Background to the Invention Furniture, for example table, benches, sink units, cooking hobs, computer desks, snooker and pool tables etc. are typically supported on legs providing a fixed height for the furniture. However, it is useful in particular circumstances to be able to raise and lower the height of the furniture in order for it to be more adaptable and to suit particular uses or users. For example, wheelchair users or children may require the height of the furniture to be lower than normal. If the furniture is shared the opportunity to raise or lower the furniture may be of great benefit.

Prior art methods of adjusting the height of furniture include providing the furniture with scissor legs whereby as the foot of one leg is moved towards the foot of the other leg the height of the furniture increases.

Similarly, as the foot of one leg is moved away from the other leg the height of the furniture decreases. However, one problem with such mechanisms is that it can be difficult to raise the furniture if the furniture is supporting a load. In addition, the mechanism requires a strong locking mechanism to maintain the height of the

furniture whilst supporting a load since the legs act as levers. Furthermore, such mechanisms do not have the appearance of standard furniture and require part of the mechanism to be located where the users legs may usually be located, in particular, if the user is in a wheelchair which needs to be located at least partially under the table.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a support member for an item of height adjustable furniture, the item of height adjustable furniture comprising a support surface, the support member comprising a support portion which can be moved along a longitudinal axis away from and toward the support surface, the item of height adjustable furniture comprising means for communicating said movement to a further support member.

The item of height adjustable furniture may comprise two or three or four or five or six support members.

Preferably the communication of said movement causes the support portion of the further support member to move along a longitudinal axis away from or towards the support surface by the same amount as that of the support portion of the support member.

Preferably the or each support member comprises restraining means for inhibiting relative rotation between the respective support portion and the support surface.

Preferably the or each support portion comprises a lower support portion.

Preferably the or each support member extends perpendicularly from the support surface. Preferably the or each support member extends along a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably the or each support portion is perpendicular to the support surface. Preferably the or each support portion extends along a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably the item of height adjustable furniture comprises means for transferring the movement of one support portion to the or each other support portion. The means may comprise connecting rods which connect the support members together.

Preferably a first support portion is caused to move along the longitudinal axis by an actuating mechanism.

Preferably the or each support member comprises an actuating mechanism.

Preferably the or each actuating mechanism comprises a cog mechanism for extending or retracting a threaded member relative to the respective support portion. Preferably

the support portion has a threaded bush secured therein for cooperating with the threaded shaft.

Preferably the or each threaded shaft has a cog member secured at an upper extent thereof. Preferably the or each cog member engages with a plurality of driving cogs.

Preferably the or each cog member engages with a driving cog and may engage with two driving cogs or three driving cogs and preferably with four driving cogs.

At least one of the driving cogs of a first support member may engage with a connecting rod for transferring the drive means to a driving cog of a second support member.

There may be means for transferring the drive means to a respective driving cog of additional support members.

There may be up to six support members, for example.

Preferably the axis of the or each driving cog is arranged perpendicularly relative to the axis of the cog member.

Preferably the axis of the cog member is substantially vertical, in use. Preferably the axis of the or each driving cog is substantially horizontal, in use.

At least one of the driving cogs of a support member may comprise receiving means to engage with a shaft of an actuating element. Preferably, in use, the actuating element is manually rotated in order to move each support portion simultaneously. Alternatively, in use, the actuating element may be electrically rotated in order to move each support portion simultaneously. Preferably two driving cogs of a support member comprise receiving means to engage with a shaft of an actuating element.

Preferably the or each support member comprises a sleeve.

Preferably the support portion is at least partially located in the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is fixed to the support surface and preferably is fixed to a lower surface of the support surface. The or each support member may comprise restraining means for inhibiting relative rotation between the respective support portion and the support surface. Preferably the restraining means inhibits relative rotation between the sleeve and the support portion.

Preferably the support portion is slidably movable along a longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve.

Preferably a first part of the restraining means is located on the sleeve and a second part of the restraining means in located on the support portion. Preferably the restraining means comprises an abutment member.

Preferably the restraining means comprising at least a first flange for cooperating with the abutment member.

Preferably the restraining means comprise a first flange and a second flange which are arranged in use to locate on opposite sides of the abutment member. Preferably the abutment member locates between the first flange and second flange in order to inhibit relative rotation of the support portion and the sleeve.

Preferably the abutment member is secured to the inner surface of the sleeve. Preferably the first flange and second flange are secured to the outer surface of the support portion. Preferably the first flange and second flange are located at an upper extent of the support

portion. Preferably the first flange and the second flange are arranged, in use, to be located within the sleeve when the support portion is extended to its greatest extent.

Preferably the abutment member is an elongate member which may extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the sleeve.

Preferably the cooperation of the first and second flange and the abutment member inhibits relative rotation of the support portion and the sleeve whilst enabling relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided height adjustable furniture comprising a support surface and at least a first support member and a second support member wherein the first support member and the second support member include respective support portions which are movable along respective longitudinal axes away from and towards the support surface, wherein movement of one of the support portions along the longitudinal axis causes movement of the or each other support portion along the respective longitudinal axis.

The height adjustable furniture may comprise two or three or four or five or six support members.

Preferably movement of one of the support portions along the longitudinal axis causes movement of the or each other support portion by the same amount along the respective longitudinal axis.

Preferably each support member comprises restraining means for inhibiting relative rotation between the respective support portion and the support surface.

Preferably the or each support portion comprises a lower support portion.

Preferably the or each support member extends perpendicularly from the support surface. Preferably the or each support member extends along a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably the or each support portion is perpendicular to the support surface.. Preferably the or each support portion extends along a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably the height adjustable furniture comprises means for transferring the movement of one support portion to the or each other support portion. The means may comprise connecting rods which connect the support members together.

Preferably a first support portion is caused to move along the longitudinal axis by an actuating mechanism.

Preferably each support member comprises an actuating mechanism.

Preferably each actuating mechanism comprises a cog mechanism for extending or retracting a threaded member relative to the respective support portion. Preferably

the support portion has a threaded bush secured therein for cooperating with the threaded shaft.

Preferably each threaded shaft has a cog member secured at an upper extent thereof. Preferably each cog member engages with a driving cog and may engage with two driving cogs or three driving cogs and preferably with four driving cogs.

At least one of the driving cogs of a first support member may engage with a connecting rod for transferring the drive means to a driving cog of a second support member.

There may be means for transferring the drive means to a respective driving cog of additional support members.

There may be up to six support members, for example.

Preferably the axis of the or each driving cog is arranged perpendicularly relative to the axis of the cog member.

Preferably the axis of the cog member is substantially vertical, in use. Preferably the axis of the or each driving cog is substantially horizontal, in use.

At least one of the driving cogs of a support member may comprise receiving means to engage with a shaft of an actuating element. Preferably, in use, the actuating element is manually rotated in order to move each support portion simultaneously. Alternatively, in use, the actuating element may be electrically rotated in order to move each support portion simultaneously. Preferably two driving cogs of a support member comprise receiving means to engage with a shaft of an actuating element.

Preferably the or each support member comprises a cog.

Preferably the support portion is at least partially located in the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is fixed to the support surface and preferably is fixed to a lower surface of the support surface. Preferably the restraining means inhibits relative rotation between the sleeve and the support portion.

Preferably the support portion is slidably movable along a longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve.

Preferably a first part of the restraining means is located on the sleeve and a second part of the restraining means in located on the support portion. Preferably the restraining means comprises an abutment member.

Preferably the restraining means comprising at least a first flange for cooperating with the abutment member.

Preferably the restraining means comprise a first flange and a second flange which are arranged in use to locate on opposite sides of the abutment member. Preferably the abutment member locates between the first flange and second flange in order to inhibit relative rotation of the support portion and the sleeve.

Preferably the abutment member is secured to the inner surface of the sleeve. Preferably the first flange and second flange are secured to the outer surface of the support portion. Preferably the first flange and second flange are located at an upper extent of the support portion. Preferably the first flange and the second flange are arranged, in use, to be located within the sleeve when the support portion is extended to its greatest extent.

Preferably the abutment member is an elongate member which may extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the sleeve.

Preferably the cooperation of the first and second flange and the abutment member inhibits relative rotation of the support portion and the sleeve whilst enabling relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of adjusting the height of a support surface of height adjustable furniture comprising moving a support portion of a first support member along a longitudinal axis relative to the support surface and thereby causing movement of a support portion of a second support member along a longitudinal axis relative to the support surface.

Preferably the method comprises moving a support portion or a first support member along a longitudinal axis and thereby causing movement of a support portion of a second support member by the same amount along a longitudinal axis.

Preferably the method comprising inhibiting rotation of the support portion relative to the support surface.

Preferably the method comprising moving the support portion of the first support member and thereby causing movement of a support portion of a second and third, or second, third and fourth, or second, third, fourth and fifth or second, third, fourth fifth and sixth support

members along respective longitudinal axes relative to the support surface.

Preferably the or each support portion comprises a lower support portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a support member for height adjustable furniture, the height adjustable furniture comprising a support surface, the support member comprising a support portion which can be moved along a longitudinal axis away from and towards the support surface, the support member comprising restraining means to inhibit relative rotation between the support portion and the support surface.

Preferably the support member comprises a sleeve.

Preferably the support member extends perpendicularly from the support surface. Preferably the support member extends along a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably the support portion is perpendicular to the support surface. Preferably the support portion extends along a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably the or each support portion comprises a lower support portion.

Preferably the support member extends along a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably the support portion is at least partially located in the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is fixed to the support surface and preferably is fixed to a lower surface of the support surface. Preferably the restraining means inhibits relative rotation between the sleeve and the support portion.

Preferably the support portion is slidably movable along a longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve.

Preferably a first part of the restraining means is located on the sleeve and a second part of the restraining means in located on the support portion. Preferably the restraining means comprises an abutment member.

Preferably the restraining means comprising at least a first flange for cooperating with the abutment member.

Preferably the restraining means comprise a first flange and a second flange which are arranged in use to locate on opposite sides of the abutment member. Preferably the abutment member locates between the first flange and second flange in order to inhibit relative rotation of the support portion and the sleeve.

Preferably the abutment member is secured to the inner surface of the sleeve. Preferably the first flange and second flange are secured to the outer surface of the support portion. Preferably the first flange and second flange are located at an upper extent of the support portion. Preferably the first flange and the second flange are arranged, in use, to be located within the sleeve when the support portion is extended to its greatest extent.

Preferably the abutment member is an elongate member which may extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the sleeve.

Preferably the cooperation of the first and second flange and the abutment member inhibits relative rotation of the support portion and the sleeve whilst enabling relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

Preferably the support portion is caused to move along the longitudinal axis by an actuating mechanism.

Preferably the actuating mechanism comprises a cog mechanism for extending or retracting a threaded member relative to the respective support portion. Preferably the support portion has a threaded bush secured therein for cooperating with the threaded shaft.

Preferably the threaded shaft has a cog member secured at an upper extent thereof. Preferably the cog member engages with a driving cog and may engage with two driving cogs or three driving cogs and preferably with four driving cogs.

At least one of the driving cogs may engage with a connecting rod for transferring the drive means to a driving cog of a second support member. There may be means for transferring the drive means to a respective driving cog of additional support members. There may be up to six support members, for example.

The axis of the or each driving cog may be arranged at any angle relative to the axis of the cog member. Preferably the axis of the or each driving cog is arranged perpendicularly relative to the axis of the cog member.

Preferably the axis of the cog member is substantially vertical, in use. Preferably the axis of the or each driving cog is substantially horizontal, in use.

At least one of the driving cogs of the support member may comprise receiving means to engage with a shaft of an actuating element. Preferably, in use, the actuating element is manually rotated in order to move the support portion. Alternatively, the actuating element may be electrically rotated, in use, in order to move the support portion. Preferably two driving cogs of the support member comprise receiving means to engage with a shaft of an actuating element.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is an elongate cross-section of a preferred embodiment of a support member for use with height adjustable furniture.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross-section of part of a preferred embodiment of a support member for use with height adjustable furniture.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a support member for use with height adjustable furniture.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a part of a preferred embodiment of a support member for use with height adjustable furniture.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an actuating mechanism.

Figure 6 is a plan view of an actuating mechanism.

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a first configuration of height adjustable furniture.

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a second configuration of height adjustable furniture.

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a third configuration of height adjustable furniture.

Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a fourth configuration of height adjustable furniture.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figure 1, the support member 10 for height adjustable furniture comprises a lower support portion 12.

The lower support portion may have a foot 11 located at the lower end thereof to rest on the ground. The foot 11 may be extended out from or towards the support portion using a simple threaded shaft 15 on which the foot 11 is

mounted and enables the foot to be screwed towards or away from the support portion. This may be useful when the item of height adjustable furniture is supported on an uneven surface. Generally, in use, each foot 11 of each support member 10 is screwed into the supportive portion as far as possible. The foot 11 may be secured to the threaded shaft such that rotation of the foot causes rotation of the threaded shaft. The lower support portion 12 is movable along a longitudinal axis away from and towards a support surface of the furniture in order to change the overall length of the support member and hence vary the height of the surface. At least an upper part of the lower support portion 12 is located within a sleeve 14. The lower support portion 12 is slidably movable relative to the sleeve 14. Accordingly, the lower support portion 12 can be extended out of, or retracted into the sleeve in order to vary the overall length of the support member 10. Accordingly, if an item of furniture, for example a table was supported on such support members 10 the height of the table could be adjusted. However, with such items of furniture which are supported by more than one support member 10 it is important that all of the support members 10 support the table at the same height in order to provide a level horizontal surface or a surface having a predetermined and selectable angle.

The lower support portion 12 and the sleeve 14 are both hollow cylindrical members and may comprise a plastics material or preferably a metal, for example aluminium or steel.

The lower support portion 12 has a bush 16 located in the upper end thereof. The bush 16 is securely located in the

lower support portion 12 such that the bush 16 cannot rotate relative to the lower support portion 12. In order or aid this a pin (not shown) may extend through the lower support portion 12 and the bush 16 in order to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The bush 16 may comprise a plastics material or a nylon or a metal.

The bush 16 has an opening defined therethrough. The inner wall of the opening comprises a threaded surface.

The support 10 comprises a threaded shaft 18 that extends downwardly from an upper portion of the support 10 and passes through the opening defined in the bush 16. The threaded shaft 18 has a support plate 20 located at the lower end thereof. The support plate 20 has a periphery which substantially corresponds to the inner surface of the lower support portion 12. Accordingly, the support plate 20 prevents or inhibits the threaded shaft 18 from pivoting or becoming non-concentric with the lower support portion 12. Such movement may result from a load being applied to the table off centre such that the force on the table top produces a turning movement abut the bush 12 causing the lower end of the threaded shaft 18 to be non- concentric with the lower support portion 12. This may result in the support failing or in the support being difficult to extend to retract.

The support 10 comprises a second bush 22 which locates inside the lower extent of the sleeve 14. The second bush 22 is annular and the lower support portion 12 projects through the opening provided therethrough. The lower support portion 12 is slidably movable relative to the bush 22 in order to enable the lower support portion to extend from and retract into the sleeve 14. However, the

second bush 22 may be retained to the sleeve 14 in order to prevent relative rotation therebetween. A pin 24 may project through to sleeve and into the second bush 22 in order to prevent such relative rotation. In addition, the pin 24 prevents the second bush 22 from sliding along a longitudinal axis and prevents or inhibits the second bush 22 from sliding with the lower support portion 12 and possible from becoming detached from the sleeve 14.

The support 10 has a support plate 26 secured at an upper end thereof. The support plate 26 may be secured to the upper extent of the sleeve 14. The support plate 26 is arranged, in use, to be secured to the underside of the support surface 15 of the furniture by securement means.

The use of a support plate 26 increases the contact surface area between the support 10 and the furniture in order to increase the strength of the join between the furniture and the support 10. The support plate 26 has apertures 28 defined therein in order for screws to project therethrough to secure the support plate to the underside of the furniture. In addition, the support 10 may have an auxiliary support 30 in order to increase the strength of the join between the support plate 26 and the sleeve 14.

The support member 10 comprises an actuating mechanism 31 which is arranged to rotate the threaded shaft 18. The threaded shaft 18 is retained at an upper extent by a securement element 32 which retains the threaded shaft 18 in a fixed vertical position within the support member 10.

Accordingly, as the threaded shaft 18 is rotated by the actuating mechanism 31 the bush 16 moves up or down the threaded shaft 18 as a result of the threaded opening

defined therein. It is, therefore, important that the lower support portion 12 does not rotate relative to the actuating mechanism since this would result in the lower support portion not extending from or retracting into the sleeve and, thereby, the overall length of the support member would not change. In order to overcome this problem, means are provided for preventing relative rotation between the actuating mechanism 31 and the lower support portion 12. Since the actuating mechanism 31 is fixed to the support surface 15 of the furniture, restraining means are provided for inhibiting or preventing relative rotation between the support surface 15 and the lower support portion 12.

The actuating mechanism 31 is secured within the upper portion of the sleeve 14. The actuating mechanism 31 comprises a housing 34 which is secured within the sleeve 14 by securement means which may comprise pins or screws 36 which extend through the support plate 26 and the housing 34. In addition, the actuating mechanism 31 may comprise a fixing member 38 which is secured to the sleeve by a pin 40.

At the upper end of the threaded shaft 18 there is provided a cog member 52. The cog member 52 is arranged, in use, to be driven by at least a first driving cog 50.

The actuating mechanism 31 may have two, three or four driving cogs 50 each of which can drive the cog member 52 in order to extend or retract the lower support portion 12 relative to the sleeve 14. The driving cogs 50 may be bevel cogs and the cog member 52 may be a bevel cog such that rotation of any of the driving cogs 50 causes rotation of the cog member 52 and rotation of the other

driving cogs 50. The axis of the or each driving cog 50 is perpendicular to the axis of the cog 52 member and, hence, also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft 18.

The height adjustable furniture comprises a plurality of support member 10. The actuating mechanism 31 of the support members 10 are connected by connecting rods 48 which engage with driving cogs 50 in order to transfer the rotation from one support member 10 to another.

Accordingly, only one of the driving cogs 50 of one support member 10 needs to be rotated in order to extend all of the support members to same height at the same rate. This maintains the angle of the support surface 15.

Threaded shafts of adjacent support members 10 may have opposite threads since the rotation may be changed from clockwise to anticlockwise. The gear ratio of the cog member to the threaded shaft may be in the region of 1 to 2 and preferably is in the order of 1.3, which means that for every one rotation of the driving cog the threaded shaft rotates 1.3 times.

An actuating element or key 40 may be provided for insertion into an aperture 54 provided by the driving cogs 50 in order for the driving cogs 50 to be manually rotated. Alternatively ; the key may be electrically driven and thus may alternatively allow the driving cogs to be electrically rotated. The key 40 comprises a profiled periphery which engages with a profiled opening 54 provided in each of the driving cogs 50. The key 40 may have a hexagonal profile. The driving cogs 50 which do not have connecting rods 48 engaged therein enable

insertion of the key. The profile of the key may be the same as the profile of the connecting rods 48.

As shown in Figure 5, the housing 34 of the actuating member is generally a cube, the upper face has been removed for clarity. The housing 34 houses four driving cogs 50. Each driving cog 50 is engaged with the cog member 52 which is attached to the threaded shaft 18 as shown in Figure 6. The troughs between the teeth of the driving cogs 50 and the cog member 52 are generally at 459 and are arranged to engage the respective teeth of the relevant cog. Accordingly, the cogs are bevel gear cogs.

Rotation of any one driving cog 50 will cause rotation of the cog member 52 which will thereby cause rotation of all of the other driving cogs 50. The rotation may be caused either by the rotation of the key 40 or rotation of a connecting rod 48.

Each driving cog 50 has an engagement aperture 54 for receiving and engaging a connecting rod 48 or a key 40.

Since the key and the connecting rods 48 have the same profile the arrangement of the driving cogs 50 is not important.

The cog member 52 also has an engagement aperture 56 which is arranged to receive and engage a profile shaft secured to the upper extent of the threaded shaft in order to transfer the rotation to the threaded shaft 18.

The actuating mechanism 31 is located in the upper extent of the sleeve 14 and is secured therein. Each actuating mechanism 31 has four driving cogs 50 which are located on

faces of the cubed housing 34. In some circumstances, the actuating mechanism 31 may only require three driving cogs 50. The sleeve 14 has apertures defined therein in order to allow access to driving cogs by either the key 40 or the connecting rod 48. If less than four driving cogs 50 are required then a plug is located in the relevant aperture in order to cover the aperture and prevent dust and debris entering therethrough.

The height adjustable furniture may comprise two, three, four, five or six support members 10 or more. Example of the arrangement of the supports 10, connecting rods, support surfaces, actuating mechanism and apertures for insertion of a key are shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10.

As shown in Figure 10, the height adjustable furniture may have an auxiliary actuating mechanism 65 in order to act as a junction box to transfer the driving means effectively. Such a junction box is not attached to a support member and merely acts to transfer the driving means to the support members. It can be see that the arrangements enable keys 40 to be entered from a plurality of directions. This is advantageous since the furniture may be located against other furniture or wall which inhibits access from particular directions.

The support members 10 may be connected to a lower support frame 64, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 10. The lower support frame or frames may increase the surface area contact between the furniture and the ground. The lower support frame or frames may distribute the load over a greater area. The lower support frame or frames may contact the ground directly or may have auxiliary feet (not shown) located on the underside thereof in order to

support the lower support frame or frames spaced from the ground.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.