Edge mount positioning apparatus, system, and method

• US 9,743,757 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2015
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Ergun, Mustafa A., Cain, John, Segar, Peter, Lindblad, Shaun C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNICHOLS, ERET C
• Application Number:
  US14/685,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20150208799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 248919, 24812311, 24829511
• 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 include an apparatus for positioning items such as an electronic display, a keyboard, and/or a work surface. The apparatus can be attached proximate an edge of a generally planar support member to provide a multi-position workstation. In some cases the apparatus includes a display mount coupled to a support column and configured to support an electronic display and a keyboard. The support column may be movable with respect to support member between 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 device relative to a support member, the apparatus comprising:

a horizontal planar work surface sized and shaped to support the electronic device resting on the work surface, wherein the electronic device is unattached to the work surface, and wherein the electronic device is distinct from the work surface;

an attachment member removably coupleable to an edge of the support member;

a bracket and a moveable support column, the bracket coupled between the attachment member and the support column, the support column slidably coupled to the bracket to allow the support column to move in an ascending and descending range of travel along a linear, vertical path,

the support column having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion engaged to the work surface, and

an energy storage member positioned within the support column, the energy storage member configured to provide a biasing force to assist an operator in adjusting a height of the work surface along the range of travel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a lift mechanism including a cam having a cam housing engaged to the support column to slidably couple to the bracket, the lift mechanism configured to move the support column through the range of travel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cam housing is fixedly attached proximate a top surface of the support member.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cam housing is fixedly attached proximate a bottom surface of the support member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work surface is configured to extend over the support member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is supported by a wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is incorporated into a table.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column extends above the support member when the support column is at an uppermost height along the range of travel, and wherein the second end of the support column extends below the support member when the support column is at a lowermost height along the range of travel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column remains level with or above a surface of the support member and the second end remains below the surface of the support member as the support column moves throughout the range of travel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the surface of the support member is a top surface of the support member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

at least one of rollers or slides to slidably couple the support column to the bracket.

12. An apparatus for positioning an electronic device relative to a support member, the apparatus comprising:

a horizontal planar work surface sized and shaped to support the electronic device resting on the work surface, wherein the electronic device is unattached to the work surface, and wherein the electronic device is distinct from the work surface;

an attachment member removably coupleable to an edge of the support member;

a bracket and a moveable support column, the bracket coupled between the attachment member and the support column, the support column slidably coupled to the bracket to allow the support column to move in an ascending and descending range of travel along a linear, vertical path,

the support column having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion engaged to the work surface; and

an energy storage member positioned within the support column, the energy storage member configured to provide a biasing force to assist an operator in adjusting a height of the work surface along the range of travel,

wherein the support member is incorporated into a table.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column extends above the support member when the support column is at an uppermost height along the range of travel, and wherein the second end of the support column extends below the support member when the support column is at a lowermost height along the range of travel.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column remains level with or above a surface of the support member and the second end remains below the surface of the support member as the support column moves throughout the range of travel.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the surface of the support member is a top surface of the support member.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising:

at least one of rollers or slides to slidably couple the support column to the bracket.

17. An apparatus for positioning an electronic device relative to a support member, the apparatus comprising:

a horizontal planar work surface sized and shaped to support the electronic device resting on the work surface, wherein the electronic device is unattached to the work surface, and wherein the electronic device is distinct from the work surface;

an attachment member removably coupleable to an edge of the support member;

a bracket and a moveable support column, the bracket coupled between the attachment member and the support column, the support column having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion engaged to the work surface;

a lift mechanism including a cam having a cam housing engaged to the support column, the lift mechanism slidably coupled to the bracket and allow the support column to move in an ascending and descending range of travel along a linear, vertical path, the lift mechanism configured to move the support column through the range of travel; and

an energy storage member positioned within the support column, the energy storage member configured to provide a biasing force to assist an operator in adjusting a height of the work surface along the range of travel.