Adjustable dual worksurface support

• US 5,398,622 A
• Filed: 05/31/1994
• Issued: 03/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Musculus, Jeffrey A., Schipper, Timothy H., Doane, Roger E., Lubinskas, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/250,869
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 108/147, 108/145, 108/138, 108/3, 108/7, 108/10, 108/9, 248/281.1, 248/188.2, 248/188.5, 100/50
• US Class Current: 108/145
• 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 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0027 Desks with I-shaped leg

Abstract

A dual worksurface support is provided for electronic data processing equipment and the like, and includes two separate worksurfaces adapted to support different pieces of equipment thereon. The worksurfaces are interconnected by a linkage assembly which permits vertical adjustment of one of the worksurfaces with respect to the other, and includes left and right hand linkages located at the opposite sides of the respective worksurfaces, which rotate about at least one horizontal pivot axis. A rigid stabilizer bar has its opposite ends fixedly connected with the two linkages at locations concentric with the horizontal pivot access, such that rotation of one of the linkages is transmitted through the stabilizer bar to the other linkage to ensure that the opposite sides of the adjusted worksurface move vertically together without sagging or binding. A releasable lock may be connected with the stabilizer bar to retain the adjusted worksurface at selected heights, and telescoping pedestal may be provided with a quick disconnect actuator mount which permits replacement of the actuator without disassembly of the pedestal.

Claims

1. A dual worksurface support for electronic data processing equipment and the like, comprising:

a first worksurface adapted to support a first piece of equipment thereon;

a second worksurface positioned adjacent said first worksurface, and adapted to support a second piece of equipment thereon;

a linkage assembly interconnecting said first and second worksurfaces in a manner which permits said second worksurface to be adjusted vertically with respect to said first worksurface, and including;

a first linkage having one portion thereof connected with one side of said second worksurface, and an opposite portion thereof pivotally connected with a corresponding one side of said first worksurface at a first pivot point for rotation about a preselected horizontal pivot axis;

a second linkage having one portion thereof connected with an opposite side of said second worksurface, and an opposite portion thereof pivotally connected with a corresponding opposite side of said first worksurface at a second pivot point disposed laterally aligned with said first pivot point for rotation about said horizontal pivot axis;

a substantially rigid, elongate stabilizer bar having one end thereof rigidly connected with said first linkage generally adjacent said first pivot point, and an opposite end thereof rigidly connected with said second linkage generally adjacent said second pivot point, whereby rotation of one of said first and second linkages is transmitted through said stabilizer bar to the other of said first and second linkages to insure that the opposite sides of said second worksurface move vertically together without sagging or binding; and

wherein

said first linkage includes first and second rigid arms arranged in a side-by-side relationship, and having opposite ends thereof pivotally connected with said first and second worksurfaces in an arrangement which defines a first parallelogram linkage; and

said second linkage includes first and second rigid arms arranged in a side-by-side relationship, and having opposite ends thereof pivotally connected with said first and second worksurfaces in an arrangement which defines a second parallelogram linkage.

2. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said second arm of said first parallelogram linkage is positioned laterally inside of said first arm thereof;

said second arm of said second parallelogram linkage is positioned laterally inside of said first arm thereof; and

said stabilizer bar has its opposite ends rigidly connected to interior sides of the second arms of said first and second parallelogram linkages.

3. A dual worksurface as set forth in claim 2, including:

a lock releasably locking said second worksurface at a plurality of selected heights.

4. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 3, including:

a pedestal connected with said first worksurface for supporting the same freestanding on a floor surface.

5. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 4, including:

a vertical adjustment mechanism associated with said pedestal for adjusting the vertical height of said first worksurface above the floor surface.

6. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 5, wherein said vertical adjustment mechanism includes:

first and second telescoping leg assemblies positioned adjacent opposite sides of said first worksurface;

first and second linear actuators respectively mounted in said first and second leg assemblies, and adapted to extend and retract the same;

a remote actuator positioned adjacent a forward edge of said second worksurface, and operatively connected with said first and second linear actuators to selectively raise and lower said first and second worksurfaces.

7. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lock comprises:

a linear actuator having opposite ends thereof selectively extending and retracting with respect to one another;

an arm fixedly connected with said stabilizer bar, and having a free end thereof extending radially outwardly from said stabilizer bar; and

wherein

one end of said linear actuator is pivotally connected with said first worksurface, and the opposite end of said linear actuator is pivotally connected with the free end of said arm.

8. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said linear actuator and said arm are positioned adjacent one end of said stabilizer bar to avoid kneespace interference.

9. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said linear actuator includes a remote controller therefor positioned adjacent a forward edge of said second worksurface.

10. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 9, including:

a detachable fastening arrangement mounting said linear actuators in said leg assemblies to permit removal and replacement of said linear actuators.

11. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said one end of said stabilizer bar is connected with said first linkage in a concentric relationship with said first pivot point; and

said opposite end of said stabilizer bar is connected with said second linkage in a concentric relationship with said second pivot point.

12. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 1, including:

a pedestal connected with said first worksurface for supporting the same freestanding on a floor surface.

13. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 12, including:

a vertical adjustment mechanism associated with said pedestal for adjusting the vertical height of said first worksurface above the floor surface.

14. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 13, wherein said vertical adjustment mechanism includes:

first and second telescoping leg assemblies positioned adjacent opposite sides of said first worksurface;

first and second linear actuators respectively mounted in said first and second leg assemblies, and adapted to extend and retract the same;

a remote actuator positioned adjacent a forward edge of said second worksurface, and operatively connected with said first and second linear actuators to selectively raise and lower said first and second worksurfaces.

15. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 14, including:

a detachable fastening arrangement mounting said linear actuators in said leg assemblies to permit removal and replacement of said linear actuators.

16. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

said linear actuators comprise hydraulic cylinders.

17. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 16, including:

a hydraulic pump operably connected with said hydraulic cylinders to extend and retract the same, and mounted on a lower face of said second worksurface.

18. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said hydraulic pump includes a manual crank extending from the forward edge of said second worksurface.

19. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said one end of said stabilizer bar is connected with said first linkage in a concentric relationship with said first pivot point; and

said opposite end of said stabilizer bar is connected with said second linkage in a concentric relationship with said second pivot point.

20. A dual worksurface as set forth in claim 1, including:

a lock releasably locking said second worksurface at a plurality of selected heights.

21. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 20, wherein said lock comprises:

a linear actuator having opposite ends thereof selectively extending and retracting with respect to one another;

an arm fixedly connected with said stabilizer bar, and having a free end thereof extending radially outwardly from said stabilizer bar; and

wherein

one end of said linear actuator is pivotally connected with said first worksurface, and the opposite end of said linear actuator is pivotally connected with the free end of said arm.

22. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said linear actuator and said arm are positioned adjacent one end of said stabilizer bar to avoid kneespace interference.

23. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said linear actuator includes a remote controller positioned adjacent a forward edge of said second worksurface.

24. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 21, wherein:

said linear actuator comprises a gas spring.

25. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said first worksurface comprises a terminal worksurface adapted to support a computer terminal thereon.

26. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said second worksurface comprises a keyboard worksurface adapted to support a computer keyboard thereon.

27. A dual worksurface support as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said stabilizer bar comprises a substantially rigid hollow tube.