US20070152122A1 - Keyboard support assembly - Google Patents
Keyboard support assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070152122A1 US20070152122A1 US11/324,080 US32408005A US2007152122A1 US 20070152122 A1 US20070152122 A1 US 20070152122A1 US 32408005 A US32408005 A US 32408005A US 2007152122 A1 US2007152122 A1 US 2007152122A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- assembly
- platform
- attachment member
- gear
- pivot axis
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
- A47B21/03—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
- A47B21/0314—Platforms for supporting office equipment
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
- A47B21/03—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
- A47B21/0314—Platforms for supporting office equipment
- A47B2021/0321—Keyboard supports
- A47B2021/0335—Keyboard supports mounted under the worksurface
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
- A47B21/03—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
- A47B21/0314—Platforms for supporting office equipment
- A47B2021/0321—Keyboard supports
- A47B2021/0335—Keyboard supports mounted under the worksurface
- A47B2021/035—Keyboard supports mounted under the worksurface having double articulated arms
Definitions
- the present invention relates to articulated support assembly adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard along one edge of a horizontal support member, and particularly to such support assembles that are attached to a bottom surface of the support member.
- the art is replete with articulated support assemblies adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard along one edge of a horizontal support member.
- the various prior art assemblies typically include locking mechanisms to maintain the support assemblies at a desired height.
- the locking mechanisms include “levered” locking mechanisms in which a lever or handle must be operated to release and re-secure the support assembly, and “leverless” locking mechanisms in which, typically, the keyboard platform itself is manipulated to release and re-secure the support assembly.
- Existing support assemblies and their associated locking mechanisms often fail to provide the desired combination of stability, adjustability and ease of use desired by the user.
- the support assembly comprises: an attachment member adapted to be attached to the horizontal support surface; a platform assembly having an upper surface adapted to have a computer keyboard supported thereon, the upper surface having a predetermined orientation with respect to the horizontal support surface; a vertically swingable parallelogram linkage having elongated first and second links each having a first end and a second end, the first ends of the elongated first and second links pivotally interconnected to the platform assembly, and the second ends of the elongated first and second links pivotally interconnected to the attachment member, such that the first and second ends of the first and second links each have a pivot axis, and such that the linkage allows vertical displacement of the platform assembly relative to the support surface while maintaining the predetermined orientation of the upper surface; a releasable retaining means coupling the first link to the attachment member, the releasable retaining means moveable
- the support assembly comprises: an attachment member adapted to be attached to the horizontal support surface; a platform assembly having an upper surface adapted to have a computer keyboard supported thereon; a first support arm adapted for mounting the platform assembly on the attachment member, a first end of the first support arm pivotally mounted to the platform assembly for pivotal movement of the platform assembly about a first platform pivot axis, a second end of the first support arm pivotally mounted to the attachment member for pivotal movement about a first attachment member pivot axis; a second support arm adapted for mounting the platform assembly on the attachment member, a first end of the second support arm pivotally mounted to the platform assembly for pivotal movement of the platform assembly about a second platform pivot axis, a second end of the second support arm pivotally mounted to the attachment member for pivotal movement about a second attachment member pivot axis; wherein the first platform pivot axis, second platform pivot axis, first attachment member pivot axis and second attachment member pivot axis are parallel to each other, and wherein the first and
- FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of an articulated support assembly according to the present invention
- FIG. 2A is a side elevational illustration of the articulated support assembly of FIG. 1 , shown supporting a keyboard and attached to a horizontal support member and illustrating a range of positions in which the support assembly can be placed;
- FIG. 2B is a side elevational illustration of the articulated support assembly of FIG. 1 , shown supporting a keyboard and attached to a horizontal support member and illustrating a storage position in which the support assembly can be placed;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a top side of the articulated support assembly of FIG. 1 with a keyboard platform and mounting track removed, and with a cover removed from a support arm to show the releasable retaining means;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a bottom side of the articulated support assembly of FIG. 1 with a keyboard platform and mounting track removed;
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional illustration taken approximately along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 3 and illustrating a pawl assembly in an engaged position;
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional illustration taken approximately along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 3 and illustrating a pawl assembly in a disengaged position;
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are exploded and assembled illustrations, respectively, of the tilt support arm of the articulated support assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of a top side of the articulated support assembly of FIG. 1 with components removed to show the path and connections of the cable actuator for the releasable retaining means;
- FIGS. 9A and 9B are side elevational illustrations of the articulated support assembly of FIG. 1 , illustrating pivotal movement of the platform assembly to move the releasable retaining means to a disengaged position.
- FIGS. 1-9B there is shown a articulated support assembly 10 according to the present invention that is adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard 11 along one edge 13 of a horizontal support member 12 (e.g., a desk or table top) that has a bottom mounting surface 14 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B ).
- a horizontal support member 12 e.g., a desk or table top
- a bottom mounting surface 14 see FIGS. 2A and 2B .
- the articulated support assembly 10 comprises an attachment member 16 adapted to be attached to the bottom mounting surface 14 of the horizontal support member 12 in spaced relationship adjacent its edge 13 . Also included is a platform assembly 18 having a generally planar upper surface 20 adapted to have computer keyboard 11 supported thereon.
- a vertically swingable parallelogram linkage 30 attaches the platform assembly 18 to the attachment member 16 , and allows vertical displacement of the platform assembly 18 relative to the bottom mounting surface 14 of the horizontal support member 12 while maintaining a predetermined orientation of the platform assembly upper surface 20 with respect to the horizontal support member 12 .
- attachment member 16 is coupled to a swivel assembly 32 , which is in turn coupled to a track slide bracket 34 .
- Swivel assembly 32 affords pivotal movement about the axis of bolt 36 (seen in FIG. 3 ), while track slide bracket 34 affords linear movement of support assembly 10 along a length of the bracket 34 .
- the parallelogram linkage 30 of support assembly 10 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B .
- a parallelogram linkage includes two pairs of parallel sides, pivotally connected at the four corners (i.e., pivot axes) of the parallelogram linkage. As the angles between adjacent sides of the parallelogram change, opposing sides of the parallelogram always remain parallel to one another.
- linkage 30 includes four parallel pivot axes defining the corners of the linkage 30 : first and second platform pivot axes 40 and 42 , respectively, and first and second attachment member pivot axes 44 and 46 , respectively. First and second platform pivot axes 40 , 42 are fixed in position with respect to platform assembly 18 .
- First and second attachment member pivot axes 44 , 46 are fixed in position with respect to attachment member 16 .
- An upper link or support arm 48 extends between first platform pivot axis 40 and first attachment member pivot axis 44
- a lower link or support arm 50 extends between second platform pivot axis 42 and second attachment member pivot axis 46 .
- the upper surface 20 of the platform assembly 18 maintains a constant predetermined orientation (i.e., tilt angle) with respect to the bottom mounting surface 14 of support member 12 .
- the upper surface 20 of platform assembly 18 is shown substantially parallel to the support surface 12 .
- the linkage 30 uses two upper support arms 48 a , 48 b (collectively upper support arms 48 ) positioned on opposite sides of lower support arm 50 (seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 ).
- the upper support arms 48 a , 48 b commonly pivot about first platform pivot axis 40 and first attachment member pivot axis 44 , and effectively act as a single upper support arm 48 in the linkage 30 .
