LIFT-TOP DESK SYSTEM

Abstract

An item of furniture having a lift-top working surface configured to elevate a part of the furniture above other, similar components. This lifting functionality is configured so that the item is usable in a variety of human ergonomic positions, such as seated and standing. Typically, the furniture is a desk, and the lift-top surface elevates a portion of the desktop from a seated to standing position using a lift mechanism or lift means hidden within a compartment of the desk body during non-use. The compartment may double as a storage, such as for cables, wires, and other typical office equipment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This disclosure pertains to the field of furniture, and more particularly to furniture with a variable height work surface.

Description of the Related Art

The health risks of sedentary office jobs are well known. Workers who spend a substantial part of their day in a stationary, seated position experience a number of negative health consequences, including weight gain. Sedentary work lifestyles reduce overall cardiovascular health, which can cause other health complications.

Increasingly, office workers at “desk jobs” are seeking opportunities to get exercise in their daily office routines. For example, workers may get up from their desks and take walks once an hour and, increasingly, office workers are opting to stand, instead of sitting. Standing at a desk may have certain health benefits over sitting, such as improved circulation, better attention and focus, increased caloric burn, or simply an opportunity to stretch muscles and change positions.

Most office workers use a desktop computer system in their daily activities, which in turn requires a mouse and keyboard for input and a computer monitor for output. In many office environments, the user input devices are attached to a sliding tray mounted to the bottom side of a desktop, or simply placed on top of the desk in front of a monitor. The monitor itself is generally attached to a stand or arm placed on top of the desktop. Conventionally, standing at a desk requires an aftermarket apparatus attached or applied to the desk to raise the input and output devices to a comfortable height for operation while standing. The aftermarket apparatus usually comprises a flat top surface on which the monitor is placed; the flat top surface is attached to a mechanism for raising or lowering the surface. However, because the mechanical components occupy space, the device generally sits on top of the desk, and the mechanical components for raising are also located above the top surface of the desk.

This presents a number of problems. First, the mechanical components themselves are unattractive. Second, because the mechanical components must be located between the flat top surface of the lifting device and the top of the desk, the lifting device nevertheless elevates the monitor above the surface of the desk, even when the lifting device is in a lower “sitting” position. This can require the seated user to crane his or her neck to an unnatural position in order to see the monitor correctly when not using the lifting device in “standing” position. Third, because the mouse and keyboard must also be at a comfortable working height, the user must manually move the mouse and keyboard with the lifting apparatus, when the lifting apparatus is moved to standing position. This usually involves rerouting cabling, or the use of wireless peripherals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of this section is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

Because of these and other problems in the art, described herein, among other things, is a desk comprising: a desktop configured for seated use by a human having a work surface and a cutout moveable section configured to generally conform to the cutout; a lift means for lifting and suspending the moveable section above the work surface at a height for standing use by a human.

In an embodiment, the desktop is generally in the configuration of a rectangle.

In a further embodiment, the cutout section is generally in the configuration of a rectangle.

In a further embodiment, the width of the moveable section is less than the width of the desktop.

In a further embodiment, the length of the moveable section is less than the length of the desktop.

In a further embodiment, the moveable section comprises a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and the lift means is attached to the bottom surface.

In a further embodiment, the desk comprises a storage compartment disposed beneath the desktop at the cutout and, when the moveable section is not lifted, the lift means is in the storage compartment.

In a further embodiment, the storage compartment comprises a first internal support and an opposing second internal support attached to the bottom side of the desktop on opposing sides of the cutout, the lift means attached to each of the first and second internal supports.

In a further embodiment, the lift means is configured to elevate and suspend the moveable section directly above the cutout section.

In a further embodiment, the lift means is configured to suspend the moveable section above the desktop such that a line from the center of the moveable section to the center of the cutout is not generally perpendicular to the desktop.

In a further embodiment, at least one side of the storage compartment is an apron of the desk.

In a further embodiment, the apron is the front apron of the desk.

Also described herein, among other things, is a method for adjusting the height of a work surface comprising: providing a desk having a portion moveable with respect to a desktop of the desk and attached to the desk by a lifting means, the moveable portion having a closed position in which the moveable portion is configured for seated use by a human and an open position in which the moveable portion is configured for standing use by a human; when the moveable portion is in the closed position, using the lifting means to lift the moveable portion to the open position; using the lifting means, suspending the moveable portion in the open position.

In an embodiment, the width of the moveable portion is less the width of the desktop.

In a further embodiment, the length of the moveable portion is less than the length of the desktop.

In a further embodiment, the moveable portion is generally in the configuration of a rectangle.

In a further embodiment, the center of the moveable portion when in the open position is directly above the center of the moveable portion when in the closed position.

In a further embodiment, the center of the moveable portion when in the open position is not directly above the center of the moveable portion when in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a lift-top desk according to the present disclosure in both open and closed positions.

FIG. 2 depicts isometric and side elevations of a lift-top desk according to the present disclosure in both open and closed positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The following detailed description and disclosure illustrates by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed systems and methods, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the disclosed systems and methods. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosures, it is intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Described herein, among other things, is an item of furniture 101 including a lift-top working surface 105. This disclosure describes the lift-top work surface 105, or movable portion, in connection with a conventional office desk, but it will be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the structures and methods described herein may be readily adapted to other types of furniture having enclosures for the components described herein.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an item of furniture according to the present disclosure shown in two different configurations. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, a desk 101 having a lift-top surface 105 is depicted. The depicted desk 101 is generally a typical desk, having a desktop or work surface 103 suspended above the floor by a support system 102, such as desk legs or panels. A typical desk has an apron or skirt 104 extending between the legs and disposed below the work surface. The apron 104 adds rigidity and stability to the construction while hiding the internal construction of the desk. The depicted desk 101 is shown in both closed 101A and open 101B position. For purposes of the present disclosure, “closed” position 101A shall mean that the lift-top surface 105 is in its lowest position, with the lift means 107 disposed at or beneath the bottom 109 of the work surface 103, and the top of the lift-top surface 105 disposed at or near the plane at the top 111 of the work surface 103. For purposes of this disclosure, “open” position 101B shall mean that the lift-top surface 105 is extended above the work surface 103, generally for use by a human in standing position, with at least a portion of the lift means 107 disposed at or above the top plane 111 of the work surface 103, and the lift-top surface 105 disposed above the top plane 111 of the work surface 103.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lift-top surface 105 is a generally planar structure, having a surface area smaller than the surface area of the primary work surface 103. This has the advantage of allowing only part 105 of the work surface 103 to be elevated, which permits the user to choose which materials disposed on the work surface will be lifted. For example, the monitor, keyboard, and mouse may be placed on the lift-top surface 105, so that when the lifting means 107 is used, the monitor, keyboard, and mouse also are raised to standing height. However, other objects disposed on the work surface 103, such as papers, beverages, food, or décor, are not disturbed. This prevents the user from having to manually relocate the mouse and keyboard or other devices that the user will frequently manipulate in standing position, as those items can all be placed on the lift-top surface 105.

Although the depicted lift-top surface 105 is rectangular, this is a design choice and other shapes or configurations are possible, though some are more difficult to construct due to the shape and configuration of the lifting elements. While rectangular surfaces are convenient due to ease of manufacture and the generally aesthetically pleasing nature of rectilinear design, the lift-top surface 105 could be in another configuration, such as, but not limited to, a polygonal, oval, circular, or an irregular or asymmetrical shape.

The work surface 103 of the desk 101 is also generally in the configuration of a rectilinear shape, generally for the same reasons as stated with respect to lift-top surface 105; however, the work surface 103 could likewise be in another configuration, such as, but not limited to, a polygonal, oval, circular, or an irregular or asymmetrical shape. Such configurations are well known in the art to be appealing to users, and to make the furniture 101 suited for use in virtually any space. The work surface 103 comprises a cutout 113. The cutout 113 is generally the same size, shape, and configuration as the lift-top surface 105. When the lift-top surface 105 is in closed 101A position, the combination of the work surface 103, and the lift-top surface 105 generally form a rectangular prism, causing the desk 101 to function as a conventional desk 101 in that configuration 101A.

The depicted lift-top surface 105 is mechanically attached to a lifting means 107. The lifting means 107 is in turn mechanically attached to the desk 101, typically to internal construction elements hidden from external view when the desk 101 is closed 101A. Components of the lifting means 107 are generally attached to the bottom and/or the sides of the lift-top surface 105 so that, when the lift-top surface 105 is in closed position 101A, the lifting means is disposed beneath it, and thus contained within an internal compartment of the desk 101 and not externally visible in closed 101A position.

The depicted lift means 107 comprises one or more rigid arms 115 or bars 115 rotatably attached to the desk 101. To lift the lift-top surface 105, the lift-top surface 105 is pulled up from closed position 101A, which causes the arms 115 to rotate to a vertical position, where the arms 115 may be suspended and locked in place. The depicted arms 115 are attached to an inside surface 121 of the cutout 113 which extends perpendicularly below the desk 101 surface to provide a sufficiently stable and rigid attachment point to which the arms 115 can be rotatably attached.

A number of structures and systems for achieving the lift functionality are known in the art, and any number of these could be easily converted or adapted for use with the desk as described herein. By way of example, and not limitation, appropriate lift technologies for this application are exemplified by systems commercially offered for sale by Varidesk™, Ergotron™, Uplift Desk™, iMovR™, Work EZ, and others.

As seen in FIG. 1, this inside surface 121 comprises a second, internal apron or skirt extending floorward from the cutout 113. This structure may provide additional structural strength in the middle of the desk, where the work surface 103 typically experiences the heaviest loads and has the least structural support. In the depicted embodiment, the internal apron 121 surrounds the cutout 113 on three sides, with part of the front apron 104 forming the fourth side of an internal box or compartment. The lift top surface 105, when closed 101A, forms a “top” or “lid” to a compartment whose perimeter is defined by these surfaces.

Thus, the cutaway portion 113 of the work surface 103 forms an enclosure when the lift-top surface 105 is closed. That is, the perimeter of the cutaway 113 extends downward to form the sides of an enclosure, which may optionally be fully or partially closed at the bottom by another piece of material. When the lift-top surface 105 is in closed position, the lift means 107 are disposed within the enclosure. However, in many configurations, the lift means move along a consistent path, and the enclosure is substantially empty, regardless of the position of the lifting means 107. As such, the enclosure may be used for storage. Such storage may include excess cabling, other computing or office equipment, or anything else that the user desires to store. The storage enclosure may alternatively include a built-in power strip or surge protector, which can be plugged into a wall receptacle, allowing objects disposed on the desk to be plugged into the surge protector, reducing the amount of cabling that must be run to the wall. This arrangement is also advantageous because it provides ample surplus cabling for the lifting operation, reducing the odds that the lifting will stretch the power cable taut, which can cause devices to be pulled off the lift-top surface 105 when it is raised.

In an embodiment such as that seen in FIG. 2, the lifting means not only elevates the lift-top surface 105 above the work surface 103 of the desk 101 in open position 101B, but also offsets it laterally with respect to the cutout 113. That is, as seen in FIG. 2, the lift-top surface 105 moves towards the front 117A of the desk 101 when lifted; alternatively, the lift-top surface 105 would move towards the back of 117B of desk 101. This is so that, in the depicted embodiment, the arms 115 can be stowed within the desk 101 when the desk 101 is in closed position 101A, without interfering with the seated user. That is, if the lifting means 107 is too large or complex, when the desk 101 is closed, the lifting means 107 may hang too low down below the desk 101, such that the user's legs may bump into it when seated. While not depicted, other lifting means are possible, which may use other mechanical structures to lift the lift-top surface 105 straight up over the cutout 113.

When the desk 101 is in closed position, the top of the lift-top surface 105 is generally coplanar with the top 111 of the work surface 103. This can make it difficult to begin the lifting process. The lift-top surface 105 may thus include one or more small grip holes figured for a human to insert a finger or hand and lift the lift-top surface 105 fully up, or partially up until the user can get his or her fingers under the sides. Similarly, such a hole would allow the user to gently lower the lift-top surface 105 without pinching his or her fingers on the sides as it closes. Alternatively, if the cutaway compartment does not include a bottom the user may simply place a hand under the desk 101 and push up on the lift-top surface 105 from below, beginning the raising action. In a still further embodiment, the lifting means may include components for assisting with the lift, or slowing the descent. Examples of such components include handles, grips, springs, hydraulics, such as an air spring, and/or electrical motors or actuators. Such components both increase usability and reduce the risk of damage due to an uncontrolled drop. The finger or hand holes may also be used to route cables from the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or other objects disposed on top of the desk 101 to the bottom of the desk 101, where they can then be guided to appropriate equipment or power receptacles.

Although the depicted embodiment shows only one lift-top surface 105 with accompanying lifting means 107, it will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that an item of furniture may contain two or more such structures, in the same, or different configurations.

The lift-top surface 105 may be prevented from dropping below the plane of the top of the work surface 103 by any number of structures. For example, the lift means 107 may itself be configured to prevent lowering of the lift-top surface 105 any lower than the top plane of the work surface 103. Alternatively, other structures may be used to provide a resting place for the lift-top surface 105 so that it cannot descend past the top of the work surface. For example, the internal apron 121 may protrude into the cutout 113 by an amount, such that the top of the apron 121 provides a lip or ridge, which the lift-top surface 105 will encounter when placed in closed position 101A. This ridge will prevent the lift-top surface 105 from descending any further.

In an embodiment, the surface area of the lift-top surface 105 comprises less than half of the surface area of the work surface 103. In an alternative embodiment, the surface area of the lift-top surface 105 comprises more than half of the surface area of the work surface 103.

In the depict embodiments, the lift-top surface is only part of the work surface. However, in an alternative embodiment, the lift-top surface and work surface are co-extensive; that is, the lift-top surface comprises the entire work surface. Additionally, the depicted embodiments are illustrative only and the structures and methods described herein may be used in alternative desk embodiments, such as, but not necessarily limited to, a conventional pedestal desk. Additionally, in an embodiment where the lift-top surface comprises less than all of the work-top surface, the lift-top surface need not have the precise configuration shown in the FIGS. For example, the lift-top surface may comprise half of the work surface, while the other half remains stationary. In such an embodiment, it will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that the internal apron structure will likewise differ. For example, if the left-hand half of the desk lifts, then the left, front, and back aprons may be used to attach the lifting mechanism, and only one internal support may be used.

While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A desk comprising:

a desktop configured for seated use by a human having a work surface and a cutout moveable section configured to generally conform to said cutout;

an unmotorized a lift means for lifting and suspending said moveable section above said work surface at a height for standing use by a human; and

a storage compartment disposed beneath said desktop at said cutout;

wherein when said moveable section is not lifted, said lift means is disposed within said storage compartment.

2. The desk of claim 1, wherein said desktop is generally in the configuration of a rectangle.

3. The desk of claim 1, wherein said cutout is generally in the configuration of a rectangle.

4. The desk of claim 1, wherein the width of the moveable section is less than the width of the desktop.

5. The desk of claim 1, wherein the length of the moveable section is less than the length of the desktop.

6. The desk of claim 1, wherein said moveable section comprises a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and said lift means is attached to said bottom surface.

7. The desk of claim 1, further comprising at least one grip hole disposed in said moveable section and sized and shaped to accept at least one human finger to lift or lower the movable section.

8. The desk of claim 1 7, wherein said storage compartment comprises a first internal support and an opposing second internal support attached to the bottom side of said desktop on opposing sides of said cutout, said lift means attached to each of said first and second internal supports.

9. The desk of claim 1, wherein said lift means is configured to elevate and suspend said moveable section directly above said cutout section.

10. The desk of claim 1, wherein said lift means is configured to suspend said moveable section above said desktop such that a line from the center of said moveable section to the center of said cutout is not generally perpendicular to said desktop.

11. The desk of claim 1, wherein at least one side of said storage compartment is an apron of said desk.

12. The desk of claim 11, wherein said apron is the front apron of said desk.

13. A method for adjusting the height of a work surface comprising:

providing a desk having a portion moveable with respect to a desktop of said desk and attached to said desk by an unmotorized a lifting means disposed within a storage compartment beneath said desk, said moveable portion having a closed position in which said moveable portion is configured for seated use by a human and an open position in which said moveable portion is configured for standing use by a human;

when said moveable portion is in said closed position, using said lifting means to lift said moveable portion to said open position; and

using said lifting means, suspending said moveable portion in said open position.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the width of said moveable portion is less the width of said desktop.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the length of said moveable portion is less than the length of said desktop.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said moveable portion is generally in the configuration of a rectangle.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the center of said moveable portion when in said open position is directly above the center of said moveable portion when in said closed position.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the center of said moveable portion when in said open position is not directly above the center of said moveable portion when in said closed position.

19. The desk of claim 7, further comprising a ridge disposed within said storage compartment and adapted to prevent the moveable surface from descending below a top plane of the desk.

20. The desk of claim 19, further comprising a power supply disposed within the storage compartment.