Patent ID: 6038986
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: A47B

Abstract:
A mechanism having a base; a work surface; mounting means for mounting said work surface for vertical movement relative to said base; a counterbalance mechanism for providing a counterbalance force opposing a downward force tending to lower said work surface; a locking mechanism for releasably retaining said work surface in a desired vertical position, said locking mechanism including release means for releasing said locking mechanism to permit vertical movement of said work surface; and control means for selectively controlling said release means, said control means having an operator movable between locking and release positions and coupling means to couple said operator to said release means for normally effecting operation of said release means upon movement of said operator into said release position, and said locking mechanism is connected to said coupling means intermediate said operator and release means for preventing operation of said release means by said operator when said counterbalance and downward forces are out of balance by some given extent.