Patent Application
20230013711
This invention relates to the field of furniture. More particularly, this invention relates to a height adjustment mechanism for a table or other structure having collapsible telescopic legs.
Tables with collapsible legs are useful because they provide the functionality of a table with compact storage ability. Some collapsible tables also include height adjustable telescopic legs to offer more utility with the various height settings.
Prior height adjustment mechanisms for tables have been complicated to use. Such mechanisms are inefficient due to the time the user must invest to understand and implement the functionality. A simple design is preferred that would encourage the user to utilize the different heights depending on the specific use of the table.
What is needed, therefore, is a collapsible table with a height adjustment mechanism having a straightforward and simple user function to make use of the table more accessible and easier. The present disclosure provides a height adjustment mechanism whose uncomplicated and effective design is easy to understand and operate for most users.
The above and other needs are met by a height adjustment mechanism for structures having telescopic legs. Preferred embodiments of the height adjustment mechanism include a first latch arm, a second latch arm, and an activation device. The first and second latch arms are operable to slide between a first position and a second position. The first latch arm includes a first tab disposed at its outer end and a first sloped surface disposed adjacent its inner end. The first tab engages with a first notch on the first telescopic leg when the first latch arm is in the first position, and disengages from the first notch on the first telescopic leg when the first latch arm is in the second position. The second latch arm includes a second tab disposed at its outer end and a second sloped surface disposed adjacent its inner end. The second tab engages with a second notch on the second telescopic leg when the second latch arm is in the first position, and disengages from the second notch on the second telescopic leg when the second latch arm is in the second position.
The activation device includes first and second contact surfaces that are disposed adjacent the first and second sloped surfaces of the first and second latch arms. As the activation device is pressed, the first contact surface slidingly engages the first sloped surface and the second contact surface slidingly engages the second sloped surface, thereby causing the first and second latch arms to slide inward from the first position to the second position.
In some embodiments, the first and second sloped surfaces are shaped such that a downward vertical displacement of the first and second contact surfaces in engagement with the first and second sloped surfaces causes the first and second latch arms to move inward in a lateral direction.
In some embodiments, the height adjustment mechanism includes a cross-brace tube that is laterally disposed between the first and second telescopic legs. The first and second latch arms are disposed within the cross-brace tube, such that the cross-brace tube acts as a guide in which the first and second latch arms slide between the first and second positions.
In some embodiments, the height adjustment mechanism includes a biasing mechanism, such as a spring, that is disposed between and attached to the inner ends of the first and second latch arms. The biasing mechanism urges the inner ends of the first and second latch arms laterally away from each other.
In some embodiments, the height adjustment mechanism includes a guide case that at least partially encloses and guides movement of the activation device and the first and second sloped surfaces of the first and second latch arms. The guide case limits motion of the activation device to only vertical motion and limits motion of the first and second latch arms to only horizontal lateral motion.
In some embodiments, the height adjustment mechanism includes one or more fasteners that secure the guide case to the cross-brace tube.
In some embodiments, the activation device comprises a molded plastic button having a substantially hollow interior.
In some embodiments, the first and second contact surfaces of the activation device comprise molded plastic surfaces disposed within the interior of the molded plastic button.
In some embodiments, the first and second contact surfaces of the activation device comprise cylindrical metal pins disposed within the interior of the molded plastic button.
In another aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a telescopic leg assembly having multiple selectable height positions. The telescopic leg assembly includes first and second telescopic legs. The first telescopic leg includes a first upper leg portion and a first lower leg portion that slides within the first upper leg portion in a telescopic arrangement. The first lower leg portion has first notches that correspond to the multiple selectable height positions. The second telescopic leg includes a second upper leg portion and a second lower leg portion that slides within the second upper leg portion in a telescopic arrangement. The second lower leg portion has second notches that correspond to the multiple selectable height positions. A cross-brace tube is laterally disposed between and connects the first upper leg portion of the first telescopic leg and the second upper leg portion of the second telescopic leg. Disposed within the cross-brace tube is a height adjustment mechanism as described above.
In another aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a table having a tabletop and a telescopic leg assembly having multiple selectable height positions. The telescopic leg assembly is pivotally connected to the tabletop and is movable from a use position in which the telescopic leg assembly is perpendicular to the tabletop and a storage position in which the telescopic leg assembly is parallel to the tabletop. The telescopic leg assembly includes first and second telescopic legs and a cross-brace tube laterally disposed between the first and second telescopic legs. Disposed within the cross-brace tube is a height adjustment mechanism as described above.
Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
With reference to the drawings, the disclosure relates to a height adjustment mechanism for tables and other structures having telescopic legs. Such tables typically have tabletops made from plastic and legs made from metal and are designed for temporary use and storage. Although the height adjustment mechanism described herein is applicable for use in such tables, the device is also suitable for adjusting the height of any object that contains collapsible telescopic legs. For example, the height adjustment mechanism could be used to change the height of a bench, chair or computer stand.
Prior height adjusting devices have required two hands to activate the device or a particular grip or combination of movements to achieve adjustment. Preferred embodiments of the device described herein require only the use of one hand to activate a single button through a singular downward motion, leaving the user's other hand free to guide the legs or provide stability.
As shown in
Each of the leg assemblies 14 includes first and second telescopic legs 18a-18b each containing an upper leg portion 20a-20b and a lower leg portion 22a-22b in a telescopic arrangement that provides for multiple height positions. The upper leg portions 20a-20b and lower leg portions 22a-22b are positioned such that the lower leg portions 22a-22b can slide within the tubular interior of the upper leg portions 20a-20b. The upper leg portions 20a-20b and lower leg portions 22a-22b are oriented such that the table 10 is at its maximum height when the lower leg portions 22a-22b are at fully extended positions with respect to the upper leg portions 20a-20b, and the table 10 is at its minimum height when the lower leg portions 22a-22b are fully retracted within the upper leg portions 20a-20b. The lower leg portions 22a-22b have multiple notches 24 spaced apart at various vertical positions that correspond to different height positions (shown in
As depicted in
As depicted in
The inner ends of the latch arms 30a-30b are connected to a biasing mechanism 34 that urges the inner ends of the latch arms 30a-30b away from each other. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing mechanism 34 is a cylindrical spring. At the inner ends of the latch arms 30a-30b are sloped surfaces 36a-36b that are angled such that the downward motion of an activation device 38 causes a proportional lateral displacement of the latch arms 30a-30b.
The cross-brace tube 26 houses the latch arms 30a-30b and the biasing mechanism 34, encasing them on all sides. The cross-brace tube 26 also provides lateral support for the table 10 and a protective covering for the components of the mechanism 28. Further, the metal cross-brace tube 26 limits the motion of the latch arms 30a-30b strictly to lateral horizontal motion.
The activation device 38 is preferably disposed adjacent to the top of the sloped surfaces 36a-36b at the inner ends of the latch arms 30a-30b. At the bottom of a preferred embodiment of the activation device 38 are two contact surfaces 42a-42b that directly engage the sloped surfaces 36a-36b at the inner ends of the latch arms 30a-30b. In a preferred embodiment depicted in
When the activation device 38 is not pressed, as depicted in
When the user releases the activation device 38, the outward force of the biasing mechanism 34 pushes the latch arms 30a-30b outward, and the outward moving sloped surfaces 36a-36b push the contact surfaces 42a-42b up vertically in proportion to the horizontal motion of the sloped surfaces 36a-36b.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
