Vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation and method of using same

Abstract

Mobile computer workstations must be sufficiently large in order to be stable, but small enough to be easily maneuverable through a work place. A vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of the present disclosure includes a pole rotatably attached to a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members. The pole includes a first arm rotatably attached to a second arm. A computer support is attached to the second arm and is moveable between a sitting user position and a standing user position, at least in part, by pivoting the arms of the pole with respect to one another and the moveable base.

1 . A vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation, comprising: 
 a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members;    a pole being attached to the base and including a first arm connected to a second arm; and    the first and second arms including a rotational coupling being operable such that rotation of one of the first and second arms results in rotation of the other of the first and second arms, with respect to the base.    
     
     
         2 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 1  wherein the first arm being rotatably attached to the base.  
     
     
         3 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 1  including a neutral support mechanism operably coupled to at least one of the first arm and the second arm.  
     
     
         4 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 3  wherein the neutral support mechanism includes at least one pneumatic spring coupled between the base and the first arm.  
     
     
         5 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 1  including a head assembly including a computer support being attached to the second arm of the pole, the arms being operable to move the computer support between a sitting user position and a standing user position.  
     
     
         6 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 5  wherein the sitting user position and standing user position being a first and second distance from a center vertical line extending through the base, respectively; and 
 the first distance being greater than or equal to the second distance.    
     
     
         7 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 5  wherein the head assembly moves along a line between the standing user position and the sitting user position.  
     
     
         8 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 1  wherein rotational coupling includes the first arm being operably coupled to the second arm via at least one gear set.  
     
     
         9 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 8  wherein the first arm and the second arm include identical lengths, and the at least one gear set includes a gear ratio of 1:1.  
     
     
         10 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 1  wherein the pole includes a third arm, and the rotational coupling being operable such that rotation of one of the second and third arms results in a rotation of the other of the second and third arms.  
     
     
         11 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 1  including at least one computer workstation accessory positioned adjacent to a connector assembly connecting the second arm to the first arm.  
     
     
         12 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a stability enhancer including a weight being suspended from the base.  
     
     
         13 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 12  wherein the weight includes a battery; 
 the first arm being rotatably attached to the base;    the rotational coupling includes the first arm being operably coupled to the second arm via at least one gear set including a gear ratio of 1:1, and the first arm and the second arm include identical lengths;    at least one neutral support mechanism operably coupled between the moveable base and the first arm, and including at least one pneumatic spring;    a head assembly including a computer support being attached to the second arm of the pole, the arms being operable to rotate the computer support between a sitting user position and a standing user position along a line; and    at least one computer workstation accessory being positioned adjacent to a connector assembly connecting the second arm to the first arm.    
     
     
         14 . A method of using the vertically-adjustable computer workstation of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of: 
 coupling a head assembly including a computer support to base via the pole, which has multiple arms that include the first and second arms coupled to rotate with one another; and    moving the computer support between a sitting user position and a standing user position, at least in part, by pivoting the first and second arms of the pole with respect to the base.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of moving includes a step of moving the computer support along a line when moving between the sitting user position and the standing user position.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of moving includes a step of moving the computer support away from a vertical line through a center of the base when moving from the standing user position to the sitting user position.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of moving includes a step of controlling a rate of movement of the arms, at least in part, by setting a gear ratio of at least one gear set operably coupling the arms to one another.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  including a step suspending a battery underneath the base.  
     
     
         19 . A vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation, comprising: 
 a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members;    a pole being attached to the base and including a first arm connected to a second arm, and the first and second arms being rotatable with response to the base; and    at least one neutral support mechanism operably coupled between the base and the first arm.    
     
     
         20 . The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of  claim 19  wherein the neutral support mechanism includes at least one pneumatic spring; 
 a head assembly including a computer support being attached to the second arm of the pole and the arms being operable to move the computer support between a sitting user position and a standing user position along a line;    the first arm being rotatably attached to the base and operably coupled to the second arm via at least one gear set including a gear ratio of 1:1;    the first arm and the second arm including identical lengths; and    the base including a stability enhancer including a battery being suspended underneath the base.