ADJUSTABLE WORKSURFACE WITH INTEGRATED DISPLAY

Abstract

A workstation includes a base having at least one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality of vertical leg positions and a worksurface member including a display. The display defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurface member. The worksurface member is pivotally coupled to the base about a fixed rotational axis and is pivotable between at least a horizontal orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially vertical. The worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positions corresponding to the plurality of vertical leg positions when the worksurface member is positioned in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical configurations. A method of using the workstation is also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an adjustable worksurface, and in particular, to an adjustable worksurface having an integrated display.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide workstations, for example tables, that are pivotable between horizontal and draft positions. Typically, such tables do not allow for further movement to a vertical orientation. It also is know to provide tables with integrated displays fixed in a horizontal configuration. However, the displays integrated into such tables typically are too heavy and bulky to allow for alternative configurations, whether pivotally or vertically adjustable. Accordingly, the need remains for an improved workstation that provides improved reconfigurability while incorporating a display.

SUMMARY

The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be considered to be a limitation on those claims.

In one aspect, one embodiment of a workstation includes a base having at least one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality of vertical leg positions and a worksurface member including a display. The display defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurface member. The worksurface member is pivotally coupled to the base and is pivotable between at least a horizontal orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially vertical. The worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positions corresponding to the plurality of vertical leg positions when the worksurface member is positioned in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.

In another aspect, a method of using a workstation includes adjusting a vertical height of a worksurface member including a display, wherein the display defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurface member, pivoting the worksurface member between at least a horizontal orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially vertical, and viewing the display in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical orientations.

The various embodiments of the workstation, and methods of use thereof, provide significant advantages over other such structures and methods. For example and without limitation, the workstation may be easily reconfigured between various position, such as a horizontal configuration wherein the worksurface member may be used in a conventional fashion, for example to support various materials such as papers, books and the like, while also allowing for a user interface with the display. At the same time, the worksurface member may be pivoted to other configurations suitable for particular uses, such as providing a display to a larger audience while still providing a user interface via the display screen. The worksurface member may also be vertically adjusted, whether to accommodate different height users when in the horizontal or draft configurations, or to provide an elevated configuration to allow for greater visibility when in the vertical configuration. Auxiliary fixed worksurfaces provide for storage and additional workspace, while grippable handles facilitate manipulation of the primary worksurface member.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The various preferred embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a workstation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of workstations, including a rear view of one workstation in a vertical configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of workstations, including a front view of one workstation in a vertical configuration.

FIGS. 4A-C are side view of the workstation in horizontal, draft and vertical configurations respectively.

FIG. 5 is a partial, bottom perspective vie of the coupling between a worksurface member and a base.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the coupling shown in FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that the term “plurality,” as used herein, means two or more. The term “longitudinal,” as used herein means of or relating to length or the lengthwise direction, e.g., a length of a primary worksurface 2. The term “lateral,” as used herein, means directed between or toward (or perpendicular to) the sides 24 of the primary worksurface 2. The term “coupled” means connected to or engaged with, whether directly or indirectly, for example with an intervening member, and does not require the engagement to be fixed or permanent, although it may be fixed or permanent. The term “transverse” means extending across an axis or surface, including but not limited to substantially perpendicular to the axis or surface. It should be understood that the use of numerical terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., as used herein does not refer to any particular sequence or order of components (e.g., consecutive); for example “first” and “second” worksurface members may refer to any sequence of such worksurface members, and is not limited to the first and second worksurface members of a particular configuration, e.g., primary and auxiliary, unless otherwise specified.

Referring to FIGS. 1, a workstation 30 includes a base 6, the primary worksurface member 2 and a pair of auxiliary worksurface members 4 positioned along opposite sides 24 of the primary worksurface member 2. The base 6 includes a longitudinally extending and horizontally oriented beam 18 supported at opposite ends by a pair of vertically adjustable legs 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the beam 18 may be configured as a C-channel, with brackets 96 disposed therein to accomodate the legs 8. Each leg may include a foot 14, whether forming an upside down T shaped structure as shown, or alternatively an L shaped structure. The foot 14 may include one ore more adjustable glides 16 positioned at each end thereof, whether at opposite toes or at a heel/toe position. The leg 8 includes a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 10 received in the lower portion, although it should be understood that the opposite arrangement may be used. The upper portion 10 is vertically adjustable relative to the lower portion 12 between a plurality of vertical positions. The upper and lower portions 10, 12 may be coupled by way of various adjustment mechanisms, including without limitation, screw devices, gas/hydraulic cylinders, cable/pulley systems, and the like. The beam 18 is coupled to an upper end 32 of the upper leg portion 10.

The auxiliary worksurface members 4 are secured to the beam 18, and move therewith to a plurality of vertical positions, via brackets 36, configured in one embodiment as a U-shaped strap that forms an angle θ relative to the beam 18. In one embodiment, the auxiliary worksurface members 14 are horizontally fixed, meaning they are not rotatable about a horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the worksurface of the auxiliary worksurface members are maintained in a substantially horizontal plane. The worksurface of the auxiliary worksurface member may be substantially parallel to, and in one embodiment substantially co-planar with, the worksurface of the primary worksurface member when the primary worksurface member is in a horizontal configuration as shown in FIG. 4A.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, a support structure 40 is pivotally connected to the beam with a coupling 80. The support structure is configured in one embodiment as a pair of straps, having opposite end portions 44 angled upwardly and outwardly from a base portion 42. In one embodiment, a pair of spaced apart lugs 82 extend downwardly from each strap base 42. A receptacle 94 includes at least three walls 86 forming a pair of slots or gaps 84 shaped to receive the lugs 82, together with washers 88 positioned between the lugs and walls. The receptacle is received in a channel 76 formed by the beam and secured to a top wall 78 thereof. A pin 90 or fastener extends through aligned openings in the lugs 82 and walls 86. The pin may be put in tension so as to create a predetermined friction force between the lugs, walls and washers, such that the worksurface member may be held by friction in any number of different positions, and in embodiment having infinite rotational/pivot positions. A stop 92 may abut side edges of the lugs 82 when the worksurface member is in a horizontal position, while the lugs 82 may abut the top wall 78 of the beam or the receptacle bracket 94 when the worksurface member is in vertical configuration. A slot 98 is formed in a side wall 74 of the beam 18 to allow the lugs 82 to rotate through the slot 98 between the horizontal and vertical positions.

A pair of grippable handles 46, shown in one embodiment as rods or cylindrical tubes, are secured, one each, to the spaced part end portions 44 of the straps. The primary worksurface member 2 is secured to the base portion 42 of the straps, for example with mechanical fasteners, and has front and back edges 48 extending proximate the grippable handles 46, but spaced apart sufficiently therefrom to permit a user to insert their hands and grip the handle 46. In one embodiment, the primary worksurface member 2 includes a display 20, preferably a touch screen 52, which allows the user to interface with and control graphics displayed on the display 20. The display 20 defines at least in part a worksurface 50, which is capable of supporting loads up to 250 lbs. when in a horizontal configuration. The display 20 may be surrounded by a peripheral housing 22, which provides for an additional worksurface area. In one embodiment, the display worksurface 50 is at least 75% of the total worksurface area of the worksurface member 2, which may also include the surface area of the housing 22.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4A-C, the primary worksurface member 2 may be pivoted to a plurality of configurations, including a horizontal configuration, one or more draft configurations, wherein the display worksurface 50 forms an acute angle α relative to a vertical axis 56 and an acute angle β relative to a horizontal axis 58, and a vertical configuration. At the same time, the beam 18 and worksurface members 2, 4 may be vertically adjusted to any one of a plurality of vertical worksurface positions when the worksurface member is in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical configuration via the adjustable legs. In operation, the primary and auxiliary worksurface members may be used in a conventional desk manner when the primary worksurface member is in the horizontal configuration, for example by supporting papers, books, files and the like. The surface is sufficiently robust to withstand writing thereupon. At the same time, the user may interface with the display in the horizontal configuration, for example by manipulating graphics thereon via the touch screen. The worksurface members 2, 4 may be vertically adjusted to accommodate the user in a sit or stand mode, or to accommodate users of different heights in either mode. The primary worksurface 2 may also be used in the draft configuration as shown in FIG. 4B, with the user sitting or standing adjacent thereto. The primary worksurface may also be used in the vertical configuration as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4C, for example to make a presentation or provide a display to a larger audience, or minimize the footprint when not in use, for example when being stored. Again, the worksurface may be vertically adjusted to a desired height to maximize visibility to the audience, whether a single user or multiple users.

The display may be powered by conventional means such as electrical cords (not shown), or by batteries or other localized power sources coupled to the workstation.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A workstation comprising: a base comprising at least one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality of vertical leg positions;a worksurface member comprising a display, wherein said display defines at least in part a worksurface of said worksurface member, and wherein said worksurface member is pivotally coupled to said base, wherein said worksurface member is pivotable about a fixed rotational axis between at least a horizontal orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein said worksurface of said display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially vertical, and wherein said worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positions corresponding to said plurality of said vertical leg positions when said worksurface member is positioned in any one of said horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.

2. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said display comprises a touch screen.

3. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said display supports at least a load of 250 lbs when said worksurface member is in said horizontal configuration.

4. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said worksurface member comprises a first worksurface member and said worksurface comprises a first worksurface, and further comprising at least one second worksurface member defining a second worksurface disposed adjacent said first worksurface and coupled to said base, wherein said second worksurface is maintained in a horizontal configuration when said first worksurface member is positioned in any one said horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.

5. The workstation of claim 4 wherein said at least one second worksuface member comprises a pair of second worksurface members disposed on opposite sides of said first worksurface member.

6. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising at least one grippable handle coupled to said worksurface member.

7. The workstation of claim 6 comprising at least a pair of grippable handles coupled along opposite edges of said worksurface member.

8. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said display defines at least 75% of said worksurface.

9. A method of using a workstation comprising: adjusting a vertical height of a worksurface member comprising a display, wherein said display defines at least in part a worksurface of said worksurface member;pivoting said worksurface member about a fixed rotational axis between at least a horizontal orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein said worksurface of said display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantially vertical; andviewing said display in any one of said horizontal, draft or vertical orientations.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising interfacing with said display, wherein said display comprises a touch screen.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising supporting a load of at least 250 lbs on said display when said worksurface member is in said horizontal configuration.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said worksurface member comprises a first worksurface member and said worksurface comprises a first worksurface, and further comprising at least one second worksurface member defining a second worksurface disposed adjacent said first worksurface and coupled to said base, and maintaining said second worksurface in a horizontal configuration when pivoting said first worksurface member to any one said horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said at least one second worksurface member comprises a pair of second worksurface members disposed on opposite sides of said first worksurface member.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said pivoting said worksurface member comprises gripping at least one grippable handle coupled to said worksurface member.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said gripping said at least one grippable handle comprises gripping one of a pair of grippable handles coupled along opposite edges of said worksurface member.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein said display defines at least 75% of said worksurface.