Patent Publication Number: US-10327544-B2

Title: Adjustable ergonomic workstation

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/360,137, filed Nov. 23, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure generally relates to ergonomic apparatus for use on a desk top, table top or other suitable generally horizontal surface. More particularly, it relates to apparatus that provides adjustable platforms for use in seated or standing positions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Within work and home office environments, it has been determined that it may be beneficial to a person&#39;s health to not remain seated for extended periods of time. As a result, products such as stand-up desks or treadmill desks have been developed for use in standing or walking positions. The ergonomic office products industry also has developed height adjustable desks and tables, which permit a user to periodically change from a seated to a standing position. In addition, portable apparatus has been developed that may be placed on a horizontal surface, such as a desk top or table top, and that may be adjusted from a position for use when seated to a position for use when standing. Such portable apparatus is advantageous in that it is less costly than a stand-up desk or height adjustable table, it is able to be used with existing furnishings, and it typically is of a size that permits the apparatus to be readily moved or relocated, such as from one surface to another, or from a work environment to a home office. However, the existing products available are limited with respect to adjustability, which leaves them lacking in regard to being adequate ergonomic solutions. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure provides a preferred embodiment as but one example of a configuration of an adjustable ergonomic workstation and methods for its use on a generally horizontal surface, such as a desk top or table top, in accordance with this disclosure. The illustrated example apparatus is height adjustable between at least a lowered position for use when seated and a raised position for use when standing. However, it will be appreciated that the example apparatus shown also may be adjusted to other positions, at other respective heights for additional raised positions between the two positions shown, which happen to be the lowermost and uppermost positions. As such, the workstation is configured to accommodate users of various heights, as well as providing for alternative hand position heights for a given user. 
     The preferred example adjustable ergonomic workstation includes a first platform that is located vertically above and is connected to a second platform. The first platform may be used for supporting equipment, such as a computer monitor or display, but could be used for supporting other equipment or objects, whether functional or merely for decoration. The second platform typically will be used as a work surface, such as for supporting one or more data entry devices, such as a keyboard, mouse or other suitable device, or for providing a surface that may be used for other tasks, such as writing or assembling items, or for any other desired purposes. The second platform may have a portion that extends forward of the first platform, where use of an item or input device on such an extended portion would be forward of, and therefore, not subject to vertical obstruction by the first platform. 
     The example workstation not only permits a user to adjust the height of the first and second platforms but also includes an advantageous tilt adjustment assembly, which may ergonomically enhance a user&#39;s experience by permitting angular adjustment of the second platform relative to otherwise remaining in a generally horizontal position, where it would be parallel to the first platform and/or to the generally horizontal surface on which the workstation rests. Indeed, a user may find relief in being able to adjust the second platform between at least a first angular position and a second angular position relative to the first platform, such as by having tilting the second platform to have a forward or rearward angle, so as to more comfortably position the work surface and/or data entry device for engagement by the user&#39;s hands. 
     In a first aspect, the disclosure provides an adjustable ergonomic workstation that includes a base, a leg assembly, a first platform and a second platform, with the leg assembly being connected to and extending between the base and the first platform, and being adjustable to move the first platform between at least a lowered position and a first raised position, and with the second platform being connected to and positioned below the first platform. The connection of the second platform to the first platform includes a tilt adjustment assembly wherein the second platform may be adjusted between at least a first angular position and a second angular position relative to the first platform. 
     The present disclosure addresses shortcomings in prior art sit to stand apparatus for use on a horizontal surface, such as may be provided by a desk top or table top. It will be appreciated that a variety of materials and methods of construction may be used to construct such apparatus and alternative configurations may be utilized while still being within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and provided for purposes of explanation only, and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed. Further features and objects of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent in the following description of an example embodiment and from the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In describing the example apparatus and methods disclosed herein, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein like parts have like reference numerals, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view that shows an example of an adjustable ergonomic workstation having first and second platforms and being in a lowered position, and with portions of the height adjustment assembly removed for easier viewing of the underlying structure; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the example workstation shown in  FIG. 1 , in a first raised position, having the second platform in an angular position parallel to the first platform, and with portions of the height adjustment assembly removed for easier viewing of the underlying structure; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the example workstation in the position shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the example workstation in the position shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section side view of the example workstation in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , and showing a right portion with the second platform in a generally horizontal position; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the example workstation in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , and with the platforms and portions of the height adjustment assembly removed for easier viewing of the underlying structure; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the example workstation in the position shown in  FIG. 1 , and with the platforms and portions of the height adjustment assembly removed for easier viewing of the underlying structure; 
         FIG. 8  is a close-up perspective partially exploded view of a tilt adjustment assembly of the example workstation shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section side view of a right portion of the example workstation with the first platform in the first raised position shown in  FIG. 2  but with the second platform in an angular position tilted rearward, and with portions of the height adjustment assembly removed for easier viewing of the underlying structure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section side view of a right portion of the example workstation with the first platform in the first raised position shown in  FIG. 2  but with the second platform in an angular position tilted forward, and with portions of the height adjustment assembly removed for easier viewing of the underlying structure. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that actual embodiments may differ. While some mechanical details, including some details of fastening or connecting means and other plan and section views of the particular components are not included, such details are considered within the comprehension of those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. It also should be understood that the claims are not limited to the particular examples illustrated, but rather cover various configurations of adjustable ergonomic workstations. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure presents an example and discusses alternative adjustable ergonomic workstations and methods of using the same, which may be embodied in several forms. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the teachings of this disclosure are in no way limited to the example embodiment. On the contrary, it is contemplated that the teachings of this disclosure may be implemented in alternative configurations and environments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , it will be appreciated that an example adjustable ergonomic workstation  10  is provided for use between a lowered position, such as may be used when a user is seated, and a first raised position, such as may be used when a user is standing. As will be described in further detail herein, the workstation  10  includes a base  20 , a leg assembly  30 , a first platform  40  and a second platform  50 . The leg assembly  30  is coupled to and extends between the base  20  and the first platform  40 , and is adjustable to move the first platform  40  between at least a lowered position, as may be seen in  FIG. 1 , and a first raised position, as may be seen in  FIG. 2 . The second platform  50  is coupled to and positioned below the first platform  40 . Also, the coupling of the second platform  50  to the first platform  40  includes a tilt adjustment assembly  60 , wherein the second platform  50  may be adjusted between at least a first angular position and a second angular position relative to the first platform  40 . 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , the base  20  includes a pair of spaced apart base members  21 , which in this example workstation  10  are laterally spaced apart. The base  20  further includes a base cross member  22  that extends between and is connected to the base members  21 . The connection of the base cross member  22  to the base members  21  helps to keep the base members  21  evenly spaced apart, for improved stability of the workstation  10 . The base cross member  22  is located near the rear of the base members  21 , so as to provide unobstructed space between the base members  21 . 
     The base members  21  also are shown in a configuration that generally is L-shaped, with a flat lower portion  23  and an upstanding portion  24 . The base cross member  22  is shown in a configuration that generally is a single U-shaped channel that is open downward, but it will be appreciated that more than one base cross member may be used and that the one or more base cross members may have a different configuration. The base members  21  and base cross member  22  may be constructed of rigid materials, such as metal, plastic or the like, and may be connected together by suitable means, such as by welding, adhesives or use of fasteners or the like. The base members  21  may have pads  25  located on their lower surface for floor protection and/or anti-skid purposes. The base members  21  also may include covers  26  for aesthetics and/or to shield moving parts and avoid potential pinch points. The covers may be constructed of suitable materials, such as plastic, metal or the like, and may be connected by snap fit, press fit, the use of fasteners or other suitable means of connection. 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first platform  40  has an upper surface that generally comprises a first planar surface  41  and includes a pair of spaced apart mounting brackets  42  connected to its lower surface. The second platform  50  has an upper surface that generally comprises a second planar surface  51 . It will be appreciated that the first and second platforms  40 ,  50  preferably are constructed of rigid materials, such as wood, metal or plastic, may be generally rectangular in shape and may include apertures, impressions and/or upstanding features, although it will be appreciated that other shapes or configurations may be used. For instance, the first platform  40  of the example workstation  10  is shown with an aperture  47  for accommodating electrical cables or wiring, and may include an insert for aesthetics to limit the size of the opening after passing cable or wiring ends through the aperture  47 . Also, because the second platform  50  is coupled to and positioned below the first platform  40 , for convenience and to provide a significant unobstructed work area, the second platform  50  may include a rear portion  52  directly below the first platform  40  and a portion  53  that extends forward of the first platform  40 , as may be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 and 5 . 
     The leg assembly  30  of the example workstation  10  includes two pair of legs coupled to the base  20 , such as at the upstanding portion  24 , and to the first platform  40 , such as at the mounting brackets  42 . Each pair of legs includes a forward leg  31  and a rearward leg  32 . For improved rigidity and aesthetics, as well as to avoid pinch points, each leg  31 ,  32  of the example workstation  10  has an elongated L-shape, and each pair of legs has overlapping parallel planar portions of the respective L-shaped legs  31 ,  32 . For instance, as may be seen in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 , an outer planar portion of the forward leg  31  may overlap an outer planar portion of the rearward leg  32 . With each forward leg  31  being pivotally coupled to the first platform  40  at an upper end at pivot  43  and to the base  20  at a lower end at pivot  27 , and each rearward leg  32  being pivotally coupled to the first platform  40  at an upper end at pivot  44  and to the base  20  at a lower end at pivot  28 , it will be appreciated that each pair of legs  31 ,  32  of the leg assembly  30  together with the base  20  and first platform  40  forms a four bar linkage. The pivots used throughout the workstation  10  may be formed using any suitable fasteners, including tubular nuts that may be welded in place and accommodate bolts, or press fit or welded pins, rivets or the like. The pivots also may include bushings or other suitable means to reduce friction and enhance smooth operation. 
     It will be appreciated that the leg assembly  30  is adjustable to move the first platform  40  to at least a second raised position that is between the lowered position shown in  FIG. 1  and the first raised position shown in  FIG. 2 . Indeed, with the particular example workstation  10  shown, the leg assembly  30  does not have predetermined intermediate positions, but rather is adjustable in a manner that permits the first platform  40  to be positioned at any height between the lowermost and uppermost positions. 
     To provide for better durability and smoother operation, the example workstation  10  includes upper stabilizer brackets  45 . On each side of the example workstation  10 , an upper stabilizer bracket  45  is coupled to the mounting bracket  42  and the upper end of the forward leg  31  at the pivot  43 , is coupled to the same mounting bracket  42  and the upper end of the rearward leg  32  at the pivot  44 , and is separately coupled at a post  46  to the same mounting bracket  42 . The couplings of each stabilizer bracket  45  in this example are at pivots  43  and  44  and at post  46 , but it will be appreciated that the stabilizer brackets  45  help to disperse the loads otherwise asserted at the upper pivots  43 ,  44 . It also will be appreciated that the example workstation  10  includes lower stabilizer brackets that are similar to the upper stabilizer brackets  45 , but which are not shown because they are hidden from view by the covers  26  of the base  20 . The lower stabilizer brackets are coupled to the side members  21  of the base  20  at the lower ends of the forward and rearward legs  31 ,  32  at the respective pivots  27 ,  28  while also being separately coupled at a post  29 , so as to provide benefits similar to those provided by the upper stabilizer brackets  45 . 
     To add further stability and ensure coordinated movement of all components within the leg assembly  30  on the left and right sides of the example workstation  10 , a leg cross member  33  is connected to each rearward leg  32  of the pair of legs. The leg cross member  33  is shown as a single rectangular tube, but it will be appreciated that more than one leg cross member may be used and that the one or more leg cross members may have a different configuration and be connected in different ways. The legs  31 ,  32  and leg cross member  33  may be constructed of rigid materials, such as metal or plastic, and may be connected by suitable means, such as by welding, adhesives or use of fasteners or the like. 
     To provide for the adjustment of the height of the first platform, the leg assembly  30  of the example workstation  10  further includes a height adjustment assembly  70  that may be best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The height adjustment assembly  70  includes at least one gas cylinder  71  that assists in supporting the first platform  40 , and thereby also the second platform  50 , when moving the first platform  40  between the lowered position shown in  FIG. 1  and the first raised position shown in  FIG. 2 . In this example, the height adjustment assembly  70  happens to include two gas cylinders  71 . It will be appreciated that use of a gas cylinder or gas spring is one alternative means of providing lift and height adjustment to a workstation. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other lifting and/or load bearing structures may be utilized for height adjustment of a workstation, whether using other configurations of a gas spring, or using more traditional coil or leaf springs, or other suitable structures that may provide lift or counterbalance. 
     Each gas cylinder  71  is coupled to a pair of legs  31 ,  32 , including being pivotally coupled at an upper end to a forward leg  31  at a pivot  72 , and pivotally coupled at a lower end to a rearward leg  32  at a pivot  73 . Each gas cylinder  71  also includes a locking mechanism  74  at its lower end, and the workstation  10  includes a cable system  75  that is actuatable to operate the locking mechanism  74  on the at least one gas cylinder  71 . Each lower pivot  73  and locking mechanism  74  is protected by a cover  34 , which shields the moving parts and avoids potential pinch points. The cable system  75  includes a paddle  76  at an upper end, which is pivotally coupled to the first platform  40  by a housing  77  that is connected to the lower surface of the first platform  40 , and a lever  78  at a lower end to actuate the locking mechanism  74  of the gas cylinder  71 . A cable  79  is connected at its upper end to the paddle  76  and at its lower end to the lever  78 . The paddle  76  is used to actuate the cable  79 , and therefore, the locking mechanism  74 . The pressure in the gas cylinder  71  provides the return bias for the cable system  75 , to return the paddle  76  to a ready position shown in  FIG. 4 . The locking mechanism  74  of each gas cylinder  71  permits the example workstation  10  to be adjusted to essentially any desired height between the lowered position shown in  FIG. 1  and the first raised position shown in  FIG. 2 . Covers  34  may be used for aesthetics, to provide protection and reduce pinch points by shielding the locking mechanism  74 , lever  78  and lower end of the cable  79  along the inner side of each rear leg  32 . The covers  34  may be constructed of similar materials and installed in a similar manner to the aforementioned covers  26 . 
     The tilt adjustment assembly  60  of the example workstation  10  is coupled to the first platform  40  and the second platform  50 . In this example, on each side of the workstation  10 , the tilt adjustment assembly  60  includes an upper bracket  61  that is connected to the first platform  40  and a lower bracket  62  that is connected to the second platform  50 . For improved support and aesthetics, the upper bracket  61  is connected to the lower surface of the first platform  40 , and the lower bracket  62  extends along recessed areas  54  in the sides of the second platform  50 , as may be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , and is connected to the lower surface of the second platform  50 . The connection of the upper and lower brackets  61 ,  62  to the upper and lower platforms  40 ,  50  is shown simplistically by fasteners, such as screws, but it will be appreciated that the connections may be made by suitable means, such as by adhesives, other fasteners or the like. 
     As may be appreciated from  FIGS. 4-6 and 8-10 , on each side of the workstation  10 , the upper and lower brackets  61 ,  62  are pivotally coupled at a pivot  63 . In this example, each upper bracket  61  further includes an arcuate opening  64  that is spaced from the pivot  63  and each lower bracket  62  includes an aperture  65  that is aligned with the arcuate opening  64 . On the left side of the example workstation  10 , the tilt adjustment assembly  60  further includes a post  66  that may be provided for instance by a bolt and nut, which are not tightened to the point of applying a clamping load. On the left side, the post  66  extends from the aperture  65  in the lower bracket  62  and is located within and slidable relative to the arcuate opening  64  in the upper bracket  61 . 
     On the right side of the example workstation  10 , the tilt adjustment assembly  60  includes a clamping mechanism  67 , which includes a threaded bolt  68  and a corresponding threaded knob  69 . The bolt  68  is located in the aperture  65  of the lower bracket  62  and extends through the arcuate opening  64  in the upper bracket  61 . When the knob  69  is loosened, the lower bracket  62  is pivotable relative to the upper bracket  61  about the pivot  63 , as the bolt  68  moves within the arcuate opening  64 . This permits angular adjustment of the second platform  50  relative to the upper platform  40 . When a desired angular position of the second platform  50  is selected, the knob  69  may be tightened by hand to apply a clamping load to prohibit further pivotal movement of the lower bracket  62  and the second platform  50  relative to the upper bracket  61  and the first platform  40 . It will be appreciated that while the example workstation  10  conveniently includes a single clamping mechanism on the right side of the workstation and uses a bolt and knob, alternative tilt adjustment assemblies may be utilized in other configurations and on a single side or both sides of the workstation. 
     One may consider the first platform  40  to have an upper surface that generally comprises a first planar surface  41  and the second platform  50  to have an upper surface that generally comprises a second planar surface  51 . The tilt adjustment assembly  60  may be adjusted to have at least first and second angular positions of the second platform  50  relative to the first platform  40 . For instance, a first angular position may be achieved when the second planar surface  51  of the second platform  50  is parallel to the first planar surface  41  of the first platform  40 , such as may be seen in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 . A second angular position may be achieved when the second planar surface  51  has a rearward angle relative to the first planar surface  41 , such as may be seen in  FIG. 9 , where the second planar surface  51  is tilted toward the user. Alternatively, a workstation may have first and second angular position where the first angular position is when the second planar surface  51  is parallel to the first planar surface  41 , such as again may be seen in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 , and with the second angular position being achieved when the second planar surface  51  has a forward angle relative to the first planar surface  41 , such as may be seen in  FIG. 10 , where the second planar surface  51  is tilted away from the user. Of course, as is shown with the example workstation  10 , if one considers the second angular position to be when the second planar surface  51  has a forward angle relative to the first planar surface  41 , then the tilt adjustment assembly  60  may provide at least a third angular position of the second platform  50  when the second planar surface  51  has a rearward angle relative to the first planar surface  41 , such as may be seen in  FIG. 9 . 
     While the present disclosure shows and describes example apparatus for adjustable ergonomic workstations, and methods of using the same, the example and alternatives discussed are merely illustrative and are not to be considered limiting. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure may be provided in various configurations, constructed of various materials and may be constructed to be used on various surfaces, such as a desk top, table top or other suitable surfaces, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Any variety of suitable materials of construction, configurations, shapes and sizes for the components and methods of coupling and connecting the components within the scope of the claims may be utilized to meet the particular needs and requirements of an end user. Thus, although example embodiments and methods of assembly relating to the adjustable ergonomic workstations have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited to the examples illustrated. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.