HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE DESK SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This non-provisional application claims the benefit of and priority to co-pending Chinese Patent Application No. CN 202520067500.0 entitled “A Height Adjustable Desk” filed Jan. 9, 2025, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002]The present disclosure generally relates to a height adjustable desk, and more specifically to a height adjustable desk that may be driven by a single motor and which features easy installation and stable operation.

BACKGROUND

[0003]A height adjustable desk system may have one or more vertically telescoping columns, foot parts, and a tabletop. The height of the tabletop may be adjusted by controlling the vertical length of at least one telescoping column via a controller connected to one or more motors. Some desks, or tabletops, generally may be constructed with a single motor or with more than one motor operating to move a telescoping column.

[0004]In dual-motor embodiments, a motor may be positioned to adjust individual telescoping columns, while the single-motor embodiments may use one motor to operate multiple telescoping columns. To minimize packaging and transportation space, height adjustable desks may be designed for efficient disassembly, which may burden end users with inefficient, and potentially unsafe, assembly instructions upon delivery. For single-motor height-adjustable desks, the assembly process may involve installing one or more mechanical components, such as a coupling.

[0005]In some adjustable assemblies, which may facilitate the installation of the coupling, multiple mechanical components, such as a connecting tube, locking sleeve, locking nut, and connecting rod, may be assembled to provide a telescopic coupling sleeve. When aspects are loosened, such as the locking nut, the connecting rod may slide within the connecting tube to enable telescopic adjustment of the coupling's overall length. During installation, components, such as the connecting rod is typically first engaged with the shaft hole of the gear inside the telescoping column (without the motor installed), then extended to engage with the motor's connecting shaft. Finally, components, such as the locking nut, may be tightened to lock the length of the telescopic coupling. It is contemplated that the connecting tube and connecting shaft may feature axially arranged grooves and protrusions that correspond and interlock with each other.

[0006]However, when implementing the aforementioned installation scheme, a number of issues may arise. For instance, to facilitate proper insertion of some components, such as the connecting rod, during installation, the engagement between the connecting rod and the gear inside the telescoping column designed with appropriate looseness, which may result in the connecting rod being undesirably prone to disengagement from the telescoping column during the process of pulling the connecting tube out and engaging it with the motor's connecting shaft.

[0007]Another issue may arise with the interlock connection between the connecting tube and the connecting shaft, which may be firmly fit, but may not permit engagement of two components during installation before attempting to pull the connecting rod. This limitation exists because both the connecting rod and the shaft hole of the gear may have matching cross-sectional shapes, such as a polygonal cross-section shape, and the connecting shaft may not rotate when not energized. If the connecting tube and connecting shaft are engaged first, a situation may arise where the connecting rod and shaft hole of the gear may be misaligned. In such cases, it may be impossible to align them by rotating the coupling, which may make engagement between the connecting rod and the shaft hole of the gear unattainable.

[0008]Accordingly, various embodiments may be directed to a tabletop, or desk, with adjustable height that provides, at least, reduced installation inefficiency and increased operational safety.

SUMMARY

[0009]In accordance with some embodiments, a height adjustable desk may have a tabletop supported by a first telescoping column and a second telescoping column with each telescoping column having a telescopic adjustment mechanism disposed therein. The tabletop may be configured to be adjustable in a height direction relative to a floor. A motor may operate a drive shaft driven to articulate the telescopic adjustment mechanisms. The drive shaft may have a first shaft segment engaged with the motor and the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the first telescoping column. The first shaft segment may have a rigidly fixed coupling sleeve having a coupling groove configured to confront the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the second telescoping column. A second shaft segment may be an integral, elongated, non-telescopic rigid rod having a length configured such that when a proximal end is slidingly received within the coupling groove, a distal end of the second shaft segment may be engaged with the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the second telescoping column.

[0010]A tabletop, in other embodiments, may be supported by a first telescoping column and a second telescoping column with each telescoping column having a telescopic adjustment mechanism disposed therein. The tabletop may be configured to be adjustable in a height direction relative to a floor. A motor may operate a drive shaft driven to articulate the telescopic adjustment mechanisms. The drive shaft may have a first shaft segment engaged with the motor and the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the first telescoping column. The first shaft segment may a rigidly fixed coupling sleeve having a coupling groove configured to confront the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the second telescoping column. A second shaft segment may be configured as a single piece to slidably pass through the second telescopic column. A length of the second shaft segment may be configured such that when a proximal end thereof is reliably received in the coupling groove, a distal end thereof is reliably engaged with the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the second telescopic column.

[0011]Other aspects of a height adjustable desk may involve providing a first telescoping column pre-assembled with a motor and a first shaft segment having a receiving sleeve with a receiving groove. A second telescoping column may be provided having an external through hole and an internal through hole. The first and second telescoping columns may be fixedly connected to the respective foot parts. A transverse beam may be connected between upper ends of the first and second telescoping columns prior to inserting a second shaft segment through the external through hole, the second height adjustment mechanism, and the internal through hole, such that a proximal end of the second shaft segment is received within the receiving groove of the receiving sleeve and a distal end of the second shaft segment engages with the second height adjustment mechanism within the second telescopic column; fixedly connecting two side beams to the upper ends of the first telescopic column and the second telescopic column respectively, wherein one of the two side beams blocks the external through hole from an exterior side of the second telescoping column; and fixedly mounting a tabletop above the transverse beam and the side beams.

[0012]A height adjustable desk may be assembled, in accordance with some embodiments, by providing a first telescoping column pre-assembled with a motor and a first height adjustment mechanism with the first shaft segment engaging with both the motor and the first height adjustment mechanism. The first telescoping column may be provided with a receiving sleeve having a receiving groove prior to providing a second telescoping column having a second height adjustment mechanism. The first and second telescoping columns may be fixedly connected to respective foot parts. Connecting a transverse beam between upper ends of the first and second telescoping columns may occur before inserting a second shaft segment through the second telescopic column such that a proximal end of the second shaft segment is received within the receiving groove of the receiving sleeve and a distal end of the second shaft segment engages with the second height adjustment mechanism within the second telescopic column. Then, two side beams may be fixedly connected to the upper ends of the first telescopic column and the second telescopic column respectively with one of the two side beams blocking the distal end from protruding outward from second telescoping column. A tabletop may be fixedly mounted above the transverse beam and the side beams.

[0013]In some aspects, a height adjustable desk may have a tabletop supported by a telescoping column and a drive shaft communicating with the telescoping column. The telescoping column may have a telescopic adjustment mechanism having a drive gear, a drive screw, and a nut. The drive gear may be positioned to communicate with a throughbore of the telescoping column. The drive shaft may have a cross-sectional shape configured to rotate the drive gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The drive screw may contact the drive gear to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft by elevating the tabletop relative to a nut contacting the drive screw.

[0014]Other aspects of a height adjustable desk may involve the steps of sliding a drive shaft through a telescoping column to engage a drive gear with the drive gear positioned in the telescoping column, rotating the drive shaft to force the drive gear to rotate along a first plane, translating rotation along the first plane to rotation alone a second plane with a drive screw with the second plane oriented orthogonal to the first plane, and lifting a portion of the telescoping column in response to the rotating of the drive shaft, the drive screw configured to rotate along the second plane and change position relative to a nut, the drive screw and nut each positioned within the telescoping column.

[0015]In some embodiments, a height adjustable desk may have a tabletop supported by a first telescoping column and a second telescoping column with each telescoping column having a telescopic adjustment mechanism disposed therein to allow the tabletop to be adjustable in a height direction relative to a floor. The height adjustable desk may have a motor and a drive shaft driven by the motor to operate the telescopic adjustment mechanisms with the drive shaft having multiple shaft segments. A first shaft segment may be engaged with the motor and the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the first telescoping column with the first shaft segment having a rigidly fixed coupling sleeve having a coupling groove to confront the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the second telescoping column. A second shaft segment may be an integral, elongated, non-telescopic rod having a length configured such that when a proximal end thereof is slidingly received within the coupling groove, a distal end thereof is engaged with the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the second telescoping column.

[0016]Aspects of the second shaft segment may provide the length such that the proximal end can be disengaged from the coupling groove only when the distal end slides away from the first telescopic column and protrudes beyond the exterior of the second telescopic column. A side beam may be connected to the second telescopic column, which may block the distal end from protruding outward from the second telescopic column, in some aspects. The receiving sleeve, in other aspects, may be integrally formed with the first shaft segment and made of metal.

[0017]In accordance with some aspects, both a cross-sectional shape of the receiving groove and a cross-sectional shape of the proximal end may be designed as polygons for transmitting rotation from the first shaft segment to the second shaft segment. Both the cross-sectional shape of the receiving groove and the cross-sectional shape of the proximal end may be designed as an octagon or higher-sided polygonal shape, in other aspects. Aspects of the proximal end may form a loose fit with the receiving groove to allow the proximal end to slide within the receiving groove while still transmitting rotation. The first shaft segment may pass through the motor arranged between the receiving sleeve and the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the first telescopic column, in some aspects. The first shaft segment, in other aspects, may pass through the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the first telescopic column arranged between the receiving sleeve and the motor.

[0018]A height adjustable desk, in accordance with some embodiments, may have a tabletop supported by a telescoping column and a drive shaft communicating with the telescoping column. The telescoping column may have a telescopic adjustment mechanism having a drive gear, a drive screw, and a nut with the drive gear positioned to communicate with a throughbore, the drive shaft having a cross-sectional shape configured to rotate the drive gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft, and the drive screw contacting the drive gear to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft by elevating the tabletop relative to a nut contacting the drive screw.

[0019]In some aspects, the drive gear may rotate along a first plane. The drive screw may have a screw top that may rotate along a second plane, orthogonal to the first plane, in other embodiments. Aspects of the drive screw may concurrently rotate a first group of grooves in a first direction and a second group of grooves in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction. Some aspects of the first group of grooves may engage the drive gear the second group of grooves may engage the nut. The drive shaft may fill a drive bore (throughbore) of the drive gear, in some embodiments, with the drive bore having a cross-section shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the drive shaft, such as a hexagonal or octagonal cross-sectional shape.

[0020]In accordance with some embodiments, a height adjustable desk may be operated by sliding a drive shaft through a telescoping column to engage a drive gear with the drive gear positioned in the telescoping column. The drive shaft may rotate to force the drive gear to rotate along a first plane. A drive screw may translate rotation along the first plane to rotation along a second plane, oriented orthogonal to the first plane. A portion of the telescoping column may be lifted in response to the rotation of the drive shaft and the drive screw may rotate along the second plane and change position relative to a nut with the drive screw and nut each positioned within the telescoping column.

[0021]Aspects of the drive shaft may extend from a throughbore in the telescoping column to a rotating portion. The portion of the telescoping column may lift with the drive gear and drive screw contained therein, in some aspects. The drive gear may rotate wholly within the telescoping column, in other aspects.

[0022]These and other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 displays a perspective view of a height adjustable desk configured in accordance with various embodiments

[0025]FIG. 2 displays an exploded perspective view of portions of the height adjustable desk of FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 3 displays a partially enlarged view of point A in FIG. 2.

[0027]FIG. 4 displays a cross-sectional view of one of telescoping columns of the height adjustable desk in FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0028]FIGS. 5A-5D respectively display schematic diagrams illustrating some installation steps for the height-adjustable desk shown in FIG. 1 executed in accordance with embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029]In the following description, different embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. For purposes of explanation, particular structures and details are presented to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, for those skilled in the art the present disclosure can be realized without the need for specific details. In addition, well-known features will be omitted or simplified for clarity of the described embodiments.

[0030]The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 of the present disclosure provide a height adjustable desk 10, in which the same reference numerals represent the same components in several views. Referring to FIG. 1, the height adjustable desk 10 generally includes foot portions 12, telescoping columns 14, side beams 16, a transverse beam 18, and a tabletop 20. The materials for the foot portions 12, telescoping columns 14, side beams 16, and transverse beam 18 can be selected from steel or aluminum alloy profiles, or other materials. Both telescopic columns 14 are equipped with telescopic adjustment mechanisms internally. In the embodiment of this disclosure, the height adjustable desk 10 is a single-motor type, wherein a motor 22 simultaneously drives both telescopic adjustment mechanisms via a drive shaft 24.

[0031]In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the telescopic column 14 is connected at its lower end to the foot portion 12. The telescopic column 14 is connected at its upper end to the side beam 16. The transverse beam 18 are respectively connected at its two ends to the upper ends of the two telescopic columns 14. The tabletop 20 is fixed above the transverse beam 18 and/or the side beams 16. After assembly, the height adjustable desk 10 includes a height direction (H) defined by the longitudinal direction of the telescopic columns 14, a length direction (L) defined by the longitudinal direction of the transverse beam 18, and a width direction (W), where the height, length, and width directions are mutually perpendicular.

[0032]The motor 22 may be fixed to one of the telescopic columns 14 via a bracket and engaged with both telescopic columns 14 through the drive shaft 24 extending along the length direction. In some embodiments, the motor 22 may also be fixed to the transverse beam 18.

[0033]Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive shaft 24 includes a first shaft segment 26 and a second shaft segment 28, both of which are non-telescopic. The first shaft segment 26 is passed through the motor 22, its end confronting one telescopic column 14 and rotatably engaged with that telescopic column 14, while its end confronting the other telescopic column 14 is provided with a receiving sleeve 30 featuring a receiving groove 31. The second shaft segment 28 slides into the receiving groove 31 at its proximal end confronting the receiving sleeve 30 to matingly engage the first shaft segment 26, while its distal end is rotatably engaged with the other telescopic column 14. The drive shaft 24 is typically a metal rod. The receiving sleeve 30 may be made of metal and integrally formed with the first shaft segment 26 as a single piece, or it may be made of plastic and fitted over the end of the first shaft segment 26. The receiving sleeve 30 is also sometimes referred to as a coupling sleeve, and the receiving groove 31 is also sometimes referred to as a coupling groove.

[0034]In this disclosure, the structure of the telescopic adjustment mechanism is described using one of the telescopic columns 14 as an example, while the telescopic adjustment mechanism of the other telescopic column 14 is substantially identical. As shown in FIG. 4, the telescopic column 14 includes an upper outer tube 32 and a lower inner tube 34. The lower inner tube 34 is fixed at its lower end to the foot portion 12, while the upper outer tube 32 is fixed at its upper end to the side beam 16 and/or the transverse beam 18. The lower inner tube 34 is accommodated within the upper outer tube 32, enabling relative telescopic sliding movement between the upper outer tube 32 and the lower inner tube 34. The telescopic adjustment mechanism includes a fixed member 36, a drive gear 38, a driven gear 40, a screw 42, and a nut 44.

[0035]The fixed member 36 is connected to the upper end of the upper outer tube 32 within the interior of the upper outer tube 32 and has a space 39. The nut 44 is fixed to the upper end of the lower inner tube 34. The screw 42 is engaged with the nut 44, with its upper end connected to the fixed member 36 and its lower end extending into the interior of the lower inner tube 34. The drive gear 38 is accommodated within the space 39, with its shaft hole 41 extends axially along the length direction. The drive shaft 24 passes through the shaft hole 41 of the drive gear 38, thereby engaging with the telescopic adjustment mechanism. The driven gear 40 is connected to the upper end of the screw 42 and is accommodated within the space 39 to engage with the drive gear 38. The drive shaft 24 rotates under the drive of the motor 22, which then transmits rotation through the drive gear 38 and the driven gear 40 to drive the screw 42 to rotate. The upper outer tube 34 rises or descends as the rod aspect of the screw 42 rotates upward or downward.

[0036]To transmit rotation, the cross-sections of the drive shaft 24, the receiving groove 31 of the receiving sleeve 30, and the shaft hole 41 of the drive gear 38 are all polygonal, such as hexagonal, octagonal, etc. The polygonal shapes may have at least six sides (hexagonal). In some embodiments, the polygonal shapes have eight sides (octagonal) or higher. The engagement between the second shaft segment 28 and the telescopic adjustment mechanism incorporates appropriate looseness to permit slight angular rotation of the second shaft segment 28 after connection to the telescopic adjustment mechanism. An octagonal or higher-sided polygonal cross-section ensures alignment can be achieved through slight angular rotation even if the proximal end of the second shaft segment 28 is misaligned with the receiving groove 31.

[0037]The cross-sectional shape of the proximal end of the second shaft segment 28 of the drive shaft 24, such as, for example, square, pentagonal, hexogonal, or octagonal cross-sectional shapes along the W-H plane, the same as that of the receiving groove 31, but the size of the cross-section at the proximal end of the second shaft segment 28 are slightly smaller than that of the receiving groove 31, enabling it to accommodate within the receiving groove 31. The cross-sectional shapes of the two ends of the drive shaft 24 that engaged with the telescopic columns 14 are identical and match the cross-sectional shape of the shaft hole 41 of the drive gear 38. However, the size of the cross-section at the ends of the drive shaft 24 are slightly smaller than those of the shaft hole 41 of the drive gear 38, enabling it to be inserted into the shaft hole 41 of the driving gear 38. The cross-sectional shapes of the proximal and distal ends of the second shaft segment 28 of the drive shaft 24 may be identical or different. For example, the distal end may be hexagonal while the proximal end is octagonal. However, it should be ensured that the entire second shaft segment 28 can pass through the shaft hole 41 of the drive gear 38 (as further described below).

[0038]The telescopic column 14 engaged with the distal end of the second shaft segment 28 of the drive shaft 24 is provided with an external through hole 46 and an internal through hole 48 formed on the outside and inside of its upper outer tube 32, respectively. When viewed along the length direction, the cross-section of the shaft hole 41 should be positioned within the circumferential boundaries of both the external through hole 46 and the internal through hole 48, and the exterior communicates with the interior of the shaft hole 41 via the external through hole 46 and the internal through hole 48, while the external through hole 46, internal through hole 48, and receiving slot 31 are essentially arranged along a straight line in the length direction. The shapes of the external through hole 46 and the internal through hole 48 are not specifically limited and may be circular or polygonal. However, their sizes should meet at least the following two requirements: first, the entire second shaft segment 28 should be able to pass through both the external through hole 46 and the internal through hole 48; and second, the second shaft segment 28 should be able to rotate freely without obstruction when engaged with the telescopic column 14.

[0039]The length of the second shaft segment 28 is configured such that when its proximal end is reliably accommodated within the receiving groove 31, its distal end can also reliably engaged with the shaft hole 41 of the drive gear 38. Here, “reliably” means that there will be no undesirable disengagement during normal use in the later stage. Preferably, the length of the second shaft segment 28 is configured so that when a reliable engagement is established, the distal end of the second shaft segment 28 is positioned inside the external through hole 46, i.e., within the upper outer tube 32. The side beam 16 is configured such that when connected to the topper end of the telescopic column 14, it blocks the external through hole 46 on the outer side of telescopic column 14, thus limiting the second shaft segment 28 between the side beam 16 and the receiving sleeve 30 preventing the second shaft segment 28 from disengaging from the external through hole 46 during normal use.

[0040]In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the height adjustable desk 10 is typically shipped to the end users with the motor 22 and the first shaft segment 26 of the drive shaft 24 already fixedly engaged with one of the telescopic columns 14. During installation by the users, the first step is to fixedly connect the lower end of the two telescopic columns 14 to the respective foot portions 12, achieving a vertical connection between the telescopic columns 14 and the mid-sections of the foot portions 12. Second step, the two ends of the transverse beam 18 are fixedly connected to the topper ends of the two telescopic columns 14, as shown in FIG. 5A after connection.

[0041]It should be noted that the above installation sequence is not strictly defined, those skilled in the art or users may choose to fix the transverse beam 18 to the telescopic columns 14 first and then connect the telescopic columns 14 to the foot portions 12, depending on their needs. After completing the above connections, as shown in FIG. 5B for the third step, the proximal end of the second shaft segment 28 of the drive shaft 24 is sequentially passed through the external through hole 46 on the other one of the telescopic columns 14, the shaft hole 41 of the drive gear 38 inside that telescopic column 14, and the internal through hole 48 of the same telescopic column 14, and finally received in the receiving groove 31 of the receiving sleeve 30 of the first shaft segment 26, which may have a cross-sectional shape and size conducive to receiving at least the second shaft segment 28, such as, for example, a square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal cross-sectional shape along the W-H plane.

[0042]When the distal end of the second shaft segment 28 is located inside the external through hole 46, it indicates that the second shaft segment 28 has been properly installed. Finally, the two side beams 16 are fixedly connected to the topper ends of the two telescopic columns 14 and one of them blocks the outer through hole 46 (as shown in FIG. 5C), and the tabletop 20 is fixedly connected to the fully assembled support frame (as shown in FIG. 5D).

[0043]In some embodiments, the side beams 16 on the side near the first shaft segment 26 may also be installed before mounting the second shaft segment 28. In some embodiments, the installation order of the second and third steps can be swapped. In some embodiments, where feasible, the second shaft segment 28 may be engaged with the telescopic column 14 in second step by sequentially passing its distal end through the internal through hole 48, the shaft hole 41, and the external through hole 46, followed by pulling the second shaft segment 28 to engage its proximal end with the receiving groove 31 of the receiving sleeve 30. The fixed connection is typically achieved using methods such as bolt connections, but non-bolt connection methods or other alternatives may also be used.

[0044]In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the motor 22 is located between the two telescopic columns 14. However, in some embodiments, the motor 22 may also be fixed to the outer side of one of the telescopic columns 14, provided that an external through hole and an internal through hole, such as the aforementioned outer through hole 46 and inner through hole 48, are provided on that telescopic column to allow the first shaft segment 26 to pass through.

[0045]The height-adjustable desk in the embodiments of this disclosure may offer a variety of distinctions over issues and challenges contemplated in this disclosure. For instance, embodiments may reduce the risk of the drive shaft being prone to disengagement during installation and simplify the engagement structure of the drive shaft, which may eliminate the need for components, such as locking sleeve. Other distinctions may involve the enablement of users to easily verify whether the drive shaft is properly installed and elimination of polymer components, such as when the coupling sleeve and driving shaft are made of metal. In addition, the use of side beam to block the drive shaft may effectively prevent the side beam from disengaging during normal use.

[0046]A height adjustable desk, such as desk 10, may have a tabletop, such as tabletop 20, supported by a telescoping column, such as 14, and a drive shaft, such as drive shaft 24, communicating with the telescoping column, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5B, and 5C. The telescoping column may have a telescopic adjustment mechanism, such as the mechanism shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 with a drive gear, such as gear 38, a drive screw, such as screw 42, and a nut, such as nut 44, with the drive gear positioned to communicate with a throughbore, such as hole 41. The drive shaft having a cross-sectional shape configured to rotate the drive gear in response to rotation of the drive shaft, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The drive screw contacting the drive gear to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft by elevating the tabletop relative to a nut contacting the drive screw, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0047]Embodiments of the height adjustable desk may configure the drive gear to rotate along a first plane, as shown in FIG. 4, with a screw top, such as driven gear 40, that may be configured to rotate along a second plane, orthogonal to the first plane. The height adjustable desk, in some embodiments, may configure the drive screw to concurrently rotate a first group of grooves in a first direction and a second group of grooves in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, as illustrated in FIG. 4, with the first group of grooves is configured to engage the drive gear the second group of grooves is configured to engage the nut.

[0048]Various embodiments of the height adjustable desk may fill a drive bore of the drive gear with the drive shaft, as shown in FIG. 4, with the drive bore having a cross-section shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the drive shaft. The height adjustable desk may configure the drive shaft with a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, in other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0049]Some aspects of a height adjustable desk may slide a drive shaft, such as shaft 24, through a telescoping column, such as column 14, to engage a drive gear, such as gear 38, with the drive gear positioned in the telescoping column, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5B. Rotation of the drive shaft may force the drive gear to rotate along a first plane, as shown in FIG. 4, to translate rotation along the first plane to rotation along a second plane with a drive screw, the second plane oriented orthogonal to the first plane, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Lifting a portion of the telescoping column, in various aspects, may be in response to the rotation of the drive shaft such that the drive screw rotates along the second plane and changes position relative to a nut, such as nut 44, with the drive screw and nut each positioned within the telescoping column, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0050]Embodiments of the the drive shaft may extend from a throughbore, such as hole 41, in the telescoping column to a rotating portion, such as motor 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. In some embodiments, the portion of the telescoping column lifts with the drive gear and drive screw contained therein, as shown in FIG. 4, with the drive gear configured to rotate wholly within the telescoping column.

[0051]It should be noted that the above specific embodiments are exemplary, and the person skilled in the art may come up with various solutions inspired by the disclosure of the present invention, and all of these solutions also fall within the scope of disclosure of the present invention and fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. The person skilled in the art should understand that the specification of the present invention and its accompanying drawings are illustrative and do not constitute a limitation of the claims. The scope of protection of the present invention is limited by the claims and their equivalents.

[0052]The specification of the present invention contains a number of inventive ideas, such as “preferably”, “alternative embodiments” or “optionally” means that the corresponding paragraph discloses an independent idea, and the applicant reserves the right to file a separate application based on each inventive concept. Throughout the text, the features guided by “preferably” are only optional and should not be construed as mandatory, so the applicant reserves the right to waive or delete the relevant preferred features at any time.

[0053]Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.