Adjustable support assembly

What is this patent about?

’813 is related to the field of ergonomic support structures for computer peripherals, specifically adjustable keyboard trays mounted to the underside of a desk. The background context involves the need for users to frequently reposition input devices between active use and storage. Traditional supports often rely on cumbersome dual-purpose knobs or complex gas cylinders that make independent height and tilt adjustments difficult, frequently requiring two hands to manipulate and often losing their settings during movement.

The underlying idea behind ’813 is a mechanical decoupling of height and tilt controls that utilizes a gravity-assisted friction brake for one-handed height adjustment. The core insight is to use the natural motion of lifting the front edge of the keyboard tray as the trigger to release a locking mechanism. By integrating a tilting trigger into the linkage, the inventor allows a user to unlock the vertical position simply by angling the tray upward, eliminating the need to fumble with knobs or levers while trying to support the weight of the device.

The claims of ’813 focus on a linkage system connecting a work surface mount to a device mount, featuring a releasable brake assembly comprised of a slide bar and a brake plate. The independent claims specify that the brake plate is normally biased into a clamping position that allows free upward movement but mechanically blocks downward movement. Crucially, the claims require that the brake plate moves to a release position specifically in response to the upward tilting of the leading edge of the device mount, which allows the slide bar to travel freely in both directions.

In practice, the invention employs a brake plate member with an aperture that the slide bar passes through. When the plate is angled, the edges of the aperture bite into the slide bar, creating a one-way lock. To lower the tray, the user lifts the front edge, which pulls a lower link arm forward; a tab on this arm then pushes the brake plate into a perpendicular orientation relative to the bar. This alignment removes the friction, allowing the tray to be lowered or retracted under the desk effortlessly.

This approach differs from prior solutions by providing a passive locking mechanism that is overridden by a specific ergonomic gesture rather than a dedicated manual actuator. Unlike screw-type friction clamps that require constant tightening and loosening, or pressurized cylinders that can fail over time, this design uses a simple mechanical interference fit. It ensures that the user's preferred tilt angle remains locked by a separate clamp assembly, while the height can be adjusted dynamically with a single hand without disturbing the established ergonomic tilt.