Adjustable computer workstation assembly and method therefore

• US 5,377,951 A
• Filed: 06/05/1992
• Issued: 01/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Engineered Data Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Engineered Data Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Price, Macy J. Jr., Starkey, Daniel C., Drabczyk, Matthew P., Pickles, Timothy J., Johnson, Mack E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Watts, Douglas D.
• Application Number:
  US07/894,742
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 248/918-920, 248/923, 248/639, 248/912, 248/921, 248/922, 248/924, 108/5, 108/137, 108/145, 108/27, 108/55.3, 312/208.1, 312/208.2, 312/208.3
• US Class Current: 248/639
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0321 Keyboard supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0328 of the pantograph type
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0335 mounted under the worksurface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/007 with under-desk displays, e.g. displays being viewable through a transparent working surface of the table or desk
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2210/15 Keyboard drawers
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 25/009 Alarm systems; Safety sytems, e.g. preventing fire and explosions using inert gases F26B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support

Abstract

A workstation assembly which includes an underdesk monitor support assembly and an underdesk keyboard support assembly. The monitor support assembly and the keyboard support assembly can both be individually adjusted vertically, angularly, and horizontally relative to the workstation. An actuator member for each of the support assemblies allows the support assemblies to be locked into selected vertical and angular positions.

The monitor support assembly and the keyboard support assembly are mounted onto brackets which are easily installed on most desks and counter-type workstations. The workstation assembly can be used in original equipment workstations or installed as a conversion kit.

Claims

1. A workstation assembly for an underdesk monitor workstation, said assembly comprising:

an underdesk support assembly;

a monitor support member on said underdesk support assembly for supporting a monitor;

means for infinitely and randomly adjustably positioning said monitor support member vertically and angularly;

means for locking said monitor support member in a selected vertical and angular position relative to the workstation;

means for affixing said underdesk monitor support assembly to a workstation;

a keyboard support assembly for supporting a keyboard;

means for adjustably positioning said keyboard support assembly without interfering with the viewing and operation of a monitor on said underdesk monitor support assembly; and

means for affixing said keyboard support assembly to a workstation.

2. The workstation assembly of claim 1 wherein said underdesk monitor assembly further includes:

means for adjustably positioning said monitor support member horizontally.

3. A workstation assembly for an underdesk monitor workstation, said assembly comprising:

a support member for supporting a monitor;

first linkage mechanism;

means for pivotally mounting said first linkage mechanism to a first side of said monitor support member;

a first at least one friction washer mounted between said first linkage mechanism and said first side of said monitor support member;

a second linkage mechanism;

means for pivotally mounting said second linkage mechanism to a second side of said monitor support member;

a second at least one friction washer mounted between said second linkage mechanism and said second side of said monitor support member;

a spring arm biasing said first at least one friction washer and said second at least one friction washer into engagement with said first side and said second side of said monitor support member; and

a single actuator member movable between a first position to allow adjustment of said monitor support member and a second position to lock said monitor support member in a selected position;

means for affixing said monitor support member to a workstation;

a keyboard support assembly for supporting a keyboard;

means for adjustably positioning said keyboard support assembly without interfering with the viewing and operation of a monitor supported on said underdesk monitor support assembly; and

means for affixing said keyboard support assembly to a workstation.

4. The workstation assembly of claim 3 wherein said single actuator member includes:

cam members which disengage said first at least one friction washer and said second at least one friction washer from engagement with said monitor support member as said single actuator member is moved to said first position.

5. A workstation assembly for an underdesk monitor workstation, said assembly comprising:

an underdesk support assembly for supporting a monitor;

means for adjustably positioning said underdesk monitor support assembly;

means for affixing said underdesk monitor support assembly to a workstation;

a keyboard support member for supporting a keyboard;

means for affixing said keyboard support member to a workstation;

means for adjustably positioning said keyboard support member without interfering with the viewing and operation of a monitor supported on said underdesk monitor support assembly;

said means for adjustably positioning said keyboard member includes a first linkage mechanism;

means for pivotally mounting said first linkage mechanism to a first side of said keyboard support member;

a first at least one friction washer mounted between said first linkage mechanism and said first side of said keyboard support member;

a second linkage mechanism;

means for pivotally mounting said second linkage mechanism to a second side of said keyboard support member;

a second at least one friction washer mounted between said second linkage mechanism and said second side of said keyboard support member;

a spring arm biasing said first at least one friction washer and said second at least one friction washer into engagement with said first side and said second side of said keyboard support member; and

a single actuator member movable between a first position to allow adjustment of said keyboard support member and a second position to lock said keyboard support member in a selected position.

6. The workstation assembly of claim 5 wherein said single actuator member includes:

cam members which disengage said first at least one friction washer and said second at least one friction washer from engagement with said keyboard support member as said single actuator member is moved to said first position.

7. A workstation assembly for an underdesk monitor workstation, said assembly comprising:

an underdesk support assembly for supporting a monitor;

means for adjustably positioning said underdesk monitor support assembly;

means for affixing said underdesk monitor support assembly to a workstation;

a keyboard support assembly for supporting a keyboard;

means for affixing said keyboard support assembly to a workstation;

means for adjustably positioning said keyboard support assembly without interfering with the viewing and operation of a monitor supported on said underdesk monitor support assembly;

said means for adjustably positioning said keyboard support assembly includes means for horizontally positioning said keyboard support assembly;

a plurality of horizontally-spaced indentations on said keyboard support assembly; and

at least one spring-biased roller wheel affixed to said means for horizontally positioning said keyboard support assembly for engagement with one of said plurality of spaced indentations.

8. A workstation assembly for an underdesk monitor workstation, said assembly comprising:

an underdesk support assembly for supporting a monitor;

means for adjustably positioning said underdesk monitor support assembly;

a first bracket member;

a second bracket member;

means for fastening said underdesk monitor support assembly to said first bracket member and to said second bracket member;

a keyboard support assembly for supporting a keyboard;

means for fastening said keyboard support assembly to said first bracket member and to said second bracket member;

means for fastening said first bracket member to the workstation; and

means for fastening said second bracket member to the workstation; and

means for adjustably positioning said keyboard support assembly without interfering with the viewing and operation of a monitor supported on said underdesk monitor support assembly.

9. The workstation assembly of claim 8 wherein said means for fastening said first bracket member and said second bracket member to the workstation further includes:

means for fastening said first bracket member to the underside of a working surface of the workstation; and

means for fastening said second bracket member to the underside of a working surface of the workstation.

10. A workstation assembly for an underdesk monitor workstation, said assembly comprising:

an underdesk support assembly for supporting a monitor;

a keyboard support assembly for supporting a keyboard;

a first elongated bracket member;

a substantially planar mounting surface on said first bracket member;

a set of horizontally-spaced indentations in said first bracket member;

a hole formed in the center of each of said indentations of said first bracket member;

a first set of holes formed in said first bracket member outside said indentations of said first bracket member;

a second elongated bracket member;

a substantially planar mounting surface on said second bracket member;

a set of horizontally-spaced indentations in said second bracket member;

a hole formed in the center of each of said indentations of said second bracket member;

a second set of holes formed in said second bracket member outside said indentations of said second bracket member;

means for fastening said monitor support assembly and said keyboard support assembly to said first bracket member and to said second bracket member through said holes in said indentations so as to not protrude through said first substantially planar mounting surface and said second substantially planar mounting surface; and

means for fastening said first bracket member and said second bracket member through said holes outside said indentations in said first bracket member and said second bracket member to the underside of the workstation;

means for adjustably positioning said underdesk monitor support assembly; and

means for adjustably positioning said keyboard support assembly without interfering with the viewing and operation of a monitor supported on said underdesk monitor support assembly.

11. An assembly for supporting a monitor under the working surface of a workstation, said assembly comprising:

a support member for supporting a monitor beneath the working surface of a workstation;

means for affixing said support member beneath the working surface of a workstation;

a first linkage mechanism;

means for pivotally mounting said first linkage mechanism to a first side of said support member;

a first friction washer mounted between said first linkage mechanism and said support member;

a second linkage mechanism;

means for pivotally mounting said second linkage mechanism to a second side of said support member;

a second friction washer mounted between said second linkage mechanism and said support member;

a spring arm biasing said first friction washer and said second friction washer into engagement with said support member; and

a single actuator member movable from a first position to allow said support member to freely pivot to position said support member vertically and angularly for adjusting the vertical and angular position of said support member and a second position to lock said support member in a selected position beneath the working surface of a workstation.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said single actuator member includes:

cam members which disengage said first friction washer and said second friction washer from engagement with said support member as said single actuator member is moved to said first position.

13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said adjustment means include:

spring members for biasing said support member upward.

14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said adjustment means include:

means for adjustably positioning said support member horizontally.