Patent Grant
11160366
The present invention generally relates to tables and, in particular, to tables that may include height adjustment mechanisms.
Many different types of tables are well known and used for a variety of different purposes. For example, conventional tables may include legs that are pivotally attached to a tabletop and the legs may be movable between a use position in which the legs extend outwardly from the tabletop and a storage position in which the legs are folded against an underneath portion of the tabletop. Conventional tables with relatively large tabletops and folding legs are often referred to as “banquet tables” and these tables are frequently used in assembly halls, banquet halls, convention centers, hotels, schools, churches, and other locations where large groups of people meet. When the tables are no longer needed, the table legs can be moved into the storage position and the tables may be moved or stored.
Conventional banquet tables with movable legs may allow the tables to be more conveniently stored. The tabletop for many conventional banquet tables with movable legs, however, retains its size and shape. For example, many known banquet tables have a length between six and ten feet and a width between three and four feet. As a result, many conventional banquet tables require a large storage area even when the legs are in the collapsed position. This large storage area may be especially problematic for larger facilities such as hotels, schools, and churches because a considerable number of tables may have to be stored. Thus, a significant amount of space may be required to store the tables. In addition, smaller facilities such as restaurants, offices, and homes may use one or more conventional banquet tables. These smaller facilities may use the tables less frequently, such as during special occasions. Conventional banquet tables, even when the legs are folded, are often too bulky and awkward to be conveniently used and stored at such smaller facilities. As a result, it is often necessary for both larger and smaller facilities to rent and/or borrow banquet tables when needed. Disadvantageously, this process of renting and/or borrowing banquet tables can be inconvenient, time consuming and costly.
Conventional banquet tables are also often difficult to move or transport from one location to another. For example, because of the length of many conventional banquet tables, it is often difficult for a single person to move a table. In addition, the extended length of conventional banquet tables may preclude the tables from being transported in the trunk or back seat of a typical passenger car. Accordingly, conventional banquet tables may have to be transported by truck, trailer, or an oversized vehicle such as a sports utility vehicle. These and other factors may make conventional banquet tables difficult, time consuming, and expensive to move.
It is also known to construct tables that are capable of being folded in half. Conventional fold-in-half tables may include a tabletop with two sections pivotally connected by hinges. The two sections usually have the same size and shape, and the hinges are typically located at the center or middle of the tabletop. The two sections of the tabletop may be moved between an unfolded position in which the sections of the tabletop are generally aligned in the same plane and a folded or collapsed position in which the two sections are positioned generally adjacent to each other for storage. Moreover, some tables may include legs that may be extended or retracted. Extension and retraction of the legs may enable the legs to be stored when the table is folded or collapsed. Additionally, the extension and retraction of the legs may enable the use of the table at different heights. For instance, one table may be used for children when the legs are retracted, making the tabletop closer to a surface on which the table is placed such as the floor or the ground. Additionally, the table may be used for adults when the legs are extended, making the tabletop farther from the surface.
Disadvantageously, conventional fold-in-half tables with foldable tabletops may implement cumbersome mechanisms to change a length of the legs. These mechanisms may require the use of both hands or the table to be placed on its side to reach an activator that enables adjustment of the leg lengths. For example, some known mechanisms may include two parallel knobs or cylinders that are moved together. Such a motion may require a placement of the hand of the user in an awkward position, and may require use of the other hand to extend or retract the legs.
A need therefore exists for a table that eliminates or diminishes the disadvantages and problems described above.
One aspect of an embodiment may include a height adjustment mechanism for a table leg. The leg height adjustment mechanism may include one or more arms, retractors, and/or activators. For example, the height adjustment mechanism may include a first latch arm, a first retractor, a second latch arm, a second retractor, and an activator. The first latch arm may include a first engagement structure and the first engagement structure may be disposed on an end, such as a first end. The first retractor may include a first sloped surface and a first receiving structure that is capable of being engaged with the first engagement structure of the first latch arm such that the first latch arm extends in a first lateral direction from the first retractor. The second latch arm may include a second engagement structure and the engagement structure may be disposed on an end, such as a second end. The second retractor may be separated from the first retractor. For instance, the second retractor may be separated from the first retractor in a second lateral direction that is opposite the first lateral direction. The second retractor may include a second sloped surface and a second receiving structure that is capable of being engaged with the second engagement structure of the second latch arm such that the second latch arm extends in the second lateral direction from the second retractor. The activator may include angled lower surfaces that may be positioned outwardly relative to the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface. The angled lower surfaces may be shaped such that a translation or movement of the activator in a longitudinal direction causes the angled lower surfaces to press against or contact the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface to draw the first retractor and the second retractor towards one another. In greater detail, the activator may be configurable in an inactive position and an active position. In the inactive position, the activator may be at a first longitudinal position relative to the first retractor and the second retractor, which may enable outward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor. In the active position, the activator may be at a second longitudinal position relative to the first retractor and the second retractor, which may allow the angled lower surfaces to contact the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface, and that may cause inward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor. Additionally, at least a portion of the first and the second retractors, the activator, and the first and second latch arms may be positioned in a mechanism cavity, which may be defined by a crossbar assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the first latch arm may extend through a first opening at a first end of the crossbar assembly when the activator is in the inactive position. In another exemplary embodiment, a portion of the second latch arm may extend through a second opening at a second end of the crossbar assembly when the activator is in the inactive position. The activator may also include a protrusion that extends from the mechanism cavity in the longitudinal direction from an upper portion of the crossbar assembly. The protrusion may include a protrusion height, which may be defined between an upper surface of the crossbar assembly and a top surface of the protrusion. The upper surface of the crossbar assembly may include an arced, curved, or rounded protrusion which may include a first end that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface and a second end that includes an arced protrusion height that is substantially coplanar to the protrusion. The second end of the arced protrusion may be positioned immediately adjacent to the protrusion. The height adjustment mechanism may further include a biasing member such as a spring. The first retractor may include a first longitudinal surface opposite the first sloped surface. The second retractor may include a second longitudinal surface opposite the second sloped surface. The spring may be positioned between the first longitudinal surface and the second longitudinal surface. The spring may be configured to provide a force to or against one or more of the retractors. For example, the spring may provide a force against the first retractor and the second retractor. In greater detail, the spring may force the first retractor from the second retractor. If desired, the spring may force the first retractor and the second retractor against the angled lower surfaces. The height adjustment mechanism may further include a first spring retainer and a second spring retainer. The first spring retainer may be positioned on the first longitudinal surface. The second spring retainer may be positioned on the second longitudinal surface. The first spring retainer and the second spring retainer may be positioned within portions of the spring. The height adjustment mechanism may further include one or more pins. In an exemplary embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism may include two pins, the activator may include two longitudinal pin apertures, and the first and second latch arms may each include a lateral pin aperture that partially overlaps one of the two longitudinal pin apertures. Each of the two pins may be positioned in one of the longitudinal pin apertures and one of the lateral pin apertures. The pins may limit motion of the activator to a substantially longitudinal direction and may limit motion of the first and second latch arms to a substantially lateral direction.
Advantageously, the height adjustment mechanism may enable the extension or retraction of table legs through application of a single force. Accordingly, the height adjustment mechanism may be actuated by a user with one hand, which may reduce effort expended when changing the height of a tabletop relative to a surface such as the ground or the floor.
Another aspect of an embodiment may include a table that includes a tabletop, a frame, a leg assembly, and a leg height adjustment mechanism. The leg height adjustment mechanism may include one or more arms, retractors, and/or activators. For example, the leg height adjustment mechanism may include a first latch arm, a first retractor, a second latch arm, a second retractor, and an activator. The first latch arm may include a first engagement structure and the engagement structure may be disposed on a first end. The first retractor may include a first sloped surface and a first receiving structure that is capable of being engaged with the first engagement structure of the first latch arm such that the first latch arm extends in a first lateral direction from the first retractor. The second latch arm may include a second engagement structure on a second end. The second retractor may be separated from the first retractor. For instance, the second retractor may be separated from the first retractor in a second lateral direction that is opposite the first lateral direction from the second retractor. The second retractor may include a second sloped surface and a second receiving structure that is capable of being engaged with the second engagement structure of the second latch arm such that the second latch arm extends in the second lateral direction from the second retractor. The activator may include angled lower surfaces that may be positioned outwardly relative to the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface. The angled lower surfaces may be shaped such that a translation or movement of the activator in a longitudinal direction causes the angled lower surfaces to press against or contact the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface to draw the first retractor and the second retractor towards one another. In detail, the activator may be configurable in an inactive position in which the activator is at a first longitudinal position relative to the first retractor and the second retractor to enable outward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor. The activator may also be configurable in an active position in which the activator is at a second longitudinal position relative to the first retractor and the second retractor and the angled lower surfaces contact the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface to cause inward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor. Additionally, the first and the second retractors, a portion of the activator, and portions of the first and second latch arms may be at least partially positioned in a mechanism cavity defined by a crossbar assembly. A portion of the first latch arm may extend through a first opening at a first end of the crossbar assembly when the activator is in the inactive position. A portion of the second latch arm may extend through a second opening at a second end of the crossbar assembly when the activator is in the inactive position. The activator may also include a protrusion that extends from the mechanism cavity in the longitudinal direction from an upper portion of the crossbar assembly. The protrusion may include a protrusion height defined between an upper surface of the crossbar assembly and a top surface of the protrusion. The upper surface of the crossbar assembly may include an arced protrusion that includes a first end that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface and a second end that includes an arced protrusion height that is substantially coplanar to the protrusion. The second end of the arced protrusion may be positioned immediately adjacent to the protrusion. The height adjustment mechanism may further include a biasing member such as a spring. The first retractor may include a first longitudinal surface opposite the first sloped surface. The second retractor may include a second longitudinal surface opposite the second sloped surface. The spring may be positioned between the first longitudinal surface and the second longitudinal surface. The spring may be configured to provide a force to or against one or more of the retractors. For example, the spring may provide a force against the first retractor and the second retractor. In greater detail, the spring may force the first retractor from the second retractor and to force the first retractor and the second retractor against the angled lower surfaces. The height adjustment mechanism may further include a first spring retainer and a second spring retainer. The first spring retainer may be positioned on the first longitudinal surface. The second spring retainer may be positioned on the second longitudinal surface. The first spring retainer and the second spring retainer may be positioned within portions of the spring. The height adjustment mechanism may further include one or more pins (e.g., two pins), the activator may include one or more longitudinal pin apertures (e.g., two longitudinal pin apertures), and the first and second latch arms may each include a lateral pin aperture that partially overlaps one of the two longitudinal pin apertures. Each of the pins may be positioned in one of the longitudinal pin apertures and one of the lateral pin apertures. The pins may limit motion of the activator to a substantially longitudinal direction and may limit motion of the first and second latch arms to a substantially lateral direction.
Yet another aspect of an embodiment may include one or more leg assemblies that may be pivotally connected to a table. For example, an embodiment may include a first leg assembly and a second leg assembly. The first leg assembly and the second leg assembly may be pivotally connected to a table. In greater detail, the leg assemblies may be pivotally connected to the frame and/or the table top. The leg assembly may include any suitable number of legs, leg assemblies, and/or leg subassemblies. For example, the leg assembly may include a first leg subassembly, a second leg subassembly, a crossbar assembly, and a height adjustment mechanism. The first leg subassembly may include a first upper leg having one or more upper latch openings and the latch openings may be disposed on an inner surface of the first upper leg. The first upper leg may at least partially define a first cavity into which a first lower leg may be retractably positioned. The lower leg may have one or more lower latch openings and one or more of the lower latch openings may be selectively aligned with the one or more upper latch openings. The second leg subassembly may include a second upper leg having one or more upper latch openings and the latch openings may be disposed on an inner surface of the second upper leg. The second upper leg may at last partially define a second cavity into which a second lower leg may be retractably positioned. The lower leg may have one or more lower latch openings and one or more of the lower latch openings may be selectively aligned with the one or more upper latch openings. The crossbar assembly may be positioned laterally between the first leg subassembly and the second leg subassembly, and may include a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The crossbar assembly may be mechanically coupled to the first upper leg and the second upper leg such that the first opening of the crossbar assembly is aligned with a first upper latch opening of the upper latch openings of the first upper leg and the second opening of the crossbar assembly is aligned with a first upper latch opening of the upper latch openings of the second upper leg. The height adjustment mechanism may be at least partially contained in the crossbar assembly and may include a first retractor, a second retractor, a first latch arm, a second latch arm, and an activator. The first retractor may include a first sloped surface and a first receiving structure. The second retractor may include a second sloped surface and a second receiving structure. The first latch arm may include a first engagement structure that is capable of being engaged with a first receiving structure of the first retractor such that the first latch arm extends in a first lateral direction from the first retractor. The second latch arm may include a second engagement structure that is capable of being engaged with the second receiving structure of the second retractor such that the second latch arm extends in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction from the second retractor. The activator may include angled lower surfaces and may be configurable in an inactive position to enable outward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor such that the first latch arm and second latch arm extend from the first opening and the second opening of the crossbar assembly. The activator may be configurable in an active position in which the angled lower surfaces contact the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface to cause inward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor such that the first latch arm and the second latch arm are drawn into the crossbar assembly via the first and second openings. The activator may include a protrusion that extends from the crossbar assembly in the longitudinal direction from an upper surface of the crossbar assembly. Transition between the inactive position and the active position may include a longitudinal translation or movement of the activator relative to the crossbar assembly through application of a substantially normal force to the protrusion. The protrusion may include a protrusion height defined between the upper surface of the crossbar assembly and a top surface of the protrusion. The crossbar assembly may include two arced protrusions positioned immediately adjacent to the protrusion. Each of the two arced protrusion may include a first end that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the crossbar assembly and a second end that is substantially equivalent to the protrusion height. The leg assembly may also include a biasing member such as a spring. In detail, the first retractor may include a first longitudinal surface opposite the first sloped surface. The second retractor may include a second longitudinal surface opposite the second sloped surface. The spring may be positioned between the first longitudinal surface and the second longitudinal surface, and the spring may be configured to provide a force to or against one or more of the retractors. For example, the spring may provide a force against the first retractor and the second retractor. In greater detail, the spring may force the first retractor from the second retractor and to force the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface against the angled lower surfaces. The height adjustment mechanism may further include one or more pins (e.g., two pins), the activator may include one or more longitudinal pin apertures (e.g., two longitudinal pin apertures), and the first and second latch arms may each include a lateral pin aperture that at least partially overlaps one of the longitudinal pin apertures. The pins may be positioned in one of the longitudinal pin apertures and one of the lateral pin apertures. The pins may limit motion of the activator to a substantially longitudinal direction and may limit motion of the first and second latch arms to a substantially lateral direction.
Still another aspect of an embodiment may include a folding table. The folding table may include a tabletop, a frame, one or more leg assemblies, and one or more adjustment mechanisms. The tabletop may include a first tabletop section and a second tabletop section, and the table top may be movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. The first tabletop section and the second tabletop section may generally be aligned in the same plane when the tabletop is in the unfolded position. The first tabletop section and the second tabletop section may be disposed generally adjacent and parallel to each other when the tabletop is in the folded position. The frame may be connected to the tabletop and may include a first side rail and a second side rail. The first side rail may include a first rail section connected to the first tabletop section and a second rail section connected to the second tabletop section. The second side rail may include a first rail section that may be connected to the first tabletop section and a second rail section that may be connected to the second tabletop section. One or both leg assemblies may be pivotally coupled to the table. In particular, one or both leg assembly may be pivotally coupled to the frame and/or the table top. The leg assembly may include a first cross member, a first leg subassembly, a second leg subassembly, and a crossbar assembly. The first cross member may include a first end that may be disposed in the first rail section of the first side rail and a second end that may be disposed in the first rail section of the second side rail. The first leg subassembly may be coupled to the first cross member and may include a first upper leg having one or more upper latch openings. The upper latch openings may be disposed on an inner surface of the first upper leg. The first upper leg may define a first cavity into which a first lower leg may be retractably positioned. The lower leg may have one or more lower latch openings. The one or more lower latch openings may be selectively aligned with the one or more upper latch openings. Similarly, the second leg subassembly may be mechanically coupled to the first cross member. The second leg subassembly may include a second upper leg having one or more upper latch openings and the one or more upper latch openings may be disposed on an inner surface of the second upper leg. The second upper leg may at least partially define a second cavity into which a second lower leg may be retractably positioned. The lower leg may have one or more lower latch openings and the one or more lower latch openings may be selectively aligned with the one or more upper latch openings. The crossbar assembly may be positioned laterally between the first leg subassembly and the second leg subassembly. The crossbar assembly may include a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The crossbar assembly may be mechanically coupled to the first upper leg and the second upper leg such that the first opening of the crossbar assembly is aligned with a first upper latch opening of the one or more upper latch openings of the first upper leg and the second opening of the crossbar assembly is aligned with a first upper latch opening of the one or more upper latch openings of the second upper leg. The height adjustment mechanism may be at least partially contained in the crossbar assembly and may include a first retractor, a second retractor, a first latch arm, a second latch arm, a spring, and an activator. The first retractor may include a first sloped surface opposite a first longitudinal surface and a first receiving structure. The second retractor may include a second sloped surface opposite a second longitudinal surface, and a second receiving structure. The first latch arm may include a first engagement structure that may be engaged with or capable of being engaged with a first receiving structure of the first retractor such that the first latch arm extends in a first lateral direction from the first retractor. The second latch arm may include a second engagement structure that may be engaged with or capable of being engaged with the second receiving structure of the second retractor such that the second latch arm extends in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction from the second retractor. The spring may be positioned between the first longitudinal surface and the second longitudinal surface and may be configured to impose a spring force that separates the first retractor from the second retractor. The activator may include angled lower surfaces that may be positioned outwardly relative to the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface. The angled lower surfaces may be configured to contact the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface. Responsive to a longitudinal translation or movement of the activator to draw the first retractor and the second retractor towards one another in a lateral direction. The activator may be configurable in an inactive position in which outward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor is enabled such that the first latch arm and second latch arm extend from the first opening of the crossbar assembly and the second opening of the crossbar assembly, respectively. The activator may be configurable in an active position that causes inward translation of the first retractor and the second retractor such that the first latch arm and the second latch arm are drawn into the crossbar assembly via the first and second openings. The activator may include a protrusion that extends from the crossbar assembly in the longitudinal direction from an upper surface of the crossbar assembly. Transition between the inactive position and the active position may include a longitudinal translation or movement of the activator relative to the crossbar assembly through application of a substantially normal force to the protrusion. The protrusion may include a protrusion height, which may be defined between the upper surface of the crossbar assembly and a top surface of the protrusion. The crossbar assembly may include two arced protrusions positioned immediately adjacent to the protrusion. One or both of the two arced protrusions may include a first end that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the crossbar assembly and a second end that is substantially coplanar with the protrusion. The height adjustment mechanism may further include two pins, the activator may include two longitudinal pin apertures, and the first and second latch arms may each include a lateral pin aperture that partially overlaps one of the two longitudinal pin apertures. Each of the two pins may be positioned in one of the longitudinal pin apertures and one of the lateral pin apertures. The pins may limit motion of the activator to a substantially longitudinal direction and may limit motion of the first and second latch arms to a substantially lateral direction.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following brief description of the drawings, the drawings, the detailed description of preferred embodiments and appended claims.
The appended drawings contain figures of exemplary embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention is generally directed towards height adjustment mechanisms for folding tables. The principles of the present invention, however, are not limited to height adjustment mechanisms for folding tables. It will be understood that, in light of the present disclosure, the height adjustment mechanisms, tables, and features disclosed herein can be successfully used in connection with other types of tables, furniture, and the like.
Additionally, to assist in the description of the height adjustment mechanisms for tables, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right, and left may be used to describe the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that the height adjustment mechanisms, tables, and the like can be disposed in other positions, used in a variety of situations and may perform a number of different functions. In addition, the drawings may be to scale and may illustrate various configurations, arrangements, aspects, and features of the table. It will be appreciated, however, that the height adjustment mechanisms and/or tables may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the height adjustment mechanism and/or table. Further, the height adjustment mechanism and/or table may include any suitable number or combination of aspects, features and the like. A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the height adjustment mechanisms and tables now follows.
An exemplary table 10, according to at least one embodiment, may include a tabletop 12 with an upper surface 14 (
As depicted in
The tabletop 12 may have a generally rectangular configuration with rounded corners. The tabletop 12 may have a relatively large size and the table 10 may be configured for use as a banquet or utility table. For example, the tabletop 12 may have a length defined between the first end 18 and the second end 20 of about five feet (or about sixty inches) and a width defined between the first side 22 and the second side 24 of about two and one-half feet (or about thirty inches), but the tabletop 12 can be larger or smaller. For instance, embodiments of the tabletop 12 might include a length between about six and ten feet and a width of about two and three feet. One skilled in the art will appreciate the tabletop 12 can be larger or smaller; may have other suitable shapes and configurations such as square, circular, oval and the like; and the sides, corners, edges and other portions of the tabletop 12 could have various shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the table. Further, the table 10 could be any suitable type of table such as a folding table, non-folding table, card table, personal table, round table, and the like. For instance, it will also be appreciated that the table 10 and its various components may have other shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,530,331; 7,111,563; 7,475,643; 7,814,844; and 7,975,625; each of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. It will further be appreciated that the table 10 may also include any suitable number and combination of features and aspects depending, for example, upon the intended use of the table 10.
The tabletop 12 may be constructed from lightweight materials such as plastic. In particular, the tabletop 12 may be constructed from high density polyethylene but other suitable materials can be used. The tabletop 12 may be relatively strong, lightweight, rigid, and sturdy. The tabletop 12 may be quickly and easily manufactured. The tabletop 12 may also be relatively durable, weather resistant, temperature insensitive, corrosion resistant, rust resistant, and may not deteriorate or maintain structural integrity over time. The tabletop 12 could be constructed from plastics, polymers, synthetic materials and the like. The tabletop 12 could also be constructed from processes such as blow-molding, injection molding, rotational molding, rotary molding, etc. The tabletop 12 may be constructed from other materials with sufficient strength and desirable characteristics such as wood, metals, alloys, composites, fiberglass, ceramics, and the like. The tabletop 12 could be manufactured using one or more other suitable processes.
The table 10 may include one or more support structures 28A and 28B (generally, support structure 28 or support structures 28). The support structures 28 may be sized and configured to support the tabletop 12 above a surface (not shown). For example, the table 10 may include a first support structure 28A and a second support structure 28B. The support structures 28 may include one or more leg assemblies 200. Some additional details of the leg assemblies 200 are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure.
The support structures 28 may be movable between an extended or use position, which is depicted in
The table 10 may be a folding table. The tabletop 12 may include a first tabletop section 32A and a second tabletop section 32B. The first support structure 28A may be movable between the extended and collapsed positions relative to the first tabletop section 32A. The second support structure 28B may be movable between the extended and collapsed positions relative to the second tabletop section 32B. The first and second tabletop sections 32A and 32B may be rotatable about an axis of rotation 34 (“axis 34”) (see, e.g.,
When the tabletop 12 is in the unfolded position of
The first and second tabletop sections 32A and 32B may have a generally rectangular configuration with a symmetrical or mirror-image configuration. In the unfolded position, the first and second tabletop sections 32A and 32B may meet at an interface 78 (
Referring to
In greater detail, the first side rail 42A may be disposed towards the first side 22 of the tabletop 12. The first side rail 42A may include a first rail section 46A that is connected to the first tabletop section 32A of the tabletop 12 and a second rail section 46B connected to the second tabletop section 32B of the tabletop 12. The first and second rail sections 46A and 46B of the first side rail 42A may be offset or spaced apart. For example, the first rail section 46A may be offset from the second rail section 46B in the z-direction in the exemplary coordinate system of
The second side rail 42B may be disposed towards the second side 24 of the tabletop 12. The second side rail 42B may include a first rail section 48A connected to the first tabletop section 32A of the tabletop 12 and a second rail section 48B connected to the second tabletop section 32B of the tabletop 12. The first and second rail sections 48A and 48B of the second side rail 42B may be offset or spaced apart. For example, the first rail section 48A may be offset from the second rail section 48B in the z-direction.
The support structures 28 may be connected to the frame 40. For example, a first cross member 208A may connect the frame 40 and the first support structure 28A and a second cross member 208B may connect the frame 40 and the second support structure 28B.
Ends of the first and second cross members 208A and 208B may be disposed at least partially in openings in the side rails 42 of the frame 40, which may allow the first and second cross members 208A and 208B to rotate relative to the frame 40. The first and second cross members 208A and 208B may form part of the frame 40 and/or the support structures 28, depending, for example, upon the particular arrangement and/or configuration of the table 10. For example, referring to
The leg assembly 200 may include a first leg subassembly 202A and a second leg subassembly 202B (generally, leg subassemblies 202 or leg subassembly 202) that may be connected via a crossbar assembly 300, a first cross member 208A, and a lower crossbar 204. The first leg subassembly 202A may include a first upper leg 226A. The first upper leg 226A may at least partially define a first cavity 214A. A first lower leg 230A may be retractably positioned in the first cavity 214A. Similarly, the second leg subassembly 202B may include a second upper leg 226B. The second upper leg 226B may at least partially define a second cavity 214B. A second lower leg 230B may be retractably positioned in the second cavity 214B. The first upper leg 226A and the second upper leg 226B may be collectively or generally referred to as upper leg 226 or upper legs 226. The first lower leg 230A and the second lower leg 230B may be collectively or generally referred to as lower leg 230 or lower legs 230.
With reference to
With reference to
The height adjustment mechanism may be configurable in an inactive configuration, which is depicted in
The height adjustment mechanism may also be configurable in an active configuration, which is depicted in
In some embodiments, the first cavity 214A and the second cavity 214B may be sized such that the lower legs 230 may move substantially in the y-direction relative to the upper legs 226 under its weight. For example, with reference to
Referring to
The crossbar assembly 300 may include a crossbar housing 301, which may include a shell 302 and upper crossbar portions 800A and 800B of the crossbar housing 301. The upper crossbar portions 800A and 800B are referred to generally as “upper crossbar portions 800” or “upper crossbar portion 800.” The crossbar housing 301 may define at least a portion of a mechanism cavity 310. The mechanism cavity 310 may be configured to house and contain one or more components of a height adjustment mechanism 400 or portions thereof. Some additional details of the height adjustment mechanism 400 are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure. The shell 302 may include a shell length 312 between a first end 314 and a second end 316. The shell length 312 may be sized relative to a leg assembly. For example, the shell length 312 may be sized such that the crossbar housing 301 may be mechanically coupled to a first leg at the first end 314 and to a second leg at the second end 316. For instance, with combined reference to
Referring back to
As shown in
As shown in
With reference to
In the height adjustment mechanism 400, the retractors 700 may each include a sloped surface 704, a longitudinal surface 706, and a receiving structure 702. The latch arms 900 may each include an engagement structure 906 that may be engaged with or capable of being engaged with the receiving structure 702 of one of the retractors 700. The latch arms 900 may extend in lateral directions from the retractors 700. For instance, a first latch arm 900A may extend from a first retractor 700A in a lateral direction that corresponds to the positive x-direction of
The first retractor 700A may be positioned relative to the second retractor 700B such that the longitudinal surface 706 of the first retractor 700A faces the longitudinal surface 706 of the second retractor 700B. The spring 505 may be positioned between the longitudinal surface 706 of the first retractor 700A and the longitudinal surface 706 of the second retractor 700B. The spring 505 may be configured to impose a spring force that separates the first retractor 700A from the second retractor 700B.
The activator 600 may include angled lower surfaces 612. The activator 600 may be positioned relative to the retractors 700 such that the angled lower surfaces 612 are positioned outwardly relative to the sloped surfaces 704. For instance, the retractors 700 may be positioned such that the sloped surfaces 704 are between the angled lower surfaces 612. The angled lower surfaces 612 may be configured to contact the sloped surfaces 704. In particular, the angled lower surfaces 612 may be configured to contact the sloped surfaces 704 such that longitudinal translation or movement of the activator 600 affects lateral translation of the retractors 700. For instance, responsive to a longitudinal translation or movement of the activator 600 due to a force sufficient to overcome the spring force, the retractors 700 may be drawn towards one another in a lateral direction (e.g., the x-direction and negative x-direction). Similarly, responsive to the spring force that acts to separate the retractors 700 in the lateral direction, the activator 600 may be translated in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the y-direction).
In
Outward translation of the retractors 700 may result in an outward translation of the latch arms 900. For instance, the first retractor 700A may be engaged with the first latch arm 900A. Translation of the first retractor 700A in the positive x-direction may result in translation of the first latch arm 900A in the positive x-direction. Similarly, the second retractor 700B may be engaged with the second latch arm 900B. Translation of the second retractor 700B in the negative x-direction may result in translation of the second latch arm 900B in the negative x-direction. Translation of the latch arms 900 may result in latch portions 922 of the latch arms 900 extending from openings of a crossbar assembly, which may engage latch openings (e.g., 228A and/or 228B of
In
In the active position, the retractors 700 may be translated inwardly. For instance, the first retractor 700A may be translated in the negative x-direction and the second retractor 700B may be translated in the positive x-direction of
As best depicted in
Referring to
The protrusion 623 may extend across all or a majority of the activator thickness 609. The activator thickness 609 may correspond to a width of a cavity defined in a crossbar housing into which the activator 600 may be disposed. For example, with reference to
The activator height 605 may be related to a height of the cavity defined in a crossbar housing into which the activator 600 may be disposed. For example, with reference to
Referring to
With reference to
With reference to
The protrusion height 621 may correspond to a height of an arced, rounded, or curved protrusion on a crossbar assembly or crossbar housing. In particular, the protrusion height 621 may be sized such that the arced protrusion gradually or consistently interfaces with the upper surface 653 of the protrusion 623. For instance, with reference to
With reference to
With combined reference to
In some embodiments, when the retractor 700 is assembled into a height adjustment mechanism such as the height adjustment mechanism 400, the retractor 700 may be oriented relative to another retractor such that the longitudinal surface 706 of the retractor 700 faces a corresponding longitudinal surface of the other retractor. For instance, the longitudinal surface 706 may be substantially oriented in the YZ plane of
In the configuration in which the two retractors 700 face one another, the spring (e.g., 505 of
In the depicted embodiment, the retractor 700 may include a spring retainer 709. The spring retainer 709 may be configured to secure or partially secure the spring relative to the retractor 700. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the spring retainer 709 may protrude from the longitudinal surface 706 in a lateral direction, which corresponds to the x-direction of
In the depicted embodiment, the spring retainer 709 may include a structure that protrudes from the longitudinal surface 706 and may be configured to be introduced or disposed into the spring. In other embodiments, the spring retainer may include a circular recess created in the longitudinal surface 706 into which the spring is positioned, a fastener, or another suitable structure that limits movement of the spring. In some embodiments, the spring retainer 709 may be omitted.
The sloped surface 704 may be oriented at an angle 705 relative to the bottom surface 707. The angle 705 may correspond to an angled lower surface of an activator. For example, with reference to
For example, with reference to
Translation of the retractor 700 may result in translation of a latch arm engaged in the receiving structure 702. With reference to
With continued reference to
Referring to
In the embodiment of
The upper crossbar portion 800 may include an upper surface 808. The upper surface 808 may be external to the crossbar assembly. The upper surface 808 may be opposite an internal feature 814 that may be configured to interface with side portions of a crossbar housing. The internal feature 814 may connect to arm retainers 812 that may guide latch arms disposed in the crossbar assembly.
The upper crossbar portion 800 may include an arced, rounded, or curved protrusion 802. The arced protrusion 802 may be included on the upper surface 808. The arced protrusion 802 may include a first end 804 and a second end 806. At the first end 804, the arced protrusion 802 may be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the upper surface 808. At the second end 806, the arced protrusion 802 may include a height 810 that is substantially equivalent to a protrusion height. For example, with reference to
The latch arm 900 may include an arm length 902 that is defined in a lateral dimension, which corresponds to the x-direction of
The latch arm 900 may also include an arm height 904. The arm height 904 may be defined in a longitudinal dimension, which corresponds to the y-direction of
The latch arm 900 may include an engagement structure 906. The engagement structure 906 may be disposed at the first end 908 of the latch arm 900. The engagement structure 906 may be configured to be engaged with a receiving structure of a retractor. For instance, the engagement structure 906 may be configured to be engaged with the receiving structure 702 of the retractor 700 of
In the depicted embodiment, when the engagement structure 906 is engaged in the receiving structure, a remaining portion 912 of the latch arm 900 may extend in the lateral direction, which may correspond to the x-direction of
The latch arm 900 may include a latch portion 922. The latch portion 922 may be included at a second end 920 of the latch arm 900 that is opposite the first end 908 on the latch arm 900. The latch portion 922 may include a sloped bottom surface 924. The sloped bottom surface 924 may facilitate introduction of the latch portion 922 into a latch opening of a table leg assembly (e.g., the latch opening 228A and 228B of the upper leg 226 and/or the lower leg 230). The latch portion 922 or some part thereof may extend from a crossbar assembly when a height adjustment mechanism implementing the latch arm 900 is in the inactive configuration. Also, when the height adjustment mechanism implementing the latch arm 900 is in the active configuration, the latch portion 922 may be drawn into the crossbar assembly, which may enable retraction and extension of a lower leg relative to an upper leg.
The latch arm 900 may include a lateral pin aperture 914. The lateral pin aperture 914 may include a rounded rectangular aperture. The lateral pin aperture 914 may include a lateral dimension 918, which is greater than a longitudinal dimension 916. The longitudinal dimension 916 may correspond to or be substantially equivalent to a dimension of a pin (e.g., the pin 506) that may be disposed in the lateral pin aperture 914. The lateral dimension 918 may correspond to a distance in which the latch arm 900 translates responsive to motion of the retractor. The lateral pin aperture 914 may limit motion of the latch arm 900 to motion that is in a substantially lateral direction. For example, the lateral pin aperture 914 may prevent or substantially prevent motion of the latch arm 900 in the longitudinal direction.
Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/942,215, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,561, issued Nov. 12, 2019; which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200077785 A1 | Mar 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15942215 | Mar 2018 | US |
| Child | 16680235 | US |
