U.S. patent application number 10/302322 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-20 for multi-position keyboard and display station.
Invention is credited to Fabian, Louis M..
Application Number | 20040094072 10/302322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32298013 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040094072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fabian, Louis M. |
May 20, 2004 |
Multi-position keyboard and display station
Abstract
A multi-position keyboard and display station is disclosed. The
station can include an overhead mounting mechanism, a display
mounting mechanism, and a keyboard mounting mechanism. The overhead
mounting mechanism fixes the station overhead, and can include a
vertical beam. The display mounting mechanism is receptive to a
display, is connected to the overhead mounting mechanism, and is
horizontally and vertically rotatable. The display mounting
mechanism can include a plate on which the display is fixably
mounted, and a right-angled bracket connecting the plate to the
vertical beam. The keyboard mounting mechanism is receptive to a
keyboard, is connected to the display mounting mechanism, and is
adjustable up and down and to and from relative to the display
mounting mechanism. The keyboard mounting mechanism can include a
plate on which the keyboard is mounted, and an extendable plate
that connects this plate to the plate of the display mounting
mechanism.
Inventors: |
Fabian, Louis M.; (Solomons,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Matthew J. Bussan, Esq.
NSWCDD (XDC1)
Dahlgren
VA
22448-5100
US
|
Family ID: |
32298013 |
Appl. No.: |
10/302322 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/10 20130101;
G06F 1/16 20130101; F16M 2200/041 20130101; F16M 11/2064
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/050.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 037/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A multi-position keyboard and display station comprising: an
overhead mounting mechanism to fix the station overhead; a display
mounting mechanism receptive to a display, connected to the
overhead mounting mechanism, and rotatable horizontally and
vertically; and, a keyboard mounting mechanism receptive to a
keyboard, connected to the display mounting mechanism, and
adjustable up and down and to and from relative to the display
mounting mechanism.
2. The station of claim 1, wherein the overhead mounting mechanism
comprises a vertical beam having a plate at an end thereof for
fixing the station overhead.
3. The station of claim 1, wherein the display mounting mechanism
comprises a plate on which the display is fixably mounted.
4. The station of claim 1, wherein the display mounting mechanism
comprises a first joint to provide for horizontal rotation thereof
and a second joint to provide for vertical rotation thereof.
5. The station of claim 1, wherein the display mounting mechanism
is substantially rotatable horizontally through 45 degrees, and is
substantially rotatable vertically through 45 degrees.
6. The station of claim 1, wherein the keyboard mounting mechanism
comprises a plate with a lower lip, the keyboard placed on the
plate and resting against the lower lip.
7. The station of claim 1, wherein the keyboard mounting mechanism
comprises a plurality of arm joints to realize adjustability up and
down and to and from relative to the display mounting
mechanism.
8. The station of claim 7, wherein two of the plurality of arm
joints are substantially rotatable through 180 degrees.
9. The station of claim 7, wherein one of the plurality of arm
joints is substantially rotatable through 150 degrees.
10. The station of claim 1, wherein the keyboard mounting mechanism
provides for extension of the keyboard up to substantially thirty
inches from the display mounting mechanism.
11. A multi-position keyboard and display station comprising: a
vertical beam to fix the station overhead; a first plate on which a
display is fixably mounted; a right-angled bracket connecting the
plate to the vertical beam, the bracket connected to the vertical
beam at a first joint providing for vertical rotation of the first
plate and connected to the first plate at a second joint provide
for horizontal rotation of the first plate; a second plate on which
a keyboard is mounted; and, an extendable arm connecting the second
plate to the first plate, the extendable arm having a plurality of
rotatable joints providing for adjustment of the second plate up
and down and to and from relative to the second plate.
12. The station of claim 11, further comprising a third plate at an
end of the vertical beam to fix the station overhead.
13. The station of claim 11, wherein the first joint of the
right-angled bracket is substantially rotatable horizontally
through 45 degrees, and the second joint of the right-angled
bracket is substantially rotatable vertically through 45
degrees.
14. The station of claim 11, wherein two of the plurality of
rotatable joints of the extendable arm are substantially rotatable
through 180 degrees.
15. The station of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of
rotatable joints of the extendable arm is substantially rotatable
through 180 degrees.
16. A multi-position keyboard and display station comprising: means
for fixing the station overhead; means for horizontal and vertical
rotation of a display, connected to the means for fixing the
station overhead; and, means for horizontal and vertical rotation
of a keyboard, connected to the means for horizontal and vertical
rotation of the display.
17. The station of claim 16, wherein the means for fixing the
display station overhead comprises a vertical beam having a plate
at an end thereof for fixing the station overhead.
