WO2022003576A1

WO2022003576A1 - Cabinet levelling foot

Info

Publication number: WO2022003576A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/055833
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wim Jan DE BRUIN
Original assignee: Designerscope Limited
Priority date: 2020-06-30
Filing date: 2021-06-30
Publication date: 2022-01-06

Abstract

A leg for supporting a cabinet on a floor. The leg comprising a threaded part secured to the cabinet and a rotatable foot part threadingly engaged with the threaded part. The foot part comprising a bevel gear and a spur gear. Each of these gears allows the foot part to be rotated by a tool that has one driving gear complimentary to the spur or bevel gear. Such driving causing the threaded engagement to move to thereby lengthen or shorten the leg.

Description

CABINET LEVELLING FOOT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a height adjustable leg for levelling or adjusting the height of cabinetry such as kitchen, bathroom or laundry cabinetry, or an appliance, or other object that requires height or levelling adjustment. The present invention may also relate to a foot for forming part of a height adjustable leg, the foot comprising at least two different types of drivable driven members, and a tool for adjusting the height of a height adjustable leg via an engagement of at least one driving member with at least one of said driven members.

BACKGROUND

Height adjustable legs that are used to support cabinets, appliances, furniture or the like are known. They typically comprise a vertically extending threaded shaft received in a corresponding threaded socket fixed to an appliance or cabinet to be height adjusted or levelled. The socket is fixed to the object, so that rotation of the shaft causes a foot of the leg to move axially relative to the socket to set the height of the object supported by the foot. To rotate or turn the threaded shaft in the corresponding threaded socket, the foot may comprise an engagement feature such as a hexagonal or square profile to which a laterally extending tool such as a spanner may engage. Alternatively the foot may be rotated by hand by a user.

A tool used for adjusting the height of the leg may engage the foot from a lateral direction. By lateral is mean from the side of the foot and this may for example be a in a direction perpendicular to the elongate lengthwise direction of the foot and its elongate axis. A tool such as a spanner when engaged with the foot extends laterally from the foot to provide a moment arm for turning the foot. A user adjusts the height of the leg by moving the handle of the tool through an arc about or around the foot. Movement of the handle of the tool around the foot can be impeded by adjacent feet, equipment, walls, or cabinetry positioned beside the object being height adjusted, or the object itself, such that the foot may be adjusted only through a series of repeated short arc lengths. Height adjustment of a leg may hence require a user to disengage and re-engage the tool and foot many times to turn the foot through a sufficient amount of angular movement within a limited arc length or angle of rotation. This can be time consuming and alignment may not be easy to achieve each time the tool is to be re-engaged. Alignment vertically, tangentially and radially is necessary in order to re-engage.

Adjustment of a foot located at the rear of a cabinet or appliance may be difficult, as an extra long tool handle may be required to reach the back feet from the front of the cabinet, such that the adjustment arc for the tool handle to operate in is further limited. Additionally, alignment between the jaw of the tool and the corresponding engagement feature on a rear foot can be difficult due to the difficulty in viewing and/or reaching the rear feet of a cabinet. A user may be required to lie down on a floor surface to view the rear feet in order to properly engage an adjustment tool to the foot for height adjustment. Tools such as standard spanners or screw drivers typically used to adjust height adjustable legs are not designed specifically for the purpose of adjusting a height adjustable leg. The use of non specific tools or adjusting a leg by hand can present health and safety issues for the user.

In an alternative height adjustable leg, the threaded shaft of the leg may be received in a threaded collar or sprocket that is fixed in height relative to the object to be levelled, but free to rotate. Rotation of the threaded shaft of the foot is prevented, for example by a flat section or sections on the threaded shaft received in a corresponding socket fixed to the object to be height adjusted. Rotation of the collar causes the shaft to move axially relative to the collar to set the height of the object supported by the foot. The collar may comprise an engagement feature such as a hexagonal or square profile to which a laterally extending tool such as a spanner may engage. Adjustment of a foot threaded shaft and collar arrangement may have similar problems for height adjustment as described above; limited adjustment arc length and difficulty in aligning the tool and the collar for adjustment.

A height adjustable leg for a cabinet and corresponding removable tool is described in DE202019102684U1. DE202019102684U1 discloses a tool with one or two spur gear driving members configured to specifically engage a spur gear on a height adjustable leg with a rotatable foot. The tool is only able to be used on a foot with a spur gear configuration.

A height adjustable leg for a cabinet and corresponding removable tool is described in WO2015/053637. WO2015/053637 discloses a tool with a bevel gear driving member configured to specifically engage a corresponding bevel gear on a height adjustable leg with a rotatable foot. The tool is only able to be used on a foot with a bevel gear configuration.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer, but also allowing for future potential substitute materials that may emerge over time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foot and/or height adjustable leg which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a foot for adjusting the height of a cabinet from a supporting surface, the foot comprising at least one bevel gear and at least one spur gear, the at least one bevel gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven by a corresponding driving bevel gear, and/or the least one spur gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven a corresponding driving spur gear, the driving bevel gear and driving spur gear located on the same or separate removeable tool or tools, wherein rotation of the foot adjusts the height of said cabinet via a threaded formation of the foot threadingly engaged with and rotating relative a complimentary threaded part of or engaged with the cabinet.

In a second aspect the present invention consists in a foot for adjusting the height of a cabinet from a supporting surface, the foot comprising a first driven gear and at least one second driven gear, the first driven gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven by a corresponding first driving gear, and/or the least one second driven gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven a corresponding second driving gear, the first driving gear and second driving gear located on the same removeable tool or on separate removeable tool, wherein the first driving gear has an axis of rotation orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the second driving gear, wherein rotation of the foot adjusts the height of said cabinet via a threaded formation of the foot rotating relative a threaded part of the cabinet. In one embodiment, the first driven gear and second driven gear are configured to mesh with corresponding gears that in use comprise rotational axes orthogonal to one another.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a foot for adjusting the height of a cabinet from a supporting surface, the foot comprising at least one bevel gear and at least one spur gear, the at least one bevel gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven by a corresponding driving bevel gear, and/or the least one spur gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven a corresponding driving spur gear, the driving bevel gear and driving spur gear located on the same or separate tool or tools removable coupleable with the foot, wherein rotation of the foot adjusts the height of said cabinet via a threaded formation of the foot threadingly engaged with and rotating relative a complimentary threaded part of or engaged with the cabinet.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a length adjustable leg for supporting and adjusting the height of a cabinet, appliance or structure supported on a supporting surface, the leg comprising: a. a threaded part secured to said cabinet, appliance or structure in a manner to move with said cabinet, appliance or structure at it is adjusted in height b. a foot part to be supported by the supporting surface and comprising a threaded formation in or for threaded engagement with the threaded part, such that rotational movement between the threaded part and threaded formation adjusts the length of the leg, wherein one of (a) the threaded part and (b) the foot part comprises; i. a first driven member configured as a gear, and ii. a second driven member configured as a gear, each capable of releasably meshing with a complementary shaped first rotationally driving member and a second rotationally driving member respectively presented by one or by two separate tools, that when rotated cause the threaded part to rotate relative the foot part via one of said first and second driven members to adjust the length of the leg

In one embodiment, said tool is adapted to releasably maintain engagement with the foot.

In one embodiment, the tool comprises one or both of the driving bevel gear and driving spur gear. In one embodiment the bevel gear projects upwardly and radially outwardly.

In one embodiment, the foot has a longitudinal axis that in use extends vertically and to which the spur gear and bevel gear are concentric.

In one embodiment the bevel gear is located below the spur gear when the foot is in use.

In one embodiment the diameter of the spur gear is at or approximate the inner diameter of the bevel gear.

In one embodiment the diameter of the spur gear is greater or smaller than the inner diameter of the bevel gear

In one embodiment, the driving bevel gear is driven by a torque input for applying torque to the driving bevel gear.

In one embodiment, the driving spur gear is driven by a torque input for applying torque to the driving spur gear.

In one embodiment, said tool is adapted to engage the foot laterally from any angular direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the foot.

In one embodiment, the foot comprises an externally or internally threaded member to rotate about an axis of rotation coaxial the axial direction with the at least one bevel gear and at least one spur gear and to engage with the internally or externally threaded part to allow the distance between the foot and the cabinet to be adjusted upon rotation of the foot relative the threaded member about the axis of rotation.

In one embodiment, the spur gear is adjacent more the supporting surface than the bevel gear.

Alternatively, the bevel gear is adjacent more the supporting surface than the spur gear.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a leg for supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure on or against a supporting surface, the leg comprising: a. a threaded part secured (and preferably rotationally fixed) to said cabinet, appliance or structure b. a rotatable foot part comprising a i. a first driven member configured as a gear ii. a second driven member configured as a gear, and iii. a threaded formation complementary adapted to engage with the threaded part, such that rotational movement between the threaded part and threaded formation adjusts the length of the leg, wherein the first driven member and second driven member are adapted to be driven by a tool with a complementary shaped driving member.

In one embodiment, the leg is elongate with a longitudinal axis corresponding with an axial direction, and to which the first driven member and second driven member are concentric.

In one embodiment, the threaded part is a. a threaded socket, or b. a threaded shaft.

In one embodiment, the first driven member and second driven member are adapted to releasably mesh with the driving member(s) of the tool.

In one embodiment, the first driven member or second driven member, or both the first driven member and second driven member, are configured to be driven by one or more driving members of said tool, and/or either the first driven member or second driven member, or both the first driven member and second driven member are configured to releasably mesh with one or more driving members of said tool.

In one embodiment, the first driven member has a rotational axis colinear with the second driven member.

In one embodiment, the first driven member rotational axis is parallel a rotational axis of the driving member.

In one embodiment, the first driven member rotational axis is orthogonal to a rotational axis of the driving member.

In one embodiment, the first driven member is configured as a spur gear. In one embodiment, the first driven member is configured as a spur gear capable of meshing with a spur gear of the tool.

In one embodiment, the first driven member is configured as a spur gear capable of meshing with a worm gear of the tool.

In one embodiment, the first driven member comprises teeth extending radially out from the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the first driven member is located within a slot or channel.

In one embodiment, the first driven member is located at the periphery of the second driven member.

In one embodiment, the foot comprises multiple first driven members.

In one embodiment, the foot comprises multiple first driven members that are discontinuous from each other.

In one embodiment, the foot is configured to be rotated by different multiple driving members.

In one embodiment, the first driven member is driven by two or more driving members configured as spur gears.

In one embodiment, the second driven member is configured as a bevel gear.

In one embodiment, the second driven member is configured as a bevel gear presented to engage and mesh with a bevel gear of the tool.

In one embodiment, the second driven member is configured as a bevel gear.

In one embodiment, the second driven member is configured as a gear presented to engage and mesh with a worm gear of the tool.

In one embodiment, the second driven member is configured as a bevel gear.

In one embodiment, the second driven member is configured as a spur gear and presented to engage and mesh with a spur gear of the tool and/or by a hook tool as herein described. In one embodiment, the second driven member comprises teeth facing at an obtuse angle away from said longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the second driven member comprises teeth facing towards the cabinet, appliance or structure

Alternatively, the second driven member comprises teeth facing away from the cabinet, appliance or structure.

In one embodiment, the tool and the foot are complementarily adapted so that the tool is isolated axially relative to the foot in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the foot comprises an axial bearing surface configured to interface with a corresponding axial surface on said tool to provide said axial isolation.

In one embodiment, the foot comprises two axial bearing surfaces configured to interface with two complementary surfaces on said tool to provide said axial isolation.

In one embodiment, the foot comprises two or more axial bearing surfaces configured to interface with two or more complementary surfaces on said tool to provide said axial isolation.

In one embodiment, the axial isolation prevents the tool from moving in a direction selected from one or more of towards and away from the supporting surface.

In one embodiment, the axial bearing surface(s) are discontinuous.

In one embodiment, the axial bearing surface(s) are formed as part the teeth of one or both of the first driven member and second driven member.

In one embodiment, the axial bearing surface interfaces with a corresponding axial bearing surface on said tool so that contact between the axial bearing surface and the corresponding axial bearing surface releasably retains said tool to the foot in an axial direction to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member or driving members and one or both of the first driven member and second driven member. In one embodiment, the corresponding axial bearing surface or surfaces on said tool are one or more of; flat, angled, continuous, discontinuous, stationery, and rotatable.

In one embodiment, the axial bearing surface is at an angle of 0 to 30 degrees, where 0 degrees is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the foot.

In one embodiment, the axial isolation maintains engagement of the driven bevel gear with the corresponding driving member or driving members.

In one embodiment, the tool and the foot are complementarily adapted so that the tool is laterally secured relative to the foot in a lateral direction lateral to the longitudinal axis when engaged with the coupling.

In one embodiment, the foot comprises a lateral bearing surface or surfaces configured to interface with a complementary surface or surfaces on said tool to provide said lateral security between the tool and foot.

In one embodiment, the tool and the foot are complementarily adapted so that the tool is secured relative to the foot in both an axial and lateral direction.

In one embodiment, the first and/or second driven members are integrally with the foot.

In one embodiment, the threaded part is integrally with the foot.

In one embodiment, the leg comprises a spacer engaged with, and rotationally isolated from, the foot.

In one embodiment, the spacer is adjacent the supporting surface.

In one embodiment, the spacer is part of the foot.

In one embodiment, the spacer comprises the one or more corresponding axial bearing surfaces.

In one embodiment, the spacer comprises the one or more first or second driven members.

In one embodiment, the spacer is removeable from the foot. In one embodiment the spacer is able to be selected for use with the foot and be added to the foot.

In one embodiment the spacer is able to be selected from a set of spacers for use with the foot and be added to the foot, selected to match the driving member of the tool.

In one embodiment the leg is able to be adapted by the use of a spacer selected from a set of spacers, the selected spacer able to engage with the leg in a manner to be presented for driving the foot when the a driving member is coupled to the selected and engaged spacer. In one embodiment, the spacer is comprised of multiple parts that are removable from each other to adjust the height of the spacer, and/or driven member if present on the spacer.

In one embodiment, the leg is adapted to receive the tool laterally from any angular direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the leg.

In one embodiment, the foot is adapted to be driven by the tool with the tool held in a stationary angular position relative to the leg when the driving member drives the either one or both of the first driven member and second driven member

In one embodiment, the foot is adapted to be driven by said tool whilst continuously engaged with the foot and the driving member drives either one or both of the first driven member and second driven member to rotate the foot about the longitudinal axis of the leg in both directions so that the direction of height adjustment of the leg can be reversed without removing said tool from the leg.

In one embodiment, the one or both of the first driven member and second driven member is attached to the threaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In one embodiment, the one or both of the first driven member and second driven member is releasably attached to the threaded socket or the threaded shaft.

In one embodiment, the foot remains at a fixed height relative to supporting surface on which the leg is to be positioned when supporting or aligning the cabinet, appliance or structure.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a length adjustable leg having an elongate axial direction, for supporting the cabinet and comprising: (i) a first part for securing to or forming part of the cabinet and presenting an external or internal threaded region,

(ii) a foot comprising a rotatable foot part that comprises at least two driven members and an externally or internally threaded member to rotate about an axis of rotation coaxial the axial direction with the driven members and to engage with the internally or externally threaded region of the first part to allow the distance between the foot and the cabinet to be adjusted upon rotation of the foot part relative the first member about the axis of rotation.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to consist in an apparatus or system for adjusting the height of a cabinet above a supporting surface comprising:

(a) a length adjustable leg having an elongate axial direction, for supporting the cabinet and comprising:

(iii) a first part for securing to or forming part of the cabinet and presenting an external or internal threaded region,

(iv) a foot comprising a rotatable foot part that comprises at least two driven members and an externally or internally threaded member to rotate about an axis of rotation coaxial the axial direction with the driven members and to engage with the internally or externally threaded region of the first part to allow the distance between the foot and the cabinet to be adjusted upon rotation of the foot part relative the first member about the axis of rotation, and

(b) a tool comprising at least one of the at least two configurations of driving member, a torque input for applying torque to the driving member, the tool adapted to laterally engage the leg and allow the driven member and foot part to be driven by the driving member about the axis of rotation for length adjustment of the leg.

Preferably a first of the driven members is configured to be driven by a first configuration of driving member that, is use, has a rotational axis parallel to the at axis of rotation of the least one of driven member, and a second of the driven members is configured to be driven by a second configuration of driving member that, in use, has a rotational axis perpendicular to second driven member.

Preferably a first of the driven members is configured to be driven by a first configuration of driving member that, is use, has a rotational axis parallel to the at axis of rotation of the least one of driven member, and a second of the driven members is configured to be driven by a second configuration of driving member that, in use, has a rotational axis not parallel to the axis of rotation of the second driven member.

Preferably a first of the driven members is configured to be driven by a first configuration of driving member that, is use, has a rotational axis parallel to the at axis of rotation of the least one of driven member, and a second of the driven members is configured to be driven by a second configuration of driving member that, in use, has a rotational axis tangential to the second driven member.

In one embodiment, the at least two driven members comprise a spur gear and a bevel gear.

In one embodiment, the two configurations of driving member are a spur gear and a bevel gear.

In one embodiment, wherein one of the at least two configurations a said driving member is a worm gear.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a tool for driving a height adjustable leg supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure comprising two driving members and a torque input for applying torque to the driving members, the tool adapted to releasably maintain engagement with a foot of a height adjustable leg comprising both a spur gear driven member and bevel gear driven member to allow the one or more driving members to drive one or both of the respective driven members to adjust the height of the cabinet, appliance or structure, wherein the driving members are a spur gear and bevel gear, the driving members adapted to releasably mesh with the respective driven member of the foot.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a foot for forming part of a height adjustable leg for supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure, the foot comprising at least two driven members comprising of two different types of gears, the foot adapted to releasably maintain engagement with a tool comprising a driving member configured to releasably mesh with and drive at least one of the driven members to rotate the foot about a longitudinal axis of the leg for height adjustment of the leg.

In one embodiment, the at least two driven members are comprised of a spur gear and a bevel gear, and the driving member is a spur gear or bevel gear respectively.

In one embodiment, the at least two driven members are comprised of a spur gear and a bevel gear, and one of the driving members is a worm gear. In one embodiment, the tool comprises one of the following: a. a spur gear only, b. a bevel gear only, or c. a spur gear and bevel gear.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification [and claims] means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting statements in this specification [and claims] which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements s, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1: shows a front top perspective view of a foot.

Figure 2: shows a side cross-sectional view of a foot engaged with a bevel gear drive tool. Figure 3A: shows a side cross-sectional view of a foot engaged with a spur gear drive tool, where the driving member 51 is driven by a gear arrangement 80 (eg worm gear and corresponding gears) driven by the connecting rod.

Figure 3B: shows a plan view of the gear arrangement 80 that includes a worm gear and corresponding gears driven by the connecting rod to drive two driving members that both drive the driven member.

Figure 3C: shows a variation of Figure 3B, in plan view, the gear arrangement 80 that includes a worm gear and corresponding gears driven by the connecting rod to drive one driving member drives the driven member.

Figure 3D: shows a variation where the foot is adapted to be driven by a worm gear acting as the driving member, the foot also including a Hex engagement region for being driven by a Hex driver as an alternative means of rotating the foot.

Figure 3E: shows a variation of figure 3D where the foot is adapted to be driven by a worm gear acting as the driving member, the foot also including a Philips head engagement region for being driven by a Philips head driver as an alternative means of rotating the foot.

Figure 4: shows a side perspective view of a foot where the spur driving member is engaged with the spur gear driven member, where the tool apart from its driving member is hidden clarity.

Figure 5: shows a side perspective view of a foot where the spur gear driving member and bevel gear driving member is engaged with the driven members, where the tool apart from its driving members is hidden clarity.

Figure 6: shows a side perspective view of a foot with two first driven members and a second driven member engaged with a matched driving member.

Figure 7: shows a top side perspective view of a foot with a first driven member and a second driven member engaged with a matched driving member.

Figure 8: shows a side perspective view of a foot with a slot intermediate the first driven member and second driven member.

Figure 9: shows a side view of a foot with a slot intermediate the first driven member and second driven member, as well as a spacer below the base of the foot, the foot also comprising a threaded shaft extending from the foot.

Figure 10-12: shows a top view of a foot with one, two and three spur gear driving members respectively.

Figure 13: shows a top view of the foot of figure 12, with a bevel gear driving member engaged with the bevel gear driven member.

Figure 14: shows a side view of a foot where the spur gear first driven member is adjacently supporting sentence, and the second bevel gear driven member faces the supporting surface, a schematic tool with a bevel gear driving member supported by a spacer spacing the tool off the support surface.

Figure 14b: shows a view of the embodiment of figure 14 with the leg adjusted to the shortest position.

Figure 15: shows a top side perspective view of a foot with a first and second driven member and a corresponding first driving member.

Figure 16: shows a top side perspective view of a foot with a first and second driven member and a two corresponding first driving members, and a second driving member.

Figure 17: shows a top cross-sectional view of a tool engaged with a leg of an object.

Figure 18: shows a side cross-sectional view of a figure 17.

Figure 19: shows a top view of a tool.

Figure 20: shows a side cross-sectional view of figure 19.

Figure 21: shows a side top perspective view of a head of a tool engaging with a foot.

Figure 22: shows a hook tool engaged with the foot for causing rotation of the foot, the hook tool including a pawl for a ratchet like operation.

Figure 23: shows a hook tool engaged with the foot for causing rotation of the foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of a height adjustable leg comprising a first part 5 and an engageable foot 10, as well as a tool 50 for adjusting the length of the leg via the foot 10 are described with reference to the Figures. The same reference numerals are used throughout to designate the same or similar components in various embodiments described.

Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a height adjustable leg 1 and a tool 50 for adjusting the overall length of the leg 1 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The leg 1 is referred to herein as a leg for height adjustment of a cabinet, appliance or structure or other object 2. A person skilled in the art will understand the leg 1 could also be used for sideways support of an object, for example supporting a cabinet from a vertical wall.

In some embodiments the foot 10 comprises a threaded shaft 11. In use the threaded shaft 11 is received in the first part 5, in some embodiments, a threaded socket 5 or component (for example a nut), fixed to a cabinet, appliance or structure (herein an object) or other object to be height adjusted or leveled. The foot and threaded socket 11 (first part) preferably engaged together for a height adjustable leg. Rotation of the foot 10 and shaft 11 and in the socket 5 (first part) causes the foot 10 to move axially relative to the socket 11 to change the length of the leg 1 to adjust and allow setting of the height of the object supported by the leg 1 above the floor surface 4. Typically an object will be supported on two, three, four or more height adjustable legs 1 so that the height and level of the object may be adjusted. A base 12 of the foot 10 contacts a floor surface 4 or other surface supporting the object. In some embodiments the shaft 11 may be rotationally supported on the base 12, so that the base 12 rests on a floor surface 4 or other surface supporting the object without rotation when turning the shaft for height adjustment. Figure 2 and 3A shows a foot 10 having a threaded socket for threaded engagement with a threaded shaft of or fixed to the cabinet. This is a reversal of the threaded shaft/socket relationship of the height adjustable leg of Figure 9.

In some embodiments the shaft 11 may be fixed to the base 12 so that the base and threaded shaft turn together when adjusting the height of the supported object.

The threaded shaft 11 may comprise a thread along its full length or part way along its length. For example, in some embodiments the threaded shaft may have a threaded portion at an end of the shaft to engage a corresponding threaded socket part. In some embodiments the threaded shaft may comprise a hollow threaded portion. That is the threaded shaft may have an internal thread to mate with a corresponding threaded shaft or male thread, in other embodiments it may have an external facing thread as shown in Figure 9. In other words, in some embodiments the foot 10 may comprise a threaded socket having an internal thread to mate with a corresponding threaded shaft attached to the object being supported. An example of a foot comprising a threaded socket is illustrated in Figure 7.

A tool 50 may be used for turning or rotating the foot 10 to adjust the height of the object 2 via adjusting the length of the leg 1. The tool may comprise of one or more driving members 51 such at (a) a spur gear and (b) a bevel gear and (c) worm gear and (d) a bevel gear and spur gear. The foot 10 comprises at least two corresponding driven members 13, a first driven member 13A and a second driven member 13B, that are able to be driven by different driving members 51. This allows the foot 10 to be driven by (a) a tool that has multiple driving members 51, or (b) different tools that each have a driving member 51 different to one another. The foot 10 can hence engage with a variety of height adjustment tools rather than being restricted to a specific tool that may be only formatted with either a vertical (e.g. spur) or horizontal (e.g. bevel) driving gear. This provides purchasers /users of a leg having multiple driven members as herein described, some independence of tool type. It may also mean that manufactures of tools do not feel obliged to supply a range of different tool types. The provision of multiple driven members means that cabinet installers as an example, means that the tool required to be used by those installers is less leg specific. So long as the tool is complementarily adapted to at least one of the foot 10 driven member gear surfaces, then the tool 50 could provide the advantages of a tool-driven foot (as opposed to a solely manually turned foot).

For example, the foot 10 of the present invention is able to be driven by different tool systems. A foot 10 may for example comprise of a first driven member 13a (for example configured as a spur gear) and a second driven member 13b (for example configured as a bevel gear). Such a foot is able to be driven by one of: a. a tool with a complimentary driving member 51 (for example configured spur gear as shown in Figures 3 and 4 (tool hidden for clarity)), b. a tool with a complimentary driving member 51 (for example configured as a bevel gear as shown in Figure 2), and c. a tool with two complimentary driving members 51, (for example one configured as a spur gear and one configured as a bevel gear, as shown in Figure 5 (tool hidden for clarity)).

Figures 3D and 3E are representative of a tool presenting a driving member as a worm gear 160 able to mesh with a complimentary driven member of the foot as seen in these figures. The driven member driven by the worm gear may be spur gear that is also presented for being meshed with a spur gear driving member of another too.

The foot it also able to be rotated by hand by a person or by a cranking tool such as a hook tool or ratchet style tool able to couple for driving to the foot to for example the driven member. Examples of a hook tool are shown in figure 22 and 23 where the hook toll can engage with a spur gear driven member for being rotated by the hook tool when the hook tool is rotated.

Furthermore the leg may be designed to be driven by a driver such as a screwdriver or Hex driver. Figure 3D shows a receptacle 170 for receiving a Hex driver whereas figure 3E shows a receptacle for receiving a Philips head screw driver. In embodiments where a tool has two driving members 51: a first driving member 51a may be idle whilst the second driving member 51b may drive the driven member 13.

A driving member 51 may also comprise multiple gears. For example, a spur version of a first driving member 51 may comprise two spur gears 51ai, 51aii or three spur gears 51ai, 51aii, 51aiii. In the specification and claims where a driving member 51 is referenced, it may be in reference to a driving member 51 with multiple gears, be it spur or bevel. For example, a driving member 51 with one, two and three gears are shown in the embodiments shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12 respectively.

A first driven member 13a and/or second driven member 13b may also comprise multiple gears. For example as shown in Figures 6, 15 and 16. I.e. in Figure 16, first driven members 13ai and 13aii are driven or idled by respective driving members 5 lai and 5 laii ; further the second driven member 13b is driven or idled by respective driving member 51b.

Where in this specification and claims a spur gear is described, or spur gear in relation to another spur gear is described, then it is generally meant a, or part of a, gear system where the rotational axes of each intermeshing gear are parallel or substantially parallel to each other. Where in this specification and claims a bevel gear is described, or a gear in relation to another people gear is described, then it is generally meant a, or part of a, gear system where the rotational axes of each intermeshing gear are not parallel to each other, and preferably at 90° to each other.

In one embodiment, the teeth of a bevel gear may be at an angle of 0 to 30 degrees, where 0 degrees is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the foot.

