U.S. patent application number 09/739073 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-31 for adapter bracket for a keyboard platform support mechanism.
Invention is credited to Barber, Peter M..
Application Number | 20020158179 09/739073 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26905833 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020158179 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barber, Peter M. |
October 31, 2002 |
ADAPTER BRACKET FOR A KEYBOARD PLATFORM SUPPORT MECHANISM
Abstract
An improved brake and tilt adjustment control mechanism for a
keyboard suppport platform includes a telescoping shaft connect
between the keyboard platform and a housing supported on linkage
arms that support the platform and connected the platform to a desk
or support surface. The shaft is engaged by an encircling coil
spring retained in the housing to lock the mechanism. Flexing the
spring releases the locking mechanism and permits adjustment of the
tilt or attitude of the keyboard platform relative to the linkage
arms.
Inventors: |
Barber, Peter M.; (Fergus,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
26905833 |
Appl. No.: |
09/739073 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60211106 |
Jun 12, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/424 ;
248/274.1; 248/279.1; 248/285.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 2200/044 20130101;
A47B 21/0314 20130101; A47B 2021/0342 20130101; F16M 13/02
20130101; F16M 11/2064 20130101; F16M 11/2092 20130101; A47B
2021/0335 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/424 ;
248/274.1; 248/279.1; 248/285.1 |
International
Class: |
F16M 013/00; E04G
003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a keyboard support arm assembly including, a base frame for
attachment to the underside of a support surface, said base frame
including a front, a back and opposite sides, said assembly further
including first and second parallel spaced slide tracks in the base
frame extending between the front and back of the base frame, each
track including a support and slide mechanism, said keyboard arm
including a plate for assembly with the base frame slide mechanisms
whereby the keyboard arm may be supported for sliding movement
between the front and back of the base frame, the improvement
comprising, in combination: an adapter bracket for attaching the
keyboard plate to the support and slide mechanisms, said bracket
including a housing having at least one projecting support hook,
said slide mechanisms including at least one hook receptor, said
housing further including at least one attachment flange; a
fastener for attaching the housing flange to a slide mechanism,
whereby the hook and fastener together support the housing on the
slide mechanism, and a plate support and retention channel in the
housing for receipt of the keyboard plate.
2. The support arm assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing has a
front and a back end and includes a first hook and a second hook at
one end of the housing, said housing further including a first
slotted attachment flange and a second slotted attachment flange at
the other end, said slide mechanisms each including a hook receptor
and a fastener opening whereby each slide mechanism is engaged by
one hook and fastened to one slotted flange.
3. The support arm assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing includes
opposed, spaced, keyboard plate engaging slots to receive and
support the keyboard plate.
4. The support arm of claim 3 wherein the keyboard plate is at
least partially circular and rotatably mounted in the plate
engaging slots.
5. An adapter for attaching a keyboard arm which includes a
connection plate for attachment to a base frame having a front and
a back, said base frame being attachable to the underside of a
support surface and including first and second, spaced parallel
slide members movable between the front and back of the base frame,
said adapter comprising, in combination: a housing, said housing
having a front end, a back end and spaced sides between the ends, a
projecting hook at one end and a projecting flange at the other
end, said hook fitting over a slide member to support the adapter
and the flange attached to the slide by a fastener, and plate
receiving slots in the adapter for receiving the keyboard plate
whereby the plate is retained in the adapter and the adapter is
connectable to the slide members by engaging a hook with a slide
member and attaching a flange to a slide member with a
fastener.
6. The adapter of claim 5 further including a separate glide member
comprising the plate receiving slot of the adapter housing.
7. The adapter of claim 6 wherein the plate is at least partially
round and the glide member includes an arcuate slot for rotatably
receiving the plate.
8. The adapter of claim 6 wherein the housing is formed from metal
and the glide member is a polymeric material.
9. The adapter of claim 5 wherein the hook is at the back end of
the adapter housing and the flange is at the front end of the
adapter housing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to provisional application Serial
No. 60/211,106 filed Jun. 12, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a computer keyboard platform
support mechanism and, more particularly, to the construction of a
means for attaching a keyboard arm to a base frame. Specifically, a
base frame is typically attached to the underside of a desk or
support. A slide mechanism is incorporated into the base frame. A
computer keyboard support arm is then suspended from the slide
mechanism so that the support arm may be moved from a position
beneath the desktop to a position extending outwardly from the
desktop.
[0003] When a keyboard platform support mechanism is mounted to the
underside of a desk, the separate base frame is first typically
attached to the underside of the desk by means of screws. The
separate keyboard arm is then attached to the slide mechanism or
slide brackets incorporated in the base frame by bolting the
keyboard arm to the slide mechanism associated with the base frame.
