Adjustable word processing table and the like

• US 4,440,096 A
• Filed: 12/15/1981
• Issued: 04/03/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Haskell of Pittsburgh Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Haskell of Pittsburgh Incorporated
• Inventors: Rice, Thomas E., Young, Peter T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lyddane, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Binder, Mark W.
• Application Number:
  US06/330,894
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 108/1, 108/3, 108/4, 108/5, 108/6, 108/7, 108/8, 108/9, 108/10, 108/96, 108/102, 108/147, 108/143, 108/20
• US Class Current: 108/3
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/02 with vertically-adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0013 Desks with central bearing beams
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0042 Height and inclination adjustable desktop, either separately or simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0043 Inclination adjustable work top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0046 Desks with double worktop of which one at least is separately height adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/04 with vertical spindle

Abstract

An adjustable, split top table for accommodating word processing equipment and the like comprises a base support, a main frame connected to the base support and two independently movable table tops (front and rear) adjustably secured to the main frame. A first lead screw is mounted between the main frame and the front table top so as to slope forward at an acute angle to the vertical. A second lead screw is mounted between the main frame and a front section of the rear table top and parallel to the first lead screw. A third lead screw is pivotally mounted between the main frame and a middle section of the rear table top. Drive means are coupled to the lead screws to independently raise and lower the first table top, raise and lower the rear table top and tilt the rear table top.

Claims

1. An adjustable split top table for accommodating word processing equipment and the like comprising:

A. a base support for resting on the floor;

B. a main frame connected to the base support, said main frame including a pair of parallel and spaced members positioned along a longitudinal central axis of the table;

C. a first lead screw operably mounted to said main frame and positioned between said members and inclined forward at an angle on the order of 25°

to the vertical;

D. a second lead screw operably mounted to said main frame and between said members and parallel to said first lead screw;

E. a third lead screw pivotally mounted to said main frame and positioned between said members;

F. a traveling block movably secured to each lead screw and a pair of arms upstanding therefrom;

G. table supporting means connected to each pair of arms, said supporting means including a pair of depending legs, each leg positioned in sliding engagement within a support bracket operably connected to the main frame and spaced outward from said spaced members;

H. a front table top mounted to a front bracket, said front bracket slidably mounted on horizontal leg extensions of the depending legs interconnected with the first lead screw;

I. a rear table top mounted to said supporting means interconnected with the second and third lead screws, respectively; and

J. drive means for driving said lead screws, said means capable of driving said first lead screw to raise and lower the first table top, of driving said third lead screw to tilt said rear table top and of driving said second and third lead screws to raise and lower said rear table top.

2. The table of claim 1, said drive means including individual motors mounted to individual housings accommodating each of said lead screws.

3. The table of claim 2 including a control box mounted to said front table top, said control box including individual activation means to cause said tilting and raising or lowering of each table top and digital readouts associated with the raising and lowering activation means to display the location of each table top.

4. The table of claim 1, said drive means comprising a manual driven shaft and a single housing accommodating said first, second and third lead screws, each of said lead screws terminating in a miter gear, said shaft including three miter gears spaced therealong, said shaft movable to engage the shaft miter gears and the lead screw miter gears between the positions set forth in paragraph J.

5. The table top of claim 4, said shaft containing an elongated slot having three spring biased keys connected and spaced therein, each of said shaft miter gears having receiving slots for engagement by a respective key to cause rotation of said gear.

6. The table of claim 1, said support brackets for said depending legs associated with the first and second lead screws being rigidly secured to the parallel and spaced members.

7. The table of claim 6, said table supporting means associated with the second lead screw comprising a cross rod extending between said depending legs, said cross rod connected to an underside of said rear table top adjacent the front thereof, said pair of arms connecting to said cross rod midway of said depending legs.

8. The table of claim 7, said table supporting means associated with the third lead screw comprising a cross rod extending between depending legs, said cross rod connected to an underside of said rear table along the midsection thereof, said pair of arms connecting to said underside rearward of the cross rod.

9. An adjustable split top table for accommodating word processing equipment and the like comprising:

A. a base support for resting on the floor;

B. a main frame connected to the base support, said main frame including a pair of parallel and spaced members positioned along a longitudinal central axis of the table;

C. a first lead screw operably mounted to said main frame and positioned between said members and inclined forward to an angle on the order of 25°

to the vertical;

D. a second lead screw operably mounted to said main frame and positioned between said members and parallel to said first lead screw;

E. a third lead screw pivotally mounted to said main frame and positioned between said members;

F. a traveling block movably secured to each lead screw and a pair of arms upstanding therefrom;

G. table supporting means connected to each pair of arms, said supporting means including a pair of depending legs, each leg positioned in sliding engagement within a support bracket operably connected to the main frame and spaced outward from said spaced members;

H. a front table top mounted to a front bracket, said front bracket slidably mounted on horizontal leg extensions of the depending legs interconnected with the first lead screw;

I. a rear table top mounted to said supporting means interconnected with the second and third lead screws, respectively;

J. drive means for driving said lead screws, said means capable of driving said first lead screw to raise and lower the first table top, of driving said third lead screw to tilt said rear table top and of driving said second and third lead screws to raise and lower said rear table top, said drive means including individual motors mounted to individual housings accommodating each of said lead screws; and

K. each housing including an upper bracket positioned atop said housing, a bottom plate, a supporting bracket connected to the bottom plate and positioned within the housing, a lead screw extending between said bracket and operable within a flange bearing associated with said upper bracket and a thrust bearing and flange bearing associated with the supporting bracket, a flexible coupling connectable between said lead screw and a motor shaft, a gear box and motor connectable to said motor shaft and said bottom plate, said traveling block positioned within the housing for movement by the lead screw and said arms extending through slots in said upper bracket.