Height adjustable table

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6510803
  • Patent Number
    6,510,803
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, November 21, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 28, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A height adjustable table includes a frame that has a pair of spaced apart, generally vertical frame sections, each supported upon a foot, a transverse, generally horizontal section that connects at its end portions to the vertical sections and a pair of lifts that are supported by the vertical frame sections to. elevate between extended, higher elevational and retracted, lower elevational positions. The lifts support a table top with a work surface. The frame is in the form of a universal base that accepts a number of different mechanism including, for example, a counterbalance mechanism, a motor drive mechanism, and a manually operable mechanism. These mechanisms can be selected by a user, depending upon the type of table that is to be manufactured. This enables the user to pick and choose a mechanism so that the manufacturer can use the same universal base in the construction of three different table designs. A plurality of panels are provided that cover the frame. These panels can also be selected by an end user to define an ornamental look and/or a selected color pattern.
Description




CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS




Not applicable




STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT




Not applicable




REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”




Not applicable




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to adjustable tables, more particularly, tables having a work surface that can carry heavy objects and yet be adjusted into multiple elevational positions. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved adjustable height table having an internal base that can accept different panels to give the table an alternate ornamental appearance if desired.




2. General Background of the Invention




Adjustable tables have been in use for many years. There are several adjustable height tables that are commercially available. Several of these adjustable height tables were patented as drafting tables. Several of these patents and commercially available tables were sold under the trademark Hamilton.




One of the primary uses for adjustable height tables is the support of a heavy object such as a computer and/or monitor at a comfortable elevation for the user. Because computers and monitors are relatively heavy, a problem exists when the table is at a maximum elevational position such as when the user chooses to stand. In such a situation, adjustable height tables can become top heavy and suffer from lateral instability. The weighted table top of the table tends to deflect when it is elevated to a high position and when it is loaded with a heavy object such as a monitor, computer or the like.




Many patents have issued that are directed to elevating or height adjustable tables. Examples include patents relating to Hamilton® drafting tables that have been sold for many years (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,140,559 and 3,273,517).




Early patents that show adjustable height tables are shown for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 544,836; 1,243,750; 2,532,342; and 2,642,996;




The May Patent discloses an adjustable support for a drafting table. In the May U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,050, an adjustable drafting board support that includes a pair of links that swing to elevate and lower the board and an improved arrangement for counterbalancing the board to apply a substantially uniform lift to the board in all operative positions.




The Grow U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,559 in each one discloses a drafting table that uses a rack and pinion arrangement in combination with a locking or braking mechanism which is adapted to lock the vertically adjustable table in any selected position when the operating linkage has been released and which lock will become even more securely locked upon the application of downward pressure on the table top occurring in normal use.




The Kooi U.S. Pat. No. 3,364,881 discloses a drafting table with a single pedal control of both vertical movement and tilting.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,584 discloses a drafting table that includes a pedestal, support columns associated with the pedestal for vertical movement and a drafting board on an upper portion thereof. An elevating table is disclosed in the Feiertag U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,176.




A telescoping support arm of quadrangular cross-section is disclosed in the Bertalot U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,115. The apparatus provides roller bearings in corner spaces between each tube surrounding each other, the rollers in one corner rolling over separate braces supported on resilient means urging the rollers and the inner tube toward the other corner so as to exclude backlash.




The Horner U.S. Pat. No. 3,908,560 discloses a counter balancing system for a drafting table. A vertically adjustable drafting table is disclosed in the Evans U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,069.




The Raymond U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,029 discloses a workstation comprised of support legs with a stable support base and the uprights on which pivoting elbows are adapted to form adjacent arms which are positioned and locked in place in an adjustable angular manner at one of these end of the arms, the other end bearing supports are work tops positioned and locked in place in a manner which can be angularly adjusted at will, so that these supports or work tops allow effects and uses which are multiple and can be combined together.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,214 issued to Reuter discloses a cabinet closure assembly that includes a panel which is pivotable between opening-blocking and opening-unblocking positions. The Kurrasch U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,208 discloses a work surface height adjustment mechanism.




An adjustable computer work table is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,322. Vertically actuating scissor arms are provided for moving the support shaft upward and downward whereby providing a vertical adjustment.




The Ball U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,884 discloses a height adjustable work top. The work top is adjustable and may tilt about a horizontal axis near the front edge. The work top may be mounted in an open office beam system or an office screen or partition in cantilever fashion or it may be a free standing unit.




A table lift mechanism is disclosed in the Watt U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,085. The '085 Patent discloses furniture having a top or the like supported for vertical movement by telescoping legs supports with a counter balance for exerting a relatively uniform counter balance force from the top throughout its range of vertical movement. A latch mechanism is provided for latching the top in the selected vertical positions, and an adjustable roller guide mechanism as provided for coupling the telescoping elements of the legs supports.




An apparatus for adjusting a computer work station to individual needs is disclosed in the Seiler U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,770.




An adjustable height table is disclosed in the Rizzi U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,782. The '782 Patent discloses a table having a top that can be vertically adjusted to various heights by a pair of telescoping legs and a counter balance weight mechanism which includes a weight box and weights that can be easily added or removed by the user depending on the weight carried by the table top. A locking mechanism including a spring urged threaded half nut and a stationary threaded rod enables the table top to be locked in place once a desired height is achieved.




An adjustable dual work surface support is disclosed in the Sherman, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,025. The Borgman, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,695 discloses a method of using a work station having separate and back tops having separate power drive arrangements while permitting independent height adjustment. A controller, which is programed by an operator, permits storage of a number of predetermined height locations each defining distinct heights for the tops. The operator effects programed movement of the tops to predetermined height locations for predetermined times in a predetermined sequence, with the rear top moving initially and a front top moving thereafter.




The Smies U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,750 discloses an adjustable work table. The '750 Patent table comprises a base and at least one movable extensible vertical column attached to the base having a table top carried on the vertical column. A pivot is provided for moving the table top into any of a range of pivoted positions, preferably on both sides of the horizontal position of the table top. A motor is provided for holding the table top in any of the range of pivoted positions.




A non-binding cantilevered table lifting device disclosed in the Childers U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,063.




The Winchell U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,940 discloses an adjustable height work surface with rack and pinion arrangements.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention provides an improved, height adjustable table apparatus that includes a frame that has a pair of spaced apart generally vertical frame sections and a generally horizontal section that connects at its end portions to the vertical sections. A pair of feet are provided for supporting the respective vertical frame sections.




A pair of lifts are supported by the vertical frame section, each lift being supported by one of the vertical frame sections.




A table top is supported by the lifts so that the table top can be raised or lowered to a selected elevational position such as, for example, when a user has equipment on the work surface such as a computer.




A mechanism is fitted to the frame and includes a drive that elevates the lifts relative to the frame and thus the table top.




A plurality of panels are provided that removably cover the frame, wherein the panels include two separate interlocking panel sections that cover each vertical frame section, a horizontal panel that covers the horizontal section and sections that cover the feet.




The plurality of panels thus preferably include vertical panels, horizontal panels, and interlocking portions that join at least some of the panels together.




The frame is configured to receive a selected mechanism of a plurality of different mechanisms.




One of the mechanisms can be a counterbalanced spring mechanism. One of the mechanisms can include a motor drive. One of the mechanisms can be a manually operable mechanism such as a crank mechanism.




The mechanism can include a rotary shaft that is rotatable such as for example, manually rotatable or driven by the motor drive.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:





FIG. 1

is an exploded, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a sectional view taken along lines


2





2


of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a sectional view taken along lines


3





3


of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a sectional view taken along lines


4





4


of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is a partial, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating particularly the lower end of a vertical frame member and the foot portion;





FIG. 7

is a sectional view taken along lines


7





7


of

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

is a sectional view taken along lines


8





8


of FIG.


5


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION





FIGS. 1-8

show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral


10


in

FIGS. 1 and 5

. Table apparatus


10


includes a base


11


that is a universal base


11


that can be fitted with a selected mechanism of a plurality of mechanisms. In the preferred embodiment, these mechanisms can include, for example, a counterbalance spring mechanism, a motor driven mechanism, and a hand crank manually operable mechanism.




The base


11


includes vertical supports


12


and


13


that are spaced apart and held in spaced relationship by horizontal support


14


. Base


11


can be thus of welded steel construction.




A pair of spaced apart lifts


15


,


16


define an elevating portion that moves up and down with table top


25


. Table top


25


can be attached by bolting or like fasteners to table top


25


.




Each of the lifts


15


,


16


provides a lower end


17


,


18


respectively. Each of the lower end portions


17


,


18


carries a foot


19


,


20


respectively.




Plates


21


are provided at the upper end portion of each lift


15


,


16


. Plates


22


are provided at the lower end


18


of each of the lifts


15


,


16


. These plates


21


,


22


have openings


24


,


27


that enable the frame


11


to be attached (for example bolted) to spaced apart feet


19


,


20


and to table top


25


.




A mechanism


23


is provided for assisting a user in the elevating or lowering of table top


25


during use. As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 6

, a vertical slot


56


enables access to the interior


57


of each vertical support


12


,


13


and the openings


27


. After assembling covers


41


,


42


to base


11


, slots


56


are covered with covers


41


,


42


as shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

. The mechanism can include for example a counter balance spring mechanism, a motor drive, or a hand crank. Thus, the frame


11


is configured to accept a plurality of different mechanisms depending upon selection by a user.




Openings


24


in each plate


21


enable fasteners such as wood screws or bolts to attach table top


25


to lifts


15


,


16


. Table top


25


provides a work surface


26


that can be used to support any of a number of heavy objects such as a computer, computer monitor, books or other published material or the like.




Plates


22


at the lower end of each vertical support


12


,


13


of base


11


enable fasteners such as assembly screws


28


to be used to fasten each of the feet


19


,


20


to respective vertical support sections


12


,


13


of base


11


. Openings


29


in each of the feet


19


,


20


receive assembly screws


28


upon assembly of the feet


19


,


20


to the respective vertical supports


12


,


13


at plates


22


.




Horizontal support


14


receives horizontal cover


30


. The horizontal cover


30


is shown in

FIGS. 4-5

as including side wall


31


, top wall


32


, side wall


33


, and longitudinally extending flanges


34


,


35


. A slot


36


is defined by the space in between flanges


34


,


35


. Horizontal support


30


is preferably of a relatively thin material so that it can be flexed. Thus, the flanges


34


,


35


can be moved apart enlarging slot


36


so that the entire horizontal cover


30


can fit over and cover horizontal support


14


of base


11


as shown in FIG.


1


and the installed position of FIG.


5


.

FIGS. 1 and 7

show more particularly each of the feet


19


,


20


that are used to support base


11


and the overall table apparatus


10


. Each foot


19


,


20


includes side walls


37


,


38


and top wall


40


. A recess


40


can be provided that enables a manufacturer to gain access to opening


29


when attaching a foot


19


or


20


to its vertical support


12


,


13


at the lower end portion of base


11


. Recess


40


thus enables easy access to opening


29


during assembly.




A plurality of covers are provided for covering frame


11


. These include vertical covers


41


,


42


and vertical connecting panels


50


. Vertical cover


41


is shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. The vertical covers


41


,


42


each provide an enlarged generally rectangular vertical plate


43


that supports a pair of spaced apart curved flanged portions


44


,


45


. Each flange


44


,


45


carries a curved connector


46


having a slot


47


that forms a connection with a projecting portion


52


of vertical connecting panels


50


. In

FIG. 3

, vertical connecting panel


50


has curved connectors


51


,


53


that are spaced apart and along opposing edges of the panel


50


, each of which provides a projection or projecting portion


52


,


54


respectively. The vertical connecting panel


50


is primarily comprised of a large, vertically extending generally rectangular plate


55


as shown in

FIGS. 1

,


3


and


5


.




The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:




