Height-adjustable table

Abstract

A table with a height-adjustable table top, supporting structures and at least one strap that connects the supporting structures and the table top together, so that the table top is supported by being suspended by the strap on the supporting structures. The table includes a mechanism for manually adjusting the height of the table top that includes a winding disk rotatably mounted relative to the table top, and a spring element non-positively connected to the winding disk, wherein the strap is connected to the winding disk. The table top is adjustable between a lower height in which the strap is minimally wound onto the winding disk and an upper height in which the strap is maximally wound onto the winding disk. The spring element is maximally tensioned when the table top is at the lower height and is minimally tensioned when the table top is at the upper height.

Claims

1. A table with a height-adjustable table top, supporting structures and at least one strap, in which the at least one strap connects the supporting structures and the table top together so that the table top is supported by the supporting structures by hanging on the supporting structures by means of the at least one strap, the table comprising: a mechanism for manually adjusting a height of the table top, the mechanism comprising an eccentric, a winding disk which is rotatably mounted relative to the table top, and a spring element which is connected in strength to the winding disk via the eccentric, wherein the at least one strap is connected to the winding disk such that the at least one strap is configured to be wound up onto the winding disk, wherein the table top is adjustable between a lower height in which the at least one strap is wound up to a minimum extent onto the winding disk and an upper height in which the at least one strap is wound up to a maximum extent onto the winding disk, wherein the spring element is tensioned to a maximum extent when the table top is located at the lower height, and wherein the spring element is tensioned to a minimum extent when the table top is located at the upper height.

2. The table according to claim 1, wherein the winding disk of the mechanism is mounted on a lower face of the table top such that it is rotatable about an axis which extends substantially at a right angle to the lower face of the table top.

3. The table according to claim 2, wherein the mechanism further includes a limiting device which limits a rotational movement of the winding disk in both rotational directions.

4. The table according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a limiting device which limits a rotational movement of the winding disk in both rotational directions.

5. The table according to claim 1, wherein the spring element and the winding disk of the mechanism are adjusted such that a half revolution of the winding disk effects a doubling or a halving of the spring force of the spring element.

6. The table according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric is configured as an eccentric disk which is arranged on the winding disk.

7. The table according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism further includes a cable and the spring element is a linear spring which is connected to the winding disk via the cable.

8. The table according to claim 7, wherein the cable at its one longitudinal end is fastened to the linear spring and at its other longitudinal end is fastened to the winding disk, and wherein the eccentric is configured as an eccentric disk which is arranged on the winding disk and the cable extends along at least one part of a side edge of the eccentric disk arranged on the winding disk.

9. The table according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structures include a first supporting structure arranged at a first side of the table top and a second supporting structure arranged at a second side of the table top, and wherein the at least one strap connects the first supporting structure, the second supporting structure, and the table top together such that the table top is hanging between the first supporting structure and the second supporting structure.

10. The table according to claim 1, wherein the at least one strap includes four straps.

11. The table according to claim 1, further comprising deflection means arranged on a lower face of the table top, wherein the at least one strap is guided by the deflection means along the lower face of the table top.

12. A table with a height-adjustable table top, supporting structures and at least one strap, in which the at least one strap connects the supporting structures and the table top together so that the table top is supported by the supporting structures by hanging on the supporting structures by means of the at least one strap, the table comprising: a mechanism for manually adjusting a height of the table top, the mechanism including a winding disk which is rotatably mounted relative to the table top, a spring element which is connected in strength to the winding disk, and a locking portion, the winding disk being configured to be blocked thereby in a plurality of different rotational positions, wherein the at least one strap is connected to the winding disk such that the at least one strap is configured to be wound up onto the winding disk, wherein the table top is adjustable between a lower height in which the at least one strap is wound up to a minimum extent onto the winding disk and an upper height in which the at least one strap is wound up to a maximum extent onto the winding disk, wherein the spring element is tensioned to a maximum extent when the table top is located at the lower height, and wherein the spring element is tensioned to a minimum extent when the table top is located at the upper height.

13. The table according to claim 12, wherein the locking portion includes a blocking element and a toothing which is configured on the winding disk and which includes a plurality of teeth offset to one another in the rotational directions of the winding disk, the blocking element being configured to engage at different positions in the toothing of the winding disk.

14. The table according to claim 13, wherein the blocking element is provided with an engagement portion by which the blocking element is manually actuatable.

15. The table according to claim 14, wherein the locking portion further includes a pulling element which pulls the blocking element into the toothing.

16. The table according to claim 13, wherein the locking portion includes a pulling element which pulls the blocking element into the toothing.

17. A table comprising: a table top; at least one supporting structure; at least one strap, wherein the at least one strap connects the at least one supporting structure and the table top together so that the table top is supported by the at least one supporting structure by hanging on the at least one supporting structure by means of the at least one strap; and a mechanism configured for manual adjustment of a height of the table top, the mechanism being independent of a load placed on the table top, the mechanism including a winding disk which is rotatably mounted relative to the table top, wherein the at least one strap is connected to the winding disk such that the at least one strap is configured to be wound up onto the winding disk and wherein the table top is adjustable between a lower height in which the at least one strap is wound up to a minimum extent onto the winding disk and an upper height in which the at least one strap is wound up to a maximum extent onto the winding disk, a spring element which is connected in strength to the winding disk, wherein the spring element is tensioned to a maximum extent when the table top is located at the lower height and the spring element is tensioned to a minimum extent when the table top is located at the upper height, and an eccentric, wherein the spring element is connected in strength to the winding disk via the eccentric.

18. The table according to claim 17, wherein the eccentric is configured as an eccentric disk which is arranged on the winding disk.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed from the following description of exemplary embodiments by means of the schematic drawings. In particular, the table according to the invention is described hereinafter in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by means of exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a table according to the invention with a table top adjusted to the seat height;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front view of the table of FIG. 1 with the table top fully tilted up;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view from below of the table of FIG. 1, wherein a cover and a cable basket have been dismantled and wherein the table top is located at a lower height;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view of the table of FIG. 1 corresponding to the view of FIG. 3, wherein a spring mounting has been dismantled;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a view of the table of FIG. 1 corresponding to the view of FIG. 4, wherein the table top is located at an upper height; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a view from above of selected parts of the table of FIG. 1, wherein the table top is located at the upper height.

MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

(8) Certain expressions are used in the following description for practical reasons and are not to be understood as limiting. The words right, left, bottom and top denote directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The expressions inwardly and outwardly and/or rear and front denote directions toward or away from the geometric center point of the table and known parts thereof. The terminology comprises the words expressly mentioned above, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a table 1 according to the invention which is height-adjustable and able to be folded up. The table 1 comprises a table top 2, two vertical side walls 3 as supporting structures and a vertical rear wall 5 connecting the side walls 3. The table top 2 comprises a substantially rectangular upper face 21, a rear edge 24 facing the rear wall 5, a front edge 23 opposing the rear edge 24 and two side walls 25 connecting in each case the rear edge 24 to the front edge 23. The side edges 25 form the short sides of the rectangular upper face 21 of the table top 2 and the front edge 23 and/or the rear edge 24 form the longitudinal sides thereof. Two recesses are incorporated in the rear edge 24, cables or the like being able to be pulled therethrough, for example, during use of the table 1.

(10) The side walls 3 comprise in each case a fixed portion 32 fixedly connected at right angles to the rear wall 5 and a folding portion 31 foldably connected to the associated fixed portion 32 via in each case two hinges 33. In each case a horizontal slotted handle 311 is incorporated in the folding portions 31. At their lower end the side walls 3 in each case comprise a foot part 34 with a rear foot 341, a front foot 342 and a connecting bar 343 connecting the rear foot 341 to the front foot 342. In this case, the rear feet 341 are arranged adjacent to the rear wall 5 and the front feet 342 are arranged at one end of the folding portions 31 remote from the rear wall 5. The table 1 is positioned with the rear feet 341 and the front feet 342 on the floor, when used as intended.

(11) At its lower end the rear wall 5 and the side walls 3 comprise a side wall fastening 52. The side wall fastening 52 comprises two folding-in locking arms 521 mounted on the rear wall 5 and two folding-out locking arms 522 mounted in each case on one of the two side walls 3. By means of the side wall fastening 52, the side walls 3 may be secured both in the folded-in state by means of the folding-in locking arms 521 and also in the folded-out state by means of the folding-out locking arms 522.

(12) In each case a guide rail 61 of a table top guide 6 is arranged on the inner faces of the fixed portions 32 of the side walls 3. The guide rails 61 in each case extend vertically over the entire height of the associated fixed portion 32.

(13) The table top 2 is fastened to the side walls 3 by means of four straps 4, two thereof being visible in FIG. 1. In this case, a first front strap 41 is mounted in the vicinity of an upper edge of the right-hand side wall 3 and remote from the rear wall 5 on the right-hand rear wall 3 by means of a strap fastening 35. A first rear strap 42 is mounted in the vicinity of the upper edge of the right-hand side wall 3 and in the vicinity of the rear wall 5 by means of a further strap fastening 35 on the right-hand side wall 3. The straps 4 extend below the table top 2.

(14) In FIG. 1 the table top 2 is illustrated adjusted to a seat height and horizontally aligned, i.e. arranged with a horizontal upper face 21 and/or untilted. In this case, it is suspended between the side walls 3 on the straps 4. It is surrounded by the side walls 3 and the rear wall 5, and enclosed thereby. This lends the table top 2 stability and prevents an undesired rocking and/or tilting. The side walls 3 and the rear wall 5 protrude over the table top 2 in the vertical direction, i.e. upwardly. As a result, the upper face 21 of the table top 2 and, in particular, a work station formed thereby may be separated and/or protected from viewing and noise. A desk pad 81 is positioned on the upper face 21.

(15) For all of the remaining description the following statement applies: if reference numerals are contained in a figure for the purpose of illustrative clarity but not mentioned in the immediately associated text of the description, reference is made to the explanation thereof in the previous description of the figures. If, moreover, reference numerals are mentioned in the text of the description directly belonging to a figure, and which are not contained in the associated figure, reference is made to the previous and/or following figures.

(16) In FIG. 2 the table 1 is shown from the front with the table top 2 fully folded up. The table top 2 in this position is aligned vertically. When the table top 2 is folded up the folding portions 31 of the side walls 3 may be folded inwardly by means of the hinges 33 (not shown in FIG. 2). When the folding portions 31 are folded inwardly, said folding portions are located parallel to the rear wall 5. The folding-in locking arms 521 of the side wall fastenings 52 may in this case fasten the folding-in portions 31 of the side walls 3 to the rear wall 5. Similarly, the folding-up locking arms 522 of the side wall fastening 52 are able to fix the folding-in portions 31 of the side walls 3 at right angles to the rear wall 5.

(17) The table 1 in such a folded-in position forms a compact unit which may be stacked in a space-saving and efficient manner and which may be transported efficiently. No tools are required for folding up the table top 2 and for folding in the folding portions 31, and this may be carried out by the user himself/herself. The slotted handles 311 of the side walls 3 oppose slotted handles of the rear wall 5, so that the table 1 may be easily carried by one or two people thereby.

(18) The table top 2 has a lower face 22 which is covered by a cover 82 when transported over long distances. From the right-hand side, the first front strap 41 and the first rear strap 42 extend below the cover 82. Similarly, from the left-hand side a second front strap 43 and a second rear strap 44 also extend below the cover 82.

(19) The straps 4 are as a whole guided and deflected via a strap guide 9 as deflection means on the lower face 22 of the table top 2. As visible in FIG. 2, the strap guide 9 comprises in each case four entry guides 94 adjoining the side edges 25 and four transition mounts 93 in each case adjacent thereto. The straps 4 are horizontally guided in each case from an entry guide 94 and one of the transition mounts 93 from a side edge 25 of the table top 2 along the lower face 22 thereof below the cover 82. Two guide rollers 62 of the table top guide 6 are fastened at the side below the two lower entry guides 94, said guide rollers extending outwardly to the side of the table top 2.

(20) Below the cover 82 a cable basket 83 is suspended on the lower face 22 of the table top 2. The cable basket 83 comprises lateral suspension brackets 831 via which it is mounted on corresponding bolts of the table top 2. In this case, the cable basket 83 is pivotably suspended on the lower face 22 of the table top so that in each case it is aligned horizontally in every tilted position of the table top 2. In this manner it is permitted that when tilting the table top 2 the cable basket 83 is not tilted therewith and emptied.

(21) The table 1 further comprises an adjusting mechanism 7 as a mechanism, an actuating grip of a pretensioning ratchet 735 of a spring element 73 of said mechanism being visible in FIG. 2. Other parts of the spring element 73 are fitted into a spring protective cover 736 and covered thereby. The remaining parts of the adjusting mechanism 7 are also covered since they are located behind the cover 82. Accordingly, not all of these parts are shown in FIG. 2.

(22) In FIG. 3, however, in which the table 1 is shown from below, the cover 82 is removed so that further parts of the adjusting mechanism 7 are visible. In particular, the adjusting mechanism 7 comprises a winding disk 71, an eccentric disk 72, the spring element 73, a locking portion 74 and a pivot pin 75.

(23) The winding disk 71 is fastened in a planar and approximately central manner on the lower face 22 of the table top 2. In this case, the winding disk is mounted on the pivot pin 75 which extends at right angles from the lower face 22 of the table top 2, such that it is rotatable parallel to the lower face 22 of the table top 2. The surface thereof is thus aligned parallel to the lower face 22 of the table top 2. The surface of the winding disk 21 is substantially circular and the winding disk 71 is thus virtually circular disk-shaped. The winding disk 71 is able to be rotated via the pivot pin 75 centrally about the circle center of its surface.

(24) The eccentric disk 72 is screwed onto the surface of the winding disk 71. It extends adjacent and parallel to the winding disk 71. The surface of the eccentric disk 72 is asymmetrically configured so that the eccentric disk 72 is not rotationally symmetrical.

(25) The eccentric disk 72 is rotatably mounted together with the winding disk 71 on the pivot pin 75. Accordingly, it is also rotatable parallel to the lower face 22 of the table top 2. The pivot pin 75 penetrates the eccentric disk 72, but at an eccentric position in FIG. 3 offset upwardly from the center. This results in an unround rotational movement when the eccentric disk 72 is rotated about the pivot pin 75.

(26) The spring element 73 comprises a spring cable 732 which protrudes from the spring protective cover 736. In this case the spring cable 732 is guided around a cable deflection wheel 733 and thus extends obliquely along the lower face 22 of the table top 2 in the direction of the eccentric disk 72. Along the edge and/or rim thereof the spring cable 732 is deflected in the direction of a cable fastening 734. In the cable fastening 734 the spring cable 732 is fixedly mounted at one of its longitudinal ends.

(27) The locking portion 74 comprises a blocking element 741 which comprises an engagement portion, a tensile spring 743 and a toothing 742, which is configured on the periphery of the winding disk 71. The toothing 742 is arranged between two stops 712 of the winding disk 71 as part of a limiting device. The tensile spring 743 is mounted at its one end with the blocking element 741 and at its other end on the spring protective cover 736. The tensile spring is pretensioned, whereby it pulls the blocking element 741 in the direction of the toothing 742. In this case, the blocking element 741 engages in the toothing so that the winding disk 71 and also the eccentric disk 72 are secured thereby, together with said winding disk, against a rotation about the pivot pin 75.

(28) As visible in FIG. 3, the strap guide 9 comprises deflection elements 91 which deflect the first rear strap 42 and the first front strap 41 by approximately 90 toward the winding disk 71. The winding disk 71 has four fastening slots 711, in each case one of the straps 4 being mounted therein at its longitudinal end.

(29) As is visible in FIG. 4, in which the spring protective cover 736 and the tensile spring 743 have been removed, the spring element 73 comprises a spiral spring 731 as a linear spring which is coupled at its one longitudinal end to the spring ratchet 735 and at its other longitudinal end to the spring cable 732. The spring cable 732 is thus tensioned between the spiral spring 731 and the cable fastening 734 via the cable deflection wheel 733 and the eccentric disk 72. The associated tensioning force may be adjusted as required via an actuation of the spring ratchet 735, by the spiral spring 731 being more or less pretensioned.

(30) The strap guide 9 comprises two deflection rollers 92 which upwardly deflect the first front strap 42 and the second front strap 43 by approximately 90 in the direction of the winding disk 71 and/or in the direction of the associated deflection element 91. Using the second front strap 43, it is shown by way of example in FIG. 4 how the straps 4 are wound clockwise around the winding disk 71 and mounted in one of the four fastening slots 711. In this case, the first front strap 41 is mounted in the left-hand fastening slot 711, the first rear strap 42 is mounted in the lower fastening slot 711, the second front strap 43 is mounted in the upper fastening slot 711 and the second rear strap 41 is mounted in the right-hand fastening slot 711.

(31) In the position shown in FIG. 4 of the table 1, the table top 2 is adjusted to the lower height. In this case, the winding disk 71 is rotated counterclockwise to a maximum extent until the stop 712 terminating the toothing 742 in the clockwise direction bears against the locking portion 74 (covered in FIG. 4 by the engagement portion of the blocking element 741 and therefore not visible). The straps 4 in this case are wound up to a minimum extent onto the winding disk 71 and accordingly have a maximum length, whereby the table top 2 is located at the lower height.

(32) Since the spring cable 732 is guided counterclockwise around the eccentric disk 72 along its side edge, it is wound up to a maximum extent onto the eccentric disk 72 in the position of the table 1 of FIG. 4. Its length in this position is, therefore, minimal so that the spiral spring 731 is tensioned to a maximum extent. As a result, a maximum force acts from the spiral spring 731 onto the eccentric disk 72 and the winding disk 71. Since the eccentric disk 72 is shaped to be unround, it is ensured that the torque produced by the force of the spiral spring 731 via the eccentric disk 72 onto the winding disk 71, is approximately constant irrespective of the deflection of the spiral spring 731. Thus the raising and lowering of the table top 2 may be assisted uniformly, irrespective of the table top height.

(33) In FIG. 5 the table 1 is shown with the table top 2 at the upper height. In this case the winding disk 71 is rotated clockwise to a maximum extent until the stop 712 terminating the toothing 742 in the counterclockwise direction bears against the locking portion 74 (covered in FIG. 5 by the engagement portion of the blocking element 741 and therefore not visible). The straps 4 in this case are wound up onto the winding disk 71 to a maximum extent and have accordingly a minimum length, whereby the table top 2 is located at the upper height. In particular, the fastening slot 711 holding the first front strap 41 is located to the right, the fastening slot 711 holding the first rear strap 42 is located at the top, the fastening slot 711 holding the second front strap 43 is located at the bottom and the fastening slot 711 holding the second rear strap 44 is located to the left.

(34) In the position of the table 1 of FIG. 5 the spring cable 732 is wound up to a minimum extent onto the eccentric disk 72. Its length in this position is, therefore, at a maximum so that the spiral spring 731 is tensioned to a minimum extent. As a result, a minimum force acts from the spiral spring 731 onto the eccentric disk 72 and the winding disk 71. Since the eccentric disk 72 is of unround shape, this minimum force acts with a relatively large lever force on the winding disk 71. Thusas mentioned aboveit is ensured that the torque produced by the force of the spiral spring 731 via the eccentric disk 72 onto the winding disk 71 is constant.

(35) For adjusting the height of the table top 2 in a range between the lower height shown in FIG. 4 and the upper height shown in FIG. 5, the blocking element 741 of the locking portion 74 is manually pulled out of the teeth 742 of the winding disk 71 counter to the force of the tensile spring 743. Whilst the blocking element 741 is thus held, the table top 2 may be adjusted manually to a desired target height. In this case, the two guide rollers 62 of the table top guide 6 run in the guide rails 61, whereby the table top 2 may be moved up and down in a stable manner. Also this adjustment is assisted by the spring element 73, by the spring element initiating a downward movement and assisting an upward movement. If the table top 2 is located at the target height, the blocking element 741 is released again. The tensile spring 743 pulls the blocking element 741 into the toothing and thus fixes the table top 2 at the target height.

(36) FIG. 6 shows the adjusting mechanism 7 of the table 1 from above, whilst the table top 2 (not shown in FIG. 6) is located at the lower height. In this case, the winding disk 71 is rotated counterclockwise to a maximum extent so that the stop 712 terminating the toothing 742 in the clockwise direction bears against the engagement portion of the blocking element 741 of the locking portion 74. The straps 4 are wound up to a minimum extent onto the winding disk 71. An engagement pin of the blocking element 741 engages in the toothing 742 of the winding disk 71 and thus blocks a rotational movement of the winding disk 71.

(37) The winding disk 71 comprises in its interior a series of radial spokes 714. These spokes 714 permit the winding disk 71 to be of sufficiently stable design with a relatively low weight. Additionally, the winding disk 71 comprises four rollers 713 distributed uniformly along its circumference. The rollers permit the winding disk 71 to be able to be rotated with a relatively low resistance when bearing against the table top 2.

(38) Although the invention has been shown and described in detail by means of the figures and the associated description, these drawings and this detailed description are to be understood as illustrative and exemplary, and not as limiting the invention. It goes without saying that the person skilled in the art may make alterations and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

(39) The present disclosure also encompasses embodiments with any combination of features which are cited or shown above or hereinafter relative to different embodiments. It also encompasses individual features in the figures even when they are shown therein, in connection with other features, and/or are not cited above or hereinafter. Also, the alternatives of embodiments described in the figures and the description and individual alternatives of the features thereof are excluded from the inventive subject and/or from the disclosed subjects. The disclosure encompasses embodiments which exclusively encompass the features described in the claims and/or in the exemplary embodiments and also encompasses those embodiments which encompass other additional features.

(40) Hereinafter the expression encompass and derivatives thereof do not exclude other elements or steps. Also, the indefinite article a and/or an and derivatives thereof do not exclude a plurality thereof. The functions of a plurality of features set forth in the claims may be fulfilled by a unit and/or a step. The terms substantially approximately roughly and the like in connection with a property and/or a value also define, in particular, just the property and/or just the value. The terms approximately and roughly in combination with a given numerical value or range, may refer to a value and/or range which is within 20%, within 10%, within 5% or within 2% of the given value and/or range. None of the reference numerals in the claims are to be understood as limiting the scope of the claims.