U.S. patent application number 10/265094 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for ergonomic desk.
Invention is credited to de Oliveira, Sergio Schulte.
Application Number | 20040065235 10/265094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32042399 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040065235 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
de Oliveira, Sergio
Schulte |
April 8, 2004 |
Ergonomic desk
Abstract
An ergonomic desk comprises a work-surface with a cut-out
opening having a ladder-like frame positioned therein. The
ladder-like frame extends from below the work-surface, through the
cut-out opening, and further extends past the work-surface. Left
and right rungs on a first and second ladder structure of the
ladder-like frame, respectively, allow for the adjustable mounting
of a monitor shelf and rung-based additions. The work-surface
comprises an end panel, to which a desk addition may be adjacently
positioned. The ladder-like frame may further comprise a footrest
and a planar backing.
Inventors: |
de Oliveira, Sergio Schulte;
(Jamestown, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William H. Logsdon
Webb Ziesenheim Logsdon Orkin & Hanson
700 Koppers Building
436 Seventh Avenue
Pittsburgh
PA
15219
US
|
Family ID: |
32042399 |
Appl. No.: |
10/265094 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/050.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 037/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ergonomic desk comprising: a work-surface with a cut-out
opening; and a ladder-like frame positioned within the cut-out
opening of the work-surface.
2. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, wherein the ladder-like frame
extends from below the work-surface, through the cut-out opening,
and further extends past the work-surface.
3. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, wherein the work-surface
comprises at least one end panel, the at least one end panel
affixed to the bottom of the work-surface.
4. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, wherein the cut-out opening is
located at the rear of the work-surface.
5. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, wherein the cut-out opening has a
width greater than the width of the ladder-like frame.
6. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, further comprising a
concave-shaped front.
7. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, further comprising a keyboard
tray.
8. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, wherein the ladder-like frame is
comprised of a first ladder structure and a second ladder
structure, the first ladder structure and the second ladder
structure having at least one left rung and at least one right
rung, respectively.
9. The ergonomic desk of claim 8, wherein the first ladder
structure and the second ladder structure are disposed in a
spaced-apart relation, so as to define an open interior
therebetween;
10. The ergonomic desk of claim 9, wherein the first ladder
structure is parallel to the second ladder structure.
11. The ergonomic desk of claim 9, further comprising at least one
of the following: a top shelf, wherein the top shelf is laterally
extended and connected at its opposite ends to the first ladder
structure and to the second ladder structure; a cross-member,
wherein the cross-member is laterally extended and connected at its
opposite ends to the first ladder structure and to the second
ladder structure; a monitor shelf, wherein the monitor shelf is
laterally extended and mountable at its opposite ends to the at
least one left rung and the at least one right rung; and a
footrest.
12. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, wherein the ladder-like frame is
comprised of a first ladder structure and a second ladder
structure, the first ladder structure having a plurality of left
rungs and the second ladder structure having a plurality of right
rungs.
13. The ergonomic desk of claim 12, wherein the first ladder
structure and the second ladder structure are disposed in a
spaced-apart relation, so as to define an open interior
therebetween;
14. The ergonomic desk of claim 13, wherein the first ladder
structure is parallel to the second ladder structure.
15. The ergonomic desk of claim 12, further comprising at least one
of the following: a top shelf, wherein the top shelf is laterally
extended and connected at its opposite ends to the first ladder
structure and to the second ladder structure; a cross-member,
wherein the cross-member is laterally extended and connected at its
opposite ends to the first ladder structure and to the second
ladder structure; a monitor shelf, wherein the monitor shelf is
laterally extended and mountable at its opposite ends to at least
one of the plurality of left rungs and at least one of the
plurality of right rungs; a footrest; and a rung-based
addition.
16. The ergonomic desk of claim 15, wherein the rung-based addition
is mountable to at least one of the plurality of left rungs.
17. The ergonomic desk of claim 15, wherein the rung-based addition
is mountable to at least one of the plurality of right rungs.
18. The ergonomic desk of claim 1, further comprising a
desk-addition.
