Device to prevent rocking of tables

Abstract

A stabilising device for a table or the like article includes a cam device ( 10 ) which is rotatable on an axle ( 18 ) to engage the surface on which the table is located to prevent it from rocking. The cam is mounted on the table leg by a bracket ( 14 ). The cam may be locked in the desired position.

1 . A device for stabilizing tables, chairs and other similar articles characterised in that it includes a cam means mountable on a leg of the article and being movable from a first position which, when the other legs of the article are flush with the surface upon which it is located, is spaced apart from the surface, and a second position in which a portion of the cam means is in contact with the surface, such that the article is not susceptible to rocking when the cam means is in the second position.  
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  characterised in that the cam means is mounted at the lower end of the leg, and rotation thereof causes the leg to be raised or lowered.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  characterised in that the cam is non-reversible, being rotatable in one direction only.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that means to releasably lock the cam in a desired position is provided.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the cam comprises an eccentric wheel, the eccentric attachment of the wheel axle to the wheel resulting in raising and/or lowering of the leg upon rotation of the wheel.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 5  characterised in that the wheel has braking means associated with the wheel axle.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6  characterised in that the braking means comprises a pawl and the axle comprises a ratchet-wheel.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7  characterised in that rotation of the wheel about the wheel axle is the clock-wise direction results in immediate engagement of the pawl with the inclined teeth of the ratchet-wheel to act as a brake.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 7  characterised in that the ratchet-wheel is housed within the hollow body of the wheel and is rotatable about the wheel hub, the ratchet-wheel including an integral central cylindrical shaft which forms the wheel axle which extends through the wheel hub, through an opening to engage a mounting bracket.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1  characterised in that the cam means is mountable of the leg of the article by means of a right-angled mounting bracket, one portion of which is securable to the leg of the article, the other providing a mounting point for the eccentric wheel.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10  characterised in that the bracket is attached to the wheel axle by means of a mounting screw.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11  characterised in that the mounting screw engages a central bore in the axle, the outer end of the axle including a polygonal protrusion for engaging a complimental opening in the bracket.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 5  characterised in that the cam comprises a two-wheeled castor having an eccentrically located transverse axle, the wheel including a weighted section biasing the wheel towards a particular orientation and enabling gravity-assisted rotation of the wheel.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 13  characterised in that the castor is secured to the leg of the table or other article by means of a suitable clamp or the like which is in turn secured to a shaft including at the lower end thereof a short transverse tubular section for receiving the transverse shaft of the cam.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 14  characterised in that the transverse tubular section is provided with a clutch bearing with which the transverse shaft of the wheel is rotatable in one direction only.  
   
   
       16 . A table or the like article characterised in that it includes a cam means attached to at least one leg thereof, the cam means being movable from a first position which, when the other legs of the article are flush with the surface upon which it is located, is spaced apart from the surface, and a second position in which a portion of the cam means is in contact with the surface, such that the article is not susceptible to rocking when the cam means is in the second position.  
   
   
       17 . A device substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 2  characterised in that the cam is non-reversible, being rotatable in one direction only.  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that means to releasably lock the cam in a desired position is provided.  
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that means to releasably lock the cam in a desired position is provided.