Computer workstation with moveable monitor support

• US 7,690,317 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2004
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Millerknoll Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Groelsma, John C., Dral, Joel R., Weber, Jeffrey A., Beck, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver; J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): EPPS, TODD MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/797,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20040256524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,218 Days
• Field of Search: 248/146, 248/127, 248/161, 248/157, 248/125.1, 248/125.8, 248/917, 248/918, 248/419, 248/424, 248/429, 248/430, 248/178.1, 248/183.4, 108/20, 108/7, 108/50.11, 108/50.01, 108/137, 108/143, 108/102, 3123195-3198, 312/331, 312/223.3
• US Class Current: 108/143
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/048 adapted to forward-backward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• 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 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/063 Parallelogram arms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base

Abstract

A computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance between first and second worksurface positions and a monitor support coupled to the worksurface. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. A method of adjusting the position of a monitor support on a computer workstation is also provided.

Claims

1. A computer workstation comprising:

a base;

a worksurface supported by said base and comprising a front leading edge moveable a first distance in a fore-and-aft direction between first and second worksurface positions, wherein said front leading edge is cantilevered forwardly in said second worksurface position such that at least a center portion of said front leading edge does not overlie said base when said worksurface is in said second worksurface position;

a monitor support coupled to said worksurface, wherein at least one of said worksurface and said monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of said worksurface and said monitor support, wherein said monitor support is automatically moveable a second distance in said fore-and-aft direction between first and second monitor positions in response to said front leading edge of said worksurface being moved said first distance between said first and second worksurface positions, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance, and wherein said monitor support is positioned rearwardly of said front leading edge of said worksurface as said front leading edge of said worksurface is moved between said first and second worksurface positions, and wherein said monitor support does not overlie said front leading edge of said worksurface as said monitor support is moved between said first and second monitor positions.

2. The computer workstation of claim 1 further comprising support rollers interfacing between said worksurface and said base.

3. The computer workstation of claim 2 further comprising a track formed on one of said worksurface and said base and at least one guide roller coupled to the other of said worksurface and said base, wherein said at least one guide roller engages said track.

4. The computer workstation of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a first gear, said monitor support comprises a second gear and said worksurface comprises a pinion gear rotatably mounted thereto, wherein said pinion gear engages said first and second gears.

5. The computer workstation of claim 4 wherein said first and second gears comprise first and second racks respectively, wherein said first and second racks face each other.

6. The computer workstation of claim 4 further comprising a motor operably connected to said pinion gear.

7. The computer workstation of claim 1 wherein said monitor support is supported by said worksurface.

8. The computer workstation of claim 7 further comprising support rollers interfacing between said monitor support and said worksurface.

9. The computer workstation of claim 7 wherein said monitor support is slidably supported by said worksurface.

10. The computer workstation of claim 1 wherein said monitor support comprises a base and a platform pivotally mounted to said base.

11. The computer workstation of claim 1 wherein said second distance is between about 1.5 and 3.0 times said first distance.

12. The computer workstation of claim 11 wherein said second distance is about 2.0 times said first distance.

13. The computer workstation of claim 1 further comprising a keyboard tray pivotally mounted to said worksurface.

14. The computer workstation of claim 1 wherein said worksurface is connected to a first drive device and said monitor support is connected to a second drive device, and wherein said monitor support and said worksurface are coupled with a controller operably connected to said first and second drive devices.

15. The computer workstation of claim 14 wherein said first and second drive devices comprise first and second motors respectively.

16. The computer workstation of claim 1 wherein a support surface of said worksurface forms an angle with a horizontal plane.

17. The computer workstation of claim 16 wherein said angle is between about 5 degrees and about 45 degrees.

18. A computer workstation comprising:

a worksurface moveable a first distance in a fore-and-aft direction between first and second worksurface positions, wherein a support surface of said worksurface forms an angle between about 5 and 45 degrees with a horizontal plane;

a monitor support coupled to said worksurface, wherein at least one of said worksurface and said monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of said worksurface and said monitor support, wherein said monitor support is automatically moveable a second distance in said fore-and-aft direction between first and second monitor positions in response to said worksurface being moved said first distance between said first and second worksurface positions, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance; and

a base having an upper surface formed at substantially said angle with said horizontal plane, wherein said base supports said worksurface on said upper surface.

19. A computer workstation comprising:

a worksurface moveable a first distance in a fore-and-aft direction between first and second worksurface positions;

a monitor support coupled to said worksurface, wherein at least one of said worksurface and said monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of said worksurface and said monitor support, wherein said monitor support is automatically moveable a second distance in said fore-and-aft direction between first and second monitor positions in response to said worksurface being moved said first distance between said first and second worksurface positions, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance, and wherein said monitor support is supported by a four bar linkage.

20. The computer workstation of claim 19 wherein said four bar linkage is configured as a parallelogram.

21. The computer workstation of claim 19 wherein said monitor support is pivotally supported by a pair of non-parallel links.

22. The computer workstation of claim 19 wherein said worksurface is connected to a front of said monitor support.