There are many different types of spur gear and bevel gear systems. For example a bevel gear may also include; a spiral gear, a screw gear, a hypoid gear, a worm gear, and a face gear. A spur gear may also include a helical gear, or other gear systems where the rotational axes of the gears are parallel or close to parallel with each other. A spur gear may also engage with a worm gear, one of the few embodiments where the spur gear and pinion have non-parallel rotational axes.

The gear of the driven member and gear of the driving member are of course complementarily shaped so as to be able to releasably mesh with one another. Typically the smaller gear of the gear system, where the gear system is the driving gear and corresponding driven gear, is called the pinion gear. In one embodiment, the driving bevel gear and driving spur gear are located on the same or separate tool or tools. The driving bevel gear and driving spur gear are able to removable couple with the foot. In some embodiments, the driven member 13 is a rotary rack positioned to face upwardly. For a right hand threaded shaft, this arrangement ensures that right hand turning (clockwise) of the handle 52 of the tool works to lift the height of the object being supported. In an alternative embodiment the rotary rack may be positioned to face downwards, so that left hand turning of the handle works to raise the supported object. In a further alternative, the threaded shaft may comprise a left hand thread. With the rotary rack facing downwards and a left hand threaded shaft, right hand turning of the handle works to raise the object. The inventor considers that right hand turning of the tool handle for raising the object is a preferred arrangement as right hand turn of the handle to lift the object may be considered to be intuitive by a user. In yet another alternative, the threaded shaft may comprise a left hand thread, and the rack may face upwards so that left hand turning of the of the handle works to raise the supported object.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a handle 52 coupled directly or indirectly to the driving member 51 as shown in Figure 2, 3, 17 and 18. A connecting rod 65 may be used as shown in Figure 10. In the illustrated embodiment the rod coupled between the handle 52 and the driving member 51 is shrouded by an arm 53 extending between the driving member 51 and the handle 52. Rotation of the handle 52 about a longitudinal axis of the handle causes rotation of the driving member 51. With the tool engaged with the foot 10 the driving member 51 is engaged or meshed with the driven member 13 so that rotation of the handle 52 turns the threaded shaft 11 for height adjustment.

In the bevel gear embodiments, the driving member 51 rotates about a lateral axis relative to a longitudinal axis (shown in Figure 2 and 3) of the threaded shaft when driving the driven member 13. The driving member 51 drives the driven member 13 to rotate the driven member 13 about the longitudinal axis of the leg. In some embodiments the lateral axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft. In some embodiments the lateral axis is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft. In the spur gear embodiments, the driving member 51 rotates about an axis parallel the longitudinal axis (shown in Figure 2 and 3) of the threaded shaft when driving the driven member 13.

In some embodiments the tool comprises a joint 54 between the handle 52 and the driving member 51 so that driving member 51 has a rotational axis able to articulate from a rotational axis of the handle 52. For example joint is a universal joint. In some embodiments the articulation allows a user to move the handle up and down by rotation of the handle and arm about a substantially horizontal axis. This movement of the handle may ergonomically assist with use of the tool for height adjustment of the leg.

In some embodiments, the handle may be fitted with an interface for connecting an additional tool for applying torque to driving member via the handle.

For example, a hexagonal socket 61 as shown in Figure 20. A user may fit a tool such as a wrench or a power drill to the handle via the hexagonal socket to provide torque to the handle for turning the foot via the driving member. Whether a user turns the handle by hand or by a tool fitted to the handle may depend on the weight of the object being supported by the foot. The handle 52 and/or the interface 61 may be described as a torque input for applying torque to the driving member. The torque input allows a user to apply torque to the driving member, for example by hand using handle 52 wherein the handle is the torque input. In some embodiments the handle 52 is not fitted with an interface for attaching an additional tool, wherein the handle is the torque input. In some embodiments, the tool 50 does not have a handle, but comprises a torque input for attaching an additional tool to tool 50, for example interface 61. In some embodiments the handle of the tool does not rotate to turn the driving member. A user may hold the handle and rotate the driving member using an additional tool via the torque input, for example socket 61.

Other torque input examples are a slot for receiving a screw driver and a square or hexagonal male interface for being received in a female square or hexagonal socket of a drive tool.

In some embodiments the tool may be a power tool. That is, the tool may comprise an electric motor as the torque input for driving the driving member. A motor may be located in for example the arm of the tool, or somewhere between the handle and the driving member.

The foot 10 creates new options for further tool development as multiple gear surfaces can be used to increase the rotational force imparted on the foot 10 be the tool. As such, greater strength and pushing abilities of the leg can be created.

The tool 50 and the foot 10 are complementarily adapted to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member(s) 51 and the driven member(s) 13 to allow the driving member to drive the driven member to rotate the foot 10. The tool and the foot comprise complementary features to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the driven member when the tool is engaged with the foot. The tool and the foot comprise complementary features to releasably maintain engagement between the tool and the foot to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the driven member. In some embodiments, the tool and the foot comprise complementary features to assist with alignment of the tool with the foot when engaging the tool to the foot. The foot 10 may be described as a coupling or coupling part of the height adjustable leg for coupling to the tool so that the tool is releasably engagable to the height adjustable leg for height adjustment.

To engage correctly for operation to allow height adjustment, the tool 50 should be aligned correctly, and stay engaged with the foot 10 so that the driving member 51 and driven member 13 remain coupled together in a condition to ensure rotation transmission. The following conditions are typically required for this to happen;

-The driving member 51 is preferably to be registered axially (being in a direction parallel the elongate direction of the leg) to the driven member 13 (i.e. axially). This helps to prevent the driving member 51 from slipping up or down (with a vertical leg) away from the driven member. This is desirable for the bevel gear, as the bevel gear engagement has a reaction force that wants to push apart the gears. The spur gears also should stay in axial engagement, but there is less to no reaction force apart from gravity that axially pushes the spur gears away from one another.

-The driving member 51 is preferably registered at a desired rotational angle to the driven member 13 (off horizontal).

-The driving member 51 is preferably registered radially into the driven member 13 (to keep pinion engaged).

-The tool is preferably registered to the centre of the foot so that the driving member can apply rotational torque to the driven member (i.e. lateral alignment to keep driving member 51 engaged)

There are many features on both the tool and/or foot that can provide the above conditions. Some features may satisfy more than one condition. For lateral registration of the tool and the foot, in some embodiments, the tool comprises a lateral extension 56 for capturing or bearing against a lateral facing registration surface of the foot, for example lateral surface 14. Some examples of lateral surfaces 14 are shown in Figure 8. The lateral surface 14 is typically a diameter so the tool can engage from any lateral angle.

In some embodiments the tool may comprise a lateral extension 56 for capturing or bearing against the lateral facing surface 14 of the foot to releasably retain the tool to the foot in a lateral direction. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, the tool comprises two spaced apart lateral extensions 56. The lateral extensions 56 provide a jaw 63 for capturing the foot laterally to laterally register the tool to the foot.

In some embodiments, the jaw 63 captures the foot laterally to releasably retain the tool to the foot in a lateral direction to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member 51 and the driven member 13. A diameter of the foot is complementarily sized to bear against radially facing surfaces of the tool to laterally align the position of the tool correctly to the foot. For example, a diameter 14 of the foot may be complementarily sized to bear against radially inward facing surfaces 57 of the jaw 63 to laterally set the position of the tool correctly to the foot. When the tool engages with the foot the diameter 14 is received within the jaw.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 21, radial facing surfaces 69 may bear against an outside diameter of a circular flange 16. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1A to 10, radial facing surfaces 70 may bear against an outside diameter 14 of the driven member 13. In some embodiments the tool may comprise lateral extensions 56 for engaging an outer diameter of the threaded shaft 11 or part 5. For example, the tool lateral extensions 56 may engage the major diameter of the thread of the threaded shaft, the threaded shaft rotationally sliding on the radial facing surfaces 57 of the lateral extensions when the tool rotationally drives the foot. In some embodiments the foot may comprise a threaded socket and the lateral extensions may engage an outer diameter of the threaded socket.

In some embodiments the tool may comprise one lateral extension 56, as illustrated in Figure 11. The lateral extension may comprise a radially inward facing surface 57 that bears against the corresponding diameter 14 of the foot 10. In some embodiments the lateral extension 56 is provided to a side of the foot so that the radial inward facing surface 57 of the tool bears against the corresponding diameter of the foot when the tool is used to drive the threaded shaft of the foot in a direction to increase the height of the object being supported. This arrangement helps ensure the tool remains engaged to the foot laterally when driving the foot against the weight of the object being supported.

The spur gear drive tool and the bevel gear drive tool, or combination bevel/spur tool, desirably require lateral registration between the tool and foot for the tool to be able to rotate the foot.

The lateral extensions 56, or other like feature, may also be used for retaining and locating the driving members 51a. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 10-13, the driving members 51a are shown spaced adjacent from the axis of the direction of engagement the tool has with the foot 10 - shown by the thick dashed line. Drive to these gears 51a, off the axis of the control rod 65 may be via a gear system 80 or like system able to transmit the torque input to the driving members 51a.

Where there are multiple driving members 51, for example as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the driving members may be arranged such that they are capable of engaging with the foot from a lateral direction. Deflectable or openable jaws may be utilized, or the driving members so angled and spaced such that are able to slip past the driven member. The driving members may be initially idle so they are able to rotate as they engage with the foot.

Figures 3B and 3C show examples of how the gear system 80 may be designed to cause the driving members to rotate. In figure 3B there is shown a gear system that utilizes a worm gear 160 that is preferable presented at the end of and rotated by the connecting rod 65 (not shown in this figure). The worm gear is able to rotate two spur gear driving members 51Ci and 51CM via the intermediate gear shown in figure 3B. The two driving members are shown coupled to one driven member. The worm gear has an axis of rotation that is tangential to the driven member.

Figure 3C shows a variation where the worm gear directly drives the driving member 51D that is itself shown coupled to the driven member in in figure 3C. Figure 3D and 3E shows yet further variations where the tool's driving member presented for releasable coupling to a driven member of the foot is a worm gear. The worm gear may be driven itself by the connecting rod 65 (not shown in figures 3D or 3E)

Where there are two or more driving members, they may be located about the periphery of the foot. A skilled person in the art will realise that these gears should be able to be engaged with their respective driven member when the tool approaches the foot 10 from a radial direction. There are few options to achieve this, such as, for example in the case of multiple spur gears 51a, by having their retaining jaw or lateral extension flew or open up to allow the gears 51a to get around the diameter of the corresponding driven member 13a. Alternatively, the gears 51a may be so angled and located that they do not require movement. Alternatively, the gears 51a may be located about a smaller diameter of the foot 10, and then slip axially onto the driven member 13a.

In some embodiments the foot 10 of a height adjustable leg is comprised of a rotating or rotatable foot 10 and a spacer 100 as shown in Figure 9. The spacer may or may not rotate with the foot 10. The foot comprises or carries the driven members 13. The spacer 100 may engage the base 12 of the rotating foot 10 to support the foot 10 on the floor or supporting surface 4. The spacer 100 may be attached to the foot, or may be a separate item to be assembled to the foot, for example during installation. A spacer 100 may be useful where the foot 10 is supporting an object from a surface that is soft, for example a carpeted floor. A spacer 100 may also be used when overlay flooring is used where the foot would sit on the concrete below the level of the overlay floor, thus preventing tool engagement if the tool is supported by the overlay flooring. Where the leg sits on a carpeted floor or other soft surface, the weight of the object being supported by the leg may push the foot down into the carpet or soft surface such that the tool does not correctly align vertically with the foot when attempting to engage the tool to the foot. The spacer 100 may carry one or more of the lateral, axial or other registration surfaces that may be present on the foot.

In further embodiments, the spacer 100 may comprise an insert (not shown) that fits within a socket in the base 12 that allows the foot to bear against. The insert may easily rotate with respect to the axial alignment surfaces and lateral alignment surfaces (if present). For example the insert comprise a bearing that allows the insert to rotate with respect to the rest of the spacer 100. This easily rotational capability of an insert allows the spacer not to rely on a low friction interface between the rotating foot part of the leg and the spacer 100, or between the base part 100 and the tool. In an alternative embodiment, the insert may be a very thin low friction material shim (not shown) that is located intermediate the spacer 100 and the foot.

In one embodiment, the spacer comprises the first or second driven member. For clarity of this embodiment, the foot comprises the spacer 100 - i.e the foot is comprised of a spacer (or multiple spacers) and a foot body. As such, a removable spacer means the one or more of first or second driven members may be removably engaged with the foot body. In one embodiment, a user may clip or engage on a spacer to the foot body when a first or second driven member is required. This can allow the leg to be adapted for a particular tool by selecting a spacer to be used that can be assembled as part of the leg and then be presented for engagement by the driving member or members of the tool. The spacer may present a driven bevel of spur gear or both.

In some embodiments the entrance to the jaw 63 is narrower than the diameter 14 of the foot 10 to which the jaw engages. In other words, in some embodiments the jaw extends around the diameter 14 of the foot 10 by more than 180 degrees to capture the foot in the jaw when the tool is engaged with the foot. To engage the tool with the foot, the jaw elastically deflects slightly (for example lateral extensions 56 bend outwards) to allow the foot to pass through the entrance 64 of the jaw. Once the foot is received in the jaw the jaw returns to its un-deflected position or a less deflected position so that the tool is 'clipped' to the foot. To remove the tool from the foot it may require a force applied to the tool to pull the tool from the foot in the direction of the arm to deflect the lateral extensions to 'unclip' the tool from the foot.

In other embodiments the tool is disengaged from the foot via other means, for example, an actuated release that is driven mechanically and/or electronically. These release forms may not require a pulling action from the user.

The jaw 63 formed by the lateral extensions 56 may be described as being C shaped. In some embodiments the jaw extends around diameter 14 of the foot by 180 degrees, or less than 180 degrees, to capture the foot laterally to releasably retain the tool to the foot in a lateral direction to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member 51 and the driven member 13 as the driving member drives the driven member for height adjustment of the leg 1. The tool, although laterally coupled or secured to the foot to maintain engagement between the driven and driving members, may be released from the foot by moving the tool laterally away from the foot in the direction of the arm of the tool. The tool is laterally coupled or secured to the foot in all other lateral directions. To keep the tool engaged with the foot, a user may push the tool against the foot in the direction of the arm. In the embodiment where the jaw extends around the foot by more than 180 degrees, there is no requirement to push the tool against the foot to maintain engagement as the tool is clipped to the foot. The jaw 63 may be used for one or more of; axial alignment (holding the driving member (typically vertically) into the driven member); lateral alignment (centering the driving member with the driven member) and in some embodiments, to hold the driving member radially into the driven member.

