Adjustable base frame and adjustable piece of furniture

Abstract

An adjustable base frame (12) for a piece of furniture (10) has a column (18) and a support (16). The column (18) comprises a drive unit (22) and a height- adjustable leg (20) extending from the drive unit (22), wherein the support (16) comprises a locking device (42). The locking device (42) comprises at least one engagement portion (48) for engagement with the drive unit (22) and a handle portion (46) for actuating the locking device (42), wherein the locking device (42) is mounted in a receiving space (34) such that the locking device (42) is pivotable around a pivot axis (P) between a locked position, in which the drive unit (22) is secured against movement in a removal direction (R) by the locking device (42), and an assembly position, in which the drive unit (22) may be removed from the receiving space (34). In the assembly position, the engagement portion (48) extends downward and the handle portion (46) extends upward. Further, an adjustable piece of furniture (10) is provided.

Description

[0001] The invention concerns an adjustable base frame for a piece of furniture and an adjustable piece of furniture having such an adjustable base frame.

[0002] For adjustable, e.g. height-adjustable furniture, it is known to provide the piece of furniture with a base frame having a support attached to the top part of the furniture and a column that is removable from the support.

[0003] For efficient shipping, the column is usually shipped separately from the rest of the furniture so that a customer or a service technician at the site of the customer has to attach the column to the support.

[0004] In order to do so quickly and efficiently, systems that are assembled without tools are known. In such systems, it is important that the columns do not accidentally detach from the support so that the columns have to be secured against accidental release.

[0005] It is thus an object of the invention to provide an adjustable base frame and a piece of furniture that allow an easy assembly and a reliable way of securing the column against accidental release.For this purpose, an adjustable base frame for a piece of furniture is provided. The base frame has a column and a support. The column comprises a drive unit and a height-adjustable leg extending from the drive unit, wherein the support comprises a locking device. The locking device comprises at least one engagement portion for engagement with the drive unit and a handle portion for actuating the locking device. The locking device is mounted in a receiving space such that the locking device is pivotable around a pivot axis between a locked position, in which the drive unit is secured against movement in a removal direction by the locking device, and an assembly position, in which the drive unit may be removed from the receiving space. In the assembly position, the engagement portion extends downward and the handle portion extends upward.

[0006] By providing a locking device that engages with the column it is guaranteed that the column is secured against movement in a removal direction and thus accidental release.

[0007] Further, due to the handle portion of the locking device being oriented upward in the assembly position, i.e. the unlocked position, accidental movements of the locking device that are caused by gravity (for example caused by vibrations of the locking device during use of the furniture) that would transfer the locking device into the assembly position are not possible. In this way, the base frame is easy and efficiently assembled without compromising safety.

[0008] Within this disclosure, the directions refer to the base frame or furniture when fully set up and placed upright on the ground.

[0009] The removal direction is for example horizontally and / or in the transverse direction.The directions "downward" and "upward" of the orientation of the portions of the locking device are to be understood with respect to the pivot axis and / or mounting protrusions.

[0010] For example, the receiving space is open downward.

[0011] The locking device is in particular actuated manually.

[0012] For ease of actuation, the pivot axis may extend horizontally or in an angle to a horizontal direction of less than 10°; and / or the pivot axis may be fixed.

[0013] The pivot axis may extend perpendicular to the transverse direction.

[0014] To reduce vibration, in the locked position of the locking device, the at least one engagement portion may be engaged with the drive unit, in particular a housing of the drive unit, and / or the engagement portion and the handle portion extend horizontally.

[0015] In an embodiment, the handle portion in the locked position is located further downward than in the assembly position and / or the direction of movement of the handle portion for transferring the locking device from the assembly position into the locked position has a downward component, further improving the reliability of the locking device.

[0016] In particular, in the locked position, the engagement portion extends toward the drive unit and / or the handle portion extends away from the drive unit.

[0017] In order to simplify the construction, the handle portion and the engagement portion may be rigidly connected to one another, in particular the locking device is a single piece.

