SELECTIVELY CONTROLLED KEYBOARD SUPPORT

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus suitable, but not exclusively, for use in supporting a processor, typewriter or an electronic keyboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In offices, instruments such as electronic keyboards are commonly accessed from desks. However to minimize operator fatigue and encourage proper posture it is desirable to present the instrument to the operator at a suitably elevated position which is ergonomically efficient.

[0003] In some apparatus the keyboard support is not only able to be adjusted in altitude but is also able to be adjusted in attitude (i.e. angle of tilt).

[0004] Controls for adjustment of keyboard support elevation (and, if available, tilt) should be accessible and convenient for the operator both in respect of location and ease of operation. Desirably adjustment of altitude and/or tilt could be accomplished with one hand and without risk of damage to long fingernails. The support and adjustment mechanisms should be robust and capable of withstanding overload such as a person sitting or leaning on the support. Quick, positive, secure and convenient locking of the support at a desired height and/or at a desired angle would be advantageous.

[0005] It would further be desirable to simplify the manufacture and construction of keyboard support apparatus.

[0006] In most apparatus of this kind a threaded bolt and handle are used to clamp the parts at a particular altitude, and if tilt adjustment is provided a separate threaded bolt and handle are provided to clamp the parts at a specific angle of tilt.

[0007] US-A-4691888 describes apparatus having a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a desk, a keyboard support member, linkage bars pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket and to the support member whereby the support member is adapted for movement between a raised or lowered position relative to the mounting bracket and locking means for immobilizing the apparatus against such movement. In described embodiments the locking means is a clamp assembly whereby the linkage bar is clamped to the support member by a threaded bolt extending through the bar and support member and cooperating with a threaded handle.

[0008] That apparatus is convenient to use but relies upon the clamping force and friction between the parts for locking and if either is inadequate there is a risk of damage to equipment or injury to the user.

[0009] AU-B-19015/88 discloses a keyboard support apparatus having a selectively releasable locking mechanism, which comprises an extension of one of the arms of the support, this extension being pulled in a longitudinal direction with respect to the parallel arms of the device against spring biasing, by means of a handle.

[0010] Other apparatus has been proposed in which the locking mechanism involves engagement of a pin with an aperture of the mounting bracket. The pin may be driven by a bowden cable through a link bar into an aperture of the mounting bracket. That arrangement suffers from a difficulty in engagement as well as in difficulty of control. Tolerances required to facilitate locking engagement of the pin and aperture result in an unsteady mechanism.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard support apparatus which avoids at least some of the disadvantages of prior art and/or which meets the desiderata discussed above by more efficient means than prior art.

[0012] An object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is provision of a key board height adjustment mechanism which is simple, positive in locking, reliable and robust.

[0013] A further object of preferred embodiments is provision of a locking means for a keyboard support apparatus which allows selection between (a) a first mode in which tilt adjustment is permitted and altitude adjustment is prevented, (b) a second mode in which altitude adjustment is permitted and tilt adjustment is prevented and (c) a third mode in which both tilt and altitude adjustment are prevented.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to one aspect the invention consists in a keyboard support apparatus of the kind having a mounting bracket, a support member, at least one linkage bar pivotally connected to the mounting bracket and to the support member whereby the support member and bar are adapted for movement in a vertical reference plane between a raised or lowered position relative to the mounting bracket and locking means for immobilizing the apparatus against said movement; the locking means comprising first means defining a first formation associated with the support member; second means defining a second formation associated with the bar; said formations being inter-engageable to prevent movement of the bar relative to the support member, lever means acting to disengage said formations by lateral movement of the first means relative to the second means, and resilient means biasing said formations into inter-engagement.

[0015] In preferred embodiments of the invention the lever means is mounted to the support member via a spring metal plate. The plate lies in a vertical plane but is resiliently deformable to allow lateral movement of the lever at an angle to the vertical reference plane. The plate defines a plurality of aperture formations associated with the support member. A pin formation associated with the linkage bar when the spring plate is in a relaxed state is engageable with a selected aperture formation of the plate to lock the mechanism. The pin and aperture formations are disengageable by lateral movement of the lever.

[0016] In a highly preferred embodiment the support member is adapted for movement between a first attitude and a second attitude, the locking means being provided with third formations associated with the linkage bar selectively inter-engageable by the lever with fourth formations to lock the support member against tilt adjustment.
Claim 1 is delimited over AU-B-19015/88.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 shows schematically a keyboard support apparatus viewed in side elevation in a raised position;

Figure 2 shows schematically the keyboard support apparatus of Figure 1 in a lowered position;

Figure 3 shows schematically the keyboard support apparatus of Figure 1 viewed from the front;

Figure 4 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in plan viewed from beneath;

Figure 5 shows in side view a portion of the apparatus of figures 1 and 2 equipped with locking means in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 shows plate 30 of Figure 5 in detail;

Figure 7 shows a section on line A-A of Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a section on line B-B of Figure 5;

Figure 9 shows in schematic perspective a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 shows in more detail a part of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows schematically a third embodiment of the invention viewed in elevation wherein the support bracket is adapted for change in attitude (tilt);

Figure 12 shows schematically the embodiment of Figure 11 when viewed in plan;

Figure 13 shows schematically a portion of a fourth embodiment of the invention viewed in elevation;

Figure 14 shows schematically an assembly of the portion of Figure 13 with additional parts;

Figures 15 A, B, C show schematically the embodiment of Figure 14 viewed in plan in various modes of operation;

Figure 16 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention in side elevation; and

Figure 17 shows the embodiment of Figure 16 in exploded plan view.

Figure 18 is a schematic drawing showing a sixth embodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0018] With reference to figures 1 to 4 there is shown schematically a keyboard support apparatus of the kind under discussion.

[0019] A mounting bracket 10 comprises a vertical plate 11 and horizontal flange 12 whereby the mounting bracket may be mounted by fasteners to, for example, the underside of a desk top 13. A support member 14 comprises a vertical plate 15 and a horizontal flange 16 which in use has a keyboard or keyboard supporting platform (not shown) fastened thereto.

[0020] A first linkage bar 20 is pivotally connected by means of pivot pin 21 to bracket vertical plate 11 and is pivotally connected by means of pivot pin 22 to vertical plate 15 of support member 14. First linkage bar 20 has an extension 23 beyond pivot pin 22 to an extremity 24.

[0021] A second linkage bar 25 is pivotally connected by means of pivot pin 26 to mounting bracket plate 11 and is pivotally connected by means of pivot pin 27 to plate 15 of support member 14. The pivot pins may be rivets or other suitable fasteners and are parallel.

[0022] Bars 20 and 25 are parallel and the distance between pivot pins 21, 22 corresponds to that between pivot pins 26, 27 so that the mounting bracket, support member, first and second bars together constitute a four bar linkage or pantograph.

[0023] The arrangement permits the support member to be swung upwardly or downwardly with respect to the work surface while maintaining a constant inclination of the support member upper surface relative to the plane of the work surface.

[0024] It is convenient to define a vertical reference plane which is parallel to the plane in which bars 20 and 25 move and in which plates 11 and 15 lie.

[0025] In practice as shown in figures 3 and 4 the parts of the apparatus of Figure 1 are connected by a box beam 17 to a second corresponding assembly as shown in figures 3 and 4, corresponding parts being identified by corresponding numerals.

[0026] In the past, when the support member was at a required altitude, a bar 25 and the support member 14 were clamped together e.g. by a threaded bolt and cooperating threaded or handle or star wheel, for example by means of a bolt acting as pivot pin 27.

[0027] In practice also, there is commonly provided a spring (not illustrated) for assisting raising of the support member relative to the mounting bracket.

[0028] According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided instead, or in addition, a plate 30 (figures 5 to 8) made of spring steel and mounted to vertical plate 15 of mounting member 14 by means of pivot pin rivets 22, 27.

[0029] Rivet heads 31, 32 of pivot pins 22, 27 are most clearly seen in Figure 7. Plate 30 is mounted on the side of bar 20 opposite to mounting member 14 so that the extension 23 of bar 20 is sandwiched with clearance between plate 30 and plate 15.

[0030] Plate 30 is shown in Figure 6 and has mounting apertures 34 and 35 and has a plurality of pin engaging apertures or slots 33 which are disposed on an arc, at a predetermined radius from aperture 34. Plate 30 is located by means of apertures 34, 35 on pivot pins 22, 27 respectively. Plate 30 has apertures 36 and 37 whereby the plate may be riveted to handle 40.

[0031] The outermost side of plate 30 is provided with a lever handle 40 secured to plate 30 by rivets 41, 42 extending through handle 40 and apertures 36, 37.

[0032] Plate 30 is otherwise free.

[0033] Because plate 30 is of spring steel, handle 40 acts as a lever having a fulcrum at pin 22 but adapted for lateral movement at its free end sideways towards or away from the plane of plate 15 of support member 14.

[0034] Plate 30 is resiliently biased towards a plane parallel to plate 15 but is able to be deformed on line A-A to an angle therefrom. Desirably plate 30 may, in its relaxed state, have a bend at an angle of from 2° to 4° from the plane [about line D-D in Figure 6] whereby the plate is given a bias to urge plate 30 towards member 20. Extension 23 is provided with a pin 49 which extends laterally (parallel to the axis of pivot pin 25) towards plate 30 and is engageable with a selected one of apertures 33 of plate 30.

[0035] Pivot pins 25, 27 may be provided with washers 42 as desired.

[0036] In use if it is desired to move the support means from a first altitude to a second altitude, lever handle 40 is moved laterally to the side whereby plate 30 is resiliently bent or deformed at the fulcrum line A-A extending through pivot pins 22, 27 plate 30 moving away from bar 20 and support member plate 15. As plate 30 moves at an angle from bar 20, pin 49 is disengaged from apertures 33. The support member may then be raised or lowered as desired. Lever handle 40 may then be released to move plate 30 towards plate 15, allowing pin 49 to engage a selected other hole 33, pin 49 being held in engagement with hole 33 by spring plate 30 which resiliently returns to a position parallel to, and adjacent bar 20.

[0037] It will be understood that inter-engageable formations other than a pin and aperture may be employed. Also if desired two or more pins may engage two or more holes.

[0038] A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to figures 9 and 10 wherein parts corresponding to those of figures 1 to 8 are identified by corresponding numerals. In this embodiment pivot pin 22 extends through a slot in bar 20 and a spring 19 acts between bar 20 and pin 22.

[0039] With reference to figures 9 and 10 a collar 53 is stepped to a reduced diameter boss 55 adjacent bar 22 and is thread mounted to the bar. A lever handle 40 is riveted at 51 to a "U" shaped spring steel bracket 52 which is pivotally mounted to bar 22 by means of boss 55 which extends through an aperture of one arm 56 of bracket 52 and retains the arm between collar 53 and bar 22.

[0040] A pin 49 extends axially through collar 53 and boss 55. One pin end 58 is tapered and projects through bar 22 to engage in an aperture 54 or slot of plate 15. Pin 49 is reduced in diameter adjacent its other end, the portion of reduced diameter 59 extending successively through an aperture in the other arm 57 of bracket 52 through a slot 60 of lever handle 40, through an "O" ring 61, and terminating at a threaded retaining nut 62.

[0041] Lever 40 is thus mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of pin 49 and is moveable laterally by resilient deformation of bracket 52 to withdraw pin 49 from engagement with an aperture of plate 15.

[0042] The support member is adjusted to a require altitude relative to the mounting bracket and pin 49 then is engaged with a selected corresponding hole 54, the pin being biased in engagement by pin 51. In another form of this embodiment (not illustrated) bracket 52 is rigid and a compression spring acts axially on pin 41 to urge it into engagement with a selected hole 54.

[0043] In preferred embodiments of the invention at least one of bars 20, 25 is, or is associated with, a hollow duct (not illustrated) the duct being adapted to conduct a keyboard cable from a keyboard supported upon support member 14.

[0044] The duct may for example be a square section hollow tube welded to bar 20, or bar 20 may itself be of hollow section. The duct should be of sufficiently large internal dimension to enable the plug or socket terminating a keyboard cable to be threaded through the duct. The duct should convey the cable to a location near the leading edge of the rear brackets from where the cable may be connected to a computer, VDU, etc., as required.

[0045] The duct serves to keep the cabling tidy and prevents it from becoming jammed in the mechanism or inadvertently unplugged.

[0046] A further embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to figures 11 and 12 wherein parts corresponding in function to those described with reference to the embodiment of figures 6 to 8 are identified with like numerals. In Figure 11 there is shown an embodiment wherein the lower bar 25 of the four bar linkage is provided at or adjacent bar end 71 with an elongate slot 70 extending in the bar longitudinal direction. Bar 25 is connected with support bracket 15 by means of pivot pin 27 extending through the slot 70. Pin 27 cooperates with slot 70 and bracket 15 to allow bracket 15 to tilt pivotally about the axis of pin 22.

[0047] Spring steel plate 30 is pivotally mounted to bars 20, 25 by means of pins 22 and 27. Spring plate 30, when released lies in a plane parallel to the vertical reference plane. Lever 40 is mounted to plate 30 e.g. by rivets 41 and 42.

[0048] Plate 30 is provided with a plurality of circular first apertures 33 disposed with centres on a first arc, a plurality of second apertures 33a disposed with centres on a second arc and a plurality of apertures 33b disposed on a third arc concentric with the first and second arc. Pin formation 49 mounted on bar 25 extends laterally and is inter-engageable with a selected aperture 33, 33A, 33B of spring plate 30. Desirably, pin 49 is chamfered at a distal end to facilitate precise insertion in an aperture 30, 30A, 30B of spring plate 30. As shown in Figure 12, if lever 40 is moved from neutral position N (in which spring plate 30 is released) in the direction indicated by arrow B, spring plate 30 is bent on line A-A, the free end 72 of plate 30 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow C, disengaging pin 49 from aperture 33. In this mode, lever handle 40 may be moved upwards or downwards thereby to raise or lower support bracket 15. Lever 40 is resiliently urged by spring plate 30 towards neutral position N and, when lever 40 is released, spring plate 30 returns to a plane parallel to the reference plane. Pin 49 may then be re-engaged with a conveniently-located aperture 33. If the altitude is altered without tilt adjustment, pin 49 will relocate in an aperture of the same arc as that from which it was disengaged. If it is desired to adjust tilt, lever 40 is moved laterally from neutral position N in direction B to disengage pin 49 from aperture 33 of plate 30 as described above. Lever 40 may then be moved arcuately so as to adjust attitude (i.e. tilt) of keyboard support 15 by pivotal movement about pin 22. Lever 40 is then resiliently urged towards the neutral position by spring plate 30 to re-engage pin 49 with an aperture of plate 30. In the case of tilt adjustment, pin 49 will engage an aperture in an arc different from that in which it was previously engaged e.g. will disengage from an aperture 33 and re-engage an aperture 33A or 33B. If desired, both altitude and attitude may be adjusted concurrently using one hand to move lever 40 both to engage or disengage pin 49 from an aperture of plate 30; to raise, lower or tilt the keyboard support, and to relock the mechanism against movement.

[0049] With reference to figures 13, 14, 15, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the invention in which parts having a function corresponding to parts of figures 11, 12 are indicated by corresponding numerals. The embodiment of figures 13 to 15 has a curvilinear slot 70 adapted to cooperate with pin 27 to permit tilt of bracket 15 about pivot 22. The embodiment of Figure 13 also differs from that of figure 11, 12 in that spring steel plate 30 in its relaxed state extends to both sides of fulcrum line A-A, in a plane parallel the reference plane. Spring plate 30 has a portion 30A extending to free edge 72. Portion 30A has a plurality of elongate slots 33 arranged on lines extending radially from pivot pin 27. Spring plate 30 also has a portion 30B extending to free edge 73 on the opposite side of line A-A from edge 52.

[0050] Spring plate 30B is provided with slots 74.

[0051] A spring arm 75 is mounted to spring plate 30A adjacent edge 72 by means of rivets 76 extending through apertures 77. Spring arm 75 extends to a free end 78 adjacent edge 73 of plate 30B.

[0052] Cranked lever 40 is mounted to spring arm 75 by means of rivets 41 and 42 spaced astride fulcrum line A-A.

[0053] As shown in Figure 15A, when spring plate 30A and spring arm 75 are relaxed, pin 49 extending laterally from bar 25 engages a slot 33 of spring plate 30A. A detente or pin 79 adjacent free end 78 of spring arm 75 extends laterally to engage a slot 74, of spring plate 30B penetrating from the side opposite to that from which pin 49 penetrates spring plate 30A.

[0054] As shown in Figure 15B when lever 40 is moved from neutral position N in the direction indicated by arrow D, spring arm 75 resiliently deforms; detent 79 associated with spring arm 75 is laterally withdrawn from slot 74 of spring plate 30B and a support bracket-member 14 is thus free to tilt by pivotal movement about pivot 22.

[0055] However, infringement of pin 49 with spring plate 30A maintains support bracket 15 at a predetermined altitude.

[0056] With reference to Figure 15C, if lever 40 is moved from neutral position N in the direction indicated by arrow C, then detente 79 remains engaged with an aperture 74 of spring plate 30B.

[0057] Spring plate 30B is deformed so as to disengage pin 49 from aperture 33 of spring plate 30A. In that configuration altitude adjustment may be made by moving lever 40 upwardly or downwardly. However, engagement of pin 79 with an aperture 74 of spring plate 30B maintains support bracket 15 at a predetermined angle of tilt.

[0058] The embodiment of figures 13 to 15 thus allows single handed raising or lowering of the keyboard at a predetermined angle of tilt following a small movement of lever 40 in direction C. The embodiment also allows a single handed tilting of the keyboard at a predetermined altitude following a slight movement of lever 40 in direction D. The lever is resiliently biased towards neutral position N in which the keyboard is locked against movement in either altitude or attitude. The construction of the adjustment mechanism is robust, the spring plate being of about 1.2mm to 2.0mm in thickness. For preference, bracket 15 is provided with a slot 80 and lever 40 has a pin 81 adjustable eccentrically about a pin axis to maintain the lever handle in a constant relationship to bracket 15 and to facilitate positive action of the lever when adjusting tilt or height while allowing lateral movement of the lever arm.

[0059] Preferably spring plate 30 is of greater resiliency than spring arm 75. If preferred, spring plates 30A and 30B may be separate plates rather than parts of one plate as illustrated. The parts may be connected one to another by means different from those described.

[0060] Desirably, spring arm 75 is provided with an angle of bend in its relaxed state whereby formation 79 is urged towards interengagement.

[0061] The terms "vertical" and "horizontal" are not used in an absolute sense in this specification and merely indicate a direction close to the upright or a direction close to the horizontal direction respectively.

[0062] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teaching hereof, the apparatus herein described is simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, provides positive engagement or disengagement on locking, is convenient for use by an operator in a seated or "user" position and is unobtrusive in appearance.

[0063] The apparatus of figures 13 to 15 may also be used for adjustment, for example, of a hospital bed tray by a person in a prone position using one hand.

[0064] With reference to Figs. 16 and 17 there is shown a fifth embodiment of the invention. Parts of the embodiment of Figs. 16 and 17 which correspond in function to parts of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 8 are identified by corresponding numerals.

[0065] The embodiment of Figs. 16 and 17 differs from that of Figs. 1 to 8 in that there is added a third linkage bar 80 which is pivotally connected to mounting bracket 11 by means of pivot pin 81 and is pivotally connected to keyboard support bracket 15 by pivot pin 27. Third linkage bar 80 is not parallel to the first and second linkage bars but extends diagonally at an angle thereto. Pivot pin 81 is received in an elongate slot 83 defined in third linkage bar 80. Pin 81 and slot 83 co-operate to accommodate movement in third linkage bar 80 relative to mounting bracket 11 as support bracket 15 is raised and lowered. Pin 81 is mounted eccentrically with respect to the pin axis to enable easy adjustment, thereby avoiding the need for close manufacturing tolerances. In this fifth embodiment the interengageable formation 49, which in previously described embodiments was associated with linkage bar 25, is now mounted to third linkage bar 80. The embodiment of figures 16 and 17 has a number of important practical advantages in comparison with that of figures 1 to 8 and is greatly preferred.

[0066] Specifically, keyboard support mechanisms need to be of extremely accurate construction to maintain correct alignment of the keyboard support bracket 15 with a desk 13 or other mounting surface. If any of pivot hole centres 21, 22, 26, 27 in either of linkage bars 20, 25 or brackets 11, 15 are inaccurately drilled, the errors may be compounded and result in the upper surface of brackets 11, 15 being misaligned. Moreover even the slightest error in the pivot pin locations of the first and second linkage bars interferes with correct pantagraphic movement of the mechanism or results in excessive wear, the mechanisms either binding or soon becoming sloppy. When interengageable formation 49 is associated with one of the parallel linkage bars 20, 21 the requirements of close machine tolerances not only of the pantagraphic system but additionally of formation 49, plate 30 and apertures 33 become very substantial. The fifth embodiment, by associating interengageable formation 49 with a third linkage bar 80 greatly facilitates adjustment of engagement as between formation 49 and any one of apertures 33 and makes that adjustment independent of any adjustment of parallel linkage bars 20 and 25. It will be understood that the third linkage bar 80 may extend diagonally from pivot pin 21 to pivot pin 27 and need not have a separate pivotal mounting pin 81. In that case slot 26 will desirably be curved. The linkage bar 80 may be adapted for slotted engagement with pin 27 instead of with pin 81. In other embodiments a suitably shaped third linkage bar may extend diagonally from pin 26 or pin 81 to pin 22. In the embodiment of Figs. 16 and 17, when upper surfaces of keyboard support bracket 15 and mounting bracket 11 are aligned in a horizontal plane, lower and upper parallel linkage bars 20, 25 slope upwardly from bracket 11 towards bracket 15 while third linkage bar 80 is substantially level. This arrangement provides for height adjustment with a relatively small forward or rearward displacement and facilitates location of the control handle 40 in a substantially level disposition. Spacer washers 84 may be used as required.

