Adjustable Desk and Footrest Assembly

• US 20090178596A1
• Filed: 01/08/2009
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safco Products Co
• Original Assignee: Safco Products Co
• Inventors: Skiba, Timothy A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/102
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/00 Details of tables or desks drawers A47B88/00; feet for furniture in general A47B91/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/14 with pins coacting with holes

Abstract

A universal desk or workstation assembly for enhancing learning is incrementally adjustable in height from sitting to standing positions, and includes a pendulum swinging footrest assembly. The swinging footrest assembly may be provided in kit form and is configurable for retrofit attachment to existing desks and workstations. The swinging footrest provides height adjustment and mounting depth adjustment relative to the depth of the desk or workstation.

Claims

1. A desk comprising:

a. a top defining an upper working surface;

b. leg apparatus connected to said top operatively supporting said top above a floor support surface; and

c. a foot support assembly operatively mounted to said desk comprising;

(i) a foot-engaging member; and

(ii) at least one elongate support arm connecting said foot engaging member for swinging motion in close proximity to the floor support surface and about a first horizontal axis disposed substantially above the floor support surface.

2. The desk of claim 1, wherein said foot engaging member comprises a pedal-like member rotatable about a second horizontal axis, parallel and spaced downwardly from said first horizontal axis.

3. The desk as recited is claim 1, wherein said leg apparatus is adjustable to move said top between an operative sitting position height to an operative standing position height.

4. The desk as recited in claim 3, wherein said leg apparatus is adjustable to move said upper working surface of said top between heights of from about 24 inches to about 48 inches above said floor support surface.

5. The desk as recited in claim 4, wherein said leg apparatus is adjustable to move said upper working surface of said top between heights from about 26 inches to about 42 inches above said floor support surface.

6. The desk as recited in claim 1, wherein said foot engaging member, when at its lowermost position, swings within a distance of less than about 5 inches above said floor support surface.

7. The desk as recited in claim 1, wherein said foot engaging member is supported by a pair of downwardly depending support arms pivotally supported to said desk for swinging motion about said first horizontal axis.

8. A swinging foot support assembly suitable for attachment to a piece of furniture, comprising:

a. a foot engaging member;

b. a mounting bracket assembly adaptable for operative connection to said piece of furniture at a position substantially above a floor surface upon which said furniture is designed to rest; and

c. at least one elongate support arm connectable between said foot engaging member and said mounting bracket assembly for pivotal swinging motion of said foot engaging member about a first horizontal axis passing through said mounting bracket assembly such that said foot engaging member swings in close proximity with and above said floor surface.

9. The swinging foot support assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the swing radius as measured between said first horizontal axis and said foot engaging member, is at least about 9 inches.

10. The swinging foot support assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said foot engaging member includes a pedal-like member pivotable about a second horizontal axis, operably spaced downwardly from said first horizontal axis and adjacent a lower end of said elongate support.

11. The swinging foot support assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the piece of furniture comprises a desk or a work station.

12. The swinging foot support assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said mounting bracket assembly is configured for attachments to a support structure for an upper working surface of said piece of furniture.

13. The swinging foot support assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the foot engaging member, the mounting bracket assembly and the at least one elongate support arm are in kit form.