- the spacing of upper support arms 48 a , 48 b across the width of platform assembly 18 provides improved stability against torsional movement of platform assembly 18 when being used.
- horizontal support member 12 is a desk or similar work surface
- the bottom mounting surface 14 has a height in the range of approximately 28 to 30 inches above a floor.
- upper support arms 48 and lower support arm 50 have lengths sufficient to position upper surface 20 of platform assembly 18 approximately 10 inches or more above mounting surface 14 , such that the articulated support assembly 10 may be used by an individual in a standing position.
- the platform assembly 18 includes an upper platform 52 providing planar upper surface 20 , and a lower platform mounting plate 54 configured for mounting the platform 52 to the parallelogram linkage 30 .
- different platforms 52 having different sizes, shapes, mouse pads, etc.
- the upper platform 52 and platform mounting plate 54 may be formed as a single component, or as a combination of more than two components.
- platform mounting plate 54 is mounted to a generally U-shaped rigid support member 62 .
- Support member 62 includes an elongate central portion 64 and generally parallel end portions 66 projecting in the same direction from the opposite ends of the central portion 64 .
- the elongate central portion 64 is aligned with first platform pivot axis 40 .
- Upper support arm mounting bracket 60 secures platform mounting plate 54 on the central portion 64 of support member 62 for pivotal movement of the platform assembly 18 about the first platform pivot axis 40 , with the upper surface 20 of the platform assembly 18 parallel to the first platform pivot axis 40 .
- First ends 70 of upper support arms 48 a , 48 b are adapted for mounting to the end portions 66 of the support member 62 , while second ends 72 of upper support arms 48 a , 48 b are adapted for connection to attachment member 16 for pivotal movement about first attachment member pivot axis 44 .
- Releasable retaining means or ratchet means 80 are provided between the upper support arms 48 a , 48 b and the attachment member 16 . The releasable retaining means or ratchet means 80 are moveable between an engaged position ( FIG.
- the upper support arms 48 a , 48 b each comprise two pairs 74 of mating polymeric moldings.
- First end 70 of each pair 74 of mating polymeric moldings encloses an end of the central portion 64 and one of the end portions 66 of the support member 62 .
- the end portions 66 are attached to support arms 48 a , 48 b by bolts 82 .
- Second end 72 of each pair 74 of mating polymeric moldings contains ratchet means 80 .
- Engagement of the second ends 72 with the attachment member 16 is maintained by a bolt and washer assembly 82 that extends through openings in the attachment member 16 and in the second end 72 .
- the releasable retaining means or ratchet means 80 is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- Ratchet means 80 are described with respect to only one of the upper support arms 48 a , 48 b , but it is understood that ratchet means 80 are associated with each of the upper support arms 48 a , 48 b .
- the ratchet means 80 comprises a pivot gear 90 fixed to the attachment member 16 by bolt and washer assembly 82 . Pivot gear 90 is prevented from rotating with respect to attachment member 16 by bolt and washer assemblies 82 a , 82 b .
- a central axis of the pivot gear 90 is coaxial with the first attachment member pivot axis 44 .
- a pawl assembly 92 is pivotally mounted on the inner one of each pair 74 of mating polymeric moldings adjacent pivot gear 90 .
- the pawl assembly 92 comprises a pivot portion 94 having an arcuate first end mounted in a concave recess in a boss 96 on that molding 74 for pivotal movement about a pivot portion axis 96 a parallel with the first attachment member pivot axis 44 , and a second end having an arcuate surface 98 that is cylindrically concave about an axis parallel to the first attachment member pivot axis 44 and faces the teeth on the gear 90 .
- the pawl assembly 92 also includes a rocking portion 100 having a cylindrically convex surface 102 on a first side adapted to nest in the arcuate surface 98 of the pivot portion 94 and a plurality of teeth 104 projecting along a second side adapted to engage the teeth of the gear 90 .
- the pivot and rocking portions 94 and 100 are oriented with the axis of the arcuate surface 98 below a straight line between the first attachment member pivot axis 44 and the pivot portion axis 96 a defined by the boss 96 , toward which straight line the pivot and rocking portions 94 and 100 are biased by a spring 106 between the molding 74 and the pivot portion 94 .
- the spring 106 Upon reaching that raised position, the spring 106 will again cause the pivot portion 94 to press the concave surface 98 against the convex surface 102 of the rocking portion 100 and the teeth 104 on the rocking portion 100 into engagement with the teeth on the gear 90 to prevent revolving movement of the upper support arm 48 and platform assembly 18 toward a lowered position relative to the attachment member 16 .
- Rocking portion 100 has a guide surface defining a through slot 110 generally at the axis of the cylindrically convex surface 102 , and a side surface defining a recess 112 along the side of the rocking portion 100 opposite the straight line between the first attachment member pivot axis 44 and the pivot portion axis 96 a .
- the pivot portion 94 includes a pin 114 that projects through the slot 110 and is adapted to engage the guide surface to carry the rocking portion 100 on the pivot portion 94 .
- Pin 114 further provides a pivot axis for the rocking portion 100 , such that when upward movement of the upper support arm 48 relative to the attachment member 16 is initiated, teeth 104 positioned opposite the recess 112 initially remain engaged with teeth on the gear 90 , while the teeth 104 that are adjacent the recess 112 pivot out of engagement with the gear 90 around the still engaged teeth 104 opposite the recess 112 .
- the molding 74 has a lug or pin 116 adapted to be engaged by the surface defining the recess 112 when the teeth 104 adjacent the recess 112 pivot out of engagement with the gear 90 , and thereby restricting further pivoting of the teeth 104 adjacent the recess 112 away from the gear 90 and causing opposite pivot motion of the rocking portion 100 about the pins 114 and 116 to cause the teeth 104 opposite the recess 112 to separate from the gear 90 during further upward movement of the upper support arm 48 relative to the attachment member 16 .
- the ratchet means 80 can be moved to the disengaged position by manually pivoting the entirety of pawl assembly 92 to move the pawl assembly 92 out of engagement with gear 90 .
- a cable 120 in a casing or cable housing 120 a e.g., casings of molybdenum disulfite filled nylon material is coupled to the pivot portion 94 of the pawl assembly 92 .
- Movement of the cable 120 in the direction of arrow 122 causes the pivot portion 94 to pivot about its axis 96 a to move the arcuate surface 98 away from the gear 90 and cause engagement of the pins 114 and 116 with the surfaces defining the slot 110 and the recess 112 , thereby retracting the teeth 104 on the rocking portion 100 to a position spaced from the teeth on the gear 90 ( FIG. 6 ).
- approximately 0.050 inches of cable travel in direction of arrow 122 is required to disengage the pawl assembly 92 from gear 90 . Actuation of cable 120 is described in greater detail below.
- a slip clutch means is disposed between the gear 90 and the attachment member 16 for affording movement of the upper support arms 48 a , 48 b and platform assembly 18 toward a lowered position relative to the attachment member 16 in response to application of a downward force on the platform assembly 18 above a predetermined minimum force.
- a suitable slip clutch means is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,487, incorporated by reference herein.
- lower support arm 50 is secured to platform assembly 18 , with tilt adjustment means 130 positioned between the platform assembly 18 and the lower support arm 50 .
- the tilt adjustment means 130 are moveable between a retaining position for limiting pivotal movement of the platform assembly 18 about the first platform pivot axis 40 (defined by the central portion 64 of support member 62 ), and a release position affording relatively free pivotal movement of the platform assembly 18 about the first platform pivot axis 40 .
- lower support arm 50 is secured to platform mounting plate 54 by lower support arm mounting brackets 132 , which are secured to the platform mounting plate 54 by any suitable means including bolts, screws and the like.
- Lower support arm mounting brackets 132 each include a curved slot 134 for adjusting the position of attachment of lower support arm 50 , and thereby adjusting the tilt angle of platform assembly 18 .
- curved slots 134 are configured to provide in the range of ⁇ 15 degrees of tilt adjustment of platform assembly 18 .
- Lower support arm mounting brackets 132 are illustrated as separate components from upper support arm mounting bracket 60 , but may alternately be formed as a single unit with upper support arm mounting bracket 60 .
- Lower support arm 50 includes a bore 136 at its first end 137 , the bore 136 defining the second platform pivot axis 42 when attached to platform assembly 18 via lower support arm mounting brackets 132 .
- tilt bushings 138 a , 138 b are inserted into bore 136 of lower support arm 50 .
- Boss portions 142 are sized to provide clearance for free rotation of the bushings 138 a , 138 b within the bore 136 of lower support arm 50 , and the total length of boss portions 142 exceeds a length of the bore 136 .
- a tilt angle adjustment bolt 150 is inserted through curved slots 134 of the lower support arm mounting brackets 132 and axial through-bores 144 of tilt bushings 138 a , 138 b , and secured by a clamp handle 152 .
- clamp handle 152 When clamp handle 152 is tightened to compress tilt bushings 138 a , 138 b between lower support arm mounting brackets 132 , lower support arm 50 remains free to pivot around tilt bushings 138 a , 138 b , but tilt bushings 138 a , 138 b are secured in position relative to curved slots 134 in lower support arm mounting brackets 132 .
- the tilt angle of the platform assembly 18 may be adjusted by moving the clamp handle 152 to a release position, rotating the platform assembly 18 about first platform pivot axis 40 to a desired tilt angle, and then moving the clamp handle 152 to a retaining position to secure platform assembly 18 at the desired tilt angle.
- a second end 154 of lower support arm 50 is adapted for connection to attachment member 16 for pivotal movement about second attachment member pivot axis 46 .
- Second attachment member pivot axis 46 is defined by support shaft 160 .
- a torsion spring 163 ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) is positioned over support shaft 160 , and is configured to upwardly bias the lower support arm 50 and thereby assist a user in lifting the platform assembly 18 .
- Second end 154 of lower support arm 50 includes an elongated slot 162 having a width approximately equal to the diameter of support shaft 160 and a length slightly greater than the diameter of support shaft 160 .
- support shaft 160 has a diameter of approximately 0.50 inches, and the length of elongated slot 162 is approximately 0.60 inches to allow for approximately 0.10 inches of longitudinal movement of lower support arm 50 relative to the second attachment member pivot axis 46 defined by support shaft 160 .
- the length of elongated slot 162 may provide for more than approximately 0.10 inches of longitudinal movement of lower support arm 50 relative to the second attachment member pivot axis 46 .
- the length of elongated slot 162 may provide for less than approximately 0.10 inches of longitudinal movement of lower support arm 50 relative to the second attachment member pivot axis 46 .
- longitudinal movement of lower support arm 50 relative to the second attachment member pivot axis 46 is used to actuate cable 120 and move pawl assembly 92 out of engagement with gear 90 ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ).
- Cable 120 is longer than cable housing 120 a , such that ends of cable 120 extend beyond ends of cable housing 120 a .
- a first end 170 of cable 120 is attached to pawl assembly 92 .
- the adjacent end of cable housing 120 a is immovably secured to the upper support arm 48 by any suitable means, such as the illustrated screw and washer assembly 172 .
- a second end 174 of cable 120 is attached to a cable anchor 176 by any suitable means, such as the illustrated screw 178 .
- a spring 180 is connected between screw 178 and second cable end 174 to provide over-travel protection, thereby reducing stress on cable 120 caused by the limited range of movement of pawl assembly 92 (e.g., in the range of 0.050 inches).
- the end of cable housing 120 a adjacent second cable end 174 is immovably secured to the lower support arm 50 by any suitable means, such as by the illustrated cable clamp 182 .
- the effective length of cable 120 is adjusted by pulling back on cable housing 120 a (relative to second end 174 of cable 120 ) to remove any slack in cable 120 between cable clamp 182 and screw 178 before tightening cable clamp 182 .
- Cable anchor 176 is positioned over support shaft 160 , and is dimensioned to freely rotate over support shaft 160 .
- cable anchor 176 is dimensioned to slidably fit between flanges 184 of lower support arm 50 , such that lower support arm 50 can slide over support shaft 160 in the longitudinal direction of the elongated slot 162 , while the cable anchor 176 remains fixed relative to support shaft 160 .
- Spring 186 (seen in the exploded view of FIG.
- the platform assembly 18 is shown in the “use” position ( FIG. 9A ) and the “adjustment” position ( FIG. 9B ).
- the upper support arms 48 a , 48 b provide vertical stability to platform assembly 18 (via releasable retaining means or ratchet means 80 ), while the lower support arm 50 limits the rotation of platform assembly 18 about first platform pivot axis 40 .
- the weight of the platform assembly 18 and the spring 186 on the lower support arm 50 biases the slot end ( 162 a ) against the support shaft 160 .
- first and second platform pivot axes 40 , 42 is equal to distance between first and second attachment member pivot axes 44 , 46
- first platform pivot axis 40 and first attachment member pivot axis 44 is equal to the distance between second platform pivot axis 42 and second attachment member pivot axis 46 .
- first platform pivot axis 40 When tilt adjustment means 130 is in the retaining position and platform assembly 18 is rotated by the user about first platform pivot axis 40 approximately 5.50 degrees ( FIG. 9B ), the lower support arm 50 (which is pivotally connected to second platform pivot axis 42 ) will move approximately 0.100 inch in the direction of arrow 192 before it reaches slot end 162 b , thereby lengthening the distance between second platform pivot axis 42 and second attachment member pivot axis 46 . The lengthening of the distance between second platform pivot axis 42 and second attachment member pivot axis 46 simultaneously increases the effective length of the path of cable 120 because the end of cable housing 120 a closest to support shaft 160 is fixed to lower support arm 50 and is thus also moved further from support shaft 160 .
- the lengthening of the path of cable 120 pulls cable spring 180 a corresponding 0.100 inch. Further upward movement of platform assembly 18 will cause cable 120 to pull on pawl assembly 92 to relieve pressure between pawl assembly 92 and gear 90 and rotate the pawl assembly 92 out of engagement with gear 90 , thereby allowing the platform assembly 18 to be lowered or raised to a desired height.
- the force of gravity and the force of spring 186 causes platform assembly 18 to rotate back to the use position ( FIG. 9A ), thereby shortening the path length of cable 120 and allowing pawl assembly 92 to move to an engaged position with gear 90 .
- the amount of rotation of platform assembly 18 is dependent upon the necessary change in the effective path length of cable 120 required to disengage the pawl assembly 92 from gear 90 .
