Work and videoconference assembly

• US 8,804,321 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2012
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barco NV
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Kincaid, Brett, Spoelhof, Mark, Schoolmeester, Mark, Kong, Duck Young, Allen, John, Yoo, Hyun
• Primary Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US13/481,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20130314852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/690, 345/419, 345/156, 345/681, 345/175, 345/545, 345/211, 345/522, 345/208, 345/89, 361/728, 361/756, 361/759, 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.05, 361/679.55, 361/679.23, 361/679.22, 361/679.24, 361/679.21, 361/679.04, 361/679.08, 361/679.59, 361/679.27, 361/679.06, 455/566, 455/567, 455/406, 312/258, 312/7.2, 312/204, 312/223.3, 312/235.2, 312/265.6, 312/294, 297/230.14, 297/230.12, 297/144, 297/900, 297/440.1, 297/353, 248/371, 248/122.1, 248/316.8, 248/231.91, 248/231.41
• US Class Current: 361/679.21
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2023/049 Desk stand for laptop computer
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/02 with vertical adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/04 characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0075 Computer kiosks or stands
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0079 Conference or video conference table
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/04 supported from table, floor or wall
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/06 Furniture aspects of radio, television, gramophone, or record cabinets for similar equipment supports attached to the wall or ceiling or floor stands F16M
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/20 Telescopic guides
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/727 with speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/046 adapted to upward-downward translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/047 for balancing translational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/645 Mounting of picture tube on chassis or in housing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 : Covers

Abstract

A monitor support assembly comprising a support frame including a first elongated frame member forming a first surface and a second elongated frame member forming a second surface, the second frame member supported adjacent and parallel to the first frame member with the first surface facing the second surface and forming an elongated gap, a panel assembly including a first panel member having oppositely facing substantially parallel front and rear surfaces and a second panel member having oppositely facing substantially parallel front and rear surfaces, the second panel member supported adjacent the first panel member with the front surface of the first panel member facing the rear surface of the second panel member, the panel assembly supported within the gap by the first and second frame members and an electronic display mounted to the front surface of the second panel member.

Claims

1. A monitor support assembly comprising:

a support frame including;

(i) a first elongated frame member forming a first surface; and

(ii) a second elongated frame member forming a second surface, the second frame member supported adjacent and parallel to the first frame member with the first surface facing the second surface and forming an elongated gap;

a panel assembly including;

(i) a first panel member having oppositely facing substantially parallel front and rear surfaces; and

(ii) a second panel member having oppositely facing substantially parallel front and rear surfaces, the second panel member supported adjacent the first panel member with the front surface of the first panel member facing the rear surface of the second panel member;

the panel assembly supported within the gap by the first and second frame members with the front surface of the second panel member and the rear surface of the first panel member adjacent and facing the first and second surfaces of the first and second frame members that form the gap, the panel assembly extending laterally to either side of the gap; and

at least a first electronic display mounted to and supported adjacent the front surface of the second panel member.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first electronic display includes a power cable and wherein a channel is formed between the front surface of the first panel member and the rear surface of the second panel member, the power cable linked to the electronic display passing from the electronic display through the channel.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the second panel member forms a hole that passes from the front surface of the second panel member to the rear surface of the second panel member, the hole aligned with the channel and the power line passing through the hole into the channel.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of the front surface of the first panel member and the rear surface of the second panel member is recessed from adjacent portions of the surface to form the channel.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the rear surface of the second panel member forms the recess that forms the channel.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the rear surface of the second panel is pressed against the front surface of the first panel member.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the first and second facing surfaces of the first and second elongated members compress the second panel member against the first panel member with the rear surface of the second panel member contacting the front surface of the first panel member along at least portions of the rear and front surfaces of the second and first panel members, respectively.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the second panel member includes a substantially rigid structural member forming a circumferential edge and a fabric cover that extends across the front surface of the structural member and that wraps around the circumferential edge, the edges of the fabric cover sandwiched between the facing rear surface of the second panel member and the front surface of the first panel member.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second panel members is formed of bent sheet metal.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein each of the first and second panel members is substantially flat within the gap and forms at least one bend adjacent the gap, the at least one bend of the second panel member mirroring the at least one bend of the first panel member.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein each of the first and second panel members forms a bend to either side of the gap.

12. The assembly of claim 1 further including at least one bushing mounted between the first and second elongated frame members within the gap that forms an upwardly facing surface, each of the first and second panel members forming an opening having a downwardly facing surface that is received on the upwardly facing surface to support the panel member within the gap.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the openings formed by the panel members are holes.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated gap is a first elongated gap, the frame assembly further includes third and fourth elongated frame members that form third and fourth surfaces, respectively, the third frame member supported adjacent and parallel to the fourth frame member with the third surface facing the fourth surface and forming a second elongated gap, the panel assembly further supported within the second elongated gap by the third and fourth frame members with the front surface of the second panel member and the rear surface of the first panel member adjacent and facing the third and fourth surfaces of the first and second frame members that form the second elongated gap, respectively, the panel assembly extending laterally to either side of the second elongated gap.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the first and second elongated gaps are formed in different parallel planes.

16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first panel member has a circumferential edge and wherein lateral portions of the circumferential edge are exposed on opposite sides of the frame members.

17. The assembly of claim 1 further including a table top member supported by the support frame adjacent the front surface of the second panel member.

18. The assembly of claim 17 further including a shelf member supported at a height below a top surface of the table top member and between the table top member and the second panel member.

19. A panel assembly comprising:

a support frame including;

(i) a first frame structure forming at least first and second elongated surfaces that reside in different first and second planes, respectively; and

(ii) a second frame structure forming at least first and second elongated surfaces that are substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first and second elongated surfaces formed by the first frame structure to form first and second elongated mounting gaps that extend along the different first and second planes, respectively;

a panel assembly including at least a first substantially rigid and integrally formed panel member having oppositely facing front and rear surfaces, the panel assembly supported within each of the first and second elongated mounting gaps and extending to either side of each of the first and second mounting gaps with a central portion of the panel assembly extending between the first and second mounting gaps, a first wing portion extending from the first mounting gap to a side opposite the central portion and terminating in a first exposed panel edge portion and a second wing portion extending from the second mounting gap to a side opposite the central portion and terminating in a second exposed panel edge portion.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein each of the first and second elongated mounting gaps extends substantially vertically, the central portion of the panel assembly forming at least a first curve between the elongated mounting gaps.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the portions of the panel assembly within the first and second elongated mounting gaps are substantially parallel.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the central portion of the panel assembly includes a substantially flat wall portion and first and second curved portions between the flat wall portion and the portions of the panel assembly within the first and second elongated mounting gaps.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the flat wall portion is substantially perpendicular to the portions of the panel assembly within the first and second elongated mounting gaps.

24. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the panel member is formed of bent sheet metal.

25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein the panel member is a first panel member and the panel assembly further includes a second panel member having oppositely facing front and rear surfaces, the second panel member positioned adjacent the first panel member with the rear surface of the second panel member contacting the front surface of the first panel member.

26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein the first panel member forms a hole and one of the front surface of the first panel member and the rear surface of the second panel member forms a channel that extends from the hole to a lower edge of the panel member that forms the channel.

27. The assembly of claim 25 further including a display mounted to the front surface of the second panel member.

28. A lounge assembly comprising:

a lounge including a seat and a backrest and having first and second ends;

an arch supported by the lounge, the arch including first and second substantially vertical end wall members that extend upward from adjacent the first and second ends of the lounge and a ceiling member that traverses the distance between the first and second end wall members, the space between the end wall members forming an arch space, each end wall member having an internal surface facing the arch space, each of the end wall members and the ceiling member having a rear edge proximate the backrest and a front edge opposite the rear edge; and

first and second light sources supported by the first and second end wall members, respectively, each light source generating light that is directed at least partially onto the internal surface of the end wall member that supports the light source along trajectories away from the front edge of the end wall member that supports the light source.

29. The lounge assembly of claim 28 wherein each light source includes a reflector that extends at least partially into the arch space and that reflects light from the light source along trajectories away from the front edges.

30. The lounge assembly of claim 29 wherein channels are formed in the internal surfaces of each of the first and second end wall members and wherein the light sources are at least partially received in the channels.

31. The lounge assembly of claim 30 wherein the reflectors extend at least partially into the channels.

32. The lounge assembly of claim 30 wherein each of the channels is formed proximate the front edge of one of the side wall members.

33. The lounge assembly of claim 32 wherein the internal surfaces are covered with a material that reflects the light back into the arch area.

34. The lounge assembly of claim 28 further including an audio box supported by the ceiling member within the arch area.

35. The lounge assembly of claim 28 wherein each of the end wall members forms a channel adjacent the front edge of the wall member, the light sources each including light generating devices and reflectors, the light generating devices mounted within the channels and the reflectors reflecting light along the trajectories away from the front edges of the end wall members.

36. The lounge assembly of claim 35 wherein the light devices include strings of LEDs mounted in the channels, the reflectors including elongated reflectors that extend along at least a portion of a height of each of the end wall members.

37. The lounge assembly of claim 35 wherein a channel is formed along the front edge of the ceiling member and wherein a light source is also mounted within the channel formed in the ceiling member to direct light along trajectories away from the front edge of the ceiling member.

38. The assembly of claim 28 further including a screen member supported by the arch, the screen member including a substantially planar member having a shape similar to the shape formed by the rear edges of the side wall members and the ceiling member, the planar member spaced apart from the rear edges of the side wall members and the ceiling member to form a gap.

39. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the gap is between two and eight inches wide.

40. A display assembly for mounting a display to a support structure for movement between different heights, the assembly comprising:

an external frame member that forms an internal frame space, the frame member including substantially parallel top and bottom wall members and substantially parallel first and second lateral wall members that traverse the distance between opposite ends of the top and bottom wall members to form the frame space there between that is open to a front side, the frame member forming a rear frame opening;

an electronic display screen mounted within the frame space so that a display surface of the display screen faces out the front side of the frame space;

a mounting plate located outside the frame space for mounting to the support structure;

a first height adjustment spring assembly mounted within the frame space; and

a first bracket connected to the spring assembly within the frame space and extending from the frame space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the frame space.

41. The assembly of claim 40 further including a second height adjustment spring assembly mounted within the frame space and a second bracket connected to the second spring assembly within the frame space and extending from the frame space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the shell space.

42. The assembly of claim 40 wherein the spring assembly is a gas spring assembly that includes a rod that telescopes from a spring housing, the first bracket connected proximate a distal end of the rod.

43. The assembly of claim 42 further including at least a first guide rod mounted within the frame space and at least a first guide sleeve mounted for sliding movement on the guide rod, the first guide sleeve secured to the mounting plate.

44. The assembly of claim 43 further including at least a second guide sleeve mounted for sliding movement to the guide rod and also secured to the mounting plate.

45. The assembly of claim 40 wherein the mounting plate forms a shelf member that extends into a cavity formed in the shell space, the cavity moving vertically relative to the shelf during height adjustment of the display screen.

46. The assembly of claim 40 further including an audio box mounted within the frame space.

47. The assembly of claim 46 further including a glass cover member supported in the open front side of the frame member.

48. The assembly of claim 47 wherein the glass cover has dimensions smaller than dimensions between the internal surfaces of the shell adjacent the front side of the shell so that a gap is formed between adjacent edges of the cover member and the frame member.

49. The assembly of claim 48 wherein there is a direct path between the audio box and the space external to the frame member through the gap.

50. The assembly of claim 40 further including a shell member mounted within the frame member, the shell member forming compartments for mounting the display screen and the height adjustment spring assembly.

51. The assembly of claim 50 wherein the shell member forms a rear surface, the frame member forming a flange that mounts to the rear surface of the shell member.

52. A display assembly for mounting to a support structure for movement between different heights, the assembly comprising:

an external frame member that forms an internal frame space, the frame member including substantially parallel top and bottom wall members and substantially parallel first and second lateral wall members that traverse the distance between opposite ends of the top and bottom wall members to form the frame space there between that is open to a front side, the frame member including flanges that extend inward from rear edges of the wall members forming a rear frame opening;

an internal shell member that includes side walls and a rear wall that form a rectilinear shell space that is open to a front side, the rear wall of the internal shell member mounted to the flanges formed by the frame member with the shell member positioned within the frame space, the rear wall forming at least first and second elongated and substantially vertically oriented openings;

an electronic display screen mounted within the shell space so that a display surface of the display screen faces out the front side of the shell space;

a mounting plate located outside the frame space for mounting to the support structure;

a first height adjustment spring assembly mounted within the shell space;

a second height adjustment spring assembly mounted within the shell space;

a first bracket connected to the first spring assembly within the shell space and extending through the first opening formed by the rear wall of the shell member from the frame space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the frame space; and

a second bracket connected to the second spring assembly within the shell space and extending through the second opening formed by the rear wall of the shell member from the frame space and connected to the mounting bracket outside the frame space.