Height-adjustable work surface affixed to a vertically extending surface

Abstract

An assembly for actuating a work support surface in perpendicularly extending fashion relative to a load bearing surface. A drive motor includes a first end fixed to a location along the load bearing surface, a second extending and linearly translatable end securing to an underside of the work support surface. A pair of support channels are arranged at equidistant and opposite extending sides relative to the drive motor. Each of the support channels are secured in parallel spaced and extending fashion along the load bearing surface relative to a direction of linear translation of the motor. A pair of support brackets each include upper edges securing to underside locations of the work support surface, corresponding side edges being secured in freely slidable fashion through an open extending edge defined within a face of each of the support channels. A switch secured to a location of the work support surface is actuated to operate the drive motor to raise and lower the work support surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to any type of height adjustable work station. More specifically, the present invention teaches a height-adjustable work surface affixed to any weight supporting and vertically extending surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art is well documented with various types of work-supported platforms or work stations, these typically being of the variety to permit vertical adjustment. European Patent Application No. 0 368 186 teaches a vertically adjustable and retrofittable work station mounted to a wall panel and including a first pair of vertically oriented, spaced rails having engaging teeth protruding therefrom so as to be stationarily mounted on an existing wall panel of a conventional work station. A second pair of vertically oriented rails are individually, slidably and interlockingly disposed in the first pair of rails.

A pair of support brackets having engagement teeth protrude therefrom so as to be individually mounted on the second pair of rails. A work surface is supported by the support brackets and a pair of interconnecting channels interconnect the first and second pairs of rails. A drive mechanism is coupled between the interconnecting channels to move the channels toward or away from each other and to attendantly displace the work surface. I would ask that you review this reference in detail, however my analysis indicates some differences, albeit simplified, by which the proposed design operates.

Kurrasch, U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,208, teaches a work surface height adjustment mechanism including left and right side cable lift mechanisms coupled to a central drive mechanism through cables. Each cable lift mechanism includes a hanger clip engaging wall panel slots. A mounting plate is removably suspended from the hanger clip and a vertically movable extrusion guided along the plate and having pulleys engaging one of the cables to support the work surface. In one operating variant, a motor driven screw and a forward slide block is positioned within an elongated channel and mounting a slidable yolk securing ends of the cables.

International Publication No. WO 2004/097269 teaches a compact height adjustable work station utilizing a combination of support arms and linkages to achieve greater strength and a greater range of tabletop height adjustment from a smaller form factor. The method for adjusting work surface height is user operated and pressure assisted, whereby the user requires a minimal effort to physically lift or lower the work surface to the desired tabletop height. The pressure assist can be variably located to counterbalance different tabletop weights. For automatic counterbalancing, an elongated extensible gas spring piston-cylinder is adapted to be locked in any of its continuous range of infinite adjusted positions. Manual unclamping frees the counterbalancing gas spring for manual height level adjustment of the tabletop. A mid-range level or a high tabletop level may be achieved, adjusted by unclamping and minimum manual force.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,441, issued to Burdi, teaches a height adjustable work surface and control including a motorized and height adjustable table having a support base, a top assembly including a substantially horizontally disposed work surface, and first and second powered drive assemblies for raising and lowering the work surface. The first and second drive assemblies have first and second electric motors and drivingly engage the top assembly for effecting vertical movement of the top assembly to adjust the height of the work surface. A controller is coupled to the first and second drive assemblies for simultaneously controlling the first and second electric motors. The controller senses a relative height displacement between the first and second drive assemblies and de-energizes the motor controlling the leading drive assembly until the relative difference in height between the first and second drive assemblies is substantially zero.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses an assembly for actuating a work surface in height adjustable fashion relative to a vertically extending and load bearing surface, such as including wall, desk front, column, die wall, and the like. The present invention provides a powered and height adjustable work station suitable for a wide range of uses, these including without limitation such as patient intake/insurance work surfaces, student study carrels, library study carrels, A.D.A. stations in a run of classroom casework (as well as related teacher's desks, computer workstations and information kiosks), charting work surfaces in clinics, treatment and examination rooms, bank teller windows, service counter, testing booths, and the like.