Due to the weight and bulk of the keyboard arm, and further due to
the fact that the attachment of the keyboard arm must be effected
underneath the top of the desk, difficulty is often encountered
when attempting to attach or bolt the keyboard arm to the slide
mechanism of the base frame. The confined space and orientation of
the fastening bolts makes attachment of the keyboard arm to the
slide mechanism difficult, if not dangerous. For example, the
individual installing such an assembly may even be required to lie
flat on his or her back and simultaneously support the weight of
the keyboard arm while trying to locate the fasteners and attach
the fasteners through a plate in order to affix the keyboard arm to
the slide mechanism of the base frame beneath the flat top surface
of the desk. This has resulted in difficulties in the installation
process for such keyboard arms and on some occasions, provided a
potential situation of hazard. Thus, there has developed a need to
provide an alternative and more desirable way in which to attach a
keyboard arm to the slide mechanism of a base frame in an assembly
comprising a base frame as well as the keyboard arm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a principal aspect, the present invention comprises a
keyboard platform support mechanism which includes a base frame
with a slide mechanism and a keyboard support arm configured for
attachment to the slide mechanism of the base frame. The support
arm is attached and held to the slide mechanism of the base frame
by a special adapter which is designed to receive the swivel plate
of the support arm. The adapter housing includes hooks which fit
over the slide mechanism of the base frame to support the attached
keyboard arm. Fasteners can then be easily guided through
appropriate flanges and slots in the adapter to tightly attach the
adapter and thus the support arm to the slide mechanism of the base
frame.
[0005] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved mechanism and means for attachment of a keyboard support
arm to the undercarriage or slide mechanism of a base frame that is
attached to the underside of a desk.
[0006] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
adapter mechanism which is designed to receive a support or swivel
plate of a keyboard arm and retain that plate while effecting
attachment of the keyboard support arm to the slide mechanism of a
base frame.
[0007] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an adapter
which permits attachment of a keyboard support arm of a keyboard
support assembly to the base frame thereof in a manner which
enhances the ease of such attachment and reduces the potential
hazard associated with such attachment.
[0008] These and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will be set forth in the detailed description which
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be
made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a keyboard support arm
assembly which incorporates the adapter of the invention for
attachment of the keyboard arm to the base frame;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation of the assembly of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view of the underside of the base frame of the
assembly wherein the keyboard arm is positioned for attachment to
the slide mechanism of the base frame;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view of the underside of the base frame of the
assembly wherein the support arm has been fully attached to the
slide mechanism of the base frame;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a view of the adapter which is attached to the
support arm;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side isometric view of the adapter and support
arm of FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the adapter which is utilized to
attach the support arm to the slide mechanism of the base
plate;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an end view of the adapter of FIG. 8;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view of the adapter of FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a plan elevation view of the swivel glide which
is incorporated into the adapter of FIG. 8 and which engages the
swivel plate of the keyboard support arm and retains that swivel
plate engaged and positioned in the adapter of FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a front side view of the glide of FIG. 11;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a back side elevation of the glide of FIG. 11;
and
[0023] FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the glide of FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is depicted the general
overall construction of a keyboard platform support mechanism or
assembly. The assembly includes a base frame 20 which is attached
to the underside of a table or desk 22 by means of fasteners which
penetrate through the base frame 20 and extend into the table 22.
The base frame 20 includes a slide mechanism. The slide mechanism
typically includes a slide plate 24 mounted in a ball bearing
raceway. Slide plate 24 in the embodiment depicted is arranged or
positioned in a side channel of the base frame 20 such as depicted
in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted that slide bracket
or slide plate 24 is positioned in a ball bearing raceway on one
side of the base frame 20. A similar slide bracket or slide plate
is positioned on the opposite side of the base frame 20. Plate 24
permits sliding between the front end 26 of the frame 20 and the
rear end 28. Two slide brackets or brackets 24 are thus parallel
and mounted in parallel spaced raceways on opposite sides of the
base frame 20 permitting sliding movement of the brackets 24
between the front end 26 and rear end 28.
[0025] The keyboard platform support arm assembly further includes
a keyboard support arm 40. The keyboard support arm 40 may be of
any desired construction. The keyboard support arm 40 depicted in
the drawings is a typical support arm including a support platform
42 connecting links or arms 44, a support or undercarriage bracket
46 and, most importantly, a keyboard arm swivel plate 84 as
depicted in FIG. 6.
[0026] The subject matter of the invention relates to the mechanism
and means by which the keyboard arm swivel plate 84 depicted in
FIG. 6 may be attached to the sliding bracket members 24 thereby
effecting attachment of the keyboard arm 40 to the base frame 20.
This attachment is effected by means of an adapter or adapter
bracket depicted in the figures and specifically including a
housing 50 as depicted in FIGS. 8-10 which incorporates swivel
glides 80 depicted in FIGS. 11-14. The swivel glides 80 depicted in
FIGS. 11-14 engage or receive the keyboard arm swivel plate 84
depicted in FIG. 6 and slide into the housing 50 depicted in FIGS.
8-10. The housing 50 depicted in FIGS. 8-10 is then easily mounted
or attached to the slide brackets 24 depicted in FIG. 4 due to the
construction of the housing 50 and the construction of the slide
mounting brackets 24. Thus the following description will focus
initially on the construction of the housing 50 of the adapter
depicted in FIGS. 8-10 to be followed by the construction of the
glides depicted in FIGS. 11-14.
[0027] Housing 50 includes first and second formed hooks 52, 54
along one edge of the housing 50. The hooks 52, 54 are designed to
fit over and engage the slide brackets 24 of the slide mechanism.
The hooks 52, 54 are thus spaced so as to be engageable with the
slide brackets 24. The hooks 52, 54 are on the top side of the
housing 50 as depicted in FIG. 9.
[0028] Side flanges 56, 58 are formed on the planar support side 60
of the housing 50. The side flanges 56, 58 engage and hold the
glides 80 depicted in FIGS. 11-14 and thus engage and hold swivel
plate of the support arm. The side flanges 56, 58 include end tabs
62,64 which serve to retain the swivel glides 80 described below,
confined on the plate 60. The plate 60 further includes a forwardly
projecting flange 66 with a first slot 68 and a second slot 70 for
receiving fasteners 90 to attach the housing 50 to the slide
brackets 24.
[0029] The swivel glides 80 depicted in FIGS. 11-14 are typically
fabricated from a polymeric material. The glides 80 are configured
to fit within the housing 50 to be retained by the flanges 56, 58.
The swivel glides 80 therefore include an arcuate slot 82 for
receipt of the keyboard arm swivel plate 84 depicted in FIG. 6.
Thus, two glides 80 are provided, one associated with each of the
flanges 56, 58 to cooperate with the circular swivel plate 84 and
retain the plate 84 within the housing 50 constrained by the
flanges 56, 58 as well as the retaining tabs 62, 64.
[0030] The component parts are assembled on the swivel plate 84.
That is, the glides 80 are attached on the opposite sides of the
plate 84 and then caused or effected to slide into the housing 50
retained by the flanges 56, 58. The assembly will then appear as
depicted in FIG. 6, for example, or FIG. 7. The assembly is then in
a condition to be attached to the base frame 20. Such attachment is
effected as depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Specifically, the
housing 50 is positioned between the slide brackets 24 and the base
frame 20. The housing and, more particularly, the extending hooks
52, 54 then slide over the slide bracket 24 on each side of the
base frame 20. The slots 68, 70 then become aligned with mounting
screws depicted in FIG. 4 as mounting screws 90. The mounting
screws 90 are partially inserted into the slide brackets 24 when
the adapter housing 50 is engaged with the slide brackets 24. After
the slots 68, 70 are appropriately positioned with respect to the
mounting screws or fasteners 90, the screws or fasteners 90 may be
tightened to retain the adapter and thus the housing as well as the
support arm 40 on the base frame. Note that the heads of the
mounting screws 90 will then also be positioned in a manner which
will preclude the swivel glides 80 from disengaging from the
housing 50.
[0031] With the assembly described, the swivel plate 84 may easily
rotate within the glides 80. The adapter being attached to the
slide brackets 24 permits the support arm 40 to slide between the
front and rear of the base frame. The assembly is much easier to
construct or assemble inasmuch as the hooks 52, 54 facilitate
attachment of the support arm with a minimum of effort.
Additionally, since the mounting screws 90 are already positioned
in the slide brackets 24 when the adapter including the housing 50
is engaged with the brackets 24, no effort is required when
positioning mounting screws in openings. The screws 90 are already
in the openings when the adapter and housing are engaged by sliding
into engagement with the slide brackets 24.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows the adapter bracket including the housing fully
mounted and attached to the slide bracket wherein the front
mounting screws 90 retain the adapter including the housing 50. It
is noted that variations of the construction are possible and
considered to be within the scope of the claims. Such variations
include providing a swivel plate that is only partially arcuate or
circular and swivel glides compatible therewith. Other slot
configurations in the swivel glides as well as in the plate are
possible including construction wherein there is no swivel activity
or action. Further, the hooks 52, 54 have been described as being
incorporated with the housing 50. This is the preferred embodiment,
though various component parts may be reversed. That is, it is
possible to include a hook mechanism associated with the brackets
24, though that is not the preferred embodiment. Further, parallel
slide brackets 24 have been disclosed. A single slide bracket
extending between the sides of the base frame 20 may be utilized in
combination with a single hook associated with the housing 50 and a
single fastener associated with the housing 50. Thus, there are
various alternatives and combinations which are considered to be
within the scope of the claims. The invention is therefore to be
limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *