Variable height platform device

• US 10,649,422 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2018
• Issued: 05/12/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fellowes Incorporated
• Inventors: Matlin, Tai Hoon K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US16/142,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20190025781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 108147, 108145, 10814411, 254122, 254124, 254 2 C, 254 8 C, 254 9 C
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0056 with a motor, e.g. an electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/02 with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/10 with vertically-acting fluid cylinder
• 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: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

A variable height workstation system includes a base, a variable height platform, a lift mechanism, and a sensor arrangement. The lift mechanism is configured to move the variable height platform within a range of motion between a fully lowered position and a raised position. The sensor arrangement is operatively connected to the variable height platform. The sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of a user on, above and around the variable height platform for outputting data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to a predetermined target position.

Claims

1. A variable height workstation system comprising:

a base;

a variable height platform;

a lift mechanism configured to move the variable height platform within a range of motion between a fully lowered position and a raised position; and

a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the variable height platform,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of a user on, above and around the variable height platform for outputting data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to a predetermined target position,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of the user on, above and around the variable height platform and through one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement, and wherein the one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement are disposed across the variable height platform, and

wherein the one or more sensor zones are a plurality of sensor zones comprising overlapped zones of sensors with varied sensitivity, and wherein, as a body portion of the user moves around, into and through the overlapped sensor zones, the sensor arrangement is configured to detect varied signals levels from the associated sensors to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to the predetermined target position.

2. The variable height workstation system of claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement includes an active movement sensor arrangement.

3. The variable height workstation system of claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement includes a surface movement sensor arrangement that is integrated in the variable height platform.

4. The variable height workstation system of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a plurality of articulated members.

5. The variable height workstation system of claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement includes the sensors each having a sensor zone of the plurality of sensor zones adjacent the variable height platform, the sensor arrangement including a processor coupled to the sensors and configured to process the data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to said predetermined target position based on the position and movement of the user around, into and through the plurality of sensor zones.

6. A variable height workstation system comprising:

a base;

a variable height platform;

a lift mechanism configured to move the variable height platform within a range of motion between a fully lowered position and a raised position;

a sensor arrangement operatively connected to the variable height platform; and

a display device with a processor,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of a user on, above and around the variable height platform for outputting data, and

wherein the processor is configured to;

receive the data from the sensor arrangement,

compare the received data to a predetermined target position, and

display an indication of the comparison to the user,

wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to sense the position and movement of the user on, above and around the variable height platform and through one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement, and wherein the one or more sensor zones of the sensor arrangement are disposed across the variable height platform, and

wherein the one or more sensor zones are a plurality of sensor zones comprising overlapped zones of sensors with varied sensitivity, and wherein, as a body portion of the user moves around, into and through the overlapped sensor zones, the sensor arrangement is configured to detect varied signals levels from the associated sensors to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to the predetermined target position.

7. The variable height workstation system of claim 6, wherein the sensor arrangement includes an active movement sensor arrangement.

8. The variable height workstation system of claim 6, wherein the sensor arrangement includes a surface movement sensor arrangement that is integrated in the variable height platform.

9. The variable height workstation system of claim 6, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a plurality of articulated members.

10. The variable height workstation system of claim 6, wherein the sensor arrangement includes the sensors each having a sensor zone of the plurality of sensor zones adjacent the variable height platform,

wherein the processor is coupled to the sensors and is configured to process the data to determine how the user is positioned on, above and around the variable height platform in comparison to said predetermined target position based on the position and movement of the user around, into and through the plurality of sensor zones.