IP Verse

Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically

Patent No. US11147366 (titled "Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically") was filed by Office Kick Inc on Dec 11, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’366 is related to the field of adjustable height desk platforms, specifically those designed to sit on top of an existing desk. The background acknowledges the health benefits of alternating between sitting and standing during work, and notes that while full adjustable desks exist, they can be an unreasonable purchase for those who already have a stationary desk. This invention aims to improve upon existing adjustable desk platforms.

The underlying idea behind ’366 is to provide a compact and easily adjustable desktop platform that can be placed on an existing desk to allow users to switch between sitting and standing positions. This is achieved using a scissor mechanism driven by a linear actuator to raise and lower the work surface. A key aspect is maintaining a straight vertical motion without the work surface protruding outwards as it's raised, and concealing the actuator within the platform's profile.

The claims of ’366 focus on a desktop workspace with a work surface platform, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism includes two sets of arms connected at scissoring pivot points, base pivot points, platform pivot points, and a sliding mechanism. A linear actuator drives the scissoring motion, and an element connects the two sets of arms to one another. Critically, the linear actuator is completely covered by the profile of the work surface platform when viewed from above.

In practice, the linear actuator extends or retracts, causing the scissor arms to pivot and raise or lower the work surface. The sliding mechanism allows the arms to move smoothly while maintaining the vertical alignment of the platform. The concealed placement of the linear actuator contributes to a clean and unobtrusive design, ensuring it doesn't interfere with the user's workspace. The addition of a keyboard platform that protrudes out and down from the work surface platform provides an ergonomic typing position.

This design differentiates itself from prior solutions by providing a straight vertical motion, a concealed motorized adjustment system, and potentially infinite height adjustment within its range. The compact design in the lowered position is also a key differentiator, minimizing the vertical space occupied when not in use. The scissor mechanism and linear actuator combination , along with the concealed actuator, contribute to a stable and aesthetically pleasing adjustable desk platform.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the mid-2010s when ’366 was filed, work surfaces were typically stationary, and if adjustable, often relied on manual mechanisms or preset height adjustments, at a time when motorized height adjustment systems were becoming more prevalent but were not yet ubiquitous due to cost and complexity. At that time, achieving straight vertical motion in adjustable platforms, especially without forward protrusion, was a non-trivial engineering challenge, and designs commonly relied on basic mechanical linkages rather than sophisticated load distribution or compact designs.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The application was subject to a final rejection. Claims were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103, and for double patenting under 35 U.S.C. 101. Arguments were presented by the applicant but were not persuasive to the examiner. The examiner stated that amendments to the claims necessitated new grounds for rejection. The prosecution record does describe claim changes that led to allowance.

Claims

This patent contains 22 claims, with independent claims 1, 17, and 22 directed to a vertically adjustable desktop workspace comprising a work surface, keyboard platform, base, and height adjustment mechanism utilizing scissoring arms and a linear actuator. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features and configurations of the elements recited in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Height adjustment mechanism
(Claim 1, Claim 17, Claim 22)		“A desktop workspace that adjusts vertically includes a work surface platform that acts as a work surface platform. A height adjustment mechanism allows the work surface platform to raise and lower to the desired height of the operator. This desktop workspace includes at least one set of arms as part of the height adjustment mechanism that utilizes a scissor motion to move the work surface platform up and down.”A mechanism that connects the work surface platform and the base, and includes two sets of arms that connect at scissoring pivot points creating a scissoring motion when raising and lowering the work surface platform to various heights.
Keyboard platform
(Claim 1, Claim 17, Claim 22)		“The Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically may include ancillary devices such as a monitor raiser, an external keyboard holder, mouse holder, cable organizer, or other devices.”A platform that protrudes out, down, and parallel to the work surface platform.
Linear actuator
(Claim 1, Claim 17, Claim 22)		“The height adjustment mechanism(s) may include items such as springs, gas springs, shock absorbers, an electric motor(s), or a linear actuator(s).”A component between the work surface platform and the base that includes a housing and a motor-controlled shaft that extends and retracts from the housing, configured to apply a pushing and pulling force to the two sets of arms to drive the scissoring motion.
Scissoring pivot points
(Claim 1, Claim 17, Claim 22)		“The Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically includes at least one set of two arms that connect along their lengths at a pivot point, allowing a scissoring motion, which is part of the method for raising and lowering the work surface platform. FIGS. 1, 1B, 1C, 2, 2B, 2C, 6, 7, 7B, 9, and 10C show examples of The Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically an assembled state. As shown, the desktop workspace includes a work surface platform 10, a base 12, and a height adjustment mechanism 14 residing between the work surface platform 10 and base 12.”Points where two sets of arms connect, creating a scissoring motion when raising and lowering the work surface platform.
Work surface platform
(Claim 1, Claim 17, Claim 22)		“The Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically, also referred to as the “desktop workspace” in this document, includes a device and a method to raise and lower a platform that is part of the device. An exemplary use of the device is a work surface such as a desk, which can be moved to a desired vertical position. For example, the platform could hold objects such as a laptop, monitor, tablet, keyboard, mouse, and other desk items such as a stapler.”A platform that forms an upper work surface and is part of a desktop workspace that adjusts vertically.

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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US11147366

OFFICE KICK INC
Application Number
US17118602
Filing Date
Dec 11, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Jan 23, 2036
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents