Table height adjustment mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11612239-B2
Application number	US-202117375544-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 14, 2021
Priority date	Jul 14, 2021
Publication date	Mar 28, 2023
Grant date	Mar 28, 2023

Abstract

A table includes collapsible telescopic legs and a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism includes a pair of latch arms and an activation device. When pushed downward, the activation device engages with the latch arms to cause the latch arms to move inward. The inward motion is opposed by a biasing mechanism disposed between the latch arms. As the latch arms move inward, tabs at the ends of the latch arms disengage from notches on the telescopic legs to allow the legs to be extended or retracted. When the activation device is released, the tabs engage with the notches to lock the legs at a selected height position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A height adjustment mechanism for a structure having opposing first and second telescopic legs, the height adjustment mechanism comprising:
a first latch arm that is operable to slide between a first position and a second position, the first latch arm having an inner end and an outer end, the first latch arm including a first tab disposed at the outer end and a first sloped surface disposed adjacent the inner end, wherein the first tab is operable to engage with a first notch on the first telescopic leg when the first latch arm is in the first position, and to disengage from the first notch on the first telescopic leg when the first latch arm is in the second position;
a second latch arm that is operable to slide between a first position and a second position, the second latch arm having an inner end and an outer end, the second latch arm including a second tab disposed at the outer end and a second sloped surface disposed adjacent the inner end, wherein the second tab is operable to engage with a second notch on the second telescopic leg when the second latch arm is in the first position, and to disengage from the second notch on the second telescopic leg when the second latch is in the second position;
a spring disposed between and attached to the inner ends of the first and second latch arms, wherein the spring provides an outward force that urges the first and second latch arms laterally away from each other when the spring is compressed; and
an activation device disposed adjacent the first and second sloped surfaces of the first and second latch arms, the activation device comprising:
a first contact surface that slidingly engages the first sloped surface, thereby causing the first latch arm to slide inward from the first position to the second position; and
a second contact surface that slidingly engages the second sloped surface, thereby causing the second latch arm to slide inward from the first position to the second position.

2. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sloped surfaces are shaped such that a downward vertical displacement of the first and second contact surfaces in engagement with the first and second sloped surfaces causes the first and second latch arms to move inward in a lateral direction.

3. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a cross-brace tube laterally disposed between the first and second telescopic legs, wherein the first and second latch arms are disposed within the cross-brace tube, such that the cross-brace tube acts as a guide in which the first and second latch arms slide between the first and second positions.

4. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 3 , further comprising a guide case attached to the cross-brace tube, wherein the guide case at least partially encloses and guides movement of the activation device and the first and second latch arms, and wherein the guide case limits motion of the activation device to only vertical motion and limits motion of the first and second latch arms to only horizontal lateral motion.

5. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 4 further comprising one or more fasteners that secure the guide case to the cross-brace tube.

6. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the activation device comprises a molded plastic button having a substantially hollow interior.

7. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 6 wherein the first and second contact surfaces of the activation device comprise molded plastic surfaces disposed within the interior of the molded plastic button.

8. The height adjustment mechanism of claim 6 wherein the first and second contact surfaces of the activation device comprise cylindrical metal pins disposed within the interior of the molded plastic button.

9. A telescopic leg assembly having multiple selectable height positions, the telescopic leg assembly comprising:
a first telescopic leg comprising a first upper leg portion and a first lower leg portion that slides within the first upper leg portion in a telescopic arrangement, the first lower leg portion having first notches that correspond to the multiple selectable height positions;
a second telescopic leg comprising a second upper leg portion and a second lower leg portion that slides within the second upper leg portion in a telescopic arrangement, the second lower leg portion having second notches that correspond to the multiple selectable height positions;
a cross-brace tube laterally disposed between and connecting the first upper leg portion of the first telescopic leg and the second upper leg portion of the second telescopic leg;
a height adjustment mechanism disposed within the cross-brace tube, the height adjustment mechanism comprising:
a first latch arm that is operable to slide between a first position and a second position, the first latch arm having an inner end and an outer end, the first latch arm including a first tab disposed at the outer end and a first sloped surface disposed adjacent the inner end, wherein the first tab is operable toe engage one of the first notches on the first lower leg portion when the first latch arm is in the first position, and to disengage from the first notches on the first lower leg portion when the first latch arm is in the second position;
a second latch arm that is operable to slide between a first and second position, the second latch arm having an inner end and an outer end, the second latch arm including a second tab disposed at the outer end and a second sloped surface disposed adjacent the inner end, wherein the second tab is operable to engage one of the second notches on the second lower leg portion when the second latch arm is in the first position, and to disengage from the second notches on the second lower leg portion when the second latch is in the second position;
a spring disposed between and attached to the inner ends of the first and second latch arms, wherein the spring provides an outward force that urges the first and second latch arms laterally away from each other when the spring is compressed; and
an activation device disposed adjacent the first and second sloped surfaces of the first and second latch arms, the activation device comprising:
a first contact surface that slidingly engages the first sloped surface, thereby causing the first latch arm to slide inward from the first position to the second position; and
a second contact surface that slidingly engages the second sloped surface, thereby causing the second latch arm to slide inward from the first position to the second position.

10. The collapsible telescopic leg assembly of claim 9 wherein the first and second sloped surfaces are shaped such that a downward vertical displacement of the first and second contact surfaces in engagement with the first and second sloped surfaces causes the first and second latch arms to move inward in a lateral direction.

11. The collapsible telescopic leg assembly of claim 9 wherein the cross-brace tube acts as a guide in which the first and second latch arms slide between first and second positions.

12. The collapsible telescopic leg assembly of claim 9 further comprising a guide case attached to the cross-brace tube, wherein the guide case at least partially encloses and guides movement of the activation device and the first and second latch arms, and wherein the guide case limits motion of the activation device to only vertical motion and limits motion of the first and second latch arms is limited to only horizontal lateral motion.

13. The collapsible telescopic leg assembly of claim 12 further comprising one or more fasteners that secure th

Assignees

• Zhuhai Shichang Metals Ltd

Inventors

• Liu Jingbo

Classifications

• A47B9/20 Primary

  Telescopic guides · CPC title

• A47B3/0912

  the strut being of two parts foldable relative to one another · CPC title

• A47B9/14 Primary

  with pins coacting with holes · CPC title