Structure for an adjustable height work surfaces cooperating with linear extension mechanisms

Abstract

A structural configuration of a under frame cooperating with linear extension mechanisms supports an adjustable height work surface with diagonal structural elements oriented and located to extend stability from the base objects to the WS directly, or proximate to an under frame location cooperating with the WS and further comprising under frame lateral structural elements that communicates a substantial fraction of both downward loads and horizontal torsional forces to the lower extents of the vertical structural elements resulting in improved stability of the vertically extended work surface.

Description

This Application claims priority with application Ser. No. 62/230,368

BACKGROUND

A body of variable height, or elevated work surface prior art issued since the mid 1980's marks the period of heightened awareness of ergonomic considerations, focused mainly on use of computers. A couple of prior art under frame or substructures of a work surface with linear extension mechanisms were awarded in the in this period. Typically these designs were presenting a seated only ergonomic vertical adjustment range of a few inches. The need now is for a sitting to standing height work surface range that is four or five times greater, impacting the stability of the work surface at standing elevations. Prior art since then migrated to the superior stiffness of primarily closed telescopic extension mechanisms with lift assistance primarily utilizing motorized or hand cranked lead screw and nut mechanisms for each telescopic mechanism, or a horizontal torsion spring cooperating with a rack and pinion for each telescopic mechanism method originally awarded for drafting tables.

All of these prior art examples, even the alternative structures and lift methods reviewed incorporate a common structural feature: the parallel cantilever, or double sided cantilever components cooperating with the under frame vertical leg components proximate to their upper extents, and further cooperating with the work surface or WS. An attempt to lower the cost of these adjustable height WSs by substituting open linear extension mechanisms, and particularly low cost drawer slides or slides for the telescopic mechanisms initially failed due to two stability weaknesses inherent in these slides.

One stability weakness of the slides: minimal resistance to side loads exists, resulting in an unconstrained rocking motion in the XY plane about the Z axis shown in FIG. 1. Due to its slim design, slides offer minimal stiffness to resist this flexing. To resist this movement, the under frame requires a position retention method preferably proximate to both extension mechanisms that prevents upward as well as downward movement of both slides in all elevated positions. Structurally this also prevents the side to side rocking motion.

There are known methods to provide this position retention including the remotely retractable pin and hole method, and the currently popular pair of lead screw motorized methods, and others, where these known methods can cooperate with the under frame and any cooperating base structure to provide this stability. The preferred location is for engaged position retention is the lower extents of the under frame proximate to the slides and tops of the base objects.

With the first problem addressed, a second problem was diagnosed. Introducing torsional forces in the plane of the work surface representing typical pressures or impacts from human interactions, the extended mechanisms naturally distort in opposite directions, one slide distorting rearward and the other distorting forward and also slightly rotationally about the vertical axis centered between the slides. Some movement is unavoidable due to material distortions under stress including the mild steel slide rails. However the distortion was unsatisfactory with springiness experienced in the work surface. The extended exposed inner rail exhibits torsional distortions in the vertical span between the upper and middle fastener locations lifting one side of this inner slide component from the co-planer surfaces of the cooperating vertical sides of the under frame, further twisting the extended mid rail that reduces its load bearing capability, thereby further enabling the increased deflections experienced.

It is important to recognize loads in drawer applications are uniformly distributed when tested, and the center of gravity of that load is between the ends of the mid rails, only half the extended distance traveled by the inner slide rail. This explains why one should expect problems if loads were directly applied near the ends of the inner rails, and particularly if a torsional force component is applied which these slides were not designed to encounter. One valid approach is to use more rigid construction, but that didn't seem to lead to lower costs, where redirecting a substantial fraction of the loads and torsional forces away from the upper extents of the vertical components of the substructure is the approach described herein.

Drawer slides share an application specific design. There are 3 slide rail components: the strongest is the fixed outer slide component, or outer rail, a middle slide component or mid rail, and the fully extended inner slide component or inner rail, where the mid rail further comprises 2 pairs of ball bearing linear arrays, the outer bearing arrays and the inner bearing arrays that cooperate with their respective rails. Both the outer and inner rails further comprise 3 spaced apart fastener locations at industry standard locations, the outer rail cooperating with fasteners to the base structure. One set proximate to the midpoint of the rail, and one set at either end. Preferred heavy duty slides provide two sets of fasteners proximate to the extending end of the outer rails, and hold higher loads at this cantilever fulcrum location for a drawer

When fully extended, the inner and outer bearing arrays constrained in the mid rail are centered in the middle of the overall mechanism that is proximate to the upper ends and fastener locations of the outer rails to the base. This fulcrum location is known to be the most rigid zone of the slide mechanism to communicate with the stability of the base, where position retention components cooperate with the base objects and the lower extents of the under frame proximate to this location in the standing height position. Lateral and torsional forces pass through the slides, and downward loads pass through the position retention components to the base.

Initially applied to an asymmetric work surface under frame, the telescopic extensions were replaced with linear extension mechanisms cooperating with vertical elements, and cantilever elements were discarded. New diagonal structural elements with first ends cooperating with the lower extents of the vertical structural elements proximate to the most rigid zone of the extended slides and stability of the base. These diagonal elements extend upward to communicate with the WS itself in fixed top implementations, or connect below the work surface with a coupling object further connected with added lateral structural elements that further connect with the upper extents of the vertical elements to complete a rigid under frame enabling it to support either fixed or manipulated WS implementations of asymmetric structures. Stretching this structural configuration width would accommodate wider WSs.

The fixed top symmetric free standing configuration discards double cantilevers, implementing double diagonal structural elements that cooperate with the other known structural elements found in prior art of height adjustable WS. The structural configuration is wider for these free standing applications, and the WS itself is contributing the horizontal structural elements in completing this shared structural configuration.

While diagonal structural elements are well known, they are not known or applied in this application, nor offer the benefits offered herein.

SUMMARY

A structural configuration of a under frame cooperating with a WS comprising well known structural elements minus the cantilever elements, and further comprises diagonal elements described herein that extend stability from the base objects to the WS directly, or proximate to the under frame location cooperating with the WS, and thereby communicates a substantial fraction of both downward loads and horizontal torsional forces to the lower extents of the vertical structural elements thereby minimizing the remaining forces applied to the upper extents of these vertical structural elements resulting in significantly improved stability of the vertically extended work surface cooperating with linear extension mechanisms, particularly drawer slides.

Benefits

The health benefits of more standing than sitting offer significant positive improvements in metabolic processes, circulation, posture and more, proven to improve one's health to those in need. Lower manufactured costs are the gateway to enabling more people to obtain these benefits.

This under frame structural configuration or structure enables a broader range of applications. It enables lower cost variable height WSs with satisfying stability for asymmetric models including: wall mounted, folding wall mounted, and mobile chassis configurations that may be further configured with: tilting, rotating, keyboard positioning, cable management, and other features as diverse as the applications are for WSs. The configuration also applies to symmetric free standing tables. The structural elements and mechanisms can be upgraded for demanding loads and greater scale and adaptable for changing proportions.

This structure reduces loads above the lower extents of the under frame expanding the choices of materials, manufacturing methods, and connection techniques that can be chosen to construct an under frame. It expands the industrial design and decorative opportunities as well.

Any chosen method of lift assistance can be configured to cooperate with this proposed structural configuration, where added structural components are anticipated for applying this assistance to the under frame. A light weight model not requiring lift assistance is a reasonable objective as well.

There are also ergonomic benefits, and the benefit to growing individuals who won't outgrow their WSs if they are more affordable. There are many public applications such as school desks, dorm room desks, and industry applications that choose to offer adjustable height benefits to their employees. Adjustable height lecterns and other specialized WS configurations: to support a large art canvas or cooperating with tools, fixtures, or equipment of any type are additional examples that may benefit from low cost adjustable height capability.

Limitations

Freedom of leg movement is somewhat comprised at the sitting elevations, which limits the designer, and may limit market acceptance. The structural configuration is not suitable for applications requiring maximum clearances beneath the WS.

This improved stability method would not apply to the normally oriented closed telescopic extension mechanisms. The lower extents of these elevated vertical structural objects are inaccessible. It can be utilized with inverted telescoping mechanisms, and open telescoping mechanisms in addition to other open linear extension methods, including suitable drawer slide mechanisms.

Ball bearings are exposed to the environment, and not recommended for outdoors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A top right slightly isometric view of an example under frame structure comprising cooperating structural elements of a height adjustable WS under frame.

FIG. 2 A top left isometric view of a fixed top asymmetric shared structure using tubular diagonal components for example, cooperating with common structural objects and a WS embodying structural elements.

FIG. 3 A top left isometric view of a structurally complete under frame independent of work surface, with tubular or rod diagonal components cooperating with a panel embodying lateral elements cooperating with a coupling element.

FIG. 4 A top right isometric view of tilting and fold away work surface pivotably cooperating with a structurally complete under frame further comprising pivoting lower diagonal objects and folding linkage objects that embody upper diagonal elements.

FIG. 4a A detail view of the folding linkage.

FIG. 5 A top right isometric view of structurally complete under frame example comprising cooperating panels embodying the upper and lower diagonal elements further cooperating with the coupling object.

FIG. 6 A top left isometric view of a structurally complete under frame example comprised of one or more rigid or semi-rigid material objects that embody the combination of upper and lower diagonal elements with common structural elements.

FIG. 7 A top right isometric view of symmetric WS cooperating with a wider version of the FIG. 1 preferred underframe shared structural configuration identifying double diagonal elements.

FIG. 8 A top right isometric of symmetric WS with tubular structural objects and fittings example.

FIG. 9 A top right isometric of symmetric WS cooperating with an alternate example under frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In all applications, a work surface or WS as described herein, obtains its stability through its connections to a source of stability which is typically a stationary wall or floor or both. Stability connections include the connections from the floor or wall to one or more base objects, and through one or more cooperating connection pathways including the slide components, and position retention components cooperating with the lower extents of the under frame structure where this structural configuration or structure extends this stability directly or indirectly to the WS, and where WS tilting, sliding, or rotating mechanisms are additional mechanisms cooperating above the under frame, viewed as options above this under frame structure.

Stability describes lack of movement, in this case under stresses. Communicating stability in a structure generally implies rigid constraint of dimensions between structural attachment points, and the use of materials that are sufficiently rigid both in shape and proportions and alignment for the applied loads of the application to prevent movement. Extending stability describes an element extended from a location of stability at its first to the second end of the element where applied forces to the second end are resisted by stability without movement or distortion at the second.

This embodiment assumes a satisfactory communication of stability from a floor and or wall into a base structure, and particularly to the upper extents of the base pillars and the cooperating fixed outer rails and position retention devices attached thereto, the outer rails further communicating lateral stability through the slide components, and the cooperating position retention communicating vertical stability to the cooperating under frame structure.

The terms upper and lower extents refer to overlaying of this FIG. 1 cooperating points on the vertical objects, where some freedom from preferred examples exists. The lower extents are optimal in proximity and diagonal alignment with the sources of stability, yet connecting the diagonal elements higher and farther away still works reasonably well. The upper extents are preferably positioned sufficiently below the work surface for adding the functionality of a shelf embodying the structural elements. Lateral elements can be steeply sloping or much lower in position in connecting to the vertical elements and still be using this structural configuration as loads have largely diminished for the upper extents and these lateral elements. Side walls can also embody both the diagonal and lateral elements, again providing an added function.

Open linear extension mechanisms describe mechanisms where access to the inner slideable rail or partial tube is externally accessible where drawer slides are an example. The slides shown herein are common 3 rail component ball bearing slides, rated heavy duty, in lengths of 22 inches or more, providing 21.65 inches of extension.

While a typical WS under frame definition might reasonably include the slides and the base structures, the term under frame herein refers only to the adjustable elevated under frame objects involved in communicating stability to the WS, and further comprises only the cooperating elevated inner rail components of the slides. Some illustrations show the inner rails cooperating with the mid rail, and others show only the inner rail attached to the under frame.

The term elements herein identify axes between points, where the axes are extended beyond these points for clarity in FIG. 7. The external forces applied to this structure result in tensile and compressive reactions along these axes between end points in this structural configuration. Torsional stress occurs from downward loads, and torsional impacts cause both compressive and tensile stresses in different elements as well.

The base structure of asymmetric WS's may be: a stationary or mobile frame, or comprise a wall mounting structure and may be load bearing onto the floor. Models that fold against the wall are also asymmetric.

One or more additional structural elements are determined by the choice of lift assistance mechanisms and should be anticipated.

A symmetric free standing WS under frame represents a wider version of FIG. 1 structural configuration described later.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred asymmetric arrangement of structural elements representing one or more rigid or semi-rigid material objects that are structurally cooperating together at these endpoints to provide an under frame structural configuration 10a. The underframe 10a cooperates with the inner rails 31 of cooperating slides that further cooperate with base objects 41, 42, indicated by connections 50 that communicate lateral loads. 10a also cooperates with position retention devices 55 further cooperating with the base objects 41, 42 communicating downward loads normally. Well known cantilever elements (not shown) have been discarded, and a pair of lateral structural elements 16a,17a or lateral elements cooperating with diagonal structural elements 14a,15a or diagonal elements, further cooperating with vertical structural elements 11a,12a, or vertical elements and further cooperating with either embodied element 13a, or panel element 13b, or both to form a under frame configuration. Coupling element 18a is described as one or more objects and features that may be added to complete a rigid cooperation of the structural elements 14a, 15a, 16a, and 17a with each other, and further providing the features to cooperate with fixed and manipulated WS applications in asymmetric structures. Coupling element's 18a task is subdivided and simplified when the width of the under frame structure is increased and diagonal elements cooperate with embodied elements in the WS in fixed asymmetric and symmetric free standing WS applications described later.

The lower first ends of the diagonal elements cooperate preferably with the lower first ends of the vertical elements of the under frame, a location when fully elevated, that is proximate to the most rigid zone of the extended slides and the position retention connections to the base structures.

While a straight rigid object is the clearest interpretation of these structural elements a non-straight object can also provide this structural rigidity.

The second ends of the diagonal elements may be located on the WS itself, or proximate to the WS mounting location, providing stability from the base to resist to both downward loads and torsional forces such as an impact to the WS from human interaction. Lateral elements stabilize the upper extents of the diagonal elements and communicate the remaining fraction of lateral forces from downward loads and torsional forces to the vertical elements. The result significantly reduces the total forces normally applied to the upper extents of the vertical objects by cantilever designs. The diagonal elements in either direct or indirect cooperation with the WS significantly improve the stability of the WS in cooperation with extended slides.

In fixed top applications, lateral elements 16a, 17a and element 13a are embodied in the rigid WS element 10a between the cooperating location points of the ends of the diagonals, and the top ends of the vertical elements cooperating with the WS.

The vertical elements, the transverse element 13a, and the panel element 13b are considered well known common structural elements of any adjustable height table under frame, and described as common elements. Lateral elements, when embodied in a WS, are similar to cantilevers in communicating lateral forces to the vertical elements, but may be positioned more directly in-line with torsional forces.

Two new elements 14a, 15a are described herein as diagonal elements, and can be varied in length and angular positioning to suit the proportions of different designs, but remain cooperating preferably with the lower extents of the vertical objects described as the ends of vertical elements. Raising this location above what is described as the preferred location will result in a less direct stability path. Positioning the first diagonal ends 2-5 inches from the bottom of the vertical objects is preferred. It will likely cease to provide much benefit when the first ends of diagonal structural objects approach the location of the upper ends of the extended mid rails.

