HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE TABLE HAVING REINFORCED TABLE TOP
The present invention relates to a height-adjustable table comprising a table top comprising a first table face and a second table face, and at least a first leg assembly having a first leg end and a second leg end, the first leg assembly comprising a first leg member and a second leg member relatively movable in relation to each other along a longitudinal axis. The second table face comprises at least a first recess arranged to receive a first guide rail where the first leg end of the leg assembly is connected with the guide rail.
The present invention relates to a height-adjustable table comprising a table top comprising a first table face and a second table face, and at least a first leg assembly having a first leg end and a second leg end, the first leg assembly comprising a first leg member and a second leg member relatively movable in relation to each other along a longitudinal axis.
BACKGROUND ARTDuring recent years, height-adjustable tables, i.e. sit/stand tables, have increasingly been used in e.g. offices.
When sitting at a table, it is desired to have the table top as close to the thighs as possible. However, since the traditional build-up of a fixed height table had to leave plenty of room for users of different sizes sitting at the table, the surface underneath the table was less important. However, both the ability to change the height of the table and the increasing use of electronic equipment has changed the desired designs of tables.
More and more often, multiple monitors are attached on the very edge of the table top, and thereby, they subject a heavy load on the edge of the table top. Therefore, both the table top itself and the leg assemblies are subjected to a moment or torque from the load from e.g. monitors. In this context, the moment is considered a quantity that represents the magnitude of force applied to a rotational system at a distance from the axis of rotation i.e. a load subjected to the perimeter of the table top at a distance from the support i.e. the leg assembly. Furthermore, ergonomically correct tables with a thin table top allowing the user to lower the table to a position as close to his or her legs/thighs as possible are increasingly required. However, the thin table top reduces the strength of the table top which is traditionally supported by strong profiles attached to the table top.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved height-adjustable table comprising a table top that is thin due to the ergonomic demands while still providing sufficient strength to withstand the loads of everyday use.
Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a height-adjustable table comprising a table top having a substantially even surface in the area of the table top immediately above the legs or thighs of a user.
The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a height-adjustable table comprising:
-
- a table top comprising a first table face and a second table face, and
- at least a first leg assembly having a first leg end and a second leg end, the first leg assembly comprising a first leg member and a second leg member relatively movable in relation to each other along a longitudinal axis,
wherein the second table face comprises at least a first recess arranged to receive a first guide rail where the first leg end of the leg assembly is connected with the guide rail.
In this way, it is achieved that the table top may easily be adjusted in relation to the at least one leg assembly. If a load on the table top needs to be supported decentrally, it is advantageous that the leg assembly of the height-adjustable table may be moved to obtain a more preferred load distribution in the leg. When changing the distance from the load to the leg, i.e. the “arm”, when calculating the bending moment, it is possible to reduce the moment on the leg. The load could be heavy monitors arranged on the one side of the table top, in which situation it would be beneficial to move the leg assembly towards the side of the monitors. Furthermore, the fact that many table users have three or more monitors, the table needs to allow for the user to turn in order to be correctly oriented towards each monitor. Long-term torsion of the back spine is highly dangerous for the health, and therefore, it is important that the table user may continue to have his or her legs and torso pointing in the same direction. When the guide rails are integrated in the table top, it is possible for the user to move his or her legs freely under the table top without the legs being blocked by supporting guide rails under the table top.
A problem with height-adjustable tables is that the leg assembly needs to function regardless of the load distribution on the table top. Considering a leg assembly connected with the table at a centrally arranged point, a load on a part of the outer perimeter of the table top subjects a bending moment on the leg assembly. In order to ensure that the table continues to be height-adjustable, it is beneficial that the leg assembly may be moved to a point that supports the table top in a manner that results in a smaller bending moment on the leg assembly.
The height-adjustable table described above may further comprise a second guide rail.
In this way, it is possible to further stabilise the table top in relation to the at least one leg.
Furthermore, the height-adjustable table may further comprise a first transverse member.
The transverse member may be attached to the leg assembly in order to stabilise the leg in relation to the table top.
Also, the leg assembly may comprise a motorised height-adjustment means.
Additionally, the leg assembly may comprise a spring-loaded height-adjustment means.
Moreover, the first guide rail and/or the second guide rail may be even with the second table surface of the table top.
In this way, it is possible to generate a firm connection between the table parts.
In addition, the second table face may comprise a plurality of recesses and a plurality of guide rails.
Further, the leg assembly may comprise a foot arranged at the second end of the leg.
Also, the guide rails may have a C-profiled cross-section.
Furthermore, the guide rails may have an I-profiled cross-section.
Furthermore, the height-adjustable table may comprise a plurality of leg assemblies.
Moreover, the leg assemblies may be kept in position by one or more transverse members.
In addition, the leg assemblies may be connected with the guide rails by a spring-loaded ball connection.
In this way, it is possible to release the pressure on the balls and adjust the position of the leg assemblies in relation to the guide rails in a manner not requiring tools.
Also, the guide rail(s) may be made of aluminium.
Additionally, the guide rail(s) may be made of stainless steel.
Furthermore, the guide rail(s) may be made of fibre-reinforced polymer.
In addition, the guide rail(s) may be arranged more than 20 mm from the outer perimeter of the table top. The guide rail(s) may be arranged from 20 mm to 500 mm from the perimeter of the table top.
Moreover, the depth of the recess arranged to receive the rail may be approximately 20-80%, more preferably 30-70%, or even more preferably 40-60% of the thickness of the table top.
Also, the table top may have a thickness of 10-70 mm, preferably 15-60 mm, more preferably 20-50 mm, or even more preferably 25-40 mm.
Additionally, the first guide rail and/or the second guide rail may comprise threaded apertures or blind holes for fastening the leg assembly/assemblies to the guide rails.
Further, the threaded apertures or blind holes for fastening the legs to the guide rails may be arranged in nuts slidably arranged in the guide rails.
The height-adjustable table may further comprise a first transverse member extending from a first guide rail to a second guide rail, the transverse member being arranged to support the at least one leg assembly.
The guide rail may project from the second surface of the table top. In this way a firm connection between the guide rail and e.g. a transverse member is ensured.
The guide rail may project less than 5 mm from the second surface of the table top and more preferred less than 2 mm from the second surface.
Furthermore, the transverse member may be arranged substantially perpendicularly to the guide rail.
Also, the height-adjustable table may comprise a further transverse member.
Moreover, the at least one leg assembly may be arranged between two transverse members.
In addition, the transverse member may have an L-shaped cross-section.
In this way, it is achieved that the transverse member is rigid and still of low weight.
Additionally, the guide rails may comprise slidably arranged bolts arranged to connect the at least one leg assembly with the guide rails.
Moreover, the guide rails may comprise nuts having a generally rectangular outer outline. In this way, it is possible to slide the nut in the guide rails and still have the nuts prevented from rotating the in guide rails.
Also, the guide rail may comprise a projection section extending from one side of the rail at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the rail.
In addition, the guide rails may be fixated in the recess by a fastening means comprising a head that, in its mounted position, extends at least partially over the projecting section of the rail.
The head of the fastening means may be the head of a screw, nail, plug or a similar projection extending from the general body of the fastening means.
Further, the projecting section of the guide rail may extend from the rail towards the rim of the table top. In this way, it is achieved that the rail is capable of withstanding a greater torque applied to the rail e.g. from an arm for a monitor, a privacy screen or hangers mounted in the rail.
Additionally, two guide rails arranged substantially perpendicularly to each other may further comprise a torque bracket connecting the one rail with the other. In this way, the guide rail having a torque subjected thereto achieves an increased resistance to the torque due to the connection to the second guide rail. Because the second guide rail is arranged substantially perpendicularly to first guide rail, the second guide rail connected by the torque bracket will act as an extension of the “arm” of the first guide rail and hence increase the resistance to the torque applied.
The torque bracket may comprise an aperture arranged to receive means for affixing it directly to the table top.
Also, the recess may comprise a first recess extension arranged substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the recess, extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the recess. The first recess extension may have a depth from the second side of the table top that is different from the recess.
Moreover, the depth of the first recess extension may be smaller than that of the recess.
