Adjustable Support Mechanism for a Keyboard Platform

This invention relates to an improved adjustable support mechanism for a keyboard platform or the like.

Heretofore there have been available various mechanisms for supporting keyboards associated with computer terminals. One such device is disclosed in Smeenge, U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,798, entitled: Adjustable Support For CRT Keyboard, wherein a keyboard support mechanism comprises first and second sets of parallel, equal length arms which link first and second brackets associated respectively with a keyboard platform and a sliding plate attached beneath a desk. The parallel arms maintain the support platform in a generally horizontal position regardless of the orientation of the arms. During storage of the support platform, the platform is pivoted to a retracted position beneath the desk top. During use, the keyboard platform is pivoted forward toward an extended position. Because of the equal length, parallel arm arrangement, the keyboard platform is always maintained in a horizontal position. The bracket supporting the inside ends of the arms beneath the desk may be slidably attached to a support plate attached to the bottom side of the desk. In this manner, the assembly may be slid beneath the desk top for storage.

Such a parallel arm mechanism has proven to be useful. However, it does limit access in the kneehole beneath the desk for an operator because the shelf is maintained in a horizontal position when in the retracted position. Thus, there has remained a need for an improved keyboard platform support mechanism which provides improved access to the kneehole opening under a desk top when the keyboard is positioned in the storage position beneath the desk top in the kneehole. The present invention provides such an improved mechanism.

In a principal aspect, the improved shelf or platform support mechanism for a keyboard of the present invention comprises a bracket which is slidably mounted on a plate for attachment beneath a desk top. The slide bracket includes first and second speed pivots. A keyboard platform likewise includes a platform bracket with first and second speed pivots. A first linkage arm connects the first pivots. A second linkage arm connects the second pivots. The second linkage arm is positioned vertically below the first arm and is generally not parallel to the first arm. The non-parallel arrangement is effected by either (1) having the upper and lower pivots of each bracket spaced a different distance or (2) the lower arm having a greater length than the upper arm or (3) a combination of (1) and (2). The linkage provides that the keyboard platform will vary in orientation whenever the link arms are pivoted. Thus, when the platform is moved from an extended or operator use position to a retracted or storage position by pivoting of the arms, the movement the second arm relative to the first will cause the platform to tilt upwardly from horizontal, thus providing more room in the kneehole beneath desk top. To accommodate the fact that the platform does not remain in a generally constant orientation when the linkage arms are pivoted, the platform itself is pivotally attached to its bracket. The platform may be pivoted about its first pivot to adjust its orientation to any of a number of detent positions. Thus, a spring biased detent mechanism permits orientation of the keyboard support platform in a number of non-horizontal as well as a horizontal position in accord with the desire of the keyboard operator. In the preferred embodiment the support plate is slidably mounted for storage of the entire mechanism and platform beneath the desk top. The support plate may also be pivoted about a vertical axis. A locking mechanism is also included for locking the support plate and the support mechanism in the extended position. A hand operated locking member is available to lock the linkage arms in any desired orientation. The arms are typically biased toward the extended position by means of mechanical springs, air or fluid springs.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved adjustable support mechanism for a keyboard platform.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved platform support mechanism for a keyboard which includes generally non-parallel linkage arms connecting the keyboard assembly with the assembly which attaches to the lower side of a desk top.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved keyboard support assembly wherein the support mechanism for the keyboard includes a first linkage arm connecting upper pivot points associated with respective brackets of a keyboard platform and a slide plate and lower pivot points associated with the same brackets wherein the lower pivot point and upper pivot point of the platform bracket are differently spaced the lower pivot point and upper pivot point of the bracket for the slick plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support mechanism which provides for improved ease of storage of the keyboard support platform relative to the known prior art, yet which is may be easily positioned in an orientation for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved keyboard platform support mechanism which includes an easily adjustable mechanism for altering the angle or tilt of the platform, and which also includes an easily adjustable and accessible mechanism for locking or holding the support linkage in a fixed position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved keyboard platform support mechanism of simplified and rugged construction which is easily assembled, easily manufactured, durable, and useful.

