Height-adjustable stand with scissor-lift assembly

Abstract

A height-adjustable stand unit including a main surface assembly configured to support computing equipment. The stand unit includes an upper frame coupled to the main surface assembly, a lower frame adapted to rest on a work surface, and a scissor-lift elevation mechanism disposed between the frames. The scissor-lift assembly comprises two pairs of elongate arms in crisscross configuration with pivotal connections at central pivot points, enabling stable vertical adjustment of the main surface assembly for ergonomic positioning.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A height-adjustable stand unit comprising:
 a main surface assembly having left, right, front, and back sides relative to a user;   an upper frame attached to a bottom of the main surface assembly;   a lower frame adapted to rest on an upper surface of a work area; and   an elevation mechanism disposed between the upper frame and the lower frame;   the elevation mechanism comprising a scissor-lift assembly including two pairs of arms pivotally connected at respective central pivots;
 each pair of arms being arranged in a crisscross configuration, with one arm having a pivotable connection to the upper frame and a slidable connection to the lower frame, and the other arm having a pivotable connection to the lower frame and a slidable connection to the upper frame; 
 wherein the elevation mechanism is configured to raise and lower the main surface assembly by engagement by the user with the elevation mechanism. 
   
     
     
         2 . The stand unit of  claim 1 , wherein the scissor-lift assembly further comprises a transverse reinforcement element connecting the two pairs of arms to maintain parallel alignment during raising and lowering of the main surface assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The stand unit of  claim 2 , wherein the transverse reinforcement element is configured to increase rigidity and lateral stability of the scissor-lift assembly with respect to movement along an axis extending between the left and right sides of the main surface assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The stand unit of  claim 1 , wherein the elevation mechanism includes a mechanical bracket or linkage configured to transmit user-applied force directly to at least one of the scissor arms. 
     
     
         5 . The stand unit of  claim 1 , wherein vertical adjustment of the main surface assembly is effected by movement of one or more mechanical components physically displaced by the user. 
     
     
         6 . The stand unit of  claim 1 , wherein the main surface assembly is configured to move along a substantially vertical path while maintaining a fixed front-to-user orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The stand unit of  claim 1 , wherein the scissor-lift assembly is exposed to view while the stand unit is in both raised and lowered positions. 
     
     
         8 . A method of adjusting the height of a stand unit comprising the steps of:
 positioning a stand unit on a work surface, the stand unit comprising, a main surface assembly having left, right, front, and back sides relative to a user, an upper frame attached to a bottom of the main surface assembly, a lower frame adapted to rest on the work surface, and a scissor-lift assembly disposed between the upper frame and the lower frame, the scissor-lift assembly including two pairs of arms arranged in a crisscross configuration, each pair having one arm pivotally connected to the upper frame and slidably connected to the lower frame, and another arm pivotally connected to the lower frame and slidably connected to the upper frame;   manually engaging the elevation mechanism; and   raising or lowering the main surface assembly by applying user-applied force to the scissor-lift assembly. raising or lowering the main surface assembly by applying force through user engagement.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of maintaining a fixed orientation of the main surface assembly relative to the user while adjusting the vertical height. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein manually engaging the scissor-lift assembly comprises applying force to a mechanical linkage or bracket coupled to at least one of the arms. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of providing a transverse reinforcement element connected between the pairs of arms to maintain parallel alignment during movement. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the transverse reinforcement element increases lateral stability of the scissor-lift assembly along an axis extending between the left and right sides of the main surface assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the scissor-lift assembly remains exposed to view during both raising and lowering of the main surface assembly.