WO2000024291A1

WO2000024291A1 - Height-adjustable pc workstation

Info

Publication number: WO2000024291A1
Application number: PCT/IB1999/001728
Authority: WO
Inventors: Egon Bräuning
Original assignee: Vitra Patente Ag
Priority date: 1998-10-22
Filing date: 1999-10-22
Publication date: 2000-05-04
Also published as: DE29923379U1; WO2000024290A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a height-adjustable PC workstation having a vertical carriage guide (2) which is arranged on each side of the underframe (1) and which is comprised of interspaced round rods (20). A carriage track (21) which is open on both sides is created between the round rods (20). Vertically positionable carriages (4, 4') are guided in the carriage tracks (21) and are moved by means of a traction cable drive or a spindle drive (7, 7'). The carriages (4, 4') support a table board (3) located inside the workstation, and devices and utensils can be positioned externally on consoles (6). The table board (3) is designed such that it protrudes outward for the work area near the body and such that it is narrower between the carriage guides (2). A keyboard and documents, for example, are arranged in front of a user, whereas the monitor is located toward the rear. The traction cable drive having a wind-up reel for a traction cable, said cable being fastened to a carriage (4'), is actuated by an electric motor. The cable is guided by means of deflection pulleys. In the case of a spindle drive (7'), the drive motor (71') is integrated in the carriages (4, 4') such that it can be removed. The station permits an efficient arrangement of the workplace, direct access to peripheral devices and a rational economy of space.

Description

Height adjustable PC work station

Field of application of the invention

The present invention relates to a height-adjustable PC workstation with the typical devices such as a central unit, keyboard, screen and printer. This affects the table work surface and the storage areas for the associated devices.

State of the art It is currently customary for a PC workstation to consist of a table with an office chair positioned in front of it. At least the keyboard and any work documents are on this table. Often the screen is placed on the table and - if there is enough space - the printer. The other devices, especially the central unit, are usually under the table. Modern tables are height adjustable, as are the office swivel chairs used, so that at least the ergonomically correct working height can be set for the devices used on such a table, which are mostly used. At many PC workstations, various side furniture can be found, which serve as a storage area for the device components. This distribution of the devices at different angles to the operator and above all at different heights is ineffective. The operator has to turn and bend frequently to work with the various devices. In addition to the positive effect of a certain movement during long sitting, it is desirable to make the PC workstation more efficient, also in the interest of a clear office arrangement and efficient use of the office space.

FR 2 235 871 A1 discloses a frame consisting of two mutually spaced-apart pairs of angular vertical supports, each with an intermediate slideway and a slide guided therein. In the vertical supports there are vertical grooves that run through to the front and back, so that one of the two slides can protrude through the vertical supports. Longitudinal beams are placed over the crossbeams on both sides of the frame, which serve to hold panels that are height-adjustable. form adjustable storage and / or work surfaces. The sleds are powered by a cable. The frame structure with a large space requirement is very solid and only one storage and / or work surface is created. Assembly and service work on the frame are likely to be relatively complex.

Object of the invention

For the non-professional private area in a domestic atmosphere with only temporary use of the PC and as a single workstation, the situation described may be completely sufficient. In the business branch, especially in smaller offices or in open-plan offices with many employees, the current workplace design has to be assessed as imperfect. The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a height-adjustable PC workstation with improved space organization, more direct device access and more efficient use of space. In particular, the task is to further develop the frame described above as known, namely the slide and the slide guide with the aim of creating several differently usable areas and to facilitate assembly and service.

Overview of the invention

The essential features of the invention can be summarized as follows: The height-adjustable PC workstation rests on a base frame and has a vertical slide guide on both sides of the base frame, which consists of rods that are spaced apart. This results in a sled run between the bars. In each sledge track, a slide that can be moved up and down between two end positions is guided, advantageously both slides being rigidly connected to one another, so that only one pull cable drive is required. The traction cable drive is used to move the slides, which carry a table top within the workstation and have consoles on the side for attaching devices - in particular hardware, such as a central unit or a printer. For this purpose, the sled runs are open on both sides. The rods are preferably formed from round material, in particular from tubes. The vertical slide tracks are perpendicular to the vertical plane, which, viewed in the direction of view of a user sitting in front of the workstation, spans between the two slide guides. The configured table top, configured in a wider front section and a narrower background section, offers the advantage of a larger body-like work surface with a keyboard and working documents, while a monitor could be in the background.

An electric motor is preferably used to drive the pull rope drive, which rotates a winding roller on which a first end of the pull rope is fastened. The second end of the pull rope is guided over deflection rollers from the winding roller past a slide to the second slide at a fixed point. To reduce friction, the slides travel along the round bars on guide rollers arranged in pairs. It is particularly advantageous to make the side surfaces of the slides flat and to provide the thickness of the round rods so that they are outstanding on both sides.

As an alternative to the traction cable drive, a spindle drive with a threaded spindle arranged vertically in the slide guide is proposed on both sides of the frame. The drive motor, inserted in the slide, includes the spindle, can be removed from the two-part slide and moves the slide up and down on the fixed spindle. The upper spindle end is held in a fixed point positioned in the upper crossbeam. The threaded spindle assembly with the motor can advantageously be removed from the closed slide for service work. The two carriages are connected to each other by a cable tray, the cable tray also being used to place a table top.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1: a PC workstation according to the invention as a whole in perspective view from the front; FIG. 2A: the PC workstation according to FIG. 1A in a first embodiment with a pull rope drive and a raised working level in a front view; Figure 2B: the PC workstation according to Figure 2A in side view;

Figure 2C: the slide guide with traction cable drive in detail in perspective view;

Figure 3: the PC workstation according to Figure 1A in a second embodiment with spindle drive and lowered working level in perspective view;

FIG. 4A: a spindle drive with an open slide;

Figure 4B: the spindle drive according to Figure 4A in the closed carriage in a perspective view from the outside; FIG. 4C: the spindle drive according to FIG. 4A in the closed slide in a perspective view from the inside; and

Figure 4D: the unhooking of the spindle drive from the closed carriage in a schematic diagram.

Embodiment

The accompanying drawings provide a detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the height-adjustable PC workstation according to the invention.

Figures 1 and 2A

The PC workstation rests on a base frame 1 resting on the floor with two spaced, projecting, two-armed legs 10 and a crossbar 11 inserted between the legs. A vertical slide guide 2 extends vertically from the sides of the base frame 1 and extends from one another spaced round rods 20 there. The two round bars 20 are set up in such a way that there is in each case a slide track 21 which is open on both sides in the transverse direction - following the extension of the crossmember 11. A horizontal table top 3 is inserted between the two slide guides 2, which span a vertical plane V above the cross member 11 in the direction of view of the user sitting in front of the PC workstation. These con- Figured table top 3 has a widened front section 30, which widens laterally in front of the vertical plane V, and a background section 31, which narrows between the slide guides 2, extends behind the vertical plane V. The front part 30 thus offers a wider working surface for the keyboard and for laying out documents, while the narrower background part 31 is provided for setting up the monitor. At the top, the two slide guides 2 are bridged by a traverse 8 and a cover 9 gives the PC workstation a closed impression.

Retractable and retractable slides 4, 4 'are inserted in both slide tracks 21. A common inward-facing inner console 5 and outward-facing outer consoles 6 are fastened to the slides 4, 4 'and represent supports for the inner table top 3 and for the devices or utensils installed on the outside. The inner console 5 also brings about a rigid connection between the carriages 4, 4 '. As an alternative to a single inner console 5, which supports the table top 3 and connects both carriages 4, 4 ', two separate inner consoles 5 can also be provided and the connection of the carriages 4, 4' can be achieved by means of a traverse.

With the simultaneous movement of both carriages 4, 4 ', both the inner and outer consoles 5, 6 are always held at the same height, so that the table top 3 and also the objects placed on the outside are positioned at a common height.

The movement of the carriages 4, 4 'takes place in a first embodiment via a motor-driven traction cable drive 7 with an associated switching unit 70 for the commands "UP", "DOWN" and "STOP". The carriage drive 7 is automatically stopped in the upper and lower end positions. In addition to the electric motor (not shown) and the switching unit 70, the traction cable drive 7 also consists of a winding roller 71 which is driven by the motor and operates the winding or unwinding of the traction cable 72. The traction cable 72 is guided starting from the take-up reel 71, over the deflection rollers 73, 74, 75, which are arranged in the corner points of the traction cable drive 7. The first end of the Traction rope 72 is fastened to the take-up reel 71, while the second end is hooked onto second carriage 4 'in a fixed point 76, to which the full rope path leads past the first carriage 4.

With the command "OPEN" the take-up reel 71 rotates in the take-up direction so that the pull rope 72 is successively shortened, i.e. pulls the pull rope 72 over the deflection pulleys 73-75 and pulls up the carriage 4 ', which is connected to the other carriage 4, whereby both carriages 4, 4' move up simultaneously. If the command "AB" is issued, the take-up reel 71 rotates in the unwinding direction, whereupon the pull rope 72 and the slides 4, 4 'simultaneously move downward.

Pipe material is particularly suitable for the round bars 20. In a simple version, the PC workstation could also be operated with a manually operated pull cable drive, preferably by means of a crank arrangement.

Figures 2B and 2C

For low-friction guidance of the carriages 4, 4 'in the carriage track 21 between the two round bars 20, pairs of guide rollers 40 are provided on the carriages 4, 4', which attach to the round bars 20 and form running wheels for the carriages 4, 4 '. The slides 4, 4 'preferably have flat side surfaces 41 and a thickness which projects beyond the diameter of the round bars 20, so that attachments made cannot come into contact with the round bars 20. Facing the round bars 20, the carriages 4, 4 'advantageously have vertical grooves 42 in which the round bars 20 stand without contact.

FIG. 3 In a second embodiment, a spindle drive 7 ′ with a threaded spindle 72 ′ arranged vertically in the slide guide 2 is proposed in each of the two slide guides 2 as an alternative to the traction cable drive 7. The drive motor 71 'comprises the spindle 72' inserted in the carriage 4, 4 'and drives the spindle Carriage 4,4 'on the fixed spindle 72' up and down. The upper spindle end is fixed in a holder 74 'positioned in the upper cross member 8. The two carriages 4, 4 'are connected to one another by a horizontally extending cable trough 12, the cable trough 12 also serving to put the table top 3 on. As in the first embodiment, outer brackets 6 can be attached to the outside of the side surfaces 41 of the slides 4, 4 ', which in turn can carry various trays or holders 60. The carriages 4, 4 ′ in turn have the grooves 42 on both sides for guiding between the pairs of round bars 20 that form the carriage tracks 21. The vertical plane V spans again between the carriage tracks 21. Also provided is a cover 9 which can be placed on the upper crossmember 8. The switching unit 70 for moving the carriages 4, 4 'up or down, together with the superstructures mounted thereon, is located on the front edge of the table top 3. In addition, here is on the rear edge a shield 90 is provided for the background part 31 of the table top 3.

Figures 4A to 4P

A carriage 4 consists of two plates which can be assembled, an inner plate 43 and an outer plate 44, each with half recesses 42 on the outer edges. The outer plate 44 faces outwards with its side surface 41; here outer brackets 6 can be attached to accommodate trays or holders 60. The inner plate 43 has a flange 430, which faces into the interior of the station, and an opening 431, which continues upwards with an exiting slot, for the lateral insertion of the drive motor 71 'with the spindle 72' going upward therefrom. Internally, the inner and outer plates 43, 44 have a cavity 45 for embedding the drive motor 71 'and a vertical passage 46 for the passage of the spindle 72' when the carriage 4 is moving upwards. The drive motor 71 'with the spindle 72' projecting into it can be used for Remove service work through opening 431 with carriage 4 closed.

Claims

claims

1. Height-adjustable PC workstation, resting on a base frame (1), with: a) a vertical slide guide (2) arranged on both sides of the base frame (1), which consists of vertically spaced upright rods (20), which results in a Sledge track (21) results; b) in each case a slide (4, 4 ') which is guided in a slide track (21) and can be moved up and down between two end positions and is connected to one another; c) a drive (7,7 ') for moving the carriage (4,4'); and d) a table top (3) carried by the slides (4, 4 '), characterized in that e) the rods are round rods (20); f) the vertical slide tracks (21) are perpendicular to the vertical plane (V), which, viewed in the direction of view of a user sitting in front of the PC workstation, spans between the two slide guides (2); and g) the slide tracks (21) are open on both sides.

2. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that on the slide (4,4 ') on both open sides consoles (5,430; 6) are fixed, which between the slide guides (2), the table top (3) and Wear hardware, such as a central unit or a printer, or work utensils on the outside of the slide guides (2).

3. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to claim 2, characterized in that the brackets (430) on the inside of the carriage (4,4 ") for fastening the carriage (4,4 ') interconnecting cable tray (12), which the table top (3) at the same time.

4. Height adjustable PC workstation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive is a traction cable drive (7) or Spindle drive (7 ').

5. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the configured table top (3) is composed of: a) a widened front part (30) which widens laterally in front of the vertical plane (V); and b) a background section (31), which narrows between the slide guides (2), extends behind the vertical plane (V); wherein c) the front part (30) is suitable as a wider work surface for a PC keyboard and for laying out documents, while the background part (31) is particularly suitable for setting up a monitor.

6. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that a) the pull cable drive (7) is driven by an electric motor which has a take-up reel (71) on which a first end of the pull cable (72) is fastened Rotation offset; b) the second end of the traction cable (72) is guided via deflection rollers (73-75) from the winding roller (71) past a slide (4) to the second slide (4 ') at a fixed point (76).

7. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that the slides (4,4 ') a) on paired guide rollers (40) within the sled track (21), the round bars (20) along; b) have flat side surfaces (41); c) project beyond the diameter of the round bars (20) on both sides; d) have vertical complementary grooves (42) towards the round bars (20); and e) low-friction contact with the round rods (20) only occurs through the guide rollers (40).

8. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a) the slide guides (2) bridging a traverse (8) is arranged above; and b) a roof-shaped cover (9) can be placed over the cross member (8) as an aesthetic finish.

9. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to claim 4, characterized in that the spindle drive (7 ') consists of: a) one in the slide guide (2), along the slide path (21), vertically arranged, fixed threaded spindle (72'); b) a drive motor (71 ') which is inserted into the slide (4,4') and continuously receives the threaded spindle (72 '); and c) a bracket (74 ') for receiving the upper end of the threaded spindle (72').

10. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to claim 9, characterized in that a) the carriage (4,4 ') is in two parts and consists of an inner plate (43) and an outer plate (44); b) in the inner plate (43) there is an opening (431) for introducing and removing the drive motor (71 ') from the closed carriage (4,4') with the threaded spindle (72 ') protruding there; c) a flange (430) is present on the inner plate (43) in order to attach the cross connection (12) between the slides (4,4 '); and d) on the outer side surface (41) of the outer plate (44), outer brackets (6) for receiving trays and / or holders (60) are mounted.

11. Height-adjustable PC workstation according to claim 10, characterized in that inside the carriage (4,4 ') a cavity (45) for

The drive motor (71 ') and a vertical passage (46) for the passage of the retracting threaded spindle (72') are provided.