IP Verse

Desk-Mounted Lifting Platform

Patent No. US10869549 (titled "Desk-Mounted Lifting Platform") was filed by Flexispot Inc on Jan 4, 2018.

What is this patent about?

’549 is related to the field of computer supports, specifically desk-mounted lifting platforms used to support devices like tablet computers. These platforms allow users to adjust the height of their workspace, offering ergonomic benefits. Existing lifting workbenches often suffer from weak lifting force at the lowest position and complicated structures, leading to a poor user experience.

The underlying idea behind ’549 is to improve the lifting force and simplify the structure of a desk-mounted lifting platform. This is achieved by using an inclined gas spring to provide a more consistent lifting force throughout the platform's range of motion. The inclination ensures that the gas spring's piston rod can exert a significant force even when the platform is at its lowest position.

The claims of ’549 focus on a desk-mounted lifting platform comprising a workbench, upper and lower supports, and a pair of X-shaped lifting arms connecting the supports. A gas spring provides the lifting force , and its axis intersects the workbench plane at an angle. Claim 1 specifies that one end of the gas spring is hinged to the upper part of one of the lifting arms, while the other end is hinged to the upper support. Claim 2 adds a connecting arm to further increase the tilt angle. Claim 3 includes a detachable keyboard support.

In practice, the X-shaped lifting arms provide a stable and adjustable support structure for the workbench. As the platform is raised or lowered, the sliding connections between the lifting arms and the supports allow for smooth movement. The inclined gas spring counteracts the weight of the workbench and any devices placed on it, making it easy for the user to adjust the height with minimal effort using a handle and brake line mechanism.

The key differentiation from prior art lies in the inclined orientation of the gas spring. Traditional designs often position the gas spring horizontally, resulting in reduced lifting force when the platform is at its lowest point. By inclining the gas spring, ’549 ensures a more consistent and powerful lifting force throughout the entire range of motion, eliminating the need for additional springs or complex mechanisms to compensate for the weak initial lift. The detachable keyboard support further enhances usability.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the late 2010s when ’549 was filed, at a time when mechanical systems commonly relied on gas springs for providing assistive forces in lifting mechanisms, and when hardware constraints made compact and reliable lifting solutions non-trivial for desk-mounted platforms.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The application was initially rejected. Claims were amended, and arguments were presented. A final rejection was issued. Claims 1, 3, and 7 were allowed, while claim 8 was rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112. The prosecution record describes drawing objections and claim rejections, but does not describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.

Claims

This patent contains 3 claims, all of which are independent (claims 1, 2, and 3). The independent claims are directed to a desk-mounted lifting platform comprising a workbench, upper support, and lower support. There are no dependent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Axis of the gas spring
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3)		“The desk-mounted lifting platform of the present disclosure has the following advantages compared to prior arts by using the above structures: The axis of the gas spring of the desk-mounted lifting platform intersects the working plane of the workbench obliquely so that the gas spring would remain inclined. A piston rod of the gas spring can provide strong lifting force even if the workbench is at the lowest position without the need to further add an additional spring to enable fast stretching of the piston rod of the gas spring when the workbench is at the lowest position.”The central line of the gas spring, which intersects the working plane of the workbench at an oblique angle.
First lifting arm
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3)		“The desk-mounted lifting platform comprises a workbench, an upper support and a lower support. The workbench is connected to the upper support. A first lifting arm and a second lifting arm are arranged between the upper support and the lower support. The first lifting arm and the second lifting arm are X-shaped and hinged at an intersection thereof. An upper end of the first lifting arm is hinged with the upper support. A lower end of the first lifting arm is slidably fitted on the lower support.”A structural component arranged between the upper and lower supports, hinged at its upper end to the upper support, and slidably fitted at its lower end to the lower support. It forms an X-shape with the second lifting arm.
Gas spring
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3)		“A gas spring is arranged between the upper support and the lower support. The gas spring is used for providing a lifting force to lift the upper support. The upper support is provided with a handle to control the opening or closing of a valve of the gas spring through a brake line, and an axis of the gas spring intersects a working plane of the workbench obliquely.”A component arranged between the upper and lower supports that provides a lifting force to lift the upper support. It has a valve controlled by a handle via a brake line.
Keyboard support
(Claim 3)		“In some embodiments, the platform further comprises a keyboard support. A support frame is connected to the upper support. A hanger matched with the support frame is connected to the keyboard support. The hanger is detachably connected with the support frame. It is only needed to hang the hook of the hanger on a hanging rod of the support frame and then lock the hanger to the support frame with locking screws when assembling the keyboard support.”A component connected to the upper support via a support frame and a hanger, allowing it to be detachably connected. It includes hanging rods and hooks for assembly and disassembly.
Second lifting arm
(Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3)		“The desk-mounted lifting platform comprises a workbench, an upper support and a lower support. The workbench is connected to the upper support. A first lifting arm and a second lifting arm are arranged between the upper support and the lower support. The first lifting arm and the second lifting arm are X-shaped and hinged at an intersection thereof. A lower end of the second lifting arm is hinged with the lower support. An upper end of the second lifting arm is slidably fitted on the upper support.”A structural component arranged between the upper and lower supports, hinged at its lower end to the lower support, and slidably fitted at its upper end to the upper support. It forms an X-shape with the first lifting arm.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
1:25-cv-07157Jun 26, 2025Bestergo Inc. v. CKnapp Sales, Inc.

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US10869549

FLEXISPOT INC
Application Number
US15861756
Filing Date
Jan 4, 2018
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Jan 4, 2038
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents