EP1702534A1 - Device for adjusting the position of furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has locking element (3), arranged partly inside the sleeve (1,2), which can be swiveled during the fixed position of the sleeve about the longitudinal axis (A) of the device in such a way that it can be changed from fixed position to the moving position. The locking element and the first sleeve can be coupled with each other by one or more projections (3a) and one or more guidance (1g). In the locking position, one or more projections are accommodated in one or more guidance whereby the first and second sleeves are locked. The projections are arranged at the outer side of the guidance whereby the displacement of first and second sleeve relative to each other is enabled along the longitudinal axis. An independent claim is also included for the furniture e.g. office furniture.

Description

The invention relates to a device for position adjustment, in particular for height adjustment of a piece of furniture, for example an office furniture, according to the preamble of claim 1.

In many cases, it is desirable to adjust office furniture in height. Therefore, a variety of height adjustment are already known, especially for tables. In particular, the manual height adjustment but also often have disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is u.a. also that the known height adjustment devices are often suitable only for feet that consist of circular cross-section legs.

A nearest height-adjustable foot, for example, from the pre-publication DE 197 46 660 C2 known. This known height-adjustable foot for furniture, especially tables and chairs, comprises an outer profile and an inner profile, wherein the inner profile at least partially in the outer profile parallel to a central Axle is inserted and fixed by means of a locking device relative to the outer profile in a pivoting movement. The core idea of this previously known solution is to design the locking device such that an adjustment position or a release position can be achieved by turning the inner profile relative to the outer profile. In this case, the height-adjustable foot is fixed axially in the locking position at least in one direction. In the release position, the inner and the outer profile are axially displaceable.

In this case, the locking device on a pin on the inner or outer profile and at least one pin receptacle on the outer or inner profile. The pin may consist of a suitable projection which is to be engaged with a corresponding receptacle.

The object of the invention is, based on the aforementioned prior art, to provide an improved device for position adjustment of a piece of furniture, which allows a simple adjustment of the furniture position by an operator.

This object is achieved by a device for position adjustment with the features of claim 1 and by a furniture according to claim 32. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

In the device according to the invention at least a first and second sleeve are provided, which extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the position adjustment is effected in that the sleeves can be moved against each other. In particular, the device can be arranged in an adjustment position in which the displaceability of the sleeves to each other along the longitudinal axis of the device is ensured for adjusting the position of the furniture. To lock the position adjustment device in several relative positions of the sleeves to each other, the device is arranged in a locking position in which the first and the second sleeve are locked against displacements along the longitudinal axis. In order to achieve this locking, an at least partially disposed within the sleeves locking element is provided, which can be rotated in the stationary position of the sleeves about the longitudinal axis of the device between the locking position and the adjustment position and thus can be changed between these two positions. The locking element and the first sleeve are in this case coupled via one or more projections and one or more guides with each other, wherein in the locking position, one or more of the projections are received in one or more of the guides, whereby the locking of the sleeves is effected. In contrast, in the adjustment position, the projection or projections are located outside the guide or the guides, whereby a displacement of the first and the second sleeve relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the device is made possible.

By using a locking element and a corresponding first sleeve with projections or guides a smooth and easy-to-use locking device and a simple release from the locking position for positional adjustment of the furniture is guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the projection or projections are arranged on the locking element and the guide or the guides are provided on the inside of the first sleeve. However, it is also conceivable that the guide or the guides are arranged on the locking element, whereas the projection or the projections are arranged on the inside of the first sleeve.

In a further preferred embodiment, the locking element comprises a substantially cylindrical outer portion, on which the projection or the guide or the guides are arranged. Preferably, the projection or guides or guides are arranged in rows that are offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical outer portion, wherein the projections or the guides of each row are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical outer portion.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the projection or guides or guides are arranged on a cylindrical inner section on the inside of the first sleeve. Again, one or more rows of projections or guides are preferably provided, wherein the rows are offset from one another and the projections or guides of a row are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical inner portion. In a further embodiment of the invention are on the cylindrical outer portion of the locking element, two opposite rows of projections or guides and on the cylindrical inner portion of the first Sleeve two opposite rows of protrusions or guides, which fit into the projections or guides of the cylindrical outer portion provided.

Preferably, the projections on the locking member are elongated and extend on the cylindrical outer portion of the locking member in a direction having a component in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical outer portion and / or the projections on the first sleeve elongated and extend on the cylindrical inner portion of the first sleeve in a direction having a component in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical inner portion. Here, the projections and / or guides on the cylindrical inner and / or outer portion, for example, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the projections and / or guides are inclined on the cylindrical inner and / or outer portion relative to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, for example at an angle between 5 ° and 60 °, preferably in an angular range from 5 ° to 10 °.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the provided projections or guides are aligned parallel to each other. In order to allow easy insertion of the projections in the guides, the projections are tapered at one end and adjacent to the guides flanks are optionally tapered.

In order to define the locking position exactly, the guide or the guides are limited by at least one stop, abut on one side at least a portion of the projections in the locking position of the device. To further define the adjustment of the device exactly, a further stop is preferably provided, which abuts in the adjustment position to the other side of the at least one stop of the guide or the guides.

Preferably, the at least one stop, on which the projections abut in the locking position, extends in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical inner section on the first sleeve and / or the at least one further stop extends in the longitudinal direction on the cylindrical outer section of the locking element. In this case, at least two mutually offset stops are preferably provided both for fixing the locking position and for fixing the adjustment position.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, elastic means, for example in the form of a torsion spring, are connected to the locking element, the elastic means exerting a counterforce upon rotation of the locking element towards the adjustment position. This ensures that the locking element automatically moves back into the locked position, so that an accidental, accidental positional adjustment of the furniture is prevented.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention the locking element is rotatably connected via connecting means with the second sleeve.

Preferably, the first sleeve is an outer sleeve having a substantially rectangular, preferably square cross-section and the second sleeve is an inner sleeve having a substantially rectangular, preferably square cross-section, wherein the inner sleeve is at least partially received in the outer sleeve. The first and / or the second sleeve can in this case consist of several sleeve parts, which can be plugged together.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjusting element rotatable by an operator about the longitudinal axis of the device is provided at an end of the second sleeve remote from the locking element, wherein the rotation of the adjusting element causes a rotation of the locking element and thereby the change between locking position and adjustment position. By such an adjusting element, which is partially disposed outside the sleeves, it is easily possible for an operator to change from the locking position to the adjustment position and back again in order to adjust the position of the furniture.

Preferably, one end of the locking element is inserted at one end of the second sleeve and at the other end of the second sleeve, the adjusting element is used, wherein the locking element and adjustment rotatably connected to each other, in particular screwed, and wherein it is ensured that the unit of locking element and adjusting is further rotatable relative to the second sleeve.

In order to ensure a particularly good gripping of the adjustment by an operator, has the adjustment a grip element, preferably a rectangular grip element, which in particular includes corrugations for gripping the operator.

If elastic means are provided in the device according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment a first end of the elastic means is connected to the adjusting element, in particular to a recess in the adjusting element, and a second end of the elastic means is connected to the second sleeve, in particular with a stop on the second sleeve, connected.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a Positionsfeineinstellelement is arranged at the remote from the locking element end of the second sleeve. This fine adjusting element may be a foot element which is arranged on the adjusting element and whose distance from the adjusting element is variable. The foot element can in this case in particular be screwed to the adjusting element. In order to ensure a position fine adjustment in different locking positions, in a particularly preferred embodiment, a locking element is connected to the adjustment and the Positionsfeineinstellelement such that upon rotation of the Positionsfeineinstellelements by a predetermined angle the Positionsfeineinstellelement engages in a predetermined detent positions. In this case, the latching element is, for example, a latching sleeve arranged in the interior of the adjusting element and the positional adjusting element with one or more elastic latching lugs, wherein the latching lug or latching lugs engage in corresponding recesses in the positional adjusting element in the latching positions.

The second sleeve of the device according to the invention preferably further comprises concave support portions on which the adjusting element and / or the locking element can slide. The device according to the invention is also in particular an integral part of a furniture leg, in particular a chair, table or cabinet leg.

In addition to the position adjusting device described above, the invention further relates to a piece of furniture, in particular an office furniture, which comprises such a device.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figur 1 :

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, welche zur Höhenverstellung eines Möbels dient;

Figur 2 :

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 im zusammengebauten Zustand;

Figur 3 :

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie I-I der Figur 2;

Figur 4:

eine Seitenansicht des in der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung verwendeten Arretierelements;

Figur 5:

eine Seitenansicht des Arretierelements der Figur 4 in Richtung der Pfeile II-II der Figur 4;

Figur 5A :

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie III-III der Figur 5;

Figur 6 :

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines steckbaren Hülsenteils der Außenhülse der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Figur 7:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des in der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung verwendeten Verstellelements;

Figur 8 :

eine Schnittansicht des in Figur 7 gezeigten Verstellelements entlang einer Ebene, die senkrecht zur Vorderseite des Verstellelements und mittig durch das Verstellelement verläuft;

Figur 9:

eine Draufsicht auf das Verstellelement der Figur 7;

Figur 10:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der in der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 verwendeten Drehfeder;

Figur 11 :

eine Schnittansicht der in der Figur 1 verwendeten zweiten Hülse;

Figur 12 .

eine perspektivische Ansicht von oben der Hülse der Figur 11;

Figur 13:

eine perspektivische Ansicht von unten der Hülse der Figur 11;

Figur 14 :

eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite der Hülse der Figur 11;

Figur 15 :

eine perspektivische Ansicht der in der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 verwendeten Rasthülse;

Figur 16 :

eine perspektivische Ansicht des in der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 verwendeten Fußelements;

Figur 17:

eine Schnittansicht des Fußelements der Figur 16 entlang einer Ebene, die längs durch zwei gegenüberliegende Aussparungen 9c des Fußelements verläuft; und

Figur 18 :

eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite des Fußelements der Figur 16.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

an exploded perspective view of a device according to the invention, which serves for the height adjustment of a piece of furniture;

FIG. 2:

a side view of the device of Figure 1 in the assembled state;

FIG. 3:

a sectional view taken along the line II of Figure 2;

FIG. 4:

a side view of the locking element used in the device according to the invention;

FIG. 5:

a side view of the locking member of Figure 4 in the direction of arrows II-II of Figure 4;

FIG. 5A

a sectional view taken along the line III-III of Figure 5;

FIG. 6:

a perspective view of a plug-in sleeve part of the outer sleeve of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 7:

a perspective view of the adjusting element used in the device according to the invention;

FIG. 8:

a sectional view of the adjusting element shown in Figure 7 along a plane which is perpendicular to the front of the adjusting element and centrally through the adjusting element;

FIG. 9:

a plan view of the adjusting element of Figure 7;

FIG. 10:

a perspective view of the torsion spring used in the apparatus of Figure 1;

FIG. 11:

a sectional view of the second sleeve used in Figure 1;

FIG. 12.

a top perspective view of the sleeve of Figure 11;

FIG. 13:

a bottom perspective view of the sleeve of Figure 11;

FIG. 14:

a plan view of the underside of the sleeve the figure 11;

FIG. 15:

a perspective view of the locking sleeve used in the apparatus of Figure 1;

FIG. 16:

a perspective view of the foot element used in the apparatus of Figure 1;

FIG. 17:

a sectional view of the foot member of Figure 16 taken along a plane which extends longitudinally through two opposite recesses 9 c of the foot member; and

FIG. 18:

a plan view of the underside of the foot member of Figure 16.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the position adjustment device according to the invention. The device shown in Figure 1 is used in particular for the vertical adjustment of a furniture leg, such as a table leg and has a longitudinal axis A, along this longitudinal axis, the furniture leg whose height is to be adjusted, is aligned. The device comprises a first, in external cross-section substantially square outer sleeve 1, which consists of two sleeve parts 1a and 1b, which are constructed identically. Each sleeve part 1a, 1b is connected at the lower end via a cylindrical nose 1c and at the upper end via an elongated nose 1d with a corresponding cylindrical receptacle 1e and a corresponding elongated receptacle If with the other sleeve part 1a, 1b. Below the outer sleeve 1 is a second, in the outer cross-section substantially square inner sleeve 2, wherein the inner sleeve 2 is received with its upper end in the outer sleeve 1 and guided therein. The outer sleeve 1 is in this case connected to the upper part of a furniture leg, whereas the inner sleeve 2 and the underlying components form the lower part of a furniture leg.

For height adjustment, the inner sleeve 2 can be moved relative to the outer sleeve 1 and locked in different positions. The locking is achieved by a cylindrical locking element 3, which protrudes from the upper end of the inner sleeve 2 and comprises an inner cavity. The locking element 3 is connected via a nut 4 and a screw 8 with the inner sleeve 2 and further lying below the inner sleeve 2 components. The exact connection via the nut 4 and screw 8 will be described in more detail below.

Below the inner sleeve 2 is an adjusting element 5, which is accommodated in the assembled state of the device in the inner sleeve 2. The adjusting element comprises a cylindrical portion 5a, on which a circular step 5b is formed, on which in turn a torsion spring 6 rests. The torsion spring 6 will be described in more detail below and serves to exert an elastic tension on the locking element 3 during its rotation. At the lower end of the locking element 3 is a substantially square handle element 5c, which has on each side recesses with a corrugation 5d, with which the handle member 5c can be easily rotated by an operator. The adjusting element 5 has on the underside a cylindrical (not apparent from Figure 1) receptacle, in which a locking element as a substantially cylindrical detent sleeve. 7 is inserted with lower, spaced at a distance of 90 ° in the circumferential direction locking lugs 7a. The locking sleeve 7 receives the screw 8, which is bolted to the nut 4.

At the lower end of the device is a foot element 9, on which the furniture leg is placed on the floor. The foot element 9 comprises an external thread 9a with which the foot element 9 is screwed into a corresponding internal thread 506 (FIG. 8) in the adjusting element 5. A circular pocket 9b, which has four latching recesses 9c (FIG. 16) in which the latching lugs 7a engage, adjoins the external thread 9a in the radial direction inwards. The locking lugs 7a are elastic and by a rotation of the foot member 9, the locking lugs 7a can be moved out of the corresponding locking recesses 9c and engage in other locking recesses 9c again.

The height adjustment of the device shown in Figure 1 is carried out by an operator on the rotation of the adjusting element 5. By this rotation, the locking element 3 is rotated in the same direction, since the locking element 3 and adjusting 5 are interconnected. If the parts shown partially separated in Figure 1 are assembled accordingly, then the height adjustment shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, in which the locking element 3 is in the locked position, in which the outer sleeve 1 and the inner sleeve 2 are not moved against each other can. This is achieved by having two opposite front and rear rows of elongated tooth-like projections 3a (only the front row is visible in FIG. 1). on the locking element 3 in corresponding front and rear rows of elongated guides 1g (from Figure 1, only the rear row is visible) on a cylindrical inner portion 1i of the outer sleeve 1 engage. In the embodiment of Figure 1, a series of projections comprises twelve individual projections 3a and a series of guides comprises three guides 1g formed between four elongate teeth 102 having substantially the same shape as the projections 3a. When locking each three overlapping projections 3a in the three guides 1g a. The number of the projections 3a and the guides 1g can also be chosen arbitrarily differently, it is only important that more than one projection 3a or more than one guide 1g are provided in the respective rows, in order to position the device in at least two different height positions enable.

The individual projections 3a are arranged parallel to each other and inclined slightly upwards with respect to a plane lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The guides 1g are aligned analogously to the projections 3a, so that the engagement of the projections 3a in the guides 1g is made possible. Since the flanks of the projections 3 a rest in the locking position on the flanks of the teeth 102 of the guides 1 g, a longitudinal displacement of the outer sleeve 1 to the inner sleeve 2 is prevented in this position. The guides 1g terminate at a stop bar 1h, to which the tips of the projections 3a abut in the locking position, whereby the rotation of the locking member 3 is limited.

By rotation of the adjusting element 5 by an operator in the direction of the arrow P, the projections 3a are made the guides 1g moved out, wherein this rotation is limited by two staggered arranged, in the longitudinal direction of the locking element 3 extending stop strips 3b abut the respective stop strips 1h on the guides 1g opposite side. After performing this rotation to the stop position, the projections 3a, which were previously in the guides 1g, are outside these guides 1g. This position is the adjustment of the device in which the locking member 3 can be moved up or down, which in turn causes a displacement of the locking element 3 connected to the inner sleeve 2 and thus a height adjustment by lengthening or shortening of the adjustment. A moving out of the locking element 3 from the outer sleeve 1 during the lengthening of the adjusting device is prevented by an upper shoulder 3 c on the locking element 3. During the rotation of the adjusting element 5 from the locking position, a torsion spring 6 is further tensioned, so that a counterforce is generated, which causes a return movement into the locking position when releasing the adjusting element 5.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the assembled height adjustment device of Figure 1. It can be seen that in the assembled state, the foot member 9 is screwed into the adjusting element 5 and the outer sleeve 1, the locking element 3 completely covers. The position shown in Figure 2 is the largest length of the adjusting device, since further withdrawal of the inner sleeve 2 from the outer sleeve 1 is prevented by the upper shoulder 3c. If an operator twists the adjustment element 5 by grasping the sections with the corrugations 5d, the locking element becomes 3 in the same direction until the adjustment position is reached, in which then the locking element 3 can be moved together with the inner sleeve 2 upwards to lower projections 3a on the locking element 3 in the desired height with the corresponding guides 1g on the Outer sleeve 1 are brought into engagement.

Finally, it can also be seen from the representation according to FIG. 1 that the adjusting element 5 has an outer contour deviating from the circular shape, in the embodiment shown in plan view being designed rather square, whereby the operability is facilitated. Incidentally, this adjusting element 5 is usually adapted with its outer shape to the cross-sectional shape of the outer sleeve 1 and thus the corresponding design of the height-adjustable device.

3 shows a sectional view along the line II of Figure 2. From Figure 3, the two opposite rows of projections 3a and guides 1g can be seen and it can be seen in particular that the upper three projections 3a engage in the corresponding guides 1g on the outer sleeve 1. The locking element 3 is hollow on the inside and ends at the lower end in a tapered portion 3 e, the edges 3 f, which facilitate the insertion of the nut 4 in a lower opening of the locking element 3. Through the lower opening further extends the screw 8, which is bolted to the nut 4. The tapered portion 3e of the locking element 3 is received in an upper portion of the inner sleeve 2, wherein the underside 3d of the locking element 3 at the outer edge on one in the inner sleeve 2 arranged inner cylinder piece 2a rests. The adjusting element 5 is inserted from the underside of the inner sleeve 2, wherein the grip element 5c abuts against the lower end of the inner sleeve 2. The torsion spring 6 has a downwardly extending pin 6a and an upwardly extending pin 6c (not shown in FIG Referring to Figure 10 will be described in more detail. The lower pin 6a is inserted into a corresponding recess 503 (Figure 7) on the circular step 5b. The upwardly extending pin 6c abuts against a stop 2d (FIG. 13) which is arranged in the intermediate region between the inner cylindrical piece 2a and the inner side of the inner sleeve 2. During the rotation of the adjusting element 5 via the grip element 5c from the locking position, the lower pin 6a is rotated with respect to the upper pin 6c. As a result, the torsion spring 6 is tensioned, so that an elastic force is generated, which acts against the direction of rotation of the adjusting element 5. Consequently, the adjusting element 5 moves automatically after releasing the handle member 5c back into a locking position. This serves to increase safety, so that inadvertently a height adjustment can be made. A height adjustment can therefore only be carried out when, contrary to the force of the torsion spring 6, the adjusting element 5 is rotated by a person from the locking position out in the adjustment position. Upon release, the locking element 3 is automatically adjusted by the torsion spring 6 back into its locking position, whereby the height adjustment is adjusted in the respective position and can not be adjusted.

The adjusting element 5 has a cavity accessible from below, in which a latching sleeve 7 is inserted. The upper end of the latching sleeve 7 strikes against a circumferential shoulder 5e of the adjusting element 5. Through corresponding openings in the locking sleeve 7, the adjusting element 5 and the locking element 3, the screw 8 is inserted from the bottom into the device and bolted to the nut 4. After the screw connection, the locking element 3, the adjusting element 5 and the locking sleeve 7 are connected to one another with the aid of corresponding projections 3h (see Figure 4) and recesses 504 (see Figure 7), these projections 3h will be explained later with reference to FIG 4 and the respective recesses 504 later with reference to FIG 7. Thus, a rotation of the adjusting element 5 by an operator for simultaneous rotation of the locking sleeve 7 and the locking element 3. At the lower end of the adjusting element 5, an internal thread 506 is provided, in which the foot member 9 is screwed through its external thread 9a. When screwing the foot member 9, the four elastic locking lugs 7a of the locking sleeve 7 engage in the cylindrical circumferential pocket 9b of the foot member 9. In this case, the pocket 9b has four recesses 9c (FIG. 16) in which the latching lugs 7a are arranged in the latching positions.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the locking element 3 used in the device of FIG. 1 in the region of the projections 3a. In particular, it can be seen from FIG. 4 that the projections 3a have a tooth-like shape with front tips 301, which facilitates the insertion of the projections 3a into the corresponding guides 1g becomes. Further, the projections 3a are slightly inclined upward, with the tip 301 of the individual projections 3a being higher than the opposite ends of the projections 3a. As a result, a slight biasing force is always generated in the locking direction, whereby the security is improved. For in the usual weight position, the locking element 3 is thereby at least slightly pressurized in the locked position solely by the forces acting on it. This additional safety measure thus acts similar to the mentioned torsion spring 6, which rotates the adjusting element 5 and thus the locking element 3 after releasing the adjusting element 5 back into the locking position. The slightly inclined orientation may differ in wide angular ranges, for example from 0 ° to 60 °. Preferably, a range of for example 3 ° to 20 °, in particular 5 ° to 10 ° is used.

From Figure 4 it is further seen that at the lower end of the locking element 3, a further reduced cylindrical portion 3g is provided, which has two opposing projections 3h, which are inserted into corresponding recesses 504 (see Figure 7) at the upper end of the adjusting element 5, whereby a rotationally fixed fixing of the locking element 3 in the adjusting element 5 is achieved.

FIG. 5 shows a view of FIG. 4 rotated clockwise along the longitudinal axis of the locking element in a clockwise direction. It can be seen in FIG. 5 in particular the stop strip 3b extending in the longitudinal direction of the locking element 3, which is not exactly centered between the left and the right row of the projections 3a lies. The stop bar 3b is a few degrees to the right to the right Row of protrusions 3a offset. Task of the stop bar 3b is to limit the rotation of the locking member 3, wherein in the adjustment position, the front stop bar 3b and (apparent from Figure 5A) opposite rear stop bar 3b (which is slightly closer to the row of left projections 3a) with the corresponding stop bar 1h comes in contact with the guides 1g of the outer sleeve 1. The position of the stop strips 3b is in this case selected such that in the adjustment position the projections 3a are outside the guides 1g of the outer sleeve 1, so that a displacement of the locking element 3 with respect to the outer sleeve 1 is made possible.

In FIG. 5A, to illustrate the tapering lower portion 3e at the lower end of the locking element 3, a sectional view along the line III-III of FIG. 5 is shown. In particular, it can be seen in FIG. 5A that flanks 3f arranged at 60 ° intervals along the circumferential direction of the arresting element 3 are provided in the tapering section 3e, which flanks are tapered upwards. By the flanks 3f, the introduction of the nut 4 in the hexagonal opening at the lower end of the flanks 3f is facilitated. Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 5A that the two elongated stop strips 3b are not arranged exactly centrally between the projections 3a, but slightly offset.

FIG. 6 again shows in detail the left sleeve part 1b of the outer sleeve 1 shown in FIG. The sleeve part 1b is designed in the same way as the sleeve part 1a, so that a mating of the two sleeve parts 1a, 1b is made possible by the lugs 1c and 1d, respectively of a sleeve part in the corresponding receptacles 1e and 1f of the other sleeve part are introduced. It can also be seen from FIG. 6 that the guides 1g of the outer sleeve 1 are inclined in analogy to the projections 3a of the locking element 3, the guides 1g between the teeth 102 essentially corresponding in their shape to the projections 3a of the locking element 3. As already mentioned, this slight inclination of the elongated teeth 102 and guides 1g causes a biasing force due to the dead weight to be always generated from the adjustment position toward the locking position, thereby increasing the safety. In particular, the teeth 102 also have a tip 101, which facilitates insertion of the projections 3a into the guides 1g.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the adjusting element 5. It can be seen in particular that the cylindrical portion 5a of a lower cylinder 501 and an upper cylinder 502 composed, the upper cylinder 502 has a smaller diameter than the lower cylinder 501 and wherein between the two Cylinders 501, 502, the circular step 5b is formed. Furthermore, it can be seen that a vertically downwardly extending recess 503 is provided in the circular step 5b. In this recess 503 of the lower pin 6a (see Figure 10) of the torsion spring 6 is used, wherein the helical turns 6b of the torsion spring 6 run around the upper cylinder 502. At the upper end of the cylinder 502 are two opposite recesses 504, in which the above-described projections 3h of the locking element 3 are used. In addition, four inwardly directed projections 505 are provided, which are assembled in the Condition of the device contact the outside of the lower cylindrical portion 3 g of the locking member 3.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of FIG. 7 along a plane which runs perpendicular to the front side of the adjusting element 5 and centrally through the adjusting element 5. It can be seen in particular that an internal thread 506 is provided at the lower end of the adjusting element 5 and that at the upper end within the adjusting element 5, the circumferential shoulder 5e is formed, wherein in the assembled state of the device at the top of the shoulder 5e one end of the locking element 3 and at the bottom of the shoulder 5e one end of the locking sleeve 7 rests. Further, an opening 507 can be seen, through which the screw 8 is inserted from below through the adjusting element 5.

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the adjusting element 5 of FIG. 7. The arrangement of the cutouts 504 and the projections 505 relative to one another is shown in FIG. It will be appreciated that the protrusions 505 are disposed at a 45 ° angle offset from the recesses 504 and that the angle between adjacent protrusions 505 is substantially 90 °. In addition, can be seen in Figure 9, the shape of the opening 507. The opening 507 has two rectangular recesses 508, which serve for receiving the plug-in pin 7c shown in Figure 15 of the latching sleeve 7, whereby a rotationally fixed fixation of the latching sleeve 7 with respect to the Adjustment element 5 is achieved.

FIG. 10 shows the torsion spring 6 used in the device according to the invention. The torsion spring 6 comprises a lower one Pin 6a for insertion into the recess 503 of the adjusting element 5, wherein the upper end of the pin 6a opens into a helical portion 6b for generating an elastic force. The torsion spring 6 ends at the upper end in an upper pin 6c, which abuts the stop 2d (FIG. 13) of the inner sleeve 2. Upon rotation of the adjusting element 5, the lower pin 6a is rotated relative to the upper pin 6c, whereby an elastic spring force is generated, which acts against the direction of rotation of the torsion spring 6.

FIG. 11 again shows, in a cross-sectional view, the inner sleeve 2 of the device of FIG. 1. The inner sleeve 2 has four upper concave support sections 2b and four lower concave support sections 2c, which are clearly visible again from the perspective views of FIGS. 12 and 13. In this case, the upper support sections 2b contact the outside of the tapering section 3e of the locking element 3 (FIG. 3) in the assembled state of the device. On the other hand, the lower support portions 2c contact the outer side of the lower cylinder 501 (FIG. 8) of the lock member 5. The inner cylinder piece 2a is in contact with the upper end of the cylinder 502 (FIG. 8) of the lock member 5 in the assembled state of the apparatus.
Figure 12 shows a perspective view from above of the inner sleeve 2 of Figure 11. It can be seen in particular that four support portions 2b are provided, which are each arranged centrally on each side of the square inner sleeve 2. Furthermore, the inwardly curved shape of the support sections 2b can be seen.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view from below of the inner sleeve 2 of FIG. 11. Here, too, four concave support sections 2c are provided, which are each arranged centrally on each side of the square inner sleeve 2. It also recognizes the stop 2d, which is formed between the inner cylindrical piece 2a and the right support surface 2c. At the stop 2d, the upper pin 6c of the torsion spring 6 abuts, whereby upon rotation of the adjusting element 5, a rotation of the lower pin 6a relative to the upper pin 6c is made possible.

FIG. 14 again shows a plan view from below of the inner sleeve 2 of FIG. 11. Here, too, it can be clearly seen that the stop 2d is formed between the outer side of the inner cylinder piece 2a and the concave inner side of the right-hand support portion 2c.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the latching sleeve 7 used in the device of FIG. 1. The two opposite plug-in pins 7c arranged on the upper shoulder 7b of the latching sleeve 7 can be seen which, in the assembled state of the device, fit into the cutouts 508 of the opening 507 of FIG Adjusting element 5 (Figure 9) engage. In addition, it can be seen that the latching lugs 7a are offset at the lower end of the latching sleeve 7 by 90 ° to each other and have a convex outer surface. This outer surface contacted in the individual locking positions of the locking sleeve 7 corresponding concave locking recesses 9c in the pockets 9b of the foot member. 9

The latching recesses 9c are shown in FIG. 16, which is a perspective view of the one according to the invention Device used foot element 9 shows. It can be seen in particular that the latching recesses 9c are offset in the pockets 9b in the circumferential direction in the pockets 9b in each case by 90 ° in accordance with the latching lugs 7a. Upon rotation of the foot member 9 relative to the locking element 7, the locking lugs 7a are elastically deformed and move out of the locking recesses 9c. After a rotation of 90, the locking lugs 7a engage again in the corresponding locking recesses 9c, whereby a plurality of locking positions is made possible. The foot member 9 serves here for fine adjustment of the device according to the invention, since this again the height of the device can be changed by turning the foot member 9.

FIG. 17 again shows a sectional view of the foot element 9 of FIG. 16. In particular, it can be seen that the foot element 9 has on its underside a central cavity 901 which opens at the top into a reduced opening 902.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the underside of the foot member 9 of FIG. 16. It can be seen that the outer portion of the foot member 9 is connected to the inner portion of the foot member 9 via ribs 9e, providing a total of eight ribs 9e uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction , In addition, 9 four support elements 9d are provided in the corners of the foot member, with which the foot member 9 rests on the ground.

The embodiment is shown for a height adjustment with an outer sleeve 1 and an inner sleeve 2, which are designed substantially square. In adaptation to this square cross-sectional shape is also the foot element 9 square designed and has a corresponding dimensioning.

Regardless, however, the height adjustment can be any, i. have any Querschittsformen, for example, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal etc. or round, oval, sections with straight and round curved contours, etc., restrictions on a specific geometry for the outer sleeve and / or for the foot member 9 are not given. The same applies to the dimensioning of these parts. For designerischen reasons, however, the foot member 9 will generally have the same cross-sectional shape as the outer sleeve 1. Preferably, the foot member 9 and the outer sleeve 1 also have the same outer dimensions. But even here are not only different designs of outer sleeve 1 and foot member 9 conceivable, but also different dimensions of these parts.

Claims (32)

Device for position adjustment, in particular for height adjustment of a piece of furniture, comprising the following features: - There are at least a first and a second sleeve (1,2) are provided, which extend substantially along a longitudinal axis (A) of the device and are connectable to the furniture; - The device can be arranged in an adjustment position in which for adjusting the position of the furniture, the sleeves (1, 2) along the longitudinal axis (A) are mutually displaceable; - The device can along the longitudinal axis (A) for a plurality of relative positions of the sleeves (1, 2) to each other in a locking position are arranged in which the sleeves (1, 2) against displacements along the longitudinal axis (A) are locked; characterized by the following additional features: - There is a at least partially within the sleeves (1, 2) arranged locking element (3) is provided, which in a fixed position of the sleeves (1, 2) about the longitudinal axis (A) of the device can be rotated such that between a locking position and an adjustment position is changed; - The locking element (3) and the first sleeve (1) via one or more projections (3a) and one or more guides (1g) can be coupled together; - In the locking position, one or more of the projections (3) are received in one or more of the guides (1g), whereby the locking of the first and second sleeve (1, 2) is effected; - In the adjustment position, the one or more projections (3a) outside the guide (1g) or the guides (1g), whereby a displacement of the first and second sleeve (1, 2) relative to each other along the longitudinal axis (A) is made possible. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one projection (3a) on the locking element (3) and the at least one guide (1g) on the inside of the first sleeve (1) are arranged or that the at least one guide (1g) on the locking element (3) and the at least one projection (3a) on the inside of the first sleeve (1) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (3) comprises a substantially cylindrical outer portion, on which the one or more projections (3a) or the guide (1g) or the guides (1g) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that on the lateral surface of the substantially cylindrical outer portion of the locking element (3) one or more, in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical outer portion staggered rows of projections (3a) or guides are arranged, wherein the projections (3a) or guides (1g) of each row are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical outer portion. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sleeve (1) on its inside a substantially cylindrical inner portion (1i) comprises, on which the one or more projections (3a) or the guide or the guides (1g) arranged are. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that on the cylindrical inner portion (1i) one or more circumferentially of the cylindrical inner portion (1i) staggered rows of projections (3a) or guides (1g) are arranged, wherein the projections (3a) or guides (1g) of each row are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical inner portion (1i). Apparatus according to claim 4 and claim 6, characterized in that on the cylindrical outer portion of the locking element (3) two opposite rows of projections (3a) or guides (1g) and on the cylindrical inner portion (1i) of the first sleeve (1) two opposite Rows of projections (3a) or guides (1g) which fit into the projections (3a) or guides (1g) of the cylindrical outer portion. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the one or more projections (3a) or the guide or the guides (1g) on the locking element (3) are elongated and on the cylindrical outer portion of the locking element (3) extend in a direction which is a component in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical outer portion, and / or that the projection or guides (1g) on the first sleeve (1) are elongated and engage on the cylindrical inner portion (1i) of the first sleeve (1 ) in a direction having a component in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical inner portion (1i). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the one or more projections (3a) or the guide or the guides (1g) on the cylindrical outer portion of the locking element (3) and on the cylindrical inner portion (1i) of the first sleeve (1) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the device. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the projection or projections (3a) or the guide or guides (1g) on the cylindrical outer portion of the locking element (3) and on the cylindrical inner portion (1i) of the first sleeve (1) opposite the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the device are inclined, preferably at an angle between 0 ° and 60 °, in particular between 5 ° and 10 °, in such a way that due to the weight load an adjusting force on the locking means (3) Generation of a rotational movement is generated in the locked position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection or projections (3a) and the guide or the guides (1g) are arranged parallel to each other. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection or projections (3a) and / or the flanks (102) adjoining the guide or guides (1g) are tapered. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide or the guides (1g) by at least one stop (stop bar 1h) are limited, on one side at least a part of the projections (3a) abut in the locking position of the device. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one further stop (3b) is provided which abuts in the adjustment position of the device to the other side of the at least one stop (stop bar 1h) of the guide or the guides (1g). Apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, when claim 13 depending on claim 3 or claim 5, characterized in that the at least one stop (stop bar 1h) extends in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical inner portion (1i) on the first sleeve (1) and / or that the at least one further stop (stop bar 3b) extends in the longitudinal direction on the cylindrical outer portion of the locking element (3). Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that at least two, in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical inner portion (1i) of the first sleeve (1) mutually offset stops (stop bar 1h) and / or at least two, in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical outer portion of the locking element (3) to each other Staggered further stops (stop bar 3b) are provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (3) with elastic means, in particular with a torsion spring (6) is connected, which upon rotation of the locking element (3) towards the adjustment position generates a counter or restoring force, about what when the adjusting element (5) is released, a restoring force is exerted on the locking element (3) to produce a rotational movement towards the locking position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (3) at one end via connecting means rotatably connected to the second sleeve (2). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sleeve is an outer sleeve (1) having a substantially rectangular, preferably square cross section and the second sleeve is an inner sleeve (2) having a substantially rectangular, preferably square cross section, wherein the inner sleeve (2) is at least partially received in the outer sleeve (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner sleeve (2) and / or the outer sleeve (1) comprises at least two sleeve parts (1a, 1b) which are plugged together. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a remote from the locking element (3) end of the inner sleeve (2) one of an adjustment element (5) which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis (A) of the device is arranged, wherein the rotation of the adjustment element (5) causes a rotation of the locking element (3) and thereby the change between the locking position and the adjustment position. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that at one end of the inner sleeve (2) one end of the locking element (3) is inserted and at the other end of the inner sleeve (2) the adjusting element (5) is inserted, wherein locking element (3) and Adjustment (5) rotatably connected to each other, in particular screwed and wherein the unit of locking element (3) and adjusting element (5) relative to the second sleeve (2) is rotatable. Apparatus according to claim 22 in combination with claim 17, characterized in that a first end (6a) of the elastic means (6) with the adjusting element (5), in particular with a recess (503) in the adjusting element (5) is connected and that a second end (6c) of the elastic means (6) is connected to the inner sleeve (2), in particular to a stop (2d) on the second sleeve. Device according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the adjusting element (5) comprises a grip element (5c), preferably a substantially rectangular grip element (5c) for gripping by the operator, wherein the grip element (5c) in particular corrugations (5d ) having. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the remote from the locking element (3) lying end of the inner sleeve (2) a position fine adjusting element (9) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 25 in combination with any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the Positionsfeineinstellelement comprises a foot member (9) which is arranged on the adjusting element (5) and whose distance from the adjusting element (5) is variable. Apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the foot element (9) is screwed to the adjusting element (5). Device according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that a latching element (7), in particular a detent sleeve, in such a way with the adjusting element (5) and the foot member (9) is connected, that upon rotation of the foot member (9) by a predetermined Angle the foot element (9) engages in predetermined detent positions. Device according to claim 28, characterized in that the latching element (7) comprises a latching sleeve arranged in the interior of the adjusting element (5) and the foot element (9) with one or more elastic latching lugs (7a), wherein the latching lug or latching lugs (7a) engage in the locking positions in corresponding locking recesses (9c) in the foot element (9). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner sleeve (2) concave bearing portions (2b, 2c), on which the locking element (3) and / or the adjusting element (5) can slide. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is part of a furniture leg, in particular a chair, table or cabinet leg. Furniture, in particular office furniture, comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims.

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