Desk and Proprioceptive Foot Stimulator Assembly

• US 20190239637A1
• Filed: 02/06/2018
• Published: 08/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: School Specialty Incorporated
• Original Assignee: School Specialty Incorporated
• Inventors: Asmuth, Tom, Saul, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 10,448,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/02 Underframes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2009/145 with pin moving in a sliding trombone
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/03 with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0019 Auxiliary use of table underframes, e.g. incorporating: cooling, drainage, air supply or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0088 Appliance support having rotary joint or articulated connection
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0097 Foot rest being part of desk
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/14 with pins coacting with holes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021

Abstract

A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly having a cross bar that connects to the leg structure of a desk. The assembly includes a bottom channel that pivotably attaches to the cross bar, and a foot stimulating member that attaches to the bottom channel, so that it can pivot in relation to the crossbar. Mounting flanges are located at the longitudinal ends of the cross bar. A pivot assembly, generating the pivotable attachment between the bottom channel and the cross bar, includes two threaded fasteners and a bushing, secured by lock nuts; the bushing connecting the first threaded fastener to the second threaded fastener, such that the second threaded fastener can pivot in relation to the first threaded fastener. In another embodiment, the proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly has at least one slider track capable of being attached to a desk and a foot stimulating member that slidably connects to the slider track.

Claims

1. A desk comprising:

a work surface;

a leg structure connected to and supporting the work surface; and

a proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly connected to the leg structure and having;

a cross bar having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the first and second longitudinal ends being connected to the leg structure in positions of fixed rotation; and

a foot stimulating member connected to the cross bar by a pivotable structure, such that the foot stimulating member is free to pivot in relation to the cross bar.

2. A desk as recited in claim 1 wherein the leg structure comprises an upper frame supporting the work surface and a lower frame, the upper frame and lower frame each having at least one leg segment, the at least one leg segment of the upper frame telescopically and slidably connecting to the at least one leg segment of the lower frame, such that the height of the work surface may be adjusted to accommodate the height preferences of various sitting or standing individuals.

3. A desk as recited in claim 2 wherein the lower frame comprises at least one support foot extending from the at least one leg segment of the lower frame.

4. A desk as recited in claim 1 wherein the foot stimulating member is limited from pivoting more than forty-three degrees back and forth in either direction.

5. A desk as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second longitudinal ends of the cross bar are connected to the leg structure in a manner of fixed displacement.

6. A desk as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second longitudinal ends of the cross bar are slidably connected to the leg structure.

7. A desk as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first mounting flange at the first longitudinal end of the cross bar and a second mounting flange at the second longitudinal end of the cross bar, the first and second mounting flanges attaching to the leg structure.

8. A desk comprising:

a work surface;

a leg structure connected to and supporting the work surface; and

a proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly having;

at least one slider track member, connected to the leg structure; and

a foot stimulating member, slidably connected to the at least one slider track member.

9. A desk as recited in claim 8 wherein the leg structure comprises an upper frame supporting the work surface and a lower frame, the upper frame and lower frame each having at least one leg segment, the at least one leg segment of the upper frame telescopically and slidably connecting to the at least one leg segment of the lower frame, such that the height of the work surface may be adjusted to accommodate the height preferences of various sitting or standing individuals.

10. A desk as recited in claim 9 wherein the lower frame comprises at least one support foot extending from the at least one leg segment of the lower frame.

11. A desk as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one slider track member is comprised of a first slider track member and a second slider track member connected to opposing sides of the leg structure.

12. A desk as recited in claim 11 wherein the foot stimulating member, having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, slidably connects to the first slider track member at the first longitudinal end and slidably connects to the second slider track member, at the second longitudinal end.

13. A desk as recited in claim 11 wherein the first slider track member is positioned parallel to the second slider track member.

14. A desk as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one slider track member is comprised of at least one slider rod.

15. A desk as recited in claim 14 wherein the at least one slider rod has a first end portion and a second end portion parallel to the first end portion, the first and second end portions being connected to the leg structure, and the first end portion being connected to the second end portion by a middle portion perpendicular to the first and second end portions.

16. A desk as recited in claim 15 wherein the at least one slider rod is connected to the desk by a plate, the first and second end portions being attached to the plate and the plate being attached to the leg structure.

17. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly adapted for use with a desk, the proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly comprising:

a cross bar capable of being affixed to a desk, such that the cross bar is prevented from substantial movement with respect to the desk; and

a foot stimulating member connected to the cross bar by a pivotable structure, such that the foot stimulating member is free to pivot in relation to the cross bar.

18. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly as recite in claim 17 wherein the foot stimulating member is limited from pivoting more than forty-three degrees back and forth in either direction.

19. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the foot stimulating member includes a bottom channel, the bottom channel connected to the cross bar by the pivotable structure, such that the foot stimulating member is free to pivot in relation to the cross bar.

20. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein the pivotable structure comprises a pivot assembly having a first threaded fastener secured to the cross bar with a first lock nut, a second threaded fastener secured to the bottom channel with a second lock nut, and a flexible bushing, connecting the first threaded fastener to the second threaded fastener, such that the second threaded fastener is pivotable in relation to the first threaded fastener by means of flexure of the bushing.

21. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein the cross bar is open on a side opposite the first threaded fastener, such that the first threaded fastener may be freely accessed in order to add or remove the first lock nut.

22. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly adapted for use with a desk, the proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly comprising:

a cross bar having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end;

a first mounting flange capable of being affixed to a desk located at the first longitudinal end of the cross bar;

a second mounting flange capable of being affixed to a desk located at the second longitudinal end of the cross bar;

a bottom channel pivotably attached to the cross bar by at least one pivot assembly, the at least one pivot assembly having;

a first threaded fastener secured to the cross bar with a first lock nut;

a second threaded fastener secured to the bottom channel with a second lock nut; and

a flexible bushing, connecting the first threaded fastener to the second threaded fastener, such that the second threaded fastener is pivotable in relation to the first threaded fastener by means of flexure of the bushing; and

a foot stimulating member attached to the bottom channel, the foot stimulating member being free to pivot in relation to the cross bar.

23. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly adapted for use with a desk, the proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly comprising:

at least one slider track member capable of being affixed to the desk; and

a foot stimulating member slidably connected to the at least one slider track member.

25. A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly adapted for use with a desk, the proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly comprising:

at least one slider rod having a first end portion capable of being affixed to the desk, a second end portion capable of being affixed to the desk, parallel to the first end portion, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion to the second end portion, the middle portion being perpendicular to the first and second end portions; and

a foot stimulating member slidably connected to the at least one slider rod.

24. A desk as recited in claim 25 wherein the at least one slider rod is comprised of a first slider rod and a second slider rod, and the foot stimulating member, having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, is slidably connected to the first slider rod at the first longitudinal end and is slidably connected to the second slider rod at the second longitudinal end.