U.S. patent application number 10/941231 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation and method of using same.
Invention is credited to Gary Coonan, Brian B. Johnson.
Application Number | 20060054751 10/941231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36032870 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060054751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Brian B. ; et
al. |
March 16, 2006 |
Vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation and method of
using same
Abstract
Mobile computer workstations must be sufficiently large in order
to be stable, but small enough to be easily maneuverable through a
work place. A vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of
the present disclosure includes a pole rotatably attached to a base
supported by a plurality of rotatable members. The pole includes a
first arm rotatably attached to a second arm. A computer support is
attached to the second arm and is moveable between a sitting user
position and a standing user position, at least in part, by
pivoting the arms of the pole with respect to one another and the
moveable base.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Brian B.; (Antioch,
TN) ; Coonan; Gary; (Murfreesboro, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael B. McNeil;Liell & McNeil Attorneys PC
P.O. Box 2417
Bloomington
IN
47402
US
|
Family ID: |
36032870 |
Appl. No.: |
10/941231 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/123.11 ;
248/280.11; 248/919 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/38 20130101;
F16M 13/00 20130101; F16M 2200/063 20130101; F16M 11/42 20130101;
F16M 2200/044 20130101; A47B 9/00 20130101; F16M 2200/024 20130101;
F16M 11/2092 20130101; F16M 11/24 20130101; F16M 11/2021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/123.11 ;
248/280.11; 248/919 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation, comprising:
a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members; a pole being
attached to the base and including a first arm connected to a
second arm; and the first and second arms including a rotational
coupling being operable such that rotation of one of the first and
second arms results in rotation of the other of the first and
second arms, with respect to the base.
2. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 1
wherein the first arm being rotatably attached to the base.
3. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 1
including a neutral support mechanism operably coupled to at least
one of the first arm and the second arm.
4. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 3
wherein the neutral support mechanism includes at least one
pneumatic spring coupled between the base and the first arm.
5. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 1
including a head assembly including a computer support being
attached to the second arm of the pole, the arms being operable to
move the computer support between a sitting user position and a
standing user position.
6. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 5
wherein the sitting user position and standing user position being
a first and second distance from a center vertical line extending
through the base, respectively; and the first distance being
greater than or equal to the second distance.
7. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 5
wherein the head assembly moves along a line between the standing
user position and the sitting user position.
8. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 1
wherein rotational coupling includes the first arm being operably
coupled to the second arm via at least one gear set.
9. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim 8
wherein the first arm and the second arm include identical lengths,
and the at least one gear set includes a gear ratio of 1:1.
10. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim
1 wherein the pole includes a third arm, and the rotational
coupling being operable such that rotation of one of the second and
third arms results in a rotation of the other of the second and
third arms.
11. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim
1 including at least one computer workstation accessory positioned
adjacent to a connector assembly connecting the second arm to the
first arm.
12. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim
1 wherein the base includes a stability enhancer including a weight
being suspended from the base.
13. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim
12 wherein the weight includes a battery; the first arm being
rotatably attached to the base; the rotational coupling includes
the first arm being operably coupled to the second arm via at least
one gear set including a gear ratio of 1:1, and the first arm and
the second arm include identical lengths; at least one neutral
support mechanism operably coupled between the moveable base and
the first arm, and including at least one pneumatic spring; a head
assembly including a computer support being attached to the second
arm of the pole, the arms being operable to rotate the computer
support between a sitting user position and a standing user
position along a line; and at least one computer workstation
accessory being positioned adjacent to a connector assembly
connecting the second arm to the first arm.
14. A method of using the vertically-adjustable computer
workstation of claim 1, comprising the steps of: coupling a head
assembly including a computer support to base via the pole, which
has multiple arms that include the first and second arms coupled to
rotate with one another; and moving the computer support between a
sitting user position and a standing user position, at least in
part, by pivoting the first and second arms of the pole with
respect to the base.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of moving includes a
step of moving the computer support along a line when moving
between the sitting user position and the standing user
position.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of moving includes a
step of moving the computer support away from a vertical line
through a center of the base when moving from the standing user
position to the sitting user position.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of moving includes a
step of controlling a rate of movement of the arms, at least in
part, by setting a gear ratio of at least one gear set operably
coupling the arms to one another.
18. The method of claim 14 including a step suspending a battery
underneath the base.
19. A vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation,
comprising: a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members; a
pole being attached to the base and including a first arm connected
to a second arm, and the first and second arms being rotatable with
response to the base; and at least one neutral support mechanism
operably coupled between the base and the first arm.
20. The vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation of claim
19 wherein the neutral support mechanism includes at least one
pneumatic spring; a head assembly including a computer support
being attached to the second arm of the pole and the arms being
operable to move the computer support between a sitting user
position and a standing user position along a line; the first arm
being rotatably attached to the base and operably coupled to the
second arm via at least one gear set including a gear ratio of 1:1;
the first arm and the second arm including identical lengths; and
the base including a stability enhancer including a battery being
suspended underneath the base.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to computer
workstations, and more particularly to a vertically-adjustable
mobile computer workstation and a method of using same.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the growing dependence on computers, mobile computer
workstations have been developed so that employees have access to
computers away from their desks or work stations. For instance, in
hospitals, nurses or technicians can transport mobile computer
workstations between patients' rooms while making their rounds, and
thus, continually update patients' treatment records. However,
unlike stationary computer workstations at which the user is
generally sitting, the user of a mobile computer workstation may be
either sitting or standing. Thus, in order to assure that the
computer monitor to be comfortably used by either sitting or
standing users, the computer workstation should be
vertically-adjustable.
[0003] A mobile computer workstation described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,394,402 B2, issued to Coonan et al., on May 28, 2002, is
vertically-adjustable between a sitting and a standing user
position. A pole couples a computer support, to which a computer
can be attached, to a wheeled base. The pole includes a first arm
moveable attached to a stationary arm that is attached to the base.
The computer support is attached to move with the moveable arm. The
first arm moves about the stationary arm along an arc between the
standing user position and the sitting user position. When in the
standing position, the computer support, and an attached computer,
is at a greater vertical distance from the base than when in the
sitting user position. Thus, because the center of gravity of the
workstation is higher in the standing user position, a workstation
is generally less stable in the standing user position than in the
sitting user position.
[0004] In order to increase stability in the standing user
position, the Coonan workstation positions the computer support,
and thus, the weight of the attached computer, close to a vertical
line extending through the center of the base. Thus, when in the
standing user position, the weight of a computer attached to the
computer support is centered over the base, thereby increasing the
stability of the workstation.
[0005] Although the vertically-adjustable computer workstation
described above has been designed to increase stability in the
standing user position, when in the sitting user position, the
computer support, and an attached computer, is off center with the
base. Because of the lopsided nature of the computer workstation
when in the sitting user position, a larger base may be needed to
stabilize the computer workstation. The larger base can make
maneuvering the computer workstation through the work place and
accessing the computer during operation more difficult.
[0006] The present disclosure is directed at overcoming one or more
of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a
vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation includes a pole
attached to a base that is supported by a plurality of rotatable
members. The pole includes a first arm that is connected to a
second arm. The first and second arms include a rotational coupling
that is operable such that rotation of one of the first and second
arms results in rotation of the other of the first and second arms
with respect to the base.
[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a
vertically-adjustable computer workstation is used by coupling a
head assembly that includes a computer support to a moveable base
via a pole with multiple arms at least two of which are coupled to
rotate with one another. The computer support is moved between a
sitting user position and a standing user position, at least in
part, by pivoting the at least two arms of the pole with respect to
the moveable base.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
vertically-adjustable computer workstation includes a pole that is
attached to a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members.
The pole includes a first arm that is connected to a second arm.
The first and second arms are rotatable with respect to the base.
At least one neutral support mechanism is operably coupled between
the base and the first arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a computer workstation with a
computer support being in a standing user position, according to a
preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side sectioned side view of the computer
workstation of FIG. 1 with the computer support being in a sitting
user position;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectioned side view of a
rotational coupling of the computer workstation of FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer
workstation, according to a first alternative embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a pole of a computer
workstation, according to a second alternative embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer
workstation, according to a third alternative embodiment of the
present disclosure; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a head assembly of a computer
workstation, according to a fourth alternative embodiment of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a vertically-adjustable
mobile computer workstation 10 with a computer support in a
standing user position 20b, according to the preferred embodiment
of the present disclosure. The computer workstation 10 includes a
base 12 to which a pole 13 is attached. The base 12 is supported by
a plurality of rotatable members 14. Although the present
disclosure contemplates the base being of various shapes, including
star-shaped, and including any number of rotatable members, the
base 12 is preferably rectangular and is supported by four
rotatable members, each positioned at a corner of the rectangular
base 12. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that between 3
and 6 rotatable members provides for a more stable computer
workstation 10. However, too many or too large of rotatable members
can limit the maneuverability of the workstation through the work
place. The rotatable members 14 are illustrated as rollers, but
could be any suitable support members, such as spherical rotatable
supports. The rotatable members can, but need not necessarily,
include a locking mechanism known in the art for temporarily
locking the rotatable member 14 against rotation. The base 12
preferably includes a stability enhancer 15 that includes a weight
being suspended from the base 12. The weight is suspended
underneath the base 12 in order to lower the center of gravity of
the workstation 10. Although the weight can vary, the weight
preferably includes a battery 16. Thus, the stability enhancer 15
is preferably a storage compartment for the battery 16 that not
only increases the stability of the workstation 10 by lowering the
center of gravity of the computer workstation 10, but also provides
battery storage, reducing or eliminating the need for cumbersome
power cords. The battery 16 can be electronically connected to a
laptop type computer or in the case of a traditional computer, the
monitor or the keyboard in any conventional manner, such as via a
power cord concealed in pole 13.
[0018] The pole 13 includes a first arm 11 that is rotatably
attached to a second arm 17 via a connector assembly 36. The first
and second arms 11 and 17 include a rotational coupling 18 (shown
in detail in FIG. 3) that is operable such that rotation of one of
the first and second arms 11 and 17 results in rotation of the
other of the first and second arms 11 and 17. Preferably, the
computer workstation 10 includes at least one computer workstation
accessory 39, such as the illustrated retractable power cord reel,
adjacent to the connector assembly 36, and attached to a casing 33
that has a fixed horizontal orientation and surrounds the connector
assembly 36. It should be appreciated that the casing 33 around the
connector assembly 36 could provide a storage area for various
other computer work station accessories, such as a mouse or a
basket.
[0019] Each arm 11 and 17 preferably includes an inner longitudinal
segment 11a and 17a that is partially positioned within an outer
longitudinal segment 11b and 17b. Each inner segment 11a and 17a is
the same length as the corresponding outer segment 11b and 17b. The
inner segment 11a and the outer segment 11b of the first arm 11 are
rotabaly attached to the base 12 via a first pair of pivotjoints
38a and 38b, respectively. A computer support 20 (shown in FIG. 2)
of a head assembly 19 is attached to the inner segment 17a and the
outer segment 17b of the second arm 17 via a second pair of pivot
joints 50a and 50b (shown in FIG. 2), respectively. The arms 11 and
17 are operable to move the computer support 20 between a sitting
user position 20a (shown in FIG. 2) and the standing user position
20b (as illustrated in FIG. 1). The standing user position 20b is
to accommodate a standing computer user, and the sitting user
position 20a is to accommodate a sitting computer user. Thus, the
computer support 20 in the standing user position 20b is at a
greater vertical distance from the base 12 than the computer
support 20 in the sitting user position 20a.
[0020] The illustrated head assembly 19 is adapted for a laptop
computer and includes one drawer 23 and a handle 37 that can be
used for pulling the workstation from place to place and for
vertical adjustment of the workstation 10. The head assembly 19
includes a platform 21 on which a computer keyboard portion can be
positioned and an adjustable monitor rest 22 on which a computer
monitor portion can rest. The monitor rest 22 is attached to the
platform 21 in a manner that allows the orientation of the monitor
portion of the laptop computer to be adjusted to a desired viewing
position and stabilize the computer on the workstation 10. When not
in use, the monitor rest 22 can also be move to a closed position
and locked in order to prevent unwanted removal of the computer.
The present invention contemplates various sizes of head assemblies
to fit various sizes of computers and head assemblies including
more than one platform to provide more work space. It should be
appreciated that the head assembly 19 could include various
accessories, such as a recessed keyboard platform and additional
drawers. In addition, head assemblies that are adapted to fit
cathode ray tube style computer monitors and flat screen monitor
computers could be attached to the pole 13.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectioned side
view of the computer workstation 10 with the computer support 20 in
the sitting user position 20a. It should be appreciated that FIG. 2
illustrates the computer workstation 10 without the head assembly
19 attached to the pole 13 via the computer support 20. A neutral
support mechanism 25 is operably coupled between the base 12 and
the first arm 11, and allows the computer support 20 to be
positioned at any desired distance between a pre-set maximum and
minimum above the base 12. The neutral support mechanism 25
preferably uses an internal force producing device and friction to
allow the computer workstation 10 to be continuously stoppable
between the pre-set maximum and minimum distances. While the
present disclosure has been illustrated utilizing a continuously
stoppable device, it should be appreciated that the support device
could alternatively be a detented device, or other device, that
would allow the first arm 11 to stop at a plurality of preset
vertical positions between the maximum and minimum distance from
the base 12. Further, the present disclosure contemplates at least
one additional neutral support mechanism being coupled between the
first arm 11 and the second arm 17. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that a computer workstation with a neutral support
mechanism for both arms 17 and 11 would not require the rotational
coupling 18 between the arms 11 and 17. Each neutral support
mechanism could be adjusted to establish the force required to move
each arm.
[0022] The neutral support mechanism 25 preferably includes two
pneumatic springs 26 (only one spring shown) positioned adjacent to
one another and coupled between the base 12 and the first arm 11.
However, the present disclosure contemplates any number of
pneumatic springs, including only one, and the spring being a
hydraulic spring or any adjustable force producing device. Each
pneumatic spring 26 includes a rod 27 and a cylinder 30. The rod 27
includes a first end positioned within the cylinder 30 and a second
end attached to the base 12. The rod 27 and the cylinder 30 are
capable of producing a force proportional to the distance that the
rod 27 is moved with regard to the cylinder 30. The amount of force
that the neutral support mechanism 25 will produce can be adjusted
by a threaded member 28 coupled to the rod 27 by a nut 29. The
horizontal position of the nut 29 on the threaded member 28
determines the amount of rod 27 unexposed by the cylinder 30, and
thus, the amount of force produced. The nut 27 can be moved
horizontally between a first and second stop 31a and 31b by
twisting a head of the threaded member 28. The position of the nut
29 illustrated in FIG. 2 allows a relatively large length of the
rod 27 to be outside of the cylinder 30, thus, producing less
force. The illustrated orientation of the nut 29 is against the
first stop 31a and corresponds to the desired force to support a
relatively light laptop computer that would be attached to head
assembly 19. However, in order to support a relatively heavy
traditional computer, the nut 29 would be moved to a horizontal
position closer to the second stop 31b, thus creating more force.
In other words, the movement of the nut 29 can change the torsional
load of the arm 116 to correspond with the varying head load size.
Although there is movement of the rod 27 within cylinder 30 once
the nut 29 is adjusted and fixed on the threaded member 2 due to
the force created by the vertical movement of the computer support
20, the movement of the rod 27 is minimal. Moreover, as the
computer support 20 moves vertically downward, an angle of
separation between a vertical center line 24 and the pneumatic
spring 26 increases, causing the force within the cylinder to be
directed at an angle rather than vertically. Thus, the angular
orientation of the pneumatic spring 26 may compensate for the
minimal increase in force within the cylinder 30. The neutral
support mechanism 25 will produce a relatively constant bias
regardless of the vertical or horizontal position of the computer
attached to the head assembly 19 that is preferably set to match
the weight of the computer being supported.
[0023] Referring still to FIG. 2, the rotational coupling 18
includes a connector plate 43 to which the first arm 11 and the
second arm 17 are rotatably attached via a third pair of pivot
joints 40a and 40b and fourth pair of pivot joints 41a and 41b,
respectively. The inner segment 11a and the outer segment 11b of
the first arm 11 are rotatably attached to the connector plate 43
via the third pair of joints 40a and 40b, respectively. The inner
segment 17a and the outer segment 17b of the second arm 17 are
rotatably attached to the connector plate 43 via the fourth pair of
pivot joints 41a and 41b, respectively. For purposes of this
discussion, the length (L1) of the first arm 11 is the distance
between the first pivot joint 38b and the third pivot joint 40b.
The length (L2) of the second arm 17 is the distance the fourth
pivot joint 41b and the second pivot joint 50b. The length (L1) of
the first arm 11 and the length (L2) of the second arm 17 are
preferably identical.
[0024] The computer support 20 moves along a line between the
standing user position 20b and the sitting user position 20a. In
the illustrated embodiment, the line is the vertical center line 24
extending through the base 12. By moving the computer support 20
along the vertical center line 24, the majority of the weight on
the computer workstation 10 is kept over the center of the computer
workstation 10, thereby increasing the stability of the station 10.
In order to maintain a fixed horizontal position of the computer
support 20 and the connector plate 43, despite the rotation of the
arms 11 and 17, the orientation of the pivot joints with one
another remain constant except for the orientation of cross pivot
joints. Specifically, the distance between second pivot joint 50a
and fourth pivot joint 41b, the distance between second pivot joint
50b and fourth pivot joint 41a, the distance between first pivot
joint 38a and third pivot joint 40b, and the distance between first
pivot joint 36b and third pivot joint 40a decrease as the computer
support 20 moves toward the sitting user position 20a and increase
as the computer support 20 moves toward the standing user position
20b. These varying cross-distances allows the computer support 20
supporting the head assembly 19 to be attached to the second arm 17
and maintain a horizontal orientation regardless of the movement of
the second arm 17. It should be appreciated that the present
invention contemplates other methods of maintaining the horizontal
positioning of the computer support 20. For instance, each arm need
not be segmented if the computer support is attached to the second
arm via a rotational coupling similar to the coupling 18 connecting
the arms to one another, or possibly a user adjustable rotational
attachment.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an enlarged
cross-sectioned side view of the rotational coupling 18 of the
computer workstation 10 of FIG. 2. The rotational coupling 18
preferably couples the first arm 11 to the second arm 17 via at
lest one gear set 32. It should be appreciated that the rotational
coupling could include couplings other than the gear set,
including, but not limited to, a cam-bar mechanism and/or a cable
and pulley system. Preferably, the arm lengths (L1) and (L2) are
identical and the gear set 32 includes a gear ratio of 1:1. Thus,
when the first and second arms 11 and 17 move with one another, the
arms 11 and 17 move at the same rate and along the center vertical
line 24 (shown in Figures 1 and 2). Because the computer support 20
moves along the center vertical line 24, the majority of the weight
on the computer workstation 10 is centered over the base 12, and
thus, the spring force needed within the neutral support mechanism
25 is preferably equal to the weight being supported by the
workstation 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that by
varying the gear ratio and the proportionality of the arms lengths
L1 and L2, one arm 11 or 17 can be made to move at a faster rate
than the other arm 11 or 17 along the center vertical line 24. For
instance, by altering the gear ratio of the second arm 17 to the
first arm 11 from 1:1 to 1:2, the second arm 17 will more faster
than the first arm 11. In order to maintain the movement of the
second arm 17 along the center vertical line 24 despite the faster
rate, the length L2 of the second arm 17 can be made shorter than
the length L1 of the first arm 11.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a diagrammatic
representation of a computer workstation 110, according to a first
alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the
preferred embodiment, the first and second arms 11 and 17 of the
first alternative embodiment are coupled to one another via a gear
set 132. While the arm lengths L1 and L2 remain identical, the gear
set 132 includes a gear ratio less than 1:1, such as 1:2, causing
the second arm 17 to move at a larger rate than the first arm 11.
Because the arm lengths L1 and L2 are identical, the faster moving
second arm 17 will move along a slanted line 144, or possibly on
are, between the standing user position 20b and a sitting user
position 120a. The sitting user position 120a, illustrated as the
shadowed position, and the standing user position 20b are at a
first distance D1 and second distance D2 from the center vertical
line 24 extending through the base 12, respectively. The first
distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2. In the
illustrated embodiment, the computer support 20 is aligned with the
vertical line 24 when in the standing user position 20b, and thus,
D2 is generally zero. Thus, the center of gravity of the
workstation 110 remains along the center vertical line 24 while in
the standing user position 20b, but is off-center in the sitting
user position 120a. The off-center sitting user position 120a
allows the computer operator to pull the head assembly 19 closer to
the operator and provides foot room underneath the computer support
20 for the operator's convenience and comfort. As with the
preferred embodiment, the pneumatic springs 26 will allow the
computer support 20 to stop at any position between the pre-set
maximum and minimum heights. However, the position of the rod 27
within the cylinder 30 may need to be adjusted in order to create a
greater force within the pneumatic cylinder 30 to compensate for
the off-centered weight of the computer support 20, and attached
computer, when in the sitting user position 120a.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an isometric view of a
pole 213 of a computer work station, according to a second
alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the
preferred embodiment, the pole 213 includes a first arm 211
rotatably attached to the base 12, and a second arm 217 rotatably
attached to the first arm 211 via the rotational coupling 18.
Although the rotational coupling 18 is illustrated as including the
gear set 32 with the 1:1 gear ratio, it should be appreciated that
the rotational coupling could include other types of couplings,
such as a cam-bar mechanism, and include different gear ratios.
Unlike the previously discussed embodiments, the pole 213 includes
a third arm 234 and a second rotational coupling 245 that operably
connects the second arm 217 to move with the third arm 234. The
pole 213 also includes a fourth arm 244 and a third rotational
coupling 246 that operably connects the third arm 234 to move with
the fourth arm 247. The arms 211, 217, 244 and 247 are preferably
segmented similar to arms 11 and 17. The computer support 20 is
attached to the fourth arm 247 via the second pivot joints 50a and
50b. The second rotational coupling 245 is operable such that
rotation of one of the second and third arms 217 and 234 results in
a rotation of the other of the second and third arms 217 and 234.
The third rotational coupling 246 is operable such that the
rotation of one of the third and fourth arms 234 and 247 results in
rotation of the other of the third and fourth arms 234 and 246.
Although not necessary, the second and third rotational coupling
245 and 246 also preferably include gear sets (not shown) with a
1:1 ratio. Similar to the first rotational coupling 18, the gear
ratio of the gear sets of the second and/or third rotational
couplings 245 and 246 can be altered in order to affect the rate
and direction of the movement of the coupled arms 234 and 217 or
234 and 247, respectively.
[0028] The present disclosure contemplates any number of arms being
rotatably connected to one another similar to the arms 211, 217,
234 and 247. Similar to poles 13 and 113 in the preferred and first
alternative embodiments, pole 213 should be sufficiently long to
accommodate standing users of any height, but as short as possible
to lower the center of gravity and increase stability of the
computer workstation. Generally, the more arms included within the
length of the pole, the smaller the length of the arms. Thus, arms
217, 211, 234 and 247 are shorter than arms 11 and 17. The
rotational couplings 18, 245, 246 coupling the shorter arms 217,
211, 234 and 247 to one another will remain closer to the center
vertical line 24 than the rotational coupling 18 coupling the
longer arms 17 and 11 of the other embodiments to one another when
the computer support 20 is in the sitting user position. The
rotational couplings 18, 245, 246 may not even extend beyond the
perimeter of the base 12. The compact nature of the pole 213
increases the ease with which the workstation 210 can be maneuvered
while the computer support 20 is in the sitting user position 20a.
Moreover, the compact nature of the pole 213 keeps the arm mass
centered over the base 12, which also improves stability. This
compactness also allows the pole to avoid impacts with surrounding
objects, such as a hospital bed, even when the base is partially
under the bed.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic
representation of a computer workstation 310, according to a third
alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer
workstation 310 includes pole 313 that includes an attachment arm
349 fixedly attached to the base 12. Rather than the first arm 11
being rotatably attached to the base 12, as shown in FIG. 1-2, the
first arm 11 is rotatably attached to the attachment arm 349.
Although the first arm 11 is not rotatably attached to the base 12,
it should be appreciated that the first and second arm 11 and 17
still rotate with respect to the base 12 as in the previous
embodiments. Although the pole 313 is illustrated as including only
one arm 349 between the rotatable arms 11 and 17 and the base 12,
the present invention contemplates any number and size of arms
fixedly attached between the base or head assembly and the
rotatable arms. Moreover, it should be appreciated that there could
be more than two rotatable arms between the attachment arm 349 and
the computer support 20.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown an isometric view of a
head assembly 419 of a computer workstation, according to a sixth
alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The head assembly
419 is similar to head assembly 19 except that the head assembly
419 is adapted for a traditional computer with a flat screen
monitor rather than a laptop type computer. Thus, instead of the
monitor rest 22, the head assembly 419 includes a monitor
attachment portion 448 to which a flat screen monitor can be
attached. The monitor attachment portion 448 is illustrated as
fixedly attached to the platform 21. Like the head assembly 19, the
head assembly 419 includes the platform 21 for the keyboard, the
drawer 23 and the handle 37. Also, like the head assembly 19, the
head assembly 419 can be attached to the computer support 20 of any
of the illustrated embodiments. Thus, the head assembly 419 can be
coupled to the pole 213 with more than two arms, the pole 113 with
the second arm 17 moving at a different rate than the first arm 11
and along the slanted line 144, or the pole 313 with the attachment
arm 349. The head assembly 419 could include various accessories,
including but not limited to, an additional drawer, a recessed
platform or an additional platform from more workspace. Moreover,
the head assembly 419 can be of various sizes for various sized
computers.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a method of using the
vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation 10, 110, 310 will
be discussed. In all embodiments, the head assembly 19, 419 that
includes the computer support 20 is coupled to the moveable base 12
via a pole 13, 113, 213, 313 with multiple arms 11, 17 or 211, 217,
234 and 247 coupled to rotate with one another and the base 12.
Thus, a laptop computer can be attached to the head assembly 19
shown in FIG. 1 or a flat screen monitor computer can be attached
to head assembly 419 shown in FIG. 7, and transported throughout a
workplace. For instance, a nurse can take the computer workstation
10 or 110 on the nurse's rounds to different patients' rooms. When
transporting the computer workstation 10, 110, 310, the computer
support 20 will generally be in the standing user position 20b
because the computer workstation 10, 110 is more compact in the
standing user position 20b, and therefore, easier to maneuver
through the work place. Because the computer support 20, and the
attached computer, when in the standing user position 20b are
generally aligned with the center vertical line 24 extending
through the base 12, the majority of the weight is centered over
the base 12, increasing the stability of the computer workstation
10, 110, 310 during transportation.
[0032] When the computer operator wants to use the computer, the
operator can either keep the computer support 20 in the standing
user position 20b or move the computer support 20, and attached
computer, from the standing user position 20b to the sitting user
position 20a, 120a by pivoting the arms 11 and 17 or 211, 217, 234
and 247 of the pole 13, 113, 213, 313 with respect to one another
and the moveable base 12. Although the arm 11 is not attached to
the base 12 in the fifth alternative embodiment, the arms 11 and 17
still rotate with respect to the orientation of the base 12 to the
arms 11 and 17.
[0033] Referring specifically to FIGS. 1-3, according to the
preferred embodiment, when the operator applies force to the handle
37 in order to lower the computer support 20 to the sitting user
position 20a, the force acting on the arms 11 and 17 will overcome
the force within the pneumatic cylinder 30, allowing the second arm
17 to move. Because the first arm 11 is coupled to rotate with the
second arm 17, the second arm will also move. Because, in the
preferred embodiment, the gear ratio of the gear set 32 is 1:1 and
the arm lengths L1 and L2 are identical, the second arm 17 will
pivot about the first arm 11 and the first arm 11 will pivot about
the base 12 at the same rate, causing the computer support 20 with
the attached computer to move along the center vertical line 24. As
the computer support 20 with the computer moves downward, the
computer remains over the center of the base 12, increasing
stability of the workstation 10. The increased stability from
centering the weight over the base 12 allows the computer
workstation 10 to be supported by the relatively small base 12. The
smaller the base, the easier the computer workstation 10 is to
maneuver through the workplace. Moreover, as the arms 11 and 17
rotate, the computer support 20 and attached computer remain in the
fixed horizontal position because of the segmented arms 11 and 17.
As the computer support 20 moves downward, the inner segments 11a
and 17a can, at least partially, slide within the outer segments
11b and 17b.
[0034] When the operator determines that the computer support 20
with the attached computer has reached the desired sitting user
position 20a, the operator can release the handle 37. The weight of
the computer is balanced by the force within the pneumatic cylinder
30 and the computer support 20 and computer will stop in the
desired sitting user position 20a. Because the position of the rod
27 within the pneumatic cylinder 30 was preferably pre-set such
that the force within the pneumatic cylinder 30 counteracted the
weight of the laptop computer, the computer support 20 will remain
in the desired sitting user position 20b. The operator can work on
the computer without the computer continuing to advance
downward.
[0035] Referring specifically to FIG. 4, according to the first
alternative embodiment, when the operator moves the computer
support 20 from the standing user position 20b to the sitting user
position 120a, the computer support 20 is moved away from the
center vertical line 24. Because the first arm 11 is coupled to the
second arm 17 via the gear set 132 with a ratio less that 1:1, the
second arm 17 will move at a faster rate than the first arm 11,
causing the second arm 17 to move along the slanted line 144
towards the operator. When the operator determines that the
computer support 20 with the computer is at the desired sitting
operator position 120a, the operator can release the handle 37 and
the computer support 20 with the computer will stay in the desired
position due to the force within the pneumatic cylinder 30
counteracting the weight of the computer. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the pneumatic springs 26 could be set such
that the force within the cylinder 30 counteracts the weight of the
computer and compensates for the weight of the computer being
off-center when the computer support 20 is in the sitting user
position 120a. When in the sitting user position 120a, the computer
is closer to the operator than the computer is when in the standing
user position 20b, thus providing the operator with leg room while
operating the computer.
