Rise up table top
Patent No. US9326598 (titled "Rise up table top") on Jun 3, 2015. The application was issued on May 3, 2016.
What is this patent about?
’598 is related to the field of ergonomic furniture, specifically portable sit-stand workstations designed to be placed atop existing desks. The invention addresses the health risks associated with prolonged sedentary work by providing a lightweight, height-adjustable platform that allows users to transition between sitting and standing positions without requiring a full desk replacement.
The underlying idea behind ’598 is a simplified X-frame scissor mechanism that achieves a high degree of stability and portability through a specific arrangement of five transverse axis rods. By utilizing two independent L-shaped base rails rather than a heavy rectangular frame, the design minimizes weight and collapsed height while maintaining structural integrity through rods that span the entire width of the assembly, synchronizing the movement of the opposing scissor legs.
The claims of ’598 focus on a table assembly featuring two pairs of lifters in an X-configuration, controlled by a dual-handle locking system and a series of five axis rods. The independent claims specifically recite the use of two top rails and two base rails, each containing elevation-adjusting slots that guide the movement of the axis rods as the table transitions between a collapsed state and a maximum elevation of approximately one foot.
In practice, the user adjusts the height by simultaneously pulling two side-mounted handles, which disengages notched locking bars from the internal lock rods. The system is biased by flat springs to ensure the locks re-engage securely at the desired height, while extension springs provide a mechanical assist to offset the weight of the tabletop and any equipment, such as a computer or medical instruments, during upward adjustment.
This design differentiates itself from prior art by prioritizing a low-profile footprint and enhanced portability, featuring a built-in carrying handle cutout and a top-surface groove for accessory storage. Unlike heavier Z-shaped or complex X-frame alternatives, the ’598 assembly uses a streamlined rail-and-slot architecture that allows it to collapse to less than four inches, making it easily movable between different workstations or clinical environments.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the early 2010s when ’598 was filed, adjustable workstation accessories were typically implemented using heavy, fixed-frame assemblies or complex mechanical linkages that prioritized permanent installation over mobility. At a time when ergonomic height adjustment commonly relied on bulky rectangular base frames and multi-component Z-shaped support bars, the integration of lightweight materials and simplified structural geometries was limited by the need to maintain stability under load. Hardware constraints in portable desk converters often made achieving a low collapsed profile non-trivial, as systems frequently required significant vertical clearance to house internal spring mechanisms and locking hardware, resulting in elevated minimum working heights that could interfere with standard seated ergonomics.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed invention achieves a meaningful technical advancement through an architectural shift toward a simplified X-shaped elevation structure integrated with dual L-shaped base rails, significantly reducing the footprint and weight compared to frame-based systems. By utilizing a seven-rod support configuration—comprising medium axis, large axis, and lock rods—the design enables a high degree of vertical extension while maintaining a collapsed height of less than four inches. This structural integration, combined with spring-assisted deployment and dual side-mounted locking handles, overcomes the technical constraint of balancing portability with load-bearing stability. The resulting capability allows for a highly mobile ergonomic interface that provides multiple discrete height settings and integrated manual transport features without the mechanical complexity of traditional rectangular base assemblies.
Claims
The patent contains a total of 18 claims, with claims 1 and 15 serving as the independent claims. These independent claims focus on the mechanical structure of a portable, elevation-adjustable table top assembly, specifically detailing an X-shaped lifter configuration, a system of top and base rails with elevation-adjusting slots, and a locking mechanism controlled by handles to facilitate vertical movement between collapsed and extended positions. The dependent claims serve to further define specific physical features and operational parameters, such as the inclusion of carrying handles and surface grooves, the L-shaped geometry of the rails, specific height dimensions, the use of springs for assisted lifting and locking, and a method for manually operating the assembly.
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US9326598
- Application Number
- US14730229A
- Filing Date
- Jun 3, 2015
- Publication Date
- May 3, 2016
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO , Google Patents