Vertical linear actuator mechanism

Abstract

A vertical linear actuator mechanism for positioning a load at a desired elevation above a support surface. A vertical linear actuator is comprised by a pair of gas spring cylinders interconnected together and secured inside a telescopic pedestal and extends and retracts the pedestal. An actuable lock mechanism is engageable with connecting bars associated with a respective one of the gas spring cylinders and immovably connects the connecting bars to position the load at a desirable elevation above the support surface.

1 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism for positioning a load at a desired elevation above a support surface, said linear actuator mechanism comprising a pair of extendable members, each of said extendable members being secured to a common support assembly and disposed in parallel vertical relationship, each said extendable members having an extendable shaft, said extendable shaft being secured at a free end thereof to a respective one of a base connector and a top connector, said top connector being securable to said load, said extendable shafts extending in opposite directions, a rigid connecting bar secured to said base connector. and to said top connector, each said connecting bars being displaced along a longitudinal axis thereof in unison with and parallel to an associated one of said extendable shafts of said pair of extendable members, an actuable lock mechanism engageable with each said connecting bars and immovably secured to said common support assembly whereby to immovably connect said connecting bars with said common support assembly to position said top connector and said load at said desirable elevation above said support surface. 
     
     
         2 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pair of extendable members are gas spring cylinders, each said cylinder having a piston housing in which said extendable shafts are secured and biased outwardly by a biasing pushing force inside said housings. 
     
     
         3 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said common support assembly is comprised by a pair of connector blocks, said connector blocks being immovably secured to one another in spaced-apart relationship, said cylinder housings of said pair of extendable members being secured to said connector blocks. 
     
     
         4 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said actuable lock mechanism is constituted by clamping lock means spring-biased against a respective one of said rigid connecting bars to arrest displacement of said connecting bars in opposite axial directions, said clamping lock means being actuable by remote actuable means. 
     
     
         5 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 4  wherein each said clamping lock means is constituted by a pair of locking plates, each locking plate having a clamping slot dimensioned and configured to receive one of said rigid connecting bars in loose fit therethrough, said pair of locking plates being retained spaced-apart at a common end thereof by a respective pivot coupling of an associated one of said support blocks, said support block having a guide wall having a guide slot therein through which said associated one of said rigid connecting bars extend in sliding fit therein, spring-biasing means supported in said guide wall and exerting an outward pushing force against said pair of locking plates to bias said plates in frictional locking engagement with said associated one of said rigid connecting bars on opposed sides of said guide wall to lock said bar against axial displacement in opposed axial directions. 
     
     
         6 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 5  wherein each said locking plates of said pair of locking plates are retained on a respective one of opposed sides of said guide wall, said spring-biasing means being constituted by at least one helical compression spring retained captive and in compression in a through bore formed in said guide wall with said spring extending from said opposed sides of said guide wall and abutting against said pair of locking plates urging said plates in opposite outward directions from their pivot slot and normally engaged with said associated connecting bar. 
     
     
         7 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said pair of locking plates of said clamping lock means of each said rigid connecting bars are actuable by a remote handle actuator applying a pulling force on an actuable cable secured at a far end to a free end of said pair of locking plates to cause said locking plates to be displaced towards one another on their pivot coupling and against a pushing force exerted by said spring biasing means to position said locking plates in non-frictional locking engagement with said associated one of said rigid connecting bars to unlock said bar to permit axial displacement of said connecting bar in opposed directions by either an upward pushing force exerted by said gas spring cylinder or an external downward pushing force exerted on said top connector or said load connected thereto. 
     
     
         8 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a guide pulley is secured to said free end of a lower one of said pair of locking plates and an attachment bolt secured to said free end of an upper one of said pair of locking plates, said actuable cable being displaceable in a protective conduit and having a free end portion thereof positioned taut about a portion of said pulley and secured at a free end to said attachment bolt. 
     
     
         9 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said base and top connectors are connector plates, said base connector plate being secured to a floor surface, said top connector plate being secured to an underside of a table top which constitutes said load. 
     
     
         10 . A vertical linear actuator mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said linear actuator mechanism is disposed inside and connected to a telescopic pedestal assembly formed by two or more concentrically coupled cylinders, said load being secured to a top end of one of said cylinders, said cylinders being interconnected by a vertically connected internal linear guide mechanism to provide lateral and torsional flexural rigidity to said telescopic pedestal.