Load compensator for height adjustable table
First Claim
1. A table assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a leg assembly having upper and lower ends and including;
a first member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis; and
a second member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position, the second member forming an internal passageway;
the table assembly further including a spring that generates a variable spring force, the spring having first and second ends, aligned substantially parallel to the vertical extension axis, located within the internal passage formed by the second member and linked to each of the first and second members; and
a rotatable cam member supported by the leg assembly and operatively linked with the spring, the cam member and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the second member into the extended position, the cam member rotating around an axis as the second member moves between the extended and retracted positions, the rate of cam member rotation changing in a non-linear fashion as the second member moves toward the extended position;
a roller positioned between the first and second members; and
a table top mounted to the upper end of the leg assembly.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A table assembly, the assembly comprising a first member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis, a second member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position, the second member forming an internal passageway, a table top mounted to one end of one of the first and second members, 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, aligned substantially parallel to the vertical extension axis, located at least partially within the internal passage formed by the second member and linked to each of the first and second members and a rotatable cam member engaged with the spring, the cam member and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the second member into the extended position, the cam member rotating around an axis as the second member moves between the extended and retracted positions, the rate of cam member rotation changing in a non-linear fashion as the second member moves toward the extended position.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A table assembly, the assembly comprising:
-
a leg assembly having upper and lower ends and including; a first member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis; and a second member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position, the second member forming an internal passageway; the table assembly further including a spring that generates a variable spring force, the spring having first and second ends, aligned substantially parallel to the vertical extension axis, located within the internal passage formed by the second member and linked to each of the first and second members; and a rotatable cam member supported by the leg assembly and operatively linked with the spring, the cam member and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the second member into the extended position, the cam member rotating around an axis as the second member moves between the extended and retracted positions, the rate of cam member rotation changing in a non-linear fashion as the second member moves toward the extended position; a roller positioned between the first and second members; and a table top mounted to the upper end of the leg assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A table assembly, the assembly comprising:
-
a leg assembly having upper and lower ends and including; a first member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis; and a second member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position, the second member forming an internal passageway; the table assembly further including a spring that generates a variable spring force, the spring having first and second ends, aligned substantially parallel to the vertical extension axis, located within the internal passage formed by the second member and linked to each of the first and second members; and a rotatable cam member supported by the leg assembly and operatively linked with the spring, the cam member and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the second member into the extended position, the cam member rotating around an axis as the second member moves between the extended and retracted positions, the rate of cam member rotation changing in a non-linear fashion as the second member moves toward the extended position; and a locking mechanism including at least a first locking member moveable between a locked position wherein the locking member substantially minimizes movement of the second member with respect to the first member and an unlocked position wherein the first locking member allows movement of the second member with respect to the first member, the locking mechanism further including a coupler that rotates as the second member moves between the extended and retracted positions, the locking member contacting the coupler in the locked position to prohibit rotation of the coupler and is separating from the coupler in the unlocked position thereby allowing rotation of the coupler and movement of the second member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A table assembly, the assembly comprising:
-
a leg assembly having upper and lower ends and including; a first member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis; and a second member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position, the second member forming an internal passageway; the table assembly further including a spring that generates a variable spring force, the spring having first and second ends, aligned substantially parallel to the vertical extension axis, located within the internal passage formed by the second member and linked to each of the first and second members; and a rotatable cam member supported by the leg assembly and operatively linked with the spring, the cam member and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the second member into the extended position, the cam member rotating around an axis as the second member moves between the extended and retracted positions, the rate of cam member rotation changing in a non-linear fashion as the second member moves toward the extended position; and a table top mounted to the upper end of the leg assembly, wherein one end of the spring is mounted to the second member such that the mounted end of the spring remains stationary with respect to the second member as the second member moves between the extended and retracted positions. - View Dependent Claims (26)
-
Specification