Edge mount positioning apparatus, system, and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9743757-B2
Application number	US-201514685201-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 13, 2015
Priority date	Jul 30, 2010
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

Embodiments include an apparatus for positioning items such as an electronic display, a keyboard, and/or a work surface. The apparatus can be attached proximate an edge of a generally planar support member to provide a multi-position workstation. In some cases the apparatus includes a display mount coupled to a support column and configured to support an electronic display and a keyboard. The support column may be movable with respect to support member between 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 device relative to a support member, the apparatus comprising:
a horizontal planar work surface sized and shaped to support the electronic device resting on the work surface, wherein the electronic device is unattached to the work surface, and wherein the electronic device is distinct from the work surface;
an attachment member removably coupleable to an edge of the support member;
a bracket and a moveable support column, the bracket coupled between the attachment member and the support column, the support column slidably coupled to the bracket to allow the support column to move in an ascending and descending range of travel along a linear, vertical path,
the support column having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion engaged to the work surface, and
an energy storage member positioned within the support column, the energy storage member configured to provide a biasing force to assist an operator in adjusting a height of the work surface along the range of travel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lift mechanism including a cam having a cam housing engaged to the support column to slidably couple to the bracket, the lift mechanism configured to move the support column through the range of travel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cam housing is fixedly attached proximate a top surface of the support member.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cam housing is fixedly attached proximate a bottom surface of the support member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the work surface is configured to extend over the support member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support member is supported by a wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support member is incorporated into a table.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column extends above the support member when the support column is at an uppermost height along the range of travel, and wherein the second end of the support column extends below the support member when the support column is at a lowermost height along the range of travel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column remains level with or above a surface of the support member and the second end remains below the surface of the support member as the support column moves throughout the range of travel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the surface of the support member is a top surface of the support member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
at least one of rollers or slides to slidably couple the support column to the bracket.

12. An apparatus for positioning an electronic device relative to a support member, the apparatus comprising:
a horizontal planar work surface sized and shaped to support the electronic device resting on the work surface, wherein the electronic device is unattached to the work surface, and wherein the electronic device is distinct from the work surface;
an attachment member removably coupleable to an edge of the support member;
a bracket and a moveable support column, the bracket coupled between the attachment member and the support column, the support column slidably coupled to the bracket to allow the support column to move in an ascending and descending range of travel along a linear, vertical path,
the support column having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion engaged to the work surface; and
an energy storage member positioned within the support column, the energy storage member configured to provide a biasing force to assist an operator in adjusting a height of the work surface along the range of travel,
wherein the support member is incorporated into a table.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column extends above the support member when the support column is at an uppermost height along the range of travel, and wherein the second end of the support column extends below the support member when the support column is at a lowermost height along the range of travel.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the support column has a first end and second end, wherein the first end of the support column remains level with or above a surface of the support member and the second end remains below the surface of the support member as the support column moves throughout the range of travel.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the surface of the support member is a top surface of the support member.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , comprising:
at least one of rollers or slides to slidably couple the support column to the bracket.

17. An apparatus for positioning an electronic device relative to a support member, the apparatus comprising:
a horizontal planar work surface sized and shaped to support the electronic device resting on the work surface, wherein the electronic device is unattached to the work surface, and wherein the electronic device is distinct from the work surface;
an attachment member removably coupleable to an edge of the support member;
a bracket and a moveable support column, the bracket coupled between the attachment member and the support column, the support column having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion engaged to the work surface;
a lift mechanism including a cam having a cam housing engaged to the support column, the lift mechanism slidably coupled to the bracket and allow the support column to move in an ascending and descending range of travel along a linear, vertical path, the lift mechanism configured to move the support column through the range of travel; and
an energy storage member positioned within the support column, the energy storage member configured to provide a biasing force to assist an operator in adjusting a height of the work surface along the range of travel.

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

• Ergun Mustafa A
• Cain John
• Segar Peter
• Lindblad Shaun C

Classifications

• F16M2200/048

  for balancing translational movement of the undercarriage · CPC title

• A47B9/10

  with vertically-acting fluid cylinder · CPC title

• F16M11/046

  adapted to upward-downward translation movement · CPC title

• A47B9/18

  with additional top or additional legs for varying the height of the top · CPC title

• F16M13/02

  for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle · CPC title