Table with adjustable support

A table has an adjustable support wherein the ratchet mechanism that locks the position of the tray with respect to the base may be moved to the unlocked position with the user's leg while the tray of the table is held by the user's hands. The table may also have a locking detent that extends entirely across the width of the support leg attached to the tray of the table to provide a strong, secure, and stable support when the table is used with heavy objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to adjustable tables and, more particularly, to tables having adjustable heights. Specifically, the present invention relates to a work table having an adjustable stand held in place with a ratchet mechanism that may be actuated by the foot of the user while the tray of the table is held by the user's hands.

2. Background Information

Various tables having adjustable heights are known in the art. Examples of such tables include those with adjustable feet or telescoping legs. There are many different adjustment mechanisms that are used to provide the height adjustment. Such mechanisms include threaded connections, ratchet mechanisms, pneumatic cylinders, and slide arrangements having various types of clamps or stops. All of these devices have advantages and drawbacks.

Those who use work tables that hold work pieces or tools desire tables having adjustable-height trays. Such tables are used in situations where heavy work pieces are supported by the table or where many hand tools are supported on the table. Table users in these situations desire stable tables that have secure latching mechanisms that will not allow the table to slip out of position while also allowing for hands-free operation of the latching mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides one embodiment of a table with an adjustable support wherein the ratchet mechanism that locks the position of the tray with respect to the base may be moved to the unlocked position with the user's leg while the tray of the table is held by the user's hands.

The invention also provides an embodiment of the table wherein the locking detent of the ratchet extends entirely across the width of the support leg attached to the tray of the table to provide a strong, secure, and stable support when the table is used with heavy objects.

The invention further provides an embodiment of the table wherein the handle of the ratchet extends downwardly from the handle pivot point such that the weight and geometry of the handle helps the ratchet automatically return to its locked position from the unlocked position.

Similar numbers refer to similar elements through the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The table of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral10in the accompanying drawings. Table10has an adjustable height that allows the user to position table10in a comfortable and convenient position with respect to the user. Table10is configured to allow the user to hold the tray12of table10with both hands while making the height adjustment. Table10is further configured to allow the user to adjust the height of table10while standing next to table10instead of hunching down under table10. The ratchet mechanism14that holds tray12in its adjusted position is configured to provide a strong, stable, and secure connection that allows table10to be used with heavy work pieces.

Table10generally includes a base16and a support sleeve18that extends up from base16. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings, base16includes a base plate20, a pair of wheels22, and a pair of legs24. In other embodiments of the invention, base16may simply include a plate, a foot, or a leg connected to sleeve18. In another embodiment of the invention base16is simply the lower portion of sleeve18that is configured to engage the floor26.

Support sleeve18may be provided in any of a wide variety of cross sections. One group includes those cross sections having at least one flat sidewall28. At least a portion of sleeve18is hollow so that a portion of a support leg30may be slidably received within sleeve18. Support leg30is connected to tray12. Leg30has at least one flat sidewall32. Leg30has a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of sleeve18so that leg30may not rotate when a portion of leg30is received in sleeve18. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cross sections are rectangular or square. In other embodiments, the cross section may be triangular, D-shaped, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc.

In other embodiments of the invention, the position of support leg30may be switched with the position of sleeve18so that tray12is connected to sleeve18. In this embodiment, the latching mechanism may or may not change positions depending on the location of the slots.

The outer surface of sidewall32defines a plurality of spaced slots34that extend entirely across the width of sidewall32. Each slot34is defined by walls disposed at right angles with respect to each other in order to increase the holding power of slots34with respect to ratchet mechanism14.

Ratchet mechanism14includes a locking detent40having a first portion42and a second portion44. Detent40is adapted to be selectively positioned in slots34to lock the position of leg30with respect to sleeve18. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, first portion42of detent40includes a flat upper surface46that provides the strong holding power of ratchet mechanism14and a sloped or angled lower surface48that allows tray12to be lifted without disengaging detent40from leg30. First portion42has a width that is substantially the same as the width of slots34to create a strong, stable, and secure holding force.

First portion42is disposed substantially perpendicular to second portion44. Second portion44defines an opening50that allows second portion44to be received over a boss52projecting from sleeve18. A pivot pin54passes through second portion44and boss52to define the pivot axis of second portion44.

A biasing mechanism60is carried by second portion44and acts against sleeve18to force detent40to its locked position. Biasing mechanism60is adjustable with respect to second portion44or detent40. Mechanism60includes a threaded outer surface that threadedly engages a threaded opening defined by second portion44. Rotation of mechanism40with respect to second portion44thus adjusts the position of mechanism60with respect to second portion44. Mechanism further includes a head62that is slidably carried by the base64of mechanism60. A spring is disposed between head62and base64to urge head64outwardly. The spring is designed to be strong enough to move detent40back to its locked position from an unlocked position without help from the user. Thus, if the user releases detent40, biasing mechanism60will force detent40back to the locked position.

Biasing mechanism60is disposed below the pivot axis of detent40. This position creates a lever that helps hold detent40in its locked position. The length of the lever arms may be adjusted as required to generate the desired amount of locking force for detent40.

Other types of biasing mechanisms may also be used with detent40. For example, biasing mechanism60may include a spring carried by sleeve18that forces detent40back to its locked position. One alternative spring is a leaf spring that may be attached to detent40of sleeve18.

A handle70is connected to detent40and allows the user of table10to easily manipulate detent40. Handle70projects down from detent40toward base16. Handle70is elongated so that it may be easily found by the user of table10. In one embodiment, handle70is at least half of the length of sleeve18and may be over ¾ the length of sleeve18. This length allows handle to be manipulated by the leg of the user. Such a configuration allows handle70to be manipulated while the user holds tray12with both hands.

Handle70includes first72and second74portions that are disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to each other. First portion72is connected to second portion44of detent40and biasing mechanism60may pass through the end of first portion72. Handle70is generally parallel to sleeve18when viewed from the front as shown in FIG.4. Handle70is configured to position second portion74angled away from sleeve18when detent is in the locked position of FIG.5. Handle70is further configured to angle second portion74toward sleeve18when detent40is unlocked as shown in FIG.8. These positions have been found to allow the user to easily manipulate detent40while adjusting table10.

A secondary lock mechanism80may be provided to lock leg30and sleeve18together after the position of leg30has been selected. Mechanism80provides a safety feature that prevents tray12from falling if handle70is accidently engaged.

Tray12may be provided in many different variations with an exemplary variation shown in the drawings. Tray12may be a simply flat surface or may include the walls82shown in the drawings. Tray12may also include a beam84that strengthens tray12.

The height of tray12with respect to base16may be adjusted simply by lifting tray12upwardly causing the bottom surface that defines each slot to move detent40to the unlocked position by interacting wall48. The user may also move handle70to the unlocked position shown inFIG. 10to adjust tray12. When handle70is in the unlocked position, tray12may be moved up or down with respect to base16.