Patent Application
20220322821
This invention relates to office furniture, and in particular, a more ergonomic and efficient desk system as well as methods for making and using the same.
Many people sit at a conventional desk for prolonged periods of time. This may cause tension, pain and long-term damage to the musculoskeletal system among other muscular and skeletal disorders, such as carpel tunnel syndrome and neck injuries. In additional to muscle fatigue, this may also cause a loss of responsiveness, reaction speed, and concentration, i.e., mental fatigue. A conventional desk may not provide free mobility of muscles and joints while avoiding superfluous movements, which may reduce productivity. In other words, a conventional desk may not be configured to be ergonomic and provide efficiency to movement, and thereby efficiency of time. Accordingly, a desk system configured to be ergonomic and efficient may be desirable.
The present invention described herein may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing sheets, in which:
This disclosure generally describes desk systems as well as methods of making and using the same. It is understood, however, that this disclosure also embraces numerous alternative features, aspects, and advantages that may be accomplished by combining any of the various features, aspects, and/or advantages described herein in any combination or sub-combination that one of ordinary skill in the art may find useful. Such combinations or sub-combinations are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any features, aspects, and advantages expressly or inherently described in, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported by, this disclosure. Further, any features, aspects, and advantages that may be present in the prior art may be affirmatively disclaimed. Accordingly, this disclosure may comprise, consist of, consist essentially or be characterized by one or more of the features, aspects, and advantages described herein. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
All numerical quantities stated herein are approximate, unless stated otherwise. Accordingly, the term “about” may be inferred when not expressly stated. The numerical quantities disclosed herein are to be understood as not being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless stated otherwise, each numerical value stated herein is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical value should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding processes. Typical exemplary degrees of error may be within 20%, 10%, or 5% of a given value or range of values. Alternatively, the term “about” refers to values within an order of magnitude, potentially within 5-fold or 2-fold of a given value. Notwithstanding the approximations of numerical quantities stated herein, the numerical quantities described in specific examples of actual measured values are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
All numerical ranges stated herein include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” or “1-10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between and including the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10 because the disclosed numerical ranges are continuous and include every value between the minimum and maximum values. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations. Any minimum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all higher numerical limitations.
In the following description, certain details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of various features, aspects, and advantages the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that these features, aspects, and advantages may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures, methods, and/or processes associated with methods of practicing the various features, aspects, and advantages may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of other details of the invention.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, “having”, and “characterized by”, are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, compositions, steps, integers, operations, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Although these open-ended terms are to be understood as a non-restrictive term used to describe and claim various aspects set forth herein, in certain aspects, the term may alternatively be understood to instead be a more limiting and restrictive term, such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps, described herein also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such recited compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps. In the case of “consisting of”, the alternative embodiment excludes any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps, while in the case of “consisting essentially of”, any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps that materially affect the basic and novel characteristics are excluded from such an embodiment, but any compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics can be included in the embodiment.
As generally used herein, the terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inside,” “outside,” “inboard,” “outboard,” “horizontal,” and/or “vertical” may be referenced from the user's point of view. Unless stated otherwise, “front” refers to that end of the desk nearest to and occupied by a user of the desk; “rear” refers to that end of the side that is opposite to or distal from the front; “left” refers to side to the left of or facing left from a user sitting at the corner work surface; and “right” refers to the side to the right of or facing right from that same user. “Horizontal” refers to a plane extending from left to right and aligned with the horizon, and “vertical” refers to a plane that is angled at 90 degrees to the horizontal.
Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed, unless otherwise indicated.
The present invention is directed to a more ergonomic and/or efficient desk system configured to support paper and/or paperless workflows as well as good physical health.
Referring to
Referring to
The corner work surface 10, first side work surface 20, second side work surface 30, and/or third side work surface 40 may comprise a unitary work surface. The corner work surface 10, first side work surface 20, second side work surface 30, and third work surface 40 may comprise independent work surfaces. The corner work surface 10, first side work surface 20, second side work surface 30, and/or third side work surface 40 may comprise a combination of a unitary work surface and at least one independent work surface. For example, the corner work surface 10, first side work surface 20, and second side work surface 30 may comprise a unitary work surface and the third work surface 40 may comprise independent work surface separate from the unitary work surface.
The desk system may comprise a modular desk system comprising a unitary work surface and at least one independent work surface separate from the unitary work surface. For example, the unitary work surface may comprise the corner work surface 10 and the at least one independent work surface separate may comprise first side work surface 20, second side work surface 30, and third side work surface 40. The first side work surface 20 may be position on the right side of the corner work surface 10 or the left side of the corner work surface 10, and the second side work surface 30 may be positioned on the other of the right and left side of the corner work surface 10. Each of the first side work surface 20, second side work surface 30, and third side work surface 40 may independently comprise a length of 1-13 feet, such as 2-3 feet, 3-5 feet, 4-5 feet, and 6-7 feet, for example, and a width of 1-3 feet. The at least one independent work surface may comprise a second corner work surface to form a U-shaped modular desk system.
The sides of the work surface may comprise an arcuate shape, a straight shape, and a combination thereof, which comprises a combination of an arc shape and a straight line. The work surface may comprise rounded corners and/or chamfer edges. The work surface may be coved and at least a portion of the work surface may lack straight edges.
The desk system may be arranged on a floor. The floor may be formed in planiform manner. The desk system may comprise a height 2-5 feet from the floor. The desk system may comprise an adjustable height of 2-5 feet. The height of the desk system may be adjustable manually or using a motor.
Referring to
The work surface may be coupled to the desk frame with screws or other fasteners, adhesives and/or combinations thereof. The legs and leg supports may be coupled with screws or other fasteners, adhesives and/or combinations thereof.
The worksurface may be made of wood, particle board, glass, solid surface materials, or combinations thereof.
The desk frame may comprise one or more shelf supports positioned intermediate the legs. The shelf supports may be coupled to the leg supports and/or legs. One or more shelves may be coupled to the shelf supports to provide storage space. One or more side walls may be coupled to the desk frame to define various storage cavities, and each may have different heights, including walls that extend a full or half length.
The desk system may comprise a keyboard tray. The keyboard tray may be coupled to the corner work surface. The keyboard tray may be positioned within the cutout of the corner work surface. The keyboard tray may be slidably coupled to a bottom surface of the corner work surface. The keyboard tray may be slidable between a first position and a second position. The keyboard tray may be directly below the corner work surface when in the first position. When in use, the keyboard tray may move forward and backward relative to the corner work surface. At least a portion of the keyboard tray may not directly below the corner work surface when in the second position. The keyboard tray may be positioned at a distance from the bottom surface of the corner work surface sufficient to enable the user to use a keyboard supported by the keyboard tray.
The desk system may be configured to accommodate at least one monitor, such as two monitors. The corner work surface may comprise a monitor stand coupled thereto and configured to support at least one monitor.
The desk system may comprise a foot rest (not shown) to reduce sitting fatigue.
The desk system according to the present invention may be configured to provide the user work flexibly, the user being able to realize a more natural movement pattern to facilitate complex movements. The desk system may be configured to reduce the amount of time required to accomplish a specific task.
The present invention is directed to the following aspects:
Aspect 1. A desk system comprising an L-shaped work surface including a corner work surface; a first side work surface extending in a first longitudinal direction; and a second side work surface extending in a second longitudinal direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction, wherein the first side work surface is defined by a first long side and a first short side each in the first longitudinal direction and by a first transverse side arranged transversely thereto in a first transverse direction, and wherein the second side work surface may be defined by a second long side and a second short side each in the second longitudinal direction and by a second transverse side arranged transversely thereto in a second transverse direction.
Aspect 2. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the first long side comprises a length of 3-13 feet, and the second long side comprises a length of 3-9 feet.
Aspect 3. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the first short side comprises a length of 3-10 feet, and the second short side comprises a length of 2-7 feet.
Aspect 4. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the first transverse side comprises a width of 1-3 feet, and the second transverse side comprises a width of 1-3 feet.
Aspect 5. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects comprising a third work surface extending parallel to the first longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction to form a U-shaped work surface.
Aspect 6. The desk system of aspect 5, wherein the third side work surface is defined by a third long side and a third short side each in the first longitudinal direction and by a third transverse side arranged transversely thereto in a first transverse direction.
Aspect 7. The desk system of aspect 6, wherein the third long side comprises a length of 2-20 feet, the third short side comprises a length of 2-20 feet, and the third transverse side comprises a width of 1-3 feet.
Aspect 8. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface comprises one of a square shape, a rectangle shape, a pentagonal shape, and a hexagonal shape.
Aspect 9. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface comprises a front side and a rear side each in a first offset direction relative to the first longitudinal direction and/or the second longitudinal direction, and wherein the first offset direction is from 5-60° relative to the first longitudinal direction and/or the second longitudinal direction.
Aspect 10. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface comprises a cutout having a long side and a short side each in a second offset direction relative to the first longitudinal direction and/or the second longitudinal direction, and wherein the second offset direction is 30-90° relative to the first longitudinal direction and/or the second longitudinal direction.
Aspect 11. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface comprises a pentagonal shape comprising the cutout, and wherein the work surface comprises a first side having a width equal to the width of the first transverse side, a second side having a width equal to the width of the second transverse side, and the cutout is intermediate the first side and second side.
Aspect 12. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface, first side work surface, and second side work surface.
Aspect 13. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface, first side work surface, and second side work surface comprise independent work surfaces.
Aspect 14. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects comprising a desk frame to support the work surface, wherein the desk frame comprises a plurality of tubular or square, vertically oriented rods configured as legs positioned to support the work surface, and a plurality of tubular or square, horizontally oriented rods configured as leg supports to couple to and support the legs, wherein the legs and leg supports are configured to not impede the movement of the user when moving from one side of the work surface to another sider of the work surface.
Aspect 15. A desk system comprising a U-shaped work surface including a corner work surface, a first side work surface extending in a first longitudinal direction, a second side work surface extending in a second longitudinal direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction, and a third work surface extending parallel to the first longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the second longitudinal direction to form the U-shaped work surface, wherein the first side work surface is defined by a first long side and a first short side each in the first longitudinal direction and by a first transverse side arranged transversely thereto in a first transverse direction, wherein the second side work surface may be defined by a second long side and a second short side each in the second longitudinal direction and by a second transverse side arranged transversely thereto in a second transverse direction; and wherein the third side work surface is defined by a third long side and a third short side each in the first longitudinal direction and by a third transverse side arranged transversely thereto in a first transverse direction.
Aspect 16. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface comprises one of a square shape, a rectangle shape, a pentagonal shape, and a hexagonal shape.
Aspect 17. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface, first side work surface, second side work surface, and third side work surface comprise a unitary work surface.
Aspect 18. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface, first side work surface, second side work surface, and third work surface may comprise independent work surfaces.
Aspect 19. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the corner work surface, first side work surface, and second side work surface may comprise a unitary work surface and the third work surface may comprise independent work surface separate from the unitary work surface.
Aspect 20. The desk system of any of the foregoing aspects comprising a desk frame to support the work surface, wherein the desk frame comprises a plurality of tubular or square, vertically oriented rods configured as legs positioned to support the work surface, and a plurality of tubular or square, horizontally oriented rods configured as leg supports to couple to and support the legs, wherein the legs and leg supports are configured to not impede the movement of the user when moving from one side of the work surface to another sider of the work surface.
Aspect 21. A method of making the desk system according to any of the foregoing aspects.
Aspect 22. A method of using the desk system according to any of the foregoing aspects
All documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other documents set forth herein. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to this application.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific apparatuses and methods described herein, including alternatives, variants, additions, deletions, modifications and substitutions. This application including the appended claims is therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this application.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/171,719, filed Apr. 7, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63171719 | Apr 2021 | US |
