Adjustable keyboard support

• US 6,296,215 B1
• Filed: 12/15/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Group Dekko Services, LLC
• Inventors: DeWitt, Donald E., McCoy, Phillip, Keil, Edward J., Tolar, Tracy
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZUMNY, JONATHON A
• Application Number:
  US09/464,030
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 248/274.1, 248/276.1, 248/284.1, 248/286.1, 248/292.12, 248/292.13, 248/918, 248/118.3, 248/188.2, 248/292.11, 108/50.02, 108/94, 108/95, 108/96, 108/138, 312/208.1, 312/223.3, 163/07, 163/42, 400/715
• US Class Current: 248/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0335 mounted under the worksurface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0342 having one double articulated arm
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/009 Keyboards associated with mousepads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An adjustable keyboard support device having a keyboard support platform and an arm connected to the platform and adapted for attachment to a base unit. Positioning of the keyboard support platform is secured by frictional engagement of coil springs on cylindrical surfaces. Release mechanisms may be activated to change diameters of the coil springs, unsecuring the engagement of the springs against the surface. Varying spring constants allows progressive release of more than one spring. An adjustable peripheral device support platform is attached to the keyboard support platform. A wrist support is provided at the front of the keyboard support platform, and includes a rack and pinion adjustment of the height of the support surface.

Claims

1. A keyboard support device for a base structure, comprising:

a keyboard support platform adapted for receiving a keyboard thereon;

a support arm having a first end adapted for pivotally attaching said support arm to said keyboard support platform, and a second end adapted for pivotally attaching said support arm relative to the base structure, said support arm including a fixed member associated with said first end thereof;

a locking pivotal assembly including a coil spring located upon said fixed member, said coil spring having a locked position for frictionally engaging said fixed member and thereby restricting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to the base structure, and an unlocked position for disengaging said fixed member and thereby permitting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to the base structure; and

a release mechanism operable to adjust said coil spring from said locked position to said unlocked position.

2. The keyboard support device of claim 1, further comprising:

a tube defining an axis about which said keyboard support platform is pivotal relative to the base structure, said tube having an outside diameter;

said coil spring being disposed around said tube, said coil spring having an inside diameter, said inside diameter of said coil spring in a relaxed condition being less than said outside diameter of said tube;

a first end of said coil spring being attached to said tube; and

a second end of said coil spring being connected to said release mechanism.

3. The keyboard support device of claim 2, Wherein a counterbalancing spring is disposed in and connected to said first tube.

4. The keyboard support device of claim 1, further comprising a wrist support unit connected to said keyboard support platform, said wrist support unit having a vertically adjustable upper piece, and a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said upper piece.

5. The keyboard support device of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral component platform, and a peripheral component platform support arm connected between said keyboard support platform and said peripheral component platform.

6. A keyboard support device for a base structure, comprising:

a keyboard support platform adapted for receiving a keyboard thereon;

a support arm having a first end adapted for pivotally attaching said support arm to said keyboard support platform, and a second end adapted for pivotally attaching said support arm relative to the base structure;

a locking pivotal assembly including a coil spring having a locked position for restricting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to the base structure, and an unlocked position permitting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to the base structure;

a release mechanism operable to adjust said coil spring from said locked position to said unlocked position; and

a first locking pivotal assembly at said first end of said support arm, said first locking pivotal assembly including a first coil spring having a first locked position for restricting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to said support arm, and a first unlocked position permitting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to said support arm;

a second locking pivotal assembly at said second end of said support arm, said second locking pivotal assembly including a second coil spring having a second locked position for restricting pivotal movement of said support arm relative to the base structure, and a second unlocked position permitting pivotal movement of said support arm relative to the base structure;

a release mechanism operable to adjust said first coil spring from said first locked position to said first unlocked position; and

operable to adjust said second coil spring from said second locked position to said second unlocked position.

7. The keyboard support device of claim 6, wherein:

said first locking pivotal assembly includes a first tube defining a first axis about which said keyboard support platform is pivotal relative to the base structure, said first coil spring is disposed around said first tube, an internal diameter of said first coil spring in a relaxed condition is less than an outside diameter of said first tube, a first end of said first coil spring is attached to said first tube; and

a second end of said first coil spring is connected to said release mechanism; and

said second pivotal locking assembly includes a second tube defining a second axis about which said keyboard support platform is pivotal relative to the base structure, said second coil spring is disposed around said second tube, an internal diameter of said second coil spring in a relaxed condition is less than an outside diameter of said second tube, a first end of said second coil spring is attached to said second tube; and

a second end of said second coil spring is connected to said release mechanism.

8. The keyboard support device of claim 7, wherein a counterbalancing spring is disposed in and connected to at least one of said first tube and said second tube.

9. The keyboard support device of claim 7, wherein said first coil spring has a first spring constant, and said second coil spring has a second spring constant, said second spring constant being greater than said first spring constant.

10. The keyboard support device of claim 7, further comprising a peripheral component platform, and a peripheral component platform support arm connected between said keyboard support platform and said peripheral component platform.

11. The keyboard support device of claim 7, further comprising a wrist support unit connected to said keyboard support platform, said wrist support unit having a vertically adjustable upper piece, and a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said upper piece.

12. The keyboard support device of claim 11, further comprising first and second racks attached to said adjustable upper piece, a lower piece, a shaft disposed for rotation in said lower piece, and first and second pinion gears disposed on said shaft and operatively engaged with said first and second racks.

13. The keyboard support device of claim 12, further comprising a thumbwheel disposed on said shaft.

14. A keyboard support device for a base structure, comprising:

a keyboard support platform adapted for receiving a keyboard thereon;

a support arm having a first end adapted for pivotally attaching said support arm to said keyboard support platform, and a second end adapted for pivotally attaching said support arm relative to the base structure;

a locking pivotal assembly including a coil spring having a locked position for restricting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to the base structure, and an unlocked position permitting pivotal movement of said keyboard support platform relative to the base structure;

a release mechanism operable to adjust said coil spring from said locked position to said unlocked position;

a wrist support unit connected to said keyboard support platform, said wrist support unit having a vertically adjustable upper piece, and a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said upper piece; and

first and second racks attached to said adjustable upper piece, a lower piece, a shaft disposed for rotation in said lower piece, and first and second pinion gears disposed on said shaft and operatively engaged with said first and second racks.

15. The keyboard support device of claim 14, further comprising a thumbwheel disposed on said shaft.

16. A locking pivotal link between a keyboard support platform and a base unit, comprising:

a pivotal joint between the keyboard support platform and the base unit, including a cylindrical element having an outside surface, said cylindrical element rotatably interconnecting the keyboard support platform relative to the base unit;

a coil spring disposed around said cylindrical element,

said coil spring having a diameter sized for creating an interference fit between said coil spring and said cylindrical element;

said coil spring having a first end and a second end, said first end being fixed in position relative to said cylindrical element; and

a release mechanism connected to said second end, said release mechanism adapted for movement of said second end to change said diameter and relieve the interference fit between said coil spring and said cylindrical element, said release mechanism including a first release paddle and a second release paddle, a first cable and pulley system disposed between said first release paddle and said second release paddle, and a cable connection between said first cable and pulley system and said second end.

17. The locking pivotal link defined in claim 16, further comprising a first bar, a second bar spaced from said first bar, and said cylindrical element being attached to said second bar and extending therefrom toward said first bar.

18. A locking pivotal link between a keyboard support platform and a base unit, comprising:

a pivotal joint between the keyboard support platform and the base unit, including a cylindrical element having an outside surface, said cylindrical element rotatably interconnecting the keyboard support platform relative to the base unit;

a coil spring disposed around said cylindrical element,

said coil spring having a diameter sized for creating an interference fit between said coil spring and said cylindrical element;

said coil spring having a first end and a second end, said first end being fixed in position relative to said cylindrical element;

a release mechanism connected to said second end, said release mechanism adapted for movement of said second end to change said diameter and relieve the interference fit between said coil spring and said cylindrical element; and

a counterbalancing spring connected to said cylindrical element.

19. The locking pivotal link defined in claim 18, wherein said cylindrical element is a tube, and said counterbalancing spring is disposed in said tube.

20. A keyboard support device comprising:

a keyboard support platform;

a wrist rest mechanism attached to said keyboard support platform, and including a body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said upper body portion being vertically adjustable relative to said lower body portion;

an adjustment mechanism including a first and second rack and a first and second pinion gear for adjusting the position of said upper body portion relative to said lower body portion; and

a shaft journaled for rotation in said lower body portion;

said first and second pinion gears carried by said shaft; and

said first and second racks connected to said upper body portion and adapted and arranged for engagement with said first and second pinion gears.

21. The keyboard support device of claim 20, further comprising a thumbwheel disposed on said shaft and operable to rotate said shaft.

22. A keyboard support device comprising:

a keyboard support platform;

a wrist rest mechanism attached to said keyboard support platform, and including a body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said upper body portion being vertically adjustable relative to said lower body portion; and

an adjustment mechanism including a rack and a pinion gear for adjusting the position of said upper body portion relative to said lower body portion, said rack being attached to said upper body portion, said pinion gear being connected to said lower body portion.

23. A keyboard support device comprising:

a keyboard support platform;

a wrist rest mechanism attached to said keyboard support platform, and including a body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said upper body portion being vertically adjustable relative to said lower body portion, supports being disposed on said lower body portion, a shaft being journaled for rotation in said supports; and

an adjustment mechanism including a rack and a pinion gear for adjusting the position of said upper body portion relative to said lower body portion, said pinion gear being disposed on said shaft, for rotation with said shaft.

24. The keyboard support device of claim 23, further comprising a thumb wheel disposed on said shaft and extending through an opening in said lower body portion.

25. The keyboard support device of claim 23, further comprising a shaped head disposed on said shaft;

a locking shroud disposed in said upper body portion for securing a position for said pinion gear.

26. A keyboard support device comprising:

a keyboard support platform;

a wrist rest mechanism attached to said keyboard support platform, and including a body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said upper body portion being vertically adjustable relative to said lower body portion; and

an adjustment mechanism including a vertically aligned rack and a pinion gear for adjusting the vertical position of said upper body portion, said rack having a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of said rack being substantially perpendicular to said keyboard support platform relative to said lower body portion.