U.S. patent application number 11/296529 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for computer desk with rotating auxiliary platform.
Invention is credited to Philippe Bartoszewicz.
Application Number | 20060118010 11/296529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36572768 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060118010 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bartoszewicz; Philippe |
June 8, 2006 |
Computer desk with rotating auxiliary platform
Abstract
The present invention relates to a workstation desk
accommodating computer usage. It features independent fixed support
elements for input peripherals and a video monitor, allowing for
comfortable usage of said computer devices in both work and home
environments. The invention also has an elevated, height
adjustable, support for a computer tower which permits convenient
access to two front mounted computer drive bays on most
appropriately configured computer towers. Advantageously, the
invention features an approximately semi-circular auxiliary
platform that is free to rotate around the desk, providing its
operator an ample work or storage surface and unobstructed access
to the computer components.
Inventors: |
Bartoszewicz; Philippe;
(Montreal, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Philippe Bartoszewicz
2835 de Carignan Ave.
Montreal
QC
H1N 2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
36572768 |
Appl. No.: |
11/296529 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60634112 |
Dec 8, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/050.02 |
International
Class: |
A47B 37/00 20060101
A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. In a computer desk of the type having at least two separate
vertically offset rigid platforms and a plurality of vertical
members that support said rigid platforms horizontally, the
improvement wherein said computer desk includes: a. a third rigid
platform at its periphery that is free to rotate, and b. a means to
support said third platform horizontally, while allowing it to
rotate freely. Whereby, said third rigid platform provides
convenient access to a larger total work area than is possible with
a fixed platform, while minimizing the total size of said computer
desk.
2. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said third rigid platform
is circular with a round hole in its center. Whereby, said round
hole allows said plurality of vertical members as well as power and
signal cables from a video monitor to pass through.
3. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said third rigid platform
has a cutout at its edge. Whereby, said cutout provides
unobstructed access to input peripherals supported by one of said
separate vertically offset rigid platforms when said third rigid
platform is positioned appropriately.
4. The computer desk of claim 1 wherein said means to support said
third platform horizontally, while allowing it to rotate freely is
a plurality of wheels spaced evenly in pairs that contact the rim
of said circular hole in the center of said third rigid platform.
Whereby, said wheels are attached to said vertical members.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/634,112, filed Dec. 8, 2004 by the present
inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a desk, specifically one
designed to accommodate a video monitor, computer tower, and input
peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Most traditional desks or work tables can accommodate a
computer tower, video monitor, and input peripherals, such as a
keyboard and mouse, in a straight forward manner. However, those
that are specifically designed for this purpose often have many
advantages such as superior ergonomics, cable management, and
economy of space to name a few.
[0008] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,815 to Gross (1994), U.S.
Pat. No. 5,868,079 to Charny (1999), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,936 to
Birrell (2000), concern computer workstations that include separate
offset platforms for both a video monitor and input peripherals.
However, none of these workstations include a work surface to
facilitate reading of printed documents, writing of notes, or
sketching of drawings by hand while seated or standing at the desk.
This severely limits their effectiveness, as printed and written
reference material is still an integral part of office
environments.
[0009] Several computer workstations with some form of fixed work
or storage surface have been proposed --for example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,437,235 (1995) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,820 (1997) both to
Randolph, U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,017 to Wacker et al. (1995), U.S.
Pat. No. 5,967,631 to Ko (1999), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,093 to
Spence (2000). Unfortunately, these fixed position work surfaces
provide only a small available area which is conveniently
accessible within a human operator's arm length, without requiring
them to lean forward; which can cause strain and discomfort when
done repeatedly.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,079 to Charny (1999) discloses a stand
for a monitor and keyboard with several auxiliary platforms in its
preferred embodiment, including one which can be adjusted and
oriented by rotating it around a center support column. However,
this auxiliary shelf cannot be rotated fully around the stand
because the monitor and keyboard posts interfere with its path.
Also, the shelf is supported from bellow by two wheels which ride
on the ground; requiring that the area beneath it is free of
obstacles, such as computer power and signal cables, which are
often unavoidable. Finally, the size of the shelf itself is very
constraining.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,943 to Dell et al. (1998) discloses a
workstation capable of supporting a laptop computer that includes a
cleat around which loose signal and power cables can be tidied. It
however does not include any device for channeling said cables
which reduces the effectiveness of its overall cable management
system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0012] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the
computer desk described in my above patent, several objects and
advantages of the present invention are: [0013] (a) to provide a
computer desk with a large and easily accessible work surface.
[0014] the use of which does not hinder access to the keyboard,
mouse, or video monitor. [0015] the motion of which is not impeded
by computer component cabling. [0016] (b) to provide a computer
desk which can accommodate computer towers of different sizes in an
elevated position, which reduces the amount of dust drawn in by the
computer cooling fans, and the likelihood of inadvertently striking
the computer with one's feet or chair. [0017] (c) to provide a
computer desk which allows unobstructed access to appropriately
configured front mounted computer media drives. [0018] (d) to
provide a computer desk which can easily accommodate very large and
heavy video monitors in a straightforward manner. [0019] (e) to
provide a computer workstation with explicit cable management
features built in. [0020] (f) to provide a computer workstation
with a means of being adjusted in order to conform to uneven
floors, and having a small amount of overall height adjustment.
[0021] Further objects and advantages are to produce a computer
workstation that can be used easily and conveniently to operate a
personal computer while also giving the operator easy and
convenient access to a large amount of traditional office material
such as printed documents, notepads, sketchpads, and associated
accessories. Still further objects and advantages will become
apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and
drawings.
SUMMARY
[0022] In accordance with the present invention a computer desk
comprises four legs, two cleats, a video monitor platform having a
notch, a circular rotating auxiliary platform with a large hole at
its center and a cutout on its edge, an elevated height adjustable
computer tower platform, and an input peripheral platform.
DRAWINGS--FIGURES
[0023] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same
number but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the invention.
[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the front
accessible drive bays, in open and closed positions.
[0028] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the rotating
auxiliary platform in two different states of rotation.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the cable management f
of the invention.
[0030] FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross sectional views of mechanisms that
can horizontally support the rotating auxiliary platform while
allowing it to be rotated.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view, illustrating the range of
motion of the threaded rod shown in phantom. TABLE-US-00001
DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals 8 video monitor platform 9 legs 10 feet
11 threaded glides 12 rotating auxiliary platform support wheels 13
rotating auxiliary platform 14 inner rim 15 peripheral groove 16
input peripheral platform 17 input peripheral platform support arms
18 cleats 19 computer tower support platform 20 computer tower
platform support clamps 21 cathode ray tube video monitor 22
computer mouse 23 computer keyboard 24 computer tower 25 media
drives 26 flat panel video monitor 27 video monitor power cable 28
computer mouse signal cable 29 computer keyboard signal cable 30
video monitor signal cable 31 offset rail 32 offset rail
trusses
DETAILED DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 8--PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
[0032] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters
represent like parts throughout several views, there is illustrated
in FIG. 1 a computer desk that includes a video monitor platform 8
with a notch at its edge that is supported horizontally from bellow
by four legs 9. Each leg 9 is terminated by a foot 10 that extends
laterally. Each foot 10 has an integrated threaded glide 11 at its
base, which can be driven in and out; better illustrated in FIG.
8.
[0033] Referring back to FIG. 1, the computer desk includes a large
rotating auxiliary platform 13. In the preferred embodiment, the
rotating auxiliary platform 13 is circular in shape and features a
large circular hole with a rounded inner rim 14 at its center,
through which the aforementioned legs 9 pass through. The rotating
auxiliary platform also has a large cutout at its edge, better
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0034] The rotating auxiliary platform is supported horizontally by
four pairs of wheels 12 that contact the inner rim 14 of the
circular hole at its center from both above and bellow, better
illustrated in FIG. 2. Each pair of wheels is mounted to one of the
four aforementioned legs 9 with a bolt passing through its center,
which also acts as an axle for the wheel to rotate about. The
wheels 12 are composed of a sealed metal cartridge bearing with a
press fit or over-molded polyurethane outer cover; better
illustrated by FIG. 7.
[0035] These wheels 12, coupled with the inner edge 14 of the
aforementioned circular hole form the mechanism that allows for the
360.degree. rotation of the rotating auxiliary platform. A cross
sectional view of this mechanism is shown in FIG. 7A. The inner rim
14 is preferably rounded in order to prevent a groove from
gradually forming in the polyurethane outer shell of the wheel. The
wheels themselves can have a rounded or flat outer shape, depending
on aesthetic preference.
[0036] As shown in these figures as well as in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7,
the rotating auxiliary platform further includes a peripheral
groove 15 near its outer circular edge. The outer circular edge
itself is rounded over to improve operator comfort.
[0037] The workstation desk includes a fixed input peripheral
platform 16, supported horizontally from bellow by two arms 16 that
are bolted to, and extend from, the desk's two front legs 9, better
illustrated in FIG. 2. The two rear legs have bolted to them a
cleat 18, better illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0038] A computer tower support platform 19 with a clamp 21
attached to each of its four corners with a pair of woodscrews
rides on the desk's four legs 9. Each clamp is closed with a bolt
at its end, better illustrated in FIG. 2.
Operation--FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
[0039] The manner of using the present invention is identical to
that for traditional computer workstation desks except for the
addition of the rotating auxiliary platform which can be used as a
large and easily accessible storage surface for a variety of
objects used by humans to aid them in their work as well as being a
conveniently accessible work surface for writing, or sketching by
hand.
[0040] The rotating auxiliary platform 13 is spun around by an
operator through the exertion of a lateral force directly to its
periphery. FIG. 5A shows the rotating auxiliary platform in a
neutral state of rotation while FIG. 5A shows the rotating
auxiliary platform rotated 120 degrees counter clockwise as viewed
from above.
[0041] By unscrewing the closing bolt on each of the four computer
tower support clamps the height of the computer tower support
platform can be vertically adjusted to accommodate computer towers
of varying heights. This also allows the computer tower 25 to be
positioned at an appropriate elevation to give the operator
convenient access to up to two front mounted media drives 26,
better illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0042] The invention's built in cable management features include a
notch at the rear of the video monitor platform which channels the
video monitor signal cable 30 and power cable 27 through the
circular hole at the center of the rotating auxiliary platform and
towards the two cleats 18 at the rear of the desk so that they can
be wrapped around the cleats along with signal and power cables
from input peripherals and other electronic devices. The way in
which this contributes to tidying the normally messy arrangement of
cables found in the rear of most computer workstation desks is
illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0043] The threaded glide 11 at the base of each foot 10 can be
manually driven in and out to accommodate uneven floors, and allow
for a small amount of adjustment of the desk's overall height;
better illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7B--Alternative Embodiments
[0044] There are other ways to implement the mechanism by which the
rotating auxiliary platform can be rotated freely, while not
interfering with, or being interfered by; computer components and
their associated power and signal cables. For example, FIG. 7B
shows a mechanism where the rotating auxiliary platform 13 has an
offset rail 24 connected to it via several spans 23. The offset
rail is supported from both above and bellow by four sets of wheels
9 fixed to each of the four legs 15. These wheels 9, coupled with
the offset rail attached to the rotating auxiliary platform, form
the mechanism that allows for the 360.degree. rotation of the
rotating auxiliary platform.
[0045] It's also obvious that the fixed input peripheral tray cited
in the preferred embodiments can easily be made adjustable in
height by a variety of well known means.
[0046] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
other variations of the preferred embodiment may also be practiced
without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in
the claims.
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