Display positioning apparatus and method

• US 9,717,329 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2016
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• 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, Theis, John William, Trish, Scott, Segar, Peter, Ergun, Mustafa A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US15/135,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20160309890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 108 5001, 108 5002, 108 5011, 108 90, 108137, 108152, 108147, 10814711, 248918, 248917, 248920
• 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 amounting 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 at least one 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;

a support column extending upward from the base;

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

a keyboard tray configured to support the keyboard, the keyboard tray configured to couple to the mounting portion and to simultaneously move with the at least one electronic display relative to the work surface;

a crossbar configured to couple to the mounting portion, the crossbar configured to support the at least one electronic display; and

at least one display mount configured to couple the at least one electronic display to the crossbar.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the crossbar includes:

a stationary portion including a mounting region for mounting the crossbar to the mounting portion, the stationary portion configured to remain stationary with respect to the mounting portion; and

a movable portion pivotably coupled to an end of the stationary portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the movable portion is pivotably coupled to an end of the stationary portion with a pin, and wherein the movable portion is configured to pivot at one end about an axis located at the pin.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the crossbar includes a mounting region for mounting the crossbar to the mounting portion, the mounting region positioned near the end of the stationary portion coupled to the movable portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the movable portion is shorter than the stationary portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the crossbar includes a mounting region for mounting the crossbar to the mounting portion, the mounting region positioned approximately at a center of a length of the crossbar.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a mouse tray coupled to the keyboard tray.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a support surface configured to couple to the mouse tray and the keyboard tray.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

an electronic device tray configured to couple to the crossbar and support an electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic device tray configured to couple to the crossbar and support an electronic device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lift mechanism coupled to the support column and configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the lift mechanism comprises at least one of a gas spring and a constant force spring.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a balance mechanism.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the balance mechanism comprises a cam.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a clamp for removably attaching the base about an edge of the work surface.

16. An apparatus for positioning at least two 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;

a support column extending upward from the base;

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

a keyboard tray configured to support the keyboard, the keyboard tray configured to couple to the mounting portion and to simultaneously move with the at least two electronic displays relative to the work surface;

a crossbar configured to couple to the mounting portion, the crossbar configured to support the at least one electronic display;

the crossbar including;

a stationary portion including a mounting region for mounting the crossbar to the mounting portion, the stationary portion configured to remain stationary with respect to the mounting portion; and

a movable portion pivotably coupled to an end of the stationary portion; and

at least two display mounts configured to couple the at least two electronic displays to the crossbar.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the movable portion is pivotably coupled to an end of the stationary portion with a pin, and wherein the movable portion is configured to pivot at one end about an axis located at the pin.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a balance mechanism.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the balance mechanism comprises a cam.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a clamp for removably attaching the base about an edge of the work surface.