Height-adjustable frame with foldable leg elements

Abstract

A height-adjustable frame for furniture, such as a worktable or desk, is disclosed. The frame includes first and second height-adjustable leg elements pivotable about first and second pivot axes between folded-out and folded-in positions. A rotatable shaft is arranged between the first and second leg elements to synchronously drive first and second height adjustment arrangements. The shaft includes a middle section and first and second end sections pivotable towards the middle section about respective first and second joint axes. A locking structure is included that locks the first and second leg elements in a folded-out position, when the first and second joint axes do not run approximately parallel to the first and second pivot axes, and that unlocks when the first and second joint axes run approximately parallel to the first and second pivot axes to permit the first and second leg elements to pivot into a folded-in position.

Claims

1. A height-adjustable frame for a furniture such as a table comprising: a first leg element with a first support section, a first foot section and a first height adjustment component, the first height adjustment component being attached to the first foot section; a second leg element with a second support section, a second foot section and a second height adjustment component, the second height adjustment component being attached to the second foot section; wherein the first support section and the first foot section are movable relative to each other when the first height adjustment component is actuated by a first height adjustment element, wherein the second support section and the second foot section are movable relative to each other when the second height adjustment component is actuated by a second height adjustment element, and wherein the first leg element is configured to be pivoted about a first pivot axis between a folded-out position and a folded-in position and the second leg element is configured to be pivoted about a second pivot axis between a folded-out position and a folded-in position; a rotatable shaft disposed between the first leg element and the second leg element, the rotatable shaft being operably coupled to the first and second height adjustment components of the first and second leg elements by the first and second height adjustment elements to synchronously actuate the first height adjustment component and the second height adjustment component when the shaft is rotated, wherein the rotatable shaft has a middle section, a first end section and a second end section, the first end section being connected via a first joint to the middle section to be pivotable towards the middle section about a first joint axis, and the second end section being connected via a second joint to the middle section to be pivotable towards the middle section about a second joint axis; and a locking structure that is configured to selectively lock and unlock the first and second leg elements, wherein the locking structure is configured to lock the first leg element and the second leg element in its folded-out position when the first and second joint axes of the first and second joints of the shaft do not run at least approximately parallel to the first and second pivot axes of the first and second leg elements or, in particular do not at least approximately coincide, and wherein the locking structure is configured to unlock when the first and second joint axes of the first and second joints of the shaft run at least approximately parallel to the first and second pivot axes of the first and second leg elements and, in particular, at least approximately coincide, so that each of the first leg element and the second leg element is free to be pivoted into its folded-in position.

2. The frame according to claim 1, further comprising a support element on which the first leg element is mounted pivotably about the first pivot axis, and on which the second leg element is mounted pivotably about the second pivot axis.

3. The frame according to claim 2, wherein the support element has a transverse section on which the first leg element and the second leg element are mounted spaced apart from each other.

4. The frame according to claim 3, wherein the shaft is disposed in an interior space of the transverse section of the support element.

5. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the first leg element and the second leg element are respectively pivotable between the folded-in position and the folded-out position independently of each other.

6. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure comprises a blocking component that can be actuated between a locking position, in which it blocks the pivoting of the first leg element and the second leg element, and a release position, in which the first leg element and the second leg element are released for pivoting.

7. The frame according to claim 6, wherein the blocking component of the locking structure is actuatable by rotation of the shaft between the locking position and the release position.

8. The frame according to claim 7, wherein the locking structure comprises an eccentric provided on the shaft, the eccentric being disposed to engage the blocking structure such that the blocking structure is moved between the locking position and the release position, depending on a rotation position of the shaft.

9. The frame according to claim 6, further comprising a support element on which the first leg element is mounted pivotably about the first pivot axis, and on which the second leg element is mounted pivotably about the second pivot axis, wherein the blocking component of the locking structure comprises a first locking pin which protrudes in the locking position into a first recess, the first recess being comprised of openings or depressions on the first leg element and the support element that are aligned when the first leg element is in its fold-out position, and a second locking pin which protrudes in the locking position into a second recess, the second recess being comprised of openings or depressions on the second leg element and the support element that are aligned when the second leg element is in its fold-out position.

10. The frame according to claim 9, wherein the first locking pin and the second locking pin are pressed in the locking position into the first recess and the second recess, and in the release position are moved out of the first recess and the second recess by respective eccentrics mounted on the rotatable shaft.

11. The frame according to claim 6, wherein the blocking component of the locking structure is resiliently pretensioned in a direction of the release position.

12. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the first joint is a first universal joint forming the first joint axis, the first universal joint being provided between the middle section of the shaft and the first end section of the shaft, and the second joint is a second universal joint forming the second joint axis, the second universal joint being provided between the middle section of the shaft and the second end section of the shaft.

13. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the middle section of the shaft, the first end section of the shaft and the second end section of the shaft are each rod-shaped.

14. The frame according to claim 1, further comprising a winder element operatively coupled with the shaft such that the shaft is put into rotation by rotating the winder element to thereby synchronously actuate the first height adjustment component and the second height adjustment component.

15. A table comprising: a height-adjustable frame according to claim 1; and a worktop or table top which is mounted on the frame.

16. The frame according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second height adjustment elements comprises a gear and each of the first and second height adjustment components comprises a rack or a spindle.

17. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is first and second locking structures that are configured to selectively lock and unlock the first and second leg elements, respectively, wherein the first and second locking structures are configured to lock the first leg element and the second leg element in its respective folded-out position when the first and second joint axes of the first and second joints of the shaft do not run at least approximately parallel to the first and second pivot axes of the first and second leg elements or, in particular do not at least approximately coincide, and wherein the first and second locking structures are configured to unlock when the first and second joint axes of the first and second joints of the shaft run at least approximately parallel to the first and second pivot axes of the first and second leg elements and, in particular, at least approximately coincide, so that the first leg element and the second leg element are free to be pivoted into its respective folded-in position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with the aid of the schematic drawing. In particular, the frame according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings based on exemplary embodiments.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a height-adjustable frame according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 partially opened;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective detail view of the frame from FIG. 1 in a locked position; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective detail view of the frame from FIG. 1 in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(6) Certain expressions are used in the following description for practical reasons and should not be understood to limiting in scope. The words, right, left, down and up refer to directions in the drawing to which reference is made. The expressions inwards, outwards, below, above, left, right or similar are used to describe the arrangement of labelled parts with respect to each other, the movement of specified parts with respect to each other and the directions towards or away from the geometric centre of the invention as well as named parts of the same as illustrated in the Figures. This spatial relative information also comprises positions and alignments other than those illustrated in the Fig. For example, when a part illustrated in the figures is rotated, elements or features which are described as below, are then above. The terminology includes the words expressly mentioned above, derivations thereof and words with similar meaning.

(7) In order to avoid repetitions in the figures and in the associated description of the different aspects and exemplary embodiments, certain features should be understood as common to different aspects and exemplary embodiments. The omission of one aspect in the description or in a figure does not mean that this aspect is missing in the associated exemplary embodiment. In fact, such an omission can serve to improve clarity and avoid repetitions. In this connection, the following definition applies to the entire remainder of the description. If reference numerals are included in a figure for the purpose of schematic clarity, but they are not mentioned in the directly associated text of the description, then reference is made to their explanation in the preceding descriptions of figures. However, if reference numerals are mentioned in the text of the description directly associated with a figure, but are not mentioned in the associated figure, then reference is made to the preceding and following figures. Similar reference numerals in two or more figures denote similar or identical elements.

(8) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a height-adjustable frame 7 according to the invention reversed from one side, and FIG. 2 shows the frame 7 from an opposing side. The frame 7 is illustrated partly open in FIG. 2, thus components in the interior of the frame 7 are visible.

(9) The frame 7 comprises a support element 3 in the region of its longitudinal ends, a first leg element 1 and a second leg element 2 being mounted on a first and second bearing element independently of each other pivotable about a first pivot axis S1 and second pivot axis S2 respectively. The first leg element 1 is located in FIG. 1 in a folded-out and pivoted-out position, and the second leg element 2 is located in a folded-in and pivoted-in position respectively.

(10) The support element 3 comprises a transverse beam 30 which runs in a transverse direction which, in particular, corresponds to a direction of a width of a worktop or table top provided for mounting on the frame 7. The support element 3 also comprises a first longitudinal section 31 and a second longitudinal section 32 which run in a longitudinal direction corresponding, in particular, to a direction of a depth of the worktop provided for mounting on the frame 7. The support element 3 and thus the frame 7 can be mounted on its longitudinal sections 31 and 32 on an underside of the worktop or table top and together with it form a table. It can, for example, be fastened by means of screws which are screwed through drilled holes 311, 321 into the worktop or table top.

(11) The first leg element 1 comprises a first support section 11 and a first foot section 12. The second leg element 1 comprises a second support section 21 and a second foot section 22. The first foot section 12 and the second foot section 22 each comprise a square tube 122, 222 and a longitudinal foot 121, 122. The longitudinal feet 121, 122 are aligned parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal sections 31, 32 of the support element 3. The foot sections 12, 22 are mounted on the respective support sections 11, 21 so as to be retractable and extendible by means of a first adjustment arrangement 13 and a second adjustment arrangement 23.

(12) If the support element 3 and thus the frame 7 are mounted on a worktop, a vertical position of the worktop can be adjusted by retracting or extending the foot sections 12, 22 by means of the adjustment arrangement 13, 23. If the foot sections 12, 22 are extended, a distance between the foot sections 12, 22 and the support sections 11, 21 or the support element 3 is increased. A vertical position or height of the worktop can thus be increased or enlarged. If the foot sections 12, 22 are retracted, a distance between the foot sections 12, 22 and the support element 3 is reduced and a vertical position of the worktop is lowered.

(13) In order to actuate the adjustment arrangement 13, 23 and ensure that the two foot sections 12, 22 are always retracted or extended synchronously, a shaft 4 is provided which runs between the first and second leg elements 11, 21 and can be put into rotation by means of a winder element 5. In this case, the two adjustment arrangement 13, 23, with which the shaft 4 is in operative connection, are actuated synchronously.

(14) The shaft 4 comprises an at least substantially rod-shaped middle section 40 on whose one end a first end section 41 that is also at least substantially rod-shaped is provided. A first universal joint 411 is provided between the middle section 40 and the first end section 41. A second end section 42 that is also at least substantially rod-shaped is arranged at the other end of the middle section 40. A second universal joint 421 is provided between the middle section 40 and the second end section 42.

(15) The universal joints 411, 421 are provided at the same position, in relation to the transverse direction, as the corresponding bearing elements to ensure that the pivot axes S1, S2 of the leg elements 1, 2 and the joint axes G1, G2 of the universal joints 411, 421 are each located substantially in one plane and coincide in the rotation position of the shaft 4 shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2.

(16) As can be seen in detail in FIG. 3, a second eccentric 61 in the form of a cam is provided on the second end section 42 of the shaft 4. A gable-shaped second locking slide 62 can be actuated by means of the second eccentric 61, said locking slide serving as part of a locking arrangement.

(17) A locking pin 621 is provided with a rectangular cross-section on an end of the locking slide 62 facing away from the shaft 40, said cross-section being guided in the blocking position through a second guide opening 63 provided on the transverse section 40 with an at least approximately corresponding cross-section. If, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the second joint axis G2 does not coincide with the second pivot axis S2, but rather intersects it, the locking slide 62 is pushed away from the eccentric 61 in the direction of the shaft 40 so that the locking pin 621 protrudes into or engages in the guide opening 63 provided on the transverse section 40. The locking pin 621 is brought into engagement with the second guide opening 63 with a positive locking connection. The second leg element 2 is hereby prevented from folding in so that the second leg element 2 is locked in the folded-out position. The first leg element 1 is, in this position, analogously locked in the folded-out position. A second spiral spring 65 is also provided between the second locking slide 62 and the second support element 11, said spring pressing the second locking slide 62 in the direction of the shaft 4 or the second end section 42 thereof.

(18) As can be seen in FIG. 4, the first end section 41 of the shaft 40 is fitted with an identical first eccentric 61 analogously to the second end section 42 described previously, said first eccentric 61 being in operative connection with an identical, gable-shaped, first locking slide 62 comprising a locking pin 621. The first leg element 1 and the transverse section 40 of the shaft 4 also have a first guide or blocking opening 63 in one region of the first leg element 1. The first leg element 1 is thus locked or released correspondingly in a synchronous manner to the second leg element 1.

(19) If the first joint axis G1, as shown in detail in FIG. 4 in relation to the first leg element 1, coincides with the first pivot axis S1 following rotation of the shaft 40 by means of the winder 5, the first eccentric 61 no longer presses on the locking slide 62, so that said locking slide can be pushed in the direction of the shaft 40 under the influence of a first spiral spring 65. The first locking pin 621 is thus withdrawn from the first guide opening 63 and pivoting of the first leg element 1 is released. The frame 7 is now located in the release position and the leg elements 1, 2 can be folded in.

(20) Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by means of the figures and the associated description, this illustration and this detailed description should be understood to be illustrative and exemplary and do not limit the scope of the invention. In order not to transfigure the invention, well-known structures and techniques may not be shown and described in detail in some cases. It is understood that specialists may make changes and modifications without affecting the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention embraces additional exemplary embodiments with any combinations of features which may differ from feature combinations explicitly described.

(21) The present disclosure also comprises embodiments with any combination of features which are mentioned or shown previously or below in relation to different designs or embodiments. It also comprises individual features in the figures even when they are shown there in connection with other features and/or are not mentioned previously or subsequently. The alternatives of embodiments described in the figures and the description and individual alternatives of their features may also be excluded from the subject matter of the invention or from the disclosed subject matters. The disclosure comprises embodiments which include exclusively the features described in the claims or in the exemplary embodiments, as well as those which include other additional features.

(22) Moreover, the expression comprise and derivations thereof does not exclude other elements or steps. The indefinite article a and derivations thereof does not exclude a plurality. The functions of a plurality of features listed in the claims can be fulfilled by one unit or one step. The terms substantially, for example, approximately and the like in connection with a characteristic or a value also define precisely, and in particular, the characteristic or the value. The terms for example and approximately in connection with a given numerical value or range can relate to a value or range which is within 20%, within 10%, within 5% or within 2% of the given value or range. All reference numerals in the claims are not to be understood as limiting the scope of the claims.

(23) The fact that a feature or a characteristic, for example a specific, in particular geometric shape is formed, provided or present at least approximately or substantially, can also mean, in particular, that production specifications exist which provide a guideline as to how the feature should be correspondingly formed, where a deviation from the guideline may result, particularly in the context of normal production tolerances.

(24) The fact that an element or feature is elongated in one direction, runs in one direction or extends in one direction may mean, in particular, that dimensions of the element or feature are greater in or in relation to this direction than directions in or in relation to other, in particular all other directions, in particular orthogonal directions.