US5490466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable keyboard support
Assignee: Howe Furniture Corp
•
Filing: 1994-03-15
•
Granted: 1996-02-13
•
Expires: 2014-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A table top is provided with a vertically adjustable keyboard support platform which is suspended on a parallel linkage assembly. The parallel linkage rotates about a pair of rotatable pivot rods carried by the underneath side of the platform. A gas spring is connected to the linkage to block its rotation when the platform is in a desired lowered position and to aid in returning the platform to a position flush with the table top.
Inventors
- 👤 Niels Diffrient
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:13
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/03; A47B21/0314; A47B2021/0321; A47B2021/0328; A47B2021/0335; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/917; Y10S248/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A table top having a top surface, an underneath surface, at least one edge, and a keyboard support platform comprising: a substantially rectangular recess formed in said table top including first and second ends extending inwardly from said edge; a substantially rectangular, vertically adjustable, platform substantially filling said recess when in a raised position, said platform having a bottom surface and a top surface; first and second substantially identical parallel linkage bars, each having a first end pivotally mounted in the first end of said recess and a depending second end; third and fourth parallel linkage bars substantially identical to said first and second bars, each having a first end pivotally mounted in the second end of said recess and a depending second end; a first rotatable pivot rod carried by said platform, said first pivot rod having first and second ends secured, respectively, to the depending ends of said first and third bars; a second rotatable pivot rod substantially parallel to said first pivot rod, said second pivot rod having first and second ends secured, respectively, to the depending ends of said second and fourth bars; and means for locking the rotation of said pivot rods to stabilize the vertical position of said platform relative to said table top.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A table top having a top surface, an underneath surface, at least one edge, and a keyboard support platform comprising: a substantially rectangular recess formed in said table top including first and second ends extending inwardly from said edge; a substantially rectangular, vertically adjustable, platform substantially filling said recess when in a raised position, said platform having a bottom surface and a top surface; first and second substantially identical parallel linkage bars, each having a first end pivotally mounted in the first end of said recess and a depending second end; third and fourth parallel linkage bars substantially identical to said first and second bars, each having a first end pivotally mounted in the second end of said recess and a depending second end; a first rotatable pivot rod carried by said platform, said first pivot rod having first and second ends secured, respectively, to the depending ends of said first and third bars; a second rotatable pivot rod substantially parallel to said first pivot rod, said second pivot rod having first and second ends secured, respectively, to the depending ends of said second and fourth bars; and means for locking the rotation of said pivot rods to stabilize the vertical position of said platform relative to said table top.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The table top of claim 1 wherein said rotation locking means comprises: first and second spaced crank arms fixedly mounted to, and depending from, said first pivot rod; and an adjustable blocking member connected to lock the angular position of said first and second crank arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The table top of claim 2 wherein said blocking member comprises a gas spring having a first end secured to said first and second crank arms and a second end secured to said support platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The table top of claim 3 wherein the second end of said gas spring includes a release pin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The table top of claim 2 additionally comprising: third and fourth spaced crank arms fixedly mounted to, and depending from, said second pivot rod; a first side frame member having a first end pivotally secured to said first crank arm and a second end pivotally secured to said third crank arm; and a second side frame member having a first end pivotally secured to said second crank arm and a second end pivotally secured to said fourth crank arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The table top of claim 5 wherein said blocking member comprises a gas spring mounted between said first and second side frame members having a first end secured to said first and second crank arms and a second end secured to said support platform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The table top of claim 6 wherein the second end of said gas spring includes a release pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The table top of claim 7 additionally including an actuator mounted on the underneath side of said support platform and manually adjustable to selectively actuate said release pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The table top of claim 8 wherein said actuator comprises a pivotally mounted bar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3866866A
Cited
US4515086A
Cited
US4616798A
Cited
US4625657A
Cited
US4776284A
Cited
US5031867A
Cited
US5083512A
Cited
US5176351A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-12 | 1999-08-14 | 2000-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-12 | 2003-08-14 | 2004-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-12 | 2007-08-14 | 2008-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |