Programmed motion work station

• US 6,296,408 B1
• Filed: 04/09/1998
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan Booth, Stephen F. Larkin
• Original Assignee: Alan Booth, Stephen F. Larkin
• Inventors: Booth, Alan, Larkin, Stephen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chau, Minh H.
• Application Number:
  US09/058,057
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 400/681, 400/682, 361/380
• US Class Current: 400/682
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2083/025 Computer workstation with integrated seat
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0072 Computer work stations with integrated seat or chair
• 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: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like

Abstract

A work station includes a work table and chair defining a work station geometry. A plurality of adjustable elements are utilized within the work station to facilitate the variation of the work station geometry. A controller is coupled to the adjustable elements of the work station to apply gradual long term motion profile signals to the adjustable elements of the work station. The work station geometry is varied in response to the imposition of the motion profile signals upon the adjustable elements of the work station to provide substantially imperceptible changes of the work station operator'"'"'s physical position to avoid or minimize the many maladies associated with restricted or limited motion operation within work stations. Further, a continuous passive motion keyboard is provided to change the keyboard positioning relative to the keyboard user.

Claims

1. A continuous passive motion keypad for use by a keypad user, comprising:

a platform;

a keypad having an initial angle relative to the keypad user;

a moving member operably coupled to the platform and keypad for imparting continuous angular movement of said keypad between an initial angle and another angle;

a controller operatively coupled to the moving member, said controller adapted to produce a plurality of motion profile signals to be applied to said moving member to move said keypad in a plurality of corresponding motion profiles;

a control panel coupled to the controller, the control panel including user input for changing the rate of motion for the keypad.

2. A continuous passive motion keypad for use by a keypad users comprising:

a platform;

a keypad having an initial angle relative to the keypad user;

a moving member operably coupled to the platform and keypad for imparting continuous angular movement of said keypad between an initial angle and another angle;

a controller operatively coupled to the moving member, said controller adapted to produce a plurality of motion profile signals to be applied to said moving member to move said keypad in a plurality of corresponding motion profiles;

a control panel coupled to the controller, the control panel including user input for changing the degree of motion of said keypad.

3. A continuous passive motion keypad for use by a keypad user, comprising:

a platform;

a keypad having an initial angle relative to the keypad user;

a moving member operably coupled to the platform and keypad for imparting continuous angular movement of said keypad between an initial angle and another angle;

a controller operatively coupled to the moving member to cause said moving member to move said keypad in a sinusoidal waveform motion profile.

4. A continuous passive motion keypad for use by a keypad user, comprising:

a platform;

a keypad having an initial angle relative to the keypad user;

a moving member operably coupled to the platform and keypad for imparting continuous angular movement of said keypad between an initial angle and another angle;

a controller operatively coupled to the moving member to cause said moving member to move said keypad in a triangular waveform motion profile.

5. A continuous passive motion keypad for use by a keypad user, comprising:

a platform;

a keypad having an initial angle relative to the keypad user;

a moving member operably coupled to the platform and keypad for imparting continuous angular movement of said keypad between an initial angle and another angle;

a controller operatively coupled to the moving member to cause said moving member to move said keypad in a trapezoidal waveform motion profile.