Four-leg table with tilting system

Abstract

The invention relates to a table comprising a table top, a pair of electric lifting columns for changing the vertical height of the table top, where the pair of lifting columns are hingedly secured to the table top to allow the table top to be in an inclined position, and a support structure for holding at least one of the lifting columns in a stationary orientation, in particular, the upright position is kept.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to user adjustable furniture, and more particularly to a height and tilt adjustable desk, and methods of adjusting such furniture. Another example of such furniture is a manufacturing workstation in an assembly line, where a work product needs to be positioned relative to an operator. Background Art

[0002] Height-adjustable workstations are known from the prior art. For this purpose, electronically adjustable office furniture, such as height-adjustable tables, drawing tables or office chairs, is provided.

[0003] US2018 / 0235360 A1 shows a height-adjustable workstation. The workstation has a top work area and a movable base consisting of two or four legs, wherein each movable leg includes a linear actuator mechanism and a power box. The power box controls the movement of the linear actuator mechanism, which further controls the movement of the legs so that the workstation can be raised or lowered according to command.

[0004] CN203467932U relates to a table, which comprises a table top and table legs, wherein each table leg comprises an upper table leg and a lower table leg, each upper table leg is connected to the table top via a hinge, a telescopic structure is provided between each upper table leg and each lower table leg, the telescopic structure is used to enable each upper table leg to be telescopic relative to each lower table leg, a pulley is provided at the bottom of each lower table leg, and the pulley is provided with a braking mechanism.

[0005] A problem faced by known adjustable office furniture and assembly line workstations is that height adjustment may cause discomfort to the user when switching from, for example, a sitting position to a standing position or switching from performing one type of task (such as typing on a computer) to performing another type of task (such as drawing). In many cases, the change in the height of the desktop is not sufficient to provide satisfactory adjustment for the user because it still requires the user to adopt an uncomfortable body posture. In addition, the stability of a table system with an adjustable desktop is critical to such a system. Any adjustment mechanism that causes the desktop to be unbalanced, wobbly, rocking, or generally unstable will make such a system impractical. Therefore, it is desirable to provide electronically adjustable office furniture. The electronically adjustable office furniture provides additional adjustment options for the desktop while maintaining the stability of the desktop, thereby improving existing furniture. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table as defined in claim 1. The table comprises:

[0007] desktop,

[0008] a pair of electric lifting columns for changing the vertical height of the table top, wherein the pair of lifting columns are hingedly fixed to the table top to allow the table top to be in an inclined position, and

[0009] A support structure is provided for holding at least one of the lifting columns in a stationary orientation, in particular in an upright position.

[0010] In the context of the present application, the term "table" may be understood in its broadest sense to mean a piece of furniture comprising a flat surface or tabletop, such as a table, a lift table, a drawing table, a counter, a workstation in an assembly line, etc. The tabletop is raised from the ground in a vertical direction by means of lifting columns or legs of the table. The vertical direction is a direction perpendicular to the ground or floor surface or the ground below the table in general. The vertical height of the tabletop is measured as the vertical distance of the tabletop from the ground. In particular, the table according to the present invention is configured to change the vertical height of the tabletop between a sit-to-stand configuration and a stand-to-stand configuration. In the sit-to-stand configuration, the vertical height of the tabletop is set to optimize the performance of the user's tasks when the user is in a sit-to-stand position. In the stand-to-stand configuration, the vertical height of the tabletop is set to optimize the performance of the user's tasks when the user is in a stand-to-stand position.

[0011] An inclined position of a table top is understood to be an inclined position of the surface of the table top relative to the ground, wherein the inclined position is characterized by an inclined angle between the surface of the table top and the ground.

[0012] The upright position of the electric lifting columns is understood to be a position in which the central axis of each electric lifting column is aligned with the vertical direction.

[0013] The lifting columns are powered by motors, such as electric motors, more precisely DC motors, or pneumatic motors or similar devices. Each lifting column is provided with a motor, and furthermore all or at least some of the motors may be arranged to operate synchronously. Preferably, each motor operates independently, which facilitates adjustment of the position, including adjustment of the angular orientation of the table top.

[0014] The support structure is used to keep at least one of the lifting columns in a static position, in particular in an upright position. Typically, the support structure keeps two lifting columns in a static position, or even all lifting columns of a table in a static position.

[0015] The table according to the invention provides an electronically adjustable piece of furniture which improves upon existing furniture by providing additional adjustment options to the tabletop and at the same time maintaining the stability of the tabletop as the support structure holds the lifting columns in a stationary orientation while they are hingedly secured to the tabletop. This is beneficial in offices as well as in workstations in assembly lines where work products must frequently be positioned in a stable manner relative to an operator.

[0016] In one embodiment, the support structure includes a base frame that contacts the ground below the table. The support structure may include a pair of beams extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and having a length dimension configured to maintain the lifting column in an upright position. Unlike the prior art where the lifting column is in direct contact with the ground below the table, the presence of the support structure improves the overall stability of the table according to the present invention while providing a great degree of control over the position of the table top, as will be apparent from this disclosure.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one of the pair of electric lifting columns comprises a stationary portion. The stationary portion is hingedly connected to the base frame. An hinged connection between the base frame and at least one lifting column is advantageous because it allows the lifting column and the table top to be pivotally moved to a desired height and / or inclination. Importantly, one of the lifting columns comprises a stationary portion hingedly connected to the base frame. This embodiment allows the user to have additional degrees of freedom in controlling the position of the table top.

[0018] Alternatively, the stationary portion may be fixedly connected to the base frame, and at least one of the pair of electric lifting columns may include a height-adjustable portion slidably fixed or connected to the table top. The slidably fixed connection of the stationary portion will increase the stability of the table, while the sliding connection to the table top allows for appropriate adjustment of the position of the table top. Importantly, one of the lifting columns includes a height-adjustable portion slidably fixed or connected to the table top, which results in maximum freedom in controlling the position of the table top while increasing the overall stability of the table.

[0019] In one embodiment, a table according to the present invention includes a tabletop support frame in contact with a tabletop. The tabletop support frame can be connected to the tabletop via a bottom surface of the tabletop, wherein the bottom surface is the surface of the tabletop that faces the ground below the table. The tabletop support frame can include two elongated elements that are placed a certain distance apart from each other and near the outer edge of the tabletop. For example, in the case where the tabletop has a rectangular shape with a width dimension and a length dimension, the two elongated elements can be placed along the width direction of the tabletop and the distance between them is approximately equal to the length of the tabletop.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least one and preferably all lifting columns are hingedly and / or slidably connected to the table top via the table top support frame.

[0021] In one embodiment, one of a pair of electric lifting columns is slidably fixed to a tabletop via a slotted connector. The slotted connector is configured to allow the tabletop to slide along the length of the slot, while the width of the slot is configured to prevent the tabletop from shifting in a direction perpendicular to the length of the slot. Preventing such shifting movement improves the stability of the table during adjustment of the tabletop position. Additionally, one of the lifting columns may be connected to the tabletop via a slotted connector, the slotted connector being provided with a tabletop support frame. The slotted connector may include one or more of: a bolt with a nut, a T-slot fastener, a Chicago screw, or a similar type of fastener.

[0022] The stability of the table top may be further improved by using a slotted connector comprising a prestressing means operable to avoid mechanical play between at least one lifting column and the table top. Preferably, each slotted connector comprises a prestressing means. The prestressing means is provided in the form of a fastener (e.g. a screw) comprising an elastic member such as a spring. The fastener may comprise a head portion comprising two flanges separated by the elastic member. The elastic member is configured to generate a force in a vertical direction and effectively inhibit the offset movement of the table top.

[0023] In one embodiment, the support structure is interconnected with the pair of lifting columns for maintaining the pair of lifting columns in a stationary orientation, in particular in an upright position. Preferably, the support structure is self-supporting, wherein self-supporting means that the support structure is configured to support at least the weight of the tabletop and the lifting columns. The support structure may comprise at least one of the following materials: metal or wood, or plastic, or any other suitable type of material. The interconnection may be in the form of an interconnecting beam connecting the base frame with two of the pair of lifting columns.

[0024] In one embodiment, each of the pair of electric lifting columns comprises a respective height position sensing device for determining the vertical height of the respective lifting column. The sensor may be in the form of a digital encoder configured to count rotation pulses provided by the motor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the table may include two pairs of lifting columns disposed at opposite ends of the table. Such a structure with four columns is commonly used for tables. Each of the lifting columns may be powered by a motor. However, it is conceivable that the associated lifting columns of the two pairs of lifting columns may be powered by a common motor. For example, two associated lifting columns at the front of the table closest to the user of the table may be powered simultaneously. Similarly, two associated lifting columns at the back of the table (furthest from the user of the table) may be powered simultaneously.

[0026] In one embodiment, the table may include a control unit for controlling the position of the tabletop, wherein the position includes a height position and an angular position. The pair of lifting columns may include a main lifting column and an auxiliary lifting column, wherein the main lifting column also includes a main height position sensing device for providing a main height position signal, and the auxiliary lifting column includes an auxiliary height position sensing device, the auxiliary height position sensing device is different from and independent of the main height position sensing device, and the auxiliary height position sensing device is used to provide the auxiliary height position signal. The main height position sensing device and the auxiliary height position sensing device are both operably connected to the control unit. The control unit may be configured to control the height position of the tabletop based on the main height position signal, and additionally or alternatively, the control unit may control the angular position of the tabletop based on the difference between the main height position signal and the auxiliary height position signal. In one embodiment, the first pair of lifting columns may include the main height position sensing device, and the second pair of lifting columns may include the auxiliary height position sensing device. In addition, the first pair of lifting columns may provide the main height position signal, and the second pair of lifting columns may provide the auxiliary height position signal.

[0027] In one embodiment, the primary height position sensing means and / or the secondary height position sensing means comprises a rotation sensor. The rotation sensor may be in the form of a digital encoder. Alternatively, the table may comprise an electric motor powering one of the primary and secondary lifting columns, and wherein the rotation sensor is operatively connected to the electric motor for counting the number of revolutions of the motor shaft.

[0028] In one embodiment, the table may include an input unit connected to the control unit, wherein the input unit is configured to receive a single user instruction associated with both the height position and the angular position. In another embodiment, the table may include a memory unit, wherein the memory unit is configured to store preset values ​​of the height position and the angular position defined by the user and / or the manufacturer.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling the position of a tabletop of a table according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the following steps:

[0030] controlling the height position of the desktop based on the primary height position signal, and

[0031] The angular position of the tabletop is controlled based on a difference between the primary height position signal and the secondary height position signal.

[0032] In one embodiment, the method may further include providing power drive to a main lifting column and an auxiliary lifting column in a pair of lifting columns to simultaneously control the height position and the angular position of the desktop.

[0033] In one embodiment, the method may further include the following steps: providing power drive to at least one of the main lifting column and the auxiliary lifting column until a limit position is reached, and then setting at least one corresponding signal of the main height position signal and the auxiliary height position signal to an initial value.

[0034] In one embodiment, the method may further include the step of driving the main lifting column and the auxiliary lifting column at different speeds. In another embodiment, the method further includes the step of the tabletop reaching the set height position and the set angle position simultaneously when perceived by the user of the table.

[0035] Additionally, in the event that the angular position exceeds a user acceptable value, the method may include discontinuing powering at least one of the primary lifting column and the secondary lifting column, and / or discontinuing powering at least one of the primary lifting column and the secondary lifting column in an opposite direction.

[0036] Brief description of the attached figure

[0037] The present invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a table according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Side view of the table in;

[0040] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 Enlarged area around the slotted connection of the table shown;

[0041] Figure 4 A side view showing a lifting column configuration of a table according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 A side view showing a lifting column with an articulated connection of a table according to the invention;

[0043] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 an enlarged area around a slotted connector as shown in ; and

[0044] Figure 7 A control unit of a table according to the invention is shown.

[0045] The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope or protection provided by the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described below, and the embodiments are given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same elements. Multiple instances of an element may each include a separate letter attached to the reference numeral. For example, two instances of a specific element "20" may be labeled "20a" and "20b". Reference numerals may be used to generally refer to unspecified instances or all instances of the element without additional letters (e.g., "20"), and reference numerals may include additional letters (e.g., "20a") to refer to specific instances of the element.

[0047] Figure 1 A perspective view of a table 10 according to the present invention is shown. The table 10 has a support structure in the form of a tabletop 12, four lifting columns 14 and a base frame 16. The tabletop 12 has a bottom surface B facing the ground G and an opposite top surface T facing the user. The base frame 16 includes two base frame beams 18 in contact with the ground G. Each lifting column 14 includes a stationary portion 22 connected to the base frame 16 and a height adjustable portion 24 connected to the tabletop 12. The height adjustable portion 24 and the stationary portion 22 partially overlap, so that the height adjustable portion 24 is placed above the stationary portion. The height adjustable portion 24 and the stationary portion 22 form a telescopic lifting column 14.

[0048] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 . The table top 12 further comprises a table top support frame 26 connected to a bottom surface B of the table top 12. The base frame 18 comprises a pair of stabilizing legs 34 for stabilizing the base frame 16. The first lifting column 14A is connected to the table top support frame 26 by an eye connector 28, which allows the table top 12 to pivotally move about the eye connector 28. The second lifting column 14B is connected to the table top 12 by a slot connector 32. The first lifting column 14A and the second lifting column 14B are spaced apart by a distance D. The first lifting column 14H has a height H, which can be increased or decreased by sliding the stationary portion of the first lifting column 14A upward or downward by the height adjustable portion 24A of the first lifting column 14A relative to the vertical direction Z. The same applies to the second lifting column 14B. The height difference ΔH between the first lifting column and the second lifting column defines the inclination of the table top 12. The inclination is characterized by the inclination angle α. Figure 3 The slot connector 32 is shown in more detail in FIG.

[0049] Figure 3 Shows Figure 214B. The enlarged area III around the slot connector 32 in the table support frame 26. The slot connector 32 includes a slot 36 and a bolt 38 in the table support frame 26. The bolt 38 is inserted into the slot 36 and a corresponding slot (not shown) in the second lifting column 14B and is fastened at opposite ends by a nut (not shown). The fastening is configured to allow the table top 12 to be translated relative to the second lifting column 14B. During the inclination adjustment movement, the second lifting column 14B moves in the vertical direction Z. During this process, the bolt 38 moves along the slot 36 from one end of the slot 36 toward the other end of the slot 36, and the inclination angle α of the table top 12 is changed. The width W of the slot 36 is configured to correspond to the width of the bolt 38 so as to minimize the offset movement of the table top 12, thereby improving the stability of the table top 12 in use.

[0050] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the position adjustment mechanism of the table 10' is shown. In this embodiment, the table 10' has lifting columns 14, each of which includes a height position sensing device 44 that measures the vertical height of the corresponding lifting column 14 along the central axis 42. During the position adjustment process of the table top 12, the height adjustment portion 24 slides along the static portion 22 until the set or desired position of the table top 12 is reached.

[0051] Figure 5 Another embodiment of a table 10" according to the invention is shown, wherein a second lifting element 14B is connected to the base frame 18 via an articulated connection 46. The articulated connection 46 allows a pivoting movement P of the second lifting element 14B about the connection so that the table top 12 can be tilted.

[0052] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 The enlarged area VI is shown in FIG. Figure 6 A slot connector 32' is shown including a prestressing device 48. The prestressing device 48 includes a fastener 48 having a split head portion 54 and a spring 52 located between the split head portions 54. The spring 52 is inserted so as to push the segments of the split head portion 54 along the width W toward the edge of the slot 36 to prevent undesired offset movement resulting in instability of the tabletop during use.

[0053] Figure 7A control unit 62 of a table according to the present invention is shown. The control unit comprises two DC motors 64 which independently power two lifting elements (not shown), a height sensor 66 and a user control 68. The user sends a command via the user control 68 which is processed by the control unit 62 to instruct the motor 64 to start the height adjustment process. The sensor 66 counts the rotation cycles of the motor 64 in order to obtain the height information and sends a signal back to the control unit 62. Once the desired position of the table top 12 is reached, the control unit 62 ends the process.

[0054] The table control unit provides the ability to control the height adjustment as well as the inclination of the table according to the invention. The height of each lifting column 14 is measured by the rotation pulses provided by the DC motor 64. In order to initialize the table before first use, a calibration is performed before adjustment to determine the absolute zero position / block position of each lifting column 14. To achieve this, the motor 64 is slowly driven down to the lowest possible position until the mechanical stop develops a certain resistance, resulting in a current spike, which provides the control unit 62 with the information that the mechanical lowest limit or in other words the zero position / block position has been reached.

[0055] The table control unit 62 operates the first and second lifting columns independently. The offset of the pulses of the motor 64 powering the second lifting column 14B relative to the pulses of the motor 64 powering the first lifting column 14B can be used to control the inclination of the table top 12.

