WO2003009722A9

WO2003009722A9 - Folding device for computer terminal integrated with school desk

Info

Publication number: WO2003009722A9
Application number: PCT/SE2002/001348
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas Tjaederborn
Original assignee: Axespoint Ab; Tomas Tjaederborn
Priority date: 2001-07-11
Filing date: 2002-07-11
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Also published as: SE0102480L; AU2002318510A1; SE0102480D0; WO2003009722A1; SE526383C2

Abstract

A folding device for a computer terminal integrated with a school desk comprises a computer display frame (1), a carriage (2) for supporting data entry devices (12, 13) and an enclosure (3) mounted around a hole, provided in the school desk and corresponding to the size of the display frame (1) which has a flush (resting) position and a viewing position. When the display frame (1) is in flush position, the backside of the display frame (1) is flush with the upper surface of the school desk, thereby concealing the display and the data entry devices (12, 13). When the display frame (1) is in viewing position, the user can view the display and access the data entry devices (12, 13). The different positions are obtained by folding the display frame (1) around a horizontal axle (4), whereupon a lever arm (5') lifts or lowers the carriage (2) into viewing or flush positions, respectively.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

Folding device for computer terminal integrated with school desk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION - TECHNICAL FIELD

[Technical field] The invention concerns a computer terminal folding device for making a school desk easy to convert between on one hand a desk with a computer terminal and on the other hand an ordinary school desk. The technical field of the invention is also mentioned in the preamble of the patent claim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION - TECHNICAL PROBLEM SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[Technical Problem] For school usage, the demand for a low emission monitor, together with the importance of minimizing cost, lead to a choice of a monitor of LCD type. This is a flat screen monitor, and a solution would therefore be to build it into a school desk lid as shown in patent US 5,452,950 (more about this solution in chapter "Prior Art" below) . A standard low cost LCD monitor is however about 6 cm thick, which makes it difficult to incorporate it into the lid. The main problem is therefore how a relatively thick LCD monitor (together with a thin computer client, a conventional keyboard, and a computer mouse) could be built into a school desk (with a working area of about 60«70 [cm] only) in a compact and robust manner. Connected with this is namely also the fact that a conventional keyboard is quite bulky (about 3*45*18 [cm] ) , and if the monitor is built into the lid (as the mentioned patent teaches) the thickness of the keyboard is added as well, because it ends up under the monitor when the lid is in folded down position. Moreover, the keyboard ends up about 9 cm (6 + 3) below the original desk surface; problem occurs consequently with not much space for knees, the keyboard ends up in wrong height, etc. The invention intends to solve these problems using a new type of folding device. But it is not only the demands for compactness and robustness that this device should meet, it also has be compatible with a number of other. demands imposed by the school environment (see below) — and there are no satisfactory known solutions for that use (more about this in chapter ^ΛΛPrior Art" below) . [Other Restrictions] In addition to the demands for compactness and robustness (as mentioned earlier) the computer folding device has to be compatible with the conditions (A) - (G) below. [With "computer terminal" we refer to the components monitor, keyboard, computer mouse, and thin computer client, taken together. "School computer desk" relates to the integrated computer terminal and the school desk.] (A) When the computer terminal is not in use it should not take up space on the school desk's working area. (B) It should be possible to shift quickly (within a few seconds) between a form of teaching that involves computer usage and a form of teaching with no computer usage. (C) When the computer terminal is in use it should not disturb the communication between teacher and student; its monitor should for example not block the view between teacher and student and it should not increase the ambient sound level. (D) The computer terminal should (in addition to emitting no radiation within the harmful range of wavelengths) have low energy consumption and emit little heat. (E) It should be possible to install, configure, maintain, and upgrade the computer terminal at a low cost. (F) The school computer desk should withstand rough treatment and resist milder forms of vandalism. (G) The school computer desk's components should be difficult to steal even if the school computer desk is left unguarded for a few hours in an unlocked classroom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION - PRIOR ART

[Solution 1: School Computer Desk] Patent US 5,452,950 describes a school desk with built-in computer terminal. It consists of a table top or plate, which may be folded up, with a built-in flat monitor, resting on a shallow box with a built-in keyboard and a thin computer client. The flat monitor and the keyboard are built into plate and built into underlying box respectively. Since the monitor and the keyboard are placed on top of each other (when plate is folded down) , the total thickness of the plate and the underlying box becomes large, unless the keyboard and the monitor are thin enough. The total thickness should not exceed 6-8 cm, both to offer sufficient space for legs and knees and for the keyboard not be placed too low. This solution (according to US 5,452,950) is therefore not satisfactory for low cost, standard, flat monitors that, according to the chapter "Technical Problem Solved by the Invention" above, are a part of the problem. Another disadvantage is that the entire plate folds up and take up space on each side of the monitor, which blocks the view unnecessarily (between teacher and students in the class room) . 95

[Solution 2] Patent US 4,562,482 shows a table that can serve both as ordinary desk and as computer desk. When the table is used as desk the monitor is folded down into a recess in the table, whereby the monitor top serves as working area. The loo keyboard can be covered with a cover and thereby the working area becomes all flat. The transition between desk and computer desk is however slow. A loose cover over the keyboard is also sensitive to vandalism. Hence this solution is not suitable for school environment. A similar solution constitutes patent

105 US 4,345,803 that describes a table that can be converted from computer table to desk. The office machine (computer and monitor) has the shape of a rectangular box, and there is a recess at the front edge of the table in which the rectangular box fits precisely. When the box rests in the recess of the no table, the upper side of the box forms a plane surface with the rest of the table. This patent does not however describe the mechanism for how the office machine folds, and neither how the individual parts (monitor, keyboard, etc.) are placed.

115 [Solution 3] Another class of solutions are characterised by the table (which can serve both as desk or school desk) having an opening covered with a transparent plate (for example glass plate) , with the monitor (a CRT or flat monitor) placed beneath. One example of this type of solution are desks with

120 built-in computer systems sold under the name 88 Series by the company Nova Solutions, Inc., and are protected by the patents US 6,092,883 and US 5,410,972. The patent US 6,170,926 also describes a solution with transparent plate covering the monitor. Additional examples are PARAGON Furniture, Inc. (the

125 product ParaVision 2100) ; the company SMART desks (product SS Series Workstations) ; and finally the company Educational Workstations System (products Glass Top Computer Table) . One disadvantage with all these products is that reflections in the transparent plate are hard to control in a classroom.

130

[Solution 4] Another type of combined desk and computer table is characterised by the table top forming the top of a box that can be raised and lowered out of the table frame in a similar way as an elevator. One example of this type is The Learning

135 Station from the company Summerland Group, Inc. The computer part, the monitor, etc., are built-into a box under the table top, and by loosing a lever, the box (with computer monitor and keyboard) elevates automatically, whereby the monitor and the keyboard becomes available. In this way a desk can be converted

10 to. a computer desk quickly. This is however not suitable for schools as the visibility between students and teacher is blocked considerably.

[Solution 5] Patent US 4,766,422 demonstrates another combined 15 desk and computer table. When the table is to be used as computer table a flat monitor is pushed out from a recess at the rear edge of the table. The keyboard is hidden under a plate (which in this position serves as a desk pad) that can be lifted up and placed (serving as a document holder) between 150 keyboard and monitor. A variant of this solution is the earlier mentioned patent US 4,562,482. This solution can be suitable for office and home but is not robust enough for the school.

[Solution 6] There is also a type of combined desk and computer 155 table with built-in computer system in the table top (see patent US 6,059,385 and US 6,076,473). They do not however solve the problem with integrating a relatively thick LCD monitor compactly into a school desk or into a similar small table.

160 [Summary] The above patents and products are thus not suitable for robust and compact integration of a computer terminal with a school desk, in accordance with conditions (A) -(G) mentioned.

165 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[Objects] The main objects of the invention are as follows. First object is to enable folding and unfolding of a computer terminal (of which components should at least consist of an

170 approximately 6 cm thick monitor and an approximately 3 cm thick keyboard) into and out from an ordinary school desk. Included in this object is that the conversion (from ordinary school desk to computer equipped school desk) should be possible to do within seconds; that the computer terminal is compactly stowed

175 (foremost in vertical dimension) and out of the way when folded; and that the terminal is correctly placed (with respect to the user's work comfort) when unfolded. Second object is to provide a flexible chassis for computer components (including a low cost and standard flat monitor, a keyboard, a computer

180 mouse, and a thin computer client) with respect to their shape and outer dimensions. An additional object is to protect the computer terminal against rough treatment or damage. A fourth object is to thwart theft of the components included.

185 How the problem is solved is put forward in the body of the patent claim. DRAWINGS - NAME OF PARTS

190

1...Monitor frame: frame or box designed for a flat monitor and possibly a thin computer client. 2...Platform that carries a keyboard and a computer mouse (or similar components) . 195 3...Chassis frame: frame or box with an axle (4), to be mounted under the table top (101) . 4...Axle.

5...Lever arm. 200 5'...Lever arm.

6...Contact surface: pin, joint, or similar. 7...Guide: rail, track, or similar. 7'...Guide: rail, track, or similar. 8... Support surface: pin, strip, or similar. 205 8'... Support surface: pin, strip, or similar.

11 — Flat monitor (possibly with a thin computer client). 12...Keyboard. 13...Computer mouse. 20... Platform opening. 2io 20' ...Monitor frame opening. 21... Pin on platform. 22... Pin on lever arm (5). 23...Rail on lever arm (5').

24...Hole (or similar) for joint on lever arm (5). 215 25... Support for platform. 26...Guide on lever arm (5).

27...Hole on (3) for fastening to table top (101). 28... Track on (3) for the platform. 29... Strip of material. 220 101...Table top.

102...Lid fixed to (1) . 103...Table legs.

B...Book, exercise book, or other conventional study material. A...User: person who works at the desk.

225

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This chapter describes in detail the present invention. To 230 begin with a general description of the invention is given, followed by a presentation of embodiments .

[Components] The invention consists, as for example shown in fig 2a, of a frame (1) devised to be a holder for a flat monitor 235 and possibly a network adapted client computer (thin client) ; a platform (2) intended to carry a keyboard and a computer mouse; and a frame (3) whose primary function is to be an attachment for the axle (4) in which (1) rotates, and whose other functions are to be both a protective case for the computer terminal and

240 a holder for some of the computer terminal parts. The frame (1) includes a lever arm (5) that acts through a contact surface (6) on the platform (2) that, in turn, acts through a support surface (8) on a guide (7) on the frame (3) . These frames (1) and (3) respectively are hereafter called "monitor frame" and

25 "chassis frame" respectively.

[Function] The lever arm (5) gets a hold on the contact surface (6) on the platform and, typically, lifts and moves it forward according to fig 2a and fig 2b. Thereafter, in fig 2c, the 250 support surface (8) meets the guide (7) and follows it, whereby the platform straightens up (see fig 2d) to a level position.

[Additional Components] The necessary components have been expressed above. The invention can however also consist of an

255 additional lever arm (5') rotating around an axle (4'). The lever arm (5) is then acting on (5') which in its turn acts on (6) (this will be described in detail in connection with fig 13-15). Furthermore, additional guides (7') with corresponding support surfaces (8') can be included (more about

260 this in connection with fig 5-8) .

[Lever Arm with Variable Length] We also remark here that except for the lever arm's (5) turning angle, which naturally varies, its length may also vary. To illustrate the 265 significance of the length and the angle, we symbolise the lever arm with the vector (r) , with the components (x) and (y) , in the figures. The shape (straight or bent etc.) of the lever arm is in fact not critical (which will be illustrated by embodiments to be described) .

270

[Remark 1: Terminology] One additional remark about terms used. The contact surface (6) is produced by a pin, a joint, or by other means. In a similar way, the support surfaces, (8, 8'), etc., take the shape of pins, strips of material, or similar.

25 The words "contact surface" and "support surface" are chosen to describe the function of the part (the pin, the joint, the strip of material, etc.). Correspondingly the objects (7) are called "guide" to indicate that it is insignificant for the function of the invention whether a rail, a track, or in some

280 cases a strip of material, is used as a guide.

[Remark 2: Symmetry] Also a remark regarding symmetry. As is clear from fig 4 for example, there is a lever arm (5) on each side of (1) . In the same way there is a pin (6) on each side of

285 (2) . Seen from the side, as in fig 2, only one member of the pair is visible because of symmetry. Since the function of the invention is being explained by reference to the side view (according to fig 2, fig 7, fig 11, and fig 14) , when speaking about function, singular forms are used (for example "the lever

290 arm" instead of "the lever arms") . If it is a matter of single one, or a pair of the same, is evident when comparing with the three-dimensional views (in fig 4, fig 5, fig 9, and fig 13) .

