Computer keyboard enclosure with work surface

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6612665
  • Patent Number
    6,612,665
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 1, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 2, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A unit of furniture, useful as a computer such as a desk, cabinet, or armoire, includes a pullout unit that extends from the unit of furniture. The pullout unit includes a tray for supporting a computer keyboard and mouse. The tray may be covered by a movable lid that provides a first writing surface over the tray when covering the tray and a second writing surface when moved to a position for supporting copy referenced while using the keyboard. The pullout unit may also include an extension unit mounted adjacent to the tray and extendable to provide additional writing surface. The extension unit may include a drawer that extends toward the tray. The pullout unit may include a lid stop to cooperate with the unit of furniture to maintain the pullout unit in a stable extended position.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




In general, furniture units such as desks, cabinets and armoires with provisions for holding computer equipment are known. An example of a desk including provisions for holding a computer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,053 issued to Andreas Krestian Nielsen on Apr. 21, 1998. However, known units typically provide only limited writing surfaces and/or manifest an inconveniently large footprint. To add writing surface, some known armoires provide a flip-down writing table. However, such flip-down tables tend to prevent ready access to drawers and other storage; and, may present a danger of physical injury. Further, such tables are unsuitable for providing storage for loose accessories because they are regularly tilted through a 90 degree arc.




Accordingly, there is a need for an armoire that provides a compact yet convenient work environment for a computer user, disposes computer equipment in a position for convenient use, and provides storage spaces and writing surfaces conveniently arranged within the immediate work area of the user. There is also a need for a compact (small footprint) computer armoire that provides an adequate writing surface even when a computer keyboard is being used.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In accordance with one aspect of the of the present invention, provision is made in a compact (small footprint) unit of furniture for a writing surface while a keyboard is in use; a retractable pullout unit with a compartment for a keyboard and mouse; and an additional portion adjacent to the compartment providing a first writing surface. A hinged lid overlies the compartment, adapted to be arranged in either lowered or raised positions as desired. When in the lowered position, the lid provides a second writing surface substantially co-planar with the first writing surface. While in the raised position, the lid provides a supporting surface for papers that an operator may wish to view while using the keyboard, and additionally stabilizes the pullout unit position.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING




Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, wherein like designations denote like elements, and:





FIG. 1

is a front exterior view of a computer armoire according to various aspects of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a front view of the interior of the computer armoire of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a back view of the exterior of the computer armoire of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a perspective schematic view of the computer armoire of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a top view of a pullout unit having a lid and an extension unit, according to various aspects of the present invention, wherein the lid is in a lowered position;





FIG. 6

is a top view of the pullout unit of

FIG. 5

wherein the lid is in a raised position and the extension unit is in an extended position;





FIG. 7

is a perspective schematic view of the pullout unit of

FIG. 5

;





FIG. 8

is a side view of the computer armoire of

FIG. 1

illustrating an advantageous viewing angle; and





FIG. 9

is a side view of the computer armoire and pullout unit of

FIG. 1

illustrating a catch mount for securing the pullout unit.











DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS




The present invention provides for a compact (small footprint) yet convenient work environment for a computer user. For example, referring to

FIGS. 1

,


2


,


8


, and


9


, a unit of furniture (e.g., desk, cabinet, armoire, etc.) incorporating the present invention suitably includes a base (lower section)


120


having a generally horizontal top piece


125


, a pullout unit


260


slideably mounted in base


120


beneath top piece


125


, and a catch bar (lid stop)


760


suitably disposed on the upper surface of top piece


125


. If desired, an upper section


110


may also be employed, suitably separable from lower section


120


for convenience of transportation. Upper section


110


rests on the upper surface of top piece


125


of lower section


120


, and may include a horizontal bottom piece


210


generally co-extensive (albeit, slightly smaller) and overlying lower section top piece


125


. If an upper section


110


is employed having a bottom piece


210


, lid stop


760


is suitably affixed to the upper surface of bottom piece


210


. For the sake of simplicity, top piece


125


and overlying bottom piece


210


, if utilized, will be referred to synonymously, as unit member


210


. As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, one or both of upper and lower sections


110


and


120


may also include doors (


112


,


113


,


121


and


122


).




Referring more particularly to

FIGS. 4 through 7

, pullout unit


260


suitably comprises: a tray


432


, a lid


430


overlying tray


432


, a working surface


450


disposed laterally adjacent to tray


432


, and an extension unit


452


. A tray (compartment) includes any structure for supporting a computer input device or devices, such as a keyboard and/or mouse. Tray


432


suitably includes side walls


434


and back wall


436


, and is configured to accommodate a variety of computer input and ancillary devices, such as a keyboard


406


and a mouse


408


, along with a wrist rest


410


and a mouse pad


412


.




Working surface


450


is flat, suitable for writing or other such work, and is generally rectangular with a cut out portion of a configuration generally corresponding to, and disposed over, tray


432


. The vertical position of pullout unit


260


and the height of working surface


450


above the mounting of pullout unit


260


are such that working surface


450


is positioned at an ergonomic writing height, i.e., a height within a conventionally accepted range of heights at which paper may be placed for writing with minimal stress on the human body.




Preferably, tray


432


is positioned about three inches below work surface


450


, under the cut out portion. In such a position, tray


432


supports a computer keyboard having a thickness of about 1 inch at an ergonomic typing height, i.e., a height within a conventionally accepted range of heights at which a computer keyboard may be operated with minimal stress on the human body. An ergonomic typing height is generally lower than a corresponding ergonomic writing height.




Lid


430


generally conforms in configuration to the cut out portion of working surface


450


, covers tray


432


, and provides an additional writing surface in a lowered position. Conversely, when in a raised position, lid


430


serves the dual purpose of providing a surface in a desirable position for supporting papers, and, in cooperation with lid stop


760


, stabilizing pullout unit


260


. With specific reference to

FIGS. 5 and 6

, lid


430


suitably includes an exterior surface


502


, an interior surface


604


, a top rail


603


, and a bottom rail


602


. As best seen in

FIG. 4

, lid


430


is mounted by hinges


437


to working surface back transverse wall


436


, above tray


432


. Lid


430


is movable between either a lowered position or a raised position, as desired. When arranged in a lowered position, as in

FIG. 5

, lid


430


covers tray


432


and provides exterior surface


502


as a work surface. In such a position, work surface


450


combines with lid exterior surface


502


to provide a smooth, contiguous surface for writing or other work. Preferably, lid exterior surface


502


fits closely adjacent work surface


450


when lid


430


is in a lowered position such that surfaces


502


and


450


are substantially co-planar. When arranged in a raised position, as in

FIG. 6

, lid


430


exposes tray


432


and provides interior surface


604


as a copy holder. When functioning as a copy holder, interior surface


604


provides a smooth, convenient place to prop up an annotate written materials. Bottom rail


602


provides a base support for such materials.




Lid exterior surface


502


, becomes unavailable as a work surface when lid


430


is in a raised position. However, work surface


450


provides a surface for writing or other such work in any configuration of lid


430


. To provide additional surface area for writing or other such work, extension unit


452


may be extended from pullout unit


260


.




Lid exterior surface


502


, becomes unavailable as a work surface when lid


430


is in a raised position. However, work surface


450


provides a surface for writing or other such work in any configuration of lid


430


. To provide additional surface area for writing or other such work, extension unit


452


may be extended from pullout unit


260


.




An extension unit of the present invention includes any structure that may be extended from a pullout unit to provide an additional writing surface and may provide covered storage space. For example, extension unit


452


provides additional work surface and may provide storage when extended from pullout unit


260


. Extension unit


452


suitably includes work surface


454


, and drawer


610


. Extension unit


452


primarily has two positions: a stowed position fully within the interior space of pullout unit


260


, and an extended position wherein unit


452


is fully extended from the interior space of pullout unit


260


.




Support for pullout unit


260


and its integral elements may be provided in any manner that assures stable surfaces for equipment support and writing surfaces during operation. Any conventional mechanical support apparatus may be used, including drawer slides, hinges, cantilevered arms, and/or scissor-type hinges. In the arrangement of

FIG. 7

pullout unit


260


is supported on a pair of drawer slides. The rail portions of these drawer slides


724


are mounted to the interior of lower section


120


. The slide portions


722


of these drawer slides are mounted to respective sides of pullout unit


260


. These drawer slides may have a locking mechanism for locking pullout unit in its extended position. The inconvenience of operating drawer slide locking mechanisms is avoided when locking mechanisms are omitted from drawer slides and pullout unit


260


is held in its extended position by the cooperation of lid


430


and lid stop


760


.




Extension unit


452


is supported on a conventional drawer glide which includes rail


726


mounted to the interior of pullout unit


260


and glide


728


mounted to the underside of extension unit


452


. Two sets of drawer glides may be used for improved stability and improved weight capacity for drawer


610


.




Drawer


610


includes a sectioned interior formed in any conventional manner. For example drawer


610


may include recesses


612


milled from or formed in a solid piece of material, or a conventionally manufactured drawer with a plastic injection molded tray removably inserted therein. Drawer


610


is supported in extension unit


452


by drawer slides. For example rails


620


are fastened to the interior of extension unit


452


and slides


622


are fastened to drawer


610


.




A lid stop, according to various aspects of the present invention, supports a lid and applies a compression force to the lid. For example, lid


430


rests on lid stop


760


. Lid stop


760


may apply a force through lid


430


to urge pullout unit


260


to remain in its extended position. The cooperation of lid


430


and lid stop


760


may be better understood with reference to the example of FIG.


9


and detail FIG.


9


A. In the arrangement shown in

FIG. 9

, lid stop


760


includes base


764


and catch mount


762


. Lid stop


760


may be manufactured of any material suitable for maintaining rigidity under continuous compression. For example, lid stop


760


may be formed of wood, metal or resilient plastic.




Base


764


provides a spacer for locating catch mount


762


at an appropriate height. When the height of catch mount


762


may be predetermined, catch mount


762


may be formed integrally with base


764


as one piece.




Catch mount


762


provides support for


3


conventional bullet catches


744


located to oppose


3


corresponding detent plates


742


. Each bullet catch includes a spring that forces a bullet-shaped bolt against an opposing recess or detent. Detent plates


742


may be mounted in lid


430


. When detents are formed in lid


430


, detent plates


742


may be omitted. Detent plates may also be omitted when lid


430


is formed with a channel extending across the top edge of lid


430


to receive bullet catches


744


at any position along the channel. Catch mount


762


includes bullet catches


744


and a resting surface


902


. Surface


902


supports lid


430


at an angle appropriate for use of lid


430


as a copy holder or writing surface. Surface


902


is flat and may include a resilient cushion in order to provide a stable surface across the horizontal extent of lid


430


. Top rail


603


provides additional rigidity to the upper portion of lid


430


. Additional rigidity of the top portion of lid


430


, especially across that portion of lid


430


that comes in contact with resting surface


902


, may improve the stability of lid


430


as a copy holder, as a writing surface, and as a mechanical member for retaining pullout unit


260


in its extended position.




Lid


430


operates as an effective copy holder for copy


490


. By locating copy


490


directly below the display portion of monitor


404


, as shown in

FIG. 8

, a user of computer armoire


100


may alternate between viewing monitor


404


and viewing copy


490


with minimal effort. For example, when a user's head is at an elevation as illustrated in

FIG. 8

, alternately viewing monitor


404


and copy


490


may be accomplished within viewing angle VA. Viewing angle VA is preferably an ergonomic viewing angle. An ergonomic viewing angle is an angle within a conventional range through which a line of sight may pass without movement of the head. By avoiding movement of the head, stress on the human body is minimal.




Referring more particularly to

FIGS. 2 and 4

, base section


120


may suitably include, (in addition to pullout unit


260


): various storage facilities such as drawers


230


,


232


, and


236


; lateral file drawer


234


, media drawers


254


; a power center


240


; and interior space


250


with respective removable/adjustable shelves therein. Drawers


230


,


232


, and


236


provide covered storage space, for example, suitable for computer supplies and office tools. In addition, the contents of drawers in lower section


120


may be more conveniently viewed by the user. Lateral file drawer


234


is placed near the bottom of lower section


120


for convenient access to file contents and for lowering the center of gravity of armoire


100


. Lower section


120


may include only structure for supporting pullout unit


260


, in which case, storage spaces as discussed above are omitted.




Interior space


250


accommodates the main unit of the computer system in either a desktop or tower orientation. Media drawers


254


and shelving


252


occupy space


250


in an arrangement of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,053 issued Apr. 21, 1998 to Nielsen, incorporated herein by reference.




Power center


240


provides a central distribution point for power to the computer system components. Power center


240


may provide power for accessory equipment such as a desk lamp.




The arrangement of

FIG. 4

provides a convenient work environment for computer system components with pullout unit


260


in its operating position. Computer system components may include main unit


402


, monitor


404


, and suitable input devices. Such input devices may include, for example, keyboard


406


and mouse


408


.




Lower section


120


may include a media drawer


254


. Media drawer


254


extends from computer armoire


100


to provide vertical access to computer media stored within the of drawer. Media drawer


254


may include a divided interior


440


conventionally formed by one or more independent or cooperating dividers


441


and


442


. Each separator may be positioned in one or more fixed pre-determined positions or may be located using for example conventional hook and loop fasteners at a variable and reconfigurable position within drawer


254


. A divider may be supported by an interior surface of drawer


254


and/or a portion of another divider. Dividers


441


and


442


and/or drawer sides


443


may extend vertically to a height much less than the height “h” of drawer face


444


and media to allow easy grasping of media. When used with media having a height in the range of 3 to 6 inches, drawer sides and dividers may have a height of about 2.5 inches.




Top rail


603


of lid


430


supports copy


490


in part at a distance from surface


604


. Space


810


permits convenient grasping of copy


490


and avoids electrostatic adhesion of copy


490


to surface


604


.




Upper section


110


and lower section


120


cooperate to provide a convenient work environment for a computer user. Interior structures of sections


110


and


120


provide storage for computer accessories and support for computer equipment. For example, interior structures may be arranged as shown in FIG.


2


. Upper section


110


suitably includes covered bookshelf


202


, shelving


203


, drawer unit


204


, and an equipment support surface


210


. Covered bookshelf


202


provides book shelf space suitable for books relating to operation of a computer and its application programs. Shelving


203


provides space suitable for incoming and outgoing paperwork, notes, and work in progress. Drawer unit


204


provides covered storage space suitable for computer supplies and office tools. Interior space


208


is arranged to be occupied largely by equipment and/or peripherals of a computer system. A hole


206


is suitably included to provide a passage for power cables and signal cables. Lid stop


760


is rigidly mounted to equipment support surface


210


and performs functions as described with reference to FIG.


7


. Upper section


110


may be omitted and lid stop


760


may be mounted to surface


125


.




Upper section


110


and lower section


120


may be secured together for equipment and personnel safety. Rigid attachment may be provided in any suitable manner, for example using fasteners


304


, as shown in FIG.


3


. Rear panel


312


may include cable cutouts


310


and


314


for passage of power and signal cables and for ventilation.




Upper and lower sections


110


and


120


, respectively, are suitably constructed of conventional materials using conventional techniques suitable for home or office furniture.




The arrangement of internal structures of upper section


110


and lower section


120


as well as the arrangement of the elements of pullout unit


260


are shown for convenient use by a right-handed person. For use by a left-handed person, suitable alternate locations for the structures discussed above are used to permit convenient use. The width of a computer armoire may be extended beyond that shown in the figures so that an extension unit is provided on both the left-hand and right-hand sides of tray


432


. This arrangement is particularly convenient for the ambidextrous person.




While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments and generally associated methods, it is contemplated that alterations and permutations thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. The present invention is not intended to be defined by the above description of preferred exemplary embodiments. Rather, the present invention is defined variously by the issued claims. Each variation of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the recited limitations of its respective claim, and equivalents thereof, without limitation by terms not present therein.



Claims
  • 1. A pullout unit comprising:(a) a computer keyboard tray adapted for being extended from a provided support; (b) a first writing surface adjacent the tray; (c) a lid mounted to the tray and movable with respect to the tray from a first lid position to a second lid position, the lid at the first lid position providing a second writing surface over the tray, wherein access to the first writing surface for writing is unaffected by the lid being in either the first lid position or the second lid position, the lid in the second lid position providing a third writing surface; and (d) an extension unit mounted adjacent the tray in the pullout unit and movable from a first extension unit position to a second extension unit position, the extension unit at the second extension unit position providing a fourth writing surface.
  • 2. The pullout unit of claim 1 further comprising a drawer in the extension unit and movable from a first drawer position to a second drawer position, the drawer being closer to the tray at the second drawer position than at the first drawer position.
  • 3. The pullout unit of claim 1 further comprisinga base supporting the pullout unit for extending from the base, wherein in combination the pullout unit and base comprise a workstation.
  • 4. The pullout unit of claim 3 wherein the base comprises a top and wherein the pullout unit is mounted under the top.
  • 5. The pullout unit of claim 4 wherein the pullout unit is mounted to the base by at least one drawer slide operative for extending the pullout from the base.
  • 6. A workstation comprising(a) a pullout unit comprising: (1) a computer keyboard tray; (2) a first writing surface adjacent the tray; and (3) a lid mounted to the tray and movable with respect to the tray from a first lid position to a second lid position, the lid at the first lid position providing a second writing surface over the tray, wherein access to the first writing surface for writing is unaffected by the lid being in either the first lid position or the second lid position, the lid in the second lid position providing a third writing surface; (b) a base that supports the pullout unit; (c) a lid stop, fixed to the base, that receives the lid at the second lid position; and (d) an extension unit mounted adjacent the tray in the pullout unit and movable from a first extension unit position to a second extension unit position, the extension unit at the second extension unit position providing a fourth writing surface.
  • 7. The workstation of claim 6 further comprises a drawer mounted in the extension unit and movable from a first drawer position to a second drawer position, the drawer being closer to the tray at the second drawer position than at the first drawer position.
  • 8. The workstation of claim 6 wherein the workstation comprises a desk.
  • 9. The workstation of claim 6 wherein the workstation comprises an armoire.
  • 10. The workstation of claim 6 wherein the workstation comprises a cabinet.
  • 11. A workstation comprising:A pullout unit adapted to be extended from the workstation and comprising: (a) a computer keyboard tray; (b) a first writing surface adjacent the tray; (c) a lid mounted to the pullout unit and movable with respect to the tray from lid position to a second lid position, the lid at the first lid position providing a second writing surface over the tray, wherein access to the first writing surface for writing is unaffected by the lid being in either the first lid position or the second lid position, the lid in the second lid position providing a third writing surface; and (d) an extension unit mounted adjacent the tray in the pullout unit and movable from a first extension unit position to a second extension unit position, the extension unit at the second extension unit position providing a fourth writing surface; and a base that supports the pullout unit.
  • 12. The workstation of claim 11 wherein the workstation comprises a desk.
  • 13. The workstation of claim 11 wherein the workstation comprises an armoire.
  • 14. The workstation of claim 11 wherein the workstation comprises a cabinet.
  • 15. The workstation of claim 11 wherein the pullout unit further comprises a drawer movably mounted in the extension unit.
Parent Case Info

This is a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 09/264,469 filed on Mar. 8, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,829.

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