Motorized adjustable workstation

Abstract

The present invention is a new and improved motorized adjustable workstation. The invention base has substantially parallel feet and legs that rise at an angle to support the main drive tube. Attached to the main drive tube is a linear actuator that raises the main work surface. The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates an adjustable monitor lift that raises a monitor with, and above the main work surface in an overlapping fashion relative to the main work surface, and is particularly suited for computer workstations.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/272,730 filed Oct. 15, 2002, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/330,331 filed Oct. 19, 2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

U.S. Department of Education SBIR grant #ED-99-PO-4679, “Development of an ergonomic computer workstation environment” funded research in local schools on the need for adjustable ergonomic computer workstation environments. We found over 90% of students in any given age group or grade did not fit the computer workstations available in their school. It was demonstrated that the MOTORIZED ADJUSTABLE WORKSTATION invention, with a motor driven work surface and a motor driven monitor lift, had enough range of movement to ergonomically adjust to accommodate 6-year-old first graders to 6′3″ high school students.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of adjustable workstations. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer workstation. The use of adjustable workstations may reduce repetitive stress injuries of users. User types include but are not limited to: workers, students, families and individuals. The advantage of adjustable height work surface(s) is the ergonomic positioning of work materials and various equipment in the field of labor, education and especially computer use, etc. More specifically, this invention relates to a new, sturdy, affordable, adjustable, powered, ergonomic workstation solution that can be used to substantially improve user access to ergonomically adjustable workstations.

Health professionals, OSHA and other federal and state agencies recognize the value of adjustable workstations and the benefits of adjustable work surface heights are well established. Dr. Alan Hedges of Cornell University and others have recognized that these same problems and solutions apply to K-12 grade school children; ergonomically, adjustable workstation solutions appropriately sized for students would improve postures at computer terminals in schools.

The disadvantage of prior inventions are: the majority of “adjustable” workstations are “maintenance adjustable” requiring a mechanical takedown of the workstation to change heights, the next class of “adjustable” workstations are hand-cranked, gear driven workstations that can require up to 13 turns or more per inch of vertical travel, an obvious disadvantage for those with, or prone to, wrist, hand, arm or upper body repetitive stress injuries; these types of “adjustable” workstations are not likely to be utilized. Few workstations are available with powered monitor “lifts” they usually have a second pedestal driven surface. I have no knowledge of any prior “monitor lift” that raises the monitor with and above the main work surface that does not occupy a considerable portion of the main work surface.

Adjustable height electrical pedestal style tables have large pedestals raising centrally from a cross member at or near floor level, the pedestal is large enough to contain the electric drive, provide a wide bearing surface that controls lateral table movement and big enough to sustain the bending moment occurring at the bottom mount. The base crosspiece and large pedestal are in the way of the user's feet. Dual pedestal units take up even more room.

Most adjustable workstations have two side legs, they are more expensive due to extra mechanisms and materials and require extra bracing and if they have dual adjustable surfaces the complexity, limitations and stability problems increase.

Problems with prior art: non-adjustable, maintenance adjustable, manual and power adjustable workstations are either not capable of readily adjusting the work surface(s) or they do not have enough range of movement or appropriate movements that can conform to a majority of the population, children and shorter and taller people simply do not fit at inappropriate workstations.

The easiest and most ergonomic way to adjust a workstation's height is with an electric drive(s) requiring only a switch(s) to operate. To utilize the full potential of electric drives, a workstation needs to be sturdy, stable and have enough range of adjustment to ergonomically accommodate the highest percentile, of users. An ergonomic computer workstation requires two movements with sufficient range: a movable main work surface and a monitor lift capable of raising the monitor to the ergonomically correct top of screen, eye level position.

The invention's 45+/−degree angle of attachment(s) from the horizontal to the vertical element(s) presents the simplest, most torque resistant structural joining of workstation feet, legs and base. For use in business, home and schools, the invention's unique design was derived from the complex issues of cost and function in making a wheelchair accessible, computer workstation for schools (prior to receiving the USDE SBIR grant). The cost of changing workplace, school and other user stations to readily adjustable, motorized ergonomic workstations will be enormous so the invention utilizes the full potential of electric linear actuators in a new affordable adjustable workstation that will be of benefit to the market.

It is especially noted that workstations are not available that can ergonomically adjust to fit children or shorter persons and also have the capability to readily adjust upwards to fit persons over 6 feet tall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The adjustable workstation system of the present invention increases the user's ability to achieve an ergonomically correct posture with a range of adjustments that are more inclusive of the general population and not age, height, ability or gender biased. Multiple users of the same workstation in the workplace, schools, families and individuals will benefit from the invention, which is also ADA compliant.

The invention accomplishes this by using new unique structural elements and innovations that provide a vectored, torsion resistant, sturdy, stable base with a cantilevered electrically adjustable main work surface and an electrically adjustable monitor lift that travels with and raises above the main work surface for a greater combined range of adjustment; together they provide enough range of movement to accommodate most 6 year old children to adults over 6 feet tall. This is achieved without adding articulating keyboard trays, footrests, monitor arms, and etc.

I have no knowledge of any adjustable workstation utilizing a design that significantly raises the bending moment of a single drive unit above its base or of a monitor lift that rises with and above the main work surface without obstructing the work surface.

The invention is modular and can be configured for other uses. Horizontal bracing may be used in bases and especially in wider stance bases. Multi adjustable leg bases can be used for corner and long workstations and other embodiments. The adjustable embodiments of the invention can be utilized in other embodiments. The monitor lift can be made separable and utilized on other surfaces and embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the motorized adjustable workstation according to the present invention, the linear actuators not being shown;

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the motorized adjustable workstation shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the monitor lift switch controls of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the motorized adjustable workstation;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the monitor lift and illustrating in reduced length the monitor lift and associated liner actuator;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the separable monitor lift in use with the adjustable workstation;

FIG. 6 is a top end cutaway view of the drive shaft tube and drive shaft in use with the monitor lift;

FIG. 7 is a bottom end view of the drive shaft tube and drive shaft shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a tiltable, swiveling flat panel monitor arm in use with the monitor drive shaft according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of the tiltable, swiveling flat panel monitor arm of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and improved motorized adjustable workstation. The invention can be utilized in any environment where people would benefit from an adjustable work surface and/or adjustable monitor lift. It is particularly suited for computer workstation solutions.

The preferred embodiment of the workstation as shown in FIGS. 1-3, consists of a base made of tubing that generally includes two feet 2 and two interconnected legs 1 forming a stable bipod that intersects and supports a vertical main drive tube 4 with a means of adjoinment, that approximate 45+/−degree angles, to form a stable, sturdy structure that raises the bending moment of the main drive tube 4 a significant distance above the floor.

A main linear actuator 12 (see FIG. 2) raises a main drive shaft 14 slidably disposed within the tube 4 and which supports a bow back 6 with its attached arms 3 and thereby supports a main work surface 11. A monitor lift attachment tube 17 (see FIG. 4) supports a monitor drive tube 5 and has a linear actuator motor mount 7A. A monitor drive shaft 8 has a monitor mounting arm 9 to support a monitor platform 10. The main drive tube 4 and drive shaft 14 can utilize an electrically driven linear actuator 12 mounted to the base of the drive tube 4 with a motor mount 7B and at the bow with another motor mount 7B (see FIG. 3). A switch 15 (FIG. 2) controls the linear actuator(s).

Referring to FIG. 2A, an enlarged sectional illustration is shown of the switching arrangement 15 associated with the motorized adjustable workstation. Specifically, a first pair of linear actuator switches 15a and 15b correspond to the up/down motion of the main work surface 11, whereas a second pair of switches 15c and 15d correspond to up/down motion of the monitor lift surface 10. In use, an operator can activate one or two of the four buttons at once; activating two of the four buttons, one for each of the two linear actuators achieve ++, −−, +− or −+ movements in the separate linear actuators, operating the actuators in tandem with up-up, down-down, up-down or down-up configurations. The ++ and −− combined movements are the quickest way to change work surface and monitor heights especially when changing from a short person to a tall person configuration or from a tall person to a short person configuration. The ++ and −− movements are somewhat proportional and the up-up and down-down movements help in maintaining anthropometric relationships, as most bodies are proportional for tall and short people.

FIG. 2 shows horizontal tubes 16 that increase the attachment area of the legs 1 to the main drive tube 4, reinforcing the bending moment and enhancing stability in wider bases.

The top view of FIG. 3 further illustrates the overlapping nature of the monitor platform 10 relative to the main work surface 11.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the monitor lift, where the monitor lift tube 5 is attached to a bow back 6 by an attachment tube 17. The monitor lift is driven by the linear actuator 13 which in turn attaches to the bottom of the monitor tube 5 with the motor mount 7A, and to the underside of the monitor support arm 9, on the upper end of the monitor drive tube 8, it also supports the monitor base plate 10. The top end of the linear actuator may further be positioned anywhere on the monitor drive shaft 8.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a separable monitor lift for attachment in different areas of a workstation or by itself in other embodiments. The monitor lift tube 5 is attached to an upper mounting plate 18 and with a bottom mounting plate 19 the unit is attached to a work surface. FIG. 5 also shows bearing adjustment screws 20. The monitor drive shaft tube 8 supports the monitor base arm 9. The monitor lift linear actuator 13 is attached to the monitor lift tube 5 at or near its base with motor mount 7A and at the monitor arm 9 or variably on a motor mount on the monitor drive shaft 8.

In this fashion, and as shown in each of the illustrations of FIGS. 4 and 5, the main work surface and monitor lift may operate either independently or in cooperation to achieve a desired configuration for use by individuals of varying height.

