Abstract:
A desktop includes a first portion, a second portion, and a linkage assembly attached to the first and second portions. The first desktop portion has a first, substantially planar, upper surface, and an edge. The second desktop portion has a second, substantially planar, upper surface, a proximal edge, and a distal edge. The linkage assembly is configured such that the second desktop portion is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. At the first configuration, the second desktop portion is substantially coplanar with the first desktop portion, and the proximal edge of the second desktop portion is adjacent the edge of the first desktop portion. At the second configuration, the proximal edge of the second desktop portion is beneath the edge of the first desktop portion, and the second desktop portion is not coplanar with the first desktop portion and is not parallel to the first desktop portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/034,110, filed Aug. 6, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Standing desks, and sit/stand convertible desks, are gaining in popularity. A standing desk typically provides a flat planar horizontal desktop at about the height of the user&#39;s sternum, or a few inches lower. A sit/stand convertible desk also provides a single flat planar horizontal desktop, but it can be raised and lowered between about sternum height, for use when standing, and a significantly lower height, for use when sitting. 
         [0003]    These desks greatly increase the ease of moving the desktop between appropriate heights for sitting and standing. A computer monitor resting on the desktop also moves along with the desktop to be at eye level in both positions. However, if a keyboard and/or mouse also moves along with the desktop, the keyboard and mouse height is too high in the standing position, causing the user&#39;s shoulders to tighten in an awkward and ergonomically undesirable way. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, the prior art contains keyboard and mouse trays, some of which are adjustable. However, these trays fail to allow ample vertical range of motion or full transition to flush with the primary desktop surface when the user is sitting. Beyond that, these trays are typically tilted toward the user (a positive angle), when research shows that this positive angle actually increases repetitive motion injuries, especially those in the wrist. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A desktop includes a first desktop portion, a second desktop portion, and a linkage assembly attached to the first and the second desktop portions. The first desktop portion has a first, substantially planar, upper surface, and an edge. The second desktop portion has a second, substantially planar, upper surface, a proximal edge, and a distal edge. The linkage assembly is configured such that the second desktop portion is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. At the first configuration, the second desktop portion is substantially coplanar with the first desktop portion, and the proximal edge of the second desktop portion is adjacent the edge of the first desktop portion. At the second configuration, the proximal edge of the second desktop portion is beneath the edge of the first desktop portion, and the second desktop portion is not coplanar with the first desktop portion and is not parallel to the first desktop portion. 
         [0006]    In the second configuration, the proximal edge of the second desktop portion may be beneath the edge of the first desktop portion and beneath the distal edge of the second desktop portion. In the second configuration, the second desktop portion may be angled at about 8° to about 30° with respect to the first desktop portion. 
         [0007]    In the second configuration, the distal edge of the second desktop portion may be beneath the edge of the first desktop portion, and the proximal edge of the second desktop portion may be beneath both the edge of the first desktop portion and the distal edge of the second desktop portion. 
         [0008]    The second desktop portion may be movable between the first configuration and the second configuration by a manual manipulation of a user without tools. 
         [0009]    The linkage assembly may include a first link extending transverse from the first desktop portion; a second link pivotally attached to the first link and pivotally attached to the second desktop portion; a third link pivotally attached to the second desktop portion; and a fourth link extending transverse from the first desktop portion and pivotally attached to the third link. 
         [0010]    The first link may include a stop that interferes with the second link when the second desktop portion is in the second configuration. This interference may act to maintain the second desktop portion in the second configuration. 
         [0011]    In the first configuration, the third link may be oriented such that downward force on the second desktop portion maintains the second desktop portion in the first configuration. 
         [0012]    The desktop may further include a lip. In the second configuration, the lip may present an upwardly extending surface transverse to the proximal edge of the second desktop portion. 
         [0013]    The lip may be movable by the user, or may be automatically moved by the linkage assembly, such that the lip does not present the upwardly extending surface when the second desktop portion is in the first configuration. 
         [0014]    Also disclosed is a desk which includes the above-described desktop, mounted on one or more legs, pillars, or posts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a desktop, with a platform thereof in the home position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the desktop of  FIG. 1A , with the platform in the dropped position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an expanded view of the desktop in the configuration of  FIG. 1B , partly in cross-section; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an expanded view of the desktop in the configuration of  FIG. 1A , partly in cross-section; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are elevational cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA of  FIG. 1A  and line IVB-IVB of  FIG. 1B , respectively; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A-5H  are side elevational views of the exemplary desktop in various configurations, where: 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  shows the configuration of  FIGS. 1B and 4B ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  shows a configuration immediately prior to a snap; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 5E  illustrate sequential improper configurations that may undesirably result if the snap were not to occur, for purposes of comparison; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5F, 5G, and 5H  illustrate sequential proper configurations following the snap, where: 
           [0026]      FIG. 5F  shows a configuration immediately following the snap; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5G  shows a configuration immediately preceding a return to the home position; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5H  shows the home position of  FIGS. 1A and 4A ; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates the exemplary desktop integrated in a desk, in the configuration of  FIGS. 1B and 4B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Embodiments described herein provide a desktop which includes a main working surface and a platform for a keyboard and/or mouse, which platform is adjustable with respect to the main working surface. A bistable linkage assembly allows a user to move the platform between a home position, at which the platform is substantially horizontal and flush with the main working surface, and a dropped position, at which the platform is beneath the main working surface and tilted downward away from the user, with a simple, intuitive manual adjustment that does not require any tools or particular physical strength. The bistable linkage assembly also allows the platform to maintain both the home position and the dropped position without the need for latches, clamps, or fasteners. 
         [0031]    Recent research shows that the ergonomically optimal angle for a keyboard and mouse is at a negative angle (i.e. with the end farthest from the user lower than the end closest to the user) of about 8° to 30°. This is true regardless of whether the user is sitting or standing, but many users find a negative platform angle when seated extremely awkward. The platform may rest on or dig into the user&#39;s thighs, and the position is unfamiliar. Therefore, many users prefer to have a flush, horizontal keyboard and mouse platform when seated. 
         [0032]    Standing, however, provides additional clearance and a large range of motion that feels comfortable and natural. Therefore, for a sit/stand adjustable desk, it is extremely desirable to provide a keyboard and mouse platform that can move between two positions: flat and flush when the desktop is at the sitting height, and at a negative angle when the desktop is at the standing height. 
         [0033]    Furthermore, some users may choose to have a unitary working surface for certain tasks, such as writing or sketching by hand with the keyboard and/or mouse set aside, and a keyboard and mouse platform with a negative angle for other tasks. 
         [0034]    Turning now to the Figures, with particular reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , exemplary embodiments described herein provide a desktop  10  which includes a main working surface  12  and a platform  14  for a keyboard and/or mouse, which platform  14  is adjustable with respect to the main working surface  12 . A bistable linkage assembly  20 ,  30  allows a user to move the platform between the horizontal position seen in  FIG. 1A , at which the platform  14  is substantially horizontal, coplanar, and flush with the main working surface  12 , presenting a small gap  16  on three sides of the platform  14 , and the dropped position seen in  FIG. 1B , at which the platform  14  is beneath the main working surface  12  and tilted downward away from the user. 
         [0035]    The linkage assembly  20 ,  30  provides full support and produces the desired movement of the platform. A built-in hardstop  36  ( FIG. 2 ) prevents the mechanism from moving too far, ensuring an optimal lowered position and orientation. The hardstop  36  and linkage assembly  20 ,  30  are both designed and positioned to provide firm resistance to deflection in a way that is tailored to the expected loads at each position. The exemplary embodiments can maintain each of the two bistable positions without separate latches: at the home position, the rear of the platform  14  abuts the front of the main working surface  12  (with small gap  16 , of approximately 3/16″), and at the dropped position, the hardstop  36  blocks the platform  14  from moving any farther downward or rearward. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 1B and 4B  illustrate an ergonomically desirable position of the keyboard and mouse platform  14 ; lowered below the main working surface  12  at a distance d 1  ( FIG. 4B ) of approximately 4 inches and tilted away from the user, i.e. at a negative angle θ ( FIG. 4B ), of between about 8° and about 30°. Angles of more than about 20° may be so steep that a mouse may begin sliding when set still. Therefore, presently preferred angles are between about 8° and about 20°. The illustrated embodiment exhibits an angle of about 17.5°. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the motion of the platform from the home position to the dropped position and back will now be described. 
         [0038]    As seen in  FIG. 4A , the platform  14  is in the home position, at which it is flush with the main working surface  12 . The angle of the front link  24  is such that the platform&#39;s own weight and incidental bumps in the downward and/or rearward (i.e. toward the main working surface  12 ) directions are directed to keep the platform  14  in place, so it is not moved to the dropped position accidentally. Soft adhesive-backed bumpers  18  may prevent the platform  14  and main working surface  12  from scratching or dinging one another when the platform  14  is subject to such bumps. 
         [0039]    To move the platform  14  to the dropped position of  FIG. 4B , first the user gives a slight upward and forward pull to the platform. This motion is rather intuitive and soon becomes second-nature. After the slight upward and forward pull, the user swings the platform downward, then downward and rearward. The linkages  20 ,  30  guide the platform through its full range of motion until it arrives at the position seen in  FIG. 4B , at which the interference of the link  34  with the hardstop  36  of the link  32  blocks the platform  14  from moving any farther (see also  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0040]    To move the platform back, the user pulls up and toward him- or herself, and the platform begins reversing its movement. 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated that, in the point in the platform  14 &#39;s travel at which the links  24 ,  34  are approximately collinear with each other and with the platform  14 , the linkage system presents enough degrees of freedom that the platform  14  may assume positions and orientations other than that which will lead it back smoothly to the home position. For example, in one undesirable scenario, starting from the fully dropped position seen in  FIG. 5A , the user pulls the platform  14  to the position seen in  FIG. 5B , at which the links  24 ,  34  are approximately collinear with each other and with the platform  14 . If the link  34  were to swing back downwards rather than continuing its upward travel at this point, while the user continued to pull upwards on the front edge of the platform  14 , the orientation seen in  FIG. 5C  would result, followed by the orientation seen in  FIG. 5D  and ultimately that of  FIG. 5E . This configuration would clearly be useless, and may likely result in keyboard, mouse, and mouse pad falling off the back of the platform  14 . 
         [0042]    Therefore, turning back to  FIG. 5B , in a presently preferred embodiment, the length l 34  of the rear link  34 , the length l 14  of the platform  14 , the length l 24  of the link  24 , and the distance d 2  between the hinge points on the links  22  and  32 , are selected such that l 34 +l 14 −l 24  is very slightly smaller than d 2  (l 34 +l 14 −l 24 &lt;d 2 ). This relationship provides a slight resistance at the configuration seen in  FIG. 5B , which the user must pull ever so slightly harder to overcome. (This increased pulling force is rather intuitive, and becomes second-nature to the user after a few uses.) Since the force on the link  32  is farther from the connection point of the link  32  to the main working surface  12  than that of the link  22 , and since the user is typically pulling from the front edge of the platform  14 , very near the link  22 , the increased pulling force of the user torques the link  32  more than the other components and acts to bend the link  32  ever so slightly forward, and then immediately back, until the platform  14  and linkages  20 ,  30  snap into the configuration seen in  FIG. 5F . The snap is aided by tolerances and clearance in the pivot points joining the links  32  and  34 , the link  34  to the platform  14 , the platform  14  to the link  24 , and the links  24  and  22 . After this “snap,” the upward pulling force will pull the platform  14  into the configuration seen in  FIG. 5G  and finally the home position, seen in  FIG. 5H , avoiding the undesirable configurations of  FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 5E . Exemplary lengths are as follows: 
         [0043]    l 34 =3.500″ 
         [0044]    l 14 =8.875″ 
         [0045]    l 24 =2.125″ 
         [0046]    d 2 =10.310″ 
         [0047]    l 34 +l 14 −l 24 =10.250″&lt;d 2 =10.310″ 
         [0000]    Thus, it will be seen that this particular exemplary embodiment provides 0.060″ of interference, providing for the above-described snap. 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that when lowering the platform  14  in the reverse order, the motion of the platform  14  is aided by gravity, so no undesirable configurations such as those seen in  FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 5E  are likely to occur. 
         [0049]    Turning back to  FIGS. 1A-1B , some embodiments include a recessed mouse pad area  19  which keeps the mouse pad from sliding backward past its desired position. Most keyboards include high-friction rubber feet, and therefore, in some embodiments, no corresponding recess needs to be provided for the keyboard. 
         [0050]    Some embodiments include a lip  38  integrated with one or both of the links  34 , which may keep mouse, keyboard, and small items like pens from sliding or rolling off the back of the platform  14  when the platform  14  is in the dropped position. Turning to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in some embodiments, the lip  38  automatically swings out of the way when the platform  14  is moved to the horizontal home position ( FIG. 3 ), so the platform  14  cooperates with the main working surface  12  to provide a unitary working surface free of the lip  38  (whose presence may inconvenience the user). When the platform  14  is swung back down to the dropped position, the lip  38  may automatically swing back up ( FIG. 2 ) to keep items from sliding off the back of the platform  14 . 
         [0051]    Other embodiments of the lip are possible. For example, a lip may be fixed to the platform  14  or the main working surface  12 . Still further, a lip may be separately slidable or pivotable into and out of position by a separate manipulation of the user, rather than being integrated with the motion of the linkage assembly  20 ,  30 . 
         [0052]    In a presently preferred embodiment, the desktop  10  is provided merely as a desktop, i.e. as a modular component of a desk, to later be attached to legs or posts to define a completed desk. This installation can be done by a retailer or by the end user. Thus, retailers that offer optional features and modular components can easily integrate the exemplary desktop into any configuration a user desires, such as a sitting desk, a standing desk, or a sit/stand convertible desk. The latter of these, a sit/stand convertible desk  100 , is shown in  FIG. 6 . The top portions  112  of the legs  110  can be slid into and out of the bottom portions  114  of the legs to allow for a continuously variable adjustable-height desktop  10 . 
         [0053]    However, the present invention is not limited to such a modular form. The above-described desktop  10  may be integrated into a completed desk  100  of any fixed or adjustable height. It is also contemplated that the linkage assembly  20 ,  30  may be sold on its own, as a kit, to allow a retailer or end user to modify an existing desktop into one with a droppable platform  14 , such as by cutting an existing monolithic desktop into two pieces  12 ,  14 , and attaching the linkages  20 ,  30 . 
         [0054]    As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Many other embodiments are possible without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. These other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.