U.S. patent application number 17/443529 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for ergonomic desk.
The applicant listed for this patent is Regents of the University of Minnesota. Invention is credited to Trung N. Ha, Paul R. Hansen, Shrikant Kotwad, Amrit Supriya.
Application Number | 20220031064 17/443529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005799312 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220031064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Supriya; Amrit ; et
al. |
February 3, 2022 |
ERGONOMIC DESK
Abstract
A desk includes a base, a pedestal, a desktop panel, a desktop
actuator, and a controller. The pedestal extends along a vertical
axis and has a bottom end that is attached to the base. The desktop
panel is supported by a top end of the pedestal, and extends
transversely to the vertical axis. The desktop actuator is attached
to the desktop panel and includes a motorized tilt mechanism, which
is configured to pivot the desktop panel about a horizontal axis,
which is transverse to the vertical axis, and adjust an angle of
the desktop panel relative to the vertical axis, and a motorized
lateral feed mechanism, which is configured to move the desktop
panel along a feed axis that is fixed relative to the desktop
panel, and extends transversely to the vertical axis and the
horizontal axis. The controller controls the motorized tilt
mechanism and the motorized lateral feed mechanism.
Inventors: |
Supriya; Amrit;
(Minneapolis, MN) ; Hansen; Paul R.; (Minneapolis,
MN) ; Ha; Trung N.; (Minneapolis, MN) ;
Kotwad; Shrikant; (Minneapolis, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Regents of the University of Minnesota |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005799312 |
Appl. No.: |
17/443529 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63057420 |
Jul 28, 2020 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 13/081 20130101;
A47B 2200/0084 20130101; A47B 13/14 20130101; A47B 2200/0043
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 13/08 20060101
A47B013/08; A47B 13/14 20060101 A47B013/14 |
Claims
1. A desk comprising: a base; a pedestal extending along a vertical
axis and having a bottom end attached to the base; a desktop panel
supported by a top end of the pedestal, and extending transversely
to the vertical axis; a desktop actuator attached to the desktop
panel and comprising: a motorized tilt mechanism configured to
pivot the desktop panel about a horizontal axis, which is
transverse to the vertical axis, and adjust an angle of the desktop
panel relative to the vertical axis; and a motorized lateral feed
mechanism configured to move the desktop panel along a feed axis
that is fixed relative to the desktop panel and extends
transversely to the vertical axis and the horizontal axis; and a
controller configured to control the motorized tilt mechanism and
the motorized lateral feed mechanism.
2. The desk of claim 1, wherein: the desk includes a fixed frame
member attached to a top end of the pedestal; the desktop actuator
includes a pivotable frame member supported by the fixed frame
member and configured to rotate about the horizontal axis relative
to the fixed frame member; and the desktop panel is connected to
the pivotable frame member and moves relative to the fixed frame
member with movement of the pivotable frame member.
3. The desk of claim 2, wherein the motorized lateral feed
mechanism comprises: a feed rail attached to the pivotable frame
member and aligned substantially parallel to the feed axis; a
gantry configured to move along the feed rail relative to the
pivotable frame member; and the desktop panel is connected to the
gantry and is configured to move along the feed axis with movement
of the gantry.
4. The desk of claim 3, wherein the motorized lateral feed
mechanism comprises a first linear actuator including a first end
having a fixed position relative to the pivotable frame member, and
a second end connected to the gantry, the first linear actuator
configured to drive movement of the second end relative to the
first end, and movement of the desktop panel along the feed
axis.
5. The desk of claim 4, wherein: the feed rail comprises opposing
channels extending along the feed axis; and the gantry comprises a
panel and a plurality of guide wheels attached to the panel, each
guide wheel being received within one of the channels and having an
axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the feed axis.
6. The desk of claim 4, further comprising a housing including: a
housing base connected to the gantry and the second end of the
first linear actuator, wherein the housing base is configured to
move along the feed axis with movement of the gantry; and an
adaptor connected to the desktop panel and the housing base.
7. The desk of claim 6, wherein: the pivotable frame member
includes one or more guide channels, and the housing base includes
one or more guide rails each received within one of the one or more
guide channels; or the housing base includes one or more guide
channels, and the pivotable frame member includes one or more guide
rails each received within one of the one or more guide channels,
wherein during movement of the housing base along the feed axis the
one or more guide rails slide within the one or more guide
channels.
