Workstation with a moveable apparatus

• US 7,032,523 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stanfield, Joel, King, Jonathan J., Forslund, Carl V. III, Baloga, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, JOSE V
• Application Number:
  US10/406,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20040194669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 108/50.01, 108/50.02, 108/42, 52/361, 52/29, 527/321, 527/323, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 248/917, 248/920, 248/922, 248/923
• US Class Current: 108/50.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards

Abstract

A workstation is disclosed that defines a work space and provides at least one display device. The workstation includes a base providing a guide. The workstation also includes at least one upstanding structure having a wheel assembly adapted for movement along a path defined by the guide about the work space to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of the work space and a worksurface coupled to the structure and providing a display support assembly adapted for pivotably coupling of the display device. The structure and worksurface and display support assembly are movable relative to the base so that a display device coupled to the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations in the work space.

Claims

1. A workstation defining a work space and providing at least one display device comprising:

a base providing a guide comprising a track;

at least one upstanding structure having a wheel assembly adapted for movement along a path defined by the guide about the work space to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of the work space; and

a worksurface coupled to the structure and providing a display support assembly adapted for pivotably coupling of the display device;

wherein the structure and worksurface and display support assembly are movable relative to the base so that a display device coupled to the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations in the work space;

wherein the track is at least partially concealed within an interior region of the base.

2. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising a second track on the base providing a guide for the wheel assembly of the structure.

3. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising a horizontal rail on the base providing the guide.

4. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising a signal light on the structure.

5. The workstation of claim 4 wherein the signal light is a status indicator light to indicate a condition of the workstation.

6. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a track to engage wheel bearings.

7. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the worksurface includes an aperture for providing a passage for cables providing interconnectivity to utilities.

8. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the structure comprises an upstanding support structure.

9. The workstation of claim 8 wherein a display device is at least one of slidably and pivotably coupled to the support structure.

10. A workstation defining a work space and providing at least one display device comprising:

a base including a track system providing a guide, the track system comprising a first track mounted at the front of the base and a second track installed within an interior region of the base;

at least one upstanding structure having a wheel assembly adapted for movement along a path defined by the guide about the work space to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of the work space; and

a worksurface coupled to the structure and providing a display support assembly adapted for pivotably coupling of the display device;

wherein the structure and worksurface and display support assembly are movable relative to the base so that a display device coupled to the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations in the work space.

11. The workstation of claim 10 wherein the first track comprises a horizontal platform and the wheel assembly comprises casters to roll along the horizontal platform.

12. The workstation of claim 10 further comprising sensors for at least one of lighting, temperature, humidity and sound level on the structure.

13. The workstation of claim 10 wherein the structure engages the first track and the movable worksurface engages the second track.

14. The workstation of claim 10 wherein the worksurface comprises a front portion and a rear portion and wherein the rear portion of the movable worksurface provides a projection configured to co-act with the second track installed within the base.

15. The workstation of claim 10 further comprising a cable guide adjacent the second track so that utilities may be provided to the apparatus.

16. The workstation of claim 10 wherein the base comprises a cabinet.

17. The workstation of claim 10 wherein the first track is supported on the floor.

18. The workstation of claim 10 further comprising at least one panel coupled to at least one of the base and the structure.

19. The workstation of claim 18 wherein the at least one panel is one of a white board, a tack board, a projection screen, a privacy panel, a flat panel display, a display board, and a container.

20. The workstation of claim 10 wherein the upstanding structure comprises a threshold.

21. The workstation of claim 20 wherein the threshold comprises a utility threshold.

22. A workstation defining a work space and providing at least one display device comprising:

a base providing a guide;

at least one upstanding structure comprising;

a wheel assembly adapted for movement along a path defined by the guide about the work space to selectively deliver utilities to at least one portion of the work space; and

a frame system including generally vertical frame members and an overhead canopy coupled to the vertical frame members near an upper end of the vertical frame members;

a worksurface coupled to the structure and providing a display support assembly adapted for pivotably coupling of the display device;

wherein the structure and worksurface and display support assembly are movable relative to the base so that a display device coupled to the display support assembly may be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations in the work space.

23. The workstation of claim 22 further comprising a track system to provide the guide.

24. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the structure is movable on wheels along the track system.

25. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the track system is linear.

26. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the track system is curved.

27. The workstation of claim 23 wherein the track system is horizontal.

28. The workstation of claim 22 wherein the display support assembly is configured for two display devices to be pivotally mounted.

29. The workstation of claim 22 wherein the worksurface comprises a multi-layer composite structure.

30. The workstation of claim 22 further comprising a set of handles on the structure.

31. The workstation of claim 22 wherein the overhead canopy provides a lighting device.

32. The workstation of claim 22 wherein the frame members comprise structural tubes.

33. A workstation for a work space having a floor and of a type providing a computing device with at least one display device and at least one lighting device for within the work space comprising:

a base providing at least one track system, the track system comprising a first track mounted at the front of the base and a second track installed within an interior region of the base;

a movable apparatus coupled to the at least one track system and movable relative to the base and comprising;

(a) a threshold; and

(b) a worksurface;

so that the computing device and at least one display device can be supported by the worksurface and the at least one lighting device can be provided on the threshold; and

wherein the movable apparatus can be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations along the track system.

34. The workstation of claim 33 wherein the movable threshold engages the first track and the movable worksurface engages the second track.

35. The workstation of claim 33 wherein the movable worksurface comprises a front portion and a rear portion and wherein the rear portion of the movable worksurface provides a projection configured to co-act with the second track installed within the base.

36. The workstation of claim 33 further comprising a cable guide adjacent the second track so that utilities may be provided to the apparatus.

37. The workstation of claim 33 wherein the base comprises a cabinet.

38. The workstation of claim 33 wherein the first track is supported on the floor.

39. The workstation of claim 33 wherein the worksurface includes an aperture for providing a passage for cables providing interconnectivity to utilities.

40. The workstation of claim 33 further comprising at least one panel coupled to at least one of the base and the movable apparatus.

41. The workstation of claim 40 wherein the at least one panel is one of a white board, a tack board, a projection screen, a privacy panel, a flat panel display, a display board, and a container.

42. The workstation of claim 33 wherein the movable apparatus comprises an upstanding support structure.

43. The workstation of claim 42 wherein a display device is at least one of slidably and pivotably coupled to the support structure.

44. A workstation for a work space having a floor and of a type providing a computing device with at least one display device and at least one lighting device for within the work space comprising:

a base providing at least one track system;

a movable apparatus coupled to the at least one track system and movable relative to the base and comprising;

(a) a threshold comprising a frame system including generally vertical frame members and an overhead canopy coupled to the vertical frame members near an upper end of the vertical frame members; and

(b) a worksurface;

so that the computing device and at least one display device can be supported by the worksurface and the at least one lighting device can be provided on the threshold; and

wherein the movable apparatus can be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations along the track system.

45. The workstation of claim 44 wherein the apparatus is movable on wheels along the track system.

46. The workstation of claim 44 further comprising a set of handles on the movable apparatus.

47. The workstation of claim 44 wherein the overhead canopy provides the lighting device.

48. The workstation of claim 44 wherein the frame members comprise structural tubes.

49. The workstation of claim 44 wherein the track system is linear.

50. The workstation of claim 44 wherein the track system is curved.

51. The workstation of claim 44 wherein the track system is horizontal.

52. A workstation for a work space of a type providing a computing device with at least one display device and at least one lighting device for use within the work space and connectivity to utilities such as power or voice or data, comprising:

a base providing at least one track system;

a movable apparatus coupled to the at least one track system and movable relative to the base and providing support for at least one of the computing device and the at least one display device or at least one lighting device, the moveable apparatus comprising a generally upright threshold and a generally horizontal worksurface, the threshold comprising a frame system including generally vertical frame members and an overhead canopy coupled to the vertical frame members near an upper end of the vertical frame members; and

wherein the movable apparatus can be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations along the track system.

53. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the base comprises a storage unit.

54. The workstation of claim 53 wherein the storage unit comprises a cabinet.

55. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the worksurface provides support for the computing device and at least one display device.

56. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the threshold is positioned directly adjacent to the base.

57. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the threshold is tilted relative to perpendicular.

58. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the threshold provides support for the at least one lighting device.

59. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the at least one lighting device comprises a signal light.

60. The workstation of claim 59 wherein the at least one lighting device comprises a task light for the work space.

61. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the movable apparatus further comprises a guide for cables providing interconnectivity to utilities.

62. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the movable apparatus comprises a set of wheels configured to engage the track system.

63. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the movable worksurface comprises a front portion and a rear portion and wherein the rear portion of the movable worksurface provides a projection configured to coact with the second track installed within the base.

64. The workstation of claim 52 further comprising a cable guide adjacent the second track so that utilities may be provided to the apparatus.

65. The workstation of claim 52 further comprising a set of handles on the movable apparatus.

66. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the overhead canopy provides the lighting device.

67. The workstation of claim 52 wherein frame members comprise structural tubes.

68. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the base comprises a cabinet.

69. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the track system comprises a first track supported on the floor.

70. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the track system is linear.

71. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the track system is curved.

72. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the track system is horizontal.

73. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the threshold comprises a generally upright structure.

74. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the threshold comprises a set of panels.

75. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the threshold comprises a platform for a computing device.

76. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the threshold comprises an overhead projection.

77. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the apparatus comprises a monitor arm.

78. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the worksurface includes an aperture for providing a passage for cables providing interconnectivity to utilities.

79. The workstation of claim 52 further comprising at least one panel coupled to at least one of the base and the movable apparatus.

80. The workstation of claim 79 wherein the at least one panel is one of a white board, a tack board, a projection screen, a privacy panel, a flat panel display, a display board, and a container.

81. The workstation of claim 52 wherein the moveable apparatus comprises an upstanding support structure.

82. The workstation of claim 81 wherein a display device is at least one of slidably and pivotably coupled to the support structure.

83. A workstation for a work space of a type providing a computing device with at least one display device and at least one lighting device for use within the work space and connectivity to utilities such as power or voice or data, comprising:

a base having a front and a top;

a track system comprising a first guide positioned at the front of the base;

a movable apparatus providing support for at least one of the computing device and the at least one lighting device, the movable apparatus comprising a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal canopy coupled to the vertical portion and projecting into the work space; and

wherein the movable apparatus is coupled to the track system and movable along the first guide at the front of the base so that the movable apparatus can be selectively positioned for use in a variety of locations within the work space.

84. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the movable apparatus comprises a threshold.

85. The workstation of claim 84 wherein the track system comprises a second guide positioned at the front of the base and the threshold is coupled to the first guide for rolling movement and to the second guide for bearing.

86. The workstation of claim 85 wherein the second guide is inset from the first guide on the front of the base so that the threshold is oriented at an acute angle relative to vertical.

87. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the movable apparatus comprises a set of frame members.

88. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the movable apparatus comprises a worksurface so that the computing device and at least one display device can be supported by the worksurface and the at least one lighting device can be provided on the movable apparatus.

89. The workstation of claim 88 wherein the worksurface includes an aperture for providing a passage for cables providing interconnectivity to utilities.

90. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the movable apparatus comprises a worksurface extending through the movable apparatus.

91. The workstation of claim 90 wherein the worksurface comprises a front portion projecting into the work space and a rear portion positioned over the base.

92. The workstation of claim 90 wherein the movable worksurface comprises a front portion and a rear portion and wherein the rear portion of the movable worksurface provides a projection configured to co-act with a portion of the track system installed within the base.

93. The workstation of claim 83 further comprising a cable guide adjacent the track system so that utilities may be provided to the apparatus.

94. The workstation of claim 83 further comprising a set of handles on the movable apparatus.

95. The workstation of claim 87 wherein the frame members comprise structural tubes.

96. The workstation of claim 95 wherein the base comprises a cabinet.

97. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the first guide is supported on the floor.

98. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the track system is linear.

99. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the track system is curved.

100. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the track system is horizontal.

101. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the movable apparatus comprises a set of wheels configured to allow rolling movement relative to the floor.

102. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the track system comprises a set of wheels.

103. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the movable apparatus further comprises a display support assembly providing for the pivotable and articulable movement of at least one display device within the work space.

104. The workstation of claim 83 further comprising a movable worksurface system that is interchangeable so that a first worksurface can be installed and then removed and a second worksurface can be installed.

105. The workstation of claim 83 further comprising at least one panel coupled to at least one of the base and the movable apparatus.

106. The workstation of claim 105 wherein the at least one panel is one of a white board, a tack board, a projection screen, a privacy panel, a flat panel display, a display board, and a container.

107. The workstation of claim 83 wherein the movable apparatus comprises an upstanding support structure.

108. The workstation of claim 107 wherein a display device is at least one of slidably and pivotably coupled to the support structure.