Ergonomic computer workstation and method of using
First Claim
1. An ergonomically designed computer work station comprising:
- (A) a base means for location in a stationary position upon a supportive surface adjacent to a reference position, being the intended or projected work position of a computer operator,(B) a video monitor support means mounted upon such base,(C) said support means being universally adjustable within mechanically predetermined outer limits to any position in a vertically oriented plane passing through said projected work position and the base of the support means,(D) said support means being adjustable along the plane in upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and backwardly directions in every position on the plane within the predetermined limits,(E) said support means being constructed as a paired structures mechanically counterbalanced such that when adjusted for the weight of the support and a video monitor it can be moved along the plane with only a minimum exertion of force and upon removal of said force will remain in the position in which it was at the cessation of the application of the force,(F) the especially predetermined outer limits of movement in the vertical plane being from a position within less than one dimension of the video monitor from the supportive surface to not less than substantially eye level of a projected operator in the reference position in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction not less than from substantially directly over the base to within about a horizontal distance from the reference position which is the long leg of a right triangle the hypotenuse of which is the resting convergence distance of an average human eye with a line of vision extending at a downward angle of thirty-five degrees,(G) a keypad supported in a counterbalanced fashion upon two support arms at least indirectly mounted with respect to said base means such that said keypad is movable in a vertical plane passing through the reference position at least twelve inches in a vertical direction as well between,(H) the keypad support arms being mechanically counterbalanced such that the keypad can be moved to a desired vertical position with only a minimum of exertion of force and upon removal of said force will remain in the position in which it was upon the cessation of the removal of the force,(I) a locking means for rendering the keypad immovable during contact with the hands of an operator at the reference position during the keying in of data upon a keyboard supported by the keypad.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer workstation is provided with a movable support for a video monitor which is counterbalanced such that it may be moved with a minimum exertion and a coordinated keypad for support of the keyboard for the computer is also arranged in a counterbalanced fashion for movement with a minimum exertion by the operator, both of such structures being coordinated together to provide a universally adjustable monitor work system station which both allows and encourages the operator to periodically make adjustments in the position of the various components so as to decrease or eliminate repetitive strain-type injuries which may be brought on by long continued exactly repetitive movements. The video monitor is adjustably supported with a dual adjustable support.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An ergonomically designed computer work station comprising:
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(A) a base means for location in a stationary position upon a supportive surface adjacent to a reference position, being the intended or projected work position of a computer operator, (B) a video monitor support means mounted upon such base, (C) said support means being universally adjustable within mechanically predetermined outer limits to any position in a vertically oriented plane passing through said projected work position and the base of the support means, (D) said support means being adjustable along the plane in upwardly and downwardly and forwardly and backwardly directions in every position on the plane within the predetermined limits, (E) said support means being constructed as a paired structures mechanically counterbalanced such that when adjusted for the weight of the support and a video monitor it can be moved along the plane with only a minimum exertion of force and upon removal of said force will remain in the position in which it was at the cessation of the application of the force, (F) the especially predetermined outer limits of movement in the vertical plane being from a position within less than one dimension of the video monitor from the supportive surface to not less than substantially eye level of a projected operator in the reference position in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction not less than from substantially directly over the base to within about a horizontal distance from the reference position which is the long leg of a right triangle the hypotenuse of which is the resting convergence distance of an average human eye with a line of vision extending at a downward angle of thirty-five degrees, (G) a keypad supported in a counterbalanced fashion upon two support arms at least indirectly mounted with respect to said base means such that said keypad is movable in a vertical plane passing through the reference position at least twelve inches in a vertical direction as well between, (H) the keypad support arms being mechanically counterbalanced such that the keypad can be moved to a desired vertical position with only a minimum of exertion of force and upon removal of said force will remain in the position in which it was upon the cessation of the removal of the force, (I) a locking means for rendering the keypad immovable during contact with the hands of an operator at the reference position during the keying in of data upon a keyboard supported by the keypad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer monitor support for an ergonomically designed computer station comprising a dual pair of articulated spring counterbalanced support arms having at least two continuous articulated leg portions including upper and lower leg portions the lower leg portion being pivotably mounted upon a base and the upper leg portion having a monitor support means pivoted to said upper leg portion for motion about a horizontal axis toward and away from the upper leg portion by means of a single link lever means provided between a side of the upper leg and one end of the monitor support means such that as the two articulated leg portions are folded together lowering the monitor support means and any monitor supported thereupon the monitor support means is inclined progressively upwardly to maintain the view screen of any such monitor substantially perpendicular to the line of sight of an operator seated at a reference position in relation to the computer station.
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16. A method of preventing repetitive strain injuries in computer operators comprising:
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(1) providing a computer work station incorporating; (a) a dual video monitor support adjustable for movement within predetermined outer limits to any position upon a plane positioned substantially vertically and passing through the video monitor support and the position of the operator of such station, (b) a keypad supported by keypad support arms which allow the keypad to be adjusted to any position in the plane of monitor support adjustment within predetermined verified limits, (c) said adjustable positions of the video monitor support and keypad support and associated keypad approaching each other and the keypad being also adjustable to various angles, (2) adjusting the monitor support and the keypad support and associated keypad to a first position relative to each other and the reference position and maintaining such position for a short period, (3) readjusting the monitor support and keypad support and associated keypad to a second position relative to each other and maintaining such position for a short period, (4) repeating the adjustment of the monitor support and keyboard support periodically throughout the working period of an operator at the computer work station. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification