Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an office furniture comprising;

- a table top,

a plurality of height adjustable leg units, each unit connected to the table top on one end,

an electronic system to control and power the plurality of height adjustable leg units.

The plurality of height ajdustable leg units is usually two adjustable let units. It will be clear however that any suitable number of height adjustable leg units will suffice. Even one height ajdustable leg unit may be conceivable.

Background art

Such an office furniture is known from WO2006043881 which publication refers to a vertically adjustable furniture unit with two vertically adjustable legs each with an outer leg section, an inner leg section and a foot. Each leg has a drive motor for raising and lowering the leg. The furniture unit has a signal button connected to one leg, the master leg, by means of which the user gives signals for raising and lowering, respectively. The signal is transmitted further to the other leg(s), the slave leg(s), by the intermediary of a communication conductor through which exchange of information signals takes place between the master leg and the slave leg(s). Information signal contain information on the movement of the master leg and the slave leg(s), for a comparison between the movement of the slave leg(s) in relation to the master leg, whereafter the corresponding movement is generated in the slave leg(s).

EP 2 140 780 A1 to KINNARPS AB relates to a table comprising a table top of great thickness, at least one vertically adjustable leg with a vertical adjustment device fixedly disposed therein and at least one fixing device for fixing the leg to the table top. In order to permit mounting of the leg to the table top and in order to keep the underside of the table top as uncluttered as possible, the fixing device is partly recessed from beneath in the table top and has an integrated drive motor. The fixing device and the fixing flange of the leg cooperate. The fixing device is secured in the table top in that it is at least partly countersunk from beneath and up into the material of the table top. The dimensioning of the table top is made in such a manner that the upper side of the upper wall of the fixing device abuts against the lower side of the upper panel material of the table top and is fixedly glued in position there.

EP 2 140 780 A1 has a problem in that the abutting against the upper panel material may cause visual deformation at the upper side of the upper panel material. Deformation of the upper panel is not acceptable, in particular not when the table top is high gloss finished.

Summary of the invention The present invention seeks to provide an improved office furniture that offers a better connection between the table top and legs in that the table top in particular the upper panel material of the table top does not noticeably deform.

The present invention also seeks to provide an improved office furniture in that a problem associated with known office furniture is at least partly solved.

The present invention also seeks to provide an alternative office furniture.

According to the present invention, the table top comprises a bottom cover sheet facing the plurality of height adjustable leg units and connected to the plurality of height adjustable leg units. The leg units are not directly secured to the core and/or the top cover sheet. The table top is connected to the plurality of height adjustable leg units through the bottom cover sheet only. As a consequence, less or no mechanical stress is introduced in the top cover sheet which facilitates a smooth surface of the top cover sheet. In particular when a high gloss finish is used, the flatness of smoothness of the top cover sheet is very important.

According to a more general aspect of the present invention, an office furniture as defined above is provided, in which the table top comprises a core having an open cellular structure, and wherein the electronic system is integrated within an envelope or overall contour of the table top.

The open core enables integration of power and control systems into the table top. Therefore the table top can be plane from the outside. Or in other words the integration of the electronic system within the envelope or overall contour of the table top results in a flat, level, flush, smooth, and even table top. This offers more leg space to the user and an outer surface of the table top that is more easy to clean. It will be clear that the table top comprises a top cover sheet on top of the core which top cover sheet is a desktop for a user.

The open cellular structure of the core means that open cells are formed by thin walled sheets like corrugated webs or sheets. Open may be literally open however it is conceivable that the cells are filled with for example a foam. The open cellular structure of the core results in a stiff and lightweight table top.

More in general, the open core facilitates integration of functional units like the electronic system to control and power the plurality of height adjustable leg units.

However other functional units are conceivable.

In addition, the table top comprising a core enables to separate functions of a top cover sheet and a bottom cover sheet. The bottom cover sheet can be optimized to connect the table top to the plurality of height adjustable leg units. The top cover sheet can be optimized to offer a good user experience.

The plurality of height adjustable leg units are connected to each other only through the table top. In other words, the table top is the only construction connection between the plurality of height adjustable leg units. Each of the leg units of the plurality of height adjustable leg units are individually connected to the table top. As a consequence no cross bar is present between leg units which offers even more space below the table top. Thus no cross bar is required nor any other additional horizontal or vertical supporting structures like a top support cantilever.

In an embodiment, the office furniture comprises a plug means, wherein at least one of the plurality of height adjustable leg units comprises a mounting plate and the bottom cover sheet is secured to the mounting plate through the plug means. The table top having a core facilitates the use of a plug means.

In an embodiment of the office furniture, the plug means comprises at least one of an inner thread, a hollow wall plug, a hollow wall anchor, an outer thread. This facilitates a threaded connection between the leg units and the table top having a core with an open cellular structure, in short "open core". The open core enables to secure the table top with a threaded connection to the leg units. In an embodiment of the office furniture, the core comprises corrugated webs or sheets. As another example, the core may comprise honeycomb structures that are well known per se. In an embodiment of the office furniture, at least one of the plurality of height adjustable leg units comprises a base, wherein the base extends in a direction transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the at least one of the plurality height adjustable leg units and is located on a distal end of the at least one of the plurality of height adjustable leg units for contacting a support surface, like a floor.

In an embodiment of the office furniture, at least one of the plurality height adjustable leg units comprises a mounting plate for connecting the at least one leg unit to the table top, wherein the mounting plate extends transverse with respect to the base. This means that the mounting plate extends mainly or only to a center of the table top. This enables optimal support of the table top.

In an embodiment of the office furniture, the mounting plate extends towards another leg unit of the plurality height adjustable leg units. This optimizes the bridge or span between the at least one of the plurality height adjustable leg units and the other leg unit.

In an embodiment of the office furniture, the plurality of height adjustable leg units is two height adjustable leg units.

In an embodiment of the office furniture, the electronic system comprises at least one control unit, and wiring coupled to the plurality of height adjustable leg units, and a user interface.

In an embodiment of the office furniture, the table top comprises a cavity and the at least one control unit is accommodated in the cavity, wherein the cavity extends through the bottom cover sheet in the core of the table top. This facilitates assembling a leg unit in unity with a control unit to the table top.

In an embodiment of the office furniture, the cavity is arranged opposite the mounting plate of the at least one of the plurality height adjustable leg units. Opposite is to say that the mounting plate covers the cavity. In particular, each mounting plate covers a cavity. This maintains an as much as possible even and plane table top. In an embodiment of the office furniture, the perimeter of the table top has a free shape. A free shape means a shape that differs from standardized square or round table tops like a more organic form such as a drop or a tree leaf, or the shape of a kidney bean.

According to the present invention, a method for assembling an office furniture as defined above is provided comprising integrating wiring in the table top before coupling the wiring to at least one of the plurality height adjustable leg units. This facilitates assembling of the office furniture in situ.

Short description of drawings

The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows in perspective view an office furniture according to the invention;

Fig. 2 a bottom view of the office furniture of fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 a partly exploded perspective view of leg unit and the table top;

Fig. 4 a perspective view of a leg unit connected to the table top;

Fig. 5 a side view of a plug means;

Fig. 6 a cross sectional side view of a detail of a table top and the plug means of fig. 5 secured to the table top; and

Fig. 7A and 7B perspective views of a second embodiment of an office furniture according to the invention showing a leg unit connected or connectable to the table top; and

Fig. 8A and 8B perspective views of a third embodiment of an office furniture according to the invention showing a leg unit connected or connectable to the table top.

Description of embodiments

Fig. 1 shows in perspective view an office furniturel according to the invention. The office furniture 1 comprises a table top 2. The table top 2 comprises a core 28, a top cover sheet 1 1 and a bottom cover sheet 10. The table top 2 is a composite type of table top 2 with a sandwiched construction. The core 28 has an open cellular structure as best shown in fig. 6. The core 28 has a high number of open cells 26. The cells are formed by cell walls 27, in this case corrugated webs 27 or sheets. Here, the perimeter 12 of the table top 2 has a rectangular shape. It is conceivable that the perimeter 12 has a free shape. Such a free shape is not shown in the drawings.

The office furniture 1 comprises a plurality of height adjustable leg units 3, in this case two leg units. Each leg unit 3 is connected to the table top 2. . Each leg unit 3 is connected to the table top 2 at on one end 9 of the leg unit 3. Each leg unit is individually connected to the table top 2. Thus the two height adjustable leg units 3 are connected to each other only through the table top 2. Therefore, the table top 2 is the only construction connection between the two height adjustable leg units 3. The bottom cover sheet 10 faces the plurality of height adjustable leg units 3. In this case, each leg unit is secured to the bottom cover sheet only 10 and not directly secured to the core 28 and/or the top cover sheet 1 1 .

The office furniture 1 comprises an electronic system 5, 6, 7, 8. The electronic system is configured to control and power the plurality of height adjustable leg units 3. This control and power includes synchronization between leg units to assure a horizontal position of the table top 2. The electronic system 5, 6, 7, 8 is integrated within an envelope or overall contour of the table top 2. The electronic system 5, 6, 7, 8 includes a control unit 5, in this case three control units 5. Here, each individual leg unit 3 has a control unit 5. The electronic system 5, 6, 7, 8 includes wiring 6. The wiring 6 is at least routed towards each leg unit 3 to power the adjustment of the leg. The electronic system 5, 6, 7, 8 includes a user interface 7. The electronic system 5, 6, 7, 8 includes a power plug 8 to power the electronic system. The office furniture 1 comprises a base 4. Here, each one of the two height adjustable leg units 3 comprises a base 4. The base 4 extends in a direction transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis 14 of the two height adjustable leg units 3. The base is located on a distal end 15 of each one of the two height adjustable leg units 3. The base 4 is configured for contacting a support surface, like a floor. The base 4 has levelers in this case.

Fig. 2 shows bottom view of the office furniture 1 of fig. 1 . Each one of the two height adjustable leg units 3 comprises a mounting plate 13. The mounting plate is configured for connecting the leg unit 3 to the table top 2. The mounting plate 13 extends transverse with respect to the base 4. The mounting plate 13 extends towards the other of the two leg unit 3. Both mounting plates 13 extend to each other to minimize the spacing between the two leg units 3. Both mounting plates 13 extend mainly or even only to the center of the table top 2 and not the perimeter 12 of the table top 2.

Fig. 3 shows a partly exploded perspective view of leg unit 3 and the table top 2. The table top 2 comprises a cavity 16. At least one control unit 5 is accommodated in the cavity 16. The cavity 16 extends through the bottom cover sheet 10 in the core 28 of the table top 2. The cavity 16 is arranged opposite the mounting plate 13 of a height adjustable leg units 3. The mounting plate 13 covers the cavity 16. The mounting plate 13 covers the cavity 16 and the control unit 5 accommodated in the cavity 16. Here, each of the two leg units 3 have a respective control unit 5 and use a respective cavity 16 opposite the mounting plate 13. The control unit 5 rests on the mounting plate 13, or in other words, is supported by the mounting plate 13. Here, the leg unit 3 and the control unit 5 can therefore be assembled to the table top 2 as a unity. The mounting plate 13 is secured to the bottom cover sheet 10 of the table top 2. The mounting plate 13 is bolted 18 to the bottom cover sheet 10 in this case. Therefore, plug means 1 are arranged with the table top 2. As can be best seen here, the base 4 extends in a direction transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis 14 of the two height adjustable leg units 3. The base is located on a distal end 15 of each one of the two height adjustable leg units 3. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a leg unit 3 connected to the table top 2. The leg unit 3 is a telescopic type leg having leg segments 3a, 3b, 3c that telescope in a manner known per se. The mounting plate 13 has a mounting flange 19 that is bolted to the bottom cover sheet 10 through bolt means 18. Here, the mounting plate 13 has opposite mounting flanges 19 and a deepening 20 between the opposite mounting flanges 19. The deepening 20 strengthens the mounting plate 13 and increase the available space for a control unit 5. The deepening 20 is arranged opposite the cavity 16.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of a plug means 17. In this case the plug means 17 is a hollow wall plug 17, in short plug 17. This plug 17 is weakened by cut outs 22. The cut outs 22 extend in the longitudinal direction 21. The plug 17 has an outer flange 23 that abuts against the outer surface of the table top 2. The plug 17 is deformable into a deformed state shown in fig. 6. The deformed state is defined also by the cut outs 22.

Fig. 6 shows a cross sectional side view of a detail of a table top 2 and the plug means 17 secured to the table top, or more precise, the bottom cover sheet 10 of the table top 2. As can be best seen here, the table top 2 comprises a core 28, a top cover sheet 1 1 and a bottom cover sheet 10. The core 28 has a high number of open cells 26. The cells are formed by cell walls 27, in this case corrugated webs 27 or sheets. The mounting plate 13 (not shown in fig. 6) is secured to the bottom cover sheet 10 through the plug 17. In the deformed state, the plug 17 has an inner flange 24. The inner flange 24 is arranged opposite the outer flange 23. The inner flange 24 and the outer flange 23 enclose the bottom cover sheet 10. The plug 17 comprises inner thread 25 to form a threaded connection with a bolt 18 (not shown in fig. 6).

As an example, the assembling of the office furniture 1 may comprise integrating wiring 6 in the table top 2 before coupling the wiring 6 to each of the two height adjustable leg units 3.

Fig. 7A and 7B show perspective views of a second embodiment of an office furniture 1 according to the invention. In principle only differences with fig. 1 -6 are described. The leg unit 3 is connected or connectable to the table top 2. The table top 2 is connected to the height adjustable leg unit 3 through the bottom cover sheet 10 only. The leg unit 3 connects to the bottom cover sheet 10 through an L-profile 31. In this case, the leg unit 3 connects to the bottom cover sheet 10 through a pair of L-profiles 31 disposed at opposite side of the leg unit 3. One plate member 33 or leg member 33 of the L-profile 31 extends into the cavity 16. Here, the entire plate member 33 or leg member 33 of the L-profile 31 extends into the cavity 16. The one plate member 33 is connected to the leg unit 3. The one plate member 33 is connected to the leg unit 3 through a housing member

30 that has mounting capability like the mounting plate 13 in fig. 3. The one plate member 33 is connected to housing member 30 through a bolt connection comprising a number of bolts 29. The bolts 29 are within the cavity 16 once the leg unit 3 is connected to the table top 2. The control unit 5 (not visible) is accommodated within the housing member 30. The housing member 30 extends at least partly in the cavity 16 when the housing member 30 is in an installed position as shown in fig. 7B. The other plate member 34 of the L-profile

31 contacts the bottom cover sheet 10 at the exterior of the table top 2. The other plate member 34 is connected to the bottom cover sheet 10 through a bolt connection comprising a number of bolt means 18, and according the description in fig. 6.

Fig. 8A and 8B show perspective views of a third embodiment of an office furniture 1 according to the invention. In principle only differences with fig. 1 -6 are described. The leg unit 3 is connected or connectable to the table top 2. The table top 2 is connected to the height adjustable leg unit 3 through the bottom cover sheet 10 only. The leg unit 3 connects to the bottom cover sheet 10 through an L-profile 32. In this case, the leg unit 3 connects to the bottom cover sheet 10 through a pair of L-profiles 32 disposed at opposite side of the leg unit 3. One plate member 35 or leg member 35 of the L-profile 32 extends away from the bottom cover sheet 10 and is arranged procimate the cavity 16. The one plate member 35 is connected to the leg unit 3. The one plate member 35 is connected to the leg unit 3 through a housing member 30 that has mounting capability like the mounting plate 13 in fig. 3. The one plate member 35 is connected to housing member 30 through a bolt connection comprising a number of bolts 29. The control unit 5 (not visible) is accommodated withtin the housing member 30. The housing member 30 extends at least partly in the cavity 16 when the housing member 30 is in an installed position as shown in fig. 8B. The other plate member 36 of the L-profile 32 contacts the bottom cover sheet 10 at the exterior of the table top 2. The other plate member 34 is connected to the bottom cover sheet 10 through a bolt connection comprising a number of bolt means 18, and according the description in fig. 6.

The present invention has been described above with reference to a plurality exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.