FIG. 6 shows the main drive tube 4 at its upper end, encasing the main drive shaft 14 where the main drive shaft is aligned and stabilized with one or more bearing materials 21 that are adjusted inwardly and outwardly by one or more adjustment screws 20.

FIG. 7 shows the main drive tube 4 at its lower end, and the main drive shaft tube 14 end where alignment and stability is achieved with one or more bearing material 21 that are adjusted by one or more internal adjustment screws 20. FIG. 7 also shows an alternate means of raising the main and monitor drive shafts with the turning of an internal acme thread rod drive 22 (past a nut encased in the drive shafts) by an external drive. In this manner, the second drive mechanism (see again as shown at 13) is also capable of incorporating a likewise threadable and rotatable rod encased within the monitor drive tube for raising or lowering the monitor support surface either in unison with or independently of the main work surface.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a swiveling, tilting flat panel monitor adaptation to the monitor lift. The monitor drive shaft 8 alternately has attached a flat panel mounting arm 23 that supports a series of swivelable arms 24, 29, and 25 with bearing plates 32 between, adjustable on the axis of the means of attachment 28. The flat panel monitor 30 attaches to the swiveling arm 25 by various means of attachment depending on the manufacturers means of attachment. In the preferred embodiment the mounts 26 attach to the back of the monitor 30 in a manner that allows tilting on the axis of the attaching means 27 to the monitor arm 25.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a swiveling, tilting flat panel monitor adaptation to the monitor lift. The flat panel mounting arm 23 supports a series of arms 24, 29, and 25 with bearing plates 32 between, is adjustable on the axis of the means of attachment 28. The flat panel monitor 30 attaches to the swiveling arm 25 by various means of attachment depending on the manufacturers means of attachment. In the preferred embodiment the mounts 26 attach to the back of the monitor 30 in a manner that allows tilting on the axis of the attaching means 27 to the monitor arm 25. The primary swiveling monitor arm 24 has a slotted hole 31 for cable management in the preferred embodiment, which may be modified for other cable management applications.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A workstation exhibiting at least one individually adjustable surface, comprising:

a frame incorporating a main drive tube and a monitor drive tube arranged in substantially vertical and parallel extending fashion;

a main drive shaft telescopically extending from said main drive tube and supporting a substantially planar main work surface;

a monitor drive shaft telescopically extending from said monitor drive tube and supporting a substantially planar monitor support surface, said monitor support surface extending in elevated and overlapping fashion relative to said main work surface;

a first drive mechanism for actuating said main drive shaft to both raise and lower said main work surface; and

a second drive mechanism for actuating said monitor drive shaft, both in combination with and independently of said first drive mechanism, and in order to both raise and lower said monitor support surface in at least one of cooperating and independent fashion relative said main work surface;

a range of adjustment associated with said main work surface and said monitor support surface accommodating a range of ergonomically correct posturing for individuals of differing height.

2. The workstation as described in claim 1, said first and second drive mechanisms each further comprising a switch activated linear actuator with a motor mount located at a base proximate each of said main and monitor drive shafts.

3. The workstation as described in claim 1, said frame further comprising a bipod configuration including a pair of elongated and ground supporting feet, a pair of angled legs extending between said feet and said main drive tube.

4. The workstation as described in claim 1, further comprising a support frame arranged underneath said main work surface and interconnected to said main drive shaft, said support frame including an elongate extending bow back and a pair of angularly and end extending arms.

5. The workstation as described in claim 1, further comprising an angled support arm extending from said monitor drive shaft and securing to an underneath location of said monitor support surface.

6. The workstation as described in claim 1, said first and second drive mechanisms each further comprising a threaded and rotatable rod encased within at least one of each of said main and monitor drive tubes.

7. The workstation as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one bearing located in proximity to a top end of said main drive tube and which is screw adjustable for supporting said main work surface.

8. The workstation as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one horizontally extending and swivelable support arm extending between said monitor drive shaft and said monitor support surface.

9. The workstation as described in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of support arms arranged in partially overlapping and bearing supported fashion.

10. The workstation as described in claim 9, further comprising a pair of brackets extending from an outermost extending support arm and which secure to a rear surface of a flat panel monitor.

11. The workstation as described in claim 8, further comprising a bearing supporting a flat panel mounting arm disposed between said monitor drive shaft and said support arm.

12. A workstation exhibiting dual and powered adjustable surfaces, comprising:

a frame incorporating a main drive tube and a monitor drive;

a main drive shaft associated with said main drive tube and upon which is supported a main work surface;

a monitor drive shaft associated with said monitor drive tube and upon which is supported a monitor support surface in elevated and overlapping fashion relative to said main work surface; and

at least one drive mechanism for actuating said main drive shaft and said monitor drive shaft to raise and lower both said main work surface and said monitor support surface in at least one of cooperating and independent fashion relative said main work surface;

a range of adjustment associated with said main work surface and said monitor support surface accommodating a range of ergonomically correct posturing for individuals of differing height.