Electric height adjustable platform for computer keyboard and monitor

Abstract

A portable electric height adjustable platform assembly, and method of use, the assembly residing on a fixed height desktop to move a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a user's sitting and standing position. The platform assembly comprises: a horizontally positioned platform unit configured for supporting a computer keyboard and mouse; a height adjustable lifting column unit comprising three telescopic sections, affixed vertically to the platform, with the outer section positioned above the platform unit to affix the monitor to, and the middle and inner section extensible below the platform to raise-lower the assembly; a base unit affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and configured to stabilize the assembly in a vertical position; an electric actuator housed within and able to activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend and collapse the telescopic sections, thus simultaneously raising and lowering the computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The field of the disclosure is that of height adjustable office workstations. More specifically, the field is to a portable, electric height adjustable platform that resides on top of a standard office desk and which is able to raise and lower a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a sitting and a standing position while the office desk remains stationary.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The adverse effects of prolonged sitting are well documented. Prolonged sitting can cause: an accumulation of metabolites; accelerated disk degeneration leading to disk herniation; premature mortality; chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer; and obesity (Pope et al., “Spine Ergonomics”, Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 4: 49-68; and, Pronk et al., “Reducing Occupational Sitting Time and Improving Worker Health: The Take-a-Stand Project, 2011”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vol. 9, Oct. 11, 2012).[0003]He...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent allows for easy installation of a computer monitor on a lifting column, making it compatible with a variety of flat screen monitors. This is helpful for users who want to install a computer monitor on a lifting column.

Problems solved by technology

But prolonged standing also has its adverse health effects: back and leg muscle fatigue leading to injury; varicose veins; joint compression and tearing where the synovial fluid is not circulating and thus reducing the normal lubrication and cushioning of synovial joints, such as knees.

Height adjustable desks are specifically designed for this purpose, but many employers do not permit their office employees to substitute a height adjustable desk for a standard, fixed height office desk that has been selected to fit the décor of the office.

Unfortunately, many of these desktop accessories have significant limitations, such as: 1) they require large areas of desktop space, which leaves little room for other essential and personal user's items to be easily accessible on the desktop; 2) they are unstable and easily prone to being knocked over, which could permanently damage the computer monitor; 3) they have limited weight capacities, and are thus not able to safely support large, heavy computer monitors; 4) they have limited ranges of motion between a standing and sitting position; and, 5) many require a manual mechanism to adjust the platform's height, which is laborious and interrupts the user's workflow.

Because the platforms are built into the desk, then they are not portable and cannot be moved to another desk.

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