Height-adjustable support surface and system for encouraging human movement and promoting wellness

• US 9,486,070 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2013
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: StirWorks Inc.
• Inventors: Labrosse, Jean-Paul, Chu, Michael Xinjie, Sullivan, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Troy, Daniel J
• Assistant Examiner(s): AYRES, TIMOTHY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/035,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20140096706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 312/330.1, 3123195-3198, 108 20- 22, 108/147, 108/50.02, 248/158, 379/454
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/02 with vertically-adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2097/003 Cable holders; cable organisers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0054 with three telescopic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0056 with a motor, e.g. an electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0061 Height-adjustable desk, electronically regulated with no mechanical link between the legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0062 Electronically user-adaptable, height-adjustable desk or table
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/00 Tables with tops of variable height lecterns with variable height A47B19/06; school forms or desks with variable height A47B39/02, A47B41/02; seats with variable height A47C3/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/01 for supporting or guiding the pipes, cables or protective tubing, between relatively movable points, e.g. movable channels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/416 characterised by control of velocity, acceleration or deceleration G05B19/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24015 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35491 Workpiece date display, position, height
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

A sit/stand workstation includes a worktop that includes a powered drive and is moveable between a sitting height and a standing height. During use, a controller moves the worktop up and down following a user-defined schedule and uses sensors, such as a pressure mat, to detect how well the user follows the schedule and biometric indicators that convey fatigue and user energy level. In response to this monitored user information, the controller changes time, duration, and/or frequency of the schedule to better meet the abilities and fitness of the user and also to help encourage the user to continue regular use of both sitting height and standing height workstation positions. Sounds, voice, lights, colors, and numerical information are used to help encourage the user in use of the sit/stand workstation.

Claims

1. A sit-stand desk for use by a user, comprising:

a frame;

a panel having an upper work surface, said panel being vertically slidably attached to said frame;

at least one electrically-powered vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between said frame and said panel, said drive mechanism being arranged to selectively vertically displace said panel with respect to said frame;

a control circuit connected to said drive mechanism and configured to activate said drive mechanism in response to receiving a start command, wherein upon activation, said drive mechanism automatically vertically displaces said panel according to prescribed oscillatory displacement instructions before displacing said panel from a first position with respect to said frame to a second predetermined position with respect to said frame at a predetermined rate of speed; and

a temperature sensor connected to said control circuit and configured to measure a body temperature of said user located adjacent to said desk,

wherein said control circuit is configured to determine a presence of said user at said desk based on said body temperature and generate said start command based on said presence.

2. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 1, further comprising:

a switch located on said panel and connected to said control circuit and configured to send said start command upon activation by said user.

3. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 1, further comprising:

a proximity sensor detecting a presence of said user within a predetermined zone located adjacent to said desk, said proximity sensor generating a safe signal in response to detecting said user within said predetermined zone.

4. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 3, wherein said control circuit receives said safe signal prior to activating said drive mechanism.

5. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 1, wherein said start command is generated automatically by the control unit according to a custom height-adjustment schedule for said user based on profile information of said user.

6. A sit-stand desk for use by a user, comprising:

a frame;

a panel having an upper work surface, said panel being vertically slidably attached to said frame and selectively vertically displaceable;

at least one electrically-powered vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between said frame and said panel, said drive mechanism being arranged to selectively vertically displace said panel with respect to said frame when said drive mechanism is activated;

a control circuit connected to said drive mechanism for selectively activating said drive mechanism to vertically displace said panel according to prescribed oscillatory displacement instructions in response to receipt of a trigger signal; and

a temperature sensor connected to said control circuit and configured to determine a body temperature of said user, wherein said control circuit is configured to generate said trigger signal based on changes in said body temperature.

7. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 6, wherein said oscillatory displacement instructions include a cycle rate that is between 12 and 18 cycles per minute.

8. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 7, wherein said oscillatory displacement instructions include vertical oscillatory movement at a cycle rate of approximately 16 cycles per minute.

9. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 6, further comprising:

a proximity sensor connected to said control circuit and configured to detect a presence of said user within a predetermined zone located adjacent to said desk,

wherein said trigger signal is generated in response to detection of said user proximate to said desk.

10. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 6, wherein said trigger signal is generated by a remote electronic device.

11. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 10, wherein said remote electronic device is a computer that can receive emails and said trigger signal is generated in response to said computer receiving an email.

12. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 6, wherein said oscillatory displacement instructions include moving said panel within a vertical height range that is less than 5 inches.

13. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 12, wherein said oscillatory displacement instructions include moving said panel up and down within a vertical height range that is less than or equal to one inch.

14. A sit-stand desk for use by a user, comprising:

a frame;

a panel having an upper work surface, said panel being vertically slidably attached to said frame;

at least one electrically-powered vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between said frame and said panel and configured to selectively vertically displace said panel with respect to said frame;

a control circuit connected to said drive mechanism and configured to activate said drive mechanism to vertically displace said panel following a height-adjustment schedule; and

a pressure mat comprising a pressure sensor connected to said control circuit and configured to determine a frequency of user movement between positions on the pressure mat,

wherein said height-adjustment schedule is automatically adjusted by said control circuit in response to changes in said frequency.

15. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 14, further comprising:

a temperature sensor connected to said control circuit and configured to determine a body temperature of said user,

wherein said height-adjustment schedule is automatically adjusted by said control circuit in response to changes in said body temperature.

16. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 14, further comprising:

a proximity sensor connected to said control circuit and configured to detect a presence of said user within a predetermined zone located adjacent to said desk,

wherein said height-adjustment schedule is automatically adjusted by said control circuit in response to changes in user presence.

17. A sit-stand desk for use by a user, comprising:

a frame;

a panel having an upper work surface and being selectively vertically displaceable in respect to the frame;

a vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between the frame and the panel, wherein activation of the drive mechanism vertically displaces the panel with respect to the frame;

a control circuit selectively activating the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel according to prescribed oscillatory displacement instructions in response to receipt of a trigger signal; and

a pressure mat comprising a sensor connected to the control circuit and configured to determine a frequency of user movement between positions on the pressure mat, wherein the control circuit generates the trigger signal based on changes in the frequency.

18. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 17, wherein the oscillatory displacement instructions include moving the panel up and down at a cycle rate that is between 12 and 18 cycles per minute.

19. The sit-stand desk, according to claim 17, wherein the oscillatory displacement instructions include moving the panel up and down within a vertical height range that is less than or equal to one inch.

20. A sit-stand desk for use by a user, comprising:

a frame;

a panel having an upper work surface and being selectively vertically displaceable in respect to the frame;

a vertical-displacement drive mechanism mechanically connected between the frame and the panel, wherein activation of the drive mechanism vertically displaces the panel with respect to the frame; and

a control circuit selectively activating the drive mechanism to vertically displace the panel according to prescribed oscillatory displacement instructions,

wherein the oscillatory displacement instructions include moving the panel up and down at a cycle rate that is between 12 and 18 cycles per minute within a vertical height range that is less than 5 inches.