WO1990013240A1

WO1990013240A1 - Support system

Info

Publication number: WO1990013240A1
Application number: PCT/CH1990/000115
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrian H. Brunner
Original assignee: Novireal Ag
Priority date: 1989-04-28
Filing date: 1990-04-27
Publication date: 1990-11-15
Also published as: EP0422168A1; ES2022061A4

Abstract

A support system, in particular for offices and home workshops, has work and storage surfaces, which can be easily adjusted, in particular vertically. The height can be adjusted by preprogramming. The system is therefore suitable for prophylaxy and therapy of postural defects.

Description

Suspension system

The invention relates to a support system for apparatus, in particular office apparatus, with adjustable support elements, these elements being arranged on a support mast. It is known to arrange such support systems on office tables which are height-adjustable and pivotable and are suitable for holding office equipment such as telephones and computer screens. The height of these known systems can only be adjusted to a very limited extent.

It is the object of the invention to create a carrying system that accommodates the ergonomic and health needs of users, including the disabled, and allows them to work in all positions: from lying down and crouching on the floor to standing up. This object is achieved according to claim 1.

Easy and motorized adjustability according to claim 2 increases the work performance of the user and his willingness to change the working height often, thus preventing postural damage.

Claim 3 allows a linear actuator to be attached to the inside of the supporting mast and to easily guide energy and signal lines from floor to floor of the system.

According to claim 4, the sleeve is guided stably. According to claim 5, the relative position of the individual devices can be adjusted quickly and easily.

Claim 6 brings aesthetically pleasing surfaces that are favorable for cleaning. It creates spaces for routing and hiding connecting lines.

Claim 7 makes the support system fall-proof.

According to claim 8, the system is easy to move.

Claim 9 allows the system to move through door openings.

With the means according to claim 10, the user can irritate or force himself to change his posture periodically, which not only prevents postural damage, but can also be therapeutically useful.

The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawing using six exemplary embodiments. It shows, schematized,

1 is a view of a first form of the invention;

Fig. 2 horizontal section II-II and floor plan of the first form;

Fig. 3 vertical section III-III through the upper region of the

Carrying system according to the first embodiment; Figures 4 and 5 cross section and floor plan of a nut. Fig. 6 section through a double switch; 7 is a perspective view of a contact set; 8 and 9 vertical and horizontal section through a

Carrying system of a second embodiment; Fig. 10 Schematic plan view of the second embodiment; 11 shows a plan view of a third embodiment; Fig. 12 vertical section IV-IV with a table top

Holding device; 13 shows a section through a holding device of the second type; 14 sliding wedge in perspective view; Fig. 15 Vertikalschm ^'tt a fourth form of the invention with a clamping rings 11', 12 ', 13' ausgeb ldeten Supporting elements; Fig. 16 horizontal section according to VV in Fig. 15; 17 clamping rings 11 ', 12', 13 'in perspective; Fig. 18 apparatus with mounting bar; 19 shows a fifth form of the invention in perspective; 20 horizontal section through mast and sleeve according to FIG. 19; 21 section perpendicular to the inclination axis 146 in FIG. 19; Fig. 22 View of the eccentric with knob from Fig. 21; 23 shows a longitudinal section of a sixth form of the invention; Fig. 24 horizontal section according to VI-VI in Fig. 23; 25 segments of a cover ring 230 in perspective; 26 shows a longitudinal section through a sleeve 3 screwed together from three parts.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tubular mast 2 is arranged on a pedestal 1 and is surrounded by a sleeve 3 with a narrow radial clearance. At the lower end of the sleeve 3, a triangular head 4 with two horizontal support shafts 5 and 6 is mounted horizontally. Two table leaves 7 and 8 are placed on this support shaft. The sleeve 3 is surrounded by three bushes 10, 11 and 12, of which 11 and 12, together with latching rails 13 attached to them, represent support elements. Trays 14 with upper claws 15 and spur-like extensions 16 encompassing the latching rails at the bottom are suspended on these latching rails 13. After slightly lifting their free end, the trays can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the latching rails.

The sleeve 3 is closed at the top by a pin 20. On this sit two rings 21, each carrying a swivel arm 22 with lamp 23. The foot 1 has a long (25), a middle (26) and a short (27) radial arm, which consist of a U-profile open at the bottom and each enclose a roller 30 in the area of its free end. These rollers 30 are each pivotable about a pin 29, so that the entire support system can be moved horizontally in any direction. The castors can be locked.

3 shows details of the first embodiment: The mast 2 is provided on the outside with a groove 31 into which a spring 31 ′ fixed to the sleeve 3 in the area of the head 4 engages, so that the sleeve 3 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the mast 2, but cannot be rotated . Crosswise grooves are milled into the mast 2 on its upper end face, in which four arms 32 of a nut 33 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 rest. In addition to the central threaded bore 34, the nut has two bores 35, roughly rotationally hyperbolic, for the passage of cables. In the threaded bore 34 there is a threaded spindle 38 which carries a gear 39 and an electric servomotor 40. This supports, secured against rotation in a manner not shown, the sleeve 3 on its upper, closed bottom. The pin 20 already mentioned contains a socket for the lamps 23. The current is supplied to the socket via a cable 44, which runs through one of the bores 35 and is then, like a coil spring, wound around a tube 45 made of insulating material and led to the base 1 from which it emerges to a mains connection outdoors.

The servo motor 40 is also supplied with energy on its upper face in a manner not shown, also via the cable 44. The control takes place via three conductors 48, which - as shown in FIG. 6, embedded in a groove on the outside of the sleeve 3, are guided to a double switch 50 in the head 4. This switch is arranged in a vertical through bore 61 with an inner flange 62. A ceramic body 63 is seated on this inner flange and carries one of the contact springs shown in perspective in FIG. The two contact sets are each protected by a rubber-elastic cup 66 inserted into the bore 61 and switched in such a way that the sleeve 3 moves downward when the upper cup is pressed, and upwards when the lower cup is pressed. The control of the servo motor 40 can also take place via foot switches (not shown).

3, the latching rail 13 'is designed as a T-profile with rounded legs, symmetrical with respect to the axis A. By turning the clamping ring 11, the tray 14 'can be set to two different heights. The clamping rings can NEN are secured against rotation by adjusting screws 70.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the arms of the base 1 can be pivoted in the horizontal plane, so that the support system can be moved through door openings after the work surfaces and trays have been suitably adjusted. For this purpose, a support tube 72 is provided in the lower part of the mast 2, which is connected via a connecting arm 73 to a box 74 open at the bottom. Support rollers 75 are arranged in the region of the ends of this box. The mast 2 is welded at its lower end to a long arm 76 which also has support rollers 75, but is cut out in the region of this connection in such a way that the box 74 can be pivoted through 90 ° in the horizontal plane until it can be moved as shown in FIG shown in dash-dotted lines in FIG. 9, is applied laterally to the arm 76.

In Fig. 8, the support shaft 5 ', parallel to the arm 1, is attached directly to the sleeve 3, the shorter support shaft 6', however, to a stepped ring 78 surrounding the mast 3, which can be rotated 90 ^* around the sleeve 3 . If the support system is to be pushed through a door opening, the arm 6 'is brought into the position shown, but the box 74 is brought into the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 9. For use, the pedestal is rotated into the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 9 and, as indicated in FIG. 10 on a smaller scale, the support shaft 6 'is directed forward.

11 shows a third embodiment. The sleeve 3 carries at the lower end a plate-shaped head 4 which has hinges 80 and 81 on two parallel sides. Two table surfaces 82 and 83 are articulated in these hinges. On their undersides, strips 84 and 85 are fastened, of which a protruding part 86 and 87, respectively, which is supported on the underside of the head 4, holds the table surfaces 82 and 83 in a horizontal position.

From this normal position, the table surfaces 82, 83 can be folded up into an approximately vertical position if necessary. A support shaft 5 ", on which a table top 7" is inserted, protrudes from an end face of the head 4. Are the table tops 7 ", 82 and 83 horizontal the entire work surface forms a circular ring sector, in the free center of which the person using the carrying system is located. The change of position of the sleeve takes place by pressure on the switch 50, which in the present example is located on the inner edge of the table top 82. In order to prevent postural damage, it may be desirable to periodically adjust the height of the work surface. Prophylactically as well as in terms of therapy, a computer connected to the carrying system with an output to the servo motor can be programmed so that the work surfaces, each connected to different acoustic signals, rise and lower in predetermined positions.

11, the base has two arms 76 ″ and 74 ″ running in a circular arc, which are connected to the mast 2 or a support tube 72 ″ analogously to the arm 76 and the connecting arm 73. The arms 76 ″ and 74 "are also designed as boxes open towards the bottom, in which four or two carrying rollers 75" are attached with bolts 29 from below. The space required by these idlers is indicated by a circle 29 '. The smaller arm 74 "can be rotated about the mast axis in accordance with the dash-dotted curve 88. If the table leaves 82 and 83 are now raised and the leaf 7" rotated about the supporting shaft 5 "in a vertical position, the support system can be moved maneuver easily, even through narrow door openings.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show how the table tops 7, 8, 7 "can be fixed on the support shafts. According to FIG. 12, a toothed segment 89 is fastened on the underside of the head 4, coaxial to the support shaft 5, into which a toothed segment 89 is attached engages ke-shaped end of a locking pin 91. The locking pin runs in a guide 92. A spring 94 acting on an adjusting ring 93 presses it against the segment 89. To adjust the table top 7, the locking pin 91 can be removed by means of a rod 95 with a knob To get involved.

FIG. 13 shows a support shaft 5 projecting on the head 4 to prevent the table sheet 7 from shifting relative to the Support shaft 5 is provided with a round groove 96, in which a finger 97 engages from the table sheet not shown. The Tragwel¬ le 5 also has a bore 98 and a longitudinal slot 99. It is inserted in a link bushing 100 which is fixedly connected to the table top 7 and has a slot 101 running along a helical line. A detached sliding wedge 102 shown in FIG. 14 engages both in the straight (99) and in the helical slot 101 ^' . It can be moved axially to arm 5. For this purpose, his foot protrudes through the slot 99 into a circular groove 104 of a push rod 105, which can be adjusted axially by means of a lever 106. The lever 106 is pivotable about a bolt 108 fastened to the table top 7. Its free end resiliently engages in a slightly toothed segment 109.

Deviating from the exemplary embodiments shown, the sleeve 3 can also end at a distance below the head 4, so that support elements can also be arranged below the table leaves.

In Figure 15, the support system is attached to the floor 120 and ceiling 121 of a room. The supporting mast 2 consists of two half-shells 111, which are created, for example, by diametrically milling a tube. The four milling surfaces are ground by 30 ° each, so that four guide surfaces 109 are formed. In the foot region of the mast, the half-shells 111 are clamped together on the inside by an annular spacer 113 with a bore 114 and with ears engaging between the guide surfaces 109 and on the outside by a two-part clamping flange 116 such that their outer surfaces belong to a common circular cylinder. The clamping flange 116 is fastened to the base 120 by screws (not shown) which pass through bores 115.

In the area of the upper end of the support mast 2, the half-shells 111 are spaced analogously as below by a spacer bar 117 which is ground on both sides and pierced and a clamping ring 118. A guide ring 119 attached to the ceiling 121 of the room grants the support mast 2 top side hold. The mast 2 is surrounded by a sleeve 3, which is in the middle ne of the longitudinal slots 110 is penetrated on both sides by 5 bores 122. At the upper and lower end of the sleeve 3, it is pinned to the end faces of diametrical bars 123 and 124, respectively. Sloping surfaces 125 of these diametrical beams lie with little play against the ground slot surfaces 109 of the half-shells 111. The sleeve 3 is carried by a linear motor arranged in the mast 2. In the present example, this consists of an electric motor 40, a gear 39 coupled to it, a spindle 38 driven by it and a spindle nut represented by the diametrical bar 123 with an internal thread. The motor 40 with the gear 39 rests, secured against rotation, on the upper spacer bar 117. The height position of the sleeve 3 can thus be adjusted by switching on the electric motor 40. The thread pitch of the spindle 38 is selected so that the linear motor (38, 39, 40, 123) is self-locking.

The sleeve 3 has a head 4, from which two support shafts 127 and 128 protrude horizontally, possibly at an obtuse angle to one another. A work surface 7 or 8 is seated on these, about the axes of which can be pivoted. Axial clamping on a cone 129 or on a flat toothing 130 allows the work surfaces to be held in a selectable inclination.

The head 4 has on its upper and lower flat surface each a narrow annular groove with a conical base, in the upper of which a thin-walled bushing 131 is centered. A support element sits on this, which, as shown in FIG. 17, is designed as a cut-open clamping ring 12 'and is clamped on the sleeve 3 by means of a screw 133. The support elements 11 'and 13' are of the same design. In the area of the bores for the screw 133, the clamping rings 11 '... 13' are provided with cams 134 rounded off at the top and bottom, on which the wings 144 can be hung. On the upper and lower plane surfaces, the clamping rings, like the head 4, are each provided with a narrow ring groove with a conical base. The bushing 131 is centered in the lower one, in the upper one another bushing 131 'on which the clamping ring 13' is seated. A ring cover 135 with a cutout for two connecting lines 44 indicated by dash-dotted lines forms an upper end. In order to be able to change the height of the trays 144 relative to the sleeve 3 on an erected mast 2 fastened to the floor and ceiling by exchanging the supporting elements and / or the bushes, it is expedient to have the clamping rings 11 '... 13' in two parts , or form a hinge opposite the cut so that they can be opened completely. For the same purpose, the sleeves 131, 131 'can have a half-shell design.

Under the head 4 there is also a bushing 131 ", which is supported on the clamping ring 11 '. This is not shown in the drawing, secured by means of a screw engaging in an annular groove in the sleeve 3. The bushings 131, 131' and 131 "are each provided with a cutout for connecting lines (44) at the lower end. Excess lengths of these lines can be stowed in the interior of the mast 2 or in the annular spaces between the bushes 131, 131 'and 131 "on the one hand and the sleeve 3 on the other hand.

As shown in FIG. 18, the housings of apparatuses can be provided with strips 145 and 146 so that they can be hung directly on the cams 134 of the support elements.

In the example according to FIGS. 19 to 22, the supporting mast has a 140 U profile. It is screwed onto two flange-like feet 139 on the floor. A closed square box profile forms the sleeve 3 surrounding the mast. As shown in FIG. 20, it is guided exclusively on four surface strips which are adjacent to two mutually opposite edges. The inner profile of the sleeve 3 is preferably produced by a broaching operation; the corresponding outer profile of the mast 2, as far as it carries, by longitudinal grinding. The sleeve 3 has openings 150 on its rear side, through which connecting lines can be guided into the interior of the mast 140.

In a lower area of the sleeve 141 a semi-ring-shaped table sheet 7 is attached, the larger part of which can be folded down along an axis 146 (hinge 147). A lever 160 can preferably be attached to the foldable part of the table top 7. brought, which, slightly angled, extends over the other part of the table top and has a rotatable eccentric 161 with knob 162 at its free end there. By adjusting the eccentric 161, which is designed to be self-locking, the inclination of the front table leaf part can be fixed.

Angular professional bars 142 and flat professional bars 143 are attached to the sleeve 3 as supporting elements, possibly only a sequence of the former at a suitable distance, between which a supporting edge 145 of wings 144 can be inserted. Such wings can have a parallelogram or circular-ring-shaped outline, so that the user located in the center of the table top looks perpendicularly to the front of the apparatus.

The open side of the support mast 140 forms a slot into which, not shown, an arm of the sleeve protrudes, which has an internal thread and represents a spindle nut. Analogous to the fourth embodiment, a spindle engages in this, which forms part of a linear motor attached to the upper end of the supporting mast.

The linear motor can be controlled using a personal computer that is primarily used for other purposes on the support system, the input signal of which can come from any sensors. For example, voice control can also be used.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 23 and 24, the mast 2 consists of a tube which has a slot 110, which is ground parallel to the lamella, and which leads close to the lower end of the mast 2. It is slightly conical in the area of its upper end, but is ground cylindrical in the rest. A ring 201 with an inner cone is drawn warm on the cone surface, a plate 202 being inserted in the slot 110, the thickness of which corresponds to the nominal value of the width of the slot 110. The ring 201 projects from the end of the mast 2 by the thickness of the edge of a cup 203. A rotary servo motor 40 is fixedly mounted in the cup 203. The edge of the cup shows a right square exception, in which the plate 202 engages. A threaded spindle 38 leads from the servomotor 40 vertically downwards through a central bore in the cup 203. It is extended at the bottom by a tube 204 which extends to the lower end of the mast 2. This prevents a moving loop of a connecting line 231 from getting caught under the end of the spindle.

The mast 2 is surrounded by a sleeve 3 which has a milled longitudinal slide 205. At the top, this ends at a bracket 206 projecting inwards, which is connected to a spindle nut 207, in which the spindle 38 engages. At the bottom, the longitudinal slot 205 ends at a head section 210, from which a table surface 7 projects horizontally. A nose 211 projects into the slot 110 of the mast toward the inside. It has two parallel sliding surfaces, the spacing of which is a little less than the nominal value of the width of the slot 110 in the mast. The console 206 is also provided with such sliding surfaces. Nose 211 and bracket 206 are of particular importance, since they support the mast 2, which is weakened by the slot 110, in the essential ends of the area against lateral denting when the sleeve or the table sheet 7 is subjected to a strong one-sided load. Because of the mentioned only slight running play on the Parallel running surfaces of the slot 110 can occur on the mast 2 with one-sided loading of the sleeve 3 only correspondingly small deformations which do not cause permanent changes in shape. The servomotor 4 is switched off by an overcurrent switch in the event of excessive friction.

In the example according to FIGS. 23 and 24, the carrying elements 11 and 12 each consist of a ring 221 opened by a slot 220. The slot 220 is somewhat wider than the slot 110, so that the ring 221 can be slightly twisted relative to the sleeve 3 without connecting cables being sheared off. On both sides of the slot 220 there is a dovetail cutout 223, in which the vertical edges of the resilient cover 222 are seated. The rings 221 are firmly connected to wings 144. They can be clamped to the sleeve 3 by means of worm screws 225. Supported vertically the rings 221 are formed by spacer rings 226, which are designed like the rings 221 with respect to the slot 220 and cutouts 223 and which can also be sealed with a cover 222 each. The spacer rings 226 are of different heights, so that the height of the wings 144 relative to the sleeve 3 can be adjusted as desired.

On the uppermost ring 221 there is a cover ring 230 which receives a connecting line 231 coming from the level of an uppermost wing 144, whereupon it passes through the slot 110, the interior of the mast 2 and again through the slot 110 to approximately the level of the table top 7 is performed. 25 shows in perspective a sectoral section of the cover ring 230, a passage opening 232 for the connecting line 231 and one of three bores 233 with a slot-like extension distributed on the circumference of the inner flange of the cover ring 230 being recognizable. The cover ring can be attached in a manner known per se to three screws fastened in the upper end face of the uppermost ring 221 and secured in the counterclockwise direction by slight rotation.

On the covers 222 and 222 ', which are preferably made of plastic, cutouts corresponding to the passage opening 232 are prepared by embossing from the inside such that, if necessary, easily suitable cutouts for connecting lines can be made, for example with a pocket knife. The present embodiment is therefore particularly suitable for inconspicuously routing cables to be laid between the individual floors and for stowing excess lengths, even if the cables end at bulky plugs.

As shown in FIG. 26, the sleeve 3 in the example according to FIGS. 23 and 24 can be composed of three pieces: a continuously slotted middle piece 301, a console ring 302 and the table top 303, which here forms the head at the same time. Console ring 302 and table top 303 each have a nose protruding into slot 110 of mast 2. The sleeve 3 according to FIG. 26 is supported laterally only in the area of the parts 30 and 303 on the mast 2. The unprocessed inner surface of the middle piece 301 has a slightly larger diameter than the machined parts 302 and 303, so that it does not touch the mast 2.

Instead of the support elements 11 and 12 in FIG. 23, support plates can also be provided, which have a cutout corresponding to the outer diameter of the sleeve 3 and, at the top and bottom, each have an annular groove concentric therewith for receiving the edge of adjacent bushes. In this case, means are still available to connect the support plates and the bushes, as well as any further ring bodies arranged on the sleeve 3, to the table plate in a vertical, non-positive manner.

Claims

1. Support system for apparatus, in particular office apparatus, with adjustable support elements (11, 12, 13) and at least one adjustable work surface (7, 8), characterized in that the support elements and the work surface are arranged on a sleeve (3) which vertically displaceable, is guided on the outside of a supporting mast (2).

2. Carrying system according to claim 1, characterized in that in the area of the mast, a manually or by external energy actuated linear actuator (38, 39, 40), preferably with a spindle (38), is arranged for adjusting the sleeve (3).

3. Support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting mast (2) has at least one longitudinal slot (110) and that at least one connecting line (44, 231) for energy and / or information is guided through at least one such longitudinal slot.

4. Support system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting mast (2) is designed as a hollow beam open on one side, preferably with a U-profile (140), the open side of the profile serving as a longitudinal slot.

5. Support system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that support elements for apparatus and / or work surfaces as clamping rings (10 ', 11', 12 ') sit on the sleeve (3) and / or the mast (2).

6. Support system according to claim 5, characterized in that such clamping rings on adjacent, connecting lines concealing support (131) or clamping rings (10, 11) are supported.

7. Carrying system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized ge indicates that the supporting mast is provided with means for fastening to the floor (114) and / or to the ceiling (116) of a room.

8. Carrying system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the supporting mast has a multi-arm base (1, 25, 26) with rollers (75).

9. Carrying system according to claim 8, characterized in that all of the arms of the foot are telescopically shortenable to at least one and / or pivotable in the horizontal plane.

10. Carrying system according to claim 2 with external actuator actuated linear actuator, characterized in that means are provided to control the actuator manually and / or by a programmer influenced by any input variables.