U.S. patent application number 12/932344 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-09 for ergonomically designed large display multipurpose workstation.
Invention is credited to Joseph Ceklovsky, Peter Jedrysik, Mohammad T. Khasawneh, Jason Moore.
Application Number | 20120031310 12/932344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45555126 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120031310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jedrysik; Peter ; et
al. |
February 9, 2012 |
Ergonomically designed large display multipurpose workstation
Abstract
Apparatus for facilitating the operation of computer systems
connected to very large display systems. The invention comprises
monitor and keyboard supports which are independently adjustable
vertically, horizontally, and angularly. The keyboard support is
designed to allow the monitor to pass behind for any given
vertical, horizontal, or angular orientation of the monitor
relative to the keyboard. The invention is configurable to
facilitate operators in the standing or sitting positions and can
collapse to allow mobility through typical doorways.
Inventors: |
Jedrysik; Peter;
(Whitesboro, NY) ; Ceklovsky; Joseph; (Rome,
NY) ; Moore; Jason; (Taberg, NY) ; Khasawneh;
Mohammad T.; (Vestal, NY) |
Family ID: |
45555126 |
Appl. No.: |
12/932344 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61401177 |
Aug 6, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/50.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/0314
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/50.01 |
International
Class: |
A47B 21/013 20060101
A47B021/013 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
[0002] The invention described herein may be manufactured and used
by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the
payment of any royalty thereon.
Claims
1. An apparatus for orienting a large computer display to a user
work surface, comprising: a base having means for mobility; a
monitor attachment means having further means for pivot about a
horizontal axis; a first vertically extensible support attaching
said monitor attachment means to said base; a work surface having
an articulating means for horizontal extensibility; a second
vertically extensible support attaching said work surface to said
base; wherein said first vertically extensible support and said
second vertically extensible support are variably extensible
independently of each other; and wherein said monitor attachment
means is vertically extensible behind said work surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and said second
vertically extensible supports each comprise at least one
alternately extensible and retractable structure.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for pivot further
comprises means for angular rotation through positive and negative
angles relative to horizontal.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an articulating
guide means having a plurality of sections enclosing a plurality of
power and signal lines therein; and wherein said articulating guide
alternately extends and collapses coincident with the extension and
retraction, respectively, of said first vertically extensible
support.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said articulating means for
said work surface provides an unobstructed view of a computer
monitor when said first vertically extensible support is anywhere
within its height adjustment range.
6. A computer workstation comprising: a monitor support means; a
keyboard support means; a base having casters for mobility; a first
lift means attaching said monitor support means to said base; a
second lift means attaching said keyboard support means to said
base, wherein said first and said second lift means operate
independently of each other; a monitor attachment means for
attaching a monitor to said monitor support means, wherein said
monitor attachment means is angularly adjustable so as to allow
orienting a monitor through positive and negative inclinations
relative to horizontal; and wherein said keyboard support means
further comprises means for horizontal extensibility being attached
outboard, so as to facilitate the variable positioning of said
monitor above and below the vertical height of said keyboard
support means.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e)
[0001] This patent application claims the priority benefit of the
filing date of a provisional application, Ser. No. 61/401,177,
filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 6,
2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] With the advances in computer and display technology, and
the dramatic shift in people's work responsibilities and task
demands, small, standard computer monitors are no longer the norm
because they no longer meet the demands of the workplace. In fact,
there has been an increasing trend in the integration of large
displays into the workplace. However, while there has been a great
deal of work conducted on designing ergonomically friendly office
furniture, to date no published guidelines exist for large display
workstations. What works for a small monitor does not work for a
large monitor. For example, maintaining a 20 inch viewing distance
(recommended for small computer displays) in front of a 56 inch
display creates significant visual discomfort for the user.
Moreover, utilizing traditional workstation design for large
displays will not allow the user the ability to view the entire
computer screen. An ergonomically designed workstation is of
paramount importance to the productivity, safety, and satisfaction
of those who would use it, especially when used for extended
periods of time. In the absence of an ergonomically designed
workstation, potential side effects and physical problems include,
but are not limited to, neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain,
and strain of the wrists. Therefore, what is needed is an
ergonomically designed workstation compatible with large computer
monitors.
[0004] There have been various attempts to design ergonomic
computer workstations. Some such workstations facilitate different
orientations of the computer monitor relative to the user.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,800 to Leonard (hereinafter Leonard)
discloses an ergonomically adjustable computer workstation having a
means to vary both the height and angle of the monitor support
platform. The invention in Leonard neither provides nor discloses
any means for supporting a keyboard.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,586 to Moore (hereinafter Moore)
discloses an ergonomic workstation having means for keyboard height
and angle adjustment. The invention in Moore discloses no means for
adjustment of monitor height or angle.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,223 to Nagy (hereinafter Nagy) discloses
an ergonomic computer workstation for standing and sitting
operators. The invention in Nagy utilizes a monitor support with a
vertical lift means to raise and lower the monitor height. The Nagy
invention also utilizes a keyboard support with a means for
adjusting the inclination of the keyboard. In the Nagy invention,
however, the keyboard height is neither separately adjustable in
height from the monitor height nor is it horizontally extendable in
any fashion whatsoever.
[0008] U.S. Design Pat. D371,255 to Richard (hereinafter Richard)
discloses a design for an ergonomic computer workstation having
separate and apparently movable means for supporting a monitor and
keyboard support shelf relative to a "seated' user. The Richard
design discloses no features which would suggest the design is
capable of accommodating users in the standing position.
[0009] U.S. Design Pat. D459,610 to Coonan et al (hereinafter
Coonan) discloses a design for a vertically adjustable computer
workstation which depicts an apparent means for vertical height
adjustment of the monitor and keyboard in unison, without any
apparent means to adjust the height of the monitor and keyboard
independently of each other. There is no apparent means for
horizontal keyboard extension.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,752 to Walser (hereinafter Walser)
discloses an ergonomic computer workstation having a power lift
means to provide vertical height adjustment of both the computer
monitor and keyboard supports. Walser also discloses using a gas
pressure lift mechanism to provide vertical lift of the
workstation. The invention in Walser discloses no means to provide
vertical lift of the computer monitor independently of the vertical
height of the keyboard. Additionally, Walser provides no means to
extend or retract the keyboard in the horizontal direction. Nor
does the invention in Walser accommodate large computer monitor
displays, nor operators in the standing position.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,936 to Birrell (hereinafter Birrell)
discloses an ergonomic workstation having an independently
rotatable monitor and keyboard support means. The keyboard support
means also incorporates vertical height adjustment means. The
keyboard support means has no provision for extending in the
horizontal direction.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,415 to Richard (hereinafter Richard)
discloses an ergonomic computer workstation having a means for
varying the height and angle of both the monitor support shelf and
the keyboard support shelf relative to a "seated` user. Richard
discloses no means for nor appears to be mechanically capable of
accommodating users in the standing position. In this same regard,
the invention in Richard provides no means to elevate a large
computer display to the proper viewing height.
[0013] In view of the deficiencies of the above described prior
art, what is needed therefore is an apparatus which can facilitate
the effective viewing of very large computer displays from either a
standing or sitting operator orientation while still retaining
portability and mobility.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] One objective of this present invention is to provide an
apparatus for facilitating the operation of computer systems
connected to very large display systems.
[0015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus for operating computer systems connected to very large
display systems while the operator is either standing or
sitting.
[0016] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus for facilitating the operation of computer systems
connected to very large display systems in which the monitor height
and keyboard height are independently adjustable vertically,
horizontally, and angularly relative to the operator.
[0017] Still another objective of the present invention is to
provide an apparatus for facilitating the operation of computer
systems connected to very large display systems which can collapse
for transportability and mobility.
[0018] Briefly stated, the present invention provides an apparatus
for facilitating the operation of computer systems connected to
very large display systems. The invention comprises monitor and
keyboard supports which are independently adjustable vertically,
horizontally, and angularly. The keyboard support is designed to
allow the monitor to pass therethrough and/or behind for any given
vertical, horizontal, or angular orientation of the monitor
relative to the keyboard. The invention is configurable to
facilitate operators in the standing or sitting positions and can
collapse to allow mobility through typical doorways.
[0019] The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals designate the same elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts the present invention with monitor attachment
means and work surface in a stowed position.
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts the present invention with monitor attachment
means and work surface in a vertically extended position.
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts the present invention with monitor attachment
means stowed and work surface horizontally partially extended.
[0023] FIG. 4 depicts the present invention with monitor attachment
means stowed and work surface horizontally fully extended.
[0024] FIG. 5 depicts the present invention configured for a
sitting user with monitor attachment means rotated to a positive
angle.
[0025] FIG. 6 depicts the present invention configured for a
sitting user with monitor attachment means at a zero angle.
[0026] FIG. 7 depicts the present invention with the work surface
in a stowed position.
[0027] FIG. 8 depicts the present invention with the work surface
in an extended position.
[0028] FIG. 9 depicts a frontal view of the present invention with
the monitor attachment means in a stowed position.
[0029] FIG. 10 depicts the rear of the present invention with the
articulating guide fully extended.
[0030] FIG. 11 depicts the rear of the present invention with the
articulating guide fully collapsed.
[0031] FIG. 12 depicts photographs of the reduced-to-practice
present invention in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment present
invention comprises a large screen computer monitor stand with a
telescoping work surface 130 (i.e., keyboard/mouse and forearm
support assembly) that can be extended arbitrary distances from the
monitor or other large screen display 170, where up to 45'' is
typical for one embodiment, though it is within the scope of the
present invention to extend to greater distances. The monitor 170
and work surface 130 can also be adjusted to various height
positions independently of each other. This permits users of
various anthropometric characteristics to use it in various sitting
and standing positions. The entire system is on casters 150 for
portability. The monitor attachment means 100 can be tilted and
locked into any position in the range of 15.degree. backward to
5.degree. forward giving the monitor 170 a like angular
displacement. The tilting monitor attachment means 100 is derived
from a commercial product that was modified to provide the amount
of backward tilt required. The monitor lift system, or extensible
support, 120 is a commercial product attached to the base of the
unit. The work surface lift system 110, is also an alternately
extensible and retractable structure, being attached to the base
140, and used to adjust the work surface height and is also
commercially available. In one embodiment two extensible supports
120 are employed in the monitor lift system and four extensible
supports 110 are employed in the work surface lift system with two
on each side. However, it is well within the scope of the invention
and those skilled in the art to fashion any number and
configuration of extensible supports to lift and lower the monitor
attachment means and worksurface. The complete system described by
the present invention herein is unique because it integrates these
parts with a telescoping or articulating work surface 130 that
allows the use of a large screen display 170 for a variety of
computer desktop activities and collapses to a depth of 32.5'' in
one embodiment to allow it to fit through a standard 3' doorway for
improved portability via wheels, casters, or rollers 150.
[0033] Still referring to FIG. 1 shows a side view of the present
invention, an ergonomically-designed large-screen display
workstation, with the monitor 170 and the work surface 130 at their
lowest positions and work surface 130 fully retracted. This
configuration of the present invention affords mobility,
transportability, and storage.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2 shows a side view of the present
invention with the monitor 170 and the work surface 130 at their
highest positions but with work surface 130 still fully retracted.
This configuration would be suitable, but not limited to, when
using the present invention for display to an audience. Positioning
the monitor 170 and work surface 130 at their highest positions is
coincident with the first vertically extensible support 120 and
second vertically extensible support 110 being fully extended. The
monitor 170 and work surface 130 heights can each be adjusted
independently and at any position within the minimum and maximum
height range.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3 shows a side view of the present
invention with the monitor 170 and the work surface 130 at their
lowest positions with the work surface 130 partially extended.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 4 shows a side view of the present
invention with the monitor 170 and the work surface 130 at their
lowest positions and with the work surface 130 fully extended. This
configuration would be suitable, but not limited to, when using the
present invention while sitting as the full extension of the work
surface 130 allows an unobstructed view of the monitor 170 even
while seated.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 5 shows a side view of the present
invention utilized by a user in the seated position with the work
surface 130 fully extended and monitor 170 angled via the function
of the monitor attachment means 100.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 6 shows a side view of the present
invention utilized by a user in the seated position with the work
surface 130 fully extended and monitor 170 not angled (i.e.,
perpendicular to horizontal) via the function of the monitor
attachment means 100. The work surface 130 can be positioned
anywhere within the range from fully retracted to fully extended
and locked in place.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 7 shows a top view of the present
invention with the work surface 130 in a fully retracted position.
It should be noted that the horizontal extensibility means of the
work surface 130 permits the monitor 170 to pass through without
interference therebetween, thereby facilitating independent
vertical height adjustment of the monitor 170 and work surface
130.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 8 shows a top view of the present
invention with the work surface 130 in a fully extended position.
It should be noted that the present invention allows for full
viewing of the monitor 170 from a seated position if the work
surface 130 is fully extended.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 9 shows a front view of the present
invention. It should be noted that the horizontal extensibility
means of the work surface 130 permits the monitor 170 to pass
through without interference therebetween, thereby additionally
facilitating the monitor 170 and work surface 130 to be stowed in a
compact configuration having minimal dimensions.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 10 shows the rear of present invention. An
articulating guide 160 houses, protects, and keeps orderly power
and signal cables running from the computer (not shown) to the
monitor 170. The articulating guide may be comprised of a plurality
of sections, all such configurations being within the scope of the
present invention. FIG. 10 depicts the articulating guide 160 in a
fully extended configuration coincident with the vertically
extensible supports 120 being fully extended so as to raise the
monitor 170 to a maximum height.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 11 shows the rear of present invention
depicting the articulating guide 160 in a fully collapsed
configuration coincident with the vertically extensible supports
120 being fully retracted so as to lower the monitor 170 to a
minimum height.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 12 shows photographs of the
reduced-to-practice present invention that was developed in use
with a standing and sitting user.
[0045] The present invention allows a wide variety of users to
comfortably use a large-display workstation in both sitting and
standing positions. None of the prior art inventions claim or
disclose any means for standing and sitting while using the very
large monitors accommodated by the present invention. The
particular prototype of the present invention that was built was
intended to allow greater use of a high resolution 56'' LCD display
that could not be effectively used as computer monitor for routine
software development and testing. The present invention is not
limited to 56'' monitors, however, as any size monitor may be used.
Typically displays this large are not used as desktop monitors in a
seated position. Based on ergonomic principles the viewing area of
the monitor should be between 15.degree. and 50.degree. below
horizontal eye level. A downward gaze angle improves a user's
ability to accommodate and converge. This requires the bottom of a
56'' display to be positioned below the work surface as illustrated
in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Appropriate viewing distance is also much
further away than conventional prior art computer furniture allows.
With a viewing distance of up to 45'', the user is able to view the
entire computer screen without any portion(s) of the telescoping
work surface blocking the bottom portion of the screen by virtue of
the design of the telescoping/articulating means of the work
surface 130. The present invention allows greater utilization of
high-resolution large screen displays by not limiting their use
solely for presentation and group viewing. Although designed around
a 56'' display, the same design principles would be within the
scope of the present invention to build a workstation for both
smaller and even larger displays to accommodate a wider range of
users and applications than traditional computer furniture,
including that disclosed by the prior art.
[0046] Initial research to locate a commercial-off-the-shelf
solution revealed several alternatives for height-adjustable
workstations, including products available from AFC Industries
(http://afcindustries.com/), Anthro Technology Furniture
(http://www.anthro.com/), and Biomorph Interactive Desk
(http://www.biomorphdesk.com/height_adjustable_desks.html).
Existing vendor offered custom solutions for independently
adjustable monitors and keyboard tray lifting systems. However, the
manufacturers of prior art products do not offer any solutions to
accomplish the work surface (or keyboard tray) extension
requirement provided by the articulation means of work surface 130,
nor the monitor tilt provided by the monitor attachment means 100,
nor the compact footprint, all being features of the present
invention. The work surface 130 extension requirement of the
present invention was completely devoid in any manufacturer's
adjustable computer furniture. To solve this requirement, the
present invention utilizes a unique design which employs linear
actuators to raise and lower the work surface 130 and monitor 170
independently, but with the added benefit of a heavy-duty
telescoping or articulating mechanism to extend the work surface
130 to the required distance. The present invention also comprises
features to allow its base to be small enough to fit through a
standard doorway, but, by using material that would lower the
center-of-gravity, to prevent it from being top heavy when the
monitor is at its highest position.
[0047] Relative to the solutions provided by the prior art, and
their limitations, the present invention represents a unique
integration of components designed to provide an appropriate
viewing distance for such a large display. Durability and
portability are important features that have been integrated in the
present invention. In particular, in addition to having minimal
footprint, allowing the invention to fit through a standard 3' door
(when collapsed) the design is very flexible during transportation,
especially when used for non-office related work, such as
presentations and collaborative meetings.
* * * * *
References