Patent Application
20180132608
The present invention relates generally to adjustable-height desks and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to adjustable-height desks having a deployable footrest and a deployable floor mat associated therewith.
Recent research shows that standing for part of one's day to offset seated time improves the health of workers and students alike. In fact, recent epidemiological studies show that decreasing total sedentary time can have significant positive health implications for office workers and students. For this purpose, desks can be adjusted in height from sitting to standing for the purpose of reducing standing fatigue and thereby increasing total standing time.
Historically, footrests and floor mats that are left on the floor under the desk could not be used with an adjustable-height desk due to space limitations under the desk and the inability of desk chairs to roll over the floor mat. Moreover, floor-based footrests and floor mats are also a challenge for cleaning crews. Further, floor-based footrests and floor mats complicate the management of phone lines and computer cables under the desk. For these reasons, a floor-mounted footrest can be undesirable.
The present invention relates generally to adjustable-height desks and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to adjustable-height desks having a deployable footrest and a deployable floor mat associated therewith. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a desk. The desk includes a tabletop and at least one base member supporting the tabletop. A footrest is disposed on the at least one base member beneath the tabletop. The footrest is movable between a stowed position toward a back of the desk and a deployed position toward a front of the desk. At least one mechanism is disposed on the at least one base member and operatively coupled to the footrest. The at least one mechanism moving the footrest between the stowed and deployed positions. A floor mat is disposed with the footrest. The floor mat is movable with the footrest between a stowed mat position and a deployed mat position.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a desk. The desk includes at least one base member having a support movable vertically relative to the at least one base member. A tabletop is supported on the support above the at least one base member. A footrest is disposed on the at least one base member beneath the tabletop. The footrest is movable between a stowed position toward a back of the desk and a deployed position toward a front of the desk. At least one mechanism is disposed on the at least one base member and operatively coupled to the support and to the footrest. The at least one mechanism moves the support vertically relative to the at least one base member to raise and lower the tabletop relative to the at least one base member. The at least one mechanism moving the footrest between the stowed position and the deployed position. A floor mat is disposed with the footrest. The floor mat is movable with the footrest between a stowed mat position and a deployed mat position.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
For example,
As can be seen, the desk 10 incorporates the adjustable tabletop 50 with an adjustable footrest 40. The tabletop 50 is made to be anthropometrically correct and offers a work surface with adjustable height for the user. For an adult, the tabletop 50 can be raised to a height of about 36-46″ for standing and can be lowered to a height of about 26-33″ for sitting. Other ranges of adjustment can be provided and can be tailored to children as well.
The footrest 50 is user-adjustable to set a proper range for foot support during standing and sitting. In this way, the footrest 40 provides a useful ergonomic feature for the desk 10 when the tabletop 50 is raised to a standing height or lowered to a sitting height. Overall, the footrest 40 can increase the user's total standing time, which has health benefits and which adds to the overall comfort of the user.
Because the height of the tabletop 50 can be adjusted as desired by the user, the footrest 40 is preferably at or near its back position when the tabletop 50 is in the sitting height. By contrast, the footrest 40 is preferably at or near its front position when the tabletop 50 is at the lower range of the standing heights. In this way, a standing user who has the tabletop 50 set at a lower standing height can still use the footrest 40. As expected, moving the footrest 40 in or out of the way may require movement of the footrest 40 that is timed, delayed, or accelerated in comparison to the tabletop's movement depending on the mechanism used.
Automated and manual mechanisms can be used to move the tabletop 50 and footrest 40, but preferably movement of the tabletop 50 and footrest 40 to their different positions uses an automated mechanism. In addition, the footrest 40 preferably transitions automatically between standing and sitting positions as the tabletop 50 is raised and lowered, but this is not strictly necessary.
The adjustable table 10 has sidewalls or base members 20 with feet 22 that rest on the floor and support the tabletop 50 using supports or columns 30. In general, the column or support 30 can be a panel, beam, planar support, or other structure and need not be a cylindrical post as illustrated. Although each sidewall 20 has two columns 30 as shown, it will be appreciated that only one column or support 30 may be used in a given implementation. For stability, however, a wide support or more than one cylindrical post are preferably used on both sides of the tabletop 50 so that the tabletop 50 will not exhibit a tendency to warp, which can inhibit the up and down movement of the tabletop 50.
As shown, each sidewall 20 has two columns 30, and a central area between the columns 30 preferably has a panel 24. In the lowered condition, the columns 30 and panels 24 retract into the sidewalls 20 as the tabletop 50 is brought close to the top edge of the sidewalls 20. In the raised condition, the columns 30 extend from the sidewalls 20 as the tabletop 50 is raised. The side panels 24 disposed between the columns 30 also extend from the sidewalls 20 to complete the side coverage of the desk 10. In this arrangement, the panels 24 can provide further stability, but they can also prevent objects from inserting between the tabletop 50 and sidewalls 20, which could hinder operation or cause injury. Overall, the sidewalls 20 provide a robust physical structure so the support columns 30 in each support 20 are essentially tied together to provide stability even when the tabletop 50 is raised to the greatest standing height.
Relative to the user, the footrest 40 deploys from a back position (toward the back edge of the desk 10) while the user is seated to a front position (toward the front edge of the desk 10) while the user is standing. Movement of the footrest 40 can be coordinated with the lift mechanism for moving the tabletop 50 as detailed below. In this way, the footrest 40 can move out of the way in the back position (
In particular, the footrest 40 has a crossbar 42 connected at its ends to pivot arms 44. Connected to the inside of the sidewalls 20, the pivot arms 44 can rotate the crossbar 42 between the back position (
As noted above, raising the tabletop 50 from the lowered condition to the raised condition may be coordinated with the rotation of the footrest 40, although this is not strictly necessary. For example, a user may typically want to have the footrest 40 in the front position while the tabletop 50 is raised, but there may be times where this is not the case. In such an instance, the user may be able to override any automatic, coordinated movement of the tabletop 50 and footrest 40 and may instead separately actuate one or the other.
As noted above, movement of the tabletop 50 and footrest 40 can be driven manually or automatically. Any number of mechanical and electrical mechanisms can be used to raise and lower the tabletop 50 and move the footrest 40. Some examples are provided below. As one skilled in the art will appreciate with the benefit of the present disclosure, additional mechanisms can be used depending on the available space in the sidewalls 20, power requirements, and other factors, and the various mechanisms disclosed can be combined in different ways.
In an automated embodiment,
As shown, a controller 70 activated by a switch 72, button, or the like operates the motor 62. The desk 10 can have its own power supply for the controller 70, motor 62, and other electronic components, or the desk 10 can connect by conventional means to an external power supply. Limit switches 74a-b at the lower and upper limits along the shaft 62 can be used by the controller 70 to stop activation of the motor 62 when lowering and raising the tabletop 50. Moreover, hard stops 25a-b can limit the lower and upper extents of the movement by engaging against the collar 66. The hard stops 25a-b or other portions of the mechanism 60 can have lock mechanisms (not shown) to engage the tabletop's movement, and the lock mechanisms can be configured to provide the user with an audible “click” to indicate full extension or retraction.
In this embodiment, movement of the footrest 40 is coordinated with the movement of the tabletop 50. For instance, a pivot point 46 of the footrest's arm 44 can use one or more rotatable gears 62 interfaced with the screw shaft 64. As the electric motor 62 moves the tabletop 50 by rotating the screw shaft 64, the rotatable gears 68 rotate the footrest 40 about its pivot point 46. As with the movement of the tabletop 50, hard stops 45a-b can limit the back and front extents of the footrest's movement by engaging against the lever arms 44 or other portion of the footrest 40. Limit switches (not shown) may also be used.
As noted above, the height of the tabletop 50 can be adjusted by the user to a preferred height within some range, but the user may want to use the footrest 40 for standing regardless of the height of the raised tabletop 50. Therefore, movement of the footrest 40 can be controlled independently from the movement of the tabletop 50 in one implementation. In this case, the footrest 40 may have its own actuator or motor (not shown) independently controlled by the controller 70. This would allow a user to select movement of the tabletop 50 with the switch 72 independent of selecting movement of the footrest 40, which could be controlled with its own switch.
Alternatively, the footrest's movement when coordinated with the tabletop's movement can complete the rotation between the back and front positions separately to some extent. For example, the limit switches 74a-b disposed at appropriate locations along the screw drive 62 can activate a separate electric motor (not shown) to rotate the footrest 40 into position. A mechanical arrangement of gears and trigger points could achieve the same result.
Movement of the tabletop 50 and footrest 40 preferably has a shut-off mechanism to prevent their movement if an obstruction is encountered. For example, if the torque on the motor 62 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the rotation of the motor 62 can be stopped or reversed when the controller 70 senses the increased torque. Alternatively, the automated mechanism 60 can use a mechanical torque limiter (not shown) between the coupling of the motor 62 to the screw shaft 64. If the torque exceeds a threshold, the mechanical torque limiter will prevent the motor's rotation from rotating the screw shaft 62 so the tabletop 50 will no longer move.
Moreover, the tabletop 50 and footrest 40 can have break-away mechanisms that release or break their movement if an obstruction is encountered. As will be appreciated, these and other mechanisms can reduce the chances of the movement of the tabletop 50 and footrest 40 damaging the desk 10 or causing injury.
In one manual mechanism,
Raising the tabletop 50 involves the user activating a manual lever or electric actuator (not shown), which diverts the compressed gas in the springs 35. In the absence of sufficient counterforces, the springs 35 will tend to extend, and the columns 30 will lift the tabletop 50 away from the sidewalls 20. To lower the tabletop 50, the user can again activate the lever or actuator (not shown) and can apply a counterforce on the tabletop 50 to distend the gas springs 35, causing the tabletop 50 to move closer to the sidewalls 20.
As for the footrest 40, its movement can be coupled to the raising and lowering of the tabletop 50 by the gas springs 35 using any number of arrangements of belts, gears, drives, etc. Additionally, the footrest 40 can have its own separate actuator, such as a linear actuator. In the example shown in
In yet another alternative, the footrest 40 can have its own separate mechanical actuator, such as a gas spring. For example, the actuator 84 in
In another automated embodiment,
As shown, the main actuator 82 couples to one of the columns 30, although several of the columns can have such an actuator 82. When controlled by the user, the controller 70 activates the main actuator 82, which extends as shown in
In the arrangement of
In yet another embodiment,
As the collar 94 moves, a scissor linkage 95 pivotably connected to the collar 94 opens or closes to raise and lower the tabletop 50. For instance, one arm of the linkage 95 connects at its distal end to a fixed pivot point 98b attached to the side support 20, while the other scissor arm of the linkage 95 connects at its distal end to a moving pivot point 98a attached on a cross member 99 between the adjacent columns 30. The motor 92 and rod 96 move with the opening and closing of the linkage 95 so tracks 97 may be provided for the motor 92 and rod 96 to move up and down.
To raise the tabletop 50 from the lowered condition in
As noted previously, the footrest 40 can have a separate actuator to switch the footrest's position, and the separate actuator may or may not be coordinated to the automated mechanism 90 for the tabletop 50. For example, a motor, linear actuator, gas spring, or the like can be used, as discussed elsewhere.
As shown in
When the tabletop 50 is lowered (
Turning to another embodiment, an alternative footrest 40 can slide between back and front positions rather than rotating or pivoting as in previous embodiments.
Again, any number of the mechanisms disclosed herein can be used to manually or automatically move the tabletop 50 and footrest 40 either together or independently. For example,
Raising and lowering of the tabletop 50 with the linear actuator 82 and controller 70 can be similar to that described above. The footrest 40, however, fits its end inside the slanted channel 26 in the side support 20. The motor 86 rotates the scroll rod 87, causing the threaded collar 88 connected to the footrest 40 to move along the rod 87 up or down depending on the motor's rotation. As the tabletop 50 is raised, for example, the motor 86 can rotate the scroll rod 87 so that the footrest 40 moves from the back position (
Turning to another embodiment of a footrest, the pivot point of a footrest can be set higher relative to the tabletop 50, and the footrest can be pivoted 90-degrees rather than 180-degrees between positions. As shown in
Not all of the mechanisms of the desk 10 are shown. For instance, although not visible in the view of
The footrest 140 rotates about 90-degrees between a retracted (seated) position near the back of the tabletop 50 (as shown in solid line) to a rotated (standing) position towards the front of the tabletop 50 (as shown in dashed line). In the retracted position (solid lines), for example, the platform 142 of the footrest 140 can form a privacy screen. When a user is seated at the desk 10 with the tabletop 50 lowered, the platform 142 provides the seated user with privacy by covering the exposed front of the desk 10. When the tabletop 50 is raised, the footrest 140 can deploy from the retracted (seated) position to the rotated (standing) position (in dashed lines) so the user can use the platform 142 while standing.