The general description above is concretized by following 295 embodiments .

[Embodiment 1: Measurements] The fig 1-4 shows one embodiment of the invention. The monitor frame (1) has in this example the measurements D=6, =48, and H=40 [cm], facilitating room for a

300 17 inch flat monitor (11) and possibly a thin client computer. The platform (2) has about the same width as the monitor frame (1), i.e. B=48 cm, but is slightly shorter (length L=24 cm and L'=6 cm in the present embodiment) . The platform has room to house a keyboard (12) of standard size and a computer mouse

305 (13) . The fig 1, fig 2a, and fig 3a, shows the position when the monitor is folded into the table, and fig 2d and fig 3b shows the monitor in fully raised position. The axle (4) is placed in a position given by a=3.0 and h=34 [cm] (see fig 4) . For this axle position, the monitor will reach a height above the table

3io top of approximately 30 cm when the monitor is unfolded to an angle of 110 degrees. To obtain the right location of the platform (in both folded and raised position) the lever arm (5) has, initially, a position given by x=3.0 and y=9.7 [cm] . The location of (7) and (8) are given by d=5.0, e=19, and f=15 [cm]

315 (other measurements can be obtained from fig 2 which is drawn according to scale) .

[Embodiment 1: Function] The movement of the platform functions as follows (refer to the four phases of the motion in fig 2) .

320 The monitor frame (1) and the platform (2) can rotate relatively to each other in the joint formed by the pin (6) and the hole (24) . Furthermore, (1) can rotate relatively to the chassis frame (3) via an axle (4) . In fig 2b, note that the platform follows the monitor frame, right up to where it hits the upper

325 edge of rail (7). This is because the joint, (6, 24), has a certain friction (accomplished by a spring or other device) . When the pin (8) hits the upper edge of the rail (7), the platform (2) is forced to a level position as fig 2c and fig 2d shows . 330

[Embodiment 1: Result] Note that the monitor frame (1) has room for fairly thick flat monitors (D=6 cm in this embodiment) . Also note that the platform (2) is not in the way for knees and legs because the platform is drawn to the rear end of the desk in

335 folded position (in this connection can be mentioned that g=13 cm) . Observe also that the monitor is relatively low in raised position (30 cm high only) and not in any way blocks the eye contact between student and teacher. The monitor frame's slight width (48 cm) also contributes to the monitor not in a

30 disturbing way gets between teacher and student .

[Embodiment 1: Remark] It should be remarked that the frictional aspect of the joint, mentioned in the embodiment above, is not necessary (movement of the platform from starting 345 position in fig 2a to the end position in fig 2d, can be achieved without a frictional joint) . The only change required is the guide's (7) starting position and its path up to the end position.

350 [Embodiment 2, Part 1] Another embodiment is shown in fig 5-8. Note (in fig 6, fig 7a, and fig 8a) that the keyboard and the mouse are kept entirely behind the monitor (not underneath it, as in previous embodiment) . This is accomplished by the length of the lever arm (5) , given by (r) , varying with the angle of

355 rotation, which occurs by means of guides (26) . The chassis frame (3) has a guide (7) and at least one guide (7'), for steering of the platform. The pair (7') and (8') is a means to limit the platform's range of movement: by (8') running in (7') and along the strip of material (29) on (2) , the platform (2) is

360 forced to keep a horizontal inclination. The axle's (4) position is a=2.6 and h=41 [cm], and the lever arm's length and angle, in the initial position, is given by x=12, and y=0 [cm] (where the terms (x) and (y) refer to fig 5) . As for the rest of the components, their positions in fig 7 and fig 8 are drawn

365 according to scale.

[Embodiment 2, Part 2] Some optional (not necessary) details with this embodiment should be noted. The platform has a bulge with the length (B") to be able to place the computer mouse at

370 the side of the keyboard. Observe that this bulge not appreciably worsen the view between teacher and student, when the lid (102) is raised. Another optional detail is that the platform may be divided into two parts (2) and (2') in fig 7, where (2') serves as a protection (against damage) for the

375 front edge of the monitor (in folded position) . The platform has rails that are pushed into (2'), according to fig 7b and fig 7c, after which both (2) and (2') lifts as one unit according to fig 7d.

380 [Embodiment 3, Part 1] The folding device according to present invention can also be used for ordinary desks. The fig 9-12 shows such an example. Note that the arm (5) in fig 9 in its function is equivalent to (5) in fig 4, but is considerably longer (y=19 cm) and has been prolonged a distance (for example

385 the distance v = 20-50 cm) against the gable of the table (101) . The guide (7) also has a similar function as the guide (7) in fig 4. Another comparison is that the joint, created by (24) and (6), does not need to have friction (unlike the case in fig 4) . We note for reference the measurements h=39 and u=10.5 [cm], and

390 that other approximate measurements can be obtained from fig 11 which has been drawn according to scale.

[Embodiment 3, Part 2] Note that the platform folds out to a position that is underneath the original table top and in a

395 slightly leaning position, in order to offer a comfortable working position when working extensively with keyboard input. This distinguishes it from the previous embodiments, where the keyboard lifts up to about the original table top height, which gives a working position suitable for sporadic work with both 00 computer mouse and keyboard (but not extensive keyboard work) . It can also be pointed out that the platform width (B) , in fig 9, can vary within wide margins without altering the function of the folding device (the length (v) can be adjusted to the desk width) . 05

[Embodiment 4: Part 1] The patent claims are finally exemplified by a fourth embodiment in fig 13-15. This embodiment is best suited for shallow tables designed for work standing up (as opposed to sitting down) . Compared to the previous

4io embodiment, the platform (2) is placed more in front (compare fig 14a with fig 2a) , and the movement of (2) is primarily only vertical (compare fig 15 with fig 3) . The movement of (2) is achieved by the lever arm (5) rotating another lever arm (5*) that lifts (2) . The steering of (2) is achieved in the same way 15 as in the first embodiment (see fig 4) , with support surfaces (8) in the form of strips of material (or pins) on (2) which pushes against a guide (7) in form of a strip of material flush with the table top (101) . As a comment on the side, it may be noted that the control of the platform's inclination, in this 20 embodiment, also can be done with a strip of material in the lower front edge of the monitor frame (1) .

[Embodiment 4: Part 2] When the axle is placed in the position given by h=29 and a=1.0 [cm], then the height of the monitor 25 becomes, in raised position, 32 cm above the table top (101) . The starting point of the lever arms (5) and (5') are given by x=4.4, y=0.4, x'=10.2, and y'=2.8 [cm]. Other measurements in this embodiment are b=18.5, r=5.8, s=4.2, t=2, and p=5 [cm].

30 The primary parts and the function of the invention have now been presented. We proceed with describing more in detail some possible ways of devising its parts.

[Inclination of the Monitor] First a comment on freedom to

435 choose the inclination of the monitor (11) . Independent of the actual embodiment this can be achieved by fastening the monitor to the monitor frame (1) via a mechanism which makes inclination feasible, and if necessary also displacements and rotation of the monitor. The inclination and displacements can

40 for example be achieved by a telescope device of scissor extension type that is fitted between (1) and the monitor. Other methods, specific for each embodiment, may also be used. One example is the form shown in fig 14. Observe that the pin (22) moves in a circle around the axle (4) . Also note that when 45 (22) reaches its lowest position, the platform is at its highest. Note that in, and between, the positions shown in fig 14c and fig 14d, the inclination of the monitor changes very much with the pin hardly moving at all either up or down. Thus demonstrating it feasible to construct the device in a way that

450 the platform reaches horizontal position in fig 14c and keeps this position, with no lowering to speak of, right up to where the monitor reaches the position in fig 14d — the inclination of the monitor can therefore be varied (within a limited interval) , independent of (2) .

455

[Wrist Rest] We also give a short comment about wrist rest. When raising the monitor (according to all embodiments shown except one), then (5) or (5') lifts the bottom surface of the keyboard to a position at, or slightly immersed below, the 60 original table top (as fig 3b, fig 8b, and fig 15b, shows) . We remark that a slightly immersed position has the advantage that the front edge of the desk serves as a rest for reducing strain on the wrists from keyboard work.

465 [Lock] A locking mechanism should be fitted between the monitor frame (1) and the chassis frame (3) . The lock could for example be controlled from teacher's terminal or via a smart card reader. The lock renders theft and vandalism of the computer terminal's components more difficult. The chassis frame, which

470 primary function is to be an attachment for the axle (4) , should (for a school desk) be designed as a protective case that prevents encroachment when the computer terminal is locked. 5 [Opening and Closing] In order to make closing and opening of the lid (102) smooth and easy, a spring or similar device should be fitted between (1) and (3) . Another method is to balance the weight of (1) and (2) : note in fig 7 and fig 11 that the weight from the monitor creates a torque (that wants

480 to turn the monitor frame) in clockwise direction, while the weight from the platform and the keyboard creates a torque (that wants to turn the monitor frame) in anti-clockwise direction. These torque components may be balanced, which facilitates a smooth unfolding and folding of the computer

⁴⁸⁵ terminal.

[Thin Client] The thin client can either be placed together with the monitor in the monitor frame (1), or in a compartment in the chassis frame (3) .

490

[Cable Layout] In the case where the thin computer client is built into the chassis frame (3), the cables from the keyboard and the computer mouse are easiest pulled through holes (20) and (20') to the computer client (see for example fig 13) . In 95 the case where the thin client is instead housed by (1), the cables can be pulled down through (20), around the rear end of (2) and above the keyboard, entering through (20'). For some embodiments, as the example in fig 7a, it could then be appropriate to fit a cable drum on (1) which should extend

500 above the keyboard (when lid (102) is folded down) .

[Communication with Server] Communication between computer terminal and server could be done with cable or with wireless IR- or radio communication.

505

[Power Supply] Power to the computer terminal may be supplied through cable from a central power supply, or by using a rechargeable batteries pack (which could for example be stored in a recharge stand in the classroom) .

510

[Other Components (Smart Card) ] Components like smart card reader, batteries pack, wireless communication unit, etc., can be fitted either into the monitor frame (1) or into component compartments in the chassis frame (3) .

515

[Chassis Frame] Also note that the chassis frame not necessarily has to be constructed in one unit, but could consist of several separate parts (for example an angle iron for support of the axle, separated from a protective case) 520 fitted individually underneath the table top (101) .

The description above shows how the invention fulfils the objects as described above in the chapter "Objects of the Invention". This concludes the detailed presentation of the 525 invention.

Claims

CLAIM

Folding device for computer terminal integrated with school desk, which as including parts has, firstly: a monitor frame (1), which in broad outline is a case with two gables of outer dimensions T * H and with a top and a bottom both in outer dimensions H * B where very approximately T, H, B = 6, 40, 50 [cm] respectively, and whose basic function is to provide a mounting frame for a flat monitor; secondly: a platform (2) that constitutes carrier for a keyboard and possibly a computer mouse or suchlike; and thirdly and finally: a chassis frame (3), whose function is, as item a) to, by means of lugs or suchlike, constitute attachment for the folding device to a table top or a table top support, and as item b) to, by means of a first axle (4), constitute joint for the monitor frame in an axis perpendicular to its two gables, and finally as item c) to constitute a protective casing for both the monitor frame and the platform; said folding device operating in such a way that: when the monitor frame is rotated by means of a manual force around the first axle the force is transmitted, through a force transmitting device, to the platform which is moved, controlled in position and orientation by a guide device, relative to the chassis frame and the monitor frame; where said force transmitting device, as a first force transmitting component, consist of each gable on the monitor frame acting in capacity of a first first class lever with the first axle as the fulcrum, char a ct e ri z ed i n t ha t, when said first lever is rotated, by said manual force operating on the first lever's lever arm, then its resistance arm (5) acts, for each gable, via a sliding or rolling slider (22), on a guide (23) fastened in, and aligned along, a lever arm (5') of a second first class lever; and that the force transmitting device, as a second force transmitting component, consist of, for each gable, said second lever with a second axle (4'), fastened in the chassis frame and parallel to the first axle, as fulcrum; and that the second lever's resistance arm, finally, acts, for each gable, on the platform; and that said first lever and said second lever together makes the shape of a "V", where the point of the V constitutes the slider, and that the angle between the, legs of the V is roughly 30 degrees when the monitor frame is completely folded into the platform, but stays around 90 degrees when the monitor frame is raised to a suitable angle of inclination for a flat monitor mounted in the monitor frame.