PARTS LIST






10


table apparatus






11


base






12


vertical support






13


vertical support






14


horizontal support






15


lift






16


lift






17


upper end






18


lower end






19


foot






20


foot






21


plate






22


plate






23


mechanism






24


opening






25


table top






26


work surface






27


opening






28


assembly screw






29


opening






30


horizontal cover






31


side wall






32


top wall






33


side wall






34


flange






35


flange






36


slot






37


side wall






38


side wall






39


top wall






40


recess






41


vertical cover






42


vertical cover






43


vertical plate






44


flange






45


flange






46


curved connector






47


slot






48


curved connector






49


slot






50


vertical connecting panel






51


curved connector






52


projection






53


curved connector






54


projection






55


vertical plate






56


vertical slot






57


interior




The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. A height adjustable table apparatus, comprising:a) a structural frame that includes a pair of spaced apart generally vertical load bearing frame sections, each having a vertical slot and each supported upon a foot, each vertical load bearing frame section comprised of a plurality of flanges, at least two flanges being provided opposite said vertical slot, the structural frame including a transverse, generally horizontal load bearing section that connects at its end portions to the vertical load bearing frame sections, said vertical load bearing frame sections and said horizontal load bearing sections including a plurality of panels, some that define a plurality of sides; b) the structural frame including a pair of lifts, each lift being supported by one of said vertical load bearing frame sections; c) a table top supported by the lifts; d) a mechanism that elevates the lifts relative to the vertical load bearing frame sections; and e) a plurality of non-load bearing, removable panels that cover at least part of the structural frame, wherein the non-load bearing panels include two separate panel sections that cover the vertical load bearing-frame sections, each removable panel having a vertical plate and at least two flanged portions connected to the vertical plate.
  • 2. The height adjustable table of claim 1 wherein the plurality of panels include vertical panels, horizontal panels, and interlocking portions that Join some of the panels together.
  • 3. The height adjustable table of claim 2 wherein the selected mechanism includes a rotary shaft that is contained within the horizontal section.
  • 4. The height adjustable table of claim 1 wherein the frame is configured to receive a selected mechanism of a plurality of different mechanisms.
  • 5. The height adjustable table of claim 4 wherein the selected mechanism includes a counterbalance spring.
  • 6. The height adjustable table of claim 4 wherein the selected mechanism includes a motor drive.
  • 7. The height adjustable table of claim 1 further comprising a non-load bearing, removable panel section that covers the transverse, generally horizontal section.
  • 8. A height adjustable table apparatus, comprising:a) a structural frame that includes a pair of spaced apart generally vertical frame sections each supported upon a foot, a transverse, generally horizontal frame section that connects at its end portions to the vertical frame sections, said vertical and horizontal sections including structural load bearing panels that define a plurality of sides; b) a pair of lifts, each lift being supported by one of the vertical frame sections; c) a table top supported by the lifts; d) a mechanism that elevates the lifts relative to the frame; and e) a plurality of non-load bearing, removable panels that cover the base including separate panels for covering the vertical and the horizontal frame sections, each said removable panel including a plate and at least two flanged portions connected to the plate for covering at least three sides of said vertical or said horizontal frame section.
  • 9. The height adjustable table of claim 8 wherein the non-load bearing panels include two separate interlocking panel sections that cover each vertical frame section.
  • 10. The height adjustable table of claim 8 wherein the frame is configured to receive a selected mechanism of a plurality of different mechanisms.
  • 11. The height adjustable table of claim 8 wherein the mechanism includes a counterbalance spring.
  • 12. The height adjustable table of claim 8 wherein the mechanism includes a motor drive.
  • 13. The height adjustable table of claim 8 wherein the mechanism is manually operable.
  • 14. The height adjustable table of claim 8 wherein the mechanism includes a rotary shaft.
  • 15. The height adjustable table of claim 8 wherein the panels include a plurality of panel sections including at least one panel section that covers the transverse, generally horizontal section.
  • 16. A height adjustable table apparatus, comprising:a) a structural frame that includes a pair of spaced apart generally vertical load bearing frame sections each supported upon a foot, a transverse, generally horizontal load bearing section that connects at its end portions to the vertical sections, said vertical frame sections and said horizontal load bearing section including structural load bearing panels that define a plurality of sides; b) a pair of lifts, each lift being supported by a vertical frame section; c) a table top supported by the lifts; d) a mechanism that elevates the lifts relative to the frame; and e) a plurality of non-load bearing, removable panels that cover the frame wherein the non-load bearing panels include two separate panel sections that cover the vertical frame sections and a non-load bearing panel that covers the generally horizontal section, at least some of the panels being separate panels that connect together.
  • 17. The height adjustable table of claim 16 wherein the plurality of panels include vertical panels, horizontal panels, and interlocking portions that join some panels together.
  • 18. The height adjustable table of claim 16 wherein the frame is configured to receive a selected mechanism of a plurality of different mechanisms.
  • 19. The height adjustable table of claim 18 wherein the mechanism includes a counterbalance spring.
  • 20. The height adjustable table of claim 18 wherein the mechanism includes a motor drive.
  • 21. The height adjustable table of claim 20 wherein the mechanism includes a rotary shaft that is contained within the horizontal section.
  • 22. The height adjustable table of claim 16 further comprising a non-load bearing removable panel section that covers the transverse, generally horizontal section.
  • 23. A height adjustable table apparatus, comprising:a) a structural frame that includes a pair of spaced apart generally vertical frame sections each supported upon a foot, a transverse, generally horizontal frame section that connects at its end portions to the vertical frame sections, said vertical and horizontal sections including structural load bearing panels that define a plurality of sides; b) a pair of lifts, each lift being supported by one of the vertical frame sections; c) a table top supported by the lifts; d) a mechanism that elevates the lifts relative to the frame; and e) a plurality of non-load bearing, removable panels that cover the base including separate panels for covering the vertical and the horizontal frame sections, each said cover including a plate and at least two flanged portions connected to the plate for covering at least three sides of said vertical or horizontal frame sections.
  • 24. The height adjustable table of claim 23 wherein the non-load bearing panels include two separate interlocking panel sections that cover each vertical frame section.
  • 25. The height adjustable table of claim 23 wherein the frame is configured to receive a selected mechanism of a plurality of different mechanisms.
  • 26. The height adjustable table of claim 23 wherein the mechanism includes a counterbalance spring.
  • 27. The height adjustable table of claim 23 wherein the mechanism includes a motor drive.
  • 28. The height adjustable table of claim 23 wherein the mechanism is manually operable.
  • 29. The height adjustable table of claim 23 wherein the mechanism includes a rotary shaft.
  • 30. The height adjustable table of claim 23 wherein the panels include a plurality of panel sections including at least one panel section that covers the transverse, generally horizontal section.
  • 31. A height adjustable table apparatus, comprising:a) a static load bearing frame that includes a pair of spaced apart generally vertical load bearing frame sections, each having a vertical slot, each vertical frame section comprised of a plurality of flanges; b) the load bearing frame including a transverse, generally horizontal load bearing section that connects to each of the vertical frame sections, said vertical slots being positioned on said vertical load bearing sections opposite said horizontal load bearing section, the frame including a hollow interior portion; c) a pair of movable lifts, each lift being supported by one of said vertical frame sections and movable with respect to the vertical frame section between lowered and elevated positions; d) a table top attached to and supported by the lifts; e) a mechanism that elevates the lifts relative to the frame, at least some of the mechanism occupying the frame hollow interior portion; and f) a plurality of non-load bearing, removable panels that cover the static load bearing frame, wherein the non-load bearing panels include at least two separate panel sections that cover the vertical frame sections and a non-load bearing panel that covers the generally horizontal section, wherein one of said non-load bearing panels covers each vertical slot.
  • 32. A height adjustable table apparatus, comprising:a) a structural frame that includes a pair of spaced apart generally vertical frame sections, each supported upon a foot; b) the frame including a transverse, generally horizontal frame section that connects at its end portions to the vertical frame sections, said vertical and horizontal sections including structural load bearing panels that define a plurality of sides; b) a pair of lifts, each lift being supported by one of vertical frame sections; c) a table top supported by the lifts; d) a mechanism that elevates the lifts relative to the frame; and e) a plurality of non-load bearing, removable panels that cover the base including two separate interlocking panels for covering each vertical frame section and a panel for covering the horizontal frame section, at least some of the panels having a plate and at least two flanged portions connected to the plate for covering at least three sides of one of said frame sections.
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Number Name Date Kind
544836 Vetter Aug 1895 A
1243750 Miller Oct 1917 A
2532342 Sloane Dec 1950 A
2642996 Oeler et al. Jun 1953 A
2982050 May May 1961 A
3140559 Grow et al. Jul 1964 A
3273517 Amthor, Jr. et al. Sep 1966 A
3364881 Kooi Jan 1968 A
3638584 Cisler Feb 1972 A
3820176 Feiertag Jun 1974 A
3887155 Bertalot Jun 1975 A
3908560 Horner Sep 1975 A
4130069 Evans et al. Dec 1978 A
4591214 Reuter et al. May 1986 A
4619208 Kurrasch Oct 1986 A
4637322 Hampshire et al. Jan 1987 A
4751884 Ball Jun 1988 A
4981085 Watt Jan 1991 A
5041770 Seiler et al. Aug 1991 A
5289782 Rizzi et al. Mar 1994 A
5322025 Sherman et al. Jun 1994 A
5323695 Borganan Jun 1994 A
5339750 Smies Aug 1994 A
5370063 Childers Dec 1994 A
5394809 Feldpausch et al. Mar 1995 A
5408940 Winchell Apr 1995 A
5447099 Adams et al. Sep 1995 A
5546873 Conner et al. Aug 1996 A
5706739 Shaheen et al. Jan 1998 A
5819669 Eyre Oct 1998 A
6062148 Hodge et al. May 2000 A
6119989 Hollington et al. Sep 2000 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
8801157 Dec 1989 NL