Height and tilt adjustable workstation

• US 20030188671A1
• Filed: 04/09/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leonardo A. Pomodoro
• Original Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
• Inventors: Pomodoro, Leonardo A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,672,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/50.02
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• 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

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a workstation having a base including two spaced apart arcuate legs having a common first radius. A worksurface support assembly is supported on the base and includes two spaced apart arcuate supports. Each support has a common second radius that is equal to the common first radius of the legs. Elongate slots extend through each of the supports. Each of the legs has a central segment that is received in a respective one of the elongate slots in the supports. Each of the supports includes an arcuate member that is slidably fitted on a support track. A worksurface is secured to and supported by the arcuate members. A lift assembly is provided and is configured to move the worksurface support assembly in a generally horizontal direction with respect to the base to vertically adjust the worksurface between upper and lower elevational positions.

Claims

1. An adjustable workstation comprising:

a base including first and second spaced apart arcuate legs having a common first radius;

a worksurface support assembly supported on said base and including first and second spaced apart arcuate supports, each support having a common second radius equal to said common first radius of the first and second legs;

elongate slots respectively extending through said first and second supports;

each of said first and second legs having a central segment that is received in a respective one of said elongate slots in said first and second supports;

said first support including a first arcuate member that is slidably fitted on a first support track and said second support including a second arcuate member that is slidably fitted on a second support track;

a worksurface secured to and supported by said first and second arcuate members; and

a lift assembly configured to move said worksurface support assembly in a generally horizontal direction with respect to said base to vertically adjust said worksurface between upper and lower elevational positions.

2. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein said lift assembly includes first and second cables extending from a cable drum that is secured to said first leg near a front of said workstation;

and

said first and second cables are coupled to said first and second support tracks, respectively, near a back of said workstation.

3. The workstation according to claim 2, wherein said lift assembly includes a first pulley that is coupled to said first leg near said front of said workstation and is configured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis and second and third pulleys that are respectively coupled to said first and second legs near the middle of the workstation and are configured to rotate about generally vertical axes;

said first and second cables extend from said cable drum over said first pulley and along said first leg toward said second pulley;

said first cable further extends along said first leg and terminates at an attachment point on said first support track; and

said second cable passes around said second pulley, extends toward said second leg, passes around said third pulley, extends over said second leg and terminates at an attachment point on said second support track.

4. The workstation according to claim 3, including a hollow rod extending between said first and second legs, said second cable extending through said hollow rod between said second and third pulleys.

5. The workstation according to claim 3, wherein an elongate rod extends between said first and second support tracks near said back of said workstation and has a first end inserted in said first support track and a second end inserted in said second support track;

and

said first attachment point is on said first end of said elongate rod and said second attachment point is on said second end of said elongate rod.

6. The workstation according to claim 3, wherein a motor is operably coupled to said cable drum and is configured to rotate said cable drum in a first direction in which said first and second cables are loosened from said cable drum and a second direction in which said first and second cables are tightened around said cable drum;

said worksurface support assembly is moved toward the back of the workstation to move the workstation toward said lower position when said cable drum is rotation in said first direction; and

said worksurface support assembly is moved toward the front of the workstation to move the workstation toward said upper position when said cable drum is rotated in said second direction.

7. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein front bearings are attached to opposite sides of each of said first and second legs and rear bearings are attached to opposite sides of each of said first and second support tracks;

said first and second support tracks roll along said front roller bearings when said worksurface is moved between said upper and lower positions; and

said rear roller bearings roll along said respective first and second legs when said worksurface is moved between said upper and lower positions.

8. The workstation according to claim 7, wherein guide bearings are movably positioned in slots in opposite sides of each of said first and second tracks;

and

each of said guide bearings roll in a respective one of said paths when said worksurface is moved between said upper and lower positions.

9. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein a removable pin extends through a said first support member;

an upper surface of said first track includes a series of bores;

said pin is sized to engage one of said bores to lock said worksurface in an angular position; and

10. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein said first and second support tracks are semi-circular in shape.