Height adjustable support surface and system for encouraging human movement and promoting wellness

• US 10,130,170 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2017
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Labrosse, Jean-Paul, Chu, Michael Xinjie, Sullivan, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Troy, Daniel J
• Assistant Examiner(s): AYRES, TIMOTHY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US15/474,977
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 108 5002, 108147, 108 20- 22, 3123301, 3123195-3199
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/02 with vertically-adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2097/003 Cable holders; cable organisers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0054 with three telescopic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0056 with a motor, e.g. an electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0061 Height-adjustable desk, electronically regulated with no mechanical link between the legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0062 Electronically user-adaptable, height-adjustable desk or table
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/00 Tables with tops of variable height lecterns with variable height A47B19/06; school forms or desks with variable height A47B39/02, A47B41/02; seats with variable height A47C3/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/01 for supporting or guiding the pipes, cables or protective tubing, between relatively movable points, e.g. movable channels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/416 characterised by control of velocity, acceleration or deceleration G05B19/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24015 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35491 Workpiece date display, position, height
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame and a vertical displacement drive mechanism controllable to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the method comprising, using a processor linked to the drive mechanism to perform the steps of tracking periods during which the worktop is in various worktop elevation positions, using the tracked periods to identify times at which to present reminders to a workstation user to change a current worktop elevation position to a standing elevation position and at the identified times, controlling the drive mechanism to automatically change the worktop height from the current worktop elevation position to another elevation position that is distinct from any standing elevation position to encourage a workstation user to raise the worktop to a standing elevation position.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame, at least one user input control and at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism, each of the at least one user input controls for receiving manual direct user input from a workstation user to control at least one of the drive mechanisms to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the method comprising, using a processor linked to the drive mechanism to perform the steps of:

(i) tracking periods during which the worktop is in various worktop elevation positions;

(ii) using the tracked periods to identify times at which to present reminders to a workstation user to change a current worktop elevation position to a standing elevation position; and

(iii) at the identified times, without manual user input through the at least one user input controls for receiving manual direct user input from a workstation user to change the worktop elevation, controlling at least one of the drive mechanisms to manipulate the worktop height through a displacement sequence within a range of no greater than 5 inches from the current worktop elevation position to provide a reminder to encourage a workstation user to use the at least one input control to raise the worktop to a standing elevation position, wherein a user physically contacting the worktop detects the reminder through movement of the worktop, wherein the height displacement sequence includes at least one upward displacement and at least one downward displacement and wherein the duration of the at least one upward displacement is different than the duration of the at least one downward displacement.

2. A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame, at least one user input control and at least one drive mechanism including at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism, the at least one user input control for receiving manual direct user input from a workstation user to control at least one of the drive mechanisms to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the method comprising, using a processor linked to at least one of the drive mechanisms to perform the steps of:

(i) tracking periods during which the worktop is in various worktop elevation positions;

(ii) using the tracked periods to identify times at which to present reminders to a workstation user to change a current worktop elevation position to a standing elevation position; and

(iii) at the identified times, without manual user input through the at least one input control to change the worktop elevation, controlling at least one of the drive mechanisms to manipulate the worktop height through a displacement sequence within a range of the current worktop elevation position to provide a reminder to encourage a workstation user to use the at least one input control to raise the worktop to a standing elevation position, wherein a user physically contacting the worktop detects the reminder through movement of the worktop, the step of controlling including upwardly displacing the worktop to another elevation position and returning the worktop to a height that is within one inch of the current worktop elevation position at a frequency that is approximately 12 cycles per minute.

3. A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame, at least one user input control and at least one drive mechanism including at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism, the at least one user input control for receiving manual direct user input from a workstation user to control the at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the method comprising, using a processor linked to the drive mechanism to perform the steps of:

(i) tracking periods during which the worktop is in various worktop elevation positions;

(ii) using the tracked periods to identify times at which to present reminders to a workstation user to change a current worktop elevation position to a standing elevation position; and

(iii) at the identified times, without manual user input through the at least one input control, controlling at least one of the at least one drive mechanisms to manipulate the worktop height through a displacement sequence within a range of the current worktop elevation position to provide a reminder to encourage a workstation user to use the at least one input control to raise the worktop to a standing elevation position, wherein a user physically contacting the worktop detects the reminder through movement of the worktop, furthest displacement of the worktop from the current elevation position during the displacement sequence is within a range between one quarter of an inch and one inch.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the displacement sequence includes at least one upward displacement and at least one downward displacement, the at least one upward displacement is within a range between one quarter of an inch and one inch and has a duration no greater than 5 seconds and wherein the at least one downward displacement is within a range between one quarter of an inch and one inch and has a curation no greater than 5 seconds.

