Methods of counterbalancing hight adjustable work surface with constant force springs

Abstract

Constant force springs are implemented to counterbalance adjustable height work surfaces cooperating with a substructure that further cooperates with open linear extension mechanisms and position retention mechanisms further cooperating with one or more bases. The methods include direct connecting the springs, and connecting the springs to one or more chains looping over one or more sprockets, the chains then connected to the substructure where methods to control the spring ends, and to address imbalances in the spring forces are included.

1 . A method of counterbalancing a variable height work surface cooperating with a substructure that cooperates with a plurality of open linear extension mechanisms and position retention mechanisms that further cooperate with one or more base objects, wherein:
 a one or more CF springs cooperate with one or more hubs rotationally cooperating with one or more shafts are retained by features of the one or more base objects proximate to its upper extents,   b the extended free ends of the CF springs cooperate directly with the lower extents of a substructure enabling the CF springs to upwardly urge the substructure and work surface with a counterbalancing force,   c the work surface cooperating with a sub-structure may be counterbalanced or preferably further comprise added ballast to attain counterbalance that can be removed as preferred objects are added to the work surface or substructure,   d additional shaft retention features for CF springs, and additional CF spring end mounting features on the substructure enable the user to further manipulate counterbalance force.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the arrangement is reversed and shafts cooperating with the one or more hubs with CF springs thereon cooperate with substructure retaining features proximate to its lower extents wherein:
 a. the retaining features for the shafts slope upward in the substructure retaining the CF springs by their upward urging, 
 b. the free ends of the CF springs cooperate with base object retention features proximate to its upper extents in the plane of travel, enabling the CF springs to upwardly urge the substructure and work surface with a counterbalancing force equal to or preferably greater than needed to elevate the work surface and substructure. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method of counterbalancing a variable height work surface cooperating with a substructure further cooperating with a plurality of linear extension mechanisms and position retention mechanisms further cooperating with one or more base objects, wherein:
 a shafts, rotationally cooperating with the one or more hubs with CF springs thereon, are aligned to the X axis and retained in base object brackets at its lower extents, the free ends of the one or more springs extend upward, cooperating with couplings further cooperating with first ends of roller chains that loop over one or more sprockets cooperating with a shaft rotationally cooperating with base object features proximate to its upper extents, the second ends of the one or more chains extending downward and cooperating with the lower extents of the substructure enabling the one or more CF springs to counterbalance the substructure and work surface with a force equal to or preferably greater than needed to elevate the work surface and substructure.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  where each coupling further comprises features or objects that are vertically separated and cooperate with stationary vertical surfaces that extend the travel distance of the coupling and constrain the movable coupling to retain the vertical orientation of the cooperating CF spring ends by counteracting the torsional force imparted by these springs wherein:
 a. these vertical surfaces further cooperate with base objects or features for stability, and slideably constrain cooperating surfaces of each coupling that preferably further comprises low friction material in contact areas, 
 b. these vertical surfaces constrain rollers or wheels rotationally cooperating with shafts cooperating with each coupling, enabling a lower friction method to constrain each coupling thereby maintaining the alignment of the cooperating CF spring ends by counteracting the torsional force imparted by these springs. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  where the plurality of sprockets are fixed in radial alignment to a single shaft that is highly torque resistant enabling sharing of any imbalance between CF spring forces and maintaining the work surface's level orientation during movement. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  where in a preferred configuration the one or more pair of CF springs and cooperating chains, sprockets and mounting features are spaced as far apart as practical, proximate to the vertical base objects enabling:
 a. greater counterbalancing forces to be accommodated with less stress and distortion to the base objects and the substructure, 
 b. substantially improved side to side stability of the work surface when it is moving. 
 
     
     
         7 . A method of providing a constant force counterbalancing of a variable height asymmetric work surface cooperating with a sub-structure cooperating with a plurality of linear extension mechanisms that further cooperate with one or more base objects, wherein:
 a. shafts, rotationally cooperating with an opposed pair of hubs cooperating with one or more CF springs are retained level in slots in cross members cooperating with the lower extents of the base objects, the free ends of the one or more CF springs extended upward together a preferred distance, cooperate with one coupling and one or two clamping plates, and further cooperating with the first end of roller chain that loops over a sprocket rotationally cooperating with a shaft cooperating with base object features, the second end of the chain cooperating with the lower extents of the substructure enabling the CF springs to counterbalance the substructure and work surface with a force equal to or preferably greater than needed to elevate the work surface and substructure.   b. the benefit of the opposed pair orientation where all the spring ends are constrained together is the neutralizing of the torsional forces, provided the spring forces on each hub are equal.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  where each coupling further comprises features or objects that are vertically separated and cooperate with stationary vertical surfaces that extend the travel distance of the coupling and constrain the movable coupling to retain the vertical orientation of the cooperating CF spring ends by counteracting the torsional force imparted by an imbalance in the pair of opposed springs wherein:
 a. these vertical surfaces further cooperate with base objects or features for stability, and slideably constrain cooperating surfaces of each coupling that preferably further comprises low friction material in contact areas, 
 b. these vertical surfaces constrain wheels rotationally cooperating with each coupling, enabling a lower friction method to constrain each coupling thereby maintaining the alignment of the cooperating CF spring ends by counteracting the torsional force imparted by said imbalance of spring forces. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  where a symmetric free standing work surface cooperates with a substructure further comprising two spaced apart sub-assemblies, each cooperating with linear extension mechanisms and position retention mechanisms that cooperate with base objects wherein:
 a. the base objects further comprise a cover plate covering the access to the CF spring connection and further comprise pivot features to cooperate with the arms of a two sided pivotable bracket that further comprises slot features retaining the shafts cooperating with CF springs, the arms being latch retained in the horizontal working position, 
 b. releasing the latch retaining the two sided bracket and pivoting it upward to a second latching position releases the preload on the CF spring enabling disconnecting of the spring end from a coupling, 
 c. releasing the shaft retaining levers releases the CF spring out of the opening in the base, 
 d. inserting a CF spring with its shaft into the opening and lifting it a few inches will lift and reengage the shaft retaining levers, retaining the spring in position to connect its end to the coupling and install the cover, whereupon releasing the two sided bracket and pivoting it down to its horizontal latched position preloads the CF spring, providing the user a method to change CF springs.