[0018] The locking device may have a U-shape with the handle portion being the base of the U-shape and the engaging portions being the ends of the flanks of the U-shape.In an embodiment, the support comprises a securing element and the receiving space has an upper boundary, wherein, when the locking device is in the locked position, the securing element is located between the handle portion and the upper boundary of the receiving space such that the securing element prevents the handle portion from moving upward, in particular wherein a lower side of the securing element is in contact with the handle portion and an upper side of the securing element is in contact with the upper boundary of the receiving space. By means of the securing element, the protection against accidental release is improved further.

[0019] For example, the upper boundary may be part of a component of the support or a top part of the piece of furniture, like a table top.

[0020] The securing element may be a rigid body, for example a hollow body or a solid body. The securing element may be of plastic.

[0021] To simplify the assembly further, the column may comprise a cable, in particular a power cable for the drive unit, wherein the cable extends through the securing element, in particular wherein the securing element comprises two half-shells connected around a portion of the cable.

[0022] For example, the securing element is positioned on the cable such that the cable rests above the handle portion when the locking element is in the locked position and the cable is connected to the drive unit.

[0023] In an embodiment, the securing element covers at least a section of the cable having a distance from a first end of the cable corresponding to the distance between a connector of the drive unit for the cable and the handle portion, when the locking device is in the locked position. This way, the reliability that the securing element rests in the clearance between handle portion and upper boundary is further improved.For example, the cable comprises a first connector and the drive unit comprises a corresponding second connector. The first end of cable may be a connecting surface of the first connector. The first end of the cable is in particular configured to be attached to the drive unit.

[0024] In an aspect, the support comprises attachment means and the column comprises attachment means, wherein the attachment means of the support and the attachment means of the column are configured to cooperate with one another to attach the column to the support, in particular without the need for tools, further simplifying the assembly process.

[0025] For a secure and stable fixation, the attachment means of the support may have a first pair of attachment means and a second pair of attachment means, and the attachment means of the column may have a first pair of attachment means and a second pair of attachment means, in particular wherein in the transverse direction the first pair of attachment means of the support and / or of the column is located closer to the center of the base frame than the second pair of attachment means of the support and / or of the column.

[0026] In an embodiment, the receiving space comprises a first side wall and a second side wall opposite the first side wall, both side walls extending in a transverse direction, wherein the attachment means of the support are provided on the side walls, in particular wherein of each pair of attachment means of the support one of the attachment means is located at the first side wall and the other one is located at the second side wall. This way, the attachment means can be provided cost efficiently.

[0027] "Opposite" is to be understood in this context with respect to the receiving space.

[0028] For a reliable and easy to use form of attachment means, the attachment means of the support may be grooves and the attachment means of the columnmay be protrusions, in particular pins, engaging in the grooves, or vice versa, wherein the grooves may have a first section and a second section each.

[0029] For example, the second section overlaps at its first end with the second end of the first section, in particular wherein the second end of the second section is closed and / or the first end of the first section is open for reception of the respective protrusion, providing a secure fixation.

[0030] The second section may extend from its first end outward and / or the first section may extend from its first end downward, when the grooves are part of the attachment means of the support. If the grooves are part of the attachment means of the column, the second section may extend from its first end inward and / or the first section may extend from its first end upward.

[0031] In an embodiment, the first section extends predominantly in the vertical direction and / or the second section extends predominantly in the transverse direction, simplifying the insertion motion.

[0032] "Extending predominantly in a direction" means within this disclosure in particular that the largest component of the distance between the first end of the respective section and the second end of the respective section extends in the indicated direction.

[0033] To allow the column to be rotated as part of the assembly motion, the first section of the grooves of the second pair of attachment means may be arched, and / or the second end of the first section of the grooves of the second pair of attachment means may be located further outward than the first end of the first section of the grooves of the second pair of attachment means. This aspect is an independent aspect of the invention. It allows a tilting movement during assembly independently of the design and movement of the locking device.The center of the arch may lie transversally toward the respective groove of the first pair of attachment means and / or between the respective grooves on the same side of the receiving space.

[0034] In order to increase safety already during assembly, the protrusions of the first pair of attachment means may have a protrusion distance in the transverse direction to the second pair of attachment means, and the grooves may have a groove distance being the distance in the transverse direction between the second end of the first section of the grooves of the first pair of attachment means to the second end of the first section of the grooves of the second pair of attachment means, wherein the groove distance may be larger than the protrusion distance.

