Work station for use with flat monitors

• US 5,651,594 A
• Filed: 05/31/1995
• Issued: 07/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nova Solutions Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nova Solutions Inc.
• Inventors: Lechman, John N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US08/451,027
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 248/919, 248/923, 248/917, 248/286.1, 312/223.3, 312/223.2, 312/194
• US Class Current: 312/194
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/0076 the screen being incorporated in the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/007 with under-desk displays, e.g. displays being viewable through a transparent working surface of the table or desk
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0314 Platforms for supporting office equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2210/15 Keyboard drawers

Abstract

A flat monitor is associated with a work station in inset relationship to the top surface of the station'"'"'s work platform so as to be non-interfering with this top surface usage. The flat monitor is either supported below an inset transparent window in the work platform or supported in a bore defined in the work platform, with the flat monitor preferably provided with a protective transparent film or sheet.

Claims

1. A work station for a flat monitor comprising in combination:

a) a work station having a work platform and means for supporting said platform in spaced relationship to an underlying floor, said platform having an aperture defined therein, said platform and said means for supporting together defining a kneehole that generally extends beneath said aperture and that has a side opening in said work station for receiving the knees of a seated user at said work station; and

b) a flat monitor support comprising;

(1) a generally flat support member with opposed side portions and opposed front and rear end portions and having an upturned lip along said front end portions whereby a flat monitor can rest upon said support member and said lip when said front end portions are lower than said rear end portions;

(2) hinge means pivotably connecting said rear end portions with said platform at a location thereof which is adjacent to said aperture so that said support member is downwardly pivotable into said knee hole at an inclined angle relative to said platform with said flat monitor being visible through said aperture by a seated user;

(3) arm means pivotably downwardly depending from at least one of said side portions so that said arm means can extend vertically as said support member is so pivoted;

(4) bracket means fixed to said work station generally below said aperture and including adjustable connecting means for movably and pivotably associating said bracket means with said arm means and for releasably clamping said arm means so that said inclined angle of said support member is fixable and is also adjustable by said adjustable connecting means; and

(5) said bracket means comprising a pair of brackets, each said bracket being generally positioned below and in vertically spaced relationship to a respected said side portions, wherein each said bracket comprises in combination;

(a) an elongated member having a vertically oriented elongated slot defined therein and having fastening means for fastening said member to said arm means for supporting;

(b) a bolt and threaded nut means;

(c) a brace body having a channel extending therethrough and having a side positioned for receiving a lower end portion of one said arm means defined on said body perpendicularly to said channel;

whereby, when said bolt is slidably extended through said slot and said channel and is engaged with said nut means, said support member is adjustably fixable at an inclined angle by said bracket means.

2. The work station of claim 1 where, in said monitor support, said arm means comprises a pair of arms, each of said arms being on a respected said opposed side portion.

3. A work station adapted for supporting a flat monitor comprising in combination:

(a) a platform having a flat monitor-receiving aperture defined therein, said aperture having front and rear edge portions and opposed side edge portions,

(b) means for supporting said platform in spaced relationship to an underlying floor and defining with said platform a kneehole that extends under said aperture and has an opening located along one side of said work station for receiving the knees of a user seated at said work station,

(c) adjustable support means for said flat monitor at said aperture, said means comprising in combination;

a substantially flat support member having opposed front and rear edge portions and opposed side edge portions;

an upturned lip member along said front edge portions;

hinge means pivotably connecting said back edge portions with said rear edge portions of said aperture whereby said support member is pivotable about said hinge means so as to be downwardly inclined relative to said platform;

a pair of arm member, each one being

pivotably associated at an upper end portion thereof with, and downwardly dependent from, a different said side edge portion, and also

pivotably associated at a lower end thereof with a different pivotable brace body, each said brace body having a channel laterally extending therethrough,

a pair of brackets, each said bracket having a vertically oriented, elongated slot defined therein and each said bracket having fastening means engaged with said arm means for supporting and positioning each said bracket below a different said side edge portion;

a pair of nut and bolt means, each said nut and bolt means having said bolt thereof extended through each slot and each said channel, whereby when said bolt thereof is associated with said nut thereof, said bolt is slidably moveable in said slot but is fixed relative to said brace body so that, when said nut is tightened upon said bolt, said support member is adjustably positionable at a desired inclination angle.