Another object is to provide a keyboard platform support mechanism which is biased by spring means toward a storage or a work position.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in a detailed description which follows.

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the support mechanism of the invention attached to the underside of a desk and in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the support mechanism of the invention attached to the underside of a desk and in the extended position with the keyboard support mechanism illustrated in alternative positions in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the support mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation, cross sectional view taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 4 depicting the improved mechanism of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the component parts and there interconnection.

Before describing the component parts of the mechanism of the invention, a brief description of the manner in which the mechanism operates will be beneficial in illustrating the construction of the invention. Reference is thus directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2 there is illustrated a desk top 10. Attached to the underside 12 of the desk top 10 is a plate assembly 14. The plate assembly 14 supports a sliding bracket mechanism 16. The sliding bracket mechanism 16 supports the remainder of the support mechanism for the keyboard platform and is slidable between a retracted position as depicted in FIG. 2 and an extended position as depicted in FIG. 3. In the preferred embodiment, the sliding bracket mechanism 16 is also pivotable about a vertical axis as will be described in more detail below.

The sliding bracket mechanism 16 which depends from the plate assembly 14 has a first linkage arm 18 pivotally attached thereto. Arm 18 is also referred to as an upper linkage arm 18. A second linkage arm 20 is also pivotally attached to bracket mechanism 16 and may be referred to as a lower linkage arm 20. The first and second linkage arms 18, 20 are also pivotally attached to a keyboard platform assembly 22 at upper and lower pivot connections respectively. The keyboard platform assembly 22, as will be described in greater detail below, is comprised of brackets which are attached to the remainder of the mechanism forming the assembly 22. The keyboard platform assembly 22 supports a keyboard platform 24. The keyboard platform 24 is designed to support a computer keyboard 26 as shown in phantom in FIG. 3. A keyboard 26 thus is typically positioned on the platform 24.

Movement of the platform assembly between the positions of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is effected by pivoting of the upper and lower arms 18, 20 forming a linkage when in combination with brackets 17 and assembly 22. When in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 2, the assembly 22 and thus the platform 24 are tilted in a clockwise direction relative to the position depicted to FIG. 3. This provides for increased access and space in the kneehole area beneath the desk top 10 or work surface. To position the mechanism in the extended position as depicted in FIG. 3, the sliding bracket mechansim 16 is slid forward on the plate assembly 14. The upper and lower linkage arms 18 and 20 respectively are pivoted about their respective connecting pivot points. This causes the platform 24 to rise toward the level of the top of the desk top 10 and move in a counterclockwise manner relative to the position shown in FIG. 2. Importantly, the pivots on the bracket assembly 16 are spaced a greater distance than those pivots on the assembly 22. Alternatively, the length of the lower linkage arm 20 may be greater than the length of the upper linkage arm 18 or a combination of such construction features may be utilized to provide the described non-parallel linkage. This non-parallel linkage results in the relative movement of the platform 24 from the orientation depicted in FIG. 2 to the generally horizontal orientation as depicted in FIG. 3. Again, by using a non-parallel linkage of arms and pivots the orientation of platform 24 is changed from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3.

Thus, the keyboard platform assembly 22 is positioned in a horizontal work position when in the extended orientation of FIG. 3. By contrast when in the retracted position of FIG. 2 the platform assembly 22 is moved in a clockwise orientation which permits improved access and room in the kneehole beneath the work surface or desk top 10. Because of the described construction, the platform 24 does not and cannot maintain a fixed generally horizontal orientation upon pivoting of the linkage arms 18 and 20. Rather, the orientation is constantly changed depending upon the position of the linkage arms 18 and 20.

As an additional feature of the invention, the platform assembly 22 includes a mechanism, to be described below in greater detail, which permits the platform 24 to be independently rotated about an axis 28 independent of the movement of the linkage arms 18 and 20. Thus, there is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 a phantom position 24 for the platform assembly 22 due to utilization of the detent reorientation mechanism utilized to pivot the assembly 22 about axis 28. This provides flexibility for the user to custom position the platform 24.

The specific construction for the various component parts is illustrated in greater detail and in FIG. 1 and 4 through 6. Referring to those FIGURES, therefore, and initially referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is depicted in greater detail the plate assembly 14 which is designed for attachment to the lower side or underside 12 of a desk top 10. The plate assembly 14 includes a U-shaped cross section mounting plate 30 which fastens to the underside of 12 of the desk top 10. The mounting plate 30 includes parallel side, slide channels 32 and 34 as shown in FIG. 4. The parallel slide channels 32 and 34 include ball bearing tracks which slidably receive brackets 36 and 38 respectively. The brackets 36, 38 are riveted to a planar mounting plate 40 which is also depicted in FIG. 6. Thus, the mounting plate 40 is slidable in channels 32, 34 between a retracted and an extended position as the slide brackets 36 and 38 cooperate with the ball bearing channels 32 and 34. FIG. 2 depicts the retracted position. FIG. 3 depicts the extended position. Other slide mechanisms may be adopted.

The bracket 17 of bracket mechanism 16 is pivotally attached to the plate 40 by means of a vertical pivot pin or shaft 42 as depicted in FIG. 5. Thus, the depending brackets 17 may pivot about a vertical axis 44 in FIG. 5 thereby permitting the attached mechanism 16 to pivot about that axis 44.

As previously described the plate 40 and thus the entire mechanism attached to the plate 40 is slidable between the retracted position as depicted in FIG. 2 and the extended position as depicted in FIG. 3. A flexible plastic locking arm 46 is carried by the plate 40. The locking arm 46 includes an inward, upwardly extending tab 48 which cooperates with a depending projection 50 in the mounting plate 30 when ever the sliding plate 40 is in the extended or forward position. The locking arm 46 is flexible and is biased by cooperation of tab 48 and projection 50 so that a forward lip 52 associated with the locking arm 46 will be flexibly biased into engagement with edge 54 of the sliding plate 40 when that plate is in the forward position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. This will retain the sliding plate 40 and thus the entire assembly in the extended or forward position shown in FIG. 3 preventing sliding movement to the retracted position. To release the plate 40, the locking arm 46 is manually moved or flexed upwardly in FIG. 5 against the flexible biasing force associated with the arm 46 to thereby release from the edge 54 and thus permit release of the platform or the mounting plate 40.

The sliding bracket 17 depends from the plate 40 and includes an upper first pivot 56 and a second, lower pivot 58. The pivots 56 and 58 each generally define an axis which are parallel to one another. The axes are generally spaced from one another with one above the other.

The first or upper linkage arm 18 is comprised of a pair of spaced generally parallel links 60, 61 connected by a cross member 62. Upper linkage arm 18 is pivotally connected to upper pivot 56. Nested between the links 60 and 61, but in a relatively lower position is the lower or second linkage arm 20. In the embodiment shown the second linkage arm 20 is a single linkage arm which connects from the lower pivot 58.

The linkage arms 18 and 20 both connect to spaced ratchet brackets 64 and 66 associated with the keyboard platform assembly. Each bracket 64 and 66 includes an upper pivot 68 and a lower pivot 70. Thus, the upper linkage arm 18 via the links 60 and 61 connects with and fits and the outside of the upper pivots 68. The lower linkage arm 20 fits in between the brackets 64 and 66 thereby spacing those brackets and also connects with the lower pivot 70. Again, note the links 60 and 61 also fit on the outside of the lower linkage arm 20. Thus, the lower linkage arm 20 is between the racket brackets 64 and 66 and on the outside of racket brackets 64, 66 are the links 60 and 61.