- the necessary change in the effective path length of cable 120 is dependent upon the particular geometry of the pawl assembly 92 and gear 90 , and the distance pawl assembly 92 must be moved to cause disengagement.
- the length of elongated slot 162 controls the effective path length of cable 120 and, as noted above, the length of elongated slot 162 may be greater or less than the exemplary 0.10 inches that results in approximately 5.50 degrees of rotation of platform assembly 18 in the exemplary embodiment.
- the amount of rotation of platform assembly 18 about first platform pivot axis 40 required to release pawl assembly 92 from gear 90 may be greater than about 5.50 degrees or less than about 5.50 degrees. In one embodiment, the rotation of platform assembly 18 is in the range of 2 to 8 degrees of rotation about first platform pivot axis 40 .
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Abstract
An articulated support assembly for a computer keyboard. The assembly includes a platform for supporting a computer keyboard. A parallelogram linkage pivotally interconnects the platform assembly to an attachment member secured to a support surface. A releasable retaining means prevents movement of the platform toward a lowered position relative to the support surface. Pivotal movement of the platform alters the distance between pivot axes of the parallelogram linkage to disengage the retaining means and allow movement of the platform toward either a lowered or a raised position relative to the support surface.
Description
- The present invention relates to articulated support assembly adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard along one edge of a horizontal support member, and particularly to such support assembles that are attached to a bottom surface of the support member.
- The art is replete with articulated support assemblies adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard along one edge of a horizontal support member. The various prior art assemblies typically include locking mechanisms to maintain the support assemblies at a desired height. The locking mechanisms include “levered” locking mechanisms in which a lever or handle must be operated to release and re-secure the support assembly, and “leverless” locking mechanisms in which, typically, the keyboard platform itself is manipulated to release and re-secure the support assembly. Existing support assemblies and their associated locking mechanisms often fail to provide the desired combination of stability, adjustability and ease of use desired by the user.
- One aspect of the invention described herein provides an articulated support assembly adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard from a horizontal support surface. In one embodiment according to the invention, the support assembly comprises: an attachment member adapted to be attached to the horizontal support surface; a platform assembly having an upper surface adapted to have a computer keyboard supported thereon, the upper surface having a predetermined orientation with respect to the horizontal support surface; a vertically swingable parallelogram linkage having elongated first and second links each having a first end and a second end, the first ends of the elongated first and second links pivotally interconnected to the platform assembly, and the second ends of the elongated first and second links pivotally interconnected to the attachment member, such that the first and second ends of the first and second links each have a pivot axis, and such that the linkage allows vertical displacement of the platform assembly relative to the support surface while maintaining the predetermined orientation of the upper surface; a releasable retaining means coupling the first link to the attachment member, the releasable retaining means moveable between an engaged position for preventing vertical movement of the platform assembly toward a lowered position relative to the horizontal support surface, and a disengaged position for allowing vertical movement of the platform assembly toward either a lowered or a raised position relative to the horizontal support surface; and means for altering the distance between the pivot axes of the second link, wherein altering the distance between the pivot axes of the second link moves the releasable retaining means between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
- In another embodiment according to the invention, the support assembly comprises: an attachment member adapted to be attached to the horizontal support surface; a platform assembly having an upper surface adapted to have a computer keyboard supported thereon; a first support arm adapted for mounting the platform assembly on the attachment member, a first end of the first support arm pivotally mounted to the platform assembly for pivotal movement of the platform assembly about a first platform pivot axis, a second end of the first support arm pivotally mounted to the attachment member for pivotal movement about a first attachment member pivot axis; a second support arm adapted for mounting the platform assembly on the attachment member, a first end of the second support arm pivotally mounted to the platform assembly for pivotal movement of the platform assembly about a second platform pivot axis, a second end of the second support arm pivotally mounted to the attachment member for pivotal movement about a second attachment member pivot axis; wherein the first platform pivot axis, second platform pivot axis, first attachment member pivot axis and second attachment member pivot axis are parallel to each other, and wherein the first and second platform pivot axes, the first and second attachment member pivot axes, and the first and second support arms are positioned to define a parallelogram linkage; and first releasable retaining means between the first support arm and the attachment member, the first releasable retaining means moveable between an engaged position for preventing rotating movement of the first support arm toward a lowered position relative to the attachment member, and a disengaged position for affording rotating movement of the first support arm toward either a lowered or a raised position relative to the attachment member; wherein the first releasable retaining means is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis.
- The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of an articulated support assembly according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2A is a side elevational illustration of the articulated support assembly ofFIG. 1 , shown supporting a keyboard and attached to a horizontal support member and illustrating a range of positions in which the support assembly can be placed; -
FIG. 2B is a side elevational illustration of the articulated support assembly ofFIG. 1 , shown supporting a keyboard and attached to a horizontal support member and illustrating a storage position in which the support assembly can be placed; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a top side of the articulated support assembly ofFIG. 1 with a keyboard platform and mounting track removed, and with a cover removed from a support arm to show the releasable retaining means; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a bottom side of the articulated support assembly ofFIG. 1 with a keyboard platform and mounting track removed; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional illustration taken approximately along line 5-5 ofFIG. 3 and illustrating a pawl assembly in an engaged position; -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional illustration taken approximately along line 5-5 ofFIG. 3 and illustrating a pawl assembly in a disengaged position; -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are exploded and assembled illustrations, respectively, of the tilt support arm of the articulated support assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of a top side of the articulated support assembly ofFIG. 1 with components removed to show the path and connections of the cable actuator for the releasable retaining means; -
FIGS. 9A and 9B are side elevational illustrations of the articulated support assembly ofFIG. 1 , illustrating pivotal movement of the platform assembly to move the releasable retaining means to a disengaged position. - In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
- Referring now to
FIGS. 1-9B , there is shown a articulatedsupport assembly 10 according to the present invention that is adapted for adjustably supporting acomputer keyboard 11 along oneedge 13 of a horizontal support member 12 (e.g., a desk or table top) that has a bottom mounting surface 14 (seeFIGS. 2A and 2B ). - Generally, the articulated
support assembly 10 comprises anattachment member 16 adapted to be attached to thebottom mounting surface 14 of thehorizontal support member 12 in spaced relationship adjacent itsedge 13. Also included is aplatform assembly 18 having a generally planarupper surface 20 adapted to havecomputer keyboard 11 supported thereon. A verticallyswingable parallelogram linkage 30 attaches theplatform assembly 18 to theattachment member 16, and allows vertical displacement of theplatform assembly 18 relative to thebottom mounting surface 14 of thehorizontal support member 12 while maintaining a predetermined orientation of the platform assemblyupper surface 20 with respect to thehorizontal support member 12. - In one
embodiment attachment member 16 is coupled to aswivel assembly 32, which is in turn coupled to atrack slide bracket 34. Swivelassembly 32 affords pivotal movement about the axis of bolt 36 (seen inFIG. 3 ), whiletrack slide bracket 34 affords linear movement ofsupport assembly 10 along a length of thebracket 34. - The
parallelogram linkage 30 ofsupport assembly 10 is best illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B . As is understood by those skilled in the art, a parallelogram linkage includes two pairs of parallel sides, pivotally connected at the four corners (i.e., pivot axes) of the parallelogram linkage. As the angles between adjacent sides of the parallelogram change, opposing sides of the parallelogram always remain parallel to one another. In the present invention,linkage 30 includes four parallel pivot axes defining the corners of the linkage 30: first and secondplatform pivot axes member pivot axes platform pivot axes platform assembly 18. First and second attachmentmember pivot axes attachment member 16. An upper link orsupport arm 48 extends between firstplatform pivot axis 40 and first attachmentmember pivot axis 44, while a lower link orsupport arm 50 extends between secondplatform pivot axis 42 and second attachmentmember pivot axis 46. - As best seen in
FIG. 2A , asplatform assembly 18 is moved between a lowered position and a raised position, theupper surface 20 of theplatform assembly 18 maintains a constant predetermined orientation (i.e., tilt angle) with respect to thebottom mounting surface 14 ofsupport member 12. InFIGS. 2A and 2B , theupper surface 20 ofplatform assembly 18 is shown substantially parallel to thesupport surface 12. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
linkage 30 uses twoupper support arms FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). Theupper support arms platform pivot axis 40 and first attachmentmember pivot axis 44, and effectively act as a singleupper support arm 48 in thelinkage 30. However, the spacing ofupper support arms platform assembly 18 provides improved stability against torsional movement ofplatform assembly 18 when being used. - Typically,
horizontal support member 12 is a desk or similar work surface, and thebottom mounting surface 14 has a height in the range of approximately 28 to 30 inches above a floor. In one embodiment,upper support arms 48 andlower support arm 50 have lengths sufficient to positionupper surface 20 ofplatform assembly 18 approximately 10 inches or more abovemounting surface 14, such that the articulatedsupport assembly 10 may be used by an individual in a standing position. - In one embodiment, the
platform assembly 18 includes anupper platform 52 providing planarupper surface 20, and a lowerplatform mounting plate 54 configured for mounting theplatform 52 to theparallelogram linkage 30. In this manner, different platforms 52 (having different sizes, shapes, mouse pads, etc.) may be used with thesupport assembly 10 and commonly mounted using theplatform mounting plate 54. In other embodiments, theupper platform 52 andplatform mounting plate 54 may be formed as a single component, or as a combination of more than two components. - By means of an upper support
arm mounting bracket 60,platform mounting plate 54 is mounted to a generally U-shapedrigid support member 62.Support member 62 includes an elongatecentral portion 64 and generallyparallel end portions 66 projecting in the same direction from the opposite ends of thecentral portion 64. The elongatecentral portion 64 is aligned with firstplatform pivot axis 40. Upper supportarm mounting bracket 60 securesplatform mounting plate 54 on thecentral portion 64 ofsupport member 62 for pivotal movement of theplatform assembly 18 about the firstplatform pivot axis 40, with theupper surface 20 of theplatform assembly 18 parallel to the firstplatform pivot axis 40. -
First ends 70 ofupper support arms end portions 66 of thesupport member 62, whilesecond ends 72 ofupper support arms attachment member 16 for pivotal movement about first attachmentmember pivot axis 44. Releasable retaining means or ratchet means 80 are provided between theupper support arms attachment member 16. The releasable retaining means or ratchet means 80 are moveable between an engaged position (FIG. 5 ) that prevents revolving movement of theupper support arms attachment member 16, and a disengaged position (FIG. 6 ) that affords revolving movement of theupper support arms attachment member 16. - In one embodiment, the
upper support arms pairs 74 of mating polymeric moldings. First end 70 of eachpair 74 of mating polymeric moldings encloses an end of thecentral portion 64 and one of theend portions 66 of thesupport member 62. Theend portions 66 are attached to supportarms bolts 82.Second end 72 of eachpair 74 of mating polymeric moldings contains ratchet means 80. Engagement of the second ends 72 with theattachment member 16 is maintained by a bolt andwasher assembly 82 that extends through openings in theattachment member 16 and in thesecond end 72. - The releasable retaining means or ratchet means 80 is best seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6 . Ratchet means 80 are described with respect to only one of theupper support arms upper support arms pivot gear 90 fixed to theattachment member 16 by bolt andwasher assembly 82.Pivot gear 90 is prevented from rotating with respect toattachment member 16 by bolt andwasher assemblies pivot gear 90 is coaxial with the first attachmentmember pivot axis 44. Apawl assembly 92 is pivotally mounted on the inner one of eachpair 74 of mating polymeric moldingsadjacent pivot gear 90. Thepawl assembly 92 comprises apivot portion 94 having an arcuate first end mounted in a concave recess in aboss 96 on thatmolding 74 for pivotal movement about apivot portion axis 96 a parallel with the first attachmentmember pivot axis 44, and a second end having anarcuate surface 98 that is cylindrically concave about an axis parallel to the first attachmentmember pivot axis 44 and faces the teeth on thegear 90. Thepawl assembly 92 also includes a rockingportion 100 having a cylindricallyconvex surface 102 on a first side adapted to nest in thearcuate surface 98 of thepivot portion 94 and a plurality ofteeth 104 projecting along a second side adapted to engage the teeth of thegear 90. The pivot and rockingportions arcuate surface 98 below a straight line between the first attachmentmember pivot axis 44 and thepivot portion axis 96 a defined by theboss 96, toward which straight line the pivot and rockingportions spring 106 between themolding 74 and thepivot portion 94. This causes thepivot portion 94 to press theconcave surface 98 against theconvex surface 102 of the rockingportion 100 and theteeth 104 on the rockingportion 100 into engagement with the teeth on thegear 90 to prevent revolving movement of theupper support arm 48 andplatform assembly 18 toward a lowered position relative to theattachment member 16. Upward revolving movement of theupper support arm 48 andplatform assembly 18 relative to theattachment member 16, however, will pivot thepivot portion 94 against the bias of thespring 106 and move thearcuate surface 98 away from thegear 90 to afford separation of theteeth 104 on the rockingportion 100 from thegear 90 to afford revolving movement of theupper support arm 48 andplatform assembly 18 toward a raised position relative to theattachment member 16. Upon reaching that raised position, thespring 106 will again cause thepivot portion 94 to press theconcave surface 98 against theconvex surface 102 of the rockingportion 100 and theteeth 104 on the rockingportion 100 into engagement with the teeth on thegear 90 to prevent revolving movement of theupper support arm 48 andplatform assembly 18 toward a lowered position relative to theattachment member 16. - Rocking
