GB2310595A

GB2310595A - A work-station

Info

Publication number: GB2310595A
Application number: GB9607773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael David Francis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-02-26
Filing date: 1996-04-15
Publication date: 1997-09-03
Also published as: GB9604024D0; GB9607773D0

Abstract

A self-contained work-station for the mounting of portable computers or field test instruments at the required height and orientation for a user comprises a separate work platform 1 and a base 7. The work-station has adjustable legs, is portable and may be dis-assembled for storage and transportation. The platform may be orientated in rotation, pitch and yaw axes. The platform is also adjustable in size, allowing a number of different instruments to be accommodated. The location of the object to be supported is, accomplished by means of adjustable supports, which can be cut-to-size by the user. The platform may be used on its own for the computer. When used, eg on a table top, the platform elevates the rear of the keyboard, thereby enhancing the user's viewing angle.

Description

A WORK-STATION This invention relates to a work-station Personal computers are available which are portable, and easily carried from one location to the next. They are known generically as 'notebook', 'palmtop; or 'laptop' computers, and typically may have an approximate 'footprint' of an A4 sheet of paper, or even smaller. Field test instruments, scientific and measuring instruments, data processing and collection instruments, similarly described as portable, are also available. The 'footprint' characteristics of this latter category of devices is somewhat more varied.

These portable devices do need, however, to be mounted or otherwise located in some way, when in use, at a convenient height and orientation for the user, for example, by placing on a table. However, quite often, there is no convenient method available for mounting, holding or otherwise locating the device, for example if the user were outdoors, traveling or had restricted table space. Therefore, in such situations, the main asset of portability becomes a disadvantage, restricting the use of the device, caused by the user attempting to 'cradle' the device whilst operating it, or by the user placing it on his knees (if in the sitting position), or to use whatever 'mounting' is to hand, for example, the ground . These attempts to 'balance' the device on unsuitable surfaces (often through necessity), can quite often lead to damage to the delicate mechanisms of the device, if it were to be dropped or knocked. At the very least, an unstable support would significantly reduce the workrate of the user, by compromising the device's carefully designed ergonomic attributes.

The present invention sets out to provide a unique and novel method of providing a portable or static rigid support for those devices referred to in the second paragraph, though not necessarily restricted to those devices. By way of clarification, the preferred base referred to in the description and figures is a well known and common device i.e. a tripod. It is not the intention of this application to claim invention of the tripod, or the quick release cam action 'shoe' which has become a de-facto standard, with this device. The present novel approach of utilising said base, in association with the unique adjustable work-platform, is the embodiment of the invention.

The term 'work-station' is in common use, to describe a personal work area.

According to the present invention, there is provided a self-contained, portable or static work-station, which may comprise of a folding base with a number of legs (commonly three), which typically may be telescopically adjusted, mounted to which may be a detachable, adjustable 'platform' of circular, polygonal, or cruciform shape, which may be flat, dished , lipped, or 'fiddled' . Location of the device or instrument to be mounted may be achieved by means of any number (commonly four) adjustable locating posts or clamps, deployed at the corners , or other periphery, or base ofthe device to be supported.

The 'platform' may commonly, by means of a self-locking, quick release and adjustable mounting , be orientated in the pitch, yaw or rotation axes, although this feature of providing several degrees of freedom is not essential to the design.

In addition, if a suitable table-top is available, the platform element only may be used as a 'mounting cradle' for the device. In the case of the notebook P.C., used in the conventional manner on a table, the keyboard is commonly presented to the user horizontally. This results in a poor viewing angle. In this invention, the platform, by virtue of the tapered base, elevates the rear of the keyboard, thereby enhancing the viewing angle.

The invention is light ,dis-assembles and folds into a size convenient for storage and transportation, and is easily carried by the user. The invention copes with uneven terrain or floor surfaces, and it's working height is adjustable to suit a sitting or standing user. In further embodiments, the invention may not be required to be portable at all, for example if the 'platform' element only of the present design were to be attached to a desk or control panel by some method. In that example the outcome would be a static or fixed installation.

Construction materials may be of plastic, aluminium, mild steel, glass reinforced plastic, titanium or stainless steel, though not necessarily limited to these materials.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become manifest to those skilled in the art upon making reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which preferred structural embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by illustrative example.

For the purposes of this example, a 'notebook' personal computer has been illustrated as the device to be mounted and supported, although the invention is not necessarily limited to complement this device only. Furthermore, the example illustrates a tripod base. This would be the preferred, though not necessarily the only, base geometry.

A preferred, typical embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the preferred embodiment of the workstation with a 'notebook' personal computer in position on the 'platform', and also illustrates typical axes of height and orientation adjustment. It also illustrates the method by which the rear of the notebook P.C. keyboard is elevated, to enhance the users viewing angle, when the platform element only of this invention is used as a 'mounting cradle' Figure 2 illustrates a typical method of separating the 'notebook' personal computer from the 'platform', and also illustrates a typical accepted method of separating the 'platform' from the base.

Figure 3 illustrates typical plan and side elevations of the 'platform' element of the invention.

It also illustrates a typical method of providing adjustment of the supporting arms and locating posts to achieve an 'adjustable for size' mounting platform (in this example configured generically, so as to be suitable for virtually any 'notebook' personal computer).

The left hand side elevation is shown in section, for clarity.

Referring firstly to figure 1, the work-station comprises an adjustable work platform ( 1),(3) and (4) , which is capable of being oriented to suit the users position, by means of lock or locking devices (9), releasably secured to a static or portable base (7).Individually height adjustable legs are provided The base in this example can typically be folded and reduced in length telescopically, to bring the legs into close proximity with each other, so reducing the overall size of the base . for storage and transportation. The device to be supported (8) sits atop the work platform, located in position by the adjustable locators (3). Although shown in position at the corners of the work platform, they may also be located at any point of the periphery, or in the case of a flat work platform, are not required. This figure also illustrates the method by which the platform element only of this invention may be used as a 'mounting cradle', thereby elevating the rear of the notebook P.C. keyboard when used on a table top, enhancing the users viewing angle.

Referring to figure 2, in order to remove the device to be supported from the work platform (8), it is lifted vertically clear. In applications where secure clamping is required, the support arms (3) may clamp or otherwise secure the device positively. In order to remove the work platform (1) and (4) from the base, a cam action 'shoe', which is commonly available on this type of base, may be employed. The action of the spring loaded cam releases the wedge shaped male shoe from it's similarly shaped female counterpart. The same result may also be achieved by a threaded screw into the base of the work platform, or in applications where separation is not a requirement, the work platform and base may be permanently affixed to each other. To remount the device to be supported (8) to the work platform (1 ) and (4), and to remount the work platform to the base (7), the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence.

Referring to figure 3, in order to provide a method of providing adjustment of the supporting arms and locating posts to achieve an 'adjustable for size' mounting platform slots (10) are provided in the base (1), into which a bolt (6) passes vertically through the support arm (3). By slackening this bolt, , the arm (3) may then be slid away from, or toward the centre of the base (1), as well as providing rotational movement about the bolt centre(6). This bolt may pass through the support arm (3), into a captive nut. The locators can be 'cut to size' or otherwise modified by the user, to accommodate a large range of device sizes and designs.

Adjustment is provided by the means described in order to accommodate a large range of 'footprints', commensurate with maintaining an acceptable length for the support arms(3).

The above description is given by way of example only; many further embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art upon making reference to the foregoing specific description which is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1 A work-station comprising a base and a work platform.

2 A work-station according to Claim 1, wherein said base is portable and folding, or flxed.

3 A work-station according to Claim 2, wherein said base comprises a leg, legs or supports.

4 A work-station according to Claims 2 and 3 wherein said base leg legs or supports are adjustable for height.

5 A work-station according to Claims 2, 3 and 4 wherein said base provides the means to adjust the orientation of the object to be supported.

6 A work-station according to Claim 1, wherein said work platform provides support and location for portable devices.

7 A work-station according to Claims 1 and 6 wherein said work platform is adjustable for size , to suit the object to be supported.

8 A work-station according to claims 1, 6 and 7, wherein said work platform provides a means of elevating the rear of the notebook P.C keyboard, when used on a desk top.

9 A work-station according to any preceding claim is furthermore light dis- assembles and/or folds into a size convenient for storage and transportation, and is easily carried by the user.

10 A work-station substantially as described herein with reference to any of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

11 A work-station 'platform' substantially as described herein with reference to any of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.