Abstract: A lifting column includes a first column element and at least one second column element, the at least one second column element being movable relative to the first column element, and at least one damping unit. The damping unit is deformable by a force that acts on an upper side of the lifting column in at least one operating configuration of the lifting column such that the force is at least partly transmitted through the damping unit to a drive of the lifting column.

Abstract: A transmission for an adjustable-height platform includes at least one drive shaft, at least one output shaft, at least one first gear wheel configured to transmit a rotational movement of the drive shaft to the output shaft, and at least one second gear wheel configured to drive a hollow second output shaft. The at least one first gear wheel is formed from or includes at least portions formed from plastic.

Abstract: An actuator includes a threaded spindle and an internally threaded component screwed onto the threaded spindle. The component includes a plastic element having a first axial end and a second axial end and an interior having a width and a radially inwardly projecting flange at the first axial end, and the flange has an inner diameter less than the width of the interior. A metal element, such as a nut, is fixedly mounted in the interior of the plastic element, and the internal thread of the nut has a maximum diameter greater than the inner diameter of the flange.

Abstract: The height of a platform relative to a support surface is adjustable by rotating a drive shaft to actuate a first height-adjusting device and a second height-adjusting device, thereby changing the height of the respective ends of the first and second height-adjusting devices relative to the support surface. The drive shaft is selectively drivable by either a drive motor or a manually-operable drive.

Abstract: An actuation system having a table, a lifting column for raising and lowering the table, first and second actuators pivotally mounted to a top section of the lifting column. The first and second actuators are coupled to a first end of the table. A guide plate having a top portion and at least one track is provided. The at least one track is slidingly engaged with at least one guide, the at least one guide is vertically mounted to a third side of the lifting column. The top portion of the guide plate is vertically driven by the third actuator and is universally coupled to a second end of the table. A controller for controls the movement of the lifting column in the vertical plane, and of the table in the longitudinal and lateral planes by varying the position of the three actuators relative to each other.

Abstract: A telescopic column includes at least two linearly movable telescopic elements and a drive system. The drive system includes a drive unit having a first clutch element and an output unit having a shaft, a windable connecting element and a second clutch element connected to the shaft such that the clutch element and the shaft rotate together. The drive system includes a brake unit configured to transmit a retaining force onto the second clutch element and configured such that applying a drive moment to the first clutch element reduces the retaining force and allow the telescopic elements to move relative to each other. The brake unit is further configured such that applying an output-side torque to the second clutch element increases the retaining force acting on the second clutch element.

Abstract: A telescopic column includes a first telescopic element and a second telescopic element moveable linearly with respect to one another, at least one drive unit connected to the first telescopic element, at least one connecting element configured to transmit a force from the drive unit to the second telescopic element, a monitoring unit configured to detect an operating parameter of the connecting element, and a switch configured to send a signal to the monitoring unit in response to the detected operating parameter being outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A telescopic column includes at least two telescopic elements movable with respect to one another between two end positions and at least one damper that is configured such that, prior to reaching at least one of the end positions, a force slowing the relative movement of the telescopic elements is exerted on at least one of the telescopic elements.

Abstract: An actuator includes at least one threaded spindle, at least one switch, at least one actuating element configured to actuate the switch, and at least one housing relative to which the threaded spindle is movable. The actuating element is attached to the housing. The housing may include at least one wall extending circumferentially around the threaded spindle and a first axial end wall and a second axial end wall, and the threaded spindle may pass through the first and second axial end walls. The first axial end wall may overlie the at least one switch, and a first end of the at least one actuating element may be connected to the housing and a second end of the at least one actuating element may extend between the at least one switch and the first axial end wall.

Abstract: An actuation system having a table, a lifting column for raising and lowering the table, first and second actuators pivotally mounted to a top section of the lifting column. The first and second actuators are coupled to a first end of the table. A guide plate having a top portion and at least one track is provided. The at least one track is slidingly engaged with at least one guide, the at least one guide is vertically mounted to a third side of the lifting column. The top portion of the guide plate is vertically driven by the third actuator and is universally coupled to a second end of the table. A controller for controls the movement of the lifting column in the vertical plane, and of the table in the longitudinal and lateral planes by varying the position of the three actuators relative to each other.

Abstract: An actuator includes a housing, a first nut in the housing, a second nut in the housing, and a threaded spindle screwed into the first nut and the second nut. The first nut exerts a first force in a first direction on the threaded spindle, and the second nut exerts a second force in a second direction on the threaded spindle, the first direction being different than the second direction.

Abstract: A structural unit includes at least one housing part configured to be mounted on an exterior surface of a linear actuator and at least one sensor displaceably supported relative to the housing part. The linear actuator may include a case having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal slot and a ball nut mounted in an interior of the case for translational movement inside the case. The housing may be mounted on an external surface of the case over the longitudinal slot, and a threaded element may extend from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing. The sensor may be supported by the threaded element such that rotating the threaded element moves the sensor along the threaded element, and the sensor may be configured to sense a position of the ball nut.

Abstract: A lifting column includes a first column element and at least one second column element, the at least one second column element being movable relative to the first column element, and at least one damping unit. The damping unit is deformable by a force that acts on an upper side of the lifting column in at least one operating configuration of the lifting column such that the force is at least partly transmitted through the damping unit to a drive of the lifting column.

Abstract: A lifting column includes a component having an internal thread, as well as a hollow shaft having an external thread, which is in engagement with the internal thread of the component. A threaded spindle is disposed inside the hollow shaft and has an external thread, which is in engagement with an internal thread of the hollow shaft. Furthermore, the lifting column includes a drive device configured to rotate the hollow shaft relative to the threaded spindle and the component. When the hollow shaft rotates, the component and the hollow shaft move in the same axial direction so that the height of the lifting column is changeable.

Abstract: The height of a platform relative to a support surface is adjustable by rotating a drive shaft to actuate a first height-adjusting device and a second height-adjusting device, thereby changing the height of the respective ends of the first and second height-adjusting devices relative to the support surface. The drive shaft is selectively drivable by either a drive motor or a manually-operable drive.

Abstract: A transmission for an adjustable-height platform includes at least one drive shaft, at least one output shaft, at least one first gear wheel configured to transmit a rotational movement of the drive shaft to the output shaft, and at least one second gear wheel configured to drive a hollow second output shaft. The at least one first gear wheel is formed from or includes at least portions formed from plastic.

Abstract: A table for supporting a recumbent patient includes at least one tabletop unit, at least one ground contact unit for supporting the tabletop unit, a first and at least one second adjustment unit for changing a spacing between the ground contact unit and the tabletop unit, and at least one first guide unit for guiding movement of the tabletop unit relative to a the ground contact unit, where at least a part of the guide unit is disposed between the first and the at least one second adjustment unit.

Abstract: A lifting column includes a component having an internal thread, as well as a hollow shaft having an external thread, which is in engagement with the internal thread of the component. A threaded spindle is disposed inside the hollow shaft and has an external thread, which is in engagement with an internal thread of the hollow shaft. Furthermore, the lifting column includes a drive device configured to rotate the hollow shaft relative to the threaded spindle and the component. When the hollow shaft rotates, the component and the hollow shaft move in the same axial direction so that the height of the lifting column is changeable.