Abstract:
An adjustable desktop workspace is disclosed having a base having a lower platform, an upper platform, and two pivoting arms mounted between the two. Each pivoting arm has a front and rear bracket. A locking lever on each arm fixedly engages the platform in an upright position at a variety of levels above the lower platform. There are also two stabilizing bars to limit side-to-side relative movement, and a biasing spring between the front and rear brackets to aide moving the upper platform.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This application relates generally to ergonomic workplace environments, and more particularly to an adjustable desktop platform. 
     Sitting for long periods of time during the work day is not good for one&#39;s health and wellness. Medical studies show that sitting increases the rate of all-cause mortality, especially from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, for example. People who sit for most of the day are 50 percent more likely to die of heart attacks. Even if you exercise, the longer you sit the greater the chances you will die. Sitting shuts down the circulation of the fat-absorbing enzyme lipase, while standing up engages muscles and promotes the distribution of lipase, which prompts the body to process fat and cholesterol, independent of the amount of time spent exercising. 
     There are desks available to be used while standing, and even desks adapted for use while a user is on a treadmill. 
     However, standing for very long periods of time to work is more tiring, dramatically increases the risks of carotid atherosclerosis because of the additional load on the circulatory system, and increases the risks of varicose veins. 
     Taking regular breaks from sitting for prolonged periods of time can have several positive outcomes. For example, standing can provide more energy during the work day. In addition, because standing burns more calories than sitting, standing can also result in weight loss without changes in diet or exercise. It is also harder to become more tired or lose focus when standing. 
     Because regular breaks from sitting are beneficial, and because many people during the work day want to remain productive while taking breaks from sitting, and because everyone will sit and stand for different lengths of time at different times during the day, there exists a need to create a work environment that is ergonomic for someone standing as well as sitting, and allows the transition to be easy, quick and simple. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide an adjustable desktop platform that can transition between a lower operating position and an upper operating position quickly, easily and simply. 
     A related advantage of the present invention is to provide an adjustable desktop platform that can transition between a lower operating position and a variety of higher positions. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an adjustable desktop platform that can convert existing desktop workspaces to height-adjustable workspaces. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable desktop workspace comprises a base having a lower platform; an upper platform; two pivoting arms mounted between the base and the upper platform, each pivoting arm further comprised of a front and rear bracket; and a locking lever on each arm for fixedly engaging the platform in an upright position. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable desktop workspace comprises an upper and lower platform hingedly connected by a first and second arm assembly; the first and second assembly comprised of a front and rear member; the members each having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to the base, and wherein the second end is connected to said platform; the front member is operably engaged to the rear member by a biasing mechanism; and a lever for locking engagement of the first and second arm assembly in an upright position. 
     Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the invention and its use will be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying Figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective, cutaway view of an embodiment of the adjustable desktop platform invention shown in fully upright position. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable desktop platform shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed description of embodiments is provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     This specification outlines the development of an ergonomic work environment to allow a user to work while sitting or standing, and to transition between the two positions easily, quickly and simply. 
     Embodiments of the invention use an adjustable desktop platform along with a system of spring aided pivoting arms and a multi-positional, adjustable, locking mechanism to raise and lower the desktop platform to provide a work space at a level useable for someone in a sitting position, and transition to provide a work space useable for someone in a standing position. Embodiments of the invention include counterweights, covers and supports for added safety. 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an adjustable desktop platform  10  according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention. Adjustable desktop platform  10  includes a base platform  15  intended to set on an existing worker&#39;s desk. The desktop platform  25  is separated from base-platform  15  by a predetermined space. The space between base platform  15  and desktop platform  25  can be large enough to store a computer keyboard and mouse, and allow for the use thereof. In addition, shown in  FIG. 1  is a spring-loaded pivoting bracket assembly  28  connecting base platform  15  and desktop platform  25 . Pivoting bracket assembly  28  can include pivoting arms located near each lateral side of the platforms  15 ,  25 , with each pivoting arm including front and rear brackets  32 ,  31 . As will be described in connection with  FIG. 5 , below, a locking mechanism is also included so as to prevent the unintended change in position of adjustable desktop platform  10 , as well as allow the stability of adjustable desktop platform  10  to support a laptop computer, computer monitor, keyboard and/or computer mouse, among other items. 
     In the lowered position, pivoting brackets  31  and  32  are in a generally horizontal position and desktop platform  25  is over base platform  25 , whereas in the fully upright position, desktop platform  25  is raised with pivoting brackets  31  and  32  in the generally vertical position. In the fully upright position, desktop platform  25  is also moved forward closer to the user, relative to base platform  15 . Because desktop platform  25  is designed to be used in a workspace environment, and would likely have computer equipment such as screen, keyboard and mouse thereon, the added forward weight is counterbalanced by counterweight  35  shown towards the far end of base platform  15 . As will be appreciated, the specific weight of counterweight  35  can be modified to the particular applications and may depend on the weight of the desktop, the length of the pivoting arms and the shape of the desktop platform, among other things. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , base platform  15  may also include a removable insert  38 . Removable insert  38  can easily be removed or inserted depending upon the user&#39;s individual preferences for their workspace. As shown in  FIG. 3 , but omitted in other figures to allow the illustration of other mechanical features, there are also included side covers  41  and  42  on the side ends of base platform  15 . Side covers  41  and  42  provide a safety feature so that when a user is adjusting desktop platform  10  up or down, the user&#39;s fingers and/or other things are less likely to get caught in the moving mechanism. Further, side covers  41  and  42  provide an aesthetically pleasing view, rather than a user seeing the mechanical assemblies. 
     Turning next to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , there is shown in more detail the adjusting mechanism of the present invention. Specifically, in  FIG. 3 , left and right pivoting brackets  28  are shown. Each pair of pivoting brackets  28  includes a forward multi-positional, adjustable pivoting bracket  31 , as well as a rear stabilizing pivoting bracket  32  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Each bracket is secured to base platform  15  and the desktop platform  25  through the generally L-shaped attaching brackets  45  shown, which are secured to the respective platforms through, for example, screws. 
     Springs  34  are also included to assist the user in countering the weight of the desktop platform  25  and any material thereon, such as a computer, screen, keyboard and mouse, to allow for smooth, easy raising and lowering of the desktop platform. Springs  34  are shown in  FIG. 5 . Each spring  34  is connected between forward pivoting bracket  31  and rear pivoting bracket  32 . In the fully upright position, springs  34  are in the natural, relaxed position, and in the fully lowered position, springs  34  are in the stretched position. Alternate spring-assisted designs are readily appreciated. As will be appreciated, the size, length, and spring force of the springs can be chosen for the particular anticipated environment, including the desktop weight, the anticipated weight of material on the desktop, the strength of the users, etc. 
     For additional security and stability, there is also included a locking mechanism  50 , which also secures desktop platform  25  at a variety of distances from base platform  15 . This feature is accomplished by the series of holes  51  in each of forward pivoting brackets  31 . The series of holes  51  interacts with the pins and brackets  55  as shown in detail in  FIG. 5 . These pins fit in forward pivoting bracket holes  51  and prevent further movement of the desktop platform relative to the base platform. The pins are inserted into and removed from holes  50  by the levers  62  on either side of desktop platform  25  and are secured to the underside of desktop platform  25  by retaining brackets  64 . Each lever  62  is connected by a wire  67  to pins such that by movement of the lever, the pins may be inserted into or removed from the holes of forward pivoting bracket  31 . The wire is not shown in  FIG. 5 , so as to not obscure the remaining features, though is understandable by those in the art. In the preferred embodiment, lever  62  is connected by wire  67  to the near set of pins, though may be connected to the far set of pins, depending upon the desired design and environment. 
     Forward lateral stabilizing bar  72  and rear lateral stabilizing bar  75  or supports are also shown in  FIG. 5  and are employed to help reduce unwanted side-to-side relative movement between base platform  15  and desktop platform  25 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with some preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the currently or later appended claims.