IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,133,974
Granted Patent B2
US 9,133,974 · App. 13/606,634 · Granted Sep 15, 2015

Computer lift

Inventors: Alan L. Tholkes (Prior Lake, MN); DuWayne Dandurand (Jordan, MN)
Assignee: HealthPostures, LLP
F16M11/046A47B9/10A47B9/12A47B21/02A47B21/0314F16M11/04F16M11/18F16M11/28F16M13/022F16M2200/048Y10T29/49826
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,133,974
App. No.
13/606,634
Granted
Sep 15, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer lift has a stationary lift assembly and a movable monitor mount containing a gas spring cylinder fixed at one end, using a pulley assembly and cable to double the stroke of the gas spring cylinder by floating the pulley assembly. A positive lock allows the lift to stay in position after moving to a desired height, while maintaining easy movability.

Claims (37)

1. A computer lift, comprising:

a base having a lift assembly;

a monitor mount slidably movable on the lift assembly;

a lift system comprising:

a gas spring cylinder having an outer cylinder and an extendable inner cylinder, the outer cylinder connected at a first end to the monitor mount;

a pulley case having a pulley, the pulley case mounted to the inner cylinder at a second end of the gas spring cylinder; and

a cable fixed at a first cable end to the first end of the gas spring cylinder and at a second cable end to the lift assembly, and between the first cable end and the second cable end, through the pulley case and seated in the pulley; and

a locking mechanism coupled between the monitor mount and the lift assembly to selectively lock the monitor mount in one of a plurality of positions, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a spring coupled to the monitor mount; and

a lock coupled between the spring and the lift assembly, the spring normally biased toward the lift system.

2. The computer lift of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a keyboard rest, the keyboard rest connected to and supported by the lift assembly.

3. The computer lift of claim 1 , wherein the lift system further comprises a locking bar attached to a frame of the lift system, the locking bar having a plurality of detents to accept the lock to hold the monitor mount in one of the plurality of positions.

4. The computer lift of claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a handle, the handle to allow a user to overcome the normally biased spring to allow movement of the monitor mount.

5. The computer lift of claim 1 , wherein the pulley is mounted within the pulley case to be freely rotatable within the pulley case.

6. The computer lift of claim 1 , wherein the pulley extends through slots in the pulley case to allow the cable to be seated on the pulley securely.

7. The computer lift of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a mounting mechanism for mounting the computer lift to a solid surface, the mounting mechanism having a plurality of clamps to engage the solid surface.

8. The computer lift of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of clamps clamp to a front edge of the solid surface.

9. The computer lift of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of clamps clamp to a rear edge of the solid surface.

10. The computer lift of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of clamps are connected to the computer lift with a plurality of extension bars, an extension bar for each clamp.

11. A method of lifting a monitor on a monitor mount, comprising:

attaching an outer tube of a gas spring cylinder at one end to a movable monitor mount;

attaching a pulley system to an end of an inner tube at a distal end of the gas spring cylinder;

attaching one end of a cable at the one end to the movable monitor mount, and at a second end of the cable to a stationary lift assembly, with the cable seated in a pulley of the pulley system between the cable ends;

moving the monitor mount between a first position and a second position of a plurality of positions; and

locking the monitor mount into one of the plurality of positions with a locking mechanism, wherein locking comprises locking into a detent of a locking bar of the monitor mount with a spring connected between the monitor mount and a lock, the spring normally biased toward the monitor mount.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein moving the monitor mount comprises moving a distance of double a stroke of the gas spring cylinder.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein moving the monitor between the first position and the second position moves the monitor a distance approximately twice a length of extension of an inner cylinder of the gas spring cylinder.

14. A computer lift, comprising:

a monitor mount;

a lift assembly, the lift assembly comprising:

a gas spring cylinder having an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, the outer cylinder connected to the monitor mount at a first point, and the inner cylinder connected to a pulley case with a rotatable pulley therein; and

a pulley cable connected between the first point and a second point on the lift assembly, the pulley cable threaded therebetween over the pulley; and

a locking mechanism coupled between the monitor mount and the lift assembly to selectively lock the monitor mount in one of a plurality of positions, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a spring coupled to the monitor mount; and

a lock coupled between the spring and the lift assembly, the spring normally biased toward the lift system.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2015
From: CARE DESIGNS INC.
To: HEALTHPOSTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 034886/0961 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2013
From: THOLKES, ALAN L.; DANDURAND, DUWAYNE
To: CARE DESIGNS INC.
Reel/Frame 029996/0317 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61532787 · Sep 9, 2011
Related Publication 20130126682A1 · May 23, 2013