GB2305601A - Adjustable seat-table unit for computer equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit has a base with a rigid upright 16 which forms a parallelogram linkage with arm 21. Tables 17, 24 and 28 and a seat 31 are pivoted to the linkage via respective arms 24, 25, 27, 37, 38 such that the seat can be tipped forwards (Fig 2) to an inoperative position under the table 24 whilst simultaneously table 24 rises and table 28 descends, both remaining horizontal, and table 17 tilts upwardly at the front 18. The unit as shown may be used by a seated operator or (Fig 2) when standing.

Description

Adjustable Table This invention relates to adjustable tables and in particular adjustable tables suitable for office use in supporting a multi-component item such as a computer system.

There exists a need to provide a compact assembly for supporting the various components of a computer system which the user may employ in a seated position and which may also be used from a standing position. In these different positions the components may need to be located at different heights and inclinations.

An object ofthe invention is to provide an improved adjustable table assembly which flilfills these requirements.

According to the invention an adjustable table assembly comprises a base, a fixed support upstanding from the base, the support being rigidly associated with the base, a moveable support movably located relative to the fixed support, a table carried by the fixed and moveable supports whereby upon relative movement between the supports the table position is changed.

Preferably the assembly includes seating means and at least one table, the seating means being moveable between a seating and a stowed position during relative movement of the fixed and moveable supports. During such movement of the seating means the or each table is moved up and down. A further table, for example for supporting a visual display unit, may be tilted between different positions relative to the horizontal by relative movement of the fixed and moveable supports.

When the assembly is used for computers one table may be for a keyboard and be moveable up and down, another table for a visual display unit and be pivotable to present a screen of the unit towards upper and lower viewing positions, and there may be provided another table for other components which may be located in a fixed or a moveable position.

When the seating means is in a stowed position it may be located with its seating surface generally upright and below a table.

Conveniently the fixed and moveable supports generally lie parallel to one another and at their upper ends are attached to a table, such as the visual display unit support table, and the supports are moveable longitudinally relative to one another.

The support for a table may be in the form of a parallelogram linkage pivotally attached to the fixed and the moveable supports for movement therewith, and the table is attached to the linkage whereby to move the table up and down at a generally constant angle to the horizontal.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of an adjustable table assembly in one position, and Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 in another position with seating means in a stowed position.

Referring to the drawings an adjustable assembly is shown which is specially adapted to support computer system components but it could find application for other purposes. The assembly includes a base 10 having rigidly interconnected beams 11, 12 and 13, beams 11 and 13 extending parallel to one another and being interconnected by beam 12 at a right angle thereto. The base unit is mounted on the floor through castors 14 mounted on the underside of beams 11 and 13, the base 10 providing a rigid support for the assembly.

Secured to and extending upwardly at an acute angle to the vertical is a rigid support arm 16 on the uppermost end of which is pivotally mounted a support table 17 intended to support a visual display unit 18, the table 17 being pivotally connected to the arm 16 at pivot 19.

Extending parallel to the support arm 16 is a further moveable support arm 21 connected pivotally at its upper end through pivot 22 to the table 17. The moveable arm 21 is moveable relative to the arm 16 generally longitudinally thereof.

Intermediate the ends of the arms 16 and 21 is located a parallelogram linkage 23 for supporting a further table 24 intended to support a keyboard 20 in a generally horizontal position. The parallelogram linkage 23 comprises two links 24 and 25 of which the linkage 24 is pivotally attached to each ofthe arms 16 and 21 towards one end, the other end being pivotally attached to a link 26 carried on the table 24. The other link 25 is pivotally attached to the link 26 at one end, and both links 24 and 25 at their ends opposite to the link 26 support an upright support arm 27 to which is attached a further table 28 in a generally horizontal position, the table 28 being for carrying a printer or other component 29.

The assembly further comprises seating means having a seat 31 located on a horizontal bar 32 underneath the seat and having a support arm 33 which, when the seating means is in the operative position extends vertically downwards. At the lower end of the bar 33 is a crossbeam 34 on which is located castors 35 contacting the floor in the operative position.

The seating means is connected to the assembly through a cranked arm 37 pivotally connected at one end to the bar 32 and at the opposite end to the beam 11 of the base unit 10.

Another support arm 38 further supports the seating means and is attached pivotally at one end to the beam 32, the opposite end being pivotally attached to the lower end of the support arm 21.

It will be seen that by moving the seating means from the operative position (shown in Fig.

1) towards the stowed position (Fig. 2) the cranked arm 37 pivots in an arc about a pivot 41 by which is attached to the base 10. The other support arm 38 pivots about a pivot 42 on the support arm 21 which causes the support arm 21 to move downwards relative to the fixed arm 16 until the seating means has reached the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the seat 31 is located generally upright below the table 24 and the support leg 33 is tucked under the assembly. This leaves access for the user to use the keyboard 25 in a standing position.

During movement of the seating means to the stowed position the relative movement between the support arms 21 and 16 causes the parallelogram linkage 23 to be operated to move the table 24 upwards to a more accessible position for the user in a standing position.

At the same time the table 17 is tilted, again by relative movement between the support arms 16 and 21 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the table has greater inclination to be horizontal and the screen of the visual display unit 18 is presented at an upward inclination for the user to more readily view the screen.

During these movements the table 28 moves downwards, retaining its generally horizontal position, through movement of the scissors linkage 23.

To the side ofthe assembly may be located other components, there being a plate 45 mounted on the base 10 on which such other components may be mounted.

It will be seen that the assembly is compact both in the position of Fig. 1 and that of Fig. 2, it being narrow whilst accommodating the various components. The assembly is even more compact when the seat 31 is in a stowed position. Whilst achieving compactness the assembly is readily moveable and afford ergonomic benefits to the user in whichever position the computer components are to be used.

Claims (8)

1. An adjustable table assembly which comprises a base, a fixed support upstanding from the base, the support being rigidly associated with the base, a movable support movably located relative to the fixed support, and a table carried by the fixed and movable supports whereby upon relative movement between the supports the table position is changed in relation to the horizontal.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1 comprising seating means movable between a seating position and a stowed position during relative movement between the fixed and movable supports.

3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or 2 comprising a further table arranged to be supported so as to tilt relative to the horizontal between different positions by relative movement between the fixed movable supports.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3 comprising two tables, one of which is movable up and down retaining a generally horizontal position and said further table being movable relative to the horizontal between a generally horizontal position and a position inclined to the horizontal.

5. An assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the seating means in the stowed position is located with its seating surface generally upright and below a table.

6. An assembly according to any ofthe preceding claims wherein the fixed and movable supports lie generally parallel to one another and at their upper ends are attached to a table, the supports being movable longitudinally relative to one another.

7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein one table has a support in the form of a parallelogram linkage pivotally attached to the fixed and movable supports for movement therewith, and the table is attached to the linkage whereby to move the table up and down at a generally constant angle to the horizontal.

8. An assembly substantially as described with reference to the drawings.