EP3865008B1

EP3865008B1 - Improved height-adjustable bench

Info

Publication number: EP3865008B1
Application number: EP19813066.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Raúl ROMERA CARRIÓN
Original assignee: Hidrau Model SL
Current assignee: Hidrau Model SL
Priority date: 2018-10-08
Filing date: 2019-10-04
Publication date: 2023-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-04
Also published as: EP3865008A1; WO2020074761A1; ES2958837T3; CN215456691U; ES2753591A1; EP3865008C0

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention application is to register an improved height-adjustable bench, which incorporates notable innovations and advantages compared to the techniques used until now.
More specifically, the invention proposes the development of an improved height-adjustable bench, which due to the particular arrangement thereof, enables the useful height of the seat thereof to be adjusted in a motorised and automated manner, in a way that is fast, simple and effective, and minimising the needed manual effort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Models of benches are known in the current state of the art which do not enable the useful height of the seat thereof to be automatically adjusted, but rather said adjustment is performed by means of a spindle-type mechanical system and is actuated manually by the user. This causes the user to have to make a significant effort to adjust the useful height of the seat of the bench.
Generally, said known height adjustment systems present various drawbacks, for example that they are systems which generate audible noise. This is particularly important and noticeable for users such as pianists, since the noise is audible from the normal use position of the pianist when they are playing the piano in a concert and slide from one side of the bench to the other.
Furthermore, these systems are not easy or comfortable to use, requiring a certain effort from the user. Another additional problem is that the systems used are not easy to assemble or disassemble if repairs are required, and the elements used are complex, whereby requiring a long amount of time in order to be adjusted, repaired or calibrated. Examples of known hight-adjustable benches are disclosed in JP 2006330219 A and FR 2956800 A1 .
The present invention contributes to solving the present problem, since it adjusts the useful height of the seat thereof in a motorised and automated manner, and also facilitates a quick adjustment for the user, with little effort, without perceptible noises, and completely ensuring the stability, rigidity and comfort of the bench when in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed with the aim of providing an improved height-adjustable bench as defined in claim 1. Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
Preferably, in the improved height-adjustable bench, the two connecting rods are connected at the ends thereof to the spindles by means of a nut threaded on each spindle and joined and articulated simultaneously to said end of the connecting rod, such that the rotational movement of the spindles causes a linear movement of said nut along the threaded path of the spindle itself.
Preferably, in the improved height-adjustable bench, the two spindles are coaxial, and the scissor lift mechanisms are arranged on opposite sides of the seat.
According to the invention, the improved height-adjustable bench incorporates an adjustment mechanism, which comprises a position reader for the linear displacement of the end of the connecting rod in relation to the spindle itself and a microprocessor, said position reader and the microprocessor being linked to communicate data, and the same microprocessor having at the same time the ability to control the geared motor.
Preferably, in the improved height-adjustable bench, the microprocessor is linked to communicate data with a portable electronic device of a user, the same microprocessor being able to be controlled by the same user through said portable electronic device.
Preferably, in the improved height-adjustable bench, the communication between the microprocessor and the portable electronic device is wireless.
Preferably, the improved height-adjustable bench incorporates at least one manually-actuated wheel mechanically linked to the spindles, and with the ability to transmit a concentric rotating movement to the same spindles with the axial shaft thereof.
Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the useful height of the seat thereof in a motorised and automated manner, in a way that is fast, simple and effective, and minimising the manual effort necessary.
Other features and advantages of the improved height-adjustable bench will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic views from different perspectives of a preferred embodiment of the improved height-adjustable bench according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown schematically and from different perspectives in Figures 1 and 2, the improved height-adjustable bench, indicated generally with reference number 1, comprises a seat 2 with a useful height adjustable in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2.
In accordance with the invention itself, the bench 1 comprises two spindles 3 mechanically linked to corresponding scissor lift mechanisms 4 with elastic properties, a geared motor 5 and two connecting rods 6.
In this preferred embodiment represented in Figures 1 and 2, the two spindles 3 are coaxial, and the scissor lift mechanisms 4 are arranged on opposite sides of the seat 2.
The connecting rods 6 are each mechanically linked at one of the ends 61 thereof to each of the spindles 3.
