GB2365329A

GB2365329A - A desk with a moveable work surface and shutter

Info

Publication number: GB2365329A
Application number: GB0019127A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Cameron
Original assignee: SURE TEC Ltd
Current assignee: SURE TEC Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-04
Filing date: 2000-08-04
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Also published as: GB0019127D0

Abstract

A lockable desk comprising a displaceable working surface 3 mounted on arms 9 which are able to slide within rails (fig 4, 10), and a moveable shutter 7 constrained to move within tracks 11. The working surface 3 may be raised or lowered, so that in use the shutter 7 is withdrawn and the working surface 3 is raised to be used in the normal manner and after use the working surface 3 can be lowered and the shutter 7 can be drawn to cover the working surface 3 so that it is inaccessible. The shutter 7 may then be locked shut to prevent unauthorised access to the desk.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> LOCKABLE DESK The present invention relates to a lockable desk. More particularly, the invention relates to a desk within which computers and associated peripheral devices may be stored when not in use.

Computer theft and theft of other articles from desks is an increasing problem which leads to expense and disruption of workflow. There have been a number of proposals for ensuring the safety of computer equipment and the like including lockable mechanisms which retain the computer and its associated equipment to the desk via a mechanical link.

US patent number 6061234 discloses a snap on cover for a computer system docking station in order to provide security for the docking station and a computer latched to the docking station. The docking station has a tray to support a computer and an opening in the tray to allow access for a receiver. A housing cover is mounted on the surface of the tray and a latching device is able to engage and release the receiver from the housing. The housing cover serves to protect the computer's printed circuit boards and other internal components. This arrangement is claimed to have the advantage that the tray protects the printed circuit board and that an elaborate cover release mechanism is not needed.

US patent number 6033045 describes a computer desk module that includes a hidden monitor. The monitor is suspended under the desk top and the screen is inclined upwards to allow viewing of the monitor through a window plate mounted in the desk top. The computer desk has the advantage that it can be used as an ordinary desk and that it can be assembled with other rectangular or shaped desks into clusters. However, this particular arrangement has the disadvantage that the monitor is not accessible for adjustment or connection without first dismantling the desk.

One problem with the prior art desks is that the computer equipment itself is still vulnerable to unwanted persons. Thus, unwanted persons may gain access to the machines and thus have the opportunity to steal information from the machines or perhaps vandalise the machines on discovering that the machines are rendered immovable. Other desks, such as those of US 6033045 have the disadvantage that computer components are rendered inaccessible.

There is therefore a need for a desk which ensures the security of a computer whilst allowing the contents of the computer memory to remain safe from hackers. There is also a need for a desk which not only ensures the security of the computer, but which also prevents unwanted access to the machine in order to prevent physical damage. There is also a need for a desk which enables quick and easy access to a computer and its peripherals whilst at the same time ensuring the security of the computer when not in use.

The present invention solves this and other problems by providing a desk in which the working platform may be moved downwardly from its position of use to a position for storage and using a cover to prevent access to items present on the working surface when it is in the stored position.

According to the present invention there is provided a desk including a working surface for supporting a computer, the working surface being displaceable between a position of use and a storage position, wherein means are provided to move the working surface between the position of use and the storage position, and wherein a moveable shutter is provided which can be disposed in an extended position when the working surface is in the storage position to enclose a volume of space above the working surface so that articles on the working surface are not accessible from the outside and in a retracted position when the working surface is in the position of use so as to provide access to the working surface.

In an embodiment of the invention the shutter is a web of material.

In another embodiment, the means to move the working surface between the position of use and the storage position is a rail carrying a sliding bracket which is fixed to the working surface. Alternatively, the means may be in the form of a pulley system, such as a toothed wheel and chain, acting on the working surface. Equally, the means could be a screw thread and follower. In each case, the means may be single or may be paired.

The web of material may be a flexible material, or it may be rigid material divided into a number of connected portions to provide sufficient flexibility to the web as a whole. Suitable materials include metals such as mild steel or aluminium, plastics, wood, or composite materials. Mild steel is the material of choice because of its strength and resistance to attack.

In a further embodiment of the invention the working surface has a shelf suspended therefrom. This may be used for keeping additional stationery articles. The

shelf may be fixed or may be able to slide forwards relative to the working surface. Drawers may also be provided underneath the working surface. The desk may be constructed from wood, metal such as mild steel, or from a mixture of the two. Composite material or plastics may also be used in its construction.

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example only by the following figures in which:- Figure 1 is a front view of the desk with the shutter open and the working surface in its position of use, Figure 2 is a front view of the desk with the shutter open and the desk in the storage position, Figure 3 is a view of the desk from above with the shutter open, Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with the shutter open and the desk in the storage position, Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the desk with the shutter partially open and the desk in the storage position, Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the desk with the shutter fully closed, and Figure 7 is a front perspective view with the shutter open and the desk in the position of use with a suspended stationery shelf pulled forwards into a position of use.

Referring now to Figure 1, the desk is provided with sides (1) and a top (2). The working surface (3) is in register with the top (2) of the desk when in its position of use. This position is its upper position. An optional stationery shelf (4) may be suspended from the working surface (3) by means of brackets (5). The brackets (5) may be fixed or may be telescopic or hinged such that the stationery shelf may be pulled forwards so as to project from underneath the working surface (3). The stationery shelf may contain trays and / or drawers as found in conventional desks. The sides (1) provide a load bearing support for the top (2) and the working surface (3). The desk is provided with a back (6) which serves to provide both rigidity and load bearing strength to the desk. The shutter (7) is mounted on the back (6) and / or sides (1) of the desk and is in a retracted position so as to provide

unrestricted access to the working surface (3) when the working surface is in the position of use. In this position the shutter housing (8) is effectively hidden from view.

Figure 2 shows the working surface (3) in the storage position. This position is its lower position. The front edge of shutter (7) can be seen just below the top surface (2) and in this embodiment the shutter is in the form of a roll (when retracted) contained within housing (8). Alternatively, the shutter housing may form part of the back (6) of the desk as illustrated in Figure 4. The shutter may alternatively be folded rather than rolled. The back (6) of the desk is visible and the sides (1), the working surface (3) and back (6) define a void within which the computer and peripherals or other articles (not shown) may be contained. When shutter (7) is fully extended it serves to enclose the void rendering it inaccessible from the article. The back (6) and sides (1) may be solid material, or may be drilled or slotted to allow access for cables and ventilation without allowing intruder access.

Referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that working surface (3) is mounted using arms (9) which are able to slide within rails (10). The rails (10) are positioned at or near the two rear corners of the working surface (3) relative to the user. The arms (9) are hinged at their point of attachment to working surface (3) and / or between the point of attachment with working surface (3) and rails (10) to allow the working surface (3) to sit flush with i.e. in register with the top (2) surface of the desk when in its position of use. The position of use corresponds to arms (9) reaching the top end of rails (10). In this embodiment shutter housing (8) is part of the back of the desk and, when restricted as shown, shutter (7) is retained therein.

It is possible to use a means other than rails and corresponding arms to guide the working surface between the position of use and the position of storage. For example, a pulley system or a screw thread and follower. Such means may be provided singly or in pairs.

It is also possible for the working surface may be moved between the upper and lower positions by electrical or mechanical means. Thus, an electric motor may be provided for example to drive a screw or the working surface may be pushed down from its working position against the action of a spring into the lower (storage) position. When only a single raising or lowering means is provided, for example a screw, this may be provided at or near one rear corner of the working surface (3) and a counterbalance may be

provided so as to be operable on the other rear corner of the working surface (3). The counterbalance may be in the form of a weight and pulley which serve to reduce the effective weight on the raising and lowering means. The working surface may be held and optionally locked in its lower (storage) position by means of a catch or latch or the like. In the case in which an electric motor is used to provide the motive force, disconnection of the power supply from the motor may be sufficient to restrain movement of the working surface.

Figure 5 shows shutter (7) in a partially closed position. Shutter (7) is guided by tracks (11) which are shaped so as to change the direction of travel of the shutter by about 90 such that the shutter initially runs parallel to the working surface (3) when the working surface (3) is in the stored position. As it continues in its travel, shutter (7) then turns gradually so as to be perpendicular with the working surface (3). In this way, a void (12) is defined by the back of the desk (6), the sides (1), the working surface (3) and the shutter (7). It is this void within which the computer peripherals may be stored safely. The shutter (7) may be operated by manual means i.e. by pulling, or the shutter (7) may optionally be driven by an electric motor. The shutter (7) may be locked by means of a lock or catch (not shown) of a conventional type. The shutter (7) may be made of any suitable material which is capable of providing a barrier to intruders and in this embodiment a corrugated steel shutter is used. Similarly, the rails (10) and tracks (11) may be made from metal, wood or plastics. Alternatively, the shutter (7) need not be constrained within tracks (11) but instead be arranged to pass over pins (not shown) placed at a front inside portion of top (2) at position X such that the shutter may be pulled parallel to the working surface (3) when in the stored position and then pulled over the pins and down in a directional perpendicular to the working surface (3) before engaging with the base (13) of the desk.

Figure 6 shows the shutter (7) in a fully extended i.e. closed position such that the contents on the working surface are completely inaccesssible. The shutter (7) may be locked to the base (13) by any conventional means.

Figure 7 shows the optional shelf (4) stationery tray (14) pulled from underneath the working surface (3) when the working surface is in the position of use.

Claims

Claims 1. A desk including a working surface for supporting a computer, the working surface being displaceable between a position of use and a storage position, wherein means are provided to move the working surface between the position of use and the storage position, and wherein a moveable shutter is provided which can be disposed in an extended position when the working surface is in the storage position to enclose a volume of space above the working surface so that articles on the working surface are not accessible from the outside and in a retracted position when the working surface is in the position of use so as to provide access to the working surface.
2. A desk as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shutter is a web of material.
3. A desk as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the means to move the working surface between the position of use and the storage position is a rail carrying a sliding bracket which is fixed to the working surface.
4. A desk as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the means to move the working surface is a pulley system, a toothed wheel and chain, or a screw thread and follower.
5. A desk as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the web is made from metal, plastics, wood or a composite material.
6. A desk as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the working surface has a shelf suspended therefrom.
7. A desk as claimed in any preceding claim constructed from wood, metal, a mixture of wood and metal, a composite material, or plastics.
8. A desk substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying description.