WO2005102106A1

WO2005102106A1 - Work post for a lecturer

Info

Publication number: WO2005102106A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/000887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Marie Peterle
Original assignee: Jean-Marie Peterle
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2005-04-13
Publication date: 2005-11-03
Also published as: FR2868921A1; FR2868921B3

Abstract

A work post for a lecturer comprises: a support element (1), for an electronic device (10), with a housing (14), for the electronic device, said housing being open to the top, with a support plate (13) for the electronic device and a first connection panel (19), provided with electrical connection means, arranged on one side of the housing (14), a lid element (2), sliding horizontally with relation to the support element (1) in a sliding direction by means of sliding means (3), between a closed position covering and sealing said housing and the first connector panel and an open position, to laterally free said housing and said connector panel (19) to permit access thereto, the top (21) of the lid element being also embodied as a working surface for the lecturer.

Description

Work furniture for lecturer.

The present invention relates to a work piece of furniture for a lecturer, more particularly intended for the storage and use of electronic equipment such as a video projector of the short or very short projection distance type, an audio amplifier or a microphone. laptop computer such as a tablet PC. A typical example of a projector is the T600 model marketed by the company "NEC". A lecturer who gives a conference frequently uses electronic equipment which allows a sound diffusion of his voice or of recordings, or the diffusion of static or animated images. For example, it uses an audio amplifier connected to one or more acoustic speakers, a cassette player or CD or DVD disc or a recorder. It also uses for example a video projector. A projector of the type mentioned above is particularly intended for the presentation of images or videos during conferences in relatively small rooms, meeting rooms, etc., the speaker being able to intervene for example by pointing directly at the screen the elements of the projected images. A projector of this type has the particularity of being able to be placed at a very short distance from the plane where the projection is carried out, while providing a relatively large image. We can for example obtain a projected image of 1 m diagonal by placing the camera only 64 mm from the projection plane, or an image of 2.5 m diagonal with the camera only 65 cm from this plane. This implies that the projector is placed in a low position, below the low level of the projected image so as not to obstruct the vision of it by people of 1 assistance. For this, the video projector can be placed on the ground, or on a small support table. In such a configuration, the projector and the table are at the level of the speaker's feet or knees when he intervenes on the screen, with the risk of being accidentally struck by the speaker's feet. In addition, all the connection cables of the projection device are visible and drag on the ground, creating an additional risk for the device or for people passing by, and also presenting the very unaesthetic aspect well known to many cables required for connections to computer, audio or video equipment. The installation of the devices in a room before the projection, and their storage at the end of the conference, require disconnecting all the cables, having to drop to ground level, transporting the devices in random security conditions, putting them away in a safe place, etc. In addition, during a presentation made from a portable computer connected to the video projector, as is very common practice, this requires being able to place the said computer on a table at a good height for the speaker, this table in front of plus be close enough to the projector to prevent connection cables from running across the projection room. Similar problems arise, moreover, if one wishes to connect the video projector to other equipment, for example sound equipment, or connection to a computer or other network, etc.

The aim of the present invention is to solve these problems, and is particularly aimed at providing a piece of furniture which provides simple storage and protection. electronic devices when not in use, the greatest ease of various connections, the comfort of use by the lecturer or any other personnel involved.

With these objectives in view, the invention relates to a lecturer's work unit comprising: a support element for electronic equipment, comprising a housing for electronic equipment, this housing being open on the top, having a tray for supporting the electronic apparatus, and comprising a first connection panel provided with electrical connection means arranged on one side of the housing, and - a cover element sliding horizontally relative to the support element in a direction of sliding thanks to sliding means between a closed position to cover and seal said housing and the first connection panel, and an open position to laterally release said housing and said connection panel to allow access thereto, the top of the the cover element also being adapted to serve as a work surface for the speaker. Thanks to the invention, the sliding cover in the closed position protects the electronic equipment which can thus remain permanently in the cabinet, ready for use and with all the required electrical connections already made, which avoids having to connect and disconnect the various cables required for each use. Means for locking the cover element in the closed position make it possible to provide anti-theft and anti-damage protection. The electronic equipment being able to remain in the furniture permanently, this furniture is used for storage, which avoids handling of the electronic equipment with the risks of deterioration that this presents. In this closed position the piece of furniture can be presented in a particularly neat aesthetic aspect, in the form of a chest or sideboard offering to the view only elements which can be made of various conventional furnishing materials, without showing any elements technical or connector technology, generally unattractive. In the open position, the housing is accessible from above and free, for example, to project an image upwards. The top panel of the hood serves as a work plan, at a good height, on which a speaker can for example place a laptop, or other equipment. In a first embodiment, the electronic equipment is a video projector, the housing also being open on a front face. When the cabinet is open, the video projector projects its image forward and upward through the opening in the housing. According to an improvement, the support plate is slidably mounted perpendicular to the front face of the piece of furniture. The video projector can thus be moved away from the housing to avoid interference of the projected image with the edges of the housing. According to a preferred arrangement, the first connection panel is disposed on the side of the housing towards the cover element when the latter is in the open position. This arrangement makes it possible to easily connect the computer to the video projector thanks to the connection means which are then located in the immediate vicinity of this work plan, and most easily accessible. Permanently mounted cables connect the video projector to which they are connected, in a conventional manner, to the connection means of the connection panel. Note that this connection panel can also include connection means for other devices, as well as control means such as switches or buttons for various settings. Preferably, the first connection panel will be located horizontally, the electrical connection means being oriented upwards. According to another arrangement of the invention, the piece of furniture comprises a second connection panel situated on the front face of the support element, below the housing of the video projector. This panel is therefore located on the side of the furniture not visible to the assistance during a projection. It allows easy connection of the devices located in or on the furniture to external equipment, such as for example sound equipment in the projection room, or connection to a computer or telephone network, as well as ensuring the power supply to the cabinet. This second connection panel could also be hidden under a removable or pivoting hatch for example. In particular, the cover element comprises an upper panel, serving as a work surface, supported by a front panel and a back panel. The cover element makes it possible to cover the housing and the front and dorsal faces of the support element in the closed position. According to an improvement, the cowling element comprises vertical wings extending in the sliding direction along each panel, the sliding means comprising first slide elements fixed on each vertical wing between the vertical wing and the panel , cooperating with second slide elements fixed respectively on the front face and a dorsal face of the support element, towards the inside. Thus, the sliding of the cover relative to the support element can be easily made, and on an aesthetic level, the slides remain invisible since the first slide elements remain inside the cover element, and the second slide elements are masked by the front face and a dorsal face of the element of support. According to a second embodiment, the cowling element comprises a box open on the front panel and arranged below the level of the support panel and sliding means. This box can then contain other electronic devices having access on the front, along the front panel. In the closed position, the support panel is located above the box. To facilitate the movement of the piece of furniture, the support element and the cover element have feet on casters on the side opposite the other element when the cover element is in the open position, and one elements has feet on casters on the side near the other element. One of the elements therefore has for example four casters while the other has two. The stability of the furniture is therefore ensured, and its movement is easy to carry out. According to another arrangement of the invention, the support plate of the projector is adjustable in height, which can make it possible to easily adjust the height of the projected image, but also to use the furniture as a support for a video projector. classic type with long range, requiring to be arranged more in height.

Other characteristics and advantages will appear in the description which will be given of a piece of furniture in accordance with the invention. Reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an overall view of a first mode of production of the cabinet in the open hood position, seen from the front side, that is to say from the side facing the projection screen, or even from the speaker's side during a conference, - Figure 2 is a view of the cabinet in FIG. 1, the cabinet being seen from the dorsal side, that is to say that seen by the audience during the conference, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 1 in the closed hood position, - Figure 4 is a front view of the cabinet of Figure 1 with the cover closed, Figure 5 illustrates the position of the cabinet of Figure 1 during a projection, Figure 6 is a detail view of the sliding connection area between support element and cover, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cabinet, FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the plane V of FIG. 7, - FIG. 9 is a detail view IX of figure 8.

A piece of furniture according to a first embodiment comprises a support element 1 and a cover 2 sliding with respect to the support element 1 by means of slides 3. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the support element 1 comprises an upper part forming a housing 14 for a video projector 10. The housing 14 is open above and on the front side. The video projector rests on a support plate 13, which is mounted to slide horizontally towards the outside of the housing 14 in the direction of the arrow FI by means of two ball slides 41. The support element 1 comprises a vertical back panel 15, which can serve as a support for a display 16 intended for assistance, subject of the conference or advertising message for example. The support element 1 also comprises a lower part resting on four rollers 25, closed on its four sides, and comprising in the lower part of its front face 11 a connection panel 12, comprising various connectors. The connection panel 12 is produced for example by a sheet of steel or aluminum attached to an opening on the front face 11. On a lateral side, to the right in FIG. 1, a lateral panel 17 extends over all the height of the cabinet. A box 30 extends in the housing 14 along the side panel 17 and can serve as storage space. On the other side, the housing 14 is closed by a lateral box 18 whose upper face carries another connection panel 19, comprising various connection means oriented upwards, so that they are easily accessible. These connectors are for example video signal sockets such as VGA or coaxial sockets, a computer power supply socket, audio signal connectors, computer sockets such as USB, IEEE1394 or a network socket. These connectors are connected by cables passing in the lateral box 18 to equivalent sockets on the connection panel 12 or to the video projector 10. The cover 2 comprises a horizontal top panel 21, serving as a work surface, in particular for placing there a laptop 20 for the lecturer for example, this computer being able to be easily connected to the connection panel 19, which is located right next to the work surface when the cover is in the open position as seen in FIG. 1. The cover further includes a front panel 22 and a back panel 23, which cover the support element 1 of the cabinet in the closed hood position, as seen in Figures 3 and 4. At the bottom of these panels 22 and 23, two angles are fixed, a wing 33 of each angle extending parallel to the panels 22, 23. The slides 3 have an element 36 fixed on the wing 33 between the wing 33 and the panel 22, 23, an element 34 fixed on the inner side of the front panel 11 or back 38 of the support element 1, and an intermediate element 39. These elements 34, 36, 39 slide between them telescopically. On the lateral side located most towards the outside of the cabinet when the cover 2 is open, the latter comprises a cross member not shown, ensuring the support of the cover in the open position and provided with two rollers, not shown, to facilitate the sliding of the cover . A latch 32 is fixed on the front panel 22 and a keeper 40 is fixed on the side panel 17 to lock the cabinet in the closed position.

During use, shown in FIG. 5, the cabinet is placed at a suitable distance from the projection screen 5. With the cover 2 open, the lecturer can place his computer 20 on the upper plate 21 of the cover, and connect it to the various sockets on the connection panel 19. The cabinet is also connected to a power supply 51, or any other desired circuit, via its lower connection panel 12. The video projector 10, of the type cited at the beginning of this memo, is extracted from direction of the arrow FI, then is put into service and projects the images on the screen 5, the projected image being symbolized by the arrowed rays 55 in FIG. 5, the speaker, located between the cover 2 and the screen, or on the side of the cabinet, can control the projection by means of his computer 20, or of course by any other known control means.

In a second embodiment of a piece of furniture according to the invention, shown in Figures 7 to 9, a support member 101 and a sliding cover 102 are slidably mounted relative to each other by means of slides 103. The support member 101 comprises a panel horizontal support 113 against a back panel 115 and a side panel 117, on the outermost side when the cabinet is open. The support panel 113 is placed below the upper limit of the back 115 and side 117 panels, so as to delimit a housing 114 for electronic equipment 120, for example a microcomputer or a graphic tablet. A connection panel 119 is arranged horizontally on the support panel 113 along the side near the cover 102 when the cabinet is open. The support panel 113 also includes a cavity 130 along the side panel 117 to serve as storage space. The support element 101 has along the side panel 117 a cross member 124 under which are disposed rollers 126 in order to facilitate the opening of the cabinet. The cover 102 comprises an upper panel 121, a front panel 122 and a back panel 123 assembled in the shape of an inverted U, and closed at the opposite end to the support element 101 by a side panel 127. It further comprises a box 128 attached against the front panel 122 which is open opposite the box 128. The box 128 can thus contain various electronic devices 129 such as an amplifier, disc or audio or video tape players, etc. The cover 102 also includes a connection panel 112 on the front panel 122, next to the box 128. The cover 102 also has four rollers 125 under the box 128 to facilitate the movement of the cabinet. An acoustic enclosure 131 is placed next to the box 128, facing the connection panel 112. The back panel 123 of the cover comprises a grid, not shown, facing the enclosure 131 to allow the diffusion of sound. The connection panel 119 is connected by cables to the equipment contained in the box 128 or to the connection panel 112. The cables pass over a flexible support 140 which extends above the box 128 and along the connection panel 112 When the cabinet is closed, the flexible support is stored along the connection panel 112. The box is arranged so that, when the cabinet is closed, the support panel 113 is placed above the box 128 and the cross member 124 supporting the rollers 126 is under the box 128. Thus, when the cabinet is closed, the support panel 113 is covered by the upper panel 121 of the cover, which closes the housing 114. The electronic equipment 120 which is there installed is then sheltered without any need to disconnect it. A latch 132 is placed on the side panel 117 of the support element 101 to lock the cabinet in the closed position by cooperating with the upper panel 121. Two vertical wings 133 are fixed on the top of the box 128. An element 134 of the slides ball 103 is fixed against the outer face 135 of the wings, while another element 136 of the slide on the back side is fixed on an inner face 137 of the back panel of one support element. Similarly, the other element of the slide on the front side is fixed to the inside of a vertical cheek 138 falling from the front edge of the support panel 113. Thus, the slides 103 are hidden from view, as can be seen. in figure 7.

Claims

1. Work furniture for lecturer, characterized in that it comprises: an element (1) for supporting an electronic apparatus (10), comprising a housing (14) for the electronic apparatus, this housing being open on the above, having a support plate (13) for the electronic equipment, and comprising a first connection panel (19) provided with electrical connection means arranged on one side of the housing (14), - a cover element (2) sliding horizontally relative to the support element (1) in a sliding direction by means of sliding (3) between a closed position to cover and close said housing and the first connection panel, and an open position to laterally disengage said housing and said connection panel (19) to allow access thereto, the top (21) of the cover element also being adapted to serve as a working surface for the lecturer.

2. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic equipment is a video projector (10), the housing (14) also being open on a front face.

3. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connection panel (19) is arranged on the side of the housing towards one covering element when the latter is in the open position, and located horizontally, the means of electrical connection being oriented upwards.

4. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second connection panel (12) located on the front face (11) of the support element, below the housing (14) of the video projector.

5. Furniture according to claim 2, characterized in that the support plate (13) is slidably mounted perpendicular to the front face (11) of the furniture.

6. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises an upper panel (21), serving as a working surface, supported by a front panel (22) and a back panel (23).

7. Furniture according to claim 6, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises vertical wings (33) extending in the sliding direction along each panel (22, 23), the sliding means (3) comprising first slide elements (36) fixed on each vertical wing (33) between the vertical wing and the panel, cooperating with second slide elements (34) fixed respectively on the front face (11) and a dorsal face (38) of the support element, inwards.

8. Furniture according to claim 6, characterized in that the casing element comprises a box (128) open on the front panel (122) and disposed below the level of the support plate (113) and sliding means (103).

9. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element (1) and the casing element comprise rollers (25, 125, 126) on the side located 1 opposite to the other element when the cabinet is in the open position, and one of the elements has rollers (25, 125) on the side near the other element.

10. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises locking means (32, 40) of the cover element in the closed position.