CONVERTIBLE SIT AND STAND WORKSTATION

• US 20170013957A1
• Filed: 07/18/2016
• Published: 01/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Perfect Posture LLC
• Original Assignee: Perfect Posture LLC
• Inventors: McRorie, Robert Grant III
• Granted Patent: US 10,004,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0364 Keyboard and monitor supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0023 Columnar component for computer, stand or trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0054 with three telescopic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0076 Vertical technical column supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/02 with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/14 with pins coacting with holes
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• 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 11/30 with co-moving side-struts
• 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 2200/028 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/047 for balancing translational movement of the head

Abstract

A workstation for alternatively configuring a conventional desk for use while sitting and use while standing. The workstation includes an extendable column formed of multiple nested sections. The nested sections are configured to telescope such that the column can be extended. The workstation is configured to support a monitor and a tray. The extendable column contains a counter balance mechanism that is configured to resist collapsing of the column. A movement coupling mechanism is provided that it is such that motion of the first section relative to the second section is transmitted to the third section such that the third section moves a corresponding amount relative to the second section.

Claims

1. A workstation for alternatively configuring a conventional desk for use while sitting and use while standing, the workstation comprising:

an extendable column that includes nested sections that are nested together such that the column can telescope and there is a first section, a second section, and a third section positioned such that the first section is received by the second section and the second section is received by the third section;

a keyboard tray carried by the column and configured support a keyboard; and

a movement coupling mechanism that is configured to couple at least two of the sections such that when one of the coupled sections moves relative to the remaining section, the other coupled section moves relative to the remaining section.

2. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the movement coupling mechanism is configured to such that the first section and the third section are coupled.

3. The workstation according to claim 2, wherein the first section is configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the second section such that when the first section is in the first position, the column is collapsed and when the first section is in the section position, the column is extended.

4. The workstation according to claim 3, wherein the third section is configured to move away from the first section when the first section moves from the first position to the second position.

5. The workstation according to claim 4, comprising:

an arm carried by the column and configured to support the keyboard tray;

a slidable work surface; and

wherein the slidable work surface is configured to move along the arm between a first position and a second position such that when the work surface is in the second position, the work surface is positioned over at least a portion of the keyboard tray.

6. The workstation according to claim 1, comprising:

a locking mechanism attached to the third section;

wherein the locking mechanism is configured to engage the second section such that the third section cannot move relative to the second section.

7. The workstation according to claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism includes a paddle configured to move between an up position, a neutral position, and a down position;

a pin mechanically linked to the paddle;

a rack; and

wherein when the paddle is in the neutral position, the pin is in engaged with the rack and when the paddle is in the up or down position, the pin is clear of the rack.

8. The workstation according to claim 2, comprising:

a strap that has a first end connected to the first section and a second end connected to the third section; and

wherein the strap is configured such that motion of the first section relative to the second section is transmitted to the third section such that the third section moves a corresponding amount relative to the second section.

9. The workstation according to claim 8, comprising:

a roller positioned at one end of the third section and the roller is configured to support the strap.

10. The workstation according to claim 9, comprising:

a pair of rollers.

11. A workstation configured to be converted between being positioned for use from a sitting position and for being for use from a standing position, the workstation comprising:

an extendable column configured to receive a monitor, the column comprising;

a first section;

a second section configured to receive the first section; and

a third section configured to receive the second section;

a keyboard tray that is attached to the third section;

an auxiliary tray that defines a work surface that is configured to move between a first position such that the work surface is near the column and a second position such that the work surface is at least partially over the keyboard tray;

a strap that is connected at one end to the third section and at another end to a first section and configured to transfer motion from the first section to the third section;

a rack defined in the second section;

a pin mechanically connected to the third section and configured to engage the rack;

a lever mechanically linked to the pin; and

wherein

the lever is configured to move the pin from a position in which the pin is engaged with the rack and a position in which the pin is clear of the rack and when the pin is clear of the rack, the first and third sections can move relative to the second section.

12. The workstation according to claim 11, wherein the lever is a lever biased to a neutral position that is between a first position and a second position and wherein the pin is engaged with the rack when the lever is in the neutral position and the pin is clear of the rack when the lever is in either of the first position or the second position.

13. The workstation according the claim 12, where in the column is configured to support the monitor via a monitor mount.

14. A method for converting a work station that includes an extendable column and a keyboard tray attached to the keyboard tray from use as a sitting desk to use as a standing desk, the method comprising the steps of:

moving a lever away from a neutral position, so as to cause a pin to move to a position clear of a rack;

urging the keyboard tray in a desired direction;

allowing the pin to move to a position such that the pin is engaged with the rack.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of:

urging the keyboard tray down.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of:

urging the keyboard tray up.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of:

lengthening the extended column by casing the third column to move relative to the second column.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of:

causing a first section of the column to move relative to a second section.