Patent Application
20050077440
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic device support apparatus, and, more particularly, to electronic device supports that are used in conjunction with a worksurface such as a modular desk.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices with manual entry of data or control, such as desktop and laptop computers, notebook computers, calculators, palm pilots, dictation machines and the like generally include some form of keyboard. The ergonomic principles of using a keyboard generally require that, when used with a desk, the keyboard be mounted on a different surface than the desktop to allow for the comfortable positioning of the keyboard operator's hands while operating the keyboard. A worksurface such as a desk generally has a fixed height which will not be a comfortable keyboard height for most people. In addition to being adjustable for ergonomic reasons, it may be convenient for the keyboard to be supported by another surface to allow an unencumbered worksurface for other purposes.
One type of electronic device or keyboard platform can be mounted to the underside of a worksurface. This type of keyboard platform typically has mounting brackets, articulating apparatus which may allow translation and/or rotation of the platform, clamping mechanisms to lock the articulating apparatus in an appropriate position and the platform attached to the articulating apparatus. When not in use these platforms can typically be slid and/or rotated under the desk.
One of the problems associated with this type of keyboard platform is the amount of time, effort and skill required to mount the keyboard platform. Keyboard platforms of this type are usually provided with a template which must be positioned under the worksurface to identify the correct location of a multitude of drill holes for the platform. Holes must then be drilled in the desktop from the underside without breaking through the desktop. The template is generally made of a large piece of paper which has been folded several times for shipping purposes and is therefore not particularly easy to position on the underside of a worsurface and, at the same time, maintain the correct relative positions of the drill holes. Misdrilled holes must be redrilled with the further risk of breaking through the worksurface. After mounting, clamping mechanisms hold the platform in place and must be loosened in order to correctly position the platform for keyboard use. The keyboard and platform are held in place by hand when positioning, and another hand must actuate the clamping mechanisms, which may be awkward. Actuating the clamping mechanisms generally apply torque to the platform which can cause the platform to move from the intended position. There may also be separate clamping mechanisms for linear and rotation adjustments which may further require an iterative adjustment procedure. These platforms are not easily portable, requiring dismounting and mounting if moved to another worksurface. As a minimum, a platform of this type will require at least one screwdriver, drill bits and a drill to install, and may require other tools such as wrenches to complete the installation.
The problems associated with mounting keyboard platforms are exaggerated in a modular furniture environment. Modular furnitures, by their design nature, are meant to be easily configurable to accommodate a changing work environment. Modem modular furniture can be assembled with a minimum or complete absence of tools. Mounting a keyboard platform, in the manner described above, to a modular furniture worksurface makes the worksurface less configurable and also goes against the basic design objectives of the modular office furniture.
Another type of electronic device or keyboard platform is a stand-alone platform. These stand-alone platforms may be supported on a frame with locking wheels to facilitate transportability and may also include other features such as wrist rests. A stand-alone platform typically can be rolled or carried to another workstation, if needed, without disassembly.
While these stand-alone platforms do not require mounting to the desk surface, and the associated problems therewith, they take up additional floorspace, can be awkward to work around, are relatively expensive and may not be easily positionable with respect to the computer tower.
What is needed in the art is an electronic device or keyboard support that is adjustable for keyboard operator's comfort, easily positioned, is easily moved out of the way when not in use, can easily be moved to another workstation and accomplishes such features with a simple and cost effective design.
The present invention provides an electronic device support that is adjustable for operator's comfort, is easily positioned and locked in place, is easily moved out of the way when not in use, can easily be moved to another workstation and accomplishes such features with a simple and cost effective design.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an elongate member and a support arm including a band and at least one cantilever arm extending from the band, the band positioned around the elongate member, the band being slidable and rotatable relative to the elongate member.
An advantage of the present invention is the electronic device support is adjustable for keyboard operator's comfort.
Another advantage is the electronic device support of the present invention is not required to be mounted to the worksurface.
Yet another advantage is the electronic device support of the present invention can be positioned and locked in place with a single motion.
A further advantage is the electronic device support of the present invention is easily moved out of the way when not in use.
A yet further advantage is the electronic device support of the present invention can be easily removed from one workstation and placed in another workstation.
An even yet further advantage is the electronic device support of the present invention can be positioned proximate to a worksurface without using tools.
An even yet further advantage is the electronic device support of the present invention is a simple cost effective design.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Elongate member 12 includes male member 24 partially inserted into female member 22. Longitudinal first end 26 of female member 22 engages worksurface 18 and longitudinal second end 28 of male member 24 engages floor surface 30. First end 26 and second end 28 may be made of a variety of materials such as plastic, wood, metal or rubber to facilitate a non-slipping engagement with worksurface 18 and floor surface 30, respectively. The wide choice of materials for construction of first end 26 and second end 28 can therefore accommodate a wide range of materials found in worksurface 18 and floor surface 30, respectively, which may be encountered in use. To further facilitate a non-slipping engagement between elongate member 12 and worksurface 18 and floor surface 30, first end 26 and second end 28 may also have surface contouring such as serrations, knurling, rings, blocking, pyramids and the like.
In an uncompressed state, elongate member 12 generally has an overall height greater than distance 60 between floor surface 30 and worksurface 18. Biasing element 32 (
Support arm 14 includes at least one cantilever arm 40, with slot 42 therebetween, and attached to opening 45 at circumferential first end 43 and circumferential second end 47 in band 44, and bushing 34 interposed between elongate member 12 and band 44 and also between elongate member 12 and cantilever arms 40. Bushing 34 may be of rubber or other suitable material. Within at least one cantilever arm 40 (
Platform mount 16 includes slide 46 and electronic device or keyboard platform 48. Platform mount 16 may omit slide 46, and in this embodiment, electronic device platform 48 can be used without slide 46 and can be fixedly attached to a distal end of support arm 14 of the embodiments shown in
Keyboard 20 may also be mounted directly to support arm 14 through the use of suitable fastening elements.
In an alternative embodiment (
In use, elongate member 12 of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
Referring to
Self supporting work station 110 (
Elongate member 114 is hollow being attached to base 112 at one end and monitor mount 116 at another end. Elongate member 114 maybe telescopically adjustable in a vertical direction. Support arm 14 is slidingly disposed on elongate member 114. Also attached to elongate member 114 is chair 120 by way of chair support arm 122. Foot rests 126 are attached to either chair support arm 122 or elongate member 114. Chair 120 and foot rests 126 are ergonomically positioned. Chair 120, including seat 158 and backrest 160, has an adjustable support post 128, located on the floor side of seat 158, which coacts with chair support arm 122 to alter the position of chair 120.
At one end of support arm 14 a keyboard is slidingly mounted. At another end of support arm 14, proximate to elongate member 114 a utility distribution module 124 is attached. Utility distribution module 124 is in the form of a power strip which can also include communication terminals or receptacles.
Referring to
Storage area 140 (
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
