WO2005092147A1

WO2005092147A1 - Work station comprising rotating consoles

Info

Publication number: WO2005092147A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/050185
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Massacrier
Original assignee: Craie
Priority date: 2004-03-22
Filing date: 2005-03-22
Publication date: 2005-10-06
Also published as: FR2867664B1; FR2867664A1; EP1740072A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a work station consisting of: a worktop (1); means for supporting accessories (2), such as flat computer screens; and at least two consoles (3) which are mounted to at least one essentially-cylindrical vertical base (4). According to the invention, at least one of the consoles (3) can rotate around the base (4), while the worktop is independent of said consoles and cannot rotate in relation to same.

Description

Rotary console workstation

The present invention relates to a workstation intended for individuals or professionals particularly useful to comply with the needs of users, their comfort requirements and adapt to. better to the particular physiognomy of an office, a market room, a meeting room or an industrial premises. Many work stations are listed in the state of the art. Workstations generally include a tray or work surface on which computer equipment such as a computer can rest, for example, as well as any other accessories usually found on a workstation such as a telephone or storage elements. It is known from the state of the art of work stations whose work platform is adjustable in height and inclination in order to provide installation comfort and thus best meet the wishes of the user. In addition, it is also known to implement workstations having a horizontal base supporting several adjustable trays at different heights, one of which can then for example be used to place a screen and the other a keyboard. However, this type of device, while lengthy, often occupies a non-negligible place and remains not very flexible. Document US Pat. No. 6,161,487 discloses a work station comprising several work trays rotatably mounted around a vertical base formed by a vertical rod. Document GB-2 328 373 discloses a modular table comprising trays rotatably mounted on a vertical support upright. Workstations of the prior art have many drawbacks. In particular, these stations are not very functional and are also difficult to adapt to the needs of the user and his workload. In addition, although modular, they do not make it possible to optimize the installation of a plurality of workstations in a room with a given surface, as is the case for example in a trading room. The present invention aims to develop a fully modular workstation according to the requirements of the user and able to best conform to the geometry of the room hosting it. The present invention also aims to provide such a work station which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and use. The present invention therefore relates to a work station comprising a work platform and means for supporting accessories such as flat computer screens, comprising at least two consoles mounted on at least one vertical base of substantially cylindrical configuration, at least one of said consoles being movable in rotation around a base and said work plate being independent of said consoles so that said work plate is fixed in rotation relative to said at least one vertical base. This characteristic thus makes it possible to modulate the workspace by adapting it to the needs of the user as well as to the configuration of the room. It also makes it possible to optimize the occupation of a room with several stations, while offering all users the same modular functionalities. Advantageously, said accessory support means are mounted on said vertical base (s). This configuration allows a considerable saving of space by staggering the work station on several levels of the same structure. This allows for example to reserve an upper floor for items such as computer tools, in particular computer screens and a lower floor dedicated for example to the installation of a keyboard, a telephone and / or storage elements. Advantageously, said consoles each comprise a hooking zone connecting said consoles to one of said base (s). Advantageously, the attachment zone has a configuration complementary to the cylindrical configuration of said base (s). Advantageously, the accessory support means comprise at least one screen support arm provided with at least one screen fixing device. This feature thus makes it possible to place the screens in front of you at eye level and to increase the useful surface of the work surface. According to another characteristic of the invention, said work plate, said accessory support means and / or said consoles are movable, in particular in rotation, in inclination and / or in elevation, independently of each other. Advantageously, mechanical and / or hydraulic displacement means, such as jacks, able to cooperate with said work plate and / or said accessory support means and / or said consoles are provided. Preferably, said means of movement are hidden in the. vertical base (s). The advantage of this characteristic is thus to preserve an aesthetic and harmonious whole in which all the means necessary for moving the components of the work station are not visible to the user. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, electrical control means are provided for actuating said displacement means. Advantageously, remote control means remotely actuate said electrical control means. Preferably, said electrical control means are concealed in the vertical base (s). This configuration has the advantage of camouflaging all the wires, cables or even motor used for the operation of the system and thus of having an aesthetic and safe automated workstation masking all the electrical elements. Advantageously, the work station comprises a vertical base and two consoles lying in the same plane, the two consoles pivoting around said vertical base. Preferably, the work plate is located in front of said consoles. Advantageously, the work plate is movable between a high position and a low position. This feature thus allows the user to shape his workstation as he sees fit and further has the advantage of allowing the user to work either standing or sitting. Advantageously, the working plate in the low position is placed in the continuity of said consoles to form a continuous flat surface with the upper surfaces of said consoles. Preferably, the shape of the work plate can be adapted to the angular position of said consoles. Advantageously, filling elements are adaptable between the work plate and said consoles. Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following detailed description of a particular embodiment thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples, and in which : Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a work station according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a work station according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view from the back of a work station according to the present invention, FIG. 4a is a top view of a work station according to the invention in a first configuration, - FIG. 4b is a view similar to FIG. 4a in a second configuration, and FIG. 4c is also a view similar to FIG. 4a in a third configuration. With reference to the figures, the work station according to the invention advantageously comprises four main elements, namely at least one vertical base 4, a work plate 1, at least two consoles 3 and means for supporting accessories 2, such as 'a support arm 20 for flat screens 201. It should be noted that the figures all represent a single vertical base 4 around which two consoles 3 pivot, however, this embodiment is not limiting. Indeed, other combinations are possible, such as three consoles 3 combined with two vertical bases 4. In this case, two consoles external swivels can be placed outside the two bases and a fixed intermediate console can join the two bases. The vertical base 4 constitutes a support for at least two consoles 3, at least one of which is able to pivot around said base. Preferably, the two brackets are rotatably mounted around said base. The base has a substantially cylindrical shape, the cylindrical term to be considered according to a broad acceptance including circular, elliptical, ellipsoidal, etc. cylindrical shapes. The base 4 comprises a lower face 43 advantageously resting on the ground, a body 45 extending from the lower face and an upper face 44 on which a platform 41 rests. The body 45 of the base 4 comprises, according to the invention of the rotation supports 40 ensuring the pivoting of the consoles 3 around said base 4. According to an embodiment shown in the figures, the rotation supports 40 are for example made up of holes or recesses 400 distributed over the diameter of the base 4, for example in two parallel rows, and which are able to cooperate with corresponding means located on the consoles 3. However, any suitable means allowing the rotation of the consoles 3 around said base can be implemented, the invention not limited to this exemplary embodiment. The platform 41 can be free to rotate or fixed by any means suitable for said body 45 and can include a projecting flange 42 capable of securing the accessory support means 2 to said base 4. The consoles 3 advantageously include a front face 31, a rear face 34, an external lateral face 32, an internal lateral face 30 and an intermediate plate 33. The brackets 3 are rotatable around said base 4. To do this, the internal lateral face 30 forms a catching area able to cooperate with the rotation supports 40. The attachment zone 30 advantageously has a complementary configuration of the rotation supports 40 of the cylindrical base 4. Thus, according to the embodiment such as shown, the attachment zone 30 can be concave so as to perfectly adjust to the convex periphery of the base 4. The user can then modify as desired the positioning of the consoles relative to each other by varying the angle defined by the two consoles with respect to the base 4. This operation can be done manually or automatically. The base 4 therefore constitutes a vertical axis of rotation around which the brackets 3 can pivot horizontally. Obtaining stable support for the consoles 3 on said base 4 is advantageously favored by fixing said consoles 3 to lateral support elements, such as feet 6. The feet 6 can thus cooperate to relieve said base 4 from the stresses linked to the weight of the consoles 3. Projections 310 of the consoles 3 able to cooperate in corresponding orifices 60 of the feet 6 could for example be used to fix the said consoles 3 on the said feet 6. However, any suitable means for this fixing can be used. artwork. A cover plate 35 forming an upper surface can also be arranged on each console 3, for example on the space bounded by the rear face 34, the external side face 32, the internal side face 30 and the intermediate plate 33. This cover plate 35 has both an aesthetic and a functional purpose allowing the useful surface on which the user works to be increased. According to the invention, the work plate 1 is independent of said consoles 3. In other words, the work plate 1 is not integral in rotation with said consoles 3 and is therefore fixed in rotation relative to the base 4. The size of the work plate 1 is preferably adapted to the angular position chosen for the consoles 3. Such a work plate may be provided as adapting to the angular movements of the consoles 3 or may be provided as having to be replaced following the 'exercise of a rotary movement of the consoles by another work tray of smaller or larger size depending on whether the consoles are rotated in movement towards or away from each other. So this independence of the work surface allows choose the size of the work surface according to the needs of the user and perfectly adapt this dimension to the remaining space or provided in the room or office hosting this workstation. Furthermore, this independence of the work platform allows the individual components of the work station to be moved individually as will be explained below. In addition, whatever the angular position of the consoles, the work platform can always have the same general shape, in particular at the front edge, facing the user. Only the surface of the work surface varies according to the angular position of the consoles. This is particularly advantageous in a trading room, where the same functionalities are preferably found in the same places on all stations. This also facilitates the interchangeability of workstations between different users, and provides a coherent set of workstations. The work tray 1 comprises an upper surface 10 intended for example to receive a computer keyboard, a mouse, a telephone, files etc. and a lower surface 11 capable of being fixed on the feet 6 by any appropriate means. Advantageously, the work plate 1, in the low position, rests on the front face 31 of the brackets and can come into abutment against the intermediate plate 33 so that the cover plate 35 and the work plate 1 form a flat and continuous surface. . The work plate 1 also has sidewalls 12 advantageously positioned in continuity with the external lateral faces 32 of the brackets 3 so as to place them in the same plane. A mobile support 100 movable relative to said work plate 1 can be provided for example to arrange the telephone there. A box 5 housing a sliding drawer 50 can optionally also be placed under the consoles and / or under the work tray 1, thus serving as storage space. A screen support arm 20 fixed to the accessory support means 2 is advantageously provided for positioning screens at the level of devices fixing 200. The example shown shows three flat screens 201 fixed on the support arm 20, but any other configuration is possible. The consoles 3, the accessory support means 2 and / or the work plate 1 are advantageously connected to mechanical and / or hydraulic displacement means, such as jacks, to allow their movements, in particular in rotation, in inclination and / or in elevation, one independently of the other. Advantageously, these movements are carried out by means of electrical control means which can be actuated remotely by remote control means. Thus, for example, the work plate 1 can be moved from a low position in which the work plate 1 rests on the front face 31 of the consoles to a high position in which the work plate 1 is raised relative to the consoles 3. This possibility of elevating the work platform 1 can therefore allow the user to have the platform at an adequate height whether seated or standing. The mechanical and / or hydraulic displacement means of the work plate can for example be arranged in the feet 6. Movement means can also be provided for adjusting the height of the accessory support means 2 as well as their inclinations and / or to activate the rotation and possibly the elevation of the consoles 3. Advantageously, the various cables and electrical connections can be hidden inside said vertical base and / or consoles, in order to preserve the overall aesthetics of the work station. In addition, when this base and / or these consoles are metallic, they can form Faraday cages limiting or preventing electromagnetic interference. With reference to FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c representing the work station according to different possible configurations, it can be observed that the consoles 3 according to the invention pivot around the base 4 so as to increase or reduce the useful surface of the tray 1 and therefore the space occupied by the workstation. It should be noted that these figures illustrate embodiments in which the brackets pivot towards the front of the base, but it is understood that this pivoting can also take place towards the rear. According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the user will therefore be able on the one hand to adapt the work station to the physiognomy of the room in which he is located by angular displacement of the consoles 3 and on the other hand to adjust said useful surface of the work platform to his workload. It should be noted that the work plate 1 can be replaced at each rotation of the consoles 3 by a plate of more adequate size or else appropriate systems can be provided to allow an adjustment of the size of the plate at each angular movement of the consoles 3 To illustrate this last point, an embodiment could for example be envisaged in which the work plate would be in two parts, one of which being able to slide under the other so as to adjust the size of the plate. at the angular displacement effected by the consoles 3. Filling elements 70 are also conceivable, and can in particular be arranged between the work plate 1 and the consoles 3. Although the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment of the latter with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that it is not limited thereto, and that any modifications could be made by a skilled in the art, in the scope of frame defined by the appended claims.

Claims

claims

1.- Workstation comprising a work plate (1) and means for supporting accessories (2) such as flat computer screens, characterized in that it comprises at least two consoles (3) mounted on at least one vertical base (4) of substantially cylindrical configuration, at least one of said consoles (3) being movable in rotation around a base (4), and in that said work plate is independent of said consoles so that said work platform is fixed in rotation relative to said at least one vertical base (4).

2.- Workstation according to claim 1, wherein said accessory support means (2) are mounted on the or said base (s) vertical (s) (4).

3.- Workstation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said consoles (3) each have a hooking zone (30) connecting said consoles (3) to one of said base (s) (4).

4.- Workstation according to claim 3, wherein the attachment zone (30) has a configuration complementary to the cylindrical configuration of said base (s) (4).

5. Workstation according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the accessory support means (2) comprise at least one screen support arm (20) provided with at least one fixing device d screen (200).

6. Work station according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said work plate (1), said accessory support means (2) and / or said consoles (3) are movable, in particular in rotation, in inclination and / or elevation, independently of each other.

7.- Workstation according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising mechanical and / or hydraulic displacement means, such as jacks, capable of cooperating with said work plate (1) and / or said support means d 'accessories (2) and / or said consoles (3).

8.- Workstation according to claim 7, wherein said displacement means are concealed in the base (s) vertical (s) (4).

9.- Workstation according to claim 7 or 8, comprising electrical control means for actuating said displacement means.

10.- Workstation according to claim 9, comprising remote control means for actuating said electrical control means remotely.

11.- Workstation according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said electrical control means are hidden in the or the base (s) vertical (s) (4).

12.- Workstation according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a vertical base (4) and two consoles (3) lying in the same plane, the two consoles pivoting around said vertical base (4).

13.- Workstation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the work plate (1) is located in front of said consoles (3).

14.- Workstation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the work plate is movable between a high position and a low position.

15.- Workstation according to claim 14, wherein the work plate (1) in the low position is placed in the continuity of said consoles (3) to form a continuous flat surface with the upper surfaces of said consoles. 16- Workstation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the worktop (1) can be adapted to the angular position of said consoles (3). 17- Workstation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling elements (70) are adaptable between the worktop (1) and said consoles (3).

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