Supports – Brackets – Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-08-07
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports
Brackets
Adjustable
C248S918000, C248S281110, C108S007000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270047
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to a keyboard support platform assembly and more particularly to an adjustable support platform that permits the adjustment of the pitch or tilt of the support platform to accommodate the setting of the work angle of a keyboard.
The keyboard support platform construction is of the type generally shown in McConnell, U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,054 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,136, or Smeenge et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,798. The aforesaid McConnell and Smeenge patents are incorporated herein by reference. As conventional, a keyboard support platform is attached by parallel and/or non-parallel pivotal linkage arms to a slidable plate. The slidable plate, in turn, is mounted in a slide on the underside of a desk or other work surface. The slide permits the keyboard support platform and linkage to move between a retracted or storage position to an extended or use position. The pivotal linkage arms further permit the keyboard support platform to be adjusted to a useful operational work height.
The conventional keyboard support platform assemblies, however, are limited in the degree of keyboard tilt. That is, known keyboard platform assemblies limit the operational work angle of the keyboard and, therefore, do not ergonomically comply with the requirements of all users. Because conventional keyboard support platform assemblies are so limited, keyboard users have suffered from various debilitating medical conditions. As an example, it has been shown that without the proper work angle setting of the keyboard, users who perform considerable data entry on the keyboard have suffered from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which is a medical disorder of the hand that creates numbness and pain in the fingers. Consequently, there is a need for an improved keyboard support platform assembly which provides not only adjustable work height of the keyboard but also improved adjustment of the tilt or work angle of the keyboard to prevent such debilitating medical conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and provides a solution to the aforementioned problems associated with the known keyboard support platform assemblies. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable support mechanism for a keyboard support platform. It is a further object to provide an adjustable tilt mechanism which permits the user to set the pitch of the support platform to accommodate setting of the work angle of a keyboard according to the desires of the user. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tilt mechanism which also includes an easily adjustable and accessible mechanism for locking or holding the keyboard platform at the desired work angle.
Briefly, in summary, the present invention comprises an adjustable tilt mechanism for a keyboard support platform. The keyboard support platform is of the type that includes a linkage for connecting the platform to a work surface. The linkage further includes connecting arms which pivotally connect the keyboard support platform to the work surface. The adjustable tilt mechanism is pivotally movable about its connection to the connecting arms to permit independent adjustment of the pitch of the platform. The tilt mechanism further includes a tilt adjustment member that is movable transversely relative to the pivot axis of the platform. Engaging the tilt adjustment member is an angled shaft which is fixed to the platform between the sides of the platform. The tilt adjustment member is also pivotal about a second fixed shaft that is parallel to the pivot axis of the platform. A releasable latching member is mounted on the connecting arms for engaging and releasing the tilt adjustment member. In operation, the slidable movement of the tilt adjustment member alters the pitch of the keyboard support platform, thereby setting the work angle of the platform.
The full range of objects, aspects and advantages of the invention are only appreciated by a full reading of this specification and a full understanding of the invention. Therefore, to complete this specification, a detailed description of the invention and the preferred embodiment follows, after a brief description of the drawing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4585212 (1986-04-01), Yanker
patent: 4589621 (1986-05-01), Hunt et al.
patent: 4616798 (1986-10-01), Smeenge et al.
patent: 4632349 (1986-12-01), Anstey
patent: 4790611 (1988-12-01), Craner
patent: 4826123 (1989-05-01), Hannah et al.
patent: 4843978 (1989-07-01), Schmidt et al.
patent: 4988066 (1991-01-01), Cotterill
patent: 5037054 (1991-08-01), McConnell
patent: 5145136 (1992-09-01), McConnell
patent: 5257767 (1993-11-01), McConnell
patent: 5513579 (1996-05-01), Allen
patent: 5836560 (1998-11-01), Kaplan
patent: 5924664 (1999-07-01), Mileos
patent: 6021985 (2000-02-01), Hahn
patent: 6027090 (2000-02-01), Liu
patent: 99489 (1923-06-01), None
patent: 162103 (1933-08-01), None
patent: 255365 (1949-01-01), None
patent: 664549 (1984-10-01), None
patent: 2535042 (1975-08-01), None
patent: 3323780 (1983-07-01), None
patent: 0017222 (1980-04-01), None
patent: 0256610 (1987-03-01), None
patent: 0341358 (1988-05-01), None
patent: 0405234 (1990-06-01), None
patent: 0322994 (1992-08-01), None
patent: 0415176 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 2517942 (1982-12-01), None
patent: 2547195 (1983-06-01), None
patent: 47-32098 (1972-09-01), None
patent: 48-101256 (1973-12-01), None
patent: 49-1361 (1974-01-01), None
patent: 49-10887 (1974-03-01), None
patent: 4938753 (1974-04-01), None
patent: 50-17535 (1975-05-01), None
patent: 51-90657 (1976-08-01), None
patent: 51-148567 (1976-12-01), None
patent: 51-151446 (1976-12-01), None
patent: 52-30560 (1977-03-01), None
patent: 53-93961 (1978-08-01), None
patent: 54-127761 (1979-10-01), None
patent: 55-119292 (1980-09-01), None
patent: 57-69199 (1982-04-01), None
patent: 60-44689 (1985-03-01), None
patent: 60-146997 (1985-08-01), None
patent: 61-136095 (1986-06-01), None
patent: 1250694 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 7308797 (1916-08-01), None
patent: WO8810081 (1988-12-01), None
Industrial Design in Engineering, by Charles H. Flurscheim, 1983.
Industrial Design Magazine's 28th annual review, Published by Design Publications, 1982.
Design of a Three-Degree-of-Freedom Robotic Worktable With Prescribed Entire-Motion Characteristics, by Jau-Jung Chen, Sep. 1986.
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Chin-Shue Alvin
CompX International Inc.
LandOfFree
Keyboard tilt mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Keyboard tilt mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Keyboard tilt mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2468787