Adjustable desk platform
Patent No. US9554644 (titled "Adjustable desk platform") on Feb 3, 2016. The application was issued on Jan 31, 2017.
What is this patent about?
’644 is related to the field of ergonomic workplace solutions, specifically focusing on height-adjustable workstations designed to sit atop existing furniture. The background context addresses the health risks associated with prolonged sitting, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic issues, by providing a mechanism that allows users to transition between sitting and standing postures without replacing their entire desk or sacrificing productivity.
The underlying idea behind ’644 is a dual-platform system that utilizes a parallel linkage mechanism to maintain a level work surface while shifting between heights. The key inventive insight lies in the integration of a secondary, suspended keyboard tray that moves in tandem with the main surface, combined with a counterbalanced lifting system that uses biasing springs to offset the weight of office equipment, making the transition feel nearly weightless for the user.
The claims of ’644 focus on an adjustable platform featuring an upper work surface with a specific recessed front edge and a keyboard tray suspended below that recess via support brackets. The independent claims further define a base adapted for desktop placement, two sets of pivot arms that facilitate lateral and vertical movement, and a dual-handle locking mechanism that employs linkages and anchors to secure the desk at various intermediate heights.
In practice, the invention operates through a coordinated movement where the upper platform shifts both upward and laterally relative to the base. This lateral displacement is managed by a reinforcement member that stabilizes the pivot arms, preventing side-to-side wobble. To assist the user, internal booster springs provide maximum upward force when the desk is in its lowest position, which is when the mechanical disadvantage of the linkage is greatest.
This approach differs from prior solutions by providing a dedicated, lower-tier typing surface that remains ergonomically positioned relative to the monitor surface throughout the entire range of motion. Unlike simple scissor lifts, the use of arc-slotted mounting brackets and specific spring-loaded anchors allows for a more stable, multi-position locking system that can be safely operated by hand via integrated apertures and handles located directly beneath the work surface.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the early 2010s when ’644 was filed, ergonomic workspace solutions were typically implemented using either fixed-height standing desks or integrated motorized furniture systems. At a time when height adjustability was commonly achieved through heavy, floor-standing mechanical assemblies, providing variable elevation for existing furniture relied on cumbersome external clamps or permanent modifications to the primary work surface. When systems relied on these static or complex motorized architectures, the engineering constraints of balancing stability with manual portability made the creation of a stable, non-permanent desktop overlay non-trivial.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed invention achieves a technical advancement in ergonomic furniture through an architectural shift from fixed-height surfaces to a self-contained, multi-positional desktop platform. By integrating a dual-arm linkage system with a base specifically adapted to sit on existing furniture without legs, the design enables a parallel-path movement between raised and lowered states. The technical effect is further enhanced by a counterweighted base and a biasing mechanism that together overcome the stability constraints inherent in lateral displacement during elevation. This configuration enables a quick, manual transition between sitting and standing heights while maintaining the structural integrity and balance of the platform on a standard desk surface.
Claims
This patent contains 36 claims, with claims 1, 13, 21, 26, 29, and 33 serving as the independent claims. The independent claims focus on the structural configuration of an adjustable desk platform, specifically detailing an upper work surface with a recessed area, a base for desk placement, dual sets of arms for parallel and lateral movement, a suspended keyboard tray, and various locking mechanisms operated by dual handles. The dependent claims provide additional specificity regarding the shape of the recess and keyboard tray, the use of mounting brackets and reinforcement members, the inclusion of biasing springs or elastic members to assist movement, and the mechanical details of the locking anchors and linkages.
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US9554644
- Application Number
- US15014730A
- Filing Date
- Feb 3, 2016
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO , Google Patents