Articulated keyboard shelf

• US 5,975,474 A
• Filed: 05/29/1998
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc. (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Law, David John, Jones, David K., Nason, Kevin Scott, Kaplan, Jonathan Ira
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US09/087,551
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 248/242, 248/276.1, 248/278.1, 248/284.1, 248/281.1, 248/286.1, 248/280.11, 248/289.11, 248/292.14, 248/648, 248/662, 248/918, 248/919, 248/118 , 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 108/5, 108/6, 108/50, 108/93, 108/94, 108/138, 108/139, 108/145, 108/147, 108/27-29
• US Class Current: 248/289.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0321 Keyboard supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0335 mounted under the worksurface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An adjustable support for data input devices and the like includes a base attached to an associated worksurface, a platform shaped to support the data input device thereon and having a front portion and a rearward portion. A support arm has one end pivotally joined with the base, and an opposite end pivotally joined to the platform. A brake element selectively engages a locking member, such that rotation of the tray about the second end of the support arm releases the brake element and permits changes in the elevation of the support with respect to the base, and the moment of the platform and any associated input device frictionally engages the braking element with the locking member and locks the platform in a selected position.

Claims

1. An articulated keyboard support assembly, comprising:

a base member adapted for attachment to a support surface;

an arm having a first end pivotally connected to said base member;

a keyboard support platform pivotally connected to a second end of said arm;

a lock interconnecting said keyboard support platform and said base member and shifting between an engaged position wherein said arm is locked relative to said base, and a released position wherein said arm is movable relative to said base, a moment of said keyboard support platform shifting said lock into said engaged position and maintaining a desired angular orientation of said arm with respect to said base member to thereby maintain a desired height of said keyboard support platform; and

a tilt adjustment mechanism configured to selectively support said keyboard support platform at a user-selected angle with respect to said base member.

2. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said lock includes a lock element and an elongate brake element extending along said arm and interconnecting said platform to said base member, said brake element frictionally engaging said lock element and releasably locking said platform at a desired elevation.

3. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said tilt adjustment mechanism includes a tilt rod slidably supported by said platform and connected to said brake element;

said tilt adjustment mechanism includes a lever pivotally connected to said platform, said lever having a hole therethrough defining an inner edge;

wherein said tilt rod is disposed within said hole, said lever being pivotable between a released position wherein said tilt rod shifts upon tilting of said platform, and a locked position wherein said inner edge engages said tilt rod to lock said tilt rod and prevent tilting of said platform.

4. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 3, including:

a drum fixed to said arm at said first end;

wherein;

said brake element is flexible and tenses in response to said moment of said platform, and slackens upon upward tilting of said platform about said second end of said arm;

said flexible brake element is wrapped around said drum and frictionally engages the same to prevent rotation of said arm about said first end when said cable is tensed.

5. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 2, further including a counterbalance interconnecting said base member and said arm for partially supporting the weight of said arm, said platform, and any device disposed thereon.

6. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said counterbalance includes at least one tensional spring interconnecting said arm to said mounting bracket.

7. An articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said platform has a forwarded portion, and wherein;

said tilt adjustment mechanism includes a slidable wedge; and

said lock includes an elongated brake element, an end of said brake element resting upon said wedge in sliding engagement, whereby translation of said wedge in a first direction moves said forward portion of said platform in a first direction, and translation in a second direction moves said forward portion of said platform in a second direction.

8. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein translation of said wedge changes the angular orientation of said platform with respect to said base member.

9. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said wedge translates in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis of said elongated brake element.

10. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said platform defines an end and includes an auxiliary support surface detachably connected to said end of said platform and extendable therefrom for supporting another device thereon.

11. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said auxiliary support surface includes:

a housing;

an anchor member received in at least one end of said platform;

a hinge pivotally interconnecting said housing to said anchor member; and

a locking member biased within said housing for detachably engaging a recess defined in said hinge for releasably locking said housing in said generally horizontal position.

12. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said hinge is pivotally connected to said anchor member such that said housing may be rotated about an axis concentric with said anchor member.

13. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said platform defines a leading edge; and

including;

an adjustable palm rest assembly connected to said leading edge of said platform.

14. An articulated keyboard support assembly, comprising:

a base member shaped for connection to a worksurface;

a keyboard support platform movably connected to said base for vertical movement relative to said base, said platform being movable to a position below the worksurface; and

a lock interconnecting said platform and said base member, said platform movable to a released position wherein said platform releases said lock to permit height adjustment of said platform; and

said platform movable to a locked position wherein said platform engages said lock, such that said lock frictionally retains said platform at a user-selected height at a selected one of a plurality of infinitesimally small increments.

15. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said lock is biased into said locked position.

16. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

said lock is released upon tilting of said platform.

17. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 15, including:

an arm having one end pivotally connected to said base, and an opposite end pivotally connected to said platform.

18. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

the weight of said platform biases said lock into said locked position.

19. An articulated keyboard support assembly, comprising:

a base member shaped for connection to a worksurface;

a keyboard support platform movably connected to said base for vertical movement relative to said base, said platform including a clamp for securely retaining a keyboard in position on said platform; and

a lock interconnecting said platform and said base member, said platform movable to a released position wherein said platform releases said lock to permit height adjustment of said platform; and

said platform movable to a locked position wherein said platform engages said lock, such that said lock retains said platform at a user-selected height at a selected one of a plurality of infinitesimally small increments.

20. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said lock is biased into said locked position.

21. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said lock is released upon tilting of said platform.

22. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 21, including:

an arm having one end pivotally connected to said base, and an opposite end pivotally connected to said platform.

23. The articulated keyboard support assembly as set forth in claim 22, wherein:

the weight of said platform biases said lock into said locked position.