Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6220180
-
Patent Number
6,220,180
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, August 17, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 24, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Cuomo; Peter M.
- Tran; Hanh V.
Agents
- Cohen, Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 108 5001
- 108 5002
- 108 92
- 108 101
- 108 180
- 108 186
- 108 187
- 108 189
- 108 15811
- 108 1531
- 211 186
- 211 135
- 248 165
- 248 1761
- 248 917
- 248 918
- 312 194
- 312 195
- 312 2231
- 312 2233
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A computer workstation that is easily assembled and provides sufficient space to accommodate a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and a tower central processing unit. The workstation is made of tubular steel to provide increased rigidity and strength and can be configured to as to accommodate both right handed and left handed users.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to personal computers, and more particularly, to a computer workstation for supporting and positioning a personal computer and associated peripheral devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic data processing equipment such as personal computers, communications monitors, workstation terminals, etc., have become standard equipment in modern offices and even in most homes. Many different types of specialize computer workstation furniture have already been developed to support such equipment. However, such furniture is typically very large in construction, with associated high costs and maintenance problems, or relatively lightweight, with limited adjustability, stability and durability.
One drawback in currently available workstations is that they are generally designed to accommodate desktop style central processing units (CPUs). However, recently the computer industry has departed from the original desktop style and has been producing tower style CPUs. Thus, the majority of existing workstations cannot accommodate the tower style CPU, thereby causing the user to place the tower CPU on the floor next to the workstation which does not allow for ready and uniform movement of the workstation. A primarypupose of such known workstation was to configure the CPU with its corresponding peripherals in a neat, organized and functional manner while maintaining elevation of the CPU and peripherals above the floor. However, the evolution of the now more popular tower style CPU is causing the current workstations to become obsolete.
Another drawback of existing workstation arrangements is that they are generally designed to accommodate either right handed or left handed users, and not both. As such, a user is forced to configure a computer and peripheral locations/positions according to the design of the workstation furniture as opposed to the desired comfort of the user.
Therefore, there is a need for a computer workstation which supports a tower-like computer in addition to all peripheral devices while at the same time being configurable to accommodate both right handed and left handed individuals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the computer workstation includes a left side support having a front tubular member, a rear tubular member and at least one cross support extending from the front tubular member to the rear tubular member. A right side support having a front tubular member, a rear tubular member and at least one cross support extending from the front tubular member to the rear tubular member are also provided. A plurality of shelf support rods extend from the left side support to the right side support. The workstation further includes a plurality of shelves releasably connectable to the shelf support rods, with each of the plurality of shelves supporting at least one peripheral computer device. A mouse support is releasably connectable to one of the front tubular members, and a CPU support is connected to one of said left and right side supports and extends outward therefrom, for forming a support for supporting a tower-style CPU.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the several views:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the computer workstation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a front view of the computer workstation according to the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3
is a rear view of the computer workstation according to the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4
is an exploded perspective view of the computer workstation according to the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5
a
is a side sectional view of a disassembled supporting shelf in the computer workstation according to the present invention;
FIG. 5
b
is a side sectional view of the assembled support shelf in the computer workstation according to the invention; and
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the computer workstation according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to
FIGS. 1-4
, there is shown a computer workstation
10
according to an embodiment of the present invention. Workstation
10
has a left side support
12
, a right side support
14
, a monitor support shelf
22
, a keyboard support shelf
24
, a lower support shelf
26
a mouse support shelf
32
, and a computer (CPU) support shelf
28
. Left side support
12
and right side support
14
are constructed of a tubular material, such as, for example, steel. Left side support
12
includes a rear tubular member
11
, a front tubular member
13
and cross supports
34
and
38
. Right side support
14
includes a rear tubular member
15
, a front tubular member
17
, and cross supports
36
and
39
. Workstation
10
can be stationary or can include wheels
20
a
-
20
b
releasably affixed to the four corners defined by left and right side supports
12
and
14
, respectively.
Left side support
12
and right side support
14
are connected to each other via shelf support rods
42
a
,
42
b
,
44
a
,
44
b
,
46
a
, and
46
b
. As shown in
FIG. 4
, support rod
42
a
is connected to side
12
using a screw or other fastening device that passes through hole
43
a
in rear tubular member
11
and into rod
42
a
. On the opposing side, a screw or other fastening device passes through a corresponding hole
43
a
in rear tubular member
15
and into rod
42
a
. Support rod
42
b
is connected to front tubular members
13
and
17
via holes
43
b
in a similar fashion. A shelf
22
is then releasably secured onto support rods
42
a
and
42
b
to provide a monitor display support shelf for the user. The secure engagement of shelf
22
with rods
42
a
and
42
b
is described later with reference to
FIGS. 5
a
and
5
b.
Shelf support rods
44
a
and
44
b
are connected to the cross members
34
and
36
so as to provide support for a keyboard shelf
24
receiving the operating keyboard of the computer being held by workstation
10
. Each cross member
34
and
36
has corresponding holes
45
a
and
45
b
for receiving screws or other fastening devices and securing rods
44
a
and
44
b
, respectively, transverse to cross members
34
and
36
and side supports
12
and
14
. Shelf rod supports
46
a
and
46
b
are connected to the rear and front tubular members
11
and
15
, of side supports
12
and
14
, respectively. Tubular members
11
and
15
have corresponding holes
47
a
and
47
b
for receiving screws and securing support rods
46
a
and
46
b
, respectively.
According to a first embodiment, workstation
10
includes a tower-style computer (CPU) shelf
28
connected to left side member
12
. CPU shelf
28
and the area provided above the same accommodates tower-style computers including full towers and/or mini-towers. The area above shelf
28
is formed from two C-shaped members
16
and
18
each having a lower leg
48
a
and
48
b
and an upper leg
50
a
and
50
b
, respectively. The upper legs
50
a
and
50
b
are connected to the rear tubular member
11
and front tubular member
13
, respectively, of side support
12
. Rear tubular member
11
includes a hole
51
a
for receiving a screw or other fastening device and securing upper leg
50
a
to side support
12
. Front tubular member
13
includes a correspondingly positioned hole
51
b
for receiving a screw or other fastening device and securing upper leg
50
b
to side support
12
. The lower leg
48
a
is connected to rear tubular member
11
via a screw through hole
49
a
, and lower leg
48
b
is connected to cross support
38
having a correspondingly positioned hole
49
b
for receiving a screw or other fastening device.
Computer shelf
28
is releasably and securely fitted onto lower legs
48
a
and
48
b
, and includes an additional support wheel
40
having an upper area
41
for contact with the underside of shelf
28
. Support wheel
40
supports the additional weight of the tower-style computer and prevents workstation
10
from tipping or having a tendency to tip resulting from the added off-center weight of the tower-style computer sitting on shelf
28
.
An additional shelf
30
can be provided above shelf
28
and is supported by upper legs
50
a
and
50
b
. Shelf
30
can provide additional space for resting papers or other items that the user desires, and can be configured with slots
54
for retaining CD-ROM computer discs in a neat and organized manner.
According to the first embodiment, workstation
10
includes a mouse support shelf
32
pivotably attached to front tubular member
17
via compression-like fittings
55
a
and
55
b
. Mouse support shelf
32
includes a support arm
54
passing through each compression fitting
55
a
and
55
b
such that it may positioned according to the user's preference. When not in use, mouse support shelf
32
can be pivoted inward such that it is disposed under keyboard shelf
24
so as to not extend outward beyond right side support
14
.
FIG. 2
shows an exemplary arrangement of a computer system within workstation
10
where a tower-style computer
100
is supported by CPU shelf
28
and a display monitor is supported by the upper shelf
22
. The keyboard
108
is supported by shelf
24
and a printer
104
is supported by shelf
26
. A mouse
106
with corresponding mouse pad
107
can be situated on mouse shelf
30
. Depending on the user's desire and the size of monitor
102
, speakers
110
a
and
110
b
can also be disposed on shelf
22
.
A rear cross support
52
(See
FIG. 3
) is connected to rear tubular members
11
and
15
and provides additional support and stability to workstation
10
. Support
52
can have curved ends so as to engage rear tubular members
11
and
15
in a substantially parallel configuration, and thereby provide additional surface area support between tubular members
11
and
15
and cross support
52
. Other configurations of cross support
52
can also be implemented without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
FIGS. 5
a
and
5
b
show, by way of example, how the shelves
22
,
24
,
26
,
28
and
30
engage their respective support rods. For example, shelf
22
includes inwardly curved ends
62
a
and
62
b
having ends
64
a
and
64
b
, respectively. Thus, when support rods
42
a
and
42
b
are connected to side supports
12
and
14
, they are positioned such that shelf
22
may be pressed downward (as indicated by the arrow) against rods
42
a
and
42
b
such that ends
64
a
and
64
b
are slightly stressed outward. By continuing to apply downward pressure, rods
42
a
and
42
b
are securely fitted within curved ends
62
a
and
62
b
, and are resiliently retained in this position (as depicted in
FIG. 5
b
). In the event that the user desires to remove shelf
22
from its support position on rods
42
a
and
42
b
, an upwardly applied pressure from the underside of the shelf will cause ends
64
a
and
64
b
to flex outward. Once ends
64
a
and
64
b
travel a distance along the circumference of the rods
42
a
and
42
b
substantially equivalent to the radius of the rods, shelf
22
will be released from its fixed positioned on rods
42
a
and
42
b.
FIGS. 1-4
show a first embodiment of workstation
10
set up for use with a right handed user (i.e., the mouse shelf
32
on the right side). According to another embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 6
, the computer shelf
28
and corresponding C-shaped supports
16
and
18
can be disposed on right side support
14
, and mouse shelf
32
with compression fittings
55
a
and
55
b
can be disposed on the front tubular member
13
of the left side support
12
. As shown in
FIG. 6
, workstation
10
can be easily configured to accommodate both right handed (
FIGS. 1-4
) and left handed (
FIG. 6
) users.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above which are presented as examples only but can be modified in various ways within the scope of protection defined by the appended patent claims.
Claims
- 1. A computer workstation comprising:a left side support having a front tubular member, a rear tubular member and at least one cross support extending from said front tubular member to said rear tubular member; a right side support having a front tubular member, a rear tubular member and at least one cross support extending from said front tubular member to said rear tubular member; a plurality of shelf support rods extending from said left side support to said right side support; a plurality of shelves releasably connectable to said shelf support rods, each of said plurality of shelves adapted for supporting at least one peripheral computer device; a mouse support releasably connectable to one of said front tubular members; a CPU support capable of being connected to one of said left and right side supports and extending outward therefrom, said CPU support adapted for supporting a tower-style CPU; and at least one compression fitting releasably attached to one of said front tubular members, wherein said mouse support comprises an upper shelf and a mouse support rod having one leg attached to an underside of said upper shelf and another leg releasably connected to one of said front tubular members via said compression fitting.
- 2. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of holes in said left side support and a plurality of oppositely positioned holes in said right side support; and a plurality of fasteners for passing through said holes and securing an end of each of said plurality of shelf support rods to said side supports.
- 3. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 2, wherein two of said plurality of shelf support rods are allocated for each one of said plurality of shelves.
- 4. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 3, wherein said plurality of shelves comprises at least three shelves for supporting a keyboard, a display monitor and at least one peripheral device connected to the tower-style CPU.
- 5. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 3, further comprising fastening means for releasably fastening one of said shelves onto a pair of said shelf support rods.
- 6. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 5, wherein said fastening means comprises inwardly bending opposing edges of each of said plurality of shelves and press fitting said bent opposing edges over said pair of shelf support rods so as to secure each of said plurality of shelves onto the corresponding pair of shelf support rods.
- 7. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mouse support is positioned on the one of said front tubular member of the side support opposite said CPU support.
- 8. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 7, wherein said mouse support is positioned on said right side support and said CPU support is positioned on said left side support to accommodate a right banded user.
- 9. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 7, wherein said mouse support is positioned on said left side support and said CPU support is positioned on said right side support to accommodate a left handed user.
- 10. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said CPU support comprises:at least two C-shad support members each having a lower leg and an upper leg connected to one of said left and right side supports; a CPU shelf releasably connected to said lower legs of said C-shaped support members; and an upper shelf releasably connected to said upper legs of said C-shaped support members.
- 11. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 10, comprising a support wheel disposed under said CPU shelf.
- 12. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a structural supports rod extending between said left and right side support and being connected to said rear tubular members of said left and right side supports.
- 13. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a wheel connected to a bottom of each of said left and right side supports.
- 14. A computer workstation comprising:a left side support having a front tubular member, a rear tubular member and at least one cross support extending from said front tubular member to said rear tubular member; a right side support having a front tubular member, a rear tubular member and at least one cross support extending from said front tubular member to said rear tubular member; a plurality of shelf support rods extending from said left side support to said right side support; a plurality of shelves releasably connectable to said shelf support rods, each of said plurality of shelves adapted for supporting at least one peripheral computer device; a mouse support releasably connectable to one of said front tubular members; and a CPU support capable of being connected to one of said left and right side supports, extending outward therefrom, and adapted for supporting a tower-style CPU, said CPU support having at least two C-shaped support members each having a lower leg and an upper leg connected to one of said left and right side supports, a CPU shelf releasably connected to said lower legs of said C-shaped support members, and an upper shelf releasably connected to said upper legs of said C-shaped support members.
- 15. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 14 further comprising:a plurality of holes in said left side support and a plurality of oppositely positioned holes in said right side support; and a plurality of fasteners for passing through said holes and securing an end of each of said plurality of shelf support rods to said side supports.
- 16. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 15 wherein two of said plurality of shelf support rods are allocated for each one of said plurality of shelves.
- 17. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 16, wherein said plurality of shelves comprises at least three shelves for supporting a keyboard, a display monitor and at least one peripheral device connected to the tower-style CPU.
- 18. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 16, further comprising fastening means for releasably fastening one of said shelves onto a pair of said shelf support rods.
- 19. The computer workstation in accordance with claim 14, further comprising at least one compression fitting releasably attached to one of said front tubular members, wherein said mouse support comprises an upper shelf and a mouse support rod having one leg attached to an underside of said upper shelf and another leg releasably connected to one of said front tubular members via said compression fitting.
US Referenced Citations (13)