Height adjustable platforms and associated mechanisms

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11839294-B2
Application number	US-202318150157-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 4, 2023
Priority date	Mar 2, 2018
Publication date	Dec 12, 2023
Grant date	Dec 12, 2023

Abstract

A mobile workstation can include a head unit assembly. A worksurface can be coupled to the head unit assembly and configured to translate with respect to the head unit assembly between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A glide can be rotatably coupled to the head unit assembly and engaged with the worksurface. The glide can include a latch configured to translate with respect to a glide body of the glide. The mobile workstation can include a worksurface opening mechanism having a locking configuration and an unlocking configuration. The worksurface opening mechanism can include a latch release handle moveably coupled to the head unit assembly. Movement of the latch release handle can transition the worksurface opening mechanism between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration. A release assembly can selectively engage with the first latch. A lift system can bias the worksurface away from the head unit assembly.

First claim

The claimed invention is:

1. A height adjustable platform comprising:
a riser;
a support structure slidingly engaged with the riser;
a work surface coupled to the support structure, the work surface including an underside;
a counterbalance mechanism coupled to the riser and the support structure;
a lock assembly coupled to the riser and the support structure, the lock assembly operable between:
a locked configuration such that in the locked configuration the lock assembly immobilizes the support structure relative to the riser; and
an unlocked configuration such that in the unlocked configuration the lock assembly is released and a height of the support structure relative to the riser is adjustable; and
a handle assembly operably connected to the lock assembly, the handle assembly comprising:
a handle translates relative to the work surface to selectively alternate the lock assembly between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration;
an elongated member coupled to the handle, the elongated member including two or more connecting holes;
a connecting member coupled to one of the two or more connecting holes to adjust a distance between the handle and the connecting member, whereby adjusting the distance between the handle and the connecting member adjusts a distance between the handle and the support structure; and
a cable coupled between the connecting member and the lock assembly.

2. The height adjustable platform of claim 1 , wherein the lock assembly is located at least partially inside of the support structure.

3. The height adjustable platform of claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a bracket coupled to the underside of the work surface and slidably coupled to the handle.

4. The height adjustable platform of claim 3 , wherein the bracket comprises a groove, and wherein the handle comprises a channel configured to receive the groove such that the groove of the bracket and the channel of the handle are engageable to slideably couple the handle to the bracket.

5. The height adjustable platform of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member extends between a first end to a second end, and wherein the handle is connected to the first end of the elongated member.

6. The height adjustable platform of claim 5 , wherein the second end of the elongated member extends into the support structure.

7. The height adjustable platform of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises:
a first guide bracket coupled to the support structure, the first guide bracket defining a first aperture extending at least partially therethrough; and
a second guide bracket coupled to the support structure, the second guide bracket spaced apart from the first guide bracket, the second guide bracket defining a second aperture extending at least partially therethrough, and wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are configured to receive the elongated member at least partially therein to guide translation of the elongated member with respect to the support structure.

8. The height adjustable platform of claim 7 , wherein the connecting member is located between the first guide bracket and the second guide bracket.

9. The height adjustable platform of claim 7 , wherein the lock assembly comprises a biasing member engageable with the second guide bracket and the connecting member.

10. The height adjustable platform of claim 9 , wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the connecting member in a first direction relative to the work surface such that the elongated member and the cable are also biased in the first direction to maintain the lock assembly in the locked configuration.

11. The height adjustable platform of claim 10 , wherein the handle is translatable relative to the work surface in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to translate the elongated member, the connecting member, and the cable in the second direction to move the lock assembly to the unlocked configuration.

12. A height adjustable platform comprising:
a riser;
a support structure slidingly engaged with the riser;
a work surface connected to the support structure, the work surface including an underside;
a counterbalance mechanism coupled to the riser and the support structure;
a lock assembly coupled to the riser and the support structure, the lock assembly operable between:
a locked configuration where in the locked configuration the lock assembly immobilizes the support structure relative to the riser; and
an unlocked configuration where in the unlocked configuration the lock assembly is released and the support structure is movable relative to the riser; and
a handle assembly operably connected to the lock assembly, the handle assembly comprising:
a handle translates relative to the work surface to selectively alternate the lock assembly between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration;
an elongated member coupled to the handle, the elongated member including two or more connecting holes;
a connecting member coupled to one of the two or more connecting holes to adjust a distance between the handle and the connecting member, whereby adjusting the distance between the handle and the connecting member adjusts a distance between the handle and the support structure; and
a cable coupled between the connecting member and the lock assembly.

13. The height adjustable platform of claim 12 , wherein the lock assembly is located at least partially inside of the support structure.

14. The height adjustable platform of claim 12 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a bracket coupled to the underside of the work surface and slidably coupled to the handle.

15. The height adjustable platform of claim 14 , wherein the bracket comprises a groove, and wherein the handle comprises a channel configured to receive the groove such that the groove of the bracket and the channel of the handle are engageable to slidably couple the handle to the bracket.

16. The height adjustable platform of claim 12 , wherein the elongated member extends between a first end to a second end, the handle is connected to the first end of the elongated member, and wherein the second end of the elongated member extends into the support structure.

17. The height adjustable platform of claim 12 , wherein the support structure comprises:
a first guide bracket coupled to the support structure, the first guide bracket defining a first aperture extending at least partially therethrough; and
a second guide bracket coupled to the support structure, the second guide bracket spaced apart from the first guide bracket, the second guide bracket defining a second aperture extending at least partially therethrough, and wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are configured to receive the elongated member at least partially therein to guide translation of the elongated member with respect to the support structure.

18. The height adjustable platform of claim 17 , wherein the lock assembly comprises a biasing member engageable with the second guide bracket and the connecting member.

19. The height adjustable platform of claim 18 , wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the connecting member in a first direction relative to the work surface such that the elongated member and the cable are also biased in the first direction to maintain the lock assembly in the locked configuration.

20. The height adjustable platform of claim 19 , wherein the handle is moveable relative to the work surface in a second direction, opposite

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

• Kottman Mark Alan
• Apolloni Michael Anthony
• Blomstrom John Kenneth

Classifications

• A47B21/02 Primary

  with vertical adjustable parts · CPC title

• A47B3/00

  Folding or stowable tables (folded and suspended or hinged, or wall tables A47B5/04) · CPC title

• A47B9/02 Primary

  with balancing device, e.g. by springs, by weight · CPC title

• A47B21/04

  characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment · CPC title

• A47B21/03

  with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves · CPC title