US20040025754A1

US20040025754A1 - Work station

Info

Publication number: US20040025754A1
Application number: US10/217,896
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Dye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-12
Filing date: 2002-08-12
Publication date: 2004-02-12

Abstract

A work station having a main post attached to a base, braces attached to the main post to support the main post, and a support assembly that can be attached at a location on the main post between the base and one of the braces. A work station having a plurality of posts, a plurality of braces to support the posts, and a plurality of support assemblies that can be attached to the posts. A support assembly having a cam mechanism for adjustably attaching the support assembly to a post of a work station. A support assembly having tilt/swivel mechanism for positioning a work surface with respect to a post.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a work station, and more particularly, to a work station or desk having multiple work surfaces that can be easily positioned by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The rapid explosion of the use of computers, both in the home and work environment, has created a need for a work station that provides multiple work surfaces that can be easily positioned by the user. In addition, conventional computer work environments often contribute to user injuries and fatigue. Moreover, desired positions for computer system components will often vary based on the length of use, the type of work to be performed, and factors unique to the individual user, as well as other factors. Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a need for a work station that can quickly be adjusted to provide an ergonomic environment with multiple work surfaces for a particular use. The present invention provides these and other advantages, as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The work station of the present invention provides a support structure to which multiple work surfaces can be attached in a wide variety of positions. In one embodiment the support structure includes a base for supporting the work station on a surface, a main post attached to the base, a plurality of support braces for supporting the main post relative to the surface, and a support assembly attachable to the main post for supporting a work surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features and advantages will be more appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0004]
FIG. 1 is an isometric projection of one embodiment of a work station formed in accordance with the present invention; [0005]
FIG. 2 is an isometric projection of another embodiment of a work station formed in accordance with the present invention; [0006]
FIG. 3 is a side view of a cam assembly formed in accordance with the present invention; [0007]
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the cam assembly of FIG. 3; [0008]
FIG. 5 is an isometric projection of a further embodiment of a work station formed in accordance with the present invention; [0009]
FIG. 6 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a work station formed in accordance with the present invention; [0010]
FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of a work station formed in accordance with the present invention; and [0011]
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tilt/swivel assembly configured for use with a work station formed in accordance with the present invention.[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a work station that is strong, versatile and moderate in cost. The invention will be described using a limited number of example embodiments and drawings. [0013]
FIG. 1 illustrates a work station [0014] 100 that includes a center post assembly 102 formed of a center post 104 that is attached at a first end 105 to a center post base 106 and at a second end 107 to a center post cap 108. First and second braces 110, 112, respectively, are attached to the center post 104 and to a chase 126 resting on a floor. The braces 110 and 112, however, may be attached to the center post cap 108 or indirectly attached to the center post assembly 102. The center post assembly 102 and the two braces 110 and 112 provide a support structure for the work station 100. The braces 110, 112 are configured so as to provide rigidity to the work station 100 and to brace the center post in a generally upright position. The optional center post base 106 increases the stability of the work station 100. The optional center post cap 108 can provide an additional work surface, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The work station [0015] 100 also includes a work surface support assembly 130 adjustably attachable to the center post 104 below a point where one of the braces 110, 112 attaches to the center post assembly 102. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the work surface support assembly 130 includes a post sleeve 132 positionable on the center post 104, an adjustable boom assembly 134 that may be extended, and a mount 136 for mounting a work surface 138. The adjustable boom assembly 134 has an inner boom sleeve 133 attached to the post sleeve 132 and an outer boom sleeve 135 that adjustably engages the inner boom sleeve 133. The mount 136 may be pivotally attached to the adjustable boom assembly 134, and the work surface 138 may be pivotally attached to the mount 136. The work surface 138 is configured to support a variety of objects, such as a monitor, a keyboard, books, papers, and the like (not shown).
The work station [0016] 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 has an optional first side post assembly 114 that includes a first side post 116 attached to a first side post base 118, and an optional second side post assembly 120 having a second side post 122 attached to a second side post base 124. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second side post 122 is extendable in telescopic fashion. The second side post 122 has an inner sleeve 121 that frictionally engages an outer sleeve 123. One of skill in the art will recognize that various telescopic posts can be used. For example, a post held in place by friction may be used or a post held in place by a locking mechanism may be utilized. The center post 104 and the first side post 116 may also be extendable, and the second side post 122 may be fixed.
The [0017] first brace 110 also is attached to the first side post assembly 114. The second brace 112 also is attached to the second side post assembly 120. The work station 100 includes an optional chase 126 attached to the center post assembly 102, the first side post assembly 114, and the second side post assembly 120. The chase 126 may house wiring (not shown) for use with various items, such as computers, monitors, keyboards, light fixtures and the like (not shown). Other components of the work station 100, such as the center post assembly 102, may also house wiring (not shown).
As illustrated in FIG. 1, additional work [0018] surface support assemblies 140, 142, are attached to the first side post assembly 114 and the second side post assembly 120, respectively, for supporting additional work surfaces 144 and 146. (See FIGS. 3 and 4, discussed in more detail below). In addition, the work surface support assemblies 130, 140, 142, may support additional work surfaces (not shown). For example, the work surface support assembly 130 could support a work surface for a monitor (not shown) and a work surface for a keyboard (not shown), as discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 6.
FIG. 2 is an external view of another embodiment of a [0019] work station 101 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the brace 112 is attached to a piece of furniture 150. An additional post assembly 160 is attached to the piece of furniture 150. FIG. 2 also illustrates a bookshelf 170 supported by the center post assembly 102 and the side post assembly 114.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a [0020] cam assembly 200 that can be used in work surface support assemblies, such as the work surface support assembly 140 shown in FIG. 1. A sleeve 202 is configured to be slidably and rotationally mounted on a post 204. A cam 208 is pivotally coupled to the sleeve 202 by a cam pin 206 in a cam holder 207. The sleeve 202 also has a mounting hole 210 through which an arm 212 for supporting a work surface (not shown) may be inserted. The cam 208 has a contact surface 209, a portion of which engages the post 204. In one embodiment, the cam pin 206 is positioned off-center with respect to the contact surface 209. Alternatively the contact surface 209 is formed to have a lobe that contacts the post 204 as the cam 208 rotates, thereby using frictional engagement to maintain the cam assembly in position on the post 204. Thus, the cam 208 is adjustable between a locked position, where the cam 208 will hold the sleeve 202 in position on the post 204, and an unlocked position, where the sleeve 202 can be repositioned on the post 204. The cam surface 209 may also be position in such a way that it does not engage the post 204 (not shown).
In an exemplary embodiment, the [0021] cam 208 is configured to move into a locked position by the force of gravity. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, gravity will cause the cam 208 to move into the locked position when it is released. One of skill in the art will recognize that other mechanisms may be employed to move the cam 208 into the locked position, such as spring mechanisms, and the like.
FIG. 5 illustrates a [0022] work station 103 wherein a work surface support assembly 180 is coupled to the brace 112. FIG. 5 also illustrates multiple work surface support assemblies 182, 184, 186, 188, and 190 attached to side post assemblies 114 and 120.
FIG. 6 illustrates a [0023] work station 105 attached to a wall 602. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the work station 105 has a first beam 604 attached to the wall 602 by a plurality of braces 606, 608. A work surface support assembly 610 is attachable to the beam 604. A plurality of work surfaces 612, 614, are attachable to the work surface support assembly 610 in such a way that the positions and angles of the work surfaces 612, 614, are independently adjustable with respect to the beam 604. Additional work surface support assemblies 616, 618 may be attached to the beam 604 to support additional work surfaces 620, 622.
A [0024] second beam 626 is attached to the first beam 604 using braces 628, 630. An additional work surface support assembly 632 is attached to the second beam 626. An additional work surface 634 is supported by the work surface support assembly 632.
The position and angle of a work surface, such as [0025] work surface 612, may be adjustable using one hand. For example, the work surface support assembly 610 includes an extendable boom assembly 624 that is pivotally coupled to a sleeve 626 and that may be manually rotated by a user exerting rotational force on the work surface 612. At the same time, a user may be able adjust the length of the extendable boom assembly 624 by either pulling on, or pushing on, the work surface 612.
FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a [0026] work environment 700 formed in accordance with the present invention. The work environment 700 includes a modular wall structure 702. The modular wall structure 702 may have a plurality of wall panels 704, 706. A plurality of modular units 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, are attachable to the modular wall structure 702. The plurality of modular units 708, 710, 712, 714, and 716, may be comprised of a variety of different modular units, such as book shelves, table tops, foot rests, brackets for supporting other structures, etc., and the like. The plurality of modular units 708, 710, 712, 714, and 716, may also be attached to the modular wall structure 702 at different heights and need not be attached to each other.
The [0027] work environment 700 also has a plurality of work surface support beams 718, 720, 722 attachable to the plurality of modular units 708, 710, 712, 714, and 716. One of skill in the art will recognize that the individual support beams, for example the support beam 718, may be attachable to a single modular unit, such as the modular unit 710, or may be attachable to multiple modular units (not shown). Similarly, one of skill in the art will recognize that more than one support beam may be attached to a modular unit (not shown).
The [0028] work environment 700 also has a plurality of work surface support assemblies 724, 726 and 728, attachable to the plurality of work surface support beams 718, 720, 722. Work surfaces 725, 727, and 729 are coupled respectively to work surface support assemblies 724, 726 and 728. The work environment 700 may also employ additional support structures, such as the brace 730 illustrated in FIG. 7, to support the plurality of work surface support beams 718, 720, 722.
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a tilt/[0029] swivel assembly 800 that can be used with the desk or work station of the present invention. The tilt/swivel assembly 800 has a lower bracket 802 that is attached to an arm 804 of a work surface support assembly by a bolt 806, a washer 808, and a nut 810. Two friction plates 812 and 814 placed between the lower bracket 802 and the arm 804 permit the tilt/swivel assembly 800 to pivot about axis A-A′. An upper bracket 816 is attached to the lower bracket 802 using bolts 818, washers 820, and nuts 822. Friction plates 824 and 826 permit the upper bracket to rotate about axis B-B′. A work surface 830 is attached to the upper bracket 816 using conventional means, such as mounting bolts 832.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof. [0030]

Claims

1. A work station, comprising:

a support structure comprising a main post, and a plurality of braces attachable to the main post for supporting the main post in a generally upright position; and

a work-surface support assembly adjustably attachable to the main post below an attachment point for one of the braces.

2. The work station of claim 1 wherein the work-surface support assembly comprises an adjustable boom assembly.

3. The work station of claim 1 wherein the work-surface support assembly comprises an assembly configured to tilt about a first axis and to rotate about a second axis.

4. The work station of claim 1 wherein the work-surface support assembly is configurable to support a plurality of work surfaces.

5. The work station of claim 1, further comprising a base attachable to the main post for supporting the main post.

6. The work station of claim 1, further comprising a side post attachable to one of the plurality of braces.

7. The work station of claim 6, further comprising a second work-surface support assembly attachable to the side post.

8. The work station of claim 6 wherein the side post is attachable to a piece of furniture.

9. The work station of claim 1, further comprising a side base attachable to one of the plurality of braces.

10. The work station of claim 1 wherein the main post is configured to house wiring.

11. The work station of claim 1, further comprising a chase attachable to the main post and to at least one of the braces.

12. The work station of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of braces is attachable to a piece of furniture.

13. The work station of claim 12, further comprising a side post attachable to the piece of furniture.

14. The work station of claim 1 wherein the work surface support assembly comprises:

a sleeve attachable to an arm and to the main post;

a cam pin; and

a cam pivotally coupled to the sleeve by the cam pin, wherein the cam is adjustable between a locked position where the cam will hold the sleeve in position on the main post and an unlocked position where the sleeve can be repositioned on the main post.

15. The work station of claim 14 wherein the cam is configured to move to the locked position when the cam is released.

16. A work station, comprising:

a support structure comprising a main post, a side post, a first brace attachable to the main post and to the side post, and a second brace attachable to the main post;

a first work-surface support assembly adjustably attachable to the main post for supporting a first work surface; and

a second work-surface support assembly attachable to the side post for supporting a second work surface.

17. The work station of claim 16 wherein the main post comprises a base and a beam.

18. The work station of claim 17 wherein the first brace is attachable to the base of the main post.

19. The work station of claim 16 wherein the first brace is directly attached to the main post.

20. The work station of claim 16 wherein the side post comprises a base and a beam.

21. The work station of claim 20 wherein the first brace is attachable to base of the side post.

22. The work station of claim 16, further comprising a second side post attachable to the second brace.

23. The work station of claim 16 wherein one of the braces is configurable to house wiring.

24. The work station of claim 16, further comprising a chase attachable to the main post and to the side post.

25. A work station, comprising:

a beam;

a plurality of braces for attaching the beam to a wall;

a plurality of work-surfaces; and

a work-surface support assembly attachable to the beam to support the plurality of work-surfaces, wherein the position and angle of the plurality of work-surfaces supported by the support assembly are independently adjustable with respect to the beam.

26. The work station of claim 25 wherein the position and angle of at least one of the plurality of work-surfaces supported by the beam is adjustable using one hand.

27. A work station, comprising:

a modular wall structure;

a plurality of modular units attachable to the modular wall structure;

a first work-surface support beam attachable to one of the plurality of modular units;

a first work-surface support assembly attachable to the first work-surface support beam;

a second work-surface support beam attachable to one of the plurality of modular units; and

a second work-surface support assembly attachable to the second work surface support beam.

28. The work station of claim 27 wherein the first work-surface support beam is directly attachable to one of the plurality of modular units.

29. The work station of claim 27, further comprising a brace attachable to the first work-surface support beam.

30. A work station, comprising: a first beam; a support structure for attaching the first beam to a wall; a first work-surface support assembly attachable to the first beam; a second beam; a support structure for attaching the second beam to the first beam; and a second work-surface support assembly attachable to the second beam.

31. A work station, comprising: a center post base; a center post attachable to the center post base; a center post cap attachable to the center post; a first brace attachable to the center post; a second brace attachable to the center post; a boom inner sleeve assembly attachable to the center post; a boom outer sleeve assembly attachable to the boom inner sleeve assembly; a swivel carriage attachable to the boom outer sleeve; a support platform attachable to the swivel carriage; a first side-post base attachable to the first brace; a first side-post attachable to the first side-post base; a first accessory support assembly attachable to first side-post; a second side-post base attachable to the second brace; a second side-post attachable to the second side-post base; a second accessory support assembly attachable to the second side-post; and a chase attachable to the center post base, the first side base and the second side-base.