U.S. patent application number 10/518135 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for height adjustable working table.
Invention is credited to Schmidt, Rainer.
Application Number | 20050172869 10/518135 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7972389 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050172869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schmidt, Rainer |
August 11, 2005 |
Height adjustable working table
Abstract
The invention relates to a height adjustable working table (1)
with two guide tracks (3) for mounting a working surface (2) which
may adjusted for height by means of a drive motor (15) with cable
pulleys and draw cables (13).
Inventors: |
Schmidt, Rainer; (Nisterau,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRIEDRICH KUEFFNER
317 MADISON AVENUE, SUITE 910
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
7972389 |
Appl. No.: |
10/518135 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 17, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/02767 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 17/003 20130101;
A47B 9/12 20130101; A47B 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/147 |
International
Class: |
A47B 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 20, 2002 |
DE |
202 09 604.1 |
Claims
1. A height-adjustable working table with at least two guide rails
(3) for receiving a worktop (2), which is adjustable in its working
height by means of a drive motor with at least one cable drum and
pull cables, wherein each guide rail (3) is formed by a profile and
the worktop (2) is mounted displaceably on the guide rails in such
a way that the downward movement of the worktop takes place by
virtue of its own weight, the drive motor (15) with the cable drum
(14) being arranged in the region of the worktop (2), and the guide
rails (3) having means (16) with which in each case one end of the
pull cables (13) can preferably be attached at the upper ends of
the guide rods.
2. The working table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the worktop (2)
has a means (11,12) which interacts with the guide rails (3) on the
inner and/or outer cross section.
3. The working table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide rail
(3) is designed essentially, as a rectangular tube.
4. The working table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means is a
front and a rear roller (11, 12).
5. The working table as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front
roller (12) and the rear roller (11) each bear against the outer
cross section of the guide rail (3), at the bottom and at the top
respectively.
6. The working table as claimed in claim 4, wherein the front
roller (12) and the rear roller (11) each bear against the inner
cross section of the guide rail (3), at the top and at the bottom
respectively.
7. The working table as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rollers
(11, 12) are formed by ball bearings.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a height-adjustable working table
with two guide rails for receiving a worktop, which is adjustable
in its working height by means of a drive motor with cable drums
and pull cables.
[0002] Working tables, which also include desks or workbenches, are
known, which consist of a metal frame, which supports what is known
as the worktop. In this connection, the frame consists to begin
with of a lower frame, which consists of at least two outer tubes
which are connected at a distance via a strut and can have a
different cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional size. Inner
tubes, which are interconnected either exclusively via the worktop
or, if necessary, additionally via a strut as well, are then guided
displaceably in the outer tubes. In this arrangement, in each case
one outer tube and one inner tube form a support leg of the working
table. In order for it then to be possible to vary, or increase,
the height of the worktop, a cable is in each case connected in the
upper region of the lower frame, preferably in the upper region of
the outer tube, which cable is guided to the lower end of the inner
tube, deflected there, guided upward again, subsequently extends,
in the upper region of the outer tube, into the lower frame and is
there taken up by a tension unit, which may be designed as, for
example, a cable drum. In this arrangement, all the cables of the
support legs are connected to the tension unit. By appropriate
movement of the tension unit, the inner tubes are then gradually,
but within predetermined limits, pushed out of the outer tubes, so
that the worktop is raised. With an opposite movement of the
tension unit, the pull cables are slackened again, and the inner
tubes move back into the outer tubes owing to the weight, in
particular of the worktop. In this connection, the tension unit can
be moved either by hand or via a special drive.
[0003] Such working tables are relatively complicated and expensive
to manufacture. This is connected in particular with the fact that
the outer and inner tubes forming the support legs are special
profiles and have to be guided very accurately in one another via
special sliding pieces. Owing to the design of the upper and lower
frame, the working table is always ready-assembled before it is
delivered, which involves high transport costs. Such a working
table is furthermore relatively heavy, which is disadvantageous in
terms of setting it up.
[0004] The object of the invention is to produce a working table
with a height-adjustable worktop, which has a relatively low weight
and is very inexpensive. The working table is moreover to be
designed in such a way that it can easily be dismantled into its
component parts, can be packed in a small space and can be
assembled without difficulty by a layperson.
[0005] According to the invention, a working table according to
claim 1 is proposed in order to achieve this object.
[0006] A working table of such design has relatively low weight
with great stability and can be manufactured inexpensively.
Standard tubes can be used for the guide rails, so that no special
fabrication is required. Dismantled into component parts, the
working table can be packed in a box with a small space
requirement, be stored at low cost and thus also be transported in
a space-saving way. Its design makes it possible for any layperson
to assemble the working table according to the invention without
special technical ability. The downward movement of the worktop
takes place by virtue of its weight, so that the risk of pinching
for the user is considerably reduced. The cable guide is designed
in such a way that the cable never falls out of its track. The
worktop can be suspended on more than two cables, which are each
driven. All the drive cables are guided on a drum. The suspension
point is located above the highest table position. Preferably, the
motor switches itself off automatically when at least one cable is
relieved, and/or a reversal of the motor takes place by means of
electronic control in order to avoid tilting of the worktop or
injury to the user. Various table heights can be stored. The
worktop can be of inclinable or completely fold-away design.
[0007] Further features of a working table according to the
invention are disclosed in claims 2 to 9.
[0008] The invention is explained below with reference to drawings
1-14.
[0009] These explanations are only examples and do not limit the
general inventive idea.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the working table according to
the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the drive of the worktop.
[0012] FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of the mounting arrangement of
the pull cable.
[0013] FIG. 3b shows an embodiment of the mounting arrangement of
the worktop on the guide rail.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the motor on the
tabletop.
[0015] FIGS. 5-14 show further embodiments of the working table
according to the invention.
[0016] FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of the working table
according to the invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a working table 1 according to the invention in
a lateral elevation in section, the section running parallel to the
narrow side of a worktop 2. The working table 1 consists of two
vertically extending guide rails 3, which, in the illustrative
embodiment shown, are made as support legs, are arranged at the
rear side of the worktop 2 and are each made from a rectangular
tube and advantageously have a square cross section. Other
cross-sectional shapes can of course also be selected. In this
connection, it is expedient as far as possible to use such
cross-sectional shapes as are available on the market as standard
tubes and do not make special fabrication necessary. The outer
cross-sectional dimension of the support legs 3 is roughly 40 to 50
mm. In the lower region of each support leg 3, two struts 4, 5
running at an angle to the support leg 3 are connected, for example
by welding, which likewise consist of a commercially available
tube, which run at an angle of roughly 90.degree. to one another
and via which the support leg 3 is supported on the floor. The
support leg 3 is consequently designed in one piece with the two
struts 4, 5.
[0018] The two support legs 3 designed in one piece with the struts
4, 5 in this way are interconnected firmly but disconnectably by a
metal sheet 6 having an L-shaped cross section. This connection
takes place by means of screws 7, as indicated in the drawing.
These screws 7 are inserted into what are known as gusset plates 8,
which are located in the metal sheet 6. It is also possible,
however, to interconnect these parts positively, for example by
"hooking-in". This disconnectable connection makes it possible to
dismantle the working table 1 and then to pack the support legs 3
with the struts 4, 5 in a very small space. During actual assembly,
therefore, the two support legs 3 are first erected and
interconnected via the metal sheet 6. This results in a stable,
supporting unit. The metal sheet 6 having an L-shaped cross section
can be used as what is known as a cable duct.
[0019] The working table 1 also has two crosspieces 9, which are
folded in a U-shape from sheet metal with a wall thickness of 2.00
to 4.00 mm and are downwardly open. At their rear ends, the web of
these crosspieces 9 is notched, so that in each case a crosspiece
9. can be pushed on over a support leg 3 from above. The two
crosspieces 9 are firmly interconnected by a U-shaped sheet 10 with
a wall thickness of 1.50 to 3.00 mm. This connection can in this
case be made in the factory and be of disconnectable or
non-disconnectable design. For packing of the working table 1,
however, this connection does not have to be undone, as the area of
this unit is not greater than the overall area of the support legs
3. In order for it then to be possible to move and thus raise and
lower the two crosspieces 9 on the support legs 3, each crosspiece
9 has an upper, rear roller 11 and a lower, front roller 12, which
rollers are, for example, formed by a ball bearing and held
rotatably between the legs of a crosspiece 9 and bear against a
support leg 3. In addition, a sliding piece likewise bearing
against the vertical support leg 3 is provided on each lateral leg
of the crosspieces 9, so that good, secure guidance of the
crosspieces 9 on the support legs 3 is ensured.
[0020] The U-shaped sheet 10 is inserted, open upwardly, between
the two crosspieces 9 and accommodates a drive motor known per se
with a shaft and with at least one cable drum with two pull cables
13 guided via deflection rollers. The arrangement of two cable
drums is also possible. These parts are known per se and have
therefore not been included in the drawing.
[0021] As soon as the assembly described above has been carried
out, the free ends of the pull cables are each attached at an upper
end of the support legs 3, which are designed specially for this
purpose. The pull cables 13 are guided in deflection rollers in
such a way that they can never leave the running groove of the
deflection rollers, even when the cable tension is slackened. This
is also the case when the working table 1 is dismantled for
transport and the pull cables 13 are detached to this end. After
the drive motor is switched on, the two crosspieces 9 are then
simultaneously and evenly pulled continuously upward by the motor
or are let down by virtue of their own weight and the weight of the
worktop 2. The worktop 2, which is fastened on the two crosspieces
9 by means of screws, for example, can thus be raised or lowered.
The downward movement of the crosspieces 9 and thus the lowering of
the worktop 2 takes place exclusively by virtue of the dead weight
of the worktop 2, crosspieces 9 and U-shaped sheet 10 with the
drive parts located therein. The drive exerts no forces of any kind
on the crosspieces 9 for this purpose. When the tension of the pull
cables is slackened, the drive motor is switched off immediately
via a special switch. The adjustment range of the worktop 2 is
roughly 600 mm and makes a working height of the worktop 2 of
between 650 and 1250 mm possible.
[0022] In modification of the illustrative embodiment explained, it
is possible to arrange the vertical tubes of the support legs 3 at
the side of the worktop 2 instead of at the rear. However, the
crosspieces 9 should then as far as possible extend transversely in
front of the support legs 3 in order that sufficient stability of
the working table 1 is ensured. If appropriate, the support legs 3
with the struts 4, 5 can then also be designed differently.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the drive of the
worktop 2, which, as described above, is mounted on the guide rails
3. The pull cable 13 is supported with its one end at the upper end
of the guide rail 3. The pull cable is rolled up on and off from
the cable drum 14 by means of the motor 15.
[0024] FIG. 3a shows a preferred embodiment of the suspension 16 of
the cable 13 at the upper end of the guide rail. The suspension 16
consists essentially of a plug 17, which is preferably received at
least partly positively by the guide rail 3 and is supported on its
wall. The cable is arranged in the plug 17 in such a way that it
can be subjected to tensile loading (illustrated by the arrow). For
assembly of the working table according to the invention, the plug
17 is pushed onto the guide rail 3, and, for disassembly, it can be
removed again.
[0025] FIG. 3b shows two views of a preferred embodiment of the
mounting arrangement of the crosspiece 9 on the guide rail 3. In
the present case, the rollers 11, 12 act on the inner cross section
of the profile 3, the rollers 12 being arranged at the front and
the rollers 11 at the rear. The expert will recognize that in this
case the profile must have a slot 20, in which the crosspiece moves
up and down. In addition, a roller 18, around which deflection of
the cable 13 from the cable drum (not illustrated) to the mounting
16 (not illustrated) takes place, is provided in the
crosspiece.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows the mounting arrangement of the motor 15 and
the cable drum 14 on the worktop 2, the worktop 2 not being
illustrated. The pull cable 13 is conducted from the cable drum 14
via a roller 19 to the roller 18. It can be seen that two pull
cables 13 run on one reel 14, so that the upward and downward
movement on the two guide rails 3 (only one illustrated) does not
have to be synchronized. The expert will recognize that it is also
possible for three or more pull cables to be guided on one cable
drum.
[0027] FIGS. 5-14 show possible embodiments of the working table
according to the invention. In the embodiment according to FIG. 8,
the working table has three guide rails 3, so that the worktop is
raised or lowered at three locations. The working table according
to FIG. 10 has a hinge 21, so that the worktop 2 can be folded
down, and hinges 25, with which the leg extensions 26 can be folded
in. In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, the working table is
arranged in a box in order for it to be possible to raise or lower
a television, for example. In FIG. 12, the guide rails 3 are
mounted on a wall, and, in FIG. 13, the guide rails 3 are made as
support legs and interconnected non-positively by the crosspiece
22. FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of the crosspiece 22, which
in the present case interacts positively with the support legs 3,
which are braced together with one another by the cables 23.
[0028] FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of the working table 1
according to the invention. The working table 1 consists of two
vertically extending guide rails 3, which, in the illustrative
embodiment shown, are made as support legs, are arranged at the
rear side of the worktop 2 and are each made from a rectangular
tube and advantageously have a square cross section. Other
cross-sectional shapes can of course also be selected. In this
connection, it is expedient as far as possible to use such
cross-sectional shapes as are available on the market as standard
tubes and do not make special fabrication necessary. The outer
cross-sectional dimension of the support legs 3 is roughly 40 to 50
mm. In the lower region of each support leg 3, two struts 4, 5
running at an angle to the support leg 3 are connected, for example
by welding, which likewise consist of a commercially available
tube, which run at an angle of roughly 90.degree. to one another
and via which the support leg 3 is supported on the floor. The
support leg 3 is consequently designed in one piece with the two
struts 4, 5.
[0029] The two support legs 3 designed in one piece with the struts
4, 5 in this way are interconnected firmly but disconnectably by a
metal sheet (not illustrated). This disconnectable connection makes
it possible to dismantle the working table 1 and then to pack the
support legs 3 with the struts 4, 5 in a very small space. During
actual assembly, therefore, the two support legs 3 are first
erected and interconnected via the metal sheet. This results in a
stable, supporting unit.
[0030] The working table 1 also has two crosspieces 9, which are
folded in a U-shape from sheet metal with a wall thickness of 2.00
to 4.00 mm and are downwardly open. In order for it then to be
possible to move and thus raise and lower the two crosspieces 9 on
the support legs 3, each crosspiece 9 has an upper, rear roller 11
and a lower, front roller 12, which rollers are, for example,
formed by a ball bearing and held rotatably between the legs of a
crosspiece 9 and bear against a support leg 3. The expert will
recognize that in this case the profile must have a slot, in which
the crosspiece moves up and down.
[0031] As soon as the assembly described above has been carried
out, the pull cable 13 is guided from the motor 15 via a deflection
roller 30 and fastened to the crosspiece 9 in the region of the
roller 12. After the drive motor is switched on, the two
crosspieces 9 are then simultaneously and evenly pulled
continuously upward by the motor or are let down by virtue of their
own weight and the weight of the worktop 2. The worktop 2, which is
fastened on the two crosspieces 9 by means of screws, for example,
can thus be raised or lowered. The downward movement of the
crosspieces 9 and thus the lowering of the worktop 2 takes place
exclusively by virtue of the dead weight of the worktop 2 and
crosspieces 9. The drive exerts no forces of any kind on the
crosspieces 9 for this purpose. When the tension of the pull cables
is slackened, the drive motor is switched off immediately via a
special switch. The adjustment range of the worktop 2 is roughly
600 mm and makes a working height of the worktop 2 of between 650
and 1250 mm possible.
* * * * *