Patent Application
20160081468
The present invention relates to a height-adjustable support structure for a worktop, in particular of an item of furniture. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a height-adjustable table having such a support structure.
Support structures are well known, which are suitable to support a worktop of an item of furniture, for example the worktop of a table, capable of operatively adjusting the height of the worktop from a floor on which the structure is placed, so as to adapt the height of the work to the dimensions of user who, when seated, places his/her legs under the table.
Support structures are also known comprising telescopic legs capable of modifying the length thereof by means of an actuating device, at times motorized, thereby modifying the distance of the worktop from the floor.
Since varying the distance of the worktop from the floor varies the attitude of the table to overturn by rotating about a straight line passing through the ends of the base elements when the worktop is stressed by a lateral push, such base elements tend to be made with as large dimensions as possible in order to guarantee a stable balance.
Suppose indeed to apply a force F transversely to the table, in particular to the telescopic legs, for example, to apply a force to the worktop which is parallel to the worktop. This force F generates an applied torque which tends to cause the table to rotate about the aforesaid straight line passing through the ends of the base member. Such a torque has intensity given by the product of the force F applied parallel to the worktop and the arm b of the force F, that is the distance of the axis of rotation of the structure, that is the aforesaid straight line, from the straight line on which F lies.
Therefore, there is a need to make a base having large dimensions so as to provide a stable structure also when the worktop is at the maximum height.
This need for balance counters with the opposite need felt by the market to provide an item of furniture with a linear and lightweight appearance, and which is comfortable to use by leaving free the space under the worktop by avoiding a cumbersome base member from hindering the free positioning of the feet and legs of a user under the table.
Known, cumbersome support structures required to guarantee the balance prevent the second aforesaid need from being met, which is the one of making the use of the table comfortable.
In particular, none of these embodiments proposes a height-adjustable support structure of a worktop, for example of a table, which simultaneously guarantees increased balance stability and increased comfort of use.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to devise and provide a support structure of a height-adjustable worktop which allows the aforesaid needs to be met while simultaneously at least partly obviating the drawbacks indicated above with reference to the technical note.
In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a support structure of a height-adjustable worktop capable of guaranteeing an increased stability of the structure against overturning while simultaneously allowing comfortable use by substantially leaving free the space under the worktop.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solid and stable structure against overturning which allows a user to freely position his/her legs and feet under the worktop without interfering with the volume of a resting base.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a height-adjustable item of furniture, for example a height-adjustable table, which is stable against overturning and is simultaneously comfortable to use by leaving free the space under the worktop.
These and further objects are achieved by means of a height-adjustable support structure for a worktop in accordance with claim 1, and also by a height-adjustable item of furniture, or table, as described in claim 9.
According to a general embodiment of the invention, a height-adjustable support structure for a worktop of an item of furniture, for example of a table, comprises at least one first telescopic leg having a lower end and at least one second telescopic leg having a lower end;
a base member suitable to be rested on a floor, which rigidly connects the lower end of the at least one first leg and the lower end of the at least one second leg, wherein the base member comprises a first resting portion, a second resting portion and a third resting portion, which are suitable to be rested on the floor;
wherein the base member comprises a first arm portion which rigidly connects the first resting portion with the second resting portion, and a second arm portion which rigidly connects the first resting portion with the third resting portion;
wherein the first resting portion, the second resting portion and the third resting portion lie on a same base plane and are arranged at the vertexes of a triangle;
wherein said at least one first leg is secured to said first arm portion and said at least one second leg is secured to said second arm portion.
Advantageously, the fact of providing three different resting portions arranged at the vertexes of a triangle, in other words arranged misaligned from each other and far from each other, wherein a first arm portion rigidly connects the first resting portion with the second resting portion, and a second arm portion rigidly connects the first resting portion with the third resting portion, allows providing a support structure which is simultaneously stable against overturning and comfortable for the user because it leaves the space under the resting plane free from obstacles.
Indeed, if a line is considered which joins the second resting portion with the third resting portion, it is noted that the first resting portion is far from such a joining line. Overturning the structure towards the user would be possible only by means of rotating the structure about an end line passing through the free ends of the base member and therefore of the second resting portion and of the third resting portion, but this line is far from the first resting portion. In other words, a base member like the one claimed provides a resting stability comparable to the one that would be provided by a base member delimited by a continuous rectilinear edge passing through the ends of the second and third base portion and facing a user, for example a rectangular or triangular plate, which would be much more cumbersome.
The base body of the present invention instead leaves free most of the space comprised between the first arm portion and the second arm portion, thus allowing increased freedom of movement and use by the user.
Advantageously, in an embodiment, the first arm portion and the second arm portion comprise respective flat resting surfaces which are coplanar with each other and lying along said base plane, thus forming a single, continuous flat resting surface together with the resting surfaces of said first resting portion, said second resting portion and said third resting portion.
Thereby, the load applied by the entire structure on the floor is distributed over a very large surface, thus avoiding only certain concentrated points from being burdened. This allows both avoiding a precious floor from being damaged, contributing to an increased stability of the structure and providing an increased sensation of structural solidity.
Advantageously, in accordance with an embodiment, the base member is made in one piece, thus forming a single, continuous plate-shaped or tubular body. Thereby, the base member is very sturdy, in addition to being affordable to make.
In the case in which the whole base member is formed by a plate, in addition to the aforesaid advantages, the structure provides an overall pleasant, lightweight appearance due to the reduced thickness of such a member.
Advantageously, according to an embodiment, the base member is substantially in the shape of a boomerang in which the first arm portion and the second arm portion extend along respective main paths which are in the shape of circumference arcs with non-coincident centers of curvature, lying on the base plane. Such an embodiment allows the resting efficiency to be optimized in addition to providing a smooth and soft appearance.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid purposes are achieved by a height-adjustable item of furniture, for example a height-adjustable table, comprising
a support structure as described above;
a worktop supported by said support structure;
each of said at least one first telescopic leg and at least one second telescopic leg comprising a telescopic lifting device of said leg and an actuator for actuating said lifting device;
a synchronization unit for synchronizing the movement of said at least one first telescopic leg and at least one second telescopic leg, connected to the actuator of each of said at least one first telescopic leg and at least one second telescopic leg.
Thereby, such an item of furniture is extremely resistant against overturning when it is stressed with a force transversal to the telescopic legs, also under the condition of maximum lengthening of the telescopic legs, and therefore of maximum height of the worktop. This allows increased balance stability of the structure to be obtained, thus avoiding the structure from being secured to the floor and thus allowing easy repositioning.
Advantageously, in accordance with one embodiment, the lifting device is hidden inside each of said at least one first telescopic leg and at least one second telescopic leg, and the actuator is hidden inside a supporting bracket secured at the upper end of each leg.
Thereby, the whole height-adjustment system of the element is completely hidden from view, thus giving the item of furniture an increased aesthetical value due to the lightweight, linearity and simplicity of the shapes.
Furthermore, almost all the space interposed between the worktop and the floor is free from obstacles, thus allowing comfortable placement of the legs of the user. Thereby, such an item of furniture is particularly suitable for using as a workstation, thus allowing comfortable, continuous use.
Various embodiments of the invention are described hereafter through embodiment examples given only as a non-limiting indication with reference in particular to the accompanying figures, in which:
With reference to the drawings, a height-adjustable support structure for a worktop of an item of furniture is indicated as a whole with numeral 10. In particular, such a support structure 10 is suitable to support a worktop 60, for example a table or a desk or an office workstation, and to adjust as pleased the height of it from the floor between a minimum height and a maximum height.
The support structure 10 comprises at least one first telescopic leg 30 having a lower end 31, and at least one second telescopic leg 40 having a lower end 41, and a base member 20 suitable to be rested on a floor 200 and to rigidly connect with each other the lower end 31 of the at least one first leg 30 and the lower end 41 of the at least one second leg 40.
The base member 20 comprises a first resting portion 11, a second resting portion 12 and a third resting portion 13, which are suitable to be rested on the floor 200.
The base member 20 further comprises a first arm portion 21 which rigidly connects the first resting portion 11 with the second resting portion 12, and a second arm portion 22 which rigidly connects the first resting portion 11 with the third resting portion 13.
In other words, the base member 20 is avoided from directly connecting with each other the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13.
The base member 20 avoids occupying the space interposed between the first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22, in particular leaving it free from any component and from any structural connecting member between the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13.
The shape of the base member 20 is such as to avoid comprising connecting material or any connecting member, interposed between the first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22.
The first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22 are structurally connected with each other only by means of the first resting portion 11, in particular thus avoiding any other structural connecting member between the first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22.
The base member 20 comprises the first arm portion 22 interposed between the first resting portion 11 and the second resting portion 13, and the second arm portion 22 interposed between the first resting portion 11 and the third resting portion 13.
The first resting portion 11 and the second resting portion 12 define a first base line b1 passing through the first resting portion 11 and through the second resting portion 12.
Furthermore, the first resting portion 11 and the third resting portion 13 define a second base line b2 passing through the first resting portion 11 and the third resting portion 13.
The first base line b1 and the second base line b2 are incident with each other at the first resting portion 11 and form with each other a preset aperture angle A, less than 180°.
