Adjustable table with worksurface having write-on surface adapted for use as projection screen

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6354227
  • Patent Number
    6,354,227
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, January 11, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 12, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
A portable table including a vertically adjustable upright support, a worksurface connected to the upright support and a one-way locking apparatus engagable with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position. While the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, the upright support is only upwardly vertically adjustable. The one-way locking apparatus disengages from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and reengages with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to tables, and in particular to a table with an adjustable worksurface that can be used as a write-on surface and a projection screen.




Tables with worksurfaces are used for a wide variety of applications, such as for computer desks, drafting tables, etc. Often worksurfaces are made to be angularly and vertically adjustable in order to fit the particular height and need of a user. Separately, vertical surfaces can be used for chalkboards, markerboards and projection screens.




Heretofore, many worksurfaces on tables are made to be vertically and angularly adjustable by manually-operated levers, brakes or ratcheting latches. Often the levers must be operated by a user in order to lock the worksurface in position, such as to force a pin connected to the lever into a hole in one telescoping leg of the table. Alternatively, a brake or ratcheting latch is sometimes used to lock the worksurface in a vertically adjustable level. If a brake is used by screwing the brake into contact with one telescoping leg of a table through a hole in the other telescoping leg of a table, the worksurface has a tendency to lower as the brake becomes loose or unscrewed. If levers or ratcheting latches are used, the worksurface can only be raised or lowered to a predetermined level of the ratchet or hole in the leg. In all of the above mechanisms, the operator must manipulate the adjustment device to both lock and unlock the worksurface. This can be inconvenient to the operator, particularly where the adjustment mechanism is in a hidden position for aesthetics, or where the adjustment motion is not intuitive or obvious to the operator. These tables tend to be very heavy and bulky because of all of the working parts. Furthermore, the adjustable elements can be expensive. Finally, the tables with adjustable worksurfaces are occasionally limited to particular tasks.




Accordingly, an apparatus solving the aforementioned disadvantages and having the aforementioned advantages is desired.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




One aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable table including a vertically adjustable upright support, a worksurface connected to the upright support and a one-way locking apparatus engagable with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position. While the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, the upright support is only upwardly vertically adjustable. The one-way locking apparatus disengages from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and reengages with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position.




Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable table having a vertically adjustable upright support and a translucent planar member pivotally connected to the upright support. An extendable locking device is pivotally connected to the upright support and to the angularly adjustable worksurface for locking the angularly adjustable worksurface in an angularly adjustable position.




Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a worksurface having a translucent panel with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface has a surface finish configured to be used as a projection screen and a first erasable marker board. The first surface is further configured to reflect a first projected image to be viewed on the projection screen and the translucent panel is additionally configured to transmit the first projected image through the translucent panel to be viewed from the second surface on the projection screen.




The objects of the present invention include providing a table that can be easily adjusted. Another object is to provide a table that is highly portable with many uses. The table provides a self-locking vertically adjustable worksurface. Therefore, the table has few parts that a user has to handle in order to vertically and angularly adjust the table. The table also provides a worksurface that can be raised and angularly adjusted at infinitely small increments. The table further provides a worksurface that doubles as a projection screen and a markerboard that can be written upon with dry erase markers. The table also provides a worksurface that can be angularly and vertically adjusted simultaneously, with the worksurface automatically locking into place when the worksurface is released. The worksurface provides a first surface and a second surface that can be positioned between two work spaces and can be used at different times by the same or different groups of people. The vertically and angularly adjusting table is efficient in use, economical to manufacture, capable of a long operable life, and particularly adapted for the proposed use.




These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a vertically and angularly adjustable table embodying the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a side view of the vertically and angularly adjustable table of the present invention with the worksurface in a vertical position.





FIG. 3

is a front view of the vertically and angularly adjustable table of the present invention with the worksurface in the vertical position.





FIG. 4

is side view of the vertically and angularly adjustable table of the present invention with the worksurface in a horizontal position.





