Patent Publication Number: US-2022228700-A1

Title: Monitor riser with stow-away dry erase pad

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/138,588, filed on Jan. 18, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Monitor risers are known to provide an elevated support surface for a computer monitor, for example atop a desk. Dry erase boards are known for providing erasable writing surfaces, most commonly for mounting on walls. A user of a computer positioned at a desk may keep a paper note pad nearby for writing important notes during use of the computer. Alternately, the user may move from a working position at the desk to a nearby wall surface to utilize a wall-mounted dry erase board for making hand-written notes. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some aspects, the invention provides an integrated solution of a dry erase pad on a monitor riser. Information written on the dry erase pad surface can be protected for security reasons and from getting erased by stowing (at least partially, mostly, or fully) beneath the monitor support shelf. The stow-away dry erase pad is integrated on the monitor riser and props easily to a user&#39;s desired angle of a plurality of available prop angles to provide a comfortable writing experience. 
     In some aspects, the invention provides a monitor riser including a base configured to be received on a horizontal support surface. A monitor support shelf is situated atop and supported by the base. A slide mechanism is situated below the monitor support shelf. A dry erase pad is supported by the slide mechanism and movable in a frontward direction from a stowed position in which the dry erase pad is at least partially received under the monitor support shelf to an extended position. The dry erase pad, when in the extended position, is movable to a propped position in which the dry erase pad is angled from horizontal to present a dry erase writing surface toward a user at a front side of the monitor support shelf. 
     In some aspects, the invention provides a monitor riser including a monitor support shelf situated atop and supported by a base. The monitor riser further includes a dry erase pad movable from a stowed position under the monitor support shelf to an extended position. The dry erase pad, when in the extended position, is pivotable to a plurality of propped positions, each of which presents a dry erase writing surface of the dry erase pad to be angled toward a front user-facing side of the monitor support shelf. 
     Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a monitor riser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The monitor riser is configured to provide a first riser height. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the monitor riser of  FIG. 1  configured to provide a second riser height greater than the first riser height. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the monitor riser of  FIG. 1  configured to provide a third riser height greater than the second riser height. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevation view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing a dry erase pad thereof in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a right side elevation view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in an outwardly extended position along a slide assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is right side elevation view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in a propped position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in the outwardly extended position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in the propped position. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in the propped position. 
         FIG. 10  is a right side elevation view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in an alternate propped position. 
         FIG. 11  is a right side elevation view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in an alternate propped position. 
         FIG. 12  is a right side elevation view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing the dry erase pad thereof in a range of propped positions. 
         FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 1 , showing a stabilizer bar. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a monitor riser of a second embodiment including alternate dimensional relations. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a monitor riser of a third embodiment, including an angled support shelf. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 15 , showing a dry erase pad in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 15  configured to provide an increased riser height. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 15 , showing the dry erase pad deployed while configured to provide the increased riser height. 
         FIG. 19  is cross-section of the monitor riser taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the monitor riser of  FIG. 15 , supporting a laptop computer on the angled support shelf. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view illustrating the dry erase pad removed from the angled support shelf and supporting a mobile phone. 
     
    
    
     Other aspects of the embodiments described herein will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a monitor riser  20  includes a monitor support shelf  28  supported by a base provided in the illustrated construction by a plurality of base elements  24 . As shown by the three different configurations of  FIGS. 1-3 , the monitor riser  20  may be adjustable to different riser heights H 1 , H 2 , H 3 . The monitor riser  20  can be reconfigured to the different riser heights H 1 , H 2 , H 3  by the selective use of more or fewer of the removable base elements  24  that are positionable under and coupled to the monitor support shelf  28 . The monitor support shelf  28  can be a horizontal monitor support shelf configured to take a flat horizontal orientation when the monitor riser  20  is supported on a flat horizontal support surface, such as an office desk for example. In some constructions, the monitor support shelf  28  is constructed of a glass panel. The base elements  24  can take the form of support blocks that snap together with each other in a vertical direction. The base elements  24  can be used additively to build sequential vertical courses to achieve the increased heights H 2 , H 3 . The base elements  24  form mechanical bonds on their own by interfacing complementary shapes, without adhesives or ancillary fasteners. The base elements  24 , at least the top course thereof, also interface similarly with the bottom side of the monitor support shelf  28 . In other words, the bottom of the monitor support shelf  28  can have a mechanical interface that matches shapes of the base elements  24  for connection therewith in the same way that the base elements  24  connect with each other. As illustrated, the base elements  24  can include top-most and/or bottom-most elements that span substantially a full depth D of the monitor support shelf  28 , along with intermediate base elements of a different, smaller footprint. The depth D of the monitor support shelf  28  is measured in the horizontal plane perpendicular to a lateral width W of the monitor support shelf  28 . The monitor support shelf  28 , like the dry erase pad  32 , can have an overall rectangular shape (e.g., rectangular with rounded corners as shown), but may also be constructed in alternate shapes. The bottom-most base elements  24  can include slip-resistant elastomer grippers on a bottom side thereof to contact a desktop surface. 