Viewed from the top, these diagonal elements would project an approximate 35 degree inward rotation from a parallel cantilever orientation, described herein as zero degrees, where they conveniently extend up between ones knees when seated. This between the knees configuration of the diagonal elements is preferred for some asymmetric individual WS designs, and particularly for WS applications enabling folding, tilting, or rotating, but inward rotation of the diagonal elements is not required. It is not a requirement that diagonal objects converge inwardly if the torsional deflection of the WS is tolerable. No specific angular orientation is required to achieve the benefits of these structural objects. A preferred orientation is described later. Even if these objects were oriented in parallel similar to cantilever orientation with separate mounting brackets 18 further cooperating with embodied structural elements in the WS, they would still represent this under frame structural configuration, and provide its benefits.

A stretched wider version of FIG. 1, where structural coupling element 18a separates into 2 mounting brackets, and where lateral elements and element 13a are embodied in the WS describes a shared structural configuration with the vertical and diagonal elements of the under frames applies to free standing symmetric WSs described later.

The common transverse element 13a, or a panel element 13b, and preferably both, in this configuration, maintain the distance between the vertical elements, embodied in the WS,

How to construct these under frames using the different materials and processes is well known to product designers familiar with a chosen material, to design parts for the processes associated with those materials. All modern manufacturing processes to achieve low cost and volume capabilities Involve considerable learning to be considered skilled in the art of designing for those processes

The structural configuration of the fixed top under frame amounts to adding 2 or more diagonal braces, without cantilevers or double cantilevers, cooperating with the other common structural elements, describes a shared structural configuration.

In the asymmetric structural configuration shown in FIGS. 3,4,5, adding 2 diagonals and 2 lateral structural elements that cooperate together, and with the common elements completes the structural configuration that cooperates with slides. These drawings depict readily available material shapes as a visual aid for these construction approaches, where, adding 2 diagonals and 2 lateral structural elements that cooperate together is not difficult to understand, and where one skilled in the art and choosing more economical production techniques and materials has the information herein, to use CAD design tools and the common practice to perform stress analysis to confirm a preliminary design meets the requirements.

Referring to FIG. 2, a WS 20 embodies the transverse element 13a, and the lateral elements within this asymmetric fixed top WS when cooperating with an under frame comprising this shared structural configuration where brackets 34 and the object 18 fixedly cooperate with this WS. The cooperation of the diagonals with the WS may further comprise individual brackets or a common bracket object 18 as shown, and diagonals may further comprise brackets 24, 25 in cooperation with the lower extents of the vertical objects. This under frame is an asymmetric fixed top shared under frame configuration.

Referring to FIG. 3, the under frame 10 described comprises the structural elements in FIG. 1. The structural configuration or structure comprises vertical objects cooperating with the inner rails 31, and the common panel object 13b, and where the diagonals 14,15 cooperating with the mounting brackets 24,25 further cooperate with the lower extents of the vertical objects 11,12, the second ends of diagonals cooperating with coupling 18, that further cooperates with a horizontal object 19 that embodies the lateral elements, and further cooperates with the upper extents of the vertical to complete the structural design of FIG. 1 without the WS. This enables alternate mounting of the WS, including tilting, sliding, and rotating mounting alternatives preferably cooperating with features 88 of object 18. This under frame is a basic asymmetric structural configuration that can cooperate with fixed, tilting, and other interfaces with a WS. Object 19 further provides a shelf function.

Referring to FIG. 4, an under frame 10 enables a tilting folding WS 20 that further comprises the structural configuration of FIG. 1. This preferred embodiment comprises links 26, 26′ and 27,27′ as lateral elements. These links are described as folding brackets comprising 2 unequal length links and a spacer 55 joined in a pivotable folding interconnection, and pivotably mounted on both ends. Notably, although the links are angularly oriented their pivoting ends are all parallel to the YZ plane for folding. Feature 21 shown in FIG. 4b limits the further pivoting of the folding brackets just below straight line alignment, providing a locking function in cooperation with gravity, enabling these folding brackets to transmit tensile and compressive forces between the coupling object 18 and the vertical objects in FIG. 4 that are further cooperating with the inner rails 31, further cooperating with the mid rails 32. Revised lower brackets 24′, 25′ cooperate, align and enable the diagonals to pivot on a bolt or stud 45 cooperating with the vertical objects, and where a second bolt 46, preferably a shoulder bolt passes through a slot in an arc about the pivot bolt in the brackets 24′, 25, the second bolt assists in retaining the pivoting bracket in a plane parallel to the object. The diagonal elements pass through the pivot bolts; however these diagonals objects are not aligned with the elements, representing non straight objects that still effectively communicate the tensile and compressive stresses between the preferred endpoints with relatively negligible distortion. Pivot joints should preferably be precise and cooperate with barely perceptible looseness and low friction smooth travel from folded to unfolded in the diagonal pivot joint and links.

The FIG. 4 WS further comprises a pivoting mechanism 86 that cooperates with object 18. The WS further comprising mounting hardware 36 that cooperates with cables 37 first ends, the second ends cooperating with features 38 where one is shown in FIG. 4b. At a preferred work surface tilt angle, these cables begin to lift features 38, unlocking these pivots, enabling the user to push the now vertically oriented work surface toward the vertical objects, causing further pivoting upward of the folding brackets, and pivoting of diagonal objects into the space between the vertical objects.

Common latching hardware would cooperate between the vertical objects and preferably the WS to retain the now folded vertical WS, where wall mounted base structures would be one anticipated configuration.

Referring to FIG. 5, the under frame 10 comprises the vertical objects cooperating with: the inner rails 31, the panel object 13, the horizontal object 19, and a front object 44 that further cooperates with the coupling object 18 further cooperating with the horizontal object 19. The coupling object is referring to added gusset objects that increase the structural engagement between objects 19 and 44, and provide improved depth and strength for features 88. This asymmetric under frame illustrates objects 19, 44 where object 44 embodies the diagonal elements. Object 19 further comprises the functionality of a shelf.

Referring to FIG. 6, the under frame 10 comprising all the structural elements defined in FIG. 1 may be described as a reinforced shell comprising one or more objects produced in various materials, using any of several manufacturing processes including injection molding, stamping, thermal forming, etc. This shell would further cooperate with the inner slide components 31. A preferred shell material is a glass filled polymer. An injection molded shell further comprising: molded in internal reinforcing features and WS mounting features cooperating with a panel object or equivalent, providing the structural properties of panel element 13b. The complexity of the coupling element 18a may be reduced to the mounting features 88 for the WS for under frames in a cast, formed, or a molded body structure if no other cast or molded structural gussets or the like were needed.

Referring to FIG. 7, this illustration of the under frame structural configuration described as a fixed top free standing symmetric configuration. Herein, the outer rail 33, mid rail 32 and base objects 41, 42 illustrate the structural paths of the diagonal elements through these objects. A WS 20 is directly cooperating with double diagonal elements 14a,15a, 14a′,15a′ through individual attachment elements 18a, shown in FIG. 8, that remain cooperating together through the embodied structural elements in the WS between them. The double diagonal elements cooperating with embodied lateral elements replace double cantilevers in this structure. The double diagonal elements align with brackets 35 cooperating with the lower extents of the vertical objects that further cooperate with the inner rails 31. The WS also cooperates with brackets, shown as brackets 34 in FIG. 2, to the upper extents of the vertical objects.

This WS itself further embodies: the double lateral elements 16a,17a, 16a′,17a′, the transverse element 13a in these configurations. Although different in appearance from FIG. 1, it is the merely a change in the width of the structural configuration and replacing double cantilevers with double diagonals.

The diagonal elements in FIG. 7 are shown in perspective. At the inward angle shown, the intersections of the double diagonals with the work surface are located proximate to the same radius from the central Y axis as their first end intersections with the vertical objects.

Orienting the double diagonal elements parallel with cantilever orientations still directs a fraction of the applied forces to the lower extents that improves stability. Inward angles from this 0 degrees parallel orientation enable aligning the projection of the double diagonals toward the radial torsional forces increasing the fraction of the torsional forces communicated to the lower extents of the structure and improving torsional stability. The preferred orientation is described as aligning the projected locations of both ends of the diagonals on or proximate to the same radius from the center of the WS.

