U.S. patent application number 09/876471 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-11 for keyboard support system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Group Dekko Services, LLC. Invention is credited to Berndt, Curtis G., Keil, Edward J., Kochanski, Walter T., McCoy, Phillip, Tolar, Tracy.
Application Number | 20010028023 09/876471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26926528 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010028023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kochanski, Walter T. ; et
al. |
October 11, 2001 |
Keyboard support system
Abstract
A keyboard support system attaches to an edge of a work surface.
The work surface includes a working surface and an underside. The
keyboard support system includes a keyboard platform configured for
supporting a keyboard. A U-shaped mounting bracket includes a top
wall having a lower surface, a monolithic bottom wall and a middle
wall interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom
wall has an upper surface and a lower surface with a pair of
integral, opposing guide rails projecting therefrom. Each guide
rail has a length oriented substantially parallel to the bottom
wall. The middle wall is configured to both resiliently bias the
lower surface of the top wall against the working surface of the
work surface and resiliently bias the upper surface of the bottom
wall against the underside of the work surface, thereby clamping
the work surface between the top wall and the bottom wall. A
sliding device is retained between the guide rails of the bottom
wall and is slidably positioned along the lengths of the guide
rails. A mounting arm interconnects the keyboard platform and the
sliding device.
Inventors: |
Kochanski, Walter T.; (Fort
Wayne, IN) ; Berndt, Curtis G.; (Fremont, IN)
; Keil, Edward J.; (Rome City, IN) ; McCoy,
Phillip; (Albion, IN) ; Tolar, Tracy; (Indian
Rocks Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jeffrey T. Knapp
TAYLOR & AUST, P.C.
142 S. Main Street
P.O. Box 560
Avilla
IN
46710
US
|
Assignee: |
Group Dekko Services, LLC
|
Family ID: |
26926528 |
Appl. No.: |
09/876471 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09876471 |
Jun 7, 2001 |
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09599323 |
Jun 22, 2000 |
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09599323 |
Jun 22, 2000 |
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09232991 |
Jan 19, 1999 |
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6079680 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/298.1 ;
248/176.3; 248/178.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/0314 20130101;
A47B 2021/0335 20130101; A47B 2210/15 20130101; Y10S 248/918
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/298.1 ;
248/178.1; 248/176.3 |
International
Class: |
A47H 001/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A keyboard support system for attachment to an edge of a work
surface, the work surface including a working surface and an
underside, said keyboard support system comprising: a keyboard
platform configured for supporting a keyboard; a substantially
U-shaped mounting bracket including: a top wall having a lower
surface; a monolithic bottom wall having an upper surface, and a
lower surface with a pair of integral, opposing guide rails
projecting therefrom, each said guide rail having a length oriented
substantially parallel to said bottom wall; and a middle wall
interconnecting said top wall and said bottom wall, said middle
wall being configured to resiliently bias said lower surface of
said top wall against the working surface of the work surface and
resiliently bias said upper surface of said bottom wall against the
underside of the work surface, thereby clamping the work surface
between said top wall and said bottom wall; a sliding device
retained between said guide rails or said bottom wall, said sliding
device being slidably positioned along said lengths of said guide
rails; and a mounting arm interconnecting said keyboard platform
and said sliding device.
2. The keyboard support system of claim 1, wherein each said guide
rail has two longitudinal ends, said bottom wall including a
through hole disposed adjacent to one of said longitudinal ends of
at least one said guide rail, said keyboard support system further
comprising an elongate element extending through said through hole
in said bottom wall, said elongate element having a sharp
longitudinal end configured for being embedded in the underside of
the work surface to thereby maintain said keyboard support system
in engagement with the work surface.
3. The keyboard support system of claim 2, wherein said elongate
element has an other longitudinal end with a knob attached thereto,
said knob being configured for preventing said sliding device from
sliding past said longitudinal ends of said guide rails.
4. The keyboard support system or claim 3, further comprising a
pivot joint interconnecting said keyboard platform and said
mounting arm.
5. The keyboard support system of claim 1, wherein said top wall
has a first depth in a direction substantially perpendicular to
said middle wall, said bottom wall having a second depth in said
direction substantially perpendicular to said middle wall, said
second depth being substantially greater than said first depth.
6. The keyboard support system of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall
has a width, said width decreasing in a direction away from and
substantially perpendicular to said middle wall.
7. The keyboard support system of claim 1, wherein said top wall
has an outwardly flanged lip configured for projecting away from
the working surface of the work surface.
8. The keyboard support system of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall
has a perimeter and a stiffening rib extending along and adjacent
to said perimeter.
9. A keyboard support system for attachment to an edge of a work
surface, the work surface including a working surface and an
underside, said keyboard support system comprising: a keyboard
platform configured for supporting a keyboard; a substantially
U-shaped mounting bracket including: a top wall having a lower
surface and an upper surface, said upper surface having at least
one indentation configured for retaining stationary supplies; a
bottom wall having an upper surface, and a lower surface; and a
middle wall interconnecting said top wall and said bottom wall,
said middle wall being configured to resiliently bias said lower
surface of said top wall against the working surface of the work
surface and resiliently bias said upper surface of said bottom wall
against the underside of the work surface, thereby securing the
work surface between said top wall and said bottom wall; and a
mounting arm interconnecting said keyboard platform and said
mounting bracket.
10. The keyboard support system of claim 9, further comprising: a
pair of opposing guide rails attached to said lower surface of said
bottom wall, each said guide rail having a length oriented
substantially parallel to said bottom wall; and a sliding device
retained between said guide rails, said sliding device being
slidably positioned along said lengths of said guide rails, said
sliding device interconnecting said mounting arm and said guide
rails.
11. The keyboard support system of claim 9, wherein said top wall
has a middle portion interconnecting two opposite lateral sides,
each said lateral side including a respective node extending past
said middle portion.
12. The keyboard support system of claim 11, wherein said nodes are
closer than said middle portion to said bottom wall, said nodes
thereby being configured for exerting a greater camping force than
said middle portion.
13. A method of manufacturing a keyboard support bracket,
comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of formable material
having a first side and a second side, said first side being
configured for interfacing with an underside of a work surface;
cutting two substantially parallel, side by side tabs in said sheet
of material; bending each said tab away from said first side of
said sheet of material such that each said tab is oriented at a
substantially right angle to said sheet of material; and bending a
distal portion of each said tab such that each said distal portion
is oriented substantially parallel to said sheet of material, each
said tab thereby forming a respective guide rail for slidingly
retaining a sliding device therein.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said cutting step includes the
substeps of: sliding two parallel, side by side, substantially
linear first slits through said sheet of material, each said first
slit having an approximately equal first length; and sliding two
pairs of substantially linear second slits through said sheet of
material, each said second slit having an approximately equal
second length, said second lengths being substantially less than
said first lengths of said first slits, one longitudinal end of
each said second slit being substantially coincident with a
respective longitudinal end of a respective said first slit, each
said second slit extending in a direction substantially transverse
to said first slits, each said second slit associated with a same
said first slit being disposed on a same side of said first slit,
each said tab being partially defined by a respective said first
slit and a respective said pair of second slits.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein each said tab has a proximal
portion having a height and a length, said length of said proximal
portion being substantially greater than said height of said
proximal portion.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein each said distal portion of
each said tab is bent toward an opposing other said tab.
17. An input device support system for attachment to an edge of a
work surface, the work surface including a working surface and an
underside, said input device support system comprising: an input
device platform configured for supporting an input device; a
substantially U-shaped mounting bracket including: a top wall
having a lower surface; a bottom wall having an upper surface, and
a lower surface; a pair of opposing guide rails attached to and
projecting downwardly from said bottom wall, each said guide rail
having a length or oriented substantially parallel to said bottom
wall; and a middle wall interconnecting said top wall and said
bottom wall, said middle wall being configured to resiliently bias
said lower surface of said top wall against the working surface of
the work surface and resiliently bias said upper surface of said
bottom wall against the underside of the work surface, thereby
clamping the work surface between said top wall and said bottom
wall; a sliding device carried by said guide rails, said sliding
device being slidably positioned along said lengths of said guide
rails; and a mounting arm interconnecting said input device
platform and said sliding device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to mounting brackets for
supporting a keyboard platform and attaching the keyboard platform
to a work surface.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] It is known to screw or otherwise fasten a mounting bracket
to the underside of a work surface. The mounting bracket has guide
rails for retaining a sliding mechanism which is connected to a
mounting arm. The mounting arm, in turn, is connected to and
supports a keyboard platform on which a keyboard rests. A problem
is that it is difficult and time-consuming to fasten the mounting
bracket to the underside of the work surface. Another problem is
that, once installed, the mounting bracket is also difficult to
remove, and thus may be a hinderance to other work that may need to
be done under the work surface. Yet another problem is that the
mounting bracket is not easily portable, i.e., it is difficult to
transfer the mounting bracket to another location, such as another
desk.
[0005] What is needed in the art is a keyboard support system which
can be quickly and easily attached to a work surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a keyboard support system
which resiliently attaches onto the edge of a work surface.
[0007] The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a keyboard
support system which attaches to an edge of a work surface. The
work surface includes a working surface and an underside. The
keyboard support system includes a keyboard platform configured for
supporting a keyboard. A U-shaped mounting bracket includes a top
wall having a lower surface, a monolithic bottom wall and a middle
wall interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom
wall has an upper surface and a lower surface with a pair of
integral, opposing guide rails projecting therefrom. Each guide
rail has a length oriented substantially parallel to the bottom
wall. The middle wall is configured to both resiliently bias the
lower surface of the top wall against the working surface of the
work surface and resiliently bias the upper surface of the bottom
wall against the underside of the work surface, thereby securing
the work surface between the top wall and the bottom wall. A
sliding device is retained between the guide rails of the bottom
wall and is slidably positioned along the lengths of the guide
rails. A mounting arm interconnects the keyboard platform and the
sliding device.
[0008] An advantage of the present invention is that the keyboard
support system can be both installed and removed in a quick and
easy fashion.
[0009] Another advantage is that guide rails are integrally
fabricated on the bottom wall of the mounting bracket, thereby
eliminating the need to attach such mounting brackets to the
underside of a work surface.
[0010] Yet another advantage is that stationary supplies may be
retained in indentations in the top wall of the mounting bracket,
thereby making such supplies more accessible to the user. A fixed,
removable plastic or elastomeric piece having such indentations may
be snapped onto or slid onto the top wall of the mounting
bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a downward, perspective view of one embodiment of
the keyboard support system of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an upward, perspective view of the keyboard
support system of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1
along line 3-3;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a plan views of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1;
and
[0016] FIG. 5 is an upward, perspective view of another embodiment
of a keyboard support system of the present invention.
[0017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out
herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one
form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 2,
there is shown one embodiment of a keyboard support system 10 of
the present invention. Keyboard support system 10 includes a
U-shaped mounting bracket 12, a sliding device 14, a mounting arm
16, a pivot joint 18, a keyboard platform 20 and a knob 22.
[0019] Mounting bracket 12 includes a top wall 24 and a bottom wall
26 which are resiliently interconnected by a middle wall 28.
Mounting bracket 12 can be slid over an edge 29 (FIG. 1) of a work
surface 30 such that work surface 30 is secured between top wall 24
and bottom wall 28. More particularly, middle wall 28 provides a
resilient force that biases a lower surface 32 of top wall 24
against a working surface 34 of work surface 30, and biases an
upper surface 36 of bottom wall 26 against an underside 38 of work
surface 30. In the most advanced position of mounting bracket 12,
as shown in FIG. 1, an inner surface 40 (FIG. 3) of middle wall 28
contacts a side 42 of work surface 30. Mounting bracket 12 may be
molded from plastic, formed out of metal, or die cast out of
aluminum, for example.
[0020] Top wall 24 includes two nodes 44 on opposite lateral sides
of top wall 24. In the unbiased state of mounting bracket 12, too
wall 24 slants slightly downward toward bottom wall 26 as top wall
24 extends away from middle wall 28 in a direction indicated by
arrow 46, which direction is perpendicular to middle wall 28.
Because nodes 44 are closer than a middle portion 48 of top wall 24
to bottom wall 26, the clamping force exerted by nodes 44 is
greater than the clamping force exerted by a middle portion 48.
Since the clamping force is maximized at both nodes 44 at the
opposite lateral ends of top wall 24, pivoting of bracket 12 about
a single point of maximum clamping force is avoided. In this way,
nodes 44 allow bracket 12 to be more securely attached to work
surface 30.
[0021] An upper surface 50 of top wall 24 is formed by a work tray
52 which snaps onto top wall 24. Work tray 52 includes variously
shaped and sized indentations or cavities 54 which may be used to
retain stationary supplies such as paper clips, note pads, etc.
Each indentation 54 has a surface area suitable for containing such
supplies, for example, at least one square inch. Depending upon the
needs of the user, work tray 52 may be detached from top wall 24
and replaced with another work tray (not shown) which has different
indentations. In another embodiment, indentations 54 are integrally
formed in the upper surface of a monolithic top wall.
[0022] Top wall 24 has a maximum depth d.sub.t (FIG. 4) at nodes
44, as measured in direction 46. Depth d.sub.t of top wall 24 is,
however, much less than a depth d.sub.b of bottom wall 26.
[0023] The outside edge of top wall 24 has an outwardly flanged lip
56 which projects away from working surface 34 of work surface 30
in order to avoid scratching it.
[0024] Bottom wall 26 has a width w as measured in a direction
parallel to middle wall 28. As is readily apparent, width w of
bottom wall 26 decreases in direction 46.
[0025] Bottom wall 26 is fabricated from a formable or bendable
material, such as sheet metal, For example. In order to improve
structural integrity, bottom, wall 26 has a stiffening rib 58
extending along and adjacent to a perimeter 60 of bottom wall 26.
Stiffening rib 58 provides bottom wall with increased rigidity,
thereby increasing the clamping force exerted by mounting bracket
12.
[0026] A pair of opposing, side by side guide rails 62 are
integrally fabricated from or attached to bottom wall 26. Guide
rails 62 project from a lower surface 64 of bottom wall 26. A
length 66 of guide rails 62 is oriented parallel to lower surface
64 and bottom wall 26 in direction 48. Length 66 extends between
two longitudinal ends 68 of each guide rail 62. Bottom wall 26
includes a threaded through hole 70, disposed beyond and adjacent
to longitudinal ends 68, for receiving knob 22. Proximal portions
72 of guide rails 62 are oriented substantially perpendicular to
lower surface 64, while distal portions 74 of guide rails 62 are
oriented substantially parallel to lower surface 64. Thus, proximal
portions 72, distal portions 74 and lower surface 64 define a
channel 76 for retaining sliding device 14.
[0027] In the embodiment shown, sliding device 14 is in the form of
a block having rollers (not shown) on its opposite ends. The
rollers of sliding device 14 are retained within and roll along
channel 76 of guide rails 62. Sliding device 14 is retained between
or hands on guide rails 62. The structure or sliding device 14 is
well known in the art and is therefore not discussed in detail
herein.
[0028] Knob 22, as best seen in FIG. 3, is attached to a
longitudinal end 78 of an elongate element 80. Elongate element 80
extends through through hole 70 such that an opposite, sharp or
pointed longitudinal end 82 of elongate element 80 may be embedded
in underside 38 of work surface 30. Thus, knob 22 and elongate
element 80 anchor bottom wall 26 to underside 38 of work surface 30
such that mounting bracket 12 cannot be inadvertently pulled off of
work surface 30. Elongate element 80 includes high pitch threads 84
which allow longitudinal end 82 to penetrate to a sufficient depth
within work surface 30 with minimal rotation of knob 22. High pitch
threads 84 also allow elongate element 80 to be extracted from work
surface 80 with minimal rotation of knob 22. A circumference 86 of
knob 22 includes raised serrations or ridges 88 so that knob 22 may
be more easily gripped.
[0029] Besides providing leverage for the rotation of elongate
element 80, knob 22 also serves as a backstop for sliding device
14. That is, knob 22 blocks sliding device 14 from sliding past
longitudinal ends 68 of guide rails 62, and thereby becoming
disengaged from guide rails 62.
[0030] Mounting arm 16 interconnects sliding device 14 and the
combination of pivot joint 18 and keyboard platform 20. Mounting
arm 16 has sufficient rigidity to support the weight of keyboard
platform 20 and a keyboard (not shown) supported thereon. The
structure of mounting arm 16 is well known in the art and is
therefore not discussed in detail herein.
[0031] Pivot joint 18, interconnecting mounting arm 16 and keyboard
platform 20, allows limited rotational movement of keyboard
platform 20 about pivot joint 18 and relative to mounting bracket
12.
[0032] Keyboard platform 20 includes a bottom surface 90, an edge
surface 92 and a top surface 94 for supporting a conventional
computer keyboard (not shown).
[0033] During manufacture, one embodiment of integral glide rails
62 are formed in monolithic bottom wall 26 by first cutting two
parallel, side by side tabs in the formable sheet of material which
is to form bottom wall 26. More particularly, two parallel, side by
side, linear slits 104 (FIG. 4) are sliced through the sheet such
that each of slits 104 has an approximately equal length. Two pairs
of shorter, linear slits 106 are also sliced through the sheet such
that each of slits 106 has an approximately equal length. A
longitudinal end 108 of each slit 106 is coincident with a
respective longitudinal end 110 of a respective slit 104. Each
shorter slit 106 is oriented transversely relative to slits 104.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, each slit 106 associated with a same
slit 104 is disposed on a same side of slit 104. That is, each of
the pair of slits 106 that are associated with the left-hand slit
104 is disposed on the left-hand side of left-hand slit 104, and
each of the pair of slits 106 that are associated with the
right-hand slit 104 is disposed on the right-hard side of
right-hand slit 104. In other words, each of short slits 106 is
disposed on the outside of slits 104, i.e., on a side of its
associated slit 104 that is opposite the other non-associated slit
104. Each of the two cut tabs, each of which will later be divided
into proximal portion 72 and distal portion 74, is partially
defined by a respective slit 104 and a respective pair of shorter
slits 106.
[0034] Each tab is then bent at a right angle, approximately
90.degree. away from upper surface 36 of bottom wall 26, i.e., the
side of the sheet of material that is to contact underside 38 of
work surface 30. A distal portion 74 of each tab is bent
approximately 90.degree. toward the opposing tab, thereby forming a
right angle with the remaining proximal portion 72 of the tab. In
this position, each distal portion 74 is oriented substantially
parallel to the remainder of the sheet of material from which it
was cut. Each proximal portion 72 has a height 112 which is
substantially less than its length 66. Thus, each tab, including a
proximal portion 72 and a distal portion 74, thereby forms a
respective guide rail 62 for slidingly retaining sliding device 14
therein.
[0035] In another embodiment (FIG. 5), in contrast to FIG. 2, each
short slit 106 is disposed or the inside of its associated slit
104. That is, each slit 106 is disposed on a same side of its
associated slit 104 as is the other non-associated slit 104.
Depending upon whether slits 106 are to be sliced to the inside of
slits 104, as in FIG. 5, or sliced to the outside of slits 104, as
in FIG. 2, the initial slices which forms slits 104 can be
positioned such that the resulting guide rails 52 are a same,
desired distance away from each other.
[0036] In another embodiment (not shown), top wall 24 of bracket 12
is formed of a transparent material so that note cards or reference
documents may be securely held between top wall 24 and working
surface 36 of work surface 30 for easy viewing by the user.
[0037] In yet another embodiment (not shown), bottom wall 26 has at
least one gusset extending in direction 46. The gussets increase
the strength and rigidity of bottom wall 26, similarly to
stiffening rib 58.
[0038] Keyboard platform 20 has been described herein as supporting
a keyboard. However, it is to be understood that platform 20 can
also be used to support any other type of input device. Such input
devices which can be supported by the input device platform may
include a mouse or another type of electronic computer input
device.
[0039] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within arrows or customary practice in the art
to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits
of the appended claims.
* * * * *