Display positioning apparatus and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10667602-B2
Application number	US-201816198533-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 21, 2018
Priority date	Jul 30, 2010
Publication date	Jun 2, 2020
Grant date	Jun 2, 2020

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning an electronic display is described. 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 first and second electronic displays and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface;
a support column extending upward from the base;
a mounting portion having an upwardly extending portion;
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 an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position;
a crossbar assembly configured to directly couple to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion, the crossbar assembly including first and second display mounts configured to support the first and second electronic displays.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the crossbar assembly includes a stationary portion and a movable portion hingedly coupled to the stationary portion,
wherein the first display mount is configured to be coupled to the stationary portion of the crossbar assembly and the second display mount is configured to be coupled to the movable portion of the crossbar assembly, and
wherein the movable portion is configured to be moved with respect to the stationary portion and the stationary portion is configured to be stationary with respect to the mounting portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the crossbar assembly is configured to position the movable portion on a right side of the support column.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the crossbar assembly is configured to position the movable portion on a left side of the support column.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the crossbar assembly includes a pin to hingedly couple the movable portion to the stationary portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the movable portion has an end and the movable portion is configured to rotate at the end about an axis located at the pin.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to attach to an edge of the work surface.

11. An apparatus for positioning first and second electronic displays and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:
a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface;
a support column extending upward from the base;
a mounting portion having an upwardly extending portion;
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 an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position;
a crossbar assembly including a stationary portion and a movable portion hingedly coupled to the stationary portion, the crossbar assembly configured to directly couple to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion, the crossbar assembly including first and second display mounts configured to support the first and second electronic displays, wherein each of the first and second display mounts is configured to be coupled to the crossbar.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the crossbar assembly includes a pin to hingedly couple the movable portion to the stationary portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the movable portion has an end and the movable portion is configured to rotate at the end about an axis located at the pin.

14. The apparatus claim 11 , wherein the base is configured to attach to an edge of the work surface.

15. An apparatus for positioning first and second electronic displays and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:
a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface, the based configured to attached to an edge of the work surface;
a support column extending upward from the base;
a mounting portion having an upwardly extending portion;
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 an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the lift mechanism configured to bias the mounting portion in a raised position;
a crossbar assembly including a stationary portion and a movable portion hingedly coupled to the stationary portion, the crossbar assembly configured to directly couple to the upwardly extending portion of the mounting portion, the crossbar assembly including first and second display mounts configured to support the first and second electronic displays.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the crossbar assembly includes a pin to hingedly couple the movable portion to the stationary portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the movable portion has an end and the movable portion is configured to rotate at the end about an axis located at the pin.

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A47B23/04

  supported from table, floor or wall · CPC title

• A47B2009/185

  being positioned between the table top and the legs or underframe · CPC title

• F16M11/28

  Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar · CPC title

• A47B21/0073

  liftable above the desk top · CPC title

• F16M2200/041

  for balancing rotational movement of the head · CPC title