WO2002089634A1

WO2002089634A1 - Work station

Info

Publication number: WO2002089634A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aleksei ÜLLE; Matvei ÜLLE
Original assignee: Uelle Aleksei; Uelle Matvei
Priority date: 2001-05-03
Filing date: 2002-05-03
Publication date: 2002-11-14
Also published as: FI20010914A0

Abstract

A workstation particularly for working with a computer terminal and including a desk component (2), which is supported on the floor with the aid of a leg structure (3,4), in such a way that it remains essentially horizontal in different positions of the leg structure, and a seat component (11) supported on the leg structure. The leg structure (3,4) and the support arm (10) of the seat component form an arm arrangement supported by four points (15, 16,17, 19). The backrest (12) of the seat (11) is supported on a continuation (13) of one of the said arms (13').

Description

Workstation

The present invention relates to a workstation, and particularly to a workstation used when working with a computer terminal.

Numerous different variations are known of workstations for use particularly when working with a computer terminal. The most usual still appears to be a fixed, separate desk, which may have a movable keyboard tray and a desk space, on which at least the monitor and sometimes the actual computer case, are placed. Next to the desk there is a chair, on which the person working sits in a conventional manner.

Numerous different models of workstations are also known, which are intended to combine a desk and a chair. US patent publication 4,798,411 discloses a similar combination, in which a table structure is attached to a tubular frame, which is turn supported by a leg structure resting on the floor. A chair component is also attached to the frame. The heights of both the table and the chair are adjustable.

European patent application 96402578.7 also discloses a table and chair combination, which can be folded up to take up less space than in the usual form. The chair component is pivoted to the legs of the structure and is supported by means of an arm pivoted to the undersurface of the table. The structure is mainly intended for camping use.

The present invention is intended to create a workstation and particularly a workstation suitable for working with a computer terminal, which has a sturdy construction, permits different working positions, and can be folded into a small space, not only for storage, but also to allow a second working position.

The above and other benefits and advantages of the invention are achieved in the manner stated to be characteristic in the accompanying Claims. In the following, the invention is examined in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show one well regarded embodiment of the invention in side views and also in a series of illustrations showing use situations.

Thus:

Figure 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of the invention, seen in the position in which the user sits;

Figure 2 shows a corresponding device, seen in the position in which the user stands, or in which the workstation is stored;

Figures 3a - 3c shows a series of side views, illustrating the use of the invention.

In the following, Figures 1 and 2 are described at the same time, because they show the same device, which appears in two different positions. The position in Figure 1 is one in which the user sits, while in the position in Figure 2 the user can work standing up, as is clearly shown by the series of Figures 3a - 3c.

Thus the workstation 1 comprises a desk component 2 and components forming a seat 11 and a backrest 12. Naturally, there is also a leg structure 3 and 4, which holds the workstation together, and other structures 10, 13 supporting the components. The leg structure 3, 4 is mainly formed of tubular components, of which there is the necessary number, for example, tube 4 could be a single tube while there could be, for example, two leg tubes 3, which lie on either side of the tube 4. The material thickness and the dimensions of the tube are selected to ensure that the construction is extremely sturdy.

Though it is in no way essential to use wheels, wheels 5, 6, the axles of which are marked with the reference numbers 5' and 6', will make a positive improvement to movability.

A rail or other similar system, to which the frame tubes are designed to be attached, is secured to the underside of the desk 2. In order to keep the desk 2 always horizontal, the legs are designed to be attached in such a way that the attachment of one leg (in this case 4) is at a fixed point 8 while a rod which moves in slots 9 when moving between the positions of Figures 1 and 2, is placed at the end of the other leg or pair of legs 3. The rod is marked with the reference number 19. The frame tube 10 or similar support member supporting the seat component 11 is also attached to the same rod 19. It is obvious that the slot can be replaced in many ways. For example, it is possible to use a U-shaped profile, with a roller attached to the rod 19 by bearings moving inside it. Many other solutions are, of course, also possible.

The seat is made comfortably padded and shaped, making it pleasant to sit on it and work. There are many ways of making the position of the seat 11 adjustable. The way shown here is only one simple means of adjustment, in which the position can be adjusted at specific intervals with the aid of a suitable hole-and-pin arrangement 14. Various arrangements adjusted by screws that can be tightened are known from many connections. These can be used to create a stepless, precise adjustment, though this is not described in greater detail here.

At the end farthest from the desktop, the support arm 10 is pivoted 15 to the backrest's 12 support arm 13, which is in turn pivoted to the frame arm 4 at point 16. This creates an essentially rectangular structure, the pivot points of which are at the points 15, 16, 17, and 19. This structure can be easily raised to the position of Figure 2, by gripping the backrest 12 and using a relatively small muscle force to create the position in Figure 2. This folding can be assisted by using, for example the gas spring 18 shown as an example, or some other suitable system. Preferably, the gas spring 18 can also be used to keep a locking lever (not shown), which may form part of the structure, in a desired position, where it locks the structure into the position of either Figure 1 or Figure 2.

The above description of the workstation employs only the smallest possible number of components. Thus, the workstation can incorporate many parts that are not described here. For example, various locking devices may be needed to maintain a particular position. On the other hand, the workstation may include, for example, suitable means for supporting one's feet or resting one's thighs. The desk can include a separate keyboard tray, which may be of a pull-out type. If desired, a separate frame can be attached to the structure for the computer's central unit or, for example, a holder for an extension cable connector.

The outward appearance of the invention can differ greatly from that shown in the figures, because the structures shown do not necessarily demand components shaped exactly as those shown.

The workstation according to the invention permits a comfortable and ergonomically correct seated working position, but nevertheless also permits work to be done while standing. This makes working pleasant and promotes the health of the person working, as it is easy to change position and avoid the arthritic and circulatory problems induced by a monotonous working position.

The invention can be varied in many other ways, without, however, deviating from the basic idea of the invention and the scope of protection defined by the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A workstation, particularly for working with a computer terminal and including a desk component (2), which is supported on the floor with the aid of a leg structure (3, 4), in such a way that it remains essentially horizontal in different positions of the leg structure, and a seat component (11) supported on the leg structure, characterized in that the leg structure (3, 4) and the support arm (10) of the seat component form an arrangement of four arms (3', 4, 10, 13') supported at four points (15, 16, 17, 19), in which two of the arms (3, 4) are supported directly on the base.

2. A workstation according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the arms (3, 4) are attached at their other end to the desktop (2).

3. A workstation according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the backrest (12) of the seat (11) is supported on a continuation (13) of one of the said arms (13').

4. A workstation according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the arm arrangement pivoted at four points forms a rectangle, or at least nearly a rectangle.

5. A workstation according to Claim 1 , characterized in that one of the support points (19) is moveable, for example along slots (9), in relation to the desktop (2).

6. A workstation according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the workstation also includes a separate, possibly pull-out type, keyboard tray.

7. A workstation according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the seat component (1 1 ) and backrest (12) are equipped with shaped padded constructions.

8. A workstation according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that the support arm (10) of the seat (11) is supported with the second leg component (3) in the same pivot point (19) pivoted moveably to the structures under the desk (19).

9. A workstation according to any of the above Claims, characterized in that it includes a gas spring (18) or similar means for assisting the folding up of the workstation.