GB2336526A - Support device for a seated person - Google Patents

Abstract

A support device for supporting a control device when operating a computer comprises a base providing a seating surface (6), and a platform (10) supported above and forwardly from the base (4), the platform (10) providing a working surface (12) supported in fixed spaced relationship with the base by support elements (8a, 8b). The base may be placed on a chair, and upon which the user sits, with his legs extending above the surface (6) of the base on either side of the support elements (8a, 8b) with the platform 10 above his legs. The working surface (12) may thus be used to support a control device (8) such as a joy stick or steering wheel of a computer.

Description

2336526 PATENTS ACT 1977

Title: Supporting Means Description of Invention

This invention is concerned with improvements relating to supporting means, particularly but not exclusively for use in supporting control devices when operating a computer.

Conventionally, a computer terminal or screen is supported on a desk, and is controlled by a user seated at the desk in front of the screen. Conventionally used as a control device may be a keyboard, comprising in addition to the conventional alpha-numeric characters, a number of function keys. Alternatively, or in addition, a "mouse" may be utilised, conveniently on a "mat" also located in front of the screen.

The use of such control devices presents no major problem, since operation thereof involve downward forces, providing inherently a degree of stability. However more and more ftequently, particularly in the playing of computer games, other types of control device are utilised, which during operation involve the use of transverse forces.

For example, a commonly used control device is a "joy stick" which involves forwards and sideways movement of the control member, typically (in use) in a horizontal plane. Difficulty is encountered during the use of such devices, in that normal use thereof causes them to be displaced. This is particularly evident when being used by (eg) children, for vhom the height of the desk or table surface on which the screen is mounted may not be wholly satisfactory.

Various suggestions have been made to reduce this problem, one involving the use of suckers by which the joy stick may be relatively securely fixed to the desk. However, this is not wholly satisfactory, since some 2 undesired relative movement between the joy stick and the desk inevitably occurs.

It would in fact be better to fix the joy stick to the desk by the use (eg) of screws, but this is undesirable.

In addition, the tendency of the user to lean forwardly, so that the joy stick is close to the user's body, can cause back strain.

These problems are exacerbated by the use of more complex types of joy stick, where in addition to controlling operation of the computer by movement of the control member, control is also exercised by the manipulation of control buttons on the control member, which is made more difficult where a high level of positional stability is absent.

Such problems are also encountered with control devices now more commonly used in racing games, in the form of a steering wheel which may similarly be provided with control buttons.

It is one of the various objects of this invention to alleviate this, and problems of a similar nature.

According to this invention there is provided a support device for use by a seated person and comprising a base which may be placed for the user to sit upon, a support surface located above (in use) the base, and one or more supporting elements extending from the base providing support for the support surface derived from the base.

Thus the fact that the user is seated on the device provides a high level of "clamping" of the device.

Preferably the support element, or elements extend from the base such that in use they will extend between the legs of the user, and support the support surface, conventionally provided by a platform, at a location above the user's legs.

In this way a support means for a control device, particularly for computer use is provided, which is inherently adequately stable and permits 3 control devices such as joy sticks or steering wheels to be used much more effectively.

In addition the support surface is provided at a level which is inherently suitable for the user: viz, at the level of the user's lap, and may be located by the user relatively close to the user's body to permit use without strain.

The support element or elements may thus extend from a position generally centrally of the base, and preferably are inclined forwardly, so that the base may be located beneath the user's bottom with the support platform extending over the legs, at typically knee level.

The support device may comprise means by which the distance between the base and the platform, and/or the degree of forward extent of the platform in relation to the base, may be adjusted. A convenient form of adjustment means may comprise one or more parallel linkages, which may be lockable, or by the use of telescopic support elements, which may similarly be lockable.

Alternatively, the support means may not be lockable, the position of use being determined by the platform being allowed to move into a position resting on the user's upper leg.

According to this invention there is also provided a method of playing a computer game in which a control device for the computer is supported on a platform located above the legs of the player, the platform deriving its support from a base upon which the player is seated.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of two support devices whih are the preferred embodiments of this invention, having been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device which is the first embodiment of this invention; FIGURE 2 is a side elevation showina the first embodiment in use; and 0 4 FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing a support device which is a second embodiment of this invention.

The supporting device which is the first embodiment of this invention comprises a base 4 providing a seating surface 6. Supported above and forwardly of the base 4 is a platform 10, providing a working surface 12, said platform 10 being supported in fixed space relationship with the base by support elements 8a, 8b extending from a generally central region of the base 4 in a forward direction.

In the use of the device which is the first embodiment of this invention the base 4 may be placed on a seating surface, such as a chair 16, with the user's legs extending above the surface 6 thereof, on either side of the support element 8a, 8b. In the position of use shown in Figure 2 the working surface 12 may be used to support a control device 18 such as a joy stick or steering wheel for a computer.

The supporting device may be of fixed construction, or may be constructed so as to enable the platform 10 to be positionally adjusted, either in the forward direction or in the height-wise direction, conveniently comprising locking means by which the platform 10 may be secured in a desired position.

Thus a modified construction is shown in Figure 3 in which the support platform 10' is retained spaced from the base 4' by a telescopic support element 8', locking means 20 being provided to enable the platform 10' to be locked in a desired height-wise position.

It will of course be appreciated that the base 6 may in either embodiment be shaped appropriate to the surface upon which it is likely to be located.

By the use of the invention above described a support surface is provided for a control device 18, such as a computer joy stick, which provides significant advantages over the use of a conventional desk surface.

If desired location means may be provided by which one or more different types of control member may be temporarily secured to the platform 10, as may be desired.

Whilst the invention has been described above in relation to the playing of computer games, it is of course to be appreciated that the support device may be utilised to advantage in other circumstances. For example, a support device in accordance with this invention may be used to provide a platforTn for (eg) a person to write, or as a platform for a plate or other utensils, or a person wishing to eat.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

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Claims (14)

1 A support device for use by a seated person and comprising a base which may be placed for the user to sit upon, a support surface located above the base, and one or more supporting elements extending from the base providing support for the support surface derived from the base.

2 A support device according to claim 1 wherein the support element or elements extend from the base such that in use they will extend between the legs of the user and support the support surface at a location above the user's legs.

3 A support device according to one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the support surface is provided by a support platform.

4 A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support element or elements extend from a position generally centrally of the base.

A support device according to any one of preceding claims wherein the support element or elements are inclined forwardly.

6 A support device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means by which the distance between the base and the platform may be adjusted.

7 A support device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising means by which the degree of forward extension of the platform in relation to the base may be adjusted.

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8 A device according to one of claims 6 and 7 wherein the adjustment means comprises one or more parallel linkages.

9 A support device according to one of claims 6 and 7 wherein the adjustment means comprises telescopic support elements.

A support device according to claim 9 wherein said telescopic elements are lockable.

11 A support device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the support means is not lockable, the position of use being determined by the platform being allowed to move into a position resting on the user's upper leg.

12 A method of playing a computer game in which a control device for the computer is supported on a platform located above the legs of the player, the platforTn deriving its support from a base upon which the player is seated.

13 A support device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14 A method of playing a computer game, when carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described andfor shown in the accompanying drawings.