Mechanically adjustable work station with optional retractable work support ledge

Abstract

A work station with a built-in electric mechanical lift that will allow a user to adjust a work support member to a more ergonomically correct position (similar to a tilted drafting station) includes primary and, preferably, secondary work support members. A lifting structure urged by an actuator engages the primary work support member for pivoting from a position coplanar with the second work support member to a position at an angle relative to the secondary work support member. One or more structural support members are positioned to support the primary and secondary work support members, the lifting structure, and the actuator. The lifting structure includes first and second lifting arms pivotably connected to one another. A desk of any configuration has a work support member with at least one pop-up ledge engaged to a touch latch assembly configured to maintain the pop-up ledge at a first retracted position inside the work support member or at a second extended position extending from the work support member.

1 . A work station having a work support member and an electrically powered lifting structure that will allow a user to adjust a position of the work support member, comprising:
 a primary work support member having a top, work support surface and a bottom surface, the top surface defining a first plane, the lifting structure being positioned to engage the bottom surface to pivot the primary work support member about a first pivot axis from a first position to a second position, the first pivot axis being at or proximate to an edge portion of the primary work support member;   an actuator positioned to urge the lifting structure to pivot the primary support member about the first pivot axis; and   one or more structural support members positioned to support the primary work support member, the lifting structure, and the actuator;   wherein the first plane at the second position is at an acute angle with respect to the first plane at the first position; and   wherein the lifting structure includes a first lifting arm having first and second ends and a second lifting arm having first and second ends, the first ends being associated with the actuator and the second ends being associated with the primary work support member, the first and second lifting arms being pivotably connected to one another at a location between their ends at a second pivot axis, each of the first ends of the lifting arms pivoting about a third axis and each of the second ends of the lifting arms pivoting about a fourth axis.   
     
     
         2 . The work station according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a secondary work support member having an upper surface, the upper surface defining a second plane and being positioned adjacent to the primary work support member;
 wherein the one or more structural support members are positioned to support the secondary work support member; and   wherein at the first position, the first plane and the second plane are substantially coplanar, and at the second position, the first plane is at an acute angle with respect to the second plane.   
     
     
         3 . The work station according to  claim 2 , further comprising a support frame supported by the secondary work support member or by at least one of the structural support members, and which supportably engages the primary work support member. 
     
     
         4 . The work station according to  claim 3 , further comprising a slide-out shelf, slidably supported by the support frame. 
     
     
         5 . The work station according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a motor rotatably connected to a lead screw to turn the lead screw, wherein the lead screw has a thread and is operably connected to the lifting structure to urge the first lifting arm and the second lifting arm to pivot about the second pivot axis, such that the primary work support member pivots about the first pivot axis from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The work station according to  claim 5 , wherein the lead screw has a first threaded portion and is rotatably connected to a first bushing having an internal thread matched to the first threaded portion of the lead screw and being pivotably connected to a first end of the first lifting arm such that rotation of the lead screw causes linear motion of the first bushing along a longitudinal length of the lead screw and pivoting of the lifting arms about the second pivot axis. 
     
     
         7 . The work station according to  claim 6 , wherein the lead screw has a second threaded portion reverse threaded compared to the first threaded portion, and wherein the first end of the second lifting arm is pivotably connected to a second bushing having and internal thread matched to the second threaded portion of the lead screw and which moves along the longitudinal length of the lead screw;
 wherein the second ends of the first and second lifting arms are pivotably connected to third and fourth bushings, respectively; and   wherein the third and fourth bushings slide along one or more respective rods positioned parallel to the lead screw, the one or more rods being connected to the bottom surface such that the movement of the first and second bushings towards one another will cause the third and fourth bushings to slide towards one another and urge the primary work support member from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         8 . The work station according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller operatively connected to the actuator and configured to command the actuator to operate in a forward direction to urge the primary work support member from the first position to the second position, and in a reverse direction to urge the primary work support member from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         9 . A work station comprising:
 a work support member having a top surface, the top surface defining a first plane;   one or more structural support members positioned to support the work support member;   wherein the work support member includes at least one pop-up ledge having a superior surface;   wherein the pop-up ledge is engaged to at least one touch latch assembly configured to maintain the pop-up ledge at a first retracted position or at a second extended position; and   wherein at the first retracted position, the superior surface is substantially coplanar with the first plane, and at the second extended position, the superior surface is extended above the first plane.   
     
     
         10 . The work station according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one touch latch assembly comprises a spring configured to urge the pop-up ledge from the first retracted position to the second extended position; and
 wherein the pop-up ledge, when in the first retracted position, is positioned within an elongated channel formed in the work support member, the pop-up ledge extending in a longitudinal direction of the work support member substantially parallel to a first edge of the work support member.   
     
     
         11 . The work station according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one pop-up ledge comprises first and second pop-up ledges positioned substantially parallel to and spaced from one another. 
     
     
         12 . A work station having a work support member and an electrically powered lifting structure that will allow a user to adjust a position of the work support member, comprising:
 a primary work support member having a top, work support surface and a bottom surface, the top surface defining a first plane, the lifting structure being positioned to engage the bottom surface to pivot the primary work support member about a first pivot axis from a first position to a second position, the first pivot axis being at or proximate to an edge portion of the primary work support member;   an actuator positioned to urge the lifting structure to pivot the primary support member about the first pivot axis; and   one or more structural support members positioned to support the primary work support member, the lifting structure, and the actuator;   wherein the first plane at the second position is at an acute angle with respect to the first plane at the first position;   wherein the lifting structure includes a first lifting arm having first and second ends and a second lifting arm having first and second ends, the first ends being associated with the actuator and the second ends being associated with the primary work support, the first and second lifting arms being pivotably connected to one another at a location between their ends at a second pivot axis, each of the first ends of the lifting arms pivoting about a third axis and each of the second ends of the lifting arms pivoting about a fourth axis;   wherein the primary work support member includes at least one pop-up ledge having a superior surface;   wherein the pop-up ledge is engaged to a touch latch assembly configured to maintain the pop-up ledge at a first retracted position or at a second extended position; and   wherein at the first retracted position, the superior surface is substantially coplanar with the first plane, and at the second extended position, the superior surface is extended above the first plane.   
     
     
         13 . The work station according to  claim 12 , further comprising a secondary work support member having an upper surface, the upper surface defining a second plane, wherein at the first position, the first plane and the second plane are substantially coplanar, and at the second position, the first plane is at an acute angle with respect to the second plane. 
     
     
         14 . The work station according to  claim 12 , further comprising a support frame supported by the secondary work support member or by at least one of the structural support members, and which supportably engages the primary work support member, and further comprising a slide-out shelf, slidably supported by the support frame. 
     
     
         15 . The work station according to  claim 12 , wherein the actuator includes a motor rotatably connected to a lead screw to turn the lead screw, wherein the lead screw has a thread and is operably connected to the lifting structure to urge the first lifting arm and the second lifting arm to pivot about the second pivot axis, such that the primary work support member pivots about the first pivot axis from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         16 . The work station according to  claim 15 , wherein the lead screw has a first threaded portion and is rotatably connected to a first bushing having an internal thread matched to the first threaded portion of the lead screw and being pivotably connected to a first end of the first lifting arm such that rotation of the lead screw causes linear motion of the first bushing along a longitudinal length of the lead screw and pivoting of the lifting arms about the second pivot axis. 
     
     
         17 . The work station according to  claim 16 , wherein the lead screw has a second threaded portion reverse threaded compared to the first threaded portion, and wherein the first end of the second lifting arm is pivotably connected to a second bushing having and internal thread matched to the second threaded portion of the lead screw and which moves along the longitudinal length of the lead screw;
 wherein the second ends of the first and second lifting arms are pivotably connected to third and fourth bushings, respectively; and   wherein the third and fourth bushings slide along one or more respective rods positioned parallel to the lead screw, the one or more rods being connected to the bottom surface such that the movement of the first and second bushings towards one another will cause the third and fourth bushings to slide towards one another and urge the primary work support member from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         18 . The work station according to  claim 12 , further comprising a controller operatively connected to the actuator and configured to command the actuator to operate in a forward direction to urge the primary work support member from the first position to the second position, and in a reverse direction to urge the primary work support member from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         19 . The work station according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one pop-up ledge comprises first and second pop-up ledges positioned substantially parallel to and spaced from one another. 
     
     
         20 . The work station according to  claim 12 , wherein each touch latch assembly comprises a spring configured to urge the pop-up ledge from the first retracted position to the second extended position; and
 wherein the pop-up ledge, when in the first retracted position, is positioned within an elongated channel formed in the primary work support member, the pop-up ledge extending in a longitudinal direction of the primary work support member being substantially parallel to a first edge of the primary work support member.