Patent ID: 7506592

Claim:
An adjustable height workstation for use by a user that can hold a laptop or tablet computer, the workstation comprising: a base section; an intermediate section coupled to the base section and comprising an upwardly-extending lower support structure, an upper support structure, and a pair of parallel side links connected there between, to accomplish a double-crank parallelogram four-bar linkage; a spring having a first end coupled to the lower support structure and a second end coupled to one of the parallel side links, to assist in movement of the upper support structure relative to the lower support structure; and an upper working section supported by the intermediate section and comprising: a first essentially horizontal shelf having a front edge for positioning adjacent to the user, a back edge opposite the front edge, and first and second opposite side edges, a second essentially horizontal shelf having a front edge for positioning adjacent to the user, a back edge opposite the front edge, and first and second opposite side edges, the second shelf spaced from and below the first shelf, a plurality of standoffs, wherein each of the standoffs is coupled at a first end to the first shelf at locations proximate the front edge of the first shelf, and hingedly coupled at a second end to the second shelf at locations proximate the front edge of the second shelf, wherein the hinged coupling is adapted to allow the user to tilt the first shelf away from the second shelf and relative to the back edge of the second shelf, and a mechanical structure releasably coupled to the second shelf and extending between the two shelves and above and near one side of the second shelf, to create a space for at least a portion of the laptop or tablet computer to fit between the shelves, wherein the mechanical structure defines at least one projecting lobe extending above the first shelf, the lobe configured to support a display portion of the laptop or tablet computer, and wherein the releasable coupling is accomplished with a tab attached to the mechanical structure that fits through a slot in the second shelf to provide an adjustable-height workspace.