The invention relates to a height adjustable stand for supporting an object, such as a table leaf or a camera. The invention also relates to a table comprising said stand. The height adjustable stand in the context of this invention is neither intended nor suitable for supporting at least one person or very heavy loads.
Adjusting the height of stands known in the art usually can be quite cumbersome as it involves a series of operations that a user needs to employ due to the construction of the locking devices used. As a result, setting up and adjusting the heights of multiple stands known in the art is quite time consuming and is preferably avoided as much as possible. Moreover, in the case of stands known in the art having multiple legs, leveling of these stands on an uneven surface is usually even more cumbersome as a length of the legs has to be adjusted individually requiring an iterative process to establish suitable lengths for each of the individual legs. Such a process can be inconvenient and time consuming as for example the stand needs to be supported by a user while the lengths of each of the individual legs are adjusted.
It is an object of the invention to provide a height adjustable stand for supporting an object that pre-empts or at least reduces at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above. It is also an object of the invention to provide a table that comprises the stand according to the invention.
Aspects of this invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.
According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a height adjustable stand for supporting an object, the stand comprising at least a first leg and at least a first locking device that comprises at least a first locking unit, the at least first locking unit comprising at least a first housing that is provided with at least a first opening and at least a first guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the at least first leg and guide the at least first leg, the stand further comprising at least a first central operating device that comprises at least a first elongated operating element that is movable in an axial direction of the at least first leg through the at least first opening of the at least first housing and is arranged to allow a user to transfer the at least first locking device from a locked resting state to an unlocked state, the at least first locking unit further comprising at least a first locking element, at least a first activation element and at least a first biasing element, wherein the at least first locking element is movably connected with the at least first housing and the at least first activation element and the at least first biasing element are arranged between the at least first housing and the at least first locking element to maintain in the resting state of the at least first locking device the at least first locking element and the at least first leg in a first locking contact to fix a height of the stand, wherein the at least first elongated operating element is arranged to prevent in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the first locking contact between the at least first locking element and the at least first leg to adjust the height of the stand. This embodiment of the stand according to the invention allows a user to very conveniently adjust the height of the stand by manipulating the at least first operating element that is arranged to transfer the at least first locking device from the locking resting state to the unlocked state. The at least first locking device of the stand according to the invention is very lean and robust and enables adjustment of the height of the stand in a reliable way as often as required. When the at least first locking device is in the unlocked state the at least first leg and the at least first housing are movable with respect to each other in order to adjust the height of the stand as desired. Upon returning the at least first locking device to the locked resting state, the at least first leg and the at least first housing are not movable with respect to each other and the height of the stand is at least temporarily fixed. In this way, the stand according to the invention pre-empts or at least reduces the drawbacks mentioned above regarding stands known in the art.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the first locking unit further comprises at least a first releasing element that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the at least first elongated operating element, wherein in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least first releasing element under the influence of the at least first elongated operating element is tenable in abutting contact with the at least first locking element to prevent the first locking contact. The height of the stand can now be adjusted by allowing the at least first leg to assume an appropriate first position relative to the at least first housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the stand comprises a second leg and a third leg, the at least first housing is provided with a second guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the second leg and guide the second leg and a third guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the third leg and guide the third leg, the at least first locking unit comprises a second locking element that is movably connected with the at least first housing and a third locking element that is movably connected with the at least first housing, wherein the first locking element is arranged opposite the first leg, the second locking element is arranged opposite the second leg and the third locking element is arranged opposite the third leg, wherein the at least first activation element is centrally arranged between the first locking element, the second locking element and the third locking element to simultaneously maintain in the resting state of the locking device under the influence of the at least first biasing element the first locking element and the first leg in the first locking contact, the second locking element and the second leg in a second locking contact and the third locking element and the third leg in a third locking contact, wherein the at least first elongated operating element is arranged to simultaneously prevent in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the first locking contact, the second locking contact and the third locking contact. The stand according to this embodiment of the invention has three legs that in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device are movable simultaneously and independently with respect to each other and with respect to the at least first housing. In this way it is possible that each one of the three legs assumes a different position with respect to the at least first housing when adjusting the height of the stand. Hence the stand according to this embodiment allows a user to adjust the height of the stand and to position the stand stably even on an uneven supporting surface at the same time. This is very convenient and saves a lot of time especially when multiple stands have to be set up. When each one of the first leg, the second leg and the third leg has assumed respectively an appropriate first position, second position and third position relative to the at least first housing, the user can transfer the at least first locking device from the unlocked state to the locked resting state in which the first position of the first leg, the second position of the second leg and the third position of the third leg with respect to the at least first housing are simultaneously fixed.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least first releasing element under the influence of the at least first elongated operating element is simultaneously tenable in abutting contact with the first locking element, the second locking element and the third locking element to simultaneously prevent the first locking contact, the second locking contact and the third locking contact. At least one of the height of the stand according to this embodiment and its positioning on a supporting surface can now be adjusted by allowing the first leg, the second leg and the third leg to assume respectively an appropriate first position, second position and third position relative to the at least first housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the stand comprises a fourth leg, the at least first housing is provided with a fourth guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the fourth leg and guide the fourth leg, the at least first locking unit comprising a fourth locking element that is movably connected with the at least first housing, wherein the fourth locking element is arranged opposite the fourth leg, wherein the at least first activation element is centrally arranged between the first locking element, the second locking element, the third locking element and the fourth locking element to simultaneously maintain in the resting state of the at least first locking device under the influence of the at least first biasing element the first locking element and the first leg in the first locking contact, the second locking element and the second leg in the second locking contact, the third locking element and the third leg in the third locking contact and the fourth locking element and the fourth leg in a fourth locking contact, wherein the at least first elongated operating element is arranged to simultaneously prevent in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact. The stand according to this embodiment of the invention has four legs that in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device are movable simultaneously and independently with respect to each other and with respect to the at least first housing. In this way it is possible that each one of the four legs assumes a different position with respect to the at least first housing when adjusting the height of the stand. Hence the stand according to this embodiment allows a user to adjust the height of the stand and to position the stand stably even on an uneven supporting surface at the same time. This is very convenient and saves a lot of time especially when multiple stands have to be set up. When each one of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg has assumed respectively an appropriate first position, second position, third position and fourth position relative to the at least first housing, the user can transfer the at least first locking device from the unlocked state to the locked resting state in which the at least first activation element simultaneously maintains the first locking element and the first leg in the first locking contact, the second locking element and the second leg in the second locking contact, the third locking element and the third leg in the third locking contact and the fourth locking element and the fourth leg in the fourth locking contact in order to simultaneously fix the first position of the first leg, the second position of the second leg, the third position of the third leg and the fourth position of the fourth leg with respect to the at least first housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least first releasing element under the influence of the at least first elongated operating element is simultaneously tenable in abutting contact with the first locking element, the second locking element, the third locking element and the fourth locking element to simultaneously prevent the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact. At least one of the height of the stand according to this embodiment and its positioning on a supporting surface can now be adjusted by allowing the first leg, the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg to assume respectively an appropriate first position, second position, third position and fourth position relative to the at least first housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first locking element, the second locking element, the third locking element and the fourth locking element is excentrically connected with the at least first housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first locking element, the second locking element, the third locking element and the fourth locking element is provided with respectively a first recess, a second recess, a third recess and a fourth recess in which in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least first releasing element is receivable.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first locking element, the second locking element, the third locking element and the fourth locking element is provided with at least one of a first friction enhancing material and a first surface structure at least at a location of respectively the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way at least one of the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg is provided with at least one of a second friction enhancing material and a second surface structure at least at the location of respectively the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way at least one of the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling. Moreover, according to an embodiment of the stand it is possible that at least one of the second friction enhancing material and the second surface structure is also provided outside the location of at least one of the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that in such a case at least one of the second friction enhancing material and the second surface structure can be provided in the form of an elongated strip that extends in the axial direction of at least one of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first friction enhancing material and the first surface structure is arranged to work together with at least one of the second friction enhancing material and the second surface structure. In this way at least one of the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact and the fourth locking contact is at least one of an enhanced friction coupling and an enhanced form closed coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first friction enhancing material and the second friction enhancing material comprises a rubber, for example EPDM 70 shore.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first surface structure and the second surface structure comprises a serrated portion. The serrated portion can comprise teethed protrusions. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that any surface structure suitable for providing an enhanced form closed coupling can be used.