Referring to FIG. 8, the symmetric free standing WS 20 example cooperates with under frame 10 comprising vertical objects cooperating object 13 and further cooperating with inner rails 31 further cooperating with mid rails 32. Double diagonal objects 15, 15′ are shown with their lower extents cooperating with brackets 51 further cooperating with vertical object 12, and their upper extents cooperating with brackets 18 further cooperating with the WS in the preferred orientation. The other double diagonal braces 14, 14′ are not shown for clarity.

FIG. 9 illustrates an under frame 10 where objects 111, 112 are combining multiple elements in cooperation with inner rails 31, 32 and embodied common elements in the WS 20′.

This document contains no new matter.

Claims

1) An under frame structure of a work surface cooperating with linear extension mechanisms and position retention devices that in further cooperation with base structures, communicates stability therefrom to the underframe in height adjustable positions, the underframe structure comprising:

a) vertical elements connected to the work surface;

b) diagonal elements oriented and positioned proximate to said stability and operably linked thereto, extending therefrom to further operably communicate said stability to the work surface in height adjustable positions;

c) work surface embodied lateral elements operably linked to said underframe structure where the larger fraction of off-center downward loads and torsional forces are communicated downward through the diagonal elements, the lateral elements communicating the minor fraction thereof to the upper extents of the vertical elements, thereby providing improving the stability of the work surface.

2) The under frame structure of claim 1 where a spreading apart of the vertical elements and the coupling element into separate elements provides a fixed top symmetric structure for free standing structures wherein:

a) a second diagonal element extends from each vertical element symmetrically,

b) the tops of the diagonal objects and the vertical objects further connected to the work surface,

c) the embodied structural elements in the work surface complete this structure, enabling improved WS stability.

3) The under frame structure of claim 2 where a vertical elements and cooperating diagonal elements are comprised of one or more objects.

4) The under frame structure of claim 1 where an inward angular orientation of the diagonal elements preferably aligned with torsional forces improves resistance to these forces wherein:

a) a preferred orientation for torsional resistance locates both connected ends of the diagonal elements proximate to the same radius from the axis of said torsional forces.

5) The underframe of claim 1 further comprising added structural objects to cooperate with a chosen method of lift assistance wherein:

a) some methods of lift assistance also operably provide position retention, where these and other methods can provide the function of the position retention herein.

6) The under frame structure of claim 1 wherein said diagonal elements are further inclined inward and cooperate with a coupling object further connected to lateral elements that connect to the vertical elements, wherein:

a) the work surface comprises an articulating device connected to the coupling element exclusively supporting the WS, enabling tilting or other articulation of the work surface, the under frame thereby providing the same improved stability and further enabling an articulating work surface.

7) The under frame structure of claim 6 where the connections of elements may be fixed, or pivotable, or embodied in objects to achieve various functionality and product objectives.

8) The under frame structure of claim 6 where lateral elements may be:

a) embodied in the work surface

b) rigidly or pivotably cooperating with connected elements,

c) inclined in non-horizontal sloping orientations,

d) comprised of one or more locking objects that cooperate with a device or method for unlocking the objects,

e) embodied together in one or more objects,

f) embodied in object pairs with a diagonal elements described as sides,

9) The under frame structure of claim 6 comprised of one or more objects that adequately retain the dimensions between the connections of the structural elements when subjected to anticipated downward loads and torsional forces, are not otherwise limited in shape or appearance.

10) The under frame structure of claim 10 provides the added function of a shelf below the work surface ideal for locating interconnections of electrical accessories.

11) The under frame structure of claim 6 comprised of one or more objects that may be molded, cast, or formed that cooperates with slides, a panel object, and the work surface, and further providing a multi-surface exterior thereby facilitating decorative opportunities for targeting markets, and where fewer parts is a cost advantage.

12) The underframe of claim 6 may further comprise added structural objects to cooperate with a chosen method of lift assistance wherein:

a) some lift assistance methods also function as position retention mechanisms

b) alternative methods of position retention as well as lift assistance are matters of choice.