EP1047316B1 - Height-adjustable table or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The height-adjustable table (22) comprises a base (1), a support (3) to hold a table top (21), a movable connecting element (2) which mounts the support (3) in a height-adjustable manner in relation to the base (1) and a pneumatic, pressure actuated weight counterbalancing element (7) which is fluidly connected to a reservoir (4) and is arranged between the base (1) and the support (3) in such a way that a reaction force is generated to counteract a gravitational force G acting on the support (3). The weight counterbalancing element (7) and the reservoir form a closed volume containing fluid.

Description

The invention relates to a height-adjustable table or similar furniture according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is indicated for occupational medical reasons long-lasting constant working postures of a Avoid people, what causes jobs, which even with monotonous work different Enable work postures. Especially at Jobs with predominantly sedentary work, such as for example screen or CAD workstations, exists due to the long-term constant Working posture the risk of excessive fatigue or even an appearance of musculoskeletal complaints.

From WO 95/15097-A1 is a height adjustable table known which one using gas springs Adjustment of the table height allowed. This table shows the Disadvantage that height adjustment is only possible is when there are no heavy loads on the table so that this table is not, for example is suitable for a monitor or CAD workstation, where the tools, especially the usually relatively large and correspondingly heavy Screens, stand on the table. Another disadvantage the well-known height-adjustable table is too see that even with small load changes the position of the gas pressure spring by means of a Adjust adjusting screw to change the load thereby to compensate for the table height to be able to adjust.

From US-A-4,159,882 is a height-adjustable treatment table known, the Adjustment mechanism an expandable by means of gas pressure has pneumatic spring. The adjustment mechanism also has a gas pressure circuit, which for Expand and contract the pneumatic spring is required. In addition, the adjustment mechanism has hydraulic control unit, which is used to control the Gas pressure circuit is required. Disadvantage of this known treatment table is the fact that constantly a gas source connected to an air compressor is required to raise the treatment table because the gas in the pneumatic spring at Lowering the treatment table into the environment flows out, so that the pneumatic spring for lifting the Treatment table again gas under pressure must be fed.

It is an object of the present invention propose a height-adjustable table or similar furniture, its height even with relatively large loads is easily adjustable.

This problem is solved with a height adjustable Table or similar furniture having the characteristics of Claim 1. The sub-claims 2 to 12 relate to further advantageous embodiments of the height-adjustable table according to the invention.

The invention height adjustable table includes one foot, one Carrier for holding a table top, a movable one Lanyard that supports the wearer with respect to the foot height-adjustable bearings, as well as a pneumatic, which can be pressurized is fluidly connected to a reservoir and thus acting between the foot and the carrier is arranged to attack the carrier Gravity is an opposing reaction force can be generated, the weight balancing element with the reservoir a closed, a fluid form containing volume.

The weight compensation element as well as the one with it Fluid-connected storage containers form one completed volume so that the im closed volume enclosed amount of fluid is constant. A gas, in particular air, is the fluid suitable. As a weight balancing element is in particular a cylinder with a sliding piston, a balloon, a Bellows cylinder, a roll bellows cylinder, a hose cylinder or a gas pressure spring. During a hereby the condition called the normal condition is the pressure of the in the closed volume of air such gravity G acting on the carrier adapted that a force acting counter to gravity G. is and the table top with all the focus on it objects in about Equilibrium is located. To do this, the closed volume once supplied with a fluid to the gravity G acting on the carrier compensate and thereby achieve the normal state. After that, the closed volume is only on Feed or drain fluid when the attacking Gravity G changes.

To prevent the table height from being adjusted unintentionally to avoid a locking device is provided, which provided the location of the table in a Fixed working height.

An advantage of the height adjustable according to the invention Table can be seen in the fact that a height adjustment manually and without external energy. For this, the Locking device released, the table height smooth and with negligible small size Force adjusted, and then the Locking device blocked again. Since the Table in an at least approximate equilibrium position , its height can be adjusted even with relatively heavy, loads on the table are very easy to move be adjusted.

In a preferred embodiment, the Locking device a stepless blocking of the Working height. In a preferred embodiment, the Locking device on the table surface or in the Arranged near the table surface so that with same hand both the locking device can be operated as well as the height of the Table can be adjusted. Due to the The table can be easily adjusted in height very easily to the desired working height brought, it being particularly pleasant that the table height immediately follows the hand movement, which the the height-setting person an immediate Gives feedback on the current altitude, so the hiring person in a very pleasant way and very can quickly determine what height for each Needs is optimal. It is also possible through a easy back and forth around the preferred one Height range determine which height is most comfortable is felt. A major advantage of the inventive height adjustable table is in it to see that the height adjustment for the Person to be hired in any way pleasant way because it is fast, precise adjustable, smooth and with a tactile or motor feedback Setting is possible. Only through this pleasant Usability is the person who motivates one Height adjustment of the table more often, possibly also carry out several times a day what is ergonomic or occupational health reasons is desirable. The so far known, for example motor-driven height-adjustable tables probably allow one Height adjustment, which is usually as such it is awkward or uncomfortable that the Height adjustment is rare and not regular is being used.

The air pressure in the weight compensation element and in Storage container must be set so that the Table top with all those on it Objects are approximately in an equilibrium position. Are additional heavier items on the Table top provided, for example when replacing one Screen, so air is in the otherwise closed Volume of counterbalance element and storage container pumped. For this purpose, for example, a separate one Compressed air tanks are used whose compressed air is above a valve of the reservoir can be metered to the otherwise closed volume can be dispensed that the table is again in an equilibrium position. The compressed air could also be used, for example Bicycle pump are generated, which via a valve Can be fed directly to the otherwise closed volume is. Will the load on the table surface reduced, so is the pressure in the otherwise reduce the closed volume in such a way that again an equilibrium position gives what for example, it is possible that on Storage container an operable valve is arranged, which allows a controlled release of air. On Advantage of the height-adjustable table according to the invention can be seen in the fact that an adaptation to a modified weight load to be carried by the table is possible without replacing spring elements, without the involvement of specialist personnel and without the Need for external energy.

An advantage of the height adjustable according to the invention Table is seen in that one Weight compensation element with any flat Spring characteristic can be produced, which results in that the height adjustment of the table top from the lowest to the highest position about the same, requires little effort. The spring characteristic the flatter the larger the volume of the Storage container is selected, this volume such is dimensioned so that the entire, from the reservoir, the Weight compensation element and one in between arranged connecting hose designed, closed volume is several times larger than that for a lifting movement of the weight compensation element required volume, or by a multiple is greater than the maximum of the weight compensation element recordable volume. The bigger the total volume is the flatter the spring characteristic becomes. Most of the Volume is in the reservoir.

The height-adjustable table according to the invention is in itself can also be operated with a gas pressure spring Reservoir a correspondingly high gas pressure is necessary because of so-called gas pressure springs known to be a gas pressure cylinder and a piston have, the pressure-effective piston surface of the Gas pressure cylinder is relatively small. To despite this relatively small area to a sufficiently large force generate has the gas present in the gas pressure cylinder a relatively high pressure. In a preferred one Embodiment of the invention is based on the principle of a pneumatic cylinder Weight balancing element used, which with a comparatively low pressure of at most 10 bar is operable. Such pneumatic cylinders can also are called air springs and can be used instead the previously used mechanical springs and Insert gas pressure springs. Such air springs work in contrast to gas springs with comparatively low pressure. Such air springs are in depressurized Condition can be installed. Pressure is applied easily after installing the air spring in the height adjustable table or even at the final one Place of installation of the pond and also without the Need a high pressure pump. In the simplest case a bicycle pump is sufficient. Air springs can also be used by simply pumping or blowing off, even without Specialists, adapt to different loads, without having to replace components.

The air spring can be used as a conventional cylinder displaceable piston, or advantageously as so-called bellows cylinder, roll bellows cylinder or Hose cylinder (English also referred to as: 'rolling lobe spring 'or sleeve type spring' or 'bellows type spring '). The latter have the advantage compared to conventional cylinders that they don't Have friction and therefore no wear are subject. They also work without a dynamic one Seal, so no risk of leakage consists. The latter are therefore particularly suitable closed, long-term gas-tight volume form.

The movable, between the foot and the support of the Tabletop arranged connecting means can be used as Parallelogram guidance, as linear guidance or based be designed on the scissors principle.

