Telescopic table leg having manually adjustable height

Abstract

A table leg (1) for supporting a work surface, said table leg having a length telescopically adjustable along a longitudinal direction (L), said table leg (1) comprising at least one extensible assembly comprising: A lower member (11); an intermediate element (12) slidable with respect to the lower element (11) along the longitudinal direction (L); an upper element (13) slidable with respect to the intermediate element (12) along the longitudinal direction (L); a first variable radius pulley (21) defining a first axis of rotation (P1) and having a variable radius according to a first spiral profile (31) according to a first angular direction about said first axis of rotation (P1), rotatably connected to the intermediate element (12) about said first axis of rotation (P1); a second variable-radius pulley (22) defining a second axis of rotation (P2) and having a variable radius according to a second spiral profile (32) according to a second angular direction about said second axis of rotation (P2), rotatably connected to the intermediate element (12) about said second axis of rotation (P2); synchronization means (40) connected to said first variable-radius pulley (21) and to said second variable-radius pulley (22) so as to rotate said first variable-radius pulley (21) and said second variable-radius pulley (22) synchronously with each other; a first cable (23) wound around said first variable radius pulley (21), and having a first end constrained to said first variable radius pulley (21) and a second end (27) constrained to said lower element (11); a second cable (24) wound around said second variable-radius pulley (22), and having a first end constrained to said second variable-radius pulley (22) and an opposite second end (28) constrained to said upper element (13), said second cable (24) being deflected by an idle pulley (25) rotatably engaged to said intermediate element (12); at least one balancing spring (51, 52) constrained to said intermediate element (12), to said first variable-radius pulley (21) and to said second variable-radius pulley (22) so as to apply to said first variable-radius pulley (21) and to said second variable-radius pulley (22) a pair of resisting forces which opposes an applied load from said first cable (23) and from said second cable (24) to said first variable-radius pulley (21) and to said second variable-radius pulley (22), respectively.

Description

TELESCOPIC TABLE LEG HAVING MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTDESCRIPTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a table leg for supporting a worktop, wherein the length of the leg is telescopically adj ustable so as to adj ust the height of the worktop from a supporting floor . The present invention also relates to a table having such a table leg .Prior art

[0002] In the field of of fice furniture , workstations comprising one or more tables whose worktop is adj ustable in height are well known .

[0003] Such tables provide a worktop in front of which the operator works for long hours , and on which he generally places a keyboard and a monitor of a personal computer .

[0004] In order to ensure a correct posture of the operator during his working hours , it is necessary to adj ust the height of the worktop with respect to the floor, in accordance with the si ze of the operator .

[0005] In other words , each operator using that speci fic table needs to adj ust its height according to his stature .

[0006] This adj ustment operation must be comfortable , intuitive , and must not require a high mechanical ef fortby the operator .

[0007] At the same time , the workstation must have a linear and simple appearance so as to make its use pleasant and comfortable , leaving completely free the space below the worktop to allow the operator to place his legs without the risk of collision with support structures of the worktop .

[0008] Workstations are known which allow adj usting the height of the worktop by means of complex electromechanical mechanisms comprising one or more electric motors , rack-and-pinion transmissions , or by means of electrically driven hydraulic actuators .

[0009] The use of said electromechanical components requires the availability of an electric power source near the workstation itsel f or the presence of an electric battery inside the structure of the workstation .

[0010] There is therefore a need to provide a table leg having a telescopically adj ustable length, which allows adj ustment of the height of the table worktop by manual handling of the worktop, opposing minimal resistance to the movement itsel f , and which is free from electromechanical or hydraulic actuators or adj ustment mechanisms .

[0011] At the same time , there is a need to provide a telescopic leg capable of housing inside itsel f theadj ustment mechanism, concealing it from view from the outside , and which at the same time allows keeping very limited the value of the cross-sectional area of the leg itsel f so as to maximi ze the space available for the user' s legs below the worktop .

[0012] At the same time , there is a need to provide such a table leg which has high structural strength and solidity, and allows the use of a single telescopic leg capable of stably supporting the entire load applied by the worktop, even in a cantilever arrangement .Summary of the invention

[0013] The obj ect of the present invention is to devise and provide a table leg having a telescopically adj ustable length which allows satis fying all the aforesaid requirements and at least partially overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art .