FIG. 5

is an exploded view of a portion of the upright support with a sheath and the side of an outer tube removed to reveal a locking apparatus of the present invention.





FIG. 6

is a side view of a top portion of the upright support with the sheath and the side of the outer tube removed to reveal the locking apparatus of the present invention.





FIG. 7

is a side view of the top portion of the upright support with the worksurface in a vertically raised position and with the sheath and the side of the outer tube removed to reveal the locking apparatus of the present invention.





FIG. 8

is a side view of the top portion of the upright support of the present invention wherein fins are moving through a wedge and with the sheath and the side of the outer tube removed to reveal internal construction.





FIG. 9

is a side view of the top portion of the upright support of the present invention wherein fins are engaging a wedge pin and with the sheath and the side of the outer tube removed to reveal internal construction.





FIG. 10

is a side view of the top portion of the upright support of the present invention wherein a vertical reset is engaging a wedge pin and with the sheath and the side of the outer tube removed to reveal internal construction.





FIG. 11

is an isometric view of an inner tube guide of the present invention.





FIG. 12

is an isometric view of the wedge of the present invention.





FIG. 13

is a side view of a locking gas spring and an upper pivot of an extendible locking device of the present invention.





FIG. 14

is a front view of the locking gas spring and the upper pivot of an extendible locking device of the present invention.





FIG. 15

is a perspective view worksurface of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in FIG.


1


. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.




The reference number


10


(

FIG. 1

) generally designates a portable table embodying the present invention. The portable table


10


including a vertically adjustable upright support


12


, a worksurface


14


connected to the upright support


12


, and a one-way locking apparatus


16


(

FIGS. 5-10

) engagable with the upright support


12


for locking the upright support


12


in a vertically adjustable position. While the one-way locking apparatus


16


is engaged, the upright support


12


is only upwardly vertically adjustable. The one-way locking apparatus


16


disengages from the upright support


12


when the upright support


12


is fully extended (

FIG. 9

) and reengages with the upright support


12


when the upright support


12


is lowered to a lowest vertical position (FIG.


10


). As described in more detail below, an extendable locking device


18


can be pivotally connected the upright support


12


and to the worksurface


14


for locking the worksurface


14


in an angularly adjustable position.




The illustrated upright support


12


(

FIGS. 1-5

) has two substantially parallel feet


20


, preferably with floor-engaging castors


22


on the bottom of each of the two feet


20


. The two substantially parallel feet


20


could also have rubber stops at the bottom in order to protect the feet


20


and the ground from scratches and to keep the table


10


stationary. Two outer tubes


24


, one for each of the two feet


20


, project upward from a top surface


25


of the two feet


20


. Preferably between the two outer tubes


24


near the feet


20


is a lower brace


26


. The lower brace


26


is substantially perpendicular to the feet


20


and is connected to an inside periphery


28


of each of the outer tubes


24


for keeping the upright support


12


erect. It is contemplated, however, that upright support


12


could be made without the lower brace


26


. Around the outside of each of the outer tubes


24


are sheaths


30


. The sheaths


30


telescope with the outer tubes


24


and protect the one-way locking apparatus


16


, which will be described in more detail below. One of the sheaths


30


has a strap


32


connected to the extendable locking device


18


, which also will be described in more detail below. The strap


32


is a panel that projects past and is attached to a lower end of one of the side walls of one of the sheaths


30


. Connected to the tops of each the sheaths


30


is a worksurface support


34


. The worksurface supports


34


are substantially parallel to each other and to the feet


20


. The worksurface supports


34


each have a hinge


36


on the top of a first end


38


and a pad


40


at a second end


42


. The hinges


36


are connected to the worksurface


14


and allow the worksurface


14


to rotate relative to the upright support


12


. The pads


40


are substantially L-shaped, with one end of the pad


40


stuck into the second end


42


of the worksurface support


34


and one end of the pad


40


projecting upward. The pads


40


safely hold and support the worksurface


14


when the worksurface


14


is horizontal (FIG.


4


). Between the two worksurface supports


34


is an upper brace


44


. The upper brace


44


stabilizes the worksurface supports


34


and is connected to an inside periphery


46


of each of the worksurface supports


34


in the manner of the lower brace


26


. The feet


20


, the lower brace


26


, the sheaths


30


, the worksurface supports


34


and the upper brace


44


are preferably made out of metal tubes with a rectangular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated. The outer tubes


24


preferably have a U-shaped cross-section and an elongated U-shaped cover combining to give the outer tubes


24


a rectangular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated.




In the illustrated example, an inner tube


48


(

FIGS. 5-10

) telescopes with each of the outer tubes


24


. The inner tubes


48


have substantially the same, although smaller, cross-sections and are substantially the same length as the outer tubes


24


. The inner tubes


48


are held steady in the outer tube


48


with at least one inner tube guide


50


. Preferably, two inner tube guides


50


are located opposite each other near a top end


52


of each of the outer tubes


24


. The illustrated inner tube guides


50


(

FIG. 11

) are blocks with a vertical channel


54


, which has a width slightly larger than the width of the inner tubes


48


in order to allow the inner tubes


48


to slide vertically within the outer tubes


24


with little lateral movement. It is contemplated that the inner tube guides


50


could have other shapes. For example, the inner tube guides


50


could be annular with a circular inside face slightly larger than the diameter of the inner tubes


48


if the inner tubes


48


were circular.




Within each of the inner tubes


48


is a dampener or free gas spring


56


. The free gas spring


56


is connected at a first end


57


to a U-shaped connector


58


. The U-shaped connector


58


has two apertures


60


in each opposite wall


62


for connecting to the first end


57


of the free gas spring


56


. The U-shaped connector


58


is connected to the top surface


25


of the feet


20


within the inner tube


48


and the outer tube


26


. The free gas spring


56


is connected at a second end


63


to the inner tube


48


and to two substantially planar T-shaped connectors


64


. A pin


66


goes through a hole


68


in the bottom stem


70


of one of the two substantially planar T-shaped connectors


64


, through a hole in a wall of the inner tube


48


, through the second end


63


of the free gas spring


56


, through another hole in an opposite wall of the inner tube


48


and though a hole


68


in the bottom stem


70


of another one of the two substantially planar T-shaped connectors


62


. The tops


72


of the T-shaped connectors connect to the sides of the worksurface supports


34


thereby connecting the inner tubes


48


to the worksurface supports


34


. Therefore, when the worksurface


14


is raised, the inner tubes


48


will raise. The free gas spring


56


is an air filled tube that allows the inner tubes


48


to lower smoothly and easily by counterbalancing the downward descent of the inner tubes


48


when the one-way locking apparatus


16


is disengaged. Therefore, the free gas spring


56


incorporates damping for a downward stroke to prevent a free-fall situation of the worksurface


14


. The free gas spring


56


also counterbalances the weight of the inner tubes


48


and the worksurface against the pull of gravity, thereby allowing the inner tubes


48


to be adjusted upwardly with nearly a weightless feel.




In the illustrated example, the one-way locking apparatus


16


includes a wedge-engaging device


74


, a wedge


76


and the inner tube


48


. Each wedge-engaging device


74


sits atop one of the inner tube guides


50


. The illustrated wedge-engaging device


74


(

FIG. 12

) has a ledge


78


and a frictional surface


80


between two wing shaped sides


82


. The ledge


78


slopes upward at a small angle from the back of the wing shaped sides


82


near the outer tube


24


and near the top of the wing shaped sides


82


to about the center of the wing shaped sides


82


. The frictional surface


78


slopes downward from the ledge


78


near the center of the wing shaped sides


82


to the bottom of the wing shaped sides


82


near the inner tubes


24


. The frictional surface


78


therefore is adjacent the inner tube


48


. The wedge


76


is wedged between the frictional surface


80


and the inner tube


48


to hold the inner tube


48


, and therefore the upright support


12


is left in a vertically adjustable position. Preferably, the wedge


76


is a cylindrical roller. It is contemplated that wedge-engaging devices


74


and wedges


76


with different shapes can be employed. For example, if the inner tubes


48


and the outer tubes


24


are cylindrical, the wedges


76


can be spherical and the wedge-engaging devices


76


can be annular with the ledge


78


and the frictional surface


80


being conical.




As seen in

FIG. 6

, the inner tubes


48


, and therefore the upright support


12


, start at a lowest vertical position. As the worksurface


14


, worksurface supports


34


, T-shaped connectors


62


and inner tubes


48


are raised from the lowest vertical position, as seen in

FIG. 6

, to a vertically adjusted position as seen in

FIG. 7

, the wedges


74


will freely roll and allow the inner tube


48


to raise. Once the worksurface


14


is released, the inner tubes


48


will lower until the wedges


76


once again wedge into a space between the frictional surface


80


and the inner tube


48


. The inner tube


48


therefore will be able to stop at infinitely small increments. Furthermore, while the one-way locking apparatus


16


is engaged, the upright support


12


can only be upwardly vertically adjusted.




As seen in

FIGS. 8 and 9

, the one-way locking apparatus


16


disengages from the upright support


12


when the upright support


12


is fully extended and at least one fin


82


fixed on the inner tube


48


disengages the one-way locking apparatus


16


. The number of fINs


82


preferably equal the number of wedges


76


. In the illustrated example, the fins


82


are on outside opposite sides of each of the inner tubes


48


and are aligned with the inner tube guides


50


and the wedges


74


. The fins


82


pass through grooves


84


in the center of each of the channels


54


in the inner tube guides


50


and through canals


86


in the center of each of the frictional surfaces


80


of the wedges


74


. As a sloped top of the fins


82


come into contact with the wedge pins


76


, the wedge pins


76


are raised over the ledge


78


and rest upon the ledge


78


, thereby disengaging the one-way locking apparatus


16


. Therefore, the inner tube


24


and the upright support


12


can freely be lowered.




As seen in

FIG. 10

, the one-way locking apparatus


16


reengages with the upright support


12


when the upright support


12


is lowered to the lowest vertical position. The one-way locking apparatus


16


is reengaged when a reset flange


88


on the top of the inner tube


24


knocks the wedge pin


76


off of the ledge


78


and back into the space between the frictional surface


80


and the inner tube


24


, thereby reengaging the one-way locking apparatus


16


. The reset flange


88


is a panel attached to the top of the inner tubes


24


. The reset flange


88


has two side flaps


90


bent downward at an angle such that the side flaps


90


will push the wedge pins


76


between the frictional surface


80


and the inner tubes


24


when the inner tubes


24


are lowered to the lowest vertical position. It is contemplated that the reset flange


88


could be a downward depending conical skirt if inner tubes


48


and the outer tubes


24


are cylindrical. In the illustrated example, the sheaths


30


(

FIGS. 1-4

) cover the reset flange


88


and the bottom stem


70


of two opposite substantially planar T-shaped connectors


64


connected to one of the worksurface supports


34


. Notably, it is contemplated that the one-way locking apparatus


16


and telescoping upright support


12


can be used in other furniture to provide a low-cost vertical height adjustment mechanism, such as on a chair or other furniture unit.




As seen in

FIGS. 1-4

, the extendable locking device


18


has an extendable locking gas spring


92


, a lower pivot


94


, an upper pivot


96


, and a release lever


98


. The locking gas spring


92


is pivoted to the strap


32


by the lower pivot


94


and to the worksurface


14


by the upper pivot


96


. The extendable locking device


18


is used to angularly adjust the worksurface


14


in an angularly adjustable position. As seen in

FIGS. 13 and 14

, the upper pivot


96


has a base


97


and an axle


99


. The base


97


is fixed to a second surface


100


of the worksurface


14


and the axle


99


is connected to the base


97


opposite the second surface


100


. The axle


99


is a wheel that rotates relative to the base


97


and the second surface


100


. The axis of rotation of the axle


99


is substantially parallel to the upper brace


44


. The locking gas spring


92


is fixed to the axle


99


and extends radially from the axle


99


away from the second surface


100


. Likewise, the release lever


98


is fixed to the axle and extends axially from an end side wall of the axle


99


. Therefore, the axle


99


, the locking gas spring


92


and the release lever


98


rotate together relative to the base


97


.




The extendible locking device


18


is used by pulling a handle


105


of the release lever


98


towards the second surface


100


of the worksurface


14


. As the release lever


98


is pulled towards the second surface


100


, the release lever


98


will pivot around a pin


103


in the end side wall of the axle


99


. The pin


103


is located between the handle


105


and a distal end


107


of the release lever


98


, thereby giving the release lever


98


an axis of rotation substantially parallel with the worksurface supports


34


. When the release lever


98


is pulled, the distal end


107


of the release lever


98


pivots towards the locking gas spring


92


and presses a release valve


101


that extends linearly from an end of the locking gas spring


92


. As the release valve


101


is depressed, the locking gas spring


92


can telescope to be smaller or longer in length. If the worksurface


14


is angularly adjusted from the horizontal position to the vertical position, the locking gas spring


92


will telescope to become longer. Likewise, if the worksurface


14


is angularly adjusted from the vertical position to the horizontal position, the locking gas spring


92


will telescope to become shorter. The locking gas spring


92


allows the worksurface


14


to be angularly adjusted to any angle between the horizontal position and the vertical position.




The illustrated worksurface


14


has an angularly adjusting handgrip


102


along a top edge of the worksurface


14


remote from the pivots


36


and two vertically adjusting handgrips


104


on opposite side edges of the worksurface


14


. The angularly adjusting handgrip


102


is a crescent shaped divot approximately located in the center of the remote edge of the worksurface


14


. The worksurface


14


is angularly adjusted by pulling the release lever


98


with a first hand, and pulling the worksurface


14


by the angularly adjusting handgrip


102


away from the worksurface supports


34


and towards the user with a second hand. Likewise, the two vertically adjusting handgrips


104


are crescent shaped divots approximately located near the hinges


36


. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the vertically adjusting handgrips


104


could be D-shaped holes within the worksurface


14


adjacent the hinges


36


. The worksurface


14


is vertically adjusted by lifting the worksurface


14


at the two vertically adjusting handgrips


104


. Therefore, the worksurface


14


can be angularly and vertically adjusted by using the adjusting handgrip


102


and the two vertically adjusting handgrips


104


until a desired vertical and angular position of the worksurface


14


is reached.




The illustrated worksurface


14


includes a base of a clear rigid sheet with a first surface


106


and the second surface


100


. Preferably, the base is made of glass or other transparent sheet. Most preferably, the base is made of an acrylic plastic sheet, which is sold under the trade name PLEXIGLAS by Rohm and Haas Company. Preferably, the base is 0.5″ or more thick. The worksurface


14


is preferably made by first applying a medium gloss coating to the second surface


100


. A medium gloss is 40-90% on the 60° gloss meter. Preferably, the coating on the second surface


100


is a coating with an acrylic base resin or a urethane acrylate. Most preferably, the coating to the second surface


100


is a polysiloxane coating with an approximate gloss level of 50. An adhesive coating is then applied to the first surface


106


. The adhesive is preferably a pressure sensitive coating. Covering the adhesive coating is a polyester film. It is contemplated that the polyester film could be PBT, which is sold under the trade name VALOX FR1 101 by General Electric. Finally, a low gloss coating is applied on the film. A low gloss is under 40% on the 60° gloss meter. Preferably, the low gloss coating is an acrylic coating or a polysiloxane coating 0.5-1 mils thick with an approximate gloss level of 20-30. In an alternative embodiment, the medium gloss coating is not applied to the second surface


100


. During manufacturing of the worksurface, the polyester film usually has a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side of the film and a release sheet protecting and covering the pressure sensitive adhesive. The low gloss coating is preferably laminated onto the polyester film and the release sheet is removed. As seen in

FIG. 15

, a coated film


108


comprising the polyester film and the laminated low gloss coating is preferably applied by simultaneously feeding the polyester film with the low gloss coating and the clear rigid sheet through nip rollers


110


that press the film onto the clear rigid sheet. The medium coating is preferably coated to the second surface


100


of the clear rigid sheet before the clear rigid sheet is ran through the rollers. The film, which overhangs the clear rigid sheet after being rolled, is then trimmed with a knife or router.




The worksurface


14


is a translucent panel within the first surface


106


and the second surface


100


. The first surface


106


is textured so that it can be used both as a projection screen and as a marker board. The coating on the film


108


on the worksurface


14


provides the texture and a low roughness to the first surface


106


that allows a user to use a dry erase marker on the first surface


106


. The coated film


108


on the first surface


106


also provides a white color that will reflect a first projected image to be viewed on the projection screen when an image is projected towards the first surface


106


. Furthermore, the film supplies enough roughness to the first surface


106


to provide a clear first projected image, but with a low glare from the first surface


106


. The worksurface


12


will also transmit the first projected image through the worksurface


14


to be viewed from the second surface


100


on the projection screen. The worksurface


14


can therefore be used as a front viewing projection screen and a back viewing projection screen. Moreover, since the worksurface


12


is vertically adjustable, the projection screen easily adjusts to the appropriate height of the image coming from the projector. Likewise, the coating on the second surface


100


provides a texture and a low roughness to the second surface


100


that allows a user to use a dry erase marker on the second surface


100


. In an alternative embodiment, the second surface


100


does not have a coating and a dry erase marker and can not be used effectively on the second surface


100


. When the first surface


106


and the second surface


100


are coated, they become textured so that they do not have any sharp edges or depressions that would provide an area where erasable material could not be erased. Furthermore, the film on the first surface


106


and the coating on the second surface


100


provide protection for the base sheet. Therefore, the worksurface


14


has the first surface


106


that can be used as a front projection screen, a rear projection screen and a first erasable marker board, and has the second surface


100


that can be used as a second erasable marker board.




In the forgoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. For example, the upright support


12


could be comprised of only one leg having only one outer tube


24


, one sheath


30


, one inner tube


48


, one one-way locking apparatus


16


, and one of every element associated with vertically adjusting the worksurface


14


. With only one leg, the foot


20


of the upright support


12


would be have to be modified in order to enable the portable table


10


to firmly stand upright. Furthermore, the worksurface supports


34


would have to be modified in order to attach to the upright support


12


. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.



Claims
  • 1. A portable table comprising:a vertically adjustable upright support; a worksurface connected to the upright support; and a one-way locking apparatus engagable with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position; wherein while the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, the upright support is only upwardly vertically adjustable; wherein the one-way locking apparatus disengages from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and reengages with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position; wherein the one-way locking apparatus comprises an inner tube within the upright support, a wedge-engaging device adjacent the inner tube, and a wedge located between the inner tube and the wedge-engaging device frictionally holding the inner tube and the upright support in the vertically adjustable position; wherein the wedge includes a cylindrical roller; and wherein a fin fixed on the inner tube disengages the one-way locking apparatus when the upright support is fully extended.
  • 2. The portable table as set forth in claim 1, wherein:the wedge-engaging device includes a ledge; and the fin disengages the one-way locking apparatus by raising the cylindrical roller onto the ledge of the wedge-engaging device.
  • 3. The portable table as set forth in claim 2, wherein:a reset flange on the top of the inner tube reengages the one-way locking apparatus when the upright support is lowered to the lowest vertical position.
  • 4. The portable table as set forth in claim 3, wherein:the wedge-engaging device further includes a frictional surface; and the reset flange reengages the one-way locking apparatus by knocking the cylindrical roller from the ledge on the wedge-engaging device into a space between the inner tube and the frictional surface on the wedge-engaging device.
  • 5. The portable table as set forth in claim 4, wherein:the upright support includes floor-engaging castors for easily moving the table.
  • 6. The portable table as set forth in claim 1, wherein:the worksurface is pivotally connected to the upright support; and an extendable locking device is pivotally connected to the upright support and to the worksurface for locking the worksurface in an angularly adjustable position.
  • 7. The portable table as set forth in claim 6, wherein:the extendable locking device comprises a locking gas spring connected to the upright support and the worksurface; wherein the locking gas spring has a release handle that allows the locking gas spring to adjust an angle of the worksurface.
  • 8. The portable table as set forth in claim 7, wherein:the locking gas spring has a release valve; and the release handle depresses the release valve on the locking gas spring thereby allowing the locking gas spring to adjust the angle of the worksurface.
  • 9. The portable table as set forth in claim 6, wherein:hinges pivotally connect the worksurface to the upright support.
  • 10. The portable table as set forth in claim 1, wherein:the worksurface comprises a translucent panel with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface.
  • 11. A portable table comprising:a vertically adjustable upright support; a worksurface connected to the upright support; and a one-way locking apparatus engagable with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position; wherein while the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, the upright support is only upwardly vertically adjustable; wherein the one-way locking apparatus disengages from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and reengages with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position; the worksurface comprises a translucent panel with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and wherein the first surface has a surface finish configured to be used as a projection screen and a first erasable marker board, the first surface is configured to reflect a first projected image to be viewed on the projection screen, the worksurface is configured to transmit the first projected image through the worksurface to be viewed from the second surface on the projection screen, and the worksurface is movable between a horizontal position for doing paperwork and a vertical position for acting as a double-sided projection screen, whereby the worksurface can be used for many tasks by people on either side or on both side of the worksurface.
  • 12. The portable table as set forth in claim 11, wherein:the one-way locking apparatus comprises: an inner tube within the upright support; a wedge-engaging device adjacent the inner tube; and a wedge located between the inner tube and the wedge-engaging device frictionally holding the inner tube and the upright support in the vertically adjustable position.
  • 13. The portable table as set forth in claim 12, wherein:the wedge includes a cylindrical roller.
  • 14. The portable table as set forth in claim 11, wherein:the second surface has a surface configured to be used as a second erasable marker board.
  • 15. A portable table comprising:a vertically adjustable upright support; a worksurface connected to the upright support; and a one-way locking apparatus engagable with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position; wherein while the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, the upright support is only upwardly vertically adjustable; wherein the one-way locking apparatus disengages from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and reengages with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position; wherein the worksurface comprises a rigid transparent sheet with a first surface and a second surface, a medium coating applied to the second surface, a translucent film applied on the first surface, and a low gloss coating applied on the translucent film.
  • 16. The portable table as set forth in claim 15, including at least one gas spring operably connected to the upright support for counterbalancing a weight of the worksurface during vertical height adjustment of the worksurface.
  • 17. A portable table comprising:a vertically adjustable upright support; a translucent planar member pivotally connected to the vertically adjustable upright support; and an extendable locking device pivotally connected to the upright support and to the translucent planar member for locking the translucent planar member in an angularly adjustable position; the extendable locking device comprising a locking gas spring connected to the upright support and the translucent planar member; wherein the locking gas spring has a release handle that allows the locking gas spring to adjust the angle of the translucent planar member; the locking gas spring having a release valve; wherein the release handle depresses the release valve on the locking gas spring thereby allowing the locking gas spring to adjust the angle of the translucent planar member; and the translucent planar member comprises a rigid transparent sheet with a first surface and a second surface, a medium gloss coating applied to the second surface, a translucent film applied on the first surface and a low gloss coating applied on the translucent film.
  • 18. The portable table as set forth in claim 17, wherein:hinges pivotally connect the worksurface to the upright support.
  • 19. A worksurface comprising:a translucent panel with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface the first surface having a surface finish configured to be used both as a projection screen and as a first erasable marker board; wherein the first surface is configured to reflect a first projected image to be viewed on the projection screen; wherein the translucent panel is configured to transmit the first projected image through the worksurface to be viewed from the second surface on the projection screen; and whereby the translucent panel can be used for many tasks by people on either side or on both sides of the translucent panel; a vertically adjustable upright support, with the translucent panel connected to the upright support; and a one-way locking apparatus engagable with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position; wherein while the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, the upright support are only upwardly vertically adjustable; and wherein the one-way locking apparatus disengages from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and reengages with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position.
  • 20. The worksurface as set forth in claim 19, wherein:the one-way locking apparatus comprises: an inner tube within the upright support; a wedge-engaging device adjacent the inner tube; and a wedge located between the inner tube and the wedge-engaging device frictionally holding the inner tube and the upright support in the vertically adjustable position.
  • 21. A worksurface comprising:a translucent panel with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; the first surface having a surface finish configured to be used both as a projection screen and as a first erasable marker board; wherein the first surface is configured to reflect a first projected image to be viewed on the projection screen; wherein the translucent panel is configured to transmit the first projected image through the worksurface to be viewed from the second surface on the projection screen; and whereby the translucent panel can be used for many tasks by people on either side or on both sides of the translucent panel; a vertically adjustable upright support, with the translucent panel pivotally connected to the vertically adjustable upright support; and an extendable locking device pivotally connected to the upright support and to the translucent panel for locking the translucent panel in an angularly adjustable position.
  • 22. The worksurface as set forth in claim 21, wherein:the extendable locking device comprises a locking gas spring connected to the upright support and the translucent panel; and wherein the locking gas spring has a release handle that allows the locking gas spring to adjust the angle of the translucent panel.
  • 23. The worksurface as set forth in claim 22, wherein:the locking gas spring has a release valve; and the release handle depresses the release valve on the locking gas spring thereby allowing the locking gas spring to adjust the angle of the translucent panel.
  • 24. The worksurface as set forth in claim 21, wherein:hinges pivotally connect the translucent panel to the upright support.
  • 25. A method of using a worksurface comprising:providing a translucent panel with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; configuring the first surface to have a surface finish to be used both as a projection screen and as a first erasable marker board; configuring the first surface to reflect a first projected image to be viewed on the projection screen; configuring the panel to transmit the first projected image through the panel to be viewed from the second surface on the projection screen; and moving the panel between a horizontal position for doing paperwork and a vertical position for acting as a double-sided projection screen.
  • 26. The method of using a worksurface as set forth in claim 25, further including:providing the second surface with a surface finish configured to be used a second erasable marker board.
  • 27. The method of using a worksurface as set forth in claim 25, further including:providing an upright support; connecting the panel to the upright support; and providing the upright support with floor-engaging castors for easily moving the upright support.
  • 28. The method of using a worksurface as set forth in claim 25, further including:providing an upright support; connecting the panel to the upright support; pivotally connecting the panel to the upright support; and pivotally connecting an extendable locking device to the upright support and to the worksurface for locking the worksurface in an angularly adjustable position.
  • 29. The method of using a worksurface as set forth in claim 25, wherein:the panel includes a rigid transparent sheet with the first surface and the second surface; the surface finish includes a translucent film and a low gloss coating; further including the steps of applying a medium coating to the second surface, applying the translucent film on the first surface and applying the low gloss coating on the translucent film.
  • 30. The method of using a worksurface as set forth in claim 25, further including:providing a vertically adjustable upright support; and connecting the panel to the upright support.
  • 31. The method of using a worksurface as set forth in claim 25, further including:providing an upright support; connecting the panel to the upright support; and engaging a one-way locking apparatus with the upright support for locking the upright support in a vertically adjustable position, the upright support being only upwardly vertically adjustable while the one-way locking apparatus is engaged, but the one-way locking apparatus being configured to disengage from the upright support when the upright support is fully extended and being configured to reengage with the upright support when the upright support is lowered to a lowest vertical position.
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