Computer workstation

• US 5,704,298 A
• Filed: 05/16/1996
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Haworth Incorporated
• Inventors: Alexander, Brian D. T., Corpuz, Roque Matias Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US08/649,031
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50, 108/59, 108/64, 108/90, 108/95, 312/233.3, 312/233.2, 312/223.1, 312/194, 312/195, 248/917, 248/918
• US Class Current: 108/50.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 17/065 Pivotally mounted auxiliary tables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0087 Additional support mounted on an office desk or table periphery with parts resting on the ground

Abstract

A computer workstation comprising a keyboard support stand and a monitor support stand mounted to a support leg of said keyboard support stand so as to be swingable about a vertical axis of the support leg. The monitor support stand includes a base, a cross member extending between the support leg and the base, and a support column which extends upwardly from the base and vertically supports a monitor support tray. The monitor support tray is both rotatable and height-adjustable relative to the base, and the base is swingable about the support leg to permit ready repositioning of the monitor relative to a user.

Claims

1. A computer workstation for supporting a keyboard and a monitor of a computer, comprising:

a computer support stand which includes a horizontally enlarged worksurface for supporting a keyboard thereon, and a plurality of tubular support legs which extend upwardly from a floor and are interconnected to said worksurface for supporting said worksurface at a worksurface height, said support legs being generally vertically elongate so as to define an upwardly extending longitudinal axis; and

a monitor support stand connected to said computer support stand, said monitor support stand including a base structure having a base movably positioned on the floor and a support column which extends upwardly from said base, a monitor support connected to said support column for supporting a monitor thereon, and a cross member which includes a first end rigidly connected to said base structure and a second end extending toward one of said support legs, said second end of said cross member including mounting means for pivotal engagement of said cross member to said one support leg so that said monitor support stand is horizontally swingable about the longitudinal axis of said one support leg, said support column comprising a first column member defining a hollow interior and a second column member telescopingly received within said hollow interior of said first member, a lower one of said first and second column members being connected to said base and an upper one of said first and second column members being connected to said monitor support such that said monitor support is vertically movable relative to said base.

2. A computer workstation according to claim 1, wherein said support column includes stop means for fixedly locking said first column member relative to said second column member to at least prevent downward vertical movement of said monitor support relative to said base.

3. A computer workstation according to claim 2, wherein said stop means comprises a plurality of apertures formed in said upper one of said first and second column members, said apertures being vertically spaced longitudinally along said upper one of said first and second column members, and a pin selectively inserted into one of said apertures so as to abut against an upper end of said lower one of said first and second column members and limit downward telescoping movement of said upper one of said first and second column members.

4. A computer workstation according to claim 1, wherein said second column member is rotatable within said hollow interior of said first column member so that said monitor support is rotatable relative to said base.

5. A computer workstation according to claim 4, wherein said monitor support defines a horizontally enlarged planar surface which faces upwardly for supporting a monitor thereon.

6. A computer workstation according to claim 1, wherein said base has at least one rolling element mounted thereon and disposed in supporting and rolling engagement with the floor.

8. A computer workstation according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a bearing portion extending about the periphery of said one support leg, said mounting means being removable for pivotal engagement with another of said support legs.

7. A computer workstation for supporting a keyboard and a monitor of a computer, comprising:

a computer support stand which includes a horizontally enlarged worksurface for supporting a keyboard thereon, and a support frame which extends upwardly from a floor and is interconnected to said worksurface for supporting said worksurface at a worksurface height, said support frame including a frame element which is generally vertically elongate so as to define an upwardly extending longitudinal axis; and

a monitor support stand connected to said computer support stand, said monitor support stand including a base structure having a base movably positioned on the floor and a support column which extends upwardly from said base, a monitor support connected to said support column for supporting a monitor thereon, and a cross member which includes a first end rigidly connected to said base structure and a second end extending toward said frame element, said second end of said cross member including mounting means for pivotal engagement of said cross member to said frame element so that said monitor support stand is horizontally swingable about the longitudinal axis of said one support leg, said base includes a pair of support legs which are fixed to and project generally horizontally outwardly from a lower end of said support column, said legs extending in generally transverse relation with respect to one another and projecting radially outwardly from said support column on a side thereof which is substantially opposite said cross member whereby an extension of a longitudinal centerline of said cross member through said support column substantially bisects the included angle defined between said pair of support legs, and a caster assembly mounted on each said support leg adjacent an outer end thereof and disposed in rolling and supportive engagement with the floor. mounted thereon and disposed in supportive and rolling engagement with the floor.

9. A computer workstation for supporting a keyboard and a monitor of a computer, comprising:

a computer support stand having a horizontally enlarged worksurface for supporting a keyboard thereon, and a support frame connected to said worksurface for vertically supporting said worksurface, said frame including at least one upright frame member which defines an upwardly extending longitudinal axis; and

a monitor support stand connected to said computer support stand, said monitor support stand including a base movably positioned on a floor, a support column which extends upwardly from said base and includes a monitor support connected thereto for supporting a monitor, and a cross member which includes a first end rigidly connected to said base and a second end extending toward said frame member, said second end of said cross member including mounting means for pivotal engagement of said cross member to said frame member so that said monitor support stand is swingable about said longitudinal axis, said support column comprising a lower column member and an upper column member movably connected to said lower column member so as to be vertically movable and rotatable about an upwardly extending axis relative to said lower column member, said lower column member being fixedly connected to said base and said upper column member being connected to said monitor support such that said monitor support is vertically movable and rotatable relative to said base.

10. A computer workstation according to claim 9, wherein said support column includes stop means for fixedly locking said upper column member relative to said lower column member to prevent downward vertical movement of said support column relative to said base.

11. A computer workstation according to claim 9, wherein said upper column member is rotatably and telescopingly engaged with said lower column member so that said monitor support is rotatable and vertically movable.

12. A computer workstation according to claim 9, wherein said monitor support defines a horizontally enlarged planar surface which faces upwardly for supporting a monitor thereon, said monitor support stand including mounting means for fixedly securing a monitor to said monitor support, said mounting means comprising a plurality of clips including a clamping portion for clamping a monitor onto said planar surface and engagement means for connecting said clips to said planar surface.

13. A computer workstation according to claim 9, wherein said frame includes a plurality of said frame members disposed at least in laterally spaced relation proximate a rearward edge region of said worksurface, said mounting means comprising a bearing portion connected to a periphery of one said frame member, said mounting means being removable for pivotal engagement with any one of said frame members.

14. A computer workstation according to claim 13, wherein each of said frame members comprise an upwardly extending cylindrical support leg having a substantially circular outer peripheral surface, said bearing portion defining a circular opening therethrough which receives one said support leg therein with said bearing portion being swingable about said support leg.

15. A computer workstation, comprising in combination:

a freestanding worksurface arrangement adaptable for supporting a keyboard thereon, said worksurface arrangement including an upright frame which is supportingly engaged on a floor, and a generally horizontally enlarged worksurface mounted on said frame in upwardly spaced relation from said floor, said worksurface defining thereon a generally planar and enlarged upwardly facing surface, said frame including a frame element which is positioned under said worksurface adjacent a peripheral edge thereof; and

an upright support stand positioned at least partially in supportive engagement with the floor and positioned sidewardly adjacent and interconnected to said worksurface arrangement, said support stand including an upright base structure which is provided with at least one roller adjacent a lower end thereof, said roller being disposed in supportive and rolling engagement with the floor, said base structure including a vertically elongate upright column defining a generally vertically extending longitudinal axis, and a horizontally enlarged tray fixed to said column adjacent an upper end thereof, said column including upper and lower column members which are both vertically telescopedly supported one with the other and relatively rotatable with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis to enable the tray to be positionally adjusted both vertically and rotationally about said longitudinal axis, said tray defining thereon a generally planar and horizontally enlarged upper surface adapted to support a computer monitor thereon, clamping means engageable with said tray for clamping a computer monitor to the upper surface thereof, and a generally elongate and horizontally extending connecting arm having one end thereof fixed to said base structure and projecting horizontally outwardly away from said column and being provided with releasable connecting means adjacent an outer free end thereof for releasable attachment to the frame element on said worksurface arrangement, whereby said support stand can be positioned with the tray disposed sidewardly adjacent the worksurface and adjustably positioned relative thereto.

16. A workstation according to claim 15, wherein said frame element has a generally cylindrical outer profile defined about a generally vertical axis, and wherein said releasable connecting means defines a generally annular bearing which rotatably supportingly surrounds said frame element to enable said support stand to be horizontally pivotally displaced relative to said worksurface about the vertical axis of said frame element, and said support stand being stably supportable in an upright position only when said cross arm is attached to said frame element.

17. An upright support stand for supporting a computer monitor thereon, said support stand comprising:

a horizontally enlarged support tray defining thereon a generally enlarged and horizontally planar upper surface adapted to support thereon a computer monitor;

clamping means mountable on said tray and releasably engageable with a monitor for permitting the monitor to be fixedly but releasably attached to said support tray;

a base structure fixed to said support tray and projecting downwardly therefrom for supportive and load-bearing engagement with a floor, said base structure including a vertically elongate and vertically extendible support column defining a generally vertically extending central axis, said support column at an upper end thereof being fixedly secured to an underside of said support tray;

said base structure including a base member fixed to said column adjacent a lower end thereof, said base member mounting at least one rolling element thereon with said rolling element being disposed in supportive and rolling engagement with the floor so as to normally maintain said base member in upwardly spaced relation from the floor; and

a horizontally elongate attaching arm fixedly attached to said base structure and projecting horizontally outwardly in a direction generally radially away from said column in a cantilevered fashion so as to terminate in a free end; and

a connecting hinge structure defining a generally vertical hinge axis provided on the free end of said attaching arm for providing a releasable pivotal connection to a separate and independent upright structure.

18. A support stand according to claim 17, wherein said base member includes a pair of support arms which are fixed to and project radially outwardly in generally transverse relation relative to one another away from the lower end of said support column, and a said support roller being mounted on each said support leg adjacent a radially outer end thereof, said support legs projecting outwardly away from said support column on substantially the opposite diametral side thereof from said attaching arm.

19. A support stand according to claim 18, wherein said clamping means includes a plurality of clips which releasably attach between said support tray and the monitor, said support tray having a plurality of openings associated therewith for permitting said clips to be releasably attached to said tray at a plurality of different locations.