US20060054751A1 - Vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation and method of using same - Google Patents
Vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation and method of using same Download PDFInfo
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- US20060054751A1 US20060054751A1 US10/941,231 US94123104A US2006054751A1 US 20060054751 A1 US20060054751 A1 US 20060054751A1 US 94123104 A US94123104 A US 94123104A US 2006054751 A1 US2006054751 A1 US 2006054751A1
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- arm
- base
- user position
- arms
- computer
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 37
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000003623 enhancer Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/24—Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B9/00—Tables with tops of variable height
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
- F16M11/2021—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a horizontal axis
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2092—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/24—Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other
- F16M11/38—Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other by folding, e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/42—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/02—Locking means
- F16M2200/021—Locking means for rotational movement
- F16M2200/024—Locking means for rotational movement by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/04—Balancing means
- F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/06—Arms
- F16M2200/063—Parallelogram arms
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to computer workstations, and more particularly to a vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation and a method of using same.
- a mobile computer workstation described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,402 B2, issued to Coonan et al., on May 28, 2002, is vertically-adjustable between a sitting and a standing user position.
- a pole couples a computer support, to which a computer can be attached, to a wheeled base.
- the pole includes a first arm moveable attached to a stationary arm that is attached to the base.
- the computer support is attached to move with the moveable arm.
- the first arm moves about the stationary arm along an arc between the standing user position and the sitting user position.
- the computer support, and an attached computer is at a greater vertical distance from the base than when in the sitting user position.
- a workstation is generally less stable in the standing user position than in the sitting user position.
- the Coonan workstation positions the computer support, and thus, the weight of the attached computer, close to a vertical line extending through the center of the base.
- the weight of a computer attached to the computer support is centered over the base, thereby increasing the stability of the workstation.
- the vertically-adjustable computer workstation described above has been designed to increase stability in the standing user position, when in the sitting user position, the computer support, and an attached computer, is off center with the base. Because of the lopsided nature of the computer workstation when in the sitting user position, a larger base may be needed to stabilize the computer workstation. The larger base can make maneuvering the computer workstation through the work place and accessing the computer during operation more difficult.
- the present disclosure is directed at overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
- a vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation includes a pole attached to a base that is supported by a plurality of rotatable members.
- the pole includes a first arm that is connected to a second arm.
- the first and second arms include a rotational coupling that is operable such that rotation of one of the first and second arms results in rotation of the other of the first and second arms with respect to the base.
- a vertically-adjustable computer workstation is used by coupling a head assembly that includes a computer support to a moveable base via a pole with multiple arms at least two of which are coupled to rotate with one another.
- the computer support is moved between a sitting user position and a standing user position, at least in part, by pivoting the at least two arms of the pole with respect to the moveable base.
- a vertically-adjustable computer workstation includes a pole that is attached to a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members.
- the pole includes a first arm that is connected to a second arm.
- the first and second arms are rotatable with respect to the base.
- At least one neutral support mechanism is operably coupled between the base and the first arm.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a computer workstation with a computer support being in a standing user position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is a side sectioned side view of the computer workstation of FIG. 1 with the computer support being in a sitting user position;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectioned side view of a rotational coupling of the computer workstation of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer workstation, according to a first alternative embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a pole of a computer workstation, according to a second alternative embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer workstation, according to a third alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a head assembly of a computer workstation, according to a fourth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the computer workstation 10 includes a base 12 to which a pole 13 is attached.
- the base 12 is supported by a plurality of rotatable members 14 .
- the base 12 is preferably rectangular and is supported by four rotatable members, each positioned at a corner of the rectangular base 12 .
- rotatable members provides for a more stable computer workstation 10 .
- the rotatable members 14 are illustrated as rollers, but could be any suitable support members, such as spherical rotatable supports.
- the rotatable members can, but need not necessarily, include a locking mechanism known in the art for temporarily locking the rotatable member 14 against rotation.
- the base 12 preferably includes a stability enhancer 15 that includes a weight being suspended from the base 12 .
- the weight is suspended underneath the base 12 in order to lower the center of gravity of the workstation 10 .
- the weight can vary, the weight preferably includes a battery 16 .
- the stability enhancer 15 is preferably a storage compartment for the battery 16 that not only increases the stability of the workstation 10 by lowering the center of gravity of the computer workstation 10 , but also provides battery storage, reducing or eliminating the need for cumbersome power cords.
- the battery 16 can be electronically connected to a laptop type computer or in the case of a traditional computer, the monitor or the keyboard in any conventional manner, such as via a power cord concealed in pole 13 .
- the pole 13 includes a first arm 11 that is rotatably attached to a second arm 17 via a connector assembly 36 .
- the first and second arms 11 and 17 include a rotational coupling 18 (shown in detail in FIG. 3 ) that is operable such that rotation of one of the first and second arms 11 and 17 results in rotation of the other of the first and second arms 11 and 17 .
- the computer workstation 10 includes at least one computer workstation accessory 39 , such as the illustrated retractable power cord reel, adjacent to the connector assembly 36 , and attached to a casing 33 that has a fixed horizontal orientation and surrounds the connector assembly 36 . It should be appreciated that the casing 33 around the connector assembly 36 could provide a storage area for various other computer work station accessories, such as a mouse or a basket.
- Each arm 11 and 17 preferably includes an inner longitudinal segment 11 a and 17 a that is partially positioned within an outer longitudinal segment 11 b and 17 b .
- Each inner segment 11 a and 17 a is the same length as the corresponding outer segment 11 b and 17 b .
- the inner segment 11 a and the outer segment 11 b of the first arm 11 are rotabaly attached to the base 12 via a first pair of pivotjoints 38 a and 38 b , respectively.
- a computer support 20 (shown in FIG. 2 ) of a head assembly 19 is attached to the inner segment 17 a and the outer segment 17 b of the second arm 17 via a second pair of pivot joints 50 a and 50 b (shown in FIG. 2 ), respectively.
- the arms 11 and 17 are operable to move the computer support 20 between a sitting user position 20 a (shown in FIG. 2 ) and the standing user position 20 b (as illustrated in FIG. 1 ).
- the standing user position 20 b is to accommodate a standing computer user
- the sitting user position 20 a is to accommodate a sitting computer user.
- the computer support 20 in the standing user position 20 b is at a greater vertical distance from the base 12 than the computer support 20 in the sitting user position 20 a.
- the illustrated head assembly 19 is adapted for a laptop computer and includes one drawer 23 and a handle 37 that can be used for pulling the workstation from place to place and for vertical adjustment of the workstation 10 .
- the head assembly 19 includes a platform 21 on which a computer keyboard portion can be positioned and an adjustable monitor rest 22 on which a computer monitor portion can rest.
- the monitor rest 22 is attached to the platform 21 in a manner that allows the orientation of the monitor portion of the laptop computer to be adjusted to a desired viewing position and stabilize the computer on the workstation 10 . When not in use, the monitor rest 22 can also be move to a closed position and locked in order to prevent unwanted removal of the computer.
- the present invention contemplates various sizes of head assemblies to fit various sizes of computers and head assemblies including more than one platform to provide more work space. It should be appreciated that the head assembly 19 could include various accessories, such as a recessed keyboard platform and additional drawers. In addition, head assemblies that are adapted to fit cathode ray tube style computer monitors and flat screen monitor computers could be attached to
- FIG. 2 there is shown a cross-sectioned side view of the computer workstation 10 with the computer support 20 in the sitting user position 20 a .
- FIG. 2 illustrates the computer workstation 10 without the head assembly 19 attached to the pole 13 via the computer support 20 .
- a neutral support mechanism 25 is operably coupled between the base 12 and the first arm 11 , and allows the computer support 20 to be positioned at any desired distance between a pre-set maximum and minimum above the base 12 .
- the neutral support mechanism 25 preferably uses an internal force producing device and friction to allow the computer workstation 10 to be continuously stoppable between the pre-set maximum and minimum distances.
- the support device could alternatively be a detented device, or other device, that would allow the first arm 11 to stop at a plurality of preset vertical positions between the maximum and minimum distance from the base 12 .
- the present disclosure contemplates at least one additional neutral support mechanism being coupled between the first arm 11 and the second arm 17 .
- a computer workstation with a neutral support mechanism for both arms 17 and 11 would not require the rotational coupling 18 between the arms 11 and 17 .
- Each neutral support mechanism could be adjusted to establish the force required to move each arm.
- the neutral support mechanism 25 preferably includes two pneumatic springs 26 (only one spring shown) positioned adjacent to one another and coupled between the base 12 and the first arm 11 .
- Each pneumatic spring 26 includes a rod 27 and a cylinder 30 .
- the rod 27 includes a first end positioned within the cylinder 30 and a second end attached to the base 12 .
- the rod 27 and the cylinder 30 are capable of producing a force proportional to the distance that the rod 27 is moved with regard to the cylinder 30 .
- the amount of force that the neutral support mechanism 25 will produce can be adjusted by a threaded member 28 coupled to the rod 27 by a nut 29 .
- the horizontal position of the nut 29 on the threaded member 28 determines the amount of rod 27 unexposed by the cylinder 30 , and thus, the amount of force produced.
- the nut 27 can be moved horizontally between a first and second stop 31 a and 31 b by twisting a head of the threaded member 28 .
- the position of the nut 29 illustrated in FIG. 2 allows a relatively large length of the rod 27 to be outside of the cylinder 30 , thus, producing less force.
- the illustrated orientation of the nut 29 is against the first stop 31 a and corresponds to the desired force to support a relatively light laptop computer that would be attached to head assembly 19 .
- the nut 29 would be moved to a horizontal position closer to the second stop 31 b , thus creating more force.
- the movement of the nut 29 can change the torsional load of the arm 116 to correspond with the varying head load size.
- the movement of the rod 27 is minimal.
- an angle of separation between a vertical center line 24 and the pneumatic spring 26 increases, causing the force within the cylinder to be directed at an angle rather than vertically.
- the angular orientation of the pneumatic spring 26 may compensate for the minimal increase in force within the cylinder 30 .
- the neutral support mechanism 25 will produce a relatively constant bias regardless of the vertical or horizontal position of the computer attached to the head assembly 19 that is preferably set to match the weight of the computer being supported.
- the rotational coupling 18 includes a connector plate 43 to which the first arm 11 and the second arm 17 are rotatably attached via a third pair of pivot joints 40 a and 40 b and fourth pair of pivot joints 41 a and 41 b , respectively.
- the inner segment 11 a and the outer segment 11 b of the first arm 11 are rotatably attached to the connector plate 43 via the third pair of joints 40 a and 40 b , respectively.
- the inner segment 17 a and the outer segment 17 b of the second arm 17 are rotatably attached to the connector plate 43 via the fourth pair of pivot joints 41 a and 41 b , respectively.
- the length (L 1 ) of the first arm 11 is the distance between the first pivot joint 38 b and the third pivot joint 40 b .
- the length (L 2 ) of the second arm 17 is the distance the fourth pivot joint 41 b and the second pivot joint 50 b .
- the length (L 1 ) of the first arm 11 and the length (L 2 ) of the second arm 17 are preferably identical.
- the computer support 20 moves along a line between the standing user position 20 b and the sitting user position 20 a .
- the line is the vertical center line 24 extending through the base 12 .
- the majority of the weight on the computer workstation 10 is kept over the center of the computer workstation 10 , thereby increasing the stability of the station 10 .
- the orientation of the pivot joints with one another remain constant except for the orientation of cross pivot joints.
- the distance between second pivot joint 50 a and fourth pivot joint 41 b , the distance between second pivot joint 50 b and fourth pivot joint 41 a , the distance between first pivot joint 38 a and third pivot joint 40 b , and the distance between first pivot joint 36 b and third pivot joint 40 a decrease as the computer support 20 moves toward the sitting user position 20 a and increase as the computer support 20 moves toward the standing user position 20 b .
- These varying cross-distances allows the computer support 20 supporting the head assembly 19 to be attached to the second arm 17 and maintain a horizontal orientation regardless of the movement of the second arm 17 .
- the present invention contemplates other methods of maintaining the horizontal positioning of the computer support 20 .
- each arm need not be segmented if the computer support is attached to the second arm via a rotational coupling similar to the coupling 18 connecting the arms to one another, or possibly a user adjustable rotational attachment.
- the rotational coupling 18 preferably couples the first arm 11 to the second arm 17 via at lest one gear set 32 .
- the rotational coupling could include couplings other than the gear set, including, but not limited to, a cam-bar mechanism and/or a cable and pulley system.
- the arm lengths (L 1 ) and (L 2 ) are identical and the gear set 32 includes a gear ratio of 1:1.
- the spring force needed within the neutral support mechanism 25 is preferably equal to the weight being supported by the workstation 10 .
- one arm 11 or 17 can be made to move at a faster rate than the other arm 11 or 17 along the center vertical line 24 .
- the gear ratio of the second arm 17 to the first arm 11 from 1:1 to 1:2, the second arm 17 will more faster than the first arm 11 .
- the length L 2 of the second arm 17 can be made shorter than the length L 1 of the first arm 11 .
- FIG. 4 there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a computer workstation 110 , according to a first alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the preferred embodiment, the first and second arms 11 and 17 of the first alternative embodiment are coupled to one another via a gear set 132 . While the arm lengths L 1 and L 2 remain identical, the gear set 132 includes a gear ratio less than 1:1, such as 1:2, causing the second arm 17 to move at a larger rate than the first arm 11 . Because the arm lengths L 1 and L 2 are identical, the faster moving second arm 17 will move along a slanted line 144 , or possibly on are, between the standing user position 20 b and a sitting user position 120 a .
- the sitting user position 120 a illustrated as the shadowed position, and the standing user position 20 b are at a first distance D 1 and second distance D 2 from the center vertical line 24 extending through the base 12 , respectively.
- the first distance D 1 is greater than the second distance D 2 .
- the computer support 20 is aligned with the vertical line 24 when in the standing user position 20 b , and thus, D 2 is generally zero.
- the center of gravity of the workstation 110 remains along the center vertical line 24 while in the standing user position 20 b , but is off-center in the sitting user position 120 a .
- the off-center sitting user position 120 a allows the computer operator to pull the head assembly 19 closer to the operator and provides foot room underneath the computer support 20 for the operator's convenience and comfort.
- the pneumatic springs 26 will allow the computer support 20 to stop at any position between the pre-set maximum and minimum heights.
- the position of the rod 27 within the cylinder 30 may need to be adjusted in order to create a greater force within the pneumatic cylinder 30 to compensate for the off-centered weight of the computer support 20 , and attached computer, when in the sitting user position 120 a.
- FIG. 5 there is shown an isometric view of a pole 213 of a computer work station, according to a second alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the pole 213 includes a first arm 211 rotatably attached to the base 12 , and a second arm 217 rotatably attached to the first arm 211 via the rotational coupling 18 .
- the rotational coupling 18 is illustrated as including the gear set 32 with the 1:1 gear ratio, it should be appreciated that the rotational coupling could include other types of couplings, such as a cam-bar mechanism, and include different gear ratios.
- the pole 213 includes a third arm 234 and a second rotational coupling 245 that operably connects the second arm 217 to move with the third arm 234 .
- the pole 213 also includes a fourth arm 244 and a third rotational coupling 246 that operably connects the third arm 234 to move with the fourth arm 247 .
- the arms 211 , 217 , 244 and 247 are preferably segmented similar to arms 11 and 17 .
- the computer support 20 is attached to the fourth arm 247 via the second pivot joints 50 a and 50 b .
- the second rotational coupling 245 is operable such that rotation of one of the second and third arms 217 and 234 results in a rotation of the other of the second and third arms 217 and 234 .
- the third rotational coupling 246 is operable such that the rotation of one of the third and fourth arms 234 and 247 results in rotation of the other of the third and fourth arms 234 and 246 .
- the second and third rotational coupling 245 and 246 also preferably include gear sets (not shown) with a 1:1 ratio.
- the gear ratio of the gear sets of the second and/or third rotational couplings 245 and 246 can be altered in order to affect the rate and direction of the movement of the coupled arms 234 and 217 or 234 and 247 , respectively.
- pole 213 should be sufficiently long to accommodate standing users of any height, but as short as possible to lower the center of gravity and increase stability of the computer workstation. Generally, the more arms included within the length of the pole, the smaller the length of the arms. Thus, arms 217 , 211 , 234 and 247 are shorter than arms 11 and 17 .
- the rotational couplings 18 , 245 , 246 coupling the shorter arms 217 , 211 , 234 and 247 to one another will remain closer to the center vertical line 24 than the rotational coupling 18 coupling the longer arms 17 and 11 of the other embodiments to one another when the computer support 20 is in the sitting user position.
- the rotational couplings 18 , 245 , 246 may not even extend beyond the perimeter of the base 12 .
- the compact nature of the pole 213 increases the ease with which the workstation 210 can be maneuvered while the computer support 20 is in the sitting user position 20 a .
- the compact nature of the pole 213 keeps the arm mass centered over the base 12 , which also improves stability. This compactness also allows the pole to avoid impacts with surrounding objects, such as a hospital bed, even when the base is partially under the bed.
- FIG. 6 there is shown a schematic representation of a computer workstation 310 , according to a third alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the computer workstation 310 includes pole 313 that includes an attachment arm 349 fixedly attached to the base 12 .
- the first arm 11 is rotatably attached to the attachment arm 349 .
- the first arm 11 is not rotatably attached to the base 12 , it should be appreciated that the first and second arm 11 and 17 still rotate with respect to the base 12 as in the previous embodiments.
- the pole 313 is illustrated as including only one arm 349 between the rotatable arms 11 and 17 and the base 12 , the present invention contemplates any number and size of arms fixedly attached between the base or head assembly and the rotatable arms. Moreover, it should be appreciated that there could be more than two rotatable arms between the attachment arm 349 and the computer support 20 .
- FIG. 7 there is shown an isometric view of a head assembly 419 of a computer workstation, according to a sixth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the head assembly 419 is similar to head assembly 19 except that the head assembly 419 is adapted for a traditional computer with a flat screen monitor rather than a laptop type computer.
- the head assembly 419 includes a monitor attachment portion 448 to which a flat screen monitor can be attached.
- the monitor attachment portion 448 is illustrated as fixedly attached to the platform 21 .
- the head assembly 419 includes the platform 21 for the keyboard, the drawer 23 and the handle 37 .
- the head assembly 419 can be attached to the computer support 20 of any of the illustrated embodiments.
- the head assembly 419 can be coupled to the pole 213 with more than two arms, the pole 113 with the second arm 17 moving at a different rate than the first arm 11 and along the slanted line 144 , or the pole 313 with the attachment arm 349 .
- the head assembly 419 could include various accessories, including but not limited to, an additional drawer, a recessed platform or an additional platform from more workspace.
- the head assembly 419 can be of various sizes for various sized computers.
- the head assembly 19 , 419 that includes the computer support 20 is coupled to the moveable base 12 via a pole 13 , 113 , 213 , 313 with multiple arms 11 , 17 or 211 , 217 , 234 and 247 coupled to rotate with one another and the base 12 .
- a laptop computer can be attached to the head assembly 19 shown in FIG. 1 or a flat screen monitor computer can be attached to head assembly 419 shown in FIG. 7 , and transported throughout a workplace. For instance, a nurse can take the computer workstation 10 or 110 on the nurse's rounds to different patients' rooms.
- the computer support 20 When transporting the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 , the computer support 20 will generally be in the standing user position 20 b because the computer workstation 10 , 110 is more compact in the standing user position 20 b , and therefore, easier to maneuver through the work place. Because the computer support 20 , and the attached computer, when in the standing user position 20 b are generally aligned with the center vertical line 24 extending through the base 12 , the majority of the weight is centered over the base 12 , increasing the stability of the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 during transportation.
- the operator can either keep the computer support 20 in the standing user position 20 b or move the computer support 20 , and attached computer, from the standing user position 20 b to the sitting user position 20 a , 120 a by pivoting the arms 11 and 17 or 211 , 217 , 234 and 247 of the pole 13 , 113 , 213 , 313 with respect to one another and the moveable base 12 .
- the arm 11 is not attached to the base 12 in the fifth alternative embodiment, the arms 11 and 17 still rotate with respect to the orientation of the base 12 to the arms 11 and 17 .
