Trapezoidal hidden-monitor computer desk modules and assemblies thereof

• US 6,033,045 A
• Filed: 08/11/1997
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fay D., An Individual Roberts
• Original Assignee: Fay D. Roberts
• Inventors: Roberts, Fay D., Williamson, Debra D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US08/909,410
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 312/194, 312/195, 312/196, 312/198, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 312/223.6, 312/236, 108/50.01, 108/64, 52/36.1, 52/238.1, 52/239, 248/917, 248/918, 248/923
• US Class Current: 312/194
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2083/003 Table combination having a central power access component
• 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 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/002 Combination of tables; Linking or assembling means therefor

Abstract

A computer desk module has a trapezoidal desk top with an opening. A transparent window plate is supported in the desk top so as to cover the opening. A pull-out keyboard shelf is supported under a front edge portion of the desk top. A computer monitor is suspended under the desk top so its screen is inclined upward to allow viewing of the screen through the window plate. A plurality of the computer desk modules are assembled end-to-end into various semi-trapezoidal clusters, S-shaped clusters, and straight line clusters. Overhead power and data bus cables are routed from a classroom ceiling into tubular legs supporting a decorative cover against the ceiling. The legs extend upward from a cabinet having a semi-octagonal shape that mates with a semi-octagonal cluster of the computer desk modules. The cables pass through the legs, through the cabinet, into the various computer desk modules forming the cluster, and to the monitor and a computer in each of the computer desk modules.

Claims

1. A computer desk module having an interior space, said computer desk module comprising in combination:

(a) a desk top having front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the rear edge being shorter in length than the front edge;

(b) a transparent window plate included in said desk top for visual access to the interior space of said module;

(c) a plurality of panels disposed under said desk top, said desk top being rigidly secured to and immobile with said panels whereby said panels in combination with said desk top bounding a closed computer monitor compartment defining the interior space;

(d) one panel of said plurality of panels being movable to provide access to the interior space and including locking means for locking said one panel to prevent unauthorized access to any contents of said closed compartment; and

(e) a computer monitor support disposed in said closed compartment and adapted to support a computer monitor so that a viewing screen thereof is upwardly-inclined to allow viewing of the screen through said window plate.

2. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closed compartment is of sufficient size to accommodate housing a computer processing unit (CPU) in addition to the computer monitor.

3. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 1 including a pull-out keyboard shelf disposed beneath said desk top and proximate the front edge of said desk top.

4. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 1 including a storage pedestal disposed adjacent a panel of said panels proximate the first side edge of said desk top.

5. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 4 including a further storage pedestal disposed adjacent a panel of said panels proximate the second side edge of said desk top.

6. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 1 wherein said computer monitor support includes a cradle for supporting the computer monitor and a plurality of suspension arms for suspending said cradle from said desk top.

7. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 6 including support members secured to said desk top for securing said suspension arms to said desk top.

8. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 7 including adjustable pivot devices for repositioning said suspension arms to relocate said cradle forwardly and rearwardly.

9. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 6 including adjustable pivot devices for repositioning said suspension arms relative to said cradle and affect the angle of tilt of said cradle.

10. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 1 wherein the front and rear edges and the first and second side edges of said desk top define a trapezoidal configuration for said desk top.

11. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 10 wherein the trapezoidal configuration of said desk top includes base angles and wherein the base angles are about 67 degrees 30 minutes (67°

30'"'"').

12. A computer desk module having an interior space, said computer desk module comprising in combination:

(a) a desk top having front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the rear edge being shorter in length than the front edge, a pull-out keyboard shelf disposed beneath said desk top and proximate the front edge of said desk top, and a flip down door adapted for securing therebehind a keyboard on the keyboard shelf;

(b) a transparent window plate included in said desk top for visual access to the interior of said module;

(c) panels disposed under said desk top, said panels in combination with said desk top bounding a computer monitor compartment; and

(d) a computer monitor support disposed in said monitor compartment and adapted to support a computer monitor so that a viewing screen thereof is upwardly-inclined to allow viewing of the screen through said window plate.

13. A computer desk module having an interior space, comprising in combination:

(a) a trapezoidal desk top having front and rear edges and equal length first and second side edges, the rear edge being shorter in length than the front edge;

(b) a transparent window plate included in said desk top for visual access to the interior space of said module;

(c) a plurality of panels secured to and depending from said desk top, said plurality of panels in combination with said desk top bounding a closed computer monitor compartment defining the interior space;

(d) one panel of said plurality of panels being movable to open said closed compartment and including locking means for locking said one panel to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of said closed compartment; and

(e) a computer monitor support disposed in said closed compartment and adapted to support a computer monitor at an incline to locate a viewing screen thereof upwardly-inclined and allow viewing of the screen through said window plate.

14. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 13 wherein said computer monitor support includes a cradle for supporting the computer monitor.

15. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 14 including a plurality of suspension arms for suspending said cradle from said desk top.

16. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 15 including support members secured to said desk top for securing said suspension arms to said desk top.

17. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 15 including adjustable pivot devices for repositioning said suspension arms to relocate said cradle forwardly and rearwardly.

18. The computer desk module as set forth in claim 13 wherein the trapezoidal configuration of said desk top includes base angles and wherein the base angles are about 67 degrees 30 minutes (67°

30'"'"').

19. A plurality of work stations locatable adjacent one another to define a plurality of side-by-side work stations arranged in a continuous arc, said plurality of work stations comprising in combination:

I. each work station of said plurality of work stations including a computer desk module having an interior space comprising in combination;

(a) a trapezoidal desk top having front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the rear edge being shorter in length than the front edge;

(b) a transparent window plate included in said desk top for visual access to the interior space of said module;

(c) panels rigidly secured to and depending from said desk top, said panels in combination with said desk top bounding a closed computer monitor compartment defining the interior space to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of said closed compartment;

(d) one panel of said panels being selectively movable to provide access to the interior space of said closed compartment;

(e) a computer monitor support disposed in said closed compartment and adapted to support a computer monitor so that a viewing screen thereof is upwardly-inclined to allow viewing of the screen through said window plate;

II. each computer desk module of said plurality of computer desk modules being located adjacent at least one other computer desk module, each computer desk module being adapted to position a first side edge of one computer desk module essentially adjacent a second side edge of another computer desk module to locate the respective rear edges thereof end-to-end to define a segmented arc.

20. The work stations as set forth in claim 19 wherein the trapezoidal configuration of each of said desk tops includes base angles and wherein the base angles are about 67 degrees 30 minutes (67°

30'"'"') whereby four of said work stations define a segmented half-circle.

21. The work stations as set forth in claim 19 wherein the trapezoidal configuration of each of said desk tops includes base angles and wherein the base angles are about 67 degrees 30 minutes (67°

30'"'"') whereby eight of said work stations define a segmented circle.

22. A plurality of work stations locatable adjacent one another to define a plurality of rectilinearly arranged side-by-side work stations, said plurality of work stations comprising in combination:

I. each work station of said plurality of work stations including a computer desk module having an interior space comprising in combination;

(a) a trapezoidal desk top having front and rear edges and first and second side edges, the rear edge being shorter in length than the front edge;

(b) a transparent window plate included in said desk top for visual access to the interior space of said module;

(c) panels rigidly secured to and depending from said desk top, said panels in combination with said desk top bounding a closed computer monitor compartment defining the interior space to prevent unauthorized access to the contents of said closed compartment;

(d) one panel of said panels being selectively movable to provide access to the interior space of said closed compartment; and

(e) a computer monitor support disposed in said closed compartment and adapted to support a computer monitor so that a viewing screen thereof is upwardly-inclined to allow viewing of the screen through said window plate;

II. each computer desk module of said plurality of computer desk modules being located adjacent at least one other computer desk module, each computer desk module being adapted to position a first side edge of one computer desk module essentially adjacent an equivalent first side edge of another computer desk module to align end-to-end alternating front and rear edges of the computer desk modules in a straight line.