Mobile workstation

• US 6,435,109 B1
• Filed: 02/27/1998
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scnsc Properties, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sculptor Developmental Technologies, Inc. (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Dell, John J., Hall, H. Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US09/031,778
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 312/144.11, 312/223.3, 312/208.1, 248/404, 108/147, 108/25, 108/50, 108/144.11
• US Class Current: 108/144.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0023 Columnar component for computer, stand or trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0069 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0075 Computer kiosks or stands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/10 Furniture specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/13 Trolleys, e.g. carts
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/12 with storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/16 in height

Abstract

A mobile workstation capable of supporting various types of electrical or diagnostic equipment for use primarily in the health care environment comprising a work surface supported by a pedestal and a base. The base includes casters for easy portability of the workstation. The workstation further includes a height adjustment mechanism and a counterbalance. The counterbalance may be supported from the underside of the top of the work surface of the workstation for counterbalancing the weight of the equipment that may be carried on the work surface so as to provide versatility when adjusting the height of the workstation from a seated position to a standing position with minimal effort from the user.

Claims

1. A mobile workstation comprising:

(a) a work surface having a top surface for carrying electrical equipment and a bottom surface;

(b) a pedestal for supporting said work surface;

(c) means housed in said pedestal for adjusting the height of said work surface; and

(d) a power supply for supplying power to the electrical equipment attached to the bottom surface, the power supply providing a counterbalance for counterbalancing weight of the electrical equipment as the height of said work surface is adjusted.

2. The mobile workstation according to claim 1, where said height adjuster includes a piston and cylinder.

3. The mobile workstation according to claim 1, wherein said power supply is removably attached to the bottom surface.

4. The mobile workstation according to claim 1 wherein said pedestal includes a base for supporting said pedestal, said base includes casters for providing portability of said workstation.

5. The mobile workstation as recited in claim 1, further comprising a compartment attached to the bottom surface, wherein said power supply is housed in the compartment.

6. The mobile workstation according to claim 5 wherein said compartment includes three sides, a top ledge, and a bottom ledge, said top ledge attached to said bottom surface of said work surface by attaching means.

7. The mobile workstation according to claim 6 wherein said power supply is removably supported on said bottom ledge of said compartment.

8. A workstation for use in a healthcare facility, the workstation comprising:

(a) a work surface having a top surface and a bottom surface, the work surface having means for carrying healthcare equipment;

(b) a pedestal for supporting said work surface, said pedestal being vertically adjustable so as to adjust the work surface between a standing position and a sitting position;

(c) a movable base for supporting said pedestal; and

(d) a counterbalance attached to the bottom surface of the work surface, said counterbalance counterbalancing weight of the healthcare equipment carried by the work surface as the height of the work surface is adjusted.

9. The healthcare workstation as recited in claim 8, wherein the counterbalance includes a power supply, said power supply providing power to the healthcare equipment.

10. The healthcare workstation as recited in claim 8, wherein the healthcare equipment comprises patient diagnostic equipment.