- the force acting on the arms 11 and 17 will overcome the force within the pneumatic cylinder 30 , allowing the second arm 17 to move. Because the first arm 11 is coupled to rotate with the second arm 17 , the second arm will also move. Because, in the preferred embodiment, the gear ratio of the gear set 32 is 1:1 and the arm lengths L 1 and L 2 are identical, the second arm 17 will pivot about the first arm 11 and the first arm 11 will pivot about the base 12 at the same rate, causing the computer support 20 with the attached computer to move along the center vertical line 24 .
- the computer support 20 with the computer moves downward, the computer remains over the center of the base 12 , increasing stability of the workstation 10 .
- the increased stability from centering the weight over the base 12 allows the computer workstation 10 to be supported by the relatively small base 12 .
- the smaller the base the easier the computer workstation 10 is to maneuver through the workplace.
- the computer support 20 and attached computer remain in the fixed horizontal position because of the segmented arms 11 and 17 .
- the inner segments 11 a and 17 a can, at least partially, slide within the outer segments 11 b and 17 b.
- the operator can release the handle 37 .
- the weight of the computer is balanced by the force within the pneumatic cylinder 30 and the computer support 20 and computer will stop in the desired sitting user position 20 a . Because the position of the rod 27 within the pneumatic cylinder 30 was preferably pre-set such that the force within the pneumatic cylinder 30 counteracted the weight of the laptop computer, the computer support 20 will remain in the desired sitting user position 20 b . The operator can work on the computer without the computer continuing to advance downward.
- the computer support 20 when the operator moves the computer support 20 from the standing user position 20 b to the sitting user position 120 a , the computer support 20 is moved away from the center vertical line 24 . Because the first arm 11 is coupled to the second arm 17 via the gear set 132 with a ratio less that 1:1, the second arm 17 will move at a faster rate than the first arm 11 , causing the second arm 17 to move along the slanted line 144 towards the operator.
- the operator determines that the computer support 20 with the computer is at the desired sitting operator position 120 a , the operator can release the handle 37 and the computer support 20 with the computer will stay in the desired position due to the force within the pneumatic cylinder 30 counteracting the weight of the computer.
- the pneumatic springs 26 could be set such that the force within the cylinder 30 counteracts the weight of the computer and compensates for the weight of the computer being off-center when the computer support 20 is in the sitting user position 120 a .
- the computer When in the sitting user position 120 a , the computer is closer to the operator than the computer is when in the standing user position 20 b , thus providing the operator with leg room while operating the computer.
- the computer support 20 moves along the center vertical line 24 between the standing user position 20 b and the sitting user position 20 a similar to the preferred embodiment.
- the present invention contemplates the computer support 20 attached to pole 213 moving along an arc, or possibly a slanted line like the computer workstation 110 in the first alternative embodiment.
- the gear ratio of, at least, the third rotational coupling 246 would be adjusted so that the fourth arm 247 would move faster than the other arms 234 , 217 and 211 .
- the fourth arm 247 when the computer operator applies force to the handle 37 , the fourth arm 247 will pivot about the third arm 234 , the third arm 234 will pivot about the second arm 217 , and the second arm 217 will pivot about the first arm 211 .
- the first arm 211 will pivot about the base 12 .
- the pole 213 will be more compact when the computer support 20 is in the sitting user position 20 a than pole 13 .
- the present invention contemplates the rotational couplings 18 , 245 and 246 not extending beyond the perimeter of the base 12 .
- the computer operator can move the computer support 20 and attached computer into the sitting user position 20 a without concern of any of the arms 211 , 217 , 234 and 247 contacting other objects, such as walls or furniture.
- the rate of movement of the arms 11 and 17 or 211 , 217 , 234 and 247 is controlled by setting the gear ratio of the gear set 32 , 132 operably coupling the arms to one another.
- the arm length of the faster arm can be shortened or the arm length of the slower arm can be increased.
- the battery 16 is suspended underneath the base 12 . Not only does the battery 16 eliminate the need for a power cord which can be in annoyance to the operator during transportation of the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 , the battery 16 also acts as the stability enhancer 15 . The battery 16 below the base 12 lowers the center of gravity, which in return, increases the stability of the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 .
- the present disclosure is advantageous because it provides a compact mobile computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 that is relatively easy to maneuver through the work place without compromising the stability of the workstation 10 , 110 , 310 .
- the weight of the computer is centered over the base 12 .
- the computer is centered over the base 12 when in the most unstable position, the standing user position 20 b .
- the computer is center over the base 20 even when in the sitting user position 20 a .
- the center of gravity of the workstation 10 , 110 , 310 is lowered.
- the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 By centering the weight and lowering the center of gravity, the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 is made more stable, and thus, can be supported by a relatively small base 12 .
- the relatively small base 12 allows the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 to be moved about the work place with relative ease.
- the base 12 is less than eighteen inches in diameter.
- the computer workstation can be made even more compact by separating the pole 213 into more than two rotatably attached arms. The more arms rotating about pivot joints, the shorter the arms and the distance between pivot joints. Thus, there is little, if any, overhang of the arms 211 , 217 , 234 and 247 outside the perimeter of the base 12 .
- the computer workstation can be moved into the sitting user position without the concern of the arms contacting furniture and walls.
- the computer workstation 10 , 110 , 310 is advantageous because the operators of various sizes can use the workstation 10 , 110 , 310 comfortably. Each operator can determine the height of the sitting user position 20 a , 120 a and standing user position 20 b most comfortable for the operator. The computer will remain in the desired position due to the neutral stop mechanism 25 .
- the neutral stop mechanism 25 can be set in order to counteract the weight of various types and sizes of computers. Further, in the first alternative embodiment, the operator can pull the computer closer to the operator and use the room underneath the overhanging computer for leg room.
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Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates generally to computer workstations, and more particularly to a vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation and a method of using same.
- With the growing dependence on computers, mobile computer workstations have been developed so that employees have access to computers away from their desks or work stations. For instance, in hospitals, nurses or technicians can transport mobile computer workstations between patients' rooms while making their rounds, and thus, continually update patients' treatment records. However, unlike stationary computer workstations at which the user is generally sitting, the user of a mobile computer workstation may be either sitting or standing. Thus, in order to assure that the computer monitor to be comfortably used by either sitting or standing users, the computer workstation should be vertically-adjustable.
- A mobile computer workstation described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,402 B2, issued to Coonan et al., on May 28, 2002, is vertically-adjustable between a sitting and a standing user position. A pole couples a computer support, to which a computer can be attached, to a wheeled base. The pole includes a first arm moveable attached to a stationary arm that is attached to the base. The computer support is attached to move with the moveable arm. The first arm moves about the stationary arm along an arc between the standing user position and the sitting user position. When in the standing position, the computer support, and an attached computer, is at a greater vertical distance from the base than when in the sitting user position. Thus, because the center of gravity of the workstation is higher in the standing user position, a workstation is generally less stable in the standing user position than in the sitting user position.
- In order to increase stability in the standing user position, the Coonan workstation positions the computer support, and thus, the weight of the attached computer, close to a vertical line extending through the center of the base. Thus, when in the standing user position, the weight of a computer attached to the computer support is centered over the base, thereby increasing the stability of the workstation.
- Although the vertically-adjustable computer workstation described above has been designed to increase stability in the standing user position, when in the sitting user position, the computer support, and an attached computer, is off center with the base. Because of the lopsided nature of the computer workstation when in the sitting user position, a larger base may be needed to stabilize the computer workstation. The larger base can make maneuvering the computer workstation through the work place and accessing the computer during operation more difficult.
- The present disclosure is directed at overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
- In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vertically-adjustable mobile computer workstation includes a pole attached to a base that is supported by a plurality of rotatable members. The pole includes a first arm that is connected to a second arm. The first and second arms include a rotational coupling that is operable such that rotation of one of the first and second arms results in rotation of the other of the first and second arms with respect to the base.
- In another aspect of the present disclosure, a vertically-adjustable computer workstation is used by coupling a head assembly that includes a computer support to a moveable base via a pole with multiple arms at least two of which are coupled to rotate with one another. The computer support is moved between a sitting user position and a standing user position, at least in part, by pivoting the at least two arms of the pole with respect to the moveable base.
- In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vertically-adjustable computer workstation includes a pole that is attached to a base supported by a plurality of rotatable members. The pole includes a first arm that is connected to a second arm. The first and second arms are rotatable with respect to the base. At least one neutral support mechanism is operably coupled between the base and the first arm.
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FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a computer workstation with a computer support being in a standing user position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a side sectioned side view of the computer workstation ofFIG. 1 with the computer support being in a sitting user position; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectioned side view of a rotational coupling of the computer workstation ofFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer workstation, according to a first alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a pole of a computer workstation, according to a second alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer workstation, according to a third alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a head assembly of a computer workstation, according to a fourth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , there is shown a vertically-adjustablemobile computer workstation 10 with a computer support in a standinguser position 20 b, according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecomputer workstation 10 includes abase 12 to which apole 13 is attached. Thebase 12 is supported by a plurality ofrotatable members 14. Although the present disclosure contemplates the base being of various shapes, including star-shaped, and including any number of rotatable members, thebase 12 is preferably rectangular and is supported by four rotatable members, each positioned at a corner of therectangular base 12. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that between 3 and 6 rotatable members provides for a morestable computer workstation 10. However, too many or too large of rotatable members can limit the maneuverability of the workstation through the work place. Therotatable members 14 are illustrated as rollers, but could be any suitable support members, such as spherical rotatable supports. The rotatable members can, but need not necessarily, include a locking mechanism known in the art for temporarily locking therotatable member 14 against rotation. Thebase 12 preferably includes astability enhancer 15 that includes a weight being suspended from thebase 12. The weight is suspended underneath thebase 12 in order to lower the center of gravity of theworkstation 10. Although the weight can vary, the weight preferably includes abattery 16. Thus, thestability enhancer 15 is preferably a storage compartment for thebattery 16 that not only increases the stability of theworkstation 10 by lowering the center of gravity of thecomputer workstation 10, but also provides battery storage, reducing or eliminating the need for cumbersome power cords. Thebattery 16 can be electronically connected to a laptop type computer or in the case of a traditional computer, the monitor or the keyboard in any conventional manner, such as via a power cord concealed inpole 13. - The
pole 13 includes afirst arm 11 that is rotatably attached to asecond arm 17 via aconnector assembly 36. The first andsecond arms FIG. 3 ) that is operable such that rotation of one of the first andsecond arms second arms computer workstation 10 includes at least onecomputer workstation accessory 39, such as the illustrated retractable power cord reel, adjacent to theconnector assembly 36, and attached to acasing 33 that has a fixed horizontal orientation and surrounds theconnector assembly 36. It should be appreciated that thecasing 33 around theconnector assembly 36 could provide a storage area for various other computer work station accessories, such as a mouse or a basket. - Each
arm longitudinal segment longitudinal segment inner segment outer segment inner segment 11 a and theouter segment 11 b of thefirst arm 11 are rotabaly attached to thebase 12 via a first pair ofpivotjoints FIG. 2 ) of ahead assembly 19 is attached to theinner segment 17 a and theouter segment 17 b of thesecond arm 17 via a second pair ofpivot joints FIG. 2 ), respectively. Thearms computer support 20 between asitting user position 20 a (shown inFIG. 2 ) and the standinguser position 20 b (as illustrated inFIG. 1 ). The standinguser position 20 b is to accommodate a standing computer user, and thesitting user position 20 a is to accommodate a sitting computer user. Thus, the computer support 20 in the standinguser position 20 b is at a greater vertical distance from thebase 12 than thecomputer support 20 in thesitting user position 20 a. - The illustrated
head assembly 19 is adapted for a laptop computer and includes onedrawer 23 and ahandle 37 that can be used for pulling the workstation from place to place and for vertical adjustment of theworkstation 10. Thehead assembly 19 includes aplatform 21 on which a computer keyboard portion can be positioned and anadjustable monitor rest 22 on which a computer monitor portion can rest. Themonitor rest 22 is attached to theplatform 21 in a manner that allows the orientation of the monitor portion of the laptop computer to be adjusted to a desired viewing position and stabilize the computer on theworkstation 10. When not in use, themonitor rest 22 can also be move to a closed position and locked in order to prevent unwanted removal of the computer. The present invention contemplates various sizes of head assemblies to fit various sizes of computers and head assemblies including more than one platform to provide more work space. It should be appreciated that thehead assembly 19 could include various accessories, such as a recessed keyboard platform and additional drawers. In addition, head assemblies that are adapted to fit cathode ray tube style computer monitors and flat screen monitor computers could be attached to thepole 13. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , there is shown a cross-sectioned side view of thecomputer workstation 10 with thecomputer support 20 in the sittinguser position 20 a. It should be appreciated thatFIG. 2 illustrates thecomputer workstation 10 without thehead assembly 19 attached to thepole 13 via thecomputer support 20. Aneutral support mechanism 25 is operably coupled between the base 12 and thefirst arm 11, and allows thecomputer support 20 to be positioned at any desired distance between a pre-set maximum and minimum above thebase 12. Theneutral support mechanism 25 preferably uses an internal force producing device and friction to allow thecomputer workstation 10 to be continuously stoppable between the pre-set maximum and minimum distances. While the present disclosure has been illustrated utilizing a continuously stoppable device, it should be appreciated that the support device could alternatively be a detented device, or other device, that would allow thefirst arm 11 to stop at a plurality of preset vertical positions between the maximum and minimum distance from thebase 12. Further, the present disclosure contemplates at least one additional neutral support mechanism being coupled between thefirst arm 11 and thesecond arm 17. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a computer workstation with a neutral support mechanism for botharms rotational coupling 18 between thearms - The
neutral support mechanism 25 preferably includes two pneumatic springs 26 (only one spring shown) positioned adjacent to one another and coupled between the base 12 and thefirst arm 11. However, the present disclosure contemplates any number of pneumatic springs, including only one, and the spring being a hydraulic spring or any adjustable force producing device. Eachpneumatic spring 26 includes arod 27 and acylinder 30. Therod 27 includes a first end positioned within thecylinder 30 and a second end attached to thebase 12. Therod 27 and thecylinder 30 are capable of producing a force proportional to the distance that therod 27 is moved with regard to thecylinder 30. The amount of force that theneutral support mechanism 25 will produce can be adjusted by a threadedmember 28 coupled to therod 27 by anut 29. The horizontal position of thenut 29 on the threadedmember 28 determines the amount ofrod 27 unexposed by thecylinder 30, and thus, the amount of force produced. Thenut 27 can be moved horizontally between a first andsecond stop member 28. The position of thenut 29 illustrated inFIG. 2 allows a relatively large length of therod 27 to be outside of thecylinder 30, thus, producing less force. The illustrated orientation of thenut 29 is against thefirst stop 31 a and corresponds to the desired force to support a relatively light laptop computer that would be attached tohead assembly 19. However, in order to support a relatively heavy traditional computer, thenut 29 would be moved to a horizontal position closer to thesecond stop 31 b, thus creating more force. In other words, the movement of thenut 29 can change the torsional load of the arm 116 to correspond with the varying head load size. Although there is movement of therod 27 withincylinder 30 once thenut 29 is adjusted and fixed on the threaded member 2 due to the force created by the vertical movement of thecomputer support 20, the movement of therod 27 is minimal. Moreover, as thecomputer support 20 moves vertically downward, an angle of separation between avertical center line 24 and thepneumatic spring 26 increases, causing the force within the cylinder to be directed at an angle rather than vertically. Thus, the angular orientation of thepneumatic spring 26 may compensate for the minimal increase in force within thecylinder 30. Theneutral support mechanism 25 will produce a relatively constant bias regardless of the vertical or horizontal position of the computer attached to thehead assembly 19 that is preferably set to match the weight of the computer being supported. - Referring still to
FIG. 2 , therotational coupling 18 includes aconnector plate 43 to which thefirst arm 11 and thesecond arm 17 are rotatably attached via a third pair of pivot joints 40 a and 40 b and fourth pair of pivot joints 41 a and 41 b, respectively. Theinner segment 11 a and theouter segment 11 b of thefirst arm 11 are rotatably attached to theconnector plate 43 via the third pair ofjoints inner segment 17 a and theouter segment 17 b of thesecond arm 17 are rotatably attached to theconnector plate 43 via the fourth pair of pivot joints 41 a and 41 b, respectively. For purposes of this discussion, the length (L1) of thefirst arm 11 is the distance between the first pivot joint 38 b and the third pivot joint 40 b. The length (L2) of thesecond arm 17 is the distance the fourth pivot joint 41 b and the second pivot joint 50 b. The length (L1) of thefirst arm 11 and the length (L2) of thesecond arm 17 are preferably identical. - The
computer support 20 moves along a line between the standinguser position 20 b and the sittinguser position 20 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the line is thevertical center line 24 extending through thebase 12. By moving thecomputer support 20 along thevertical center line 24, the majority of the weight on thecomputer workstation 10 is kept over the center of thecomputer workstation 10, thereby increasing the stability of thestation 10. In order to maintain a fixed horizontal position of thecomputer support 20 and theconnector plate 43, despite the rotation of thearms computer support 20 moves toward the sittinguser position 20 a and increase as thecomputer support 20 moves toward the standinguser position 20 b. These varying cross-distances allows thecomputer support 20 supporting thehead assembly 19 to be attached to thesecond arm 17 and maintain a horizontal orientation regardless of the movement of thesecond arm 17. It should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates other methods of maintaining the horizontal positioning of thecomputer support 20. For instance, each arm need not be segmented if the computer support is attached to the second arm via a rotational coupling similar to thecoupling 18 connecting the arms to one another, or possibly a user adjustable rotational attachment. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , there is shown an enlarged cross-sectioned side view of therotational coupling 18 of thecomputer workstation 10 ofFIG. 2 . Therotational coupling 18 preferably couples thefirst arm 11 to thesecond arm 17 via at lest one gear set 32. It should be appreciated that the rotational coupling could include couplings other than the gear set, including, but not limited to, a cam-bar mechanism and/or a cable and pulley system. Preferably, the arm lengths (L1) and (L2) are identical and the gear set 32 includes a gear ratio of 1:1. Thus, when the first andsecond arms arms computer support 20 moves along the centervertical line 24, the majority of the weight on thecomputer workstation 10 is centered over thebase 12, and thus, the spring force needed within theneutral support mechanism 25 is preferably equal to the weight being supported by theworkstation 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that by varying the gear ratio and the proportionality of the arms lengths L1 and L2, onearm other arm vertical line 24. For instance, by altering the gear ratio of thesecond arm 17 to thefirst arm 11 from 1:1 to 1:2, thesecond arm 17 will more faster than thefirst arm 11. In order to maintain the movement of thesecond arm 17 along the centervertical line 24 despite the faster rate, the length L2 of thesecond arm 17 can be made shorter than the length L1 of thefirst arm 11. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , there is shown a diagrammatic representation of acomputer workstation 110, according to a first alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the preferred embodiment, the first andsecond arms gear set 132. While the arm lengths L1 and L2 remain identical, the gear set 132 includes a gear ratio less than 1:1, such as 1:2, causing thesecond arm 17 to move at a larger rate than thefirst arm 11. Because the arm lengths L1 and L2 are identical, the faster movingsecond arm 17 will move along aslanted line 144, or possibly on are, between the standinguser position 20 b and a sittinguser position 120 a. The sittinguser position 120 a, illustrated as the shadowed position, and the standinguser position 20 b are at a first distance D1 and second distance D2 from the centervertical line 24 extending through thebase 12, respectively. The first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2. In the illustrated embodiment, thecomputer support 20 is aligned with thevertical line 24 when in the standinguser position 20 b, and thus, D2 is generally zero. Thus, the center of gravity of theworkstation 110 remains along the centervertical line 24 while in the standinguser position 20 b, but is off-center in the sittinguser position 120 a. The off-center sittinguser position 120 a allows the computer operator to pull thehead assembly 19 closer to the operator and provides foot room underneath thecomputer support 20 for the operator's convenience and comfort. As with the preferred embodiment, the pneumatic springs 26 will allow thecomputer support 20 to stop at any position between the pre-set maximum and minimum heights. However, the position of therod 27 within thecylinder 30 may need to be adjusted in order to create a greater force within thepneumatic cylinder 30 to compensate for the off-centered weight of thecomputer support 20, and attached computer, when in the sittinguser position 120 a. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , there is shown an isometric view of apole 213 of a computer work station, according to a second alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the preferred embodiment, thepole 213 includes afirst arm 211 rotatably attached to thebase 12, and asecond arm 217 rotatably attached to thefirst arm 211 via therotational coupling 18. Although therotational coupling 18 is illustrated as including the gear set 32 with the 1:1 gear ratio, it should be appreciated that the rotational coupling could include other types of couplings, such as a cam-bar mechanism, and include different gear ratios. Unlike the previously discussed embodiments, thepole 213 includes athird arm 234 and a secondrotational coupling 245 that operably connects thesecond arm 217 to move with thethird arm 234. Thepole 213 also includes a fourth arm 244 and a thirdrotational coupling 246 that operably connects thethird arm 234 to move with thefourth arm 247. Thearms arms computer support 20 is attached to thefourth arm 247 via the second pivot joints 50 a and 50 b. The secondrotational coupling 245 is operable such that rotation of one of the second andthird arms third arms rotational coupling 246 is operable such that the rotation of one of the third andfourth arms fourth arms rotational coupling rotational coupling 18, the gear ratio of the gear sets of the second and/or thirdrotational couplings arms - The present disclosure contemplates any number of arms being rotatably connected to one another similar to the
arms poles pole 213 should be sufficiently long to accommodate standing users of any height, but as short as possible to lower the center of gravity and increase stability of the computer workstation. Generally, the more arms included within the length of the pole, the smaller the length of the arms. Thus,arms arms rotational couplings shorter arms vertical line 24 than therotational coupling 18 coupling thelonger arms computer support 20 is in the sitting user position. Therotational couplings base 12. The compact nature of thepole 213 increases the ease with which the workstation 210 can be maneuvered while thecomputer support 20 is in the sittinguser position 20 a. Moreover, the compact nature of thepole 213 keeps the arm mass centered over thebase 12, which also improves stability. This compactness also allows the pole to avoid impacts with surrounding objects, such as a hospital bed, even when the base is partially under the bed. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , there is shown a schematic representation of acomputer workstation 310, according to a third alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecomputer workstation 310 includespole 313 that includes anattachment arm 349 fixedly attached to thebase 12. Rather than thefirst arm 11 being rotatably attached to thebase 12, as shown inFIG. 1-2 , thefirst arm 11 is rotatably attached to theattachment arm 349. Although thefirst arm 11 is not rotatably attached to thebase 12, it should be appreciated that the first andsecond arm pole 313 is illustrated as including only onearm 349 between therotatable arms base 12, the present invention contemplates any number and size of arms fixedly attached between the base or head assembly and the rotatable arms. Moreover, it should be appreciated that there could be more than two rotatable arms between theattachment arm 349 and thecomputer support 20. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , there is shown an isometric view of ahead assembly 419 of a computer workstation, according to a sixth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. Thehead assembly 419 is similar tohead assembly 19 except that thehead assembly 419 is adapted for a traditional computer with a flat screen monitor rather than a laptop type computer. Thus, instead of themonitor rest 22, thehead assembly 419 includes amonitor attachment portion 448 to which a flat screen monitor can be attached. Themonitor attachment portion 448 is illustrated as fixedly attached to theplatform 21. Like thehead assembly 19, thehead assembly 419 includes theplatform 21 for the keyboard, thedrawer 23 and thehandle 37. Also, like thehead assembly 19, thehead assembly 419 can be attached to thecomputer support 20 of any of the illustrated embodiments. Thus, thehead assembly 419 can be coupled to thepole 213 with more than two arms, thepole 113 with thesecond arm 17 moving at a different rate than thefirst arm 11 and along the slantedline 144, or thepole 313 with theattachment arm 349. Thehead assembly 419 could include various accessories, including but not limited to, an additional drawer, a recessed platform or an additional platform from more workspace. Moreover, thehead assembly 419 can be of various sizes for various sized computers. - Referring to
FIGS. 1-7 , a method of using the vertically-adjustablemobile computer workstation head assembly computer support 20 is coupled to themoveable base 12 via apole multiple arms base 12. Thus, a laptop computer can be attached to thehead assembly 19 shown inFIG. 1 or a flat screen monitor computer can be attached to head assembly 419 shown inFIG. 7 , and transported throughout a workplace. For instance, a nurse can take thecomputer workstation computer workstation computer support 20 will generally be in the standinguser position 20 b because thecomputer workstation user position 20 b, and therefore, easier to maneuver through the work place. Because thecomputer support 20, and the attached computer, when in the standinguser position 20 b are generally aligned with the centervertical line 24 extending through thebase 12, the majority of the weight is centered over thebase 12, increasing the stability of thecomputer workstation - When the computer operator wants to use the computer, the operator can either keep the
computer support 20 in the standinguser position 20 b or move thecomputer support 20, and attached computer, from the standinguser position 20 b to the sittinguser position arms pole moveable base 12. Although thearm 11 is not attached to the base 12 in the fifth alternative embodiment, thearms arms - Referring specifically to
FIGS. 1-3 , according to the preferred embodiment, when the operator applies force to thehandle 37 in order to lower thecomputer support 20 to the sittinguser position 20 a, the force acting on thearms pneumatic cylinder 30, allowing thesecond arm 17 to move. Because thefirst arm 11 is coupled to rotate with thesecond arm 17, the second arm will also move. Because, in the preferred embodiment, the gear ratio of the gear set 32 is 1:1 and the arm lengths L1 and L2 are identical, thesecond arm 17 will pivot about thefirst arm 11 and thefirst arm 11 will pivot about the base 12 at the same rate, causing thecomputer support 20 with the attached computer to move along the centervertical line 24. As thecomputer support 20 with the computer moves downward, the computer remains over the center of thebase 12, increasing stability of theworkstation 10. The increased stability from centering the weight over thebase 12 allows thecomputer workstation 10 to be supported by the relativelysmall base 12. The smaller the base, the easier thecomputer workstation 10 is to maneuver through the workplace. Moreover, as thearms computer support 20 and attached computer remain in the fixed horizontal position because of thesegmented arms computer support 20 moves downward, theinner segments outer segments - When the operator determines that the
computer support 20 with the attached computer has reached the desired sittinguser position 20 a, the operator can release thehandle 37. The weight of the computer is balanced by the force within thepneumatic cylinder 30 and thecomputer support 20 and computer will stop in the desired sittinguser position 20 a. Because the position of therod 27 within thepneumatic cylinder 30 was preferably pre-set such that the force within thepneumatic cylinder 30 counteracted the weight of the laptop computer, thecomputer support 20 will remain in the desired sittinguser position 20 b. The operator can work on the computer without the computer continuing to advance downward. - Referring specifically to
FIG. 4 , according to the first alternative embodiment, when the operator moves thecomputer support 20 from the standinguser position 20 b to the sittinguser position 120 a, thecomputer support 20 is moved away from the centervertical line 24. Because thefirst arm 11 is coupled to thesecond arm 17 via the gear set 132 with a ratio less that 1:1, thesecond arm 17 will move at a faster rate than thefirst arm 11, causing thesecond arm 17 to move along the slantedline 144 towards the operator. When the operator determines that thecomputer support 20 with the computer is at the desired sittingoperator position 120 a, the operator can release thehandle 37 and thecomputer support 20 with the computer will stay in the desired position due to the force within thepneumatic cylinder 30 counteracting the weight of the computer. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pneumatic springs 26 could be set such that the force within thecylinder 30 counteracts the weight of the computer and compensates for the weight of the computer being off-center when thecomputer support 20 is in the sittinguser position 120 a. When in the sittinguser position 120 a, the computer is closer to the operator than the computer is when in the standinguser position 20 b, thus providing the operator with leg room while operating the computer. - Referring specifically to
FIG. 5 , in the second alternative embodiment, thecomputer support 20 moves along the centervertical line 24 between the standinguser position 20 b and the sittinguser position 20 a similar to the preferred embodiment. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates thecomputer support 20 attached topole 213 moving along an arc, or possibly a slanted line like thecomputer workstation 110 in the first alternative embodiment. In order to move thecomputer support 20 along the slanted line, the gear ratio of, at least, the thirdrotational coupling 246 would be adjusted so that thefourth arm 247 would move faster than theother arms handle 37, thefourth arm 247 will pivot about thethird arm 234, thethird arm 234 will pivot about thesecond arm 217, and thesecond arm 217 will pivot about thefirst arm 211. Thefirst arm 211 will pivot about thebase 12. Because the lengths of thearms arms pole 213 will be more compact when thecomputer support 20 is in the sittinguser position 20 a thanpole 13. In fact, the present invention contemplates therotational couplings base 12. Thus, the computer operator can move thecomputer support 20 and attached computer into the sittinguser position 20 a without concern of any of thearms - In all of the illustrated embodiments, the rate of movement of the
arms computer support 20 along the vertical or slantedline - Further, in all illustrated embodiments, the
battery 16 is suspended underneath thebase 12. Not only does thebattery 16 eliminate the need for a power cord which can be in annoyance to the operator during transportation of thecomputer workstation battery 16 also acts as thestability enhancer 15. Thebattery 16 below thebase 12 lowers the center of gravity, which in return, increases the stability of thecomputer workstation - The present disclosure is advantageous because it provides a compact
mobile computer workstation workstation computer support 20 with the attached computer along thevertical center line 24, the weight of the computer is centered over thebase 12. In all embodiments, the computer is centered over the base 12 when in the most unstable position, the standinguser position 20 b. But, in the preferred embodiment, the computer is center over the base 20 even when in the sittinguser position 20 a. Further, by suspending thebattery 16 below the base, the center of gravity of theworkstation computer workstation small base 12. The relativelysmall base 12 allows thecomputer workstation base 12 is less than eighteen inches in diameter. - Moreover, the computer workstation can be made even more compact by separating the
pole 213 into more than two rotatably attached arms. The more arms rotating about pivot joints, the shorter the arms and the distance between pivot joints. Thus, there is little, if any, overhang of thearms base 12. The computer workstation can be moved into the sitting user position without the concern of the arms contacting furniture and walls. - The
computer workstation workstation user position user position 20 b most comfortable for the operator. The computer will remain in the desired position due to theneutral stop mechanism 25. Theneutral stop mechanism 25 can be set in order to counteract the weight of various types and sizes of computers. Further, in the first alternative embodiment, the operator can pull the computer closer to the operator and use the room underneath the overhanging computer for leg room. - It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
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US7584933B2 (en) * | 2005-04-08 | 2009-09-08 | Qisda Corporation | Adjustable lift support apparatus |
US20060226327A1 (en) * | 2005-04-08 | 2006-10-12 | Benq Corporation | Adjustable lift support apparatus |
US8043349B2 (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2011-10-25 | Medtek Lighting Corporation | Configurable phototherapy device |
US20090012588A1 (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2009-01-08 | Springer Jr Jack F | Configurable Phototherapy Device |
US20080308687A1 (en) * | 2007-06-18 | 2008-12-18 | Matthew Terry | Multi-functional linear utility station |
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US20100275821A1 (en) * | 2008-09-02 | 2010-11-04 | Martin Lebel | Self-stowing support table with articulating arm |
US20100231102A1 (en) * | 2009-03-16 | 2010-09-16 | Peter Block | Stowable and releasably securable mobile structure |
US8726814B1 (en) * | 2009-04-24 | 2014-05-20 | Salvatore Matteo | Convertible workstation |
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FR2960938A1 (en) * | 2010-06-02 | 2011-12-09 | Univ Paris Curie | SCREEN SUPPORT |
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US7983035B1 (en) * | 2010-09-07 | 2011-07-19 | Shao-Chieh Ting | Sliding table of a tablet personal computer |
KR101113222B1 (en) * | 2011-01-12 | 2012-02-20 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | Medical instrument |
US20120320513A1 (en) * | 2011-06-15 | 2012-12-20 | Cuong Huy Truong | Monitor stand assembly |
CN102937231A (en) * | 2011-06-15 | 2013-02-20 | 联想(新加坡)私人有限公司 | Monitor stand assembly |
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US20130170119A1 (en) * | 2011-12-30 | 2013-07-04 | Pegatron Corporation | Electronic apparatus |
CN103470929A (en) * | 2012-06-05 | 2013-12-25 | 纬创资通股份有限公司 | Adjustable supporting device |
US9360151B2 (en) * | 2012-06-05 | 2016-06-07 | Wistron Corporation | Adjustable supporting device |
US20130320160A1 (en) * | 2012-06-05 | 2013-12-05 | Wistron Corporation | Adjustable supporting device |
US9271569B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2016-03-01 | Herman Miller, Inc. | Reconfigurable table |
US20160084432A1 (en) * | 2014-09-23 | 2016-03-24 | Kelly International Corp. | Self-positionable lifting device |
WO2016113672A1 (en) * | 2015-01-13 | 2016-07-21 | Schipani Giuseppe | Configurable device comprising a screen and suitable to support a computer |
US20180007803A1 (en) * | 2015-01-13 | 2018-01-04 | SCHIPANI Giuseppe | Configurable device comprising a screen and suitable to support a computer |
US20170049224A1 (en) * | 2015-08-18 | 2017-02-23 | Seung Ho Kim | Lift table for computer |
US9814309B2 (en) * | 2015-08-18 | 2017-11-14 | Seung Ho Kim | Lift table for computer |
CN106853802A (en) * | 2017-01-05 | 2017-06-16 | 百度在线网络技术(北京)有限公司 | A kind of mobile unit mounting bracket and map collecting vehicle |
US11129471B1 (en) | 2020-01-14 | 2021-09-28 | Walter Oglesby | Mobile computer workstation |
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