U.S. patent application number 14/794321 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-12 for electric height adjustable platform for computer keyboard and monitor.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEXT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Next Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Shane Michael Gilbreath, Jason Brian Herring.
Application Number | 20170007017 14/794321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57730627 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170007017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herring; Jason Brian ; et
al. |
January 12, 2017 |
ELECTRIC HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM FOR COMPUTER KEYBOARD AND
MONITOR
Abstract
A portable electric height adjustable platform assembly, and
method of use, the assembly residing on a fixed height desktop to
move a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a user's
sitting and standing position. The platform assembly comprises: a
horizontally positioned platform unit configured for supporting a
computer keyboard and mouse; a height adjustable lifting column
unit comprising three telescopic sections, affixed vertically to
the platform, with the outer section positioned above the platform
unit to affix the monitor to, and the middle and inner section
extensible below the platform to raise-lower the assembly; a base
unit affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and
configured to stabilize the assembly in a vertical position; an
electric actuator housed within and able to activate the lifting
column unit to vertically extend and collapse the telescopic
sections, thus simultaneously raising and lowering the computer
monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Inventors: |
Herring; Jason Brian;
(Georgetown, TX) ; Gilbreath; Shane Michael;
(Georgetown, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Next Technologies, Inc. |
Georgetown |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NEXT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Georgetown
TX
|
Family ID: |
57730627 |
Appl. No.: |
14/794321 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/02 20130101;
A47B 9/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 21/02 20060101
A47B021/02 |
Claims
1. A portable electric powered height adjustable computer monitor
platform assembly, comprising: a) a horizontally positioned
platform unit, of substantially semi-circular shape, that is height
adjustable between a sitting and a standing position, wherein the
platform unit is configured for a computer keyboard and mouse to
reside on a top surface of the platform unit; b) a height
adjustable lifting column unit affixed vertically to the platform
unit, extensible above and below the platform unit, and able to
affix a flat screen computer monitor to the lifting column unit
above the platform unit; c) a substantially C-like shape base unit,
affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and
configured to stabilize the platform assembly in a vertical
position; d) an electric actuator to activate the lifting column
unit to vertically extend to a standing position and collapse to a
sitting position; and, e) wherein the assembly resides temporarily
on top of a fixed-height work station comprising one or more of: a
standard height office desk; a counter top; and/or, a table
top.
2. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the lifting column
unit comprises three telescopic sections comprising a top outer
section, a middle section, and an inner bottom section, with the
top outer section permanently extending above the platform and
affixed to the computer monitor.
3. The platform assembly of claim 2, wherein the middle and inner
section reside within the outer section and extend above the
platform unit when the platform assembly is in a sitting position;
and, the middle and inner section are in an extended position below
the platform unit when the assembly is in a standing position.
4. The platform assembly of claim 2 wherein a flat screen computer
monitor back surface is affixed perpendicularly to a front side of
the lifting column unit top outer section.
5. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the platform unit
further comprises a cut-out for the lifting column unit to extend
through, wherein the cutout is located near the middle of a back
edge of the platform unit.
6. The platform assembly of claim 5, wherein the lifting column
unit further comprises an L-like shape bar member extending through
the cut-out with: a) a top section affixed in parallel to and
between the front side of the lifting column, and perpendicularly
to the computer monitor back surface; b) a bottom section residing
perpendicular to a lower end of the top section and flush with the
cut-out, and residing beneath and affixed to an underside of the
platform unit; and, c) wherein the bar member is able to support
the weight of the platform unit, keyboard, mouse and to stabilize
the computer monitor.
7. The platform assembly of claim 3, wherein the electric actuator
resides within the lifting column unit, and a user control
mechanism for the actuator resides on top of the platform unit.
8. The platform assembly of claim 7, further comprising a user
control mechanism coupled to the electric actuator and affixed on
the top surface of the platform unit, wherein activation of the
user control mechanism generates a vertical force within the
lifting column unit sections to raise and lower the platform unit
by extending and retracting the sections.
9. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the base unit further
comprises: a) an inner rectangular member affixed perpendicularly
to a bottom end of the lifting column unit inner bottom section and
extending towards a platform unit front edge; and, b) a single
tube, half-circular member affixed at a mid-point perpendicularly
to the inner rectangular member and the lifting column inner
section; and, c) wherein the half-circular member is positioned to
partially encircle the inner rectangular member.
10. The platform assembly of claim 9, wherein the half-circular
member aligns with or is slightly wider in diameter than the outer
edge of the platform unit.
11. A portable electric powered height adjustable computer monitor
platform assembly, comprising: a) a horizontally positioned thin,
flat plate, platform unit height adjustable between a sitting and a
standing position as measured from a desktop surface, wherein the
platform unit is configured for a computer keyboard and mouse to
reside on a top surface of the platform unit; b) a height
adjustable lifting column unit affixed vertically to the platform
unit, comprising a top outer section, a middle section, and an
inner bottom section, wherein the top outer section permanently
extends above the platform and is configured to be affixed with a
flat screen computer monitor; c) a base unit affixed to the bottom
end of the lifting column unit, and configured to stabilize the
assembly in a vertical position; d) an electric actuator to
activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend to a standing
position and collapse to a sitting position as measured from a
desktop surface; and, e) wherein the platform assembly is able to
reside in a stable manner on a desktop of a non-height adjustable
office desk of a standard height, and the assembly is substantially
smaller in diameter than the desktop.
12. The platform assembly of claim 11, wherein the platform unit
further comprises a cut-out for the lifting column unit to extend
vertically through, wherein the cutout is located near the middle
of a back edge of the platform unit.
13. The platform assembly of claim 12, wherein the lifting column
unit further comprises an L-like shape bar member extending through
the cut-out with: a) a top section affixed in parallel to and
between the front side of the lifting column, and perpendicularly
to the computer monitor back surface; and, b) a bottom section
residing perpendicular to the top section, and residing beneath and
affixed to an underside of the platform unit.
14. The platform assembly of claim 11, wherein the electric
actuator resides within the lifting column, and a user control
mechanism resides on the platform unit.
15. The platform assembly of claim 11, wherein the base unit
further comprises: a) an inner rectangular member affixed
perpendicularly to the lifting column inner section; b) a
half-circular member affixed perpendicularly to the inner
rectangular member at a midpoint of the half-circular member and
positioned to encircle a right and left side of the inner
rectangular member; and, c) wherein the half-circular member aligns
with an outer edge of the platform unit.
16. The platform assembly of claim 10, wherein the lifting column
middle and inner section reside within the outer section and extend
above the platform when the assembly is in a sitting position; and,
the middle and inner section are in an extended position below the
platform when the assembly is in a standing position.
17. A method of automatedly moving a computer monitor, keyboard,
and mouse between a sitting and a standing position, comprising the
steps of: a) providing an electric powered height adjustable
computer monitor platform assembly comprising, i) a thin,
horizontally positioned substantially semi-circular shape platform
unit, wherein the platform unit is configured for a computer
keyboard and mouse to reside on a top surface of the platform unit;
ii) a height adjustable lifting column unit affixed vertically to
the platform unit, comprising a top outer section, a middle
section, and an inner bottom section, wherein the top outer section
permanently extends vertically above the platform and is configured
to be affixed with a flat screen computer monitor, and the middle
and inner section are in extensible below the platform unit when
the assembly is in a standing position; iii) a base unit affixed to
the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and configured to
stabilize the assembly in a vertical position; iv) an electric
actuator to activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend
to a standing position and retract to a sitting position as
measured from a desktop surface; and, v) wherein the platform
assembly is able to reside in a stable manner on a desktop of a
non-height adjustable office desk of a standard height, and the
assembly is substantially smaller in diameter than the desktop. b)
placing the platform assembly upon a desktop of a non-height
adjustable office desk of a standard height; c) affixing a flat
screen computer monitor perpendicularly to a front side of the
lifting column unit, and placing a computer keyboard and mouse on
the platform unit; d) raising the platform assembly to a standing
position under the operational control of an electric actuator;
and, e) lowering the platform assembly to a sitting position under
the operational control of the electric actuator, wherein the
electric actuator is housed within the lifting column unit.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the platform unit further
comprises a cut-out for the lifting column unit to extend
vertically through, and wherein the cutout is located near the
middle of a back edge of the platform unit.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lifting column unit further
comprises an L-like shape bar member extending through the cut-out,
comprising: a) a top section affixed in parallel to and between the
front side of the lifting column unit, and perpendicularly to the
computer monitor back surface; and, b) a bottom section residing
perpendicular to the top section, and residing beneath and affixed
to an underside of the platform unit.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the platform assembly base unit
further comprises: a) an inner rectangular member affixed
perpendicularly to the lifting column inner section; b) a
half-circular member affixed perpendicularly to the inner
rectangular member at a midpoint of the half-circular member and
positioned to encircle a right and left side of the inner
rectangular member; and, c) wherein the half-circular member is
about the same diameter as the platform unit.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The field of the disclosure is that of height adjustable
office workstations. More specifically, the field is to a portable,
electric height adjustable platform that resides on top of a
standard office desk and which is able to raise and lower a
computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a sitting and a
standing position while the office desk remains stationary.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The adverse effects of prolonged sitting are well
documented. Prolonged sitting can cause: an accumulation of
metabolites; accelerated disk degeneration leading to disk
herniation; premature mortality; chronic diseases such as
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer; and obesity (Pope et
al., "Spine Ergonomics", Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering,
Vol. 4: 49-68; and, Pronk et al., "Reducing Occupational Sitting
Time and Improving Worker Health: The Take-a-Stand Project, 2011",
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vol. 9, Oct. 11,
2012).
[0003] Height adjustable desks that position a user to stand and
work have become popular to assist a user in avoiding these adverse
health effects. But prolonged standing also has its adverse health
effects: back and leg muscle fatigue leading to injury; varicose
veins; joint compression and tearing where the synovial fluid is
not circulating and thus reducing the normal lubrication and
cushioning of synovial joints, such as knees.
[0004] A user therefore needs to be able to rapidly shift between
sitting and standing at their desk throughout the course of their
workday in order to avoid these adverse effects while maximizing
the benefits of standing. Height adjustable desks are specifically
designed for this purpose, but many employers do not permit their
office employees to substitute a height adjustable desk for a
standard, fixed height office desk that has been selected to fit
the decor of the office.
[0005] In lieu of a height adjustable desk, employees may add an
accessory to their desktop comprising an assembly that will raise
and lower the computer monitor, keyboard, and/or mouse.
Unfortunately, many of these desktop accessories have significant
limitations, such as: 1) they require large areas of desktop space,
which leaves little room for other essential and personal user's
items to be easily accessible on the desktop; 2) they are unstable
and easily prone to being knocked over, which could permanently
damage the computer monitor; 3) they have limited weight
capacities, and are thus not able to safely support large, heavy
computer monitors; 4) they have limited ranges of motion between a
standing and sitting position; and, 5) many require a manual
mechanism to adjust the platform's height, which is laborious and
interrupts the user's workflow.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,756 that issued to Watson,
D. on Jun. 18, 1996, discloses a non-standard office desk with a
height adjustable computer monitor platform and a keyboard platform
supported within apertures extending through the desktop. Because
the platforms are built into the desk, then they are not portable
and cannot be moved to another desk.
[0007] And, U.S. Patent Application 20150083027 A1 to Martin, D.
A., published Mar. 26, 2015, discloses a platform with five height
adjustable legs that a user manually lifts onto a desktop and then
places their computer monitor and keyboard onto the platform. Every
time the user wants to switch between a sitting and a standing
position, or move to another work station, they must physical move
the keyboard, computer monitor and the platform.
[0008] Therefore, what is needed within the office furniture
industry for a portable, electrically powered height adjustable
assembly for use on a standard height fixed desk that is able to
automatedly raise and lower a computer monitor, keyboard and mouse
between a sitting and a standing position. The assembly should also
accommodate a mounting of a flat screen computer monitor. It would
be especially beneficial if the height adjustable assembly were
portable such that a user could easily move the entire platform
assembly comprising a flat screen computer monitor, keyboard, and
mouse, between desks or other work surfaces, such as counter tops
and tables.
SUMMARY
[0009] The various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a
portable, electric height adjustable platform assembly, and method
of use, to vertically move a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse
between a user's sitting and standing position. The platform
assembly resides upon a flat surface of fixed height, such as a
standard office desk, or counter top, or table top, etc.; and, it
is portable so that it may be picked-up and moved from one flat
surface to another, such as from a user's office desk to a kitchen
countertop or dining table.
[0010] In an embodiment, the platform assembly primarily comprises:
a horizontal platform unit supporting a keyboard and mouse; a
lifting column unit supporting the computer monitor and to raise
and lower it in unison with the keyboard and mouse; a base unit
attached to the bottom of the assembly to stabilize it; and an
electric actuator to expand and retract the lifting column
unit.
[0011] A flat screen computer monitor is permanently affixed to the
lifting column unit above the platform unit such that the computer
monitor and platform unit with the keyboard do not move relative to
each other, and while the lifting column expands and retracts below
the platform unit to raise and lower the computer monitor and the
platform unit.
[0012] In one or more embodiments, the platform assembly units
further comprise: a) a horizontally positioned platform unit with
sufficient surface area for a standard sized computer keyboard and
mouse; b) a height adjustable lifting column unit comprising
telescopic sections (e.g. three), affixed vertically to the
platform unit, with the sections extensible through a platform
cutout above the platform to affix the computer monitor to, and
below the platform to raise and lower the assembly height; c) a
base unit affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and
configured to stabilize the platform assembly in a vertical
position; and, d) an electric actuator housed within, or connected
to, the lifting column unit and able to control it to vertically
extend and retract its telescopic sections, thus simultaneously
raising and lowering the computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse
without moving them relative to each other.
[0013] In an embodiment, a computer monitor is easily installed on
the lifting column top section by the user; therefore, the lifting
column is compatible for use with a wide variety of types of flat
screen, or flat panel, computer monitors or the like (e.g. those
with liquid crystal displays, interactive-smart televisions, game
consoles, etc.). Or the platform assembly has the computer monitor
pre-installed and shipped by the manufacturer.
[0014] In another embodiment, the platform assembly does not
require the computer monitor to be affixed to the lifting column,
such as for use with a wall mounted computer monitor or smart
television, and/or a large desktop monitor. In this embodiment, the
lifting column unit may not extend above the platform unit by
comprising fewer telescopic sections (e.g. two sections), and the
platform unit may or may not comprise a cut-out for the lifting
column.
[0015] The various embodiments disclosed herein further comprise a
method of use of the platform assembly to automatedly (e.g. via
electric power) move a computer monitor, keyboard, and/or mouse
between a sitting and a standing position while not moving them
relative to each other, the steps comprising: a) placing a
portable, electric powered height adjustable computer monitor
platform assembly as disclosed herein on a substantially flat work
surface, such as the desktop of a standard office desk; b) affixing
a flat screen computer monitor perpendicularly to a front side of
the platform assembly's lifting column, and placing a computer
keyboard and mouse on the platform unit; c) raising the platform
assembly to a standing position under the operational control of an
electric actuator; and, d) lowering the platform assembly to a
sitting position under the operational control of the electric
actuator, wherein the electric actuator is connected to the lifting
column unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge more
clearly on reading the following description of various embodiments
of the present disclosure, given as an illustrative example, and
the appended figures wherein "right" and "left" side of the desk
are from the perspective of the user behind the desk:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a right front top perspective view of the computer
monitor platform in a standing position on a desktop;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a right front perspective view of the computer
monitor platform in a sitting position on a desktop;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a back left perspective view of the computer
monitor platform in a sitting position;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a back left bottom perspective view of the
computer monitor platform in a sitting position illustrating the
underside of the platform;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a back left bottom perspective view of the
computer monitor platform in a standing position illustrating the
underside of the platform;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a view of FIG. 1 without the computer monitor,
comprising a right front top perspective view of the platform in a
standing position;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the lifting column of FIG. 6
without the platform member;
[0024] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the top of the platform
illustrating the cutout where the lifting column is affixed and
extends above and below the platform; and,
[0025] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the bottom of the
platform.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present general inventive concept, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are
described below in order to explain the present general inventive
concept while referring to the figures.
[0027] The matters defined in the description, such as detailed
construction and elements, are provided to assist in a
comprehensive understanding of the present general inventive
concept. Thus, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiments may be
carried out without those specifically defined matters. Also,
well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail
since they would obscure the exemplary embodiments with unnecessary
detail.
[0028] As used herein, the term "Computer Monitor" refers to any
flat screen on a plane connected to a computing device comprising
one or more processing units and memory, such as a computer display
or smart television display that is a liquid crystal type or LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display). The computer monitor may be linked via
wires, cables, or wirelessly to a keyboard.
Electric Height Adjustable Platform Assembly
[0029] The electric height adjustable platform assembly 100
exemplified in FIGS. 1-8 comprises the primary components of: a
platform unit 110; a lifting column unit 112; a base unit 130; and
an electric actuator (i.e. within the lifting column 112). Various
mechanisms of fixation of the components are well known to the
artisan, such as the bolts, screws, and the like (e.g. see exploded
view of FIG. 7). Additionally, in FIGS. 1-8 the front of the
platform assembly 100 and its components is faces towards the user
who is operating the computer; and, the back of assembly 100 faces
away from the user.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the platform assembly 100 resides
horizontally atop a flat surface 210 that is fixed in height, such
as: a desktop of a non-height adjustable office desk of standard
height (e.g. about 28 to 30 inches). Platform assembly 100 may also
reside upon other flat surfaces that are used in work spaces, such
as a counter top, a table top, etc.
[0031] The platform assembly 100 is height adjustable between a
sitting and a standing position as measured from the flat surface
210 (versus from the floor of a normal height adjustable desk). The
platform unit 110 has sufficient top surface area for a computer
keyboard 116 and mouse 118 to reside on top of platform unit 110
and/or other computer peripheral devices, such as a user-operable
power switch 150 for selectively operating the lifting column unit
112, phones and battery charges, etc. The height adjustable lifting
column unit 112 is affixed vertically to the platform unit 110, and
it extends above and below the platform unit 110 using telescopic
sections 112a,b,c. The base unit 130 is affixed to the bottom end
of the lifting column unit 112 at section 112c, and it is
configured to stabilize the assembly 100 in a vertical position so
that it does not easily tip over when the platform assembly 100 or
the desktop 210 is bumped or shifted or otherwise disturbed. And,
an electric actuator comprises, for example, electric motors housed
in the lifting column unit to expand and collapse the telescopic
sections of the lifting column unit between a standing position and
a sitting position.
Platform Unit
[0032] Platform unit 110 may further comprise a variety of shapes
(e.g. rectangular, square, semi-circular, oval, etc.), as long as
the platform unit 110 possesses a large enough top surface area
with room for a standard sized computer keyboard 116, a computer
mouse 118, and/or other peripheral computer devices. But, the top
surface area of the platform is substantially smaller than a
standard sized desktop's so that it may be portable and easily
picked up and moved to another work station by the user.
[0033] The shape of the unit 110 relative to the lifting column
unit 112 must also allow a computer monitor 114 to reside a
comfortable distance from the user to easily see the display on the
monitor 114. In the exemplified embodiment of FIG. 6, the platform
unit 110 is in a shape that is substantially semi-circular with the
straight front edge 110a facing the user, and with a curved back
edge 110b on the opposing side of platform 110 facing towards the
front of the desktop and away from the user.
[0034] And as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 8A, and 8B, the platform unit
110 further comprises a cutout 160 for the lifting column unit 112
to pass through the platform unit 110. In the exemplified
embodiments, the cutout 160 is substantially rectangular shaped,
with two short sides 160a aligned with the front and back of the
platform unit 110, and two long sides 160b aligned with the sides
of the platform 110 (e.g. see FIG. 5). Other shapes of cutouts 160
would be readily apparent to the artisan (e.g. circular, square,
etc.). The cutout 160 is located near the middle of the back edge
of the platform unit 110b.
[0035] Platform 110 may further comprise a user control mechanism,
or power switch 150, to activate the electric actuator that raises
and lowers the platform unit 110 and the lifting column unit 120.
Switch 150 may be located anywhere on the platform 110 top, side
edge, or under surface, other than where a keyboard 116 and the
computer mouse 118 normally reside, such as on the top surface
upper right corner for a right handed user, or on the upper left
side of the platform unit 110 for a left handed user. In the
exemplified embodiment, switch 150 is located a few inches directly
away from the mouse 118 and towards the back edge of the platform
110b. Other placements on the platform assembly 100 are readily
configurable by one of ordinary skill in the art, such as on the
base of the lifting column 112b, or near the user on the front
side-edge 110a of the platform 110.
Lifting Column Unit
[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the lifting column unit 112
comprises: two or more interlocked expandable and collapsible
telescopic sections that raise and lower the computer monitor and
keyboard platform unit 110 in unison so that the configuration of
the two relative to each other remains the same.
[0037] The lifting column unit is divided into telescopic sections
that collapse or retract, and extend or linearly expand. In the
exemplified embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the lifting column comprises
three telescopic sections (112a,b,c) with a front side facing the
user and a back side facing the front of the desktop 210 away from
the user. The lifting column unit interlocking, telescopic sections
comprise: a top outer section 112a, a middle section 112b, and an
inner bottom section 112c. The top outer section 112a permanently
extends above the platform 110 in a fixed position with a flat
screen computer monitor 114 attached to the front side of section
112a facing towards the user.
[0038] The middle section 112b and the inner bottom section 112c
temporarily reside within and are encased or enclosed by the outer
section 112a when the lifting column is fully retracted in a
sitting position. Then when the platform assembly 100 is in a
standing position and the sections are fully extended, then
sections 112b and 112c reside below the platform unit 110. Thus the
lifting column sections 112b and 112c temporarily extend above the
platform unit 110 with section 112c enclosed or encased within
section 112b and 112a when the assembly is in a sitting position;
and below the platform 110 when the assembly is in a standing
position with section 112b joined at the end with section 112c but
not encasing or otherwise overlapping it. Likewise section 112b is
encased within section 112a above the platform 110 when the
assembly 100 is in a sitting position, and section 112b extends
vertically below platform 110 when the assembly is in a standing
position.
[0039] In an embodiment, the lifting column unit further comprises:
a bent L-like shape (in cross section) bar member 122 affixed to
the front of the top telescopic section 112a; a straight
rectangular shaped back plate member 136 opposite the member 122; a
top plate member 138; a computer monitor plate member 140; and a
computer monitor frame member 142. It is noted, though, that one of
skill in the art could modify the lifting column unit to stably
support the platform 110 by methods well known.
[0040] The bent bar member 122 is substantially flat, rectangular,
and bent into an L-like shape when viewed from the side or
cross-section, and/or half of a U-like shape; and/or it comprises
two sections (i.e. top and bottom) oriented at about a ninety
degree angle relative to each other. It resides with the top
section affixed to the front side of the lifting column top section
112a and facing the user. The back surface of the computer monitor
114 is affixed to the top section of member 122 to stabilize the
fixation of the computer monitor 114 to the lifting column 112.
[0041] The bar member 122 further extends through the cutout 160 of
the platform 110, with the bend or junction in member 122
substantially aligned with the cutout 160. The bottom section of
the member 122 extends towards the user and the front of the
platform 110a, and it is affixed to the underside of the platform
110 to provide stability to the platform 110 and to maximize the
amount of weight or load that the platform can support.
[0042] A back plate member 136 is affixed opposite to the top end
of member 122, and on the opposing side (i.e. the back side) of the
lifting column 112 facing away from the user and towards the front
of the desk. Thus, the lifting column top section 112a is
sandwiched between member 136 and member 122. Member 136 is a
substantially flat rectangular or square shaped plate that is
affixed perpendicularly to the top surface of platform 110 and at
the cutout's front, short side 160a. The back plate member 136
works in conjunction with the member 122 to stabilize the entire
platform assembly 100, as well as preventing lateral movement of
the platform unit 110.
[0043] A top plate member 138 is affixed to the top section of the
lifting column 112a while covering the top edge of the member 122.
Thus it assists in securing the bent L-shape bar member 122 to the
lifting column 112. It is substantially square or rectangular
shaped, and sized to tightly fit the cross-sectional area of the
lifting column 112 combined with the width and thickness of member
122.
[0044] A computer monitor plate member 140 is affixed to the front
side of the top section, or end, of member 122. It affixes the back
surface, i.e. the backside, of the computer monitor 114 to the
lifting column 112a via member 122. It thus functions to stabilize
the computer monitor.
[0045] And, as illustrated in FIG. 3, monitor frame member 142 is
affixed to the back of the computer monitor 114. Member 142
comprises an arced or curved member extending from the monitor
fixation plate bottom edge 140a to the opposing bottom ends of the
computer monitor 114a, b.
Base Unit
[0046] A base unit 130 is affixed to the bottom end of the lifting
column unit at telescopic section 112c, and it is configured to
stabilize the assembly 100 in a vertical position when the platform
assembly 100 is resting atop a flat surface 210.
[0047] As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the base unit comprises: a) an
inner rectangular member 132; and, b) a half-circular member
134.
[0048] The inner rectangular member 132 is affixed perpendicularly
to the bottom end of the lifting column inner section 112c and
extends toward platform unit front edge 110a (e.g. towards the
user). Base member 132 also lies parallel to and directly below the
bottom section of the bent bar member 122.
[0049] In an embodiment, the half-circular member 134 is a
substantially single tube, or tubular member C-like shape, that is
affixed at its mid-point and perpendicularly to the back side of
the inner rectangular member 132, and to bottom end of the lifting
column inner section 112a. In other embodiments, the half-circular
member may be solid and encasing the inner rectangular member 132,
or in lieu of 132. In other embodiments, the member 134 is
substantially square, rectangular, oval, or circular shaped.
[0050] And the curvature, or diameter, of the bar member 134 is
sized and positioned to vertically align with the curved back edge
110b of the platform unit 110. Therefore, the base unit is about
the same diameter or width as the platform unit 110, or slightly
larger, such that is aligns with the platform unit back edge 110b
(e.g. see FIG. 6, "110b").
Mechanism of Height Adjustment (Electric Actuator)
[0051] The lifting column unit's interlocking, telescopic top outer
section 112a, a middle section 112b, and an inner bottom section
112c move vertically under the operational control of a power
switch 150 that is connected to an electric actuator. In an
embodiment, the electric actuator housed within the lifting column
unit 112 to push, pull or both the sections 112a and/or 112b and/or
112c in a vertical direct. Various types of electric motors are
envisioned for use within the lifting column 112, such as: an
electric motor with a chain and sprocket design.
[0052] An electric actuator with a threaded spindle design is also
applicable for use in the present disclosure. A low voltage direct
current motor, via a gear system, rotates a threaded spindle, onto
which a nut is fitted. Since the nut cannot rotate and the piston
rod is restrained, then the piston rod will move upward and
downward when the threaded spindle rotates, thus expanding and
retracting the lifting column sections 112a,b,c.
[0053] It is noted that other embodiments of the electric actuator
are envisioned within the scope of the present disclosure and
within the abilities of one of skill in the art to configure. By
way of a non-limiting alternative configuration, an electric
actuator may reside beneath the platform unit 110 and be connected
to the lifting column 112 to expand and retract the sections
112a,b,c.
[0054] Although the present disclosure has been described with
reference to one or more embodiments, workers skilled in the art
will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the scope of the disclosure and/or the appended
claims.
[0055] Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully
capable of attaining the above-described object of the disclosure
and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly
contemplated by the present disclosure. The scope of the present
disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become
obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited,
accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein
reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean
"one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or
more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of
the above-described embodiments and additional embodiments that are
known to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the
present claims.
* * * * *