Variable height platform system

• US 10,842,258 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2020
• Issued: 11/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Inventors: Applegate, Shawn Michael, Matlin, Tai Hoon K., Losser, James Edward, Gartz, Mark R., Maletich, Peter, Surati, Dipan Pravin, Romanovich, Vadim
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US16/749,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20200154881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 108 20, 10815718, 10815911, 1081571, 108147, 1081441, 10814411, 10814719, 10814722, 2481881, 2481885, 2481883
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/003 Connecting table tops to underframes connecting furniture tubing to non-tubular parts F16B12/42
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/02 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0011 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0056 with a motor, e.g. an electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0815 the resilient force of the elastic locking means acting in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/12 Stowable tables with detachable top leaves
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/04 with vertical spindle
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides

Abstract

A variable height platform system comprises a frame assembly, at least two leg assemblies, a drive mechanism, and a sensor. The frame assembly is configured to support and be removably connected to a tabletop. The drive mechanism is configured to either extend or retract each leg assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to set a height of the frame assembly in an elevated position for use. The sensor is configured to sense position and movement of a user in a predetermined area including an area of the variable height platform system and an area proximate the variable height platform system. The controller is operatively connected to the sensor and drive mechanism. The controller is configured to operate the drive mechanism in response to the sensor sensing the position and movement of the user in the predetermined area.

Claims

1. A variable height platform system comprising:

a frame assembly extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis, the frame assembly configured to support and to be removably connected to one of a plurality of different tabletops, the frame assembly configured to be adjustable along the longitudinal axis to accommodate the plurality of different tabletops,

wherein the size of a first of the plurality of different tabletops is different from the size of a second of the plurality of different tabletops;

at least two leg assemblies, each leg assembly configured to be pivotally connected to a portion of the frame assembly, each leg assembly configured to be movable between

a deployed position in which each leg assembly is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame assembly so as to support the frame assembly in an elevated position for use, and

a storage position in which each leg assembly is configured to be folded flat against the frame assembly and essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame assembly,

a drive mechanism configured to either extend or retract each leg assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to set a height of the frame assembly in the elevated position; and

a connector assembly disposed on the frame assembly and configured to detachably lock one of the plurality of different tabletops to the frame assembly,

wherein the plurality of different tabletops are interchangeable such that the first of the plurality of different tabletops, detachably locked to the frame assembly by the connector assembly, is removed from the frame assembly by unlocking the connector assembly, the frame assembly is then adjusted along the longitudinal axis to accommodate the second of the plurality of different tabletops, and the second of the plurality of different tabletops is positioned on the frame assembly and detachably locked to the frame assembly by the connector assembly.

2. The variable height platform system of claim 1, wherein a length of the first of the plurality of different tabletops is different from a length of the second of the plurality of different tabletops, and wherein the lengths of the first and the second of the plurality of different tabletops are measured along the longitudinal axis.

3. The variable height platform system of claim 1, further comprising at least two latches, each latch configured to be biased into a lock position wherein it releasably engages with a lock engagement portion of an associated leg assembly when that leg assembly in its deployed position.

4. The variable height platform system of claim 3, wherein each latch includes an eccentrically mounted latch member and a latch handle, and wherein the eccentrically mounted latch member is configured to releasably engage with the lock engagement portion of the associated leg assembly, when that leg assembly in its deployed position, so as to lock the associated leg assembly in its deployed position.

5. The variable height platform system of claim 4, wherein a movement of the latch handle from a first position to a second position is configured to further secure the engagement between the latch member and the latch engagement portion.

6. The variable height platform system of claim 1, wherein a width of the first of the plurality of different tabletops is the same as a width of the second of the plurality of different tabletops, and wherein the widths of the first and the second of the plurality of different tabletops are measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

7. The variable height platform system of claim 1, wherein a width of the first of the plurality of different tabletops is different from a width of the second of the plurality of different tabletops, and wherein the widths of the first and the second of the plurality of different tabletops are measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

8. The variable height platform system of claim 7, wherein the connector assembly is configured to be adjustable, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, to accommodate the different widths of the first and the second of the plurality of different tabletops.

9. The variable height platform system of claim 1, further comprising a retainer assembly that is configured to releasably engage with a portion of an associated leg assembly when that leg assembly in its storage position so as to lock that leg assembly in its storage position.

10. The variable height platform system of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly is permanently attached to the frame assembly.

11. The variable height platform system of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly is guided by the frame assembly.

12. A variable height platform system comprising:

a frame assembly extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis, the frame assembly configured to support and to be removably connected to a tabletop,

at least two leg assemblies, each leg assembly configured to be pivotally connected to a portion of the frame assembly, each leg assembly configured to be movable between

a deployed position in which each leg assembly is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame assembly so as to support the frame assembly in an elevated position for use, and

a storage position in which each leg assembly is configured to be folded flat against the frame assembly and essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame assembly,

a drive mechanism configured to either extend or retract each leg assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to set a height of the frame assembly in the elevated position; and

an overcenter latch comprising a latch member and a latch handle, the overcenter latch configured to be biased into a lock position wherein the latch member releasably engages with a lock engagement portion of an associated leg assembly, when that leg assembly in its deployed position, so as to lock the associated leg assembly in its deployed position,

wherein a movement of the latch handle from a first position to a second position is configured to further secure the engagement between the latch member and the latch engagement portion.