# US 2011/0235249 A1 · Work surface articulation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2011/0235249 A1 - Document ID: US20110235249A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/016,190 - Filed: 2011-01-28 - Published: 2011-09-29 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-29 - Assignees: Rubbermaid Incorporated - Inventors: Benjamin Shane Bustle; Jacob Connelly; Robert Grant McRorie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20110235249A1 ## CPC - A47B 21/0314: {Platforms for supporting office equipment} - G06F 1/182: {with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]} - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A workstation comprises a support and a work platform mounted on the support by an articulation mechanism. The articulation mechanism pivots the work platform between a storage position and a deployed position about a pivot axis and raises the pivot axis relative to the support as the work platform moves from the storage position to the deployed position. The workstation comprises a support supporting a flat monitor in a monitor housing having a depth. In the storage position the work platform is located below the monitor and in the deployed position the work platform may be used as a keyboard support and a desk. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A workstation comprising: a support; a work platform mounted on the support by an articulation mechanism where the articulation mechanism pivots the work platform between a storage position and a deployed position about a pivot axis and raises the pivot axis relative to the support as the work platform moves from the storage position to the deployed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein a monitor is mounted directly above the work platform when the work platform is in the storage position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein the monitor is a flat screen monitor having a depth and the work platform fits within the depth when the work platform is in the storage position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein the work platform is in a vertical orientation when the work platform is in the storage position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein the work platform is in a horizontal orientation when the work platform is in the deployed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein the pivot axis is mounted on a slide that is movable vertical relative to the support. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The workstation of claim 6 wherein the pivot axis is mounted at the rear end of the work station. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein a link connects the work platform to the support. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein one end of the link is mounted on a fixed pivot to the support. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein the link is in an on-center position when the work platform is in the storage position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein the work platform supports a keyboard. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein the work platform comprises a flat work surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The workstation of claim 1 wherein a movable mouse platform is supported on the work platform such that the tray can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position when the work platform is in the deployed position. ### Claim 14 A workstation comprising: a support adapted to support a flat monitor in a monitor housing having a depth; a work platform mounted on the support by an articulation mechanism where the articulation mechanism pivots the work platform between a storage position where the work platform is located below the monitor and is within the depth and a deployed position where the work platform extends substantially horizontally, the work platform pivoting about a pivot where the pivot is supported for linear movement relative to the support such that the pivot moves toward the monitor as the work platform moves from the storage position to the deployed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The workstation of claim 14 articulation mechanism comprises a link pivotably connected at one end to a first fixed pivot on the support and an opposite end of the link being pivotably connected at a second fixed pivot to the work platform; and a slide bar mounted for vertical sliding movement in the support, and the pivot connecting the slide bar to the work platform such that work platform may freely rotate relative to the slide bar. ### Claim 16 A method of operating a work station comprising: providing a work platform having a monitor and a keyboard supported on a work platform; pivoting the work platform about a pivot from a substantially vertical position where it is positioned below the monitor to a substantially horizontal position; moving the pivot vertically as the work platform pivots; supporting the work platform in the substantially horizontal position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising using the work platform as a work surface.