Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
  • A47B21/007—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with under-desk displays, e.g. displays being viewable through a transparent working surface of the table or desk
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B13/00—Details of tables or desks
  • A47B13/08—Table tops; Rims therefor
  • A47B13/12—Transparent tops, e.g. with lighting means under the table top
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
  • A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
  • A47B21/007—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with under-desk displays, e.g. displays being viewable through a transparent working surface of the table or desk
  • A47B2021/0076—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with under-desk displays, e.g. displays being viewable through a transparent working surface of the table or desk the screen being incorporated in the desk top

Definitions

• Workstation serving as desk or drawing table for at least one seated user
• the present invention relates to a work station serving as an office or a drawing table for at least one seated user.
• the invention aims to propose a new work station which in particular makes it possible to improve the working conditions on screen.
• the work station according to the invention capable of serving as an office or a drawing table for at least one seated user, comprises a structure supported by a frame so as to be able to pivot around a geometric axis of horizontal rotation, and glazing defining a display area for one or more screens and / or one or more image projection devices arranged under the glazing, this or these screens and / or this or these projection devices being carried by the structure, each screen and / or projection device being fixed relative to the part of the glazing covering it.
• the work station is also arranged so as to allow the seated user to place his legs under the structure at least when the glazing is horizontal.
• the aforementioned glazing can serve both as a work plan and as a display area.
• the workstation can be arranged to allow one or more users to work simultaneously in a sitting or standing position, or even in a lying position in the case of a disabled user or a mechanic lying under a car, for example, within range. view of the display area.
• the user When the user is in a seated position, he can place his knees under the structure and put his arms on the glazing, comfortably.
• the user can be a child and the workstation adapted, in particular in height to this one. Furthermore, the work station according to the invention allows an appreciable gain in working space compared to the usual situation in which the screen is placed on a desk.
• the glazing can be made of any type of transparent material, for example a plastic material or glass, be in one piece or include several tiles, and possibly form part of the screens, in particular when the latter are tactile.
• the structure may include a box, inside which are placed the screen (s) and / or the projection device (s).
• the structure may also be of the cellular type, making it possible to receive the screens, the latter advantageously being freed from their shell, if necessary.
• the display area occupies most of the glazing.
• the invention makes it possible to display a large quantity of information simultaneously, which facilitates and makes the work of the user more efficient. Thanks to the large surface area of the display area, the latter can visualize with precision a specific area of a map or map while having the possibility of keeping an overview of the vicinity of this area. The user can thus be dispensed from periodically zooming or refocusing on particular areas of the image.
• the invention is particularly well suited to activities requiring the display of large format images such as maps or plans, drawings, graphics, directory trees, possibly texts or spreadsheets and any image. composite made from several of these elements.
• the glazing may be flat on at least a major part of its surface, and constitute the major part of the upper face of the structure and of the working surface offered to the user.
• the structure may include a single screen or a plurality of screens preferably arranged in a rectangular matrix.
• the structure comprises a projection device disposed relative to the latter so as to allow the user to place his legs under at least part of the structure.
• the structure comprises only one or more screens.
• the structure comprises only one or more projection devices.
• the structure comprises both at least one screen and at least one projection device.
• the structure can thus include a projection device mounted on a first part of the structure and one or more screens, for example flat screens, in particular with tactile effect, mounted on a second part of the structure, the second part having a shallower depth. than the first to allow the user to place his legs under the second part.
• the display area is rectangular or square and has a diagonal greater than or equal to 144 cm, even 166 cm.
• the work station advantageously includes a device for controlling the screen (s) and / or the projection device (s).
• control device is arranged to allow, in the case where the workstation comprises a plurality of screens and / or a plurality of projection devices, to manage the content displayed by each of the screens and / or projection devices.
• control device may be able to control the display of information on only part of these screens, the others being on standby.
• the control device can also be arranged so as to allow a rotation of an image displayed in the display area, so that when several people work at the same time around the work station, these latter can choose the orientation. of the image at their convenience.
• the control device can also be arranged to allow the display at various locations of the display area of several images, identical or not, each oriented in a desired direction, so that people seated around the work can each see the image intended for them in the most suitable orientation conditions.
• the workstation can be equipped with an electronic stylus allowing interaction with the display area.
• the user can modify the displayed image, annotate a displayed plan or map and / or select action buttons displayed on the screen or screens.
• the glazing or screen (s) may have a tactile effect, if necessary.
• the structure may comprise, in addition to the glazing, a frame at least partially surrounding the latter and also suitable where appropriate, for supporting a computer keyboard and / or drawing or writing instruments, for example.
• the workstation comprises a compartment, one or more drawers or one or more shelves capable of receiving a device for controlling the screen or screens and / or peripheral elements such as a printer or an inverter for example.
• the frame is arranged so as to allow the height adjustment of the geometric axis of rotation of the structure.
• the workstation may include a motorized device for adjusting the height of the geometric axis of rotation, the inclination of the structure and / or locking elements for locking the structure in a desired position.
• the structure includes means for fixing the screen or screens allowing individual disassembly.
• the user can replace one or more screens if necessary.
• the screens can be of the cathode-ray tube, liquid crystal, plasma or microcapsule type, as described in US Pat. No. 6,017,584.
• the workstation can be adapted to serve as a screen wall, the structure being able to pivot relative to the frame so as to be able to bring the glazing to a substantially vertical position, so as to constitute a display area visible from a distance and intended for example to all the occupants of a meeting room.
• the structure can pivot by an angle of 180 ° relative to the horizontal in one direction or another.
• At least part of the glazing is capable of being lifted, with the screen or screens, in particular for accessing an interior compartment.
• the workstation may include a tracer behind and / or above the structure and integral with the frame.
• FIG. 1 shows schematically and partially, in perspective, a work station in accordance with a first example of implementation of the invention, the display area being oriented horizontally
• FIG. 2 schematically and partially shows, in perspective, the work station of FIG. 1, the display area being inclined,
• FIG. 1 schematically and partially in perspective, a workstation according to a second embodiment of the invention, the glazing being closed and open, respectively, and Figure 5 schematically and partially illustrates a variant of implementation of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 1 shows a work station 1 according to the invention, comprising a structure 2 supported by a frame 3.
• the structure 2 comprises a frame 2a supporting four screens 5 arranged in a rectangular 2x2 matrix.
• these screens 5 are with cathode ray tube.
• they can be of the liquid crystal, plasma or microcapsule type.
• the screens 5 define a display area A of format A0 suitable in particular for displaying large format graphic documents.
• the screens 5 are fixed to the structure 2 by means of fixing means, not shown, allowing individual disassembly of these in the event of a breakdown. They are also covered by a flat glazing 6, which is not removable, having sufficient mechanical properties with respect to impacts and scratches, and which also serves as a work surface.
• the structure 2 comprises, along its front longitudinal edge, a channel 7 allowing the user to place drawing or writing instruments there, for example. It is also possible, in addition to this channel 7 or as a replacement for this, to provide the structure 2 with one or more peripheral supports, not shown, making it possible to accommodate one or more keyboards and / or to receive keys for controlling the screens.
• the structure 2 is connected to the frame 3, in the example described, by means of a shaft 10 in two parts, horizontal, and can rotate around a geometric axis of rotation X.
• the shaft 10 can be hollow so as to accommodate connection cables, if necessary.
• the frame 3 comprises two support elements 12 (or uprights) each in the shape of an H, each comprising two telescopic legs 11, adjustable in height.
• the feet 11 can be mounted on casters allowing the work station to be easily moved, these feet then being fitted with a locking device.
• Each support element 12 further comprises a horizontal crosspiece 15 connecting the feet 11 and on which the shaft 10 is connected by a hinge 18.
• a locking element 19 acting on the articulation 18 makes it possible to lock the structure 2 in a desired angular position, for example in a horizontal position as represented in FIG. 1 or in an inclined position, as shown in FIG. 2, even vertical.
• the height and / or inclination of the structure 2 can be adjusted manually or in a motorized manner.
• the work station may include additional blocking elements preventing or braking the rotation of the structure 2 beyond authorized angles.
• One of the two support elements 12, or even both, may comprise at least one shelf 16 making it possible to accommodate a central unit 17 serving as a screen control device, to which the screens 5 are connected by means of connection cables, not shown.
• the motherboard of the central unit and possibly other cards can be placed in the arrangements provided in structure 2.
• the central unit 17 is arranged to allow the management of the content displayed on each of the screens 5, and can in particular control the switching on of only part of the screens 5 when the user wishes to use only part of the area display A.
• the central unit 17 can control the appearance in different places of the display area A of several images, identical or not, oriented in suitable directions to each of the users.
• the central unit 17 can also be arranged so as to allow rotation of the image displayed in the plane of the glazing, in order to orient the latter in a desired direction, adapted to the orientation of the structure 2.
• the display area A can be arranged so as to interact with an electronic stylus allowing a user to modify the displayed image.
• the work station 1 also comprises, in the example illustrated, a tracer 20 fixed on the support elements 12 sufficiently above and / or behind the structure 2 so as not to impede its rotation.
• the projection device 35 is capable of projecting an image on the part of the display area A situated above.
• the projection device 35 can extend over a relatively large depth under the glazing 6 but the user can still easily place his legs under the three screens 5.
• FIG. 3 shows a work station 1 ′ comprising a structure 2 ′ fixed to a frame 3 similar to that of the example in FIGS. 1 and 2.
• the structure 2 ′ comprises a box 25 and a panel 26 closing the box 25 and articulated on the rear longitudinal edge of the latter.
• the panel 26 supports a glazing 27 and a single flat screen 5 ′, of format A0, placed under it.
• the panel 26 can be lifted by the user by pivoting it backwards, as shown in FIG. 4, to access an interior compartment 30.
• the glazing consists of slabs, only one slab and the associated screen could be raised.
• the support elements 12 can have a different shape, in particular in A or in inverted T, and be connected together at ground level.
• the structure can pivot by a more or less large angle, or even close to 90 ° relative to the horizontal, in one direction or the other.
• the workstation can also be used as a digitizing table or a light table for viewing transparencies, for example. It can also be used as a computer station with numerous computer equipment. It may also include one or more touch screens.
• the workstation with an element making it possible to suppress or limit reflections of light on the display area, for example a hood overhanging the display area.
• the structure can be connected in a non-articulated manner to the frame, the pivoting being effected by modifying the height of the legs of the frame.
• the frame can rest on a sole or a base.

