IP Library Granted Patent US 11,284,713
Granted Patent B2
US 11,284,713 · App. 17/172,584 · Granted Mar 29, 2022

Display positioning apparatus and method

Inventors: Joel Hazzard (Osceola, WI); Robert William Fluhrer (Prior Lake, MN); Peter Segar (Burnsville, MN); John William Theis (St. Paul, MN); Mustafa Ergun (Eden Prairie, MN); Scott Trish (Lakeville, MN)
Assignee: Ergotron, Inc.
A47B21/04A47B9/10A47B9/18A47B17/033A47B21/0073A47B21/02A47B21/0314A47B23/04A47B97/06F16M11/04F16M11/046F16M11/10F16M11/105F16M11/18F16M11/24F16M11/28F16M13/02F16M13/022A47B9/12A47B2009/185A47B2021/0321A47B2023/049A47B2200/0076F16B12/2009F16M2200/041F16M2200/047F16M2200/048F16M2200/065F16M2200/068Y10T29/49826
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,284,713
App. No.
17/172,584
Granted
Mar 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for positioning an electronic display is described. The apparatus can be combined with an existing work surface to provide a multi-position workstation. In some cases, the apparatus includes a mounting portion configured to support an electronic display and a keyboard. The mounting portion may be movable with respect to the work surface between multiple positions, including for example, a sitting position and a standing position. Methods for positioning an electronic display and a keyboard are also included.

Claims (37)

1. An apparatus for positioning at least one electronic display and a keyboard relative to a work surface, the apparatus comprising:

a base including a bottom surface for supporting the base upon the work surface;

a support column extending upward from the base;

a mounting portion movably coupled with the support column;

a keyboard support configured to couple with the mounting portion and to support at least the keyboard, wherein the keyboard support is configured to simultaneously move with the at least one electronic display relative to the work surface;

a crossbar assembly configured to couple with the mounting portion, the crossbar assembly configured to support the at least one electronic display;

at least one display mount configured to couple the at least one electronic display with the crossbar assembly; and

an electronic device tray configured to couple with the crossbar assembly and support an electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

a mouse support coupled with the keyboard support.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

a document holder coupled with the mounting portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is movably coupled to the support column through an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

a clamp for removably attaching the base about an edge of the work surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is movably coupled to the support column through an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface; and wherein the range of travel includes:

a first position in which the mounting portion positions the keyboard tray below the bottom surface of the base; and

a second position in which the mounting portion positions the keyboard tray above the bottom surface of the base.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base and away from an edge of the work surface at an obtuse angle with respect to the base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support column extends upward from the base at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is movably coupled to the support column through an ascending and descending range of travel relative to the work surface, the apparatus comprising:

a lift mechanism movably coupling the mounting portion to the support column so that the mounting portion is translatable with respect to the support column through the range of travel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the lift mechanism includes a balance mechanism.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the balance mechanism comprises a wheel assembly coupled to a spring for balancing a changing force exerted by the spring.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the wheel assembly comprises a first pulley and a second pulley.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first pulley has a constant pulley radius.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second pulley has a variable pulley radius.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the lift mechanism is located partially within the support column and partially within the base.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be attached to the work surface via a through hole in the work surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

a work surface coupled with the mounting portion and configured to simultaneously move with the mounting portion and the keyboard support.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the keyboard support is coupled with the mounting portion via an extendable keyboard arm.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the crossbar assembly includes a stationary portion and a movable portion hingedly coupled with the stationary portion,

wherein the at least one display mount is configured to be coupled to the movable portion of the crossbar assembly, and

wherein the movable portion is configured to be moved with respect to the stationary portion and the stationary portion is configured to stationary with respect to the mounting portion.

Assignments (2)
GRANT OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2022
From: ERGOTRON, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 060613/0415 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 12, 2021
From: HAZZARD, JOEL; FLUHRER, ROBERT WILLIAM; SEGAR, PETER; THEIS, JOHN WILLIAM; ERGUN, MUSTAFA; TRISH, SCOTT
To: ERGOTRON, INC.
Reel/Frame 055250/0415 →
Continuity (13)
Continuation 16856873 · Apr 23, 2020
Continuation 16198533 · Nov 21, 2018
Continuation 15720855 · Sep 29, 2017
Continuation 15400034 · Jan 6, 2017
Continuation 15135156 · Apr 21, 2016
Continuation 14795627 · Jul 9, 2015
Continuation 14340074 · Jul 24, 2014
Continuation 13964870 · Aug 12, 2013
Continuation 13191170 · Jul 26, 2011
Provisional Application 61412456 · Nov 11, 2010
Provisional Application 61369392 · Jul 30, 2010
Provisional Application 61369430 · Jul 30, 2010
Related Publication 20210169217A1 · Jun 10, 2021
Cited By (10)
US 1,061,533 US 12,228,236 US 12,295,493 US 12,316,996 US 12,388,949 US 12,455,041 US 12,560,275 US 12,601,445 US 12,704,217 US 12,714,225