Workstation

Abstract

The work station disclosed herein may comprise a lift mechanism comprising a fixed column and a movable part that moves within a vertical range of motion along the fixed column and a work surface attached to the movable part. The work station may have a lift force adjuster that adjusts an amount of lift force necessary to move the movable part within the vertical range of motion, a lift force indicator for indicating the amount of lift force set by the lift force adjuster, and/or a plurality of first protrusions mounted on the fixed column and a locking mechanism with a plurality of second protrusions rotatably attached to the movable part for mating with a portion of the first protrusions.

1 . A work station comprising:
 a lift mechanism comprising a fixed column and a movable part that moves within a vertical range of motion along the fixed column;   a work surface attached to the movable part; and   a locking mechanism for substantially fixing the work surface at a location within the vertical range of motion of the movable part,   wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift force adjuster that adjusts an amount of lift force necessary to move the movable part within the vertical range of motion.   
   
   
       2 . The work station of  claim 1 , further comprising a lift force indicator for indicating the amount of lift force set by the lift force adjuster. 
   
   
       3 . The work station of  claim 1 , wherein the lift mechanism is a spring-loaded mechanism, and the lift force adjuster adjusts the amount of lift force by adjusting an amount of tension caused by the spring-loaded mechanism. 
   
   
       4 . The work station of  claim 3 , wherein the lift force adjuster comprises a preload adjustment screw for adjusting the tension of the spring-leaded mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . The work station of  claim 1 , wherein the lift force adjuster comprises at least one extension spring mounted on the fixed column by an adjustable bracket at a first end and attached to a movable bracket at a second end, and
 wherein the lift mechanism comprises a cable attached to the movable part at one end and attached to the movable bracket.   
   
   
       6 . The work station of  claim 5 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a first pulley that is rotatably attached to the fixed column, and wherein the cable is engaged with the first pulley. 
   
   
       7 . The work station of  claim 6 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a second pulley that is rotatably attached to the adjustable bracket, and wherein the cable is engaged with the second pulley. 
   
   
       8 . The work station of  claim 7 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a third pulley that is rotatable attached to the movable bracket, wherein the cable is engaged with the third pulley. 
   
   
       9 . The work station of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable bracket comprises a stationary component fixed to the fixed column and a movable component, wherein the first end of the at least one extension spring is attached to the movable component of the adjustable bracket. 
   
   
       10 . The work station of  claim 9 , further comprising a lift force indicator for indicating the amount of lift force set by the lift force adjuster as a function of an amount of distance between the stationary and movable components. 
   
   
       11 . The work station of  claim 9 , wherein adjustable bracket comprises an adjustment screw for moving the movable component relative the stationary component. 
   
   
       12 . The work station of  claim 1 , further comprising a base portion, wherein the fixed column is attached to the base portion. 
   
   
       13 . The work station of  claim 12 , wherein the base portion comprising rotatable members. 
   
   
       14 . The work station of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of holes in the fixed column and a plunger slidably attached to the movable part for insertion into one of the plurality of holes. 
   
   
       15 . The work station of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a release lever for releasing and inserting the plunger into the one of the plurality of holes via a cable. 
   
   
       16 . The work station of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of first protrusions mounted on the fixed column and a plurality of second protrusions rotatably attached to the movable part for mating with a portion of the first protrusions. 
   
   
       17 . The work station of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions are teeth that can mesh together. 
   
   
       18 . The work station of  claim 1 , wherein the lift force adjuster comprises at least one extension spring mounted on the fixed column by an adjustable bracket at a first end and attached to a movable bracket at a second end, and
 wherein the lift mechanism comprises a cable attached to the movable part at one end and attached to fixed bracket at the other.   
   
   
       19 . A work station comprising:
 a lift mechanism comprising a fixed column and a movable part that moves within a vertical range of motion along the fixed column;   a work surface attached to the movable part; and   a locking mechanism for substantially fixing the work surface at a location within the vertical range of motion of the movable part,   wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of first protrusions mounted on the fixed column and a plurality of second protrusions rotatably attached to the movable part for mating with a portion of the first protrusions.   
   
   
       20 . The work station of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of first protrusions and the plurality of second protrusions are teeth that can mesh together. 
   
   
       21 . The work station of  claim 19 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking lever upon which the plurality of second protrusions are mounted. 
   
   
       22 . The work station of  claim 21 , wherein the locking lever pivots such that the plurality of second protrusions may engage or disengage from the portion of the first protrusions. 
   
   
       23 . The work station of  claim 22 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a release lever for pivoting the locking lever. 
   
   
       24 . The work station of  claim 23 , wherein the release lever pivots the locking lever using a cable. 
   
   
       25 . The work station of  claim 19 , further comprising a base portion, wherein the fixed column is attached to the base portion. 
   
   
       26 . The work station of  claim 25 , wherein the base portion comprising rotatable members. 
   
   
       27 . The work station of  claim 19 , wherein the lift mechanism comprises a lift force adjuster that adjusts an amount of lift force necessary to move the movable part within the vertical range of motion, and a lift force indicator for indicating the amount of lift force set by the lift force adjuster.