Load compensator for height adjustable table

• US 8,091,841 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Jones, David K., Heidmann, Kurt, Andres, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Wujciak, III, A. Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/305,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20060130713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,216 Days
• Field of Search: 248/616, 248/589, 248/584, 248/125.2, 248/125.8, 248/295.11, 248/157, 248/161, 108/147.19, 108/147, 108/144.11, 403/109.1, 403/109.2, 403/109.3, 403/109.4, 403/109.5, 403/109.6, 403/109.7, 403/109.8
• US Class Current: 248/125.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/023 with a central column
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2013/024 being assembled to a base
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0051 Telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0052 with two telescopic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/00 Tables with tops of variable height lecterns with variable height A47B19/06; school forms or desks with variable height A47B39/02, A47B41/02; seats with variable height A47C3/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/02 with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/12 with flexible height-adjusting means, e.g. rope, chain
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides

Abstract

A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.

Claims

1. A support assembly, the assembly comprising:

a first elongated member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis;

a second elongated member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position;

a spring that generates a variable spring force that depends at least in part on the degree of spring loading, the spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the spring is supported by the second elongated member;

an equalizer assembly including a strand having first and second ends, the first end linked to the second end of the spring and a second end linked to the first member, the force equalizer assembly and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the elongated members into the extended position wherein the applied force is substantially constant irrespective of the position of the second elongated member with respect to the first elongated member;

a preloader supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand to the spring when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position; and

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a sensor supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members for determining and issuing a signal when the preload applied by the preloader is outside a specific range of a load on the second elongated member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the adjuster modifies the preload applied by the preloader when a signal is received from the sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the adjuster includes a motor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preloader includes a power law pulley and wherein the strand is also supported at least in part by the power law pulley.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the preloader includes an adjustment pulley having a channel of constant radius that is mounted for rotation to an adjustment shaft, the strand supported at least in part by the adjustment pulley, the adjustment pulley adjustably mounted so that the relative position of the adjustment pulley to the spiral cam pulley is modifiable to alter the preload force on the spring.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the strand extends from the first strand end, about the spiral cam pulley, from the spiral cam pulley to the adjustment pulley, from the adjustment pulley to the power law pulley and from the power law pulley to the second end of the spring.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a table top is mounted to the second elongated member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preloader also includes an adjustment pulley having a channel of constant radius that is mounted for rotation to an adjustment shaft, the strand supported at least in part by the adjustment pulley, the adjustment pulley adjustably mounted so that the relative position of the adjustment pulley to the spiral cam pulley is modifiable to alter the preload force on the spring.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the preloader further includes an adjustment assembly including at least a first adjustment member and an adjustment drive, the adjustment pulley supported by the first adjustment member, the first adjustment member supported by the drive and the drive supported by the second elongated member, the drive operable to move the first adjustment member along an adjustment trajectory to modify the relative position of the adjustment pulley to the spiral cam pulley to alter the preload force on the spring.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the preloader further includes a first guide member supported by the second elongated member, the first adjustment member includes a second guide member and forms one of a threaded shaft and a threaded channel, the drive includes a second adjustment member that forms the other of a threaded shaft and a threaded channel wherein, the second guide member is received by the first guide member to facilitate sliding movement along the adjustment trajectory and the threaded shaft is threadably receivable within the threaded channel such that when the second adjustment member is rotated, the first adjustment member moves along the trajectory thereby changing the relative position of the adjustment pulley with respect to the second elongated member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the adjuster includes an adjustment coupler and wherein the second adjustment member is supported by the adjustment coupler.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the adjustment coupler is supported by the second elongated member for rotation about an adjustment axis and includes a first coupling surface and wherein the drive includes a second coupling surface that contacts the first coupling surface wherein the second coupling surface moves with the first coupling surface when the force therebetween is below a coupling threshold level.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein at least one of the first and second coupling surfaces is formed of bronze.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the adjustment coupler includes a first beveled gear and wherein the adjuster further includes a second beveled gear that mates with the first beveled gear such that the first beveled gear rotates when the second beveled gear is rotated, the second beveled gear formed about a gear axis and including a distal end configured to mate with an adjustment tool.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the adjuster includes a first coupling surface and the preloader includes a second coupling surface that contacts the first coupling surface to form a friction contact wherein, when the first coupling surface moves, a force is applied via the friction contact to the second coupling surface tending to move second coupling surface to adjust the preloader force.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a force indicator linked to the preloader, the force indicator indicating the level of preload force applied to the spring via the preloader.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preloader is capable of applying a maximum preload force and a minimum preload force, the assembly further including a clutch mechanism that links the adjuster to the preloader when the preload force applied is within the range between the maximum and minimum forces and de-links the adjuster from the preloader when the preload force is either the maximum or the minimum preload force.

19. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a table top is mounted to the second elongated member.

20. A telescoping support assembly for vertically adjustably supporting a table top to provide adjustable support comprising:

a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis;

a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively;

a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and in contact with at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position; and

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader;

wherein the preloader also includes an adjustment pulley, at least a portion of the strand contacting the adjustment pulley, the adjustment pulley supported by the second elongated member so that the position of the pulley with respect to the second elongated member is adjustable to alter the preload force.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the preloader includes a power law pulley and wherein the strand is also supported at least in part by the power law pulley.

22. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the adjuster includes a first coupling surface and the preloader includes a second coupling surface that contacts the first coupling surface to form a friction contact wherein, when the first coupling surface moves, a force is applied via the friction contact to the second coupling surface tending to move second coupling surface to adjust the preloader force.

23. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the preloader is capable of applying a preload force within a range between a maximum preload force and a minimum preload force, the assembly further including a clutch mechanism that couples the adjuster to the preloader when the preload force applied is within the range and de-couples the adjuster from the preloader when the applied force is outside the range.

24. The assembly of claim 20 wherein preloader includes a first adjustment member, an adjustment pulley and an adjustment drive, the adjuster is linked to the first adjustment drive, the pulley is linked to the first adjustment member and the first adjustment member is linked to the adjustment drive.

25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the first adjustment member is linked to the adjustment drive via a clutch.

26. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the force equalizer assembly further includes a force generating biaser, the biaser contacting at least a portion of the strand and applying a force thereto and wherein the preloader applies the preload force to the biaser via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position.

27. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the preload force tends to drive the second elongated member toward an extended position with respect to the first elongated member.

28. A telescoping assembly to provide adjustable support comprising:

a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis;

a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively;

a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and in contact with at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position; and

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader;

wherein the preloader also includes an adjustment pulley, at least a portion of the strand contacting the adjustment pulley, the adjustment pulley supported by the second elongated member so that the position of the pulley with respect to the second elongated member is adjustable to alter the preload force;

wherein the preloader includes an adjustment assembly including at least a first adjustment member and an adjustment drive, the adjustment pulley supported by the first adjustment member, the first adjustment member supported by the drive and the drive supported by the second elongated member, the drive operable to move the first adjustment member along an adjustment trajectory to modify the relative position of the adjustment pulley to the second elongated member to alter the preload force.

29. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the first adjustment member includes a first guide member and forms one of a threaded shaft and a threaded channel, the preloader further includes a second guide member supported by the second elongated member, the drive includes a second adjustment member that forms the other of a threaded shaft and a threaded channel wherein, the first guide member is received by the second guide member to facilitate sliding movement along the adjustment trajectory and the threaded shaft threadably receivable within the threaded channel such that when the second adjustment member is rotated, the first adjustment member moves along the adjustment trajectory thereby changing the relative position of the adjustment pulley with respect to the second elongated member.

30. The assembly of claim 29 wherein the adjuster includes an adjustment coupler and wherein the second adjustment member is supported by the adjustment coupler.

31. The assembly of claim 30 wherein the adjustment coupler is supported by the second elongated member for rotation about an adjustment axis and includes a first coupling surface, the drive includes a second coupling surface that contacts the first coupling surface and wherein the second coupling surface moves with the first coupling surface when the force therebetween is below a coupling threshold level.

32. The assembly of claim 31 wherein at least one of the first and second coupling surfaces is formed of bronze.

33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein the coefficient of friction between the first and second coupling surfaces is between 0.05 and 0.5.

34. The assembly of claim 31 wherein the adjustment coupler includes a first beveled gear and wherein the adjuster further includes a second beveled gear that mates with the first beveled gear such that the first beveled gear rotates when the second beveled gear is rotated, the second beveled gear formed about a gear axis and including a distal end formed to mate with an adjustment tool.

35. A telescoping support assembly for vertically adjustably supporting a table top to provide adjustable support comprising:

a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis;

a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively;

a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and in contact with at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position;

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader; and

a force indicator linked to the preloader, the force indicator indicating the level of preload force applied to the second elongated member via the preloader.

36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the indicator includes an elongated indicator member that is mounted at a pivot point to the preloader to pivot about the pivot point.

37. The assembly of claim 36 wherein the preloader includes a first guide member that moves along an adjustment axis as the preload force is modified and the indicator includes an elongated indicator member supported at a first end for pivotal motion by the second elongated member and in communication with at least a portion of the first guide member such that the second end of the elongated member moves as the first guide member moves along the adjustment axis.

38. The assembly of claim 37 wherein the adjuster includes a member that forms an adjustment tool engaging structure at a distal end and the indicator includes a visible portion that moves with the indicator member, the visible portion positioned proximate the engaging structure.

39. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the force indicator is visible from a location external to the first and second elongated members.

40. A telescoping assembly comprising:

a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis;

a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively;

a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position;

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader; and

a clutch between the adjuster and the preloader for, when the force between the adjuster and the preloader exceeds a threshold level, allowing the adjuster to slip with respect to the preloader.

41. The assembly of claim 40 wherein the force equalizer assembly further includes a force generating biaser, the biaser contacting at least a portion of the strand and applying a force thereto and wherein the preloader applies the preload force to the biaser via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position.

42. The assembly of claim 41 wherein the biaser includes a compression spring.

43. The assembly of claim 40 wherein the preload force tends to drive the second elongated member toward an extended position with respect to the first elongated member.

44. The assembly of claim 40 wherein a table top is mounted to the second elongated member.

45. A telescoping assembly to provide adjustable support comprising:

a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis;

a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively;

a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and in contact with at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position; and

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader;

wherein the force equalizer assembly further includes a force generating biaser, the biaser contacting at least a portion of the strand and applying a force thereto and wherein the preloader applies the preload force to the biaser via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position; and

wherein the biaser includes a compression spring.

46. A telescoping assembly to provide adjustable support comprising:

a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis;

a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively;

a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and in contact with at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position; and

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader;

wherein the preloader also includes an adjustment pulley, at least a portion of the strand contacting the adjustment pulley, the adjustment pulley supported by the second elongated member so that the position of the pulley with respect to the second elongated member is adjustable to alter the preload force;

wherein a table top is mounted to the second elongated member.

47. A telescoping assembly to provide adjustable support comprising:

a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis;

a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively;

a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and in contact with at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position; and

an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader;

wherein the preloader also includes an adjustment pulley, at least a portion of the strand contacting the adjustment pulley, the adjustment pulley supported by the second elongated member so that theposition of the pulley with respect to the second elongated member is adjustable to alter the preload force;

wherein a table top is mounted to the second elongated member.