Adjustable monitor support assembly

An adjustable monitor support assembly for a monitor is positioned under a transparent portion in the top surface member of a desk-like structure. The support assembly utilizes a shelf member that is supported by laterally outwardly extending associated stub shafts. A pair of rails is provided and each one thereof is located along a different lateral side of the shelf member. The stub shafts slidably engage the rails so that the shelf member is movable relative to the rails. Retaining members for holding the shelf member at a desired location along the rails are provided. Since the rails are parabolically curved, the monitor is movable with the front face being generally perpendicular to the eye levels of various seated users.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to underdesk monitor support assemblies for desk 
structures and the like that have a transparent top portion through which 
a supported monitor can be viewed. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
When a desk or similar structure is provided with a top member that 
incorporates a transparent surface portion, it becomes possible to 
position a cathode ray tube (CRT) or monitor under the desk top surface 
for viewability through the transparent surface portion. Such arrangements 
are shown, for example, in Schairbaum U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,866 and Lechman 
et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,727. 
Such a monitor is in operative and functional association with a computer 
central processing unit (CPU) which can be in the desk structure or 
elsewhere as desired and also usually with a keyboard which is supported 
by the desk structure. 
Because of the multiplicity of different desk structures and the like which 
can be equipped with a transparent top surface portion, there is a need in 
this new and developing art for a monitor support assembly that is 
adaptable for use in many different desk structures. The monitor support 
assembly should also be adjustable so as to regulate the tilt angle and 
the height of a monitor supported thereby relative to the overlying 
transparent surface portion of a desk structure so as to meet the needs of 
the individual use situation and the desires of the individual user. In 
addition, a monitor support assembly should be safe and effective for use 
by a user of such equipment. 
The present invention provides such an improved monitor support assembly. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a new and improved adjustable assembly for 
supporting a monitor means or the like under a desk top surface that has a 
transparent portion. 
The present invention also provides improved combinations of a desk or like 
structure with the adjustable monitor support assembly. 
In an embodiment of the adjustable monitor support assembly of this 
invention, a shelf member is utilized which can have various structures 
but which preferably has a bottom support member and an upstanding back 
support member. It is also preferred that the bottom support member and 
the back support member are each generally flat, extend generally 
perpendicularly to each other, are integral with one another along an 
adjoining edge portion, and have generally parallel opposed lateral sides 
which are generally perpendicular to the back support and bottom support 
members. Preferably, a side wall or side rail is provided along and 
between the opposed lateral sides of the bottom and back members. This 
shelf member is adapted to support a monitor (or CRT) that is rested 
thereupon. 
The shelf member is supported relative to a desk (or work station) or like 
structure by means of a pair of side rails which have a parabolic-type 
longitudinal curvature. Each one of these rails is located along a 
different respective lateral side of the shelf member. Each of the side 
rails can be variously defined, such as by a depression, slot, track, 
ridge, or the like in a supporting or structural member which by present 
preference is an elongated slide plate member. 
Each such slide plate member of the pair is preferably vertically oriented 
and in a spaced opposed relationship relative to the other. Each plate 
member is individually and independently supported by screws or the like 
from an adjacent kneehole side wall or the like in a desk-like structure 
although if desired any convenient support means, so that the slide plate 
members and the whole monitor support assembly can be used with many 
different desks or like structures. 
Each member of the longitudinally curved rail pairs is in laterally spaced, 
parallel, mirror-imaged-type relationship relative to the other thereof. 
The shelf member is disposed between the members of the rail pair. Shaft 
means that is associated with the shelf member and laterally outwardly 
projects from the opposed lateral sides thereof slidably supports the 
shelf member upon the rails. 
By moving the shelf member along the rails, the shaft member spatial 
position and tilt angle are adjustable. By adjusting and preselecting the 
exact curvature of the rail pathways, the front face of a monitor that is 
supported by the shelf member is maintained in a generally perpendicular 
position relative to various locations within and along a predetermined 
height range. Thus, the position and tilt angle of a monitor supported 
under the transparent top portion of a work surface can be adjusted for 
perpendicular viewing by a user seated adjacent the desk structure. The 
height range for adjustability of the monitor orientation is preferably 
chosen to include the range of all eye level heights (above a desk-like 
top surface) of a typical seated user within a given user class. 
Once a desired position for such a supported monitor is achieved, the shelf 
member is fixed or stabilized relative to the associated rail members by 
adjustable holding or clamping means. 
The shelf member, the rail structures and the shaft means can each be 
formed of any convenient or appropriate material, such as sheet metal, 
interwelded heavy wire components, fiber reinforced plastic, or the like. 
The monitor support assembly of the present invention can be used in a desk 
or work station having virtually any size of kneehole, or even in a table 
which does not define a kneehole. It can also be retrofitted into an 
existing desk structure. 
The support assembly of this invention is simple, easy to operate, and has 
virtually no required periodic maintenance or the like. It employs a 
minimum of parts and component subassemblies. 
The present adjustable monitor assembly is believed to offer a substantial 
advance in the art of underdesk monitor supports. The assembly overcomes 
various problems and limitations associated with various prior art 
underdesk monitor mounting assemblies. 
Other and further objects, aims, purposes, features, advantages, and the 
like will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present 
specification taken with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to the drawings, there is seen in FIGS. 1 through 4 an 
illustrative embodiment of a desk-like structure 20 that is functionally 
associated with a monitor support assembly 40 of the present invention. 
The desk 20 illustratively shown in the drawing has a generally 
rectangular flat top surface member 21 and desk 20 is suitable for 
positioning adjacent a wall or in a room interior or elsewhere as desired. 
However, any shape or size of desk can be used with assembly 40. 
The top flat surface member 21 of desk 20 is supported by a peripheral side 
wall 27 along and under its right side edge (relative to a user seated 
along a mid-region of the front elongated side 23, the user not being 
shown in the Figures). Undersurface portions of top flat surface 21 
adjacent the left side edge 24 thereof are supported by a pedestal 
structure 26. The side wall member 27 and the pedestal structure 26 adjoin 
a back wall member 28 (see FIG. 2, for example) that extends under and 
across the back edge 29 of top flat surface member 21. A slot 31 is 
provided which extends between back wall 28 and top surface member 21 for 
air circulation purposes. 
Secured to, and inwardly extending from, side wall 22 is a shelf member 31 
which is secured along its interior lateral side edge to a supporting 
panel 32. The top edge of panel 32 is secured to the underside of the flat 
top surface member 21. 
Secured to, and inwardly extending from, side wall 22 in an upwardly 
spaced, parallel relationship to the bottom edge of the side wall 27, is a 
shelf member 32 which is secured along its interior lateral side edge to a 
vertical supporting panel 33. The top edge of panel 33 is secured to the 
underside of the flat top surface member 21 and the back edge of panel 33 
is secured to the inside of back wall member 28. 
Between the panel 32 and the inside wall 33 of the pedestal structure 26, a 
kneehole 34 is thus defined. Under the surface member 21 across the 
kneehole 36 is slidably mounted a transversely short keyboard holding 
platform 37 that is transversely and horizontally slidable relative to the 
front edge of top surface member 21 from a closed position to a fully 
extended position such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. While any convenient 
structure can be used for platform 37 and its slidable mounting means, the 
structure shown in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 774,416 
filed Oct. 10, 1991 is now preferred (the disclosure of which is 
incorporated herein by reference). 
Desk 20 is provided with a recessed rigidifying and structure reinforcing 
shelf member 38 that extends between, and is secured at its opposite ends 
to, respectively, panel 33 and wall 34, and also at its rear end to the 
inside of back wall 28. In the pedestal structure 26, and located between 
and suspended by the inside wall 34 and the outside wall 44 thereof, a 
plurality of conventional storage drawers 46, 47 and 48 or the like are 
conveniently provided. Between the lower edge portions of walls 34 and 40, 
a rigidifying horizontal panel member 51 is secured. Opposite corners of 
desk 20 are supported by conventional preferably adjustable feet 52 (four) 
relative to a floor 53. 
A central processing unit (CPU) 43 can be housed, if desired, under surface 
member 21 on the shelf 32. 
A monitor 41 (see FIG. 2) is positioned at a location in an upper rear 
portion of the kneehole 36 from where its screen is visible through a 
transparent portion, such as is provided by a rectangular or square piece 
49 that is comprised of glass, clear plastic, or the like, and that is 
inset centrally in, and is supported by, surface member 21. The monitor 41 
is supported by the monitor support assembly 40. The monitor 41 and a 
keyboard 42 that is shown resting on holding platform 37 are each 
functionally interconnected by electrical cables (not shown) or the like 
with the CPU 43, thereby providing a complete wordprocessing work station, 
or the like, if desired, within the desk structure 20. Alternatively, a 
CPU can be located remotely (not shown) relative to the desk 20, and the 
monitor 41 and the keyboard 42 can be connected therewith by electrical 
cable means (not shown) as those skilled in the art will readily 
appreciate. 
Support assembly embodiment 40 incorporates a shelf member 56 having a 
flattened rectangular bottom member 57 and also a flattened rectangular 
back member 58 that preferably integrally upstands or extends preferably 
perpendicularly from an adjoining rear edge 59 located between bottom 
member 57 and back member 58. 
Shelf member 56 can be comprised of various materials, but, in support 
assembly 40, shelf member 56 embodiment is shown as being comprised of 
formed heavy wire members that are interwelded together at all regions of 
crossover or abutment. Any convenient wire fabrication procedure or wire 
arrangement can be used. 
For example, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the shelf member 56 includes a 
rectangularly extending perimeter wire 61 which continuously extends about 
the outer three edges of each of the back member 58 and the bottom member 
57 with a 90.degree. turn being provided at the edge 59. Transversely 
extending from the front edge of the bottom member 57 to the back edge of 
the back member 58 in laterally spaced parallel relationship both to one 
another, and also to the lateral sides of the perimeter wire 61, are a 
plurality of support wires 62 which are each straight except for a 
90.degree. bend at edge 59. 
Respective opposite ends of each support wire 62 are welded to contacting 
portions of each of the front edge portion and the back edge portion of 
perimeter wire 61. A longitudinally extending straight reinforcing heavy 
bottom rib wire 63 extends across the outside of bottom member 57 in 
spaced, parallel relationship to edge 59, and is welded both to the 
respective support wires 62 at crossover locations and also to lateral 
sides of the perimeter wire 61 adjacent to wire 63 opposed ends. 
Similarly, a longitudinally extending straight reinforcing heavy back rib 
wire 64 extends across the outside of back member 58 in spaced, parallel 
relationship to edge 59, and is welded both to the respective support 
wires 62 at crossover locations and also to lateral sides of the perimeter 
wire 61 adjacent to wire 64 opposed ends. The respective opposed ends of 
each of wires 63 and 64 extend laterally outwardly beyond the adjacent 
perimeter wire 61, thereby to provide two pairs of laterally opposed stub 
shafts 76 and 77 that are adapted to support the shelf member 56 in the 
manner explained below. 
The shelf member 56 is also provided with a pair of side support and 
retaining wire members 61, each one being a relatively heavy (i.e., thick 
or stiff) wire extending from a different open corner of the back member 
58 to the open corner of the bottom member 57 on the same side of the 
shelf member 56. Approaching the corners of the bottom member 57, the side 
members 61 are each preferably provided with an upstanding convex 
curvature (as shown) so as to effectively provide a retaining shoulder on 
each lateral side of the bottom member 57. The opposite ends of each side 
wire member 61 are welded respectively to the adjacent respective corners 
of the bottom member 57 and the back member 58. 
Thus, a monitor 41 can be set upon shelf member 56 with bottom portions 
thereof resting upon bottom member 57 and with rear end portions thereof 
resting upon back member 58. The monitor 41 is retained on the bottom 
members 57 and on the back member 58, and lateral sliding movements away 
therefrom are prevented by the side members 61. 
In place of the single side wire members 61, one can employ an interwelded 
wire arrangement, if desired, for each of a pair of side wall structures, 
each such structure incorporating a plurality of separate interwelded wire 
members, for example (not shown). In general, it is preferred that a side 
wall structure be integrally associated with the bottom member 57 and with 
the back member 58. Preferably, the side wall on each lateral side of 
shelf member 56 is tapered or diagonally extends along its upper edge from 
back member 58 to bottom member 57. 
Support assembly embodiment 40 also incorporates a pair of elongated 
curving slide plate members or rail carrier strips 66, each one being a 
mirror image of the other. Each slide plate member 66 can be formed of 
heavy gauge formed sheet metal or the like. Each slide plate member 66 has 
longitudinally defined therein a rail 67. Each rail 67 comprises the lower 
edge of an elongated curving slot 78. The slot 78 width is chosen so as to 
be at least equal to the diameter of the stub shafts 76 and 77 of the end 
portions rib wires 63 and 64. 
The opposite terminal ends 68 and 69 of each plate member 66 are offset in 
a common direction on one side of the plate member 66 so that, when each 
plate member 66 is laid upon a flat surface, an elongated curved central 
region 70 between these offset opposite ends 68 and 69 upstands in 
adjacent, spaced, parallel relationship to such surface with the rail 67 
being located along the mid-region in this upstanding elongated curved 
region 70. Each of the offset ends 68 and 69 of each plate member 66 is 
provided with apertures 71 defined therein so that fastening means, such 
as screws 72 or the like, can be extended therethrough for mounting each 
of the slide plate members 66 in spaced, aligned, mirror-imaged 
relationship relative to one another so that each rail 67 is on a 
different lateral side of the shelf member 56, as desired. Thus, in the 
exemplary desk 20, one slide plate member 66 is mounted against panel 33, 
and the other slide plate member 66 is mounted against wall member 34 so 
as to be on opposing sides of the kneehole 36. Preferably, the members 66 
are mounted at about knee level of the user. 
Each of the rails 67 exhibits a curved pathway along the length thereof. 
The curvature is generally parabolically configured but can be otherwise 
if desired to obtain the desired range of monitor tilting capacity. When 
the slide plate members 66 are mounted as described above, the pathway of 
each rail 67 is oriented in spaced parallel relationship to the other. 
In monitor support assembly 40, the gravitationally lower side edge of each 
rail 67 is provided with undulations or a plurality of successively 
alternating depressions 73 and elevations 74 along the length thereof in 
the manner of a relatively large sawtooth or serrated configuration. The 
curvature of each depression 73 preferably is such as to accommodate the 
diameter of each of the stub shafts 76 and 77 provided at opposing ends of 
the respective rib wires 63 and 64. 
Thus, when a stub shaft 76 and 77 rests in a depression 73, a 
circumferential stub shaft portion of shaft 76 or 77 up to about one half 
of the shaft circumference is adapted to be engaged with that depression 
73. The relationship between depressions and stub shafts is preferably 
such that displacement of stub shafts is resistant to casual bumps, such 
as by a knee against a support shelf member. 
When a shelf member 56 is suspended between a pair of slide plate members 
66 that are themselves mounted under a desk, such as the desk 20 in the 
manner described above, each of the two stub shafts of 76 and 77 of each 
of the rib wires 63 and 64 that are located on a common lateral side of 
the shelf member 56 extend into an adjacent slot 78 for support by rail 
67. The outer ends of stub shafts 76 and 77 are spaced from adjacent 
respective surface portions of the desk (panel 33 and wall 34). Also, 
these stub shafts 76 and 77 are slidably movable along their respective 
associated rails 67 when the shelf member 56 is elevated slightly to an 
extent such that the stub shafts 76 and 77 are disengaged from the 
adjacent depressions 68. 
When a monitor 41 is resting upon shelf member 56, the arrangement existing 
between the shelf member 56, the rails or tracks 67 and the stub shafts of 
rib wires 63 and 64 is such that the center of gravity (as indicated by 
the initials "CG" in FIG. 2) for the monitor-loaded shelf member 56 is 
located so as to exert a downwardly directed vector component that is 
sufficient to retain the individual respective stub shafts 76 and 77 in 
engagement with any chosen one of the depressions 68 that is connected 
therewith along the respective rail 67 pathways. 
The relationship between the components of monitor support assembly 40 is 
such that, when the shelf member 56 is thus slidably moved and positioned 
along the rails 67, the spatial position and tilt angle of the shelf 
member 56 are adjustable. Thus, the spatial position of shelf member 56 
and the tilt angle of the front face of the monitor 41 resting on shelf 
member 56 are adjustable. By adjusting and selecting the curvature of the 
rail 67 pathways, the front face of monitor 41 is maintainable during 
slidable movement and positioning in a generally perpendicular position 
relative to desired locations along and within a predetermined height 
range 79 that extends vertically above the front side edge 23 of desk 20. 
This predetermined height range 79 is preferably selected to correspond 
with the expected range of eye heights above the surface 21 for users 
seated in front of the desk 20. Thus, the position and tilt angle of the 
supported monitor 41 are adjustable, yet a given user can view the front 
face of the monitor 41 through the transparent portion 49. 
Preferably, the height range 79 is selected to generally include almost all 
viewers (users) within a predetermined class. Thus, the monitor 41 on 
shelf member 56 is movable along tracks 67 so that the front face thereof 
is perpendicularly viewable by any user in this class. Movement and 
adjustment are achieved in a simple and slidable manner. Once moved, the 
monitor 41 is held in a stationary position by the retaining action of the 
depressions 68 upon their respective stub shafts 76 and 77 that are 
engaged therewith. 
In FIGS. 5 and 6, there is seen another illustrative embodiment of a 
monitor support assembly 80 which is shown functionally associated with 
the exemplary desk structure 20. Components of desk structure 20 shown in 
FIGS. 5 and 6 are similarly numbered in FIGS. 1-4 for identification 
purposes. 
Support assembly embodiment 80 incorporates a shelf member 81 having a 
rectangular flattened bottom member 82 and a rectangular flattened back 
member 83 that preferably upstands perpendicularly from the adjoining rear 
edge 84 between bottom member 82 and back member 83. Like shelf member 56, 
shelf member 81 can be comprised of various materials, but here the bottom 
member 82 and the back member 83 are shown as being comprised of sheet 
metal that has been perforated with a plurality of circular apertures 86 
for air cooling purposes and that has been bent to form rear edge 84. A 
side wall 87 extends along each lateral side of shelf member 81 and each 
is shown as being comprised of sheet metal which is fastened by spot 
welding (not shown) or the like at edge portions thereof to respective 
adjacent edge portions of bottom member 82 and back member 83. If desired, 
the side walls (paired) 87 can be perforated with vent apertures (not 
shown). When a monitor (not shown) is centrally resting upon shelf member 
81, there is usually an air gap along each lateral side which aids in 
achieving sufficient air movement for side air cooling of the monitor. 
Shelf member 81, like shelf member 56, is provided with a pair of heavy rib 
wires 88 and 89 which each extend laterally across outside surface 
portions of, respectively, the bottom member 82 and the back member 83. 
Each rib wire is fastened to its adjacent shelf member positions by any 
convenient means, such as welding (not shown) or the like. The respective 
opposed ends of each wire 88 and 89 extend laterally and outwardly beyond 
the lateral sides of shelf member 81, thereby to provide stub shafts (one 
pair for each of wires 88 and 89) with which the shelf member 81 is 
spatially supported (as described below). 
Support assembly embodiment 80 also utilizes a pair of slide plates 91. 
These slide plates 91 are similar in structure and function to the slide 
plates 66, except that each of the elongated curved slots 92 therein has a 
smooth, continuously extending track surface 93 on the lower or rail edge 
of each slot 92. As in the slide plates 66, the slots 92 are located in 
the elongated curved mid-region 94 thereof (which terminates in the offset 
opposite end regions 96 and 97) and the slot width is at least equal to 
the stub shaft diameters. 
The elongated curved mid-region 94 of each slide plate 91 is associated 
with a U-configured clamp assembly 98 (paired). Each clamp assembly 98 has 
a pair of spaced, parallel legs 99 that are receivable over opposite sides 
of mid-region 94 and are slidably movable along mid-region 94. The legs 99 
are each integrally interconnected with a common base 101 that is edge 
located relative to the mid-region 94. 
Adjacent their respective open ends, each of the legs 99 is provided with a 
transversely extending aperture 102 that is aligned with the other thereof 
and also with slot 92. Thus, a stub shaft on either end of each of the rib 
wires 88 and 89 in the assembled configuration of assembly 80 extends 
through the apertures 102 and also the slot 92. Thus, the clamp assembly 
98 is retainable in association with the plate member 91. The base 101 is 
provided with a longitudinal (relative to clamp 98) central aperture 103 
through which a screw member 104 with a relatively large hand-graspable 
head 106 is threadably received. The forward end of screw member 104 is 
adapted to abut against an edge portion of plate 91 when the screw member 
104 is manually turned and advanced and apertures 102 become engaged 
against adjacent portions of the stub shafts. Thus, the clamp assemblies 
98 provide retaining means for holding the shelf member 81 in a desired 
relationship with respect to each of the slide plates 91. 
As can be seen from the foregoing description, a shelf member can be 
supported from the rails by a minimum of three stub shaft means with the 
maximum number being as desired; however, four spaced parallel stub 
shafts, as illustrated herein, are preferred. 
In effect, with a monitor support assembly of this invention, the 
orientation of the front face of a monitor can be regarded as being 
self-adjusted through a predetermined angle (relative to vertical) as the 
monitor support shelf is slidably moved along the rails by the stub 
shafts. The rail curvature can be adjusted to achieve whatever specific 
height relationship is desired; possible variables include user torso or 
body height range, user vantage points, equipment proportions or sizes 
(including chair seat height above floor level), and the like. 
Various other and further embodiments, applications, structures, and the 
like will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings 
provided herein and no undue limitations are to be drawn therefrom.