Display positioning apparatus and method

• US 9,820,566 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2017
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• 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, Segar, Peter, Theis, John William, Ergun, Mustafa A., Trish, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US15/400,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20170112276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 108 5001, 108 5004, 108 5002, 108 90, 108137, 108152, 108147, 10814711, 108 5014, 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 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 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 having an upwardly extending portion;

a lift mechanism configured to movably couple the mounting portion and the support column so that the mounting portion is translatable with respect to the support column, thereby providing the mounting portion with an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position;

a support surface configured to couple to the mounting portion and to support the keyboard; and

a display mount configured to support the at least one electronic display, the display mount configured to couple to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion and to move independently of the mounting portion,

wherein the mounting portion is configured to simultaneously move the at least one electronic display and the support surface within the ascending and descending range of travel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic display includes two electronic displays, and wherein the display mount is a first display mount, the apparatus comprising:

a second display mount; and

a crossbar configured to directly couple to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion and to move independently of the mounting portion, wherein each of the first and second display mounts is configured to be coupled to the crossbar, and wherein each of the first and second display mounts is configured to support one of the two electronic displays.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display mount is directly coupled to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support column and the mounting column are in a telescoping arrangement.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

a clamp configured to attach the base about an edge of the work surface.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism includes at least one of a gas spring and a constant force spring.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism includes a balance mechanism.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the balance mechanism includes a cam.

13. An apparatus for positioning two electronic displays 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 having an upwardly extending portion;

a lift mechanism configured to movably couple the mounting portion and the support column so that the mounting portion is translatable with respect to the support column, thereby providing the mounting portion with an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position;

first and second display mounts, wherein each of the first and second display mounts is configured to support one of the two electronic displays;

a support surface configured to couple to the mounting portion and to support the keyboard; and

a crossbar configured to directly couple to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion and to move independently of the mounting portion, wherein each of the first and second display mounts is configured to be coupled to the crossbar,

wherein the mounting portion is configured to simultaneously move the two electronic displays and the support surface within the ascending and descending range of travel.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support column and the mounting column are in a telescoping arrangement.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, comprising:

a clamp configured to attach the base about an edge of the work surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the first work surface via a through hole in the work surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, 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.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lift mechanism includes at least one of a gas spring and a constant force spring.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lift mechanism includes a balance mechanism.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the balance mechanism includes a cam.

23. An apparatus for positioning two electronic displays 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 at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base;

a mounting portion having an upwardly extending portion, wherein the support column and the mounting column are in a telescoping arrangement;

a lift mechanism configured to movably couple the mounting portion and the support column so that the mounting portion is translatable with respect to the support column, thereby providing the mounting portion with an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism including a balance mechanism to bias the mounting portion in a raised position;

first and second display mounts, wherein each of the first and second display mounts is configured to support one of the two electronic displays;

a support surface configured to couple to the mounting portion and to support the keyboard; and

a crossbar configured to directly couple to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion and to move independently of the mounting portion, wherein each of the first and second display mounts is configured to be coupled to the crossbar,

wherein the mounting portion is configured to simultaneously move the two electronic displays and the support surface within the ascending and descending range of travel.