Self-braking height adjustment mechanism
US5941182A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47B2200/0026
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A vertically adjustable workstation comprises one or more legs having a vertical adjustment mechanism which provides an automatic self-braking function. The vertical adjustment mechanism comprises a highly efficient rotating member, such as a ball screw and ball nut assembly. Securely attached to the ball screw and the work surface is a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism has on one end a friction cap which is frictionally engaged with the work surface, and a thrust bearing which provides a first rotational interface between the ball screw and the clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism comprises a roller clutch which allows for free rotation of the ball screw in the upward direction and is engaged with the ball screw when rotated in a downward direction. This arrangement comprises a load path which is directed from the work surface through the mating friction surfaces, the clutch mechanism and thrust bearing into the ball screw. The frictional rotational interface between the table and the friction cap of the clutch mechanism provides the self-braking feature such that backwinding of the table is prevented. A collapsible handle is operatively connected to the ball screw.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.