GB2527304A - An adjustable extending and folding framework - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible frame structure comprises a pair of similar equilateral polygons 1 and 2 connected via a series of struts 3,4 and 5 where the ends of each of the struts are pivotally connected to the upper and lower frames. The length of the strut determines the distance that the frames move vertically apart. Figure 1 shows the support frame in the collapsed position, figures 2 and 3 show the frame in a partially extended position and figure 4 shows the frame in the fully extended position. As support frame 2 moves vertically with respect to frame 1 it also rotates about a horizontal plane with respect to frame 1, alternatively a surface located on the upper frame may be fitted with roller bearings to preclude such rotational movement, [Fig 5]. A plurality of gas springs or gas struts, 6, 7 and 8 may be used to aid extension of the support frames. The support frame may be used to rise and lower items of furniture, including a table, [Fig 5]. A plurality of support frames may be located one on another to increase the extended height [Figs 6 and 7].

Description

AN ADJUSTABLE EXTENDING AND FOLDING FRAMEWORK

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an adjustable extending and folding framework, suitable for use in the field of multifunctional furniture: tables, desks and other work stations, stools and benches, display stands, lamps, and the like; it is equally applicable horizontally or vertically to provide a multiplicity of functions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide an adjustable framework capable of achieving a greater range of extension than previously seen from a relatively small form, which is easily and selectively adjustable, compact when folded and strong and rigid when extended.

It is also an object of this invention to provide such a framework as a simple assembly, requiring relatively few components for manufacturing and capable of acting as a module, so that a large unit can be constructed from a plurality of adjacent modules, which may, if desired, be fixed or clipped together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent trends show that previously distinct environments, such as home, office, retail, leisure, and entertainment and event spaces, are rapidly changing and overlapping as connectivity and mobility increase.

Fast-changing technological advances have blurred the lines between professional and personal lives. There is a greater awareness of work-life balance and how space is used to achieve this, particularly in urban environments. Individuals and groups increasingly choose spaces which are designed so there is always the option to work, relax or have fun both in and out of the home.

Research indicates space shapes behaviour. Space is often at a premium and more people in the same space means that space is increasingly being designed for multiple uses as well as multiple users.

There is evidence of a growing need for spaces to transform quickly and easily.

Pop-up shops, bars and restaurants appear in otherwise unused spaces but are also used to create new temporary spaces within larger existing spaces.

Hotels are changing their conventional spaces and creating more open, integrated, multifunctional spaces to appeal to both hotel guests and local residents. Offices too are having to evolve into places where people want to, rather than have to, work. A dedicated workstation for each worker is no longer required.

Research shows work styles and tasks today are more varied, fluid, dynamic and flexible. Alternative workspaces have emerged. Places such as coffee shops have become known as the third space'; if home is the first space and the office the second, the third space is a neutral, comfortable and informal other space for work or meetings. Formal co-working spaces', often shared by a variety of businesses, have created opportunities to engage with new work communities.

In workspaces with areas where both spontaneous and planned interactions, meetings, presentations and discussions in groups can occur alongside individuals focussing on tasks in quieter areas, workers collaborate more, innovate more and are more productive.

Research also shows that workers will switch between a variety of postures during their work if the space lets them. The emphasis is on ergonomics, well-being and fitting the space to the user. Standing time, good sitting postures, non-static positions and movement sequences are important.

Different users sharing the same spaces need a variety of options to sit, stand or move through their day. Giving users choice and control is key.

Against this background of change, a plethora of new products and increasingly multifunctional furniture, lighting and accessories already exists.

The range is vast and continues to be developed: swaying stools, tables on hinges that fold, modular soft seating, pod-like units which afford privacy using visual and acoustic shields, movable screens to create spaces within spaces for individuals and groups and much more.

Tables, especially, have a big ergonomic impact because the tasks typically carried out at desks, such as intense computer use and concentrated individual work, are often static. Desks are often shared and have tended to be designed within limited amounts of space. Motivating mobility and changing posture have become priorities. Recent sit-stand ranges of tables and new European standards for height-adjustable furniture since 2011 reflect this.

Particular difficulties are associated with vertical height adjustment, however.

Various mechanical and electrical methods use trestles, telescopic pedestals, lifting columns, cranks, winding handles, ironing board mechanisms, gas springs, hydraulics and scissor movements. Problems can arise with controlled raising and lowering and some manual locking tables require more than a single user to operate. Electrically-driven height adjustment can limit positioning to near power points. Easy adjustment and easy assembly and disassembly for storage are not always possible. Tables with hinged, folding tabletops may be stored upright but eventually show points of weakness at the hinges with continued use. Height ranges have been limited to those from low to medium or medium to high levels and to achieve stability at higher levels often requires large or heavy bases. To date, even within dynamic environments, the ability of individual users to reconfigure spaces themselves, by simply and easily moving and adjusting tables from low to high levels has been limited.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an adjustable framework capable of achieving a greater range of extension than previously seen to adapt to the size of each potential individual user and encourage good ergonomic practices and dynamic postures.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an adjustable framework capable of multiple functions that uses a simple assembly of few components in a small form which can be used as a repeating unit to offer versatile combinations.

It is another object of this invention to provide a manually operated mechanism that is assisted by gas springs to allow the framework to be easily, smoothly and selectively adjusted to multiple positions during the operation of extending and folding.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an adjustable framework that remains level and stable during the operation of extending and folding and achieves a strong and rigid structure in multiple extended positions.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an adjustable framework which can be folded to achieve a compact form which can be easily moved and stored.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a frame structure comprising two generally planar similar equilateral polygonal frames linked together by a plurality of struts, each strut being shorter than the length of each side of the polygonal frame, each strut being shorter than the length of each side of the polygonal frame and linked at its ends to a side or apex of the polygonal frame, the linking positions on one of the frames being displaced relative to the linking positions on the other of the frames by a distance corresponding to the length of the strut.

Preferably the polygonal frames are of equilateral triangular shape, i.e. each has three sides. Preferably the length of each strut is substantially the same as the length of each side of the equilateral polygonal frame.

With this arrangement, rotating the frames relative to one another about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the frames changes the distance between them measured along that axis.

If the structure supports a tabletop, by rotating the top (if it is fixed to the frame remote from the floor on which the structure rests), the height of the tabletop may be varied.

An example of how the invention can be used will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the framework has a triangular form with flattened vertices and which can extend vertically to provide a height-adjustable tabletop support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a height-adjustable tabletop support according to one aspect of the invention in folded condition.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 show two positions of the height-adjustable tabletop support shown in Figure 1 during the operation of vertically extending the framework.

Figure 4 shows the height-adjustable tabletop support of Figure 1 fully extended.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the fully extended height-adjustable tabletop support of Figure 4.

Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the framework is used as a repeating unit and the fully extended height-adjustable tabletop support from Figure 4 is doubled.

Figure 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention in which the framework is used as a repeating unit and the fully extended height-adjustable tabletop support from Figure 4 is tripled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One method of carrying out this invention is in a vertical application in the construction of a height-adjustable tabletop support, in which the framework is used as a repeating unit and the fully extended height-adjustable tabletop support is capable of achieving a greater range of height than previously seen from a relatively small form and is compact when folded and convenient for storing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION OF THIS EMBODIMENT

The framework consists of a base perimeter frame 1 and a rising perimeter frame 2 as shown in Figure 1 in which legs 3 and 4 and 5 shown in Figure 2 and gas springs 6 and 7 and 8 shown in Figure 3 may be folded to lie within the combined thickness of the base perimeter frame 1 and the rising perimeter frame 2 as shown in Figure 1.

Legs 3 and 4 and 5 are pivotally connected to the base perimeter frame 1 by joints 9 and 10 and 11 and also pivotally connected to the rising perimeter frame 2 by joints 12 and 13 and 14 as shown in Figures.

Gas springs 6 and 7 and 8 are pivotally connected to the base perimeter frame 1 by joints 15 and 16 and 17 and also pivotally connected to legs 3 and 4 and 5 by joints 18 and 19 and 20 as shown in Figure 5. All the joints allow swivelling movement to occur as the gas springs lift the legs, causing the rising perimeter frame to rotate and rise.

Legs 3 and 4 and 5 are of substantially the same length as are gas springs 6 and 7 and 8. Each of the legs 3 and 4 and 5 is located at substantially the same position along each side of the base perimeter frame 1 and along each side of the rising perimeter frame 2.

Each of the gas springs 6 and 7 and 8 is located at substantially the same position along each side of the base perimeter frame 1 and along each of the legs 3 and 4 and 5 as shown in Figure 5.

The rising perimeter frame 2 may be equipped at each apex with rolling bearings 21, 22 and 23 which may run in a circular track 24 fixed to the underside of a tabletop so that, as the top rises, it does not rotate relative to the base perimeter frame, and it also remains level, in a plane parallel to those of the base and rising perimeter frames.

In one preferred embodiment, height adjustment may be achieved by the structural configuration of joints 9 and 10 and 11 as cam pivots connecting legs 3 and 4 and 5 to the base perimeter frame 1 which, assisted by the gas springs, enable selected locking positions.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, height adjustment may be achieved by mechanical actuation systems in conjunction with rigid locking gas springs to allow lifting, lowering, and adjusting components at the push of a button. A complete release system using cables which connect push buttons can be conveniently positioned to offer easy actuation with hard to reach gas springs and provide a continuous range of infinite adjusted positions.

If desired, the base perimeter frames may be provided with castors for increased mobility. The castors may be locking castors if it is desired to stabilise the position of the table once it has been moved to a desired position.

In the embodiments as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the frame structure of this invention is used as a repeating unit to enable the tabletop to be set at a height greater than the side length of the frame. The rising perimeter frame of each lower unit acts as the base perimeter frame for the unit immediately above.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

There are various possible embodiments with regard to the shape of the perimeter frame, which do not have to be triangular but could be any shape with vertices which are capable of rotation around a circular track.

There are various possible embodiments with regard to the direction of the extension. It is envisaged that this type of adjustable extending and folding framework may be applied horizontally as well as vertically and could also be mounted or fixed to any number of surfaces.

There are various possible embodiments with regard to the arrangement of parts which may be modified for applications in other fields of work and in any environment, internal or external, and constructed of any suitable materials in accordance with user requirements.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of some of the embodiments of the adjustable extending and folding framework become evident.

A mechanical release system for adjustment provides ultimate convenience and is easily configurable requiring no electricity to operate.

The embodiments provide an individual user with more choice and more control over connectivity and mobility suitable for many environments and spaces for work and relaxation. An individual is able to raise a table, for example, for a standing presentation then lower it to sit at it for a follow-up one-to-one meeting before moving the table and lowering it again to sit at a nearby sofa and contemplate or relax with a coffee with a laptop or other mobile device. This can help to optimise individual ergonomics.

The embodiments described are space-efficient because they can be folded to a compact form which is easily stored. They do not swivel or tilt, but remain level, and the repeating units provide a high degree of stability in the structure.

These embodiments are highly functional yet their simple design and contemporary aesthetic turns function into art.

The framework has relatively few components so repeating parts may be produced in a batched and standardized manner by manufacturers and higher numbers of the same components bring the unit costs down.

The embodiment of a height-adjustable tabletop support may be used with a range of tabletops of various sizes and shapes and materials and is capable of offering a table which can be personalized for individual use or used as a modular unit to provide limitless possibilities of larger arrangements for larger spaces.

While the above description contains detailed examples, the scope of this invention is not limited by any specific examples provided. Many other variations are possible.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments may become apparent, the invention is not considered limited to the examples chosen and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.