HYDRAULIC BUFFERING LEG CUSHION

Abstract

A hydraulic buffering leg cushion is mounted to a supporting platform. The hydraulic buffering leg cushion comprises a leg cushion body, a movable element, at least one buffering damper, at least one gear, and a fixed connecting element. The leg cushion body is provided with a first receiving space. The movable element is provided with at least one rack, and is received in the first receiving space, and that a loading spring is provided therein for pressing against the leg cushion body. The at least one buffering damper is arranged in the leg cushion body, and is filled therein with damping oil. The at least one gear is sleeved to the at least one buffering damper, where the at least one gear is engaged with the at least one rack. The fixed connecting element is fixedly arranged on the movable element for connecting with the supporting platform. As such, the hydraulic buffering leg cushion makes use of the supporting force of the loading spring and the buffering structure of the at least one buffering damper, such that the hydraulic buffering leg cushion can adjust to a balance of the supporting platform automatically within an effective range, without any manual adjustment to a balance, so as to ensure stability of the supporting platform without shaking easily.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hydraulic buffering leg cushion, and more particularly, to a hydraulic buffering leg cushion adapted for supporting a platform.

Description of Related Art

In view of the fact that a table may be shaking, if the legs of the table fail to touch the floor individually, when in the occasion of uneven floor, differences in the length of legs, or during moving the table. In such an occasion, upon impacting the table, the objects on the table will likely tip over, so as to make users feel disturbed. Currently on the market, there are two types of leg cushions, one is a fixed type, the other an adjustable type. Even the adjustable-type leg cushion still needs manual manipulation to swivel a nut for height adjustment. This, however, is troublesome and makes the users feel uncomfortable.

Conventionally, to make cushion legs achieve a self-balancing effect, without the need of a manual adjustment for a balance, a hydraulic buffering leg cushion, similar to the present invention and as disclosed in Taiwan Patent Publication No. I 605774B, has been developed by a manufacturer. This conventional art has its own merit on forming a hydraulic cylinder directly on an adjuster body, and as such, damping oil requires to be filled into a cylinder of the adjuster body. Besides, a small gap needs to be provided in between a piston rod and the adjuster body, so as to ensure ventilation between inside and outside of the cylinder during reciprocal motions of the piston rod. This, however, increases a risk of oil leaks. Furthermore, the conventional hydraulic buffering leg cushion is designed to use an upper side oil chamber and a lower side oil chamber, and this however decreases its loading capacity, making it impossible to bear heavy objects for a longer time. As a result, destruction will easily occur from the gap, or from where between the oil chambers, and so the situations of oil leaks occur more easily.

Given the above, with a spirit of aggressive innovation to solve such problems as mentioned, a “Hydraulic Buffering Leg Cushion” is conceptualized, and with persistent research and experiments, the present invention can be accomplished eventually.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic buffering leg cushion, such that through a structural design of the present invention, a supporting platform, which is mounted with the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, can adjust to a balance of the supporting platform automatically within an effective range, so as to ensure stability of the supporting platform without shaking easily. Besides, according to the present invention, buffering dampers are incorporated with gears and racks so as to achieve the purpose of self-balance effect. However, according to the conventional art, the hydraulic buffering leg cushion requires to be filled with damping oil into a leg cushion body directly, and so a risk of oil leaks occurs. Unlike the conventional art, according to the present invention, the situation of oil leaks can be avoided effectively, let alone the present invention can have a larger loading capacity for a longer time.

To achieve the purpose of the above-mentioned object, the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, according to the present invention, is mounted to a supporting platform. The hydraulic buffering leg cushion comprises a leg cushion body, a movable element, at least one buffering damper, at least one gear, and a fixed connecting element. The leg cushion body is provided with a first receiving space. The movable element is provided with at least one rack, and is received in the first receiving space, and that a loading spring is provided therein for pressing against the leg cushion body. The at least one buffering damper is arranged in the leg cushion body, and is filled therein with damping oil. The at least one gear is sleeved to the at least one buffering damper, where the at least one gear is engaged with the at least one rack. The fixed connecting element is fixedly arranged on the movable element for connecting with the supporting platform.

Through the above-mentioned design, the present invention makes use of the supporting force of the loading spring and the buffering structure of the at least one buffering damper, such that the hydraulic buffering leg cushions can adjust the flatness of the supporting platform within an effective height adjustment. Namely, the supporting platform can maintain a balance, without shaking, at an effective height of adjustment, even though a user touches the supporting platform accidently. This is because a significant damping effect can be produced from the hydraulic buffering leg cushions, thus the supporting platform will not shake easily even though it is touched accidently.

According to the present invention, the leg cushion body includes an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover is arranged on the lower cover, such that the leg cushion body is made with a two-piece combination structure by the upper cover and the lower cover, respectively.

Further, according to the present invention, the lower cover is provided underneath a rubber pad so as to reduce noise occurred when bottom of the hydraulic buffering leg cushion contacts floor, and to achieve the purpose of buffering effect.

Still further, according to the present invention, the movable element is provided with at least one hook, and that the leg cushion body is provided with a flange on inner surface of the leg cushion body, such that the at least one hook can engage with the flange. This will resist elastic restoring force of the loading spring upon no load to the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, and set an upper limit for the height adjustment of the movable element.

According to the present invention, the at least one buffering damper includes a base, an upper cover, a rotational element, and a sealing ring. The upper cover is provided with an opening, and is disposed in the base where a second receiving space is formed, such that the rotational element and the sealing ring are received in the second receiving space. The rotational element has its axis of rotation extended out of the opening and engaged with the gear. The second receiving space is filled with damping oil. As such, the at least one buffering damper can obtain various damping values through injecting thereinto damping oil of different viscosities, so as to meet the requirements of various buffering characteristics.

Further, according to the present invention, the fixed connecting element relates to a set screw. Namely, the set screw can be employed to fasten the hydraulic buffering leg cushion to the supporting platform, so as to assist adjusting automatically a balance of the supporting platform.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating hydraulic buffering leg cushions, according to the present invention, arranged underneath a supporting platform;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a hydraulic buffering leg cushion according the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, from another angle of view, according the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, from another angle of view, according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating a buffering damper according to the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal status of the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, prior to a compression thereupon, according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal status of the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, after a compression thereupon, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

A reference is made to FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating hydraulic buffering leg cushions, according to the present invention, arranged underneath a supporting platform. As shown, there are the supporting platform 1, and as exemplified, two fixed leg cushions a, b, and two hydraulic buffering leg cushions c, d. The supporting platform 1 relates to a table having four supporting legs 11, 12, 13, 14, wherein the two supporting legs 11, 12 are mounted with the fixed leg cushions a, b, respectively, while the other two supporting legs 13, 14 are mounted with the hydraulic buffering leg cushions c, d, respectively. As such, a side of the table having the fixed leg cushions a, b, and unable to proceed with adjustment of height, refers to a fixed side; whereas another side of the table having the hydraulic buffering leg cushions c, d, and able to proceed with adjustment of height automatically, refers to an active side. According to the present invention, the hydraulic buffering leg cushions c, d each have an effective height of adjustment 6 mm, namely even if the supporting platform 1 has a flatness drop of 6 mm relative to floor, though not limited to this numerical value and may be other values, the hydraulic buffering leg cushions c, d can maintain a balance for the supporting platform 1 without shaking.

According to the present invention, also referring to FIG. 1, the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c stands in a status of stretching, indicating a lower height of floor that the supporting leg 13 is positioned. This is because initially the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c has not yet touched the floor and has not yet been compressed, and the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c will adjust height of the supporting leg 13 until the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c touches the floor, so as to maintain flatness of the supporting platform 1. In contrast, the hydraulic buffering leg cushion d stands on a higher floor, and initially the hydraulic buffering leg cushion d bears a compression against the floor, making the hydraulic buffering leg cushion d adjust to a lower height of the supporting leg 14 automatically so as to maintain a status of balance, and to maintain flatness of the supporting platform 1.

Now references are made to FIG. 2A, a perspective view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c, as exemplified; FIG. 2B, a perspective view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c from another angle of view; FIG. 3, an exploded view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c; FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c; and FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view illustrating the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c from another angle of view. As shown, the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c comprises a leg cushion body 2, a movable element 3, two buffering dampers 4, two gears 5, and a fixed connecting element 6. The leg cushion body 2 includes an upper cover 21, a lower cover 22, and a flange 23, wherein the upper cover 21 is arranged on the lower cover 22 such that a first receiving space 20 can be formed. According to the present invention, the leg cushion body 2 is made with a two-piece combination structure by the upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22, respectively, though not so limited, namely a one-piece integrally made structure for the leg cushion body 2 is possible. The flange 23 is arranged on inner surface of the leg cushion body 2. Besides, the lower cover 22 is provided underneath a rubber pad 221 so as to reduce noise occurred when bottom of the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c contacts the floor, and to achieve the purpose of buffering effect.

Further, according to the present invention, the movable element 3 is provided, at a place corresponding to the two gears 5, with two racks 31. The movable element 3 is received in the first receiving space 20, and that a loading spring 32 is provided therein for pressing against internal bottom of the lower cover 22 of the leg cushion body 2 so as to provide an elastic restoring force and make the movable element able to displace linearly in a vertical direction along the first receiving space 20, such that adjustment of height can be effectively made. Besides, the movable element 3 is provided, at its two sides, with two hooks 33, such that upon no load to the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c, the hooks 33 can engage with the flange 23. This will resist the elastic restoring force of the loading spring 32 and set an upper limit for the height adjustment of the movable element 3.

Still further, also referring to FIG. 6, an exploded view illustrating the buffering damper 4 according to the present invention, the two buffering dampers 4 are arranged at two sides of the upper cover 21 of the leg cushion body 2, respectively. The buffering dampers 4 each include a base 41, an upper cover 42, a rotational element 43, and a sealing ring 44. The upper cover 42 is provided with an opening 421, and is disposed in the base 41 where a second receiving space 40 is formed, such that the rotational element 43 and the sealing ring 44 are received in the second receiving space 40. The rotational element 43 has its axis of rotation 431 extended out of the opening 421 and engaged with the gear 5. The second receiving space 40 is filled with damping oil. As such, the buffering dampers 4 can obtain various damping values through injecting thereinto damping oil of different viscosities, so as to meet the requirements of various buffering characteristics. Besides, no matter whether the rotational element 43 rotates clockwise, or counterclockwise, a damping effect can be obtained, and this is so-called a dual-direction damper. Further, the buffering damper 4 is assembled in a process including the following steps: Filling damping oil into the base 41, and disposing the rotational element 43 into the second receiving space 40, then installing the sealing ring 44 and the upper cover 42. After the assembly, the base 41 and the upper cover 42 are welded together by ultrasound, so as to accomplish a buffering damper 4 having a reliable tightness where damping oil will not leak. In addition, by engaging the gear 5, which is engaged with the axis of rotation 431, with the rack 31 of the movable element 3, the buffering characteristics of damper can be obtained.

According to the present invention, the fixed connecting element 6 is fixedly arranged on the movable element 3. In the present embodiment, the fixed connecting element 6 relates to a set screw. Namely, the set screw can be employed to fasten the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c to the supporting platform 1, so as to assist adjusting automatically a balance of the supporting platform 1.

Further, references are made to FIG. 7A, a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal status of the hydraulic buffering leg cushion, prior to a compression thereupon, according to the present invention; and FIG. 7B, a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal status of the hydraulic buffering leg cushion after a compression thereupon. As shown in FIG. 7A, when in a status of no load for the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c, the movable element 3 does not start to compress the loading spring 32, and at this moment a maximum effective height of adjustment D can be obtained. However, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c is subject to a force, the movable element 3 will be forced to move downward so as to compress the loading spring 32, and at this moment the rack 31 of the movable element 3 will move and so drive the gear 5 to rotate. During this process of motion, the buffering damper 4 will provide the gear 5 a buffering force to refrain the movable element 3 from a rapid downward movement. This makes a downward pressing force and a spring elastic force achieve a self-balance effect gradually. In contrast, when the hydraulic buffering leg cushion c is subject to a reducing force or is back to the status of no load, the loading spring 32 will push upward, with its elastic restoring force, the movable element 3, and at this moment the rack 31 of the movable element 3 will move and so drive the gear 5 to rotate. During this process of motion, the buffering damper 4 will provide the gear 5 a buffering force to refrain the movable element 3 from a rapid upward movement. This makes a downward pressing force and a spring elastic force achieve a self-balance effect gradually. On the other hand, the hooks 33 of the movable element 3 can be engaged with the flange 23 of the leg cushion body 2, and this will resist the elastic restoring force of the loading spring 32 so as to set an upper limit for the height adjustment of the movable element 3, and to return to the status of no load.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A hydraulic buffering leg cushion, mounted to a supporting platform, comprising: a leg cushion body, provided with a first receiving space;a movable element, provided with at least one rack, and is received in the first receiving space, and a loading spring being provided therein for pressing against the leg cushion body;at least one buffering damper, arranged in the leg cushion body, and filled therein with damping oil;at least one gear, sleeved to the at least one buffering damper, and engaged with the at least one rack; anda fixed connecting element, fixedly arranged on the movable element.

2. The hydraulic buffering leg cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leg cushion body includes an upper cover and a lower cover, and the upper cover is arranged on the lower cover.

3. The hydraulic buffering leg cushion as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lower cover is provided underneath a rubber pad.

4. The hydraulic buffering leg cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable element is provided with at least one hook, and the leg cushion body is provided with a flange on inner surface of the leg cushion body, such that the at least one hook can engage with the flange.

5. The hydraulic buffering leg cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one buffering damper includes a base, an upper cover, a rotational element, and a sealing ring, and the upper cover is provided with an opening, and is disposed in the base in which a second receiving space is formed, such that the rotational element and the sealing ring are received in the second receiving space; and wherein the rotational element has its axis of rotation extended out of the opening and engaged with the gear, and the second receiving space is filled with damping oil.

6. The hydraulic buffering leg cushion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed connecting element relates to a set screw.