Patent ID: 9644378
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: A47B,B60N,E04G

Claim:
1. A variable height support comprising: a platform defining an upwardly facing support surface; a base for supporting the platform in an operative position upon a subjacent surface and reconfigurable to selectively change a height of the support surface relative to the subjacent surface; and a control assembly that is operable to selectively: a) maintain the support surface at a selected height; and b) release the platform to allow the base to be reconfigured to change the height of the support surface relative to the subjacent surface, wherein the control assembly comprises a ratchet subassembly that, with the control assembly in a first state, interacts between the platform and base to allow the base to be reconfigured by exerting a continuous upward force upon the platform that causes the platform to elevate relative to the subjacent surface over a range and be blocked within the range at a plurality of different vertical locations against downward movement relative to the subjacent surface, wherein the control assembly further comprises an actuator that is repositionable between a normal position and an actuated position thereby to change the control assembly from the first state into a second state wherein the platform can be lowered over the range, further comprising a lock component pivotably mounted to the control assembly, the lock component is pivotable around an axis between first and second positions, wherein the lock component is in the locked state with the lock component in the first position and in the unlocked state with the lock component in the second position, wherein the lock component comprises one or more legs each with a blocking surface, wherein the lock component is biased to the first position where the blocking surface is in contact with the platform, and wherein the lock component may be pivoted with respect to the control assembly to the second position to release contact of the blocking surface with the platform.