Adjusting device

• US 8,276,526 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LE Jeune Enterprises B.V.
• Original Assignee: Vehold B.V.
• Inventors: Verweij, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US12/937,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20110041739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 108/147, 108/144.11, 108/147.11, 108/147.19, 108/148, 248/188.1, 248/188.2, 248/188.4, 248/188.5, 248/404, 248/405
• US Class Current: 108/147
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/04 with vertical spindle
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides

Abstract

An adjusting device having an inner tubular body, an outer tubular body configured to slide concentrically over the inner tubular body such that the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body can slide telescopically from a retracted position to an extended position. An actuator is configured to move the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body along the longitudinal axis in relation to one another and a supporting tube is provided and configured to slide concentrically on the inside of the outer tubular body.

Claims

1. An adjusting device comprising:

an outer tubular body;

an inner tubular body positioned concentrically relative to the outer tubular body; and

an actuator configured to telescopically adjust in a longitudinal direction the inner and outer tubular bodies with respect to one another, the actuator including;

a supporting tube positioned concentrically inside the inner tubular body and configured to move simultaneously with the inner tubular body relative to the outer tubular body, the supporting tube having at a first end thereof a first stop which abuts the inside surface of the inner tubular body and at a second end thereof a second stop which abuts the inside surface of the outer tubular body, the first and second stops configured to restrict lateral movement of the inner and outer tubular bodies with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner and outer tubular bodies;

a spindle provided with a plurality of grooves extending along the longitudinal thereof; and

rollers mounted with their axes of rotation substantially perpendicular to the spindle, wherein the rollers are configured to rotate with their peripheral surfaces along the grooves.

2. The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the end of the inner tubular body is provided with a third stop which abuts the inner surface of the outer tubular body.

3. The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body are each provided with a stop at respective ends thereof.

4. The adjusting device of claim 3, wherein each stop is configured to move along one of the inner surfaces and the outer surfaces of the inner tubular body, the outer tubular body and the supporting tube, respectively.

5. The adjusting device of claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises:

a linkage element configured to cause rotation of the spindle;

a drive shaft configured to actuate the linkage element and positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spindle; and

a motor configured to actuate the drive shaft.

6. The adjusting device of claim 5, wherein the spindle, when rotating, moves the supporting tube upwards simultaneously with the inner tubular body such that the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body will overlap each other.

7. An adjusting device comprising:

a first tubular body;

a second tubular body positioned concentrically inside the first tubular body and configured for longitudinal movement relative to the first tubular body; and

an actuator configured to telescopically move the first tubular body and the second tubular body between a retracted position and an extended position, respectively, the actuator including a third tubular body positioned concentrically inside the second tubular body and configured for movement relative to the first tubular body and the second tubular body, a spindle tube positioned concentrically in the third tubular body, a spindle positioned for movement in the spindle tube and provided with a plurality of grooves extending along the longitudinal thereof, and rollers mounted with their axes of rotation substantially perpendicular to the spindle,

wherein the third tubular body has at a first end thereof a first stop which abuts the inside surface of the first tubular body and at a second end thereof a second stop which abuts the inside surface of the second tubular body to thereby restrict lateral movement of the first and second tubular bodies with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.

8. The adjusting device of claim 7, wherein the spindle tube is attached at a lower portion thereof to the second tubular body.

9. The adjusting device of claim 7, wherein the rollers are mounted on the inside of the spindle tube at the upper portion of the spindle tube.

10. The adjusting device of claim 7, wherein the actuator further comprises:

a linkage element configured to cause rotation of the spindle;

a drive shaft configured to actuate the linkage element and positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spindle; and

a motor configured to actuate the drive shaft.

11. The adjusting device of claim 7, wherein the actuator is configured to move the second tubular body and the third tubular body simultaneously with respect to the first tubular body.

12. The adjusting device of claim 7, wherein the first tubular body and the second tubular body are each provided with a stop at respective ends thereof.

13. The adjusting device of claim 12, wherein each stop is configured to move along one of the inner surfaces and the outer surfaces of the first tubular body, the second tubular body and the third tubular body, respectively.

14. A height adjustable table comprising:

a top;

a frame including a cross-beam having at ends thereof transversely extending side-beams upon which the top rests;

legs, each telescopically movable via a device configured to adjust the height of the top relative to a surface which supports the height adjustable table, the device including;

an inner tubular body;

an outer tubular body positioned concentrically to the inner tubular body and configured to slide over the inner tubular body; and

an actuator configured to telescopically move the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body between a retracted position and an extended position, respectively, the actuator including a supporting tube positioned concentrically inside the inner tubular body and configured to move relative to the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body, a spindle tube positioned concentrically in the supporting tube, a spindle positioned for movement in the spindle tube and provided with a plurality of grooves extending along the longitudinal thereof, a linkage element configured to cause rotation of the spindle, the linkage element being actuated by way of a drive shaft positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spindle, and a motor located inside the cross-beam and configured to actuate the drive shaft.

15. The adjusting device of claim 14, wherein in the retracted position, the spindle is positioned substantially entirely within the spindle tube.

16. The adjusting device of claim 14, wherein the spindle is caused to move upwardly via the linkage element.

17. The adjusting device of claim 14, wherein the spindle, when rotating, moves the supporting tube upwards simultaneously such that the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body will overlap each other.

18. The adjusting device of claim 14, wherein the motors are jointly connected via anchors to thereby obtain synchronous telescopic movement of the legs with respect to each other.

19. The adjusting device of claim 14, wherein the actuator further comprises rollers mounted with their axes of rotation substantially perpendicular to the spindle.