In addition, the recess may comprise a broadened recess section having a greater width than the general width of the recess and/or of the second recessed section. In this way, it is possible to achieve a smaller distance between the end of the recess and the guide rail arranged in the recess. This is because the grinding machine will have a radius larger than that of the corner of the guide rail. Hence, the diameter of the tool of the grinding machine may be larger without causing the recess to be longer. Furthermore, due to the broadened recess sections it is possible to grasp the guide rails in the sides of the guide rails during the mounting of the guide rails in the recess. Hence, an easier and better manufacturing process is achieved.
Furthermore, the recess may comprise a second recess extension arranged substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the recess, and extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the recess. The second recess extension may have a depth from the second side of the table top that is different from that of the recess and/or that of the first recess extension.
Further, the second recess extension of the table top may comprise blind holes for receiving fastening means arranged in an area not covered by the guide rail or by a part projecting from the rail. In this way, a more simple manufacturing process is achieved when mounting the guide rails in the recesses.
Finally, the at least one leg assembly may comprise a fastening plate connecting the table top with the first leg end.
The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which
All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe section where the two leg members at least touch each other, and hence the point affected the most, e.g. in a fully elevated position of the table, is indicated with a dotted circle 16. In order to minimise the effect of the bending moment BM, the leg assemblies 3 may be moved along an arrow d1. When moving the leg assemblies 3 further towards the transverse rail 15, the distance parallel to d1, i.e. the “arm” used to calculate the torque, is shortened, and hence, the bending moment BM is reduced. In a similar manner, if the table 1 was likely to be subjected to even more heavy loads at the perimeter opposite the monitors 13, the leg assemblies 3 would have to be moved further away from the monitors.
Furthermore, a problem with height-adjustable tables is that the leg assembly needs to function regardless of the load distribution on the table top. Considering a leg assembly connected with the table at a centrally arranged point, a load on a part of the outer perimeter of the table top subjects a bending moment on the leg assembly. In order to ensure that the table continues to be height-adjustable, it is beneficial that the leg assembly may be moved to a point that supports the table top in a manner that results in a smaller bending moment on the leg assembly.
Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A height-adjustable table comprising: wherein the second table face comprises at least a first recess arranged to receive a first guide rail where the first leg end of the leg assembly is connected with the guide rail.
- a table top comprising a first table face and a second table face, and
- at least a first leg assembly having a first leg end and a second leg end, the first leg assembly comprising a first leg member and a second leg member relatively movable in relation to each other along a longitudinal axis,
2. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, further comprising a second guide rail.
3. A height-adjustable table according to claim 2, further comprising a first transverse member.
4. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, wherein the leg assembly comprises a motorised height-adjustment means.
5. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, wherein the leg assembly comprises a spring-loaded height-adjustment means.
6. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, wherein the first guide rail and/or the second guide rail is/are substantially even with the second face of the table top.
7. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, wherein the first guide rail and/or the second guide rail comprise(s) threaded apertures for fastening the leg assembly/assemblies to the guide rails.
8. A height-adjustable table according to claim 7, wherein the threaded apertures for fastening the legs to the guide rails are arranged in nuts slidably arranged in the guide rails.
9. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, further comprising a first transverse member extending from a first guide rail to a second guide rail, the transverse member being arranged to support the at least one leg assembly.
10. A height-adjustable table according to claim 9, wherein the transverse member is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the guide rail.
11. A height-adjustable table according to claim 9, wherein the height-adjustable table comprises a further transverse member.
12. A height-adjustable table according to claim 11, wherein the at least one leg assembly is arranged between two transverse members.
13. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, wherein the threaded apertures for fastening the legs to the guide rails are arranged in nuts slidably arranged in the guide rails.
14. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, wherein the guide rails comprise slidably arranged bolts arranged to connect the at least one leg assembly with the guide rails.
15. A height-adjustable table according to claim 1, wherein the at least one leg assembly comprises a fastening plate connecting the table top with the first leg end.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 13, 2017
Publication Date: Aug 22, 2019
Inventors: Lars RYHOLL (Middelfart), Nicki PEDERSEN (Odense C)
Application Number: 16/309,413