Display and keyboard positioning apparatus, system, and method

• US 10,104,957 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2017
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Ergun, Mustafa A., Cain, John, Segar, Peter, Lindblad, Shaun C.
• Primary Examiner(s): McNichols, Eret C
• Application Number:
  US15/663,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20170332778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 248919, 24812311, 24829511
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/033 with parts added to the original furniture to enlarge its surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2009/185 being positioned between the table top and the legs or underframe
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0321 Keyboard supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2023/049 Desk stand for laptop computer
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0073 liftable above the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/04 characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0076 Vertical technical column supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/04 supported from table, floor or wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/10 with vertically-acting fluid cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/12 with flexible height-adjusting means, e.g. rope, chain
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/18 with additional top or additional legs for varying the height of the top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/06 with means for balancing weight of blackboards or the like, e.g. connected to wall means for balancing weight of drawing boards A47B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/2009 actuated by rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 : changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 : Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 : for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 : repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 : for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/047 : for balancing translational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/048 : for balancing translational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 : with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 : being part of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments include an apparatus for positioning items such as an electronic display, a keyboard, and/or a work surface. The apparatus can be attached proximate an edge of a generally planar support member to provide a multi-position workstation. In some cases the apparatus includes a display mount coupled to a support column and configured to support an electronic display and a keyboard. The support column may be movable with respect to support member between a sitting position and a standing position. Methods for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard are also included.

Claims

1. A height adjustable workstation for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the height adjustable workstation comprising:

a telescoping riser including;

a movable support column; and

a stationary column sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the movable column, wherein the movable support column and stationary column are movably coupled through a vertical range of travel;

a keyboard tray to support the keyboard, the keyboard tray coupled to the movable support column;

a mount to support the display, the mount coupled to the movable support column; and

a lift mechanism movably coupled between the stationary column and the movable support column, the lift mechanism including;

an energy storage member; and

a wheel assembly positioned below the work surface and operatively coupled to both the stationary column and movable support column to allow for counter-balanced height adjustment of the movable support column;

an attachment member to couple the riser to the work surface, wherein the attachment member is located proximate an upper end of the stationary column.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage member includes an extension spring.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage member includes a gas spring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly is coupled adjacent a lower end of the stationary column.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wheel assembly includes a constant radius wheel and a variable radius cam.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work surface is incorporated into a desk.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage member includes an extension spring, wherein the lift mechanism further includes:

a pulley system; and

a tension member,

wherein the extension spring is coupled to the wheel assembly via the tension member and the pulley system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy storage member includes a spring, wherein the lift mechanism further includes an adjustment member to adjust a tension of the spring.

9. A height adjustable workstation for positioning a display and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the height adjustable workstation comprising:

a telescoping riser including;

a movable support column; and

a stationary column sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the movable column, wherein the movable support column and stationary column are movably coupled through a vertical range of travel;

a keyboard tray to support the keyboard, the keyboard tray coupled to the movable support column;

a mount to support the display, the mount coupled to the movable support column;

a lift mechanism movably coupled between the stationary column and the movable support column, the lift mechanism including;

an extension spring; and

a wheel assembly including a wheel housing and a wheel, the wheel assembly positioned below the work surface and operatively coupled to both the stationary column and the movable support column to allow for counter-balanced height adjustment of the movable support column,

wherein the wheel housing is coupled adjacent a lower end of the stationary column; and

an attachment member to couple the riser to the work surface, wherein the attachment member is located proximate an upper end of the stationary column.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the wheel assembly includes a constant radius wheel and a variable radius cam.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the work surface is incorporated into a desk.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lift mechanism further includes:

a pulley system; and

a tension member,

wherein the extension spring is coupled to the wheel via the tension member and the pulley system.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lift mechanism further includes an adjustment member to adjust a tension of the extension spring.

14. A height adjustable workstation for positioning a display and a keyboard relative to a work surface of a desk, the height adjustable workstation comprising:

a telescoping riser including;

a movable support column; and

a stationary column sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the movable column, wherein the movable support column and stationary column are movably coupled through a vertical range of travel;

a keyboard tray to support the keyboard, the keyboard tray coupled to the movable support column;

a display mount to support the display, the display mount coupled to the movable support column; and

a lift mechanism movably coupled between the stationary column and the movable support column, the lift mechanism including;

a spring;

an adjustment member to adjust a tension of the spring;

a wheel assembly including a wheel housing and a wheel, the wheel assembly positioned below the work surface and operatively coupled to both the stationary column and the movable support column to allow for counter-balanced height adjustment of the movable support column, wherein the wheel housing is coupled adjacent a lower end of the stationary column;

a pulley system;

a tension member, wherein the spring is coupled to the wheel via the tension member and the pulley system; and

an attachment member to couple the riser to the work surface, wherein the attachment member is located proximate an upper end of the stationary column.