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

• US 10,133,261 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2016
• 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 M
• Application Number:
  US15/285,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20170042322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 3123301, 3123195-3199, 108 20- 22, 108147
• 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 sit-stand desk includes a frame located on a floor surface; a panel having an upper work surface and being selectively vertically displaceable in respect to the frame; and a vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between the frame and the panel. Activation of the drive mechanism vertically displaces the panel with respect to the frame. The sit-stand desk also includes a control circuit selectively activating the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel according to prescribed displacement instructions in response to receipt of a trigger signal and a pressure mat located on the floor surface adjacent to the frame on which a user stands. The pressure mat includes a pressure sensor in communication with the control circuit and configured to measure a presence of the user adjacent to the desk.

Claims

1. A sit-stand desk, comprising:

a frame located on a floor surface;

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

a vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between the frame and the panel, wherein activation of the drive mechanism vertically displaces the panel with respect to the frame;

a processor selectively activating the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel according to prescribed displacement instructions in response to receipt of a trigger signal; and

a sensor in communication with the processor and configured to detect activity within at least first and second different space zones located vertically below the panel; and

wherein the processor is configured to determine a frequency of user movement within the first and second zones based on input from the sensor and wherein timing of the trigger signal is based at least in part on changes in the frequency.

2. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a user detection transponder.

3. The sit-stand desk of claim 2 wherein the detection transponder includes at least one of a non-contact proximity sensor and a thermal sensor.

4. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the sensor transmits a user-present signal to the processor when the presence of the user is detected in the first and second zones.

5. The sit-stand desk according to claim 4, wherein the processor must receive a user-present signal prior to activation of the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel according to the prescribed displacement instructions.

6. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a pressure mat that includes two pressure sensors that are aligned with the first and second zones and wherein each of the two pressure sensors is positioned to align with a foot of the user and is electrically connected to the processor.

7. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect user activity variations with the first and second zones as the user shifts from side to side on his feet.

8. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the processor determines a frequency and duration of user activity as the user moves within each of the first and second zones.

9. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the processor sends a command to activate the drive mechanism to lower the panel a prescribed distance in response to a frequency of activity variations in the zones exceeding a predetermined value.

10. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the processor sends a command to activate the drive mechanism to lower the panel a prescribed distance in response to a duration of activity variations in the zones exceeding a predetermined value.

11. The sit-stand desk of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a first sensor, the system further including a second sensor for collecting user identifying information and presenting the user identifying information to the processor, the processor using the user identifying information to identify the user.

12. The sit-stand desk of claim 11, wherein the processor further collects data on desk use by a user, the processor only collecting use data while a user is present at the desk and correlating the collected use data with the specific identity of a user at the desk.

13. The sit-stand desk according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes first and second sensors that are aligned with the first and second zones and wherein each of the first and second sensors is positioned to align with a foot of the user and is electrically connected to the processor.

14. The sit-stand desk of claim 13 wherein the first and second sensors are pressure sensors.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second zones are arranged side by side below a length dimension of a front edge of the panel.

16. A sit-stand desk, comprising:

a frame supported on a floor surface;

a substantially flat panel member supported by the frame, having an upper work surface, and being selectively vertically displaceable with respect to the frame, the panel having a front edge, lateral first and second side edges and a front portion adjacent the front edge, a first space zone including space directly below the front portion and between the first and second side edges of the panel member as well as space extending away from the front edge in a direction opposite the space directly below the front portion that is occupied by a desk user when in a standing or sitting position adjacent the front edge;

a vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between the frame and the panel member, wherein activation of the drive mechanism vertically displaces the panel member with respect to the frame;

a processor selectively activating the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel member according to prescribed displacement instructions in response to receipt of a trigger signal; and

at least a first sensor in communication with the processor and configured to detect user movement within at least the first zone, the at least a first sensor being one of a non-contact proximity sensor and a thermal sensor.

17. The sit-stand desk of claim 16, wherein the first zone includes at least first and second subzones and wherein the at least a first sensor generates data for determining movement within each of the first and second subzones.

18. The sit-stand desk of claim 17, wherein the first subzone includes a left half of the first zone and the second subzone includes the right half of the first zone.

19. The sit-stand desk of claim 18, wherein the at least a first sensor detects frequency of movement within the at least a first zone.

20. A sit-stand desk, comprising:

a frame located on a floor surface;

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

a vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between the frame and the panel, wherein activation of the drive mechanism vertically displaces the panel with respect to the frame;

a processor selectively activating the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel according to prescribed displacement instructions in response to receipt of a trigger signal; and

a sensor in communication with the processor and configured to detect frequency of movement within at least first and second zones below and adjacent an edge of the panel, wherein at least some of the trigger signals are based on changes in the frequency of movement detected within each of the at least first and second zones.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor is further programmed to use data from the at least a first sensor assembly to determine a user posture at the workstation.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor is further programmed to determine at least one user condition based on the combined data associated with each of the first and second space zones.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the processor is further programmed to provide periodic reminders to a user that occupies the workstation while the user is present within a zone associated with the workstation.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processor is programmed to identify reminders to present to the user occupying the station based at least in part on the user'"'"'s posture at the workstation.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the processor is programmed to identify reminders to present to the user occupying the station based at least in part on the at least one user condition.