WO1993024036A1

WO1993024036A1 - Keyboard apparatus adjustment means

Info

Publication number: WO1993024036A1
Application number: PCT/AU1992/000238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Cotterill
Original assignee: Cotterill Michael J
Priority date: 1991-04-29
Filing date: 1992-05-26
Publication date: 1993-12-09
Also published as: AU7630591A

Abstract

An adjustable keyboard support (10) includes a mounting bracket (11) and a support member (12) adjacent bracket (11). First and second generally parallel linkage arms (13, 14) extend between bracket (11) and member (12) for allowing movement of member (12) relative to bracket (11) between a raised and lowered position. An adjustment device in the form of a hexagonal plate (15) is operable to selectively adjust the operative length of arm (13) to effect the movement and maintain support member (12) at a predetermined inclination relative to bracket (11). Preferably support member (12) includes two support plates (20, 21) which support a platform (22) which is maintained at a predetermined inclination with respect to member (12) by levelling screws (23, 24).

Description

Title: "KEYBOARD APPARATUS ADJUSTMENT MEANS"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a keyboard support and in particular an adjustable keyboard support.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with computer monitors and keyboards and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. BACKGROUND ART

Hitherto, keyboard supports have included a pantographic arrangement whereby two generally parallel arms hinged on both ends link an adjustable surface to a mounting bracket. The movement of the surface between a raised and lowered position is possible.

However, to achieve the abovementioned movement close component tolerance is required, as a small difference in the operative length of an arm has the effect of "jamming" the adjustable surface and preventing any further movement. Furthermore, placement of such keyboard supports on uneven surfaces can disable the effectiveness of the adjustment arrangement. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate this deficiency of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an adjustable keyboard support including a mounting bracket, a support member adjacent said bracket, first and second generally parallel linkage arms extending between said bracket and said support member for allowing movement of said support member relative to said bracket between a raised and lowered position and an adjustment device being operable to selectively adjust the operative length of said first arm whereby to effect said movement and maintain said support member at a predetermined inclination relative to said bracket.

Preferably, the adjustment device includes a hexagonal plate centrally rotatably retaining the first arm and rotatably engaging the mounting bracket by means of an eccentrically located connector. Furthermore, it is preferred that a second hexagonal plate centrally rotatably retains the second arm and rotatably engages the mounting bracket by means of an eccentrically located connector .

Preferably also, the hexagonal plate is accessible for allowing manual adjustment and locking means are included for further maintaining the support member at a predetermined position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an adjustable keyboard support including a mounting bracket, a support member adjacent said bracket, first and second generally parallel linkage arms extending between said bracket and said support member for allowing movement of said support member relative to said bracket between a raised and lowered position and an adjustment arm extending between said bracket and said member and including an adjustment device being operable to selectively adjust the operative length of said adjustment arm whereby to effect movement of said support member.

Preferably, the adjustment device includes a hexagonal plate centrally rotatably supporting the adjustment arm and slidably engaging a slot in the bracket by means of an eccentrically located connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a prior art pantographic adjustable keyboard support;

Figure 2 is a side view of an adjustable keyboard support according to a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of an adjustment device of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front view of the keyboard support of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a support plate 4; and,

Figure 6 is a side view of an adjustable keyboard support according to a second aspect of the invention. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, a prior art adjustable keyboard support 1 includes a mounting bracket 2 and a support member 3 movable through an arc about bracket 2. Two linkage arms 4 and 5 are fixed by bolts 6 and 7 respectively to mounting bracket 2 and bolts 8 and 9 respectively to support member 3. Pantographic movement of support member 3 is between a raised and lowered position is possible providing the distance between bolts

6 and 8 closely corresponds to the distance between bolts

7 and 9.

Referring to Figure 2 an adjustable keyboard support 10 includes a mounting bracket 11 and a support member 12 adjacent bracket 11. First and second generally parallel linkage arms 13 and 14 extend between bracket 11 and member 12 for allowing movement of member 12 relative to bracket 11 between a raised and lowered position. An adjustment device in the form of a hexagonal plate 15 is operable to selectively adjust the operative length of arm 13 to effect the movement and maintain support member 12 at a predetermined inclination relative to bracket 11.

As best shown in Figure 3 plate 15 includes a centrally located lug 16 extending from side 17 for insertion through a complementary hole in the end of an arm 13 or 14. An offset hole 18 accepts a bolt or rivet (not shown) for retaining plate 15 to bracket 11 or member 12, as the case may be.

When plate 15 is rotated the operative length of the associated arm is adjusted until such a time that the pantographic mechanism "jams". Any subsequent rotation of plate 15 will effect the movement of member 12.

Keyboard support 10 further includes a second hexagonal plate 19 associated with arm 14 to allow adjustment of the inclination of the support member following height adjustment. However, the use of four plates (not shown) respectively supporting an end of arms 13 and 14 allows a greater degree of selective adjustment of both the height and inclination of support member 12.

Plates 15 and 19 are machined from a hexagonal steel bar. However, a brass bar would also be suitable. The hexagonal section facilitates adjustment as any correspondingly sized spanner or wrench can be used to rotate the plate.

As best shown in Figure 4 support member 12 includes two support plates 20 and 21. The plates support a platform 22 which in turn provides a surface on which to place a keyboard. To further allow platform 22 to be maintained at a predetermined inclination by levelling screws 23 and 24 (also illustrated in Figure 5) are respectively associated with plates 20 and 21. The screws are adjustable from below the platform by means of a screw driver or the like. Such levelling screws are generally only required if an embodiment of the keyboard support does not include a second hexagonal plate 19 to allow inclination adjustment.

Referring to a second aspect of the invention illustrated in Figure 6, an adjustable keyboard support 30 includes a mounting bracket 31 and a support member 32 adjacent bracket 31. First and second generally parallel linkage arms 34 and 35 extend between bracket 31 and support member 32 for allowing movement of member 32 relative to bracket 31 between a raised and lowered position. An adjustment arm 36 extends between bracket 31 and member 32 and includes an adjustment device in the form of a hexagonal plate 37 which selectively adjusts the operative length of adjustment arm 36 whereby to effect movement of support member 32.

Plate 37 is of the type illustrated in Figures 2 to 4. However, plate 37 includes a larger offset between the centrally located lug and the eccentric hole to allow a greater degree of length adjustment of arm 36. A bolt 40 extends through the hole and retains plate 37 in a slot 41. Arm 36 includes a projecting lug 42 for selectively engaging a plurality of holes located on a locking tab 43. Any large adjustment involves levering handle 45 against fulcrum 46 to move locking tab 43 out of engagement with lug 42. Subsequent movement of support member 32 and adjustment of handle 45 to return locking tab 43 into engagement with lug 42 fix arm 36. Thereafter, plate 37 can be rotated and thereby provide a finer adjustment of the support element level. As the linkage arms are generally pentagraphic than support member 32 will remain at a predetermined inclination.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. An adjustable keyboard support including a mounting bracket, a support member adjacent said bracket, first and second generally parallel linkage arms extending between said bracket and said support member for allowing movement of said support member relative to said bracket between a raised and lowered position and an adjustment device being operable to selectively adjust the operative length of said first arm whereby to effect said movement and maintain said support member at a predetermined inclination relative to said bracket.

2. A keyboard support according to claim 1 wherein said adjustment device includes a plate rotatable for providing an adjustment of said operative length.

3. A keyboard support according to claim 2 wherein said plate centrally rotatably retains said first arm and rotatably engages the mounting bracket by means of an eccentrically located connector.

4. A keyboard support according to claim 3 wherein said plate is hexagonal.

5. A keyboard support according to claim 4 including a second hexagonal plate centrally rotatably retaining said second arm and rotatably engaging said mounting bracket by means of an eccentrically located connector.

6. An adjustable keyboard support including a mounting bracket, a support member adjacent said bracket, first and second generally parallel linkage arms extending between said bracket and said support member for allowing movement of said support member relative to said bracket between a raised and lowered position and an adjustment arm extending between said bracket and said member and including an adjustment device being operable to selectively adjust the operative length of said adjustment arm whereby to effect movement of said support member.

7. A keyboard support according to claim 6 wherein said adjustment device includes a hexagonal plate rotatable for providing an adjustment of said operative length.

8. A keyboard support according to claim 7 wherein said hexagonal plate centrally rotatably supports said adjustment arm and slidably engages a slot in said bracket by means of an eccentrically located connector.

9. A keyboard support according to claim 4 or claim 8 wherein said eccentrically located connector includes an aperture offset from the centre of said plate for receiving a bolt or pin.

10. A keyboard support according to any one of the preceding claims including a locking device for releasably retaining said support member in a predetermined position.

11. A keyboard support according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said support member includes a platform.

12. A keyboard support according to claim 11 wherein said platform is adjustably mounted to said support element.

13. A keyboard support according to claim 11 wherein said adjustable mounting includes a plurality of levelling screws adjustable from underneath said support member.

14. An adjustable keyboard support substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

15. An adjustable keyboard support including a mounting bracket, a support member connected to the mounting bracket by means permitting the support member to be raised or lowered with respect to the mounting bracket, locking means operable to prevent said raising or lowering, a keyboard support shelf mounted to the support member and means whereby the altitude and/or attitude of the shelf may be adjusted when the locking means are in operation.

16. An adjustable keyboard support according to claim 15 wherein said shelf is adjustable with respect to said support member.