ADJUSTABLE POST MOUNT

Abstract

The invention relates to an extendable support system for holding an object on a surface, the support system comprising a support structure comprising an inner post 5 and an outer post arranged such that the relative longitudinal position of the inner and outer posts produces a change in the overall length of the support structure to vary the height of the object above the surface; a guide assembly comprising one or more guides positioned between the inner and outer posts, the guides being configured to maintain the lateral position of the inner and outer posts relative to each other while allowing longitudinal movement of the inner and outer posts 10 relative to each other along the support structure.

Description

ADJUSTABLE POST MOUNT FIELD OF INVENTION This description refers to a mounting for supporting an object at an elevated level above a surface. The description relates particularly to an adjustable pole mount that can support an object, such as a table or other furniture, like a seat, above the floor, using a pressurized fluid such as air or another gas to allow the height of the object to be adjusted. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It should be understood that if reference is made herein to any prior art, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field, in Australia or in any other country. Although the assembly is discussed in relation to height-adjustable tables, the expert in the field will know that the pole can be used to support other objects, including other furniture such as seats or any object where adjusting the height of the object above a surface is beneficial. Furniture, including tables, is used everywhere around us in a variety of situations to provide a surface capable of supporting the weight of items or people placed on it at a height above a lower surface, such as the floor. The ability to adjust the height of furniture and align multiple furniture tops to the same height are useful features, as they allow furniture to be used for a multitude of applications, such as hospitality, medicine, and many other industries. For example, in a restaurant, there would be a need for tables that can be arranged to serve a buffet, act as a bar table for serving drinks, or for dining. Furthermore, there may be regulations requiring tables to be of a certain height to accommodate, for example, wheelchair users.All of the above functions would require the table surfaces to be positioned at different heights relative to the floor. Similarly, when setting up a buffet, it may be necessary to place several tables at the same height to create a longer surface with more area on which to place the various food items. This is further complicated by uneven, sloping, or stepped surfaces. Many furniture models lack the ability to easily adjust the height of the tabletop or surface. This means that restaurants and other establishments must be equipped with multiple types of tables, seating, or other surfaces to serve different functions. This can result in higher costs for owners in terms of purchasing different furniture. It also means that storage space must be available. ΙνΙΛ / t / ZUZÓ / UÓ l ZdZ for the different types of furniture within the installation. This space could be significant depending on the size of the furniture and the total area available for the installation. Tables and furniture pieces that allow for height adjustment are known in the field. However, these generally only allow adjustments to fixed heights or a limited number of fixed heights, or require significant manual effort to change the elevation. Therefore, height adjustments can be time-consuming. Additionally, some tables and furniture pieces offer electric adjustment, allowing for quick and variable height adjustment. However, these can be expensive due to the associated electric motor and other components required for functionality. Furthermore, electrically assisted tables typically require power sources, which would reduce or eliminate the flexibility of repositioning them as needed and can be hazardous, particularly in environments where the tables may get wet. Furthermore, aligning multiple tables to obtain a longer surface with more area after raising different tables to the same height can create alignment problems that can lead to irregularities in the surface and frustrate the purpose of aligning tables together. Many tables on the market are easily assembled and separated into different components, such as the tabletop, legs, base, etc. Given this modularity, there is the benefit of providing a system that can be adapted to a variety of tabletops and / or bases to create a height-adjustable system, allowing it to be set to any desired level. One or more of the benefits of an efficient, varied, supported, and adaptable fit would be beneficial in the field. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In some forms, an extendable support system for holding an object on a surface is described, the support system comprising a support structure comprising an inner post and an outer post arranged such that the relative longitudinal position of the inner and outer posts effects a change in the overall length of the support structure to vary the height of the object above the surface; a guide assembly comprising one or more guides positioned between the inner and outer posts, the guides being configured to maintain the lateral position of the inner and outer posts relative to each other while allowing longitudinal movement of the inner and outer posts relative to each other along the support structure. In some forms, the guides comprise rollers aligned to permit longitudinal movement of the inner post relative to the outer post along the support structure. In some forms, the rollers are cylindrical. In some forms, the cylindrical rollers are oriented transversely to a longitudinal length of the support. In some forms, one or more guides are made of a polymeric, metallic, or ceramic material. In some forms, the guides are spaced around an inner surface of the outer post. In some forms, the guides are ML / t / ZUZÓ / UÓ l ZoZ located near an upper end of the outer post and near a lower end of the outer post. In some forms, the guides float along at least part of the length of the outer post. In some forms, the guide assembly consists of guides that are fixed to an inner surface of the outer post. An extendable support system is also described, which includes an actuator adapted to activate a change in the relative longitudinal position of the inner and outer posts. This change in the overall length of the support structure allows for varying the height of the object above the surface. The actuator requires more than one movement to effect the change in the relative longitudinal position of the inner and outer posts. In some configurations, the required movements of the actuator occur in different directions. In some configurations, the actuator includes a lever and a release mechanism. In some configurations, the release mechanism is a pin. In some configurations, the mechanism is a sliding mechanism. In some configurations, the lever cannot be actuated unless the release mechanism is released. In some configurations, the release mechanism is oriented in one direction, and the actuating mechanism is actuated in a different direction.In some ways, those directions are perpendicular to each other. In some forms, the release mechanism is spring-loaded or otherwise pressed into a closed configuration. The described support system has the advantage of providing smooth extension of a support post from minimum to maximum height with pneumatically or other fluid / air-controlled movement supported by guides and driven by an actuator. Furthermore, the system, in some configurations, includes an actuator with a safety mechanism in the form of a required secondary movement. In some configurations, the secondary movement is at an angle to the primary movement. In other configurations, the secondary movement is generally transverse or orthogonal to the primary movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The modalities will now be described only by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a side view of a modality of the description in a contracted position; Figure 2 shows a side view of the modality of Figure 1 in an intermediate position; Figure 3 shows a side view of the modality of Figure 1 in an expanded position; Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a modality of the description; Figure 5 shows a top view of the modality in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a bottom view of a top plate shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 shows an exploded side view of the modality in Figure 4; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an actuator of one modality of the description; Figure 9 shows a bottom perspective view of the modality in Figure 4; Figure 10 shows a side view of the modality in Figure 4; Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an actuator of another type of description; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of another modality of the description; Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an actuator and a support of another modality of the description; Figure 14 shows a bottom perspective view of an actuator in use; Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a support for a description modality; Figure 16 shows an orderly exploded view of one modality of the post described. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, illustrated in the drawings, and defined in the claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present description, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this description. In some forms, an extendable support system for supporting an object on a surface is described, the support system comprising a support structure comprising an inner post and an outer post arranged such that the relative longitudinal position of the inner and outer posts effects a change in the overall length of the support structure to vary the height of the object above the surface; a guide assembly comprising one or more guides positioned between the inner and outer posts, the guides being configured to maintain the lateral position of the inner and outer posts relative to each other while allowing longitudinal movement of the inner and outer posts relative to each other along the support structure. ΙνΙΛ / t / ZUZÓ / UÓ l ZdZ The system has the advantage of providing a simple and accessible height adjustment for an object. In some forms, the object is a table. In some forms, the guides comprise rollers aligned to allow longitudinal movement of the inner post relative to the outer post along the support structure. In some forms, the rollers are cylindrical. In some forms, one or more guides are made of a polymeric, metallic, or ceramic material. In some forms, the guides are spaced around an inner surface of the outer post. In some forms, the guides are located near an upper end of the outer post and near a lower end of the outer post. In some forms, the guides float along at least part of the length of the outer post; in some forms, the guide assembly consists of guides that are fixed to an inner surface of the outer post. In some forms, the guides comprise a variety of separate guides around the post in multiple guide assemblies, each guide assembly comprising at least 2 guides. In some forms, the system also includes an actuator adapted to drive the movement of the inner post with respect to the outer post, the actuator requiring at least a first and a second drive movement by the user. In some forms, the actuator requires a first actuation movement in a first direction and a second actuation movement in a second direction. In some forms, the first and second directions are transverse to each other. In some forms, the first actuation movement comprises the movement of a release pin. In some forms, the first and second actuation movements can be performed with one hand. In some forms, a single actuator is configured to connect to more than one support structure to drive movement in those support structures. Referring to Figures 1-3, an extendable support system 1 is described in some embodiments for supporting an object on a surface such as, for example, the floor or the ground. The extendable support system 1 comprises a support structure 2 that is configured to extend between a base 3 and a top plate 4; however, it will be clear that alternative configurations fall within the scope of the description. The support structure 1 comprises an outer post 6, which can be round, square, rectangular, hexagonal, or of any other cross-sectional shape, and an inner post 7, the inner post being located inside the outer post and, in some forms, having the same cross-sectional shape as the outer post. In the illustrated form, the outer and inner posts are cylindrical with a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the inner and outer posts can be fabricated from longitudinal structures whose cross-sections include a square, a hexagon, etc. These would offer different levels of load-bearing capacity. Movement of the outer and inner posts relative to each other along a longitudinal axis of the support system increases the overall height of the support structure. In the illustrated form, the outer and inner posts The inner posts are telescopic relative to each other, meaning that a larger part of the inner post is positioned outside the outer post when the support structure is extended to a maximum height, while a larger part of the inner post is inside the outer post when the support structure is contracted to a minimum height. Figure 1 shows the support system in its contracted or minimum height position. Figure 2 shows the support system in an intermediate position. Figure 3 shows the support system in its extended or maximum height position. With reference now to Figure 4, a perspective view of the support system 1 is shown. The support system comprises a support structure 2 comprising an outer post 6 and an inner post 7 extending between a base 3 and a top plate 4. The top plate 4 is connected or fitted to the outer post 6 via a connecting plate 8 which may be integrally formed with the outer post 6. In some forms, the connecting plate may be used as a top plate. The top plate 4, as illustrated, acts as a surface that contacts and supports the underside of an object, such as a tabletop (not shown). The top plate 4 can be coupled to the outer post 6 and integrally connected to it. Alternatively, the top plate 4 can be connected to the outer post via suitable connectors, including a connecting plate 8. The connecting plate 8 and the top plate 4 can be of any suitable shape, such as square, rectangular, circular, etc., depending on the nature of the object to be supported. Base 3 is connected to the inner post 7 by means of a base connector 9. The use of a base connector allows the system to be adapted to existing standard bases. As shown in Figure 4, an actuator 11 is connected to the support system 1 via a communication tube 12, similar to a gas line. The actuator 11 is adapted to control the height of the support system 1 by opening a valve that allows the inner and outer posts to move relative to each other. In the illustrated form, the inner and outer posts form a sealed telescopic unit that is configured to extend with upward pressure and retract with downward pressure. While the inner post in the illustrated form is the lower part of the support structure and is connected to the base, and the outer post in the illustrated form is the upper structure and is connected to the object, it will be clear that alternative configurations are available. With reference to Figure 5, a top view of the support system shows the top plate 4 and the base 3. With reference to Figure 6, a view of the base of the top plate shows the connection between the top plate 4 and the outer post 6 through the use of one or more connectors 13. Referring to Figure 7, actuator 11 comprises a multi-step actuator. Actuation of the actuator effects the extension or contraction of the support structure and the raising or lowering of the object positioned on the support structure, such as the top of the table. In some forms, a pressurized gas cylinder is located within the post or otherwise associated with it. The handle-shaped actuator opens a valve to and from the pressurized gas cylinder, allowing the gas to leave the gas cylinder and expand into the post, raising the inner post relative to the outer post. In use, when a user actuates the actuator, the valve opens, and the gas from the pressurized gas cylinder enters the post and seals within it. The expansion of the gas allows the object supported by the post to be raised under pressure.When the user wishes to lower the object, the actuator is activated by opening the valve and pressing down on the object, forcing the gas into the pressurized gas cylinder, increasing the pressure in the gas cylinder and lowering the object by allowing the inner and outer posts to stretch inwards relative to each other. The actuator is configured to require a user to perform multiple actions to trigger the table movement. With reference to Figure 8, in the illustrated form, the actuator 11 comprises two drive parts that can be moved in different directions or through different actions to enable the support structure to move. The actuator 11 comprises an actuating handle that includes a lever 17 that can be moved or pressed angularly to activate the upward or downward movement of the support system. The actuator 11 further comprises a release mechanism 18 that must be released to enable actuation via the actuating handle. In the illustrated form, the release mechanism is a pin pulled laterally as the lever is moved upward to produce the movement. In other forms, the release mechanism is a sliding mechanism or any other mechanism that requires actuation.As clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10, the drive requires two user actions. This has the advantage of providing safety and ensuring that the table or other object does not accidentally rise or lower. A user must actively select to release the release mechanism and press the lever. However, the operation can be performed with one hand, making adjustment easier. By varying the actuation time (i.e., the time the actuator is held in the actuation position), a user can adjust the height to any desired level within the structure's minimum and maximum positions. With reference to Figure 11, an actuator 21 is described that can be coupled with multiple post structures. The actuator 21 comprises a single lever 27 and a single release mechanism, but includes multiple connecting cables 29 to connect the actuator 21 to multiple posts. In use, operating the actuator results in raising or lowering multiple posts simultaneously. This allows for raising or lowering larger objects, larger tabletops, or several objects that need to be aligned side by side. ΙνΙΛ / t / ZUZÓ / UÓ l ZdZ Referring to Figure 12, multiple support structures 22 can be used to support one or more objects. Each support structure is part of an extendable support system 1 to support an object on a surface such as the floor or ground. The extendable support system 1 comprises a support structure 2 that is configured to extend between a base 3 and a top plate 4. With reference to Figures 13 and 14, an actuator 21 engages with an object such as a table via a bracket 23 that retains the release mechanism 28. The release mechanism 28 is in the form of a pin, although various other release mechanisms, such as a sliding mechanism, are available. In the illustrated form, the release mechanism 28 is supported by two separate plates 24 located on a bracket 25. The plates 24 have an opening extending through them to support the mechanism 28. The bracket 25 can be coupled with the actuator 21. In this illustrated form, the mechanism 28 is deflected to a locked or closed configuration by a spring 26, although other means of deflection are included within the scope of this description. The multiple support structures 22 are connected to a single actuator 21 to allow simultaneous control of both support structures. This has benefits for dual control and simplicity in various arrangements of supported objects or tabletops. Referring to Figures 15 to 17, an alternative embodiment of an actuator 31 is shown. In this embodiment, the actuator 31 comprises a lever 37 that can be moved to actuate the opening of a valve (not illustrated) for controlling the extension and retraction of the post. The movement of the actuator is limited by a release mechanism 38, which, in this embodiment, has the form of a pin that can be moved to release and lock the lever 37. The release mechanism 38 can be supported by a portion 35 of an actuator body 41, while the handle is supported by another portion 34 of the actuator body 41. The release mechanism can be diverted to the locked configuration shown in Figure 15 by a spring or similar diverter element 36. In this configuration, a locking element 39 is in contact with a portion of the lever 37.In the release configuration shown in Figure 16, the locking member retracts, allowing the lever to move freely. This has the advantage of providing safety and ensuring that the table or other object does not accidentally rise or lower. A user must actively select to release the release mechanism and press the lever. However, at least in this way, the operation can be performed with one hand, allowing for easy adjustment. By varying the activation time (i.e., the time the actuator remains in the activated position), a user can adjust the height to any desired level within the structure's minimum and maximum positions. With reference now to Figures 18 and 19, the guides 41 are located between the inner post and the outer post to allow movement of the inner post 7 with respect to the outer post 6 in a longitudinal direction along the length of the support structure. ΙνΙΛ / t / ZUZÓ / UÓ l ZdZ In the form illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, the guides 41 are in the form of rollers 42 that are oriented to allow longitudinal movement. The rollers 42 are spaced around the inner post and positioned relative to the post by means of a roller frame 43. The use of a frame allows any number of rollers to be positioned as a single unit. Several roller frame units can then be arranged as desired in different locations to achieve maximum stability and improved operation. In some forms, more than eight cylindrical rollers can be used. In some forms, the rollers are used in an array with an equal number of rollers on each side in contact with the post.For example, in this illustrated form, 12 cylindrical rollers float in position relative to the posts, but it is understood that any number of rollers can be used, as shown in Figure 20, which depicts 42 rollers in a frame 43 that can be placed around a post. The use of rollers offers reduced friction between the inner and outer posts while performing the basic function of guiding the outer post during extension. Reducing friction between the inner and outer posts will result in less wear on the parts, which in turn will result in a longer service life. The frame includes 44 cavities for placing the 42 floating rollers. Rollers can be made of various materials, including polymers, rubber, ceramics, and metal. This will allow for the manufacture of systems with varied capacities and an improved lifespan. In some forms, the guides are located at the proximal upper and lower ends of the support structure. In other forms, the guides are arranged in multiple arrays positioned and spaced around the post. The guides proximal to the lower ends may be arranged along the outer surface of the inner post so that their positions around the post form a triangular array. Alternatively, the array may be square, diamond, or another shape. Similarly, the guides near the upper end may be arranged along the outer surface of the inner post so that their position forms an assembly whose shape is the inverse of the shape formed by the guides near the lower end. For example, the shape may be an inverted triangle with respect to the bottom of the post. Such an arrangement supports the outer post throughout its movement. Variations and modifications can be made to the parts described above without departing from the spirit or scope of the description. For example, the inner and outer posts can be reversed, the inner and outer posts can be any shape, and the guides can be in the form of balls, cylinders, pins, or other guides that encourage movement in an assembly in opposite directions. In the claims that follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprises” or variations such as “comprising” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features, but not to exclude the presence or addition of additional features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An extendable support system for holding an object on a surface, the support system comprising: a support structure comprising an inner post and an outer post arranged such that the relative longitudinal position of the inner post and the outer post effects a change in the overall length of the support structure to vary the height of the object above the surface;a guide assembly comprising one or more guides positioned between the inner and outer posts, the guides being configured to maintain the lateral position of the inner and outer posts relative to each other while permitting longitudinal movement of the inner and outer posts relative to each other along the support structure, an actuator adapted to drive the movement of the inner post relative to the outer post, requiring the actuation of the actuator to involve at least a first and second drive motion by a user, wherein the first and second drive motions are in different directions.

2. An extendable support system as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the guides comprise rollers aligned to allow longitudinal movement of the inner post with respect to the outer post along the support structure.

3. An extendable support system as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the rollers are cylindrical in shape.

4. An extendable support system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more guides are made of a polymeric, metallic, or ceramic material.

5. An extendable support post system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guides are spaced around an inner surface of the outer post.

6. An extendable support system as defined in claim 5, characterized in that the guides are located near an upper end of the outer post and near a lower end of the outer post.

7. An extendable support system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guides float along at least a portion of the length of the outer post.

8. An extendable support system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide assembly comprises guides that are fixed to an inner surface of the outer post.

9. An extendable support system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of the first drive movement and the direction of the second drive movement are transverse to each other.

10. An extendable support system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first drive movement comprises the movement of a release mechanism.

11. An extendable support system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first drive movement and the second drive movement can be performed with one hand.

12. An extendable support system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator is configured to connect to more than one support structure to actuate movement in those support structures.

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