Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Plural related horizontal surfaces – Terraced
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-01
2003-03-25
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3637)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Plural related horizontal surfaces
Terraced
C108S144110, C108S147000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06536357
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a height adjustable table. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a height adjustable table on which a computer monitor may be mounted. However, the invention is not limited to a stand-alone table and as such may be applicable to a work station which incorporates within it, a height adjustable table portion.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Height adjustable tables are known. The type which is most commonly in use with computer monitors incorporates a pneumatic spring which assists with raising and lowering the table top by adjustment of an appropriate lever. A common difficulty with such tables is that the effect of the spring can often be unpredictable. On the one hand where the pneumatic spring is sufficiently energised, the table may move upwardly with an unexpected jerky motion. Additionally, lowering the table will require exertion on the part of the user. This may at times be difficult, especially where the user cannot position himself immediately adjacent to the table. On the other hand, pneumatic springs have a tendency to leak over time. When released, the table top may suddenly drop. On the other hand, if the user intends to raise the table top then the user may have difficulty in doing so with an ineffective pneumatic spring. Furthermore, pneumatic tables also have a tendency after a while to jam or stick creating further difficulties for the user.
It is known to provide table tops which are height adjustable. Such table tops have a dependent threaded spindle which is threadingly received within an internally threaded nut provided on a stationery base member. It is impractical in many situations to rotate a table top in order to selectively raise or lower the height of the table top. This is especially so where the table top is used to support a computer monitor with associated cables.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a height adjustable table assembly which overcomes or at least addresses some of the foregoing disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a height adjustable table assembly comprising: a table top having an upper surface and an outer periphery; a supporting base; and a height adjustment mechanism to selectively raise or lower the table top relative to the supporting base, the height adjustment mechanism including a height adjustment actuator in the form of a rotatable member which is selectively rotatable relative to the supporting base to actuate the height adjustment mechanism to selectively raise or lower the table top, the rotatable member being disposed underneath the upper surface of the table top and having an outer edge which terminates at or near the outer periphery of the table top for at least a portion of the outer periphery of the table top.
Preferably, the outer edge of the rotatable member is commensurate with the outer periphery of the table top or at least is closely spaced therefrom. In this manner the rotatable member operates as a hand wheel. Alternatively, where the outer edge of the rotatable member is substantially aligned with the table top for only a portion of the outer periphery of the table top, then it is preferred that said portion extends for a sector of the table top eg. 90 to 180 degrees. Suitably in any combination table arrangement incorporating the table assembly of the present invention with additional work surfaces, that sector is facing the user for ease of use.
Suitably, where the outer edge of the rotatable member terminates at or near the outer periphery of the table top then the outer edge of the rotatable member should be within reach of the user's hand positioned at the outer periphery of the table top. This enables the user to easily rotate the rotatable member without having to excessively reach to operate the height adjustment mechanism.
In a most preferred form of the invention, the outer edge of the rotatable member and the outer periphery of the table top are both circular with their central axes aligned. However the arrangement is not limited to both parts being circular and other variations on this theme include one or both parts being polygonal with say, six or more sides. For example, the table top might be circular with an octagonal rotatable member. On the other hand, the rotatable member might be circular with an heptagonal table top. Where the outer edge of the rotatable member is made circular then it may be in the form of a circular member or alternatively in the form of an annular member. Advantageously, the rotatable member is thin and substantially planar and is closely spaced underneath the table top so as to be unobtrusive. A gripping surface such as spaced indentations may also be provided on the side and/or the underside of the rotatable member to further increase ease of use. As a possible variation, the rotatable member could even be located within the table top, provided that the outer edge of the rotatable member is accessible to the user through apertures in the side of the table top.
In the invention broadly described above, the table assembly may have more than one leg. Accordingly, the height adjustment mechanism may be provided within one leg of the table, the bottom of which acts as the supporting base. The height adjustment mechanism may include a threaded spindle which is attached to the rotatable member to thereby rotate with the rotatable member. Thus the rotatable member and the threaded spindle constitute the rotatable portions of the height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism may further include an internally threaded nut which is fixedly mounted relative to the supporting base of said leg of the table. The threaded spindle engages in the internally threaded nut.
The internal workings of the height adjustment mechanism may be shrouded within upper and lower shrouds telescopically received one within the other. Likewise, the other legs may constitute upper and lower portions, one telescopically received within the other.
Concerning the upper shroud surrounding the height adjustment mechanism, this is preferably a cylindrical tube. Potentially, the upper shroud could rotate with the rotatable portions of the height adjustment mechanism. However, it is preferred that the upper shroud is independent of the rotational movement of the rotatable portions of the height adjustment mechanism. However it will be understood that the upper shroud moves up and down with any movement of the height adjustable table top to hide the internal workings of the height adjustment mechanism. The upper shroud may be fixed against rotational movement relative to the lower shroud. For example, guides might be provided to guide the up and down movement of the upper shroud relative to the lower shroud and thereby prevent rotation. On the other hand, an amount of rotational movement may be provided between the upper shroud and the lower shroud, this rotational movement being independent of the rotational movement of the rotatable portions of the height adjustment mechanism. This independent rotational movement may be braked, for example by providing a friction imparting device between the upper and lower shroud. The friction imparting device might be in the form of an O-ring. The additional benefit of an O-ring over another type of friction imparting device is that an O-ring will roll up and down as the upper shroud moves up and down relative to the lower shroud.
Similarly, the lower shroud advantageously comprises a cylindrical tube. The lower shroud is suitably fixed to the supporting base of the leg. In the most preferred form of the invention, the upper shroud is an inner shroud which is received within an outer shroud which is the lower shroud. However the invention is not limited to this arrangement.
As stated above, the height adjustment mechanism may be provided within one leg of a table. Preferably, the table is of the type having a single generally central support leg. In such an arr
Chen José V.
Formway Furniture Limited
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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