[0014] In particular, the obj ect of the present invention is to provide a table leg having a telescopically adj ustable length which allows adj ustment of the height of the table worktop by manual movement of the worktop, opposing minimal resistance to the movement itsel f , and which is free from electromechanical or hydraulic actuators or adj ustment mechanisms .

[0015] Another obj ect of the present invention is toprovide a table leg having a telescopically adj ustable length capable of housing inside itsel f an adj ustment mechanism, concealing it from view from the outside , and which at the same time allows keeping very limited the value of the cross-sectional area of the leg itsel f so as to maximi ze the space available for the user' s legs below the worktop .

[0016] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide a table leg having a telescopically adj ustable length which has high structural strength and solidity, and allows the use of a single telescopic leg capable of stably supporting the entire load applied by the worktop, even in a cantilever arrangement .

[0017] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide an of fice table which allows satis fying all the aforesaid requirements and at least partially overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art .

[0018] These and further obj ects and advantages are achieved by means of a table leg for supporting a worktop, said table leg having a telescopically adj ustable length along a longitudinal direction, in accordance with independent claim 1 , as well as by an of fice table according to claim 14 .

[0019] Further obj ects , solutions and advantages are foundin the embodiments described below and claimed in the dependent claims .Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The invention will be hereinafter illustrated with the description of some of its embodiments , provided by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

[0021] - Figure 1 illustrates a front angled view of a table leg according to the invention, in a minimum length configuration;

[0022] - Figure 2 illustrates a rear angled view of the table leg of figure 1 , in a minimum length configuration;

[0023] - Figure 3 illustrates a front angled view of the table leg of figure 1 , in a maximum length configuration;

[0024] - Figure 4 illustrates a rear angled view of the table leg of figure 1 in the maximum length configuration;

[0025] - Figure 5 shows a rear orthogonal view of the table leg of figure 2 in the minimum length configuration;

[0026] - Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the table leg of figure 5 obtained through a section plane VI parallel to the longitudinal direction and orthogonal to the rotation axis of the variable radius pulleys ;

[0027] - Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the table leg of figure 5 obtained through a section plane VI I parallelto plane VI ;

[0028] - Figure 8 shows a rear orthogonal view of the table leg of figure 4 in the maximum length position;

[0029] - Figure 9 shows a sectional view of the table leg of figure 8 obtained through a section plane IX parallel to the longitudinal direction and orthogonal to the rotation axis of the variable radius pulleys ;

[0030] - Figure 10 shows a sectional view of the table leg of figure 8 obtained through a section plane X parallel to the section plane IX .

[0031] - Figure 11 illustrates a lateral orthogonal view of the table leg of figure 1 , wherein the first cable and the second cable are schematically shown with dashed lines , while the intermediate element and the upper element have been omitted to simpli fy the reading of the figure ;

[0032] - Figure 12 illustrates a left sectional view of the table leg of figure 11 through a section plane XI I comprising the axis of the rotating shaft shown in figure 11 ;

[0033] - Figure 13 shows a right sectional view of the table leg of figure 11 through a section plane XI I I comprising the axis of the rotating shaft shown in f igure 11 ;

[0034] - Figure 14 shows an angled isometric view of thefirst and second variable radius pulleys keyed on a rotating shaft ;

[0035] - Figure 15 shows an angled isometric view of a first variable radius pulley belonging to the table leg of figure 1 ;

[0036] - Figure 16 shows a front view of the first variable radius pulley of figure 15 ;

[0037] - Figure 17 shows an angled isometric view of a second variable radius pulley belonging to the table leg of figure 1 ;

[0038] - Figure 18 shows a front view of the second variable radius pulley of figure 17 .Description of the preferred embodiments

[0039] With reference to the figures , a table leg according to the invention is overall denoted by reference numeral 1 .

[0040] The table leg 1 is configured to support a worktop and has a telescopically adj ustable length along a longitudinal direction L, generally vertical in use .

[0041] The table leg 1 comprises at least one extendable assembly, wherein each extendable assembly comprises a lower element 11 , an intermediate element 12 sliding with respect to the lower element 11 along the longitudinal direction L, and an upper element 13 sliding with respect to the intermediate element 12 along the longitudinaldirection L .

[0042] The table leg 1 comprises a first variable radius pulley 21 defining a first rotation axis Pl and having a variable radius according to a first spiral profile 31 along a first angular direction about said first rotation axis Pl , and is rotatably constrained to the intermediate element 12 about the first rotation axis Pl , and a second variable radius pulley 22 defining a second rotation axis P2 and having a variable radius according to a second spiral profile 32 along a second angular direction about the second rotation axis P2 , and is rotatably constrained to the intermediate element 12 about the second rotation axis P2 .

[0043] The table leg 1 further comprises synchroni zation means 40 connected to the first variable radius pulley 21 and to the second variable radius pulley 22 so as to cause the first variable radius pulley 21 and the second variable radius pulley 22 to rotate in a mutually synchroni zed manner .

[0044] The table leg 1 further comprises a first cable 23 wound about said first variable radius pulley 21 and having a first end constrained to said first variable radius pulley 21 and a second end 27 constrained to the lower element 11 .

[0045] The table leg 1 also comprises a second cable 24wound about the second variable radius pulley 22 and having a first end constrained to said second variable radius pulley 22 and an opposite second end 28 constrained to the upper element 13 .

[0046] Said second cable 24 is diverted by an idle pulley 25 rotatably engaged with the intermediate element 12 .

[0047] The table leg 1 further comprises at least one balance spring 51 , 52 constrained to the intermediate element 12 , to the first variable radius pulley 21 and to the second variable radius pulley 22 so as to apply to the first variable radius pulley 21 and to the second variable radius pulley 22 a resisting torque opposing a load applied by the first cable 23 and by the second cable 24 to the first variable radius pulley 21 and to the second variable radius pulley 22 , respectively .

[0048] According to an embodiment , the first spiral profile 31 extends along more than one turn of the first variable radius pulley 21 according to an inclined path with respect to the first rotation axis Pl .

[0049] According to an embodiment , the second spiral profile 32 extends along more than one turn of the second variable radius pulley 22 according to an inclined path with respect to the second rotation axis P2 .

[0050] According to an embodiment , the first angular direction is either equal to or has the same orientationas the second angular direction .

[0051] According to an embodiment , the first spiral profile 31 is equal to said second spiral profile 32 .

[0052] According to an embodiment , the synchroni zation means 40 are configured to cause the first variable radius pulley 21 and the second variable radius pulley 22 to rotate with the same mutual rotational speed .

[0053] According to an embodiment , the synchroni zation means 40 comprise a rotating shaft 41 defining a shaft axis A.

[0054] The rotating shaft 41 is preferably rotatably engaged with the intermediate element 12 about the shaft axis A.

[0055] The first variable radius pulley 21 and the second variable radius pulley 22 are preferably fixed to , or made as a single piece with, the rotating shaft 41 .

[0056] The first rotation axis Pl and the second rotation axis P2 are preferably coaxial with each other and with the shaft axis A.

[0057] According to an embodiment , the at least one balance spring 51 , 52 comprises a torsion spring .

[0058] According to an embodiment , the torsion spring is wound about the rotating shaft 41 .

[0059] According to an embodiment , the intermediate element 12 is arranged so as to slide within the lower element11 , and the upper element 13 is arranged so as to slide within the intermediate element 12 .

[0060] According to an embodiment , the idle pulley 25 and the second cable 24 are arranged within a gap 60 between the intermediate element 12 and the upper element 13 .

[0061] According to an embodiment , each of the lower element 11 , the intermediate element 12 and the upper element 13 has a tubular shape with a constant crosssection .

[0062] According to an embodiment , each of the lower element 11 , the intermediate element 12 and the upper element 13 has a squeezed cross-section with respect to a main longitudinal plane PL parallel to the longitudinal direction L and comprises two cylindrical side wall portions parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal direction and to the main longitudinal plane PL, j oined together by two flat wall portions parallel to each other and parallel to the main longitudinal plane PL .

[0063] According to an embodiment , the gap 60 is defined between, and delimited by, one flat wall portion of the intermediate element 12 and a flat wall portion of the upper element 13 .

[0064] According to an embodiment , the table leg 1 comprises a plurality of extendable assemblies , eachextendable assembly comprising : a lower element 11 ; an intermediate element 12 sliding with respect to the lower element 11 along the longitudinal direction L ; an upper element 13 sliding with respect to the intermediate element 12 along the longitudinal direction L ; a first variable radius pulley 21 defining a first rotation axis Pl and having a variable radius according to a first spiral profile 31 along a f irst angular direction about said first rotation axis Pl , rotatably constrained to the intermediate element 12 about said first rotation axis Pl ; a second variable radius pulley 22 defining a second rotation axis P2 and having a variable radius according to a second spiral profile 32 along a second angular direction about said second rotation axis P2 , rotatably constrained to the intermediate element 12 about said second rotation axis P2 ; synchroni zation means 40 connected to said first variable radius pulley 21 and to said second variable radius pulley 22 so as to cause said first variable radius pulley 21 and said second variable radius pulley 22 to rotate in a mutually synchroni zed manner ; a first cable 23 wound about said first variable radius pulley 21 and having a first end constrained to said first variable radius pulley 21 and a second end 27 constrained to said lower element 11 ; a second cable 24 wound about said second variable radius pulley 22 andhaving a first end constrained to said second variable radius pulley 22 and an opposite second end 28 constrained to said upper element 13 , said second cable 24 being diverted by an idle pulley 25 rotatably engaged with said intermediate element 12 ; at least one balance spring 51 , 52 constrained to said intermediate element 12 , to said first variable radius pulley 21 and to said second variable radius pulley 22 so as to apply to said first variable radius pulley 21 and to said second variable radius pulley 22 a resisting torque opposing a load applied by said first cable 23 and by said second cable 24 to said first variable radius pulley 21 and to said second variable radius pulley 22 , respectively, wherein the upper element of a lower extendable assembly of said plurality is fixed to , or coincides with, the lower element of an upper extendable assembly of said plurality adj acent to said lower extendable assembly .

[0065] In other words , the table leg 1 may comprise a plurality of extendable assemblies as described above , connected to one another in sequence , so that the upper element of a lower extendable assembly is fixed to , or coincides with, the lower element of an upper extendable assembly adj acent to said lower extendable assembly .

[0066] According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid obj ects and advantages areful filled by an of fice table comprising a worktop and at least one table leg 1 as described above , wherein said at least one table leg 1 is connected to the worktop so as to support the worktop .

[0067] To the embodiments of the device described above , a person skilled in the art may make modi fications , adaptations , and substitutions of elements with other functionally equivalent ones , in order to meet contingent requirements , without thereby departing from the scope of the following claims . Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other embodiments described .-k 'k 'k

Claims

CLAIMS1. A table leg (1) for supporting a worktop, said table leg having a length telescopically adjustable along a longitudinal direction (L) , said table leg (1) comprising at least one extendable assembly comprising:- a lower element (11)- an intermediate element (12) sliding with respect to the lower element (11) along the longitudinal direction (L) ; an upper element (13) sliding with respect to the intermediate element (12) along the longitudinal direction (L) ;- a first variable radius pulley (21) defining a first rotation axis (Pl) and having a variable radius according to a first spiral profile (31) according to a first angular direction about said first rotation axis (Pl) , rotatably constrained to the intermediate element (12) about said first rotation axis (Pl) ;- a second variable radius pulley (22) defining a second rotation axis (P2) and having a variable radius according to a second spiral profile (32) according to a second angular direction about said second rotation axis (P2) , rotatably constrained to the intermediate element (12) about said second rotation axis (P2) ; synchronization means (40) connected to said firstvariable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) to cause said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) to rotate in a mutually synchronized manner; a first cable (23) wound about said first variable radius pulley (21) , and having a first end constrained to said first variable radius pulley (21) and a second end (27) constrained to said lower element (11) ;- a second cable (24) wound about said second variable radius pulley (22) , and having a first end constrained to said second variable radius pulley (22) and an opposite second end (28) constrained to said upper element (13) , said second cable (24) being diverted by an idle pulley (25) rotatably engaged with said intermediate element (12) ;- at least one balance spring (51, 52) constrained to said intermediate element (12) , said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) so as to apply to said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) a resisting torque opposing a load applied by said first cable (23) and said second cable (24) to said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) , respectively.

2. A table leg (1) according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst spiral profile (31) extends along more than one turn of said first variable radius pulley (21) according to an inclined path with respect to said first rotation axis (Pl) , and / or wherein said second spiral profile (32) extends along more than one turn of said second variable radius pulley (22) according to an inclined path with respect to said second rotation axis (P2) .

3. A table leg (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first angular direction is either equal to or has the same orientation of said second angular direction.

4. A table leg (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first spiral profile (31) is equal to said second spiral profile ( 32 ) .

5. A table leg (1) according to claim 1, wherein said synchronization means (40) are configured to cause said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) to rotate with the same mutual rotational speed.

6. A table leg (1) according to claim 1, wherein said synchronization means (40) comprise a rotating shaft (41) defining a shaft axis (A) , said rotating shaft (41) being rotatably engaged with said intermediate element (12) about said shaft axis (A) , said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) being fixed to or made as a single piece with saidrotating shaft (41) , wherein said first rotation axis (Pl) and said second rotation axis (P2) are coaxial with each other and with said shaft axis (A) .

7. A table leg (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said at least one balance spring (51, 52) comprises a torsion spring.

8. A table leg (1) according to claim 7, wherein said torsion spring is wound about said rotating shaft (41) .

9. A table leg (1) according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate element (12) is arranged so as to slide within said lower element (11) and wherein said upper element (13) is arranged so as to slide within said intermediate element (12) .

10. A table leg (1) according to claim 9, wherein said idle pulley (25) and said second cable (24) are arranged within a gap (60) between said intermediate element (12) and said upper element (13) .

11. A table leg (1) according to claim 9, wherein each of said lower element (11) , said intermediate element (12) , and said upper element (13) is tubular in shape with a constant cross-section.

12. A table leg (1) according to claim 11, wherein each of said lower element (11) , said intermediate element (12) , and said upper element (13) has a squeezed crosssection with respect to a main longitudinal plane (PL)parallel to said longitudinal direction (L) and comprises two cylindrical side wall portions parallel to each other and parallel to said longitudinal direction and to said main longitudinal plane (PL) , joined together by two flat wall portions parallel to each other and parallel to said main longitudinal plane (PL) .

13. A table leg (1) according to claims 10 and 11, wherein said gap (60) is defined between and delimited by one said flat wall portion of said intermediate element (12) and a flat wall portion of said upper element (13) .

14. A table leg (1) comprising a plurality of extendable assemblies, each extendable assembly comprising- a lower element (11)- an intermediate element (12) sliding with respect to the lower element (11) along the longitudinal direction (L) ; an upper element (13) sliding with respect to the intermediate element (12) along the longitudinal direction (L) ;- a first variable radius pulley (21) defining a first rotation axis (Pl) and having a variable radius according to a first spiral profile (31) according to a first angular direction about said first rotation axis (Pl) , rotatably constrained to the intermediate element (12) about said first rotation axis (Pl) ;- a second variable radius pulley (22) defining a second rotation axis (P2) and having a variable radius according to a second spiral profile (32) according to a second angular direction about said second rotation axis (P2) , rotatably constrained to the intermediate element (12) about said second rotation axis (P2) ; synchronization means (40) connected to said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) to cause said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) to rotate in a mutually synchronized manner; a first cable (23) wound about said first variable radius pulley (21) , and having a first end constrained to said first variable radius pulley (21) and a second end (27) constrained to said lower element (11) ;- a second cable (24) wound about said second variable radius pulley (22) , and having a first end constrained to said second variable radius pulley (22) and an opposite second end (28) constrained to said upper element (13) , said second cable (24) being diverted by an idle pulley (25) rotatably engaged with said intermediate element (12) ;- at least one balance spring (51, 52) constrained to said intermediate element (12) , said first variable radius pulley (21) , and said second variable radiuspulley (22) to apply to said first variable radius pulley(21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) a resisting torque opposing a load applied by said first cable (23) and said second cable (24) to said first variable radius pulley (21) and said second variable radius pulley (22) , respectively, wherein the upper element of a lower extendable assembly of said plurality is fixed to or coincides with the lower element of an upper extendable assembly of said plurality, adjacent to said lower extendable assembly.

15. An office table comprising a worktop and at least one table leg (1) according to at least one of the preceding claim, wherein said at least one table leg (1) is connected to said worktop so as to support said worktop.

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