Adjustable and stowable workstation assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11994255-B2
Application number	US-202218276515-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 16, 2022
Priority date	Dec 22, 2021
Publication date	May 28, 2024
Grant date	May 28, 2024

Abstract

A workstation holding one or more electronic devices, e.g., a display, keyboard, or the like, can be mounted on a structure, e.g., a wall, using an articulating arm assembly including one or more arms. The one or more arms can be rotatingly coupled to the structure on one end and a work surface can be coupled to the other end. At least one of the one or more arms can be height adjustable. The workstation can rotate about a horizontal axis between a use configuration and a storage configuration. The one or more arms can be configured to translate the workstation between a contracted orientation and extended orientation. The height adjustable arm can include a counterbalance mechanism to counter a weight of the one or more components coupled to the workstation. A tension of the one or more springs contained in the counterbalance mechanism can be adjustable.

First claim

The claimed invention is:

1. A workstation support assembly comprising:
an arm assembly having a first end rotatingly coupled to a structure and a second end; and
a mount assembly comprising:
a keyboard support assembly adapted to support a keyboard; and
a display support assembly adapted to support an electronic display over the keyboard support assembly, the display support assembly rotatably coupled with the arm assembly about a vertical axis proximate the second end;

wherein the arm assembly is configured to translate the mount assembly relative to the structure, the arm assembly comprising:
a first arm comprising:
a first end rotatably coupled to the structure; and
a second end opposite the first end; and

a second arm comprising:
a first end rotatably coupled to the second end of the first arm;
a second end opposite the first end, the second end rotatably coupled to the mount assembly;
a first block coupled to the first arm;
a second block coupled to the mount assembly;
a first link arm comprising:
a first end rotatably coupled to the first block; and
a second end opposite the first end and rotatably coupled to the second block;

a second link arm comprising:
a first end rotatably coupled to the first block; and
a second end opposite the first end and rotatably coupled to the second block; and

a counterbalance mechanism configured to generate a lift force to counter a weight of the mount assembly, the counterbalance mechanism comprising:
a cam having a cam profile, the cam coupled to the first block;
an energy storage member including:
a first end;
a second end;
a cam follower coupled to the first end of the energy storage member and adapted to move over the cam profile as the second link arm rotates relative to the second block; and
an adjustment assembly coupled to the second end of the energy storage member and configured to change a tension of the energy storage member;
the energy storage member, the cam follower, and the adjustment assembly are coupled to a lower link arm;

the first block, the second block, the first link arm, and the second link arm are configured to cooperate to translate the mount assembly in a vertical direction relative to the structure; and

the first arm and the second arm are configured to cooperate to translate the mount assembly in a horizontal direction relative to the structure and the second arm is configured to translate the mount assembly in a vertical direction relative to the structure.

2. The workstation support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment assembly comprises:
a first gear shaft having a first bevel gear; wherein the first gear shaft and the first bevel gear are configured to rotate about a first axis;
a second gear shaft having a second bevel gear, wherein the second gear shaft and the second bevel gear are configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, and
an adjustment screw coupled to the second gear shaft, wherein the adjustment screw is coaxial with the second gear shaft at the second axis, and
wherein the first bevel gear cooperates with the second bevel gear to rotate the adjustment screw about the second axis.

3. The workstation support assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first gear shaft is elongated between a first gear shaft first end and a first gear shaft second end, wherein the first bevel gear is coupled to the first gear shaft proximate the first gear shaft first end, the first gear shaft further comprises a recessed section between the first gear shaft first end and the first gear shaft second end, wherein the recessed section is formed in a round cross-section having a first length between a first face and a second face, wherein the first face and the second face extend from the recessed section in transverse direction.

4. The workstation support assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second gear shaft is elongated between a second gear shaft first end and a second gear shaft second end,
wherein the second bevel gear is coupled to the second gear shaft proximate the second gear shaft first end,
wherein the second gear shaft has a first diameter at the second gear shaft first end, wherein the first diameter is smaller than the first length,
wherein the second gear shaft first end is configured to be inserted into the recessed section of the first gear shaft between the first face and the second face,
wherein the first face and the second face are configured to prevent the second gear shaft to move in a direction parallel to the first axis, and
wherein the adjustment screw is coupled to the second gear shaft.

5. The workstation support assembly of claim 4 , wherein the adjustment assembly comprises an adjustment bracket having a threaded hole at its center,
wherein the adjustment bracket is threadingly engaged with the adjustment screw at the threaded hole,
wherein the energy storage member second end is coupled to the adjustment bracket, and
wherein the adjustment bracket is configured to translate along the adjustment screw as the adjustment screw is rotated to change the tension of the energy storage member.

6. A workstation support assembly comprising:
an arm assembly having a first end rotatably coupled to a structure and a second end; and
a mount assembly, the arm assembly configured to translate the mount assembly relative to the structure, the mount assembly comprising:
a keyboard support assembly adapted to support a keyboard, the keyboard support assembly comprising:
a support tray; and
an interface assembly coupled between the support tray and the arm assembly, the support tray configured to rotate around a horizontal axis relative to the interface assembly between a use orientation wherein the support tray is substantially horizontal and a stowed orientation where the support tray is substantially vertical, wherein the interface assembly comprises:
an interface bracket configured to be coupled to an arm assembly;
a carrier block; and
a hinge bracket configured to be coupled to the support tray; and

a display support assembly adapted to support an electronic display over the keyboard support assembly, the display support assembly rotatably coupled with the arm assembly about a vertical axis proximate the second end;
wherein the carrier block is coupled to the interface bracket on one end and coupled to the hinge bracket on an opposite end;
wherein the hinge bracket is configured to rotate around the horizontal axis between a folded orientation wherein the hinge bracket is substantially vertical and an extended orientation where the hinge bracket is substantially horizontal; and
wherein the folded orientation of the hinge bracket corresponds to the use orientation of the support tray and the extended orientation of the hinge bracket corresponds to the stowed orientation of the support tray.

7. The workstation support assembly of claim 6 , wherein the interface assembly comprises a spring assembly having one or more torsion springs, the one or more torsion springs include a first leg and a second leg;
wherein the first leg is coupled to the carrier block, and the second leg is coupled to the hinge bracket; and
wherein the one or more torsion springs bias the hinge bracket towards the extended orientation.

8. The workstation support assembly of claim 7 , wherein the interface assembly comprises a torsion spring adjustment assembly coupled to the hinge bracket, wherein the torsion spring adjustment assembly includes:
a holding bracket coupled to the hinge bracket;
a torsion spring adjustment bracket; and
a torsion spring adjustment screw coupled between the holding bracket and the hinge bracket, the torsion spring adjustment screw thr

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

• Barros Michael P
• Wong Thiem Chan Duong
• Londborg Linnea
• Laureijs Andrew P
• Theis John William

Classifications

• A47G29/00

  Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00  (for fastening kitchen utensils A47J45/00; for drying towels A47K10/04; stands, racks or the like for airing beds, garments or the like, clothes, drying devices D06F57/00) · CPC title

• B60R11/00

  Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• F16M11/00

  Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon {; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters} (without heads F16M13/00; easels or stands for blackboards or the like A47B97/04; show-stands A47F7/00; for workmen E04G1/32; {sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22;} supporting or suspending for lighting devices F21V21/00) · CPC title

• F16M11/04

  Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand · CPC title

• F16M11/18

  with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand · CPC title