Display positioning apparatus and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10172450-B2
Application number	US-201715720855-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2017
Priority date	Jul 30, 2010
Publication date	Jan 8, 2019
Grant date	Jan 8, 2019

Abstract

Described is an apparatus for positioning an electronic display. The apparatus can be combined with an existing work surface to provide a multi-position workstation. In some cases the apparatus includes a mounting portion configured to support an electronic display and a keyboard. The mounting portion may be movable with respect to the work surface between multiple positions, including for example, a sitting position and a standing position. Methods for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard are also included.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard tray relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:
a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the work surface via a through hole in the work surface;
a support column extending upward from the base;
a mounting portion movably coupled to the support column through an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the keyboard tray coupled to the mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to simultaneously move the electronic display and the keyboard within the range of travel;
a display mount configured to support the electronic display, the display mount configured to couple to the mounting portion; and
a lift mechanism configured to movably couple the mounting portion and the support column so that the mounting portion is translatable with respect to the support column, thereby providing the mounting portion with the ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position; and
a turntable coupled to the base and configured to rotate with respect to the work surface.

2. An apparatus for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard tray relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:
a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the work surface via a through hole in the work surface;
a support column extending upward from the base;
a mounting portion movably coupled to the support column through an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the keyboard tray coupled to the mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to simultaneously move the electronic display and the keyboard within the range of travel;
a display mount configured to support the electronic display, the display mount configured to couple to the mounting portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:
a turntable coupled to the base and configured to rotate with respect to the work surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the turntable is attached to the base.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the turntable forms a part of the base.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:
an attachment plate configured to be positioned against a bottom surface of the work surface and coupled to the base via the through hole.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:
a lift mechanism configured to movably couple the mounting portion and the support column so that the mounting portion is translatable with respect to the support column, thereby providing the mounting portion with the ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the lift mechanism includes at least one of a gas spring and a constant force spring.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the lift mechanism includes a balance mechanism.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the balance mechanism includes a cam.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the support column extending upward from the base extends upward from the base at an angle with respect to the work surface.

12. An apparatus for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard tray relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:
a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface, wherein the base is configured to be attached to the work surface via a through hole in the work surface;
a support column extending upward from the base;
a mounting portion movably coupled to the support column through an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the keyboard tray coupled to the mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is configured to simultaneously move the electronic display and the keyboard within the range of travel;
a display mount configured to support the electronic display, the display mount configured to couple to the mounting portion; and
a lift mechanism configured to movably couple the mounting portion and the support column so that the mounting portion is translatable with respect to the support column, thereby providing the mounting portion with the ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:
a turntable coupled to the base and configured to rotate with respect to the work surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the turntable is attached to the base.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the turntable forms a part of the base.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:
an attachment plate configured to be positioned against a bottom surface of the work surface and coupled to the base via the through hole.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the lift mechanism includes at least one of a gas spring and a constant force spring.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the lift mechanism includes a balance mechanism.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the balance mechanism includes a cam.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the support column extending upward from the base extends upward from the base at an angle with respect to the work surface.

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

• Hazzard Joel
• Fluhrer Robert W
• Segar Peter
• Theis John W
• Ergun Mustafa A
• Trish Scott

Classifications

• A47B2023/049

  Desk stand for laptop computer · CPC title

• F16M2200/047

  for balancing translational movement of the head · CPC title

• F16M2200/041

  for balancing rotational movement of the head · CPC title

• F16M11/28

  Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar · CPC title

• A47B17/033

  with parts added to the original furniture to enlarge its surface · CPC title