U.S. patent application number 11/193648 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for height-adjustable work surface affixed to a vertically extending surface.
Invention is credited to Michael J. McKeon.
Application Number | 20070034754 11/193648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37741732 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070034754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKeon; Michael J. |
February 15, 2007 |
Height-adjustable work surface affixed to a vertically extending
surface
Abstract
An assembly for actuating a work support surface in
perpendicularly extending fashion relative to a load bearing
surface. A drive motor includes a first end fixed to a location
along the load bearing surface, a second extending and linearly
translatable end securing to an underside of the work support
surface. A pair of support channels are arranged at equidistant and
opposite extending sides relative to the drive motor. Each of the
support channels are secured in parallel spaced and extending
fashion along the load bearing surface relative to a direction of
linear translation of the motor. A pair of support brackets each
include upper edges securing to underside locations of the work
support surface, corresponding side edges being secured in freely
slidable fashion through an open extending edge defined within a
face of each of the support channels. A switch secured to a
location of the work support surface is actuated to operate the
drive motor to raise and lower the work support surface.
Inventors: |
McKeon; Michael J.;
(Midland, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, GROH, SPRINKLE & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Family ID: |
37741732 |
Appl. No.: |
11/193648 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/125.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/125.2 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. An assembly for actuating a work support surface in vertical
extending fashion relative to a load bearing surface, comprising: a
powered drive assembly fixed at a first end to a location along the
load bearing surface, a second extending and linearly translatable
end of said drive assembly securing directly to an underside of the
work support surface; and a pair of support channels arranged in
vertically extending and opposite sides relative to said powered
drive assembly, said support channels being secured in parallel
spaced and extending fashion directly to the load bearing surface
relative to a direction of said linear translation of said drive
assembly, a pair of support brackets each including a first upper
edge securing to an underside location of the work support surface,
a second side edge of each support bracket being secured directly
and in freely slidable fashion through an open extending edge
defined within a face of said associated support channel and,
responsive to a direction of translation of said drive assembly, to
raise and lower the work support surface.
2. The assembly as described in claim 1, said powered drive
assembly further comprising an electric drive motor.
3. The assembly as described in claim 2, further comprising a
rotatable drive screw extending from said drive motor and supported
in freely rotatable fashion at a first channeled end within a
collar secured to the load-bearing surface.
4. (canceled)
5. The assembly as described in claim 1, each of said support
channels including a length of extruded aluminum exhibiting a
substantially square shape in cross section.
6. The assembly as described in claim 5, further comprising a guide
block slidably disposed within each of said support channels,
associated side edges of each of first and second support brackets
securing respectively to surfaces of said guide blocks exposed by
said open extending extending edges.
7. The assembly as described in claim 6, each of said guide blocks
having an elongated three dimensional shape and a "T" shape in
cross section.
8. The assembly as described in claim 7, further comprising a
frictionless contact established between each of said guide blocks
and an open interior defining said surrounding support
channels.
9. The assembly as described in claim 8, further comprising said
guide block being constructed of a material including at least a
nylon and UHMW.
10. The assembly as described in claim 7, further comprising a
strip of a UHMW material secured to a portion of said support
bracket side edge overlapping said support channel.
11. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising
mounting hardware for securing said support brackets along each of
said first and second edges.
12. The assembly as described in claim 1, the work support surface
having a planar shape and size and exhibiting an inner extending
edge opposing the load bearing surface, further comprising said
second linearly translatable end of said powered drive assembly
securing to the work surface at a center point of said inner
extending edge.
13. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a
height adjustable actuating switch secured to an underside of the
work support surface at an outer extending edge thereof.
14. The assembly as described in claim 13, the work support surface
exhibiting a planar upper surface, a range of height adjustment
established between the planar upper surface and a floor ranging
between 27 to 36 inches.
15. The assembly as described in claim 1, the load bearing surface
further including at least one of a vertically extending wall, desk
front, column, and die wall, and which is capable of supporting a
combined weight of the work surface and items placed thereupon.
16. An assembly for actuating a work support surface in vertical
extending fashion relative to a load bearing surface, comprising: a
drive motor having an overall elongated configuration and including
a first end fixed to a location along the load bearing surface, a
second extending and linearly translatable end of said drive motor
securing to an underside of the work support surface at a center
point thereof; and a pair of support channels arranged at
equidistant and opposite extending sides relative to said drive
motor, each of said support channels secured in parallel spaced and
extending fashion directly along the load bearing surface relative
to a direction of said linear translation of said motor; a pair of
support brackets each including a first upper edge securing to an
underside location of the work support surface, a second side edge
of each of said support brackets being secured directly and in
freely slidable fashion through an open extending edge defined
within a face of each of said support channels; and a switch
secured to an underside location of the work support surface and
which is actuated to operate the drive motor to raise and lower the
work support surface.
17. The assembly as described in claim 16, further comprising a
rotatable drive screw extending from said drive motor and supported
in freely rotatable fashion at a first channeled end within a
collar secured to the load-bearing surface.
18. The assembly as described in claim 16, further comprising a
guide block slidably disposed within each of said support channels,
associated side edges of each of first and second support brackets
securing respectively to surfaces of said guide blocks exposed by
said open extending extending edges.
19. The assembly as described in claim 18, further comprising a
contact established between each of said guide blocks and an open
interior defining said surrounding support channels.
20. A height adjustable work surface assembly secured to a
vertically extending and load bearing surface, comprising: a work
support including an underside surface and a spaced apart and
planar upper surface; a drive motor including a first end fixed to
a location along the load bearing surface and a second end directly
to the underside of the work support surface; a pair of support
channels secured to the load bearing surface at equidistant spaced,
parallel and opposite extending sides relative to said drive motor
and relative to a direction of linear translation of said motor; a
pair of support brackets each including a first upper edge securing
to underside locations of the work support surface, second side
edges of said support brackets being secured directly and in freely
slidable fashion to a guide block insert supported within said
channel and through an open extending edge defined within a face of
each of said support channels; and a switch secured to an underside
location of the work support surface and which is actuated to
operate the drive motor to raise and lower the work support
surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to any type of
height adjustable work station. More specifically, the present
invention teaches a height-adjustable work surface affixed to any
weight supporting and vertically extending surface.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The prior art is well documented with various types of
work-supported platforms or work stations, these typically being of
the variety to permit vertical adjustment. European Patent
Application No. 0 368 186 teaches a vertically adjustable and
retrofittable work station mounted to a wall panel and including a
first pair of vertically oriented, spaced rails having engaging
teeth protruding therefrom so as to be stationarily mounted on an
existing wall panel of a conventional work station. A second pair
of vertically oriented rails are individually, slidably and
interlockingly disposed in the first pair of rails.
[0005] A pair of support brackets having engagement teeth protrude
therefrom so as to be individually mounted on the second pair of
rails. A work surface is supported by the support brackets and a
pair of interconnecting channels interconnect the first and second
pairs of rails. A drive mechanism is coupled between the
interconnecting channels to move the channels toward or away from
each other and to attendantly displace the work surface. I would
ask that you review this reference in detail, however my analysis
indicates some differences, albeit simplified, by which the
proposed design operates.
[0006] Kurrasch, U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,208, teaches a work surface
height adjustment mechanism including left and right side cable
lift mechanisms coupled to a central drive mechanism through
cables. Each cable lift mechanism includes a hanger clip engaging
wall panel slots. A mounting plate is removably suspended from the
hanger clip and a vertically movable extrusion guided along the
plate and having pulleys engaging one of the cables to support the
work surface. In one operating variant, a motor driven screw and a
forward slide block is positioned within an elongated channel and
mounting a slidable yolk securing ends of the cables.
[0007] International Publication No. WO 2004/097269 teaches a
compact height adjustable work station utilizing a combination of
support arms and linkages to achieve greater strength and a greater
range of tabletop height adjustment from a smaller form factor. The
method for adjusting work surface height is user operated and
pressure assisted, whereby the user requires a minimal effort to
physically lift or lower the work surface to the desired tabletop
height. The pressure assist can be variably located to
counterbalance different tabletop weights. For automatic
counterbalancing, an elongated extensible gas spring
piston-cylinder is adapted to be locked in any of its continuous
range of infinite adjusted positions. Manual unclamping frees the
counterbalancing gas spring for manual height level adjustment of
the tabletop. A mid-range level or a high tabletop level may be
achieved, adjusted by unclamping and minimum manual force.
[0008] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,441, issued to Burdi, teaches a
height adjustable work surface and control including a motorized
and height adjustable table having a support base, a top assembly
including a substantially horizontally disposed work surface, and
first and second powered drive assemblies for raising and lowering
the work surface. The first and second drive assemblies have first
and second electric motors and drivingly engage the top assembly
for effecting vertical movement of the top assembly to adjust the
height of the work surface. A controller is coupled to the first
and second drive assemblies for simultaneously controlling the
first and second electric motors. The controller senses a relative
height displacement between the first and second drive assemblies
and de-energizes the motor controlling the leading drive assembly
until the relative difference in height between the first and
second drive assemblies is substantially zero.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] The present invention discloses an assembly for actuating a
work surface in height adjustable fashion relative to a vertically
extending and load bearing surface, such as including wall, desk
front, column, die wall, and the like. The present invention
provides a powered and height adjustable work station suitable for
a wide range of uses, these including without limitation such as
patient intake/insurance work surfaces, student study carrels,
library study carrels, A.D.A. stations in a run of classroom
casework (as well as related teacher's desks, computer workstations
and information kiosks), charting work surfaces in clinics,
treatment and examination rooms, bank teller windows, service
counter, testing booths, and the like.
[0010] The assembly includes a drive motor, typically electrically
operated and including a linearly translatable drive screw, having
an overall elongated configuration and including a first end fixed
to a location along the load bearing surface. A second extending
and linearly translatable end of the drive motor securing to an
underside of the work support surface at a center point
thereof.
[0011] A pair of support channels, each exhibiting a substantially
square shape in cross section and with an open interior accessible
through an open extending edge defined within a face thereof, are
arranged at equidistant and opposite extending sides relative to
the drive motor. Each of the support channels secured in
substantially parallel spaced and extending fashion along the load
bearing surface relative to a direction of the linear translation
of the motor.
[0012] A pair of support brackets are provided and each include a
first upper edge securing to an underside location of the work
support surface. A second side edge of each of the support brackets
are secured in freely slidable fashion through an open extending
edge defined within a face of each of the support channels. A
switch is secured to a location of the work support surface and is
actuated to operate the drive motor to raise and lower the work
support surface.
[0013] Additional features include the provision of a guide block
slidably disposed within each of the open interior support
channels, associated side edges of each of first and second support
brackets securing respectively to surfaces of the guide blocks
exposed by the open extending extending edges. Preferably, a
substantially frictionless contact is established between each of
the guide blocks and an open interior defining said surrounding
support channels to facilitate ease of vertically adjustable
support of the work support surface responsive to the linear action
of the drive motor in either of up and down directions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in
combination with the following detailed description, wherein like
reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several
views, and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is an environmental view, in perspective, of the
height adjustable work support surface according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of a vertical surface
mounted channel, guide block and support bracket subassembly
associated with the height adjustable work surface;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a rotated plan view of the work surface
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cutaway view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and
illustrating the height adjustable relationship established between
the UHMW guide block, freely and slidably traversable within the
vertically extending and open-faced channel, and according to the
present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a range of height
adjustment of the work surface according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, an assembly is generally
illustrated at 10 for actuating a substantially planar shaped work
support 12 in height adjustable fashion relative to a vertically
extending and load bearing surface 14. As previously described, the
present invention makes possible a wide variety of applications for
securing a powered and height adjustable work surface to any
suitable and load bearing vertical surface, such as a vertically
extending wall, desk front, column, die wall, cubicle separator, or
the like.
[0020] Referring again to FIG. 1, an environmental view in
perspective is shown of the height adjustable work support surface
and by which the work support 12 includes a substantially planar
and three dimensional configuration with an upper facing surface 16
and an opposite facing lower surface 18 separated by a determined
thickness of the support 12. The work support surface 12 is
typically constructed of a durable material and can include metal,
wood or plastic.
[0021] A pair of cantilevered support brackets are provided at 20
and 22, each constructed of such as a steel material and which
exhibit an arcuate configuration with an upper extending edge, see
at 24 and 26, respectively for brackets 20 and 22. Fasteners, such
as screws (not shown) insert through apertures established in an
upturned edge of a selected bracket defining its upper extending
edge. Reference in particular is made to the exploded illustration
of FIG. 2 and which illustrates angled upper edge 26 of selected
support bracket 22, this including a set of three spaced apart and
screw receiving apertures 28 through which the mounting screws
engage.
[0022] Support channels are provided, see at 30 and 32, these
typically being in the form of extruded aluminum channels, secured
to load bearing surface locations of the vertical extending surface
14. The channels 30 and 32 each exhibit a substantially square
shape in cross section and, as is better illustrated in the cutaway
view of FIG. 4, exhibit a substantially four-sided open interior
(see as defined by inner surfaces 34, 36, 36 and 40), the fourth
side 40 being arrayed opposite the wall surface 14 and further
including an open extending edge through which the open interior of
the channel is accessed.
[0023] In a preferred application, screw fasteners or the like (see
in phantom at 42 in FIG. 4) are countersunk into the recessed inner
surface 36 of the selected channel 30 in spaced apart fashion and,
upon piercing through the load bearing surface 14 (such as a
durable unitary structure or an underlying stud support) mount the
support channels both underneath extending and in perpendicular
extending manner relative to the upper surface 16 of the work
support 12.
[0024] As best shown again in each of FIGS. 2 and 4, a generally
elongated guide block is slidably disposed within each of the open
interiors defined by the parallel spaced apart and mounted support
channels 30 and 32. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, selected guide
block 44 is illustrated and which includes a modified "T" shape in
cross section and such that it is disposed in generally slidable
fashion within the confines of the elongated extending support
channel 30.
[0025] The guide blocks are each further constructed of a durable
nylon or other material exhibiting reduced friction during sliding
contact along the open interior walls of the support channel (such
further including a UHMW material). As again shown in FIG. 2, the
selected guide block 44 includes a portion projecting through the
linear open extending edge (defined within surfaces 40) and within
which are further formed additional and spaced apart apertures 46,
48 and 50.
[0026] The support brackets 20 and 22 each further include a lower
and side extending edge (see at 52 and 54 in FIG. 1), similar to
the upper extending edges 24 and 26. As best shown again in FIG. 2,
selected side extending edge 54 of bracket 22 includes a plurality
of apertures 56, 58 and 60 which align with the aperture 46, 48 and
50 defined in the projecting surface edge of the frictionless
traversable guide block 44 in order to mount the support brackets
20 and 22 in traversable fashion within the vertically extending
support channels.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a range of slidable height
adjustment (in a preferred variant ranging between 27'' to 36'' and
as referenced by solid 12 and phantom 12' representations of the
work surface in FIG. 5) is established between a floor surface and
the upper surface 16 of the work support 12. It is also envisioned
that strips of frictionless UHMW material may be secured to
portions of the support bracket side edge which overlaps its
associated support channel (see as partially referenced at 62 and
64 in FIG. 2) and in order to further contribute to freely slidable
support of the guide brackets within the associated support
channels.
[0028] A powered drive assembly is provided for linearly displacing
the work support 12 in up and down (vertical) directions and is
generally illustrated at 66 in FIGS. 1 and 3. In a preferred
embodiment, the drive assembly 66 is an electric powered (Linak)
drive motor exhibiting a first end 68 fixed to the load bearing
surface, this further illustrated as including an intermediate
support plate 70 to which is connected the first end, as well as a
second end 72 connected to the underside 18 of the work support 12,
typically at a center point of the work surface and proximate to an
inner extending edge opposing the load bearing surface 14. The
inner extending edge of the work support is typically mounted less
than 1/8'' from the load bearing vertical surface in order to
minimize the type and size of objects which can fall between the
work surface and the vertical support surface.
[0029] In the embodiment illustrated, the electric drive motor 66
includes a rotatable drive screw 74, a lower end of which is
channeled in freely rotatable fashion within a collar 76 mounted in
pivoting fashion to the vertical surface mounted support plate 70.
An interior bevel or worm gear relationship (not shown) permits the
drive motor and associated structure to linearly traverse in upward
and downward direction, in a generally parallel extending and
central relationship relative to the pair of spaced apart and
extending support channels 30 and 32, and responsive to powered
rotation of the drive screw 74, this in turn causing the second
associated end 72 (such as a ball mount as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3)
to lift or lower the work support 12. It is also envisioned that
the drive assembly can include other powered input, such being
pneumatic and hydraulic actuation, within the scope of the
invention, and such as which is capable of supporting the weight of
the work support surface and objects placed thereupon (such as
including computer equipment and the like).
[0030] A switch is provided for activating the motor, or other
suitable drive assembly, and includes a module 78 typically secured
to the underside surface 18 of the work support 12 in proximity to
its outer extending edge. A pair of buttons 80 and 82 (see FIG. 3)
are defined within the module and are selectively actuated to
elevate or lower the work support, by virtue of the linear
traversing input of the drive motor in combination with the freely
slidable and end-wise support of the work surface established by
the brackets 20 and 22 guidably mounted within the channel supports
30 and 32.
[0031] Having described my invention, other and additional
preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the
art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *