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CA-3273594-C - DYNAMIC WORKSTATION APPARATUS, METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND KITS

CA3273594CCA 3273594 CCA3273594 CCA 3273594CCA-3273594-C

Abstract

Aspects of dynamic workstation apparatus, methods, systems, and kits are disclosed. One aspect disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising: a frame that is expandable in a generally vertical direction to obtain a press fit between a ceiling and a floor; a work surface that is attachable to the frame and selectively positionable at a plurality of different work surface heights between the ceiling and the floor when the frame is press fit between the ceiling and the floor, the plurality of different work surface heights including a ceiling height, a standing height, a seated height, and a floor height; and an actuator that is attachable to and operable with the frame to move the work surface within a range of movement including the plurality of different work surface heights while maintaining an orientation of the work surface relative to the frame. Related methods, systems, and kits also are disclosed.

Inventors

  • William Didyk

Assignees

  • William Didyk

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20231110
Priority Date
20221111

Claims (20)

  1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus comprising: 5 a frame; a work surface that is attachable to the frame; and a resistance training system that is located in the work surface and comprises an exercise grip that is selectively movable: together with the work surface in the generally vertical direction between the 10 plurality of work surface different heights; and independent of the work surface in a generally horizontal direction between a plurality of different grip positions including a working position where the exercise grip is spaced apart from the work surface and a stored position where the exercise grip is adjacent the work surface.
  2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is expandable in a generally vertical direction to obtain a press fit between a ceiling and a floor.
  3. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises posts that are independently expandable 20 in the generally vertical direction to obtain the press fit.
  4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work surface is attachable to the frame and selectively positionable at a plurality of different work surface heights between the ceiling and the floor when the frame is press fit between the ceiling and the floor.
  5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of different work surface heights comprise two of a ceiling height, a standing height, a seated height, and a floor height.
  6. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, comprising an actuator that is attachable to and operable with the 5 frame to move the work surface within a range of movement including the plurality of different work surface heights while maintaining an orientation of the work surface relative to the frame.
  7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a lift system in the posts that is operable with the actuator to cause vertical movements of the work surface within the range of movement and stabilize the 10 work surface during the vertical movements of the work surface.
  8. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lift system comprises a threaded rod that is rotatably mounted and vertically fixed in a first post of the posts. 15
  9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lift system comprises a first actuator member in the first post that is operably attached to the threaded rod and the work surface so that rotation of the threaded rod causes the vertical movements of the work surface.
  10. 10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the work surface is operable with the frame to support a 20 weight of a user at each height of the plurality of different work surface heights.
  11. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistance training system comprises a resistance device that is attached to the work surface and operable to apply a resistance force to the exercise grip when moved away from the work surface.
  12. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the resistance training system comprises a cable; the work surface comprises an internal frame that is attachable to the frame; the resistance device is rigidly attached to the internal frame; and the cable is operatively attached to exercise grip and the resistance device.
  13. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the resistance device comprises an electronic motor that is operable to apply the resistance force.
  14. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: 10 the electronic motor comprises a spool; the spool is operatively attached to the cable; and the electronic motor applies the resistance force by rotating the spool.
  15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: 15 the internal frame comprises a tube defining a lumen; and the cable is routed from the spool and through the lumen.
  16. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a cable guide defining a cable guide lumen, wherein: the cable guide is slidably mounted in the tube; 20 the cable is routed through the cable guide lumen; and the cable guide is slidable between a first position where the cable exits the cable guide lumen at a first location spaced apart from the internal frame and a second position where the cable exits the cable guide lumen at a second location adjacent the frame.
  17. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, comprising: a track that is attached to the frame; a support structure that is moveably attachable to the track and operable to maintain a vertical position of the exercise grip by countering the resistance force, 5 wherein: the track comprises a front surface comprising an elongated opening and a rear surface comprising a plurality of holes; and the support structure comprises a hook portion extending through the elongated opening and a protrusion that is receivable in one hole of the plurality of holes and 10 operable to resist counter the resistance force when received in the one hole.
  18. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: the support structure comprises an L-shaped body with a vertical leg, a horizontal leg, and wheels on the vertical leg; and 15 the hook portion is located on the horizontal leg.
  19. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the hook portion comprises one or both of: a first J-hook that opens upwardly away from the horizontal leg and is operable to counter the resistance force when the work surface is positioned below the hook portion; and 20 a second J-hook that opens downwardly away from the horizontal leg and is operable to counter the resistance force when the work surface is positioned above the hook portion.
  20. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein one or both of the first J-hook and the second J-hook comprise a clamping mechanism operable to secure the exercise grip to the support structure.

Description

DYNAMIC WORKSTATION APPARATUS, METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND KITS TECHINCAL FIELD Aspects of this disclosure relate generally to dynamic workstation apparatus, methods, systems, and kits. Some aspects comprise selectively moveable exercise grips and related structures. BACKGROUND The benefits of regular exercise for an office worker are well established. For example, regular changes of body position and movement are known to be healthier for the worker’s muscles, joints, and circulation, in contrast with the detrimental health effects of sitting or standing at a workstation in fixed positions for an extended period of time. Existing workstations are commonly adjustable between chair-seated and standing positions, but do not allow the office worker to work in a squatted position, while seated on the floor, or while hanging from an overhead structure. Different types of fitness equipment may permit these movements, but are typically located separately from the workstation, limiting the changes in body position the office worker may experience during the day. Further improvements are required to improve the health of office workers by providing more frequent opportunities to work in different body positions and exercise regularly each day. SUMMARY Aspects of dynamic workstation apparatus, methods, systems, and kits are disclosed. One aspect of this disclosure is an apparatus. For example, the apparatus may comprise: a frame that is expandable in a generally vertical direction to obtain a press fit between a ceiling and a floor; a work surface that is attachable to the frame and selectively positionable at a plurality of different work surface heights between the ceiling and the floor when the frame is press fit between the ceiling and the floor, the plurality of different work surface heights including a ceiling height, a standing height, a seated height, and a floor height; and an actuator that is attachable to and operable with the frame to move the work surface within a range of movement including the plurality of different work surface heights while maintaining an orientation of the work surface relative to the frame. The frame may comprise posts that are independently expandable in the generally vertical direction to obtain the press fit. The posts may be independently expandable toward the floor. Each post may comprise a leveling mechanism that is expandable toward the floor. Each post may comprise a base plate with a plurality of leveling feet that are independently expandable toward the floor. Each post may comprise a base plate, a threaded bolt that is rotatably attached to the base plate, and a floor contact that is attached to the threaded bolt so that rotation of the threaded bolt relative to the base plate moves the floor contact toward the floor. The threaded bolt may be attached to the contact plate by a multiaxial connection so that the contact plate is adjustable relative to the floor. The frame may comprise a header that spans between the posts and is expandable in the generally vertical direction toward the ceiling to obtain the press fit. The header may comprise a leveling mechanism that is expandable toward the ceiling. The header may comprise a plurality of jack screws that are independently expandable toward the floor. The header may comprise a top plate, a threaded shaft that is rotatably attached to the top plate, and a ceiling contact that is attached to the threaded shaft so that rotation of the threaded shaft relative to the top plate moves the ceiling contact toward the ceiling. The threaded shaft may be attached to the ceiling contact by a multiaxial connection so that the ceiling contact is adjustable relative to the ceiling. A portion of the actuator may be located in the header. The actuator may comprise an electric motor that is located in the header. The actuator may comprise a controller that is located in the header and electronically operable with the electric motor to move the work surface within the range of movement. The controller may be electronically operable with the electric motor responsive to one or more of a switch, a timer, a sensor, a program, and a mobile device. The apparatus may comprise a lift system in the posts that is operable with the actuator to cause vertical movements of the work surface within the range of movement and stabilize the work surface during the vertical movements of the work surface. The apparatus may comprise a gear box in the header that is operable with the actuator and the lift system to cause the vertical movements of the work surface. The gear box may comprise a manual crank that is located outside the interior cavity of the header and operable with the lift system to cause the vertical movements of the work surface. The manual crank may be operable to cause the vertical movements of the work surface without electricity. The apparatus may comprise a lift system operable with an input torque applied by the actuator to cause the vertical mo