The assembly includes a drive motor, typically electrically operated and including a linearly translatable drive screw, having an overall elongated configuration and including a first end fixed to a location along the load bearing surface. A second extending and linearly translatable end of the drive motor securing to an underside of the work support surface at a center point thereof.

A pair of support channels, each exhibiting a substantially square shape in cross section and with an open interior accessible through an open extending edge defined within a face thereof, are arranged at equidistant and opposite extending sides relative to the drive motor. Each of the support channels secured in substantially parallel spaced and extending fashion along the load bearing surface relative to a direction of the linear translation of the motor.

A pair of support brackets are provided and each include a first upper edge securing to an underside location of the work support surface. A second side edge of each of the support brackets are secured in freely slidable fashion through an open extending edge defined within a face of each of the support channels. A switch is secured to a location of the work support surface and is actuated to operate the drive motor to raise and lower the work support surface.

Additional features include the provision of a guide block slidably disposed within each of the open interior support channels, associated side edges of each of first and second support brackets securing respectively to surfaces of the guide blocks exposed by the open extending extending edges. Preferably, a substantially frictionless contact is established between each of the guide blocks and an open interior defining said surrounding support channels to facilitate ease of vertically adjustable support of the work support surface responsive to the linear action of the drive motor in either of up and down directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an environmental view, in perspective, of the height adjustable work support surface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of a vertical surface mounted channel, guide block and support bracket subassembly associated with the height adjustable work surface;

FIG. 3 is a rotated plan view of the work surface illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the height adjustable relationship established between the UHMW guide block, freely and slidably traversable within the vertically extending and open-faced channel, and according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a range of height adjustment of the work surface according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, an assembly is generally illustrated at 10 for actuating a substantially planar shaped work support 12 in height adjustable fashion relative to a vertically extending and load bearing surface 14. As previously described, the present invention makes possible a wide variety of applications for securing a powered and height adjustable work surface to any suitable and load bearing vertical surface, such as a vertically extending wall, desk front, column, die wall, cubicle separator, or the like.

Referring again to FIG. 1, an environmental view in perspective is shown of the height adjustable work support surface and by which the work support 12 includes a substantially planar and three dimensional configuration with an upper facing surface 16 and an opposite facing lower surface 18 separated by a determined thickness of the support 12. The work support surface 12 is typically constructed of a durable material and can include metal, wood or plastic.

A pair of cantilevered support brackets are provided at 20 and 22, each constructed of such as a steel material and which exhibit an arcuate configuration with an upper extending edge, see at 24 and 26, respectively for brackets 20 and 22. Fasteners, such as screws (not shown) insert through apertures established in an upturned edge of a selected bracket defining its upper extending edge. Reference in particular is made to the exploded illustration of FIG. 2 and which illustrates angled upper edge 26 of selected support bracket 22, this including a set of three spaced apart and screw receiving apertures 28 through which the mounting screws engage.

Support channels are provided, see at 30 and 32, these typically being in the form of extruded aluminum channels, secured to load bearing surface locations of the vertical extending surface 14. The channels 30 and 32 each exhibit a substantially square shape in cross section and, as is better illustrated in the cutaway view of FIG. 4, exhibit a substantially four-sided open interior (see as defined by inner surfaces 34, 36, 36 and 40), the fourth side 40 being arrayed opposite the wall surface 14 and further including an open extending edge through which the open interior of the channel is accessed.

In a preferred application, screw fasteners or the like (see in phantom at 42 in FIG. 4) are countersunk into the recessed inner surface 36 of the selected channel 30 in spaced apart fashion and, upon piercing through the load bearing surface 14 (such as a durable unitary structure or an underlying stud support) mount the support channels both underneath extending and in perpendicular extending manner relative to the upper surface 16 of the work support 12.

As best shown again in each of FIGS. 2 and 4, a generally elongated guide block is slidably disposed within each of the open interiors defined by the parallel spaced apart and mounted support channels 30 and 32. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, selected guide block 44 is illustrated and which includes a modified “T” shape in cross section and such that it is disposed in generally slidable fashion within the confines of the elongated extending support channel 30.

The guide blocks are each further constructed of a durable nylon or other material exhibiting reduced friction during sliding contact along the open interior walls of the support channel (such further including a UHMW material). As again shown in FIG. 2, the selected guide block 44 includes a portion projecting through the linear open extending edge (defined within surfaces 40) and within which are further formed additional and spaced apart apertures 46, 48 and 50.

The support brackets 20 and 22 each further include a lower and side extending edge (see at 52 and 54 in FIG. 1), similar to the upper extending edges 24 and 26. As best shown again in FIG. 2, selected side extending edge 54 of bracket 22 includes a plurality of apertures 56, 58 and 60 which align with the aperture 46, 48 and 50 defined in the projecting surface edge of the frictionless traversable guide block 44 in order to mount the support brackets 20 and 22 in traversable fashion within the vertically extending support channels.

In a preferred embodiment, a range of slidable height adjustment (in a preferred variant ranging between 27″ to 36″ and as referenced by solid 12 and phantom 12′ representations of the work surface in FIG. 5) is established between a floor surface and the upper surface 16 of the work support 12. It is also envisioned that strips of frictionless UHMW material may be secured to portions of the support bracket side edge which overlaps its associated support channel (see as partially referenced at 62 and 64 in FIG. 2) and in order to further contribute to freely slidable support of the guide brackets within the associated support channels.

A powered drive assembly is provided for linearly displacing the work support 12 in up and down (vertical) directions and is generally illustrated at 66 in FIGS. 1 and 3. In a preferred embodiment, the drive assembly 66 is an electric powered (Linak) drive motor exhibiting a first end 68 fixed to the load bearing surface, this further illustrated as including an intermediate support plate 70 to which is connected the first end, as well as a second end 72 connected to the underside 18 of the work support 12, typically at a center point of the work surface and proximate to an inner extending edge opposing the load bearing surface 14. The inner extending edge of the work support is typically mounted less than ⅛″ from the load bearing vertical surface in order to minimize the type and size of objects which can fall between the work surface and the vertical support surface.

In the embodiment illustrated, the electric drive motor 66 includes a rotatable drive screw 74, a lower end of which is channeled in freely rotatable fashion within a collar 76 mounted in pivoting fashion to the vertical surface mounted support plate 70. An interior bevel or worm gear relationship (not shown) permits the drive motor and associated structure to linearly traverse in upward and downward direction, in a generally parallel extending and central relationship relative to the pair of spaced apart and extending support channels 30 and 32, and responsive to powered rotation of the drive screw 74, this in turn causing the second associated end 72 (such as a ball mount as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) to lift or lower the work support 12. It is also envisioned that the drive assembly can include other powered input, such being pneumatic and hydraulic actuation, within the scope of the invention, and such as which is capable of supporting the weight of the work support surface and objects placed thereupon (such as including computer equipment and the like).

A switch is provided for activating the motor, or other suitable drive assembly, and includes a module 78 typically secured to the underside surface 18 of the work support 12 in proximity to its outer extending edge. A pair of buttons 80 and 82 (see FIG. 3) are defined within the module and are selectively actuated to elevate or lower the work support, by virtue of the linear traversing input of the drive motor in combination with the freely slidable and end-wise support of the work surface established by the brackets 20 and 22 guidably mounted within the channel supports 30 and 32.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for actuating a work support surface in vertical extending fashion relative to a load bearing surface, comprising:

a powered drive assembly fixed at a first end to a location along the load bearing surface, a second extending and linearly translatable end of said drive assembly securing directly to an underside of the work support surface; and

a pair of support channels arranged in vertically extending and opposite sides relative to said powered drive assembly, said support channels being secured in parallel spaced and extending fashion directly to the load bearing surface relative to a direction of said linear translation of said drive assembly, a pair of support brackets each including a first upper edge securing to an underside location of the work support surface, a second side edge of each support bracket being secured directly and in freely slidable fashion through an open extending edge defined within a face of said associated support channel and, responsive to a direction of translation of said drive assembly, to raise and lower the work support surface.

2. The assembly as described in claim 1, said powered drive assembly further comprising an electric drive motor.

3. The assembly as described in claim 2, further comprising a rotatable drive screw extending from said drive motor and supported in freely rotatable fashion at a first channeled end within a collar secured to the load-bearing surface.

4. (canceled)

5. The assembly as described in claim 1, each of said support channels including a length of extruded aluminum exhibiting a substantially square shape in cross section.

6. The assembly as described in claim 5, further comprising a guide block slidably disposed within each of said support channels, associated side edges of each of first and second support brackets securing respectively to surfaces of said guide blocks exposed by said open extending extending edges.

7. The assembly as described in claim 6, each of said guide blocks having an elongated three dimensional shape and a “T” shape in cross section.

8. The assembly as described in claim 7, further comprising a frictionless contact established between each of said guide blocks and an open interior defining said surrounding support channels.

9. The assembly as described in claim 8, further comprising said guide block being constructed of a material including at least a nylon and UHMW.

10. The assembly as described in claim 7, further comprising a strip of a UHMW material secured to a portion of said support bracket side edge overlapping said support channel.

11. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising mounting hardware for securing said support brackets along each of said first and second edges.

12. The assembly as described in claim 1, the work support surface having a planar shape and size and exhibiting an inner extending edge opposing the load bearing surface, further comprising said second linearly translatable end of said powered drive assembly securing to the work surface at a center point of said inner extending edge.

13. The assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a height adjustable actuating switch secured to an underside of the work support surface at an outer extending edge thereof.

14. The assembly as described in claim 13, the work support surface exhibiting a planar upper surface, a range of height adjustment established between the planar upper surface and a floor ranging between 27 to 36 inches.

15. The assembly as described in claim 1, the load bearing surface further including at least one of a vertically extending wall, desk front, column, and die wall, and which is capable of supporting a combined weight of the work surface and items placed thereupon.

16. An assembly for actuating a work support surface in vertical extending fashion relative to a load bearing surface, comprising:

a drive motor having an overall elongated configuration and including a first end fixed to a location along the load bearing surface, a second extending and linearly translatable end of said drive motor securing to an underside of the work support surface at a center point thereof; and

a pair of support channels arranged at equidistant and opposite extending sides relative to said drive motor, each of said support channels secured in parallel spaced and extending fashion directly along the load bearing surface relative to a direction of said linear translation of said motor;

a pair of support brackets each including a first upper edge securing to an underside location of the work support surface, a second side edge of each of said support brackets being secured directly and in freely slidable fashion through an open extending edge defined within a face of each of said support channels; and

a switch secured to an underside location of the work support surface and which is actuated to operate the drive motor to raise and lower the work support surface.

17. The assembly as described in claim 16, further comprising a rotatable drive screw extending from said drive motor and supported in freely rotatable fashion at a first channeled end within a collar secured to the load-bearing surface.

18. The assembly as described in claim 16, further comprising a guide block slidably disposed within each of said support channels, associated side edges of each of first and second support brackets securing respectively to surfaces of said guide blocks exposed by said open extending extending edges.

19. The assembly as described in claim 18, further comprising a contact established between each of said guide blocks and an open interior defining said surrounding support channels.

20. A height adjustable work surface assembly secured to a vertically extending and load bearing surface, comprising:

a work support including an underside surface and a spaced apart and planar upper surface;

a drive motor including a first end fixed to a location along the load bearing surface and a second end directly to the underside of the work support surface;

a pair of support channels secured to the load bearing surface at equidistant spaced, parallel and opposite extending sides relative to said drive motor and relative to a direction of linear translation of said motor;

a pair of support brackets each including a first upper edge securing to underside locations of the work support surface, second side edges of said support brackets being secured directly and in freely slidable fashion to a guide block insert supported within said channel and through an open extending edge defined within a face of each of said support channels; and a switch secured to an underside location of the work support surface and which is actuated to operate the drive motor to raise and lower the work support surface.