The value of the aperture angle A may be selected to guarantee the maximum resting stability on the basis of the dimensions and the geometry of the worktop.
According to one embodiment, the aperture angle A ranges between 30° and 160°, preferably about 120°.
The first resting portion 11, the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13 lie on a same base plane P-P and are arranged according to the vertexes of a triangle.
In other words, the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13 define an end line t passing through the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13. The first resting portion is far from such an end line t, in particular thus avoiding to pass through such an end line t.
In other words again, the first resting portion 11, the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13 are misaligned from each other and are far from each other.
In accordance with an embodiment, the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13 form respective end portions of said base member 20. Furthermore, the at least one first leg 30 is secured to the first arm portion 21 and the at least one second leg 40 is secured to the second arm portion 22.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first leg 30 is secured at an intermediate zone of the first arm portion 21 and the at least one second leg 40 is secured at an intermediate zone of the second arm portion 22.
For example, said at least one first leg 30 is secured at a middle zone of the first arm portion 21 and the at least one second leg 40 is secured at a middle zone of the second arm portion 22.
In accordance with one embodiment, the at least one first leg 30 is secured to the first arm portion 21 and the at least one second leg 40 is secured to the second arm portion 22, thus avoiding the at least one first leg 30 and the at least one second leg 40 from being secured to the first resting portion 11, and/or thus avoiding the at least one first leg 30 and the at least one second leg 40 from being secured to the second resting portion 12 and to the third resting portion 13.
In accordance with one embodiment, the first resting portion 11, the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13 comprise respective flat resting surfaces 11′, 12′, 13′ which are coplanar and lying along said base plane P-P.
In accordance with one embodiment, the first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22 comprise respective flat resting surfaces 21′, 22′ which are coplanar with each other and lying along said base plane P-P, thus forming a single, continuous flat resting surface 20′ together with the resting surfaces 11′, 12′, 13′ of said first resting portion 11, said second resting portion 12 and said third resting portion 13.
In accordance with an embodiment, the base member 20 is made in one piece, thus forming a single, continuous plate-shaped or tubular body, in particular comprising, in sequence, the second resting portion 12, the first arm portion 21, the first resting portion 11, the second arm portion 22 and the third resting portion 13.
The first arm portion 21 has a first main path of extension c1 and the second arm portion has a second main path of extension c2, in which the first main path of extension C1 and the second main path of extension C2 are incident with each other at the first resting portion 11, in particular thus forming an angle with each other.
In accordance with an embodiment, the base member 20 is substantially in the shape of a boomerang wherein the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13 are arranged at the free ends of the base member 20, and the first resting portion 11 is arranged at a vertex of the base member 20, wherein the first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22 extend along respective main paths of extension c1, c2 which are in the shape of circumference arcs with non-coincident centers of curvature, lying along the base plane P-P.
In accordance with an embodiment, the centers of curvature of the main paths of extension c1, c2 are arranged on the same side with respect to the end line t passing through the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13.
In accordance with an embodiment, the base member 20 is substantially V-shaped, having the second resting portion 12 and the third resting portion 13 arranged at the opposite free ends of the base member 20 and the first resting portion 11 arranged at the vertex of the V shape.
In accordance with an embodiment, the first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22 are flat strips which extend along straight lines.
In accordance with an embodiment, the length of the first arm portion 21 measured between the first resting portion 11 and the second resting portion 12 is substantially equal to the length of the second arm portion 22 measured between the first resting portion 11 and the third resting portion 13.
In accordance with an embodiment, the first arm portion 21 is substantially equal to the second arm portion 22.
In accordance with an embodiment, the base member 20 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane S-S orthogonal to the end line t and passing through the first resting portion 11.
In accordance with an embodiment, the first arm portion 21 and the second arm portion 22 are in the shape of a flat, continuous strip which extends along a path of extension c1, c2 having constant width d measured transversely to the main path c1, c2.
In accordance with an embodiment, the base member 20 forms a continuous strip of substantially constant width measured orthogonally to a main path of extension c1, c2 of the base member 20 and parallel to the base plane P-P.
In accordance with an embodiment, the at least one first leg 30 and the at least one second leg 40 have a cross-section transverse to the direction of lengthening, in which such a transverse cross-section is contained within the width d of the first arm portion 21 and of the second arm portion 22.
In accordance with an embodiment, the at least one first leg 30 and the at least one second leg 40 have a substantially circular-shaped cross-section transverse to the direction of lengthening, in particular with diameter substantially equal to the width d of the first arm portion 21 and of the second arm portion 22 measured orthogonally to a main path of extension c1, c2 of the base member 20 and parallel to the base plane P-P.
In accordance with an embodiment, the support structure 10 comprises a single first telescopic leg 30 having a lower end 31 secured in an intermediate point of said first arm portion 21, and a single second telescopic leg 40 having a lower end 41 secured at an intermediate point of said second arm portion 22.
In a preferred embodiment, the support structure 10 does not have any further first telescopic legs 30 or further second telescopic legs 40.
In other words, the support structure 10 comprises exactly two telescopic legs 30, 40 of which one single first telescopic leg 30 and one single second telescopic leg 40, and does not have any further first or second telescopic legs 30, 40.
Such a configuration allows an aesthetically lightweight structure to be obtained while simultaneously being easy for the user to actuate to raise/lower the worktop, as only two telescopic legs overall require actuating in a controlled manner.
In accordance with an embodiment, said single first telescopic leg 30 is secured to a middle zone of said first arm portion 21, and said single second telescopic leg 40 is secured to a middle zone of said second arm portion 22.
In accordance with an embodiment, the support structure 1 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a symmetry plane S-S orthogonal to the base plane P-P and passing through the first resting portion 11. Such a configuration provides increased structural balance.
According to another aspect of the invention, the aforesaid purposes and advantages are met by a height-adjustable item of furniture 1, for example a height-adjustable table, comprising a support structure 10 as described above.
The item of furniture 1, or table, comprises a worktop 60 supported by the support structure 10 and secured to it.
Each of said at least one first telescopic leg 30 and at least one second telescopic leg 40 comprises a telescopic lifting device 110 and an actuator 101 for actuating said lifting device 110.
The telescopic lifting device 110 may be any known device which causes an upper end member 53 of the telescopic leg 30, 40 to move with respect to a lower end member 51 of the telescopic leg 30, 40, for example a screw-nut screw system.
The actuator is, for example, a rotary electric motor for generating a relative rotation between the screw and the nut screw (not shown in the drawings).
The item of furniture further comprises a synchronization unit 102 for synchronizing the movement of said at least one first telescopic leg 30 and at least one second telescopic leg 40. The synchronization unit is connected to the actuator 101 of each of said at least one first telescopic leg 30 and at least one second telescopic leg 40.
In accordance with an embodiment, the synchronization control unit 102 is an electronic control unit configured to actuate, in a controlled manner, the actuator 101, in particular an electric motor, of each of said at least one first telescopic leg 30 and at least one second telescopic leg 40, for example on the basis of a command set by a user.
In accordance with an embodiment, each of said at least one first telescopic leg 30 comprises a supporting bracket 33 interposed between an upper end 32 of the telescopic leg 30 and the worktop 60, and in which each of said at least one second telescopic leg 40 comprises a supporting bracket 43 interposed between an upper end 42 of the telescopic leg 40 and the worktop 60.
The supporting brackets 33 and 43 preferably comprise a box-shaped portion containing a compartment for receiving the electric motor 101, and securing portions for securing bracket 33, 34 to the worktop 60.
In accordance with an embodiment, the lifting device 110 is hidden inside each of said at least one first telescopic leg 30 and second telescopic leg 40.
In accordance with an embodiment, the actuator 101 is an electric motor hidden inside each supporting bracket 33, 43, preferably inside the compartment in the boxlike portion.
In accordance with an embodiment, the electronic control unit is secured to a lower face of the worktop 60. Thereby, the control unit is hidden from view during use, but is easy to reach in case maintenance is required.
In accordance with an embodiment, the item of furniture comprises a command box 103 for receiving a raising/lowering command of the worktop from a user.
Such a command box 103 is preferably secured to a lower face of the worktop 60 and close to an edge of the worktop, operatively facing towards a user.
Thereby, the whole height-adjustment system of the item of furniture 1, or table, comprising lifting devices, synchronization control unit, wiring, is completely hidden from view thus giving the item of furniture an increased aesthetical value due to the lightweight, linearity and simplicity of the shapes.
Furthermore, almost all the space interposed between the worktop and the floor is free from obstacles, thus allowing comfortable placement of the legs of the user. Thereby, such an item of furniture is particularly suitable for using as a workstation, thus allowing comfortable, continuous use.
Furthermore, in addition to these advantages, such an item of furniture is extremely resistant against overturning when it is stressed with a force transversal to the telescopic legs, also under the condition of maximum lengthening of the telescopic legs, and therefore of maximum height of the worktop. This allows increased balance stability of the structure to be obtained while allowing the structure not to be secured to the floor and thus allowing easy repositioning.
A skilled person may make several changes and adaptations to the above-described embodiments of the device, and substitute elements with other functionally-equivalent ones in order to meet contingent needs, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be obtained independently of the other embodiments described.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI2014A001608 | Sep 2014 | IT | national |
