Height adjustable desktop work surface

• US 9,668,572 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2016
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Ergun, Mustafa A., Wong, Thiem, Theis, John William
• Primary Examiner(s): ING, MATTHEW W
• Application Number:
  US15/178,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20160278515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 108145, 10814711, 108116-120, 108147
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 1/04 with supplementary leaves or drop leaves arranged at the periphery A47B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/003 Connecting table tops to underframes connecting furniture tubing to non-tubular parts F16B12/42
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2009/185 being positioned between the table top and the legs or underframe
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/04 characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/04 supported from table, floor or wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/02 with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/16 with means for, or adapted for, inclining the legs of the table for varying the height of the top, e.g. with adjustable cross legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/18 with additional top or additional legs for varying the height of the top

Abstract

In one example, a height adjustable desktop system is described that can include a work surface, a foot assembly and a linkage assembly that adjustably connects the work surface to the foot assembly allowing vertical adjustment of the work surface. The linkage assembly can include a pair of adjustment assemblies, each having a transverse linkage that maintains the work surface in a horizontal orientation as the work surface is elevated or lowered. A biasing mechanism, such as an extension spring or a torsion spring, biases the work surface toward the elevated position.

Claims

1. A height adjustable desktop system, comprising:

a work surface defining an underside;

a linkage system comprising at least two linkage members, the linkage system configured to support the work surface through a plurality of height adjustable positions;

at least one adjustment assembly including;

a support frame configured to couple to the underside of the work surface;

a glide rod configured to be supported by the support frame, the glide rod having an S-shaped cross section, the glide rod defining a plurality of indentations;

a glide bracket defining opposing glide holes, wherein the glide rod is configured to extend through the opposing glide holes, the glide bracket configured to couple to a first one of the at least two linkage members, wherein at least one of the opposing glide holes is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of indentations to prevent movement of the glide bracket relative to the glide rod and thereby position the work surface in one of the plurality of height adjustable positions; and

a bushing rotatably coupled to the guide bracket at one of the opposing guide holes, the bushing defining an S-shaped opening and configured to slidably engage the glide rod in any rotational position of the glide rod.

2. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the opposing glide holes defines a flat edge, and wherein the flat edge is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of indentations.

3. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 1, comprising:

a lever configured to engage an end of the glide rod and allow a user to rotate the glide rod.

4. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 1, wherein the support frame defines two opposing bores configured to receive and support the glide rod.

5. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 1, comprising a counterbalance mechanism including a biasing member configured to bias the work surface toward an elevated position.

6. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 5, wherein the biasing member includes a first end configured to couple to the glide bracket and a second end configured to couple to the underside of the work surface.

7. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 5, wherein the biasing member includes an extension spring.

8. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 5, wherein the counterbalance mechanism is configured to bias the work surface toward the elevated position when a display is located on the work surface.

9. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a first planar face and the glide bracket includes a second planar face opposing the first planar face, the second planar face configured to slidably engage the first planar face as the glide bracket moves.

10. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 1, further comprising a shelf configured to couple to the underside of the work surface, the shelf defining a top surface lower than the work surface.

11. A height adjustable desktop system, comprising:

a work surface defining an underside;

a linkage system configured to support the work surface through a plurality of height adjustable positions;

at least one adjustment assembly including;

a support frame configured to couple to the underside;

a glide rod configured to be supported by the support frame, the glide rod having an S-shaped cross section, the glide rod defining a plurality of indentations;

a glide bracket defining opposing glide holes;

wherein the glide rod is configured to extend through the opposing glide holes, wherein at least one of the opposing glide holes defines a flat edge, wherein the flat edge is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of indentations to prevent movement of the glide bracket along the glide rod and thereby position the work surface in one of the plurality of height adjustable positions; and

a bushing rotatably coupled to the guide bracket at one of the opposing guide holes, the bushing defining an S-shaped opening and configured to slidably engage the glide rod in any rotational position of the glide rod.

12. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 11, comprising:

a lever configured to engage an end of glide rod and allow a user to rotate the glide rod.

13. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 11, wherein the support frame defines two opposing bores configured to receive the glide rod.

14. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 11, wherein the support frame includes a first planar face and the glide bracket includes a second planar face opposing the first planar face, the second planar face configured to slidably engage the first planar face as the glide bracket moves.

15. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 11, further comprising a counterbalance mechanism including a biasing member configured to bias the work surface toward an elevated position.

16. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 15, wherein the biasing member includes a first end configured to couple to the glide bracket and a second end configured to couple to the underside of the work surface.

17. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 15, wherein the counterbalance mechanism is configured to bias the work surface toward the elevated position when a display is located on the work surface.

18. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 15, wherein the linkage system includes:

a first linkage extending from a first connection end to a first foot end, the first connection end rotatably coupled to the glide bracket;

a second linkage extending from a second connection end to a second foot end, the second connection end rotatably coupled to the glide bracket;

a transverse linkage rotatably coupled to the underside and rotatably coupled to the first linkage.

19. The height adjustable desktop system of claim 11, further comprising a shelf configured to couple to the underside of the work surface, the shelf defining a top surface lower than the work surface.