Landscapes

• Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
• Projection Apparatus (AREA)
• Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)
• Controls And Circuits For Display Device (AREA)
• Special Chairs (AREA)
• Digital Computer Display Output (AREA)
• Table Equipment (AREA)
• Adornments (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8862225

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (12)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (13)

Citations (9)

Family Cites Families (19)

• 2001
  • 2001-04-11 FR FR0104963A patent/FR2823428B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-04-10 CN CNB028115988A patent/CN100496336C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2002-04-10 CA CA2444254A patent/CA2444254C/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2002-04-10 EP EP02732795A patent/EP1387630B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-04-10 WO PCT/FR2002/001250 patent/WO2002082949A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2002-04-10 PT PT02732795T patent/PT1387630E/pt unknown
  • 2002-04-10 ES ES02732795T patent/ES2380656T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-04-10 JP JP2002580763A patent/JP4307842B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2002-04-10 DK DK02732795.6T patent/DK1387630T3/da active
  • 2002-04-10 US US10/474,437 patent/US20040231570A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-04-10 AT AT02732795T patent/ATE543409T1/de active
• 2008
  • 2008-12-16 JP JP2008320126A patent/JP2009131635A/ja active Pending
• 2012
  • 2012-04-11 CY CY20121100361T patent/CY1112799T1/el unknown

Patent Citations (9)

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