     As described further below, the monitor riser  20  further incorporates a dry erase pad  32  that is stowable under the monitor support shelf  28 . The dry erase pad  32  can be stowed away, but readily deployable to one or more operative positions without taking up additional desk space. The dry erase pad  32 , which can also be referred to as a board or tablet, is of a relatively small size conducive for desktop use, similar to a standardized or oversized paper note pad. The dry erase pad  32  includes a dry erase writing surface (e.g., of a glass panel) for use with dry erase markers and a suitable eraser or wiper that removes markings from the writing surface. The dry erase surface is concealable under the monitor support shelf  28  when the dry erase pad  32  is stowed, thus providing an element of privacy for the user as well as protection against incidental erasure by the user. As shown in at least  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the dry erase pad  32  can include, in some embodiments, a marker tray  36  adapted to hold one or more dry erase markers (or other small desktop accessories) adjacent the dry erase writing surface. As shown, the tray  36  is situated at a top side of the dry erase pad  32 . The dry erase pad  32  is stowable under and extendable out from the monitor support shelf  28  by a slide mechanism  40  that supports the dry erase pad  32  for sliding movement in two opposite depth-wise directions.  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate the dry erase pad  32  in a first or stowed position.  FIG. 5  illustrates the dry erase pad  32  slid out from the monitor support shelf  28  to a second or extended position. The dry erase pad  32  is slidable from the stowed position to the extended position by movement in a frontward or forward direction that is toward a user of the monitor riser  20  and to the left in  FIGS. 4-6 . The slide mechanism  40  can be connected (e.g., by fastening or bonding) to the underside of the monitor support shelf  28  and/or the top-most base elements  24  on each lateral side. The slide mechanism  40  can include nested metal rails with anti-friction bearings therebetween. 
     When deployed by sliding out from the monitor support shelf  28 , the dry erase pad  32  can be presented for use in the horizontal extended position of  FIGS. 5 and 7 . However, the dry erase  32 , once extended, can also be adjusted to at least one upright or propped orientation (non-zero angle α defined between dry erase pad writing surface and horizontal), such as the one shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . This is accomplished with a simple arrangement of features to limit part count and assembly complexity. The dry erase pad  32  is pivotally coupled with the slide mechanism  40  at a hinge  44 . The hinge  44  can be provided, for example, adjacent a forward (user-facing) edge thereof, the hinge  44  provided at a bottom side of the dry erase pad  32  opposite the writing surface. The back or rear side of the dry erase pad  32  rests on a front edge  48  of the monitor support shelf  28 . The dry erase pad  32  can be propped up in this way, without the use of fasteners and without the provision of a locking mechanism, although the addition of such features is also contemplated for added securement. As can be appreciated from the figures such as  FIGS. 5-6 , the slide mechanism  40  can be partially retracted or collapsed back toward the stowed position to facilitate the dry erase pad  32  being propped. 
     The contact between the rear side of the dry erase pad  32  and the front edge  48  of the monitor support shelf  28  can take a number of different forms. Furthermore, it is conceived that the dry erase pad  32  can be propped up in one or more orientations without contacting the front edge  48  of the monitor support shelf  28  (e.g., contacting a top surface of the shelf  28  or a separate member). In some constructions, the back or underside of the dry erase pad  32  can be provided with a series of undulations, serrations, etc. that create discrete retainers  54  in the form of pockets or edges to receive the front edge  48  of the monitor support shelf  28 . The retainers  54  define multiple discrete prop angles α for the dry erase pad  32  (e.g., at least two prop angles α greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees).  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate two prop angles α that provide the steepest and shallowest propped positions of the dry erase pad  32 . These retainers  54  can be provided along the two laterally outboard edge (as shown) or in other locations (e.g., a single central row) on the back of the dry erase pad  32 , opposite the writing surface. As illustrated, the retainers  54  provide eight separate propped orientations (see  FIG. 12 ). However, these may be provided in numbers more or less than eight. The front edge  48  of the shelf  28  may form a snap interface with the back of the dry erase pad  32  or may simply pass with clearance into a fully seated position. In other constructions, the back of the dry erase pad  32  may be provided without the retainers  54  if the surface(s) providing the interface provide suitable friction to support the dry erase pad  32  upright during use (e.g., rubber strip(s) and/or texturing). 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the monitor riser  20  with the addition of an optional stabilizer bar  58 . The stabilizer bar  58  is a rigid member or strap that connects opposite lateral sides of the slide mechanism  40  so as to maintain a fixed spacing therebetween. The stabilizer bar  58  can be constructed of metal or hard plastic. The stabilizer bar  58  can, in some constructions, promote smooth sliding of the dry erase pad  32  by reducing or eliminating the risk of splaying, twisting, or racking that may lead to binding within the slide mechanism  40  rather than smooth gliding. As shown, the stabilizer bar  58  has first and second ends fixed to first and second inner slide members  40 A of the slide mechanism  40 , the inner slide members  40 A extending to make the connection with the dry erase pad  32  at the hinge  44 . In other words, the inner slide members connected with the stabilizer bar  58  can move directly with the dry erase pad  32  when stowing or extending relative to the support shelf  28 . As can be seen in  FIG. 13 , the slide mechanism  40  can further include intermediate and outer slide members  40 B,  40 C in which the inner slide members  40 A are nestingly and slidably received for telescopic extension and retraction of the slide mechanism  40 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a monitor riser  120  according to a second embodiment. The monitor riser  120  can include any or all of the features noted above with respect to the monitor riser  20  of  FIGS. 1-13 . Thus, reference is made to the preceding description. However, it can be seen that the monitor riser  120  is constructed with an overall wider lateral width W as compared to its depth D (i.e., a different aspect ratio) of the monitor support shelf  128 . Similarly, the dry erase pad  132  has a different aspect ratio than that of  FIGS. 1-13 . The dry erase pad  132  of  FIG. 14  can have a width to height ratio (X:Y) of greater than 2:1 (e.g., 2.5:1 or 3:1), while the dry erase pad  32  of  FIGS. 1-13  can have a width-to-height ratio (X:Y) of 2:1 or less (e.g., 4:3 or 16:9). These aspect ratios may be the aspect ratios of the dry erase surface. 
       FIGS. 15 to 21  illustrate a monitor riser  220  according to a third embodiment. The monitor riser  220  can include any or all of the features noted above with respect to the monitor riser  20  of  FIGS. 1-13 . Likewise, the aspect ratio(s) of the support shelf  228  and/or the dry erase pad  232  can be varied as particularly disclosed with respect to  FIG. 14 . Thus, reference is made to the preceding description. However, the monitor riser  220  of  FIGS. 15 to 20  has certain features that distinguish it from the monitor risers of the preceding embodiments. In particular, the monitor riser  220  has a height H 4  at a front or user-facing side that is different from (and less than) a height H 5  at a rear side that faces away from the user. The rear height H 5  can be at least 10 percent, at least 20 percent, or at least 30 percent greater than the front height H 4 . The front to rear height differentiation causes the support shelf  228  to be angled toward the user rather than horizontal, when the monitor riser  220  is placed on a horizontal support surface. Due to the angling of the surface of the support shelf  228  downward toward the front or user-facing side (e.g., greater than 5 degrees and not more than 25 degrees, and in some constructions not more than 15 degrees), objects placed on the support shelf  228  may have a tendency to slide toward the front edge  248  by the force of gravity. Thus, a retainer or ledge  264  is formed at the front edge  248 . The ledge  264  can extend upwardly from the front edge  248  by 25 mm or less in some constructions, e.g., 18 mm or less. The ledge  264  can extend upwardly from the front edge  248  by at least 5 mm in some constructions. The ledge  264  can be formed as a thin strip of material bonded or otherwise fastened to the underside of the support shelf  228 . The ledge  264  can be uniform, non-uniform, centered, offset, divided into sections (e.g., bifurcated as shown), and generally shaped and placed in a variety of configurations.  FIG. 20  illustrates a laptop computer  298  (including an integral monitor) supported on the angled support shelf  228  and retained by the ledge  264 . Thus, the monitor riser  220  may more particularly be referred to as a laptop riser or laptop stand, as it will be generally unsuitable for use with a conventional standalone monitor. 
       FIGS. 15-16  illustrate the dry erase pad  232  stowed and extended, respectively, with the monitor riser  220  having the base elements  224  provided in a first configuration that achieves the first and second heights H 4 , H 5 .  FIGS. 17-18  illustrate the dry erase pad  232  stowed and extended, respectively, with the monitor riser  220  having the base elements  224  provided in a second configuration that achieves the third and fourth heights H 6 , H 7 , wherein the third height H 6  is greater than the first height H 4  and the fourth height H 7  is greater than the second height H 5 . As described above, this can be achieved by additive sequential vertical course(s) of the base elements  224 . Whether the monitor riser  220  is configured as having the heights H 4 , H 5  of  FIGS. 15-16  or having the heights H 6 , H 7  of  FIGS. 17-18 , the dry erase pad  232  can extend out from the stowed position to the extended position to expose the dry erase pad  232  for use, along with the optional marker tray  236 . When extended out, the dry erase pad  232  can also hinge or pivot down to a propped position so that a front edge thereof can be lower, e.g., at the same height as the bottom of the base elements  224 . This can be achieved by the hinging a rear portion or rear edge of the dry erase pad  232  with respect to the slide mechanism  240 . In some constructions, the slide mechanism  240  is provided by a pair of rails or first slide members  240 A fixed to the underside of the dry erase pad  232  and a pair of slide trays or second slide members  240 B fixed to the support shelf  228  and/or base elements  224  and configured to nestingly receive the respective rails  240 A on the dry erase pad  232 . As best shown in the cross-section of  FIG. 19 , the downward pivoting movement of the dry erase pad  232  can be provided by a hook engagement between a rear portion (e.g., pocket  274 ) of the dry erase pad  232  and a respective hook  278  at a front portion of the slide trays  240 B to limit the travel of the dry erase pad  232 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , adequate space is provided for the rear portion of the dry erase pad  232  to disengage from the hook  274  by lifting the rear edge of the dry erase pad  232 . Thus, without removal of parts, without tools, and with only the single step outlined above, the dry erase pad  232  can be completely separated from the support shelf  228  and base as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     Although it is possible for the dry erase pad  232  to be configured to present the writing surface in a horizontal orientation when separated and placed on a horizontal support surface, the dry erase pad  232  of the illustrated construction includes one or more feet  282  ( FIG. 19 ) on the side opposite the writing surface, the feet  282  configured to present the writing surface of the dry erase pad  232  at an angle with the front or user-facing side being lower. The intrinsic angle between the writing surface and the bottom of the feet  282  can be similar to the angle between the support shelf  228  and the base elements  224  described above such that reference is made to the above angle measures. The angle for the separated dry erase pad  232  can be the same as or different than the angle of the support shelf  228 . In addition to providing use of the dry erase pad  232  at other locations away from the remainder of the monitor riser  220 , the dry erase pad  232  can also include an integral support stand for a small mobile electronic device, such as a phone  299  as shown in  FIG. 21 . For example, the dry erase pad  232  can include an upstanding backstop  284  at a rear edge thereof, e.g., directly rearward of the marker tray  236 . Additionally, a ledge  286  is provided on the dry erase pad  232  spaced forwardly of a front face of the backstop  284 . The ledge  286  of the illustrated construction is formed by the rear edge of the marker tray  236 , although the ledge  286  may be formed in other ways. Between the backstop  284  and the ledge  286  a pocket  288  is formed. Measured in a front-rear direction along a plane of the dry erase writing surface, the pocket  288  can have a width of at least 10 mm and less than 30 mm, e.g., less than 25 mm. Measured perpendicular to the dry erase writing surface, the ledge  286  can stand up from the pocket  288  at least 2.5 mm and less than 10 mm. This measure can define a minimum depth of the pocket  288 , with the pocket depth increasing from the ledge  286  toward the backstop  284 . 
     Various features and advantages of the embodiments are set forth in the following claims.