coupled to a top side of the worksurface 14 adjacent the front edge 14A. Preferably, the user interface 62 is coupled partially within the worksurface 14. In other embodiments, the user interface 62 may be coupled to the table 10 at other locations. For example, the user interface 62 may be coupled to a bottom side of the worksurface adjacent the front edge 14A of the worksurface 14 or on one of the ribs 26.

[0034] The illustrated user interface 62 includes a plurality of user inputs 70, 74, 78, 82, 86, a display screen 90, a sensor 94, and a controller 98. The plurality of user inputs 70-86 includes a first setting button 70, a second setting button 74, an up button 78, a down button 82, and a save button 86. In other embodiments, the user interface 62 may include fewer or more inputs (e.g., buttons). A user may select either the first or second setting buttons 70, 74 to select between two settings of the table 10 to adjust. In the illustrated embodiment, the first setting button 70 may be selected to adjust the height of the worksurface 14, and the second setting button 74 may be selected to adjust the tilt angle of the worksurface 14. For example, if the first setting button 70 is selected, a user may then press the up button 78 to move the worksurface 14 up relative to the ground, or a user may press the down button 82 to move the worksurface 14 down relative to the ground. As the user is pressing the up button 78 or the down button 82 while the first setting button 70 is selected, the controller 98 communicates to each of the actuators 38 of the legs 18 to move the table 10 accordingly, as will be described in more detail below.

[0035] If the second setting button 74 has been selected, a user may then press the up and down buttons 78, 82 to adjust the tilt angle of the worksurface 14. For example, while the second setting button 74 is selected, a user may press the up button 78 to tilt the worksurface 14 away from them (i.e., with the rear side of the worksurface lower than the front side or declined away from the user) or press the down button 82 to tilt the worksurface 14 towards them (i.e., with the front side of the worksurface 14 lower than the rear side or inclined away from the user). In other embodiments, the user interface 62 may include other types of user inputs, such as a joystick, a rotary dial, and the like, to adjust the height and/or the tilt angle of the worksurface 14. Once the desired tilt angle and height is achieved, the user may press the save button 86 to store the values of the height and tilt angle into a memory of the controller 98. A user can later press the save button 86 to have the worksurface 14 return to the saved values.

[0036] As the worksurface 14 is being tilted, either the actuators 38 of the front legs 18A or the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B will activate, depending on the intended tilt direction. For example, if the user wishes to tilt the table 10 with an incline, the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B will move the first columns 30 upwards relative to the second columns 34 while the front legs 18A remain stationary. As shown in FIG. 4A, the table 10 is in an inclined position in which the worksurface is at a positive tilt angle 0 relative to the ground surface 20. In this position, the front edge 14A of the worksurface 14 is closer than the rear edge 14B of the worksurface 14 to the ground surface 20. In other embodiments, the actuators 38 of the front legs 18A may move the first columns 30 downwards relative to the second columns 34 while the rear legs 18B remain stationary. Conversely, if a user wishes to tilt the table 10 with a decline, the actuators 38 of the front legs 18A will move the first columns 30 relative to the second columns 34 while the rear legs 18B remain stationary. As shown in FIG. 4B, the table 10 is in a declined position, in which the worksurface 14 is at a negative tilt angle 0 relative to the ground surface 20. In this position, the rear edge 14B of the worksurface 14 is closer than the front edge 14 A of the worksurface 14 to the ground surface 20. Stated another way, the front edge 14A of the worksurface 14 is further than the rear edge 14B of the worksurface 14 from the ground surface 20. In other embodiments, the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B may move the first columns 30 relative to the second columns 34 while the front legs 18A remain stationary. In still other embodiments, the actuators 38 of both the front and rear legs 18A, 18B may move the first columns 30 relative to the second columns 34 to incline or decline the table 10. In some embodiments, the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 may be adjusted relative to the ground surface in a range between 0 degrees and 30 degrees (i.e., the tilt angle may be 30 degrees or less). In other embodiments, the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 may be adjusted relative to the ground surface in a range between 0 degrees and 10 degrees (i.e., the tilt angle may be 10 degrees or less). In further embodiments, the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 may be adjusted relative to the ground surface more than 30 degrees.

[0037] To achieve higher (i.e., steeper) tilt angles, one or more of the legs 18A, 14B may include an articulating joint, such as the glides 46 (FIG. 3B) discussed above. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the legs 18 A, 18B may include an articulating joint between the leg 18A, 18B and the worksurface 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4C, the front legs 18A are coupled to the worksurface 14 with fixed joints 102, and the rear legs 18B are coupled to the worksurface 14 with articulating joints 106. The fixedjoints 102 may include, for example, hinge joints, ball and socket joints, and the like, that allow the worksurface 14 to tilt relative to the legs 18A, but inhibit the worksurface 14 from translating (e.g., sliding) relative to the legs 18 A. The articulating joints 106 may include, for example, linear bearings, rack and pinion mechanisms, pin and groove connections, prismatic joints, and the like, that allow the worksurface 14 to tilt and to translate (e.g., slide) relative to the legs 18B. In some embodiments, the front legs 18A may be coupled to the worksurface 14 with the articulating joints 106, and the rear legs 18B may be coupled to the worksurface 14 with the fixedjoints 102.

[0038] Referring back to FIG. 4, the display screen 90 may display information related to the worksurface 14. For example, the display screen 90 may display the height of the table 10 (e.g., in inches or centimeters), the tilt angle (e.g., in degrees) of the worksurface 14 relative to the ground surface, or other user prompts. The illustrated display screen 90 is mounted to the worksurface 14 between the user inputs. In other embodiments, the display screen 90 may be supported on the worksurface 14 away from the user inputs. The display screen 90 may be, for example, an LCD screen, an LED screen, or the like.

[0039] The sensor 94 is operable to determine the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 relative to the ground surface. The sensor 94 may be an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inclinometer, a micro electro-mechanical system (MEM), an ultrasonic sensor, a load cell, or the like. In some embodiments, the table 10 may include more than one sensor to determine the tilt angle. For example, each leg 18 may include a time-of-flight sensor to determine the distance between the first and second columns 30, 34. The sensor 94 may provide continuous feedback to the controller 98 on the height and/or tilt angle of the worksurface 14 relative to the ground surface. In other embodiments, the sensor 94 may provide intermittent feedback to the controller 98, such as at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 30 seconds) or when one of the user inputs 70-86 is depressed. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 94 is part of the user interface 62. The sensor 94 and, thus, the user interface 62 are positioned on or in the worksurface 14 to provide accurate readings of the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 to the controller 98. In other embodiments, the sensor 94 may be a separate component that is remote from, but coupled to (e.g., communicates with) the user interface 62. In addition, the table 10 may include passive sensors that detect other features of the table 10 to determine the tilt angle of the worksurface 14. For example, sensors may determine the output of the actuators 38 and compare them to a baseline value to determine the tilt angle. Further, the controller 98 may determine the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 using both an active sensor (i.e., sensor 94) and passive sensors.

[0040] The controller 98 of the user interface 62 may be implemented as a microprocessor. In other embodiments, the controller 98 may be implemented as a microcontroller (with memory on the same chip). In other embodiments, the controller 98 may be implemented using multiple processors. In addition, the controller 98 may be implemented partially or entirely as, for example, a field-programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like, and the memory may not be needed or be modified accordingly. The memory may include non-transitory, computer readable memory that stores instructions that are received and executed by the controller 98 to carry out functionality of the table 10 described herein. The memory may include, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory and random-access memory.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface 110 according to another embodiment. The user interface 110 is similar to the user interface 62 described above, but includes an up button 114, a down button 118, and a tilt button 122. A user may press the up button 114 to move the worksurface 14 in an up direction. Conversely, a user may press the down button 118 to move the worksurface 14 in a down direction. To tilt the table 10, a user may press the tilt button 122 once to tilt the worksurface 14, for example, two degrees inclined away from them. In other embodiments, pressing the tilt button 122 once may tilt the worksurface 14 to any number of preset tilt angle ranges. Alternatively, the user may hold the tilt button 122 and press either the up button 114 or the down button 118 to tilt the worksurface 14 to a desired tilt angle.

[0042] In other embodiments, the user interface 62 may include a rotatable knob that may be rotated to adjust either the height of the worksurface 14 or the tilt angle of the worksurface 14. In further embodiments, the user interface 62 may include a joy stick that a user may move to adjust the tilt angle or height of the worksurface 14. For example, a user may move the joystick forward to raise the table 10, backwards to lower the table 10, to the right to incline the table 10, or to the left to decline the table 10 relative to them. In some embodiments, a user may use one of the user inputs (e.g., an up or down button, a rotatable knob, a joystick, etc.) to set a desired tilt angle (e.g., 8 degrees) and/or a desired height (e.g., 36 inches) and then use another user input (e.g., a confirm button) to automatically adjust the worksurface 14 to the desired tilt angle and/or height. In other embodiments, the worksurface 14 may automatically adjust to the desired tilt angle and/or the desired height after a predetermined time delay or interval (e.g., 1 second) after a user sets the desired tilt angle and/or the desired height.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators 38 of the legs 18 allow for greater control of the position of the worksurface 14 when the table 10 is being tilted while allowing movement of the worksurface 14 up and down at a quicker speed. Specifically, the actuators 38 may move the worksurface 14 up and down at a speed between 38 mm/s and 60 mm/s when the worksurface 14 is not tilted. In other embodiments, the actuators 38 may move the worksurface 14 up and down at a speed less than 38 mm/s or more than 60 mm/s. The actuators 38 may adjust the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 (incline or decline) at a speed of 25 mm/s or less. In other embodiments, the actuators 38 may adjust the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 at a speed greater than 25 mm/s. While the worksurface 14 is tilted, the actuators 38 may move the worksurface 14 up and down at a speed between 38 mm/s and 60 mm/s. In some embodiments, the actuators 38 may move the worksurface 14 at a different speed while tilted than when not tilted. For example, the actuators 38 may move the worksurface 14 up and down at a speed that is slower when the worksurface 14 is tilted than when the worksurface 14 is level. In further embodiments, the actuators 38 may move the worksurface 14 at a slower speed when reaching a maximum height or minimum height of the worksurface 14.

[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a control system 210 to control operation of the table 10. The control system 210 includes a power supply 214, the user interface 62, and each of the actuators 38 (e g., motors) of the legs 18. The power supply 214 provides power to the actuators 38 and the user interface 62 and allows communication between the power supply 214, the user interface 62, and actuators 38. The power supply 214 may be positioned and coupled to a bottom side of the worksurface 14. In some embodiments, the power supply 214 may be positioned on a top side, a back side, or a front side of the worksurface 14. In other embodiments, the power supply 214 may be supported by a bracket either on the table 10 or adjacent the table 10. The power supply 214 is electrically connected to the user interface 62 and each of the actuators 38 through connectors 218. As such, the power supply 214, the user interface 62, and the actuators 38 are in communication with each other and configured to send signals between each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 214 is a local interconnect network bus (LIN) or hub that receives power from an outside power source 222 (e.g., a battery or electrical wall outlet) through an AC/DC converter. In general, the controller 98 of the user interface 62 is configured to receive a user input from the plurality of user inputs 70-86 described above and send a signal to the power supply 214. Depending on the input, the power supply 214 relays that signal to the appropriate actuators 38 to change the height of the worksurface 14 or the tilt angle of the worksurface 14.

[0045] The power supply 214 of the control system 210 receives feedback and signals from the actuators 38 and the sensor 94 of the user interface 62. The user interface 62 is able to control all four legs 18 individually through the user input. The control system 210 may determine the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 through either the passive sensors or active sensors (e.g., sensor 94) described above and adjust the table 10 accordingly. Specifically, the control system 210 generally processes information from the passive sensors to control operation of the table 10. In some embodiments, the controller 98 compares values determined by the sensor 94 of the user interface 62 to the values determined by the passive sensors to determine the accuracy of the passive sensors. As such, the power supply 214 receives feedback from two separate pathways to control operation of the table 10. Further, since the control system 210 controls operation of each leg 18 individually or independently, the control system 210 may move each leg 18 to an individual height to adjust the tilt angle of the table 10. For example, if the table 10 is placed on an uneven surface, the control system 210 can level the worksurface 14 based on feedback from the sensor 94 and communicate the feedback to the controller 98. The controller 98 can then move each individual actuator 38 to an appropriate height until the worksurface 14 is level (i.e., a base level). Additionally, the control system 210 may move each leg 18 individually and, based on feedback from the sensor 94, determine the position or location of each leg 18 (e.g., which corner each leg 18 is in). Once the position of each leg 18 is known, the control system 210 may control each leg 18 to adjust the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 based on the user input. As such, the control system 210 may move the legs 18 to put the worksurface 14 in any 3D plane orientation relative to the ground (e.g., tilted front-to-rear, tilted side-to-side, etc.). In some embodiments, the controller 98 and the user interface 62 are operable to change the length of a subset of the legs 18 relative to a remainder of the legs 18. For example, the controller 98 may activate only one of the actuators 38 of the legs 18 relative to the actuators 38 of the other legs 18 to put the worksurface 14 in any 3D plane orientation. In addition, the controller 98 may activate the actuators 38 of only the front legs 18A or only the rear legs 18B to adjust the height of either front or rear legs 18A, 18B relative to the other. In some embodiments, all of the legs 18 Am 18B may be activated, but may activated at different speeds to achieve the desired position (e.g., tilt angle and/or height) of the worksurface 14. Further, the controller 98 may activate the actuators 38 of all the legs 18 to move together. As such, a subset of the height adjustable legs 18 may include an individual leg 18, two legs 18 (e.g., either the front legs 18A or the rear legs 18B together), three legs 18, or all of the legs 18 together. In addition, independent or individual movement may mean that only a subset of the height adjustable legs 18 moves while a remainder of the height adjustable legs 18 is stationary, or that the subset of the height adjustable legs 18 moves at a different speed or rate than the remainder of the height adjustable legs 18.

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a control system 310 to control operation of the table 10 according to another embodiment. The control system 310 includes a power supply 314, a first or front leg LIN bus 318, a second or rear leg LIN bus 322, the user interface 62, and the actuators 38 of the legs 18. The power supply 314 is similar to the power supply 214 described above and provides power and communication to the actuators 38 and the user interface 62. The actuators 38 of the front legs 18A of the table 10 are connected to the front leg LIN bus 318 through connectors 326. The actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B of the table 10 are connected to the rear leg LIN bus 322 through connectors 326A. Both the front and rear leg LIN buses 318, 322 are connected to the power supply 314 with connectors 326. The user interface 62 is connected to both the front leg LIN bus 318 and the rear leg LIN bus 322 through connectors 326B. The user interface 62 communicates separately to the actuators 38 of the front legs 18A and the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B through the respective LIN buses 318, 322. As such, the controller 98 of the user interface 62 is operable to control the front legs 18A together and the rear legs 18B together, but separate from each other. The control system 310 receives feedback from the passive and active sensors of the table 10 to determine the tilt angle of the worksurface 14.

[0047] FIGS. 8-13 illustrate methods of operating the table 10 according to different settings, embodiments, and situations of the table 10. Although the illustrated methods include particular steps, not all of the steps need to be performed or need to be performed in the order presented.

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates a method of identifying the leg location of the table 10, for instance, when the table 10 is initially assembled or turned on. As an initial step, a user may zero the table 10 by pressing one or a combination of the user input buttons 70-86 such as pressing and holding the down button 82. This step will move all the legs 18 to their lowest positions to establish a base level position. Once the legs 18 are zeroed, the controller 98 will check if the sensor 94 is on and operating correctly. If the sensor 94 is not operating, the identifying function will be disabled. If the sensor 94 is operational, the controller 98 will send a signal to move the actuator 38 of one of the legs 18. Once the leg 18 has moved, the sensor 94 will detect the change in the tilt angle and determine the position of the leg 18 relative to the worksurface 14 (e g., at which comer the leg 18 is positioned). The controller 98 will continue activating the actuators 38 in turn until the position of each of the legs 18 is determined. Once the position of each of the legs 18 is determined, the controller 98 will initiate a tilt test to verify that the sensor 94 and each of the legs 18 is operating correctly. Next, the controller 98 will activate the actuators 38 of all the legs 18 and bring the legs 18 to the lowest possible position to check if the base level position is lost. Alternatively, the controller 98 may activate the actuators 38 to bring the legs 18 to the highest position possible to establish a base level position. Once in the lowest position, the user may then adjust the table 10 as desired.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a method of tilting the worksurface 14. In particular, FIG. 9 illustrates a method of moving the worksurface 14 to an inclined position relative to the front edge 14A. First, a user provides input through the user interface 62 to incline the worksurface 14. The sensor 94 then determines if the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 is at a predetermined max tilt angle (e.g., 30 degrees) or not. If the tilt angle is at the max tilt angle, the controller 98 will stop movement of the actuators 38. If the tilt angle is not at the max tilt angle, the controller 98 will send a signal to the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B to move upwards. Alternatively, the controller 98 will send a signal to the actuators 38 of the front legs 18A to move downward (or a combination of signals to the actuators 38 of the front and rear legs 18A, 18B to move at different speeds). Next, the controller 98 will check to determine if the user is still providing the input to tilt the worksurface 14. If the user has stopped providing input, the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B will stop being moved. If the user is still providing the input, the controller 98 will continue to raise the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B. The controller 98 will then check if the sensor 94 has detected the max tilt angle. If the max angle has not been reached, the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B will continue to raise the worksurface 14 until the max angle has been reached. When movement of the actuators 38 is stopped, the worksurface 14 is then positioned and maintained at the desired tilt angle. By maintained, the worksurface 14 is held at the desired tilt angle so a user can then use the table 10 with an inclined worksurface 14.

[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates a method of tilting the worksurface 14. In particular, FIG. 10 illustrates a method of moving the worksurface to a declined position relative to the front edge 14 A. Similar to the method of FIG. 9, first, a user provides input through the user interface to decline the worksurface 14. The sensor 94 then determines if the tilt angle of the worksurface 14 is at a predetermined max tilt angle (e.g., 30 degrees) or not. If the tilt angle is at the max tilt angle, the controller 98 will stop movement of the actuators 38. If the tilt angle is not at the max tilt angle, the controller 98 will send a signal to the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B to move downward. Alternatively, the controller 98 will send a signal to the actuators 38 of the front legs 18A to move upward (or a combination of signals to the actuators 38 of the front and rear legs 18 A, 18B to move at different speeds). Next, the controller 98 will check to determine if the user is still providing the input to tilt the worksurface 14. If the user has stopped providing input, the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B will stop being moved. If the user is still providing the input, the controller 98 will continue to lower the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B. The controller 98 will then check if the sensor 94 has detected the max tilt angle. If the max angle has not been reached, the actuators 38 of the rear legs 18B will continue to lower the worksurface 14 until the max angle has been reached. When movement of the actuators 38 is stopped, the worksurface 14 is then positioned and maintained at the desired tilt angle. By maintained, the worksurface 14 is held at the desired tilt angle so a user can then use the table 10 with a declined worksurface 14.

[0051] FIG. 11 illustrates a method of leveling the table 10, for instance, after adjusting the tilt angle of the table 10 and wanting to go back to the base level. First, a user provides input through the user interface 62 to begin leveling the worksurface 14. Then, the sensor 94 will determine the tilt angle of the table 10. If the tilt angle is at zero, the controller 98 will stop movement of the actuators 38 of the legs 18. In some embodiments, the user interface 62 may illuminate a light or other alert to notify the user that the table 10 is level. If the sensor 94 determines that the tilt angle is not zero, the controller 98 will activate one of the actuators 38 of the legs 18 to begin moving downwards (e.g., the highest leg 18 or legs 18). The controller 98 will then continually check to see if the user input has been stopped or if the tilt angle is zero. If either of those conditions are met, the controller 98 will stop movement of the legs 18.

[0052] When the table 10 is level or tilted, the height of the worksurface 14 may be adjusted relative to the ground surface. In some embodiments, the height of the worksurface 14 may be adjusted while the worksurface 14 is inclined or declined relative to the ground surface. For example, a user may provide input through the user interface 62 to raise or lower the worksurface 14.

[0053] In some embodiments, changing a height of the table 10 may be restricted unless the worksurface 14 is level. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate methods of raising and lowering the worksurface 14 if planar (i.e., up and down) movement of the worksurface 14 is restricted while the worksurface 14 is tilted. First, a user provides input to either lower or raise the height of the worksurface 14. As an initial step, the sensor 94 will determine if the worksurface 14 is tilted. If the worksurface 14 is not tilted (i.e., 0 degrees), the controller 98 will carry out raising or lowering the worksurface 14. For example, the controller 98 will send a signal to all of the actuators 38 to move the legs 18 either up or down.

[0054] If the worksurface 14 is tilted, the controller 98 will first level the worksurface 14 before changing the height of the worksurface 14. For example, if the up button is pressed (FIG. 12), the controller 98 will send an up signal to the actuators 38 of the lower subset of legs 18 to raise the lower subset of legs 18 until the worksurface 14 is level. If the down button is pressed (FIG. 13), the controller 98 will send a down signal to the actuators 38 of the higher subset of legs 18 to lower the higher subset of legs 18 until the worksurface 14 is level. Once the worksurface 14 is level, the controller 98 will carry out raising or lowering the worksurface 14. For example, the controller 98 will send a signal to all of the actuators 38 to move the legs 18 either up or down.

[0055] As the legs 18 move up or down, the sensor 94 will continue to monitor the tilt of the worksurface 14. As long as the sensor 94 does not detect that the worksurface 14 is tilted, the controller 98 will continue to carry out raising or lowering the worksurface 14. If the sensor 94 detects the worksurface 14 becomes tilted during raising or lowering, the controller 98 will stop movement of the higher leg when raising the worksurface 14 or stop movement of the lower leg when raising the worksurface 14 until the worksurface 14 is level again.

[0056] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A table comprising: a worksurface; a plurality of height adjustable legs extending from the worksurface to support the worksurface above a ground surface, each height adjustable leg including an actuator operable to adjust a length of the height adjustable leg; and a user interface electrically coupled to the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs, the user interface including a controller operable to change the lengths of a subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs relative to a remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs to position and maintain the worksurface at a tilt angle relative to the ground surface.

2. The table of claim 1, wherein the plurality of height adjustable legs includes four legs.

3. The table of claim 2, wherein the worksurface includes a front edge configured to be adjacent a user and a rear edge opposite the front edge, wherein the subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs includes two legs coupled to the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, and wherein the remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs includes two legs coupled to the worksurface adjacent the front edge.

4. The table of claim 3, wherein the worksurface is maintained in a position where the front edge of the worksurface is closer than the rear edge of the worksurface to the ground surface.

5. The table of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a user input and a display screen.

6. The table of claim 5, further comprising a sensor operable to determine the tilt angle of the worksurface relative to the ground surface, and wherein the display screen is operable to display the tilt angle.

7. The table of claim 6, wherein the sensor includes one or more selected from a group consisting of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inclinometer, a micro electro-mechanical system (MEM), an ultrasonic sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, and a load cell.

8. The table of claim 6, wherein the user interface is configured to receive a desired tilt angle from a user, and wherein, in response to the input of the desired tilt angle, the controller is operable to change the lengths of the subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs to achieve the desired tilt angle.

9. The table of claim 1, wherein the actuators of the subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs are coupled to a first local interconnect network bus, wherein the actuators of the remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs are coupled to a second local interconnect network bus, and wherein the first and second local interconnect network buses are electrically coupled to the user interface.

10. The table of claim 1, wherein the tilt angle is 30 degrees or less.

11. The table of claim 1, wherein the user interface is supported by the worksurface.

12. The table of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of height adjustable legs includes an articulating joint that articulates as the lengths of the subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs change relative to the remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs.

13. The table of claim 12, wherein the articulating joint is positioned between the at least one of the plurality of height adjustable legs and the worksurface.

14. The table of claim 12, wherein the articulating joint includes a sliding connection between the at least one of the plurality of height adjustable legs and the worksurface.

15. A table comprising: a worksurface having a front edge configured to be adjacent a user and a rear edge opposite the front edge; a front leg coupled to the worksurface adjacent the front edge, the front leg including a front actuator to adjust a length of the front leg; a rear leg coupled to the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, the rear leg including a rear actuator to adjust a length of the rear leg; and a user interface electrically coupled to the front actuator and the rear actuator, the user interface including a controller operable to change the length of the rear leg independent of the length of the front leg.

16. The table of claim 15, wherein the controller is operable to change the length of the rear leg independent of the length of the front leg to tilt the worksurface relative to a ground surface on which the table is supported.

17. The table of claim 16, wherein the worksurface is tilted such that the front edge of the worksurface is closer than the rear edge of the worksurface to the ground surface.

18. The table of claim 17, wherein the worksurface is tilted at a tilt angle that is 30 degrees or less.

19. The table of claim 15, further comprising a sensor operable to determine a tilt angle of the worksurface relative to a ground surface on which the table is supported.

20. The table of claim 19, wherein the controller is operable to change the length of the rear leg based on the tilt angle determined by the sensor.

21. The table of claim 19, wherein the sensor includes one or more selected from a group consisting of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inclinometer, a micro electro-mechanical system (MEM), an ultrasonic sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, and a load cell.

22. The table of claim 15, wherein the user interface includes a user input and a display screen.

23. The table of claim 15, wherein the front actuator is coupled to a front local interconnect network bus, wherein the rear actuator is coupled to a rear local interconnect network bus, and wherein the front and rear local interconnect network buses are electrically coupled to the user interface.

24. The table of claim 15, wherein the front leg is a first front leg, and the rear leg is a first rear leg, wherein the table further comprises: a second front leg coupled to the worksurface adjacent the front edge, the second front leg including a front actuator to adjust a length of the second front leg; and a second rear leg coupled to the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, the second rear leg including a rear actuator to adjust a length of the second rear leg; wherein the controller is operable to change the lengths of the first and second rear legs together and independent of the lengths of the first and second front legs.

25. A method of tilting a table, the table including a worksurface, a plurality of height adjustable legs extending from the worksurface to support the worksurface above a ground surface, and a user interface having a controller, each height adjustable leg including an actuator operable to adjust a length of the height adjustable leg, the user interface electrically coupled to the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs, the method comprising: activating, by the controller, the actuators of a subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs relative to a remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs to position the worksurface at a tilt angle relative to the ground surface; and maintaining the worksurface at the tilt angle relative to the ground surface.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the worksurface includes a front edge configured to be adjacent a user and a rear edge opposite the user, wherein the subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs is coupled to the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, and wherein the remainder of the plurality of height adjustable legs is coupled to the worksurface adjacent the front edge.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein maintaining the worksurface at the tilt angle includes maintaining the worksurface in a position where the front edge of the worksurface is closer than the rear edge of the worksurface to the ground surface.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining, by a sensor, the tilt angle of the worksurface relative to the ground surface, and wherein actuating the actuators of the subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs includes actuating the actuators of the subset of the plurality of height adjustable legs until the sensor determines the tilt angle is a desired tilt angle.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the tilt angle is 30 degrees or less.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising activating, by the controller of the user interface, the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs together to adjust a height of the worksurface relative to the ground surface.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein activating the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs together includes activating the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs together while the worksurface is at the tilt angle.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising activating, by the controller of the user interface, the actuator of at least one of the plurality of height adjustable legs to level the worksurface relative to the ground surface before activating the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs together to adjust the height of the worksurface relative to the ground surface.

33. A method of identifying leg locations of a table, the table including a worksurface, a plurality of height adjustable legs extending from the worksurface to support the worksurface above a ground surface, a user interface having a controller, and a sensor coupled to the worksurface, each height adjustable leg including an actuator operable to adjust a length of the height adjustable leg, the user interface electrically coupled to the actuators of the plurality of height adjustable legs, the method comprising: activating, by the controller, the actuator of a first leg of the plurality of height adjustable legs to change a height of the first leg; sensing, by the sensor, a tilt of the worksurface as the height of the first leg changes; determining, by the controller, a location of the first leg relative to the worksurface based on the tilt sensed by the sensor; and tilting the worksurface to a desired tilt angle relative to the ground surface based on the determined location of the first leg.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising: activating, by the controller, the actuator of a second leg of the plurality of height adjustable legs to change a height of the second leg; sensing, by the sensor, another tilt of the worksurface as the height of the second leg changes; and determining, by the controller, a location of the second leg relative to the worksurface based on the another tilt sensed by the sensor; wherein tilting the worksurface to the desired tilt angle is also based on the determined location of the second leg.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the worksurface has a front edge configured to be adjacent a user and a rear edge opposite the front edge, and wherein determining the location of the first leg includes determining whether the first leg is coupled to the worksurface adjacent the front edge or adjacent the rear edge.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of height adjustable legs includes four legs coupled to the worksurface at corners of the worksurface, wherein activating the actuator includes independently actuating, by the controller, the actuator of each leg to change a height of each leg, wherein sensing the tilt of the worksurface includes sensing, by the sensor, a tilt of the worksurface as the height of each leg changes, and wherein determining the location includes determining, by the controller, at which corner of the worksurface each leg is located based on the tilt sensed by the sensor for each leg.