For safety reasons, damping is Stroke movement required. Usually they are from Compensation forces caused by the table according to the Table attacking weight forces set. Should for some reason the load is removed from the table be released, and then the locking device the table top would go into the Soar, which represents an acute risk of an accident. Therefore, the height-adjustable table has a cushioning by placing the weight compensation element over a Throttle is connected to the reservoir provided end stops of the height-adjustable table not overuse.

Another advantage of the invention height-adjustable table can be seen in the fact that the mechanical components are commercially available or inexpensive can be produced, so that the table according to the invention is inexpensive to manufacture.

The inventive device for height adjustment is for any kind of furniture, work surfaces or suitable for work equipment. The following illustrated embodiments disclose height-adjustable table frame or one height adjustable table with a table top. The Height adjustable frame according to the invention is for any kind of furniture, work surfaces or work equipment suitable. Of course, the table top, for example like a standing desk, inclined or be inclinable, or from several, partially there are also mutually inclined partial plates, such as this is sometimes common for CAD workstations.

Fig.1a

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines höhenverstellbaren Tisches in Hochstellung;

Fig. 1b

derselbe Tisch gemäss Fig. 1a in Tiefstellung;

Fig. 2

eine Detailansicht von Fuss, Träger und Gewichtsausgleichselement;

Fig. 3a,3b

eine schematische Seitenansicht von Fuss, Träger und Gewichtsausgleichselement in Hoch- und Tiefstellung;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispieles einer Verriegelungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 5a,5b

die Verriegelungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 4 in verriegelter und gelöster Stellung;

Fig. 6

schematisch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines höhenverstellbaren Tisches;

Fig. 7

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Balgzylinders;

Fig. 8

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Rollbalgzylinders.

The invention is described in detail using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1a

a perspective view of a height-adjustable table in the high position;

Fig. 1b

the same table according to FIG. 1a in the lowered position;

Fig. 2

a detailed view of the foot, carrier and weight balancing element;

3a, 3b

is a schematic side view of the foot, bracket and weight balancing element in the high and low positions;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking device;

5a, 5b

4 in the locked and unlocked position;

Fig. 6

schematically another embodiment of a height-adjustable table;

Fig. 7

an embodiment of a bellows cylinder;

Fig. 8

an embodiment of a bellows cylinder.

Fig. 6 shows a height-adjustable table 22 with a Foot 1, a support 3, on which a table top 21st is attached, as well as a linearly movable in direction V Connection means 2 which in the hollow cylindrical part 1c of the foot 1 is guided telescopically. Within the hollow cylindrical part 1c is a bellows cylinder configured weight compensation element 7 arranged, which is one of the attacking weight G opposing force on the lanyard 2 generated. The bellows cylinder 7 is via a hose 25 fluidly connected to the reservoir 4. The Bellows cylinder 7, the hose 25 and the reservoir 4 form a closed volume, in which in shown normal state a constant amount Compressed air. The volume of the storage container 4 is a multiple of that in the bellows cylinder 7 through the Height adjustment expected volume change to the Bellows cylinder 7 has a flat spring characteristic to lend. A on the storage container 4 is not shown located valve through which to create a Equilibrium position of the table surface 21, air in the Storage container 4 is blown or air is released becomes. The is also not shown Locking device, which allows the location of the To fix table surface 21 at a predetermined height.

The height-adjustable table 22 according to FIG. 1a has two spaced in the longitudinal direction L of the table top 21 arranged feet 1 with connecting means 2 and carrier 3 on. The connecting means 2 is a parallelogram lever gear designed and has two in the distance overlapping, parallel articulated levers 2a, 2b on one end of foot 1 and the other end of Carrier 3 can be pivoted about parallel joint axes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are articulated. Each articulated lever 2a, 2b consists of two spaced in the longitudinal direction L, flat designed partial levers 2a, 2a '; 2b, 2b ', which such are mutually spaced that between the Partial levers 2a, 2a '; 2b, 2b 'that as a bellows cylinder designed weight compensation element 7 place. This arrangement has the advantage that in itself Bellows cylinders tending to buckle through the partial levers 2a, 2a '; 2b, 2b' is guided laterally, so that the Bellows cylinder only in the intended, with F, F ' indicated direction can expand. This side Leadership thus allows weight compensation elements 7 such as to use a bellows cylinder that is itself no axial Have stability. The foot 1 and the carrier 3 are each designed in two parts and consists of two in the longitudinal direction L spaced foot parts 1a, 1b and Carrier parts 3a, 3b. The table 22 has two in Longitudinally spaced feet 1 with Lanyard 2, support 3 and Weight compensation element 7, with the feet 1 over a common reservoir 4 firmly together connected. The storage container advantageously serves also to set the distance between the feet 1 as well as to bring about stability. Both Weight compensation elements 7 have a fluid-conducting Connection to the common reservoir 4.

1b shows the same height-adjustable table 21 1a in a lower position, whereby can be seen is that the articulated levers 2a, 2b about the articulated axes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are pivotally mounted.

Fig. 2 shows a foot 1 with connecting means 2, carrier 3 and bellows cylinder 7 in detail. Three bellows cylinders 7 are arranged in parallel acting on the carrier 23, the entire trained lifting mechanism is designed such that the spring force F, F 'is generated twice a torque is used. This allows the entire air spring designed by the bellows cylinder 7 be dimensioned by half smaller than if they were directly on the lower, fixed foot part 1a, 1b would support.

3a and 3b show the table 22 with Weight compensation element 7 in a high position and one Low position, which is due to the articulation axes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d parallelogram formed is shown in dashed lines. The illustrated lifting mechanism according to the parallelogram principle consists of two parallel articulated levers 2a, 2b, which are each in pairs in the longitudinal direction L spaced partial levers 2a, 2a '; 2b, 2b' are configured, wherein the articulated levers 2a, 2b are movable Form connecting means 2, the foot 1 with the Carrier 3 connects. This paired upper one and lower articulated levers 2a, 2b are with the articulated axes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, also referred to as main axes, rotatable connected. This parallelogram principle will not be elaborated as it is well known. The thrust F, F 'of the air spring configured as a bellows cylinder 7 act via the articulated levers 2a, 2b connected sub-bearing 6 on the articulated levers 2a, 2b. The articulated levers 2a, 2b are by their main bearings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d rotatable in the foot 1 or in the carrier 3 stored. Since the main bearings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and sub-bearings 6 are offset from each other by a distance the spring forces F, F 'both on the lower and on upper articulated lever 2a, 2b in the same direction, adding Torques, which the weight G are opposed. In practice, the pressure in the air springs configured as bellows cylinders 7 in this way set that the torque from the spring force F and the torque from the weight G each other cancel. So that the spring force over the entire stroke or the entire adjustable stroke of the The table remains as constant as possible is an additional one Storage or pressure vessel 4 over Connection hoses 25 connected to the air springs 7. The flow cross-section at the transition from the air spring 7 in the connecting hose 25 is so narrowed that a Throttle function is generated and too fast Height adjustment of the table is effectively braked to a too rapid approach to the partial lever 2a, 2a 'on the Prevent end stops 8a, 8b. The Weight compensation element 7 could also be applied to another be arranged in a parallelogram in a manner known per se, from the shear forces F, F 'using the Parallelogram principle of weight G to generate opposing force.

To fix the table at the desired working height, a locking device 9 is required, wherein in Figures 4, 5a and 5b an embodiment in Detail is shown. A stopper assembly 24 is via a bearing 11 articulated with the upper articulated lever 2b, 2b 'connected. The stopper assembly 24 slides in the height adjustment of the table along a rod 10, which in turn is articulated via a bearing 12 with the Carrier 3; 3a, 3b is connected. The stopper assembly 24 is designed so that depending on the operating state Sliding along the rod 10 is possible or not. For this purpose, two clamping levers 14 are mounted with their bearings 15 the housing 13 of the stopper assembly 24 articulated connected. The rod 10 slides through holes 16 in the Clamping levers 14. The holes 16 are only a little larger than the cross section of the rod 10 and also sufficiently far from the clamping lever bearing 15 arranged so that when a clamping lever is tilted 14 achieved a self-locking effect on the rod 10 as it is e.g. of clamps in general is known. The two clamping levers 14 are in turn arranged sufficiently far from each other so that at a position perpendicular to the rod 10 an orientation the entire stopper assembly 24 to the current position the rod takes place and thus a self-locking is prevented. So that are the two operating states 'Slide' and 'stop' possible.

When the table is in normal use, the clamping levers 14 pushed away from each other by a stopper spring 17. The rod 10 jams in both directions, and the table can not be moved up and down and is thus locked with respect to its location. An increase in Weight load supports the clamping effect. Shall the table However, the clamping levers must be moved up or down 14 brought in a direction perpendicular to the rod become. In this example, a Bowden cable 18 is used for this purpose and an end stop 19 for each clamping lever 14 Bowden cable 18 is replaced by a preferably arranged below the table surface Device, for example like one Bicycle brake lever, operated. The device could for example, as a separate one, on the floor lying lever that can be operated with the foot be designed. As soon as the power on the Bowden cable subsides, i.e. when the desired working height is set, the stopper spring 17 brings the Clamping lever 14 back to the 'Stop' position.

As a safety brake is between the cable end of the Bowden cable 18 and the clamping lever 14 an additional Safety spring 20 installed, which prevents the Stop mechanism can be released if the Weight load G by the air spring 7 is not sufficient is compensated. The safety spring 20 is like this dimensioned that in this case no big enough Force can be transmitted to the clamping lever 14 in order to bring them into the vertical position, and the Operation of the Bowden cable 18 has no effect.

A force is exerted on the shaft 12 by the rod 10 causes when the stopper assembly 24 in the operating state 'Stop' is and the weight G is not due to that Weight compensation element 7 is compensated. Only in the There is no equilibrium from the rod 10 Thrust on the axis 12 causes. So one could Display device are provided, which this force indicates to the table 22 in an accurate Bring equilibrium. This display device is particularly advantageous when feeding or draining of air from the reservoir, so that due to the So much air is easily fed into the display or is removed that the table 22 with the loads on it in the equilibrium position located. This force absorption and display device can be designed mechanically, for example, in the the axis 12 connected to the rod 10 and via a Spring is connected to the carrier 3a, 3b, with the help the deflection of the spring shows the equilibrium position is.

The two spaced apart in the longitudinal direction L. Carrier 3, or articulated lever 2a or 2b can via a torsion bar running in the longitudinal direction L. or a torsional stiffener with each other connected to the entire table 22 in particular to give improved stability. This Torsion bar could also be considered a cylindrical one Storage container 4 may be designed. advantageously, the torsion bar runs through the joint axes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2,3a, 3b is the foot 1 and the support 3 through that Connection means 2 in a mutually symmetrical Location held. The foot 1 and the carrier 3 thereby form an S shape together with the connecting means 2.

As a fluid for operating the weight compensation element 7 is especially air, but also other gaseous ones Media suitable.

The weight compensation elements 7 are each parallel shown running next to each other. The Weight compensation elements 7 could, however, also be used individually be installed, or in a series arrangement one after the other or in a combination both in series as well as being arranged parallel to each other.

The locking device 9 could for example also as a disc brake or a shoe brake be designed.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a bellows cylinder 7, English also called "bellows type spring", with a Interior 30, which is flexible on the one hand Cover 27 and on the other hand by two end plates 26th is limited. The flexible envelope 27, for example made of rubber, is by a belt ring 29th firmly connected to the end plate 26. Another Belt ring 29 is in the middle of the flexible envelope 27 arranged around the position of the flexible envelope 27 stabilize. The bellows cylinder 7 has a connection 28 for a gaseous fluid, this connection 28 is designed to be a throttle at the same time to train the fluid. The gaseous fluid, in particular Air is supplied to the interior 30 via the connection 28. or dissipated. With increasing pressure of the fluid in the Inner space 30 experiences the bellows cylinder in the arrangement shown an expansion in vertical Direction, or a compression in vertical direction.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a Roll bellows cylinder 7, English also "rolling lobe spring" called, with an interior 30, which on the one hand by the flexible envelope 27 and the other by the Parts 26 is limited. The flexible envelope 27 is made made of an elastic, pressure-resistant material. The flexible covering 27 is by a belt ring 29th firmly connected to the parts 26. The bellows cylinder 7 also has a connection forming a throttle 28 for supplying and removing a gaseous fluid. In the arrangement shown increases the distance between the two parts 26 in the horizontal direction, if the pressure of the fluid in the interior 30 is increased, the part 26 lying on the left shown Part of the covering 27 is partially unrolled. All shown in this patent Embodiments could instead of one Bellows cylinder a roll bellows cylinder or Have hose cylinders.

Claims (13)

1. Height-adjustable table (22) or similar furniture, or height-adjustable table underframe (22), comprising a base (1), a support (3) for holding a tabletop (21), a moveable connecting means (2) which supports the support (3) in a height-adjustable manner with respect to the base (1), and also a pneumatic, pressure-actuable counterweight element (7) which is operatively arranged between the base (1) and the support (3) in such a manner that a reaction force can be generated acting counter to a gravitational force (G) acting on the support (3), characterized in that the counterweight element (7) is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a reservoir (4), which is arranged spaced apart from it, and together with the reservoir (4) forms a closed volume containing a fluid, in that the counterweight element (7) has a maximum volume, and in that the reservoir (4) has a volume which corresponds at least to twice, but preferably to a multiple of the maximum volume of the counterweight element (7).
2. Height-adjustable table (22) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the counterweight element (7) is designed as a cylinder having a displaceable piston, a balloon, a tubular cylinder, a rolling-bellows cylinder, a bellows cylinder or a gas-filled compression spring.
3. Height-adjustable table (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of counterweight elements (7) are arranged parallel and/or in series to one another.
4. Height-adjustable table (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counterweight element (7) and the reservoir (4) are connected in a fluid-conducting manner via a means producing a restricting effect.
5. Height-adjustable table (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the moveable connecting means (2) has a parallelogram guide, a scissors-type guide or a linear guide.
6. Height-adjustable table (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (2) is designed as a parallelogram linkage of levers which has two parallel articulated levers (2a, 2b) which run at a distance one above the other and are coupled at one end to the base (1) and at the other end to the support (3) in a manner such that they can pivot around parallel articulated axles (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), and in that the counterweight element (7), preferably a bellows cylinder, a rolling-bellows cylinder or a tubular cylinder, is held extensibly or compressibly in the longitudinal direction of the articulated levers (2a, 2b) and is coupled to the articulated levers (2a, 2b).
7. Height-adjustable table according to Claim 6, characterized in that each articulated lever (2a, 2b) consists of two sub-levers (2a, 2a'; 2b, 2b') which are mutually spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (L) of the table at least such that there is space for the counterweight element (7) between the sub-levers (2a, 2a'; 2b, 2b').
8. Height-adjustable table according to Claim 7, characterized in that in addition to the articulated levers (2a, 2b) the base (1; 1a, 1b) and the support (3; 3a, 3b) are also designed in two parts and arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (L) of the table.
9. Height-adjustable table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by two bases (1) arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (L) of the table, supports (3), connecting means (2) and counterweight elements (7), the two counterweight elements (7) in particular being. connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a common reservoir (4).
10. Height-adjustable table according to Claim 9, characterized in that the common reservoir (4) is connected fixedly to two bases (1) which are spaced apart in the axial direction.
11. Height-adjustable table according to either of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that two connecting means (2) which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (L) or articulated levers (2a, 2b) or supports (3) are connected fixedly to one another by a torsion-proof connection, in particular a torsion rod, the torsion rod being arranged in particular such that it runs through the articulated axles (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d).
12. Height-adjustable table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking device (9) is provided in order to lock the moveable connecting means (2) in a set height position.
13. Use of a pneumatic, pressure-actuable counterweight element (7), in particular a cylinder having a displaceable piston, a bellows cylinder, a rolling-bellows cylinder, a tubular cylinder or a gas-filled compression spring, in a height-adjustable table (22), table underframe or similar furniture, which comprises a base (1), a support (3) provided for holding a tabletop (21) and a moveable connecting means (2) which supports the support (3) in a height-adjustable manner with respect to the base (1), the counterweight element (7) being operatively arranged between the base (1) and the support (3) in such a manner that a reaction force can be generated acting counter to a gravitational force (G) acting on the support (3), characterized in that the counterweight element (7) is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a reservoir (4), which is arranged spaced apart from the counterweight element, and together with the reservoir (4) forms a closed volume containing a fluid, in that the counterweight element (7) has a maximum volume, and in that the reservoir (4) has a volume which corresponds at least to twice, but preferably to a multiple of the maximum volume of the counterweight element (7).

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