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(11) | EP 3 643 200 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | LIFT SYSTEM FOR FURNITURE |
| (57) The present application describes a lift system for furniture. The present application describes a lift system for furniture that comprises an upper structure and a lower structure with a guide rail connected by at least two support arms comprised of sliders at one of the ends and intersect in a scissor-like structure, a system's actuator/lock and a spring system attached to the above-mentioned upper and lower structures, and an intermediate point on the scissor-like structure. The lift systems that are currently known require additional effort on the user's behalf in order to raise the upper structure into the ideal position. The technical solution presented herein is intended to allow the user to perform the height adjustment operation easily and effortlessly. |
Technical field
Background
[0002] One of the trials conducted to define advanced work safety and hygiene systems at Loughborough University in the UK reached the conclusion that using furniture such as desks or drawing boards that could be adjusted to the height of the worker enhances productivity and lessens fatigue.
[0003] This year long trial assessed 146 workers with the National Health Service in the UK. A group of 77 workers received height-adjustable workstations while the other 66 employees continued to work at standard desks. Members of the group assigned height-adjustable workstations were asked to spend as much time as possible on foot, being allowed to alternate between standing and sitting periods. In the course of the experiment, an increase was noted the time that the workers spent standing. Working conditions were evaluated every three months, and by the end of the trial, workers were already standing for 82 minutes. After twelve months, participants allocated to the height-adjustable desks were less anxious and reported a better quality of life, according to this study.
[0004] This consequently prompted the development of technical solutions for furniture, such as desks, drawing boards and others, whereby a lift system is assembled that allows a worker to adjust a working surface to a desirable height.
[0005] Document US 20160232797 discloses a height-adjustable desk with a desk structure, an anchor plate, a lifting device and a desktop plate. The desk structure has a main structure and a holding seat. The holding seat is physically included in the main frame. The anchor plate is mounted on the main structure. The lifting device is included in the holding bench and has a guide assembly and at least one cross-legged assembly. The cross-legged assembly is extended or folded into the reception area of the holding seat and is connected and activated by the activation assembly. The worktop is placed on the cross-legged assemblies in order to be moved upwards or downwards. A user looks at and operates a computer placed on the worktop when either standing or sitting and this prevents the user from remaining seated for a long period of time while working on the computer, thus avoiding harm to his/her health.
[0006] Document US 20160762427 discloses a height-adjustable device that comprises a base, one first scissor-like lift system connected to the base, with a first scissor-like lift system, a second scissor-like lift system connected to the base and with a second scissor-like lift system, a work surface connected to the first and second scissor-like lift systems, a support connected in a mobile fashion to the first scissor-like lift system and to the second scissor-like lift system that is mobile in relation to the work surface and a first energy storage element connected to the work surface and connected by at least one support tension element, wherein the first energy storage member is configured to put pressure on the support in a horizontal direction.
Summary
[0007] This application describes a lift system for furniture comprising an upper structure and a lower structure with a guide rail connected by at least two support arms comprised of sliders at one of the ends and in a scissor-like structure, a system's actuator/lock and a spring system attached to the above-mentioned upper and lower structures, and an intermediate point on the scissor-like structure.
[0008] In one embodiment, the lift system for furniture includes a spring system with at least four springs in the upper structure and the lower structure.
[0009] In another embodiment, the springs of the lift system for furniture work in a linear fashion along the entire length of the lifting/lowering slot.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, at least one of the support arms of the lift system for furniture comprises a cavity.
[0011] In one embodiment, the lift system's actuator/lock is manual, electric or of the gas-spring type.
[0012] In another embodiment, the lift system's actuator/lock is mounted between the lower structure or the upper structure and the support arm.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, the lift system's actuator/lock is mounted between the two support arms.
Brief Description
[0014] The present application describes a lift system for furniture, wherein the lift system may be activated through an actuator operated manually, electrically or pneumatically, allowing the user to easily regulate the height of the desktop.
[0015] The system presented herein works in a completely independent fashion, and may be used on any desk or work surface with no need for special alterations to the existing base structure. From a technical standpoint, the fact that the entire system is independent of the furniture structure means there is no need to alter or limit its layout or electrical installations.
[0016] In order to make the system compact and visually light, the actuator (which may be manual, electric or a gas-spring) is placed horizontally and may be mounted between the lower structure or the upper structure and the support arm (A), or between the two support arms (B).
[0017] In any of these cases, the reaction at A and B is given by the following ratio: RAB = W/tan(alpha), wherein W corresponds to the mobile structure weight and load on the upper structure; alpha corresponds to the angle between the arm of the scissor-like lift and the horizontal plane and RAB corresponds to the horizontal force needed to balance the mechanism.
[0018] This RAB = W/tan (alpha) ratio raises a challenge, because when the alpha ratio moves towards zero, the RAB will move towards the infinite, imposing very heavy forces on the structure.
[0019] In fact, the lift systems known thus far require additional effort from users in order to bring the desktop into the ideal position. The technical solution presented herewith is intended to make the height regulation operation simple and effortless for the user.
[0020] In order to solve this problem, a torsion spring system was developed, attached at points C, D and E of the furniture structure, as shown in Figure 1.
[0021] At least four torsion springs are attached at points C and D, operating in a linear fashion along the entire length of the desk. The purpose of these springs is to offset the weight of the structure.
[0022] An additional torsion spring is attached at point E. The spring is adjusted on one of the support arms. A cavity is created on the other support arm where the spring is mounted loosely. This system allows the spring to move freely along part of the stroke of the furniture, acting at the end of the stroke. The purpose of this spring is to create a greater initial force when the furniture is closed, minimizing the impulse required of the system's actuator/lock in order to initiate the movement.
[0023] As a result, the user can adjust the upper structure to an ideal height by activating the system's actuator/lock. When the structure is in movement, the user activates the system's actuator/lock, which may be manual, electrical or pneumatic. This system's actuator/lock is connected to the lower structure, which comprises a guide rail along which the sliders move, located at the ends of the support arms. After moving the structure, the user can activate the system's actuator/lock.
Brief description of the figures
[0024] For an easier understanding of the present application, the appended figures represent embodiments that, however, do not intend to limit the art disclosed herein.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic presentation of a desk with the described lift system, wherein the references indicate the following elements:
- A - Desktop support rim and mobile arm;
- B - Mobile arm;
- C - Torsion spring attachment point;
- D - Torsion spring attachment point;
- E - Torsion spring attachment point.
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic presentation of the lift system module in the open position, wherein the references indicate the following elements:
- 1 - Upper structural rim;
- 2 - Scissor-like structure;
- 3 - Lower structural rim.
Figure 3 illustrates a representation of detail "A" in Figure 1, wherein the references indicate the following elements:
4 - Slider slot;
5 - Slider.
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of the lift system module shown in front view, wherein the references indicate the following element:
6 - System's actuator/lock.
Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the lift system module in the closed position.
Figure 6 illustrates a bottom view of the lift system, wherein the references indicate the following elements:
4 - Slider slot;
5 - Slider;
6 - System's actuator/lock;
E - Torsion spring attachment point.
Description of the embodiments
[0025] Referring to the figures, some types of embodiments are not described in greater detail, however, do not intended to limit the scope of the present application.
[0027] In one embodiment, as illustrated in the figures section, the furniture may be a desk or drawing board.
[0028] The lift system for furniture thus comprises an upper structure (1) and a lower structure (3) connected by at least two support arms comprised of sliders at one of the ends and in a scissor-like structure (2), a system's actuator/lock and a spring system attached to the above-mentioned upper (1) and lower (3) structures, and an intermediate point on the scissor-like structure (2).
[0029] This description naturally does not impose any constraints on the embodiments presented in this document, and any person with average knowledge in this field will be able to foresee many possibilities for the modification thereof, without departing from the general idea as defined in the claims. The preferred embodiments described above may obviously be switched around in different ways. The following claims additionally define preferred embodiments.
1. Lift system for furniture comprising an upper structure and a lower structure with
a guide rail connected by at least two support arms comprised of sliders at one of
the ends and in a scissor-like structure, a system's actuator/lock and a spring system
attached to the above-mentioned upper and lower structures, and an intermediate point
on the scissor-like structure.
2. Lift system for furniture according to the previous claim, wherein the said lift system
includes a spring system comprising at least four springs in the upper structure and
the lower structure.
3. Lift system for furniture according to the previous claim, wherein the springs function
in a linear fashion along the entire lifting/lowering slot.
4. Lift system for furniture according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at
least one of the support arms comprises a cavity.
5. Lift system for furniture according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the
system's actuator/lock is manual, electric or of the gas-spring type.
6. Lift system for furniture according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the
system's actuator/lock is mounted between the lower structure or the upper structure
and the support arm.
7. Lift system for furniture described in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the system's
actuator/lock is mounted between the two support arms.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. Lift system for furniture comprising:
- upper structure (1);
- lower structure (3)
- at least two support arms in a scissor-like structure (2) connecting the upper structure
(1) and the lower structure (3);
characterized by:
the lower structure (3) comprising slider slots (4) for sliders (5) located at the
ends of the support arms;
- a torsion spring system comprising torsion springs in attachment points (C) and (D) of the upper structure (1) and the lower structure (3), and attachment point (E), wherein the spring in (E) is adjusted to one of the support arms and to a cavity in the other support arm;
- an system's actuator/lock (6) placed horizontally.
2. Lift system for furniture according to the previous claim, wherein the said lift system
includes a spring system comprising at least four springs in the upper structure (1)
and the lower structure (3).
3. Lift system for furniture according to the previous claim, wherein the springs function
in a linear fashion along the entire lifting/lowering slot (4).
4. Lift system for furniture according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at
least one of the support arms comprises a cavity.
5. Lift system for furniture according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the
system's actuator/lock (6) is manual, electric or of the gas-spring type.
6. Lift system for furniture according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the
system's actuator/lock (6) is mounted between the lower structure (3) or the upper
structure (1) and the support arm.
7. Lift system for furniture described in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the system's
actuator/lock (6) is mounted between the two support arms.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description