Deployment of the footrest 140 can use any of the various mechanism disclosed herein and can be automatically coordinated with the movement of the tabletop 50 as with other embodiments. For example, the footrest 140 may begin deploying when the tabletop 50 reaches about 34″ in height, and the footrest 140 can be fully deployed when the tabletop 50 is at about 38″ in height. Moreover, as noted above, deployment of the footrest 140 can be automatic but not coordinated with the movement of the tabletop 50 so the user can adjust the footrest 140 to retracted, fully lowered positions, or any point therebetween as desired regardless of the height of the tabletop 50.
As with previous embodiments, hard stops 45a-b can be used to limit the movement of the footrest 140 by limiting the rotation of the arms 144, although other stops can be used. Additionally, various types of locks may be used to keep the footrest 140 in position. For example, a mechanical catch 147 can engage the footrest 140 by engaging in a profile in the arm 144 for example to hold the footrest 140 in the retracted position. Another comparable catch disposed elsewhere on the sidewall 20 can be used to catch the arm 144 when in the rotated position. The catch 147 can be spring biased to engage the arm's profile and may be mechanically or electrically deactivated.
In another example, actuatable locks 145a-b, such as solenoids, linear actuators, or the like can engage opposite edges of the arm 144 when in the retracted and rotated positions respectively. These actuatable locks 145a-b can thereby hold the arm 144 and footrest 140 in place and can be actuated to release the arm 144 when the footrest 140 is to be pivoted.
Yet another embodiment of an adjustable desk 10 shown in
The footrest 140 in this embodiment is a flat panel 148 that rotates at one edge connected to the sidewalls 20. In the raised condition for sitting, the panel footrest 148 is rotated vertically so that it forms a privacy screen for a user sitting at the desk 10. When the tabletop 50 is raised to a height for standing, the panel footrest 148 rotates down to a lowered condition so that it lies horizontally under the tabletop 50 near the floor.
Again, any number of the mechanisms disclosed herein can be used to manually or automatically move the tabletop 50 and footrest 140 either together or independently. For example,
In previous embodiments, the adjustable footrests have been incorporated into the desks. In another embodiment,
The footrest 240 has a set of feet 245 arranged parallel to one another. Each foot 245 has a stand 246 extending from the top of the foot 245. An interconnecting rest 242 affixes to lever arms 244 on the stands 246 and extends between the feet 245. One or both of these stands 246 holds components of an automatic mechanism 248 (e.g., self-contained motor, springs, gas pistons, etc.) for moving the levers 244 and the interconnecting rest 242.
Although lever arms 244 and rest 242 that pivot are shown, the footrest 240 could have a rotating panel, sliding cross bar, or any of the other arrangements disclosed herein. Additionally, although two feet 245 and stands 246 are shown, the footrest 240 may use one foot 245 and stand 246 having the rest 242 extending in a cantilever fashion from the lever 244 on the stand 246. Such an arrangement can be used as long as the foot 245 can support the rest 242 with a person's foot resting thereon and can resist tilting, turning, or the like.
The length of the rest 242 can be adjustable so that the separation between the two feet 245 and stands 246 can be adjusted to accommodate the desk 10, table, counter, or other area under which the footrest 240 is used. Additionally, the stands 246 need not have an extended height so the footrest 240 can position underneath a desk, table, counter, or other area. Although not visible in the plan views shown, the stands 246 may be shorter than or at least as tall as the supports 20 of the desk 10 under which the footrest 240 can be used. Either way, the stands 246 enable the footrest 240 to fit underneath the tabletop 50 of the desk 10.
As noted above, the tabletop 50 of the existing desk 10 may or may not be height-adjustable, and the footrest 240 fits underneath the tabletop 50 as disclosed herein. In the present example, the tabletop 50 is height-adjustable, either automatically or not. Regardless, the footrest 240 having its own internal mechanism 248 can be activated independently of (or in conjunction with) the desk's tabletop 50. For example, a user can manually press a button, switch, or control 249 to actuate the footrest 240 when either automatically or manually raising the tabletop 50 of the desk 10. This control 249 can be disposed on one of the feet 245 for the user to engage with her foot to extend and retract the rest 242.
Alternatively, the footrest 240, even though a separate device from the desk 10, can be activated automatically in response to the raising and lowering of the desk's tabletop 50. An interconnecting cable or other connection (not shown) can connect between the footrest's mechanism 248 and the desk's mechanism (not shown) and can be used to activate the footrest 240 when the tabletop 50 raises and lowers on the desk 10. Such a connection can convey an electronic signal from the desk's mechanism (not shown) to the footrest's mechanism 248 or visa-versa to coordinate operation between the two. In other alternatives, the footrest's mechanism 248 may have a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like to detect the tabletop 50 moving from seated to standing positions (or visa-versa) so the footrest 140 can auto-deploy in like manner with the movement of the tabletop 50. These and other techniques for automated operation can be used.
The lengths of the bar 247 and the rest 242 can be adjustable so that the separation between the two feet 245 and stands 246 can be adjusted to accommodate the table or area under which the footrest 240 is used. For example, an intermediate piece or bar 243 can affix as part of the rest 242 between the levers 244 to adjust the length of the rest 242. The bar 247 between the feet 245 may telescope to change the length of the bar 247 and adjust the separation between the feet 245. These and other forms of adjustment can be used.
The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter.
In the examples above, only one side support 20 has been shown with a manual or automated mechanism for moving the tabletop and/or switching the footrest. It will be appreciated that the other side support 20 of the adjustable desk 10 may or may not have the same mechanism or a different mechanism, depending on the balance required, the forces of friction and weight involved, etc. Moreover, although two side supports 20 are shown, the desks 10 may use one side support 20 having the rest 40 or 140 and the tabletop 50 extending in a cantilever fashion from the support 20. Such an arrangement can be used as long as the support 20 can support the rest 40 or 140 and tabletop 50 with weight resting thereon and can resist tilting, turning, or the like. For example, feet for such a single side support 20 may extend laterally under the tabletop 50 to support the desk 10.
Various mechanisms have been described for raising and lower the tabletop 50 and/or for switching the footrests 40, 140, and 240. Each of the described mechanisms can be used in any of the disclosed desks 10 and footrests 40, 140, and 240, including those desks 10 having the footrest 140 that acts as a privacy screen and flips down about 90-degrees to form the rest for the user, the footrest 40 that rotates 180 degrees, the footrest 40 that slides, and the footrest 240 that can be used separate from a desk. In general, the mechanisms can use cables, rotating gears, screw gears, rack and pinion gears, motors, actuators, cranks, levers, hydraulic pistons, gas-lifts, gas struts, springs, counter balances, and the like for manually and automatically raising and lowering the tabletop 50 and/or for switching the footrests 40, 140, and 240. Moreover, any combination of such mechanisms can be used with one another in a given embodiment.
Pickup gear stops and pre-set electric actuators, switches, and the like can allow for the required movement to occur between hard stops during transitions of the tabletop 50 and footrest 40, 140, or 240. The automatic, direct drive arrangements preferably have a break-away or fail-safe stop and/or a panic button. Manual systems can have a free rotational shaft, a dampened rotational or torsional shaft, or spring-loaded hinge.
Still referring to
Referring again to
Although various embodiments of the method and system of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Specification, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein. It is intended that the Specification and examples be considered as illustrative only.
This application is a continuation-in-part of, and incorporates by reference, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/946,004, filed on Jul. 19, 2013. This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/421,686, filed on Nov. 14, 2016.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62421686 | Nov 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13946004 | Jul 2013 | US |
| Child | 15808600 | US |
