Supports – Brackets – Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-06
2001-02-20
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Adjustable
C248S295110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189849
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is for a system for storage and use of a monitor and/or keyboard, and more particularly, pertains to a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system which is vertically adjustable and which stores in a minimum profile.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art devices have provided for the storage and display of monitors and keyboards but few have addressed providing vertically adjustable and low profile systems for use in space restricted areas or passageways such as areas where egress from such an area could be hampered by storage and display mechanisms due to a wide profile.
The present invention provides a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system which is vertically adjustable and which stores in a minimum profile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system which is vertically adjustable and which stores in a minimum profile. The flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system preferably is mounted to a wall, but can be mounted to other surfaces or supports.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a transport assembly secured to a support panel which provides for simultaneous vertical positioning of a flat panel monitor and/or a keyboard. The transport assembly includes opposing extendable rails which align vertically and which extend vertically to adjust the height of the keyboard and/or flat panel monitor, with respect to the support panel, to that height desired by the user. A monitor mounting channel bridges the upper-mid portions of the extendable rails and includes a pivot mount for adjustable mounting of a flat panel display. A keyboard mounting channel bridges the lower regions of the extendable rails and includes a pivot mount and connected keyboard tray for mounting of a keyboard. The keyboard mounting channel pivot mount can be mounted in a plurality of holes in the keyboard mounting channel for vertical adjustment of the keyboard tray and mounted keyboard with respect to the flat panel display secured to the pivot mount on the monitor mounting channel. Vertical adjustment of the monitor mounting channel results in a corresponding vertical movement of the keyboard mounting channel as they are both mounted in common to the extendable rails. The keyboard tray pivots about the pivot mount on the keyboard mounting channel to position the keyboard to a minimum stowed profile.
A linkage assembly secures on one end to the support panel and the other end slideably engages an abutment assembly including a triangular plate and a wear bar which is connected to one of the extendable rails and to the monitor mounting channel. The linkage assembly, which includes a gas spring, provides for vertical support of the transport assembly which includes the extendable rails, the monitor mounting channel, the monitor mounting channel pivot mount, the abutment assembly, the keyboard mounting channel, the keyboard mounting channel pivot mount, a keyboard tray, and other associated components. An adjuster provides for adjustment of the gas spring of the linkage assembly and also provides for assisted positioning of the transport assembly and its payload.
One alternative embodiment of the vertical lift system includes a shortened support panel and shortened left and right extendable rails where structure for support of a flat panel monitor is needed but where keyboard support is not required.
Another alternative embodiment discloses a vertical lift system for support of a keyboard where support of a flat panel monitor is not required.
One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having a minimum profile.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system suitable for use in space restricted areas, passages or hallways or other areas where egress or passage shall not be hampered.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having vertically positionable components where such components are those of a transport assembly.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having a pivot mount for a flat panel display.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having a pivot mount for a keyboard tray and keyboard.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having a transport assembly where a monitor mounting channel and a keyboard mounting channel bridge opposing positionable rails.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having a transport assembly where a monitor mounting channel and a keyboard mounting channel are supported by a linkage assembly.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having a transport assembly which can be field adjusted to provide linear counterbalanced support over a range of payloads.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor lift system for adjustable support of a flat panel monitor solely.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a keyboard lift system for adjustable support of a keyboard solely.
Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system having a locking mechanism for vertical locking of the transport assembly where such locking is urged by positioning of the keyboard tray and/or by manual inputs to the keyboard.
Having thus described embodiments of the present invention, it is the principal object hereof to provide a flat panel monitor/keyboard lift system.
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patent: 4691886 (1987-09-01), Wendling et al.
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patent: 5487525 (1996-01-01), Drabczyk et al.
patent: 5626323 (1997-05-01), Lechman et al.
patent: 5738316 (1998-04-01), Sweere et al.
patent: 5836562 (1998-11-01), Danzyger et al.
patent: 5860370 (1999-01-01), Poniecki
patent: 5881984 (1999-03-01), Lin
Showalter Matthew J.
Sweere Harry C.
Baxter Gwendolyn
Ergotron, Inc.
King Anita M.
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
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