19. The ergonomic desk of 18, wherein the desk-addition is
comprised of at least one of the following: a computer peripheral
desk-addition, wherein the computer peripheral desk-addition can
support a CPU housing and a printer; a combo desk-addition, wherein
the combo desk-addition can support a CD/DVD ROM rack; a CPU
housing desk-addition, wherein the CPU housing desk-addition can
support the CPU housing; and a dual-cabinet desk-addition, wherein
the dual-cabinet desk-addition can store one or more files.
20. The ergonomic desk of claim 20, wherein the desk-addition is
positioned adjacent to the work-surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a computer workstation and,
more specifically, to a computer desk providing ergonomic
positioning of computer peripherals and ergonomic access to
same.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] It has been widely recognized that many people who work at a
desk for lengthy periods each day suffer back and neck strain,
fatigue, and other discomforts as a result of the non-ergonomic
placement of computer peripherals and accessories in relation to a
working person's seating position. This concern for the health of
users occupying computer workstations has resulted in the
establishment of minimal ergonomic standards. Protecting the
eyesight, posture, arms, and fingers of workstation users was
recognized as being in the best interest of the employers, as it
can lead to a more productive work force with greater longevity and
less down time due to disability, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Additionally, the implications of physical injury could prove to be
costly in the form of lawsuits and legal settlements.
[0005] A computer's primary components, namely, a CPU housing, a
monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse, have retained relatively the same
physical dimensions for years, without emphasizing ergonomics in
their design. This has resulted in manufacturers producing
ergonomic computer desk furniture to accommodate such components.
Typical workstations providing features directed towards ergonomic
use in relation to these components are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,298,794 to Brown et. al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,902 to Grosch.
Although these prior art computer workstations provide a user with
some flexibility in placement and use of the components, the prior
art suffers from drawbacks, in that sacrifices are made in terms of
available desktop and storage space, ease of access to
computer-related peripherals (e.g., printers), accessories (e.g.,
CD/DVD-ROM discs), and printed matter (e.g., manuals), etc. For
example, the '794 patent does not provide enough desktop and
storage space to support more than a keyboard and mouse. Similarly,
the '902 patent, although disclosing adjustable height settings for
the keyboard and the monitor, also includes shelving that requires
the user to uncomfortably stretch upwards and downwards to access
the CPU housing and printer, for example. Additionally, prior art
computer workstations incorporating ergonomic elements into their
design have not been viewed as aesthetically pleasing office
furniture.
[0006] Accordingly, what is needed and has not heretofore been
developed is an ergonomic computer desk having an uncompromising,
aesthetic, and intuitive configuration, thereby providing the user
with ergonomic access to the computer and any related peripherals,
accessories, and printed matter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the
aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. The present invention
provides, in a preferred embodiment, a computer desk, which allows
for more efficient workflow, by applying basic ergonomic and human
factor principles to its design. In addition to minimizing the
user's efforts required in reaching items upon or within the desk
structure, the computer desk allows the user to adjust the monitor
height by utilizing an intuitive and versatile ladder-like frame
structure.
[0008] The objects of the present invention are achieved by
providing a computer desk structure including a work surface having
an opening therein. A ladder-like frame is positioned in the
opening with the ladder-like frame extending from a floor below the
work surface, through the opening, and further extending past the
work surface. Shelves may be attached to opposing rungs of the
ladder-like frame for supporting various items, such as a computer
monitor or a CD/DVD-ROM library. By having the option of attaching
the shelves to various rungs, the ladder-like frame allows for
monitor height adjustability. Similarly, smaller shelves and/or
cabinets may be attached outwardly to individual rungs of the
ladder-like frame. The smaller shelves and/or cabinets may support
various items, such as a pair of computer speakers. Additionally, a
footrest may be attached at the base of the ladder-like frame to
provide the user with proper foot posture.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to maximize
free space on the work surface while placing components within easy
reach of the user. This is accomplished by making the footprint of
the desk concave-shaped and by positioning shelves and cabinets
throughout the desk structure in an ergonomic manner. Raised
shelves above the work surface provide additional storage areas
without interfering with the free space on the work surface.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
the user with optimal degrees of wrist abduction/adduction and
forearm supination/pronation in the use of the computer desk.
[0011] The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises
floor-based desk additions that may be positioned at either end of
the work surface. These variously configured desk additions
include, but are not limited to, cabinets, drawers, and shelving.
The aforementioned additions are adapted to accommodate a wide
variety of computing and desk essentials, while placing such
essentials within ergonomic reach of the user. For example,
placement of the CPU housing on top of a designated cabinet and
placement of the printer on a designated shelf reduces strain to
the user's wrist, arms, and back when accessing such components and
peripherals.
[0012] An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes
a planar surface extending the vertical length of the ladder-like
frame and being affixed thereto, wherein the planar surface is
designed to aesthetically route cables and wires leading to and
from the computer components and peripherals.
[0013] These and other advantages of the present invention will be
understood from the description of the preferred embodiment taken
together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals represent like elements throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ergonomic computer desk
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with
a computer peripheral desk-addition and a combo desk-addition;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ladder-like frame with a
monitor shelf, supporting a monitor thereon;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ergonomic computer desk
according to a first alternative embodiment of the present
invention, without any desk additions;
[0018] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the ergonomic computer desk
according to a second alternative embodiment of the present
invention, with a CPU housing desk-addition and a dual-cabinet
desk-addition;
[0019] FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a first work surface and
desk addition configuration;
[0020] FIG. 4c is a perspective view of a second work surface and
desk addition configuration; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first alternative
embodiment of a ladder-like frame, with a backing affixed to the
ladder-like frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms
"front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "vertical",
"horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be
understood that the invention may assume various alternative
variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is
also to be understood that the specific apparatus illustrated in
the attached drawings, and described in the following
specification, is simply an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics
related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be
considered as limiting.
[0023] An ergonomic computer desk 10 according to the present
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. The ergonomic computer desk
10 includes a work surface 30 having a cut-out opening 31 therein.
The opening 31 is sized to accommodate a ladder-like frame 20. Once
vertically positioned within the opening 31 of the work surface 30,
the ladder-like frame 20 extends from a floor below the work
surface 30, through the opening 31, and further extends past the
work surface 30. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1,
the ergonomic computer desk 10 also includes a computer peripheral
desk-addition 33a and a combo desk-addition 33b.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, work surface 30 has a
concave-shaped footprint in relation to the area where a user is
seated (e.g., a front portion of the work surface). Work surface 30
is supported by a left end panel 32a and a right end panel 32b,
both perpendicularly affixed to the underside of work surface 30
and extending to the floor. The rear portion of work surface 30 has
a cut-out opening 31 larger in area than the length and width of
the ladder-like frame 20 in an upright position, to accommodate the
ladder-like frame 20 therein. Work surface 30 is designed to allow
desk-additions, such as a computer peripheral desk-addition 33a and
a combo desk-addition 33b, to be positioned adjacent the peripheral
desk-addition 33a and a combo desk-addition 33b, to be positioned
adjacent the opposing end panels 32a and 32b, respectively.
Optionally, a keyboard tray 17, to accommodate a keyboard 18
therein, may be attached to the underside of work-surface 30.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 and continuing reference to
FIG. 1, the ladder-like frame 20 is comprised of left and right
ladder structures 22a and 22b, which are disposed in a
parallel-spaced relation to each other, to define an open interior
37 therebetween. The left and right ladder structures 22a and 22b
include left and right rungs 24a and 24b, respectively. A top shelf
21 and a cross-member 27 are laterally extended and connected at
their opposite ends to the left and right ladder structures 22a and
22b, thereby defining the respective top and bottom boundaries of
the interior 37. Rungs 24a and 24b of left and right ladder
structures 22a and 22b may support a variety of rung-based
additions, such as a monitor shelf 25, a right and left leaf shelf
26a and 26b, and a cabinet shelf 28. For example, the opposite ends
of the monitor shelf 25 are mountable to any lateral pair of left
and right rungs 24a and 24b, respectively. Therefore, the monitor
shelf 25 may be set at a user-selected level or height within the
interior 37 of the ladder-like frame 20, providing the user with
adjustable viewing heights for the monitor 12. The right and left
leaf shelf 26a and 26b and cabinet shelf 28 may accommodate
computer peripherals and accessories such as computer speakers and
CD/DVD-ROMs, as shown in a first alternative embodiment of the
ergonomic computer desk 10 in FIG. 3. The user may substitute the
right leaf shelf 26b of FIG. 1 with the cabinet shelf 28 from FIG.
3, for example, to realize various configurations of these
rung-based additions. Furthermore, the user may add a plurality of
leaf shelves on the left and right rungs 24a and 24b, as shown in a
second alternative embodiment of the ergonomic computer desk 10 in
FIG. 4a. Additionally, top shelf 21 may also be utilized for
miscellaneous storage space to further maximize available free
space on work-surface 30. A footrest 23 may be positioned at the
base of the ladder-like frame 20 at an angle conducive to ergonomic
placement of the user's feet.
[0026] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the desk-additions may
be positioned adjacent to the corresponding end panels of
work-surface 30. For example, the computer peripheral desk-addition
33a is positioned adjacent to the left end panel 32a, whereas the
combo desk-addition 33b is positioned adjacent to the right end
panel 32b. A printer shelf 34a, of the computer peripheral
desk-addition 33a, may be attached to the work-surface 30 to
provide an increase in stability and/or weight support. By
positioning the computer peripheral desk-addition 33a and the combo
desk-addition 33b flush with the left and right sides of the
work-surface 30, the concave-shaped footprint of the ergonomic
computer desk 10 in relation to the desk-additions is also
increased. This provides the user with greater ergonomic access to
computer components, peripherals, accessories, printed matter,
supported or stored by the desk-additions. The computer peripheral
desk-addition 33a is comprised of the printer shelf 34a supported
by a plurality of first uprights 35a vertically connected to a
first file cabinet 36a. This design allows for the ergonomic
placement and access to a CPU housing 14 on top of the first file
cabinet 36a and a printer 16 on top of the printer shelf 34a. The
combo desk-addition 33b is comprised of a CD/DVD-ROM shelf 34b
supported by a plurality of second uprights 35b vertically
connected to a second file cabinet 36b. The CD/DVD-ROM shelf 34b
includes a CD/DVD-ROM rack 38 for storing the user's CD/DVD-ROM
library. Room between the CD/DVD-ROM shelf 34b and the second file
cabinet 36b may be used for miscellaneous storage space to further
maximize available free space on work-surface 30.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and continuing reference
to FIG. 1, the ergonomic computer desk 10 may embody various
configurations to fit the particular needs of the user. For
example, FIG. 3 illustrates the ergonomic computer desk according
to a first alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein
work-surface 30 lacks the keyboard tray 17 and does not include any
attached desk additions, such as first file cabinet 36a and second
file cabinet 36b. This results in the keyboard 18 being located
atop the work-surface 30 and the CPU housing being situated on the
floor, adjacent to the work-surface 30. Alternatively, FIG. 4a
illustrates the ergonomic computer desk according to a second
alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein a CPU
housing desk-addition 33c is substituted for the left end panel 32a
and a dual-cabinet desk-addition 33d is positioned at the opposite
end of the work-surface 30. FIGS. 4b and 4c illustrate various
designs of work-surface 30 in combination with various designs of
desk additions.
[0028] Similarly, the ladder-like frame 20 may also assume various
configurations resulting from modifications made to its structural
components. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates a first alternative
embodiment of a ladder-like frame 40 comprised of a curved left
ladder structure 42a and a curved right ladder structure 42b
affixed to a planar backing 45. The planar backing extends the
vertical length of the rear of the ladder-like frame 40, connected
by the top of the curved left ladder structure 42a, the top of the
curved right ladder structure 42b, the left and right rungs 24a and
24b, and a left and right board rung 44a and 44b. In this
embodiment, the monitor shelf 25 may also be mounted on the left
and right board rungs 44a and 44b. The planar backing 45 preferably
includes one or more holes 43, thereby allowing cables and wires
leading to and from the monitor 12, CPU housing 14, printer 16,
keyboard 18, and other peripherals to be aesthetically routed
therethrough. The footrest 23 may be positioned at the base of the
first alternative embodiment of a ladder-like frame 40.
[0029] The present invention has been described with reference to
the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications, combinations, and
alterations will occur to others upon reading the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications, combinations, and
alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *