Electric height adjustable platform for computer keyboard and monitor

Abstract

A portable electric height adjustable platform assembly, and method of use, the assembly residing on a fixed height desktop to move a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a user's sitting and standing position. The platform assembly comprises: a horizontally positioned platform unit configured for supporting a computer keyboard and mouse; a height adjustable lifting column unit comprising three telescopic sections, affixed vertically to the platform, with the outer section positioned above the platform unit to affix the monitor to, and the middle and inner section extensible below the platform to raise-lower the assembly; a base unit affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and configured to stabilize the assembly in a vertical position; an electric actuator housed within and able to activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend and collapse the telescopic sections, thus simultaneously raising and lowering the computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable electric powered height adjustable computer monitor platform assembly, comprising:
 a) a horizontally positioned platform unit, of substantially semi-circular shape, that is height adjustable between a sitting and a standing position, wherein the platform unit is configured for a computer keyboard and mouse to reside on a top surface of the platform unit;   b) a height adjustable lifting column unit affixed vertically to the platform unit, extensible above and below the platform unit, and able to affix a flat screen computer monitor to the lifting column unit above the platform unit;   c) a substantially C-like shape base unit, affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and configured to stabilize the platform assembly in a vertical position;   d) an electric actuator to activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend to a standing position and collapse to a sitting position; and,   e) wherein the assembly resides temporarily on top of a fixed-height work station comprising one or more of: a standard height office desk; a counter top; and/or, a table top.   
     
     
         2 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lifting column unit comprises three telescopic sections comprising a top outer section, a middle section, and an inner bottom section, with the top outer section permanently extending above the platform and affixed to the computer monitor. 
     
     
         3 . The platform assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the middle and inner section reside within the outer section and extend above the platform unit when the platform assembly is in a sitting position; and, the middle and inner section are in an extended position below the platform unit when the assembly is in a standing position. 
     
     
         4 . The platform assembly of  claim 2  wherein a flat screen computer monitor back surface is affixed perpendicularly to a front side of the lifting column unit top outer section. 
     
     
         5 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the platform unit further comprises a cut-out for the lifting column unit to extend through, wherein the cutout is located near the middle of a back edge of the platform unit. 
     
     
         6 . The platform assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the lifting column unit further comprises an L-like shape bar member extending through the cut-out with:
 a) a top section affixed in parallel to and between the front side of the lifting column, and perpendicularly to the computer monitor back surface;   b) a bottom section residing perpendicular to a lower end of the top section and flush with the cut-out, and residing beneath and affixed to an underside of the platform unit; and,   c) wherein the bar member is able to support the weight of the platform unit, keyboard, mouse and to stabilize the computer monitor.   
     
     
         7 . The platform assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the electric actuator resides within the lifting column unit, and a user control mechanism for the actuator resides on top of the platform unit. 
     
     
         8 . The platform assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a user control mechanism coupled to the electric actuator and affixed on the top surface of the platform unit, wherein activation of the user control mechanism generates a vertical force within the lifting column unit sections to raise and lower the platform unit by extending and retracting the sections. 
     
     
         9 . The platform assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises:
 a) an inner rectangular member affixed perpendicularly to a bottom end of the lifting column unit inner bottom section and extending towards a platform unit front edge; and,   b) a single tube, half-circular member affixed at a mid-point perpendicularly to the inner rectangular member and the lifting column inner section; and,   c) wherein the half-circular member is positioned to partially encircle the inner rectangular member.   
     
     
         10 . The platform assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the half-circular member aligns with or is slightly wider in diameter than the outer edge of the platform unit. 
     
     
         11 . A portable electric powered height adjustable computer monitor platform assembly, comprising:
 a) a horizontally positioned thin, flat plate, platform unit height adjustable between a sitting and a standing position as measured from a desktop surface, wherein the platform unit is configured for a computer keyboard and mouse to reside on a top surface of the platform unit;   b) a height adjustable lifting column unit affixed vertically to the platform unit, comprising a top outer section, a middle section, and an inner bottom section, wherein the top outer section permanently extends above the platform and is configured to be affixed with a flat screen computer monitor;   c) a base unit affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and configured to stabilize the assembly in a vertical position;   d) an electric actuator to activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend to a standing position and collapse to a sitting position as measured from a desktop surface; and,   e) wherein the platform assembly is able to reside in a stable manner on a desktop of a non-height adjustable office desk of a standard height, and the assembly is substantially smaller in diameter than the desktop.   
     
     
         12 . The platform assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the platform unit further comprises a cut-out for the lifting column unit to extend vertically through, wherein the cutout is located near the middle of a back edge of the platform unit. 
     
     
         13 . The platform assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the lifting column unit further comprises an L-like shape bar member extending through the cut-out with:
 a) a top section affixed in parallel to and between the front side of the lifting column, and perpendicularly to the computer monitor back surface; and,   b) a bottom section residing perpendicular to the top section, and residing beneath and affixed to an underside of the platform unit.   
     
     
         14 . The platform assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the electric actuator resides within the lifting column, and a user control mechanism resides on the platform unit. 
     
     
         15 . The platform assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the base unit further comprises:
 a) an inner rectangular member affixed perpendicularly to the lifting column inner section;   b) a half-circular member affixed perpendicularly to the inner rectangular member at a midpoint of the half-circular member and positioned to encircle a right and left side of the inner rectangular member; and,   c) wherein the half-circular member aligns with an outer edge of the platform unit.   
     
     
         16 . The platform assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the lifting column middle and inner section reside within the outer section and extend above the platform when the assembly is in a sitting position; and, the middle and inner section are in an extended position below the platform when the assembly is in a standing position. 
     
     
         17 . A method of automatedly moving a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse between a sitting and a standing position, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an electric powered height adjustable computer monitor platform assembly comprising,
 i) a thin, horizontally positioned substantially semi-circular shape platform unit, wherein the platform unit is configured for a computer keyboard and mouse to reside on a top surface of the platform unit; 
 ii) a height adjustable lifting column unit affixed vertically to the platform unit, comprising a top outer section, a middle section, and an inner bottom section, wherein the top outer section permanently extends vertically above the platform and is configured to be affixed with a flat screen computer monitor, and the middle and inner section are in extensible below the platform unit when the assembly is in a standing position; 
 iii) a base unit affixed to the bottom end of the lifting column unit, and configured to stabilize the assembly in a vertical position; 
 iv) an electric actuator to activate the lifting column unit to vertically extend to a standing position and retract to a sitting position as measured from a desktop surface; and, 
 v) wherein the platform assembly is able to reside in a stable manner on a desktop of a non-height adjustable office desk of a standard height, and the assembly is substantially smaller in diameter than the desktop. 
   b) placing the platform assembly upon a desktop of a non-height adjustable office desk of a standard height;   c) affixing a flat screen computer monitor perpendicularly to a front side of the lifting column unit, and placing a computer keyboard and mouse on the platform unit;   d) raising the platform assembly to a standing position under the operational control of an electric actuator; and,   e) lowering the platform assembly to a sitting position under the operational control of the electric actuator, wherein the electric actuator is housed within the lifting column unit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the platform unit further comprises a cut-out for the lifting column unit to extend vertically through, and wherein the cutout is located near the middle of a back edge of the platform unit. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lifting column unit further comprises an L-like shape bar member extending through the cut-out, comprising:
 a) a top section affixed in parallel to and between the front side of the lifting column unit, and perpendicularly to the computer monitor back surface; and,   b) a bottom section residing perpendicular to the top section, and residing beneath and affixed to an underside of the platform unit.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the platform assembly base unit further comprises:
 a) an inner rectangular member affixed perpendicularly to the lifting column inner section;   b) a half-circular member affixed perpendicularly to the inner rectangular member at a midpoint of the half-circular member and positioned to encircle a right and left side of the inner rectangular member; and,   c) wherein the half-circular member is about the same diameter as the platform unit.