The present invention relates to a wall mounted workstation for electronic equipment such as computers, multimedia components and the like.
Typical workstations include various storage and work surfaces to position computers, monitors, various electronic components and the like at desired locations. Various adjustments are provided to tailor the workstation to the type of equipment used as well as user preferences. Some workstations are better suited for portable computer equipment. Other workstations are better suited for desktop computer equipment. Some workstations provide security and storage functions. It is desirable to provide a wall mounted workstation that is simple to configure and flexible in its configuration options.
The invention is directed to a wall mounted workstation having a wall mounted post. One or more accessories are secured to the post in order to configure the workstation for a particular application. The post has at least one mounting surface having a plurality of accessory mounting locations. One or more accessories (e.g., work surface, footrest or equipment holder) can be coupled to the post at an appropriate accessory mounting location. The equipment holder can be configured to accept various types of equipment such as a computer, portable computer, keyboard, display or the like. The mounting surface generally faces outward, away from the wall. In one example, each of the plurality of accessory mounting locations are generally associated with a mounting hole. In another example, the plurality of accessory mounting locations are associated with at least two mounting holes having a first spacing (vertical and horizontal), and the accessory (or accessories) have at least two mounting holes with a second spacing that generally corresponds to the first spacing. The mounting holes can optionally be threaded.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
a is a pictorial view of an exemplary upper mount in accordance with the invention.
b is a side sectional view of an exemplary upper mount in accordance with the invention.
a is a pictorial view of a wall mounted post and upper mount in accordance with the invention.
b is a pictorial view of a wall mounted post and lower mount in accordance with the invention.
c is a partial side view of the upper end of a post, with a side sectional view of an upper mount in accordance with the invention.
a is a pictorial view of a wall mounted workstation with a post and a horizontal work surface, shown with mounting details, in accordance with the invention.
b is a pictorial view of a wall mounted with a post and a horizontal work surface in accordance with the invention.
a is a pictorial view of a wall mounted workstation with a post and a portable computer platform, shown with mounting details, in accordance with the invention.
b is a pictorial view of a wall mounted workstation with a post and a portable computer platform in accordance with the invention.
a and 8b are pictorial views of a computer holder(s) in accordance with the invention.
Turning to the drawings,
The mounting surface 21 has a plurality of accessory mounting locations 25. The mounting locations 25 are generally configured to receive one or more accessories, as discussed in detail below. Each mounting location 25 is generally associated with one or more mounting holes 26. Mounting holes 26 can be arranged in one or more groups (e.g., two or more mounting holes) with pre-determined vertical and horizontal spacing between the various mounting holes 26. In this example, four upper groups 28 are provided with four mounting holes and two lower groups 29 are provided with eight mounting holes (see
In this example, mounting holes 26 are threaded to receive threaded fasteners for securing one or more accessories to the post 20. It is understood that a variety of fastener types can be utilized (e.g., fasteners that do not required threaded mounting holes) without departing from the scope of the invention. Also in this example, the post 20 is generally hollow. On or more openings 27 are provided in the mounting surface 21. Openings 27 provide access to the interior of the post 20 and can be used for cable management. It is understood that additional openings can be provided on any surface, and can be arranged in a variety of configurations.
Referring to
In order to simplify installation, the upper mount 30 can be somewhat loosely secured to the wall 10, thereby leaving a small gap between the upper mount 30 and the wall 10. The post 20 can then be temporarily hung from the upper mount 30 until the lower mount 40 is secured. Post 20, generally has an upper end 15 and a lower end 18. The upper end 15 is generally formed with a slot 16 that is appropriately sized to receive the upper mount 30. The upper end 15 is also formed with a lip 17 that generally hooks behind the upper mount 30 (i.e., between the upper mount 30 and the wall 10), thereby retaining the post 20 until the lower mount 40 is secured (see
As shown in
As stated above, the workstation has a wall mounted post 20 and one or more accessories. The post 20 is generally oriented vertically with respect to the plane of the floor 12. One or more accessories are secured to the post 20 in order to configure the workstation for a particular application. Accessories can include variously shaped work surfaces, footrests, equipment holders (such as portable computers, desktop computers, keyboards, displays and the like). The post 20 has at least one mounting surface 21 with a plurality of accessory mounting locations 25. Accordingly, one or more accessories may be mounted to the mounting surface 21 at the desired accessory mounting location, thereby yielding numerous configuration options.
a and 5b show a post 20 and a generally horizontal work surface 50 coupled to the mounting surface 21, in accordance with the invention. In this example, the work surface 50 is generally rectangular in shape. It is appreciated that other work surface shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The work surface 50 is attached to the post 20 via support 52. The support has a frame 53 and a mounting surface 54 formed with a plurality of post mounting holes 55 that have substantially the same vertical and horizontal spacing between holes as the mounting holes 26 formed in the post 20. In this example, the mounting surface 54 has four mounting holes 55. Appropriate fasteners are used to couple the frame 53 to the post 20. In this example, threaded fasteners (not shown) can be passed through the holes 55 in the mounting surface 54 and threaded into the holes 26 formed in the post 20 to secure the frame 53 to the post 20. Appropriate fasteners can be used to secure the mounting surface 50 to the frame 53, as is well known in the art. The work surface 50 and frame 53 can be formed using a variety of materials such as wood, metal, plastics, laminated structures, composites and the like as is well known in the art. In this example, the work surface 50 is formed of wood with a plastic laminate surface and the frame 53 is formed of metal.
a and 6b show a post 20 and a portable computer mount 60 coupled to the front mounting surface 21, in accordance with the invention. In this example, the portable computer mount 60 is generally rectangular in shape. It is appreciated that other computer or equipment mount shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The portable computer mount 60 has a tray 61 that is attached to the post 20 via support 62. The support 62 has a tray support surface 63 formed with a plurality of tray mounting holes 64 that have substantially the same vertical and horizontal spacing between holes as the mounting holes 64 formed in the tray 61. Appropriate fasteners 66 (e.g., nuts and bolts) are used to couple the tray 61 to the support 62. It is appreciated that the provision of multiple sets of holes in the tray support surface 61 allows for tray depth adjustment (i.e., the spacing between the tray 61 and the post 20).
The support 62 also has a post mounting surface 67 formed with mounting holes 68. Appropriate fasteners are used to couple the support 61 to the post 20. In this example, one or more threaded fasteners 69 can be passed through the mounting holes 68 in the post mounting surface 67 and threaded into the holes 26 formed in the post 20 to secure the support 62 to the post 20. Portable computer mount 60 can also be equipped with security features so that a portable computer can be securely retained. For example, a security bar 65 or other security features can be provided, as is well known in the art.
a and 8b show a computer holder 80 coupled to post 20 in accordance with the invention. The computer holder 80 is generally configured to hold a desktop computer or other equipment. The computer holder 80 is generally formed of two portions, namely a main body 81 and a plate 82. The main body 81 includes a computer support surface 83 and a post mounting surface 84. In this example the computer support surface 83 and mounting surface 84 are generally disposed at 90 degrees with respect to each other. The post mounting surface 84 is formed with a plurality of mounting holes 85. Appropriate fasteners are used to couple the main body 81 to the post 20. In this example, one or more threaded fasteners 86 can be passed through the mounting holes 85 in the main body 81 and threaded into the holes 26 formed in the post 20 to secure the main body 81 to the post 20.
In this example, the plate 82 is generally disposed at a 90 degree angle with respect to the computer support surface 83. The plate 82 is also adjustable with respect to its location relative to the post mounting surface 84 thereby providing a width adjustment for a range of equipment dimensions (i.e., the distance between the plate 82 and the post mounting surface 84). The plate 82 has a plurality of mounting holes 87. The computer support surface 83 has a pair of grooves 88 that have substantially the same spacing as the mounting holes 87 formed in the plate 82. Appropriate fasteners are used to couple the plate 82 to the main body 81. In this example, one or more threaded fasteners 89 can be passed through the mounting holes 87 in the plate 82 and the slots 88 in the main body 81. The main body 81 can then be adjusted to the desired location and secured with washers and nuts.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the post 20 may be composed of a plurality of accessory mounting locations such that a single mounting hole is used for mounting an accessory to the wall mounted workstation.
Another embodiment of the wall mounted workstation utilizes a channel 100 that runs vertically along the post with respect to the plane of a floor.
It is readily apparent that numerous configurations are possible based on the foregoing disclosure. It is also readily apparent that other accessories can be combined with the invention to provide additional configuration options without departing from the scope of the invention. While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.