[0056] The predetermined positions of the table top 12 are stored in the table control unit 62 and recalled using the user controls 68. For example, the control unit 62 has a current position "A" with a height of 72 cm and an inclination of 0° for the first lifting column. The user can change these parameters by instructing the control unit 62 to apply the preset predetermined position "B" to a height of 90 cm and an inclination of 30° for the first lifting column.

[0057] The invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications and alternative embodiments of some parts or elements are possible and are included within the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A table (10), comprising: Desktop (12), a pair of electric lifting columns (14) for changing the vertical height of the table top, wherein the pair of lifting columns are hingedly fixed to the table top to allow the table top to be in an inclined position, and A support structure (16) is provided for maintaining at least one of the lifting columns in a stationary orientation, in particular in an upright position.

2. The table according to claim 1, wherein: The support structure comprises a base frame in contact with the ground below the table, and / or wherein the support structure is interconnected with a pair of lifting columns to maintain the pair of lifting columns in the static orientation, in particular in the upright position.

3. The table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least one of the pair of electric lifting columns comprises a stationary portion (22), and wherein, in one embodiment, the stationary portion is hingedly connected to the base frame.

4. A table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the pair of electric lifting columns comprises a stationary portion and a height-adjustable portion (24), and wherein, The height-adjustable portion is slidably secured to the tabletop, and the stationary portion is fixedly connected to the base frame.

5. A table according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one of the pair of electric lifting columns is slidably fixed to the tabletop via a slotted connector (32), and wherein, in one embodiment, the slotted connector includes a prestressing device operable to avoid mechanical play between the at least one lifting column and the tabletop.

6. A table according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a tabletop support frame (26) in contact with the tabletop, and wherein a pair of lifting columns are hingedly and / or slidably connected to the tabletop via the tabletop support frame.

7. A table according to any preceding claim, comprising two pairs of motorised lifting columns arranged at opposite ends of the table.

8. A table according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Each lifting column of the pair of electric lifting columns comprises a respective height position sensing device for determining the vertical height of the respective lifting column.

9. A table according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit for controlling the position of the table top, the position comprising a height position and an angular position, a pair of the lifting columns comprising a main lifting column and an auxiliary lifting column, wherein the main lifting column comprises a main height position sensing device for providing a main height position signal, and the auxiliary lifting column comprises an auxiliary height position sensing device, the auxiliary height position sensing device is different from and independent of the main height position sensing device, and the auxiliary height position sensing device is used to provide an auxiliary height position signal, wherein, Both the primary height position sensing device and the secondary height position sensing device are operably connected to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to control the height position of the desktop based on the primary height position signal, and wherein the control unit is configured to control the angular position of the desktop based on the difference between the primary height position signal and the secondary height position signal.

10. The table according to claim 9, wherein: The primary height position sensing device and / or the secondary height position sensing device comprises a rotation sensor, and / or the table comprises an electric motor for powering one of the primary lifting column and the secondary lifting column, and wherein the rotation sensor is operably connected to the electric motor for counting the number of revolutions of the motor's shaft.

11. The table according to any one of claims 9 to 10, comprising an input unit connected to the control unit, wherein the input unit is configured to receive a single user instruction associated with the height position and the angular position.

12. A method for controlling the position of a tabletop of a table according to any one of claims 9 to 11, the method comprising the following steps: controlling the height position of the desktop based on the main height position signal, controlling the angular position of the tabletop based on a difference between the primary height position signal and the secondary height position signal, and optionally; The main lifting column and the auxiliary lifting column in the pair of lifting columns are provided with power drive to simultaneously control the height position and the angle position of the desktop.

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising: Power is provided to at least one of the main lifting column and the auxiliary lifting column until a limit position is reached, and then at least one corresponding signal of the main height position signal and the auxiliary height position signal is set to an initial value.

14. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the method comprises: driving the main lifting column and the auxiliary lifting column at different speeds, and; The tabletop reaches a set height position and a set angle position simultaneously in a manner perceived by a user of the table as being simultaneous.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: In case the angular position exceeds a user acceptable value, the method comprises interrupting powering at least one of the primary lifting column and the auxiliary lifting column and / or powering at least one of the primary lifting column and the auxiliary lifting column in an opposite direction.

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