IES20060556A2 - Height adjustable worktop support - Google Patents
Height adjustable worktop supportInfo
- Publication number
- IES20060556A2 IES20060556A2 IES20060556A IES20060556A2 IE S20060556 A2 IES20060556 A2 IE S20060556A2 IE S20060556 A IES20060556 A IE S20060556A IE S20060556 A2 IES20060556 A2 IE S20060556A2
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- support
- worktop
- height adjustable
- kit
- support frame
- Prior art date
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- Combinations Of Kitchen Furniture (AREA)
Abstract
A height adjustable support frame for a worktop comprises two upstanding, length adjustable, legs supporting an upper support adapted to support a worktop. A first of the legs comprises driving means for actuating length adjustment of the leg, and a second of the legs comprising guide means adapted to provide smooth sliding length adjustment. Bracing means is provided between the legs and adapted to maintain the upper support in a desired orientation. The bracing means comprises an arm fixed at one end to a moveable portion of the first leg for movement therewith, wherein an opposite end of the arm is adapted to bear against the second leg. Also described is a kit, which may be a flat pack kit, for supporting a worktop which comprises a plurality of support frames and length adjustable supporting rails adapted for engagement with, and extension between, the support frames. <Figure 1>
Description
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The present invention is directed towards a height adjustable support frame for a worktop, and a height adjustable worktop support system and kit.
Background to the Invention
Height adjustable kitchen work benches are know in the art for example io EP 0 401 465 discloses a kitchen work unit with a height adjustable top. The worktop rests on bearing profiles connected to a guide column and the height of the worktop can be adjusted either by releasing a release mechanism and applying pressure from above, or electrically or mechanically adjusted.
is The English language abstract of SE 524,918 discloses a work surface wherein at least one work surface is height adjustable using a mechanism comprising at least two guide profiles with at least one gearing and at least one first axle for transmitting momentum from a drive device to a second axle associated with each profile. Wherein the second axles cooperate with a means mounted on a guide plate for ensuring linear displacement of the guide profile.
The English language abstract of JP 200279243 discloses a manual height adjustable worktop with an enlarged portion between the legs of the worktop so that a wheel chair can advance into the space between the legs under the worktop.
IE 000767 to the present inventor discloses a work bench having an adjustable work surface wherein the worktop is housed on a vertically adjustable top frame that may be raised and lowered from a bottom frame by a pair of scissor arms pivotably coupled together and actuated by a drive motor. One end of each scissor arm is pivotably fixed to either the top of bottom of the frame while the other end is slidably coupled to the other. The frame also has two side portions, each of which includes moveable side members connected to the top frame.
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The moveable side members slide along rollers within fixed side members connected to the bottom frame as the top frame is raised and lowered.
The website of Beta System A/S (http://www.betasystem.dk) discloses electrical and manual height adjustable kitchen frames for supporting worktops and the like. The kitchen frames also have safety stops and safety plates available as accessories.
The website of Versatility kitchens (http://www.versatility-interiors.co.uk) discloses electrically powered height adjustable kitchen products with worktops having a height adjustment of up to 350 mm. The units also have adjustable safety cut outs.
Of all the known height adjustable worktops described above, the work tops and frames are custom made for each kitchen, this is expensive and also leads to a delay of instillation while the customer is waiting for their worktops and frames to be manufactured.
It is an object of the invention to overcome at least one of the above-referenced problems.
Summary of the Invention
According to the invention, there is provided a height adjustable support frame for a worktop comprising two upstanding, length adjustable, legs supporting an upper support adapted to support a worktop, a first of the legs comprising driving means for actuating length adjustment of the leg, a second of the legs comprising guide means adapted to provide smooth sliding length adjustment, and wherein means for bracing the legs is provided on one of the legs for movement therewith, which bracing means is adapted to maintain the upper support in a desired orientation.
IE 060 55 6
Suitably, the bracing means comprises an arm fixed at one end to a moveable portion of the first leg for movement therewith, wherein an opposite end of the arm is adapted to bear against the second leg.
In one embodiment of the invention, the driving means comprises a motor. However, other drive means are envisaged such as, for example, a foot pedal actuated drive.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the driving means comprises a cutout mechanism which is adapted to disconnect the drive when an obstruction to height adjustment of the support frame is encountered. Such an obstruction could be, for example, an excessive load being supported by the frame, an obstacle in the path of the frame, or an obstacle jammed in the leg extension mechanisms. Suitably, the cut-out mechanism further comprises means to automatically reverse the direction of the drive after the drive is initially disconnected, or as an alternative to disconnection of the drive.
In one embodiment of the invention, the friction within the drive motor prevents the support frame from being retracted. Thus, when the drive is not being operated, the height of the support frame will be maintained by the friction of the motor.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second leg is telescopically length adjustable and comprises a hollow sleeve adapted to remain static during length adjustment, and a movable leg part comprising one or more runners, wherein the movable leg part and at least one runner is adapted for smooth and sliding engagement within the hollow sleeve. Typically, the movable leg comprises two pairs of runners, one paid mounted on each side of the leg. Ideally, the at least one runner comprises a wheel.
In an embodiment of the invention in which the support frame comprises a bracing arm, the opposite end of the bracing arm is adapted to bear against the hollow sleeve for movement along the hollow sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, the bracing arm is connected to the moveable leg part.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support frame additionally includes a base for supporting the first and second legs. Suitably, the base comprises means for fixing the base to a floor.
The invention also provides a height adjustable support frame for a worktop such as a kitchen worktop comprising two length adjustable upstanding legs supporting an upper support adapted for supporting a worktop, at least one of the legs comprising drive means for actuating length adjustment of the leg, wherein the drive means comprises a cut-out mechanism which is adapted to disconnect the drive when an obstruction to height adjustment of the support frame is encountered. Typically, the cut-out mechanism further comprises means to automatically reverse the direction of the drive after the drive is initially disconnected. When the drive means is a motor, the friction within the drive motor prevents the support frame from being retracted.
The invention also provides a kit for a height adjustable worktop support comprising at least one height adjustable support frame according to the invention.
Ideally, the kit additionally comprises a plurality of worktop support members adapted to support a worktop and extend between adjacent height adjustable support frames. Suitably, the worktop support members are length adjustable.
In one embodiment, the worktop support members comprise a plurality of rails which are adapted to be assembled to provide worktop support members of differing lengths as required. In this regard, the worktop support member may comprise a plurality of rail sections which are optionally of a variety of lengths, and at least one connecting sleeve adapted to embrace an end of a rail section.
The invention also relates to a kit for supporting a worktop comprising at least two, height adjustable, upstanding support frames, and a support member
Ip Οβθ55Ι adapted for extending between the at least two support frames, wherein the support member is length adjustable. Suitably, the support member is a support rail. Typically, the support rail comprises a plurality of rail sections which are adapted to be assembled to provide worktop support members of differing lengths as required.
In one embodiment, a kit of the invention further comprises a worktop, or sections adapted for forming a worktop.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the kit is a kitchen worktop support kit.
In one embodiment of the invention, the components of the kit are adapted to be flat-packed.
The invention also provides a flat-pack kit comprising at least two height adjustable support frames according to the invention, and a plurality of lengthadjustable support rails provided in the form of rail sections which are adapted to be assembled to provide support rails of differing length as required.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the side of a support frame for a kitchen worktop according to the invention:
Fig. 2 is side elevational, partially exploded, view of the support frame of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective, partially exploded, view of a kitchen worktop support system according to the invention; and
Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a support rail forming part of the kitchen worktop support system of Fig. 2.
IE 060 55ft
Detailed Description of the Drawings
Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs 1 and 2, there is illustrated a height adjustable support frame for a worktop, in this case a kitchen worktop, according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The support frame 1 comprises a base 2, a pair of upstanding legs 3, 4, and an upper support 5 supported by the legs 3,4. In use, the upper support 5 either directly or indirectly supports a worktop.
In more detail, a second leg 3 is in two parts comprising a hollow sleeve 8 attached to the base 2, and a moveable leg part 9 which is attached to the upper support 5 and which comprises a pair of runner wheels 10 mounted on each side of the leg 9. The hollow sleeve 8 and moveable leg part 9 are dimensioned to allow the leg 9 move in a smooth and controlled manner within the hollow sleeve 8, thereby providing telescopic length adjustment of the second leg 3.
The first upstanding leg 4 comprises two separate, but interconnected, parts, namely a first telescopic part 12 which extends upwardly from the base 2 and which includes a motor 13 which when actuated powers the telescopic length adjustment, and second part which comprises a supporting leg 14 attached to the upper support 5. The supporting leg additionally comprises bracing means which in this embodiment comprises a pair of supporting arms 17a, 17b fixed at one end to the first leg 4 and at an opposite end to a pair of plates 18a, 18b, the outermost of which bears against the sleeve 8 of the second leg 3. This arrangement has the advantage of providing additional support for the upper support 5, providing for smooth movement of the legs relative to each other by virtue of plate 18b abutting a face of the hollow sleeve 8, and for ensuring that the upper support remains in a desired orientation after height adjustment of the support frame. Generally speaking, the desired orientation of the upper support will be substantially horizontal, however there may be instances where other orientations may be desired.
IE 060551
The motor of the support frame will be chosen such that it will be capable of lifting any one of a range of worktops of conventional lengths. Control means for the motor will be provided and may form part of the motor body, or they may be remotely located in a more accessible location and may be connected to the motor by means of suitable cabling or by means of remote control. The motor will include a suitable cut-off mechanism whereby the motor is automatically disconnected, reversed, or disconnected and then reversed, when an obstacle to height adjustment is encountered. Such obstacles may take the form of an excessive load being supported by the support frame, an obstacle in the way of the frame, or an obstacle which is jamming the length adjustment mechanism.
In this manner, the cut-off mechanism will prevent the motor becoming overloaded, and will prevent the mechanics of the legs from being damaged. Ideally, this cut-off mechanism will be adapted to work when the motor is extending the height of the support frame, or when it is retracting the support frame. The cut-off mechanism may a comprise a torque sensor coupled to a clutch which is adapted to disengage the clutch when the torque reaches a certain defined level. The controls of the motor may be adjustable to provide simply for a disconnect function, or to provide for a disconnect and then reversing, when an obstacle is encountered. Further, the controls may be operated to set the level of torque at which the cut-off engages.The motor will also have sufficient friction such that, when the drive is disconnected, the driven leg will not retract under the weight of the load it is carrying.
Referring now to Figs 3 and 4, there is illustrated (in an exploded manner for illustration purposes) a kitchen worktop support system according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, and in which parts identical to those described with reference to Figs 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals. It will be understood that the worktop support system of Figs 3 and 4 may be constructed using a worktop support kit of the invention.
The system 20 comprises a pair of support frames 1 described previously, and a pair of support rails 21a, 21b which (in use) are fixed to, and extend between, the upper supports 5 of adjacent support frames 1. The purpose of the support
IE 060 55 8 rails 21 is to support a worktop (shown partially cut-away as 23). Referring now to Fig. 4, the support rails 21 comprise a plurality of rail sections 25 and connecting sleeves 26 which are adapted for interengagement to provide support rails of varying lengths. In the embodiment shown, the rails sections and the sleeves interengage by means of the sleeves embracing the rails, however any other suitable means of engagement may be employed. Thus, in use, the length of the support rails may be varied to suit the dimension of the worktop being supported.
io In use, the support frame may be provided in the form of a kit for assembly at a place of intended use. The kit may be a flat pack kit in which the parts are adapted to fit into a package that itself will fit onto a standard pallet. During assembly, the height adjustable support frames are first placed into position on the floor at a desired spacing. Depending on the length of the worktop to be supported, two, three or more support frames may be employed. Each support frame will ideally be fixed to the floor, generally by bolts. The height of the support frames are that adjusted as necessary. The connecting rails are then assembled to a desired length. As described above, the rails are provided in a kit comprising rail sections of differing lengths which may be assembled to provide support rails of differing lengths as desired. Once rails of suitable lengths have been assembled, the rails are connected to the upper supports of the support frames in a conventional manner. Then, the worktop is fixed to the support rails. Thereafter, if any height adjustment is required, the controls may be actuated to provide for any fine adjustments necessary.
In the embodiment shown, the upstanding legs are supported on a base. However, it will be appreciated that support frames in which the legs directly engage the floor may also form part of the present invention. Further, the embodiment described employs a motor for actuation of the second telescopic leg. Again, this is a preferred feature which may be omitted if, for example, a foot pump or the like is employed to extend or retract the leg. Further, while the embodiments show the use of support rails upon which the worktop is supported, it will be appreciated that the support rails may be omitted in which
IE 060 55· case the worktop may be fixed directly to the upper support parts of the support frames.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment herein before described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (26)
1. A height adjustable support frame for a worktop comprising two upstanding, length adjustable, legs supporting an upper support adapted to support a worktop, a first of the legs comprising driving means for actuating length adjustment of the leg, a second of the legs comprising guide means adapted to provide smooth sliding length adjustment, and wherein means for bracing the legs is provided on one of the legs for movement therewith, which bracing means is adapted to maintain the upper support in a desired orientation.
2. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the bracing means comprises an arm fixed at one end to a moveable portion of the first leg for movement therewith, wherein an opposite end of the arm is adapted to bear against the second leg.
3. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the driving means comprises a motor.
4. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in any preceding Claim in which the driving means comprises a cut-out mechanism which is adapted to disconnect the drive when an obstruction to height adjustment of the support frame is encountered.
5. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in Claim 4 in which the cut-out mechanism further comprises means to automatically reverse the direction of the drive after the drive is initially disconnected.
6. A height adjustable support support frame as claimed in any of Claim 3 to 5 in which the friction within the drive motor prevents the support frame from being retracted. IE 060 5 56
7. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in any preceding Claim in which the second leg is telescopically length adjustable and comprises a hollow sleeve adapted to remain static during length adjustment, and a movable leg comprising one or more runners, wherein the movable leg and at least one runner is adapted for smooth and sliding engagement within the hollow sleeve.
8. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in Claim 6 in which the movable leg comprises two pairs of runners, one paid mounted on each side of the leg.
9. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the at least one runner comprises a wheel.
10. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in Claims 2 and 7 in which the opposite end of the bracing arm is adapted to bear against the hollow sleeve during movement of the bracing arm.
11. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in any preceding Claim including a base for supporting the first and second legs.
12. A height adjustable support frame for a worktop such as a kitchen worktop comprising two length adjustable upstanding legs supporting an upper support adapted for supporting a worktop, at least one of the legs comprising drive means for actuating length adjustment of the leg, wherein the drive means comprises a cut-out mechanism which is adapted to disconnect the drive when an obstruction to height adjustment of the support frame is encountered.
13. A height adjustable support frame as claimed in Claim 12 in which the cutout mechanism further comprises means to automatically reverse the direction of the drive after the drive is initially disconnected.
14. A height adjustable support support frame as claimed in any of Claim 12 or 13 in which the friction within the drive motor prevents the support frame from being retracted. IE Q«O550
15. A kit for a height adjustable worktop support system, the kit comprising a plurality of height adjustable support frames of any of Claims 1 to 14.
16. A kit as claimed in Claim 15, and further including worktop support members adapted to support a worktop and extend between adjacent height adjustable support frames.
17. A kit as claimed in 16 in which the worktop support members are length adjustable.
18. A kit as claimed in Claim 16 or 17 in which the worktop support members comprise a plurality of rails which are adapted to be assembled to provide worktop support members of differing lengths as required.
19. A kit as claimed in Claim 17 or 18 wherein the worktop support member comprises a plurality of rail sections, and at least one connecting sleeve adapted to embrace an end of a rail section.
20. A kit for supporting a worktop comprising at least two, height adjustable, upstanding support frames, and a support member adapted for extending between the at least two support frames, wherein the support member is length adjustable.
21. A kit as claimed in Claim 20 in which the support member is a support rail.
22. A kit as claimed in Claim 21 in which the support rail comprises a plurality of rail sections which are adapted to be assembled to provide worktop support members of differing lengths as required.
23. A kit as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 22 further comprising a worktop, or sections adapted for forming a worktop. II 550558
24. A kit as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 23 for supporting a kitchen worktop.
25. A kit as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 24 in which the components of the kit are adapted to be flat-packed.
26. A flat-pack kit for a height adjustable worktop support system, the flat pack kit comprising at least two height adjustable support frames according to any of Claims 1 to 14, and a plurality of length-adjustable support rails provided in the form of rail sections which are adapted to be assembled to provide support rails io of differing length as required.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES20060556 IES20060556A2 (en) | 2006-07-27 | 2006-07-27 | Height adjustable worktop support |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES20060556 IES20060556A2 (en) | 2006-07-27 | 2006-07-27 | Height adjustable worktop support |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| IES20060556A2 true IES20060556A2 (en) | 2007-03-21 |
Family
ID=38157722
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES20060556 IES20060556A2 (en) | 2006-07-27 | 2006-07-27 | Height adjustable worktop support |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IE (1) | IES20060556A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2611107A (en) * | 2021-09-28 | 2023-03-29 | The West Retail Group Ltd | A worktop unit |
-
2006
- 2006-07-27 IE IES20060556 patent/IES20060556A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2611107A (en) * | 2021-09-28 | 2023-03-29 | The West Retail Group Ltd | A worktop unit |
| GB2611107B (en) * | 2021-09-28 | 2023-09-20 | The West Retail Group Ltd | A worktop unit |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK9A | Patent expired |