[0035] In an embodiment, when, during assembly, the protrusions of the second pair of attachment means are located at the end of the first section of the respective groove, the protrusions of the first pair of attachment means have moved from the first end toward the second end of the second section of the respective groove, securing the edge of the drive unit associated with the first pair already to the support.

[0036] To achieve a very stable base frame, the support may comprise two beams extending in the transverse direction, the beams being spaced apart perpendicular to the transverse direction, wherein the receiving space may be formed between the beams, in particular wherein the first side wall is a wall facing the receiving space of one of the beams and the second side wall is a wall facing the receiving space of the other one of the beams.

[0037] The beams define receiving space, for example.

[0038] For the above-mentioned purpose, it is further provided an adjustable piece of furniture, in particular a table. The piece of furniture comprises an adjustablebase frame as described above and a top part, in particular a table top, wherein the top part is support by the base frame.

[0039] The features and advantages described with respect to the base frame also apply to the piece of furniture and vice versa.

[0040] In an embodiment, the top part closes the receiving space upward forming the upper boundary of the receiving space, in particular wherein, when the locking device is in the locked position, the securing element is located between the handle portion and the top part such that the securing element prevents the handle portion from moving upward. This way, a very safe piece of furniture is obtained.

[0041] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following description as well as the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings:

[0042] Fig. 1 shows an adjustable piece of furniture according to an embodiment of the invention with an adjustable base frame according to an embodiment of the invention in a perspective bottom view,

[0043] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the piece of furniture according to Figure 1 with a detached column,

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a further enlarged view of Figure 2,

[0045] Fig. 4 shows the same view as Figure 3 but with a column being inserted into the support of the base frame,

[0046] Fig. 5, 6, 7, 8 show a schematic sectional view of a portion of the base frame according to Figure 1 in various positions during insertion of a column into the support,Fig. 9, 10, 11 show a perspective view similar to that of Figure 4, in three steps during insertion of the column into the support,

[0047] Fig. 12 shows an enlarged perspective view of a locking device, cable and securing element in the fully assembled position, and

[0048] Fig. 13 shows a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the piece of furniture in a transport state.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a piece of furniture 10 in a fully assembled state in a perspective bottom view.

[0050] The piece of furniture 10 has a base frame 12 and a top part 14 being mounted on and supported by the base frame 12.

[0051] The base frame 12 is adjustable in the sense that the height of the base frame 12 and with that the height of the top part 14 is automatically adjustable. As such, the piece of furniture 10 as a whole is adjustable.

[0052] For example, as in the shown embodiment, the piece of furniture 10 is a table and the top part 14 is a table top.

[0053] Within this disclosure, directions like “upward”, “downward”, “vertically”, “horizontally”, and “transversal” are used which refer to the directions of the piece of furniture 10 in its fully assembled and upright position. For example, downward means toward the ground. It is to be noted that in all of the Figures, the piece of furniture 10 is shown from below, meaning that in the Figures upward is in fact downward.

[0054] In another example, “transversal” or “transverse direction” describes the transverse direction T of the piece of furniture 10, in this case in a view of a user of the table sitting on one of the longer edges of the table.The base frame 12 comprises a support 16, at least one column 18 and a control unit 19.

[0055] In the shown embodiment, the base frame 12 comprises two columns 18 arranged in particular on opposite ends of the top part 14, i.e. the table top.

[0056] The columns 18 are telescopic support columns so that they are height-adjustable.

[0057] Each of the columns 18 comprises a height-adjustable leg 20 and a drive unit 22.

[0058] For example, the drive unit 22 comprises a housing 24 in which an actuator is located.

[0059] The leg 20 is attached to the drive unit 22 and extends, in the fully assembled position, downward from the drive unit 22, in particular the housing 24.

[0060] The column 18 further comprises a cable 26, in particular a power cable, for the drive unit 22.

[0061] The cable 26 extends from the control unit 19 to the drive unit 22 and is attached, e.g. plugged-in, into the drive unit 22 as well as into the control unit 19.

[0062] In Figure 1, the cable 26 is not shown as plugged-in into the control unit 19 so that the piece of furniture 10 is not entirely fully assembled with respect to this aspect.

[0063] For a full assembly, the cable 26 would have to be plugged-in into the control unit 19 and the control unit 19 would have to be connected to a power source, e.g. a power outlet.The cable 26 comprises a first end having a first connector 28 (best seen in Figure 12) and the drive unit 22 comprises a second connector 30 (best seen in Figure 10), in particular a socket.

[0064] The first connector 28 and the second connector 30 are complimentary to another so that they can easily be attached to one another.

[0065] Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of one of the transversal ends of the piece of furniture 10, whereas the column 18 is detached from the support 16. Figure 3 shows a further enlarged view of Figure 2 without the column 18.

[0066] The support 16 comprises two beams 32 extending transversally and being attached to the top part 14. In the longitudinal direction L, i.e. the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transverse direction T, the beams 32 are spaced apart from one another by a distance.

[0067] In the shown example, the beams 32 have a rectangular cross-section. It is conceivable that a cross-section has any other shape, for example a circular or a triangular shape.

[0068] Further, the beams 32 run parallel to each other so that each beam 32 has a side wall facing the other beam 32.

[0069] Between the beams 32, a receiving space 34 is thus defined in the longitudinal direction L. The receiving space 34 has a first side wall 36, being the side wall facing the receiving space 34 of one of the beams 32, and a second side wall 38, being the side wall facing the receiving space 34 of the other one of the two beams 32.

[0070] The receiving space 34 further has an upper boundary 40 being a surface of the top part 14 to which the base frame 12 is attached. In the shown embodiment, the top part 14 is the table top so that the upper boundary 40 is the lower surface of the table top.Thus, the receiving space 34 is closed at its top but open at its bottom.

[0071] It is also conceivable that the support 16 does not comprise two separate beams 32 but one profile, e.g. a U-shaped profile, forming the receiving space 34 with its side walls 36, 38 and its upper boundary 40.

[0072] The support 16 further comprises a locking device 42 and a securing element 44.

[0073] The locking device 42 has a handle portion 46 and at least one engagement portion 48.

[0074] For example, as in the shown embodiment, the locking device 42 has two engagement portions 48 that are rigidly attached to the handle portion 46. The entire locking device 42 is of a single piece.

[0075] For example, the locking device 42 has a U- shape, wherein the handle portion 46 being the base of the U-shape and the engagement portions 48 the end regions of the flanks of the U-shape.

[0076] The locking device 42 is mounted pivotally in the receiving space 34.

[0077] For example, as in the shown embodiment, the locking device 42 is pivotally attached to both side walls 36, 38 of the receiving space 34. To this end, the locking device 42 has mounting protrusions 50 located at the outer sides of the U-shape (best seen in Figure 12).

[0078] At the mounting protrusions 50, the engagement portions 48 merge with the handle portion 46.

[0079] The mounting protrusions 50 engage in corresponding holes in the side walls 36, 38 so that the locking device 42 can pivot around a pivot axis P.

[0080] The holes in the side walls 36, 38 are separate from the grooves 58.The pivot axis P extends horizontally and perpendicular to the transverse direction T.

[0081] The pivot axis P is fixed in placed, e.g. as the holes in the side walls 36, 38 are circular.

[0082] The pivot axis P may extend in an angle of less than 10° to the horizontal direction.

[0083] The handle portion 46 may have an ergonomic shape for manual actuation.

[0084] The locking device 42 may assume an assembly position and a locked position.

[0085] In the assembly position, i.e. the position for inserting the column 18 into the receiving space 34, the locking device 42 is upright.

[0086] In the assembly position, the handle portion 46 extends from the pivot axis P and thus the mounting protrusions 50 upward and the engagement portions 48 extend from the pivot axis P and thus the mounting protrusions 50 downward.

[0087] For transferring the locking device 42 from the assembly position into the locked position, the handle portion 46 is moved downward, in particular by manual actuation.

[0088] In the locked position, the locking device 42 is, for example, rotated by 90° with respect to the assembly position.

[0089] The locking device 42 extends horizontally meaning that also the engagement portion 48 and the handle portion 46 extend horizontally. The locked position is, for example, shown in Figure 9.

[0090] Thus, in the locked position, the handle portion 46 has been moved downward as compared to the assembly position.The securing element 44 is for example, as in the shown embodiment, made out of two half-shells that enclose a portion of the cable 26 between them. In particular, the securing element 44 is fixed such that it is immovable with respect to the cable 26.

[0091] The securing element 44 has a height corresponding to the height of the clearance between the handle portion 46 and the upper boundary 40 of the receiving space 34, when the locking device 42 is in its locked position.

[0092] The securing element 44 is fixed to the cable 26 in a way that the securing element 44 covers at least a certain section of the cable 26. This certain section of the cable 26 has a distance from the first end of the cable 26, e.g. an active surface of the first connector 28, that corresponds to the distance of the second connector 30 of the drive unit 22 to the handle portion 46 of the locking device 42 when the locking device 42 is in its locked position.

[0093] It is also conceivable that the securing element 44 is a rigid body, for example a hollow body or a solid body. The securing element 44 may be of plastics.

[0094] For securing the column 18 to the support 16, the support 16 comprises attachment means 52 and the column 18 also comprises attachment means 54. For example, the attachment means 54 of the column 18 are protrusions 56, for example pins, extending from the housing 24 of the drive unit 22 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0095] The attachment means 52 of the support 16 and the attachment means 54 of the column 18 are configured to cooperate with one another, i.e. the protrusions 56 are configured to be inserted into the grooves 58. When the attachment means 52, 54 are engaged with one another, the column 18 is attached to the support 16.

[0096] The attachment means 52 of the support 16 are grooves 58 located in the first side wall 36 and the second side wall 38 of the receiving space 34.It is also conceivable that the attachment means 54 of the column 18 are grooves 58, for example in the housing 24 of the drive unit 22, and that the attachment means 52 of the support 16 are protrusions, for example protrusions of the side walls 36, 38 extending into the receiving space 34.

[0097] In the following, only the case with the attachment means 52 of the support 16 being grooves 58 and the attachment means 54 of the column 18 being protrusions 56 is discussed, without limiting the scope of the invention.

[0098] For example, there are four protrusions 56 and four grooves 58, wherein two of the grooves 58 opposite one another across the receiving space 34 and the associated protrusions 56 form a first pair 53 of attachment means 52 of the support 16 and a first pair 53 of attachment means 54 of the column 18, respectively. Likewise, the other two of the grooves 58 lying opposite across the receiving space 34 and the associated protrusions 56 form a second pair 55 of attachment means 52 of the support 16 and a second pair 55 of attachment means 54 of the column 18, respectively.

[0099] For ease of reference, the attachment means 52, 54 of the support 16 and the column 18 of the first pair 53 or the second pair 55 are referred to as attachment means 52, 54 of the respective pair 53, 55.

[0100] The first pair 53 of attachment means 52, 54 is located closer to the center in the transverse direction T of the base frame 12 than the second pair 55 of attachment means 52, 54. The grooves 58 of the first pair 53 of attachment means 52 have the same shape and the grooves 58 of the second pair 55 of attachment means 52 also have the same shape.

[0101] Thus, in the following, only one of the grooves 58 of each pair of attachment means 52 is described in the following.

[0102] The protrusions 56 extend from the housing 24 of the drive unit 22, wherein two protrusions 56, one of each pair 53, 55, are located on the same side.The protrusions 56 are immovably fixed at the housing 24.

[0103] The protrusions 56 of the first pair 53 of attachment means 54 are positioned in a distance to the protrusions 56 of the second pair 55 of the attachment means 54 on the same side in a distance, called protrusion distance di in the transverse direction T (when in the fully assembled position).

[0104] The grooves 58 of the attachment means 52 have a first section 60 and a second section 62. Both sections 60, 62 have a first end and a second end.

[0105] The first section 60 extends from the lower side of the respective beam 32 upward. Thus, the first end is open downwardly to receive one of the protrusions 56.

[0106] The first section 60 extends predominately vertically upward, meaning that the larger of the components of the direction of the groove 58 is in the vertical direction V, for example.

[0107] In the shown example (best seen in Figures 5 to 8), the first section 60 of the first pair 53 of attachment means 52 extends fully vertically.

[0108] At the second end of the first section 60, the first section 60 overlaps with the first end of the second section 62.

[0109] The second section 62 extends horizontally, in the transverse direction T outwards.

[0110] At the second end, the second section 62 is closed, forming a stop for the protrusion 56.

[0111] For example, the second section 62 runs fully horizontally and not only predominant horizontally.

[0112] The grooves 58 of the second pair 55 of attachment means 52 differ from the grooves 58 of the first pair 53 of attachment means 52 in that the second endof the first section 60 is located further outward than the first end of the first section of the respective groove 58. Nevertheless, the first section 60 still extends predominantly in the vertical direction V.

[0113] The first section 60 of the grooves 58 of the second pair 55 of attachment means 52 may be arched, as in the shown embodiment. The center point of the arch lies inwardly, i.e. toward the grooves 58 of the first pair 53 of attachment means 52.

[0114] The grooves 58 of the second pair 55 of attachment means 52 also differ from the grooves 58 of the first pair 53 in that the second section 62 is shorter in the transverse direction T than the second section 62 of the grooves 58 of the first pair 53 of attachment means 52.

[0115] The grooves 58 on the same side of the receiving space 34 but of the different pairs 53, 55 have a distance in the transverse direction T, called groove distance d , that is the distance between the second ends of the first sections 60 of the grooves 58 on the same side of the receiving space 34.

[0116] The groove distance d is larger than the protrusion distance di.

[0117] In the following, the process of attaching the column 18 to the support 16 and the corresponding assembly motion is shown with respect to Figures 4 to 11 showing different views and different steps during the process.

[0118] In the sectional views of Figures 5 to 8, the drive unit 22 is only indicated as a square for simplification, and the leg 20 is not shown.

[0119] Figures 4 and 5 show the same position in which the column 18 has entered the receiving space 34.

[0120] As can be seen, the drive unit 22, in particular the housing 24, is tilted with respect to the beams 32 so that the inner and with that the first pair 53 of attachment means 54 are inserted into the receiving space 34 at first.The protrusions 56 of the first pair 53 have engaged in the grooves 58 the first pair 53, more precisely in the first section 60 of the respective grooves 58.

[0121] Then, the column 18 is moved upward so that the protrusions 56 of the first pair 53 move to the second end of the first section 60 of the grooves 58 of the first pair 53.

[0122] Then, the column 18 is rotated around an axis through the protrusions 56 of the first pair 53 of attachment means 54 so that the protrusion 56 of the second pair 55 of attachment means 54 of the column 18 enters the grooves 58 of the second pair 55 of attachment means 52 of the support 16 until the protrusions 56 of the second pair 55 reach the end of the first section 60, as depicted in Figure 7.

[0123] During the rotational movement of the assembly motion, due to the groove distance d being larger than the protrusion distance di, the protrusions 56 of the first pair 53 have moved from the first end of the second section 62 of the respective groove 58 further toward the second end of the respective second section 62 as seen in Figure 7. As a result, the protrusion 56 of the first pair 53 cannot be moved downward anymore so that the inner edge of the drive unit 22 is already secured to the support 16.

[0124] Then, the drive unit 22 is moved in the transverse direction T outwardly until the protrusions 56 of the first and second pair reach the end of the second section 62 of the respective groove 58, i.e. they hit the stop formed by the second section 62, as seen in Figure 8.

[0125] In this position, the drive unit 22 cannot be moved downward anymore but only in the transverse direction T inwardly, which is the removal direction R in the shown embodiment.The removal direction R corresponds to the direction in which the column 18 has to be moved at first when detaching the column 18 from the fully assembled state from the support 16.

[0126] Figure 9 shows the same situation as Figure 8, but in a perspective view. As can be seen, the locking device 42 is still in its assembly position.

[0127] In a next step, the locking device 42 is brought into its locked position by pulling the handle portion 46 downward. This is particularly done manually. In doing so, the engagement portions 48 rotate against the drive unit 22, more precisely the inner side of the housing 24, and prevent the drive unit 22 from moving in the removal direction R.

[0128] The engagement portions 48 in this locked position extend toward the drive unit 22 and the handle portion 46 extends away from the drive unit 22.

[0129] This situation is shown in Figure 10.

[0130] The rotation of the locking device 42 may be limited by stopping protrusions 64 on the side of the engagement portions 48 extending outwardly and engaging with a step in the opening of the grooves 58 of the first pair 53.

[0131] Then, to reach the fully assembled state, the cable 26 is plugged into the drive unit 22.

[0132] As can be seen in Figure 10, a clearance is formed between the upper side of the handle portion 46 and the lower side of the upper boundary 40 of the receiving space 34, e.g. the table top.

[0133] Through this clearance, the cable 26 is moved and plugged into the respective connector 30 of the drive unit 22 in order to electrically connect the drive unit 22 to the control unit 19.In doing so, the securing element 44 is moved into the clearance between the handle portion 46 and the upper boundary 40 such the lower side of the securing element 44 is in contact with the handle portion 46 and the upper side of the securing element 44 is in contact with the upper boundary 40.

[0134] The securing element 44 thus rests above the handle portion 46, as shown in an enlarged view in Figure 12. To this end, the upper side of the handle portion 46 may have a groove having the same shape as the securing element 44.

[0135] Once the cable 26 is plugged-in and thus the securing element 44 is in place, it is not possible to move the handle portion 46 at all, in particular upward. As such, the locking device 42 cannot be brought into the assembly position and it is secured against accidental release.

[0136] Thus, by virtue of placing the securing element 44 at the cable 26, the locking device 42 is secured against accidental release automatically when the cable 26 is plugged into the drive unit 22.

[0137] For example, due to the stiffness of the cable 26 and the securing element 44 is it not possible to attach the cable 26 to the drive unit 22 other than through the clearance between the handle portion 46 and the upper boundary 40.

[0138] Thus, a poka-yoke type safety feature is provided.

[0139] Further, the entire assembly of the column 18 at the support 16 is done without tools.

[0140] Figure 13 shows, as an example only, a transport position of the piece of furniture 10. In this position, the column 18 is folded flat on the support 16, e.g. the leg 20 extends parallel to the beams 32 and / or the table top.

[0141] The protrusions 56 of the first pair 53 are engaged in the grooves 58 of the first pair 53 already so that a position similar to that of Figure 6 (but with amore tilted drive unit 22) is assumed. For assembling the piece of furniture 10, only the leg 20 needs to be tilted upright, the locking device 42 needs to be rotated and the cable 26 needs to be connected to the drive unit 22. Thus, the piece of furniture 10 can be assembled in a very simple fashion.

Claims

Claims1. Adjustable base frame for a piece of furniture (10), in particular a table, comprising a column (18) and a support (16),wherein the column (18) comprises a drive unit (22) and a height-adjustable leg (20) extending from the drive unit (22),wherein the support (16) comprises a locking device (42) and the support (16) defines a receiving space (34) for the drive unit (22), wherein in the assembled position of the base frame (12), the drive unit (22) is located in the receiving space (34) and the leg (20) extends downward,wherein the locking device (42) comprises at least one engagement portion (48) for engagement with the drive unit (22) and a handle portion (46) for actuating the locking device (42),wherein the locking device (42) is mounted in the receiving space (34) such that the locking device (42) is pivotable around a pivot axis (P) between a locked position, in which the drive unit (22) is secured against movement in a removal direction (R) by the locking device (42), and an assembly position, in which the drive unit (22) may be removed from the receiving space (34), andwherein in the assembly position, the engagement portion (48) extends downward and the handle portion (46) extends upward.

2. Base frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis (P) extends horizontally or in an angle to a horizontal direction of less than 10°; and / or in that the pivot axis (P) is fixed.

3. Base frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the locked position of the locking device (42), the at least one engagement portion (48) engages with the drive unit (22), in particular a housing of the drive unit (22), and / or the engagement portion (48) and the handle portion (46) extend horizontally.

4. Base frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle portion (46) in the locked position is located further downward than in the assembly position; and / or in that the direction of movement of the handle portion (46) for transferring the locking device (42) from the assembly position into the locked position has a downward component.

5. Base frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle portion (46) and the engagement portion (48) are rigidly connected to one another, in particular the locking device (42) is a single piece.

6. Base frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (16) comprises a securing element (44) and the receiving space (34) has an upper boundary (40), wherein, when the locking device (42) is in the locked position, the securing element (44) is located between the handle portion (46) and the upper boundary (40) of the receiving space (34) such that the securing element (44) prevents the handle portion (46) from moving upward, in particular wherein a lower side of the securing element (44) is in contact with the handle portion (46) and an upper side of the securing element (44) is in contact with the upper boundary (40) of the receiving space (34).

7. Base frame according to claim 6, characterized in that the column (18) comprises a cable (26), in particular a power cable for the drive unit (22), wherein the cable (26) extends through the securing element (44), in particular wherein the securing element (44) comprises two half-shells connected around a portion of the cable (26).

8. Base frame according to claim 7, characterized in that the securing element (44) covers at least a section of the cable (26) having a distance from a first end of the cable (26) corresponding to the distance between a connector of the drive unit (22) for the cable (26) and the handle portion (46), when the locking device (42) is in the locked position.

9. Base frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (16) comprises attachment means (52) and the column (18) comprises attachment means (54), wherein the attachment means (52) of the support (16) and the attachment means (54) of the column (18) are configured to cooperate with one another to attach the column (18) to the support (16), in particular without the need for tools.

10. Base frame according to claim 9, characterized in that the attachment means (52) of the support (16) have a first pair (53) of attachment means and a second pair (55) of attachment means, and the attachment means (54) of the column (18) have a first pair (53) of attachment means and a second pair (55) of attachment means, in particular wherein in the transverse direction (T) the first pair (53) of attachment means (52) of the support (16) and / or of the column (18) is located closer to the center of the base frame (12) than the second pair (55) of attachment means (52) of the support (16) and / or of the column (18).

11. Base frame according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the receiving space (34) comprises a first side wall (36) and a second side wall (38) opposite the first side wall (36), both side walls (36, 38) extending in a transverse direction (T), wherein the attachment means (52) of the support (16) are provided on the side walls (36, 38), in particular wherein of each pair (53, 55) of attachment means (52) of the support (16) one of the attachment means (52) is located at the first side wall (36) and the other one is located at the second side wall (38).

12. Base frame according to any of the claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the attachment means (52) of the support (16) are grooves (58) and the attachment means (54) of the column (18) are protrusions (56), in particular pins, engaging in the grooves (58), or vice versa, wherein the grooves (58) have a first section (60) and a second section (62) each.

13. Base frame according to claim 12, characterized in that the second section (62) overlaps at its first end with the second end of the first section (60), in particular wherein the second end of the second section (62) is closed and / or the first end of the first section (60) is open for reception of the respective protrusion (56).

14. Base frame according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first section (60) extends predominantly in the vertical direction (V) and / or the second section (62) extends predominantly in the transverse direction (T).

15. Base frame according to any of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the first section (60) of the grooves (58) of the second pair (55) of attachment means is arched and / or the second end of the first section (60) of the grooves (58) of the second pair (55) of attachment means is located further outward than the first end of the first section (60) of the grooves (58) of the second pair (55) of attachment means.

16. Base frame according to any of the claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the protrusions (56) of the first pair (53) of attachment means have a protrusion distance (di) in the transverse direction (T) to the second pair (55) attachment means, and the grooves (58) have a groove distance (di) being the distance in the transverse direction (T) between the second end of the first section (60) of the grooves (58) of the first pair (53) of attachment means to the second end of the first section (60) of the grooves (58) of the second pair (55) of attachment means, wherein the groove distance (d ) is larger than the protrusion distance (di).

17. Base frame according to claim 16, characterized in that, when, during assembly, the protrusions (56) of the second pair (55) of attachment means are located at the end of the first section (60) of the respective groove (58), the protrusions (56) of the first pair (53) of attachment means have moved from the first end toward the second end of the second section (62) of the respective groove (58).

18. Base frame according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (16) comprises two beams (32) extending in the transverse direction (T), the beams (32) being spaced apart perpendicular to the transverse direction (T), wherein the receiving space (34) is formed between the beams (32), in particular wherein the first side wall (36) is a wall facing the receiving space (34) of one of the beams (32) and the second side wall (38) is a wall facing the receiving space (34) of the other one of the beams (32).

19. Adjustable piece of furniture, in particular a table, comprising an adjustable base frame (12) according to any of the preceding claims and a top part (14), in particular a table top, wherein the top part (14) is supported by the base frame (12).

20. Adjustable piece of furniture according to claim 19, characterized in that the top part (14) closes the receiving space (34) upward forming the upper boundary (40) of the receiving space (34), in particular wherein, when the locking device (42) is in the locked position, the securing element (44) is located between the handle portion (46) and the top part (14) such that the securing element (44) prevents the handle portion (46) from moving upward.

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