Importantly, the distance between the upper and lower pivots 56 and 58 is greater than the distance between the upper and lower pivots 68 and 70 to provide a non-parallel linkage. Alternatively, the distance between the lower pivots 58 and 70 may be greater than that between the upper pivots 56 and 68 or some combination thereof to provide a non-parallelogram in all orientations of a quadrilateral which connects the pivots 56, 58 70 and 68. The upper linkage arm 18 is attached to the bracket 17 by means of a rod 71 which is capped or headed at both ends and which extends through appropriate openings in the bracket 17 and arm 18. A spiral spring 72 fits around the rod 71. One end of the spiral spring 72 is attached to the bracket 17. The opposite end fits against the cross plate 62 to bias the cross plate 64 and links 60, 61 (arm 18) in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, for example. The lower arm 20 is likewise attached and cooperative with the bracket 17 by means of a rod 75 which is also capped at both ends.

The spring 72 may be assisted or replaced by a compressible gas cylinder 110 in FIG. 5 which is positioned between pivots 68 and 58. Of course, other fluid or mechanical springs arrangements may be used to bias the linkage arms 18, 20.

The opposite end of each linkage arm 18, 20 is likewise fixed or retained in engagement with the appropriate racket brackets 64, 66 by means of rods. Thus, a rod 77 which is capped at both ends fits through a keyboard platform support member 79 and then through the links 60 and 61 as well as openings of the upper pivot 68 in the racket brackets 64, 66. A second rod 81 fits through arcuate slots 83 in the member 79 and then passes through second arcuate slots 85 in the links 60 and 61. The rod 81 thus passes through the pivot openings 70 and an opening 87 associated with the end of lower arm 20.

The rod 81 has a slightly different construction. That is the rod 81 includes a headed end 80 and a threaded end 89 cooperative with a rotatable handle 91. A spacer 93 fits against the handle 91. Spacer 93 fits through the slot 83 and is slidable in the slot 83. The handle 91 may be tightened on the threaded end 89 to draw the headed and 80 and spacer 93 tightly against the links 60, 61 tightening that links 60, 61 against the end 95 of the lower arm 20 through which the passage 87 is defined and against the racket brackets 64, 66. In this manner, the linkage arms 18 and 20 may be held in a fixed or locked position.

The bracket mechanism 79 is designed to be pivotable about the axis defined by the rod 77. It is also designed to be rigidly connected and disconnected from the brackets 64 and 66. That is, a coil spring 101 connects from the rod 81 at one end to a locking bar 105 which is slidably mounted in the bracket mechanism 79. The locking bar 105 includes a locking rib 107 which engages in appropriate detent teeth 109 associated with the brackets 64 and 66. Thus, by pulling in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 on the locking bar 105 against the force of the spring 101 which is attached to the bar 105, the rib 107 is disengaged from the teeth 109. The mechanism 79 may then be pivoted about the axis of rod 77 to reorient the mechanism 70 and the attached planer plate 111 which fits on the mechanism 79. The plate 111 supports the platform 24 as previously described. In review, it is possible to adjust the tilt of the platform 24 by pulling on the locking bar mechanism 105 and pivoting the assembly 79.

It is to be noted once again that the quadrilateral defined by connecting the pivots 56, 58, 68, 70 is not a parallelogram and in the preferred embodiment is arranged to provide for effective clockwise movement of the platform 24 as the linkage is moved to the position which is the storage position.

It is possible to vary the construction of the invention by providing additional elements or by eliminating certain elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, the pivot shaft or pin 42 may be eliminated to eliminate the pivoting operation associated therewith. Further, it is possible to eliminate the mechanism associated with the locking bar 105. Thus, the platform would be in a horizontal position when extended and in the space saving position depicted in FIG. 2 when retracted. Of course, by varying the relative length of the upper and lower links it is possible to accommodate or vary the improved access or knee room in the region beneath the desk. Thus, while there has been set forth the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is understood that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.