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(11) | EP 3 510 892 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | LEG AND FOOT SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT |
| (57) According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a leg
(2) and foot (4) arrangement for supporting an object above ground (1), comprising
a leg (2) having a longitudinal axis (8), a first end and a second end, the first
end having four pivot points (3) and at least four feet (4) having each a pivot connection
(5) for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points (3), wherein each foot (4) has
a ground end (7) extending from its pivot connection (5) and a lever end (6) extending
from the pivot connection (5) to the opposite direction to the ground end (7)..
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FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to support arrangements for objects requiring stable or adjustable support such as vehicles, furniture, for example tables and especially to mechanisms for making objects steady on uneven ground.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tables comprise one or more usually level surfaces made of a sheet or a board. This level surface, the table plate, can be made of basically any material that can be worked to a desired shape, for example wood, veneer, plastics, metals and composites. The table surface is supported on a ground at a desired height by table legs that often have feet to provide more supporting surface and stability. The number of the feet is most often 1 - 4, but as many legs as desired are and can be used for larger tables. One problematic feature of all tables is their instability on uneven ground. Such ground can be found outdoors, on terraces and indoors on floors made of materials tiles or bricks. Often wear of the floor causes an uneven surface that can make a table tilt or wobble.
[0003] Tilting and especially wobbling of the table causes problems. If a party of people is having a cup of coffee or dining at a wobbly table, sudden tilting of the table may cause spilling of the food or drinks set on the table. This, of course, is highly inconvenient. Same problem exists in every use of almost all tables. The problem can be solved by setting wedges of paper, boar or any obtainable material under the feet of the table so that the table is set stable. However, as soon as the table is moved, for example for making room for an extra chair or a passing person, the table must be set again. Some table have adjustable feet that can accommodate uneven ground, but they have to be adjusted and set in a same way always when the table is moved to another place. Adjusting the feet of the table is difficult and annoying as it has to be done every time the table is moved. The adjustment operation usually requires turning the table upside down or bowing down to the ground or floor to operate the adjustment system. A three legged table or other piece of furniture is stable but more prone to topple.
[0004] In above tables have been presented as an example of the stability problem. The same problem exist obviously in all furniture, like chairs, cupboards, equipment and information stands and coat stands. Similar problematic can be found in vehicles or equipment that must travel over uneven ground. The suspension of such vehicles must accommodate to the surface of the ground. In such vehicles springs and shock absorbers are generally used to control the movement of the suspension and wheels or tracks travelling on said ground.
[0005] It would be beneficial to provide a leg and foot system that sets automatically on an uneven ground for stable stand or travel of an object on said ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a leg and foot arrangement for supporting an object above ground, comprising a leg having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end having at least four pivot points and at least four feet having each a pivot connection for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points. Each foot has a ground end extending from its pivot connection and a lever end extending from the pivot connection to the opposite direction to the ground end.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table comprising a table plate and a table leg having longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end having four pivot points and four feet having each a pivot connection for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points. Each foot has a ground end extending from its pivot connection and a lever end extend from the pivot connection to the opposite direction to the ground end.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a piece of furniture having a body forming an object to be supported above ground and a leg having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end having at least four pivot points and at least four feet having each a pivot connection for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points. Each foot has a ground end extending from its pivot connection and a lever end extending from the pivot connection to the opposite direction to the ground end.
[0011] According to fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle, comprising elements for movably contacting the ground whereupon the vehicle is travelling, and a leg having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end having at least four pivot points and at least four feet having each a pivot connection for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points. Each foot has a ground end extending from its pivot connection and a lever end extending from the pivot connection to the opposite direction to the ground end, wherein the elements for movably contacting the ground are connected to ground ends of the feet.
[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the feet are arranged on the first end of the leg so that the lever end of each of the feet is placed above the ground end of one foot.
[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the number of the feet is four and the feet are arranged on the first end of the leg so that the feet are pairwise in a 90° angle with each other seen along the longitudinal axis so that they from a square around the first end of the leg seen along the longitudinal axis.
[0014] According to an eight aspect of the invention, the number of the feet is six and the feet are arranged on the first end of the leg so that the feet are pairwise in a 72° angle with each other seen along the longitudinal axis so that they from a square around the first end of the leg seen along the longitudinal axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015]
FIGURE 1 illustrates a table in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention from the direction of its leg;
FIGURE 2 illustrates the table of FIGURE 1 in a side view.
DEFINITIONS
EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The invention relates to solving at least some of the problems relating to stability of standing or moving objects on uneven ground. Ground should be understood widely as any support surface that an object can be set on or is moving on.
[0018] In the following the invention is described by using a table as illustrative example. Further embodiments are described in the end on the specification
[0019] FIGURE 1 illustrates a table in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The table comprises a table plate 1 that can be made of various materials like wood panels, solid wood, metal sheet, plastics, cast iron or even cast concrete. Different parts of the table can be made of different materials, for example the top plate of the table can be made of glass of be covered with glass.
[0020] The table has one leg 2 that extends from the table plate 1. When the table is used, the table plate 1 has an upper surface forming a level for placing goods on and facing upwards from the ground. The lower surface is opposite side of the table plate 1 and faces in use downwards towards to the ground. The leg 2 has first and second end and the second end is attached the lower surface of the table plate 1. The first end of the leg 2 is formed as a square, i.e. has a square cross section. Each side surface of the square cross section comprises a pivot point formed of a pivot pin 3.
[0021] The table has four feet 4. Each of the feet has a pivot connection, in this example a pivot hole 5. The feet 4 are attached to the first end of the leg 2 by pivot pins 3 that run through the pivot holes 5 in the feet to the first end of the leg 2. The pivot connections formed by pivot pins divide the feet to a ground end 7 and a lever end 6. The ground end and the lever end extend on opposite sides of the first end of the leg 1. As can be seen from the FIGURES, the ground ends 7 and lever ends 6 are set on the pivot pins 3 so that they are set crosswise. One foot 4 forms a square angled crossing with two other feet so that the ground end of each foot is set under a lever end of another food and its lever end is similarly above the ground end of one of the feet. When observed along the longitudinal or central axis 8 of the leg 2, the feet form a square around the first end of the leg 2.
[0022] One can understand by studying the FIGURES 1 and 2 that when the table is set on the ground, outer points of the ground ends of the feet make contact with the ground and the lever end is pushed downwards. Thus it pushes the ground end of the opposite crossing foot downwards allowing the lever end of that foot to rise and let the ground end of the next or following crossing foot to rise. This action is continued around the leg and lets the feet to settle on the ground evenly on any surface. The action is fully automatic and the play and movements needed very small.
[0023] In the example above, the table has one leg. The invention can be utilized on tables having any number of legs. The form, shape and dimensions of the feet, leg(s) and table plate can be designed freely within the scope of the attached claims.
[0024] The constructional elements and principles described above can be utilized in all furniture, like chairs, cupboards, equipment and information stands and coat stands. Similar uses can be found in vehicles or equipment that must travel over uneven ground. The suspension of such vehicles must accommodate to the surface of the ground. In such vehicles springs and shock absorbers are generally used to control the movement of the suspension and wheels or tracks travelling on said ground. Springs and even shock absorbers can be used in support arrangements for furniture also. The feet of a piece of furniture may be furnished with wheels, for example in office chairs or other furniture that requires moving. Other elements enabling movement on the ground, such as tracks, may be used also, especially in vehicle use.
[0025] In the above, the configuration of feet and pivot points is described for four feet. The number of feet may be higher, but even number of feet is needed for the required co-action. For example, in a construction with six branches, i.e. feet, the angle between the feet is 72°.
[0026] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
[0027] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0028] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.
[0029] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
[0030] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
[0031] The verbs "to comprise" and "to include" are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", i.e. a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0032] The invention can be utilized in making of tables and other furniture or vehicles and for using them for various purposes.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
1. A leg (2) and foot (4) arrangement for supporting an object above ground(1), comprising
- a leg (2) having a longitudinal axis (8), a first end and a second end, the first end having four pivot points (3),
- and at least four feet (4) having each a pivot connection (5) for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points (3), wherein
- each foot (4) has a ground end (7) extending from its pivot connection (5) and a lever end (6) extending from the pivot connection (5) to the opposite direction to the ground end (7).
2. A leg (2) and foot (4) arrangement according to the claim 1, wherein the feet (4)
are arranged on the first end of the leg (2) so that the lever end (6) of each of
the feet (4) is placed above the ground end (7) of one of the feet.
3. A leg (2) and foot (4) arrangement according to the claim 1 or 2, wherein the number
of the feet (4) is four and the feet (4) are arranged on the first end of the leg
(2) so that the feet (4) are pairwise in a 90° angle with each other seen along the
longitudinal axis (8) so that they form a square around the first end of the leg (2)
seen along the longitudinal axis.
4. A leg and foot arrangement according to the claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of the
feet is six and the feet are arranged on the first end of the leg so that the feet
are pairwise in a 72° angle with each other seen along the longitudinal axis so that
they from a square around the first end of the leg seen along the longitudinal axis.
5. An object supported above ground by a support arrangement according to any of the
claims 1-4, comprising a body forming the supported object (1) and a leg (2) having
a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end having at least four
pivot points (3) and at least four feet (4) having each a pivot connection (5) for
pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points (3) wherein each foot (4) has a ground
end (7) extending from its pivot connection (5) and a lever end (6) extending from
the pivot connection (5) to the opposite direction to the ground end (6).
6. An object according to the claim 5, wherein the object is a piece of furniture.
7. An object according to the claim 6, wherein the piece of furniture is a table comprising:
- a table plate (1),
- a table leg (2) having a longitudinal axis (8), a first end and a second end, the first end having at least four pivot points (3),
- at least four feet (4) having each a pivot connection (5) for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points (3),wherein each foot (4) has a ground end (7) extending from its pivot connection (5) and a lever end (6) extend from the pivot connection (5) to the opposite direction to the ground end (7).
8. The table according to the claim 4, comprising one leg.
9. An object according to the claim 5, wherein the object is a a vehicle, comprising
elements for movably contacting the ground whereupon the vehicle is travelling, and
a leg (2) having a longitudinal axis (8), a first end and a second end, the first
end having at least four pivot points (3) and at least four feet (4) having each a
pivot connection (5) for pivotally mounting to one of the pivot points (3), each foot
(4) having a ground end (7) extending from its pivot connection (5) and a lever end
(6) extending from the pivot connection (5) to the opposite direction to the ground
end (7), wherein the elements for movably contacting the ground are attached to ground
ends (7) of the feet.