Video terminal accessory

• US 5,035,392 A
• Filed: 09/24/1990
• Issued: 07/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biomechanics Corporation of America (CellMetrix, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomechanics Corporation of America (CellMetrix, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cooper, Patricia, Gross, Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAN, KO HUNG
• Application Number:
  US07/586,691
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 248/447.2, 248/442.2, 248/448, 248/451, 248/918, 248/447.1, 248/454, 248/298, 315/158
• US Class Current: 248/442.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0094 Copyholder for VDU screen
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/15 Script supports connected to the typewriter or printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1611 to support document holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

An accessory device for use in connection with a video terminal comprises an attachment mechanism for mounting a display board on either or both isdes of a video terminal. The display boards are pivotable about both horizontal and vertical axes. The accessory includes a lighting fixture for illuminating the surface of each display board and a circuit for automatically adjusting the intensity of light produced by each lighting fixture to maintain a constant predetermined level of illumination on the surface of each display board. The video accessory increases the vertical work surface available for use by a video terminal operator and results in a work station area which is more comfortable for the video operator.

Claims

1. A video terminal accessory for holding materials used in conjunction with a video terminal, comprising:

attachment means for removably attaching said accessory to said video terminal,

at least one display board for holding said materials adjacent to said video terminal,

a hinge connecting said display board to said attachment means, said display board being pivotable about said hinge and thereby being movable relative to said video terminal,

lighting means mounted on said display board for illuminating said materials held by said display board, said lighting means including light sensing means for sensing the level of illumination on said board and automatic adjustment means for automatically adjusting the intensity of light from said lighting means in response to said light sensing means to maintain a predetermined level of illumination on said display board,

wherein said attachment means is adjustable for fitment onto various sized video terminals,

wherein said attachment means includes first and second shoulder portions for fitment over corners of said video terminal, said first shoulder portion being movable along a longitudinal axis relative to said second shoulder portion, and

wherein said video terminal accessory further comprises a vertical post, said display board being attached to said hinge via said post, said lighting means being mounted on said vertical post.

2. The video terminal accessory of claim 1 further comprising a pivot pin attaching said display board to said post, said display board being pivotable about an axis passing through said pivot pin.

3. The video terminal accessory of claim 2 comprising first and second display boards, first and second hinges connecting said first and second display boards to said attachment means for pivoting movement about said hinges, first and second lighting means mounted on said first and second display boards, first and second vertical posts associated with said first and second display boards, and first and second pivot pins about which said first and second display boards pivot.

4. A video terminal accessory for holding materials used in conjunction with a video terminal, comprising:

attachment means for attaching said accessory to said video terminal,

at least one display board for holding said materials adjacent to said video terminal,

a vertical post associated with said display board,

a hinge connecting said post to said attachment means,

a pivot pin attaching said display board to said post,

said display board being independently pivotable about a vertical axis passing through said hinge, and about a horizontal axis passing through said pivot pin,

wherein said attachment means is adjustable for fitment onto various sized video terminals, and

wherein said attachment means includes first and second shoulder portions for fitment over corners of said video terminal, said first shoulder being movable along a longitudinal axis relative to said second shoulder.

5. The video terminal accessory of claim 4 further comprising lighting means mounted on said post for illuminating said materials held by said display board, said lighting means including light sensing means for sensing light intensity on a surface of said board and automatic adjustment means for automatically adjusting the intensity of light from said lighting means in response to said light sensing means to maintain a predetermined level of light intensity on said board.

6. The video terminal accessory of claim 5 comprising first and second display boards, first and second hinges connecting said first and second display boards to said attachment means for pivoting movement about said hinges, first and second lighting means mounted on said first and second display boards, first and second vertical posts associated with said first and second display boards, and first and second pivot pins about which said first and second display boards pivot.