Display positioning apparatus and method

• US 9,470,357 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2015
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Hazzard, Joel, Fluhrer, Robert William, Segar, Peter, Theis, John William, Ergun, Mustafa A., Trish, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US14/795,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20150320202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/90, 108/137, 108/152, 108/147, 108/147.11, 108/50.11, 248/918, 248/920, 248/917, 248/126
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/033 with parts added to the original furniture to enlarge its surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2009/185 being positioned between the table top and the legs or underframe
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0321 Keyboard supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2023/049 Desk stand for laptop computer
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0073 liftable above the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/04 characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0076 Vertical technical column supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/04 supported from table, floor or wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/10 with vertically-acting fluid cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/12 with flexible height-adjusting means, e.g. rope, chain
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/18 with additional top or additional legs for varying the height of the top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/06 with means for balancing weight of blackboards or the like, e.g. connected to wall means for balancing weight of drawing boards A47B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/2009 actuated by rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• 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 11/18 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 11/28 : Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• 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 13/022 : repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 : for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/047 : for balancing translational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/048 : for balancing translational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 : with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/068 : being part of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus for positioning an electronic display. The apparatus can be combined with an existing work surface to provide a multi-position workstation. In some cases the apparatus includes a mounting portion configured to support an electronic display and a keyboard. The mounting portion may be movable with respect to the work surface between multiple positions, including for example, a sitting position and a standing position. Methods for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard are also included.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:

a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface, the base configured to fixedly attach to the work surface;

a support column extending upward from the base;

a support member configured to support a keyboard, the support member movably coupled to the support column through a range of travel relative to the work surface; and

a display mount configured to support the electronic display, the display mount movably coupled to the support column and configured to move independently from the support member,

wherein the range of travel includes;

a first position in which the support column positions the support member below the bottom surface of the base; and

a second position in which the support column positions the support member above the bottom surface of the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a clamp configured to attach the base about a front edge of the work surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a clamp configured to attach the base about a back edge of the work surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is a first support member, the apparatus further comprising:

a second support member configured to attach to the first support member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work surface is a first work surface, the apparatus further comprising:

a second work surface coupled to the support column and configured to simultaneously move with the electronic display within the range of travel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display mount is a first display mount, wherein the electronic display is a first electronic display, the apparatus comprising:

a second display mount configured to a second electronic display; and

a crossbar coupled to the support column and configured to support the first and second display mounts.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the work surface via a through hole in the work surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the work surface using an adhesive.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

12. An apparatus for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:

a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface, the base configured to fixedly attach to the work surface;

a support column extending upward from the base;

a mounting portion movably coupled to the support column through a range of travel relative to the work surface;

a support member configured to support a keyboard, the support member movably coupled to the mounting portion; and

a display mount configured to support the electronic display, the display mount movably coupled to the support column and configured to move independently from the support member,

wherein the range of travel includes;

a first position in which the support column positions the support member below the bottom surface of the base; and

a second position in which the support column positions the support member above the bottom surface of the base.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the work surface using an adhesive.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.