Vertical work center

• US 5,738,316 A
• Filed: 04/03/1995
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Ergotron Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Sweere, Harry C., Voeller, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US08/415,660
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 248/123.11, 248/124.1, 248/125.1, 248/278.1, 248/281.11, 248/324, 248/325.1, 248/917, 248/920, 248/923, 248/922
• US Class Current: 248/123.11
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• 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 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/063 Parallelogram arms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

Vertical work center for positioning a computer monitor vertically and horizontally about a floor or ceiling mounted column. A positionable arm is pivotally secured to the upper portion of the mounting column in the case of a floor mounted column or to the lower portion of the mounting column in the case of a ceiling mounted column. The outward end of the positionable arm includes a tilt/swivel mount which supports a monitor caddy.

Claims

1. A vertical work center comprising:

a. a base;

b. a column connected to said base;

c. a bracket connected to said column;

d. a positionable arm having an upper arm assembly end connected to said bracket and including gas springs connected between approximate ends of said positionable arm; and

,

e. a tilt/swivel means with at least one UHMWP washer connected to a lower arm assembly end for supporting a caddy.

2. The center of claim 1, including at least one gas cylinder in said arm.

3. The center of claim 1, including two gas cylinders in said arm.

4. The center of claim 1, including a keyboard below said caddy.

5. The center of claim 1, including a work shelf on said column.

6. The center of claim 1, including a support shelf for a CPU.

7. A vertical work center comprising:

a. a base;

b. a column connected to said base;

c. a bracket connected to said column;

d. a positionable arm having an upper arm assembly end connected to said bracket and including gas springs connected between approximate ends of said positionable arm; and

,

e. a tilt/swivel means including opposing UHMWP washers connected to a lower arm assembly end for supporting a caddy.

8. The center of claim 7, including at least one gas cylinder in said arm.

9. The center of claim 7, including two gas cylinders in said arm.

10. The center of claim 7, including a keyboard below said caddy.

11. The center of claim 7, including a work shelf on said column.

12. The center of claim 7, including a support shelf for a CPU.

13. A vertical work station for supporting from above a caddy which holds a monitor, CRT, or other equipment comprising:

a. a base;

b. a vertical tube column;

c. a positionable arm comprising gas spring means used to provide energy storage means for easy positioning and repositioning of said caddy, an upper arm assembly, and a lower arm assembly;

d. a bracket that attaches said upper arm assembly to said column;

e. a tilt swivel means that attaches said lower arm assembly to said caddy; and

,

f. washers contained in said tilt swivel means which include polymer washers with similar static and dynamic coefficient of friction.

15. The work station of claim 13 or 14, wherein the polymer washers are positioned between stainless steel washers and compressive force is locked into the polymer washers by a spring washer that is tightened down using a lock nut.

14. A vertical work station for supporting from above a caddy which holds a monitor, CRT, or other equipment comprising:

a. a base;

b. a vertical tube column;

c. a positionable arm comprising gas spring means used to provide energy storage means for easy positioning and repositioning of said caddy, an upper arm assembly, and a lower arm assembly;

d. a bracket that attaches said upper arm assembly to said column;

e. a tilt swivel means that attaches said lower arm assembly to said caddy;

f. washers contained in said tilt swivel means which include polymer washers with similar static and dynamic coefficient of friction; and

,

g. said polymer washers of said tilt swivel means are constructed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or Delrin.

20. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein said base is mounted to the floor.

21. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein said base is mounted to the ceiling.

22. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein said tilt swivel means has inherent anti-rotational friction to allow stability during use.

23. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein a fold-down work shelf is attached to said vertical tube column.

24. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein a computer mounting platform is attached to said vertical tube column.

25. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein said gas spring means comprises one or more gas springs.

26. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein said gas spring means comprises two gas springs.

27. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein polymer washers comprise one or more polymer washers.

28. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein an optional keyboard tray and keyboard are secured to the bottom of said caddy.

29. The work station of claim 14, 17 or 19, wherein said upper arm assembly comprises a pivot which attaches to said bracket.

16. A vertical work station for supporting from above a caddy which holds a monitor, CRT, or other equipment comprising:

a. a base;

b. a vertical tube column;

c. a positionable arm comprising gas spring means used to provide energy storage means for easy positioning and repositioning of said caddy, an upper arm assembly, and a lower arm assembly;

d. a bracket that attaches said upper arm assembly to said column;

e. a tilt swivel means that attaches said lower arm assembly to said caddy; and

,

f. an angled counterbalance means contained in said upper arm assembly, mounted on an inclined surface to provide an identical counterbalancing force over the entire range of positions of said adjustable arm.

17. A vertical work station for supporting from above a caddy which holds a monitor, CRT, or other equipment comprising:

a. a base;

b. a vertical tube column;

c. a positionable arm comprising gas spring means used to provide energy storage means for easy positioning and repositioning of said caddy, an upper arm assembly, and a lower arm assembly;

d. a bracket that attaches said upper arm assembly to said column;

e. a tilt swivel means that attaches said lower arm assembly to said caddy; and

,

f. said upper arm assembly contains an adjustable slide member which provides for a wide range of adjustable counterbalance forces by rotating a fixed head.

19. A vertical work station for supporting from above a caddy which holds a monitor, CRT, or other equipment comprising:

a. a base;

b. a vertical tube column;

c. a positionable arm comprising gas spring means used to provide energy storage means for easy positioning and repositioning of said caddy, an upper arm assembly, and a lower arm assembly;

d. a bracket that attaches said upper arm assembly to said column;

e. a tilt swivel means that attaches said lower arm assembly to said caddy; and

,

f. a stop bar that provides for a position stop for said adjustable arm and provides for a means to lock said adjustable arm in a fixed position.

18. The work station of claim 19, wherein said counterbalancing forces can balance a weight of 30-100 pounds.

30. A vertical work station for supporting from above a caddy which holds a monitor, CRT, or other equipment comprising:

a. a base;

b. a vertical tube column;

c. a positionable arm comprising gas spring means used to provide energy storage means for easy positioning and repositioning of said caddy, an upper arm assembly, and a lower arm assembly;

d. a bracket that attaches said upper arm assembly to said column;

e. a tilt swivel means that attaches said lower arm assembly to said caddy; and

,

f. two polyethylene washers contained in said tilt swivel means to provide tilt control for said caddy.