The other end 62 of each connecting rod 6 is fastened on the platen 41 for fastening the scissor lift 4 to the bench 1 itself.
All of the above elements are arranged in the bench 1 in the lower portion of the seat 2, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, the geared motor 5 and the spindles 3 being further fastened at the same time in the position thereof with respect to the same seat 2.
The scissor lift mechanisms 4 are arranged such that they are compatible with the capacity to adjust the useful height of the seat 2 of the bench 1, as indicated by the arrows of Figures 1 and 2.
Moreover, each of the spindles 3 is mechanically linked to the geared motor 5, such that said geared motor 5 provides a rotating movement to the spindles 3 which is concentric with the axial shaft thereof, as represented by the rotating arrow of Figures 1 and 2 on the spindle 3.
The two connecting rods 6 are linked at the ends 61 thereof to the spindles 3, by means of a nut 36 threaded on each spindle 3 and joined and articulated at the same time to said end 61 of the connecting rod 6.
With this arrangement, it achieves that the rotating movement of the spindles 3 represented by the rotating arrows in Figures 1 and 2 and provided by the geared motor 5 causes a linear movement of the nut 36 along the threaded path of the spindle 3 itself, and therefore a movement of said ends 61 of the connecting rods 6 along and in relation to the spindles 3 themselves, as indicated by the arrows next to the nut 36 of Figures 1 and 2.
Therefore, since the other end 62 of the same connecting rods 6 is fastened and at the same time articulated in the bench 1 itself, more specifically in the platen 41 for fastening the scissor lift 4, this causes a vertical displacement of the spindle 3 which is transmitted to the scissor lift mechanism 4 and from said mechanism to the seat 2, which ends up causing an adjustment of the height of the seat 2 of the bench 1 already referred to from the beginning.
As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the improved height-adjustable bench of the invention can also comprise manually-actuated wheels 8 which are mechanically linked to the spindles 3.
Said wheels 8 can transmit a concentric rotating movement to the same spindles 3 with the axial shaft thereof, and with a result similar to the movement transmitted from the geared motor 5, in case of failure from the geared motor 5 fails.
Furthermore, the improved height-adjustable bench of the proposed invention can comprise an adjustment mechanism, which adjusts the useful height of the seat 2 in the desired position.
To do so, said adjustment mechanism comprises a position reader 7 for the linear displacement of the end 61 of the connecting rod 6 in relation to the spindle 3 itself, as shown in figure 2, and a microprocessor (not shown in the drawings).
As seen in Figure 2, the position reader 7 comprises a linear potentiometer, which, according to the linear position of the position reader 7 itself, provides a different electrical signal. Furthermore, the position reader 7 and the microprocessor are linked to communicate data.
At the same time, the same microprocessor enables to control the geared motor 5, according to the data representing the position transmitted by the position reader 7 indicating the linear displacement of the end 61 of the connecting rod 6, which is directly associated to the useful height of the seat 2.
Said adjustment mechanism enables the adjustment when the seat 2 goes up or down, by simply inverting the polarity of the geared motor 5 by means of the microprocessor.
Moreover, the microprocessor can in turn be linked to communicate data with a portable electronic device of a user, for example a mobile phone. Using said mobile phone, the user can remotely control the microprocessor, and therefore, the operation of the improved height-adjustable bench of the invention.
The communication between the microprocessor and the mobile phone is wireless, for example by means of Bluetooth technology, said mobile phone may even be provided with an application to this end.
Thanks to the improved height-adjustable bench of the proposed invention, a suitable and effective adjustment is achieved without manual effort, since it is motorised.
In the improved height-adjustable bench of the invention, no audible noise is generated from the normal use position, for example of a pianist when they are playing the piano in a concert and slide from one side to the other when sitting, therefore being very useful and suitable in said use.
Furthermore, the improved height-adjustable bench of the present invention is very easy and comfortable to use. The actuation is ensured by means of the application of minimal effort by the user since the manual action is minimised, such that the use thereof is comfortable.
It even enables the user to be linked to it, using a smartphone, by means of a computer application and using a Bluetooth wireless network connection. Through this application, the user can adjust the height of the improved height-adjustable bench of the invention by means of touch buttons, which will enable them to easily adjust the height. The height used can also be stored for future occasions, since it can be used by different users.
The invention is easy to assemble and disassemble for possible repairs, incorporating simple elements which enable the assembly to be equipped with an ease of use, with a simplification in the parts and cost savings for the company in the manufacturing.
The details, shapes, dimensions and other secondary elements, as well as the materials used in manufacturing the improved height-adjustable bench of the invention, may be suitably replaced with others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

An improved height-adjustable bench (1), comprising a seat (2) with an adjustable useful height, as well as two spindles (3) which are mechanically linked to corresponding scissor lift mechanisms (4), a geared motor (5) and two connecting rods (6) each mechanically linked at each of the ends (61) thereof to each of the spindles (3), the other end (62) of each connecting rod (6) being fastened and articulated on a platen (41) for fastening the scissor lift (4) to the bench (1) itself, all the previous elements being arranged in the bench (1) in the lower portion of the seat (2) thereof, and the geared motor (5) and the spindles (3) being further at the same time in a fastened position thereof with respect to the same seat (2); each of the spindles (3) being mechanically linked to the geared motor (5), such that they receive, from the same geared motor (5), a concentric rotating movement with the axial shaft thereof; the rotating movement of the spindles (3) causing a linear movement of the ends (61) of the connecting rods (6) along and in relation to the spindles (3) themselves, for which reason since the other end (62) of each rod (6) is fastened and articulated on the platen (41) for fastening the scissor lift (4) to the bench (1) itself, said lineal movement of the ends (61) of the connecting rods (6) causes a vertical displacement of the spindle (3) itself, which is transmitted to the scissor lift mechanism (4) and from said mechanism to the seat (2) to adjust the useful height of the seat (2) of the bench (1); wherein the bench incorporates an adjustment mechanism, which comprises a position reader (7) for the linear displacement of the end (61) of the connecting rod (6) in relation to the spindle (3) itself and a microprocessor, said position reader (7) and the microprocessor being linked to communicate data, and said microprocessor having at the same time the ability to control the geared motor (5).
The improved height-adjustable bench, according to claim 1, characterised in that the two connecting rods (6) are linked at the ends (61) thereof to the spindles (3), by means of a nut (36) threaded on each spindle (3) and joined and articulated simultaneously to said end (61) of the connecting rod (6), such that the rotary movement of the spindles (3) causes a linear movement of said nut (36) along the threaded path of the spindle (3) itself.
The improved height-adjustable bench, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the two spindles (3) are coaxial, and the scissor lift mechanisms (4) are arranged on opposite sides of the seat (2).
The improved height-adjustable bench according to claim 1, characterised in that the microprocessor is linked to communicate data with a portable electronic device of a user, the same microprocessor being able to be controlled by the same user through said portable electronic device.
The improved height-adjustable bench, according to claim 4, characterised in that the communication between the microprocessor and the portable electronic device is wireless.
The improved height-adjustable bench, according to claim 5, characterised in that the portable electronic device comprises a mobile phone provided with an application enabled to the communication and control of the microprocessor, by means of Bluetooth technology.
The improved height-adjustable bench, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one manually-actuated wheel (8) mechanically linked to the spindles (3), and enabling to transmit a concentric rotating movement to the same spindles (3) with the axial shaft thereof.