IP Verse

Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically

Patent No. US11160367 (titled "Desktop Workspace That Adjusts Vertically") was filed by Office Kick Inc on Dec 10, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’367 is related to the field of adjustable height desk platforms designed to sit on top of existing desks. The background acknowledges the health benefits of alternating between sitting and standing during work, and notes that while adjustable desks exist, they often require replacing an entire existing desk, which can be impractical. This invention aims to provide a more convenient and affordable solution by offering an adjustable platform that can be placed on an existing desk.

The underlying idea behind ’367 is to create a compact and easily adjustable desktop platform that raises and lowers vertically using a scissor mechanism powered by a gas spring. This allows users to convert their existing desks into standing desks without needing to replace the entire piece of furniture. The design prioritizes a straight vertical motion, preventing the work surface from protruding outwards as it's raised, and includes a keyboard platform that moves with the work surface.

The claims of ’367 focus on a desktop workspace that adjusts vertically, comprising a work surface platform, a keyboard platform, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism includes a set of pivot arms connected at a scissoring pivot point, a base pivot point, a platform pivot point, a sliding mechanism, and a gas spring to assist in elevation. The claims vary based on the attachment point of the gas spring: fixed to the work surface platform, attached directly to one of the pivot arms, or attached to the scissoring pivot point.

In practice, the device sits on an existing desk and uses the scissor mechanism to raise the work surface platform. The gas spring provides the necessary force to counteract the weight of the platform and any items placed on it, making it easier to adjust the height. The sliding mechanisms allow the arms of the scissor mechanism to move smoothly as the platform is raised and lowered, while the pivot points provide stable connections between the arms, the base, and the platform.

The design differentiates itself from prior solutions by providing a compact design when lowered, a straight vertical motion during adjustment, and a keyboard platform that moves with the work surface. The use of a gas spring allows for smooth and continuous height adjustment, unlike some prior designs that only offer preset height options. The compact scissor mechanism ensures that the device takes up minimal space when not in use, and the straight vertical motion ensures that the user doesn't need to reposition themselves as the desk is raised or lowered.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the mid-2010s when ’367 was filed, work surfaces were typically stationary, and when adjustable height desks were available, they commonly relied on manual or preset height adjustments rather than motorized or continuously variable systems. At a time when hardware or software constraints made achieving straight vertical motion in adjustable platforms non-trivial, designs often resulted in the work surface protruding towards the user during elevation.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The application was subject to a final rejection. Claims were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over prior art. Arguments were presented by the applicant but were not persuasive to the examiner. The prosecution record does not describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.

Claims

This patent contains 19 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 10, 11, 12, 18, and 19. The independent claims generally focus on a vertically adjustable desktop workspace comprising a work surface platform, a keyboard platform, and a height adjustment mechanism with pivot arms and a gas spring. The dependent claims generally add further details and features to the elements described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Gas spring
(Claim 1, Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 12, Claim 18, Claim 19)		“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 spring that assists in elevation of the work surface platform by applying a force to rotate one of the set of pivot arms as part of the scissoring motion.
Height adjustment mechanism
(Claim 1, Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 12, Claim 18, Claim 19)		“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 allows the work surface platform to raise and lower.
Keyboard platform
(Claim 1, Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 12, Claim 18, Claim 19)		“The examples show that platform 10 is a work surface platform that supports desk items; for example, monitors, tablets, Computers, notebooks, and other objects. The height adjustment example 14 includes at least one set of two arms 16 & 18. Arms 16 & 18 are connected at some point along their shafts at pivot point 28.”A platform positioned to protrude out, down, and parallel to the work surface platform.
Set of pivot arms
(Claim 1, Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 12, Claim 18, Claim 19)		“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. When raised, the work surface platform raises in a substantially straight motion so that it stays in-line with the base.”Two or more arms connected at a scissoring pivot point, creating a scissoring motion when raising and lowering the work surface platform.
Work surface platform
(Claim 1, Claim 10, Claim 11, Claim 12, Claim 18, Claim 19)		“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 acts as a work surface, capable of holding objects such as a laptop, monitor, tablet, keyboard, mouse, and other desk items.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
1:25-cv-07157Jun 26, 2025Bestergo Inc. v. CKnapp Sales, Inc.
2:25-cv-01568Feb 24, 2025EP Family Corp. v. Office Kick, Inc.
1:22-cv-01186May 12, 2022Vovomart (HK) Enterprises Co. v. Office Kick, Inc.

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US11160367

OFFICE KICK INC
Application Number
US17118593
Filing Date
Dec 10, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Jan 23, 2036
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents