Upper torso support for a workstation

• US 5,810,301 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Josephine Mcgrath, McGrath, Joseph, Michael Mcgrath
• Original Assignee: Josephine Mcgrath, McGrath, Joseph, Michael Mcgrath
• Inventors: McGrath, Michael, McGrath, Joseph, McGrath, Josephine
• Primary Examiner(s): Safavi, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/486,335
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 248/918, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5, 248/157, 248/188.5, 248/364, 248/429, 248/500, 248/289.11, 108/152, 297/172, 297/411.21
• US Class Current: 248/118
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/02 with vertically-adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/033 with parts added to the original furniture to enlarge its surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0371 Platforms for supporting wrists
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0092 Articulated arm used as wrist support
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/13 Table and chair assembly for disabled persons, used as workplace
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An adjustable, sturdy upper body support assembly for keyboard operators includes a pair of adjustable armrests mounted on a rigid frame which can be incorporated into a standalone system or into a workstation system. In one embodiment, the support assembly is positioned adjacent and partially underneath a piece of furniture. The support assembly in this embodiment includes a counter-balance member which is adjustable and can be positioned adjacent an underside surface of the piece of furniture. The piece of furniture interacts with the counter-balance member to prevent the assembly from tipping when the user rests part of their upper body, including their arms, on the armrests. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a support frame and an upper body support apparatus. The upper body support apparatus is movably engaged with the support frame to permit the apparatus to be moved underneath a piece of furniture when not in use.

Claims

1. A support assembly for use with a piece of furniture having a first surface comprising:

a support frame positioned on the floor and having at least one upwardly extending member;

a horizontally extending subframe coupled to the upwardly extending member;

at least one armrest attached to said subframe so as to be supported adjacent a front side of said assembly, wherein said armrest and said subframe are configured to provide support for a portion of said user'"'"'s body when said user is positioned adjacent said front side of said assembly and is using at least one hand to engage in manual activities on a work surface positioned adjacent said armrest; and

a counter-balance member coupled to said support frame said counter balance member being dimensioned to bear against said first surface of said piece of furniture so that said piece of furniture reduces the tendency of said assembly to tip as a result of said user making use of said armrest.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said upwardly extending member is coupled to said support frame so as to be vertically adjustable.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one armrest comprises two armrests that are coupled to said subframe so that said armrests are horizontally adjustable.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one armrest is pivotally connected to said subframe so that said at least one armrest can be positioned either in a support position wherein said armrest extends generally horizontally and thereby supports said user'"'"'s arm or in a storage configuration wherein said at least one armrest is positioned generally vertically.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said counter-balance member bears against a lower surface of said piece of furniture and said assembly is dimensioned so as to be positioned relative said work surface so that said at least one armrest is positioned adjacent an edge of said lower surface.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said support frame is dimensioned so as to be positioned substantially underneath said lower surface of said piece of furniture and said counter-balance member is positioned adjacent the underside of said lower surface.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising at least one stop assembly, which includes a stop, mounted on said counter-balance member, wherein said stop assembly is adjustable so that said stop can be positioned in contact with said lower surface.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said counter-balance member is adjustably coupled to said support frame so as to be vertically adjustable relative to said floor.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a work platform mounted on said subframe.

10. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising a wrist support mounted on said subframe and interposed between said work platform and said at least one armrest.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said work platform is configured to receive a keyboard.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said support frame includes a track section and said upwardly extending member is movably engaged with said track section so that said subframe and said armrest can be moved toward and away from said piece of furniture.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said assembly is dimensioned so that said support frame is positioned on said floor underneath said lower surface of said piece of furniture so that said armrest and said subframe can be positioned underneath said horizontal surface of said piece of furniture when not in use.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said upwardly extending member is coupled to said support frame so as to be vertically adjustable.

15. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a roller assembly mounted to an end of said upwardly extending member, wherein said roller assembly rollably engages with said track section to provide moving engagement therebetween.

16. A support assembly for use with a piece of furniture having a first surface and a front side comprising:

a support frame positioned on the floor having at least one upwardly extending member;

an upper body support apparatus having at least one armrest that is supported adjacent said front side of said piece of furniture, wherein said upper body support apparatus provides support for at least a portion of said user'"'"'s upper body when said user is positioned adjacent said front side of said piece of furniture and is using at least one hand to engage in manual activities on a work surface positioned adjacent said support apparatus, wherein said upper body support apparatus is movable relative said piece of furniture between a first position, wherein said armrest is supported by said support frame adjacent a front side of said piece of furniture, and a second position wherein said upper body support apparatus is supported by said support frame so as to be stored underneath said piece of furniture and wherein said upper body support apparatus is mounted on said at least one upwardly extending member of said support frame; and

wherein said support frame includes a track section and said at least one upwardly extending member is movably engaged with said track section so that said upper body support apparatus can be moved between said first and said second positions.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a counter-balance member that is coupled to said support frame, wherein said counter-balance member is dimensioned to bear against said first surface of said piece of furniture so that said piece of furniture reduces the tendency of said assembly to tip as a result of said user making use of said upper body support apparatus.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said support frame is positioned substantially underneath a surface of said piece of furniture and said counter-balance member is positioned adjacent said lower surface.

19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising at least one stop assembly, which includes a stop, mounted on said counter-balance member wherein said stop assembly is adjustable so that said stop can be positioned in contact with said lower surface of said piece of furniture.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said counter-balance member is adjustably coupled to said support frame so as to be vertically adjustable relative to said floor.

21. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said at least one armrest comprises two armrests that are coupled to said subframe so that said armrests are horizontally adjustable by said user.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said two armrests are pivotally connected to said subframe so that said armrests can be positioned either in a support position wherein said armrests extend generally horizontally and thereby support said user'"'"'s arm or in a storage configuration wherein said at least one armrest is positioned generally vertically.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein said piece of furniture has a substantially horizontal surface and said assembly is positioned so that said armrests are positioned adjacent an edge of said horizontal surface.

24. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a work platform mounted on said support apparatus.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said work platform is configured to receive a keyboard.

26. The assembly of claim 25, further comprising a roller assembly mounted to an end of said at least one upwardly extending member wherein said roller assembly rollably engages with said track section to provide moving engagement therebetween.