EP0995369A1

EP0995369A1 - Furniture with concalable display and optional concealable keyboard

Info

Publication number: EP0995369A1
Application number: EP98870218A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Georges François Marinus; Daniel Maria Ernest Verhoeven
Original assignee: Abierti bvba
Current assignee: Abierti bvba
Priority date: 1998-10-20
Filing date: 1998-10-20
Publication date: 2000-04-26

Abstract

A furniture (35) is described for accommodating a display (34) and optionally a data entry device (41). The furniture (35) may be in the form of a table, having a recess (40). The display (34) has two positions : a viewing position and a flush position. In the flush position, the back side (39) of the display (34) is flush with the upper surface (36) of the table (35), thereby concealing the display (34) in the recess (40). Optionally, a data entry device (41), having a keyboard (48), may be concealed by the display (34) in its flush position. When the display (34) is in its viewing position, the user can access the data entry device (41). Opening and closing the computer system may be done by an electrical actuator (44).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an item of furniture which has an essentially flat work surface and is provided with at least one screen display device, visible in a viewing position and concealed in a flush position. In a particular embodiment, a conference table may have a display, in its flush position concealing a keyboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, many operations require access to a personal computer or to an electronic network system for viewing and entering strategic data. A personal computer may be mounted on the table top, but it then occupies constantly space on the table top. Many proposals have been made in the past to conceal either the video display of the desktop computer, or the keyboard or both. WO 97/15213 describes a system where the keyboard may be flipped upside down in a recess of a table. In the down position, the back side of the keyboard is flush with the surface of the table. The display screen may accordingly been accommodated in another recess of the table. When not in use, the screen display is flush with the table.
US-A-4,735,467 discloses a system in which the video screen is mounted on a lift on the back side of a table, and the video screen may be moved up in a viewing position and down in a concealed position. Also the keyboard may be hidden in a recess in the table top and under a table pad.
US-A-4,562,482 discloses a system in which a cathode ray tube is retractable by pivoting its mounting arms about a pivot bracket. The keyboard and the screen may be covered by a removable cover.
GB-A-2 319 467 discloses a table having a recess for a video display and optionally a drawer for concealing a keyboard and electronics.
The video display has two positions : a viewing position and a flush position. In the flush position, the video screen is flush with the surface of the table.
All the above solutions either do not cover the keyboard or the video screen, or cover them by separate items. In some situations, the screen is too far away from the operator.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a furniture including a display, wherein the display is almost not visible when not in use.
It is another object of the invention to provide means for concealing other computer parts, by one single operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned objects are realised by an item of furniture having the specific features defined in claim 1. Specific features for preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
The furniture according to the current invention provides, when the display is not in use, an almost undisrupted - apart from a narrow slit - and flat work surface and a substantial concealment of the display, of an optional data entry device such as a keypad, and optionally of the central processing unit and the interfaces for the peripheral devices. Therefore, the computer parts and the data are better protected against unwilful or wilful damage. The item of furniture may be a table, a conference table, a cupboard, etc. The work surface may be the upper surface of a horizontally placed table, or the surface of a slanted drawing table etc. The display means is a portion of the device that may include the screen display device, a frame 79 around the device, a substantially cylindrical base plate, an optional camera, etc. The front side of the display is the side at which the user is looking when the display is in its viewing position. The back side is the side of the display substantially opposite to the front side. The front side and the back side may be conceived as two parallel planes, delineating the upper portion of the display. The back side is preferably substantially flat in order to make a flush surface together with the upper surface of the table, when the display is in its flush position. Optionally, the back side may have a small recess for a handle to open and close the display and vice versa, i.e. for moving it from the flush to the viewing position and vice versa.
Alternatively, the front side is substantially flat, so that the front side may be kept flush with the table surface when the display is in its flush position. The front and back side may be both flat.
The screen display device is a device that is capable to show characters, and/or images, icons etc. to the user of the system.
What is visible on the screen display device is usually driven electronically by a screen driver. In the work surface, a recess is made in order to accommodate the display in it, when it is in its flush position. The recess may be realised by a complete hole in the table top or by the absence of some material in the table top, but the bottom still being formed by material of the table top.
Preferably a complete hole through the table top is closed at the bottom side by a recess cover box. The display has at least two different positions, i.e. a viewing position and a flush position.
The viewing position is preferably suitable to allow the user to look at the screen display device. The flush position is preferably such that the back side is facing the same direction as the surface of the table, i.e. if the surface is facing the ceiling, the back side is also facing the ceiling when the display is in its flush position. In the alternative embodiment, where the front side is flush with the surface, the front side and the surface are facing the same or a common direction. The display is preferably movable from its viewing position to its flush position and from its flush position to its viewing position. In a preferred embodiment, the movement from the flush position to the viewing position includes a rotation. For that rotation, a rotation axis is defined, preferably parallel to the work surface, more preferably parallel to the front edge 80 or the back edge 64 of the recess 40, even more preferably situated below the work surface 36, i.e. between that surface 36 and a recess cover box 66, for covering the recess, preferably under the table top 37. This recess cover box 66 avoids contact between the movable mechanisms and the legs of the operator sitting at the table. Due to the rotation axis, between its flush position and its viewing position, the display has a rotational motion. It may well be that from the flush position to a first intermediate position, the display makes a non-rotating motion and that from a second intermediate position to the viewing position, the display makes another non-rotating motion, whereas from that first intermediate position to that second intermediate position, i.e. between the flush position and the viewing position, the display makes a rotational motion. The first intermediate position may coincide with the flush position ; the second intermediate position may coincide with the viewing position. In a preferred embodiment the item of furniture further comprises a carriage. The carriage may comprise a data entry device, e.g. including a keyboard. Preferably, the carriage is covered by the display when the system is closed, i.e. the display being in its flush position. In a preferred embodiment, the carriage is coupled to the display by hinges or by any other means such that a relative rotation is possible between the carriage and the display. Preferably, the display is opened and/or closed by making use of drive means, e.g. an actuator. A frame around the screen display device may comprise holes for mounting a camera and/or at least one speaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a table upside down.
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a display in the viewing position and a data entry device.
Fig. 3 shows a side view of a display in the viewing position and a data entry device.
Fig. 4 shows a side view of a display in the flush position and a data entry device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the furniture may be a desk, a conference table or a congress table, which will be further simply referred to as table. Fig. 3 shows a side elevation of a table 35 according to the current invention. The table 35 includes a work surface 36. The work surface 36 of the table 35 will be simply referred to as the surface of the table. According to this embodiment, it is supposed that the surface 36 of the table is horizontal and facing upward.
The table 35 further includes a display 34 and optionally a hardware box 21. The display 34 has a front side 38 and a substantially flat back side 39. It is supposed that the display is pointing upwards when in use, as shown in Fig. 3. Under the above assumptions, the work surface 36 is the top surface of the table 35 and is the upper side of the table top 37. The table top 37 is the body of the table, without the legs. The table top 37 is preferably constructed from glass, metal, a non-ferrous metal, wood or a wood substitute. The table 35 may have three, four or more legs 27, 28, 29 and 30 as usual, but the table may also be fixed to a wall, hang down from the ceiling etc. The table top 37 has a cut-out, forming a recess 40.
This recess 40 is for accommodating the display 34 when it is not in use. The display as best shown in Fig. 2 has a screen display device 45 on the front side 38 of it. Preferably, the screen display device 45 includes means for translating finger touches to the screen into electronic signals. Such touch screen may be achieved by coupling a capacitor layer to the screen 45. Alternatively, or additionally a resistor structure may be coupled to the screen display device 45.
Whenever this layer is touched by a finger tip, a pen or a pencil, the capacitor layer will generate signals representative for the position (x,y) on the screen 45 that has been activated. An important advantage of the system according to the current invention is that the display 34 may be located at 10 cm to maximally 60 cm from the front edge 71 of the table 35, where the operator of the computer system is actually sitting. Therefore, the operator can easily reach the touch screen for touching it. A mouse or a trackball may be dispensed with due to the presence of a touch screen. In a preferred embodiment, the display 34 also includes space for mounting two speakers 46 and 47 for multi-media applications and for video-conferencing. The display may also include a video camera 49, also suitable for video-conferencing. A modem for video-conferencing may be mounted in the hardware box 21.
The display 34 has basically two positions : a flush position as shown in Fig. 4 and a viewing position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In the flush position, the back side 39 of the display 34 is horizontal and facing upward, just as the table surface 36. The back side 39 is substantially flush with the surface 36 of the table 35. As such, the flat back side 39 of the display is incorporated into the table 35 but does not substantially disrupt the continuity of the surface 36 when the display 34 is not in use. In that position, the recess 40 in the table top 37 accommodates the display 34. The front side 38 of the display is then facing downward, towards the bottom of the recess 40.
In the viewing position, as shown in Fig. 3, the user sitting in front of the table 35 faces the front side 38 of the display 34 and is capable to view that front side.
The display 34 may be moved from the viewing position to the flush position by rotating the display in the direction of the front side 38.
The screen display device 45 is preferably a flat screen display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device.
The screen display device 45 may comprise a sheet of toughened glass or of a transparent synthetic material, preferably in case that the flush position is with the front side 38 flush with the surface 36.
In a preferred embodiment of the current invention, the display 34 is coupled to the table top 37 via two multi-arm brackets, i.e. a left bracket 54, and a right bracket 58 of the display. The left bracket 54 has basically two arms, i.e. a left pivot arm 55 and a left drive arm 56, in rigid, stiff or firm relation to each other and to a base plate 59 of the display 34. The right multi-arm bracket 58 has also two arms, i.e. a right pivot arm 60 and a right drive arm 61, also in rigid, stiff or firm relation to each other and to the base plate 59 of the display 34. The left pivot arm 55 is at one end rotatably coupled to the table top 37, preferably via the left supporting flange 89 of the recess cover box 66 and via a left axle 62. Also the right pivot arm 60 is so coupled via a right axle 63. The right axle 63 and left axle 62 may be integrated in one elongated axle or spindle. The right axle 63 and left axle 62 are collinear, i.e. they are situated on one straight line, so as to allow rotation of the display 34 around the axis defined by the two axles. The axis of rotation is preferably parallel to the work surface 36 and parallel to the back edge 64 of the recess 40. In an alternative embodiment, the rotation axis 62-63 of the display 34 may be mounted close to the upper front edge 80 of the recess 40.
The axis 62-63 is then preferably parallel to that front edge 80. In such case, the front side 38 of the display 34 is flush with the table surface 36 when the display 34 is in the flush position. The axis of rotation is also preferably located under the level of the surface 36, i.e. between the surface 36 and the bottom of the recess 40 or lower. According to a typical example, where e.g. the table top 37 has a thickness of 60 mm, the rotation axis 62-63 may be situated 19 mm below the surface 36 of the table. To accommodate the left pivot arm 55 and the right pivot arm 60, it may thus be necessary to make two extra recesses in the bottom side 22 of the table top 37, as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The left and right axle 62, 63 are preferably rotatable in bearings, e.g. roller-bearings, in the left and right pivot arm 55 and 60 respectively.
These axles 62, 63 are preferably rotatably supported by bearings, e.g. roller-bearings, mounted in a left supporting flange 89 and a right supporting flange (not shown) of the recess cover box 66. The bearings are preferably mounted in holes in the supporting flanges 89, said holes having a diameter of e.g. 10 mm. Thin spacers may be placed on the axles, between two bearings rotating with respect to each other. The left 89 and right supporting flanges, along with the left and right axles 62, 63 and the left and right pivot arms 55, 60, fit into recesses in the bottom side 22 of the table top 37.
Alternatively, these axles may be supported by supports screwed to the bottom side 22 of the table top 37. When the display 34 is in its flush position, it may be moved to its viewing position by lifting the top edge 65 of the display 34. The display 34 will make a rotational movement, with the centre of rotation being formed by the axis 62-63 defined by the left axle 62 and the right axle 63.
The base plate 59 of the display is conceived such that during rotation of the display 34 around the axis 62-63, the base plate will not touch the back edge 64 of the recess 40. Therefore, the base plate 59 may have many curved shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the base plate 59 is such that at any time of the rotational movement the distance between :

