WO2008074143A1

WO2008074143A1 - Adjustable table

Info

Publication number: WO2008074143A1
Application number: PCT/CA2007/002312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Janic Normand; Raymond Mitchell
Original assignee: Janic Normand; Raymond Mitchell
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-12-19
Publication date: 2008-06-26
Also published as: US20080149000A1

Abstract

An adjustable table has a pair of substantially parallel legs pivotally mounted to a base and extending upwardly to connect pivotally to a table top support to thus enable the table top support to cant between a forward-leaning posture and a rearward-leaning posture. A table top is rotationally mounted to the table top support to enable the table top to rotate relative to the base. The table top can have an upper panel that extends horizontally relative to a lower panel. The table top can also have a tilting mechanism to tilt the upper panel of the table top relative to the lower panel. Telescopic legs can furthermore provide height adjustment. This table can adopt multiple configurations and postures, thus providing an ergonomic, adjustable table for a variety of uses and applications.

Description

ADJUSTABLE TABLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to tables and, more particularly, to adjustable tables capable of adopting multiple postures.

BACKGROUND

There exist a large number of designs for adjustable tables. Side tables and bedside tables equipped with vertically adjustable stands or posts are known in the art, e.g. US 6,802,265 and EP 0 566 509. Tables having table tops capable of both vertical adjustment and horizontal extension are also known, e.g. US 5,606,917. Tray-type tables that unfold from central consoles (in aircraft and trains) are also well-known, e.g. US 6,347,590; US 3,968,992; and DE 10044414. Bedside tables that swivel, for example, over a bedridden patient, are also well known, e.g. DE 10315983 and GB 189922430. Furthermore, side tables that swing over a desk or other workplace are also known, e.g. DE 19849815 and JP 2003235651.

Although a number of prior-art tables are capable of adopting multiple configurations and postures, further improvements and refinements to these technologies remain highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable table capable of adopting multiple configurations and ergonomic postures for a variety of uses and applications. An aspect of the present invention thus provides an adjustable table including a base for stabilizing the table and a pair of substantially parallel legs pivotally mounted to the base and extending upwardly to connect pivotally to a table top support to thus enable the table top support to cant between a forward-leaning posture and a rearward- leaning posture. The adjustable table also includes a table top rotationally mounted to the table top support to enable the table top to rotate relative to the base.

Various other embodiments of the present invention additionally provide a tilting mechanism for tilting the table top, a height-adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the table top relative to the base, and a table top that has an upper panel that extends (and possibly also rotates) relative to a lower panel.

The table in accordance with these embodiments is capable of multiple types of motion, thereby enabling it to adopt any one of a plurality of configurations and postures. This versatile and ergonomic table can be used as a living room side table or bedside table for reading, writing, working, eating, and for practically any other purpose for which tables are ordinarily and reasonably used in the household, or in other environments like hospitals, workplaces, hotels, etc. Due to its extreme versatility, i.e. its ability to assume any one of a number of configurations and postures, the table can be adjusted to suit a person lying or sitting up in a bed, or sitting on a sofa, armchair, recliner, or simply as an accessory table beside any other piece of furniture. Accordingly, the table can be used by persons of all ages, with full or limited mobility. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the preferred embodiment described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described the nature of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of illustration showing a preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a table in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention where the table is canted forward;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the same table shown in FIG. 1 but where the table is canted rearward;

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the table of FIG. 1, depicting how the table top can adopt a plurality of rotational postures;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the table top, shown partially in cross section, depicting a lockable rotation mechanism for rotating and locking the table top relative to the base;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the table top, shown partially in cross section, depicting the lockable rotation mechanism of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4D is an enlarged side view of the table top support, illustrating the spring-loaded lock plunger held within a bracket spot-welded to an underside of the table top support;

FIG. 4E is a bottom view of the table top support shown in FIG. 4D;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 1 where the table top has been rotated 180 degrees relative to the posture shown in FIG. 3 to allow for universal positioning in either a right- or left-sided posture;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a table having a sliding table top in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the table of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 6, showing the table top extended forward;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the table of FIG. 6, showing the table top extended forward;

FIG. IOA is a top plan view of the table of FIG. 6, showing the table top extended forward and rotated into one of a plurality of rotational postures;

FIG. 1OB is a side view of the extended table top, shown partially in cross section, depicting first and second lockable rotation mechanisms for rotating and locking the table top relative to the base and for rotating and locking the extended upper panel of the table top relative to the lower panel of the table top;

FIG. IOC is a bottom plan view of the upper panel of the table top shown in FIG. 1OB; FIG. 1OD is a top plan view of the lower panel of the table top, shown partially in cross section, as shown in FIG. 1OB;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a table having a tilting table top in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the table of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 11 with the table top tilted;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the table of FIG. 11 with the table top tilted in a first tilted posture;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the table of FIG. 11 with the table top tilted in a second tilted posture;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged side elevational view of the tilting mechanism and the stopper lip that extends when the table top is tilted;

FIG. 17 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of an extremity of the upper panel showing how a pin connects the stopper lip to the upper panel;

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the stopper lip;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the upper panel of the table top showing a pair of stopper slots for receiving respective stopper lips; FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a table having telescopic legs in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of the table of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 20 showing the table top adjusted to various heights;

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of the table of FIG. 20 showing the table top adjusted to various heights;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view, shown partially in cross-section, of a preferred embodiment of the height- adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the height-adjustment mechanism of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26A is an enlarged side view, shown partially in cross-section, of the height-locking pin mechanism of FIG. 24, shown in the unlocked position;

FIG. 26B is an enlarged side view, shown partially in cross-section, of the height-locking pin mechanism of FIG. 24, shown in the locked position; and

FIG. 26C is an enlarged front view, shown partially in cross-section, of the height-locking pin mechanism of FIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, in side and front elevational views respectively, an adjustable table 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable table 10 includes a base 12 for stabilizing the table. The base 12 can be made of cast iron (or of concrete coated with a polymer or of another aesthetically pleasing material) . The base 12 should have a large enough mass and a broad enough footprint to stabilize the table when a mass, e.g. a book, a plate of food, a laptop, etc., is placed on the table top to thus prevent the table from toppling over. Alternatively, the base 12 can have a different shape than what is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The base 12 can have bores through which fasteners can be inserted to affix the base to the floor. In another embodiment, the base 12 could be a flat metal plate upon which a bedpost or other piece of furniture can be rested to secure the table in place.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable table 10 includes a pair of parallel legs 14 pivotally mounted to the base 12 and extending upwardly to connect pivotally to a table top support 16 to thus enable the table top support 16 to cant between a forward-leaning posture (as shown in FIG. 1) and a rearward-leaning posture (as shown in FIG. 3) .

In a preferred embodiment, the legs 14 have ball joints 15 which are mounted in sockets 17 formed within the base 12, the sockets 17 having flared necks 19 to constrain canting of the legs 14 between the forward- and rearward- leaning postures. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 12, parallel legs 14 and table top support 16 together define a parallelogram mechanism. Due to the kinematics of this parallelogram mechanism, the table can only adopt either the forwarding-leaning posture shown in FIG. 1 or the rearward-leaning posture shown in FIG. 3. The parallelogram mechanism is unstable at any posture in between the two extreme, "resting" postures. Although the design of the parallelogram ensures that the table rests in only one of two possible postures, a variant of the table can include an optional locking bar (such as the one shown in French Patent FR 2809603) for bracing the parallelogram mechanism in one of the two postures, to ensure that the table top is not accidentally bumped into the other posture.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable table 10 includes a table top 20 rotationally mounted to the table top support 16 to enable the table top 20 to rotate relative to the base 12. In a preferred embodiment, the table top 20 is rotationally mounted to the table top support 16 by a lockable rotational mechanism, as will be elaborated below.

FIG. 4A is a top view of the table of FIG. 1, depicting how the table top 20 can adopt a plurality of rotational postures. Preferably, the table top 20 can rotate freely to any angle (and can then be locked in that rotational posture) . In other words, in one embodiment, the revolute joint (bearing or journal) is unconstrained so as to enable the table top 20 to rotate 360 degrees. In another embodiment, the table top can be made to rotate only 180 degrees clockwise and 180 degrees counterclockwise. In yet another embodiment, the table top

20 can be made to lock at only discrete, specific angles, e.g. every 15 degrees or every 30 degrees.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4B to 4E, the table top 20 includes a lockable rotation mechanism 50 that enables a user of the table to rotate and lock the table top at discrete angular intervals as shown in FIG. 4A. The lockable rotation mechanism 50 includes a spring- loaded lock plunger 52 (shown in FIG. 4B) which engages one of a plurality of holes 54 (shown in FIG. 4C) that are formed either directly in an underside of the lower panel 24 or, alternatively, in a disk mounted to the underside of the lower panel. The holes 54 can be arranged at 30-degree angular intervals, as shown in FIG. 4C, or at any other desirable spacing. As shown in FIG. 4D, the spring-loaded lock plunger has a knob 53 to enable a user to easily grip the plunger using, typically, one's thumb and first two fingers. The spring-loaded lock plunger 52 can be restrained by a bracket 56 (as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4D) that is spot-welded, fastened or otherwise securely mounted to the table top support 16. Preferably, the bracket is spot-welded (at spot welds 58) as shown in FIG. 4E although other spot-weld locations could be used. As mentioned above, other mechanical fastening techniques can be utilized. Accordingly, the table top 20 can be quickly and easily rotated relative to the base 12 by simply pulling downwardly on the knob 53 of the spring-loaded lock plunger 52 to unlock the table top. Once the table top has been rotated to the desired angular posture corresponding to one of the available holes 54, the spring-loaded lock plunger is simply released. Because it is spring-loaded, the lock plunger automatically moves upwardly into the corresponding hole 54 to lock the table top into place.

As further depicted in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the upper panel 22 of the table top 20 has a slider 70 that is integral with, or mounted securely to, the upper panel 22 and which depends downwardly from the upper panel 22 to fit into the longitudinal groove 26 formed in the lower panel

24 of the table top 20. This slider 70 has a disk 72 and an upright strut 74 connecting the disk to the upper panel.

The slider 70 (and the upper panel to which it is attached or integrally formed) slides within the longitudinal groove

26 formed in the lower panel 24 to thus enable the upper panel 22 to slide relative to the lower panel 24. The disk 72 ensures that the slider and upper panel remain slidingly connected to the lower panel. As will be elaborated below with respect to FIGS. 1OB to 1OD, the longitudinal groove 26 terminates in a circular end portion 80 of a diameter greater than the length of the strut so as to enable the slider and upper panel to rotate relative to the lower panel when the slider reaches the circular end portion 80.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 1 where the table top has been rotated 180 degrees relative to the posture shown in FIG. 3. In other words, by canting the table backwards into the rearward-leaning posture of FIG. 3, and then rotating the table top 180 degrees, the resulting posture of the table is thus the mirror image of the original posture of the table shown in FIG. 1.

Although the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a rectangular table top 20, it should be readily appreciated that the shape (as well as the length, width and thickness of the table top) can be varied. The table can be constructed from a variety of materials, including metals (e.g. steel or aluminum), woods and plastics, or combinations thereof.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the table top support 16 connects to the table top 20 at a position that is offset relative to a center of mass of the table top, thus dividing the table top into a short portion and a long portion. The table top 20 thus includes a counterweight 21 attached to the short portion to counterbalance the long portion. The counterweight can be designed to function as a double-sided drawer, as shown in this embodiment. In summary, the table top in accordance with the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 ("Model A") is capable of only two types of motion, namely (1) limited translation

(as the legs cant forward or rearward) and (2) rotation about the table top support.

FIGS. 6 to 1OD illustrate an adjustable table having a horizontally sliding, or extendable, table top 20 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. This sliding movement adds a third range of movement for the table top. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the table top 20 has two separate "layers", i.e. an upper panel 22 and a lower panel 24. In this embodiment, the lower panel 24 is rotationally mounted to the table top support 16 and the upper panel 22 is slidingly mounted to the lower panel 24 to enable the upper panel 22 to extend horizontally relative to the lower panel 24.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the upper and lower panels are preferably rectangular panels each having a thickness equal to half the thickness of the table top, although it should be appreciated that the shape and thickness of the upper and lower panels can be varied. In other words, in a variant, the table top can include upper and lower planar members having a different shape (e.g. oblong or elliptical) rather than rectangular.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 6, showing the upper panel 22 of the table top 20 extended forward. In other words, the upper panel 22 can slide, or translate, relative to the lower panel 24 and the table top support 16. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated by the top plan view of FIG. 9, the lower panel 24 of the table top 20 includes a longitudinal groove 26 which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lower panel and (more preferably) is substantially aligned with a longitudinal centerline 28 of the lower panel. The longitudinal groove 26 has a width dimensioned to slidingly receive an orthogonally disposed strut 74 of the slider 70 (as shown in FIG. 4C) that protrudes into the groove. The extremities of the longitudinal groove 26, of course, define the fully retracted position and the fully extended position for the upper panel. As will be appreciated, other sliding mechanisms known in the art can be employed to enable the upper panel to translate relative to the lower panel.

As shown in FIG. 1OA, the upper panel 22 can rotate relative to the lower panel 24 when the upper panel has been fully extended relative to the lower panel. In other words, the upper panel 22 can be extended forward relative to the lower panel 24 and can then be rotated relative to the lower panel into one of a plurality of rotational postures. Five such rotational postures are depicted in FIG. 1OA, although it should be appreciated that the upper panel can be designed to rotate freely to any angle.

As depicted in FIGS. 1OB to 10D, the table top can include a second lockable rotation mechanism 90 for enabling a user to rotate the upper panel 22 of the table top relative to the lower panel 24 and to lock the upper panel relative to the lower panel at one of a plurality of discrete angular postures. In other words, a first lockable rotation mechanism 50 enables the table top (both upper and lower panels) to be rotated (and locked) relative to the base while the second lockable rotation mechanism 90 enables the upper panel of the table top, when fully extended relative to the lower panel, to be rotated (and locked) relative to the lower panel (as shown in FIG. 10A) . As shown in FIG. 1OB, the second lockable rotation mechanism 90 includes a spring-loaded lock plunger 92 (like the spring-loaded lock plunger 52 described earlier) . The spring-loaded lock plunger 92 is disposed within a cavity 94 formed at a forward end of the underside of the lower panel, as shown in FIG. 1OB. The cavity 94 can be flared as shown to facilitate access to the spring-loaded lock plunger 92. The spring-loaded lock plunger engages one of a plurality holes 96 disposed in the underside of the upper panel 22 (or alternatively in a disk or plate disposed on or in the underside of the upper panel) .

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1OC, the underside of the upper panel 22 has twelve holes 96 spaced at equal 30-degree angular intervals, although another angular spacing could be utilized to provide finer or coarser angular adjustment of the upper panel of the table top. As was noted above, the strut 74 (shown in FIG. 4C) has a length smaller than the circular end portion 80 (shown in FIG. 10D) to enable the slider and upper panel to rotate relative to the lower panel only when the upper panel is fully extended relative to the lower panel. In other words, the slider must exit the longitudinal groove 26 before the slider 70 and upper panel 22 can be rotated relative to the lower panel 24. Similarly, to retract the fully extended upper panel, the upper panel must be positioned such that the strut 74 of the slider 70 aligns with the longitudinal groove 26.

FIG. 1OD shows the arrangement of the second lockable rotation mechanism 90 and its spring-loaded lock plunger 92 relative to the circular end portion 80. The lock plunger

92 is spaced a radial distance R from the center of the circular end portion 80 that is exactly equal (subject to suitable tolerances) to the radius R of the circle defined by the holes 96 in FIG. 1OC. This ensures that the spring- loaded lock plunger 92 will be able to engage one of the holes 96 when the upper panel 22 is fully extended such that the slider 70 is positioned within the circular end portion 80.

In summary, this second embodiment ("Model B") of the table has a table top that moves in four ways, namely: (1) the table top can translate over a limited range of motion by virtue of the canting of the parallel legs; (2) the table top can rotate relative to the table top support and base; (3) the upper panel of the table top can extend horizontally relative to the lower panel and base; and (4) the upper panel of the table top can furthermore rotate relative to the lower panel in addition to the rotation of the lower panel relative to the base.

FIGS. 11 to 15 illustrate a table 10 having a tilting upper panel 22 of the table top 20 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the table 10 further includes a tilting mechanism 30 for tilting the upper panel 22 between a flat posture and a tilted posture. The tilting mechanism 30 is preferably a locking mechanism which enables a user to lock the table top in the tilted posture. In a variant, the tilting mechanism 30 can lock at discrete angles between the flat and tilted postures. Alternatively, the tilting mechanism 30 can be designed to lock at any angle between the flat and tilted postures. In a preferred embodiment, the tilting mechanism 30 tilts an upper panel of the table top 20 relative to a lower panel of the table top 20 about a tilt axis 23 (shown in FIG. 13) that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the table top. FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 11 showing the table top tilted in dashed lines. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the upper panel of the table top tilts relative to the lower panel. In a preferred embodiment, the upper panel is the same size as the lower panel, although, in variants of this design, the upper panel and the lower panel can have different sizes.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are front elevational views of the table 10 showing how the upper panel 22 of the table top 20 can be tilted in either a first tilted posture or a second tilted posture. These dual postures provide left-handed and right-handed configurations. In other words, the table can be set up, for example, beside a recliner/sofa for swinging the table top over the recliner/sofa in order to provide a surface for setting food, books, games, or other objects. The tilting mechanism enables a user to tilt the table top for reading, for example. This dual tilting capability ensures that, whether the table is set up to the left or to the right of the recliner/sofa, the table can swing over the recliner/sofa and then be tilted into an ergonomic posture for the user.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and in greater detail in FIGS. 16 to 19, the table 10 preferably has a stopper 25 (or stopper lip) that protrudes outwardly when the table top is tilted. The stopper lip 25 provides an angled ledge against which an object 27 (e.g. a book) can rest when the table top (or upper panel of the table top) is tilted into the tilted posture.

FIG. 16 shows an enlarged side view of the (lockable) tilting mechanism 30. The tilting mechanism 30, in this embodiment, includes two pivotally connected linkage arms

31, 32 which are, in turn, pivotally connected to the lower and upper panels, respectively, so that the arms can be folded (as shown on the left side of the tilting mechanism shown in FIG. 16) or unfolded/extended (as shown on the right side of the tilting mechanism shown in FIG. 16) . The arms lock when they are fully extended into the position shown on the right side of the tilting mechanism of FIG. 16.

Because the longitudinal bottom edges of the upper panel of the table top are beveled, the stopper is actuated, or "pushed" out, into the extended position (shown on the left side) when the table top is tilted. In other words, as shown in FIG. 16, when the table top is tilted, the beveled portion of the upper panel of the table top flattens against the lower panel, thus forcing the stopper lip 25 to extend upwardly. The stopper lip 25 at the other beveled end of the table top hangs downwardly such that a top edge of the stopper lip is flush with the top surface of the upper panel. The stopper lips 25 slide within corresponding stopper slots 36.

As shown in FIG. 17, each stopper lip 25 is partially restrained by a respective pin 33 which is inserted through a corresponding pin slot 34 (shown in FIG. 18) and into a transverse bore 35 in the side of the upper panel. Once the pin 33 is inserted into the bore 35, the pin slot 34 operates to limit the range of movement of the stopper lip 25 relative to the upper panel 22 of the table top. The length of the pin slots 34 determines the range of motion of each stopper lip 25 relative to the table top. The stopper lips 25 slide over a limited range of motion within respective stopper slots 36. As shown in FIG. 19, the stopper slots 36 are disposed lengthwise along the longitudinal edges of the table top. Each stopper slot 36 has a length corresponding to the length of the stopper lip 25.

In summary, this third embodiment ("Model C") of the table has a table top that can move as follows: (1) the table top can translate over a limited range of motion by virtue of the canting of the parallel legs; (2) the table top can rotate relative to the table top support and base; (3) the upper panel of the table top can extend horizontally relative to the lower panel and base; (4) the upper panel of the table top can furthermore rotate relative to the lower panel in addition to the rotation of the lower panel relative to the base; and (5) the upper panel of the table top can tilt.

FIGS. 20 to 23 illustrate a table 10 having telescopic legs 14a, 14b in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention. The telescopic legs 14a, 14b include a pair of inner elongated members 14b slidingly received within corresponding outer elongated members 14a.

The telescopic legs 14a, 14b can preferably be locked at various heights such as, for example, using a locking pin as will be elaborated below.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show the legs 14a and 14b adjusted to various heights. This is particularly useful for ensuring that the table top is ergonomically positioned vis-a-vis the user. For example, if the table is being used by a person sitting in bed, the table top usually needs to be high relative to the base. On the other hand, if the table is being used by a person sitting in a chair, the table top needs to be low relative to the base. Because the height of the table top can be quickly and easily adjusted, this table can be used in a variety of environments, for example, in the household, in hospitals, in hotels or in offices .

FIGS. 24-26 show a height-adjustment mechanism 40 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The height-adjustment mechanism enables a user to adjust the height of the table top relative to the base. Since the inner leg 14b is attached to the table top 20 and since the outer leg 14a is attached to the base 12, raising or lowering the table top relative to the base requires that the inner leg 14b slide relative to the outer leg 14a

(telescopic motion of the legs) . As shown in the side view of FIG. 24, the height-adjustment mechanism 40 includes a height-locking pin 41 which is sized to engage one of a plurality of vertically disposed holes 42 formed in the outer leg 14a. The height-adjustment mechanism 40 also includes a leaf spring 43 for biasing the pin outwardly into engagement with one of the holes 42. The height- adjustment mechanism also has a pivot shaft 44 to enable a user to manually overcome the biasing force of the leaf spring to cause the pin 41 to retract from the hole 42. As shown in FIG. 24, a cable 45 is connected to the height- adjustment mechanism on a lever arm extending from the pivot shaft 44. The cable connects to a handle 46 over a transverse rod 47 as shown in FIG. 24. The handle 46 rests against a vertical abutment 49 (i.e. a downwardly depending shoulder) having an aperture 49a through which the cable 45 passes, as shown in FIG. 24. The vertical abutment 49 is integral with, or mounted to, the leg plate 48, which is part of, or mounted to, the table top support 16 described earlier.

As shown in FIG. 25, the user pulls back on the handle 46 to unlock the mechanism, i.e. to retract the pin 41 from the hole 42 by causing the leaf spring 43 to deflect such that it no longer forces the pin 41 into engagement with the hole 42. FIG. 26A is an enlarged side view of the height-locking pin 41, leaf spring 43 and pivot shaft 44 in this unlocked position. Once the table top has been raised or lowered to a new height, the handle is released, thus releasing the tension on the cable, which causes the leaf spring to bias the pin back into the hole corresponding to the newly selected height. FIG. 26B is a side view of the height-locking mechanism after it has returned to the locked position. FIG. 26C is a front view of the height- locking mechanism, showing how the pivot shaft 44 is mounted crosswise to the inner leg 14b by small, transversally extending pegs 44a that attach to the inner leg 14b. The pegs 44a thus fastens the inner leg 14b to the height-locking mechanism so that the inner leg 14b and height-locking pin 41 travel vertically in unison when the table top 20 is raised or lowered.

In summary, therefore, this fourth embodiment ("Model D") of the table has a table top 20 that can move in six ways, namely: (1) the table top can translate over a limited range of motion by virtue of the canting of the parallel legs; (2) the table top can rotate relative to the table top support and base; (3) the upper panel of the table top can extend horizontally relative to the lower panel and base; (4) the upper panel of the table top can furthermore rotate relative to the lower panel in addition to the rotation of the lower panel relative to the base;

(5) the upper panel of the table top can tilt; and (6) the height of the table top can be adjusted relative to the base. It should be appreciated that these different types of motion can be used together in various combinations and sub-combinations . Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An adjustable table comprising: a base for stabilizing the table; a pair of substantially parallel legs pivotally mounted to the base and extending upwardly to connect pivotally to a table top support to thus enable the table top support to cant between a forward-leaning posture and a rearward-leaning posture; and a table top rotationally mounted to the table top support to enable the table top to rotate relative to the base.

2. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the table top is rotationally mounted to the table top support by a lockable rotational mechanism.

3. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the legs comprise ball joints which are mounted in sockets formed within the base, the sockets having flared necks to constrain canting of the legs between the forward- and rearward-leaning postures.

4. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the table top comprises an upper panel and a lower panel, the lower panel being rotationally mounted to the table top support, the upper panel being slidingly mounted to the lower panel to enable the upper panel to extend relative to the lower panel.

5. The table as claimed in claim 2 wherein the table top comprises an upper panel and a lower panel, the lower panel being rotationally mounted to the table top support, the upper panel being slidingly mounted to the lower panel to enable the upper panel to extend relative to the lower panel.

6. The table as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a second lockable rotation mechanism for enabling the upper panel to rotate relative to the lower panel when the upper panel has been fully extended relative to the lower panel and further enabling the upper panel to be locked relative to the lower panel in one of a plurality of angular postures.

7. The table as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a tilting mechanism for tilting the table top between a flat posture and a tilted posture.

8. The table as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tilting mechanism comprises a stopper lip that extends to form a lower ledge of the upper panel when the table top is tilted.

9. The table as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tilting mechanism tilts and locks an upper panel of the table top relative to a lower panel of the table top about a tilt axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the table top.

10. The table as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a tilting mechanism for tilting the table top between a flat posture and a tilted posture.

11. The table as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a height-adjustment mechanism to enable a user to adjust a height of the table top relative to the base .

12. The table as claimed in claim 11 wherein the height- adjustment mechanism comprises telescopic legs to enable the height of the table top to be adjusted relative to the base.

13. The table as claimed in claim 12 wherein the height- adjustment mechanism comprises a pin attached to an inner leg for engaging one of a plurality of vertically disposed holes in an outer leg.

14. The table as claimed in claim 13 wherein the height- adjustment mechanism comprises a leaf spring for biasing the pin into engagement with one of the plurality of vertically disposed holes.

15. The table as claimed in claim 14 wherein the height- adjustment mechanism comprises a cable connected to a lever arm connected to the leaf spring for deforming the leaf spring to disengage the pin from the hole.

16. The table as claimed in claim 15 wherein the height- adjustment mechanism comprises a handle disposed beneath the table top and connected to the cable to enable a user to adjust the height of the table top relative to the base by pulling back on the cable to temporarily deform the leaf spring.

17. The table as claimed in claim 16 wherein the cable is disposed tautly over a transverse rod disposed between legs of the table to convert a rearward pulling motion on the handle into a vertical, lifting motion on the inner leg to displace the inner leg relative to the outer leg.

18. The table as claimed in claim 17 wherein the legs comprise ball joints which are mounted in sockets formed within the base, the sockets having flared necks to constrain canting of the legs between the forward- and rearward-leaning postures.

19. The table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the table top support connects to the table top at a position that is offset relative to a center of mass of the table top, thus dividing the table top into a short portion and a long portion, the table top including a counterweight attached to the short portion to counterbalance the long portion.

20. The table as claimed in claim 18 wherein the table top support connects to the table top at a position that is offset relative to a center of mass of the table top, thus dividing the table top into a short portion and a long portion, the table top including a counterweight attached to the short portion to counterbalance the long portion.