8. The desk of claim 6, wherein: the housing includes an interior
cavity formed between the housing base and the adaptor; and the
controller is contained within the interior cavity.
9. The desk of claim 6, wherein: the housing base includes a
plurality of base magnets; the adaptor includes a plurality of
adaptor magnets; and magnetic attraction between each of the
adaptor magnets and one of the base magnets detachably connects the
adaptor to the housing base.
10. The desk of claim 6, wherein the gantry and the second end of
the first linear actuator are directly connected to the housing
base.
11. The desk of claim 3, wherein the motorized tilt mechanism is
configured to drive rotation of the pivotable frame member about
the horizontal axis relative to the fixed frame member.
12. The desk of claim 11, wherein the motorized tilt mechanism
comprises: a second linear actuator having a first end attached to
the fixed frame member, and a second end connected to the pivotable
frame member, the second linear actuator configured to drive
relative movement between its first and second ends, and pivot the
desktop panel about the horizontal axis; or a cam member having an
axis of rotation that is fixed relative to the fixed frame member
or the pivotable frame member, wherein rotation of the cam member
about the axis of rotation pivots the desktop panel about the
horizontal axis.
13. The desk of claim 12, wherein: the desk comprises a pivotable
connection joining the first and pivotable frame members and
forming the horizontal axis; the feed rail includes opposing first
and second ends, the first end of the feed rail connected to the
pivotable frame member; and the desk includes a pivotable
connection at the second end of the feed rail joining the second
end of the feed rail to the second end of the second linear
actuator.
14. The desk of claim 3, further comprising a motorized pedestal
mechanism configured to drive movement of the top end of the
pedestal relative along the vertical axis relative to the bottom
end, wherein the controller is configured to control the motorized
pedestal mechanism to move the desktop panel along the vertical
axis relative to the base.
15. A desk comprising: a base; a pedestal extending along a
vertical axis and having a bottom end attached to the base; a
housing comprising a housing base connected to the top end of the
pedestal and including a plurality of base magnets, and an adaptor
attached to the housing base, the adapter including opposing top
and bottom sides and a plurality of adaptor magnets; and a desktop
panel attached to the adapter, wherein: magnetic attraction between
each of the adaptor magnets and the base magnets detachably
connects the adaptor and the desktop panel to the housing base when
the desktop panel is in a first orientation relative to the
adaptor; and magnetic repulsion between each of the adaptor magnets
and the base magnets prevents magnetic attachment of the desktop
panel to the adaptor when the desktop panel is in a second
orientation relative to the adaptor.
16. The desk of claim 15, wherein the desktop panel includes
opposing top and bottom sides, a top surface on the top side, and a
plurality of desktop magnets on the bottom side.
17. The desk of claim 16, further comprising: a desktop actuator
attached to the housing and comprising: a motorized tilt mechanism
configured to pivot the housing and the desktop panel about a
horizontal axis, which is transverse to the vertical axis, and
adjust an angle of the desktop panel relative to the vertical axis;
and a motorized lateral feed mechanism configured to move the
housing and the desktop panel along a feed axis that is fixed
relative to the desktop panel and extends transversely to the
vertical axis and the horizontal axis; and a controller configured
to control the motorized tilt mechanism and the motorized lateral
feed mechanism.
18. A desktop system comprising: a desktop panel having opposing
top and bottom sides, a top surface on the top side, a plurality of
pockets formed in the bottom side, and a plurality of desktop
magnets on the bottom side, each desktop magnet received within one
of the pockets; and an accessory component comprising at least one
accessory magnet, the accessory component configured for attachment
to the top surface through magnetic attraction between the at least
one accessory magnet and one or more of the at least one desktop
magnets.
19. The desktop system of claim 18, wherein the accessory component
comprises a cup holder having a bottom comprising the at least one
accessory magnet, and a sidewall extending from a perimeter of the
bottom.
20. The desktop system of claim 18, wherein the accessory component
comprises an elongated member including a plurality of pockets
formed in a bottom side of the elongated member, wherein each of
the at least one accessory magnet is each received within one of
the pockets of the elongated member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is based on and claims the benefit
of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/057,420, filed
Jul. 28, 2020, the content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a
desk and, more specifically, to a desk having ergonomic
features.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tables and desks (hereinafter "desks") are commonly used in
home and office environments. Such desks may offer ergonomic
features that benefit the user. For example, some desks allow the
desktop to be vertically raised and lowered to accommodate sitting
and standing user positions using a motorized pedestal or leg.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an
ergonomic desk and a desk system. One embodiment of the desk
includes a base, a pedestal, a desktop panel, a desktop actuator,
and a controller. The pedestal extends along a vertical axis and
has a bottom end that is attached to the base. The desktop panel is
supported by a top end of the pedestal, and extends transversely to
the vertical axis. The desktop actuator is attached to the desktop
panel and includes a motorized tilt mechanism and a motorized
lateral feed mechanism. The motorized tilt mechanism is configured
to pivot the desktop panel about a horizontal axis, which is
transverse to the vertical axis, and adjust an angle of the desktop
panel relative to the vertical axis. The motorized lateral feed
mechanism is configured to move the desktop panel along a feed axis
that is fixed relative to the desktop panel, and extends
transversely to the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. The
controller is configured to control the motorized tilt mechanism
and the motorized lateral feed mechanism.
[0005] Another embodiment of the desk includes, a base, a pedestal,
a housing, and a desktop panel. The pedestal extends along a
vertical axis and has a bottom end that is attached to the base.
The housing includes a housing base and an adaptor. The housing
base is connected to the top end of the pedestal and includes a
plurality of base magnets. The adaptor is attached to the housing
base and includes opposing top and bottom sides and a plurality of
adaptor magnets. The desktop panel is attached to the adapter.
Magnetic attraction between each of the adaptor magnets and one of
the base magnets detachably connects the adaptor and the desktop
panel to the housing base.
[0006] One embodiment of the desktop system includes a desktop
panel and an accessory component. The desktop panel has opposing
top and bottom sides, a top surface on the top side, a plurality of
pockets formed in the bottom side, and a plurality of desktop
magnets on the bottom side. Each desktop magnet is received within
one of the pockets. The accessory component includes at least one
accessory magnet. The accessory component is configured for
attachment to the top surface through magnetic attraction between
the at least one accessory magnet and one or more of the at least
one desktop magnets.
[0007] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not
limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages
noted in the Background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a desk, in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIGS. 2 and 3 are front isometric views, and FIGS. 4-6 are
side views of an example of a desk, in accordance with embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a back view of an upper portion of the desk of
FIG. 3, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an upper portion of the desk
of FIG. 2 with a desktop panel removed, in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIGS. 9-11 are exploded isometric views illustrating
components of a motorized tilt mechanism and a motorized lateral
feed mechanism, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIGS. 12A and 12B are simplified diagrams illustrating a
motorized cam of a tilt mechanism, in accordance with embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 13 is an exploded isometric view of a housing and a
desktop panel, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIGS. 14A and 14B respectively are top and bottom views of
an example of an adaptor, in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 15 is a bottom isometric view of an example of a
desktop panel, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure
[0017] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a desktop system, in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIGS. 17A and 17B are top and bottom isometric views of an
example of a cup holder accessory component, in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIGS. 18A and 18B are top and bottom isometric views of an
example of a ledge accessory component, in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described more
fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Elements that are identified using the same or similar reference
characters refer to the same or similar elements. The various
embodiments of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those
skilled in the art.
[0021] Specific details are given in the following description to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For
example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, frames, supports,
connectors, motors, processors, and other components may not be
shown, or may be shown in block diagram form in order to not
obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.
[0022] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "connected," "coupled," or "attached" to another element, it
can be directly connected, coupled, or attached to the other
element, or it can be indirectly connected, coupled, or attached to
the other element where intervening or intermediate elements may be
present. In contrast, if an element is referred to as being
"directly connected," "directly coupled" or "directly attached" to
another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Drawings illustrating direct connections, couplings or attachments
between elements also include embodiments, in which the elements
are indirectly connected, coupled, or attached to each other.
[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a desk
having one or more ergonomic features. FIG. 1 is a simplified
diagram illustrating a desk 100, in accordance with embodiments of
the present disclosure. FIGS. 2 and 3 are front isometric views,
and FIGS. 4-6 are side views of an example of the desk 100, in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] The desk 100 generally includes a desktop 102, a pedestal
104 and a base 106. The pedestal 104 includes a bottom end 108 that
is attached to the base 106, and extends along a vertical axis 110
that is generally perpendicular to a floor surface 112. The desktop
102 is supported at a top end 114 of the pedestal 104, and includes
a top surface 116 that may be used as a working surface by a user.
While the pedestal 104 is shown as including a single leg
structure, it is understood that the pedestal 104 may be formed
using multiple leg structures, such as three or four leg
structures. The base may include wheels 119 that simplify movement
of the desk 100 along the floor surface 112.
[0025] In some embodiments, the desk 100 includes a motorized
pedestal mechanism 118 that extends telescoping members 120 of the
pedestal 104 along the vertical axis 110 to adjust the height of
the top surface 116 of the desktop 100 relative to the base 106 and
the floor surface 112. In one example, the telescoping members
include members 120A, 120B and 120C that may be extended relative
to each other using an electric motor (not shown). This allows the
pedestal 104 to have a retracted position, such as shown in FIG. 4,
multiple intermediary positions, such as the intermediary position
shown in FIG. 5, and a fully extended position, such as shown in
FIG. 6. Accordingly, a user may adjust the height of the desktop
panel 102 to accommodate various sitting or standing positions.
[0026] In some embodiments, the desk 100 includes a desktop
actuator 122 that operates to adjust the position and/or
orientation of the desktop panel 102. In one embodiment, the
desktop actuator 122 includes a motorized tilt mechanism 124, which
is generally configured to pivot the desktop panel 102 about a
horizontal axis 126, which is transverse to the vertical axis 110.
This allows for the adjustment of an angle 128 of the desktop panel
102 relative to the vertical axis 110 and the floor surface 112, as
generally shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In one example, the tilt
mechanism 124 allows the user to adjust the angle 128 from a
non-tilted position (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5), in which the top surface
116 is substantially parallel to the floor surface 112 and oriented
at approximately 90 degrees to the vertical axis 110, as shown in
FIG. 5, to a tilted position (FIGS. 3 and 6), in which the top
surface 116 is transverse to the floor surface 112 and at an acute
angle 128 (e.g., approximately 30-89 degrees) relative to the
vertical axis 110, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0027] In some embodiments, the desktop actuator 122 includes a
motorized lateral feed mechanism 130, which is generally configured
to move the desktop panel 102 along a feed axis 132 that is fixed
relative to the desktop panel 102, generally parallel to the top
surface 116, and extends transversely to the vertical axis 110 and
the horizontal axis, as indicated in FIG. 1. This allows the
desktop panel 102 to be extended either toward or away from a user
relative to the pedestal 104. Thus, the desktop panel 102 has a
retracted position, in which a leading edge 134 of the desktop
panel 102 is located a distance 136 from a reference, as shown in
FIG. 4, and an extended position, in which the leading edge 134 is
extended a greater distance 136' from the reference, as shown in
FIG. 5. The desktop panel 102 may also be positioned along the feed
axis 132 between the retracted and extended positions shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0028] In some embodiments, the desk 100 includes a controller 140,
memory 142, and/or a power source 144, as indicated in FIG. 1. The
controller 140 may represent one or more processors (e.g., a
central processing unit) that control components of the desk 100 to
perform one or more functions described herein in response to the
execution of instructions that may be stored in the memory 142. The
memory 142 represents local and/or remote memory or
computer-readable media. Such memory 142 comprises any suitable
patent subject matter eligible conventional computer readable media
that do not include transitory waves or signals such as, for
example, hard disks, CD-ROMS, optical storage devices, magnetic
storage devices, etc.
[0029] In one embodiment, the controller 140 controls electric
motors of the pedestal mechanism 118, the tilt mechanism 124,
and/or the lateral feed mechanism 130 to respectively adjust the
height of the desktop panel 102, the angle 128 of the desktop panel
102, and the distance 136 the desktop panel is extended from the
pedestal 104, such as in response to an input received from an
input device 146 and the execution of instructions contained in the
memory 142. The controller 140 may also be used to control other
functions described herein.
[0030] The input device 146 may take on any suitable form. For
example, the input device 146 may represent a control panel
attached to the desk 100, a remote-control device, an application
running on a mobile computing device (e.g., smartphone), or another
suitable input device that may communicate commands to the
controller 140 to control one or more of the functions of the desk
100.
[0031] The desk 100 may also include one or more sensors, such as
sensors for detecting an occupancy, an acceleration, a height of
the desktop panel 102, the angle 128 of the desktop panel 102, the
distance 136 the desktop panel is extended along the feed axis 132,
etc. The controller 140 may use the sensors to allow for local or
remote control of the desk functions, to monitor the desk 100, to
produce analytics, to provide cognitive feedback to users, and/or
provide other features.
[0032] The power source 144 may include any suitable power source
for powering the electronic components of the desk 100, such as the
controller 140, the motorized pedestal mechanism 118, the motorized
tilt mechanism 124, the motorized lateral feed mechanism 130, and
other electrical components of the desk 100 described herein.
Examples of suitable power sources 144 include a rechargeable
battery and corresponding circuitry, such as circuitry used to
recharge the battery. The power source 144 may also represent
circuitry for receiving line level power, such as from an AC
outlet. In one embodiment, the power source 144 includes one or
more solar panels 148 attached to the top surface 116 of the
desktop panel 102, as indicated in FIG. 1, and the corresponding
circuitry for processing and distributing the power generated by
the solar panels 148, such as circuitry for using the power
generated by the solar panels 148 to charge a battery, for example.
Other suitable power sources may also be used. Additionally, the
power source 144 may supply DC and AC power to auxiliary components
and accessories, such as a monitor, without the need to be
connected to line level power through a wall socket, for
example.
[0033] A detailed discussion of examples of the tilt mechanism 124
and the lateral feed mechanism 130 will be provided with reference
to FIGS. 7-11. FIG. 7 is a back view of an upper portion of the
desk 100 of FIG. 3, FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an upper portion
of the desk 100 with the desktop panel 102 removed, and FIGS. 9-11
are exploded isometric views illustrating components of the
motorized tilt mechanism 124 and the motorized lateral feed
mechanism 130, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0034] In some embodiments, the desk 100 includes a fixed frame
member 150 (FIG. 9) that is connected to the top end 114 of the
pedestal 104, and has a fixed position and orientation relative to
the top end 114 of the pedestal 104. In some embodiments, the
desktop actuator 122 or the tilt mechanism 124 includes a pivotable
frame member 152 that is supported by the fixed frame member 150,
and is configured to rotate about the horizontal axis 126 relative
to the fixed frame member 150, as generally illustrated in FIG. 10.
Thus, the pivotable frame member 152 is attached to the fixed frame
member 150 through a suitable pivotable connection 154 (FIG. 10),
such as a hinge, or another suitable pivotable connection. In one
embodiment, the desktop panel 102 is connected to the pivotable
frame member 152 and pivots about the horizontal axis 126 relative
to the fixed frame member 150 in response to rotation of the
pivotable frame member 152 about the axis 126.
[0035] In some embodiments, the motorized tilt mechanism 124 is
configured to drive rotation of the pivotable frame member 152 and
the desktop panel 102 about the horizontal axis 126 relative to the
fixed frame member 150 using a linear actuator 156 having an end
158 attached to the fixed frame member 150, and an end 160
connected to the pivotable frame member 152, as generally indicated
in FIG. 9. The end 158 may be attached to the fixed frame member
150 through a hinge 162 or another suitable pivotable connection,
and the end 160 may be attached to the pivotable frame member 152
through a hinge 163 or another suitable pivotable connection. In
one embodiment, the end 160 is connected to a feed rail 164 that is
attached to the pivotable frame member 152 and has a fixed position
and orientation relative to the pivotable frame member 152.
[0036] The linear actuator 156 is configured to drive relative
movement between the ends 158 and 160 including extending the end
160 away from the end 158, or retracting the end 160 toward the end
158. This relative movement of the ends 158 and 160 of the actuator
156 pivot the pivotable frame member 152 and desktop panel 102
about the horizontal axis 126 relative to the fixed frame member
150, the pedestal 104 and the vertical axis 110, to adjust the
angle 128 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the desktop panel 102. In some
embodiments, the linear actuator 156 comprises a screw drive, or
another suitable actuator that may be driven using an electric
motor 166 (FIG. 9).
[0037] It is understood that other actuators may be employed by the
tilt mechanism 124 to drive rotation of the feed rail 164, the
pivotable frame member 152 and the desktop panel 102 about the
horizontal axis 126. One alternative is the use of a motorized cam
170, such as that illustrated in the simplified diagrams of FIGS.
12A and 12B. The motorized cam 170 generally includes a cam member
172 having an axis of rotation 174 that is fixed relative to either
the fixed frame member 150 or the pivotable frame member 152, and
is generally aligned parallel to the horizontal axis 126. When the
cam member 172 is supported by the fixed frame member 150, such
that the axis of rotation 174 has a fixed position relative to the
fixed frame member 150, the cam member 172 includes an exterior
surface 176 that engages the feed rail 164 or another component
having a fixed position relative to the pivotable frame member 152.
When the cam member 172 is supported by the feed rail 164 or
another component having a fixed position relative to the pivotable
frame member 152, such that the axis of rotation 174 of the cam
member 172 has a fixed position relative to the pivotable frame
member 152, the exterior surface 176 of the cam member 172 engages
the fixed frame member 150 or another component having a fixed
position relative to the fixed frame member 150. Rotation of the
cam member 172 about the axis 174 by a motor 178, such as in
response to the commands received from the controller 140, drives
the pivotable frame member 152 and the desktop panel 102 to rotate
about the horizontal axis 126 relative to the fixed frame member
150, to thereby adjust the tilt angle 128 of the desktop panel 102,
such as from a relatively flat position (FIG. 12A) to a tilted
position (FIG. 12B).
[0038] In some embodiments, the desk includes an actuator housing
180 that is attached to, and has a fixed position relative to, the
fixed frame member 150. The actuator housing 180 includes an
interior cavity 182 that receives the linear actuator 156, as
indicated in FIG. 9. The end 158 of the linear actuator 156 may be
attached to a base 184 of the housing through the pivotable
connection 162, and the end 160 of the linear actuator 156 may
extend through an opening of a cover 186 of the housing 180, as
shown in FIG. 9.
[0039] In one embodiment, the feed rail 164 is aligned
substantially parallel to the feed axis 132, and forms a component
of the lateral feed mechanism 130 that guides movement of the
desktop panel 102 along the feed axis 132. In one embodiment, the
lateral feed mechanism 130 also includes a gantry 190 (FIG. 8) that
is configured to move along the feed rail 164 and the feed axis 132
relative to the pivotable frame member 152. In one example, the
feed rail 164 includes one or more channels 192, such as opposing
channels, as shown in FIG. 8. The gantry 190 may include a panel
194 and a plurality of guide wheels 196 that are attached to the
panel 194, as shown in FIG. 11. The guide wheels 196 are received
within the channels 192 of the feed rail 164. In the illustrated
example, the guide wheels 196 generally have an axis of rotation
that is perpendicular to the feed axis 132, however, alternative
arrangements may be used. The guide wheels 196 secure the panel 194
to the feed rail 164 and rotate with movement of the panel 194
along the feed axis 132 to provide low-resistance movement of the
panel 194 along the feed rail 164 and the feed axis 132. The
desktop panel 102 is connected to the panel 194 of the gantry 190,
and travels along the feed axis 132 relative to the pivotable frame
member 152 with movement of the gantry 190. The gantry 190 may be
substituted with another suitable gantry or similar mechanism.
[0040] In one embodiment, the lateral feed mechanism 130 includes a
linear actuator 200 and a motor 202, as shown in FIG. 8. An end 204
of the linear actuator 200 has a fixed position relative to the
pivotable frame member 152, and an opposing end 206 is connected to
the gantry 190, either directly, or through an intermediary
component. The linear actuator 200 is configured to drive movement
of the end 206 relative to the end 204, and thus, movement of the
gantry 190 and the desktop panel 102 along the feed axis 132
relative to the pivotable frame member 152 (e.g., the reference
discussed above), as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0041] In some embodiments, the desk 100 includes a housing 210
that is supported by the top end 114 of the pedestal 104 and is
connected to the desktop panel 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. FIG.
13 is an exploded isometric view of the housing 210 and the desktop
panel 102. In some embodiments, the housing 210 includes an
interior cavity 212 that contains one or more components of the
desk 100, such as the controller 140, the memory 142, the power
source 144, components of the tilt mechanism 124, components of the
lateral feed mechanism 130, and/or other components of the desk
100, as indicated in FIG. 1. Advantages to this configuration
include the simplification of the management of cables used in
connection with the power source 144, the controller 140 and the
electric motors, the ability to conceal components of the desk 100,
and other advantages.
[0042] In one embodiment, the housing 210 includes a housing base
214 that is connected to the gantry 190 and the end 206 of the
linear actuator 200, such as through a hinge connector 208, as
shown in FIG. 7. Thus, the housing base 214 is configured to move
along the feed axis 132 relative to the pivotable frame member 152
with movement of the gantry 190, and pivot about the horizontal
axis 126 with rotation of the pivotable frame member 152.
[0043] In some embodiments, the housing 210 includes an adaptor
216, which generally covers the interior cavity 212 defined by the
housing base 214. FIGS. 14A and 14B respectively are top and bottom
views of an example of the adaptor, in accordance with embodiments
of the present disclosure. The desktop panel 102 may be fixed to a
top 218 of the adaptor 216 using any suitable means, such as
screws, adhesive, or other suitable fasteners, as indicated in FIG.
13. Alternatively, the adaptor 216 may be integrated in a bottom
side 220 (FIG. 7) of the desktop panel 102, as discussed below.
[0044] In one embodiment, the adaptor 216 is attached to the
housing base 214 in a manner that allows its easy removal by hand,
and without the use of tools. In one embodiment, the housing base
214 includes a plurality of base magnets 222, and the adaptor 216
includes a plurality of adaptor magnets 224 that are used to
magnetically attached the adaptor 216 to the housing base 214. In
one embodiment, the base magnets 222 may be contained within
pockets 226 of the housing base 214 that operate to position the
base magnets 222 in predefined locations, as shown in FIG. 13.
Similarly, the adaptor magnets 224 may be contained within pockets
228 of a bottom side 230 of the adaptor 216 that operate to
position the adaptor magnets 224 in predefined locations, such as
illustrated in FIG. 14B. When the adaptor 216 is positioned on the
housing base 214, magnetic attraction between the base magnets 222
and the adaptor magnets 224 secures the adaptor 216 and the
attached desktop panel 102 to the housing base 214 in a manner that
allows the removal of the adaptor 216 and the desktop panel 102
from the housing base 214 by a user without the use of tools.
[0045] FIG. 15 is a bottom isometric view of an example of a
desktop panel 102, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure. The desktop panel 102 may be 3D printed, or formed of
glass, wood, plastic, or another suitable material. The desktop
panel 102 may also be double-sided, such as by combining different
surface finishes or colors on each side of the panel 102.
[0046] In one embodiment, features of the adaptor 216 are
integrated into a bottom side 232 of the desktop panel 102. Thus,
the desktop panel 102 may include adaptor magnets 224, which may be
contained within pockets 228, to facilitate the detachable
connection between the desktop panel 102 and the housing base 214.
Additionally, the desktop panel 102 may include a perimeter wall
234 that forms a socket 236 that receives and substantially
conforms to the top end of the housing base 214. The socket 236 may
be used to simplify the alignment of the desktop panel 102 relative
to the housing base 214 during attachment, and may also assist in
maintaining the connection between the desktop panel 102 and the
housing base 214 during use.
[0047] In one embodiment, the base magnets 222 and the adaptor
magnets 224 are arranged in a manner that predefines an orientation
of the adaptor 216 relative to the housing base 214 that is
required to secure the adaptor 216 to the housing base 214. This
may be accomplished by the selective positioning of the base and
adaptor magnets 222 and 224 or the pockets 226 and 228 containing
the magnets 222 and 224, the selective orientation of the base and
adaptor magnets 222 and 224 (north and south poles of the magnets
are oriented for attraction or repulsion), and/or through physical
guides that restrict the attachment of the adaptor 216 to the
housing base 214 to a single orientation of the adaptor 216
relative to the housing base 214. For example, when the adaptor 216
is not properly oriented with the housing base 214, the adaptor
magnets 224 may be repulsed by the base magnets 222, and when the
adaptor 216 is properly oriented with the housing base 214, the
base magnets 222 may attract the adaptor magnets 226 to secure the
adaptor 216 to the housing base 214.
[0048] In some embodiments, guide channels and guide rails are used
to guide or stabilize the movement of the desktop panel 102 along
the feed axis 132 when driven by the lateral feed mechanism 130.
For example, guide rails 240 attached to a bottom side 242 of the
housing base 214 may be received within corresponding guide
channels 244 that are connected to the pivotable frame member 152,
as indicated in FIG. 11. This arrangement may obviously be
reversed, such that the one or more guide channels are attached to,
or formed in, the housing base, and one or more guide rails are
attached to, or formed in, the pivotable frame member. During
movement of the housing base 214 and the attached desktop panel 102
along the feed axis 132, the one or more guide rails 240 slide
within the corresponding one or more guide channels 244 to
stabilize the housing base 214 and desktop panel 102.
[0049] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a
desktop system 250 comprising one or more embodiments of the
desktop panel 102 described above, and one or more accessory
components, generally referred to as 252, such as shown in the
isometric view of FIG. 16. Here, the desktop panel 102 is
configured to facilitate magnetic attachment of the accessory
components 252 to the top surface 116. Examples of the accessory
components 252 include, a cup holder 252A and a ledge 252B, as
shown in FIG. 16. However, other similar accessory components 252
may also be used. The magnetic attachment of the accessory
components 252 to the top surface 116 of the desktop panel 102
allows the top surface 116 to be free from fasteners, sockets, and
other features that may disrupt the top surface 116, while allowing
for the secure attachment of the accessory components 252 to the
top surface 116.
[0050] In one embodiment, the bottom side 232 of the desktop panel
102 includes a plurality of pockets 254. The desktop panel 102 may
also include a plurality of desktop magnets 256, such as magnets
256A-E, each of which may be received within one of the pockets
254. The accessory components 252 of the desktop system 250 each
include at least one accessory magnet 258 that operates to attach
the accessory component 252 to the top surface 116 through magnetic
attraction between the at least one accessory magnet 258 and at
least one of the desktop magnets 256. Thus, the accessor components
252 may be selectively positioned on the desktop panel 102 through
the attraction of the desktop and accessor magnets 256 and 258. Top
and bottom isometric views of an example of the cup holder 252A are
shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B. In one embodiment, the cup holder 252A
includes a bottom 260 and a side wall 262 extending from the
perimeter of the bottom 260 to define an interior cavity 264 that
is configured to receive a drink container, pencils, pens, and/or
other items. The cup holder 252A includes at least one accessory
magnet 258 that is supported by the bottom 260, such as in a pocket
266. The cup holder 252A may be positioned, for example, on the top
surface 116 of the desktop panel 102 such that the accessory magnet
258 of the cup holder 252A is aligned and magnetically attracted to
one of the desktop magnets 256, such as desktop magnet 256A (FIG.
15), to magnetically secure the cup holder 252A to the top surface
116, as shown in FIG. 16.
[0051] Top and bottom isometric views of one example of the ledge
252B are provided in FIGS. 18A and 18B, respectively. The ledge
252B generally includes an elongated member 270 and one or more
accessory magnets 258. In one embodiment, the accessory magnets are
each contained in one of a plurality of pockets 272 that may be
formed in a bottom side 274. Each of the pockets 272 in the
elongated member 270 may include an accessory magnet 258 that
secures the ledge 252B to the top surface 116 of the desktop panel
102 (FIG. 16) when the one or more accessory magnets 258 are
aligned with the corresponding one or more desktop magnets 256,
such as desktop magnets 256B-E (FIG. 15).
[0052] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been
described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled
in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and
detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
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