U.S. patent application number 14/111038 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-30 for height-adjustable work table.
This patent application is currently assigned to Linak A/S. The applicant listed for this patent is Norbert Klinke. Invention is credited to Norbert Klinke.
Application Number | 20140028168 14/111038 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46149089 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140028168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klinke; Norbert |
January 30, 2014 |
HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE WORK TABLE
Abstract
Height-adjustable work table, preferably kitchen table,
comprising at least one cabinet (1) on top of which a table top is
located. The cabinet(s) (1) is located on a number of electrically
driven height-adjustable platforms (2). In that the platforms (2)
are mutually retained by at least one connection rail (14) these
appear as stable both during the assembly of the work table and of
the assembled table. Between a surface, typically a floor on which
the platform is located, and an underside of the cabinet a toe kick
(4) is placed. This toe kick (4) is telescopic in height such that
the toe kick (4) regardless of the adjusted height of the kitchen
table shuts off access under the cabinet. The connection rail (14)
may constitute an element of the telescopic toe kick (4).
Inventors: |
Klinke; Norbert;
(Augustenborg, DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Klinke; Norbert |
Augustenborg |
|
DK |
|
|
Assignee: |
Linak A/S
Nordborg
DK
|
Family ID: |
46149089 |
Appl. No.: |
14/111038 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
April 16, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DK2012/000045 |
371 Date: |
October 10, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/319.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 51/00 20130101;
A47B 9/20 20130101; A47B 2009/046 20130101; A47B 91/005 20130101;
A47B 9/04 20130101; A47B 2095/004 20130101; A47B 91/028 20130101;
A47B 95/002 20130101; A47B 77/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/319.5 |
International
Class: |
A47B 51/00 20060101
A47B051/00; A47B 77/02 20060101 A47B077/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 2011 |
DK |
PA 201100300 |
Claims
1. a height-adjustable work table comprising at least one cabinet
on top of which a table top is located and where the cabinet(s)
is/are placed on a number of height-adjustable platforms, wherein
the platforms are mutually retained by at least one connection
rail.
2. The work table according to claim 1, wherein the platforms
comprise a spindle unit (18) at each end, where the spindle units
(18) are driven by an electric motor (21) through a gear train
(22), a belt drive or a chain.
3. The work table according to claim 1, wherein the platforms
include an adjusting screw (12) in each corner for compensating for
unevenness and slanting of the floor so that a platforms (2) may be
leveled.
4. The work table according to claim 2, wherein the spindle unit
(18) with a lower end is mounted on a plate (19) resting on the
floor and where the upper end of the spindle unit (18) Is also
furnished with a plate (20) on which the cabinets (1) are
arranged.
5. The work table according to claim 1, wherein the connection rail
is arranged at a front of the platforms.
6. The work table according to claim 1, wherein a connection rail
is arranged both on a front side and a rear side of the
platforms.
7. The work table according to claim 1, wherein a front side of a
platform housing (24) has a longitudinal groove (10,11) and the
connection rail (14) has at least one flap (15, 16) which can be
pressed into the groove (10, 11) in the platforms.
8. The work table according to claim 7, wherein the connection rail
(14) has a U-shaped cross section where the flaps (15,16) are
equipped with snap-locking means such that they may be snapped
fixedly around a protruding portion (23) of the platform housing
(24).
9. The work table according to claim 1, including a toe kick which
is telescopic in height located between a surface on which the
platforms are located, and an underside of the cabinet(s).
10. The work table according to claim 9, wherein the toe kick
comprises three mutually telescopic elements.
11. the work table according to claim 10, wherein at least one
element of the toe kick is secured to the height-adjustable
platforms.
12. The work table according to claim 10, wherein an intermediate
telescopic element of the toe kick is secured to the
height-adjustable platforms.
13. The work table according to claim 10, wherein the connection
rail (14) has a groove (17) and that the Intermediate element (4b)
of the toe kick for securing to the connection rail (14) is
equipped with a folded flap (15a), which can be pressed into the
groove (17) in the connection rail (14).
14. The work table according to claim 10, wherein the connection
rail further constitutes an intermediate element of the toe
kick.
15. The work table according to claim 9, wherein a lowermost
telescopic element of the telescopic toe kick likewise is secured
to the height-adjustable platforms.
16. The work table according to claim 9, wherein a topmost
telescopic element of the telescopic toe kick likewise is secured
to the height-adjustable platforms.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a height-adjustable work
table, preferably kitchen table comprising at least one cabinet on
top of which the cabinet is furnished with a table top and where
the cabinet(s) is/are placed on a number of height-adjustable
platforms.
[0002] As an example of such a height-adjustable work table
reference can be made to WO 2011/069509 A2 Linak A/S. One of the
problems concerning the assembly of the height-adjustable platforms
is to get them lined up so that they both are horizontal and stand
in a straight line as well as are located with the desired mutual
distance. This also applies during the further assembly work of the
work table where the platforms are easily pushed out of their
position, out of level or out of the row. Another issue relating to
such height-adjustable work tables is to be able to shut off access
under the cabinets regardless of the height to which the work table
is adjusted.
[0003] The purpose of the invention is to provide a solution to the
outlined problems.
[0004] This is achieved according to the invention in that the
platforms are mutually fixed by means of at least one connection
rail. It is thus ensured that the platforms during the during the
further assembly of the work table is retained in the mounted
position.
[0005] The platforms comprise a housing with a spindle nut at each
end where the spindle units are driven by an electric motor through
a gear train, a belt drive or a chain. It is thus possible to
design the platforms with such a low height that they do not
constitute a limitation of the minimum height of the work table.
The platforms may further be designed with a base area consisting
with the base area of the cabinets. In an attractive embodiment the
platforms are designed as slim, longitudinal units. In case the
work table comprises a row of cabinets the platforms are placed
such that they support two adjacent cabinets. If the cabinets are
exceptionally wide one or more platforms may naturally be placed
under the middle of the cabinet. At the ends of the row of cabinets
the platform is naturally placed within the side of the cabinet
such that the platform does not protrude outside of the cabinet.
For a stable and horizontal support of the work table it is
essential that the height-adjustable platform(s) can be adjusted so
that they are horizontal regardless of unevenness and slanting of
the floor. When using more platforms it is also important that
these are placed correctly, i.e. that they provide an appropriate
support for the cabinets.
[0006] In order to level the platforms these may be equipped with
an adjusting screw in each corner for compensating for unevenness
and slanting of the floor. In another embodiment the spindle unit
is with a lower end mounted on a plate resting on the floor and
where there on the upper end of the spindle unit is also furnished
with a plate on which the cabinets are arranged. The plates will
per se to a certain extent compensate for unevenness.
[0007] In an expedient embodiment the connection rail is arranged
in front of the platforms, which eases the access for mounting the
connection rail. It is understood that the connection rail may
consist of more sections, placed end to end in case of a long row
of cabinets. In a further embodiment a connection rail is provided
both at the front and rear of the platforms. This increases the
stability of the connection of the platforms.
[0008] For mounting the connection rail the front side of the
platform housing is in an embodiment provided with at least one
longitudinal groove, and the connection rail has at least one flap
which can be pressed into the groove in the platforms. This ensures
an easy and secure mounting of the connection rail and where the
horizontal flap keeps the platforms level while the vertical part
of the connection rail ensures that the platforms are in a straight
line. In a further embodiment the front of the platform housing is
furnished with two longitudinal grooves and the connection rail has
two flaps which can be pressed into the respective grooves in the
platforms. In a further embodiment the connection rail has a
U-shaped cross section, where the flaps are equipped with
snap-locking means so that they may be snapped fixedly around a
protruding portion of the platform housing intended for that
purpose. Thus the connection rail may be mounted without use of
tools.
[0009] In order to shut off access under the work table it can be
equipped with a toe kick which according to the invention is
telescopic in height. It is thus possible to design the toe kick
such that it can adjust to the actually adjusted height of the work
table such that access under the work table is shut off. The toe
kick can consist of two or more mutually telescopic elements.
According to an attractive embodiment the toe kick consists of
three mutually telescopic elements which can cover a large span of
the adjustment height and further provides a low initial
height.
[0010] In an embodiment at least one element of the toe kick is
secured to the height-adjustable platforms. In an expedient
embodiment an intermediate telescopic element of the toe kick is
secured to the height-adjustable platforms.
[0011] In a specific embodiment the connection rail has a groove
while the intermediate element of the toe kick has a folded flap
which can be pressed into the groove in the connection rail for
retaining it. In a further embodiment the connection rail is
designed such that it further constitutes an intermediate element
of the toe kick. In a further embodiment the lowermost telescopic
element is likewise secured to the height-adjustable platforms.
Thus, a troublesome securing to the floor is avoided, where a
heating coil is typically installed, making it problematic to screw
the telescopic element onto the floor due to the risk of damaging
the heating coil. It is likewise expedient to secure the topmost
element to the height-adjustable platforms as it may also be
difficult to secure this to the cabinets since it should be done
after the cabinets have been placed on the platforms.
[0012] The securing of elements of the toe kick to the platforms
and the connection rail, respectively also contributes to a
stabilization of the work table both during the assembly and of the
assembled work table.
[0013] An embodiment of the invention will be described more fully
with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a work table in the form of
the kitchen table shown from the end,
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a section at the bottom of the front side of
the kitchen table with a first embodiment of a toe kick,
[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the toe kick,
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a work table comprising four cabinets,
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a slightly different embodiment than shown in
FIG. 5, as the platforms here are narrow,
[0019] FIG. 7 shows a layout, where the platforms have the same
width or approximately the same width as the cabinets,
[0020] FIG. 8 shows a layout, where the platforms are narrow,
[0021] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a narrow platform,
[0022] FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the intermediate element of
a toe kick, alternatively a connection rail for the platforms,
and
[0023] FIG. 11 shows a cross section through an embodiment of a
platform.
[0024] FIG. 1 of the drawing shows a schematic view of a work table
in the form of a kitchen table placed against a wall. The work
table consists of a number of cabinets, base cabinets 1, placed on
top of a number of height-adjustable platforms 2. On top of the
cabinets 1 is mounted a table top 3.
[0025] FIG. 2 of the drawing shows a schematic view of a section at
the bottom of the front side of the kitchen table, where there
under the cabinets 1 at a short distance from the front side is
mounted a toe kick 4 which is telescopic in height. The toe kick 4
comprises three elements, i.e. a topmost element 4a, an
intermediate element 4b and a lowermost element 4c. The elements
4a-c are in the form of planks, where the topmost element 4a is
secured to the underside of the cabinets by means of screws while
the intermediate member 4b is secured to the height-adjustable
platforms, not shown in the figure, while the lowermost element 4c
is secured to the floor by means of angle brackets and screws.
[0026] FIGS. 3-4 of the drawing show a corresponding embodiment
where the elements of the toe kick are made from metal
profiles.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a work table comprising four cabinets 1a-1d
arranged on top of a height-adjustable platform 2a-2d each. On top
of the cabinets is mounted a table top 3, while there under the
cabinets 1a-1d and in front of the platforms 2a-2d is mounted a
telescopic toe kick 4. The platforms comprise two telescopic box
shaped units 5,6 arranged inside each other. At each corner is
mounted a spindle unit 7 driven through a toothed belt 8 by a
centrally located electric motor 9.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a slightly different embodiment where the
platforms 2'a-2'e are narrow, where a platform 2'a, 2'e is arranged
at each end and otherwise distributed between these. In case of
individual joined cabinets 1a-1d, the platforms 2'b-2'd are
expediently placed where the cabinets meet.
[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a layout of the placement of the
platforms. The layout shown in FIG. 7 relates to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5, where the platforms 2a-2d are of the same or
approximately the same width as the cabinets 1a-1d. The other
layout, shown in FIG. 8 relates to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,
where the platforms 2'a-2'e are narrow. The layouts further
illustrate that there with the invention may be used cabinets with
different widths. The difference between the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 is that the platforms in the embodiment shown in FIG.
7 have individual widths adapted to the individual cabinets while
platforms of the same width may be used in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 8, i.e. the platforms may be standardized to one width.
[0030] In FIG. 9 is shown a narrow platform 2'a, where it can be
seen that the front side of the platform is equipped with two
longitudinal grooves 10, 11. The platforms are equipped with an
adjusting screw 12,13 in each corner in order to be able to
compensate for unevenness and slanting of the floor so that the
platforms may be leveled. The platforms may be connected by means
of a connection rail 14 as shown in FIG. 10, such that the
platforms will be mutually locked, which eases the assembly work.
The connection rail 14 has two flaps 15 and 16, which are pressed
into the grooves 10, 11 in the platforms. The connection rail can
per se constitute the intermediate element of the toe kick.
Alternatively the intermediate element of the toe kick may be
secured to the connection rail 14 cf. FIGS. 3 and 4. The
intermediate element 4b of the toe kick can with a folded flap 15a
be pressed into a groove 17 on the connection rail.
[0031] FIG. 11 shows a cross section through an embodiment of a
platform 2''. This comprises a housing with a spindle unit 18 at
each end. The spindle unit 18 is with its lower end mounted to a
plate 19 resting on the floor. The upper end of the spindle unit 18
is likewise furnished with a plate 20, on which the cabinets 1 are
arranged. The spindle units 18 are driven by an electric motor 21
through a gear train 22, where the motor comprises a worm gear 25.
Two gear wheels 26,27 are secured to the worm gear, which drives
the gear wheels 28 to the spindle unit 18a to the left in the
drawing and the gear wheels 29 which drives the spindle unit 18b to
the right in the drawing, respectively. Alternatively the spindle
units 18 may be driven through a toothed belt or a chain. The
spindle units 18 comprise a tube section 30 which at the bottom is
equipped with a foot 31 for securing to the plate 19 and at the top
has a spindle nut 32. The spindle units 18 further comprise a
tubular spindle 33 with external thread which cooperates with the
spindle nut 32 in the tube section 30. At the top of the tubular
spindle 33 a gear wheel 34 is mounted, which meshes with the gear
train 29 from the motor. The top of the tubular spindle 33 is
furnished with a spindle nut 35. Finally there is a massive spindle
36 with external thread which cooperates with the spindle nut 35 in
the tubular spindle 33. The upper end of the massive spindle 36 is
fixed to the plate piece 20 on which the cabinet 1 rests. When the
motor is started up the hollow spindle 33 is rotated through the
worm gear 25 and the gear train 29. The hollow spindle will thus
screw itself up the fixed tube section 30 while the hollow spindle
33 screws itself down the massive spindle 36 corresponding to that
the massive spindle is elevated. Thereby the cabinet 1 is lifted.
The two spindle units 18a, 18b run synchronously due to the gear
trains 28,29.
[0032] Both at the front and rear the individual platforms 2'' are
mutually connected by means of connection rails 14'a and 14'b.
Unlike the embodiment in FIGS. 9 and 10 the connection rails here
have a U-shaped cross section, the legs have snap-locking means so
that they may be snapped fixedly around a protruding portion 23 of
the platform housing 24 intended for that purpose. Otherwise a toe
kick 4 is mounted in front of the platforms as shown above in FIGS.
3-4
[0033] The invention thus provides a solution for a stable and
horizontal support of the work table both during the assembly work
and of the assembled table. It is essential that the
height-adjustable platforms can be adjusted, such that they are
level despite unevenness and slanting of the floor. When using more
platforms it is also important that these are placed correctly i.e.
that they provide an appropriate support for the cabinets.
* * * * *