Load compensator for height adjustable table

An assembly for adjusting the position of a first guide member, the assembly comprising:

• a second guide member forming a channel, the first guide member positioned within the channel for sliding movement along an adjustment axis;
• a threaded shaft mounted at least partially within the channel for rotation about the adjustment axis;
• a nut threadably receiving the shaft and supported by the first guide member;
• and
• a lever member supported by the first guide member;
• wherein the lever member restricts rotation of the nut with respect to the first guide member during at least a portion of travel of the first guide member within the channel, allows nut rotation in a first direction and restricts rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction with respect to the first guide member when the first guide member is in at least a first position along the channel and allows nut rotation in the second direction and restricts rotation in the first direction when the first guide member is in at least a second position along the channel.

A support assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a first elongated member having a length dimension parallel to a substantially vertical extension axis;
• a second elongated member supported by the first member for sliding motion along the extension axis between at least an extended position and a retracted position;
• a spring that generates a variable spring force that depends at least in part on the degree of spring loading, the spring having first and second ends;
• an equalizer assembly including a strand having first and second ends, the first end linked to the second end of the spring and a second end linked to the first member, the force equalizer assembly and spring applying a force between the first and second members tending to drive the elongated members into the extended position wherein the applied force is substantially constant irrespective of the position of the second elongated member with respect to the first elongated member;
• a preloader supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand to the spring when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position;
• and
• an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.

A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising:

• a preloader supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position;
• an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader;
• and
• a clutch between the adjuster and the preloader for, when the force between the adjuster and the preloader exceeds a threshold level, allowing the adjuster to slip with respect to the preloader.