DEVICE FOR MOUNTING A TABLE TOP ON A FRAME WITH DRIVE MEANS
The present invention relates to a device for mounting of a table top on a table frame (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and/or individual table legs, with drive means (8, 9) for optional adjustment of the height of the table top (14), fixing means (10, 11) on the table top (14) being interconnectable to drive means (8, 9) on the table frame (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and/or the table legs, one or more sensors (15, 32) being disposed to sense possible movement between the fixing means (10, 11) on the table top (14) and the drive means (8, 9) in the event of undesirable movement between the table top (14) and the table frame (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and/or the table legs, in order thereby to prevent the adjustment of the position of the table top (14).
The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble to appended claim 1.
Seating- and standing tables and similar arrangements are being increasingly used at different workplaces and also in the home. The prior art structures are provided with different types of jamming protection, whereby the drive units (drive motors) are disabled in the event of a risk of a jamming or pinching injury. Such prior art structures are illustrated in publications SE 516 479, US 2005/0012430 and US 2005/0082997 A1. However, these prior art structures have proved to display insufficient sensitivity to slight loads above the normal load which is carried by the table top. This also applies to so-called point or concentrated loads and oblique loads. In addition, the prior art structures have proved to suffer from defective mechanical stability.
The task forming the basis of the present invention is to improve the prior art structures by obviating the drawbacks as outlined above.
This task is solved in the device disclosed by way of introduction in that it has been given the characterising features as set forth in the appended claims.
A device according to the present invention affords major possibilities for great mechanical stability without jeopardising sensitivity to such slight loads as occur in the event of a pinch or jamming risk during adjustment of the table top for changing the level of the table top above a standing or seating surface, and thereby the working height. Thus, the present invention makes for a considerably safer and more sensitive structure than prior art structures without in any jeopardising the desired mechanical stability. Further, a device according to the present invention makes for considerably greater versatility in the utilisation of the movement sensing and adjustment of the different drive units.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Between the bracket 10 and the drive unit 8, there is mounted a movement sensor 15 which, via a cable 16, is connected to the electronics unit for supplying driving current to the drive unit 8. The movement sensor 15 is mounted, on the one hand, on the bracket 10 by means of bolts 15A and, on the other hand, on the drive unit 8 by means of bolts 15B. Thus, the movement sensor 15 is disposed between mutually movable parts, i.e. the table top 14 and the table legs 1, 2. The bracket 10 is mounted on the drive unit 8 by means of two bolts 17 and 18 which extend through the bracket 10 and each through a ring, washer or gasket 19 and 20. Further, the longitudinal beams 5 and 6 are mounted on the drive unit 8 by means of bolts 21, 22 and 23, 24, which extend through holes in the beams 5 and 6 and each through its ring, washer or gasket 25, 26 27, 28 to threaded holes in the drive unit 8, which is connected to the electronics unit via a cable 29. The latter threaded holes need not, naturally, be located in the drive unit 8 proper, but for example in a bracket therefor. The rings, the washers or the gaskets 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28 may extend in bushing-like fashion into and possibly through the holes in the brackets 10 and the longitudinal beams 5, 6 for the bolts 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24. The arrangement at the other table leg 2 is in principle identical to the arrangement illustrated in
As a result of the device in
The embodiment of a device according to the present invention illustrated in
The strain element 37 is shown in greater detail in
In the embodiment of the device according to the present invention illustrated in
The embodiment illustrated in
The embodiment of a device according to the present invention illustrated in
The movement sensors or strain gauge elements may be of different types, for example wire strain gauges, piezoelements, etc. Further, they should preferably be of the self-calibrating type so that account is taken of any possible static load such as working equipment placed on the table top. The present invention permits the use of extremely sensitive indicators, since they are positioned with mechanical protection. The parts of the elastomeric material between the parts fixedly connected to the movement sensors and the parts substantially fixedly connected to the table top afford a certain mechanical protection of the movement sensors, but also contribute to realising a more uniform signal.
Numerous modifications are naturally conceivable without departing from the scope of the inventive concept as this is defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device for mounting a table top on a table frame and/or individual table legs, with drive means for optional adjustment of the height of the table top above a seating and/or standing surface area, said device comprising:
- fixing means on the table top being interconnectable to the drive means on the table frame and/or the table legs,
- resilient or yieldable means being disposed between the fixing means on the table top and the drive means on the table frame and/or the table legs, to permit a certain degree of movement between the table top and the table frame and/or the table legs; and
- one or more sensors are being disposed to sense possible movement between the fixing means on the table top and the drive means on the table frame and/or the table legs,
- wherein the movement sensor or movement sensors are disposed to disable the drive means in the event of undesirable movement between the table top and the table frame and/or the table legs, thereby to prevent adjustment of a position of the table top in relation to the table frame and/or the table legs and also the standing or seating surface area.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient or yieldable means comprises rings, washers, gaskets or bushings of elastomeric material.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resilient or yieldable means comprise rubber rings with holes for additional fixing means disposed between the fixing means and the drive means and comprising bolts, pins or screws.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement sensor is disposed between the table top and the table frame.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement sensor is disposed between the table top and each table leg.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement sensor is comprises a strain gauge.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the strain gauge displays a body which is secured between the fixing means on the table top and the drive means on the table frame or the table legs, and which supports a strain gauge element, said fixing means being mutually movable.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the body supports a pin for engagement with the part movable in relation to the body.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein he pin is provided with a hat or cap of elastomeric material.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement sensor is self-calibrating for adaptation to static loads.
11. A table that is provided with a device as claimed in claim 1.
12. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a rubber material.
13. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elastomeric material comprises a plastic material.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 18, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 14, 2011
Inventors: Peter Jahnsen (Vaggeryd), Jörgen Nordqvist (Vaggeryd)
Application Number: 12/998,128
International Classification: A47B 9/20 (20060101);