[0036] Referring specifically to FIG. 5, in the second alternative
embodiment, the computer support 20 moves along the center vertical
line 24 between the standing user position 20b and the sitting user
position 20a similar to the preferred embodiment. However, it
should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates the
computer support 20 attached to pole 213 moving along an arc, or
possibly a slanted line like the computer workstation 110 in the
first alternative embodiment. In order to move the computer support
20 along the slanted line, the gear ratio of, at least, the third
rotational coupling 246 would be adjusted so that the fourth arm
247 would move faster than the other arms 234, 217 and 211. In the
illustrated third alternative embodiment, when the computer
operator applies force to the handle 37, the fourth arm 247 will
pivot about the third arm 234, the third arm 234 will pivot about
the second arm 217, and the second arm 217 will pivot about the
first arm 211. The first arm 211 will pivot about the base 12.
Because the lengths of the arms 211, 217, 234 and 247 are less than
the lengths L1 and L2 of the arms 11 and 17 of the preferred
embodiment, the pole 213 will be more compact when the computer
support 20 is in the sitting user position 20a than pole 13. In
fact, the present invention contemplates the rotational couplings
18, 245 and 246 not extending beyond the perimeter of the base 12.
Thus, the computer operator can move the computer support 20 and
attached computer into the sitting user position 20a without
concern of any of the arms 211, 217, 234 and 247 contacting other
objects, such as walls or furniture.
[0037] In all of the illustrated embodiments, the rate of movement
of the arms 11 and 17 or 211, 217, 234 and 247 is controlled by
setting the gear ratio of the gear set 32, 132 operably coupling
the arms to one another. In order to maintain the movement of the
computer support 20 along the vertical or slanted line 24 or 144,
the arm length of the faster arm can be shortened or the arm length
of the slower arm can be increased.
[0038] Further, in all illustrated embodiments, the battery 16 is
suspended underneath the base 12. Not only does the battery 16
eliminate the need for a power cord which can be in annoyance to
the operator during transportation of the computer workstation 10,
110, 310, the battery 16 also acts as the stability enhancer 15.
The battery 16 below the base 12 lowers the center of gravity,
which in return, increases the stability of the computer
workstation 10, 110, 310.
[0039] The present disclosure is advantageous because it provides a
compact mobile computer workstation 10, 110, 310 that is relatively
easy to maneuver through the work place without compromising the
stability of the workstation 10, 110, 310. By moving the computer
support 20 with the attached computer along the vertical center
line 24, the weight of the computer is centered over the base 12.
In all embodiments, the computer is centered over the base 12 when
in the most unstable position, the standing user position 20b. But,
in the preferred embodiment, the computer is center over the base
20 even when in the sitting user position 20a. Further, by
suspending the battery 16 below the base, the center of gravity of
the workstation 10, 110, 310 is lowered. By centering the weight
and lowering the center of gravity, the computer workstation 10,
110, 310 is made more stable, and thus, can be supported by a
relatively small base 12. The relatively small base 12 allows the
computer workstation 10, 110, 310 to be moved about the work place
with relative ease. In the illustrated embodiments, the base 12 is
less than eighteen inches in diameter.
[0040] Moreover, the computer workstation can be made even more
compact by separating the pole 213 into more than two rotatably
attached arms. The more arms rotating about pivot joints, the
shorter the arms and the distance between pivot joints. Thus, there
is little, if any, overhang of the arms 211, 217, 234 and 247
outside the perimeter of the base 12. The computer workstation can
be moved into the sitting user position without the concern of the
arms contacting furniture and walls.
[0041] The computer workstation 10, 110, 310 is advantageous
because the operators of various sizes can use the workstation 10,
110, 310 comfortably. Each operator can determine the height of the
sitting user position 20a, 120a and standing user position 20b most
comfortable for the operator. The computer will remain in the
desired position due to the neutral stop mechanism 25. The neutral
stop mechanism 25 can be set in order to counteract the weight of
various types and sizes of computers. Further, in the first
alternative embodiment, the operator can pull the computer closer
to the operator and use the room underneath the overhanging
computer for leg room.
[0042] It should be understood that the above description is
intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to
limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Thus, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects, objects, and
advantages of the invention can be obtained from a study of the
drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
* * * * *