For axial alignment of the tool 50 and the foot 10 - i.e. in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis 3, in some embodiments the foot 10 comprises one or more corresponding axial direction registration surfaces 15 as shown in Figure 6. These one or more axial registration surfaces 15 may be present on all different embodiments of foot 10. Anywhere where there is a surface that has an axially facing component surface or discontinuous surface will allow for a tool 50 to engage axially for example, the axial registration surface 15 (including surfaces 15) may be part of a slot or channel 18 part of a flange

- a beveled surface a discontinuous front face formed by one or both of the first driven member and second driving member

- a continuous or discontinuous face below or above the spur gear driven member.

- a backside of the bevel gear

- flanges or faces part of the spacer

- surfaces facing either towards the supporting surface 4 or towards the object 2, and/or a combination of two or more of the above.

Where a tool 50 has solely a spur driving member 51, then there may be no axial engagement between the tool 50 and the axial registration surface 15.

Where the tool has a driving member that requires axial registration, such as where the tool has a bevel gear, then the tool comprises one or more corresponding axial direction registration surfaces 58 to counteract the reaction force produced by the meshing and driving of the bevel gear system. The axial registration surface 15 preferably counteract the reaction force produced by the meshing and driving of the bevel gear system. As such, at least one axial registration surface 15 needs to face in an opposite direction the upstanding teeth of the bevel gear. I.e the at least one axial registration surface 15 should to face in a direction opposite the reaction force of the bevel gear system. In some embodiments, contact between the tool 50 and foot axial registration surfaces 58, 15 releasably retain the tool to the foot in an axial direction to releasably maintain axial direction engagement between the driving member 52 and the driven member 13. In some embodiments contact between the axial registration surfaces 58 of the tool and foot 15 holds the driving member 51 against the driven member 13.

In the embodiments illustrated in for example Figure 8, the axial direction registration surface 15 is provided by a flange or channel 16 axially spaced from the driving member or feature 13. The tool is captured axially between the flange or channel 16 and the driving member or feature 13 to axially align the position of the tool correctly to the foot for engagement between the driving member and the driven member. All embodiments of the foot of the present invention comprise an axial registration surface 15.

In some embodiments, the tool comprises a first axial direction registration surface and a second oppositely facing axial direction registration surface. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 6-9,15-16 and 21 the first and second axial direction registration surfaces are able to be captured in a slot or channel 18 extending circumferentially around the foot. In figure 21, a circumferential channel 18 in the foot is defined by the axial direction registration surface 15 and the oppositely facing rotary rack (bevel gear) 13. The axial registration surface 15 and the driven member 13 form axial sides of the channel 18. The axial registration surfaces 15 of the tool are preferably provided on the lateral extensions 56. When aligning the tool with the foot, the first axial direction registration surface 58 of the tool bears against the foot axial direction registration surface 15, and/or the second axial direction registration surface 62 of the tool bears against surfaces of the rotary rack 13 to axially locate the tool to the foot. Tooth tips of teeth of the rotary rack 13 form a discontinuous annular axial direction registration surface.

In some embodiments, each tooth comprises a flat portion at a tip of the tooth, the flat portions of the teeth combining to form the discontinuous axial direction registration surface.

In some embodiments, an axial direction registration surface of the driving member contacts an axial direction registration surface of the foot to position the tool to the foot in the axial direction. For example, the pinion 51 may be captured between the rack 13 and surface 15, a tooth tip or tips of the pinion providing an axial direction registration surface of the tool to axial registration surface 15 to maintain the driving member 51 in contact with the driven member 13. With the tool engaged with the foot, the driving member 51 may be axially captured between the driven member 13 and axial registration surface 15. As the pinion rotates, each tooth tip may contact the registration surface 15, each tooth tip providing an axial registration surface as it rotates into contact with the registration surface 15.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 21, the driven member 13 is a circular flange comprising a rotary rack and the tool is captured axially between the driven member and the axial direction registration surface 15 for alignment. In some embodiments, the driven member 13 may be captured between the driving member 51 and a flange extending from the tool to bear against an opposite axial side 19 of the driving member 13, for example flange 66. In some embodiments, flange 66 of the tool provides a back support for the driven member or feature. Where the object (for example a cabinet 1) being supported by the foot is heavy, torque transmitted from the driving member to the driven member may produce a force acting to deflect the driven member 13 away from the driving member and out of engagement, or the driving member may tend to lift off the driven member or feature. The flange 66 may support the back or opposite side 19 of the driven member 13 to keep the driven member or feature 13 in contact with the driving member 51. In some embodiments, with the tool engaged with the foot, the driven member 13 is captured between the lateral flange 66 of the tool and the driving member 51. In some embodiments, flange 66 provides an axial registration surface 68 to contact corresponding axial direction registration surface 19 of the foot to releasably maintain engagement between the driving member and the driven member or feature in an axial direction.

In some embodiments as described above, the tool is thus axially coupled to the foot in both axial directions. For example the tool cannot lift away from the foot. The tool is released from the foot by pulling the tool laterally away from the foot. That is, to disengage the tool from the foot, the tool is moved radially away from the foot. To disengage the tool from the foot a user only needs to move the tool laterally/radially away from the foot without requiring the user to move the tool axially relative to the foot. For example, the user does not need to lift the tool off the foot before pulling the tool laterally away from the foot. Lifting the tool off the foot can be a difficult or cumbersome task when disengaging the tool from a foot at the rear of a cabinet or other object being supported. Also, with low toe-kick height designs for cabinetry which are becoming increasingly popular (and also often involve obstacles such as plumbing), there is limited or no height clearance making lifting the tool off the foot even more difficult. Numerous axial and lateral registration surfaces and embodiments are shown in the applicant's other PCT publications WO2015/053637 and W02019/043660. There registration techniques will work with the present invention also.

In some embodiments the foot 10 does not comprise an axial registration surface 15. In such embodiment as shown in figure 14, a bevel gear tool 50 may axially supported off the supporting surface 4 so as to maintain engagement of the bevel driven member 13 a with the bevel driving member 51a. Figure 14 and 14b show a leg engaged with an object, where the foot and tool are so configured that no axial registration surfaces are required on the foot instead the tool axially engages with the support surface 4. As the first driven member 13 when driven by the corresponding driving member 51a the reaction force is towards the support surface 4.

The leg and foot described herein are generally composed of plastics, but may utilise other materials for friction, strength or cost requirements.

Current removable tool options of the prior art require a specific corresponding foot to work. Currently there are tool options that utilise bevel (horizontal rotational axis or horizontal teeth) or spur (vertical rotational axis or vertical teeth) tooling but the corresponding feet only comprise one specific drivable gear that relates to a unique tool. The foot of the present invention is able to be driven by a wider range of tools e.g. those using horizonal and/or vertical gears.

Another disadvantage of the prior art is that if the driven member or driving member gear teeth break under load the gear system becomes ineffective or less productive e.g. skipping or jumping over broken teeth reducing effective rotation. The foot of the present invention provides an alternative gear surface to utilise without having to resort to manual hand-turning or replacing the foot or leg.

In the foot 10 of the present invention, if teeth or a set of teeth of a driven member 13a, 13b break, which may occur under significant load or misuse, then the tradesperson has the option to use a suitably adapted tool 50 to utilise the alternative non-broken driven member 13 to rotate the foot 10 to adjust the height of the leg 1.

Another disadvantage of the prior art is that a tool can struggle to rotate the feet under heavy cabinet loadings. The presence of two gear surfaces on the foot of the present invention, i.e. first and second driven members, or multiple first driven members and/or multiple driven members, enables multiple gear engagement options to be used simultaneously to create extra rotational force to thereby increase lift and reduce pressure on teeth. The leg is also able to be adjusted in height by hand. A person can grasp the foot and rotate it so that adjustment can be effected without the use of a tool. In addition, a tool that can be cranked to rotate the foot is also able to be used to adjust the length of the leg. A hook type tool may be used for such purposes. The spur gear driven member or other formation can present itself as a driving surface for such other types of tools or for hand gripping purposes.

The driven bevel gear of the foot or the driven spur gear of the foot or both may be integrally formed as part of the foot.

The driven spur gears of the foot herein described may be driven by a hook tool as herein described and/or a tool presenting driving spur gears as herein described.

Alternatively the one of both of the driven bevel gear of the foot and/or the driven spur gear of the foot be provisioned as a separate member of members able to be become assembled as part of the foot. This allows for, for example, the selection of driven members from a set, to be used as part of the foot and allow an end user to configure the foot to suit the tool that they may be using for adjusting the leg.

In one for the present invention may present itself as a leg for supporting a cabinet on a floor. The leg comprising a threaded part secured to the cabinet and a rotatable foot part threadingly engaged with the threaded part. The foot part comprising a bevel gear and a spur gear. Each of these gears allows the foot part to be rotated by a tool that has one driving gear complimentary to the spur or bevel gear. Such rotation causing the threaded engagement to move to thereby lengthen or shorten the leg.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A leg for supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure on or against a supporting surface, the leg comprising: a. a threaded part rotationally fixed to said cabinet, appliance or structure, b. a rotatable foot part comprising, i. a first driven member configured as a gear, ii. a second driven member configured as a gear, and iii. a threaded formation complementary adapted to engage with the threaded part, such that rotational movement between the threaded part and threaded formation adjusts the length of the leg, wherein the first driven member and second driven member are adapted to be driven to rotate, by a separate tool with a complementary shaped driving member.

2. A leg as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leg is elongate with a longitudinal axis corresponding with an axial direction, and to which the first driven member and second driven member are concentric.

3. A leg as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the threaded part is one of a. a threaded socket, and b. a threaded shaft.

4. A leg as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first driven member and/or second driven member are adapted to releasably mesh with the driving member of the tool.

5. A leg as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first driven member or second driven member, or both the first driven member and second driven member, are configured to be driven by one or more driving members of said tool, and/or either the first driven member or second driven member, or both the first driven member and second driven member are configured to releasably mesh with one or more driving members of a said tool.

6. A leg as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first driven member has a rotational axis colinear with rotational axis of the second driven member.

7. A leg as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first driven member rotational axis is parallel a rotational axis of the driving member.

8. A leg as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first driven member rotational axis is orthogonal to a rotational axis of the driving member.

9. A leg as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first driven member is configured as a spur gear.

10. A leg as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second driven member is configured as a bevel gear.

11. A leg as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tool and the foot are complementarily adapted so that the tool is isolated axially relative to the foot in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis.

12. A leg as claimed in claim 11, wherein the foot comprises an axial bearing surface configured to interface with a corresponding axial surface on said tool to provide said axial isolation.

13. A leg as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tool and the foot are complementarily adapted so that the tool is laterally secured relative to the foot in a lateral direction lateral to the longitudinal axis when engaged with the coupling.

14. A leg as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot comprises a lateral bearing surface or surfaces configured to interface with a complementary surface or surfaces on said tool to provide said lateral security between the tool and foot.

15. A leg as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool and the foot are complementarily adapted so that the tool is secured relative to the foot in both an axial and lateral direction.

16. An apparatus for adjusting the height of a cabinet above a supporting surface comprising:

(a) a length adjustable leg having a lengthwise elongate axial direction, for supporting the cabinet and comprising:

(i) a first part for securing to or forming part of the cabinet and presenting an external or internal threaded region,

(ii) a foot comprising a rotatable foot part that comprises at least two driven members and an externally or internally threaded member to rotate about an axis of rotation coaxial the axial direction with the driven members and to engage with the internally or externally threaded region of the first part to allow the distance between the foot and the cabinet to be adjusted upon rotation of the foot part relative the first member about the axis of rotation, and (b) a tool comprising one of the two configurations of driving member, a torque input for applying torque to the driving member, the tool adapted to laterally engage the leg and allow the driven member and foot part to together be driven by the driving member about the axis of rotation for length adjustment of the leg, wherein a first of the driven members is configured to be driven by a first configuration of driving member that, is use, has a rotational axis parallel to the at axis of rotation of the least one of driven member, and a second of the driven members is configured to be driven by a second configuration of driving member that, in use, has a rotational axis perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second driven member.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least two driven members comprise a spur gear and a bevel gear.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the two configurations of driving member are a spur gear or worm gear, and a bevel gear.

19. A tool for driving a height adjustable leg supporting a cabinet, appliance or structure comprising two driving members and a torque input for applying torque to the driving members, the tool adapted to releasably maintain engagement with a foot of a height adjustable leg comprising both a spur gear driven member and bevel gear driven member to allow the one or more driving members to drive one or both of the respective driven members to adjust the height of the cabinet, appliance or structure, wherein the driving members are a spur gear and bevel gear, the driving members adapted to releasably mesh with the respective driven member of the foot.

20. A foot for adjusting the height of a cabinet from a supporting surface, the foot comprising at least one bevel gear and at least one spur gear, the at least one bevel gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven by a corresponding driving bevel gear, and/or the least one spur gear configured to rotate the foot upon being driven a corresponding driving spur or worm gear, the driving bevel gear and driving spur gear located on the same or separate removeable tool or tools, wherein rotation of the foot adjusts the height of said cabinet via a threaded formation of the foot threadingly engaged with and rotating relative a complimentary threaded part of or engaged with the cabinet.

21. A foot as claimed in claim 20, wherein said tool is adapted to releasably maintain engagement with the foot.

22. A foot as claimed in claim 20, wherein the driving bevel gear and driving spur gear are driven by a torque input for applying torque to the driving bevel gear and/or driving spur gear.

23. A foot as claimed in claim 20, wherein the tool is adapted to engage the foot laterally from any angular direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the foot.