U.S. patent application number 15/760529 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-07 for workstation intended for use in an office environment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alain RUDOLF. Invention is credited to Alain RUDOLF.
Application Number | 20190038016 15/760529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54545320 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190038016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RUDOLF; Alain |
February 7, 2019 |
WORKSTATION INTENDED FOR USE IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
Disclosed is a workstation intended in particular for use in an
office environment, including a work surface supported by at least
one support with a set of feet, the workstation being intended to
be placed directly on the ground, the work surface having an angle
.alpha. to the horizontal plane, wherein the angle .alpha. is
greater than or equal to 2.degree. and less than or equal to
4.degree..
Inventors: |
RUDOLF; Alain; (Saint Maur
Des Fosses, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RUDOLF; Alain |
Saint Maur Des Fosses |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
54545320 |
Appl. No.: |
15/760529 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
September 16, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/072047 |
371 Date: |
March 15, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 9/00 20130101; A47B
13/08 20130101; A47B 21/02 20130101; A47B 17/02 20130101; A47B
13/081 20130101; A47B 2200/0043 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 13/08 20060101
A47B013/08; A47B 9/00 20060101 A47B009/00; A47B 21/02 20060101
A47B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 2015 |
FR |
FR1558706 |
Claims
1. Workstation (20) intended in particular for use in an office
environment, comprising a work surface (12) supported by at least
one support element (14) comprising a set of feet, with the
workstation being intended to be placed directly on the ground,
with the work surface having an angle .alpha. to the horizontal
plane, wherein the angle .alpha. is greater than or equal to
2.degree. and less than or equal to 4.degree..
2. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle .alpha. is
greater than or equal to 2.5.degree..
3. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle .alpha. is
less than or equal to 3.5.degree..
4. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the work surface
comprises a longitudinal direction and the work surface is
supported by the at least one support element in such a way that
the straight line defined by the intersection of the work surface
and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the work surface.
5. Workstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein the work surface is
arranged in such a way that its side (12a) intended to receive the
user is lower than the opposite side (12b) of the work surface.
6. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, comprising means of
inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle .alpha.
between 2.degree. and 4.degree..
7. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the work surface has
a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85
cm.
8. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is a
frame whereon the work surface is cantilever mounted.
9. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feet can be
adjusted in height from a sitting position to a standing
position.
10. Workstation as claimed in claim 1, comprising a single work
surface evenly inclined by an angle .alpha..
11. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the work surface
comprises a longitudinal direction and the work surface is
supported by the at least one support element in such a way that
the straight line defined by the intersection of the work surface
and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the work surface.
12. Workstation as claimed in claim 3, wherein the work surface
comprises a longitudinal direction and the work surface is
supported by the at least one support element in such a way that
the straight line defined by the intersection of the work surface
and of the horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the work surface.
13. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, comprising means of
inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle .alpha.
between 2.degree. and 4.degree..
14. Workstation as claimed in claim 3, comprising means of
inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle .alpha.
between 2.degree. and 4.degree..
15. Workstation as claimed in claim 4, comprising means of
inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle .alpha.
between 2.degree. and 4.degree..
16. Workstation as claimed in claim 5, comprising means of
inclination that make it possible to adjust the angle .alpha.
between 2.degree. and 4.degree..
17. Workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein the work surface has
a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85
cm.
18. Workstation as claimed in claim 3, wherein the work surface has
a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85
cm.
19. Workstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein the work surface has
a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85
cm.
20. Workstation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the work surface has
a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less than or equal to 85
cm.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a workstation comprising a work
surface supported by at least one support element.
[0002] The workstation is intended to receive documents, such as
books, sheets, and tools, such as a telephone, computer, allowing
the user to perform his or her work, in particular office work
where the user is sitting.
[0003] Many studies show a link between the layout of the
workstation and the well-being, comfort, safety and effectiveness
of the user. The layout of the workstation is all the more so
important when the user spends a lot of time at his or her
workstation.
[0004] Therefore, prolonged use of the workstation can become
unpleasant for the user and even generate pain which can require
the user having to rest which penalizes the latter in performing
their work.
[0005] There is therefore a continuous need to improve the comfort
and the well-being of users, in particular there is a need to
improve the ergonomics of workstations.
[0006] There is therefore a need for a workstation that offers
improved usage comfort in relation to existing workstations.
[0007] This invention aims to propose a new workstation that
satisfies this need.
[0008] To this effect, this invention has for object a workstation
intended in particular for use in an office environment comprising
a work surface supported by at least one support element comprising
a set of feet, with the workstation being intended to be placed
directly on the ground, with the work surface having an angle
.alpha. to the horizontal plane, characterized in that the angle
.alpha. is greater than or equal to 2.degree. and less than or
equal to 4.degree..
[0009] The term "horizontal plane" here means a plane that is
substantially parallel to the ground whereon the user is
positioned.
[0010] Advantageously, the inclination of the work surface by an
angle .alpha. greater than or equal to 2.degree. and less than or
equal to 4.degree. offers better usage comfort of the
workstation.
[0011] The workstation according to the invention can also comprise
one or several of the characteristics hereinbelow, considered
individually or according to any technically possible combinations:
[0012] the angle .alpha. is greater than or equal to 2.5.degree.;
and/or [0013] the angle .alpha. is less than or equal to
3.5.degree.; and/or [0014] the work surface comprises a
longitudinal direction and the work surface is supported by the at
least one support element in such a way that the straight line
defined by the intersection of the work surface and of the
horizontal plane is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the
work surface; and/or [0015] the work surface is arranged in such a
way that its side intended to receive the user is lower than the
opposite side of the work surface; and/or [0016] the workstation
comprises means of inclination that make it possible to adjust the
angle .alpha. between 2.degree. and 4.degree.; and/or [0017] the
work surface has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm and less
than or equal to 85 cm; and/or [0018] the support is a frame
whereon the work surface is cantilever mounted; and/or [0019] the
support comprises a set of feet; and/or [0020] the feet can be
adjusted in height from a sitting position to a standing position;
and/or [0021] the workstation comprises a single evenly inclined
work surface.
[0022] The invention shall be better understood in light of the
following description which is provided solely for the purposes of
information and which does not have for purpose to limit said
invention, accompanied by the figures hereinbelow:
[0023] FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a workstation according to
prior art,
[0024] FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a workstation according to the
invention.
[0025] In the various figures, similar elements are designated by
identical references. Furthermore, the various elements are not
necessarily shown to scale so as to present a view that makes it
possible to facilitate the understanding of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a workstation 10 according to prior art. It
comprises a single work surface 12 supported by a support element
14. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a user 30 is using the
workstation in sitting position on a chair 40.
[0027] The work surface 12 is usually arranged with a zero angle of
inclination in relation to a horizontal plane of which the guiding
axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the
ground whereon the work surface 12 rests.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal configuration of the work
surface 12 leads to a leaning forward position of the user. In this
position, the vertebral column of the user is curved forwards
generating tension in the vertebral column, in particular on the
cervical vertebrae. The holding of this leaning forward position
for long periods of time, typically several hours, can lead in time
to cervical lesions.
[0029] FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a workstation 20 according to
the invention.
[0030] The workstation 20 according to the invention comprises a
single work surface 12 supported by a support element 14. As shown
in FIG. 2, the work surface 12 is evenly inclined and has an angle
.alpha. to the horizontal plane, the angle .alpha. being greater
than or equal to 2.degree. and less than or equal to 4.degree..
[0031] The inventors have observed that the inclination of the work
surface 12 by an angle between 2.degree. and 4.degree.
substantially increases the comfort of the user.
[0032] This improvement in comfort is even more visible when the
inclination of the work surface is greater than or equal to
2.5.degree. and less than or equal to 3.5.degree..
[0033] Indeed, as shown in FIG. 2, the inclination of the work
surface 12 according to the invention favors the straightening of
the vertebral column of the user, as such avoiding cervical lesions
resulting from a prolonged leaning posture.
[0034] Furthermore, the inclination of the work surface 12
according to the invention allows for better support for the
forearms of the user. This better support makes it possible to
reduce the risks of pain in the wrists of the user in particular
the risks linked to the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome.
[0035] In addition, the inclination of the work surface 12
according to the invention allows the user to have the elbows lower
which allows for a loosening of the shoulders.
[0036] The inventors have been able to confirm the selection of
values of the angles of inclination of the invention by conducting
a test with a population of 400 representative users in terms of
morphology.
[0037] Each user performed common work tasks, such as writing,
reading and typing on a computer, on a workstation according to
prior art and a workstation with a work surface inclined by an
angle .alpha. to the horizontal plane.
[0038] The results of this test show that 100% of the users feel an
improvement in the comfort of use when they perform the common work
tasks on a workstation of which the work surface is inclined by an
angle .alpha. greater than or equal to 2.degree. and less than or
equal to 4.degree..
[0039] The ergonomic study, conducted on a panel of users,
demonstrated that using a work surface according to this invention
causes a natural straightening of the upper portion of the body, as
such generating a posture that is balanced better and that reduces
the tensions on the muscles, ligaments and the articular
surfaces.
[0040] This study also revealed that beyond 4.degree. of
inclination, the device progressively loses its interest. 100%
positive results are obtained with an inclination of 3.degree. then
a progressive decrease is observed in the satisfaction of the users
starting from 4.degree..
[0041] The inventors have observed that an angle of inclination
less than 2.degree. did not significantly increase the comfort of
the user.
[0042] Likewise, when the angle of inclination is greater than
4.degree. discomfort appears, which is in particular due to the
sliding of elements on the work surface.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the work surface 12 is arranged in such
a way that its side 12a intended to receive the user is lower than
the opposite side 12b of the work surface 12.
[0044] According to an embodiment, the work surface of a
workstation 12 according to the invention has a rectangular shape
with a longitudinal direction. The work surface is supported by the
support element in such a way that the straight line defined by the
intersection of the work surface and of the horizontal plane is
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the work surface.
[0045] The workstation according to the invention has a single
evenly inclined work surface. Conventional inclined workstations
have disadvantages beyond a certain inclination, such as for
example a sliding of cylindrical objects placed on the surface
thereof. In order to overcome these disadvantages the so-called
ergonomic workstations sometimes have a plurality of work surface
that are more or less inclined. The workstation according to the
invention makes it possible to obtain the advantages of the
inclined plane while still retaining a single work surface. This is
possible only by the particular angle of inclination that was
determined by the inventor in terms of ergonomic studies conducted
on a panel of several hundred users.
[0046] Although not shown in FIG. 2, the workstation according to
the invention can also comprise means of inclination that make it
possible to adjust the angle of inclination a between 2.degree. and
4.degree..
[0047] Advantageously, the means of inclination allow each user to
adjust the angle of inclination as such increasing the comfort of
the user.
[0048] The means of inclination can be manual, for example by means
of a screw, or be motorized, for example by using an electric motor
that drives a screw.
[0049] Typically, the work surface of a workstation according to
the invention has a depth greater than or equal to 70 cm, for
example greater than or equal to 75 cm, and less than or equal to
85 cm.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the support 14 of a workstation 20
according to the invention can include a set of feet, for example 2
or 4 feet, with the workstation being intended to be placed
directly on the ground.
[0051] According to an alternative of the invention, the support 14
is a frame whereon the work surface is cantilever mounted.
[0052] Recent studies tend to prove that the standing position is
suitable for office work, this position in particular decreases
back and cervical pain caused by a prolonged sitting position.
Offices of the "standing office" type as such allow the user to
perform office work while remaining standing.
[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the support of the
workstation comprises a set of feet that can be adjusted in height
from a sitting position to a standing position. The sitting
position corresponds to a working height of the workstation for a
user sitting on an office bureau, for example a height greater than
or equal to 65 cm and less than or equal to 85 cm. The standing
position corresponds to a working height of the workstation for a
user who is standing up, for example a height greater than or equal
to 100 cm and less than or equal to 140 cm. These height-adjustable
feet allow the user of the workstation to switch from a sitting
position to a standing position while still retaining the benefits
of the particular angle of inclination of the work surface.
[0054] The invention was described hereinabove using embodiments
shown in the figures, without limiting the general inventive
concept.
[0055] Many other modifications and variations will be self-evident
to those skilled in the art, after reflection on the various
embodiments shown in this application. These embodiments are
provided as an example and are not intended to limit the scope of
the invention, which is determined exclusively by the claims
hereinbelow.
[0056] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other
elements or steps, and the use of the indefinite article "a" or
"an" does not exclude a plurality. The simple fact that various
characteristics are listed in the mutually dependent claims does
not indicate that a combination of these characteristics cannot be
advantageously used. Finally, any reference used in the claims must
not be interpreted as being a limitation to the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *