Height adjustable table

• US 6,550,728 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2002
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heidt Products Inc.
• Original Assignee: Heidt Products Inc.
• Inventors: Fuhrman, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHULTERBRANDT, KOFI A
• Application Number:
  US10/209,861
• Time in Patent Office: 263 Days
• Field of Search: 248/188.5, 248/125.7, 248/125.8, 248/125.9, 248/131, 248/132, 248/161, 108/146, 108/147, 108/147.19, 403/109.1, 403/109.5
• US Class Current: 248/188.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/06 of metal A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/02 with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/1427 with cammed or eccentrical surfaces co-operating by relative rotation of the telescoping members or by rotation of an external collar

Abstract

A height adjustable table, preferably with a circular tabletop which includes a vertically telescoping column to support the tabletop and with the column telescoping between extended and retracted positions. A base supports lower end of the column vertically upright. A locking mechanism is provided within the telescoping column adapted to lock the column against telescoping when the tabletop is rotated in one direction relative the base and to unlock the column when rotated in the other direction. When the table is unlocked, a user may adjust the height of the table either by manually lifting alone or assisted by a lifting mechanism to bias the tabletop upwardly and at least partially bear the weight of the tabletop. A stop mechanism is preferably provided to ensure the table is not extended so far as to disengage the tabletop structure. The base of the table is adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s feet to prevent rotation relative to the tabletop when locking or unlocking.

Claims

1. A height adjustable table comprising:

a vertically telescoping column to support a tabletop having an upper end and a lower end and a longitudinal axis, the column telescoping between an extended position and a retracted position,

the column being attached to the tabletop at its upper end,

a base receiving the lower end of the column and supporting the column generally vertically upright,

a resilient lifting mechanism mounted within the column biasing the column to the extended position and being compressible to permit the column to telescope to the retracted position,

a locking mechanism within the telescoping column adapted to lock the column against telescoping when the tabletop is rotated in a first direction relative the base and adapted to unlock the column for telescoping extension or retraction when the tabletop is rotated relative to the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. A table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the telescoping column comprises an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, the inner tubular member slidable within the outer tubular member between the extended position and the retracted position,

one of the inner tubular member and outer tubular member fixed to the tabletop for rotation therewith,

the other of the inner tubular member and outer tubular member coupled to the base for rotation therewith,

the locking mechanism carried on the inner tubular member disposed inside the outer tubular member,

the locking mechanism expanding radially outwardly from the inner tubular member on relative rotation of the inner tubular member relative the outer tubular member in the first direction to frictionally engage interior surfaces of the outer tubular member and lock said inner tubular member to said outer tubular member against movement.

3. A table as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a gas cylinder including a cylindrical housing and an extendable rod with an outward end of the rod longitudinally movable within the housing and biased to extend longitudinally from the housing,

the housing secured within the inner tubular member coaxially therein with the rod extending from the inner tubular member coaxially into the outer tubular member with the outward end of the rod secured to the outer tubular member.

4. A table as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rod is received in the cylinder such that when the rod is fully extended from the housing, the housing prevents the rod from further extension and the rod and housing thereby prevent further telescopic extension of the inner and outer tubular members in the fully extended position in which the inner tubular member is received within the outer tubular member.

5. A table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plug projecting from an inner end of said inner tubular member into the outer tubular member,

the plug having an outer periphery with a groove therein which is eccentric relative to an axis of the inner tubular member,

an eccentric collar in said groove, the eccentric collar having a substantially completely annular outer cylindrical surface and an eccentric opening therein for receipt of the collar in said groove,

the collar being movable within the groove in opposite directions between a concentric position permitting longitudinal sliding of the inner tubular member and outer tubular member and an eccentric position in which said collar is expanded radially outwardly to engage inside surfaces of the outer tubular member for locking the outer tubular member against sliding relative the inner tubular member.

6. A table as claimed in claim 5 including a central aperture through said plug coaxial with the inner tubular member,

said extendable rod passing through said central aperture through said plug from the inner tubular member into the outer tubular member.

7. A table as claimed in claim 6 including a circumferentially extending slot in the collar and a projection on said plug received in said slot in said collar for limiting rotation of the collar within said slot in opposite directions between the concentric position and the eccentric position, and

wherein the collar is split and is made of flexible material to ensure frictional sliding contact between said collar and the inner surfaces of the outer tubular member.

8. A table as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base provides stepping surfaces for a user to engage with the user'"'"'s foot so that the user can hold said base against rotation on a user rotating the tabletop.

9. A tabletop as claimed in claim 8 wherein said base comprises a plurality of radially and outwardly extending legs defining said stepping surfaces.

10. A table as claimed in claim 9 wherein said base further comprises an annular base portion connected to an outer end of each of said legs, said annular base portion adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s foot.

11. A table as claimed in claim 8 including a support for the tabletop fixedly coupled to the upper end of the column and supporting the tabletop thereon,

the tabletop support providing surfaces for the user to hold onto so that the user can turn said tabletop support relative the base.

12. A table as claimed in claim 11 wherein said tabletop support comprises a plurality of radially and outwardly extending arms and includes an annular top portion connected to an outer end of each of said arm, said annular top portion defining a portion to be grasped by a user'"'"'s hands for rotation of the table.

13. A table as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tabletop is circular.

14. A height adjustable table comprising:

a vertically telescoping column to support a tabletop having an upper end and a lower end and a longitudinal axis, the column telescoping between an extended position and a retracted position,

the column being attached to the tabletop at its upper end,

a base receiving the lower end of the column and supporting the column generally vertically upright,

a locking mechanism within the telescoping column adapted to lock the column against telescoping when the tabletop is rotated in a first direction relative the base and adapted to unlock the column for telescoping extension or retraction when the tabletop is rotated relative to the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

15. A table as claimed in claim 14 wherein the telescoping column comprises an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, the inner tubular member slidable within the outer tubular member between the extended position and the retracted position,

one of the inner tubular member and outer tubular member fixed to the tabletop for rotation therewith,

the other of the inner tubular member and outer tubular member coupled to the base for rotation therewith,

the locking mechanism carried on the inner tubular member disposed inside the outer tubular member,

the locking mechanism expanding radially outwardly from the inner tubular member on relative rotation of the inner tubular member relative the outer tubular member in the first direction to frictionally engage interior surfaces of the outer tubular member and lock said inner tubular member to said outer tubular member against movement.

16. A table as claimed in claim 15 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plug projecting from an inner end of said inner tubular member into the outer tubular member,

the plug having an outer periphery with a groove therein which is eccentric relative to an axis of the inner tubular member,

an eccentric collar in said groove, the eccentric collar having a substantially completely annular outer cylindrical surface and an eccentric opening therein for receipt of the collar in said groove,

the collar being movable within the groove in opposite directions between a concentric position permitting longitudinal sliding of the inner tubular member and outer tubular member and an eccentric position in which said collar is expanded radially outwardly to engage inside surfaces of the outer tubular member for locking the outer tubular member against sliding relative the inner tubular member.

17. A table as claimed in claim 16 including an elongate stop rod with a first end and a second end,

the second end of the rod carrying a stop shoulder directed towards the first end,

the first end of the rod secured to one of the inner and outer tubular members to extend coaxially therein into the other of the inner and outer tubular members and past a stop member secured within the other of the inner and outer tubular members,

the stop member having stop surfaces directed away from the first end of the rod,

the stop surfaces on the stop member adapted to engage the stop shoulders on the second end of the rod to prevent relative extension of the inner and outer tubular members beyond the fully extended position in which the inner tubular member is received within the outer tubular member.

18. A table as claimed in claim 17 including a central aperture through said plug coaxial with the inner tubular member,

said stop rod passing through said central aperture through said plug from the inner tubular member into the outer tubular member, and in which the plug comprises the stop member.

19. A table as claimed in claim 14 wherein said base provides stepping surfaces for a user to engage with the user'"'"'s foot so that the user can hold said base against rotation on a user rotating the tabletop.

20. A tabletop as claimed in claim 19 wherein said base comprises a plurality of radially and outwardly extending legs defining said stepping surfaces.

21. A table as claimed in claim 20 wherein said base further comprises an annular base portion connected to an outer end of each of said legs, said annular base portion adapted to be engaged by a user'"'"'s foot.

22. A table as claimed in claim 19 including a support for the tabletop fixedly coupled to the upper end of the column and supporting the tabletop thereon,

the tabletop support providing surfaces for the user to hold onto so that the user can turn said tabletop support relative the base.

23. A table as claimed in claim 22 wherein said tabletop support comprises a plurality of radially and outwardly extending arms and includes an annular top portion connected to an outer end of each of said arm, said annular top portion defining a portion to be grasped by a user'"'"'s hands for rotation of the table.

24. A table as claimed in claim 14 wherein said tabletop is circular.