portion 100 has a guide surface defining a throughslot 110 generally at the axis of the cylindricallyconvex surface 102, and a side surface defining arecess 112 along the side of the rockingportion 100 opposite the straight line between the first attachmentmember pivot axis 44 and thepivot portion axis 96 a. Thepivot portion 94 includes apin 114 that projects through theslot 110 and is adapted to engage the guide surface to carry the rockingportion 100 on thepivot portion 94.Pin 114 further provides a pivot axis for the rockingportion 100, such that when upward movement of theupper support arm 48 relative to theattachment member 16 is initiated,teeth 104 positioned opposite therecess 112 initially remain engaged with teeth on thegear 90, while theteeth 104 that are adjacent therecess 112 pivot out of engagement with thegear 90 around the still engagedteeth 104 opposite therecess 112. Themolding 74 has a lug or pin 116 adapted to be engaged by the surface defining therecess 112 when theteeth 104 adjacent therecess 112 pivot out of engagement with thegear 90, and thereby restricting further pivoting of theteeth 104 adjacent therecess 112 away from thegear 90 and causing opposite pivot motion of the rockingportion 100 about thepins teeth 104 opposite therecess 112 to separate from thegear 90 during further upward movement of theupper support arm 48 relative to theattachment member 16. - Alternatively, the ratchet means 80 can be moved to the disengaged position by manually pivoting the entirety of
pawl assembly 92 to move thepawl assembly 92 out of engagement withgear 90. In particular, acable 120 in a casing orcable housing 120 a (e.g., casings of molybdenum disulfite filled nylon material) is coupled to thepivot portion 94 of thepawl assembly 92. Movement of thecable 120 in the direction ofarrow 122 causes thepivot portion 94 to pivot about itsaxis 96 a to move thearcuate surface 98 away from thegear 90 and cause engagement of thepins slot 110 and therecess 112, thereby retracting theteeth 104 on the rockingportion 100 to a position spaced from the teeth on the gear 90 (FIG. 6 ). In one embodiment, approximately 0.050 inches of cable travel in direction ofarrow 122 is required to disengage thepawl assembly 92 fromgear 90. Actuation ofcable 120 is described in greater detail below. - In other embodiments, a slip clutch means is disposed between the
gear 90 and theattachment member 16 for affording movement of theupper support arms platform assembly 18 toward a lowered position relative to theattachment member 16 in response to application of a downward force on theplatform assembly 18 above a predetermined minimum force. A suitable slip clutch means is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,487, incorporated by reference herein. - Referring to
FIGS. 3, 4 , 7A and 7B,lower support arm 50 is secured toplatform assembly 18, with tilt adjustment means 130 positioned between theplatform assembly 18 and thelower support arm 50. The tilt adjustment means 130 are moveable between a retaining position for limiting pivotal movement of theplatform assembly 18 about the first platform pivot axis 40 (defined by thecentral portion 64 of support member 62), and a release position affording relatively free pivotal movement of theplatform assembly 18 about the firstplatform pivot axis 40. - Referring to
FIGS. 7A and 7B , in one embodiment,lower support arm 50 is secured toplatform mounting plate 54 by lower supportarm mounting brackets 132, which are secured to theplatform mounting plate 54 by any suitable means including bolts, screws and the like. Lower supportarm mounting brackets 132 each include acurved slot 134 for adjusting the position of attachment oflower support arm 50, and thereby adjusting the tilt angle ofplatform assembly 18. In one embodiment,curved slots 134 are configured to provide in the range of ±15 degrees of tilt adjustment ofplatform assembly 18. Lower supportarm mounting brackets 132 are illustrated as separate components from upper supportarm mounting bracket 60, but may alternately be formed as a single unit with upper supportarm mounting bracket 60. -
Lower support arm 50 includes abore 136 at itsfirst end 137, thebore 136 defining the secondplatform pivot axis 42 when attached toplatform assembly 18 via lower supportarm mounting brackets 132. For attachment oflower support arm 50 to lower supportarm mounting brackets 132,tilt bushings flange portion 140, aboss portion 142, and an axial through-bore 144 are inserted intobore 136 oflower support arm 50.Boss portions 142 are sized to provide clearance for free rotation of thebushings bore 136 oflower support arm 50, and the total length ofboss portions 142 exceeds a length of thebore 136. A tiltangle adjustment bolt 150 is inserted throughcurved slots 134 of the lower supportarm mounting brackets 132 and axial through-bores 144 oftilt bushings clamp handle 152. When clamp handle 152 is tightened to compresstilt bushings arm mounting brackets 132,lower support arm 50 remains free to pivot aroundtilt bushings tilt bushings curved slots 134 in lower supportarm mounting brackets 132. In this manner, the tilt angle of theplatform assembly 18 may be adjusted by moving the clamp handle 152 to a release position, rotating theplatform assembly 18 about firstplatform pivot axis 40 to a desired tilt angle, and then moving the clamp handle 152 to a retaining position to secureplatform assembly 18 at the desired tilt angle. - A
second end 154 oflower support arm 50 is adapted for connection toattachment member 16 for pivotal movement about second attachmentmember pivot axis 46. Second attachmentmember pivot axis 46 is defined bysupport shaft 160. In one embodiment, a torsion spring 163 (FIGS. 1 and 3 ) is positioned oversupport shaft 160, and is configured to upwardly bias thelower support arm 50 and thereby assist a user in lifting theplatform assembly 18.Second end 154 oflower support arm 50 includes anelongated slot 162 having a width approximately equal to the diameter ofsupport shaft 160 and a length slightly greater than the diameter ofsupport shaft 160. In one embodiment,support shaft 160 has a diameter of approximately 0.50 inches, and the length ofelongated slot 162 is approximately 0.60 inches to allow for approximately 0.10 inches of longitudinal movement oflower support arm 50 relative to the second attachmentmember pivot axis 46 defined bysupport shaft 160. In other embodiments, the length ofelongated slot 162 may provide for more than approximately 0.10 inches of longitudinal movement oflower support arm 50 relative to the second attachmentmember pivot axis 46. In still other embodiments, the length ofelongated slot 162 may provide for less than approximately 0.10 inches of longitudinal movement oflower support arm 50 relative to the second attachmentmember pivot axis 46. As described below, longitudinal movement oflower support arm 50 relative to the second attachmentmember pivot axis 46 is used to actuatecable 120 and movepawl assembly 92 out of engagement with gear 90 (FIGS. 5 and 6 ). - Referring now to FIGS. 7A-B, 8 and 9A-B, routing and operation of the
cable 120 andcable housing 120 a is described.Cable 120 is longer thancable housing 120 a, such that ends ofcable 120 extend beyond ends ofcable housing 120 a. As described above with respect toFIGS. 5 and 6 , afirst end 170 ofcable 120 is attached topawl assembly 92. The adjacent end ofcable housing 120 a is immovably secured to theupper support arm 48 by any suitable means, such as the illustrated screw andwasher assembly 172. Asecond end 174 ofcable 120 is attached to acable anchor 176 by any suitable means, such as the illustratedscrew 178. Aspring 180 is connected betweenscrew 178 andsecond cable end 174 to provide over-travel protection, thereby reducing stress oncable 120 caused by the limited range of movement of pawl assembly 92 (e.g., in the range of 0.050 inches). The end ofcable housing 120 a adjacentsecond cable end 174 is immovably secured to thelower support arm 50 by any suitable means, such as by the illustratedcable clamp 182. The effective length ofcable 120 is adjusted by pulling back oncable housing 120 a (relative tosecond end 174 of cable 120) to remove any slack incable 120 betweencable clamp 182 and screw 178 before tighteningcable clamp 182. -
Cable anchor 176 is positioned oversupport shaft 160, and is dimensioned to freely rotate oversupport shaft 160. In addition,cable anchor 176 is dimensioned to slidably fit betweenflanges 184 oflower support arm 50, such thatlower support arm 50 can slide oversupport shaft 160 in the longitudinal direction of theelongated slot 162, while thecable anchor 176 remains fixed relative to supportshaft 160. Spring 186 (seen in the exploded view ofFIG. 7A ) is attached tocable anchor 176 andlower support arm 50 by any suitable means, such asscrews spring 186 biases first end 162 a ofelongated slot 162 inlower support arm 50 againstsupport shaft 160 when a user is not raisingplatform assembly 18 in the manner described below.Spacers 190 fit oversupport shaft 160 to retain cable anchors 176 insideflanges 184 oflower support arm 50. - Referring to
FIGS. 9A and 9B , theplatform assembly 18 is shown in the “use” position (FIG. 9A ) and the “adjustment” position (FIG. 9B ). Theupper support arms lower support arm 50 limits the rotation ofplatform assembly 18 about firstplatform pivot axis 40. The weight of theplatform assembly 18 and thespring 186 on thelower support arm 50 biases the slot end (162 a) against thesupport shaft 160. As theplatform assembly 18 is raised or lowered, the tilt angle ofsurface 20 remains constant because of theparallelogram linkage 30 formed byupper support arms lower support arm 50. That is, the distance between first and second platform pivot axes 40, 42 is equal to distance between first and second attachment member pivot axes 44, 46, and the distance between firstplatform pivot axis 40 and first attachmentmember pivot axis 44 is equal to the distance between secondplatform pivot axis 42 and second attachmentmember pivot axis 46. - When tilt adjustment means 130 is in the retaining position and
platform assembly 18 is rotated by the user about firstplatform pivot axis 40 approximately 5.50 degrees (FIG. 9B ), the lower support arm 50 (which is pivotally connected to second platform pivot axis 42) will move approximately 0.100 inch in the direction ofarrow 192 before it reachesslot end 162 b, thereby lengthening the distance between secondplatform pivot axis 42 and second attachmentmember pivot axis 46. The lengthening of the distance between secondplatform pivot axis 42 and second attachmentmember pivot axis 46 simultaneously increases the effective length of the path ofcable 120 because the end ofcable housing 120 a closest to supportshaft 160 is fixed tolower support arm 50 and is thus also moved further fromsupport shaft 160. The lengthening of the path ofcable 120 pulls cable spring 180 a corresponding 0.100 inch. Further upward movement ofplatform assembly 18 will causecable 120 to pull onpawl assembly 92 to relieve pressure betweenpawl assembly 92 andgear 90 and rotate thepawl assembly 92 out of engagement withgear 90, thereby allowing theplatform assembly 18 to be lowered or raised to a desired height. When theplatform assembly 18 is released by the user, the force of gravity and the force ofspring 186 causesplatform assembly 18 to rotate back to the use position (FIG. 9A ), thereby shortening the path length ofcable 120 and allowingpawl assembly 92 to move to an engaged position withgear 90. - The amount of rotation of
platform assembly 18 is dependent upon the necessary change in the effective path length ofcable 120 required to disengage thepawl assembly 92 fromgear 90. The necessary change in the effective path length ofcable 120 is dependent upon the particular geometry of thepawl assembly 92 andgear 90, and thedistance pawl assembly 92 must be moved to cause disengagement. The length ofelongated slot 162 controls the effective path length ofcable 120 and, as noted above, the length ofelongated slot 162 may be greater or less than the exemplary 0.10 inches that results in approximately 5.50 degrees of rotation ofplatform assembly 18 in the exemplary embodiment. Thus, in other embodiments, the amount of rotation ofplatform assembly 18 about firstplatform pivot axis 40 required to releasepawl assembly 92 fromgear 90 may be greater than about 5.50 degrees or less than about 5.50 degrees. In one embodiment, the rotation ofplatform assembly 18 is in the range of 2 to 8 degrees of rotation about firstplatform pivot axis 40. - Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims (19)
1. An articulated support assembly adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard from a horizontal support surface, the support assembly comprising:
an attachment member adapted to be attached to the horizontal support surface;
a platform assembly having an upper surface adapted to have a computer keyboard supported thereon, the upper surface having a predetermined orientation with respect to the horizontal support surface;
a vertically swingable parallelogram linkage having elongated first and second links each having a first end and a second end, the first ends of the elongated first and second links pivotally interconnected to the platform assembly, and the second ends of the elongated first and second links pivotally interconnected to the attachment member, such that the first and second ends of the first and second links each have a pivot axis, and such that the linkage allows vertical displacement of the platform assembly relative to the support surface while maintaining the predetermined orientation of the upper surface;
a releasable retaining means coupling the first link to the attachment member, the releasable retaining means moveable between an engaged position for preventing vertical movement of the platform assembly toward a lowered position relative to the horizontal support surface, and a disengaged position for allowing vertical movement of the platform assembly toward either a lowered or a raised position relative to the horizontal support surface; and
means for altering the distance between the pivot axes of the second link, wherein altering the distance between the pivot axes of the second link moves the releasable retaining means between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
2. The articulated support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the means for altering the distance between the pivot axes of the second link comprises an elongated through-slot at one of the first and second ends of the second link, the elongated slot configured to receive a shaft defining one of the pivot axes of the second link, the shaft movable between a first end of the slot having defining a first inter-axis distance and a second end of the slot defining a second inter-axis distance.
3. The articulated support assembly of claim 2 , wherein the shaft is movable between the first end of the slot and the second end of the slot by pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the pivot axis at the first end of the first link.
4. The articulated support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the releasable retaining means comprises:
a height adjustment gear having radially outwardly projecting gear teeth, the gear attached to the attachment member and coaxial with the pivot axis of the second end of the first link;
a pawl assembly attached to the first link and configured to engage the gear teeth;
a biasing member urging the pawl assembly toward the gear teeth; and
a cable attached to the pawl assembly and configured to pull the pawl assembly away from the gear teeth, the cable extending from the pawl assembly along a cable path to the second link, the cable path alterable between a normal cable path allowing engagement of the pawl assembly with the gear teeth, and a lengthened cable path causing the cable to pull the pawl assembly away from the gear teeth;
wherein altering the distance between the pivot axes of the second link alters the length of the cable path between the normal cable path and the lengthened cable path.
5. An articulated support assembly adapted for adjustably supporting a computer keyboard from a horizontal support surface, the support assembly comprising:
an attachment member adapted to be attached to the horizontal support surface;
a platform assembly having an upper surface adapted to have a computer keyboard supported thereon;
a first support arm adapted for mounting the platform assembly on the attachment member, a first end of the first support arm pivotally mounted to the platform assembly for pivotal movement of the platform assembly about a first platform pivot axis, a second end of the first support arm pivotally mounted to the attachment member for pivotal movement about a first attachment member pivot axis;
a second support arm adapted for mounting the platform assembly on the attachment member, a first end of the second support arm pivotally mounted to the platform assembly for pivotal movement of the platform assembly about a second platform pivot axis, a second end of the second support arm pivotally mounted to the attachment member for pivotal movement about a second attachment member pivot axis;
wherein the first platform pivot axis, second platform pivot axis, first attachment member pivot axis and second attachment member pivot axis are parallel to each other, and wherein the first and second platform pivot axes, the first and second attachment member pivot axes, and the first and second support arms are positioned to define a parallelogram linkage; and
first releasable retaining means between the first support arm and the attachment member, the first releasable retaining means moveable between an engaged position for preventing rotating movement of the first support arm toward a lowered position relative to the attachment member, and a disengaged position for affording rotating movement of the first support arm toward either a lowered or a raised position relative to the attachment member;
wherein the first releasable retaining means is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis.
6. The articulated support assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first releasable retaining means comprises:
a height adjustment gear having an axis and radially outwardly projecting gear teeth, the gear attached to the attachment member and coaxial with the first attachment member pivot axis; and
a pawl assembly attached to the first support arm and configured to engage the gear teeth;
wherein the first releasable retaining means is moved to the engaged position by moving the pawl assembly toward the gear and causing engagement of the pawl assembly with the gear teeth, and wherein the wherein the first releasable retaining means is moved to the disengaged position by moving the pawl assembly away from the gear and causing disengagement of the pawl assembly from the gear teeth.
7. The articulated support assembly of claim 6 , further comprising:
a biasing member urging the pawl assembly toward the gear; and
a cable attached to the pawl assembly and configured to pull the pawl assembly away from the gear, the cable extending from the pawl assembly along a cable path to a cable anchor in fixed relationship to the attachment member, the cable path alterable between a normal cable path allowing engagement of the pawl assembly with the gear, and a lengthened cable path causing the cable to pull the pawl assembly away from the gear;
wherein pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis alters the length of the cable path between the normal cable path and the lengthened cable path.
8. The articulated support assembly of claim 7 , wherein pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis alters the distance between the second platform pivot axis and the second attachment member pivot axis.
9. The articulated support assembly of claim 7 , wherein the cable path is altered between the normal cable path and the lengthened cable path by pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis in the range of 2 to 8 degrees of rotation.
10. The articulated support assembly of claim 5 , further comprising:
a third support arm adapted for mounting the platform assembly on the attachment member, a first end of the third support arm pivotally mounted to the platform assembly for pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis, a second end of the third support arm pivotally mounted to the attachment member for pivotal movement about the first attachment member pivot axis; and
second releasable retaining means between the third support arm and the attachment member, the second releasable retaining means moveable between an engaged position for preventing rotating movement of the third support arm toward a lowered position relative to the attachment member, and a disengaged position for affording rotating movement of the first support arm toward either a lowered or a raised position relative to the attachment member;
wherein the second releasable retaining means is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis.
11. The articulated support assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second support arm is positioned between the first and third support arms.
12. The articulated support assembly of claim 5 , further comprising tilt adjustment means joining the second support arm to the platform assembly, the tilt adjustment means movable between a retaining position for limiting pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis and positioning the upper surface of the platform assembly at a predetermined orientation relative to the attachment member, and a release position affording relatively free pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis.
13. The articulated support assembly of claim 12 , wherein when the tilt adjustment means is in the retaining position, the limited pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis is sufficient to move the first releasable retaining means from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
14. The articulated support assembly of claim 13 , wherein pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis alters the distance between the second platform pivot axis and the second attachment member pivot axis when the tilt adjustment means is in the retaining position.
15. The articulated support assembly of claim 13 , wherein when the tilt adjustment means is in the retaining position, the pivotal movement of the platform assembly about the first platform pivot axis is in the range of 2 to 8 degrees of rotation.
16. The articulated support assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said first releasable retaining means comprises:
a height adjustment gear having an axis and radially outwardly projecting gear teeth, the gear attached to the attachment member and coaxial with the first attachment member pivot axis; and
a pawl assembly including a pivot portion and a rocking portion, the pivot portion having a first end mounted on the first support arm for pivotal movement about a pivot portion axis parallel with the first attachment member pivot axis, and a second end having an arcuate surface that is cylindrically concave about an axis parallel to the first attachment member pivot axis and faces the teeth on the gear, the rocking portion having first and second sides, a cylindrically convex surface on the first side adapted to nest in the cylindrically concave surface of the pivot portion and a plurality of teeth projecting along said second side adapted to engage between the teeth of the gear;
wherein the pivot portion and the rocking portion of the pawl assembly are oriented with the axis of the pivot portion arcuate surface below a straight line between the first attachment member pivot axis and the pivot portion axis to cause the concave surface of the pivot portion to press against the convex surface of the rocking portion and thereby engage the teeth on the rocking portion with the teeth on the gear to prevent revolving movement of the first support arm toward a lowered position relative to the attachment member, while upward movement of the first support arm relative to the attachment member causes the pivot portion to pivot and move the arcuate surface away from the gear to afford separation of the teeth on the rocking portion from the gear and afford revolving movement of the first support arm toward a raised position relative to the attachment member.
17. The articulated support assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the rocking portion has a guide surface defining a through-slot generally at the axis of the cylindrically convex surface and a side surface defining a recess along the side of the rocking portion opposite the straight line between the first attachment member pivot axis and the pivot portion axis, wherein the pivot portion includes a pin projecting through the rocking portion slot and adapted to engage the guide surface to carry the rocking portion on the pivot portion and provide a pivot axis for the rocking portion to pivot the teeth adjacent the rocking portion recess out of engagement with the teeth on the gear.
18. The articulated support assembly according to claim 17 , wherein teeth on the rocking portion opposite the recess engaged with teeth on the gear when upward movement of the first support arm relative to the attachment member is initiated, and the first support arm has a pin adapted to be engaged by the surface defining the rocking portion recess when the teeth adjacent the recess pivot out of engagement with the gear to restrict further pivoting of the teeth adjacent the recess away from the gear and cause opposite pivot motion of the rocking portion about the pins to cause the teeth opposite the recess to separate from the gear during further upward movement of the first support arm relative to the attachment member.
19. The articulated support assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the first releasable retaining means is moved to the disengaged position by pivoting the pivot portion to move the arcuate surface away from the gear and cause retraction of the teeth on the rocking portion to a position spaced from the teeth on the gear.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/324,080 US20070152122A1 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2005-12-30 | Keyboard support assembly |
PCT/US2006/048945 WO2007079012A1 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-12-22 | Keyboard support assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/324,080 US20070152122A1 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2005-12-30 | Keyboard support assembly |
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US20070152122A1 true US20070152122A1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
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US11/324,080 Abandoned US20070152122A1 (en) | 2005-12-30 | 2005-12-30 | Keyboard support assembly |
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN105094352A (en) * | 2015-09-14 | 2015-11-25 | 广西职业技术学院 | Dustproof keyboard with retractable platform |
US9320352B2 (en) | 2014-01-17 | 2016-04-26 | Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company | Articulating support arm |
US10820692B2 (en) * | 2018-12-13 | 2020-11-03 | Aidata Corp. Ltd. | Angle adjustment mechanism of storage drawer of desk for keyboard |
USD913019S1 (en) | 2019-03-07 | 2021-03-16 | Key Ovation, Llc | Desk |
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KR960006915Y1 (en) * | 1994-04-13 | 1996-08-12 | 황선규 | Supporter for keyboard |
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- 2005-12-30 US US11/324,080 patent/US20070152122A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9320352B2 (en) | 2014-01-17 | 2016-04-26 | Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company | Articulating support arm |
CN105094352A (en) * | 2015-09-14 | 2015-11-25 | 广西职业技术学院 | Dustproof keyboard with retractable platform |
US10820692B2 (en) * | 2018-12-13 | 2020-11-03 | Aidata Corp. Ltd. | Angle adjustment mechanism of storage drawer of desk for keyboard |
USD913019S1 (en) | 2019-03-07 | 2021-03-16 | Key Ovation, Llc | Desk |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2007079012A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, MINNESOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KIRCHHOFF, KENNETH J.;REEL/FRAME:017554/0506 Effective date: 20051230 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |