Segmented support body

Abstract

A segmented support body (1), in particular a table leg, comprising an outer segment (2), an intermediate segment (3) positioned within the outer segment and an inner segment (4) positioned within the intermediate segment, which segments (2, 3, 4) are slidable relative to each other, wherein the support body (1) has an actuator (18) and a displacement member (19) connected thereto within the inner segment (4) wherein the displacement member (19) is operatively coupled to the actuator (18) and the intermediate segment (3), which actuator (18) is adapted for displacement relative to the displacement member (19), and wherein the actuator (18) is at least operatively coupled to the outer segment (2), such that upon displacement of the actuator (18) relative to the displacement member (19) the outer segment (2) is displaced relative to the intermediate segment (3).

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A segmented support body, in particular a table leg, comprising an outer segment, an intermediate segment positioned within the outer segment and an inner segment positioned within the intermediate segment, which segments are slidable relative to each other, wherein the supporting body comprises in the inner segment an actuator and a gear rack cooperatively connected with the actuator and coupled to an end of the intermediate segment, which actuator is adapted for displacement relative to the gear rack, and wherein the actuator is at least operatively coupled to the outer segment, such that when the actuator is displaced relative to the rack, the outer segment is displaced relative to the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         23 . A segmented support body, in particular a table leg, comprising an outer segment, an intermediate segment positioned within the outer segment and an inner segment positioned within the intermediate segment, which segments are slidable relative to each other, wherein the support body has an actuator and a displacement member connected thereto within the inner segment wherein the displacement member is operatively coupled to the actuator and the intermediate segment, which actuator is adapted for displacement relative to the displacement member, and wherein the actuator is at least operatively coupled to the outer segment, such that upon displacement of the actuator relative to the displacement member the outer segment is displaced relative to the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         24 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the displacement member is operatively coupled to an end of the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         25 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the actuator includes a gear wheel that is rotatable for displacement of the actuator along the gear rack. 
     
     
         26 . The segmented support body as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the gear rack coupled to one end of the intermediate segment is coupled to a bottom element provided on the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         27 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the gear rack comprises teeth over part of its length. 
     
     
         28 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the displacement member comprises a chain having a rod connected on the one hand to a link of the chain and on the other hand to an end of the intermediate segment, which actuator is adapted for displacement relative to the chain and the bar attached thereto, and wherein the actuator is at least operatively coupled to the outer segment such that when the actuator is displaced relative to the chain and the rod connected thereto, the outer segment is displaced relative to the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         29 . The segmented support body according to  claim 28 , wherein the actuator is connected to a frame and is arranged to rotate a drive wheel attached to the frame for driving the chain provided in operative relationship with the drive wheel, which chain is also in operative relationship with a guide wheel for moving the rod a distance between the drive wheel and the guide wheel, the frame being connected to the inner segment. 
     
     
         30 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the segments each comprise a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         31 . The segmented support body according to  claim 30 , wherein the first ends are located at a position near the bottom element and the second ends are located at a position remote from the bottom element. 
     
     
         32 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the actuator is rigidly connected to the inner segment and operatively connected to two gear racks, wherein a first gear rack is coupled to a first end of the intermediate segment and a second gear rack is coupled to the outer segment. 
     
     
         33 . The segmented support body according to  claim 32 , wherein in an extended position of the segments of the support body
 a first end of the first gear rack is coupled to a first end of the intermediate segment and a second end of the first gear rack is located adjacent and in operative connection with the actuator, and   a first end of the second gear rack is positioned near a first end of the outer segment and a second end of the second gear rack is located near and in operative connection with the actuator.   
     
     
         34 . The segmented support body according to  claim 32 , wherein in a retracted or nested position of the segments of the support body
 a first end of the first gear rack is coupled to a first end of the intermediate segment and the actuator is at a position substantially in the middle of both ends of and in operative connection with the first gar rack, and   a first end of the second gear rack is positioned near a first end of the outer segment and the actuator is at a position substantially in the middle of the both ends of and in operative connection with the second gear rack.   
     
     
         35 . The segmented support body according to  claim 32 , wherein the actuator is fixedly connected to the inner segment in the middle of the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         36 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the actuator is an electric motor. 
     
     
         37 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the outer segment comprises at a first end a cam on the inside for abutting in an extended position against a stop cam provided on the outside at a second end of the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         38 . The segmented support body as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the cam provided on the outer segment serves as a guiding element for the intermediate segment. 
     
     
         39 . The segmented support body according to  claim 37 , wherein the cam provided on the intermediate segment serves as a guiding element for the outer segment. 
     
     
         40 . The segmented support body according to  claim 23 , wherein the intermediate segment and the outer segment have guide cams on their insides for guiding the inner segment. 
     
     
         41 . The segmented support body according to claim  1 , wherein the actuator is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         42 . A set of at least two segmented support bodies according to  claim 23 , wherein the actuators are stepper motors and are provided with a control for synchronizing the actuators in each segmented support body.