Multi-media workstation having a master rail system

• US 20080290768A1
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Forecast Console Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Forecast Console Incorporated
• Inventors: Haberman, William G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,802,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/223.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0013 Desks with central bearing beams
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0046 Desks with double worktop of which one at least is separately height adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0085 Supplementary support fixed on the edge of a desk or table

Abstract

A multi-media workstation having a master rail system for permitting horizontal adjustment of the various components of the workstation. The workstation generally includes a console having a work surface and a master rail system for supporting various audiovisual equipment. The master rail system includes a rail extrusion connecting at least two frames and having a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of its surfaces. The various components of the workstation each include a finger engaged in the longitudinal slot of the rail extrusion, wherein the component is able to be horizontally translated along a length of the rail extrusion.

Claims

1. A multi-media workstation comprising:

at least two substantially vertical frames;

a first rail extrusion mounted to said vertical frames and connecting said frames, said first rail extrusion including an upper surface, a lateral surface and a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of said upper and lateral surfaces;

a second rail extrusion having an upper surface, a lateral surface and a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of said upper and lateral surfaces, said second rail extrusion being mounted to said vertical frames and connecting said frames such that said upper surface of said second rail extrusion is disposed vertically lower than said upper surface of said first rail extrusion when said multi-media workstation is assembled;

a desktop unit having a finger engaged in said longitudinal slot of said first rail extrusion, wherein said desktop unit is able to be horizontally translated along a length of said first rail extrusion; and

a console box for supporting a first piece of audiovisual equipment, said console box being translatably mounted on said second rail extrusion, wherein said console box is able to be horizontally translated along a length of said second extrusion.

2. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal slots in said first and second rail extrusions are T-shaped.

3. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 1, wherein said console box comprises an enclosed structure for containing the first piece of audiovisual equipment therein, said enclosed structure being horizontally translatable along a length of said second rail extrusion.

4. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 1, wherein said first rail extrusion includes longitudinal slots formed in both of said upper surface and said lateral surface.

5. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 4, wherein said desktop unit is engaged in said longitudinal slot formed in said lateral surface of said first rail extrusion, and wherein said workstation further comprises a vertical support stand for supporting a second piece of audiovisual equipment, said vertical support stand being engaged in said longitudinal slot formed in said upper surface of said first rail extrusion.

6. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 5, wherein said vertical support stand is adapted to support a video monitor.

7. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 1, wherein said second rail extrusion includes longitudinal slots formed in both of said upper surface and said lateral surface.

8. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 7, wherein said workstation further comprises a vertical support stand for supporting a second piece of audiovisual equipment, said vertical support stand being engaged in said longitudinal slot formed in said upper surface of said second rail extrusion.

9. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 8, wherein said vertical support stand is adapted to support a video monitor.

10. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 7, wherein said second rail extrusion is square in cross-section and includes T-shaped longitudinal slots formed on each side of said second rail extrusion.

11. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 1, further comprising a bracket assembly connected between said first and second rail extrusions.

12. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 11, wherein said bracket assembly comprises a flat panel extending between said first and second rail extrusions and at least one bracket for supporting said flat panel.

13. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 12, wherein said flat panel encloses a cavity between said first rail extrusion, said second rail extrusion and said vertical frames for containing electrical wiring for said workstation therein.

14. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 1, wherein said vertical frames have first and second upper mounting portions, said first rail extrusion being mounted to said first upper mounting portion of said vertical frames and said second rail extrusion being mounted to said second upper mounting portion of said vertical frames.

15. A multi-media workstation comprising:

at least two substantially vertical frames;

a rail extrusion mounted to said vertical frames and connecting said frames, said rail extrusion including a first portion having an upper surface, a lateral surface and a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of said upper and lateral surfaces and a second portion having an upper surface, a lateral surface and a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of said upper and lateral surfaces, said upper surface of said second portion being disposed at a downward angle with respect to said upper surface of said first portion when said multi-media workstation is assembled;

a desktop unit having a finger engaged in said longitudinal slot of said first portion of said rail extrusion, wherein said desktop unit is able to be horizontally translated along a length of said first portion of said rail extrusion; and

a console box for supporting a first piece of audiovisual equipment, said console box being translatably mounted on said upper surface of said second portion of said rail extrusion, wherein said console box is able to be horizontally translated along a length of said second portion of said rail extrusion.

16. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 15, wherein said longitudinal slots in said first and second portions of said extrusion are T-shaped.

17. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 15, wherein said first portion of said extrusion includes longitudinal slots formed in both of said upper surface and said lateral surface.

18. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 17, wherein said desktop unit is engaged in said longitudinal slot formed in said lateral surface of said first extrusion portion, and wherein said workstation further comprises a vertical support stand for supporting a second piece of audiovisual equipment, said vertical support stand being engaged in said longitudinal slot formed in said upper surface of said first extrusion portion.

19. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 15, wherein said second portion of said extrusion includes longitudinal slots formed in both of said upper surface and said lateral surface.

20. A multi-media workstation as defined in claim 15, wherein said console box comprises an angle disposed on an outer surface thereof, said angle supporting said console box on said upper surface of said second portion of said rail extrusion.