Movable monitor and keyboard storage system for a worksurface

• US 7,922,267 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Krueger International Incorporated
• Inventors: Gevaert, Steven C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne; Darnell M
• Assistant Examiner(s): AYRES, TIMOTHY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/837,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20090039743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.3, 312/304, 312/306, 312312-316, 3123191-3198, 312/322, 312/310, 312/311, 312/223.2, 108/50.01
• US Class Current: 312/223.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0073 liftable above the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

A worksurface storage system includes a frame, a tray, an actuator, and a cover. The tray and actuator are connected to the frame such that operation of the actuator translates the actuator and the tray relative to the frame. The cover is pivotably connected to the frame such that translation of the tray rotates the cover between an open and a closed position relative to the worksurface. The storage system is constructed to engage the worksurface such that devices supported by the tray are selectively extended and retracted relative to the worksurface. An opening formed in the worksurface accommodates passage of the devices and the cover, which is rotationally connected to the frame and which covers the opening formed in the worksurface when the devices are not in use. The storage system provides for multi-functional use of the worksurface.

Claims

1. A powered worksurface storage system comprising:

a frame constructed to be connected to a worksurface;

a cover pivotably connected to the frame and constructed to be generally aligned with the worksurface when the frame is connected thereto and movable between an open position extending above the worksurface and a closed position in which the cover is aligned with the worksurface;

a tray movably connected to the frame between stored and in-use positions in which the tray is located beneath the worksurface;

a first support interconnected with the tray for supporting a display in a substantially vertical orientation beneath the cover in the closed position;

a second support interconnected with the tray for supporting a keyboard adjacent an output surface of the display in a substantially vertical orientation beneath the cover in the closed position lying parallel to the display;

an indexing mechanism interconnected with the frame;

an actuator directly connected to the tray for movement therewith and movable along the indexing mechanism to move the tray and the cover during operation of the actuator, and

a pair of cover linkages movably connected between opposite ends of the cover and opposite sides of the frame, the cover linkages being engageable with the tray as driven by the actuator to move the cover to the open position,

wherein one of the cover linkages includes a first cover bracket attached to one end of the cover, a first guide bracket having an upper end pivotally connected to the first cover bracket and a lower end pivotally mounted to a pivot bracket that is swingably secured to one side of the frame, the pivot bracket carrying first and second spaced rollers for receiving and engaging therebetween the tray in the stored position, the first guide bracket and the pivot arm being movably mounted on the one side of the frame along curved grooves formed therein, a back surface of the frame being provided with a roller retainer engageable and disengageable with the first roller; and

whereby the actuator moves the tray from the stored position to the in-use position causing movement of the pivot bracket, the first guide bracket and the first cover bracket to pivot the cover to the open position with the first roller driven into engagement with the roller retainer to maintain the cover in the open position.

2. The powered storage system of claim 1 wherein the indexing mechanism is a screw and the actuator comprises a motor having an output that is movably engaged with the screw.

3. The powered storage system of claim 2 further comprising a remote control configured to control operation of the actuator.

4. The powered storage system of claim 1 wherein the first support engages the cover to disengage the cover from the locked position.

5. The powered storage system of claim 1 further comprising a switch constructed to be connected to the worksurface and connected to the actuator to control a position of the tray.

6. The powered storage system of claim 1 wherein the other of the cover linkages includes a second guide bracket rotatably connected to an opposite side of the frame and connected to a second cover bracket that is connected to the cover, wherein the tray is movable into engagement with the second guide bracket causing the second guide bracket to rotate relative to the frame and move along a vertically extending channel formed in the opposite side of the frame to translate the second cover bracket and the cover.

7. The powered storage system of claim 1, further comprising a third support interconnected with the second support, wherein the third support is configured to support a computer peripheral device such as a computer mouse.

8. A worksurface assembly comprising:

a worksurface;

a support structure connected to the worksurface for elevating the worksurface above a floor;

a frame suspended from the worksurface and having a cover pivotably connected to the worksurface and movable between an open position extending above the worksurface and a closed position aligned with the worksurface;

a platform connected to the frame and moveable between stored and in-use positions in which the platform is located beneath the worksurface;

a powered actuator directly carried by the platform and constructed to move the platform between the stored position and the in-use position, wherein the powered actuator is constructed to move with the platform as the platform moves between the stored position and the in-use position, and

a pair of cover linkages movably connected between opposite ends of the cover and opposite sides of the frame, the cover linkages being engageable with the platform as driven by the actuator to move the cover to the open position, wherein the platform includes a first portion for supporting a display and a second position for supporting a keyboard such that the keyboard and the display are generally parallel to one another in a substantially vertical orientation when supported by the platform in the stored position,

wherein one of the cover linkages includes a first cover bracket attached to one end of the cover, a first guide bracket having an upper end pivotally connected to the first cover bracket and a lower end pivotally mounted to a pivot bracket that is swingably secured to one side of the frame, the pivot bracket carrying first and second spaced rollers for receiving and engaging therebetween the platform in the stored position, the first guide bracket and the pivot arm being movably mounted on the one side of the frame along curved grooves formed therein, a back surface of the frame being provided with a roller retainer engageable and disengageable with the first roller; and

wherein the other of the cover linkages includes a second cover bracket attached to another end of the cover, and a second guide bracket having an upper end pivotally secured to the second cover bracket and a lower end movably mounted to an opposite side of the frame along a vertically extending channel formed therein,

whereby the actuator moves the platform from the stored position to the in-use position causing movement of the pivot bracket, the first guide bracket and the first cover bracket to pivot the cover to the open position with the first roller driven into engagement with the roller retainer to maintain the cover in the open position, and, at the same time, movement of the platform to the in-use position engages and rotates the second guide bracket to translate the second cover bracket and pivot the cover to the open position.

9. The worksurface assembly of claim 8 further comprising a shelf interconnected with the platform, wherein the shelf is configured to support a computer peripheral device such as a computer mouse.

10. The worksurface assembly of claim 8 further comprising a screw attached to the frame and engaged with the powered actuator such that the powered actuator translates along the screw relative to the storage system during operation.

11. The worksurface assembly of claim 10 wherein the powered actuator comprises a motor.

12. The worksurface assembly of claim 8 further comprising a display bracket connected to the platform and constructed to pivotably connect a display to the platform, wherein the display bracket is constructed to engage the cover as the platform is moved to the stored position so as to pivot the display bracket to a predetermined angular orientation.

13. The worksurface assembly of claim 8 wherein the support structure includes a plurality of telescopic legs.

14. A method of forming a multi-purpose workstation having a frame with an uppermost worksurface comprising the steps of:

a) providing a cover;

b) pivotably connecting the cover to the worksurface of the frame such that the cover is generally aligned with the worksurface when the cover is located in a closed position, and such that the cover extends above the worksurface when the cover is in an open position;

c) connecting a tray to the frame to allow translation between stored and in-use positions in which the tray is located beneath the worksurface;

d) connecting an actuator to the tray such that the actuator is movable along with the tray during operation of the actuator to move a display and a keyboard together in a substantially vertical and parallel relationship to one another;

e) providing a pair of cover linkages movably connected between opposite ends of the cover and opposite sides of the frame,

wherein one of the cover linkages includes a first cover bracket attached to one end of the cover, a first guide bracket having an upper end d pivotally connected to the first cover bracket and a lower end pivotally mounted to a pivot bracket that is swingably secured to one side of the frame, the pivot bracket carrying first and second spaced rollers for receiving and engaging therebetween the tray in the stored position, the first guide bracket and the pivot arm being movably mounted on the one side of the frame along curved grooves formed therein, a back surface of the frame being provided with a roller retainer engageable and disengageable with the first roller; and

wherein the other of the cover linkages includes a second cover bracket attached to another end of the cover, and a second guide bracket having an upper end pivotally secured to the second cover bracket and a lower end movably mounted to an opposite side of the frame along a vertically extending channel formed therein,

f) engaging the cover linkages with the tray as driven by the actuator whereby the actuator moves the tray from the stored position to the in-use position causing movement of the pivot bracket, the first guide bracket and the first cover bracket to pivot the cover to the open position with the first roller driven into engagement with the roller retainer to maintain the cover in the open position, and, at the same time, movement of the tray to the in-use position engages and rotates the second guide bracket to translate the second cover bracket and pivot the cover to the open position; and

g) securing the frame to a worksurface associated with the workstation.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising connecting a control to an exterior of the worksurface and to the actuator to allow selective operation of the actuator.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing a remote control configured to interface with the control to control operation of the actuator from a location remote from the worksurface.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising pivotably interconnecting a display bracket raised and lowered with the tray, and engaging the display bracket with the cover to move the display bracket to a predetermined angular position upon operation of the actuator to lower the display bracket.