US20080017080A1

US20080017080A1 - Work station

Info

Publication number: US20080017080A1
Application number: US11/490,827
Authority: US
Inventors: Yun-Fei Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-24
Filing date: 2006-07-24
Publication date: 2008-01-24

Abstract

A work station suitable for a notebook computer is disclosed. The work station comprises a base plate and a front plate. The front plate is pivotally connected to the base plate by a hinge. The base plate and the front plate comprise elevation means disposed on rear side thereof and stretchable walls on two sides thereof. The front plate comprises a stopper bent upwards disposed on a front side thereof.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a work station suitable for a electronic device, and more particularly to a height adjustable work station suitable for a notebook computer.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The notebook computer has become a very popular electronic device, and accordingly many documents are formatted in the electronic files for reading on the display of the computer. Even the desktop computer has become commonly used information tool. However, the desktop computer is heavy and bulky compared to a notebook computer. Thus, the application of a notebook computer is much higher than that of a desktop computer. The notebook computer can be used both indoor and outdoor, which is its main advantage over the desktop computer. Conventionally, office desks are usually designed according to the height of the desktop computer, and because the desktop computer display device is being mounted on a base and has a certain height, the display device can be positioned right in front of the user, and the user need not head the head down to read the document displayed on the display device. The notebook computer also has the advantageous features of lighter, thinner and smaller. The height of a conventional office desk is not suitable for a notebook computer as the height of the display of the notebook computer is roughly equal to the height of the desktop computer display device without the base. Even when the display of the notebook computer is adjusted to a most ideal angle, the user still has to bend down head to view the information displayed on the notebook computer display. This may cause health problems to, such as eye sight, pain in the neck, back and the like, due to long time use.
Meanwhile, if the position of the notebook computer on the desk is adjusted to a horizontal level, the keyboard is also position along the horizontal level, which is a inconvenient position as most users prefer to use the keyboard at certain convenient angle, which is definitely not horizontal level. Thus, the conventional office desk is not user-friendly.
Accordingly, the present inventor has designed various types of reading tools to avoid the user to bend down the head for viewing information displayed on the display of a notebook computer. So far there are no similar tools available for viewing information on a notebook computer display, and therefore, the users still have to bend down the head to view information displayed on the notebook computer display and input information using the keyboard positioned at a inconvenient horizontal level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in the view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a work station capable of properly positioning the notebook computer thereon in order to improve the viewing/reading on the notebook computer display and inputting information using the keyboard and thereby provide comfort and convenience to the user.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the work station comprises a base plate and a front plate. The base plate is pivotally connected to the front plate by a hinge. An elevating device is disposed on a rear side of the base plate and the front plate. Stretchable walls are respectively disposed on two sides of the base plate and the front plate. The front plate has a stopper positioned at the front side that is bent upwards.
The elevating device can be automatically operated and comprises a motor disposed on the base plate. A bi-directional shank coaxially connected to the motor. Two threaded elements are positioned on said bi-directional shank, two arms are connected to the two thread elements, and the two arms are pivotally connected to each other by a hinge. The hinge connected to the two arms is securely positioned under the front plate. At least one of the two arms has a balancing bar positioned parallel to the arms. Two distal ends of the balancing bar are pivotally connected to the lower side of the front plate and the thread elements.
The elevating device may be manually operated and comprises a bi-directional shank positioned on the base plate. Two thread elements are positioned on the bi-directional shank. Two arms are connected to the two thread elements, and two arms are pivotally connected to each other by a hinge. The hinge connected to the two arms is securely positioned under the front plate. At least one of the two arms has a balancing bar positioned parallel to the arm. Two distal ends of the balancing bar are pivotally connected to the lower side of the front plate and the threaded elements. The bi-directional shank has a speed shifter having a removable manual elevation handle.
The hinge connected to the arms is securely positioned on a long axle having two distal ends penetrated through the axial base and rotatably positioned beneath the front plate.
The above stretchable walls are positioned on two sides of the front plate and the base plate. A fan-shape wall is positioned on the upper side of the base plate and the lower side of the front plate. The distal end of the fan-shape walls comprise arch shape walls. The arch shape walls positioned on the base plate and the front plate may cover around each other.
The above front plate has a plurality of holes for dissipating heat.
The elevation device is adopted for automatically/manually adjusting the angle of the front plate to enable the user to adjust an inclination angle of the notebook computer disposed on the work station. Thus, the keyboard of the notebook computer can be positioned at an angle that allows the user to comfortably operate to input information into the notebook computer. Thus, straining of the user hands can be reduced due to the better operation position. Meanwhile, the display of the notebook computer can be elevated to a certain height such that the user can view the information displayed on the display without bending the head. Thus, the problems such as pain in eyes, necks, back and the like, due to a long time use of the notebook computer, can be effectively reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work station according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the work station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the work station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the work station according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment

1

Referring to FIG. 1, the work station of the present invention comprises a base plate 7 and a front plate 3. The base plate 7 is pivotally connected to the front plate 3 by a hinge 2. The front plate 3 comprises a stopper 1, which is bent upwards at the front portion and is for stopping the notebook computer from sliding off when placed on the work station. The front plate comprises a plurality of holes 4 for dissipating heat. For better appearance, the front plate 3 and the base plate 7 comprise stretchable walls 5 and 6 respectively positioned on two sides of the front plate 3 and the base plate 7. The stretchable walls comprise fan shape walls such as an arch shape walls at the back side thereof and cover the inner mechanical structure to provide better appearance.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, for adjusting the angle of the front plate 3, an auto-elevation device is disposed on the rear side between the front plate 3 and the base plate 7. The elevation device comprises a motor 17, right and left axles 16, a bi-directional shank 10, a threaded element 15 and an arm 9. The bi-directional shank 10 comprises a right threat 18 disposed on a left portion, a left threat 20 disposed on a right portion and a smooth portion 19 disposed on a center portion. The bi-directional shank 10 is positioned between the right and left axles 16 secured on the base plate 7. The motor 17 is securely positioned on the base plate 7, and the output axle of the motor 17 is coaxially connected to the bi-directional shank 10. The bi-directional shank 10 has a thread element 15 on two sides thereof, and two sides of the bi-directional shank 10 have opposite threads to enable the two thread elements 15 move towards both directions when the bi-directional shank 10 rotates. The two thread elements 15 comprise hinges 14 and two arms 9 penetrate through the hinge 14. Two distal ends of the arms 9 are pivotally connected to each other by a hinge 13. The hinge 13 is securely positioned on the round long axle 8 disposed under the front plate 3, and the long axle 8 is positioned on the front plate 3 and is supported by two axial bases 11. Thus, the rear side of the front plate 3 and the base plate 7 can be elevated by the operation of the motor 17. When the motor 17 rotates the bi-directional shank 10, the two thread elements 15 moves towards or away from each other and thereby enable the two arms 9 to position the front plate 3 at a desired inclination angle and an elevation level. As the front plate 3 is pivotally connected to the base plate 7, the angle of the front plate 3 can be adjusted to adjust the angle of the notebook computer disposed thereon according to the user need.
Referring to FIG. 2, for stabilizing of elevation of the front plate 3, a balancing bar 12 may be disposed between the thread elements 15 and the long axle 8 below the front plate 3. The upper end portion of the balancing bar 12 is pivotally connected to the thread elements 15 of the long axle 8. The balancing bar 12 is parallel to the arm 9 to symmetrically position the two sides of the front plate 3.
The work station of the present invention may also comprise a power supply and a switch. The power supply may be a battery or an external power connection, and the switch may be disposed on the surface of the work station.
The operation of the work station of the present invention is described as follows. First, the notebook computer placed on the front plate 3, and the display of the notebook computer is flipped open. Next, the switch is activated to control the motor 17 to adjust an inclination angle of the front plate 3, a height of the display of the notebook computer is adjusted to a desired reading position and the inclination angle of the keyboard of the notebook computer that is comfortable for the user to operate the notebook computer. To restore the work station of the present invention, the front plate 3 is adjusted to the lowest position to reduce the space occupation. Thus, the work station of the present invention is capable to adjust the height of the display and the angle of the keyboard in a manner that are comfortable to the user to operate the notebook computer.

Embodiment 2

Referring to FIG. 4, the structure of the work station of the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first embodiment described above except for speed shifter and the removable handle instead of the motor 17. The handle can be assembled to the work station for manually adjusting the height of the display and the angle of the front board 3 in a manner so that the use can comfortably operate the notebook computer thereon.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations in which fall within the spirit and scope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A work station, suitable for a notebook computer, comprising:

a base plate; and

a front plate, pivotally connected to said base plate by a hinge, wherein said base plate and said front plate comprise elevation means disposed on rear side thereof and stretchable walls disposed on two sides thereof, and wherein said front plate comprises a stopper disposed on a front side thereof.

2. The work station suitable for a notebook computer according to claim 1, wherein said elevation means comprises an automatic elevation means comprising a motor disposed on said base plate, a bi-directional shank coaxially connected to an output axle of said motor, two threaded elements disposed on said bi-directional shank, two arms are pivotally connected to each other by a hinge disposed below said front plate, and wherein at least one of said two arms comprises a balancing bar positioned parallel to said two arms and two distal ends of said balancing bar are pivotally connected to a lower side of said front plate and said thread elements.

3. A work station suitable for a notebook computer according to claim 1, wherein said elevation means comprises a manual elevation means comprising a bi-directional shank disposed on said base plate, two thread elements disposed on said bi-directional shank, two arms pivotally connected to said two thread elements, and said two arms pivotally connected to each other by a hinge disposed below said front plate, wherein at least one of said two arms comprises a balancing bar positioned parallel to said two arms and two distal ends of said balancing bar are pivotally connected to a lower side of said front plate and said thread elements, and wherein said bi-directional shank comprises a speed shifter having a movable handle.

4. The work station suitable for a notebook computer according to claim 2, wherein said hinge connected to said two arms is securely positioned to a rotatable long axle having two distal ends penetrated through an axial base to position said hinge below said front plate.

5. The work station suitable for a notebook computer according to claim 1, further comprising fan shape walls respectively disposed on an upper side of said base plate and a lower side of said front plate respectively, and a distal end of said fan shape walls comprise arch shape walls covering around each other.

6. The work station suitable a notebook computer according to claim 1, wherein said front plate comprises a plurality of holes for dissipating heat.