18. The station of claim 16, wherein the means for horizontal and
vertical rotation of the display comprises: a plate on which the
display is fixably mounted; a first joint to provide for horizontal
rotation of the display; and, a second joint to provide for
vertical rotation of the display.
19. The station of claim 16, wherein the means for horizontal and
vertical rotation of the keyboard comprises: a plate with a lower
lip, the keyboard placed on the plate and resting against the lower
lip; and, a plurality of arm joints to realize adjustability up and
down and to and from relative to the means for horizontal and
vertical rotation of the display.
20. The station of claim 19, wherein two of the plurality of arm
joints are substantially rotatable through 180 degrees and one of
the plurality of arm joints is substantially rotatable through 150
degrees.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to stations for keyboards
and displays of computers, and more particularly to such stations
that provide for multiple positions of the keyboards and the
displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Computers were originally very large, requiring complete
rooms to house them. In the last twenty to thirty years, however,
they have significantly shrunk in size. A typical microcomputer now
only needs a flat surface for placement. The display and keyboard,
for instance, is usually placed on the flat surface, such as a
desktop, and the main cabinet of the computer can be placed
underneath the flat surface. Laptop and notebook computers are even
smaller, and require less room for usage.
[0003] However, most computers are still designed for a somewhat
optimal environment. A desktop computer, for instance, more or less
assumes that the flat surface on which the keyboard and display are
placed will not be subject to movement that may cause them to move
or fall. Even portable computers, like laptop and notebook
computers, seemingly assume that they will not be subjected to
jarring movements when these computers are being operated.
[0004] The utility and increasing necessity of computers in
unorthodox environments, however, finds them being used in
less-optimal environments. As one example, on seagoing vessels like
ships, computers are subjected to the same motions that the water
subjects the ship. Keyboards and displays of such computers that
are not fixed may become damaged as they move to and fro with the
waves, for example. For this and other reasons, there is a need for
the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention relates to a multi-position keyboard and
display station. In one embodiment, the station includes an
overhead mounting mechanism, a display mounting mechanism, and a
keyboard mounting mechanism. The overhead mounting mechanism fixes
the station overhead. The display mounting mechanism is receptive
to a display, is connected to the overhead mounting mechanism, and
is horizontally and vertically rotatable. The keyboard mounting
mechanism is receptive to a keyboard, is connected to the display
mounting mechanism, and is adjustable up and down and to and from
relative to the display mounting mechanism.
[0006] In a more specific embodiment, the overhead mounting
mechanism includes a vertical beam to fix the station overhead. The
display mounting mechanism in this embodiment includes a plate on
which the display is fixably mounted, and a right-angled bracket
connecting the plate to the vertical beam. The bracket is connected
to the vertical beam at a first joint that provides for vertical
rotation of the plate. The bracket is connected to the plate at a
second joint that provides for horizontal rotation of the plate.
The keyboard mounting mechanism includes a plate and an extendable
arm. The keyboard is mounted on the plate. The extendable arm
connects the plate of the keyboard mounting mechanism to the plate
of the display mounting mechanism. The extendable arm has a number
of rotatable joints providing for adjustment of the plate of the
keyboard mounting mechanism up and down and to and from relative to
the plate of the display mounting mechanism.
[0007] Embodiments of the invention provide for advantages over the
prior art. The multi-position station allows for the keyboard and
the display of a computer to be secured in a high-motion space,
such as the inside of a ship or other vessel. The station does not
take up desk space, and is quite compact, which is advantageous
where space is at a premium. Further, the multi-position nature of
the station allows for the display and the keyboard to be situated
for a number of different users, to allow users of different sizes
to still use the keyboard and view the display comfortably. Still
other advantages, aspects, and embodiments of the invention will
become apparent by reading the detailed description that follows,
and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings referenced herein form a part of the
specification. Features shown in the drawing are meant as
illustrative of only some embodiments of the invention, and not of
all embodiments of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly
indicated, and implications to the contrary are otherwise not to be
made.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a perspective view of the backside of
a multi-position keyboard and display station, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a perspective view of the front-side
of a multi-position keyboard and display station, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a side view of a multi-position
keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a front view of a multi-position
keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a top view of a multi-position
keyboard and display station, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the following detailed description of exemplary
embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention
may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical,
mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0015] FIGS. 1-5 show various views of a multi-position keyboard
and display station 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the invention. Whereas the backside perspective view of the station
100 in FIG. 1 shows all features of the station 100, the other
views of the station 100, in FIGS. 2-5, do not show all the
features of the station 100. Therefore, whereas the station 100 is
described herein without any reference to particular of FIGS. 1-5,
it is to be understood that the features described are all depicted
in FIG. 1, and may also be depicted on one or more of FIGS.
2-5.
[0016] An overhead mounting mechanism of the station 100 that fixes
the station 100 overhead, such as to a ceiling, includes the
vertical beam, or bar, 102, and the plate 104. The vertical beam
102 thus has the plate 104 at an end thereof for fixing the station
100 overhead. The overhead mounting mechanism can be considered the
means for fixing the station 100 overhead in one embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] A display mounting mechanism of the station 100 is receptive
to a display 110, such as a computer monitor, is connected to the
overhead mounting mechanism, and is rotatable both horizontally and
vertically. The display mounting mechanism includes the plate 106
on which the display 110 is preferably fixably mounted. The display
mounting mechanism can thus include in one embodiment one or more
brackets, such as the bracket 112, to mount the display 110 to the
plate 106. A series of counterweights 108 can be included in one
embodiment to offset the weight of the display 110. The display
mounting mechanism can be considered the means for horizontal and
vertical rotation of the display 110 in one embodiment of the
invention, connected to the means for fixing the station 100
overhead.
[0018] The display mounting mechanism thus includes a right-angled
bracket 114 that connects the plate 106 to the narrow part of the
vertical beam 102. One joint, indicated by the pin 116, connects
the bracket 114 to the vertical beam 102, whereas another joint,
indicated by the pin 118, connects the bracket 114 to the plate
106. Loosening the pin 116 allows the plate 106, and thus the
display 110, to be rotated vertically to a desired position, at
which point the pin 116 is again tightened. Similarly, loosening
the pin 118 allows the plate 106, and thus the display 110, to be
rotated horizontally to a desired position, at which point the pin
118 is again tightened. Preferably, both joints are rotatably
through 45 degrees: the joint signified by the pin 116 rotatable
vertically through 45 degrees, and the joint signified by the pin
118 rotatable horizontally through 45 degrees.
[0019] A keyboard mounting mechanism of the station 100 is
receptive to a keyboard 130, which can include a pointing device
like a trackball as indicated in at least some of FIGS. 1-5. The
keyboard mounting mechanism is connected to the display mounting
mechanism, and is adjustable up and down and to and from relative
to the display mounting mechanism. The keyboard mounting mechanism
includes an extendable arm 120. The arm 120 includes rotatable
joints 122, 124, and 126. The rotatable joint 122 specifically
connects the arm 120 to the plate 106 of the display mounting
mechanism, whereas the rotatable joint 126 specifically connects
the arm 120 to a plate 128 of the keyboard mounting mechanism on
which the keyboard 130 can loosely or fixably be mounted or
otherwise rest, where the term mounted is used in an
all-encompassing and general sense in this regard. For instance,
the plate 106 may include a lip against which the keyboard 130 may
rest. Finally, the rotatable joint 124 connects the two segments of
the arm 120. Preferably, the pins 116 and 118, and the joints 122,
124, and 126, each lock in place, and further meet the requirements
of MIL-S-901D, as can be appreciated by those skilled within the
art.
[0020] Thus, the rotatable joints 122, 124, and 126 allow for
realization of the adjustability of the keyboard mounting mechanism
to move up and down and to and from relative to the display
mounting mechanism. The joints 122 and 124 preferably can be
rotated through 180 degrees, whereas the joint 126 preferably can
rotate through 150 degrees. As such, desirably the keyboard
mounting mechanism is such that the keyboard 130 can be extended up
to substantially thirty inches away from the display mounting
mechanism, and specifically the end of the plate 106 on which the
display 110 is fixably mounted. The keyboard mounting mechanism can
be considered the means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the
keyboard 130 in one embodiment of the invention, connected to the
means for horizontal and vertical rotation of the display 110.
[0021] Operation of the multi-position keyboard and display station
100 is as follows. The display 110 can be adjusted by loosening the
pin 116 and the pin 118, to vertically rotate and horizontally
rotate, respectively, the display 110 so that the user can
comfortably view the display 110, after which the pins 116 and 118
are again tightened. The arm 120 can then be moved--effectuating
rotation of the joints 122, 124, and/or 126 to ensure that the
keyboard 130 is at a comfortable distance from the display 110, and
is at a comfortable height, for the user. Thus, the user is able to
maneuver the display 110 and the keyboard 130 such that computer
usage is comfortable for him or her.
[0022] It is noted that, although specific embodiments have been
illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those
of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement is calculated to
achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific
embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it
is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the
claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *