Keyboard tray on support arm with pivoting brake

• US 5,967,479 A
• Filed: 02/12/1998
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Sweere, Harry C., Gonnerman, Michael D., Voeller, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wentsler, Stephen S.
• Application Number:
  US09/023,223
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 248/276.1, 248/284.1, 248/286.1, 248/279.1, 248/280.11, 248/281.11, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/288.51, 248/316.4, 248/917, 248/918 , 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 108/65, 108/69, 108/93, 108/1
• US Class Current: 248/280.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2064 for tilting and panning F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/021 for rotational movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 being part of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 : Plural angular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 : Tilting

Abstract

Keyboard tray attached to support arm by a pivoting bracket assembly. The pivoting bracket assembly includes a frictional assembly and a brake assembly. The frictional assembly includes at least two planar metal surfaces and an easy breakaway frictional polymer disk between the metal surfaces. A nut, bolt and spring washer provide tension to the assembly. The brake assembly includes at least two planar metal surfaces and a steel washer between the metal surfaces. A fixed nut and threaded shaft with brake handle provide adjustable tension to lock the brake assembly. The keyboard tray may also include a mouse pad.

Claims

1. A keyboard support system suitable for supporting a keyboard, the system comprising:

a. an arm having a first end and a second end and a spring attachment situated between the first end and the second end;

b. a pivot means including at least one easy breakaway frictional disk at each of the ends of said arm, each of said frictional disks fabricated from UHMWPE;

c. a keyboard tray comprising means for supporting said keyboard, said keyboard tray being attached at said pivot means of said first end of said arm;

d. a bracket attached at said pivot means of said second end of said arm and wherein said bracket includes an adjustable spring mount; and

,

e. a spring connecting the adjustable spring mount and the spring attachment and providing a counterbalance force to the keyboard tray.

2. A mounting system suitable for supporting a keyboard comprising:

a. a component mount suitable for supportingly engaging said keyboard;

b. a pivoting bracket assembly comprising;

(1) a frictional assembly comprising;

(a) at least two planar metal surfaces that rotatingly move with respect to each other;

(b) at least one easy breakaway frictional polymer disk located between said at least two planar metal surfaces;

(c) at least one spring washer located adjacent and outside an outer surface of said at least two planar metal surfaces; and

,

(d) said at least two planar metal surfaces, said at least one easy breakaway frictional polymer disk, and said at least one spring washer being held under tension by a nut and a bolt; and

,

(2) a brake assembly comprising;

(a) at least two planar metal surfaces that rotatingly move with respect to each other;

(b) at least one steel washer; and

,

(c) said at least two planar metal surfaces and said at least one steel washer being held under tension by a threaded brake handle and a nut;

c. a support arm with an inboard end and an outboard end and a central portion, said outboard end being attached to said pivoting bracket assembly;

d. an arm elevation bracket attached to said inboard end of said support arm, said support arm being elevationally pivotable with said elevation bracket; and

,

e. a gas spring with an inboard end and an outboard end, said inboard end being pivotally connected to said arm elevation bracket, and said outboard end being pivotally connected to said central portion of said support arm.

3. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein said at least one easy breakaway frictional polymer disk has a similar static and dynamic coefficient of friction, and said disk is fabricated from a polymer taken from a group consisting of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and Delrin.

4. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein said at least one spring washer is a Belleville washer.

5. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the pivotal connection of the inboard end of the gas spring allows the gas spring to be optimally positioned with respect to the arm elevational bracket such that the gas spring is capable of providing a dynamically changing counterbalance moment to the support arm corresponding to a changing moment force applied by the keyboard as the support arm pivots about said arm elevational bracket.

6. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein said gas spring is located within said support arm and is positionally connected to said elevation bracket to provide a dynamically changing counterbalance moment corresponding to an increasing or decreasing moment load as said support arm pivots about said elevation bracket.

7. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein said support arm is evenly supported by said gas spring over a range of up to 180 degrees of motion.

8. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein said at least one breakaway frictional polymer disk is fabricated from UHMWPE such that a frictional force between said UHMWPE disk and said at least two planar metal surfaces prevents unforced rotational movement of one planar metal surface with respect to the other planar metal surface and such that a low breakaway force exists between said at least two planar metal surfaces to provide ease of rotational movement of said one metal surface with respect to said other metal surface under a predetermined force.

9. A mounting system suitable for supporting a keyboard comprising:

a. a component mount surface suitable for supporting said keyboard;

b. a pivoting bracket assembly connected to said component mount surface comprising;

(1) a frictional assembly comprising;

(a) at least two planar metal surfaces that rotatingly move with respect to each other;

(b) at least one easy breakaway frictional polymer disk located between said at least two metal surfaces;

(c) at least one spring washer located adjacent and outside an outer surface of said at least two metal surfaces; and

,

(d) said at least two metal surfaces, said at least one easy breakaway frictional polymer disk, and said at least one spring washer being held under tension by a nut and a bolt; and

,

(2) a brake assembly comprising;

(a) at least two planar metal surfaces that rotatingly move with respect to each other;

(b) at least one steel washer; and

,

(c) said at least two metal surfaces and said at least one steel washer being held under tension by a threaded brake handle and a nut;

c. a support arm with an inboard end and an outboard end and a central portion, said outboard end being attached to said pivoting bracket assembly;

d. an arm elevation bracket attached to said inboard end of said support arm, said support arm being elevationally pivotable with said elevation bracket; and

e. a gas spring with an inboard end and an outboard end, said inboard end being pivotally connected to said arm elevation bracket, and said outboard end being pivotally connected to said central portion of said support arm.

10. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein said at least one easy breakaway frictional polymer disk has a similar static and dynamic coefficient of friction, and said disk is fabricated from a polymer taken from a group consisting of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and Delrin.

11. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein said at least one spring washer is a Belleville washer.

12. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein the pivotal connection of the inboard end of the gas spring allows the gas spring to be optimally positioned with respect to the arm elevational bracket such that the gas spring is capable of providing a dynamically changing counterbalance moment to the support arm corresponding to a changing moment force applied by the keyboard as the support arm pivots about said arm elevational bracket.

13. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein said gas spring is located within said support arm and is positionally connected to said elevation bracket to provide a dynamically changing counterbalance moment corresponding to an increasing or decreasing moment load as said support arm pivots about said elevation bracket.

14. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein said support arm is evenly supported by said gas spring over a range of at least 180 degrees of motion.

15. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein said at least one breakaway frictional polymer disk is fabricated from UHMWPE such that a frictional force between said UHMWPE disk and said at least two planar metal surfaces prevents unforced rotational movement of one planar metal surface with respect to the other planar metal surface and such that a low breakaway force exists between said at least two planar metal surfaces to provide ease of rotational movement of said one metal surface with respect to said other metal surface under a predetermined force.

16. A mounting system suitable for supporting a keyboard comprising:

a. a component mount surface suitable for supporting said keyboard comprising;

(1) a keyboard tray expandable to accommodate various keyboard sizes; and

,

(2) a mouse pad tray slidingly attached to either side of said keyboard tray;

b. a pivoting bracket attached to said component mount surface, said pivoting bracket comprising;

(1) a frictional assembly comprising, in order;

a nut, a flat metal surface, an UHMWPE disk, a second flat metal surface, another UHMWPE disk, a third flat metal surface, and a bolt;

(2) a brake assembly comprising, in order;

a brake handle with a threaded shaft, a washer, a first planar metal surface, a steel washer, a second planar metal surface, a steel washer, and a third planar metal surface with a nut welded to the third planar metal surface; and

,

(3) said pivoting bracket providing both a frictional positional stability to said keyboard and an ability to lock the position of said keyboard using said brake handle;

c. a support arm with an inboard end and an outboard end and a central portion, said outboard end being attached to said pivoting bracket;

d. an arm elevation bracket attached to said inboard end of said support arm, said support arm being elevationally pivotable with said elevation bracket, said arm elevation bracket comprising a threaded shaft;

e. said arm elevation bracket further comprising, in order;

a nut, a Belleville washer, a steel washer, an oilite washer, a planar metal surface, an UHMWPE disk, a planar metal surface of said support arm, and a bolt;

f. said arm elevation bracket providing a frictional force to hold said support arm in place and yet provide a low repositioning force; and

g. a gas spring with an inboard end and an outboard end, said inboard end being pivotally and adjustably connected to said threaded shaft of said arm elevation bracket, and said outboard end being pivotally connected to said central portion of said support arm.

17. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein said inboard end of said gas spring is positionally connected along said threaded shaft and said threaded shaft is angled with respect to a true vertical direction to provide an optimum counterbalancing force for supporting said support arm.

18. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein said inboard end of said gas spring is positionally connected at an optimal position to said arm elevation bracket to provide a counterbalancing moment as said support arm is elevationally pivoted throughout a range of pivoting angles.

19. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein said support arm is evenly supported by said gas spring over a range of at least 180 degrees of motion.

20. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein said gas spring comprises nitrogen.

21. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein said nut and said bolt of said frictional assembly are tensioned such that said UHMWPE disks and said planar metal surfaces of said frictional assembly are provided with a friction force to prevent unforced rotational movement and a low breakaway force to provide ease of rotational movement under a predetermined force.

22. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein said keyboard tray comprises slotted members to allow for said expansion of said tray to accommodate said keyboard.

23. The mounting system of claim 16, wherein said keyboard tray comprises slide channels to allow said mouse pad tray to slidingly engage said keyboard tray.