5. A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame and at least one displacement drive mechanism including at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism controllable to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the workstation also including at least one user input control for receiving user input including input to control at least one of the drive mechanisms to initiate vertical worktop displacement, the method comprising, using a processor linked to the drive mechanism to perform the steps of:

(i) receiving at least one input from a workstation user indicating a sitting position period at the end of which the worktop is to be moved to a standing worktop position;

(ii) at the end of the sitting position period, without receiving any displacement initiating input from the user via the at least one user input control at the end of the sitting position period, controlling at least one of the drive mechanisms to manipulate the worktop through at least one unique height adjustment sequence that is distinguishable from a displacement to a standing height position as a prompt to encourage a workstation user to use the at least one user input control to initiate displacement of the worktop to a standing height position, the unique height adjustment sequence including at least one upward displacement and at least one downward displacement, wherein the worktop height is at a sitting position prior to the unique adjustment sequence and wherein the worktop is within an inch of the sitting position throughout the unique height adjustment sequence.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one upward displacement occurs within less than 5 seconds.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one downward displacement occurs within less than 5 seconds.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the duration of the at least one upward displacement is different that the duration of the at least one downward displacement.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the unique height adjustment sequence includes one of the at least one upward displacement and the at least one downward displacement immediately following the other of the at least one upward displacement and the at least one downward displacement so that the unique height adjustment sequence includes substantially continuous movement.

10. A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame and at least one displacement drive mechanism including at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism controllable to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the workstation also including at least one user input control for receiving user input including input to initiate vertical worktop displacement, the method comprising, using a processor linked to the drive mechanism to perform the steps of:

(i) receiving at least one input from a workstation user indicating a sitting position period at the end of which the worktop is to be moved to a standing worktop position;

(ii) at the end of the sitting position period, without receiving any displacement initiating input from the user via the at least one user input control at the end of the sitting position period, controlling at least one of the drive mechanisms to manipulate the worktop through at least one unique height adjustment sequence that is distinguishable from a displacement to a standing height position as a prompt to encourage a workstation user to use the at least one user input control to initiate displacement of the worktop to a standing height position, the unique height adjustment sequence including at least one upward displacement and at least one downward displacement wherein the entire unique height adjustment sequence occurs within less than a 5 inch range wherein the height range of the unique height adjustment sequence is at least one quarter inch; and

wherein the at least one upward displacement occurs within less than 5 seconds and wherein the at least one downward displacement occurs within less than 5 seconds.

11. A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame and at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism controllable to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the workstation also including at least one user input control for receiving user input including input to initiate vertical worktop displacement, the method comprising, using a processor linked to the drive mechanism to perform the steps of:

(i) receiving at least one input from a workstation user indicating a sitting position period at the end of which the worktop is to be moved to a standing worktop position;

(ii) at the end of the sitting position period, without receiving any displacement initiating input from the user via the at least one user input control at the end of the sitting position period, controlling at least one of the at least one drive mechanisms to manipulate the worktop through at least one unique height adjustment sequence that is distinguishable from a displacement to a standing height position as a prompt to encourage a workstation user to use the at least one user input control to initiate displacement of the worktop to a standing height position, the unique height adjustment sequence including at least one upward displacement and at least one downward displacement wherein the worktop height is at a sitting position prior to the unique height adjustment sequence and wherein the worktop is within an inch of the sitting position throughout the unique height adjustment sequence.

12. A method for controlling a height adjustable workstation that includes a worktop supported by a frame and at least one displacement drive mechanism including at least one vertical displacement drive mechanism controllable to change the elevation of the worktop to different worktop elevation positions, the workstation also including at least one user input control for receiving user input including input to initiate vertical worktop displacement, the method comprising, using a processor linked to the drive mechanism to perform the steps of:

(i) receiving at least one input from a workstation user indicating a sitting position period at the end of which the worktop is to be moved to a standing worktop position;

(ii) at the end of the sitting position period, without receiving any displacement initiating input from the user via the at least one user input control at the end of the sitting position period, controlling at least one of the at least one drive mechanisms to manipulate the worktop through at least one unique height adjustment sequence that is distinguishable from a displacement to a standing height position as a prompt to encourage a workstation user to use the at least one user input control to initiate displacement of the worktop to a standing height position, the unique height adjustment sequence including at least one upward displacement and at least one downward displacement wherein the entire unique height adjustment sequence occurs within less than a 5 inch range, wherein the duration of the at least one upward displacement is at least one and two thirds seconds and wherein the duration of the at least one downward displacement is at least one and two thirds seconds.

13. A sit-stand desk for use by a user, comprising:

a frame;

a worktop having an upper work surface and being selectively vertically displaceable in respect to the frame;

at least one displacement drive mechanism including at least one vertical-displacement drive mechanism supported by the frame and controllable to vertically displace the worktop with respect to the frame; and

a control circuit activating the at least one drive mechanism to move the worktop from sitting height to standing height upon receiving a user input commanding a sit to stand worktop displacement, the control circuit also identifying at least one time at which to provide a prompt to a user to change worktop height and selectively activating at least one of the at least one drive mechanisms to provide a prompt at the identified time to a user by vertically displacing the worktop according to prescribed oscillatory displacement instructions;

wherein the oscillatory displacement instructions include moving the worktop up and down at a cycle rate that is no greater than 18 cycles per minute, wherein the up and down worktop movement includes at least one upward displacement and at least one downward displacement and wherein the at least one upward displacement is less than or equal to one inch, the at least one downward displacement is less than or equal to one inch, the duration of the upward displacement is less than five seconds, and the duration of the downward displacement is less than five seconds.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one upward displacement is at least one quarter inch and the at least one downward displacement is at least one quarter inch.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the duration of the at least one upward displacement is greater than one and two thirds seconds and wherein the duration of the at least one downward displacement is greater than one and two thirds seconds.