[0067] With reference to Figure 18, there is shown a sixth embodiment which differs from that of figures 16 and 17 in that plate 30 is mounted for pivotal rotation about pivot pin 22. Third linkage bar 80 extends diagonally from pivot pin 21 (not shown in Figure 18) to a pivot pin 85. In the present embodiment bar 80 is not slotted and acts as a drag link to rotate plate 30 about pivot 22, as bracket 15 is raised or lowered. Lower bar 25 is pivotally connected at pin 27 to bracket 15 but pin 27 does not extend to connect with plate 30 or bar 80. Pivot pin 85 at one end of linkage bar 80 (and/or pivot pin 21 at the opposite end of linkage bar 80) may be mounted by eccentric means permitting adjustment of the pivotal axis. Desirably, formations 49 may be lugs press formed outwardly from the material of bracket 15 selectively to engage slots 74 of plate 30.

[0068] A handle (not illustrated in Figure 18) extending in a forward direction is provided to resiliently deform plate 30 as previously described whereby slots 74 of plate 30 may be engaged with or disengaged from lugs 49.

[0069] If preferred a handle may be connected at or adjacent the unsupported end of plate 30 and extending in a lateral direction to achieve the same result.

[0070] Features of one embodiment may be combined with features of any other embodiment herein described to provide for tilt adjustment, and/or to provide selectively for tilt or altitude adjustment.

[0071] The invention extends to include mechanical equivalents of the principle herein disclosed and features of one embodiment may be combined with those of another within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A keyboard support apparatus of the kind having a mounting bracket (10), a support member (14), at least one linkage bar (20) pivotally connected to the mounting bracket (10) and to the support member (14) whereby the support member (14) and bar (20) are adapted for movement in a vertical reference plane between a raised and a lowered position relative to the mounting bracket (10), and locking means for immobilising the apparatus against said movement; the locking means comprising first means (30) defining a first formation (33) associated with the support member (14); second means (23) defining a second formation (49) associated with the bar (20); said formations (33,49) being inter-engageable to prevent movement of the bar (20) relative to the support member (14), and resilient means (30) biasing said formations (33,49) into inter-engagement, characterised in that said locking means includes lever means (40) acting to disengage said formations by lateral movement of the first means relative to the second means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first means comprises a spring plate (30) mounted to the support member and extending in a vertical plane parallel to the reference plane, said spring plate (30) defining a plurality of aperture formations (33).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the apertures (33) are slot-shaped.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 having a pin formation (49) of the bar (20) engageable with an aperture (33) of the spring plate (30).

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the second formations (49) are elongate protrusions.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a lever handle (40) is mounted to the spring plate (30).

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support member (14) is adapted to tilt about a horizontal pivotal axis.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the first means comprise a spring plate (30) mounted to the support member (14) and having a plurality of apertures (33A,33B) disposed in two or more concentric arcs.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support member (14) is mounted for adjustment of tilt about a horizontal axis, further comprising third means (30B) defining a third formation (79) associated with the support member (14) and a fourth formation (74) associated with the bar (20), said third and fourth formations (79,74) being inter-engageable to prevent tilt movement of the support member (14) relative to the bar (20).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the lever (40) can selectively disengage either the first from the second formations (33,49) or the third from the fourth formations (79,74).

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the first means comprises a first spring plate (30) mounted to the support member and extending in a vertical plane parallel to the reference plane, said first plate defining a plurality of first aperture formations (33).

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the third means comprises a second spring plate (30B) defining a plurality of third aperture formations (74).

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein a spring arm mounted to the first spring plate carries a fourth formation (79) selectively inter-engageable with one of the third aperture formations (74).

14. Keyboard support apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the linkage bar is one of a pair of parallel linkage bars (20,25).

15. Keyboard support apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the second formation (49) is associated with a third linkage bar (80) which extends at an angle to parallel first and second linkage bars.

16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 comprising at least three linkage bars (20,25,80), two of the bars (20,25) being parallel and the third linkage bar (80) being pivotally connected to the mounting bracket by means of a co-operating slot (83) and pin (81).

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the pin (81) co-operating with the slot (83) is mounted for eccentric adjustment.

18. Apparatus according to claims 15 to 27 wherein the third linkage bar (80) is substantially horizontal when the upper surfaces of the mounting bracket (11) and support member (14) are horizontal.

Ansprüche

1. Tastaturträgervorrichtung der Art, die eine Anbringungshalterung (10), ein Trägerelement (14), wenigstens eine Verbindungsstange (12), die schwenkbar mit der Anbringungshalterung (10) und dem Trägerelement (14) verbunden ist, so daß das Trägerelement (14) und die Stange (20) sich in einer vertikalen Bezugsebene zwischen einer angehobenen und einer abgesenkten Position in bezug auf die Anbringungshalterung (10) bewegen können, sowie eine Arretiereinrichtung aufweist, mit der die Vorrichtung an dieser Bewegung gehindert wird, wobei die Arretiereinrichtung eine erste Einrichtung (30) umfaßt, die eine erste Struktur (33) aufweist, die mit dem Trägerelement (14) in Verbindung steht, eine zweite Einrichtung (23), die eine zweite Struktur (49) aufweist, die mit der Stange (20) in Verbindung steht, wobei die Strukturen (33,49) miteinander in Eingriff gebracht werden können, um Bewegung der Stange (20) in bezug auf das Trägerelement (14) zu verhindern, sowie eine federnde Einrichtung (30), die die Strukturen (33,49) miteinander in Eingriff spannt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Arretiereinrichtung eine Schwenkhebeleinrichtung (40) enthält, die die Strukturen durch seitliche Bewegung der ersten Einrichtung in bezug auf die zweite Einrichtung voneinander löst.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste Einrichtung eine Federplatte (30) umfaßt, die an dem Trägerelement angebracht ist und sich in einer vertikalen Ebene parallel zu der Bezugsebene erstreckt, wobei die Federplatte (30) eine Vielzahl von Öffnungsstrukturen (33) aufweist.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Öffnungen (33) schlitzförmig sind.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, die eine Zapfenstruktur (49) der Stange (20) aufweist, die mit einer Öffnung (33) der Federplatte (30) in Eingriff gebracht werden kann.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei die zweiten Strukturen (49) längliche Vorsprünge sind.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei ein Schwenkhebelgriff (40) an der Federplatte (30) angebracht ist.

7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Trägerelement (14) um eine horizontale Schwenkachse geneigt werden kann.

8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, wobei die erste Einrichtung eine Federplatte (30) umfaßt, die an dem Trägerelement (14) angebracht ist und eine Vielzahl von Öffnungen (33A,33B) aufweist, die in zwei oder mehr konzentrischen Bögen angeordnet sind.

9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Trägerelement (14) so angebracht ist, daß die Neigung um eine horizontale Achse eingestellt werden kann, und die des weiteren eine dritte Einrichtung (30B) umfaßt, die eine dritte Struktur (79) aufweist, die mit dem Trägerelement (14) in Verbindung steht, sowie eine vierte Struktur (74), die mit der Stange (20) in Verbindung steht, wobei die dritte und die vierte Struktur (79,74) miteinander in Eingriff gebracht werden können, um Neigungsbewegung des Trägerelementes (14) in bezug auf die Stange (20) zu verhindern.

10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Schwenkhebel (40) wahlweise entweder die erste von der zweiten Struktur (33,49) oder die dritte von der vierten Struktur (79,74) lösen kann.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, wobei die erste Einrichtung eine erste Federplatte (30) umfaßt, die an dem Trägerelement angebracht ist und sich in einer vertikalen Ebene parallel zu der Bezugsebene erstreckt, wobei die erste Platte eine Vielzahl erster Öffnungsstrukturen (33) aufweist.

12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, wobei die dritte Einrichtung eine zweite Federplatte (30B) umfaßt, die eine Vielzahl dritter Öffnungsstrukturen (74) aufweist.

13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, wobei ein Federarm, der an der ersten Federplatte angebracht ist, eine vierte Struktur (79) trägt, die wahlweise mit einer der dritten Öffnungsstrukturen (74) in Eingriff gebracht werden kann.

14. Tastaturträgervorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Verbindungsstange eine eines Paars paralleler Verbindungsstangen (20,25) ist.

15. Tastaturträgervorrichtung nach Anspruch 14, wobei die zweite Struktur (49) mit einer dritten Verbindungsstange (80) in Verbindung steht, die sich in einem Winkel zu einer ersten und einer zweiten Verbindungsstange erstreckt, die parallel zueinander sind.

16. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 15, die wenigstens drei Verbindungsstangen (20,25,80) umfaßt, wobei zwei der Stangen (20,25) parallel sind und die dritte Verbindungsstange (80) mittels eines Schlitzes (83) und eines Zapfens (81), die zusammenwirken, schwenkbar mit der Anbringungshalterung verbunden ist.

17. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 16, wobei der Zapfen (81), der mit dem Schlitz (83) zusammenwirkt, exzentrisch verstellbar angebracht ist.

18. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 15 bis 27, wobei die dritte Verbindungsstange (80) im wesentlichen horizontal ist, wenn die Oberseiten der Anbringungshalterung (11) und des Trägerelementes (14) horizontal sind.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de support pour clavier, comportant une potence de montage (10), une pièce de support (14), au moins une barre de liaison (20) reliée en pivot à la potence de montage (10) et à la pièce de support (14) au moyen de quoi la pièce de support (14) et la barre (20) sont adaptées pour se déplacer dans un plan de référence vertical entre une position haute et une position basse par rapport à la potence de montage (10), et des moyens de verrouillage pour immobiliser le dispositif par rapport à ce déplacement, les moyens de verrouillage comprenant des premiers moyens (30) définissant un premier ensemble (33) associé à la pièce de support (14), des seconds moyens (23) définissant un second ensemble (49) associé à la barre (20), lesdits ensembles (33, 49) pouvant s'interconnecter pour empêcher le déplacement de la barre (20) par rapport à la pièce de support (14), et des moyens élastiques (30) maintenant lesdits ensembles (33, 49) en interconnexion, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de verrouillage comportent des moyens de levier (40) agissant pour déconnecter lesdits ensembles par un déplacement latéral des premiers moyens par rapport aux seconds moyens.

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les premiers moyens comprennent une lame de ressort (30) fixée sur la pièce de support et s'étendant dans un plan vertical parallèle au plan de référence, ladite lame de ressort (30) définissant une pluralité d'ensembles de trous (33).

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel les trous (33) ont la forme de fentes.

4. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, comportant sur la barre (20) un ensemble d'ergots (49) pouvant être en prise avec un trou (33) de la lame de ressort (30).

5. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, dans lequel les seconds ensembles (49) sont des saillies allongées.

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel un manche de levier (40) est fixé sur la lame de ressort (30).

7. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la pièce de support (14) est adaptée pour basculer autour d'un axe de pivotement horizontal.

8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les premiers moyens comprennent une lame de ressort (30) fixée à la pièce de support (14) et comportant une pluralité de trous (33A, 33B) disposés selon au moins deux arcs concentriques.

9. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la pièce de support (14) est montée pour permettre un réglage du basculement autour d'un axe horizontal, comprenant en outre des troisièmes moyens (30B) définissant un troisième ensemble (79) associé à la pièce de support (14) et un quatrième ensemble (74) associé à la barre (20), lesdits troisième et quatrième ensembles (79, 74) pouvant s'interconnecter pour empêcher tout mouvement de basculement de la pièce de support (14) par rapport à la barre (20).

10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le levier (40) peut désenclencher sélectivement soit les premier et second ensembles, soit les troisième et quatrième ensembles (79, 74).

11. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les premiers moyens comprennent une première lame de ressort (30) fixée à la pièce de support et s'étendant dans un plan vertical parallèle au plan de référence, ladite première lame définissant une pluralité de premiers ensembles de trous (33).

12. Dispositif selon la revendication 11, dans lequel les troisièmes moyens comprennent une seconde lame de ressort (30B) définissant une pluralité de troisièmes ensembles de trous (74).

13. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, dans lequel un bras de ressort porte un quatrième ensemble (79) pouvant s'interconnecter sélectivement avec l'un des troisièmes ensembles de trous (74).

14. Dispositif de support pour clavier selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la barre de liaison est l'une d'une paire de barres de liaison parallèles (20, 25).

15. Dispositif de support pour clavier selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le second ensemble (49) est associé à une troisième barre de liaison (80) qui s'étend suivant un angle par rapport aux première et seconde barres de liaison parallèles.

16. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15, comprenant au moins trois barres de liaison (20, 25, 80), deux de ces barres (20, 25) étant parallèles et la troisième barre de liaison (80) étant reliée en pivot à la potence de montage au moyen d'une fente (83) coopérant avec un ergot (81).

17. Dispositif selon la revendication 16, dans lequel l'ergot (81) coopérant avec la fente (83) est monté pour permettre un réglage par excentrique.

18. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 15 à 27, dans lequel la troisième barre de liaison (80) est sensiblement horizontale lorsque les surfaces supérieures de la potence de montage (11) et de la pièce de support (14) sont horizontales.

Drawing