Height adjustable desktop apparatus

Abstract

A height adjustable desktop apparatus including a work surface that may be adjusted between a raised and a lowered position, as well as any desired intermediate position, is provided. The work surface moves upwardly and downwardly in a vertical direction, and is supported by a pair of hinged support members. The hinged support members are pivotally attached, on a top portion, to the underside of the work surface, and one or both may be attached on a bottom portion to a sliding base member, which slides in a horizontal, lateral direction. The apparatus includes a fixed hutch, preferably having a fixed base member and a pair of fixed, raised shelves, wherein each shelf is supported by a pair of fixed vertical support members. The sliding base member is slidably attached to the fixed base member of the hutch, and moves in a lateral, sideways direction during adjustment.

1 . A height adjustable desktop apparatus comprising:
 a work surface;   a fixed base member carried below said work surface;   a sliding base member carried by said fixed base member;   a first hinged support frame pivotally attached to an underside of said work surface and pivotally attached to said sliding base member, a second hinged support frame pivotally attached to said fixed base member and slidably and pivotally attached to an underside of said work surface so that said work surface may be moved in a vertical direction and said sliding base member may be moved in a lateral, horizontal direction during adjustment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising one of a gas piston and spring mechanism attached between one of said hinged support frames and an underside surface of said work surface for reducing the amount of force necessary to lift said work surface to a raised position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a hutch framework having two fixed vertical members which may support an optional hutch shelf. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 3 , including a moveable arm mechanism extending from at least one of said fixed vertical members to assist raising said work surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said sliding base member does not extend laterally beyond a plane defined by any side of said work surface when said work surface is in a lowered position. 
     
     
         6 . A height adjustable desktop apparatus comprising:
 a work surface;   a fixed base member;   first and second hinged support frames connected between said work surface and fixed base member;   a lower sliding base member which slides relative to said fixed base member being pivotally attached to the first hinged support frame at one end, while the first hinged support frame is pivotally attached to an underside of said flat work surface at an opposite end;   an upper sliding mechanism carried underneath the work surface being slidably and pivotally attached to the second hinged support frame at an upper end, while the second hinged support frame is pivotally attached to said fixed base member at a lower end whereby the work surface may be moved in a vertical direction and said lower sliding base member and said upper end of said second hinged support frame may be simultaneously moved in a lateral, horizontal direction; and   said first and second hinged support frames forming an X-frame configuration when said work surface is in a raised position.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said lower sliding base member and said upper end of said second hinged support frame are positioned so that they slide in the same direction when said work surface is raised or lowered, wherein said lower sliding base member does not extend laterally beyond a plane defined by any side of said work surface when said work surface is in a lowered position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising a hutch framework having two upstanding fixed vertical supports affixed to the fixed base member wherein said sliding base member is slidably carried by said fixed base member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said first and second hinged support frames each include a pair of frame legs, said legs of said first hinged support member crossing said legs of said second hinged member, said crossing legs being connected by a pivot member whereby said legs form a X-frame when said work surface is raised, and whereby said first and second hinged support frames fold within each other in a lowered position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 9 , including an upper block affixed to the underside of said work surface, and said first hinged support frame being hinged to said upper block. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 10 , including a lower block affixed to said fixed base member, and said second hinged support frame being hinged to said lower block. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said first hinged support frame includes first transverse braces connected between opposing ends of the of said first hinged support frame, and said second hinged frame includes second transverse braces connected between opposing ends of the legs of said second hinged support frame. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 6 , including a lower guide mechanism for laterally guiding said sliding base member including a first guide part affixed to said sliding base member and a second guide part affixed to said fixed base member. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said upper slide mechanism includes a first slide part carried by said second hinged support frame and a second slide part carried by said work surface underside, said second slide part engaging said first slide part to provide lateral sliding of the second support frame member. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 14 , including an axle about which said first slide part rotates to provide a pivot attachment between said first and second slide parts while the parts slide relative to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 14 , including a moveable arm mechanism extending from at least one of said fixed vertical members to assist raising said work surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising means for reducing the amount of force necessary to lift said work surface to a raised position is selected from the group consisting of a lever and gas piston assembly, springs, a scissor mechanism or a ball and screw mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus set forth in claim  19 , further including means for locking the position of said work surface in one or more height positions between said raised and lowered positions.