Corner computer workcenter

• US 20050012438A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sauder Woodworking Company
• Original Assignee: O'Sullivan Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Probst, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,008,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/223.300
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0335 mounted under the worksurface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/068 Cassette cabinets or the like

Abstract

A corner computer workcenter is described that includes means for positioning a CPU of a computer proximate to a monitor, keyboard, and other peripheral devices thereof and at a height with respect to the user that facilitates access to media drives and power switches. In one embodiment, the corner computer workcenter of the present invention includes a first horizontal surface for supporting a computer monitor, a second horizontal surface comprising a work surface located in front of and beneath the first surface, and a third horizontal surface located below the work surface for supporting a computer keyboard and other input devices. A shelf, the vertical height of which may be adjustable, is included for positioning a CPU of the computer just below the monitor and behind the work surface and keyboard support surface so that cables provided with the computer for connecting the monitor, keyboard, and other input devices to the CPU are of sufficient length to serve their intended purpose. Casters are provided at each side of the bottom, rear of the workcenter to facilitate access to the rear of the CPU and other computer components.

Claims

1. A workcenter, comprising:

a first horizontal surface for supporting a computer monitor;

a first pair of parallel, spaced, vertically extending sidewalls connected to the bottom of the first horizontal surface;

a shelf connected between the first pair of sidewalls below the first horizontal surface; and

a second horizontal surface located below the first horizontal surface and above the shelf and having an aperture therethrough, the second horizontal surface being unitarily formed to provide a portion of the second horizontal surface in front of the aperture;

wherein the first pair of sidewalls extend through the second horizontal surface aperture and the shelf is positioned such that a CPU is supported thereon and extends through the second horizontal surface aperture toward the first horizontal surface.

2. The computer workcenter of claim 1 further comprising casters provided on a bottom rear of the workcenter.

3. The computer workcenter of claim 1 further comprising a CD rack for housing compact disc media.

4. The computer workcenter of claim 3 wherein the CD rack is located on a top surface of the second horizontal surface proximate the CPU.

5. The computer workcenter of claim 1 wherein a vertical height of the shelf is adjustable.

6. The computer workcenter of claim 1 wherein the second horizontal surface functions as a user work surface.

7. A desk, comprising:

means for supporting a computer monitor;

a horizontal work surface provided below the computer monitor supporting means and having an aperture therethrough, the horizontal work surface being unitarily formed to provide a portion of the horizontal surface in front of the aperture; and

means for supporting a computer CPU below the computer monitor supporting means, the computer CPU supporting means being arranged to extend through the horizontal work surface aperture, such that the computer CPU extends through the work surface aperture and is located proximate to and vertically spaced from the computer monitor.

8. The desk of claim 7 further comprising a CD rack for housing compact disc media.

9. The desk of claim 8 wherein the CD rack is positioned on a top surface of the horizontal work surface proximate the CPU.

10. The desk of claim 7 further comprising means for facilitating movement of the desk.

11. The desk of claim 10 wherein the means for facilitating movement comprises casters provided on a bottom rear of the desk.

12. A desk, comprising:

a first horizontal surface for supporting a computer monitor;

a pair of parallel, spaced, vertically-extending sidewalls connected to the bottom of the first horizontal surface;

a shelf connected between the pair of sidewalls below the first horizontal surface; and

a second horizontal surface located below the first horizontal surface and above the shelf and having a space therethrough such that a CPU extends through the second horizontal surface toward the first horizontal surface, the second horizontal surface being unitarily formed to provide a portion of the second horizontal surface in front of the space.

13. The desk of claim 12 wherein the sidewalls extend through the space such that the sidewalls are laterally adjacent to opposing edges of the second horizontal surface defined by the space.