Abstract: A counterbalance apparatus for use in a workstation to raise and lower a work surface of the workstation. The counterbalance apparatus compensates for the load on the work surface. The counterbalance apparatus includes an inner column telescopingly mounted in an outer column. A base member is positioned at one end of the outer column. A grooved member positioned between the inner column and the base member and a force mechanism between the grooved member and the inner column or the work surface. The grooved member moves in and out of the inner column and base member to raise and lower the work surface.

Abstract: A counterbalance apparatus for use in a workstation to raise and lower a work surface of the workstation. The counterbalance apparatus compensates for the load on the work surface. The counterbalance apparatus includes an inner column telescopingly mounted in an outer column. A base member is positioned at one end of the outer column. A grooved member positioned between the inner column and the base member and a force mechanism between the grooved member and the inner column or the work surface. The grooved member moves in and out of the inner column and base member to raise and lower the work surface.

Abstract: The device (10) prevents a shaft (110) from rotating. When mounted on the shaft extending between the movement mechanisms (106) of a workstation (100), the device prevents the movement mechanisms from raising or lowering the work surface (102). A pair of fixed hubs (20 and 22) are fixably mounted on the shaft. A rotatable hub (24) is rotatably mounted on the shaft spaced between the fixed hubs. First and second wrap springs (28 and 30) extend between each of the fixed hubs and the rotatable hub. A pair of wrap springs are force fit over the fixed hubs and rotatable hub. The device also includes an anti-release mechanism which prevents release of the device when an additional force is applied to the work surface such that the work surface is out-of-balance.

Abstract: The adjustment mechanism (10) includes a stationary first member (12) and a second member (20) telescopingly mounted in the first member. A threaded member (26) is rotatably connected at the first end (26A) to the upper end (20A) of the second member. The second end (26B) of the screw extends down through a top nut (38) fixably mounted on one end of a nut support (36). A spring (40) is mounted around the screw and the nut support extends between the lower end of the first member and the upper end of the second member. An operating mechanism is used to rotate the screw. The operating mechanism allows for fewer rotations of the handle (62) of the operating mechanism to move the work surface the desired amount.

Abstract: A counterbalance apparatus (10) for moving the work surface (100B) of a work station (100) including outer and inner members (12 and 20) having outer and inner inserts (16 and 26) with outer and inner cam surfaces (16B and 26B). A dampener (30) having a threaded rod (36) is mounted within the inner member. A cam follower (50) is mounted on the dampener such that the rollers (54) are in contact with the outer and inner cam surfaces. Springs (69, 70 and 71) are mounted between the cam follower and an adjustment nut (42) around the dampener. As the work surface moves, the inner member moves in and out of the outer member to compress and expand the springs. The cam rollers move along the cam surfaces and allow for a constant force on the work surface throughout the movement of the work station.

Abstract: The device (10) prevents a shaft (110) from rotating. When mounted on the shaft extending between the movement mechanisms (106) of a workstation (100), the device prevents the movement mechanisms from raising or lowering the work surface (102). A pair of fixed hubs (20 and 22) are fixably mounted on the shaft. A rotatable hub (24) is rotatably mounted on the shaft spaced between the fixed hubs. First and second wrap springs (28 and 30) extend between each of the fixed hubs and the rotatable hub. A pair of wrap springs are force fit over the fixed hubs and rotatable hub. The device also includes an anti-release mechanism which prevents release of the device when an additional force is applied to the work surface such that the work surface is out-of-balance.

Abstract: The adjustment mechanism (10) includes a stationary first member (12) and a second member (20) telescopingly mounted in the first member. The first member is mounted with a second end (12B) adjacent the ground surface. The second member is mounted with the second end (20B) in the first end (12A) of the first member and the first end adjacent to and in contact with the underneath surface (102A) of the work surface (102). A threaded member (26) is rotatably connected at the first end (26A) to the upper end (20A) of the second member. The second end (26B) of the screw extends down through a top nut (38) fixably mounted on one end of a nut support (36). The other end of the nut support is mounted on the lower end of the first member. A spring (40) is mounted around the screw and the nut support extends between the lower end of the first member and the upper end of the second member. An operating mechanism is used to rotate the screw.

Abstract: A damping cylinder having a staged rate of movement. The cylinder includes a tube, a rod extending from the tube, and a piston carried by the rod within the tube. A liquid at least partially fills the cylinder, and the piston travels within the liquid. A port through the piston permits the liquid to flow through the piston as the piston moves within the cylinder. The piston also carries a normally open flapper valve over the port. If the flow rate of the liquid through the piston is below a preselected maximum rate, the flapper valve remains open. If the flow rate of the liquid exceeds the preselected maximum rate, the flapper valve closes over the port to prohibit flow beyond the maximum rate. In preferred embodiments, a pair of flapper valves is included to limit the rate in both directions, and a bleeder bypass port is included to permit reduced rate movement of the piston after either or both of the flapper valves close.

Abstract: A counterbalance apparatus (10) for use in moving a work surface (102) is described. The apparatus includes an upper, lower and center member (12, 14 and 24), a pair of inner and outer cam surfaces (20, 22 and 26) and a pair of inner and outer cam followers (58, 60 and 62). The outer cam surfaces are located on the lower member. The inner cam surfaces are located on the center member. The lower member is telescopingly mounted within the upper member. The top (24A) of the center member is connected to the top (12A) of the upper member. One end of the springs (46 and 47) is mounted in the bracket (48) which is connected by connector arms (50 and 52) to the cam followers. The other end of the spring is adjacent the top of the upper member and the center member. In use, as a force is applied to move the work surface in a given direction, the center member moves into or out of the lower member.

Abstract: A counterbalance apparatus (10) for moving the work surface (100B) of a work station (100) is described. Preferably, the apparatus includes first and inner tubular members (12 and 20), a spring (70) and a cam follower (50). The first member is mounted to the panel (100A) adjacent the work station. The inner member is mounted with the top end (20A) adjacent the underside of the work surface and the bottom end (20B) extending into the top end (12A) of the first member. The sidewalls (12C and 20C) of the first and inner members have first and inner cam grooves (16 and 26), respectively. A dampener (30) is preferably mounted within the inner member. A threaded rod 36 is mounted on the top end (32A) of the body (32) of the dampener and has an adjustment head (36B) which extends through the work surface. The cam follower having rollers (56 and 58) is mounted at the bottom end (34A) of the piston rod (34) of the dampener such that the rollers extend into the first and inner cam grooves, respectively.

Abstract: A foldable modular unit (11) with cabinets (14) adapted for office use as described. The unit includes foldable panels (19 and 21) and is portable when folded.

Abstract: A modular unit (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) containing cabinets (14) adapted for medical use as described. The unit includes one or more foldable panels (25) and is portable. The unit includes access doors (30) for entry into the unit when the panels are folded and sliding doors 47 when the panels are unfolded.

Abstract: Modular units including foldable panels are (22, 23) mounted on either side of a central divider, such as a conveyor surface (12) mounted on a frame (13). The modular units provide multiple work stations (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) on either side of the central divider. The units are joined together to form a conveyor line for sequenced handling of various items in the work stations. The conveyor system is particularly adapted for materials handling.