Ergotron WorkFit-T: It’s So Simple!

Enlivenze LLC and Toy Patent

In-Tube Puzzle Toy Patent by Louis Hall

I began the patent work for my toy in 2009, and it was patented May 22, 2012, US8181961

This was like a Masters course in US patent process: I was the Inventor, patent attorney, project manager, technical writer and illustrator for my toy puzzle for both the provisional patent and the full utility patent, US8181961. In 2014 this toy invention became available as "FlipStir Puzzle" from Enlivenze.com. 

Patent Abstract: A self-contained three-dimensional puzzle game that has a plurality of free-floating individual puzzle pieces (6) enclosed within a transparent enclosure (8). Puzzle is solved by using a wand (1) to move the individual puzzle pieces and forming the three dimensional solution. Wand is comprised of a rod, which extends through a small hole (4) in the enclosure. One embodiment has the three-dimensional subject solution covered with image graphics (10) so that when the individual pieces are manipulated into the correct positions they bring about an overall composition.This experience was like a MBA in the USA patent process. Patent summary: A self-contained puzzle comprising a plurality of individual free-floating puzzle pieces contained within a transparent enclosure, a wand which is used to solve said puzzle by reaching through hole in said transparent enclosure and moving said individual free-floating puzzle pieces and forming the three dimensional solution.

Loaded Opportunist Photography?

When I saw this photo this last week I laughed out-loud. My thoughts went to the photographer and wondering if they immediately saw the shadow of his finger dancing on her upper lip like a mustache and then lined up the shot.... or if they were just photographing the event and later saw this crazy juxtaposition. The imagery is loaded with horrific historical reference, explosive current events, gender wars.... you name it. I still have a big smile looking at the pic.




Photo of Netanyahu Shadow Painting Merkel W/ Hitler Stache Goes Viral
Yesterday 11:03 AM by Jacob Kornbluh

During a joint press conference in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accidentally gave German Chancellor Angela Merkel a Hitler mustache, thanks to a confluence of light and shadow as he pointed his finger across the stage.The photo, captured by JPost photographer Marc Israel Sellem, went viral within minutes.

“This is THE picture that all #Israel is talking about right now,” i24 News’ Julien Bahloul tweeted.

New BBC article illustrates need for standing more at work

Here is an excellent new article from BBC about the benefits of standing more during work day, it is a nice dove-tail into our sit-stand WorkFit product launch for Apple. Here is a powerful quote... "If you stand for three hours a day for five days that's around 750 calories burnt. Over the course of a year it would add up to about 30,000 extra calories, or around 8 lb. of fat. "If you want to put that into activity levels," Dr Buckley says, "then that would be the equivalent of running about 10 marathons a year. Just by standing up three or four hours in your day at work."

It reminds me of the illustration I created for an earlier doc on the benefits of standing.

WorkFit designed for iMac and MacBook users

At Ergotron where I work, we just released our new WorkFits that are designed for iMac and MacBook users. These are significant product installments for the creative world, since they let us creative types work or create more naturally. Nobody likes being trapped sitting all day, not to mention the serious health concerns. As I've mentioned in other postings... being able to stand or sit while computing offers so much freedom and it translates into creative energy! See our video we shot in LA.


The products are aluminum construction and designed to seamlessly interface with the Macs. They clamp to the back of your desk or can be mounted through a grommet hole.

One person working on this project said, "People who think different can now work different." I agree!

Stand Up Desks for the Creative Professional

One of the top viewed posts I've written is the Standing Desks and WorkStations, from March of 2011. It lays out the benefits of escaping from being trapped in a chair all day, especially for a creative professional. As we all know standing all day is not good either. The solution: A work station that allows one to instantaneously sit or stand as you choose while remaining effectively engaged with your computer is ideal.

For full disclosure, I work for Ergotron which designs and makes sit-stand WorkFits.

We were ahead of our time, now the AMA , on June 18, 2013, announced it recommends the same.

Health Risks of Sitting
Today, the AMA adopted policy recognizing potential risks of prolonged sitting and encouraging employers, employees and others to make available alternatives to sitting, such as standing work stations and isometric balls. “Prolonged sitting, particularly in work settings, can cause health problems and encouraging workplaces to offer employees alternatives to sitting all day will help to create a healthier workforce,” said Dr. Harris.

Anyhow, I'm very excited and wanted to mention we are working on some great new WorkFit products that will directly impact the creative ad agency world. Stay tuned.

Avoid the Desk-Sentence Graphic

I can't take full credit for this image. The words "avoid the desk sentence" came from some blog we read many months back (not sure which one now); the image came from an info-graphic I created for my companies juststand.org website.  I combined the two elements for a possible t-shirt design. I'm testing it here as a web graphic. We hope it evokes a concern for one's health (in this sedentary modern technological culture).... and a desire to get more informed about the concerns of sitting too much.

Appreciation of Beauty is the Core

Last weekend I was reading the philosophy of heavy-weight designers and creative gurus like Dr. Clotaire Rapaille and his Reptillian Brain Theory or "collective cultural unconscious" where we find that the general consumer population has certain deep attractions for products and material goods that they can't easily explain verbally. The famous product designers, Richard Seymore and Dick Powel echo similar ideas regarding feelings and how they move us to appreciate design qualities such as beauty. Denis Dutton, the philosopher and editor articulates that our understanding of beauty is the core of being homo sapiens. 


In the future, I'll try to post how this research influences upcoming marketing meetings I'm involved with... as we set a course for major consumer marketing campaign. BTW how does this photo influence your feelings? Inviting? Unreachable? Luxurious? Peaceful? I took the photo while on assignment in a stately MN Home.

New Studies about Inactivity

The company I work for, Ergotron,  has an excellent summary on their blog, regarding the concerns of sitting too much and some recent research on this topic.

http://blogs.ergotron.com/blog/2011/11/03/theres-a-reason-they-call-it-sitting-disease/

Unfortunately, many of us are stuck long hours sitting at a computer.  Did you know just standing more each day burns extra calories, tones muscles, increases blood flow and ramps up metabolism and increases productivity. Encourage your family and friends to stand-up more.

Here's another new product from Ergotron (not yet released) that will help people stand and sit throughout their day.... and get the creative juices flowing.

Ergotron's Sit-Stand Workstations in Local News

Minnesota's CBS group, WCCO, ran this article and video last night.

Eagan-Based Company and Sit-Stand Desks

In fact, it is just the latest in a long list of news organizations that are singing our song this year. As I've mentioned before, I work for Ergotron (Marketing Creative Director), and its been rewarding seeing our products and creative messages have some impact.

6/16/2011: WCCO News: Eagan-Based Company Cashes In On Sit-Stand Desks
6/16/2011: Star Tribune: New reason not to sit down on the job
6/15/2011: B2B Magazine: The uprising: Just stand! from Ergotron
6/6/2011: Buildings.com: 2011 Top Money-Saving products (See Occupant Wellbeing)
5/25/2011: KARE11 News: Stand up for your health
5/17/2011: KSTP News: FEATURED LINK: 'JustStand'
5/5/2011: Lifehacker.com: How Many Calories Would You Burn If You Switched to a Standing Desk?
5/3/11: Notebooks.com: Standing Desk Guide: Measurements, Examples, Benefits and Ergotron WorkFit-S Review: Standing Desk with Hinged Dual LCD Mount (Video)
3/2011: TwinCities Business Journal: The Big Stretch
2/26/2011: KARE11: Body monitor provides KARE 11 staffers surprising results
1/19/2011: Chrisfreytag.com:  Sitting Around Could Actually Be Killing You - So Stand UP!
1/17/2011: KARE11 News: Motivation Monday: Stand up for your health

The Most Dangerous Thing You'll Do All Day

Interesting article, The Most Dangerous Thing You'll Do All Day

By Bill Phillips and the Editors of Men's Health
Mar 30, 2011

It's very timely given my post from last month and Ergotron's emphasis on standing more. So if you find yourself sitting more than 6 hours a day, get some kind of ergonomic stand-up workstation. A workstation that allows one to sit or stand works best.

I'm working on a new info-graphic that focuses on the 100s of calories burned during the day be simply standing more. Stay tuned.