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first activation element is conically shaped. By using a conically shaped at least first activation element it is possible to accommodate play that is caused by fabrication tolerances of at least one of the locking elements and the legs of the stand. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the conically shaped at least first activation element in the locked resting state of the locking device under the influence of the at least first biasing element will always be forced into contact with any one of the locking elements of the first locking unit and hence will maintain locking contacts between any one of the locking elements of the first locking unit and the legs of the stand.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first activation element is arranged around the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first biasing element is a compression spring.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first biasing element is arranged around the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first releasing element is annularly shaped. The at least first releasing element can be a ring that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first locking device comprises a second locking unit that is arranged opposite the at least first locking unit, the second locking unit comprises at least a second housing that is provided with at least a second opening and a third opening that are arranged opposite to each other and opposite the at least first opening of the at least first housing, the at least second housing is further provided with at least a fifth guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the at least first leg and guide the at least first leg, the second locking unit further comprises at least a fifth locking element, at least a second activation element and at least a second biasing element, wherein the at least fifth locking element is movably connected with the at least second housing and the at least second activation element and the at least second biasing element are arranged between the at least second housing and the at least fifth locking element to maintain in the resting state of the at least first locking device the at least fifth locking element and the at least first leg in a fifth locking contact, wherein the at least first elongated operating element extends in the axial direction of the at least first leg through the at least second opening into the at least second housing, across the at least second housing, through the at least third opening out of the at least second housing, between the at least second housing and the at least first housing and through the at least first opening at least partially into the at least first housing, wherein the at least first elongated operating element is arranged to prevent in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the fifth locking contact. The stand according to this embodiment comprises one leg, i.e. the first leg, and a locking device comprising two locking units, i.e. the first locking unit and the second locking unit. The stand according to this embodiment has an improved stability and robustness as the first leg is guided by the first guideway of the first housing of the first locking unit and the fifth guideway of the second housing of the second locking unit. Furthermore, the stand can be loaded more heavily as in the resting state of the locking device the first leg is in the first locking contact with the first locking element and in the fifth locking contact with the fifth locking element. In the unlocked state of the at least first locking device of the stand according to this embodiment, the at least first elongated operating element in fact simultaneously prevents the first locking contact and the fifth locking contact.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the second locking unit further comprises at least a second releasing element that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the at least first elongated operating element, wherein in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least second releasing element under the influence of the at least first elongated operating element is tenable in abutting contact with the at least fifth locking element to prevent the fifth locking contact. In the unlocked state of the at least first locking device of the stand according to this embodiment, the at least first elongated operating element in fact simultaneously maintains the at least first releasing element of the first locking unit and the at least second releasing element of the second locking unit in abutting contact with respectively the first locking element and the fifth locking element in order to simultaneously prevent the first locking contact and the fifth locking contact.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the fifth locking element is excentrically connected with the at least second housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fifth locking element is provided with a fifth recess in which in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least second releasing element is receivable.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fifth locking element is provided with at least one of a third friction enhancing material and a third surface structure at least at a location of the fifth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way the fifth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first leg is provided with at least one of a fourth friction enhancing material and a fourth surface structure at least at the location of the fifth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way the fifth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling. Moreover, according to an embodiment of the stand it is possible that at least one of the fourth friction enhancing material and the fourth surface structure is also provided outside the location of the fifth locking contact. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that in such a case at least one of the fourth friction enhancing material and the fourth surface structure can be provided in the form of an elongated strip that extends in the axial direction of the at least first leg.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the third friction enhancing material and the third surface structure is arranged to work together with at least one of the fourth friction enhancing material and the fourth surface structure. In this way the fifth locking contact is at least one of an enhanced friction coupling and an enhanced form closed coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the third friction enhancing material and the fourth friction enhancing material comprises a rubber, for example EPDM 70 shore.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the third surface structure and the fourth surface structure comprises a serrated portion. The serrated portion can comprise teethed protrusions. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that any surface structure suitable for providing an enhanced form closed coupling can be used.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least second activation element is conically shaped. By using a conically shaped at least second activation element it is possible to accommodate play that is caused by fabrication tolerances of at least one of the locking elements and the legs of the stand. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the conically shaped at least second activation element in the locked resting state of the at least first locking device under the influence of the at least second biasing element will always be forced into contact with any one of the locking elements of the second locking unit and hence will maintain locking contacts between any one of the locking elements of the second locking unit and the legs of the stand.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least second activation element is arranged around the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least second biasing element is a compression spring.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least second biasing element is arranged around the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least second releasing element is annularly shaped. The at least second releasing element can be a ring that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first locking device comprises a third locking unit that is arranged opposite the at least first locking unit, the third locking unit comprises at least a third housing that is provided with at least a fourth opening and at least a fifth opening that are arranged opposite to each other and opposite the at least first opening of the at least first housing, the at least third housing is further provided with a sixth guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the at least first leg and guide the at least first leg, a seventh guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the second leg and guide the second leg and an eighth guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the third leg and guide the third leg, the third locking unit further comprises a sixth locking element that is movably connected with the at least third housing, a seventh locking element that is movably connected with the at least third housing and an eighth locking element that is movably connected with the at least third housing, wherein the sixth locking element is arranged opposite the at least first leg, the seventh locking element is arranged opposite the second leg and the eighth locking element is arranged opposite the third leg, the third locking unit further comprises at least a third activation element and at least a third biasing element, wherein the at least third activation element is centrally arranged between the sixth locking element, the seventh locking element and the eighth locking element to simultaneously maintain in the resting state of the at least first locking device under the influence of the at least third biasing element the sixth locking element and the at least first leg in a sixth locking contact, the seventh locking element and the second leg in a seventh locking contact and the eighth locking element and the third leg in an eighth locking contact, wherein the at least first elongated operating element extends in the axial direction of the at least first leg, the second leg and the third leg through the at least fourth opening into the at least third housing, across the at least third housing, through the at least fifth opening out of the at least third housing, between the at least third housing and the at least first housing and through the at least first opening at least partially into the at least first housing, wherein the at least first elongated operating element is arranged to simultaneously prevent in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact. The stand according to this embodiment comprises three legs, i.e. the first leg, the second leg and the third leg, and a locking device comprising two locking units, i.e. the first locking unit and the third locking unit. The stand according to this embodiment has an improved stability and robustness as each one of the three legs is in fact guided by respective guideways of the at least first housing of the first locking unit and guideways of the at least third housing of the third locking unit. Furthermore, the stand can be loaded more heavily as in the resting state of the locking device each one of the three legs is in two locking contacts, i.e. the first leg is in the first locking contact with the first locking element of the first locking unit and in the sixth locking contact with the sixth locking element of the third locking unit, the second leg is in the second locking contact with the second locking element of the first locking unit and in the seventh locking contact with the seventh locking element of the third locking unit and the third leg is in the third locking contact with the third locking element of the first locking unit and in the eighth locking contact with the eighth locking element of the third locking unit. In the unlocked state of the at least first locking device of the stand according to this embodiment, the at least first elongated operating element in fact simultaneously prevents the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact, the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact. In addition, in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device of the stand according to this embodiment the three legs are movable simultaneously and independently with respect to each other and with respect to the at least first housing and the at least third housing. In this way it is possible that each one of the three legs assumes different positions with respect to the at least first housing and the at least third housing when adjusting the height of the stand. Hence the stand according to this embodiment allows a user to adjust the height of the stand and to position the stand stably even on an uneven supporting surface at the same time. When each one of the first leg, the second leg and the third leg has assumed appropriate positions relative to the at least first housing and the at least third housing, the user can transfer the locking device from the unlocked state to the locked resting state in which the assumed positions of each one of the three legs with respect to the at least first housing and the at least third housing are simultaneously fixed.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the third locking unit further comprises at least a third releasing element that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the at least first elongated operating element, wherein in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least third releasing element under the influence of the at least first elongated operating element is simultaneously tenable in abutting contact with the sixth locking element, the seventh locking element and the eighth locking element to simultaneously prevent the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact. In the unlocked state of the at least first locking device of the stand according to this embodiment, the at least first elongated operating element in fact simultaneously maintains the at least first releasing element in abutting contact with the first locking element, the second locking element and the third locking element of the first locking unit and the at least third releasing element in abutting contact with the sixth locking element, the seventh locking element and the eighth locking element of the third locking unit in order to simultaneously prevent the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact, the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the sixth locking element, the seventh locking element and the eighth locking element is excentrically connected with the at least third housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the sixth locking element, the seventh locking element and the eighth locking element is provided with respectively a sixth recess, a seventh recess and an eighth recess in which in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least third releasing element is receivable.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the sixth locking element, the seventh locking element and the eighth locking element is provided with at least one of a fifth friction enhancing material and a fifth surface structure at least at a location of respectively the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way at least one of the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first leg, the second leg and the third leg is provided with at least one of a sixth friction enhancing material and a sixth surface structure at least at the location of respectively the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way at least one of the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling. Moreover, according to an embodiment of the stand it is possible that at least one of the sixth friction enhancing material and the sixth surface structure is also provided outside the location of at least one of the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that in such a case at least one of the sixth friction enhancing material and the sixth surface structure can be provided in the form of an elongated strip that extends in the axial direction of at least one of the first leg, the second leg and the third leg.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the fifth friction enhancing material and the fifth surface structure is arranged to work together with at least one of the sixth friction enhancing material and the sixth surface structure. In this way at least one of the sixth locking contact, the seventh locking contact and the eighth locking contact is at least one of an enhanced friction coupling and an enhanced form closed coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the fifth friction enhancing material and the sixth friction enhancing material comprises a rubber, for example EPDM 70 shore.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the fifth surface structure and the sixth surface structure comprises a serrated portion. The serrated portion can comprise teethed protrusions. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that any surface structure suitable for providing an enhanced form closed coupling can be used.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least third activation element is conically shaped. By using a conically shaped at least third activation element it is possible to accommodate play that is caused by fabrication tolerances of at least one of the locking elements and the legs of the stand. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the conically shaped at least third activation element in the locked resting state of the locking device under the influence of the third biasing element will always be forced into contact with any one of the locking elements of the third locking unit and hence will maintain locking contacts between any one of the locking elements of the third locking unit and the legs of the stand.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least third activation element is arranged around the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least third biasing element is a compression spring.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least third biasing element is arranged around the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least third releasing element is annularly shaped. The at least third releasing element can be a ring that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first locking device comprises a fourth locking unit that is arranged opposite the at least first locking unit, the fourth locking unit comprises at least a fourth housing that is provided with at least a sixth opening and at least a seventh opening that are arranged opposite to each other and opposite the at least first opening of the at least first housing, the at least fourth housing is further provided with a ninth guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the at least first leg and guide the at least first leg, a tenth guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the second leg and guide the second leg, an eleventh guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the third leg and guide the third leg and a twelfth guideway that is arranged to at least partially receive the fourth leg and guide the fourth leg,
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the fourth locking unit further comprises at least a fourth releasing element that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the at least first elongated operating element, wherein in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least fourth releasing element under the influence of the at least first elongated operating element is simultaneously tenable in abutting contact with the ninth locking element, the tenth locking element, the eleventh locking element and the twelfth locking element to simultaneously prevent the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact. In the unlocked state of the at least first locking device of the stand according to this embodiment, the at least first elongated operating element in fact simultaneously maintains the at least first releasing element in abutting contact with the first locking element, the second locking element, the third locking element and the fourth locking element of the first locking unit and the at least fourth releasing element in abutting contact with the ninth locking element, the tenth locking element, the eleventh locking element and the twelfth locking element of the fourth locking unit in order to simultaneously prevent the first locking contact, the second locking contact, the third locking contact, the fourth locking contact, the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the ninth locking element, the tenth locking element, the eleventh locking element and the twelfth locking element is excentrically connected with the at least fourth housing.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the ninth locking element, the tenth locking element, the eleventh locking element and the twelfth locking element is provided with respectively a ninth recess, a tenth recess, an eleventh recess and a twelfth recess in which in the unlocked state of the at least first locking device the at least fourth releasing element is receivable.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the ninth locking element, the tenth locking element, the eleventh locking element and the twelfth locking element is provided with at least one of a seventh friction enhancing material and a seventh surface structure at least at a location of respectively the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way at least one of the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg is provided with at least one of an eighth friction enhancing material and an eighth surface structure at least at the location of respectively the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact in the resting state of the at least first locking device. In this way at least one of the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact is an enhanced friction coupling. Moreover, according to an embodiment of the stand it is possible that at least one of the eighth friction enhancing material and the eighth surface structure is also provided outside the location of at least one of the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that in such a case at least one of the eighth friction enhancing material and the eighth surface structure can be provided in the form of an elongated strip that extends in the axial direction of at least one of the first leg, the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the seventh friction enhancing material and the seventh surface structure is arranged to work together with at least one of the eighth friction enhancing material and the eighth surface structure. In this way at least one of the ninth locking contact, the tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking contact is at least one of an enhanced friction coupling and an enhanced form closed coupling.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the seventh friction enhancing material and the eighth friction enhancing material comprises a rubber, for example EPDM 70 shore.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, at least one of the seventh surface structure and the eighth surface structure comprises a serrated portion. The serrated portion can comprise teethed protrusions. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that any surface structure suitable for providing an enhanced form closed coupling can be used.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fourth activation element is conically shaped. By using a conically shaped at least fourth activation element it is possible to accommodate play that is caused by fabrication tolerances of at least one of the locking elements and the legs of the stand. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the conically shaped at least fourth activation element in the locked resting state of the locking device under the influence of the at least fourth biasing element will always be forced into contact with any one of the locking elements of the fourth locking unit and hence will maintain locking contacts between any one of the locking elements of the fourth locking unit and the legs of the stand.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fourth activation element is arranged around the first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fourth biasing element is a compression spring.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fourth biasing element is arranged around the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fourth releasing element is annularly shaped. The at least fourth releasing element can be a ring that is connectable to or at least adjustably connected with the at least first elongated operating element.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first elongated operating element comprises at least one of a rod and a cable. According to the specific requirements of the at least first central operating device, the at least first elongated operating element can be implemented as a rod, a cable or a combination of a rod and a cable.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first elongated operating element is provided with at least a first handle that is operable by a user to transfer the at least first locking device from a locked resting state to the unlocked state.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least first central operating device comprises a second operating element and at least a first transmission element that is arranged to connect the at least first operating element and the second operating element with each other and to transfer a first displacement of the second operating element to the at least first operating element in order to transfer the at least first locking device from the resting state to the unlocked state.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the second operating element is provided with a second handle that is operable by a user to transfer the at least first locking device from a locked resting state to the unlocked state.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the stand is provided with at least a fifth biasing element that is arranged to move at least the first leg to a first extended position at least with respect to the at least first housing when the at least first locking device is in the unlocked state. In this way, the first leg is automatically moved to the first extended position at least with respect to at least the first housing without the need for a user to directly manipulate the first leg.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the stand is provided with a sixth biasing element that is arranged to move the second leg to a second extended position at least with respect to the at least first housing when the at least first locking device is in the unlocked state, a seventh biasing element that is arranged to move the third leg to a third extended position at least with respect to the at least first housing when the at least first locking device is in the unlocked state and an eighth biasing element that is arranged to move the fourth leg to a fourth extended position at least with respect to the at least first housing when the at least first locking device is in the unlocked state. In this way, the second leg is automatically moved to the second extended position, the third leg is automatically moved to the third extended position and the fourth leg is automatically moved to the fourth extended position at least with respect to the at least first housing without the need for a user to directly manipulate any one of the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the first leg, the second leg, the third leg and the fourth leg are movable simultaneously and independently from each other to respectively the first extended position, the second extended position, the third extended position and the fourth extended position at least with respect to the at least first housing. The four legs of the stand according to this embodiment do not need to be manipulated by the user. Each one of the four legs can at the same time adopt its own extended position relative to the at least first housing that is required to stably position the stand on a supporting surface, even an uneven surface, at any desired height.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the at least fifth biasing element, the sixth biasing element, the seventh biasing element and the eighth biasing element are configured to carry the weight of the stand when the at least first locking device is in the unlocked state. In this way, a user that wants to change the height of the stand according to this embodiment does not need to support the weight of the stand as the weight is carried by the at least fifth biasing element, the sixth biasing element, the seventh biasing element and the eight biasing element. The user in fact experiences a kind of floating effect, i.e. the at least first housing of the stand kind of floats around the four legs when the at least first locking device is in the unlocked state. This increases user comfort while handling the stand during positioning the stand on a supporting surface and adjusting the height of the stand.
In an embodiment of the stand according to the invention, the stand further comprises at least a first elongated tubular element that is arranged coaxially with the at least first leg and the at least first elongated operating element to at least partially envelop the at least first leg and the at least first elongated operating element, wherein the at least first elongated tubular element is arranged in at least a first tenacious contact with at least the first housing. By at least partially enveloping the at least first leg and the at least first elongated operating element by the at least first elongated tubular element, the at least first leg and the at least first elongated operating element, which are moving parts of the stand, can at least partially be protected from the outside environment in which the stand is placed. As the at least first leg and the at least first elongated operating element can at least partially be protected from dirt and damage, at least the reliability of the stand can be improved. Furthermore, the at least first elongated tubular element allows to hide the at least first leg and the at least first elongated operating element, i.e. the internal construction of the stand, and to provide the stand with any desired appearance, e.g. colour, design pattern, etcetera.
According to a second aspect of this invention, there is provided a table comprising a table leaf and a height adjustable stand according to the invention, wherein the table leaf and the stand are at least releasably connected with each other. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that in an embodiment of the table, the table leaf can be at least releasably connected to the at least first elongated tubular element. However, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the table leaf can be connected in any suitable way to the stand according to the invention. The table according to the invention allows a user to adjust the height of the table and to position the table stably even on an uneven supporting surface at the same time. This is very convenient and saves a lot of time especially when multiple tables have to be set up.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the invention by way of non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments of the stand and the table according to the invention. These embodiments of the stand and table are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection. The person skilled in the art will realize that other alternatives and equivalent embodiments of the stand and table according to the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Embodiments of the stand and table according to the invention will be described with reference to the figures on the accompanying drawing sheets. The figures are schematic in nature and therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, like or same reference symbols denote like, same or corresponding parts. On the attached drawing sheets,
The stand 1 shown in
The first locking unit 4 further comprises at least a first releasing element 13 that, in the embodiment of the stand 1 shown in
In the embodiment shown in
According to the exemplary embodiment shown in
The first elongated operating element 9 of the first locking device 3 extends in the axial direction of the first leg 2 through the second opening 33 into the second housing 32, across the second housing 32, through the third opening 34 out of the second housing 32, between the second housing 32 and the first housing 5 and through the first opening 6 into the first housing 5. The second locking unit 31 further comprises a second releasing element 39 that, in the embodiment of the stand 1 shown in
The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the stand 1 as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment of
As shown in
The person skilled in the art will appreciate that for the stands 1 according to the embodiments shown in
In addition to the features described in relation to
From
The fourth locking unit 65 further comprises a ninth locking element 73, a tenth locking element 74, an eleventh locking element 75 and a twelfth locking element 76 that are excentrically connected with the fourth housing 66. The ninth locking element 73 is arranged opposite the first leg 2, the tenth locking element 74 is arranged opposite the second leg 14, the eleventh locking element 75 is arranged opposite the third leg 15 and the twelfth locking element 76 is arranged opposite the fourth leg 20.
The fourth locking unit 65 further comprises a fourth activation element 77 and a fourth biasing element 78. The fourth activation element 77 is centrally arranged between the ninth locking element 73, the tenth locking element 74, the eleventh locking element 75 and the twelfth locking element 76 to simultaneously maintain in the resting state of the first locking device 3 under the influence of the fourth biasing element 78 the ninth locking element 73 and the first leg 2 in a ninth locking contact, the tenth locking element 74 and the second leg 14 in a tenth locking contact, the eleventh locking element 75 and the third leg 15 in an eleventh locking contact and the twelfth locking element 76 and the fourth leg 20 in a twelfth locking contact. The first elongated operating element 9 in use extends in the axial direction of the first leg 2, the second leg 14, the third leg 15 and the fourth leg 20 through the sixth opening 67 into the fourth housing 66, across the fourth housing 66, through the seventh opening 68 out of the fourth housing 66, between the fourth housing 66 and the first housing 5 and through the first opening 6 at least partially into the first housing 5 of the first locking unit 4. The stand 1 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in
The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the four legs of the stand 1 shown in
In the exemplary embodiment of
Moreover, the fifth biasing element 94, the sixth biasing element 95, the seventh biasing element 96 and the eighth biasing element 97 can be configured to carry the weight of the stand 1 when the first locking device 3 is in the unlocked state. In this way, a user that wants to change the height of the stand according to this exemplary embodiment does not need to support the weight of the stand as the weight is carried by the fifth 94, the sixth 95, the seventh 96 and the eight 97 biasing elements. The user in fact experiences a kind of floating effect, i.e. the first 5 and fourth 65 housings kind of float around the four legs when the first locking device 3 in use is in the unlocked state. This increases user comfort while handling the stand during positioning the stand on a supporting surface and adjusting the height of the stand.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In addition to the features described in relation to
The third locking unit 45 further comprises a sixth locking element 52 that is excentrically connected with the third housing 46, a seventh locking element 53 that is excentrically connected with the third housing 46 and a not shown eighth locking element that is movably connected with the third housing 46. The sixth locking element 52 is arranged opposite the first leg 2, the seventh locking element 53 is arranged opposite the second leg 14 and the not shown eighth locking element is arranged opposite the third leg.
The third locking unit 45 further comprises a third activation element 55 and a third biasing element 56. The third activation element 55 is centrally arranged between the sixth locking element 52, the seventh locking element 53 and the not shown eighth locking element to simultaneously maintain in the resting state of the at least first locking device 3 under the influence of the third biasing element 56 the sixth locking element 52 and the first leg 2 in a sixth locking contact, the seventh locking element 53 and the second leg 14 in a seventh locking contact and the not shown eighth locking element and the third leg in an eighth locking contact. The first elongated operating element 9 extends in the axial direction of the first leg 2, the second leg 14 and the third leg 15 through the fourth opening 47 into the third housing 46, across the third housing 46, through the fifth opening 48 out of the third housing 46, between the third housing 46 and the first housing 5 and through the first opening 6 at least partially into the first housing 5. The stand 1 according to this embodiment has an improved stability and robustness as each one of the three legs is in fact guided by respective guideways of the first housing 5 of the first locking unit 4 and guideways of the third housing 46 of the third locking unit 45. Furthermore, the stand can be loaded more heavily as in the resting state of the locking device each one of the three legs is in two locking contacts, i.e. the first leg 2 is in the first locking contact with the first locking element 10 of the first locking unit 4 and in the sixth locking contact with the sixth locking element 52 of the third locking unit 45, the second leg 14 is in the second locking contact with the second locking element 18 of the first locking unit 4 and in the seventh locking contact with the seventh locking element 53 of the third locking unit 45 and the third leg 15 is in the third locking contact with the third locking element 19 of the first locking unit 4 and in the eighth locking contact with the eighth locking element of the third locking unit 45.
The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the three legs of the stand 1 shown in
In the exemplary embodiment of
Moreover, as shown in
The skilled person will appreciate that the first housing 5, the second housing 32, the third housing 46, the fourth housing 66, the first locking element 10, the second locking element 18, the third locking element 19, the fourth locking element 22, the fifth locking element 36, the sixth locking element 52, the seventh locking element 53, the eighth locking element, the ninth locking element 73, the tenth locking element 74, the eleventh locking element 75 and the twelfth locking element can be made from any suitable preferably lightweight material. In this respect aluminum and plastic are suitable choices. A suitable plastic is for example PA6 GF30. Although from a commercial point of view lightweight and cheap material are preferred, it will be clear to the person skilled in the art that other materials such as steel, wood, compound materials whether or not fiber-reinforced may be used.
In the exemplary embodiment in which the first elongated operating element 9 is implemented as a rod 88, preferably a stainless steel rod is used. The diameter of the rod can be any suitable diameter, for example 8 mm. Furthermore, the first leg 2, the second leg 14, the third leg 15, the fourth leg 20 and the first elongated tubular element 98 can be made from any suitable material, for example aluminum, fiber-reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced compound material etcetera. The table leaf 100 can for example be made of wood, glass whether or not reinforced in some way, aluminum, plastic whether or not fiber-reinforced, compound material whether or not fiber-reinforced.
In the foregoing description of the drawings, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications/additions and/or changes/substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as summarized in the attached claims.
In particular, combinations of specific features of various aspects of the invention may be made. An aspect of the invention may be further advantageously enhanced by adding a feature that was described in relation to another aspect of the invention.
It is to be understood that the invention is limited by the annexed claims and its technical equivalents only. In this document and in its claims, the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations are used in their non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, without excluding items not specifically mentioned. In addition, reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article “a” or “an” thus usually means “at least one”.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016762 | May 2016 | NL | national |