Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: A TABLE

APPLICANT:
SPACE MATRIX DESIGN CONSULTANTS PVT LTD, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF INDIA, WHOSE ADDRESS IS- 27/6, SANKEY ROAD, BANGALORE 560052, INDIA

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to tables and more particularly relates to a height adjustable table and method for the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Workspaces generally include multiple workstations coupled to each other to allow users to sit and perform their respective tasks. Each of the workstations include a table and chairs to allow individual users to utilize to perform respective tasks. Typically, the tables include at least one partition to allow multiple users to make use of the table by ensuring privacy for the respective users.
[0003] The users tend to spend most of the working time seated at the respective workstations. And in order for the users to be efficient and/or productive, the workstations are required to be ergonomically designed. However, to provide workstations which are ergonomically suitable for each user may not be feasible. In this regard, the chairs provided in the workstations are adjustable. However, on raising height of the chair, there is a possibility of the user rubbing/hitting their knees on the table, or on lowering height of the chair, there is a possibility of the user having to bend their legs in an awkward manner, thereby causing discomfort.
[0004] An alternate solution in this regard is directed towards adjusting height of the table with respect to requirement of the user. Accordingly, legs of the table are machined to include complex machineries, such as gears and transmission systems, to aid in adjusting height of the table. However, by doing so, the strength of the legs of the table may be compromised, or thickness of the legs need to be enhanced, thereby increasing costs towards manufacturing the tables.
[0005] In view of the above, there is a dire requirement for an ergonomic workstation, and more specifically an adjustable table, without compromising on the strength of the legs of the table and comfort of the user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a table and method for providing the table.
[0007] In one aspect of the invention, a table is provided. The table includes a plurality of legs. At least two of the plurality of legs are interconnected to each other via a connecting member. The table further includes at least one tabletop supported by each of the plurality of legs and a height adjusting unit coupled to the tabletop and each of the plurality of legs. The height adjusting unit is adapted to be one of raised and lowered to adjust position of the at least one tabletop based on a user defined position. The table further includes a controller and locking unit. The locking unit is coupled to the height adjusting unit and is adapted to engage with at least one of a plurality of slots defined on the height adjusting unit to arrest movement of the height adjusting unit at the user defined position. The controller is operably coupled to the locking unit and the height adjusting unit and is adapted to actuate the height adjusting unit via the locking unit. On actuation of the controller, from first position, the locking unit releases the height adjusting unit to one of raise and lower the at least one tabletop via the height adjusting unit to a second position.
[0008] In another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a table is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a piston and a height adjusting element coupled to the piston within an enclosure of a height adjusting unit. Thereafter, the height adjusting unit is coupled to at least one tabletop and each of a plurality of legs of the table. Further, a locking unit is coupled to the height adjusting unit. The locking unit is adapted to engage with at least one of a plurality of slots defined on the height adjusting unit to arrest movement of the height adjusting unit at a user defined position. Further, a controller is operably coupled to the locking unit and the height adjusting unit. The controller is adapted to actuate the height adjusting unit via the locking unit. On actuation of the controller, from first position, the locking unit releases the height adjusting unit to one of raise and lower the at least one tabletop via the height adjusting unit to a second position.
[0009] Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. The features and advantages described in this summary and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, are illustrative of one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and together with the description explain various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are intended to be illustrative. Further, the accompanying figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, and any values or dimensions in the accompanying figures are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a height adjusting unit of the table of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the height adjusting unit of FIG. 2, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4-4A is a lighting unit of the table of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4B is an exemplary illustration of the holding element of the table of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention
[0016] FIG. 4C-4D is an exemplary illustration of an at least one tabletop of the table of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method for assembling the table of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. References to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the invention to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims. Moreover, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or between such entities.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a table 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. It is to be noted that the table 100 as illustrated in the FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes and for the sake of description and should nowhere be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, the table 100 may be of any arrangement or configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0020] The table 100 includes at least one tabletop 105. As per the illustrated embodiment, the table 100 includes a first tabletop 105a and a second tabletop 105b. In alternate embodiments, the table 100 may include multiple tabletops without deviating from and/or limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Each of the first and the second tabletop 105a, 105b is adapted to be mounted to a plurality of legs 110. As per the illustrated embodiment, the table 100 includes a first leg 110a, a second leg 110b, a third leg 110c and a fourth leg 110d (as shown in FIG. 2). Further, the first tabletop 105a is adapted to be mounted on the first and the third leg 105a, 105c and the second tabletop 105b is adapted to be mounted on the second and the fourth leg 105b, 105d. However, in alternate embodiments, the table 100 may include more than or less than four legs depending on the number of tabletops and the arrangement and configuration of the table 100 without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0021] In addition, each of the plurality legs 110 are coupled to each other via a connecting member 115. In this regard and as per the illustrated embodiment, the table 100 includes a first connecting member 115a and a second connecting member 115b (as shown in FIG. 2). However, in alternate embodiments, a number of connecting members 110 may be dependent on the number of legs of the table 100, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0022] Now referring to the illustrated embodiment in the FIG. 1, the first leg 110a and the second leg 110b are coupled to each other via the first connecting member 115a and the third leg 110c and the fourth leg 110d are coupled to each other via the second connecting member 115b. Further, in one embodiment, each of the first leg 110a, the second leg 110b, and the first connecting member 115a is removably coupled to each other to form a single unit. In an alternate embodiment, each of the first leg 110a, the second leg 110b, and the first connecting member 115a is a singular unit that may not be removably coupled from one another.
[0023] Each of the first connecting member 115a and the second connecting member 115b further include a means 120 defined thereon. The means 120 is adapted to be one of a male connector, a female connector, and a genderless connector. The means 120 is adapted to receive electric supply from one of a central supply unit and an adjacent table available in the workspace. As such, advantageously, floor of the workspace need not be drilled in multiple locations for providing electrical connection to the table 100 or to the multiple tables available in the workspace.
[0024] The table 100 further includes a holding element 125 coupled to the connecting member 115. More specifically, the holding element 125 is coupled to each of the first connecting member 115a and the second connecting member 115b and in line with the means 120 of the first connecting member 115a and the second connecting member 115b. The holding element 125 is adapted to receive electrical wires and a switching unit 130 therein. In one embodiment, each of the first and the second tabletop 105a, 105b may have a slot defined thereon to receive the switching unit 130.
[0025] The table 100, further, includes a lighting unit 135 and a shielding unit 140 coupled to the holding element 125. The shielding unit 140 is coupled to the holding element 125 and is adapted to provide privacy to users of each of the first and the second tabletop 105a, 105b. Further, in an alternate embodiment, the shielding unit 140 is adapted to be one of raised and lowered as per requirement. Constructional and operational features of the lighting unit 135 will be explained in detail with respect to the following figures. The table 100 further includes an edge protection element 150 and an ergonomic front edge 155 (as shown in FIG. 4C and 4D). The edge protection element 150 is adapted to be coupled along a periphery of the table 100 and adjacent to the shielding unit 140. The ergonomic front edge 155 corresponds to a portion of a surface of the table 100 which is slightly tapered to allow a user to rest their arms, and thereby advantageously improve the ergonomics of the table 100.
[0026] As mentioned earlier, each of the first and the second tabletop 105a, 105b is adapted to be mounted to a plurality of legs 110. More specifically, each of the first and the second tabletop 105a, 105b is adapted to be mounted to a plurality of legs 110 via a height adjusting unit 145 that is coupled to each of the plurality of legs 110. Simply said, the height adjusting unit 145 is coupled to each of the plurality of legs 110, and to each of the first and the second tabletop 105a, 105b. The height adjusting unit 145 is adapted to be one of raised and lowered to adjust a position of the each of the first and the second tabletop 105a, 105b based on a user defined position. Owing to such a coupling, a length of each of the plurality of legs 110 is constant and it is only the height adjusting unit 145 that is one of raised and lowered. As such, advantageously, ensuring strength of each of the plurality of legs 110 is not compromised. The operational and constructional features of the height adjusting unit 145 will be explained in detail with reference to the following figures.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates the height adjusting unit 145 of the table 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. For the ease of reference and description, the height adjusting unit 145 will be explained with respect to the first tabletop 105a. However, it is to be noted that the operation and constructional features of the height adjusting unit 145 with respect to the second tabletop 105b is the same and is not repeated herein only for the sake of brevity.
[0028] The height adjusting unit 145 is adapted to be one of raised and lowered to adjust a position of the first tabletop 105a based on a user defined position. In this regard, the height adjusting unit 145 is adapted to be coupled to a surface 205 of each of the first leg 110a, the second leg 110b, the third leg 110c, and the fourth leg 110d and to a surface 220 of the at least one tabletop 105. In this regard, as per an embodiment, a first and a second coupling element 210, 215 is coupled to the surface 220 of the first tabletop 105a, in a manner so as to receive the height adjusting unit 145 of each of the first and the third leg 110a, 110c. In one embodiment, the first and the second coupling element 210, 215 is at least, but not limited to a bracket. Each of the first and the second coupling element 210, 215 is adapted to be coupled to the surface 220 of the first tabletop 105a via at least one of, but not limited to, fasteners and adhesives.
[0029] In order to aid in one of raising and lowering the height adjusting unit 145 to adjust the position of the first tabletop 105a based on the user defined position, the table 100 includes a controller 225 and a locking unit 230. The controller 225 is coupled to the surface 220 of the first tabletop 105a and the locking unit 230 is coupled to the height adjusting unit 145. In one embodiment, the controller 225 includes a lever 235a and an actuating element 235 in order to actuate the height adjusting unit 145. The locking unit 230, on actuation by the controller 225, is adapted to release the height adjusting unit 145 to one of raise and lower the first tabletop 105a from a first position to a second position. As such, the controller 225 is adapted to be operably coupled to the locking unit 230 via the actuating element 235 to actuate the height adjusting unit 145. In an alternate embodiment, the controller 225 is adapted to electrically control the locking element 230 to actuate the height adjusting unit 145.
[0030] Further, as per the illustrated embodiment, the first tabletop 105a includes only one controller 225 operably coupled to the height adjusting unit 145 of each of the first and the third leg 105a, 105c. In alternate embodiments, the first tabletop 105a includes multiple controllers 225 operably coupled to each of the height adjusting unit 145 of each of the first and the third leg 105a, 105c.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the height adjusting unit 145, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The height adjusting unit 145 includes an enclosure 305 to receive therein multiple elements required to aid in one of raising and lowering position of the first tabletop 105a based on the user defined position. The enclosure 305 includes a bottom cover 310 adapted to be received at a first end 315 of the enclosure 305. Thereafter, a piston 320 is received within the enclosure 305 via an opening 325 at a second end 330 of the enclosure 305. The piston 320 is adapted to move to and fro within the enclosure 305 of the height adjusting unit 145 to aid in one of lowering and raising the first tabletop 105a of the table 100.
[0032] Further, the bottom cover 310 is provided with a seating 335 to receive a first end 340 of the piston 320 therein. At the second end 345 of the piston 320, a height adjusting element 350 is coupled. A plurality of slots 355 are defined on the height adjusting element 350 of the height adjusting unit 145. Each of the plurality of slots 355 defined thereon correspond to the position that the user may require the first tabletop 105a to be positioned at. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of slots 355 may be defined at a fixed distance from each other.
[0033] Further, a top cover 365 is adapted to be received at the second end 330 of the enclosure 305. In one embodiment, the top cover 365 is provided with one or more openings to receive fasteners to couple the height adjusting unit 145 with the first coupling element 210, and thereby to the first tabletop 105a. In an alternate embodiment, the top cover 365 is coupled to the second end 330 of the enclosure 305 via adhesives.
[0034] During operation, on actuation of the lever 235a of the controller 225, the actuating element 235 is adapted to one of engage and disengage with at least one of the plurality of slots 355 defined on the height adjusting element 350 (as is indicated by an upward arrow as shown in FIG. 1). On disengagement, the piston 320 executes the upward stroke and as a result raises the height adjusting element 350 to the user defined position. Also, on disengagement and on application of a downward force, the piston 320 executes a downward stroke and as a result lowers the height adjusting element 350 to on the user defined position (as is indicated by a downward arrow as shown in FIG. 1), otherwise from the first position to the second position. The downward force may be applied via at least one of, but not limited to, a mechanically applied external force, a manually applied external force, an electrically applied external force, and a combination thereof.
[0035] On reaching the user defined position, the locking unit 230 is adapted to engage with at least one of the plurality of slots 355 defined on the height adjusting element 350 of the height adjusting unit 145. More specifically, the actuating element 235 of the controller 225 engages with the at least one of the plurality of slots 355 via the locking unit 230 to arrest movement of the height adjusting element 350 of the height adjusting unit 145 at the user defined position.
[0036] In one embodiment, the locking unit 230 includes a spring arrangement that may be actuated by the lever 235a. On actuation of the lever 235a, the spring arrangement within the locking unit 230 aids in one of engagement and disengagement of the actuating element 235 within at least one of the plurality of slots 355.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates the lighting unit 135 of the table 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The lighting unit 135 is adapted to illuminate one of a surface of the at least one tabletop 105, an environment of the at least one tabletop 105, and a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit 135 is coupled to the holding element 125 of the table 100. Advantageously, due to such an arrangement, the lighting unit 135 is adapted to evenly distribute light throughout a surface of the each of the at least one tabletop 105 irrespective of the position of each of the at least one tabletop 105.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of the lighting unit 135, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The lighting unit 135 includes a light holding element 405 adapted to receive at least one lighting source therein. The light holding element 405 includes a first cover 410 and a second cover 415 coupled to thereon. The first cover 410 is adapted to be facing the environment and ensures that sufficient lighting in the vicinity of the table 100. The second cover 415 may be made of at least one of, but not limited to, a chromatic diffuser lens to ensure the surface of each of the first tabletop 105a and the second tabletop 105b is illuminated.
[0039] Each of the light holding element 405, the first cover 410, and the second cover 415 are coupled to each other to form one of a polygonal and a hexagonal shape. Further, the lighting unit 135 includes a connector rod 420 to couple the light holding element 405 in combination with the first and the second cover 410, 415 to the holding element 125. Also, to securely hold each of the light holding element 405, the first cover 410, and the second cover 415, a first end 425 of the connector rod 420 is provided with a coupler 430 having the same shape as the light holding element 405 when coupled with the first cover 410 and the second cover 415. A second end 435 of the connector rod 420 is adapted to be coupled to the holding element 125.
[0040] The holding element 125 is adapted to receive wires that may be required for any electrical supply and the switching unit 130, as shown in FIG. 4B and thereby aids in decluttering the table 100. In this regard, the holding element 125 includes multiple sheets 435 coupled to each other to form a housing. Further, the holding element 125 in combination with the first connecting member 115a and the second connecting member 115b is adapted to include the means 120. The means 120 aid in one of providing and receiving electric supply from one of the central supply unit and the adjacent table available in the workspace.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method 500 for assembling the table 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. For the purpose of description, the method 500 is described with the embodiments as illustrated in FIGs. 1-4. Further, in order to avoid repetition and for the sake of brevity, the description for the FIGs 1-4 should be referred and should nowhere be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
[0042] At step 505, the method 500 includes the step of providing a piston 320 and a height adjusting element 350 coupled to the piston 320 within an enclosure 305 of a height adjusting unit 145.
[0043] At step 510, the method 500 includes the step of coupling the height adjusting unit 145 to at least one tabletop 105 and each of a plurality of legs 110 of the table 100.
[0044] At step 515, the method 500 includes the step of coupling a locking unit 230 to the height adjusting unit 145, wherein the locking unit 230 is adapted to engage with at least one of a plurality of slots 355 defined on the height adjusting unit 145 to arrest movement of the height adjusting unit 145 at a user defined position.
[0045] At step 520, the method 500 includes the step of operably coupling a controller 225 to the locking unit 230 and the height adjusting unit 145. The controller 225 is adapted to actuate the height adjusting unit 145 via the locking unit 230. On actuation of the controller 225, the locking unit 230 releases the height adjusting unit 145 to one of raise and lower the at least one tabletop 105 via the height adjusting unit 145 from a first position to a second position.
[0046] Various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present invention. While aspects of the present invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
, Claims:1. A table comprising:
a plurality of legs, wherein at least two of the plurality of legs are interconnected to each other via a connecting member;
at least one tabletop supported by each of the plurality of legs;
a height adjusting unit coupled to the tabletop and each of the plurality of legs, the height adjusting unit adapted to be one of raised and lowered to adjust position of the at least one tabletop based on a user defined position;
a locking unit, coupled to the height adjusting unit, adapted to engage with at least one of a plurality of slots defined on the height adjusting unit to arrest movement of the height adjusting unit at the user defined position;
a controller, operably coupled to the locking unit and the height adjusting unit, adapted to actuate the height adjusting unit via the locking unit,
wherein on actuation of the controller, the locking unit releases the height adjusting unit, from a first position, to one of raise and lower the at least one tabletop via the height adjusting unit, to a second position.

2. The table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height adjusting unit comprises an enclosure for housing an at least one piston and a height adjusting element coupled to the piston, wherein the at least one piston is adapted to move to and fro within the enclosure to one of raise and lower the height adjusting element and thereby, the at least one tabletop.

3. The table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height adjusting unit is coupled to a surface of each of the plurality of legs and to a surface of each of the at least one tabletop.

4. The table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the connecting member of the at least two of the plurality of legs is coupled to each other via a holding element

5. The table as claimed in claim 4, wherein the holding element is provided with means adapted to receive electric supply from at least one of a central supply and a second table and is adapted to receive a switching unit and wires therein.

6. The table as claimed in claim 4, wherein a lighting unit, coupled to the holding element, is adapted to illuminate one of a surface of the tabletop, and environment of the tabletop, and a combination thereof.

7. The table as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the at least one tabletop is provided with an edge protection element and an ergonomic front edge.

8. A method of assembling a table, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a piston and a height adjusting element coupled to the piston within an enclosure of a height adjusting unit;
coupling the height adjusting unit to at least one tabletop and each of a plurality of legs of the table;
coupling a locking unit to the height adjusting unit, wherein the locking unit is adapted to engage with at least one of a plurality of slots defined on the height adjusting unit to arrest movement of the height adjusting unit at a user defined position; and
operably coupling a controller to the locking unit and the height adjusting unit, wherein the controller is adapted to actuate the height adjusting unit via the locking unit,
wherein on actuation of the controller, the locking unit releases the height adjusting unit from a first position to one of raise and lower, , the at least one tabletop via the height adjusting unit, to a second position.