COMPUTERIZED FLEX WORKSTATION, TRAY, CABINET AND CART

• US 20100052486A1
• Filed: 08/26/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dental Equipment LLC (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dental Equipment LLC (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Hemmer, Nathan A.
• Application Number:
  US12/198,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20100052486A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/223.300
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0008 Pop-up keyboard tray incorporated into a desktop
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0023 Columnar component for computer, stand or trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 15/14 Dental work stands; Accessories therefor

Abstract

A workstation includes a keyboard integrated therein and a substantially planar work surface. The keyboard may be disposed between an upper and lower portion of the workstation such that a substantially planar upper surface is provided. Additionally, the keyboard may be formed within a portion of the workstation so that an exposed surface of the keyboard is flush with or underlying the substantially planar upper surface. Advantageously, the workstation may provide an interface between a user and the keyboard that may be efficiently cleaned, sterilized and disinfected.

Claims

1. A workstation to provide an aseptic interface between a user and a keyboard, comprising:

a substantially planar work surface; and

a keyboard integrated into the workstation and accessible through the work surface.

2. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the workstation includes an upper portion overlying the keyboard and a lower surface positioned generally parallel to and opposing the upper portion.

3. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises a panel formed from a transparent material or a translucent material, the panel being sized and configured to render the underlying keyboard visible to the user.

4. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are selectively attached to one another using a fastener.

5. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are integrally formed into a single, unitary structure.

6. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the keyboard fitted into a receptacle in the work surface that is sized and configured to receive the keyboard.

7. The workstation of claim 6, wherein an upper surface of the keyboard is exposed through and is substantially planar with the work surface.

8. The workstation of claim 7, wherein a gap between the keyboard and the work surface is filled or fused to form a substantially planar work surface.

9. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising a support pivotally attached to the workstation.

10. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the workstation comprises an upper portion formed around the keyboard and a lower portion attached to and providing support for the upper portion.

11. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the work surface and the keyboard are integrated as a single, unitary structure.

12. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is fitted within a receptacle in the surface, the receptacle being sized and configured to receive the keyboard.

13. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising a lower portion underlying the work surface and providing generally uniform strength and structural integrity to the work surface.

14. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is disposed between an upper portion and a lower portion of the planar work surface.

15. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the surface is a thermoplastic material disposed over the keyboard.

16. The workstation of claim 1, further comprising:

an upper portion having a substantially planar upper surface and at least one panel sized and configured to render a portion of the keyboard visible to a user;

a keyboard disposed substantially between the lower portion and the upper portions

a lower portion disposed generally parallel to and spaced apart from the upper portion;

a fastener for securing the upper portion to the lower portion with the keyboard

17. The workstation of claim 16, wherein the portion of the keyboard visible to the user is accessible by the user.

18. The workstation of claim 16, wherein the upper and lower portions enclose a hollow interior portion containing the keyboard.

19. A cart integrated with a keyboard, comprising:

a workstation comprising a keyboard integrated into a surface thereof and having a substantially planar work surface;

a support configured to support the workstation; and

a base connected to the support and providing movement and stability to the cart.

20. A dental tray with an integrated keyboard, comprising:

a workstation configured to have a substantially planar upper surface and having a keyboard therein; and

a support pivotally connected to the lower portion of the workstation.

21. The dental tray of claim 20, wherein the support is moveably secured to a mounting surface.

22. A cabinet with an integrated keyboard, comprising:

a work surface having a substantially planar upper surface;

a keyboard integrated into and accessible to a user via the work; and

a base sized and configured to support the work surface, the base including at least one storage space therein.

23. The cabinet of claim 22, wherein the keyboard is disposed within a receptacle in the work surface, the receptacle sized and configured to receive the keyboard so that an upper surface of the keyboard is flush with the work surface.