the back edge 64 of the recess 40 ; and,
the base plate 59

base plate

front base plate

back base plate

front base plate

back base plate

display

lower compartment

carriage

recess

hardware box

carriage

display

carriage

display

front base plate

back base plate

Preferably, the cables have enough distance from the multi-arm brackets 54 and 58, such that the cables cannot be pinched or jammed between moving parts, when running towards the hardware box 21 or towards the lower compartment 81 of the carriage 72. If the brackets 54 and 58 are located at both sides of the base plate 59, then the cables run preferably midways these two brackets. The carriage 72 may slide over the recess cover box 66 of the recess 40. To improving sliding, a self-lubricating material may be used.
Preferably, the carriage 72 has a left wheel 82 and a right wheel (not shown). The left wheel 82 runs over a left rail 84, the right wheel runs over a right rail (not shown). More generally, the rails may be substituted by any guide means, the wheels may be substituted by any sliding or rolling means, as long as the sliding means is supporting the carriage 72, and the sliding means is supported by guiding means coupled to the recess cover box 66. The recess cover box 66 is preferably box-like and made of metal or other suitable materials. The recess cover box 66 is open at its upper side and has also a slot for the cables in its side wall closest to the hardware box 21. Preferably, the recess cover box 66 has flanges 78, which are fastened with screws to the bottom side 22 of the table top 37.
The recess cover box 66 is preferably mounted in a recess in the bottom side 22 of the table top. This recess is preferably positioned around the larger recess 40. For example, the table top 37 may have a thickness of 60 mm. A complete through recess 40 has then also a thickness of 60 mm. The bottom recess for fastening the recess cover box 66 may have a depth of 20 mm. As such, the thickness of the remaining material bordering the recess 40 has a thickness of 40 mm. The correct positioning of the recess cover box 66 is the key for aligning correctly the assembly formed by the carriage 72 and the display 34. Horizontal flanges of the recess cover box 66 may comprise several slots around the box, for screwing the flanges flush with the recess surrounding recess 40.
By mounting a handle on the back side 39 of the display 34, or in a small recess in the back side, the display may be moved manually from the flush position to the viewing position. The display 34 may then be kept in the viewing position by a stand mounted on the surface 36 at the back of the display 34. Alternatively, the display may be kept in the viewing position under influence of friction in the axles 62, 63 or along the pivot arms 55 and 60.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one multi-arm bracket, e.g. the left bracket 54 or the right bracket 58, comprises a drive arm 56. Alternatively, the drive arm 56 is rigidly coupled anywhere to the base plate 59 of the display 34, e.g. in the middle of the base plate 59. In such case, the brackets 54 and/or 58 do not need to be multi-armed. The drive arm 56 is coupled to a drive means 44 for driving the drive arm 56. The drive means may include a rotatably movable member, having an axle member and a manual handle, which is attachable to and detachable from the axle member. By manually rotating the handle in a circular motion about the axle member, drive means 44 moves a rod 68 in the direction of the drive arm 56 so as to force the drive arm 56 and consequently also the display 34 in a rotational movement about the rotation axis 62-63.
Preferably, the drive means 44 comprises an actuator. The actuator is preferably located in a hardware box 21 or in a backward extended portion of the recess cover box 66. An actuator is a rotational electrical motor, which imparts rotation to a screw, thereby converting a rotation into a translation in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the screw. The screw is coupled to the rod 68 and imparts its translation to that rod, thereby forcing the display 34 in a rotational movement around the axis 62-63. In a preferred embodiment, the rod 68 is coupled to the drive arm 56 via resilient means, e.g. a spring 85. Preferably, the spring is arranged such that under normal conditions, its tension keeps the rod 68 in contact with the drive arm 56, i.e. such that it is almost impossible to manually close the display without activating the drive means. However, if the display 34 moves from its viewing position to its flush position and an inadvertent user puts a finger or a pencil between the front edge 80 of the recess and the top edge 65 of the display 34 just before the display reaches its flush position, then the spring 85 will be stretched by the ongoing pulling force of the actuator 44 and the obstructing force of the object between the display and the edge. To free the pinched object, the drive means may be operated in the reverse direction, the display 34 will start moving upwards once the pulling force is released from the spring 85, freeing the object. Preferably, the electrical motor automatically stops whenever the resistance against closing and/or opening of the display 34 exceeds a specific limit.
The resistance may be monitored by measuring, e.g. by a suitable sensor, the torque on the motor axis, the power consumption of the motor, the longitudinal force on the drive rod 68 or just by a mechanical electric contact close to the spring 85. In the latter case, whenever the spring gets extended by an abnormal force, the contact may break (or close) an electrical circuit, thereby commanding the drive means 44 to stop. The rod 68 is preferably passing through a small hole in the hardware box 21. The electrical motor may be activated by a switch in the power cables towards the motor. The switch may include a press button or a keyhole for a keylock, for which a specific key is required. By plugging the key in the keyhole, and turning the key, the contact is closed and the motor starts the motion of the display 34. A key contact improves the safety of the computer system. Unauthorised persons, not having the right key, cannot start moving the display or open the computer system by moving the display 34 from its flush position to its viewing position. Alternatively, the motor switch may be activated by a finger print device, by typing a secret keypad code on a separate (e.g. numerical) keyboard, or by infrared remote control.
The motor may be activated as long as is necessary to move the display 34 towards its required viewing position. Once the user is pleased with the (e.g. acute) angle between the back side 39 of the display 34 and the surface 36, he may stop the motor by breaking the contact. The contact may also be interrupted by a microswitch touched or any other suitable sensor activated by the display 34 either in the viewing position or the flush position or both.
Preferably however the two end positions, i.e. the viewing position and the flush position are programmed in a control unit for a stepper motor in the drive means 44. The number of steps for the stepper motor for moving the display 34 from the viewing position to the flush position may be programmed in the control unit, e.g. 300 steps. As soon as that number of steps is reached, the stepper motor stops. The control unit for the stepper motor preferably has a non-volatile memory means for remembering in which position the display 34 actually is. Preferably that memory means is updated after each step is completed. The motor control unit may also be programmed to define the speed by which the display 34 is moved. For each step or for a plurality of step ranges, a constant motor speed may be programmed. If the motor speed is kept constant for the complete range of steps, then the rotation speed of the display 34 will not be constant. The motor control is preferably built in close to the drive means 44, e.g. in the hardware box 21. Preferably, the motor control unit may be programmed from the data entry device 41.
For moving the display 34 from its viewing position back to its flush position, the drive means 44 is operated in the opposite way.
For example, the motor of the actuator may be commanded to rotate in the other direction, thereby pulling the stiff rod 68 towards the drive means 44. In a preferred embodiment, opening the system is activated by secured means, closing the system is done by just pushing a push button, or by turning the key switch in the off position.
In a preferred embodiment, the computer table 35 may further include a data entry device 41. Then the display 34 and the data entry device 41 are in use as shown in Fig. 3, the data entry device 41 is at least partly extending from the recess 40. Fig. 3 schematically represents the data entry device 41, including a keyboard 48 shown in Fig. 2. In fact, the keys of the keyboard are preferably higher than the level of the table, i.e. extending above the table surface 36. In the position as shown in Fig. 3, the upper side of the keyboard is preferably parallel to the table surface 36. If the data entry device 41 is not present, as set out below for a slave system, the flat top surface 87 is substantially flush with the table surface 36 when the display 34 is in its viewing position. When the system is not in use, as shown in Fig. 4, the data entry device is completely contained in the recess 40 and is covered by the display 34. The data entry device 41 may include a keyboard 48, preferably having a standard personal computer keyboard layout. Preferably, the data entry device 41 also includes a groove or slit 50 to accommodate a reader for a magnetic card, such as a banking card, a credit card, an electronic purse, etc. The display 34 may also comprise a bar-code reader, i.e. a light source 51, e.g. a lamp or LED, for emitting light and a lightsensitive means 52 for detecting the light reflected from a bar-code passed by the bar-code reader.
The light source 51 and the light detector 52 are preferably mounted in a side wall 53 of the display 34. The data entry device 41 may also include a microphone 69, preferably mounted on top of the device 41, as shown in Fig. 2. The data entry device 41 may further include a control panel 70, for setting the viewing conditions of the screen display device 45, such as brightness, contrast, X and Y position etc. In an alternative embodiment, this control panel is mounted directly on the display 34, which is useful when the recess 40 does not include a data entry device 41.
Preferably, underneath the data entry device 41, in the lower compartment 81, electronics are located that need to be placed closely to the screen 45, the capacitor layer or resistor network or resistive layer, the keyboard etc. The data entry device 41 is preferably mounted on a carriage 72, which is rotatably or hingedly coupled to the display 34 by a left axle 73 and a right axle 74.
These axles 73, 74 define an axis of rotation 73-74, for rotation of the display 34 relatively with respect to the carriage 72. The carriage 72 may have two extensions, one at each side, for rotatably coupling the carriage 72 to the display 34. Each extension may have a circular slot, having a diameter of e.g. 6 mm, for mounting an axle for rotation. That axle is rotatably coupled to another extension of the display, also having an opening for accommodating the axle. In a preferred embodiment, the display 34 is coupled to the carriage 72 by one single long axle, running from the left side to the right side of the recess 40, such that this axle cannot be removed inadvertently. By coupling the carriage 72 with the display 34 and by the specific design of the form of rail 84, supporting the wheel 82 of the carriage 72, the following effect may be achieved.
As shown in Fig. 4, in the flush position of the display 34, the carriage is in a lower position in the recess 40. By rotating the display 34 upward, the carriage 72 is forced to move towards the front side of the table 35, i.e. on the right hand side in Fig. 4.
The left rail 84 thereby forces the left wheel 82 to follow the curve of the rail 84. This behaviour may also be realised by a sliding contact. Thereby, the carriage 72 will mount upwardly, until it reaches its end position as shown in Fig. 3. Preferably, the placement of the rotation axis 73-74 on arms coupled to the display 34, the form of the upper portion of the carriage and the form of the rails 84 are such that when the display 34 is in its viewing position, the upper side of the carriage 72 is almost flush with the work surface 36. In case of a slave system, the flat top surface 87 of the carriage 72 is substantially flush with the table surface 36.
In case the system includes a data entry device 41 with a keyboard 48, at least the keys of the keyboard 48 are preferably extending from the recess 40 in the table top 37 above the table surface, and the keys are substantially parallel with the surface 36, i.e. within an angle of 20°, preferably 10°, more preferably 5°. As set out before, the carriage 72 preferably comprises a data entry device 41, including a keyboard 48. According to another embodiment, the carriage has a substantially flat top surface 87, which is substantially flush with the work surface 36 when the display 34 is in its viewing position. This alternative type of carriage 72 is useful for a slave device as discussed below in conjunction with the second and third recesses 42, 43. In a preferred embodiment, the furniture 35 according to the current invention further includes a support latch 86, as shown in Fig. 3 and 4. The support latch 86 includes a resilient means, such as a latch spring 88. When the display 34 is in its flush position, as shown in Fig. 4, the latch spring 88 is in its lesser stressed position. The rod of the support latch 86 is then protruding into the recess 40, thereby supporting the display 34. Preferably, two such support latches 86 are provided, one for supporting the left side of the display and one for supporting the right side of the display, each located e.g. 5 cm from a side edge of the recess 40 ; however one support latch 86, preferably located centrally below the front edge 80 of the recess, may be sufficient to suitably support the display 34 when in its flush position. Then the carriage 72 is moved from its lower position to its higher position, e.g. by opening the display 34, as is shown in Fig. 3, the rod of the support latch 86 is forced into the front side of the table, i.e. out of the recess 40, thereby stressing the latch spring 88. Whenever the carriage 72 is lowered again, the rod of the support latch 86 will be released to protrude again inside the recess 40, to support the display 34. As such, heavy objects may be placed on the back side 39 of the display 34 when it is in its flush position.
In a preferred embodiment, underneath the table top is a rectangular hardware box 21. Preferably, the hardware box is made of a long U-profile, the bottom portion of the U being mounted to the bottom side 22 of the table top 37. Preferably, the hardware box 21 is mounted by four horizontally extending supporting- beams 23, 24, 25 and 26, coupled to the respective table legs 27, 28, 29 and 30. The supporting-beams and the table legs may be constructed from stainless steel or other material. The hardware box 21 has four side walls and one bottom wall 31. Preferably, one longer edge of the bottom wall 31 is hingedly connected to one longer side wall of the hardware box 21. When the table is in the upright position, the bottom wall may be closed by pushing it upwardly. The bottom wall may be kept in the closed position by two screws, one at each side of the bottom wall 31 protruding through that wall, and each screwed in a threaded protrusion of (a flange on) one of the side walls or a partition of the hardware box 21. In a preferred embodiment, a locking mechanism, preferably with a key, is also provided between the bottom wall 31 and (a flange on) one of the side walls of the hardware box 21 or the above mentioned partition, such that the hardware box 21 cannot be opened by unauthorised people. By turning the key of the locking mechanism, a small plate inside the box may rotate and touch a static portion of the hardware box 21, thereby locking the bottom wall 31. The hardware box 21 may contain the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer system, mounted on a mother board, the power supply and the interfaces to drive the input and output devices. The hardware box may also contain the electronics for controlling :

the keyboard 48,
the screen display device 45,
the touch screen.

The electronic parts may all be mounted to the lower portion of the U-shaped hardware box 21. Alternatively, some or all parts may be mounted on the bottom wall 31. Heavier parts such as the power supply may be mounted in the box itself. The interfaces are connected by cables to the peripheral devices. These cables are collected in a cable duct 32. The cable duct 32 is preferably formed by one longer side wall of the hardware box 21 and by a rectangular plate 33 mounted inside the hardware box 21, and parallel to the side wall. Alternatively, the cable duct if formed by an U-shaped metal plate, which is coupled with its lower portion to the lower portion of the U-shaped hardware box 21. The cables preferably enter the hardware box 21 via a slot in a side wall of the hardware box.
This slot or an extra slot may also be used for air entry, required for cooling the hardware components and the power supply.
In a preferred embodiment, the table 35 includes at least one display 34 rotatably coupled to a data entry device 41, both the display 34 and the data entry device 41 coupled to a first recess 40 in the table top 37. According to a more preferred embodiment, the table top 37 further includes a second recess 42 as shown in Fig. 1.
The second recess 42 is provided with a second display (not shown), comparable to the first display 34. Preferably, the second display is operated in the same manner as the first display, i.e. the second display has basically a viewing position and a flush position. In the viewing position, the screen display faces a user of the second display. In the flush position, the second display is accommodated in the second recess 42, and its substantially flat back is substantially flush with the work surface 36 of the table 35. In a preferred embodiment, the second screen display is also coupled to a drive means, e.g. an electrical actuator, for rotatably moving the second display from its flush position to its viewing position.
Preferably, the actuator for the second display is different from the actuator 44 for the first display 34. In a preferred embodiment, the second recess 42 does not include a data entry device 41, but a carriage 72 having a flat upper surface 87 as set out before. As such, the first recess 40 accommodates the master interactive unit, whereas the second recess 42 accommodates a slave interactive unit.
The executive person may thus take place in front of the master unit, whereas the members to a meeting take place in front of the slave unit. The executive person is then able to enter data into the computer system in various ways : by touching the keys of the keyboard, by entering a card having a magnetic strip, by touching the touch screen display device 45. That person and the members may also acquire data from the computer system, e.g. by reading the data displayed on the screen display device associated to the display and by listening to the speaker or speakers coupled to the display. For video conferencing it is also suitable that the members may enter into the computer system voice data and visual data. To that end, also a microphone and a video camera may be mounted in the second display.
According to another embodiment, the table 35 also includes a third recess 43, organised similarly to the second recess 42. The third display may be rotatably moved by a third actuator, but in a preferred embodiment, the second and the third display are coupled to one single actuator for opening and closing the second and third display simultaneously. A plurality of recesses may be made in a large conference table, thereby allowing to have various displays and e.g. just one master assembly.
In a preferred embodiment, the control or control panels of the keyboard 48 and the control of the screen display device 45 are built in, in the lower compartment 81 of the carriage 72, underneath the data entry device 41. These control panels are preferably close to the devices they drive, since it may be necessary to keep the length of the connecting cables within strict specifications of these units. From these control panels, cables run to the interfaces for the peripheral devices. These interfaces are preferably arranged close to the central processing unit (CPU). This CPU is preferably mounted in the hardware box 21 underneath the table top 37, but the CPU along with the interface boards may be mounted in a different cabinet, e.g. standing on the floor. Alternatively, the control panels may be mounted in the hardware box 21 instead of in the lower compartment 81 of the carriage 72. In case the CPU is mounted in the hardware box 21, the cables running from the control panels within the lower compartment 81 of the carriage 72 to the interfaces within the hardware box 21, run through a small cable slot in the recess cover box 66, directly to the hardware box 21. Preferably, the shortest distance between those two cable ducts is minimal, in the order of 1-10 cm, or more preferably in the order of 1-10 mm. The cables running from the control panels in the recess cover box 66 to the interfaces in the hardware box 21 may include a VGA-cable for driving the screen display device 45. A VGA-splitter for amplifying the video signals for displaying the images on the screen 45, is preferably mounted in the hardware box 21. The cables may further include a power cable for supplying power to the screen display device 45 and the data entry device 41, a sound cable for transmission of sound signals towards the speakers 46, 47 ; a video cable for transmission of the video signal from the video camera 49 to the video interface board ; a cable for transmitting the signals generated by the touch screen and the keyboard to the suitable interfaces ; a cable for transmitting sound signals from the microphone towards the speech interface.
The computer system may also include a CD-ROM drive, a floppy drive for 3.5" floppies and a tape streamer. Also an extra hard disk, an optical drive and a rewritable compact disk may be installed. These devices are preferably mounted below the table surface 36, i.e. screwed or otherwise fastened to the back side 22 of the table top, or in a recess in the bottom 22 of the table top 37. Cables to transmit electronic signals between these devices and the interfaces in the hardware box 21 are preferably also guided in a sleeve or a narrow cable duct, screwed or otherwise fastened to the bottom side 22 of the table top 37.
The frame 79 of the display 34 and the frame of the data entry device 41 are preferably made of stainless steel or other material.
Preferably, most metal surfaces that may be visible to the user, are coated by wood or a derivative of wood, that comes close to or is identical to the wood of the table surface 36. The surfaces may also be painted or remain as plain steel.
The furniture according to the current invention may be used in conference rooms, executive desks, shops, for counters, etc. As long as the computer is required, the display may be in its viewing position. As soon as the computer is no longer necessary, a simple press on a button, or using the keylock system, closes the system by bringing the display in its flush position, and providing the user with a larger work surface 36.
The system according to the current invention may be mounted in new tables, in which a cut-out is made for providing the recess 40. But also existing tables may be transformed to a computer table according to the current invention. In a preferred embodiment, an elliptic cut-out is made in the table. In that cut-out an elliptic frame is mounted, on which the display 34 and the data entry device 41 may be accommodated. The hardware box 21 may be dispensed with, if an existing computer system is already in place in a separate rack. The cables for providing the connections between the interfaces and the control panels in the recess 40, may be guided from the rack to the recess 40.

List of reference signs

21 :: hardware box
22 :: bottom side of table top
23 :: supporting-beam
24 :: supporting-beam
25 :: supporting-beam
26 :: supporting-beam
27 :: leg
28 :: leg
29 :: leg
30 :: leg
31 :: bottom wall of hardware box
32 :: cable duct
33 :: rectangular plate
34 :: display
35 :: furniture / table
36 :: work surface / table surface
37 :: table top
38 :: front side of display
39 :: back side of display
40 :: recess in table top
41 :: data entry device
42 :: second recess
43 :: third recess
44 :: drive means, e.g. actuator
45 :: screen display device
46 :: first speaker or opening for it
47 :: second speaker or opening for it
48 :: keyboard
49 :: video camera or opening for it
50 :: slit for magnetic card reader
51 :: light source
52 :: lightsensitive means
53 :: side wall of display
54 :: left multi-arm bracket
55 :: left pivot arm
56 :: left drive arm
58 :: right multi-arm bracket
59 :: base plate of display
60 :: right pivot arm
61 :: right drive arm
62 :: left axle
63 :: right axle
64 :: back edge of recess
65 :: top edge of display
66 :: recess cover box
68 :: drive rod
69 :: microphone
70 :: control panel
71 :: front edge of table
72 :: carriage e.g. for data entry device
73 :: left axle of carriage
74 :: right axle of carriage
75 :: front base plate
76 :: back base plate
78 :: flanges
79 :: frame around screen display device
80 :: front edge of the recess
81 :: lower compartment of carriage
82 :: left wheel of carriage
84 :: left rail for carriage
85 :: spring
86 :: support latch
87 :: flat top surface of carriage
88 :: latch spring
89 :: left supporting flange of recess cover box

Claims

An item of furniture (35) comprising :

a substantially flat work surface (36) ;

a display (34) having :

a front side (38) ;

a substantially flat back side (39) ; and,

a screen display device (45) at said front side (38) ;

said work surface (36) having a recess (40) for accommodating said display (34) ;

wherein said display (34) is movable from a flush position to a viewing position, said flush position being characterised in that :

said flat back side (39) is substantially flush with said work surface (36) ; and,

said flat back side (39) and said work surface (36) are facing a common direction.
The item of furniture (35) according to the previous claim, wherein said display (34) comprises a rotation axis (62-63) parallel to said work surface (36) for rotating said display (34) between its flush position and its viewing position.
The item of furniture (35) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said display (34) comprises at least one substantially cylindrical base plate (59) for supporting said display (34).
The item of furniture (35) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a carriage (72), being covered by said display (34) when in said flush position.
The item of furniture (35) according to the preceding claim, wherein said carriage (72) is rotatably coupled to said display (34).
The item of furniture (35) according to any one of the two preceding claims comprising a data entry device (41), coupled to said carriage (72).
The item of furniture (35) according to any one of the three preceding claims comprising guiding means (82, 84), for guiding the top surface (87) of said carriage (72) towards a position substantially parallel to said surface (36) when said display (34) is moved to its viewing position.
The item of furniture (35) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising drive means (44) for moving said display (34) from its flush position to its viewing position.
The item of furniture (35) according to the preceding claim, comprising resilient means (85) for uncoupling said drive means (44) from said display (34) when free movement of said display (34) is blocked.
The item of furniture (35) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one support latch (86) for supporting said display (34) in its flush position.